bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An “International Human Rights Comittee for Slavery”?
Authors: Lador-Lederer J. J.
Published: July 2017

It is certainly difficult to assess whether, and to what degree, international anti-slavery legislation has been successful. The facts are that in the nineteenth century, legal and religious motivations were conjoined with technical developments creating a situation in which the manpower problem came to differ in essentials from that which had sustained slavery, both in “exporter” and “importer” countries. In the result slavery was abolished west of the Atlantic, and with it slave trade on the western shores of Africa. It soon transpired, however, that the disintegration of the westward-bound trade only reinforced its eastward branch. Although attempts were made at an international level to extend to the East the western experience in abolition of the slave trade, they did not meet with full success, and, apart from the protection of women and minorities, abolition of slavery remains today the main problem of group protection confronting the United Nations Organization. At present, the U.N. is negotiating for its third set of “teeth” with which to confront this problem.

The standing of the United Nations in this matter, is that of an Agent of Protection—a function which has in the last two hundred years or so developed in each case where international legislation related to groups of beneficiaries (such as slaves, minorities, prisoners-of-war, etc.) which have no independent standing as subjects of International Law, and therefore are incapable of negotiating for themselves (or through representatives appointed by them) the conditions of their protection in respect to sovereign States as obligatees, and even less of providing for a control of such protection and the obtention of remedial action. The range of effectiveness of such Agents of Protection is obviously indicated with the effective influence which such agencies may exercise in the orbit of Order (and Protection) through Authority—as an Order subsidiary and supplementary to the Order (and Protection) through Consent.
Spatial and temporal variations in evapotranspiration and net water requirements of typical Mediterranean crops on the island of Cyprus
Authors: CHRISTOU A. , DALIAS P. , NEOCLEOUS D.
Published: July 2017

Diminishing irrigation water availability and increased crop evapotranspiration (ET) have already been shown to pose threats to agricultural productivity. The aim of the current study was to estimate the values and trends of both ET and net irrigation requirements (NIR) of those crops consuming most water due to the size of their cultivated area (citrus and potatoes) in a water-scarce region with typical Mediterranean climate, such as Cyprus, analyse possible spatial and temporal variations of these parameters, and discuss implications of this analysis on agricultural water conservation. A linear regression analysis of ET and NIR values of potatoes and citrus during recent decades in their four main cultivated areas uncovered both increasing and decreasing trends for these parameters. Overall, however, the results did not show any change in irrigation water demands for these crops during recent years. In accordance with this outcome, average ET and NIR values of the majority of cultivated crops on the island showed no statistically significant differences between the periods 1976–2000 and 1990–2014. Conversely, this was not the case when data were analysed within each weather station across crops. It is suggested, therefore, that agricultural water resource management schemes should not be focused merely on a regional analysis of changes but that emphasis should be given to site-specific values and trends of ET and NIR estimations, ultimately serving the conservation of agricultural water.
Beyond the Bazaars: Geographies of the slave trade in Central Asia
Authors: EDEN JEFF
Published: July 2017

The slave trade in nineteenth-century Central Asia involved hundreds of thousands of slaves, predominantly Persian Shīʿites, and stopping the trade was alleged to be a major motivating factor in the Russian conquest of the region. Nevertheless, Central Asian slavery remains little-studied and little-understood. In this article I will argue, first, that the region's slave trade was characterized by decentralized trade networks and by abundant inter-nomadic trade; and, second, that Russian efforts to end the slave trade by decree and through military force in the 1860s and 70s were not as successful as has often been assumed.
Sexual Knowledge, Sexual Anxieties: Middle-class males in western India and the correspondence inSamaj Swasthya, 1927–53
Authors: BOTRE SHRIKANT , HAYNES DOUGLAS E.
Published: July 2017

This article examines letters written by young men to the Marathi-language journalSamaj Swasthyaand its editor, R. D. Karve, a major advocate of birth control and sex education in western India. The letters, and Karve's responses to them, constituted perhaps the earliest sex-advice column in Indian print media. We argue here that the correspondence provides a unique vehicle for understanding the forms of sexual knowledge held by middle-class males in mid-twentieth-century India as well as for appreciating their most significant sexual anxieties. The article analyses the concerns expressed in the letters about masturbation and seminal emissions, the nature of the female body and processes of conception, birth control and same-sex sexual practices. It particularly illuminates the ways in which the concept of modern conjugality pervaded the sexual understandings of the young men who wrote to Karve. It thus offers valuable insights into specifically sexual aspects of conjugality and masculinity—aspects that have previously been unexplored.
Guilt, Practical Identity, and Moral Staining
Authors: Ingram Andrew
Published: July 2017

The guilt left by immoral actions is why moral duties are more pressing and serious than other reasons like prudential considerations. Religions talk of sin and karma; the secular still speak of spots or stains. I argue that a moral staining view of guilt is in fact the best model. It accounts for guilt's reflexive character and for anxious, scrupulous worries about whether one has transgressed. To understand moral staining, I borrow Christine Korsgaard's view that we construct our identities as agents through our actions. The contribution of immoral actions to self-constitution explains why moral obligations have priority and importance.
Ersatz model tests
Authors: Jarvis S. , Sharpe J. , Smith A. D.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes how statistical methods can be tested on computer-generated data from known models. We explore bias and percentile tests in detail, illustrating these with examples based on insurance claims and financial time series.
Traditional empire–modern state hybridity: Chinese tianxia and Westphalian anarchy1
Authors: WANG HUNG-JEN
Published: July 2017

Individual relationships between Mainland China and Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan are considered confusing for some because China’s rising international power is not resulting in stronger calls for a shared identity based on ‘Chinese pride’ or historical links. Instead, China’s economic growth appears to be provoking increasingly stronger calls for autonomy or independence. In this article I discuss why Beijing’s self-described peace and development policy is failing to procure positive responses in those four regions, with a primary focus on the failed use of narrowly-defined Westphalian thinking to understand relevant issues. I argue that the reason for this failure is the tension between the individualist ontology underlying modern international politics (as expressed in terms of Westphalian sovereignty) and the relational ontology underpinning a traditional Chinese politics built upon a tianxia (‘all-under-heaven’) world view. This tension has become conspicuous in the context of China’s recent rise and Beijing’s growing confidence in contesting Western power. The Chinese leadership’s reliance on arguments involving historical connections with Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and calls for autonomy or independence from citizens living in those four areas, are examples of this contestation.
The Scottish independence referendum and the participatory turn in UK constitution-making: The move towards a constitutional convention
Authors: SUTEU SILVIA
Published: July 2017

This article looks at the continued calls for popular participation in UK constitution-making following the 2014 Scottish independence and 2016 Brexit referendums. In particular, it discusses the prospect of a UK constitutional convention being set up to deliberate upon and make recommendations concerning constitutional reform. The article proceeds by first mapping the arguments in favour of setting up such a body in a country with little but growing experience with direct democracy. It then analyses three difficulties surrounding a UK constitutional convention: deciding on a manageable mandate, identifying the political community or communities it is to represent and the method for selecting its membership, and defining the place of such a convention within the UK’s broader constitution-making mechanisms. The article highlights fundamental unknowns in need of clarification before such an instrument could be used while at the same time admitting the limitations of a constitutional convention as a panacea for all of the UK’s constitutional woes. In exploring these questions, the article shows how constitutional reform debates in the UK are no less complex than were those surrounding Scottish independence and have been further compounded by Brexit.
Seed Retention of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) in Soybean
Authors: Schwartz-Lazaro Lauren M. , Green Jeremy K. , Norsworthy Jason K.
Published: July 2017

Harvest weed seed control is an alternative non-chemical approach to weed management that targets escaped weed seeds at the time of crop harvest. Relatively little is known on how these methods will work on species in the US. Two of the most prominent weeds in soybean production in the midsouthern US are Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass. Typically, when crop harvesting occurs the weed seed has already either shattered or is taken into the combine and may be redistributed in the soil seedbank. This causes further weed seed spread and may contribute to the addition of resistant seeds in the seedbank. There is little research on how much seed is retained on different weed species at or beyond harvest time. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the percentage of total Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass seed production that was retained on the plant during delayed soybean harvest. Retained seed over time was similar between 2015 and 2016, but was significantly different between years for only Palmer amaranth. Seed retention did not differ between years for either weed species. Palmer amaranth and barnyardgrass retained 98 and 41% of their seed at soybean maturity and 95 and 32% of their seed one month after soybean maturity, respectively. Thus, this research indicates that if there are escaped Palmer amaranth plants and soybean is harvested in a timely manner, most seed will enter the combine and offer potential for capture or destruction of these seeds using harvest weed seed control tactics. While there would be some benefit to using HWSC for barnyardgrass, the utility of this practice on mitigating herbicide resistance would be less pronounced than that of Palmer amaranth because of the reduced seed retention or early seed shatter.
Algorithm Discerns Where Tweets Came from to Track Disasters
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2017

New pilot system that analyzed more than 35 million flood-related Twitter posts to determine their geographic origin might help first responders locate and react more quickly to calamities.
In vivo imaging to monitor differentiation and therapeutic effects of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in myocardial infarction
Authors: Pei Zhijun , Zeng Jing , Song Yafeng , Gao Yan , Wu Ruimin , Chen Yijia , Li Fuyan , Li Wei , Zhou Hong , Yang Yi
Published: July 2017

Here, we used a noninvasive multimodality imaging approach to monitor differentiation of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and recovery of cardiac function in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction (MI). We established a rat MI model by coronary artery ligation. Ninety rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham-operated, MI model, and α-MHC-HSV1-tk-transfected or un-transfected BMSCs-treated MI model. We used 18F-Fluro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor recovery of cardiac function, and 18F-FHBG PET/CT imaging to monitor transplanted BMSCs differentiation 24 h after 18F-FDG imaging. The uptake of 18F-FDG at 3, 16, 30 and 45 days after BMSCs injection was 0.39 ± 0.03, 0.57 ± 0.05, 0.59 ± 0.04, and 0.71 ± 0.05% ID/g, respectively. Uptake of 18F-FHBG increased significantly in large areas in the BMSCs-treated group over time. Ex vivo experiments indicated that expression of the cardiomyocyte markers GATA-4 and cardiac troponin I markedly increased in the BMSCs-treated group. Additionally, immunohistochemistry revealed that HSV-tk-labelled BMSCs-derived cells were positive for cardiac troponin I. Multimodal imaging systems combining an α-MHC-HSV1-tk/18F-FHBG reporter gene and 18F-FDG metabolism imaging could be used to track differentiation of transplanted BMSCs and recovery of cardiac function in MI.
Analysis of newly detected tetracycline resistance genes and their flanking sequences in human intestinal bifidobacteria
Authors: Wang Na , Hang Xiaomin , Zhang Min , Liu Xianglong , Yang Hong
Published: July 2017

Due to tetracycline abuse, the safe bifidobacteria in the human gastrointestinal intestinal tract (GIT) may serve as a reservoir of tetracycline resistance genes. In the present investigation of 92 bifidobacterial strains originating from the human GIT, tetracycline resistance in 29 strains was mediated by the tet(W), tet(O) or tet(S) gene, and this is the first report of tet(O)- and tet(S)-mediated tetracycline resistance in bifidobacteria. Antibiotic resistance genes harbored by bifidobacteria are transferred from other bacteria. However, the characteristics of the spread and integration of tetracycline resistance genes into the human intestinal bifidobacteria chromosome are poorly understood. Here, conserved sequences were identified in bifidobacterial strains positive for tet(W), tet(O), or tet(S), including the tet(W), tet(O), or tet(S) and their partial flanking sequences, which exhibited identity with the sequences in multiple human intestinal pathogens, and genes encoding 23 S rRNA, an ATP transporter, a Cpp protein, and a membrane-spanning protein were flanking by the 1920-bp tet(W), 1920-bp tet(O), 1800-bp tet(O) and 252-bp tet(S) in bifidobacteria, respectively. These findings suggest that tetracycline resistance genes harbored by human intestinal bifidobacteria might initially be transferred from pathogens and that each kind of tetracycline resistance gene might tend to insert in the vicinity of specific bifidobacteria genes.
Trajectory of blood pressure change during pregnancy and the role of pre-gravid blood pressure: a functional data analysis approach
Authors: Shen Minxue , Tan Hongzhuan , Zhou Shujin , Smith Graeme N. , Walker Mark C. , Wen Shi Wu
Published: July 2017

The study aims to examine the blood pressure (BP) trajectory during pregnancy and its association with pre-gravid BP level. In a pre-conception cohort study, newly-married women in Liuyang, China underwent pre-gravid measurements and were followed throughout the pregnancy. BP was measured at pre-conception and again throughout pregnancy. The functional principal component analysis was used to examine the trajectory of BP changes during pregnancy. A total of 1282 women with a singleton pregnancy who had both pre-conception and gestational BP measurements performed were included in the final analysis. The results showed that BP decreased significantly in early pregnancy and increased thereafter, without BP drop around 20 weeks of gestation. Pre-gravid BP level was inversely associated with the BP drop in early pregnancy, such that women with higher pre-gravid BP had greater BP drop at the beginning, while women with the lowest pre-gravid BP level demonstrated no obvious BP drop throughout the entire pregnancy.
Desmoglein 2 regulates the intestinal epithelial barrier via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase
Authors: Ungewiß Hanna , Vielmuth Franziska , Suzuki Shintaro T. , Maiser Andreas , Harz Hartmann , Leonhardt Heinrich , Kugelmann Daniela , Schlegel Nicolas , Waschke Jens
Published: July 2017

Intestinal epithelial barrier properties are maintained by a junctional complex consisting of tight junctions (TJ), adherens junctions (AJ) and desmosomes. Desmoglein 2 (Dsg2), an adhesion molecule of desmosomes and the only Dsg isoform expressed in enterocytes, is required for epithelial barrier properties and may contribute to barrier defects in Crohn’s disease. Here, we identified extradesmosomal Dsg2 on the surface of polarized enterocytes by Triton extraction, confocal microscopy, SIM and STED. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed Dsg2-specific binding events along the cell border on the surface of enterocytes with a mean unbinding force of around 30pN. Binding events were blocked by an inhibitory antibody targeting Dsg2 which under same conditions activated p38MAPK but did not reduce cell cohesion. In enterocytes deficient for Dsg2, p38MAPK activity was reduced and both barrier integrity and reformation were impaired. Dsc2 rescue did not restore p38MAPK activity indicating that Dsg2 is required. Accordingly, direct activation of p38MAPK in Dsg2-deficient cells enhanced barrier reformation demonstrating that Dsg2-mediated activation of p38MAPK is crucial for barrier function. Collectively, our data show that Dsg2, beside its adhesion function, regulates intestinal barrier function via p38MAPK signalling. This is in contrast to keratinocytes and points towards tissue-specific signalling functions of desmosomal cadherins.
Depression and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic variants are associated with pain in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lin Chin-Hsien , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Fan Jun-Yu , Ko Chia-I. , Rizos Alexandra , Chang Chia-Wen , Lin Han-I. , Wu Yih-Ru
Published: July 2017

Pain is a distressing symptom of Parkinson disease (PD). We aim to determine whether the genetic variants of chronic pain-related genes contribute to pain in PD patients. We included 418 PD patients and evaluated pain severity on King’s PD pain scale. We genotyped rs6267, rs6269, rs4633, rs4818 and rs4680 of COMT, rs6746030 of SCN9A, and rs1799971 of OPRM1. In total, 193 participants (46.2%) experienced pain. Compared to pain-free PD patients, PD patients with pain had an earlier age of onset, longer disease duration, and higher depression and motor severity (P < 0.01). The frequencies of COMT rs4680 “A” allele were higher in PD patients with pain than those without pain (46.1% vs. 31.1%, P < 0.01). Pain severity was significantly associated with disease duration (P = 0.02), and COMT rs6267 T allele (P < 0.01). We stratified PD by status of depression and the association between COMT rs6267 “GT” genotype and pain severity remained significant (P < 0.01). Furthermore, pain severity was significantly higher in participants having COMT rs4680 “GG” and “GA” genpotypes than those having “AA” genotype (P = 0.04). We concluded that depression and COMT rs4680 “GG” and “GA” genotypes and COMT rs6267 “GT” genotype contribute to pain in PD patients.
A brief exposure to cadmium impairs Leydig cell regeneration in the adult rat testis
Authors: Wu Xiaolong , Guo Xiaoling , Wang Huang , Zhou Songyi , Li Lili , Chen Xiaomin , Wang Guimin , Liu Jianpeng , Ge Hong-Shan , Ge Ren-Shan
Published: July 2017

Cadmium is an endocrine disruptor, impairing male reproduction. The objective of this study is to investigate whether cadmium affects rat Leydig cell regeneration and to dissect the underlying mechanism. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 0, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg of cadmium chloride, followed by ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) treatment to eliminate adult Leydig cells 20 days later. Compared to control (0 dose), cadmium treatment reduced serum testosterone levels by days 21, 35, and 56 after EDS treatment. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were also affected by day 56, the only time point examined. There were fewer regenerated Leydig cells in the cadmium-treated testis on days 35 and 56 after EDS treatment. Further studies demonstrated that the mRNA or protein levels of Leydig (Lhcgr,Scarb1,Star,Cyp11a1,Hsd3b1,Cyp17a1,Hsd17b3, andHsd11b1), non-Leydig (FshrandDhh), and gonadotroph (Lhb) cells were also significantly lower in cadmium-treated animals. Since LH and desert hedgehog (DHH) are critical factors for Leydig cell differentiation, our result demonstrated that the lower doses of cadmium exposure, even briefly, may permanently damage Leydig cell regeneration.
The mechanism for the formation of OH radicals in condensed-phase water under ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Jin Fan , Wei Min , Liu Chengbu , Ma Yuchen
Published: July 2017

OH radicals can be produced via direct water photolysis through concerted proton and electron transfer.
Interpenetration of CH3NH3PbI3 and TiO2 improves perovskite solar cells while TiO2 expansion leads to degradation
Authors: Lin W. C. , Kovalsky A. , Wang Y. C. , Wang L. L. , Goldberg S. , Kao W. L. , Wu C. Y. , Chang H. Y. , Shyue J. J. , Burda C.
Published: July 2017

With increasing number of J–V cycles, the thickness of the TiO2 layer changes significantly.
Molecular rotors confined at an ordered 2D interface
Authors: Mori Taizo , Komatsu Hirokazu , Sakamoto Naoki , Suzuki Kengo , Hill Jonathan P. , Matsumoto Mutsuyoshi , Sakai Hideki , Ariga Katsuhiko , Nakanishi Waka
Published: July 2017

Different internal molecular motions of fluorescent rotors were found in a 3D environment and at the 2D interface.
Synthesis of divalent ytterbium terphenylamide and catalytic application for regioselective hydrosilylation of alkenes
Authors: Shi Yinghua , Li Jianfeng , Cui Chunming
Published: July 2017

Divalent ytterbium terphenylamide exhibited high regioselectivity and activity in the hydrosilylation of alkenes with low catalyst loadings.
Structure and reactivities of rhenium and technetium bis-arene sandwich complexes [M(η6-arene)2]+
Authors: Meola Giuseppe , Braband Henrik , Jordi Sara , Fox Thomas , Blacque Olivier , Spingler Bernhard , Alberto Roger
Published: July 2017

Rhenium and 99Tc bis-arene complexes for a molecule-based theranostic approach are presented. Conjugation of biovectors to benzene or substitution of naphthalene allows integration of {Re(η6-C6H6)}+ in pharmaceutical lead structures.
Synthesis and characterization of 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-isocyanoferrocene, an organometallic ligand combining two different soft donor moieties, and its Group 11 metal complexes
Authors: Škoch Karel , Císařová Ivana , Schulz Jiří , Siemeling Ulrich , Štěpnička Petr
Published: July 2017

1′-(Diphenylphosphino)-1-isocyanoferrocene (1) was prepared as a hybrid ligand for Ag(i) and Au(i) complexes; the catalytic activity of the Au(i) complexes was studied.
A new gallium complex inhibits tumor cell invasion and matrix metalloproteinase MMP-14 expression and activity
Authors: Mohsen Ahmed , Collery Philippe , Garnotel Roselyne , Brassart Bertrand , Etique Nicolas , Mohamed Sabry Gilane , Elsherif Hassan Rasha , Jeannesson Pierre , Desmaële Didier , Morjani Hamid
Published: July 2017

In this study, we investigated the effect of [N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-l-aspartato] chlorogallate (GS2) on tumor cell invasion and on the expression and activity of MMPs.
The first report on the preparation of peptide nanofibers decorated with zirconium oxide nanoparticles applied as versatile catalyst for the amination of aryl halides and synthesis of biaryl and symmetrical sulfides
Authors: Ghorbani-Choghamarani Arash , Taherinia Zahra
Published: July 2017

We have reported the preparation of peptide nanofibers decorated with zirconium oxide nanoparticles as a catalyst for the amination of aryl halides and synthesis of biaryl and symmetrical sulfides.
The mechanism and regioselectivities of (NHC)nickel(ii)hydride-catalyzed cycloisomerization of dienes: a computational study
Authors: Gao Yuan , Houk K. N. , Ho Chun-Yu , Hong Xin
Published: July 2017

Computation elucidates the mechanism and origins of regioselectivity of (NHC)Ni(ii)hydride-catalyzed cycloisomerization of dienes.
Stereoselective synthesis of conformationally restricted KOR agonists based on the 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane scaffold
Authors: Wittig Christian , Schepmann Dirk , Soeberdt Michael , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Wünsch Bernhard
Published: July 2017

A Dieckmann analogous cyclization represents the key step in the synthesis of bicyclic KOR agonists with high KOR affinity and agonistic activity.
Serially concatenated belief propagation decoder for low‐density parity‐check codes
Authors: Zhou Hua , Li Erbao , Lei Jing
Published: July 2017

A new decoding strategy of belief propagation (BP) for low‐density parity‐check codes is presented by serially concatenating the traditional simultaneous decoding (also known as flooding) and the informed dynamic decoding (IDD) (e.g. node‐wise residual belief propagation (NW RBP) or informed variable‐to‐check (IVC) RBP). The frame error rates (FER) and bit error rates (BER) of the concatenated BP decoder outperform that of the non‐concatenated single decoder. In addition, as the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) increases, the average number of decoding iterations required for the concatenated BP decoder decreases, and tends to merge with that of the first sub‐decoder in the high SNR region. Moreover, since the IDD strategies concerned in this paper require extra effort for the residual computation, and the sequential updating of IDD is much more time consuming than the simultaneous updating of flooding. Therefore, compared with using a single IDD, serially concatenating flooding and IDD reduces both the approximate decoding complexity and the decoding latency because the concatenated decoder is still dominated by the sub‐decoder flooding.
Decode‐and‐forward relaying with full‐duplex wireless information and power transfer
Authors: Su Yinjie , Jiang Lingge , He Chen
Published: July 2017

In this study, the authors consider a decode‐and‐forward (DF) relaying protocol with full‐duplex wireless information and power transfer, and investigate its outage performance. In this protocol, a cooperative relay can transmit the information to the destination and harvest the energy from the source simultaneously. Thus, part of the energy used by the relay can be recycled through the self‐loop channel that exists in the relay's full‐duplex operation. An approximated expression for the outage probability is derived under the scenario where the self‐loop channel is fading, and then the authors derive an exact closed‐form expression for the outage probability under a scenario where the self‐loop channel is non‐fading. Moreover, to optimise the outage performance, a power allocation scheme is also provided. The authors analyse the effect of self‐loop channel on the outage performance, and show that, benefiting from the full‐duplex operation and self‐energy recycling, the considered protocol is superior to the existing power splitting‐based and time switching‐based DF relaying protocols, in terms of outage performance. Simulations are provided to validate the authors' results.
Benchmarking with network dea in a fuzzy environment
Authors: Hatami-Marbini Adel
Published: July 2017

Benchmarking is a powerful and thriving tool to enhance the performance and profitabilities of organizations in business engineering. Though performance benchmarking has been practically and theoretically developed in distinct fields such as banking, education, health, and so on, benchmarking of supply chains with multiple echelons that include certain characteristics such as intermediate measure differs from other practices. In spite of incremental benchmarking activities in practice, there is the dearth of a unified and effective guideline for benchmarking in organizations. Amongst the benchmarking tools, data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a non-parametric technique has been widely used to measure the relative efficiency of firms. However, the conventional DEA models that are bearing out precise input and output data turn out to be incapable of dealing with uncertainty, particularly when the gathered data encompasses natural language expressions and human judgements. In this paper, we present an imprecise network benchmarking for the purpose of reflecting the human judgments with the fuzzy values rather than precise numbers. In doing so, we propose the fuzzy network DEA models to compute the overall system scale and technical efficiency of those organizations whose internal structure is known. A classification scheme is presented based upon their fuzzy efficiencies with the aim of classifying the organizations. We finally provide a case study of the airport and travel sector to elucidate the details of the proposed method in this study.
Keteniminium Ions: Unique and Versatile Reactive Intermediates for Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Evano Gwilherm , Lecomte Morgan , Thilmany Pierre , Theunissen Cédric
Published: July 2017

Keteniminium ions have been demonstrated to be remarkably useful and versatile reactive intermediates in chemical synthesis. These unique heterocumulenes are pivotal electrophilic species involved in a number of efficient and selective transformations. More recently, even more reactive ‘activated’ keteniminium ions bearing an additional electron-withdrawing group on the nitrogen atom have been extensively investigated. The chemistry of these unique reactive intermediates, including representative methods for their in situ generation, will be overviewed in this review article.

1 Introduction

2 The Chemistry of Keteniminium Ions

3 The Chemistry of Activated Keteniminium Ions

4 Keteniminium Ions: Pivotal Intermediates for the Synthesis of Natural and/or Biologically Relevant Molecules

5 Conclusions and Perspectives
Scalable Synthesis of 6,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one
Authors: Mennen Steven , Arunachalampillai Athimoolam , Choquette Deborah , Muppalla Harikrishna , Sheena Krishna
Published: July 2017

A simple five-step process for the conversion of technical grade (+)-3-carene into 6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one was developed. A robust process was required that delivered the 6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one, minimized chromatography, reduced the excess of silver salts, and avoided toxic chromium oxidants. A simple and scalable process that relies on crystallization and distillation was developed and demonstrated to produce hundreds of grams of 6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one.
Gastbeitrag Prof. Dr. Jonas Schreyögg: Wir müssen die Vergütungsanreize ändern
Authors: Schreyögg Jonas
Published: July 2017

Die Bundesregierung hat in den vergangenen Jahren viele wichtige gesetzliche Änderungen beschlossen. Trotzdem existieren zahlreiche Probleme in der Versorgungslandschaft, die in der nächsten Legislaturperiode angegangen werden sollten – dabei geht es fast immer auch um die Anreize zur Vergütung.
Gastbeitrag Dr. Wulf-Dietrich Leber: Konzentriert euch!
Authors: Leber Wulf-Dietrich
Published: July 2017

Das Zauberwort „Qualität“ wird in der kommenden Legislaturperiode vom Begriff „Digitalisierung“ beerbt, glaubt Dr. Wulf-Dietrich Leber. Der Kassenlobbyist fordert außerdem eine Konzentration des Leistungsgeschehens. Auf die Länderbehörden setzt er dabei nicht, eher auf den G-BA – und auf eine Verfassungsänderung.
Gastbeitrag Andreas Westerfellhaus: Pflege muss im Mittelpunkt stehen
Authors: Westerfellhaus Andreas
Published: July 2017

In der nächsten Legislaturperiode sollten die Probleme des Pflegepersonals endlich ganz oben auf der politischen Agenda, findet Andreas Westerfellhaus. Der Präsident des Deutschen Pflegerates mahnt grundlegende Änderungen in der Pflege an – von einer verbindlichen Personalausstattung für Pflegeberufe bis hin zu einer Reform der Pflegausbildung.
Gastbeitrag Cordula Mühr: Der G-BA stößt zu oft an seine Grenzen
Authors: Mühr Cordula
Published: July 2017

Patientenvertreterin Cordula Mühr lobt die aktuellen Initiativen des Gesetzgebers und sieht deutlichen Reformbedarf bei der Selbstverwaltung. Den Interessen der Patienten werde im G-BA viel zu wenig Beachtung geschenkt, Vorschläge der Patientenvertreter fallen häufig unter den Tisch.
Serie Innovative IT-Projekte: BG Kliniken: Ein IHE-Archiv für den gesamten Konzern
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: July 2017

Der Klinikkonzern will bis 2019 ein einheitliches Archiv auf IHE-Basis umsetzen. Von dem bundesweit einmaligen Großvorhaben werden auch andere Kliniken profitieren. IT-Chef Eckhard Oesterhoff und der IHE-Experte Prof. Martin Staemmler schildern die Vorteile des Projekts.
Branche in Zahlen
Authors: Mewis Dirk
Published: July 2017

Dieser Artikel ist nur als PDF-Dokument verfügbar.
Building Information Modeling: BIM, übernehmen Sie
Authors: Golinski Ralf-Stefan
Published: July 2017

Wer BIM sagt, meint die durchgehende Digitalisierung aller Daten in der Bau- und Immobilienbranche. Gerade für Krankenhäuser bietet das Building Information Modeling viele Vorteile – und das gilt auch schon heute für den Gebäudebetrieb.
Mit Mietkauf Energie sparen: Pumpenaustausch ohne Invest
Authors: Thalmayr Maria
Published: July 2017

Wegen der knappen Finanzen werden in Krankenhäusern derzeit 80 Prozent der errechneten Energiesparpotenziale nicht umgesetzt. Der Ersatz alter Heiz- und Warmwasserumwälzpumpen durch effizientere Modelle ist ein Energiespar-Klassiker. Ein neues Mietkaufangebot ermöglicht es nun auch klammen Krankenhausbetreibern, auf diese Weise viel Energie und Geld zu sparen – ganz ohne Invest.
Feinstaubfiltrierung: Saubere Luft atmen
Authors: Lichtenthäler Marc
Published: July 2017

Viele Studien belegen, dass durch eine hohe Indoor Air Quality die Produktivität gesteigert, Fehlzeiten abgebaut und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen vermieden werden können. Neben Behandlungs-, OP- und Pflegebereichen eines Klinikums sollten deshalb auch Bereiche mit gut aufbereiteter Raumluft bedacht werden, in denen sich ausschließlich Mitarbeiter aufhalten.
The Significance of Antibodies against Domain I of Beta-2 Glycoprotein I in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Chayouâ Walid , Kelchtermans Hilde , Laat Bas
Published: July 2017

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Progress is being made in understanding the pathogenesis of the syndrome, but difficulties persist in the identification of patients at risk for thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. Beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), a plasma protein consisting of five sushi domains, is thought to be the main antigenic target of aPLs. Antibodies recognizing domain I of β2GPI are predominantly present in patients with an elevated risk of thrombosis, whereas antidomain IV/V antibodies are found in nonthrombotic autoimmune diseases. Indeed, domain I antibodies proved to be pathogenic in multiple studies. Retrospective studies have provided evidence for an added clinical value of antidomain I antibodies in the risk stratification of patients with APS. Still, wide ranges of odds ratio exist between studies, probably due to differences in the study and control population, and detection methods used. Despite the proven pathogenicity of antidomain I antibodies and their correlations with clinical manifestations of APS, heterogeneity of the current studies has prohibited their acceptance in the official diagnostic criteria. Well-designed large longitudinal prospective studies with available and new, preferentially functional, assays for the risk stratification of patients with APS are required.
Surgical Repair of Neglected Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tears Displaced into the Intercondylar Notch: Clinical and Radiological Results
Authors: Cetinkaya Engin , Gursu Sarper , Gul Murat , Aykut Umit , Ozcafer Rasit
Published: July 2017

The literature contains very limited articles wherein the treatment results of bucket-handle meniscal tears according to various types are evaluated and wherein results for repair of chronic tears are discussed. The objective of this study is a clinical and radiologic evaluation of arthroscopic repair for patients suffering flipped, neglected chronic bucket-handle meniscal tear in the intercondylar notch. A total of 26 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age at the time of surgery was 27 years (range, 16–44). Mean period from meniscal injury to surgery was 28 months (range, 4–96). The mean follow-up period was 31 months (range, 11–67). During the follow-up, the patients were evaluated clinically, functional scores from the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Tegner as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mean preoperative Lysholm score of 24 increased to 85 postoperatively. Mean IKDC score was 56.3 preoperatively and 84.5 postoperatively. The mean Tegner score of 3.4 increased to 5.6 postoperatively. Mean Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores in the first group were 84, 74, and 5.1, respectively, and in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction group; 86, 85.9, and 5.8. While 20 (77%) out of 26 patients had none of the clinical findings, 6 patients (23%) presented with these findings. Postoperative MRI assessment revealed meniscal healing in 21 patients (27% complete, 54% partial healing) and no healing in 5 patients (19%). A clinical healing rate of 77% and a radiological healing rate of 81% along with statistically significant increases in Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores prove that the repair option is effective for neglected, chronic bucket-handle meniscal tears flipping to the intercondylar notch. This study showed that good results could be achieved with the repair of neglected, chronic period bucket-handle meniscal tears flipping to the intercondylar notch, whether with an accompanying ACL tear or not.
Interventionelle Myokardrevaskularisierung bei KHK-Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes
Authors: Leschke Matthias , Motz Wolfgang
Published: July 2017

Diabetiker sind hinsichtlich koronarer Revaskularisationsmaßnahmen sicher ein Risikokollektiv, aber auch eine vergleichsweise heterogene Patientengruppe: So weist der bereits seit Längerem erkrankte, insulinpflichtige Diabetiker mit diabetischer Nephropathie mit einer Mehrgefäßerkrankung zweifellos ein hohes kardiovaskuläres Risiko auf, während ein neu diagnostizierter Diabetiker im weitesten Sinne auch einem Nichtdiabetiker gleichgesetzt werden kann. Dementsprechend sollte man jeden Patienten mit einem akuten Koronarsyndrom individuell unter Berücksichtigung seines Koronarstatus, seiner linksventrikulären Funktion und seiner Komorbiditäten einem interventionellen oder herzchirurgischen Eingriff zuführen. Individuell einzuschätzen ist auch die Länge einer erforderlichen antithrombotischen Therapie und einer dualen Plättchenhemmung. So kann bei Patienten mit hohem ischämischem Risiko und geringem Blutungsrisiko unter Umständen auch eine über die in den Leitlinien empfohlene 12-monatige hinausgehende Plättchenhemmung geboten sein. Auch ein Blick auf die antidiabetische Medikation lohnt sich, stehen doch heute Substanzen zur Verfügung, die das kardiovaskuläre Risiko minimieren, metabolisch vorteilhaft sind und weder mit einer Gewichtszunahme noch mit einem erhöhten Hypoglykämierisiko assoziiert sind.
Blutzucker auf Abwegen
Authors: Petzol Julia , Polok Adrian
Published: July 2017

Um das Leben von Menschen mit Diabetes und ihren Angehörigen zu verbessern, fördert die Deutsche Diabetes Stiftung (DDS) medizinisch-wissenschaftliche Projekte, die sich mit neuen Präventions-, Diagnose- sowie Therapiemöglichkeiten beschäftigen. Eines der von der DDS mit 10 000 Euro geförderten Projekte ist in Leipzig angesiedelt: Dort wird derzeit versucht, potenzielle Mechanismen für den blutzuckersenkenden Effekt einer gesteigerten Verzweigung der Blutgefäße zu entschlüsseln.
Blutzucker, Blutdruck und Blutfette
Authors: Schikora Stephanie
Published: July 2017

Noch immer sind kardiovaskuläre Komplikationen bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 die Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsursache Nummer 1. Dementsprechend wichtig ist es, das kardiovaskuläre Risiko dieser Patienten konsequent zu verringern – und zwar erstens mit einer Statintherapie zur Reduktion der Blutfettwerte, zweitens mit einer antihypertensiven Therapie zur Blutdruckkontrolle und drittens über eine Senkung des Blutzuckers mithilfe von blutzuckersenkenden Substanzen.
Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren der Kurzsichtigkeit bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland – Ergebnisse der KiGGS-Studie
Authors: Schuster Alexander , Elflein Heike , Pokora Roman , Urschitz Michael
Published: July 2017

Hintergrund Ziel dieser Studie ist die Bestimmung der Prävalenz von Kurzsichtigkeit (Myopie) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland und die Evaluation damit assoziierter Risikofaktoren.

Methodik Die Prävalenz von Myopie in Deutschland wurde durch die „Studie zur Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland“ (KiGGS Basiserhebung 2003–2006) erhoben (N=17,640, 49% Mädchen). Das Vorliegen einer Myopie und die Verwendung einer Sehhilfe wurden durch einen Elternfragebogen erfasst. Potentielle Risikofaktoren wurden mittels kausalem Diagramm identifiziert und mit multiplen logistischen Regressionsmodellen untersucht.

Ergebnisse Die Prävalenz von Myopie in Deutschland bei 3–17-jährigen Kindern lag bei 13,3% (95%-Konfidenzintervall 12,6–14,0%). In der Altersgruppe der 3–10 Jährigen fanden sich Zusammenhänge mit dem Alter (in 2-Jahresschritten: OR=1,78 [1,59; 2,00]) und Geschlecht (Jungen: OR=0,73 [0,57; 0,95]), aber nicht mit Freizeitverhalten oder Mediennutzung. In der Altersgruppe der 11–17 Jährigen war häufige Sportausübung (OR=0,67 [0,53; 0,84]) protektiv mit Myopie assoziiert, während der Besuch des Gymnasiums (OR=1,69 [1,32; 2,16]) mit einer Zunahme von Myopie verbunden war. Auch in dieser Gruppe war Mediennutzung nicht mit einer Myopie assoziiert.

Schlussfolgerung Kurzsichtigkeit ist in Deutschland eine der häufigsten chronischen Beeinträchtigungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Mädchen, Jugendliche und Gymnasiasten sind häufiger betroffen. Sportliche Aktivität könnte das Risiko für Kurzsichtigkeit reduzieren.
Hypokaliämie
Authors: Schmitt Roland
Published: July 2017

Die Hypokaliämie gehört zu den häufigsten Elektrolytstörungen. Schwere Formen führen zu Muskelschwäche, Herz-Rhythmus-Störungen und Tod. Leichtere Formen sind mit arteriellem Hypertonus und schlechterem kardiovaskulären Überleben assoziiert. Die Hypokaliämie wird entweder durch eine Umverteilungsstörung aus dem Extra- in den Intrazellularraum hervorgerufen oder es kommt zum Kaliumverlust über den Gastrointestinaltrakt oder die Nieren. Hierbei spielen Diarrhö und Erbrechen oder Diuretika und Hyperaldosteronismus die entscheidende Rolle. Zur Therapie muss die auslösende Ursache bekämpft werden und je nach Schweregrad eine Kaliumsubstitution erfolgen.
Informations- und Beratungsbedürfnisse von Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz Stadium II–V (ohne Ersatztherapie)
Authors: Rütti Gisela , Rothermann Regula , Pasch Andreas , Nussbaum René , Spichiger Elisabeth
Published: July 2017

Rund eine halbe Million Menschen in der Schweiz sind an chronischer Niereninsuffizienz (CKD) erkrankt. Der Verlauf dieser Erkrankung ist häufig fortschreitend. Edukation und Unterstützung durch Fachpersonen können die Zeitspanne bis zur Nierenersatztherapie verlängern. Die Bedürfnisse von Patienten mit CKD II–V ohne Ersatztherapie sind unzureichend untersucht. Mit dieser Studie sollten subjektive Informations- und Beratungsbedürfnisse mit einem qualitativen Design exploriert werden. Einzelinterviews mit 20 Patienten und ein Fokusgruppeninterview mit 7 Pflegefachpersonen wurden mittels Knowledge Mapping ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Patienten ein unterschiedliches Wissen zur CKD hatten, viele fühlten sich gesund. Die Risikofaktoren und Zusammenhänge von Symptomen und CKD waren wenig bekannt. Die Bedürfnisse waren sehr individuell und vielfältig, Themen wie Ernährung, Flüssigkeitszufuhr oder Müdigkeit beschäftigten jedoch alle Patienten. Das Interview mit den Pflegefachpersonen bestätigte diese Ergebnisse. Mittels einer Beratung sollen Patienten zum Selbstmanagement befähigt, ihre aktuellen Gesundheitsprobleme angegangen und Informationen zu CKD, Risikofaktoren, Symptomen sowie weiteren, individuell ausgerichteten Themen vermittelt werden.
Hyperkaliämie
Authors: Schanz Moritz
Published: July 2017

Die Hyperkaliämie (allgemein definiert als Serumkalium < 5,5 mmol/l) ist von zentraler Bedeutung in der Nephrologie, da besonders Patienten mit eingeschränkter Nierenfunktion, wie chronisch niereninsuffiziente oder dialysepflichtige Patienten, betroffen sind. Einer persistierenden Hyperkaliämie liegt oftmals eine verminderte renale Exkretion in Verbindung mit gesteigerter Zufuhr und/oder vermehrter Freisetzung bzw. Verschiebung aus den Zellen zugrunde. Klinische Symptome können gänzlich fehlen oder in schweren Fällen mit Muskellähmungen einhergehen. Aufgrund von potenziell lebensbedrohlichen Herz-Rhythmus-Störungen mit typischen EKG-Veränderungen sollte eine schwere Hyperkaliämie rasch gesenkt werden, nachdem eine Pseudohyperkaliämie ausgeschlossen wurde. Zur Kaliumsenkung stehen 2 Therapieprinzipien zur Verfügung: die Verschiebung des Kaliums nach intrazellulär durch z. B. Insulin/Glukose oder Beta2-Sympathomimetika und die dauerhafte Ausscheidung mittels Diuretika, Ionen-Austauscher-Harzen und (als effektivste Methode) der Hämodialyse.
Kraftwerk der Zelle
Authors: Corts Magga
Published: July 2017

Das Mitochondrium ist ein Zellorganell. Es kommt in jeder Zelle mit Zellkern (sogenannte eukaryotische Zellen) vor und dient der Energiegewinnung.
Immundiagnostik bei Tumorpatienten
Authors: Thiele Enrico , Baehr Volker von
Published: July 2017

Jeden Tag entstehen Tausende Tumorzellen, die zugrunde gehen oder vom Immunsystem eliminiert werden. Doch was ist bei der einen, die sich zum Tumor entwickelt, schiefgelaufen? LTT und zellulärer Immunstatus gehen dieser Frage im Labor nach und eröffnen Therapieoptionen.
Kongressbericht und Ausblick
Authors: Bundschu Ulm
Published: July 2017

Die staatlich anerkannte Nephrologische Weiterbildungsstätte Ulm (www.wbs-ulm.de) in Kooperation mit der AfnP e. V. (www.afnp.de) und dem Georg Thieme Verlag veranstalteten vom 09.–11.03.2017 zum siebten Mal die Nephro Fachtagung Ulm sowie zum ersten Mal den Apherese-Treff.
Nachruf
Authors: Brunner Jürgen
Published: July 2017

Leider haben wir erfahren müssen, dass ein Gründungsmitglied der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für nephrologisches Personal (AfnP e. V.) vor Kurzem verstorben ist.
Ernährungsgewohnheiten schlagen sich im Erbgut nieder
Authors: Beckers Johannes , Grallert Harald , Schürmann Annette , Hrabě de Angelis Martin
Published: July 2017

Wer sich längere Zeit ungesund ernährt, verändert womöglich wichtige Schaltstellen in seinem Erbgut. Eltern steigern dadurch nicht nur das eigene Risiko auf Stoffwechselerkrankungen, sondern auch das ihrer Nachkommen. Verschiedene Studien des Deutschen Zentrums für Diabetesforschung (DZD) weisen darauf hin, dass die Ernährung als Umweltfaktor den Aktivitätszustand von Genen nachhaltig beeinflussen kann – zum Beispiel durch chemische Veränderungen der DNA-Bausteine. Wissenschaftler sprechen hier von Epigenetik (griechisch epi: auf, an, bei). So führt ein erhöhter Body-Mass-Index zu epigenetischen Veränderungen an fast 200 Stellen des Erbguts. Unter anderem können epigenetische Modifikationen eine Leberverfettung bei Maus und Mensch fördern.