bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrogating the city: Comparing locally distinct crisis discourses
Authors: Barbehön Marlon , Münch Sybille
Published: November 2015

There is a long tradition of debate about the crisis of cities or the crisis of local government in public, political and scholarly circles. The diagnosis of ‘the urban crisis’ often implies a homogeneous phenomenon with each city facing similar and unambiguous problems. However, we know little about local practices in constructing a city’s crisis. Taking discourse analysis as a starting point, we propose an interpretive and comparative framework that investigates how ‘the urban crisis’ and ‘the city’ emerge interdependently with specific meanings in different socio-spatial contexts. By comparing the discourses of Frankfurt, Dortmund, Birmingham and Glasgow, we illustrate how in each city the meaning of crisis is constructed differently and how these constructions constitute the collective understanding of the particularities of these cities.
The Evolution of Organizational Diversity in Banking: Savings Banks’ Consolidation and Sector Coordination in France and Italy, 1980–2012
Authors: Butzbach Olivier KE
Published: November 2015

Savings banks were a key component of the banking industry in Western European countries in the early 1980s – a distinct, not-for-profit form of banking organizations existing alongside joint-stock banks. After 1980, three decades of banking consolidation and pro-market regulatory reforms were widely expected to make savings banks disappear. Yet, in some countries at least, savings banks have survived, as persistently distinct organizational forms. Moreover, in countries as similar as France and Italy, organizational diversity as epitomized by the survival of savings banks has taken two apparently diverse routes. To solve this double puzzle, this article builds on the “new organizational synthesis” in organizational theory and on the comparative neo-institutional literature, and draws on a comparative case study analysis of savings banks consolidation in France and Italy, from 1980 to 2012. The study contributes to the literature on the co-evolution of institutions and organizations by focusing on meso-level coordination and fully incorporating the relevance of state actors and policies in the analysis of organizational change.
Gendered Racism, Coping, Identity Centrality, and African American College Women’s Psychological Distress
Authors: Szymanski Dawn M. , Lewis Jioni A.
Published: November 2015

In this study, we examined how engagement and disengagement strategies for coping with discrimination might explain how gendered racism influences psychological distress among 212 African American women enrolled in an institution of higher education. Engagement strategies were coping with discrimination using resistance and education/advocacy. Disengagement coping strategies were detachment from the stressor, internalization/self-blame, and use of drugs and alcohol. In addition, we examined the potential moderating or buffering role of gendered racial identity centrality (i.e., how important being an African American woman is to one’s self-concept) in the links between gendered racism and psychological distress, and between gendered racism and strategies for coping with discrimination. Results from our online survey revealed that both coping with discrimination via detachment and internalization/self-blame uniquely mediated the gendered racism–psychological distress links. In addition, findings from the moderation analyses indicated that the direct effect of gendered racism and detachment coping and the conditional indirect effect of gendered racism on psychological distress were contingent on gendered racial identity centrality; these relations were only significant among African American women with moderate to high levels of identity centrality, suggesting that identity centrality does not play a buffering role. Our findings suggest the importance of applying an intersectionality framework to explore the experiences of gendered racism and gendered racial identity centrality in African American women’s lives. Our results also lead us to recommend future work that helps African American women reduce the use of disengagement strategies to cope with discrimination. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ's website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental
Breastfeeding-Associated Hypernatremia
Authors: Lavagno Camilla , Camozzi Pietro , Renzi Samuele , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Bianchetti Mario G. , Milani Gregorio P.
Published: November 2015

There are increasing reports on hypernatremia, a potentially devastating condition, in exclusively breastfed newborn infants. Our purposes were to describe the clinical features of the condition and identify the risk factors for it. We performed a review of the existing literature in the National Library of Medicine database and in the search engine Google Scholar. A total of 115 reports were included in the final analysis. Breastfeeding-associated neonatal hypernatremia was recognized in infants who were ≤ 21 days of age and had ≥ 10% weight loss of birth weight. Cesarean delivery, primiparity, breast anomalies or breastfeeding problems, excessive prepregnancy maternal weight, delayed first breastfeeding, lack of previous breastfeeding experience, and low maternal education level were significantly associated with breastfeeding-associated hypernatremia. In addition to excessive weight loss (≥ 10%), the following clinical findings were observed: poor feeding, poor hydration state, jaundice, excessive body temperature, irritability or lethargy, decreased urine output, and epileptic seizures. In conclusion, the present survey of the literature identifies the following risk factors for breastfeeding-associated neonatal hypernatremia: cesarean delivery, primiparity, breastfeeding problems, excessive maternal body weight, delayed breastfeeding, lack of previous breastfeeding experience, and low maternal education level.
Cooperative control of regenerative braking and friction braking in the transient process of anti-lock braking activation in electric vehicles
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yu Liangyao , Pan Ning , Zhang Yonghui , Song Jian
Published: November 2015

Regenerative braking significantly improves the energy efficiency in electric vehicles. Cooperative control between regenerative braking and friction braking during anti-lock braking control is a critical issue in brake system coupling. For safety concerns, regenerative braking is often terminated at the beginning of anti-lock braking control. Oscillations between activation of an anti-lock braking system and exit from anti-lock braking system control may occur under poorly matched control parameters. To solve these problems, we propose an index that indicates the possibility of activation of an anti-lock braking system. It is derived by a fuzzy logic algorithm which is based on the estimated regenerative braking torque, the estimated friction braking torque and other vehicle state variables. Regenerative braking can be adjusted on the basis of the index to ensure that such braking is of a low level when an anti-lock braking system is activated. Simulations and experiments are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the index. The results show that regenerative braking decreases as the index increases, thereby improving the braking safety and the driving comfort during the transient process of activation of an anti-lock braking system.
Design methodology for shape transition inlets based on constant contraction of discrete streamtubes
Authors: Xiao Yabin , Yue Lianjie , Ma Shenghu , Chang Xinyu
Published: November 2015

In this paper we propose a design concept, i.e. constant contraction of discrete streamtubes, to develop a new design method for hypersonic inlets with shape transition, which enables the shape transition inlet to have high compression efficiency while keeping flow uniformity as much as possible. The method first divides the 3D flow field of the inlet into several groups of discrete streamtubes with constant contraction ratio. The axisymmetric flow within each stream tube is then optimized via computational fluid dynamics to have high compression efficiency, and these discrete streamtube groups are finally assembled together by matching their shock wave reflection positions to form a 3D inlet flow field with weak crossflow. This method can be used for the design of shape transition inlets with specified entrance/exit sections. To validate the present methodology, we design a rectangular-to-circular inlet with a design point of Ma 6 and a takeover point of Ma 4, and examine numerically the flow structure and the inlet performances.
Feminization of sport audiences and fans? Evidence from the German men’s national soccer team
Authors: Meier Henk Erik , Strauss Bernd , Riedl Dennis
Published: November 2015

Sport and sport consumption represent highly gendered spheres. Accordingly, sport spectatorship and fandom have been predominantly male. Recently, however, a trend towards a ‘feminization of sport crowds’ within European soccer has been detected. The piece of research presented here focuses on the concept’s quantitative dimension and aims to provide empirical evidence on long-term trends in female sport consumption and team identification studying trends for the German national soccer team over a 12-year period. The results suggest that the feminization of soccer reflects not only inauthentic consumerism but also increased team identification. Moreover, consistent age effects might be interpreted as indicating that the detected trends relate to changes in gender roles attitudes.
Depression Narratives in Blogs
Authors: Kotliar Dan M.
Published: November 2015

People with depression often suffer from severe social seclusion, and the lack of an agreed upon etiology for depression makes it difficult to satisfactorily narrate and “ritually control” it. Focusing on blogs by women with major depression, I delineate the ways in which bloggers publicly express and collaboratively reconstruct their depression narratives. Specifically, using thematic analysis, I argue that depression blogs uniquely bridge between the seclusion that characterizes depression and the exposure offered in blogs, and thus offer people a rare opportunity to publicly share very intimate depression narratives, form communal bonds with their readers, and collaboratively revise their narratives. Depression blogs are also shown to function as “narrative sandboxes”—protected spaces in which bloggers can temporarily and experimentally add or remove different sections from their illness narratives, assess the compatibility of different cultural frameworks, and interchangeably use various metaphors, in an attempt to satisfactorily explain depression.
To play or not to play? That’s a resource abundance question
Authors: Auerbach Jeremy , Kanarek Andrew R , Burghardt Gordon M
Published: November 2015

Although play occurs in a wide variety of animals, models of the origins of play behavior are lacking. We propose a novel computational model exploring the evolution of non-social frivolous play. Asexually reproducing semelparous animals can either rest or forage. Foraging occurs when an organism is below an energy threshold. Success is determined by the combination of skill and availability of resources, which declines over time but replenishes for each generation. Play was introduced as a mutant strategy: a frivolous activity that uses energy and increases the probability of dying over resting with no direct fitness benefit. Simulations show that play behavior becomes fixed in the population and the time spent playing is maintained at a low rate in spite of its costly nature. When play behavior is functional by increasing foraging ability, it evolves quickly and the time individuals spend playing increases, but eventually the population of players collapses and play disappears. We suggest a mechanism underlying the origins of adaptive play from non-adaptive behavior when resources expand. Initially play acts as a spiteful behavior in that playing individuals suffer a direct cost to their fitness, but also may incur even greater costs to other individuals in the population.
Initial Assessment of Stewards of Children Program Effects on Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Rates in Selected South Carolina Counties
Authors: Letourneau Elizabeth J. , Nietert Paul J. , Rheingold Alyssa A.
Published: November 2015

Child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention programs often include a focus on increased reporting of suspected abuse, in addition to other prevention components such as helping trainees recognize suspected abusive situations. This study aimed to determine whether the Stewards of Children prevention program is associated with increased CSA reporting. Analyses examined whether rates of CSA allegations increased over time in three counties in South Carolina (SC) targeted with program dissemination efforts and whether CSA reporting trends differed between the three targeted counties and three comparison counties that did not experience substantial program dissemination. CSA allegation data were obtained by county and year for predissemination and postdissemination periods from the SC Department of Social Services. Results indicated that, for the targeted counties but not the nontargeted counties, estimated allegation rates increased significantly over time, corresponding with the onset of significant program dissemination efforts. Results also indicated significant between-groups differences in allegation trends for targeted versus nontargeted counties. These findings suggest that the Stewards prevention intervention may be associated with increased CSA allegations. However, results require replication with randomization of counties. Moreover, whether increased reporting is associated with decreased CSA incidence remains unknown.
Uncovering the layers of foreign language teacher socialization: A qualitative case study of Fulbright language teaching assistants
Authors: Uzum Baburhan
Published: November 2015

This qualitative case study explored how a novice language teacher negotiated her pedagogical beliefs and practices during her socialization into a foreign cultural and educational context. The focal participant was an Uzbek language teacher at a university in the USA. Using a language socialization theoretical framework, data were drawn from multiple sources such as interviews, video-recorded classroom observations, and classroom materials. The findings indicate that biographical factors (e.g. the teacher’s personal history, experience as a learner), contextual factors (e.g. interactions with students and institutional resources), and dialogic factors (e.g. the teacher’s knowledge of theories of teaching and learning) guided the process of socialization. The teacher was able to transform her beliefs and practices by negotiating the tensions, dilemmas, concerns, and questions across her biography, current teaching context, and theoretical knowledge of teaching and learning.
Retention of Displaced Students After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Authors: Coco Joshua Christian
Published: November 2015

The purpose of the study was to investigate the strategies that university leaders implemented to improve retention of displaced students in the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The universities that participated in this study admitted displaced students after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological narrative design in which interviews of eight different administrators in leadership roles were conducted. The findings of this study suggested the conclusion that administrators at these universities seemed to do whatever they could when it came to admitting students and wanted to try to make the students feel welcome. In the end, students were given the opportunity to grieve, and the institutions did a wonderful job in making sure each student had the proper information when it came to counseling services. Administrators at these universities tried to do whatever they could to help the students feel more like traditional students by offering them the same services and checks after the first few weeks of being displaced.
Changing what exactly, and from where? A response to Castree
Authors: Hulme Mike
Published: November 2015

Castree’s essay advocates for geographers to engage directly, and critically, with the new international networks and institutions giving shape and direction to the Anthropocene narrative. Reflecting on my own career in-and-out of geography, I suggest that such ‘fifth column’ activity is not for all geographers. Social change originates across many diverse venues, and the intellectual seeds of critical geographers seeking change to material practices and in cultural configurations need scattering to the winds, not merely planting in managed furrows.
State Finances in the Context of the Emerging Fiscal Federalism in India: Analysis of Past Experience in Fiscal Discipline and Consolidation
Authors: Dholakia Ravindra H.
Published: November 2015

Implications of increased central transfers of resources to states would make state budgets more important in determining fiscal prudence of the Indian economy that has a multiparty federal democracy. The article examines the quality of fiscal marksmanship at the state level revealed by the recent evidence. It also considers various parameters of fiscal consolidation over the past 10 years in the 17 non-special category states. The panel regression exercise suggests that the likely impact of enhanced central transfers may have mixed effects on fiscal consolidation of states and hence the Indian economy.
Comparison between Islamic and General Equity Funds of Pakistan: Difference in Their Performances and Fund Flow Volatility
Authors: Rao Zia-ur-Rehman , Tauni Muhammad Zubair , Iqbal Amjad
Published: November 2015

This study aims to analyze the performance, assets volatility and fund flow performance relationship of Islamic and conventional equity funds. Islamic funds are different from conventional funds as they do not invest in those businesses whose operations or capital structure is against the Shariah (law) of Islam. We do not find any significant difference between the performances of Islamic and conventional funds and they both are unable to beat the market. Conventional funds witnessed more volatility in their asset size than Islamic funds. Islamic funds are more sensitive to lagged positive returns and less sensitive to lagged negative returns as compared to conventional funds. These results indicate that Islamic investors derive multi attribute function instead of just profit and risk optimization.
Sepsis impairs microvascular autoregulation and delays capillary response within hypoxic capillaries
Authors: Bateman Ryon M. , Sharpe Michael D. , Jagger Justin E. , Ellis Christopher G.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

The microcirculation supplies oxygen (O2) and nutrients to all cells with the red blood cell (RBC) acting as both a deliverer and sensor of O2. In sepsis, a proinflammatory disease with microvascular complications, small blood vessel alterations are associated with multi-organ dysfunction and poor septic patient outcome. We hypothesized that microvascular autoregulation—existing at three levels: over the entire capillary network, within a capillary and within the erythrocyte—was impaired during onset of sepsis. This study had three objectives: 1) measure capillary response time within hypoxic capillaries, 2) test the null hypothesis that RBC O2-dependent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) efflux was not altered by sepsis and 3) develop a framework of a pathophysiological model.

Methods

This was an animal study, comparing sepsis with control, set in a university laboratory. Acute hypotensive sepsis was studied using cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) with a 6-hour end-point. Rat hindlimb skeletal muscle microcirculation was imaged, and capillary RBC supply rate (SR = RBC/s), RBC hemoglobin O2 saturation (SO2) and O2 supply rate (qO2 = pLO2/s) were quantified. Arterial NOx (nitrite + nitrate) and RBC O2-dependent ATP efflux were measured using a nitric oxide (NO) analyzer and gas exchanger, respectively.

Results

Sepsis increased capillary stopped-flow (p = 0.001) and increased plasma lactate (p < 0.001). Increased plasma NOx (p < 0.001) was related to increased capillary RBC supply rate (p = 0.027). Analysis of 30-second SR–SO2–qO2 profiles revealed a shift towards decreased (p < 0.05) O2 supply rates in some capillaries. Moreover, we detected a three- to fourfold increase (p < 0.05) in capillary response time within hypoxic capillaries (capillary flow states where RBC SO2 < 20 %). Additionally, sepsis decreased the erythrocyte’s ability to respond to hypoxic environments, as normalized RBC O2-dependent ATP efflux decreased by 62.5 % (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Sepsis impaired microvascular autoregulation at both the individual capillary and erythrocyte level, seemingly uncoupling the RBC acting as an “O2 sensor” from microvascular autoregulation. Impaired microvascular autoregulation was manifested by increased capillary stopped-flow, increased capillary response time within hypoxic capillaries, decreased capillary O2 supply rate and decreased RBC O2-dependent ATP efflux. This loss of local microvascular control was partially off-set by increased capillary RBC supply rate, which correlated with increased plasma NOx.
Diabetes-specific enteral nutrition formula in hyperglycemic, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a prospective, open-label, blind-randomized, multicenter study
Authors: Mesejo Alfonso , Montejo-González Juan Carlos , Vaquerizo-Alonso Clara , Lobo-Tamer Gabriela , Zabarte-Martinez Mercedes , Herrero-Meseguer Jose Ignacio , Acosta-Escribano Jose , Blesa-Malpica Antonio , Martinez-Lozano Fátima
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Although standard enteral nutrition is universally accepted, the use of disease-specific formulas for hyperglycemic patients is still controversial. This study examines whether a high-protein diabetes-specific formula reduces insulin needs, improves glycemic control and reduces ICU-acquired infection in critically ill, hyperglycemic patients on mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

This was a prospective, open-label, randomized (web-based, blinded) study conducted at nine Spanish ICUs. The patient groups established according to the high-protein formula received were: group A, new-generation diabetes-specific formula; group B, standard control formula; group C, control diabetes-specific formula. Inclusion criteria were: expected enteral nutrition ≥5 days, MV, baseline glucose >126 mg/dL on admission or >200 mg/dL in the first 48 h. Exclusion criteria were: APACHE II ≤10, insulin-dependent diabetes, renal or hepatic failure, treatment with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or lipid-lowering drugs and body mass index ≥40 kg/m2. The targeted glucose level was 110–150 mg/dL. Glycemic variability was calculated as the standard deviation, glycemic lability index and coefficient of variation. Acquired infections were recorded using published consensus criteria for critically ill patients. Data analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results

Over a 2-year period, 157 patients were consecutively enrolled (A 52, B 53 and C 52). Compared with the standard control formula, the new formula gave rise to lower insulin requirement (19.1 ± 13.1 vs. 23.7 ± 40.1 IU/day, p <0.05), plasma glucose (138.6 ± 39.1 vs. 146.1 ± 49.9 mg/dL, p <0.01) and capillary blood glucose (146.1 ± 45.8 vs. 155.3 ± 63.6 mg/dL, p <0.001). Compared with the control diabetes-specific formula, only capillary glucose levels were significantly reduced (146.1 ± 45.8 vs. 150.1 ± 41.9, p <0.01). Both specific formulas reduced capillary glucose on ICU day 1 (p <0.01), glucose variability in the first week (p <0.05), and incidences of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (p <0.01) or pneumonia (p <0.05) compared with the standard formula. No effects of the nutrition formula were produced on hospital stay or mortality.

Conclusions

In these high-risk ICU patients, both diabetes-specific formulas lowered insulin requirements, improved glycemic control and reduced the risk of acquired infections relative to the standard formula. Compared with the control-specific formula, the new-generation formula also improved capillary glycemia.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT1233726.
Effect of topographical control by a micro-molding process on the activity of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on alumina ceramics
Authors: Kim Soo-Yean , Kang Jong-Ho , Seo Won-Seon , Lee Suk-Won , Oh Nam-Sik , Cho Hyung-Koun , Lee Myung-Hyun
Published: November 2015

Background

Numerous studies have reported that microgrooves on metal and polymer materials can affect cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and guidance. However, our knowledge of the cell activity associated with microgrooves on ceramics, such as alumina, zirconia, hydroxyapatite and etc, is very incomplete, owing to difficulties in the engraving of microgrooves on the hard surface of the base material. In this study, microgrooves on alumina were fabricated by a casting process using a polydimethylsiloxane micro-mold. The cell responses of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the alumina microgrooves were then evaluated.

Results

Microgrooves on an alumina surface by micro-mold casting can enhance the adhesion, differentiation of osteoblasts as well as gene expression related to osteoblast differentiation. The ALP activity and calcium concentration of the cells on alumina microgrooves were increased by more than twice compared to a non-microgrooved alumina surface. Moreover, regarding the osteoblast differentiation of hMSCs, the expression of ALP, RUNX2, OSX, OC and OPN on the microgrooved alumina were all significantly increased by 1.5 ~ 2.5 fold compared with the non-microgrooved alumina.

Conclusion

Altering the topography on alumina by creating microgrooves using a micro-molding process has an important impact on the behavior of hMSCs, including the adhesion, differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoblast-specific gene expression. The significant increase in hMSC activity is explained by the increasing of material transportation in parallel direction and by the extending of spreading distance in perpendicular direction.
Measuring Networking as an Outcome Variable in Undergraduate Research Experiences
Authors: Hanauer David I. , Hatfull Graham
Published: November 2015

The aim of this paper is to propose, present, and validate a simple survey instrument to measure student conversational networking. The tool consists of five items that cover personal and professional social networks, and its basic principle is the self-reporting of degrees of conversation, with a range of specific discussion partners. The networking instrument was validated in three studies. The basic psychometric characteristics of the scales were established by conducting a factor analysis and evaluating internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. The second study used a known-groups comparison and involved comparing outcomes for networking scales between two different undergraduate laboratory courses (one involving a specific effort to enhance networking). The final study looked at potential relationships between specific networking items and the established psychosocial variable of project ownership through a series of binary logistic regressions. Overall, the data from the three studies indicate that the networking scales have high internal consistency (α = 0.88), consist of a unitary dimension, can significantly differentiate between research experiences with low and high networking designs, and are related to project ownership scales. The ramifications of the networking instrument for student retention, the enhancement of public scientific literacy, and the differentiation of laboratory courses are discussed.
Concept Maps for Improved Science Reasoning and Writing: Complexity Isn’t Everything
Authors: Dowd Jason E. , Duncan Tanya , Reynolds Julie A.
Published: November 2015

A pervasive notion in the literature is that complex concept maps reflect greater knowledge and/or more expert-like thinking than less complex concept maps. We show that concept maps used to structure scientific writing and clarify scientific reasoning do not adhere to this notion. In an undergraduate course for thesis writers, students use concept maps instead of traditional outlines to define the boundaries and scope of their research and to construct an argument for the significance of their research. Students generate maps at the beginning of the semester, revise after peer review, and revise once more at the end of the semester. Although some students revised their maps to make them more complex, a significant proportion of students simplified their maps. We found no correlation between increased complexity and improved scientific reasoning and writing skills, suggesting that sometimes students simplify their understanding as they develop more expert-like thinking. These results suggest that concept maps, when used as an intervention, can meet the varying needs of a diverse population of student writers.
Decreasing methane yield with increasing food intake keeps daily methane emissions constant in two foregut fermenting marsupials, the western grey kangaroo and red kangaroo
Authors: Vendl Catharina , Clauss Marcus , Stewart Mathew , Leggett Keith , Hummel Jürgen , Kreuzer Michael , Munn Adam
Published: November 2015

Fundamental differences in methane (CH4) production between macropods (kangaroos) and ruminants have been suggested and linked to differences in the composition of the forestomach microbiome. Using six western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) and four red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), we measured daily absolute CH4 production in vivo as well as CH4 yield (CH4 per unit of intake of dry matter, gross energy or digestible fibre) by open-circuit respirometry. Two food intake levels were tested using a chopped lucerne hay (alfalfa) diet. Body mass-specific absolute CH4 production resembled values previously reported in wallabies and non-ruminant herbivores such as horses, and did not differ with food intake level, although there was no concomitant proportionate decrease in fibre digestibility with higher food intake. In contrast, CH4 yield decreased with increasing intake, and was intermediate between values reported for ruminants and non-ruminant herbivores. These results correspond to those in ruminants and other non-ruminant species where increased intake (and hence a shorter digesta retention in the gut) leads to a lower CH4 yield. We hypothesize that rather than harbouring a fundamentally different microbiome in their foregut, the microbiome of macropods is in a particular metabolic state more tuned towards growth (i.e. biomass production) rather than CH4 production. This is due to the short digesta retention time in macropods and the known distinct ‘digesta washing’ in the gut of macropods, where fluids move faster than particles and hence most likely wash out microbes from the forestomach. Although our data suggest that kangaroos only produce about 27% of the body mass-specific volume of CH4 of ruminants, it remains to be modelled with species-specific growth rates and production conditions whether or not significantly lower CH4 amounts are emitted per kg of meat in kangaroo than in beef or mutton production.
Paclitaxel Nanosuspension from EAK16-II Peptide as a Stabilizer and Its Anticancer Activity
Authors: Dong Yuyang , Zhao Yunxue , Yang Tian , Qian Lei
Published: November 2015

A new method of preparing paclitaxel (PTX) nanosuspension with EAK16-II peptide as a stabilizer is reported. It was found that PTX concentration in the resulting nanosuspension was about 20 times that from the PTX aqueous solution. The presence of EAK16-II significantly improved the PTX solubility in water due to the ionic-complementary structure of EAK16-II. Moreover the PTX-EAK nanosuspension exhibited great inhibitory effect on human lung cancer cells due to the high PTX concentration in the nanosuspension.
A Modeling Framework for Control of Preventive Services
Authors: Örmeci E. Lerzan , Güneş Evrim Didem , Kunduzcu Derya
Published: November 2015

We present a modeling framework for facilities that provide both screening (preventive) and diagnostic (repair) services. The facility operates in a random environment that represents the condition of the population that needs screening and diagnostic services, such as the disease prevalence level. We model the environment as a partially endogenous process: the population’s health can be improved by providing screening services, which reduces future demand for diagnostic services. We use event-based dynamic programming to build a framework for modeling different kinds of these facilities. This framework contains a number of service priority policies that are concerned with prioritizing screening versus diagnostic services. The main trade-off is between serving urgent diagnostic needs and providing screening services that may decrease future diagnostic needs. Under certain conditions, this trade-off reverses the famous cμ rule; i.e., the patients with lower waiting cost are given priority over the others. We define appropriate event operators and specify the properties preserved by these operators. These characterize the structure of optimal policies for all models that can be built within this framework. A numerical study on colonoscopy services illustrates how the framework can be used to gain insights on developing good screening policies.
Candidate Reference Measurement Procedure for the Quantification of Total Serum Cortisol with LC-MS/MS
Authors: Hawley James M , Owen Laura J , MacKenzie Finlay , Mussell Chris , Cowen Simon , Keevil Brian G
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Accurate measurement of serum cortisol is required to diagnose and treat adrenal disorders. Although certified reference materials (CRMs) are available to standardize cortisol measurements, External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes still demonstrate a wide dispersion of results. We present a serum cortisol candidate reference measurement procedure that, through analysis of a Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine–listed panel of higher-order CRMs, provides metrologically traceable results.

METHOD

Isotope-labeled internal standard was added to samples before supported liquid extraction. Extracts were analyzed with LC-MS/MS in positive electrospray ionization mode. Multiple reaction monitoring was used to detect cortisol and its corresponding internal standard transitions. We measured samples in triplicate over 3 days and calculated the mean result.

RESULTS

Mean intra- and interassay imprecision were 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively, for concentrations of 154, 510, and 769 nmol/L. Ionization efficiency studies and structural analog analysis proved the method to be robust against interferences. Through analysis of 34 CRMs (83–764 nmol/L), expanded measurement uncertainty was calculated to be 5% (95% CI). The mean bias between the measured and target CRM concentrations was statistically insignificant at −0.08%.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy and low measurement uncertainty of this method qualify it as a CRM procedure. Metrological traceability has been achieved through the analysis of higher-order CRMs. This method could be used to underpin serum cortisol EQA schemes to provide samples with a traceable target value, enabling participating laboratories to determine the accuracy and measurement uncertainty of their assays.
AVALIAÇÃO DO ENSINO SOBRE GESTÃO DE CADEIAS DE SUPRIMENTOS NOS CURSOS SUPERIORES DE TECNOLOGIA EM LOGÍSTICA NA GRANDE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Faria Ana Cristina de , Pereira José Assis , Peleias Ivam Ricardo , Prearo Leandro Campi , Pereira Raquel Silva
Published: November 2015

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar em que medida os conteúdos sobre Gestão de Cadeias de Suprimentos ministrados nos Cursos Superiores de Tecnologia em Logística em algumas IES da Grande São Paulo atendem às demandas do mercado de trabalho. Antes do desenvolvimento de uma survey, buscou-se conhecer, por meio de pesquisa documental, as IES da região pesquisada e 60 ofertas de empregos para profissionais de Logística, oferecidas em sites de recolocação para profissionais, em que foram identificados os conhecimentos técnicos exigidos. Na survey procurou-se identificar o perfil dos sujeitos (coordenadores, docentes e alunos) e analisar suas percepções sobre a intensidade dos conteúdos oferecidos, que devem refletir os conhecimentos técnicos exigidos pelo mercado. O tratamento e a análise dos dados permitiram constatar que existe convergência entre 20 conhecimentos técnicos exigidos, sendo quatro divergentes, além de um descompasso entre as percepções dos sujeitos quanto à hierarquia dos conteúdos exigidos. O curso investigado nas IES alinha-se com as necessidades do mercado de trabalho. Recomenda-se que estas IES procurem identificar junto ao mercado os conhecimentos, as habilidades e as competências mais valorizadas no momento do planejamento desses cursos.
DETERMINANTES DO PAGAMENTO DE JUROS SOBRE REMUNERAÇÃO DO CAPITAL PRÓPRIO DAS EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS LISTADAS NA REVISTA EXAME MAIORES E MELHORES
Authors: Ramos Fernando Maciel , Gollo Vanderlei , Diel Fábio José , Klann Roberto Carlos
Published: November 2015

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo identificar os fatores determinantes do pagamento de juros sobre capital próprio em empresas brasileiras listadas na Revista Exame Maiores e Melhores, e com isso contribuir para o desenvolvimento da lacuna teórica acerca dos fatores motivadores da remuneração de capital próprio. A amostra é composta por empresas listadas entre as 100 maiores na Revista Exame Maiores e Melhores nas edições de 2008 a 2011. Foram consideradas somente as empresas que apresentaram pagamento de juros sobre capital próprio no período analisado. Compõem o grupo de variáveis analisadas o Pagamento de Juros sobre Capital Próprio (varável dependente) e o Capital Social, o Imposto de Renda (IR), a Contribuição Social sobre o Lucro Líquido (CSLL), o Faturamento, o Lucro Líquido, o Lucro Bruto, o Ativo Total e o Número de Ações (como variáveis independentes). Utilizou-se como ferramenta estatística para análise dos dados o método de dados em painel. Como limitação do estudo é possível apontar a amostra utilizada, a qual não permite a generalização dos achados. Os resultados apontam que quanto maior o Capital Social e o Ativo Total das companhias, maior tende ser a prática de remuneração de juros sobre capital próprio. Porém, quanto maior a quantidade de ações das empresas e a lucratividade, há menor propensão à opção por pagamentos de juros sobre o capital próprio. Assim, conclui-se que as variáveis analisadas contribuem para explicar a opção de remuneração de acionistas atrelada aos juros sobre capital próprio. Esses resultados contribuem para que outros estudos acerca da temática sejam realizados, a fim de se compreender os aspectos relacionados às políticas de remuneração dos acionistas.
A CRIAÇÃO DE SPIN-OFFS CORPORATIVOS: RELAÇÃO COM A ORGANIZAÇÃO-MÃE NA PERSPECTIVA DOS RECURSOS
Authors: Ferraz Janaynna De Moura , Teixeira Rivanda Meira
Published: November 2015

O spin-off corporativo se configura como alternativa eficiente na expansão do empreendedorismo, pois apresenta taxa de crescimento expressiva e capacidade de inovação decorrente da experiência adquirida na organização-mãe. Nesse contexto, este estudo se propõe a analisar o surgimento de spin-offs corporativos sob a perspectiva da relação com a organização-mãe por meio da adaptação do modelo de Tubke (2005), combinado com os recursos do modelo de Clarysse et al. (2005). Adotou-se a estratégia de pesquisa de estudo de casos múltiplos, com dois casos, nos quais foram considerados como unidades de análise as organizações-mãe e os spin-offs. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e foram tratados com a análise de conteúdo categorizada em temas. Dentre os resultados, observou-se que o tipo de ligação e os recursos fornecidos contribuem para a consolidação dos novos negócios. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que a organização-mãe tende a apoiar casos em que o spin-off faça parte de sua cadeia de valor.
EXPATRIAÇÃO: UMA OPORTUNIDADE DE REPENSAR A CARREIRA
Authors: Gallon Shalimar , Scheffer Angela Beatriz Busato
Published: November 2015

A expatriação, pelas possibilidades de aprendizado e desafios internacionais, tem sido uma das formas encontradas pelos empregados para incrementar seu conhecimento e repensar sua carreira profissional. Este estudo tem o propósito de analisar a percepção dos empregados que tiveram/estão tendo uma experiência profissional internacional sobre o impacto da expatriação em suas carreiras. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso na empresa Alpha, na qual foram realizadas 21 entrevistas. Como principal achado, tem-se uma forte relação entre expatriação e carreira, visto que a experiência internacional tem sido agregadora de conhecimento, bem como desenvolvimento gerencial, técnico e pessoal. Essa experiência é vista como algo reconhecido no mercado de trabalho, o que abre, para o empregado, possibilidades novas de recolocação. Por esses motivos, os repatriados passam a dar mais valor à sua carreira interna (conjunto de experiências e aprendizados vivenciados pelo indivíduo) do que à organizacional (ocupações e cargos dentro da empresa).
A portable device for recording evoked potentials, optimized for pattern ERG
Authors: McInturff Stephen P. , Buchser William J.
Published: November 2015

Recording evoked potentials in un-anesthetized animals and people is a powerful technique to non-invasively measure the function of neurons. As such, the primary output neurons of the eye can be assessed by the pattern electroretinogram (PERG). Currently, electro-physiologic setups to perform PERG or related recordings are costly, complicated, and non-portable. Here, we design a simple steady-state PERG system, based off an Arduino board. The amplifier is built on a shield that fits over a microcontroller board, an Arduino, which digitizes the signal and sends it to a computer that presents stimuli then records and analyzes the evoked potentials. We used the device to record PERG accurately with a sensitivity as low as half a microvolt. The device has also been designed to implement other evoked potential recordings. This simple device can be quickly constructed and used for experiments in moving systems. Additionally, this device can be used to expose students in underserved areas to research technology that they would otherwise not have access to.
Analysis of gauged Witten equation
Authors: Tian Gang , Xu Guangbo
Published: November 2015

The gauged Witten equation was essentially introduced by Witten in his formulation of the gauged linear σ-model (GLSM), which explains the so-called Landau–Ginzburg/Calabi–Yau correspondence. This is the first paper in a series towards a mathematical construction of GLSM, in which we set up a proper framework for studying the gauged Witten equation and its perturbations. We also prove several analytical properties of solutions and moduli spaces of the perturbed gauged Witten equation. We prove that solutions have nice asymptotic behavior on cylindrical ends of the domain. Under a good perturbation scheme, the energies of solutions are shown to be uniformly bounded by a constant depending only on the topological type. We prove that the linearization of the perturbed gauged Witten equation is Fredholm, and we calculate its Fredholm index. Finally, we define a notion of stable solutions and prove a compactness theorem for the moduli space of solutions over a fixed domain curve.
Singular homology theory in the category of soft topological spaces
Authors: Bayramov Sadi , Gündüz (Aras) Cigdem , Mdzinarishvili Leonard
Published: November 2015

In the category of soft topological spaces, a singular homology group is defined and the homotopic invariance of this group is proved [Internat. J. Engrg. Innovative Tech. (IJEIT) 3 (2013), no. 2, 292–299]. The first aim of this study is to define relative homology groups in the category of pairs of soft topological spaces. For these groups it is proved that the axioms of dimensional and exactness homological sequences hold true. The axiom of excision for singular homology groups is also proved.
Relative topological finiteness
Authors: Tsereteli Ivane
Published: November 2015

The concept of relative topological finiteness is introduced. A Hausdorff compact space is constructed, which is homeomorphic to none of its proper
Algorithmic problems for class-2 nilpotents MR-groups
Authors: Amaglobeli Mikheil , Remeslennikov Vladimir
Published: November 2015

In this paper we investigate the basic algorithmic problems for class-2 nilpotent MR-groups. It is proved that, under an additional assumption of finite definiteness, all these problems have a positive solution and, in the general case, they have a negative solution for finitely generating groups.
Comparison of CFD Simulation and Simplified Modeling of a Fluidized Bed CO2 Capture Reactor
Authors: Liu Daoyin , Zhang Zhonglin , Zhuang Yaming , Chen Xiaoping
Published: November 2015

CO2 capture using solid sorbents in fluidized bed reactors is a promising technology. The multiphase CFD model is increasingly developed to study the reactors, but it is difficult to model all the realistic details and it requires significant computational time. In this study, both the multiphase CFD model (i.e., CFD-DEM model coupled with reaction) and the simplified reactor models (i.e., plug flow model and bubbling two-phase model) are developed for modeling a fluidized bed CO2 capture reactor. The comparisons are made at different gas velocities from fixed bed to fluidized bed. The DEM based model reveals a detailed view of CO2 adsorption process with particle flow dynamics, based on which the assumptions in the simplified models can be evaluated. The plug flow model predictions generally show similar trends to the DEM model but there are quantitative differences; thus, it can be used to determine the reactor performance limit. The bubbling two-phase model gives better predictions than the plug flow model because the effect of bubbles on the inter-phase mass transfer and reaction is included. In the future, a closer combination of the multiphase CFD simulation and the simplified reactor models will likely be an efficient design method of CO2 capture fluidized bed reactors.
Approximation of common fixed points of left Bregman strongly nonexpansive mappings and solutions of equilibrium problems
Authors: Shehu Yekini , Ogbuisi Ferdinard U.
Published: November 2015

In this paper we propose an iterative algorithm based on the hybrid method in mathematical programming for approximating a common fixed point of an infinite family of left Bregman strongly nonexpansive mappings which also solves a finite system of equilibrium problems in a reflexive real Banach space. We further prove that our iterative sequence converges strongly to a common fixed point of an infinite family of left Bregman strongly nonexpansive mappings which is also a common solution to a finite system of equilibrium problems. Our result extends many recent and important results in the literature.
Global existence and stability results for partial fractional random differential equations
Authors: Abbas Saïd , Albarakati Wafaa , Benchohra Mouffak , Hilal Eman
Published: November 2015

We investigate some existence and stability results
for the Darboux problem of partial fractional random differential
equations in Banach spaces. Our existence results are based upon
some fixed point theorems.
Averaging of a nonlinear bipolar model
with phase transition and oscillating external forces
Authors: Tachim Medjo Theodore
Published: November 2015

In this article, we consider a non-autonomous nonlinear bipolar with
phase transition in a two-dimensional bounded domain. We assume that
the external force is singularly oscillating and depends on a small
parameter ϵ. We prove the existence of the uniform global
attractor 𝒜ϵ. Furthermore, using the method of
[Nonlinearity 22 (2009), no. 2, 351–370] in the case of the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes
systems, we study the convergence of 𝒜ϵ as ϵ goes
to zero.