bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Dehydroabietic Acid Derivatives Conjugated with Acyl-Thiourea Peptide Moiety as Antitumor Agents
Authors: Jin Le , Qu Hong-En , Huang Xiao-Chao , Pan Ying-Ming , Liang Dong , Chen Zhen-Feng , Wang Heng-Shan , Zhang Ye
Published: June 2015

A series of dehydroabietic acid (DHAA) acyl-thiourea derivatives were designed and synthesized as potent antitumor agents. The in vitro pharmacological screening results revealed that the target compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity against HeLa, SK-OV-3 and MGC-803 tumor cell lines, while they showed lower cytotoxicity against HL-7702 normal human river cells. Compound 9n (IC50 = 6.58 ± 1.11 μM) exhibited the best antitumor activity against the HeLa cell line and even displayed more potent inhibitory activity than commercial antitumor drug 5-FU (IC50 = 36.58 ± 1.55 μM). The mechanism of representative compound 9n was then studied by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, Hoechst 33,258 staining, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential staining, TUNEL assay and flow cytometry, which illustrated that this compound could induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. Cell cycle analysis indicated that compound 9n mainly arrested HeLa cells in the S phase stage. Further investigation demonstrated that compound 9n induced apoptosis of HeLa cells through a mitochondrial pathway.
Lack of Globulin Synthesis during Seed Development Alters Accumulation of Seed Storage Proteins in Rice
Authors: Lee Hye-Jung , Jo Yeong-Min , Lee Jong-Yeol , Lim Sun-Hyung , Kim Young-Mi
Published: June 2015

The major seed storage proteins (SSPs) in rice seeds have been classified into three types, glutelins, prolamins, and globulin, and the proportion of each SSP varies. It has been shown in rice mutants that when either glutelins or prolamins are defective, the expression of another type of SSP is promoted to counterbalance the deficit. However, we observed reduced abundances of glutelins and prolamins in dry seeds of a globulin-deficient rice mutant (Glb-RNAi), which was generated with RNA interference (RNAi)-induced suppression of globulin expression. The expression of the prolamin and glutelin subfamily genes was reduced in the immature seeds of Glb-RNAi lines compared with those in wild type. A proteomic analysis of Glb-RNAi seeds showed that the reductions in glutelin and prolamin were conserved at the protein level. The decreased pattern in glutelin was also significant in the presence of a reductant, suggesting that the polymerization of the glutelin proteins via intramolecular disulfide bonds could be interrupted in Glb-RNAi seeds. We also observed aberrant and loosely packed structures in the storage organelles of Glb-RNAi seeds, which may be attributable to the reductions in SSPs. In this study, we evaluated the role of rice globulin in seed development, showing that a deficiency in globulin could comprehensively reduce the expression of other SSPs.
Addendum: Zhao, X.; et al. Properties of Foamed Mortar Prepared with Granulated Blast-furnace Slag. Materials 2015, 8(2), 462-473
Authors: Zhao Xiao , Lim Siong-Kang , Tan Cher-Siang , Li Bo , Ling Tung-Chai , Huang Runqiu , Wang Qingyuan
Published: June 2015

The authors world like to amend the following affiliation for Xiao Zhao and Runqiu Huang of paper [1]: [...]
The Anticancer, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of the Sesquiterpene β-Caryophyllene from the Essential Oil of Aquilaria crassna
Authors: Dahham Saad , Tabana Yasser , Iqbal Muhammad , Ahamed Mohamed , Ezzat Mohammed , Majid Aman , Majid Amin
Published: June 2015

The present study reports a bioassay-guided isolation of β-caryophyllene from the essential oil of Aquilaria crassna. The structure of β-caryophyllene was confirmed using FT-IR, NMR and MS. The antimicrobial effect of β-caryophyllene was examined using human pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Its anti-oxidant properties were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of β-caryophyllene was tested against seven human cancer cell lines. The corresponding selectivity index was determined by testing its cytotoxicity on normal cells. The effects of β-caryophyllene were studied on a series of in vitro antitumor-promoting assays using colon cancer cells. Results showed that β-caryophyllene demonstrated selective antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC 3 ± 1.0 µM) and more pronounced anti-fungal activity than kanamycin. β-Caryophyllene also displayed strong antioxidant effects. Additionally, β-caryophyllene exhibited selective anti-proliferative effects against colorectal cancer cells (IC50 19 µM). The results also showed that β-caryophyllene induces apoptosis via nuclear condensation and fragmentation pathways including disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, β-caryophyllene demonstrated potent inhibition against clonogenicity, migration, invasion and spheroid formation in colon cancer cells. These results prompt us to state that β-caryophyllene is the active principle responsible for the selective anticancer and antimicrobial activities of A. crassnia. β-Caryophyllene has great potential to be further developed as a promising chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal malignancies.
Urinary Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Effect of Shenfu Decoction on Chronic Heart Failure in Rats
Authors: Yang Dawei , Wang Xiaoxing , Wu Yaping , Lu Bo , Yuan Aifeng , Leon Carlos , Guo Na
Published: June 2015

Shenfu decoction (SFD) can be used to treat patients with sign of Yangqi decline or Yang exhaustion related to chronic heart failure (CHF). We conducted a gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/TOF–MS)-based metabolomic study to increase the understanding of CHF and assess the efficacies and mechanisms of SFD in treating CHF induced by coronary artery ligation in rats. Based on unsupervised principal component analysis, there was a clear separation between the CHF and sham surgery group, which revealed that CHF disturbed the metabolism of endogenous substances and significantly altered the urine metabolite fingerprints. After SFD treatment, the metabolomics profile found in CHF was significantly reversed, shifting much closer to normal controls and sham surgery group, indicating that SFD has therapeutic effects in CHF, which is in accordance with the hemodynamic assay results. Metabolomic pathway analysis demonstrated that several pathways including fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation, steroid biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, and amino acid metabolism were significantly altered in CHF rats. Therefore, we may infer that SFD shows therapeutic efficacy in CHF by restoring these disturbed metabolic pathways, especially those related to energy metabolism. This study offers new methodologies for increasing the understanding of CHF and systematically characterizing the efficacies and mechanisms of SFD in treating CHF.
Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation Effect of Apocynum venetum Leaf Extract via Src/PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway
Authors: Lau Yeh , Ling Wei , Murugan Dharmani , Kwan Chiu , Mustafa Mohd
Published: June 2015

Botanical herbs are consumed globally not only as an essential diet but also as medicines or as functional/recreational food supplements. The extract of the Apocynum venetum leaves (AVLE), also known as Luobuma, exerts its antihypertensive effect via dilating the blood vessels in an endothelium- and concentration-dependent manner with optimal effect seen at as low as 10 µg/mL. A commercial Luoboma “antihypertensive tea” is available commercially in the western province of China. The present study seeks to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing property of AVLE in rat aortas and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by AVLE was assessed in organ chambers in the presence or absence of polyethyleneglycol catalase (PP2, 20 µM; inhibitor of Src kinase), wortmannin (30 nM) and LY294002 (20 µM; PI3 (phosphatidylinositol3)-Kinase inhibitor), NG-nitro-l-arginine (L-NAME, 100 µM; endothelial NO synthase inhibitor (eNOS)) and ODQ (1 µM; soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor). Total nitrite and nitrate (NOx) level and protein expression of p-Akt and p-eNOS were measured. AVLE-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was reduced by PP2, wortmannin and LY294002 and abolished by L-NAME and ODQ. AVLE significantly increased total NOx level in rat aortas and in HUVECs compared to control. It also instigated phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in cultured HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner and this was markedly suppressed by PP2, wortmannin and LY294002. AVLE also inhibited superoxide generated from both NADPH oxidase and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Taken together, AVLE causes endothelium-dependent NO mediated relaxations of rat aortas through Src/PI3K/Akt dependent NO signalling pathway and possesses superoxide scavenging activity.
Diversity Performance Analysis on Multiple HAP Networks
Authors: Dong Feihong , Li Min , Gong Xiangwu , Li Hongjun , Gao Fengyue
Published: June 2015

One of the main design challenges in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is achieving a high-data-rate transmission for individual sensor devices. The high altitude platform (HAP) is an important communication relay platform for WSNs and next-generation wireless networks. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques provide the diversity and multiplexing gain, which can improve the network performance effectively. In this paper, a virtual MIMO (V-MIMO) model is proposed by networking multiple HAPs with the concept of multiple assets in view (MAV). In a shadowed Rician fading channel, the diversity performance is investigated. The probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are derived. In addition, the average symbol error rate (ASER) with BPSK and QPSK is given for the V-MIMO model. The system capacity is studied for both perfect channel state information (CSI) and unknown CSI individually. The ergodic capacity with various SNR and Rician factors for different network configurations is also analyzed. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the performance analysis. It is shown that the performance of the HAPs network in WSNs can be significantly improved by utilizing the MAV to achieve overlapping coverage, with the help of the V-MIMO techniques.
Highly Sensitive H2S Sensor Based on the Metal-Catalyzed SnO2 Nanocolumns Fabricated by Glancing Angle Deposition
Authors: Yoo Kwang , Han Soo , Moon Hi , Yoon Seok-Jin , Kang Chong-Yun
Published: June 2015

As highly sensitive H2S gas sensors, Au- and Ag-catalyzed SnO2 thin films with morphology-controlled nanostructures were fabricated by using e-beam evaporation in combination with the glancing angle deposition (GAD) technique. After annealing at 500 °C for 40 h, the sensors showed a polycrystalline phase with a porous, tilted columnar nanostructure. The gas sensitivities (S = Rgas/Rair) of Au and Ag-catalyzed SnO2 sensors fabricated by the GAD process were 0.009 and 0.015, respectively, under 5 ppm H2S at 300 °C, and the 90% response time was approximately 5 s. These sensors showed excellent sensitivities compared with the SnO2 thin film sensors that were deposited normally (glancing angle = 0°, S = 0.48).
The emergence of extracellular vesicles in urology: fertility, cancer, biomarkers and targeted pharmacotherapy
Authors: Tompkins Andrew J. , Chatterjee Devasis , Maddox Michael , Wang Justin , Arciero Emily , Camussi Giovanni , Quesenberry Peter J. , Renzulli Joseph F.
Published: June 2015

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are small membrane‐bound vesicles enriched in a selective repertoire of mRNA, miRNA, proteins and cell surface receptors from parental cells and are actively involved in the transmission of inter and intracellular signals. Cancer cells produce EV that contain cargo including DNA, mRNA, miRNA and proteins that allow EV to create epigenetic changes in target cells both locally and systemically. Cancer‐derived EV play critical roles in tumorigenesis, cancer cell migration, metastasis, evasion of host immune defense, chemoresistance, and they promote a premetastatic niche favourable to micrometastatic seeding. Their unique molecular profiles acquired from originator cells and their presence in numerous body fluids, including blood and urine, make them promising candidates as biomarkers for prostate, renal and bladder cancers. EV may ultimately serve as targets for therapy and as platforms for personalized medicine in urology. As urologic malignancy comprises 28% of new solid tumour diagnoses and 15% of cancer‐related deaths, EV‐related research is rapidly emerging and providing unique insights into disease progression. In this report, we review the current literature on EV in the setting of genitourinary fertility and malignancy.
Introduction à l'étude des dunes littorales dynamique et problèmes d'aménagement (Introduction to the study of coastal dunes : dynamics and environmental management)
Authors: Bomer Bernard
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - Although the study of coastal dunes was undertaken at least a century ago, many aspects of their evolution and dynamics are still badly known or liable to controversy. It is the purpose of the author to establish the present state of knowledge and suggest some necessary developments in the fields of geomorphological history, geomorphological processes and human impact.
Restauration et protection des massifs dunaires : une approche méthodologique (Protection and rehabilitation of dunes along french coasts : a methodological approach)
Authors: Miossec Alain
Published: June 2015

Abstract. — The study deals with coastal dunes and especially with dune-beach interaction. The autor shows that coastal engineering, which in France only considers the shoreline, is unable to protect the dunes. Two study-cases exemplify new methods for coastal dunes rehabilitation.
Andrimont (Belgique) changement social et formes de sociabilité
Authors: Doutrelepont René , Lacomble- Masereel Bernadette
Published: June 2015

De gemeentelijke microcosmos van Andrimont is maar klein (954 hectaren, minder dan 7000 inwoners) maar daarom nog niet homogeen. Het relief verdeelt Andrimont in wijken met een eigen karakter, eigen kerk, eigen school en liefdadigheidsverenigingen. In het midden van de XlXde eeuw begint de industrialisatie het landschap, de demografische structuur en het leven van elke dag te veranderen. De wijken in de vallei worden opgeslokt door de agglomeratie van Verviers, die leeft van de produktie van laken, terwijl het dorp op de heuvel zijn ruraal karakter bijna intakt bewaart. Voorlopig tenminste : de desindustrialisatie wordt sedert een kwart eeuw duidelijker, maar onder- tussen wordt het transport gemakkelijker, wat dan bijdraagt tot een grotere spreiding van verkave- lingen en een dito vermenging van de bevolking. Buitenlanders gaan in de oude arbeiderswoningen wonen, die de Belgen verlaten hebben.

In een zo verscheiden woonomgeving bestaan er drie vormen van sociabiliteit naast elkaar, schijn- baar zonder conflict al hebben ze wel de neiging elkaar te verdringen. eerst de parochiale sociabiliteit met kermissen, fancy-fairs, amateurtoneel, jeudgbewegingen, die aan belang inboet. Daarnaast de gemeentelijke sociabiliteit die het product is van de gemeentelijke sociale, cultuur en sportpoli- tiek. En tenslotte naast de twee pijlers van het Belgische openbare leven, de parochie en de gemeente blijven er nog vormen bestaan van oudere sociabiliteit (familiebijeenkomsten, patriotische herden- kingen) die vreemd staan tegenover informele groepen (gepensioneerden, vrouwencollectief, ver- bruikers) die zich in de door de crisis meest getroffen wijk inplanten.
On the Origin of Several Medio-Passive Personal Endings in Indo-European
Authors: Cohen Gerald Leonard
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1975), pp. 69-77
The Proper Formulation of the Spurious-se Rule in Spanish
Authors: Aissen Judith , Rivas Alberto M.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1975), pp. 1-15
Constraints on the Ordering of If-Clauses
Authors: Linde Charlotte
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 280-285
Drift versus Diachronic Universals
Authors: Kahr Joan Casper
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 220-226
Locative NP’s, Locative Suffixes, and Grammatical Relations
Authors: Dalgish Gerard M.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 139-148
Palatalization: A Persistent Rule of English
Authors: Escure Geneviève
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 158-167
The Opacity of Real Conspiracies
Authors: Williams, Jr. George M.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 406-412
Why the Whats are When: Mutually Contextualizing Realms of Narrative
Authors: Bowditch Livia Polanyi
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1976), pp. 59-77
Observations on Reference Object Geometry in Emai Path Expressions
Authors: Schaefer Ronald P.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1986), pp. 485-496
The Role of Word Order in Syntactic Change: Sentence-Final Prominency in Korean Negation
Authors: Kim Hyun-Oak Alan
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1977), pp. 670-684
The Status of Native Speaker Intuitions in a Polylectal Grammar
Authors: Debose Charles E.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1977), pp. 465-474
Topicalization and Relativization in Old Russian
Authors: Ickler Nancy
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1977), pp. 656-669
Well What Did You Expect?
Authors: Tannen Deborah
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1977), pp. 406-515
Some Conversational Conventions of Black English
Authors: Hansell Mark , Seabrook Cheryl
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 4th Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1978), pp. 576-587
The Acquisition of Quantifier Dialects by Children
Authors: Iannucci David E.
Published: June 2015

Proceedings of the 4th Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1978), pp. 539-544
A Compositional Spatio-temporal Semantics for French Motion Verbs and Spatial PPs
Authors: Asher Nicholas , Sablayrolles Pierre
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
A Uni?ed Analysis of Indicative and Biscuit Conditionals as Topics
Authors: Ebert Christian , Endriss Cornelia , Hinterwimmer Stefan
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Identity and Indeterminacy in "-ever" Free Relatives
Authors: Heller Daphna , Wolter Lynsey
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Implicit Content and the Argument from Binding
Authors: Elbourne Paul
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
More on Quantifiers in Comparative Clauses
Authors: Gajewski Jon
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Non-deictic Tenses in Conditionals
Authors: Schulz Katrin
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Frequency adjectives and assertions about event types
Authors: Gehrke Berit , McNally Louise
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
'Only' XL: The Assertoric Asymmetry of Exponibles
Authors: Horn Laurence R.
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Instrumental with and use: modality and implicature
Authors: Rissman Lilia
Published: June 2015

I present an analysis of the instrumental elements with and use, as in Betty cut the cake with a knife. A variety of evidence indicates that with and use do not make the same semantic contribution, casting doubt on the theory that these elements introduce the thematic role Instrument. For use, I adopt the analysis in Rissman (to appear): use expresses modal, goal-related content. For with, a modal reading may be implicated but is not entailed, explaining a variety of contrasts between with and use. The implications of this analysis for a theory of thematic roles is discussed.
The meaning of the Bulgarian evidential and why it cannot express inferences about the future
Authors: Smirnova Anastasia
Published: June 2015

The paper presents a uniform analysis of the Bulgarian evidential in reportative and inferential contexts. The Bulgarian evidential is analyzed as having both a temporal and an epistemic modal component. The analysis allows to explain why the evidential can be used to report false beliefs in reportative contexts but not in inferential ones, as well as why the Bulgarian evidential cannot express inferences about the future. Both cases are problematic for the previous analyses of evidentiality in Bulgarian (Izvorski 1997, Koev 2011).
Null Complement Anaphors as Definite Descriptions
Authors: Williams Alexander
Published: June 2015

This paper develops the observation that, for many predicates, Null Complement Anaphora (NCA) is like anaphora with a descriptively empty definite description (Condoravdi & Gawron 1996, Gauker 2012). I consider how to distinguish this sort of NCA from pronouns theoretically, and then observe an unnoticed exception to the pattern. For verbs like "notice", NCA is neither like a definite description nor like a pronoun, raising a new puzzle of how to represent it
Witnessable quantifiers license type-e meaning: Evidence from contrastive topic, equatives and supplements
Authors: Constant Noah
Published: June 2015

This paper presents three novel ways of testing which plural quantificational phrases can denote individuals (type e). Specifically, it is argued that only type-e expressions can (i) be marked as a contrastive topic in a discourse contrasting individuals, (ii) be equated with another type-e expression in an equative frame, and (iii) anchor supplementing material. The main empirical finding is that the class of quantifiers allowing type-e nominal denotations is larger than assumed on classic accounts like Reinhart 1997. Furthermore, this class is characterizable in semantic terms. The quantifiers that give rise to type-e meanings are "witnessable" in the sense of entailing the existence of an individual satisfying both their restrictor and their nuclear scope.
Manufactured and inherent pejorativity
Authors: Beller Charley
Published: June 2015

In this paper I develop a semantics for pejorative nouns like jerk. As part of this I articulate a typology of [+human] nouns in English, with a primary distinction made between pejorative nouns like jerk and neutral nouns like doctor. The analysis formalizes three observations about pejorative nouns: (i) They are based on generalizations of observable behavioral properties, (ii) they express subjective evaluations, and (iii) these evaluations are gradable. I show that when features (i) and (ii) are provided by the context, neutral nouns like doctor can receive pejorative interpretations. I also argue that pejorative nouns contribute to the semantics as fully at-issue elements contra Potts (2007).
"Normality" in Update Semantics
Authors: Blutner Reinhard
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Subjunctive, Habituality and Negative Polarity Items
Authors: Giannakidou Anastasia
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
How Clause-bounded is the Scope of Universals?
Authors: Farkas Donka F. , Giannakidou Anastasia
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
On the Interface Principles for Intonational Focus
Authors: Rooth Mats
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
A Weak Theory of Strong Readings
Authors: Büring Daniel
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Comparison and Polar Opposition
Authors: Kennedy Christopher
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Epistemic NP Modifiers
Authors: Abusch Dorit , Rooth Mats
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
I-Level Predicates that Allow Existential Readings for Bare Plurals
Authors: Glasbey Sheila
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
NP Dependent Readings of 'different'
Authors: Beck Sigrid
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
From Event Structure to Scale Structure: Degree Modification in Deverbal Adjectives
Authors: Kennedy Christopher , McNally Louise
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Degree Relatives are Ordinary Relatives
Authors: Butler Alastair
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Sloppy Identity, Binding, and Centering
Authors: Hardt Daniel
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
An Analysis of "Still"
Authors: Ippolito Michela
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Aspects of "Too" and "Enough" Constructions
Authors: Hacquard Valentine
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Motion Deixis, Indexicality, and Presupposition
Authors: Oshima David Y.
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Non-Monotonic NPI-Licensing, Definite Descriptions, and Grammaticalized Implicatures
Authors: Rothschild Daniel
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
The Anaphoric Theory of Tense
Authors: Higginbotham James
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
The Blindness Hypothesis and Individual Level Predicates
Authors: Magri Giorgio
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
The de re Analysis of Concealed Questions: A Unified Approach to Definite and Indefinite Concealed Questions
Authors: Frana Ilaria
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Too Many Alternatives: Density, Symmetry and Other Predicaments
Authors: Fox Danny
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Bodyguards under Cover: the Status of Individual Concepts
Authors: Schwager Magdalena
Published: June 2015

No abstract.
Gradable epistemic modals, probability, and scale structure
Authors: Lassiter Daniel
Published: June 2015

The epistemic modals possible, probable, likely, and certain require a semantics which explains their behavior both as modal operators and as gradable adjectives. An analysis of these items in terms of Kennedy & McNally's theory of gradability suggests that they are associated with a single, fully closed scale of possibility. An implementation using the standard theory of modality due to Kratzer is shown to make incorrect predictions in several domains. However, if the scale of possibility is identified with standard numerical probability, the facts about gradability are explained and the undesirable predictions of Kratzer's theory are avoided.
Modals are monsters: on indexical shift in English
Authors: Santorio Paolo
Published: June 2015

I argue, contra Kaplan, that all English indexicals are shiftable. Starting from a new puzzle involving epistemic conditionals, I propose a semantics that accounts for embeddings of indexicals under non-metaphysical modals like might or believe. The central idea is that indexicals are variables: epistemic and doxastic modals are able to shift them by shifting the value of the assignment function. So all epistemic and doxastic modals turn out to be Kaplanian monsters. I close by arguing that the monstrous account has empirical advantages on the classical semantics for attitudes in the Kaplan tradition, and in particular on the recent version of it proposed by Percus and Sauerland.
On the semantics of when-clauses
Authors: Hall David Patrick , Caponigro Ivano
Published: June 2015

This paper is about non-interrogative temporal embedded clauses introduced by when (temporal when-clauses), their semantic interpretation and their syntax/semantics mapping. Our goal is to provide a fully compositional account of temporal when-clauses that accounts for their formal identity with interrogative clauses and their difference in meaning. The main idea is that temporal when-clauses are syntactically and semantically free relative clauses. Previous syntactic analyses (Grimshaw 1977, Bresnan and Grimshaw 1978, a.o) have provided robust support to the syntactic side of this claim. On the other hand, the semantic proposals for temporal when-clauses that we are aware of (Bonomi 1997, Vikner 2004, Moens and Steedman 1988) have ignored these syntactic conclusions and have argued for analyses that are problematic for the syntactic/semantic mapping. These semantic analyses are also not fully adequate in handling the interpretative properties of these clauses. We provide evidence from the distributional and interpretive properties of when-clauses as well as from the temporal alignment of the matrix clause with the when-clause that supports our analysis.
Risk assessment of chronic dietary exposure to the conjugated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol-3-β-glucoside in the Dutch population
Authors: Janssen E.M. , Sprong R.C. , Wester P.W. , De Boevre M. , Mengelers M.J.B.
Published: June 2015

In this study, a risk assessment of dietary exposure to the conjugated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol-3-β-glucoside (DON-3G) in the Dutch population was conducted. Data on DON-3G levels in food products available in the Netherlands are scarce. Therefore, data on co-occurring levels of DON-3G and deoxynivalenol (DON), its parent compound, were used to estimate the DON-3G/DON ratio for several food product categories. This resulted in a DON-3G/DON ratio of 0.2 (90% confidence interval (CI): 0.04-0.9) in grains & grain-milling products, 0.3 (90% CI: 0.03-2.8) in grain-based products and 0.8 (90% CI: 0.4-1.8) in beer. These ratios were applied to the Dutch monitoring data of DON to estimate the DON-3G concentrations in food products available in the Netherlands. DON and DON-3G concentrations were combined with food consumption data of two Dutch National Food Consumption Surveys to assess chronic exposure in young children (2-6 years), children (7-16 years) and adults (17-69 years) using the Monte Carlo Risk Assessment program. The chronic exposure levels of DON, DON-3G and the sum of both compounds (DON+DON-3G) were compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1 μg/kg body weight/day which is based on the most critical effect of DON, namely decreased body weight gain. The assumption was made that DON-3G is deconjugated and then fully absorbed as DON in the gastro-intestinal tract. Exposure (P97.5) of the population aged 7-16 years and 17-69 years to DON or DON-3G separately, did not exceed the TDI. However, exposure to upper bound levels of DON+DON-3G (i.e. worst-case scenario) in the same age categories (P97.5) exceeded the TDI with a maximum factor of 1.3. Exposure (P97.5) of the 2-6 year-olds to DON was close to the TDI. Within this group, exposure (P97.5) to upper bound levels of DON+DON-3G exceeded the TDI with not more than a factor 2.
Propuesta de un procedimiento para el proceso de planificación del inventario en la cadena hotelera Gran Caribe
Authors: Ripoll Feliu Vicente , Dickinson González Yoaima
Published: June 2015

From 1990, Cuban economy which is dependent of its external economic relations devotes substantial resources to the construction of new touristic facilities as well as the renovation of historic structures built for touristic sector utilization. The country was affected by an economic crisis provoquedby a profound shift in international relations that were the result of socialist block disappearance and recrudescence of the embargo imposed by the United States. Consequently, the country adopted a set of measuresrelated to tourism and foreign investments allowance that were devised to improve Cuban society at a lower social cost. Tourism is acknowledged as the heart of economy; hence it is an important item in the state development plan. The relations of this sector with multiple economic activities confer it a relevant role in the revival of productive capacity and internal consumption. For instance, this revival accounts for researches and solutions like control management (accounting and finance) that, as an administration function, is responsible for managing productive resources so that organization can accomplish overall goals like high growth rate and performance as well as low risk. This paper aims to illustrate a procedure for inventory planning in hotelier sector, and thus shows an application in a hotel chain located in Varadero destination.
Carta del Director Editorial
Authors: Altarriba Josep Maria
Published: June 2015

Este nuevo número de Harvard Deusto Business Research reúne investigaciones y estudios sobre el papel de las iniciativas clúster en las alianzas estratégicas: una visión desde el País Vasco, la evaluación integral de las entidades microfinancieras desde la perspectiva de la sostenibilidad, el riesgo del talento y el procedimiento para el proceso de planificación del inventario en la cadena hotelera Gran Caribe.
Centralized Reading Center Improves Quality in a Real-World Setting
Authors: Hudson Sharon M. , Contreras Richard , Kanter Michael H. , Munz Stephen J. , Fong Donald S.
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening is standard of care, but its utility diminishes unless high quality is maintained. This project describes the improvement in diagnostic accuracy achieved at a large health maintenance organization by implementing a centralized reading center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Data were extracted from the electronic health records of patients with diabetes who underwent DR screening between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, at 13 medical centers. Certified ophthalmic assistants and technicians were trained to read DR images under the supervision of a retinal specialist. This program was pilot-tested prior to full implementation.

RESULTS:

DR prevalence among the 13 centers in 2009 was 10.1%, far below the national average. After implementation, prevalence increased to 22.1%. The program also resulted in improved access to follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

The results demonstrate the value of a reading center in decreasing diagnostic error and achieving other improvements in a real-world setting.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:624–629.]
The Need to Foster Creativity and Digital Inclusion among Women Users in Developing Context - Addressing Second Order Digital Divide in Online Skills
Authors: Zhou Chunfang , Purushothaman Aparna
Published: June 2015

This paper provides a literature review aiming to discuss the need for fostering creativity and digital inclusion among women students in developing contexts by addressing the second order digital divide in online skills. As the literature review indicates, we are in the change towards creative society and creativity is the core competency of students to be mastered in the digital age. The digital technologies also provide conditions of developing creativity, for example, YouTube can be regarded as a creative platform. This paper also discusses the links between creativity, learning and knowledge, digital divide in developing contexts especially the second order digital divide as the main barrier to women students’ learning. This further implies how to teach creativity more effectively in the future.
Role of Knowledge Workers in Business Process and Innovation
Authors: Naikal Appasaheb , Bapna Mayank
Published: June 2015

Highly skilled knowledge workers are the main driving force for innovation; however, their innovation may not always ensure the achievement of business goals. Only the alignment of the innovation with business goals can transform their innovation into individual performance. Similarly variation in individual capabilities of knowledge workers may not lead to final business goals. This paper focuses on knowledge workers, their performance, the business processes followed and effectiveness of the business processes to enhance productivity of the organizations.
Emergent Trends in Sustainable Technologies in Thailand
Authors: Gupta Samarth , Yadav Garima , Choudhary Amit , Kaur Amanpreet
Published: June 2015

OVOP concept has been one of the keenly studied rural marketing and social innovation concepts in the world. While many countries have successfully implemented this model under various names, forms, strategies and areas; there is still a lot of scope for analysing and carefully implementing this unique business model for the development of Rural Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. Studies have shown that while the Asian countries like Thailand, Japan, Malawi and even Nepal have successfully implemented this concept and reaped its benefits, some of the nations like India, South Africa and others are yet to follow a methodical approach towards the implementation of this interesting social business proposition. The Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences has been focussing on developing such capabilities for enhancing social business proposition and understanding the contribution of community involvement in social re-engineering. While lot of emphasis has been paid on developing innovative social ventures for Rural India, a concept like OVOP/OTOP is certainly the need of the hour. In this chapter we intend to investigate the various aspects of an OVOP/OTOP implementation and propose solutions for social business development in Rural India based on the foundations of the OVOP/OTOP concept that has been a pioneer for development of social entrepreneurship across the world.
Modeling Accountable Cloud Services Based on Dynamic Logic for Accountability
Authors: Zou Jun , Wang Yan , Orgun Mehmet A.
Published: June 2015

Cloud computing services have been increasingly considered by businesses as a viable option for reducing IT expenditure. However, there are often associated problems with unmanaged accountability. This paper first analyses the accountability properties of a cloud service and then proposes the accountable cloud service (ACS) model to address those problems. In addition, the authors argue that from an accountability perspective a cloud service is a proactive system that needs to be modeled differently from the traditional reactive systems. They extend traditional structural operational semantics to cater for modeling of actors as well as scenarios of inaction and exception in state transitions. This leads to the creation of a new form of a process algebra called Accountable Process Algebra (APA). They also propose an Obligation Flow Diagram (OFD) as a simple method for conflict resolution and verification for the ACS model. The ACS model enables obligation specification, validation, decomposition, machine-interpretation, monitoring and reasoning, and ultimately facilitates accountability in cloud service consumption. Using Amazon S3 service as a case study, they show how to address those known accountability problems by using our ACS model. Finally the authors discuss the applicability of their model to cloud services in general.
An Empirical Study of the Factors that Influence In-Class Digital Distraction among University Students
Authors: Nath Ravi , Chen Leida , Muyingi H. N.
Published: June 2015

Classroom access to computers, smart phones, and the Internet may be indispensable for teaching and learning both for the student and instructor, yet these technologies can also be an impediment to learning as students tend to use them to engage in activities unrelated to the classwork. Using survey data collected from 187 US and 204 Namibian university students, this paper examines the factors that influence students' in-class digital distraction from a cross-cultural perspective. The findings suggest that Internet addiction, learning style preference, contextual and individual student factors significantly influence the intensity of student in-class digital distraction. The paper concludes with a discussion of the pedagogical and classroom management implications of the findings and provides recommendations for researchers as well as educators.
Evaluation of the Processing Conditions in the Transesterification for Biodiesel Production Using the Nanomagnetic Catalyst Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4
Authors: Dantas Joelda , da Silva Francisco Nilson , de Oliveira Pereira Kleberson Ricardo , Silva Adriano Santana , Costa A.C.F. de M.
Published: June 2015

Magnetic catalysts are easily removed from the reaction process, thereby reducing the wastewater generation. Therefore, the study proposes to evaluate the performance of the nanomagnetic catalyst Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 in the transesterification reaction of the soybean oil to produce biodiesel, varying processing conditions (temperature, molar ratio of oil:alcohol and catalyst amount) on the catalytic reaction. The catalyst was synthesized by combustion reaction and characterized by XRD, BET, magnetic measurements and gas chromatography. The results revealed the inverse spinel phase formation, type B(AB)2O4, with isotherm profile classified as type V with hysteresis loop of type 3 (H3), and surface area of ​​48.39 m2g-1. The magnetic hysteresis curve showed a characteristic behavior of soft magnetic material with saturation magnetization value of 55 emu/g. Chromatographic analysis confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles are catalytically active and that the processing conditions directly influence the conversion into esters.
Study of the Evolution of Phase Calcium Aluminate through the Method for Polymeric Precursors C12A7
Authors: Veiga Faili Cintia Tomsen , Veiga Flávio José Tomsen , Moreira Mário Lúcio , Jurado José , Sousa Vânia Caldas , Cava Sergio
Published: June 2015

The synthesis of ceramic materials from polymeric precursors has been the subject of numerous studies due to lower energy cost compared to conventional processing. The study aims to research and develop synthesis of calcium aluminate powders via the polymeric precursor method, in order to obtain the pure phase of hepta-aluminate dodecálcio (C12A7) with mayenita mineral name, since it has applications like: special cements and components for high temperature fuel cells. A study of the evolution of crystalline phases by X-ray diffraction was performed, the vibrational modes of atomic location in crystalline phases were studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy was also performed and images from scanning electron microscopy. From the characterizations carried out on the material can be seen that the sintering temperature of 1200°C was obtained pure phase, so the choice of synthesis shown to be effective due to the complexity of obtaining this phase pure.
Phase Stability - Structural and Microstructural Characterization of Al2O3-TiO2 Ceramic Composites Reinforced with La2O3 Addition
Authors: de Sousa Andrea G. , Rego Sheila A.B.C. , Ferreira Ricardo A.S. , Shinohara Armando H. , Yadava Yogendra Prasad
Published: June 2015

In this work, we have s produced Al2O3-TiO2 ceramic composites reinforced with rare earth oxide, lantânia (La2O3) ranging from 0 to 2 wt%, for the study of their phase stability, structureand microstructural chacteristics. The ceramic composites were produced by thermo-mechanical process. It was observed from the results of XRD after sintering no new phase is formed in addition to the characteristics of the precursor oxides. DTA shows the stability of the composites studied from 460oC temperature, meaning it does not present more phase changes. It was observed through the analysis of the results of X-ray diffraction after sintering the samples that no new phase is formed in addition to the characteristics of the precursor oxides indicating formation of the composite. However, there was variation in the peak concentration and intensities due to variations in the Al2O3 and La2O3 contents. The results obtained by scanning electron microscopy proved satisfactory with regard to good surface morphology, homogeneity and particle size distribution of the composite sintered at 1390oC for 40 hours. The samples with 1.0% and 1.5% La2O3 addition presented best results regarding these aspects
Microstructure and Thermal Conductivity of Porous Al2O3-ZrO2 Ceramics
Authors: Delbrücke Tiago , Gouvêa Rogério A. , Raubach Cristiane W. , Longo Elson , Sousa Vânia Caldas , Tebcheranic Sergio M. , Kubaski Evaldo T. , Moreira Mário Lúcio , Jurado Jose R. , Cava Sergio
Published: June 2015

The improvement on the development of porous ceramic materials has leaded to new technologies in thermal insulation, for example, composite materials for better performance of pressure vessels in rocket engines. Within this context, the present work aims to evaluate the ability of a refractory ceramic base alumina/zirconia through the processes of co-precipitation and replica method in an organic fiber template. The green body was burnt-out and sintered at 1200-1600°C to obtain the continuous porous ceramic fibers. In the FEG-SEM analysis, an interconnected porous structure with small grains was observed. The crystalline phases were determined by X-ray diffraction and compared to micro-Raman results regarding the crystalline structure confirms that there present in the material zirconia is composed of more than one phase. Porosity was calculated through a mercury porosimeter as 77.9%, and the Laser Flash method gave a thermal conductivity value of 1.61 K W.m−1.K−1 for the Al2O3-ZrO2 fibers.
Particle Size Analysis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Coated by Polyethyleneglycol
Authors: Sampaio da Silva Fernanda A. , Rojas Edwin E.G. , de Campos Marcos Flávio
Published: June 2015

Nanotechnology has been shown as an important tool for developing intelligent devices. In particular, magnetic nanoparticles have been studied due their applications in cancer treatments. However, nanoparticles need to be tightly controlled in relation to size, shape and coating. It makes particles suitable for in vivo applications. In this work, magnetite nanoparticles were used for particle size characterization. Fe3O4 crystals were coated by polyethyleneglycol (PEG 4000). Three different techniques were performed to obtain the nanoparticles average diameter: Rietveld Analysis, Scherrer Equation and Nanosight®. Results indicate good properties.
Improvement of Clay Ceramic Properties by Glass Polishing Sludge Incorporation
Authors: Simões Chagas Licurgo Juliana , Vieira Carlos Mauricio Fontes , Candido Veronica Scarpini , Monteiro Sergio Neves
Published: June 2015

The kaolinitic clays from Campos dos Goytacazes, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are known by their high plasticity and refractory behavior that require sintering at elevated temperatures for consolidated ceramic structures. Processing temperatures below 1000°C may also be used if the clay body contains fluxing compounds that promote lower temperature molten phases and reduce porosity. Commercial fluxes are relatively expensive but some wastes, such as those generated in industrial activities related to glass fabrication, could provide inexpensive fluxing agents. In the present work, the incorporation of up to 40 wt% of a sludge waste from the polishing stage of glass production into a Campos dos Goytacazes clay body fired at 900°C was investigated. It was found that the sludge incorporation improved both the ceramic water absorption and the mechanical strength.
An overview of the university library system in South Korea
Authors: Ranasinghe WMTD
Published: June 2015

University Library system in South Korea has been developed simultaneously with the general economical, technological and cultural changes of the Korean Society. Current facilities and services in the University Libraries demonstrate a strong national commitment in adopting new technologies to enhance library services and improving usage. This short paper provides an overview of current practices and trends in South Korean university libraries. Special attention has been given on areas such as library organization, space planning, resource sharing, bibliographic control, ICT, etc. Keywords: Libraries South Korea, University Libraries South Korea, Library Networks South Korea Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, Vol.13 (Special Issue). 2009 181-185