bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small Molecule Metabolite Biomarker Candidates in Urine from Mice Exposed to Formaldehyde
Authors: Zhang Juan , Sun Rongli , Chen Yue , Tan Kehong , Wei Haiyan , Yin Lihong , Pu Yuepu
Published: September 2014

Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous compound used in a wide variety of industries, and is also a major indoor pollutant emitted from building materials, furniture, etc. Because FA is rapidly metabolized and endogenous to many materials, specific biomarkers for exposure have not been identified. In this study, we identified small metabolite biomarkers in urine that might be related FA exposure. Mice were allowed to inhale FA (0, 4, 8 mg/m3) 6 h per day for 7 consecutive days, and urine samples were collected on the 7th day of exposure. Liquid chromatography coupled with time of flight-mass spectrometry and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to determine alterations of endogenous metabolites in urine. Additionally, immune toxicity studies were conducted to ensure that any resultant toxic effects could be attributed to inhalation of FA. The results showed a significant decrease in the relative rates of T lymphocyte production in the spleen and thymus of mice exposed to FA. Additionally, decreased superoxide dismutase activity and increased reactive oxygen species levels were found in the isolated spleen cells of exposed mice. A total of 12 small molecules were found to be altered in the urine, and PCA analysis showed that urine from the control and FA exposed groups could be distinguished from each other based on the altered molecules. Hippuric acid and cinnamoylglycine were identified in urine using exact mass and fragment ions. Our results suggest that the pattern of metabolites found in urine is significantly changed following FA inhalation, and hippuric acid and cinnamoylglycine might represent potential biomarker candidates for FA exposure.
Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering for Marine Carotenoids: New Opportunities and Future Prospects
Authors: Wang Chonglong , Kim Jung-Hun , Kim Seon-Won
Published: September 2014

Carotenoids are a class of diverse pigments with important biological roles such as light capture and antioxidative activities. Many novel carotenoids have been isolated from marine organisms to date and have shown various utilizations as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. In this review, we summarize the pathways and enzymes of carotenoid synthesis and discuss various modifications of marine carotenoids. The advances in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for carotenoid production are also reviewed, in hopes that this review will promote the exploration of marine carotenoid for their utilizations.
Hinokinin, an Emerging Bioactive Lignan
Authors: Marcotullio Maria , Pelosi Azzurra , Curini Massimo
Published: September 2014

Hinokinin is a lignan isolated from several plant species that has been recently investigated in order to establish its biological activities. So far, its cytotoxicity, its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities have been studied. Particularly interesting is its notable anti-trypanosomal activity.
Fungal Hydrophobin Proteins Produce Self-Assembling Protein Films with Diverse Structure and Chemical Stability
Authors: Lo Victor , Ren Qin , Pham Chi , Morris Vanessa , Kwan Ann , Sunde Margaret
Published: September 2014

Hydrophobins are small proteins secreted by fungi and which spontaneously assemble into amphipathic layers at hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces. We have examined the self-assembly of the Class I hydrophobins EAS∆15 and DewA, the Class II hydrophobin NC2 and an engineered chimeric hydrophobin. These Class I hydrophobins form layers composed of laterally associated fibrils with an underlying amyloid structure. These two Class I hydrophobins, despite showing significant conformational differences in solution, self-assemble to form fibrillar layers with very similar structures and require a hydrophilic-hydrophobic interface to trigger self-assembly. Addition of additives that influence surface tension can be used to manipulate the fine structure of the protein films. The Class II hydrophobin NC2 forms a mesh-like protein network and the engineered chimeric hydrophobin displays two multimeric forms, depending on assembly conditions. When formed on a graphite surface, the fibrillar EAS∆15 layers are resistant to alcohol, acid and basic washes. In contrast, the NC2 Class II monolayers are dissociated by alcohol treatment but are relatively stable towards acid and base washes. The engineered chimeric Class I/II hydrophobin shows increased stability towards alcohol and acid and base washes. Self-assembled hydrophobin films may have extensive applications in biotechnology where biocompatible; amphipathic coatings facilitate the functionalization of nanomaterials.
Barriers to the Use of Trastuzumab for HER2+ Breast Cancer and the Potential Impact of Biosimilars: A Physician Survey in the United States and Emerging Markets
Authors: Lammers Philip , Criscitiello Carmen , Curigliano Giuseppe , Jacobs Ira
Published: September 2014

Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy has become a standard of care for patients with HER2+ breast cancer. The cost of therapy, however, can limit patient access to trastuzumab in areas with limited financial resources for treatment reimbursement. This study examined access to trastuzumab and identified potential barriers to its use in the United States, Mexico, Turkey, Russia and Brazil via physician survey. The study also investigated if the availability of a biosimilar to trastuzumab would improve access to and use of HER2 monoclonal antibody therapy. Across all countries, a subset of oncologists reported barriers to the use of trastuzumab in a neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting. Common barriers to the use of trastuzumab included issues related to insurance coverage, drug availability and cost to the patient. Overall, nearly half of oncologists reported that they would increase the use of HER2 monoclonal antibody therapy across all treatment settings if a lower cost biosimilar to trastuzumab were available. We conclude that the introduction of a biosimilar to trastuzumab may alleviate cost-related barriers to treatment and could increase patient access to HER2-directed therapy in all countries examined.
Combining Non Selective Gas Sensors on a Mobile Robot for Identification and Mapping of Multiple Chemical Compounds
Authors: Hernandez Bennetts Victor , Schaffernicht Erik , Pomareda Victor , Lilienthal Achim , Marco Santiago , Trincavelli Marco
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we address the task of gas distribution modeling in scenarios where multiple heterogeneous compounds are present. Gas distribution modeling is particularly useful in emission monitoring applications where spatial representations of the gaseous patches can be used to identify emission hot spots. In realistic environments, the presence of multiple chemicals is expected and therefore, gas discrimination has to be incorporated in the modeling process. The approach presented in this work addresses the task of gas distribution modeling by combining different non selective gas sensors. Gas discrimination is addressed with an open sampling system, composed by an array of metal oxide sensors and a probabilistic algorithm tailored to uncontrolled environments. For each of the identified compounds, the mapping algorithm generates a calibrated gas distribution model using the classification uncertainty and the concentration readings acquired with a photo ionization detector. The meta parameters of the proposed modeling algorithm are automatically learned from the data. The approach was validated with a gas sensitive robot patrolling outdoor and indoor scenarios, where two different chemicals were released simultaneously. The experimental results show that the generated multi compound maps can be used to accurately predict the location of emitting gas sources.
Unusual Influenza A Viruses in Bats
Authors: Mehle Andrew
Published: September 2014

Influenza A viruses infect a remarkably diverse number of hosts. Two completely new influenza A virus subtypes were recently discovered in bats, dramatically expanding the host range of the virus. These bat viruses are extremely divergent from all other known strains and likely have unique replication cycles. Phylogenetic analysis indicates long-term, isolated evolution in bats. This is supported by a high seroprevalence in sampled bat populations. As bats represent ~20% of all classified mammals, these findings suggests the presence of a massive cryptic reservoir of poorly characterized influenza A viruses. Here, we review the exciting progress made on understanding these newly discovered viruses, and discuss their zoonotic potential.
Numerical investigation of the effect of substrate surface roughness on the performance of zigzag graphene nanoribbon field effect transistors symmetrically doped with BN
Authors: Sanaeepur Majid , Yazdanpanah Goharrizi Arash , Sharifi Mohammad Javad
Published: September 2014

The performance of field effect transistors comprised of a zigzag graphene nanoribbon that is symmetrically doped with boron nitride (BN) as a channel material, is numerically studied for the first time. The device merit for digital applications is investigated in terms of the on-, the off- and the on/off-current ratio. Due to the strong effect of the substrate roughness on the performance of graphene devices, three common substrate materials (SiO2, BN and mica) are examined. Rough surfaces are generated by means of a Gaussian auto-correlation function. Electronic transport simulations are performed in the framework of tight-binding Hamiltonian and non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalisms. The results show that with an appropriate selection of the substrate material, the proposed devices can meet the on/off-current ratio required for future digital electronics.
De novo macrolide–glycolipid macrolactone hybrids: Synthesis, structure and antibiotic activity of carbohydrate-fused macrocycles
Authors: Desmond Richard T , Magpusao Anniefer N , Lorenc Chris , Alverson Jeremy B , Priestley Nigel , Peczuh Mark W
Published: September 2014

Natural product-like macrocycles were designed as potential antibacterial compounds. The macrocycles featured a D-glucose unit fused into a 12- or 13-member macrolactone. The rings are connected via the C6’ and anomeric (C1’) positions of the monosaccharide. The new macrocycles/macrolides were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed that, in addition to the ester and alkene units, the dihedral angle about the glycosidic linkage (exo-anomeric effect) influenced the overall shape of the molecules. Glycosylation of an available hydroxy group on the macrocycle gave a hybrid macrolide with features common to erythromycin and sophorlipid macrolactone. Weak antibiotic activity (MICs <100 μg/mL) was observed for several of the compounds.
Des pièces d'or pour parcourir le monde. Les circulations transnationales de familles tsiganes au tournant du xx e siècle
Authors: Sutre Adèle
Published: September 2014

Dès le milieu du xix e siècle, des groupes tsiganes quittent l’Europe et se dirigent vers le continent américain, déployant, à partir de là, des réseaux transnationaux formant des aires de circulation dans les espaces atlantique et pacifique. Cette circulation de grande ampleur est rendue possible par la thésaurisation d’un capital financier sous forme de pièces d’or et d’argent ainsi que de bijoux. Les inspecteurs des services d’immigration, alors qu’ils s’attendent à des migrants pauvres, sont confrontés à de riches familles qui jouent habilement de leurs pièces d’or, élaborant diverses modalités de présentation de soi en fonction des circonstances dans un jeu entre exhibition et dissimulation de leur richesse.
Enjeux de la mobilité des Canadiens et Américains au Mexique : stratégies économiques des migrants et réponse des États
Authors: Bantman-Masum Ève
Published: September 2014

Cet article, basé sur une étude empirique réalisée à Mérida (Mexique), analyse les stratégies économiques de migrants canadiens et étasuniens pour qui la mobilité est aussi synonyme d’ascension sociale. Les transactions immobilières impliquant ces acheteurs et vendeurs étrangers s’additionnent aux dépenses quotidiennes pour faire transiter des millions de dollars entre Nord et Sud. L’essor de ce type de migration – minoritaire, mais à fort impact économique – a d’ores et déjà conduit les États-Unis, le Canada, le Mexique, ou encore le Panama, à élaborer des dispositifs migratoires et fiscaux originaux, sans cesse perfectionnés, qui définissent les droits et statuts en fonction des apports individuels à l’économie locale. Ces régimes migratoires permettent aussi l’imposition de citoyens mobiles et encadrent l’accès aux services publics, tant dans les pays de départ que dans les pays d’accueil. Ils visent à réguler la circulation des biens et des personnes dans la région. Ils reflètent à la fois la mise en concurrence des États par ces migrants mobiles, et la volonté des gouvernements de l’Amérique du Nord de coordonner leurs efforts afin de limiter fuite des capitaux et fraude fiscale.
L'émergence d'un marché transnational de l'immobilier indien
Authors: Varrel Aurélie
Published: September 2014

L’Inde est depuis près d’une décennie le pays recevant le plus important volume de remises au monde. Dans cet article nous questionnons les relations entre ce fait et le boom immobilier que connaît le pays. On examinera d’abord la manière dont le jeune secteur immobilier indien cherche à capter le potentiel financier considérable des migrants, puis réciproquement la manière dont cela génère de nouvelles pratiques, fait apparaître de nouveaux acteurs et modifie le fonctionnement de ce secteur. L’hypothèse examinée porte sur la formation d’un marché transnational de l’immobilier indien.
Affiliation en ligne et divulgation de la relation commerciale entre l'éditeur de contenu et l'enseigne. Étude expérimentale des réactions des visiteurs d'un blog affilié
Authors: Salerno Daphné , Martin Annabel , Crié Dominique
Published: September 2014

Cette recherche étudie, lors d’une recommandation de produit, les effets de la divulgation de la relation commerciale entre un blog éditeur de contenu et un annonceur sur la crédibilité de cet éditeur et sur les réponses des consommateurs. Elle prend en considération la présentation de soi de cet éditeur (expert vs amateur) et confirme la nécessité de poursuivre les recherches sur la divulgation en tenant compte des bases de persuasion utilisées par l’éditeur affilié.
Comportement web-to-store : vers une nouvelle logique de contrôle de soi ?
Authors: Bouzid Yousra , Van Heems Régine
Published: September 2014

Cette recherche vise à éclairer la problématique controversée de l’effet de la préparation de l’achat en ligne sur le comportement de magasinage au sein du point de vente réel dans le cadre d’un achat click-and-mortar . L’étude qualitative menée auprès de 32 femmes révèle que l’adoption d’un comportement « click-and-mortar » lors d’un achat de prêt-à-porter féminin constitue une stratégie consciente de la cliente qui lui permet de garder le contrôle de son temps et de son budget ainsi que de résister aux tentations commerciales au sein du point de vente.
« Le riche désarmé est la récompense du soldat pauvre »
Authors: Barthas Jérémie
Published: September 2014

Le Prince de Machiavel a cinq cents ans cette année. Reconnu par la science politique comme un des textes fondateurs de la discipline, elle s’en est distancée en reprochant à son auteur de n’offrir que des vues superficielles sur les rapports entre la société, l’État et les institutions. Conçu dans une perspective de synthèse de certaines avancées récentes des recherches sur Machiavel, cet article se propose d’éclairer l’un des concepts fondamentaux du Prince , celui de « peuples en armes », à partir de l’expérience du secrétaire florentin et de la crise financière qui minait la République du Grand Conseil autour de 1500. Croisant histoire des idées politiques et sociologie économique et politique, il insiste sur la tension entre développement d’institutions à caractère démocratique et les formes prises par la dette publique, et montre comment le projet machiavélien d’une conscription de masse sapait le système articulant armées mercenaires et crédit public sur lequel les élites financières florentines avaient construit leur hégémonie politique et économique. Procédant d’une mise en ordre des rapports entre dette financière et souveraineté politique, le concept machiavélien de « peuple en armes » visait à établir les conditions de l’autonomie de la République à l’égard du pouvoir de la finance.
Définir les frontières comptables du social
Authors: Le Lann Yann
Published: September 2014

Cet article propose d’analyser l’évolution du travail de délimitation de ce que les comptables reconnaissent comme des flux sociaux au sein des budgets sociaux de la nation et des comptes de la protection sociale. En nous appuyant sur les méthodes de tenue des comptes, nous tentons de restituer les dynamiques de la justification de la séparation entre les prestations sociales et la rémunération du travail. Fondée sur l’essentialisation des fonctions redistributives des flux gérés par la protection sociale, cette distinction organise le discours de rationalisation des pratiques statistiques jusqu’aux années 1970. Cependant, elle est, dès la fin de cette décennie, progressivement mise en crise par l’émergence d’une conception duale des prestations sociales qui oppose au sein des flux sociaux les ressources assistancielles aux prestations contributives.
De l'épargne longue à l'épargne retraite
Authors: Ciccotelli Mickaël
Published: September 2014

La réforme des retraites par répartition, menée en France depuis vingt ans, se traduit par une diminution du niveau des pensions servies par les régimes obligatoires. En parallèle, les incitations fiscales se multiplient afin de favoriser la constitution d’une épargne privée venant « compléter » ces retraites en répartition. L’institutionnalisation de cette « épargne retraite », pour les salariés du secteur privé, s’est faite entre le milieu des années 1990 et le début des années 2000, autour de l’élaboration des lois Thomas (1993-1997) et Fillon (2003). Ces plans d’épargne retraite ont été promus par des entrepreneurs bureaucratiques, politiques et économiques de la cause de l’épargne longue, extérieurs au secteur des politiques publiques sociales et pour qui la privatisation des retraites était un moyen de développer la place financière française. Le succès de leur entreprise s’explique pourtant par leur capacité à légitimer l’épargne longue en la présentant comme une épargne en vue de la retraite puis à faire endosser la responsabilité politique de sa mise en œuvre par les groupes d’agents traditionnellement chargés de la politique des retraites. Née dans et pour le secteur financier, où le financement des retraites par répartition n’est pas un enjeu, l’épargne retraite est pourtant devenue un instrument de la politique sociale qui modifie progressivement le fonctionnement des régimes de retraite des salariés français.
Comparison of the Tissue Penetration and Glide Force of 22-Gauge Thin-Wall Needles for Intravitreal Implant Administration
Authors: Bakri Sophie J. , Boyer David S. , Albini Thomas A. , Holekamp Nancy M. , Ferrone Philip J. , Bhagat Rahul , Novakovic Zoran
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To identify a needle to improve intravitreal dexamethasone implant administration by evaluating ease of ocular tissue penetration and glide force, key characteristics of needle performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Two custom-applicator needles coated with distinct lubricants (needles A and B) and the original dexamethasone implant needle were evaluated by five retina specialists. Ex vivo porcine eyes were injected, and a visual analog scale was used in ratings.

RESULTS:

Ease of ocular tissue penetration and glide force of needle B were rated significantly higher than that of the original applicator needle (P< .001), but there were no significant differences for needle A. Lot to lot, needle B was not significantly different in penetration and glide, whereas a significant difference was observed for penetration of needle A (P= .043).

CONCLUSION:

Needle design and lubricant appear to facilitate penetration and reduce glide force when administering dexamethasone intravitreal implants. Minimal lot-to-lot variation should be considered in needle choice.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2014;45:430–435.]
Open Source Object Directory Services for Inter-Enterprise Tracking and Tracing Applications
Authors: Mourtzoukos Konstantinos , Kefalakis Nikos , Soldatos John
Published: September 2014

Despite the proliferation of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) applications, there are still only a limited number of open-loop inter-enterprise applications that address global supply chains. The implementation of such inter-enterprise applications hinges on standards and techniques for discovering and accessing RFID tagged objects across different repositories of RFID information residing across different administrative domains. In this chapter, the authors introduce an open and novel implementation of an ONS (Object Naming Service) solution for inter-enterprise tracking and tracing RFID applications. The solution is part of the open source AspireRFID project and provides a sound basis for integrating tracking (“google-of-things” like) applications for the RFID and the Internet-of-Things (IoT). As part of the presentation of the solution, this chapter illustrates the main challenges associated with the integration of inter-enterprise applications, along with strategies for confronting them.
Enhancing Building Performance and Environmental Learning
Authors: Chance Shannon M. , Cole J. Timothy
Published: September 2014

School buildings directly affect their natural and socio-cultural environments. They do this through their construction, maintenance, operation, and demolition. Most of the school buildings we have in stock today drain natural resources and inadvertently perpetuate a culture of environmental, social, and long-term economic ignorance and misuse. When approached thoughtfully, however, the design of school buildings can help inform and enrich society. Well-designed buildings can impart environmental knowledge and values. They can foster more effective behaviors among the people who learn in and from them. Effectively designed buildings can also conserve natural resources and—at their best—even help replenish the natural environment. For many school leaders today, participation in green certification programs represents one important step toward improved building and learning performance. This chapter provides a case study of successful learning approaches developed by Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS).
Green School Principals
Authors: Lemoine Pamela A. , Mense Evan G. , Richardson Michael D.
Published: September 2014

Green schools are places for children to learn and environments for leaders and teachers to flourish. In this chapter, the authors examine why green schools are more inviting, more receptive to creativity, and more open to learning for everyone. Further, the authors postulate that creating a positive environment for learning is tasked to today's green school leaders who are using authentic instruction to academically challenge students and engage them in issues that have personal or social significance. Finally, the authors conclude that green school leaders are environmental advocates influenced by the need to take action, to inculcate problem-based learning strategies, and to increase knowledge about the environment; yet, maintaining the balance of creativity and cooperation is critical to the effective operation of green schools.
School Safety and Green Schools
Authors: Waller Robert
Published: September 2014

Leaders in global communities face many issues and challenges in planning, securing funding, designing, and constructing safe, sustainable green schools. This chapter provides an overview of various safety challenges that have an impact on the safety of air quality in schools and reasons why green schools are safer and healthier schools. Suggestions are provided in each section to help administrators and districts move conventionally constructed schools closer to green safe spaces for students, staff, and teachers.
Twitter and Its Role in Health Information Dissemination
Authors: Dumbrell Dan , Steele Robert
Published: September 2014

The utilization of micro-blog-based systems for the dissemination of health-related information offers a number of potential benefits. In this chapter, the authors describe a study of such micro-blog-based dissemination of health information by Australian health-related organisations through the manual categorization of over 4,700 tweets posted during a defined sample period. These tweets were analysed in relation to the sector of the tweeting organisation, health condition area, type of information in the micro-blog post, and level of retweeting. The particular category of public health-related tweets is also analysed in greater detail. This chapter differs from previous health and Twitter-related studies in that it: 1) seeks to characterize the overall and relative Twitter activity of health-related organisations for the sector across a whole nation, rather than collecting a sample matching a specific keyword or health condition; and 2) carries out a more semantically deep analysis of the content of those tweets, hence the manual analysis-based methodology adopted.
Privacy Perceptions of Older Adults when Using Social Media Technologies
Authors: Dumbrell Dan , Steele Robert
Published: September 2014

Social media technologies represent an emerging means by which older adults can access health and community information, engage in peer-to-peer information sharing, and also potentially decrease social isolation. Privacy concerns, however, have been consistently identified as a barrier for older adults' use of the Web and social media technologies. The authors conduct a preliminary study involving 150 older adult participants, investigating their use and perceptions of social media technologies. The trial involved first providing the participants with brief training in three common social media technologies: Facebook, Twitter, and Skype. The authors carried out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the participant's use and privacy perceptions of these technologies. Overall, the results are promising as to the potential to address privacy concerns to enable older adults to further utilize these technologies for improved mental, physical, and social health. Implications for future research and usage within the older adult community are also discussed.
Hermeneutiese uitdagings aan Christosentriese prediking vanuit Ou-Testamentiese narratiewe
Authors: Strauss Hendrik S.W. , De Wet Friedrich W.
Published: September 2014

Baie predikers vind dit moeilik om Christus vanuit die Ou Testament te verkondig. Die probleem van Christosentriese prediking uit die Ou Testament is wesenlik ’n hermeneutiese probleem. In hierdie artikel word gepoog om ’n antwoord hierop te bied deur eerstens bepaalde ankers in ’n see van hermeneutiese moontlikhede te identifiseer. Hierdie ankers sluit in die Christelike karakter van die Ou Testament en die eenheid tussen die Ou en Nuwe Testament met ’n universele boodskap. Ten einde Christus op ’n geloofwaardige en verantwoordelike wyse vanuit die Ou Testament te preek, is ’n eksegetiese metode waarin rekening gehou word met die karakter van die Ou Testament, sowel as die verhouding daarvan tot die Nuwe Testament, onontbeerlik. Die holisties histories-kritiese metode dien, na ons mening, Christosentriese prediking uit die Ou Testament die beste, aangesien dit die literêre, historiese en teologiese aspekte van ’n teks verreken. Terwyl ’n verantwoordelike eksegetiese metode die basis lê vir Christosentriese prediking uit die Ou Testament, word daar ook ’n verkenning gedoen van sinvolle (organiese) oorgange vanuit Ou-Testamentiese narratiewe na die Nuwe Testament. Aangesien Christosentriese prediking uit die Ou Testament nie sonder gevare is nie, word enkele slaggate ten opsigte daarvan uit die Ou-Testamentiese narratiewe uitgelig.Hermeneutical challenges encountered by Christ-centered preaching from Old Testament narratives. Many ministers find it difficult to preach Christ from the Old Testament. The problem of Christocentric preaching from the Old Testament is essentially a hermeneutical problem. In this article an answer is proposed, firstly by identifying specific anchors in a sea of hermeneutic possibilities. These include the Christian character of the Old Testament, and the unity between the Old and New Testaments with a universal message. In order to preach Christ in a credible and responsible manner from the Old Testament, an exegetical method, which takes into account the character of the Old Testament as well as its relationship to the New Testament, is essential. The holistic historic-critical method, we believe, serves Christocentric preaching from the Old Testament the best as it takes the literary, historical and theological aspects of the text into consideration. As a responsible exegetical method lays the foundations for Christocentric preaching from the Old Testament, an exploration of meaningful (organic) transitions from Old Testament narratives to the New Testament is made. Seeing that Christocentric preaching from the Old Testament is not without dangers, some pitfalls regarding Christocentric preaching from the Old Testament narratives are highlighted.
Liraglutide versus Sitagliptin in a 24-week, Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized, Parallel-group Study in Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Responding Inadequately to a Sulfonylurea and/or One or Two Other Oral Antidiabetic Drugs (JDDM 33)
Authors: Yokoyama Hiroki , Hirao Koichi , Yamaguchi Kohei , Oishi Mariko , Lee Gendai , Yagi Noriharu , Takamura Hiroshi , Kashiwagi Atsunori
Published: September 2014

Objective

Liraglutide (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] receptor agonist) and sitagliptin (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) are approved in Japan for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We compared the efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide or sitagliptin to a sulfonylurea in Japanese T2DM patients.

Methods

Patients aged 18 to <80 years with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program [NGSP]) of 6.9–9.4%, body mass index ≤35 kg/m2, and treatment with a sulfonylurea and/or one or two non-sulfonylurea oral antidiabetic drugs for greater than or equal to eight weeks before enrollment were eligible. Patients were randomized in an open-label manner to either 0.9 mg/day liraglutide ( n = 50) or 50–100 mg/day sitagliptin ( n = 49) and were treated for 24 weeks. Non-sulfonylureas were discontinued before randomization. Patients using other oral antidiabetic drugs started sulfonylurea treatment. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to Week 24.

Results

HbA1c decreased in both groups, and the reduction was significantly greater throughout in the liraglutide group except for Week 24 (0.59 ± 0.80 vs. 0.24 ± 0.94%; P = 0.0525). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decreased significantly in the liraglutide group compared with the sitagliptin group (-21.15 ± 31.22 vs. +0.46 ± 39.39 mg/dL; P = 0.0014). Homeostasis model assessment of β cell function and C-peptide increased significantly in the liraglutide group but not in the sitagliptin group. Hypoglycemic symptoms and adverse events occurred in four and nine patients, respectively, in the liraglutide group, and in two and five patients, respectively, in the sitagliptin group.

Conclusion

Treatment with liraglutide or sitagliptin together with a sulfonylurea improved HbA1c in Japanese T2DM patients in primary care. Both drugs were associated with low rates of adverse events and hypoglycemia. The improvement in β cell function probably contributed to the improvement in glycemic control in the liraglutide group.
On homotopy types of limits of semi-algebraic sets and additive complexity of polynomials
Authors: Barone Sal , Basu Saugata
Published: September 2014

We prove that the number of distinct homotopy types of limits of one-parameter semi-algebraic families of closed and bounded semi-algebraic sets is bounded singly exponentially in the additive complexity of any quantifier-free first order formula defining the family. As an important consequence, we derive that the number of distinct homotopy types of semi-algebraic subsets of

\mathbb{R}^k

defined by a quantifier-free first order formula

\Phi

, where the sum of the additive complexities of the polynomials appearing in

\Phi

is at most

a

, is bounded by

2^{(k+a)^{O(1)}}

. This proves a conjecture made in [5].
Approximation by continuous rational maps into spheres
Authors: Kucharz Wojciech
Published: September 2014

Investigated are continuous rational maps of nonsingular real algebraic varieties into spheres. In some cases, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for a continuous map to be approximable by continuous rational maps. In particular, each continuous map between unit spheres can be approximated by continuous rational maps.
Hyperbolic monodromy groups for the hypergeometric equation and Cartan involutions
Authors: Fuchs Elena , Meiri Chen , Sarnak Peter
Published: September 2014

We give a criterion which ensures that a group generated by Cartan involutions in the automorph group of a rational quadratic form of signature

(n-1,1)

is "thin", namely it is of infinite index in the latter. It is based on a graph defined on the integral Cartan root vectors, as well as Vinberg's theory of hyperbolic reflection groups. The criterion is shown to be robust for showing that many hyperbolic hypergeometric groups for

_nF_{n-1}

are thin.
On the number of finite algebraic structures
Authors: Aichinger Erhard , Mayr Peter , McKenzie Ralph
Published: September 2014

We prove that every clone of operations on a finite set

A

, if it contains a Malcev operation, is finitely related – i.e., identical with the clone of all operations respecting

R

for some finitary relation

R

over

A

. It follows that for a fixed finite set

A

, the set of all such Malcev clones is countable. This completes the solution of a problem that was first formulated in 1980, or earlier: how many Malcev clones can finite sets support? More generally, we prove that every finite algebra with few subpowers has a finitely related clone of term operations. Hence modulo term equivalence and a renaming of the elements, there are only countably many finite algebras with few subpowers, and thus only countably many finite algebras with a Malcev term.
Bubbling on boundary submanifolds for the Lin–Ni–Takagi problem at higher critical exponents
Authors: del Pino Manuel , Mahmoudi Fethi , Musso Monica
Published: September 2014

Let

\Omega

be a bounded domain in

\mathbb R^n

with smooth boundary

\partial \Omega

. We consider the equation

d^2\Delta u - u+u^{\frac{n-k+2}{n-k-2}} =0\,\hbox{ in }\,\Omega

, under zero Neumann boundary conditions, where

\Omega

is open, smooth and bounded and

d

is a small positive parameter. We assume that there is a

k

-dimensional closed, embedded minimal submanifold

K

of

\partial\Omega

, which is non-degenerate, and certain weighted average of sectional curvatures of

\partial\Omega

is positive along

K

. Then we prove the existence of a sequence

d=d_j\to 0

and a positive solution

u_d

such that

d^2 |\nabla u_{d} |^2\,\rightharpoonup \, S\,\delta_K \: \mathrm {as} \: d \to 0

in the sense of measures, where

\delta_K

stands for the Dirac measure supported on

K

and

S

is a positive constant.
Quelques espaces de modules d'intersections complètes lisses qui sont quasi-projectifs
Authors: Benoist Olivier
Published: September 2014

For some values of the degrees of the equations, we show, using geometric invariant theory, that the coarse moduli space of smooth complete intersections in

\mathbb{P}^N

is quasi-projective.
Systole and $\lambda_{2g–2}$ of closed hyperbolic surfaces of genus $g$
Authors: Mondal Sugata
Published: September 2014

We apply topological methods to study eigenvalues of the Laplacian on closed hyperbolic surfaces. For any closed hyperbolic surface

S

of genus

g

, we get a geometric lower bound on

{\lambda_{2g-2}(S)}:

{\lambda_{2g-2}(S)} > {1/4} + {\epsilon_0}(S) > 0,

where

{\epsilon_0}(S)

is an explicit constant which depends only on the
systole
of

S

.
Crooked halfspaces
Authors: Burelle Jean-Philippe , Charette Virginie , Drumm Todd A. , Goldman William M.
Published: September 2014

We develop the Lorentzian geometry of a crooked halfspace in (2+1)-dimensional Minkowski space. We calculate the affine, conformal and isometric automorphism groups of a crooked halfspace, and discuss its stratification into orbit types, giving an explicit slice for the action of the automorphism group. The set of parallelism classes of timelike lines, or
particles
, in a crooked halfspace is a geodesic halfplane in the hyperbolic plane. Every point in an open crooked halfspace lies on a particle. The correspondence between crooked halfspaces and halfplanes in hyperbolic 2-space preserves the partial order defined by inclusion, and the involution defined by complementarity. We find conditions for when a particle lies completely in a crooked half space. We revisit the disjointness criterion for crooked planes developed by Drumm and Goldman in terms of the semigroup of translations preserving a crooked halfspace. These ideas are then applied to describe foliations of Minkowski space by crooked planes.
Locally Compact Separable Abelian Group Actions on Factors with the Rokhlin Property
Authors: Shimada Koichi
Published: September 2014

We prove a classification theorem for actions with the Rokhlin property of locally compact separable abelian groups on factors. This is a generalization of the recent work due to Masuda–Tomatsu on Rokhlin flows.
Propagation of Singularities for Schrödinger Equations with Modestly Long Range Type Potentials
Authors: Horie Kazuki , Nakamura Shu
Published: September 2014

In a previous paper by the second author [11], we discussed a characterization of the microlocal singularities for solutions to Schrödinger equations with long range type perturbations, using solutions to a Hamilton-Jacobi equation. In this paper we show that we may use Dollard type approximate solutions to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation if the perturbation satisfies somewhat stronger conditions. As applications, we describe the propagation of microlocal singularities for

e^{itH_0}e^{-itH}

when the potential is asymptotically homogeneous as

|x|\to\infty

, where

H

is our Schrödinger operator, and

H_0

is the free Schrödinger operator, i.e.,

H_0=-\frac12 \triangle

. We show

e^{itH_0}e^{-itH}

shifts the wave front set if the potential

V

is asymptotically homogeneous of order 1, whereas

e^{itH}e^{-itH_0}

is smoothing if

V

is asymptotically homogenous of order

\beta \in (1,3/2)

.
Generalized Bousfield Lattices and a Generalized Retract Conjecture
Authors: Kato Ryo , Shimomura Katsumi , Tatehara Yutaro
Published: September 2014

In [1], Bousfield studied a lattice (Bousfield lattice) on the stable homotopy category of spectra, and in [5], Hovey and Palmieri made the retract conjecture about that lattice. In this paper we generalize the Bousfield lattice and the retract conjecture to ones on a monoid. We also determine the structure of typical examples of generalized Bousfield lattices which satisfy the generalized retract conjecture. In particular we give explicitly the structure of the Bousfield lattice of the stable homotopy category of harmonic spectra.
Convergences and Projection Markov Property of Markov Processes on Ultrametric Spaces
Authors: Suzuki Kohei
Published: September 2014

Let

(S,\rho)

be an ultrametric space with certain conditions and

S^k

be the quotient space of

S

with respect to the partition by balls with a fixed radius

\phi(k)

. We prove that, for a Hunt process

X

on

S

associated with a Dirichlet form

(\mathcal E, \mathcal F)

, a Hunt process

X^k

on

S^k

associated with the averaged Dirichlet form

(\mathcal E^k, \mathcal F^k)

is Mosco convergent to

X

, and under certain additional conditions,

X^k

converges weakly to

X

. Moreover, we give a sufficient condition for the Markov property of

X

to be preserved under the canonical projection

\pi^k

to

S^k

. In this case, we see that the projected process

\pi^k\circ X

is identical in law to

X^k

and converges almost surely to

X

.
Measures of User experience in a Streptococcal pharyngitis and Pneumonia Clinical Decision Support Tools
Authors: Knaus M. , McCullagh L. , Sofianou A. , Rosen L. , McGinn T. , Kannry J. , Mann D.
Published: September 2014

Objective: To understand clinician adoption of CDS tools as this may provide important insights for the implementation and dissemination of future CDS tools.

Materials and Methods: Clinicians (n=168) at a large academic center were randomized into intervention and control arms to assess the impact of strep and pneumonia CDS tools. Intervention arm data were analyzed to examine provider adoption and clinical workflow. Electronic health record data were collected on trigger location, the use of each component and whether an antibiotic, other medication or test was ordered. Frequencies were tabulated and regression analyses were used to determine the association of tool component use and physician orders.

Results: The CDS tool was triggered 586 times over the study period. Diagnosis was the most frequent workflow trigger of the CDS tool (57%) as compared to chief complaint (30%) and diagnosis/antibiotic combinations (13%). Conversely, chief complaint was associated with the highest rate (83%) of triggers leading to an initiation of the CDS tool (opening the risk prediction calculator). Similar patterns were noted for initiation of the CDS bundled ordered set and completion of the entire CDS tool pathway. Completion of risk prediction and bundled order set components were associated with lower rates of antibiotic prescribing (OR 0.5; CI 0.2-1.2 and OR 0.5; CI 0.3-0.9, respectively).

Discussion: Different CDS trigger points in the clinician user workflow lead to substantial variation in downstream use of the CDS tool components. These variations were important as they were associated with significant differences in antibiotic ordering.

Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of workflow integration and flexibility for CDS success.

Citation: Mann D, Knaus M, McCullagh L, Sofianou A, Rosen L, McGinn T, Kannry J. Measures of user experience in a streptococcal pharyngitis and pneumonia clinical decision support tools. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 824–835

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-04-RA-0043
Tropospheric ozone increases over the southern Africa region: bellwether for rapid growth in Southern Hemisphere pollution?
Authors: Thompson A. M. , Balashov N. V. , Witte J. C. , Coetzee J. G. R. , Thouret V. , Posny F.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Increases in free-tropospheric (FT) ozone based on ozonesonde records from the early 1990s through 2008 over two subtropical stations, Irene (near Pretoria, South Africa) and Réunion (21° S, 55° E; ~2800 km NE of Irene in the Indian Ocean), have been reported. Over Irene a large increase in the urban-influenced boundary layer (BL, 1.5–4 km) was also observed during the 18-year period, equivalent to 30% decade−1. Here we show that the Irene BL trend is at least partly due to a gradual change in the sonde launch times from early morning to the midday period. The FT ozone profiles over Irene in 1990–2007 are re-examined, filling in a 1995–1999 gap with ozone profiles taken during the Measurements of Ozone by Airbus In-service Aircraft (MOZAIC) project over nearby Johannesburg. A multivariate regression model that accounts for the annual ozone cycle, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and possible tropopause changes was applied to monthly averaged Irene data from 4 to 11 km and to 1992–2011 Réunion sonde data from 4 to 15 km. Statistically significant trends appear predominantly in the middle and upper troposphere (UT; 4–11 km over Irene, 4–15 km over Réunion) in winter (June–August), with increases ~1 ppbv yr−1 over Irene and ~2 ppbv yr−1 over Réunion. These changes are equivalent to ~25 and 35–45% decade−1, respectively. Both stations also display smaller positive trends in summer, with a 45% decade−1 ozone increase near the tropopause over Réunion in December. To explain the ozone increases, we investigated a time series of dynamical markers, e.g., potential vorticity (PV) at 330–350 K. PV affects UT ozone over Irene in November–December but displays little relationship with ozone over Réunion. A more likely reason for wintertime FT ozone increases over Irene and Réunion appears to be long-range transport of growing pollution in the Southern Hemisphere. The ozone increases are consistent with trajectory origins of air parcels sampled by the sondes and with recent NOx emissions trends estimated for Africa, South America and Madagascar. For Réunion trajectories also point to sources from the eastern Indian Ocean and Asia.
The impacts of deglacial meltwater forcing on the South Atlantic Ocean deep circulation since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Marson J. M. , Wainer I. , Mata M. M. , Liu Z.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. A NCAR-CCSM3 (National Center for Atmospheric Research – Community Climate System Model version 3) state-of-the-art transient paleoclimate simulation with prescribed freshwater inflows is used to investigate the changes and evolution of the South Atlantic water mass structure from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the present day. Model results show that 21 000 yr ago the water column was substantially stratified due to the presence of a saltier-than-today Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), forming a salinity barrier that prevented dense waters from the Northern Hemisphere from sinking. This salinity barrier started to erode after the termination of the Heinrich event 1, when its associated meltwater was transported southward, freshening the AABW. The removal of the barrier after 14 ka triggered the production of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), which spread into the deeper layers of the South Atlantic at the onset of the Holocene. At this point, the NADW acquired its modern-day structure, establishing a deeper Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC).
Equivalent circuit models of two-layer flexure beams with excitation by temperature, humidity, pressure, piezoelectric or piezomagnetic interactions
Authors: Marschner U. , Gerlach G. , Starke E. , Lenk A.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Two-layer flexure beams often serve as basic transducers in actuators and sensors. In this paper a generalized description of their stimuli-influenced mechanical behavior is derived. For small deflection angles this description includes a multi-port circuit or network representation with lumped elements for a beam part of finite length. A number of coupled finite beam parts model the dynamic behavior including the first natural frequencies of the beam. For piezoelectric and piezomagnetic interactions, reversible transducer models are developed. The piezomagnetic two-layer beam model is extended to include solenoid and planar coils. Linear network theory is applied in order to determine network parameters and to simplify the circuit representation. The resulting circuit model is the basis for a fast simulation of the dynamic system behavior with advanced circuit simulators and, thus, the optimization of the system. It is also a useful tool for understanding and explaining this multi-domain system through basic principles of general system theory.