bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactivity Tracers of the Hydrolysis of Fe(II)‐Bis(salicylidene) Complexes: Initial–Transition States Analysis and Enhanced Impact of Tensides on the Kinetic Trends
Authors: Ebaid Nassr Lobna Abdel‐Mohsen
Published: December 2015

The kinetics of the acid hydrolysis reaction of Fe(II)‐bis(salicylidene) complexes were followed under pseudo–first‐order conditions ([H+] >> [complex]) at 298 K. The ligands of the studied azomethine complexes were derived from the condensation of salicylaldehyde with different five α‐amino acids. The hydrolysis reactions were studied in acidic medium at different ratios (v/v) of aqua–organic mixtures. The decrease in the dielectric constant values of the reaction mixture enhances the reactivity of the reaction. The transfer chemical potentials of the initial and transition states (IS–TS) from water into mixed solvents were determined from the solubility measurements combined with the kinetic data. Nonlinear plots of logkobs versus 1/D (the reciprocal of the dielectric constant) suggest the influence of the solvation of IS–TS on the reaction reactivity. Furthermore, the acid hydrolysis reactions were screened in the presence of different concentrations of cationic and anionic tensides. The addition of surfactants to the reaction mixture accelerates the reaction reactivity. The obtained kinetic data were used to determine the values of δmΔG# (the change in the activation barrier) for the studied complexes when transferred from “water to various ratios (v/v) of water–co‐organic binary mixtures” and from “water to water containing different [surfactant].” It was found that the reactivity of the acid hydrolysis reaction was controlled by the hydrophobicity of the studied chelates.
CD44 is functionally crucial for driving lung cancer stem cells metastasis through Wnt/β‐catenin‐FoxM1‐Twist signaling
Authors: Su Jie , Wu Shifei , Wu Haiyang , Li Le , Guo Tao
Published: December 2015

A novel paradigm in tumor biology suggests that non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis is driven by lung cancer stem cell‐like cells (LCSCs), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aim to investigate biological function of CD44 in regulating metastatic trait of LCSCs and its underlying mechanisms. In this study, we found that CD133+CD44+ cells which were derived from primary lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) possessed cancer stem cell‐like features. Furthermore, CD44 was demonstrated functionally crucial to drive metastatic potential of CD133+CD44+ LCSCs by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In patient cohorts, high level of CD44 predicted increased probability of metastasis. Significantly, microarray revealed that FoxM1 and key proteins of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway were up‐regulated in CD133+CD44+ LCSCs compared with those in CD133+CD44− cells. Then, we demonstrated that CD44 promoted metastatic activity in CD133+CD44+ LCSCs through Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and FoxM1 was the downstream target of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Meanwhile, our findings indicated that FoxM1 promoted metastatic activity in CD133+CD44+ LCSCs by inducing EMT and Twist was a direct transcriptional target of FoxM1. Collectively, CD44, both a functional biomarker and therapeutic target, promoted CD133+CD44+ LCSCs metastasis by Wnt/β‐catenin‐FoxM1‐Twist signaling. This study provided support for the missing link between EMT and CSCs surface‐marker and supplied a promising approach for elimination of LCSCs by targeting CD44‐Wnt/β‐catenin‐FoxM1‐Twist signaling. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polypyrrole/NiFe2O4 composites with improved hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Sun Wanhong , Zhou Yanqing , Liu Juanli , Wang Yanbin , Chen Lihua , Tian Ziwen
Published: December 2015

Polypyrrole/NiFe2O4 (PPy/NiFe2O4) composites were prepared by ultrasonic oxidative polymerization in the presence of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The nanostructure of PPy/NiFe2O4 was confirmed by the X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) examinations. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the PPy/NiFe2O4 composite was lowly pH dependent and the adsorption kinetics followed the Pseudo‐second‐order model. The Langmuir isothermal model well described the adsorption isotherm data and the maximum adsorption capacity increased with the increase of temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of the PPy/NiFe2O4 for Cr(VI) ions was up to 50 mg/g at pH 2.0. The excellent adsorption characteristic of PPy/NiFe2O4 composite will render it a highly efficient and economically viable adsorbent for Cr(VI) ions removal. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2779–2787, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Chiral recognition of enantiomeric isobornyl methacrylate‐containing hydrogels with α‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Peters Oliver , Ritter Helmut
Published: December 2015

Two enantiomers of isobornyl methacrylate (iBMA) were prepared by reducing (1R,4R)‐(+)‐camphor and (1S,4S)‐(−)‐camphor followed by simple methacrylation reaction. The iBMA enantiomers were incorporated into hydrophilic polymer networks by free radical polymerization with N,N‐dimethylacrylamide and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate at different molar ratios. The influence of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (rβ‐CD), and thereby enantioselectivity, on the swelling behaviour of the enantiomeric networks in water and alcoholic solutions was examined. An increase of swelling was observed on addition of α‐CD and rβ‐CD. While rβ‐CD showed a greater influence on the swelling itself, only α‐CD was able to achieve a minor differentiation between the polymer networks by their enantiomeric components and therefore a chiral recognition of the iBMA moieties. These results were validated using rheological measurements. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Accurate lung volume measurements in vitro using a novel inert gas washout method suitable for infants
Authors: Shawcross Anna , Murray Clare S. , Goddard Nicholas , Gupta Ruchi , Watson Stuart , Horsley Alexander
Published: December 2015

Background

Multiple breath washout (MBW) in infants presents a number of technical challenges. Conventional MBW is based on simultaneous measurement of flow and gas concentrations. These two signals are aligned and combined to derive expired gas volumes from which lung volumes and measures of ventilation inhomogeneity are calculated. Accuracy of measurement becomes increasingly vulnerable to errors in gas signal alignment at fast respiratory rates. In this paper we describe an alternative method of performing MBW in infants. Expired gas is collected and analyzed to derive functional residual capacity (FRC) and lung clearance index (LCI). This eliminates the need for simultaneous measurement of flow, and integration of flow and gas signals, and significantly reduces deadspace.

Methods

A highly accurate lung model incorporating BTPS conditions was used to generate realistic infant breathing parameters: FRC of 100–250 mls with respiratory rate of 20–60 min−1. In vitro accuracy of FRC measurement using the novel MBW method was assessed using the model.

Results

Overall mean error (standard deviation) of FRC measurement was −1.0 (3.3)% with 90% of tests falling within ±5%.

Discussion

FRC measurement using the novel method has superior accuracy in vitro than previously described systems. By uncoupling the measurement of gas volumes from real‐time flow and gas measurement, this system offers an alternative method of MBW which is well suited to infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:491–497. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Statistical Tables
Authors: Murdoch J. , Barnes J.A.
Published: December 2015

A long established standard student reference. To aid understanding of how many of the tables can be used, there is a section of practical worked examples. Useful formulae are also included.
Charlemagne
Authors: Collins Roger
Published: December 2015

Psychotherapy with Women provides a clear account of current feminist practice in working with women within the helping professions bringing together contributions from eminent women psychotherapists. A wide range of issues are explored including sexuality, ageing, family dynamics, disability and ethnicity. It will appeal to students studying social work, nursing, psychology and counselling as well as to a wide range of practitioners working in the caring professions.
Soy Protein Alleviates Hypertension and Fish Oil Improves Diastolic Heart Function in the Han:SPRD‐Cy Rat Model of Cystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ibrahim Naser H. M. , Thandapilly Sijo J. , Jia Yong , Netticadan Thomas , Aukema Harold
Published: December 2015

Abnormalities in cardiac structure and function are very common among people with chronic kidney disease, in whom cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death. Dietary soy protein and fish oil reduce kidney disease progression in the Han:SPRD‐Cy model of cystic renal disease. However, the effects of these dietary interventions in preventing alterations in cardiac structure and function due to kidney disease (reno‐cardiac syndrome) in a cystic kidney disease model are not known. Therefore, weanling Han:SPRD‐Cy diseased (Cy/+) and normal (+/+) rats were given diets containing either casein or soy protein, and either soy or fish oil in a three‐way design for 8 weeks. Diseased rats had larger hearts, augmented left ventricular mass, and higher systolic and mean arterial blood pressure compared to the normal rats. Assessment of cardiac function using two‐dimensional guided M‐mode and pulse‐wave Doppler echocardiography revealed that isovolumic relaxation time was prolonged in the diseased compared to normal rats, reflecting a diastolic heart dysfunction, and fish oil prevented this elevation. Soy protein resulted in a small improvement in systolic and mean arterial pressure but did not improve diastolic heart function, while fish oil prevented diastolic heart dysfunction in this model of cystic kidney disease.
Effect of Eleven Antioxidants in Inhibiting Thermal Oxidation of Cholesterol
Authors: Xu Guihua , Liu Donghong , Zhao Gongling , Chen Shiguo , Wang Jun , Ye Xingqian
Published: December 2015

Eleven antioxidants including nine phenolic compounds (rutin, quercetin, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringin, naringenin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were selected to investigate their inhibitory effects on thermal oxidation of cholesterol in air and lard. The results indicated that the unoxidized cholesterol decreased with heating time whilst cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) increased with heating time. The major COPs produced were 7α‐hydroxycholesterol, 7β‐hydroxycholesterol, 5,6β‐epoxycholesterol, 5,6α‐epoxycholesterol, and 7‐ketocholesterol. When cholesterol was heated in air for an hour, rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid showed a strong inhibitory effect. When cholesterol was heated in lard, caffeic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid demonstrated inhibitory action during the initial 0.5 h (p < 0.05), with caffeic acid being the best inhibitor. Hesperetin, naringenin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin E, and BHT could decrease the peroxide value during the initial 0.5 and 1 h (p < 0.05) in lard. It seemed that 200 ppm antioxidant could not obviously retard the long‐term oxidation of cholesterol and lard under high temperature, but caffeic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid displayed great untapped potential to prevent thermal oxidation of cholesterol 0.5 h at least. For the sake of health and flavor, fast stir‐frying over a high flame is recommended. If baking or deep fat frying food in oil, it is best to limit cooking time to within 0.5 h.
The West and the Return of Violence
Authors: Benhamou Michael
Published: December 2015

Over the past 15 years, Western powers have been engaged in numerous battles in which technology has eventually prevailed over a patient but daring field presence. Today's adversaries, such as Islamic State, are well aware of this cultural bias: they are using our post 9/11 exhaustion to grab territories and spread offensive ideology. Western countries have no choice but to adapt partly to its adversaries’ methods. Stability and peace will require cold cultural compromises as the pursuit of our interests and values requires a new tolerance threshold towards violence.
The impact of Health Information Technology bundles on Hospital performance: An econometric study
Authors: Sharma Luv , Chandrasekaran Aravind , Boyer Kenneth K. , McDermott Christopher M.
Published: December 2015

Hospitals are characterized by high levels of technical expertise as well as patient interactions. In an attempt to improve their performance along these dimensions, hospitals are making significant investments in health information technologies (HIT). However, the performance benefits from these investments are largely unknown. This study employs a portfolio approach to study HIT adoption using a large longitudinal panel data for 3615 US hospitals from 2007 to 2012. Insights from the Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and existing HIT literature are used to categorize 76 HITs into 3 distinct bundles based on their extent of patient centered integration, and the extent of caregiver interaction. We then examine how two key HIT bundles: Clinical HIT (defined as HIT systems primarily used for patient data collection, diagnosis and treatment) and Augmented Clinical HIT (defined as HIT systems primarily used for integrating patient information and augmenting decision making capability of caregivers) jointly impact cost and process quality outcomes. Cost is measured in terms of total hospital operating expenses per bed while process quality is assessed along two dimensions: conformance quality or the ability to adhere to technical standards and experiential quality or the ability to cater to preferences of the patient. Results suggest complementarities between Clinical and Augmented Clinical HIT with respect to process quality but not cost outcomes. A follow‐up post‐hoc analysis which divides Augmented Clinical HIT into Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Non‐EMR technologies offers additional explanation to the lack of association with cost. We discuss these implications to both theory and practice of HIT adoption.
Gonadotropins facilitate potential differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into Leydig cells in vitro
Authors: Hou Lin , Dong Qiang , Wu Yun‐Jian , Sun Yuan‐Xing , Guo Yan‐Yu , Huo Yue‐Hong
Published: December 2015

Infertility due to low testosterone levels has increased in recent years. This has impacted the social well‐being of the patients. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of gonadotropins in facilitating differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into Leydig cells in vitro. BMSCs were isolated, cultured, and their biological characteristics were observed. BMSCs were induced with gonadotropins in vitro and their ability to differentiate into Leydig cells was studied. The level of expression of 3‐beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) and secretion of testosterone were determined using flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, and the results were compared between the experimental and control groups. The cultured BMSCs showed a typical morphology of the fibroblast‐like colony. The growth curve of cells formed an S‐shape. After inducing the cells for 8–13 days, the cells in the experimental group increased in size and showed typical characteristics of Leydig cells, and the growth occurred in spindle or stellate shapes. Cells from the experimental group highly expressed 3β‐HSD, and there was a gradual increase in the number of Leydig cells. The control group did not express 3β‐HSD. The level of testosterone in the experimental group was higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cells in the experimental group secreted higher levels of testosterone with increased culture time. The expression of Leydig cell‐specific markers in the experimental group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). With these findings, BMSCs can be considered a new approach for the treatment of patients with low androgen levels.
Beyond Infection: Device Utilization Ratio as a Performance Measure for Urinary Catheter Harm
Authors: Fakih Mohamad G. , Gould Carolyn V. , Trautner Barbara W. , Meddings Jennifer , Olmsted Russell N. , Krein Sarah L. , Saint Sanjay
Published: December 2015

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is considered a reasonably preventable event in the hospital setting, and it has been included in the US Department of Health and Human Services National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections. While multiple definitions for measuring CAUTI exist, each has important limitations, and understanding these limitations is important to both clinical practice and policy decisions. The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definition, the most frequently used outcome measure for CAUTI prevention efforts, has limited clinical correlation and does not necessarily reflect noninfectious harms related to the catheter. We advocate use of the device utilization ratio (DUR) as an additional performance measure for potential urinary catheter harm. The DUR is patient-centered and objective and is currently captured as part of NHSN reporting. Furthermore, these data are readily obtainable from electronic medical records. The DUR also provides a more direct reflection of improvement efforts focused on reducing inappropriate urinary catheter use.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(3):327–333
Complete self-preservation along the axis of a circular cylinder far wake
Authors: Tang S. L. , Antonia R. A. , Djenidi L. , Zhou Y.
Published: December 2015

Self-preservation (SP) analyses are applied to the mean momentum and the scale-by-scale energy budget equations in the far wake of a circular cylinder. The scale-by-scale SP analysis, which is a two-point analysis, complements the SP analysis of the mean momentum equation. Power-law variations are derived for different length scales (e.g. the Taylor microscale and the Kolmogorov length scale) and velocity scales (e.g. the root mean square and the Kolmogorov velocity scale). Further, the SP solutions for the scale-by-scale energy budget equation are exploited to develop an exact relation to estimate the mean turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate $\bar{{\it\epsilon}}$ on the wake axis. These SP solutions and the new $\bar{{\it\epsilon}}$ relation are well supported by hot-wire data in the far wake at a Reynolds number of 2000 based on the free stream velocity and the cylinder diameter. On the far-wake axis, both the energy spectra and the structure functions exhibit an almost perfect collapse over all wavenumbers and separations, irrespective of the set of scaling variables used for normalisation. This is consistent with a complete self-preservation (i.e. SP is satisfied at all scales of motion) in the far wake.
Exploring managers’ conceptions of wisdom as management practice
Authors: Alammar Fahad , Pauleen David
Published: December 2015

This paper reports on an exploratory investigation into the concept of managerial wisdom. Six senior managers from diverse and large organisations in New Zealand were interviewed about their conception of managerial wisdom. The findings show that senior managers have a practical and positive conception of wisdom consisting of four factors: experience and knowledge, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and deliberation and consultation. The findings show that concepts of ‘spirituality’, ‘religiosity’, and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, ‘ethics’, are all absent from the participants’ descriptions of wise managers. A tentative definition of managerial wisdom is proposed based on these findings as well as an explanation for the absence of ethics. As interest in wisdom and management continues to grow, this exploratory empirical research serves as a base for further research on the understanding and place of wisdom in management.
ALCHEMY ON THE ACROPOLIS: TURNING ANCIENT LEAD INTO RESTITUTIONIST GOLD
Authors: BERESFORD JAMES M.
Published: December 2015

This paper assesses the historical validity of the famous tale that, near the beginning of the Greek War of Independence (1821–32), the Hellenic revolutionary army offered lead ammunition to their Ottoman enemies who they were besieging on the Athenian Acropolis. This gift was presented to the Turks in an effort to halt their quarrying of the Parthenon and the other classical monuments on the hill-top, within the masonry of which the Ottoman defenders were searching for the ancient lead clamps which could be melted down and recast into ammunition. This paper will, however, demonstrate that there is a lack of contemporary evidence to support the tale and the earliest recorded references to the story only occur some four decades after the event was claimed to have taken place. Yet despite this lack of eyewitness evidence, from the early 1980s onwards, the tale has been frequently passed off as historical fact and referenced with regularity by campaigners lobbying for the return of the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum.
PROTESTANTISM, COLONIZATION, AND THE NEW ENGLAND COMPANY IN RESTORATION POLITICS
Authors: GLICKMAN GABRIEL
Published: December 2015

Established in 1662, the New England Company introduced the first crown-sponsored initiative for propagating the gospel among the native populations bordering English America. Under the leadership of Robert Boyle, its work influenced royal policy, but awakened contention over the practice of Atlantic colonization and, simultaneously, the making of the Restoration church. This article examines the reception of the Company in England, showing how its architects sought to link the plantation process to the advancement of a global Protestant mission. The ambition drew Company leaders into debates over the reshaping of church institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. In England, the mission became a vehicle for the promotion of Protestant ‘comprehension’, as a bid to unite the different streams of the reformed religion, and widen the fold of the established church. However, the Company was frustrated by the confessional antagonisms that entered into domestic politics. Divisions between congregations thwarted missionary collaboration, and stirred doubts in England and America over the relationship between colonization and the ‘Protestant interest’. The article will identify the conflicts within the Restoration church as a formative factor behind competing ideas of overseas expansion, and a substantial obstacle to the emergence of the Protestant mission as part of the colonizing strategies of the English crown.
Rewriting the Modern: New Perspectives on Romare Bearden and Archibald Motley
Authors: ARABINDAN-KESSON ANNA
Published: December 2015

Genealogies of continuity and disruption frequently shape the terms of the art-historical debate when discussing the gestures and insurgencies of form encapsulated in the term “modernist.” Narratives of rupture have often signaled a double bind for African American art. As a field, its existence arguably suggests the need for a paradigm shift in the teleology of Western art history. Yet the terms of this debate can often, albeit unintentionally, foreground social relevance to the detriment of artistic influence. Black artists become the supplement to, rather than catalysts of, artistic change. Their modernity is almost a byproduct: a result of these space-making gestures of “insertion” rather than an assertion of their own creative impulse.
Possible scenarios for the initial acceleration of electrons of the core of ball lightning
Authors: Shmatov M. L.
Published: December 2015

A model for the initial acceleration of electrons of the core of ball lightning is presented, according to which this acceleration occurs on screening of the strong electric field of the positive charge injected into the atmosphere. Several scenarios for such injection, the factors favourable for the formation of ball lightning and possible experiments on such formation are considered.
Workplace interventions for common mental disorders: a systematic meta-review
Authors: Joyce S. , Modini M. , Christensen H. , Mykletun A. , Bryant R. , Mitchell P. B. , Harvey S. B.
Published: December 2015

Depression and anxiety disorders are the leading cause of sickness absence and long-term work incapacity in most developed countries. The present study aimed to carry out a systematic meta-review examining the effectiveness of workplace mental health interventions, defined as any intervention that a workplace may either initiate or facilitate that aims to prevent, treat or rehabilitate a worker with a diagnosis of depression, anxiety or both. Relevant reviews were identified via a detailed systematic search of academic and grey literature databases. All articles were subjected to a rigorous quality appraisal using the AMSTAR assessment. Of the 5179 articles identified, 140 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 20 were deemed to be of moderate or high quality. Together, these reviews analysed 481 primary research studies. Moderate evidence was identified for two primary prevention interventions; enhancing employee control and promoting physical activity. Stronger evidence was found for CBT-based stress management although less evidence was found for other secondary prevention interventions, such as counselling. Strong evidence was also found against the routine use of debriefing following trauma. Tertiary interventions with a specific focus on work, such as exposure therapy and CBT-based and problem-focused return-to-work programmes, had a strong evidence base for improving symptomology and a moderate evidence base for improving occupational outcomes. Overall, these findings demonstrate there are empirically supported interventions that workplaces can utilize to aid in the prevention of common mental illness as well as facilitating the recovery of employees diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety.
Depressive symptoms and glycated hemoglobin A1c: a reciprocal relationship in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Schmitz N. , Deschênes S. , Burns R. , Smith K. J.
Published: December 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamic association between depressive symptoms and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).

Method

The sample was comprised of 2886 participants aged ⩾50 years who participated in three clinical assessments over an 8-year period (21% with prediabetes and 7% with diabetes at baseline). Structural equation models were used to address reciprocal associations between depressive symptoms and HbA1c levels and to evaluate the mediating effects of lifestyle-related behaviors and cardiometabolic factors.

Results

We found a reciprocal association between depressive symptoms and HbA1c levels: depressive symptoms at one assessment point predicted HbA1c levels at the next assessment point (standardized β = 0.052) which in turn predicted depressive symptoms at the following assessment point (standardized β = 0.051). Mediation analysis suggested that both lifestyle-related behaviors and cardiometabolic factors might mediate the association between depressive symptoms and HbA1c levels: depressive symptoms at baseline predicted lifestyle-related behaviors and cardiometabolic factors at the next assessment, which in turn predicted HbA1c levels 4 years later. A similar association was observed for the other direction: HbA1c levels at baseline predicted lifestyle-related behaviors and cardiometabolic factors at the next assessment, which in turn predicted depressive symptoms 4 years later.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a dynamic relationship between depressive symptoms and HbA1c which might be mediated by both lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors. This has important implications for investigating the pathways which could link depressive symptoms and increased risk of diabetes.
The impact of language on the relationships between phonological awareness and word reading in different orthographies: A test of the psycholinguistic grain size theory in bilinguals
Authors: GOTTARDO ALEXANDRA , PASQUARELLA ADRIAN , CHEN XI , RAMIREZ GLORIA
Published: December 2015

The relationships among first language (L1) and second language (L2) phonological awareness and reading skills were examined in English L2 learners with a variety of L1s, specifically Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese (maximumN= 252). Longitudinal and concurrent relations between word reading and subcomponents of phonological awareness (i.e., syllable, onset-rime, phoneme, and, where applicable, tone awareness) were examined in kindergarten and first and second grades. The relationships between reading and specific subcomponents of phonological awareness were associated with the orthography being read, English or the L1. Phonological awareness subcomponents related to English reading were generally similar for the three English L2 groups, despite differences in the orthographies of learners’ native language. The findings support the psycholinguistic grain size theory with regard to links between phonological sensitivity and the sound–symbol correspondences used to read the specific languages.
The perception of language-specific phonetic categories does not guarantee accurate phonological representations in the lexicon of early bilinguals
Authors: AMENGUAL MARK
Published: December 2015

This study examines the perception and processing of the Catalan /e/–/ɛ/ and /o/–/ɔ/ vowel contrasts by 60 Spanish–Catalan bilinguals in Majorca (Spain). Results from binary forced-choice identification, AX discrimination, and lexical decision tasks show that even though these early and highly proficient bilinguals demonstrate a high accuracy in perceptual identification and discrimination tasks, they have difficulties distinguishing between words and nonwords in a lexical decision task. Spanish dominants also exhibited higher error rates than Catalan dominants in the lexical decision task. These findings provide evidence that making explicit judgments regarding whether a certain sound belongs to a phonemic category (i.e., as accomplished via identification and discrimination tasks) does not entail that listeners have an appropriate representation at the lexical level.
Design and optimization of a magnetic wheel for a grit-blasting robot for use on ship hulls
Authors: Xu Zhengyi , Xie Yu , Zhang Ke , Hu Yongqiang , Zhu Xiaopeng , Shi Hao
Published: December 2015

This paper describes an optimized magnetic wheel solution for use in a novel grit-blasting robot intended to be used on the hulls of ships. The grit-blasting robot was designed for conducting surface operations on newly-built ships in dry yards. It can be adapted to curvatures of up to 0.833 m−1; can achieve a total payload of 120 kg and can also be steered. The proposed magnetic wheel solution for robots with such payloads and surface adaptability has not been seen in previous work.

As the magnetic force acting on a magnetic wheel is very sensitive to the working conditions, a mathematical model was built to derive the exact force requirements taking into account the mechanical structure of the robot and its disposition on the ship's hull. In this paper, the design of the wheels was optimized based on the model. Wheels were manufactured according to the optimized results and a prototype robot was constructed. The design was then validated using locomotion tests.
Testing the accuracy ratio of the Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM) through Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreaks
Authors: BALDASSI F. , D'AMICO F. , CARESTIA M. , CENCIARELLI O. , MANCINELLI S. , GILARDI F. , MALIZIA A. , DI GIOVANNI D. , SOAVE P. M. , BELLECCI C. , GAUDIO P. , PALOMBI L.
Published: December 2015

Mathematical modelling is an important tool for understanding the dynamics of the spread of infectious diseases, which could be the result of a natural outbreak or of the intentional release of pathogenic biological agents. Decision makers and policymakers responsible for strategies to contain disease, prevent epidemics and fight possible bioterrorism attacks, need accurate computational tools, based on mathematical modelling, for preventing or even managing these complex situations. In this article, we tested the validity, and demonstrate the reliability, of an open-source software, the Spatio-Temporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM), designed to help scientists and public health officials to evaluate and create models of emerging infectious diseases, analysing three real cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) outbreaks: Uganda (2000), Gabon (2001) and Guinea (2014). We discuss the cases analysed through the simulation results obtained with STEM in order to demonstrate the capability of this software in helping decision makers plan interventions in case of biological emergencies.
Ocean salinity from satellite-derived temperature in the Antarctic Ocean
Authors: Benallal M.A. , Moussa H. , Touratier F. , Goyet C. , Poisson A.
Published: December 2015

The aim of the MINERVE project (Mesures à l’INterface Eau-aiR de la Variabilité des Échanges de CO2) is to observe and understand the seasonal and interannual variability of the partial pressure of CO2(pCO2) in surface waters using hydrological and biogeochemical data in the Southern Ocean south of Australia. Logistics routes of the RVAstrolabeprovide access to scarcely studied areas, thus allowing us to understand the different processes acting in this area of the Antarctic Ocean. The surface area covered by these cruises, however, is tiny compared with the total surface area of the Antarctic Ocean. Correlations betweenin situsurface temperature and salinity data were applied to satellite images of sea surface temperature to map ocean surface salinity over a much wider area than under the cruise tracks. Comparisons with salinity data from satellites which provide ~100 km resolution and 0.1 accuracy indicate that we are able to map salinity at 4 km resolution and almost the same accuracy of ± 0.1.
VEGETATION SUCCESSION IN THE CERRADO–AMAZONIAN FOREST TRANSITION ZONE OF MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL
Authors: Morandi P. S. , Marimon-Junior B. H. , De Oliveira E. A. , Reis S. M. , Valadão M. B. Xavier , Forsthofer M. , Passos F. B. , Marimon B. S.
Published: December 2015

The occurrence of cerrado (as tree and shrub savanna is called in Brazil) and forest formations side by side is common at the southern margin of the Brazilian Amazonian Forest, and previous studies have demonstrated the advance of forests over cerrado areas. The aim of the present study is to provide an accurate documentation of the transition process between the two major biomes. Tree data (≥ 5 cm diameter at 0.3 m above soil level) from three plots of cerrado sensu stricto lying near three of cerradão (the taller, denser form of cerrado) were inventoried starting in 2002 in an area of 1.5 ha made up of 150 subplots of 10 × 10 m (50 in each area). This showed that the most important species of the cerradão were invading areas previously occupied by smaller, lower forms of cerrado (although it is sometimes difficult to define which are ‘forest’ and which ‘cerrado’ species as many are flexible in size – for instance Emmotum nitens can often be intermediate, establishing in cerrado that develops into cerradão and on to forest). Some typical species such as Eriotheca gracilipes and Emmotum nitens, established since the first inventories, have increased their populations (between 27 and 210%). Tachigali vulgaris, a typical, weedy, adventive species of the Cerrado–Amazonian Forest transition, showed the largest increase in abundance in areas of cerrado sensu stricto (between 100 and 1200%), and is probably the most important pioneer species in the initial advance of the forest into cerrado at the Southern Amazonian border.
Dosimetric analysis of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for chest wall irradiation in breast cancer patients
Authors: Kausar Mehlam , Gurjar Om Prakash , Bagdare Priyusha , Gupta Krishna Lal , Bhandari Virendra , Naik Ayush , Nag Pulkit , Kancherla Jeetendra
Published: December 2015

Background

For chest wall irradiation in breast cancer patients, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) have made tremendous changes in treatment delivery.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the dosimetric parameters in IMRT and 3DCRT plans.

Materials and methods

IMRT and 3DCRT plans were generated for 25 randomly selected postmastectomy breast cancer patients. The prescribed dose (PD) was 50 Gray (Gy) in 25 fractions (#) at the rate of 2 Gy/# with 5#/week. Dose volume histogram was evaluated for planning target volume (PTV) coverage and dose to organs at risk (OARs). All the dosimetric parameters were compared using unpaired student’s t-test.

Results

PTV coverage was significantly better in IMRT, although the 90% of PTV was well covered by 90% of PD in all plans by both the techniques. Homogeneity index and conformity index were better in IMRT. V5 Gy and Dmean of contralateral lung, contralateral breast and heart (right side chest wall cases) were found to be lesser in 3DCRT compared with that in IMRT. However, there was no significant difference in V20 Gy of ipsilateral lung and V25 Gy of heart (left side chest wall cases) in all the plans by both the techniques.

Conclusion

Adequate target coverage was achieved by both the techniques, however, dose to OARs were lesser in 3DCRT plans as compared with that in IMRT plans. Thus, it can be concluded that 3DCRT is as efficient as IMRT for the chest wall irradiation.
The Relationship Between the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights: an Originalist Analysis
Authors: Brittain Stephen
Published: December 2015

European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights: relationship – Teleological method of interpretation of the European Court of Justice: meaning, justifications, and criticisms – Originalist method of interpretation: meaning, justifications, and criticisms – Original meaning of Article 52(3) of the Charter: text, drafting history, case law – Conclusion: case law of European Court of Human Rights not strictly binding on the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Euro Crisis Responses and the EU Legal Order: Increased Institutional Variation or Constitutional Mutation?
Authors: De Witte Bruno
Published: December 2015

Euro crisis reforms as major example of interstitial institutional change in the EU - Forms of institutional change : unusual sources of law, new tasks for the EU institutions, new organs, competence creep, institutional hybrids, and more differentiated integration - Question whether some or all of this amounts to a ‘constitutional mutation’ of the EU legal order - Reasons to doubt whether the constitutional fundamentals have changed - Alternative thesis: increased institutional variation, deepening the differences between EMU law and the rest of EU law.
An Unlikely Alliance: How Experts and Industry Transformed Consumer Credit Policy in the Early Twentieth Century United States
Authors: Anderson Elisabeth , Carruthers Bruce G. , Guinnane Timothy W.
Published: December 2015

Despite the recently demonstrated importance of consumer credit for the economic health of nations and families, little is known about the history of consumer credit markets and their regulation. An important chapter in the history of consumer credit regulation came between 1909 and 1941, when policy experts at the Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) engaged in a national campaign to transform small loan markets and policy in the United States. Concentrating its efforts on state-by-state passage of the Uniform Small Loan Law, the foundation's political success hinged upon an alliance with the American Association of Personal Finance Companies. While most scholarship portrays experts as being dominated or co-opted by industry, our case provides a countervailing example. Far from controlling RSF experts, lenders became dependent on the foundation for legitimating their political lobbying and their business activities. We explain how the foundation built its expert reputation through a process of reputational entrepreneurship, and we trace how RSF experts deployed this reputation as a power resource in their negotiations with small loan lenders.
“I can give you money but there is no use. The best thing I [can] give you is education.” Negotiating Educational Migration and Gender in a Chinese Malaysian family
Authors: Thimm Viola
Published: December 2015

Over the past two decades, Singapore has steadily become a popular destination for migrants. While the reasons for migrating to Singapore are many and contextual, labour and education have been the primary driving factors for attracting migrants from around the world to Singapore. Although a popular migrants’ destination, education and migration policies in Singapore are often gendered, and are negotiated along and across other axes of identification and differentiation such as ethnicity and ideas of ‘modernity’. This article analyses gendered educational migration from Malaysia to Singapore focusing particularly on how educational migration leads to female self-transformation. Specifically, I argue that social actors negotiate educational migration within their gendered family constellations. The article first contextualises the empirical material by illustrating socio-historical processes in Singapore and Malaysia. In the next sections, I discuss my ethnographic methods and examine a brief history of the state of research in gender and educational migration. In conclusion, I offer a significant contribution to the growing and important body of scholarship on gender and transnational families by illustrating how gender is negotiated in migration using the case of a single Chinese woman's migration journey to becoming a ‘modern woman’.
Too Much to Bear
Authors: Peak Nicole J. , Overholser James C. , Ridley Josephine , Braden Abby , Fisher Lauren , Bixler James , Chandler Megan
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Background: People who feel they have become a burden on others may become susceptible to suicidal ideation. When people no longer feel capable or productive, they may assume that friends and family members would be better off without them. Aim: The present study was designed to assess preliminary psychometric properties of a new measure, the Perceived Burdensomeness (PBS) Scale. Method: Depressed psychiatric patients (N = 173) were recruited from a veterans affairs medical center. Patients were assessed with a structured diagnostic interview and self-report measures assessing perceived burdensomeness, depression severity, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Results: The present study supported preliminary evidence of reliability and concurrent validity of the PBS. Additionally, perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with higher levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: It is hoped that with the aid of the PBS clinicians may be able to intervene more specifically in the treatment of suicidality.
The niche in single‐cell technologies
Authors: Donati Giacomo
Published: December 2015

The niche is the microenvironment in which each cell exists and is able to keep its own peculiar characteristics. The importance of the niche has been intensively studied especially in the context of stem cells, as it is responsible for both the maintenance of stemness and activation of differentiation. In the past few years, a variety of single‐cell technologies have shed light on the extraordinary variability that characterizes different stem cell populations both in vitro and in vivo, but in most cases positional information is lost. Recent developments of new technologies aim to integrate both the transcriptomic profiling of cells and their spatial location. In this review I will discuss the state of the art of these technologies and the integration with others approaches that will be important in the study of stem cell populations.
Production of butyrate from lysine and the Amadori product fructoselysine by a human gut commensal
Authors: Bui Thi Phuong Nam , Ritari Jarmo , Boeren Sjef , de Waard Pieter , Plugge Caroline M. , de Vos Willem M.
Published: December 2015

Human intestinal bacteria produce butyrate, which has signalling properties and can be used as energy source by enterocytes thus influencing colonic health. However, the pathways and the identity of bacteria involved in this process remain unclear. Here we describe the isolation from the human intestine of Intestinimonas strain AF211, a bacterium that can convert lysine stoichiometrically into butyrate and acetate when grown in a synthetic medium. Intestinimonas AF211 also converts the Amadori product fructoselysine, which is abundantly formed in heated foods via the Maillard reaction, into butyrate. The butyrogenic pathway includes a specific CoA transferase that is overproduced during growth on lysine. Bacteria related to Intestinimonas AF211 as well as the genetic coding capacity for fructoselysine conversion are abundantly present in colonic samples from some healthy human subjects. Our results indicate that protein can serve as a source of butyrate in the human colon, and its conversion by Intestinimonas AF211 and related butyrogens may protect the host from the undesired side effects of Amadori reaction products.
High yield and ultrafast sources of electrically triggered entangled-photon pairs based on strain-tunable quantum dots
Authors: Zhang Jiaxiang , Wildmann Johannes S. , Ding Fei , Trotta Rinaldo , Huo Yongheng , Zallo Eugenio , Huber Daniel , Rastelli Armando , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: December 2015

Triggered sources of entangled photon pairs are key components in most quantum communication protocols. For practical quantum applications, electrical triggering would allow the realization of compact and deterministic sources of entangled photons. Entangled-light-emitting-diodes based on semiconductor quantum dots are among the most promising sources that can potentially address this task. However, entangled-light-emitting-diodes are plagued by a source of randomness, which results in a very low probability of finding quantum dots with sufficiently small fine structure splitting for entangled-photon generation (∼10−2). Here we introduce strain-tunable entangled-light-emitting-diodes that exploit piezoelectric-induced strains to tune quantum dots for entangled-photon generation. We demonstrate that up to 30% of the quantum dots in strain-tunable entangled-light-emitting-diodes emit polarization-entangled photons. An entanglement fidelity as high as 0.83 is achieved with fast temporal post selection. Driven at high speed, that is 400 MHz, strain-tunable entangled-light-emitting-diodes emerge as promising devices for high data-rate quantum applications.
High pressure effects revisited for the cuprate superconductor family with highest critical temperature
Authors: Yamamoto Ayako , Takeshita Nao , Terakura Chieko , Tokura Yoshinori
Published: December 2015

How to enhance the superconducting critical temperature (Tc) has been a primary issue since the discovery of superconductivity. The highest Tc reported so far is 166 K in HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+δ (Hg1223) at high pressure of 23 GPa, as determined with the reduction onset, but not zero, of resistivity. To clarify the possible condition of the real maximum Tc, it is worth revisiting the effects of pressure on Tc in the highest Tc family. Here we report a systematic study of the pressure dependence of Tc in HgBa2CaCu2O6+δ (Hg1212) and Hg1223 with the doping level from underdoped to overdoped. The Tc with zero resistivity is probed with a cubic-anvil-type apparatus that can produce hydrostatic pressures. Variation, not only increase but also decrease, of Tc in Hg1212 and Hg1223 with pressure strongly depends on the initial doping levels. In particular, we confirm a maximum Tc of 153 K at 22 GPa in slightly underdoped Hg1223.