bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Household Expenditures on Strategic Foods and Prevalence of Undernutrition among Children 0 to 23 Months of Age in Indonesia
Authors: Mauludyani Anna Vipta Resti , Fahmida Umi , Santika Otte
Published: November 2015

Background

The global economic crisis in 2007/08 resulted in higher food prices, which increased household food expenditures while worsening the quantity and quality of food consumed, potentially leading to child undernutrition.

Objective

To characterize the relationship of the mean proportions of household expenditures on strategic foods with the prevalence of undernutrition (high stunting, wasting, and underweight) among children under 2 years of age in Indonesia.

Methods

The study used data from 437 districts from two nationally representative surveys conducted in 2007, the National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) and the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas).

Results

A higher mean proportion of household expenditure on soybeans was significantly associated with lower odds (3rd vs. 1st tertile) of prevalence of high wasting (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.94; p = .031) and high underweight (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.28; p < .0001). A lower mean proportion of household expenditure on sugar and cooking oil was significantly associated with lower odds of prevalence of high wasting (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.37 to 4.23; p = .002) and high underweight (2nd vs. 1st tertile) (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.41; p = .039).

Conclusions

Among all strategic foods, a higher proportion of household expenditure on soybeans and a lower proportion of household expenditure on sugar and cooking oil are associated with lower odds of high wasting and underweight prevalence among children 0 to 23 months of age. The results indicate the need for promotion of consumption of fermented soybeans and education aiming at decreasing expenditure on sugar and cooking oil to increase consumption of more nutritious foods.
BeHealthy Charities Aid Foundation Program, Russia: A Program Impact Pathways (PIP) Analysis
Authors: Mukhina Marina , Novikova Irina
Published: November 2015

Background

In 2007, the Charities Aid Foundation Branch in Russia, under the initiative of and with financial support from the Mondelēz International Foundation and Mondelēz International, launched the charitable BeHealthy Program. The program's main focus is the implementation of four interrelated activities: conducting lessons for schoolchildren on healthy nutrition, with an emphasis on breakfast; healthy cooking lessons with children; cultivating nutritional plants; and providing conditions to encourage children to engage in more physical activity. The program serves more than 13,000 children attending public schools in the Leningrad (Lomonosovskii District), Vladimir, and Novgorod regions. BeHealthy provides funding for schools and comprehensive educational materials to help schoolchildren develop habits of healthy nutrition and physical activity, as well as consulting and expert support for school staff and other key stakeholders. The program brings in experts on program implementation and training for teachers. Curriculum support also includes printed and Web-based healthy lifestyle educational materials on best practices and positive experience, as well as meetings and conferences with school representatives and local authorities.

Objective

One of the biggest challenges for program managers is to fully understand the complexities of the program, and why and how it is expected to induce changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors of the schoolchildren. For more comprehensive understanding, we performed a Program Impact Pathways (PIP) analysis to identify Critical Quality Control Points (CCPs) and a suite of core indicators of the program's impact on healthy lifestyles. The findings were presented at the Healthy Life-styles Program Evaluation Workshop held in Granada, Spain, 13–14 September 2013, under the auspices of the Mondelēz International Foundation.

Methods

First, we developed an updated logic model based on how the program was executed. We then translated the logic model into a PIP diagram, where pathways that lead from one activity to the next were defined as the program processes. The PIP diagram is a road map to help ensure that the program inputs and activities lead to expected outcomes. Based on this road map, the program identifies and tracks its CCPs.

Results

Ensuring implementation of program activities and evaluating pre-post knowledge and behavior of participants were identified as CCPs.

Conclusions

The PIP analysis was very useful for understanding realistic expectations for the potential of BeHealthy and its inputs. As a result, we now plan to evaluate the impact of the program and, on this basis, further improve the program's implementation and dissemination to other locations.
Health for Life in Primary Schools Program, United Kingdom: A Program Impact Pathways (PIP) Analysis
Authors: Passmore Sandra , Donovan Martin
Published: November 2015

Background

The Health for Life in Primary Schools Program helps schools promote healthy, active lifestyles through curriculum support related to healthy eating and cooking, growing food, physical activity, and family involvement. These interrelated strands are shown to have the greatest impact on healthy lifestyles, and the Health for Life in Primary Schools Program seeks to make these not one-off lessons, but a sustainable part of a school's culture. Each school involved with the program develops its own Action Plan in order to achieve program goals. Each school is assessed by an audit of facilities, skills, and curriculum at baseline and follow-up, and the pupils complete an on-line questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Other impact measures are individual to the school and relate to its own Action Plan.

Method

Health for Life in Primary Schools sought to assess the cohesiveness and strength of the program using the Program Impact Pathways (PIP) model. The program was deconstructed to its individual parts, with each part assessed in terms of its contribution to the overall program and constraints upon its effectiveness.

Results

The PIP analysis helped clarify the logic and structure of the program, whether its objectives can be achieved, the Critical Quality Control Points (CCPs), and the impact measures required to demonstrate success. The core indicators identified for impact evaluation were knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pupils around healthy eating, cooking, growing food, and physical activity.

Conclusion

The PIP model confirmed that the Health for Life in Primary Schools Program is well structured and is well suited to achieve its goals. The findings were presented at the Healthy Lifestyles Program Evaluation Workshop held in Granada, Spain, 13–14 September 2013, under the auspices of the Mondelēz International Foundation.
Ready-to-Use Foods for Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition: Considerations for Scaling up Production and Use in Programs
Authors: Osendarp Saskia , Rogers Beatrice , Ryan Kelsey , Manary Mark , Akomo Peter , Bahwere Paluku , Belete Hilina , Zeilani Mamane , Islam Munirul , Dibari Filippo , de Pee Saskia
Published: November 2015

Ready-to-use foods are one of the available strategies for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), but challenges remain in the use of these products in programs at scale. This paper focuses on two challenges: the need for cheaper formulations using locally available ingredients that are processed in a safe, reliable, and financially sustainable local production facility; and the effective use of these products in large-scale community-based programs.

Linear programming tools can be used successfully to design local compositions that are in line with international guidelines, low in cost, and acceptable, and the efficacy of these local formulations in the treatment of MAM was recently demonstrated in Malawi.

The production of local formulations for programs at scale relies on the existence of a reliable and efficient local production facility. Technical assistance may be required in the development of sustainable business models at an early stage in the process, taking into account the stringent product quality and safety criteria and the required investments.

The use of ready-to-use products, as of any food supplement, in programs at scale will be affected by the practice of household sharing and diversion of these products for other uses. Additional measures can be considered to account for sharing. These products designed for the treatment and prevention of MAM are to be used in community-based programs and should therefore be used in conjunction with other interventions and designed so that they do not replace the intake of other foods and breastmilk. Remaining challenges and implications for the (operations) research agenda are discussed.
Vitamin A Reduces the Inhibition of Iron Absorption by Phytates and Polyphenols
Authors: Layrisse Miguel , García-Casal María Nieves , Solano Liseti , Barón María Adela , Arguello Franklin , Llovera Daisy , Ramírez José , Leets Irene , Tropper Eleonora
Published: November 2015

In searching for an explanation for the rapid response to iron-fortification programmes, we focused on the interaction of vitamin A and inhibitors of iron absorption from a basal breakfast containing bread from either pre-cooked maize flour or wheat flour plus cheese and margarine. These breads were labeled with either 59Fe or 55Fe. These experiments demonstrated that vitamin A prevented the inhibiting effect of polyphenols and phytates on iron absorption. It was also demonstrated that vitamin A had the same effect on iron absorption as phytase.
A Lesser-Known Grain, Chenopodium Quinoa: Review of the Chemical Composition of its Edible Parts
Authors: Ahamed N. Thoufeek , Singhal Rekha S. , Kulkarni Pushpa R. , Pal Mohinder
Published: November 2015

In this era of ever-increasing world population, newer food and feed crops that have been hitherto neglected are gaining recognition. The rejection of such lesser-known food crops has been due not to any inferiority but to the lack of research resources in the place of origin and often to their being scorned as “poor people's plants.” The genus Chenopodium supplies tasty and nutritious leaves as well as pink- to cream-coloured edible seeds. Tolerance to cold, drought, and salinity and the high lysine content of the seed protein are the attractive features of quinoa (Chenopodiumquinoa), the most frequently consumed species in the Andean regions of South America, Africa, some parts of Asia, and Europe. This review compares and evaluates the nutritional and antinutritional constituents of the leaves and seeds of C. quinoa vis-à-vis their conventional counterparts and argues for the acceptance of this plant in human diets.
High Prevalence of Anaemia among Women in Mumbai, India
Authors: Brabin Loretta , Nicholas Sarala , Gogate Alka , Gogate Sharad , Karande Alka
Published: November 2015

Iron-deficiency anaemia is highly prevalent among women of reproductive age in South-East Asia. In this study, the haemoglobin levels of 2,813 women living in inner-city Mumbai, India, were measured as part of a reproductive health study. Women were recruited over a two-year period at three health facilities providing pregnancy and post-partum services. Five reproductive groups were studied, and the haemoglobin values differed significantly among the groups. Infertile women and women without living children had the highest haemoglobin values ( p <.01). However, a least-squares regression analysis of factors affecting haemoglobin status accounted for only 16% of the variability observed. The study concludes that nutritional interventions that focus on reducing fertility or iron supplementation during pregnancy are beneficial, but many women remain iron deficient. Action is needed to improve nutritional status before pregnancy—a policy that is feasible given the current interest in adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes.
The Helen Keller International Food-Frequency Method Underestimates Vitamin A Intake Where Sustained Breastfeeding is Common
Authors: Persson Viveka , Greiner Ted , Islam Sirajul , Gebre-Medhin Mehari
Published: November 2015

A recent innovation in assessing community vitamin A status is the Helen Keller International food-frequency method, which is based on weekly intakes of key foods among pre-school children. Since it excludes breastmilk, we investigated whether the amount of breastmilk received by 40 children aged one to three years in a rural area of Bangladesh contributed significantly to their vitamin A intake. Vitamin A intake was indirectly calculated from the consumption of breastmilk, which was quantified over a 9-hour period by a test-weighing technique. The estimated mean 24-hour milk intake was 548 g for the 97% who were breastfed at 12 to 23 months and 312 g for the 73% who were breastfed at 24 to 36 months. This represents an average daily intake of 41% and 23% of the safe recommended daily intake (400 RE) for vitamin A, respectively. The Helen Keller International food-frequency method should be revalidated for settings where breastfeeding is sustained beyond infancy.
Assessing Intellectual and Affective Development before Age Three: A Perspective on Changing Practices
Authors: Meisels Samuel J. , Atkins-Burnett Sally
Published: November 2015

Developmental assessment is an ongoing process of systematic observation and analysis, the purpose of which is to understand the child's competencies and resources and the caregiving and learning environments most likely to assist the child in making the best use of his or her developmental potential. for many years young children have been assessed with normative instruments that focus primarily on evaluating their intellectual development. Many myths surround the use of these instruments with very young children, including the following: intelligence can be defined and measured with confidence;\ intelligence test data have diagnostic relevance; early intelligence tests have predictive value; such tests are useful for assessing young children with special needs; practitioners value and use these tests in their clinical practice; and IQ tests fulfill the legal purposes and intent of public laws. Each of these statements represents a misstatement of fact, and none of them has a strong evidentiary basis.

In place of the narrow classificatory function served by such tests, a variety of other approaches to assessing intellectual and affective development in the first three years of life are described. These instruments are consistent with a group of principles of responsive, developmentally oriented assessment that include recognizing the interdependence of development, understanding the importance of using multiple sources and multiple components in assessment, providing a meaningful sequence for assessment, respecting and evaluating child–caregiver relationships, basing assessments on a framework of typical development, emphasizing the organizational and functional capabilities of the child, focusing on the child's current and emerging competencies and strengths, viewing assessment as a process of collaboration and the beginning of an intervention, and understanding that assessment and intervention are two elements of a larger whole. Assessments that are defined in terms of these principles assist us in meeting our most important goal: assisting all children to achieve their potential.
Effects of Health and Nutrition on Cognitive and Behavioural Development in Children in the First Three Years of Life: Part 1: Low Birthweight, Breastfeeding, and Protein-Energy Malnutrition
Authors: Grantham-McGregor Sally M. , Fernald Lia C. , Sethuraman Kavita
Published: November 2015

The following paper and its accompanying paper (Grantham-McGregor SM, et al. Effects of health and nutrition on cognitive and behavioural development in children in the first three years of life. Part 2: Infections and micronutrient deficiencies: iodine, iron, and zinc. Food Nutr Bull 1999;20:76–99) review the literature on the conditions that are prevalent and considered to be likely to affect child development and are therefore of public health importance. the reviews are selective, and we have generally focused on recent work, particularly in areas that remain controversial. the reviews are restricted to nutritional and health insults that are important in the first three years of life. Where possible, we have discussed the better studies. This paper considers the effects of low birthweight (focusing on small-for-gestational-age babies) and early childhood protein-energy malnutrition on mental, motor, and behavioural development. We have also included a section on breastfeeding because of its importance to child health and nutrition programmes.
Overview of Early Child-Care and Education Programmes and Jamaican Case Studies
Authors: Powell Christine
Published: November 2015

The extent to which early childhood programmes can produce long-term benefits to children's cognitive and social-emotional development continues to be a major concern of policy makers. This paper examines some of the model intervention programmes for children under four years of age that have been carried out in the United States and some developing countries, with emphasis on our experience in Jamaica. in general, programme participants have shown concurrent gains in IQ during the intervention. These have been sustained into the early school years, after which there is a tendency for the gains to decline. However, some programmes have reported persistence of IQ gains to the age of 12 years. Long-term gains in educational progress include fewer placements in special education classes and less grade retention. Programmes of greater duration and intensity were more likely to be successful.
Community-Based Programmes: Success Factors for Public Nutrition Derived from the Experience of Thailand
Authors: Tontisirin Kraisid , Winichagoon Pattanee
Published: November 2015

Thailand has faced the major nutritional problems of protein–energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, notably iron, iodine, and vitamin A deficiencies. for decades, the problem was addressed through the national health planning system. Its alleviation was embedded in a service-driven approach, which not only consumed a disproportionate share of the government budget, but also restricted participation by the people and depended heavily on centralized planning. This approach failed, resulting in a paradigm shift to community-driven programmes, which were seen as investments for the health of the Thai population. Nutrition was framed as part of the National Economic and Social Development Plan. A comprehensive situation analysis was undertaken and the results were used for community mobilizing, organizing, and financing, using basic minimum needs indicators to guide the process. Critical to the success of the community-based approach was the village-level volunteer system, which featured manageable ratios of mobilizers, facilitators, and households, interacting to define the needs of the communities and propose solutions.
Protein Nutritional Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Tropical Ghanaian Quality Protein Maize
Authors: Ahenkora Kwaku , Twumasi-Afriyie Stratford , Sallah Peter Yao Kanze , Obeng-Antwi Kwadwo
Published: November 2015

Quality protein maize (QPM) is a high-lysine, high-tryptophan variety. the essential amino acid profile, the protein efficiency ratio (PER) of mixtures of QPM and normal maize, and the hedonic response to three traditional foods were studied with four QPM varieties. the lysine content of the QPM varieties ranged from 3.7 to 4.2 g/100 g protein and was significantly (p < .05) higher than that for normal maize (2.6 to 3.1 g/100 g protein), but lower than the FAO-recommended human level of 5.0 g/100 g protein, the PER values of normal maize showed significant (p < .05) improvement at replacement levels of 60% or more with QPM. the overall acceptability scores showed that QPM varieties were equally acceptable as normal maize in ga kenkey and were preferred to the local normal maize in tuo zafi. The tropical Ghanaian QPM varieties have enhanced amino acid profiles and were acceptable in traditional foods.
Combined retrograde–antegrade arterial wiring: Peroneal artery can be a bridge to cross infrapopliteal Trans Atlantic Inter Society Consensus D lesions
Authors: Lotfi Usama , Haggag Magdy
Published: November 2015

Background

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of complex infrapopliteal lesions might be a true and complex challenge. Success rates remain suboptimal when employing standard approaches. Thus, recanalization techniques for infrapopliteal disease remain a seat of continuous evolution.

Aim of the study

We report our results of Trans Atlantic Inter Society Consensus D infrapopliteal disease recanalization using combined antegrade-retrograde approach through peroneal artery branches.

Patients and methods

A total of 27 patients with infrapopliteal Trans Atlantic Inter Society Consensus D lesions underwent recanalization of at least one of the tibial arteries by combined retrograde–antegrade route using the peroneal artery normal anastomosis channels.

Results

Technical success was achieved in 22 patients who were followed for 6–24 months. Healing of ischemic ulcers or spontaneous separation of ischemic gangrenous patches in 13 patients. Minor amputation in nine patients. No major amputation in the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Although demanding, the technique can be reserved for selected cases with failed antegrade recanalization. This technique is valuable when a proximal occlusion is not crossable, when a dissection flap or a perforation in the proximal portion of a target vessel hinders guide-wire advancement. This technique may represent a feasible endovascular option to avoid second distal puncture exhausting the landing zone of a future distal bypass.
Adolescent Suicide: One School's Response
Authors: Adams Cheryll M.
Published: November 2015

During a span of about three months in 1994, three students associated with a state-supported residential high school for gifted students committed suicide. This article documents the responses of that school to these events.
Helping High Ability Students Overcome Math Anxiety through Bibliotherapy
Authors: Hébert Thomas P. , Furner Joseph M.
Published: November 2015

Affective factors play a critical role in mathematics learning and instruction. Evidence of negative attitudes and high levels of anxiety toward mathematics is abundant. Since math anxiety is widespread and the need for the understanding of mathematics is critical to success in school, secondary teachers need practical classroom strategies to use to relieve these anxious feelings in their high ability students. Bibliotherapy is one such strategy through which secondary students may gain helpful insights to deal with their math anxiety. The article provides a lesson plan featuring Math Curse and then suggests available literature dealing with math anxiety.
Psychometric Characteristics of the Adolescent Coping Scale with Academically Gifted Adolescents
Authors: Plucker Jonathan A.
Published: November 2015

Researchers investigate the affective aspects of adolescents' giftedness with increasing frequency, but their efforts are hampered by the lack of information regarding the reliability and validity of available instruments. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of the psychometric properties of the Adolescent Coping Scale (Frydenberg & Lewis, 1993) when used with academically gifted adolescents. Results suggest that the Adolescent Coping Scale is sufficiently reliable for group administration and research purposes with the possible exception of the Not Coping (alpha = .57) and Seek Relaxing Diversions scales (alpha = .51). Exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood extraction with oblimin rotation) provides evidence of construct validity for 12 of the 18 scales. Researchers are advised to cautiously interpret gifted students' scores on the remaining six scales (Invest in Close Friends, Not Coping, Focus on Solving the Problem, Seek to Belong, Wishful Thinking, Seek Relaxing Diversions).
Fanning the Spark of Exceptional Creativity
Authors: Mace F. Borden
Published: November 2015

This article provides a brief history of the people and events that came together in the formation of three of the first public residential schools for gifted students: the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics, the Louisiana School for Mathematics, Science and Technology, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. These schools were formed through a series of risks and opportunities by people who cared about the future of their state's most able students. Mace offers a first-hand review of how these fine schools came to be.
Talent Search
Authors: Olszewski-Kubilius Paula
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the purpose and rationale of talent search is presented, followed by a discussion of the phenomenon of talent search. Talent search includes three important components: diagnosis and evaluation of domains and levels of talent; educational placement and guidance; and talent development opportunities, including summer programs, distance learning programs, contests, competitions, and other related events. There is a solid research base that supports the validity of the talent search identification protocol, the success of students in accelerative programs and the benefits of participation. Talent search has had an effect on general education, particularly with influencing ideas about students' readiness for learning and the timing and pace of instruction. Talent search programs also need to take steps to ensure greater access, particularly to economically disadvantaged students.
Revision of the Social Coping Questionnaire: Replication and Extension of Previous Findings
Authors: Swiatek Mary Ann , Dorr Rebekah M.
Published: November 2015

Research into the psychosocial experiences of gifted adolescents indicates that they believe others see them as “different,” and this perception may interfere with social interaction. Some authors have described the experience of being identified as gifted in school as socially stigmatizing. The few studies that have investigated how gifted adolescents cope with this stigma suggest that they use a variety of methods to control the information others have about them. The Social Coping Questionnaire (SCQ) was designed to measure such strategies. The current study presents an expansion of the SCQ and supports previous findings indicating that the social coping strategies used by gifted adolescents are identifiable and measurable. Factor analysis of the revised SCQ produced five social coping factors: denial of giftedness, emphasis on popularity, peer acceptance, social interaction, and hiding giftedness. Gender differences suggest that females are more likely than males to deny their abilities and report high levels of interpersonal activity.
Reframing the Praxis of School Leadership Preparation through Digital Storytelling
Authors: Guajardo Miguel , Oliver John A. , Rodríguez Gregory , Valadez Mónica M. , Cantú Yvette , Guajardo Francisco
Published: November 2015

This article introduces a social innovation that contributes to the formation of educational leaders. Digital storytelling is employed as a process for data creation, analysis, and synthesis. Emerging educational leaders are guided through a process to better understand the experiences and social constructs that inform their identity. Through a dialogical and reflective mode this article employs a student's story, where the text of story emerges as the unit of analysis as it is embedded into the text as primary data. Technology complements the storytelling process to construct a digitalstory of self as the student embarks in a leadership program.
Constructing Collective Understanding in School: Principal and Student Use of Iterative Digital Reflection
Authors: Janson Christopher , Parikh Sejal , Young James , Fudge La'Von
Published: November 2015

Principal preparation around the development of reflective practices has traditionally focused on the individual reflective practices of principals. Recently, reflective discourse between principals and students has facilitated principals' understanding of student perspectives regarding school policies and processes. We explore the use of digital video to facilitate principal and student reflection by recasting reflection as a collaborative process in which collective understandings are developed through reflective discourse. Specifically, this participatory action research (PAR) approach examined a case example of the Iterative Digital Reflection (IDR) process between a high school principal and a 9th grade student that focused on practices, processes, and programs that they perceived to facilitate student college preparedness and readiness.
From Ground to Distance: The Impact of Advanced Technologies on An Innovative School Leadership Program
Authors: Korach Susan , Agans Lyndsay J.
Published: November 2015

An educational leadership preparation program for the 21st Century not only makes use of innovations in teaching and learning, but pushes the educational experience forward through the effective use of advanced technologies. This idea frames the delivery methodology for a blended online principal preparation program. The blended online program was designed upon the foundation of an existing innovative classroom-based principal preparation program. The technology enhanced program relied on three instructional technologies: high-participation threaded online discussions through Blackboard, the use of digital portfolios for project management and evaluation, and the establishment of online communities of inquiry and supportive networks. Since the classroom-based and blended online principal preparation programs share a common evaluation framework and project design, this consistency offers a unique opportunity to explore the impact of the utilization of advanced technologies in the delivery of a professional preparation program. Initial findings reveal that program participants in the blended online program report similar outcomes as those in the classroom-based program. The power of the field-based inquiry projects and the implementation and impact of the technologically advanced delivery system are discussed along with implications for program development.
Breaking News: Utilizing Video Simulations to Improve Educational Leaders' Public Speaking Skills
Authors: Friend Jennifer , Adams April , Curry George
Published: November 2015

This article examines specific uses of video simulations in one educational leadership preparation program to advance future school and district leaders' skills related to public speaking and participation in televised news interviews. One faculty member and two advanced educational leadership candidates share their perspectives of several applications of advanced technologies, including one-on-one video simulations with the instructor and collaborative peer review of video portfolios. Finally, the authors provide links to multimedia examples of these digital artifacts from an advanced educational leadership course, titled Effective Practices: Media, Government & Public Communications, offered at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
New minerals with a modular structure derived from hatrurite from the pyrometamorphic Hatrurim Complex. Part II. Zadovite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F and aradite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)](VO4)2F,
from paralavas of the Hatrurim Basin, Negev Desert, Israel
Authors: Galuskin E. V. , Gfeller F. , Galuskina I. O. , Pakhomova A. , Armbruster T. , Vapnik Y. , Włodyka R. , Dzierżanowski P. , Murashko M.
Published: November 2015

Zadovite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F (R3m, a = 7.0966(1) Å, c = 25.7284(3), V = 1122.13(3) Å3, Z = 3) and aradite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)] (VO4)2F (R3m, a = 7.1300(1), c = 26.2033(9) Å, V = 1153.63(6) Å3, Z = 3) are two new mineral species of a novel modular structure type related closely to the structure of nabimusaite, KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F. Both minerals occur in paralavas enclosed in pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex, Negev desert, Israel. Zadovite and aradite are colourless, transparent with a white streak, have a vitreous lustre and an uneven fracture. Both minerals are uniaxial (–) with refractive indices (589 nm) ω = 1.711(2), ε = 1.708(2) (zadovite) and ω = 1.784(3), ε = 1.780(3) (aradite). The zadovite structure type comprises two tetrahedral sites, which may host a broad compositional range of atoms such as Si, P, V and S. Results of electron microprobe analyses show a correlation between excess Si4+ and S6+ contents, suggesting the substitution scheme 2(P,V)5+ = Si4+ + S6+ at the tetrahedral sites. This points to the possibility of new minerals isostructural with zadovite with end-member formulae BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(SO4)]F, BaCa6(SiO4)2[(VO4)(SO4)]F, BaCa6[(SiO4)1.5(SO4)0.5](PO4)2F and BaCa6[(SiO4)1.5(SO4)0.5](VO4)2F. The Raman spectra of aradite and zadovite reflect the varying PO4 (e.g. change of band intensity at ∼1031 cm–1) and VO4 contents (e.g. change of band intensity at ∼835 cm–1). The presence of SO4 leads to an additional Raman band at ∼997 cm–1. The structure of zadovite-series minerals belonging to the nabimusaite group is characterized by a 1:1 alternation of antiperovskite-like {[FCa6](TO4)2}4+ modules and Ba(TO4)2–4 modules.
Flurlite, Zn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2·9H2O, a new mineral from the Hagendorf Süd pegmatite, Bavaria, with a schoonerite-related structure
Authors: Grey I. E. , Keck E. , Mumme W. G. , Pring A. , Macrae C. M. , Gable R. W. , Price J. R.
Published: November 2015

Flurlite, ideally Zn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2·9H2O, is a new mineral from the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Flurlite occurs as ultrathin (<1 μm) translucent platelets that form characteristic twisted accordion-like aggregates. The colour varies from bright orange red to dark maroon red. Cleavage is perfect parallel to (001). The mineral occurs on mitridatite and is closely associated with plimerite. Other associated minerals are beraunite, schoonerite, parascholzite, robertsite and altered phosphophyllite. The calculated density of flurlite is 2.84 g cm–3. It is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.60(1), β= 1.65(1) and γ = 1.68(1), with weak dispersion and parallel extinction, X ≈ c, Y ≈ a, Z ≈ b. Pleochroism is weak, with colours: X = pale yellow, Y = pale orange, Z = orange brown. Electron microprobe analyses (average of seven) with FeO and Fe2O3 apportioned and H2O calculated on structural grounds, gave ZnO 25.4, MnO 5.28, MgO 0.52, FeO 7.40, Fe2O3 10.3, P2O5 27.2, H2O 23.1, total 99.2 wt.%. The empirical formula, based on 3 P a.p.f.u. is Zn2.5Mn2+0.6Fe2+0.8Mg0.1Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2·9H2O. Flurlite is monoclinic, P21/m, with the unit-cell parameters (at 100 K) of a = 6.3710(13), b = 11.020(2), c = 13.016(3) Å, β = 99.34 (3)°. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(I) (hkl)] 12.900(100)(001); 8.375(10)(011); 6.072(14)(101); 5.567(8)(012); 4.297(21)(003); 2.763(35)(040). Flurlite (R1 = 0.057 for 995 F > 4σ(F)) has a heteropolyhedral layer structure, with layers parallel to (001) and with water molecules packing between the layers. The slab-like layers contain two types of polyhedral chains running parallel to [100]: (a) chains of edge-sharing octahedra containing predominantly Zn and (b) chains in which Fe3+-centred octahedra share their apices with dimers comprising Zn-centred trigonal bipyramids sharing an edge with PO4 tetrahedra. The two types of chains are interconnected by corner-sharing along [010]. A second type of PO4 tetrahedron connects the chains to MnO2(H2O)4 octahedra along [010] to complete the structure of the (001) slabs. Flurlite has the same stoichiometry as schoonerite, but with dominant Zn rather than Fe2+ in the edge-shared chains. Schoonerite has a similar heteropolyhedral layer structure with the same layer dimensions 6.4 × 11.1 Å. The different symmetry (orthorhombic, Pmab) for schoonerite reflects a different topology of the layers.
Identification of altered protein abundances in cholesteatoma matrix via mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis
Authors: Randall Derrick R. , Park Phillip S. , Chau Justin K.
Published: November 2015

Background

Cholesteatoma are cyst-like structures lined with a matrix of differentiated squamous epithelium overlying connective tissue. Although epithelium normally exhibits self-limited growth, cholesteatoma matrix erodes mucosa and bone suggesting changes in matrix protein constituents that permit destructive behaviour. Differential proteomic studies can measure and compare the cholesteatoma proteome to normal tissues, revealing protein alterations that may propagate the destructive process.

Methods

Human cholesteatoma matrix, cholesteatoma-involved ossicles, and normal middle ear mucosa, post-auricular skin, and non-involved ossicles were harvested. These tissues were subjected to multiplex peptide labeling followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Relative protein abundances were compared and evaluated for ontologic function and putative involvement in cholesteatoma.

Results

Our methodology detected 10 764 peptides constituting 1662 unique proteins at 95 % confidence or greater. Twenty-nine candidate proteins were identified in soft tissue analysis, with 29 additional proteins showing altered abundances in bone samples. Ontologic functions and known relevance to cholesteatoma are discussed, with several candidates highlighted for their roles in epithelial integrity, evasion of apoptosis, and immunologic function.

Conclusion

This study produced an extensive cholesteatoma proteome and identified 58 proteins with altered abundances contributing to disease pathopathysiology. As well, potential biomarkers of residual disease were highlighted. Further investigation into these proteins may provide useful options for novel therapeutics or monitoring disease status.
Ground Motion Parameter Sensitivity to Shear Strain Ratio in Equivalent Linear Analyses
Authors: Carlton Brian
Published: November 2015

This paper compares 5,715 equivalent linear analyses to examine the sensitivity of the results to the shear strain ratio ( SR). The results show that as SR increases, equivalent linear analyses predict larger values of maximum shear strain ( γ max), peak ground displacement, mean period ( T m), and spectral acceleration ( Sa) at long periods, smaller values of peak ground acceleration ( PGA), Arias intensity, significant duration, and Sa at short periods, and similar values of peak ground velocity and Sa at middle periods. SR has a non-negligible effect on predicted values of γ max, T m, and Sa at short and long periods. This study also compares measured values from 80 ground motions and six vertical arrays with the results of equivalent linear analyses conducted using two methods to calculate SR. The results show that using SR = 0.65 gives a 2–10% better fit than using SR = ( M − 1)/10, where M is the earthquake magnitude.
TimerQuant: A modelling approach to tandem fluorescent timer design and data interpretation for measuring protein turnover in embryos
Authors: Barry Joseph D. , Donà Erika , Gilmour Darren , Huber Wolfgang
Published: November 2015

Studies on signalling dynamics in living embryos have been limited by a scarcity of in vivo reporters. Tandem fluorescent protein timers provide a generic method for detecting changes in protein population age and thus provide readouts for signalling events that lead to changes in protein stability or location. When imaged with quantitative dual-colour fluorescence microscopy, tandem timers offer detailed ‘snapshot’ readouts of signalling activity from subcellular to organismal scales, and therefore have the potential to revolutionize studies in developing embryos. Here we use computer modelling and embryo experiments to explore the behaviour of tandem timers in developing systems. We present a mathematical model of timer kinetics and provide software tools that will allow experimentalists to select the most appropriate timer designs for their biological question, and guide interpretation of the obtained readouts. Through the generation of a series of novel zebrafish reporter lines, we confirm experimentally that our quantitative model can accurately predict different timer responses in developing embryos and explain some less expected findings. For example, increasing the FRET efficiency of a tandem timer actually increases the ability of the timer to detect differences in protein half-life. Finally, while previous studies have used timers to monitor changes in protein turnover, our model shows that timers can also be used to facilitate the monitoring of gene expression kinetics in vivo.
Transcription factor regulation as a mechanism of confounding effects between distinct human traits
Authors: Pjanic Milos , Miller Clint L. , Quertermous Thomas
Published: November 2015

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to date have discovered thousands of genetic variants linked to human diseases and traits, which hold the potential to unravel the mechanisms of complex phenotypes. However, given that the majority of these associated variants reside in non-coding genomic regions, their predicted cis and trans-regulatory functions remain largely undefined. Here we show that correlation between human diseases and traits can follow geographical distribution of human populations, and that the underlying mechanism is at least partly genetically based. We report two Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) GWAS variants (rs7903146 and rs12255372) in the TCF7L2 locus that regulate expression in skin tissues but not lymphoblastoid or adipose tissues, of the KITLG gene that encodes an important regulator of melanogenesis and light hair color in European populations. We also report extensive binding events of TCF7L2 protein in the promoter region, immediate upstream region and first intron of the KITLG gene, which supports a trans-interaction between TCF7L2 and KITLG. We further show that both light hair color and T2D genetic variants are correlated with geographic latitude. Taken together, our observations suggest that natural variation in transcription factor loci in European human populations may be an underlying and confounding factor for the geographical correlation between human phenotypes, such as type 2 diabetes and light hair color. We postulate that transcription factor regulation may confound the correlation between seemingly diverse human traits. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate the importance of dissecting the genomic architecture of GWAS loci using multiple genetic and genomic datasets.
Practice Oriented Training at Moscow Schools or How to Make Trainingresults Useful
Authors: Чернобай  , Chernobay Elena
Published: November 2015

The article defi nes signifi cance and importance of inter-subject approach to training schoolchildren, presents the modern view on process of the

organization of practice-focused training of pupils, and examplifi es such training on Moscow education system.
Constituencies and Legislation: The Fight Over the McFadden Act of 1927
Authors: Rajan Raghuram G. , Ramcharan Rodney
Published: November 2015

The McFadden Act of 1927 was one of the most hotly contested pieces of legislation in U.S. banking history, and its influence was felt over half a century later. This paper studies the congressional voting behavior surrounding the act’s passage. We find that congressmen in districts in which landholdings were concentrated and credit was costlier were significantly more likely to oppose the act. The evidence suggests that whereas the law and the overall regulatory structure can shape the financial system far into the future, they themselves are likely to be shaped by elites, even in countries with benign political institutions.

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Comparing Securitized and Balance Sheet Loans: Size Matters
Authors: Ghent Andra , Valkanov Rossen
Published: November 2015

We assemble a unique data set of commercial mortgages with information on loan characteristics at origination and subsequent performance. The most significant difference between securitized and balance sheet loans is the size of the loan. The loans in the highest loan size decile have a 43% chance of securitization, whereas the ones in the lowest decile have only a 1% chance. This result is consistent with diversification being a key motivation for securitization. We also find that loans that require substantial monitoring are less likely to be securitized. Finally, securitized loans get resolved less quickly after defaulting.

This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.
Setting Planned Leadtimes in Customer-Order-Driven Assembly Systems
Authors: Atan Zümbül , de Kok Ton , Dellaert Nico P. , van Boxel Richard , Janssen Fred
Published: November 2015

We study an assembly system with a number of parallel multistage processes feeding a multistage final assembly process. Each stage has a stochastic throughput time. We assume that the system is controlled by planned leadtimes at each stage. From these planned leadtimes the start and due times of all stages can be derived. If a job finishes at a particular stage and has to wait before the start of the next job(s), a holding cost proportional to the waiting time is incurred. A penalty cost proportional to the lateness is incurred when the last stage of the final assembly process finishes after its due time. The objective is to determine planned leadtimes for each individual stage, such that the expected cost of a customer order is minimized.

We derive the recursive equations for the tardiness and earliness at all stages and an exact expression for the expected cost. We discuss the similarity between these expressions and those for serial inventory systems. Based on this observation and a conjecture related to the generalized Newsvendor equations, we develop an iterative heuristic procedure. Comparison with a numerical optimization method confirms the accuracy of the heuristic. Finally, we discuss an application of the model to a real-life case, showing the added value of a system-wide optimization of planned leadtimes compared to current practice.
Singular limit solutions for a 2-dimensional semilinear elliptic system of Liouville type
Authors: Trabelsi Maryem , Trabelsi Nihed
Published: November 2015

We consider the existence of singular
limit solutions for a nonlinear elliptic system of Liouville type
with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We use the nonlinear domain
decomposition method.
Plutarch’s Theory of Cosmological Powers in the De Iside et Osiride
Authors: Petrucci Federico Maria
Published: November 2015

The Platonic section of the De Iside (chapters 45–64) offers a complex account of Plutarch’s theory of cosmological principles. In this paper I shall supplement conventional interpretations and set out to demonstrate that: Osiris is the whole of the “positive” and ordering powers operating within the actual (that is, post-creational) world; Typhon is not the pre-cosmic soul, but the negative and destructive powers at work within it; Isis is not mere matter or the world soul, but the world soul as the material “battlefield” for opposite powers in the world; the object of Plutarch’s analysis is not the pre-cosmic world, but the post-creational stage. Finally, I shall explain the logic of Plutarch’s account, which fits with the literary genre he develops in this text.
Design of a Compact Quad-Channel Diplexer
Authors: Xu Jin
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a compact quad-channel diplexer by using two asymmetrical coupling shorted stub loaded stepped-impedance (SSLSIR) dual-band bandpass filters (DB-BPFs) to replace two single-band BPFs in a traditional BPF-based diplexer. Part of its impedance matching circuit is implemented by using a three-element lowpass T-network to acquire the desired phase shift. Detailed design procedures are given to guide the diplexer design. The fabricated quad-channel diplexer occupies a compact circuit area of 0.168