bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The semantic change of the word min 民 in texts of the Eastern Zhou Period (771–221 BC)
Authors: Crone Thomas 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This paper is a follow-up to a previous study whose results suggest that the term min 民 in texts of the Western Zhou Period (ca. 1045–771 BC) primarily refers to subjected lineages and rulers outside of the ancestral homeland of the Zhou kings. The assumption derived from this, namely, that min might have served to distinguish populations of peripheral territories that were supposedly formally subjected to the royal house from those directly controlled by the Zhou kings, will be further examined in this article with regard to later texts of the Eastern Zhou Period. As the first two sections of this article reveal, in texts such as the Zuozhuan and the Guoyu, min continues to be used in a comparable way as it frequently addresses lineages of the dafu 大夫 rank, which in every single “country” (guo 國) could be similarly considered as subordinated “external” (wai 外) entities separated from the central ruling house. In relation to the phenomenon that in texts of the fourth and third centuries BC the semantic content of the word min appears to have shifted to addressing lower population strata, I conclude by arguing that this new usage of min to refer to “the common people” was born out of the political and social changes that occurred during the early Warring States Period and should not easily be projected onto earlier documents as it might lead to crucial misunderstandings in regard to the basic intentions and reasoning of these texts.
China’s New School of Thought-Masters (Xinzixue): An Alternative to Sinologism?
Authors: Vetrov Viatcheslav 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
As is well known, identity studies have always to do with drawing boundaries. In Western sinological works as in the debates of Chinese intellectuals concerning their cultural identity, there are a number of fields which are again and again demarcated against some corresponding fields in other cultures: Chinese philosophy, Chinese literature, Chinese history etc. The practice of drawing boundaries is not limited to the work of the so called cultural relativists. Universalists, who display a critical attitude towards cultural relativism and advocate the equality of cultural phenomena in the world as a matter of principle, construct their argumentation also on the basis of a crucial boundary, i. e. the conception of their own program – their own academic identity – as opposing the program of cultural relativism. The present study defends the idea that any discussion of questions concerning identity constructions, any act of drawing boundaries, as any criticism against drawing them can be interpreted as a political statement and that they become every time problematic when they are accompanied by an explicit negation of politics or when they are not reflected upon as participating in politics. The focus will lie on Chinese readings of Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) and on current Chinese debates about the issue of national identity.
Catalytic crosslinking of a regenerated hydrophobic benzylated cellulose and nano TiO2 composite for enhanced oil absorbency
Authors: Saliu Oluwaseyi D. , Olatunji Gabriel A. , Yakubu Azeh , Arowona Mariam T. , Mohammed Aminat A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHydrophobic cellulosic composites with the nano form of metal oxides possess good absorptive and adsorptive potentials. Native cellulose was regenerated, benzylated, crosslinked and blended with TiO2 nanoparticles to absorb toluene, xylene, chloroform, kerosene and petrol. The composite was fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission emission microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of crosslinker, catalyst and time of absorption was investigated. The FTIR shows stretch and bend vibrations of hydroxyl (-OH), alkyl (-CH), aromatic double bond (C=C) for benzyl cellulose while the appearance of new peaks at 816, 769 and 726 cm−1 for Ti-O stretching vibrations confirms the successful synthesis of the composite. The SEM images revealed the transformation of foam-like appearance of benzyl cellulose to a solidified mass after TiO2 compositing. Enhanced oil absorption was seen as the amount of the aluminum sulfate catalyst was doubled as a high Qmax of 24.16, 25.81, 27.22, 24.03 and 24.43 was obtained when the amount of catalyst used was doubled.
Death and the Dowry System: India’s Women and Female Children at Global Risk of Gendercide Over Money
Authors: Monani Devaki , Gerry QC Felicity 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIncreasing globalization means that some actions or events transcend national boundaries and often require harmonization of responses. This is increasingly apparent in the context of violence against women and girls as movement of people and culture creates new challenges. News of accusations of dowry harassment against actress Smita Bansal caused a sensation in December 2015. The allegations arose during her brother’s divorce in London. It was suggested that her family had taken away jewelry and money from her sister-in-law during marriage to her brother. The allegations were refuted. True or otherwise, the issue of dowry has been catapulted onto the world stage. Whilst the demanding and giving of dowry has been effectively illegal in India since 1961 (The Dowry prohibition Act, 1961), the practice continues and has been exported globally with migration. No similar provisions appear outside India to protect extra territorial dowry demands or harassment. Research is scant but news reports suggest that women are burned, poisoned, beaten and forced to commit suicide. Female children suffer infanticide and foeticide when dowry is unpaid or deemed insufficient. This paper explores these issues.
Role of oxygen-containing functional surface groups of activated carbons on the elimination of 2-hydroxybenzothiazole from waters in A hybrid heterogeneous ozonation system
Authors: Valdés Héctor , Sánchez-Polo Manuel , Zaror Claudio A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe influence of the variation of chemical surface properties of activated carbons on the sorption capacity of activated carbons used in hybrid heterogeneous ozonation systems is still under discussion. In this study, the effect of long exposure of activated carbon to ozone and its implication on the removal of emerging organic pollutants from waters is evaluated. A commercial activated carbon (Filtrasorb-400) is used here as a raw material. It is chemically modified by continuous ozone exposure. 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (OHBT) is chosen as a target organic contaminant, representative of emerging micro-pollutants. Results obtained here reveal that extensive exposition of activated carbon surface to ozone weakens adsorbate–adsorbent interactions. Highly exposed activated carbon to ozone increases the concentration of oxygen-containing acidic functional groups, leading to a higher concentration of surface electron-withdrawing groups such as carboxylic acid anhydrides and carboxylic acids and reducing the sorption capacity toward OHBT in the hybrid heterogeneous ozonation system. At pH conditions around the point of zero charge (pH
Effect of light and oxygen on repetitive bacterial inactivation on uniform, adhesive, robust and stable Cu-polyester surfaces
Authors: Rtimi Sami , Sanjines Rosendo , Pulgarin Cesar , Kiwi John 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study reports new findings on the sputtered Cu-polyester (Cu-PES) bacterial inactivation under low intensity visible light (λ >400 nm). Cu-PES samples sputtered for 160 s led to the complete inactivation of
Antidiabetic effect of Ruta montana L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Farid Omar , Hebi Morad , Ajebli Mohammed , Hidani Ahmed EL , Eddouks Mohamed 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background:

Ruta montana (L.) is known as a medicinal plant with many beneficial effects, including those that can be used in the treatment of diabetes. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of this plant in diabetic rat.

Methods:
This study investigated the effects of an aerial part aqueous extract (APAE) of Ruta montana (L.) (RM) at a dose of 5 mg/kg on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were also evaluated in liver and pancreas both in normal and STZ-induced rats. The effect of this aqueous extract on glucose tolerance was demonstrated in normal rats. Furthermore, the relative organ weight (ROW) of liver, kidney, pancreas, and brown adipose tissue were evaluated after 15 days of daily oral administration of the aqueous extract.

Results:
Both single and repeated oral doses of APAE (5 mg/kg) produced significant reductions in the blood glucose levels in normal and STZ-induced rats. Oral glucose tolerance test results showed that, after the administration of 3 g/kg of glucose, RM APAE (5 mg/kg) improved the increase in blood glucose levels in normal rats at the 30th min (p<0.01) and 90th min (p<0.001).

Conclusions:
RM APAE exhibits a potent hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and an antidiabetic effect in STZ-induced rats. This finding supports the use of this plant in traditional Moroccan medicine for diabetes management.
New insight into the cradle of the grey voles (subgenus Microtus) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences
Authors: Mahmoudi Ahmad , Darvish Jamshid , Aliabadian Mansour , Yazdani Moghaddam Faezeh , Kryštufek Boris 
Published: January 2017

AbstractOur aim in this study was to further the understanding of the taxonomic relationships and the evolutionary history of grey voles (subgenus
Iodine(III)-mediated synthesis of chiral α-substituted ketones: recent advances and mechanistic insights
Authors: Basdevant Benoit , Guilbault Audrey-Anne , Beaulieu Samuel , Lauriers Antoine Jobin-Des , Legault Claude Y. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The development of iodine(III)-mediated synthetic transformations has received growing interest, in particular to mediate enantioselective processes. In this class, the α-tosyloxylation of ketone derivatives using iodine(III) is a particularly powerful one, as it yields α-tosyloxy ketones – versatile chiral precursors that enable rapid access to numerous α-chiral ketones through nucleophilic displacement. Despite years of research from numerous groups, the enantioselectivities for this transformation have remained modest. Using quantum chemical calculations, we have uncovered a possible rational for the lack of selectivity. With these computational insights, we have developed an alternative experimental strategy and achieved unprecedented levels of selectivities. Applying this newfound knowledge, we have recently developed a new method to access α-halo ketones from non-ketonic precursors.
POD-Galerkin Model for Incompressible Single-Phase Flow in Porous Media
Authors: Wang Yi , Yu Bo , Sun Shuyu 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Fast prediction modeling via proper orthogonal decomposition method combined with Galerkin projection is applied to incompressible single-phase fluid flow in porous media. Cases for different configurations of porous media, boundary conditions and problem scales are designed to examine the fidelity and robustness of the model. High precision (relative deviation 1.0 × 10−4% ~ 2.3 × 10−1%) and large acceleration (speed-up 880 ~ 98454 times) of POD model are found in these cases. Moreover, the computational time of POD model is quite insensitive to the complexity of problems. These results indicate POD model is especially suitable for large-scale complex problems in engineering.
Survey of Object-Based Data Reduction Techniques in Observational Astronomy
Authors: Łukasik Szymon , Moitinho André , Kowalski Piotr A. , Falcão António , Ribeiro Rita A. , Kulczycki Piotr 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Dealing with astronomical observations represents one of the most challenging areas of big data analytics. Besides huge variety of data types, dynamics related to continuous data flow from multiple sources, handling enormous volumes of data is essential. This paper provides an overview of methods aimed at reducing both the number of features/attributes as well as data instances. It concentrates on data mining approaches not related to instruments and observation tools instead working on processed object-based data. The main goal of this article is to describe existing datasets on which algorithms are frequently tested, to characterize and classify available data reduction algorithms and identify promising solutions capable of addressing present and future challenges in astronomy.
Role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) of calix[4]arene: A TDDFT study
Authors: Wang Se , Wang Zhuang , Hao Ce 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was performed to investigate the excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) reaction of calix[4]arene (C4A) and the role of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the ESIDPT process. The geometries of C4A in the ground state and excited states (S1, S2 and T1) were optimized. Four intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed in the C4A are strengthened or weakened in the S2 and T1 states compared to those in the ground state. Interestingly, upon excitation to the S1 state of C4A, two protons H1 and H2 transfer along the two intramolecular hydrogen bonds O1-H1···O2 and O2-H2···O3, while the other two protons do not transfer. The ESIDPT reaction breaks the primary symmetry of C4A in the ground state. The potential energy curves of proton transfer demonstrate that the ESIDPT process follows the stepwise mechanism but not the concerted mechanism. Findings indicate that intramolecular hydrogen bonding is critical to the ESIDPT reactions in intramolecular hydrogen-bonded systems.
Hydrogen-bonding study of photoexcited 4-nitro-1,8-naphthalimide in hydrogen-donating solvents
Authors: Cao Jianfang , Wu Hongmei , Zheng Yue , Nie Fangyuan , Li Ming , Zou Chenchen 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe solute–solvent interactions of 4-nitro-1,8-naphthalimide (4NNI) as a hydrogen bond acceptor in hydrogen donating methanol (MeOH) solvent in electronic excited states were investigated by means of the time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT). We calculated the S0state geometry optimizations, electronic transition energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low-lying electronically excited states for the isolated 4NNi and hydrogen-bonded 4NNi-(MeOH)1,4complexes using the density functional theory (DFT) and TDDFT methods. The electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen-bonded complexes are correspondingly decreased compared to that of the isolated 4NNi, which revealed that the intermolecular hydrogen bond C=O···H–O and N=O···H–O in the hydrogen-bonded 4NNi-(MeOH)1,4are strengthened in the electronically excited state. The calculated results are consistent with the mechanism that hydrogen bond strengthening will induce a redshift of the corresponding electronic spectra, while hydrogen bond weakening will cause a blueshift. Furthermore, we believe that the deduction we used to depict the trend of the hydrogen bond changes in excited states exists in many other fuorescent dyes in solution.
Context-dependency and impoliteness in intercultural communication
Authors: Kecskes Istvan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThere has been a great deal of research on impoliteness focusing on one particular language or cross-cultural differences between languages (e.g. Bousfield 2008; Bousfield and Locher 2008; Culpeper 2005, 2009; Haugh 2007, 2011; Kienpointner 1997). However, much less attention has been paid to impoliteness in intercultural communication in which all or some speakers communicate in a language other than their native tongue.On the basis of research on L1s and cross-cultural analysis of impoliteness, most of the researchers (e.g. Culpeper 2005, 2009, Haugh 2011; Watts 2003) in the field seem to agree that no act is inherently impolite, and that such an interpretation depends on the context or speech situation that affects interpretation (see Culpeper 2009). The paper will examine this context-dependency in intercultural communication where interlocutors cannot always rely on much existing common ground, shared knowledge and conventionalized context but need to co-construct most of those in the communicative process. It will be argued that limited shared knowledge and common ground may restrict the interpretation process to the propositional content of utterances, which may result in an increase in the actual situational context-creating power of utterances. Recent research (e.g. Abel 2003; Bortfeld 2002, 2003; Cieślicka 2004, 2006; House 2002, 2003; Kecskes 2007) demonstrated that in intercultural communication the most salient interpretation for non-native speakers is usually the propositional meaning of an utterance. So interpretation generally depends on what the utterance says rather than on what it actually communicates. As a consequence of their taking propositional meaning for the actual meaning of an utterance, interlocutors are sometimes unaware of impoliteness conveyed implicitly or through paralinguistic means.
Comparing apologies in Australian English and Bahasa Indonesia: Cultural and gender perspectives
Authors: Jones Jeremy F. , Adrefiza  
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study examines sociocultural, pragmatic, and gender differences between native speakers of Australian English (AE) and Bahasa Indonesia (BI) in expressing the speech act of apology. Based on an oral discourse completion task (DCT) using data from 24 native speakers of both languages, the study focuses on the variations in the use of apology strategies in three situations of moderate severity. The findings show that the two groups use a variety of strategies in expressing apologies. The majority of BI speakers tend to use requests for forgiveness with relatively strong hearer-oriented strategies. AE apologies, on the other hand, seem to be dominated by the frequent use of expressions of regret, with speaker-oriented strategies. Another noticeable speech phenomenon lies in the differences in showing directness and politeness: BI speakers are likely to be more elaborate and less straightforward in their expressions than AE speakers. It is also evident that Indonesian apologetic acts tend to be somewhat formulaic and less varied compared with those in Australian expressions. Finally, the findings show quite pronounced gender differences both within and between the two languages in terms of the strategy use and expressions.
Leptin and adiponectin: pathophysiological role and possible therapeutic target of inflammation in ischemic stroke
Authors: Gairolla Jitender , Kler Rupinder , Modi Manish , Khurana Dheeraj 
Published: January 2017

AbstractStroke is a multifactorial disease contributing to significant noncommunicable disease burden in developing countries. Risk of stroke is largely a consequence of morbidities of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart diseases. Incidence of stroke is directly proportional to body mass index. Adipose tissue stores energy as well as acts as an active endocrine organ, which secretes numerous humoral factors. Adiponectin and leptin are the commonest adipocytokines and have been invariably linked to the development of coronary heart disease and may be involved in the underlying biological mechanism of stroke. Leptin and adiponectin mediate proatherogenic and antiatherogenic responses, respectively, and hence, determining the plasma or serum levels of leptin and adiponectin alone or in combination may act as a novel prognostic biomarker for inflammation and atherosclerosis in stroke. This review addresses leptin- and adiponectin-mediated inflammatory mechanism in ischemic stroke and their potential as therapeutic targets.
The independent relationship between hemoglobin A1c and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects
Authors: Yalcin Hulya , Toprak Burak , Colak Ayfer 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Introduction
Determining the factors affecting hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels may help better interpretation of HbA1c values. In this study, we investigated if insulin resistance is a significant parameter contributing to the variability of HbA1c values.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed serum fasting glucose, fasting insulin, 2 h glucose and HbA1c records of 18–85 years aged outpatients who underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in our hospital during the period January 2010–May 2014. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥2.5 was defined as insulin resistant.

Results
Insulin resistant subjects with normal glucose tolerance had significantly higher HbA1c and fasting glucose levels compared to insulin sensitive subjects with normal glucose tolerance (p=0.002, p<0.001, respectively). Similarly, insulin resistant subjects with pre-diabetes had significantly higher HbA1c and 2-h glucose levels compared to insulin sensitive subjects with pre-diabetes (p=0.016, p=0.013, respectively). Regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR(log) is associated with HbA1c levels independent of fasting and 2h glucose concentrations (p<0.001). Age was the variable with highest standardized β coefficient in regression model.

Conclusion
Our data showed that HOMA-IR is associated with glycated hemoglobin values independent of glycemic status and the effect of age on HbA1c values should not be ignored in non-diabetic subjects.
Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD 1) A251G Polymorphism
Authors: Silig Yavuz , Tas Ayca , Sahin-Bolukbasi Serap , Caglayan Gulcin , Sari Ismail 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Objective
A genetic polymorphism of SOD1 A251G(rs2070424) is in the 3rd intron region of the SOD gene. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of the polymorphisms of the SOD1 A251G in a Turkish population, including 494 healthy individuals.

Methods
The 494 Turkish individuals were genotyped for polymorphisms of SOD1 gene. The distribution of SOD1 A251G polymorphisms in this population was examined using a PCR-RFLP method. Genotype and allele frequencies were estimated by counting. Hardy–Weinberg equation between expected and observed genotype distributions was assessed using the X
2 test.

Results
In the present study, the distribution of SOD1 A251G polymorphisms in a Turkish population including 494 (females: 278, 56.3% and males: 216, 43.7%) healthy individuals was examined. The mean age of the study population was 38.4±16.6 years (males, 39.8±17.1; females, 37.3±16.1). The observed genotype frequencies of SOD1 A251G were 86.2, 13.4 and 0.4% for AA, AG and GG, respectively.

Conclusions
This study provides basic information about the allele and genotype frequency distributions of polymorphisms in the SOD1 A251G gene studied. These frequencies may be useful parameters as a reference for future studies on genetic basis of various diseases and cancer susceptibility.