bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Naturalistic Use Patterns of Advanced Infotainment Systems
Authors: Perez Miguel A. , Angell Linda S. , Hankey Jonathan M.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

The objective was to examine naturalistic usage of infotainment systems to assess use characteristics and patterns.

Background:

Infotainment systems continue to evolve in terms of their capabilities and information availability, raising concerns about their distraction potential. Assessing potential distraction requires understanding how challenging different tasks are and how frequently they occur during driving.

Method:

High-end infotainment system use was observed across 17 participants over a period of approximately 4 weeks each. One of two different infotainment systems was provided to participants. Audio, video, and driving performance data were collected and observed by trained reductionists. The two infotainment systems integrated iPod™, satellite radio, CD/DVD/MP3 playback, AM/FM, and, in one case, navigation functionalities. Systems differed in their vehicle integration and advanced infotainment features offered.

Results:

The median participant interacted with the infotainment systems once every 4 hr (90th percentile: 6.1 interactions/hr). More than 50% of these interactions involved adjusting the volume. Although there were a few lengthy interactions, the median duration was 2.2 s (90th percentile: 24.6 s), which required measurable visual involvement when compared to a matched baseline. The median total eyes-off-road time across interactions was 1 s (90th percentile: 11.4 s) and differed significantly across type of system interaction. Longer interactions tended to occur when the vehicle was stationary.

Conclusion:

Drivers habitually interact with infotainment systems while driving; this includes advanced functions. Some self-regulation was observed.

Application:

These data provide a comparison basis for use in examining driver interactions with future infotainment systems.
Discourse and oppositionality in the Arab Spring: The case of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UAE
Authors: al-Zo’by Mazhar , Başkan Birol
Published: December 2014

Theorizing the nature and possibility of political opposition in the Arab Gulf states after the ‘Arab Spring’ has largely focused on the state’s capacity to dispense economic patronage to defuse any oppositional formation. Citing the lack of critical popular and public mobilization, many opted to focus only on the ‘resilience’ of the state, re-emphasizing the often-touted view of ‘Gulf exceptionalism’ under the rentier state social contract. Within this conceptual framework, the risk of political opposition only arises when the state is unable to expand economic entitlement to its populations. The aim of this article is to examine the forms and formations of religious-based oppositional discourse that can arise in a rentier state. More specifically, the goal of this article is to examine the dynamic oppositional narratives engendered by the Muslim Brotherhood against the government of the UAE after the ‘Arab Spring.’ One of the main assertions in this article is that this oppositional discourse transcended simple demands for political and economic participation and evolved into a broader form of de-legitimation discourse grounded in notions of social justice, identity rights, and civic entitlements.
Additional US or DBT after digital mammography: which one is the best combination?
Authors: Elizalde Arlette , Pina Luis , Etxano Jon , Slon Pedro , Zalazar Romina , Caballeros Meylin
Published: December 2014

Background

Digital mammography (DM) is widespread used for the detection of breast cancer, but its sensitivity drops in dense breasts. It is well known that additional breast ultrasound (US) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) increase the sensitivity of DM. However, to our knowledge, there are no articles comparing the role of both additional techniques.

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic performance of DM and the different combinations of DM + additional DBT and DM + additional US in an enriched sample of patients.

Material and Methods

Retrospective study in an enriched sample of 1042 patients. Out of them, 84 patients had histologically proven malignant lesions and 258 patients had benign lesions. Finally 700 patients with normal explorations or benign lesions without biopsy confirmation (but stable for at least 12 months) were included. All of them underwent DM, US, and DBT examinations that were retrospectively reviewed by one expert radiologist, blinded to the final diagnoses. The DBT examinations were performed using one single view with wide angle (50°). The reader categorized the cases as benign (BI-RADS 1 or 2) or malignant (BI-RADS 3–5) for DM and the different combination of techniques. The sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) were calculated with the PEPI software and the ROC curves of the different techniques and combinations were calculated by using the SPSS 15.0 software.

Results

The SE and SP of DM were 69.05% and 88.20%, respectively. Additional DBT significantly increased the AUC of DM as well as additional US or the combination DM + DBT + US ( P < 0.05). However there were no significant differences between the AUC of DM + US and DM + DBT ( P = 0.7).

Conclusion

Additional US, DBT, or both, in combination with DM, significantly increased the AUC of DM. However, there were no significant differences between DM + DBT and DM + US.
Environmental Geopolitics in the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Dalby Simon
Published: December 2014

Rising concerns about climate change and the growing realization that humanity has become a geological agent shaping planetary systems have led to the adoption of the term Anthropocene as an overarching term for the current period of planetary history. The growing disjunction between traditional geopolitical specifications of territorial and spatial categories of politics and the new geological circumstances require a reconsideration of the material context for politics. Having taken our fate into our own hands, governance mechanisms have to grapple with novel matters of production and energy challenging modern assumptions about an autonomous humanity playing out its political drama against a stable natural background. While governing climate is generating new spatial categories of politics, it is far from clear that these devices can reassemble the human and natural systems into a sustainable configuration for the next period of the Anthropocene. One of the key dichotomies that structures modern thinking, the division between human and nature, is no longer tenable. We are literally making our own future, and the consequences of these reconsiderations are profound for politics in general and security in particular.
A piezoelectric screw-driven motor operating in shear vibration modes
Authors: Ho Shine-Tzong , Chiu Wei-Hsuan
Published: December 2014

In this study, a piezoelectric screw-driven motor operating in two shear vibration modes is proposed. The working mode of the motor is brand new. Low voltage is sufficient to drive the stator to drive the helical motion of the screw rod, in order to implement high-precision linear motion. The stator structure of this screw-driven motor is formed by obliquely placing four piezoelectric actuators in a four-side hollowed cubic elastic body. A through threaded hole was designed in the z-direction of the stator, exactly fitting the screw rod to be pushed. In the design processes of a screw-driven motor, the finite element analysis software ANSYS was used to analyze the vibration characteristics of the stator structure. The mutually orthogonal z–x and z–y shear vibration modes were designed using ANSYS. The two orthogonal vibration modes are driven by the sine voltage with phase difference between the two sets of piezoelectric actuators. Hence, the stator has elliptical trajectory at the threaded hole edge and drives the screw rod to simultaneously rotate and translate in the axial direction. In the experiment, the screw-driven motor prototype fabricated according to the designed results was measured; it showed that the translational velocity of the screw-driven motor is 2.137 mm/s when applying 16 V peak voltage without mechanical load. The translational velocity of the motor is 1.174 mm/s with 16 g mechanical load under 16 V peak voltage driving.
Beyond Risk-Taking
Authors: Leung Kwok , Deng Hong , Wang Jie , Zhou Fan
Published: December 2014

In addition to risk-taking behavior, we propose that psychological safety also promotes prosocial behavior through cooperative goal interdependence. To differentiate these two types of effects, we contrasted the moderating effects of two interpersonal harmony motives. A survey in China supported the indirect effect of psychological safety on helping behavior through cooperative goal interdependence. This mediated relationship was moderated by harmony enhancement such that the mediated effect of psychological safety was weaker when harmony enhancement was high. Psychological safety was positively related to innovative behavior, and this relationship was moderated by disintegration avoidance such that it was weaker when disintegration avoidance was high. These results shed light on the different effects of psychological safety and their underlying mechanisms.
Evaluation of Immunostimulatory Potential of Branded and US-Generic Enoxaparins in an In Vitro Human Immune System Model
Authors: Luna Ernesto , Agrawal Pankaj , Mehta Riyaz , Vernhes Charlotte , Viskov Christian , Amiral Jean , Warren William L. , Drake Donald R.
Published: December 2014

Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have several positive therapeutic effects and can also form immunostimulatory complexes with plasma proteins, such as platelet factor 4 (PF4). We compared the innate response and functional profiles of branded and US-generic enoxaparins from 2 manufacturers in either native or PF4-bound forms in an in vitro model of human immunity. In an analysis of 2 product lots from each manufacturer and multiple separate batches of protein–heparin complexes, branded enoxaparin was shown to be consistently nonstimulatory for innate responses, whereas US-generic enoxaparins generated variable immunostimulatory profiles depending on the enoxaparin lot used to prepare the PF4–LMWH complexes. Production of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a physiologic heparin-induced inhibitor of tissue factor-induced coagulation that was used as a functional readout of biological activity of enoxaparins in these assays, was heightened in the presence of branded enoxaparin complexes, but its levels were variable in cultures treated with complexes containing US-generic enoxaparins. Analytical analyses suggest that the heightened immunostimulatory potential of some of the US-generic enoxaparin product lots could be tied to their capacity to form ultra-large and/or more stable complexes with PF4 than the other LMWHs included in this study. Although these distinct biological and analytical profiles might be related to the composition and/or consistency of branded and US-generic enoxaparins included in our data set, further studies are warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological relevance of these in vitro findings.
Transition to Adult Mental Health Services for Young People With ADHD
Authors: Reale Laura , Costantino Maria Antonella , Sequi Marco , Bonati Maurizio
Published: December 2014

Objective: To investigate the care management and continuity from child to adult mental health service for young adults with ADHD. Method: A questionnaire survey from 18 Regional ADHD Pediatric Centers (RAPC) in Lombardy, Italy, was used to collect data on transition protocols and population served, and to track the pathway of care of ADHD patients once they reached adulthood. Results: Twenty-eight percent of RAPC had transition protocols and 3% of the population annually served were potential referrals to adult service. Of 52 patients who turned 18 years, just over 70% were monitored by the general practitioner, of those 5 with RAPC support. One fifth of patients continued to use mental health services, the majority was still monitored by the RAPC, and only three by services for adult. Conclusion: Managing the process of transition to adult services in mental health care remains a need to be prioritized and better defined for ADHD patients.
Engaging parents of students with disabilities: Moving beyond the grief model
Authors: Allred Keith W
Published: December 2014

Educators in many Western nations have used the Kübler-Ross stage model of grief for five decades as a lens to explain parental response to disability. A recent article in Improving Schools, representing this deficit model, asserted that the grief lens is useful in understanding parent’s response to learning that their child qualified for special education services. Implicit assumptions in such a perspective unintentionally undermine parent–educator relations. This article describes that phenomenon and notes an emerging ‘transformational’, empowering model of parental response to disability based on a social-ecological conceptualization of disability. Educators’ intent on improving 21st century schools must confront belief perseverance regarding the grief lens and adopt a more empowering strength-based approach in order to effectively engage parents of students with disabilities in strong collaboration relationships.
The incidence of intensive care unit-acquired weakness syndromes: A systematic review
Authors: Appleton Richard TD , Kinsella John , Quasim Tara
Published: December 2014

We conducted a literature review of the intensive care unit-acquired weakness syndromes (critical illness polyneuropathy, critical illness myopathy and critical illness neuromyopathy) with the primary objective of determining their incidence as a combined group. Studies were identified through MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database and article reference list searches and were included if they evaluated the incidence of one or more of these conditions in an adult intensive care unit population. The incidence of an intensive care unit-acquired weakness syndrome in the included studies was 40% (1080/2686 patients, 95% confidence interval 38–42%). The intensive care unit populations included were heterogeneous though largely included patients receiving mechanical ventilation for seven or more days. Additional prespecified outcomes identified that the incidence of intensive care unit-acquired weakness varied with the diagnostic technique used, being lower with clinical (413/1276, 32%, 95% CI 30–35%) compared to electrophysiological techniques (749/1591, 47%, 95% CI 45–50%). Approximately a quarter of patients were not able to comply with clinical evaluation and this may be responsible for potential underreporting of this condition.
Screening for celiac disease in the general population and in high‐risk groups
Authors: Ludvigsson Jonas F , Card Timothy R , Kaukinen Katri , Bai Julio , Zingone Fabiana , Sanders David S , Murray Joseph A
Published: December 2014

Background

Celiac disease (CD) occurs in approximately 1% of the Western population. It is a lifelong disorder that is associated with impaired quality of life (QOL) and an excessive risk of comorbidity and death.

Objectives

To review the literature on screening for CD in relation to the current World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for mass screening.

Methods

We performed aPubMedsearch to identify indexed papers on CD screening with a publication date from 1900 until 1 June 2014. When we deemed an abstract relevant, we read the corresponding paper in detail.

Results

CD fulfills several WHO criteria for mass screening (high prevalence, available treatment and difficult clinical detection), but it has not yet been established that treatment of asymptomatic CD may reduce the excessive risk of severe complications, leading to higher QOL nor that it is cost‐effective.

Conclusions

Current evidence is not sufficient to support mass screening for CD, but active case‐finding may be appropriate, as we recognize that most patients with CD will still be missed by this strategy. Although proof of benefit is still lacking, screening for CD may be appropriate in high‐risk groups.
Prognostic factors for remission of and survival in acquired hemophilia A (AHA): results from the GTH-AH 01/2010 study
Authors: Tiede Andreas , Klamroth Robert , Scharf Rüdiger E. , Trappe Ralf U. , Holstein Katharina , Huth-Kühne Angela , Gottstein Saskia , Geisen Ulrich , Schenk Joachim , Scholz Ute , Schilling Kristina , Neumeister Peter , Miesbach Wolfgang , Manner Daniela , Greil Richard , von Auer Charis , Krause Manuela , Leimkühler Klaus , Kalus Ulrich , Blumtritt Jan-Malte , Werwitzke Sonja , Budde Eva , Koch Armin , Knöbl Paul
Published: December 2014

Key Points

This study is the first to assess prognostic factors in patients with AHA treated according to a uniform immunosuppressive regimen. Residual factor VIII activity and inhibitor concentration at baseline are potentially useful predictors of remission.
Imaging endpoints for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cash David M , Rohrer Jonathan D , Ryan Natalie S , Ourselin Sebastien , Fox Nick C
Published: December 2014

As the need to develop a successful disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) becomes more urgent, imaging is increasingly used in therapeutic trials. We provide an overview of how the different imaging modalities are used in AD studies and the current regulatory guidelines for their use in clinical trials as endpoints. We review the current literature for results of imaging endpoints of efficacy and safety in published clinical trials. We start with trials in mild to moderate AD, where imaging (largely magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) has long played a role in inclusion and exclusion criteria; more recently, MRI has been used to identify adverse events and to measure rates of brain atrophy. The advent of amyloid imaging using positron emission tomography has led to trials incorporating amyloid measurements as endpoints and incidentally to the recognition of the high proportion of amyloid-negative individuals that may be recruited into these trials. Ongoing and planned trials now commonly include multimodality imaging: amyloid positron emission tomography, MRI and other modalities. At the same time, the failure of recent large profile trials in mild to moderate AD together with the realisation that there is a long prodromal period to AD has driven a push to move studies to earlier in the disease. Imaging has particularly important roles, alongside other biomarkers, in assessing efficacy because conventional clinical outcomes may have limited ability to detect treatment effects in these early stages.
Nutritional physiology of life history trade-offs: how food protein-carbohydrate content influences life-history traits in the wing-polymorphic cricketGryllus firmus
Authors: Clark Rebecca M. , Zera Anthony J. , Behmer Spencer T.
Published: December 2014

Although life-history trade-offs result from the differential acquisition and allocation of nutritional resources to competing physiological functions, many aspects of this topic remain poorly understood. Wing-polymorphic insects, which possess alternate morphs that trade off allocation to flight capability versus early reproduction, provide a good model system for exploring this topic. In this study we used the wing-polymorphic cricket Gryllus firmus to test how expression of the flight capability vs. reproduction trade-off was modified across a heterogeneous protein-carbohydrate nutritional landscape. Newly molted adult female crickets were given one of 13 diets with different concentrations and ratios of protein and digestible carbohydrate; for each cricket we measured consumption patterns, growth, and allocation to reproduction (ovary mass) vs. flight muscle maintenance (flight muscle mass and somatic lipid stores). Feeding responses in both morphs were influenced more by total macronutrient concentration than protein-carbohydrate ratio, except at high macronutrient concentration, where protein-carbohydrate balance was important. Mass gain tended to be greatest on protein-biased diets for both morphs, but was consistently lower across all diets for long-winged females. When long-winged females were fed high-carbohydrate foods they accumulated greater somatic lipid stores; on high-protein foods they accumulated greater somatic protein stores. Food protein-carbohydrate content also affected short-winged females (selected for early reproductive onset), which showed dramatic increases in ovary size, including ovarian stores of lipids and protein, on protein-biased foods. This is the first study to show how the concentration and ratio of dietary protein and carbohydrate affects consumption and allocation to key physiological features associated with the reproduction-dispersal life-history trade-off.
Preparing the leg for ground contact in running: the contribution of feed-forward and visual feedback
Authors: Müller Roy , Häufle Daniel Florian Benedict , Blickhan Reinhard
Published: December 2014

While running on uneven ground, humans are able to negotiate visible but also camouflaged changes in ground level. Previous studies have shown that the leg kinematics before touch down change with ground level. The present study experimentally investigates the contributions of visual perception (visual feedback), proprioceptive feedback, and feed-forward patterns to the muscle activity responsible for these adaptations. The activity of three bilateral lower limb muscles (M. gastrocnemius medialis, M. tibialis anterior and M. vastus medialis) of nine healthy subjects was recorded during running across visible (drop of 0, -5 and -10 cm) and camouflaged changes in ground level (drop of 0 and -10 cm). The results reveal that at touchdown with longer flight time M. tibialis anterior activation decreases and M. vastus medialis activation increases purely by feed-forward driven (flight time-dependent) muscle activation patterns, while M. gastrocnemius medialis activation increase is additionally influenced by visual feedback. Thus, feed-forward driven muscle activation patterns are sufficient to explain the experimentally observed adjustments of the leg at touchdown.
Comparative whole-body kinematics of closely related insect species with different body morphology
Authors: Theunissen Leslie M. , Bekemeier Holger H. , Dürr Volker
Published: December 2014

Legged locomotion through natural environments is very complex and variable. For example, leg kinematics may differ strongly among species, but even within the same species it is adaptive and context-dependent. Inter-species differences in locomotion are often difficult to interpret, because both morphological and ecological differences among species may be strong and, as a consequence, confound each other's effects. In order to understand better how body morphology affects legged locomotion, we compare unrestrained whole-body kinematics of three stick insect species with different body proportions, but similar feeding ecology: Carausius morosus, Aretaon asperrimus and Medauroidea extradentata (= Cuniculina impigra). In order to co-vary locomotory context, we introduced a gradually increasing demand for climbing by varying the height of stairs on the set-up. The species were similar in many aspects, for example in using distinct classes of steps, with minor differences concerning the spread of corrective short steps. Major differences were related to (1) antenna length, (2) segment lengths of thorax and head, and (3) the ratio of leg length over body length: (1) Whereas all species continuously moved their antennae, only Medauroidea executed high swing movements with its front legs to search for obstacles in the near-range environment. (2) Whereas all species adjusted their body inclination, the range in which body segments moved differed considerably, with longer thorax segments tending to be moved more. (3) Finally, leg posture, time courses of leg joint angles and intra-leg coordination differed most strongly in long-legged Medauroidea.
Suppression of Nonspecific Protein–Nanodiamond Adsorption Enabling Specific Targeting of Nanodiamonds to Biomolecules of Interest
Authors: Sotoma Shingo , Igarashi Ryuji , Iimura Jun , Kumiya Yuta , Tochio Hidehito , Harada Yoshie , Shirakawa Masahiro
Published: December 2014

Applications of nanodiamonds (NDs) to bioimaging are restricted because of the nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules on the surface of NDs. Here, we show that hyperbranched polyglycerol-modified nanodiamond realizes both excellent dispersibility and marked suppression of nonspecific adsorption to proteins. Moreover, selective targeting to the proteins of interest, and the measurement of optically detected magnetic resonance from this nanodiamond on living cells are demonstrated.
Rhodium-catalyzed Borylation of Aryl and Alkenyl Pivalates through the Cleavage of Carbon–Oxygen Bonds
Authors: Kinuta Hirotaka , Hasegawa Junya , Tobisu Mamoru , Chatani Naoto
Published: December 2014

Rhodium-catalyzed borylation reactions of aryl and alkenyl pivalates, using a diboron reagent, via the cleavage of carbon–oxygen bonds have been developed. The inert nature of the pivalate moiety enables relatively complex aryl boronates to be synthesized via the tandem cross-coupling of carbon–halogen and carbon–oxygen bonds.
p38MAPK/MK2-mediated phosphorylation of RBM7 regulates the human nuclear exosome targeting complex
Authors: Tiedje Christopher , Lubas Michal , Tehrani Mohammad , Menon Manoj B. , Ronkina Natalia , Rousseau Simon , Cohen Philip , Kotlyarov Alexey , Gaestel Matthias
Published: December 2014

The nuclear exosome targeting complex (NEXT) directs a major 3′–5′ exonuclease, the RNA exosome, for degradation of nuclear noncoding (nc) RNAs. We identified the RNA-binding component of the NEXT complex, RBM7, as a substrate of p38MAPK/MK2-mediated phosphorylation at residue S136. As a result of this phosphorylation, RBM7 displays a strongly decreased RNA-binding capacity, while inhibition of p38MAPK or mutation of S136A in RBM7 increases its RNA association. Interestingly, promoter-upstream transcripts (PROMPTs), such as proRBM39, proEXT1, proDNAJB4, accumulated upon stress stimulation in a p38MAPK/MK2-dependent manner, a process inhibited by overexpression of RBM7S136A. While there are no stress-dependent changes in RNA-polymerase II (RNAPII) occupation of PROMPT regions representing unchanged transcription, stability of PROMPTs is increased. Hence, we propose that phosphorylation of RBM7 by the p38MAPK/MK2 axis increases nuclear ncRNA stability by blocking their RBM7-binding and subsequent RNA exosome targeting to allow stress-dependent modulations of the noncoding transcriptome.
Fatores associados à violência física denunciada por mulheres
Authors: Gama Isabelle da Silva , Bezerra-Filho José Gomes , Silva Juliana Guimarães , Vieira Luiza Jane Eyre Souza , Parente Eriza Oliveira
Published: December 2014

Objetivo: Ações dirigidas contra a opressão das mulheres podem ser observadas na reconstrução histórica. Contudo, a violência contra a mulher perdura na linha do tempo e se reafirma como violação dos direitos humanos, caracterizando-se como agravo para a saúde pública, destacando-se por sua complexidade, multicausalidade e desafios intersetoriais. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores associados à violência física contra a mulher denunciante em Delegacia Especializada de Atendimento à Mulher (DEAM). Métodos: O estudo foi realizado em Fortaleza, CE, em 2011. Uma amostra de 325 inquéritos policiais de mulheres, entre 20 e 59 anos, foi analisada. A violência foi classificada em física e não física. As análises estatísticas utilizadas foram teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e regressão logística multivariada. Resultados: As denúncias de violência física perpetrada por parceiros ou ex-parceiros representaram 42,8% (IC 95%: 37,4 - 48,4) dos inquéritos policiais analisados. A análise multivariada mostrou os possíveis fatores de risco detectados para a mulher sofrer violência física por parceiro ou ex-parceiro íntimo: o fato de a vítima já ter sofrido recidiva de agressão e nunca ter registrado denúncia junto à delegacia; possuir parceiro atual; possuir até dois filhos com o denunciado; estar em ambiente não residencial e o agressor estar sob o efeito de álcool e/ou drogas ilícitas.  Conclusões: Acredita-se que a pesquisa possa subsidiar o encorajamento de mulheres vítimas de seus parceiros/ex-parceiros em prestar denúncia contra o agressor, rompendo o ciclo intermitente de violência.
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitochondria isolated from the rat kidney exposed to an iodinated radiographic contrast agent
Authors: Yamashita Sayuri Rocha , Martinelli Reinaldo , Rodrigues Luiz Erlon Araújo
Published: December 2014

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an acute complication associated with iodinated radiographic contrast agents. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant agent, has often been used to prevent CIN; however, reports of its efficacy are conflicting. In the kidney, mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with acute and chronic ischemic and nephrotoxic injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of NAC on oxygen consumption in mitochondria isolated from rat kidneys exposed to a radiographic contrast agent. Methods: Four groups of Wistar rats were evaluated including a control group. The experimental groups were injected intraperitoneally with: 5 mL/kg of body weight of iobitridol (300 mg/mL); NAC (100 mL/kg at 24, 12 and 2 hours prior to saline infusion); and NAC prior to an infusion of 300 mg/mL of iobitridol. Twenty minutes after the intraperitoneal infusion of the contrast agent or saline, all the animals were sacrificed and their kidneys were collected. Oxygen consumption was measured polarographically in the sediment containing principally mitochondria. Results: Mean oxygen consumption was 14.8% higher in the group exposed to iobitridol compared to the control group. Pretreatment with NAC before the iobitridol infusion inhibited the increase in mean oxygen consumption (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the endogenous respiration of mitochondria isolated from kidneys in the control group compared to the groups treated with NAC (p>0.05).  Conclusion: The findings of the present study confirm a certain protective effect of NAC in rat kidneys exposed to an iodinated radiographic contrast medium.
Acute Reversal of Vision Metamorphopsia: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Gondim Francisco de Assis Aquino , De Araújo Davi Farias , Sales Paulo Marcelo Gondim
Published: December 2014

Purpose: Acute reversal of vision metamorphopsia (RVM) is a rare, paroxysmal, sudden and transient vertical inversion of vision, also known as floor-on-the-ceiling phenomenon. Its pathogenesis is uncertain, but it may due to transient impairment of vestibular projections to the parietal lobes. Case description: Here we present a case of a 60 year-old man with a right paramedian pontine stroke developed episodes of upside-down reversal of vision during transition from awake to sleep time (hypnagogic acute reversal of vision metamorphopsia) that subsided after treatment with gabapentin.
PREVALÊNCIA DAS DOENÇAS CÁRIE E FLUOROSE DENTÁRIA EM ESCOLARES
Authors: Peixoto Tainá Pinto , Casotti Cezar Augusto , Meira Saulo Sacramento
Published: December 2014

Objetivo: conhecer a prevalência dos agravos cárie e fluorose dentária e o acesso aos serviços odontológicos em escolares residentes no município de Manoel Vitorino-BA. Método: estudo epidemiológico censitário de corte transversal, descritivo e analítico. Buscou-se nas escolas a relação nominal com data de nascimento de todos escolares matriculados, sendo selecionados 73 com idade de doze anos. Em seguida, foi solicitado aos responsáveis que assinassem o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido e respondessem a um questionário. Utilizando-se espelho bucal plano, sonda periodontal modelo OMS e com base nos códigos e critérios recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde para o diagnostico das doenças cárie e fluorose dentária um examinador padronizado realizou o exame clínico da cavidade bucal. Os dados foram digitados e analisados nos programas Epibuco e Bioestat. Resultados: foram examinadas 73 crianças, sendo 41 (56,16%) homens. A prevalência dos agravos cárie e fluorose foram Respectivamente 65,75% e 26,03%. Identificou-se que 49,3% da população pesquisada nunca havia recebido atendimento odontológico Conclusões: A prevalência das doenças cárie e fluorose dentária em escolares com idade de 12 anos foram, respectivamente, 65,75% e 26,03%. A maior necessidade de tratamento odontológico identificada foi de procedimentos restauradores e o acesso aos serviços de saúde bucal é precário.
On the question of the optimization of the wooden rod designs
Authors: Грязнов Михаил , Gryaznov Mikhail , Лукина Анастасия , Lukina Anastasiya , Бледных Екатерина , Blednykh Ekaterina
Published: December 2014

The problems of the optimization of the wooden rod systems is considered. The classification of nodes and connections wooden structures is given. The types of optimization problem are also considered.
The use of water purification slimes for special cements
Authors: Самченко Светлана , Samchenko Svetlana
Published: December 2014

The possibility to obtain sulphoaluminate additive (SAA)

consisting of the necessary quantity of aluminium sulpfate and aluminium

hydroxide using water purification slimes is shown. It was

fixed that the admixture of crystallized (SAA) with cement provides

cement paste reinforce and structure formation at the share of ettringite

crystals which make cement paste to be shrinkage compensative

and expansive.
The base of calculation of geotextile containers from fabric materials of high durability
Authors: Кравченко Александр , Kravchenko Aleksandr , Меркулова Татьяна , Merkulova Tatyana
Published: December 2014

The problem of processing, warehousing and a burial place

of a various kind of a waste is considered. The analysis of the reasons

of occurrence of degradation of the small rivers and its consequence

has been made. The new economic innovative technology of dehydration

and a burial place of a waste on the basis of containers from

textile material is offered. Methods of calculation of geotextile containers

are developed.
Delivering Better Oral Health: what the third edition offers
Authors: Gregory Sue
Published: December 2014

Sue Gregory OBE examines the third edition of Delivering Better Oral Health: An Evidence-based Toolkit for Prevention and how this can aid dental nurses in delivering oral health education
Is a saddle seat the antidote to poor posture?
Authors: Hutchful Tim
Published: December 2014

Sitting can be damaging. This is exacerbated by poor posture and working in one position for too long without taking a break. Looking at ways to improve your seating posture and taking regular breaks can help minimise aches and pains
Sharps safety and waste management
Authors: Blenkharn Ian
Published: December 2014

Sharps injury is a constant risk for dentistry staff, cleaners, and waste contractors. Deficient standards of sharps safety and healthcare waste management can be costly in the event of prosecution by the HSE or the Environment Agency, and is devestating for the injured worker
Importance of the red reflex test in the diagnosis of eye cancer
Authors: Singla Preeti , Ley-Smith Rachael , Maxwell Petra
Published: December 2014

Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant tumour of the eye in children and accounts for 3% of all childhood cancers. It can occur either unilaterally or bilaterally and generally develops before the first five years of life. A red reflex test must be performed if a child presents with any of the following: a white reflex (leukocoria) or an abnormal reflex in flash photographs; a recently onset squint (strabismus); a change in colour to the iris; deterioration in vision; a red, sore or swollen eye without infection. The presentation of any of these signs or symptoms in isolation can indicate retinoblastoma. However, it is vital to note that a child with retinoblastoma may appear well, apart from one or more of these signs.

This article gives detailed instruction on how to carry out a red reflex test and appropriate referral information for suspected cases. A swift referral pathway is vital to reduce loss of vision and the risk of mortality.
Your guide to the SICOT diploma in trauma and orthopaedics
Authors: Elnikety S
Published: December 2014

One of the top two candidates tells us how best to prepare for, take and succeed at the international T&O exit exam
Nominative determinism in hospital medicine
Authors: Limb C , Limb R , Limb C , Limb D
Published: December 2014

Can our surnames influence our choice of career, and even specialty?
Weight loss surgery
Authors: Revill Jo
Published: December 2014

How our ongoing love affair with fad diet stories shapes the debate around bariatric surgery.
The future of the NHS under the Conservative Party
Authors: Hunt Jeremy
Published: December 2014

With the NHS set to be a key battleground in the looming election, Jeremy Hunt speaks exclusively to the Bulletin to outline the Conservative Party vision for the NHS.
The future of the NHS under the Labour Party
Authors: Burnham Andy
Published: December 2014

With the NHS set to be a key battleground in the looming election, Andy Burnham speaks exclusively to the Bulletin to outline the Labour Party vision for the NHS.
The future of the NHS under the Liberal Democrats
Authors: Lamb Norman
Published: December 2014

With the NHS set to be a key battleground in the looming election, Norman Lamb speaks exclusively to the Bulletin to outline the Liberal Democrat vision for the NHS.
Editorial 1: Presente y futuro de la Comunicación Estratégica. Estudios de caso
Authors: Tur-Viñes Victoria
Published: December 2014

Con este número, concluimos el quinto año de edición continuada de Revista Mediterránea de Comunicación. La comunicación estratégica es el tema monográfico del dossier, coordinado por la profesora Catedrática Dra. María Isabel de Salas Nestares de la Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera de Valencia (España). Ha contado con siete colaboraciones, una de ellas internacional. La complementariedad de los textos permite disfrutar de una panorámica actual del estado de la comunicación estratégica en el seno de las organizaciones sin dejar de lado los obstáculos superados y los retos futuros. Encuentran detalles y comentarios sobre su contenido en el editorial de la coordinadora.
La agencia de medios en el nuevo escenario comunicativo
Authors: Castelló Martínez Araceli
Published: December 2014

La industria comunicativa vive un periodo de cambios profundos a los que la agencia de medios, uno de los actores principales en el mercado publicitario, no ha permanecido ajena. La transmedialidad de los contenidos, los nuevos formatos publicitarios en los diferentes medios, el engagement que demanda el anunciante o el fomento de la experiencia del usuario, entre otros aspectos, han revolucionado la definición de las estrategias de medios. Los objetivos del presente artículo pasan por analizar el papel actual de la agencia de medios en el mercado publicitario y estudiar las características de las estrategias de medios en el presente contexto comunicativo así como su integración en las estrategias de comunicación. La metodología se basa en una revisión bibliográfica de publicaciones dedicadas a la planificación publicitaria y la agencia de medios en base a una serie de palabras clave y en un análisis de los servicios que ofrecen las agencias de medios en sus páginas web. Los resultados destacan el papel estratégico que ha adquirido la agencia de medios en el actual escenario comunicativo, por una parte, y la integración y la transmedialidad que caracterizan hoy en día a las estrategias de medios, por otra.
Repensar la comunicación institucional: las diez reglas del surf
Authors: Apolo Buenaño Diego , Aliaga Sáez Felipe Andrés , Cusot Cerda Gustavo
Published: December 2014

En este ensayo se presenta un análisis desde distintas concepciones de la comunicación estratégica, en donde además de vincular aspectos centrales y tensiones que enfrentan las organizaciones en la actualidad, se ofrecen acercamientos teóricos y prácticos que contribuyan a repensar la manera que en se desarrolla la comunicación en las instituciones. En el trabajo se vincula el deporte del surf y sus reglas como eje que permite realizar comparaciones que aporten al abordaje de la comunicación desde perspectivas que buscan la confluencia entre intereses institucionales y de los actores que intervienen en el proceso mediante la investigación del entorno, el respeto a las prácticas sociales y la colaboración como base para la consecución de los objetivos conjuntos.
German Environmental Policies: An Example to the World?
Authors: Hens Luc , Glaeser Bernhard
Published: December 2014

This is a book on the history and the background of Germany's environmental policy during the last half a century. The central question is whether the country deserves its status of having one of the most advanced environmental policies worldwide. Although no ultimate answer can be
given, Uekötter comprehensively assesses Germany's over-all performance on environmental issues.
Inspiration to Water Professionals and Social Entrepreneurs
Authors: Groenfeldt David
Published: December 2014

Focusing on the water sector, this book shows social entrepreneurs to be a critical link between good ideas and practical impact towards sustainable development. Non-governmental organizations and other innovators can enhance their effectiveness by giving more attention to entrepreneurial
processes: progress can come through creative initiatives from dynamic individuals.
Österreichischer Sachstandsbericht Klimawandel 2014
Authors: Kromp-Kolb Helga , Lindenthal Thomas , Bohunovsky Lisa
Published: December 2014

Von rund 240 Forschenden erstellt, repräsentiert derÖsterreichische Sachstandsbericht Klimawandel 2014 (AAR14) die Konsensposition der österreichischen Klimaforschungs-Community zu Klimawandel, seinen Folgen und Maßnahmen in Österreich. Er bietet eine politikrelevante
Einschätzung des Kenntnisstands, ohne politische Vorgaben zu liefern.
Research Caps, Not Rebound
Authors: Alcott Blake
Published: December 2014

Reaction to T. Santarius.2014. Der Rebound-Effekt: ein blinder Fleck der sozial-ökologischen Gesellschaftstransformation. GAIA 23/2: 109‐117
Stärkung der Wasser-Governanceforschung. Impulse aus der Forschung zum Integrierten Wasserressourcen-Management
Authors: Kirschke Sabrina , Hagemann Nina
Published: December 2014

Die Wasser-Governanceforschung muss fundamental gestärkt werden,wenn das Ziel eines nachhaltigen Wasserressourcen-Managements erreicht werden soll. Neben kontextspezifischen und abstrakten Analysen sollte der Fokus vermehrt auf problemstrukturelle Ansätze gelegt werden: Operationalisierungen
von Problemstrukturen sollten verfeinert, klarere Bezüge zwischen diesen Strukturen hergestellt und deren Relevanz für verschiedene Problemkontexte systematischvergleichend getestet werden. Erst dadurch ist es möglich, dem geforderten Transfer von Forschungsergebnissen gerecht
zu werden.
System efficiency of laser-based white light
Authors: Lachmayer Roland , Wolf Alexander , Kloppenburg Gerolf
Published: December 2014

For many lighting applications, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are replacing traditional light sources providing the possibility for smart and efficient systems as well as a reduction in the product weight. A next step in this development is the integration of laser-based light sources to increase luminance and to further scale down the optics possibly leading to a reduction of necessary resources. This article reviews the possibilities and challenges arising from the use of laser diodes especially compared to current high-power LED systems in terms of efficiency, color-rendering properties, and thermal management.
Religious Participation, Trust and Reciprocity: Evidence from Six Latin American Cities
Authors: Barrios Juan José , Gandelman Nestor
Published: December 2014

Using data on a trust game played in six Latin American cities, we estimate the relationship between religious participation with trust and reciprocity. We find no association with trust but we do find a statistically significant relation with reciprocity. Individuals more active in religious organizations tend to reciprocate more than individuals who participate less, even though their trustiness on others is about the same as that of less religiously active people.
High Dielectric Low Loss Transparent Glass Material Based Dielectric Resonator Antenna with Wide Bandwidth Operation
Authors: Mehmood Arshad , Zheng Yuliang , Braun Hubertus , Hovhannisyan Martun , Letz Martin , Jakoby Rolf
Published: December 2014

This paper presents the application of new high permittivity and low loss glass material for antennas. This glass material is transparent. A very simple rectangular dielectric resonator antenna is designed first with a simple microstrip feeding line. In order to widen the bandwidth, the feed of the design is modified by forming a T-shaped feeding. This new design enhanced the bandwidth range to cover the WLAN 5 GHz band completely. The dielectric resonator antenna cut into precise dimensions is placed on the modified microstrip feed line. The design is simple and easy to manufacture and also very compact in size of only 36 × 28 mm. A −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 18% has been achieved, which covers the frequency range from 5.15 GHz to 5.95 GHz. Simulations of the measured return loss and radiation patterns are presented and discussed.
Synthesis of iron nanocomposite reinforced by TiC particles via mechanical activation from ilmenite concentrate and carbon black
Authors: Firouzbakht Alireza , Razavi Mansour , Rahimipour Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2014

In this research, synthesis of Fe-TiC nanocomposites from activated ilmenite concentrate and carbon black was investigated. Ilmenite and carbon black as raw materials were milled in a planetary ball mill and sampled after different milling times. The activated powder was heat treated at different temperatures in an atmosphere control tube furnace and analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. The X-ray diffraction results showed that increasing the milling time would lower the synthesis temperature of final products. Furthermore, the lattice parameter showed deviation from standard size, and mean grain size was decreased. In contrast, the strain of the system was increased based on the calculations.
Chalcones as Analytical Reagents of Aluminum: Stability, Thermodynamic and Kinetic Study
Authors: Muñoz Vanesa A. , Kretek Carolina G. , Montaña M. Paulina , Pappano Nora  B. , Debattista Nora  B. , Ferrari Gabriela V.
Published: December 2014

Chalcones, a group of polyphenolic compounds, has been studied for
a long time due to their biological properties and their ability as
analytical reagents. In this work the stability and thermodynamic
parameters concerning the fotmation in ethanolic medium of two
chalcone–aluminium complexes
(2′,3-dihydroxychalcone-Al(III) and
2′,4′,3-trihydroxychalcone-Al(III)) were
studied and a kinetic study of the formation reaction was aslo
performed. Both systems showed 1:1 L : M stoichiometry and
stability constants at four temperatures were
determined. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that both formation
reactions are endothermic and driving force is entropic. Kinetic study
revealed that
2′,4′,3-trihydroxychalcone-Al(III)
formation is faster than
2′,3-dihydroxyclacone-Al(III), a factor which can be
interesting when proposing new analytical reagents.