bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Single-Leg Postural Control Is Impaired Bilaterally Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications for Reinjury Risk
Authors: Culvenor Adam G. , Alexander Bryce C. , Clark Ross A. , Collins Natalie J. , Ageberg Eva , Morris Hayden G. , Whitehead Timothy S. , Crossley Kay M.
Published: March 2016

Study Design

Cross-sectional, controlled laboratory study.

Background

Postural control following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) primarily has been investigated during static single-leg balance tasks. Little is known about dynamic postural control deficits post-ACLR.

Objectives

To compare dynamic postural control (bilaterally) in individuals who have undergone ACLR and in healthy controls, and to evaluate the relationship between dynamic postural control and self-reported and objective function.

Methods

Ninety-seven participants (66 male; median age, 28 years) 12 months post-ACLR and 48 healthy controls (20 male; median age, 30 years) underwent balance assessment using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board during a single-leg squat. Center-of-pressure (CoP) path velocity, as well as CoP amplitude and standard deviation, in both mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions were recorded. Self-reported function was assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC), while hop for distance was used to evaluate functional status.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, the ACLR group had greater mean CoP path velocity (16% higher, P = .004), ML range (23%, P<.001), ML SD (28%, P<.001), AP range (14%, P = .009), and AP SD (15%, P = .013), indicating worse dynamic balance post-ACLR. Dynamic balance performance was similar between the ACLR limb and the uninjured contralateral limb. The AP SD was weakly associated with hop performance (β = −.2, P = .046); no balance measures were associated with IKDC score.

Conclusion

Individuals who have undergone ACLR demonstrate impaired dynamic balance bilaterally when performing a single-leg squat, which may have implications for physical function and future injury risk. Routine dynamic balance assessment may help identify patients who could benefit from targeted neuromuscular training programs to improve objective function and potentially lower reinjury risk. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(5):357–364. Epub 21 Mar 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6305
A Survey of Social Science Journal Editors for Behind-the-Scenes Data on the Publication Process
Authors: Mustaine Elizabeth Ehrhardt , Tewksbury Richard
Published: March 2016

Conducting and publishing research is at the heart of the academic social scientist's job. Understanding the publication process is critical for any scholar looking for a successful career. The current study draws on survey data from 117 editors of social science journals to identify how editors experience their jobs, how manuscript reviews are processed, and what aspects of editors, journals, and manuscripts are most important to editors' publication decisions. Results suggest that editors relied on their editorial boards and associate editors to do reviews and give advice, that the greatest challenge editors faced in dealing with manuscripts was slow reviewers, and that rarely did editors face allegations of plagiarism or have to deal with inappropriate reviews they did not want to send to the author(s). Quality of writing and strength of findings are the most influential factors in journals' acceptance rates.
Sequential Diels–Alder Reactions in a Conjugated Tetraene System
Authors: Abaee M. Saeed , Mohammadi Mohadeseh , Mohammadi Akram , Mojtahedi Mohammad M. , Rezaei M. Taghi , Saberi Farveh , Harms Klaus
Published: March 2016

A sequence of two Diels–Alder reactions is observed for the reaction of bis-diene ( E)-3-[2-(furan-2-yl)vinyl]-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one with two equivalents of N-phenylmaleimide. This study shows that the electron-deficient furanyl site, which is primarily “inactive” towards a [4 + 2] reaction, easily undergoes cycloaddition with the second equivalent of N-phenylmaleimide to produce the final bis-adduct. This is because the first Diels–Alder reaction between N-phenylmaleimide and the more reactive cyclohex-2-en-1-one site of the diene converts the 2-furanyl ring to a more electron-rich component, since the electron-withdrawing double bond attached to the furan ring changes to an electron-releasing alkyl group after the first cycloaddition. Consequently, the resulting furanyl diene is then able to undergo the second cycloaddition.
Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Two C24 Epimeric 3-Acetyled 20(R)-Ocotillol Type Sapogenins Obtained from 20(R)-Protopanaxadiol
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Xu Yangrong , Li Xinli , Zhang Kaixia , Zhang Renmei , Wang Wenzhi , He Xiaoyu , Meng Qingguo , Hou Guige
Published: March 2016

Two C24 epimeric 3-acetylated ocotillol-type sapogenins, 20 R,24 S-epoxy-dammarane-3β,12β,25-triol acetate and 20 R,24 R-epoxy-dammarane-3β,12β,25-triol acetate have been achieved from 20( R)-protopanaxadiol. Their structures were confirmed by HRMS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction which showed that their configurations were (20 R, 24 S) and (20 R, 24 R), respectively. In the crystal structure of the 24 ( S)-epimer, there were two intramolecular hydrogen bonds and a left-handed helical chain whilst in the 24 ( R)-epimer there was one intramolecular hydrogen bond and a right-handed helical chain.
Aerosol Optical Properties over Beijing during the World Athletics Championships and Victory Day Military Parade in August and September 2015
Authors: Zheng Yu , Che Huizheng , Zhao Tianliang , Xia Xiangao , Gui Ke , An Linchang , Qi Bing , Wang Hong , Wang Yaqiang , Yu Jie , Zhang Xiaoye
Published: March 2016

A special period in Beijing from 6 August to 17 September 2015, during which the World Athletics Championships and Victory Day military parade took place, and which involved measures to restrict traffic and reduce factory emissions, was selected to analyze the aerosol optical properties and the impact of meteorological conditions on pollution levels. The study was based on AERONET observational and retrieval data, particulate matter measurements (TEOM 1405), meteorological data, and then the HYSPLIT model was used to analyze the pollution sources. The study period was divided into three sub-periods according to the different stages of implementation of the control measures, and the main conclusions can be summarized as follows. During the period in which the restrictive measures were applied, the air quality improved significantly, with the average value of the AOD being 0.34 ± 0.20, about 69% less than before. Meanwhile, the average Ångström exponent was about 9.5% higher than before, with an average value of 1.38 ± 0.25, indicating that the main pollutants were fine particles. Single scattering albedo decreased as wavelength increased, being higher than in the other two stages (mean value of 0.944 ± 0.045). This showed that the strong scattering capacity and absorption aerosol optical depth was at its lowest, at about 0.008 ± 0.009. The peaks of aerosol volume concentration in the fine and coarse mode were significantly reduced. Meteorological conditions also had a certain effect on the aerosol optical properties, with the blowing of clean and dry wind and the occurrence of precipitation contributing to the overall improvement in air quality.
Dental Undergraduate Views of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs): A Literature Review
Authors: Puryer James
Published: March 2016

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are widely used in dental undergraduate assessment, often determining progression or graduation. Student evaluation of this assessment process is important, and this includes identifying the views of the student. The aim of this paper is to present a review of the current literature regarding dental student perceptions of OSCEs. A search of the PubMed database covering the period 1975 to 2015 identified 121 possible papers from which only six were suitable for review. The remaining papers were excluded due to them not reporting on dental undergraduate views. Students perceived the OSCE to be a valid assessment in three studies, but not in one. The educational benefit of an OSCE is well supported by these studies. OSCEs can induce high levels of anxiety compared to other forms of assessments, but this did not affect student performance. The majority of students would chose to have a similar format of assessment again, showing support for OSCEs. Further research using larger cohorts of students could be undertaken in order to support these finding which would give added evidence for the continuing use of OSCEs as a valid method of both dental undergraduate education and assessment.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Dental Patients Including the Frail Elderly Population
Authors: Lim Hui , Ho Prahlad
Published: March 2016

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have led to a paradigm shift in the field of anticoagulation, providing safe and convenient anticoagulation without the need for regular blood testing. Currently, there are three major DOACs available—Factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban and rivaroxaban) and direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran)—that are available for use in atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. While these agents have been shown to be as effective as warfarin, with a similar or better bleeding profile, there remains some concern of the use of these drugs in vulnerable populations, such as the frail elderly patients; particularly since reversal agents and drug monitoring are not routinely available. We aim to provide a review of the use of DOACs and the impact of DOACs on dental treatment in the elderly population.
Optimization of Shift Schedule for Hybrid Electric Vehicle with Automated Manual Transmission
Authors: Shen Wenchen , Yu Huilong , Hu Yuhui , Xi Junqiang
Published: March 2016

Currently, most hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) equipped with automated mechanical transmission (AMT) are implemented with the conventional two-parameter gear shift schedule based on engineering experience. However, this approach cannot take full advantage of hybrid drives. In other words, the powertrain of an HEV is not able to work at the best fuel-economy points during the whole driving profile. To solve this problem, an optimization method of gear shift schedule for HEVs is proposed based on Dynamic Programming (DP) and a corresponding solving algorithm is also put forward. A gear shift schedule that can be employed in real-vehicle is extracted from the obtained optimal gear shift points by DP approach and is optimized based on analysis of the engineering experience in a typical Chinese urban driving cycle. Compared with the conventional two-parameter gear shift schedule in both simulation and real vehicle experiments, the extracted gear shift schedule is proved to clearly improve the fuel economy of the HEV.
The Use of Decision Support Systems in Forest Management: Analysis of FORSYS Country Reports
Authors: Nobre Silvana , Eriksson Ljusk-Ola , Trubins Renats
Published: March 2016

From 2009 to 2013, a group of more than 100 researchers from 26 countries, under a COST-Action project named FORSYS, worked on a review of the use of forest management decision support systems (FMDSS). Guided by a template, local researchers conducted assessments of FMDSS use in their countries; their results were documented in Country Reports. In this study, we have used the Country Reports to construct a summary of FMDSS use. For the purposes of our analysis, we conducted a two-round categorisation of the main themes to describe the most relevant aspects of FMDSS use. The material produced was used to generate quantitative summaries of (i) the types of problem where FMDSS are used, (ii) models and methods used to solve these problems, (iii) knowledge management techniques, and (iv) participatory planning techniques. Beyond this, a qualitative analysis identified and summarised the local researchers’ primary concerns, recorded in the conclusions to the Country Reports; we designated these “lessons learned”. Results from the quantitative analysis suggested that most of the participant countries were making use of latest generation FMDSS. A few did not have practical problems that justified the use of such technology or they were still at the beginning of the process of building models to solve their own forest problems.
Heavy Metal Accumulation is Associated with Molecular and Pathological Perturbations in Liver of Variola louti from the Jeddah Coast of Red Sea
Authors: Mohamed Saleh , Elshal Mohamed , Kumosani Taha , Mal Ahmad , Ahmed Youssri , Almulaiky Yaaser , Asseri Amer , Zamzami Mazin
Published: March 2016

Large amounts of waste water are discharged daily from the Jeddah Metropolitan Area into the Red Sea. Sewage draining into the Red Sea causes widespread chemical pollution that is toxic to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of pollution and assess the presence of heavy metals in fish tissue and study their association with biological and biochemical alterations. The average concentrations of heavy metals found in hepatic tissues of Variola louti fish from the polluted area, namely Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn, were 1.74, 9.69, 47.48, 4020.01 and 229.47 µg/g liver, respectively, that were significantly higher than that of samples taken from reference area (0.24, 1.98, 20.12, 721.93, 129.21 µg/g liver, respectively). The fold change of heavy metals in fish from the polluted area with respect of that of the reference area followed the order Cd > Fe > Cr > Cu > Zn. Analysis of nuclear DNA revealed that hepatic tissues of fish samples from the polluted area showed a significant increase in apoptotic cells as detected by flow cytometry and formation DNA-ladder. In addition, hepatic sections from polluted area fishes showed more fibrotic changes and collagen deposition by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining, respectively, compared to samples taken from the reference area. Moreover, the electrophoretic patterns of proteins of liver of fishes caught at the polluted area showed different patterns of proteins from that of the reference with bands at 42, 130 and 140 kDa, which is in a good agreement with the molecular weight of collagen type III. In conclusion, there were significant changes in the tissues of fishes in the polluted area at the cellular and the molecular levels that may be associated with an accumulation of heavy metals. Assessment of fishes as a sensitive biomonitor for the pollution of surface waters that may affect general health of human and wild life is conceivable.
Antiallergic Phorbol Ester from the Seeds of Aquilaria malaccensis
Authors: Korinek Michal , Wagh Vitthal , Lo I-Wen , Hsu Yu-Ming , Hsu Hsue-Yin , Hwang Tsong-Long , Wu Yang-Chang , Cheng Yuan-Bin , Chen Bing-Hung , Chang Fang-Rong
Published: March 2016

The Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae) tree is a source of precious fragrant resin, called agarwood, which is widely used in traditional medicines in East Asia against diseases such as asthma. In our continuous search for active natural products, A. malaccensis seeds ethanolic extract demonstrated antiallergic effect with an IC50 value less than 1 µg/mL. Therefore, the present research aimed to purify and identify the antiallergic principle of A. malaccensis through a bioactivity-guided fractionation approach. We found that phorbol ester-rich fraction was responsible for the antiallergic activity of A. malaccensis seeds. One new active phorbol ester, 12-O-(2Z,4E,6E)-tetradeca-2,4,6-trienoylphorbol-13-acetate, aquimavitalin (1) was isolated. The structure of 1 was assigned by means of 1D and 2D NMR data and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Aquimavitalin (1) showed strong inhibitory activity in A23187- and antigen-induced degranulation assay with IC50 values of 1.7 and 11 nM, respectively, with a therapeutic index up to 71,000. The antiallergic activities of A. malaccensis seeds and aquimavitalin (1) have never been revealed before. The results indicated that A. malaccensis seeds and the pure compound have the potential for use in the treatment of allergy.
Life under Climate Change Scenarios: Sea Urchins’ Cellular Mechanisms for Reproductive Success
Authors: Bögner Desislava
Published: March 2016

Ocean Acidification (OA) represents a major field of research and increased efforts are being made to elucidate its repercussions on biota. Species survival is ensured by successful reproduction, which may be threatened under detrimental environmental conditions, such as OA acting in synergy with other climate change related stressors. Achieving successful gametogenesis, fertilization, and the development of larvae into healthy juveniles and adults is crucial for the perpetuation of species and, thus, ecosystems’ functionality. The considerable vulnerability of the abovementioned developmental stages to the adverse conditions that future OA may impose has been shown in many species, including sea urchins which are commonly used due to the feasibility of their maintenance in captivity and the great amount of gametes that a mature adult is able to produce. In the present review, the latest knowledge about the impact of OA on various stages of the life cycle of sea urchins is summarized with remarks on the possible impact of other stressors. The cellular physiology of the gametes before, at fertilization and, at early development, is extensively described with a focus on the complex enzymatic machinery and the intracellular pH (pHi) and Ca2+ homeostasis for their vulnerability when facing adverse conditions such as acidification, temperature variations, or hypoxia.
Microfluidic Device to Measure the Speed of C. elegans Using the Resistance Change of the Flexible Electrode
Authors: Jung Jaehoon , Nakajima Masahiro , Takeuchi Masaru , Najdovski Zoran , Huang Qiang , Fukuda Toshio
Published: March 2016

This work presents a novel method to assess the condition of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) through a resistance measurement of its undulatory locomotion speed inside a micro channel. As the worm moves over the electrode inside the micro channel, the length of the electrode changes, consequently behaving like a strain gauge. In this paper, the electrotaxis was applied for controlling the direction of motion of C. elegans as an external stimulus, resulting in the worm moving towards the cathode of the circuit. To confirm the proposed measurement method, a microfluidic device was developed that employs a sinusoidal channel and a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer with an electrode. The PDMS layer maintains a porous structure to enable the flexibility of the electrode. In this study, 6 measurements were performed to obtain the speed of an early adult stage C. elegans, where the measured average speed was 0.35 (±0.05) mm/s. The results of this work demonstrate the application of our method to measure the speed of C. elegans undulatory locomotion. This novel approach can be applied to make such measurements without an imaging system, and more importantly, allows directly to detect the locomotion of C. elegans using an electrical signal (i.e., the change in resistance).
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of an 18Fluorine-Labeled COX Inhibitor—[18F]Fluorooctyl Fenbufen Amide—For Imaging of Brain Tumors
Authors: Huang Ying-Cheng , Chang Yu-Chia , Yeh Chun-Nan , Yu Chung-Shan
Published: March 2016

Molecular imaging of brain tumors remains a great challenge, despite the advances made in imaging technology. An anti-inflammatory compound may be a useful tool for this purpose because there is evidence of inflammatory processes in brain tumor micro-environments. Fluorooctylfenbufen amide (FOFA) was prepared from 8-chlorooctanol via treatment with potassium phthalimide, tosylation with Ts2O, fluorination with KF under phase transfer catalyzed conditions, deprotection using aqueous hydrazine, and coupling with fenbufen. The corresponding radiofluoro product [18F]FOFA, had a final radiochemical yield of 2.81 mCi and was prepared from activated [18F]F− (212 mCi) via HPLC purification and concentration. The radiochemical purity was determined to be 99%, and the specific activity was shown to exceed 22 GBq/μmol (EOS) based on decay-corrected calculations. Ex-vivo analysis of [18F]FOFA in plasma using HPLC showed that the agent had a half-life of 15 min. PET scanning showed significant accumulation of [18F]FOFA over tumor loci with reasonable contrast in C6-glioma bearing rats. These results suggest that this molecule is a promising agent for the visualization of brain tumors. Further investigations should focus on tumor micro-environments.
Gender Differences in Response to Prolonged Every-Other-Day Feeding on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Hepatocytes in Mice
Authors: Piotrowska Katarzyna , Tarnowski Maciej , Zgutka Katarzyna , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: March 2016

Intermittent fasting decreases glucose and insulin levels and increases insulin sensitivity and lifespan. Decreased food intake influences the liver. Previous studies have shown gender differences in response to various types of caloric restriction, including every-other-day (EOD) feeding, in humans and rodents. Our goal was to show the influence of prolonged EOD feeding on the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis of livers from male and female mice. After nine months of an EOD diet, the livers from male and female mice were collected. We examined their morphology on histological slides using the Hematoxilin and Eosine (H_E) method and Hoechst staining of cell nuclei to evaluate the nuclear area of hepatocytes. We also evaluated the expression of mRNA for proto-oncogens, pro-survival proteins and apoptotic markers using Real Time Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We noted increased lipid content in the livers of EOD fed female mice. EOD feeding lead to a decrease of proliferation and apoptosis in the livers of female and male mice, which suggest that tissue maintenance occurred during EOD feeding. Our experiment revealed sex-specific expression of mRNA for proto-oncogenes and pro-survival and pro-apoptotic genes in mice as well as sex-specific responses to the EOD treatment.
A Continuous Formulation for Logical Decisions in Differential Algebraic Systems using Mathematical Programs with Complementarity Constraints
Authors: Powell Kody , Eaton Ammon , Hedengren John , Edgar Thomas
Published: March 2016

This work presents a methodology to represent logical decisions in differential algebraic equation simulation and constrained optimization problems using a set of continuous algebraic equations. The formulations may be used when state variables trigger a change in process dynamics, and introduces a pseudo-binary decision variable, which is continuous, but should only have valid solutions at values of either zero or one within a finite time horizon. This formulation enables dynamic optimization problems with logical disjunctions to be solved by simultaneous solution methods without using methods such as mixed integer programming. Several case studies are given to illustrate the value of this methodology including nonlinear model predictive control of a chemical reactor using a surge tank with overflow to buffer disturbances in feed flow rate. Although this work contains novel methodologies for solving dynamic algebraic equation (DAE) constrained problems where the system may experience an abrupt change in dynamics that may otherwise require a conditional statement, there remain substantial limitations to this methodology, including a limited domain where problems may converge and the possibility for ill-conditioning. Although the problems presented use only continuous algebraic equations, the formulation has inherent non-smoothness. Hence, these problems must be solved with care and only in select circumstances, such as in simulation or situations when the solution is expected to be near the solver’s initial point.
Charitable Sporting Events as a Context for Building Adolescent Generosity: Examining the Role of Religiousness and Spirituality
Authors: Fernandez Nathaniel , Schnitker Sarah , Houltberg Benjamin
Published: March 2016

Previous research demonstrates an association between religiousness, spirituality, and generosity in adolescents, but few studies have tested the mechanisms by which religion might facilitate the development of generosity in real-world contexts. In this paper, a theoretical model is presented describing the potential mechanisms by which engagement in transformational contexts (i.e., participating in charity marathon training) may lead to the development of generosity in adolescents. Participation in charity sporting events is theorized to increase generosity through both higher-order mechanisms, such as sanctification and the development of transcendent identity, and lower-order mechanisms, such as increased entitativity, positive emotions, and dissonance reduction. An empirical strategy for testing the model is presented; suggested methods for inquiry are longitudinal mixed method designs incorporating observations, questionnaires, and qualitative interviewing. Additionally, a case study of ongoing research on adolescents running with Team World Vision is described as an application of the model to an actual research context.
Optimal Insurance for a Minimal Expected Retention: The Case of an Ambiguity-Seeking Insurer
Authors: Amarante Massimiliano , Ghossoub Mario
Published: March 2016

In the classical expected utility framework, a problem of optimal insurance design with a premium constraint is equivalent to a problem of optimal insurance design with a minimum expected retention constraint. When the insurer has ambiguous beliefs represented by a non-additive probability measure, as in Schmeidler, this equivalence no longer holds. Recently, Amarante, Ghossoub and Phelps examined the problem of optimal insurance design with a premium constraint when the insurer has ambiguous beliefs. In particular, they showed that when the insurer is ambiguity-seeking, with a concave distortion of the insured’s probability measure, then the optimal indemnity schedule is a state-contingent deductible schedule, in which the deductible depends on the state of the world only through the insurer’s distortion function. In this paper, we examine the problem of optimal insurance design with a minimum expected retention constraint, in the case where the insurer is ambiguity-seeking. We obtain the aforementioned result of Amarante, Ghossoub and Phelps and the classical result of Arrow as special cases.
Somain et les Brevium exempla.
Authors: Derville Alain
Published: March 2016

Somain apparaît dans le testament d'Evrard de Frioul en 837 (et non en 867). C'était un grand domaine en exploitation directe. La forêt, vaste et bien mesurée, était exploitée par de petits tenanciers casés sur 93 bonniers. Somain n'était certainement pas un des trois fiscs anonymes décrits par les Brevium exempla. Ceux-ci étaient de petits domaines que les invasions normandes firent sans doute disparaître.
Amelioration of Ischemic Brain Injury in Rats with Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells: Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Stone Laura L. Hocum , Xiao Feng , Rotschafer Jessica , Nan Zhenhong , Juliano Mario , Sanberg Cyndy D. , Sanberg Paul R. , Kuzmin-Nichols Nicole , Grande Andrew , Cheeran Maxim C-J , Low Walter C.
Published: March 2016

Despite the high prevalence and devastating outcome, there remain a few options for treatment of ischemic stroke. Currently available treatments are limited by a short time window for treatment and marginal efficacy when used. We have tested a human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cell line that has been shown to result in a significant reduction in stroke infarct volume as well as improved functional recovery following stroke in the rat. In the present study we address the mechanism of action and compared the therapeutic efficacy of high- versus low-passage nonhematopoietic umbilical cord blood stem cells (nh-UCBSCs). Using the middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAo) model of stroke in Sprague–Dawley rats, we administered nh-UCBSC by intravenous (IV) injection 2 days following stroke induction. These human cells were injected into rats without any immune suppression, and no adverse reactions were detected. Both behavioral and histological analyses have shown that the administration of these cells reduces the infarct volume by 50% as well as improves the functional outcome of these rats following stroke for both high- and low-passaged nh-UCBSCs. Flow cytometry analysis of immune cells present in the brains of normal rats, rats with ischemic brain injury, and ischemic animals with nh-UCBSC treatment confirmed infiltration of macrophages and T cells consequent to ischemia and reduction to normal levels with nh-UCBSC treatment. Flow cytometry also revealed a restoration of normal levels of microglia in the brain following treatment. These data suggest that nh-UCBSCs may act by inhibiting immune cell migration into the brain from the periphery and possibly by inhibition of immune cell activation within the brain. nh-UCBSCs exhibit great potential for treatment of stroke, including the fact that they are associated with an increased therapeutic time window, no known ill-effects, and that they can be expanded to high numbers for, and stored for, treatment.
RESEARCH OF CEMENT ADDITIVES INFLUENCE ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOILCRETE
Authors: Marčiulaitis Vaidas , Sližytė Danutė , Mackevičius Rimantas , Zhilkina Tatyana
Published: March 2016

The article analyses a possibility of replacing a part of cement with fly ash in jet grouting piles, because the received strength of cement treated grout is much higher than it is necessary for these piles. The paper presents the problems of fly ash utilization, overviews experimental and theoretical works and analyses laboratory tests on the samples of cement treated grout. The conducted experiments involved manufacturing cylindrical cement treated grout samples containing different additives when the diameter of the cylinder is 35 mm, and its height is 70 mm. The experiments on the samples comprising the additives of fly ash were made in sand and clay soils. 25% to 75% of cement was replaced with fly ash in cement treated grout samples tested under compressive strength following 7 days hardening in air.
Larval food plants of Australian Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) - a review of available data
Authors: Schmidt Olga
Published: March 2016

In Australia, the subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) comprises over 45 genera with about 270 species described so far. However, life histories of the Australian larentiine moths have barely been studied.

The current paper presents a list of larval food plants of 51 Australian larentiine species based on literature references, data from specimen labels and own observations. Some Australian habitats are shown. Possible relationships among the taxa based on food preference of the larvae are discussed. Additionally, a list of Australasian larentiine species from the genera occurring in Australia and their food plants is presented.
Insects and other invertebrates in the Pjiekakjoo (Tlahuica) culture in Mexico State, Mexico
Authors: Aldasoro Maya E.M. , Gómez B.
Published: March 2016

The Pjiekakjoo are the smallest indigenous group in the State of Mexico. They have managed to survive and maintain an ethnic project despite their proximity to the largest metropolitan areas in central Mexico: Mexico City, Toluca and Cuernavaca. Sadly, their indigenous language is considered to be in danger of extinction. Their knowledge of insects and other invertebrates was recorded through a collaborative project that included the collection of organisms, semi-structured interviews and intergenerational workshops. The documentation and systematisation of their ethnoentomological information was with the active participation of the Tlahuicas. Discussions with the Tlahuicas about other topics, such as the importance of biocultural diversity and the heritage it represents, was promoted. The methodology developed is based in Freire’s ideas of education for freedom and Smith's proposals for the decolonisation of methodologies in anthropological research. An emic perspective was preferred. We documented invertebrates in general. A total of 70 taxa of invertebrates were documented distributed in 3 phyla: Arthropoda (67), Mollusca (2) and Annelida (1).These have 58 Pjiekakjoo names and 66 names in Spanish. The most representative class is the Insecta, with 60 out of 67 categories of arthropods. Half of the taxa (34) have uses: 14 are edible, 7 medicinal, 8 recreational, 2 ornamental, one as an aphrodisiac and one as flavouring. The edible insects are primarily Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera orders. The Pjiekakjoo use 4 invertebrate products: honey, honeycomb, beebread and spider web. The use of insects and other invertebrates requires specialised ecological and ethological knowledge. 9 taxa are associated with distinctive beliefs, commonly as omens. The present paper recommends the use of ethnoentomological research to help the heirs of this biocultural heritage to face the challenges of the contemporary world.
The ghost moth (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) as food of indigenous people in Mexico
Authors: Gómez B. , Junghans C. , Aldasoro E.M. , Grehan J.R.
Published: March 2016

We review the anthroentomophagy of Hepialidae with respect to the culinary practice of various indigenous groups in Mexico. The principal genera involved in human consumption arePhassus andSchausiana. Similarities in the morphology and ecology of these insects have led to confusion among those who have made ethnobiological studies of this group. We clarify the taxonomy, life cycle, traditional knowledge, consumption and other uses made of Hepialidae by rural and indigenous communities in Mexico. Bromatological studies show thatPhassus andSchausiana represent a significant source of nutrients for some indigenous communities.
Effect of Morphological Fin-Curl on the Swimming Performance and Station-Holding Ability of Juvenile Shovelnose Sturgeon
Authors: Deslauriers David , Johnston Ryan , Chipps Steven R.
Published: March 2016

We assessed the effect of fin-curl on the swimming and station-holding ability of juvenile shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (mean fork length = 17 cm; mean weight = 16 g; n = 21) using a critical swimming speed test performed in a small swim chamber (90 L) at 20°C. We quantified fin-curl severity using the pectoral fin index. Results showed a positive relationship between pectoral fin index and critical swimming speed indicative of reduced swimming performance displayed by fish afflicted with a pectoral fin index < 8%. Fin-curl severity, however, did not affect the station-holding ability of individual fish. Rather, fish affected with severe fin-curl were likely unable to use their pectoral fins to position their body adequately in the water column, which led to the early onset of fatigue. Results generated from this study should serve as an important consideration for future stocking practices.
Effects of Turbidity on Predation Vulnerability of Juvenile Humpback Chub to Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout
Authors: Ward David L. , Morton-Starner Rylan , Vaage Ben
Published: March 2016

Predation on juvenile native fish by introduced rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta is considered a significant threat to the persistence of endangered humpback chub Gila cypha in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Diet studies of rainbow trout and brown trout in Glen and Grand canyons indicate that these species eat native fish, but impacts are difficult to assess because predation vulnerability is highly variable depending on the physical conditions under which the predation interactions take place. We conducted laboratory experiments to evaluate how short-term predation vulnerability of juvenile humpback chub changes in response to changes in turbidity. In overnight laboratory trials, we exposed hatchery-reared juvenile humpback chub and bonytail Gila elegans (a surrogate for humpback chub) to adult rainbow trout and brown trout at turbidities ranging from 0 to 1,000 formazin nephlometric units. We found that turbidity as low as 25 formazin nephlometric units significantly reduced predation vulnerability of bonytail to rainbow trout and led to a 36% mean increase in survival (24–60%, 95% CI) compared to trials conducted in clear water. Predation vulnerability of bonytail to brown trout at 25 formazin nephlometric units also decreased with increasing turbidity and resulted in a 25% increase in survival on average (17–32%, 95% CI). Understanding the effects of predation by trout on endangered humpback chub is important when evaluating management options aimed at preservation of native fishes in Grand Canyon National Park. This research suggests that relatively small changes in turbidity may be sufficient to alter predation dynamics of trout on humpback chub in the mainstem Colorado River and that turbidity manipulation may warrant further investigation as a fisheries management tool.
Stakeholder Approach for Quality Higher Education
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: March 2016

Higher education is not necessary for economic growth and development is a general presumption, the belief being literacy and primary education is. Increased concerns for ‘Education for All', also led to overall neglect of higher education in many developing countries. But given the inter-dependence of one layer of education on the other, higher education becomes critically important for developing and sustaining a good quality primary and secondary education. It is also a necessary feature for economic growth, development and sustenance. Higher education system suffers from a yawning gap in funds, outdated regulatory mechanisms, poor quality, and low efficiency. Liberalization of sector to attract large scale investments is the key to access, affordability, and equity. However, the core issue still remains ‘quality in higher education'. This chapter through in depth literature review and content analysis delves into stakeholder approach for quality higher education, which would hopefully not only optimize the higher education impact but also guarantee quality higher education.
Higher Education at a Crossroads
Authors: Lemoine Pamela A. , Hackett Thomas , Richardson Michael D.
Published: March 2016

The leadership needs to develop new organizational structures and systems that will promote and encourage quality learning and the ability to assess the impact of the teaching. Governments across the world have steadily minimized their support for public higher education, and costs associated with gaining a degree have increased constantly over the last decade. Most universities are forced to adopt a restructuring model for commoditizing education to make a profit from large numbers of students. The road ahead for higher education is filled with challenges, risks and uncertainties that begin with education being valued as more than a simple commodity: education becomes a public good. Higher education is increasingly viewed as a major instrument of economic development. In order to hold universities accountable despite limited governmental budgets, many nations have adopted performance-based university research funding strategies for targeted programs.
The Impact of Cost Sharing on Quality of Education in Egypt's Public Universities
Authors: Eldin Engi Mohammed Mostafa Gamal
Published: March 2016

Egypt government undertook forward steps to reform higher education financing by introducing cost sharing policies in public universities; however, the government did not take into consideration the urgency for developing monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the effects of such policies on the quality of education. This chapter aims to measure the impact of cost sharing policy on quality of education in “FLIP”, the underlying assumption of the research is that ‘tuition fees' as a form of user charge would result in increasing education quality, which will accordingly shrink the transition period between work and school by conducting an ex-post policy evaluation design due to the absence of baseline surveys. The research study eventually comes to an end that introducing the cost sharing policy in the form of FLIP in public universities has no significant effect on quality as fitness of purpose. Finally this chapter recalls for accompanying cost sharing policies in Egypt with value creation in quality rather than only diversifying the income sources beyond the government budget.
A New Paradigm for Learners and Teachers Thanks to Situational Pedagogical Games
Authors: Nuninger Walter , Châtelet Jean-Marie
Published: March 2016

Part of sustainable outcomes in Higher Education relies on the design of trainings able to help learners to develop transversal skills. Beyond such challenges, the aim is to obtain widespread involvement and to take advantage of interaction and dialogue in order to facilitate deeper learning and strengthen autonomy and decision-making based on specific context. An evolving pedagogical game, conducted over fifteen years in Master's degrees with inter-cultural groups, is presented; guiding learners towards skills in quality management. It has inspired a set of pedagogical mini-games (lasting less than two hours) as a solution to face the evolution of trainees' expectations and the reduction of time; part of hybridized courses, the aim is to incent involvement and learning with focus on knowledge. Results and comparison bring out the non-variable parts in order to make the best of such devices; worthwhile adaptation to increase problem-solving ability and future efficiency in the workplace.
How Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Should Bid for Spot Instances of Amazon's EC2 Cloud
Authors: Saha Debashis
Published: March 2016

In cloud service provisioning, spot instances are spare slots for which it has no pre-booking, unlike reserved or on-demand instances for which a cloud service provider (CSP) has a priori booking. CSPs like Amazon prefer spot instance approach to sell their “idle” computing resources as and when these idle slots appear. Though they price the spot instances dynamically depending on supply-demand status, usually the spots instances are relatively cheap. Hence, Amazon's spot instances are an attractive option for IT managers in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that normally have sporadic requirements for resources. However, SMEs have to win their desired spot instances through the auction mechanism conducted by Amazon. Since the IT manager always looks for finishing her job quickly within some specified budget, finding how to bid for spot instances in order to stay within its limited budget is a challenging task for her. She may continue to consume spot instances as long as her bid exceeds the current spot price. But, if she loses at any point, the unfinished task must be put on hold by some checkpointing mechanism so that the task may resume from the same point when she wins the spot next time. Using simulations for a very popular cloud, namely Amazon EC2, it has been found that, at a lower bid price, OPTIMAL checkpointing leads to a total cost higher than the total HOURLY checkpointing cost on a much higher bid value. Therefore, SMEs should go for higher bid prices when using OPTIMAL checkpointing and lower bid prices with HOURLY checkpointing. In the process, the author has observed some interesting correlation among checkpoint strategy, task reliability and completion time, which is reported here.
The Relationship between Innovation Orientation and Strategic Typology in Business Firms
Authors: Kafchehi Parviz , Hasani Kaveh , Gholami Arman
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between innovation orientation and strategic typology in firms such a way that a classification on the organization's orientation toward innovation and strategy could be obtained. The statistical population includes high executive managers of firms who have been acting in 4 industries of banking (B), food (F), insurance (I), and pharmacy (P), and have been the five pioneering firms in these industries. To test the hypothesis, the mean test analysis, the Goodness- of- Fit- Test, Chi- square test, and cross- tables were used and tested by SPSS18 software. The results show that there is a significant relationship between the firm's orientation toward innovation and competitive strategy; the more firm's orientation toward innovation, the firms uses more Prospector strategy, and their strategies have a more aggressive state. This paper provides a richer understanding of innovation orientation and strategic typology formation for similar firms.
Disaster Management in Digital Libraries
Authors: Ifijeh Goodluck , Idiegbeyan-ose Jerome , Segun-Adeniran Chidi , Ilogho Julie
Published: March 2016

The role of digital libraries in information generation,organization, dissemination and storage cannot be overemphasized. This article articulates the importance of digital libraries and the need to preserve them from disasters. It highlights the causes and effects of disasters in digital libraries. Prevention and management of disasters were also discussed. Issues and challenges around information and communication technology (ICT), that has direct bearings on digital libraries and disaster management in developing countries were raised. In addition, recommendations were made on how to improve on disaster prevention and control.
Towards an Intelligent OLAP System Facing Sparse Problems
Authors: Koubaa Rania , Ben Ahmed Eya , Gargouri Faiez
Published: March 2016

Exploring intelligent data stored in data warehouses may efficiently assist the knowledge-seeker in his decision process. Such traced information related to performed analysis by decision-makers on data warehouses are stored in OLAP log files. These files contain useful knowledge about the analysts' preferences. Sometimes, some formulated queries provide no results. Such a dilemma is known as the sparsity problem. In this paper, to overcome this limitation in user-centric data warehouses, the authors focus on a specific class of preferences, namely the conflicting preferences. Indeed, a conflicting preference describes a low frequency preference stored in OLAP log files, so that it is considered as tailored to given analysts. Such preferences are characterized by their rarity. To deal with this issue, the authors introduce a new approach to discover these preferences through mining of rare association rules using a new introduced method for generating the N highest confidence rare association rules. The derived rare preferences will be used to reformulate the launched query avoiding an empty result. The carried out experiments on their built online recruitment data warehouse point out the efficiency of their approach.
Key Success Factors of Vendor-Managed Inventory Implementation in Taiwan's Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Hung Shin-Yuan , Chang She-I , Hung Hsin-Min , Yen David C. , Chou Bai-Feng
Published: March 2016

Under increasing pressure from competitors and consumers, vendor-managed inventory (VMI), which is believed to be conducive to reducing inventory costs and improving distribution and sales, has been a popular system particularly in the retail industry. This present study, by adopting the modified Delphi method, attempts to identify key success factors of VMI implementation in Taiwan manufacturing industry and examine impact of the identified factors. Through three rounds of expert questionnaires, it is found that excellent project management, organizational fit, information sharing, trialability, and top management commitment are the five most important factors in terms of VMI implementation in Taiwan manufacturing industry. Employee training, a good project team, exercise of power, and relative advantages are of secondary importance to Taiwan manufacturing industry. Finally, it is hoped that these identified factors may serve as a guide for manufacturing companies in implementing VMI more effectively and efficiently.