bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violencia y comunicación desde la perspectiva analítica de la imagen
Authors: Franco Álvarez Dra. María Guillermina
Published: December 2014

Estamos ante un libro, publicado en lengua anglosajona, coeditado por la Universidad de Reno y la Universidad del País Vasco y liderado por José Antonio Mingolarra, Carmen Arocena y Rosa Martín Sabaris. La publicación ofrece un marco de análisis de la violencia apoyada en los discursos cinematográficos, audiovisuales y de las imágenes fijas reproducidas preferentemente en los medios sobre los periodos de vivencia y de violencia coexistentes con la banda terrorista ETA en el País Vasco. En este texto se abren formulas de aliento para encontrar nuevas maneras de convivencia que sirvan para entender que todo lo vivido queda en la memoria individual y del colectivo del País Vasco.
The neighbouring effect of isosorbide and its epimers in their reactions with dimethyl carbonate
Authors: Aricò Fabio , Evaristo Serena , Tundo Pietro
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT – The reactions of isosorbide and its epimers, isomannide and isoidide, with dimethyl carbonate have been herein investigated as easy access to bio-based products by a free-halogen chemistry approach. Isosorbide and its epimers show a different reactivity in bimolecular nucleophilic substitution with DMC. Carboxymethylation reaction was carried out in the presence of DMC and a weak base resulting in the high-yielding synthesis of dicarboxymethyl derivatives. Isomannide was the most reactive anydro sugars due to the less sterically hindered exo position of the OH groups. On the other hand, methylation of isosorbide and its epimers, conducted in the presence of a strong base and DMC, showed the higher reactivity of the endo hydroxyl group, isoidide being the most reactive epimer. This result has been ascribed to the neighbouring effect due to the combination of the oxygen in β-position and the intramolecular hydrogen bond within the anhydro sugar structure. Methylation reactions were also conducted in autoclave at high temperature with the amphoteric catalyst hydrotalcite using DMC as reagent and solvent. In this case, the reactivity of the epimers resulted quite different with isosorbide being the most reactive reagent possibly as a result of the structure of hydrotalcite comprising of both acidic and basic sites. The neighbouring effect was observed with good evidence in these methylation reactions.
Eine Weltbürgerbewegung ohne Realitätsbezug. Zum WBGU-Sondergutachten Klimaschutz als Weltbürgerbewegung
Authors: Brunnengräber Achim
Published: December 2014

Die internationalen Klimaverhandlungen der Vereinten Nationen stocken; das sieht auch der Wissenschaftliche Beirat der Bundesregierung Globale Umweltveränderungen so. In seinem neuen Sondergutachten propagiert er daher ,,Laboratorien für aktiven Klimaschutz“ und einen
,,modularen Multilateralismus“ als Instrumente, um den Klimaschutz zu befördern. Wenn nur alle ,,das Zusammenspiel“ übten, werde alles gut. Dass das so einfach nicht ist, zeigen die Erfahrungen der Klima-NGOs, der Klimabewegungen und deren Netzwerke ‐ doch genau
diese Erfahrungen blendet das WBGU-Gutachten aus.
A symmetry result for strictly convex domains
Authors: Ramm Alexander G.
Published: December 2014

Let

D
⊂

ℝ
2

${D\subset \mathbb {R}^2}$

be a strictly convex domain with C
2-smooth boundary.
Assume that

∫
D

e

i
x

y
n

d
x
d
y
=
0

${\int _De^{ix}y^n\,dxdy=0}$

for all sufficiently large n.
In this paper, we will prove that D is a disc.
Crystal structure of poly[aqua(1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane-κ2N:N’)(4-nitro- 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate-κ3O,O’:O’’)cobalt(II)], C20H17CoN3O7
Authors: Yin Wei-Dong , Li Gui-Lian
Published: December 2014

C20H17CoN3O7, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 27.441(6) Å, b = 7.569(2) Å, c = 19.961(5) Å, β = 111.521(2)°, V = 3856.6 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0477, wRref(F2) = 0.1115, T = 296 K.
Investigations on Chemo-Mechano Stabilities of the Molybdenum Thin Films Deposited by DC-Sputter Technique
Authors: Agawane Ganesh L. , Shin Seung W. , Vanalakar Sharadrao A. , Suryawanshi Mahesh P. , Moholkar Annasaheb V. , Kim Jin H.
Published: December 2014

This paper reports the chemical and mechanical stability of Molybdenum
(Mo) thin films deposited by direct current magnetron
sputtering technique onto soda lime glass substrates. Mo thin
films were deposited at various Ar (working) gas pressures to
get optimized structural, morphological, adhesive and electrical
properties. Mo thin films were further characterized by field
emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction,
Hall measurements and the cross hatch tape test. To study their
chemical stability the prepared Mo thin films were further
dipped in acetic acid and ammonia solution for
6 h. Mechanical stability of Mo thin films was
tested by high speed ultrasonication for an hour. Both the chemical
and mechanical stability studies showed that Mo thin films were
highly stable since morphology, adhesion and electrical properties did
not alter significantly. FE-SEM results showed that the grain size of
the chemo-mechano stability tested Mo thin films remained
significantly similar with an unimportant effect on the film
thickness. Electrical properties showed that electrical resistivity
and hall mobility for as-deposited Mo thin films were
2.7 · 10
–5 Ω cm
and 5.1 cm2/Vs, respectively
and remained nearly stable regardless of chemical and mechanical
treatment. All of the films passed the cross hatch tape test and
showed an excellent adhesion with glass substrates. The wettability
investigations showed that all the Mo thin films were
hydrophilic in nature and having contact angles in the range of
35○ to 40○.
Heart rate recovery in patients with ischemic heart disease - risk factors
Authors: Grad Cosmin , Zdrenghea Dumitru
Published: December 2014

Background and aim. Central nervous system dysfunction is associated with mortality and morbidity in patients with cardiovascular disease, post-workout recovery and faster heart rate being mediated by the dynamic interaction between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), as components of the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate recovery is the decline in heart rate after exercise. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of certain clinical and paraclinical parameters on heart rate recovery after exercise in patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods. The study included 260 patients who were subjected to cardiovascular stress test. The following parameters were measured in each patient: blood pressure and pulse rate prior to exercise, during exercise and at protocol-established time intervals, as well as 1 and 3 minutes after the end of the stress test. Statistical analysis was performed usingMedCalc software version 14.8.1 Results. Elderly patients had slower heart rate recovery at 1 minute after effort. Female patients have recovered significantly better the heart rate, at 1 minute and 3 minutes after effort compared to the males. This difference was maintained in multivariate analysis, independent of age or comorbidities of patients. The presence of ischemic heart disease was the most important factor independently associated with HRR1.Triglyceride values were negatively correlated with both HRR3 and HRR1 and independent of other factors present in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions. Autonomic dysfunction is involved in the development of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and was directly correlated with morbidity and mortality caused by coronary heart disease.
Supervision on Transference and Counter-Transference Issues for Undergraduate Students’ Counseling Practice at Counseling Department
Authors: Diniaty Amirah
Published: December 2014

Undergraduate students should take 4 credits for counseling practice subject in Counseling Department of State Islamic University of Riau. The subject is taken by seventh semester students who conduct counseling practice at senior high school for 3 months. Based on prelimenary study, majority of students acknowledged that they felt nervous to follow this programme. Thus, the problem of transference and counter transference issue for undergraduate students counseling practice must be answered by their supervisions. The result showed that a total of 93% of respondents had positive transference, while 7% of them had negative one. It means that majority of respondents felt positive transference, while internship students faced identification counter transference. It was proved that internship students did not need to have negative thinking of being rejected by the schools. The finding also showed that 97.3% of interenship students faced identification counter transference, while 2,7%  of them experienced for unidentification of transfenece. It means that there were a few of them should be supervised to have good counter transference. Supervision format that done by supervisor (university teacher) and tutor (high school teacher) was by conducting monthly meeting and by following up counseling result and writing report. It is recommended that a professional discussion is conducted to discuss problems faced by internship students.
Pt/n-GaN metal-semiconductor and Pt/HfO2/n-GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor Schottky diodes
Authors: Shetty Arjun , Roul Basanta , Mukundan Shruti , Chandan Greeshma , Mohan Lokesh , Vinoy K J , Krupanidhi S B
Published: December 2014

Gallium nitride (n-type) films of thickness 300nm were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates using plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). High resolution X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements were used to confirm the crystalline and optical qualities of the grown films. Metal-semiconductor Schottky diodes were fabricated using Pt as the Schottky metal and Al as the Ohmic metal contact. Metal-insulator-semiconductor Schottky diodes were also fabricated using HfO2 (10nm) as the insulator material. Diode parameters like barrier height and ideality factor were extracted from I-V measurements. Introduction of HfO2 as the insulator layer leads to better rectifying behavior (forward to reverse current ratio improves from 5.1 to 8.9) with a reduction in reverse leakage current (by 7.4 times), increase in barrier height (from 0.62eV to 0.74eV) and a reduction in ideality factor (from 6 to 4.1) of the Schottky diode.
Martensitic Transformation and Mechanical Properties of Fe-added Au-Cu-Al Shape Memory Alloy with Various Heat Treatment Conditions
Authors: Umise Akira , Tahara Masaki , Goto Kenji , Inamura Tomonari , Hosoda Hideki
Published: December 2014

In order to improve shape memory properties of Au-Cu-Al based shape memory alloys, the possibility to utilize thermo-mechanical treatment was investigated in this study, and effects of heat-treatment temperature on microstructure, martensitic transformation and mechanical properties of cold-rolled Au-30Cu-18Al-2Fe (AuCuAlFe) alloy were clarified by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile tests at room temperature (RT). Here, Fe addition to AuCuAl improves ductility. Cold rolling with the thickness reduction of 30% was successfully carried out in AuCuAlFe at RT. An exothermic heat was observed in DSC at temperature from 402K, suggesting that recovery started at 402K. Besides, the transformation temperature hysteresis increased by the cold-rolling. The alloy was completely recrystallized after the heat treatment at 573K for 3.6ks. Tensile tests revealed that the yield stress was raised by cold rolling and largely by the subsequent heat treatment at 433K, which corresponded to the recovery start temperature by DSC. The yield stress decreased with increasing heat treatment temperature over 453K, probably due to recrystallization. AuCuAlFe cold-rolled and subsequent heat-treated at 573K exhibited the lowest yield stress as well as stress-plateau region, indicating that the thermo-mechanical treatment is effective to improve shape memory properties of Au-Cu-Al based alloys.
Como o Brasil tem enfrentado o tema provimento de médicos?
Authors: Carvalho Mônica Sampaio de , Sousa Maria Fátima de
Published: December 2014

Analisa-se como o Brasil tem enfrentado a carência de médicos nas tentativa de superar a situação de forma articulada com as políticas de saúde e estratégias de formação e fixação desses profissionais, de acordo com as necessidades do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Tomou-se como estudo de caso o Programa de Valorização da Atenção Básica (PROVAB) criado pelo governo federal em 2011, que busca prover profissionais de saúde para as localidades necessitadas, destacando-se as seguintes ofertas do programa: pontuação de 10% nas provas de residência após avaliação do profissional e atividades estruturadas de educação a distância e supervisão. O PROVAB foi analisado dentro do contexto atual da política de Gestão do Trabalho e da Educação na Saúde, na tentativa de compreender sua implementação mediante discursos, movimentos, acontecimentos e dados qualitativos e quantitativos, disponibilizados pelo Ministério da Saúde.Dessa forma, apontam-se caminhos para o desenvolvimento da Gestão do Trabalho e da Educação na Saúde no Brasil.
Reliability analysis of a corrugated I-beam girder with ribs
Authors: Sokołowski Damian , Kamiński Marcin
Published: December 2014

The main aim of this paper is to provide a reliability analysis of a corrugated-web I girder, including the vertical ribs distributed periodically throughout its length. The generalised stochastic perturbation method and its computer implementation – the stochastic finite-element method – are both used to accomplish this goal. They are numerically implemented using the finite-element method system Abaqus with its rectangular, four-noded, structural, thin-shell finite elements and computer algebra system Maple, in which all the probabilistic procedures are programmed. The perturbation-based results are compared with those from traditional Monte Carlo simulation and, separately, an analytical solution is obtained by way of symbolic integration, carried out also in Maple. The plate girder thickness is introduced as the basic input Gaussian random variable in this study, as the most influential geometrical parameter in this structure. The reliability indices are determined according to both first- and second-order reliability methods, and correspond to the serviceability limit state of the structure. The first four basic probabilistic characteristics of the maximum deflection are also computed – expectations, coefficients of variation, skewness and kurtosis. The results obtained here and the entire methodology may be extended further towards computational modelling of the corrosion process, which is frequently mathematically modelled in steel structures using certain time series with random coefficients.
Modelling of vortex flow controls at high drainage flow rates
Authors: Jarman Daniel , Butler David , Tabor Gavin , Andoh Robert
Published: December 2014

A number of vortex flow control (VFC) devices for urban drainage systems are investigated computationally at high flow rates, for which a confined vortex dominates the flow regime. A range of turbulence models, including both eddy viscosity and Reynolds stress closures, are compared with in-house experimental measurements of head loss and internal pressure measurements. Single-phase and multi-phase (free surface) calculations are also compared. Very good agreement with the experimental data was obtained when the swirl parameter of the device was below 3·14 for predictions made using the Reynolds stress closure formulations. For devices with swirl parameters above this value, the computational methodology was found to under-predict the head loss of the device. This was attributed to poor calibration of the turbulence model for swirling flow scenarios in which the pressure gradient and diffusive (turbulent) forces in the flow are comparable.
Tobacco-, Alcohol-, and Drug-Attributable Deaths and Their Contribution to Mortality Disparities in a Cohort of Homeless Adults in Boston
Authors: Baggett Travis P. , Chang Yuchiao , Singer Daniel E. , Porneala Bianca C. , Gaeta Jessie M. , O’Connell James J. , Rigotti Nancy A.
Published: December 2014

Objectives. We quantified tobacco-, alcohol-, and drug-attributable deaths and their contribution to mortality disparities among homeless adults.

Methods. We ascertained causes of death among 28 033 adults seen at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 2003 to 2008. We calculated population-attributable fractions to estimate the proportion of deaths attributable to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. We compared attributable mortality rates with those for Massachusetts adults using rate ratios and differences.

Results. Of 1302 deaths, 236 were tobacco-attributable, 215 were alcohol-attributable, and 286 were drug-attributable. Fifty-two percent of deaths were attributable to any of these substances. In comparison with Massachusetts adults, tobacco-attributable mortality rates were 3 to 5 times higher, alcohol-attributable mortality rates were 6 to 10 times higher, and drug-attributable mortality rates were 8 to 17 times higher. Disparities in substance-attributable deaths accounted for 57% of the all-cause mortality gap between the homeless cohort and Massachusetts adults.

Conclusions. In this clinic-based cohort of homeless adults, over half of all deaths were substance-attributable, but this did not fully explain the mortality disparity with the general population. Interventions should address both addiction and non-addiction sources of excess mortality.
Asian American Women in California: A Pooled Analysis of Predictors for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Chawla Neetu , Breen Nancy , Liu Benmei , Lee Richard , Kagawa-Singer Marjorie
Published: December 2014

Objectives. We examined patterns of cervical and breast cancer screening among Asian American women in California and assessed their screening trends over time.

Methods. We pooled weighted data from 5 cycles of the California Health Interview Survey (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) to examine breast and cervical cancer screening trends and predictors among 6 Asian nationalities. We calculated descriptive statistics, bivariate associations, multivariate logistic regressions, predictive margins, and 95% confidence intervals.

Results. Multivariate analyses indicated that Papanicolaou test rates did not significantly change over time (77.9% in 2001 vs 81.2% in 2007), but mammography receipt increased among Asian American women overall (75.6% in 2001 vs 81.8% in 2009). Length of time in the United States was associated with increased breast and cervical cancer screening among all nationalities. Sociodemographic and health care access factors had varied effects, with education and insurance coverage significantly predicting screening for certain groups. Overall, we observed striking variation by nationality.

Conclusions. Our results underscore the need for intervention and policy efforts that are targeted to specific Asian nationalities, recent immigrants, and individuals without health care access to increase screening rates among Asian women in California.
Development and Field Testing of a Parallel-Plate Transmission Line Moisture Sensor
Authors: Guo Chen , Liu Richard , Jin Zhao , He Zhili , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2014

Precisely and continuously monitoring the moisture content under pavements can provide significant information for pavement condition evaluation and maintenance. In this paper, a moisture sensor using a microwave parallel-plate transmission line is developed and prototyped. The moisture content is determined from the phase shift of waves propagating along the line. The sensor system was installed at an experimental field site, and the moisture contents in the pavement were monitored over a period of six months. Laboratory tests and field tests show that the moisture sensor system is sensitive and accurate. Compared with existing moisture sensors, the developed sensors are very small in size, easy to install, and durable.
Groundwater Level Monitoring for Hydraulic Characterization of an Unconfined Aquifer by Common Mid-point Measurements using GPR
Authors: Liu Hai , Xie Xiongyao , Cui Jie , Takahashi Kazunori , Sato Motoyuki
Published: December 2014

Because of its limited bandwidth, ground penetrating radar (GPR) signal has an oscillating character that degrades the ability to distinguish reflection events and introduces an error in the velocity analysis. In this paper, we use the analytic signal to calculate the envelope velocity spectrum, which is void of the oscillating nature of a GPR wavelet. A comparison study on a synthetic common mid-point (CMP) gather demonstrates that the envelope velocity spectrum gives a more robust velocity estimation. We applied this technique to explore the potential of GPR for monitoring the pumping-induced groundwater level change, then estimating the hydraulic properties of an aquifer in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. A field survey was conducted along three different directions when a production well was under pumping and static conditions. In addition, a simple velocity picking scheme was suggested based on the maximum coherency curve. From the velocity picks, the vertical profiles of interval electromagnetic velocity and water content were estimated. The groundwater table was easily identified in these profiles. The groundwater level changes under the CMP sounding locations along the northeast and north survey lines were estimated to be 27 and 23 cm, respectively, whereas it failed to detect the groundwater level change on the northwest survey line because of the effect of strong scatterers near the groundwater table. The estimated groundwater level change was input into the unconfined aquifer model for estimating the hydraulic conductivity, which yields comparable results with a previous study. We conclude that the hydraulic parameter estimation using GPR is much easier and effective than the conventional hydraulic test methods.
Planting Date and Row Width Effects on Soybean Production in Southwestern Japan
Authors: Matsuo Naoki , Yamada Tetsuya , Hajika Makita , Fukami Koichiro , Tsuchiya Shinori
Published: December 2014

Early and narrow‐row planting are promising tools that increase soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and yield in southwestern Japan, but optimum planting date and row width have not been established. We conducted the present study in 2012 and 2013 to assess the effect of early (mid‐June) and narrow‐row (20 and/or 35 cm) planting on agronomic traits of soybean and weed emergence using a new promising short‐stem cultivar, Sachiyutaka A1, in comparison with conventional planting date (mid‐ to late July) and row width (75 cm). The light interception exceeded 90% more than 14 d earlier in narrower‐row treatments than in the 75 cm row width. This result might lead to 60 and 98% greater suppression of weed emergence at harvest in the 20 and 35 cm row width (3 and 53 g m−2), respectively, compared with the 75 cm row width (153 g m−2). Early planting increased shoot dry weight by 200 g m−2, leading to a 2‐yr average significant yield increase of approximately 9% in early planting compared to normal planting (266 vs. 244 g m−2). Averaged across the experimental year and planting date, Sachiyutaka A1 planted at the 20 cm row width had the lowest lodging score of 1.6 (most lodging resistance) among the row widths tested. These results suggest that planting Sachiyutaka A1 in mid‐June at a 20 cm row width leads to a higher seed yield than conventional planting date and row width, with minimal or less weed emergence and lodging of the plant.
Teacher Education for Democratic Participation: The Need for Teacher Judgement in Times of Evidence-Based Teaching
Authors: Liljestrand Johan
Published: December 2014

According to national and international policy, teachers' work is supposed to be guided by reliable evidence in order to be effective and achieve the set goals. The purpose of this article is to problematise evidence-based approaches for teacher education by highlighting the occurrence of dilemmas in teachers' work connected to the assignment of educating democratic citizens. The article is a critical theoretical discussion that takes its departure in the teaching paradox of supporting students' initiatives to act as critical citizens. In order to address the current trend of anchoring teacher education in evidence-based methods, Swedish policy documents are used as a point of reference and are read through the lens of the teaching paradox and the need for teacher judgement. The analysis shows that policy texts fall short when it comes to the assignment to support students to take part in society as critical citizens. It is concluded that teacher education could gain from theoretically based case studies of dilemmatic everyday situations in which teaching for democratic participation is visible.
Student Perceptions of New Differentiation Policies in Swedish Post-16 Education
Authors: Arreman Inger Erixon
Published: December 2014

In Sweden, and in most other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, post-16 education is a general requirement to succeed in adult life. By the late 2000s, after about two decades of policies for student choice and publicly funded free schools, students' results in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) had plummeted. A recent reform for stricter demands on schools and students includes strengthened qualifications for entry into post-16 education. This article explores how students manoeuvre in their choice of upper secondary school study pathway, including their ideas on future education and career. Methods used were questionnaires and focus group interviews with students, document analysis and statistics, and snapshots of media comments. The study shows that perceived ‘rational’ student choice is closely related to social interaction, geographic place and time. Influential also are habitus and cultural capital affecting gendered recruitment patterns. The study further indicates lack of knowledge and understanding of the reform among students. A major conclusion is that current Swedish polices may exclude many school students in upper secondary education, and also reduce their opportunities for future life chances, with notable negative implications for collective and economic development.
Equity: Policy Rhetoric or a Matter of Meaning of Knowledge? Towards a Framework for Tracing the ‘Efficiency-Equity’ Doctrine in Curriculum Documents
Authors: Wahlström Ninni
Published: December 2014

In this article, the focus is on exploring the perspective of equity in curriculum. From a background of understanding curriculum as embedded in wider transnational policy movements, in this article the author suggests a framework for exploring the trajectories between equity policy and different types of curricula with implications for what counts as knowledge, drawing on the capabilities approach developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. The analysis highlights the instrumental, intrinsic and positional values in terms of actual functionings, expanding the individual's set of capabilities and a pluralistic learning environment. The results suggest that the technical form of the curriculum can have determining effects on the meaning of knowledge acquisition and that the capabilities approach offers an important frame of analysis for understanding how different aspects of equity are included or excluded in curriculum.
The Outburst Risk as a Function of the Methane Capacity and Firmness of a Coal Seam
Authors: Wierzbicki Mirosław , Skoczylas Norbert
Published: December 2014

In most coal basins that are currently being exploited, gas and rock outbursts pose a considerable safety threat. The risk of their occurrence is frequently assessed by means of a parameter known as the methane capacity of coal. In a lot of countries, the evaluation of the mechanical properties of coal is conducted by means of another parameter: the firmness of coal. Due to the laboratory investigations and in situ observations carried out by the authors of this paper, it was possible to determine a function space in which the outburst risk can be described as a function of the methane capacity and firmness of a coal seam. This, in turn, made it possible to link the „gas factor” to the „mechanical factor”, and thus provide a more comprehensive risk analysis.
The truncated matrix trigonometric moment problem with an open gap
Authors: Zagorodnyuk Sergey
Published: December 2014

This paper is a continuation of our previous investigations on the truncated matrix trigonometric moment problem in Ukrainian Math. J., 2011,
Dye-sensitized solar cells with natural dyes extracted from plant seeds
Authors: El-Ghamri Hatem , El-Agez Taher , Taya Sofyan , Abdel-Latif Monzir , Batniji Amal
Published: December 2014

The application of natural dyes extracted from plant seeds in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been explored. Ten dyes were extracted from different plant seeds and used as sensitizers for DSSCs. The dyes were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. DSSCs were prepared using TiO2 and ZnO nanostructured mesoporous films. The highest conversion efficiency of 0.875 % was obtained with an allium cepa (onion) extract-sensitized TiO2 solar cell. The process of TiO2-film sintering was studied and it was found that the sintering procedure significantly affects the response of the cell. The short circuit current of the DSSC was found to be considerably enhanced when the TiO2 semiconducting layer was sintered gradually.
FP-LMTO study of structural, electronic, thermodynamic and optical properties of MgxCd1−x
Se alloys
Authors: Bensaid D. , Ameri M. , El Hanani M. , Azaz Y. , Bendouma D. , Al-Douri Y. , Ameri I.
Published: December 2014

Structural, electronic and optical properties of MgxCd1−x
Se (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are calculated for the first time using density functional theory. Our results show that these properties are strongly dependent on molar fraction of particular components — x. The bond between Cd and Se is partially covalent and the covalent nature of the bond decreases as the concentration of Mg increases from 0 % to 100 %. It is found that MgxCd1−x
Se has a direct band gap in the entire range of x and the band gap of the alloy increases from 0.43 to 2.46 eV with the increase in Mg concentration. Frequency dependent dielectric constants ɛ1(ω), ɛ2(ω) refractive index n(ω) are also calculated and discussed in detail. The peak value of refractive indices shifts to higher energy regions with the increase in Mg. The larger value of the extraordinary refractive index confirms that the material is a positive birefringence crystal. The present comprehensive theoretical study of the optoelectronic properties of the material predicts that it can be effectively used in optoelectronic applications in the wide range of spectra: IR, visible and UV. In addition, we have also predicted the heat capacities (CV), the entropy (S), the internal energy (U) and the Helmholtz free energy (F) of MgxCd1−x
Se ternary alloys.
The Greater Zurich Area is Well-positioned in the Life Sciences in Switzerland and Europe
Authors: Jenni Mario
Published: December 2014

The Greater Zurich Area has become a hub for the life sciences industry in recent years, with above-average numbers of medtech companies and brisk spin-off activities from the Zurich universities. The spin-offs have established themselves near their scientific origins, in incubators
and parks where they have access to functional and affordable laboratory infrastructures. Numerous cluster initiatives and networks foster exchanges between start-ups, established companies and academia. An international regional comparison conducted within the framework of the EU HealthTIES
project gave the region of Zurich a good score in the life sciences area. The detailed comparison shows that Zurich is strong in the academic field and the existing companies are well-positioned. However, weaknesses are evident in the field of clinical research and in the interface between
academia and industry. The infrastructure offerings in the Greater Zurich Area for life sciences companies and for exchanges between academia and industry will be further expanded in the coming years. Whether the high growth rate of the industry in the Greater Zurich Area can be maintained
or even increased depends on the economy and other factors, but also on the political environment.
>>venture>>: Support for Early Stage Start-ups and Potential Entrepreneurs
Authors: Kauz Lukas
Published: December 2014

>>venture>>, the leading Swiss-wide business plan competition, is an ideal partner for young start-ups and entrepreneurs. For the upcoming tenth anniversary edition the competition will receive an update. Building upon a successful base of the past nine editions and equipped
with contemporary networking events and more know-how transferring seminars, >>venture>> will fit even better into the Swiss start-up ecosystem.
BioVersys Works to Bring Antibiotic Resistance to an End
Authors: Tigges Marcel , Gitzinger Marc
Published: December 2014

BioVersys, founded in 2008, is working on bringing a technology for screening and for the development of 'transcriptional regulator inhibiting compounds' (TRICs) to patients in order to overcome antibiotic resistance. The co-founders share their view on what makes successful scientists
pursue a career as start-up entrepreneurs rather than a classic academic career. They describe the history and milestones of their company, and how their everyday work differs from that of peers in an academic or industrial research setting.
Innovative applications of immunisation registration information systems: example of improved measles control in Taiwan
Authors: Liu D P , Wang E T , Pan Y H , Cheng S H
Published: December 2014

Immunisation registry systems have been shown to be important for finding pockets of under-immunised individuals and for increasing vaccination coverage. The National Immunisation Information System (NIIS) was established in 2003 in Taiwan. In this perspective, we present the construction of the NIIS and two innovative applications, which were implemented in 2009, which link the NIIS with other databases for better control of measles. Firstly, by linking the NIIS with hospital administrative records, we are able to follow up contacts of measles cases in a timely manner to provide the necessary prophylaxis, such as immunoglobulin or vaccines. Since 2009, there have been no measles outbreaks in hospitals in Taiwan. Secondly, by linking the NIIS with an immigration database, we are able to ensure that young citizens under the age of five years entering Taiwan from abroad become fully vaccinated. Since 2009, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine coverage rate at two years of age has increased from 96% to 98%. We consider these applications of the NIIS to be effective mechanisms for improving the performance of infectious disease control in Taiwan. The experience gained could provide a valuable example for other countries.
Modern Book Publishing: Web Sites for the Trade
Authors: Rodzvilla John
Published: December 2014

Handheld computers and online services have democratized the ability to publish and distribute texts. Although today's authors do not need to work with a publisher who will edit, design, print, and distribute their books, the traditional model of publishing does provide an established means to reach an audience, as well as a rich repertoire of best practices, many of which can now be found online at trade organizations' Web sites. As new technology continues to create new paths from author to reader, it also helps to improve the jobs of professionals by putting resources like the Chicago Manual of Style and Books in Print online. This article provides information about the online resources available for editorial, production, and sales professionals in the book industry and includes key news sites pertaining to the industry.
Evaluated gas production cross-section data for natural titanium irradiated with protons at energies up to 3 GeV
Authors: Akça S. , Konobeyev A. Yu. , Fischer U.
Published: December 2014

Evaluated proton, deuteron, triton, 3He and 4He production cross-section data were prepared for natural titanium irradiated with protons at the energy up to 3 GeV. The evaluated data were obtained from the analysis of results of nuclear model calculations, available measured, and systematic data. The calculations of gas production cross-sections were carried out using the intranuclear cascade model (INC), the pre-equilibrium exciton model, geometry dependence hybrid (GDH) model, Weisskopf-Ewing (WE) model, and the Hauser-Feshbach model. CASCADE, TALYS, ALICE/ASH, and ALICE/HMS codes were used for calculations. Available experimental and systematic data, model calculations were used to evaluate gas production cross-section. The evaluation was carried out using statistical methods implemented in the BEKED code package developed at KIT/INR. The evaluated cross-sections were compared with the data from evaluated data libraries.
Obtaining the neutronic and thermal hydraulic parameters of the VVER-1000 Bushehr nuclear reactor core by coupling nuclear codes
Authors: Karahroudi Mohsen Rafiei , Mousavi Shirazi Seyed Alireza
Published: December 2014

In this research, the simulation of one-sixth of the VVER-1000 reactor core is carried out by the WIMS-D4 nuclear code, based on the symmetry of the core and information obtained from the Final Safety Analysis Report. The atomic densities of some important nuclear materials and fission poisons are calculated by the WIMS-D4 code at the end of the first fuel cycle. In addition, the cross sections of some nuclides are obtained by WIMS-D4, and they are transferred into the CITATION code as inputs. In the next stage, neutron flux and reactor power are calculated by the CITATION code in Cold Zero Power and Hot Full Power status, and subsequently the heat flux of the core is obtained. Then the results are returned again into the extended program cycle. Finally, the heat flux of the core is inputted into the COBRA code, and the temperatures of fuel, clad and coolant are calculated along the various distances applying the COBRA thermal hydraulic code, through the results of the CITATION code and also initial data as default created from the Final Safety Analysis Report. In conclusion, there are some interesting outcomes resulting form the obtained results.
Equivalent thermal conductivity of the storage basket with spent nuclear fuel of VVER-1000 reactors
Authors: Alyokhina S. , Kostikov A.
Published: December 2014

Due to limitation of computation resources and/or computation time many thermal problems require to use simplified geometrical models with equivalent thermal properties. A new method for definition of equivalent thermal conductivity of spent nuclear fuel storage casks is proposed. It is based on solving the inverse heat conduction problem. For the proposed method two approaches for equivalent thermal conductivity definition were considered. In the first approach a simplified model in conjugate formulation is used, in the second approach a simplified model of solid body which allows an analytical solution is used. For safety ensuring during all time of spent nuclear fuel storage the equivalent thermal conductivity was calculated for different storage years. The calculated equivalent thermal conductivities can be used in thermal researches for dry spent nuclear fuel storage safety.
Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage of unknown origin: hospital course and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up
Authors: Elhadi Ali M. , Zabramski Joseph M. , Almefty Kaith K. , Mendes George A. C. , Nakaji Peter , McDougall Cameron G. , Albuquerque Felipe C. , Preul Mark C. , Spetzler Robert F.
Published: December 2014

OBJECT

Hemorrhagic origin is unidentifiable in 10%–20% of patients presenting with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). While the patients in such cases do well clinically, there is a lack of long-term angiographic followup. The authors of the present study evaluated the long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up of a patient cohort with SAH of unknown origin that had been enrolled in the Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial (BRAT).

METHODS

The BRAT database was searched for patients with SAH of unknown origin despite having undergone two or more angiographic studies as well as MRI of the brain and cervical spine. Follow-up was available at 6 months and 1 and 3 years after treatment. Analysis included demographic details, clinical outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale, modified Rankin Scale [mRS]), and repeat vascular imaging.

RESULTS

Subarachnoid hemorrhage of unknown etiology was identified in 57 (11.9%) of the 472 patients enrolled in the BRAT study between March 2003 and January 2007. The mean age for this group was 51 years, and 40 members (70%) of the group were female. Sixteen of 56 patients (28.6%) required placement of an external ventricular drain for hydrocephalus, and 4 of these subsequently required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Delayed cerebral ischemia occurred in 4 patients (7%), leading to stroke in one of them. There were no rebleeding events. Eleven patients were lost to followup, and one patient died of unrelated causes. At the 3-year follow-up, 4 (9.1%) of 44 patients had a poor outcome (mRS > 2), and neurovascular imaging, which was available in 33 patients, was negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrocephalus and delayed cerebral ischemia, while infrequent, do occur in SAH of unknown origin. Long-term neurological outcomes are generally good. A thorough evaluation to rule out an etiology of hemorrhage is necessary; however, imaging beyond 6 weeks from ictus has little utility, and rebleeding is unexpected.
Effects of vertebroplasty on endplate subsidence in elderly female spines
Authors: Nagaraja Srinidhi , Awada Hassan K. , Dreher Maureen L. , Bouck John T. , Gupta Shikha
Published: December 2014

OBJECT

The aim in this study was to quantify the effects of vertebroplasty on endplate subsidence in treated and adjacent vertebrae and their relationship to endplate thickness and underlying trabecular bone in elderly female spines.

METHODS

Vertebral compression fractures were created in female cadaveric (age range 51–88 years) thoracolumbar spine segments. Specimens were placed into either the control or vertebroplasty group (n = 9/group) such that bone mineral density, trabecular microarchitecture, and age were statistically similar between groups. For the vertebroplasty group, polymethylmethacrylate bone cement was injected into the fractured vertebral body under fluoroscopy. Cyclic compression (685–1370 N sinusoid) was performed on all spine segments for 115,000 cycles. Micro-CT scans were obtained before and after cyclic loading to quantify endplate subsidence. Maximum subsidence was compared between groups in the caudal endplate of the superior adjacent vertebra (SVcau); cranial (TVcra) and caudal (TVcau) endplates of the treated vertebra; and the cranial endplate of the inferior adjacent vertebra (IVcra). In addition, micro-CT images were used to quantify average endplate thickness and trabecular bone volume fraction. These parameters were then correlated with maximum endplate subsidence for each endplate.

RESULTS

The maximum subsidence in SVcau endplate for the vertebroplasty group (0.34 ± 0.58 mm) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than for the control group (−0.13 ± 0.27 mm). Maximum subsidence in the TVcra, TVcau, and IVcra endplates were greater in the vertebroplasty group, but these differences were not significant (p > 0.16). Increased subsidence in the vertebroplasty group manifested locally in the anterior region of the SVcau endplate and in the posterior region of the TVcra and TVcau endplates (p < 0.10). Increased subsidence was observed in thinner endplates with lower trabecular bone volume fraction for both vertebroplasty and control groups (R2 correlation up to 62%). In the SVcau endplate specifically, these 2 covariates aided in understanding subsidence differences between vertebroplasty and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone cement injected during vertebroplasty alters local biomechanics in elderly female spines, resulting in increased endplate disruption in treated and superior adjacent vertebrae. More specifically, bone cement increases subsidence in the posterior regions of the treated endplates and the anterior region of the superior caudal endplate. This increased subsidence may be the initial mechanism leading to subsequent compression fractures after vertebroplasty, particularly in vertebrae superior to the treated level.
Depression as a predictor of worse quality of life outcomes following nonoperative treatment for lumbar stenosis
Authors: Lubelski Daniel , Thompson Nicolas R. , Bansal Sachin , Mroz Thomas E. , Mazanec Daniel J. , Benzel Edward C. , Khalaf Tagreed
Published: December 2014

OBJECT

The goal of this study was to determine whether pretreatment depression is predictive of quality of life (QOL) improvement for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who are treated conservatively.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with LSS and concordant neurogenic claudication who were treated nonoperatively at a single institution between September 2010 and March 2013. Patient QOL measures were recorded pretreatment and then 4 months after treatment. Pretreatment depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9). Successful outcome was defined as posttreatment improvement in EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) index or in Pain and Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) scores. Regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of outcome while controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

A total of 502 patients were included in the study. The average age for these patients was 66.1 years, with 51% female and 90.6% white. After adjusting for baseline demographic and clinical variables, there was a statistically significant association between baseline PHQ-9 score and posttreatment change in EQ-5D index (β = −0.007, p = 0.0002). All other things being equal, a patient with a baseline PHQ-9 score of 0 (no depression) would be expected to improve in the EQ-5D index by 0.14 points (greater than the minimum clinically important difference) more than would a patient with a baseline PHQ-9 score of 20 (major depression). There was no significant association between baseline PHQ-9 score and change in Pain and Disability Questionnaire scores.

CONCLUSIONS

When controlling for other baseline characteristics, severely depressed patients with LSS who are treated nonoperatively have significantly less improvement in their QOL compared with those with little or no depression. These data are similar to the negative predictive effects of depression on posttreatment QOL following lumbar fusion surgery.
Identification of a Candidate Rad1 Subunit for the Kinetoplastid 9-1-1 (Rad9-Hus1-Rad1) Complex
Authors: MacNeill Stuart
Published: December 2014

The trimeric 9-1-1 (Rad9-Hus1-Rad1) complex plays an important role in the eukaryotic DNA damage response by recruiting DNA repair factors and checkpoint mediators to damaged sites. Extensively characterised in mammals and yeast, evidence is now emerging that 9-1-1 function is conserved beyond the relatively narrow evolutionary range of the Opisthokonts. Kinetoplastid Rad9 and Hus1 proteins have been identified and shown to be involved in the DNA damage response but Rad1 has remained elusive. In this study, PSI-BLAST iterative database searching, phylogenetic and structural modeling techniques are used to identify and characterise candidate Rad1 proteins in kinetoplastid organisms.