bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a Risk Score to Identify Older Adults with Community‐Onset Pneumonia Most Likely to Benefit From Empiric Pseudomonas Therapy
Authors: Frei Christopher R. , Rehani Sylvie , Lee Grace C. , Boyd Natalie K. , Attia Erene , Pechal Ashley , Britt Rachel S. , Mortensen Eric M.
Published: December 2016

Study Objective

To assess the impact of empiric Pseudomonas pharmacotherapy on 30‐day mortality in hospitalized patients with community‐onset pneumonia stratified according to their risk (low, medium, or high) of drug‐resistant pathogens.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Data Source

Veterans Health Administration database.

Patients

A total of 50,119 patients who were at least 65 years of age, hospitalized with pneumonia, and received antibiotics within 48 hours of admission between fiscal years 2002 and 2007. Patients were stratified into empiric Pseudomonas therapy (31,027 patients) and no Pseudomonas therapy (19,092 patients) groups based on antibiotics received during their first 48 hours of admission.

Measurements and Main Results

A clinical prediction scoring system developed in 2014 that stratifies patients with community‐onset pneumonia according to their risk of drug‐resistant pathogens was used to identify patients who were likely to benefit from empiric Pseudomonas therapy as well as those in whom antipseudomonal therapy could be spared; patients were classified into low‐risk (68%), medium‐risk (21%), and high‐risk (11%) groups. Of the 50,119 patients, 62% received Pseudomonas therapy. All‐cause 30‐day mortality was the primary outcome. Empiric Pseudomonas therapy (adjusted odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.84) was associated with lower 30‐day mortality in the high‐risk group but not the low‐ or medium‐risk groups.

Conclusion

Application of a risk score for patients with drug‐resistant pathogens can identify patients likely to benefit from empiric Pseudomonas therapy. Widespread use of this score could reduce overuse of anti‐Pseudomonas antibiotics in low‐ to medium‐risk patients and improve survival in high‐risk patients.
Study on Catalytic Property of Bimetallic Cu‐Ni/SiO2 Hollow Spheres Prepared under Moderate Conditions
Authors: Sun Xin‐Zhi , Du Fang‐Lin
Published: December 2016

Bimetallic Cu−Ni (Cu/Ni 2/1) silicate hollow spheres with the controllable morphology have been synthesized successfully using one‐step sacrificial templating method under hydrothermal conditions. Following with in situ reduction in the hydrogen atmosphere under 350 °C for 5 h, Cu−Ni/SiO2 catalyst was obtained. The as‐prepared products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and TPR. The morphology of Cu−Ni silicate changed from core‐shell spheres, yolk‐shell spheres to hollow spheres by adjusting the synthetic time. Because of synergistic effect of nickel and copper, the hydrothermal conditions of bimetallic Cu−Ni silicate were changed to 120 °C‐3 h, which was the lower temperature and the shorter time in comparison with the synthetic conditions of monometal Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 and CuSiO3. Under different temperature and pressure, the catalytic property of Cu−Ni/SiO2 hollow spheres increased gradually with the temperature and pressure rising. The conversion of nitrobenzene could reach 100 % under 120 °C or 4 Mpa within 3 h.
Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Efficiency of rGO‐Ag‐BiFeO3 Ternary Nanohybrids on the Decontamination of Dye‐Polluted Water: An Amalgamation of 1D, 2D and 3D Systems
Authors: Mohan Sakar , Sivakumar Bharathkumar , Kulangara Rohith Vinod , Subramanian Balakumar
Published: December 2016

Ternary hybrid nanostructures consisting of 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO), 1D fibers/3D particulate bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3/BFO) and 3D silver (Ag) nanostructures have been fabricated and their photocatalytic efficiency on the decontamination of dye polluted water under the irradiation of natural and simulated sunlight sources have been investigated. The optical analysis by UV‐visible absorption, diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the manifested decreased band gap energy and reduced radiative‐emission in the hybrids could be essentially due to the alignments of band edge positions and localized surface plasmon resonance effects in the hybrids. Accordingly, the observed photocatalytic efficiency of the hybrids under natural and simulated solar light are attributed to the above said amalgamated effects, which eventually led to the increased productions of redox species, and the effective interactions of rGO−Ag‐BFO hybrids with the dye molecules.
Graphene Derivative As a Highly Efficient Nitrosonium Source: A Reusable Catalyst for Diazotization and Coupling Reaction
Authors: Pethsangave Dattatray A. , Khose Rahul V. , Chaskar Atul C. , Jun Seong Chan , Some Surajit
Published: December 2016

An efficient and a simple approach for the synthesis of azo dyes have been developed by the diazo coupling reactions of active aromatic compounds in the presence of in‐situ nitrite functionalized graphene oxide polyvinyl alcohol GO‐PVA composite as a highly efficient nitrosonium ion source. This methodology was objected to defeat the limitations of the earlier reported method such as use of acids, alkalis and toxic solvents, to reduce the stability of diazonium salts at room temperature, modest yields and long reaction time. Additionally, the attractive advantages of the process are that it incorporated mild conditions with excellent yield, simple product isolation process, fastest reaction time and recyclability of catalyst. The isolated products were characterized by FT‐IR spectrum, UV‐spectroscopy and 1H‐NMR. The as‐prepared composites were confirmed by UV‐Visible, XRD, XPS, FT‐IR spectrum, SEM and TGA analysis.
Smad anchor for receptor activation contributes to seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Yu Weihua , Du Yingshi , Zou Yan , Wang Xuefeng , Stephani Ulrich , Lü Yang
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Smad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) is an important regulator of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) signaling by recruiting Smad2/3 to TGF‐β receptors. Although TGF‐β signaling is critically involved in epileptogenesis, whether SARA activation is sufficient to facilitate TGF‐β pathway to regulate epilepsy remains unknown.

Methods

The expression of SARA and downstream Phospho‐Smad3 (p‐Smad3) was examined in rats with pilocarpine induced epilepsy. Additionally, knockdown of SARA was performed via recombinant lentiviral vector in the pilocarpine‐induced rats.

Results

Here we show that expressions of SARA and p‐Smad3 are increased in the hippocampus as rats subjected to pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Both SARA and p‐Smad3 are also upregulated in the temporal cortex of epileptic rats. Furthermore, SARA mRNA levels reach peak as early as 6 hr following SE onset and remain elevated in the chronic phase. Transfection of recombinant lentiviral shRNA targeting SARA knocks down SARA expression, attenuates TGF‐β/p‐Smad3 signaling in the hippocampus, and postpones the SE onset.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that SARA/Smad3 pathway contributes to mechanism of seizure and SARA in TGF‐β signaling may be a potential therapeutic target for epilepsy.
An Evaluation of Primary English Textbooks in Vietnam: A Sociolinguistic Perspective
Authors: Dang Tu Cam Thi , Seals Corinne
Published: December 2016

This article delves into the issue of incorporating sociolinguistic aspects of language and culture into the current primary English textbooks in Vietnam. The authors first provide an overview of primary English teaching in the Vietnamese setting and then evaluate the current primary English textbooks in relation to the objectives of foreign language teaching and learning proposed by Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training for the time period 2008–2020. The evaluation focuses on four main sociolinguistic aspects: teaching approach, bilingualism, language variations, and intercultural communication reflected in the primary English textbooks. The evaluation findings indicate that the textbook design follows communicative language teaching. However, English variations and cross‐cultural knowledge are still limited in the textbook design. Although some signs of bilingualism are recognized in the teachers' books, it is not clear whether bilingualism or double monolingualism is encouraged by the textbook writers. In order to improve sociolinguistic understanding among young learners, the authors recommend cooperation among teachers, textbook writers, and policymakers.
Expression of Talaromyces thermophilus lipase gene in Trichoderma reesei by homologous recombination at the cbh1 locus
Authors: Zhang Xu , Xia Liming
Published: December 2016

CBH1 (cellobiohydrolase) comprises the majority of secreted proteins by Trichoderma reesei. For expression of Talaromyces thermophilus lipase gene in T. reesei, a self-designed CBH1 promoter was applied to drive the lipase gene expression cassette which was bracketed by flanking sequences of cbh1 gene for homologous recombination. Protoplast and Agrobacterium-mediated plasmid transformations were performed and compared, resultantly, transformation mediated by Agrobacterium was overall proved to be more efficient. Stable integration of lipase gene into chromosomal DNA of T. reesei transformants was verified by PCR. After shaking flask fermentation, lipase activity of transformant reached 375 IU mL−1, whereas no cellobiohydrolase activity was detected. SDS-PAGE analysis further showed an obvious protein band about 39 kDa and no CBH1 band in fermentation broth, implying lipase gene was successfully extracellularly expressed in T. reesei via homologous recombination at cbh1 locus. This study herein would benefit genetic engineering of filamentous fungi and industrial application of thermo-alkaline lipase like in paper making and detergents addition.
TGF‐β Down‐regulates Apolipoprotein M Expression through the TAK‐1‐JNK‐c‐Jun Pathway in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Ren Kun , Mo Zhong‐Cheng , Liu Xing , Tang Zhen‐Li , Jiang Yue , Peng Xiao‐Shan , Zhang Qing‐Hai , Shi Jin‐Feng , Yi Guang‐Hui
Published: December 2016

Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a relatively novel apolipoprotein that plays pivotal roles in many dyslipidemia‐associated diseases; however, its regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Many cytokines have been identified that down‐regulate apoM expression in HepG2 cells, among which transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) exerts the most potent effects. In addition, c‐Jun, a member of the activated protein 1 (AP‐1) family whose activity is modulated by c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), decreases apoM expression at the transcriptional level by binding to the regulatory element in the proximal apoM promoter. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms through which TGF‐β decreases the apoM level in HepG2 cells. The results revealed that TGF‐β inhibited apoM expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and that it suppressed apoM secretion. These effects were attenuated by treatment of cells with either SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) or c‐Jun siRNA. 5Z‐7‐oxozeaenol [(a TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK‐1) inhibitor)] also attenuated the TGF‐β‐mediated inhibition of apoM expression and suppressed the activation of JNK and c‐Jun. These results have demonstrated that TGF‐β suppresses apoM expression through the TAK‐1‐JNK‐c‐Jun pathway in HepG2 cells.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Management of Premature Ejaculation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cooper Katy , Martyn-St James Marrissa , Kaltenthaler Eva , Dickinson Kath , Cantrell Anna , Ren Shijie , Wylie Kevan , Frodsham Leila , Hood Catherine
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Premature ejaculation (PE) is defined as ejaculation within 1 minute (lifelong PE) or 3 minutes (acquired PE), inability to delay ejaculation, and negative personal consequences. Management includes behavioral and pharmacologic approaches.

Aim

To systematically review effectiveness, safety, and robustness of evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in managing PE.

Methods

Nine databases including Medline were searched through September 2015. Randomized controlled trials evaluating complementary and alternative medicine for PE were included.

Main Outcome Measures

Studies were included if they reported on intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and/or another validated PE measurement. Adverse effects were summarized.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials were included. Two assessed acupuncture, five assessed Chinese herbal medicine, one assessed Ayurvedic herbal medicine, and two assessed topical “severance secret” cream. Risk of bias was unclear in all studies because of unclear allocation concealment or blinding, and only five studies reported stopwatch-measured IELT. Acupuncture slightly increased IELT over placebo in one study (mean difference [MD] = 0.55 minute, P = .001). In another study, Ayurvedic herbal medicine slightly increased IELT over placebo (MD = 0.80 minute, P = .001). Topical severance secret cream increased IELT over placebo in two studies (MD = 8.60 minutes, P < .001), although inclusion criteria were broad (IELT < 3 minutes). Three studies comparing Chinese herbal medicine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) favored SSRIs (MD = 1.01 minutes, P = .02). However, combination treatment with Chinese medicine plus SSRIs improved IELT over SSRIs alone (two studies; MD = 1.92 minutes, P < .00001) and over Chinese medicine alone (two studies; MD = 2.52 minutes, P < .00001). Adverse effects were not consistently assessed but where reported were generally mild.

Conclusion

There is preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic herbal medicine, and topical severance secret cream in improving IELT and other outcomes. However, results are based on clinically heterogeneous studies of unclear quality. There are sparse data on adverse effects or potential for drug interactions. Further well-conducted randomized controlled trials would be valuable.
Measurement and associative factors of adherence to epilepsy drug treatment among the elderly population in Tehran (Iran)
Authors: Fadaye-Vatan Reza , Delbari Ahmad , Lotfalinezhad Elham , Amini Fatemeh , Gharagozli Kurosh , Bolhari Jafar , Bahrami Parviz , Saii Vida , Ahmadi Amir , Moghadam Zahra , Aflakseir Abdulaziz , Bhalla Devender
Published: December 2016

Purpose The objective of this survey was to measure adherence and to identify correlation and prediction factors related to noncompliance among the elderly in Tehran, Iran.

Methods A population-based survey was carried out among the elderly (≥60 years of age) by using Tehran Epilepsy registry. All subjects were contacted by telephone and invited for face-to-face consultation. Questionnaires used were the following: Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS); Medical Prescription Knowledge (MPK); Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Along with customary descriptive statistics, a simple chi-square test (or Fischer exact test if value of cells was ≤5) was used for correlating; Cramer's V was used for strength of association, and prediction was by logistic regression.

Results Out of 104 subjects’ approached, 23 subjects (median age 62.0, 95% CI 61.0–64.7, range 60–71; 73.9% males; 78.3% married and having a living partner; 54.5% epilepsy as supernatural; 21.7% with comorbid condition) participated. Most did not have a recent epilepsy onset (n = 20, 86.8%), or had active epilepsy (n = 22, 95.7%), convulsive seizures (n = 21, 91.3%), with no (n = 13, 56.5%) to low seizure number, and polytherapy (n = 12, 52.2%). Median MARS score was 8.0 (95% CI 6.0–8.0, range 3–10). Nonadherence was correlated to comorbidity (p = 0.003) and widowhood or divorcehood (p = 0.04) and predicted by the same factors. Treatment side effects altered behavior (p = 0.03), and unsteadiness (p = 0.01) was also associated with nonadherence. MPK was positive for all participants. Median AMT score was 9.0 (95% CI 9.0–10.0, range 6–10).

Conclusion Elderly patients had a high treatment adherence and, as logically expected, were associated with comorbid state, divorce-widowhood, and drug-related behavioral side effects particularly behavioral and unsteadiness.
RUSSELL AND GÖDEL
Authors: URQUHART ALASDAIR
Published: December 2016

This paper surveys the interactions between Russell and Gödel, both personal and intellectual. After a description of Russell’s influence on Gödel, it concludes with a discussion of Russell’s reaction to the incompleteness theorems.
Which Public? Whose Goods? What We Know (and What We Don't) About Public Goods in Rural China
Authors: Newland Sara A.
Published: December 2016

What have we learned from a decade of research on the provision of public goods in the Chinese countryside? This review article surveys the literature in political science, economics and Chinese area studies. It describes the three dominant types of explanations for variation in the quality of public goods: local elections, social sanctioning and economic policies. It then argues that these findings are plagued by a set of common problems. Scholars mean different things when they use the term “public goods,” making their findings difficult to compare. Furthermore, the most common measures of public goods ignore the ways in which local officials manipulate statistics to enhance their career prospects and the interconnected nature of geographic-administrative units in the Chinese state. I suggest some ways to address these problems, and make recommendations for new directions in research on the topic.
Psychometric Properties of the Borderline Personality Features Scale	for Children-11 (BPFSC-11) in a Sample of Community Dwelling Italian	Adolescents
Authors: Fossati Andrea , Sharp Carla , Borroni Serena , Somma Antonella
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The aims of the current study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children-11 (BPFSC-11) in adolescence. In particular, we aim at evaluating: the internal consistency and six-month test-retest reliability of the Italian translation of the BPFSC-11, its factor structure, and its convergent validity. Eight hundred five community dwelling adolescents were administered the Italian translations of the BPFSC-11 and Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+(PDQ-4+) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) scale. The BPFSC-11 showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .78) and moderate six-month test-retest stability. Although confirmatory factor analysis did not support a one-factor model of the BPFSC-11 items, a bi-factor model (RMSEA = .04) showed that all BPFSC-11 items loaded significantly onto a general common factor, with two specific factors capturing largely residual variance due to distribution artifacts. In this study, the bivariate correlation between the BPFSC-11 and the PDQ-4+BPD scale was .64 ( p < .001). Finally, the BPFSC-11 showed gender invariance across items. In summary, our findings support the reliability and validity of the BPFSC-11 as a measure of self-reported borderline personality features in community dwelling adolescents.
Applying the Latent State-Trait Analysis to Decompose State, Trait,	and Error Components of the Self-Esteem Implicit Association	Test
Authors: Dentale Francesco , Vecchione Michele , Ghezzi Valerio , Barbaranelli Claudio
Published: December 2016

Abstract. In the literature, self-report scales of Self-Esteem (SE) often showed a higher test-retest correlation and a lower situational variability compared to implicit measures. Moreover, several studies showed a close to zero implicit-explicit correlation. Applying a latent state-trait (LST) model on a sample of 95 participants (80 females, mean age: 22.49 ± 6.77 years) assessed at five measurement occasions, the present study aims at decomposing latent trait, latent state residual, and measurement error of the SE Implicit Association Test (SE-IAT). Moreover, in order to compare implicit and explicit variance components, a multi-construct LST was analyzed across two occasions, including both the SE-IAT and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results revealed that: (1) the amounts of state and trait variance in the SE-IAT were rather similar; (2) explicit SE showed a higher consistency, a lower occasion-specificity, and a lower proportion of error variance than SE-IAT; (3) latent traits of explicit and implicit SE showed a positive and significant correlation of moderate size. Theoretical implications for the implicit measurement of self-esteem were discussed.
The Structural Validity of the Culture Fair Test Under Consideration	of the Item-Position Effect
Authors: Troche Stefan J. , Wagner Felicitas L. , Schweizer Karl , Rammsayer Thomas H.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Although all four subtests of Cattell’s Culture Fair Test (CFT) claim to measure inductive reasoning as a facet of fluid intelligence, previous studies indicated surprisingly weak correlations among them. In the present study, we applied a fixed-links modeling approach on CFT-20R data of 206 participants to control for the confounding influence of the item-position effect on test performance and to reevaluate the structural validity of the CFT-20R. Controlling for the item-position effect resulted in two latent variables representing inductive reasoning for CFT-20R subtests Series and Matrices and subtests Classifications and Topologies, respectively. Given the correlation of r = .61 between these two latent variables, the structural validity of the CFT-20R proved to be better than suggested by traditional correlations between test scores.
Using Landsat to Take the Long View on Greenland's Glaciers
Authors: Scheinert M. Scheinert , Rosenau Ralf , Ebermann Benjamin
Published: December 2016

A new web-based data portal gives scientists access to more than 40 years of satellite imagery, providing seasonal to long-term insights into outflows from Greenland's ice sheet.
Primate autoimmune disease models; lost for translation?
Authors: 't Hart Bert A
Published: December 2016

Replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3R's) are the leading principles in translational research with animals. To be useful a model should also be clinically Relevant (the 4th R). Work in a non‐human primate model of multiple sclerosis, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model, reveals an inherent conflict among these 4R principles. The impossibility to harmonize all 4R's forms a major challenge when the model is applied in preclinical drug development.
Natural karaya gum as an excellent binder for silicon-based anodes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Bie Yitian , Yang Jun , Nuli Yanna , Wang Jiulin
Published: December 2016

Natural karaya gum (KG), composed of multi-branched polysaccharides and glycoproteins, is proposed as a binder for high-performance silicon-based anodes.
Synergistic effects of thermal expansion-induced variation in the electrode microstructure on polarization loss in solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Wen Kechun , Tan Chao , He Weidong
Published: December 2016

Thermal expansion, capable of altering the electrode microstructure, might impact gas transport in electrode-supported solid oxide fuel cells.
Tuning the electrical performance of metal oxide thin-film transistors via dielectric interface trap passivation and graded channel modulation doping
Authors: Wu Zhiheng , Yao Zhiqiang , Liu Suilin , Yuan Bin , Zhang Yake , Liang Yu , Wang Zhuo , Tang Xiaosheng , Shao Guosheng
Published: December 2016

A novel strategy to achieve high performance thin-film transistors based on carrier concentration-graded InGaZnO channels using Al2O3-passivated HfO2 as a dielectric layer was established.
Interactive Book Reading to Accelerate Word Learning by Kindergarten Children With Specific Language Impairment: Identifying an Adequate Intensity and Variation in Treatment Response
Authors: Storkel Holly L. , Voelmle Krista , Fierro Veronica , Flake Kelsey , Fleming Kandace K. , Romine Rebecca Swinburne
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This study sought to identify an adequate intensity of interactive book reading for new word learning by children with specific language impairment (SLI) and to examine variability in treatment response.

Method

An escalation design adapted from nontoxic drug trials (Hunsberger, Rubinstein, Dancey, & Korn, 2005) was used in this Phase I/II preliminary clinical trial. A total of 27 kindergarten children with SLI were randomized to 1 of 4 intensities of interactive book reading: 12, 24, 36, or 48 exposures. Word learning was monitored through a definition task and a naming task. An intensity response curve was examined to identify the adequate intensity. Correlations and classification accuracy were used to examine variation in response to treatment relative to pretreatment and early treatment measures.

Results

Response to treatment improved as intensity increased from 12 to 24 to 36 exposures, and then no further improvements were observed as intensity increased to 48 exposures. There was variability in treatment response: Children with poor phonological awareness, low vocabulary, and/or poor nonword repetition were less likely to respond to treatment.

Conclusion

The adequate intensity for this version of interactive book reading was 36 exposures, but further development of the treatment is needed to increase the benefit for children with SLI.
Intracranial Ameloblastoma Arising from the Maxilla: An Interdisciplinary Surgical Approach
Authors: Koch Felix , Dinc Nazife , Lescher Stephanie , Baumgarten Peter , Harter Patrick , Scheerer Friedrich , Sader Robert , Seifert Volker , Marquardt Gerhard , Freiman Thomas , Quick-Weller Johanna
Published: December 2016

Background Ameloblastomas are a rare tumor entity accounting for only 10% of all odontogenic tumors. They mostly originate from the mandible. Only a few cases are known to grow aggressively and to invade the orbit, nasal cavity, or even the brain.

Patient and Methods/Case Report We present the case of a 57-year-old patient who was admitted with a huge tumor involving the nasal cavity, the left maxilla, and the anterior fossa. Histologic diagnosis was made by biopsy. A combined two-stage neurosurgical maxillofacial approach was planned. First the intracranial tumor mass was removed using bifrontal trepanation. A duraplasty was sewn in to cover the brain. In the second procedure, a combined bifrontal and midfacial approach was used by craniofacial plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. A perisinusoidal tumor mass and retropharyngeal tumor mass was removed up to the skull base. The left orbit was completely exenterated, and a fibular bone-muscle graft was used for palatal, orbital, and facial reconstruction. The facial vein and artery were carefully prepared to feed the bone-muscle graft by end-to-end anastomoses.

Conclusion Ameloblastomas are very rare slow-growing tumors that show a tendency to recur. They are responsible for only 1% of all oral tumors. Their growth can be enormous, and they can extend into sinusoidal cavities, the orbit, and the brain. Complex and extensive palliative surgery can ease the concerns of these patients and prolong their survival.
Selective Brain Cooling after Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects of Three Different Cooling Methods—Case Report
Authors: Nickl Robert , Koehler Stefan , Fricke Patrick , Stetter Christian , Rueckriegel Stefan , Ernestus Ralf-Ingo , Westermaier Thomas
Published: December 2016

Background In experimental models of neuronal damage, therapeutic hypothermia proved to be a powerful neuroprotective method. In clinical studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI), this very distinct effect was not reproducible. Several meta-analyses draw different conclusions about whether therapeutic hypothermia can improve outcome after TBI. Adverse side effects of systemic hypothermia, such as severe pneumonia, have been held responsible by some authors to counteract the neuroprotective effect. Selective brain cooling (SBC) attempts to take advantage of the protective effects of therapeutic hypothermia without the adverse side effects of systemic hypothermia.

Methods Three different methods of SBC were applied in a patient who had severe TBI with recurrent increases of intracranial pressure (ICP) refractory to conventional forms of treatment: (1) external cooling of the scalp and neck using ice packs prior to hemicraniectomy, (2) external cooling of the craniectomy defect using ice packs after hemicraniectomy, and (3) cooling by epidural irrigation with cold Ringer solution after hemicraniectomy.

Results External scalp cooling before hemicraniectomy, external cooling of the craniectomy defect, and epidural irrigation with cold fluid resulted in temperature differences (brain temperature to body temperature) of − 0.2°, − 0.7°, and − 3.6°C, respectively. ICP declined with decreasing brain temperature.

Conclusion Previous external cooling attempts for SBC faced the problem that brain temperature could not be lowered without a simultaneous decrease of systemic temperature. After hemicraniectomy, epidural irrigation with cold fluid may be a simple and effective way to lower ICP and apply one of the most powerful methods of cerebroprotection after severe TBI.
Optimising self-assembly through time-dependent interactions
Authors: Fullerton Christopher J. , Jack Robert L.
Published: December 2016

We demonstrate a simple method by which time-dependent interactions can be exploited to improve self-assembly in colloidal systems. We apply this method to two systems: a model colloid with a short-ranged attractive potential, which undergoes crystallisation, and a schematic model of cluster growth. The method is based on initially strong bonds between particles, to accelerate nucleation, followed by a stage with weaker bonds, to promote the growth of high-quality assembled structures. We track the growth of clusters during assembly, which reveals insight into effects of multiple nucleation events and of competition between the growth of clusters with different properties.
Localized operator partitioning method for electronic excitation energies in the time-dependent density functional formalism
Authors: Nagesh Jayashree , Frisch Michael J. , Brumer Paul , Izmaylov Artur F.
Published: December 2016

We extend the localized operator partitioning method (LOPM) [J. Nagesh, A. F. Izmaylov, and P. Brumer, J. Chem. Phys. 142, 084114 (2015)] to the time-dependent density functional theory framework to partition molecular electronic energies of excited states in a rigorous manner. A molecular fragment is defined as a collection of atoms using Becke’s atomic partitioning. A numerically efficient scheme for evaluating the fragment excitation energy is derived employing a resolution of the identity to preserve standard one- and two-electron integrals in the final expressions. The utility of this partitioning approach is demonstrated by examining several excited states of two bichromophoric compounds: 9−((1− naphthyl)− methyl)− anthracene and 4−((2− naphthyl)− methyl)− benzaldehyde. The LOPM is found to provide nontrivial insights into the nature of electronic energy localization that is not accessible using a simple density difference analysis.
Enhanced thermoelectric figure-of-merit in environmentally benign BaxSr2-xTiCoO6 double perovskites
Authors: Saxena Mandvi , Roy Pinku , Acharya Megha , Bose Imon , Tanwar Khagesh , Maiti Tanmoy
Published: December 2016

Environmental friendly, non-toxic double perovskite BaxSr2-xTiCoO6 compositions with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 were synthesized using solid-state reaction route for high temperature thermoelectric (TE) applications. XRD and SEM studies confirmed the presence of single-phase solid solution with highly dense microstructure for all the oxide compositions. Temperature dependent electrical conductivity measurement showed semiconductor to metal (M-S) transition in these double perovskites. Incorporation of barium in Sr2TiCoO6 pushed M-S transition to higher temperature making it a potential candidate for high temperature TE applications. Conductivity behaviors of these oxides were explained by small polaron model. Furthermore, these oxides exhibit a glass like behavior resulting in low thermal conductivity. Low temperature dielectric measurement revealed relaxor ferroelectric behavior in these oxides below room temperature. Transition of these relaxors into a glassy state beyond Burns temperature (TD) was found responsible for having low thermal conductivity in these oxides. Maximum dimensionless TE figure-of-merit ZT = 0.29 at 1223 K was achieved for BaxSr2-xTiCoO6 composition with x = 0.2.
Anisotropic dissipation in lattice metamaterials
Authors: Krattiger Dimitri , Khajehtourian Romik , Bacquet Clémence L. , Hussein Mahmoud I.
Published: December 2016

Plane wave propagation in an elastic lattice material follows regular patterns as dictated by the nature of the lattice symmetry and the mechanical configuration of the unit cell. A unique feature pertains to the loss of elastodynamic isotropy at frequencies where the wavelength is on the order of the lattice spacing or shorter. Anisotropy may also be realized at lower frequencies with the inclusion of local resonators, especially when designed to exhibit directionally non-uniform connectivity and/or cross-sectional geometry. In this paper, we consider free and driven waves within a plate-like lattice−with and without local resonators−and examine the effects of damping on the isofrequency dispersion curves. We also examine, for free waves, the effects of damping on the frequency-dependent anisotropy of dissipation. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of engineering the dissipation anisotropy by tuning the directional properties of the prescribed damping. The results demonstrate that uniformly applied damping tends to reduce the intensity of anisotropy in the isofrequency dispersion curves. On the other hand, lattice crystals and metamaterials are shown to provide an excellent platform for direction-dependent dissipation engineering which may be realized by simple changes in the spatial distribution of the damping elements.
Investigation on the viscoelastic behaviors of a circular dielectric elastomer membrane undergoing large deformation
Authors: Wang Bing , Wang Zhengang , He Tianhu
Published: December 2016

To explore the time-dependent dissipative behaviors of a circular dielectric elastomer membrane subject to force and voltage, a viscoelastic model is formulated based on the nonlinear theory for dissipative dielectrics. The circular membrane is attached centrally to a light rigid disk and then connected to a fixed rigid ring. When subject to force and voltage, the membrane deforms into an out-of plane shape, undergoing large deformation. The governing equations to describe the large deformation are derived by using energy variational principle while the viscoelasticity of the membrane is describe by a two-unit spring-dashpot model. The evolutions of the considered variables and the deformed shape are illustrated graphically. In calculation, the effects of the voltage and the pre-stretch on the electromechanical behaviors of the membrane are examined and the results show that they significantly influence the electromechanical behaviors of the membrane. It is expected that the present model may provide some guidelines in the design and application of such dielectric elastomer transducers.
Simulation study of MEMS piezoelectric vibration energy harvester based on c-axis tilted AlN thin film for performance improvement
Authors: Kong Lingfeng , Zhang Jinhui , Wang Huiyuan , Ma Shenglin , Li Fang , Wang Qing-Ming , Qin Lifeng
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a MEMS piezoelectric cantilevered vibration energy harvester based on c-axis tilted AlN thin film is investigated. Based on basic piezoelectric equations and static analysis of cantilever beam, the equations for generated energy (E) and open circuit voltage (Vo) were derived, and simulations were carried out to study the effects of geometry parameters and c-axis tilted angle. Results show that E and Vo of energy harvesters are greatly dependent on c-axis tilted angle and geometry parameters, while the coupling between c-axis tilted angle and geometry parameters is not strong. For a given structure size, E and Vo can be almost simultaneously improved by controlling c-axis tilted angle; compared with the case of normal c-axis angle, E with optimal c-axis tilted angle can be amplified by more than 3 times, and the Vo is amplified by about 2 times. E or Vo could be further improved by geometry parameters, while there is trade-off between them. These results can be used for the design and application of piezoelectric cantilevered vibration energy harvester.
Electroless plated maghemite for three-dimensional magneto photonic crystals
Authors: Mito Shinichiro , Kawashima Takuya , Kawaguchi Takuma , Sasano Junji , Takagi Hiroyuki , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: December 2016

Three-dimensional magneto photonic crystals (3D-MPCs) are promising material for manipulating light in 3D space. In this study, we fabricated 3D-MPC that is filling the air-gap of opal photonic crystal with magnetic material by electroless plating. The electroless plating is an attractive film-forming method which provides magnetic material films on various substrates in aqueous solution at 24-90 °C. As magnetic material for filling the air-gap, maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) film was plated in opal photonic crystal. The plated maghemite film showed a Faraday rotation of 0.6 deg./μm at 440 nm and significantly lower absorption than magnetite. The plated opal showed photonic band gap and magneto-optic response. Faraday rotation of the plated opal was enhanced at the band edge. The photonic band gap and the Faraday rotation spectra were changed as a function of incident angle of light. Electroless plating of maghemite could be promising technique for fabricating 3D-MPCs.
Cell morphology drives spatial patterning in microbial communities
Authors: Smith William P. J. , Davit Yohan , Osborne James M. , Kim Wook , Foster Kevin R. , Pitt-Francis Joe M.
Published: December 2016

Significance

Microbial communities contain cells of different shapes, and yet we know little about how these shapes affect community biology. We have developed a computational model to study the effects of microbial shape in communities. Our model predicts that shape will have strong effects on cells’ positioning, and, consequently, their survival and reproduction. Rod-shaped cells are better at colonizing the base of the community and its expanding edges, whereas round cells dominate the upper surface. We show that the same patterns occur in colonies of
Escherichia coli
, using strains with different shapes. Our work suggests that cell shape is a major determinant of patterning and evolutionary fitness within microbial communities.
Autophagy wins the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Breakthroughs in baker's yeast fuel advances in biomedical research
Authors: Levine Beth , Klionsky Daniel J.
Published: December 2016

Autophagy is an ancient pathway in which parts of eukaryotic cells are self-digested within the lysosome or vacuole. This process has been studied for the past seven decades; however, we are only beginning to gain a molecular understanding of the key steps required for autophagy. Originally characterized as a hormonal and starvation response, we now know that autophagy has a much broader role in biology, including organellar remodeling, protein and organelle quality control, prevention of genotoxic stress, tumor suppression, pathogen elimination, regulation of immunity and inflammation, maternal DNA inheritance, metabolism, and cellular survival. Although autophagy is usually a degradative pathway, it also participates in biosynthetic and secretory processes. Given that autophagy has a fundamental role in many essential cellular functions, it is not surprising that autophagic dysfunction is associated with a wide range of human diseases. Genetic studies in various fungi, particularly
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, provided the key initial breakthrough that led to an explosion of research on the basic mechanisms and the physiological connections of autophagy to health and disease. The Nobel Committee has recognized this breakthrough by the awarding of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for research in autophagy.
Le Robert électronique
Authors: Guilbaud Daniel
Published: December 2016

"Quel pied!", s’enthousiasmait Fabien Gruher après avoir testé le Robert électronique, "cet extraordinaire bijou de 15 grammes"(1)) II est vrai que, lorsqu’on a goûté à la version informatisée du célèbre Grand Robert en 9 volumes, il est bien difficile de s’en séparer. Un groupe d’étudiants australiens vient d’en faire l’expérience, et a perdu ses complexes devant un dictionnaire "tout en français", qu’il soit électronique ou en version papier.
Thematic Progression and Paragraph Development in the experimental Research paper
Authors: Nwogu Kevin Ngozi
Published: December 2016

Most technical and academic writing manuals attempt to instruct students on how to achieve a clear and readable discourse style. Very often, the instructions they provide are based on intuition rather than empirical research into authentic technical and experimental reports. This study presents an account of an investigation into the develop-ment of information in paragraphs in all section of an experimental research paper based on Danes (1970, 1974) functional theory of Thematic Progression (TP). The results show that TP correlates with the structure of text in the research paper and that different sections of the research paper tend to employ different TP patterns to develop the information they contain. This result is shown to have great im-plications for technical and academic writing.
Cross-Cultural Responses to Cross-Cultural Communication
Authors: Clyne Michael , Giannicos Connie , Neil Deborah
Published: December 2016

This paper builds on ongoing research on communication in English between migrants of diverse backgrounds in Melbourne work-places. Subjects from various European and South-east Asian backgrounds were videoed responding to videoed role plays between European and South-east Asians based on instances of communication breakdown (apology, complaint, small talk) in our corpus. The paper discusses the differences in the mode of argumentation between the cultural groups. Special attention will be paid to the use and non-use of yes and no, the presentation and elaboration of arguments, identification of and with their own cultural styles, and the identification of and with their own work experience. Responses will be related to cultural value systems and the co-operative principle.
Code-Mixing as a Communication Strategy in the Speech of Zaïrean Students of English
Authors: Nsakala Lengo
Published: December 2016

The lack of balance between foreign language students' competence and the communicative demands imposed on them prompts them to resort to communication strategies, one of which is code-mixing. This strategy with Zaïrean students is mostly characterized by the influence of French (rather than their Zaïrean languages) on their English. Foreign language students should be advised to avoid code-mixing in their use of the target language, first because of its poor effect on the listener, and second because it may slow down the acquisition of the target language, instead of promoting it.
Automatic Extraction of Valency Information
Authors: Daugaard Jan , Kirchmeier-Andersen Sabine , Schøsler Lene
Published: December 2016

The above research team has for the past 4 years been working on a database of valency schemes for 4,000 Danish verbs. First we present the underlying theoretical assumptions for the creation of valency schemes. Then the tools to perform automatic extraction of valency information from corpora are described. Finally, the results are presented.

Keywords: natural language parsing, Danish, lexical valency, the Pronominal Approach, corpus analysis.
Morphological Analysis of Dutch Medical Compounds and Derivations
Authors: Spyns Peter , De Wachter Lieve
Published: December 2016

In this article, the morphological parser used within the Dutch part of the MENELAS-project is described. The parser handles inflection, derivation and compounding. Its main characteristic is that it is specific for the medical sublanguage. The paper will focus on the architecture and the working principles of the parser and on the semi-automatic extension module for the lexicon. Some suggestions for improvement are made.
Attitudes Towards Received Pronunciation (RP) Among Nigerian Undergraduates
Authors: Ioratim-Uba G.A.
Published: December 2016

Using undergraduates in two Nigerian Universities, namely the University of Ilorin and the University of Jos, we have examined attitudes towards Received Pronunciation (RP). Employing the multivariate theoretical trend, based on the social psychological approach as explicated by BAKER (1992), we have examined the extent of influence by instrumental, integrative and nationalistic judgements on those attitudes held toward RP by the undergraduates. The methodological devices used were the questionnaire, matched guise, and observation. Employing the chi-square statistical measure at an alpha critical value of <.05, the instrumental judgement was found to exert greater influence on the favourable attitudes expressed toward RP by the sampled undergraduates. This result seems to bear significant implications on the future of RP in Nigeria. RP is likely to linger on in Nigeria, playing both personal, sociolinguistic and educational roles.
Linguistic Problems Facing Arab Learners of English
Authors: Tushyeh Dr. Hanna Y.
Published: December 2016

This paper briefly discusses the importance of error analysis, types of errors, and the major causes of errors in second or foreign language learning. The major portion of this paper is devoted to the linguistic problems faced by Arab learners of English as a foreign language. The paper then briefly deals with the linguistic interference from Arabic in the learning of English in the areas of spelling and pronunciation, vocabulary, and some selected syntactic features. The paper concludes by offering some pedagogical implications about error analysis.
Testing the acquisition of English productive and non-productive derivatives by native-Arabic speakers
Authors: Al-qadi Nassir Saleh
Published: December 2016

Vocabulary development can be achieved by helping the foreign learner of English to acquire productivity and non-productivity in English derivation. In addition, the English productive derivatives should be given special attention in teaching to and learning by native-Arabic speakers because the Arabic language is a language of derivation and it is highly productive. This paper tests how the adult native-Arabic speakers learning English as a foreign language acquire English productive and non-productive derivatives. This will be done by comparing productivity in standard written Arabic and standard written English through contrastive analysis. The concept of contrastive analysis (CA) is initially called upon the fact that Arabic is a language of productive derivation while English is a language of more than one source of word-formation; borrowing, compounding and derivation. Moreover, productivity in English is not high. Secondly, morphology is subject to avoidance phenomenon by foreign learners. Hence, the predictive value of CA and also its testing in this paper should be very helpful for English teachers to native-Arabic speakers learning English and other foreign learners, language acquisition researchers, applied linguists, methodologists and textbook-writers.