bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular and molecular mechanisms in graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Zhang Lingling , Chu Jianhong , Yu Jianhua , Wei Wei
Published: December 2015

Graft-versus-host disease is a complication in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Graft-versus-host disease includes acute graft-versus-host disease and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Host APCs (e.g., dendritic cells and macrophages), effector T cells (e.g., Th1, Th17, and abnormal Th17:regulatory T cell ratio), B cells, and NK cells are implicated in graft-versus-host disease physiopathology. Proinflammation cytokines (e.g., IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α) are increased in graft-versus-host disease. Costimulatory molecules play an important role in inducing graft-versus-host disease. Pattern-recognition receptors, such as TLRs and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors, are critically involved in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease. Complement system C3 mediates Th1/Th17 polarization in human T cell activation and skin graft-versus-host disease. Accumulation of CD26 T cells in graft-versus-host disease target organs was found. As a therapeutic target, soluble CD83 molecules or antibodies have been demonstrated to have therapeutic effects against graft-versus-host disease, and signaling molecules promote the inflammatory and immune process of graft-versus-host disease. These immune cells and molecules could be the predictors of graft-versus-host disease development and the drug targets of the treatments for graft-versus-host disease. This article focuses on major advances on cellular and molecular mechanisms in graft-versus-host disease.
Financial Hardship Associated With Cancer in the United States: Findings From a Population-Based Sample of Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Yabroff K. Robin , Dowling Emily C. , Guy Gery P. , Banegas Matthew P. , Davidoff Amy , Han Xuesong , Virgo Katherine S. , McNeel Timothy S. , Chawla Neetu , Blanch-Hartigan Danielle , Kent Erin E. , Li Chunyu , Rodriguez Juan L. , de Moor Janet S. , Zheng Zhiyuan , Jemal Ahmedin , Ekwueme Donatus U.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To estimate the prevalence of financial hardship associated with cancer in the United States and identify characteristics of cancer survivors associated with financial hardship.

Methods

We identified 1,202 adult cancer survivors diagnosed or treated at ≥ 18 years of age from the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences With Cancer questionnaire. Material financial hardship was measured by ever (1) borrowing money or going into debt, (2) filing for bankruptcy, (3) being unable to cover one’s share of medical care costs, or (4) making other financial sacrifices because of cancer, its treatment, and lasting effects of treatment. Psychological financial hardship was measured as ever worrying about paying large medical bills. We examined factors associated with any material or psychological financial hardship using separate multivariable logistic regression models stratified by age group (18 to 64 and ≥ 65 years).

Results

Material financial hardship was more common in cancer survivors age 18 to 64 years than in those ≥ 65 years of age (28.4% v 13.8%; P < .001), as was psychological financial hardship (31.9% v 14.7%, P < .001). In adjusted analyses, cancer survivors age 18 to 64 years who were younger, female, nonwhite, and treated more recently and who had changed employment because of cancer were significantly more likely to report any material financial hardship. Cancer survivors who were uninsured, had lower family income, and were treated more recently were more likely to report psychological financial hardship. Among cancer survivors ≥ 65 years of age, those who were younger were more likely to report any financial hardship.

Conclusion

Cancer survivors, especially the working-age population, commonly experience material and psychological financial hardship.
Symptom Monitoring With Patient-Reported Outcomes During Routine Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Basch Ethan , Deal Allison M. , Kris Mark G. , Scher Howard I. , Hudis Clifford A. , Sabbatini Paul , Rogak Lauren , Bennett Antonia V. , Dueck Amylou C. , Atkinson Thomas M. , Chou Joanne F. , Dulko Dorothy , Sit Laura , Barz Allison , Novotny Paul , Fruscione Michael , Sloan Jeff A. , Schrag Deborah
Published: December 2015

Purpose

There is growing interest to enhance symptom monitoring during routine cancer care using patient-reported outcomes, but evidence of impact on clinical outcomes is limited.

Methods

We randomly assigned patients receiving routine outpatient chemotherapy for advanced solid tumors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to report 12 common symptoms via tablet computers or to receive usual care consisting of symptom monitoring at the discretion of clinicians. Those with home computers received weekly e-mail prompts to report between visits. Treating physicians received symptom printouts at visits, and nurses received e-mail alerts when participants reported severe or worsening symptoms. The primary outcome was change in health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 6 months compared with baseline, measured by the EuroQol EQ-5D Index. Secondary endpoints included emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and survival.

Results

Among 766 patients allocated, HRQL improved among more participants in the intervention group than usual care (34% v 18%) and worsened among fewer (38% v 53%; P < .001). Overall, mean HRQL declined by less in the intervention group than usual care (1.4- v 7.1-point drop; P < .001). Patients receiving intervention were less frequently admitted to the ER (34% v 41%; P = .02) or hospitalized (45% v 49%; P = .08) and remained on chemotherapy longer (mean, 8.2 v 6.3 months; P = .002). Although 75% of the intervention group was alive at 1 year, 69% with usual care survived the year (P = .05), with differences also seen in quality-adjusted survival (mean of 8.7 v. 8.0 months; P = .004). Benefits were greater for participants lacking prior computer experience. Most patients receiving intervention (63%) reported severe symptoms during the study. Nurses frequently initiated clinical actions in response to e-mail alerts.

Conclusion

Clinical benefits were associated with symptom self-reporting during cancer care.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Future Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
Authors: Nead Kevin T. , Gaskin Greg , Chester Cariad , Swisher-McClure Samuel , Dudley Joel T. , Leeper Nicholas J. , Shah Nigam H.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To test the association of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the treatment of prostate cancer with subsequent Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Methods

We used a previously validated and implemented text-processing pipeline to analyze electronic medical record data in a retrospective cohort of patients at Stanford University and Mt. Sinai hospitals. Specifically, we extracted International Classification of Diseases-9th revision diagnosis and Current Procedural Terminology codes, medication lists, and positive-present mentions of drug and disease concepts from all clinical notes. We then tested the effect of ADT on risk of Alzheimer’s disease using 1:5 propensity score–matched and traditional multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. The duration of ADT use was also tested for association with Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Results

There were 16,888 individuals with prostate cancer meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria, with 2,397 (14.2%) receiving ADT during a median follow-up period of 2.7 years (interquartile range, 1.0-5.4 years). Propensity score–matched analysis (hazard ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.20; P = .021) and traditional multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.64; P = .031) both supported a statistically significant association between ADT use and Alzheimer’s disease risk. We also observed a statistically significant increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease with increasing duration of ADT (P = .016).

Conclusion

Our results support an association between the use of ADT in the treatment of prostate cancer and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in a general population cohort. This study demonstrates the utility of novel methods to analyze electronic medical record data to generate practice-based evidence.
Adjuvant Imatinib for GI Stromal Tumors: When and For How Long?
Authors: Benjamin Robert S. , Casali Paolo Giovanni
Published: December 2015

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

A 45-year-old woman presented with syncope. She was severely anemic, with a hemoglobin level of 6 g/dL, and was found to have lower GI bleeding. A diagnostic colonoscopy was negative. A subsequent computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, revealing a 3.2 × 3 × 2.9–cm contrast-enhancing right lower-quadrant mass arising from the wall of the ileum. There was no evidence of metastatic disease. The patient underwent laparotomy, and a 3.5-cm mass was resected with negative margins. Pathology revealed a GI stromal tumor with mixed spindle and epithelioid features involving the mucosa and submucosa ( Fig 1A ). The tumor cells were positive for CD117 (c-kit) ( Fig 1B ) and DOG-1( Fig 1C ). There were eight to 10 mitoses per 50 high-power fields ( Fig 1D ). Molecular studies showed a 42-base pair deletion in exon 11 of the KIT gene that would delete all or part of codons 558 to 572 (V559_D572del) and would change the 558-encoding amino acid from Lys to Asn (K558N).
Genesis of Theoretical Ideas of Career As Basis of Formation of the Theory of Management
Authors: Сотникова  , Sotnikova Svetlana
Published: December 2015

Formation of market philosophy of managing causes the necessity of allocation of management of career as special independent function of human resource

management in a control system of the organization. And for the Russian management it is rather new tendency. Due to the increasing need of formation of

the complete, reliable, systematically developed knowledge of essential communications and regularities of career there were separate works of research and

scientific and methodical character on this problem. Of course, they are very valuable, but the used conceptual and categorial device far isn’t worked yet; often

in them contradictory interpretation of career are given. All this quite often results in distinctions in a statement of the same questions in scientific discussions,

in the course of teaching economic and administrative disciplines. Disorder of terms complicates in many cases transfer and interpretation of foreign literature

[7–14]. Consecutive consideration in article of research tools of career allowed to create harmonous system of knowledge of career from a heap of interpretation,

to gain a complex impression about its social and economic essence and the contents. Author’s understanding of career is presented from positions of substantial,

structural, functional, morphological, institutional, substantsionalny, system approaches in the article. The essence and the maintenance of basic elements of

system of career are allocated: career purposes, career space, career vector, resource base, career bases, norm, dynamics of career. Author’s interpretation of

elements of system of career is offered.
Personnel Risks in Implementation Competence Approach in Personnel Management: Classification, Identification, Minimization
Authors: Чуланова  , Chulanova Oksana , Борисенко  , Borisenko N.
Published: December 2015

A practical experience of competent approach in personnel management of core organization showed that there are risks in the implementation of the model of competence and avoid them in the current economic environment is very difficult. This fact must be taken into account managers for timely prevention, prevention and minimization of personnel risks. In this study particular personnel risks in implementing competence-based approach to the management staff of the organization are presented. The authors have been considered competent approach, especially its use in personnel management, as well as the classification of personnel risks, developed a method to minimize personnel risks in implementing competence-based approach to working with the staff of the organization. The material for this article is a long-term experience of domestic and foreign scientists to study in detail the effectiveness of this approach.
Pathological Physiology
Authors: Morgunova Viktoriya , Maslyakova Galina , Zakharov Aleksandr , Bersudskiy Savva , Philippov Yury
Published: December 2015

The present manual on pathological physiology includes materials according to all sections of pathological physiology and covers standard pathological processes.
In the manual the considerable attention is paid to consideration of questions of an etiology, mechanisms of development of pathological processes and their manifestations in maxillofacial area. Are in detail lit not only widespread pathology forms in stomatologic practice, but also and those general pathological processes which are followed by the expressed manifestations in a mouth.
The manual is designed for students of stomatologic faculties of medical schools; it will also be useful to all who is interested in pathophysiology problems.
Lectures of department of pathological physiology of SEI VPO Saratovskogo of the state medical university of V. I. Razumovsky by it for students stomatologists are the basis for a grant.
The main objective of this course of lectures – the message to students of a certain volume of the knowledge reflecting a current state of world pathophysiological science who can be useful in daily practical activities of the dentist.
Agency Selling or Reselling? Channel Structures in Electronic Retailing
Authors: Abhishek Vibhanshu , Jerath Kinshuk , Zhang Z. John
Published: December 2015

In recent years, online retailers (also called e-tailers) have started allowing manufacturers direct access to their customers while charging a fee for providing this access, a format commonly referred to as agency selling. In this paper, we use a stylized theoretical model to answer a key question that e-tailers are facing: When should they use an agency selling format instead of using the more conventional reselling format? We find that agency selling is more efficient than reselling and leads to lower retail prices; however, the e-tailers end up giving control over retail prices to the manufacturer. Therefore, the reaction by the manufacturer, who makes electronic channel pricing decisions based on their impact on demand in the traditional channel (brick-and-mortar retailing), is an important factor for e-tailers to consider. We find that when sales in the electronic channel lead to a negative effect on demand in the traditional channel, e-tailers prefer agency selling, whereas when sales in the electronic channel lead to substantial stimulation of demand in the traditional channel, e-tailers prefer reselling. This preference is mediated by competition between e-tailers—as competition between them increases, e-tailers prefer to use agency selling. We also find that when e-tailers benefit from positive externalities from the sales of the focal product (such as additional profits from sales of associated products), retail prices may be lower under reselling than under agency selling, and the e-tailers prefer reselling under some conditions for which they would prefer agency selling without the positive externalities.

This paper was accepted by Chris Forman, information systems.
Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of the Effects of Erbium, Chromium:Yattrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) Laser Irradiation on Bone Mineral and Organic Components
Authors: Benetti Carolina , Ana Patricia Aparecida , Bachmann Luciano , Zezell Denise Maria
Published: December 2015

The effects of varying the energy density of a high-intensity erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser on the mineral and organic components of bone tissue were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Bone samples obtained from the tibias of rabbits were irradiated with five energy densities (3, 6, 8, 12, and 15 J/cm2), and the effects on the carbonate to phosphate ratio and in the organic components were compared with those of nonirradiated samples. The increased temperature during the laser irradiation was also measured using infrared thermography to relate the observed spectral changes to the laser thermal effects. The analyses of the infrared spectra suggests that the irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG promoted changes in bone tissue in both the mineral and organic components that depend on the laser energy density, pointing to the importance of using the proper energy density in clinical procedures.
Porous Silicon Covered with Silver Nanoparticles as Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrate for Ultra-Low Concentration Detection
Authors: Kosović Marin , Balarin Maja , Ivanda Mile , Đerek Vedran , Marciuš Marijan , Ristić Mira , Gamulin Ozren
Published: December 2015

Microporous and macro-mesoporous silicon templates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates were produced by anodization of low doped p-type silicon wafers. By immersion plating in AgNO3, the templates were covered with silver metallic film consisting of different silver nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of these SERS substrates showed diverse morphology with significant difference in an average size and size distribution of silver nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) reflection spectroscopy showed plasmonic absorption at 398 and 469 nm, which is in accordance with the SEM findings. The activity of the SERS substrates was tested using rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye molecules and 514.5 nm laser excitation. Contrary to the microporous silicon template, the SERS substrate prepared from macro-mesoporous silicon template showed significantly broader size distribution of irregular silver nanoparticles as well as localized surface plasmon resonance closer to excitation laser wavelength. Such silver morphology has high SERS sensitivity that enables ultralow concentration detection of R6G dye molecules up to 10−15 M. To our knowledge, this is the lowest concentration detected of R6G dye molecules on porous silicon-based SERS substrates, which might even indicate possible single molecule detection.
Absorption Features in Soil Spectra Assessment
Authors: Vašát Radim , Kodešová Radka , Borůvka Luboš , Jakšík Ondrěj , Klement Aleš , Drábek Ondřej
Published: December 2015

From a wide range of techniques appropriate to relate spectra measurements with soil properties, partial least squares (PLS) regression and support vector machines (SVM) are most commonly used. This is due to their predictive power and the availability of software tools. Both represent exclusively statistically based approaches and, as such, benefit from multiple responses of soil material in the spectrum. However, physical-based approaches that focus only on a single spectral feature, such as simple linear regression using selected continuum-removed spectra values as a predictor variable, often provide accurate estimates. Furthermore, if this approach extends to multiple cases by taking into account three basic absorption feature parameters (area, width, and depth) of all occurring features as predictors and subjecting them to best subset selection, one can achieve even higher prediction accuracy compared with PLS regression. Here, we attempt to further extend this approach by adding two additional absorption feature parameters (left and right side area), as they can be important diagnostic markers, too. As a result, we achieved higher prediction accuracy compared with PLS regression and SVM for exchangeable soil pH, slightly higher or comparable for dithionite-citrate and ammonium oxalate extractable Fe and Mn forms, but slightly worse for oxidizable carbon content. Therefore, we suggest incorporating the multiple linear regression approach based on absorption feature parameters into existing working practices.
Non-Sequential Spectral Acquisitions and Data Reconstruction to Remove Time-Dependent Effects from X-Ray Spectra
Authors: Gopon Phillip , Sobol Peter , Fournelle John
Published: December 2015

X-ray spectroscopy techniques may require prolonged exposure of a sample to an electron beam to generate X-rays. With typical spectroscopic methods the measured signal is acquired while varying the independent parameter in a systematic way, for example, stepping a photon detector in a series of energy steps from one end of the range of interest to the other incrementally or varying the energy of the incoming excitation incrementally. This can be a time-consuming process when signal strength is low, and if the sample is affected by prolonged beam exposure it could potentially change the shape and position of the obtained X-ray spectrum. Hydrocarbon contamination is of particular concern in electron beam instruments because of the interaction between the hydrocarbons and the electron beam at the point of impact on the sample surface. The authors suggest that hydrocarbon contamination does affect the generated spectra and present methods for removing this (and other) time-dependent artifacts for low-voltage X-rays. The software is freely available as a compiled Windows executable and as source code ( http://geoscience.wisc.edu/geoscience/?p=16417 ).
Subtle Structural Aspects of Propylene-Based Copolymers as Revealed by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Desimone Mariela , Mana Carla D. , Perez C. Javier , Carella José M. , Tomba J. Pablo
Published: December 2015

Raman spectroscopy is used to elucidate fine details of the rather complex microstructure of ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPCs). This paper is focused on a series of commercial EPCs (Versify by Dow) with well-characterized ethylene content. Particular emphasis is given on the analysis of crystal type and content and their relation with EPC chain microstructure. Information provided by Raman is compared with that obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a well-established technique widely used in the polymer field. Temperature-resolved Raman experiments are also carried out to interpret more precisely the complex melting patterns observed in the DSC traces. These experiments reveal with more detail the crystal chemical composition and melting temperature ranges of EPC samples, key features to design processing conditions that guarantee optimum lifetime and recyclability of overmolded parts.
Quantitative Analysis of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5, Triazine/Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (RDX–PETN) Mixtures by Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy
Authors: Sleiman Joyce Bou , Bousquet Bruno , Palka Norbert , Mounaix Patrick
Published: December 2015

Absorption spectra of explosives such as hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and mixtures of both were measured by terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Chemometrics was applied to quantitative analysis of terahertz absorbance spectra obtained in transmission mode to predict the relative amounts of RDX and PETN in samples containing pure components or their mixtures. This analysis was challenging because significant spectral overlap prevented identification of each product fingerprint. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models were thus applied to the terahertz spectra. A comparison between the so-called PLS1 and PLS2 algorithms was performed to predict the PETN concentrations in mixture samples. PLS2 demonstrated better predictive ability than PLS1 with RM SE value lower than 3.5 mg for 400 mg total weight pellets. Moreover, the influence of the highly overlapping spectral frequency band was investigated by reducing the original 0.2–3 THz (6–100 cm−1) spectral band to 1.8–3 THz (60–100 cm−1). The predictive ability was quite similar in both cases, highlighting the excellent ability of chemometrics to perform quantitative analysis when applied to THz-TDS data, even in the case of highly overlapping spectra.
Variable Temperature Infrared Spectroscopy Investigations of Benzoic Acid Desorption from Sodium and Calcium Montmorillonite Clays
Authors: Nickels Tara M. , Ingram Audrey L. , Maraoulaite Dalia K. , White Robert L.
Published: December 2015

Processes involved in thermal desorption of benzoic acid from sodium and calcium montmorillonite clays are investigated by using variable temperature diffuse reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). By monitoring the temperature dependence of infrared absorbance bands while heating samples, subtle changes in molecular vibrations are detected and employed to characterize specific benzoic acid adsorption sites. Abrupt changes in benzoic acid adsorption site properties occur for both clay samples at about 125 °C. Difference spectra absorbance band frequency variations indicate that adsorbed benzoic acid interacts with interlayer cations through water bridges and that these interactions can be disrupted by the presence of organic anions, in particular, benzoate.
Exploring the Nanoscale: Fifteen Years of Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Langelüddecke Lucas , Singh Prabha , Deckert Volker
Published: December 2015

Spectroscopic methods with high spatial resolution are essential to understand the physical and chemical properties of nanoscale materials including biological and chemical materials. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM), which can provide high-resolution topographic and spectral information simultaneously below the diffraction limit of light. Even examples of sub-nanometer resolution have been demonstrated. This review intends to give an introduction to TERS, focusing on its basic principle and the experimental setup, the strengths followed by recent applications, developments, and perspectives in this field.
ATControl Software for Leica AT40x Laser Trackers
Authors: Dvořáček Filip
Published: December 2015

The paper describes a software called ATControl which is based on the Matworks Matlab high-level programming language. This software is under constant development by the author in order to collect geospatial data by measuring with the absolute laser tracker Leica AT40x (AT401, AT402). Commercially available software solutions are shortly reviewed and the reasons for developing the new controlling application are discussed. Advantages of ATControl concerning metrological traceability of measured distances are stated. Key functional features of software are introduced.
Horizontal comparator for the system calibration of digital levels – realization at the Faculty of civil engineering, CTU Prague and in the laboratory of the Department of survey and mapping Malaysia (JUPEM) in Kuala Lumpur.
Authors: Vyskočil Zdeněk , Lukeš Zdeněk
Published: December 2015

Metrological procedures require a leveling staff calibration for an estimation of a true staff scale.  The calibration process is usually realized on laboratory comparators. Two automatic comparators for digital level calibration were built by the staff of Department of Geomatics. This article brings some information about properties of developed systems and about a control software for the comparators.
The age-specific peculiarities of hormonal and metabolic imbalance in the young and adult men with obesity
Authors: Goncharov N P , Katsiya G V , Verbovoy A F , Mitroshina E V
Published: December 2015

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the peculiar features of hormonal and metabolic imbalance in the young and adult men depending on the time of obesity manifestation, that is in adolescence or in the mature age. It was shown that over 40% of the young and adult men with obesity developed the well-apparent testosterone deficiency regardless of the time of obesity manifestation (Me 11.2-11.7 nmol/l). The overwhelming majority of the patients showing testosterone deficiency (60-80%) made up subgroups with metabolic syndrome (MS). The young and adult men in whom obesity began to develop in adolescence exhibited a more pronounced increase of fasting blood insulin level and HOMA-IR index than the men who developed obesity in the adulthood. Only in both young and adult men who began to develop obesity in adolescence, the blood aldosterone and cortisol levels were higher than in the age-matched normal subjects. These men, unlike those with obesity starting to develop in the adulthood, had the blood aldosterone and cortisol levels shifted to the upper limit of the reference values
The new immunological methods for diagnostics of type 1 autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome (the first experience in Russia)
Authors: Sozaeva L S , Karmanov M E , Breivik L , Husbi E , Kareva M A
Published: December 2015

This study was designed to ascertain the role of anti-interferon (IFN)-ω and -α2 antibodies (AB) in diagnostics of type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS-1) and evaluate specificity and sensitivity of the HEK-Blue cells method used to detect these antibodies. The study included 34 patients presenting with APS-1 and 21 patients with focal alopecia. All 100% of the patients with APS-1 ehxhibited high titers of anti IFN-ω antibodies; 97% of them had anti IFN-a2 antibodies. These antibodies were not found in the patients with focal alopecia. It is concluded that the measurement of anti IFN-α and α2 antibodies with the use of HEK-Blue cells is a highly specific and sensitive method for diagnostics of APS-1.
Role of stress proteins and hormones in bioregulation of ontogeny
Authors: Goudochnikov V I
Published: December 2015

In this short review article we tried to overview diffusely spread data on the role of stress proteins and hormones in ontogeny. The work presented here is a product of our long-term studies beginning from the middle of eighties of the last century and performed both in Russia and Brazil. It involves the results obtained with the use of experimental models on laboratory animals in vivo and in vitro, as well as later theoretical research in world literature databases. In experimental studies we used laboratory rats of different age groups and primary cultures of pituitary and liver cells for evaluating respectively body and organ growth and production of immunoreactive growth hormone (GH) and serum albumin (SA), as well as biosynthesis of DNA, total RNA and protein. The results obtained, showing important role of glucocorticoids (GC) in regulation of perinatal pituitary and liver functions and postnatal growth, were reinterpreted by us recently in the frame of DOHaD concept and as related to perinatal imprinting/programming phenomena. It is concluded that the present moment is quite appropriate for the widening of our studies both to the side of early embryonal development and in direction to aging, thus completing the whole cycle of life history / course research, as referred to stress proteins and hormones.
Tracking students’ autonomization through emotion traces in logbooks
Authors: Chateau Anne , Candas Peggy
Published: December 2015

Until relatively recently the impact of emotions on language learning has often been ignored and “the nature and contribution of positive emotions and beneficial emotional states deserves further attention” (Bown & White, 2010, p. 433). Our study focuses on a flexible language learning system that combines different elements: work in a virtual learning environment, group work, counselling sessions and a logbook. One of its objectives is to help students progress towards autonomy—defined as “the capacity to take control over one’s own learning” (Benson, 2011, p. 2)—in their learning of English. The logbook has been shown to be useful in helping students become conscious of the new role they have to play in such a system (Chateau & Zumbihl, 2012). A discourse analysis of 100 logbooks from the 2012-2013 cohort of students showed that the traces of emotions they contained could enable us to identify important steps in the development of autonomy, as well as make hypotheses on the links between emotions, students’ self-efficacy and the development of learner autonomy.
Language learning strategies: An holistic view
Authors: Griffiths Carol , Cansiz Gökhan
Published: December 2015

The language learning strategy question has been debated on a number of levels, including definition, the strategy/success relationship and strategy coordination. In addition, awareness has been steadily growing of the importance of taking an holistic view of the strategy phenomenon and examining strategies not just in isolation but as part of an overall picture which includes learning situation, learning target and individual learner characteristics. This article will first of all review the literature and the previous research on these controversial issues, and suggest a workable definition. Then, in order to illustrate the importance of such an holistic view, the results of a small scale study which looks at the strategies used by 16 successful language learners who were all either teaching English or teaching in English at university level will be reported. The quantitative results indicated that these successful learners used many strategies, especially those that suited their goals and their situations; they also frequently used and carefully orchestrated strategy repertoires which suited their own individual needs. The responses of one highly successful respondent were also examined qualitatively. The implications of these findings and the importance of viewing learners holistically are discussed and suggestions are made for ongoing research.
Characteristics of Sorel cement prepared from impure materials
Authors: Jurišová Jana , Fellner Pavel , Pach Ladislav
Published: December 2015

Production of potassium nitrate from potassium chloride and magnesium nitrate is related with the production of by-product, which is water solution of MgCl2 having concentration (24-30) mass %. Along with magnesium chloride this solution contains also nitrates and potassium and calcium cations. This solution can be used as defrosting agent or as a component for the production of building material based on Sorel cement. Sorel cement is material originating from the reaction of MgCl2 solution with solid MgO of suitable reactivity which depends on the temperature of calcinations of MgCO3 and size of MgO particles. Sorel cement paste is prepared by mixing MgO and MgCl2 in molar ratio 9 : 1 with the addition of water in appropriate amount. This cement settles in 2 hours and it can be treated within 24 hours, depending on the reactivity of MgO. This paper deals with the preparation and properties| of Sorel cement made of by-product (MgCl2) from the production of fertilizer KNO3 and MgO prepared from Slovak magnesite (Jelsava) with high content of impurities. We will show that properties of this material are suitable for application in building industry.
Rapid electrochemical platform for nicotine sensing in cigarettes and chewing gums
Authors: Cinková Kristína , Dianová Linda , Vojs Marian , Marton Marián , Švorc Ľubomír
Published: December 2015

A novel protocol for the simple and rapid determination of nicotine using square-wave voltammetry at boron-doped diamond electrode was developed. The effect of pH of supporting electrolyte, scan rate and square-wave voltammetric parameters was examined. Behavior study revealed that nicotine provided two irreversible oxidation peaks, the first one well-shaped at +1.14 V and the second one poorly-defined at +1.61 V vs. Ag/AgCl electrode in the presence of phosphate buffer (pH 9.0). Under optimal experimental conditions (modulation amplitude of 40 mV, frequency of 50 Hz and scan rate of 0.225 V · s-1), the current response of nicotine was proportionally linear in the concentration range from 9.9 × 10-6 to 1.7 × 10-4 mol · L-1 (R2 = 0.996) with the detection limit of 6.1 × 10-6 mol · L-1 (0.989 mg · L-1) and the relative standard deviation of 8.8 % (number of measurements n = 10, 5.7 × 10-5 mol · L-1 nicotine). The proposed procedure was applied to the quantification of nicotine in cigarettes and chewing gums with the determined values in good agreement with those declared by producer. In this respect, the developed protocol could represent an effective and rapid alternative to chemically modified electrodes in analysis of alkaloids.
Design and characterization of a soft magneto-rheological miniature shock absorber for a controllable variable stiffness sole
Authors: Grivon Daniel , Civet Yoan , Pataky Zoltan , Perriard Yves
Published: December 2015

The proposed paper discusses the design and characterization of a soft miniature Magneto-Rheological (MR) shock absorber. In particular, the final application considered for the insertion of the designed devices is a controllable variable stiffness sole for patients with foot neuropathy. Such application imposes particularly challenging constraints in terms of miniaturization (cross-sectional area ≤ 1.5 cm2, height ≤ 25 mm) and high sustainable loads (normal loads up to 60 N and shear stresses at the foot/device interface up to 80 kPa) while ensuring moderate to low level of power consumption. Initial design considerations are done to introduce and justify the chosen novel configuration of soft shock absorber embedding a MR valve as the core control element. Successively, the dimensioning of two different MR valves typologies is discussed. In particular, for each configuration two design scenarios are evaluated and consequently two sets of valves satisfying different specifications are manufactured. The obtained prototypes result in miniature modules (external diam. ≤ 15 mm, overall height ≤ 30 mm) with low power consumption (from a minimum of 63 mW to a max. of 110 mW) and able to sustain a load up to 65 N. Finally, experimental sessions are performed to test the behaviour of the realized shock absorbers and results are presented.
Modeling and comparison of superconducting linear actuators for highly dynamic motion
Authors: Bruyn B.J.H. de , Jansen J.W. , Lomonova E.A.
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a numerical modeling method for AC losses in highly dynamic linear actuators with high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes. The AC losses and generated force of two actuators, with different placement of the cryostats, are compared. In these actuators, the main loss component in the superconducting tapes are hysteresis losses, which result from both the non-sinusoidal phase currents and movement of the permanent magnets. The modeling method, based on the H-formulation of the magnetic fields, takes into account permanent magnetization and movement of permanent magnets. Calculated losses as function of the peak phase current of both superconducting actuators are compared to those of an equivalent non-cryogenic actuator.
Modular transportation system with a three dimensional routeing
Authors: Löffler Christoph , Canders Wolf-Rüdiger
Published: December 2015

In intra-enterprise logistics and automation of manufacturing processes general a rising productivity by high flexibility is required. Existing transportation systems exclusively use two-dimensional track sections, because they can be served with standard drives. Because of these simple structures the transport speed is limited and thereby also the throughput. In this paper now a modular transportation system is presented which could reach higher speeds with a direct drive and the use of centrifugal force compensating curves. Simultaneously the system also can change the altitude. All this succeeds with the integration of three-dimensional track sections. Therefore a two piped guiding system with a long stator linear motor was designed. To combine the linear motor with the three dimensional track special stator elements were developed which allow a bending of the stator to follow the route course. The current work deals with the implementation of a mechanical passive switch, which is operated by the electromagnetic forces of the linear motor. So no additional mechanical actors or a separate electromagnetic system are necessary.
Political Pathology in Plato’s Republic
Authors: Brill Sara
Published: December 2015

This paper focuses on the influence of the language of medical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment at an important juncture in the inquiry into psuchē Plato undertakes in the Republic: the discussion of degenerate regimes and forms of soul in Books 8 and 9. I argue that the work that is accomplished by Plato’s critical appropriation of medical terms and concepts is crucial to the dialogue as a whole: it gives us insight into the deepest questions and problems animating the dialogue, namely, how to choose the best life possible, and what role philosophy has in this task. More specifically, I argue that the medically inflected psychological and political diagnostics that Socrates employs in the analysis of civic and psychic decay in Books 8 and 9 produces a sophisticated critical theory, one which takes as its object of analysis neither the city nor the soul by themselves, but rather the peculiar degenerating operation of desire that is common to both, and which hinges upon the capacity for self-analysis of the diagnostician. This critical theory is further developed by the fusion of medical and juridical stances that is operative in the judgment of lives with which Book 9 concludes.
Student Motivation in the 21st Century – Slovak Experience
Authors: Rozvadský Gugová Gabriela , Maťovčíková Daniela
Published: December 2015

One of the five primary objectives of the European Union within the framework of Europe 2020 is to increase the proportion of the tertiary educated population. The research task titled “The motivation of the student in the 21st century” is intended to address the factors that have both an impact on the decision of students to pursue higher studies and affect the choice of a specific field of study and a preferred form of study. The stimulus to the exploration was sparked by the mentioned EU initiative, interesting statistical data, the growing number of students studying in the external form compared to the daily option, and an increase of students from abroad. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the causes of these trends. Motivation of students is not researched in a systematic way in Slovakia, even though it is an important factor in a student’s decisionmaking process to study. Information was obtained by a questionnaire distributed to 105 students, evaluated using SPSS software and application of descriptive statistics.
Creation and Results of a Research Project with a Focus on School Management for Teachers
Authors: Pisoňová Mária
Published: December 2015

The paper discusses the process of preparation, solution and the results of the research project titled “Content innovation of the course School Management”, followed by preparation of a modern university course book for an e-course situated in LMS Moodle environment for the field of study Education and for the purposes of the continuing education of teachers. The content of the paper includes a detailed characterization of the backgrounds of the solved research tasks, which have been validated by the undertaken researches and surveys not only in Slovakia, but also abroad. Based on the results, the main output of the project has been specified as well as its importance for the quality of undergraduate training of future teachers, for training of managing teaching staff, but also for contemporary headmasters.
Differences in the Value Orientation of Czech and Slovak Pupils
Authors: Vomáčková Helena
Published: December 2015

This contribution brings a selection from the results of a research carried out during the years 2013 and 2014 among Czech and Slovak pupils of middle school age (i.e. 4th to 6th forms of primary schools). This study focused on monitoring and evaluating the differences and similarities in the value-oriented responses of pupils, according to the criteria of their nationality and sex. The pupils were expressing their opinions by means of a questionnaire survey with respect to selected situations on a four-degree scale and they further stated their vision of the world and their position in it. This contribution analyses statistically significant deviations which were found out among the positions held by Czech and Slovak boys and girls. The contribution also gives rise to a number of questions concerning the shift in values among the population of pupils of the formerly unified state.
The Strategic Use of Innovation to Influence Environmental Policy: Taxes versus Standards
Authors: Moner-Colonques Rafael , Rubio Santiago J.
Published: December 2015

This paper evaluates the strategic behavior of a polluting monopolist to influence environmental policy, either with taxes or with standards, comparing two alternative policy games. The first of the games assumes that the regulator commits to an ex-ante level of the policy instrument. The second one is the time-consistent policy game. We find that the strategic behavior of the firm is welfare improving and leads to more environmental innovation than under regulatory commitment if a tax is used to control pollution. However, the contrary occurs if an emission standard is used. Under commitment, it is shown that both policy instruments are equivalent. We conclude that the optimal environmental policy is to use an emission tax since it yields the same welfare level than an emission standard for a committed regulator yet a larger welfare for a non-committed regulator.
Identifying conventional and unconventional monetary policy shocks: a latent threshold approach
Authors: Kimura Takeshi , Nakajima Jouchi
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a new estimation framework for identifying monetary policy shocks in both conventional and unconventional policy regimes using a structural VAR model. Exploiting a latent threshold modeling strategy that induces time-varying shrinkage of the parameters, we explore a recursive identification switching with a time-varying overidentification for the interest rate zero lower bound. We empirically analyze Japan’s monetary policy to illustrate the proposed approach for modeling regime-switching between conventional and unconventional monetary policy periods, and find that the proposed model is preferred over a nested standard time-varying parameter VAR model. The estimation results show that increasing bank reserves lowers long-term interest rates in the unconventional policy periods, and that the impulse responses of inflation and the output gap to a bank reserve shock appear to be positive but highly uncertain.
Darkness on Screen: Subjectivity-Inducing Mechanisms in Contemporary Estonian Art Film
Authors: Oja Martin
Published: December 2015

The main purpose of the article is to bring more clarity to the concept of art film, shedding light on the mechanisms of subjective reception and evaluating the presence of subjectivity-inducing segments as the grounds for defining art film. The second aim is to take a fresh look at the littlediscussed Estonian art cinema, drawing on a framework of cognitive film studies in order to analyse its borders and characteristics. I will evaluate the use of darkness as a device for creating meaning, both independently of and combined with other visual or auditory devices. The dark screen, although not always a major factor in the creation of subjectivity, accompanies the core problem both directly and metaphorically: what happens to the viewer when external information is absent? I will look at the subjectivity- inducing devices in the films of two Estonian directors, Sulev Keedus and Veiko Õunpuu. For the theoretical background, I rely mostly on Torben Grodal’s idea about the subjective mode as a main characteristic of art film, and the disruption of character simulation as the basis for the film viewer’s subjectivity.