bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing a Cell Phone Survey and a Web Survey of University Students
Authors: Woo Youngje , Kim Sunwoong , Couper Mick P.
Published: August 2014

In many countries, the proportion of the population using cell phones is higher than that with Internet access. Cell phone and Internet penetration rates are high in most university populations. Despite the recent attention focused on surveys of cell phone users, and the preference for using the Internet to survey university students, there have been few studies comparing cell phone surveys and Web surveys of the student population. This article reports on a mode of experiment conducted using an annual survey of students at a large university in South Korea. The frame of registered students contains both cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses. A sample of students was selected from the list and randomly assigned to a computer-assisted telephone interviewing or Web survey mode. Students were notified of the survey in both modes using both text messaging and e-mail messages. We find that the cell phone survey has an advantage over the Web survey in terms of response rates, coverage of key domains, and item nonresponse. Substantive differences between the two modes were found for about half the survey questions. This suggests that cell phone surveys may be useful for surveys in populations with universal or near-universal coverage, and where cell use may be more popular than Internet use.
Web Surveys Among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Mavletova Aigul
Published: August 2014

Several studies have measured a gamification effect in the surveys among adults. However, no experiments have been published with a focus on younger respondents. In this article, data quality between three conditions is compared among children and adolescents 7–15 years old as follows: (1) a text-only survey, (2) a visual survey with an attractive design and images, and (3) a gamified survey. To test a gamification effect, an experiment using a volunteer online access panel in Russia was conducted among 1,050 children. The gamified survey produced completion time more than a third longer than the text-only survey. A higher overall item nonresponse rate was found in both the gamified and visual surveys. However, this was mainly due to the Flash-based questions in these conditions. Fewer respondents straight-lined and used middle responses in the gamified and visual surveys. It was also less burdensome to complete the gamified survey. Children requested help to answer survey questions less often. They found it more enjoyable and easier. Moreover, the subjective evaluation of the completion time was not different from the two other conditions. Overall, we suggest that a gamification effect in web surveys among children should be explored further.
New machine tool motorized spindle integrated with one electromagnetic ring balancer driven by optimal square wave
Authors: Fan Hong-Wei , Jing Min-Qing , Liu Heng , Yang Ting-Ting
Published: August 2014

Machine tool motorized spindle usually encounters mass imbalance in the operational process. In order to enhance the machining efficiency and precision, on-line active unbalance compensation technique is becoming the first choice of vibration suppression for machine tool spindle. This paper proposes a new motorized spindle integrated with one electromagnetic ring balancer. Firstly, the three-dimension structural design of the integrated spindle is described in detail. Then, the balancing principle of electromagnetic ring balancer is set forth. In order to disclose the structural characteristic and determine the reasonable square wave drive parameters, the finite element calculations are carried out to obtain the relationship between the torque and rotational angle of counterweight disk when coil is not electrified, and the movement curve when coil is applied different currents. Based on the steady-state and transient electromagnetic field simulations, a specific spindle prototype with one electromagnetic ring balancer is developed. For the prototype, vibration test rig is built to verify the balancer design correctness, fabrication quality and vibration reduction effectiveness. The experimental results show that the proposed balancer has a smooth movement process under square wave drive, a desired unbalance response and the spindle vibration can be effectively reduced in a semiautomatic balance way, which is very beneficial to the improvement of operational precision and service life of machine tool motorized spindle.
Stability metrics for multi-source biomedical data based on simplicial projections from probability distribution distances
Authors: Sáez Carlos , Robles Montserrat , García-Gómez Juan M
Published: August 2014

Biomedical data may be composed of individuals generated from distinct, meaningful sources. Due to possible contextual biases in the processes that generate data, there may exist an undesirable and unexpected variability among the probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the source subsamples, which, when uncontrolled, may lead to inaccurate or unreproducible research results. Classical statistical methods may have difficulties to undercover such variabilities when dealing with multi-modal, multi-type, multi-variate data. This work proposes two metrics for the analysis of stability among multiple data sources, robust to the aforementioned conditions, and defined in the context of data quality assessment. Specifically, a global probabilistic deviation and a source probabilistic outlyingness metrics are proposed. The first provides a bounded degree of the global multi-source variability, designed as an estimator equivalent to the notion of normalized standard deviation of PDFs. The second provides a bounded degree of the dissimilarity of each source to a latent central distribution. The metrics are based on the projection of a simplex geometrical structure constructed from the Jensen–Shannon distances among the sources PDFs. The metrics have been evaluated and demonstrated their correct behaviour on a simulated benchmark and with real multi-source biomedical data using the UCI Heart Disease data set. The biomedical data quality assessment based on the proposed stability metrics may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of biomedical data exploitation and research.
Adolescent and Adult Intellectual Development
Authors: Ackerman Phillip L.
Published: August 2014

Traditional approaches to intelligence have mainly evolved from Spearman’s theory of general intelligence, which views intelligence as general and fixed, and from applications of Binet’s approach, which views intelligence among children and adolescents as normally increasing with age. The study of adult intellect and intellectual development indicates that neither approach well represents the depth and breadth of skills and knowledge that make up the adult intellectual repertoire. A framework for examining individual differences in intellectual development from adolescence through middle adulthood is discussed, along with a series of empirical investigations on the ability and non-ability (e.g., personality, interests, self-concept) determinants of domain knowledge. Implications for understanding intelligence during adulthood and college-major choices are discussed from a perspective that combines intelligence as process, personality, and interests as they determine the development of intelligence as knowledge.
Applying Approximate Entropy (ApEn) to Speculative Bubble in the Stock Market
Authors: Bhaduri Saumitra N.
Published: August 2014

In contrast to the traditional duration dependence test, the article introduces an order statistic known as Approximate Entropy (ApEn) to investigate the presence of speculative bubbles for a cross-country sample. Using ApEn, the article examines four major crashes in the US, Japan, Hong Kong and India. In addition, the article also investigates the 1997 Asian crisis using weekly data for seven major Asian indices which include Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan. The results confirm that there are strong ‘tell-tale’ signs characterised by low ApEn level during many of these crash events. All the evidences using yearly as well as time series data (both discrete and rolling window analysis) point to a substantially lower level of ApEn during the crash.

JEL Classification: G30, G01
The Tibiofibular Line
Authors: Gifford Peter Blair , Lutz Michael
Published: August 2014

Background:

Medical imaging of the distal tibiofibular joint requires reliable and simple tools to identify disruption of the syndesmosis. We present an anatomical feature, the “tibiofibular line,” which appears on axial computed tomography (CT) images of normal ankles. This feature is a straight line that connects the anterolateral surface of the fibula with the anterolateral tubercle of the tibia at the level of the ankle syndesmosis. The purpose of this study was, first, to demonstrate that this line is a reliable anatomical feature in normal ankles and, second, to demonstrate that this line is displaced with diastasis or malrotation of the syndesmosis.

Methods:

A series of 150 normal ankle CTs were collected, negative for history of ankle injury with a normal tibiofibular overlap and clear space. Thirty ankles with a displaced syndesmosis were identified by history, CT, and abnormal tibiofibular overlap and clear space parameters. The tibiofibular line was applied to both groups and measured for its distance displaced from the anterior tibial tubercle.

Results:

All CT images in the normal ankle group had a tibiofibular line within 2 mm of the anterior tibial tubercle (77% of the tibiofibular lines were within 0 mm, 19% were within 1 mm, and 4% were within 2 mm). The tibiofibular line in the injured group was displaced anteriorly by 4 to 19 mm (minimum to maximum) from the tibial tubercle ( P < .0001).

Conclusion:

The tibiofibular line was a normal anatomical feature that could be used to identify displacement of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
Independent component analysis as applied to vibration source separation and fault diagnosis
Authors: Mahvash Ali , Lakis Aouni A
Published: August 2014

In health monitoring of complex mechanical systems such as aircraft engines there are many components whose diagnosis is of great interest for the industry. A conventional way to monitor these components is to collect vibration signals using accelerometers placed in their closest vicinity. However, due to some restrictions such as inaccessibility, it is not always practical to place the accelerometers as such. In many cases, pre-installed instrumentations are used, which are usually inadequate and placed on the carcass of the structure. Nevertheless, even if the accelerometers are positioned very close to the components, they would collect signals not just from one specific component but from other components as well. In this study, we sought to employ frequency-based independent component analysis (ICA) to recover the signals produced by components within a single complex system. In such a case, differences between “blind source separation” and vibration source separation are discussed. A new workaround for the permutation ambiguity encountered in the implication of ICA is proposed. Finally, in order to demonstrate the applicability of the new proposed approach, experimental results carried out on a test bed are presented.
Fragile Agencies in the Making
Authors: Juvonen Tarja
Published: August 2014

In this article the theme of human agency is approached from the concrete standpoint of independent living. Leaving the parental home at a young age stands out as a significant life event—one which brings about more freedom, but also new responsibilities. To frame the analysis of the age group in this study, youth, I use the concept ‘emerging adulthood’, which suggests an age from late teens through mid- to late–20s. The article draws on research, which data were collected in the Helsinki metropolitan area during the years 2010–11 in the context of an outreach project targeted for young people who have no place to study or work, and cannot find the services they need. According to this study, a general and significant challenge in independent living is to adjust to being self-reliant. This abstract challenge was manifested in the young people’s ability to master basic daily living and routines, social relationships and broader cultural and social expectations and norms.
Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS-II) in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Magistrale Giuseppe , Pisani Valerio , Argento Ornella , Incerti Chiara C , Bozzali Marco , Cadavid Diego , Caltagirone Carlo , Medori Rossella , DeLuca John , Nocentini Ugo
Published: August 2014

Background:

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II) is a widely used generic assessment instrument for health and disability. However, a specific psychometric evaluation for this scale in multiple sclerosis (MS) is lacking. This study is aimed at the assessment of the psychometric properties of the WHODAS-II in MS with Cronbach’s α and modern Rasch-model analyses.

Methods:

The WHODAS-II was administered to 136 consecutively recruited MS patients. Several indexes of fit to the Rasch model were evaluated in order to assess internal construct validity. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s α and the Person Separation Index (PSI). External validity was evaluated by analyzing correlations between the WHODAS-II and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54).

Results:

Classical reliability indexes (Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation) showed good to excellent reliability for most of the subscales and for the total scale (α = 0.93). The total scale both with (36 items) or without (32 items) work items reached good fit to the Rasch model (PSI = 0.83). However, analysis of the subscales could resolve only four subscales out of seven.

Conclusions:

The WHODAS-II is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of patient-reported disability in MS, with some limitations including some item redundancy and questionable reliability of some subscales.
Influence of fibre dispersion on compression strength of banana fibres reinforced concrete
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Samrat , Bhattacharjee Bishwajit
Published: August 2014

Concretes have a high rate of propagation of cracks. In order to decrease the rate of crack propagation banana fibres have been reinforced in concrete. Banana fibres offer a relatively high surface area for bonding with concrete matrix. The proportion of fibres which have to be reinforced inside the concrete has been optimised to maximise compressive strength. Fibres have been coated with a softening agent to facilitate dispersion and reduce variability of test results.
Saving potential for embodied energy and CO2 emissions from building elements: A case study
Authors: Rosselló-Batle Beatriz , Ribas Carlos , Moià-Pol Andreu , Martínez-Moll Víctor
Published: August 2014

In this article, the authors estimated the saving potentials in the embodied energy and CO2 emissions, which could be achieved through a replacement of the most energy-intensive elements in a large building. The results showed that 75% of the embodied energy came from only a small group of the building components, that reductions from 14% to 29% in embodied energy values were possible with simple replacements and that between 1770 and 4160 tonnes of CO2 could be avoided to be emitted to the atmosphere, with budget increases lower than 8%.
A Two-Hit Model of Autism
Authors: Picci Giorgia , Scherf K. Suzanne
Published: August 2014

Adolescence brings dramatic changes in behavior and neural organization. Unfortunately, for some 30% of individuals with autism, there is marked decline in adaptive functioning during adolescence. We propose a two-hit model of autism. First, early perturbations in neural development function as a “first hit” that sets up a neural system that is “built to fail” in the face of a second hit. Second, the confluence of pubertal hormones, neural reorganization, and increasing social demands during adolescence provides the “second hit” that interferes with the ability to transition into adult social roles and levels of adaptive functioning. In support of this model, we review evidence about adolescent-specific neural and behavioral development in autism. We conclude with predictions and recommendations for empirical investigation about several domains in which developmental trajectories for individuals with autism may be uniquely deterred in adolescence.
Multielevation calibration of frequency-domain electromagnetic data
Authors: Minsley Burke J. , Kass M. Andy , Hodges Greg , Smith Bruce D.
Published: August 2014

Systematic calibration errors must be taken into account because they can substantially impact the accuracy of inverted subsurface resistivity models derived from frequency-domain electromagnetic data, resulting in potentially misleading interpretations. We have developed an approach that uses data acquired at multiple elevations over the same location to assess calibration errors. A significant advantage is that this method does not require prior knowledge of subsurface properties from borehole or ground geophysical data (though these can be readily incorporated if available), and is, therefore, well suited to remote areas. The multielevation data were used to solve for calibration parameters and a single subsurface resistivity model that are self consistent over all elevations. The deterministic and Bayesian formulations of the multielevation approach illustrate parameter sensitivity and uncertainty using synthetic- and field-data examples. Multiplicative calibration errors (gain and phase) were found to be better resolved at high frequencies and when data were acquired over a relatively conductive area, whereas additive errors (bias) were reasonably resolved over conductive and resistive areas at all frequencies. The Bayesian approach outperformed the deterministic approach when estimating calibration parameters using multielevation data at a single location; however, joint analysis of multielevation data at multiple locations using the deterministic algorithm yielded the most accurate estimates of calibration parameters. Inversion results using calibration-corrected data revealed marked improvement in misfit, lending added confidence to the interpretation of these models.
CPS/SEG 2014 Beijing International Geophysical Conference and Exposition draws 1150 participants
Authors: Ma Amelie , Liaw Alfred
Published: August 2014

The CPS/SEG 2014 Beijing International Geophysical Conference and Exposition, “Advancing Geophysical Innovation,” coorganized by the Chinese Petroleum Society (CPS) and SEG, was held successfully at the Beijing International Convention Center on 21–24 April 2014. More than 1150 people from 14 countries attended, including conference delegates, exhibition delegates, students, and VIPs. The exposition covered 6000 square meters of space and accommodated 59 companies, including 18 exhibitors from overseas in addition to local registrants. The technical session consisted of 334 papers (238 oral presentations and 96 e-posters).
Pregnancy-Secreted Acid Phosphatase, Uteroferrin, Enhances Fetal Erythropoiesis
Authors: Ying Wei , Wang Haiqing , Bazer Fuller W. , Zhou Beiyan
Published: August 2014

Uteroferrin (UF) is a progesterone-induced acid phosphatase produced by uterine glandular epithelia in mammals during pregnancy and targeted to sites of hematopoiesis throughout pregnancy. The expression pattern of UF is coordinated with early fetal hematopoietic development in the yolk sac and then liver, spleen, and bone to prevent anemia in fetuses. Our previous studies suggested that UF exerts stimulatory impacts on hematopoietic progenitor cells. However, the precise role and thereby the mechanism of action of UF on hematopoiesis have not been investigated previously. Here, we report that UF is a potent regulator that can greatly enhance fetal erythropoiesis. Using primary fetal liver hematopoietic cells, we observed a synergistic stimulatory effect of UF with erythropoietin and other growth factors on both burst-forming unit-erythroid and colony-forming unit-erythroid formation. Further, we demonstrated that UF enhanced erythropoiesis at terminal stages using an in vitro culture system. Surveying genes that are crucial for erythrocyte formation at various stages revealed that UF, along with erythropoietin, up-regulated transcription factors required for terminal erythrocyte differentiation and genes required for synthesis of hemoglobin. Collectively, our results demonstrate that UF is a cytokine secreted by uterine glands in response to progesterone that promotes fetal erythropoiesis at various stages of pregnancy, including burst-forming unit-erythroid and colony-forming unit-erythroid progenitor cells and terminal stages of differentiation of hematopoietic cells in the erythroid lineage.
Multivalued problem with Robin boundary condition involving diffuse measure data and variable exponent
Authors: Ouaro Stanislas , Ouedraogo Arouna , Soma Safimba
Published: August 2014

We study a nonlinear elliptic problem with Robin type boundary condition, governed by a general Leray–Lions operator with variable exponents and diffuse Radon measure data which does not charge the sets of zero p(·)-capacity. We prove an existence and uniqueness result of a weak solution.
Action of the Cremona group on foliations on ℙℂ
2: Some curious facts
Authors: Cerveau Dominique , Déserti Julie
Published: August 2014

The Cremona group of birational transformations of ℙℂ
2 acts on the space 𝔽(2) of holomorphic foliations on the complex projective plane. Since this action is not compatible with the natural graduation of 𝔽(2) by the degree, its description is complicated. The fixed points of the action are essentially described by Cantat and Favre in [J. Reine Angew. Math. 561 (2003), 199–235]. In that article we are interested in problems of “aberration of the degree”, that is, pairs

(
φ
,
ℱ
)

$(\phi ,\mathcal {F})$

from

Bir

(

ℙ
ℂ
2

)

×
𝔽

(
2
)

${\mathrm {Bir}(\mathbb {P}^2_\mathbb {C})\times \mathbb {F}(2)}$

for which

deg

φ
*

ℱ
=
deg
ℱ
<

(
deg
ℱ
+
1
)

deg
φ
+
deg
φ
-
2

$\deg \phi ^*\mathcal {F}=\deg \mathcal {F}<(\deg \mathcal {F}+1)\deg \phi +\deg \phi -2$

, the generic degree of such a pull-back. We introduce the notion of numerical invariance (

deg

φ
*

ℱ
=
deg
ℱ

${\deg \phi ^*\mathcal {F}=\deg \mathcal {F}}$

) and relate it in small degrees to the existence of transversal structure for the considered foliations.
Potential flow and conformal distortion theory
Authors: Kühnau Reiner
Published: August 2014

We show by a new example how to obtain a priori estimates for the velocity of the classical potential flow, using distortion theory for conformal mappings.
Information-preserving operators
Authors: Tsagareishvili Vakhtang
Published: August 2014

The paper considers operators that map the set E onto itself. If

A
(
ϕ
)
=
ψ

${A(\varphi )=\psi }$

, then ψ preserves some property of the point ϕ (here A is an operator and

ϕ
,
ψ
∈
E

${\varphi ,\psi \in E}$

). Such an approach to operators may serve as a method of solving some problems of mathematics, including the theory of orthogonal series.
Extension of the Schwarz Lemma to homeomorphisms with controlled p-module
Authors: Golberg Anatoly , Salimov Ruslan
Published: August 2014

We extend the classical Schwarz Lemma to homeomorphisms with integrally bounded p-module in ℝ
n
.
Inflammatory outcomes of apoptosis, necrosis and necroptosis
Authors: Davidovich Pavel , Kearney Conor J. , Martin Seamus J.
Published: August 2014

Microbial infection and tissue injury are well established as the two major drivers of inflammation. However, although it is widely accepted that necrotic cell death can trigger or potentiate inflammation, precisely how this is achieved still remains relatively obscure. Certain molecules, which have been dubbed ‘damage-associated molecular patterns’ (DAMPs) or alarmins, are thought to promote inflammation upon release from necrotic cells. However, the precise nature and relative potency of DAMPs, compared to conventional pro-inflammatory cytokines or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), remains unclear. How different modes of cell death impact on the immune system also requires further clarification. Apoptosis has long been regarded as a non-inflammatory or even anti-inflammatory mode of cell death, but recent studies suggest that this is not always the case. Necroptosis is a programmed form of necrosis that is engaged under certain conditions when caspase activation is blocked. Necroptosis is also regarded as a highly pro-inflammatory mode of cell death but there has been little explicit examination of this issue. Here we discuss the inflammatory implications of necrosis, necroptosis and apoptosis and some of the unresolved questions concerning how dead cells influence inflammatory responses.
How difficult is difficult? Speech perception in noise in the elderly hearing impaired
Authors: Lavie Limor , Banai Karen , Attias Joseph , Karni Avi
Published: August 2014

Background: Perception of speech in the presence of competing multitalker noise is difficult for most individuals with sensory hearing loss, and in particular, for the elderly hearing impaired. Elderly people frequently report that these difficulties are poorly compensated for by hearing aids, albeit the algorithms and technologies aiming to improve speech perception in noise. The aim of the current study was therefore to assess competing speech signals processing by measuring the amount of signal to noise ratio (SNR) loss experienced by elderly hearing impaired individuals and their performance in dichotic listening tests.

Methods: Speech in multitalker babble noise and dichotic listening were assessed in older hearing impaired individuals and in young normal-hearing adults.

Results: The average dichotic scores in the elderly group were substantially and significantly lower compared with the scores of the younger group with a significant right ear advantage (higher accuracy in reporting words arriving at the right ear than words arriving at the left ear) in the elderly group. Speech identification in noise in the older group was significantly poorer than in the younger group (SNR loss: 10 dB).

Conclusions: The poor performance in the elderly hearing impaired group highlights the difficulties faced by hearing impaired older adults in demanding listening environments. Our results suggest that it may be unreasonable to expect that elderly hearing impaired individuals may fully understand speech in multitalker environments even when hearing aids are used.
Needle detachment from the Sure-T® infusion set in two young children with diabetes mellitus (DM) treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and unexplained hyperglycaemia
Authors: Massa Guy , Gys Inge , Eyndt Anniek Op’t , Wauben Karen , Vanoppen Astrid
Published: August 2014

We report on two young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, who developed severe hyperglycaemia and detachment of the needle from the insulin infusion set.
Crystal structures of (E)-2-(2-benzylidenehydrazinyl)quinoxalines: persistent N–H···N intermolecular hydrogen bonds but variable π···π interactions
Authors: de Souza Marcus V.N. , Noguiera Thais C.M. , Wardell Solange M.S.V. , Wardell James L.
Published: August 2014

The crystal structures of two (E)-2-(2-benzylidenehydrazin-1-yl)quinoxaline derivatives, (E)-2-(XYC6 H3-CH=N-NH)-quinoxalines, 1, namely (1: X=H; Y=4-MeO or 4-O2 N) have been determined. In both cases, the major intermolecular interactions are N–H···N(pyrazine) hydrogen bonds. While in both compounds π···π intermolecular stacking interactions are present, these involve different aromatic rings in each case and hence different structural motifs are formed. These findings – of persistent and dominant N–H···N(pyrazine) hydrogen bonds and variable π···π interactions – concur with the previous findings for other compounds 1. The substituents, Y, in (1: X=H; Y=4-MeO or 4-O2 N) play minor roles in the overall supramolecular arrangements.
Automated Conversation System Before Pediatric Primary Care Visits: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Adams William G. , Phillips Barrett D. , Bacic Janine D. , Walsh Kathleen E. , Shanahan Christopher W. , Paasche-Orlow Michael K.
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Interactive voice response systems integrated with electronic health records have the potential to improve primary care by engaging parents outside clinical settings via spoken language. The objective of this study was to determine whether use of an interactive voice response system, the Personal Health Partner (PHP), before routine health care maintenance visits could improve the quality of primary care visits and be well accepted by parents and clinicians.

METHODS:

English-speaking parents of children aged 4 months to 11 years called PHP before routine visits and were randomly assigned to groups by the system at the time of the call. Parents’ spoken responses were used to provide tailored counseling and support goal setting for the upcoming visit. Data were transferred to the electronic health records for review during visits. The study occurred in an urban hospital-based pediatric primary care center. Participants were called after the visit to assess (1) comprehensiveness of screening and counseling, (2) assessment of medications and their management, and (3) parent and clinician satisfaction.

RESULTS:

PHP was able to identify and counsel in multiple areas. A total of 9.7% of parents responded to the mailed invitation. Intervention parents were more likely to report discussing important issues such as depression (42.6% vs 25.4%; P < .01) and prescription medication use (85.7% vs 72.6%; P = .04) and to report being better prepared for visits. One hundred percent of clinicians reported that PHP improved the quality of their care.

CONCLUSIONS:

Systems like PHP have the potential to improve clinical screening, counseling, and medication management.
Effectiveness of Quality Improvement in Hospitalization for Bronchiolitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ralston Shawn , Comick Allison , Nichols Elizabeth , Parker Devin , Lanter Patricia
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND:

Bronchiolitis causes nearly 20% of all acute care hospitalizations for young children in the United States. Unnecessary testing and medication for infants with bronchiolitis contribute to cost without improving outcomes.

OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this study was to systematically review the quality improvement (QI) literature on inpatient bronchiolitis and to propose benchmarks for reducing unnecessary care.

METHODS:

Assisted by a medical librarian, we searched Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library. Studies describing any active QI intervention versus usual care in hospitalized children <2 years of age were included. Data were extracted and confirmed by multiple investigators and pooled by using a random effects model. Benchmarks were calculated by using achievable benchmarks of care methods.

RESULTS:

Fourteen studies involving >12 000 infants were reviewed. QI interventions resulted in 16 fewer patients exposed to repeated doses of bronchodilators per 100 hospitalized (7 studies) (risk difference: 0.16 [95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21]) and resulted in 5.3 fewer doses of bronchodilator given per patient (95% confidence interval: 2.1–8.4). Interventions resulted in fewer hospitalized children exposed to steroids (5 per 100), chest radiography (9 per 100), and antibiotics (4 per 100). No significant harms were reported. Benchmarks derived from the reported data are: repeated bronchodilator use, 16%; steroid use, 1%; chest radiography use, 42%; and antibiotic use, 17%. The study’s heterogeneity limited the ability to classify specific characteristics of effective QI interventions.

CONCLUSIONS:

QI strategies have been demonstrated to achieve lower rates of unnecessary care in children hospitalized with viral bronchiolitis than are the norm.
Pathological and Clinical Features and Management of Central Nervous System Hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Authors: Kanno Hiroshi , Kobayashi Natsuki , Nakanowatari Satoshi
Published: August 2014

Central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma is the most common manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. It is found in 70-80% of VHL patients. Hemangioblastoma is a rare form of benign vascular tumor of the CNS, accounting for 2.0% of CNS tumors. It can occur sporadically or as a familial syndrome. CNS hemangioblastomas are typically located in the posterior fossa and the spinal cord. VHL patients usually develop a CNS hemangioblastoma at an early age. Therefore, they require a special routine for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. The surgical management of symptomatic tumors depend on many factors such as symptom, location, multiplicity, and progression of the tumor.  The management of asymptomatic tumors in VHL patients are controversial since CNS hemangioblastomas grow with intermittent quiescent and rapid-growth phases. Preoperative embolization of large solid hemangioblastomas prevents perioperative hemorrhage but is not necessary in every case. Radiotherapy should be reserved for inoperable tumors. Because of complexities of VHL, a better understanding of the pathological and clinical features of hemangioblastoma in VHL is essential for its proper management.
CONTRIBUIÇÕES À MELHORIA DE PROCESSOS ORGANIZACIONAIS: UMA AVALIAÇÃO EMPÍRICA SOB A PERSPECTIVA DE MAPEAMENTO DE PROCESSOS EM UMA UNIDADE DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA PARAÍBA
Authors: Salgado Camila Cristina de Rodrigues , Aires Renan Felinto de Farias , Walter Fábio , Araújo Afrânio Galdino de
Published: August 2014

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar, a partir do mapeamento de processos críticos, possíveis melhorias para a gestão da Coordenação do Curso de Administração (CCA) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Para tanto, realizou-se um estudo de caráter exploratório, descritivo e aplicado, que descreve os processos críticos da unidade estudada e analisa-os visando a sua melhoria. As técnicas de coleta de dados utilizadas foram a entrevista semiestruturada, o questionário, a matriz GUT (Gravidade/Urgência/Tendência) e a observação simples. Como resultado, identificou-se que os processos de Matrícula e de Montagem das Blocagens eram os mais críticos, cujos principais problemas residiam na falha de comunicação entre a CCA e os departamentos acadêmicos, e a ausência de planejamento da oferta de disciplinas prevista. Assim, foi feita uma proposta de melhoria para o aperfeiçoamento dos processos organizacionais e foi constatada a importância do processo de mapeamento como ferramenta de melhoria contínua.
DIFERENTES MÉTODOS DE ABATE DO PESCADO PRODUZIDO EM AQUICULTURA, QUALIDADE DA CARNE E BEM ESTAR DO ANIMAL
Authors: Freire Carlos Eduardo Campos , Gonçalves Alex Augusto
Published: August 2014

O pescado constitui uma importante fonte de proteína animal para a população humana. Somada a essa importância, os alimentos oriundos do ambiente aquático, principalmente os peixes de origem marinha, apresentam propriedades e compostos que ajudam a prevenir determinados problemas de saúde. Além disso, a carne magra é recomendada para evitar problemas de saúde e aumentar a longevidade das pessoas. Um aspecto negativo do pescado consiste em sua elevada capacidade de deterioração por processos físicos, químicos e biológicos. Os métodos de abate, nesse sentido, tornam-se importantes fatores a serem considerados para uma melhor preservação das características do alimento, visto que, durante o processo de abate o animal pode se debater bastante fazendo com que as reservas de energia sejam reduzidas drasticamente promovendo o acúmulo de ácido lático, favorecendo a ação de enzimas proteolíticas e levando um sabor indesejado ao produto. Esta revisão descreve os principais mecanismos de abate, publicadas na literatura, nos diferentes tipos de pescado e sua influência na qualidade da carne. Outro aspecto importante, descrito e analisado, foi o bem-estar do animal durante o processo de abate.
Radiation Pattern Measurement of a Low-Profile Wearable Antenna Using an Optical Fibre and a Solid Anthropomorphic Phantom
Authors: Loh Tian , Cheadle David , Rosenfeld Lawrence
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a study into radiation pattern measurements of an electrically small dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) operating between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio band for body-centric wireless communication applications. To eliminate the distortion of the radiation pattern associated with the unwanted radiation from a metallic coaxial cable feeding the antenna we have replaced it with a fibre optic feed and an electro-optical (EO) transducer. The optical signal is then converted back to RF using an Opto-Electric Field Sensor (OEFS) system. To ensure traceable measurements of the radiation pattern performance of the wearable antenna a generic head and torso solid anthropomorphic phantom model has been employed. Furthermore, to illustrate the benefits of the method, numerical simulations of the co-polar and cross-polar H-plane radiation patterns at 2.4, 2.45, and 2.5 GHz are compared with the measured results obtained using: (i) an optical fibre; and (ii) a metallic coaxial cable.
Age Dependent Changes in Cartilage Matrix, Subchondral Bone Mass, and Estradiol Levels in Blood Serum, in Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritis in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Yan Jin-Yin , Tian Fa-Ming , Wang Wen-Ya , Cheng Ying , Xu Hua-Fang , Song Hui-Ping , Zhang Ying-Ze , Zhang Liu
Published: August 2014

The Dunkin Hartley (DH) guinea pig is a widely used naturally occurring osteoarthritis model. The aim of this study was to provide detailed evidence of age-related changes in articular cartilage, subchondral bone mineral density, and estradiol levels. We studied the female Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age (eight animals in each group). Histological analysis were used to identify degenerative cartilage and electron microscopy was performed to further observe the ultrastructure. Estradiol expression levels in serum were assessed, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 and glycosaminoglycan expression in cartilage was performed by immunohistochemistry. Bone mineral density of the tibia subchondral bone was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Histological analysis showed that the degeneration of articular cartilage grew more severe with increasing age starting at 3 months, coupled with the loss of normal cells and an increase in degenerated cells. Serum estradiol levels increased with age from 1 to 6 months and thereafter remained stable from 6 to 12 months. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression in cartilage increased with age, but no significant difference was found in glycosaminoglycan expression between 1- and 3-month old animals. The bone mineral density of the tibia subchondral bone increased with age before reaching a stable value at 9 months of age. Age-related articular cartilage degeneration occurred in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs beginning at 3 months of age, while no directly positive or negative correlation between osteoarthritis progression and estradiol serum level or subchondral bone mineral density was discovered.
Identification of Cold-Responsive miRNAs and Their Target Genes in Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules of Soybean
Authors: Zhang Senlei , Wang Youning , Li Kexue , Zou Yanmin , Chen Liang , Li Xia
Published: August 2014

As a warm climate species, soybean is highly sensitive to chilling temperatures. Exposure to chilling temperatures causes a significant reduction in the nitrogen fixation rate in soybean plants and subsequent yield loss. However, the molecular basis for the sensitivity of soybean to chilling is poorly understood. In this study, we identified cold-responsive miRNAs in nitrogen-fixing nodules of soybean. Upon chilling, the expression of gma-miR397a, gma-miR166u and gma-miR171p was greatly upregulated, whereas the expression of gma-miR169c, gma-miR159b, gma-miR319a/b and gma-miR5559 was significantly decreased. The target genes of these miRNAs were predicted and validated using 5' complementary DNA ends (5'-RACE) experiments, and qPCR analysis identified putative genes targeted by the cold-responsive miRNAs in response to chilling temperatures. Taken together, our results reveal that miRNAs may be involved in the protective mechanism against chilling injury in mature nodules of soybean.
Preparation and Characterization of Bioplastic-Based Green Renewable Composites from Tapioca with Acetyl Tributyl Citrate as a Plasticizer
Authors: Tsou Chi-Hui , Suen Maw-Cherng , Yao Wei-Hua , Yeh Jen-Taut , Wu Chin-San , Tsou Chih-Yuan , Chiu Shih-Hsuan , Chen Jui-Chin , Wang Ruo , Lin Shang-Ming , Hung Wei-Song , De Guzman Manuel , Hu Chien-Chieh , Lee Kueir-Rarn
Published: August 2014

Granular tapioca was thermally blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). All blends were prepared using a plasti-corder and characterized for tensile properties, thermal properties and morphology. Scanning electron micrographs showed that phase separation occurred, leading to poor tensile properties. Therefore, methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was used as an interfacial compatibilizer to improve the mechanical properties of PLA/tapioca blends. The addition of MDI could improve the tensile strength of the blend with 60 wt% tapioca, from 19.8 to 42.6 MPa. In addition, because PLA lacked toughness, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) was added as a plasticizer to improve the ductility of PLA. A significant decrease in the melting point and glass-transition temperature was observed on the basis of differential scanning calorimetry, which indicated that the PLA structure was not dense after ATBC was added. As such, the brittleness was improved, and the elongation at break was extended to several hundred percent. Therefore, mixing ATBC with PLA/tapioca/MDI blends did exhibit the effect of plasticization and biodegradation. The results also revealed that excessive plasticizer would cause the migration of ATBC and decrease the tensile properties.
Adaptive Liquid Lens Actuated by Droplet Movement
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Qiong-Hua , Yao Li-Xiao , Wang Ming-Huan
Published: August 2014

In this paper we report an adaptive liquid lens actuated by droplet movement. Four rectangular PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate) substrates are stacked to form the device structure. Two ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) sheets stick on the bottom substrate. One PMMA sheet with a light hole is inserted in the middle of the device. A conductive droplet is placed on the substrate and touches the PMMA sheet to form a small closed reservoir. The reservoir is filled with another immiscible non-conductive liquid. The non-conductive liquid can form a smooth concave interface with the light hole. When the device is applied with voltage, the droplet stretches towards the reservoir. The volume of the reservoir reduces, changing the curvature of the interface. The device can thus achieve the function of an adaptive lens. Our experiments show that the focal length can be varied from −10 to −159 mm as the applied voltage changes from 0 to 65 V. The response time of the liquid lens is ~75 ms. The proposed device has potential applications in many fields such as information displays, imaging systems, and laser scanning systems.
Crystallization Behaviors and Structure Transitions of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Diblock Copolymers
Authors: Xue Feifei , Jiang Shichun
Published: August 2014

Biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymers (BBCPs) containing crystalline blocks become increasingly important in polymer science, and have great potential applications in polymer materials. Crystallization in polymers is accompanied by the adoption of an extended conformation, or often by chain folding. It is important to distinguish between crystallization in homopolymers and in block copolymers. In homopolymers, chain folding leads to metastable structures introduced by the crystallization kinetics. In contrast, equilibrium chain folding in diblocks can be achieved as the equilibrium number of the folds is controlled by the size of the second block. The structures of BBCPs, which are determined by the competition between crystallization, microphase separation, kinetics and processing, have a tremendous influence on the final properties and applications. In this review, we present the recent advances on crystalline–crystalline diblock copolymer in our group.
Symmetry Breaking in NMR Spectroscopy: The Elucidation of Hidden Molecular Rearrangement Processes
Authors: McGlinchey Michael
Published: August 2014

Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy is probably the most convenient and sensitive technique to monitor changes in molecular structure in solution. Rearrangements that are rapid on the NMR time-scale exhibit simplified spectra, whereby non-equivalent nuclear environments yield time-averaged resonances. At lower temperatures, when the rate of exchange is sufficiently reduced, these degeneracies are split and the underlying “static” molecular symmetry, as seen by X-ray crystallography, becomes apparent. Frequently, however, such rearrangement processes are hidden, even when they become slow on the NMR time-scale, because the molecular point group remains unchanged. Judicious symmetry breaking, such as by substitution of a molecular fragment by a similar, but not identical moiety, or by the incorporation of potentially diastereotopic (chemically non-equivalent) nuclei, allows the elucidation of the kinetics and energetics of such processes. Examples are chosen that include a wide range of rotations, migrations and other rearrangements in organic, inorganic and organometallic chemistry.
Copolymerization and terpolymerization of carbon dioxide/propylene oxide/phthalic anhydride using a (salen)Co(III) complex tethering four quaternary ammonium salts
Authors: Jeon Jong Yeob , Eo Seong Chan , Varghese Jobi Kodiyan , Lee Bun Yeoul
Published: August 2014

The (salen)Co(III) complex 1 tethering four quaternary ammonium salts, which is a highly active catalyst in CO2/epoxide copolymerizations, shows high activity for propylene oxide/phthalic anhydride (PO/PA) copolymerizations and PO/CO2/PA terpolymerizations. In the PO/PA copolymerizations, full conversion of PA was achieved within 5 h, and strictly alternating copolymers of poly(1,2-propylene phthalate)s were afforded without any formation of ether linkages. In the PO/CO2/PA terpolymerizations, full conversion of PA was also achieved within 4 h. The resulting polymers were gradient poly(1,2-propylene carbonate-co-phthalate)s because of the drift in the PA concentration during the terpolymerization. Both polymerizations showed immortal polymerization character; therefore, the molecular weights were determined by the activity (g/mol-1) and the number of chain-growing sites per 1 [anions in 1 (5) + water (present as impurity) + ethanol (deliberately fed)], and the molecular weight distributions were narrow (Mw/Mn, 1.05–1.5). Because of the extremely high activity of 1, high-molecular-weight polymers were generated (Mn up to 170,000 and 350,000 for the PO/PA copolymerization and PO/CO2/PA terpolymerization, respectively). The terpolymers bearing a substantial number of PA units (fPA, 0.23) showed a higher glass-transition temperature (48 °C) than the CO2/PO alternating copolymer (40 °C).
Jean-Pierre Lavaud un itinéraire bolivianiste
Authors: Bataillon Gilles
Published: August 2014

Jean-Pierre Lavaud retrace dans cet entretien avec Gilles Bataillon son itinéraire intellectuel. Il évoque à la fois la Bolivie, qu’il découvre en 1967 à l’occasion de son premier séjour comme coopérant, mais les milieux intellectuels boliviens et français engagés dans l’étude et la réflexion sur les changements sociaux politique en Amérique latine. Il brosse ainsi un tableau de ses recherches sur l’instabilité politique, les mobilisations paysannes ou celles de femmes de mineurs en les confrontant aux grandes thématiques en vogue dans les sciences sociales des années 1970 aux années 1990. Il s’interroge enfin sur certaines particularités des m œurs boliviennes et sur l’ancrage sociopolitique de la Présidence d’Evo Morales.