bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability estimation considering usage rate profile and warranty claims
Authors: Limon Shah , Yadav Om Prakash , Zuo Ming J , Muscha Jason , Honeyman Russell
Published: February 2016

Providing more realistic reliability prediction based on small proportion of failed population or test data has always been a challenging task. Manufacturers rely heavily on reliability prediction for designing warranty plan. Furthermore, to predict warranty claims for the remaining warranty period, it is important to have more realistic reliability assessment by considering a larger proportion of the population or the maximum possible information on the remaining population. However, generally this information is not readily available and is very difficult to gather on the scattered population. In this work, we propose to use customer usage rate profile to generate censored usage data on the remaining population that do not have any failure and warranty claims yet. We intend to use field data available such as warranty claims, field failures, recall data, and maintenance data to develop usage rate profile and subsequently estimate censored usage time. Finally, reliability estimation methodology is developed considering both censored data and field failure data to provide more reasonable reliability prediction for the remaining warranty period. The proposed methodology is demonstrated considering real-life data from a big manufacturing company.
Incidence and risk factors of infections associated with peripheral intravenous catheters
Authors: Serane Tiroumourougane , Kothendaraman Bhuvaneswari
Published: February 2016

Aim:

To study the incidence and risk factors of bacterial colonisation of peripheral venous catheters during the early neonatal period.

Design:

Prospective observational clinical study.

Setting:

Level II neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients:

Consecutive neonates in whom peripheral catheter was inserted were recruited.

Methods:

The insertion site was cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and chlorhexidine for 30 s consecutively. A needleless catheter access device was attached to peripheral catheters. A dedicated observer reviewed the catheter sites regularly for complications. On removal, the tip of the catheter was cut under sterile conditions and sent to the laboratory for culture. Only catheters indwelling for >12 h were sent for culture.

Findings:

Bacteria were isolated from 22 out of 154 catheter tips. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (n = 13) was the most common organism constituting more than 50% of isolates. In five out of 22 isolates, the organism from the catheter tip was identical to the one from the skin. Systemic sepsis at enrolment was positively associated with colonisation of peripheral catheter. None of the neonates developed peripheral catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Conclusion:

When proper infection control measures are in place, risk of peripheral venous catheter-related infection appears extremely low in spite of frequent colonisation of the catheter.
Protecting Whiteness
Authors: Kahn Kimberly Barsamian , Goff Phillip Atiba , Lee J. Katherine , Motamed Diane
Published: February 2016

Focusing on intergroup anti-non-White bias in the criminal justice system, little attention is given to how Whites may additionally be protected from negative police treatment. This study examines intragroup bias via perceived suspect phenotypic racial stereotypicality (e.g., how strongly members possess physical features typical of their racial group) on severity of police use of force. It is hypothesized that the Whiter one appears, the more the suspect will be protected from police force. Internal use of force case files from a large police department were coded for severity of police force, and suspects’ booking photographs were scored for phenotypic racial stereotypicality. Regression analyses confirmed that police used less force with highly stereotypical Whites, and this protective effect was stronger than the effect for non-Whites. Results suggest that intragroup bias is a protective factor for Whites, but not for non-Whites, providing an additional route through which racial disparities in policing operate.
Cardiac surgery and phenprocoumon therapy— Is preoperative normalization of the international normalized ratio necessary?
Authors: Essa Yasin , Amorim Paulo , Färber Gloria , Hoyer Heike , Hofmann Michael , Doenst Torsten
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

Patients on phenprocoumon presenting for surgery are often converted to heparin preoperatively. We assessed the impact of this conversion on outcome in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods:

From November 2007 to September 2013, 115 patients with phenprocoumon therapy presented for surgery and were operated either before or after the international normalized ratio (INR) had normalized (group A, INR > 1.3, n = 71; group B, INR ⩽ 1.3, n = 44 at day of surgery; group C, matched control cohort without preoperative phenprocoumon, INR ⩽ 1.3, n = 60).

Results:

Patients received a mix of cardiac surgical procedures (including valves, coronary artery bypass grafting, ventricular assist devices, and transplantation) without intergroup differences. Surgery was emergent in 11%, 2%, and 13% in groups A, B, and C, respectively (p = 0.2). Preoperative hospital stay was longest in group B (p < 0.01). Hospital mortality was high with 26% in group A (EuroSCORE 22 ± 22), 13% in group B (EuroSCORE 17 ± 16), and 7% in group C (EuroSCORE 10 ± 15) p < 0.01. Mean chest tube drainage (first 24 h) was lowest in group C (mean/min/max, A: 1096/350/4750 mL; B 1086/300/4100 mL; C 757/120/2170 mL, p = 0.03), and preoperative hemoglobin was highest (A: 7.5 ± 1.2, B: 7.5 ± 1.4, C: 8.1 ± 1.2 mmol/L, p = 0.01). If transfusion was required, patients in group A received more red blood cells (mean units, A: 4.5 ± 8; B: 3.5 ± 6; C: 1.5 ± 3, p = 0.02). By multivariate analysis, preoperative INR was not an independent predictor of postoperative bleeding (p = 0.8). Only low preoperative fibrinogen predicted increased chest tube drainage, independent of phenprocoumon (p = 0.01).

Conclusion:

Patients presenting for cardiac surgery with preoperative phenprocoumon represent a high-risk population. Bleeding complications for these patients are higher but do not seem to be influenced by preoperative INR. Our data question the need for conversion to heparin.
Calcified amorphous tumor of mitral annulus treated by simple aspiration
Authors: Miyano Yuta , Nakai Masanao , Yamazaki Fumio , Terai Yasuhiko , Goto Shinnosuke , Tokumasu Yoshinori
Published: February 2016

A 49-year-old woman on hemodialysis was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and a growing calcified amorphous tumor in the mitral annulus. Because of the anatomical location, we did not resect the whole tumor, while aortic valve replacement was performed instead aspirated the tumor deposit. However, 3 weeks later, a mobile mass attached to the atrial wall was found with echocardiography. We removed the mass and folded the wall of the tumor inside to prevent calcified amorphous tumor recurrence.
Public private partnership projects in the operating phase
Authors: McCann Steven , Aranda-Mena Guillermo , Edwards Peter J.
Published: February 2016

Under Public Private Partnership arrangements, the public sector partner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that contracted services provided by private consortia are carried out and that specified delivery standards are met. Contracts, however, do not protect governments from every adverse eventuality. It is therefore important that partnership and performance management issues are actively managed during the operating phase. From the perspective of the public partner, operational issues relating to partnership and performance management are explored in the context of three Australian case studies. Partnership issues relate to: management commitment and support; clear and open communication; conflict management; employee capability and expertise; and reputation damage. For performance management, the pertinent issues are: key performance indicator modification; availability and integrity of performance data and metrics; performance monitoring and adjustment; and penalties and abatement. Effective management of these issues by the public partner will increase the likelihood that intended value-for-money outcomes are achieved.
Evolving Frontier
Authors: Daifi Chantale , Bahrami Sumaya , Kaakeh Rola , Kaakeh Yaman
Published: February 2016

Objective: To describe the continuum of medical app prescribing. Data Sources: A review of literature was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. Search terms included medical app, prescribing, healthcare apps, medical phone apps, and mobile medical apps. Studies published in English from 2005 to December 2015 were included. Study Selection and Data Extraction: A total of 2264 articles were uncovered in the initial search. The publications included studies conducted in the United States and Europe within the past 10 years. Studies with a mobile app intervention were preferred. However, studies lacking a mobile app intervention were also included. No restrictions on the type of health application discussed in studies were chosen. Non–English language publications were excluded from the review. A total of 15 articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria and reviewer screening. Data Synthesis: The literature review identified that this is an area that requires further study to analyze the extent to which prescribers recommend apps for their patients. A concern over the lack of evidence in the effectiveness of the apps still remains. Prescribing mobile apps by providers to help keep track of their patients’ symptoms and provide real-time advice on treatment and medication can be beneficial to control costs, reduce errors, and improve patients’ experiences. Conclusion: The presence of mobile technology has enabled patients to become more engaged in the decision making regarding their health care. Additional resource allocation can be recommended to increase the quantity and quality of medical apps recommended by prescribers for their patients.
MUC1-C drives MYC in multiple myeloma
Authors: Tagde Ashujit , Rajabi Hasan , Bouillez Audrey , Alam Maroof , Gali Reddy , Bailey Shannon , Tai Yu-Tzu , Hideshima Teru , Anderson Kenneth , Avigan David , Kufe Donald
Published: February 2016

Key Points

MUC1-C induces MYC gene transcription in MM cells. Targeting MUC1-C downregulates MYC expression and its transcriptional program.
Anti–factor VIII IgA as a potential marker of poor prognosis in acquired hemophilia A: results from the GTH-AH 01/2010 study
Authors: Tiede Andreas , Hofbauer Christoph J. , Werwitzke Sonja , Knöbl Paul , Gottstein Saskia , Scharf Rüdiger E. , Heinz Jürgen , Groß Jürgen , Holstein Katharina , Dobbelstein Christiane , Scheiflinger Fritz , Koch Armin , Reipert Birgit M.
Published: February 2016

Key Points

This study is the first to assess the prognostic value of FVIII-specific antibody data in patients with AHA. Anti-FVIII IgA, but not immunoglobulin G, autoantibodies at baseline are potential predictors of recurrence and poor outcome of AHA.
A two-layer integration framework for protein complex detection
Authors: Ou-Yang Le , Wu Min , Zhang Xiao-Fei , Dai Dao-Qing , Li Xiao-Li , Yan Hong
Published: February 2016

Background

Protein complexes carry out nearly all signaling and functional processes within cells. The study of protein complexes is an effective strategy to analyze cellular functions and biological processes. With the increasing availability of proteomics data, various computational methods have recently been developed to predict protein complexes. However, different computational methods are based on their own assumptions and designed to work on different data sources, and various biological screening methods have their unique experiment conditions, and are often different in scale and noise level. Therefore, a single computational method on a specific data source is generally not able to generate comprehensive and reliable prediction results.

Results

In this paper, we develop a novel Two-layer INtegrative Complex Detection (TINCD) model to detect protein complexes, leveraging the information from both clustering results and raw data sources. In particular, we first integrate various clustering results to construct consensus matrices for proteins to measure their overall co-complex propensity. Second, we combine these consensus matrices with the co-complex score matrix derived from Tandem Affinity Purification/Mass Spectrometry (TAP) data and obtain an integrated co-complex similarity network via an unsupervised metric fusion method. Finally, a novel graph regularized doubly stochastic matrix decomposition model is proposed to detect overlapping protein complexes from the integrated similarity network.

Conclusions

Extensive experimental results demonstrate that TINCD performs much better than 21 state-of-the-art complex detection techniques, including ensemble clustering and data integration techniques.
Detecting false positive sequence homology: a machine learning approach
Authors: Fujimoto M. Stanley , Suvorov Anton , Jensen Nicholas O. , Clement Mark J. , Bybee Seth M.
Published: February 2016

Background

Accurate detection of homologous relationships of biological sequences (DNA or amino acid) amongst organisms is an important and often difficult task that is essential to various evolutionary studies, ranging from building phylogenies to predicting functional gene annotations. There are many existing heuristic tools, most commonly based on bidirectional BLAST searches that are used to identify homologous genes and combine them into two fundamentally distinct classes: orthologs and paralogs. Due to only using heuristic filtering based on significance score cutoffs and having no cluster post-processing tools available, these methods can often produce multiple clusters constituting unrelated (non-homologous) sequences. Therefore sequencing data extracted from incomplete genome/transcriptome assemblies originated from low coverage sequencing or produced by de novo processes without a reference genome are susceptible to high false positive rates of homology detection.

Results

In this paper we develop biologically informative features that can be extracted from multiple sequence alignments of putative homologous genes (orthologs and paralogs) and further utilized in context of guided experimentation to verify false positive outcomes. We demonstrate that our machine learning method trained on both known homology clusters obtained from OrthoDB and randomly generated sequence alignments (non-homologs), successfully determines apparent false positives inferred by heuristic algorithms especially among proteomes recovered from low-coverage RNA-seq data. Almost ~42 % and ~25 % of predicted putative homologies by InParanoid and HaMStR respectively were classified as false positives on experimental data set.

Conclusions

Our process increases the quality of output from other clustering algorithms by providing a novel post-processing method that is both fast and efficient at removing low quality clusters of putative homologous genes recovered by heuristic-based approaches.
Draft genome sequence of Sphingomonas paucimobilis strain LCT-SP1 isolated from the Shenzhou X spacecraft of China
Authors: Pan Lei , Zhou Hong , Li Jia , Huang Bing , Guo Jun , Zhang Xue-Lin , Gao Long-Cheng , Xu Chou , Liu Chang-Ting
Published: February 2016

Sphingomonas paucimobilis strain LCT-SP1 is a glucose-nonfermenting Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic, strictly aerobic bacterium. The major feature of strain LCT-SP1, isolated from the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou X, together with the genome draft and annotation are described in this paper. The total size of strain LCT-SP1 is 4,302,226 bp with 3,864 protein-coding and 50 RNA genes. The information gained from its sequence is potentially relevant to the elucidation of microbially mediated corrosion of various materials.
Role of the reprogramming factor KLF4 in blood formation
Authors: Park Chun Shik , Shen Ye , Lewis Andrew , Lacorazza H Daniel
Published: February 2016

Krüppel-like factor 4 is a zinc finger protein with dual functions that can act as a transcriptional activator and repressor of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Although most studies have focused on terminally differentiated epithelial cells, evidence suggests that Krüppel-like factor 4 regulates the development and function of the myeloid and lymphoid blood lineages. The ability of Krüppel-like factor 4 to dedifferentiate from somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells in cooperation with other reprogramming factors suggests its potential function in the preservation of tissue-specific stem cells. Additionally, emerging interest in the redifferentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into blood cells to correct hematologic deficiencies and malignancies warrants further studies on the role of Krüppel-like factor 4 in steady-state blood formation.
Atypical chemokine receptors in cancer: friends or foes?
Authors: Massara Matteo , Bonavita Ornella , Mantovani Alberto , Locati Massimo , Bonecchi Raffaella
Published: February 2016

The chemokine system is a fundamental component of cancer-related inflammation involved in all stages of cancer development. It controls not only leukocyte infiltration in primary tumors but also angiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation, and migration to metastatic sites. Atypical chemokine receptors are a new, emerging class of regulators of the chemokine system. They control chemokine bioavailability by scavenging, transporting, or storing chemokines. They can also regulate the activity of canonical chemokine receptors with which they share the ligands by forming heterodimers or by modulating their expression levels or signaling activity. Here, we summarize recent results about the role of these receptors (atypical chemokine receptor 1/Duffy antigen receptor for chemokine, atypical chemokine receptor 2/D6, atypical chemokine receptor 3/CXC-chemokine receptor 7, and atypical chemokine receptor 4/CC-chemokine receptor-like 1) on the tumorigenesis process, indicating that their effects are strictly dependent on the cell type on which they are expressed and on their coexpression with other chemokine receptors. Indeed, atypical chemokine receptors inhibit tumor growth and progression through their activity as negative regulators of chemokine bioavailability, whereas, on the contrary, they can promote tumorigenesis when they regulate the signaling of other chemokine receptors, such as CXC-chemokine receptor 4. Thus, atypical chemokine receptors are key components of the regulatory network of inflammation and immunity in cancer and may have a major effect on anti-inflammatory and immunotherapeutic strategies.
Quantitative Assessment of Mouse Mammary Gland Morphology Using Automated Digital Image Processing and TEB Detection
Authors: Blacher Silvia , Gérard Céline , Gallez Anne , Foidart Jean-Michel , Noël Agnès , Péqueux Christel
Published: February 2016

The assessment of rodent mammary gland morphology is largely used to study the molecular mechanisms driving breast development and to analyze the impact of various endocrine disruptors with putative pathological implications. In this work, we propose a methodology relying on fully automated digital image analysis methods including image processing and quantification of the whole ductal tree and of the terminal end buds as well. It allows to accurately and objectively measure both growth parameters and fine morphological glandular structures. Mammary gland elongation was characterized by 2 parameters: the length and the epithelial area of the ductal tree. Ductal tree fine structures were characterized by: 1) branch end-point density, 2) branching density, and 3) branch length distribution. The proposed methodology was compared with quantification methods classically used in the literature. This procedure can be transposed to several software and thus largely used by scientists studying rodent mammary gland morphology.
Modeling the Male Reproductive Endocrine Axis: Potential Role for a Delay Mechanism in the Inhibitory Action of Gonadal Steroids on GnRH Pulse Frequency
Authors: Ferasyi Teuku R. , Barrett P. Hugh R. , Blache Dominique , Martin Graeme B.
Published: February 2016

We developed a compartmental model so we could test mechanistic concepts in the control of the male reproductive endocrine axis. Using SAAM II computer software and a bank of experimental data from male sheep, we began by modeling GnRH-LH feed-forward and LH-T feedback. A key assumption was that the primary control signal comes from a hypothetical neural network (the PULSAR) that emits a digital (pulsatile) signal of variable frequency that drives GnRH secretion in square wave-like pulses. This model produced endocrine profiles that matched experimental observations for the testis-intact animal and for changes in GnRH pulse frequency after castration and T replacement. In the second stage of the model development, we introduced a delay in the negative feedback caused by the aromatization of T to estradiol at the brain level, a concept supported by empirical observations. The simulations showed how changes in the process of aromatization could affect the response of the pulsatile signal to inhibition by steroid feedback. The sensitivity of the PULSAR to estradiol was a critical factor, but the most striking observation was the effect of time delays. With longer delays, there was a reduction in the rate of aromatization and therefore a decrease in local estradiol concentrations, and the outcome was multiple-pulse events in the secretion of GnRH/LH, reflecting experimental observations. In conclusion, our model successfully emulates the GnRH-LH-T-GnRH loop, accommodates a pivotal role for central aromatization in negative feedback, and suggests that time delays in negative feedback are an important aspect of the control of GnRH pulse frequency.
The Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Adverse Postoperative Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Sun Zhuo , Hesler Brian D. , Makarova Natalya , Dalton Jarrod E. , Doan Michael , Moraska Amanda , De Oliveira Gildasio , Turan Alparslan
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a high overall incidence of mortality, primarily because of cardiovascular complications. Thus, we tested the primary hypothesis that rheumatoid arthritis is independently associated with increased postoperative cardiovascular complications. Second, we determined whether rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased thromboembolic complications, microcirculatory complications, and mortality.

METHODS:

We obtained censuses of 2009 to 2010 inpatient hospital discharge data across 7 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey). Rheumatoid arthritis was identified using the present-on-admission diagnosis code 714.0. Each rheumatoid arthritis discharge that had surgery was propensity matched to a control discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare matched rheumatoid arthritis and control patients on risk of in-hospital cardiovascular complications.

RESULTS:

Among 5.5 million qualifying discharges, the matching procedure yielded successful 66,886 matched pairs. One thousand ninety-five (1.64%) of the matched rheumatoid arthritis discharges and 1006 (1.50%) of the matched controls had in-hospital cardiovascular complications. The adjusted odds ratio (99% confidence interval) was estimated at 1.08 (0.96–1.21;P= 0.08). There were no significant differences in the odds of in-hospital thromboembolic complications (1.03 [0.93–1.15];P= 0.42), in-hospital microcirculatory complications (0.94 [0.86–1.01];P= 0.03), or in-hospital mortality (1.11 [0.98–1.25];P= 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS:

Rheumatoid arthritis was not associated with an increased risk for postoperative cardiovascular complications.
The effects of ER morphology on synaptic structure and function in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Summerville James B. , Faust Joseph F. , Fan Ethan , Pendin Diana , Daga Andrea , Formella Joseph , Stern Michael , McNew James A.
Published: February 2016

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a set of genetic diseases caused by mutations in one of 72 genes that results in age-dependent corticospinal axon degeneration accompanied by spasticity and paralysis. Two genes implicated in HSPs encode proteins that regulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology. Atlastin 1 (ATL1, also known as SPG3A) encodes an ER membrane fusion GTPase and reticulon 2 (RTN2, also known as SPG12) helps shape ER tube formation. Here, we use a new fluorescent ER marker to show that the ER within wild-type Drosophila motor nerve terminals forms a network of tubules that is fragmented and made diffuse upon loss of the atlastin 1 ortholog atl. atl or Rtnl1 loss decreases evoked transmitter release and increases arborization. Similar to other HSP proteins, Atl inhibits bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, and loss of atl causes age-dependent locomotor deficits in adults. These results demonstrate a crucial role for ER in neuronal function, and identify mechanistic links between ER morphology, neuronal function, BMP signaling and adult behavior.
High-throughput sequencing of partially edited trypanosome mRNAs reveals barriers to editing progression and evidence for alternative editing
Authors: Simpson Rachel M. , Bruno Andrew E. , Bard Jonathan E. , Buck Michael J. , Read Laurie K.
Published: February 2016

Uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing in kinetoplastids entails the addition and deletion of uridine residues throughout the length of mitochondrial transcripts to generate translatable mRNAs. This complex process requires the coordinated use of several multiprotein complexes as well as the sequential use of noncoding template RNAs called guide RNAs. The majority of steady-state mitochondrial mRNAs are partially edited and often contain regions of mis-editing, termed junctions, whose role is unclear. Here, we report a novel method for sequencing entire populations of pre-edited partially edited, and fully edited RNAs and analyzing editing characteristics across populations using a new bioinformatics tool, the Trypanosome RNA Editing Alignment Tool (TREAT). Using TREAT, we examined populations of two transcripts, RPS12 and ND7-5′, in wild-type Trypanosoma brucei. We provide evidence that the majority of partially edited sequences contain junctions, that intrinsic pause sites arise during the progression of editing, and that the mechanisms that mediate pausing in the generation of canonical fully edited sequences are distinct from those that mediate the ends of junction regions. Furthermore, we identify alternatively edited sequences that constitute plausible alternative open reading frames and identify substantial variability in the 5′ UTRs of both canonical and alternatively edited sequences. This work is the first to use high-throughput sequencing to examine full-length sequences of whole populations of partially edited transcripts. Our method is highly applicable to current questions in the RNA editing field, including defining mechanisms of action for editing factors and identifying potential alternatively edited sequences.
Η γονική εμπλοκή των αλλοδαπών υπό την οπτική των νηπιαγωγών
Authors: Κοντογιάννη Διονυσία , Οικονομίδης Βασίλειος
Published: February 2016

Με την έρευνα αυτή προσεγγίζουμε τη γονική εμπλοκή των αλλοδαπών διερευνώντας τις θέσεις των νηπιαγωγών σχετικά: α) με τις πρακτικές που οι ίδιες εφαρμόζουν για την προώθηση της γονικής εμπλοκής, β) με τα θέματα συζήτησης με τους αλλοδαπούς γονείς και γ) με τη διάθεση των γονιών για  συνεργασία. Από την έρευνα σε νηπιαγωγούς της Κρήτης με κλειστό ερωτηματολόγιο προκύπτει ότι οι νηπιαγωγοί παρωθούν τους αλλοδαπούς γονείς να συμμετέχουν σε δραστηριότητες του σχολείου, όχι όμως σε δραστηριότητες της τάξης και συζητούν μαζί τους  κυρίως για θέματα που σχετίζονται με την πρόοδο των παιδιών. Οι νηπιαγωγοί ακόμη θεωρούν ότι οι αλλοδαποί γονείς είναι συνεργάσιμοι και από τις αναπαραστάσεις (εικόνες, αντιλήψεις)τους γι’ αυτούς φαίνεται ότι οι γονείς αυτοί βρίσκονται σε φάση προσαρμογής στην ελληνική κοινωνία.
Αποτελεσματικές παρεμβάσεις κατά της παχυσαρκίας για παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας: σύγχρονες τάσεις
Authors: Μπρουσκέλη Βασιλική
Published: February 2016

Η παιδική παχυσαρκία αποτελεί μία από τις σημαντικότερες απειλές για τη σωματική και ψυχοκοινωνική υγεία του παιδιού, με αποτέλεσμα να αναζητούνται αποτελεσματικές μέθοδοι και ολοκληρωμένες παρεμβάσεις με στόχο της πρόληψη και τη διακοπή της αυξητικής τάσης του φαινομένου. Η προσχολική ηλικία θεωρείται μία ιδιαίτερη αναπτυξιακή φάση, όπου το παιδί με ευκολία μαθαίνει, αξιολογεί και εφαρμόζει πρακτικές που είναι πολύ πιθανό να ακολουθήσει και στη μετέπειτα ζωή του. Στη συγκεκριμένη μελέτη παρουσιάζονται και αναλύονται τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά των πλέον σύγχρονων και αποτελεσματικών παρεμβάσεων για την παχυσαρκία ανά τον κόσμο που έχουν δοκιμασθεί και εκτιμηθεί για την αποτελεσματικότητά τους σε παιδιά της προσχολικής ηλικίας. Η ανασκόπηση συμπεριέλαβε επτά έρευνες-παρεμβάσεις, εκ των οποίων οι πέντε προέρχονται από την Αμερική, μία από τη Γερμανία και μία από την Αυστραλία. Οι παρεμβάσεις διέφεραν σημαντικά σε διάρκεια εφαρμογής, αριθμό συμμετεχόντων, αλλά και στον τρόπο που αξιολογήθηκε στη συνέχεια η αποτελεσματικότητά τους. Σε όλες τις προτάσεις δράσης τονίζονταν η σημασία της εμπλοκής του ευρύτερου πλαισίου του παιδιού, κυρίως της οικογένειας και του σχολικού πλαισίου. Η μελλοντική έρευνα είναι ανάγκη να διασαφηνίσει, μεταξύ άλλων, το ρόλο των παραγόντων που προαναφέρθηκαν και διέφεραν σημαντικά στις παρεμβάσεις που μελετήθηκαν αλλά και το ρόλο χαρακτηριστικών όπως η κουλτούρα και η ηλικιακή ομάδα στην οποία απευθύνεται μία πρόταση πρόληψης. Τα μελλοντικά προγράμματα είναι σημαντικό να σχεδιάζονται ανάλογα με τις ανάγκες της εκάστοτε ηλικιακής και πολιτισμικής ομάδας και οι στόχοι τους να μην περιορίζονται σε ατομικές αλλαγές.
Το Λογικό μοντέλο (Logic Model): μια μεθοδολογία διαμόρφωσης και αξιολόγησης προγραμμάτων με πολλές δυνατότητες
Authors: Φρούντα Μαρία
Published: February 2016

Η εργασία αυτή απορρέει από τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας που έγινε στο πλαίσιο της διδακτορικής διατριβής μου και αφορούσε τους εκπαιδευτικούς που εμπλέκονται σε προγράμματα Αγωγής Υγείας και Σεξουαλικής Διαπαιδαγώγησης στο ελληνικό σχολείο. Ένα από τα βασικά ευρήματα αφορά την ανεπαρκή ή ανύπαρκτη εκπαίδευση/επιμόρφωση των εκπαιδευτικών στο σχεδιασμό και την υλοποίηση των προγραμμάτων (projects) εν γένει. Το αποτέλεσμα είναι τα προγράμματα να υλοποιούνται κατά τρόπο αυτοσχεδιαστικό ή τυχαίο και σε κάθε περίπτωση με μικρή αποτελεσματικότητα. Ως απόρροια του προηγούμενου ευρήματος, στο παρόν κείμενο στοχεύουμε να παρουσιάσουμε και να αναλύσουμε ένα εργαλείο σχεδίασης και υλοποίησης εκπαιδευτικών προγραμμάτων, το «λογικό μοντέλο», το οποίο θα μπορούσε να συνεισφέρει στη βελτίωση της προηγούμενης ανεπάρκειας. Το λογικό μοντέλο είναι διεθνώς καταξιωμένο, με σημαντική χρήση που θα μπορούσε να βοηθήσει τους εν ενεργεία εκπαιδευτικούς στον καλύτερο σχεδιασμό, υλοποίηση και αξιολόγηση των προγραμμάτων που υλοποιούν στο πλαίσιο της σχολικής τους μονάδας.
Διερεύνηση των τεχνικών αντιμετώπισης των συγκρούσεων στα Δημοτικά Σχολεία της Ελλάδας
Authors: Μητσαρά Σωτηρία , Ιορδανίδης Γεώργιος
Published: February 2016

Η εμφάνιση συγκρούσεων ανάμεσα στο ανθρώπινο δυναμικό των δημοτικών σχολείων είναι ένα σύνηθες φαινόμενο, η αποτελεσματική διαχείριση του οποίου συμβάλει καθοριστικά στην ομαλή λειτουργία της σχολικής μονάδας και στην εκτέλεση της αποστολής της. Για την επιτυχή επίλυση των προβλημάτων που προκύπτουν από αυτές βαρύνουσα σημασία έχουν τα χαρακτηριστικά των στελεχών που αναλαμβάνουν την επίλυση της σύγκρουσης, καθώς και οι τεχνικές που χρησιμοποιούνται για τη διαχείρισή της. Στο παρόν άρθρο γίνεται μια γενική επισκόπηση των προσεγγίσεων που αναφέρονται στις τεχνικές διαχείρισης των συγκρούσεων στις σχολικές μονάδες και περιγράφεται το περιεχόμενο έρευνας που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε Δημοτικά Σχολεία της Ελλάδας. Στη συνέχεια αναλύονται αποτελέσματα έρευνας που πραγματοποιήθηκε, η οποία αφορά στα χαρακτηριστικά όσων διαχειρίζονται συγκρούσεις στα δημοτικά σχολεία και αξιολογείται η αποτελεσματικότατα τους ανάλογα με τα χαρακτηριστικά τους και τις τεχνικές που χρησιμοποιούνται από αυτούς. Στο πλαίσιο μιας γενικής συζήτησης συγκρίνονται τα εν λόγω αποτελέσματα με τα αποτελέσματα άλλων σχετικών ερευνών.    
Implications of Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) on Strategic Stability
Authors: Ibrahim Anjum
Published: February 2016

India & Pakistan have a long history of military confrontation. Developments in one country are rarely considered benign, and mostly viewed with concern. Nuclear weapon development by India in 1974 not only made Pakistan more determined to achieve similar capability but also accelerated the process of mastering the latest technology. If India's security lies in maintaining qualitative edge in strategic weapons (offensive or defensive) Pakistan's security also lies therein. Improvement in technology is a continuous process and each technology has its life cycle. Improvement in weapon systems would generate a response by the other state, though, it may be delayed at times. In India – Pakistan scenario development / deployment of weapon system by any state would create apprehensions in the minds of others. The introduction of BMD system in the region is destabilizing and its deployment would make the region instable especially during crisis situation.
Cruise Missiles in South Asia: Implications for Regional Strategic Stability
Authors: Kulsoom Belal
Published: February 2016

In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in cruise missiles in India and Pakistan. A characteristic counterforce weapon with high speed and precision, stealth capabilities and multiple launch platforms, cruise missiles are linked to the preemptive capabilities of a state; an antithesis to mutual vulnerability important to maintain nuclear deterrence. However, like any other weapon, they cannot be neatly described as either weapon for offense for first strike or weapon for defense in second strike. This makes it imperative to study the implications of the cruise missiles of Pakistan and India on strategic stability. The paper is divided into three parts; the first part studies the characteristics of cruise missile and builds a theoretical framework to understand how counterforce systems like cruise missiles impact strategic stability between two states. The second part studies the impact of cruise missiles in South Asia on regional strategic stability from three aspects: deterrence stability, crisis stability and arms race stability. In the third part, the conclusion, it is found that while the dynamics of deterrence stability and crisis stability are not affected by cruise missiles, it proves to be destabilizing for arms race. Cruise missiles in South Asia reinforce the cyclic dynamics of offense and defense, prompting both countries to invest in their security, which on the long run will impinge on deterrence stability and crisis stability between the two countries.
Atributos químicos de Latossolo sob plantio direto adubado com esterco de bovinos e fertilizantes minerais
Authors: Barcellos Milena , Motta Antonio Carlos Vargas , Pauletti Volnei , Da Silva José Carlos Peixoto Modesto , Barbosa Julierme Zimmer
Published: February 2016

Organic fertilization in no-tillage system (NTS) has been used in regions milk production, in an order to provide nutrients for crops and provide a destination for high production of animal waste. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical attributes of an Oxisol, a function of organic fertilization with liquid manure from dairy cattle (LMDC) and mineral fertilizers. The experiment was conducted under NTS with crop rotation including legumes and grasses. The treatments were distributed in three randomized blocks with factorial arrangement, using three levels of mineral fertilizer (0, 50 and 100 % of the dose recommended for the crops) and four levels of organic fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 90 m3 ha-1year-1). After six years of fertilizer management of crops, soil was collected from five depths (0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.30, 0.30-0.50 e 0.50-0.80 m). The samples were determined the chemical pH, H++Al3+, Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+,electrical conductivity (EC), bases saturation (V), Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, total organic C (TOC), B, Cl, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. The mineral fertilizers acidify the soil, raised the K+, P and EC and, changed the Zn and Cu contents. The organic fertilization with LMDC was a source of nutrients (Ca 2+, Mg2+, K+, P, Zn and Cu), raised the TOC and the EC, and kept the soil acidity attributes (pH, H++ Al3+ and V).
Control of the South American fruit fly in pear with natural-based products
Authors: Nunes Marcelo Zanelato , Boff Mari Inês Carissimi , Santos Régis Sivori Silva dos , Franco Cláudio Roberto , Rosa Joatan Machado da
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to assess, in laboratory conditions, the effect of andiroba oil (2L 100L-1), kaolin (7.5Kg 100L-1), azadirachtin (2.5L 100L-1), metidationa (100mL 100L-1) and distilled water (control) on the oviposition and mortality of adults of A.fraterculus in no-choice and free-choice tests. The experimental design was randomized with five treatments and 20 replicatesfor the no-choice test; and 15 replicates for the free-choice test. Fruits were immersed in each treatment solution, dried at room temperature and placed in pots with two couples of A. fraterculus (no-choice test) and in arenas with four couples along with a fruit that was previously immersed in water (free-choice test).Twenty-five days after infestation, fruits were dissecated and the number of larvae was recorded as well the number of pupae and adults. Only methidathion was effective on adults with mortality of 91.3% (P<0.05). There was no larval emergence and, consequently, pupae and adult development in fruits treated with andiroba oil and methidathion in both tests. Azadirachtin and kaolin did not present any effect on A. fraterculus. Andiroba oil was effective on the reduction of the infestation of pear fruits by A. fraterculus.
SEMI-ACTIVE DAMPING PERFORMANCE OF IRON PARTICLE FILLED SILICONE RUBBER
Authors: Dirisamer Florian , Cakmak Umut , Marth Edmund , Major Zoltan
Published: February 2016

The aim of this work was to design, produce and evaluate a demonstrator to visualize the magneto-induced damping behaviour of materials. In contrast to standard materials, the damping coefficient of iron particle filled silicone rubbers can be controlled by a semi-active magnetic field. This field effect should be characterized in order to evaluate the suitability of these magnetorheological silicone elastomers for the use in different configurations and applications.
ANALYSIS OF WELDED POLYPROPYLENE STRUCTURES: COMBINATION OF EXPERIMENTS AND SIMULATIONS
Authors: Distlbacher Theresa , Reiter Martin , Major Zoltan
Published: February 2016

The effect of joining by extrusion welding on the tensional stiffness and strength of a Polypropylene copolymer was analysed. Short-term and creep tests with laboratory specimens were conducted. Welded joint sub-components were simulated with the finite element method and the results were validated by experiments.
THE EFFECT OF SUPPORT PLATE ON DRILLING-INDUCED DELAMINATION
Authors: Karimi Navid Zarif , Heidary Hossein , Kianfar Parnian , Hasani Mahmud , Minak Giangiacomo
Published: February 2016

Delamination is considered as a major problem in drilling of composite materials, which degrades the mechanical properties of these materials. The thrust force exerted by the drill is considered as the major cause of delamination; and one practical approach to reduce delamination is to use a back-up plate under the specimen. In this paper, the effect of exit support plate on delamination in twist drilling of glass fiber reinforced composites is studied. Firstly, two analytical models based on linear fracture mechanics and elastic bending theory of plates are described to find critical thrust forces at the beginning of crack growth for drilling with and without back-up plate. Secondly, two series of experiments are carried out on glass fiber reinforced composites to determine quantitatively the effect of drilling parameters on the amount of delamination. Experimental findings verify a large reduction in the amount of delaminated area when a back-up plate is placed under the specimen.
COMPARISON OF OPTICAL METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF GLASS MOSAIC WEATHERING
Authors: Kocour Vladimir , Petranova Veronika , Valach Jaroslav
Published: February 2016

The work presented in this paper is a part of research project supported by Ministry of Culture and devoted to conservation of precious mosaic of "Last Judgement" on St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. The aim of the project is to enhance external protective polymeric coating on glass tesserae of mosaic and also to develop optical method for assessment of coating’s surface conditions. The paper concentrates on comparison of various methods for surface evaluation assesses their advantages and disadvantages and also discusses their suitability for long term monitoring of coating state, namely reflectometry, scanning probe microscopy, nanoindentation, white-light interferometry, and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that white-light interferometry and reflectometry methods are the most suitable ones for monitoring purposes.
DETERMINATION OF THERMAL RESPONSE OF CARRARA AND SNEZNIKOVSKY MARBLE USED AS A BUILDING MATERIALS
Authors: Petráňová Veronika , Valach Jaroslav , Viani Alberto , Estébanez Marta Peréz
Published: February 2016

Physical weathering of marble, widely used as a cladding material on buildings, is one of the most common damaging mechanism caused by anisotropic thermal expansion of calcite grains. The extent of marble deterioration depends mainly on stone fabric and texture. Dry cuboids of Carrara marble and marble from Dolni Morava quarry were subjected to microscopic analysis and thermal cycling, to determine the thermal expansion related to stone fabric and predominant lattice orientation of grains (i.e. texture).
Numerical solution of Navier stokes equation using control volume and finite element method
Authors: Adam Aigo Musa
Published: February 2016

The aim of this paper is twofold first we will  provide a numerical solution of the Navier Stokes equation using the Projection technique and finite element method. The problem will be introduced in weak formulation and a Finite Element method will be developed, then solve in a fast way the sparse system derived. Second, the projection method with Control volume approach will be applied to get a fast solution, in iterations count.
Fractional modelling arising in unidirectional propagation of long waves in dispersive media
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Kumar Devendra , Singh Jagdev
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to propose a modified and
simple algorithm for fractional modelling arising in unidirectional
propagation of long wave in dispersive media by using the fractional homotopy
analysis transform method (FHATM). This modified method is an innovative
adjustment in the Laplace transform algorithm (LTA) and makes the calculation
much simpler. The proposed technique solves the nonlinear problems without
using Adomian polynomials and He’s polynomials which can be considered as a
clear advantage of this new algorithm over decomposition and the homotopy
perturbation transform method. This modified method yields an analytical and
approximate solution in terms of a rapidly convergent series with easily
computable terms. The numerical solutions obtained by the proposed algorithm
indicate that the approach is easy to implement and computationally very
attractive. Comparing our solution with the existing ones, we note an excellent agreement.
Bicubic splines and biquartic polynomials
Authors: Mino Lukáš , Szabó Imrich , Török Csaba
Published: February 2016

The paper proposes a new efficient approach
to computation of interpolating spline surfaces. The generalization
of an unexpected property, noticed while approximating
polynomials of degree four by cubic ones,
confirmed that a similar interrelation property exists between
biquartic and bicubic polynomial surfaces as well.
We prove that a 2×2-component C1 -class bicubic Hermite
spline will be of class C2 if an equispaced grid is used and
the coefficients of the spline components are computed
from a corresponding biquartic polynomial. It implies that
a 2×2 uniform clamped spline surface can be constructed
without solving any equation. The applicability of this biquartic
polynomials based approach to reducing dimensionalitywhile
computing spline surfaces is demonstrated
on an example.
Exact distributions of order statistics of
dependent random variables from ln,p-symmetric sample distributions, n ∈ {3,4}
Authors: Müller K. , Richter W.-D.
Published: February 2016

Integral representations of the exact distributions of order statistics are derived in a geometric
way when three or four random variables depend on each other as the components of continuous ln,psymmetrically
distributed random vectors do, n ∈ {3,4}, p > 0. Once the representations are implemented
in a computer program, it is easy to change the density generator of the ln,p-symmetric distribution with another
one for newly evaluating the distribution of interest. For two groups of stock exchange index residuals,
maximum distributions are compared under dependence and independence modeling.
Extreme value distributions for dependent
jointly ln,p-symmetrically distributed random
variables
Authors: Müller K. , Richter W.-D.
Published: February 2016

A measure-of-cone representation of skewed continuous ln,p-symmetric distributions, n ∈ N, p > 0,
is proved following the geometric approach known for elliptically contoured distributions. On this basis, distributions
of extreme values of n dependent random variables are derived if the latter follow a joint continuous
ln,p-symmetric distribution. Light, heavy, and extremely far tails as well as tail indices are discussed,
and new parameters of multivariate tail behavior are introduced.
The Enduring Relevance of National Presidential Nominating Conventions
Authors: Panagopoulos Costas , Endres Kyle
Published: February 2016

Some contend the relevance of presidential nominating conventions has faded in recent decades as fewer voters watch and reach voting decisions during the conventions. We evaluate these trends empirically and consider the historical evolution of conventions to argue that, while they do not garner the attention they once did, conventions can still have a consequential effect on the outcomes of presidential elections, especially in competitive cycles.
Optimization of the asymmetric synthesis of chiral aromatic alcohol using freeze-dried carrots as whole-cell biocatalysts
Authors: Kazici Hilal Celik , Bayraktar Emine , Mehmetoglu Ülkü
Published: February 2016

Asymmetric reduction of ketones is an important transformation in organic synthesis, because chiral carbinols are useful bioactive compounds. In this study, bioreduction of acetophenone (ACP) for production of enantiomerically pure (S)-1-phenyl-ethanol was investigated and freeze-dried carrots were used as a source of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs). However, production of product was investigated systematically using response surface methodology (RSM). Before RSM, the effects of the initial substrate concentration, reaction time, temperature and pH on the bioreduction were studied. The best results for enantiomeric excesses (ee) and conversion (c) were obtained with >99% and 58%, respectively, for the reaction time 48 h, initial substrate concentration 1 m