bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GOD, GOODNESS, FACT AND VALUE
Authors: Wilkinson M. B.
Published: July 2016

Resumo:Desenvolvimentos recentes na "loso"a da religião, devidos especialmente a John Cofingham, chamaram a atenção para as questões da moralidade e sua relação com Deus. Para Cofingham a natureza obrigatória dos mandamentos morais, ainda que não a prove, aponta para a existência do ser de Deus, mas a experiência moral sugere a realidade e autoridade de Deus. O artigo defende uma base da moralidade que é natural, enraizada em uma metafísica mínima e na natureza humana como uma criatura imaginativa e criativa. Com isso sugerem-se possíveis soluções tanto para o problema fato/valor como para o dilema do Euthyphro. Esta narrativa naturalística parece apontar para uma compreensão criativa de Deus e da atividade moral humana, que, no entanto, vai além das trivialidades da ética de situação e do relativismo.Abstract: Recent developments in the philosophy of religion, notably by John Cofingham, have focused afention on the questions of morality and its relationship to God. For Cofingham, the obligatory nature of moral commands points to, but does not prove, the existence of being of God, but the experience of the moral suggests the reality and authority of God. This paper argues for a basis of morality which is natural, rooted in a minimal metaphysic and the nature of the human as an imaginative and creative creature. In doing so, possible solutions to both the Fact/Value problem and the Euthyphro Dilemma are suggested. This naturalistic account seems to point to a creative understanding of God and human moral activity, which nevertheless moves beyond the simplicities of situation ethics or relativism.
DEUS NO PANORAMA FILOSÓFICO CONTEMPORÂNEO
Authors: Capelle-Dumont Philippe
Published: July 2016

Resumo: Pensava-se que ela estava eliminada, ou melhor, marginalizada. No entanto, em poucos anos, a questão de Deus voltou à cena internacional em numerosos debates teóricos, mas também práticos, metafísicos e políticos. Vários índices mostram que a este respeito houve uma mudança de época. Em um número sem precedente de obras e de revistas atualmente publicadas, o vocábulo principal é “Deus”. O artigo, na sua primeira parte, refaz um status quaestionis particularmente atento às tendências recentes da filosofia francesa. A segunda parte, que procura recuperar as condições atuais da questão de Deus na filosofia, identifica seis focos mais significativos de debate.Abstract: It was thought to have been eliminated or, at best, marginalized. In recent years, however, the question of God is back on the international scene, in many theoretical debates but also in practical, metaphysical and political debates. Several indicators tell us that in this respect the times have changed. An unprecedented number of books and journals are being published, which contain the word “God” in their title. The first part of this paper establishes a status quaestionis with particular afention to recent trends in French philosophy. The second part, which seeks to identify the current conditions of the question of God in philosophy, identifies six major foci of debate.
Közoktatásban tanuló diákok kommunikációs érzékenyítése a beszédzavarok iránt
Authors: Jankovics Julianna
Published: July 2016

A tanulmány egy olyan vizsgálatot mutat be, amely a közoktatásban tanuló diákok beszédzavarok iránti kommunikációs érzékenyítését tűzte ki célul. Az iskolai integráció hatására egyre több különböző tulajdonságú, képességű tanulónak kell együttműködnie a mindennapokban. Nem ritka, hogy különbözőségük miatt egyesek gúnyolódás, megbélyegzés áldozataivá válnak. Ennek egyik lehetséges oka a beszéd produkciójának hibás működése. A hadarás, a dadogás és a pöszeség gyakori a beszédzavarok között, gyermekek és felnőttek beszédében egyaránt megfigyelhető. Ám ha a beszélő és a hallgató kölcsönösen megismeri ezeket, tisztában van a tünetekkel, egymás megértése, elfogadása is könnyebbé válik. A vizsgálat eredményeiből látható, hogy egy általános iskolában tartott hétalkalmas érzékenyítés hatására mennyit változik a diákok tudása és hozzáállása a különböző beszédzavarokhoz. Ennek hatására olyan kompetenciák is fejlődnek, mint a tolerancia és az empátia.
A tanulói portfólió szerepe a kommunikációs nevelésben
Authors: Asztalos Anikó
Published: July 2016

A tanulmány korábbi szakirodalmak nyomán bemutatja a fejlesztő értékelés és a fejlesztési folyamat eszközeként használható tanulói portfólió fogalmát, legfőbb típusait. Kitér a kommunikációs nevelés fontosságára, és a tanulói portfóliót a kommunikációs nevelés hatékony eszközeként értelmezi. Elemzi azokat a legfontosabb pedagógiai teendőket, amelyeket szem előtt kell tartani a tanulói portfólió alkalmazásakor. A tanulmány ezt követően bemutat egy sikeresen alkalmazott tantárgy-központú tanulói portfóliót. Részletezi a dokumentumgyűjtemény elkészítésének a szempontjait, módszertani sajátosságait, értékelési rendszerét. A portfólió egyes elemeit fényképekkel is illusztrálja azokból a munkákból, amelyeket az Apáczai Csere János Gyakorló Gimnázium és Kollégium 9. osztályos diákjai készítettek az antikvitás témakörében. Zárásként a módszer sikerességének igazolására a tanulók véleményeiből idéz néhányat.
Diagnosing Borderline Personality Disorder During Adolescence: A Review of the Published Literature
Authors: Fossati Andrea
Published: July 2016

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a debilitating disorder that occurs in approximately 1% to 3% of the general population. BPD is not only relatively prevalent; it is also associated with significant public health and security concerns. The clinical and social burden of adult BPD diagnosis has resulted in the desire for early diagnosis and the implementation of early intervention programs. A qualitative review of the scientific literature suggested that adolescence is a critical point for the early identification and therapeutic treatment of BPD. Although findings are far from conclusive, the inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders symptom criteria for BPD during adolescence seem adequate. Recent studies based on a rigorous methodology of BPD assessment and large community samples reported prevalence rates for BPD diagnosis during adolescence that were less suspect than previous findings. A number of research studies addressed the construct validity of BPD in adolescents (i.e., whether a BPD diagnosis during adolescence actually measures what is intending to measure) and reported consistent relationships between BPD and associated areas of dysfunction and distress as evidence of the validity of the BPD diagnosis. Research evidence indicates that there is no single symptom that is predictive of later BPD diagnosis during adolescence; rather, a pattern of two to three selected BPD symptoms that are evident during adolescence seemed to be highly predictive of later BPD diagnosis, particularly when measures that were specifically designed to assess for BPD during adolescence were used as part of the assessment process.
The Accuracy of the VISA-P Questionnaire, Single-Leg Decline Squat, and Tendon Pain History to Identify Patellar Tendon Abnormalities in Adult Athletes
Authors: Mendonça Luciana de Michelis , Ocarino Juliana Melo , Bittencourt Natália Franco Netto , Fernandes Ludmila Maria Oliveira , Verhagen Evert , Fonseca Sérgio Teixeira
Published: July 2016

Study Design

Cross-sectional clinical assessment.

Background

Patellar tendinopathy is not always accompanied by patellar tendon abnormalities (PTAs). Thus, clinical screening tools to help identify patients with patellar tendon pain who have PTAs could enhance clinical decision making and patient prognosis.

Objectives

To test the diagnostic accuracy of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire, a single-leg decline squat (SLDS), tendon pain history, age, and years of sports participation to identify athletes with symptomatic patellar tendons who have PTAs confirmed on imaging.

Methods

Data provided by ultrasound examination, the VISA-P questionnaire, the SLDS, tendon pain history, age, and years of sport participation were collected in 43 athletes. A classification and regression tree (CART) model was developed to verify variables associated with PTA occurrence. Likelihood ratios (LRs) were computed for positive and negative tests.

Results

The SLDS, VISA-P questionnaire, and tendon pain history were associated with PTA occurrence. Athletes with negative results on all 3 tests (CART model) had a lower likelihood of having PTAs (negative LR = 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2, 0.5). The isolated use of the SLDS or tendon pain history (positive LR = 4.2; 95% CI: 2.3, 7.14 and 4.5; 95% CI: 1.8, 11.1, respectively) had similar influence on probability of PTA presence compared to the CART model (positive LR = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.5, 6.3).

Conclusion

Although the objective was to investigate a clinical test to identify PTAs, the combined use of the tests had greater accuracy to identify individuals without PTAs.

Level of Evidence

Diagnosis, level 3b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(8):673–680. Epub 3 Jul 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6192
Postural Stability During Single-Leg Stance: A Preliminary Evaluation of Noncontact Lower Extremity Injury Risk
Authors: Dingenen Bart , Malfait Bart , Nijs Stefaan , Peers Koen H.E. , Vereecken Styn , Verschueren Sabine M.P. , Janssens Luc , Staes Filip F.
Published: July 2016

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study with a prospective cohort design.

Background

Postural stability deficits during single-leg stance have been reported in persons with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ACL reconstruction, and chronic ankle instability. It remains unclear whether impaired postural stability is a consequence or cause of these injuries.

Objectives

To prospectively investigate whether postural stability deficits during single-leg stance predict noncontact lower extremity injuries.

Methods

Fifty injury-free female athletes performed a transition task from double-leg stance to single-leg stance with eyes closed. Center-of-pressure displacement, the main outcome variable, was measured during the first 3 seconds after the time to a new stability point was reached during single-leg stance. Noncontact lower extremity injuries were recorded at a 1-year follow-up.

Results

Six participants sustained a noncontact ACL injury or ankle sprain. Center-of-pressure displacement during the first 3 seconds after the time to a new stability point was significantly increased in the injured (P = .030) and noninjured legs (P = .009) of the injured group compared to the respective matched legs of the noninjured group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis revealed significant discriminative accuracy between groups for the center-of-pressure displacement during the first 3 seconds after the time to a new stability point of the injured (AUC = 0.814, P = .015) and noninjured legs (AUC = 0.897, P = .004) of the injured group compared to the matched legs of the noninjured group.

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggests that postural stability measurements during the single-leg stance phase of the double- to single-leg stance transition task may be a useful predictor of increased risk of noncontact lower extremity injury. Further research is indicated.

Level of Evidence

Prognosis, level 4. J Orthop Sports PhysTher 2016;46(8):650–657. Epub 3 Jul 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6278
Hip Strength Deficits in People With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Deasy Margaret , Leahy Edmund , Semciw Adam Ivan
Published: July 2016

Study Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background

A complete understanding of impairments associated with knee osteoarthritis would optimize exercise interventions for people with knee osteoarthritis. Our current understanding of hip strength deficits in this population is based on studies with conflicting findings and small samples. There is a need to systematically review and pool current evidence.

Objectives

To determine whether hip strength deficits exist in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO) were searched through February 2016. Studies comparing hip strength in people diagnosed with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis to healthy control participants were included in the review. A meta-analysis with random effects was applied to relevant data from included studies and a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for each pooled analysis.

Results

Five studies were included in the review. Meta-analysis revealed moderate-quality evidence of weaker isometric and isokinetic hip abduction strength in people with knee osteoarthritis (moderate difference: 7% to 24% weaker) and very low-quality evidence of no difference in isometric hip adduction strength. There was very low- to moderate-quality evidence of weaker isokinetic hip strength in the remaining planes of motion (moderate to large differences: 14% to 55% weaker).

Conclusion

Significant hip strength deficits exist in people with knee osteoarthritis. Hip strength assessment should be considered in clinical practice and may assist with directing targeted management strategies.

Level of Evidence

Symptom prevalence, level 1a−. J Orthop Sports PhysTher 2016;46(8):629–639. Epub3 Jul 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6618
Parental coping mechanisms in children with congenital heart disease at tertiary cardiac centre
Authors: Bajracharya Subina , Shrestha Ajit
Published: July 2016

Background: Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) are among the most pervasive and serious chronic illnesses. Parents of children with a chronic condition must cope with greater demands and adopt different behaviors in order to lessen the impact on the family structure.Aims and Objectives: This study aims to explore the coping mechanism used by parents of children with CHD.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included 100 parents of children with CHD selected through non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by interview and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Result: This study revealed that parents of preschool children used more coping mechanism (mean score 30.53 out of total score 57), followed by parents of adolescence (mean score 30). Parents of first-born children with CHD used less coping mechanism (mean score 28.08). Parents of female children used more coping mechanism (mean score 29.52), fathers of children with CHD used more coping mechanism (mean score 29.78), and parents of operated children used more coping mechanism (mean score 29.11).Conclusion: Parental coping mechanism was found to be affected by age, sex, operative status and birth order of children and also by the sex of parent. These findings strongly indicate the need for proper counseling service to parents so that healthy coping is reinforced.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(4) 2016 75-79
Presence of choledocholithiasis in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for mild biliary pancreatitis
Authors: Pradhan S , Shah S , Maharjan S , Shah JN
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Standard recommendations for patients recovering from an episode of biliary pancreatitis include cholecystectomy with intra operative cholangiogram or ERCP during the same hospital admission as it is believed that the instigating factor is the passage of stones through the common bile duct. As ERCP is not widely available and expensive, cholecystectomy with IOC is routinely performed to rule out choledocholithiasis. However detection of common bile duct stones is challenging. Whether these patients undergoing cholecystectomy require direct common bile duct evaluation is controversial. Objective of the study was to see the presence of common bile duct stones in patients with resolving acute mild biliary pancreatitis. Methods: Patients admitted in the surgical ward in Patan Hospital and Bir Hospital with the diagnosis of mild acute biliary pancreatitis who underwent cholecystectomy with intra-operative cholangiography from August 2010 to July 2012 were studied. The outcome of cholangiogram was analyzed together with findings of common bile duct exploration. Results: A total of 52 patients with acute mild biliary pancreatitis were operated during this period. The common bile duct stone was found in 1.9%.  Out of four patients with abnormal cholangiogram, only one patient (25%) had stone on exploration, rest of the three cases (75%) had negative exploration.Conclusion: The presence of common bile duct stone in case of mild acute biliary pancreatitis undergoing cholecystectomy is very low (1.96%), and thus policy of selective IOC should be applied for cases with mild biliary pancreatitis.Journal of Society of Surgeons of Nepal Vol.17(1) 2014: 11-15
Anterior abdominal wall dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a case report
Authors: Ghimire R , Subedi S , Sharma A , Bohara Sandeep
Published: July 2016

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare low-grade fibrohistiocytic tumor ,common in age group of 20 to 50 years. Histologically, it is diagnosed on the basis of a spindle-cell tumor arranged in small bundles in a characteristic cartwheel pattern. Though local recurrence rate is high, the treatment of choice is surgical resection with negative margins. We describe a case of a 34-year-old lady with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Frugivorous Birds and Fruit Plants in a Deciduous Forest in Bangladesh: A Case Study in the Madhupur National Park
Authors: Khan Shawkat Imam , Ahsan M Farid
Published: July 2016

A total of 29 species of frugivorous birds were recorded from the Madhupur National Park during July 2007 to December 2008. Among the frugivorous birds, 16 (55.2%) were absolutely seed gulpers, 2 (6.9%) seed gulpers as well as seed discarders and 5 (17.2%) were fully seed predators. The frugivorous birds were observed more active during early morning (23 species, 79.3%) and late afternoon (20 species, 69%), of which 16 (55.2%) were common in both time frames. Frugivorous birds mainly preferred fruit followed by nectars, seeds and buds. Ficus benghalensis was the top most preferred food plant to the birds. Berries were highly preferred (29.7%) by the birds. The preferred fruit diameter ranged from 16.5 to 19.6 mm (18.1 ± 0.8). Black colour and mild sweet fruit was highly preferred by the birds.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 173-187, 2015
Diversity and Morphometry of Chiropteran Fauna in Jahangirnagar University Campus, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Anik , Hasan Md Kamrul , Feeroz Mohammed Mostafa
Published: July 2016

The study was conducted to know the diversity of Chiropterans as well as their status and morphometric measurements in Jahangirnagar University campus between July, 2014 and April, 2015. Eight species of bats from three families were identified where Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Pouch Tomb Bat (Saccolaimus saccolaimus) were recorded for the first time in Bangladesh. A total of 31bat individuals of 8 species were captured during 15 netting nights for morphological studies. Skull preparation was carried out for taking cranial measurements to identify the Pipistrelle species. No roosting colony of Pteropus gigantius was found in the study area but it visits the area only for foraging while the other species roost permanently. The old buildings in the study area provide suitable habitats for a significant number of insectivore bats. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus gigantius) was the largest (mean head body length 23.33±1.86cm) and Least Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis) was the smallest (mean head body length 39.45±1.66 mm) species observed from the study area.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 201-212, 2015
Lynx Spiders of Khulna District of Bangladesh : Genus Oxyopes Latreille (Areaneae : Oxyopidae)
Authors: Biswas V , Raychaudhuri D
Published: July 2016

A study on the lynx-spiders was carried out from different areas of Khulna district of Bangladesh. Six (6) species of the genus Oxyopes Latreille were identified of which four (4) species were recorded for the first time from Bangladesh. The paper contains a description and distribution together with key to the species.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 221-238, 2015
Habitat Analysis of Stork-Billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) and Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) at the Chittagong University Campus, Bangladesh
Authors: Biswas JK , Sarker NJ , Rahman MM , Ahsan MF
Published: July 2016

The habitat analysis of stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis Linnaeus, 1766) and pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis Linnaeus, 1758) was done at the Chittagong University Campus, Chittagong, Bangladesh during January 2011 to December 2013. The both kingfisher species used five types of habitat (pond, lake, stream, agricultural land/channel and tree), of which trees were used maximum (43.23%) and agricultural lands/channels were minimum (3.76%) by stork-billed kingfisher; whereas pied kingfisher spent the highest time (40.66%) in the streams and the lowest (11.67%) in the agricultural lands/channels. Four types of perching places (fence, wire, bamboo and tree) were used by both kingfisher species, of which trees were used maximum (68.89%) and wires minimum (2.78%) by stork-billed kingfisher; while pied kingfisher spent the highest (53.43%) time on fences and the lowest (4.78%) on wires.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 251-268, 2015
Hemlninth and Parasitic Arthropod Prevalence in Catfish Clarias batrachus (L.) from Ponds in Savar
Authors: Khanum Hamida , Easmin Farjana , Hasan Md Showket , Zaman Rimi Farhana
Published: July 2016

A total of 115 Clarias batrachus were investigated for parasitic infestation. Out of 1504 parasites recovered from Clarias batrachus, 761 (50.59%) were cestodes, 34(2.26%) trematodes, 58(3.85%) nematodes and 12(0.79%) crustaceans ectoparasite. Cestodes showed the highest prevalence (66.09%) and the collected parasites were Bovienia serialis, Caryophyllaeus laticeps, Balanotaenia bancroftii, Djombangia penetrans, Orientocreadium batrachoides, Orientocreadium clariae, Procamallanus slomei, Spirocamallanus olsenia and ectoparasite Lernaea cyprinacea. Among the 9 species of parasites, P. slomei (28.69%) showed the highest prevalence. The moderate prevalence showed by Bovienia serialis and S. olsenia (21.74), lowest by O. batrachoides (10.43%) and Lernaea cyprinacea (10.43). The overall prevalence and mean intensity of parasite infection were 82.61% and 15.83 respectively. The highest parasitic infestation was found (88.43%) in intestine. Cestodes B. serialis, B. bancroftii and D. penetrans were recovered from stomach and intestine. P. slomei were collected from three regions viz. oesophagus, stomach and intestine, while Lernaea cyprinacea from gill. Seasonally the highest prevalence (90%) and mean intensity (24.27%) was recorded during summer.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 269-277, 2015
Multiple perceptions as framing device for identifying relational places
Authors: Scholz Claudia , Brandberg Realini Louise
Published: July 2016

We have presented an inquiry method in which citizens talk about their relationships to their built surrounding, raising problems, strengths, changes and dreams. It allows citizens to understand and describe their urban experiences and makes it easier for architects to recognize frameworks and rules inside the context in which they are asked to intervene.
Unremarkable experiences - Designing the user experience of elevators
Authors: Rousi Rebekah
Published: July 2016

Elevators enable people and goods to be transported to great heights at substantial speeds.The feats required technologically for suspension, movement, controls and safety are no less than remarkable. This is increasingly so when considering the competing new heights of skyscrapers. Although technological accomplishments are becoming ever more extraordinary, for the sake of those using the technologies, there is also the need to counter this remarkableness and consider the unremarkable as an experiential design goal. Discourse in user experience (UX) has mainly focused on designing for positive, affective and memorable experiences. However, in the case of utilitarian technologies such as elevators often good or positive experiences go unnoticed. The current study’s findings show just this. This article describes a study of UX with elevators using field observations and short interviews. Positive experiences were reflected in quantitative opinion scales related to the elevators under study. Negative experiences regarding previous elevator experiences were qualitatively recollected without prompting. The age and the detail of the recollected experiences suggest the significance negative (remarkable) events have on memory, influencing current and future impressions of elevator design. This calls for UX attention to be placed on designing for the unremarkable.
Design strategy: Towards a post-rational, practice-based perspective
Authors: Navarro Aguiar Ulises
Published: July 2016

This paper critically reflects on the concept of design strategy as deployed in design management literature.

It starts by describing current discourses in the wider field of strategy research and then discusses how, by conforming to orthodox theories in strategic management, design management literature has tended to overlook alternative streams of strategy research.

In many instances, studies in design strategy adopt taken-for-granted assumptions from rational planning approaches, and analyses of firm performance tend to take precedence over actors and their actions. Thus, it highlights the need for new lines of inquiry grounded in practice, letting go of the economic rationality and theoretical abstractions that have permeated mainstream strategy research. Hence, for future studies, it suggests a post-rational, practice-based perspective to advance our understanding of strategy as it relates to design management.
Using an action research approach to embed service design in a higher education institution
Authors: Madden Heather , Walters Andrew T
Published: July 2016

Design Thinking can address the political and cultural divides in higher education and improve the focus on student experience. The challenge is reshaping a traditional organisation into a more modern one and at the same time creating an environment that is favourable towards change brought about by design-led thinking.

In one higher education institute, almost two years into the journey and despite some challenges along the way, Service Design methods are demonstrating their capacity to change the processes and procedures that support the delivery of student services in higher education.

An action research approach is currently being used to assess how the tools of Design Thinking are applied to real organisational problems and the consequences of design-led action. This research introduces a new set of tools and techniques to an organisation and analyses the effects of this fresh approach on the organisation via a number of action research cycles. There are many stages on the road to introduce Design Thinking as a bottom-up approach to changing an organisation into a more innovative, progressive, efficient and user-centred one.
Recent Progress on Solution-Processed CdTe Nanocrystals Solar Cells
Authors: Xue Hao , Wu Rongfang , Xie Ya , Tan Qiongxuan , Qin Donghuan , Wu Hongbin , Huang Wenbo
Published: July 2016

Solution-processed CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) photovoltaic devices have many advantages, both in commercial manufacture and daily operation, due to the low-cost fabrication process, which becomes a competitive candidate for next-generation solar cells. All solution-processed CdTe NCs solar cells were first reported in 2005. In recent years, they have increased over four-fold in power conversion efficiency. The latest devices achieve AM 1.5 G power conversion efficiency up to 12.0%, values comparable to those of commercial thin film CdTe/CdS solar cells fabricated by the close-space sublimation (CSS) method. Here we review the progress and prospects in this field, focusing on new insights into CdTe NCs synthesized, device fabrication, NC solar cell operation, and how these findings give guidance on optimizing solar cell performance.
Turning on the Radio: Epigenetic Inhibitors as Potential Radiopriming Agents
Authors: Oronsky Bryan , Scicinski Jan , Kim Michelle , Cabrales Pedro , Salacz Michael , Carter Corey , Oronsky Neil , Lybeck Harry , Lybeck Michelle , Larson Christopher , Reid Tony , Oronsky Arnold
Published: July 2016

First introduced during the late 1800s, radiation therapy is fundamental to the treatment of cancer. In developed countries, approximately 60% of all patients receive radiation therapy (also known as the sixty percenters), which makes radioresistance in cancer an important and, to date, unsolved, clinical problem. Unfortunately, the therapeutic refractoriness of solid tumors is the rule not the exception, and the ubiquity of resistance also extends to standard chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Based on extrapolation from recent clinical inroads with epigenetic agents to prime refractory tumors for maximum sensitivity to concurrent or subsequent therapies, the radioresistant phenotype is potentially reversible, since aberrant epigenetic mechanisms are critical contributors to the evolution of resistant subpopulations of malignant cells. Within the framework of a syllogism, this review explores the emerging link between epigenetics and the development of radioresistance and makes the case that a strategy of pre- or co-treatment with epigenetic agents has the potential to, not only derepress inappropriately silenced genes, but also increase reactive oxygen species production, resulting in the restoration of radiosensitivity.
Developing an Affordable and Portable Control Systems Laboratory Kit with a Raspberry Pi
Authors: Reck Rebecca , Sreenivas R.
Published: July 2016

Instructional laboratories are common in engineering programs. Instructional laboratories should evolve with technology and support the changes in higher education, like the increased popularity of online courses. In this study, an affordable and portable laboratory kit was designed to replace the expensive on-campus equipment for two control systems courses. The complete kit costs under $135 and weighs under 0.68 kilograms. It is comprised of off-the-shelf components (e.g., Raspberry Pi, DC motor) and 3D printed parts. The kit has two different configurations. The first (base) configuration is a DC motor system with a position and speed sensor. The second configuration adds a Furuta inverted pendulum attachment with another position sensor. These configurations replicate most of the student learning outcomes for the two control systems courses for which they were designed.
Control of a Dual-Stator Flux-Modulated Motor for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Guo Xinhua , Wu Shaozhe , Fu Weinong , Liu Yulong , Wang Yunchong , Zeng Peihuang
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the control strategies for a novel dual-stator flux-modulated (DSFM) motor for application in electric vehicles (EVs). The DSFM motor can be applied to EVs because of its simple winding structure, high reliability, and its use of two stators and rotating modulation steels in the air gap. Moreover, it outperforms conventional brushless doubly-fed machines in terms of control performance. Two stator-current-oriented vector controls with different excitation in the primary winding, direct and alternating current excitation, are designed, simulated, and evaluated on a custom-made DSFM prototype allowing the decoupled control of torque. The stable speed response and available current characteristics strongly validate the feasibility of the two control methods. Furthermore, the proposed control methods can be employed in other applications of flux-modulated motors.
Substring Position Search over Encrypted Cloud Data Supporting Efficient Multi-User Setup
Authors: Strizhov Mikhail , Osman Zachary , Ray Indrajit
Published: July 2016

Existing Searchable Encryption (SE) solutions are able to handle simple Boolean search queries, such as single or multi-keyword queries, but cannot handle substring search queries over encrypted data that also involve identifying the position of the substring within the document. These types of queries are relevant in areas such as searching DNA data. In this paper, we propose a tree-based Substring Position Searchable Symmetric Encryption (SSP-SSE) to overcome the existing gap. Our solution efficiently finds occurrences of a given substring over encrypted cloud data. Specifically, our construction uses the position heap tree data structure and achieves asymptotic efficiency comparable to that of an unencrypted position heap tree. Our encryption takes O ( k n ) time, and the resulting ciphertext is of size O ( k n ) , where k is a security parameter and n is the size of stored data. The search takes O ( m 2 + o c c ) time and three rounds of communication, where m is the length of the queried substring and o c c is the number of occurrences of the substring in the document collection. We prove that the proposed scheme is secure against chosen-query attacks that involve an adaptive adversary. Finally, we extend SSP-SSE to the multi-user setting where an arbitrary group of cloud users can submit substring queries to search the encrypted data.
Driving Simulator Training Is Associated with Reduced Inhibitory Workload in Older Drivers
Authors: Casutt Gianclaudio , Martin Mike , Jäncke Lutz
Published: July 2016

Background: In demanding cognitive tasks, older people mostly experience more problems than younger people, and their brain workload is higher. An overloaded or exhausted mental workload is frequently associated with unsafe driving behavior. In this paper, we hypothesize that 10 active training sessions in a driving simulator positively influence brain workload, which relates to a beneficial increase in on-road driving performance. Methods: Ninety-one healthy active drivers (62–87 years) were randomly assigned to: (a) a driving simulator-training group; (b) an attention-training group; or (c) a control group. The dependent variables of this training study were brain workload (theta Fz/alpha Pz), and performance in three tasks, for which inhibition of inadequate responses (Stroop, Negative Priming, and Flanker) is required. Seventy-seven participants (85% of the total sample) completed the training. Training gains were analyzed by using a multiple regression analysis with planned comparisons. Results: The results revealed that the driving simulator training reduced brain workload during performance of the inhibition tasks. The performance of the simulator group during the inhibition tasks did not improve, but the participants completed the tasks with less brain workload compared to the attention-training group. Conclusion: Adding to our first paper on the Drive-Wise project, this paper now focuses on the superiority of the driving simulator training, compared to attention-training in regards to reducing brain workload. The change in brain workload seems to be associated with a positive change in drivers’ behavior on the road. Hence, a driving simulator training lasting only ten sessions leads to beneficial neuroplastic changes. This demonstrates brain plasticity of older people and its possible positive influence in real driving behavior.
Integrating Health Research into Disaster Response: The New NIH Disaster Research Response Program
Authors: Miller Aubrey , Yeskey Kevin , Garantziotis Stavros , Arnesen Stacey , Bennett April , O’Fallon Liam , Thompson Claudia , Reinlib Les , Masten Scott , Remington James , Love Cindy , Ramsey Steve , Rosselli Richard , Galluzzo Betsy , Lee Joy , Kwok Richard , Hughes Joseph
Published: July 2016

The need for high quality and timely disaster research has been a topic of great discussion over the past several years. Recent high profile incidents have exposed gaps in knowledge about the health impacts of disasters or the benefits of specific interventions—such was the case with the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill and recent events associated with lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint, Michigan, and the evolving health crisis related to Zika virus disease. Our inability to perform timely research to inform the community about health and safety risks or address specific concerns further heightens anxiety and distrust. Since nearly all disasters, whether natural or man-made, have an environmental health component, it is critical that specialized research tools and trained researchers be readily available to evaluate complex exposures and health effects, especially for vulnerable sub-populations such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with socioeconomic and environmental disparities. In response, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science has initiated a Disaster Research Response Program to create new tools, protocols, networks of researchers, training exercises, and outreach involving diverse groups of stakeholders to help overcome the challenges of disaster research and to improve our ability to collect vital information to reduce the adverse health impacts and improve future preparedness.
Aberrant Lipid Metabolism Promotes Prostate Cancer: Role in Cell Survival under Hypoxia and Extracellular Vesicles Biogenesis
Authors: Deep Gagan , Schlaepfer Isabel
Published: July 2016

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading malignancy among men in United States. Recent studies have focused on the identification of novel metabolic characteristics of PCa, aimed at devising better preventive and therapeutic approaches. PCa cells have revealed unique metabolic features such as higher expression of several enzymes associated with de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid up-take and β-oxidation. This aberrant lipid metabolism has been reported to be important for PCa growth, hormone-refractory progression and treatment resistance. Furthermore, PCa cells effectively use lipid metabolism under adverse environmental conditions for their survival advantage. Specifically, hypoxic cancer cells accumulate higher amount of lipids through a combination of metabolic alterations including high glutamine and fatty acid uptake, as well as decreased fatty acid oxidation. These stored lipids serve to protect cancer cells from oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and play important roles in fueling cancer cell proliferation following re-oxygenation. Lastly, cellular lipids have also been implicated in extracellular vesicle biogenesis, which play a vital role in intercellular communication. Overall, the new understanding of lipid metabolism in recent years has offered several novel targets to better target and manage clinical PCa.
Controlled Release of Nor-β-lapachone by PLGA Microparticles: A Strategy for Improving Cytotoxicity against Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Costa Marcilia , Feitosa Anderson , Oliveira Fátima , Cavalcanti Bruno , Da Silva Eufrânio , Dias Gleiston , Sales Francisco , Sousa Bruno , Barroso-Neto Ito , Pessoa Cláudia , Caetano Ewerton , Di Fiore Stefano , Fischer Rainer , Ladeira Luiz , Freire Valder
Published: July 2016

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in males and it has become a major worldwide public health problem. This study characterizes the encapsulation of Nor-β-lapachone (NβL) in poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microcapsules and evaluates the cytotoxicity of the resulting drug-loaded system against metastatic prostate cancer cells. The microcapsules presented appropriate morphological features and the presence of drug molecules in the microcapsules was confirmed by different methods. Spherical microcapsules with a size range of 1.03 ± 0.46 μm were produced with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 19%. Classical molecular dynamics calculations provided an estimate of the typical adsorption energies of NβL on PLGA. Finally, the cytotoxic activity of NβL against PC3M human prostate cancer cells was demonstrated to be significantly enhanced when delivered by PLGA microcapsules in comparison with the free drug.
On the Roots of Media Ecology: A Micro-History and Philosophical Clarification
Authors: Anton Corey
Published: July 2016

This paper provides a brief review of media ecology. It is partly a micro-history of the tradition, and partly a philosophical clarification of how and why “systems-theory orientations,” literacy studies, and the rapid spread of new media were all essential to its germination, growth, and proliferation. Finally, the paper offers concluding remarks regarding social constructionist thought and how it relates to the media ecology tradition.
A Facile Route to Synthesize Nanographene Reinforced PBO Composites Fiber via in Situ Polymerization
Authors: Wang Mingqiang , Zhang Shuai , Dong Jidong , Song Yuanjun , Mao Jiao , Xie Huaquan , Qian Yue , Huang Yudong , Jiang Zaixing
Published: July 2016

The polymer matrix with introduced carbon-based nanofiber displays fascinating properties. They have inspired extensive research on the synthesis of polymer composites, which have been applied in catalysis, electronics, and energy storage. In this report, we reported a facile and efficient method to prepare poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO)/nanographene (PNG) composites fibers via in-situ polymerization, accompanied by the reduction from (nanographene oxide) NGO to (nanographene) NG. By tuning the ratio of feeding PBO monomer to NGO, various composites fibers with 0.1–1 wt % contents of NG were obtained. The efficient PBO chains grafting made NG uniformly disperse in the PBO matrix, and it also increased the uniformity of the packing orientation of PBO chains. Consequently, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and thermal stability of the obtained PNG composites fibers had been improved significantly. In addition, the composites fibers with 0.5 wt % NG exhibited a 25% increment in tensile strength, and a 41% enhancement in tensile modulus compared with neat PBO fibers. It reveals an excellent reinforcement to PBO composites fibers with NG.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Mapping Using Multiple Processing and Interpretation Methods
Authors: Conyers Lawrence
Published: July 2016

Ground-penetrating radar processing and interpretation methods have been developed over time that usually follow a certain standard pathway, which leads from obtaining the raw reflection data to the production of amplitude slice-maps for three-dimensional visualization. In this standard series of analysis steps a great deal of important information contained in the raw data can potentially be lost or ignored, and without careful consideration, data filtering and re-analysis, information about important buried features can sometimes be unobserved. A typical ground-penetrating radar (GPR) dataset should, instead, be processed, re-evaluated, re-processed and then new images made from new sets of data as a way to enhance the visualization of radar reflections of interest. This should only be done in an intuitive way, once a preliminary series of images are produced using standard processing steps. An example from data collected in an agricultural field in France illustrate how obvious buried features are readily discovered and interpreted using standard processing steps, but additional frequency filtering, migration and then re-processing of certain portions of the data produced images of a subtle Roman villa foundation that might have otherwise gone undiscovered. In sand dunes in coastal Brazil, geological complexity obscured the reflections from otherwise hidden anthropogenic strata, and only an analysis of multiple profiles using different scales and processing allowed this small buried feature to be visible. Foundations of buildings in a Roman city in England could be easily discovered using standard processing methods, but a more detailed analysis of reflection profiles after re-processing and a comparison of GPR images with magnetic gradiometry maps provided information that allowed for the functions of come buried buildings and also an analysis of the city’s destruction by fire.
Water and Carbon Footprint of Wine: Methodology Review and Application to a Case Study
Authors: Rinaldi Sara , Bonamente Emanuele , Scrucca Flavio , Merico Maria , Asdrubali Francesco , Cotana Franco
Published: July 2016

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) play a strategic role in improving the environmental performance of a company and in supporting a successful marketing communication. The high impact of the food industry on natural resources, in terms of water consumption and greenhouse gases emission, has been focusing the attention of consumers and producers towards environmentally sustainable products. This work presents a comprehensive approach for the joint evaluation of carbon (CF) and water (WF) footprint of the wine industry from a cradle to grave perspective. The LCA analysis is carried out following the requirements of international standards (ISO/TS 14067 and ISO 14046). A complete review of the water footprint methodology is presented and guidelines for all the phases of the evaluation procedure are provided, including acquisition and validation of input data, allocation, application of analytic models, and interpretation of the results. The strength of this approach is the implementation of a side-by-side CF vs. WF assessment, based on the same system boundaries, functional unit, and input data, that allows a reliable comparison between the two indicators. In particular, a revised methodology is presented for the evaluation of the grey water component. The methodology was applied to a white and a red wine produced in the same company. A comparison between the two products is presented for each LCA phase along with literature results for similar wines.
Is It What You Measure That Really Matters? The Struggle to Move beyond GDP in Canada
Authors: Hayden Anders , Wilson Jeffrey
Published: July 2016

In light of Gross Domestic Product’s (GDP) well-known limitations as a wellbeing indicator, many alternative measures have been developed around the world. Some advocates of “beyond GDP” measures argue that they are key to shifting societal priorities away from economic growth toward sustainability, equity, and well-being. Is there any evidence to date that alternative indicators have lived up to their supporters’ expectations, whether the hope is for a radical transformation of social priorities away from GDP growth or a reformist vision of better policymaking without challenging the growth paradigm? What are the obstacles to fulfilling those expectations? This article examines the Canadian experience, drawing on interviews with researchers, non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders, public-sector officials, and politicians, along with analysis of relevant documents. The hopes of Canadian proponents of new wellbeing measures have been largely disappointed to date, as no impact on federal or provincial policy is evident. Obstacles facing both a transformative and more limited reformist vision are examined. The Canadian case also suggests that use of new socio-economic indicators is best seen as one product of political efforts to bring ecological and social values into decision-making, rather than as the transformative force that will cause a change in societal priorities.
Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Ichneumonidae
Authors: Broad Gavin
Published: July 2016

The checklist of British and Irish Ichneumonidae is revised, based in large part on the collections of the Natural History Museum, London and the National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh. Distribution records are provided at the country level.

Of the 2,447 species regarded as valid and certainly identified, 214 are here recorded for the first time from the British Isles. Neorhacodinae is considered to be a separate subfamily rather than a synonym of Tersilochinae. Echthrini is treated as a junior synonym of the tribe Cryptini, not Hemigastrini. Echthrus Gravenhorst and Helcostizus Förster are classified in Cryptini rather than, respectively, Hemigastrini and Phygadeuontini.