bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of thiol-based redox switch processes in parasites – facts and future
Authors: Rahbari Mahsa , Diederich Kathrin , Becker Katja , Krauth-Siegel R. Luise , Jortzik Esther 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMalaria and African trypanosomiasis are tropical diseases caused by the protozoaPlasmodiumandTrypanosoma,respectively. The parasites undergo complex life cycles in the mammalian host and insect vector, during which they are exposed to oxidative and nitrosative challenges induced by the host immune system and endogenous processes. Attacking the parasite’s redox metabolism is a target mechanism of several known antiparasitic drugs and a promising approach to novel drug development. Apart from this aspect, oxidation of cysteine residues plays a key role in protein-protein interaction, metabolic responses to redox events, and signaling. Understanding the role and dynamics of reactive oxygen species and thiol switches in regulating cellular redox homeostasis is crucial for both basic and applied biomedical approaches. Numerous techniques have therefore been established to detect redox changes in parasites including biochemical methods, fluorescent dyes, and genetically encoded probes. In this review, we aim to give an insight into the characteristics of redox networks in the pathogensPlasmodiumandTrypanosoma, including a comprehensive overview of the consequences of specific deletions of redox-associated genes. Furthermore, we summarize mechanisms and detection methods of thiol switches in both parasites and discuss their specificity and sensitivity.
Reaction between Steel-Making Slag and Carbonaceous Materials While Mixing with High Density Polyethylene
Authors: Hong Lan , Sahajwalla Veena 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSince the beginning of the extensive applications in numerous high temperature processes such as iron- and steel-making, coke-making etc. partly in the place of coke, the investigation into the reaction mechanism of waste plastics has become increasingly necessary. In this paper a fundamental study on the behavior of a typical component of waste plastics, high density polyethylene (HDPE), in a mixture with coke at a 1:1 ratio in mass base was conducted during the reaction with iron oxide in steel-making slag at 1823 K and was compared with coke and graphite. The reaction mechanism of carbonaceous materials was analyzed based on the contents of CO and CO2 in the off-gas monitored by an infrared (IR) gas analyzer. It is clear from the results that the reaction of HDPE and coke mixture with steel-making slag approached equilibrium of the Boudouard reaction more quickly and closely than coke or graphite.
Preparation and Thermal Properties of High-Purified Molten Nitrate Salt Materials with Heat Transfer and Storage
Authors: Zhang Hongtao , Zhao Youjing , Li Jingli , Shi Lijie , Wang Min 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
This paper focuses on thermal stability of molten salts, operating temperature range and latent heat of molten salts at a high temperature. In this experiment, multi-component molten salts (purified Solar Salt) composed of purified NaNO3 and purified KNO3 were prepared by statical mixing method. Compared with unpurified Solar Salt, purified Solar Salt had a higher thermal stability. The optimal temperature would be increased from 500°C to 550°C, and the upper limitation temperature increases from 577.5°C to 593.7°C. Meanwhile, thermal stability and thermal cycling analysis showed the purified Solar Salt had a lower melting point and the deterioration time of molten salts was reduced. The melting point of purified Solar Salt decreases sharply to 223.8°C and the latent heat increases from 74.39 J/g to 80.79 J/g. Besides, the XRD and chemical analysis test indicated that the degree of degradation reduced and the thermal storage efficiency of purified Solar Salt was improved.
Setting segmental priorities for English learners: Evidence from a longitudinal study
Authors: Munro Murray J. , Derwing Tracey M. , Thomson Ron I. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractContemporary views of adult pronunciation instruction emphasize the development of intelligible speech using empirically-validated pedagogical principles. Because learners typically have limited time for pronunciation work, instruction should be provided in a way that maximizes the use of the available opportunities. However, achievement of such a goal entails applying detailed knowledge of the phonetic learning process with due attention to the nature of differences that arise among learners, whether they share or do not share the same native language. In this longitudinal investigation, we examined productions of consonants and consonant clusters in English learners from two language backgrounds over a two-year period. Extensive between- and within-group variability was observed, with some targets produced very well at the outset, and others improving over time. The results argue against a common curriculum for learners. Instead, pronunciation instruction that focuses on individual learners' needs is called for. The findings are discussed in terms of strategies that might be used to develop effective and efficient pedagogical practices.
Engaging Children in Reading for Pleasure: A Better Beginnings Project Linking Libraries with Primary Schools
Authors: Leitão Natalie , Barratt-Pugh Caroline , Anderson Karen , Barblett Lennie , Haig Yvonne 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe Hairytales of Heroboy programme was implemented in two communities, one metropolitan and one regional, in Western Australia in 2012. The programme, which targeted the reading skills of six- to nine-year-old children, aimed to encourage them to read for pleasure, to build their reading confidence and to improve their literacy skills. The programme was managed by librarians in each community who made contact with children in their local schools to encourage their participation. Teachers in the local schools were provided with
Swedish is beautiful, Danish is ugly? Investigating the link between language attitudes and spoken word recognition
Authors: Schüppert Anja , Hilton Nanna Haug , Gooskens Charlotte 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the hypothesis that attitudes towards a linguistic variety and intelligibility of that variety are linked. This is done by eliciting language attitudes and word recognition scores in 154 Danish and Swedish schoolchildren and adolescents between 7 and 16 years. Language attitudes towards the neighboring language are elicited by means of a matched-guise experiment while word recognition is tested by auditorily presenting the participants with 50 spoken stimuli in their neighboring language (Danish for Swedish children and vice versa) in a picture-pointing task. Results revealed that while Danish children held more positive attitudes towards Swedish than vice versa and their word recognition scores were generally higher than those of their Swedish peers, the correlation between these two variables is very low, indicating that the two variables are only loosely linked.
Mutual intelligibility among the sign languages of Belgium and the Netherlands
Authors: Sáfár Anna , Meurant Laurence , Haesenne Thierry , Nauta Ellen , De Weerdt Danny , Ormel Ellen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn an exploratory study of mutual intelligibility between the sign languages of the northern part of Belgium (Flemish Sign Language, VGT), the southern part of Belgium (French Belgian Sign Language, LSFB), and the Netherlands (Sign Language of the Netherlands, NGT), we tested the comprehension of VGT by signers of LSFB and NGT. In order to measure the influence of iconic structures (classifier constructions and constructed action) that linguistic analyses have shown to be similar across different sign languages, two genres were compared: narrative and informative signing. To investigate the effect of the overlap between the spoken languages surrounding the Dutch and Flemish Deaf communities, videos were presented in two conditions: first without and subsequently with mouthings. As we hypothesized, both LSFB and NGT signers understood narratives better than informative signing, showing for the first time that iconic structures facilitate comprehension of foreign signing. Furthermore, the results at least partially confirm our hypothesis that NGT signers benefit more from mouthings than LSFB signers, uncovering a source of intelligibility that is unique to sign languages.
Predicting mutual intelligibility of Chinese dialects from multiple objective linguistic distance measures
Authors: Tang Chaoju , van Heuven Vincent J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper predicts the mutual intelligibility of 15 Chinese dialects from multiple objective distance measures. Empirical mutual intelligibility measures were obtained from functional intelligibility tests at the sentence level from 15 listeners for each of 15 Chinese dialects. We computed various proximity measures on the basis of shared phonemes and tones in the sound inventories of the 15 dialects. Next, Levenshtein (string-edit) distance measures were computed on the 764 common syllabic units (
A Model of Solar Radiation and Joule Heating in Flow of Third Grade Nanofluid
Authors: Hussain Tariq , Hayat Tasawar , Shehzad Sabir Ali , Alsaedi Ahmed , Chen Bin 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The flow problem resulting from the stretching of a surface with convective conditions in a magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid with solar radiation is examined. Both heat and nanoparticle mass transfer convective conditions are employed. An incompressible third grade fluid which exhibits shear thinning and shear thickening characteristics is used as a base fluid. Concept of convective nanoparticle mass condition is introduced. Effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis on magnetohydrodynamic flow of nanofluid are accounted in the presence of thermal radiation. Energy equation incorporates the features of Joule heating. The impact of physical parameters on the temperature and nanoparticle concentration has been pointed out. Numerical values of skin-friction coefficient are presented and analysed. It is hoped that this present investigation serves as a stimulus for the next generation of solar film collectors, heat exchangers technology, material processing, geothermal energy storage, and all those processes which are highly affected by the heat enhancement concept.
Intimate Partner Violence Programs in a Children’s Hospital: Comprehensive Assessment Utilizing a Delphi Instrument
Authors: Randell Kimberly A. , Evans Sarah E. , O’Malley Donna , Dowd M. Denise 
Published: March 2015

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to conduct a baseline assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) practices in a pediatric hospital system.

Methods:
The Delphi Instrument for Hospital-based Domestic Violence Programs was used to assess the structure and components of the hospital system’s IPV practices. Through key stakeholder interviews, we also assessed IPV practices in individual patient care areas. Qualitative analysis of interview data used a grounded theory approach.

Results:
The hospital scored 17 of 100 points on the Delphi instrument assessment. Key areas of weakness identified by the Delphi instrument and interviews included lack of coordinated provider training and evaluation of IPV-related processes and no standards for IPV screening, safety assessment, and documentation. Most interviewees supported addressing IPV; all identified barriers to IPV screening at individual provider and institutional levels. Institutional barriers included lack of a standardized response to IPV disclosure, need for individualized screening protocols for different patient care settings, lack of standardized provider training, concerns about overextending social work resources, and lack of resources for hospital staff experiencing vicarious trauma. Individual barriers included concern that screening may harm physician-patient-family relationships and the perception that physicians are unwilling to address psychosocial issues.

Conclusions:
The Delphi Instrument for Hospital-based Domestic Violence Programs identified weaknesses and key areas for improvement in IPV practices. Deficiencies revealed by the Delphi instrument were affirmed by individual interview results. Institutional and individual provider level barriers must be addressed to optimize IPV practices in a pediatric hospital system.
The Ethical and Policy Implications of Research on Income Inequality and Child Well-Being
Authors: Pickett Kate E. , Wilkinson Richard G. 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Child well-being is important for lifelong health and well-being. Although there is a robust evidence base linking social determinants of health (eg, relative poverty and income inequality) to child well-being, social and public health policy tends to focus on interventions to mitigate their effects, rather than remove the root causes. The goal of this study was to examine associations between child well-being and income inequality.

METHODS:
We compared reported rates of childhood well-being in the 2007 and 2013 UNICEF reports on child well-being in wealthy countries. Twenty indicators of child well-being (excluding child poverty) were defined consistently in both the 2007 and 2013 reports. These variables were used to create an indicator of change in child well-being over the approximate decade 2000 to 2010. For our analyses of income inequality, we used the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Gini coefficient of income inequality for 2009 and change between 2000 and 2009, respectively.

RESULTS:
The overall index of child well-being in 2013 was closely and negatively correlated with income inequality (r = −0.60, P = .004) but not with average income (r = –0.3460, P = .12). Adjustment for income inequality, children in relative poverty, and the child poverty gap did not change the lack of association between average income and child well-being in 2013 in wealthy countries. Between 2000 and 2010, child well-being scores improved most in Italy, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The biggest declines were seen in Sweden, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and France. Countries that experienced the largest increases in income inequality had significantly greater declines in child well-being (r = –0.51, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS:
Children born into socioeconomically disadvantaged families suffer worse child well-being and its lifelong implications, in all societies, worldwide. Our analyses show, however, that some wealthy societies are able to mitigate these inequalities; these societies have better child well-being, on average. This outcome has less to do with specific welfare policies or targeted interventions for poor children than to a societal commitment to greater equality.
A novel Fe2O3 rhombohedra/graphene composite as a high stability electrode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Yong , Ling Xuetao , Cai Xinhui , Jiao Zheng , Cheng Lingli , Bian Lifeng , Nguyen Manhtai , Chu Yuliang , Zhao Bing 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Biosensors for Food Toxin Detection: Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene
Authors: Malhotra Bansi D. , Srivastava Saurabh , Augustine Shine 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThere is increased interest towards the application of carbon based nanomaterials to biosensors since these can be used to quickly detect presence of the toxins in food, agricultural and environmental systems. The accurate, faster and early detection of food toxins is presently very important for ensuring safety and shelf life of agricultural commodities resulting from food contamination. The carbon materials (CNTs) and recently discovered graphene have been predicted to be promising candidates in the development of electrochemical biosensor owing to their exceptionally large surface area and interesting electrochemical properties. We focus on some of the recent results obtained in our laboratories pertaining to the development of biosensors based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene for mycotoxin(aflatoxin ) detection.
Fabrication of Rough Polymer Surfaces Exhibiting Anti-reflective Properties
Authors: Mattaparthi Srinadh , Sharma Chandra S. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTWe have demonstrated some facile ways to fabricate the large area polymer surfaces with varying roughness followed by studying their anti-reflective properties. One of the approaches is based on electrospun nanofibers deposited on a substrate in an uneven non-woven matrix. This electrospun fabric was used as a master template to fabricate the negative replica of the fibers by soft lithography generating the roughness in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces. The second approach is based on biomimicking of flower petals. Petals are used as a master template to transfer surface features with hierarchical roughness over PDMS surface using replica moulding. As fabricated polymer surfaces with varied roughness have then tested for their anti-reflective properties using UV-VIS spectroscopy over a wide range of wavelengths and angles of incidence of light. These measurements show near zero reflection of patterned PDMS surfaces as compared to planar PDMS. This omnidirectional broadband anti-reflection behaviour of polymer surfaces can be used in wide variety of engineering applications including in solar cells.
A Novel In-Situ Nanoindentation Characterization of Phase Transforming Materials
Authors: Alipour Skandani A. , Ctvrtlik R. , Al-Haik M. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTMaterials with different allotropes can undergo one or more phase transformations based on the changes in the thermodynamic states. Each phase is stable in a certain temperature/pressure range and can possess different physical and mechanical properties compared to the other phases. The majority of material characterizations have been carried out for materials under equilibrium conditions where the material is stabilized in a certain phase and a lesser portion is devoted for onset of transformation. Alternatively, in situ measurements can be utilized to characterize materials while undergoing phase transformation. However, most of the in situ methods are aimed at measuring the physical properties such as dielectric constant, thermal/electrical conductivity and optical properties. Changes in material dimensions associated with phase transformation, makes direct measurement of the mechanical properties very challenging if not impossible. In this study a novel non-isothermal nanoindentation technique is introduced to directly measure the mechanical properties such as stiffness and creep compliance of a material at the phase transformation point. Single crystal ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (TGS) was synthetized and tested with this method using a temperature controlled nanoindentation instrument. The results reveal that the material, at the transformation point, exhibits structural instabilities such as negative stiffness and negative creep compliance which is in agreement with the findings of published works on the composites with ferroelectric inclusions.
Comprehensive Characterization of Neat Polymers and Compositional Imaging Heterogeneous Polymer Systems with AFM Based Mechanical, Electric and Spectroscopic Methods
Authors: Surtchev Marko , Belikov Sergey , Malovichko Ivan , Magonov Sergei 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTComprehensive characterization of materials suggests measuring their different properties for optimal use in technological applications and this task becomes more challenging as size of related structures decreases and their complexity increases. At smaller scales Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) enables visualization of structures and quantitative measurements of their mechanical and electric properties. So far, several properties such as elastic modulus and work of adhesion, surface potential and dielectric permittivity can be extracted from the results obtained in various AFM modes. More complicated are the AFM experiments and their analysis in case of viscoelastic, piezoelectric and thermoelectric properties. Several examples of quantitative characterization of neat polymers will be given. In many cases the dissimilarity of the components’ properties is employed for their recognition in heterogeneous systems such as polymer blends, block copolymers and metal alloys. The confined geometries, which are common for small-scale structures, might restrict such identification and a combination of AFM with spectral methods such as Raman scattering will be helpful. Achievements and challenges of compositional mapping will be illustrated on several complex materials.
Nanostructures and dielectric properties of PVDF-based polymer films with high energy density and low energy losses
Authors: Ando Masahiko , Yoshimoto Naoki , Yoshitake Yuichiro , Kato Shuji , Kodama Hidekazu , Furukawa Takeo , Tashiro Koji 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTBased on the investigation of mechanism for large dielectric losses in relaxor fluorinated polymers, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) derivatives, a new nanostructure-controlled PVDF based polymer films with low dielectric loss, tanδ < 1% (0.6%), and high dielectric constant, εr = 13 at frequency of 1 kHz, was proposed for electrical energy storage applications. The high dielectric loss was mainly due to the electric-field induced α-β phase transition, and one dimensional extension of P(VDF-TrFE)-g-PEMA films was found to reduce the α phase component resulting in reduction of the dielectric loss while keeping the high dielectric constant. In-situ FTIR measurements suggested a possibility of further reducing the dielectric-loss.
In-House-Diagnose der kaninen Anaplasmose unter Berücksichtigung von hämatologischen Veränderungen und der Beurteilung eines gefärbten Blutausstrichs
Authors: Leidinger E. , Kirtz G. 
Published: March 2015

ZusammenfassungGegenstand und Ziel: Im Rahmen der Diagnostik der kaninen Anaplasmose in der Tierarztpraxis sollen Abweichungen hämatologischer Parameter, die Beurteilung eines Blutausstriches und die Berücksichtigung der saisonalen Bedingungen zur Diagnose einer Anaplasmose führen. Material und Methode: Es wurden 57 Blutproben von Hunden untersucht. Die Diagnose einer kaninen Anaplasmose wurde durch Untersuchung eines gefärbten Blutausstriches in allen 57 Fällen bestätigt. Ergebnisse: Bei 56 Hunden (98,2%) wurde eine Thrombozytopenie nachgewiesen. Die Erythrozytenanzahl lag in 38,6%, der Hämatokrit in 24,5% und der Hämoglobinwert in 26,3% der Fälle unterhalb des Referenzbereichs. Mittels Retikulozytenzählung wurde in 78,6% der Fälle eine nicht regenerative Anämie diagnostiziert. Eine Leukopenie ergab sich zu 35,1%, eine Lymphopenie zu 66,7%, eine Neutropenie zu 10,9%, eine Monozytose zu 5,7% und eine Eosinophilie zu 15,4%. Schlussfolgerung: Die Resultate zeigen, dass bei Hunden die Verdachtsdiagnose einer Anaplasmose aufgrund von typischen hämatologischen Veränderungen gestellt werden kann. Die wichtigsten Veränderungen im Blutbild der betroffenen Hunde waren eine Thrombozytopenie, eine Lymphopenie und im Fall einer vorliegenden Anämie in den meisten Fällen eine nicht regenerative Anämie.