bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Religiosity on Political Attitudes in Israel
Authors: Bagno-Moldavski Olena 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis article studies the influence of religion on political attitudes in Israel by testing two propositions: “religion-friendly” democratization and “greedy” socialization. The former implies that accommodation of religious demands stimulates democratization, the latter argues that domineering religious socialization does not motivate democratic attitudes. Analysis of data from representative surveys conducted in 2006–2013, supports “greedy” socialization over the “religion friendly” hypothesis. I show that in most instances, socialization in religion-friendly environments does not moderate the political attitudes of religiously conservative groups. The results suggest that unbounded accommodation of religious needs in non-religious institutions may strengthen undemocratic political attitudes.
Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Cognitive Impairment and Neuroprotection in Diabetes Patients
Authors: Valiente-Barroso Carlos , Alvarado-Izquierdo Jesús Mª , García Emilio García 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study is to analyze the potential impact of factors (clinical and demographic variables and comorbidities) associated with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on certain mental processes related to cognitive impairment, with special attention to the analysis of parameters that define processing speed and executive function. Neuropsychological examination of elderly Spanish patients (N = 59, 33 females, Mage 70.98 years) diagnosed with DM, in addition to application of an ad hoc questionnaire to collect information on comorbidities and other relevant demographic variables. Based on a cross-sectional design, correlational analysis was carried out. Cognitive performance showed an inverse relationship to age and cardiopathology while years of schooling and regular physical activity appeared as neuroprotective factors. DM is an illness which, linked to other variables, can be regarded as a risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment. Certain factors (physical activity and cognitive stimulation) have the potential to mitigate this tendency. There is a need to further our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved.
Validation of a New Instrument for Self-care in Spanish Palliative Care Professionals Nationwide
Authors: Galiana Laura , Oliver Amparo , Sansó Noemí , Benito Enric 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSelf-care is a cornerstone issue for those who deal with stressful events, as it is the case of palliative care professionals. It has been related to awareness, coping with death and quality of life, among others, but no measurement instruments have been used in palliative care professionals. This research presents and validates a brief new measure with clinical and psychometric good properties, called Professional Self-Care Scale (PSCS). The PSCS assesses professionals’ self-care in three areas: physical self-care, inner self-care, and social self-care. Data come from a cross-sectional survey in a sample of 385 professionals of palliative care. The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Coping with Death Scale, and the Professional’s Quality of Life measure were also used. Results of the CFA showed adequate fit (χ2(24, N = 385) = 140.66, p < .01; CFI = .91; GFI = .93; SRMR = .09; and RMSEA = .10). Evidence pointed better reliability indices for the 3-item physical and inner factors of self-care than for the social dimension (Rho and GLB of .64, .90, and .57, respectively). Evidence regarding validity was consistent with previous literature. When levels of self-care were examined, women showed higher levels of inner and social self-care (F(3, 371) = 3.19, p = .02, η2 = .03, as also did psychologists when compared to doctors and nurses (F(9, 1074) = 2.00, p = .04, η2 = .02. The PSCS has shown adequate psychometric properties, and thus it could be used as diagnostic instrument when studying professionals’ health.
Does low-energy sweetener consumption affect energy intake and body weight? A systematic review, including meta-analyses, of the evidence from human and animal studies
Authors: Rogers P J , Hogenkamp P S , de Graaf C , Higgs S , Lluch A , Ness A R , Penfold C , Perry R , Putz P , Yeomans M R , Mela D J 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBy reducing energy density, low-energy sweeteners (LES) might be expected to reduce energy intake (EI) and body weight (BW). To assess the totality of the evidence testing the null hypothesis that LES exposure (versus sugars or unsweetened alternatives) has no effect on EI or BW, we conducted a systematic review of relevant studies in animals and humans consuming LES withad libitumaccess to food energy. In 62 of 90 animal studies exposure to LES did not affect or decreased BW. Of 28 reporting increased BW, 19 compared LES with glucose exposure using a specific ‘learning’ paradigm. Twelve prospective cohort studies in humans reported inconsistent associations between LES use and body mass index (−0.002 kg m−2per year, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.009 to 0.005). Meta-analysis of short-term randomized controlled trials (129 comparisons) showed reduced total EI for LES versus sugar-sweetened food or beverage consumption before anad libitummeal (−94 kcal, 95% CI −122 to −66), with no difference versus water (−2 kcal, 95% CI −30 to 26). This was consistent with EI results from sustained intervention randomized controlled trials (10 comparisons). Meta-analysis of sustained intervention randomized controlled trials (4 weeks to 40 months) showed that consumption of LES versus sugar led to relatively reduced BW (nine comparisons; −1.35 kg, 95% CI –2.28 to −0.42), and a similar relative reduction in BW versus water (three comparisons; −1.24 kg, 95% CI –2.22 to −0.26). Most animal studies did not mimic LES consumption by humans, and reverse causation may influence the results of prospective cohort studies. The preponderance of evidence from all human randomized controlled trials indicates that LES do not increase EI or BW, whether compared with caloric or non-caloric (for example, water) control conditions. Overall, the balance of evidence indicates that use of LES in place of sugar, in children and adults, leads to reduced EI and BW, and possibly also when compared with water.
Polarization-resolved spectroscopy imaging of grain boundaries and optical excitations in crystalline organic thin films
Authors: Pan Z. , Rawat N. , Cour I. , Manning L. , Headrick R. L. , Furis M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractExploration of optical properties of organic crystalline semiconductors thin films is challenging due to submicron grain sizes and the presence of numerous structural defects, disorder and grain boundaries. Here we report on the results of combined linear dichroism (LD)/ polarization-resolved photoluminescence (PL) scanning microscopy experiments that simultaneously probe the excitonic radiative recombination and the molecular ordering in solution-processed metal-free phthalocyanine crystalline thin films with macroscopic grain sizes. LD/PL images reveal the relative orientation of the singlet exciton transition dipoles at the grain boundaries and the presence of a localized electronic state that acts like a barrier for exciton diffusion across the grain boundary. We also show how this energy barrier can be entirely eliminated through the optimization of deposition parameters that results in films with large grain sizes and small-angle boundaries. These studies open an avenue for exploring the influence of long-range order on exciton diffusion and carrier transport.
Cross-polarized photon-pair generation and bi-chromatically pumped optical parametric oscillation on a chip
Authors: Reimer Christian , Kues Michael , Caspani Lucia , Wetzel Benjamin , Roztocki Piotr , Clerici Matteo , Jestin Yoann , Ferrera Marcello , Peccianti Marco , Pasquazi Alessia , Little Brent E. , Chu Sai T. , Moss David J. , Morandotti Roberto 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNonlinear optical processes are one of the most important tools in modern optics with a broad spectrum of applications in, for example, frequency conversion, spectroscopy, signal processing and quantum optics. For practical and ultimately widespread implementation, on-chip devices compatible with electronic integrated circuit technology offer great advantages in terms of low cost, small footprint, high performance and low energy consumption. While many on-chip key components have been realized, to date polarization has not been fully exploited as a degree of freedom for integrated nonlinear devices. In particular, frequency conversion based on orthogonally polarized beams has not yet been demonstrated on chip. Here we show frequency mixing between orthogonal polarization modes in a compact integrated microring resonator and demonstrate a bi-chromatically pumped optical parametric oscillator. Operating the device above and below threshold, we directly generate orthogonally polarized beams, as well as photon pairs, respectively, that can find applications, for example, in optical communication and quantum optics.
A porous proton-relaying metal-organic framework material that accelerates electrochemical hydrogen evolution
Authors: Hod Idan , Deria Pravas , Bury Wojciech , Mondloch Joseph E. , Kung Chung-Wei , So Monica , Sampson Matthew D. , Peters Aaron W. , Kubiak Cliff P. , Farha Omar K. , Hupp Joseph T. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe availability of efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is of high importance for solar fuel technologies aimed at reducing future carbon emissions. Even though Pt electrodes are excellent HER electrocatalysts, commercialization of large-scale hydrogen production technology requires finding an equally efficient, low-cost, earth-abundant alternative. Here, high porosity, metal-organic framework (MOF) films have been used as scaffolds for the deposition of a Ni-S electrocatalyst. Compared with an MOF-free Ni-S, the resulting hybrid materials exhibit significantly enhanced performance for HER from aqueous acid, decreasing the kinetic overpotential by more than 200 mV at a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2. Although the initial aim was to improve electrocatalytic activity by greatly boosting the active area of the Ni-S catalyst, the performance enhancements instead were found to arise primarily from the ability of the proton-conductive MOF to favourably modify the immediate chemical environment of the sulfide-based catalyst.
Oxidation of the alarmin IL-33 regulates ST2-dependent inflammation
Authors: Cohen E. Suzanne , Scott Ian C. , Majithiya Jayesh B. , Rapley Laura , Kemp Benjamin P. , England Elizabeth , Rees D. Gareth , Overed-Sayer Catherine L. , Woods Joanne , Bond Nicholas J. , Veyssier Christel Séguy , Embrey Kevin J. , Sims Dorothy A. , Snaith Michael R. , Vousden Katherine A. , Strain Martin D. , Chan Denice T. Y. , Carmen Sara , Huntington Catherine E. , Flavell Liz , Xu Jianqing , Popovic Bojana , Brightling Christopher E. , Vaughan Tristan J. , Butler Robin , Lowe David C. , Higazi Daniel R. , Corkill Dominic J. , May Richard D. , Sleeman Matthew A. , Mustelin Tomas 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn response to infections and irritants, the respiratory epithelium releases the alarmin interleukin (IL)-33 to elicit a rapid immune response. However, little is known about the regulation of IL-33 following its release. Here we report that the biological activity of IL-33 at its receptor ST2 is rapidly terminated in the extracellular environment by the formation of two disulphide bridges, resulting in an extensive conformational change that disrupts the ST2 binding site. Both reduced (active) and disulphide bonded (inactive) forms of IL-33 can be detected in lung lavage samples from mice challenged with Alternaria extract and in sputum from patients with moderate–severe asthma. We propose that this mechanism for the rapid inactivation of secreted IL-33 constitutes a ‘molecular clock’ that limits the range and duration of ST2-dependent immunological responses to airway stimuli. Other IL-1 family members are also susceptible to cysteine oxidation changes that could regulate their activity and systemic exposure through a similar mechanism.
Elephants born in the high stress season have faster reproductive ageing
Authors: Mumby Hannah S. , Mar Khyne U. , Hayward Adam D. , Htut Win , Htut-Aung Ye , Lummaa Virpi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSenescent declines in reproduction and survival are found across the tree of life, but little is known of the factors causing individual variation in reproductive ageing rates. One contributor may be variation in early developmental conditions, but only a few studies quantify the effects of early environment on reproductive ageing and none concern comparably long-lived species to humans. We determine the effects of ‘stressful’ birth conditions on lifetime reproduction in a large semi-captive population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). We categorise birth month into stressful vs. not-stressful periods based on longitudinal measures of glucocorticoid metabolites in reproductive-aged females, which peak during heavy workload and the start of the monsoon in June-August. Females born in these months exhibit faster reproductive senescence in adulthood and have significantly reduced lifetime reproductive success than their counterparts born at other times of year. Improving developmental conditions could therefore delay reproductive ageing in species as long-lived as humans.
IP3R deficit underlies loss of salivary fluid secretion in Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Teos Leyla Y. , Zhang Yu , Cotrim Ana P. , Swaim William , Won Jon H. , Ambrus Julian , Shen Long , Bebris Lolita , Grisius Margaret , Jang Shyh-Ing , Yule David I. , Ambudkar Indu S. , Alevizos Ilias 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe autoimmune exocrinopathy, Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), is associated with secretory defects in patients, including individuals with mild lymphocytic infiltration and minimal glandular damage. The mechanism(s) underlying the secretory dysfunction is not known. We have used minor salivary gland biopsies from SS patients and healthy individuals to assess acinar cell function in morphologically intact glandular areas. We report that agonist-regulated intracellular Ca2+ release, critically required for Ca2+ entry and fluid secretion, is defective in acini from SS patients. Importantly, these acini displayed reduction in IP3R2 and IP3R3, but not AQP5 or STIM1. Similar decreases in IP3R and carbachol (CCh)-stimulated [Ca2+]i elevation were detected in acinar cells from lymphotoxin-alpha (LTα) transgenic (TG) mice, a model for (SS). Treatment of salivary glands from healthy individuals with LT α, a cytokine linked to disease progression in SS and IL14α mice, reduced Ca2+ signaling. Together, our findings reveal novel IP3R deficits in acinar cells that underlie secretory dysfunction in SS patients.
In silico modeling of spore inhalation reveals fungal persistence following low dose exposure
Authors: Tanaka Reiko J. , Boon Neville J. , Vrcelj Katarina , Nguyen Anita , Vinci Carmelina , Armstrong-James Darius , Bignell Elaine 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe human lung is constantly exposed to spores of the environmental mould Aspergillus fumigatus, a major opportunistic pathogen. The spectrum of resultant disease is the outcome of complex host-pathogen interactions, an integrated, quantitative understanding of which lies beyond the ethical and technical reach permitted by animal studies. Here we construct a mathematical model of spore inhalation and clearance by concerted actions of macrophages and neutrophils and use it to derive a mechanistic understanding of pathogen clearance by the healthy, immunocompetent host. In particular, we investigated the impact of inoculum size upon outcomes of single-dose fungal exposure by simulated titrations of inoculation dose, from 106 to 102 spores. Simulated low-dose (102) spore exposure, an everyday occurrence for humans, revealed a counter-intuitive prediction of fungal persistence (>3 days). The model predictions were reflected in the short-term dynamics of experimental murine exposure to fungal spores, thereby highlighting the potential of mathematical modelling for studying relevant behaviours in experimental models of fungal disease. Our model suggests that infectious outcomes can be highly dependent upon short-term dynamics of fungal exposure, which may govern occurrence of cyclic or persistent subclinical fungal colonisation of the lung following low dose spore inhalation in non-neutropenic hosts.
Depinning Transition of a Domain Wall in Ferromagnetic Films
Authors: Xi Bin , Luo Meng-Bo , Vinokur Valerii M. , Hu Xiao 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe report first principle numerical study of domain wall (DW) depinning in two-dimensional magnetic film, which is modeled by 2D random-field Ising system with the dipole-dipole interaction. We observe nonconventional activation-type motion of DW and reveal the fractal structure of DW near the depinning transition. We determine scaling functions describing critical dynamics near the transition and obtain universal exponents establishing connection between thermal softening of pinning potential and critical dynamics. We observe that tuning the strength of the dipole-dipole interaction switches DW dynamics between two different universality classes, corresponding to two distinct dynamic regimes characterized by non-Arrhenius and conventional Arrhenius-type DW motions.
Secondary batteries with multivalent ions for energy storage
Authors: Xu Chengjun , Chen Yanyi , Shi Shan , Li Jia , Kang Feiyu , Su Dangsheng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe use of electricity generated from clean and renewable sources, such as water, wind, or sunlight, requires efficiently distributed electrical energy storage by high-power and high-energy secondary batteries using abundant, low-cost materials in sustainable processes. American Science Policy Reports state that the next-generation “beyond-lithium” battery chemistry is one feasible solution for such goals. Here we discover new “multivalent ion” battery chemistry beyond lithium battery chemistry. Through theoretic calculation and experiment confirmation, stable thermodynamics and fast kinetics are presented during the storage of multivalent ions (Ni2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, or La3+ ions) in alpha type manganese dioxide. Apart from zinc ion battery, we further use multivalent Ni2+ ion to invent another rechargeable battery, named as nickel ion battery for the first time. The nickel ion battery generally uses an alpha type manganese dioxide cathode, an electrolyte containing Ni2+ ions and Ni anode. The nickel ion battery delivers a high energy density (340 Wh kg−1, close to lithium ion batteries), fast charge ability (1 minute) and long cycle life (over 2200 times).
Series impedance of distribution cables with sector‐shaped conductors
Authors: Urquhart Andrew J. , Thomson Murray 
Published: September 2015

Models of power distribution networks require accurate cable impedance data. For unbalanced networks, both the self‐impedances and the mutual impedances are needed. However, published studies use differing approaches to determine cable impedances, leaving uncertainty over the level of detail required. This study compares impedances provided by the manufacturer with those from several analytical methods, showing the impact of modelling the non‐circular geometry and of including corrections allowing for the AC resistance. The analysis is compared to results from a freely available finite element (FE) solver where the current distribution is modelled in detail, taking account of eddy currents and the rotation of the cores relative to the neutral due to the cable lay. At 50 Hz, the analytical methods provide a good approximation, but the FE results show that eddy currents affect the impedance at harmonic frequencies. The results also show the impact of including the ground path in the impedance calculation. The current distribution in the ground has a wide cross‐sectional area, suggesting that the assumption of a perfect multi‐grounded neutral is inappropriate for low voltage networks with short cable lengths.
‘Arriving At’ Urban Policies: The Topological Spaces of Urban Policy Mobility
Authors: Robinson Jennifer 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSpatial vocabularies are stretched to their limits by the complexities of policy mobilities. Using the example of city‐wide strategic policymaking in Johannesburg, this essay argues for an enrichment of our vocabularies for appreciating how wider circuits of urban policy shape localized policy outcomes. Rather than tracing policies until they arrive somewhere, a more nuanced spatiality of policy mobility emerges when considering how policies are 'arrived at'. Thus policy influences can, for example, be ephemeral and recursive, international but already present in localities, have many simultaneous origins, and be folded into a relatively amorphous but specific policy blend. Drawing on John Allen's account of topological space, the essay indicates how both a more subtle spatiality and a more open politics of policy formation would emerge from turning the analysis of policy mobilities on its head in this way.
Europe in world regional perspective: formations of modernity and major historical transformations
Authors: Delanty Gerard 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe paper seeks to present a world regional approach to the analysis of modernity and in doing so it also aims to make a contribution to comparative sociology and social theory. It is argued that world regions are the most suitable entry‐point for comparing different socio‐political constellations of our time, preferable to continents, civilizations and nation‐states. However, a world regional foundation on its own is insufficient, due to the internal plurality and historically changing forms of world regions, and therefore needs to be accompanied by a concept that provides some degree of coherence within world regions and a tool for comparison with other world regions. The notion of modernity offers this level of generality while at the same time allowing for variety in its historical forms. Six main formations of modernity are identified, of which the European model was the first one and often a cultural reference for many other parts of the world. The thesis is that in the present day the most important developments are in the Asian and Latin American varieties, which unlike Europe are witnessing major historical transformation. Decisive in all of this is the question of democratization in the shaping of social imaginaries. Beginning with the problem of how to define the specificity of Europe, the paper provides an exploratory analysis of some of the salient considerations around a number of world regions, their formations of modernity, and the extent of major historical transformations in their present constitution.