bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not all feldspar is equal: a survey of ice nucleating properties across the feldspar group of minerals
Authors: Harrison Alexander D. , Whale Thomas F. , Carpenter Michael A . , Holden Mark A. , Neve Lesley , O'Sullivan Daniel , Vergara Temprado Jesus , Murray Benjamin J.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Mineral dust particles from wind-blown soils are known to act as effective ice nucleating particles in the atmosphere and are thought to play an important role in the glaciation of mixed phase clouds. Recent work suggests that feldspars are the most efficient nucleators of the minerals commonly present in atmospheric mineral dust. However, the feldspar group of minerals is complex, encompassing a range of chemical compositions and crystal structures. To further investigate the ice-nucleating properties of the feldspar group we measured the ice nucleation activities of 15 well-characterised feldspar samples. We show that alkali feldspars, in particular the potassium feldspars, generally nucleate ice more efficiently than feldspars containing significant amounts of calcium in the plagioclase series. We also find that there is variability in ice nucleating ability within these groups. While five out of six potassium-rich feldspars have a similar ice nucleating ability, one potassium rich feldspar sample and one sodium-rich feldspar sample were significantly more active. The hyper-active Na-feldspar was found to lose activity with time suspended in water with a decrease in mean freezing temperature of about 16 °C over 16 months; the mean freezing temperature of the hyper-active K-feldspar decreased by 2 °C over 16 months, whereas the ‘standard’ K-feldspar did not change activity within the uncertainty of the experiment. These results, in combination with a review of the available literature data, are consistent with the previous findings that potassium feldspars are important components of soil dusts for ice nucleation. However, we also show that there is the possibility that some alkali feldspars can have enhanced ice nucleating abilities, which could have implications for prediction of ice nucleating particle concentrations in the atmosphere.
Relative contribution of stand characteristics on carbon stocks in subtropical secondary forests in Eastern China
Authors: Ali Arshad , Yan En-Rong , Chen Han Y. H. , Zhao Yan-Tao , Yang Xiao-Dong , Xu Ming-Shan
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Stand structural diversity, which is characterized by species diversity, variances in tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and height, plays an important role in influencing forest carbon (C) stocks. However, the relative contribution of stand structural diversity in contrast to other stand characteristics on the variation in C stocks in subtropical forests have not been fully explored. In this study, aboveground C stock, soil organic C stock, tree species, DBH and height diversities, stand age, and stand density, and site productivity were determined across 80 subtropical forest plots in Eastern China. Using simple regression analysis, we found that DBH and height diversities, site productivity, and stand age explained 49 %, 13 %, 41 %, and 50 % of the variation in aboveground C stock, respectively, whereas species diversity and stand density did not explained any variation (i.e., < 1 %). Multiple regression analysis indicated that variation in aboveground C stock was explained to a higher degree (83 %) by the joint effects of DBH diversity, stand age, site productivity, species diversity and height diversity than by stand structural diversity (54 %), and the other three stand characteristics (79 %) alone. The structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that the effect of stand age on aboveground C stock was stronger directly (beta = 0.59) than indirectly (beta = 0.11). Stand age has also significant and strong effect on DBH (beta = 0.63) and height (beta = 0.55) diversities. Six stand characteristics did not explain any variation in soil organic C stock (i.e., < 2 %), based on both simple and multiple regressions analyses, as well as SEM analysis. Our analyses suggest that, rather than species and height diversities, DBH diversity, stand age and site productivity cumulatively contributed to variation in aboveground C stock during stand development in subtropical secondary forests in Eastern China. Therefore, improving tree DBH diversity and stand condition could be an effective approach for enhancing C storage in subtropical forests.
A land surface model combined with a crop growth model for paddy rice (MATCRO-Rice Ver. 1) – Part II: Model validation
Authors: Masutomi Yuji , Ono Keisuke , Takimoto Takahiro , Mano Masayoshi , Maruyama Atsushi , Miyata Akira
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We conducted a comprehensive validation of the simulations by MATCRO-Rice developed by Masutomi et al. (2016). In the validation, we compared simulations with observations for latent heat flux (LHF), sensible heat flux (SHF), net carbon flux, and paddy rice yield from 2003 to 2006. The observation site used for the comparison is located in Tsukuba, Japan, where inputs for running the model and outputs for the validation were fully observed. The 4-year average root mean square errors (RMSEs) between simulations and observations for LHF and SHF were 18.57 and 12.66 W m−2, respectively. These values for errors are comparable to those reported in earlier studies. The comparison of biomass growth during growing periods from 2003 to 2006 shows that the simulations were in agreement with the observations, indicating that the model can reproduce the net carbon flux well. The 4-year average RMSE for crop yield in the same period was 402.4 kg ha−1, which accounted for 7.9 % of the mean observed yields. These results indicate that MATCRO-Rice has high ability to accurately and consistently simulate LHF, SHF, net carbon flux, and crop yield.
Attractiveness of South-West Poland municipalities for independent hotel investors
Authors: Puciato Daniel , Dziedzic Ewa
Published: February 2016

Tourism plays an increasingly important role in local development. Municipalities are therefore increasingly competing for tourists as well as for investors who will invest in the construction of tourism infrastructure, such as hotels. The aim of the study was to identify the most important factors that determine the attractiveness of municipalities for potential hotel investors. The research was conducted in three Polish provinces, Lower Silesia, Opole, and Silesia, in 2000–2009. The findings show that potential investors were guided by: access to human resources and the land available for investment, the size of the tourism supply, the intensity of competition in the hotel sector, and incentives from local authorities.
"Nations Will Not Survive Without Their Cultural Heritage" Karol Estreicher, Polish Cultural Restitution Plans and the Recovery of Polish Cultural Property from the American Zone of Occupation
Authors: Sroka Marek
Published: February 2016

As the war and Nazi occupation intensified, the registration of cultural losses became a considerable component of salvage efforts and laid the foundation for postwar restitution of Polish movable cultural property. Cultural losses registration was a coordinated effort by the Polish government-in-exile in London and the Polish underground government in Nazi-occupied Poland. It involved hundreds if not thousands of curators, art scholars, librarians, university professors and students, museum employees, and couriers. Nevertheless, one individual emerged as the leader of Poland’s efforts to publicize its cultural losses and lobby for the return of Polish cultural property looted by the Nazis. Passionate about Poland’s cultural assets, Karol Estreicher, an art historian and bibliographer from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, would not rest until Poland had recovered its most important treasures, including the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece from St. Mary’s Church in Kraków. The article examines Polish cultural losses registration and plans for the restitution of cultural property and compensation for Poland’s cultural losses. Polish restitution efforts in the American occupation zone are discussed in the context of American cultural restitution and reparations policy as formulated by the Roberts Commission and the U.S. State Department. Finally, the question of using cultural assets as war reparations is examined with respect to Polish plans for reparation claims of German cultural property.
"A Passion for Humanity:" Founding the New England Hospital for Women and Children
Authors: Pula James S.
Published: February 2016

The status of women in early nineteenth-century America was not very high. Despite the lofty rhetoric of the Declaration of Independence, women were unable to vote or hold political office, could not serve on juries, were excluded from most professions, and had only a very limited access to higher education. If a woman married, which social customs of the day encouraged women to do early, all of her property and other assets became the property of her husband: she no longer had any control over anything. She had no right to legal decisions involving her property or her children, could not make a legal will, could not legally sign a contract, and could not sue in court without her husband’s permission. If she found herself in an abusive relationship, divorce was very difficult, and if achieved it left her with nothing since all of the property-including any children-belonged to the male. Early nineteenth-century stereotypes pictured women as delicate creatures who would be harmed by any strenuous physical or mental activity. As such, they were generally viewed as inferior to men, a belief often supported by religious preaching that emphasized strict gender roles. Only rarely could women hope to be educated beyond secondary school, and as late as the Civil War there were but a handful of female physicians, virtually no women attorneys, and all but a very few business and professional fields were closed to women. If they did manage to move beyond general service jobs, they were invariably paid much less than their male counterparts. An exception to this dismal picture was Marie Elizabeth Żakrzewska, a Polish immigrant who became one of the first female physicians to receive a medical degree and practice medicine in the United States. A firm supporter of women’s rights, she chose as her battleground the field of medicine. This article chronicles her entry into that profession and the lasting contributions she made with the establishment of the first female teaching hospital for women and children in the United States.
Global Górale and Postmodern Polskość Polish Roots Music and the Post-Communist Recovery of Folk
Authors: Gunkel Ann Hetzel
Published: February 2016

The Communist regime of the twentieth century co-opted Polish folk culture as part of its own ideology. "Both folk music and traditions were sanitized almost to irrelevance, emerging mainly through presentation by professional folk troupes … the overall effect was homogenization rather than local identity… . Nonetheless, there was just about enough slack in the system for local bands to keep some genuine tradition going." But the past twenty years have seen a resurgence of Polish roots music–called antifolk or hardcore folk. My research examines three groups that emerged in the 1990s groundswell of Polish folk music: Zakopower, Lao Che, and the Warsaw Village Band. My research explores the resurgence of Polish roots music by framing contemporary Polish musical practices as hybrid re-formations and redeployments of the folkloric that resist modernist notions of folklore, and demand a new scholarly approach to folklore and questions of ethnic identity. This article summarizes the trajectory of that larger research project.
Preparation and Charactreization Selective Electrode for Determination of CopperIon(II)
Authors: Rassi Salwa Fares
Published: February 2016

Achemically modified carbon paste electrode with diphenyl carbazide the potentiometric determination of Cu(II) is demonstrated. The electrode exhibits linear response to Cu(II) over a wide concentration range (9.2×10−7-5.0×10−1) with Nernstian slope of 30±0.15 mV per decade. It has a response time of about 40 s and can be used for a period of two months with good reproducibility. The detection limit of this electrode was 7.0×10−7 M. The proposed electrode shows a very good selectivity for Cu(II) over a wide variety of metal ions. This chemically modified carbon paste electrode was successfully used for the determination of Cu(II) in various water samples solution and pharmaceutical formulation
CONTROL DE CONVENCIONALIDAD (ADELANTOS Y RETROCESOS)
Authors: Hitters Juan Carlos
Published: February 2016

Los órganos jurisdiccionales domésticos -y los Tribunales Constitucionales que en determinados países no dependen del Poder Jurisdiccional- ejercitan el llamado control de constitucionalidad que importa una comparación, entre su Carta Magna y las normas que por su rango están por debajo de élla, debiendo darle prioridad a la primera. Podemos hablar entonces de un contralor concentrado, típico de algunas Constituciones Europeas, a partir de la Austriaca de 1946, donde la revisión es hecha exclusivamente por un único cuerpo diseñado para tales fines; o en su caso -como es por demás sabido-, del control difuso que debe ser llevado a cabo, como en Estados Unidos y en Argentina y últimamente en México a través de todos y cada uno de los magistrados judiciales
DERECHO DEL TRABAJO Y COERCIBILIDAD PENAL
Authors: Arigón Mário Garmêndia
Published: February 2016

En Uruguay, la aprobación de la Nº 19.196 (del 25 de marzo de 2014) generó un fuerte debate sobre la pertinencia del Derecho Penal del Trabajo. La coercibilidad de las normas laborales es un elemento de indiscutible importancia a la hora de garantizar la eficacia de aquellos preceptos jurídicos. Sin embargo, no todos coinciden en que la penalización de los incumplimientos sea el mecanismo adecuado para conseguir el objetivo perseguido.
DIREITO PENAL “FELIZ”: UTILITARISMO E LIMITES CONSTITUCIONAIS DO PODER PUNITIVO
Authors: Pontes Freitas Ricardo De Brito Albuquerque
Published: February 2016

O texto pretende examinar a teoria ética utilitarista em sua dimensão penal com a finalidade de avaliar sua compatibilidade com o direito penal liberal e o Estado democrático de direito.
CONSTRUÇÃO HISTÓRICA DA CONTENÇÃO DO PODER PUNITIVO: dos primórdios ao Direito Penal liberal
Authors: Araújo Fabio Roque da Silva
Published: February 2016

Não se tem notícia histórica da existência de sociedade em que os comportamentos considerados desviantes não estivessem presentes. Mesmo nas organizações sociais mais rudimentares, os homens estabeleceram certas regras de convivência, seja com o intuito de manter a coesão do grupo social, seja como forma de se defender de eventuais excessos perpetrados por demais membros do grupo. Uma vez estabelecidas as regras de convivência, as respectivas violações – os comportamentos desviantes – sempre estiveram presentes, em maior ou menor monta.

Desde as mais primitivas formas de organização social, o homem convive com fórmulas de retaliação a estes comportamentos considerados desviantes. Seja por meio de represálias oriundas de particulares, seja por meio de punições emanadas do poder constituído pelo grupo social, as punições são uma constante na história da humanidade.

Encontrar os fundamentos da contenção deste poder punitivo  - sob pena de se descambar para o mais abjeto totalitarismo – é a questão que intriga e aflige tantos quantos se debruçaram sobre as razões de existência do Direito Penal.
Estabelecidas estas premissas, cumpre asseverar que o presente trabalho, sem pretensões de exaurir as discussões, objetiva apontar as bases históricas que conduziram à construção da contenção do poder punitivo do Estado Moderno, cujo ápice foi materializado no ideal iluminista, que traz consigo o Direito Penal liberal.
IDEALISMO E FALIBILIDADE NA CONCEPÇÃO DA DEMOCRACIA
Authors: Borges de Oliveira Emerson Ademir
Published: February 2016

Por muito tempo, a democracia foi erigida a um modelo de “ídolo”, um regime perfeito que deveria ser seguido pelos modelos reais. O trabalho de Nietzsche, nessa seara, rompeu com a ideia dos ídolos, dentre eles a democracia, identificando como químera a crença em tais tradições ou modelos perfeitos. Embora seu trabalho tenha sido de excelente grado nesse tocante, é certo que Nietzsche é um desconstrutivista. Por essa razão, cabe-nos analisar a questão da idolatria democrática e, com base na genealogia nietzscheana, tentar construir um “modelo” realizável de democracia. Nas atuais circunstâncias institucionais, a identificação de um modelo de democracia que apresenta graves falhas e ranhuras é imprescindível para saber até que ponto se busca atingir um modelo democrático, ou se a busca, na verdade, representa uma ilusão vivenciada em pleno seio da democracia. Na verdade, a crise institucional brasileira se deve em grande parte às frustrações decorrentes de se perquirir um modelo inalcançável e desafinado com a realidade democrática nacional. E é justamente na fuga de uma democracia idolatra que se mostra pleno o caminho para superação dos fundamentos das insatisfações populares, realçando-se com mais profundidade os aspectos peculiares da democracia em processo brasileira.
O DIREITO DO TRABALHO POR EVARISTO DE MORAES FILHO: UMA CONTRIBUIÇÃO À COMPREENSÃO DA CULTURA JURÍDICA TRABALHISTA BRASILEIRA.
Authors: Coutinho Leonardo da Silva Sayonara Grillo
Published: February 2016

O objetivo do artigo é examinar as concepções de Direito do Trabalho presentes na obra de Evaristo de Moraes Filho, em especial o debate sobre as funções e sentidos deste ramo. Para tanto, apresenta o autor, com sua múltipla formação e dupla inserção - acadêmica e profissional - nas áreas de ciências jurídicas e sociais, e se referencia em estudos que o situam no âmbito do pensamento social brasileiro e da repercussão de sua obra na sociologia do trabalho e no direito coletivo. A partir das teses que o descrevem como um pensador não canônico nas ciências sociais, indaga se, no campo laboral, os referenciais analíticos presentes em sua obra jurídica denotam um caráter não hegemônico de suas concepções teóricas. Realiza tal percurso com uma revisão bibliográfica de e sobre Moraes Filho. Argumenta que a recursa à tese da outorga e do insolidarismo se faz acompanhada da afirmação de um caráter compromissório e de mediação do direito laboral. Conclui, destacando a singularidade metodológica do jurista. Encerra com um inventário de temas de pesquisa que permitem ampliar a compreensão sobre a contribuição de Evaristo de Moraes Filho para a cultura jurídica trabalhista.
Teaching and Learning with Real-World Tools
Authors: Chrisler Kelly S.
Published: February 2016

To better prepare students for their future careers, a fifth-grade teacher designs and implements a lesson that uses spreadsheet software to graph functions.
Evaluation of Bioactivity and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of Herbal Plants Against Ampicillin Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Ainanshe Abdirahman  , Rida Batool
Published: February 2016

Presently, natural products are extensively used as substitute of synthetic drugs because of natural and environment friendly antimicrobial actions due to presence of bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds are found extensively in herbs. In this study, bioactivity and phytochemical study of crude extracts of Ocimum basilicum, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Origanum vulgare against ampicillin resistant bacterial strains isolated from fruits and vegetables eaten as raw, was investigated. Bacterial strains were isolated from the surface of selected washed fruits and vegetables by serial dilution method. Three morphologically different strains (A, P and L) were selected on the basis of resistance to ampicillin (150ug/ml). 16s rRNA sequencing revealed that bacterial strains A, P and L belong to Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain A, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain P and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, respectively. Phytochemical screening showed presence of different chemical compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phlobotannins, quinones, coumarin and flavonoids. Occurrence of saponins and flavonoids in the extract was further confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis and Origanum vulgare extracts caused inhibition of the isolated ampicillin resistant organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) but effect of Thymus vulgaris was more pronounced. Anti-mitotic study revealed the ability of these extracts to reduce dividing cells by the anti-mitotic properties and this is helpful in inhibition of the development of cancer cells. Therefore, these plants can be used to discover natural products that will aid in more effective developments of new drug research activities.
Bibliotecas, medios y métricas de la web social
Authors: González Fernández-Villavicencio Nieves
Published: February 2016

Se presenta un resumen de la tesis Rentabilidad de la biblioteca en la web social, describiendo la investigación que se ha llevado a cabo para demostrar que el uso de la web social por las bibliotecas en su oferta de productos y servicios adecuados a las expectativas de sus usuarios, es rentable para su institución al obtener diferentes tipos de ROI. Se describe la batería de indicadores y métricas para evaluar su evolución y resultados.
Open Journal Systems servers in the Nordic Countries in 2015
Authors: Thestrup Jesper Boserup
Published: February 2016

This article shows that Universities operate most of the OJS-servers in the Nordic countries and that the universities often chooses to let the university libraries maintain the service. Only few publishers and other organizations do appear to use the software.
H. C. Andersen’s ‘Schiller Fairy Tale’ and the Post-Romantic Religion of Art
Authors: Detering Heinrich
Published: February 2016

In his story ‘Den gamle Kirkeklokke’ [‘The Old Church Bell’], Andersen transforms, reinterprets, and dissolves Schiller’s popular poem ‘Das Lied von der Glocke’ [‘The Song of the Bell’] into prose. Written for the Schiller celebrations in 1859, it re-establishes the Romantic cult of the artist under profoundly changed cultural conditions. The article examines Andersen’s complex relationship with the Weimar culture and reveals the hidden autobiographical patters in his Schiller narrative. By adopting Schiller’s role for himself and at the same time linking it to the biography of Thorvaldsen, Andersen manages to bridge the only recently developed national gap between Danish and German culture. He simultaneously arranges the story as a critical commentary on his own Romantic tale ‘Klokken’ [‘The Bell’]. Thus, ‘my Schiller fairy tale’ turns out to be a post-Romantic legend that succeeds Wackenroder’s and Tieck’s outdated ‘religion of art’ in a decidedly ‘prasaic’ mode.
Erindringens poetik: William Wordsworth, S. T. Coleridge, Thomas De Quincey
Authors: Lysell Roland
Published: February 2016
The Conception of Popularity in the Enlightenment and Romanticism
Authors: Oesterle Günter
Published: February 2016

It can hardly be disputed that the theme of popularity is central to the Enlightenment. Popularity is the sociality equivalent to the individual appeal: ‘Dare to know.’ Parallel to this runs the following imperative: ‘Dare to encourage your neighbour and your fellow man and woman to think on their own – even though they do not belong to the erudite elite.’ It is also undeniable that Romantic authors and philosophers polemically attempted to tear down the popularity project of the Enlightenment, their main criticism being its tendency towards mediocrity. It is less well known that Romantic authors and philosophers themselves, around the turn of the nineteenth century, made popularity their central concern. To quote Friedrich Schlegel in the journal Athenaeum: ‘The time of popularity has come.’ This article explores the Romantics’ alternative conception of popularity, with especial reference to Johann Gottlieb Fichte and the Grimm brothers. To this end, it is helpful to reconstruct the background of the Romantic attempt to create an independent
concept of popularity: the debate between Immanuel Kant and the German popular philosopher Christian Garve on the necessity, possibilities, and limits of popularity.
Recognition and Dissimulation: Nationalism and Genre in James Clarence Mangan's 'The Lovely Land'
Authors: Armstrong Charles I.
Published: February 2016

James Clarence Mangan has been celebrated by James Joyce and W. B. Yeats as one of the preeminent Irish writers of the nineteenth century. This essay interprets his poem ‘The Lovely Land’, first printed in The Nation on 18 July 1846, in terms of genre and nationalism. In an early Irish example of ekphrasis, the poem stages a rhetorical misreading where the speaker mistakes an unnamed Irish landscape of Daniel Maclise’s for a painting by Veronese or  Poussin. Where – among his English and German Romantic predecessors – might Mangan have found a precedent for the poem’s treatment of landscape? And how does the colonial relationship between Ireland and England fit in with the poem’s complex manoeuvring of different national iconographies? In seeking to answer these questions, this essay looks to
further the ‘mapping’ of Mangan’s position in Romanticism as an international movement.
Notes toward a Definition of Romantic Nationalism
Authors: Leerssen Joep
Published: February 2016

While the concept ‘Romantic nationalism’ is becoming widespread, its current usage tends to compound the vagueness inherent in its two constituent terms, Romanticism and nationalism. In order to come to a more focused understanding of the concept, this article surveys a wide sample of Romantically inflected nationalist activities and practices, and nationalistically inflected cultural productions and reflections of Romantic vintage, drawn from various media (literature, music, the arts, critical and historical writing) and from different countries. On that basis, it is argued that something which can legitimately be called ‘Romantic nationalism’ indeed took shape Europe-wide between 1800 and 1850. A dense and intricately connected node of concerns and exchanges, it affected different countries, cultural fields, and media, and as such it takes up a distinct position alongside political and post-Enlightenment nationalism on the one hand, and the less politically-charged manifestations
of Romanticism on the other. A possible definition is suggested by way of the
conclusion: Romantic nationalism is the celebration of the nation (defined by its language, history, and cultural character) as an inspiring ideal for artistic expression; and the instrumentalization of that expression in ways of raising the political consciousness.
The Use of Rubrics in the Clinical Evaluation of Podiatric Medical Students
Authors: Smith Kevin M , Geletta Simon , McArdle Austin
Published: February 2016

Background: We assessed the differences in podiatric medical students' clinical professionalism objective scores (CPOSs) by comparing a previous nonrubric evaluation tool with a more recently implemented objective-centered rubric evaluation tool. This type of study has never been performed or reported on in the podiatric medical education literature.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 89 third-year podiatric medical students between academic years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. A Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to compare CPOSs from the students' first (CPOS1) and second (CPOS2) rotations. A correlation analysis was performed comparing students' grade point averages (GPAs) with each of the individual CPOSs to verify the validity of the rubric evaluation tool.

Results: The Pearson correlation coefficients for the relationship between 2012 CPOS1 and CPOS2 and GPA were r = 0.233 (P ≤ .093) and r = 0.290 (P < .035) and for the relationship between 2013 CPOS1 and CPOS2 and GPA were r = 0.525 (P = .001) and r = 0.730 (P < .001).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the use of a rubric in the evaluation of podiatric medical students' CPOSs is correlated with their GPAs, and CPOS2 demonstrated a higher correlation than CPOS1. We believe that implementation of the rubric evaluation tool has increased the accuracy of the evaluation of podiatric medical students with respect to CPOSs.
Assessment of a Cultural Competency Program in Podiatric Medical Education
Authors: Smith Kevin M , Geletta Simon , Langan Travis
Published: February 2016

Background: Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS) is implementing a cultural competency program for third-year podiatric medical students. This study assessed the effectiveness of the new educational program on cultural competency at CPMS by comparing pretest and posttest scores of students from the CPMS graduating classes of 2013 and 2014.

Methods: Students from the class of 2013 completed a 10-week online course on cultural competency, and the class of 2014 students did not. A pretest and posttest survey was used to assess cultural competency. The questions were categorized to assess either knowledge acquisition or attitudinal change. The 2013 students completed the pretest before the course and a posttest after completing the course. Without taking the course, 2014 students completed the same pretest and posttest separated by 10 weeks. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the knowledge acquisition scores and attitudinal change scores.

Results: The repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction effect of taking the attitudinal change course (F(1,77) = 15.2; P < .001). The course did not show a significant interaction on knowledge acquisition (F(1,77) = 0.72; P > .05).

Conclusions: The analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in attitudinal change scores. The study suggests that there needs to be a greater knowledge acquisition component to the cultural competency course at CPMS.
Metabolism fine-tunes macrophage activation
Authors: Torres AnnMarie , Makowski Liza , Wellen Kathryn E
Published: February 2016

A signaling pathway that rewires metabolism in macrophages to trigger changes in gene expression has been identified.
Efficient optical terahertz-transmission modulation in solution-processable organic semiconductor thin films on silicon substrate
Authors: Matsui Tatsunosuke , Mori Hiroki , Inose Yuto , Kuromiya Shota , Takano Keisuke , Nakajima Makoto , Hangyo Masanori
Published: February 2016

Terahertz (THz)-transmission modulation through the Si substrate coated with four π-conjugated materials under various laser light irradiation conditions was investigated using THz time-domain spectroscopy. Two of the π-conjugated low molecules, the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-pentacene), and two of the π-conjugated polymer materials, poly[5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2-methoxycyanoterephthalyliden] (MEH-CN-PPV) and poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL), were investigated. Among these materials, PCBM and TIPS-pentacene showed higher modulation efficiencies and it was also shown that thermal annealing is quite effective in obtaining THz modulation efficiencies higher than those previously reported for copper phthalocyanine. Utilizing these solution-processable π-conjugated materials, various types of THz materials and devices could be fabricated by printing technologies. Our findings may open the way to fabricating various types of THz active devices.
Cost-Effectiveness of AI for Risk-Stratified Breast Cancer Screening
Authors: Hill Harry , Roadevin Cristina , Duffy Stephen , Mandrik Olena , Brentnall Adam
Published: September 2024

Importance

Previous research has shown good discrimination of short-term risk using an artificial intelligence (AI) risk prediction model (Mirai). However, no studies have been undertaken to evaluate whether this might translate into economic gains.

Objective

To assess the cost-effectiveness of incorporating risk-stratified screening using a breast cancer AI model into the United Kingdom (UK) National Breast Cancer Screening Program.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This study, conducted from January 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, involved the development of a decision analytical model to estimate health-related quality of life, cancer survival rates, and costs over the lifetime of the female population eligible for screening. The analysis took a UK payer perspective, and the simulated cohort consisted of women aged 50 to 70 years at screening.

Exposures

Mammography screening at 1 to 6 yearly screening intervals based on breast cancer risk and standard care (screening every 3 years).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incremental net monetary benefit based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and National Health Service (NHS) costs (given in pounds sterling; to convert to US dollars, multiply by 1.28).

Results

Artificial intelligence–based risk-stratified programs were estimated to be cost-saving and increase QALYs compared with the current screening program. A screening schedule of every 6 years for lowest-risk individuals, biannually and triennially for those below and above average risk, respectively, and annually for those at highest risk was estimated to give yearly net monetary benefits within the NHS of approximately £60.4 (US $77.3) million and £85.3 (US $109.2) million, with QALY values set at £20 000 (US $25 600) and £30 000 (US $38 400), respectively. Even in scenarios where decision-makers hesitate to allocate additional NHS resources toward screening, implementing the proposed strategies at a QALY value of £1 (US $1.28) was estimated to generate a yearly monetary benefit of approximately £10.6 (US $13.6) million.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this decision analytical model study of integrating risk-stratified screening with a breast cancer AI model into the UK National Breast Cancer Screening Program, risk-stratified screening was likely to be cost-effective, yielding added health benefits at reduced costs. These results are particularly relevant for health care settings where resources are under pressure. New studies to prospectively evaluate AI-guided screening appear warranted.
Direct Reconstruction of Wet Foam from Sparse‐View, Dynamic X‐Ray CT Scans
Authors: Renders Jens , Mancini Lucia , De Beenhouwer Jan , Sijbers Jan
Published: September 2024

X‐ray imaging of wet foam dynamics with a high temporal resolution (e.g., 3D videos with a 10 Hz frame rate) requires fast rotation of either the foam sample or the X‐ray gantry. This, however, strongly limits the number of X‐ray projections per rotation that can be acquired. As a result, conventional computed tomography reconstruction methods generate 3D images with severe undersampling artefacts, complicating subsequent foam analysis. Herein, BubSub, a novel tomographic reconstruction approach that reconstructs a 4D (3D plus time) dynamic image of wet foam bubbles from sparse‐view X‐ray projections by leveraging prior knowledge about the evolving foam structure, is introduced. BubSub adapts a collection of subdivision surfaces with spherical topology to represent liquid–gas interfaces of foam bubbles. Estimation of bubble positions and shapes at each time point is achieved by minimizing the projection distance in relation to the measured projections. BubSub operates efficiently with minimal memory usage, exhibits robustness against noise, and provides accurate reconstructions, even when the available projections are limited, as evidenced by various experiments using both simulated and real wet foam X‐ray data.
Impact of Surface Roughness on the Yield Drop of Hot‐Rolled AZX311 Mg Alloy
Authors: Tariq Hafiz Muhammad Rehan , Kang Hyun‐Hak , Chaudry Umer Masood , Khan Muhammad Kashif , Jun Tea‐Sung
Published: September 2024

Surface roughness control is crucial for optimizing the mechanical performance of magnesium alloys in various industrial applications. This study investigates the influence of surface roughness on the mechanical behavior of hot‐rolled AZX311 Mg alloy. Uniform scratches are made on the gauge length perpendicular to the loading direction by mechanical grinding using P‐2400 grit‐size sandpaper on one set of samples, while another set retains a polished surface. Uniaxial tensile tests reveal a significant decrease in yield strength for the rough‐surfaced samples compared to the polished samples. Surface profilometry confirms higher Ra values for the rough‐surfaced samples, indicating a noticeably rougher surface compared to the smoother polished samples. The rough surface exhibits V‐notch irregularities, acting as stress concentrators during mechanical loading, in contrast to the smoother profile of the polished samples. This behavior is corroborated by Vickers hardness testing, which shows the highest hardness values near the scratched surfaces indicating localized deformation and strain‐hardening effects.
Mechanically Robust Gelatin Gel for Sensitive Touch Sensor Based on Electrode Potential
Authors: Wei Shicheng , Xu Jun , Zhao Wenfei , Li Xinyang , Zhao Wenpeng , Yan Shouke
Published: September 2024

Gelatin hydrogel with excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility is widely used in drug delivery, electronic devices, and flexible sensors. However, it is prone to dehydration, which severely restricts its applications. The incorporation of hydrated ions, for example choline chloride (ChCl), can not only improve its water retention capacity but also keep its biocompatibility. Unfortunately, the improvement in water retention is realized at the expense of mechanical properties because the ChCl can suppress the crystallization of gelatin. Here, ChCl is introduced into gelatin hydrogel using a simple post‐treatment to simultaneously improve its water retention capacity and mechanical properties. As a result, the resultant gelatin gel possesses a maximum fracture strength of 5.4 MPa with a strain of 623% and can maintain its weight for at least 30 days. In addition, the gelatin gel exhibits intriguing properties, such as self‐healing, anti‐freezing, anti‐drying, recycling, conductivity, and moldability, which can be successfully served as wearable sensors to monitor human movements. Further, a sensitive touch sensor based on electrode potential is established for the first time using the obtained gel, which can transmit messages through the touch potential signal.
Engineered Functional Segments Enabled Mechanically Robust, Intrinsically Fire‐Retardant, Switchable, Degradable PolyureThane Adhesives
Authors: Xue Yijiao , Zhang Meng , Huo Siqi , Ma Zhewen , Lynch Mark , Tuten Bryan T , Sun Ziqi , Zheng Wei , Zhou Yonghong , Song Pingan
Published: September 2024

Adhesives are being used ubiquitously, such as automotive, building, electronics, and beyond. Due to the lack of rational design strategies, they have yet to achieve a performance portfolio: mechanically robust, highly adhesive, fire‐retardant, switchable, and sustainable (e.g., biobased, reusable, biodegradable) to ensure their practical applications. Herein, a fire‐retardant phosphorus‐containing pimaric acid bio‐derivative, AD, as functional segments, is rationally engineered to prepare biobased polyurethane (PU) adhesive that realizes such an integrated performance portfolio. Because of dynamic hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking of polar AD, the as‐prepared PU adhesive exhibits an ultrahigh adhesion force of 38.8 N cm–1. As‐prepared adhesive can be readily reused benefiting from its good solubility in ethanol and exhibits temperature‐responsive switchable adhesion without degraded adhesion. Also, the adhesive shows intrinsic fire retardance due to its biphasic modes of action. The labile ester bonds in the structure enable the adhesive to completely degrade in the presence of lipase or dilute acid. Further demonstration of its promising applications as an adhesive for nanocomposite heat dissipators shows superior dissipating efficiencies to commercial heat sinks. This work offers a novel design approach for creating next‐generation sustainable high‐performance adhesives with functional integration and circular life cycles, which are anticipated to find extensive real‐world applications.
A Water Solution Processed Hybrid Electron Transport Layer Simultaneously Enhances Efficiency and Stability in Inverted Structure Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Suo Zhaochen , Li Longyu , Liu Jian , Yao Zhaoyang , Li Chenxi , Wan Xiangjian , Chen Yongsheng
Published: September 2024

Achieving both high efficiency and stability in organic solar cells (OSCs) remains a significant challenge. Inverted structure OSCs, compared to those with a normal structure, show great potential for combining high efficiency with enhanced stability. However, despite their improved stability, the efficiencies of inverted OSCs still lag behind those of conventional structure OSCs, largely due to the performance of electron transport layers (ETLs). Herein, a water‐soluble hybrid ETL is developed by modifying SnO2 nanoparticles with an aqueous potassium carboxylate salt, PMA. This modification effectively passivates the oxygen vacancy defects in the SnO2 nanoparticles and eliminates the light soaking issue observed in the control device. As a result, the PM6:Y6‐based device shows an improvement in efficiency from 16.68% to 17.85% with PMA modification. Notably, an exceptional efficiency of 19.07% is achieved for the PM6:BTP‐eC9‐based device using this hybrid ETL, marking the highest efficiency reported to date for single‐junction inverted OSCs. In addition, all tested OSCs with the hybrid ETL demonstrate superior stability under both thermal and light illumination at the maximum power point compared to the control devices. Furthermore, utilizing this water‐processed hybrid ETL, a large‐area module based on PM6:BO‐4Cl is fabricated and shows an outstanding efficiency of 15.02%.
Dual‐Mode Flexible Electrophoretic E‐Paper with Integration of Alternating Current Electroluminescent Technology for Ubiquitous Ambient Light Applications
Authors: Shi Jintao , Fan Qitian , Zhu Simu , Gu Yifan , Liu Guangyou , Zhou Tao , Chen Weichun , Xiong Feng , Peng Lisha , Li Longda , Qin Zong , Deng Shaozhi , Yang Bo‐Ru
Published: September 2024

Reflective e‐paper displays show promising prospects with the increasing demand for energy‐efficient and sustainable technologies. However, the intrinsic incapability to display in dark environments hinders their broader application, and it is significantly important to enable reflective displays to achieve good display effects under various lighting conditions. Here, a flexible dual‐mode display device is proposed, which can demonstrate both reflective and emissive modes and achieve swift and straightforward mode switching by altering the driving waveforms. The single display layer of the device is formed by uniformly dispersing microcapsules and electroluminescent powder within the waterborne polyurethane dielectric matrix, which exhibits a reflective contrast ratio of 5.6 and a maximum luminance of 107.5 cd m−2. At the same time, the device possesses the merits of fast response speed at the millisecond level, high‐performance stability, and good mechanical robustness. Besides, through the waveform design, a reflection‐emission hybrid mode is proposed for more diverse display effects. Furthermore, a concept of dual‐mode contrast ratio is established, which further pinpoints the reflection‐emission transition points, thereby prompting the balance between energy‐saving and watching experience.
Effects of Amino Compounds and Zeolite Matrix on the Afterglow Performance of Carbon Dots@Zeolite Composites
Authors: Yang Xin , Li Jiyang , Lu Siyu
Published: September 2024

At present, the regulation mechanism of the number and type of amino groups in the precursor and the number of alkyl chains in amine compounds on afterglow performance is not clear. To address this problem, a series of amine compounds as carbon sources is designed and utilized AlPO‐5 zeolite as the matrix to create a range of carbon dots@zeolite composite materials (CDs@AlPO‐5). N heteroatoms not only increase the potential for triplet emission but also introduce more N/O (C═O/C═N/N─H bonds) into the system as the number of amino groups increases. The introduction of abundant active groups and the strong interaction between carbon dots (CDs) and molecular sieve matrix induces a red shift in the afterglow emission wavelength and an increase in lifetime. The quantum yields (QYs) of CDs@AlPO‐5 are affected by the type of amino groups and the number of alkyl chains in the carbon source. The higher activity of the amino reaction site and the reduction in the number of alkyl chains help to regulate the afterglow emission behavior. Intelligent selection of the type and number of amino groups is an important step toward broadening the basis for controllable preparation of highly efficient afterglow materials based on CDs.
Engineering of Bioresorbable Polymers for Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Dobrzyńska‐Mizera Monika , Dodda Jagan Mohan , Liu Xiaohua , Knitter Monika , Oosterbeek Reece N. , Salinas Pablo , Pozo Eduardo , Ferreira Ana Marina , Sadiku Emmanuel Rotimi
Published: September 2024

Herein, the recent advances in the development of resorbable polymeric‐based biomaterials, their geometrical forms, resorption mechanisms, and their capabilities in various biomedical applications are critically reviewed. A comprehensive discussion of the engineering approaches for the fabrication of polymeric resorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery, surgical, cardiological, aesthetical, dental and cardiovascular applications, are also explained. Furthermore, to understand the internal structures of resorbable scaffolds, representative studies of their evaluation by medical imaging techniques, e.g., cardiac computer tomography, are succinctly highlighted. This approach provides crucial clinical insights which help to improve the materials’ suitable and viable characteristics for them to meet the highly restrictive medical requirements. Finally, the aspects of the legal regulations and the associated challenges in translating research into desirable clinical and marketable materials of polymeric‐based formulations, are presented.
Bi‐Pt Heterojunction Cascade Reaction Platform for Sono‐Immunotherapy of Tumors via PANoptosis and Ferroptosis
Authors: Wu Sijia , Wang Qian , Du Jun , Zhu Lejin , Yang Fujun , Lu Jiacheng , Li Xueyu , Li Yuhao , Cui Jingtao , Miao Yuqing
Published: September 2024

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) represents a promising, noninvasive, and precise treatment modality for tumors, demonstrating significant potential in clinical applications. However, the efficiency of sonosensitizers in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) is often limited by rapid electron‐hole recombination. In this study, BiF3@BiOI is synthesized via a co‐precipitation method, followed by in‐situ reduction to decorate it with Pt nanoparticles, resulting in BiF3@BiOI@Pt‐PVP (BBP) nanocomposite for enhancing SDT efficacy. The formation of the BiF3@BiOI heterojunction enhances charge separation ability. The decoration of Pt nanoparticles narrows the bandgap and alters the band positions and Fermi level of BBP, which can effectively mitigate the rapid recombination of electron‐hole pairs and facilitate a cascade reaction of ROS, thereby improving ROS generation efficiency with ultrasound excitation. Additionally, bismuth ions in BBP and the generated holes consume glutathione, exacerbating cellular oxidative damage, and triggering PANoptosis and ferroptosis. Furthermore, Pt nanoparticles demonstrate peroxidase‐like activity, catalyzing endogenous hydrogen peroxide to oxygen. These functions are helpful against tumors for alleviating hypoxic conditions, reshaping the microenvironment, modulating immune cell infiltration capacity, and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. The dual strategy of forming heterojunctions and sensitization with noble metals effectively enhances the efficacy of sono‐catalytic therapy‐induced immune activation in tumor treatment.