bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency management of ureteral stones: Evaluation of two different approaches with an emphasis on patients’ life quality
Authors: Sarica Kemal , Eryildirim Bilal , Sahin Cahit , Türkoğlu Özlem Kolçak , Tuncer Murat , Coskun Alper , Akdere Hakan
Published: November 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the emergency management of obstructing ureteral calculi with two different techniques (SWL and URS) with an emphasis on patients life quality. Methods: A total of 80 patients presenting with acute colic pain due to a single obstructing ureteral stone were treated within 24 hours following the onset of pain with two different approaches in a randomized manner. Patients requiring DJ stent placement and/or auxiliary measures after both procedures were excluded and the remaining 65 patients were evaluated [Group1: ESWL (n = 34); Group 2: URS (n = 31)]. Patients were followed during 4-weeks period with respect to the analgesic requirement, number of renal colic attacks and emergency department visits along with the HRQOL scores. Results: While 26 patients treated with URS (83.9%) were stone-free, 24 cases in SWL were stone-free (70.6%) after 4 weeks. Evaluation of the cases during this follow-up period demonstrated that cases undergoing SWL required significantly higher amount of analgesics when compared with URS group (p < 0.001). In addition to the lower mean number of renal colic attacks and emergency department visits in URS group; both the mean HRQOL in terms of EQ-5D index and mean EQ-5D VAS values were also significantly higher in these cases when compared with the cases tretaed with SWL. Conclusions: Due to the negative impact of stone related events after emergency SWL on patients HRQOL, emergency URS may be applied more effectively with the advantages of prompt fragmentation of the calculi along with the immediate relief of obstruction and pain.
May ultrasound probe size influence pain perception of needle piercing during transrectal prostate biopsy? A prospective evaluation
Authors: Fabiani Andrea , Servi Lucilla , Filosa Alessandra , Fioretti Fabrizio , Maurelli Valentina , Tombolini Flavia , Tallè Matteo , Mammana Gabriele
Published: November 2016

Introduction and Objective: Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) is the definitive step in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (CaP). Patients (pts) generally experience significant pain during the procedure at the point that biopsy should be accompanied by some form of anesthesia. Several different factors influence pain perception (PP) during TRUS-Bx. In our study we want to assess that the use of an ergonomic smaller sized probe reduces PP during the procedure independently from the administration of local anesthesia or pain relieving drugs. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized study in which 114 pts who underwent TRUS-Bx due to abnormal PSA and/or to digital rectal examination (DRE) suspicious findings were considered eligible. Pts were split in two TRUS-Bx groups into which we used two different sized ultrasound probes. In group 1, 61 pts underwent TRUS-Bx with ALOKA end fire probe (size 74 mm). In group 2, 53 pts underwent TRUS-Bx with B-K Type 8818 probe (size 58 mm). Both groups were treated with no local anesthesia or pain relieving drugs. Pain was evaluated three times using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS), during the DRE (VAS 1), during the insertion of the probe (VAS 2) and during the needle piercing (VAS 3). Results: Mean age of pts was 68.03 (SD 8.51); mean tPSA and mean prostate volume was 7.75 (SD 4.83) and 45.17cc (SD 17.7), respectively. The two groups were homogeneous respect to tPSA (p = 0.675) and to prostate volume (p = 0.296); age was significantly different (p = 0.04) between Group 1 (65.93) and Group 2 (70.43), whereas no statistically significant correlation between VAS 3 and age was observed (p = 0.179). Analyzing pain perception, we found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in DRE (VAS 1; p = 0.839); on the contrary, patients in Group 1 experienced on average more pain than other in Group 2 both during the insertion of the probe (VAS 2 3.49 vs 1.09; p < 0.001) and during the needle piercing VAS 3 (2.8 vs 2.00; p < 0.05). The discomfort during probe insertion and manipulation was perceived as very high (VAS 2 > 5) in 42.6% of patients in Group 1 and in 9.4% in Group 2. Globally, the procedure was well tolerated (mean VAS score < 3) in 77% of patients in Group 1 and in 90% in Group 2. The proportion of patients who experienced more than moderate pain (VAS > 5) during needle piercing ranged 24.6 % in Group 1 to 18.9 % in Group 2. Conclusions: Patients who underwent a TRUS-Bx with the 58-mm circumference probe were found to experience lower degree of pain not only during the insertion of the probe through the anal sphincter, but also in the moment of needle piercing.
Bleeding during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Can a hemostatic matrix help to improve hemostasis?
Authors: Ozgor Faruk , Simsek Abdulmuttalip , Aydogdu Ozgu , Kucuktopcu Onur , Sarilar Omer , Berberoglu Ahmet Yalcin , Ahbulut Mehmet Fatih , Binbay Murat
Published: November 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the possible role of an hemostatic matrix on hemostasis, perioperative outcomes and complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Materials and methods: Patients charts were analyzed retrospectively and their demographic characteristics, operative parameters and follow-up results were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups, according to those who used an hemostatic matrix as Group 1 (n = 41) and those who did not used as Group 2 (n = 44). Demographic characteristics of patients, tumor features, operation time, clamping of the renal vessels, ischemia time, suturing of the collecting system, perioperative hemorrhage and complications were evaluated. Histopathological results, surgical margin status, creatinine level and recurrence at the 3rd month of follow up were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 17.0 and significance was set at p value of < 0.05. Results: The mean RENAL nephrometry score was 5.9 ± 2.0 and the mean tumor size was 35 ± 12 mm. All patients had a single tumor and 44 of them had a tumor in the right kidney. The renal artery was clamped in 79 cases and the mean ischemia time was 20.1 ± 7 minutes. The mean tumor size and the mean RENAL nephrometry score was statistically higher in Group 1 (p: 0.016 and p < 0.001, respectively). Pelvicaliceal repair was more common in Group 1 due to deeper extension of tumors in this group (p: 0.038). In Group 1, less hemorrhage and blood transfusion requirement, with shorter ischemia and operation time was detected. Conclusion: The outcomes of the recent study showed that adjunctive use of an hemostatic matrix improves hemostasis and decreases hemorrhagic complications during LPN. Further prospective studies are required to assess the potential role of an hemostatic matrix in LPN.
Reconnaissance and preliminary interpretation of Upper Devonian to Permian stratigraphy of northeastern Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Mayr U
Published: November 2016

The northeastern extremity of Sverdrup Basin, which includes a conformable succession of rocks ranging from Early Carboniferous to early Tertiary, is exposed in northeastern Ellesmere Island. There the basin is underlain by a complex basement sequence that was
last folded during Late Silurian-Early Devonian and, locally, by Upper Devonian nonmarine sandstone and conglomerate of the Okse Bay Formation.
The oldest unit of the Sverdrup Basin is the Lower Carboniferous Emma Fiord Formation, which is present along the basin axis and consists of nonmarine conglomerate and sandstone and shallow marine siltstone.
The Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian succession consists of a number of formations comprising nonmarine sandstone and conglomerate, carbonate, evaporites, and turbidites. The distribution of these lithofacies indicates a series of northeast trending facies belts. The centrally positioned
evaporite-turbidite basinal belt is open to the northeast and bordered to the southeast and northwest by carbonate belts. To the southeast, the carbonate belts coalesce so that the evaporite-turbidite basinal belt terminates in that direction and is not connected with the main evaporitic basinal
belt of Sverdrup Basin, which is centred on western Axel Heiberg Island . The two carbonate belts are in turn bordered to the southeast and northwest by marginal belts. A sixth facies belt is exposed in north coastal regions of the island to the north of the northwestern carbonate belt. This is the
Cape Nares carbonate belt. It appears to be allochthonous and was probably emplaced by strike-slip faulting during the early Tertiary Eurekan Orogeny.
The effect of oxybuprocaine on corneal thickness as measured with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Govender Rowen , Seedat Zainab Y. , Ramdass Aristha , Hansraj Rekha , Gcabashe Nonkululeko M.
Published: November 2016

Background: No previous study in South Africa has used optical coherence tomography (OCT) in assessing corneal thickness changes following the instillation of an anaesthetic.Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of oxybuprocaine 0.4% on corneal thickness.Setting: The study was conducted at a university eye clinic in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A total of 34 (N = 34) participants, of both genders, aged 18–25 years participated in the study. Data collection commenced once ethical clearance was obtained. Baseline measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) (within 0 mm – 2 mm of the corneal apex) and mid-peripheral corneal thickness (MPCT) (within 2 mm – 5 mm of the corneal apex) were taken using the Optovue iVue 100 OCT. Measurements were obtained using the standard iVue 100 corneal pachymetry map. One drop of oxybuprocaine was then instilled using a sterile technique in the right eye (RE) of each participant. Central and MPCT measurements were obtained using the OCT at time intervals of 30 s for the first 2 min and then for 60-s intervals up until 5 min. Baseline central and MPCT were then measured for the left eye (LE) using the OCT. The effect of two drops of oxybuprocaine on CCT was also investigated on the left eye only using the same procedure as on the right eye.Results: There were minimal fluctuations of the CCT and MPCT in the 5 min following instillation of either one or two drops of oxybuprocaine. The fluctuation of both the CCT and MPCT was within 10 µm irrespective of dosage and returned to baseline thickness after 5 min.Conclusion: Clinically, short-term CCT and MPCT changes following the instillation of oxybuprocaine are not large enough to affect the accuracy of Goldmann applanation tonometry.
Symptomatic accommodative disorders and asthenopia: Prevalence and association in Ghanaian children
Authors: Darko-Takyi Charles , Khan Naimah E. , Nirghini Urvashni
Published: November 2016

Background: There is a scarcity of data on asthenopia and accommodative disorders in children in Ghana as optometrists sometimes fail to carry out comprehensive assessments because of the lack of appropriate instruments.Aim: To establish the prevalence of asthenopic symptoms and symptomatic accommodative disorders among Junior High School children in Cape Coast metropolis (in their habitual vision state) and to investigate if there are any associations between asthenopic symptoms and the disorders.Method: A prospective cross-sectional school-based study using a multistage sample of 627 participants aged 12–17 years from Junior High Schools in Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana, was conducted. Participants completed a reliable asthenopic symptoms questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.866), and 220 participants who expressed two or more severe or very severe symptoms were selected for comprehensive accommodative system assessment over their habitual vision state.Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthenopia (two or more severe or very severe) and symptomatic accommodative disorders were 35.1% and 17.4% respectively. For specific symptomatic accommodative disorders, the prevalence was as follows: 7.7% accommodative insufficiency, 4.5% accommodative infacility, 1.4% accommodative excess and 3.8% accommodative fatigue. There were significant associations between some specific accommodative disorders and some specific asthenopic symptoms even though these asthenopic symptoms overlapped in other accommodative disorders.Conclusion: Specific asthenopic symptoms do not discriminate between the presences of specific types of accommodative disorders. A comprehensive accommodative system assessment with appropriate instruments is relevant to the diagnosis and management of accommodative disorders to relieve asthenopic symptoms.
KDM4C Activity Modulates Cell Proliferation and Chromosome Segregation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Garcia Jeison , Lizcano Fernando
Published: November 2016

The Jumonji-containing domain protein, KDM4C, is a histone demethylase associated with the development of several forms of human cancer. However, its specific function in the viability of tumoral lineages is yet to be determined. This work investigates the importance of KDM4C activity in cell proliferation and chromosome segregation of three triple-negative breast cancer cell lines using a specific demethylase inhibitor. Immunofluorescence assays show that KDM4C is recruited to mitotic chromosomes and that the modulation of its activity increases the number of mitotic segregation errors. However, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assays demonstrate that the demethylase activity is required for cell viability. These results suggest that the histone demethylase activity of KDM4C is essential for breast cancer progression given its role in the maintenance of chromosomal stability and cell growth, thus highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target.
Numerical Study of Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Actuator in Laminar Flat Plate Boundary Layer
Authors: Zheng J. G. , Li J. , Zhao Z. J. , Cui Y. D. , Khoo B. C.
Published: November 2016

Nanosecond (ns) pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator in a laminar flat plate boundary layer is investigated numerically in an attempt to gain some new insights into the understanding of ns DBD actuation mechanism. Special emphasis is put on the examination, separation and comparison of behaviors of discharge induced micro shock wave and residual heat as well as on the investigation of response of external flow to the two effects. The shock wave is found to introduce highly transient, localized perturbation to the flow and be able to significantly alter the flow pattern shortly after its initiation. The main flow tends to quickly recover to close to its undisturbed state due to the transient nature of perturbation. However, with the shock decay and final disappearance, another perturbation source in the vicinity of discharge region, which contains contribution from both residual heat and shock, becomes increasingly pronounced and eventually develops into a perturbation wave train in the boundary layer. The perturbation is relatively weak and may not be a Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) wave and not trigger the laminar-turbulent transition of boundary layer. Instead, it is more likely to manipulate the flow stability to achieve the strong control authority of this kind of actuation in the case of flow separation control. In addition, a parametric study over the different electrical and hydrodynamic parameters is also conducted.
An Element Decomposition Method for the Helmholtz Equation
Authors: Wang Gang , Cui Xiangyang , Li Guangyao
Published: November 2016

It is well-known that the traditional full integral quadrilateral element fails to provide accurate results to the Helmholtz equation with large wave numbers due to the “pollution error” caused by the numerical dispersion. To overcome this deficiency, this paper proposed an element decomposition method (EDM) for analyzing 2D acoustic problems by using quadrilateral element. In the present EDM, the quadrilateral element is first subdivided into four sub-triangles, and the local acoustic gradient in each sub-triangle is obtained using linear interpolation function. The acoustic gradient field of the whole quadrilateral is then formulated through a weighted averaging operation, which means only one integration point is adopted to construct the system matrix. To cure the numerical instability of one-point integration, a variation gradient item is complemented by variance of the local gradients. The discretized system equations are derived using the generalized Galerkin weakform. Numerical examples demonstrate that the EDM can achieves better accuracy and higher computational efficiency. Besides, as no mapping or coordinate transformation is involved, restrictions on the shape elements can be easily removed, which makes the EDM works well even for severely distorted meshes.
A Conservative Parallel Iteration Scheme for Nonlinear Diffusion Equations on Unstructured Meshes
Authors: Yu Yunlong , Yao Yanzhong , Yuan Guangwei , Chen Xingding
Published: November 2016

In this paper, a conservative parallel iteration scheme is constructed to solve nonlinear diffusion equations on unstructured polygonal meshes. The design is based on two main ingredients: the first is that the parallelized domain decomposition is embedded into the nonlinear iteration; the second is that prediction and correction steps are applied at subdomain interfaces in the parallelized domain decomposition method. A new prediction approach is proposed to obtain an efficient conservative parallel finite volume scheme. The numerical experiments show that our parallel scheme is second-order accurate, unconditionally stable, conservative and has linear parallel speed-up.
Положительное радиально-симметричное решение задачи Дирихле для одной нелинейной эллиптической системы с $p$-лапласианом
Authors: Abduragimov Elderkhan Israpilovich
Published: November 2016

Получены достаточные условия существования и единственности
положительного радиально-симметричного решения задачи Дирихле
для одной нелинейной эллиптичеcкой системы второго порядка
с $p$-лапласианом. Также доказано, что эти же условия
гарантируют отсутствие
глобального положительного радиально-симметричного решения.
Библиография: 13 названий.
Абсолютная непрерывность распределений многочленов на пространствах с логарифмически вогнутыми мерами
Authors: Arutyunyan Lavrentin Martunovich
Published: November 2016

В работе доказано, что распределение измеримого многочлена
на бесконечномерном пространстве с логарифмически вогнутой мерой
является абсолютно непрерывным, если этот многочлен не равен
постоянной почти всюду. Аналогичное утверждение доказано
для аналитических функций и некоторых других классов функций.
Изучаются также свойства распределений
норм полиномиальных отображений.
Для пространства измеримых полиномиальных отображений
фиксированной степени доказано, что $L^1$-норма
по логарифмически вогнутой мере эквивалентна $L^1$-норме
по сужению этой меры на произвольное фиксированное множество
положительной меры.
Библиография: 19 названий.
О задаче Канторовича для нелинейных образов меры Винера
Authors: Bukin Dmitry B
Published: November 2016

Рассмотрена задача Канторовича с функцией стоимости,
заданной нормой Камерона-Мартина, для нелинейных образов
меры Винера, представляющих собой распределения
одномерных диффузионных процессов
с непостоянными коэффициентами диффузии. Показано, что задача
может иметь лишь тривиальные решения,
если производная коэффициента диффузии отлична от нуля почти всюду.
Библиография: 14 названий.
El niño como persona y su relación con los derechos del niño
Authors: Lozano Vicente Agustín
Published: November 2016

La fundamentación normativa de los derechos del niño dista mucho de ser una cuestión clara y distinta, constituyendo todo un inventario de dificultades. Una de estas dificultades tiene como principal motivo la atribución de la categoría de persona a los menores de edad como requisito para ser titulares de derechos. Se exponen las distintas perspectivas que se tienen en cuenta para considerar al niño como persona moral así como las dificultades y controversias a las que ha dado lugar. En función de los diferentes resultados de las disciplinas científicas sobre la persona y según la perspectiva adoptada, se tienen ideas diferentes sobre el estatus de los derechos del niño.

 El problema principal que suscita la idea de persona humana podría ser planteado como el problema de la naturaleza de la conexión entre la individualidad y su relación con la idea de persona. Siendo esto así, se señala que la consideración del niño como persona supone el reconocimiento universal, como norma de carácter ético, de su individualidad. Sin embargo, el estado de sujeto personal sólo se alcanzará plenamente en el seno de una determinada configuración social capaz de dotar de valor a dicha individualidad.

 Siendo esto así, los derechos del niño se enuncian desde los fundamentos ideológicos y doctrinales de los legisladores que los declaran, con la artificiosidad y limitaciones que tales coordenadas llevan consigo y en pugna con otras posibles alternativas ideológicas también presentes.
El embarazo a temprana edad. Perspectiva de progenitores y madres adolescentes
Authors: Rodríguez Otero Luis Manuel
Published: November 2016

El embarazo adolescente refiere al que se produce entre la adolescencia inicial o pubertad. La gestación y maternidad durante este periodo implica distintas consecuencias a nivel personal, familiar y social. Destacando cuestione como: la mortalidad, la morbilidad, el aborto, enfermedades de transmisión sexual, el abandono escolar, posiciones de vulnerabilidad, la reproducción de la pobreza, etc. Por otro lado existen factores que favorecen la existencia de esta problemática tales como: aspectos geográficos, cuestiones sociofamiliares e individuales, las políticas públicas, los recursos existentes, el nivel formativo o conocimiento al respecto, estilos de vida no saludables, el matrimonio a edades tempranas, el rol de género tradicional asignado a la mujer, etc.

Utilizando como muestra a 6 madres a temprana edad y 6 progenitores de madres adolescentes del Área Metropolitana de Monterrey, se plantea una investigación cualitativa a través del análisis de contenido y categorización de entrevistas con el objetivo de identificar la percepción que poseen respecto al embarazo a temprana edad. Así como las causas, consecuencias y las medidas existentes.

Los resultados evidencian la manifestación de distintas causas individuales, políticas, familiares y sociales en la muestra, así como diversas consecuencias tanto individuales como familiares. Así mismo se observa que la escuela es la principal fuente de información. Es por ello que se propone revisar las medidas preventivas al respecto y la intervención tomando en consideración a las madres que ya son adolescentes para minimizar las posibles consecuencias descritas.
Growth of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi in light- and
nutrient-limited batch reactors: relevance for the BIOSOPE deep
ecological
niche of coccolithophores
Authors: Perrin Laura , Probert Ian , Langer Gerald , Aloisi Giovanni
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Coccolithophores are unicellular calcifying marine algae that play an important role in the oceanic carbon cycle via their cellular processes of photosynthesis (a CO2 sink) and calcification (a CO2 source). In contrast to the well-studied, surface-water coccolithophore blooms visible from satellites, the lower photic zone is a poorly known but potentially important ecological niche for coccolithophores in terms of primary production and carbon export to the deep ocean. In this study, the physiological responses of an Emiliania huxleyi strain to conditions simulating the deep niche in the oligotrophic gyres along the BIOSOPE transect in the South Pacific Gyre were investigated. We carried out batch culture experiments with an E. huxleyi strain isolated from the BIOSOPE transect, reproducing the in situ conditions of light and nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) limitation. By simulating coccolithophore growth using an internal stores (Droop) model, we were able to constrain fundamental physiological parameters for this E. huxleyi strain. We show that simple batch experiments, in conjunction with physiological modelling, can provide reliable estimates of fundamental physiological parameters for E. huxleyi that are usually obtained experimentally in more time-consuming and costly chemostat experiments. The combination of culture experiments, physiological modelling and in situ data from the BIOSOPE cruise show that E. huxleyi growth in the deep BIOSOPE niche is limited by availability of light and nitrate. This study contributes more widely to the understanding of E. huxleyi physiology and behaviour in a low-light and oligotrophic environment of the ocean.
Research Paper: Detecting climatically driven phylogenetic and morphological
divergence among spruce species (Picea) worldwide
Authors: Wang Guo-Hong , Li He , Zhao Hai-Wei , Zhang Wei-Kang
Published: November 2016

Abstract. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between climate and the phylogenetic and morphological divergence of global spruces (Picea) in the Northern Hemisphere. Bioclimatic and georeferenced data were collected from a total of 3388 sites distributed within the global domain of spruce species. A phylogenetic tree and a morphological tree for the global spruces were reconstructed based on DNA sequences and morphological characteristics. The spatial evolutionary and ecological vicariance analysis (SEEVA) method was used to detect the ecological divergence among spruces. A divergence index (D) with (0, 1) scaling was calculated for each bioclimatic factor at each node for both trees. The annual mean values, extreme values and annual range of the climatic variables were among the major determinants for spruce divergence. The ecological divergence was significant (P
Climatic history of the northeastern United States during the past 3000 years
Authors: Marlon Jennifer R. , Pederson Neil , Nolan Connor , Goring Simon , Shuman Bryan , Booth Robert , Bartlein Patrick J. , Berke Melissa A. , Clifford Michael , Cook Edward , Dieffenbacher-Krall Ann , Dietze Michael C. , Hessl Amy , Hubeny J. Bradford , Jackson Stephen T. , Marsicek Jeremiah , McLachlan Jason , Mock Cary J. , Moore David J. P. , Nichols Jonathan , Robertson Ann , Schaefer Kevin , Trouet Valerie , Umbanhowar Charles , Williams John W. , Yu Zicheng
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Many ecosystem processes that influence Earth system feedbacks, including vegetation growth, water and nutrient cycling, and disturbance regimes, are strongly influenced by multi-decadal to millennial-scale variations in climate that cannot be captured by instrumental climate observations. Paleoclimate information is therefore essential for understanding contemporary ecosystems and their potential trajectories under a variety of future climate conditions. With the exception of fossil pollen records, there are a limited number of northeastern US (NE US) paleoclimate archives that can provide constraints on its temperature and hydroclimate history. Moreover, the records that do exist have not been considered together. Tree-ring data indicate that the 20th century was one of the wettest of the past 500 years in the eastern US (Pederson et al., 2014), and lake-level records suggest it was one of the wettest in the Holocene (Newby et al., 2014); how such results compare with other available data remains unclear, however. Here we conduct a systematic review, assessment, and comparison of paleotemperature and paleohydrological proxies from the NE US for the last 3000 years. Regional temperature reconstructions are consistent with the long-term cooling trend (1000 BCE–1700 CE) evident in hemispheric-scale reconstructions, but hydroclimate reconstructions reveal new information, including an abrupt transition from wet to dry conditions around 550–750 CE. NE US paleo data suggest that conditions during the Medieval Climate Anomaly were warmer and drier than during the Little Ice Age, and drier than today. There is some evidence for an acceleration over the past century of a longer-term wetting trend in the NE US, and coupled with the abrupt shift from a cooling trend to a warming trend from increased greenhouse gases, may have wide-ranging implications for species distributions, ecosystem dynamics, and extreme weather events. More work is needed to gather paleoclimate data in the NE US, make inter-proxy comparisons, and improve estimates of uncertainty in the reconstructions.
Islamic Sukuk and Its Role in Supporting the Budget Deficit: Case Study on The Central Bank in The Jordan
Authors: Al-abedallat Abedalfattah Zuhair
Published: November 2016

Market Sukuk (Arabic word meaning bond) grown very large in the recent period, which is similar to conventional Eurobonds, Islamic Sukuk increased in the current period, and it is a good substitute for conventional bonds, but in Jordan instruments Islamic Market still suffers a lot of obstacles, though that Jordan suffers greatly from debt and increasing annually, but there is no practical step by the central bank to issue instruments Islamic alternative for the issuance of government bonds.The purpose of the study to investigate the obstacles that prevented the issuance of central bank for those instruments, and the study approach is the Data was collected by two methods first, primary data was collected using questionnaire, second, secondary data was collected using literature.The study found that  there are obstacles prevented the issuance of central bank  the instruments Islamic including: regulatory risk, and liquidity risk, and regulatory obstacles, and the cost of issuance, and the research has recommended that: the central bank should prepare the laws to issuance Islamic sukuk, and the central bank should encourage the Islamic banks to issuance Islamic sukuk.
Factors Influencing Teachers in Engaging with University Outreach: Is it Just Cost?
Authors: Glover S. R. , Harrison T. G. , Shallcross D. E.
Published: November 2016

A chemistry outreach day event was offered, free-of-charge, to schools in the south west of England who do not normally engage with Bristol ChemLabS outreach events delivered at the University of Bristol. The participating teachers were interviewed to find out their expectations of the day in terms of helping their students or in helping the teachers, whether the “free” aspect, or not, triggered the application to the event and whether finance or other barriers normally prevented engagement in such events. The value versus cost of such outreach an event is discussed. While finance was the biggest issue for the majority of the interviewed teachers they recognised the value of the inspiration rather than subject knowledge acquisition for their students. The advantages for the teachers were seen as better motivated students and the likelihood of more students taking their subject at higher levels. Having attended such an event and observing the quality and impact on their students, teachers were more inclined to engage in the future whether there was a financial charge or not.
De opkomst van de nudge unit
Authors: Scherpenisse Jorren
Published: November 2016

Rise of the nudge unit

The world of public administration is changing: in many countries around the globe specialized behavioral insights units are on the rise in governments. Behavioral insights teams (or nudge units) are often modelled on the famous BIT UK, although there are important national variations. These units specialize in the application of behavioral insights to the design and evaluation of public policies. This article reports on an interview with the the leader of the Behavioral Insights Team of the Ministry of Economical Affairs in the Netherlands. Four main items are discussed: (1) What projects should behavioral insights units undertake? (2) What mix of professional expertise is necessary? (3) What processes should be instituted? And (4) How should these units be positioned within existing government departments?
Technisch duwtje in de rug, maar in welke richting?
Authors: Korthagen Iris , Timmer Jelte
Published: November 2016

A technical nudge – but to what end?

Technology is increasingly being used to change people’s behavior. Such persuasive technologies can be understood as a cybernetic loop: data about the individual is collected and analyzed and, via feedback mechanisms, the technology exerts influence on the behavior of the individual. In practice, we see persuasive technology in various applications. This article discusses how persuasive technology can be responsibly implemented in a collective context, on the basis of two emerging practices: smart energy meters and fitness tracking. The cases reveal the tensions between corporate, commercial and individual interests. Due to datafication, a strong reduction is taking place in terms of what the smart meter defines as sustainable behavior and the fitness trackers understand to be healthy behavior. Each step in the process of technological persuasion (collecting, analyzing, providing feedback) presents its own challenges, which urges policy makers to reflect on preconditions for responsible persuasion.
De 21ste-eeuwse overheidsmanager
Authors: van der Wal Zeger
Published: November 2016

The 21st century public manager

This article examines who ‘21st century public managers’ are and which skills and roles they have to master to function effectively in the 21st century. Based on a large scale analysis of literature and years of interaction with senior practitioners, seven key 21st century demands for public managers are identified, each of which creates dilemmas as well as opportunities. 21st century public managers utilize a combination of traditional and new roles, competencies, and values to turn demands into opportunities. The article concludes with implications for public administration research and education.
Decomposability of Bimodule Maps
Authors: Merdy Christian Le , Oliveira Lina
Published: November 2016

Consider a unital $C^*$-algebra $A$, a von Neumann algebra $M$, a unital sub-$C^*$-algebra $C\subset A$ and a unital $*$-homomorphism $\pi\colon C\to M$. Let $u\colon A\to M$ be a decomposable map (i.e. a linear combination of completely positive maps) which is a $C$-bimodule map with respect to $\pi$. We show that $u$ is a linear combination of $C$-bimodule completely positive maps if and only if there exists a projection $e\in \pi(C)'$ such that $u$ is valued in $\mathit{e\mkern0.5muMe}$ and $e\pi({\cdot})e$ has a completely positive extension $A\to \mathit{e\mkern0.5muMe}$. We also show that this condition is always fulfilled when $C$ has the weak expectation property.
Direction-dependent arm kinematics reveal optimal integration of gravity cues
Authors: Gaveau Jeremie , Berret Bastien , Angelaki Dora E , Papaxanthis Charalambos
Published: November 2016

The brain has evolved an internal model of gravity to cope with life in the Earth's gravitational environment. How this internal model benefits the implementation of skilled movement has remained unsolved. One prevailing theory has assumed that this internal model is used to compensate for gravity's mechanical effects on the body, such as to maintain invariant motor trajectories. Alternatively, gravity force could be used purposely and efficiently for the planning and execution of voluntary movements, thereby resulting in direction-depending kinematics. Here we experimentally interrogate these two hypotheses by measuring arm kinematics while varying movement direction in normal and zero-G gravity conditions. By comparing experimental results with model predictions, we show that the brain uses the internal model to implement control policies that take advantage of gravity to minimize movement effort.
RING finger E3 ligase PPP1R11 regulates TLR2 signaling and innate immunity
Authors: McKelvey Alison C , Lear Travis B , Dunn Sarah R , Evankovich John , Londino James D , Bednash Joseph S , Zhang Yingze , McVerry Bryan J , Liu Yuan , Chen Bill B
Published: November 2016

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor that recognizes many types of PAMPs that originate from gram-positive bacteria. Here we describe a novel mechanism regulating TLR2 protein expression and subsequent cytokine release through the ubiquitination and degradation of the receptor in response to ligand stimulation. We show a new mechanism in which an uncharacterized RING finger E3 ligase, PPP1R11, directly ubiquitinates TLR2 both in vitro and in vivo, which leads to TLR2 degradation and disruption of the signaling cascade. Lentiviral gene transfer or knockdown of PPP1R11 in mouse lungs significantly affects lung inflammation and the clearance of Staphylococcus aureus. There is a negative correlation between PPP1R11 and TLR2 levels in white blood cell samples isolated from patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections. These results suggest that PPP1R11 plays an important role in regulating innate immunity and gram-positive bacterial clearance by functioning, in part, through the ubiquitination and degradation of TLR2.
Rational design of aptazyme riboswitches for efficient control of gene expression in mammalian cells
Authors: Zhong Guocai , Wang Haimin , Bailey Charles C , Gao Guangping , Farzan Michael
Published: November 2016

Efforts to control mammalian gene expression with ligand-responsive riboswitches have been hindered by lack of a general method for generating efficient switches in mammalian systems. Here we describe a rational-design approach that enables rapid development of efficient cis-acting aptazyme riboswitches. We identified communication-module characteristics associated with aptazyme functionality through analysis of a 32-aptazyme test panel. We then developed a scoring system that predicts an aptazymes’s activity by integrating three characteristics of communication-module bases: hydrogen bonding, base stacking, and distance to the enzymatic core. We validated the power and generality of this approach by designing aptazymes responsive to three distinct ligands, each with markedly wider dynamic ranges than any previously reported. These aptayzmes efficiently regulated adeno-associated virus (AAV)-vectored transgene expression in cultured mammalian cells and mice, highlighting one application of these broadly usable regulatory switches. Our approach enables efficient, protein-independent control of gene expression by a range of small molecules.
Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment to Manage Compensated Trendelenburg Gait Caused by Sacroiliac Somatic Dysfunction
Authors: Gilliss Adam C. , Swanson Randel L. , Janora Deanna , Venkataraman Venkat
Published: November 2016

Gait dysfunctions are commonly encountered in the primary care setting. Compensated Trendelenburg gait is a gait dysfunction that was originally described in patients with weakness of ipsilateral hip abduction. This condition is thought to result from neuronal injury or myopathy. No treatment modalities currently exist for compensated Trendelenburg gait. The authors present a case in which osteopathic manipulative treatment may have improved a Trendelenburg gait dysfunction in a man aged 65 years with multiple sclerosis. Evidence of this improvement was obtained with the GaitMat II system for measuring numerous gait parameters. Based on the results reported in the present case, the authors propose that compensated Trendelenburg gait may arise from somatic dysfunction and may be corrected by osteopathic manipulative treatment.
Insight into metal-enhanced oxidation using barium on 4H-SiC surfaces
Authors: Chanthaphan Atthawut , Katsu Yoshihito , Hosoi Takuji , Shimura Takayoshi , Watanabe Heiji
Published: November 2016

Metal-enhanced oxidation (MEO) using ultrathin Ba layers on 4H-SiC surfaces was investigated by physical and electrical characterizations. We found that while comparable oxidation rates were enhanced for Si- and C-face surfaces even at a low temperature, significant surface and interface roughness were induced by initial MEO termed the incubation period. Depth profiling revealed that although most Ba atoms aggregated on the oxide surface, a tiny amount (∼1014 cm−2) remaining at the oxide interface was responsible for the following stable MEO reaction and the reduced interface state density with the drawbacks of degraded leakage current and breakdown characteristics of SiC-MOS devices.
Proximity gettering of C3H5 carbon cluster ion-implanted silicon wafers for CMOS image sensors: Gettering effects of transition metal, oxygen, and hydrogen impurities
Authors: Kurita Kazunari , Kadono Takeshi , Okuyama Ryousuke , Hirose Ryo , Onaka-Masada Ayumi , Koga Yoshihiro , Okuda Hidehiko
Published: November 2016

A new technique is described for manufacturing silicon wafers with the highest capability yet reported for gettering transition metallic, oxygen, and hydrogen impurities in CMOS image sensor fabrication. It is demonstrated that this technique can implant wafers simultaneously with carbon and hydrogen elements that form the projection range by using hydrocarbon compounds. Furthermore, these wafers can getter oxygen impurities out-diffused from the silicon substrate to the carbon cluster ion projection range during heat treatment. Therefore, they can reduce the formation of transition metals and oxygen-related defects in the device active regions and improve electrical performance characteristics, such as dark current and image lag characteristics. The new technique enables the formation of high-gettering-capability sinks for transition metals, oxygen, and hydrogen impurities under device active regions of CMOS image sensors. The wafers formed by this technique have the potential to significantly reduce dark current in advanced CMOS image sensors.
Crack suppression of silica glass formed by zoned F2 laser-induced photochemical surface modification of hard silicone thin film coating on polycarbonate
Authors: Nojiri Hidetoshi , Okoshi Masayuki
Published: November 2016

The surface layer of a hard silicone thin film coating on polycarbonate was modified to silica glass (SiO2) through F2-laser-induced photochemical reactions. To obtain samples with higher abrasion resistances, SiO2 films of 1 µm thickness and over were successfully formed without cracking, by zoning the laser-irradiated area of micrometer order. With the conversion of silicone to SiO2, the volumetric shrinkage of the sample was induced, which simply depended on the number of photons, by varying the single-pulse fluence and irradiation time of a F2 laser. The ratio of volumetric shrinkage to the original silicone was estimated to be approximately 0.85, generating tensile stress in SiO2. The stress could be suppressed to be lower than 48 MPa for typical SiO2 by reducing the laser-irradiated area to be of micrometer order. Also, when the length of one side of the irradiated area is 1 mm, the thickness of the SiO2 film is expected to increase to approximately 5 µm.
Three-dimensional paleohistology of the scale and median fin spine ofLophosteus superbus(Pander 1856)
Authors: Jerve Anna , Qu Qingming , Sanchez Sophie , Blom Henning , Ahlberg Per Erik
Published: November 2016

Lophosteus superbusis one of only a handful of probable stem-group osteichthyans known from the fossil record. First collected and described in the late 19th century from the upper Silurian Saaremaa Cliff locality in Estonia, it is known from a wealth of disarticulated scales, fin spines, and bone fragments. In this study we provide the first description of the morphology and paleohistology of a fin spine and scale fromLophosteususing virtual thin sections and 3D reconstructions that were segmented using phase-contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography. These data reveal that both structures have fully or partially buried odontodes, which retain fine morphological details in older generations, including sharp nodes and serrated ridgelets. The vascular architecture of the fin spine tip, which is composed of several layers of longitudinally directed bone vascular canals, is much more complex compared to the bulbous horizontal canals within the scale, but they both have distinctive networks of ascending canals within each individual odontode. Other histological characteristics that can be observed from the data are cell spaces and Sharpey’s fibers that, when combined with the vascularization, could help to provide insights into the growth of the structure. The 3D data of the scales fromLophosteus superbusis similar to comparable data from other fossil osteichthyans, and the morphology of the reconstructed buried odontodes from this species is identical to scale material ofLophosteus ohesaarensis, casting doubt on the validity of that species. The 3D data presented in this paper is the first for fossil fin spines and so comparable data is not yet available. However, the overall morphology and histology seems to be similar to the structure of placoderm dermal plates. The 3D datasets presented here provide show that microtomography is a powerful tool for investigating the three-dimensional microstructure of fossils, which is difficult to study using traditional histological methods. These results also increase the utility of fin spines and scales suggest that these data are a potentially rich source of morphological data that could be used for studying questions relating to early vertebrate growth and evolution.