bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Caregiver’s Wandering: The Quest for Identity Integration in the Workplace Using Reflection, Talking Circles, and Creative Expression
Authors: Annoual Pascale
Published: September 2017

These workshops are inspired by the observations of the author in the field of mental health services delivery. The way the caregiver’s role is interpreted is different between the caregiver and the management team - the clinician cannot imagine her professional commitment without considering personal values and motivations, whereas the employer considers personal motivations an impairment to professional effectiveness. This may explain the high rate of burnout for the practitioners working in already stressful conditions in healthcare.  Could the reconciliation of personal and professional dimensions prevent this disavowal of human capital?  Holistic art therapy proposes to integrate the divide, to repair the rupture often experienced by the caregiver in clinical practice. Furthermore the ethnopsychiatry approach helps to reintegrate bio-psychosocial and spiritual narratives to rebalance the power struggles of workplace which may undermine the professional’s performance and fundamental raison d’être. The caregiver can become whole, balancing interpersonal, interdisciplinary and intercultural dimensions in healthcare practices.
Integral Medicine: Treating the Whole—Patient, Provider, Healthcare System
Authors: Petrie David , Kreisberg Joel , Huffaker Gary , Baron Short Edward , Jarrín Olga
Published: September 2017

Purpose: Integral Medicine is an approach to health, disease and healing that invites multiple perspectives and modes of inquiry to synergistically support healing for patients, providers and health care systems.Approach: Integral Theory is a framework for organizing information that considers four perspectives essential to view the whole patient simultaneously – any or all of which may illuminate health or illness in a patient, population or system: “Interior-Individual” (mind, psycho-spiritual development, etc.), “Exterior-Individual” (molecules, cells, organs, bodies, etc.), “Interior-Collective” (cultural, ethical practices or norms, etc.), and “Exterior-Collective” (socioeconomic, environmental system, etc.).Major Points: In practice, the application of Integral Theory to patient care can lead to four quadrant diagnosis and therapy for everything from status asthmaticus to chronic fatigue syndrome. When applied to the personal and professional development of providers an Integral Theory framework may improve critical thinking, ethical reasoning, mindfulness and empathy. At the healthcare system design level, patients have better outcomes when cared for by organizations ranked as having better work environments (where nurses report low rates of burnout, adequate time with patients, good relationships with colleagues, and opportunities for advanced training and continuing education).Conclusions: Treating the whole person becomes more than simply including body, mind and spirit. The whole person includes multiple epistemological ways of knowing. Building on Integrative, Alternative, Complementary, Evidence-based Medicine, and Values-based care, Integral Medicine offers a methodology for integrating the “best” of each of these medical methodologies. Integral Theory, in this respect, can act as a meta-theory weaving together many of the converging concepts emerging in the service of whole patient care. Integral methodology also provides a common map/language for knowledge integration/translation and a shared inter-professional approach to whole patient care at the patient, population and health system levels.
'BUT WHAT AM I GOING TO SAY?" Some advice to medical students about dealing with feelings of inadequacy
Authors: Kearsley John H. , Cassell Eric J
Published: September 2017

Nil abstract
Making sense of a diagnosis of incurable cancer: The importance of communication
Authors: Lobb Elizabeth Anne , Lacey Judith , Liauw Winston S , White Lesley E , Hosie Annmarie , Kearsley John H
Published: September 2017

Purpose:  Patients diagnosed with incurable cancer may experience existential distressand difficulty in re-appraising their lives because of uncertainty about the future. Objectives: This study sought to understand how patients living with incurable cancer made sense of their diagnosis, how they prepared for the future and what support they wanted from their health professionals.  Subjects:  27 patients were recruited from the oncology and palliative care service at three metropolitan hospitals. Methods:  A qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim.  Data was analyzed using the constant-comparative method.  Results:  Participants did not express a need to make sense of their diagnosis nor always ascribe to a particular religious belief; rather, many relied on a personal spirituality or philosophy to bring meaning to their experience. Importance was placed on their doctor keeping up with technology, being honest, and being confident and positive. Conclusion:  Participants in this study had incurable cancer but making sense of their current situation was not a conscious priority. For these patients, uncertainty was a positive, as certainty for them indicates death is approaching. What these interviews suggest, from the patient’s perspective, is that there is an implied contract between doctor and patient during this period which involves the doctor managing the flow of difficult information so that the patient can maintain normality for as long as possible. Understanding this helps to explain the difficulty of having advance care planning conversations within this setting, despite the many opportunities that a longer disease trajectory would seem to offer.
Transformative Learning as the Basis for Teaching Healing
Authors: Kearsley John H.
Published: September 2017

The author describes the nature of transformative education, and highlights the potential importance of its implementation in creating physician-healers and propagating whole person care. The author proposes that teaching courses in healing are integral to the professional identity formation of “doctors as healers”. The teaching of Healing in workshop format for medical students is used as a template to suggest innovative teaching models (after Mezirow, Boyd and Myers, Daloz and Dirkx) which may be used to  engender  personal transformation in doctors and medical students, many of whom are trained as applied scientists in health.
Family Medicine Quartet
Authors: Rappaport Maureen Estelle
Published: September 2017

Family medicine is a unique medical discipline centred on the patient and the doctor patient relationship.  In this essay I use an arts based inquiry juxtaposing clinical narratives to illustrate the clinical philosophy of Ian McWhinney.
Looking Beyond the Façade: A Whole Person Perspective of Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Lapum Jennifer L
Published: September 2017

n/a for commentaries
Incorporation of spiritual care as a component of healthcare and medical education: comparison of Sub-Saharan African and Northern European viewpoints
Authors: Bell David , Atkinson Timothy , Agnew Christopher Philip , Harbinson Mark Thomas
Published: September 2017

This study addresses cultural differences regarding views on the place for spirituality within healthcare training and delivery. A questionnaire was devised using a 5-point ordinal scale, with additional free text comments assessed by thematic analysis, to compare the views of Ugandan healthcare staff and students with those of (1) visiting international colleagues at the same hospital; (2) medical faculty and students in United Kingdom. Ugandan healthcare personnel were more favourably disposed towards addressing spiritual issues, their incorporation within compulsory healthcare training, and were more willing to contribute themselves to delivery than their European counterparts. Those from a nursing background also attached a greater importance to spiritual health and provision of spiritual care than their medical colleagues. Although those from a medical background recognised that a patient’s religiosity and spirituality can affect their response to their diagnosis and prognosis, they were more reticent to become directly involved in provision of such care, preferring to delegate this to others with greater expertise. Thus, differences in background, culture and healthcare organisation are important, and indicate that the wide range of views expressed in the current literature, the majority of which has originated in North America, are not necessarily transferable between locations; assessment of these issues locally may be the best way to plan such training and incorporation of spiritual care into clinical practice.
Uncovering freedom: a story of empowerment
Authors: Minichiello Vincent Joseph
Published: September 2017

This article tells the story of a woman suffering from food anxiety and unintentional weight loss and how shifting to an empowerment-based model of care led her onto a path of health and healing.
Healing in western medicine
Authors: Dobkin Patricia Lynn
Published: September 2017

NONE
The freedom vs. health paradox
Authors: Hassed Craig
Published: September 2017

We all want to be free but freedom is both an outer and an inner state. For example, we want to be free of the suffering brought about by external factors such as oppression, bullying, injustice, discrimination, deprivation and illness. We also want to be free inwardly in the sense of being free of the suffering brought on by internal factors such as worry, anxiety, fear, depression, obsession, compulsion, addiction and attachment. There may however be a paradox in our pursuit of freedom in that we tend to pursue the former without paying much attention to the latter. As a result we may find the opposite of what we seek – freedom, health, happiness – because outer freedom is actually dependent upon inner freedom.In this article we will explore how unfettered freedom is central to the causation of poor mental and physical health whereas, paradoxically, freedom, health and happiness are brought about by discipline, reason, restraint and setting limits.
Who experiences depressive symptoms following mindfulness-based stress reduction and why?
Authors: Dobkin Patricia Lynn , Zhao Qinyi , Monshat Kaveh
Published: September 2017

Background: A small percentage of patients screen positive for depression following a mindfulness-based program. We identified patient characteristics associated with this outcome in order to understand this phenomenon.Methods: Depressive symptoms, stress, mindfulness, coping with illness and sense of coherence were measured in 126 patients with various medical and psychological conditions pre- and post- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Results: Fewer patients (27% vs. 49%) screened positive for depression post-MBSR. Both pre- and post-MBSR patients who were depressive following MBSR scored lower on meaningfulness, comprehensibility, and manageability (sense of coherence), higher on emotional coping and lower on palliative and distraction coping. Smaller positive changes (e.g. stress) occurred in these patients as well. Viewing life as less meaningful pre-MBSR predicted more symptoms of depression post-MBSR.Conclusions: Patients who suffered depressive symptoms following the program were unable to reappraise their lives in such a way as to become stress resilient.
A New Description of a Healthcare Professional’s Resilience, Incorporating an Eastern Philosophical Perspectives of Self-definition. How to Bridge the Gap between Independent and Interdependent Self-definition in Medical Education
Authors: Tsuchiya Shizuma , Takamiya Yusuke , Snell Linda
Published: September 2017

Teaching about resilience is one of the biggest challenges in medical education. One of the problems is that medical educators might still ascribe to the individualistic self-definition mainly promoted in the North American society. This definition includes characteristics such as “enduring ongoing hardship,” “thriving on challenges,” “being healthy,” and “being stronger,” which may raise hidden expectations that a healthcare professional’s personality should be strong enough to bounce back to his or her original condition even in a psychologically demanding situation. Psychological theorists describe two broad modes of self-definition in two different cultures: independent self-definition in North American individualism and interdependent self-definition in East Asian collectivism. Despite this seemingly stereotypical discussion on the characteristics of self-definition, a discussion of the two types of self-definition can still encourage medical educators to propose a broader model of resilience in medical education. More specifically, a person using an independent self-definition may become be a complete, whole, autonomous entity, without others, and thus tends to achieve more and become more productive in a competitive society. In contrast, a person using an interdependent self-definition is more likely to be open to another aspect of the context and thus might be able to find and value the self in different ways even in the same context. However, these two self-definitions may not be dichotomous or mutually exclusive but occur in varying ratios in any one individual, particularly as trends of increased globalization, immigration, and technology call for changes in an individual’s value systems in countries. From this standpoint, this review proposes a new definition of resilience in medical education, which is ‘a person’s capacity to be aware of the aspects of the self differently identified in each context, and to consciously value oneself and others in the context’. This is the first article that incorporates the concept of the two self-definitions into resilience education in healthcare. The proposed definition may provide a broader model of resilience in a healthcare professional for educators as well as trainees in medical education.
Psychiatry in the 21st century – Orientations and Options
Authors: Dobkin Patricia Lynn
Published: September 2017

N/A
And the Keyboard Goes Click, Click, Click
Authors: Ventres William
Published: September 2017

In this essay I discuss the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) from three different points of view. These perspectives come from my experiences as a patient, family physician, and medical anthropologist. I briefly explore how health care practitioners repeatedly have been told that EHRs hold great promise to facilitate communication with patients. I note how EHRs have, at present, far from reached that promise: in general, health care practitioners have yet to integrate EHRs in ways that promote a shared therapeutic presence—the healing human connection that can emerge in clinical encounters—between them and their patients. I conclude by examining my own limitations in using the EHR and the mindful lesson I have learned in the process.
Medicine, Information, Technology and Our Eulogy Virtues
Authors: Hutchinson Tom
Published: September 2017

N/A
Magic power of phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors
Authors: Wang Xiangdong
Published: September 2017

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) play critical roles in the maintenance of cell biological functions and are suggested as a therapeutic target for drug discovery and development. PI3K inhibitors has the magic power to prevent the development of pathological changes and cure the diseases, while such magic powers can be faded by the large profile of their toxicity and side-effects. A number of strategies can prevent, reduce, or decline PI3K inhibitor-associated toxicities, e.g. to make the inhibitors targeting the core molecules more precisely, select the optimal approach of drug delivery, bind the “recognizing” pullets with PI3K inhibitors to target-specific cells, or gene editing. We spotlight that PI3K definitely is an important therapeutic targets for cancer, inflammation, or organ dysfunction and injury, while to catch and hold such magic power of PI3K inhibitors is still the challenge to be faced and solved.
Inhibitory effects of Actinidia Chinensis planch root extracts (acRoots) on human lung cancer cells through retinoic acid receptor beta
Authors: Wang Lingyan , Hou Jiayun , Zheng Minghuan , Shi Lin
Published: September 2017

Actinidia Chinensis Planch roots (acRoots) are used to treat many cancers, although the anti-tumor mechanism by which acRoots inhibit cancer cell growth remains unclear. The present study aims at investigating inhibitory effects of acRoots on human lung cancer cells and potential mechanisms. Our data demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of acRoots on lung cancer cells depend on genetic backgrounds and phenotypes of cells. We furthermore found the expression of metabolism-associated gene profiles varied between acRoots-hypersensitive (H460) or hyposensitive lung cancer cells (H1299) after screening lung cancer cells with different genetic backgrounds. We selected retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) as the core target within metabolism-associated core gene networks and evaluated RARB changes and roles in cells treated with acRoots at different concentrations and timeframes. Hypersensitive cancer cells with the deletion of RARB expression did not response to the treatment with acRoots, while RARB deletion did not change effects of acRoots on hyposensitive cells. Thus, it seems that RARB as the core target within metabolism-associated networks plays important roles in the regulation of lung cancer cell sensitivity to acRoots.
Emergence of the Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome in Pond Reared Carp Fish (Cyprinids) and It's Control Measure in Chitwan, Central Nepal
Authors: Rayamajhi Asha , Shrestha Swayam Prakash , Prasad Bhagwat
Published: September 2017

A survey on epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) was carried in carp fish (cyprinids) reared in ponds during January 2016 to January 2017 at six locations of Chitwan, Nepal. Outbreaks of EUS were observed in 39.6% of the carp during winter. EUS infection was the most for Cirrhinus mrigala (47.3% of the 170 samples) and the least for Labeo rohita (12.3% of the 65 samples). EUS infected fish weighing range between 15g-300g were characterized as extensive deep ulceration on head, dorsal and lateral part of body and at caudal peduncle region. Histopathology examination of affected tissue of skin with adjacent muscles showed mycotic granulomas indicated a positive diagnosis for EUS. Survey results indicate that poor water quality in undrained ponds, uncontrolled entry of flooded water into the pond, runoff water from adjacent paddy field and use of contaminated equipment and seine nets were found to trigger risk for EUS infection in carp pond. Impact assessment of EUS showed that average economic loss due to EUS fish disease was 2257.92 kg/ha/year (33.01%) of the expected production. The highest economic loss of 1432.14 kg/ ha/year (53.53%) was estimated for large farm and lowest loss of 950 kg/ha/year (5%) for medium size farm. The simultaneous application of Ciphalexin in feed at 80mg.kg-1 biomass of fish for 15 consecutive days and two applications of Kohrsolin-TH at 900 ml/ha (1 m pond depth water) at weekly interval was found effective to control EUS infection in carps. The combined efficacy of these two drugs was estimated to be 97.7% control of EUS infection in carp fish. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 313-320
The Intensity-Curvature of Human Brain Vessels Detected with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ciulla Carlo , Shikoska Ustijana Rechkoska , Veljanovski Dimitar , Risteski Filip A.
Published: September 2017

The intensity-curvature term is the concept at the root foundation of this paper. The concept entails the multiplication between the value of the image pixel intensity and the value of the classic-curvature (CC(x, y)). The CC(x, y) is the sum of all of the second order partial derivatives of the model polynomial function fitted to the image pixel. The intensity-curvature term (ICT) before interpolation E0(x, y) is defined as the antiderivative of the product between the pixel intensity and the classic-curvature calculated at the origin of the pixel coordinate system (CC(0, 0)). The intensity-curvature term (ICT) after interpolation EIN(x, y) is defined as the antiderivative of the product between the signal re-sampled by the model polynomial function at the intra-pixel location (x, y) and the classic-curvature. The intensity-curvature functional (ICF) is defined as the ratio between E0(x, y) and EIN(x, y). When the ICF is almost equal to the numerical value of one (‘1’), E0(x, y) and EIN(x, y) are two additional domains (images) where to study the image from which they are calculated. The ICTs presented in this paper are able to highlight the human brain vessels detected with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), through a signal processing technique called inverse Fourier transformation procedure. The real and imaginary parts of the k-space of the ICT are subtracted from the real and imaginary parts of the k-space of the MRI signal. The resulting k-space is inverse Fourier transformed, and the human brain vessels are highlighted.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 326-335
Perspective Response of Climate Change Impacts on Agricultural Crops in Sauraha-Pharsatikar VDC, Rupandehi District, Nepal
Authors: Khanal Kapil , Khanal Subodh , Dhungana Surya Mani
Published: September 2017

A survey research was conducted in Sauraha-Pharsatikar VDC of the Rupandehi district to study the perspective response of the farming communities on the impacts of the climate change in agricultural crops. Primary information was collected from household survey by administering pre-tested questionnaire and necessary data were collected from National Wheat Research Project (NWRP), Bhairahawa. Several results are obtained on the recall basis of the respondents thus they can not assumed correctly and all the past information provided by the farmers cannot be cross checked due to the lack of sufficient and reliable system for recording and checking. The trend analysis of rainfall data of Bhairahawa of 30 years (1984-2013) showed that the pattern of rainfall was irregular and it was in a decreasing trend by 1.944 mm per year and average maximum temperature has increased by 0.0.15oC and average minimum temperature has increased by 0.0.61oC per year which justifies that the summers are growing hotter and winters are growing warmer. About 52% of the respondents suggested monsoon starts earlier, 85% suggested there is more intense rain during the monsoon and 91.75% suggested drought has increased. 98.33% of the respondents perceived that the summer has become hotter. In general there is increase in the yield of cereal crops whereas the yield of pulses, legumes and vegetables had declined. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 345-355
Quantification of Cry1Ac Protein in Bt Eggplant Fruits
Authors: Khatun M.M. , Hasan M.K. , Jamil M.K. , Khanam D.
Published: September 2017

The cultivation of genetically engineered crops has been expanded rapidly in worldwide in a very short span of time. Bt eggplant is a transgenic eggplant created by inserting a crystal protein gene Cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Four Bt eggplant varieties - BARI Bt Eggplant-1, BARI Bt Eggplant-2, BARI Bt Eggplant-3 and BARI Bt Eggplant-4 are started to cultivate in Bangladesh in 2014 as first genetically engineered crop in the country.  In the present study, ELISA technique was adopted to quantify the Cry1Ac proteins in the fruits of newly released four Bt eggplant varieties. The expression of Cry1Ac was found among the fruits of the varieties varied from 29.53 to 33.99 µg g-1. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 356-360
Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Knowledge and Their Issues on Climate Change, particularly on REDD+, in Developing Countries
Authors: Maharjan Shree Kumar , Maharjan Keshav Lall
Published: September 2017

The lands, territories and resources of indigenous peoples (IPs) have been of significant historical importance to their livelihoods, cultures and spiritual identities. Over 370 million indigenous peoples are currently living in 70 countries in the world, mostly in remote, ecologically fragile and marginalized areas that are rich in traditional skills, knowledge and practices. Climate change is a global issue, impacting all livelihood sectors at the national and local levels. The poor and marginalized people, especially indigenous peoples, Dalits and women are in the forefront of its vulnerability and impacts. These people and communities have made the lowest contributions to the greenhouse gases emissions, however, they are the most at risks to its impacts. Furthermore, the policies and programs often marginalize and sideline the voices and issues of these people. This paper attempts to gather, review and analyze the information on indigenous knowledge, issues of indigenous peoples on climate change particularly in REDD+ in developing countries. The paper aims to highlight the REDD+ process in Nepal, its obligations at the national and international level (with cases from Asia, Africa and Latin America) and the indigenous perspectives towards the issues, gaps and challenges within the national and international negotiations.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 273-283
Screening, Identification of Alkaline Proteases Producing Fungi from Soil of Different Habitats of Amalner Tahsil [Maharashtra] and Their Applications
Authors: Suryawanshi H.K. , Pandya N.D.
Published: September 2017

Fungal proteases had wide applications in textile, leather, food and Pharmaceutical industries. As proteases shows proteolytic activity they are helpful in proteinic stain removal hence also used in various commercial detergent industries. For fungal isolation soil samples were collected from different sites of Amalner tahsil. (Maharashtra) e.g. crop fields, near dairy areas, poultry farms etc. Those soil samples showing alkaline pH were selected for isolation of fungi on Potato Dextrose Agar plates. Then among 14 different isolates 2 were selected for their most proteolytic activity after screening on casein agar, skimmed milk agar and gelatine agar. For submerged fermentation, these selected isolates were inoculated in production media in shake flask. After 72 hrs, plate assay was performed by taking crude enzyme after filtration and centrifugation as well as by taking partially purified enzyme.(partial purification done by ammonium sulphate precipitation method). Protease activity assay was performed by agar well diffusion method, as well as blood clot lysis activity and blood stain removal ability of protease obtained from selected isolates was studied.Selected isolates were identified,among them Aspergillus niger gives more proteolytic activity than Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 397-402
National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) for Nepal: Necessity or Waste of Money? Experts’ Standpoint
Authors: Bhattarai Anoj
Published: September 2017

A purpose of this study was to understand whether NVQF is the necessity for the sustainable prosperity of TVET sector of Nepal or just a waste of money. The study had been carried out applying qualitative methodology in the form of narrative enquiry. The understanding and perception of five TVET experts were detailed with the help of following questions, viz. (a) how do you perceive for the necessity of NVQF in Nepal and (b) what are the major challenges and how can we cope with these challenges for the successful implementation of NVQF in Nepal. The experts understanding and experiences revealed that not only NVQF but also NQF are in dire need to streamline the education system of Nepal. However, there are many challenges and issues both at the policy level and at the implementation stage. These challenges and issues need to be strategically addressed from the very beginning of the NVQF project, otherwise, it could be just like “pouring water into sand”.
An Ethnographic Inquiry on Injecting Drug Users towards Vocational Training
Authors: Koirala Amit
Published: September 2017

In this study, I pursued to gain an in-depth understanding on vocational education and training (VET) of injecting drug users residing in rehabilitation in Kathmandu valley. Two rehabilitation centers that accommodate institutionalized injecting drug users were purposively selected for the study in which six participants voluntarily participated. An ethnographic narrative enquiry, which is the qualitative research methodology, was employed to gain insight into their lived experiences and perception towards VET. The themes that emerged from the findings were interspersed by focusing on a range of sociological theories. This study brings to the fore that injecting drug user has affirmative impression towards VET and understands the importance of VET but is not willing to study anymore. Participants’ perception understood earning money is more important than getting VET and they understood that it is too late to study and they are not able to study any more due to the use and abuse of drugs and their study habits have been destroyed by the drugs.
Rivers of God, Rivers of Empire: Climate Extremes, Environmental Transformation and Agroecology in Colonial Mexico
Authors: Skopyk Bradley
Published: September 2017

This paper explores the social-ecological effects of the Little Ice Age (1300-1850) in colonial Central Mexico. Archival research reconstructs the history of climate, soil, water and agriculture in two Central Mexican watersheds: the Zahuapan River in Tlaxcala and the San Juan River in the Teotihuacan Valley. I clarify social-ecological and landscape responses to climate stress, along with changing human resilience/vulnerability to anomalous weather. The methodology is interdisciplinary, comparing natural climate archives (plant and mineral) to historical climate archives (texts and images), examining hydrological and edaphic evidence and contextualising social-ecological change within a framework of indigenous agrarian innovation. Together, this research reveals a critical transition from nature-induced to anthropogenic cataclysms after the Late Maunder Minimum (1684-1713). Before this disjuncture, floods were rare events driven by extraordinary precipitation and without significant hydromorphological change. Afterward, cataclysms were frequent, poorly correlated to precipitation trends and determined by anthropogenic accelerated soil erosion that transformed watersheds. Evidence from both basins demonstrates the rapid onset of deep hillside erosion and valley sedimentation after 1715. I argue that the combined ecological shock of colonialism and climate was mediated by early-colonial indigenous agrosystems, resulting in transformation without lasting degradation. The transformative potential of the Little Ice Age lay dormant until the Late Maunder Minimum intersected with the
metepantli
system, a new agrarian regime based on the cultivation of agave plants in monocropped sloping terraces for the extraction of
pulque
(a beer-like beverage), whose economic wealth belied its impoverished ecology. Not only does this paper challenge - even negate - arguments that link degradation to early-colonial biology, pre-Columbian agriculture or eighteenth-century population growth; it identifies the Late Maunder Minimum as a transformative moment in colonial ecosystems - and, by extension, society - that gave rise to a degraded and devious landscape.
Reorienting World Environmental History: Pedagogy and Scholarship on Cold Places
Authors: Chu Pey-Yi , Stuhl Andrew
Published: September 2017

This article focuses on the teaching of world environmental history and makes a case for dedicating attention to cold places. It draws upon the experiences of the authors in designing and leading undergraduate courses centred on the high-latitude and high-altitude regions of the globe. In class, cold places were presented to students as sites of cultural encounter, windows on the history of science and technology and bridges between histories of industrialisation, empire, and the environment. The article highlights the pedagogical value of specific class materials while providing an overview of literature situated at the nexus of cold places and global environmental history. It closes with reflections on students' responses as well as the contribution that historicising cold places makes to the mission of the environmental humanities.
Elastohydrodynamic Performance of a Bio-Based, Non-Corrosive Ionic Liquid
Authors: Björling Marcus , Bair Scott , Mu Liwen , Zhu Jiahua , Shi Yijun
Published: September 2017

To improve performance of machine components, lubrication is one of the most important factors. Especially for use in extreme environments, researchers look for other solutions rather than common lubricant base stocks like mineral oils or vegetable oils. One such example is ionic liquids. Ionic liquids have been defined as molten salts with melting points below 100 ∘ C that are entirely ionic in nature, comprising both cationic and anionic species. The industrial use of ionic liquids is mostly as solvents, electrolytes, extractants and catalysts. In tribological applications, ionic liquids are mainly studied in boundary lubrication and in pure sliding contacts. In this work, the elastohydrodynamic performance of a bio-based, non-corrosive, [choline][l-proline] ionic liquid is evaluated in terms of pressure-viscosity response, film forming capability and friction. The results show a pressure-viscosity coefficient of below 8 GPa − 1 at 25 ∘ C, among the lowest reported for any ionic liquid. The ionic liquid generated up to 70% lower friction than a reference paraffin oil with a calculated difference in film thickness of 11%. It was also shown that this ionic liquid is very hygroscopic, which is believed to explain part of the low friction results, but also has to be considered in practical applications since the water content will influence the properties and thus the performance of the lubricant.
A High-Energy, 100 Hz, Picosecond Laser for OPCPA Pumping
Authors: Su Hongpeng , Peng Yujie , Chen Junchi , Li Yanyan , Wang Pengfei , Leng Yuxin
Published: September 2017

A high-energy diode-pumped picosecond laser system centered at 1064 nm for optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA) pumping was demonstrated. The laser system was based on a master oscillator power amplifier configuration, which contained an Nd:YVO4 mode-locked seed laser, an LD-pumped Nd:YAG regenerative amplifier, and two double-pass amplifiers. A reflecting volume Bragg grating with a 0.1 nm reflective bandwidth was used in the regenerative amplifier for spectrum narrowing and pulse broadening to suit the pulse duration of the optical parametric amplifier (OPA) process. Laser pulses with an energy of 316.5 mJ and a pulse duration of 50 ps were obtained at a 100 Hz repetition rate. A top-hat beam distribution and a 0.53% energy stability (RMS) were achieved in this system.
Bit- and Power-Loading—A Comparative Study on Maximizing the Capacity of RSOA Based Colorless DMT Transmitters
Authors: Gebrewold Simon , Bonjour Romain , Brenot Romain , Hillerkuss David , Leuthold Juerg
Published: September 2017

We present a comparative study of the capacity increase brought by bit- and power-loading discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation for low-cost colorless transmitters. Three interesting reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) based colorless transmitter configurations are compared: First, an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectrum-sliced source; second, a self-seeded RSOA fiber cavity laser (FCL) and third, an externally seeded RSOA. With bit- and power-loaded DMT, we report record high line rates of 6.25, 20.1 and 30.7 Gbit/s and line rates of 4.17, 10.1 and 24.5 Gbit/s in a back-to-back and in a 25 km nonzero dispersion shifted fiber (NZDSF) transmission experiments for the three transmitter configurations, respectively. In all the experiments, BER (bit error ratios) below an FEC (forward error correction) limit of 7.5 × 10−3 were achieved.
Advances in Neuroimmunology
Authors: Gruol Donna
Published: September 2017

It is now widely accepted that an innate immune system exists within the brain and plays an important role in both physiological and pathological processes [1,2].[...]
Enzymatic Systems for Cellulose Acetate Degradation
Authors: Haske-Cornelius Oskar , Pellis Alessandro , Tegl Gregor , Wurz Stefan , Saake Bodo , Ludwig Roland , Sebastian Andries , Nyanhongo Gibson , Guebitz Georg
Published: September 2017

Cellulose acetate (CA)-based materials, like cigarette filters, contribute to landscape pollution challenging municipal authorities and manufacturers. This study investigates the potential of enzymes to degrade CA and to be potentially incorporated into the respective materials, enhancing biodegradation. Deacetylation studies based on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Time of Flight (LC-MS-TOF), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and spectrophotometric analysis showed that the tested esterases were able to deacetylate the plasticizer triacetin (glycerol triacetate) and glucose pentaacetate (cellulose acetate model compound). The most effective esterases for deacetylation belong to the enzyme family 2 (AXE55, AXE 53, GAE), they deacetylated CA with a degree of acetylation of up to 1.8. A combination of esterases and cellulases showed synergistic effects, the absolute glucose recovery for CA 1.8 was increased from 15% to 28% when an enzymatic deacetylation was performed. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), and cellobiohydrolase were able to cleave cellulose acetates with a degree of acetylation of up to 1.4, whereas chitinase showed no activity. In general, the degree of substitution, chain length, and acetyl group distribution were found to affect CA degradation. This study shows that, for a successful enzyme-based deacetylation system, a cocktail of enzymes, which will randomly cleave and generate shorter CA fragments, is the most suitable.
A Decentralized Multi-Agent-Based Approach for Low Voltage Microgrid Restoration
Authors: Rokrok Ebrahim , Shafie-khah Miadreza , Siano Pierluigi , Catalão João
Published: September 2017

Although a well-organized power system is less subject to blackouts, the existence of a proper restoration plan is nevertheless still essential. The goal of a restoration plan is to bring the power system back to its normal operating conditions in the shortest time after a blackout occurs and to minimize the impact of the blackout on society. This paper presents a decentralized multi-agent system (MAS)-based restoration method for a low voltage (LV) microgrid (MG). In the proposed method, the MG local controllers are assigned to the specific agents who interact with each other to achieve a common decision in the restoration procedure. The evaluation of the proposed decentralized technique using a benchmark low-voltage MG network demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed restoration plan.
Comparative Study on Uni- and Bi-Directional Fluid Structure Coupling of Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Ageze Mesfin , Hu Yefa , Wu Huachun
Published: September 2017

The current trends of wind turbine blade designs are geared towards a longer and slender blade with high flexibility, exhibiting complex aeroelastic loadings and instability issues, including flutter; in this regard, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) plays a significant role. The present article will conduct a comparative study between uni-directional and bi-directional fluid-structural coupling models for a horizontal axis wind turbine. A full-scale, geometric copy of the NREL 5MW blade with simplified material distribution is considered for simulation. Analytical formulations of the governing relations with appropriate approximation are highlighted, including turbulence model, i.e., Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω. These analytical relations are implemented using Multiphysics package ANSYS employing Fluent module (Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based solver) for the fluid domain and Transient Structural module (Finite Element Analysis-based solver) for the structural domain. ANSYS system coupling module also is configured to model the two fluid-structure coupling methods. The rated operational condition of the blade for a full cycle rotation is considered as a comparison domain. In the bi-directional coupling model, the structural deformation alters the angle of attack from the designed values, and by extension the flow pattern along the blade span; furthermore, the tip deflection keeps fluctuating whilst it tends to stabilize in the uni-directional coupling model.
Performance Comparison of Conventional Synchronous Reluctance Machines and PM-Assisted Types with Combined Star–Delta Winding
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed , Rashad Essam , Sergeant Peter
Published: September 2017

This paper compares four prototype Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) having an identical geometry of iron lamination stacks in the stator and rotor. Two different stator winding layouts are employed: a conventional three-phase star connection and a combined star–delta winding. In addition, two rotors are considered: a conventional rotor without magnets and a rotor with ferrite magnets. The performance of the four SynRMs is evaluated using a two-dimensional (2D) Finite Element Model (FEM). For the same copper volume and current, the combined star–delta-connected stator with Permanent Magnets (PMs) in the rotor corresponds to an approximately 22% increase in the output torque at rated current and speed compared to the conventional machine. This improvement is mainly thanks to adding ferrite PMs in the rotor as well as to the improved winding factor of the combined star–delta winding. The torque gain increases up to 150% for low current. Moreover, the rated efficiency is 93.60% compared to 92.10% for the conventional machine. On the other hand, the impact on the power factor and losses of SynRM when using the star–delta windings instead of the star windings is merely negligible. The theoretical results are experimentally validated using four identical prototype machines with identical lamination stacks but different rotors and winding layouts.
Discrete Choice Model of Food Store Trips Using National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS)
Authors: Hillier Amy , Smith Tony , Whiteman Eliza , Chrisinger Benjamin
Published: September 2017

Where households across income levels shop for food is of central concern within a growing body of research focused on where people live relative to where they shop, what they purchase and eat, and how those choices influence the risk of obesity and chronic disease. We analyzed data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) using a conditional logit model to determine where participants shop for food to be prepared and eaten at home and how individual and household characteristics of food shoppers interact with store characteristics and distance from home in determining store choice. Store size, whether or not it was a full-service supermarket, and the driving distance from home to the store constituted the three significant main effects on store choice. Overall, participants were more likely to choose larger stores, conventional supermarkets rather than super-centers and other types of stores, and stores closer to home. Interaction effects show that participants receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were even more likely to choose larger stores. Hispanic participants were more likely than non-Hispanics to choose full-service supermarkets while White participants were more likely to travel further than non-Whites. This study demonstrates the value of explicitly spatial discrete choice models and provides evidence of national trends consistent with previous smaller, local studies.
How Canada Changed from Exporting Asbestos to Banning Asbestos: The Challenges That Had to Be Overcome
Authors: Ruff Kathleen
Published: September 2017

Less than ten years ago, the asbestos industry enjoyed the support of every Quebec and Canadian political party. The Chrysotile Institute and the International Chrysotile Association, both located in Quebec, aggressively marketed asbestos around the world, claiming scientific evidence showed that chrysotile asbestos could be safely used. The industry created a climate of intimidation. Consequently, no groups advocating for victims of asbestos or campaigning for its outright ban existed in Quebec to challenge the industry. A campaign was launched to mobilize the scientific community to speak out. Working with scientists, activists, and asbestos victims around the world, a small group of Quebec scientists exposed the false arguments of the asbestos industry. They publicly and repeatedly challenged the unscientific and unethical asbestos policy of the government. By appealing to Quebec values and holding those in power accountable, the campaign won public support and succeeded against all odds in defeating the asbestos industry.
Respiratory Morbidity in Children with Repaired Congenital Esophageal Atresia with or without Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Authors: Patria Maria , Ghislanzoni Stefano , Macchini Francesco , Lelii Mara , Mori Alessandro , Leva Ernesto , Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: September 2017

Congenital esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (CEA ± TEF) is a relatively common malformation that occurs in 1 of 2500–4500 live births. Despite the refinement of surgical techniques, a considerable proportion of children experience short- and long-term respiratory complications, which can significantly affect their health through adulthood. This review focuses on the underlying mechanisms and clinical presentation of respiratory morbidity in children with repaired CEA ± TEF. The reasons for the short-term pulmonary impairments are multifactorial and related to the surgical complications, such as anastomotic leaks, stenosis, and recurrence of fistula. Long-term respiratory morbidity is grouped into four categories according to the body section or function mainly involved: upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and aspiration and dysphagia. The reasons for the persistence of respiratory morbidity to adulthood are not univocal. The malformation itself, the acquired damage after the surgical repair, various co-morbidities, and the recurrence of lower respiratory tract infections at an early age can contribute to pulmonary impairment. Nevertheless, other conditions, including smoking habits and, in particular, atopy can play a role in the recurrence of infections. In conclusion, our manuscript shows that most children born with CEA ± TEF survive into adulthood, but many comorbidities, mainly esophageal and respiratory issues, may persist. The pulmonary impairment involves many underlying mechanisms, which begin in the first years of life. Therefore, early detection and management of pulmonary morbidity may be important to prevent impairment in pulmonary function and serious long-term complications. To obtain a successful outcome, it is fundamental to ensure a standardized follow-up that must continue until adulthood.