bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hexa‐band planar antenna with asymmetric fork‐shaped radiators for multiband and broadband communication applications
Authors: Alibakhshi‐Kenari Mohammad , Naser‐Moghadasi Mohammad , Ali Sadeghzadeh Ramazan , Singh Virdee Bal
Published: March 2016

Empirical results are presented for a novel hexa‐band coplanar waveguide (CPW)‐fed antenna that consists of three asymmetric fork‐shaped radiating elements incorporating U‐shaped radiators with a slit. Each of the three branched radiators generates triple resonant frequencies within the L, S, C and X bands. U‐shaped elements with a slit contribute toward generating resonant frequencies at lower band of the antenna. The asymmetrical fork‐shaped elements enhance the impedance matching properties of the antenna and reduce its stopband. The proposed antenna design resonates at 1.3, 1.75, 3.35, 4.85, 6.5 and 7.6 GHz that covers the following wireless communications standards: global system for mobile communications (GSM) (880–960 MHz), digital cellular system (DCS) (1.71–1.88 GHz), personal communication system (PCS) (1.85–1.99 GHz), Bluetooth (2.402–2.480 GHz), wireless local area network (2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (2.3–2.4/2.496–2.690/3.3–3.8 GHz), wireless fidelity (2.412–2.4835/4.9–5.9 GHz). A prototype hexa‐band antenna was fabricated and tested. The measured results conform to the simulated ones. The proposed antenna essentially radiates omnidirectionally in both the E and H planes with a peak gain of 5.27 dBi and efficiency of 81.3% at 4.85 GHz. The antenna has dimensions of 35 × 26 mm2. The antenna is an excellent candidate for multiband and broadband communication applications.
Extragalactic background light measurements and applications
Authors: Cooray Asantha
Published: March 2016

This review covers the measurements related to the extragalactic background light intensity from γ-rays to radio in the electromagnetic spectrum over 20 decades in wavelength. The cosmic microwave background (CMB) remains the best measured spectrum with an accuracy better than 1%. The measurements related to the cosmic optical background (COB), centred at 1 μm, are impacted by the large zodiacal light associated with interplanetary dust in the inner Solar System. The best measurements of COB come from an indirect technique involving γ-ray spectra of bright blazars with an absorption feature resulting from pair-production off of COB photons. The cosmic infrared background (CIB) peaking at around 100 μm established an energetically important background with an intensity comparable to the optical background. This discovery paved the way for large aperture far-infrared and sub-millimetre observations resulting in the discovery of dusty, starbursting galaxies. Their role in galaxy formation and evolution remains an active area of research in modern-day astrophysics. The extreme UV (EUV) background remains mostly unexplored and will be a challenge to measure due to the high Galactic background and absorption of extragalactic photons by the intergalactic medium at these EUV/soft X-ray energies. We also summarize our understanding of the spatial anisotropies and angular power spectra of intensity fluctuations. We motivate a precise direct measurement of the COB between 0.1 and 5 μm using a small aperture telescope observing either from the outer Solar System, at distances of 5 AU or more, or out of the ecliptic plane. Other future applications include improving our understanding of the background at TeV energies and spectral distortions of CMB and CIB.
Performance management to enhance employee engagement for corporate sustainability
Authors: Saratun Molraudee
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine literature in order to explore the reasons why performance management (PM) positively affects employee engagement (EE) as well as how PM should be conducted to achieve EE. It also provides future research suggestions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Derived from substantial literature review, approaches describing how three PM processes (performance agreement, on-going feedback, and performance evaluation) can enhance EE are discussed.

Findings

– Throughout the three PM processes, the following should be applied to foster EE: employee development facilitation and support, employee involvement, trust, and justice. In order to have a PM system achieve EE, the broad context and culture of organizations may have to change to be sustainability oriented.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research can test possible associations between a set of integrated PM activities and Kahn’s (1990) concept of three psychological conditions (meaningfulness, availability, and safety), leading to EE, and eventually sustainable corporate performance outcomes. Research examining associations between particular preceding sustainable contextual elements and PM, leading to engagement, also deserves attention.

Practical implications

– One practical implication of this paper is that it may provide possible guidance to managers seeking to engage their employees when managing their performance, and increase awareness of potential constraints created by non-sustainable contextual elements.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfills a need to explore how PM can be conducted to achieve EE, which is still scarce in current literature and research. The paper offers a holistic perspective that sustainable contexts in organizations are also needed, if PM to engage employees will flourish.
The antecedents of relational capital in key exporter-importer relationships
Authors: Miocevic Dario
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– During their process of going international, small and medium-sized manufacturing firms seek to establish long-term relationships with key importers in order to minimize the risks of doing business in a foreign market. In the process of establishing long-term relationships, exporters aim to create relational capital with key importers. Yet, the body of international marketing literature that addresses the importance of relational capital in exporter-importer (E-I) relationships is still underdeveloped. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of relational norms on relational capital in key E-I relationships under the moderating influence of formal and informal institutional distance. The study’s conceptual framework was developed by integrating relational exchange and institutional theories.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was carried out by using a survey methodology. Data were obtained by questionnaire from a sample of 122 small and medium-sized exporters from the manufacturing industry in Croatia. In order to test the hypotheses, the ordinary least squares technique was employed.

Findings

– The findings support the hypotheses, implying that the development of relational capital requires relational efforts in terms of reliance and relational bonding norms. Additionally, the empirical data suggest that the dimensions of formal and informal institutional distance significantly moderate the relationships between relational norms and relational capital.

Originality/value

– The value-added of this study is embedded within the theoretical framing and empirical testing of the antecedents of relational capital in key E-I relationships in the context of the institutional distance between partners, which has been neglected by previous studies in the field.
Selecting new product development team members with knowledge sharing approach
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Hosseini S. Mahdi , Abbasi Morteza
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a method for selection of the new product development (NPD) project team members, in such a way to maximize the expertise level of team members and at the same time, optimize knowledge sharing in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

– According to the motivation-opportunity-ability framework, knowledge sharing antecedents were determined. Then, the problem of selecting appropriate members of the project team was formulated as a bi-objective integer non-linear programming model. Due to the uncertainty conditions in the evaluation of candidates, the fuzzy sets approach was used for modeling. To solve the problem, first, the non-linear programming model was converted to a linear model. Subsequently, the fuzzy bi-objective linear programming problem was solved by using an approximate algorithm.

Findings

– Results of applying the proposed method to an Iranian ship-building company showed its effectiveness in selecting appropriate members of the project team.

Practical implications

– With the aid of the proposed approach, project managers will be able to form effective project teams that while increasing the success probability of the project, facilitate the maintenance of knowledge acquired during the project lifecycle.

Originality/value

– This paper, for the first time, has tried to provide a method for selecting the NPD project team members, in a way that while selecting candidates with highest expertise, maximizes the sharing of knowledge among them.
Strategic management and innovation
Authors: Kundu Goutam Kumar , Bairi Jayachandra
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards related to strategic management and innovation area, for evaluation of implementation readiness in a business school setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents an articulated procedure for the development of the checklist. The study adopted a multi-method approach for developing the final content for the checklist.

Findings

– The introduction of the checklist has provided a systemic approach to process design and evaluation of readiness of a business school for AACSB accreditation related to strategic management and innovation area. The checklist was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in a business school setting.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study has developed the checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area only. In the near future, the authors intend to develop checklists for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.

Originality/value

– The present work attempts to develop a comprehensive checklist comprising the requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area. Academic institutions can benefit from the checklist whether they are planning to implement AACSB standards for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes following AACSB standards.
Peer review of assessment network: supporting comparability of standards
Authors: Booth Sara , Beckett Jeff , Saunders Cassandra
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to test the need in the Australian higher education (HE) sector for a national network for the peer review of assessment in response to the proposed HE standards framework and propose a sector-wide framework for calibrating and assuring achievement standards, both within and across disciplines, through the establishment of a peer review of assessment network (PRAN).

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used a “proof of concept”approach to test the need for a national network, using consultations (n = 67) which included teleconference meetings [39], face-to-face meetings [2], Skype [1], presentations [19], state-based workshops [6] and a national forum. Quantitative data from evaluation surveys from state-based workshops and national forum were computer-analysed to generate descriptive statistics. Qualitative data arising from open-ended questionnaire responses were analysed through progressive categorisation and data coding designed to identify and refine data themes.

Findings

– In all, 63 per cent of participants to the state-based workshops were satisfied with the workshop content. A further 29 per cent reported a high level of satisfaction. The interactive group discussions fostered a collaborative approach and facilitated engagement with the workshop content. A total of 58 per cent of participants to the national forum were satisfied with the forum, with a further 40 per cent reporting a high level of satisfaction. Participants indicated that presentation content was informative and covered a diverse range of topics and viewpoints highly relevant to the current clime across the HE sector.

Practical implications

– Many participants strongly supported the establishment of a national PRAN, with overwhelming support (88 per cent) for the forum to be made an annual event.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to existing literature and provides further evidence for the value of networks in the peer review of assessment to support academics in professional learning and calibration exercises.
Concise review: programming human pluripotent stem cells into blood
Authors: Easterbrook Jennifer , Fidanza Antonella , Forrester Lesley M.
Published: March 2016

Blood disorders are treated with cell therapies including haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation as well as platelet and red blood cell transfusions. However the source of cells is entirely dependent on donors, procedures are susceptible to transfusion‐transmitted infections and serious complications can arise in recipients due to immunological incompatibility. These problems could be alleviated if it was possible to produce haematopoietic cells in vitro from an autologous and renewable cell source. The production of haematopoietic cells in the laboratory from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may provide a route to realize this goal but it has proven challenging to generate long‐term reconstituting HSCs. To date, the optimization of differentiation protocols has mostly relied on the manipulation of extrinsic signals to mimic the in vivo environment. We review studies that have taken an alternative approach to modulate intrinsic signals by enforced expression of transcription factors. Single and combinations of multiple transcription factors have been used in a variety of contexts to enhance the production of haematopoietic cells from human pluripotent stem cells. This programming approach, together with the recent advances in the production and use of synthetic transcription factors, holds great promise for the production of fully functional HSCs in the future.
Risk prediction of product‐harm events using rough sets and multiple classifier fusion: an experimental study of listed companies in China
Authors: Wang Delu , Zheng Jianping , Ma Gang , Song Xuefeng , Liu Yun
Published: March 2016

With the increasing of frequency and destructiveness of product‐harm events, study on enterprise crisis management becomes essentially important, but little literature thoroughly explores the risk prediction method of product‐harm event. In this study, an initial index system for risk prediction was built based on the analysis of the key drivers of the product‐harm event's evolution; ultimately, nine risk‐forecasting indexes were obtained using rough set attribute reduction. With the four indexes of cumulative abnormal returns as the input, fuzzy clustering was used to classify the risk level of a product‐harm event into four grades. In order to control the uncertainty and instability of single classifiers in risk prediction, multiple classifier fusion was introduced and combined with self‐organising data mining (SODM). Further, an SODM‐based multiple classifier fusion (SB‐MCF) model was presented for the risk prediction related to a product‐harm event. The experimental results based on 165 Chinese listed companies indicated that the SB‐MCF model improved the average predictive accuracy and reduced variation degree simultaneously. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the SB‐MCF model significantly outperformed six widely used single classification models (e.g. neural networks, support vector machine, and case‐based reasoning) and other six commonly used multiple classifier fusion methods (e.g. majority voting, Bayesian method, and genetic algorithm).
Isolation Method (Direct Plating or Enrichment) does Not Affect Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Campylobacter from Chicken Carcasses
Authors: Ladely Scott R. , Meinersmann Richard J. , Plumblee Jodie R. , Fedorka‐Cray Paula J.
Published: March 2016

To determine if Campylobacter isolation method influenced antimicrobial susceptibility results, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of nine antimicrobials were compared for 291 pairs of Campylobacter isolates recovered from chicken carcass rinse samples using direct plating and an enrichment method. Among the isolates 64.1% were C. jejuni, 35.7% were C. coli, and 0.2% were C. lari. Direct plating yielded significantly less (P < 0.05) C. coli (21.3%) compared to sample enrichment (50.2%). Antimicrobial resistance was most common for tetracycline (41.4%), nalidixic acid (26.3%), and ciprofloxacin (25.9%). Significantly more (P < 0.05) C. coli were resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, azithromycin, and erythromycin as compared to C. jejuni isolates. Nonparametric bootstrap analysis of antimicrobial MICs showed no significant differences between direct plating and the enrichment method for any of the antimicrobials tested. These data indicate that bacterial isolation method can bias Campylobacter species recovery. However, isolation method did not significantly affect antimicrobial susceptibility results of C. jejuni or C. coli recovered from broiler carcasses.

Practical Applications

To monitor trends in food safety and public health, antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Campylobacter derived from poultry products and infected patients has become common practice in both regulatory food safety and public health programs. Various methods have been employed for Campylobacter recovery including direct plating for enumeration of contamination levels and enrichment protocols for detection of low numbers or injured cells. This study was conducted to determine if the method of Campylobacter isolation from chicken carcass rinsate, direct plating or enrichment, influences antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.
New KEL*01M and KEL*02M alleles: structural modeling to assess the impact of amino acid changes
Authors: Silvy Monique , Callebaut Isabelle , Filosa Lugdivine , Granier Thomas , Chiaroni Jacques , Bailly Pascal
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

The KELL antigens are carried by the well‐folded and highly polymorphic glycoprotein KELL, belonging to the M13 family of metalloproteases. Anti‐KEL, particularly anti‐KEL1, are clinically significant. We retrospectively investigated genomic DNA from samples with uncertain KEL1 or KEL2 phenotype and identified six novel Kmod alleles. We then considered a model of the protein three‐dimensional (3D) structure to assess the impacts of the amino acid changes.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The 19 exons of the KEL gene were polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced. Modeling was performed using the experimental 3D structure of human endothelin‐converting enzyme‐1 in the presence of the metabolite phosphoramidon.

RESULTS

We identified four novel KEL*01M alleles with amino acid substitutions p.Arg447Trp, p.Gly641Arg, p.Ala645Val, and p.Gly703Arg found buried within helices of the ectodomain catalytic lobe. We also revealed one new KEL*02M allele with p.Gly263Glu in contact with solvent (water) located within the second lobe of the ectodomain. One sample with c.575G>C transversion (p.Arg192Pro) on a KEL*02 background showed a weakened reactivity for KEL1. According to our 3D modeling, these amino acid substitutions may have a profound impact on the protein structure.

CONCLUSION

This study is especially interesting with regard to the description of four new KEL*01M alleles. Indeed, to date only two KEL*01M alleles have been described and our data suggest a nonnegligible incidence of KEL1 variants. Serologic KEL2‐negative results as well as any ambiguity implying either KEL1 or KEL2 in donors should always be confirmed by means of genotyping analysis and discrepancies between these methods require sequencing of KEL gene.
A Computation-Efficient Framework for the Integrated Design of Structural and Control Systems
Authors: Liu Yilun , Zuo Lei
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a new integrated design method to simultaneously optimize the coupled structural parameters and controllers of mechanical systems by combining decentralized control techniques and Riccati-based control theories. The proposed integrated design method aims at minimizing the closed-loop H2 norm from the disturbance to the system cost. In this paper, the integrated design problems have been formulated in the cases of full state-feedback controllers and full order output-feedback controllers. We extend the current linear time invariant (LTI) control system to a more general framework suitable for the needs of integrated design, where the structural design is treated as a passive control optimization tackled by decentralized control techniques with static output feedback, while the active controller is optimized by solving modified Riccati equations. By using this dual-loop control system framework, the original integrated design problem is transferred to a constrained structural design problem with some additional Riccati-equation based constraints simultaneously integrating the controller synthesis. This reduces the independent design variables from the structural design parameters and the parameters of the controller to the structural design parameters only. As a result, the optimization efficiency is significantly improved. Then the constrained structural design problem is reformed as an unconstrained optimization problem by introducing Lagrange multipliers and a Lagrange function. The corresponding optimal conditions for the integrated design are also derived, which can be efficiently solved by gradient-based optimization algorithms. Later, two design examples, an active–passive vehicle suspension system and an active–passive tuned mass damper (TMD) system, are presented. The improvement of the overall system performance is also presented in comparison with conventional design methods.
Giant cell tumour of the femur in a 9-year-old girl, resulting in severe leg length discrepancy
Authors: Oba Masatoshi , Inaba Yutaka , Machida Jiro , Saito Tomoyuki
Published: March 2016

Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is a rare benign tumour noted before physeal closure. GCTB cases in patients younger than 10 years are especially uncommon. The authors report the case of a 9-year-old girl with a GCTB of the distal femur. After initial intralesional excision and curettage of the tumour, local recurrence occurred, which needed two more additional surgeries to treat. The primary tumour and the local relapse invaded the growth plate of the right distal femur, leading to growth disturbance of the femur and requiring leg lengthening using Ilizarov apparatus. Surgeons should note the possibility of this rare condition while treating radiographic lytic lesions even in skeletally immature patients. The occurrence of late limb length discrepancy would be more likely in younger patients.
A new species of the basal plesiadapiform Purgatorius (Mammalia, Primates) from the early Paleocene Ravenscrag Formation, Cypress Hills, southwest Saskatchewan, Canada: further taxonomic and dietary diversity in the earliest primates
Authors: Scott Craig S. , Fox Richard C. , Redman Cory M.
Published: March 2016

The fossil record of the earliest primates, purgatoriid plesiadapiforms, has become increasingly well documented during the past two decades, but their dietary preferences remain poorly understood. While the available evidence, which consists mostly of isolated teeth and incomplete jaws with teeth, suggests that purgatoriids were insectivorous to omnivorous, we describe here a new species of Purgatorius, Purgatorius pinecreeensis sp. nov., that extends the range of purgatoriid dental disparity toward greater omnivory than had been known before. Purgatorius pinecreeensis sp. nov., from the early Paleocene (Puercan) Ravenscrag Formation of southwestern Saskatchewan, differs from other species of Purgatorius in having slightly lower crowned teeth with a lower trigonid relative to talonid, blunter and more swollen major cusps, more transverse lower molar paracristids, and m3 with a more robustly developed posterior lobe. Taken together, these specializations enhanced the capacity for crushing and grinding at the expense of orthal shear, and represent the first instance of a modest degree of bunodonty in the family. The discovery of P. pinecreeensis sp. nov., along with other recently reported basal plesiadapiforms from the Puercan and Torrejonian of the northern Western Interior, lends additional support to the notion of a significant primate radiation soon after the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
Relationship between ontogenetic changes in foraging ecology and muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity in wild smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Authors: Laberge Frédéric , Edmunds Nicholas , Yin-Liao Irene , McCann Kevin S.
Published: March 2016

The activity of muscle glycolytic enzymes scales positively with body size in active fish, a phenomenon thought to counter the increased costs of burst swimming faced by larger individuals. Recent work argued that changes in these enzymes during ontogeny additionally reflect changes in foraging ecology. Here, we evaluated the relationship between muscle anaerobic metabolism and foraging ecology in a population of wild smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) by relating activity of muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to estimates of trophic position and habitat use obtained from stable isotope signatures. As expected, LDH activity increased with body size. However, further analysis showed associations between foraging ecology and LDH activity. Specifically, a shift to higher trophic position, indicating a change in diet, was paralleled by a shift to increased LDH activity. However, a steady mass-specific decrease in LDH activity was observed as the fish grew above the size associated with this diet shift. Further, lower LDH activity was associated with increasing use of littoral carbon sources. These findings contribute to our understanding of how plasticity in muscle anaerobic potential is associated with fish foraging ecology.
Birlasoft Inc. — Sales Force Automation at Crisis: Software as a Service (SaaS) or Software as a Product (SaaP) (A) & (B)
Authors: Jain Shilpi , Jaiswal Mahadeo P.
Published: March 2016

Case (A)

Birlasoft, a Global IT major, had been facing massive challenges in monitoring its sales force spread over 20 global locations. Owing to the strong client base spread all over the world and the massive sales force, the organization needed to focus on a more efficient sales tracking system. Ravi Kathuria, Senior Vice president — Global Marketing & Alliances of Birlasoft was keen to align the organization’s dispersed sales force through Sales Force Automation (SFA) system. In this context, SFA was expected to provide transparency and clear visibility of the sales pipeline. There was also an expectation that SFA would help in improving efficiency of global sales force in terms of reporting and customer analysis. At first, the organization decided to implement a home grown sales force automation system, which turned out be a failure, owing to both internal and external factors. This led Kathuria to explore other options which could meet their system requirements and could be implemented in shorter time frames with minimum budget. They evaluated multiple options and are debating on which system to opt for.

This case examines the various software delivery methods in the decision on new software procurement. Several software and vendor parameters and the analytical structure and process for evaluating software vendors are included for consideration. This case underlines an innovation which has introduced a complete paradigm shift in information application acquisition, that is, instead of buying software as a product, organizations are increasingly procuring it as a service.

Case (B)

Following from Case A, the team in Birlasoft appraised multiple options and the majority of the team members were inclined towards SaaS-based SFA. This case discusses various processes and parameters considered by Birlasoft while deciding on a new software vendor.
Crohn's Disease Defined in Three Elderly Disters
Authors: Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

Three elderly sisters presented with symptomatic Crohn's disease. All had ileocolic involvement, and granulomatous inflammation was documented in endoscopic biopsies or surgically resected intestinal specimens. The present report documents the unusual occurrence of very late phenotypical expression of familial ileocolic Crohn's disease. The observations presented here reflect a possible gene-based predisposition to Crohn's disease or, alternatively, disease clustering related to a commonly shared environmental factor.
Diffuse Skin Reaction in Patient with Hepatitis B, Treated with Two Different Formulations of Pegylated Interferon
Authors: Milkiewicz Piotr , Yim Colina , Pache Isabelle , Heathcote J
Published: March 2016

Diffuse skin reactions, commonly leading to discontinuation of the treatment, have been reported in patients with hepatitis C treated with interferon. They were not as yet described in patients treated with a newer formulation of interferon, namely, pegylated interferon (PegINF). A 37-year-old male patient with viral hepatitis B developed a diffuse urticarial skin reaction during treatment with two different forms of PegINF. Despite the skin reaction, the treatment was continued, and the patient responded very well to topical steroids and antihistamines. The present report suggests that despite the severity of reaction, withdrawal of PegINF may not always be required because this particular skin reaction responded well to symptomatic treatment. This is important, because discontinuation of PegINF may decrease the chance of achieving a sustained virological response in patients with viral hepatitis.
Long-Term Clinical Behavior of Jejunoileal Involvement in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

Diffuse and extensive jejunoileal Crohn's disease is an uncommon entity. In 39 patients, including 21 males and 18 females, followed for a mean duration of over 16 years between 1979 and 2004, the extent of disease was defined and disease behaviour characterized. Over 80% of patients had concomitant colonic and/or gastroduodenal involvement with Crohn's disease, suggesting that this entity may represent a specific clinical phenotype of extensive disease localization. Classification of Crohn's disease behaviour using the Vienna classification schema revealed that virtually all patients in this study suffered from intestinal stricture formation or penetrating disease complications. Moreover, pharmacological therapies with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs were rarely successful, with virtually all patients requiring at least one, and usually multiple, intestinal resections. Finally, most patients required long-term nutritional support, often with home parenteral nutrition. New treatments are required, possibly defined on the basis of their effectiveness in reducing the severity and extent of intestinal disease, rather than more conventional statistically driven reductions in disease activity indexes.
Jejunogastric Intussusception: An Unusual Cause of Hematemesis
Authors: Samarasam Inian , Chandran Sudhakar , Shankar Uday , George Biju , Chacko Ashok , Mathew George
Published: March 2016

Jejunogastric intussusception is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of a previous gastrojejunal anastamosis. Although jejunogastric intussusception was first described in 1914, fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the English literature thus far. Awareness of this rare complication would help in early diagnosis and appropriate management. Described here is a case report of a patient who presented with hematemesis due to an acute jejunogastric intussusception associated with gangrene of the intussuscepted jejunum.
A Point Mutation in the Iron-Responsive Element of the L-Ferritin in a Family with Hereditary Hyperferritinemia Cataract Syndrome
Authors: Wong Karen , Barbin Yousef , Chakrabarti Subrata , Adams Paul
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition that is characterized by a high serum ferritin level and bilateral early-onset cataracts in the absence of iron overload. The genetic abnormality is identified as a mutation in the 5' regulatory region of the L-ferritin messenger RNA known as the iron-responsive element (IRE). The IRE controls ferritin synthesis in response to cytoplasmic iron pools by interacting with regulatory proteins called iron responsive proteins. Mutations in the IRE decrease its affinity for iron responsive proteins, leading to the constitutive synthesis of L-ferritin which results in hyperferritinemia and the intracellular accumulation of ferritin in the lens and eventual cataract formation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 22-year-old woman who was being investigated for hyperferritinemia was diagnosed with hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome after an extensive workup, including genetic testing for hemochromatosis and a liver biopsy to rule out iron overload. She developed anemia with phlebotomy treatments and subsequently developed symptomatic cataracts. The pedigree of her family affected with cataracts was consistent with an autosomal dominant transmission pattern. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of eight family members, four of whom were affected by cataracts. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5' region of the L-ferritin gene was performed and a heterozygous point mutation (G32T) was identified in the bulge region of the IRE.

CONCLUSION: The combination of early-onset cataracts and an elevated ferritin level should suggest this genetic syndrome.
Compensation for Cross-Coupled Dynamics of Dual Twisted-String Actuation Systems
Authors: Jiang Lei , Li Yuejuan , Cheng Marvin H.
Published: March 2016

Twisted-string actuation devices have been adopted in various robotic systems due to their advantages of compact size and simple structure. To precisely control the displacement of such devices, a dual-direction actuating mechanism, which provides both extension and contraction of two strings simultaneously, must be implemented. Due to the physical properties of twisted string, the actuator has problems of nonlinear length variation and cross-coupled relationships between two strings. In this study, two controllers (PID-FC and LQR-FC) were synthesized with the consideration of cross-coupling dynamics between the two axes. The experimental results demonstrate the performance of both tracking and synchronization responses of these two types of controllers.
Cytomorphometric Characteristics of Buccal Mucosal Cells in Behçet’s Disease Patients
Authors: Aktunc Erol , Oz Zehra Safi , Bektas Sibel , Altinyazar Cevdet , Koca Rafet , Bostan Serdar
Published: March 2016

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the cytomorphometric characteristics of the buccal cells of Behçet’s disease patients with those of healthy controls.Methods. This case-control study compared a group of 30 patients with Behçet’s disease with an age- and gender-matched control group of 30 healthy individuals. The buccal mucosal smears were stained using the Papanicolaou technique for cytomorphometric analyses. The nuclear and cytoplasmic areas were evaluated using digital image analysis; the ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic areas and nuclear roundness are presented.Results. The nuclear and cytoplasmic areas of the BD patients’ cells were significantly smaller than those of the healthy controls’ cells, while the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio and neutrophil infiltration rate did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the nuclear area, cytoplasmic area, nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, and nuclear roundness factor were significantly higher in patients without aphthae. The neutrophil infiltration rate did not differ significantly in patients with or without aphthae.Conclusion. Behçet’s disease can produce cytomorphometric changes in buccal cells that are detectable by exfoliative cytology and cytomorphometric analysis techniques.
Disturbed Experience of Self: Psychometric Analysis of the Self-Experience Lifetime Frequency Scale (SELF)
Authors: Heering Henriëtte Dorothée , Goedhart Saskia , Bruggeman Richard , Cahn Wiepke , de Haan Lieuwe , Kahn René S. , Meijer Carin J. , Myin-Germeys Inez , van Os Jim , Wiersma Durk
Published: March 2016

Background: Schizophrenia is characterized by positive and negative symptoms, but recently anomalous self-experiences, e.g. exaggerated self-consciousness (hyperreflectivity), receive more attention as an important symptom domain in schizophrenia patients. The semi-structured interview, the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) [Psychopathology 2005;38:236-258], examines experiences of a disturbed sense of self in a sophisticated but time-consuming manner. Therefore, we proposed the Self-Experience Lifetime Frequency scale (SELF), an instrument intended to screen for self-disturbance phenomena. Here we compared scores of patients, their siblings and healthy controls on the SELF. Methods and Sampling: The SELF is composed of a validated screener for symptoms of depersonalization complemented by questions covering several other domains of self-disturbance. A total of 426 patients with a psychotic disorder, 526 of their unaffected siblings, and 297 healthy controls completed the SELF. Patients' scores on the 12 items of the SELF were subjected to an explorative principal axis factor analysis (PAF); composite scores on factor components were compared between the three participant groups. Results: The PAF revealed two components, explaining 43.9 and 9.5% of variance, respectively. The first component represents a disturbance of self-awareness; the second component reflects (milder forms of) diminished self-affection or depersonalization. The two components of the SELF revealed good internal consistency (component 1, α = 0.88; component 2, α = 0.79; ρ = 0.85). Patients showed significantly higher scores on both factor components in comparison with both siblings and controls. No significant differences were found between siblings and controls. Conclusions: The findings of the current study suggest that the SELF comprises two components of self-disturbance. Patients reported more (severe) symptoms of self-disturbance on both components, suggesting that it is feasible to screen for self-disturbance phenomena in patients with psychotic disorders with the SELF. Screening for symptoms of self-disturbance is important since these symptoms are associated with suffering and, moreover, these phenomena may mark the transition from intact to aberrant reality testing.
Collagen Matrix Remodeling in Stented Pulmonary Arteries after Transapical Heart Valve Replacement
Authors: Ghazanfari Samaneh , Driessen-Mol Anita , Hoerstrup Simon P. , Baaijens Frank P.T. , Bouten Carlijn V.C.
Published: March 2016

The use of valved stents for minimally invasive replacement of semilunar heart valves is expected to change the extracellular matrix and mechanical function of the native artery and may thus impair long-term functionality of the implant. Here we investigate the impact of the stent on matrix remodeling of the pulmonary artery in a sheep model, focusing on matrix composition and collagen (re)orientation of the host tissue. Ovine native pulmonary arteries were harvested 8 (n = 2), 16 (n = 4) and 24 (n = 2) weeks after transapical implantation of self-expandable stented heart valves. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy was used to assess the collagen (re)orientation of fresh tissue samples. The collagen and elastin content was quantified using biochemical assays. SHG microscopy revealed regional differences in collagen organization in all explants. In the adventitial layer of the arterial wall far distal to the stent (considered as the control tissue), we observed wavy collagen fibers oriented in the circumferential direction. These circumferential fibers were more straightened in the adventitial layer located behind the stent. On the luminal side of the wall behind the stent, collagen fibers were aligned along the stent struts and randomly oriented between the struts. Immediately distal to the stent, however, fibers on both the luminal and the adventitial side of the wall were oriented in the axial direction, demonstrating the stent impact on the collagen structure of surrounding arterial tissues. Collagen orientation patterns did not change with implantation time, and biochemical analyses showed no changes in the trend of collagen and elastin content with implantation time or location of the vascular wall. We hypothesize that the collagen fibers on the adventitial side of the arterial wall and behind the stent straighten in response to the arterial stretch caused by oversizing of the stent. However, the collagen organization on the luminal side suggests that stent-induced remodeling is dominated by contact guidance.
Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in the General Population in the Czech Republic
Authors: Pokladnikova Jitka , Selke-Krulichova Iva
Published: March 2016

Background: Prevalence rates of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use are still missing for some European countries, especially in the East. Thus, we measured patterns and determinants of CAM use among a representative sample of the general population in the Czech Republic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A sex-, age- and region-stratified sample of citizens aged 15 and older were randomly selected from voter registration lists (n = 8,639,375). Results: Overall, 76.0% (n = 1,365) of the respondents reported use of one or more CAM modalities during the past 30 days. The top five CAM modalities used were vitamins/minerals (54.6%), herbal remedies (47.8%), massage (19.9%), relaxation techniques (9.5%), and dietary supplements excluding vitamins/minerals (9.2%). Prevention (82.0%) was the primary reason for CAM use. Only 15.9% of CAM users employed it for therapeutic purposes. The most commonly treated ailments were respiratory (35.0%) and musculoskeletal (33.6%) disorders. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAM use in the Czech Republic is high, especially among people who apply CAM for self-treatment prior to seeing a doctor. Half of the study population combined CAM with conventional medical treatment, which may result in potential harm to the patient. Healthcare providers as well as the public should be educated about effective and safe use of CAM.
Microsatellite Organization in the B Chromosome and A Chromosome Complement in Astyanax (Characiformes, Characidae) Species
Authors: Piscor Diovani , Parise-Maltempi Patricia P.
Published: March 2016

The organization of microsatellites in B and sex chromosomes has been linked to chromosomal evolution in a number of animal groups. Here, the chromosomal organizations of (CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15, (GACA)4, and (GATA)8 microsatellites were examined in several Astyanax species with different diploid numbers: Astyanax mexicanus (2n = 50 + 1 B chromosome), A. altiparanae (2n = 50), A. marionae (2n = 48), A. fasciatus (2n = 46), and A. schubarti (2n = 36). The (CA)15 and (GA)15 microsatellites were dispersed across the chromosomes of A. altiparanae and A. fasciatus but were also observed as clusters (CA and GA for A. altiparanae, and CA for A. fasciatus). In A. marionae and A. schubarti, the (CA)15 and (GA)15 microsatellites were dispersed but were also observed as clustered signals and coincident with heterochromatic regions. In all 4 of these species, the (CG)15 and (GACA)4 microsatellites were dispersed across chromosomes, and the (GATA)8 microsatellite was co-localized with 5S rDNA. In A. mexicanus, the (CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15, (GATA)8, and (GACA)4 microsatellites were weakly detected and dispersed across the chromosomes of the A complement. On the B chromosome, signals for the different microsatellites were weak, strong, absent, weak, and absent, respectively. The distribution of microsatellites and the locational relationship between microsatellites and 5S rDNA are discussed, and a possible evolutionary pathway is proposed for microsatellites in Astyanax.
Presence of Cerebral Microbleeds Is Unrelated to the Body Mass Index in Amerindians. A Population Study in Rural Ecuador (The Atahualpa Project)
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. , Mera Robertino M. , Zambrano Mauricio , Feraud Scheny
Published: March 2016

Background: Information on the relationship between the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and the body weight is inconsistent. Moreover, studies have been limited to Asian and White populations. We aimed at assessing the association between CMB and the body mass index (BMI) in an indigenous South American population. Methods: CMB were identified by gradient-echo MRI and the BMI was calculated in community dwellers aged ≥60 enrolled in the Atahualpa Project. The association between CMB and the BMI was examined in logistic regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. Results: CMB were recognized in 41 (13%) out of 311 participants. These individuals were older, more often hypertensive, had a worse diet, had more severe white matter hyperintensities and strokes than those without CMB. Anthropometric measurements were 148 ± 9 cm for height, 58 ± 12 kg for weight, and 26.7 ± 5 kg/m2 for the BMI. Multivariate models showed no association between the presence of CMB and the BMI (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.89-1.05; p = 0.508). Analyses with CMB categorized according to their location did not show associations between strictly lobar or deep CMB and the BMI. Conclusion: The presence of CMB is unrelated to abnormal BMI determinations in Ecuadorian natives/mestizos.
Fazer visíveis as perdas: morte, memória e cultura material
Authors: Arenas Grisales Sandra Patricia
Published: March 2016

Nosso objetivo é analisar as ações e as práticas culturais pelas quais os sujeitos reconstroem suas memórias em contextos de violência. Identifcar os usos políticos da memória como resistência política nos espaços do cotidiano, do íntimo, familiar ou comunitário. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, em que o método usado foi o estudo de caso por seu foco no particular e por abordar o signifcado de uma experiência com base em análise sistemática de um mesmo fenômeno. Identifcamos quatro experiências de criação de “altares espontâneos” na cidade de Medellín, na Colômbia. Optamos pelas micro-histórias para compreender o sentido político do retorno ao cotidiano após enfrentar situações de violência. Os “altares espontâneos” são rituais de luto no espaço público, criados como resposta diante de mortes consideradas injustas. São formas de ação política não institucional, que têm como objetivo chamar a atenção para o que aconteceu, expressar sua indignação e evitar que aconteça de novo. Nos casos estudados constatamos que na criação dos altares expressa-se uma narrativa de luto que reivindica o reconhecimento da perda.