bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ETS PSYCHOMETRIC CONTRIBUTIONS: FOCUS ON TEST SCORES
Authors: Moses Tim
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this report is to review ETS psychometric contributions that focus on test scores. Two major sections review contributions based on assessing test scores' measurement characteristics and other contributions about using test scores as predictors in correlational and regression relationships. An additional section reviews additional contributions that integrate test scores' measurement aspects with correlational and regression uses.
COGNITIVE INTERVIEWS AS A TOOL FOR INVESTIGATING THE VALIDITY OF CONTENT KNOWLEDGE FOR TEACHING ASSESSMENTS
Authors: Howell Heather , Phelps Geoffrey , Croft Andrew J. , Kirui David , Gitomer Drew
Published: August 2014

This report provides a description of a cognitive interview study investigating validity of assessments designed to measure content knowledge for teaching (CKT). The report is intended both to provide information on the validity of the CKT measures and to provide guidance to researchers interested in replicating the design. The study takes an argument‐based approach to investigating validity by first articulating interpretive arguments that are central to the CKT measurement theory and then using the cognitive interview data to evaluate these arguments (Kane, 2006). The study is based on 30 interviews of elementary mathematics teachers and 30 interviews of elementary English language arts teachers. Teachers were selected using previous CKT assessment scores to represent high‐ and low‐scoring groups for each subject. The cognitive interviews were conducted separately for each subject and responses were coded and then analyzed to investigate the scoring and extrapolation inferences for the validity argument. Findings strongly support the scoring inference, providing evidence that the item keying for the items is correct. Results also indicate that the participants reasoned about the item in ways that conformed with the reasoning outlined in the task design rationales (TDR) for each item. These TDRs represent what reasoning should look like for each of these items for a respondent drawing on the desired CKT knowledge. As such, conformity with the TDRs supports the extrapolation inference, providing evidence that the reasoning used by the participant represents the underlying knowledge and skill domain we intend to measure through CKT assessments. The study design, instruments, methods, and results are described in detail, with discussion included to support researchers interested in replicating or capitalizing on the study design.
PRELIMINARY READING LITERACY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK: FOUNDATION AND RATIONALE FOR ASSESSMENT AND SYSTEM DESIGN
Authors: Sabatini John , O'Reilly Tenaha , Deane Paul
Published: August 2014

This report describes the foundation and rationale for a framework designed to measure reading literacy. The aim of the effort is to build an assessment system that reflects current theoretical conceptions of reading and is developmentally sensitive across a prekindergarten to 12th grade student range. The assessment framework is intended to document the aims of the assessment program, define the target constructs to be assessed, and describe the assessment designs that are aligned with the aims and constructs. This framework report is preliminary in that we are engaged in an iterative process of writing and revising the framework, based on what we learn from efforts to instantiate the ideas in new assessment designs and the results we garner from piloting novel designs. We also anticipate drafting further sections to address issues such as the scoring models and analytic plans once assessments have been designed and piloted.
INVESTIGATING THE SUITABILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE E‐RATER® SCORING ENGINE IN A LARGE‐SCALE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING PROGRAM
Authors: Zhang Mo , Breyer F. Jay , Lorenz Florian
Published: August 2014

In this research, we investigated the suitability of implementing e‐rater® automated essay scoring in a high‐stakes large‐scale English language testing program. We examined the effectiveness of generic scoring and 2 variants of prompt‐based scoring approaches. Effectiveness was evaluated on a number of dimensions, including agreement between the automated and the human score and relations with criterion variables. Results showed that the sample size was generally not sufficient for prompt‐specific scoring. For the generic scoring model, automated scores agreed with human raters as strongly as, or more strongly than, human raters agreed with one another for more than 97% of the prompts. The impact of substituting e‐rater for the second human rater made no practically important impact on test takers' scores at both the item and total test score levels. However, neither automated scoring models nor human raters performed invariantly across all prompts or across different test countries/territories. Further investigation indicated homogeneity in the examinee population, possibly nested within test countries/territories as one potential cause of this lack of invariance. Among other limitations, findings may not be generalizable beyond the examinee population investigated in this study.
ASKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT RACE AND ETHNICITY: NEW NEEDS FOR A CHANGING POPULATION
Authors: Klieger David M. , Adler Rachel , Ezzo Chelsea
Published: August 2014

Now is an opportune time to consider new ways to ask registrants for the GRE® General Test about their race and ethnicity. Growth in the percentage of Americans who identify as multiracial suggests the possibility that a sizeable percentage of registrants would self‐report more than one race or ethnicity if given the opportunity to do so; furthermore, racial and ethnic questions currently asked might be inappropriate or insufficient for the increasing number of registrants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents and continuing to consider Hispanic origin a racial classification might be too restrictive. Because fairness at the group level can reflect only the groups that can be identified, how we ask people to identify their race and ethnicity is fundamental. Using stratified sampling and online questionnaires, we explored U.S.‐style and international‐style questions about race and ethnicity as potential replacements of or supplements to the questions on ETS's current GRE Background Information Questionnaire (BIQ). We investigated the effects of U.S. citizenship, birth country, U.S. permanent residency status, mono‐ and multiraciality, and Hispanic origin on the preferences that survey respondents had for certain question formats and content. Furthermore, we analyzed the qualitative survey responses to determine respondents' major concerns about various question formats. In response to the survey results, we recommend that ETS's current BIQ be amended to include (a) more pluralistic U.S.‐style questions about race and ethnicity that conform to U.S. federal standards and (b) certain international‐style questions.
THE KERNEL LEVINE EQUIPERCENTILE OBSERVED‐SCORE EQUATING FUNCTION
Authors: von Davier Alina A. , Chen Haiwen
Published: August 2014

In the framework of the observed‐score equating methods for the nonequivalent groups with anchor test design, there are 3 fundamentally different ways of using the information provided by the anchor scores to equate the scores of a new form to those of an old form. One method uses the anchor scores as a conditioning variable, such as the Tucker method and poststratification equating. A second way to use the anchor scores is as the middle link in a chain of linking relationships, such as chain linear equating and chain equating. The third way to use the anchor scores is in conjunction with the classical test theory, such as Levine observed‐score equating and the newly created hybrid Levine equipercentile equating and poststratification equating based on true anchor scores. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that with real data, under certain conditions, hybrid Levine equipercentile equating and poststratification equating based on true anchor scores outperform both poststratification equating and chain equating.
Peptide REDV‐modified polysaccharide hydrogel with endothelial cell selectivity for the promotion of angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Wei , Guo Lei , Yu Yanyan , Chen Zhiping , Zhou Rong , Yuan Zhi
Published: August 2014

Rapid and controlled vascularization of engineered tissues remains one of the key limitations in thick tissue engineering. Although many studies have focused on improving the rapid vascularization through the immobilization of bioactive molecules, the competition in growth between endothelial cells (ECs) and other cell types is to some extent neglected. In this study, we developed a peptide GREDV‐modified scaffold for selective adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through the specific recognition of the REDV peptide and integrin α4β1. In vitro studies showed that GREDV‐conjugated alginate (ALG–GREDV) improved HUVEC adhesion, migration and proliferation when compared with a non‐modified group. Furthermore, ALG–GREDV exhibited a superior capability for promoting the proliferation and selective adhesion of HUVEC over that of other peptide (RGD and YIGSR) modified groups (ALG–Pep). In vivo angiogenic assays demonstrated that the ALG–GREDV scaffold induced an angiogenic potential by stimulating new vessel formation and showed the highest blood vessel density among all samples after 21 days of implanting (83.7 vessels/mm2). More importantly, the blood vessel density in cambium fibrous tissue of ALG–GREDV was about 1.5 times greater than other ALG–Pep groups, indicating facilitation of ALG–GREDV on selective angiogenesis in vivo. These results demonstrated that REDV‐conjugated alginate could be a useful scaffold for stimulating and inducing angiogenesis in tissue‐engineered applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 1703–1712, 2015.
Modeling of ethanol separation from continuous solid‐state fermentation coupled with online separation by CO2 gas stripping and heat pump technology
Authors: Chen Hong‐Zhang , He Qin , Ding Wen‐Yong
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

A self‐made continuous solid‐state fermentation bioreactor coupled with gas stripping and heat pump technology apparently improved the ethanol yield. The confirmation of ethanol separation ability and establishment of a separation model for the equipment was crucial before use and scale‐up.

RESULTS

The data calculated by the model was in good agreement with the experimental results, and the correlation coefficient of the fitting equation reached 0.928. The corresponding transfer coefficients of ethanol and water were 0.591 and 0.138 kg m−3 h−1 kPa−1, respectively, calculated by the model, and the equilibrium constant of ethanol was 48.784 kPa in the reported system. The distribution law of ethanol and water throughout the bioreactor showed that the partial pressures of ethanol and water in the circulation gas phase increased with the enhanced height of tower. Further study of the effect of circulation gas flow rate in the ethanol separation process showed that an appropriate gas flow should be greater than 15 kg h−1.

CONCLUSIONS

A preliminary ethanol separation model was established successfully for the self‐made continuous solid‐state fermentation bioreactor coupled with gas stripping and heat pump technology. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative developmental data in a phylogenetic framework
Authors: Giannini Norberto Pedro
Published: August 2014

Following the embryonic period of organogenesis, most development is allometric growth, which is thought to produce most of the evolutionary morphological divergence between related species. Bivariate or multivariate coefficients of allometry are used to describe quantitative developmental data and are comparable across taxa; as such, these coefficients are amenable to direct treatment in a phylogenetic framework. Mapping of actual allometric coefficients onto phylogenetic trees is supported on the basis of the evolving nature of growth programs and the type of character (continuous) that they represent. This procedure depicts evolutionary allometry accurately and allows for the generation of reliable reconstructions of ancestral allometry, as shown here with a previously published case study on rodent cranial ontogeny. Results reconstructed the signature allometric patterns of rodents to the root of the phylogeny, which could be traced back into a (minimum) Paleocene age. Both character and statistical dependence need to be addressed, so this approach can be integrated with phylogenetic comparative methods that deal with those issues. It is shown that, in this particular sample of rodents, common ancestry explains little allometric variation given the level of divergence present within, and convergence between, major rodent lineages. Furthermore, all that variation is independent of body mass. Thus, from an evolutionary perspective, allometry appears to have a strong functional and likely adaptive basis. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 558–566, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Different HBsAg decline after 3 years of therapy with entecavir in patients affected by chronic hepatitis B HBeAg‐negative and genotype A, D and E
Authors: Boglione Lucio , Cardellino Chiara Simona , De Nicolò Amedeo , Cariti Giuseppe , Di Perri Giovanni , D'Avolio Antonio
Published: August 2014

The role of measurement of hepatitis B “s” antigen (HBsAg) during the therapy with oral nucleos(t)ide analogues is still debatable. The HBsAg declines after 3 years of therapy with entecavir (ETV) was investigated among patients affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV), e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative and genotypes A, D and E. A prospective cohort of 123 patients was enrolled consecutively from April 2007 to May 2010 with at least 3 years of treatment with ETV. Patients with chronic HBV infection, HBeAg‐negative, naive for previous treatment and with virological response to ETV were included in the study. HBsAg level and HBV‐DNA were tested every 3 months during the first year of treatment, then every 6 months for a time of at least 3 years. After 3 years, HBsAg decline was 0.77 log IU/ml, 0.65 log IU/ml, 0.45 respectively; A versus D (P = 0.012), A versus E (P < 0.001), D versus E (P < 0.001). In the multivariate linear regression analysis only the HBV genotype was predictive of HBsAg decline after 3 years of treatment (P < 0.001). The expected time to HBsAg loss was 15.6 years for the A genotype, 17 years for D, 24.6 years for E (P < 0.001). The treatment with ETV leads the different kinetics in HBsAg decline among genotypes A, D and E; the expected time of HBsAg loss was significantly higher in E genotype compared to A and D genotype. J. Med. Virol. 86:1845–1850, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis: a cosmic catastrophe
Authors: HOLLIDAY VANCE T. , SUROVELL TODD , MELTZER DAVID J. , GRAYSON DONALD K. , BOSLOUGH MARK
Published: August 2014

In this paper we review the evidence for the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis (YDIH), which proposes that at ∼12.9k cal a BP North America, South America, Europe and the Middle East were subjected to some sort of extraterrestrial event. This purported event is proposed as a catastrophic process responsible for: terminal Pleistocene environmental changes (onset of YD cooling, continent‐scale wildfires); extinction of late Pleistocene mammals; and demise of the Clovis ‘culture’ in North America, the earliest well‐documented, continent‐scale settlement of the region. The basic physics in the YDIH is not in accord with the physics of impacts nor the basic laws of physics. No YD boundary (YDB) crater, craters or other direct indicators of an impact are known. Age control is weak to non‐existent at 26 of the 29 localities claimed to have evidence for the YDIH. Attempts to reproduce the results of physical and geochemical analyses used to support the YDIH have failed or show that many indicators are not unique to an impact nor to ∼12.9k cal a BP. The depositional environments of purported indicators at most sites tend to concentrate particulate matter and probably created many ‘YDB zones’. Geomorphic, stratigraphic and fire records show no evidence of any sort of catastrophic changes in the environment at or immediately following the YDB. Late Pleistocene extinctions varied in time and across space. Archeological data provide no indication of population decline, demographic collapse or major adaptive shifts at or just after ∼12.9 ka. The data and the hypotheses generated by YDIH proponents are contradictory, inconsistent and incoherent.
The relative controls on forest fires and fuel source fluctuations in the Holocene deciduous forests of southern Wisconsin, USA
Authors: MUELLER JOSHUA R. , LONG COLIN J. , WILLIAMS JOSEPH J. , NURSE ANDREA , MCLAUCHLAN KENDRA K.
Published: August 2014

Reconstructing fire regimes and fuel characteristics is an important aspect of understanding past forest ecosystem processes. Fuel sources and fire regimes in the upper Midwestern United States have been shown to be sensitive to regional climatic variability, such as drought periods on millennial timescales. Yet, records documenting the connections between disturbance activity and the corresponding fuel source fluctuations in mesic deciduous forests and prairie/oak savanna in this region are limited. Thus, it has been difficult to provide a framework to evaluate changes in moisture availability on fire activity and the relationships with fuel source fluctuations in this region. We present high‐resolution charcoal analyses of lake sediments from four sites in southern Wisconsin (USA) to characterize fire activity and fuel source fluctuation in mesic deciduous forests and prairie/oak savanna over the last 10 000 years. We found that fire occurrence across the four study sites has been asynchronous throughout the Holocene, because of site‐specific differences that have strongly influenced local fire regimes. Additionally, we found that during periods of high fire activity the primary fuels were from arboreal sources, and during periods of low fire activity the primary fuels were from non‐arboreal sources. However, fluctuations in fuel sources did not always correspond to changes in vegetation, or changes in fire frequency.
Quaternary climatic instability in south‐east Australia from a multi‐proxy speleothem record
Authors: WEBB M. , DREDGE J. , BARKER P. A. , MÜLLER W. , JEX C. , DESMARCHELIER J. , HELLSTROM J. , WYNN P. M.
Published: August 2014

Milankovitch‐scale Quaternary climatic oscillations within south‐east Australia are known to be characterized by relatively arid glacial and wet interglacial stages. However, terrestrial proxy records of environmental change are scarce, based largely on river terraces, dune sediments and pollen sequences. Here we present a speleothem‐based palaeoclimate record from Yarrangobilly caves, south‐east Australia. The oxygen isotopic composition of calcite (δ18Ocalcite) is taken to represent rainfall amount and used as an aridity index. High‐resolution trace element profiles and UV fluorescence support interpretations based on δ18Ocalcite, allowing further designation of key phases of speleothem growth into periods of relative aridity and moisture excess. A hiatus of approximately 37 ka duration divides the record into two key phases of growth which can be mapped onto marine isotope stages 5c–a and 3, respectively. Increasing aridity in the latter half of MIS 5 led to cessation of speleothem growth for the duration of MIS 4. Growth recommences during MIS 3, associated with greater moisture availability, enhanced vegetation and augmented biogeochemical cycling. This speleothem record provides a unique context of terrestrial environmental change and depicts hydrological conditions which fluctuate markedly over the 70‐ka period covering the time of megafauna extinction and human arrival on the continent.
Analytical phenolic composition and sensory assessment of selected rare Greek cultivars after extended bottle ageing
Authors: Kallithraka Stamatina , Kotseridis Yorgos , Kyraleou Maria , Proxenia Niki , Tsakiris Argirios , Karapetrou Garifalia
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

The Hellenic vineyard embraces a large number of native cultivars, which are mostly unexploited for their ageing potential. Therefore, it was thought that analyzing some quality parameters of 14 red wines produced by rare native varieties would be of great importance in obtaining a general picture of their potential for commercial use. Various analytical methods were applied to the selected wines, at bottling and after 8 years of ageing, in an attempt to provide reliable answers to this issue. In addition, it was of interest to investigate the alteration of the phenolic content and color parameters of the wines after extended bottle storage and to evaluate the overall changes with respect to their sensory properties.

RESULTS

Most of the oligomeric phenolic compounds identified in the wines studied diminished after 8 years of bottle storage, while significant correlations were obtained between wine chemical composition and sensory data.

CONCLUSIONS

After 8 years of bottle storage some of the unexploited varieties (Vitis vinifera) were found to be worthy of further study and use for the production of quality wines. Wines with the best sensory characteristics were those made by Limniona, Mavrotragano, Bakouri, Thrapsa and Mavrothiriko, in accordance (more or less) with the results of chemical analyses. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Perception of sparkle in anti‐glare display screens
Authors: Ferwerda James A. , Stillwell Alicia , Hovagimian Howard , Kosik Williams Ellen M.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we describe a series of psychophysical experiments to quantify the relationships between anti‐glare (AG) glass treatments and perceived sparkle in emissive displays. The experiments show the following: (1) that a new measure, pixel power deviation, correlates well with perceived sparkle; (2) that for a given AG treatment, sparkle is worse on high‐pitch displays; (3) that tests of sparkle using small samples provide a conservative bound on perceived sparkle in display‐sized samples; and (3) that sparkle visibility is affected by the content of displayed images. The goal of these efforts is to enable the development of AG glass treatments for emissive displays that effectively reduce front surface reflections while preserving high image quality.
Use of micellar liquid chromatography to analyze darunavir, ritonavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir in plasma
Authors: Peris‐Vicente Juan , Villarreal‐Traver Mónica , Casas‐Breva Inmaculada , Carda‐Broch Samuel , Esteve‐Romero Josep
Published: August 2014

Danuravir, ritonavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir are together prescribed against AIDS as a highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen. Micellar liquid chromatography has been applied to determine these four antiretroviral drugs in plasma. The sample preparation is shortened to the dilution of the sample in a micellar solution, filtration, and injection. Clean‐up steps are avoided, due to the solubilization of plasma matrix in micellar media. The drugs were analyzed in <20 min using a mobile phase of 0.06 M sodium dodecyl sulfate/2.5% 1‐pentanol (pH 7) running under isocratic mode through a C18 column at 1 mL/min at room temperature. Absorbance wavelength detection was set at 214 nm. The method was successfully validated following the ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guideline in terms of selectivity, limit of detection (0.080–0.110 μg/mL), limit of quantification (0.240–0.270 μg/mL), linearity between 0.25 and 25 μg/mL (r2 > 0.995), accuracy (89.3–103.2%), precision (<8.2%) and robustness (<7.5%). Real plasma sample from patients taking this therapy were analyzed. This is the first paper showing the simultaneous detection of this four drugs. Therefore, the methodology was proven useful for the routine analysis of these samples in a hospital laboratory for clinical purposes.
Do Stakeholder Expectations Shape Organizational Intellectual Capital Reports?
Authors: Veltri Stefania
Published: August 2014

This paper positions the analysis of intellectual capital (IC) reporting within the stakeholder accountability paradigm. Within this paradigm, corporate information is seen as essential to provide an account to stakeholder groups and for management to discharge its accountability. A good relationship with various stakeholders could gain support and approval from them, which is beneficial for the organization to survive and succeed in a sustainable manner in society. IC information can be included in social accounting area including in this generic term all accounts which go beyond the economic. The research question of the paper (do stakeholders play a role in shaping organizational IC report?) is addressed through a case study of a large Italian nonprofit organization (NPO), ANPAS Piemonte, chosen because it is the only NPO producing audited IC reports in Italy from 2003. The research has been carried out under a qualitative approach and employed two qualitative tools (document analysis and semistructured interview). From the analysis of qualitative data, it emerges that ANPAS Piemonte adopts a management approach to stakeholders, trying to handle stakeholders' expectations for his managerial purposes instead of involving stakeholders in organizational decision‐making process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo regional ventilation mapping using fluorinated gas MRI with an x‐centric FGRE method
Authors: Ouriadov Alexei V. , Fox Matthew S. , Couch Marcus J. , Li Tao , Ball Iain K. , Albert Mitchell S.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Inert fluorinated gas lung MRI is a new and promising alternative to hyperpolarized gas lung MRI; it is less expensive and does not require expensive isotopes/polarizers. The thermally polarized nature of signal obtained from fluorinated gases makes it relatively easy to use for dynamic lung imaging and for obtaining lung ventilation maps. In this study, we propose that the sensitivity and resolution of fluorine‐19 (19F) in vivo images can be improved using the x‐centric pulse sequence, thereby achieving a short echo time/pulse repetition time. This study is a transitional step for converting to more sustainable gases for lung imaging.

Methods

A 19F‐resolution phantom was used to validate the efficiency of performing the x‐centric pulse sequence on a clinical scanner. Ventilation maps were obtained in the lungs of five normal rats with a washout approach (adapted from Xe‐enhanced computed tomography [Xe‐CT] regional ventilation mapping), using mixtures of either sulfur hexafluoride/oxygen or perfluoropropane/oxygen and a two‐breath x‐centric method.

Results

Fractional ventilation (r) values obtained in this study (0.35–0.46 interval) were in good agreement with previously published values for 3He/129Xe. Calculated r gradients agreed well with published gradients obtained in rats with Xe‐CT measurements.

Conclusions

These results suggest that fluorinated gases can be reliably used in vivo in dynamic lung studies as an alternative to 3He/129Xe. Magn Reson Med 74:550–557, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced Long‐Term Color Stability of Teeth Treated with Hydrogen Peroxide and Non‐Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets
Authors: Nam Seoul Hee , Lee Hyun Wook , Hong Jin Woo , Lee Hae June , Kim Gyoo Cheon
Published: August 2014

To evaluate the color stability of teeth bleached by non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma with 15% hydrogen peroxide (HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP), extracted human teeth were assigned to four groups (n = 10) and treated with (1) plasma with 15% HP; (2) 15% HP alone; (3) plasma with 15% CP gel; or (4) 15% CP alone. Tooth color was assessed using the CIELAB system over 6 months. Hydroxyl radical concentration (•OH) was determined using methylene blue dye. Statistical analyses were performed with Student's t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, and post‐hoc Duncan tests (p = 0.05). Groups 1 and 3 showed higher color stability than Groups 2 and 4 throughout 6 months. The •OH activity in plasma with HP/CP was greater than that in HP/CP alone. Thus, we recommend plasma application for bleaching as it provides better color stability.
Honeycomb Microstructured Silicon Oxycarbide Sheets from Silicon‐Containing Graft Copolymer Films
Authors: Gong Jianliang , Xu Bingang , Tao Xiaoming , Li Lei
Published: August 2014

A silicon‐containing graft copolymer, poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐graft‐polyacrylates, was explored as single‐source precursor for the preparation of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) with honeycomb microstructures by a novel reliable approach composed of breath figure (BF) process, plasma modification and pyrolysis. Multilayer ordered porous films prepared by a static BF process were treated by oxygen plasma at room temperature, and used as templates for in situ formation of honeycomb microstructured SiOC sheets by further pyrolysis. Plasma modification is believed to play a key role in templating the formation of patterned SiOC sheets because no special features were found when pyrolysing the unmodified films. The formed sheets possess a nanometer‐thickness top layer with an average pore diameter of 1.893 µm.
Supplementing Cold Plasma with Heat Enables Doping and Nano‐Structuring of Metal Oxides
Authors: Rubín de Celis David , Chen Zhiqiang , Rahman Md Mohklesur , Tao Tao , McCulloch Dougal G. , Field Matthew R. , Lamb Peter R. , Chen Ying , Dai Xiujuan J.
Published: August 2014

Nitrogen doped SnO2 polycrystalline nanostructures were produced from commercial SnO powders in a new system that combines a low‐temperature plasma with heating. The method has the potential to improve the initial efficiency and the cycling performance of SnO2 anodes in Li‐ion batteries. With this system, the temperature of the SnO to SnO2 conversion was lowered from 430 to 320 °C, up to 5 at% of doped nitrogen was detected and a nano‐scale polycrystalline structure was observed in the product. Combining heat and low‐pressure plasma is a promising approach for the production and treatment of enhanced energy storage materials.
Examining the use of blast resistant modules within API 753 zones 1 and 2
Authors: Skelton David B.
Published: August 2014

On March 23, 2005, a vapor cloud explosion at a Texas City oil refinery injured more than 180 people and claimed 15 lives. The deaths were a result of a blast pressure wave striking contractor trailers located near the explosion fuel source. Accident investigation determined the trailers were sited inappropriately close to relief device outlets which contributed heavily to the loss of lives. As a result, API Recommended Practice (RP) 753 [API RP 753, Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Portable Buildings, First Edition, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC, 2007] was drafted in 2007. API RP 753 provides guidance to reduce the risk of injury as a result of fire, explosion, or toxic release for inhabitants of portable buildings located in the proximity of refineries, petrochemical and chemical operations, natural gas liquids, extraction plants, and other industries.

This article outlines a conceptual methodology to evaluate blast resistant modules for use in potentially hazardous locations. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 137–140, 2015
A broker‐based cooperative security‐SLA evaluation methodology for personal cloud computing
Authors: Na Sang‐Ho , Huh Eui‐Nam
Published: August 2014

An underlying cloud computing feature, outsourcing of resources, makes the service‐level agreement (SLA) a critical factor for quality of service (QoS), and many researchers have addressed the question of how an SLA can be evaluated. Lately, security SLAs have also received much attention to guarantee security in a user perspective and provide optimal and efficient security service in the security paradigm shifting by cloud computing, such as security as a service. The quantitative measurement of security metrics is a considerably difficult problem and might be considered one of the multi‐dimensional aspects of security threats. To address these issues, we provide a novel cooperative security‐SLA evaluation model for the personal cloud service environment including a multi‐dimensional approach to analyze security threats depending on services type as well as a cooperative model to reach a general consensus of priorities, that is, indicators depending on services type and security metrics based on cloud brokers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel catalytic functions induced by charge accumulation at subnano interface between unisize metal cluster disk and semiconductor surface
Authors: Yasumatsu Hisato , Fukui Nobuyuki
Published: August 2014

We have successfully accumulated electrons in a subnano‐space according to the Schottky barrier junction between a subnano metal cluster and a semiconductor surface. The scanning–tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy measurements depicted spatial distributions of the accumulated charges. Taking advantages of their large charge‐transfer efficiency to molecules, novel catalytic functions driven by the subnano‐space charges were studied by means of ultrahigh‐sensitive temperature‐programmed desorption mass spectroscopy. As a representative function, we have found high‐performance catalytic activity of Pt30 monatomic‐layered disks constructed on the Si(111) surface in CO oxidation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fragmentation of polystyrene during sputter deposition in the storing matter instrument
Authors: Turgut Canan , Wirtz Tom , Belmahi Mohammed , Philipp Patrick
Published: August 2014

The storing matter technique has been developed to get easier quantification in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) by decoupling the sputtering step from the analysis step. First, the matter is deposited in the submonolayer range on a collector that is analysed next by SIMS. Most work on the storing matter technique has been carried out for inorganic samples. The technique has also been applied successfully to organic samples. In this work, the fragmentation of polystyrene (PS) molecule deposited on silver (Ag) during storing matter deposition is investigated using static SIMS analysis with Bi3+ clusters. The fragmentation of PS at different coverages is studied by calculating the ratios of large‐to‐small peak intensities of fingerprint spectra. These ratios are compared with those obtained previously by the storing matter technique using Ar+ as analysis beam in time‐of‐flight‐SIMS. Different degrees of fragmentation are observed with varying coverage, suggesting different sticking factors of fragments on the collector. Compared with Bi3+, the Ar+ projectile produces a higher amount of large fragments and is found to be better suited for the analysis of PS deposits on silver collectors. In both situations, C7H7+ is the major fragment in the mass spectra. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of Self‐Assembled Core–Shell Structures in Epitaxially Embedded TbErAs Nanoparticles
Authors: Dongmo Pernell , Hartshorne Matthew , Cristiani Thomas , Jablonski Michael L. , Bomberger Cory , Isheim Dieter , Seidman David N. , Taheri Mitra L. , Zide Joshua
Published: August 2014

Self‐assembled core–shell structured rare‐earth nanoparticles (TbErAs) are observed in a III–V semiconductor host matrix (In0.53Ga0.47As) nominally lattice‐matched to InP, grown via molecular beam epitaxy. Atom probe tomography demonstrates that the TbErAs nanoparticles have a core–shell structure, as seen both in the tomographic atom‐by‐atom reconstruction and concentration profiles. A simple thermodynamic model is created to determine when it is energetically favorable to have core–shell structures; the results strongly agree with the observations.
On the effects of austenite phase transformation on welding residual stresses in non-load carrying longitudinal welds
Authors: Hensel Jonas , Nitschke-Pagel Thomas , Dilger Klaus
Published: August 2014

Residual stresses affect the fatigue strength of welded structures and components. A common sample type used for studies on residual stress effects is the fillet-welded longitudinal gusset. This sample type shows in fatigue tests significant residual stress effects. But the mechanisms of residual stress generation are not clarified for this sample type yet. High tensile residual stresses in the surface layer near the weld toe could not be proven by experimental methods but are generally assumed. Here presented are results from experimental and numerical investigations on welding residual stress generation. Specimens with single and multilayer fillet welds have been produced as well as simplified curved multilayer deposition welds studying residual stress build-up. Temperature measurements have been conducted during welding examining the influence of austenite phase transformation. Residual stresses have been determined by means of X-ray diffraction at the surface as well as by neutron diffraction over specimen thickness. Further, the mechanisms of residual stress build-up have been evaluated by finite element calculations. It could be shown that the austenite phase transformation has significant effect on the residual stresses near the weld toe also for this sample type.
A tumor DNA complex aberration index is an independent predictor of survival in breast and ovarian cancer
Authors: Vollan Hans Kristian Moen , Rueda Oscar M. , Chin Suet-Feung , Curtis Christina , Turashvili Gulisa , Shah Sohrab , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Yuan Yinyin , Ng Charlotte K. , Dunning Mark J. , Dicks Ed , Provenzano Elena , Sammut Stephen , McKinney Steven , Ellis Ian O. , Pinder Sarah , Purushotham Arnie , Murphy Leigh C. , Kristensen Vessela N. , Brenton James D. , Pharoah Paul D.P. , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Aparicio Samuel , Caldas Carlos
Published: August 2014

Complex focal chromosomal rearrangements in cancer genomes, also called “firestorms”, can be scored from DNA copy number data. The complex arm‐wise aberration index (CAAI) is a score that captures DNA copy number alterations that appear as focal complex events in tumors, and has potential prognostic value in breast cancer. This study aimed to validate this DNA‐based prognostic index in breast cancer and test for the first time its potential prognostic value in ovarian cancer. Copy number alteration (CNA) data from 1950 breast carcinomas (METABRIC cohort) and 508 high‐grade serous ovarian carcinomas (TCGA dataset) were analyzed. Cases were classified as CAAI positive if at least one complex focal event was scored. Complex alterations were frequently localized on chromosome 8p (n = 159), 17q (n = 176) and 11q (n = 251). CAAI events on 11q were most frequent in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cases and on 17q in estrogen receptor negative (ER−) cases. We found only a modest correlation between CAAI and the overall rate of genomic instability (GII) and number of breakpoints (r = 0.27 and r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Breast cancer specific survival (BCSS), overall survival (OS) and ovarian cancer progression free survival (PFS) were used as clinical end points in Cox proportional hazard model survival analyses. CAAI positive breast cancers (43%) had higher mortality: hazard ratio (HR) of 1.94 (95%CI, 1.62–2.32) for BCSS, and of 1.49 (95%CI, 1.30–1.71) for OS. Representations of the 70‐gene and the 21‐gene predictors were compared with CAAI in multivariable models and CAAI was independently significant with a Cox adjusted HR of 1.56 (95%CI, 1.23–1.99) for ER+ and 1.55 (95%CI, 1.11–2.18) for ER− disease. None of the expression‐based predictors were prognostic in the ER− subset. We found that a model including CAAI and the two expression‐based prognostic signatures outperformed a model including the 21‐gene and 70‐gene signatures but excluding CAAI. Inclusion of CAAI in the clinical prognostication tool PREDICT significantly improved its performance. CAAI positive ovarian cancers (52%) also had worse prognosis: HRs of 1.3 (95%CI, 1.1–1.7) for PFS and 1.3 (95%CI, 1.1–1.6) for OS. This study validates CAAI as an independent predictor of survival in both ER+ and ER− breast cancer and reveals a significant prognostic value for CAAI in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer.
DELINQUENT FATHERS AND PHILOLOGYLUN YU13.18 AND RELATED TEXTS
Authors: Weingarten Oliver
Published: August 2014

Investigating textual parallels between pre-Qin writings such asHan FeiziandLüshi chunqiuand Confucius's statement inLun yu13.18 that “a father covers up for his son and a son for his father,” this article argues that theLun yupassage is most likely derived from the version inLüshi chunqiuor a closely related version. This has several consequences for scholarly interpretations of theLun yu. It serves as a reminder that theLun yuis a heterogeneous collection of textual units drawn from sometimes unexpected sources. It also demonstrates that theLun yushould be read not in isolation but against the widest possible background of pre-Qin and Han parallels.

In the final part, the article reviews some of the comparisons between Confucius inLun yu13.18 and Socrates in Plato's “Euthyphro,” cautioning against over-interpretations of the extremely terse statement attributed to Confucius. A more fruitful way of readingLun yu13.18, it is argued, would be to historicize the passage by contextualizing it within the social and legal history of the late Warring States and Han periods.
EFFECTS OF NH4+–N/NO3−–N RATIOS ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS, DRY MATTER YIELD AND NITRATE CONCENTRATION OF SPINACH
Authors: XING SUZHI , WANG JIANFEI , ZHOU YI , BLOSZIES SEAN A. , TU CONG , HU SHUIJIN
Published: August 2014

Most plants prefer nitrate (NO3−–N) to ammonium (NH4+–N). However, high NO3−–N in soil and water systems is a cause of concern for human health and the environment. Replacing NO3−–N in plant nutrition regimes with an appropriate amount of NH4+–N may alleviate these concerns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different NH4+–N/NO3−–N ratios on chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, Rubisco activity, net photosynthetic rate, dry matter yield and NO3−–N accumulation in spinach grown hydroponically. The NH4+–N/NO3−–N percentage ratios were 0:100 (control), 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0. Chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, stomatal conductance, initial activity and activation state of Rubisco and net photosynthetic rate in spinach leaves were all reduced by increased NH4+–N/NO3−–N ratios. Significant correlation existed between these measurements. However, no statistical differences in dry matter yield were revealed between the 0:100 and 25:75 treatments. Leaf nitrate concentrations were reduced by 38% at the 25:75 treatment relative to the 0:100 treatment. These findings suggest that lowering the relative proportion of NO3−–N in fertilizer could effectively reduce NO3−–N contents in leafy vegetables without decreasing their yields.
Human rights and collective emancipation: The politics of food sovereignty
Authors: DUNFORD ROBIN
Published: August 2014

This article develops contextually grounded accounts of emancipation in general and notions of collective rights based emancipation in particular by identifying a form of emancipatory politics in which collectives demand rights for themselves. The article develops the idea of collective, rights based emancipation by focusing on the practices of two related social movements, the Landless Workers Movement (MST) and la Via Campesina. The MST and Via Campesina seek to replace existing rights to ‘food security’ with a human right to ‘food sovereignty’. While food security agendas emphasise the role of international governance agencies in providing food on behalf of others, food sovereignty is secured by peasant social movements themselves. Furthermore, practices of active citizenship and democratic organisational structures, built through the grassroots and transnational struggles through which peasants raise their demand for human rights, are vital in enacting rights to food sovereignty. In instances where victims are not entirely silenced and powerless, this combination of a demand for human rights and the development of practices of citizenship that enable people to demand and secure rights for themselves provides a contextually grounded emancipatory alternative to interventionist politics that, however well intentioned, risk reinforcing the dependence of purportedly powerless victims.
Does cognitive behavioural therapy have a role in improving problem solving and coping in adolescents with suicidal ideation?
Authors: Hetrick Sarah , Yuen Hok Pan , Cox Georgina , Bendall Sarah , Yung Alison , Pirkis Jane , Robinson Jo
Published: August 2014

Problem-solving and coping skills deficits have been shown in adolescents who experience suicide-related behaviours, including suicidal ideation. Little evidence exists about effective interventions for this population. We undertook a pilot study of an Internet-based CBT programme that included problem-solving skills training to investigate its impact on skills deficits. The study employed a pre-test/post-test design. Outcomes of interest were negative problem orientation, emotion- and task-focused coping, and adolescents’ perception of helpfulness of the intervention. Participants, recruited via the school wellbeing team, were assessed at baseline, at weekly intervention sessions and immediately post-intervention. Twenty-one adolescents completed the intervention. Over the course of the intervention, negative problem-solving orientation improved and students relied less on emotion-focused coping strategies. Because there was no control group, we cannot be certain that the changes seen between baseline and post-intervention can be attributed to the intervention. Adolescents rated the problem-solving and cognitive restructuring modules as particularly helpful. Interventions that include enhancement of problem-solving skills, as well as cognitive restructuring to address adolescents’ appraisal of problems and their ability to solve them appear promising for adolescents with suicidal ideation. Further investigation is warranted.
Tri-band filter with multiple transmission zeros and controllable bandwidths
Authors: Li Qun , Zhang Yong-Hong , Feng Xin , Fan Yong
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a compact microstrip tri-band bandpass filter (BPF) using two multimode stepped-impedance resonators (SIRs) with a 0° feed structure. The fundamental odd-mode and even-mode resonant frequencies and the third resonant frequency are utilized to determine the center frequencies of the tri-band filter. The mode-splitting technique is used by combining two SIRs with electrical coupling. Therefore, two modes generate one passband and the bandwidths can be controlled by the electrical coupling strength. The 0° feed network is applied to create one pair of transmission zeros at each side of all the triple passbands, resulting in high selectivity. Finally, a tri-band BPF with the central frequencies of 1.8, 2.4, and 5.8 GHz, and respective fractional bandwidths of 8.9, 12.5, and 5.3% are designed and fabricated. The simulated and measured results show a good agreement.