bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Types of Integration in a Theory of Language
Authors: Rączaszek-Leonardi Joanna
Published: July 2016

In the face of the complexity of language as an object of study, it becomes crucial for researchers who investigate its various facets to communicate and to understand each-others’ terminology, methods and results. The feasibility and utility of striving for the elegance of formal models of isolated aspects of the linguistic system (for example, set of generative rules in an individual’s head) are called into question: a theory of language needs to account for how it functions in multiple systems and on multiple time-scales. This short introduction to the special issue on Language as Social Coordination situates works in this issue on the map of collective effort to formulate such a theory. It is also a reflection on the form of a theory of language that could integrate this variety of data and results.
Human Honest Signalling and Nonverbal Communication
Authors: Wacewicz Sławomir , Żywiczyński Przemysław
Published: July 2016

The issue of signal reliability (‘honesty’) is widely recognised in language evolution research as one of the most fundamental problems concerning the evolutionary emergence of protolanguage, i.e. early language-like communication. We propose that nonverbal communication is likely to have played an important but underestimated role in language evolution: not directly in the transfer of message contents, but rather in stabilising the emerging protolanguage. We single out one subset of nonverbal cues - nonvocal nonverbal paralinguistic adaptors (NNPAs) - based on their role as indicators of reliability in present-day communication of humans. We suggest that the relatively involuntary and therefore reliable NNPAs might have served to stabilise more volitionally controlled, and therefore less reliable, verbal communication at the initial, bootstrapping stages of its phylogenetic development.
Parental Directiveness as a Predictor of Children’S Behavior at Kindergarten
Authors: Szymańska Agnieszka
Published: July 2016

The research aimed to describe the differences in preschool children’s families in terms of parental influence. One of the important factors predicting a child’s behavior at kindergarten was parental directiveness. Directiveness was conceptualized as one of the acts of speech by which the speaker coaxes another to do something. Two types of directiveness were distinguished: warm-hearted directiveness and aggressive directiveness. Two hundred and four participants, parents of kindergarten children, took part in the research. Selection for the research sample was conducted according to the teacher’s representation of a child’s behavior at kindergarten (well-behaved or badly-behaved). Parents completed psychological tests measuring their level of parental control (conceptualized as teaching the child the rules of social behavior) and, finally, the level and type of directiveness (warm-hearted or aggressive). The purpose of the analysis was to discover which of the enumerated variables best explained a child’s behavior at kindergarten. Canonical correlation, discriminant analysis and data mining methods were used for the analysis. Analyses were performed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and STATISTICA Data Miner 8 software. The results indicate that the level and type of parental directiveness is the most important factor that distinguishes children in groups, the split being due to the children’s behavior at kindergarten.
Language and Social Change. Public Communication, Nation, and Identity
Authors: Kloch Zbigniew
Published: July 2016

Dramatic transformations in Poland after the fall of communism and the country’s thorny path to democracy provide fascinating material for reflection and study of language in its relations to politics and social change. A review of communist newspeak, followed by the breakdown of monopoly on public speaking, the beginning of the language of the opposition, finally developing into various styles of Solidarity, serve as a backdrop for an analysis of the post-communist speech developing in diverse, occasionally opposite directions, affecting all levels of linguistic reality at different speeds, with varying intensity and degree of immunity to external manipulation
Sequential Auto Carrier Loading Problem
Authors: Chen Huey-Kuo
Published: August 2016

Sequential auto carrier loading is a postprocess of the auto carrier loading problem (ACLP) and can be formulated as an integer programming problem for each auto dealer along the auto carrier route except the dealer that is the last stop. The associated objective function for each individual subproblem is to minimize the number of reloads and, for those vehicles that are reloaded, to minimize the total arcs in the path from the reassigned slots to the exit slot. The sequential ACLP (SACLP) process also relaxes the assumption made in the literature that if at any auto dealer a vehicle is unloaded and reloaded again, it is reloaded back to its original slot. To solve the SACLP, an iterative heuristic algorithm that takes into consideration the effect of empty slots is proposed. At each auto dealer, after its demand has been unloaded, any unloaded vehicles destined for the upcoming dealers are reloaded back to better unassigned slots on the auto carrier and are subject to various loading constraints. Computational experiments on five instances indicated that use of the SACLP improved the solutions obtained from the ACLP by itself.
Routing Model for Multicommodity Freight in an Intermodal Network Under Disruptions
Authors: Uddin M. Majbah , Huynh Nathan
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a mathematical model for the routing of multicommodity freight in an intermodal network under disruptions. A stochastic mixed-integer program was formulated to minimize not only operational costs of various modes and transfer costs at terminals but also penalty costs associated with unsatisfied demands. The sample average approximation algorithm was used to solve this challenging problem. The developed model was then applied to two networks—a hypothetical 15-node network and an actual intermodal network in the Gulf Coast, Southeastern, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States—to demonstrate its applicability with explicit consideration of disruptions at links, nodes, and terminals. The model results indicated that during disruptions, goods in the study region should be shipped by road–rail intermodal network because of the built-in redundancy of the freight transport network. Additionally, the routes generated by the model were found to be more robust than those typically used by freight carriers.
Effects of Public and Private Investments in Intelligent Transportation Systems on Freight Movement Outcomes
Authors: Schafer Sarah , Nilsson Isabelle
Published: August 2016

This paper examines the relationship between public and private investments in intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology and the effects on transportation performance through the highway system. ITS technology is an infrastructure that promotes integrated information sharing that can be used to improve system performance. ITS combines better infrastructure with information and control technologies to ( a) reduce traffic congestion by maintaining traffic flow, ( b) reduce transportation-generated pollution, ( c) improve transport efficiency, and ( d) produce economic benefits. A statistical analysis of partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test three hypothesized relationships. Primary data were collected from U.S.-based commercial vehicle transportation service providers. Respondents were parceled with a geographic information system analysis of secondary data from the U.S. Department of Transportation National ITS Deployment Tracking Survey. On the basis of their level of regional ITS experience, primary data respondents were matched to regions and split between regions with low ITS experience and high ITS experience as a proxy for regional public investments in ITS. Performance measures were based on efficiency, reliability, responsiveness, quality, carbon emissions reduction, and equipment utilization for commercial vehicle operators. Results indicate that private investments in ITS significantly positively affect the responsiveness performance measure for commercial vehicle operators in regions with high public ITS investments. The same relationship is not significant in regions with low public ITS investments, which indicates at least some transportation performance improvements for regions with higher investments in ITS. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Hepatitis C: A New Future Everyday
Authors: Rahman Salimur
Published: August 2016

Hepatitis C (HCV) is one of the most important cause of liver disease throughout the world, having the potentiality to develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with the passage of time. Recent advances in the management of HCV infection have brought this healthcare burden under limelight. With ongoing research in this field, the future seems to be more promising in the management of HCV infection that has been bothering humanity for decades.Bangladesh J Medicine Jul 2016; 27(2) : 74-77
Pattern of psychiatric morbidity among female patients who attended private consultation chambers in Dhaka city
Authors: Ahmed Helal Uddin , Uddin AFM Helal , Islam Md Nazmul , Khan M Abdur Rahim , Zaki Hossien Muhammad , Hossain Tanjina , Biswas Chiranjeeb , Rabbani Md Golam
Published: July 2016

Mental illness affect women and men differently - some disorders are more common in women; some are manifested with different symptoms. In Bangladesh, 16.1% of the adult populations suffer from some degree of mental disorder and the prevalence is higher in women than men (19.0% vs 12.9%). This study is a cross sectional study, done on female patients who attended at private chambers of psychiatrists located within Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Total sample size is 280 and duration of the study was six months from May 2014 to October 2014. The major objective of the study was to determine the pattern of psychiatric illness among the women who attended some psychiatrists private chamber in Dhaka city and also to identify the socio-economic and environmental stressors causing psychiatric illness. The findings revealed that highest numbers of the patients (41%) belonged to the age group between 21-30 years and the second largest group having 31-40 years of age (21%). Most patients hailed from urban area (79%) and among all the patients most of them were married (58%). There are various psycho-social stressors which can be held responsible for causing psychiatric illness - domestic violence, marital breakdown and co-morbid physical illness. Among the several pattern of mental diseases, depressive disorder was the commonest (17.7%), followed by somatoform disorder (14%) and schizophrenia (13.3%). Among all the patients, substance abuse was found in 4.2% of patients. This study finally argues that for reduction of psychiatric morbidity among female patients, medical services must be extended to the community level.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 14-19
Demographic proles of epileptic patients and their awareness towards epilepsy with the inuence on compliance
Authors: Mian Md Ferdous , Jobayer Mohammad , Afroz Zeenat , Chowdhury Ahmed Hossain , Chowdhury Rajib Nayan , Habib Mansur , Mohammad Quazi Deen
Published: July 2016

There are about 2 million epilepsy patients in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to correlate the demographic parameter of epilepsy patients with their knowledge about the disease and also with the compliance of antiepileptic drugs. This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Neurology at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from July 2010 to June 2012. A total of 100 epilepsy patients of any age and sex attending the epilepsy clinic were enrolled of which 50 patients who had experienced one or more seizures over last six months were designated as uncontrolled epileptic patients were in case group and 50 patients who were seizure-free for six months were designated as controlled epileptic patients were in control group. Mean age of case and control groups were 21.84 ±8.70 and 23.94 ±10.28 years respectively. Most of the epilepsy patients were between the age of 11 to 30 years that was 88% in case group and 76% in control group. Male was predominant than female in both group. Among study population 70% and 58% had educational status below Primary level in case and control group respectively. Seventy percent of uncontrolled epilepsy patients were from low income group and 62% of them were unemployed. Maximum (68% in case and 44% in control group) patients were from rural area. Almost all controlled epilepsy patients took drugs regularly, whereas 52% patients with uncontrolled epilepsy did not took drugs regularly and 64% of them had history of missing anti-epileptic drugs. Knowledge about the disease, treatment and prognosis of epilepsy was better in control group than in case group of epilepsy patients. It may be concluded that lower socioeconomical condition, less education and lack of awareness about epilepsy and non-affordability, limited availability of drugs, lack of counseling have contributed to the non-compliance of antiepileptic drugs.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 20-24
Cluster analysis of symptoms of Bangladeshi women with breast cancer in palliative care centre of a tertiary hospital
Authors: Alam Sarwar , Ahmad Nezamuddin , Bhuiyan Md Zillur Rahman , Sharmin Sadia , Shams Mohammad Jahan , Rashid Mamun Ur
Published: July 2016

Breast cancer patients may experience multiple symptoms due to the disease itself, treatment or combination of both. The aim of the present study was to identify group of symptoms experienced by the patients with breast cancer using cluster analysis. We examined symptom profiles of 120 patients with breast cancer who attended a hospital palliative care centre in a tertiary institution. Following symptoms were analyzed: pain, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, weakness, cough, breathlessness, sleeplessness, lymphedema, sadness, anxiety and depression. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify the natural groupings within the set. We could identify three clusters. Cluster 1 was characterized by pain, depression, anxiety, weakness, sleeplessness and loss of appetite. Cluster 2 comprised of cough, breathlessness, nausea and constipation. Cluster 3 consisted of two symptoms lymphedema and sadness. The results revealed that the patients with breast cancer experienced symptoms that are multiple and clustered together. Neuro-psychiatric symptoms and weakness formed a significant strong relationship. Knowledge obtained from this study can be beneficial for better understanding, assessment and management of symptom clusters in women with breast cancer. It may also help patients to plan ahead for them to seek management of concurrent symptoms to improve their quality of life.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 25-30
Pattern of presentation of gynecological diseases in a tertiary care hospital - a hospital based study
Authors: Nandi Eva Rani , Joty Fahmida Sharmin , Biswas Bipul , Akter Roksana , Monir Fahmida , Ashraf Fatema , Dewan Farhana
Published: July 2016

This retrospective study was carried out in Shaheed Suhrawardi Medical College & Hospital (ShSMCH) from January 2013 to December 2013. Total 2160 Gynaecological patients were evaluated in 1 year period, who were admitted either from outpatient department or through emergency. The aim of this study was to observe the gynecological disease pattern, top ten gynecological diseases & organ involvement of female reproductive system. Of all patients, maximum (87%) were of reproductive age group and most of them (66%) came from urban area. Almost 78% patients admitted with uterine pathology. Among total patients 47% had pregnancy related complications, of which 86.5% patients had history of early pregnancy termination either spontaneous or induced, 7% had ectopic pregnancy and 6.5% had molar pregnancy. Of all patients, 98% had benign diseases and 2% were suffering from malignant disorder. Other gynaecological diseases were utero-vaginal prolapse, fibroid uterus, benign ovarian tumour & dysfunctional uterine bleeding.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 40-43
Efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreato-graphy in elderly patients
Authors: Das Chittaranjan , Saha Ashis , Hossain Faruk , Rahman Md Mokhlesur , Hasan Rakibul , Alam AHM Towhidul
Published: July 2016

The incidence of biliary tract pathologies increases as the population ages leading to an increase in the demand of therapeutic use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic ERCP in elderly patients. It was a prospective observational study. Patients aged 65 years or more referred for therapeutic ERCP from July 2007 to June 2008 were reviewed by a preformed data sheet which included all the relevant details of the procedure. It was collected at the time of ERCP & before discharge. Of 67 patients audited, successful therapeutic ERCP was performed in 91.04% cases. Our study showed that ERCP was effective in the elderly patients.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 44-46
Pen-sized microscope which identifies cancer cells in the operating room, out of animal studies
Authors: Editor The
Published: July 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 59
Acitretin in dermatology  A review
Authors: Bhuiyan Zahid Hossain , Chowdhury MU Kobir
Published: July 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh Med J. 2016 May; 45 (2): 98-100
Obituary News Vol 45(2)
Authors: Editor The
Published: July 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh Med J. 2016 May; 45 (2): 120
Anaesthesia for the Stroke Patients  New Challenges for Anaesthesiologist
Authors: Rahman M Abdur
Published: July 2016

Abstract not availableJournal of Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists 2014; 27(1): 1-2
Medication Error in Anaesthesia  A Review
Authors: Mondal Montosh Kumar , Roy Beauty Rani , Banik Shibani , Banik Debabrata
Published: July 2016

Medication error is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in medical profession . There is an increasing recognition that medication errors are causing a substantial global public health problem, as many result in harm to patients and increased costs to health providers.Anaesthesia is now safe and routine, yet anaesthetists are not immune from making medication errors and the consequences of their mistakes may be more serious than those of doctors in other specialties. Steps are being taken to determine the extent of the problem of medication error in anaesthesia. In this review, incidence, types, risk factors and preventive measures of the medication errors are discussed in detail.Journal of Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists 2014; 27(1): 31-35
Quantity Discrimination in Domestic Rats, Rattus norvegicus
Authors: Cox Laura , Montrose V.
Published: August 2016

Quantity discrimination is a basic form of numerical competence where an animal distinguishes which of two amounts is greater in size. Whilst quantity discrimination in rats has been investigated via training paradigms, rats’ natural quantity discrimination abilities without explicit training for a desired response have not been explored. This study investigated domestic rats’ ability to perform quantity discrimination. Domestic rats ( n = 12) were examined for their ability to distinguish the larger amount under nine quantity comparisons. One-sample t -tests identified a significant preference for the larger quantity in comparisons of 1 vs. 2, 2 vs. 3, 3 vs. 5, 3 vs. 8, 4 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 8. No preference between quantities was found for comparisons of 3 vs. 4, 4 vs. 5 and 5 vs. 6. Overall, this study drew two key conclusions. Firstly, that domestic rats are capable of performing quantity discrimination without extensive training. Secondly, as subjects adhered to Weber’s law, it was concluded that the approximate number system underpins domestic rats’ ability to perform spontaneous quantity discrimination.
The Formation of Immigrant Networks in the Short and the Long Run
Authors: Epstein Gil , Heizler-Cohen Odelia
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we present a formal framework of possible network formations among immigrants. After arriving in the new country, one of the new immigrant’s important decisions is with whom to maintain a link in the foreign country. We find that the behavior of the first two immigrants affects all those who come after them. We also find that in the long run, under specific conditions, the first immigrant will become the leader of the immigrant society. Over time, as the stock of immigrants in the host country increases, the investment in the link with the leader will increase as well.
Postpartum Bonding Disorder: Factor Structure, Validity, Reliability and a Model Comparison of the Postnatal Bonding Questionnaire in Japanese Mothers of Infants
Authors: Ohashi Yukiko , Kitamura Toshinori , Sakanashi Kyoko , Tanaka Tomoko
Published: August 2016

Negative attitudes of mothers towards their infant is conceptualized as postpartum bonding disorder, which leads to serious health problems in perinatal health care. However, its measurement still remains to be standardized. Our aim was to examine and confirm the psychometric properties of the Postnatal Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) in Japanese mothers. We distributed a set of questionnaires to community mothers and studied 392 mothers who returned the questionnaires at 1 month after childbirth. Our model was compared with three other models derived from previous studies. In a randomly halved sample, an exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor structure: Anger and Restrictedness, Lack of Affection, and Rejection and Fear. This factor structure was cross-validated by a confirmatory factor analysis using the other halved sample. The three subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency. The three PBQ subscale scores were correlated with depression and psychological abuse scores. Their test–retest reliability between day 5 and 1 month after childbirth was measured by intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.76 and 0.83. The Akaike Information Criteria of our model was better than the original four-factor model of Brockington. The present study indicates that the PBQ is a reliable and valid measure of bonding difficulties of Japanese mothers with neonates.
Lariophagus distinguendus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) (Förster)—Past, Present, and Future: The History of a Biological Control Method Using L. distinguendus against Different Storage Pests
Authors: Niedermayer Steffi , Pollmann Marie , Steidle Johannes
Published: August 2016

Legal requirements and consumer demands for residue-free products pose a big challenge for pest control in grain stores. One possible alternative to chemical insecticides is biological pest control with the pteromalid wasp Lariophagus distinguendus against the weevils Sitophilus granarius, S. oryzae (Coleoptera: Dryophtoridae), and many other storage pest beetles. The use of this wasp as a biocontrol agent was already suggested in 1919 by Prof. Dr. Hase [1]. Despite many studies on host-finding and behavioral biology, the applied aspect was neglected until 1994. Nowadays the wasps are commercially available and can now even be reared on-site, facilitating their use tremendously. This review highlights the milestones in L. distinguendus research, gives insights in current studies, and ventures a glimpse into the future.
The Potentials and Pitfalls of Microarrays in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Focus on Human Filarial Infections
Authors: Kwarteng Alexander , Ahuno Samuel
Published: August 2016

Data obtained from expression microarrays enables deeper understanding of the molecular signatures of infectious diseases. It provides rapid and accurate information on how infections affect the clustering of gene expression profiles, pathways and networks that are transcriptionally active during various infection states compared to conventional diagnostic methods, which primarily focus on single genes or proteins. Thus, microarray technologies offer advantages in understanding host-parasite interactions associated with filarial infections. More importantly, the use of these technologies can aid diagnostics and helps translate current genomic research into effective treatment and interventions for filarial infections. Studying immune responses via microarray following infection can yield insight into genetic pathways and networks that can have a profound influence on the development of anti-parasitic vaccines.
Antioxidant Capacities of Fractions of Bamboo Shaving Extract and Their Antioxidant Components
Authors: Gong Jinyan , Huang Jun , Xiao Gongnian , Chen Feng , Lee Bolim , Ge Qing , You Yuru , Liu Shiwang , Zhang Ying
Published: August 2016

This research was conducted for evaluation of antioxidant activities of four fractions from bamboo shavings extract (BSE) and their antioxidant components. The antioxidant capacities of BSE and four fractions on ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and total antioxidant capacity assays exhibited the following descending order: DF > n-butanol fraction (BF) > BSE ≈ ethyl acetate fraction (AF) > water fraction (WF). Among the identified phenolic compounds, caffeic acid exhibited the highest antioxidant capacities on DPPH, FRAP and total antioxidant capacity assays. An extremely significant positive correlation between the antioxidant activities with the contents of total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, or total phenolics was observed in this study. The result indicated that the bamboo shaving extract and its solvent fractions could act as natural antioxidants in light of their potent antioxidant activities.
Intramolecular Chain Hydrosilylation of Alkynylphenylsilanes Using a Silyl Cation as a Chain Carrier
Authors: Arii Hidekazu , Nakabayashi Kenichi , Mochida Kunio , Kawashima Takayuki
Published: August 2016

Diorganyl[2-(trimethylsilylethynyl)phenyl]silanes 1a–c and methyl-substituted phenylsilanes 1d and 1e were treated with a small amount of trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (TPFPB) as an initiator in benzene to afford the corresponding benzosiloles (2a–e) in moderate to good yields. However, no reaction was observed for the reaction using [2-(1-hexynyl)phenyl]diisopropylsilane lf. The methyl substituent was tolerated under the reaction conditions and increased the yield of the corresponding benzosilole depending on the substitution position. From the result using 1f, the current reaction was found to require the trimethylsilyl group, which can stabilize intermediary alkenyl carbocations by the β-silyl effect. The current reaction can be considered an intramolecular chain hydrosilylation of alkynylarylsilanes involving silyl cations as chain carriers. Therefore, the silyl cations generated by hydride abstraction from hydrosilanes 1 with the trityl cation causes intramolecular electrophilic addition to the C-C triple bond to form ethenyl cations, which abstract a hydride from 1 to afford benzosiloles 2 with the regeneration of the silyl cations.
Synthesis and Evaluation of New 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives as Antinociceptive Agents
Authors: Altıntop Mehlika , Can Özgür , Demir Özkay Ümide , Kaplancıklı Zafer
Published: August 2016

In the current work, new 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their antinociceptive effects on nociceptive pathways of nervous system. The effects of these compounds against mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli were evaluated by tail-clip, hot-plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests, respectively. In addition, activity cage was performed to assess the locomotor activity of animals. The obtained data indicated that compounds 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3g and 3h increased the reaction times of mice both in the hot-plate and tail-clip tests, indicating the centrally mediated antinociceptive activity of these compounds. Additionally, the number of writhing behavior was significantly decreased by the administration of compounds 3a, 3c, 3e and 3f, which pointed out the peripherally mediated antinociceptive activity induced by these four compounds. According to the activity cage tests, compounds 3a, 3c and 3f significantly decreased both horizontal and vertical locomotor activity of mice. Antinociceptive behavior of these three compounds may be non-specific and caused by possible sedative effect or motor impairments.
Microfluidic Devices in Advanced Caenorhabditis elegans Research
Authors: Muthaiyan Shanmugam Muniesh , Subhra Santra Tuhin
Published: August 2016

The study of model organisms is very important in view of their potential for application to human therapeutic uses. One such model organism is the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. As a nematode, C. elegans have ~65% similarity with human disease genes and, therefore, studies on C. elegans can be translated to human, as well as, C. elegans can be used in the study of different types of parasitic worms that infect other living organisms. In the past decade, many efforts have been undertaken to establish interdisciplinary research collaborations between biologists, physicists and engineers in order to develop microfluidic devices to study the biology of C. elegans. Microfluidic devices with the power to manipulate and detect bio-samples, regents or biomolecules in micro-scale environments can well fulfill the requirement to handle worms under proper laboratory conditions, thereby significantly increasing research productivity and knowledge. The recent development of different kinds of microfluidic devices with ultra-high throughput platforms has enabled researchers to carry out worm population studies. Microfluidic devices primarily comprises of chambers, channels and valves, wherein worms can be cultured, immobilized, imaged, etc. Microfluidic devices have been adapted to study various worm behaviors, including that deepen our understanding of neuromuscular connectivity and functions. This review will provide a clear account of the vital involvement of microfluidic devices in worm biology.
Struvite Precipitation as a Means of Recovering Nutrients and Mitigating Ammonia Toxicity in a Two-Stage Anaerobic Digester Treating Protein-Rich Feedstocks
Authors: Wang Shunli , Hawkins Gary , Kiepper Brian , Das Keshav
Published: August 2016

Accumulation of ammonia, measured as total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), a product of protein decomposition in slaughterhouse wastes, inhibits the anaerobic digestion process, reducing digester productivity and leading to failure. Struvite precipitation (SP) is an effective means to remove TAN and enhance the buffering of substrates. Different Mg and P sources were evaluated as reactants in SP in acidogenic digester effluents to reduce its TAN levels. In order to measure impact of TAN removal, a standard biochemical methane potential (BMP) test was conducted to measure methane yield from treatments that had the highest TAN reductions. SP results showed 6 of 9 reagent combinations resulted in greater than 70% TAN removal. The BMP results indicated that SP treatment by adding Mg(OH)2 and H3PO4 resulted in 57.6% nitrogen recovery and 41.7% increase in methane yield relative to the substrate without SP. SP is an effective technology to improve nutrient recovery and methane production from the anaerobic digestion of protein-rich feedstocks.
Elevational Shifts of Freshwater Communities Cannot Catch up Climate Warming in the Himalaya
Authors: Li Fengqing , Shah Deep , Pauls Steffen , Qu Xiaodong , Cai Qinghua , Tachamo Shah Ram
Published: August 2016

Climate warming threatens biodiversity at global, regional and local levels by causing irreversible changes to species populations and biological communities. The Himalayan region is highly vulnerable to climate warming. This calls for efficient environmental management strategies because biodiversity monitoring is costly, particularly for the developing countries of the Himalaya. Species distribution modeling (SDM) represents a tool that can be used to identify vulnerable areas where biodiversity monitoring and conservation are required most urgently and can be prioritized. Here, we investigated the potential present-day community compositions of river invertebrates in the central and eastern Himalayas and predicted changes in community compositions in future decades using SDMs. We then quantified the climate-induced range shifts of benthic invertebrates along the elevational gradient and tested whether the predicted community shift is fast enough to fully compensate for the projected climate warming. Our model predicts future increases in benthic invertebrate taxonomic richness. Further, projected community shifts are characterized by the movement of warm-dwellers to higher elevations and losses in cold-dwellers. The predicted model shows that benthic invertebrate communities would not be able to compensate climate warming through uphill migration and thus would accumulate climatic debts. Our findings suggest that the ongoing warming effect would cause continued elevational range shifts of mountain river communities.
BAHAMAS: NEW ANALYSIS OF TYPE Ia SUPERNOVAE REVEALS INCONSISTENCIES WITH STANDARD COSMOLOGY
Authors: Shariff Hikmatali , Jiao Xiyun , Trotta Roberto , van Dyk David A.
Published: August 2016

We present results obtained by applying our BAyesian HierArchical Modeling for the Analysis of Supernova cosmology (BAHAMAS) software package to the 740 spectroscopically confirmed supernovae of type Ia (SNe Ia) from the “Joint Light-curve Analysis” (JLA) data set. We simultaneously determine cosmological parameters and standardization parameters, including corrections for host galaxy mass, residual scatter, and object-by-object intrinsic magnitudes. Combining JLA and Planck data on the cosmic microwave background, we find significant discrepancies in cosmological parameter constraints with respect to the standard analysis: we find

,

higher than previously reported, and

,

higher than the standard analysis. We determine the residual scatter to be

. We confirm (at the 95% probability level) the existence of two subpopulations segregated by host galaxy mass, separated at

, differing in mean intrinsic magnitude by 0.055 ± 0.022 mag, lower than previously reported. Cosmological parameter constraints, however, are unaffected by the inclusion of corrections for host galaxy mass. We find

evidence for a sharp drop in the value of the color correction parameter,

, at a redshift

. We rule out some possible explanations for this behavior, which remains unexplained.
EXPLOSIVE CHROMOSPHERIC EVAPORATION IN A CIRCULAR-RIBBON FLARE
Authors: Zhang Q. M. , Li D. , Ning Z. J. , Su Y. N. , Ji H. S. , Guo Y.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we report our multiwavelength observations of the C4.2 circular-ribbon flare in active region (AR) 12434 on 2015 October 16. The short-lived flare was associated with positive magnetic polarities and a negative polarity inside, as revealed by the photospheric line-of-sight magnetograms. Such a magnetic pattern is strongly indicative of a magnetic null point and spine-fan configuration in the corona. The flare was triggered by the eruption of a mini-filament residing in the AR, which produced the inner flare ribbon (IFR) and the southern part of a closed circular flare ribbon (CFR). When the eruptive filament reached the null point, it triggered null point magnetic reconnection with the ambient open field and generated the bright CFR and a blowout jet. Raster observations of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph show plasma upflow at speeds of 35–120 km s−1 in the Fe xxi
λ1354.09 line (

) and downflow at speeds of 10–60 km s−1 in the Si iv
λ1393.77 line (

) at certain locations of the CFR and IFR during the impulsive phase of the flare, indicating explosive chromospheric evaporation. Coincidence of the single hard X-ray source at 12–25 keV with the IFR and calculation based on the thick-target model suggest that the explosive evaporation was most probably driven by nonthermal electrons.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATIONS OF TEARING AND INTERMITTENCY IN CORONAL JETS
Authors: Wyper P. F. , DeVore C. R. , Karpen J. T. , Lynch B. J.
Published: August 2016

Observations of coronal jets increasingly suggest that local fragmentation and intermittency play an important role in the dynamics of these events. In this work, we investigate this fragmentation in high-resolution simulations of jets in the closed-field corona. We study two realizations of the embedded-bipole model, whereby impulsive helical outflows are driven by reconnection between twisted and untwisted field across the domed fan plane of a magnetic null. We find that the reconnection region fragments following the onset of a tearing-like instability, producing multiple magnetic null points and flux-rope structures within the current layer. The flux ropes formed within the weak-field region in the center of the current layer are associated with “blobs” of density enhancement that become filamentary threads as the flux ropes are ejected from the layer, whereupon new flux ropes form behind them. This repeated formation and ejection of flux ropes provides a natural explanation for the intermittent outflows, bright blobs of emission, and filamentary structure observed in some jets. Additional observational signatures of this process are discussed. Essentially all jet models invoke reconnection between regions of locally closed and locally open field as the jet-generation mechanism. Therefore, we suggest that this repeated tearing process should occur at the separatrix surface between the two flux systems in all jets. A schematic picture of tearing-mediated jet reconnection in three dimensions is outlined.
FRIENDS OF HOT JUPITERS. IV. STELLAR COMPANIONS BEYOND 50 au MIGHT FACILITATE GIANT PLANET FORMATION, BUT MOST ARE UNLIKELY TO CAUSE KOZAI–LIDOV MIGRATION
Authors: Ngo Henry , Knutson Heather A. , Hinkley Sasha , Bryan Marta , Crepp Justin R. , Batygin Konstantin , Crossfield Ian , Hansen Brad , Howard Andrew W. , Johnson John A. , Mawet Dimitri , Morton Timothy D. , Muirhead Philip S. , Wang Ji
Published: August 2016

Stellar companions can influence the formation and evolution of planetary systems, but there are currently few observational constraints on the properties of planet-hosting binary star systems. We search for stellar companions around 77 transiting hot Jupiter systems to explore the statistical properties of this population of companions as compared to field stars of similar spectral type. After correcting for survey incompleteness, we find that

of hot Jupiter systems have stellar companions with semimajor axes between 50 and 2000 au. This is 2.9 times larger than the field star companion fraction in this separation range, with a significance of

. In the 1–50 au range, only

of hot Jupiters host stellar companions, compared to the field star value of

, which is a

difference. We find that the distribution of mass ratios for stellar companions to hot Jupiter systems peaks at small values and therefore differs from that of field star binaries which tend to be uniformly distributed across all mass ratios. We conclude that either wide separation stellar binaries are more favorable sites for gas giant planet formation at all separations, or that the presence of stellar companions preferentially causes the inward migration of gas giant planets that formed farther out in the disk via dynamical processes such as Kozai–Lidov oscillations. We determine that less than 20% of hot Jupiters have stellar companions capable of inducing Kozai–Lidov oscillations assuming initial semimajor axes between 1 and 5 au, implying that the enhanced companion occurrence is likely correlated with environments where gas giants can form efficiently.
Les discours sur la nature à Madagascar, dans le sillage du teny baiko
Authors: Rakoto Ramiarantsoa Hervé , Mellac Marie , André-Lamat Véronique , Amelot Xavier
Published: July 2016

Cet article propose une lecture critique de discours sur la nature, dans un contexte de domination par les Occidentaux des modalités de définition des politiques environnementales malgaches. Après une présentation de ces politiques, puis du dispositif d’enquête, nous nous intéressons aux mots, aux formulations et aux références mobilisés par divers gestionnaires de l’environnement, pour qualifier les notions de nature et d’environnement. Quelles influences extérieures, quels rapports de domination anciens ou nouveaux, réappropriés ou rejetés, peut-on y lire ? L’analyse porte ensuite sur la façon dont ces acteurs expriment leur positionnement spécifique dans la construction des relations à la nature qu’ils proposent. Quelle distanciation ou non, les discours traduisent-ils vis-à-vis de la société, des bailleurs de fonds, des ONG, de l’État ?
Langues et registres de légitimation du pouvoir politique au Mali : les discours présidentiels en contexte de (post-) crise
Authors: Traoré Laure
Published: July 2016

Cet article s’intéresse aux stratégies discursives de légitimation du président Ibrahim Boubacar Keita sur une période d’un an, à partir de son investiture comme président de la République en septembre 2013. Dans le contexte plurilingue du Mali, nous proposons d’analyser la manière dont IBK utilise les langues (français, bambara), les registres (soutenu, familier) et les rhétoriques de la proximité et de la religion pour répondre aux diverses critiques dont sa présidence fait l’objet. La dimension symbolique de ses discours repose sur des imaginaires politiques communs dans la société malienne qui sont décrits ici. Les usages spécifiques qu’en fait le président sont également liés à la situation politico-sécuritaire particulière que connaît le Mali depuis 2012. À partir du cas précis d’IBK, cet article entend fournir des clés de compréhension des pratiques langagières du pouvoir au Mali en général.
Langues locales et idéologie linguistique dominante (Tanzanie)
Authors: Gernez Nathaniel
Published: July 2016

La Tanzanie, État qui a forgé son unité nationale autour d’une langue, le swahili, a souvent été considérée comme un cas d’école en matière de planification linguistique. À partir d’observations ethnographiques des pratiques du plurilinguisme conduites à Iringa, une région de l’intérieur du pays, l’article analyse la façon dont l’éducation secondaire publique, en pleine expansion depuis quelques années, véhicule dans les villages l’idéologie linguistique dominante attribuant la plus haute valeur à l’anglais. Cette situation, qui vient troubler l’équilibre établi à la longue entre la langue locale, ici le hehe, et la langue nationale, le swahili, génère des résistances perceptibles lorsque les locuteurs ont subrepticement recours à des stratégies linguistiques de renversement de cette domination, en parlant leur langue locale dans des espaces où elle est normalement, voire légalement, exclue.
Cultures lithiques dans les monts Mandara au Cameroun
Authors: Tchandeu Narcisse Santores
Published: July 2016

Des recherches récemment menées dans les monts Mandara ont permis de mettre en évidence le dynamisme de son patrimoine culturel lithique à travers les expressions sensibles du mégalithisme, de l’art rupestre, des mobiliers et structures diverses de pierres. Des pierres qui sont les indices de valeurs liées autant aux statuts sociaux qu’à des marquages territoriaux. Un héritage multiple à l’intérêt archéologique, socio-historique, anthropologique et même esthétique illustré à travers des rituels cultuels, agraires, initiatiques, divinatoires.
NADPH Oxidase–Derived Superoxide Provides a Third Signal for CD4 T Cell Effector Responses
Authors: Padgett Lindsey E. , Tse Hubert M.
Published: July 2016

Originally recognized for their direct induced toxicity as a component of the innate immune response, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can profoundly modulate T cell adaptive immune responses. Efficient T cell activation requires: signal 1, consisting of an antigenic peptide–MHC complex binding with the TCR; signal 2, the interaction of costimulatory molecules on T cells and APCs; and signal 3, the generation of innate immune-derived ROS and proinflammatory cytokines. This third signal, in particular, has proven essential in generating productive and long-lasting immune responses. Our laboratory previously demonstrated profound Ag-specific hyporesponsiveness in the absence of NADPH oxidase–derived superoxide. To further examine the consequences of ROS deficiency on Ag-specific T cell responses, our laboratory generated the OT-II.Ncf1m1J mouse, possessing superoxide-deficient T cells recognizing the nominal Ag OVA323–339. In this study, we demonstrate that OT-II.Ncf1m1J CD4 T cells displayed a severe reduction in Th1 T cell responses, in addition to blunted IL-12R expression and severely attenuated proinflammatory chemokine ligands. Conversely, IFN-γ synthesis and IL-12R synthesis were rescued by the addition of exogenous superoxide via the paramagnetic superoxide donor potassium dioxide or superoxide-sufficient dendritic cells. Ultimately, these data highlight the importance of NADPH oxidase–derived ROS in providing a third signal for adaptive immune maturation by modulating the IL-12/IL-12R pathway and the novelty of the OT-II.Ncf1m1J mouse model to determine the role of redox-dependent signaling on effector responses. Thus, targeting ROS represents a promising therapeutic strategy in dampening Ag-specific T cell responses and T cell–mediated autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes.
DNA Sensing via TLR-9 Constitutes a Major Innate Immunity Pathway Activated during Erythema Nodosum Leprosum
Authors: Dias André A. , Silva Camila O. , Santos João Pedro S. , Batista-Silva Leonardo R. , Acosta Chyntia Carolina D. , Fontes Amanda N. B. , Pinheiro Roberta O. , Lara Flávio A. , Machado Alice M. , Nery José Augusto C. , Sarno Euzenir N. , Pereira Geraldo M. B. , Pessolani Maria Cristina V.
Published: July 2016

The chronic course of lepromatous leprosy may be interrupted by acute inflammatory episodes known as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Despite its being a major cause of peripheral nerve damage in leprosy patients, the immunopathogenesis of ENL remains ill-defined. Recognized by distinct families of germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors, endogenous and pathogen-derived nucleic acids are highly immunostimulatory molecules that play a major role in the host defense against infections, autoimmunity, and autoinflammation. The aim of this work was to investigate whether DNA sensing via TLR-9 constitutes a major inflammatory pathway during ENL. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry analysis showed significantly higher TLR-9 expression in ENL when compared with nonreactional lepromatous patients, both locally in the skin lesions and in circulating mononuclear cells. The levels of endogenous and pathogen-derived TLR-9 ligands in the circulation of ENL patients were also higher. Furthermore, PBMCs isolated from the ENL patients secreted higher levels of TNF, IL-6, and IL-1β in response to a TLR-9 agonist than those of the nonreactional patients and healthy individuals. Finally, E6446, a TLR-9 synthetic antagonist, was able to significantly inhibit the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by ENL PBMCs in response to Mycobacterium leprae lysate. Our data strongly indicate that DNA sensing via TLR-9 constitutes a major innate immunity pathway involved in the pathogenesis and evolution of ENL. Thus, the use of TLR-9 antagonists emerges as a potential alternative to more effectively treat ENL aiming to prevent the development of nerve injuries and deformities in leprosy.