bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ICT Based e‐Government Services for Rural Development: A Study of Union Information and Service Center (UISC) in Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Md Rakibul , Sorwar Golam
Published: December 2017

Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become increasingly important for economic, social and political aspects of any countries. However, the “digital divide” between urban and rural areas has introduced a significant gap in equally accessing information, mass communication and ICT, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. This inequitable access has strong implication on productivity and economic growth of a country. Government of Bangladesh has introduced various ICT interventions to its rural and regional areas aiming at bridging the information access gap. Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) is one of those initiatives to bring opportunity for rural underprivileged communities to better access to ICT and information. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate UISC's potentiality to offering access to ICT and information. The aim of this study was to investigate potential effect of UISC in the development of various socio‐economic sectors in the vicinity of countryside of Bangladesh from actual beneficiary perspective. This study found that UISCs have opened a new window of opportunity for rural citizens in Bangladesh. It has the potential to empower rural communities to access information in various fields including agriculture, education, healthcare, and law. This study also found that most participants held positive view about the effectiveness and usability of various services available through the UISCs.
A Literature Review of ERP Implementation in African Countries
Authors: Tobie Armand Manga , Etoundi Roger Atsa , Zoa Jean
Published: December 2017

This paper is a literature review of articles published in various journals and conference proceedings, dealing with the topic of the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) within African countries. It intends to help researchers interested in the topic by showing the problems that have been addressed in the research. This work also highlights open issues that can be tackled in future research in the development of African countries driven by ERP. Conferences and journals that are interested in the implementation of ERP within African countries have been identified. The paper also discusses whether the implementation of ERP is an important topic or a market place in the African continent. Based on the salient information gathered throughout this paper review, this work draws some recommendations that will contribute to the successful implementation of ERP within African countries. These recommendations go from the awareness of existing problems and solutions, the life cycle used in the implementation of ERP, to the successful implementation of ERP by avoiding failures that are linked to the African context.
The Impact of Mobile Phone Use and IKSL's Audio Messages on the Asset Base of Poor Farmers in Lucknow, India
Authors: van Baardewijk Merijn
Published: December 2017

Mobile phones have the potential to improve the lives of poor farmers, in particular in combination with specifically designed mobile phone‐based services (m‐services) that provide agricultural information. Most impact studies have measured the economic effects of mobile phones, while disregarding how these effects have come about. Therefore, this study takes a qualitative approach in order to discover the various ways in which poor farmers’ livelihoods are influenced by mobile phone use. A case study is based on the impact of an m‐service by the Indian company IKSL, which sends daily audio messages with information regarding agriculture. 45 in‐depth interviews were held with a mixed group of farmers living around Lucknow, India. The used framework is based on Duncombe's (2014) suggestions to improve the livelihoods approach, in which three asset classes are distinguished: network‐, cognitive‐ and resource based assets. Most direct impact of mobile phones is the strengthening of social networks. Cognitive assets were also improved, due to access to more timely and accurate knowledge, which in turn leads to enhanced productivity (resource‐based assets)—particularly for green SIM owners. Moreover, the mobile phone resulted in lower transaction costs which led to improvements of marketing in various ways. This research contributes to the understanding of the impact of mobile phones on poor farmers and tests the suitability of Duncombe's (2014) framework. Moreover, striking results were found that contrast previous held assumptions by scholars of ICT4D. Whereas previous scholars assumed that mobile phone use leads to a better bargaining position and increased market participation of farmers, no evidence of these effects was found in this research.
Recovery from a depressive episode during postgraduate residency training is associated with senior doctors' support
Authors: Kimura Takuma , Seo Emiko , Ogawa Ryoko , Matsumura Shinji , Maeno Tetsuhiro
Published: December 2017

Background

Depression among doctors in residency training can have significant impacts on the health of the residents and on patient safety. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with recovery from a depressive episode experienced during postgraduate residency training.

Methods

A questionnaire was administered to 2935 first‐year residents at the beginning of residency training in 2011; follow‐up surveys were conducted after 3 months and at the end of the training in 2013. The questionnaire included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Senior Doctor's Support Scale (SDSS). Logistic regression was used to identify associations between factors that may have been related to recovery from depressive episodes.

Results

A total 182 residents experienced a depressive episode in the 3 months after starting residency training. When reassessed at the end of the 2‐year training, 102 (56%) residents had recovered from the episode and 80 (44%) had not. Increased odds of recovery were associated with a middle or high score on the SDSS (middle score odds ratios [OR] 4.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0‐18.0, P = .04; and high score OR 5.70, 95% CI 1.4‐23.4, P = .02).

Conclusions

Support from senior doctors should be enhanced to optimize recovery from depressive episodes experienced after the start of residency training.
Communication‐related affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions in speakers with spasmodic dysphonia
Authors: Watts Christopher R. , Vanryckeghem Martine
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To investigate the self‐perceived affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions associated with communication of speakers with spasmodic dysphonia as a function of employment status.

Study Design

Prospective cross‐sectional investigation

Methods

148 Participants with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) completed an adapted version of the Behavior Assessment Battery (BAB‐Voice), a multidimensional assessment of self‐perceived reactions to communication. The BAB‐Voice consisted of four subtests: the Speech Situation Checklist for A) Emotional Reaction (SSC‐ER) and B) Speech Disruption (SSC‐SD), C) the Behavior Checklist (BCL), and D) the Communication Attitude Test for Adults (BigCAT). Participants were assigned to groups based on employment status (working versus retired).

Results

Descriptive comparison of the BAB‐Voice in speakers with SD to previously published non‐dysphonic speaker data revealed substantially higher scores associated with SD across all four subtests. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed no significantly different BAB‐Voice subtest scores as a function of SD group status (working vs. retired).

Conclusions

BAB‐Voice scores revealed that speakers with SD experienced substantial impact of their voice disorder on communication attitude, coping behaviors, and affective reactions in speaking situations as reflected in their high BAB scores. These impacts do not appear to be influenced by work status, as speakers with SD who were employed or retired experienced similar levels of affective and behavioral reactions in various speaking situations and cognitive responses. These findings are consistent with previously published pilot data. The specificity of items assessed by means of the BAB‐Voice may inform the clinician of valid patient‐centered treatment goals which target the impairment extended beyond the physiological dimension.

Level of Evidence

2b
Cooling slope casting of cast iron
Authors: Negm A. M. , Abdallah Sayed A. , Ibrahim M. , Mahmoud T. S.
Published: December 2017

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of semi‐solid processing using cooling slope method on the microstructure and mechanical properties of grey cast iron. A water cooled castable cement coated steel plate with a variable inclination angle is used to make a mechanical treatment on the semi‐solid flow of grey cast iron. The experiment is repeated for three different pouring temperatures and three inclination angles. The tensile test, hardness test and microstructure examination is used to compare the new properties of the new resulting grey cast irons. The results show that the sharp edged carbon flakes can be refined and the mechanical properties is enhanced. The carbon particles average circularity is increased followed with a decrease in carbon particle size due to the effect of the cooling plate.
Coloration and structure behavior after silver and copper nanoparticles formation in soda lime glass
Authors: Chorfa A. , Belkhir N. , Belbali A. , Rubio F. , Rubio J.
Published: December 2017

In this work, an ion exchange non‐conventional process commonly called ancient painting process without using molten salts is used as a method for glass coloring. In this process of coloration, a mixture of metallic particles with kaolin and arabic adhesive is applied on the soda lime glass surface. Afterwards, the painted glass is submitted to the heat treatment to obtain the color. A comparative study is carried out in order to investigate the diffusion of metallic nanoparticles (silver and copper) in soda lime glasses depending on several parameters as the concentration and composition of stain spread on glass, and the heat treatment temperature. Characterization of the composition and structure of the painted glasses is performed by UV‐visible spectroscopy. In addition, nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS) techniques are used to determine the penetration of metallic nanoparticles into glass. The obtained result shows that the coloration of painted glass differs and depends on the concentration and the kind of the mixture of the paw. Moreover, it was found that the effect of the heat treatment temperature is primordial on the formation and diffusion of metallic nanoparticles.
Deformation mechanism of highly textured AZ31 sheet under high strain rates
Authors: Liu Y. , Mao P. , Liu Z. , Ju X. , Wang Z. , Wang F.
Published: December 2017

In this study, in‐plane tension behavior of AZ31 magnesium sheet was measured in rolling direction, transverse direction and 45° direction under high strain rates of 600 s‐1, 1200 s‐1 and 2400 s‐1 at room temperature using a Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB). The microstructures after high strain rates deformation were observed by optical micrography. The anisotropic behavior was negligible and marginally positive strain rate effects were observed in all deformation directions. Texture analysis of the sheet demonstrated that three possible deformation mechanisms could apply to AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet under high strain rates tension, those are
contraction twinning and/or
‐
double twinning, prismatic slip and  pyramidal slip. The volume fraction of twinning was decreased with strain rate increasing. Dynamic recrystallization took place upon the strain rate of 2400 s‐1 and the dynamic recrystallization mechanism was attributed to the twinning‐induced dynamic recrystallization.
The performance of EWMA median and CUSUM median control charts for a normal process with measurement errors
Authors: Cheng Xiao‐Bin , Wang Fu‐Kwun
Published: December 2017

Measurement error is often occurred in statistical process control. The effect of a linearly covariate error model on the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) median and cumulative sum (CUSUM) median charts is investigated. The results indicate that the EWMA median and CUSUM median charts are significantly affected in the presence of measurement errors. We compared the performance of the EWMA median and CUSUM median charts by using Markov chain method in the average run length and the standard deviation of the run length. We concluded that the CUSUM median chart for small shifts and the EWMA median chart for larger shifts are recommended. Two examples are provided to illustrate the application of the EWMA and CUSUM median charts with measurement errors.
An algorithmic hypergraph regularity lemma
Authors: Nagle Brendan , Rödl Vojtěch , Schacht Mathias
Published: December 2017

Szemerédi 's Regularity Lemma is a powerful tool in graph theory. It asserts that all large graphs admit bounded partitions of their edge sets, most classes of which consist of uniformly distributed edges. The original proof of this result was nonconstructive, and a constructive proof was later given by Alon, Duke, Lefmann, Rödl, and Yuster. Szemerédi's Regularity Lemma was extended to hypergraphs by various authors. Frankl and Rödl gave one such extension in the case of 3‐uniform hypergraphs, which was later extended to k‐uniform hypergraphs by Rödl and Skokan. W.T. Gowers gave another such extension, using a different concept of regularity than that of Frankl, Rödl, and Skokan. Here, we give a constructive proof of a regularity lemma for hypergraphs.
High‐aspect‐ratio aluminum‐doped zinc oxide nanomechanical resonator
Authors: Van Toan Nguyen , Inomata Naoki , Ono Takahito
Published: December 2017

This paper reports on the patterning of a high‐aspect‐ratio aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) capacitive resonator based on the combination of the deep reactive ion etching (deep RIE) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes. The suspended AZO capacitive resonator is successfully demonstrated. Its resonant frequency is observed at 10.4 kHz with a quality factor (Q factor) of approximately 500 in a vacuum chamber.
Interactive system with explanation function for real‐time railway crew rescheduling
Authors: Yamada Takaaki , Sato Tatsuhiro , Tomiyama Tomoe , Ueki Nobutaka
Published: December 2017

To win a user's trust while railway crew rescheduling by interactively explaining the reason(s) for the solution calculated by a computer, we propose a schema for describing crew rescheduling patterns in an ‘if‐then‐because’ format, an improved method for controlling user interaction based on the patterns, and a cognitive model of the user in a state‐transition form. An improved system developed using the proposed method generates crew schedules automatically by using a rule base comprising 30 patterns. Characteristic of the improved system is the use of ‘because’ information for explaining the computing process. System tests with an actual schedule for crews and trains in a railway line demonstrate that interactive processing with the help of an explanation function better visualizes the computing process. We evaluate our improved system by think‐aloud testing. Protocol analysis of verbal comments revealed that the user state was transited in accordance with our design intent that the user state for interpreting ‘because’ information plays a hub role in the decision making: users spent 28% of their time interpreting ‘because’ information. Questionnaire survey results show that contribution of the explanation is 34%. Interactive rescheduling with the help of an explanation function is practical for real‐time railway crew rescheduling.
Stability analysis of sensorless speed control of IPMSM
Authors: Altaey Abdulhasan , Kulaksiz Ahmet Afsin
Published: December 2017

In the speed control of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), for stability reasons, the closed‐loop pole positions should be on the left‐hand side of the S‐plane, and for fast response requirements these poles should have a small time constant. Unfortunately, the motor poles have a very long time constant, which makes the system response very slow. To solve this problem, the zeros of PI controllers are used to compensate the motor poles. As the motor operates, the temperature increases, which changes the parameters of the motor and, accordingly, the motor poles change their position so the PI controller cannot compensate these poles. To solve this problem, many parameter estimation algorithms have been used to detect new parameter values and adapt the PI controller gains so that to compensate the motor poles continually. These parameter estimation algorithms complicate and add cost to the system. This paper demonstrates that, for a temperature up to 70 °C, the system is capable of giving fast response and stable operation by using a good design of the PI controller regardless of the parameter changes.
Safety, sensitivity and differential support
Authors: Zalabardo José L.
Published: December 2017

The paper argues against Sosa’s claim that sensitivity cannot be differentially supported over safety as the right requirement for knowledge. Its main contention is that, although all sensitive beliefs that should be counted as knowledge are also safe, some insensitive true beliefs that shouldn’t be counted as knowledge are nevertheless safe.
Electoral apathy among Chilean youth: New evidence for the voter registration dilemma
Authors: Acuña-Duarte Andrés A.
Published: December 2017

The decision of voter enrollment among Chilean youth is re-examined in this paper. Geographical and gender differences regarding what determines voter-registration rate among youth are also explored. Electoral and socioeconomic data are collected from 272 Chilean counties in order to estimate the fractional-response and the random-effects Tobit models. The results indicate that the voter registration rate is higher among lower-income youth, which differs from earlier studies, and redefines the implications of a class-biased electorate in Chile. Furthermore, the evidence suggests an increasing political disaffection among indigenous youth that reside in rural counties.
Unmasking the benefits of donepezil via psychometrically precise identification of mild cognitive impairment: A secondary analysis of the ADCS vitamin E and donepezil in MCI study
Authors: Edmonds Emily C. , Ard M. Colin , Edland Steven D. , Galasko Douglas R. , Salmon David P. , Bondi Mark W.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) used in many clinical trials are susceptible to “false‐positive (FP)” errors that can be avoided by an actuarial psychometric approach.

Methods

Cluster analysis was applied to baseline neuropsychological test data from 756 MCI participants in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study donepezil trial. Treatment groups were compared after FP MCI cases were removed.

Results

Cluster analyses revealed three groups: “single‐domain amnestic MCI” (31%), “multi‐domain amnestic MCI” (39%), and “FP MCI” (30%). After removing FP MCI cases, the donepezil treatment group had a lower rate of progression to Alzheimer's disease and better performance on cognitive tests than the placebo/vitamin E group.

Discussion

Removal of FP MCI diagnoses unmasked beneficial effects of donepezil, despite a 30% reduction in sample size. MCI subject selection based on actuarial methods with comprehensive neuropsychological test data can result in more efficient clinical trials and improved ability to detect treatment effects.
Awakening an old lady: The Labrouste Room
Authors: Buxtorf Anne-Elisabeth
Published: December 2017

During 2016, after overcoming many obstacles, the library of the Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art (National Institute of Art History - INHA), Jacques-Doucet collection, was established in an exceptional space designed during the Second Empire by the French architect Henri Labrouste (1801–1875). The reopening of this reading room is the fruit of a large-scale renovation project involving several French institutions. It is also the culmination of a long-standing plan to create an illustrious library of art history for France.
Soul rebels and dubby conquerors. Reggae and dancehall music in Germany in the 1990s and early 2000s
Authors: Pfleiderer Martin
Published: December 2017

In the 1990s, a vibrant reggae and dancehall scene emerged in several German cities, and in the early 2000s songs of reggae artists such as Gentleman, Seeed or Jan Delay rose to the top of the German pop charts. In this article, the German reggae scene of this time is depicted in respect to its formation, infrastructure, transnational relationships and sub-genres, and is related to general social and cultural developments in reunited Germany, e.g. a new national self-consciousness, tendencies towards a multi-ethnic society and new kinds of youth scenes. These findings are illustrated by a close reading of two songs from the seminal albumsSearching for the Jan Soul Rebelsby Jan Delay andNew Dubby Conquerorsby Seeed, both released in 2001. While Jan Delay's lyrics reflect the singer's commitment to the antifascist youth scene, Seeed celebrates a hedonistic lifestyle in the new capital Berlin.
SOLAR OBSERVATORY OR ALLEGORY? CALAKMUL'S GROUP E-TYPE COMPLEX FORM AND FUNCTION
Authors: Dowd Anne S. , Aveni Anthony F. , Carrasco Ramón
Published: December 2017

Members of the Proyecto Arqueológico de la Biosfera Calakmul under Carrasco's direction excavated the Cenote Style Group E-type complex at the Maya site of Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. The Cenote Style refers to the plan of the E-Group with a series of three temples built onto a long narrow eastern range structure facing a western structure across a broad central plaza. Architectural data exist to evaluate this standardizing group's utility for observing solar events. Astronomical evidence for the function of this complex is presented and discussed. The overall orientation of Structures IVa, IVb, IVc, and VI is slightly east, 13° of true north, while a pair of doorways in Structure IVc align with the setting sun during the summer solstice point, despite the break in the buildings' floor-plan symmetry this represents.
A CYCLIC-TIME MODEL FOR ECLIPSE PREDICTION IN MESOAMERICA AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECLIPSE TABLE IN THE DRESDEN CODEX
Authors: Justeson John
Published: December 2017

This study describes, illustrates, and applies an “eclipse family” representation for the cyclic timing of eclipses in Mesoamerica. This theoretical construct is based on daykeepers’ approach to divination, anchored in the divinatory calendar (DC); empirically, it emerges from data on the timing of eclipses in Lowland Mayan1territory between 100b.c.e.and 1500c.e.drawn from Espenak and Meuss's (2007, 2009) eclipse canons.

An eclipse family consists of a sequence of stations on which an eclipse might be visible in Mesoamerica – one every 88 new or full moons for 170 to 200 years, restricted to one of three DC zones. Cyclic and linear time relationships among dates of eclipses follow from this representation: intervals between successive stations in concurrent families in the same zone, and between successive stations across zones; between successive families in a zone; and among the first or last stations of families, within and across zones.

One and only one eclipse-family representation fits the lunar stations of the Dresden Codex; its properties show that it is a solar eclipse table. In real time, the table pertains to a 405-month interval sometime between 1076 and 1148c.e., most likely from April 19, 1083c.e.to January 16, 1116c.e.
The symmetry–asymmetry continuum of human–thing and human–human relations
Authors: Mrozowski Stephen A.
Published: December 2017

There's an old Ry Cooder song – written by Bobby Miller – entitled ‘If walls could talk’ (not the Celine Dion song), whose refrain is ‘Ain't you glad that things don't talk’. Archaeologists clearly wish things could talk because we, more than most, appreciate the power of things and the close relationships that exist between humans and things and their shared histories. I was struck by this one day sitting reading a book in my bedroom. I glanced up, looked around me and realized that everything in that room would be there the day after I died – everything. In fact my things would clearly outlive me, and regardless of what attachment or lack of attachment I might have to any of those things, I would not be the ultimate arbiter of their fate. That would be left to others who for a whole host of reasons might not share the same relationship with these things that I had. Most would probably be discarded while others might be kept. Those choices are just one example of the kinds of emotions and calculations that surround human–thing (HT) and human–human (HH) relations.
The Impact of Safety Plans in an Outpatient Clinic
Authors: Zonana Jess , Simberlund Jessica , Christos Paul
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Background: Safety plans are recommended as tools to mitigate suicide risk; however, their effectiveness remains unclear. Aim: To evaluate the impact of safety plans on patient care at an outpatient mental health clinic. Method: In this retrospective chart review, patients' treatment engagement, health-care utilization, and risk behaviors were measured. Patients served as their own historical controls, and we compared outcomes in the 6 months before and 6 months after creation of safety plans. Results: In all, 48 patient charts were identified. Hospitalizations were significantly reduced and use of crisis calls significantly increased after implementation of safety plans. There were five suicide attempts before safety plan completion and one after, representing a trend toward statistical significance. Outpatient encounters increased by 18%, missed appointments increased by 34%, psychiatric emergency room visits decreased by 47%, and a 69% reduction in inpatient hospital days was observed, all trending toward statistical significance. No differences were seen in episodes of violence or self-injurious behavior. Limitations: The study sample was small and there was a lack of randomization. Conclusion: Results suggest that safety plans can lead to improvements in utilization of care and patient engagement. Further research is needed to better understand the clinical impact of safety plans on high-risk patients.
Sandy Beaches Are Hotbeds of Biochemical Activity
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: December 2017

A new study explores the role of wet sand in coastal ecology.
Ice Caves atop a Volcano Give Taste of Otherworldly Science
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: December 2017

Researchers brave perils and tumbling trash to probe glacial caves on Mount Rainier, improving their understanding of its extraordinary environment and helping to advance space exploration.
Jovey McJupiterface and Other Flights of Whimsy via JunoCam
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: December 2017

Jupiter has van Gogh skies, kaleidoscope geometry, and fearsome dragons, if you can just look at the planet with an open mind.
Author Correction: FAM46C is critical for the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of norcantharidin in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Zhang Qiao-Yan , Yue Xiao-Qiang , Jiang Yi-Ping , Han Ting , Xin Hai-Liang
Published: December 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Central role of myeloid MCPIP1 in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury
Authors: Li Yong , Huang Xuan , Huang Shengping , He Hui , Lei Tianhua , Saaoud Fatma , Yu Xiao-Qiang , Melnick Ari , Kumar Anil , Papasian Christopher J , Fan Daping , Fu Mingui
Published: December 2017

Although systemic inflammatory responses attributable to infection may lead to significant lung injury, the precise molecular mechanisms leading to lung damage are poorly understood and therapeutic options remain limited. Here, we show that myeloid monocyte chemotactic protein-inducible protein 1 (MCPIP1) plays a central role in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury. Myeloid-specific MCPIP1 knockout mice developed spontaneous inflammatory syndromes, but at a late age compared to global MCPIP1 knockout mice. Moreover, mice with a myeloid-specific deletion of MCPIP1 were extremely sensitive to LPS-induced lung injury due to overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We identified C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ, two critical transcriptional factors that drive cytokine production and lung injury, as targets of MCPIP1 RNase. LPS administration caused MCPIP1 protein degradation in the lungs. Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1, a paracaspase that cleaves MCPIP1, by MI-2 selectively increased the MCPIP1 protein levels in macrophages and in the lungs. Meanwhile, administration of MI-2 protected mice from LPS-induced inflammation, lung injury and death. Collectively, these results indicate that myeloid MCPIP1 is central in controlling LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury. Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 protease activity may be a good strategy to treat inflammatory diseases by enhancing MCPIP1 expression in myeloid cells.
Highly efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysts prepared by using reduction-engraved ferrites on graphene oxide
Authors: Tan Jing-Bo , Sahoo Pathik , Wang Jia-Wei , Hu Yu-Wen , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Lu Tong-Bu
Published: December 2017

A simple and efficient method was explored for synthesizing efficient ferrite-based OER electrocatalysts by using reduction-engraved ultrafine ferrite nanoparticles on a conductive GO support.
Intra-abdominal infection combined with intra-abdominal hypertension aggravates the intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction
Authors: Li Yuan , Ren Jianan , Wu Xiuwen , Li Jieshou
Published: December 2017

Some patients with intra-abdominal infection (IAI) may develop intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) during treatment. The present study investigated the impact of IAI combined with IAH on the intestinal mucosal barrier in a rabbit model. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: (i) IAI and IAH; (ii) IAI alone; (iii) IAH alone; and (iv) Control group. IAI model: cecal ligation and puncture for 48 h; IAH model: raised intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of 20 mmHg for 4 h. Pathological changes in intestinal mucosa were confirmed by light and scanning electron microscopy. FITC-conjugated dextran (FITC-dextran) by gavage was used to measure intestinal mucosal permeability in plasma. Endotoxin, d-Lactate, and diamine oxidase (DAO) in plasma were measured to determine intestinal mucosal damage. Malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and GSH in ileum tissues were measured to evaluate intestinal mucosal oxidation and reducing state. Histopathologic scores were significantly higher in the IAI and IAH group, followed by IAI alone, IAH alone, and the control group. FITC-dextran, d-Lactate, DAO, and endotoxin in plasma and MDA in ileum tissues had similar trends. GSH and SOD were significantly lowest the in IAI and IAH group. Occludin levels were lowest in the ileums of the IAI and IAH group. All differences were statistically significant (P-values <0.001). IAI combined with IAH aggravates damage of the intestinal mucosal barrier in a rabbit model. The combined effects were significantly more severe compared with a single factor. IAI combined with IAH should be prevented and treated effectively.
MicroRNA-based therapeutics in cardiovascular disease: screening and delivery to the target
Authors: Mellis David , Caporali Andrea
Published: December 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of ∼22 nucleotides, which have increasingly been recognized as potent post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. MiRNA targeting is defined by the complementarities between positions 2–8 of miRNA 5′-end with generally the 3′-untranslated region of target mRNAs (messenger RNAs). The capacity of miRNAs to simultaneously inhibit many different mRNAs allows for an amplification of biological responses. Hence, miRNAs are extremely attractive targets for therapeutic regulation in several diseases, including cardiovascular. Novel approaches are emerging to identify the miRNA functions in cardiovascular biology processes and to improve miRNA delivery in the heart and vasculature. In the present study, we provide an overview of current studies of miRNA functions in cardiovascular cells by the use of high-content screening. We also discuss the challenge to achieve a safe and targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics in cardiovascular cells.
Cell signaling abnormalities in cardiomyopathy caused by lamin A/C gene mutations
Authors: Worman Howard J.
Published: December 2017

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) encoding intermediate filament proteins associated with the inner nuclear membrane cause diseases known as laminopathies. Most LMNA mutations cause dilated cardiomyopathy with variable skeletal muscular dystrophy. Cell signaling abnormalities have been discovered in hearts of mouse models of cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA mutations that contribute to pathogenesis. These include abnormally increased signaling by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and kinase 2 and other mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and transforming growth factor-β. Preclinical research suggests that specific inhibitors of these abnormally activated cell signaling pathways may be useful in treating human patients with this disease.
Modeling optical and UV polarization of AGNs
Authors: Rojas Lobos P. A. , Goosmann R. W. , Marin F. , Savić D.
Published: December 2017

Context. Optical observations cannot resolve the structure of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and a unified model for AGN was inferred mostly from indirect methods, such as spectroscopy and variability studies. Optical reverberation mapping allowed us to constrain the spatial dimension of the broad emission line region and thereby to measure the mass of supermassive black holes. Recently, reverberation was also applied to the polarized signal emerging from different AGN components. In principle, this should allow us to measure the spatial dimensions of the sub-parsec reprocessing media.

Aim. We conduct numerical modeling of polarization reverberation and provide theoretical predictions for the polarization time lag induced by different AGN components. The model parameters are adjusted to the observational appearance of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151.

Methods. We modeled scattering-induced polarization and tested different geometries for the circumnuclear dust component. Our tests included the effects of clumpiness and different dust prescriptions. To further extend the model, we also explored the effects of additional ionized winds stretched along the polar direction, and of an equatorial scattering ring that is responsible for the polarization angle observed in pole-on AGN. The simulations were run using a time-dependent version of the STOKES code.

Results. Our modeling confirms the previously found polarization characteristics as a function of the observer‘s viewing angle. When the dust adopts a flared-disk geometry, the lags reveal a clear difference between type 1 and type 2 AGN. This distinction is less clear for a torus geometry where the time lag is more sensitive to the geometry and optical depth of the inner surface layers of the funnel. The presence of a scattering equatorial ring and ionized outflows increased the recorded polarization time lags, and the polar outflows smooths out dependence on viewing angle, especially for the higher optical depth of the wind (τ = 0.3).

Conclusions. Together with other AGN observables, the polarization time lag places new, independent “seismological” constraints on the inner geometry of AGN. If we conduct time-dependent spectropolarimetric observing campaigns of AGN, this method has a high potential for a census of supermassive black holes.
Testing a double AGN hypothesis for Mrk 273
Authors: Iwasawa K. , U V. , Mazzarella J. M. , Medling A. M. , Sanders D. B. , Evans A. S.
Published: December 2017

The ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) Mrk 273 contains two infrared nuclei, N and SW, separated by 1 arcsecond. A Chandra observation has identified the SW nucleus as an absorbed X-ray source with NH ~ 4 × 1023 cm−2 but also hinted at the possible presence of a Compton-thick AGN in the N nucleus, where a black hole of ~109 M⊙ is inferred from the ionized gas kinematics. The intrinsic X-ray spectral slope recently measured by NuSTAR is unusually hard (Γ ~ 1.3) for a Seyfert nucleus, for which we seek an alternative explanation. We hypothesize a strongly absorbed X-ray source in N, of which X-ray emission rises steeply above 10 keV, in addition to the known X-ray source in SW, and test it against the NuSTAR data, assuming the standard spectral slope (Γ = 1.9). This double X-ray source model gives a good explanation of the hard continuum spectrum, deep Fe K absorption edge, and strong Fe K line observed in this ULIRG, without invoking the unusual spectral slope required for a single source interpretation. The putative X-ray source in N is found to be absorbed by NH = 1.4+0.7−0.4 × 1024 cm−2. The estimated 2−10 keV luminosity of the N source is 1.3 × 1043 erg s−1, about a factor of 2 larger than that of SW during the NuSTAR observation. Uncorrelated variability above and below 10 keV between the Suzaku and NuSTAR observations appears to support the double source interpretation. Variability in spectral hardness and Fe K line flux between the previous X-ray observations is also consistent with this picture.
Calibration of the island effect: Experimental validation of closed-loop focal plane wavefront control on Subaru/SCExAO
Authors: N’Diaye M. , Martinache F. , Jovanovic N. , Lozi J. , Guyon O. , Norris B. , Ceau A. , Mary D.
Published: December 2017

Context. Island effect (IE) aberrations are induced by differential pistons, tips, and tilts between neighboring pupil segments on ground-based telescopes, which severely limit the observations of circumstellar environments on the recently deployed exoplanet imagers (e.g., VLT/SPHERE, Gemini/GPI, Subaru/SCExAO) during the best observing conditions. Caused by air temperature gradients at the level of the telescope spiders, these aberrations were recently diagnosed with success on VLT/SPHERE, but so far no complete calibration has been performed to overcome this issue.

Aims. We propose closed-loop focal plane wavefront control based on the asymmetric Fourier pupil wavefront sensor (APF-WFS) to calibrate these aberrations and improve the image quality of exoplanet high-contrast instruments in the presence of the IE.

Methods. Assuming the archetypal four-quadrant aperture geometry in 8 m class telescopes, we describe these aberrations as a sum of the independent modes of piston, tip, and tilt that are distributed in each quadrant of the telescope pupil. We calibrate these modes with the APF-WFS before introducing our wavefront control for closed-loop operation. We perform numerical simulations and then experimental tests on a real system using Subaru/SCExAO to validate our control loop in the laboratory and on-sky.

Results. Closed-loop operation with the APF-WFS enables the compensation for the IE in simulations and in the laboratory for the small aberration regime. Based on a calibration in the near infrared, we observe an improvement of the image quality in the visible range on the SCExAO/VAMPIRES module with a relative increase in the image Strehl ratio of 37%.

Conclusions. Our first IE calibration paves the way for maximizing the science operations of the current exoplanet imagers. Such an approach and its results prove also very promising in light of the Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) and the presence of similar artifacts with their complex aperture geometry.
Molecular identification of Trichinella species by multiplex PCR: new insight for Trichinella murrelli
Authors: Karadjian Grégory , Heckmann Aurélie , Rosa Giuseppe La , Pozio Edoardo , Boireau Pascal , Vallée Isabelle
Published: December 2017

In order to identify Trichinella at the species level, the commonly used test is a multiplex PCR, allowing the discrimination of nine out of the twelve taxa described so far. This test is based on five primer pairs amplifying fragments of the large subunit rDNA. Each taxon produces one or two bands of different sizes, resulting in a specific band pattern. By multiplex PCR, Trichinella murrelli shows two bands of 127 bp and 316 bp. However, a third band of 256 bp can occur. This band can lead to misidentification, since it is similar to the 253 bp band displayed by Trichinella britovi. BLAST analysis confirmed that the 256 bp band is from T. murrelli. The aim of this short note is to inform analysts that T. murrelli larvae may display either two- or three-band patterns.
2.4 Dehydrogenation
Authors: Kayaki Y. , Ikariya T.
Published: December 2017

This chapter highlights effective dehydrogenation from saturated polar and non-polar molecules, including alcohols, amines, and (functionalized) alkanes, using homogeneous transition-metal complexes as catalysts. In the context of significant advances in molecular catalysts with metal–ligand cooperation as the key dehydrogenation strategy for the promotion of H+ and H− transfer, selected examples of dehydrogenative oxidation in the presence or absence of sacrificial oxidants are reviewed. As synthetic applications of catalytic dehydrogenation, oxidative coupling reactions with alcohols and/or amines are also presented.
5.5 The Wacker Process
Authors: Race N. J. , Patel H. H. , Sigman M. S.
Published: December 2017

The palladium-catalyzed Wacker process has been extended toward the oxidation of substituted α-alkenes and internal alkenes. Methods providing access to Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov products in high selectivity are discussed.
1.1.1 Homogeneous Reduction of Alkenes
Authors: Tan X. , Lv H. , Zhang X.
Published: December 2017

This chapter is focused on recent progress in the asymmetric hydrogenation of substituted alkenes, and the application of this methodology in the construction of a variety of chiral centers. The asymmetric hydrogenation of nonfunctionalized alkenes, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, enamides, enols, and other heteroatom-substituted alkenes is covered.
1.6 Catalytic Reduction of Phenols, Alcohols, and Diols
Authors: Tin S. , de Vries J. G.
Published: December 2017

The catalytic deoxygenation of organic molecules has attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of interest in the use of biomass-derived fuels and chemicals. The raw materials used may contain up to 50 wt% of oxygen. In this chapter, some practical methods for the selective catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of phenols and alcohols to give arenes and alkanes, respectively, and the deoxydehydration of diols using hydrogen gas or transfer-hydrogenation methods are described.
Does prestige affect us physiologically?
Authors: Cordonier Laurent , Breton Audrey , Trouche Emmanuel , Van der Henst Jean-Baptiste
Published: December 2017

Past research dedicated to the impact of hierarchy on the autonomic nervous system has focused mainly on dominance. The current study extends this investigation by assessing the effect of social prestige, operationalized through occupational status, and examines whether people react differently when interacting with individuals of high or low occupational status. Participants’ heart rate and electrodermal activity were recorded while they interacted with a confederate who was introduced either as a neurosurgeon (high-status condition) or as a nurse aide (low-status condition). The results show that, contrary to the participants’ skin conductance level, their heart rate was modulated by the confederate’s status. In the high-status condition, participants’ heart rate increased when the “neurosurgeon” approached them, reaching a higher level than when interacting with the person in the low-status condition. We discuss our results in terms of the threats or opportunities that prestige may elicit.
Les marges de l’homme en jeu aux limbes du Pacifique
Authors: Mengozzi Chiara
Published: December 2017

The article proposes a new reading ofVendredi ou les limbes du Pacifiquewith the intent to combine Postcolonial and Animal Studies, beyond the common emphasis on the notion of victim, and to resist the allegorical interpretations of the novel. Firstly, I demonstrate that during the “administrated island”, Robinson imposes an order based on the correlation among capitalism, colonialism and Oedipal sexuality, as if humanity as such could be reduced to the features of Western societies. Then, I explore how the novel relocates the boundaries between the human and the nonhuman, challenging the exclusive identification of alterity to a human face. Finally, I focus on the new relation with otherness (both human and animal) experienced by the two characters: a kind of intersubjectivity based on the play, which is a practice that does not presuppose the knowledge of the other and exceeds the traditional categorical antithesis, such as truth/falsity, good/evil, nature/culture.
Examining Exposure Assessment in Shift Work Research: A Study on Depression Among Nurses
Authors: Hall Amy L , Franche Renée-Louise , Koehoorn Mieke
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Coarse exposure assessment and assignment is a common issue facing epidemiological studies of shift work. Such measures ignore a number of exposure characteristics that may impact on health, increasing the likelihood of biased effect estimates and masked exposure–response relationships. To demonstrate the impacts of exposure assessment precision in shift work research, this study investigated relationships between work schedule and depression in a large survey of Canadian nurses.

Methods

The Canadian 2005 National Survey of the Work and Health of Nurses provided the analytic sample (n = 11450). Relationships between work schedule and depression were assessed using logistic regression models with high, moderate, and low-precision exposure groupings. The high-precision grouping described shift timing and rotation frequency, the moderate-precision grouping described shift timing, and the low-precision grouping described the presence/absence of shift work. Final model estimates were adjusted for the potential confounding effects of demographic and work variables, and bootstrap weights were used to generate sampling variances that accounted for the survey sample design.

Results

The high-precision exposure grouping model showed the strongest relationships between work schedule and depression, with increased odds ratios [ORs] for rapidly rotating (OR = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91–2.51) and undefined rotating (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 0.92–3.02) shift workers, and a decreased OR for depression in slow rotating (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.57–1.08) shift workers. For the low- and moderate-precision exposure grouping models, weak relationships were observed for all work schedule categories (OR range 0.95 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Findings from this study support the need to consider and collect the data required for precise and conceptually driven exposure assessment and assignment in future studies of shift work and health. Further research into the effects of shift rotation frequency on depression is also recommended.