bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of emotional intelligence on work engagement of registered nurses: the mediating role of organisational justice
Authors: Zhu Yun , Liu Congcong , Guo Bingmei , Zhao Lin , Lou Fenglan
Published: April 2015

Aims and objectives

To explore the impact of emotional intelligence and organisational justice on work engagement in Chinese nurses and to examine the mediating role of organisational justice to provide implications for promoting clinical nurses’ work engagement.

Background

The importance of work engagement on nurses’ well‐being and quality of care has been well documented. Work engagement is significantly predicted by job resources. However, little research has concentrated simultaneously on the influence of both personal and organisational resources on nurses’ work engagement.

Design

A descriptive, cross‐sectional design was employed.

Methods

A total of 511 nurses from four public hospitals were enrolled by multistage sampling. Data collection was undertaken using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Organizational Justice questionnaire and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale‐9. We analysed the data using structural equation modelling.

Results

Emotional intelligence and organisational justice were significant predictors and they accounted for 44% of the variance in nurses’ work engagement. Bootstrap estimation confirmed an indirect effect of emotional intelligence on work engagement via organisational justice.

Conclusions

Emotional intelligence and organisational justice positively predict work engagement and organisational justice partially mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and work engagement.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our study supports the idea that enhancing organisational justice can increase the impact of emotional intelligence. Managers should take into account the importance of emotional intelligence and perceptions of organisational justice in human resources management and apply targeted interventions to foster work engagement.
Effect of Intravenous Thrombolysis on the Time Course of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction
Authors: Kretzer Lydia , Gräßel David , Bokemeyer Martin A. , Günther Albrecht , Witte Otto W. , Axer Hubertus , Ringer Thomas M.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To examine the possible effects of intravenous thrombolysis on the time course of the apparent diffusion coefficient in the patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarct.

METHODS

Serial MRI data with all in all 190 MR examinations including diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient map (ADC map) and T2‐weighted imaging (T2w) of 74 patients with initial intravenous thrombolysis (study group; N = 37) or conservative stroke treatment (control group; N = 37) were retrospectively analyzed. A trend function was fitted to the relative values (rADC, rDWI, rT2w) to model an objective, general time course.

RESULTS

Relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) decreased in both groups to a minimum about 15 hours after symptom onset. Afterwards rADC increased faster in the study group and reached pseudonormalization 5 ± 2 days after symptom onset. In the control group pseudonormalization was determined later at 7 ± 6 days after symptom onset. After pseudonormalization rADC continued to increase in both groups.

CONCLUSION

rADC pseudonormalization occurred by trend earlier in the study group. Therefore, intravenous thrombolysis seems to have an effect on the time course of ADC, which is likely to be due to earlier cerebral reperfusion after thrombolysis. In addition, initial stroke treatment as thrombolysis should be considered in radiological rating of stroke MRI time course.
Captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) survival
Authors: Jett John , Ventre Jeffrey
Published: April 2015

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) were first placed into captivity in 1961 and are now found in theme parks around the world. Despite successful breeding of captive killer whales since 1985 there is growing concern for their welfare in captivity, which often includes claims of poor survival. We employed Kaplan‐Meier and Cox Proportional hazards models and annual survival rate analyses on 201 captive killer whales to discern how sex, facility (U.S. vs. foreign), captive‐born vs. wild‐captured, pre‐ vs. post‐1 January 1985, and animal age upon entering captivity affect survival. Overall median survival estimate was 6.1 yr, with no difference between male and female survival. Killer whales in U.S. facilities (12.0 yr) demonstrated a significantly higher median survival than those in foreign facilities (4.4 yr), as did whales entering captivity post‐1 January 1985 (11.8 yr) vs. those entering prior to 1 January 1985 (3.9 yr). Median survival for captive‐born (14.1 yr) was significantly higher than wild‐captured killer whales (5.5 yr), though the two failed to differ among the post‐1 January 1985 cohort. Facility location and pre‐ vs. post‐1 January 1985 were predictors of the hazard rate. Survival of captive killer whale cohorts has generally improved through time, although survival to age milestones are poor when compared to wild killer whales.
Age‐related variation and temporal patterns in the survival of a long‐lived scavenger
Authors: Chantepie Stéphane , Teplitsky Céline , Pavard Samuel , Sarrazin François , Descaves Bruno , Lecuyer Philippe , Robert Alexandre
Published: April 2015

Although senescence has been described for various fitness components in a wide range of animal species, few studies have studied senescence in long‐lived species, and little is known about its interactions with varying environmental conditions. Using a 32 year capture–mark–recapture dataset on the griffon vultureGyps fulvus, we examined the demographic patterns of actuarial senescence and the patterns of year‐to‐year variation in survival rates. We found a significant, surprisingly late, decrease of annual survival probabilities from the age of 28 years onward and divided individual lifetimes into to three categories (juvenile, mid‐age and senescent birds). In agreement with the environmental canalization hypothesis, our analyses uncovered 1) higher temporal variation of annual survival probabilities in both the juvenile and senescent age classes compared to the mid‐age class and 2) low sensitivity of the population growth rate to the survival of both the juvenile and senescent age classes. Our results further suggested that the temporal variation in the survival of senescent birds might be related to intra‐annual changes in air temperature amplitudes. Finally, using population dynamics modeling, we revealed contrasting effects of the inclusion of the senescent age class on predicted population growth, depending on how survival rates were modeled. Altogether, our results demonstrate the existence of a class of senescent birds that exhibit distinct demographic properties compared to juvenile and mid‐age classes.
Influenza Vaccination as a Novel Trigger of Wells Syndrome in a Child
Authors: Simpson Jacqueline K. , Patalay Rakesh , Francis Nicholas , Roberts Nerys
Published: April 2015

Wells syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. Precipitants include insect bites, infections, medications, malignancies, and vaccinations. Possible mechanisms include hypersensitivity reactions to antigens. There are four reports in the literature of Wells syndrome precipitated by vaccinations (hepatitis B vaccine, tetanus vaccine, tetanus‐diptheria vaccine and triple antigen vaccine). We present a further case of Wells syndrome in a 22‐month‐old child after influenza vaccine as a novel trigger not previously reported.
Saving Face: Identifying Voter Responses to Black Candidates and Female Candidates
Authors: Krupnikov Yanna , Piston Spencer , Bauer Nichole M.
Published: April 2015

Much of what we know about the responses of voters to Black candidates and female candidates comes from experimental research. Yet the accuracy of experimental data can be threatened by the possibility that social desirability pressures contaminate self‐reporting. We address this threat in a project that considers psychological approaches to reducing social desirability pressures. Offering participants the opportunity to explain their decisions about sensitive subjects, such as voting for a Black or female candidate, can lessen social desirability pressures. We analyze this approach across three commonly used samples: undergraduate, adult convenience, and adult national. Our results suggest that existing experimental research overestimates voter support for Black and female candidates, but these issues can be mitigated with the simple innovation presented here.
Can Patriots Be Critical after a Nationalist War? The Struggle Between Recognition and Marginalization of Dissenting Voices
Authors: Penic Sandra , Elcheroth Guy , Reicher Stephen
Published: April 2015

Previous research suggests that the relationship between ingroup identification and reactions to moral violations perpetrated by ingroup members depends on the mode of identification: while glorification lowers group‐based guilt, critical attachment enhances it. In our first study, based on comparative survey research, this pattern was replicated in Serbia, but not in Croatia. In Croatia, highly attached respondents tended to reject criticism of the past war irrespective of their mode of identification. In a second study, we sought to explain the Croatian results by examining how critical attachment is denied legitimacy. We analyzed the rhetorical structure of a parliamentary debate around regime‐critical media coverage. The analyses show how the marginalization of critics is anchored in (1) a monolithic construction of the nation, which sacralizes particular elements and places them beyond discussion, and (2) a construction of the international context as too threatening to permit any dissent. Overall, the results of this mixed‐method study highlight that the opportunity to be recognized as a critical patriot depends on a nation's sociopolitical climate.
Chronic stress, inflammation, and glucose regulation in U.S. Hispanics from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study
Authors: McCurley Jessica L. , Mills Paul J. , Roesch Scott C. , Carnethon Mercedes , Giacinto Rebeca E. , Isasi Carmen R. , Teng Yanping , Sotres‐Alvarez Daniela , Llabre Maria M. , Penedo Frank J. , Schneiderman Neil , Gallo Linda C.
Published: April 2015

Diabetes prevalence is rising rapidly, and diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanics and other underserved groups. Chronic stress may contribute to diabetes risk, but few studies have examined this relationship in U.S. Hispanics. We examined associations of chronic stress with fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Hispanics without diabetes, and also assessed indirect effects of stress through inflammation (CRP). Participants were 3,923 men and women, aged 18–74, without diabetes, from the four U.S. field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA) of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary study. Participants completed a measure of chronic life stress and a physical exam with oral glucose tolerance test. In a multivariate regression analysis with adjustment for demographic and health covariates, higher chronic stress was related to higher fasting glucose (standardized regression coefficient: β = .09, p < .01), postload glucose (β = .07, p < .05), and HbA1c levels (β = .08, p < .01). However, there was no indirect effect of stress through inflammation. Findings suggest that higher chronic stress is associated with poorer glucose regulation in Hispanics, prior to the onset of a clinical diabetes diagnosis.
Sugars as hydroxyl radical scavengers: proof‐of‐concept by studying the fate of sucralose in Arabidopsis
Authors: Matros Andrea , Peshev Darin , Peukert Manuela , Mock Hans‐Peter , Van den Ende Wim
Published: April 2015

Substantial formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is inevitable in aerobic life forms. Due to their extremely high reactivity and short lifetime, hydroxyl radicals are a special case, because cells have not developed enzymes to detoxify these most dangerousROS. Thus, scavenging of hydroxyl radicals may only occur by accumulation of higher levels of simple organic compounds. Previous studies have demonstrated that plant‐derived sugars show hydroxyl radical scavenging capabilities during Fenton reactions with Fe2+and hydrogen peroxidein vitro, leading to formation of less detrimental sugar radicals that may be subject of regeneration to non‐radical carbohydratesin vivo. Here, we provide further evidence for the occurrence of such radical reactions with sugarsin planta, by following the fate of sucralose, an artificial analog of sucrose, in Arabidopsis tissues. The expected sucralose recombination and degradation products were detected in both normal and stressed plant tissues. Oxidation products of endogenous sugars were also assessedin plantafor Arabidopsis and barley, and were shown to increase in abundance relative to the non‐oxidized precursor during oxidative stress conditions. We concluded that such non‐enzymatic reactions with hydroxyl radicals form an integral part of plant antioxidant mechanisms contributing to cellularROShomeostasis, and may be more important than generally assumed. This is discussed in relation to the recently proposed roles for Fe2+and hydrogen peroxide in processes leading to the origin of metabolism and the origin of life.
Red cell antibody screening in South India: lessons learnt
Authors: Ambuja K. , Shivaram C.
Published: April 2015

Background and Objectives

Red cell antibody screening as a part of pretransfusion testing is not a routine practice in many developing countries. This study, was done to determine the incidence of allo‐ and auto‐antibodies, assess their clinical significance and deliver antigen negative blood where warranted.

Materials and Methods

Red cell antibody screening was done as a part of pretransfusion testing at a tertiary care multispecialty hospital in India on 60 518 patients between August 2007 and July 2014 using column agglutination technology by gel.

Results

Red cell antibodies were detected in 0·95% (n = 579). Of these, 0·54% (n = 332) were alloantibodies and 0·4% (n = 247) were auto‐antibodies. Rh and Kell antibodies detected were anti‐D(n = 140), anti‐C(n = 10), anti‐c(n = 12), anti‐E(n = 21), anti‐e(n = 4), anti‐K(n = 10), anti‐k(n = 2). Anti‐M (n = 30), anti‐N(n = 1), anti‐S(n = 7), anti‐Le(a)( n = 23), anti‐Le(b)( n = 6) and anti‐Fy(a)(n = 7) were found. Dual antibodies anti‐D&C(n = 36), anti‐C&E(n = 1), anti‐c&E(n = 2), anti‐K&C(n = 1), anti‐Jka&E(n = 1) and anti‐Jka&D(n = 1) were also detected. Of the 332 alloantibodies detected only 9 could not be typed. Additionally, our study detected 247 auto‐antibodies.

Conclusion

Implementation of red cell antibody screening routinely helped us understand the prevalence of antibodies in our region and showed that wider implementation at the national level is feasible and adds to blood safety.
Testing of Ceramic Stator Vanes to 2500 F (1371 C)
Authors: Holden A. N. , Mumford S. E. , Booher C. R.
Published: April 2015

Ceramic inlet vanes were tested in a full-size, eight-vane cascade rig to simulate power generation operation at 2200 and 2500 F (1204 and 1371 C). The 2200 F (1204 C) test, using only Si3N2 vanes, successfully completed over 100 start/stop cycles, except for some out-of-tolerance parts that caused edge loading. Initial 2500 F (1371 C) tests resulted in complete failure of the four carbide parts, while the four nitride parts remained funtional. Ramps up and down were somewhat more severe than for normal turbine operation, and all parts received debris impaction from an imploded combustor. Minor cracking occurred in only one nitride airfoil and two different nitride end caps. All LAS CERVIT C-140 insulator material was badly cracked after both test conditions. New insulator materials are being evaluated and cyclic tests are continuing.
The History and Use of Fire Resistant Fluids in Gas Turbines
Authors: James R. L.
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the three important developments of the trend toward increased use of phosphate esters, and provides a look at what can be expected in the next several years. Phosphate ester fire-resistant fluids offer three significant improvements in fire safety, when compared to petroleum products: (a) increased auto ignition and hot manifold ignition temperatures, (b) non-propagation of a flame, and (c) higher compression/ignition ratio. The use of fire-resistant phosphate ester fluids has increased significantly during the last ten years as a direct result of experience generated and problems being solved.
A General Finite Difference Technique for the Compressible Flow in the Meridional Plane of Centrifugal Turbomachinery
Authors: Davis W. R.
Published: April 2015

There has been an increased concentration of effort recently in the understanding of the complex flow in centrifugal turbomachines, especially industrial machines. Although it is impossible at this time, to model all the phenomena existing in a real machine, it is felt that a systematic approach which makes use of recent advances in computational fluid dynamics, and extends these as further developments occur, will significantly improve our understanding of the flow, and our ability to predict performance and improve efficiency. In this paper, a new general finite difference technique for solving the flow field in the hub-to-shroud plane of any component of a centrifugal turbomachine is described. The technique uses a quasi-orthogonal finite-difference net, and solves the resulting system of equations using a matrix method. Thus the technique offers a stable, accurate computational method, combined with a fixed grid which may be simply applied to the most complex annular passage shape. The results for three numerical examples are presented, a radial to axial inlet, a vaneless radial diffuser and an interstage return bend.
A Study on the Flow Mechanism Within Centrifugal Impeller Channels
Authors: Mizuki Shimpei , Ariga Ichiro , Watanabe Ichiro
Published: April 2015

Investigations concerning the flow patterns within centrifugal impeller channels have been made for many years. However, many of the problems remain unresolved about the secondary flow and the loss production mechanism within impeller channels. In the present study, measurements of the flow mechanism within impeller channels under the off-design conditions were performed by employing yaw probes to compare the results with those at the design point. The impellers with straight radial blades employed in the present study were of the same configuration except the shroud profiles which made diffusion ratios different from each other. From the present results, it became clear that the loss production mechanisms and the flow patterns within impeller channels were essentially unvaried both under design and off-design operations. The results thus obtained by the present study were furthermore compared with the others to examine the reliability of these results.
An Analysis of the Turbine Endwall Boundary Layer and Aerodynamic Losses
Authors: Booth T. C.
Published: April 2015

A momentum-integral analysis of the three-dimensional flow on the turbine endwall is presented. The formulation is for a compressible turbulent boundary layer with a constant streamwise shape factor. The effect of compressibility enters through a coordinate transformation and an assumed energy equation. An aerodynamic loss model is derived using inner and outer expansions. The losses decompose into frictional losses on the annulus and a vortex loss. Results are predicted for four cascade tests. In addition, previously observed trends of loss versus inlet boundary layer thickness, blade height, and blade chord are predicted. To illustrate a possible application, a parametric study is presented showing the effect on losses and heat transfer of various inlet boundary layer thickness distributions, which simulates different secondary flow configurations.
A Study of Casing Treatment Stall Margin Improvement Phenomena
Authors: Prince D. C. , Wisler D. C. , Hilvers D. E.
Published: April 2015

The results of a program of experimental and analytical research in casing treatments over axial compressor rotor blade tips are presented. Circumferential groove, axial-skewed slot, and blade angle slot treatments were tested at low speeds. With the circumferential groove treatment the stalling flow was reduced 5.8 percent at negligible efficiency sacrifice. The axial-skewed slot treatment improved the stalling flow by 15.3 percent; 1.8 points in peak efficiency were sacrificed. The blade angle slot treatment improved the stalling flow by 15.0 percent; 1.4 points in peak efficiency were sacrificed. These values are consistent with previous experience at transonic speeds. The favorable stalling flow situations correlated well with observations of higher-than-normal surface pressures on the rotor blade pressure surfaces in the tip region, and with increased maximum diffusions on the suction surfaces. Annulus wall pressure gradients, especially in the 50 to 75 percent chord region, are also increased and blade surface pressure loadings are shifted toward the trailing edge for treated configurations. Rotor blade wakes may be somewhat thinner in the presence of good treatments, particularly under operating conditions close to the baseline stall. Annulus wall boundary layer profiles are only slightly influenced by casing treatment.
Component Design Considerations for Gas Turbine HTGR Power Plant
Authors: McDonald C. F. , Adams R. G. , Bell F. R. , Fortescue P.
Published: April 2015

The gas turbine high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) power plant combines the existing design HTGR core with a closed-cycle helium gas turbine power conversion system directly in the reactor primary circuit. The high density helium working fluid results in a very compact power conversion system. While the geometries of the helium turbomachinery, heat exchangers, and internal gas flow paths differ from air breathing gas turbines because of the nature of the working fluid and the high degree of pressurization, many of the aerodynamic, heat transfer and dynamic analytical procedures used in the design are identical to conventional open-cycle industrial gas turbine practice. This paper outlines some of the preliminary design considerations for the rotating machinery, heat exchangers, and other major primary system components for an integrated type of plant embodying multiple gas turbine loops. The high potential for further improvement in plant efficiency and capacity, for both advanced dry-cooled and waste heat power cycle versions of the direct-cycle nuclear gas turbine, is also discussed.
The Effect of Water on Nitric Oxide Production in Gas Turbine Combustors
Authors: Shaw Henry
Published: April 2015

The NOx emission index from the combustion of distallate type fuels is a function of the amount of water that is present in the primary zone. A simple analysis based on modified Zeldovich kinetics was used to predict the magnitude of the NOx reduction due to water. All empirical and theoretical data that were evaluated fit the expression

Percent NOx reduction = (1 – exp (CHH)) 100

where CH = 22 ± 8 and H is the absolute humidity. This expression can be used to predict the quantity of water that is required to achieve a desired level of NOx reduction. Emission data that are collected at varying ambient humidities can thus be corrected to a common reference level. Methanol combustion was used to illustrate a particular application of the semiempirical calculational technique. It was shown that the NOx emissions from methanol combustion are equivalent to those obtained by adding 8.7 percent water to the combustion air of a kerosine type fuel. The NOx emissions from methanol combustion, on an equal space rate basis, are a factor of 4 lower than from kerosine type fuels. Corrections for ambient temperature and pressure are also required. Thus, in addition to the humidity correction, a technique for correcting NOx measurements to commonly accepted reference ambient conditions of temperature and pressure is presented in this paper.
An Experimentally Verified NOx Emission Model for Gas Turbine Combustors
Authors: Hung W. S. Y.
Published: April 2015

An analytical model has been developed to simulate the thermal NOx emission processes in various gas turbine combustors for a variety of fuels. The NOx emissions predicted by the model are in excellent agreement with available laboratory and field data. Its capability to simulate the water injection process accurately has been demonstrated previously. Comprehensive understanding of the NOx emission processes in gas turbine combustors has been gained through the current analytical studies. NOx emissions as influenced by ambient humidity, changes in combustor geometry, type of fuel used and changes in operating parameters can now be evaluated quantitatively through a priori prediction and have been verified by available laboratory and field data. The analytical model has also been demonstrated to be a powerful guidance tool in directing the experimental testing program in an effort to reduce NOx emissions from gas turbine combustors.
Introduction of Aircraft-Derived Gas Turbines in Railroad Service
Authors: de la Croix Lothar , Oberlander Georg
Published: April 2015

In 1963, the Deutsche Bundesbahn (German Federal Railways), together with KHD, studied the situation concerning a successful way of introducing gas turbines in rail-borne traffic. As a result, the Booster Locomotive V 169 (DL 219) was developed and introduced into service in 1965. This application, the first full service locomotive powered by a lightweight gas turbine, was presented to the public in 1965 at the World Traffic Exhibition in Munich and in 1966 at the International Gas Turbine Conference in Zurich, and gave an impulse to various other successful gas turbine applications in railroad traffic. The experience gained with the DL 219 led to the introduction of the DL 210 and VT 602 in 1971–1973. In the meantime, 25,000 hr of experience have been accumulated. Some highlights are presented and discussed in this paper.
α-Lipoic acid as a triglyceride-lowering nutraceutical
Authors: Pashaj Anjeza , Xia Mengna , Moreau Régis
Published: April 2015

Considering the current obesity epidemic in the United States (>100 million adults are overweight or obese), the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia is likely to grow beyond present statistics of ∼30% of the population. Conventional therapies for managing hypertriglyceridemia include lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, pharmacological approaches, and nutritional supplements. It is critically important to identify new strategies that would be safe and effective in lowering hypertriglyceridemia. α-Lipoic acid (LA) is a naturally occurring enzyme cofactor found in the human body in small quantities. A growing body of evidence indicates a role of LA in ameliorating metabolic dysfunction and lipid anomalies primarily in animals. Limited human studies suggest LA is most efficacious in situations where blood triglycerides are markedly elevated. LA is commercially available as dietary supplements and is clinically shown to be safe and effective against diabetic polyneuropathies. LA is described as a potent biological antioxidant, a detoxification agent, and a diabetes medicine. Given its strong safety record, LA may be a useful nutraceutical, either alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering strategies, when treating severe hypertriglyceridemia and diabetic dyslipidemia. This review examines the current evidence regarding the use of LA as a means of normalizing blood triglycerides. Also presented are the leading mechanisms of action of LA on triglyceride metabolism.
Tailoring the photophysical properties of carbon nanotubes by photonic nanostructures
Authors: Ma Xuedan , Htoon Han
Published: April 2015

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are nearly ideal one-dimensional systems with potential applications in a wide range of fields. The rich physics of SWCNTs arise from the excitonic nature of their photophysical properties. This review is focused on the results of novel research activities that explore how the photophysical properties of SWCNTs can be altered via their integration with photonic nanostructures including plasmonic structures and photonic microcavities that have resulted in phenomena such as photocurrent enhancement, selection rule breakdown and photoluminescence (PL) modification.
Graphical constructions for the sl(3), C2 and G2 invariants for virtual knots, virtual braids and free knots
Authors: Kauffman Louis Hirsch , Manturov Vassily Olegovich
Published: April 2015

We construct graph-valued analogues of the Kuperberg sl(3) and G2 invariants for virtual knots. The restriction of the sl(3) and G2 invariants for classical knots coincides with the usual Homflypt sl(3) invariant and G2 invariants. For virtual knots and graphs these invariants provide new graphical information that allows one to prove minimality theorems and to construct new invariants for free knots (unoriented and unlabeled Gauss codes taken up to abstract Reidemeister moves). A novel feature of this approach is that some knots are of sufficient complexity that they evaluate themselves in the sense that the invariant is the knot itself seen as a combinatorial structure. The paper generalizes these structures to virtual braids and discusses the relationship with the original Penrose bracket for graph colorings.
COMMENTS ON "RIEMANN–CHRISTOFFEL TENSOR IN DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY OF FRACTIONAL ORDER APPLICATION TO FRACTAL SPACE-TIME", [FRACTALS 21 (2013) 1350004]
Authors: TARASOV VASILY E.
Published: April 2015

We prove that main properties represented by Eq. (4.2) for fractional derivative of power function and the non-fractional Leibniz rule in the form (4.3) of the considered paper, cannot hold together for derivatives of non-integer order. As a result, we prove that the usual Leibniz rule (4.3) cannot hold for fractional derivatives.
Numerical Investigation of Motion and Deformation of a Single Red Blood Cell in a Stenosed Capillary
Authors: Polwaththe-Gallage Hasitha-Nayanajith , Saha Suvash Chandra , Sauret Emilie , Flower Robert , Gu Yuantong
Published: April 2015

It is generally assumed that influence of the red blood cells (RBCs) is predominant in blood rheology. The healthy RBCs are highly deformable and can thus easily squeeze through the smallest capillaries having internal diameter less than their characteristic size. On the other hand, RBCs infected by malaria or other diseases are stiffer and so less deformable. Thus it is harder for them to flow through the smallest capillaries. Therefore, it is very important to critically and realistically investigate the mechanical behavior of both healthy and infected RBCs which is a current gap in knowledge. The motion and the steady state deformed shape of the RBCs depend on many factors, such as the geometrical parameters of the capillary through which blood flows, the membrane bending stiffness and the mean velocity of the blood flow. In this study, motion and deformation of a single two-dimensional RBC in a stenosed capillary is explored by using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. An elastic spring network is used to model the RBC membrane, while the RBC's inside fluid and outside fluid are treated as SPH particles. The effect of RBC's membrane stiffness (k b ), inlet pressure (P) and geometrical parameters of the capillary on the motion and deformation of the RBC is studied. The deformation index, RBC's mean velocity and the cell membrane energy are analyzed when the cell passes through the stenosed capillary. The simulation results demonstrate that the k b , P and the geometrical parameters of the capillary have a significant impact on the RBCs' motion and deformation in the stenosed section.
TACKLING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR: AN OVERVIEW OF THE POLICY OPTIONS, APPROACHES AND MEASURES
Authors: WILLIAMS COLIN C.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this paper is to review the various policy options, approaches and measures that can be used to address informal entrepreneurship. To do this, it first reviews four possible policy options, namely taking no action, eradicating informal entrepreneurship, moving formal entrepreneurship into the informal economy, or transforming informal entrepreneurship into formal entrepreneurship. Revealing that transforming informal entrepreneurship into formal entrepreneurship is not only the most viable option but also the approach most commonly adopted by supra-national agencies and national governments, a review is then undertaken of how this can be achieved using either direct controls, which seek to increase the costs of informal entrepreneurship and/or the benefits of formal entrepreneurship, or indirect controls that seek to generate a commitment to compliance and greater self-regulation. It is then revealed how these approaches and their accompanying policy measures are not mutually exclusive and can be combined in various ways, exemplified by the responsive regulation and slippery slope approaches. The outcome is a comprehensive review and evaluation of the various policy options, approaches and measures available to policy makers for addressing informal entrepreneurship along with some recommendations regarding the way forward.
Singular overpartitions
Authors: Andrews George E.
Published: April 2015

The objective in this paper is to present a general theorem for overpartitions analogous to Rogers–Ramanujan type theorems for ordinary partitions with restricted successive ranks.
Another approach to the Truncated Pentagonal Number Theorem
Authors: Kolitsch Louis W.
Published: April 2015

Recently, in three separate papers, Andrews and Merca, Yee, and Kolitsch and Burnette proved some results concerning the Truncated Pentagonal Number Theorem. In this paper, a family of generating functions that keeps track of the number of different parts in a partition will be studied. This family of generating functions can be used to get the earlier results on the Truncated Pentagonal Number Theorem as well as several other results.
Excellent Cycle Stability of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Decorated Graphene as Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Shan-Shan , Qin Xue
Published: April 2015

Fe 3 O 4–graphene nanocomposites were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. Ultrafine Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were evenly anchored on graphene substrates. As anode material for Li -ion batteries (LIB), the nanocomposite showed high initial discharge and charge capacities of 1456mAhg-1 and 739.9mAhg-1 at high current density of 500mAg-1. Additionally, the charge capacity was also retained at 698.3mAhg-1 after 200 cycles, thereby indicating excellent cycling stability. The results suggested that the as-prepared Fe 3 O 4–graphene nanocomposite is a promising candidate for practical application as a Li -ion battery anode material.
Game total domination subdivision number of a graph
Authors: Amjadi J. , Karami H. , Sheikholeslami S. M.
Published: April 2015

A set S of vertices of a graph G = (V, E) without isolated vertex is a total dominating set if every vertex of V(G) is adjacent to some vertex in S. The total domination numberγt(G) is the minimum cardinality of a total dominating set of G. The game total domination subdivision number of a graph G is defined by the following game. Two players 𝒟 and 𝒜, 𝒟 playing first, alternately mark or subdivide an edge of G which is not yet marked nor subdivided. The game ends when all the edges of G are marked or subdivided and results in a new graph G′. The purpose of 𝒟 is to minimize the total domination number γt(G′) of G′ while 𝒜 tries to maximize it. If both 𝒜 and 𝒟 play according to their optimal strategies, γt(G′) is well defined. We call this number the game total domination subdivision number of G and denote it by γgt(G). In this paper we initiate the study of the game total domination subdivision number of a graph and present some (sharp) bounds for this parameter.
Characteristics Associated with Utilization of Asthma-Related Traditional Chinese Medicine Services among Asthma Children in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Shiou-Ian , Tsai Tung-Hu , Chou Yiing-Jenq , Huang Nicole
Published: April 2015

Introduction. Previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of TCM use among asthmatic children. However, there is a paucity of epidemiologic reports on features of TCM users among asthmatic children. This cohort study aimed to investigate child’s, parent’s, and provider’s characteristics associated with the use of asthma-related TCM services among newly diagnosed asthmatic children.Materials and Methods. A nationally representative cohort of one million National Health Insurance beneficiaries was used. The newly diagnosed asthma children who received asthma medication from western medicine providers from 2005 to 2010 were selected as our sample for analysis. Generalized estimating equation was applied to identify the child’s, parents’, and provider’s characteristics associated with the use of asthma-related TCM among the newly diagnosed asthmatic children.Results. Of 20,080 children who were enrolled and followed up for one year, 4,034 children used TCM for asthma-related treatment. Children with prior experience of TCM, pre-school and school aged children, boys, those with more severe asthma or poorer health, with higher income parents were more likely to use asthma-related TCM. Herbal medicine was the most common modality among asthmatic children.Conclusions. There were only 20% newly diagnosed asthmatic children using TCM. The findings may shed light on possible integration of TCM with western medicine services.
Emergency Vehicle Scheduling Problem with Time Utility in Disasters
Authors: Gan Xiaobing , Wang Yan , Kuang Junbiao , Yu Ye , Niu Ben
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a flexible emergency rescue system which is chiefly composed of three parts, namely, disaster assistance center, relief vehicles, and disaster areas. A novel objective of utility maximization is used to evaluate the entire system in disasters. Considering the uncertain road conditions in the relief distribution, we implement triangular fuzzy number to calculate the vehicle velocity. As a consequence, a fuzzy mathematical model is built to maximize the utility of emergency rescue system and then converted to the crisp counterpart. Finally, the results of numerical experiments obtained by particle swarm optimization (PSO) prove the validity of this proposed mathematical model.
Epidemiology of Neuromyelitis Optica in the World: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Etemadifar Masoud , Nasr Zahra , Khalili Behrang , Taherioun Maryam , Vosoughi Reza
Published: April 2015

Background.Neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease) is a severe autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Epidemiological aspects of NMO have not been systemically reviewed. In this study we systematically reviewed and assessed the quality of studies reporting the incidence and/or prevalence of NMO across the world.Methods.A comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science for the terms “Neuromyelitis optica,” “devic disease,” “incidence,” “prevalence,” and “epidemiology” was conducted on January 31, 2015. Study quality was assessed using an assessment tool based on recognized guidelines and designed specifically for this study.Results.A total of 216 studies were initially identified, with only 9 meeting the inclusion criteria. High level of heterogeneity amongst studies precluded a firm conclusion. Incidence data were found in four studies and ranged from 0.053 per 100,000 per year in Cuba to 0.4 in Southern Denmark. Prevalence was reported in all studies and ranged from 0.51 per 100,000 in Cuba to 4.4 in Southern Denmark.Conclusion.This review reveals the gaps that still exist in the epidemiological knowledge of NMO in the world. Published studies have different qualities and methodology precluding a robust conclusion. Future researches focusing on epidemiological features of NMO in different nations and different ethnic groups are needed.
Control of White Spot Lesion Adjacent to Orthodontic Bracket with Use of Fluoride Varnish or Chlorhexidine Gel
Authors: Restrepo Manuel , Bussaneli Diego G. , Jeremias Fabiano , Cordeiro Rita C. L. , Magalhães Ana C. , Palomari Spolidorio Denise M. , Santos-Pinto Lourdes
Published: April 2015

The aims of this study were to compare the effectiveness of fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine gel in controlling white spot lesions (WSLs) adjacent to orthodontic brackets and to compare the ability of Quantitative Light‐Induced Fluorescence (QLF) to measure mineral uptake with that of transverse microradiography (TMR). Thirty premolars with artificially induced WSLs were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) two applications of 5% NaF‐varnish (F), with one‐week interval, (2) two applications of 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX), with one‐week interval, and (3) control (CO), no treatment. QLF was used to measure changes in fluorescence before and after caries induction, 1 week after each application and 1, 2, and 3 months after the last application of F or CHX. TMR was performed to quantify lesion depth and mineral content after caries induction to evaluate the effects of F, CHX, and CO 3 months after the last application of agents. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s test. All treatments increased the mineral content during the experimental period; however, F induced faster remineralization than CHX. The correlation between QLF and TMR was significantly moderate. Two applications of fluoride varnish or 2% chlorhexidine gel at one‐week intervals were effective in controlling WSLs.
Application of Metabolomics in Thyroid Cancer Research
Authors: Wojakowska Anna , Chekan Mykola , Widlak Piotr , Pietrowska Monika
Published: April 2015

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy with four major types distinguished on the basis of histopathological features: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Classification of thyroid cancer is the primary step in the assessment of prognosis and selection of the treatment. However, in some cases, cytological and histological patterns are inconclusive; hence, classification based on histopathology could be supported by molecular biomarkers, including markers identified with the use of high-throughput “omics” techniques. Beside genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, metabolomic approach emerges as the most downstream attitude reflecting phenotypic changes and alterations in pathophysiological states of biological systems. Metabolomics using mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques allows qualitative and quantitative profiling of small molecules present in biological systems. This approach can be applied to reveal metabolic differences between different types of thyroid cancer and to identify new potential candidates for molecular biomarkers. In this review, we consider current results concerning application of metabolomics in the field of thyroid cancer research. Recent studies show that metabolomics can provide significant information about the discrimination between different types of thyroid lesions. In the near future, one could expect a further progress in thyroid cancer metabolomics leading to development of molecular markers and improvement of the tumor types classification and diagnosis.
Effects of ENSO on Autumn Rainfall in Central Vietnam
Authors: Vu Thang Van , Nguyen Hieu Trong , Nguyen Thang Van , Nguyen Hiep Van , Pham Huong Thi Thanh , Nguyen Lan Thi
Published: April 2015

28 years (1980–2007) of station and gridded reanalysis data were used to investigate the effects of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on autumn rainfall in the Extended Central Vietnam (ECV) region. Results show that, under El Niño conditions, autumn rainfall in Central Vietnam is reduced by about 10 to 30%. This reduction seems to be caused by a weakening of the North East monsoon circulation, which appears to be linked to an anomalous anticyclonic vortex and a positive sea level pressure anomaly over the East Sea. In addition, the disappearance of a secondary moisture source over the southern region of the East Sea also favors the reduction in rainfall over this region. Conversely, during La Niña, the total autumn rainfall in the ECV region increases by about 9 to 19%. The strengthening of the North East monsoon, with a cyclonic wind anomaly over the East Sea, helps to increase the moisture supply to the area by about 10 to 20%, resulting in enhanced rainfall in the ECV. It is also found that the La Niña conditions do not only cause an increase in rainfall, but also change the temporal distribution of the monthly rainfall over the region, with more rainfall in the latter months of the year.
Ethanol Extract ofPerilla frutescensSuppresses Allergen-Specific Th2 Responses and Alleviates Airway Inflammation and Hyperreactivity in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Murine Model of Asthma
Authors: Chen Miaw-Ling , Wu Chi-Heng , Hung Li-Shiuan , Lin Bi-Fong
Published: April 2015

This study was to investigate the effects of different fractions ofPerilla frutescens(Pf) leaves extracted by water or ethanol on asthma. BALB/c mice sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were divided into six groups. Each group of mice was tube-feeding with 0 (control), 80 μg (PfWL), or 320 μg (PfWH) water extracts or 80 μg (PfEL) or 320 μg (PfEH) ethanol extracts of perilla leaves daily for 3 weeks. A negative control group (PBS) was neither sensitized nor treated with Pf. The effects of perilla leave extracts on allergic immune response were evaluated. The results showed that OVA-specific IL-5 and IL-13 secretions from OVA-stimulated splenocytes were significantly suppressed in the ethanol extract groups PfEL and PfEH. Serum level of anti-OVA IgE tended to be lower in the PfEH group. The inflammatory mediators, such as eotaxin and histamine, and total cells, particularly eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), were also decreased in the PfEL and the PfEH groups. Therefore, the PfEL and the PfEH groups had significantly lower methacholine-induced hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In conclusion, ethanol extracts, rather than water extract, of perilla leaves could significantly suppress Th2 responses and airway inflammation in allergic murine model of asthma.
Gender-Related Effects of Sex Steroids on Histamine Release and FcεRI Expression in Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells
Authors: Muñoz-Cruz Samira , Mendoza-Rodríguez Yolanda , Nava-Castro Karen E. , Yepez-Mulia Lilián , Morales-Montor Jorge
Published: April 2015

Mast cells (MCs) are versatile effector and regulatory cells in various physiologic, immunologic, and pathologic processes. In addition to the well-characterized IgE/FcεRI-mediated degranulation, a variety of biological substances can induce MCs activation and release of their granule content. Sex steroids, mainly estradiol and progesterone, have been demonstrated to elicit MCs activation. Most published studies have been conducted on MCs lines or freshly isolated peritoneal and bone marrow-derived MC without addressing gender impact on MC response. Our goal was to investigate if the effect of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on MCs may differ depending on whether female or male rats are used as MCs donors. Our results demonstrated that effect of sex steroids on MCs histamine release is dose- and gender-dependent and can be direct, synergistic, or inhibitory depending on whether hormones are used alone or to pretreat MCs followed by substance P-stimulation or upon IgE-mediated stimulation. In contrast, sex steroids did not have effect on the MC expression of the IgE high affinity receptor, FcεRI, no matter female or male rats were used. In conclusion, MCs degranulation is modulated by sex hormones in a gender-selective fashion, with MC from females being more susceptible than MC from males to the effects of sex steroids.