bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Kasai portoenterostomy on liver transplantation outcomes: A retrospective cohort study of 347 children with biliary atresia
Authors: Neto Joao Seda , Feier Flávia H. , Bierrenbach Ana Luiza , Toscano Cristiana M. , Fonseca Eduardo A. , Pugliese Renata , Candido Helry L. , Benavides Marcel R. , Porta Gilda , Chapchap Paulo
Published: April 2015

Biliary atresia (BA) is the main diagnosis leading to liver transplantation (LT) in children. When diagnosed early in life, a Kasai portoenterostomy (Kasai‐PE) can prevent or postpone LT. Instances of previous operations can result in difficulties during the LT. We hypothesized that a previous Kasai‐PE could affect LT outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of 347 BA patients submitted to LT between 1995 and 2013 at Hospital Sírio‐Libanês and A. C. Camargo Cancer Center was conducted. Patients were divided into those with a previous Kasai portoenterostomy early failure (K‐EF), Kasai portoenterostomy late failure (K‐LF), and those with no Kasai portoenterostomy (No‐K). Primary outcomes were patient and graft survival. A total of 94 (27.1%) patients had a K‐EF, 115 (33.1%) had a K‐LF, and 138 (39.8%) had No‐K before LT. Children in the K‐LF group were older and had lower Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD) scores. Patients in both K‐EF and K‐LF groups had more post‐LT biliary complications. After Cox‐multivariate analysis adjusting for confounding factors to determine the influence of Kasai‐PE on patient and graft survival, the K‐LF group had an 84% less probability of dying and a 55% less chance to undergo retransplantation. The K‐LF group had a protective effect on posttransplant patient and graft survival. When properly performed, the Kasai procedure can postpone LT and positively affect outcomes. Having a K‐EF and having not performed a Kasai‐PE had the same effect in patient and graft survival; however, a previous Kasai‐PE can increase post‐LT complications as biliary complications and bowel perforations. Liver Transpl 21:922‐927, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
Nonlinear oscillation of second‐order neutral dynamic equations with distributed delay
Authors: Yang Qiaoshun , Jia Baoguo , Xu Zhiting
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear oscillation of the following second‐order neutral delay dynamic equations with distributed delay

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3469:mma3469-math-0001
on a time scale
, where Z(t) = x(t) + p(t)x(τ(t)),α,β > 0 are constants. By using some new techniques, we obtain oscillation criteria for the equation when β > α,β = α, and β < α, respectively. Those results established here complete and develop the oscillation criteria in the literature. Also, our main results are illustrated with some examples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of a coupled modified (1 + 1)‐dimensional Toda equation of BKP type
Authors: Xu Zong‐Wei , Yu Guo‐Fu , Zhao Hai‐Qiong
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we present a new coupled modified (1 + 1)‐dimensional Toda equation of BKP type (Kadomtsev‐Petviashvilli equation of B‐type), which is a reduction of the (2 + 1)‐dimensional Toda equation. Two‐soliton and three‐soliton solutions to the coupled system are derived. Furthermore, the N‐soliton solution is presented in the form of Pfaffian. The asymptotic analysis of two‐soliton solutions is studied to explain their collision properties. It is shown that the coupled system exhibit richer interaction phenomena including soliton fission, fusion, and mixed collision. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chimeric antigen receptors and bispecific antibodies to retarget T cells in pediatric oncology
Authors: Suzuki Maya , Curran Kevin J. , Cheung Nai‐Kong V.
Published: April 2015

Cancer immunotherapy using antigen‐specific T cells has broad therapeutic potential. Chimeric antigen receptors and bispecific antibodies can redirect T cells to kill tumors without human leukocyte antigens (HLA) restriction. Key determinants of clinical potential include the choice of target antigen, antibody specificity, antibody affinity, tumor accessibility, T cell persistence, and tumor immune evasion. For pediatric cancers, additional constraints include their propensity for bulky metastatic disease and the concern for late toxicities from treatment. Nonetheless, the recent preclinical and clinical developments of these T cell based therapies are highly encouraging. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1326–1336. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of stress‐induced and LPS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors and the alterations of central proinflammatory cytokines mRNA in rats
Authors: Guan Xi‐ting , Lin Wen‐juan , Tang Ming‐ming
Published: April 2015

Although proinflammatory cytokine changes in depression have been studied widely, few investigations have searched for specific and common changes in cytokines. In the present study, two animal models of depression were compared: a chronic stress model using forced swim stress and an immune activation model using repeated central lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 mRNA were examined in the brain regions of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). It was found that both chronic swim stress and repeated central LPS infusion induced depressive‐like behaviors, including decreased body weight, reduced saccharin preference, and increased immobility time or shortened latency of immobility in the tail suspension test. Central TNF‐α mRNA expression was elevated in both models and central IL‐6 mRNA expression was unchanged in both models. Central IL‐1β mRNA expression was increased only in the chronic immune activation model. The findings from this study suggest that TNF‐α may be a common risk factor for inflammation in depressive disorders.
The impact of alkali elements on the degradation of CIGS solar cells
Authors: Theelen Mirjam , Hans Vincent , Barreau Nicolas , Steijvers Henk , Vroon Zeger , Zeman Miro
Published: April 2015

Unencapsulated CIGS solar cells with high and low contents of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were simultaneously exposed to damp heat and illumination. The solar cells with a high alkali (Na, K) content exhibited higher initial conversion efficiencies, but degraded severely within 100 h, while the alkali poor samples kept relatively stable performance under damp heat and illumination. The degradation of the samples with a high alkali content resulted in the formation of sodium rich spots on the top ZnO:Al surface of the samples. This is likely caused by light‐induced Na+ migration via the grain boundaries in the absorber to the depletion region, where the Na+ accumulated. This allowed subsequent Na+ transport through the depletion region due to the lowering of the internal electric field caused both by the Na+ accumulation and illumination. The migration resulted in the formation of shunt paths, which reduced the shunt resistance and open circuit voltage. Furthermore, ingression of water into the ZnO:Al is expected to be responsible for a slow but steady increase in series resistance for both high and low alkali solar cells. Additionally, sodium migration led to a severe increase of the series resistance in case of alkali rich samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconnecting Theory and Practice in Pluralistic Contexts: Issues and Aristotelian Considerations
Authors: Bredillet Christophe N. , Tywoniak Stephane , Dwivedula Ravikiran
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this article is to contribute, from a research practitioner perspective, to the theory–practice gap debate in organization studies, focusing on pluralistic contexts such as project organizing. The current debate is introduced; then the features of the two main philosophical traditions (i.e., modernism and postmodernism) are critically summarized. Then, propositions to reconnect theory and practice according to the Aristotelian premodern ethical and practical philosophy are discussed. Some key implications in the following areas are outlined: roles played by practitioners and scholars; emancipatory praxeological style of reasoning; closing the “phronetic gap”; and the development of “good practice,” ethics, and politics.
Mirror Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Management of Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees — A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tilak Merlyn , Isaac Serin Anna , Fletcher Jebaraj , Vasanthan Lenny Thinagaran , Subbaiah Rajalakshmi Sankaran , Babu Andrew , Bhide Rohit , Tharion George
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose

Phantom limb pain (PLP) can be disabling for nearly two thirds of amputees. Hence, there is a need to find an effective and inexpensive treatment that can be self administered. Among the non‐pharmacological treatment for PLP, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to the contralateral extremity and mirror therapy are two promising options. However, there are no studies to compare the two treatments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare mirror therapy and TENS in the management of PLP in subjects with amputation.

Methods

The study was an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at Physiotherapy Gymnasium of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Twenty‐six subjects with PLP consented to participate. An initial assessment of pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and universal pain score (UPS) was performed by a therapist blinded to the treatment given. Random allocation into Group I‐mirror therapy and Group II‐TENS was carried out. After 4 days of treatment, pain was re‐assessed by the same therapist. The mean difference in Pre and Post values were compared among the groups. The change in pre–post score was analyzed using the paired t test.

Results

Participants of Group I had significant decrease in pain [VAS ( p = 0.003) and UPS ( p = 0.001)]. Group II also showed a significant reduction in pain [VAS ( p = 0.003) and UPS ( p = 0.002)]. However, no difference was observed between the two groups [VAS ( p = 0.223 and UPS ( p = 0.956)].

Discussion

Both Mirror Therapy and TENS were found to be effective in pain reduction on a short‐term basis. However, no difference between the two groups was found. Substantiation with long‐term follow‐up is essential to find its long‐term effectiveness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacist‐led reviews can help patients and practices
Authors: Hampson Nuala , Ottey Dominic
Published: April 2015

A pharmacist‐led medicine review can be a good support service for both GPs and patients. This article describes how it can work.
InGaN photocatalysts on conductive Ga2O3 substrates
Authors: Ogita Taro , Uetake Yusuke , Yamashita Yoshihiro , Kuramata Akito , Yamakoshi Shigenobu , Ohkawa Kazuhiro
Published: April 2015

We succeeded in hydrogen evolution using InGaN photocatalysts grown on conductive Ga2O3 substrates. These photocatalysts exhibited a conversion efficiency of 0.8% from incident light energy to stored H2 chemical energy. Their quantum efficiency was determined to be more than 1% at 404 nm by incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurement. We found that the wavelength response of the InGaN structure can be extended to the visible region. These results indicate that the conductive Ga2O3 substrates are suitable for the photocatalysts.
Design and experimental study of a dynamical adaptive backstepping–sliding mode control scheme for position tracking and regulating of a low‐cost pneumatic cylinder
Authors: Rahman Ramhuzaini Abd. , He Liang , Sepehri Nariman
Published: April 2015

A dynamical adaptive backstepping–sliding mode control scheme is designed and implemented for the first time, to track and regulate the position of a low‐cost pneumatically driven single‐rod, double‐acting cylinder. The mass flow rate of compressed air into and out of the cylinder is regulated by a 5/3‐way proportional directional control valve. The derivation of the controller, utilizing a design procedure that guarantees stability of the control system, is presented first. Next, experimental evaluation of the controller is conducted with respect to performance and robustness to parametric uncertainties. Experiments employ a sinusoidal reference trajectory with tracking frequencies of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 Hz; a multiple‐step polynomial reference trajectory having step sizes of 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 m; and three external loads of 4.4, 9, and 16 kg operating in two modes (motion assisting and resisting). From over 70 experiments involving various operating conditions, average root mean square of tracking error of 1.73 mm and steady‐state error of 0.71 mm are achieved for the position tracking and regulating, respectively. As compared with the classical sliding mode control scheme alone, the new controller outperforms by more than twofold. The adaptive LuGre‐based friction observer applied in this control scheme significantly assists in compensating the adverse effect of friction with the average of 55% less tracking error. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Einwirkungskombinationen für Flachbodentanks nach Eurocode – Beispiele (Teil 2)
Authors: Ball Peter
Published: April 2015

Für den der Nachweis Standsicherheit von Flachbodentanks müssen Statiker und Hersteller insbesondere kombinierte Lasteinwirkungen zuverlässig ermitteln. Dazu zählen unter anderem Wind‐ oder Schneelasten genauso wie Verkehrslasten auf den Dächern oder Drücke und Sogwirkungen. Das Tragverhalten von Flachbodentanks ist aufgrund ihrer Konstruktion komplex. Die verschiedenen Einwirkungen werden zunächst individuell und dann in Kombination bestimmt, um wiederum ihre Auswirkungen auf das Bauwerk zu ermitteln. Die Herausforderung: Bautechnische Standsicherheitsnachweise sind mit Einführung des Eurocodes teilweise aufwändiger. Außerdem weichen dessen Regeln, um die Kombination von Lasten zu bestimmen, von jenen der DIN 18800 ab. Während der erste Teil dieses Beitrags [1] eine einheitliche Anwendung und ein praxisgerechtes, allgemein abgestimmtes Vorgehen diskutiert hat, stehen im zweiten Teil die Beispiele im Vordergrund.

Load combinations for flat‐bottom storage tanks according to Eurocodes – Examples (part 2). Structural engineers and manufacturers must produce reliable calculations, particularly of load combinations, to establish the structural integrity of flat‐bottom storage tanks. Load types include for example wind or snow and live loads on tank roofs as well as pressure and suction. Given by the design and construction of flat‐bottom tanks, their load‐bearing characteristics are complex. The various load types must be determined, first individually and then in combination, before their impact on the structure can be calculated. The challenging nature of the task is exacerbated by the increased complexity of structural stability analyses that has accompanied the introduction of the Eurocode. In addition, the rules specified in the Code for the calculation of load combinations deviate from those in the DIN 18800 standard. The first part of the article [1] examined possibilities for uniform application and a practical procedure in line with general consensus, while the second section focuses on examples.
Concept of feedback‐controlled differential evolution and its realization
Authors: Tamura Kenichi , Makise Kengo , Yasuda Keiichiro
Published: April 2015

This paper first proposes a novel concept of differential evolution (DE) with an automatic parameter adjustment that controls its search situation to be a promising situation by the error feedback. It is called feedback‐controlled differential evolution (FCDE), whose adjustment mechanism consists of three parts: Evaluator, Referencer, and Controller. Evaluator calculates an evaluation index which measures the search situation. Referencer generates a reference index being a target of the evaluation index which corresponds to a promising situation. Controller operates the parameters to make the evaluation index follow the reference index using its error feedback. Further, this paper realizes a method in FCDE for a typical DE called “DE/best/1/bin" by designing the three parts. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through various computational experiments from the viewpoints of controllability and performance. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FUCCI sensors: powerful new tools for analysis of cell proliferation
Authors: Zielke N. , Edgar B. A.
Published: April 2015

Visualizing the cell cycle behavior of individual cells within living organisms can facilitate the understanding of developmental processes such as pattern formation, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, growth, cell migration, and cell death. Fluorescence Ubiquitin Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) technology offers an accurate, versatile, and universally applicable means of achieving this end. In recent years, the FUCCI system has been adapted to several model systems including flies, fish, mice, and plants, making this technology available to a wide range of researchers for studies of diverse biological problems. Moreover, a broad range of FUCCI‐expressing cell lines originating from diverse cell types have been generated, hence enabling the design of advanced studies that combine in vivo experiments and cell‐based methods such as high‐content screening. Although only a short time has passed since its introduction, the FUCCI technology has already provided fundamental insight into how cells establish quiescence and how G1 phase length impacts the balance between pluripotency and stem cell differentiation. Further discoveries using the FUCCI technology are sure to come. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:469–487. doi: 10.1002/wdev.189

This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Methods and Principles

Technologies > Generating Chimeras and Lineage Analysis

Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes
Robust estimation of (partial) autocorrelation
Authors: Dürre Alexander , Fried Roland , Liboschik Tobias
Published: April 2015

The autocorrelation function (acf) and the partial autocorrelation function (pacf) are elementary tools of linear time series analysis. The sensitivity of the conventional sample acf and pacf to outliers is well known. We review robust estimators and evaluate their performances in different data situations considering Gaussian scenarios with and without outliers as well as times series with heavy tails in a simulation study.WIREs Comput Stat2015, 7:205–222. doi: 10.1002/wics.1351

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust Methods

Data: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional Data
Nest‐niche differentiation in two sympatric Streptopelia species from a North African agricultural area: the role of human presence
Authors: Hanane Saâd
Published: April 2015

Studies of niche partitioning among Columbidae species have mainly addressed food habits and foraging activities, while partitioning in relation to nest‐niche differentiation has been little studied. The recent expansion of Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis distribution throughout Morocco has raised concerns regarding its effects on native species, particularly Turtle doves S. turtur. The study, conducted in May 2008 and 2009, attempted to determine the factors that may play a role in nest‐niche differentiation among the two sympatric dove species in the Tadla's agricultural area (central Morocco). I used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to test the relevance of nest placement and human presence variables in the nest distribution of the two species. The results show substantial niche segregation in the olive nest‐trees selected by Turtle and Laughing doves, with selection depending primarily on human presence and, to a lesser extent, the vertical distribution of nests. Observed nest‐niche partitioning may diminish the potential for competition between these species and enhance opportunities for their coexistence. I further suggest guidelines for future studies that seek to understand the spatio‐temporal dynamics of Laughing and Turtle dove coexistence in the region.
Case report: clues to the diagnosis of an unsuspected massive levothyroxine overdose
Authors: Allen Kirstie M. , Crawford Veronica B. , Conaglen John V. , Elston Marianne S.
Published: April 2015

There is currently little literature pertaining to levothyroxine overdose apart from minor or accidental overdoses in the pediatric population. In particular, there is little information available on how to confidently differentiate levothyroxine overdose from endogenous causes of thyrotoxicosis when there is no history available at the time of assessment.

We report a levothyroxine (15,800 mcg) and citalopram (2,460 mg) overdose in a 55-year-old woman presenting with seizure and tachycardia in which the diagnosis was not initially suspected. Clinical data, including a long history of treated hypothyroidism and lack of a goiter; and biochemical findings, such as an incompletely suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, despite a markedly elevated free thyroxine level (FT4), a normal sex hormone-binding globulin level at baseline, and an undetectable thyroglobulin, supported the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis due to a massive exogenous thyroid hormone overdose. Treatment was given to decrease free triiodothyronine (FT3) conversion and increase thyroid hormone clearance with dexamethasone and cholestyramine. The patient made a full recovery.

Levothyroxine overdose can result in subtle symptoms and signs clinically, even when in massive quantities. This can make diagnosis challenging. Biochemical features, such as the pattern of thyroid hormone elevation and thyroglobulin levels, help differentiate exogenous thyroid hormone overdose from endogenous causes of thyrotoxicosis.
Flow in a meandering channel
Authors: Floryan J. M.
Published: April 2015

A comprehensive analysis of the pressure-gradient driven flow in a meandering channel has been presented. This geometry is of interest as it can be used for the creation of streamwise vortices which magnify the transverse transport of scalar quantities, e.g. heat transfer. The linear stability theory has been used to determine the meandering wavelengths required for the vortex formation. It has been demonstrated that reduction of the wavelength results in the onset of flow separation which, when combined with the wall geometry, results in an effective channel narrowing: the stream ‘lifts up’ above the wall and becomes nearly rectilinear, thus eliminating vortex-generating centrifugal forces. Increase of the wavelength also leads to a nearly rectilinear stream, as the slope of the wall modulations becomes negligible. As shear-driven instability may interfere with the formation of vortices, the conditions leading to the onset of such instability have also been investigated. The attributes of the geometry which lead to the most effective vortex generation without any interference from the shear instabilities and with the smallest drag penalty have been identified.
NOTES ON STATIUS,THEBAID2
Authors: Gervais Kyle
Published: April 2015

The recent edition of theThebaidby Hall, Ritchie, and Edwards launched a successful attack on thecommunis opinioof a bipartite manuscript tradition, with one clearly superior family (represented by the ninth-century P [Puteanus] manuscript), and relatively few textual problems. In doing so, they underscored the need for renewed editorial work on the poem. Here I discuss five passages fromThebaid2 that have not received adequate attention from editors.
CYNNANE ‘THE ILLYRIAN’? THE PERILS OF ONOMASTICS
Authors: Bartels Jens
Published: April 2015

Stating that Olympias and Eurydice fought the first war ever between women, Duris of Samos explained the behaviour of Eurydice by reporting that she learned the art of war from Cynnane ‘the Illyrian’ (ἀσκηθεῖσαν τὰ πολεμικὰ παρὰ Κυννάνῃ τῇ Ἰλλυρίδι).
CONJECTURES AND CRITICISM IN BOOK 1 OF THECODEX JUSTINIANUS
Authors: Dillon John Noël
Published: April 2015

Since 2007, a team of American and British ancient historians has been preparing a new translation of theCodex Justinianus. The ‘Codex Project’ was launched by chief editor Bruce W. Frier; the goal of the project is to create the first reliable English translation of theCodex Justinianuson the basis of the standard edition by Paul Krüger. Since 1932, the notoriously unreliable translation by Scott has remained the only one in English. The new translation by the Codex Project should appear soon.
ONOMASTIC IRONY IN FRONTO'S LETTERS AD M. CAESAREM 1.7, 2.5, 2.13 and 3.18
Authors: Taoka Yasuko
Published: April 2015

In contemporary onomastics the usage of the full name – given name and surname – lends a certain formality or seriousness to an utterance. It is often assumed that such pragmatics in the employment of names may be easily transferred to the ancient world, but we should none the less confirm our assumptions with textual evidence. This paper will present evidence from the letters between Marcus Aurelius and Marcus Cornelius Fronto which demonstrates not only that the fuller Roman name was used for formal occasions, but also that it could, as in the contemporary world, be employed in an ironic, mock-formal manner to intimate rather the opposite of formality, friendship.
ATHENIANATIMIAAND LEGISLATION AGAINST TYRANNY AND SUBVERSION
Authors: Dmitriev Sviatoslav
Published: April 2015

Following the idea first expressed by Heinrich Swoboda, there is a general perception that the meaning of ἀτιμία in Athens eventually evolved from the original ‘outlawry’, when an ἄτιμος was liable to being deprived of his property and slayed with impunity if he returned to the land from which he had been banished, into a certain limitation on civic status, which has often been rendered as a ‘disfranchisement’. Specific outcomes of this later form of ἀτιμία varied depending on the dating and circumstances of individual cases, thereby giving rise to theories of a so-called full – or ‘total’ – and partial ἀτιμία. Still, whether it was viewed as ‘full’ or ‘partial’, this ἀτιμία did not inflict the death penalty. The precise dating of the transformation of ἀτιμία has also been debated, with opinions ranging from pre-Solonian times (L'Homme-Wéry) to the late sixth (Swoboda, Hansen, Manville) or the late fifth century (Scafuro). While the exact dating is unknown, this transformation was definitely over in the fifth century, when inscriptions and literary texts mentioned punishment by ἀτιμία alongside the death penalty and the confiscation of property. Thus, according to Raphael Sealey, ἀτιμία evolved ‘from a more severe to a milder sense’, and Alick R.W. Harrison pointed to the evidence that, by the fourth century, any willing Athenian could seize an ἄτιμος who happened to be in Athenian territory and surrender him to the θεσμοθέται, instead of killing him.
THE SWORD DID IT: A GREEK EXPLANATION FOR SUICIDE
Authors: Naiden F.S.
Published: April 2015

The people of classical Athens did not regard suicide as a crime committed by the victim. Instead, the Athenians regarded suicide as a crime committed by the instrument that the victim used, or by the victim's hand as opposed to the victim himself. This non-human agent was culpable, just like non-human agents were blamed for accidental deaths. Although suicide victims were innocent, inanimate agents were guilty. In Sophocles'Ajax, for example, the sword that the hero turned upon himself was blamed for his death. The Athenian response to suicide was more about objects than it was about people.
MAKING THE AUDIENCE:EKPHRASISAND RHETORICAL STRATEGY IN DEMOSTHENES 18 AND 19
Authors: Serafim Andreas
Published: April 2015

In this paper, I intend to explore three examples ofekphrasis– narrative scene painting – in Demosthenes 18 and 19: the first is Demosthenes' depiction of the announcement in Athens of the capture of Elatea by Philip (18.169–73), while the second and third are descriptions of Aeschines' (allegedly) failed theatrical performances (18.262 and 19.337–8). Scholars have paid insufficient attention to these descriptive accounts: there have been a few limited discussions of 18.169 in commentaries but, otherwise, the use and purpose of these accounts as part of Demosthenes' rhetorical strategy have not been widely appreciated. This article aims to show thatekphrasis, when skilfully deployed as in Demosthenes 18 and 19, is a powerful weapon in the speaker's arsenal that merits thorough investigation. By instructing the audience as to what and how to think, imagine and remember, orators seek to engage the audience, elicit their verbal or non-verbal reaction in the law court, create a certain disposition in them towards the litigants, stir up and manipulate their emotions, and thus affect their verdict.
THE HERALD OF HYLLUS? IDENTIFYING THE ϒΛΛΟϒ ΠΕΝΕΣΤΗΣ IN EURIPIDES' HERACLIDAE
Authors: Yoon Florence
Published: April 2015

At Euripides' Heraclidae 630, an anonymous character arrives onstage to report the arrival of Hyllus' army, and returns at 928 accompanying the defeated Eurystheus. He is generally identified by editors as a therapōn, following the dramatis personae of the hypothesis. Mastronarde briefly challenges this assumption, stating that ‘he is a soldier, not a servant’. There are, however, four reasons to identify the character as neither a soldier nor a therapōn, but as Hyllus' herald. Although none of these reasons is conclusive on its own, the cumulative weight of the evidence is compelling. This identification contributes to the structural coherence and thematic development of the play, and gains special significance from the play's interest in the representation of absent characters.
Beyond Networks: Transatlantic Immigration and Wealth in Late Colonial Mexico City
Authors: EYAL HILLEL
Published: April 2015

This article explores the relation between transatlantic immigration and wealth accumulation in late colonial Mexico City, the chief destination for transatlantic emigrants from Spain. In contrast to the prevalent focus in the literature on networks and transatlantic ties, I argue that economic mobility and thus entry into the upper classes of colonial society depended on the social background of immigrants in their home regions in the peninsula. Human capital rather than social capital was the key determinant explaining why certain regional groups, notably the Basques, succeeded economically as merchants and miners, challenging traditional notions of networks and interconnectedness in Atlantic history and beyond. The findings are grounded in quantitative datasets of Spanish immigrants, overcoming both the biases of anecdotal sources and the methodological intricacy of disentangling the causal relationship between wealth accumulation and social ties.
Cuba's Perilous Political Transition to the Post-Castro Era
Authors: LEOGRANDE WILLIAM M.
Published: April 2015

In the years since Raúl Castro took office as president following Fidel Castro's illness and retirement, Cuba has embarked on four major transitions almost simultaneously: a restructuring of elite decision-making; a transformation of Cuba's centrally-planned economy into a market socialist economy; a relaxation of tight social control, providing greater social autonomy for civil society and even a degree of political decompression; and, a transition from the founding generation of the political elite (los históricos) to a successor generation, when neither Castro will hold power. Each of these processes by itself entails political risk; unfolding together, they constitute the greatest political challenge the Cuban regime has faced since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A generalized Calderón formula for open-arc diffraction problems: theoretical considerations
Authors: Lintner Stéphane K. , Bruno Oscar P.
Published: April 2015

We deal with the general problem of scattering by open arcs in two-dimensional space. We show that this problem can be solved by means of certain second-kind integral equations of the form , where and are first-kind integral operators whose composition gives rise to a generalized Calderón formula of the form in a weighted, periodized Sobolev space. (Here is a continuous and continuously invertible operator and is a compact operator.) The formulation provides, for the first time, a second-kind integral equation for the open-arc scattering problem with Neumann boundary conditions. Numerical experiments show that, for both the Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, our second-kind integral equations have spectra that are bounded away from zero and infinity as k → ∞; to the authors’ knowledge these are the first integral equations for these problems that possess this desirable property. This situation is in stark contrast with that arising from the related classical open-surface hypersingular and single-layer operators N and S, whose composition NS maps, for example, the function ϕ = 1 into a function that is not even square integrable. Our proofs rely on three main elements: algebraic manipulations enabled by the presence of integral weights; use of the classical result of continuity of the Cesàro operator; and explicit characterization of the point spectrum of , which, interestingly, can be decomposed into the union of a countable set and an open set, both of which are tightly clustered around . As shown in a separate contribution, the new approach can be used to construct simple, spectrally accurate numerical solvers and, when used in conjunction with Krylov-subspace iterative solvers such as the generalized minimal residual method, it gives rise to a dramatic reduction in the number of iterations compared with those required by other approaches.
Non-trivial solutions for a semilinear biharmonic problem with critical growth and potential vanishing at infinity
Authors: Deng Yinbin , Shuai Wei
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we study the existence of non-trivial solutions for the following class of semilinear biharmonic problem with critical nonlinearity:

Here Δ 2u = Δ(Δu), N ≥ 5, μ > 0 is a parameter, 2** = 2N/(N − 4) is the critical Sobolev exponent, V (x) and K (x) are positive continuous functions that vanish at infinity, f is a function with a subcritical growth and P(x) is a bounded, non-negative continuous function. By working in weighted Sobolev spaces and using a variational method, we prove that the problem has at least one non-trivial solution.
Teaching Globalization and Development through a Simulation
Authors: Pallister Kevin
Published: April 2015

This article describes a simulation designed to teach students about the interests and interactions involved in the international political economy of development. The design and implementation of the simulation are discussed and sample simulation instructions for students are included.
A New Epistemic Silk Road? The Chinese Knowledge Diaspora, and its Implications for the Europe of Knowledge
Authors: Welch Anthony
Published: April 2015

The paper examines the implications of the extensive and increasingly significant Chinese knowledge diaspora for the Europe of Knowledge. Based on extensive fieldwork, the paper examines the size, significance and key issues surrounding the growth of the Chinese Knowledge Diaspora. A portrait is developed of a highly-skilled group (bi-lingual and bi-cultural) who have the capacity to contribute to teaching and research both in China and their host nations, and who are often willing and eager to act as a bridge between both sides. Reference is also made to China’s numerous Overseas Talent Recruitment Schemes, which often target such individuals, and to the significance of this group to China’s dramatic, and ongoing, scientific rise. Key issues are discussed, as well as some limitations and the prospects for the future. Based on available information, data on PRC students and academics in Europe are presented and an assessment made of both the potential, and of the relatively limited impact, compared with major English-language countries of migration, such as the US, Canada and Australia. The analysis concludes with an assessment of prospects for a new epistemic Silk Road, and some of the barriers to its development.
Aquifers Spew More Pollution into Oceans Than Rivers
Authors: Akpan Nsikan
Published: April 2015

A new model makes a direct estimate of contaminants in submarine groundwater discharge.
Top down and bottom up selection drives variations in frequency and form of a visual signal
Authors: Yeh Chien-Wei , Blamires Sean J. , Liao Chen-Pan , Tso I.-Min
Published: April 2015

The frequency and form of visual signals can be shaped by selection from predators, prey or both. When a signal simultaneously attracts predators and prey, selection may favour a strategy that minimizes risks while attracting prey. Accordingly, varying the frequency and form of the silken decorations added to their web may be a way that Argiope spiders minimize predation while attracting prey. Nonetheless, the role of extraneous factors renders the influences of top down and bottom up selection on decoration frequency and form variation difficult to discern. Here we used dummy spiders and decorations to simulate four possible strategies that the spider Argiope aemula may choose and measured the prey and predator attraction consequences for each in the field. The strategy of decorating at a high frequency with a variable form attracted the most prey, while that of decorating at a high frequency with a fixed form attracted the most predators. These results suggest that mitigating the cost of attracting predators while maintaining prey attraction drives the use of variation in decoration form by many Argiope spp. when decorating frequently. Our study highlights the importance of considering top-down and bottom up selection pressure when devising evolutionary ecology experiments.
How exciton-vibrational coherences control charge separation in the photosystem II reaction center
Authors: Novoderezhkin Vladimir I. , Romero Elisabet , van Grondelle Rienk
Published: April 2015

Two-dimensional photon echo in the photosystem II reaction center reveals the exciton-vibrational coherences that promote directed energy/electron transfers.
Nanoheterogeneous catalysis in electrochemically induced olefin perfluoroalkylation
Authors: Dudkina Yulia B. , Gryaznova Tatyana V. , Osin Yuri N. , Salnikov Vadim V. , Davydov Nikolay A. , Fedorenko Svetlana V. , Mustafina Asia R. , Vicic David A. , Sinyashin Oleg G. , Budnikova Yulia H.
Published: April 2015

Immobilization of a (bpy)NiBr2complex on silica nanoparticles decorated with anchoring amino-groups was used to perform Ni-catalyzed electroreductive olefin perfluoroalkylation.
Triggering the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of the inert two-dimensional MoS2 surface via single-atom metal doping
Authors: Deng Jiao , Li Haobo , Xiao Jianping , Tu Yunchuan , Deng Dehui , Yang Huaixin , Tian Huanfang , Li Jianqi , Ren Pengju , Bao Xinhe
Published: April 2015

Doping single-atom metals into MoS2 matrix can efficiently trigger the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of inert S atoms on 2D MoS2 surface and meanwhile enhance catalytic stability and anti-poison ability.
Disruption of zinc and copper interactions with Aβ(1–40) by a non-toxic, isoniazid-derived, hydrazone: a novel biometal homeostasis restoring agent in Alzheimer's disease therapy?
Authors: Hauser-Davis R. A. , de Freitas L. V. , Cukierman D. S. , Cruz W. S. , Miotto M. C. , Landeira-Fernandez J. , Valiente-Gabioud A. A. , Fernández C. O. , Rey N. A.
Published: April 2015

A non-toxic hydrazone with potential anti-Alzheimer activity: this organic ligand disrupts anomalous metal–Aβ(1–40) interactions, and, thus, seems suitable as a metal-protein attenuating compound.
Dopamine functionalized polymeric nanoparticle for targeted drug delivery
Authors: Das Pradip , Jana Nikhil R.
Published: April 2015

A dopamine functionalized, polyaspartamide-based polymeric nanoparticle has been synthesized for selective delivery of drugs to human colon adenocarcinoma cells.
Unprecedented formation of spiro[indoline-3,7′-pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine] from multicomponent reaction of l-proline, isatin and but-2-ynedioate
Authors: Yang Fan , Sun Jing , Gao Hong , Yan Chao-Guo
Published: April 2015

Spiro[indoline-3,3′-pyrrolizines] and spiro[indoline-3,7′-pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines] can be selectively produced from three-component reaction of α-amino acids, isatins and but-2-ynedioates.
Efficiency exceeding 10% for inverted polymer solar cells with a ZnO/ionic liquid combined cathode interfacial layer
Authors: Yu W. , Huang L. , Yang D. , Fu P. , Zhou L. , Zhang J. , Li C.
Published: April 2015

With the ZnO/IL interfacial layer, PTB7-Th : PC71BM i-PSCs can exhibit a champion PCE of 10.15%.
Active transporters as enzymes: an energetic framework applied to major facilitator superfamily and ABC importer systems
Authors: Shilton Brian H.
Published: April 2015

Active membrane transporters are dynamic molecular machines that catalyse transport across a membrane by coupling solute movement to a source of energy such as ATP or a secondary ion gradient. A central question for many active transporters concerns the mechanism by which transport is coupled to a source of energy. The transport process and associated energetic coupling involve conformational changes in the transporter. For efficient transport, the conformational changes must be tightly regulated and they must link energy use to movement of the substrate across the membrane. The present review discusses active transport using the well-established energetic framework for enzyme-mediated catalysis. In particular, membrane transport systems can be viewed as ensembles consisting of low-energy and high-energy conformations. The transport process involves binding interactions that selectively stabilize the higher energy conformations, and in this way promote conformational changes in the system that are coupled to decreases in free energy and substrate translocation. The major facilitator superfamily of secondary active transporters is used to illustrate these ideas, which are then be expanded to primary active transport mediated by ABC (ATP-binding cassette) import systems, with a focus on the well-studied maltose transporter.
Lactate kinetics and mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle of healthy humans under influence of adrenaline
Authors: Grip Jonathan , Jakobsson Towe , Hebert Christina , Klaude Maria , Sandström Gustaf , Wernerman Jan , Rooyackers Olav
Published: April 2015

Plasma lactate is widely used as a biomarker in critical illness. The aims of the present study were to elucidate the usefulness of a three-compartment model for muscle lactate kinetics in humans and to characterize the response to an exogenous adrenaline challenge. Repeated blood samples from artery and femoral vein together with blood flow measurements and muscle biopsies were obtained from healthy male volunteers (n=8) at baseline and during an adrenaline infusion. Concentrations of lactate and enrichment of [13C]lactate were measured and kinetics calculated. Mitochondrial activity, glycogen concentration, oxygen uptake and CO2 release were assessed. The adrenaline challenge increased plasma lactate 4-fold as a result of a greater increase in the rate of appearance (Ra) than the increase in the rate of disappearance (Rd). Leg muscle net release of lactate increased 3.5-fold, whereas intramuscular production had a high variation but did not change. Mitochondrial state 3 respiration increased by 30%. Glycogen concentration, oxygen uptake and CO2 production remained unchanged. In conclusion a three-compartment model gives additional information to the two-compartment model but, due to its larger variation and invasive muscle biopsy, it is less likely to become a regularly used tool in clinical research. Hyperlactataemia in response to adrenergic stimuli was driven by an elevated lactate release from skeletal muscle most probably due to a redirection of a high intramuscular turnover rather than an increased production.
Unified VLSI architecture for photo core transform used in JPEG XR
Authors: Zhang Shuiping , Tian Xin , Xiong Chengyi , Tian Jinwe
Published: April 2015

A unified very large‐scale integration (VLSI) architecture with butterflies that can perform photo core transform (PCT) in JPEG XR image compression is presented. The proposed architecture can achieve the unified architecture design, which supports the three elemental operations of PCT, and it has the characteristics of lower hardware cost, shorter critical path, lower power consumption, more efficient hardware utilisation and regular structure for VLSI implementation. Finally, the implementation on Altera field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices validates the effectiveness of the design.
Moving point target detection based on clutter suppression using spatiotemporal local increment coding
Authors: Deng Lizhen , Zhu Hu
Published: April 2015

A point target detection method based on clutter suppression is proposed to detect moving point targets in infrared (IR) image sequences. First, an algorithm with spatiotemporal local increment coding is proposed to estimate the clutter background. Then the target is detected by suppressing the estimated clutter background. During the spatiotemporal coding process, both inter‐frame and intra‐frame properties of the IR image sequence are taken into account. Experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Self‐tuned SAW‐less GNSS receiver front end with blocker filtering and gain‐irrelevant DC offset cancellation
Authors: Yu Xiaobao , Song Ying , Wang Zhihua , Chi Baoyong
Published: April 2015

A self‐tuned surface acoustic wave (SAW)‐less global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver is proposed. In the self‐tuning mode, the radio‐frequency amplifier (RFA) is configured as an oscillator and the receiver chain is reused to realise a simple self‐calibration. In the normal operation, the RFA works as a Q‐enhanced radio‐frequency filter to remove the out‐of‐band blockers. A gain‐irrelevant DC offset cancellation is also presented. This GNSS receiver achieves 4.8 dB noise figure and a rejection of 25.8 and 31.8 dB for DCS (1710 MHz) and PCS (1850 MHz) blockers, while consuming <5 mA current from a 1.7 V supply.
Design of memoryless output feedback controller of discrete‐time systems with input delay
Authors: Zhang Jinhui , Lin Yujuan , Feng Gang
Published: April 2015

This study addresses the output feedback stabilisation problem of discrete‐time linear systems with input delay. By viewing the difference between the current input and the delayed input as a special disturbance, full‐ and reduced‐order extended state observers are constructed, respectively, to estimate both the state and the disturbance simultaneously. Then the composite control laws are synthesised to actively compensate the input delay by using the state and disturbance estimates. Different from existing predictor‐based control approaches, the proposed controllers are memoryless, and the past input information are thus not needed. Moreover, it can be observed that the information on the size of the input delay is not involved in either the observers or the controllers. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.