bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Os sapatos dos lobeiros-baleeiros
Authors: Radicchi Gerusa de Alkmim
Published: June 2017

O presente trabalho trata das práticas de calçar dos grupos lobeirosbaleeiros que estiveram na Antártica entre o final do século XVIII e o início do século XIX. Baseia-se na análise arqueológica de sapatos encontrados nos abrigos localizados na ilha Livingston (Arquipélago Shetland do Sul, Antártica Ocidental), resgatados pela equipe do Laboratório de Estudos Antárticos em Ciências Humanas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Leach/UFMG) durante expedições realizadas por meio das Operações Antárticas Brasileiras (OPERANTARes) nos anos 2010, 2011, 2012 e 2014. O Leach é integrante doprojeto “Paisagens em Branco”: Arqueologia Histórica Antártica, que investiga os processos humanos de ocupação do continente desde os primeiros momentos até a contemporaneidade. Uma das principais linhas de investigação do projetoé a compreensão das identidades e das estratégias de trabalho e de sobrevivência dos grupos de caçadores de mamíferos marinhos vanguardistas na ocupação do continente.
Cerrado por remodelaciones
Authors: Gonzalez Gabriela , Compañy Gonzalo
Published: June 2017

En este trabajo nos proponemos reflexionar acerca de algunas implicancias del proceso de musealización de lugares que funcionaron como centros clandestinos de detención (CCD) durante la dictadura militar argentina (1976-1983). La necesidad por interrogarnos acerca de la puesta en escena de estas materialidades surge fundamentalmente de las transformaciones acaecidas en el ex CCD conocido como El Pozo (Rosario, Argentina). Un eje significativo que puntualizaremos es cómo la presencia material de estos espacios, máxime aquellos emplazados en lugares de gran visibilidad, se vincula al proceso de pertenencia/despertencia de la sociedad respecto de su propio pasado y especialmente al rol de las políticas estatales.
Controversias y Divergencias
Authors: Capitán María Belén
Published: June 2017

El presente trabajo es un somero acercamiento a las primeras exhumaciones de N.N. en Mar del Plata luego de la última dictadura militar de Argentina y las diferentes miradas que tenían los actores sociales involucrados en las mismas; con el fin de visibilizar los usos ideológicos y políticos de los relatos de los diferentes actores que participaron de las mismas.
Hermeneutics and Critique from a Liberation Ethics Perspective
Authors: Dussel Enrique
Published: June 2017

This article merely refers to some fundamental theses developed by the author already in his book Ethics of Liberation: In the Age of Globalization and Exclusion (Durham: Duke University Press, 2013). The strategy of the argument takes the following path: First, it begins with some reflections by Paul Ricoeur about universal civilization and its particular cultures; second, it summarizes a non-eurocentric historical perspective that is pertinent to the Modern Globalizing System; third, it describes the asymmetrical location of the "participants" which resulted from the violent process of inclusion in the World System; forth, it points out to certain aspects through which one can see ethical and critical demands within the horizon of globalization; fifth, in conclusion the author suggests some relevant topics for future discussions.
On the Intelligibility of our Present History: The Contemporary Relevance of the Critique of Dialectical Reason and some other Sartrian Texts
Authors: Caws Peter
Published: June 2017

Jean-Paul Sartre is the writer who gave the most trenchant formulation of existentialism and tried to do the same for a version of Marxism, and as a philosopher of history who got it wrong about history and then, in his last "philosophical manifesto" - volume III of the Idiot (English version volume V) - got it brilliantly right. But Sartre did not write the second volume of the Critique. Or, more exactly, he wrote it but he did not publish it. The Critique, as Sartre himself admitted, grew like a hernia on the body of the book on Flaubert, so that it had to be surgically removed and given a life of its own; but a sort of symbiosis persisted, and when it came to the continuation of the argument, Sartre seems to have sensed that volume II was a dead end, and that the route to the alternative would prove to lie after all in the Flaubert project itself. In order to understand Sartre's position, the author analyzes his conception of history, especially of the intelligibility of history by mean of the dialectical reason as a movement of totalization of practical seriality, and shows its actuality.
Aristotle on Prohairesis
Authors: Liu Wei
Published: June 2017

Prohairesis plays a central role in Aristotle's moral psychology. It is prohairesis that determines an action to be rational, that provides the proximate efficient or moving cause of rational action, and that better reveals one's character than the action itself. This paper will discuss (1) Aristotle's shifted emphases when speaking of prohairesis in different ethical treatises; (2) Aristotle's pursuit of the nature of prohairesis and his special argumentative strategy in dealing with prohairesis; (3) the structure, i.e., the desiderative and deliberative components of prohairesis; and will conclude with some remarks about the significance of prohairesis.Â
Humans, Animals, and Aristotle. Aristotelian Traces in the Current Critique of Moral Individualism
Authors: Huth Martin
Published: June 2017

The concept of moral individualism is part of the foundational structure of most prominent modern moral philosophies. It rests on the assumption that moral obligations towards a respective individual are constituted solely by her or his capacities. Hence, these obligations are independent of any ἔθος (ethos), of any shared ethical sense and social significations. The moral agent and the individual with moral status (who is the target of a respective action) are construed as subjects outside of any social relation or lifeworld significations. This assumption has been contested in the last decades by diverse authors with very different approaches to moral philosophy. In the last years, an increasing number of philosophers like Cora Diamond and Alice Crary (with a Wittgensteinian background), but also phenomenologists like Paul Ricœur, Klaus Held, and Bernhard Waldenfels question the presupposition that individual capacities are the agent-neutral and context-neutral ground of moral considerations. This critique of moral individualism in different contemporary discourses shows a striking similarity between Wittgensteinian and phenomenological philosophers as their critical inquiry of prominent theories like the ones by Immanuel Kant, John Rawls, Peter Singer or Tom Regan is derived from mostly implicitly efficacious Aristotelian theorems. Telling examples are the ἔθος (ethos) as pre-given normative infrastructure, the ἕξις (hexis) as individual internalization of the ethos, the φρόνησις (phronesis) described as a specific practical know-how in contrast to scientific knowledge, and not at least the definition of the human being as ζῷον πολιτικόν (zoon politikon). However, the Aristotelian sources of this movement have not yet been scrutinized systematically. This paper aims, first, to reveal the significance of these sources to make them visible and, second, to contribute to the notion of the topicality of Aristotelian philosophy in current debates on ethics.
The Genesis of Secular Politics in Medieval Philosophy: The King of Averroes and the Emperor of Dante
Authors: Ahmed Sabeen
Published: June 2017

In contemporary political discourse, the "clash of civilizations" rhetoric often undergirds philosophical analyses of "democracy" both at home and abroad. This is nowhere better articulated than in Jacques Derrida's Rogues, in which he describes Islam as the only religious or theocratic culture that would "inspire and declare any resistance to democracy" (Derrida 2005, 29). Curiously, Derrida attributes the failings of democracy in Islam to the lack of reference to Aristotle's Politics in the writings of the medieval Muslim philosophers. This paper aims to analyze this gross misconception of Islamic philosophy and illuminate the thoroughgoing influence the Muslim philosophers had on their Christian successors, those who are so often credited as foundations of Western political philosophy. In so doing, I compare the ideal states presented by Averroes and Dante – in which Aristotelian influence is intimately interlaced – and offer an analysis thereof as heralds of what we might call the secularization of the political, inspiring those democratic values that Derrida believes to be absent in the rich philosophy of the Middle Ages.
Back to the Sources of Value Theory and Practical Philosophy
Authors: Raynova Yvanka B.
Published: June 2017

Editorial, introducing the issue on Aristotle, 2016/2.
Assessment of genotype-by-environment interactions of white quality protein maize hybrids in Bangladesh
Authors: Khaldun ABM , Banik BR , Akanda MAL , Rahman KAMM , Rahman MM
Published: June 2017

Present study assessed genotypes and their interactions with environments (GEI) for plant height, days to maturity and grain yield of 40 maize hybrids including two local checks across five different locations of Bangladesh. Thirty eight white QPM (Quality Protein Maize) hybrids were collected from CIMMYT, Mexico. The AMMI (additive main effect and multiplicative interactions) and GGE (genotype + genotype × environment) model were used to assess the additive and multiplicative effects of the interactions. Significant variations were found for genotypes (G), environments (E) and GEI for all the studied characters. The environment of Gazipur is poor while those of Ishurdi and Rangpur are rich for QPM hybrids production. Considering three parameters viz., mean, bi and S2di, it was evident that all the genotypes showed different responses of adaptability under different environmental conditions. Among the hybrids E21, E23, E30 and E22 exhibited bi~1 and S2di~0 for all the characters under study, which clearly indicated that the hybrids are stable across the environments. The hybrids E11, E25, E37 and E4 had bi value significantly different from the unity with non significant S2di value for one or more characters studied, indicating high responsiveness of the hybrid but suitable for favorable environments only. E5 was a good yielder and stable over environments. Considering the yield potentiality and stability parameters five hybrids were found promising over the locationsBangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(2): 259-271, June 2017
Financial profitability of improved wheat seed storage at household level in some selected areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Miah MA Monayem , Islam QMS , Baksh ME , Rossi FJ , Tiwari TP
Published: June 2017

Small and marginal farmers have little access to improved seed from institutional sources and are thus largely excluded from the benefits of new varieties. The production and storage of improved varieties seeds at the household (HH) level can overcome this problem. The study assessed the wheat seed storage systems used at HH level, with a particular emphasis on how the farmers are financially benefited by doing the seed storage business. The study analyzed data collected at random from Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia in Bangladesh (CSISA-BD) project supported 210 farmers spread over three wheat growing Hubs namely Mymensingh, Faridpur and Rangpur. The study revealed that wheat growing farmers used different types of storage containers and showed the highest level of preference (score 7.2) on plastic/metal drum lining with polythene bag due to lower cost of storage, longevity, and seed quality maintenance. Wheat farmers retained on an average 95.7 kg of improved seed at household level. Majority of the retained seeds at HH level (64%) are being marketed and sold to neighbouring farmers, local markets, and dealers. Wheat seed storage at household level was a profitable business to most of the respondent farmers. They earned a reasonable net income (Tk.420-Tk.1471) from seed storage. The farmers who stored seed in plastic sac+poly bag received the highest net income (Tk.1471) due to less storage cost, and higher seed price. Respondent farmers did not face any critical problem during seed storageBangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(2): 289-299, June 2017
Genetic diversity in maize inbreds under excess soil moisture condition
Authors: Hoque M , Akhter F , Kadir M , Akhter S , Ahmed S
Published: June 2017

Genetic diversity study was done in 64 maize inbreds grown under excess soil moisture condition.The genotypes were grouped into eight clusters. It was observed that all intercluster distances were larger than all intracluster distances. Such results indicated that genotypes included within a cluster had less diversity among themselves but wider genetic diversity among the inbreds of different clusters. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster IV & VII followed by IV & V , IV & VIII, II & VII and I & IV. The highest intra cluster distance was noticed in cluster V and the lowest was in cluster VII. The highest yield/plant, cob girth, number of rows/ear, number of grains/plant, SPAD value and number of nodes with brace roots were observed in cluster IV. The lowest mean value for yield/plant yield components and dwarf statured plant were observed in cluster VII. The plant height, ear height,days to 50% tasseling and silking, cob length, cob girth, 100 grain weight and SPAD value contributed considerably to total divergence. The genetically diverged genotypes in these distinct clusters could be used as parents in hybridization program for getting desirable hybrid(s).Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(2): 379-385, June 2017
Psycho-social stressors and life events of the patients with conversion disorder: a study in a tertiary care hospital in north east zone of Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Susmita , Roy Gopi Kanta , Begum Momtaz , Karim Md Enayet , Akhter Mst Shammy , Begum Olita
Published: June 2017

The symptoms of conversion disorder arise in response to stressful situations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency of various psychosocial stressors and socio-demographic characteristics in patients with Conversion disorder. This was a descriptive Cross sectional study conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh during the period from March 2011 to February 2013 among 240 admitted patients with conversion disorder satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria who were consecutively selected as study group. This study revealed that the most of the patients (62.5%) were below the age of 25 years with female predominance (90.4%). Among the patients, 67.5% came from joint family, 62.1% from rural area and 71.7% from the families with income within 10,000-20,000 BDT per month. Also 62.5% patients experienced seizure whereas 22.9% experienced mixed symptoms. Psychosocial stressors were clearly identified in 87.5% of the patients. The stressors in our population in order of frequency were disturbed relation with in-laws (20.8%), failure in examination or study problem (20%), disturbed relation with spouse (15.4%), husband staying abroad (13.3%), love problems (11.2%), job stress or more work-load (11.2%), relationship problem with family members or parents (9.6%), pampered child (3.3%), demand of marriage (3.3%), marriage against will (2.9%), death of a close family member (2.1%), physical illness (2.1%), demand of going abroad (1.7%), issue less (1.7%) and financial crisis (1.2%). In this study, a large number of stressors were identified in patients with conversion disorder. The pattern of the stressors in our subjects was unique to our population and most of these stressors were easily treatable.Bang J Psychiatry Dec 2014; 28(2): 41-44
Attitudes towards psychiatry among undergraduate medical students
Authors: Sarker Masud Rana , Khan Muhammad Zillur Rahman , Jahan Nasim , Maruf Mohammad Muntasir , Chowdhury Md Waziul Alam , Hamid Md Abdul , Awal Rabiul
Published: June 2017

Mental health is the most neglected and stigmatized branch of medical science in Bangladesh. Attitudes towards psychiatry are an important determination for selection of the subject as career by the undergraduate medical students. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards psychiatry and related factors. It was across sectional study conducted from May 2013 to September 2013 among 1st and 5th year medical students of Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshashi and Shaheed Shahrawardi Medical College, Dhaka. Results showed that only 2.6% of 5th year medical students wanted to be specialized in psychiatry and none of 1st year medical students wanted to be specialized in psychiatry. All of them (100% and 98.7%) agreed with the statement that psychiatric research has made good strides in advancing care of major mental disorder and majority students of both groups were (96% and 86.6% respectively) with the statement that psychiatry was a rapidly expanding frontier of medicine. Around two-third of the students (79.3% and 82.7% respectively) perceived psychiatric treatment as being helpful. Fifty nine (76.6%) of 5th year students and forty one (55.7%) of 1st year students did not agree that psychiatrists frequently abuse their legal power to hospitalize patients against their will. Positive opinions on attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards psychiatry became strengthen further following exposure to psychiatry lectures and clerkship in psychiatry ward.Bang J Psychiatry Dec 2014; 28(2): 45-49
Major depressive disorder in different age groups and quality of life
Authors: Talukder Umme Salma , Uddin MM Jalal , Mohammad Khan Niaz , Billah Md Mostarshid , Chowdhury Tufayel Ahmed , Alam Md Faruq , Alam Md Shah
Published: June 2017

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a significant public health problem due to its impact on the quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the presentation of depression in different age group and quality of life among the respondents. This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted from May, 2012 to February, 2013 among 65 patients aged 18 to 65 years with major depressive disorder in both outpatient and inpatient departments of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Dhaka by using convenient sampling technique. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Text version (DSM-IV-TR), Beck Depression Inventory and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to diagnose depressive disorder, to measure severity of depressive illness and Quality of Life (QOL) respectively. Level of depression was compared with the QOL. Quality of life deteriorated in patients with depression. Presence and level of depression was compared in different age groups of depressed patients. The results showed that most of the depressed people (17) were found in the age group of 21-25 years and most of the patients were severely depressed which was thirty nine (39). The study revealed that young people were mostly depressed and their quality of life was decreasing. lt needs further study to explore more information about pattern of presentation of depression and its effect on the quality of life.Bang J Psychiatry Dec 2014; 28(2): 58-61
Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress among first year MBBS students of a public medical college, Bangladesh
Authors: Alim SM Abu Hena Mostafa , Rabbani Md Golam , Karim Enayet , Mullick Mohammad Syedul Islam , Mamun Abdullah Al , Fariduzzaman - , Khan Muhammad Zillur Rahman
Published: June 2017

Medical students confront significant academic, psychosocial and existential stressors for coping with new college and schedule,. So assessment of the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students are essential to take necessary steps to treat or prevent any psychiatric morbidity. The objective of the study was to assess depression, anxiety and stress among the first year MBBS students. This was a cross sectional and descriptive study conducted in Khulna Medical College, Bangladesh from December 2009 to July 2010. For this purpose, 105 students fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken as sample. They filled up personal data and the short-form Bangla version of DASS (DASS-21 BV) scale. The results showed that, the mean age of students was 18.8 years with male predominance (54.3%). Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were found among 54.3%, 64.8% and 59.0% of students respectively. Eighty five (81%) students either had depression, anxiety or stress alone or in combination. Combination of depression, anxiety and stress was highest (36.2%). No significant association was found between gender difference and depression, anxiety or stress. Age was positively correlated with depression (p=0.004) and stress (p=0.001). Percentage of 1st year MBBS students suffering from depression, anxiety and stress were very high. Adequate psychiatric services should be provided to manage these symptoms among medical students.Bang J Psychiatry June 2015; 29(1): 23-29
Transpedicular screw fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fracture
Authors: Rahman Md. Atikur , Das Sukriti , Amin Md. Rezaul , Hossain Mohammad , Barua Kanak Kanti
Published: June 2017

One of the most popular procedures for treating the unstable thoracolumbar fracture is the short segment pedicle screw fixation. Due to lack of adequate neurological improvement, progressive kyphosis and hardware failure, the efficacy of different methods remain debatable. One hundred patients of thoracolumbar burst fractures were managed from January 2010 to December 2014 by  transforaminal thoracolumbar interbody fusion and short-segment pedicle screw stabilization. Each patient was followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Bony fusion was done in each patient in between two vertebra along with transpedicular fixation. Follow-up radiological images showed good reduction and the fusion of the vertebral body was good. Excellent neurological improvement of the Frankel grade C and D was seen in 81 patients. Eight patients had  grade B, improvement which was not satisfactory. Fifteen patients with no paraplegia/hemiplegia on admission remained neurologically intact. For the management of thoracolumbar burst fractures short segment posterior transpedicular fixation with bone graft is very economic and safe procedure with good neurological improvement.
Family Communication about End-of-Life Decisions and the Enactment of the Decision-Maker Role
Authors: Trees April , Ohs Jennifer , Murray Meghan
Published: June 2017

End-of-life (EOL) decisions in families are complex and emotional sites of family interaction necessitating family members coordinate roles in the EOL decision-making process. How family members in the United States enact the decision-maker role in EOL decision situations was examined through in-depth interviews with 22 individuals who participated in EOL decision-making for a family member. A number of themes emerged from the data with regard to the enactment of the decision-maker role. Families varied in how decision makers enacted the role in relation to collective family input, with consulting, informing and collaborating as different patterns of behavior. Formal family roles along with gender- and age-based roles shaped who took on the decision-maker role. Additionally, both family members and medical professionals facilitated or undermined the decision-maker’s role enactment. Understanding the structure and enactment of the decision-maker role in family interaction provides insight into how individuals and/or family members perform the decision-making role within a cultural context that values autonomy and self-determination in combination with collective family action in EOL decision-making.
Conversion of Furans by Baeyer-Villiger Monooxygenases
Authors: Kumar Hemant , Fraaije Marco
Published: June 2017

Various furans are considered as valuable platform chemicals as they can be derived from plant biomass. Yet, for their exploitation, follow-up chemistry is required. Here we demonstrate that Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) can be used as biocatalysts for the selective oxidation of several furans, including 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural (HMF) and furfural. A total of 15 different BVMOs were tested for their activity on furfural, which revealed that most of the biocatalysts were active on this aromatic aldehyde. Phenylacetone monooxygenase (PAMO) and a mutant thereof (PAMOM446G) were selected for studying their biocatalytic potential in converting furfural and some other furans. While BVMOs are usually known to form an ester or lactone as a ‘normal’ product by inserting an oxygen atom adjacent to the carbonyl carbon of the substrate, our results reveal that both biocatalysts produce furanoid acids as the main product from the corresponding aldehydes. Altogether, our study shows that BVMOs can be employed for the selective oxidation of furans.
Investigation into the Effect of Sulfate and Borate Incorporation on the Structure and Properties of SrFeO3-δ
Authors: Jarvis Abbey , Slater Peter
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate the successful incorporation of sulfate and borate into SrFeO3-δ, and characterise the effect on the structure and conductivity, with a view to possible utilisation as a cathode material in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The incorporation of low levels of sulfate/borate is sufficient to cause a change from a tetragonal to a cubic cell. Moreover, whereas heat treatment of undoped SrFeO3-δ under N2 leads to a transformation to brownmillerite Sr2Fe2O5 with oxygen vacancy ordering, the sulfate/borate-doped samples remain cubic under the same conditions. Thus, sulfate/borate doping appears to be successful in introducing oxide ion vacancy disorder in this system.
Projection to Mixture Families and Rate-Distortion Bounds with Power Distortion Measures
Authors: Watanabe Kazuho
Published: June 2017

The explicit form of the rate-distortion function has rarely been obtained, except for few cases where the Shannon lower bound coincides with the rate-distortion function for the entire range of the positive rate. From an information geometrical point of view, the evaluation of the rate-distortion function is achieved by a projection to the mixture family defined by the distortion measure. In this paper, we consider the β -th power distortion measure, and prove that β -generalized Gaussian distribution is the only source that can make the Shannon lower bound tight at the minimum distortion level at zero rate. We demonstrate that the tightness of the Shannon lower bound for β = 1 (Laplacian source) and β = 2 (Gaussian source) yields upper bounds to the rate-distortion function of power distortion measures with a different power. These bounds evaluate from above the projection of the source distribution to the mixture family of the generalized Gaussian models. Applying similar arguments to ϵ -insensitive distortion measures, we consider the tightness of the Shannon lower bound and derive an upper bound to the distortion-rate function which is accurate at low rates.
Epigenetic Regulation of a Heat-Activated Retrotransposon in Cruciferous Vegetables
Authors: Nozawa Kosuke , Kawagishi Yuki , Kawabe Akira , Sato Mio , Masuta Yukari , Kato Atsushi , Ito Hidetaka
Published: June 2017

Transposable elements (TEs) are highly abundant in plant genomes. Environmental stress is one of the critical stimuli that activate TEs. We analyzed a heat-activated retrotransposon, named ONSEN, in cruciferous vegetables. Multiple copies of ONSEN-like elements (OLEs) were found in all of the cruciferous vegetables that were analyzed. The copy number of OLE was high in Brassica oleracea, which includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprout, and kale. Phylogenic analysis demonstrated that some OLEs transposed after the allopolyploidization of parental Brassica species. Furthermore, we found that the high copy number of OLEs in B. oleracea appeared to induce transpositional silencing through epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation. The results of this study would be relevant to the understanding of evolutionary adaptations to thermal environmental stress in different species.
Changes in Smoking Behavior over Family Transitions: Evidence for Anticipation and Adaptation Effects
Authors: Bricard Damien , Legleye Stéphane , Khlat Myriam
Published: June 2017

The study of changes in smoking behaviors over the life course is a promising line of research. This paper aims to analyze the temporal relation between family transitions (partnership formation, first childbirth, separation) and changes in smoking initiation and cessation. We propose a discrete-time logistic model to explore the timing of changes in terms of leads and lags effects up to three years around the event in order to measure both anticipation and adaptation mechanisms. Retrospective biographical data from the Santé et Itinéraires Professionnels (SIP) survey conducted in France in 2006 are used. Partnership formation was followed for both genders by a fall in smoking initiation and an immediate rise in smoking cessation. Childbirth was associated with increased smoking cessation immediately around childbirth, and additionally, females showed an anticipatory increase in smoking cessation up to two years before childbirth. Couple separation was accompanied by an anticipatory increase in smoking initiation for females up to two years prior to the separation, but this effect only occurred in males during separation. Our findings highlight opportunities for more targeted interventions over the life course to reduce smoking, and therefore have relevance for general practitioners and public policy elaboration.
High Manifestations of Mental Distress in Arabic Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Collective Centers for Refugees in Germany
Authors: Georgiadou Ekaterini , Morawa Eva , Erim Yesim
Published: June 2017

The number of asylum seekers in Germany has significantly increased in the last two years. Coming from regions of political conflict and war, the refugees have often experienced traumatic events which designate them as a high risk group for mental disorders. In a sample of Arabic speaking asylum seekers in collective accommodation centers in Erlangen, Germany, we estimated the extent of posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. A further objective of the study was to test the comprehensibility and cultural appropriateness of the Arabic translations of the questionnaires in this sample. Between August and September 2016, 56 Arabic speaking asylum seekers placed among three collective accommodation centers in Erlangen completed self-report questionnaires assessing posttraumatic stress disorder (Essen Trauma-Inventory, ETI), and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire—depression module, PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7). The prevalence of participants with personally and/or witnessed traumatic events was 80.4% (n = 45). About one-third of the examinees (35.7%, n = 20) endorsed symptoms of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). The total score for depression in this sample was M = 11.9 (SD = 7.9, range: 0–27). Moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 15) was found in 35.7% (n = 20) of our sample and severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 20) was found in 23.2% (n = 13). The total score for anxiety was M = 8.8 (SD = 6.9, range: 0–21), with 26.8% (n = 15) of the sample showing symptoms of severe anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 15). No significant difference between women and men with respect to frequency and symptom scores of PTSD, depression, and anxiety was found. Amongst asylum seekers of the presented sample, the rates of traumatic events as well as the prevalence of possible PTSD, depression, and anxiety were significantly higher than in the German population. This indicates that the refugee population is in need of culturally sensitive psychological interventions. However, more studies are required to improve the understanding of mental health among this particularly vulnerable population.
De Novo Transcriptome Sequencing and the Hypothetical Cold Response Mode of Saussurea involucrata in Extreme Cold Environments
Authors: Li Jin , Liu Hailiang , Xia Wenwen , Mu Jianqiang , Feng Yujie , Liu Ruina , Yan Panyao , Wang Aiying , Lin Zhongping , Guo Yong , Zhu Jianbo , Chen Xianfeng
Published: June 2017

Saussurea involucrata grows in high mountain areas covered by snow throughout the year. The temperature of this habitat can change drastically in one day. To gain a better understanding of the cold response signaling pathways and molecular metabolic reactions involved in cold stress tolerance, genome-wide transcriptional analyses were performed using RNA-Seq technologies. A total of 199,758 transcripts were assembled, producing 138,540 unigenes with 46.8 Gb clean data. Overall, 184,416 (92.32%) transcripts were successfully annotated. The 365 transcription factors identified (292 unigenes) belonged to 49 transcription factor families associated with cold stress responses. A total of 343 transcripts on the signal transduction (132 upregulated and 212 downregulated in at least any one of the conditions) were strongly affected by cold temperature, such as the CBL-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (CIPKs), receptor-like protein kinases, and protein kinases. The circadian rhythm pathway was activated by cold adaptation, which was necessary to endure the severe temperature changes within a day. There were 346 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to transport, of which 138 were upregulated and 22 were downregulated in at least any one of the conditions. Under cold stress conditions, transcriptional regulation, molecular transport, and signal transduction were involved in the adaptation to low temperature in S. involucrata. These findings contribute to our understanding of the adaptation of plants to harsh environments and the survival traits of S. involucrata. In addition, the present study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of chilling and freezing tolerance.
Down’s Syndrome and Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Rare Occurrence of Distinctive Clinical Relationship
Authors: Dey Nandini , Krie Amy , Klein Jessica , Williams Kirstin , McMillan Amanda , Elsey Rachel , Sun Yuliang , Williams Casey , De Pradip , Leyland-Jones Brian
Published: June 2017

Down’s syndrome (DS), the most common genetic cause of significant intellectual disability in children and adults is caused by the trisomy of either all or a part of human chromosome 21 (HSA21). Patients with DS mostly suffer from characteristic tumor types. Although individual patients of DS are at a higher risk for acute leukemia and testicular cancers, other types of solid tumors including breast cancers are mostly uncommon and have significantly lower-than-expected age-adjusted incidence rates. Except for an increased risk of retinoblastomas, and lymphomas, the risk of developing solid tumors has been found to be lower in both children and adults, and breast cancer was found to be almost absent (Hasle H., The Lancet Oncology, 2001). A study conducted in the United States found only one death when 11.65 were expected (Scholl T et al., Dev Med Child Neurol. 1982). A recent study examined mammogram reports of women with DS treated in the largest medical facility specifically serving adults with DS in the United States. It was found that only 0.7% women with DS had been diagnosed with breast cancers (Chicoine B et al., Intellect Dev Disabil. 2015). Here we describe a case of breast cancer in a 25-year-old patient with DS. The disease was presented as lymph node positive carcinoma with alterations of tumor suppressor genes characteristic to the triple negative breast cancer subtype. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) revealed a wild-type status for BRCA1. The CGP report showed a frameshift mutation, A359fs*10 of the tumor suppressor gene INPP4B and another frameshift mutation, R282fs*63 of tumor suppressor gene TP53 in the tumor biopsy as characteristically found in triple-negative breast cancers. The VUS (Variance of Unknown Significance) alteration(s) were identified in ASXL1 (L1395V), NTRK1 (G18E), DDR2 (I159T), RUNX1 (amplification), ERG (amplification), SOX2 (T26A), FAM123B (G1031D), and HNF1A (A301T). Bonafide cancer-related genes of chromosome 21 amplified in the patient’s tumor are RUNX1 and ERG genes. After the completion of the radiation, the patient was placed on everolimus which was based on the result of her CGP report. Thus, post-mastectomy radiation therapy was completed with a recommendation for everolimus for one year. During the time of writing of this report, no metastatic lesions were identified. The patient currently has no evidence of disease.
The Value of In Vitro Tests to Diminish Drug Challenges
Authors: Mayorga Cristobalina , Doña Inmaculada , Perez-Inestrosa Ezequiel , Fernández Tahia , Torres Maria
Published: June 2017

Drug hypersensitivity reactions have multiple implications for patient safety and health system costs, thus it is important to perform an accurate diagnosis. The diagnostic procedure includes a detailed clinical history, often unreliable; followed by skin tests, sometimes with low sensitivity or unavailable; and drug provocation testing, which is not risk-free for the patient, especially in severe reactions. In vitro tests could help to identify correctly the responsible agent, thus improving the diagnosis of these reactions, helping the physician to find safe alternatives, and reducing the need to perform drug provocation testing. However, it is necessary to confirm the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values for these in vitro tests to enable their implementation in clinical practice. In this review, we have analyzed these parameters from different studies that have used in vitro test for evaluating drug hypersensitivity reactions and estimated the added value of these tests to the in vivo diagnosis.
Exponential Operations and an Aggregation Method for Single-Valued Neutrosophic Numbers in Decision Making
Authors: Lu Zhikang , Ye Jun
Published: June 2017

As an extension of an intuitionistic fuzzy set, a single-valued neutrosophic set is described independently by the membership functions of its truth, indeterminacy, and falsity, which is a subclass of a neutrosophic set (NS). However, in existing exponential operations and their aggregation methods for neutrosophic numbers (NNs) (basic elements in NSs), the exponents (weights) are positive real numbers in unit intervals under neutrosophic decision-making environments. As a supplement, this paper defines new exponential operations of single-valued NNs (basic elements in a single-valued NS), where positive real numbers are used as the bases, and single-valued NNs are used as the exponents. Then, we propose a single-valued neutrosophic weighted exponential aggregation (SVNWEA) operator based on the exponential operational laws of single-valued NNs and the SVNWEA operator-based decision-making method. Finally, an illustrative example shows the applicability and rationality of the presented method. A comparison with a traditional method demonstrates that the new decision-making method is more appropriate and effective.
Fruits of Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Authors: Jurikova Tunde , Mlcek Jiri , Skrovankova Sona , Sumczynski Daniela , Sochor Jiri , Hlavacova Irena , Snopek Lukas , Orsavova Jana
Published: June 2017

In recent years, growing attention has been focused on the utilization of natural sources of antioxidants in the prevention of chronic diseases. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) represents a lesser known fruit species utilized mainly as juices, purees, jams, jellies and wine, as important food colorants or nutritional supplements. The fruit is valued as a great source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols and flavonols), particularly cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside, as well as (−)-epicatechin units. The berries of A. melanocarpa, due to the presence and the high content of these bioactive components, exhibit a wide range of positive effects, such as strong antioxidant activity and potential medicinal and therapeutic benefits (gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative or anti-inflammatory activities). They could be also contributory toward the prevention of chronic diseases including metabolic disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, because of supportive impacts on lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure levels.
Origins, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Analytical Methods and Safety of Cortex Moutan (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew): A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , He Chunnian , Peng Yong , Chen Feihu , Xiao Peigen
Published: June 2017

Cortex Moutan (CM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for treating various diseases in China and other eastern Asian countries. Recorded in Pharmacopeias of several countries, CM is now drawing increasing attention and under extensive studies in various fields. Phytochemical studies indicate that CM contains many valuable secondary metabolites, such as monoterpene glycosides and phenols. Ample evidence from pharmacological researches suggest that CM has a wide spectrum of activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective effects. Moreover, various analytical methods were established for the quality evaluation and safety control of CM. This review synopsizes updated information concerning the origins, phytochemistry, pharmacology, analytical method and safety of CM, aiming to provide favorable references for modern CM research and application. In conclusion, continuing pharmacological investigations concerning CM should be conducted to unravel its pharmacological mechanisms. Further researches are necessary to obtain comprehensive and applicable analytical approach for quality evaluation and establish harmonized criteria of CM.
Facile Synthesis of Flower-Like Copper-Cobalt Sulfide as Binder-Free Faradaic Electrodes for Supercapacitors with Improved Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Wang Tianlei , Liu Meitang , Ma Hongwen
Published: June 2017

Supercapacitors have been one of the highest potential candidates for energy storage because of their significant advantages beyond rechargeable batteries in terms of large power density, short recharging time, and long cycle lifespan. In this work, Cu–Co sulfides with uniform flower-like structure have been successfully obtained via a traditional two-step hydrothermal method. The as-fabricated Cu–Co sulfide vulcanized from precursor (P–Cu–Co sulfide) is able to deliver superior specific capacitance of 592 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and 518 F g−1 at 10 A g−1 which are surprisingly about 1.44 times and 2.39 times higher than those of Cu–Co oxide electrode, respectively. At the same time, excellent cycling stability of P–Cu–Co sulfide is indicated by 90.4% capacitance retention at high current density of 10 A g−1 after 3000 cycles. Because of the introduction of sulfur during the vulcanization process, these new developed sulfides can get more flexible structure and larger reaction surface area, and will own richer redox reaction sites between the interfaces of active material/electrolyte. The uniform flower-like P–Cu–Co sulfide electrode materials will have more potential alternatives for oxides electrode materials in the future.
Peer Review and Churchill
Authors: Singleton Alan
Published: June 2017

I’ve written a large number of articles over the last forty years, but rather few research papers going through the peer review or refereeing process.[...]
Characterizing the Growth Patterns of 45 Major Metropolitans in Mainland China Using DMSP/OLS Data
Authors: Jia Tao , Chen Kai , Wang Jiye
Published: June 2017

Understanding growth patterns at the metropolitan level is instructive for better planning and policy making on sustainable urban development. Using DMSP/OLS data from 1992 to 2013, this article aims to investigate growth patterns of major metropolitans in Mainland China from the aspects of intensification and expansion. We start by calibrating the DMSP/OLS data and selecting 45 major metropolitans. On intensification, results suggest that aggregately, metropolitans displayed cyclical pattern over time and large metropolitans tended to have higher levels of intensification than moderate or small ones. Individually, metropolitans with similar intensification over time could be clustered together using Dendrogram, and evolution pattern of the clusters exhibited similarity to the aggregated one. On expansion, results show that aggregately metropolitans displayed a decreasing trend over time, and moderate or small metropolitans tended to have higher levels of expansion than large ones. Particularly, moderate metropolitans were more likely to expand adjacently, and small ones were more likely to experience scatter or corridor expansion. Each metropolitan can be represented by a mixed expansion model over time, which might tell where and how much expansion occurred in the current year. Furthermore, intensification is highly correlated with expansion over time for small metropolitans, but they are poorly correlated for large or moderate ones. Lastly, the high correlation of intensification and expansion with the change of GDP in each year indicates the reliability of our work.
Development of Laser Scanner for Full Cross-Sectional Deformation Monitoring of Underground Gateroads
Authors: Yang Qianlong , Zhang Zhenyu , Liu Xiaoqian , Ma Shuqi
Published: June 2017

The deformation of underground gateroads tends to be asymmetric and complex. Traditional instrumentation fails to accurately and conveniently monitor the full cross-sectional deformation of underground gateroads. Here, a full cross-sectional laser scanner was developed, together with a visualization software package. The developed system used a polar coordinate measuring method and the full cross-sectional measurement was shown by 360° rotation of a laser sensor driven by an electrical motor. Later on, the potential impact of gateroad wall flatness, roughness, and geometrical profile, as well as coal dust environment on the performance of the developed laser scanner will be evaluated. The study shows that high-level flatness is favorable in the application of the developed full cross-sectional deformation monitoring system. For a smooth surface of gateroad, the sensor cannot receive reflected light when the incidence angle of laser beam is large, causing data loss. Conversely, the roughness surface shows its nature as the diffuse reflection light can be received by the sensor. With regards to coal dust in the measurement environment, fine particles of floating coal dust in the air can lead to the loss of measurement data to some extent, due to scattering of the laser beam.