bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invasion science for society: A decade of contributions from the Centre for Invasion Biology
Authors: Van Wilgen Brian W. , Davies Sarah J. , Richardson David M.
Published: July 2014

Biological invasions are a growing problem worldwide. In 2004, the South African Department of Science and Technology, through the National Research Foundation, established a Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, with the primary goal of providing scientific understanding and building capacity in the field of biological invasions. South Africa is an extraordinary natural laboratory for the study of biological invasions, and the Centre for Invasion Biology (C·I·B) has capitalised on this situation. During its first decade, the C·I·B generated over 800 publications, and produced almost 200 graduates at honours, master’s and doctoral levels. The C·I·B has therefore made a considerable contribution to building human capacity in the field of biological invasions. Substantial advances have been made in all aspects of invasion science, which is not limited to biology and ecology, but includes history, sociology, economics and management. The knowledge generated by the C·I·B has been used to inform policy and improve management practices at national and local levels. The C·I·B has emerged as a leading institute in the global field of invasion biology, with several unique features that differentiate it from similar research institutes elsewhere. These features include a broad research focus that embraces environmental, social and economic facets, leading to a diverse research programme that has produced many integrated products; an extensive network of researchers with diverse interests, spread over a wide geographical range; and the production of policy- and management-relevant research products arising from the engaged nature of research conducted by the C∙I∙B.
Phase Ib/II Trial of Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Lenalidomide as First-Line Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Agarwal Neeraj , Apolo Andrea B. , Tsao Che-Kai , Lee Karen M. , Godbold James H. , Soto Rothschild , Poole Austin , Gimpel-Tetra Kiev , Lowe Nancy , Oh William K. , Galsky Matthew D.
Published: July 2014

Background.

Outcomes with current chemotherapy in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (MUC) remain poor. Lenalidomide, an antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory agent, enhances the effects of chemotherapy in preclinical studies. In this phase Ib/II study, we sought to determine a tolerable dose of lenalidomide in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GCL) in patients with MUC and to explore the safety and activity of this regimen.

Methods.

Patients with chemotherapy-naïve MUC received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1 every 21 days. In phase Ib, there were four planned escalating dose levels of lenalidomide (10, 15, 20, and 25 mg) daily on days 1–14.

Results.

Seven patients received GCL in phase Ib. The dose of lenalidomide was not escalated beyond 10 mg because of cytopenias requiring repeated dose delays and reductions. Two additional patients were enrolled in phase II, but the study was ultimately terminated due to poor tolerability and slow accrual. The most frequent grade ≥3 adverse events were cytopenias and diarrhea. Three of the nine patients experienced an objective response (one complete response, two partial responses).

Conclusion.

Chronic administration of the GCL regimen was poorly tolerated because of additive and cumulative myelosuppression.
In Reply
Authors: Cabanillas Maria E. , Dadu Ramona , Lai Stephen Y.
Published: July 2014

Sarcopenia caused by hyperthyroidism from thyroid-stimulating hormone-suppressive therapy is one possible explanation for sorafenib dose-limiting toxicity in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Another possible explanation is that DTC patients in the considered trial were treated approximately twice as long as the renal-cell and hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
Ten years of industrial and municipal membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems – lessons from the field
Authors: Larrea Asun , Rambor Andre , Fabiyi Malcolm
Published: July 2014

The use of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in activated sludge wastewater treatment has grown significantly in the last decade. While there is growing awareness and knowledge about the application of MBR technology in municipal wastewater treatment, not much information is available on the application of MBRs in industrial wastewater treatment. A comparative study of design data, operating conditions and the major challenges associated with MBR operations in 24 MBR plants treating both municipal and industrial wastewater, built by and/or operated by Praxair, Inc., is presented. Of the 24 MBR systems described, 12 of the plants used high purity oxygen (HPO). By enabling a wide range of food/microorganism ratios and loading conditions in the same system, HPO MBR systems can extend the options available to industrial plant operators to meet the challenges of wide fluctuations in organic loading and footprint limitations. While fouling in industrial MBR systems can be an issue, adequate flux and permeability values can be reliably maintained by the use of good maintenance strategies and effective process controls (pretreatment, cleaning and membrane autopsies).
Longitudinal and transverse dispersion coefficients in braided rivers
Authors: Gu Li , Jiao Zinan , Hua Zulin
Published: July 2014

The dispersion characteristics of braided rivers are presently unclear. The comprehensive flow structure in a physical braided river model was measured and was used to estimate its dispersion coefficient tensor. The largest values of the longitudinal and transverse dispersion coefficients occurred in the separation zone in two anabranches. The separation zone disappeared in a small diversion angle model of braided rivers where the coefficients were smaller. As for the sectional transverse distribution, the two coefficients varied markedly and an interesting negative correlation between them appeared in several sections. The dispersion coefficients increased with upstream flow rates. Comparison between the coefficients for different anabranch widths revealed higher values in wider sections. Finally, the values of the laboratory tests were compared with those in a real braided river, and relatively larger coefficients were found in natural rivers. The findings of this paper could be helpful in understanding the dispersion characteristics and in estimating pollutant concentration in braided rivers.
The potential role of ‘Candidatus Microthrix parvicella’ in phosphorus removal during sludge bulking in two full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal plants
Authors: Wang Juan , Qi Rong , Liu Miaomiao , Li Qian , Bao Haipeng , Li Yaming , Wang Shen , Tandoi Valter , Yang Min
Published: July 2014

We investigated the bacterial community compositions and phosphorus removal performance under sludge bulking and non-bulking conditions in two biological wastewater treatment systems (conventional A2/O (anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic) and inverted A2/O (anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic) processes) receiving the same raw wastewater. Sludge bulking resulted in significant shift in bacterial compositions from Proteobacteria dominance to Actinobacteria dominance, characterized by the significant presence of filamentous ‘Candidatus Microthrix parvicella’. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that the relative abundance of ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis’, a key polyphosphate-accumulating organism responsible for phosphorus removal, with respect to 16s rRNA genes of total bacteria was 0.8 and 0.7%, respectively, for the conventional and inverted A2/O systems when sludge bulking occurred, which increased to 8.2 and 12.3% during the non-bulking period. However, the total phosphorus removal performance during the bulking period (2-week average: 97 ± 1 and 96 ± 1%, respectively) was not adversely affected comparable to that during the non-bulking period (2-week average: 96 ± 1 and 96 ± 1%, respectively). Neisser staining revealed the presence of large polyphosphate granules in ‘Candidatus Microthrix parvicella’, suggesting that this microbial group might have been responsible for phosphorus removal during the sludge bulking period when ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis’ was excluded from the systems.
Evaluation of melioration area damage on the river Danube caused by the hydroelectric power plant ‘Djerdap 1’ backwater
Authors: Pajic P. , Andjelic L. , Urosevic U. , Polomcic D.
Published: July 2014

Construction of the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) ‘Djerdap 1’ formed a backwater effect on the Danube and its tributaries, which had an inevitable influence on groundwater level, causing it to rise and thus creating additional threats to all melioration areas on more than 300 km of the Danube riversides, as well as on the riversides of its tributaries: the Sava (100 km) and the Tisa (60 km). In this paper, the HPP ‘Djerdap 1’ backwater effect on some characteristic melioration areas (34 in all) has been analyzed. In most of these areas intensive agricultural activity has always been present. An assessment of agricultural production damage was carried out by complex hydrodynamic calculations (60 calculation profiles) for different backwater regimes, with the aim to precisely quantify the HPP ‘Djerdap 1’ backwater effect on groundwater piezometric levels. Combining them with complex agroeconomic analyses, the aim is to quantify agricultural production damage and to consider the perspective of melioration area users. This method, which combines two different, but compatible, aspects of the melioration area threat assessment (hydrodynamic and agroeconomic), may present a quality base for further agricultural production threat assessment on all melioration areas on the Danube riversides, with the final aim to consider the economic effects and the importance of its further protection.
Application of a biofilm formed by a mixture of yeasts isolated in Vietnam to degrade aromatic hydrocarbon polluted wastewater collected from petroleum storage
Authors: Nhi Cong Le Thi , Ngoc Mai Cung Thi , Thanh Vu Thi , Nga Le Phi , Minh Nghiem Ngoc
Published: July 2014

In this study, three good biofilm-forming yeast strains, including Candida viswanathii TH1, Candida tropicalis TH4 and Trichosporon asahii B1, were isolated from oil-contaminated water and sediment samples collected in coastal zones of Vietnam. These strains were registered in the GenBank database with the accession numbers JX129175, JX129176 and KC139404 for strain TH1, TH4 and B1, respectively. The biofilm formed by a mixture of these organisms degraded 90, 85, 82 and 67% of phenol, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene, respectively, after a 7-day incubation period using an initial concentration of 600 ppm phenol and 200 ppm of each of the other compounds. In addition, this biofilm completely degraded these aromatic compounds, which were from wastewater collected from petroleum tanks in Do Xa, Hanoi after 14 days of incubation based on gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. To the best of our knowledge, reports on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and phenol degradation by biofilm-forming yeasts are limited. The results obtained indicate that the biofilm formed by multiple yeast strains may considerably increase the degradation efficiency of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, and may lead to a new approach for eliminating petroleum oil-contaminated water in Vietnam.
Stability and sedimentation of silver nanoparticles in the presence of monovalent, divalent and trivalent electrolyte solutions
Authors: Chen Shao-Feng , Zhang Hongyin
Published: July 2014

The present study seeks to elucidate the effect of different electrolytes on the stability of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles synthesized by the reduction of the Ag(NH3)2+ complex via Tollens’ method. Time-resolved dynamic light scattering technique was used to measure the aggregation behavior of the nanoparticles over a range of electrolyte (NaCl, CaCl2, and AlCl3) concentrations. From the aggregation kinetic data, the critical coagulation concentration values were calculated as 0.11, 1.7 × 10−3, and 5.06 × 10−6M for NaCl, CaCl2, and AlCl3, respectively. Supernatant of the nanoparticle suspension in presence of the three electrolytes was collected and measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to quantify the sedimentation. It was found that the silver nanoparticle aggregates settled rapidly in the slow aggregation and fast aggregation regimes. Their sedimentation followed a nanoparticle size-dependent manner.
Controlled Vocabulary Standards for Anthropological Datasets
Authors: Emmelhainz Celia
Published: July 2014

This article seeks to outline the use of controlled vocabulary standards for qualitative datasets in cultural anthropology, which are increasingly held in researcher-accessible government repositories and online digital libraries. As a humanistic science that can address almost any aspect of life with meaning to humans, cultural anthropology has proven difficult for librarians and archivists to effectively organize. Yet as anthropology moves onto the web, the challenge of organizing and curating information within the field only grows. In considering the subject classification of digital information in anthropology, I ask how we might best use controlled vocabularies for indexing digital anthropological data. After a brief discussion of likely concerns, I outline thesauri which may potentially be used for vocabulary control in metadata fields for language, location, culture, researcher, and subject. The article concludes with recommendations for those existing thesauri most suitable to provide a controlled vocabulary for describing digital objects in the anthropological world.
Editorial
Authors: Ball Alexander
Published: July 2014

Alexander Ball, Production Editor, introduces Volume 9, Issue 1 (2014) of the International Journal of Digital Curation.
Data Management in Metagenomics: A Risk Management Approach
Authors: Ferreira Filipe , Coimbra Miguel E. , BairrÃ£o Raquel , Viera Ricardo , Freitas Ana T. , Russo LuÃ­s M. S. , Borbinha JosÃ©
Published: July 2014

In eScience, where vast data collections are processed in scientific workflows, new risks and challenges are emerging. Those challenges are changing the eScience paradigm, mainly regarding digital preservation and scientific workflows. To address specific concerns with data management in these scenarios, the concept of the Data Management Plan was established, serving as a tool for enabling digital preservation in eScience research projects. We claim risk management can be jointly used with a Data Management Plan, so new risks and challenges can be easily tackled. Therefore, we propose an analysis process for eScience projects using a Data Management Plan and ISO 31000 in order to create a Risk Management Plan that can complement the Data Management Plan. The motivation, requirements and validation of this proposal are explored in the MetaGen-FRAME project, focused in Metagenomics.
eBird: Curating Citizen Science Data for Use by Diverse Communities
Authors: Lagoze Carl
Published: July 2014

In this paper we describe eBird, a highly successful citizen science project. With over 150,000 participants worldwide and an accumulation of over 140,000,000 bird observations globally in the last decade, eBird has evolved into a major tool for scientific investigations in diverse fields such as ornithology, computer science, statistics, ecology and climate change. eBirdâ€™s impact in scientific research is grounded in careful data curation practices that pay attention to all stages of the data lifecycle, and attend to the needs of stakeholders engaged in that data lifecycle. We describe the important aspects of eBird, paying particular attention to the mechanisms to improve data quality; describe the data products that are available to the global community; investigate some aspects of the downloading community; and demonstrate significant results that derive from the use of openly-available eBird data.
Data Producers Courting Data Reusers: Two Cases from Modeling Communities
Authors: Wallis Jillian
Published: July 2014

Data sharing is a difficult process for both the data producer and the data reuser. Both parties are faced with more disincentives than incentives. Data producers need to sink time and resources into adding metadata for data to be findable and usable, and there is no promise of receiving credit for this effort. Making data available also leaves data producers vulnerable to being scooped or data misuse. Data reusers also need to sink time and resources into evaluating data and trying to understand them, making collecting their own data a more attractive option. In spite of these difficulties, some data producers are looking for new ways to make data sharing and reuse a more viable option. This paper presents two cases from the surface and climate modeling communities, where researchers who produce data are reaching out to other researchers who would be interested in reusing the data. These cases are evaluated as a strategy to identify ways to overcome the challenges typically experienced by both data producers and data reusers. By working together with reusers, data producers are able to mitigate the disincentives and create incentives for sharing data. By working with data producers, data reusers are able to circumvent the hurdles that make data reuse so challenging.
Building a Disciplinary Metadata Standards Directory
Authors: Ball Alexander , Chen Sean , Greenberg Jane , Perez Cristina , Jeffery Keith , Koskela Rebecca
Published: July 2014

The Research Data Alliance (RDA) Metadata Standards Directory Working Group (MSDWG) is building a directory of descriptive, discipline-specific metadata standards. The purpose of the directory is to promote the discovery, access and use of such standards, thereby improving the state of research data interoperability and reducing duplicative standards development work.This work builds upon the UK Digital Curation Centre's Disciplinary Metadata Catalogue, a resource created with much the same aim in mind. The first stage of the MSDWG's work was to update and extend the information contained in the catalogue. In the current, second stage, a new platform is being developed in order to extend the functionality of the directory beyond that of the catalogue, and to make it easier to maintain and sustain. Future work will include making the directory more amenable to use by automated tools.
Guidelines on Recommending Data Repositories as Partners in Publishing Research Data
Authors: Callaghan Sarah , Tedds Jonathan , Kunze John , Khodiyar Varsha , Lawrence Rebecca , Mayernik Matthew S. , Murphy Fiona , Roberts Timothy , Whyte Angus
Published: July 2014

This document summarises guidelines produced by the UK Jisc-funded PREPARDE data publication project on the key issues of repository accreditation. It aims to lay out the principles and the requirements for data repositories intent on providing a dataset as part of the research record and as part of a research publication. The data publication requirements that repository accreditation may support are rapidly changing, hence this paper is intended as a provocation for further discussion and development in the future.
Cross-Linking Between Journal Publications and Data Repositories: A Selection of Examples
Authors: Callaghan Sarah , Tedds Jonathan , Lawrence Rebecca , Murphy Fiona , Roberts Timothy , Wilcox Will
Published: July 2014

This article provides a selection of examples of the many ways that a link can be made between a journal article (whether in a data journal or otherwise) and a dataset held in a data repository. In some cases the method of linking is well established, while in others, they have yet to be rolled out uniformly across the journal landscape. We explore ways in which these examples might be implemented in a data journal, such as Geoscience Data Journal, as explored by the PREPARDE project.
DMPonline Version 4.0: User-Led Innovation
Authors: Getler Magdalena , Sisu Diana , Jones Sarah , Miller Kerry
Published: July 2014

DMPonline is a web-based tool to help researchers and research support staff produce data management and sharing plans. Between October and December 2012, we examined DMPonline in unprecedented detail. The results of this evaluation led to some major changes. We have shortened the DCC Checklist for a Data Management Plan and revised how this is used in the tool. We have also amended the data model for DMPonline, improved workflows and redesigned the user interface. This paper reports on the evaluation, outlining the methods used, the results gathered and how they have been acted upon. We conducted usability testing on v.3 of DMPonline and the v.4 beta prior to release. The results from these two rounds of usability testing are compared to validate the changes made. We also put forward future plans for a more iterative development approach and greater community input.
Delivering Innovative RDM Training: The immersiveInformatics Pilot Programme
Authors: Shadbolt Anna , Konstantelos Leo , Lyon Liz , Guy Marieke
Published: July 2014

This paper presents the findings, lessons learned and next steps associated with the implementation of the immersiveInformatics pilot: a distinctive research data management (RDM) training programme designed in collaboration between UKOLN Informatics and the Library at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The pilot aimed to equip a broad range of academic and professional staff roles with RDM skills as a key element of capacity and capability building within a single institution.
DMPTool 2: Expanding Functionality for Better Data Management Planning
Authors: Strasser Carly , Abrams Stephen , Cruse Patricia
Published: July 2014

Scholarly researchers today are increasingly required to engage in a range of data management planning activities to comply with institutional policies, or as a precondition for publication or grant funding. The latter is especially true in the U.S. in light of the recent White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) mandate aimed at maximizing the availability of all outputs â€“ data as well as the publications that summarize them â€“ resulting from federally-funded research projects. To aid researchers in creating effective data management plans (DMPs), a group of organizations â€“ California Digital Library, DataONE, Digital Curation Centre, Smithsonian Institution, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and University of Virginia Library â€“ collaborated on the development of the DMPTool, an online application that helps researchers create data management plans. The DMPTool provides detailed guidance, links to general and institutional resources, and walks a researcher through the process of generating a comprehensive plan tailored to specific DMP requirements. The uptake of the DMPTool has been positive: to date, it has been used by over 6,000 researchers from 800 institutions, making use of more than 20 requirements templates customized for funding bodies. With support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, project partners are now engaged in enhancing the features of the DMPTool. The second version of the tool has enhanced functionality for plan creators and institutional administrators, as well as a redesigned user interface and an open RESTful application programming interface (API). New administrative functions provide the means for institutions to better support local research activities. New capabilities include support for plan co-ownership; workflow provisions for internal plan review; simplified maintenance and addition of DMP requirements templates; extensive capabilities for the customization of guidance and resources by local institutional administrators; options for plan visibility; and UI refinements based on user feedback and focus group testing. The technical work undertaken for the DMPTool Version 2 has been accompanied by a new governance structure and the growth of a community of engaged stakeholders who will form the basis for a sustainable path forward for the DMPTool as it continues to play an important role in research data management activities.
Persistent Identifiers for Scholarly Assets and the Web: The Need for an Unambiguous Mapping
Authors: Van de Sompel Herbert , Sanderson Robert , Shankar Harihar , Klein Martin
Published: July 2014

Persistent IDentifiers (PIDs), such as DOIs, Handles and ARK identifiers, play a significant role in the identification of a wide variety of assets that are created and used in scholarly endeavours, including research papers, datasets, images, etc. Motivated by concerns about long-term persistence, among others, PIDs are minted outside the information access protocol of the day, HTTP. Yet, value-added services targeted at both humans and machines routinely assume or even require resources identified by means of HTTP URIs in order to make use of off-the-shelf components like web browsers and servers. Hence, an unambiguous bridge is required between the PID-oriented paradigm that is widespread in research communication and the HTTP-oriented web, semantic web and linked data environment. This paper describes the problem, and a possible solution towards defining and deploying such an interoperable bridge.
The Mediating Role of Identification with a Nonprofit Organization in the Relationship Between Competition and Charitable Behaviors
Authors: Hou Jundong , Eason C. Clifton , Zhang Chi
Published: July 2014

Our aim was to demonstrate how competition among nonprofit organizations (NPOs) influences people's charitable behaviors, such as donating and volunteering. We used structural equation modeling to analyze 205 responses from: (a) randomly selected individuals on the donor lists of 3
leading NPOs in China, and (b) students at 3 large universities in China. The results reveal that as competition amongst NPOs increased, the individuals' identification with NPOs became greater. Further, as the respondents' NPO identification increased, their charitable behaviors relative
to the organization also increased; thus, identification played a mediating role between competition and donating and/or volunteering. These findings suggest that managers of NPOs can use competition to help potential supporters better identify with those organizations, increasing the likelihood
of gaining support by more effectively distinguishing their organization from other NPOs. Given that we found donations were a direct result of identification, advertising efforts should be focused on creating a distinctive NPO identity with which members of the public can relate.
The Influence of Workplace Ostracism on Counterproductive Work Behavior: The Mediating Effect of State Self-Control
Authors: Yan Yanling , Zhou Erhua , Long Lirong , Ji Yang
Published: July 2014

We investigated the influence of workplace ostracism (WOS) on counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and the mediating effect of state self-control (SSC) on the above relationship, in a Chinese cultural context. We based our study on the theory of self-control resources. To avoid common
method bias, we examined our hypotheses with 356 pairs of supervisor-subordinate dyads and collected data from 26 enterprises in central China. We used structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that WOS was positively related to both organizational and interpersonal
employee CWB. In addition, the results showed that SSC mediated the relationship between WOS and CWB. Implications for theory and management are discussed.
Authentic Leadership, Collective Efficacy, and Group Performance: An Empirical Study in China
Authors: Xiong Hui-Bing , Fang Ping
Published: July 2014

Because most researchers have conducted the increasing number of studies on the relationship between authentic leadership and work-related outcomes at an individual level, little is known of the mechanisms by which authentic leadership influences work-related outcomes at the group level.
We conducted this empirical study at the group level using data from 301 employees of Chinese companies. Results indicated that each dimension of authentic leadership and authentic leadership as a whole had a significant impact on collective efficacy and group performance. Collective efficacy
also had a significant positive impact on group performance, and partially mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and group performance.
Reconsidering the Dimensionality and Measurement of Employer Brand in the Chinese Context
Authors: Zhu Fei , Wang Zhen , Yu Qiushi , Hu Tianlong , Wen Yueran , Liu Yu
Published: July 2014

We investigated the dimensionality of employer brand in the Chinese context and developed a scale to assess its underlying dimensions. We conducted 4 focus-group interviews to explore the domain content and components of employer brand. Based on the qualitative interviews, we conducted
a survey (N = 912) to develop and validate the employer brand scale. The results revealed a 5-dimensional structure of employer brand in the Chinese context, which implied that explicit functional factors predominate the Chinese employer brand rather than the functional-symbolic structure
of that prevails in the Western context. Among the 5 dimensions, work-life effectiveness and organization mark seemed unique to the Chinese context while the other 3 dimensions were similar to those found in the Western context. Testing of a 29-item scale representing the 5 dimensions showed
good psychometric properties. This research contributes to the understanding of employer brand and how it is perceived by job applicants in a culture outside of the Western world.
Cognitive Dissonance, Social Comparison, and Disseminating Untruthful or Negative Truthful Ewom Messages
Authors: Liu Yu-Lun , Keng Ching-Jui
Published: July 2014

In this research we explored consumers' intentions to provide untruthful or negative truthful electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) messages when undergoing conflicting cognitive dissonance and after experiencing social comparison. We recruited 480 Taiwanese Internet users to participate
in a scenario-based experiment. The findings show that after making downward comparisons on the Internet, consumers with high cognitive dissonance were more inclined to disseminate negative truthful eWOM messages compared to consumers with low cognitive dissonance. After making upward comparisons,
it was found that consumers with high cognitive dissonance were more likely to make untruthful eWOM statements compared to those with low cognitive dissonance. It is recommended that marketers monitor eWOM in an effort to reduce the incidence of consumers' negative truthful and untruthful
eWOM messages.
Central line associated bloodstream infections in cohort of abdominal surgical patients
Authors: Mioljevic Vesna , Milicevic Miroslav , Bumbasirevic Vesna , Suljagic Vesna
Published: July 2014

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheter (CVC) placement is an unavoidable part
of the everyday medical practice. At the same time CVC application is
associated with high risk of development of central line-associated
bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). These infections are cause of icreased
morbidity and mortality rates as well as higer costs of the inpatient
treatment2. Risk factors for onset of CLABSIs include duration of
catheterization, length of hospital stay before catheterization, anatomic
site of placement, CVC placement at the intensive care units (ICU),
parenteral nutrition (PN) and ommisions diring CVC placement, use and care.
CLABSI incidence rates vary depending on distribution of different risk
factors associated with CVC and patient him/herself. The most significant
causative organisms of CLABSIs are coagulase-negative Staphylococcocae,
Staphylococcus aureus (S.aures), Enterococcus spp. i Candida spp. CLABSIs
prevention measures include compliance with the rules of the aseptic
technique upon placement, use and care of CVCs, which, based on the study
results, may enable prevention of 65% to 70% of cases of CLABSIs. METHODS: A
prospective cohort study included 200 patients hospitalized at the intensive
care and therapy units of the CCS Clinic of Digestive Surgery in the period
November 30th, 2006-November 31st, 2007 in whom CVC was placed for more than
48 hours. All the data necessary for the study were obtained based on the
review of the case histories and they were recorded into the individual
questionnaires for each patient. The questionnarire included patient
information (age, gender, underlying disease, presence of other infections),
information related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to which the
patient was exposed. The incidence of CRBSIs in ICU patients, Institute of
Digestive Diseases, CCS over the study period was 10.08 per 1,000
catheter-days. During the study CLABSI more often present in the females.
Additionally, application of albumin and amino acids, ICU stay longer that 7
days and CVC application longer than 15 days, significantly more often
present in patients with CRBSIs than in the group of patients without CRBSIs.
Independent factors for development of CRBSI are gender, administration of
albumin and amino acids. The most common microorganisms isolated from
hemocultures and CVC were S. aureus and Klebsiella spp., with 31,8% of
isolates each. Statistically significant difference was evidenced in
frequency of resistance of S. aureus isolates to methicillin in the group of
patients with CRBSI in comparison to the group of patients without CLABSIs.
CLABSIs prevention measurs include compliance with the rules of the aseptic
technique upon placement, use and care of CVCs.
Preoperative evaluation of solitary thyroid nodule in patients with ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: Savic Zivorad , Skodric-Trifunovic Vesna , Stjepanovic Mihailo , Ilic Katarina , Brajovic Milan , Kalezic Nevena
Published: July 2014

% thyroid nodules
KR nema
Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) remains the cornerstone of
thyroid cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to find how much
ultrasound alone and jointly with FNAB, can differentiate benign from
malignant nodules, in our circumstances. Patienets and methods: FNwas
performed in 203 out of 290 (70 %) patients referred to the Department of
Endocrine Surgery, Clinical Center Belgrade in four-year period for
ultrasound evaluation of TNs with diameter to or greater than 10 mm. All the
patients with suspicious or malignant FNfindings underwent surgery. The
Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) classification was used.
Results: Patients were aged between 26-88 years (mean 49 years). Out of 203
patients, 49 had an inadequate FNAB, 87 were checked on 6-12-36 months and
found benign. Due to incomplete data required for a test 38 patients were
excluded. Out of the 116 nodules underwent FNAB, 53 found to be benign, 30
suspicious and 33 malignant. At the final postoperative histopathologic
examinations it was found 70 and 46 benign and malignant TNs, respectively
The frequency of malignant TNs was slightly higher in the nodules with a
diameter over 10mm in diameter than in those under 10mm (p<0.01). No sing
parameter and even size nodules or microcalcifications is not sufficient to
secure the assessment of malignancy or even FNis not enough but the
accuracy increases by using US guided FNAB. Conclusion: In this study it was
shown for the FNtechnique to be accurate, efficient and reliable in the
diagnosis and evaluation of thyroid nodules. Histological type and local
aggressiveness are not more favorable in microcarcinomas than in larger
thyroid cancers.
Treatment of hydrocephalus in premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage - placing Omaya reservoir: A series of 30 patients
Authors: Mihajlovic Miljan , Mrdak Milan , Repac Nikola , Nikolic Igor , Djoric Igor , Janicijevic Aleksandar , Matic Sinisa , Scepanovic Vuk , Janicijevic Vladimir , Tasic Goran
Published: July 2014

Introduction. We report a series of 30 patients with spontaneous
intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephalus, in which is placed
subcutaneous (Omaya) tank at the University Children?s Hospital in Belgrade
from March 2006 to March 2011. Results. Predictors of poor outcome in
treatment in getting Omaya reservoirs are low birth weight (t=2.560,
p=0.016), low Apgar score (t=3.059, p=0.005), an extended number of days on
mechanical ventilation (Z=4,404 , p< 0.001), the presence of peripartal
asphyxia (X2=9.977, p=0.002) and cardio-respiratory arrest (X2=12.804 , p<
0.001). Conclusion. The outcome of treatment of hydrocephalus caused by
spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants is worst in
perinatology. There is no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of
posthemorrhage hydrocephalus, our results suggest that the main prediction
factor is preoperative condition of the child.
Four years of experience in the management of testicular germ cell tumors at a Urology department of Health Center Vranje
Authors: Stamenkovic Vladimir , Miladinovic Aleksandar , Andrejevic Vladan , Pejcic Tomislav , Loncar Zlatibor , Hadzi-Djokic Jovan
Published: July 2014

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to performed a retrospective descriptive
study between the years 2009 and 2013 analyzing 24 patients treated for
testicular cancer at a Urology department of Health Center Vranje, including
in the analysis tumor incidence, the patient?s age, patient?s time before
treatment, histological type and their typical characteristics, oncological
treatment, tumor progression and mortality rate. There were 13 rights sided
and 11 left sided tumor presented and all of them unilateral. The average age
of the patients was 36 years old in the group of patients with seminoma, 28
years old with mixed tumors, 26 years old average with embryonal carcinoma.
One patient presented himself with fibrous histiocytoma was 14 year old and
one patient with laydig cell tumor was 65 years old in the time of diagnosis.
Two patients who were diagnosed with testicular lymphoma were 69 year old in
average. Hystopathological findings revealed: 11 cases of seminoma, 5 cases
of mixed cell tumors, 4 cases with embryonal carcinoma, 2 case with non
Hodgkin?s lymphoma and one case of laydig cell tumor and one case of fibrous
histiocytoma. The entire patient underwent standard chemo therapy with cis
platinum for testicular cancer. One of the patients with mixed tumor
underwent RPLND (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) but soon died after
administration of chemotherapy - PEB (cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin).
All of the patient, except the four of them with who we lost contact and the
one deceased are decease free and attend regular follow ups to this day.
Planning logistics network for recyclables collection
Authors: Ratkovic Branislava , Popovic Drazen , Radivojevic Gordana , Bjelic Nenad
Published: July 2014

Rapid urbanization, intensified industrialization, rise of income, and a more
sophisticated form of consumerism are leading to an increase in the amount
and toxicity of waste all over the world. Whether reused, recycled,
incinerated or put into landfill sites, the management of household and
industrial waste yield financial and environmental costs. This paper presents
a modeling approach that can be used for designing one part of recycling
logistics network through defining optimal locations of collection points,
and possible optimal scheduling of vehicles for collecting recyclables.
Delivering Civic Education in Hong Kong: Why is it Not an Independent Subject?
Authors: Leung Yan Wing , Ng Hoi Yu
Published: July 2014

Internationally there have been serious efforts to identify effective modes of delivering civic education for preparing youth for the future challenges of citizenship. This article addresses the research question, ‘why is an independent subject not preferred in civic education by Hong Kong civic education teachers?’. It starts with a brief review of international debates and of the development of civic education policy in Hong Kong. Then it moves on to discuss why teachers tend to reject civic education as an independent subject based on the findings from an interview informed research study. The findings reveal that teachers' misunderstandings of the nature of civic education are the major reasons. Treating civic education as comprising educational activities involving the nurturing of attitudes, values and skills of students with little content knowledge, the teachers consider that civic education is best accomplished through, for example, extra-curricular activities and not as a subject that demands time slots in the school timetable. It is argued that these misunderstandings will have negative impacts on the effectiveness of civic education, which is unfavourable to the nurturing of democratic cultures necessary for the development of the democratic system in Hong Kong and has to be rectified. Lastly, some recommendations for rectification that relate to civil society are discussed. Hopefully, this article can shed light on the understanding of the preferences towards the modes of implementation of front line practitioners in schools internationally, since this phenomenon is common in some other nations.
Educational Expenditures in Thailand: Development, Trends, and Distribution
Authors: Sagarik Danuvas
Published: July 2014

This article aims to investigate the trends of education expenditure policy during the past few decades, as well as the recent allocation and distribution of education expenditure in Thailand. It also focuses on the development of the substance of education policy in Thailand. Political connection with the education expenditure policy is also examined in this study. Both the trends in education expenditure and the distribution across provinces in Thailand can provide a landscape of the making of education expenditure policy in Thailand. It is evident that education expenditure in Thailand has increased significantly in the past few decades even though the relative figure to gross domestic product (GDP) and to total public expenditure illustrated slightly more volatility. The current distribution of education expenditure in Thailand is still somewhat uneven. In particular, a higher level of education expenditure should be allocated to the needy in the poor area.
Economics of Education and Work Life Demand in Terms of Earnings and Skills
Authors: Xia Belle Selene , Liitiäinen Elia
Published: July 2014

This article uses data from a major international survey to construct earnings functions in terms of learning outcomes and variables related to working life in different European countries. In order to complement the extended earnings regression model, the authors have used partial correlation analysis and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to discover the relevant competences appreciated by employers. Whilst one of the authors' focus countries is Finland, research results from comparison European Union countries with similar education systems have also been analysed. Consistent with previous research, the study outlines the correlation between the competences taught in universities and performance in working life, and thus quantifies the effect of higher education on earnings. In line with the theory of human capital, those who have invested more in higher education also seem to achieve higher return from the job market. However, the analysis also shows how a few of the competences taught in universities correlate negatively with the demands of working life in contrast with initial expectations. Consequently, this research offers new insights with regard to existing literature on higher education and earnings functions. The authors also open up new research avenues within the theory of human capital.
Perspectives on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) 2004–2005
Authors: Bailey Andrew D.
Published: July 2014

SYNOPSIS

This commentary reflects my experiences with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the academic year 2000/2001 (Academic Fellow) and the two calendar years 2004–2005 (Deputy Chief Accountant [Professional Practice]). These comments reflect only my thoughts without citations in support of or contrary to those thoughts and resulting opinions. The topics covered in this commentary include: (1) early staff relations between the PCAOB and SEC in their respective roles of audit standard setter and oversight agency; (2) the PCAOB decision to act as the sole audit standard setter for registered public companies displacing the AICPA in this role; (3) the PCAOB's approach to “revising” the interim audit standards through Rule 3101, Certain Terms Used in Auditing and Related Professional Practice Standards; (4) Audit Standard 3 (AS3), Audit Documentation; and (5) Audit Standard 2 (AS2), An Audit of Internal Control over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction With an Audit of Financial Statements. I will also comment on several observations made by others concerning the competence of PCAOB staff and the PCAOB Board members to set audit standards and perform meaningful inspections. I conclude with a brief note on the international aspects of PCAOB actions during this period.
Deleted in Breast Cancer 1 Limits Adipose Tissue Fat Accumulation and Plays a Key Role in the Development of Metabolic Syndrome Phenotype
Authors: Escande Carlos , Nin Veronica , Pirtskhalava Tamar , Chini Claudia C.S. , Tchkonia Tamar , Kirkland James L. , Chini Eduardo N.
Published: July 2014

Obesity is often regarded as the primary cause of metabolic syndrome. However, many lines of evidence suggest that obesity may develop as a protective mechanism against tissue damage during caloric surplus and that it is only when the maximum fat accumulation capacity is reached and fatty acid spillover occurs into to peripheral tissues that metabolic diseases develop. In this regard, identifying the molecular mechanisms that modulate adipocyte fat accumulation and fatty acid spillover is imperative. Here we identify the deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) protein as a key regulator of fat storage capacity of adipocytes. We found that knockout (KO) of DBC1 facilitated fat cell differentiation and lipid accumulation and increased fat storage capacity of adipocytes in vitro and in vivo. This effect resulted in a “healthy obesity” phenotype. DBC1 KO mice fed a high-fat diet, although obese, remained insulin sensitive, had lower free fatty acid in plasma, were protected against atherosclerosis and liver steatosis, and lived longer. We propose that DBC1 is part of the molecular machinery that regulates fat storage capacity in adipocytes and participates in the “turn-off” switch that limits adipocyte fat accumulation and leads to fat spillover into peripheral tissues, leading to the deleterious effects of caloric surplus.
Differential Transcriptome Analysis of Diabetes-Resistant and -Sensitive Mouse Islets Reveals Significant Overlap With Human Diabetes Susceptibility Genes
Authors: Kluth Oliver , Matzke Daniela , Schulze Gunnar , Schwenk Robert W. , Joost Hans-Georg , Schürmann Annette
Published: July 2014

Type 2 diabetes in humans and in obese mice is polygenic. In recent genome-wide association studies, genetic markers explaining a small portion of the genetic contribution to the disease were discovered. However, functional evidence linking these genes with the pathogenesis of diabetes is scarce. We performed RNA sequencing–based transcriptomics of islets from two obese mouse strains, a diabetes-susceptible (NZO) and a diabetes-resistant (B6-ob/ob) mouse, after a short glucose challenge and compared these results with human data. Alignment of 2,328 differentially expressed genes to 106 human diabetes candidate genes revealed an overlap of 20 genes, including TCF7L2, IGFBP2, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, GRB10, and PRC1. The data provide a functional validation of human diabetes candidate genes, including those involved in regulating islet cell recovery and proliferation, and identify additional candidates that could be involved in human β-cell failure.
Minimizing medical negligence
Authors: Pradhan Eli
Published: July 2014

No AbstractDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v6i1.10757 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2014; 6 (2): 1-2