bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Postsecondary Education and Employment Outcomes Using Results From the Transition Assessment and Goal Generator
Authors: Burnes Jennifer J. , Martin James E. , Terry Robert , McConnell Amber E. , Hennessey Maeghan N.
Published: June 2017

We conducted an exploratory study to investigate the relation between nonacademic behavior constructs measured by the Transition Assessment and Goal Generator (TAGG) and postsecondary education and employment outcomes for 297 high school leavers who completed the TAGG during their high school years. Four of eight TAGG constructs predicted postsecondary educational outcomes: (a) Interacting With Others, (b) Student Involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP), (c) Support Community, and (d) Goal Setting and Attainment. Four constructs predicted postsecondary employment outcomes: (a) Employment, (b) Student Involvement in the IEP, (c) Support Community, and (d) Interacting With Others. The addition of student grade point average (GPA) strengthened some of the models. The findings appear to add predictive validity evidence to support use of TAGG results to assist with transition planning.
Endophthalmitis After Vitrectomy Surgery: A Case–Control Analysis
Authors: Melamud Alexander , Choi Christina , Kim Samuel , Cai Ling , Reilly Gayatri
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

To identify risk factors associated with endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery.

Methods:

All eyes that presented with endophthalmitis after PPV from 2005 to 2015 in a community-based vitreoretinal subspecialty practice were evaluated using a retrospective nested case–control study. Exclusion criteria were presentation more than 6 weeks post-PPV, less than 3 months of follow-up, history of globe trauma, age less than 18, and history of trabeculectomy surgery. Controls were randomly selected among a population of patients who underwent PPV and did not develop endophthalmitis. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the following perioperative risk factors: use of sclerotomy suture, use of subconjunctival antibiotics, use of endotamponade, presence of postoperative hypotony, and the use of small- versus large-gauge vitrectomy.

Results:

Thirty-two patients and 150 controls met inclusion criteria. The average time to presentation with endophthalmitis was 5 days after PPV. Endotamponade usage was the only variable that had significant impact on the risk of developing endophthalmitis in univariate and multivariate analyses. The odds ratio of disease in patients with endotamponade over patients without endotamponade was 0.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.06-40); thus, the odds of disease for patients with endotamponade were 85% lower than those without endotamponade. Median visual acuity significantly improved from 20 of 8000 at the time of diagnosis with endophthalmitis to 20 of 50 at 1-year follow-up ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The use of intraocular endotamponade may reduce the rate of endophthalmitis after PPV surgery.
Burden of disease and change in practice in critically ill infants with bronchiolitis
Authors: Schlapbach Luregn J. , Straney Lahn , Gelbart Ben , Alexander Janet , Franklin Donna , Beca John , Whitty Jennifer A. , Ganu Subodh , Wilkins Barry , Slater Anthony , Croston Elizabeth , Erickson Simon , Schibler Andreas
Published: June 2017

Bronchiolitis represents the most common cause of non-elective admission to paediatric intensive care units (ICUs).

We assessed changes in admission rate, respiratory support, and outcomes of infants <24 months with bronchiolitis admitted to ICU between 2002 and 2014 in Australia and New Zealand.

During the study period, bronchiolitis was responsible for 9628 (27.6%) of 34 829 non-elective ICU admissions. The estimated population-based ICU admission rate due to bronchiolitis increased by 11.76 per 100 000 each year (95% CI 8.11–15.41). The proportion of bronchiolitis patients requiring intubation decreased from 36.8% in 2002, to 10.8% in 2014 (adjusted OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.27–0.46), whilst a dramatic increase in high-flow nasal cannula therapy use to 72.6% was observed (p<0.001). We observed considerable variability in practice between units, with six-fold differences in risk-adjusted intubation rates that were not explained by ICU type, size, or major patient factors. Annual direct hospitalisation costs due to severe bronchiolitis increased to over USD30 million in 2014.

We observed an increasing healthcare burden due to severe bronchiolitis, with a major change in practice in the management from invasive to non-invasive support that suggests thresholds to admittance of bronchiolitis patients to ICU have changed. Future studies should assess strategies for management of bronchiolitis outside ICUs.
Phosgene‐induced acute lung injury (ALI): differences from chlorine‐induced ALI and attempts to translate toxicology to clinical medicine
Authors: Li Wenli , Pauluhn Juergen
Published: June 2017

Background

Phosgene (carbonyl dichloride) gas is an indispensable chemical inter‐mediate used in numerous industrial processes. There is no clear consensus as to its time‐ and inhaled‐dose‐dependent etiopathologies and associated preventive or therapeutic treatment strategies.

Methods

Cardiopulmonary function was examined in rats exposed by inhalation to the alveolar irritant phosgene or to the airway irritant chlorine during and following exposure. Terminal measurements focused on hematology, protein extravasation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and increased lung weight. Noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic endpoints in exhaled breath (carbon dioxide and nitric oxide) were used to detect the clinically occult stage of pulmonary edema.

Results

The first event observed in rats following high but sublethal acute exposure to phosgene was the stimulation of alveolar nociceptive vagal receptors. This afferent stimulation resulted in dramatic changes in cardiopulmonary functions, ventilation: perfusion imbalances, and progressive pulmonary edema and phospholipoproteinosis. Hematology revealed hemoconcentration to be an early marker of pulmonary edema and fibrin as a discriminating endpoint that was positive for the airway irritant chlorine and negative for the alveolar irritant phosgene.

Conclusions

The application of each gas produced typical ALI/ARDS (acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome) characteristics. Phosgene‐induced ALI showed evidence of persistent apnea periods, bradycardia, and shifts of vascular fluid from the peripheral to the pulmonary circulation. Carbon dioxide in expired gas was suggestive of increased ventilation dead space and appeared to be a harbinger of progressively developing lung edema. Treatment with the iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine aerosol by inhalation reduced the severity of phosgene‐induced ALI when applied at low dose‐rates. Symptomatic treatment regimens were considered inferior to causal modes of treatment.
A technical step forward in the integration of visible-induced luminescence imaging methods for the study of ancient polychromy
Authors: Dyer Joanne , Sotiropoulou Sophia
Published: June 2017

Photo-induced luminescence imaging techniques, such as UV-induced visible luminescence (UVL) and the more recently developed technique of visible-induced infrared luminescence (VIL), have been invaluable for the study of ancient polychromy, allowing the detection and mapping of luminescent materials, such as varnishes, consolidants, organic binders, and crucially, traces of pigments, organic and inorganic, that are often not visible to the naked eye. In the context of works from the Hellenistic period onwards, the detection of two pigments, Egyptian blue and rose madder lake, has been particularly pivotal in advancing the field. Current conventional methodologies for the digital mapping of these two luminescent pigments rely on the separate application of two techniques (VIL and UVL), each requiring a different illumination source and acquisition set-up. In this study, a novel approach is proposed, combining the use of visible-induced infrared luminescence and visible-induced visible luminescence to locate these two pigments. As the source of illumination in both cases is the same system of LEDs, the set-up has the advantage of requiring only minor filter changes between luminescence modes. The increased portability and safety compared to the use of methodologies that employ UV radiation represent notable advantages of this integrated system. The interchangeability between highly selective excitation sources, also significantly simplifies the experimental set-up and the need to adjust the object or equipment between acquisitions, ensuring better reproducibility of the data acquired and facilitating any post-processing procedures. This results in a user-friendly methodology for both experts and non-specialists alike. Three Hellenistic period terracottas; two from Canosa di Puglia, Italy (270–200 BC) and one from Myrina, Turkey (c. 100 BC), all characterised by large well-preserved areas of decoration in Egyptian blue and red lake, were studied in order to trial the approach. Comparisons were made with the more standard techniques of VIL and UVL, and it was shown that the combined method proposed efficiently detects and maps both of these pigments with analogous results to those obtained by more established methodologies. The observations made from the multispectral images acquired were verified by analysis of small samples of the pigments, using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and HPLC-DAD analysis.
Artificial orpiment, a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette
Authors: van Loon Annelies , Noble Petria , Krekeler Anna , Van der Snickt Geert , Janssens Koen , Abe Yoshinari , Nakai Izumi , Dik Joris
Published: June 2017

This paper reports on how the application of macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) imaging, in combination with the re-examination of existing paint cross-sections, has led to the discovery of a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette: artificial orpiment. In the NWO Science4Arts ‘ReVisRembrandt’ project, novel chemical imaging techniques are being developed and applied to the study of Rembrandt’s late paintings in order to help resolve outstanding questions and to gain a better understanding of his late enigmatic painting technique. One of the selected case studies is the Portrait of a Couple as Isaac and Rebecca, known as ‘The Jewish Bride’, dated c. 1665 and on view in the Rijksmuseum. During the re-installation of the Rijksmuseum in 2013, the picture was scanned using the Bruker M6 Jetstream MA-XRF scanner. The resulting elemental distribution maps made it possible to distinguish many features in the painting, such as bone black remains of the original hat (P, Ca maps), and the now discolored smalt-rich background (Co, Ni, As, K maps). The arsenic (As) map also revealed areas of high-intensity in Isaac’s sleeve and Rebecca’s dress where it could be established that it was not related with the pigment smalt that also contains arsenic. This pointed to the presence of a yellow or orange arsenic-containing pigment, such as realgar or orpiment that is not associated with the artist’s palette. Subsequent examination of existing paint cross-sections from these locations taken by Karin Groen in the 1990s identified isolated, almost perfectly round particles of arsenic sulfide. The round shape corresponds with published findings on a purified form of artificial orpiment glass obtained by dry processing, a sublimation reaction. In bright field, the particles characteristically exhibit a dark cross in the middle caused by internal light reflections. The results of additional non-invasive techniques (portable XRD and portable Raman) are discussed, as well as the implications of this finding and how it fits with Rembrandt’s late experimental painting technique.
Visual SLAM algorithms: a survey from 2010 to 2016
Authors: Taketomi Takafumi , Uchiyama Hideaki , Ikeda Sei
Published: June 2017

SLAM is an abbreviation for simultaneous localization and mapping, which is a technique for estimating sensor motion and reconstructing structure in an unknown environment. Especially, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) using cameras is referred to as visual SLAM (vSLAM) because it is based on visual information only. vSLAM can be used as a fundamental technology for various types of applications and has been discussed in the field of computer vision, augmented reality, and robotics in the literature. This paper aims to categorize and summarize recent vSLAM algorithms proposed in different research communities from both technical and historical points of views. Especially, we focus on vSLAM algorithms proposed mainly from 2010 to 2016 because major advance occurred in that period. The technical categories are summarized as follows: feature-based, direct, and RGB-D camera-based approaches.
Evaluating Psychosocial Mechanisms Underlying STEM Persistence in Undergraduates: Evidence of Impact from a Six-Day Pre–College Engagement STEM Academy Program
Authors: Findley-Van Nostrand Danielle , Pollenz Richard S.
Published: June 2017

The persistence of undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is a national issue based on STEM workforce projections. We implemented a weeklong pre–college engagement STEM Academy (SA) program aimed at addressing several areas related to STEM retention. We validated an instrument that was developed based on existing, validated measures and examined several psychosocial constructs related to STEM (science identity, self-efficacy, sense of belonging to the university and to STEM, career expectancies, and intention to leave STEM majors) before and after the program. We also compared students in the SA program with a matched comparison group of first-year students. Results show that SA students significantly increased in science identity and sense of belonging to STEM and to the university, all predictive of increased STEM retention and a primary aim of the program. Relative to the matched comparison group, SA students began their first semester with higher STEM self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and science identity, positive career expectancies, and lower intention to leave STEM. The SA cohort showed 98% first-year retention and 92% STEM major retention. The SA program serves as a model of a scalable, first-level, cocurricular engagement experience to enhance psychosocial factors that impact undergraduate persistence in STEM.
Nutrients and Neurology
Authors: Kumar Neeraj
Published: June 2017

Purpose of Review: This article provides an update on the clinical presentation and management of neurologic disease related to key nutrient deficiencies.

Recent Findings: Major advances have been made in understanding the pathway related to vitamin B12 absorption and distribution. It is now known that deficiencies of vitamin B12 and copper have similar neurologic manifestations. Bariatric surgery is a risk factor for both. Alcoholism is just one of the many causes of thiamine deficiency. Early neurologic complications following bariatric surgery are often due to thiamine deficiency. Encephalopathy in the setting of alcoholism that persists despite thiamine replacement should prompt consideration of niacin deficiency. Pyridoxine deficiency and toxicity both have neurologic sequelae. Vitamin D deficiency and the risk for multiple sclerosis has been an area of ongoing research.

Summary: Optimal functioning of the nervous system is dependent on a constant supply of certain vitamins and nutrients. This article discusses neurologic manifestations related to deficiency of these key nutrients.
Endocrine Emergencies With Neurologic Manifestations
Authors: Ishii Makoto
Published: June 2017

Purpose of Review: This article provides an overview of endocrine emergencies with potentially devastating neurologic manifestations that may be fatal if left untreated. Pituitary apoplexy, adrenal crisis, myxedema coma, thyroid storm, acute hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, hyperglycemic emergencies (diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state), and acute hypoglycemia are discussed, with an emphasis on identifying the signs and symptoms as well as diagnosing and managing these clinical entities.

Recent Findings: To identify the optimal management of endocrine emergencies, using formal clinical diagnostic criteria and grading scales such as those recently proposed for pituitary apoplexy will be beneficial in future prospective studies. A 2015 prospective study in patients with adrenal insufficiency found a significant number of adrenal crisis–related deaths despite all study patients receiving standard care and being educated on crisis prevention strategies, highlighting that current prevention strategies and medical management remain suboptimal.

Summary: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of endocrine emergencies are essential but remain challenging because of a lack of objective diagnostic tools. The optimal management is also unclear as prospective and randomized studies are lacking. Additional research is needed for these clinical syndromes that can be fatal despite intensive medical intervention.
Renal Disease and Neurology
Authors: Hocker Sara E.
Published: June 2017

Purpose of Review: Neurologic dysfunction is prevalent in patients with acute and chronic renal disease and may affect the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, or both. Neurologic manifestations may result directly from the uremic state or as a consequence of renal replacement therapy. Early recognition of neurologic dysfunction may provide opportunities for intervention and reduced morbidity.

Recent Findings: Advances in the understanding of neurologic complications of renal disease and its treatments have led to more widespread recognition and earlier identification of encephalopathy syndromes such as cefepime neurotoxicity and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), dramatic reductions in the incidence of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and dialysis dementia, and improved survival in disorders such as von Hippel-Lindau disease and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Summary: This article summarizes the conditions that affect both the renal and the nervous systems, the effects of renal failure on the nervous system, and the neurologic complications of dialysis.
Rheumatology and Neurology
Authors: Dimberg Elliot L.
Published: June 2017

Purpose of Review: This article reviews the various rheumatologic disorders that have neurologic complications and manifestations.

Recent Findings: Recent advances have improved the understanding of the true epidemiology of many rheumatologic diseases and their complications. Many years of observation have clarified findings even in rarer disorders. Classification and diagnostic criteria have been updated and validated. As newer pharmacologic agents have become available, new information regarding efficacy and toxicity has emerged.

Summary: Rheumatologic disorders are common, as can be their neurologic complications. In many instances, these complications are treatable, but clinicians’ understanding of the underlying disorder, its neurologic risks, and the risk of therapy is required.
Bidder Solicitation, Adverse Selection, and the Failure of Competition
Authors: Lauermann Stephan , Wolinsky Asher
Published: June 2017

We study a common value, first-price auction in which the number of bidders is endogenous: the seller (auctioneer) knows the value and solicits bidders at a cost. The number of bidders, which is unobservable, may thus depend on the true value. Therefore, being solicited conveys information. This solicitation effect may soften competition and impede information aggregation. Under certain conditions, there is an equilibrium in which the seller solicits many bidders, yet the resulting price is not competitive and fails to aggregate any information. More broadly, these ideas are relevant for markets with adverse selection in which informed traders initiate contacts. (JEL D44, D82)
Eponymous Entrepreneurs
Authors: Belenzon Sharon , Chatterji Aaron K. , Daley Brendan
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate that eponymy—firms being named after their owners—is linked to superior firm performance, but is relatively uncommon (about 19 percent of firms in our data). We propose an explanation based on eponymy creating an association between the entrepreneur and her firm that increases the reputational benefits/costs of successful/unsuccessful outcomes. We develop a corresponding signaling model, which further predicts that these effects will be stronger for entrepreneurs with rarer names. We find support for the model's predictions using a unique panel dataset consisting of over 1.8 million firms. (JEL D82, L25, L26, M13)
This Mine is Mine! How Minerals Fuel Conflicts in Africa
Authors: Berman Nicolas , Couttenier Mathieu , Rohner Dominic , Thoenig Mathias
Published: June 2017

We combine georeferenced data on mining extraction of 14 minerals with information on conflict events at spatial resolution of 0.5 o × 0.5 o for all of Africa between 1997 and 2010. Exploiting exogenous variations in world prices, we find a positive impact of mining on conflict at the local level. Quantitatively, our estimates suggest that the historical rise in mineral prices (commodity super-cycle) might explain up to one-fourth of the average level of violence across African countries over the period. We then document how a fighting group's control of a mining area contributes to escalation from local to global violence. Finally, we analyze the impact of corporate practices and transparency initiatives in the mining industry. (JEL C23, D74, L70, O13, Q34)
Transcriptomic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae xSaccharomyces kudriavzevii hybrids during low temperature winemaking
Authors: Tronchoni Jordi , García-Ríos Estéfani , Guillamón Jose Manuel , Querol Amparo , Pérez-Torrado Roberto
Published: June 2017

Background: AlthoughSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis the most frequently isolated species in wine fermentation, and the most studied species, other species and interspecific hybrids have greatly attracted the interest of researchers in this field in the last few years, given their potential to solve new winemaking industry challenges.S. cerevisiaexS. kudriavzeviihybrids exhibit good fermentative capabilities at low temperatures, and produce wines with smaller alcohol quantities and larger glycerol quantities, which can be very useful to solve challenges in the winemaking industry such as the necessity to enhance the aroma profile.

Methods: In this study, we performed a transcriptomic study ofS. cerevisiaexS. kudriavzeviihybrids in low temperature winemaking conditions.

Results: The results revealed that the hybrids have acquired both fermentative abilities and cold adaptation abilities, attributed toS. cerevisiaeandS. kudriavzeviiparental species, respectively, showcasing their industrially relevant characteristics. For several key genes, we also studied the contribution to gene expression of each of the alleles ofS. cerevisiaeandS. kudriavzeviiin theS. cerevisiaexS. kudriavzeviihybrids. From the results, it is not clear how important the differential expression of the specific parental alleles is to the phenotype of the hybrids.

Conclusions: This study shows that the fermentative abilities ofS. cerevisiaexS. kudriavzeviihybrids at low temperatures do not seem to result from differential expression of specific parental alleles of the key genes involved in this phentoype.
Perception of square and park characteristics and physical activity practice among High School students
Authors: Dias Arieli , Brand Caroline , Lemes Vanilson , Gaya Anelise , Gaya Adroaldo
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to investigate the association between perception of square/park characteristics (infrastructure, conservation, esthetics, safety, distance from residence, and access) and physical activity among High School students of the public network. It is an association study with a quantitative approach and a random sample composed of 168 adolescents (40.3% of boys and 59.7% of girls), aged between 14 and 18 years, from 10 high schools located in the city of Passo Fundo, southern Brazil. Perception of square/park characteristics was assessed through six questions about the characteristics of the neighborhood where students live. Physical activity was measured by means of a question adopted in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Data analysis was carried out through descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test and Poisson regression. The regression results showed that students who answered that the square/park is not far from their home had a prevalence ratio of 2.29 (CI: 1.25-8.56) times of being physically active. In the best model, adjusted for sex and socioeconomic level, the prevalence ratio increased to 2.82 (CI: 1.31-11.22). Therefore, the study showed that the perceived distance between the square/park and the adolescents’ home influences physical activity practice, and students who reported that the square/park was not far from their home were more likely to be physically active.
Exercise and fruit/vegetable intake in a sample of Brazilian university students: association with nutritional status
Authors: Marques Andréa Grano , Barbosa Marileisa , Guedes Dartagnan Pinto
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to identify the frequency of practice of exercise and fruit/vegetable intake in a representative sample of Brazilian university students and their possible association with nutritional status. The sample consisted of 1177 individuals of both sexes, aged 18-35 years, selected randomly. Information about the frequency of exercise and fruit/vegetable intake was obtained with the National College Health Assessment-II self-administered questionnaire. Nutritional status was defined based on body mass index according to the cut-off values recommended by the World Health Organization. The results showed that the practice of cardio-respiratory and resistance exercises were reported by 51.5% and 32.5% of the sample, respectively. Less than 4% of the university students had an adequate fruit/vegetable intake. Proportion of occurrence of excess body weight was equivalent to 32.4%, being significantly higher in men (45.6% vs 22.33%; p < 0.005). The risk to identify excess body weight in university students who reported not consuming fruits/vegetables daily was two to three times higher than their peers who reported an adequate intake (women: OR = 2.89 [95%CI 2.28 – 3.62]; men: OR = 1.96 [95%CI 1.44 – 2.60]). Exposure risk for excess body weight was progressively lower according to reported higher frequency of practice of cardio-respiratory exercise. In conclusion, the findings suggest immediate interventions aimed at emphasizing the healthy practice of exercise and food intake could help to minimize the risk of appearance and development of excess body weight.
A transformation that preserves principal minors of skew-symmetric matrices
Authors: BOUSSAIRI Abderrahim , CHERGUI Brahim
Published: June 2017

It is well known that two $n\times n$ symmetric matrices have equal corresponding principal minors of all orders if and only if they are diagonally similar. This result cannot be extended to arbitrary matrices. The aim of this work is to give a new transformation that preserves principal minors of skew-symmetric matrices.
The role of orthobiologics in foot and ankle surgery
Authors: Wee James , Thevendran Gowreeson
Published: June 2017

Orthobiologics are biological substances that are used therapeutically for their positive effects on healing skeletal and soft-tissue injuries. The array of orthobiological products currently available to the foot and ankle surgeon is wide, and includes bone allografts, bone substitutes, growth factors, and chondral scaffolds. Nonetheless, despite the surge in interest and usage of orthobiologics, there remains a relative paucity of research addressing their specific applications in foot and ankle surgery. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the literature on commonly available allogenic bone grafts and bone substitutes. There is Level II, III and IV evidence addressing allogenic bone grafts in primary arthrodesis and osteotomy procedures in foot and ankle surgery, which compares favourably with autogenic bone grafts in terms of fusion rates and clinical outcomes (often with fewer complications), and supports a Grade B recommendation for its use. Pertaining to bone substitutes, the multiplicity of products, coupled with a lack of large prospective clinical trials, makes firm recommendations difficult. Level II and IV studies of calcium phosphate and calcium sulphate products in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures have found favourable results in addressing bone voids, maintaining reduction and promoting union, meriting a Grade B recommendation. Evidence for TCP is limited to level IV studies reporting similarly good outcomes in intra-articular calcaneal fractures, warranting a Grade C recommendation. The use of demineralised bone matrix products in hindfoot and ankle fusions has been described in Level II and III studies, with favourable results in achieving fusion and good clinical outcomes, supporting a Grade B recommendation for these indications. Overall, despite the general lack of high-level evidence in foot and ankle surgery, allogenic bone grafts and bone substitutes continue to hold front-line roles in treating the bone defects encountered in trauma, tumour, and deformity correction surgery. However, more investigation is required before firm recommendations can be made.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:272–280. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160044
Direct and indirect paths leading to contraceptive use in urban Africa
Authors: Gourbin Catherine , Wunsch Guillaume , Moreau Lorise , Guillaume Agnès
Published: June 2017

Résumé

Cet article examine le recours à la contraception dans les capitales de quatre pays africains, le Burkina Faso, le Ghana, le Maroc et le Sénégal. L’article cherche à répondre à deux questions : (i) quel est l’ordre hiérarchique des relations causales entre les caractéristiques individuelles associées au recours à la contraception dans les quatre populations urbaines considérées ? Plus particulièrement, (ii) comme l’instruction est un facteur majeur de la transition démographique, les données confirment-elles les deux chemins indirects allant de l’instruction au recours à la contraception qui ont été proposés dans la littérature, à savoir un chemin union-re­production et un chemin socio-culturel ? À partir d’une analyse secondaire des En­quêtes Démographie et Santé (EDS), la méthodologie se base sur des modèles structurels récursifs représentés par des graphes acycliques orientés. L’analyse em­pirique confirme l’importance de variables telles que le désir d’enfants et l’accord parental en matière de planification familiale pour expliquer le recours à la contraception. L’analyse met aussi en relief un chemin structurel union-reproduction as­sociant instruction féminine et recours à la contraception. En revanche, l’analyse aboutit à rejeter l’existence d’un chemin socioculturel, celui-ci étant infirmé par les données disponibles. La validité de ces résultats est discutée.

Abstract

This study examined contraceptive use in the capital cities of four African countries, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Morocco and Senegal. The article sought to answer two questions: (i) what is the hierarchical ordering of causal relationships among the individual factors involved in the use of contraception in the four urban populations considered? More particularly, (ii) as education is a major factor of fertility transition, are two main indirect pathways that have been proposed in the literature (a union-reproductive path and a socio-cultural one), leading from women’s education to contraceptive use, confirmed by the data? Having recourse to a secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey(DHS) data, the methodology is based on recursive structural models represented by directed acyclic graphs. The empirical analysis confirms the importance of variables such as the desire for children and partner agreement on family planning in explaining contraceptive use. It also highlights a structural union-reproductive path linking female education and contraceptive use. On the contrary, the analysis leads to a tentative rejection of the socio-cul­tural path, as it is falsified by the data available. The validity of these results is discussed.
Reforming local government: Must it always be democracy versus efficiency?
Authors: Quinlivan Aodh
Published: June 2017

The financial crisis from 2008 has had a profound impact on Irish local government. Councils were faced with a disastrous combination of factors - declining funding from central government, difficulties in collecting commercial rates as businesses struggled, and a drastic fall in revenue from development levies. Staffing levels in the local government sector were reduced by over 20 per cent, significantly more than the losses suffered by central government ministries and departments. Yet the financial crisis also offered an opportunity for reform and a fundamental reappraisal of subnational government in Ireland. A reform strategy produced in 2012 paved the way for the Local Government Reform Act, 2014. As a result of this legislation, the number of local authorities was reduced from 114 to 31 with the complete abolition of all town councils. The number of council seats also fell from 1,627 to 949. Using Scharpf’s dimensions of democratic legitimacy, this article assesses whether the focus of the 2014 reforms was on output legitimacy (efficiency and effectiveness) as opposed to input legitimacy (citizen integration and participation).
Reforming the Irish public service: A multiple streams perspective
Authors: MacCarthaigh Muiris
Published: June 2017

Following the Irish general election of 2011, a new ministry emerged which sought to combine public expenditure, industrial relations and public sector reform. The creation of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) represented a major departure in Irish administrative history, not least because it introduced a new actor at the heart of Irish government, but also for the range of tasks with which it was endowed. This article provides an administrative reform context for the creation of DPER before examining its work across three domains: industrial relations, financial management reform and administrative reform. Drawing on Kingdon’s ‘multiple streams’ model of policy change, the article argues that reform efforts across all three were made possible by the ‘window of opportunity’ presented by the department’s creation and the coming together of problems, policies and politics in respect of public service reform.
Research on Approaches for Regulation of the “Off-label” use of Medicinal Products in the European Union
Authors: Drenska M. , Getov I.
Published: June 2017

Despite the increasingly strict legislation on medicinal products, the „off-label use“ or „use of medicinal product outside the approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC)“ is a weak point of today’s drug regulation and raises many questions about the risk, ethics, and legality of this type of practice. In recent years, through guidance and legal changes in some countries were defined the conditions and responsibilities, but in the most European countries still lack rules for off-label prescribing. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyse different approaches to regulation, adopted by some member states as well as to summarize the efforts in demand of common harmonized approach to solve this problem within the European Union. In the study, we used the available regulatory information in different electronic resources associated with the off-label drug use in selected European countries without limited time range. The results show that decisions taken to regulate the issue have significant differences and specific approach, while none of them is enough satisfactory and comprehensive. In conclusion, it can be claimed that the existing regulatory rules in various countries require significant improvement and update.
Recurrent Hyponatremia as Presenting Manifestation of Pituitary Macroadenoma
Authors: Rajput R. , Jain D. , Pathak V.
Published: June 2017

Hyponatremia is commonly seen electrolyte disturbance clinically. It is potentially life-threatening and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma generally presents with a headache, visual disturbances, and the diagnosis is often delayed because of nonspecific nature of symptoms. Hyponatremia being initial manifestation before other common symptoms of pituitary macroadenoma is rare. We present a case of 55-year-old male with recurrent episodes of hyponatremia who was found to non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma along with panhypopituitarism. He was managed with hormone replacements. Our case highlights the importance of correct diagnosis of hyponatremia, measurement of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary function in cases of hyponatremia.
A solution decomposition for a singularly perturbed fourth-order problem
Authors: Höhne Katharina , Franz Sebastian , Waurick Marcus
Published: June 2017

We consider a singularly perturbed fourth-order problem with third-order terms on the unit square. With a formal power series approach, we decompose the solution into solutions of reduced (third-order) problems and various layer parts. The existence of unique solutions for the problem itself and for the reduced third-order problems is also addressed. To our knowledge, this paper is a first attempt for a solution decomposition of such problems.
The Evolution of Biochemical Indices After Basal Cell Epithelioma Removal - Case Report
Authors: Gurgas L. , Popescu N. D. , Hangan L. T. , Chirila S. , Rosoiu Natalia
Published: June 2017

The paper proposes new exposure data on etiopathogenesis basal cell epithelioma and present a clinical case investigated dermatoscopic, biochemically, treated surgically and guided to avoid relapses. The case presented is part of typical cases of pigmented basal cell carcinoma. Biochemical and haematological investigations performed one day before the excisional intervention (results 1) and 30 days (results 2) after the intervention: It is recommended to monitor biochemical investigations in which alterations were found, and ways for raising the immunological status.
Die Rolle des jüdischen Sports in der Mainmetropole Frankfurt vor und nach dem 30. Januar 1933
Authors: Peiffer Lorenz
Published: June 2017

From the eleventh century onwards the Jewish community in Frankfurt had developed into one of the centres of Jewish life in Europe. In the early 1930s it was the second largest Jewish community in Germany, counting about 31,000 members. With Bar Kochba, Schild, Jüdischer Arbeiter-Sportclub, Jüdischer Turnerbund and Sportverein des Philanthropin five Jewish sport clubs had already been founded before Hitler’s rise to power. But with only 1,000 members they played a minor role in Frankfurt’s sport society. The majority of the Jewish athletes were members of the middle-class sports clubs in Frankfurt. After the exclusion of Jewish members from the middle-class sports clubs the Jewish athletes’ only choice was to join one of the Jewish sports clubs. After fighting to survive until 1933, the Jewish sports club Schild Frankfurt developed into a major sports club within months.
Haskala, Pietismus und der Rostocker Orientalist Oluf Gerhard Tychsen (1734–1815)
Authors: Lammel Hans-Uwe , Busch Michael
Published: June 2017

Oluf Gerhard Tychsen (1734–1815) was a dazzling figure in the European history of ideas. As a young student of theology at the pietistic Institutum Judaicum et Muhammedicum in Halle he showed great interest in Jewish studies and took part in missionary activities throughout Germany. As a teacher of oriental studies at the universities of Bützow and later of Rostock, both in Mecklenburg, he was in charge of an academic network with about 200 correspondents from all parts of Europe. Besides his numismatic and linguistic expertise he was deeply occupied with the »Jewish question«. Our investigation explores three topics in this field: Tychsen’s participation in the debate on the early burial in Jewish communities in Mecklenburg, his part in the enrolment of the first medical students at Bützow and in granting them their medical degree from 1766 onwards, and his commitment to one of the most liberal Jewish emancipation edicts which was composed in Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1813. Our main question is how Tychsen’s activities in these fields were interwoven with the Jewish striving for emancipation against the background of Haskala and Pietism.
Effect of UV Irradiation on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Natural and Synthetic Fabric Before and After Nano-Tio2Padding
Authors: Wiener J. , Chládová A. , Shahidi S. , Peterová L.
Published: June 2017

In this study, the effect of UV irradiation on mechanical properties of both natural and synthetic fabrics is investigated. Also the UV degradation of fabrics before and after TiO2padding is studied. Cotton is used as natural fabric, and polyester, polypropylene, and polyamide were used as synthetic fabrics. After deposition with TiO2, prepared samples were irradiated by different dosage of UV light and the changes in fiber surface and the adhesion of nanoparticles is tested. The scanning electron microscopy, elemental analyses of Ti, and other methods were used. In some cases, the effect of stabilization of nanoparticles on fibers by UV light was realized. Reasons of this stabilization are the surface changes of polymer fibers-increase in surface roughness and oxidation of surface.
Effect of Air Gap Entrapped in Firefighter Protective Clothing on Thermal Resistance and Evaporative Resistance
Authors: He Hualing , Yu Zhicai
Published: June 2017

Heat and water vapor transfer behavior of thermal protective clothing is greatly influenced by the air gap entrapped in multilayer fabric system. In this study, a sweating hot plate method was used to investigate the effect of air gap position and size on thermal resistance and evaporative resistance of firefighter clothing under a range of ambient temperature and humidity. Results indicated that the presence of air gap in multilayer fabric system decreased heat and water vapor transfer abilities under normal wear. Moreover, the air gap position slightly influenced the thermal and evaporative performances of the firefighter clothing. In this study, the multilayer fabric system obtained the highest thermal resistance, when the air space was located at position B. Furthermore, the effect of ambient temperature on heat and water vapor transfer properties of the multilayer fabric system was also investigated in the presence of a specific air gap. It was indicated that ambient temperature did not influence the evaporative resistance of thermal protective clothing. A thermographic image was used to test the surface temperature of multilayer fabric system when an air gap was incorporated. These results suggested that a certain air gap entrapped in thermal protective clothing system could affect wear comfort.
Government education expenditures and economic growth: a meta-analysis
Authors: Awaworyi Churchill Sefa , Ugur Mehmet , Yew Siew Ling
Published: June 2017

Using a sample of 237 estimates drawn from 29 primary studies, we conduct a hierarchical meta-regression analysis that examines the association between economic growth and government expenditure on education. We find that the effect of government education expenditure on growth is positive for developed countries. However, when the evidence pertains to less developed countries (LDCs), we find a statistically insignificant association. We also examine the heterogeneity in empirical results and found that factors such as econometric specifications, publication characteristics as well as data characteristics explain the heterogeneity in the literature. We find no evidence of publication selectivity.
The Sexual Orientation Cases
Authors: Loveland Ian
Published: June 2017

This paper assesses Scalia’s contribution to a series of cases, spanning much of his thirty years tenure on the court, which addressed issues relating to sexual orientation discrimination. The argument put forward is that these cases severely undermine any claim that Scalia might make to having been a distinguished judge in an intellectual or juridical sense. The pervasive theme of Scalia’s opinions in these matters is that of a constant failure to respect traditional tenets of legal reasoning and a compulsive inclination to engage in abusive castigation both of the litigants challenging the discriminatory laws and his judicial colleagues who did not agree with his viewpoint.
The Style As a Factor of Office Building Concentration Locations in European Cities
Authors: Bocian Anna
Published: June 2017

Where should office building concentrations be located in cities? What kind of factors has an influence on its locations? The aim of the research is to examine factors of office locations in cities. Selected office building concentrations in European cities were investigated as case studies. The research method was the spatial decision paradigm. The style, one of the main elements of the paradigm, was selected to answer the research question. The style was defined a composition of existing urban structures. Basic elements of urban composition in selected European cities were examined closely. Research results are conditions of office building concentration locations in European cities in term of urban composition. Such knowledge should be a base of decision-making processe during preparing master plans and city development plans.
Trimble M3 1” and South Nts-362R Total Station Angle Measurement Accuracy Analysis
Authors: Oleniacz Grzegorz , Skrzypczak Izabela , Świętoń Tomasz
Published: June 2017

The main purpose of this study was to obtain information about the actual precision of angle measurements with two instruments (Trimble M3 1 "and South NTS-362R), realizable in given measurement conditions. This object is achieved by using a simplified method of testing instruments contained in the PN-ISO 17123-3 standard [1]. This is a continuation of research described in [2], carried out on the same test base, but this time in a different, less favorable field conditions. The use of the same instrument has created an opportunity to compare and analyze the measurement results. The scope of work includes the measurement and results preparation along with statistical processing of the obtained results for both instruments.
Influence of Space-Time Heterogeneity of Water Consumption Conditions on the Parameters of a Water Supply System
Authors: Ogiołda Ewa , Nowogoński Ireneusz , Babiuch Maciej
Published: June 2017

The work presents the results of the analysis of an existing water supply system. It contains a description of the analysed area in which the analysed system was located, as well as its parameters regarding water intakes and transport of water with pumps, the length and diameter of pipes, and a complication of the materials used to construct the network. Water demand accounting for the nature of the consumers using the water supply network was subject to analysis. The influence of changes in the distribution of water within a day for the basic categories of recipients was accounted for. The EPANET 2.0 program for the simulating water supply network operation, made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through a public-domain licence, was used to construct the model of the system. The obtained results of the simulation allowed for indicating the main problems with the use of the analysed system. Subject to analysis was the pressure pattern in characteristic nodes of the network from which mining companies, industrial plants and residential households were supplied. Usefulness of the developed simulation model in preparing the assessment of future modernization works was confirmed, allowing for the effects of their implementation to be assessed.