bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voices from the Margins: ‘Older’ Sportswomen Speak Out
Authors: Ryan Irene
Published: August 2016

This study will explore the interconnected constructs of age and gender within the context of sport in New Zealand. It draws on one story written for a method known as memory-work to highlight the possibilities offered by this methodology. Memory-work is used to open a space for the voices of masters, female field hockey players who, as a group, are defined by chronological age and constructed by meanings through and by reference to age and gender. It is argued that through practice, sport has evolved in a way that makes it a special form of physical activity. Tins separation implies certain chronological age categories working hand-in-hand with gender stratification. Counter narratives are presented to illustrate how a subordinate group - in this case mid-life, masters sportswomen - contest externally derived images and alternative meanings are constructed.
Women’s Motives to Exercise
Authors: Thøgersen-Ntoumani C. , Biscomb K. , Lane A. M. , Lane H. J. , Jarrett H.
Published: August 2016

Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985) as an overarching theoretical framework, the main purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between women’s motives to exercise and their reported exercise behavior. Three hundred and thirty women (Age range = 20-61+) took part in the study. Participants were categorized into a ‘’no-exercise’ group, a ‘some exercise’ group (less than 2.5 hours of exercise per week) or a ‘recommended amount of exercise’ group (minimum 2.5 hours of exercise per week). Controlling for the influence of age, MANCOVA analyses showed that the exercise groups differed significantly on most self-determined and controlling exercise motives. The results partly support propositions of SDT, and suggest that women may internalize, exercise behavior as they become more physically active, however controlling motives are still pertinent. Exercise leaders and promotion specialists should look into ways of facilitating the internalization process in female exercise participants.
The Development of Relationships in Sport: A Hand-in-Hand Experience
Authors: Frake Mandy
Published: August 2016

This study examines the significance of the development of relationships in team sports as a factor contributing to female sustained participation in sport. Ten open-ended interviews were conducted with female varsity athletes. The results demonstrate that for women to sustain participation in sports, an environment in which relationships may be developed must be provided. Using Thayer-Bacon’s (2000) ‘relational epistemology’ I unpack this research and the significance of relationships in sport as being critical to sustaining participation. Relationships may be understood in various categories; supporting, motivating, and bonding. There are a number of questions presented that may lead to further research, specifically in regard to what physical educators and coaches may implement in an educational, athletic, or practice setting to enhance females’ positive experiences in a group setting.
On the Sidelines: Roles and Responsibilities of the Diamond Dolls in Intercollegiate Baseball
Authors: Roper Emily A.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this article is to examine the roles that women play in the Diamond Dolls organization and the meaning and significance of those (gendered) roles in the university and athletic setting. Specifically, I am concerned with the ways in which institutions construct and maintain hegemonic femininity (Choi, 2000; Krane, 2001). Employing a feminist approach, I critically explored the use of sexist language in the naming of a student organization, the roles and responsibilities of the Diamond Dolls, and the meaning of these roles within the context of intercollegiate sport. Lastly, the role that gender norms play in women’s participation in such organizations is also addressed.
Physical Activity Barriers, Behaviors, and Beliefs of Overweight and Obese Working Women: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Cannioto Rikki A.
Published: August 2016

Despite much research investigating physical activity (PA) barriers for American women, the PA barriers experienced by overweight and obese working women remain largely unexamined. This preliminary investigation assessed the PA barriers, behaviors, and beliefs of 40 overweight/obese women with full-time desk jobs for the subsequent development and implementation of a tailored “healthy weight” wellness program. Based on qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the majority of participants weren’t sufficiently active, citing motivation and time as their biggest perceived barriers. Statistically significant relationships were identified between BMI and barrier numbers, PA levels, PA enjoyment, and PA importance; as well as between PA levels and barrier numbers, PA enjoyment, and PA importance. An effective PA intervention should emphasize 300 minutes of PA a week, while incorporating evidence-based behavioral strategies (i.e., goal setting, self-monitoring, contingency management, social support, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring) that have been proven to decrease barriers and increase PA adherence among overweight and obese individuals.
Predictors of Self-Objectification in New Female Fitness Center Members
Authors: Prichard Ivanka , Tiggemann Marika
Published: August 2016

This study aimed to identify predictors of self-objectification among exercising women. A brief questionnaire incorporating demographic questions and measures of self-objectification was completed by 133 new female fitness center members (aged 16 to 68 years) upon joining a fitness center and 12 months later. Results demonstrated that young women who remained fitness center members had greater self-objectification at 12 months than women who ceased their memberships. Furthermore, both initial age and reasons for exercise predicted subsequent increases in self-objectification. Specifically, being younger, as well as being more motivated by appearance-related reasons to exercise, predicted self-objectification at 12 months. These findings suggest that young women exercising within the fitness center environment may be at an increased risk of developing self-objectification, one of the predictors of negative body image and disordered eating.
Applying General Systems Performance Theory and the Elemental Resource Model to Gender-Related Issues in Physical Education and Sport
Authors: Kondraske G.V. , Beehler P.J.H.
Published: August 2016

Traditional human performance research methods have consisted of multiple regression statistical models based on data such as physical size parameters, reaction times, running speeds, and jumping power. Despite widespread use over many years, the success achieved with these methods has been poor to mediocre. Robust methods for prediction and discovery of insights into human performance remain illusive. The purpose of this paper is to introduce General Systems Performance Theory (GSPT) and the Elemental Resource Model (ERM) for human performance into the fields of physical education and sport. This theory and model collectively represent a new methodological approach with unique features that include: 1) modeling and measurement of all aspects of performance using resource constructs, 2) the use of cause-and-effect resource economic principles (i.e., the idea of threshold “costs” for achieving a given level of performance in any given high level task), and 3) the concept of monadology (i.e., the use of a set of “elements” to explain a complex phenomenon). Although the ERM is intended to encompass all attributes of performance of all human subsystems and to apply to any circumstance involving a human and task, we focus here on relevance and application to gender-related issues in physical activities. This is achieved, after presenting an overview of the ERM, by means of a description and discussion of a set of hypothetical experiments that may be used as a guide for conducting future research. Based on our preliminary investigations, we suggest that it may be appropriate to question the common practice of anticipating and seeking correlations between high level task performance and routinely acquired measures of more basic aspects of performance (e.g., the resources). In contrast to traditional statistical modeling methods, the new concepts and methods represent a cause-and-effect approach that is more similar to the process that an engineer uses to design a system capable of performing a specified task. We believe that the ERM and its associated methods offer a promising basis for a broad spectrum of research into often controversial, gender-related human performance issues and we encourage more widespread investigation, refinement, and implementation of the ERM and GSPT.
Stereotypes and Personal Beliefs about Women Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Harris Mary B. , Griffin Joy
Published: August 2016

In order to assess their cultural stereotypes and personal beliefs about women physical education teachers, we surveyed 196 individuals attending the 1995 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) convention. Respondents felt that most Americans stereotyped women physical educators as masculine, aggressive, athletic, lesbian, and unintellectual. Their personal views were less extreme. Some differences in personal beliefs were found between men and women, and between lesbians, heterosexual men and heterosexual women. Occupation, age, and education were not importantly related to stereotyping. Open ended questions revealed both positive and negative aspects of physical education as a profession for women. Based upon the continued existence of some negative stereotypes, coupled with the low status of women physical educators, we suggest that the profession needs to increase its educational efforts and its appreciation of diversity.
Homonegativism Experienced by Lesbian Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Krane Vikki
Published: August 2016

This study is an examination of homonegativism in sport as described by lesbian collegiate athletes. These athletes (N = 12) participated in semi-structured interviews about their athletic experiences. Analysis of the homonegtive experiences of these athletes revealed three mechanisms inherent in homonegativism in sport. These were (a) discomfort with females who do not conform with the traditional feminine gender-role, (b) application of the lesbian label, and (c) distancing from the lesbian label. Female athletes perceived to act in a manner contrary to traditional gender-roles are labeled as lesbians. Through this labeling society reinforces traditional gender-roles and, ultimately, protects male dominance in sport. Many of the labels heard by the athletes reflected stereotypical beliefs about lesbians. The athletes described many situations where coaches and administrators attempted to promote or preserve a feminine image within their athletic teams and programs. The disempowering aspects of homonegativism also were revealed as lesbian athletes felt powerless to challenge homonegativism in sport.
A Novel Idea: Portrayals of Lesbians in Young Adult Sports Fiction
Authors: Kriegh LeeAnn , Kane Mary Jo
Published: August 2016

Over the past two decades, sport media scholars have demonstrated that female athletes are portrayed in ways that trivialize and undermine their accomplishments as highly skilled competitors, thus denying them power. More recently, scholars in a related field of knowledge—homophobia in women’s athletics—have also addressed the various ways in which power is denied to sportswomen. Although scholars within both bodies of knowledge have investigated institutional structures, ideologies and practices by which men continue to monopolize sport, few studies have explicitly linked sport media scholarship to the literature on homophobia in women’s athlet. An additional limitation in both fields of knowledge is that analyses focused primarily on adult female athletes; examinations of adolescent females are virtually nonexistent. A final limitation is that the vast majority of studies have focused on print and broadcast journalism, thereby ignoring another influential medium, young adult sports fiction. Therefore, the purpose of our investigation was to extend the knowledge base in three ways: 1) to explicitly link two bodies of knowledge concerned with women’s athleticism--sport media and homophobia/heterosexism; 2) to focus on a population that has been sorely neglected; and 3) to investigate a rich new area of analysis-young adult literature-particularly as it relates to the presence, and characterization of, lesbians in sport.

The sample consisted of novels meeting the following criteria: (a) published for a young adult audience, (b) featured a female athlete as protagonist, (c) had sport as a major characteristic of the story, and (d) and be published during or after 1970. Using a qualitative methodology, we examined themes and character portrayals related to the suppression and oppression of young sportswomen in general and lesbians in particular. More specifically, we were interested in whether manifestations of homophobia in women’s athletics (e.g., silence and denial) were present in the novels under consideration. Results indicated that a lesbian presence was subverted in numerous ways, ranging from explicit verbal attacks on female protagonists accused of being “freaks,” to more subtle, apologetic constructions in which female athletes were characterized as ultra-feminine. These findings suggest that the homophobic and heterosexist coverage given to sportswomen in print and broadcast journalism extends into young adult sports fiction.
Differences between Sport Active and Non-Sport Active Women
Authors: Wyznikiewicz-Nawracala Anita
Published: August 2016

The reasons for reported low sport activity of Polish women usually have been explained by too many responsibilities at work outside the home and at home. Yet, with the introduction of aerobics into Poland women apparently have had to overcome these hindrances. Other factors are assumed to be decisive reasons for physically active women in their mature years rather than the reasons which, up to now, were accepted as facts.

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors differentiating women who are active in sport and women who are not interested in sport but take care of their body spending holidays at spas.

The investigation was based on an interview, including a questionnaire to evaluate opinions on health and feelings. The questionnaire consisted of the following areas: personal data, occupation, level of education, health problems and sport activities practiced in youth.

There are many factors related to why women are physically active, but the main influence comes from how active they were in their younger years. The financial status and lack of time only make a difference with respect to what kind of sport is practiced; it does not affect whether or not a sport is practiced.
Meaning of Recreational Sport in the Lives of Norwegian Women
Authors: Fasting Professor Kari
Published: August 2016

The questions asked in this paper are: what is it that women who participate in recreational sport appreciate most or enjoy most about their sports? What are the differences and similarities among women who participate in aerobics, tennis or soccer? Thirty one Norwegian women (ages 19 to 36 years) participated in the study. The research method used was qualitative interviews. The music and the rhythm were mentioned most often by the women practicing aerobics. The availability of the sport was a major factor for the tennis players. These were in contrast to the soccer players for whom the social aspect of the sport dominated. A theme that occurred across the different sports was related to physicality and to the use of the body. It is clear from the data that the women found that being physically active was positive and pleasurable, and that some of the findings challenge the norms of female physicality.
Mary Hemenway: A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Authors: Haslett Jacqueline G.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this paper is to give historical insight into the progressive thinking of nineteenth century American philanthropist, Mary Hemenway (1820-1894), and why she was interested and believed in physical education for females. Also interesting is how her integrated thinking is compatible with the thinking in present-day education reform

The presentation of the findings will include a brief background of Mrs. Hemenway’s family life, and a brief description of her philanthropic contributions and activities. These include: 1) public education in America, particularly female education, 2) physical education and home economics education, 3) Native-American research, and 4) other significant issues and philanthropic activities in American education. The major focus will be her contributions to physical education and her founding of the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics, and influences that persuaded her interests in these pursuits.

The sources used include early normal school catalogues, minutes of meetings, course syllabi and lecture synopses, written papers, early and recent bulletins, personal correspondences, government reports, college documents, pamphlets, memorial pamphlet, one new and several old books, and old newspaper clippings and professional journals.
Perceived Barriers to and Benefits of Physical Activity among Black and White Women
Authors: Hall Arlene E.
Published: August 2016

This study is an examintion of the effects of race and income on leisure-time physical activity among women (n = 116). Perceived benefits of and barriers to participating in leisure-time physical activity were also compared. A regression model utilizing social cognitive variables was used to explore factors which may predict physical activity participation. No significant differences emerged between the groups regarding the amount of physical activity they reported either by race or socioeconomic status. Time expenditure emerged significantly different by race (p < .001) and income (p < .000); middle-income women reported time as a barrier more than lower-income women and Whites were likelier to report time as a barrier more than Blacks. Middle-income women perceived greater (p < .01) physical performance benefits from exercise than lower-income women. Social interaction, time expenditure, and body mass index were the strongest predictors of physical activity. The data and findings could be useful for increaseing our understanding of economic and racial disparities in physical activity participation and garnish information for use in constructing interven programs.
Decompression Sickness in Women Recreational Scuba Divers
Authors: Robert Jacalyn J.
Published: August 2016

Recreational sport diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for women. Women now comprise approximately 25% of the diving community according to Divers Alert Network statistics. In the diving literature it has been stated that women are at a greater risk for decompression sickness than men. Most of these statements were derived from high-altitude (hypobaric environment) studies rather than from a scuba diving (hyperbaric) environment. Data from the naval diving and salvage training center were analyzed, and it was found that women are not more susceptible to decompression sickness than men during dives between 4 and 10 atmospheres. More specific studies on sport diving should be completed on factors contributing to underwater decompression sickness in both men and women.
An evaluation of the experiences of guide dog owners visiting Scottish veterinary practices
Authors: Fraser M. , Girling S. J.
Published: August 2016

Guide dogs and their owners will visit a veterinary practice at least twice a year. The aim of this study was to evaluate what guide dog owners thought about these visits, in order to identify areas of good practice which could be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. Nine guide dog owners volunteered to take part in the study and were interviewed by the primary researcher. Thematic analysis was carried out and several themes were identified: good experiences were highlighted where staff had an understanding of visual impairment and the work of a guide dog; the importance of good communication skills involving the owner in the consultation; the need for veterinary professionals to understand the bond between an owner and guide dog; how medication and information could be provided in a user‐friendly format for someone affected by a visual impairment and concerns about costs and decision making for veterinary treatment. This work highlights the importance for veterinary staff to talk to, empathise with and understand the individual circumstances of their clients and identifies areas that should be included in veterinary education to better prepare students for the workplace.
Identifying the most influential spreaders in complex networks by an Extended Local K-Shell Sum
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Ruisheng , Yang Zhao , Hu Rongjing , Li Mengtian , Yuan Yongna , Li Keqin
Published: August 2016

Identifying influential spreaders is crucial for developing strategies to control the spreading process on complex networks. Following the well-known K-Shell (KS) decomposition, several improved measures are proposed. However, these measures cannot identify the most influential spreaders accurately. In this paper, we define a Local K-Shell Sum (LKSS) by calculating the sum of the K-Shell indices of the neighbors within 2-hops of a given node. Based on the LKSS, we propose an Extended Local K-Shell Sum (ELKSS) centrality to rank spreaders. The ELKSS is defined as the sum of the LKSS of the nearest neighbors of a given node. By assuming that the spreading process on networks follows the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) model, we perform extensive simulations on a series of real networks to compare the performance between the ELKSS centrality and other six measures. The results show that the ELKSS centrality has a better performance than the six measures to distinguish the spreading ability of nodes and to identify the most influential spreaders accurately.
Computational study of Cu2ZnSn(X1−xTex)4 (X = S, Se) for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Ullah Naeem , Murtaza G. , Iqbal M. A. , Mahmood Asif , Khenata R.
Published: August 2016

The [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and their alloys have been frequently investigated experimentally owing to their suitable bandgap for the solar cell applications. For the first time, density functional theory is applied to explore the structural, electronic and optical properties of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. The energy minimization procedure reveals that the Kesterite phase is stable compared to the Stannite structure. Lattice constants of the compounds are in good agreement with the previous experimental results. The alloys have direct bandgaps which decrease by increasing the concentration of Te. The chemical bonding among the cations and anion is dominantly covalent. Electronic bandgap dependent optical properties like absorption coefficient and optical conductivity are studied in detail. The materials show strong response in the visible region of energy spectrum indicating the usefulness of these materials for optoelectronic devices.
An Adiabatic Circuit with Consecutive Changes of the Duty Ratio of the Switching Transistor Using a Microprocessor
Authors: Nakata Shunji , Ono Masaki , Sakitani Masato
Published: August 2016

A circuit for adiabatically charging and discharging a supercapacitor was designed. A microprocessor sets the duty ratio of the switching transistors that control the inductor current. Changing the duty ratio in a stepwise fashion causes the output voltage to change in a similar fashion. Stepwise voltage changes enable adiabatic charging and discharging. Current measurements showed that the eight-step charging and discharging of a supercapacitor reduced the energy dissipation to one-eighth of that for a constant-voltage process. The circuit enables precise voltage control in small steps.
A Method of Statistical Process Control for Successful Open Source Software Projects and Its Application to Determining the Development Period
Authors: Yamada Shigeru , Yamaguchi Masakazu
Published: August 2016

A software development paradigm for open source software (OSS) project has been rapidly spread in recent years. On the other hand, an effective method of quality management has not been established due to the unique development characteristics such as no testing phase. In this paper, we assume that the number of fault-detections observed on the bug tracking system tends to infinity, and discuss a method of statistical process control (SPC) for OSS projects by applying the logarithmic Poisson execution time model as a software reliability growth model (SRGM) based on a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP). Then, we propose a control chart method based on the logarithmic Poisson execution time model for judging the statical stability state, and estimating the additional development time for attaining the objective software failure intensity, i.e., the target value of the instantaneous fault-detection rate per unit time. We also discuss an optimal software release problem for determining the optimum time when to stop OSS development and to transfer it to user operation. Further, numerical illustrations for SPC are shown by applying the actual fault-count data observed on the bug tracking system.
COMPARISON OF THE Ti/n-GaAs SCHOTTKY CONTACTS’ PARAMETERS FABRICATED USING DC MAGNETRON SPUTTERING AND THERMAL EVAPORATION
Authors: KAHVECI OSMAN , AKKAYA ABDULLAH , AYYILDIZ ENISE , TÜRÜT ABDÜLMECIT
Published: August 2016

We have fabricated the Ti/[Formula: see text]-type GaAs Schottky diodes (SDs) by the DC magnetron deposition and thermal evaporation, cut from the same GaAs substrates, and we have made a comparative study of the current–voltage ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) measurements of both SDs in the measurement temperature range of 160–300[Formula: see text]K with steps of 10[Formula: see text]K. The barrier height (BH) values of about 0.82 and 0.76[Formula: see text]eV at 300[Formula: see text]K have been obtained for the sputtered and evaporated SDs, respectively. It has been seen that the apparent BH value for the diodes has decreased with decreasing temperature obeying the single-Gaussian distribution (GD) for the evaporated diode and the double-GD for the sputtered diode over the whole measurement temperature range. The increment in BH and observed discrepancies in the sputtered diode have been attributed to the reduction in the native oxide layer present on the substrate surface by the high energy of the sputtered atoms and to sputtering-induced defects present in the near-surface region. We conclude that the thermal evaporation technique yields better quality Schottky contacts for use in electronic devices compared to the DC magnetron deposition technique.
Comments on “Sub-kBT Micro-Electromechanical Irreversible Logic Gate”
Authors: Kish Laszlo B.
Published: August 2016

In a recent paper, [M. López-Suárez, I. Neri and L. Gammaitoni, Sub-[Formula: see text] micro-electromechanical irreversible logic gate, Nat. Commun. 7 (2016) 12068] the authors claimed that they demonstrated sub-[Formula: see text] energy dissipation at elementary logic operations. However, the argumentation is invalid because it neglects the dominant source of energy dissipation, namely, the charging energy of the capacitance of the input electrode, which totally dissipates during the full (0-1-0) cycle of logic values. The neglected dissipation phenomenon is identical with the mechanism that leads to the lower physical limit of dissipation (70–100 [Formula: see text] in today’s microprocessors (CMOS logic) and in any other system with thermally activated errors thus the same limit holds for the new scheme, too.
Coherent phase control of population transfer through ladder system in two laser pulses with ω and nω
Authors: Niu Ying-Yu , Wang Rong , Qiu Ming-Hui , Xiu Jun-Ling
Published: August 2016

The ladder transitions controlled by two harmonic pulses are investigated theoretically using a time-dependent quantum wave packet method for the ground electronic state of HF molecule. By choosing [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] schemes, the population can be transferred to target states [Formula: see text]. The population distribution can be controlled by the average amplitude of total electric field which depends on the relative phase of two pulses. With the variation of the relative phase between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] pulses, the variation of population has a period of [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] schemes, the population distributions show oscillation behavior with a period of [Formula: see text] by varying the relative phase. The two harmonic pulses can realize a nearly complete population transfer to the target state.
Wavelet multifractal modeling and prediction of transmembrane proteins series
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud Masharif Mahmoud , Mabrouk Anouar Ben , Hashim Mohsin Hassan Abdallah
Published: August 2016

We propose in this paper to study the multifractal properties of a special case of biological series, such as the transmembrane proteins. We prove that such series has a multifractal structure allowing their modeling by means of multifractal models issued from wavelet bases to be efficient. We apply the developed method to a numerical example in order to show its efficiency.
The implementation of universal quantum memory and gates based on large-scale diamond surface
Authors: Qi Xiao-Ning , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2016

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers implanted beneath the diamond surface have been demonstrated to be effective in the processing of controlling and reading-out. In this paper, NV center entangled with the fluorine nuclei collective ensemble is simplified to Jaynes–Cummings (JC) model. Based on this system, we discussed the implementation of quantum state storage and single-qubit quantum gate.
A new synthesis of isoamethyrins: A 4+2 route
Authors: Anguera Gonzalo , Borrós Salvador , Borrell José I. , Sánchez-García David
Published: August 2016

A concise and versatile strategy for the preparation of isoamethyrins is presented. The novel procedure is predicated on the acid catalyzed condensation of a quaterpyrrole and a bipyrrole dialdehyde. As application of this procedure an aryl substituted isoamethyrin has been synthetized and characterized.
Donor acceptor type ferrocene substituted aza-BODIPYs: Synthesis, optical and electrochemical studies
Authors: Balsukuri Naresh , Mori Shigeki , Gupta Iti
Published: August 2016

Two ferrocene substituted aza-BODIPYs and their corresponding aza-dipyrrins were synthesized and studied. All the compounds were characterized by HRMS, NMR, IR, absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Absorption spectra indicated intramolecular electron transfer from the ferrocene to the aza-BODIPY core. The X-ray crystal structure of 1,7-bisferrocenyl-aza-BODIPY suggested moderate interactions between the ferrocene moieties and aza-BODIPYs core. Ferrocenyl-aza-BODIPYs were non-emissive due to electron transfer from ferrocene moieties to boron aza-dipyrrin core. However the emission of these compounds was dramatically enhanced by oxidizing the ferrocene moieties to ferrocenium ions, which prevents electron transfer between these moieties. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggested that aza-BODIPYs were easier to be reduced as compared to their corresponding aza-dipyrrins.
Edge preserving super-resolution algorithm using multi-stage cascaded joint bilateral filter
Authors: Suryanarayana Gunnam , Dhuli Ravindra
Published: August 2016

Super-resolution (SR) algorithms address the inabilities of poor imaging devices, there by producing high quality images with enhanced resolution. We propose a new SR approach which produces sharp high resolution (HR) image using its low resolution (LR) counterparts. The proposed method uses geometric duality for spatially adapting covariance-based interpolation (CBI). To preserve edge information, a multi-stage cascaded joint bilateral filter (MSCJBF) is proposed as an intermediary stage. These edges are incorporated in the high frequency subbands obtained by the stationary wavelet transform (SWT), through nearest neighbor interpolation (NNI) method. Prior to the NNI process, the high frequency subbands undergo two-lobed lanczos interpolation to achieve the desired resolution enhancement. The quantitative and qualitative analysis for various test images prove the superiority of our method.
Hybridization and Field Driven Phase Transitions in Hexagonally Warped Topological Insulators
Authors: Menon Anirudha , Chowdhury Debashree , Basu Banasri
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we discuss the role of material parameters and external field effects on a thin film topological insulator(TI) in the context of quantum phase transition (QPT). First, we consider an in-plane tilted magnetic field and determine the band structure of the surface states as a function of the tilt angle. We show that the presence of either a hybridization term or hexagonal warping or a combination of both leads to a semi-metal to insulator phase transition which is facilitated by their [Formula: see text] symmetry breaking character. We then note that while the introduction of an electric field does not allow for this QPT since it does not break [Formula: see text] symmetry, it can be used in conjunction with a tunneling element to reach a phase transition efficiently. The corresponding critical point is then nontrivially dependent on the electric field, which is pointed out here. Then, we demonstrate that including a hexagonal warping term leads to an immediate [Formula: see text] symmetry violating QPT.
Hepatic functions of GLP-1 and its based drugs: current disputes and perspectives
Authors: Jin Tianru , Weng Jianping
Published: August 2016

GLP-1 and its based drugs possess extrapancreatic metabolic functions, including that in the liver. These direct hepatic metabolic functions explain their therapeutic efficiency for subjects with insulin resistance. The direct hepatic functions could be mediated by previously assumed “degradation” products of GLP-1 without involving canonic GLP-1R. Although GLP-1 analogs were created as therapeutic incretins, extrapancreatic functions of these drugs, as well as native GLP-1, have been broadly recognized. Among them, the hepatic functions are particularly important. Postprandial GLP-1 release contributes to insulin secretion, which represses hepatic glucose production. This indirect effect of GLP-1 is known as the gut-pancreas-liver axis. Great efforts have been made to determine whether GLP-1 and its analogs possess direct metabolic effects on the liver, as the determination of the existence of direct hepatic effects may advance the therapeutic theory and clinical practice on subjects with insulin resistance. Furthermore, recent investigations on the metabolic beneficial effects of previously assumed “degradation” products of GLP-1 in the liver and elsewhere, including GLP-128–36and GLP-132–36, have drawn intensive attention. Such investigations may further improve the development and the usage of GLP-1-based drugs. Here, we have reviewed the current advancement and the existing controversies on the exploration of direct hepatic functions of GLP-1 and presented our perspectives that the direct hepatic metabolic effects of GLP-1 could be a GLP-1 receptor-independent event involving Wnt signaling pathway activation.
Sex differences in obesity-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction: a protective role for estrogen in adipose tissue inflammation?
Authors: Taylor Lia E. , Sullivan Jennifer C.
Published: August 2016

Obesity is a potent predictor of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors, including hypertension. Systemic inflammation has been suggested by a number of studies to be an important link between excess adiposity and hypertension, yet the majority of the studies have been conducted exclusively in males. This is problematic since women represent ∼53% of hypertensive cases and are more likely than men to be obese. There is a growing body of literature supporting a central role for immune cell activation in numerous experimental models of hypertension, and both the sex of the subject and the sex of the T cell have been shown to impact blood pressure (BP) responses to hypertensive stimuli. Moreover, sex steroid hormones play an important role in energy homeostasis, as well as in the regulation of immune responses; estrogen, in particular, has a well-known impact on both cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine whether sex or sex hormones regulate the role of the immune system in the development of hypertension and related vascular dysfunction in response to metabolic changes and stimuli, including a high-fat diet.
Placebo in Surgical Research: A Case-Based Ethical Analysis and Practical Consequences
Authors: Hostiuc Sorin , Rentea Irina , Drima Eduard , Negoi Ionut
Published: August 2016

Placebo is a form of simulated medical treatment intended to deceive the patient/subject who believes that he/she received an active therapy. In clinical medicine, the use of placebo is allowed in particular circumstances to assure a patient that he is taken care of and that he/she receives an active drug, even if this is not the case. In clinical research placebo is widely used, as it allows a baseline comparison for the active intervention. If the use of placebo is highly regulated in pharmacological trials, surgery studies have a series of particularities that make its use extremely problematic and regarded less favorably. The purpose of this paper is to present three famous cases of placebo use in surgical trials and to perform an ethical analysis of their acceptability using the Declaration of Helsinki as a main regulatory source.
Generalized Solutions of the Dirac Equation,WBosons, and Beta Decay
Authors: Okniński Andrzej
Published: August 2016

We study the7×7Hagen-Hurley equations describing spin 1 particles. We split these equations, in the interacting case, into two Dirac equations with nonstandard solutions. It is argued that these solutions describe decay of a virtualWboson in beta decay.
The Influence of Health Literacy and Depression on Diabetes Self-Management: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Maneze D. , Everett B. , Astorga C. , Yogendran D. , Salamonson Y.
Published: August 2016

Despite an increasing focus on health literacy in the clinical setting and in the literature, there is still ongoing debate about its influence on diabetes self-management. The aim of the study was to examine the relationships of sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors on health literacy and diabetes self-management. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken on 224 patients with type 2 diabetes at two diabetes centres in Sydney, Australia. Findings showed that people with low health literacy were more likely to (a) have lower educational attainment; (b) be migrants; and (c) have depressed mood. Unexpectedly, those who metHbA1cthreshold of good glucose control were more likely to have low health literacy. Predictors of low diabetes self-management included (a) younger age group (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.24–4.64); (b) having postsecondary education (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.05–5.01); (c) low knowledge of diabetes management (AOR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.25–4.20); and (d) having depressed mood (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.30–4.06). The finding that depressed mood predicted both low health literacy and low diabetes self-management stresses the importance of screening for depression. Increasing people’s understanding of diabetes self-management and supporting those with depression are crucial to enhance participation in diabetes self-management.
Orthodontic and Orthognathic Surgical Treatment of a Pediatric OSA Patient
Authors: Jackson Gregory W.
Published: August 2016

A case report is presented which demonstrates the effectiveness of comprehensive orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery in the correction of malocclusion and reduction in the sequelae of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The patient’s severe OSA was improved to very mild as evaluated by full overnight polysomnogram. The orthodontic treatment included the expansion of both dental arches and mandibular advancement surgery. There was significant improvement in the patient’s sleep continuity and architecture with the elimination of obstructive apneas.
The Effect of Neurobehavioral Test Performance on the All-Cause Mortality among US Population
Authors: Peng Tao-Chun , Chen Wei-Liang , Wu Li-Wei , Chen Ying-Jen , Liaw Fang-Yih , Wang Gia-Chi , Wang Chung-Ching , Yang Ya-Hui
Published: August 2016

Evidence of the association between global cognitive function and mortality is much, but whether specific cognitive function is related to mortality is unclear. To address the paucity of knowledge on younger populations in the US, we analyzed the association between specific cognitive function and mortality in young and middle-aged adults. We analyzed data from 5,144 men and women between 20 and 59 years of age in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–94) with mortality follow-up evaluation through 2006. Cognitive function tests, including assessments of executive function/processing speed (symbol digit substitution) and learning recall/short-term memory (serial digit learning), were performed. All-cause mortality was the outcome of interest. After adjusting for multiple variables, total mortality was significantly higher in males with poorer executive function/processing speed (hazard ratio (HR) 2.02; 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 2.99) and poorer recall/short-term memory (HR 1.47; 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 2.12). After adjusting for multiple variables, the mortality risk did not significantly increase among the females in these two cognitive tests groups. In this sample of the US population, poorer executive function/processing speed and poorer learning recall/short-term memory were significantly associated with increased mortality rates, especially in males. This study highlights the notion that poorer specific cognitive function predicts all-cause mortality in young and middle-aged males.
Oxidative Stress-Related Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Zhou Qiaozhen , Zhu Li , Zhang Dafeng , Li Ning , Li Qiao , Dai Panpan , Mao Yixin , Li Xumin , Ma Jianfeng , Huang Shengbin
Published: August 2016

Numerous studies suggested that oxidative stress (OS) played a central role in the onset and development of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PO); however, conflicting results were obtained as to the association of OS-related biomarkers and PO. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between these markers and PO, and explore factors that may explain the inconsistencies in these results. A systematic literature search was conducted in relevant database. Search terms and selection criteria were priorly determined to identify and include all studies that detected markers of OS in PO patients. We pooled data with a random effects meta-analysis with standardized mean differences and 95% confidence interval. Total 17 studies including 12 OS markers were adopted. The results showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes, catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS), hydroperoxides (HY), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and vitamin B12 (VB12) in plasma/serum were not statistically different between the PO and control group, whereas significantly increased level of homocysteine (Hcy) and nitric oxide (NO), along with decreased SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), folate, and total antioxidant power (TAP) in plasma/serum were obtained in the PO group. In summary, OS might serve as potential biomarkers in the etiopathophysiology and clinical course of PO.
Existence and Upper Semicontinuity of Attractors for Nonautonomous Stochastic Sine-Gordon Lattice Systems with Random Coupled Coefficients
Authors: Wang Zhaojuan , Zhou Shengfan
Published: August 2016

We study nonautonomous stochastic sine-Gordon lattice systems with random coupled coefficients and multiplicative white noise. We first consider the existence of random attractors in a weighted space for this system and then establish the upper semicontinuity of random attractors as the intensity of noise approaches zero.
The Influence of Ethanolic Extract of Brazilian Green Propolis Gel on Hygiene and Oral Microbiota in Patients after Mandible Fractures
Authors: Niedzielska Iwona , Puszczewicz Zbigniew , Mertas Anna , Niedzielski Damian , Różanowski Bartosz , Baron Stefan , Konopka Tomasz , Machorowska-Pieniążek Agnieszka , Skucha-Nowak Małgorzata , Tanasiewicz Marta , Paluch Jarosław , Markowski Jarosław , Orzechowska-Wylęgała Bogusława , Król Wojciech , Morawiec Tadeusz
Published: August 2016

Maintenance of proper oral hygiene by dental plaque elimination is one of the most important factors affecting the healing process in postoperative oral wounds. Propolis is a substance produced by bees. Ethanolic extract of propolis has bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. Moreover, it can scavenge free radicals. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of a gel containing 3% of ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis (EEP-B) when used for maintaining oral hygiene in patients with postoperative oral mucosal wounds. The hygiene was assessed using API, OHI, and SBI followed by microbiological examinations. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of those who used a gel containing EEP-B for oral hygiene, and group 2 consisted of those who used a gel without EEP-B. Although improved oral hygiene was noted in both groups, the improvement was markedly greater in the group using gel containing EEP-B. Summing up the results of microbiological examinations, EEP-B has beneficial effect on mouth microflora in postoperative period. Propolis preparations used for oral hygiene allow eliminating microorganisms of pathogenic character and physiological flora microorganisms considered as being opportunistic, with no harmful influence on physiological microflora in oral ecosystem.
Experimental Investigation of Coal Dust Wettability Based on Surface Contact Angle
Authors: Zhou Gang , Qiu Han , Zhang Qi , Xu Mao , Wang Jiayuan , Wang Gang
Published: August 2016

Wettability is one of the key chemical properties of coal dust, which is very important to dedusting. In this paper, the theory of liquid wetting solid was presented firstly; then, taking the gas coal of Xinglongzhuang coal mine in China as an example, by determination of critical surface tension of coal piece, it can be concluded that only when the surface tension of surfactant solution is less than 45 mN/m can the coal sample be fully wetted. Due to the effect of particle dispersity, compared with the contact angle of milled coal particle, not all the contact angles of screened coal powder with different sizes have a tendency to increase. Furthermore, by the experiments of coal samples’ specific surface areas and porosities, it can be achieved that the volume of single-point total pore decreases with the gradual decreasing of coal’s porosity, while the ultramicropores’ dispersities and multipoint BET specific surface areas increase. Besides, by a series of contact angle experiments with different surfactants, it can be found that with the increasing of porosity and the decreasing of volume percentage of ultramicropore, the contact angle tends to reduce gradually and the coal dust is much easier to get wetted.