bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Digital Checklists for Command and Control Operations
Authors: McClernon Christopher K. , Finomore Victor S. , Andre Terence S. , Jeffery Forrest S. , Myers Oliver N.
Published: September 2016

Checklists are a critical component of most any military operation and both the construction of and presentation of checklists can affect the performance and efficiency of these operations. The purpose of this research project is to compare methods for displaying and executing checklists in a command and control operation to increase both performance and efficiency. The NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center (N2C2) uses a paper checklist system to facilitate responding to any number of disasters, to include air catastrophes. This project investigated the potential effectiveness of a digital system that could take the place of the paper system that is currently being used. A between groups experimental design was used to analyze the relative effectiveness of each method. Each group of subjects was introduced to a timed task on different checklist systems and asked to complete an Air Force Academy Command Center checklist as accurately and as quickly as possible. Performance and subjective assessments of each system were analyzed and compared. The data showed that a linear digital checklist takes a longer amount of time than both a paper checklist and hierarchical digital checklist. In addition, the subjective data showed that the hierarchical system and paper system were easier to use and navigate than the linear system.
Determining the Utility of a Laboratory Eating Paradigm to Explore Social Eating
Authors: Jasper Phillip , Hoover Adam , Muth Eric
Published: September 2016

According to a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic levels in the United States. Researchers are increasingly engaged in exploring eating behavior with the goals of trying to understand what elements of eating behavior might lead to overweight and obesity and applying knowledge from these studies to encourage people to engage in healthy eating behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to determine the utility of a new laboratory eating paradigm that attempts to create a natural social eating environment while maintaining the control possible within a university laboratory. Known effects of gender on eating behavior (e.g. consumption rates and bite size), positive subjective ratings of the food item used, and subjective ratings of perceived eating behavior were replicated to show the utility of the paradigm.
An Affect-Trust (A-T) Model With Regards to Technological Errors
Authors: Schwark Gayle , Rice Stephen
Published: September 2016

Much research has differentiated between the effects of automation false alarms and misses on operator trust and subsequent behavior. Further research has demonstrated that trust is a multiple-process construct that mediates the relationship between automation errors and behavior. The purpose of the current study was to expand on this model by incorporating affect as a mediating variable between smoke detector errors and trust. This expanded model, which we refer to as the Affect-Trust model, is supported by two experiments. The experiments involved mediation analyses, which revealed that affect almost totally mediates the relationship between both types of smoke detector errors and trust.
Recommendations for Virtual Teamwork Based on Human Factors Research
Authors: Chastain Janet Wu , Nathan-Roberts Dan
Published: September 2016

This proceeding attempts to review human factors research on virtual teams. The focus is on project-based teams of knowledge workers, the scope is to identify challenges specific to such teams, and the goal is to offer practical solutions. The criteria for working well together are teams that can define, execute, and deliver on work successfully, without excessive intervention from management and outside parties. Current research reminds us that humans are relational and social, which need to be fostered carefully in a virtual team environment. Current research also recommends that teams establish group norms and routines, use technology as an enabler, and be mindful of the constant need to reduce ambiguity.
Micro Task Evaluation of Analog Vs. Digital Power Plant Control Room Interfaces
Authors: Hildebrandt Michael , Fernandes Alexandra
Published: September 2016

There is a need for efficient and transparent human performance measurement methods to support interface evaluation for control room modernization projects. This paper presents experiences from the second pilot test of a micro task method developed to support this need. We benchmarked performance with analog control boards in a nuclear power plant control room simulator against performance with a modern overview display. Within 2.5 hours of simulator time and with 16 licensed operators as participants, we collected data for 1152 micro task questions, recording response time and accuracy for each question. The paper describes the study methodology and results, and draws conclusions about the future use of the micro task method for evaluation and training.
The Influence of Situational Interest on Learning Outcomes for Science Videos
Authors: Yoo Angela , Catrambone Richard
Published: September 2016

Recent issues in education have given rise to a desire for developing more interesting and engaging learning experiences. However, there is disagreement in the scientific literature over the role of interesting details provided in learning materials (Rey, 2012). Some studies show that highly interesting information can be highly motivating, thus leading to enhanced learning. Other studies find that interesting information that incites high levels of emotional engagement hinders learning. There is some limited evidence that this seductive detail effect is due to additional cognitive load or the priming of inappropriate schema, and therefore, this effect could be weakened if the emotionally interesting information is relevant to the main idea. This study considers whether performance on both recall and transfer tests can be negatively or positively impacted by interesting learning material, depending on the relevance to the main idea.
The Impact of Technological Trust and Self-Determined Motivation on Intentions to use Wearable Fitness Technology
Authors: Rupp Michael A. , Michaelis Jessica R. , McConnell Daniel S. , Smither Janan A.
Published: September 2016

Exercise has many health benefits, however, not enough Americans engage in physical activity which may be due to a lack of motivation and knowledge of how to do so. Wearable technologies, such as fitness trackers, can ameliorate this pervasive problem. The aim of this study was to examine trust and motivation as predictors of fitness tracker usage across several devices. Moreover, we developed trust and motivation scales specific to wearable fitness devices to determine the extent to which these factors may relate to individuals’ desire for continued use. A Confirmatory factor analysis and Structural equation model analysis was conducted on the data. Our results indicated that: 1) both technological trust and self-determined motivation are significantly related to each other and 2) both users’ perceived trust and motivation of the device are predictive of individuals' desire for continued use of wearable fitness devices. Therefore, considerations of how the technology can be transparent to the user and provide motivational support are important design considerations.
LiveWSN: A memory-efficient, energy-efficient, reprogrammable, and fault-tolerant platform for wireless sensor network
Authors: Liu Xing , Hou Kun Mean , de Vaulx Christophe , El Gholami Khalid , Xiong Shengwu
Published: September 2016

Memory optimization, energy conservation, over-the-air reprogramming, and fault tolerance are the critical challenges for the proliferation of the wireless sensor network. To address these challenges, a new wireless sensor network platform termed LiveWSN is presented in this article. In LiveWSN, several new design concepts are implemented, such as the hierarchical shared-stack scheduling and the pre-linking native-code reprogramming. By doing so, the data memory cost of the LiveWSN scheduling system can be optimized by 25% if compared with that of the traditional multithreaded MANTIS OS. Moreover, the application reprogramming code size can be decreased by 72.6% if compared with that of the Contiki dynamic-linking reprogramming. In addition to the new design concepts, the new research approach which addresses the energy conservation and fault tolerance challenges by combining the software technique and the multi-core hardware technique is applied in LiveWSN. By means of the multi-core hardware infrastructure, the lifetime of the LiveWSN nodes can be prolonged by 34% if compared with the single-core Live node. Moreover, the fault-tolerant performance of the wireless sensor network node can be optimized significantly. With the above features, LiveWSN becomes memory efficient, energy efficient, reprogrammable, and fault tolerant, and it can run on the high resource-constrained nodes to execute the outdoor real-time wireless sensor network applications.
Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Hand: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Dwyer C. Liam , Soong Maximillian C. , Kasparyan N. George
Published: September 2016

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is characterized by activity-induced pain, swelling, and decreased muscle function due to increased pressure and decreased circulation within a confined muscle compartment. Although well-known to occur in the leg, involvement of the hand has rarely been reported in the literature. Methods: We present a 44 year old male with CECS involving bilateral thenar and hypothenar compartments. Symptoms were reproduced on exam by driving screws into wood with a screwdriver. Elevated compartment pressures were confirmed with a hand-held digital device which employs a rigid needle that is readily directed to specific compartments. Results: Selective releases of the thenar and hypothenar compartments were performed under local anesthesia and forearm tourniquet in the ambulatory surgery center. At 3-month follow-up, the patient reported full use of his right hand, including woodworking, with excellent relief of symptoms. At 5 months postoperatively, he underwent identical surgical releases on the contralateral left side, with similar relief. Conclusions: CECS of the hand is a rare condition. Our case is unique among prior reports with regard to pattern of compartment involvement, as well as provocative maneuvers and compartment testing methods employed. This report should help foster clinical suspicion, facilitate diagnosis, and demonstrate success of targeted surgical treatment.
The post-war British ‘re-education’ policy for German universities and its application at the universities of Göttingen and Cologne (1945–1947)
Authors: Euros Glesni
Published: September 2016

The crux of British aims for Germany following the Second World War focused on ‘re-education’ and democratisation. Well aware that the victors’ policies following World War One had failed to prevent Germany from pursuing an expansionist path once again, the plan was to help Germany learn from her problematic past. These aims extended to higher education – British reformers believed fascist ideology had perverted the universities, and that they too needed to be made democratic again.

This article offers a fresh academic angle compared with other studies on the British ‘re-education’ policy. Some of these works refer to several, wide-ranging facets of the policy – such as in the German press or in schools – or compare aspects of British policy with that of the other occupying powers. This study focuses specifically on the successes and failures of Britain’s ‘re-education’ policy at two of the six universities in the British Zone: one in the relatively undamaged town of Göttingen, the other in the heavily bombed city of Cologne. The article aims to show that, despite several policy failures at both institutions, the ‘Re-education’ policy was more successful in Cologne on the whole. This was due to factors such as a more imposing location, denazification successes and heightened Anglo-German relations.

The main primary sources used are Foreign Office files from The National Archives at Kew, England. The study also refers to the 1945–1947 publications of the British Zone Review, as well as a source from the London School of Economics archives.
Sociological stalking? Methods, ethics and power in longitudinal criminological research
Authors: Sharpe Gilly
Published: September 2016

Scholarship on criminal careers and desistance from crime employing longitudinal methodologies has paid scant attention to sociological and anthropological debates regarding epistemology, reflexivity and researcher positionality. This is surprising in light of a recent phenomenological turn in desistance research wherein (former) lawbreakers’ identity, reflexivity and self-understanding have become central preoccupations. In this article I interrogate aspects of the methodological ‘underside’ of qualitative longitudinal research with criminalized women through an examination of the surveillant position of the researcher. Focusing on methods, ethics and power, I examine some contradictions of feminist concerns to ‘give women voice’ in research involving re-tracing an over-surveilled and highly stigmatized population. I reflect on the effects of researcher positionality through a conceptualization of re-tracing methods as, at worst, a form of sociological stalking.
Televised minority beauties
Authors: Khiun Liew Kai , Manokara Nidya Shanthini , T’a’at Lizawati Mohd
Published: September 2016

Drawing on two beauty contests Ratu Suria (2012) and Miss Vasantham (2004–present) from the minority Malay and Tamil television stations in Singapore as case studies, this article seeks to map out the contours of ethnocultural scripting of gender and femininity. Rather than finding idealized beauties, these contests have brought to the surface anxieties of ethnocultural incompleteness. More importantly, they also reveal the extent of ethnocultural mobility in the contestants negotiating the ideological contours required by the state-supported minority television stations towards an idealized multicultural minority beauty.
Vortex structure on twist-morphing micro air vehicle wings
Authors: Ismail NI , Zulkifli AH , Talib RJ , Yusoff H , Tasin M Asyraf
Published: September 2016

Vortex formation has numerous influences on the aerodynamic characteristics of fixed-wing micro air vehicle wings. Despite the mature understanding of vortices on fixed-wing and flapping micro air vehicle wings, the behavior of vortices over the morphing micro air vehicle wing has not been fully explored. Thus, the current work is conducted to investigate the influence of vortex structure over a series of twist-morphing micro air vehicle wings. Twist morphing micro air vehicle and baseline wings are simulated through fluid–structure interaction analysis. The validation results for each wing exhibited good correlation in the overall lift coefficient distribution trend. The vortex formation results show that vortex formations are significantly altered throughout angle of attack changes. For a given angle of attack cases below the stall angle, each morphing wing exhibited higher intensities of tip vortex structure formations and leading edge vortex–tip vortex interactions compared to the baseline wings. Stronger leading edge vortex–tip vortex interactions improved the low-pressure region over the morphing wing surface and further induce better lift performance. In fact, the morphing wing with higher morphing force induces better lift performance.
Acute Delamination of Commercially Available Decellularized Osteochondral Allograft Plugs
Authors: Degen Ryan M. , Tetreault Danielle , Mahony Greg T. , Williams Riley J.
Published: September 2016

Articular cartilage injuries, and corresponding surgical procedures, are occurring with increasing frequency as identified by a review of recent surgical trends. Concerns have grown in recent years regarding the longevity of results following microfracture, with a shift toward cartilage restoration procedures in recent years. This case report describes 2 cases of acute failure following the use of commercially available osteochondral allograft plugs used for the treatment of osteochondral defects of the distal femur. In both cases the chondral surface of the plug delaminated from the underlying cancellous bone, resulting in persistent pain and swelling requiring reoperation and removal of the loose fragments. Caution should be employed when considering use of these plugs for the treatment of osteochondral lesions, as similar outcomes have not been noted with other cartilage restoration techniques.
Internal iliac aneurysm: an unusual cause of acute abdomen pain – case presentation and brief review
Authors: Samarakoon Lasitha , Koh Yexin , Choke Edward Tieng Chek , Wang John Chaw Chian
Published: September 2016

Internal iliac aneurysms (IIAs) are a rare group of intra-abdominal aneurysms that, if not diagnosed and treated promptly, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of an elderly Chinese male who presented acutely with abdominal pain due to a leaking left IIA. Prompt diagnosis and expedient treatment with a hybrid approach, i.e. with endovascular balloon occlusion followed by surgical excision of the IIA, led to an excellent outcome. Case presentation is followed by a brief discussion of the current literature on the management of this elusive condition.
A retained resectoscope beak: are we missing the point of surgical checklists?
Authors: Smith Stephanie F , Miakhil Sayed I , Johnston Thomas J , Lockett Chris
Published: September 2016

We present an unusual case of a retained resectoscope beak detected 10 months following transurethral resection of a bladder tumour. We describe this rare complication after transurethral surgery and present a safe method for removing a resectoscope beak from the urethra. This case prompted several improvements in our local surgical checklists to prevent such an event from recurring. It is important to check the integrity of surgical equipment in addition to counting equipment in and out during theatre; without checking, as exemplified by the resectoscope in this case, we risk missing the point.
A Detection-Theoretic Analysis of Auditory Streaming and Its Relation to Auditory Masking
Authors: Chang An-Chieh , Lutfi Robert , Lee Jungmee , Heo Inseok
Published: September 2016

Research on hearing has long been challenged with understanding our exceptional ability to hear out individual sounds in a mixture (the so-called cocktail party problem). Two general approaches to the problem have been taken using sequences of tones as stimuli. The first has focused on our tendency to hear sequences, sufficiently separated in frequency, split into separate cohesive streams (auditory streaming). The second has focused on our ability to detect a change in one sequence, ignoring all others (auditory masking). The two phenomena are clearly related, but that relation has never been evaluated analytically. This article offers a detection-theoretic analysis of the relation between multitone streaming and masking that underscores the expected similarities and differences between these phenomena and the predicted outcome of experiments in each case. The key to establishing this relation is the function linking performance to the information divergence of the tone sequences, DKL (a measure of the statistical separation of their parameters). A strong prediction is that streaming and masking of tones will be a common function of DKL provided that the statistical properties of sequences are symmetric. Results of experiments are reported supporting this prediction.
Population Health Management for Older Adults
Authors: Tkatch Rifky , Musich Shirley , MacLeod Stephanie , Alsgaard Kathleen , Hawkins Kevin , Yeh Charlotte S.
Published: September 2016

Background: The older adult population is expanding, living longer, with multiple chronic conditions. Understanding and managing their needs over time is an integral part of defining successful aging. Population health is used to describe the measurement and health outcomes of a population. Objectives: To define population health as applied to older adults, summarize lessons learned from current research, and identify potential interventions designed to promote successful aging and improved health for this population. Method: Online search engines were utilized to identify research on population health and health interventions for older adults. Results: Population health management (PHM) is one strategy to promote the health and well-being of target populations. Interventions promoting health across a continuum tend to be disease, risk, or health behavior specific rather than encompassing a global concept of health. Conclusion: Many existing interventions for older adults are simply research based with limited generalizability; as such, further work in this area is warranted.
Small Steps in Impacting Clinical Auscultation of Medical Students
Authors: Binka Edem K. , Lewin Linda O. , Gaskin Peter R.
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to determine if a training module improves the auscultation skills of medical students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Second-year medical students completed pretests on 12 heart sounds followed by a 45-minute training module on clinical auscultation, with retesting immediately after the intervention and during their third-year pediatrics clerkship. The control group consisted of third-year medical students who did not have the intervention. There was a 23% improvement in the identification of heart sounds postintervention ( P < .001). Diastolic and valvular murmurs were poorly identified pre- and post intervention. There was a 6% decline in accuracy of the intervention group in the following academic year. The intervention group was superior to the control group at identifying the tested heart sounds (49% vs 43%, P = .04). The accuracy of second-year medical students in identifying heart sounds improved after a brief training module.
A highly accurate heuristic algorithm for the haplotype assembly problem
Authors: Deng Fei , Cui Wenjuan , Wang Lusheng
Published: September 2016

Background

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common form of genetic variation in human DNA. The sequence of SNPs in each of the two copies of a given chromosome in a diploid organism is referred to as a haplotype. Haplotype information has many applications such as gene disease diagnoses, drug design, etc. The haplotype assembly problem is defined as follows: Given a set of fragments sequenced from the two copies of a chromosome of a single individual, and their locations in the chromosome, which can be pre-determined by aligning the fragments to a reference DNA sequence, the goal here is to reconstruct two haplotypes (h
1, h
2) from the input fragments. Existing algorithms do not work well when the error rate of fragments is high. Here we design an algorithm that can give accurate solutions, even if the error rate of fragments is high.

Results

We first give a dynamic programming algorithm that can give exact solutions to the haplotype assembly problem. The time complexity of the algorithm is O(n × 2
t
× t), where n is the number of SNPs, and t is the maximum coverage of a SNP site. The algorithm is slow when t is large. To solve the problem when t is large, we further propose a heuristic algorithm on the basis of the dynamic programming algorithm. Experiments show that our heuristic algorithm can give very accurate solutions.

Conclusions

We have tested our algorithm on a set of benchmark datasets. Experiments show that our algorithm can give very accurate solutions. It outperforms most of the existing programs when the error rate of the input fragments is high.
An Investigation Into the Effects of In Vitro Dilution With Different Colloid Resuscitation Fluids on Clot Microstructure Formation
Authors: Lawrence Matthew James , Marsden Nick , Kaczynski Jakub , Davies Gareth , Davies Nia , Hawkins Karl , Perumal Sounder , Brown Martin Rowan , Morris Keith , Davidson Simon J. , Williams Phylip Rhodri , Evans Phillip Adrian
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Balancing the beneficial effects of resuscitation fluids against their detrimental effect on hemostasis is an important clinical issue. We aim to compare the in vitro effects of 3 different colloid resuscitation fluids (4.5% albumin, hydroxyethyl starch [Voluven 6%], and gelatin [Geloplasma]) on clot microstructure formation using a novel viscoelastic technique, the gel point. This novel hemorheologic technique measures the biophysical properties of the clot and provides an assessment of clot microstructure from its viscoelastic properties. Importantly, in contrast to many assays in routine clinical use, the measurement is performed using unadulterated whole blood in a near-patient setting and provides rapid assessment of coagulation. We hypothesized that different colloids will have a lesser or greater detrimental effect on clot microstructure formation when compared against each other.

METHODS:

Healthy volunteers were recruited into the study (n = 104), and a 20-mL sample of whole blood was obtained. Each volunteer was assigned to 1 of the 3 fluids, and the sample was diluted to 1 of 5 different dilutions (baseline, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60%). The blood was tested using the gel point technique, which measures clot mechanical strength and quantifies clot microstructure (d

f
) at the incipient stages of fibrin formation.

RESULTS:

d

f
and clot mechanical strength decrease with progressive dilution for all 3 fluids. A significant reduction in d

f
from baseline was recorded at dilutions of 20% for albumin (P < .0001), 40% for starch (P < .0001), and 60% for gelatin (P < .0001). We also observed significant differences, in terms of d

f
, when comparing the different types of colloid (P < .0001). We found that albumin dilution produced the largest changes in clot microstructure, providing the lowest values of d

f
(= 1.41 ± 0.061 at 60% dilution) compared with starch (1.52 ± 0.081) and gelatin (1.58 ± 0.063).

CONCLUSIONS:

We show that dilution with all 3 fluids has a significant effect on coagulation at even relatively low dilution volumes (20% and 40%). Furthermore, we quantify, using a novel viscoelastic technique, how the physiochemical properties of the 3 colloids exert individual changes on clot microstructure.
The Queer Child Now and Its Paradoxical Global Effects
Authors: Stockton Kathryn Bond
Published: September 2016

Forging new concepts—kid Orientalism, reverse pedophilia, and manifest latency—this essay speculates on something that's been surfacing in Anglo-American public culture over the last ten years or so. A future the public fears is coming—child sexuality, evidenced by sexting, “gay” kids in middle school, and sexual bullying—is accompanying exportation of a fading child (the figure of the innocent child) to other lands, where it seems weirdly possible to recover it. Quite paradoxically, the aesthetics of world documentaries on the-child-in-peril-in-the-third-world may be “restoring” the “Western”-style innocent child through, of all things, the sexualized, racialized “HIV child.” Yet this child-in-peril becomes a threat in a different direction, because of the demands it makes for our response. Feeling thus threatened, we flee from children who, we imagine, are desiring us (in reverse pedophilia). Is there any antidote to these strange dynamics? How does experimental literary form in the novel Push, and something Stockton calls “lyrical fat” in the film Precious, work against this fray? Stockton finds answers among depictions of children's passion for signification—children's libidinal relationships to signifiers—and through new conceptions of sexual latency via the latency of signification.
Βενετία, πόλη του βιβλίου (2 Σεπτεμβρίου - 7 Οκτωβρίου 1973)
Authors: Μαλτέζου Χρύσα Α.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Ξενόγλωσσα κείμενα με ελληνική γραφή
Authors: Νυσταζοπούλου - Πελεκίδου Μαρία
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Τρεις μεταφράσεις αποδιδόμενες στους Γ. Βεντότη και Μιχ. Δούκα
Authors: Φραγκίσκος Εμμ. Ν.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Ο φίλος του Κοραή Δημήτριος Λώτος και τα μουσικά χειρόγραφά του
Authors: Στάθη Πηνελόπη Γρ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Ο ελληνικός εμπορικός στόλος κατά τας παραμονάς του Αγώνος της ανεξαρτησίας: Ανέκδοτος πίναξ του F. Pouqueville
Authors: Σβολόπουλος Κωνσταντίνος
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Η «Ορθόδοξος Ομολογία» του Δανιήλ Πελοποννησίου (1801 )
Authors: Χριστόπουλος Παναγιώτης Φ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Από την δραστηριότητα του εν Μάλτα ελληνικού τυπογραφείου της Αποστολικής Εταιρείας του Λονδίνου
Authors: Πολέμης Δημήτριος Ι.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Μία ανέκδοτη επιστολή του Κωνστ. Πολυχρονιάδη προς τον Πλάτωνα Πετρίδη
Authors: Τασιού Φωτεινή Γ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Ελληνική Βιβλιογραφία 1800–1863. Προσθήκες – συμπληρώσεις
Authors: Μαστροδημήτρης Π. Δ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Ελληνική βιβλιογραφία 1800-1863. Προσθήκες
Authors: Χριστόπουλος Παναγιώτης Φ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
«I Coloni di Candia». Τραγωδία του Ιωάννη Pindemonte
Authors: Μοσχονάς Νικ. Γ.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Τα ελληνικά έντυπα του εν Μάλτᾳ τυπογραφείου της Αγγλικανικής Ιεραποστολής
Authors: Πολέμης Δημήτριος Ι.
Published: September 2016

No abstract
Byzantios and Lucian
Authors: Levy Harry L.
Published: September 2016

[without abstract)
Η ανώνυμη «Notice sur l'état actuel de la Turquie» (1821) έργο του Κων. Πολυχρονιάδη
Authors: Δρούλια Λουκία
Published: September 2016

No abstract
The Greek Press at Malta of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (1822-1833)
Authors: Layton Evro
Published: September 2016

[without abstract)
Resposta Coletiva Compassiva: Impacto de Estrutura e Missão Organizacional
Authors: Araújo Maria , Marujo Helena , Lopes Miguel
Published: September 2016

A capacidade coletiva compassiva tem claras implicações no desempenho e no bem-estar dos indivíduos no contexto organizacional (Lilius, Worline, Maitlis, Kanov, Dutton, & Frost, 2008). O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a forma como o efeito combinado de práticas e características de flexibilização de estrutura organizacional contribuem para o aumento de respostas coletivas compassivas em organizações com missão pró-social, quando comparadas com organizações cuja missão é focada na produtividade. Este objetivo tem como pressuposto que todas as organizações, independentemente da sua missão (pró-social vs. produtiva), têm capacidade de se auto-organizar de forma compassiva para minimizar o sofrimento dos colaboradores, embora o possam fazer através de mecanismos diferentes.
Investigation of exact traveling wave solution for the (2+1) dimensional nonlinear evolution equations via modified extended tanh-function method
Authors: Kumar Dipankar , Sarker Prodip
Published: September 2016

In this study, we have implemented the modified extended tanh-function method to obtain the exact travelling wave solutions for the general (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution equations. By using this method, some travelling wave solutions are successfully obtained and which have been expressed by the trigonometric, hyperbolic and rational functions. These obtained solutions are an appropriate and desirable for instructive specific nonlinear physical phenomena in genuinely nonlinear dynamical systems. The method is an efficient and reliable mathematical tool for solving many nonlinear evolution equations arising in science and engineering problems.
Associações entre forças de caráter e satisfação com a vida : estudo com universitários.
Authors: Porto Noronha Ana Paula , Da Fonseca Martins Denise
Published: September 2016

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar as relações entre forças de caráter e a satisfação com a vida, bem como investigar as diferenças de média entre os sexos e as idades dos participantes. A amostra contou com 186 universitários, 62,9% do sexo feminino, com idades entre 17 e 45 anos (M=21,55; DP=4,79), de dois estados brasileiros. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala de Forças de Caráter e a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida. Os resultados apontaram diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo, sendo que as mulheres tiveram pontuações mais altas em quatro forças de caráter. Em relação a idade, não foram encontrados resultados significativos. No que diz respeito à correlação entre os construtos estudados, verificou-se que vitalidade, gratidão, esperança, perseverança e amor foram as forças mais relacionadas à satisfação com a vida, apresentando magnitudes moderadas. Os achados mostraram que os indivíduos com pontuações mais altas nas forças esperança, vitalidade, gratidão, amor, curiosidade, perseverança e inteligência social, tendem a vivenciar uma vida mais satisfeita.
Herramientas para prevenir la violencia de género : implicaciones de un registro diario de situaciones de desigualdad de género.
Authors: Navarro-Mantas Laura , Velásquez Marta J.
Published: September 2016

En El Salvador, la violencia contra las mujeres y los feminicidios son los problemas más graves que azotan el país. Aunque en los últimos años se han promovido algunos cambios legislativos y diferentes políticas públicas, la sensibilización y conciencia sobre las desigualdades de género en la sociedad en su conjunto han avanzado más lentamente que los cambios estructurales. Por esto, se hace urgente el diseño y la validación de programas de formación y prevención de violencia de género, así como el uso de herramientas útiles para la interiorización de estos cambios. En el presente trabajo se propone una herramienta de registro de situaciones cotidianas de desigualdad de género que fue empleada en un programa de prevención de violencia de género, cuya evaluación se hizo a través de un diseño cuasi-experimental (De Lemus, Navarro, Megías, Velásquez y Ryan, 2014), y que buscaba cumplir con el primero de sus objetivos: incrementar la conciencia sobre las desigualdades de género en la vida cotidiana. Se discuten los resultados cualitativos obtenidos a partir de dicha metodología basada en otros estudios (Becker y Swim, 2011) y al tenor de los resultados obtenidos en la aplicación del programa, con el fin de reducir las creencias sexistas y la discriminación de género.
Percepción de cualidades restauradoras de los espacios escolares de bachillerato en Xalapa, México.
Authors: Mejía-Castillo Aurora de Jesús , López-Suárez Ana Delia , Estrada Rodríguez Cesáreo , Lagunes-Córdoba Roberto
Published: September 2016

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo con estudiantes de centros educativos de nivel bachillerato en Xalapa, México, y tuvo el objetivo de identificar y comparar las cualidades restauradoras percibidas en sus espacios escolares de acuerdo con la Teoría de la Restauración de la Atención. Se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística de 706 estudiantes de siete bachilleratos. Se recopilaron datos mediante una encuesta sociodemográfica y la Escala del Potencial Restaurador de los Espacios Escolares (EPREE). Los resultados mostraron que las áreas verdes de las escuelas eran los espacios de descanso con mayores cualidades restauradoras, y que los lugares de descanso favoritos poseían más cualidades restauradoras que los no favoritos. Los alumnos varones, los de más edad y aquellos cuya madre (jefe de familia) tenía niveles inferiores de estudios reportaron una percepción más positiva de los espacios escolares. Las escuelas más grandes y con áreas verdes fueron mejor valoradas en las dimensiones de fascinación, posibilidad de estar alejado y extensión. Los resultados confirmaron las propuestas centrales de la teoría de la restauración de la atención en el contexto de los espacios escolares.
Clean Synthesis of Pyrano[2,3- D]Pyrimidines Using ZnO Nano-Powders
Authors: Maleki Nariman , Shakarami Zahra , Jamshidian Saeid , Nazari Maryam
Published: September 2016

ZnO nano-powders were used for the one-pot synthesis of pyrano[2,3- d]pyrimidines via the solvent-free multi-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid and malononitrile, in good to excellent yields of products.
Estimation of power losses in a high-frequency planar transformer using a thermal camera
Authors: Barlik Roman , Nowak Mieczysław , Grzejszczak Piotr , Zdanowski Mariusz
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the implementation of a thermal camera for the quantitative estimation of power losses in a high frequency planar transformer (100 kHz/ 5600 VA). The methodology is based on the observation of the transient temperature rise and determination of the power losses by means of curves representing the derivative of temperature as a function of power losses dissipated in the transformer. First, the thermal calibration characteristics had to be obtained from a simple experiment, where power losses are generated by DC current in the ferrite core and windings. Next, experimental investigations focused on the determination of the transformer power losses for a short circuit and no load, with a resistive load and with the rectifier as a load were carried out. Finally, to verify the obtained results, analytical calculations based on Dowell’s and modified Steinmetz’s equations were additionally made, which showed a good convergence. The proposed method is easy to implement and can be used as an alternative to the calorimetric method which is time-consuming and requires a complicated measurement setup.
Evaluation of Humic Acid as an Aflatoxin Binder in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Arafat Rana Yaser , Khan Sohail Hassan , Saima
Published: September 2016

The efficacy of humic acid (HA) as an aflatoxin (AF) binder in broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin- contaminated feed from 1 to 42 days of age was assessed. A total of 200 birds were assigned to 20 pens, with 10 birds per pen. The following treatments (T) were applied: T1: basal diet (B); T2: B + AFB1(100 μg/kg); T3: B + AFB1(100 μg/kg) + HA (0.1%); T4: B +AFB1 (100 μg/kg) + HA (0.2%); T5: B + AFB1 (100 μg/kg) + HA (0.3%). Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates. Oxihumate was effective in diminishing the adverse effects caused by aflatoxin on body weight (BW) of broilers (P<0.05). Humic acid also showed protective effects against liver damage and some of the hematological and serum biochemical changes associated with aflatoxin toxicity (P<0.05). The supplementation of HA also enhanced the humoral immunity by counteracting the aflatoxin contamination. Results indicated that HA could alleviate some of the toxic effects of aflatoxin in growing broilers. Humic acid (0.1 to 0.3%) might, therefore, prove to be beneficial in the management of aflatoxin-contaminated feedstuffs for poultry when used in combination with other mycotoxin management practices.
Morphology and phylogeny of Pterosiphonia dendroidea (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) described as Pterosiphonia tanakae from Japan
Authors: Bustamante Danilo E. , Won Boo Yeon , Cho Tae Oh
Published: September 2016

Recent phylogenetic studies of the genus Pterosiphonia suggest that Pterosiphonia dendroidea and Pterosiphonia tanakae are conspecific and show its wide geographic distribution in the Pacific. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was originally described as Polysiphonia dendroidea from Peru and later transferred to Pterosiphonia. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was characterized by diagnostic features such as its light cortication, the presence of trichoblasts, 8–12 pericentral cells, branches with the production of 3- to 5-order laterals, and congenital fusion of 2–3 segments. Pterosiphonia tanakae shares these features. Our phylogenetic analysis using rbcL sequences reveals a low gene sequence divergence (0.5%–0.7%) between the samples of P. dendroidea and P. tanakae. We propose that P. tanakae is a later synonym of P. dendroidea, and our study indicates the wide distribution of P. dendroidea in the northern and the southern Pacific Ocean.
Assuring the quality of interpretative comments in clinical chemistry
Authors: Vasikaran Samuel , Sikaris Kenneth , Kilpatrick Eric , French Jane , Badrick Tony , Osypiw Jacqui , Plebani Mario , on behalf of the IFCC WG Harmonization of Quality Assessment
Published: September 2016

The provision of interpretative advice on laboratory results is a post-analytic activity and an integral part of clinical laboratory services. It is valued by healthcare workers and has the potential to prevent or reduce errors and improve patient outcomes. It is important to ensure that interpretative comments provided by laboratory personnel are of high quality: comments should be patient-focused and answer the implicit or explicit question raised by the requesting clinician. Comment providers need to be adequately trained and qualified and be able to demonstrate their proficiency to provide advice on laboratory reports. External quality assessment (EQA) schemes can play a part in assessing and demonstrating the competence of such laboratory staff and have an important role in their education and continuing professional development. A standard structure is proposed for EQA schemes for interpretative comments in clinical chemistry, which addresses the scope and method of assessment including nomenclature and marking scales. There is a need for evidence that participation in an EQA program for interpretative commenting facilitates improved quality of comments. It is proposed that standardizing goals and methods of assessment as well as nomenclature and marking scales may help accumulate evidence to demonstrate the impact of participation in EQA for interpretative commenting on patient outcome.
An interactive tool for semi-automatic feature extraction of hyperspectral data
Authors: Kovács Zoltán , Szabó Szilárd
Published: September 2016

The spectral reflectance of the surface provides valuable information about the environment, which can be used to identify objects (e.g. land cover classification) or to estimate quantities of substances (e.g. biomass). We aimed to develop an MS Excel add-in – Hyperspectral Data Analyst (HypDA) – for a multipurpose quantitative analysis of spectral data in VBA programming language. HypDA was designed to calculate spectral indices from spectral data with user defined formulas (in all possible combinations involving a maximum of 4 bands) and to find the best correlations between the quantitative attribute data of the same object. Different types of regression models reveal the relationships, and the best results are saved in a worksheet. Qualitative variables can also be involved in the analysis carried out with separability and hypothesis testing;
An alternative green separation process for the pure isolation of commercially important bioactive molecules from plants
Authors: Subramaniam Shankar , Sivasubramanian Aravind
Published: September 2016

The present work briefs the extraction of different kinds of nutraceutical plant molecules from different plants for the first time by using the remarkable extraction ability of a safe, “green” solvent: alkaline sucrose. The developed process was initially applied to isolate β,β-dimethylacryl shikonin (BDMS) and ursolic acid (UA) from Arnebia nobilis and Cotoneaster buxifolia, respectively. The extractive efficiency was determined by HPLC-DAD analysis. The versatility of the alkaline sucrose as extractive solvent was later confirmed by isolating four more different molecules from their respective plant matrices with significant recovery and purity. Further optimization by Box-Behnken experimental design model yielded a maximized amount of BDMS (18.2 mg/g of DM) and UA (2.2 mg/g of DM) with a high correlation coefficient (0.98–0.99), demonstrating a good fit between the regression model (second order) and the experimental results. The final purity of compounds through optimized process was greater than 90% (e.g. BDMS: 93%, UA: 96%, etc.). The optimized yields signify remarkable increase in final yield of compounds (e.g. BDMS: 152%, UA: 200%, etc.) than conventional solvent-based plant compound extraction, thus making the developed process a benign, green route for rapid isolation of plant compounds.
LHRH receptor expression in sarcomas of bone and soft tissue
Authors: Deivaraju Chenthuran , Temple H. Thomas , Block Norman , Robinson Philip , Schally Andrew V.
Published: September 2016

Aim:

Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) is a neurohormone, secreted by the hypothalamus, which regulates the secretion of gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary. LHRH acts by binding to receptors located in the pituitary gland. These receptors (LHRH receptors) have also been found in the cytoplasm of many tumor cells that involve both the reproductive and non-reproductive organs. These receptors have been demonstrated in prostate and breast cancers, endometrial carcinomas, renal cell carcinoma, lymphoma, carcinoma of liver, pancreas and skin. So far, the expression of LHRH receptors on sarcomas (i.e. malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin) has not been studied, except for endometrial sarcomas. It has also been demonstrated that both LHRH agonists and antagonists can down-regulate these receptors and thus inhibit these tumor cells. Another major therapeutic implication is that these receptors can be targeted specifically by peptides conjugated to anti-cancer drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine if LHRH receptors are expressed in primary and/or metastatic sarcomas of human origin.

Methods:

We looked at LHRH receptor expression in 38 consecutive sarcoma specimens, using immunohistochemistry. The specimens were either from office biopsy or from resected tumor; these were confirmed as sarcomas by histopathological examination. The receptor staining characteristics and the staining intensity were also documented. The pattern of staining was classified either as “focal or diffuse staining of the cytoplasm” and the intensity of staining was graded on a scale from 1+ to 4+.

Results:

Positive receptor staining was seen in 25 of the 38 (66%) specimens. Twelve of the specimens stained diffusely and 13 had focally positive staining. Three tumors had 1+ staining, 10 had 2+ staining, six had 3+ staining, and six tumors had 4+ staining. The tumors included undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, osteosarcoma, myofibroblastic sarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, metastatic chondrosarcoma and chordoma.

Conclusion:

Sarcomas express LHRH receptors with a varying incidence and degree. Our study suggests that those sarcomas that are LHRH receptor positive could potentially be treated with targeted chemotherapy.