bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laryngeal Verrucous Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Echanique Kristen A. , Desai Stuti V. , Marchiano Emily , Spinazzi Eleonora F. , Strojan Primož , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: August 2016

Objective

Laryngeal verrucous carcinoma (LVC) is a rare, locally invasive neoplasm comprising 1% to 3.4% of laryngeal carcinomas. Management strategies are a topic of ongoing conversation, and no definitive treatment protocol based on T stage and presentation exists. This review examines characteristics, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes of LVC.

Data Sources

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science.

Methods

Databases were searched through October 29, 2015, for literature detailing individual patient cases of LVC. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, tumor size, treatment, and outcomes.

Results

Thirty‐seven articles with 369 cases were included. LVC was found more commonly in males (13.8:1), at an average age of 58.7 years, and located in the glottis (74.0%). Most patients had local disease at presentation (94.9%). The most common presenting symptom was hoarseness (92.3%). The most common primary treatment was surgery alone (72.3%), with local excision as the most common technique (56.8%). In patients with data available on both surgical modality and T stage, most patients who presented as T1 and were managed surgically underwent local excision (79.2%). Surgical treatment alone led to high rates of disease‐free survival at follow‐up (86.8%). A large number of patients presenting with T1 disease were disease free at follow‐up (88.6%). Overall survival was 80.3%.

Conclusion

LVC is most often managed surgically. The extent of surgical resection may be guided by T stage, with smaller tumors resected via local excision and larger tumors via partial or total laryngectomy. Regardless of T stage or therapy, LVC has a good posttreatment prognosis.
Predominant expression of Alzheimer’s disease-associated BIN1 in mature oligodendrocytes and localization to white matter tracts
Authors: De Rossi Pierre , Buggia-Prévot Virginie , Clayton Benjamin L. L. , Vasquez Jared B. , van Sanford Carson , Andrew Robert J. , Lesnick Ruben , Botté Alexandra , Deyts Carole , Salem Someya , Rao Eshaan , Rice Richard C. , Parent Angèle , Kar Satyabrata , Popko Brian , Pytel Peter , Estus Steven , Thinakaran Gopal
Published: August 2016

Background

Genome-wide association studies have identified BIN1 within the second most significant susceptibility locus in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BIN1 undergoes complex alternative splicing to generate multiple isoforms with diverse functions in multiple cellular processes including endocytosis and membrane remodeling. An increase in BIN1 expression in AD and an interaction between BIN1 and Tau have been reported. However, disparate descriptions of BIN1 expression and localization in the brain previously reported in the literature and the lack of clarity on brain BIN1 isoforms present formidable challenges to our understanding of how genetic variants in BIN1 increase the risk for AD.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed BIN1 mRNA and protein levels in human brain samples from individuals with or without AD. In addition, we characterized the BIN1 expression and isoform diversity in human and rodent tissue by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting using a panel of BIN1 antibodies.

Results

Here, we report on BIN1 isoform diversity in the human brain and document alterations in the levels of select BIN1 isoforms in individuals with AD. In addition, we report striking BIN1 localization to white matter tracts in rodent and the human brain, and document that the large majority of BIN1 is expressed in mature oligodendrocytes whereas neuronal BIN1 represents a minor fraction. This predominant non-neuronal BIN1 localization contrasts with the strict neuronal expression and presynaptic localization of the BIN1 paralog, Amphiphysin 1. We also observe upregulation of BIN1 at the onset of postnatal myelination in the brain and during differentiation of cultured oligodendrocytes. Finally, we document that the loss of BIN1 significantly correlates with the extent of demyelination in multiple sclerosis lesions.

Conclusion

Our study provides new insights into the brain distribution and cellular expression of an important risk factor associated with late-onset AD. We propose that efforts to define how genetic variants in BIN1 elevate the risk for AD would behoove to consider BIN1 function in the context of its main expression in mature oligodendrocytes and the potential for a role of BIN1 in the membrane remodeling that accompanies the process of myelination.
A goal-oriented adaptive finite-element method for 3D scattered airborne electromagnetic method modeling
Authors: Yin Changchun , Zhang Bo , Liu Yunhe , Cai Jing
Published: August 2016

We have developed a goal-oriented adaptive unstructured finite-element method based on the scattered field for 3D frequency-domain airborne electromagnetic (AEM) modeling. To guarantee the EM field divergence free within each element and the continuity conditions at electrical material interfaces, we have used the edge-based shape functions to approximate the electrical field. The posterior error for finite-element adaptive meshing procedure is estimated from the continuity of the normal component of the current density, whereas the influence functions are estimated by solving a dual forward problem. Because the imaginary part of the scattered current is discontinuous and the real part is continuous, we use the latter to estimate the posterior error. For the multisources and multifrequencies problem in AEM, we calculate the weighted posterior error for each element by considering only those transmitter-receiver pairs that do not adhere to our convergence criteria. Finally, we add a minimum volume constraint to improve the stability of the adaptive procedure. To check the accuracy, we compared our adaptive results with the semianalytical solutions for AEM systems over a half-space model. To test the effectiveness of our algorithm for multiple sources and multiple frequencies of AEM, we analyzed meshes for separate frequencies and for combined frequencies. Finally, we calculated the AEM responses over a hill model with and without embedded abnormal bodies to prove the feasibility of our algorithm for AEM variable topography modeling.
Rock-physics modeling for the elastic properties of organic shale at different maturity stages
Authors: Zhao Luanxiao , Qin Xuan , Han De-Hua , Geng Jianhua , Yang Zhifang , Cao Hong
Published: August 2016

Modeling the elastic properties of organic shale has been of long-standing interest for source rocks and unconventional reservoir characterization. Organic shales exhibit significant variabilities in rock texture and reservoir properties at different maturity stages, subsequently affecting their elastic responses. We have developed a new rock-physics modeling scheme honoring the maturity levels (immature, mature, and overmature), which are constrained by the evolution of the physical properties of organic shale upon kerogen maturation. In particular, at different maturity stages, the manners in which the compliant organic materials interact with the inorganic mineral matrix are characterized by different effective medium theories. On the basis of the developed rock-physics templates, organic shales have different elastic behaviors at different maturity stages. Ignoring the impact of kerogen maturation is insufficient to adequately characterize the elasticity of the whole organic shale system. Modeling results suggest that the elastic responses of organic shale are sensitive to two dominant factors — organic matter content and mineralogical composition. The elastic anisotropy characteristics are not only affected by the kerogen content and clay alignment but also depend on the morphology of kerogen distribution. Our results compare satisfactorily with data from ultrasonic velocity and log measurements, confirming validity and applicability of our modeling framework.
Repair of traumatized mammalian hair cells via sea anemone repair proteins
Authors: Tang Pei-Ciao , Smith Karen Müller , Watson Glen M.
Published: August 2016

Mammalian hair cells possess only a limited ability to repair damage after trauma. In contrast, sea anemones show a marked capability to repair damaged hair bundles by means of secreted repair proteins (RPs). Previously, it was found that recovery of traumatized hair cells in blind cavefish was enhanced by anemone-derived RPs; therefore, the ability of anemone RPs to assist recovery of damaged hair cells in mammals was tested here. After a 1 h incubation in RP-enriched culture media, uptake of FM1-43 by experimentally traumatized murine cochlear hair cells was restored to levels comparable to those exhibited by healthy controls. In addition, RP-treated explants had significantly more normally structured hair bundles than time-matched traumatized control explants. Collectively, these results indicate that anemone-derived RPs assist in restoring normal function and structure of experimentally traumatized hair cells of the mouse cochlea.
Arginine and proline applied as food additives stimulate high freeze tolerance in larvae of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Koštál Vladimír , Korbelová Jaroslava , Poupardin Rodolphe , Moos Martin , Šimek Petr
Published: August 2016

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an insect of tropical origin. Its larval stage is evolutionarily adapted for rapid growth and development under warm conditions and shows high sensitivity to cold. In this study, we further developed an optimal acclimation and freezing protocol that significantly improves larval freeze tolerance (an ability to survive at −5°C when most of the freezable fraction of water is converted to ice). Using the optimal protocol, freeze survival to adult stage increased from 0.7% to 12.6% in the larvae fed standard diet (agar, sugar, yeast, cornmeal). Next, we fed the larvae diets augmented with 31 different amino compounds, administered in different concentrations, and observed their effects on larval metabolomic composition, viability, rate of development and freeze tolerance. While some diet additives were toxic, others showed positive effects on freeze tolerance. Statistical correlation revealed tight association between high freeze tolerance and high levels of amino compounds involved in arginine and proline metabolism. Proline- and arginine-augmented diets showed the highest potential, improving freeze survival to 42.1% and 50.6%, respectively. Two plausible mechanisms by which high concentrations of proline and arginine might stimulate high freeze tolerance are discussed: (i) proline, probably in combination with trehalose, could reduce partial unfolding of proteins and prevent membrane fusions in the larvae exposed to thermal stress (prior to freezing) or during freeze dehydration; (ii) both arginine and proline are exceptional among amino compounds in their ability to form supramolecular aggregates which probably bind partially unfolded proteins and inhibit their aggregation under increasing freeze dehydration.
Region of Interest Detection and Evaluation in Functional near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Rojas Raul Fernandez , Huang Xu , Ou Keng-Liang
Published: August 2016

This paper describes the use of a computational method based on an optical flow algorithm to detect regions of interest in near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The evaluation of such method is also presented. Visual inspection and cross correlation analysis of NIR cortical activation images were used to evaluate our method. The visual analysis exposed pain-related activations in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) after stimulation which is consistent with similar studies, and the cross correlation results showed dominant channels on both cerebral hemispheres. Optical flow exhibited the nature of the dominant channel, the extent of the stimulation spatial distribution and the stimulation status. In addition, the directions of the optical flow vectors were linked to the stimulation perception of the participant. The two evaluation methods confirmed the success of our method in finding the region of interest in both hemispheres. The results of this real case study show that the computational method can successfully analyse and detect regions of interest and show temporal interactions between channels, and could be employed to investigate pain assessment in human subjects.
Programas de promoção da atividade física no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro: revisão sistemática
Authors: Becker Leonardo , Gonçalves Priscila , Reis Rodrigo
Published: August 2016

O objetivo desta revisão foi sintetizar as evidências disponíveis na literatura referentes aos programas de promoção de atividade física (AF) no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro. Foi realizada uma busca sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed, Science Direct, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), base de dados de dissertações e teses e uma busca manual na Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física e Saúde (RBAFS) no período entre janeiro de 2005 à abril de 2015. Foram incluídos estudos: originais, realizados no Brasil, com desfecho a promoção da AF realizada no Sistema Único de Saúde em idiomas: Inglês, Espanhol e/ou Português. A análise final foi composta por 17 artigos. Desses, 29,41% (n=5) foram realizados em todo o território nacional e 5,88% (n=1) em duas ou mais regiões do país. Observou-se ainda uma disparidade regional, com 29,41% (n=5) dos estudos na região sudeste, 17,64% (n=3) na região sul, 11,76% (n=2) na região nordeste, apenas 5,88% (n=1) na região centro-oeste e nenhum estudo foi realizado na região norte do país. Enquanto ao modo de intervenção verificou-se que 47,05% (n=8) ocorreram no Sistema Único de Saúde e 47,05% (n=8) foram programas com equipe multiprofissional.  Os estudos, em sua maioria forneceram dados descritivos ou sobre resultados na AF ou qualidade de vida, sendo escassas as informações sobre processo e impacto dos programas. Os programas com equipe multiprofissional foram estratégias importantes de promoção de AF. Sugere-se realizar estudos com delineamentos longitudinais ou mesmo experimentais, acerca do custo e benefício dos programas implementados.
Aulas de Educação Física no Projeto Fortaleça sua Saúde: uma análise a partir da perspectiva dos Professores
Authors: Castro Ângela , Sousa Antônia , Alves Felipe , Souza Evanice , Azevedo Mário
Published: August 2016

Objetivou-se avaliar os planos de aula do Projeto Fortaleça Sua Saúde e sua aplicabilidade na perspectiva dos professores. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de caráter transversal realizada dentro de um projeto maior intitulado: Programa Fortaleça Sua Saúde. Os dados foram coletados concomitantemente à aplicação do Programa, no segundo semestre de 2014, em duas escolas de Tempo Integral (ETI) no município de Fortaleza. Foram analisados 15 planos de aula, aplicados em quatro turmas do ensino fundamental, sendo duas turmas de 7° ano da escola na escola A e duas turmas de 8° ano na escola B. Para coleta dos dados utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado contendo sete questões objetivas, que analisavam aspectos pertinentes a efetividade dos planos. Dentre as maiores limitações, percebeu-se: a não realização das tarefas de casa, a não utilização dos materiais sugeridos e a não aplicação das atividades propostas no plano de aula pelos professores de educação física. Conclui-se que em alguns aspectos os planos de aula apresentaram limitações, mas, que não interferiram na concretização dos objetivos do projeto. Desta forma todas as aulas demonstraram a potencialidade dos planos sugeridos pelo Projeto Fortaleça Sua Saúde para a promoção de um estilo de vida mais saudável.
Improved Integer Programming-Based Neighborhood Search for Less-Than-Truckload Load Plan Design
Authors: Lindsey Kathleen , Erera Alan , Savelsbergh Martin
Published: August 2016

Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers operate networks of consolidation terminals, and route each customer shipment through a sequence of transfer terminals. At each terminal stop, a shipment is unloaded from an inbound trailer and reloaded onto an outbound trailer. A load plan determines the specific path of terminals to be used to transfer freight moving between each origin and destination. The design of the load plan determines the line-haul transportation and handling costs required to serve customers. This paper develops an effective neighborhood search heuristic for solving a natural integer programming model for LTL load plan design. During each iteration of the heuristic, a modified version of the integer programming model is solved to find improving changes freight transfer paths for a subset of the origin-destination terminal pairs. Unlike existing approaches in the literature, the modified model solved here allows the simultaneous rerouting of freight destined for multiple terminals during each neighborhood search iteration, yet remains computationally practical. Computational experiments using data from a large U.S. carrier show substantial cost improvements generated by increased freight consolidation, in the order of 6%–7%, accounting for over $300,000 per week.
Reis, C. (2015). Pessoas de Livro. Estudos sobre a personagem. Coimbra: Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra.
Authors: Peixinho Ana Teresa
Published: August 2016

https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-6019_2_17
Por um serviço público de conteúdos
Authors: Torres Eduardo Cintra
Published: August 2016

Um debate sobre o “serviço público de media” deve centrar-se no passado recente e o presente dos media públicos e não no actual modelo institucional, tomado como eterno. Nesta intervenção, considero que a televisão se tornou, em primeiro lugar, para os espectadores mas também para outros intervenientes da sua existência, conteúdos próprios criados numa linguagem própria, com uma crescente independência face ao carácter institucional a montante e um crescente poder do espectador empoderado do século xxi. Em consequência, o debate deve partir dos conteúdos: que conteúdos deve um operador de serviço público estatal disponibilizar? Proponho que, em vez de “serviço público de media”, se debata um Serviço Público de Conteúdos.
Correlation between vivax malaria infection and iron deficiency in children
Authors: Desmansyah Desmansyah , Purnamasari Rini , Theodorus Theodorus , Waiman Sulaiman
Published: August 2016

Background Iron deficiency is considered to be a major public health problem around the world due to its high prevalence as well as its effect on growth, development, and infection-resistance in children. In malaria-endemic areas, malaria infection is thought to contribute to the occurrence of iron deficiency, by means of hepcidin and hemolysis mechanisms. Objective To assess the prevalence of asymptomatic vivax malaria, compare hemoglobin levels and iron status parameters between vivax malaria-infected and uninfected children, assess the prevalence of iron deficiency, and evaluate a possible correlation between vivax malaria infection and iron deficiency. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2013 at Sanana City of Sula Islands District, North Maluku. Six parameters were evaluated in 5-11-year-old children: malaria parasite infection, hemoglobin level, serum iron concentration, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin concentration. Results Among 296 children aged 5-11 years, 75 (25.3%) were infected with Plasmodium vivax. In infected children, hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, TIBC and serum ferritin were significantly lower than in non-infected children (P<0.01). Using a serum ferritin cut-off of <15 μg/dL, 142 (48.0%) of the children were found to be iron deficient. There was a strong correlation between vivax malaria infection and iron deficiency (OR 3.573; 95%CI 2.03-6.29). ConclusionThe prevalence of asymptomatic vivax malaria infection was 25.3%. The hemoglobin level and iron status parameters in vivax malaria-infected subjects were significantly lower than in uninfected children. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 48.0% for all study subjects. Malaria vivax infection was correlated with iron deficiency in 5-11-year-old children at Sanana City.
Efficacy of synbiotic treatment in children with acute rotavirus diarrhea
Authors: Dewi Made Ratna , Soenarto Yati , Karyana I Putu Gede
Published: August 2016

Background Diarrhea is one of the major causes of morbidityand mortality in children throughout the world, mostly due torotavirus infection. In daily practice, we routinely use the WorldHealth Organization Five steps for managing acute diarrhea.Thispractice has shown great success in diarrhea management, butconcerns remain on reducing the duration of diarrhea to preventcomplications. Synbiotics can reduce the severity of diarrhea.However, there has been limited data on synbiotic therapy fortreating acute rotavirus diarrhea in children.Objective To compare the durations of acute rotavirus diarrheatreated with synbiotics vs. placebo.Methods This study was a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial,performed at the Pediatric Gastrohepatology Division, Sanglahand Wangaya Hospitals in Denpasar. Subjects were children aged6 to 59 months with acute rotavirus diarrhea. Rotavirus wasdiagnosed by immune chromatography assay. The synbiotic groupreceived probiotic comprised of Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp.,Bifidobacterium sp. (total viable count 1.00x109 CFU per dose), andprebiotic consisted of 990.00 mg fructooligosacharide (FOS). Theplacebo consisted of lactose monohydrate packaged similarly as thesynbiotics. Subjects orally ingested 1 pack per day for 5 days.Results Seventy children with acute rotavirus diarrhea wasinvolved in this study. The median duration of diarrhea in thesynbiotic group was 50.0 (SE 1.1); 95%CI 47.9 to 52.1 hours, whilethat of the placebo group was 63.0 (SE 5.9); 95%CI 51.4 to 74.6hours. Based on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the duration ofdiarrhea in the synbiotic group was significantly shorter than thatof the placebo group (log-rank test P <0.0001).Conclusion In children with acute rotaviral diarrhea, synbioticreduces the duration of diarrhea compared to placebo.
Soluble transferrin receptor as an indicator of iron deficiency and febrile seizures
Authors: Salma Salma , Arifin Rita , Bahar Erial , Purnamasari Rini
Published: August 2016

Background Iron deficiency (ID) has a high incidence inIndonesia, and is a risk factor for febrile seizures. The most suitableassay to detect iron deficiency in the presence of inflammationhas not yet been defined. An indicator of ID unaffected byinflammation is needed, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) maybe such an indicator.Objective To evaluate ID as a risk factor for febrile seizures inchildren with inflammation by sTfR measurements.Method We conducted an age-matched, case-control study,focused on children experiencing on acute illnesses at the time.Subjects were 80 children matched by age (40 in the case groupwith febrile seizures, and 40 in the control group who were febrilewithout seizures) aged 3 months to 5 years in Mohammad HoesinHospital, Palembang from February to August 2013. Subjects’clinical data and sTfR levels were recorded. Risk factors wereanalyzed with odd ratios and 95% confident intervals. ThesTfR level cut-off point as a predictor of febrile seizures was alsodefined. Other risk factors were analyzed with multivariate logisticregression test.Results Mean sTfR levels were 41.36 (SD 2.04) nmol/L in thecase group and 33.09 (SD 1.02) nmol/L in the control group.Multivariate analysis revealed ID and iron deficient anemia(IDA), as measured by sTfR levels, to be risk factors for febrileseizures (adjusted OR=3.9; 95%CI 1.41 to 10.8; P=0.007 andOR 3.27; 95%CI 1.21 to 8.84; P=0.017, respectively). The sTfRlevel cut-off point that could be used as a predictor of febrileseizures was 37nmol/L.Conclusion Iron deficiency as measured by increased sTfR isa risk factor for febrile seizures in children.
EL FARM TOURISM COMO OPORTUNIDAD DE DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE EN LAS REGIONES DEL SUR DE ITALIA
Authors: Belliggiano Angelo , De Rubertis Stefano
Published: August 2016

Los argumentos en favor del turismo rural (rentabilidad, empleo, medio ambiente, etc.) hacen que el mismo se considere, sobre todo en las regiones más marginadas, uno de los principales asset estratégicos para el desarrollo local. No cabe duda alguna de que el turismo rural, especialmente el farm tourism, puede ayudar a perpetuar externalidades que flanquean la actividad agrícola (paisaje, biodiversidad, tradición, etc.), sobre todo cuando se trata de una forma de diversificación o reposicionamento del marco agrícola, en consonancia con el modelo multifuncional y postproductivista propuesto en las últimas políticas de la UE.Se registran, sin embargo, posiciones más conservadoras basadas en la evidencia, igual de fiable, que detecta elementos críticos relacionados con la sostenibilidad de la evolución alcista del número de turistas. Con este fin, el artículo muestra una comparación de la dinámica de las presencias  registradas por el  farm tourism en siete regiones del sur de Italia (entre 2001 y 2013) para evaluar, a través de la aplicación del Index Decomposition Analysis (IDA), algunas implicaciones de las reflexiones críticas relacionadas con la sostenibilidad del incremento del turismo rural.
Project Customization and the Supplier Revenue–Cost Dilemmas: The Critical Roles of Supplier–Customer Coordination
Authors: Wang Yonggui , Lee Jongkuk , Fang Er (Eric) , Ma Shuang
Published: August 2016

This study examines customization as a coordination problem in transactions with business customers. Marketing research has investigated challenges associated with customized offers from the customer side; however, scant research has examined the supplier's challenges and their performance implications. The authors distinguish between project revenues and costs to reveal a fundamental dilemma that suppliers face during customization. Analyses of dyadic survey data collected from a software supplier and its business customers, as well as objective revenue and cost data, reveal a tension between project revenues and costs. The outcomes of customization depend on factors that relieve the coordination problem, such as customer demand ambiguity, customer participation, product modularity, project team technological capability, and relational embeddedness. These findings provide a basis to assess the value of customization as a tool to implement a customer-oriented business-to-business marketing strategy.
A Dynamic Model for Digital Advertising: The Effects of Creative Format, Message Content, and Targeting on Engagement
Authors: Bruce Norris I. , Murthi B.P.S. , Rao Ram C.
Published: August 2016

The authors study the joint effects of creative format, message content, and targeting on the performance of digital ads over time. Specifically, they present a dynamic model to measure the effects of various sizes of static (GIF) and animated (Flash) display ad formats and consider whether different ad contents, related to the brand or a price offer, are more or less effective for different ad formats and targeted or retargeted customer segments. To this end, the authors obtain six months of data on daily impressions, clicks, targeting, and ad creative content from a major U.S. retailer, and they develop a dynamic zero-inflated count model. Given the sparse, nonlinear, and non-Gaussian nature of the data, the study designs a particle filter/Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme for estimation. Results show that carry-over rates for dynamic formats are greater than those for static formats; however, static formats can still be effective for price ads and retargeting. Most notably, results also show that retargeted ads are effective only if they offer price incentives. The study then considers the import of these results for the retailer's media schedules.
Turning off the Lights: Consumers' Environmental Efforts Depend on Visible Efforts of Firms
Authors: Wang Wenbo , Krishna Aradhna , McFerran Brent
Published: August 2016

Firms can save considerable money if consumers conserve resources (e.g., if hotel patrons turn off the lights when leaving the room, if restaurant patrons use fewer paper napkins, if airline passengers clean up after themselves). In two studies conducted in real-world hotels, the authors show that consumers' conservation behavior is affected by the extent to which consumers perceive the firm as being green. Furthermore, consumer perceptions of firms' greenness and consumer conservation behavior depend on (1) whether the firm asks consumers to conserve resources, (2) the firm's own commitment to the environment, and (3) the firm's price image. In addition, firm requests to consumers to save resources can create consumer reactance and can backfire when firms themselves do not engage in visible costly environmental efforts. Such reactance is more likely for firms with a high-price image. Finally, the authors show that by spending a little money to signal environmental commitment, firms can save even more money through consumers' conservation of resources, resulting in wins for the firm, the consumer, and the environment.
Extracting Summary Piles from Sorting Task Data
Authors: Blanchard Simon J. , Aloise Daniel , Desarbo Wayne S.
Published: August 2016

In a sorting task, consumers receive a set of representational items (e.g., products, brands) and sort them into piles such that the items in each pile “go together.” The sorting task is flexible in accommodating different instructions and has been used for decades in exploratory marketing research in brand positioning and categorization. However, no general analytic procedures yet exist for analyzing sorting task data without performing arbitrary transformations to the data that influence the results and insights obtained. This manuscript introduces a flexible framework for analyzing sorting task data, as well as a new optimization approach to identify summary piles, which provide an easy way to explore associations consumers make among a set of items. Using two Monte Carlo simulations and an empirical application of single-serving snacks from a local retailer, the authors demonstrate that the resulting procedure is scalable, can provide additional insights beyond those offered by existing procedures, and requires mere minutes of computational time.
Transformative Stories: A Framework for Crafting Stories for Social Impact Organizations
Authors: Bublitz Melissa G. , Escalas Jennifer Edson , Peracchio Laura A. , Furchheim Pia , Grau Stacy Landreth , Hamby Anne , Kay Mark J. , Mulder Mark R. , Scott Andrea
Published: August 2016

This article provides a framework to guide the construction of transformative stories by social impact organizations (SIOs) including nonprofit organizations, public policy entities, and for-profit social benefit enterprises. This framework is built from the integration of the academic literature on narratives and narrative construction relevant to SIO story construction. This transformative story construction framework outlines how SIOs can assemble and craft authentic and effective stories that convey the organization's impact, engage audiences, and call those audiences to action as well as how SIOs can develop and manage a portfolio of such stories. The framework also provides recommendations to guide the marketplace practice of transformative story construction by SIOs. Finally, the authors pose questions to engage SIOs in collaborative research to refine the practice of constructing stories with the power to transform.
Investigations of Titanium Implants Covered with Hydroxyapatite Layer
Authors: Świeczko – Żurek B. , Bartmański M.
Published: August 2016

To reduce unfavorable phenomena occurring after introducing an implant into human body various modifications of the surface are suggested. Such modifications may have significant impact on biocompatibility of metallic materials. The titanium and it's alloys are commonly used for joint and dental implants due to their high endurance, low plasticity modulus, good corrosion resistance as well as biocompatibility. Special attention should be given to titanium alloys containing zirconium, tantalum and niobium elements. These new generation alloys are used by worldwide engineering specialists. The experiments were performed with hydroxyapatite layer on titanium specimens with the use of electrophoresis method (different voltage and time).
Metoda i urządzenie do zmiany prędkości za pomocą obiegowej przekładni zębatej z zestawem stopniowanych kół planetarnych
Authors: Malashchenko Volodymyr , Strilets Oleh , Strilets Volodymyr
Published: August 2016

W artykule opisano nową metodę oraz urządzenie do sterowania płynną zmianą prędkości za pomocą wielostopniowej przekładni obiegowej wyposażonej w specjalnie ukształtowane koła planetarne oraz układ hydrauliczny z obiegiem zamkniętym, gdzie elementem służącym do regulacji prędkości jest albo zewnętrzne zębate koło pierścieniowe (wieniec), albo nośnik koła centralnego. W każdym przypadku element sterujący połączony z układem hydraulicznym z obiegiem zamkniętym może albo być w ruchu, albo nie poruszać się, w zależności od wielkości otwarcia przepustnicy regulacyjnej układu hydraulicznego. Przeprowadzono badania teoretyczne i za pomocą oprogramowania komputerowego otrzymano graficzne zależności pomiędzy prędkościami elementów napędzających, sterujących oraz napędzanych.
Jakościowe i ilościowe szacowanie ryzyka na podstawie analizy zdarzeń w lotnictwie wojskowym
Authors: Zieja Mariusz , Smoliński Henryk , Gołda Paweł
Published: August 2016

Zarządzanie ryzykiem rozumiane jest jako proces wspierający podejmowanie decyzji poprzez systemową ocenę możliwych sposobów działania, identyfikację zagrożeń i korzyści oraz wskazywanie najlepszego sposobu wykonywania zadań lotniczych.

W artykule przedstawiono metodologię jakościowego i ilościowego oszacowania ryzyka w oparciu o analizę zdarzeń lotniczych w lotnictwie wojskowym. Procedura proponowanego podejścia zawiera się w algorytmie szacowania stopnia prawdopodobieństwa i ważności oraz w kolejnych czynnościach: identyfikacji czynnika niebezpieczeństwa (CZN) danej kategorii, analizie ryzyka związanego z danym CZN, wyznaczeniu ryzyka, określeniu czynności korygujących, prognozowaniu ryzyka i jego weryfikacji w następnym okresie oceny. Na uproszczonym schemacie blokowym przedstawiono propozycję realizacji procedury jakościowego i ilościowego szacowania ryzyka z wykorzystaniem funkcjonującego w lotnictwie wojskowym systemu informatycznego TURAWA.
Zwiększenie możliwości detekcji ruchu różnicową metodą bazującą na subtrakcji tła poprzez jej integrację z algorytmem C-HDC
Authors: Kowaleczko Piotr , Rokita Przemysław
Published: August 2016

W niniejszej pracy zaprezentowana została metoda pozwalająca na zwiększenie możliwości wykrywania ruchomych obiektów przez konwencjonalny, różnicowy algorytm subtrakcji tła. Opracowany algorytm jest metodą hybrydową, łączącą różnicową metodę subtrakcji tła oraz algorytm obliczający przesunięcia histogramu konturowego (C-HDC – Contour Histogram Displacement Calculation). Poprawa niezawodności działania dotyczy sekwencji wideo zarejestrowanych przez ruchomą kamerę. W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki badań określające wpływ wprowadzenia poprawek na jakość otrzymywanych wyników detekcji.
Strong Cesàro summability and statistical limit of fourier integrals
Authors: Móricz Ferenc
Published: August 2016

In our previous paper [2], we introduced the concept of statistical limit of a measurable function and that of strong Cesàro summability of a locally integrable function. As an application, we proved there that the Fourier integral of a function ƒ ∈ L1(ℝ)∩C(ℝ) is strongly Cesàro summable and has statistical limit at every point of ℝ. The purpose of this paper is twofold:

(i) We prove that if ƒ ∈ L1(ℝ) is locally bounded on ℝ and continuous on an open interval J , then the strong Cesàro summability and the existence of the statistical limit of the Fourier integral of ƒ is uniform on J.

(ii) We complete and simplify the proof of [2, Statement (γ) of Theorem 3], which says that if ƒ ∈ L1(ℝ)∩C0(ℝ), then the conclusion in (i) is uniform on the whole ℝ.
On meromorphic functions that share one value with their derivative
Authors: Al-Khaladi Amer H.H.
Published: August 2016

The following theorem has been proved by R.Brück. If a non-constant entire function ƒ and its derivative ƒ′ share the value 1 CM (counting multiplicities), and if

, then ƒ′- 1 = c ( ƒ - 1 ) for some nonzero constant c . In this paper we shall prove that the above result is also true when ƒ is a non-constant meromorphic function.
Microbial Activity in the Large Intestine of Chicks Fed Diets with Different Types and Levels of Inulin
Authors: Bachanek Ilona , Barszcz Marcin , Taciak Marcin , Tuśnio Anna , Skomiał Jacek
Published: August 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dietary level of two types of inulin differing in the degree of polymerization (DP) on microbial activity in the large intestine of chicks. The experiment was performed on 70 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks divided into 7 groups fed starter-type diets without inulin addition or supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4% or 0.6% of inulin with DP≥10 (IN10), or DP≥23 (IN23). After 14 days of feeding birds were sacrificed to collect digesta samples from caeca and colon. Caecal digesta was examined for pH, concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and amines, activities of β-glucosidase and mucinase, and relative amount of selected bacterial populations, whereas in colonic digesta only pH, SCFA and amines were analysed. Regardless of DP, inulin level did not affect digesta pH, activity of bacterial enzymes and relative amounts of Clostridium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and E. coli populations. Dietary level of IN10 significantly affected propionic acid concentration, which was greater in caecal digesta of birds fed diet supplemented with 0.2% of IN10 compared to other groups and feeding diets supplemented with all levels of IN10 significantly reduced histamine concentration compared to the control. There were no effects of inulin on microbial activity indices in the colon. The present study indicates that, regardless of DP, inulin does not modify considerably microbial activity in the large intestine of chicks.
Impact of sex and diet on hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and liver histology of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.))
Authors: Zakęś Zdzisław , Demska-Zakęś Krystyna , Szczepkowski Mirosław , Rożyński Maciej , Ziomek Elżbieta
Published: August 2016

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of diet and sex on the hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and the liver histology of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.) reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) (initial mean body weight (BW) 1.35 kg). The proximate composition of the two commercial feeds used were (protein/lipid/nitrogen-free extracts) (P/L/NFE)) P505/L118/NFE294 g kg−1 (group I) and P471/L141/NFE290 g kg−1 (group II). Neither diet nor sex had a significant impact on final fish body weight (≈ 2.0 kg). Sex was noted to significantly impact glucose content (Glu – higher in males) and cholesterol (Chol – higher in females) in the blood plasma. Diet was confirmed to have a significant impact on levels of hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and the values of these indicators were higher in group I. Sex had a significant impact on Ht, Hb, MCH, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), with higher values in male pikeperch. Diet and sex had significant impacts on the values of the pikeperch hepatosomatic index (HSI), hepatocyte size and that of their nuclei, and the values of the nucleocytoplasmic index (NCI).
Cannabis Control and Crime: Medicinal Use, Depenalization and the War on Drugs
Authors: Huber III Arthur , Newman Rebecca , LaFave Daniel
Published: August 2016

To date, 27 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws easing marijuana control. This paper examines the relationship between the legalization of medical marijuana, depenalization of possession, and the incidence of non-drug crime. Using state panel data from 1970 to 2012, results show evidence of 4–12 % reductions in robberies, larcenies, and burglaries due to the legalization of medical marijuana, but that depenalization has little effect and may instead increase crime rates. These effects are supported by null results for crimes unrelated to the cannabis market and are consistent with the supply-side effects of medicinal use that are absent from depenalization laws as well as existing evidence on the substitution between marijuana and alcohol. The findings contribute new evidence to the complex debate surrounding marijuana policy and the war on drugs.
Body composition and the level of fitness in 10 to 14-year-old girls in western Hungary: the impact of the new PE curriculum
Authors: Szakály Zsolt , Ihász Ferenc , Konczos Csaba , Fügedi Balázs , Bognár József
Published: August 2016

Study aim: Over the last two decades, the body fat mass has been increasing and the level of physical fitness has been decreasing in school-aged children. Due to the health-related concerns that have arisen regarding school-aged children, the Hungarian government introduced everyday physical education in 2012. Since girls are more disposed to higher body fat and low fitness levels, the aim of our study was to characterise the physique, body composition and aerobic capacity of 10 to 14-year-old girls three years after the introduction of the new curriculum with daily PE lessons.

Material and methods: All of the primary schools that were selected to participate in this study serve as partnership schools in the University of West Hungary’s teacher training programme (N = 8). The sample included only those upper primary school girls (10 to 14 years of age) who participated in the everyday physical education lesson (N = 543). Standard anthropometric techniques and a 20m shuttle run test were selected for the analysis.

Results: An important result of this study was the finding that differences in the body composition features were consistently significant among the age groups. However, there were no differences among the age groups in the results of the 20 m multi-stage fitness test, nor in the girls’ relative aerobic capacity.

Conclusions: It can be presumed that an unfavourable body composition and poor fitness occur primarily in the prepuberty years. Everyday physical education serves as a good opportunity for shaping the girls’ fitness level and body composition, and also for encouraging healthy active living.
Von recklinghausen disease: one patient – various problems
Authors: Bergler-Czop B , Miziołek B , Brzezińska-Wcisło L
Published: August 2016

von Recklinghausen disease (vRD), more widely known as neurofibromatosis type 1, belongs to a group of genetic disorders and it is considered to be the most common genodermatosis. The disease has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance that involves mutations within the NF1 gene located on chromosome 17 in locus q11.2. The product of the NF1 gene is neurofibromin and the protein is well known to be a tumor suppressor factor. This counteracts possible overactivity of RAS (protein)/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and RAS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phoshatydyloinositol-3-kinase/V-akt murine thy-moma viral oncogene homologue/mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling transduction pathways, preventing from uncontrolled cell proliferation and subsequent tumor formation. A loss of proper functioning of this protein leads to a development of vRD; however, a large variability in a phenotype of the disease and the onset of cutaneous findings, not necessarily in childhood, may provide a clinical diagnosis of the disease late in adulthood. We present a 52-year-old male in whom the diagnosis of vRD was proposed in the sixth decade of life, despite of multiple nodular lesions disseminated over the skin of the whole body and different neurological disturbances, not considered for a long time as manifestations of genodermatosis.
An alternative inhibition method for determining cross-reactive allergens
Authors: Schmidt-Hieltjes Yvonne , Teodorowicz Malgorzata , Jansen Ad , den Hartog Gerco , Elfvering-Berendsen Lisette , de Jong Nicolette W. , Savelkoul Huub F.J. , Ruinemans-Koerts Janneke
Published: August 2016

Background:

Inhibition assays are an useful tool to identify the allergen of primary sensitization of cross-reactive allergens. Classical ELISA-based inhibition assays are limited by both the availability of commercial standardized allergen extracts and the experience and knowledge needed for making home-made extracts. Moreover the direct comparison of the inhibition ELISAs outcomes between different laboratories is difficult because of different sources of used allergen extracts and a number of methodological variations. Therefore, we propose a novel ImmunoCap (Phadia, Thermofisher Scientific) based immunoinhibition method with the use of commercially available Caps as the allergen source.

Methods:

The novel ImmunoCap based immunoinhibition method was developed and tested with sera from patients with a well-known cross-reactive sensitization for fig (Ficus carica) and ficus (Ficus benjamina). Results were compared with a classically applied inhibition method, i.e. addition of homemade allergen extract to patient serum.

Results:

The amount of allergens (fig and ficus extracts) needed to reach a similar degree of inhibition was comparable for both inhibition methods.

Conclusions:

The ImmunoCap based inhibition assay, in addition to classical inhibition methods, is a valuable tool as the ImmunoCap analyzer and commercial allergens (Caps) are more widely available which makes the outcomes of inhibition tests comparable between different laboratories. Furthermore, in the ImmunoCap inhibition method the same protein source is used for both the inhibition of sIgE and sIgE measurement, which might be even more relevant when multiple cross-reactive allergens are tested.