bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life cycle assessment of innovative technology for energy production from automotive shredder residue
Authors: Rinaldi Caterina , Masoni Paolo , Salvati Fabio , Tolve Pietro
Published: April 2015

Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) is a problematic waste material remaining after shredding and recovery processes of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Its heterogeneous grain size and composition make difficult its recovery or disposal. Although ASR accounts for approximately 20% to 25% of the weight of an ELV, the European Union (EU)'s ELV Directive (2000/53/EC) requires that by 2015 a minimum 95% of the weight of an ELV must be reused or recovered, including a 10% weight energy recovery. The quantity of ASR is relevant: Approximately 2.4 million tons are generated in the EU each year and most of it is sent to landfills. This article describes a life cycle model of the “TEKNE-Fluff” process designed to make beneficial use of ASR that is based on the results of an experimental pilot plant for pyro-gasification, combustion, cogeneration, and emissions treatment of ASR. The goal of the research was the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to identify the environmental hot spots of the “TEKNE system” and use scenario analysis to check solutions to improve its environmental profile, supporting the design and industrialization process. The LCA was conducted based on data modeled from the experimental campaign. Moreover, different scenarios on shares of electricity and thermal energy produced by the cogeneration system and alternative treatment processes for the waste produced by the technology were compared. Despite the limitation of the research (results based on scaling up experimental data by modeling), impact assessment results are promising and sufficiently robust, as shown by Monte Carlo analysis. The TEKNE technology may become an interesting solution for the problem of ASR management: Besides representing an alternative to landfill disposal, the energy produced could avoid significant impacts on fossil resources depletion (a plant of 40 000 tons/y capacity could produce ∼147 000 GJ/yr, covering the annual need of ∼13 500 households). Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:435–444. © 2015 SETAC

Key Points

"TEKNE," an innovative low-impact technology able to produce energy from pyrogasification of ASR, provides an alternative to landfill disposal and a potential solution for ASR management, fulfilling the ELV EU Directive (2000/53/EC). Electricity generated from pyrogasification could avoid significant impacts on depletion of fossil resources by producing about 147,000 GJ/yr, covering the annual consumption of 13,500 households. Two "hot spots" identified through LCA are the disposal of hazardous waste produced by the emission treatment plant and the production of liquid oxygen required by the pyrogasifiers, with both having effects on human toxicity and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity. LCA successfully identified hot spots, tradeoffs, and possible improvement strategies that supported industrialization of the ASR pyrogasification plant and the entire decision-making process.
EMOTION REGULATION IN MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN FACED WITH TRAUMA
Authors: Pat‐Horenczyk Ruth , Cohen S. , Ziv Y. , Achituv M. , Asulin‐Peretz L. , Blanchard T.R. , Schiff M. , Brom D.
Published: April 2015

The present study investigated maternal emotion regulation as mediating the association between maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms and children's emotional dysregulation in a community sample of 431 Israeli mothers and children exposed to trauma. Little is known about the specific pathways through which maternal posttraumatic symptoms and deficits in emotion regulation contribute to emotional dysregulation. Inspired by the intergenerational process of relational posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which posttraumatic distress is transmitted from mothers to children, we suggest an analogous concept of relational emotion regulation, by which maternal emotion regulation problems may contribute to child emotion regulation deficits. Child emotion regulation problems were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist‐Dysregulation Profile (CBCL‐DP; T.M. Achenbach & I. Rescorla, 2000), which is comprised of three subscales of the CBCL: Attention, Aggression, and Anxiety/Depression. Maternal PTSD symptoms were assessed by the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (E.B. Foa, L. Cashman, L. Jaycox, & K. Perry, 1997) and maternal emotion regulation by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (K.L. Gratz & L. Roemer, 2004). Results showed that the child's emotion regulation problems were associated with both maternal posttraumatic symptoms and maternal emotion dysregulation. Further, maternal emotion regulation mediated the association between maternal posttraumatic symptoms and the child's regulation deficits. These findings highlight the central role of mothers’ emotion regulation skills in the aftermath of trauma as it relates to children's emotion regulation skills. The degree of mothers’ regulatory skills in the context of posttraumatic stress symptoms reflects a key process through which the intergenerational transmission of trauma may occur. Study results have critical implications for planning and developing clinical interventions geared toward the treatment of families in the aftermath of trauma and, in particular, the enhancement of mothers’ emotion regulation skills after trauma.
Gender‐specific differences in the development of sarcopenia in the rodent model of the ageing high‐fat rat
Authors: Kob Robert , Fellner Claudia , Bertsch Thomas , Wittmann Astrid , Mishura Daria , Sieber Cornel C. , Fischer Barbara E. , Stroszczynski Christian , Bollheimer Cornelius L.
Published: April 2015

Background

Sarcopenia is linked to functional impairments, loss of independence, and mortality. In the past few years, obesity has been established as being a risk factor for a decline in muscle mass and function. There are several molecular pathological mechanisms, which have been under discussion that might explain this relationship. However, most studies were conducted using male animals and for a short period of time.

Methods

In this study, the gender‐specific effect of long‐term, high‐fat content feeding in Sprague–Dawley rats was examined. Development of the quadriceps muscle of the animals was monitored in vivo using magnetic resonance. The results of these measurements and of the biochemical analysis of the aged muscle were compared.

Results

Surprisingly, only male but not female rats showed a decline in muscle cross‐sectional area at 16 months of age as a result of a chronic oversupply of dietary fats. This loss of muscle mass could not be explained by either de‐regulation of the anabolic Akt pathway or by up‐regulation of the main ubiquitin ligases of muscle, MAFbx and MuRF‐1. However, fusion of satellite cells to myotubes was induced by the high‐fat diet in male rats, possibly as a result of an increased need for compensatory regeneration processes. Caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis induction, irrespective of diet, seems to be the major determinant of muscle decline during ageing in male but not female rats.

Conclusion

Taken together, activation of the apoptosis‐inducing Caspase‐3 seems to be the most important trigger for the age‐related muscle loss. Male rats were more prone to the decline of muscle during ageing than female animals, which was further enforced by a long‐term, high fat diet.
Evaluating the Distorting Effects of Inattentive Responding and Social Desirability on Self‐Report Scales in Creativity and the Arts
Authors: McKibben William Bradley , Silvia Paul J.
Published: April 2015

Inattentiveness and social desirability might be particularly problematic for self‐report scales in creativity and arts research. Respondents who are inattentive or who present themselves favorably will score highly on scales that yield positively skewed distributions and that assess socially valued constructs, such as scales measuring creativity and arts knowledge. A total of 204 undergraduates completed an online survey with several self‐report measures (the Creative Achievement Questionnaire, the Biographical Inventory of Creative Behavior, and the Aesthetic Fluency Scale). Many metrics of inattentiveness were included, such as directed response items, self‐reported attentiveness, and scales to catch inconsistent and patterned responses. The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding measured facets of social desirability. We found high rates of inattentive responding. A latent class analysis indicated that around 25% of the sample was potentially inattentive, and inattentive respondents received higher scores on the creativity and arts scales. Excluding problematic participants increased the effect sizes of interest, consistent with the coarsening effect of careless participants. Social desirability, in contrast, had essentially no relationship with the creativity and arts scales. These findings suggest that social desirability is probably less of a problem than researchers fear, but that inattentiveness is an underappreciated threat. Some practical guidelines are suggested.
Verbreitet, aber kaum bewertet — perfluorierte Alkylsubstanzen
Authors: Stahl Thorsten , Falk Sandy , Brunn Hubertus
Published: April 2015

Per‐ und Polyfluoralkysubstanzen sind wie andere persistente halogenorganische Verbindungen ubiquitär: Man findet sie in Gewässern, im Trinkwasser, im Boden, in tierischen Organismen, in Lebensmitteln, in menschlichem Blut und in Muttermilch. Doch die Datenlage zur Exposition und zu ihrer Toxizität ist nach wie vor — bis auf wenige Ausnahmen — lückenhaft.
Physical and mechanical properties of linear low‐density polyethylene/cycloolefin copolymer/layered silicate nanocomposite
Authors: Sánchez‐Valdes S. , Ramírez‐Vargas E. , Ramos de Valle L.F. , Martinez‐Colunga J.G. , Romero‐Garcia J. , Ledezma‐Perez A.S. , Mendez‐Nonell J. , Castañeda‐Flores M.E. , Morales‐Cepeda A.
Published: April 2015

Nanocomposites based on cyclic olefin copolymer/linear low density polyethylene blends (COC/LLDPE) with various contents of three different modified organoclays (20A, 10A, and I28E) compatibilized with polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PEgMA) were prepared by met mixing. The influence of content and type of organoclay and compatibilizer on nanocomposite morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties as well as on oxygen and water vapour barrier properties was determined. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the clay dispersion, which showed a strong dependence on compatibilizer and type of organoclay. An exfoliated–intercalated morphology was obtained for compatibilized samples of C20A and I28E organoclays at 5 wt%. A less intercalated structure was obtained for samples with C10A. The exfoliated–intercalated structure was influenced both by the compatibilizer and the increase on the nanocomposite viscosity due to the COC incorporation as was determined by Rheological measurements. Mechanical analysis gave an evidence of increasing stiffness after nanoclay was added into COC/LLDPE blend matrix observing higher Young modulus for the compatibilized samples. A notorious decrease of Oxygen and Water vapour permeation rate was observed for COC/LLDPE blend films nanocomposites only when using C20A and I28E clays. These results can be useful in the design of sustainable flexible films for the packaging requirements of specific types of food. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3167–3174, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Using Mg‐Al‐layered double hydroxide intercalated with chiral dicarboxylic acid for the reinforcement of isoleucine amino acid containing poly(amide‐imide)
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Dinari Mohammad
Published: April 2015

A series of bionanocomposite (BNC) materials based on isoleucine containing poly(amide‐imide) (PAI) and modified MgAl‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) were prepared by solution intercalation method for the first time. An optically active PAI was synthesized by direct polycondensation reaction of N,N'‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐isoleucine with 3,5‐diamino‐N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)benzamide under green conditions. Organically modified LDH was prepared via ion exchange reaction of MgAl‐LDH in a solution of N,N'‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐l‐isoleucine in distilled water. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results of modified LDH show an increase in interlayer distance as compared to the unmodified one. The obtained polymer and modified LDH were used to prepare chiral and high‐performance hybrid materials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques were used to study the morphology and thermal properties of the obtained hybrid materials. TGA data indicated an increase in thermal stability of the BNCs as compared to the pure polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3288–3295, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Facile non‐lithographic route to highly aligned silica nanopatterns using unidirectionally aligned polystyrene‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane films
Authors: Qiang Zhe , Wadley Maurice L. , Vogt Bryan D. , Cavicchi Kevin A.
Published: April 2015

Thin films (monolayer and bilayer) of cylinder forming polystyrene‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane (PS‐b‐PDMS) were shear aligned by the swelling and deswelling of a crosslinked PDMS pad that was physically adhered to the film during solvent vapor annealing. The nanostructures formed by self‐assembly were exposed to ultraviolet‐ozone to partially oxidize the PDMS, followed by calcination in air at 500 °C. In this process, the PS segments were fully decomposed, while the PDMS yielded silica nanostructures. The highly aligned PDMS cylinders were thus deposited as silica nanolines on the silicon substrate. Using a bilayer film, the center‐to‐center distance of these features were effectively halved from 38 to 19 nm. Similarly, by sequential shear‐alignment of two distinct layers, a rhombic array of silica nanolines was fabricated. This methodology provides a facile route to fabricating complex topographically patterned nanostructures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2015,53, 1058–1064
Characterization and Effects of Ar/Air Microwave Plasma on Wound Healing
Authors: Kim Ho Young , Kang Sung Kil , Park Seon Min , Jung Hoe Yune , Choi Bo Hwa , Sim Jae Yoon , Lee Jae Koo
Published: April 2015

Using Ar/Air mixture microwave plasma, we investigated the effects of air and gas temperature on the generation of electrons, ozone (O3), and nitric oxide (NO) through experiments and chemical kinetics simulation. The global model (GM) chemical kinetics simulation was used to validate and complement experimental observations. As the air percentages in Ar plasma increase, electrons are mainly generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), but electron densities decrease. This is why plasma jet length becomes shorter with the mixture of air to Ar plasma at the same power. The profile of O3 densities has a maximum point because these are affected by oxygen (O2) molecules and gas temperature. O3 densities increase because these are generated via recombination of atomic oxygen (O) and O2 radicals as the air percentages increase. As the gas temperature increases, O3 densities decrease and O3 radicals are mainly destroyed by ROS such as O2−, excited O2, and O, although air percentages increase. NO radicals increase continually with the addition of air mixture and increase in gas temperature. With respect to biomedical applications, in the case of Ar/Air plasma treatment, it takes just 2 d, which has reduced the wound area to 30% because of faster scab formation over the wound and mRNA activation. Abundant NO radicals with ROS in Ar/aAir plasma strongly enhance IL‐6 and TGF‐β1, which facilitate collagen remodeling and wound recovery effectively.
Robust Tukey–CUSUM Control Chart for Process Monitoring
Authors: Khaliq Qurat‐UL‐Ain , Riaz Muhammad
Published: April 2015

In real world scenarios, we continuously inspect the performing behavior of different features of processes. A change in the process parameters may affect the product quality and therefore needs a timely identification. For this purpose we have designed new memory structure based on Tukey control chart (TCC) under cumulative sum (CUSUM) setup. The proposed chart, namely Tukey‐CUSUM, combines the feature of TCC with CUSUM design for improved detection of shifts for normal and non‐normal data. The performance of the study proposal is evaluated through different measures based on run length including ARL, EQL, PCI and RARL. We have observed that the proposed Tukey‐CUSUM design is quite robust and efficient, especially using asymmetrical decision intervals for different process models. An application example is also provided to illustrate the study proposal. Moreover, sample selection is always of great concern for practitioners so we have included a brief description of the steps for sample selection with reference to process monitoring. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SAFE‐CROWD: secure task allocation for collaborative mobile social network
Authors: Fan Xiaochen , Yang Panlong , Li Qingyu , Liu Dawei , Xiang Chaocan , Zhao Yonggang
Published: April 2015

With the pervasive use of smart mobile devices and increasing wireless networking technologies, collaborations among mobile users are becoming deeper and ubiquitous. Appropriate task collaborations among mobile users could effectively improve the network processing ability with so called ‘mobile cloud’ or ‘cloudlet’. However, task allocations confront with the security issues. The possible collusion or re‐collaborations among the mobile users would possibly merge the allocated tasks of the specific users. Moreover, considering the delivery reliability and task execution efficiency, replications are applied for enhancement, which would also lead to more sever security threat for users. We investigate how to secure the security when task collaborations are allowed for mobile users. Our security scheme is built upon the load balancing scheme, and our intuitive solution is, if the tasks could be effectively balanced among users, the security issues could be guaranteed, because averaging the task assignment could effectively raise the threshold for collusion among potential malicious users. In this work, we propose ‘SAFE‐CROWD’: a secure task offloading and reassignment scheme among mobile users. The basic idea is simple, we leverage the ‘ball and bin’ theory for task assignment, where d mobile users in contact range are investigated, and we select the least loaded ones among them. It has been proved that such simple cases can effectively reduce the largest queueing length from
to
. Inspired by this theoretical result, we develop a task reassignment policy for security issues. Simulation and trace‐driven studies have shown that our simple but effective scheme could enhance the security for mobile users, when the tasks are collaboratively executed among mobile devices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the Chain of Oxidation and Reduction Process Reversible in Luminescent Graphene Quantum Dots?
Authors: Jang Min‐Ho , Ha Hyun Dong , Lee Eui‐Sup , Liu Fei , Kim Yong‐Hyun , Seo Tae Seok , Cho Yong‐Hoon
Published: April 2015

Graphene‐based quantum dots (QDs) have received a tremendous amount of attention as a new type of light‐emitting materials. However, their luminescence origins remain controversial due to extrinsic states of the impurities and disorder structures. Especially, the function of oxygen‐contents should be understood and controlled as a crucial element for tuning the optical properties of graphene‐based QDs. Herein, a series of graphene oxide QDs (GOQDs) with different amounts of oxygen‐contents are first synthesized via a direct oxidation route of graphite nanoparticle and thoroughly compared with a series of reduced GOQDs (rGOQDs) prepared by the conventional chemical reduction. Irreversible emission and different carrier dynamics are observed between the GOQDs and rGOQDs, although both routes show a similar tendency with regard to the variation of oxygen‐functional components. Their luminescence mechanisms are closely associated with different atomic structures. The mechanism for the rGOQDs can be associated with a formation of small sp2 nanodomains as luminescent centers, whereas those of GOQDs may be composed of oxygen‐islands with difference sizes depending on oxidation conditions surrounded by a large area of sp2 bonding. Important insights for understanding the optical properties of graphene‐based QDs and how they are affected by oxygen‐functional groups are shown.
Mammalian Cells Exhibit a Range of Sensitivities to Silver Nanoparticles that are Partially Explicable by Variations in Antioxidant Defense and Metallothionein Expression
Authors: Zhang Haiyuan , Wang Xiang , Wang Meiying , Li Linjiang , Chang Chong Hyun , Ji Zhaoxia , Xia Tian , Nel Andre E.
Published: April 2015

While it is well known that there are interspecies differences in Ag sensitivity, differences in the cytotoxic responses of mammalian cells to silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are also observed. In order to explore these response outcomes, six cell lines, including epithelial cells (Caco‐2, NHBE, RLE‐6TN, and BEAS‐2B) and macrophages (RAW 264.7 and THP‐1) of human and rodent origin, are exposed to 20 nm citrate‐ and PVP‐coated Ag NPs with Au cores, as well as 20 nm citrate‐coated particles without cores. An MTS assay shows that while Caco‐2 and NHBE cells are resistant to particles over a 0.1–50 μg mL−1 dose range, RAW 264.7, THP‐1, RLE‐6TN, and BEAS‐2B cells are more susceptible. While there are small differences in dissolution rates, there are no major differences in the cytotoxic potential of the different particles. However, differences in anti‐oxidant defense and metallothionein expression among different cell types are observed, which can partially explain differential Ag NP sensitivity. So, it is important to consider these differences in understanding the potential heterogeneous effects of nano Ag on mammalian biological systems.
Flexible and Binder‐Free Electrodes of Sb/rGO and Na3V2(PO4)3/rGO Nanocomposites for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Yangtao , Chen Chaoji , Li Zhen , Huang Yunhui , Hu Xianluo
Published: April 2015

Flexible power sources have shown great promise in next‐generation bendable, implantable, and wearable electronic systems. Here, flexible and binder‐free electrodes of Na3V2(PO4)3/reduced graphene oxide (NVP/rGO) and Sb/rGO nanocomposites for sodium‐ion batteries are reported. The Sb/rGO and NVP/rGO paper electrodes with high flexibility and tailorability can be easily fabricated. Sb and NVP nanoparticles are embedded homogenously in the interconnected framework of rGO nanosheets, which provides structurally stable hosts for Na‐ion intercalation and deintercalation. The NVP/rGO paper‐like cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 113 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and high capacity retention of ≈96.6% after 120 cycles. The Sb/rGO paper‐like anode gives a highly reversible capacity of 612 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, an excellent rate capacity up to 30 C, and a good cycle performance. Moreover, the sodium‐ion full cell of NVP/rGO//Sb/rGO has been fabricated, delivering a highly reversible capacity of ≈400 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 100 charge/discharge cycles. This work may provide promising electrode candidates for developing next‐generation energy‐storage devices with high capacity and long cycle life.
Carrier sense aware multipath geographic routing protocol
Authors: Bennis Ismail , Fouchal Hacene , Zytoune Ouadoudi , Aboutajdine Driss
Published: April 2015

Over the last few years, wireless sensor networks have become a great field of interest for the scientific community. This novel kind of network provides an array of applications for different aspects of human life. To give a satisfying performance to the final user, the wireless sensor networks must ensure the quality of service. The use of multipath technique was widely applied in the literature. Nevertheless, there might be a problem if the interference issues are not taken into account by the multipath routing design. In this paper, we propose a novel multipath routing protocol called Carrier Sense Aware Multipath Geographic Routing protocol (CSA‐MGR). This protocol creates multiple paths while avoiding any shared carrier sense range by using a distributed and dynamic process. In addition, the CSA‐MGR employs a new metrics named the Number of Common Neighbors to guarantee a faster and an efficient path construction. Simulations conducted over the NS‐2 simulator show promising results in terms of delay, Packet Delivery Ratio and routing overhead. The performance gain of CSA‐MGR in terms of delay is up to 275% compared with the Two‐Phase geographical Greedy Forwarding and up to 565% compared with the ad hoc on‐demand multipath distance vector. For the Packet Delivery Ratio, the performance gain of CSA‐MGR is up to 16% compared with the Two‐Phase geographic Greedy Forwarding and up to 28% compared with the ad hoc on‐demand multipath distance vector. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical modeling reveals the mechanisms of feedforward regulation in cell fate decisions in budding yeast
Authors: Li Wenlong , Yi Ming , Zou Xiufen
Published: April 2015

The determination of cell fate is one of the key questions of developmental biology. Recent experiments showed that feedforward regulation is a novel feature of regulatory networks that controls reversible cellular transitions. However, the underlying mechanism of feedforward regulation‐mediated cell fate decision is still unclear. Therefore, using experimental data, we develop a full mathematical model of the molecular network responsible for cell fate selection in budding yeast. To validate our theoretical model, we first investigate the dynamical behaviors of key proteins at the Start transition point and the G1/S transition point; a crucial three‐node motif consisting of cyclin (Cln1/2), Substrate/Subunit Inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent protein kinase (Sic1) and cyclin B (Clb5/6) is considered at these points. The rapid switches of these important components between high and low levels at two transition check points are demonstrated reasonably by our model. Many experimental observations about cell fate decision and cell size control are also theoretically reproduced. Interestingly, the feedforward regulation provides a reliable separation between different cell fates. Next, our model reveals that the threshold for the amount of WHIskey (Whi5) removed from the nucleus is higher at the Reentry point in pheromone‐arrested cells compared with that at the Start point in cycling cells. Furthermore, we analyze the hysteresis in the cell cycle kinetics in response to changes in pheromone concentration, showing that Cln3 is the primary driver of reentry and Cln1/2 is the secondary driver of reentry. In particular, we demonstrate that the inhibition of Cln1/2 due to the accumulation of Factor ARrest (Far1) directly reinforces arrest. Finally, theoretical work verifies that the three‐node coherent feedforward motif created by cell FUSion (Fus3), Far1 and STErile (Ste12) ensures the rapid arrest and reversibility of a cellular state. The combination of our theoretical model and the previous experimental data contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the cell fate decision at the G1 phase in budding yeast and will stimulate further biological experiments in future.
Elections and Political Regimes
Authors: Gandhi Jennifer
Published: April 2015

Post-Cold War autocracies appear novel in their use of multiparty elections, attracting the attention of scholars and policymakers alike. A longer historical view, however, reveals that what is unique is not electoral authoritarianism after 1989, but rather the electoral inactivity of autocracies during the Cold War period. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, authoritarian regimes have held multiparty elections. The prevalence of these elections begs the question of whether they have any effects on political liberalization and democratization. But the study of authoritarian elections in processes of political change faces a number of theoretical and empirical challenges that can only partly be surmounted with existing approaches.
Introduction: The Future of Democracy
Authors: Adeney Katharine , Taggart Paul
Published: April 2015

In this article the special issue on the future of democracy is introduced with a discussion of the rationale and a brief overview of the contributions that follow. In addition the authors highlight four major themes that run through the special issue. These themes are: the measurement of democracy, the importance of time and context for understanding democracy, the importance of institutions in the process of democratization, and the differential role of government and opposition in democracy. The article finishes with a conclusion about the plural nature and possible futures for democracy.
Engendering the ‘Crisis of Democracy’: Institutions, Representation and Participation
Authors: Waylen Georgina
Published: April 2015

Many democracies are widely perceived to be suffering a serious crisis of representation, participation and legitimacy. As part of this ‘crisis’, the male domination of democracy – both in terms of its institutions and who participates – has been identified as problematic, even emblematic, of a more generalized democratic crisis. Increasing the participation of women is advocated as one solution. Using examples drawn from both long-standing and newer democracies (parliamentary and presidential), particularly from Europe and Latin America, this article explores the gender dynamics of the ‘crisis of democracy’. The ‘crisis’ has two gendered aspects. First, and paradoxically, although democracy still privileges predominantly white, elite, heterosexual, men, more women now participate in democratic institutions, leading to claims that the ‘male monopoly’ has ended (Dahlerup and Leyenaar 2013). Second, the ‘crisis of democracy’ may provide opportunities to further enhance women’s participation, as the demands of those favouring greater gender equality and those looking for solutions to the ‘crisis’ appear to coincide.
A Hollow Cultural Core? An Inquiry into New Institutional Approaches to Incentive Based Regulation
Authors: Harvey Rachel
Published: April 2015

The trans-disciplinary New Institutional framework identifies the importance of incentive structures in preventing opportunism in market making. In recent decades this theoretical tradition has increasingly shifted its attention from formal institutions to identify the significance of cultural processes in countering uncertainty, bounded rationality, and information asymmetries. More specifically the New Institutional perspective tends to focus on the formal mechanisms producing and reproducing culture, as opposed to an examination of specific cultural content. This attention to formal mechanisms means that value-rational action and commitments in market making receive insufficient attention. In order to examine the problems entailed in this trend, the case study of a financial market in which market making was constituted by the values of loyalty, duty, and honor of traders is used.
Explaining Political Tunnel Vision: Politics and Economics in Crisis-Ridden Europe, Then and Now
Authors: Mudge Stephanie L.
Published: April 2015

The grip of austerity in European politics since 2008 presents a double puzzle: electorally weak center-left parties offering no definite alternative, and the surprisingly efficient pursuit of “fiscal consolidation”. To understand this double puzzle this article investigates the institutional bases of alternative economic thinking during the 1930s versus the post-2008 crisis years. Noting the recent prominence of a new social type, theEuropean economist-technocrat(eet), I highlight the historically specific order to which theeetis indigenous: rarefied, international professional circuits that tend to work over, not through, party politics. This contrasts sharply with the nationally-based, party-connected economists who developed new economic orthodoxies between the 1930s and 1960s, including Keynes himself. Approaching the study of economic culture in the public sphere in a Polanyian moral markets framework, I argue that the linkages between European economics and financial technocracies help to explain Europe’s double puzzle. Theoretically, I argue that a focus on expertise and parties, and not just states, is central to our understanding of economic culture in the public sphere.
HUMANITARIAN LAW, HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND THE BIFURCATION OF ARMED CONFLICT
Authors: Hill-Cawthorne Lawrence
Published: April 2015

This article offers a fresh examination of the distinction drawn in international humanitarian law (IHL) between international and non-international armed conflicts. In particular, it considers this issue from the under-explored perspective of the influence of international human rights law (IHRL). It is demonstrated how, over time, the effect of IHRL on this distinction in IHL has changed dramatically. Whereas traditionally IHRL encouraged the partial elimination of the distinction between types of armed conflict, more recently it has been invoked in debates in a manner that would preserve what remains of the distinction. By exploring this important issue, it is hoped that the present article will contribute to the ongoing debates regarding the future development of the law of non-international armed conflict.
A NEW STRATOSPHERE? INVESTMENT TREATY ARBITRATION AS ‘INTERNATIONALIZED PUBLIC LAW’
Authors: Foster Caroline
Published: April 2015

The idea of investment treaty arbitration as public law is in tension with the concept of international law as a law between representative public agencies. This concept of international law is valuable for its capacity to progress a broad range of public policy aims in an integrated and coordinated manner, including aims extending beyond the economic sphere such as international social, environmental, cultural and related aims. The probable effect on this concept of international law of a radical ‘internationalized public law’ approach to investment treaty arbitration requires further thought, especially with regard to the potential implications of recognizing investor rights under international law.
Songwriters and song lyrics: architecture, ambiguity and repetition
Authors: Negus Keith , Astor Pete
Published: April 2015

This article argues for understanding popular songs and songwriting through the metaphor of architecture, an idea we draw from vernacular terms used by songwriters when comprehending and explaining their own creative practice, and which we deploy in response to those who have called for writing about music to use a non-technical vocabulary and make greater use of metaphor. By architecture we mean those recognisable characteristics of songs that exist as enduring qualities regardless of a specific performance, recording or sheet music score. We use this analogy not as a systematic model, but as a device for exploring the intricate ways in which words and music are combined and pointing to similarities in the composition of poetry and the writing of song lyrics. The art of repetition and play with ambiguity are integral to popular song architectures that endure regardless of the modifications introduced by performers who temporarily inhabit a particular song.
Blues music theory and the songs of Robert Johnson: ladder, level and chromatic cycle
Authors: Curry Ben
Published: April 2015

The blues is a complex and subtle musical language that warrants careful analysis and sustained debate. There are legitimate concerns with the application of music-theoretical paradigms to blues music, but we should not allow such concerns to undermine all attempts to address the blues as a serious and coherently structured music. This paper explores the notions of ladder, level and chromatic cycle as an insightful set of theoretical tools in analysing the music of Robert Johnson. Key sources in developing this analytical approach are the scholarship of Gerhard Kubik and the spatially oriented analytical methods of neo-Riemannian theory. The notions of ladder, level and chromatic cycle are explored with close reference to Johnson's ‘Kindhearted Woman’ and through a more general consideration of the scale-degree content of his vocal parts.
Asymmetric implosion of a cone-guided target irradiated by Gekko XII laser
Authors: Yanagawa T. , Sakagami H. , Sunahara A. , Nagatomo H.
Published: April 2015

In implosion experiments of a cone-guided target using Gekko XII laser, the lasers on the cone side are not irradiated to avoid the irradiation of the cone. In such condition, the implosion process is done highly asymmetrically. Thus we evaluated the effects of the asymmetric implosion on the compression ratio of the fuel in Gekko XII irradiation orientation by three-dimensional hydro simulations. In this paper, we discuss the degradation of the compression ratio by asymmetric implosion and show that the compression ratio can be enhanced by adjusting the laser intensity between each beam to reduce the asymmetry of the implosion.
An explicit André–Oort type result for
Authors: PAULIN ROLAND
Published: April 2015

Using class field theory we prove an explicit result of André–Oort type for $\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C}) \times \mathbb{G}_m(\mathbb{C})$. In this variation the special points of $\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{C})$ are the singular moduli, while the special points of $\mathbb{G}_m(\mathbb{C})$ are defined to be the roots of unity.
Comparison of the effects of BPA and BPAF on oocyte spindle assembly and polar body release in mice
Authors: Nakano Kei , Nishio Manami , Kobayashi Norio , Hiradate Yuuki , Hoshino Yumi , Sato Eimei , Tanemura Kentaro
Published: April 2015

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a homolog of bisphenol A (BPA), is a widely used environmental chemical that has adverse effects on reproduction. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of BPA and BPAF exposure on oocyte maturation in vitro. Oocytes were cultured in the presence of BPA or BPAF (2, 20, 50 or 100 μg/ml) for 18 h. At concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/ml, BPA and BPAF inhibited oocyte maturation, with BPAF treatment causing a sharp decrease in the number of oocytes reaching maturity. Oocytes were exposed to BPA or BPAF at 2 μg/ml and cultured for different durations (6, 9, 12, 15 or 18 h). Both BPAF and BPA caused a cell cycle delay under these conditions. Oocytes cultured in the presence of BPA or BPAF (50 μg/ml) for 21 h were tested for the localization of α-tubulin and MAD2 using immunofluorescence. High concentrations of BPAF induced cell cycle arrest through the activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. After 12 h of culture in BPAF (50 μg/ml), oocytes were transferred to control medium for 9 h. Only 63.3% oocytes treated in this manner progressed to metaphase II (MII). Oocytes exposed to high doses of BPA experienced a cell cycle delay, but managed to progress to MII when the culture period was prolonged. In addition, MAD2 was localized in the cytoplasm of these oocytes. In conclusion, both BPAF and BPA exposure affected oocyte maturation, however BPAF and BPA have differential effects on SAC activity.
Structural basis for binding of human IgG1 to its high-affinity human receptor FcγRI
Authors: Kiyoshi Masato , Caaveiro Jose M.M. , Kawai Takeaki , Tashiro Shinya , Ide Teruhiko , Asaoka Yoshiharu , Hatayama Kouta , Tsumoto Kouhei
Published: April 2015

Cell-surface Fcγ receptors mediate innate and adaptive immune responses. Human Fcγ receptor I (hFcγRI) binds IgGs with high affinity and is the only Fcγ receptor that can effectively capture monomeric IgGs. However, the molecular basis of hFcγRI’s interaction with Fc has not been determined, limiting our understanding of this major immune receptor. Here we report the crystal structure of a complex between hFcγRI and human Fc, at 1.80 Å resolution, revealing an unique hydrophobic pocket at the surface of hFcγRI perfectly suited for residue Leu235 of Fc, which explains the high affinity of this complex. Structural, kinetic and thermodynamic data demonstrate that the binding mechanism is governed by a combination of non-covalent interactions, bridging water molecules and the dynamic features of Fc. In addition, the hinge region of hFcγRI-bound Fc adopts a straight conformation, potentially orienting the Fab moiety. These findings will stimulate the development of novel therapeutic strategies involving hFcγRI.
Differential Natural Selection of Human Zinc Transporter Genes between African and Non-African Populations
Authors: Zhang Chao , Li Jing , Tian Lei , Lu Dongsheng , Yuan Kai , Yuan Yuan , Xu Shuhua
Published: April 2015

Zinc transporters play important roles in all eukaryotes by maintaining the rational zinc concentration in cells. However, the diversity of zinc transporter genes (ZTGs) remains poorly studied. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity of 24 human ZTGs based on the 1000 Genomes data. Some ZTGs show small population differences, such as SLC30A6 with a weighted-average FST (WA-FST = 0.015), while other ZTGs exhibit considerably large population differences, such as SLC30A9 (WA-FST = 0.284). Overall, ZTGs harbor many more highly population-differentiated variants compared with random genes. Intriguingly, we found that SLC30A9 was underlying natural selection in both East Asians (EAS) and Africans (AFR) but in different directions. Notably, a non-synonymous variant (rs1047626) in SLC30A9 is almost fixed with 96.4% A in EAS and 92% G in AFR, respectively. Consequently, there are two different functional haplotypes exhibiting dominant abundance in AFR and EAS, respectively. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the haplotype frequencies of SLC30A9 and distributions of zinc contents in soils or crops. We speculate that the genetic differentiation of ZTGs could directly contribute to population heterogeneity in zinc transporting capabilities and local adaptations of human populations in regard to the local zinc state or diets, which have both evolutionary and medical implications.
Twin tubular pinch effect in curving confined flows
Authors: Clime Liviu , Morton Keith J. , Hoa Xuyen D. , Veres Teodor
Published: April 2015

Colloidal suspensions of buoyancy neutral particles flowing in circular pipes focus into narrow distributions near the wall due to lateral migration effects associated with fluid inertia. In curving flows, these distributions are altered by Dean currents and the interplay between Reynolds and Dean numbers is used to predict equilibrium positions. Here, we propose a new description of inertial lateral migration in curving flows that expands current understanding of both focusing dynamics and equilibrium distributions. We find that at low Reynolds numbers, the ratio δ between lateral inertial migration and Dean forces scales simply with the particle radius, coil curvature and pipe radius as "Equation missing". A critical value δc = 0.148 of this parameter is identified along with two related inertial focusing mechanisms. In the regime below δc, coined subcritical, Dean forces generate permanently circulating, twinned annuli, each with intricate equilibrium particle distributions including eyes and trailing arms. At δ > δc (supercritical regime) inertial lateral migration forces are dominant and particles focus to a single stable equilibrium position.
Auto-inhibitory Mechanism of the Human Mitochondrial RNase P Protein Complex
Authors: Li Fengzhi , Liu Xiaofen , Zhou Weihong , Yang Xue , Shen Yuequan
Published: April 2015

It is known that tRNAs play an essential role in genetic information transfer from DNA to protein. The maturation of tRNA precursors is performed by the endoribonuclease RNase P, which classically consists of a main RNA segment and accessory proteins. However, the newly identified human mitochondrial RNase P-like protein (MRPP123) complex is unique in that it is composed of three proteins without RNA. Here, we determined the crystal structure of MRPP123 complex subunit 3 (MRPP3), which is thought to carry out the catalytic reaction. A detailed structural analysis in combination with biochemical assays suggests that MRPP3 is in an auto-inhibitory conformation in which metal ions that are essential for catalysis are excluded from the active site. Our results indicate that further regulation is necessary to rearrange the conformation of the active site of MRPP3 and trigger it, thus providing important information to understand the activation of MRPP123.
Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between XRCC1-Arg399Gln and Arg280His Polymorphisms and the Risk of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yan Jie , Wang Xiantao , Tao Hui , Deng Zengfu , Yang Wang , Lin Faquan
Published: April 2015

Prostate cancer is one of the most common noncutaneous malignancies in Western countries. Because there has been a debate regarding the relationship between the XRCC1-Arg399Gln and Arg280His polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk, we therefore performed this meta-analysis. The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE and Medline were searched prior to October 1, 2014. An odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to calculate association. Heterogeneity was tested by both a chi-square test and I2statistic. Funnel plots and Egger’s test were used to assess publication bias. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 12.0 software. A significant association between the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism and prostate cancer risk was found under a homozygote model and a recessive model. A significant association between XRCC1-Arg280His and prostate cancer risk was found under a heterozygote model and a dominant model. Overall, the results of this meta-analysis show that the XRCC1-Arg399Gln polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer under the homozygote model and the recessive model. And XRCC1-Arg280His polymorphism is likely to be related with prostate cancer risk under the heterozygote model and the dominant model. Additional larger well-designed studies are needed to validate our results.
Raman spectroscopic sensing of carbonate intercalation in breast microcalcifications at stereotactic biopsy
Authors: Sathyavathi R. , Saha Anushree , Soares Jaqueline S. , Spegazzini Nicolas , McGee Sasha , Rao Dasari Ramachandra , Fitzmaurice Maryann , Barman Ishan
Published: April 2015

Microcalcifications are an early mammographic sign of breast cancer and frequent target for stereotactic biopsy. Despite their indisputable value, microcalcifications, particularly of the type II variety that are comprised of calcium hydroxyapatite deposits, remain one of the least understood disease markers. Here we employed Raman spectroscopy to elucidate the relationship between pathogenicity of breast lesions in fresh biopsy cores and composition of type II microcalcifications. Using a chemometric model of chemical-morphological constituents, acquired Raman spectra were translated to characterize chemical makeup of the lesions. We find that increase in carbonate intercalation in the hydroxyapatite lattice can be reliably employed to differentiate benign from malignant lesions, with algorithms based only on carbonate and cytoplasmic protein content exhibiting excellent negative predictive value (93–98%). Our findings highlight the importance of calcium carbonate, an underrated constituent of microcalcifications, as a spectroscopic marker in breast pathology evaluation and pave the way for improved biopsy guidance.