bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Virginia's Primary Forest Products Manufacturers regarding Forest Certification
Authors: Bond Brian , Lyon Scott , Munsell John , Barrett Scott , Gagnon Jennifer
Published: December 2014

Some forest products companies have enrolled in forest certification and chain-of-custody certification programs due to a perceived increase in demand for certified products. The results of studies on certification conflict in regard to whether certification provides a competitive advantage and enhances market access. There is a lack of information regarding forest industry perceptions of forest certification, including potential barriers and challenges. To address these shortcomings, a survey was mailed to forest products manufacturers in Virginia to study their opinions about forest certification. The majority of respondents believed there were few benefits to certification programs; in particular, a majority perceived limited to no benefit with regard to market share, exports, future demand, and gaining a competitive edge. A similar number also reported that they associate little to no environmental benefits or improvements to company image associated with certification. The top barriers to certification identified by forest products manufacturers were that certification systems do not add value to their products and there is a lack of certified raw material.

The top challenges that certification faces in regard to acceptance by manufacturers included limited to no perceived financial benefit and lack of market demand. The barriers and challenges identified will likely have to be overcome to increase the number of firms enrolling in certification programs.
State-Corporate Crime and Major Financial Institutions: Interrogating an Absence
Authors: Friedrichs David O. , Rothe Dawn L.
Published: December 2014

The concept of state-corporate crime has been invoked and applied quite widely for more than 20 years now. We acknowledge the value of this concept but here address some of its conceptual limitations, especially in relation to crimes of large-scale investment and commercial banks, government-sponsored enterprises and international financial institutions. If the concept of state-corporate crime calls attention to the character and consequences of significant forms of crimes of the powerful, it tends to exclude attention to other forms of such crime. This article also addresses Steve Tombs' critique of state-corporate crime as it applies to what are here characterized as crimes of globalization. It considers the conundrum involved in a tension between achieving theoretical sophistication and in promoting effective responses to crimes of the powerful. It is a core premise of the analysis set forth here that in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalized twenty-first-century world, the forms of crime addressed here will necessarily attract more attention, especially relative to the traditional focus on conventional crime. A criminology that aspires to remain relevant in this environment must transform its understanding of crime.
R. Fisher (ED.),
Managing Democracy, Managing Dissent
Authors: Sedgwick Charles
Published: December 2014

None
DNA/RNA Preparation for Molecular Detection
Authors: Thatcher Stephanie A
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Effective upstream preparation of nucleic acid (NA) is important for molecular techniques that detect unique DNA or RNA sequences. The isolated NA should be extracted efficiently and purified away from inhibitors of a downstream molecular assay.

CONTENT

Many NA sample preparation techniques and commercial kits are available. Techniques for cell lysis and isolation or purification of NA were discovered in early NA characterization studies, evolved in the 20th century with molecular techniques, and still serve as the foundation for current methods. Advances in solid phase extraction methods with nonhazardous chemicals and automated systems have changed the way NA is prepared. Factors to consider when selecting NA preparation methods for molecular detection include lysis (from sources as diverse as human cells, viruses, bacterial spores, or protozoan oocysts), DNA vs RNA, sample background, appropriate preparation chemicals, and required detection limits. Methods are also selected on the basis of requirements for a particular application, such as sample volume or removal of inhibitors. Sometimes tradeoffs are made.

Good automated and manual methods are available to effectively prepare NA for molecular detection in under an hour. Numerous systems are available for various applications, including techniques that are flexible for multiple sample types, are capable of processing large batches, can be performed in <10 min, or that can yield high-purity NA. When methods are selected using the most applicable combination of lysis isolation efficiency and concentration, NA preparation can be very effective, even for molecular detection of multiple targets from the same sample.
Erweiterung eines modellbasierten Regelungskonzepts für Biomassefeuerungsanlagen
Authors: Seeber Richard , Gölles Markus , Brunner Thomas , Dourdoumas Nicolaos , Obernberger Ingwald
Published: December 2014

Dieser Beitrag stellt die Weiterentwicklung eines erprobten,
modellbasierten Regelungskonzepts für eine Biomassefeuerungsanlage dar.
Das zur Zustandsschätzung eingesetzte Erweiterte Kalman-Filter wird um
Formfilter und Sensormodelle ergänzt, um unter anderem die Auswirkungen
von Schwankungen des Brennstoffabbaus zu berücksichtigen. Das verwendete
Regelgesetz zur exakten Linearisierung wird dahingehend
modifiziert, dass vom Kalman-Filter geschätzte Störgrößen verwendet
werden. Abschließend werden die Modifikationen im Rahmen von Versuchen
an einer realen Anlage verifiziert.
Entkopplungsbasierte Synchronisierung heterogener linearer Multi-Agenten-Systeme
Authors: Khodaverdian Saman , Adamy Jürgen
Published: December 2014

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit der Synchronisierung heterogener linearer Systeme. Es wird eine dezentrale
Regelungsstrategie vorgestellt, mit deren Hilfe die Ausgangsdynamik der nicht identischen Systeme homogenisiert
und gezielt vorgegeben wird.
Anschließend lassen sich bekannte Resultate für die Synchronisierung homogener Systeme anwenden. Hierauf aufbauend
wird noch eine Erweiterung präsentiert, die die exakte Vorgabe einer Wunschtrajektorie als Synchronisierungstrajektorie erlaubt.
Additive manufacturing of cell-loaded alginate enriched with alkaline phosphatase for bone tissue engineering application
Authors: Detsch Rainer , Sarker Bapi , Zehnder Tobias , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Douglas Timothy E.L.
Published: December 2014

Hydrogels are gaining interest as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration due to ease of incorporation of cells and biological molecules such as enzymes. Mineralization of hydrogels, desirable for bone tissue regeneration applications, may be achieved enzymatically by incorporation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Additive manufacturing techniques such as bioplotting enable the layer-by-layer creation of three-dimensional hydrogel scaffolds with highly defined geometry and internal architecture. In this study, we present a novel method to produce macroporous hydrogel scaffolds in combination with cell-loaded capsule-containing struts by 3D bioplotting. This approach enables loading of the capsules and strut phases with different cells and/or bioactive substances and hence makes compartmentalization within a scaffold possible. 3D porous alginate scaffolds enriched with ALP and MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were produced by bioplotting struts of alginate which were loaded with pre-fabricated alginate capsules. Two combinations were compared, namely ALP in the struts and cells in the capsules and vice-versa. Both combinations were cytocompatible for cells and mineralization of scaffolds could be detected in both cases, according to an OsteoImage staining. ALP had no adverse effect on cytocompatibility and enhanced mitochondrial activity.
Sex-selective Abortion Bans are Not Associated with Changes in Sex Ratios at Birth among Asian Populations in Illinois and Pennsylvania
Authors: Nandi Arindam , Kalantry Sital , Citro Brian
Published: December 2014

Legal prohibitions on sex-selective abortions are proliferating in the United States. Eight state legislatures have banned abortions sought on the basis of the sex of the fetus, 21 states have considered such laws since 2009, and a similar bill is pending in U.S. Congress. These laws have been introduced and enacted without any empirical data about their impact or effectiveness. Prior studies of U.S. Census data found sex ratios among foreign-born Chinese, Korean and Indian immigrants were skewed in favor of boys, but only in families where there were already one or two girls. Using the variation in the timing of bans in Illinois and Pennsylvania as natural experiments, we compare the pre-ban and post-ban sex ratios of certain Asian newborn children in these states over 12-year periods. We then compare these ratios with the sex ratios of Asian newborn children in neighboring states during the same period. We find that the bans in Illinois and Pennsylvania are not associated with any changes in sex ratios at birth among Asians. In Illinois and its neighboring states, the sex ratio at birth of Asian children was not male-biased during our study period. On the other hand, the sex ratio at birth among Asians in Pennsylvania and its neighboring states was skewed slightly in favor of boys, but the enactment of the ban did not normalize the sex ratio. This strongly suggests that sex-selective abortion bans have had no impact on the practice of sex selection, to the extent that it occurs, in these states. This finding is highly relevant to legislative and policy debates in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures where sex-selective abortion laws are being considered.
Product Compliance Management und Wissensmanagement – Anforderungen und Lösungsansätze
Authors: Loerzer Michael , Loerzer Maren
Published: December 2014

Um Produkte wie beispielsweise elektrische Haushaltsgeräte, Medizinprodukte, Spielzeug, Maschinen oder Produkte aus der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik auf den jeweiligen Märkten bereitstellen zu dürfen, muss der Hersteller oder der Einführer des Produktes die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen sowie die anerkannten Regeln der Technik kennen und diese während der geplanten Produktlebensdauer fortlaufend erfüllen. Unabdingbare Voraussetzung für diese Anfor­derung sind Informationen zu den lokal geltenden Marktzulassungsanforderungen für die jeweils betrachtete Produktkategorie. Nur wer über diese Informationen in den einzelnen Phasen des Entstehungsprozesses eines Produkts verfügt, reduziert mögliche Risiken, die sich beim Bereitstellen nicht-konformer Produkte auf den Märkten ergeben können. Dazu zählen u. a. Haftungsrisiken für das Management oder entstehende Aufwendungen für den Rückruf eines Produktes, Imageverlust oder Umsatzeinbußen, die durch behördlich angeordnete Vertriebsverbote entstehen können. Insofern stehen Informationen und daraus abzuleitendes Wissen einerseits und Product Compliance Management andererseits in einem engen Zusammenhang. Der Beitrag führt in das Thema Product Compliance Management ein und zeigt anhand von Fallbeispielen Lösungsmöglichkeiten für diese spezifische Art von Informationen und Wissen auf.
Planning and Executing Scenario Based Simulation Exercises: Methodological Lessons
Authors: Van Niekerk Dewald , Coetzee Christo , Botha Doret , Murphree Michael John , Fourie Kristel , Le Roux Tanya , Wentink Gideon , Kruger Leandri , Shoroma Lesego , Genade Kylah , Meyer Suna , Annandale E.
Published: December 2014

The South African disaster management legislation advocates the importance of implementing pro-active disaster risk reduction strategies that will ensure a safe and sustainable society. One key strategic activity identified is the use of simulation exercises to improve overall societal readiness and inter-agency coordination in case of major incidents or disasters. However, very little is currently understood or planned especially at South African local government level, on what simulation exercises entail and the methodology behind their implementation. This paper aims at conveying some crucial methodological inputs that disaster risk managers or emergency response agencies should consider when planning, designing and implementing simulation exercises by analysing a hazardous chemical spillage simulation in the Tlokwe Local Municipality, North-West Province, South Africa. The research found that in the South African context attention needs to be paid to methodological issues such as scenario development, role-player selection, fidelity during simulation delivery, data collection and participant (de)briefing.
Gastroschisis: incidence and prediction of growth restriction
Authors: Mirza Fadi G. , Bauer Samuel T. , Van der Veer Anne , Simpson Lynn L.
Published: December 2014

Fetuses with gastroschisis are at increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). However, there is a tendency for underestimation of fetal abdominal circumference and hence fetal weight, leading to overdiagnosis of IUGR. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound for the prediction of being small for gestational age (SGA) at birth in these cases.

A retrospective study of prenatally diagnosed cases of gastroschisis was conducted at a tertiary center. Fetal weight was estimated using the formula of Hadlock. IUGR was defined as an estimated fetal weight ≤10th percentile for gestational age. SGA at the time of birth was defined as a birth weight ≤10th percentile for gestational age. The incidence of IUGR on last ultrasound and that of SGA at birth were calculated, and the precision of ultrasound in predicting SGA was determined.

IUGR was reported on the last ultrasound prior to delivery in 9/25 cases (36%). Postnatally, 13/25 newborns (52%) were SGA. All sonographically suspected cases of IUGR based on the last ultrasound were SGA at birth. The positive predictive value of the last ultrasound in identifying SGA was 100%.

At least half of the infants affected by gastroschisis were SGA at birth. Sonographic estimation of fetal weight within 1 month of birth reliably predicted SGA in infants with gastroschisis.
Dignity, Descent, and the Rights to Family Life
Authors: Barshack Lior
Published: December 2014

The Article brings together anthropological and legal approaches to the concept of descent. Since Henry Maine, legal theorists have been interested in descent as a link between the generations that assembles the generations into a corporate body, a single collective personality. The Article proposes a view of intergenerational corporate continuity and defends an interpretation of the rights to family life – the rights to marriage and parenthood – as constitutional safeguards of the institution of descent. It argues that descent is the foundation of human dignity, and that the rights to family life should therefore be considered key constituents of human dignity. This notion of dignity is pre-modern but, as a number of authors have argued, our idea of dignity remains partly continuous with pre-modern notions. Our ideas about human dignity conflate in fact two diametrically opposed bases of dignity: the distinctly human capacity for intergenerational continuity and the contrary capacity to break free of the past. The rights to parenthood and marriage are rooted primarily in the notion of dignity-as-descent and not, as several authors have argued, in the inherent value of the intimacy that exists between family members. The Article comments briefly on the current round in the perennial debate on the foundation of kinship between the respective advocates of culture and biology.
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and crystal structures of diorganotin (IV) complexes of 2-N-propyl and 2-N-benzyl-amino-1-cyclopentene-1-carbodithioates
Authors: López-Cardoso Marcela , Rodríguez-Narváez Cristina , Vargas-Pineda Gabriela , Román-Bravo Perla Patricia , Ariza-Roldán Alan , García Patricia García y , Cea-Olivares Raymundo
Published: December 2014

Six new diorganotin (IV) complexes, [Ph
Die Aufzeichnung des Nicht-Sagbaren. Annäherung an die kommunikative Funktion der Bilder in den Fechtbüchern des Hans Talhofer
Authors: Burkart Eric
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the communication strategies of medieval fightbooks and the purpose of integrated depictions of their authors and addressees. The point of departure is a series of three articles written by Jan-Dirk Müller between 1992 and 1994, in which he analyses the relationship between mnemonic verses, glosses and didactic images in the tradition of the fencing master Johannes Liechtenauer. On the basis of a case study on the five surviving 15th century manuscripts ascribed to Hans Talhofer, who also stands in the tradition of Liechtenauer, the description of his personal martial art by the use of didactic images is examined.
Aristotle and the Cosmic Game of Dice
Authors: Rapp Christof
Published: December 2014

In

The paper works out the whole comparison to which the mentioning of the game of dice belongs. It offers a reading of the corresponding passages that avoids the perplexing consequence that certain celestial bodies move just like dice.
Loss of TLR3 aggravates CHIKV replication and pathology due to an altered virus‐specific neutralizing antibody response
Authors: Her Zhisheng , Teng Terk‐Shin , Tan Jeslin JL , Teo Teck‐Hui , Kam Yiu‐Wing , Lum Fok‐Moon , Lee Wendy WL , Gabriel Christelle , Melchiotti Rossella , Andiappan Anand K , Lulla Valeria , Lulla Aleksei , Win Mar K , Chow Angela , Biswas Subhra K , Leo Yee‐Sin , Lecuit Marc , Merits Andres , Rénia Laurent , Ng Lisa FP
Published: December 2014

RNA‐sensing toll‐like receptors (TLRs) mediate innate immunity and regulate anti‐viral response. We show here that TLR3 regulates host immunity and the loss of TLR3 aggravates pathology in Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. Susceptibility to CHIKV infection is markedly increased in human and mouse fibroblasts with defective TLR3 signaling. Up to 100‐fold increase in CHIKV load was observed in Tlr3−/− mice, alongside increased virus dissemination and pro‐inflammatory myeloid cells infiltration. Infection in bone marrow chimeric mice showed that TLR3‐expressing hematopoietic cells are required for effective CHIKV clearance. CHIKV‐specific antibodies from Tlr3−/− mice exhibited significantly lower in vitro neutralization capacity, due to altered virus‐neutralizing epitope specificity. Finally, SNP genotyping analysis of CHIKF patients on TLR3 identified SNP rs6552950 to be associated with disease severity and CHIKV‐specific neutralizing antibody response. These results demonstrate a key role for TLR3‐mediated antibody response to CHIKV infection, virus replication and pathology, providing a basis for future development of immunotherapeutics in vaccine development.
Shift of the TSH reference range with improved iodine supply in Northeast Germany
Authors: Ittermann Till , Khattak Rehman M , Nauck Matthias , Cordova Caio M M , Völzke Henry
Published: December 2014

Objective

Germany was iodine deficient until the mid-1990s when a nationwide iodine fortification program became effective. It is expected that after a longer period of sufficient iodine supply, median TSH values in the general population will shift to the right. Hence, the previous TSH reference range does not reflect the current TSH distribution in the general population of Germany. Thus, we aimed to establish a new reference range for serum TSH levels.

Design and methods

We used data from the Study of Health in Pomerania TREND, a population-based study including 4420 individuals. The reference population consisted of 1596 individuals without diagnosed thyroid diseases or thyroid-related findings in ultrasound and serum analysis. Serum TSH levels were measured by an immunochemiluminescent procedure on a Siemens Dimension Vista.

Results

The overall reference range for TSH was 0.49 mIU/l (95% CI=0.44; 0.53)–3.29 mIU/l (95% CI=3.08; 3.50). The lower reference limit differed significantly by sex, whereas the upper reference limit showed no significant difference between males and females. Age was significantly associated with the 2.5th TSH percentile in males but not in females, whereas age was significantly associated in males and females for the 97.5th TSH percentile.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a shift toward the right of the TSH reference range in comparison with data from the same study region 10 years earlier, which is likely due to the improved iodine supply of the study region. Our study indicates that TSH reference limits are dependent on past and current iodine supply of populations.
Identical Substitutions in Magnesium Chelatase Paralogs Result in Chlorophyll-Deficient Soybean Mutants
Authors: Campbell Benjamin W , Mani Dhananjay , Curtin Shaun J , Slattery Rebecca A , Michno Jean-Michel , Ort Donald R , Schaus Philip J , Palmer Reid G , Orf James H , Stupar Robert M
Published: December 2014

The soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] chlorophyll-deficient line MinnGold is a spontaneous mutant characterized by yellow foliage. Map-based cloning and transgenic complementation revealed that the mutant phenotype is caused by a nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution in the third exon of a Mg-chelatase subunit gene (ChlI1a) on chromosome 13. This gene was selected as a candidate for a different yellow foliage mutant, T219H (Y11y11), that had been previously mapped to chromosome 13. Although the phenotypes of MinnGold and T219H are clearly distinct, sequencing of ChlI1a in T219H identified a different nonsynonymous mutation in the third exon, only six base pairs from the MinnGold mutation. This information, along with previously published allelic tests, were used to identify and clone a third yellow foliage mutation, CD-5, which was previously mapped to chromosome 15. This mutation was identified in the ChlI1b gene, a paralog of ChlI1a. Sequencing of the ChlI1b allele in CD-5 identified a nonsynonymous substitution in the third exon that confers an identical amino acid change as the T219H substitution at ChlI1a. Protein sequence alignments of the two Mg-chelatase subunits indicated that the sites of amino acid modification in MinnGold, T219H, and CD-5 are highly conserved among photosynthetic species. These results suggest that amino acid alterations in this critical domain may create competitive inhibitory interactions between the mutant and wild-type ChlI1a and ChlI1b proteins.
Cesarean Section and Chronic Immune Disorders
Authors: Sevelsted Astrid , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Bisgaard Hans
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVES:

Immune diseases such as asthma, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes have shown a parallel increase in prevalence during recent decades in westernized countries. The rate of cesarean delivery has also increased in this period and has been associated with the development of some of these diseases.

METHODS:

Mature children born by cesarean delivery were analyzed for risk of hospital contact for chronic immune diseases recorded in the Danish national registries in the 35-year period 1977–2012. Two million term children participated in the primary analysis. We studied childhood diseases with a suspected relation to a deviant immune-maturation and a debut at young age. The effect of cesarean delivery on childhood disease incidences were estimated by means of confounder-adjusted incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals obtained in Poisson regression analyses.

RESULTS:

Children delivered by cesarean delivery had significantly increased risk of asthma, systemic connective tissue disorders, juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune deficiencies, and leukemia. No associations were found between cesarean delivery and type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, or celiac disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cesarean delivery exemplifies a shared environmental risk factor in early life associating with several chronic immune diseases. Understanding commonalities in the underlying mechanisms behind chronic diseases may give novel insight into their origin and allow prevention.
An Approach to Renal Masses in Pediatrics
Authors: Malkan Alpin D. , Loh Amos , Bahrami Armita , Navid Fariba , Coleman Jamie , Green Daniel M. , Davidoff Andrew M. , Sandoval John A.
Published: December 2014

Renal masses in children may be discovered during routine clinical examination or incidentally during the course of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures for other causes. Renal cancers are rare in the pediatric population and include a spectrum of pathologies that may challenge the clinician in choosing the optimal treatment. Correct identification of the lesion may be difficult, and the appropriate surgical procedure is paramount for lesions suspected to be malignant. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview regarding the spectrum of renal tumors in the pediatric population, both benign and malignant, and their surgical management.
Coparenting Breastfeeding Support and Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Abbass-Dick Jennifer , Stern Susan B. , Nelson LaRon E. , Watson William , Dennis Cindy-Lee
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a coparenting intervention on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous mothers and fathers.

METHODS:

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large teaching hospital in Toronto, Canada. Couples were randomized to receive either usual care (n = 107) or a coparenting breastfeeding support intervention (n = 107). Follow-up of exclusive breastfeeding and diverse secondary outcomes was conducted at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS:

Significantly more mothers in the intervention group than in the control group continued to breastfeed at 12 weeks postpartum (96.2% vs 87.6%, P = .02). Although proportionately more mothers in the intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding at 6 and 12 weeks, these differences were not significant. Fathers in the intervention group had a significantly greater increase in breastfeeding self-efficacy scores from baseline to 6 weeks postpartum compared with fathers in the control group (P = .03). In addition, significantly more mothers in the intervention group than in the control group reported that their partners provided them with breastfeeding help in the first 6 weeks (71% vs 52%, P = .02) and that they were satisfied with their partners’ involvement with breastfeeding (89% vs 78.1%, P = .04). Mothers in the intervention group were also more satisfied with the breastfeeding information they received (81% vs 62.5%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The significant improvements in breastfeeding duration, paternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and maternal perceptions of paternal involvement and assistance with breastfeeding suggest that a coparenting intervention involving fathers warrants additional investigation.
Construction and analysis of localized responses for gradient damage models in a 1D setting
Authors: Pham K. , Marigo J. J.
Published: December 2014

We propose a method of construction of non homogeneous solutions to the problem of traction of a bar made of an elastic-damaging material whose softening behavior is regularized by a gradient damage model. We show that, for sufficiently long bars, localization arises on sets whose length is proportional to the material internal length and with a profile which is also characteristic of the material. We point out the very sensitivity of the responses to the parameters of the damage law. All these theoretical considerations are illustrated by numerical examples.
Modele wskaźnikowe rynku kapitałowego wykorzystujące funkcję regresji wektorów losowych
Authors: Tatar Jan
Published: December 2014

One of the more important categories of the capital market, indicatory models show the linear dependence of rate from specific (individual) assets on a selected set of factors. These factors are usually the profitability of appropriately constructed portfolios; these can include, for example, specific stock indexes. The coefficients of the sensitivity of the rates on the changes of specific factors are essential for the indicatory models. In financial theory and practice those coefficients are known as beta coefficients and one method of determining them is regression analysis. In the previous works the author showed that construction of the regression function of two random vectors - not necessarily of the same dimensions - is possible. That result - in this paper - is a convenient starting point to generalising the indicatory model form for cases where the vector of selected repayment rates is a function of other vector factors (e.g. the repayment rate vector of other assets). The beta coefficient obtained in this way, for obvious reasons, will have a matrix form.
Aproksymacja modelu regresji logistycznej Firtha za pomocą ważenia obserwacji
Authors: Fijorek Kamil
Published: December 2014

Firth's approach to a logistic regression is presented from the perspective of weighted data points. Hidden Logistic Model is reformulated accordingly and two approximations of Firth's procedure are introduced. A simulation study was conducted to investigate and compare the quality of the approximations.
Prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units in Brazil
Authors: Ramos Luiz Roberto , Malta Deborah Carvalho , Gomes Grace Angélica de Oliveira , Bracco Mário M , Florindo Alex Antonio , Mielke Gregore Iven , Parra Diana C , Lobelo Felipe , Simoes Eduardo J , Hallal Pedro Curi
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE Assessment of prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units within Brazil’s health system. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on telephone interviews with managers of primary care units. Of a total 42,486 primary health care units listed in the Brazilian Unified Health System directory, 1,600 were randomly selected. Care units from all five Brazilian macroregions were selected proportionally to the number of units in each region. We examined whether any of the following five different types of health promotion programs was available: physical activity; smoking cessation; cessation of alcohol and illicit drug use; healthy eating; and healthy environment. Information was collected on the kinds of activities offered and the status of implementation of the Family Health Strategy at the units. RESULTS Most units (62.0%) reported having in place three health promotion programs or more and only 3.0% reported having none. Healthy environment (77.0%) and healthy eating (72.0%) programs were the most widely available; smoking and alcohol use cessation were reported in 54.0% and 42.0% of the units. Physical activity programs were offered in less than 40.0% of the units and their availability varied greatly nationwide, from 51.0% in the Southeast to as low as 21.0% in the North. The Family Health Strategy was implemented in most units (61.0%); however, they did not offer more health promotion programs than others did. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that most primary care units have in place health promotion programs. Public policies are needed to strengthen primary care services and improve training of health providers to meet the goals of the agenda for health promotion in Brazil.
Anm: a geometrical model for the composite structure of mortar and concrete using real-shape particles
Authors: Qian Z. , Garboczi E. J. , Ye G. , Schlangen E.
Published: December 2014

The composite geometrical structure of mortar composites can be represented by a model consisting of sand embedded in a cement paste matrix and the structure of concrete by gravel embedded in a mortar matrix. Traditionally, spheres have often been used to represent aggregates (sand and gravel), although the accuracy of properties computed for structures using spherical aggregates as inclusions can be limited when the property contrast between aggregate and matrix is large. In this paper, a new geometrical model is described, which can simulate the composite structures of mortar and concrete with real-shape aggregates. The aggregate shapes are either directly or statistically taken from real particles, using a spherical harmonic expansion, where a set of spherical harmonic coefficients,anm, is used to describe the irregular shape. The model name of Anm is taken from this choice of notation. The take-and-place parking method is employed to put multiple irregular particles together within a pre-determined empty container, which becomes a representative volume element. This representative volume element can then be used as input into some kind of computational material model, which uses other numerical techniques such as finite elements to compute properties of the Anm composite structure.
Performance of anaerobic sequencing batch reactor in the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater containing erythromycin and sulfamethoxazole mixture
Authors: Aydin S. , Ince B. , Cetecioglu Z. , Ozbayram E. G. , Shahi A. , Okay O. , Arikan O. , Ince O.
Published: December 2014

This study evaluates the joint effects of erythromycin–sulfamethoxazole (ES) combinations on anaerobic treatment efficiency and the potential for antibiotic degradation during anaerobic sequencing batch reactor operation. The experiments involved two identical anaerobic sequencing batch reactors. One reactor, as control unit, was fed with synthetic wastewater while the other reactor (ES) was fed with a synthetic substrate mixture including ES antibiotic combinations. The influence of ES antibiotic mixtures on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, volatile fatty acid production, antibiotic degradation, biogas production, and composition were investigated. The influent antibiotic concentration was gradually increased over 10 stages, until the metabolic collapse of the reactors, which occurred at 360 days for the ES reactor. The results suggest that substrate/COD utilization and biogas/methane generation affect performance of the anaerobic reactors at higher concentration. In addition, an average of 40% erythromycin and 37% sulfamethoxazole reduction was achieved in the ES reactor. These results indicated that these antibiotics were partly biodegradable in the anaerobic reactor system.
Bimodal Inverted Bell Grade Distribution: Implications for Instruction and Student Retention
Authors: Gensheimer Leah K. , Diebold Charles T.
Published: December 2014

College student attrition rates remain constant despite institution level efforts. This retrospective archival study examined how individual instructors at the course level might impact academic success and retention by acting on a real time at risk warning system. Five semesters of scores on the first exam in an undergraduate psychology course revealed a bimodal inverted bell grade distribution in which the majority of students, and nearly equal proportion, performed high (earned A or B) or low (earned D or F). Study 1 ( N = 310) distinguished early high performers from low performers by examining academic major, academic level, early attendance, and early quiz performance. Study 2 ( N = 158) distinguished those early low performers who ultimately succeeded in the course from those who did not by also examining optional opportunities for success built into the syllabus. Findings informed five specific recommendations within the control of the instructor.
The Path to Graduation: Factors Predicting On-Time Graduation Rates
Authors: Letkiewicz Jodi , Lim Hanna , Heckman Stuart , Bartholomae Suzanne , Fox Jonathan J. , Montalto Catherine P.
Published: December 2014

This study uses an integrative persistence model to examine college students' expected time-to-degree as a function of sociological and economic factors. The data used in this study are from the 2010 Ohio Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS), a web-based survey of undergraduate college students. Of the students surveyed, 25% indicated that they plan to take longer than 4 years to complete their undergraduate degree. Findings from the study indicate college environment and personal financial characteristics are important factors in determining time-to-degree. Students who overspend, have a car loan, credit cards, or high debt, and those who feel stress from their finances are more likely to take longer than 4 years. Students are more likely to finish in 4 years or less if they live or work on campus, have a high GPA, or have met with a financial counselor or advisor. Implications for higher education administrators and parents are discussed.
College Persistence over Time and Participation in a First-Year Seminar
Authors: Miller John W. , Lesik Sally S.
Published: December 2014

Retention and graduation rates of an entire cohort of 1,913 first-time full-time college students are analyzed. The effects of participation in a first year experience (FYE) course and of entry level academic preparation (ELAP) on retention and graduation are examined, both descriptively and with discrete-time survival analyses. Although descriptive results support the efficacy of the FYE, survival analyses calls into question whether any unique variability beyond ELAP is attributable to FYE. Alternative hypotheses to explain the results and plans of new research for further exploration are presented.
Slip effects on flow, heat, and mass transfer of nanofluid over stretching horizontal cylinder in the prescence of suction/injection
Authors: Elbashbeshy Elsayed , Emam T.G. , El-Azab M.S. , Abdelgaber K.M.
Published: December 2014

Two slip effects, Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis, on flow, heat, and
mass transfer of an incompressible viscous nanofluid over a stretching
horizontal cylinder in the presence of suction/injection are discussed
numerically. The governing boundary layer equations are reduced to a system
of ordinary differential equations. Mathematica has been used to solve such
system after obtaining the missed initial conditions. Comparison of obtained
numerical results is made with previously published results in some special
cases and found to be in a good agreement.
Subclinical hypothyroidism in children and adolescents after hematopoietic stem cells transplantation without irradiation
Authors: Milenkovic Tatjana , Vujic Dragana , Vukovic Rade , Zecevic Zeljko , Soldatovic Ivan , Mitrovic Katarina , Todorovic Sladjana , Zdravkovic Dragan
Published: December 2014

Background/Aim. Although total body irradiation (TBI) was considered to be
the primary cause of thyroid dysfunction following hematopoietic stem cells
transplantation (HSCT), a significant prevalence of subclinical
hypothyroidism after HSCT with chemotherapy-only conditioning regimens has
been observed in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess changes
in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in children after HSCT, without
the use of irradiation at any time in the course of the treatment. Methods.
Our cohort consisted of 41 children and adolescents who underwent autologous
or allogeneic HSCT and were available for follow-up for at least one year
after transplantation. Irradiation was not performed in any of the subjects,
neither during pretransplatation therapy, nor during conditioning. The median
duration of follow-up was 2.9 years. The indications for HSCT were
hematologic malignancy (41.5%), solid malignant tumor (34.1%), and other
disorders (24.4%). The thyroid status of all the subjects was assessed prior
to HSCT and after follow-up period. Results. Thyroid dysfunction after HSCT
was present in 27 (65.8%) subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most
common abnormality, presenting in 23 (56.1%) patients, primary hypothyroidism
was present in one (2.4%) patient, while 3 (7.3%) subjects had low free T4
with normal TSH values. Significantly (p < 0.01) higher elevations in TSH
levels were present in the patients who received chemotherapy for the
underlying disease prior to HSCT. Conclusion. Our findings emphasize the need
for long-term monitoring of thyroid function following HSCT, regardless of
whether or not irradiation was used.
Comparison of peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area in Golden Retriever puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis in adult dogs
Authors: Javard Romain , Bélanger Marie-Claude , Côté Etienne , Beauchamp Guy , Pibarot Philippe
Published: December 2014

Objective—To evaluate the usefulness of Doppler-derived peak flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT Vmax) and effective orifice area indexed to body surface area (EOAi) in puppies to predict development of subaortic stenosis (SAS) in the same dogs as adults.

Design—Prospective, longitudinal, observational study.

Animals—38 Golden Retrievers.

Procedures—Cardiac auscultation and echocardiography were performed on 2- to 6-month-old puppies, then repeated at 12 to 18 months. Subaortic stenosis was diagnosed when LVOT Vmax was ≥ 2.3 m/s in adult dogs with left basilar systolic murmurs.

Results—All puppies with EOAi < 1.46 cm2/m2 had SAS as adults. All adults with EOAi < 1.29 cm2/m2 had SAS. An LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s in puppyhood was 63% sensitive and 100% specific for SAS in adulthood. In puppies, LVOT Vmax was more strongly associated with a future diagnosis of SAS (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89) than was EOAi (AUC, 0.80). In puppies, the combination of LVOT Vmax and EOAi yielded slightly higher sensitivity (69%) and specificity (100%) for adult SAS than did LVOT Vmax alone. In unaffected and affected dogs, LVOT Vmax increased significantly from puppyhood to adulthood but EOAi did not.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In Golden Retriever puppies, LVOT Vmax > 2.3 m/s and EOAi < 1.46 cm2/m2 were both associated with a diagnosis of SAS at adulthood. The combination of these 2 criteria may result in higher sensitivity for SAS screening. Unlike LVOT Vmax, EOAi did not change during growth in either unaffected Golden Retrievers or those with SAS.
Effect of Intrinsic Motivation on Affective Responses during and after Exercise: Latent Curve Model Analysis
Authors: Shin Myoungjin , Kim Inwoo , Kwon Sungho
Published: December 2014

Understanding the relationship between affect and exercise is helpful in predicting human behavior with respect to exercise participation. The goals of the present study were to investigate individual differences in affective response during and after exercise and to identify the role of intrinsic motivation in affective changes. 30 active male college students ( M age = 21.4yr.) who regularly participated in sports activities volunteered to answer a questionnaire measuring intrinsic motivation toward running activities and performed a 20-min. straight running protocol at heavy intensity (about 70% of VO2max). Participants' affective responses were measured every 5 min. from the beginning of the run to 10 min. after completing the run. Latent curve model analysis indicated that individuals experienced different changes in affective state during exercise, moderated by intrinsic motivation. Higher intrinsic motivation was associated with more positive affect during exercise. There were no significant individual differences in the positive tendency of the participants' affective responses after exercise over time. Intrinsic motivation seems to facilitate positive feelings during exercise and encourages participation in exercise.
Reading Anxiety, Classroom Anxiety, Language Motivation, Reader Self-Perception, and Arabic Achievement of Arab-American Students Learning Arabic as a Second Language
Authors: Alkhateeb Haitham M.
Published: December 2014

The present study assessed the relations between reading anxiety, classroom anxiety, language motivation, and readers' self-perception for a sample of Arab-American students in Arabic classes. The effects of sex, grade, and years studying Arabic on academic achievement were examined as well. Measures were administered to 118 middle school students (56 boys, 62 girls; M age = 13.0 yr., SD = 0.8), and teachers reported academic grades in Arabic. Reading anxiety was significantly correlated with classroom anxiety and reader self-perception. Classroom anxiety scores were significantly correlated with motivation and reader self-perception. Significant positive correlations were found between language motivation and reader self-perception scores, and between years studying Arabic and reader self-perception scores. Boys in the second year of Arabic had significantly lower classroom anxiety than girls, and students in Grade 7 had higher reader self-perception than those in Grade 8. Classroom anxiety, language motivation, and reader self-perception significantly predicted Arabic achievement. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Organ Donation by Suicides: Sex and Ethnicity
Authors: Lester David , Hathaway Dominique
Published: December 2014

An analysis of 2,034 actual organ donations by suicides for the years 2008–2010 indicated that women were more likely to be donors than were men and Blacks more likely to donate than were Whites. The sex difference was consistent with the responses of men and women to surveys of the general public about their willingness to become organ donors, but the ethnic difference was the reverse of the responses to surveys of the general public about their willingness to be organ donors. Future research should explore the role of the responses, positive vs negative toward organ donation, of the significant others of those dying from different causes of death, and the extent to which people have signed donor cards.
Compulsive Buying Tendencies and Personal Finances
Authors: Spinella Marcello , Lester David , Yang Bijou
Published: December 2014

In a community sample of 225 adults, scores on the Compulsive Buying Scale were associated with scores on the subscales of the Executive Personal Finance Scale ( rs = −.35 to −.70) and the Money Attitudes Scale (positively with using money for impressing others, and negatively with saving and planning). The results suggested that common tendencies toward compulsive buying may not be pathological, but merely associated with attitudes toward money in general and financial management habits.
Motivated Behavioral Outcomes Affect Ratings of Attractiveness
Authors: Bernard Larry C. , Hardy David J.
Published: December 2014

A relatively new theory of motivation posits that purposeful human behavior may be partly explained by multidimensional individual differences “traits of action” (motives). Its 15 motives can be characterized according to their purpose: individual integrity, competitiveness, and cooperativeness. Existing evidence supports the model on which the motives are based and the reliability and validity of strategies to assess them. This experiment tested whether the hypothetical results of consistent, motivated cooperative and competitive behavior could affect ratings of attractiveness. Male and female participants ( N = 98; M age = 18.8, SD = 1.4) were shown 24 opposite-sex facial photos ranging in attractiveness. The photos were paired with one of three conditions representing theoretical outcomes that would result from low, control, and high levels of cooperative and competitive motives. As predicted, outcome descriptions representing high motive strength of six motives statistically significantly affected ratings of attractiveness. This result was independent of sex of participant and consistent with the theory.
Does Pilates Exercise Increase Physical Activity, Quality of Life, Latency, and Sleep Quantity in Middle-Aged People?
Authors: García-Soidán J. L. , Giraldez V. Arufe , Zagalaz J. Cachón , Lara-Sánchez A. J.
Published: December 2014

This prospective study assessed the effects of a 12-wk. exercise program based on the Pilates method (2 one-hr. sessions per week) on 99 sedentary middle-aged volunteers ( M age = 47.6 yr., SD = 0.8), using an accelerometry, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the SF-36 questionnaire to measure changes in physical activity, quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity. The variables (quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity) were compared before and after applying the Pilates program. All of the physical and emotional components of the SF-36 questionnaire showed significant improvement, and the latency and sleep quantity also showed significant increases. The results indicate that Pilates is an accessible, interesting exercise program that can generate important changes in middle age.