bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Trial of Vitamin D2 vs D3 Supplementation in Critically Ill Pediatric Burn Patients
Authors: Gottschlich Michele M. , Mayes Theresa , Khoury Jane , Kagan Richard J.
Published: June 2015

Background: Hypovitaminosis D exists postburn. However, evidence‐based guidelines for vitamin D repletion are unknown. This investigation examined differences between D2 and D3 supplementation on outcome in children with burn injuries. Methods: Fifty patients with total body surface area burn of 55.7% ± 2.6% and full‐thickness injury of 40.8% ± 3.8% were enrolled, ranging in age from 0.7–18.4 years. All participants received multivitamin supplementation per standardized clinical protocol. In addition, 100 IU/kg D2, D3, or placebo was administered daily during hospitalization using a randomized, double‐blinded study design. Assay of total 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (D25), 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (D1,25), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 (25‐OH‐D2), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25‐OH‐D3), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) was performed at 4 preplanned time intervals (baseline, midpoint, discharge, and 1 year postburn). Differences in vitamin D status were compared over time and at each specific study interval. Results: There were no significant differences in serum vitamin D levels between groups, but >10% of patients had low D25 at discharge, and percent deficiency worsened by the 1‐year follow up for the placebo (75%), D2 (56%), and D3 (25%) groups. There were no statistical differences in PTH or clinical outcomes between treatment groups, although vitamin D supplementation demonstrated nonsignificant but clinically relevant decreases in exogenous insulin requirements, sepsis, and scar formation. Conclusions: The high incidence of low serum D25 levels 1 year following serious thermal injury indicates prolonged compromise. Continued treatment with vitamin D3 beyond the acute phase postburn is recommended to counteract the trajectory of abnormal serum levels and associated morbidity.
The Fecal Microbiome in Pediatric Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Davidovics Zev H. , Carter Beth A. , Luna Ruth Ann , Hollister Emily B. , Shulman Robert J. , Versalovic James
Published: June 2015

Background:Changes in the intestinal microbiome of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) are thought to significantly affect clinical outcome. These changes may not only delay enteral diet advancement but may also predispose patients to bacterial translocation, bacteremia, and liver disease. Patients with SBS are thought to be more susceptible to changes in gut microbial communities due to intestinal dysmotility and/or lack of anatomic safeguards such as the ileocecal valve. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the bacterial composition of 21 fecal specimens from 9 children with SBS and 8 healthy children ages 4 months to 8 years by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The sequences were quality filtered and analyzed using QIIME, the Ribosomal Database Project Classifier, and the randomForest supervised learning algorithm. Results: The fecal microbiome of patients with SBS is different from that of healthy controls. Stool from patients with SBS had a significantly greater abundance of the bacterial classes Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli. Stool from patients with SBS who experienced increased stool frequency tended to have increased abundance of Lactobacillus (P = .057) and decreased abundance of Ruminococcus. Conclusion: This study shows that the fecal microbiome of patients with SBS is significantly different from that of healthy controls when analyzed by 16S metagenomics. Differences in the composition and function of gut microbiomes in children with SBS may affect bowel physiology, and these findings may provide new opportunities for intestinal rehabilitation and clinical management.
First epidemiological data for venotonics in pregnancy from the EFEMERIS database
Authors: Lacroix Isabelle , Beau Anna-Belle , Hurault-Delarue Caroline , Bouilhac Claire , Petiot Dominique , Vayssière Christophe , Vidal Sabine , Montastruc Jean-Louis , Damase-Michel Christine
Published: June 2015

Objective

There are few published data about possible effects of veinotonics in pregnant women. The present study investigates potential adverse drug reactions of veinotonics in pregnancy.

Method

EFEMERIS is a database including prescribed and dispensed reimbursed drugs during pregnancy (data from Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) and outcomes (data from Maternal and Infant Protection Service and Antenatal diagnostic Centre). Women who delivered from 1 July 2004 to December 2007 in Haute-Garonne and were registered in the French Health Insurance Service have been included in the EFEMERIS database. We compared pregnancy outcomes and newborn health between women exposed to veinotonics during pregnancy and unexposed women.

Results

We found that 8998 women (24%) had received at least one prescription for venotonic agents during their pregnancy, corresponding to the period of organogenesis in 1200 cases. We compared data for these women with those for the 27,963 women for whom these drugs were not prescribed during pregnancy. The most widely used veinotonics were hesperidin, diosmin and troxerutin. Pregnancies led to 98.4% versus 93.6% of live births, 0.2% versus 0.2% of postnatal deaths and 1.6% versus 6.4% of pregnancy termination (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, medical termination, intrauterine death) in exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively. The risks of pregnancy termination (HR = 0.71 (0.60–0.84)) and prematurity (HR = 0.82 (0.73–0.93)) remained significantly lower in the women exposed to venotonics than in unexposed women. In the group of newborns whose mother had a prescription of veinotonics during organogenesis, 39 out of 1200 (3.4%) had a malformation versus 789 (3.0%) in the control group (ORa = 1.134 (0.873–1.472)). The risk of neonatal diseases was not increased by exposure to venotonic agents in the third trimester (4.9% versus 6.1% for the controls, ORa = 1.07 (0.95–1.20)).

Conclusion

We found no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome among women exposed to veinotonics compared with unexposed pregnant women.
The Car and the Commons
Authors: Newman Daniel
Published: June 2015

This paper discusses the centrality of the automobile to experiencing modern life. Access to a car is considered essential to access vital services and, as such, automobile usage plays a crucial role in commoning. However, this is said to draw lines of inclusion and exclusion premised on financial status, which particularly excludes those in rural areas. Such issues are especially acute at a time when electric cars are being promoted as a sustainable transport, which actually contains the potential to further marginalize the less affluent, rendering matters of access questions of class. The paper concludes by suggesting that more attention need be given to alternatives from private car ownership, focusing on communal usages.
Recycling and utilisation of industrial solid waste: An explorative study on gold deposit tailings of ductile shear zone type in China
Authors: Liu Rui , Huang Fei , Du Runxiang , Zhao Chunming , Li Yongli , Yu Haoran
Published: June 2015

Tailings are solid waste arising from mineral processing. This type of waste can cause severe damage to the environment during stockpiling as a result of the leaching of something harmful into the ecosystem. Gold deposit of ductile shear zone type is an important type of gold deposit, and the recycling of its tailings has been challenging researchers for a long time. In this article, the characteristics of this type of tailings were systematically studied by using modern technical means. Considering the characteristics of the tailings, clay was selected to make up for the shortcomings of the tailings and improve their performance. Water and raw materials were mixed to produce green bodies, which are subsequently sintered into ceramic bodies at 980 °C~1020 °C (sintering temperature). The results showed that some new kinds of mineral phases, such as mullite, anorthite and orthoclase, appear in ceramic bodies. Furthermore, the ceramic bodies have a surface hardness of 5 to 6 (Mohs scale), and their water absorption and modulus of rupture can meet some technical requirements of ceramic materials described in ISO 13006-2012 and GB 5001-1985. These gold mine tailings can be made into ceramic tiles, domestic ceramic bodies, and other kinds of ceramic bodies for commercial and industrial purposes after further improvements.
Feasibility analysis of municipal solid waste mass burning in the Region of East Macedonia – Thrace in Greece
Authors: Athanasiou CJ , Tsalkidis DA , Kalogirou E , Voudrias EA
Published: June 2015

The present work conducts a preliminary techno-economic feasibility study for a single municipal solid waste mass burning to an electricity plant for the total municipal solid waste potential of the Region of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, in Greece. For a certain applied and highly efficient technology and an installed capacity of 400,000 t of municipal solid waste per year, the available electrical power to grid would be approximately 260 GWh per year (overall plant efficiency 20.5% of the lower heating value). The investment for such a plant was estimated at €200m. Taking into account that 37.9% of the municipal solid waste lower heating value can be attributed to their renewable fractions, and Greek Law 3851/2010, which transposes Directive 2009/28/EC for Renewable Energy Sources, the price of the generated electricity was calculated at €53.19/MWhe. Under these conditions, the economic feasibility of such an investment depends crucially on the imposed gate fees. Thus, in the gate fee range of 50–110 € t−1, the internal rate of return increases from 5% to above 15%, whereas the corresponding pay-out time periods decrease from 11 to about 4 years.
Possibilities of municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash utilisation
Authors: Hartmann Silvie , Koval’ Lukáš , Škrobánková Hana , Matýsek Dalibor , Winter Franz , Purgar Amon
Published: June 2015

Properties of the waste treatment residual fly ash generated from municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash were investigated in this study. Six different mortar blends with the addition of the municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash were evaluated. The Portland cement replacement levels of the municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash used were 25%, 30% and 50%. Both, raw and washed municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash samples were examined. According to the mineralogical composition measurements, a 22.6% increase in the pozzolanic/hydraulic properties was observed for the washed municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash sample. The maximum replacement level of 25% for the washed municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash in mortar blends was established in order to preserve the compressive strength properties. Moreover, the leaching characteristics of the crushed mortar blend was analysed in order to examine the immobilisation of its hazardous contents.
The relationship between bipolar disorders, anxiety, and trauma – implications for clinical practice
Authors: Kuiper Sandy , McAulay Claire , McLean Loyola , Malhi Gin
Published: June 2015

Objective:

To assess the relationship between bipolar spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and personality function.

Method:

A cohort of 37 diagnostically challenging bipolar spectrum patients, including both bipolar and personality disordered patients, were assessed using the Structured Combined Interview for DSM-IV to establish diagnosis of bipolarity and anxiety. Diagnoses were then quantitatively related to personality function, using the DSM-5 Level of Personality Function Scale, and to attachment, using the Relationship Questionnaire and Relationship Style Questionnaire.

Results:

Number of comorbid anxiety disorders was significantly related to both personality and attachment, but not to bipolar status. Patients with more than one anxiety disorder were significantly more likely to have an underlying disturbance of personality.

Conclusions:

The presence of multiple anxiety disorders in bipolar spectrum patients may indicate heightened risk of an underlying personality disorder. Replication in a larger and more representative sample is needed.
Complications of anaesthesia that might be encountered by GPs
Authors: Izumi-Richards Nadine , Perrett George
Published: June 2015

Both general anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia are associated with adverse side effects. Growing financial pressures on the NHS have led to an increase in day surgery procedures and the advent of enhanced recovery after surgery. This has meant that many patients are now discharged soon after their operation, leading to an increase in the presentation of anaesthesia side effects in the community. This article discusses the presentation and management of the common complications of anaesthesia that GPs may encounter.
Effects of carbon dioxide insufflation in balloon‐assisted enteroscopy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nishizawa Toshihiro , Suzuki Hidekazu , Fujimoto Ai , Ochiai Yasutoshi , Kanai Takanori , Naohisa Yahagi
Published: June 2015

Background and aim

The efficacy of CO2 insufflation during balloon‐assisted enteroscopy remains controversial. This study aimed to perform a systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which CO2 insufflation was compared with air insufflation in balloon‐assisted enteroscopy.

Methods

PubMed, the Cochrane library, and the Igaku‐Chuo‐Zasshi database were searched to identify RCTs eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Data from the eligible studies were combined to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Four RCTs (461 patients) were identified. Compared with air insufflation, CO2 insufflation significantly increased intubation depth of oral enteroscopy (WMD: 55.2, 95% CI: 10.77–99.65, p  = 0.015). However, there was significant heterogeneity. The intubation depth of anal enteroscopy showed no significant difference between the CO2 group and the air group. CO2 insufflation significantly reduced abdominal pain compared with air insufflation (WMD: −2.463, 95% CI: −4.452 to −0.474, p  = 0.015), without significant heterogeneity. The PaCO2 or end‐tidal CO2 level showed no significant difference between the CO2 group and air group.

Conclusions

Compared with air insufflation, CO2 insufflation during balloon‐assisted enteroscopy caused less post‐procedural pain without CO2 retention.
Composition, Electronic and Magnetic Investigation of the Encapsulated ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles in Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Containing Ni Residuals
Authors: Al Khabouri Saja , Al Harthi Salim , Maekawa Toru , Nagaoka Yutaka , Elzain Mohamed E , Al Hinai Ashraf , Al-Rawas AD , Gismelseed AM , Yousif Ali A
Published: June 2015

We report investigation on properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (mCNTs) containing Ni residuals before and after encapsulation of zinc ferrite nanoparticles. The pristine tubes exhibit metallic character with a 0.3 eV reduction in the work function along with ferromagnetic behavior which is attributed to the Ni residuals incorporated during the preparation of tubes. Upon encapsulation of zinc ferrite nanoparticles, 0.5 eV shift in Fermi level position and a reduction in both the π band density of state along with a change in the hybridized sp2/sp3 ratio of the tubes from 2.04 to 1.39 are observed. As a result of the encapsulation, enhancement in the σ bands density of state and coating of the zinc ferrite nanoparticles by the internal layers of the CNTs in the direction along the tube axis is observed. Furthermore, Ni impurities inside the tubes are attracted to the encapsulated zinc ferrite nanoparticles, suggesting the possibility of using these particles as purifying agents for CNTs upon being synthesized using magnetic catalyst particles. Charge transfer from Ni/mCNTs to the ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles is evident via reduction of the density of states near the Fermi level and a 0.3 eV shift in the binding energy of C 1 s core level ionization. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that encapsulated zinc ferrite nanoparticles in mCNTs resulted in two interacting sub-systems featured by distinct blocking temperatures and enhanced magnetic properties; i.e., large coercivity of 501 Oe and saturation magnetization of 2.5 emu/g at 4 K.
Neural versus pneumatic control of pressure support in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases at different levels of positive end expiratory pressure: a physiological study
Authors: Liu Ling , Xia Feiping , Yang Yi , Longhini Federico , Navalesi Paolo , Beck Jennifer , Sinderby Christer , Qiu Haibo
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) is a “threshold” load that must be overcome to trigger conventional pneumatically-controlled pressure support (PSP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Application of extrinsic PEEP (PEEPe) reduces trigger delays and mechanical inspiratory efforts. Using the diaphragm electrical activity (EAdi), neurally controlled pressure support (PSN) could hypothetically eliminate asynchrony and reduce mechanical inspiratory effort, hence substituting the need for PEEPe. The primary objective of this study was to show that PSNcan reduce the need for PEEPe to improve patient-ventilator interaction and to reduce both the “pre-trigger” and “total inspiratory” neural and mechanical efforts in COPD patients with PEEPi. A secondary objective was to evaluate the impact of applying PSNon breathing pattern.

Methods

Twelve intubated and mechanically ventilated COPD patients with PEEPi ≥ 5 cm H2O underwent comparisons of PSPand PSNat different levels of PEEPe (at 0 %, 40 %, 80 %, and 120 % of static PEEPi, for 12 minutes at each level on average), at matching peak airway pressure. We measured flow, airway pressure, esophageal pressure, and EAdi, and analyzed neural and mechanical efforts for triggering and total inspiration. Patient-ventilator interaction was analyzed with the NeuroSync index.

Results

Mean airway pressure and PEEPe were comparable for PSPand PSNat same target levels. During PSP, the NeuroSync index was 29 % at zero PEEPe and improved to 21 % at optimal PEEPe (P < 0.05). During PSN, the NeuroSync index was lower (<7 %, P < 0.05) regardless of PEEPe. Both pre-trigger (P < 0.05) and total inspiratory mechanical efforts (P < 0.05) were consistently higher during PSPcompared to PSNat same PEEPe. The change in total mechanical efforts between PSPat PEEPe0%and PSNat PEEPe0%was not different from the change between PSPat PEEPe0%and PSPat PEEPe80%.

Conclusion

PSNabolishes the need for PEEPe in COPD patients, improves patient-ventilator interaction, and reduces the inspiratory mechanical effort to breathe.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.govNCT02114567. Registered 04 November 2013.
Simple and green technique for sequestration and concentration of silver nanoparticles by polysaccharides immobilized on glass beads in aqueous media
Authors: Kibeche Alaeddine , Dionne Alexandre , Brion-Roby Roxanne , Gagnon Christian , Gagnon Jonathan
Published: June 2015

Background

Engineered nanoparticles have unique properties compared to bulk materials and their commercial uses growing rapidly. They represent a potential risk for environment and health and could be eventually released in water. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) are applied in various products and are well-known for their antibacterial properties. Nowadays, pre-concentration and separation methods for Ag NP possess some limitations. Here, we present a simple, green method to sequestrate and concentrate Ag NP from different aqueous media.

Results

Supported polysaccharides on glass beads synthesized in water by a single step reaction show high sequestration capacity of citrate-coated Ag NP in aqueous media. Supported polysaccharides were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. Sequestration of 83.0 % of Ag NP was attained from a 20 μg.L−1 aqueous solution with supported chitosan in water whereas supported 2-hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) reached 64.0 % in synthetic seawater in 2 h. The influence of polymer/glass beads ratio and molecular weight of polysaccharides was also studied. The effect of the salinity and humic acids on sequestration of Ag NP was investigated. Supported polymers have shown high performance for sequestration of ionic silver. Sequestration of 82.5 % and 80.8 % were obtained from a 60 μg.L−1 silver ion (as nitrate salt) with supported HEC and chitosan, respectively. Sequestrated Ag NP was characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) where images showed Ag NP with unchanged size and shape.

Conclusions

This sequestration method, involving green synthesis, allows efficient concentration and characterization of Ag NP from different aqueous media. This simple and fast method is a potential sustainable technique for elimination of Ag NP and ionic silver from waste waters and waters at different salinities.
PHEW: a parallel segmentation algorithm for three-dimensional AMR datasets
Authors: Bleuler Andreas , Teyssier Romain , Carassou Sébastien , Martizzi Davide
Published: June 2015

We introduce phew (Parallel HiErarchical Watershed), a new segmentation algorithm to detect structures in astrophysical fluid simulations, and its implementation into the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) code ramses. phew works on the density field defined on the adaptive mesh, and can thus be used on the gas density or the dark matter density after a projection of the particles onto the grid. The algorithm is based on a ‘watershed’ segmentation of the computational volume into dense regions, followed by a merging of the segmented patches based on the saddle point topology of the density field. phew is capable of automatically detecting connected regions above the adopted density threshold, as well as the entire set of substructures within. Our algorithm is fully parallel and uses the MPI library. We describe in great detail the parallel algorithm and perform a scaling experiment which proves the capability of phew to run efficiently on massively parallel systems. Future work will add a particle unbinding procedure and the calculation of halo properties onto our segmentation algorithm, thus expanding the scope of phew to genuine halo finding.
Validity of the acoustic approximation for elastic waves in heterogeneous media
Authors: Cance Philippe , Capdeville Yann
Published: June 2015

The acoustic approximation of elastic waves is a very common approximation in exploration geophysics. The interest of the acoustic approximation in the inverse problem context lies in the fact that it leads to a much lower numerical cost than for the elastic problem. Nevertheless, the earth is not an acoustic body, and it has been found in the past that this approximation is not without drawbacks mainly because of P-to-S energy conversion and that anisotropy cannot be easily modeled. We studied a different issue of this approximation related to small heterogeneities with respect to the minimum wavelength of the wavefield. We first numerically found that elastic and acoustic waves behave differently with respect to small-scale heterogeneities, introducing differences in amplitudes but also in phase between elastic and acoustic signals. We then derived physical and mathematical interpretations of this phenomenon, developing the different nature of elastic- and acoustic-wave propagation that led to the conclusion that, in rough media, acoustic waves can only be a poor-quality approximation of elastic waves. Interestingly, we also found that, in the acoustic case, small-scale heterogeneities give rise to natural acoustic effective anisotropic media through an anisotropic effective mass matrix. Unfortunately, this anisotropy is of a different nature compared with the elastic effective anisotropy and can not be used to mimic elastic anisotropy.
Velocity analysis using similarity-weighted semblance
Authors: Chen Yangkang , Liu Tingting , Chen Xiaohong
Published: June 2015

Weighted semblance can be used for improving the performance of traditional semblance for specific data sets. We have developed a novel approach for prestack velocity analysis using weighted semblance. The novelty came from a different weighting criteria in which the local similarity between each trace and a reference trace is used. On the one hand, low similarity corresponded to a noise point or a point indicating incorrect moveout, which should be given a small weight. On the other hand, high similarity corresponded to a point indicating correct moveout that should be given a high weight. Our approach could also be effectively used for analyzing AVO anomalies with increased resolution compared with AB semblance. Synthetic and field common-midpoint gathers demonstrated higher resolution using the approach we developed. Applications of the proposed method on a prestack data set further confirmed that the stacked data using the similarity-weighted semblance could obtain better energy-focused events, which indicated a more precise velocity picking.
An Alternative Method for Evaluating Stabilities of DNA Hairpin Structures
Authors: Zhang Hao , Ba Sai , Co Co Sarajane , Lee Jasmine Yiqin , Guo Juanjuan , Ye Ruijuan , Liang Zhaoxun , Huang Dejian , Li Tianhu
Published: June 2015

We have developed an alternative methodology for determining the stabilities of DNA hairpin structures based on a specially designed oligonucleotide template and the T4 DNA ligase. This method was systematically tested by evaluation of DNA hairpin stabilities when varying the loop size and the nature of the loop sequence.
Trace Amounts of Second Metal Elements Can Play a Key Role in the Generation of Organometallic Compounds
Authors: Takai Kazuhiko
Published: June 2015

During the development of new synthetic organic reactions by the use of group 4–7 metals, we twice encountered a reproducibility problem. The key factor was trace amounts of second metal elements that contaminated the first, main metals, i.e., nickel in chromium and lead in zinc. We had determined the standard procedures for these reactions and they were adopted in Organic Syntheses. The difference in the source of zinc, i.e., contamination by a catalytic amount of lead, proved to affect both the reactivity of the Simmons–Smith reaction and the formation of alkylzinc from the corresponding iodides. By using the concept of catalytic effects of the second metals, we developed a method to use manganese metal and applied this to sequential radical and anionic reactions. In addition, allylic aluminum species were prepared smoothly from allylic halides and aluminum by addition of an indium salt, the second element. In this account, I describe how the synthetic methods were discovered and developed, with an emphasis on the stories behind the communications and articles.
Personal attributes of authors and reviewers, social bias and the outcomes of peer review: a case study
Authors: Walker Richard , Barros Beatriz , Conejo Ricardo , Neumann Konrad , Telefont Martin
Published: June 2015

Peer review is the "gold standard" for evaluating journal and conference papers, research proposals, on-going projects and university departments. However, it is widely believed that current systems are expensive, conservative and prone to various forms of bias. One form of bias identified in the literature is “social bias” linked to the personal attributes of authors and reviewers. To quantify the importance of this form of bias in modern peer review, we analyze three datasets providing information on the attributes of authors and reviewers and review outcomes: one from Frontiers - an open access publishing house with a novel interactive review process, and two from Spanish and international computer science conferences, which use traditional peer review. We use a random intercept model in which review outcome is the dependent variable, author and reviewer attributes are the independent variables and bias is defined by the interaction between author and reviewer attributes. We find no evidence of bias in terms of gender, or the language or prestige of author and reviewer institutions in any of the three datasets, but some weak evidence of regional bias in all three. Reviewer gender and the language and prestige of reviewer institutions appear to have little effect on review outcomes, but author gender, and the characteristics of author institutions have moderate to large effects. The methodology used cannot determine whether these are due to objective differences in scientific merit or entrenched biases shared by all reviewers.
Immunoblotting validation of research antibodies generated against HS1-associated protein X-1 in the human neutrophil model cell line PLB-985.
Authors: Inman Kristina , Cavnar Peter
Published: June 2015

HS1-associated protein X-1 (Hax1) is a 32 kDa protein that is ubiquitously expressed. Hax1 is an anti-apoptotic protein with additional roles in cell motility, and autosomal recessive loss of Hax1 results in Kostmann syndrome, a form of severe congenital neutropenia. Because of the important role of Hax1 in neutrophils we demonstrate here validation of two research antibodies directed against human Hax1 in the human neutrophil model cell line PLB-985 cells. We show that both the mouse anti-Hax1 monoclonal IgG directed against amino acids 10-148 of Hax1 and a rabbit anti-Hax1 polyclonal IgG antibody directed against full-length Hax1 reliably and consistently detect Hax1 during immunoblotting of three different PLB-985 cell densities. Using shRNA mediated Hax1 knockdown, we demonstrate the specificity of both Hax1 antibodies. In addition, our results suggest that the rabbit anti-Hax1 polyclonal antibody is provides a stronger intensity in detecting Hax1 protein, with detection in as few as 0.1 x 106cells in 6 total replicates we have performed.
Dialectal variation in Votic: Jõgõperä vs. Luuditsa
Authors: Rozhanskiy Fedor , Markus Elena
Published: June 2015

This paper provides a comparison of two varieties of the Votic language. Based on field materials collected between 2001 and 2012 from the last speakers of Votic, we compiled a list of the most important phonetic and grammatical features that distinguish between Jõgõperä and Luuditsa varieties. The ten features are: the degree of apocope, the initial h, merging of allative and adessive cases, secondary geminates, illative singular forms, genitive and partitive plural markers, imperfect forms, the active participle marker, conditional markers, and negative pronominal forms. The analysis has shown that many differences can be explained by the influence of the neighbouring Ingrian language. There are more contact induced changes in the Luuditsa variety, which is probably the result of more intensive contacts with the Ingrian population in this village. The contemporary Luuditsa variety is a vivid example demonstrating that language change in the Lower Luga area was driven by convergent developments in no lesser degree than by divergent processes.
Improvement of part service properties under surface plastic deformation treatment by dynamic methods
Authors: Shvedova Alexandra Sergeyevna
Published: June 2015

The process of improving the surface layer quality and service properties of the machine parts in response to the treatment of the surface plastic deformation (SPD) using the dynamic methods is studied. The aim of the work is to improve the efficiency and reliability of the surface layer processing through the use of the adequate theoretical models at the technological design stage. The study results of the effect of the dynamic pressure maintenance methods (PMM) on the part performance properties are analyzed. The dependencies for the determination of the surface roughness and the hardened layer depth are proposed. The flow analysis of the dynamic PMM has shown that despite a large number of the theoretical and experimental studies, the prediction of the residual stresses in the surface layer is quite a challenge. The application of the universal program system ANSYS which is based on the finite element method (FEM) allows to accurately calculate the stress-strain state parameters of the part surface layer after processing. According to the computer simulation results, the residual stress distribution graphs are presented, and the validity of the offered theoretical models is established. The research results can be used to predict the surface layer quality and the part service properties after processing by the dynamic PMM at the technological design stage.
Can the convergence between the human sciences and biomedical sciences?
Authors: Гудкова  , Gudkova S. , Джумагалиева  , Dzhumagalieva L. , Хадарцева  , Khadartseva K. , Кравченко  , Kravchenko E.
Published: June 2015

Interdisciplinarity and intersubjectivity between two types of general scientific theories (humanities and natural sciences) is not in doubt. The problem arises more interaction accurate humanities at the level of convergence. Transitional stage in this convergence are the science of living systems (biology, medicine, ecology), which in general research methods and occupy an intermediate position between the humanities and the natural sciences. The basis for this convergence must be new ideas about systems of the third type, which is defined as a philosophy postnonclassic (V.S. Stepin), and in the natural sciences – as chaos theory, self-organization (for quantitative description of the systems of the third type). Discusses general approaches in the humanities from the perspective of the classics, nonclassic, postnonclassic and third paradigm.
Recursos y usos del agua en el Alto y Medio Vinalopó
Authors: Juárez Sánchez-Rubio Cipriano , Valdés Pastor Miguel
Published: June 2015

La principal misión de la Geografía Aplicada es contribuir a la ordenación del espacio. Ordenarlo implica tanto una decisión política como la aplicación de una serie de medios que ayudan a la población a alcanzar sus fines. Como el agua se ha c onvertido en el elemento fundamental del progreso económico y social es necesario planificarla con el objetivo de conseguir una óptima utilización de su potencial, puesto que las cantidades demandadas son cada vez mayores.
Alicante, encrucijada de caminos
Authors: Morales Gil Alfredo
Published: June 2015

La posición geográfica que ocupa la ciudad de Alicante en el litoral del sureste peninsular viene justificada por la convergencia sobre este lugar de dos vías naturales de penetración hacia el interior y su contacto con el Mediterráneo, al abrigo de los relieves bélicos que la libran de las incidencias puntuales de los vientos de levante, de manera que la bahía junto a la que se asienta permanece durante gran parte del año con aguas tranquilas en las que las naves se encuentran a salvo. En definitiva, va a ser la estructuración realizada por los movimientos alpinos, en el Mioceno superior, de los relieves bélicos orientales, la que marque las directrices que condicionarán la circulación viaria terrestre y portuaria de este territorio, en la actualidad convertidos en uno de los impulsores del desarrollo socioeconómico de la ciudad.
La problemática génesis del segundo tramo de la acequia real del Xúquer: (orígenes de la «acequia del proyecto» del Duque de Híjar, 1728-1778)
Authors: Peris Albentosa Tomás
Published: June 2015

La prolongación de la Acequia de Alzira constituye una de las realizaciones más importantes de la expansión del regadío en la España del s. XVIII. El artículo desvela que esta empresa no fue (en contra de la idea hasta ahora aceptada) fruto de una iniciativa más de la política hidráulica del Estado ilustrado. Se trató de un asunto inicialmente acordado entre la propia comunidad de regantes y el duque de Híjar, cuyo objetivo era llevar las aguas a su señorío de Sollana (Valencia). Posteriormente, debido a la fortísima resistencia de los regantes históricos a hacer efectiva la ampliación por ellos autorizada, el duque adoptó la estrategia de resucitar el rancio privilegio de 1404 y atraerse a su bando a las autoridades estatales, con el señuelo de llevar también el riego a las tierras que el Real Patrimonio poseía en los límites de la Albufera.
More (old and new) misunderstandings of collostructional analysis: On Schmid and Küchenhoff (2013)
Authors: Gries Stefan Th.
Published: June 2015

Ever since the first studies introducing collostructional analysis in general and collexeme analysis in particular, these methods have been widely used for the analysis of constructions’ semantic and functional characteristics. However, the more recent past has seen two publications, Bybee (2010) and Schmid and Küchenhoff (2013), which criticized several aspects of these methods. This paper briefly recaps my response to Bybee (2010) (published as Gries 2012) as a prelude to its main contribution, viz a rebuttal of various claims and problems of Schmid and Küchenhoff (2013).
Methoden historischer Semantik am Beispiel Max Webers – Teil 2
Authors: Bär Jochen A.
Published: June 2015

The paper discusses methods of historical semantics (word semantics and conceptual semantics). The example of the concept ‹Geist› of Max Weber will show means by which the linguistic description of complex semantic phenomena (transcending the level of single words) can be captured and described. Based on the original works of Max Weber, the concept ‹Geist› will be approached in three steps: investigation of the single word (the lexeme)
Exploring College Students’ Intention to Adopt e-Textbooks: A Modified Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Hsiao Chun-Hua , Tang Kai-Yu , Lin Chien-Hung
Published: June 2015

This study aims to verify and propose a modified technology acceptance model (TAM) to understand the antecedents of e-textbook adoption among college students. An extended TAM is to investigate college students’ intention to adopt e-textbooks. Measurement items were drawn and modified from existing validated scales. After data were collected from college students in Taiwan, structural equation modelling was employed to examine and compare the proposed model with the original model. Moreover, two tests were conducted to determine the extent of common method variance in the current data. The empirical findings support the inclusion of perceived enjoyment in the TAM. The proposed model explained 43% of the variance in behavioural intention, but explained 71% of the variance in attitudes, suggesting an explication of how the different determinants influence college students’ adoption of e-textbooks. The significance of the chi-square difference between the two models indicates that our proposed model shows a better fit to the data than the TAM does. Besides, perceived enjoyment is a critical factor in the influence of attitudes towards the usage of e-textbooks. Perceived ease of use is more influential than perceived usefulness in the determination of attitudes.
Simultaneity Analysis In A Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Malović Miodrag , Brajović Ljiljana , Mišković Zoran , Šekara Tomislav
Published: June 2015

An original wireless sensor network for vibration measurements was designed. Its primary purpose is modal analysis of vibrations of large structures. A number of experiments have been performed to evaluate the system, with special emphasis on the influence of different effects on simultaneity of data acquired from remote nodes, which is essential for modal analysis. One of the issues is that quartz crystal oscillators, which provide time reading on the devices, are optimized for use in the room temperature and exhibit significant frequency variations if operated outside the 20–30°C range. Although much research was performed to optimize algorithms of synchronization in wireless networks, the subject of temperature fluctuations was not investigated and discussed in proportion to its significance. This paper describes methods used to evaluate data simultaneity and some algorithms suitable for its improvement in small to intermediate size ad-hoc wireless sensor networks exposed to varying temperatures often present in on-site civil engineering measurements.
A Novel Approach To Diagnosis Of Analog Circuit Incipient Faults Based On KECA And OAO LSSVM
Authors: Zhang Chaolong , He Yigang , Zuo Lei , Wang Jinping , He Wei
Published: June 2015

Correct incipient identification of an analog circuit fault is conducive to the health of the analog circuit, yet very difficult. In this paper, a novel approach to analog circuit incipient fault identification is presented. Time responses are acquired by sampling outputs of the circuits under test, and then the responses are decomposed by the wavelet transform in order to generate energy features. Afterwards, lower-dimensional features are produced through the kernel entropy component analysis as samples for training and testing a one-against-one least squares support vector machine. Simulations of the incipient fault diagnosis for a Sallen-Key band-pass filter and a two-stage four-op-amp bi-quad low-pass filter demonstrate the diagnosing procedure of the proposed approach, and also reveal that the proposed approach has higher diagnosis accuracy than the referenced methods.
Kinetics of electrooxidation of phenol on polycrystalline platinum
Authors: Pierożyński Bogusław , Piotrowska Grażyna , Mikołajczyk Tomasz
Published: June 2015

This work reports on kinetics of phenol electrooxidation reaction (PhER), examined at polycrystalline Pt electrode in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M NaOH supporting solutions. Important aspects of PhER kinetics were analysed based on potential-dependent, a.c. impedance-derived values of charge-transfer resistance and capacitance parameters. Special attention was also given to the influence of supporting electrolyte ions on the process of phenol oxidation (pH dependence of the PhER), in relation to an important role of anion adsorption on the Pt catalyst surface.
Screening and Registering Patients with Asthma and Copd in Slovenian Primary Care: First Results / Presejanje In Registriranje Bolnikov Z Astmo In Kopb V Referenčnih Ambulantah Družinske Medicine: Prvi Rezultati
Authors: Poplas-Susič Tonka , Švab Igor , Klančar Darinka , Petek Davorina , Vodopivec-Jamšek Vlasta , Bulc Mateja , Kersnik Janko , Petrovski Beáta Éva
Published: June 2015

Aim. This study aimed to evaluate a new project of the Slovene Ministry of Health - the Family Medicine Model Practices (MPs) Project in Slovenia, and to show its effectiveness in the management of asthma and COPD by family medicine practice teams, consisting of a family physician, a nurse practitioner and a practice nurse.

Methods. A total of 107 family practices with 203122 patients joined the project during the first year of its initiation. The effectiveness of the program in disease management was analysed in two phases according to the registration of family practices. The number of patients registered and the number of asthma and COPD patients (existing and newly detected) by model practice teams were being reported. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the study populations. Prevalence by diseases and phases was established after the initial round of data collection. Chi square (χ2) test was used to analyse the difference between the phases.

Results. The frequency of asthma was 2.12%, while the frequency of COPD was 1.15% throughout the study period. For both diseases, more than 30% of patients were newly diagnosed.

Conclusions. The project of implementing Family Medicine MPs in the area of COPD has given first positive results and the project is still ongoing to its full implementation.
3D-Röntgentomographie-gestützte Verfolgung von Blasen in flüssigem Schaum
Authors: Hoppe Dietrich
Published: June 2015

Durch schnelle Röntgentomographie auf der Grundlage eines
magnetisch abgelenkten Elektronenstrahls ist es möglich,
2D-Abbildungen von fluiden Medien zu erzeugen. 3D-Abbildungen
wären zwar wünschenswert, sind aber vorerst noch nicht mit
vertretbarem Aufwand realisierbar. Trotzdem soll bereits jetzt
versucht werden, methodische Studien zur Bestimmung von
Geschwindigkeiten in röntgentomographischen 3D-Abbildungen
durchzuführen. Speziell werden dynamische Vorgänge in
flüssigem Schaum betrachtet.
The Szilard-Chalmers Effect in Cyclohexane-Iodide Mixtures
Authors: Shaw P. F. D.
Published: June 2015

An attempt has been made to estimate the number of radicals available for diffusive combination with

the radio-iodine produced by neutron capture in solvent systems. Reaction mechanisms used in the interpretation of the radiolysis of cyclohexane can also account for the chemical combination of such iodine atoms in cyclohexane-iodide mixtures.
Complex Polyphosphates in Irradiated Phosphorus Oxy-Anions
Authors: Anselmo Vincent C.
Published: June 2015

Several salts of phosphorus oxy-anions were investigated by anion exchange chromatography with a view toward resolving whether complex polyphosphates were formed following neutron capture. For the sodium monohydrogen and dihydrogen orthophosphates a significant fraction of the activity was found on elution with a strong acid Solution indicating the presence of such complex material. Trisodium orthophosphate gave anomalous results while the reduced State showed negligible concentrations.
Messung niederenergetischer β-Strahler in heterogener Phase mit Flüssigkeitsscintillatoren
Authors: Hoffmann W.
Published: June 2015

Es werden Beispiele für die Messung radioaktiver Stoffe in heterogener Phase mit Flüssigkeitsscintillatoren angegeben, und zwar einmal mit suspendiertem Scintillator in der Meßlösung (Kunststoffscintillator in 3H- und 14C-haItigem Wasser), zum anderen mit suspendierter Probe in der Scintillationslösung (BaCO3-14C, 3H-markierte Polymere nach Dispersion in Toluol/Aerosil). Aktivitätsbestimmungen in heterogener Phase können gewisse Vorteile gegenüber einer Messung in flüssiger Phase bieten: unlösliche Verbindungen sowie Substanzen mit starker Fluoreszenzlöschung lassen sich oft noch mit befriedigender Zählausbeute messen.
Gene Level Meta-Analysis of Quantitative Traits by Functional Linear Models
Authors: Fan Ruzong , Wang Yifan , Boehnke Michael , Chen Wei , Li Yun , Ren Haobo , Lobach Iryna , Xiong Momiao
Published: June 2015

Meta-analysis of genetic data must account for differences among studies including study designs, markers genotyped, and covariates. The effects of genetic variants may differ from population to population, i.e., heterogeneity. Thus, meta-analysis of combining data of multiple studies is difficult. Novel statistical methods for meta-analysis are needed. In this article, functional linear models are developed for meta-analyses that connect genetic data to quantitative traits, adjusting for covariates. The models can be used to analyze rare variants, common variants, or a combination of the two. Both likelihood-ratio test (LRT) and F-distributed statistics are introduced to test association between quantitative traits and multiple variants in one genetic region. Extensive simulations are performed to evaluate empirical type I error rates and power performance of the proposed tests. The proposed LRT and F-distributed statistics control the type I error very well and have higher power than the existing methods of the meta-analysis sequence kernel association test (MetaSKAT). We analyze four blood lipid levels in data from a meta-analysis of eight European studies. The proposed methods detect more significant associations than MetaSKAT and the P-values of the proposed LRT and F-distributed statistics are usually much smaller than those of MetaSKAT. The functional linear models and related test statistics can be useful in whole-genome and whole-exome association studies.