bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kosovar Public Diplomacy
Authors: Baliqi Dr.Sc. Bekim , Brovina MSc. Ngadhnjim , Nuhiu BSc. Fjolla
Published: August 2016

We are being witnesses that the XXI century is characterized by the rise and rapid advancement of public diplomacy, particularly in small countries that are under development, or countries that do not have classical influence through diplomacy and military influence, therefore into the category of states in which the development of public diplomacy is needed, we have included the Republic of Kosovo.The Republic of Kosovo as a new state, with without diplomatic experience and that has started from scratch, should necessarily develop the public diplomacy, because it is listed in the category of countries that we have specified above.But how should the Republic of Kosovo develop a public diplomacy?For building the basement of public diplomacy, the main tool that Kosovo should develop is communicationThrough the communication are held discussions, negotiations, becomes the announcement about the steps of development of the state, becomes lobbying, rises the positive image, and all these lead to the recognition of the new state and to the multilateral and bilateral cooperation agreements.In order to explain the performance and the form of the use of communication in public diplomacy, which the Republic of Kosovo has begun to use and implement in practice, and which already has brought tangible results that need improvement, we think that still has remained very long road with many political, economic, diplomatic and democratic challenges until we achieve a satisfactory level.A deeper analysis of what has been done so far, and what needs to be done in the future is required, therefore the whole problem along with the possible functional solutions is explained more specifically with theories and examples below.
Deindustrialization of Kosovo and establishment of the private sector in Kosovo - Obstacles
Authors: Havolli Dr.Sc. Ymer , Ahmeti Dr.Sc. Skender
Published: August 2016

This paper aims at analysing activities, and some of the causes of deindustrialization of Kosovo’s economy, and the stage of initial establishment of the private sector in Kosovo. The purpose of the paper is to present the current situation and development orientations, namely to review some of the obstacles from the perspective of entrepreneurs, with a view of eliminating such obstacles and fostering development. The paper shall provide a comparison of exports and imports, with a special focus on obstacles to Kosovo’s SMEs. This paper shall prove an overview on the situation of SME development and its sectors, and it is an effort to mirror the main obstacles preventing competitiveness and development of the sector. The analysis in this paper represent an effort to inform stakeholders with the sector, and help interested parties to take necessary action in improving the situation in the sector, and to assist sectors in benefitting from business opportunities, by creating a business development conducive environment, so that the changes occurring in the sector feed economic development, foster employment and help in attracting foreign investmentsThe main goal of the paper is to provide a basis for informing various actors involved in industrial development policy making in Kosovo.On the other hand, it is also an effort to contribute in consolidating information and statistical records, with a view of providing an accurate overview on Kosovo’s industry.
Improving Decision Making with Information Systems Technology – A theoretical approach
Authors: Berisha- Namani Dr.Sc. Mihane , Qehaja Mr.Sc. Albana
Published: August 2016

Traditionally, information systems were used to support operational functions and to reduce costs by automating many of business operations. As business has become more aware of the importance of information systems, the role of information systems has changed. From its conventional function of supporting business operations, today information systems are used to reduce business risks and to ensure that correct information is made available, so managers can make better decisions. The purpose of this paper is to give an understanding how businesses are using information systems to achieve their goals. It specifically addresses more closely the impact that information systems have in improving the decision making. Althought limited this paper sets out to explore the importance of information systems in decision making and concludes that more attention should be paid to information systems usage for decision making purposes. Finally, suggestions for further research are made.
Some Aspects of the Procedure for Reviewing the Inherited Property in the Republic of Kosovo
Authors: Podvorica Dr.Sc. Hamdi
Published: August 2016

Being a devisor
The Rights and Obligations of Spouses in Islamic Classic Law
Authors: Lamçe Dr.Sc. Juelda
Published: August 2016

Islamic Law, the third largest global legal system, next to Civil Law and Common Law, has been far -back subject of an increased interest to the academics.  Its main peculiarity is the absorption of theology in the law. There is no clear borderline between juridical and religious regulation. For this reason it is important to understand how certain legal institutes where regulated in the past. In fact, Islamic classic law despite its later evolution is considered the most authoritative legal source, because closest to the Divine Revelation.With regard to the rights and obligations of spouses, they’re conceived in terms of complementary, while their equality is interpreted in terms of moral and spiritual rights and obligations. In order to better comprehend their rights and obligations, it is necessary to analyze the different roles of gender inside the Islamic family.Given the premises, this paper will focus on specific rights and obligations between spouses and with regard to the child-parent relationship. In particular, it will treat the meaning of the supremacy or authority of the man to the woman; the rights and obligations that they have towards the children born in and out of wedlock; the questions on the practice of the polygyny.
Meeting the political and the legislative Copenhagen Criteria, the case of Kosovo
Authors: Hoxha LL.M. Rinor
Published: August 2016

The next enlargement of the European Union is predicted to be in the Balkans. Kosovo, a small country of the Balkan Peninsula, which has been declared as an independent state in 2008, aims the membership in EU. Kosovo is currently at the stage of negotiating the Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU. For the membership in EU, candidate countries are required to achieve certain criteria: political, legislative, economic and administrative. The first three are known as the Copenhagen Criteria, whereas the last one as the Madrid Criteria. This paper looks to briefly asses the difficulties of Kosovo in meeting the two Copenhagen Criteria: the political and the legislative one. Although, Kosovo has achieved certain progress related to this matter, this paper presents only the dimensions where Kosovo is lacking in achieving the aforementioned requirements.
Experimental Investigation on the Effects of Flow Resistance on the Fracturing Fluids Imbibition into Gas Shale
Authors: Yang Liu , Liu Dunqing , Ge Hongkui , Shen Yinghao , Li Caoxiong , Zhang Kunheng
Published: August 2016

Less than half of the injected fracturing fluid in gas shale is often recovered and in many cases the flowback efficiency is <20%, which relates to potential productivity hindrance. Some have suggested that the water migration in the neighborhood of fractures induced by spontaneous imbibition contributes to auto-removal mechanism of water damage. However, water imbibition into fractured shale reservoirs is a physic-chemical and multiscale flow process, which is significantly different from conventional reservoirs. Therefore, we systematically characterize the samples by measuring the porosity, permeability, wetting angle and mineral composition. Comparative imbibition experiments are performed on 18 binary core plugs from typical formations of China's basin (i.e., Ordos Basin, Songliao Basin and Sichuan Basin). The preliminary result shows that Handy imbibition model has an evident deviation in predicting the shale imbibition experiment result, which is significantly overestimated. This disagreement can be explained by strong fluid-wall interactions in micron-nano pores. In addition to the widely believed capillary driving forces and viscous forces, the overall resistance of fluid-wall interactions have an important impact on water migration, which could reduce the imbibition rate in gas shale. A critical aperture Dc of about 36~100nm exits, which can be used to address the effects of fluid-wall interactions. The matrix blocks with average pore size of > Dc tend to produce minor resistance effects of fluid-wall interaction on imbibition rate. Handy model can provide a good match with experimental imbibition in micro-fractures or macropores; in the contrary, the matrix blocks with average pore size of <Dc tend to exert significant resistance effects of fluid-wall interaction on imbibition rate. Handy model reproduce the global trend of variation, which has been inadequate. The results of our study are more valuable for the comprehension of auto-removal water damage process and optimization of flowback time after fracturing operations in gas shale.
Robust Reflection Detection and Removal in Rainy Conditions using LAB and HSV Color Spaces
Authors: Ha Synh Viet-Uyen , Pham Nhan Thanh , Pham Long Hoang , Tran Ha Manh
Published: August 2016

In the field of traffic monitoring systems, shadows are the main causes of errors in computer vision-based vehicle detection and classification. A great number of  research have been carried out to detect and remove shadows. However, these research works only focused on solving shadow problems in daytime traffic scenes. Up to now, far too little attention has been paid to the problem caused by vehicles’ reflections in rainy conditions. Unlike shadows in the daytime, which are homogeneous gray shades, reflection shadows are inhomogeneous regions of different colors. This characteristic makes reflections harder to detect and remove. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to develop a reflection detection and removal method from single images or video. Reflections are detected by determining a combination of L and B channels from LAB color space and H channel from HSV color space. The reflection removal method is performed by determining the optimal intensity of reflected areas so that they match with neighbor regions. The advantage of our method is that all reflected areas are removed without affecting vehicles’ textures or details.
Transient frequency response based leak detection in water supply pipeline systems with branched and looped junctions
Authors: Duan Huan-Feng
Published: August 2016

The transient frequency response (TFR) method has been widely developed and applied in the literature to identify and detect potential defects such as leakage and blockage in water supply pipe systems. This type of method was found to be efficient, economic and non-intrusive for pipeline condition assessment and diagnosis, but its applications so far are mainly limited to single and simple pipeline systems. This paper aims to extend the TFR-based leak detection method to relatively more complex pipeline connection situations. The branched and looped pipe junctions are firstly investigated for their influences to the system TFR, so that their effects can be characterized and separated from the effect of other components and potential leakage defects in the system. The leak-induced patterns of transient responses are derived analytically using the transfer matrix method for systems with different pipe junctions, which thereafter are used for the analysis of pipe leakage conditions in the system. The developed method is validated through different numerical experiments in this study. Based on the analytical analysis and numerical results, the applicability and accuracy as well as the limitations of the developed TFR-based leak detection method are discussed for practical applications in the paper.
Comparing Measures of Association in 2×2 Probability Tables
Authors: Hasenclever Dirk , Scholz Markus
Published: August 2016

Measures of association play a role in selecting 2×2 tables exhibiting strong dependence in high-dimensional binary data. Several measures are in use differing on specific tables and in their dependence on the margins. We study a 2-dimensional group of margin transformations on the 3-dimensional manifold of all 2×2 probability tables. The margin transformations allow introducing natural coordinates that identify with the real 3-space such that thex-axis corresponds to and margins vary on planesx=const. We use these coordinates to visualise and compare measures of association with respect to their dependence on the margins given the odds-ratio, their limit behaviour when cells approach zero and their weighting properties. We propose a novel measure of association in which tables with single small entries are up-weighted but those with skewed margins are down-weighted according to the relative entropy among the tables of the same odds-ratio.
Integrating Chinese Culture with Western Culture in EFLT Classroom
Authors: Ran Yuti
Published: August 2016

In the current climate of internationalization, intercultural communication is rapidly growing in importance. This paper firstly discusses the inappropriateness of current English teaching and the necessity on developing college learners’ intercultural competence on the basis of the research results on cultural awareness carried out among learners and teachers in universities home and abroad. Then it explores the teaching strategies on how to cultivate learners’ intercultural competence in EFLT classroom. By employing the techniques of presentation, analysis, discussion, comparison and contrast between Chinese culture and western culture in the teaching content, the learners can obtain the knowledge of both cultures, expand their cultural awareness, increase their tolerance of the existence of difference, understand the new and different cultural patterns and develop a perspective of cross-cultural awareness. This progressive procedure on integrating Chinese culture with western culture in EFLT classroom reinterpreted and extended the tradition procedure in culture teaching.
From K Street to Wall Street: Political Connections and Stock Recommendations
Authors: Christensen Dane M. , Mikhail Michael B. , Walther Beverly R. , Wellman Laura A.
Published: August 2016

In this study, we examine whether sell-side security analysts gain access to value-relevant information through political connections. We measure analysts' political connections based on political contributions at the brokerage-house level. We argue that if brokerages are able to obtain private information through their political connections, then analysts at politically connected brokerages should issue more profitable stock recommendations, and this increased profitability should be more pronounced for politically sensitive stocks. Our evidence is consistent with these predictions. Analyses of recommendations issued surrounding the Affordable Care Act further support our main inferences. Moreover, our findings hold after we employ numerous tests to address correlated omitted variables and endogeneity. Collectively, these results suggest that brokerages obtain value-relevant, nonpublic information from their political connections.

JEL Classifications: G24; G38; G14.
Auditor Changes and the Cost of Bank Debt
Authors: Francis Bill B. , Hunter Delroy M. , Robinson Dahlia M. , Robinson Michael N. , Yuan Xiaojing
Published: August 2016

We examine the response of informed market participants to the informational signal of auditor changes. Using propensity score matching and difference-in-differences research designs, we document that loan spreads increase by 22 percent on bank loans initiated within a year after auditor changes, increasing direct loan costs by approximately $6.6 million. We also find a significant increase in upfront and annual fees and the probability of pledging collateral, consistent with an increase in screening and monitoring by banks. The increase in spreads is significant for client-initiated auditor changes, with or without disagreements with the auditor, as well as for auditor resignations. Further, the significant increase in loan spreads is documented for upward, lateral, and downward auditor changes. Our results are robust to other proxies for financial reporting quality. Finally, we find no effect resulting from the forced auditor changes due to Arthur Andersen. Collectively, these results suggest that voluntary auditor changes increase information risk, which is priced in private credit markets.

JEL Classifications: G20; G21; G32; K22.
The Impact of Forward-Looking Metrics on Employee Decision-Making: The Case of Customer Lifetime Value
Authors: Casas-Arce Pablo , Martínez-Jerez F. Asis , Narayanan V. G.
Published: August 2016

This paper analyzes the effects of forward-looking metrics on employee decision-making. We use data from a bank that started providing branch managers with the customer lifetime value (CLV)—an estimate of the future value of the customer relationship—of mortgage applicants. The data allow us to gauge the effects of enriching the employees' information set in an environment where explicit incentives and decision rights remained unchanged. On average, customer value increased 5 percent after the metric's introduction. The metric's availability resulted in a significant shift in attention toward more profitable client segments and some improvement in cross-selling. However, the use of CLV did not negatively impact pricing or default risk, as the literature predicts. Finally, branch managers with shorter tenure displayed a stronger response, consistent with information substituting for experience.
Adipose-Specific Deficiency of Fumarate Hydratase in Mice Protects Against Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis, and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Yang Hao , Wu Jiang W. , Wang Shu P. , Severi Ilenia , Sartini Loris , Frizzell Norma , Cinti Saverio , Yang Gongshe , Mitchell Grant A.
Published: August 2016

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with impaired mitochondrial function in adipose tissue. To study the effects of primary deficiency of mitochondrial energy metabolism in fat, we generated mice with adipose-specific deficiency of fumarate hydratase (FH), an integral Krebs cycle enzyme (AFHKO mice). AFHKO mice have severe ultrastructural abnormalities of mitochondria, ATP depletion in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue, low WAT mass with small adipocytes, and impaired thermogenesis with large unilocular brown adipocytes. AFHKO mice are strongly protected against obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver despite aging and high-fat feeding. AFHKO white adipocytes showed normal lipolysis but low triglyceride synthesis. ATP depletion in normal white adipocytes by mitochondrial toxins also decreased triglyceride synthesis, proportionally to ATP depletion, suggesting that reduced triglyceride synthesis may result nonspecifically from adipocyte energy deficiency. At thermoneutrality, protection from insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis was diminished. Taken together, the results show that under the cold stress of regular animal room conditions, adipocyte-specific FH deficiency in mice causes mitochondrial energy depletion in adipose tissues and protects from obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance, suggesting that in cold-stressed animals, mitochondrial function in adipose tissue is a determinant of fat mass and insulin sensitivity.
Tear film concentrations of doxycycline following oral administration in ophthalmologically normal dogs
Authors: Collins Sean P. , Labelle Amber L. , Dirikolu Levent , Li Zhong , Mitchell Mark A. , Hamor Ralph E.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine tear film concentrations of doxycycline in ophthalmologically normal dogs following oral doxycycline administration.

DESIGN Crossover study.

ANIMALS 10 privately owned dolichocephalic or mesaticephalic dogs free of ophthalmic disease.

PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to receive doxycycline hyclate first at 5 mg/kg (2.3 mg/lb) or 10 mg/kg (4.5 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours for 5 days, beginning on day 1. Doxycycline was administered 1 hour prior to feeding. Tear samples were collected from days 1 through 10 approximately 3 hours after the morning dose was administered. Following a 3-week washout period, dogs received the alternative dose in the same conditions. Doxycycline concentration in tear samples from 1 eye (same eye used for both sessions) was measured via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and compared between the 2 doxycycline doses.

RESULTS Doxycycline was detected in tear samples of all dogs from days 1 through 10 for both doxycycline doses. Median peak doxycycline concentrations for the 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses were 2.19 ng/mL on day 3 and 4.32 ng/mL on day 4, respectively. Concentrations differed significantly with time, but this difference was not influenced by dose, dose order, or eye. A significant positive correlation was identified between doxycycline concentration and body weight (r = 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Detectable doxycycline concentrations were achieved in the tear film of ophthalmologically normal dogs following oral administration of doxycycline at 5 or 10 mg/kg, every 12 hours. Dose had no significant effect on tear film concentration of the drug.
The Evolution of Hourly Compensation in Canada between 1980 and 2010
Authors: Duclos Jean-Yves , Pellerin Mathieu
Published: August 2016

We consider changes in the distribution of hourly compensation in Canada using confidential census data and the recent National Household Survey over the last three decades. We find that the coefficient of variation of wages among full-time workers has almost doubled between 1980 and 2010. The rapid growth of the 99.9th percentile is the main driver of that increase. Changes in the composition of the workforce explain less than one-third of the rise in wage inequality. However, composition changes explain most of the increase in average hourly compensation over those three decades, while wages stagnate within skill groups.
Reduction of Food Insecurity among Low-Income Canadian Seniors as a Likely Impact of a Guaranteed Annual Income
Authors: McIntyre Lynn , Dutton Daniel J. , Kwok Cynthia , Emery J.C. Herbert
Published: August 2016

Canada has episodically discussed guaranteed annual income (GAI) as a poverty reduction strategy, and the idea has garnered renewed attention. We investigate the potential effectiveness of such a strategy by examining food insecurity as an indicator of poverty in unattached low-income adults age 55 to 74 years before and after they become age-eligible for publicly financed pensions at age 65. Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2007–2013) showed that Canadians over age 65 have half the prevalence of food insecurity of low-income Canadians under 65. Seniors' public pensions, as an example of GAI, are an effective poverty reduction strategy.
“It Is an Eye-Opener That There Is a Relationship between Rehabilitation and HIV”: Perspectives of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in Kenya and Zambia on the Role of Rehabilitation with Adults and Children Living with HIV
Authors: Nixon Stephanie , Cameron Cathy , Mweshi Margaret , Nkandu Esther Munalula , Okidi Carlius , Tattle Stephen , Yates Tammy
Published: August 2016

Purpose: To present the perspectives of rehabilitation providers—physiotherapists and occupational therapists—in Kenya and Zambia on the role of rehabilitation in the care of adults and children living with HIV. Methods: This qualitative, interpretivist study was part of a broader project to adapt a Canadian e-module on HIV-related disability for rehabilitation providers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Focus groups, demographic questionnaires, and knowledge–attitude–belief surveys were conducted with rehabilitation providers in Kenya and Zambia. Focus group data were analyzed inductively using an iterative content analysis. Results: Sixty-three rehabilitation providers (52 physiotherapists, 11 occupational therapists) participated in 10 focus groups in Nyanza Province, Kenya, and Lusaka, Zambia. The participants described the role of rehabilitation in HIV care in terms of missed opportunities related to (1) HIV disclosure; (2) inter-professional and inter-sectoral collaboration; (3) community-based rehabilitation; (4) training for rehabilitation providers; (5) pediatric rehabilitation; and (6) the connections among disability, HIV, and poverty. Conclusions: The results point to the need for HIV policy and practice leaders to develop new models of care that recognize the crucial role of rehabilitation in the long-term management of HIV to address the shifting needs of the 25 million people living longer with HIV in SSA.
Oral cancer: One of the leading malignancies in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Quazi Billur
Published: August 2016

Abstract is not available
Effect of age on immediate postoperative tissue reaction following surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar
Authors: Paul Chandan Kumar , Rahman Quazi Billur , Alam Shamiul , Kundu Gokul Chand , Uzzaman Helal
Published: August 2016

Background: Postoperative morbidity following third molar surgery is affected by a number of factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age on immediate postoperative tissue reactions following mandibular impacted third molar surgery. Objectives: To assess the discomforts after impacted mandibular third molar extraction in different aged patient. Methods: 100 patients, 54 Female and 46 male, aged 18 to 42 years comprised the study materials. Tooth extrac­tion was performed with buccal guttering technique after adequate elevation and reflection of full thickness mucoperiosteal flap. Pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated preoperatively and on 2nd POD and 7th POD. Data was processed and analyzed using SPSS and was compiled and test of significance was done using Chi square (x2) test and un-paired 't' test. Results: Statistical analysis of the data indicated that pain and swelling was significantly less and significant maximum mouth opening was achieved in early aged patient than late age when preoperative and postoperative results were compared. Conclusion: As postoperative immediate tissue reactions are more in late aged patient than younger so impacted mandibular third molar should extract in early age.
A 17-years-old girl presenting with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea diagnosed as aqueductal stenosis: A case report
Authors: Salma Umma , Sarker Mohammad Abdus Sattar , Khan Abed Hossain , Zafrin Nahida , Chowdhury M. A. Jalil
Published: August 2016

A 17-year-old girl presented with chronic headache and spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. She had no history of head trauma. MRI of her brain showed aqueductal stenosis associated with triventriculomegaly with partially empty sella. Following insertion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt, her headache and CSF rhinorrhea completely recovered. Though very uncommon but aqueductal stenosis should be kept as a differential diagnosis for etiology of chronic CSF rhinorrhea.
Clinical and computed tomographic evaluation of portland cement pulpotomy in primary molar: A case report
Authors: Nahar Kamrun , Bashar A. K. M. , Hossain Mozammal , Moral Ali Asgor
Published: August 2016

The present case describes the clinical & radiographic outcome of a Portland Cement pulpotomy. The 5 years old girl presenting extensive carious exposure in her mandibular left 2nd deciduous molar and was suffering pain in her left lower jaw only on exposure to cold for last 2 days. She was ultimately diagnosed clinic-radio-graphically as a case of irreversible pulpitis. Coronal pulpotomy procedure was carried out in the responsible tooth and Portland cement (PC) was applied as a medicament after pulpotomy. At the 3 & 6-months follow-up appointments, treated tooth was asymptomatic clinically and radiographic examinations revealed no sign of periradicular pathosis in the pulpotomized teeth. Additionally, the formation of a dentin bridge immediately below the PC in the treated tooth was confirmed by RVG and CBCT.
Case series of Stargardt's disease: Our experience
Authors: Wadud Syed Abdul , Shahid Muntasir Bin , Afroz Sumon
Published: August 2016

Stargardt disease is the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration. Clinically, it is characterized by pisciform flecks at lhe level of the retinal pigment epithelium and a bull's-eye maculopathy. Inheritance is usually autosomal recessive, although dominantly inherited case have been described. Both sexes are affected equally. We reported here three cases of Stargardt's macular dystrophy, who are siblings and daughters of non consanguineous parents. In case-1,2 and 3 we found the typical presentation with almost same findings.
Successful surgical management of carcinoma lung in a 80 years old male
Authors: Biswas Bidyut Kumar , Islam Kazi Saiful , Aftabuddin Md.
Published: August 2016

Carcinoma of the lung is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung by process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body. Various surgical modalities have been used with the treatment of lung cancer with variable results. We report a case of 80 years- old male admitted to National Institute of Chest Diseases and Hospital with dry cough for one month and chest pain for twenty days. On his physical examination there was no significant abnormality. Hematological and biochemical findings were also normal. In his CXR -P/A view showed a rounded opacity in the right lung field. It was diagnosed as a case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the right upper lobe of lung by a CT guided FNAC.  We had performed segmentectomy of the lesion on right upper lobe by a right sided thoracotomy. Histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis and showed that the excised margins were free of tumor invasion. Patients recovery was uneventful. Patient was discharged on 15th post operative day with advice for further follow up and also referred to Oncology Department for further management. In conclusion this was a case of carcinoma lung which was successfully managed by surgical intervention due to judicious suspicion adequate evaluation and measures in time.
Association of CagA+ helicobacter pylori infection and gastric carcinoma
Authors: Rahman Md. Khalilur , Patwary Md. Ismail , Rahman Md. Habibur
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to find out the association of the CagA+ Helicobactor pylori infection and gastric carcinoma. This cross sectional comparative study was conducted on 40 patients of gastric carcinoma and 40 healthy volunteers from January 2011 to December 2012.  Then, Cag A status was ascertained in both the groups by ELISA method. There was no significant difference between the case and control in relation to Cag A status.
Assessment of paranasal sinuses in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of brain
Authors: Maharjan Surendra
Published: August 2016

Headache is the most common indication for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).  But the minor ailments like paranasal sinusitis is often overlooked as it does not have specific discriminative characteristic and can imitate each type of primary headache. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the paranasal sinuses in patients undergoing MRI of brain. A cross-sectional hospital-based study of 118 patients was done from April to September 2014. The images were evaluated for presence of any abnormal findings in sinuses. A random probabilistic sampling was carried out. The sinuses were normal in 51 patients and abnormal in 67 patients. The most common abnormality was mucosal thickening followed by polyp, cyst, mass and fluid level respectively. 50 of 67 (74.6%) positive findings observed as mucosal thickening while polyp was seen in 13 patients (28.4%). Similarly, both mass and fluid level was seen in 3 (4.5%). The chi-square test showed no association between headache and abnormal sinus findings.
Reduced Contractility and Motility of Prostatic Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts after Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90
Authors: Henke Alex , Franco Omar , Stewart Grant , Riddick Antony , Katz Elad , Hayward Simon , Thomson Axel
Published: August 2016

Background: Prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) can stimulate malignant progression and invasion of prostatic tumour cells via several mechanisms including those active in extracellular matrix; Methods: We isolated CAF from prostate cancer patients of Gleason Score 6–10 and confirmed their cancer-promoting activity using an in vivo tumour reconstitution assay comprised of CAF and BPH1 cells. We tested the effects of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors upon reconstituted tumour growth in vivo. Additionally, CAF contractility was measured in a 3D collagen contraction assay and migration was measured by scratch assay; Results: HSP90 inhibitors dipalmitoyl-radicicol and 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) reduced tumour size and proliferation in CAF/BPH1 reconstituted tumours in vivo. We observed that the most contractile CAF were derived from patients with lower Gleason Score and of younger age compared with the least contractile CAF. HSP90 inhibitors radicicol and 17-DMAG inhibited contractility and reduced the migration of CAF in scratch assays. Intracellular levels of HSP70 and HSP90 were upregulated upon treatment with HSP90 inhibitors. Inhibition of HSP90 also led to a specific increase in transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFβ2) levels in CAF; Conclusions: We suggest that HSP90 inhibitors act not only upon tumour cells, but also on CAF in the tumour microenvironment.
Three-Dimensional Cadmium(II) Cyanide Coordination Polymers with Ethoxy-, Butoxy- and Hexyloxy-ethanol
Authors: Kawasaki Takeshi , Kitazawa Takafumi
Published: August 2016

The three novel cadmium(II) cyanide coordination polymers with alkoxyethanols, [Cd(CN)2(C2H5OCH2CH2OH)]n (I), [{Cd(CN)2(C4H9OCH2CH2OH)}3{Cd(CN)2}]n (II) and [{Cd(CN)2(H2O)2}{Cd(CN)2}3·2(C6H13OCH2CH2OH)]n (III), were synthesized and charcterized by structural determination. Three complexes have three-dimensional Cd(CN)2 frameworks; I has distorted tridymite-like structure, and, II and III have zeolite-like structures. The cavities of Cd(CN)2 frameworks of the complexes are occupied by the alkoxyethanol molecules. In I and II, hydroxyl oxygen atoms of alkoxyethanol molecules coordinate to the Cd(II) ions, and the Cd(II) ions exhibit slightly distort trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry. In II, there is also tetrahedral Cd(II) ion which is coordinated by only the four cyanides. The hydroxyl oxygen atoms of alkoxyethanol connects etheric oxygen atoms of the neighboring alkoxyethanol by hydrogen bond in I and II. In III, hexyloxyethanol molecules do not coordinate to the Cd(II) ions, and two water molecules coordnate to the octahedral Cd(II) ions. The framework in III contains octahedral Cd(II) and tetrahedral Cd(II) in a 1:3 ratio. The Cd(CN)2 framework structures depended on the difference of alkyl chain for alkoxyethanol molecules.
Going Forward from B to A? Proposals for the Eurozone Crisis
Authors: Amato Massimo , Fantacci Luca , Papadimitriou Dimitri , Zezza Gennaro
Published: August 2016

After reviewing the main determinants of the current Eurozone crisis, this paper discusses the feasibility of introducing fiscal currencies as a way to restore fiscal space in peripheral countries, such as Greece, which have so far adopted austerity measures in order to abide by their commitments with Eurozone institutions and the IMF. We show that the introduction of fiscal currencies would speed up the recovery, without violating the rules of Eurozone Treaties. At the same time, these processes could help the transition of the euro from its current status of single currency to a status of “common clearing currency” along the lines proposed by Keynes at Bretton Woods as a system of international settlements. Eurozone countries could therefore move from “Plan B” aimed at addressing member state domestic problems, to a “Plan A” of a better European monetary system.
Hypertext or Textbook: Effects on Motivation and Gain in Knowledge
Authors: Conradty Cathérine , Bogner Franz
Published: August 2016

Computers are considered innovative in classrooms, raising expectations of increased cognitive learning outcomes or motivation with effects on Deeper Learning (DL). The “new medium”, however, may cause cognitive overloads. Combined with gender-related variations in ability, self-efficacy or self-confidence, computers may even diminish learning effects. Our empirical study used a quasi-experimental design and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) to monitor efficacy in knowledge gain and motivation when using computer-aided versus textbook-based educational units. Our sample consisted of 393 eighth graders. One objective focused on gender effects associated with autonomous teacher-assisted learning via interactive software or an appropriate textbook. Both groups finished with a recapitulation with the teacher. A third group concluded a computer-aided lesson with a computer quiz. To provide evidence for DL we tested long-term memory after six weeks and examined its correlation with intrinsic motivation factors. In general, our intervention affected the girls’ but not the boys’ intrinsic motivation. We recorded significantly higher post-test scores in the textbook-based lesson, but the differences vanished in the retention test. The teacher-assisted consolidation phase increased long-term knowledge and positively intervened with the students’ interest. Thus, we found evidence for DL.
A Critical Study of Stationary Energy Storage Policies in Australia in an International Context: The Role of Hydrogen and Battery Technologies
Authors: Moore Jason , Shabani Bahman
Published: August 2016

This paper provides a critical study of current Australian and leading international policies aimed at supporting electrical energy storage for stationary power applications with a focus on battery and hydrogen storage technologies. It demonstrates that global leaders such as Germany and the U.S. are actively taking steps to support energy storage technologies through policy and regulatory change. This is principally to integrate increasing amounts of intermittent renewable energy (wind and solar) that will be required to meet high renewable energy targets. The relevance of this to the Australian energy market is that whilst it is unique, it does have aspects in common with the energy markets of these global leaders. This includes regions of high concentrations of intermittent renewable energy (Texas and California) and high penetration rates of residential solar photovoltaics (PV) (Germany). Therefore, Australian policy makers have a good opportunity to observe what is working in an international context to support energy storage. These learnings can then be used to help shape future policy directions and guide Australia along the path to a sustainable energy future.
State-of-Charge Estimation for Li-Ion Power Batteries Based on a Tuning Free Observer
Authors: Tang Xiaopeng , Liu Boyang , Gao Furong , Lv Zhou
Published: August 2016

A battery’s state-of-charge (SOC) can be used to estimate the mileage an electric vehicle (EV) can travel. It is desirable to make such an estimation not only accurate, but also economical in computation, so that the battery management system (BMS) can be cost-effective in its implementation. Existing computationally-efficient SOC estimation algorithms, such as the Luenberger observer, suffer from low accuracy and require tuning of the feedback gain by trial-and-error. In this study, an algorithm named lazy-extended Kalman filter (LEKF) is proposed, to allow the Luenberger observer to learn periodically from the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and solve the problems, while maintaining computational efficiency. We demonstrated the effectiveness and high performance of LEKF by both numerical simulation and experiments under different load conditions. The results show that LEKF can have 50% less computational complexity than the conventional EKF and a near-optimal estimation error of less than 2%.
Practitioner Perceptions of Wildland Fire Management across South Europe and Latin America
Authors: Molina-Terrén Domingo , Cardil Adrian , Kobziar Leda
Published: August 2016

Wildfire presents a challenge to natural resource managers the world over, and the intentional setting of fires can be used to alleviate some of the challenges associated with wildfire management. Prescribed burning can be used prior to wildfires to reduce fuel loads and promote ecological integrity in fire-adapted systems, while suppression burning can help firefighters control the direction, extent, and intensity of wildfire behavior under extreme conditions. In both cases, the success of intentional fire use depends on training, knowledge, experience, and institutional and social support. The influence of these factors can significantly impact whether fire use is perceived as positive or negative, increasing or decreasing, and whether managers are supportive of its incorporation into their management planning and decision-making. Perceived impediments to fire use are likely to differ based on location, level of training and experience, and even the social context of fire management specific to different job positions in natural resource management. In order to explore how managers and stakeholders across the world perceive fire use, we surveyed over 700 respondents from 12 countries and three continents. This study represents the largest survey of perceptions on managed fire use ever conducted. Perceptions differed across age categories, job positions, and regions. Countries or regions with larger amounts of wildfire area burned tended to be more supportive of fire use for suppression, while countries with less wildfire had less positive perceptions of fire use for either prescribed or suppression burning. Bureaucracy and social perceptions were identified as impediments to using prescribed fire prior to wildfire occurrence, but neither were identified as impediments to fire use during suppression procedures. Across the countries, fire use in suppression was viewed more positively than prescribed fire use prior to wildfire occurrence.
Precessing Jet in the High-Redshift Blazar J0017+8135
Authors: Rozgonyi Kristóf , Frey Sándor
Published: August 2016

The prominent flat-spectrum radio quasar J0017+8135 (S5 0014+81) at z = 3.366 is one of the most luminous active galactic nuclei (AGN) known. Its milliarcsecond-scale radio jet structure has been studied with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) since the 1980s. The quasar was selected as one of the original defining objects of the International Celestial Reference Frame, but left out from its current second realization (ICRF2) because of systematic long-term positional variations. Here we analyse archival 8.6- and 2.3-GHz VLBI imaging data collected at nearly 100 different epochs during more than 20 years, to obtain information about the kinematics of jet components. Because of the cosmological time dilation, extensive VLBI monitoring data are essential to reveal changes in the jet structure of high-redshift AGN. In the case of J0017+8135, the data can be described with a simple kinematic model of jet precession with a 12-year periodicity in the observer’s frame.
Introduction: Analysing Emotion and Theorising Affect
Authors: Tait Peta
Published: August 2016

This discussion introduces ideas of emotion and affect for a volume of articles demonstrating the scope of approaches used in their study within the humanities and creative arts. The volume offers multiple perspectives on emotion and affect within 20th-century and 21st-century texts, arts and organisations and their histories. The discussion explains how emotion encompasses the emotions, emotional feeling, sensation and mood and how these can be analysed particularly in relation to literature, art and performance. It briefly summarises concepts of affect theory within recent approaches before introducing the articles.
Defining Fitness-for-Use for Crowdsourced Points of Interest (POI)
Authors: Jonietz David , Zipf Alexander
Published: August 2016

(1) Background: Due to the advent of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), large datasets of user-generated Points of Interest (POI) are now available. As with all VGI, however, there is uncertainty concerning data quality and fitness-for-use. Currently, the task of evaluating fitness-for-use of POI is left to the data user, with no guidance framework being available which is why this research proposes a generic approach to choose appropriate measures for assessing fitness-for-use of crowdsourced POI for different tasks. (2) Methods: POI are related to the higher-level concept of geo-atoms in order to identify and distinguish their two basic functions, geo-referencing and object-referencing. Then, for each of these functions, suitable measures of positional and thematic quality are developed based on existing quality indicators. (3) Results: Typical use cases of POI are evaluated with regards to their use of the two basic functions of POI, and allocated appropriate measures for fitness-for-use. The general procedure is illustrated on a brief practical example. (4) Conclusion: This research addresses the issue of fitness-for-use of POI on a higher conceptual level by relating it to more fundamental notions of geographical information representation. The results are expected to assist users of crowdsourced POI datasets in determining an appropriate method to evaluate fitness-for-use.
CTHRSSVVC Peptide as a Possible Early Molecular Imaging Target for Atherosclerosis
Authors: Silva Rosemeire , Giordano Ricardo , Gutierrez Paulo , Rocha Viviane , Rudnicki Martina , Kee Patrick , Abdalla Dulcinéia , Puech-Leão Pedro , Caramelli Bruno , Arap Wadih , Pasqualini Renata , Meneghetti José , Marques Fabio , Khoobchandani Menka , Katti Kattesh , Lugão Ademar , Kalil Jorge
Published: August 2016

The purpose of our work was to select phages displaying peptides capable of binding to vascular markers present in human atheroma, and validate their capacity to target the vascular markers in vitro and in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mouse model of atherosclerosis. By peptide fingerprinting on human atherosclerotic tissues, we selected and isolated four different peptides sequences, which bind to atherosclerotic lesions and share significant similarity to known human proteins with prominent roles in atherosclerosis. The CTHRSSVVC-phage peptide displayed the strongest reactivity with human carotid atherosclerotic lesions (p < 0.05), when compared to tissues from normal carotid arteries. This peptide sequence shares similarity to a sequence present in the fifth scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain of CD163, which appeared to bind to CD163, and subsequently, was internalized by macrophages. Moreover, the CTHRSSVVC-phage targets atherosclerotic lesions of a low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mouse model of atherosclerosis in vivo to High-Fat diet group versus Control group. Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-CTHRSSVVC peptide (DOTA-CTHRSSVVC) was synthesized and labeled with 111InCl3 in >95% yield as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to validate the binding of the peptide in atherosclerotic plaque specimens. The results supported our hypothesis that CTHRSSVVC peptide has a remarkable sequence for the development of theranostics approaches in the treatment of atherosclerosis and other diseases.