bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Choosing to Study Foreign Languages in England: An Experimental Intervention
Authors: Taylor Florentina , Marsden Emma J.
Published: November 2014

The declining interest in foreign languages in English‐speaking countries has been attributed to negative societal attitudes and specific pupil attitudes and perceptions. While various initiatives have aimed to encourage language study, little research has systematically documented the relationship among perceptions, attitudes, and actually opting to study a language (henceforth, uptake). This article reports on an experiment involving 604 13/14‐year‐old pupils in 3 secondary schools in England that tested whether perceived relevance of languages can be improved through 2 different interventions (a panel discussion with external speakers versus a lesson with an external tutor) and whether pupil perceptions and attitudes can be linked explicitly to foreign language uptake at an optional level. Findings show that only pupils who participated in the panel discussion subsequently reported more positive attitudes and higher personal relevance of languages, though participating in either intervention may have contributed to higher uptake compared to a nonactive control group. Boys appeared to have generally more negative attitudes toward both language learning and advocacy than girls. Declared intentions to study or drop a language did not align with final decisions for one quarter of the pupils. Critically, perceptions of language lessons (French, German, or Spanish) and attitudes to languages were reliable predictors of uptake, though the strongest predictor was whether pupils considered languages to be important for themselves. Perceived wider importance of languages was not, in itself, a sufficient incentive.
The Ideal ‘Native Speaker’ Teacher: Negotiating Authenticity and Legitimacy in the Language Classroom
Authors: Creese Angela , Blackledge Adrian , Takhi Jaspreet Kaur
Published: November 2014

This article presents a linguistic ethnographic study of a Panjabi complementary school in Birmingham, UK. Researchers observed classes for one academic year, writing field notes, conducting interviews, and making digital audio recordings of linguistic interactions. Sets of beliefs about the production and deployment of certain linguistic signs were powerfully in play in the language learning classroom, as teachers and students negotiated what counts as the authenticity and legitimacy of the ‘native speaker’ teacher. Analysis of examples from empirical linguistic material focuses on the ways in which local practices constitute, and are related to, orders of indexicality and language ideologies. Analytical discussion offers an understanding of complex, situated, and nuanced negotiations of power in claiming and assigning authenticity and legitimacy in language learning contexts. The article considers the construction of the ‘native speaker’ heritage language teacher, and asks what counts as authentic and legitimate in teaching the community language, Panjabi, to a group of English‐born young people who share Panjabi as a cultural and linguistic heritage.
Learning and Retaining Specialized Vocabulary From Textbook Reading: Comparison of Learning Outcomes Through L1 and L2
Authors: Gablasova Dana
Published: November 2014

This study investigated the acquisition of specialized vocabulary from L1 and L2 textbook reading by 64 Slovak high school students who were intermediate or advanced users of English. The students were divided into two groups: One group read the academic texts in their L1, the other group in their L2. In a posttest and a delayed posttest, they were asked to orally recall the meanings of 12 technical words that appeared in the texts. The word meanings recalled by the students immediately after reading and 1 week later were examined in terms of their breadth and depth. Results showed that although the L2‐instructed students acquired the meanings of the specialized vocabulary items to a considerable degree, they still differed significantly from their L1‐instructed counterparts in several respects: They could recall fewer word meanings after the reading; they acquired the words to a lesser depth; and after a week, their knowledge of the words faded more rapidly than that of the L1‐instructed participants. The significance of the findings for L2 vocabulary acquisition and bilingual education is discussed.
The Role of Morphological and Contextual Information in L2 Lexical Inference
Authors: Hamada Megumi
Published: November 2014

This study investigated the role of morphological and contextual information in inferring the meaning of unknown L2 words during reading. Four groups of college‐level ESL students, beginning (n = 34), intermediate (n = 27), high‐intermediate (n = 21), and advanced (n = 25), chose the inferred meanings of 20 pseudo compounds (e.g., rainfime) from multiple choice options. The pseudo compounds were presented in a set of sentences. In the Morphology Reliable condition, the known word part in the pseudo compounds provided semantic information about the meaning of the compounds, which also matched the context of the sentences. In the Morphology Unreliable condition, the known word part did not provide any reliable semantic information nor did it match the context. The critical answer options were the meanings based on morphological information and the meanings based on contextual information. Results indicated significant differences in the choice of answers between the groups only in the Morphology Unreliable condition: The beginning‐level learners relied more on morphological information even though the meanings based on morphology were incorrect. The study discusses the underlying processes in the choice of information used in lexical inference during reading.
Lexical Inferencing in First and Second Language Listening
Authors: Van Zeeland Hilde
Published: November 2014

Lexical inferencing is an important vocabulary learning strategy. Unfortunately, almost all research on this issue has been carried out in the reading context. This study is the first to directly measure lexical inferencing success in listening, by both native (N = 47) and nonnative (N = 30) speakers of English. It analysed the effects of contextual clue types, background knowledge, and L2 vocabulary knowledge on inferencing success. Results showed inferencing success rates of 59.6% (natives) and 35.6% (nonnatives), with success being significantly affected by the three variables. The study also measured L2 listeners' ability to notice unknown vocabulary in speech. This revealed limited noticing ability, indicating that a lack of noticing is likely to limit learners' inferencing opportunities and success.
Diagnostic accuracy of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia consortium criteria (FTDC) in a clinicopathological cohort
Authors: Balasa Mircea , Gelpi Ellen , Martín Idaira , Antonell Anna , Rey Ma Jesus , Grau‐Rivera Oriol , Molinuevo José Luis , Sánchez‐Valle Raquel , Lladó Albert ,   Catalan collaborative Study Group for FTLD
Published: November 2014

Aims

The aims of this study were to assess the sensitivity of the International Behavioural Variant FTD Criteria Consortium (FTDC) revised criteria of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) in a pathological cohort and to determine their predictive values in a clinical context suggestive of bvFTD. In addition, the study aimed to assess the influence of the age at onset and underlying pathology in the clinicopathological correlations.

Methods

Retrospective, blinded review of the clinical and neuropathological data from the Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank Hospital Clinic–IDIBAPS, Barcelona (Spain) was conducted, assessing the fulfilment of the diagnostic criteria on a case‐by‐case basis. Two separate nonexclusive cohorts were selected: Cohort 1 (n = 58) subjects with pathological diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Cohort 2 (n = 66) subjects with the premortem diagnosis of bvFTD.

Results

The FTDC criteria reached a sensitivity of 93% for possible and 80% for probable bvFTD. Early‐onset cases displayed significantly more disinhibition, loss of empathy and compulsive behaviour with respect to late‐onset bvFTD, leading to a slightly higher sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria (97% vs. 91%). There were no differences in the diagnostic performance between tau‐positive and tau‐negative cases. In subjects clinically diagnosed as bvFTD, a ‘possible bvFTD’ diagnosis reached a positive predictive value for FTLD pathology of 90%, irrespective of underlying proteinopathy. False‐positive clinical diagnoses were mainly Alzheimer's disease. These cases were significantly older, had less family history of dementia and had a predominantly apathetic clinical picture.

Conclusions

The revised bvFTD criteria present good sensitivity and positive predictive value in both early‐ and late‐onset cases and regardless of the underlying FTLD pathology.
Antibodies to a brain‐type creatine kinase associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes
Authors: Tetsuka Syuichi , Yamasawa Hideaki , Ikeguchi Kunihiko , Fujimoto Ken‐ichi
Published: November 2014

Background

Previously, we identified a brain‐type creatine kinase antibody to be associated with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration using a proteomic approach. Immunohistochemistry showed that this antibody reacted with both mouse cerebellar neurons and bladder cancer tissues. Furthermore, we detected this antibody in sera from two paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer and one lymphoma patient. In total, we detected four paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients.

Aim

To confirm the new onconeural antibody, we investigated whether this autoantigen is expressed in both human cerebellum and cancer tissues (small cell lung cancer of lymphoma).

Methods

We examined sera from two paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer, one lymphoma patient and a patient with sensory‐motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome by western blotting and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to explore creatine kinase brain‐type antibody expressions in these cancer cells as well as in the human cerebellum. Sera from the patients without paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration were used as controls. In addition, we examined the serum from a patient with sensory‐motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome by western blot.

Results

The mean serum values of creatine kinase brain‐type antibodies in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer were significantly higher than those of small cell lung cancer patients without paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Immunohistochemistry detected this autoantigen expression in both abovementioned specimens. We also detected this antibody in the serum in sensory‐motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome.

Conclusion

Our study showed that this antibody was produced in four paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients, and that this autoantigen expression was evident in human cerebellum and cancer. These findings show that creatine kinase brain‐type antibody might be a novel antibody associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndrome.
Are above‐ and below‐ground phenology in sync?
Authors: Abramoff Rose Z. , Finzi Adrien C.
Published: November 2014

Globally, root production accounts for 33–67% of terrestrial net primary productivity and influences decomposition via root production and turnover, carbon (C) allocation to mycorrhizal fungi and root exudation. As recognized above ground, the timing of phenological events affects terrestrial C balance, yet there is no parallel understanding for below‐ground phenology. In this paper we examine the phenology of root production and its relationship to temperature, soil moisture, and above‐ground phenology. Synthesizing 87 observations of whole‐plant phenology from 40 studies, we found that, on average, root growth occurs 25 ± 8 d after shoot growth but that the offset between the peak in root and shoot growth varies > 200 d across biomes (boreal, temperate, Mediterranean, and subtropical). Root and shoot growth are positively correlated with median monthly temperature and mean monthly precipitation in boreal, temperate, and subtropical biomes. However, a temperature hysteresis in these biomes leads to the hypothesis that internal controls over C allocation to roots are an equally, if not more, important driver of phenology. The specific mechanisms are as yet unclear but they are likely mediated by some combination of photoassimilate supply, hormonal signaling, and growth form.
Transgenic hybrid aspen trees with increased gibberellin (GA) concentrations suggest that GA acts in parallel with FLOWERING LOCUS T2 to control shoot elongation
Authors: Eriksson Maria E. , Hoffman Daniel , Kaduk Mateusz , Mauriat Mélanie , Moritz Thomas
Published: November 2014

Bioactive gibberellins (GAs) have been implicated in short day (SD)‐induced growth cessation in Populus, because exogenous applications of bioactive GAs to hybrid aspens (Populus tremula × tremuloides) under SD conditions delay growth cessation. However, this effect diminishes with time, suggesting that plants may cease growth following exposure to SDs due to a reduction in sensitivity to GAs.

In order to validate and further explore the role of GAs in growth cessation, we perturbed GA biosynthesis or signalling in hybrid aspen plants by overexpressing AtGA20ox1, AtGA2ox2 and PttGID1.3 (encoding GA biosynthesis enzymes and a GA receptor).

We found trees with elevated concentrations of bioactive GA, due to overexpression of AtGA20ox1, continued to grow in SD conditions and were insensitive to the level of FLOWERING LOCUS T2 (FT2) expression. As transgenic plants overexpressing the PttGID1.3 GA receptor responded in a wild‐type (WT) manner to SD conditions, this insensitivity did not result from limited receptor availability.

As high concentrations of bioactive GA during SD conditions were sufficient to sustain shoot elongation growth in hybrid aspen trees, independent of FT2 expression levels, we conclude elongation growth in trees is regulated by both GA‐ and long day‐responsive pathways, similar to the regulation of flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Linking winter conditions to regional disease dynamics in a wild plant–pathogen metapopulation
Authors: Penczykowski Rachel M. , Walker Emily , Soubeyrand Samuel , Laine Anna‐Liisa
Published: November 2014

Pathogens are considered to drive ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant populations, but we lack data measuring the population‐level consequences of infection in wild plant–pathogen interactions. Moreover, while it is often assumed that offseason environmental conditions drive seasonal declines in pathogen population size, little is known about how offseason environmental conditions impact the survival of pathogen resting stages, and how critical the offseason is for the next season's epidemic.

The fungal pathogen Podosphaera plantaginis persists as a dynamic metapopulation in the large network of Plantago lanceolata host populations. Here, we analyze long‐term data to measure the spatial synchrony of epidemics and consequences of infection for over 4000 host populations. Using a theoretical model, we study whether large‐scale environmental change could synchronize disease occurrence across the metapopulation.

During 2001–2013 exposure to freezing decreased, while pathogen extinction–colonization–persistence rates became more synchronized. Simulations of a theoretical model suggest that increasingly favorable winter conditions for pathogen survival could drive such synchronization. Our data also show that infection decreases host population growth.

These results confirm that mild winter conditions increase pathogen overwintering success and thus increase disease prevalence across the metapopulation. Further, we conclude that the pathogen can drive host population growth in the Plantago–Podosphaera system.
Summer drought alters carbon allocation to roots and root respiration in mountain grassland
Authors: Hasibeder Roland , Fuchslueger Lucia , Richter Andreas , Bahn Michael
Published: November 2014

Drought affects the carbon (C) source and sink activities of plant organs, with potential consequences for belowground C allocation, a key process of the terrestrial C cycle. The responses of belowground C allocation dynamics to drought are so far poorly understood.

We combined experimental rain exclusion with 13C pulse labelling in a mountain meadow to analyse the effects of summer drought on the dynamics of belowground allocation of recently assimilated C and how it is partitioned among different carbohydrate pools and root respiration.

Severe soil moisture deficit decreased the ecosystem C uptake and the amounts and velocity of C allocated from shoots to roots. However, the proportion of recently assimilated C translocated belowground remained unaffected by drought. Reduced root respiration, reflecting reduced C demand under drought, was increasingly sustained by C reserves, whilst recent assimilates were preferentially allocated to root storage and an enlarged pool of osmotically active compounds.

Our results indicate that under drought conditions the usage of recent photosynthates is shifted from metabolic activity to osmotic adjustment and storage compounds.
Association Between Lichen Sclerosus and Celiac Disease: A Report of Three Pediatric Cases
Authors: Jacobs Lauren , Gilliam Amy , Khavari Nasim , Bass Dorsey
Published: November 2014

The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) is increasing and may be as high as 1% of the US population. The typical presentation of CD generally includes gastrointestinal symptoms, but more individuals are presenting with extraintestinal manifestations. A wide variety of dermatologic associations have been described with CD, including alopecia, dermatitis herpetiformis, and enamel hypoplasia. In this report we describe three girls with CD who presented with hypopigmented skin lesions and pruritus in the perivaginal and perianal areas, consistent with the diagnosis of lichen sclerosus (LS). All three presented within 1 year to the same practitioner. To our knowledge, this association has not previously been explored in the literature. These cases elucidate a possible relationship between CD and LS.
Light‐Regulated MicroRNAs
Authors: Jayanthy Ashika , Setaluri Vijayasaradhi
Published: November 2014

In addition to exposure to passive diurnal cycles of sunlight, humans are also subjected to intentional acute exposure to other types of electromagnetic radiation (EM). Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the physiological, pathological and therapeutic responses to exposure to radiation is an active area of research. With the advent of methods to readily catalog and identify patterns of changes in gene expression, many studies have reported changes in gene expression upon exposure of various human and mouse cells in vitro, whole experimental organisms such as mice and parts of human body. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these broad ranging changes in gene expression are not yet fully understood. MicroRNAs, which are short, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting many messenger RNAs, are also emerging as important mediators of radiation‐induced changes in gene expression and hence critical for the manifestation of light‐induced cellular phenotypes and physiological responses. In this article, we review available knowledge on microRNAs implicated in responses to various forms of solar and other EM radiation. Based on this knowledge, we elaborate some unifying themes in the regulation and functions of some of these miRNAs.
Genetic structure of Italian populations of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, the causal agent of corky root rot of tomato
Authors: Infantino A. , Pucci N. , Aragona M. , de Felice S. , Rau D.
Published: November 2014

Pyrenochaeta lycopersici is the causal agent of corky root rot, which is a serious disease worldwide that attacks the roots of tomato. A total of 139 isolates were sampled from eight locations in Italy and Israel and assigned to two molecular types (type 1 and type 2) based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. These isolates were genotyped using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to decipher the population structure. Based on this population structure analysis, three groups of P. lycopersici were identified. One group correlated to ITS type 1, while the other two correlated to ITS type 2. amova indicated high genetic divergence (FST = 0·40) between the Italian types 1 and 2. These data support the view that the two ITS types represent significant evolutionary entities, although there might be incomplete lineage sorting present. Some isolates of different ITS type were observed to have very similar multilocus AFLP profiles, and some genotypes were intermediate between the two ITS types. This suggests that parasexual hybridization between the two types has had a significant role in shaping the population structure of P. lycopersici. Finally, the average divergence among the populations within the ITS types was very high (FSC = 0·710, P < 10−5), probably due to strong genetic drift and founder effects combined with restricted migration.
Application of the Hyper‐Poisson Generalized Linear Model for Analyzing Motor Vehicle Crashes
Authors: Khazraee S. Hadi , Sáez‐Castillo Antonio Jose , Geedipally Srinivas Reddy , Lord Dominique
Published: November 2014

The hyper‐Poisson distribution can handle both over‐ and underdispersion, and its generalized linear model formulation allows the dispersion of the distribution to be observation‐specific and dependent on model covariates. This study's objective is to examine the potential applicability of a newly proposed generalized linear model framework for the hyper‐Poisson distribution in analyzing motor vehicle crash count data. The hyper‐Poisson generalized linear model was first fitted to intersection crash data from Toronto, characterized by overdispersion, and then to crash data from railway‐highway crossings in Korea, characterized by underdispersion. The results of this study are promising. When fitted to the Toronto data set, the goodness‐of‐fit measures indicated that the hyper‐Poisson model with a variable dispersion parameter provided a statistical fit as good as the traditional negative binomial model. The hyper‐Poisson model was also successful in handling the underdispersed data from Korea; the model performed as well as the gamma probability model and the Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson model previously developed for the same data set. The advantages of the hyper‐Poisson model studied in this article are noteworthy. Unlike the negative binomial model, which has difficulties in handling underdispersed data, the hyper‐Poisson model can handle both over‐ and underdispersed crash data. Although not a major issue for the Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson model, the effect of each variable on the expected mean of crashes is easily interpretable in the case of this new model.
Prosocial Behavior: Long‐term Trajectories and Psychosocial Outcomes
Authors: Flynn Elinor , Ehrenreich Samuel E. , Beron Kurt J. , Underwood Marion K.
Published: November 2014

This study investigated developmental trajectories for prosocial behavior for a sample followed from the age of 10–18 and examined possible adjustment outcomes associated with membership in different trajectory groups. Participants were 136 boys and 148 girls, their teachers, and their parents (19.4 percent African‐American, 2.4 percent Asian, 51.9 percent Caucasian, 19.5 percent Hispanic, and 5.8 percent other). Teachers rated children's prosocial behavior yearly in grades 4–12. At the end of the 12th grade year, teachers, parents, and participants reported externalizing behaviors and participants reported internalizing symptoms, narcissism, and features of borderline personality disorder. Results suggested that prosocial behavior remained stable from middle childhood through late adolescence. Group‐based mixture modeling revealed three prosocial trajectory groups: low (18.7 percent), medium (52.8 percent), and high (29.6 percent). Membership in the high prosocial trajectory group predicted lower levels of externalizing behavior as compared with the low prosocial trajectory group, and for girls, lower levels of internalizing symptoms. Membership in the medium prosocial trajectory group also predicted being lower on externalizing behaviors. Membership in the high prosocial trajectory group predicted lower levels of borderline personality features for girls only.
Multimodal and time‐lapse skin registration
Authors: Madan S. , Dana K. J. , Cula G.O.
Published: November 2014

Background/purpose

Computational skin analysis is revolutionizing modern dermatology. Patterns extracted from image sequences enable algorithmic evaluation. Stacking multiple images to analyze pattern variation implicitly assumes that the images are aligned per‐pixel. However, breathing and involuntary motion of the patient causes significant misalignment. Alignment algorithms designed for multimodal and time‐lapse skin images can solve this problem. Sequences from multi‐modal imaging capture unique appearance features in each modality. Time‐lapse image sequences capture skin appearance change over time.

Methods

Multimodal skin images have been acquired under five different modalities: three in reflectance (visible, parallel‐polarized, and cross‐polarized) and two in fluorescence mode (UVA and blue light excitation). For time‐lapse imagery, 39 images of acne lesions over a 3‐month period have been collected. The method detects micro‐level features like pores, wrinkles, and other skin texture markings in the acquired images. Images are automatically registered to subpixel accuracy.

Results

The proposed registration approach precisely aligns multimodal and time‐lapse images. Subsurface recovery from multimodal images has misregistration artefacts that can be eliminated using this approach. Registered time‐lapse imaging captures the evolution of appearance of skin regions with time.

Conclusion

Misalignment in skin imaging has significant impact on any quantitative or qualitative image evaluation. Micro‐level features can be used to obtain highly accurate registration. Multimodal images can be organized with maximal overlap for successful registration. The resulting point‐to‐point alignment improves the quality of skin image analysis.
Functional and Sectoral Division of Labour within Central and Eastern European Countries: Evidence from Greenfield FDI
Authors: Dogaru Teodora , Burger Martijn , Karreman Bas , van Oort Frank
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we analyse the sectoral and functional division of labour in Central and Eastern European (CEE) regions within the convergence debate. By analysing the investment decisions of multinational corporations in 49 NUTS 2 regions across six European CEE countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria), we show that capital city regions not only receive more greenfield FDI but also attract a larger variety of investments in terms of sectors and functions. Capital cities are more likely to host higher‐end sectors and functions, which provides an explanation for the existing regional disparities within CEE countries. These results highlight the importance of functional and sectoral divisions of labour in the view of regional profiling and contribute to the recent EU Cohesion Policy debate.
Behind the Scenes of Place Branding: Unraveling the Selective Nature of Regional Branding
Authors: Messely Lies , Dessein Joost , Rogge Elke
Published: November 2014

Processes of globalisation, internationalisation and rescaling of statehood have led to an increased competition between regions. Place branding has become one of the central concepts for promoting local competitiveness and for capturing significant mind and market share. It is a promotional strategy that includes all activities that increase the attractiveness of an area as a place for working, living and spending free time. Place branding involves the development of a place brand, which entails selecting place‐specific attributes and values to represent the place. A vast number of different actors contribute to the creation of the regional brand and the way it will be developed and communicated. This paper focuses on place branding at the regional level and investigates the selections that are made by the regional actors involved in two regional branding projects in Flanders. Furthermore, it unravels which underlying factors influence these selection processes.
The impact of high speed rail on airport competition
Authors: Terpstra Ilse , Lijesen Mark G.
Published: November 2014

We study the effects of introducing a high speed train connection on competition between airports, focusing on the new HST‐link between Amsterdam and Brussels. We conduct a detailed analysis regarding the airport choice of passengers living in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern France and Western Germany. We compare the results with Spain, where a high speed train between Madrid and Barcelona has recently been inaugurated. We estimate a multinomial logit model of airport choice and predict future market shares, based on access time, frequency, average fare and airport specific constants. Direct and cross‐elasticities are calculated and finally future market shares are predicted, incorporating changes in access time due to the introduction of the high speed train. We find that the introduction of a high speed train connection benefits the airport with the higher level of service most. This is in line with general economic reasoning that stronger suppliers benefit more from increased competition.
Health Care Disparities in Megaurban China: The Ambivalent Role of Unregistered Practitioners
Authors: Bork‐HÜffer Tabea , Kraas Frauke
Published: November 2014

One of the unintended effects of China's health care reforms is the emergence of unregistered practitioners. We discuss reasons for their development and their role in the urban health care provision system under consideration of general developments in health care provision and health governance – thereby drawing scientific attention to a by far under‐researched topic. We analyse the basic characteristics and strategies of clinic‐based unregistered practitioners in Guangzhou and examine their perception and utilisation by rural‐to‐urban migrants. The research design followed a qualitative dominant mixed methods research approach, which included expert interviews with representatives of administration, indepth interviews with practitioners and migrants, a quantitative survey with 450 migrants and field observations. According to our results, gaps in the formal health care system – especially lack of access of marginalised population groups and inadequate responsiveness – poor enforcement of regulation and corrupt executive personnel are responsible for their emergence and prevalence.
Reflexive Identity Narratives and Regional Legacies
Authors: Vainikka Joni T.
Published: November 2014

Regions frame cultural traditions, meanings and performances but in relation to national imaginaries regions have asynchronous legacies that nourish their distinctiveness. While regions are a part of place‐based, cultural vocabularies and patterns of everyday life, scholars have increasingly emphasised reflexive perceptions and challenged comprehensive and overarching regional identities. Drawing on 15 focus‐group interviews with locally or universally‐orientated civic organisation groups in two English counties (Cornwall and Devon) and two Finnish provinces (North Karelia and Southwest Finland), I analyse reflexive, stable and eclectic identifications with regional spaces and provide a typology for understanding archetypal and absorbed regional legacies and differently positioned ways of thinking. The results indicate that the social negotiation of identity discourses can contribute to a dialogue of inclusion, the formation of multiple identities and qualified senses of belonging. The paper highlights the importance of respecting different worldviews and life‐paths in the analysis of culturally situated regional identities.
Cholesteatoma and meningoencephalitis in a dog with chronic otitis externa
Authors: Newman Ashleigh W. , Estey Chelsie M. , McDonough Sean , Cerda‐Gonzalez Sofia , Larsen Meegan , Stokol Tracy
Published: November 2014

A 10‐year‐old female spayed German Shepherd dog, with a year‐long history of recurrent left ear infections, was presented for progressive ataxia, head tilt, and pain on opening of the mouth. On physical examination, a large amount of ceruminous debris was present in the left ear and multiple neurologic defects localizing to the cerebellum and vestibular system were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a minimally contrast‐enhancing mass within the left bulla, an intracranial space‐occupying, heterogeneously contrast‐enhancing lesion at the level of the left cerebello‐medullary junction, and contrast enhancement of the ipsilateral meninges. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a marked mixed cell pleocytosis (nucleated cell count 655 cells/μL). The mass was visualized within the horizontal ear canal by otoscopic examination and a biopsy was taken. Impression smears of the biopsy contained many anucleate keratinized squamous epithelial cells, mild mixed inflammation, and few presumptive fibroblasts. With the provided clinical history andMRIfindings, a cytologic diagnosis of cholesteatoma was made. A ventral bulla osteotomy was performed, and histopathologic examination of resected tissue confirmed the cytologic diagnosis of cholesteatoma. The dog's clinical symptoms improved postoperatively, but the dog died of unrelated causes, 3.5 months later. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the cytologic features of a cholesteatoma, which is a nonneoplastic, but locally invasive epidermoid cyst, in the middle ear of dogs.
Effect of Nanoparticle Suspensions on Liquid Fuel Hot-Plate Ignition
Authors: Huang Zhi , Kan Weimin , Lu Yuxuan , Cheng Ting , Yu Liangying , Hu Xuejiao
Published: November 2014

Increased ignition probabilities of ethanol are found on a heated hot-plate with the introduction of Al2O3, Fe3O4, and carbon nanotube (CNT) nanoparticle suspensions. We show that the mechanism is probably due to liquid fuel boiling point elevation caused by nanoparticle accumulation at liquid–vapor interfaces. The magnitudes of this impact are related to the number and geometry of nanoparticles but independent from the nanoparticle chemical compositions. These findings may have important applications for developing future alternative liquid fuels with advanced combustion characteristics.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Transient Thermal Behavior of a Steam By-Pass Valve at Steam Temperatures Beyond 700 °C
Authors: Ayed Anis Haj , Kemper Martin , Kusterer Karsten , Tadesse Hailu , Wirsum Manfred , Nordheim Dierk von , Tebbenhoff Olaf , Czychon Karl-Heinz , Metzger Klaus , Bohn Dieter
Published: November 2014

Increasing the efficiency of steam power plants is important to reduce their CO2 emissions and can be achieved by increasing steam temperatures beyond 700 °C. Within the present study, the thermal behavior of a steam by-pass valve subject to cyclic operation with 700 °C steam is investigated experimentally and numerically. An innovative numerical approach was applied to predict the valve’s thermal behavior during cyclic operation, which is essential for fatigue life assessment of such a component. Validation of the applied numerical approach has shown good agreement with measurement results, indicating the potential of its application for the valve design process.
Load-Displacement Relationships for Ball and Spherical Roller Bearings
Authors: Houpert L.
Published: November 2014

Analytical relationships for calculating three rolling element bearing loads (Fx, Fy, and Fz) and two tilting moments (My and Mz) as a function of three relative race translations (dx, dy, and dz) and two relative race tilting angles (dθy and dθz) have been given in a previous paper. The previous approach was suggested for any rolling element bearing type, although it has been recognized that the assumption of a constant rolling element-race contact angle is not well supported by deep groove ball bearings (DGBB) or angular contact ball bearings (ACBB). The new approach described in this paper addresses the latter weaknesses by accounting for the variation of the contact angle on the most loaded ball and also shows that misalignment effects on spherical roller bearing (SRB) loads are negligible. Comparisons between the simplified approach (option 1) and the “enhanced” numerical approach (option 2, which requires a summation of the load components on each ball with the appropriate contact angle included) is made, showing a good correlation as long as the relative misalignment remains reasonable or occurs in the plane corresponding to maximum radial displacement. Option 2 can, however, be recommended since it is easy to program and quite accurate at any misalignment level. Other pros and cons of both options are described. As in the previous paper, a full coupling between all displacements and forces, as well as roller and raceway crown radii, are considered, meaning that Hertzian point contact stiffness is used in roller bearings at low load with a smooth transition toward Hertzian line contact as the load increases. This approach is particularly recommended for programming the rolling element bearing behavior in any finite element analysis or multibody system dynamic tool, since only two nodes are considered: one for the inner race (IR) center, usually connected to a shaft, and another node for the outer race (OR) center, connected to the housing.
Understanding Process Parameter Effects of RepRap Open-Source Three-Dimensional Printers Through a Design of Experiments Approach
Authors: Lanzotti Antonio , Martorelli Massimo , Staiano Gabriele
Published: November 2014

With a view to enabling additive manufacturing (AM) processes, today, open-source, low-cost 3D printers are systems with great potential. However there is a significant lack of scientific data on the performance of open-source 3D systems and on the selection of adequate process parameters that can help to improve the quality of the parts. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of the main process parameters on the dimensional accuracy of a specific open-source 3D printer, the RepRap Prusa-Mendel I2. This study consisted of a benchmarking part, involving elementary shapes representing a series of different features. By means of a full factorial DoE (Design of Experiments), with three factors (layer thickness, deposition speed, and flow rate), three levels, and three replications, 81 parts were obtained. Subsequently, a laser scanner (D700 Laser Scanner—3Shape, Denmark) was used as high resolution reverse engineering system in order to evaluate the variation between real parts and nominal geometry. The impact of the main process parameters was evaluated and optimal combinations were analyzed. On the basis of the results obtained in the experiments, practical suggestions for the settings of common process parameters were formulated. Test results serve to improve the quality of AM parts through the most appropriate selection of the main process parameters.
An Experimental Low-Cost Ultrasonic Phacoemulsifier—A Prototype Test
Authors: Tomasevic Branislav , Glisovic Srdjan , Jankovic-Tomasevic Ruzica
Published: November 2014

The structure and the features of a low-cost ultrasonic phacoemulsification prototype device are described in this paper. The phacoemulsifier was designed to comply with the techniques of modern cataract surgery. The functionality and reliability of the device were confirmed through in vitro experiments and animal studies. The device was designed to minimize surgical trauma: Reduced heat dissipation was achieved by specific power modulation, while the original design of aspiration control assured a reduced surge effect. In order to assess the suitability of the device, phacoemulsification was performed on rabbit eyes with nuclei of medium hardness. Their recovery was closely observed and only mild inflammation caused by surgical trauma was noticed. The device performed well in terms of reliability, ergonomics, and controllability throughout the experiments.
Comparison of Analysis Line and Polytopes Methods to Determine the Result of a Tolerance Chain
Authors: Pierre Laurent , Anselmetti Bernard
Published: November 2014

Functional tolerancing must ensure the assembly and the functioning of a mechanism. This paper compares two methods of tolerance analysis of a mechanical system: the method of “analysis lines” and the method of “polytopes.” The first method needs a discretization of the ending functional surface according to various analysis lines placed on the outer-bound of the face and oriented along the normal of the surface. The second method uses polytopes. The polytopes are defined from the acceptable limits of the geometric deviations of parts and possible displacements between two parts. Minkowski sums and intersections polytopes are then carried out to take into account all geometric variations of a mechanism.
Contact and Mobility Simulation for Mechanical Assemblies Based on Skin Model Shapes
Authors: Schleich Benjamin , Anwer Nabil , Mathieu Luc , Wartzack Sandro
Published: November 2014

Assembly modeling as one of the most important steps in the product development activity relies more and more on the extensive use of computer-aided design (cad) systems. The modeling of geometric interfaces between the components of the assembly is of central importance in the simulation of mechanical assemblies. Over the past decades, many researchers have devoted their efforts to establish theories and systems covering assembly modeling. Although the product form or shape has been extensively investigated considering the nominal cad geometry, inevitable limitations can be reported. Computer aided tolerancing (CAT) systems provide simulation tools for modeling the effects of tolerances on the assembly but still lack of form deviation considerations. The skin model concept which stemmed from the theoretical foundations of geometrical product specification and verification (GPS) has been developed to enrich the nominal geometry considering realistic physical shapes. However, the digital representation of the skin model has been investigated only recently. This paper presents a novel approach for a skin model based simulation of contact and mobility for assemblies. Three important issues are addressed: the geometric modeling of the contact, the contact quality evaluation, and the motion analysis. The main contribution to CAT can be found in the analysis of the effects of geometric form deviations on the assembly and motion behavior of solid mechanics, which comprises models for the assembly simulation, for the contact quality evaluation, and for the motion analysis. A case study is presented to illustrate the proposed approaches.
Numerical Modeling of Submodule Heat Transfer With Phase Change Material for Thermal Management of Electric Vehicle Battery Packs
Authors: Javani N. , Dincer I. , Naterer G. F.
Published: November 2014

In this paper, passive thermal management of an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack with phase change material (PCM) is studied numerically. When the temperature in the cells increases, and consequently in the submodule also, the heat is absorbed through melting of the cooling jacket which surrounds the cells. This, in turn, creates cooling effects in the cell and the battery pack. A finite volume based numerical model is used for the numerical simulations. The effects of different operating conditions are compared for the submodule with and without the PCM. The present results show that a more uniform temperature distribution is obtained when the PCM is employed which is in agreement with past literature and experimental data. The results also imply that the effect of PCM on cell temperature is more pronounced when the cooling system operates under transient conditions. The required time to reach the quasi-steady state temperature is less than 3 h, and it strongly depends on the heat generation rate in the cell. The maximum temperature of the system decreases from 310.9 K to 303.1 K by employing the PCM and the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures in the submodule decreases in this way. The temperature differences are 0.17 K, 0.68 K, 5.80 K, and 13.33 K for volumetric heat generation rates of 6.885, 22.8, 63.97, and 200 kW/m3, respectively.
Development of a New Skeletal Chemical Kinetic Mechanism for Ethanol Reference Fuel
Authors: Samimi Abianeh O.
Published: November 2014

A new skeletal chemical kinetic mechanism of ethanol reference fuel (including ethanol, iso-octane, n-heptane, and toluene combustion mechanisms) consisting of 62 species and 194 reactions is developed for oxidation and combustion of gasoline blend surrogate fuels. The skeletal ethanol chemical kinetic mechanism is added to the toluene reference fuel (TRF) mechanism (including iso-octane, n-heptane, and toluene combustion mechanisms) using reaction paths and semidecoupling model. The ignition delay and laminar flame speed of the new combustion mechanism were modeled by using several fuel surrogates at different pressures, temperatures, and equivalence ratios. The skeletal chemical kinetic mechanism ignition delay and laminar flame speed are validated by comparison to the available experimental data of the shock tube and plate burner. The results indicate that satisfactory agreement between predictions and experimental measurements are achieved.
Spatial Analysis on Forced Heat Release Response of Turbulent Stratified Flames
Authors: Han Zhiyi , Balusamy Saravanan , Hochgreb Simone
Published: November 2014

The local equivalence ratio distribution in a flame affects its shape and response under velocity perturbations. The forced heat release response of stratified lean-premixed flames to acoustic velocity fluctuations is investigated via chemiluminescence measurements and spatial Fourier transfer analysis. A laboratory scale burner and its boundary conditions were designed to generate high-amplitude acoustic velocity fluctuations in flames. These flames are subject to inlet radial equivalence ratio distributions created via a split annular fuel delivery system outfitted with a swirling stabilizer. Simultaneous measurements on the oscillations of inlet velocity and heat release rate were carried out via a two-microphone technique and OH* chemiluminescence. The measurements show that, for a given mean total power and equivalence ratio (φg=0.60), the flame responses vary significantly on the equivalence ratio split, forcing frequency, and velocity fluctuation amplitude, with significant nonlinearities with respect to forcing amplitude and stratification ratio (SR). The spatial Fourier transfer analysis shows how the dependence is affected by the underlying changes in the rate of heat release, including the direction and speed of the perturbation within the flame.