bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive functioning, metabolic control, and treatment type in youth with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Limbers Christine A. , Emery Kara , Young Danielle , Stephen Matthew
Published: January 2015

There is growing evidence that cognitive functioning plays an important role in self-care behavior and glycemic control in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether there were differences in glycemic control and cognitive functioning between youth with T1D treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and multiple daily injections.

The sample consisted of 29 youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ages 6–15 years (mean age=11.72 years) receiving care at an outpatient pediatric endocrinology clinic. Youth were administered the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare youth with T1D treated with MDI vs. CSII on glycemic control, verbal memory, visual memory, attention/concentration, and intelligence.

Mean intelligence scores for the insulin pump sample were higher than the daily injection sample. This difference was a medium to large effect. After controlling for demographic variables, age of onset for diabetes, and glycemic control, treatment type was still a significant predictor of intelligence demonstrating that CSII was associated with higher intelligence scores.

The use of standardized measures of cognitive functioning in routine clinical care may shed some light on the complex interplay between cognitive functioning, treatment type, and glycemic control when managing pediatric patients with T1D.
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): an update
Authors: Anık Ahmet , Çatlı Gönül , Abacı Ayhan , Böber Ece
Published: January 2015

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a group of monogenic disorders characterized by autosomal dominantly inherited non-insulin dependent form of diabetes classically presenting in adolescence or young adults before the age of 25 years. MODY is a rare cause of diabetes (1% of all cases) and is frequently misdiagnosed as Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A precise molecular diagnosis is essential because it leads to optimal treatment of the patients and allows early diagnosis for their asymptomatic family members. Mutations in the glucokinase (
Investigating “periphery” from a functionalist perspective
Authors: Traugott Elizabeth Closs
Published: January 2015

Several models of pragmatic markers in initial and final position “outside” the clause are presented, many of them suggesting a sharp divide between periphery “outside” the core clause, and periphery “inside” the core. Characteristics of pragmatic markers often considered to be prototypical are discussed, especially syntactic and prosodic detachability. Evidence from prosody and from the historical development of some pragmatic markers, such as general extenders, suggests that “inner” and “outer” periphery are gradient, and that characteristics of pragmatic markers that are cited repeatedly are weak tendencies associated with a restricted set of pragmatic markers and cannot be used as diagnostics. Crucially, syntactic and prosodic detachability are in some cases not characteristic, nor is initial position.
Rewriting the Chinese National Epic in an Age of Global Consumerism: City of Life and Death and The Flowers of War
Authors: Yang Jing
Published: January 2015

The Nanjing Massacre (1937–1938) has been rewritten by two controversial Chinese hits aimed at the global market: City of Life and Death (2009) and The Flowers of War (2011). Directed, respectively, by the rising director Lu Chuan and the internationally renowned “Fifth Generation” director Zhang Yimou, the films feature the complicated dynamics between Chinese refugees, Westerners and Japanese soldiers amidst the devastation. Their ambition to reach worldwide audiences, such as the nuanced treatment of wartime occupation and aesthetic references to Hollywood, is either affirmed by international awards or thwarted by the lackluster reception in the West. By examining the various globalist transformations in the cinematic narrative, this paper argues that what begins as a rearticulation of the patriotic discourse turns into a tentative construction of new identity at the historical moment of China’s rise. The reconfiguration of the national epic in City of Life and Death and The Flowers of War manifests a repositioning of Chinese self in response to global consumerism.
Mechanisms of removal of heavy metals and arsenic from water by TiO2-heterogeneous photocatalysis
Authors: Litter Marta I.
Published: January 2015

This article is an overview of recent work performed in our laboratory on TiO2 heterogeneous photocatalysis of aqueous systems containing toxic forms of chromium, arsenic, lead, uranium and mercury. The cases of chromium and arsenic are treated in profundity. Photocatalytic treatments can convert the ionic species into their metallic solid form and deposit them over the semiconductor surface, or transform them into less toxic soluble species. When a transformation to the zerovalent state is possible, this allows the recovery of the metal from the waters, with an important economical return. Three types of mechanisms can be considered, all of them taking place through successive thermodynamically allowed monoelectronic electron transfer steps: (a) direct reduction by photogenerated electrons; (b) indirect reduction by intermediates generated by hole or hydroxyl radical oxidation of electron donors (reducing radicals); (c) oxidative removal by holes or hydroxyl radicals. Fundamentals of oxidative or reductive heterogeneous photocatalysis are described, with special emphasis on the role of organic donors present in the medium acting as synergists. This indicates the possibility of simultaneous treatment of pollutants of different chemical structure and properties present in the same medium.
Electromagnetic radiation as a spin crossover stimulus
Authors: Homenya Patrick , Heyer Lars , Renz Franz
Published: January 2015

Over the course of time, several effects which are associated with the phenomenon of an optically-induced spin transition were found. With this contribution, we would like to give the reader a brief overview of several photonically-induced SCO effects by outlining their relationship to one another.
Discrete fragment model for apparent formation constants of actinide ions with humic substances
Authors: Sasaki Takayuki , Yoshida Hatsumi , Aoyama Shunsuke , Kobayashi Taishi , Takagi Ikuji , Moriyama Hirotake
Published: January 2015

A semi-empirical thermodynamic model was applied to estimate the
apparent formation constants of actinide ions, i.e., Th(IV),
Pu(IV) and Np(V), with humic substances (HSs), including
humic and fulvic acids, over a wide range of solution conditions,
i.e., pH, ionic strength, and HS and metal concentrations. The
hypothetical HSs consist of humic and fulvic acids with nine types of
simple organic ligands, which include aromatic and aliphatic carboxyl
groups and phenol groups, as binding sites. The abundance of each
binding site in the hypothetical HSs was determined via a fitting
analysis using an acid-dissociation dataset for several HSs. To
determine the apparent formation constant of a given metal ion with
HSs, 54 specific binding sites were considered, including nine
monodentate sites (1:1 metal/ligand complexes) and 45 bidentate
sites (1:2 metal/ligand complexes). The formation constant of each
monodentate binding was determined from the experimental data, while
those of the bidentate bindings were determined by considering two
monodentate bindings and the chelating effect, for which one of the
adjustable parameters was introduced in the model. Introduction of the
other parameter, which is related to the fraction of monodentate to
bidentate sites (i.e., the heterogeneity), afforded the parameter
values with good correlation with the apparent formation constant
data. The present model with adjusted parameter values well reproduced
the experimental apparent complex formation constants for actinide ion
interaction with HSs in a wide range of solution conditions except for
those obtained at trace concentrations.
Schwann cell transplantation for spinal cord injury repair: its significant therapeutic potential and prospectus
Authors: Kanno Haruo , Pearse Damien D. , Ozawa Hiroshi , Itoi Eiji , Bunge Mary Bartlett
Published: January 2015

Transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair. The introduction of SCs into the injured spinal cord has been shown to reduce tissue loss, promote axonal regeneration, and facilitate myelination of axons for improved sensorimotor function. The pathology of spinal cord injury (SCI) comprises multiple processes characterized by extensive cell death, development of a milieu inhibitory to growth, and glial scar formation, which together limits axonal regeneration. Many studies have suggested that significant functional recovery following SCI will not be possible with a single therapeutic strategy. The use of additional approaches with SC transplantation may be needed for successful axonal regeneration and sufficient functional recovery after SCI. An example of such a combination strategy with SC transplantation has been the complementary administration of neuroprotective agents/growth factors, which improves the effect of SCs after SCI. Suspension of SCs in bioactive matrices can also enhance transplanted SC survival and increase their capacity for supporting axonal regeneration in the injured spinal cord. Inhibition of glial scar formation produces a more permissive interface between the SC transplant and host spinal cord for axonal growth. Co-transplantation of SCs and other types of cells such as olfactory ensheathing cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells, and neural stem cells can be a more effective therapy than transplantation of SCs alone following SCI. This article reviews some of the evidence supporting the combination of SC transplantation with additional strategies for SCI repair and presents a prospectus for achieving better outcomes for persons with SCI.
First record of basket stars Astrocyclus caecilia (Lütken, 1856) and Astrophyton muricatum (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea, Euryalida) for the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Gondim Anne Isabelley , Dias Thelma Lúcia Pereira , Christoffersen Martin Lindsey
Published: January 2015

This paper reports the first record of Astrocyclus caecilia for northeastern Brazil and Astrophyton muricatum for the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The studied specimens were captured accidentally by a fisherman using a fishing rod at a depth below 100 m over the continental shelf of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Such accidental captures stress our meager knowledge on our fauna from the outer margin of the continental shelf in northeastern Brazil. With these records we fill a gap in the known distribution of those species.
Evaluating species richness: Biased ecological inference results from spatial heterogeneity in detection probabilities
Authors: Mc New Lance B. , Handel Colleen M.
Published: January 2015

Accurate estimates of species richness are necessary to test predictions of ecological theory and evaluate biodiversity for conservation purposes. However, species richness is difficult to measure in the field because some species will almost always be overlooked due to their cryptic nature or the observer's failure to perceive their cues. Common measures of species richness that assume consistent observability across species are inviting because they may require only single counts of species at survey sites. Single‐visit estimation methods ignore spatial and temporal variation in species detection probabilities related to survey or site conditions that may confound estimates of species richness. We used simulated and empirical data to evaluate the bias and precision of raw species counts, the limiting forms of jackknife and Chao estimators, and multispecies occupancy models when estimating species richness to evaluate whether the choice of estimator can affect inferences about the relationships between environmental conditions and community size under variable detection processes. Four simulated scenarios with realistic and variable detection processes were considered. Results of simulations indicated that (1) raw species counts were always biased low, (2) single‐visit jackknife and Chao estimators were significantly biased regardless of detection process, (3) multispecies occupancy models were more precise and generally less biased than the jackknife and Chao estimators, and (4) spatial heterogeneity resulting from the effects of a site covariate on species detection probabilities had significant impacts on the inferred relationships between species richness and a spatially explicit environmental condition. For a real data set of bird observations in northwestern Alaska, USA, the four estimation methods produced different estimates of local species richness, which severely affected inferences about the effects of shrubs on local avian richness. Overall, our results indicate that neglecting the effects of site covariates on species detection probabilities may lead to significant bias in estimation of species richness, as well as the inferred relationships between community size and environmental covariates.
Transvaginal Ultrasonography and Hysteroscopy as Predictors of Endometrial Polyps in Postmenopause
Authors: de Godoy Borges Pítia Cárita , Dias Rogério , Machado Rogério Bonassi , Borges João Bosco Ramos , Dias Daniel Spadoto
Published: January 2015

The study compared ultrasound and ambulatorial hysteroscopy as diagnostic methods detecting endometrial polyps in postmenopause women. 281 women aged 41–82 years who underwent ambulatorial hysteroscopy were analyzed for presence of uterine bleeding and/or altered transvaginal ultrasound (endometrial thickness ≥5 mm). Ultrasonography detected endometrial polyps in 22.8% of patients and endometrial thickening in the other 59.8%. Hysteroscopy diagnosed endometrial polyps in 80.8%. Ultrasonography showed sensitivity of 88.7%, specificity of 25.4%, positive predictive value of 81.7%, negative predictive value of 37.5% and accuracy of 75.4% in diagnosing endometrial polyps. Hysteroscopy showed 96.4% sensitivity, 74.6% specificity, 93.4% positive predictive value, 84.6% negative predictive value and 91.8% accuracy. Hysteroscopy demonstrated more accuracy than ultrasonography, which is not sufficient for accurate diagnosis.
Endometriosis: A Role for Stem Cells
Authors: Dhesi Amy S , Morelli & Sara S
Published: January 2015

Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic condition affecting 6–10% of reproductive aged women and is a major cause of chronic pain and infertility. Mechanisms of disease pathogenesis are poorly understood. Considerable evidence supports the existence of a stem cell population in the endometrium which provides a physiologic source of regenerative endometrial cells, and multiple lines of evidence now support a key role for stem cells in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In addition, new blood vessel formation is critical for the establishment and maintenance of endometriotic implants, a process in which endothelial progenitor cells may play an integral role. These new insights into disease pathogenesis present exciting opportunities to develop targeted and more effective therapeutic options in the management of this common and challenging disease.
Intimate Partner Abuse: Identifying, Caring for and Helping Women in Healthcare Settings
Authors: Valpied Jodie , Hegarty Kelsey
Published: January 2015

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is experienced by around one in three women at some stage during their lifetime, and has serious health consequences. This paper reviews how clinicians can best identify when a woman is experiencing IPA, and provide appropriate care and assistance. Research supports use of sensitive inquiry about IPA when conditions or situations that can be associated with IPA are present. Subsequent responses recommended include validation, affirmation and support, safety assessment and planning (both for the woman and any children), counseling and referral to IPA specialist services. Better training is needed for clinicians in these areas. Future research is needed to compare identification methods, and further assess psychological, advocacy and safety planning interventions, primary prevention and perpetrator interventions.
Links between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Look at the Evidence
Authors: Liu Ying , Nguyen Nhi , Colditz Graham A
Published: January 2015

Alcohol consumption by adult women is consistently associated with risk of breast cancer. Several questions regarding alcohol and breast cancer need to be addressed. Menarche to first pregnancy represents a window of time when breast tissue is particularly susceptible to carcinogens. Youth alcohol consumption is common in the USA, largely in the form of binge drinking and heavy drinking. Whether alcohol intake acts early in the process of breast tumorigenesis is unclear. This review aims to focus on the influences of timing and patterns of alcohol consumption and the effect of alcohol on intermediate risk markers. We also review possible mechanisms underlying the alcohol-breast cancer association.
Scientific Evidence Shows the Need for a Fresh Approach to IVF
Authors: Nargund Geeta
Published: January 2015

Professor Dr Geeta Nargund is a pioneer in the field of Natural and Mild IVF and Advanced Ultrasound Technology in Reproductive Medicine, and founder and Medical Director of CREATE Fertility Natural and Mild IVF clinics. She is also an accredited trainer for special skills modules of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists London and the British Fertility Society. She pioneered the use of follicular Doppler in assessing ‘egg quality’ in humans. She also published the first scientific paper on ‘Cumulative live birth rates with natural cycle IVF’. As President of the International Society for Mild Approaches in Assisted Reproduction she has been the voice for women's choice, health and education in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology globally. She promotes safer, less-drug-orientated and accessible ART. She is actively involved in research in making IVF more natural, accessible and safer for women and children. She is the Chief Executive of the UK National charity, Create Health Foundation. This Charity funds and supports women's health education in the UK and in Africa.
Norm inequalities for new convolutions and their applications
Authors: Duc Dinh , Nhan Nguyen
Published: January 2015

Various Lp-weighted norm inequalities for some new types of convolutions are
proved which generalize some known results on convolution norm inequalities.
Applications are made in the field of integral transforms and differential
equations.
Determination of Constant Parameters of Copper as Power-Law Hardening Material at Different Test Conditions
Authors: Kowser Md. A. , Mahiuddin Md.
Published: January 2015

In this paper a technique has been developed to determine constant parameters of copper as a power-law hardening material by tensile test approach. A work-hardening process is used to describe the increase of the stress level necessary to continue plastic deformation. A computer program is used to show the variation of the stress-strain relation for different values of stress hardening exponent, n and power-law hardening constant, α . Due to its close tolerances, excellent corrosion resistance and high material strength, in this analysis copper (Cu) has been selected as the material. As a power-law hardening material, Cu has been used to compute stress hardening exponent, n and power-law hardening constant, α from tensile test experiment without heat treatment and after heat treatment. A wealth of information about mechanical behavior of a material can be determined by conducting a simple tensile test in which a cylindrical specimen of a uniform cross-section is pulled until it ruptures or fractures into separate pieces. The original cross sectional area and gauge length are measured prior to conducting the test and the applied load and gauge deformation are continuously measured throughout the test. Based on the initial geometry of the sample, the engineering stress-strain behavior (stress-strain curve) can be easily generated from which numerous mechanical properties, such as the yield strength and elastic modulus, can be determined. A universal testing machine is utilized to apply the load in a continuously increasing (ramp) manner according to ASTM specifications. Finally, theoretical results are compared with these obtained from experiments where the nature of curves is found similar to each other. It is observed that there is a significant change of the value of n obtained with and without heat treatment it means the value of n should be determined for the heat treated condition of copper material for their applications in engineering fields.
Novel Solution for Leg Motion with 5-Link Belt Mechanism
Authors: E.Ch. Lovasz , C. Pop , F. Pop , V. Dolga
Published: January 2015

From the analysis of Theo Jansen walking mechanism and of the path curve that it describes the reduced capability for crossing over obstacles of the Jansen leg (1 DOF) is pointed out. By using a 5 link belt mechanism with 2 DOF can be adapted for generating similar Jansen mechanism path curve, where the step height of this path can be increased. For this purpose a mathematical model is conceived in order to analyse and determine the parameters for driving and control of the operation of the novel walking leg solution.
Identification of Heredity Kernels and Their Influence on the Life Time of Glass/Polyester Composites
Authors: Olodo E.T. , Adjovi E.C. , Adanhounme V.
Published: January 2015

One of the major problems encountered in prediction of hereditary viscoelastic behavior of polymeric composites is the determination of heredity kernels. This issue comes down to identification of the model characterizing the viscoelastic properties of these materials. The purpose of this work is to propose a model for prediction of viscoelastic nonlinear behavior of laminate composite with polyester matrix, through the study and analysis of heredity kernels and their influence on the life time of this material. Identification of this model required experimental determination at room temperature, of viscoelastic parameters of heredity kernels by macroscopic approach. These data provide predictive tools for establishment of the life time and long term stress limit under static complex loading for this type of material.
Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of New Polar Positioning System Dedicated to Mechatronic Laser Glass Engraving System
Authors: Trochimczuk R.
Published: January 2015

Analytical formulas describing the kinematics and dynamics of a multibody system of a new polar positioning system dedicated to mechatronic laser glass or other transparent dielectrics engraving system will be presented in this work. The analytical results will become in the later stages of the research the basis of numerical simulations. They will optimize the proposed solution of the positioning system.
Model of 5R Spatial Linkage in the Geometry of Tori
Authors: Bil T. , Budniak Z.
Published: January 2015

The present study covers the problem of a kinematic analysis of a spatial 5R single DOF linkage. This mechanism was constructed by combining two 4R universal mechanisms presented in tori geometry (Bil, 2012). The problem can be presented as the effect of an intersection of two tori in such a manner that the circles that form these tori do not coincide (Bil, 2010; 2011; 2012; 2012). As a result of this, a 5R model was obtained of a five-bar mechanism. It was demonstrated that there are 16 cases of the intersection of two universal tori with constant linear dimensions and that they differ with the angles of the mutual positions of rotation axes. A particular case of the five-bar mechanism presented herein is the well-known Goldberg mechanism (Goldberg, 1943), which was initially formed out of a particular case combination of two Bennett mechanisms (Bennett, 1903; Baker, 1979).
Technical and Economic Aspects of Biomass Co-Firing in Coal-Fired Boilers
Authors: Dzikuć M. , Łasiński K.
Published: January 2015

The article presents the analysis of the potential of using biomass and coal co-firing in the Polish electro energetic system and shows the benefits resulting from an increase of biomass amount in electricity production in one of the largest Polish power stations. The paper discusses the most often used technologies for biomass co-firing and the potential of using biomass in electricity production in Poland. It also emphasises the fact that biomass co-firing allows a reduction of greenhouse gases emissions to the atmosphere and helps decrease consumption of energy resources. The article also emphasises the economic meaning of increasing the share of renewable energy resources in energy balance, including biomass, due to costs related to greenhouse gases emissions charges. Finally, conclusions from using biomass and coal co-firing in electricity production are presented
The Action Execution Process Implemented in Different Cognitive Architectures: A Review
Authors: Dong Daqi , Franklin Stan
Published: January 2015

An agent achieves its goals by interacting with its environment, cyclically choosing and executing suitable actions. An action execution process is a reasonable and critical part of an entire cognitive architecture, because the process of generating executable motor commands is not only driven by low-level environmental information, but is also initiated and affected by the agent’s high-level mental processes. This review focuses on cognitive models of action, or more specifically, of the action execution process, as implemented in a set of popular cognitive architectures. We examine the representations and procedures inside the action execution process, as well as the cooperation between action execution and other high-level cognitive modules. We finally conclude with some general observations regarding the nature of action execution.
Grain Size Distribution of Stabilised Aeolian Dune Sediments in Inner Somogy, Hungary
Authors: Györgyövics Katalin , Kiss Tímea , Sipos György
Published: January 2015

In Inner Somogy the former researches concluded that the grain size of stabilised aeolian dunes decreases from north to south fitting to grain size distribution of the alluvial fan the dunes were built of and to the prevailing wind. However, the trend is not so evident, if considering the dune types and sand moving periods. The aim of this paper is to analyse the grain size distribution trends from the point of view of (1) different dune classes, (2) OSL age and (3) general morphological characteristics of the region. During the analysis the grain size distribution of 345 samples from 17 cores (120-300 cm in depth) was determined, and 15 OSL samples were dated. According to the results, the material of simple forms and level 1 dunes (these are the lowest dunes on the surface of the alluvial fan) becomes finer southward, in accordance with the structure of the alluvial fan and prevailing wind direction. Similar trend applies for level 2 dunes (which were formed on the top of level 1 dunes), but it does not apply for level 3 dunes, which are situated on the top of other dunes. It seems that the grain size is inversely proportional to the size of a dune and its age, thus younger and smaller dunes have coarser and less well sorted material. The sediments of the oldest, large parabolic dunes are the finest, younger, medium size parabolic forms have fine material, and the youngest hummocks contain the coarsest sand. The decreasing grain size towards south is the most apparent along longitudinal residual ridges, while within parabolic dunes the wings contain finer material than their elevated head.
Vibration-Based Methods For Detecting A Crack In A Simply Supported Beam
Authors: Kindova-Petrova Dimitrina
Published: January 2015

Variable loadings cause fatigue to the structural elements leading to crack initiation and propagation, which results in a decrease in the fatigue life of the elements. In particular, cracks decrease the stiffness and the natural frequency thus, causing specimens to fail under normal working conditions. This paper presents the application of the vibration- based technique for detecting the location and the size of a fatigue crack in structures. The two presented methods are based on the measurements of the natural frequencies of the cracked beam. The crack is modelled by a rotational spring. The predicted crack depth and location are compared with the actual data obtained from finite element models.
The Strategic Dimension of the Dynamic Capabilities of Enterprises
Authors: Krzakiewicz Kazimierz , Cyfert Szymon
Published: January 2015

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the concept of dynamic capabilities of enterprises and present of its principles from the perspective of strategic management. The paper starts with the presentation of importance of paradigms in strategic management. It is followed by the discussion of the concept of dynamic capabilities and of the strategic aspects of the concept of dynamic capabilities of enterprises
Resource-based view in strategic management of public organizations – a review of the literature
Authors: Szymaniec-Mlicka Karolina
Published: January 2015

The resourced-based view has been widely used and appreciated in strategic management of private organizations. It is not, however, particularly popular in public management, although, as pointed out by the literature, it may be the solution to environmental turbulences that public organizations also have to face. This article focuses on presenting a review of to-date research relating to the use of resource-based view in the management of public organizations
Operational risk associated with the strategy implementation
Authors: Radomska Joanna
Published: January 2015

The paper discusses the subject of the strategy implementation and the operational risk that accompanies this stage of the strategic management process. The studies confirmed the existence of a relationship between the effectiveness of the strategy implementation and the operational risk aspects (including internal processes, systems, people and the environment). This indicates the role of risk aspects when implementing development concepts. Therefore it seems necessary to take these elements into account in the course of the strategic management process in order to achieve a greater effectiveness of the implementation work..
Strategy of adaptation in the management system at the Egyptian Universities after Arab Spring Uprising - revolution and aftermath
Authors: Borowski Piotr
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the results of the research concerning of selection of an appropriate strategy for the development strategy of Egyptian universities, in an era of political crisis. In Egypt after the revolution of 2011 and the fall of President Mubarak there was a period of unpredictable political changes, which result are continuous demonstrations and riots in the streets of large cities. In July 2013, there took place a further social unrest that led to the fall of President Morsi and the introduction of control by the army. In such an unstable, turbulent and unpredictable environment the universities seek their proper path of development. One of approach used by Universities is an adaptation strategy, which meets in Egypt, however, with strong cultural and social circumstances
Employee engagement in continuous improvement of processes
Authors: Brajer-Marczak Renata
Published: January 2015

The article, which is supposed to present the essence of the problems related to building employee engagement in continuous improvement of processes, highlights the existing possibilities of its extraction and sustaining. The paper has pointed out that the subject matter associated with building employee engagement in improvement of processes is cognitively interesting, but also useful in practice, especially that, as indicated in the first part of this study, without any knowledge and skills associated with improvement of processes it is currently difficult to compete in a variable market environment. The article has also elaborated on the concept of continuous improvement of processes by setting it against the background of contemporary trends in management. It has presented the term “employee engagement “, taking account of its ambiguity and multidimensionality. The article serves as a review based on the studies subject literature
Impact of Tourist and One-Day Visitor Arrivals on Economic Growth. Case Study of the Cayman Islands
Authors: Podhorodecka Katarzyna
Published: January 2015

The Cayman Islands are one of the SISODs, located in the Caribbean Sea, with a high number of foreign visitor arrivals and a GDP based to a large extent on tourism. They are also considered to be SITE islands and may even be characteristic of the subtype, PROFIT-SITE islands. The aim of the article is to provide an answer to the question of whether the increase in the number of tourist and one-day visitor arrivals1 had a positive impact on the creation of GDP in the Cayman Islands during the period 1983-2011. The hypothesis was that such a correlation should exist and it should be a strong positive correlation, but only between the increase in number of tourist arrivals and increase in GDP. The second question was: which year is the most economically affected by the increase in tourist and visitor arrivals (the same or the following year)? The hypothesis was that the biggest impact is recorded in the year in which the increase in tourist and visitor arrivals occurs (not in the following year). The third question was: has the global economic crisis affected the tourism sector in the Cayman Islands? The hypothesis was that the Cayman Islands were not as badly affected by the global economic crisis as other SISOD countries. The methods used by the author were literature analysis, data analysis and the Spearman correlation ratio.
Identifying the Climatic Conditions in Iraq by Tracking Down Cooling Events in the North Atlantic Ocean in the Period 3000–0 BC
Authors: Muslih Khamis D.
Published: January 2015

North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), monthly averages of precipitation in the Baghdad station, and petrologic tracer proxy data for ocean properties in the North Atlantic (NA) have been used in an attempt to identify climatic conditions in Iraq during the study period. The study showed that contemporary changes in precipitation in Iraq are associated with NAO, as a negative relationship is found between them. Moreover, the study found that there is a strong negative correlation between NAOI and SST in NA, where drift ice indices explain between 33–36% of the NAOI variability.

The prolonged of cold Holocene periods led to a radical oceanography and atmospheric changes in the NA and the Mediterranean Sea, effectively contributing to the prevalence of cold and drought in the EM, including Iraq.

The analysis revealed as many as four intervals of significant cool drought phases prevailing over Iraq during the periods 2650–2500, 2200– 1900,1300–1200 and 1000–850 BC.
The Elusive Sustainable Development of Small Tropical Islands
Authors: Jędrusik Maciej
Published: January 2015

The notion of sustainable development is one of the most popular concepts of our time. However, it remains controversial and quite problematic, especially for small islands and their communities. These challenges arise in relation to the limited scope of resources which can be used for development, and the difficulty of defining the needs of future generations.

Looking at the history of many island jurisdictions, one is confronted with a picture of substantial economic evolution. Island communities have rarely, if ever, been able to foresee or plan their future; frequently, the situation has turned out to be very different from any previously envisaged scenarios. This should not be surprising, since small island destinies are often determined by external variables, over which they have little, if any, control. These variables include colonization, competition over scarce territories, improvements in transportation technologies, the information revolution and natural disasters. Thus, the very idea of sustainable development with respect to small islands is nothing but a charming slogan, an entertaining fiction rather than a reachable target. Of course, islands and their communities can take‘green’ initiatives that are more environmentally friendly; they cannot, however, achieve a state of sustainable development, except with a serious deterioration in the quality of life and off-island connectivity (by air or sea) of their residents.
Preparation and anatomical distribution study of 67Ga-alginic acid nanoparticles for SPECT purposes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Heidarieh Marzieh , Daryalal Fatemeh , Mirvaghefi Alireza , Rajabifar Saeid , Diallo Adama , Sadeghi Mahdi , Zeiai Farhood , Moodi Saeed , Maadi Ehsan , Sheikhzadeh Najmeh , Heidarieh Hassan , Hedyati Maryam
Published: January 2015

Ergosan contains 1% alginic acid extracted from two brown sea weeds. Little is known about the target organs and anatomical distribution of Ergosan (alginic acid) in fish. Therefore, feasibility of developing alginic acid nanoparticles to detect target organ in rainbow trout is interesting. To make nanoparticles, Ergosan extract (alginic acid) was irradiated at 30 kGy in a cobalt-60 irradiator and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results from TEM images showed that particle sizes of irradiated alginic acid ranged from 30 to 70 nm. The FTIR results indicated that gamma irradiation had no significant influence on the basic structure of alginic acid. Later, alginic acid nanoparticles were successively labelled with 67Ga-gallium chloride. The biodistribution of irradiated Ergosan in normal rainbow trout showed highest uptake in intestine and kidney and then in liver and kidney at 4- and 24-h post injection, respectively. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images also demonstrated target specific binding of the tracer at 4- and 24-h post injection. In conclusion, the feed supplemented with alginic acid nanoparticles enhanced SPECT images of gastrointestinal morphology and immunity system in normal rainbow trout.
Assessment of the control rods shadow effect in the VENUS-F core
Authors: Cetnar Jerzy , Domańska Grażyna , Gajda Paweł , Janczyszyn Jerzy
Published: January 2015

The partitioning and transmutation (P&T) of spent nuclear fuel is an important field of present development of nuclear energy technologies. One of the possible ways to carry out the P&T process is to use the accelerator driven systems (ADS). This technology has been developed within the EURATOM Framework Programmes for several years now. Current research in this field is carried out within the scope of 7th FP project FREYA. Important parts of the project are experiments performed in the GUINEVERE facility devoted to characterising the subcritical core kinetics and development of reactivity monitoring techniques. The present paper considers the effects of control rods use on the core reactivity. In order to carry out the evaluation of the experimental results, it is important to have detailed core characteristics at hand and to take into consideration the differences in the effect of control rods acting separately or together (the so-called shadow effect) on both the reactivity value and the measured neutron flux. Also any core asymmetry should be revealed. This goal was achieved by both MCNP simulations and the experimental results. However, in the case of experimental results, the need for calculating respective correction factors was unavoidable.
Evaluation of circulating endothelial cells in the rat after acute and fractionated whole-body gamma irradiation
Authors: Al-Massarani Ghassan , Almohamad Khaled
Published: January 2015

Purpose: Damage to vascular endothelial cells is a well recognised complication of the irradiation. Our objective was to determine the gamma-irradiation effect on the rat circulating endothelial cells (CEC). Material and methods: Eight-week old rats were divided into four groups: group 1 - rats were exposed to acute whole- -body gamma irradiation with a wide range of single doses (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 Gy), group 2 - rats were exposed to fractionated low doses of irradiation (0.1, 0.5 and 1 Gy) every three days for two months, group 3 as group 2, but followed by two months of rest, group 4 were control animals. CEC (CD146 positive cells) in group 1 were counted following CD146-based immuno-magnetic separation after one day and one week, as well as at the end of experiment in the other groups. Results: Quantified CEC showed that there was a dose-dependent reduction in CEC count in group 1 (one week after irradiation) and group 2. A partial re-population of CEC was observed at the end of experiment in both group 1 and group 2 compared to control group. Group 3 showed a significant increase in CEC levels as compared with group 2 without reaching the control level. Conclusion: The number of CEC (CD146 positive cells) in rats exposed to whole-body gamma irradiation was reduced in a dose-dependent manner and it partly recovered during the two-month interval after irradiation. We suggest that CEC count may be an indicator of the radiation-induced vascular damage.
Silver nanoparticle accumulation by aquatic organisms – neutron activation as a tool for the environmental fate of nanoparticles tracing
Authors: Asztemborska Monika , Jakubiak Małgorzata , Książyk Małgorzata , Stęborowski Romuald , Polkowska-Motrenko Halina , Bystrzejewska-Piotrowska Grażyna
Published: January 2015

Water environments are noted as being some of the most exposed to the influence of toxic nanoparticles (NPs). Therefore, there is a growing need for the investigation of the accumulation and toxicity of NPs to aquatic organisms. In our studies neutron activation followed by gamma spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting were used for studying the accumulation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by freshwater larvae of Chironomus and fish Danio rerio. The influence of exposition time, concentration and the source of nanoparticles on the efficiency of AgNP accumulation were studied. It was found that AgNPs are efficiently accumulated by Chironomid larvae for the first 30 hours of exposition; then, the amount of silver nanoparticles decreases. The silver content in larvae increases together with the NP concentration in water. Larvae which have accumulated AgNPs can be a source of nanoparticles for fish and certainly higher levels of Ag in the trophic chain. In comparison with water contamination, silver nanoparticles are more efficiently accumulated if fish are fed with AgNP-contaminated food. Finally, it was concluded that the applied study strategy, including neutron activation of nanoparticles, is very useful technique for tracing the uptake and accumulation of NPs in organisms
Relationships among Components of Insurance Companies and Services’ Quality
Authors: Šebjan Urban , Tominc Polona
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose: An increasing number of insurance companies and the intensity of competition in this field require research on customer perceptions of the components of insurance services and insurance company. The objective of this study was to examine the conceptual model and to study the relationships between customer perceptions of the innovation, reputation, adequacy of premium, and adequacy of information about the coverage of insurance services.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research model was tested with structural equation modelling (SEM) with a sample of 200 Slovenian users of insurance services.

Results: The results indicated that higher perceived innovation of insurance company was associated with higher perceived reputation of insurance company. In addition, higher perceived reputation of insurance company was associated with higher perceived adequacy of information about the coverage and the premium for insurance services. The study also found that higher perceived adequacy of premium was associated with higher perceived adequacy of information about the coverage of insurance services.

Conclusion: The original contribution of this article is also the highlighting of relationship between perceived reputation of insurance company, perceived adequacy of information about the insurance premium and perceived adequacy of information about the coverage of insurance services.
Quality Registers in Professional Health Care Educations; Knowledge Gaps and Proposed Actions
Authors: Nordin Annika M. M. , Ernsäter Torie Palm , Bergman Bo
Published: January 2015

Background and purpose: The use of quality registers has increased rapidly in Sweden and they are identified as beneficial for health care competitiveness. A quality register is a structured gathering of patient information, to improve health care. However, the introduction of quality registers in health care organisations presupposes that employees know how to use them in quality improvement. Disconnections, or knowledge gaps, concerning quality registers hamper the possibilities to take advantage of them. Taking departure in professional health care educations, the purpose with the paper is to identify and explore knowledge gaps concerning quality registers. A second purpose is to propose actions to bridge the gaps.

Methodology/Approach: In 2012 50 semi-structured telephone interviews were completed and the material analysed in the search for knowledge gaps.

Results: Five knowledge gaps were found. Some professional health care educations teach improvement knowledge, but they have difficulties integrating quality registers as a resource in teaching. Quality registers do not sufficiently cooperate with professional health care educations and county councils do not generally include learning of quality registers in clinical placements/practicums.

Conclusion: Professional health care educations need forums where they can collaborate with others to jointly explore how learning of quality registers can be integrated. There are promising approaches.
Organizational and Managerial Challenges of Reforming Slovenian Public Agencies
Authors: Kovač Polonca
Published: January 2015

Introduction: Agencies are among the key contemporary public organizations, prospering within reforms carried out worldwide to increase professionalism and rationalism in public administration (PA). Hence, countries have been establishing agencies and delegating them public tasks in order to achieve expertise-based instead of politically-driven and thus more efficient public policies. In such context, the present article addresses the most important strategic documents related to public administration reform (PAR) in Slovenia, analyzing their goals in terms of agencification and the main implementation results and gaps.

Research Design: The research is dedicated to exploring the governmental approach to agencification as a key aspect of PAR. It analyzes (1) the main PAR strategic documents on public agencies in Slovenia since the mid-90s, and (2) the perceived implementation of structural and managerial autonomy as the declared goal of agencification. Combined research methods are applied, including descriptive analysis, regional comparisons, structural interviews among representatives of public agencies and their parent ministries, and selected statistical data analysis.

Results: As proven by different research methods, the hypothesis whereby agencification goals in Slovenia are largely achieved as part of PAR documents in terms of autonomous organizational structure was confirmed. A more elaborated agencification in PAR documents relates to higher implementation of autonomy.

Conclusion: Nevertheless, the professionalism of Slovenian agencies is still an on-going process, particularly as regards the efficiency implementation gap. As for the future, a more consistent PAR incorporating cross-sectoral policy on agencies is required to pursue the development of a democratic and efficient PA.