bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Utero Exposure to Antihypertensive Medication During Pregnancy and Neonatal and Child Health Outcomes
Authors: Fitton Catherine , Steiner Markus , Aucott Lorna , Pell Jill , Fleming Michael , McLay James
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlthough pharmacotherapy is to be avoided wherever possible during pregnancy, aggressive pharmacotherapy is required for the treatment of pregnancy associated hypertension, which remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK. While the teratogenic effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are well documented, the possible long term effects, on the child, following in utero exposure to other antihypertensive agents remains unknown.

ApproachThe aim of this study was to systematically review all published literature relevant to possible adverse outcomes on the child associated with in utero exposure to antihypertensive medications. OVID (Medline, Embase), Scopus, EBSCO Collections (PsycINFO, CINAHL), The Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1950 to January 2016 and a total of 688 papers were identified. Following review 43 primary studies and 4 Meta-analyses were eligible for inclusion. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists were used to assess study quality. ResultsThree studies were of excellent quality the remainder were either mediocre or poor. Increased risk of low birth weight, low size for gestational age, preterm birth and congenital defects following in utero exposure to all antihypertensive agents were identified. The clinical importance of these reported risks is unclear, as many study findings were based on small case numbers. Four studies of mediocre quality reported on the relationship between in utero exposure and neurological adverse effects in offspring. Two studies reported an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following exposure to labetalol, and an increased risk of sleep disorders following exposure to methyldopa and clonidine. The remaining two studies identified no such associations. ConclusionsThis systematic review demonstrates a lack of published high quality studies. Available published studies indicate an increased risk of adverse child health outcomes, although it is unclear whether these outcomes are clinically significant. This review is the first step in a larger project, which is exploring child health outcomes in Scotland following in utero exposure to antihypertensive and psychotropic medications. Dispensed drug data will be used to identify mothers who have been prescribed antihypertensive or psychotropic medication during pregnancy. National databases (PIS, SMR02, SMR01, etc.) will be used to cross-link mother and child data to identify in utero exposure to the drugs of interest, and the resulting child outcomes. All aspects of child health outcomes will be assessed to identify possible adverse effects from in utero exposure to medications.
New Zealand Longitudinal Census development
Authors: Kang Inny
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesThe aim for the New Zealand Longitudinal Census (NZLC) is to link data from seven recent censuses (1981-2013) and develop weight methodology to reduce the potential for link bias in the NZLC.

ApproachThe most workable way to create a longitudinal census dataset was to link adjacent pairs of censuses and then to link these census pairs together creating six linked pairs covering the seven censuses from 1981 to 2013. We refined the deterministic linking in the six pairs and then added probabilistic linking, where possible, for the remaining records in each of the theoretically linkable populations. The linking of the 2006 and 2013 Censuses was methodological challenge as the interval between censuses was 7 years instead of the normal 5 years between censuses. The challenge was heightened by having a question that asked for respondent address five years ago (ie in 2008).

In the linking of six censuses from 1981 to 2006, we had included indicators that identified completely linked and partially linked families. To link 2013-2006 census pairs, more variables were added in the probabilistic linking stage including geographic variables and new derived variables which included the combination of the role types within family group, family number, and sex variables. In developing weights for the linked pairs, all variables were changed into numeric values and then categorised. The data was then divided into male and female and logistic regression was used to predict probabilities of being liked.

ResultsThe size of linked populations is relatively stable across similar time spans. We linked the majority of linked records in the deterministic stage which contributed links of for two-thirds of the theoretical populations. The subsequent stages included deterministic linking and probabilistic linking which added approximately 5 percentage points to the link.

ConclusionThe linking of census datasets from 1981 to 2013 to form a longitudinal data source allowed us to understand important aspects of population change across time which cannot be derived from simple cross. It provides a major new source of the analysis for insights into New Zealand demographic and social outcomes. Currently we are creating a set of generic weights for each individual record that may be applied in various research scenarios. Weighting of longitudinal data, as a part of NZLC, requires substantial in-depth statistical analysis of bias and coverage.
Associations among Hypertension, Depression and Obesity in a sample of the U.S. adults
Authors: Kim Hyunmin , Setias Jade
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveAlthough there have been studies showing the determinants of obesity, there have been relatively little attention paid to other factors such as mental health disorders like depression and chronic illnesses like hypertension. In addition, there exists a controversy over the association between hypertension and depression. Thus, we have investigated the associations among hypertension, depression, and obesity by adjusting age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status. The data was from the 2011 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). MethodThis survey is conducted every year and in particular the data involves approximately 5,000 individuals of all ages in the United States, who completed the health examination component of the survey. We have utilized a logistic regression analysis to examine how hypertension, depression and obesity are associated one another. We have also used a proportional odds model to test how hypertension and depression may affect obesity. ResultThe main findings from the results of study are the following: first, being obese and feeling down, depressed or hopeless were associated with an increased likelihood of having hypertension and second, hypertension and depression may positively affect obesity. The findings suggest that as the determinants of obesity, depression and hypertension should be timely diagnosed and treated properly for considering the associations one another. By doing so, it can provide with the overall cost-savings and more importantly, people’s health.
Survival to Diabetes by age, gender and BMI category
Authors: Nock Kelly , Bailey Kerry , Barker Craig , Thomas Helen
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

AimTo carry out a 10 year survival analysis to provide insight to NHS partners regarding the time to Type -2 Diabetes across the population of ABM HB and by a variety of key criteria including BMI, gender, age and deprivation.

ApproachSurvival time was taken from the window start date (current data date – 10 years) to patient exit from the study (Death, Type-2 Diabetes diagnosis or window end date). Survival output was generated using the Kaplan-Meier estimate as part of the survival package (Therneau T. M., 2015) in R, with Type-2 Diabetes diagnosis as the event variable with the following control and stratification variables: Gender, Age Group (at window start), Average BMI Category and Deprivation Quintile.

To identify Diabetic and I particular type-2 patients we developed dictionaries using diagnosis codes from both ICD-10 and READ. These dictionaries were then mapped against the GP, Inpatient and Outpatient datasets to capture a diagnosis of Diabetes as early as possible. The logic to determine whether patients are Diabetic involved the use of 277 READ and 56 ICD-10 codes, incorporating and expanding upon the QOF standard rule-set.

To identify as many BMIs as possible three methods were used firstly using absolute BMI measurements. Secondly, using READ codes for pre-binned BMI categories. Thirdly, by combining separate height and weight measurements. The latter method in particular introduces data quality problems, both with erroneous values and in cases where different GPs use different units of measurement (e.g. metres, centimetre, feet, stones). To use these measurements in a reliable manner, we developed complex conditional statements to extract valid measurement records and store them uniformly, such that we can use them easily in a variety of data queries to classify patients by weight category.

ResultsCumulative probability (calculated from inverse ‘survival time’) to diabetes is greater in obese and more elderly. There was not the expected impact of deprivation. Representation of survival curves were difficult for lay people and some other stakeholders to interpret so stacked bar charts of cumulative probabilities were visualised. Stakeholders valued being able to interact with the different aggregated visualisations to display different aspects of the results.The results provided valuable insights for NHS partners and informed predictive models.
Listening to the Silence: What does unrecorded information in the Electronic Health Record tell us? Findings from a Patient and Public Involvement Event
Authors: George Julie , Luchenski Serena , Williamson Elizabeth , Banerjee Amitava , Saunders Peter E
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesHandling missing information is an important methodological challenge in electronic health records research, with the reasons for missingness dictating how missing data should be handled. While there is extensive literature on methodological approaches to handling missing data, there is relatively little research with patients or clinicians investigating why information may be unrecorded in the medical records. A patient and public involvement event was held, embedded with a wider EHR event (UCL Festival of Digital Science - March 2016), to explore unrecorded information from a patient and researcher point of view with a view to developing further research in this area.

ApproachCo-chaired by an academic and lay chair, members of the Farr Patient and Public Involvement Forum, academics, students and the general public attended workshop held during the Festival of Digital Health. A brief exercise was used to demonstrate the impact of missing data. Participants then worked in small facilitated groups to discuss situations where information about them (or people they knew) had not been recorded, the reasons why this information was not recorded and what the impact (or potential impact) was on the patient. A standardised data form was used by facilitators to record participants’ conversations. The data forms were summarised into Excel and a brief thematic analysis was conducted. A written evaluation of the workshop was also completed by participants and included in the analysis.

ResultsThe evaluation was overwhelming positive about embedding PPI workshop within an event with a wider remit, from both researchers and patient and public representatives. Preliminary findings on reasons for missingness included change of address or provider (both general practice and secondary care), individual clinician approaches to recording data, process of computerisation of medical notes, early stages of disease not reported to GP and unwillingness to disclose more sensitive information such as sexually transmitted disease. Discussion also included reasons for misrepresented or other errors with data. Further findings from the framework analysis will be presented.

ConclusionThis exploratory workshop showed that patient and public involvement events can be embedded successfully within events aimed at professionals. Preliminary findings suggest that reasons for missingness often related to features of the provider or clinician as well as the patient.
Realising the potential of linked data in healthcare performance assessment efforts in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Sutherland Kim , Papadopoulos Christopher , Marashi-Pour Sadaf , Chen Huei-Yang , Lévesque Jean-Frédéric
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo describe: (1) a stepwise guide to the use of linked data in the development of individual healthcare performance metrics; and (2) the application of these metrics in comprehensive performance assessment efforts at a system, regional and hospital level of analysis.ApproachA stepwise guide to the definition and validation of linked-data based indicators was developed following a rapid review of peer reviewed and grey literature and a series of semi-structured interviews with international subject experts. The review and interviews adopted a snowball approach to collect information on the ways in which linked data are currently used in performance measurement efforts. Data collection continued until indicator type saturation was reached. Details about existing applications of linked data in performance reporting were mapped, and used to inform the development of the guide. Indicators were aligned within a conceptual framework that is used to assess healthcare performance in New South Wales, on the basis of accessibility, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity and sustainability. ResultsThe guide to indicator development considers the use and contribution of linked data in four stages: defining a cohort; capturing outcomes of interest; risk adjustment; and attribution. A series of vignettes illustrate the various contributions that linked data can make to performance measurement efforts – highlighting the ways in which those data can enhance understanding of complexity and dynamic relationships, and help build a comprehensive picture of performance.

ConclusionIn performance measurement efforts internationally, linked data are used to strengthen the reliability, accuracy and precision of individual metrics and to inform efforts to assess various dimensions of healthcare performance. In New South Wales, linked data underpin publicly reported performance measures and have the potential to provide in the future whole-of-government and whole-of-system perspectives on health.
Canadian data sources on ethnic classifications: Contemporary and historical developments in heterogeneity
Authors: Lucyk Kelsey , Tang Karen , Quan Hude
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveA thorough understanding of the health status of Canadians must take into account their ethnicity, given the genetic and social effects of race and ethnicity on health. Our objective is to describe Canadian data sources that collect ethnicity data and the degree of granularity that exists for ethnic classifications within these sources. We contextualize changes to the collection of ethnic data by considering their historical, social, and political circumstances.

ApproachOur methods are informed by environmental scan and history methodology. We searched publicly available government documents, peer-reviewed literature, and contacted key informants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian sources available for collecting nationally representative ethnicity data. Two investigators, using qualitative content analysis, analyzed these sources independently. We extracted information form sources relating to the ethnic classifications (e.g., race, ethnic origins, colour, ancestry) and constructed a historical timeline of key changes. We mapped these to Canada’s changing social and political landscape and drew on contemporary literature to consider the implications of these changes for population health. The study team met to discuss findings, interpretations, and themes that emerged from these sources.

ResultsThere are four main sources of ethnicity data in Canada used for health research: 1) Provincial health insurance registries, 2) Canadian Health Measures Survey, 3) Canadian Community Health Survey, 4) Census. Of these, ethnicity data are most limited in the provincial health insurance registries, flagging only Aboriginal status. The other three data sources are nationally administered, with all asking individuals to select, out of 11 categories, self-identified racial or ethnic groups.

Historically, Canada’s changing policies on multiculturalism and immigration have influenced the collection of ethnic data to become more inclusive and granular. Important periods include early attempts at nation-building during the late 19th century, social changes post-WWII and the introduction of multiculturalism into federal policy, and present-day efforts in ethnic classifications for research purposes and preserving cultural diversity.

ConclusionsThere is a need for greater granularity in ethnic classifications to reflect the diversity of the Canadian population. Consideration should be made to capture ethnicity as a social, cultural, and historical concept concept, especially in large data sources that influence health decision-making, such as the census. For example, questions on ethnic classification may consider incorporating questions about sense of belonging with the identified ethnic ancestry, rather than relying solely on reported ethnic origin and race.
The causes of serious injuries to crew on UK commercial fishing vessels: An investigation combining free-text and coded data
Authors: Naylor Steven
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveCommercial fishing is one of the riskiest occupations in the UK. While there is a strong evidence base concerning fatalities on commercial fishing vessels and their causes, there is less understanding of the causes of serious non-fatal injuries to crew working on board such vessels. ApproachThis research aimed to extract knowledge from safety incident reports, using traditional statistical in combination with more novel text mining techniques, to generate data-driven insights as to the principal causes of serious injuries to crew working on board UK commercial fishing vessels and how they might be better mitigated. Safety incident data held by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), contained in their incident reporting database, provided the primary source of data for this study. Data relating to 1,660 incidents in total, where a member of crew was seriously injured, were analysed. ResultsStudy findings demonstrated that the risks of serious injuries faced by crew working on board commercial fishing vessels are diverse, ranging from injuries received whilst operating fishing gear and other deck machinery, those received whilst processing bait and the catch and injuries received whilst carrying out general shipboard duties. Furthermore, findings suggest that underlying causes and contributory factors are multi-faceted and vary significantly across different types of fishing vessels and whilst different deck duties are being carried out by crew. ConclusionThe application of text mining techniques in this study to extract knowledge from free-text data contained in the incident reports analysed, proved useful in elucidating on the specific circumstances under which vessel crew were injured.
Does quality of primary care vary across delivery models?
Authors: Katz Alan , Chateau Dan , Taylor Carole , Valdivia Jeff
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectives To determine the relationships between five models of primary care service delivery and quality of care indicators in an urban population. Two fee-for-service (FFS) and three alternative-funded models of primary care service delivery were studiedApproach We allocated all Manitoba residents who had at least three visits to any primary care provider (PCP) at any Winnipeg clinic between 2010-2013 to the most responsible PCP (N = 626,264). We then allocated each PCP to a model of primary care service delivery. We created general linear mixed models to describe the relationship between each model of primary care and the dominant, traditional fee-for-service model for health services use, while controlling for a variety of PCP and patient factors, including patient social complexity.Results Patient social complexity was associated with poorer crude rates for many of the indicators. There were no differences among the models for hospital readmission within 30 days or specialist referral by the assigned PCP. Hospitalizations for ACSC were higher for one alternative funded model (1.98 OR, 1.38-2.83 95% CI), while non-indicated low back X-rays were lower for a different alternative funded model (0.14 OR, 0.03-0.59 95% CI). Ambulatory care visits to any PCP were lower for all three alternative funded models than the two FFS models. The family medicine academic teaching sites had lower rates of continuity of care (p< 0.5)Conclusion Overall, no model of primary care consistently outperformed the others. FFS models had higher rates of visits, but appeared to satisfy patient needs better because they had less use of telehealth services following visits. Teaching sites appeared to sacrifice continuity of care potentially to support other academic activities. Controlling for social complexity was associated with a reduction in the differences between models in indicator outcomes.
Recenzió Geraldine Andrews és Richard Millet: Law of Guarantees c. művéről
Authors: Pálvölgyi Enikő
Published: April 2017

Absztrakt nélkül.
Recensiones
Authors: GAPP Revista
Published: April 2017

Parrado, Salvador. El análisis de la gestión pública. Tirant Lo Blanch, Valencia, 2015 (Miguel Anxo Bastos Boubeta)
Aplicación de la mediación extrajudicial juvenil en la delincuencia adulta
Authors: Llanos Castro Ángel , Marrero Arbelo Rut
Published: April 2017

Este trabajo pretende conocer si es viable aplicar en mayores de dieciocho años técnicas de resolución de conflictos judiciales alternativas a la privación de libertad, que han sido desarrolladas con éxito en menores de edad. Los autores desarrollan un modelo para aplicar esa técnica en delincuentes adultos. La metodología utilizada ha sido el estudio y la comparación de los materiales comúnmente aceptados en las técnicas de investigación social. Los principales resultados son: 1. Es posible aplicar a los adultos infractores las medidas alternativas a la prisión, desarrolladas con éxito en menores-jóvenes con medidas no privativas de libertad. 2. Se puede alcanzar la satisfacción psicológica de la víctima a cargo del infractor, y, además, es factible añadir a este fin marcado por la Ley un segundo objetivo fundamental para entender el proceso de mediación: la solución del conflicto. La conclusión del trabajo es que la aplicación del modelo cognitivo-conductual a los infractores menos graves de edad adulta, facilita un recurso de carácter estable, posibilitador de la reparación, previniendo la reincidencia y comisión de nuevos delitos a través de un proceso educativo de toma de conciencia y asunción de responsabilidades.
As obras visuais e os textos que as acompanham
Authors: Galard Jean
Published: April 2017

Seria útil ou mesmo indispensável propor aos visitantes de museus ou de exposições temporárias um comentário, breve ou desenvolvido, sobre as obras expostas? Fazer isso - o que parece atestar uma boa intenção didática -, seria supérfluo ou até mesmo nocivo? A resposta a essa pergunta varia de acordo com que tipo de obra está em causa. Também  depende da forma como o comentador procede. Que tipo de comentário ele ou ela fornecerá? Informação histórica? Análise formal? Sugestão sobre o significado da obra? Como perceber o que cada obra de arte requer?
Edward Said, Postcolonialism and Palestine's Contested Spaces
Authors: Hamdi Tahrir
Published: April 2017

Postcolonialism, profoundly influenced by the Palestinian scholar Edward Said, has until recently been oddly silent on Palestine, a topic that not only preoccupied Said's thinking and writing, but also inspired his theoretical ideas on imperialism, anti-colonial struggle and the worldliness and affiliations of the text and the critic. This theoretical silence on Palestine was, in fact, preceded by a historical, political, geographical, social and cultural contestation of all forms of Palestinian spaces that include not only dispossessing Palestinians of their land, but also building apartheid walls, destroying hundreds of thousands of olive trees, appropriating/stealing traditional Palestinian dishes and clothes, silencing Palestinian narratives and the Muslim call to prayer. This paper will argue that these contested spaces necessarily become sites of Palestinian cultural production, struggle and sumud.
Violence Against Women and Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Egypt
Authors: El Sherif Sawsan
Published: April 2017

It has been observed by researchers that when women are targeted by domestic violence, it may also affect their children and their families. This chapter suggests that along with clinical and psychological therapy, spiritual therapy must also be used to address the challenge. This chapter states that Islamic jurisprudence offers solution for combating violence against women. It not only offers spiritual guidance and healing, but also sets rules for peaceful environment to prevent violence against women. Islamic jurisprudence also suggests punishment for violators of such rules. The chapter explores this therapeutic jurisprudential approach of Islamic jurisprudence and explores ways and means to combat violence against women in Egyptian context.
Faithful representations of Chevalley groups over quotient rings of non-Archimedean local fields
Authors: Bardestani Mohammad , Karimianpour Camelia , Mallahi-Karai Keivan , Salmasian Hadi
Published: April 2017

Let

F

be a non-Archimedean local field with the ring of integers

\mathcal{O}

and the prime ideal

\mathfrak{p}

and let

G=\mathbf G_{\mathrm {ad}} (\mathcal O/\mathfrak p^n)

be the adjoint Chevalley group. Let

m_{\sf f} (G)

denote the smallest possible dimension of a faithful representation of

G

. Using the Stone–von Neumann theorem, we determine a lower bound for

m_{\sf f} (G)

which is asymptotically the same as the results of Landazuri, Seitz and Zalesskii for split Chevalley groups over

\mathbb F_q

. Our result yields a conceptual explanation of the exponents that appear in the aforementioned results.
Eilenberg swindles and higher large scale homology of products of trees
Authors: Diana Francesca , Nowak Piotr W.
Published: April 2017

We show that uniformly finite homology of products of

n

trees vanishes in all degrees except degree

n

, where it is infinite dimensional. Our method is geometric and applies to several large scale homology theories, including almost equivariant homology and controlled coarse homology. As an application we determine group homology with

\ell_{\infty}

-coefficients of lattices in products of trees. We also show a characterization of amenability in terms of 1-homology and construct aperiodic tilings using higher homology.
Determining the prevailing mean temperature variables for GCC occupants' adaptive thermal comfort
Authors: Yousef Hala
Published: April 2017

Thermal comfort is, by definition, the condition of the mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment, and is assessed by subject evaluation. ASHRAE 55 Standard is a form of subjective evaluation that formalises the impact of the prevailing mean outdoor temperature as a major contributing factor on occupants' ability to adapt to the comfort levels of the maintained indoor temperatures. In a hot climatic region such as the GCC, occupants spend the majority of their time indoors with artificially cooled environments where the prevailing mean temperatures are not necessarily as dictated in the Standard to be the outdoor temperature. ASHRAE 55 evaluates the adaptive thermal comfort expectation of occupants and outlines the acceptable percentage of people who may feel uncomfortable based on the impact of prevailing mean outdoor temperatures. However, in the GCC, the prevailing mean temperatures may be more influenced by the mean indoor temperatures of the buildings where people spend the most significant amount of time, or a proportionate factor of the multiple buildings in which they spend their time. This study determines the prevailing mean temperature variables that influence the GCC occupants' thermal comfort, and how these factors inversely translate to an intolerance of outdoor temperatures driving the occupants further indoors.
Mediation of carbonate minerals formation by aerobic bacterial strains isolated from Dohat Faishakh Sabkha in Qatar
Authors: Al Disi Zulfa A. , Jaoua Samir , Bontognali Tomaso R.R. , Attia Essam S.M. , Al-Kuwari Hamad A.S. , Zouari Nabil
Published: April 2017

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is increasingly released to the environment as a result of the extensive use of various industrial facilities. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report (2015), cumulative emissions of CO2 largely determine global mean surface warming by the late 21st century and beyond”. Different technologies can be applied for capturing and storing CO2 such as sequestration and carbonate mineral storage. Biominerals are of great importance due to their huge impact on the global biogeochemical cycle. Carbonates such as limestone and dolomite are important carbon reservoirs. Calcium carbonate formation and its burial in marine sediments account for approximately 80% of total carbon removal from the Earth's surface by abiotic and biotic precipitation. The biotic precipitation of calcium carbonates, is performed by various organisms, including bacteria, and has been widely reported and discussed in the literature, while, the formation of high-magnesium calcites is extremely challenging, due to the high level of hydration of Mg2+ ions, which promote the formation of Mg-free aragonite, rather than calcite. The dynamic evaporitic systems characteristic of sabkhas are crucial for the precipitation of minerals, and a role for microorganisms in sabkhas in the process of mineralization has been proposed. In this study the Dohat Faishakh Sabkha in Qatar was investigated for evidenc of the role of aerobic bacteria in mediating the formation of high magnesium carbonates and dolomite, two minerals that commonly occur in the sabkha sediments. 29 strains of aerobic microbes isolated from the sabkha and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as belonging to the genera Bacillus, Salinivibrio, Staphylococcus and, primarily, Virgibacillus. All strains examined caused the pH of the artificial growth medium to increase from 7 to 8.5; however, not all were capable of mediating mineral formation. Only Salinivibrio and Virgibacillus spp. isolates mediated the formation of detectable solid phases within the agar plates. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicate that the solid phase produced in the presence of these bacterial strains is MgCa(CO3)2 with a MgCO3 mol% varying from 0% to 40%. The results of these laboratory experiments suggested that, in the Dohat Faishakh Sabkha, aerobic bacteria may contribute in the formation o very high Mg calcite, a mineral that is considered the precursor of ordered dolomite.
دور المكتبات ومراكز المعلومات في الحصول على الاعتماد الأكاديمي: مكتبة كلية الاقتصاد بجامعة السلطان قابوس أنموذجا
Authors: بنت سالم الهنائي أصيلة
Published: April 2017

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف إلى مدى إلتزام مكتبة كلية الإقتصاد والعلوم السياسية بتوفير بيئة تعليمية مناسبة من خلال تطبيق معايير الإعتماد الأكاديمي. باعتماد المنهج التحليلي باستخدام أداة الدراسة المتمثلة في استمارة التقييم والتي شملت خمسة محاور وهي: التخطيط والتقويم، التنظيم،دعم المستفيدين،الموارد والمرافق،الأدلة ومؤشرات الأداء.

وقد أظهرت نتائج الدراسة بأن المكتبة ملتزمة بتطبيق معايير الاعتماد الأكاديمي من أجل توفير بيئة تعليمية مناسبة لمستفيديها من الهيئة الأكاديمية والطلبة. وقد أظهرت النتائج أن المكتبة لم تطبق أحد شروط المعايير والمتمثل في الاعارة المتبادلة بين المكتبات نظرا لقيام المكتبة الرئيسة بتقديم تلك الخدمة.

وبذلك أوصت الدراسة بضرورة تفعيل التعاون بين مختلف مؤسسات المعلومات، وبضرورة زيادة السعة الإستيعابية للمكتبة وذلك من خلال زيادة مساحتها.
Bureaucratic Behavior towards Public Management: The Study of Health Services Free in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia
Authors: Ahmad Jamaluddin , - Erfina
Published: April 2017

Public services in Indonesia in the health sector has not been optimal characterized by complexity of the procedures that experienced, public complaints are still high, and the cost of services is less transparent. The government through bureaucratic reform 2010-2025 Grand Design have established guidelines for the implementation of public services to the world-class public management. The ultimate goal is to improve public services is good and right, improve the quality of policy-making and decision-making, to prevent misuse of authority, and improve resource efficiency. Type of bureaucratic behavior will determine the achievement of bureaucratic reform. Facts and data showing through phenomenology. The data collected with in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation on health services in South Sulawesi indicates that the type of behavior of the bureaucracy in order to realize the reform of the bureaucracy is still in the category of politicians from the four types discussed include the type of employee career, type of politician, professional type, and the type of missionary.
The Connection between the Exchange Rate and the Balance of Payments Accounts in the Czech Republic: An Econometric Approach
Authors: Urbanovský Tomáš
Published: April 2017

Relationships between the nominal exchange rate, the current account and the financial account of the balance of payments in the Czech Republic are investigated in this presented paper. The implemented cointegration analysis and vector error correction model suggest one pair of Granger causality. It has been discovered that change in the current account balance Granger-causes a change in financial account balance. This relationship has the nature of two-way Granger causality, which means that a reversed relationship holds as well. Other relationships implying Granger causality were not found. Error terms were significant only in regressions with both accounts as dependent variables, which imply that only these variables return to their long-term equilibria. Because an increase in financial account surplus leads to a decrease in current account surplus (or deepening the current account deficit), excessive liberalization of the Czech financial system can lead to a large capital inflow, jeopardizes current account sustainability and results in a currency crisis in the Czech economy.
Science, politics, and rationality in a partisan era
Authors: Kirchner James W.
Published: April 2017

Science plays an essential role in public policy by outlining the factual foundations of policy debates. As a result, science often becomes a political football, with partisans dismissing or misrepresenting scientific findings that conflict with their political views. Here I argue that scientists can most effectively speak out, not as activists supporting particular political causes, but instead as advocates for a fundamentally rational public discourse, one that starts from the facts—not from whatever one might choose to believe—and then explores how society should respond to the challenges that they pose.
The Corinthian War, 395–387BC
Authors: Trundle Matthew
Published: April 2017

After the Peloponnesian War, Sparta's domineering attitude soured its relations with its allies, and in 399 bcthe Spartan–Persian alliance collapsed. The Spartans generally demonstrated the superiority of their heavy infantry in pitched battles such as that at Nemea, though in 390 light peltasts under the Athenian Iphicrates defeated a Spartan hoplite unit in a running battle at Lechaeum. Much of the conflict was confined to skirmishing and raids around the isthmus, but the resurgence of the Athenian navy drove Persia to repair relations with Sparta. With its powerful ally as guarantor, Sparta was able to dictate the terms of the so‐called King's Peace in 386. The major combatants achieved little overall, but the war did succeed in emphasizing the importance of different troop types and showed that Greece no longer controlled its own destiny.
The Campaigns of Pyrrhus, 282–272
BC
Authors: Armstrong Jeremy
Published: April 2017

King Pyrrhus of Epirus responded to an appeal for help from Tarentum and other Greek cities in southern Italy, which were worried about the encroachment of Roman power. His army represented a state‐of‐the‐art Macedonian war machine, with powerful cavalry and elephants as well as solid infantry. In initial battles the Romans failed to cope with this new challenge, but they managed to inflict heavy (“Pyrrhic”) casualties even in defeat. When the Romans refused to buckle, Pyrrhus turned to Sicily in search of quicker results, but on his return to Italy the Romans had worked out how to counteract his tactics.
The Fourth‐Century Roman Empire: Persia
Authors: Lee Doug
Published: April 2017

Once Shapur II reached his maturity in the 330 s, war between Rome and Persia flared up after a generation of peace. For 25 years under Constantius II, the Roman adopted a defensive posture, relying on their major fortresses to soak up Persian attacks. To mark his new regime and demonstrate the efficacy of his pagan beliefs, Julian went on the offensive and advanced to the Persian capital at Ctesiphon, but his retreat ended in disaster, with the Romans being forced to surrender frontier territory to extricate their army after Julian's death.
The Eastern Roman Empire: Internal, 450–610
Authors: Lee Doug
Published: April 2017

Although the eastern empire flourished while the western empire was collapsing, partly because it experienced many fewer revolts and usurpations, it did still experience intermittent crises. In the late fifth century Emperor Zeno's reliance on fellow Isaurians caused resentment and also meant that Isaurian internal disputes acquired imperial significance. Under Anastasius, religious differences exacerbated tensions, while Justinian almost lost his throne in 532 when his attempts to control the circus factions backfired. In the early seventh century, the usurper Phocas found his bloody regime challenged from various quarters, until it was ended by Heraclius.
Justinian and Italy, 535–554
Authors: Whitby Michael
Published: April 2017

After the rapid reconquest of Vandal Africa, Justinian's attention turned to Ostrogothic Italy, where he exploited weaknesses in the Amal ruling family. Belisarius’ expedition quickly captured Naples and then Rome, where he had to withstand a long siege by the Ostrogothic king Theodahad. Thereafter dissension between Roman commanders hampered progress, but Belisarius still managed to end the Ostrogothic regime with the surrender of Ravenna. Roman inattention, however, permitted the Ostrogoths under Totila to recover much of the peninsula, with an underresourced Belisarius unable to resist effectively. Eventually a new expedition with larger forces under Narses crushed resistance.
Aldehydes as Carbon Radical Acceptors: Silver Nitrate Catalyzed Cascade Decarboxylation and Oxidative Cyclization toward Dihydroflavonoid Derivatives
Authors: Yang Wen‐Chao , Dai Peng , Luo Kai , Ji Yi‐Gang , Wu Lei
Published: April 2017

Silver nitrate‐catalyzed cascade decarboxylation and oxidative cyclization of α‐oxocarboxylic acids, alkenes, and aldehydes is demonstrated for the first time. With ammonium persulfate as the oxidant, the cascade reactions afford dihydroflavonoid derivatives as products in moderate to good yields, exhibiting a broad substrate tolerance. Control experiments indicated that the mechanism includes a radical pathway with aldehydes as the carbon radical acceptors.

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Polytriazoles based on alkyne terminated polybutadiene with and without urethane segments: Morphology and properties
Authors: Li Hui , Yu Qianqian , Zhao Fengqi , Wang Bozhou , Li Na
Published: April 2017

Alkyne terminated polybutadiene with urethane segments (PUPB), a well‐controlled macromolecule, is synthesized with a two‐step routine and characterized by 1H NMR, IR spectroscopy as well as gel permeation chromatograph. Alkyne terminated polybutadiene without urethane segments (PTPB) is also synthesized and characterized. The two alkyne terminated polybutadiene are cured to generate corresponding polytriazoles. It is found that the mechanical properties of PUPB based polytriazoles are superior to that of PTPB. The fractured surfaces of PTPB based polytriazoles exhibit smooth microstructures whereas PUPB based polytriazoles show the rough microstructures. The atomic force microscopy images reveal well‐established microphase‐separated morphology in polytriazoles with the promotion of urethane segments. Thus, the strong hydrogen bonding interaction existed in urethane has a remarkable effect on the morphology and then the mechanical properties of the as‐prepared polytriazoles. In addition, dioctyl sebacate can serve as an excellent plasticizer to PUPB based polytriazoles, lowering the glass transition temperature (Tg) and improving the ductility. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45178.
Ammonothermal Synthesis of Earth‐Abundant Nitride Semiconductors ZnSiN2 and ZnGeN2 and Dissolution Monitoring by In Situ X‐ray Imaging
Authors: Häusler Jonas , Schimmel Saskia , Wellmann Peter , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: April 2017

In this contribution, first synthesis of semiconducting ZnSiN2 and ZnGeN2 from solution is reported with supercritical ammonia as solvent and KNH2 as ammonobasic mineralizer. The reactions were conducted in custom‐built high‐pressure autoclaves made of nickel‐based superalloy. The nitrides were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction and their crystal structures were refined by the Rietveld method. ZnSiN2 (a=5.24637(4), b=6.28025(5), c=5.02228(4) Å, Z=4, Rwp=0.0556) and isotypic ZnGeN2 (a=5.46677(10), b=6.44640(12), c=5.19080(10) Å, Z=4, Rwp=0.0494) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pna21 (no. 33). The morphology and elemental composition of the nitrides were examined by electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Well‐defined single crystals with a diameter up to 7 μm were grown by ammonothermal synthesis at temperatures between 870 and 1070 K and pressures up to 230 MPa. Optical properties have been analyzed with diffuse reflectance measurements. The band gaps of ZnSiN2 and ZnGeN2 were determined to be 3.7 and 3.2 eV at room temperature, respectively. In situ X‐ray measurements were performed to exemplarily investigate the crystallization mechanism of ZnGeN2. Dissolution in ammonobasic supercritical ammonia between 570 and 670 K was observed which is quite promising for the crystal growth of ternary nitrides under ammonothermal conditions.
Measurements of morphological and biophysical alterations in individual neuron cells associated with early neurotoxic effects in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Yang Su‐A , Yoon Jonghee , Kim Kyoohyun , Park YongKeun
Published: April 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. However, therapeutic methods of PD are still limited due to complex pathophysiology in PD. Here, optical measurements of individual neurons from in vitro PD model using optical diffraction tomography (ODT) are presented. By measuring 3D refractive index distribution of neurons, morphological and biophysical alterations in in‐vitro PD model are quantitatively investigated. It was found that neurons show apoptotic features in early PD progression. The present approach will open up new opportunities for quantitative investigation of the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Ultra‐microporous Metal–Organic Framework Built from Rigid Linkers Showing Structural Flexibility Resulting in a Marked Change in Carbon Dioxide Capacity
Authors: Banerjee Aparna , Chakraborty Debanjan , Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan
Published: April 2017

An ultra‐microporous CoHAtzOx (HAtz = aminotriazole, Ox = oxalate) metal–organic framework with a 3D framework showing guest‐dependent reversible structural transformations was studied. The flexibility was found to arise from buckling of the rigid Co–Ox and Co–HAtz chains, which yields a desolvated structure with a 78 % lower void volume and significantly lower CO2 capacity.
An Efficient Coupling of p‐Quinone Mono‐Imine Ketals and Aryl/Alkyl Thiols: Rapid Synthesis of Biaryl/Aryl–Alkyl Sulfides
Authors: Sharma Arun , Peddinti Rama Krishna
Published: April 2017

We report a fast, efficient, and metal‐free protocol for the synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryl sulfides and aryl–alkyl sulfides (4‐methoxy‐2‐sulfanyl‐phenylcarbamates) under catalytic influence of 2,4‐dinitrobenzoic acid. The reaction proceeded in a regioselective anti‐Michael addition fashion and all the products were obtained within a very short period of time and in good to excellent yields.
Differentiating signals to make biological sense – A guide through databases for MS‐based non‐targeted metabolomics
Authors: Gil de la Fuente Alberto , Grace Armitage Emily , Otero Abraham , Barbas Coral , Godzien Joanna
Published: April 2017

Metabolite identification is one of the most challenging steps in metabolomics studies and reflects one of the greatest bottlenecks in the entire workflow. The success of this step determines the success of the entire research, therefore the quality at which annotations are given requires special attention. A variety of tools and resources are available to aid metabolite identification or annotation, offering different and often complementary functionalities. In preparation for this article, almost 50 databases were reviewed, from which 17 were selected for discussion, chosen for their online ESI‐MS functionality. The general characteristics and functions of each database is discussed in turn, considering the advantages and limitations of each along with recommendations for optimal use of each tool, as derived from experiences encountered at the Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO) in Madrid. These databases were evaluated considering their utility in non‐targeted metabolomics, including aspects such as identifier assignment, structural assignment and interpretation of results.