bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turkish Adolescents' Loneliness
Authors: Ayhan Aynur Bütün , şimşek Şukran , Aral Neriman , Baran Gulen
Published: April 2012

The goal of this study was to characterize loneliness among adolescents with respect to socioeconomic level, sex, and mothers' and fathers' education. General information about the 400 adolescents and their families were obtained. The UCLA Loneliness Scale was administered. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression showed that mothers' educational level explained a slight but statistically significant amount of variance in adolescents' loneliness scores while sex, socioeconomic level and fathers' educational level did not.
Demographic and Occupational Correlates of Workaholism
Authors: Taris Toon W. , Van Beek Ilona , Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: April 2012

Drawing on a convenience sample of 9,160 Dutch employees, the present study examined whether commonly held ideas about the associations between demographic, professional, and occupational characteristics and workaholism would be observed. For example, it is sometimes assumed that managers are more likely to display workaholic tendencies than others. Analysis of variance was used to relate workaholism scores (measured as the combination of working excessively and working compulsively) to participant age, sex, employment status (self-employed or not), profession, and occupational sector. Relatively high average scores on workaholism were obtained by workers in the agriculture, construction, communication, consultancy, and commerce/trade sectors, as well as managers and higher professionals. Low scores were found for those in the public administration and services industry sectors, and for nurses, social workers, and paramedics. The other characteristics were not or only weakly related to workaholism.
Investigation of the Two-Factor Model for the English Version of the Need for Closure Scale
Authors: Stalder Daniel R.
Published: April 2012

Using the English version of the Need for Closure Scale, this research investigated previous, though largely ignored, recommendations to exclude the close-mindedness subscale and to treat the Need for Closure Scale as a two-factor (vs single-factor) scale. Reliability and correlational analyses supported the recommendation to exclude close-mindedness. The two-factor model without close-mindedness yielded better fit indexes than a single-factor model or a two-factor model with close-mindedness. Despite the strong cross-cultural use of the scale, no investigation had yet tested the two-factor model without close-mindedness using any language other than Dutch. The present results and discussion can improve the study of need for closure by encouraging more researchers to consider the supported recommendations. Roets and Van Hiel's proposed modification to make the Need for Closure Scale a single-factor scale was also discussed.
A Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach on Perceptions of Knowledge and Skills in Teaching (PKST)
Authors: Choy Doris , Lim Kam Ming , Chong Sylvia , Wong Angela F. L.
Published: April 2012

This paper reports the cross-validation of the factor pattern of the Perceptions of Knowledge and Skills in Teaching (PKST) survey, which was used to assess the self-perceived pedagogical knowledge and skills of pre-service and beginning teachers. The sample comprised 323 pre-service teachers enrolled in a 1-yr. post-graduate teacher education program in Singapore. The survey had 37 items distributed across six scales: student learning, lesson planning, instructional support, accommodating diversity, classroom management, and care and concern. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to cross-validate the survey's factor pattern. The results showed that the model was an acceptable fit to the data. The PKST survey can thus be adapted by different teacher education programs to assess pre-service and beginning teachers' progress in developing their pedagogical knowledge and skills.
A Comparison of Paper-and-Pencil and Computerized Forms of Line Orientation and Enhanced Cued Recall Tests
Authors: Aşkar Petek , Altun Arif , Cangöz Banu , Çevik Vildan , Kaya Galip , Türksoy Hasan
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess whether a computerized battery of neuropsychological tests could produce similar results as the conventional forms. Comparisons on 77 volunteer undergraduates were carried out with two neuropsychological tests: Line Orientation Test and Enhanced Cued Recall Test. Firstly, students were assigned randomly across the test medium (paper-and-pencil versus computerized). Secondly, the groups were given the same test in the other medium after a 30-day interval between tests. Results showed that the Enhanced Cued Recall Test–Computer-based did not correlate with the Enhanced Cued Recall Test-Paper-and-pencil results. Line Orientation Test–Computer-based scores, on the other hand, did correlate significantly with the Line Orientation Test–Paper-and-pencil version. In both tests, scores were higher on paper-and-pencil tests compared to computer-based tests. Total score difference between modalities was statistically significant for both Enhanced Cued Recall Tests and for the Line Orientation Test. In both computer-based tests, it took less time for participants to complete the tests.
Attitudes toward Psychotropic Medications
Authors: Fife Stephanie A. , Ketzenberger Kay E. , Olson James N.
Published: April 2012

Attitudes and beliefs towards psychotropic medication were evaluated among psychiatric outpatients, patients receiving buprenorphine treatment for substance abuse, and a group who reported never having used psychotropic medications (non-users). The Drug Attitude Inventory scale and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire General were used to assess attitudes and beliefs of 49 participants. Non-users exhibited more negative attitudes and beliefs toward psychotropic medication than both psychiatric groups.
Characteristics of Schools in Which Fatal Shootings Occur
Authors: de Apodaca Roberto Flores , Brighton Lauren M. , Perkins Ashley N. , Jackson Kiana N. , Steege Jessica R.
Published: April 2012

School-based violence, and fatal school shootings in particular, have gained increased attention in the media and psychological literature. Most reports have focused on the characteristics of perpetrators, but there is a growing awareness that school-related factors may also influence the occurrence of fatal school shootings. The current study examined several key characteristics of all schools where random (38) and targeted (96) fatal shootings occurred in the United States between 1966 and 2009. These were compared with a group (138) of schools randomly selected to represent the population of all schools in the United States. The size of a school's enrollment, urban or suburban locale, public funding, and predominantly non-white enrollment were positively associated with fatal shootings. Universities and colleges were disproportionately associated with random shootings and high schools with targeted ones. It was proposed that characteristics of schools that allow feelings of anonymity or alienation among students may help create environmental conditions associated with fatal school shootings. Implications for future research and interventions are considered.
The Trend toward more Attractive and Informative Titles: American Psychologist 1946–2010
Authors: Whissell Cynthia
Published: April 2012

Titles of journal articles serve to attract attention and inform potential readers. All titles from 65 volumes of American Psychologist (1946–2010, N = 12,313 titles) were studied in terms of their emotionality, style, and contents. Several trends noted for titles in different kinds of journals from psychology and other disciplines were present in American Psychologist (increasing title length, increasing use of punctuation marks, increasing employment of words with pleasant and arousing connotations, variations in the frequency of different content words). Longer titles allow authors to specify more information, and emotionally upbeat titles are more likely to attract reader attention. In an unexpected quadratic trend, titles became more abstract and the number of titles increased until about 1985, after which the trend was reversed and titles became more concrete as their numbers decreased. Predictors of this trend include societal variables and the journal's editorial policies.
CORAL: the prediction of biodegradation of organic compounds with optimal SMILES-based descriptors
Authors: Toropov Andrey , Toropova Alla , Lombardo Anna , Roncaglioni Alessandra , Brita Nicoletta , Stella Giovanni , Benfenati Emilio
Published: April 2012

CORAL software (http:/www.insilico.eu/coral) has been used to build up quantitative structure-biodegradation relationships (QSPR). The normalized degradation percentage has been used as the measure of biodegradation (for diverse organic compounds, n=445). Six random splits into sub-training, calibration, and test sets were examined. For each split the QSPR one-variable linear regression model based on the SMILES-based optimal descriptors has been built up. The average values of numbers of compounds and the correlation coefficients (r2) between experimental and calculated biodegradability values of these six models for the test sets are n=88.2±11.7 and r2=0.728±0.05. These six models were further tested against a set of chemicals (n=285) for which only categorical values (biodegradable or not) were available. Thus we also evaluated the use of the model as a classifier. The average values of the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.811±0.019, 0.795±0.024, and 0.803±0.008, respectively.
Instance-based regression with missing data applied to a photocatalytic oxidation process
Authors: Leon Florin , Piuleac Ciprian , Curteanu Silvia , Poulios Ioannis
Published: April 2012

In this paper, a modified nearest-neighbor regression method (kNN) is proposed to model a process with incomplete information of the measurements. This technique is based on the variation of the coefficients used to weight the distances of the instances. The case study selected for testing this algorithm was the photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Red 184 (RR184), a dye belonging to the group of azo compounds, which is widely used in manufacturing paint paper, leather and fabrics. The process is conducted with TiO2 as catalyst (an inexpensive semiconductor material, completely inert chemically and biologically), in the presence of H2O2 (with the role of increasing the rate of photo-oxidation), at different pH values. The final concentration of RR184 is predicted accurately with the modified kNN regression method developed in this article. A comparison with other machine learning methods (sequential minimal optimization regression, decision table, reduced error pruning tree, M5 pruned model tree) proves the superiority and efficiency of the proposed algorithm, not only for its results, but for its simplicity and flexibility in manipulating incomplete experimental data.
Supported H4SiW12O40 catalysts for α-pinene isomerization
Authors: Szücs-Balázs József-Zsolt , Coroş Maria , Woiczechowski-Pop Adrian , Blăniƫă Gabriela , Vlassa Mircea
Published: April 2012

The heterogeneous isomerization of α-pinene was studied at 100, 130 and 160°C using 10% supported H4SiW12O40 (SiW) on SiO2, TiO2 and HZSM-5. The effect of the reaction temperature and the concentration of the catalyst over the conversion of α-pinene and the selectivity of camphene, limonene and terpinolene had been monitored. The recovery, reuse and leaching effect of the catalysts were studied. Simple, environmentally friendly and economic methods for the synthesis of camphene and limonene were developed and optimized.
Explicit expression of Cartan’s connection for Levi-nondegenerate 3-manifolds in complex surfaces, and identification of the Heisenberg sphere
Authors: Merker Joël , Sabzevari Masoud
Published: April 2012

We study effectively the Cartan geometry of Levi-nondegenerate C
6-smooth hypersurfaces M
3 in ℂ2. Notably, we present the so-called curvature function of a related Tanaka-type normal connection explicitly in terms of a graphing function for M, which is the initial, single available datum. Vanishing of this curvature function then characterizes explicitly the local biholomorphic equivalence of such M
3 ⊂ ℂ2 to the Heisenberg sphere ℍ3, such M’s being necessarily real analytic.
Patient-Centered Integrated Motor Imagery Delivered in the Home With Telerehabilitation to Improve Walking After Stroke
Authors: Deutsch Judith E. , Maidan Inbal , Dickstein Ruth
Published: April 2012

Background and Purpose

This case report describes the clinical reasoning process used to examine a person after stroke and intervene with a novel integrated motor imagery treatment designed for the rehabilitation of walking and delivered in the home through telerehabilitation. The integrated motor imagery treatment consisted of patient-centered goal setting and physical practice combined with motor and motivational imagery.

Case Description

The patient was a 38-year-old woman who had had a diffuse left subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke 10 years earlier. She lived independently in an assisted living complex and carried a straight cane during long walks or in unfamiliar environments. Examination revealed a slow gait speed, reduced walking endurance, and decreased balance confidence. Although she was in the chronic phase, patient-centered integrated motor imagery was predicted to improve her community mobility. Treatment sessions of 45 to 60 minutes were held 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The practiced tasks included transitioning from sitting to standing, obstacle clearance, and navigation in interior and exterior environments; these tasks were first executed and then imagined at ratios of 1:5. Task execution allowed the creation of a scene based on movement observation. Imagery scenarios were customized to address the patient's goals and observed movement problems. Motivational elements of arousal, problem solving, and reward were embedded in the imagery scenarios. Half of the sessions were provided on site, and the remaining sessions were delivered remotely. Seven sessions were delivered by the clinician in the home, and 5 sessions were delivered using telerehabilitation.

Outcomes

Improvements in motor imagery ability, gait parameters, and balance were observed after training. Most gains were retained at the 3-month follow-up. Compared with on-site delivery, the telerehabilitation sessions resulted in less therapist travel time and cost, as well as shorter therapy sessions.

Discussion

The delivery of integrated motor imagery practice for walking recovery was feasible both on site and remotely.
Long-term natural history of neurofibromatosis Type 2–associated intracranial tumors
Authors: Dirks Michael S. , Butman John A. , Kim H. Jeffrey , Wu Tianxia , Morgan Keaton , Tran Anne P. , Lonser Russell R. , Asthagiri Ashok R.
Published: April 2012

Object

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) is a heritable tumor predisposition syndrome that leads to the development of multiple intracranial tumors, including meningiomas and schwannomas. Because the natural history of these tumors has not been determined, their optimal management has not been established. To define the natural history of NF2-associated intracranial tumors and to optimize management strategies, the authors evaluated long-term clinical and radiographic data in patients with NF2.

Methods

Consecutive NF2 patients with a minimum of 4 years of serial clinical and MRI follow-up were analyzed.

Results

Seventeen patients, 9 males and 8 females, were included in this analysis (mean follow-up 9.5 ± 4.8 years, range 4.0–20.7 years). The mean age at initial evaluation was 33.2 ± 15.5 years (range 12.3–57.6 years). Patients harbored 182 intracranial neoplasms, 164 of which were assessable for growth rate analysis (18 vestibular schwannomas [VSs], 11 nonvestibular cranial nerve [CN] schwannomas, and 135 meningiomas) and 152 of which were assessable for growth pattern analysis (15 VSs, 9 nonvestibular CN schwannomas, and 128 meningiomas). New tumors developed in patients over the course of the imaging follow-up: 66 meningiomas, 2 VSs, and 2 nonvestibular CN schwannomas. Overall, 45 tumors (29.6%) exhibited linear growth, 17 tumors (11.2%) exhibited exponential growth, and 90 tumors (59.2%) displayed a saltatory growth pattern characterized by alternating periods of growth and quiescence (mean quiescent period 2.3 ± 2.1 years, range 0.4–11.7 years). Further, the saltatory pattern was the most frequently identified growth pattern for each tumor type: meningiomas 60.9%, VSs 46.7%, and nonvestibular schwannoma 55.6%. A younger age at the onset of NF2-related symptoms (p = 0.01) and female sex (p = 0.05) were associated with an increased growth rate in meningiomas. The identification of saltatory growth in meningiomas increased with the duration of follow-up (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Neurofibromatosis Type 2–associated intracranial tumors most frequently demonstrated a saltatory growth pattern. Because new tumors can develop in NF2 patients over their lifetime and because radiographic progression and symptom formation are unpredictable, resection may be best reserved for symptom-producing tumors. Moreover, establishing the efficacy of nonsurgical therapeutic interventions must be based on long-term follow-up (several years).
Occult tumors presenting with negative imaging: analysis of the literature
Authors: Chittiboina Prashant , Connor David E. , Caldito Gloria , Quillin Joseph W. , Wilson Jon D. , Nanda Anil
Published: April 2012

Object

Some patients presenting with neurological symptoms and normal findings on imaging studies may harbor occult brain tumors that are undetectable on initial imaging. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cases of occult brain tumors reported in the literature and to determine their modes of presentation and time to diagnosis on imaging studies.

Methods

A review of the literature was performed using PubMed. The authors found 15 articles reporting on a total of 60 patients with occult tumors (including the authors' illustrative case).

Results

Seizures were the mode of initial presentation in a majority (61.7%) of patients. The initial imaging was CT scanning in 55% and MRI in 45%. The mean time to diagnosis for occult brain tumors was 10.3 months (median 4 months). The time to diagnosis (mean 7.5 months, median 3.2 months) was shorter (p = 0.046) among patients with seizures. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was found more frequently among patients with seizures (67.6% vs 34.8%, p = 0.013). The average time to diagnosis of GBM was shorter than the time to diagnosis of other tumors; the median time to diagnosis was 3.2 months for GBM and 6 months for other tumors (p = 0.04). There was no predilection for side or location of occult tumors. In adult patients, seizures may be predictive of left-sided tumors (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, the authors found that in patients with occult brain tumors, the time to diagnosis is shorter among patients with seizures and also among those with GBM.
Genetic Fingerprinting of Wheat and Its Progenitors by Mitochondrial Gene orf256
Authors: El-Shehawi Ahmed M. , Fahmi Abdelmeguid I. , Sayed Samy M. , Elseehy Mona M.
Published: April 2012

orf256 is a wheat mitochondrial gene associated with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) that has different organization in various species. This study exploited the orf256 gene as a mitochondrial DNA marker to study the genetic fingerprint of Triticum and Aegilops species. PCR followed by sequencing of common parts of the orf256 gene were employed to determine the fingerprint and molecular evolution of Triticum and Aegilops species. Although many primer pairs were used, two pairs of orf256 specific primers (5:-94/C: 482, 5:253/C: 482), amplified DNA fragments of 576 bp and 230 bp respectively in all species were tested. A common 500 bp of nine species of Triticum and Aegilops were aligned and showed consistent results with that obtained from other similar chloroplast or nuclear genes. Base alignment showed that there were various numbers of base substitutions in all species compared to S. cereal (Sc) (the outgroup species). Phylogenetic relationship revealed similar locations and proximity on phylogenetic trees established using plastid and nuclear genes. The results of this study open a good route to use unknown function genes of mitochondria in studying the molecular relationships and evolution of wheat and complex plant genomes.
Radiation Entropy Bound from the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Authors: Fouxon Itzhak
Published: April 2012

It has been suggested heuristically by Unruh and Wald, and independently by Page, that at given energy and volume, thermal radiation has the largest entropy. The suggestion leads to the corresponding universal bound on entropy of physical systems. Using a gedanken experiment we show that the bound follows from the Second Law of Thermodynamics if the CPT symmetry is assumed and a general condition on matter holds. The experiment suggests that a wide class of Lorentz invariant local quantum field theories obeys a bound on the density of states.
Effect of Calcium Sprays on Mechanical Strength and Cell Wall Fractions of Herbaceous Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora Pall.) Inflorescence Stems
Authors: Li Chengzhong , Tao Jun , Zhao Daqiu , You Chao , Ge Jintao
Published: April 2012

Calcium is an essential element and imparts significant structural rigidity to the plant cell walls, which provide the main mechanical support to the entire plant. In order to increase the mechanical strength of the inflorescence stems of herbaceous peony, the stems are treated with calcium chloride. The results shows that preharvest sprays with 4% (w/v) calcium chloride three times after bud emergence are the best at strengthening “Da Fugui” peonies’ stems. Calcium sprays increased the concentrations of endogenous calcium, total pectin content as well as cell wall fractions in herbaceous peonies stems, and significantly increased the contents of them in the top segment. Correlation analysis showed that the breaking force of the top segment of peonies’ stems was positively correlated with the ratio of water insoluble pectin to water soluble pectin (R = 0.673) as well as lignin contents (R = 0.926) after calcium applications.
A Gold Nanoparticle and Aflatoxin B1-BSA Conjugates Based Lateral Flow Assay Method for the Analysis of Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Moon Jihea , Kim Giyoung , Lee Sangdae
Published: April 2012

A rapid and simple immuno-chromatographic assay was developed to detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The assay was based on a modified competitive binding format using colloidal gold and polyclonal antibody (Pab) conjugates. The anti-AFB1 Pab was immobilized to a defined detection zone on a porous nitrocellulose membrane and colloidal gold particles were conjugated to AFB1-BSA which served as a detection reagent. The AFB1-containing sample was added to the membrane and allowed to move with AFB1-BSA-coated particles dried on the conjugation pad. The mixture was then passed along the porous membrane by capillary action past the Pab in the detection zone, which captured AFB1 or AFB1-BSA. AFB1 in the sample inhibits binding of AFB1-BSA conjugated gold particles to the Pab and prevents formation of a red color dot. In the absence of AFB1, AFB1-BSA conjugated gold particles bound to the Pab, give a red color within this detection zone. With this method, 10 μg/mL of AFB1 was detected in less than 10 min. The developed AFB1 assay also showed no cross reaction to Ochratoxin A (OTA).
Antiangiogenic Polyketides from Peperomia dindygulensis Miq.
Authors: Wang Qi-Wei , Yu De-Hong , Lin Meng-Gan , Zhao Mei , Zhu Wen-Jun , Lu Qin , Li Gui-Xiu , Wang Chao , Yang Yi-Fang , Qin Xue-Mei , Fang Chao , Chen Hong-Zhuan , Yang Guo-Hong
Published: April 2012

Two new polyketides: 2Z-(heptadec-12-enyl)-4-hydroxy-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-5(6H)-one (1) and 2-(heptadec-12-enyl)-5-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromen- 4-one (2), together with eleven known compounds: 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4-methylenedioxy- phenyl)tridecanoyl] cyclohexane-1,3-dione (3), oleiferinone (4), 4-hydroxy-2-[(3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl)undecanoyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (5), 4-hydroxy-2-[(11-phenyl- undecanoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (6), proctorione C (7), surinone C (8), 5-hydroxy- 7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (10), 5-hydroxy- 7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (11), 5,8-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (12) and cepharanone B (13) were isolated from the whole plant of Peperomia dindygulensis Miq. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2, 3, 5 and 8 inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and compounds 5 and 8 sharply suppressed HUVEC tube formation.
Natural Chlorophyll-Related Porphyrins and Chlorins for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Xiao-Feng , Kitao Osamu
Published: April 2012

Natural-chlorophyll-related porphyrins, including (2H, Zn, Cu)-protoporphyrin IX (Por-1) and Zn-mesoporphyrin IX (Por-2), and chlorins, including chlorin e6 (Chl-1), chlorin e4 (Chl-2), and rhodin G7 (Chl-3), have been used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For porphyrin sensitizers that have vinyl groups at the β-positions, zinc coordinated Por-1 gives the highest solar-energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency (h) of up to 2.9%. Replacing the vinyl groups of ZnPor-1 with ethyl groups increases the open-circuit voltage (Voc) from 0.61 V to 0.66 V, but decreases the short-circuit current (Jsc) from 7.0 mA·cm−2 to 6.1 mA·cm−2 and the value of h to 2.8%. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations suggest that the higher Jsc values of Zn-based porphyrin sensitizers result from the favorable electron injection from the LUMO at higher energy levels. In the case of the chlorin sensitizers, the number of carboxyl protons has a large effect on the photovoltaic performance. Chl-2 with two carboxyl protons gives much higher values of Jsc, Voc, and h than does Chl-1 with three carboxyl protons. Replacing the protons of Chl-1 with sodium ions can substantially improve the photovoltaic performance of Chl-1-based solar cells. Furthermore, the sodium salt of Chl-3 with an aldehyde group at the C7 position shows poorer photovoltaic performance than does the sodium salt of Chl-1 with methyl groups at the C7 position. This is due to the low light-harvesting capability of Chl-3.
Hydrogels from Biopolymer Hybrid for Biomedical, Food, and Functional Food Applications
Authors: Liu Lin Shu , Kost Joseph , Yan Fang , Spiro Robert C.
Published: April 2012

Hybrid hydrogels from biopolymers have been applied for various indications across a wide range of biomedical, pharmaceutical, and functional food industries. In particular, hybrid hydrogels synthesized from two biopolymers have attracted increasing attention. The inclusion of a second biopolymer strengthens the stability of resultant hydrogels and enriches its functionalities by bringing in new functional groups or optimizing the micro-environmental conditions for certain biological and biochemical processes. This article presents approaches that have been used by our groups to synthesize biopolymer hybrid hydrogels for effective uses for immunotherapy, tissue regeneration, food and functional food applications. The research has achieved some challenging results, such as stabilizing physical structure, increasing mucoadhesiveness, and the creation of an artificial extracellular matrix to aid in guiding tissue differentiation.
Spiritual Identity: Personal Narratives for Faith and Spiritual Living
Authors: Reimer Kevin S. , Dueck Alvin C.
Published: April 2012

In this article we outline a theoretical and methodological framework for spiritual identity as meaning in folk psychology. Identity is associated with psychological elements of personality that help people manage a time-bound existence. This discussion is extended on anthropological grounds, noting that spiritual goals are reinforced when they become symbolically self-important, often through religious ritual. This makes religious tradition and culture of monotheist exemplars centrally important to understanding idiosyncratic folk narratives like spiritual success.
John Muir and “Godful” Nature
Authors: Barnett Raymond
Published: April 2012

John Muir, America’s most influential conservationist, held a special view of Nature, one that treated Nature as “Godful” and “unredeemed” because, unlike humankind, Nature has not “fallen”. It is a view that asks us to adopt a gaiacentric, not anthropocentric, perspective on our place in the universe. This article explores the meaning and development of that view and how it came to define Muir’s faith and serve his noble purpose of preserving the Wilderness.
Reconfigurable Routing Protocol for Free Space Optical Sensor Networks
Authors: Xie Rong , Yang Won-Hyuk , Kim Young-Chon
Published: April 2012

Recently, free space optical sensor networks (FSOSNs), which are based on free space optics (FSO) instead of radio frequency (RF), have gained increasing visibility over traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) due to their advantages such as larger capacity, higher security, and lower cost. However, the performance of FSOSNs is restricted to the requirement of a direct line-of-sight (LOS) path between a sender and a receiver pair. Once a node dies of energy depletion, the network would probably suffer from a dramatic decrease of connectivity, resulting in a huge loss of data packets. Thus, this paper proposes a reconfigurable routing protocol (RRP) to overcome this problem by dynamically reconfiguring the network virtual topology. The RRP works in three phases: (1) virtual topology construction, (2) routing establishment, and (3) reconfigurable routing. When data transmission begins, the data packets are first routed through the shortest hop paths. Then a reconfiguration is initiated by the node whose residual energy falls below a threshold. Nodes affected by this dying node are classified into two types, namely maintenance nodes and adjustment nodes, and they are reconfigured according to the types. An energy model is designed to evaluate the performance of RRP through OPNET simulation. Our simulation results indicate that the RRP achieves better performance compared with the simple-link protocol and a direct reconfiguration scheme in terms of connectivity, network lifetime, packet delivery ratio and the number of living nodes.
Facile One-Step Microwave-Assisted Route towards Ni Nanospheres/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrids for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensing
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Hu Yong , Yang Wenlong , Zhou Mojiao , Hu Xiao
Published: April 2012

In this work, a facile one-step microwave-assisted method for deposition of monodisperse Ni nanospheres on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets to form Ni-rGO nanohybrids is discussed. In the presence of hydrazine monohydrate, Ni nanospheres are grown onto rGO sheets using nickel precursor and GO as starting materials in ethylene glycol (EG) solution under a low level of microwave irradiation (300 W) for 20 min, during which GO is also reduced to rGO. The as-prepared nanohybrids exhibit well-dispersed Ni nanosphere (about 80 nm in diameter) loadings and effective reduction of graphene oxide. The resulting Ni-rGO nanohybrids-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) shows significantly improved electrochemical performance in nonenzymatic amperometric glucose detection. In addition, interference from the oxidation of common interfering species under physiological conditions, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA), is effectively avoided.
Les enjeux identitaires du rayonnement par l'information : le cas du Japon
Authors: Ribault Thierry
Published: April 2012

Les nouvelles technologies de communication et d'information peuvent affecter profondément et durablement l'organisation sociale et économique d'un pays. Plutôt qu'une analyse de ces technologies en terme d'impact sur la société et l'économie japonaises, il s'agit dans cette contribution d'examiner les conditions de l'émergence simultanée d'une industrie de l'information électronique et de nouveaux types de relations économiques et sociales. L'identité de la société et de l'économie japonaises est le reflet d'un mode spécifique d'échange de l'information. Aussi, la volonté actuelle du Japon de développer une industrie de l'information, qui plus est d'envergure internationale, contient des enjeux identitaires que nous essayons ici de déceler.
Le salaire, le marché du travail et le système hiérarchique: comparaison France-Japon
Authors: Nohara Hiroatsu
Published: April 2012

Cet article ne vise pas à mesurer et à comparer, avec une objectivité absolue, les inégalités salariales en France et au Japon. Nous nous interrogerons seulement sur la façon dont chaque société construit sa propre structure des salaires. Pour se faire, quelques outils économiques simples sont mobilisés. Ces travaux statistiques comparatifs mettent alors en évidence l'importance du marché interne du travail dans la formation des salaires. Cette notion organisationnelle, de plus en plus centrale dans 1 a théorie économique, apparaît donc dotée d'un intérêt analytique et généralisation. Toutefois, la méthodologie de la comparaison internationale adoptée ici permet de montrer la portée de ce concept : le marché interne du travail, en particulier dans ses dimensions hiérarchiques, se manifeste sous des formes très différentes d'une société à l'autre. Ce qui nous conduit à souligner l'importance de l'interaction entre les mécanismes économiques (la logique universelle) et l'infrastructure sociétale (la logique propre à une société).
Imitation et création littéraire, la poésie de lettrés à l'époque d'Edo
Authors: Parvulesco-Oya Marguerite-Marie
Published: April 2012

Les kanshi, poèmes composés en chinois par les japonais, présentent une double difficulté d'approche, d'une part un mode de composition qui dissocie la langue de l'écriture et la langue de la lecture, puisque ces poèmes étaient écrits en chinois mais lus en japonais, et d'autre part, un idéal d'imitation des modèles chinois allant à contre courant de la conception moderne de la création littéraire.

Pour les lettrés chinois et japonais, l'imitation de vers célèbres est avant tout une forme de citation, dont le rôle est, à travers la référence à des poèmes antérieurs, de conférer à leur propres poèmes une dimension supplémentaire. Dans ce sens, l'imitation n'entraîne pas la ressemblance avec les vers "imités", elle n'est pas davantage conformisme, ni négation de la liberté du poète, mais elle a favorisé l'élaboration d'une poétique de l'expression indirecte dont l'intérêt ne se limite pas au domaine spécialisé des rapports entre littératures chinoise et japonaise. La lecture des kanshi, en nous obligeant à réfléchir sur le rôle de l'imitation, la valeur de l'originalité, l'intérêt de la nouveauté, la liberté d'écriture du poète et d'interprétation du lecteur, nous incite à remettre en question certaines de nos idées reçues les mieux établies, et à poser ainsi un regard neuf sur la poésie.
Models of the interaction of metal tips with insulating surfaces
Authors: Trevethan Thomas , Watkins Matthew , Shluger Alexander L
Published: April 2012

We present the results of atomistic simulations of metallic atomic-force-microscopy tips interacting with ionic substrates, with atomic resolution. Chromium and tungsten tips are used to image the NaCl(001) and MgO(001) surfaces. The interaction of the tips with the surface is simulated by using density-functional-theory calculations employing a mixed Gaussian and plane-wave basis and cluster-tip models. In each case, the apex of the metal cluster interacts more attractively with anions in the surfaces than with cations, over the range of typical imaging distances, which leads to these sites being imaged as raised features (bright) in constant-frequency-shift images. We compare the results of the interaction of a chromium tip with the NaCl surface, with calculations employing exclusively plane-wave basis sets and a fully periodic tip model, and demonstrate that the electronic structure of the tip model employed can have a significant quantitative effect on calculated forces when the tip and surface are clearly separated.
Cyanoethylation of the glucans dextran and pullulan: Substitution pattern and formation of nanostructures and entrapment of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Fiege Kathrin , Lünsdorf Heinrich , Atarijabarzadeh Sevil , Mischnick Petra
Published: April 2012

Cyanoethylglucans with a degree of substitution in the range of 0.74 to 2.40 for dextran and 0.84 to 2.42 for pullulan were obtained by Michael addition of acrylonitrile to the glucans under various conditions. Products were thoroughly characterized, comprising elementary analysis, NMR and ATR–IR spectroscopy, and analysis of the substituent distribution in the glucosyl units by GC–FID and GC–MS of the constituting monosaccharide derivatives. Nanostructuring of the highly substituted cyanoethylpolysaccharides was performed by dialysis against a non-solvent. In the presence of ferromagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles, multicore cyanoethylglucan-coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles were formed by selective entrapment. The specific interaction between cyano groups and iron could be proven. The size distribution and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EF–TEM) with parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS).
Choosing the legal retirement age in presence of unemployment
Authors: Casamatta Georges , De Paoli Caroline
Published: April 2012

Résumé La littérature théorique sur les retraites conclut que, dans une situation où la longévité augmente, les individus devraient travailler plus longtemps. Dans cette article, nous cherchons à déterminer si cette conclusion est toujours valide lorsque les individus font face au risque de chômage. Dans cette optique, nous étudions le choix du système de retraite par répartition, en mettant l’accent sur l’âge de départ en retraite, dans un modèle où les individus diffèrent par leur âge seulement et font face au risque de chômage. Nous déterminons dans un premier temps le système de retraite optimal, ce système étant caractérisé par le taux de cotisation, le niveau de prestation et l’âge de la retraite et nous étudions la statique comparative par rapport au taux de chômage et la durée de vie. Nos résultats principaux sont les suivants. Tout d’abord, il est optimal de différer l’âge de la retraite lorsque la durée de vie augmente. Ensuite, nous trouvons que l’âge de la retraite optimal peut diminuer lorsque le risque de chômage augmente. Nous caractérisons enfin l’équililibre de vote et le comparons avec le système optimal. Nous montrons que l’électeur médian choisit en général un âge de la retraite inférieur à l’âge optimal ainsi qu’un taux de cotisation plus important. Classification JEL : H55
Characterization of mudejar mortars from St. Gil Abbot church (Zaragoza, Spain): Investigation of the manufacturing technology of ancient gypsum mortars
Authors: Igea J. , Lapuente P. , Martínez-Ramírez S. , Blanco-Varela M. T.
Published: April 2012

This work has been focused on the investigation of the technological procedure of Mudejar mortars applied to the characterization of a group of unaltered samples from an example church of Mudejar architecture of Aragon. The research was carried out using multi-analytical techniques including petrographic study, chemistry and mineralogical analysis. All mortars present a homogeneous composition. The binder is made up of a mixture of gypsum and a very low proportion of lime, while the main components of the aggregate are gypsum and carbonate rock fragments, both in a different thermal state of decomposition. The results have proved that both, binder and aggregates display the same composition in these mortars. These aggregates are the by-product of a grinding process of the previously burnt raw materials which have had a positive influence on the properties of the mortars in improving their quality.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy- An emerging soft power in health care
Authors: Rao G. V. , Mansard Magnus , Reddy D. N.
Published: April 2012

“Soft power” is a relatively new concept that describes an entity’s ability to influence and alter the behavior of other entities through attraction and co-option, in contrast to hard power which uses incentives and coercion. Assessment of the role of GI GI (Gastrointestinal) Endoscopy in present day’s health care shows it to have the required attractive and influential properties of a soft power. In this article we examine the diagnostic and therapeutic roles that GI endoscopy, as a soft power, has taken over, and the further evolution of this field into a smart power.
Advances in endoscopic imaging: Advantages and limitations
Authors: Banerjee Rupa , Reddy D. Nageshwar
Published: April 2012

Endoscopic imaging is emerging beyond the confines of traditional white light endoscopy. There is a plethora of advanced imaging technologies which aim to improve visualization of the vascular network and surface texture of the mucosa and thereby improve tissue characterization, differentiation, and diagnosis. These include the wide field technologies like chromoendoscopy, narrow band imaging and autofluorescence endoscopy and point enhancement or virtual histology technologies like endocytoscopy and confocal endomicroscopy. This review attempts to define the current status of these newer technologies and the advantages and limitations in current clinical practice.
Diagnostic and therapeutic peroral cholangioscopy
Authors: Moon Jong Ho , Seo Yu Ri , Choi Hyun Jong
Published: April 2012

Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) provides direct visualization of the bile duct and facilitates diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. The currently available single-operator POC systems are “Mother-baby” scope system, SpyGlass direct visualization system, and direct POC using a regular ultra-slim upper endoscope. Direct POC using an ultra-slim upper endoscope having a larger 2-mm working channel can provide a valuable and economic solution for evaluating bile-duct lesions. Main diagnostic procedures under direct POC are visual characterization and optically guided target biopsy for the indeterminate bile duct lesion. Image-enhanced endoscopy such as narrow-band imaging has shown promise for more detailed evaluation of mucosal abnormality and can be performed under direct POC. Intracorporeal lithotripsy such as electrohydraulic lithotripsy or laser lithotripsy is a main therapeutic intervention of direct POC for patients with bile duct stones that are resistant to conventional endoscopic stone-removal procedures. Besides, tumor ablation therapy, such as photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation may be also performed using direct POC. Further developments of the endoscope and specialized accessories or devices are expected to facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic role of this cholangioscopic procedure.
Postcholecystectomy benign biliary stricture: Surgery is the gold standard
Authors: Sikora Sadiq S.
Published: April 2012

Post cholecystectomy bile duct strictures present a challenge to the treating physicians. Advancement in skills and technology offers alternative treatment modalities to the standard surgical repair. Contemporary series of surgical repair by experienced surgeons report excellent long-term results with <5% restricture rates. Endoscopic therapy is conceptually flawed, is not applicable to all patients, requires prolonged duration of treatment with multiple interventions. Surgical repair by an experienced surgeon is the “Gold Standard” of care in management of postcholecystectomy bile duct strictures.
Critical evaluation of pancreatic masses
Authors: DeWitt John
Published: April 2012

Evaluation of a patient with a pancreatic mass on a CT or MRI requires consideration of the gender and age of the patient, presenting symptoms, quality of the imaging study performed and relevant medical history. CT is generally preferred over MRI for suspected pancreatic cancer but MRI is best considered for evaluation of ductal anatomy and possible cystic neoplasms. EUS should be considered when further characterization of morphology or tissue sampling is required.
Management of chronic pancreatitis: Role of endoscopic therapy
Authors: Tandan Manu , Reddy D. Nageshwar
Published: April 2012

Chronic pancreatitis (CP), a disease of varied etiology can, from the endoscopists perspective present as ductal strictures, stones, ductal leaks and fluid collections, biliary strictures or duodenal narrowing. This article deals with role of ERCP in the management of CP associated strictures and calculi. ERCP has a limited role in the diagnosis CP, though we feel that it is better at identifying small ductal calculi or leaks as compared to MRCP. Major and minor papilla sphincterotomy gives relief from pain in patients with mild or moderate ductal changes. Pancreatic ductal strictures are best managed by stenting. Use of multiple plastic stents (8.5-11Fr diameter) gives relief from pain in 84% and strictures resolution in 95% on follow up of over 3 years. CP associated CBD strictures are also managed by placement of multiple stents. Covered SEMS are increasingly being used in these strictures. Surgery is often the best option for CP associated CBD strictures which recur after adequate endotherapy. ESWL is the standard of therapy for pancreatic ductal calculi which are large, as seen in the tropics and the non alcoholic form of CP. Our experience has shown complete or partial clearance with ESWL in over 90% of patients with large PD calculi. Good pain relief was seen in both on short and long term follow up. In selected patients of CP, ERCP and endotherapy should be offered as first line of treatment, as the results are comparable to surgery. Prior endotherapy also does not interfere with subsequent surgical procedures.
Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts
Authors: Varadarajulu Shyam
Published: April 2012

The conventional management of pancreatic pseudocysts involves surgery or percutaneous drainage. While surgery is associated with significant complications and mortality, percutaneous drainage is associated with prolonged hospitalization and often times the need for other adjunctive treatment measures. Therefore, the use of endoscopy to drain these pseudocysts is becoming increasingly popular. In this review, we will be examining the techniques, outcomes and costs associated with the endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts.
Capsule endoscopy: Beyond small bowel
Authors: Adler Samuel N.
Published: April 2012

In this article the brief and dramatic history of capsule endoscopy of the digestive tract is reviewed. Capsule endoscopy offers a non invasive method to diagnose diseases that affect the esophagus, small bowel and colon. Technological improvements relating to optics, software, data recorders with two way communication have revolutionized this field. These advancements have produced better diagnostic performance.