bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis Tool for network analysis on team sports: A case study of FIFA Soccer World Cup 2014
Authors: Clemente Filipe Manuel , Silva Frutuoso , Martins Fernando Manuel Lourenço , Kalamaras Dimitris , Mendes Rui Sousa
Published: July 2015

The study of teammates’ interaction on team sports has been growing in the last few years. Nevertheless, no specific software has been developed so far to do this in a user-friendly manner. Therefore, the aim of this study was to introduce a software called the Performance Analysis Tool that allows the user to quickly record the teammates’ interaction and automatically generate the outputs in adjacency matrices that can then be imported by social network analysis software such as SocNetV. Moreover, it was also the aim of this study to process the data in a real-life scenario, thus the seven matches of the German national soccer team in the FIFA World Cup 2014 were used to test the software and then compute the network metrics. A dataset of 3032 passes between teammates in seven soccer matches was generated with the Performance Analysis Tool software, which permitted a study of the network structure. The analysis of variance of centrality metrics between different tactical positions was made. The two-way multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the strategic position ([Formula: see text]; F = 24.394; p = 0.001; [Formula: see text]; large effect size) had significant main effects on the centrality measures. No statistical differences were found in the phase of competition ([Formula: see text]; F = 0.097; p = 0.907; [Formula: see text]; very small effect size). The network approach revealed that the German national soccer team based their attacking process on positional attacks and not in counter-attack, and the midfielders were the prominent players followed by the central defenders. The Performance Analysis Tool software allowed the user to quickly identify the teammates’ interactions and extract the network data for process and analysis.
Translation as Reincarnation?
Authors: Clark David J.
Published: July 2015

This article is based on the author’s checking session notes, and presents several categories of examples of domestication in translations of the Gospel of Luke in five minority languages of Russia: Yakut, Tuvan, Khakas, Kalmyk, and Chechen.
A survey of feline leukaemia virus antigenaemia among cats in eastern Austria: a retrospective analysis of serum samples routinely tested between 1996 and 2011
Authors: Firth Clair L , Möstl Karin
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine the seroprevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigenaemia among owned cats in Vienna and the surrounding area.

Methods

Samples were tested between 1996 and 2011 by the Department of Clinical Virology at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. All samples were sent to the university as part of routine diagnostic procedures, either to determine infection in clinically symptomatic individuals or to rule out infection prior to vaccination. To allow for statistical comparison, samples analysed between 2008 and 2011 were pooled into one population (n = 444) and evaluated against samples tested in 1996 (n = 840). Furthermore, analyses of subgroups were undertaken to determine the effect of sex and age on the prevalence of FeLV antigenaemia.

Results

With respect to the samples tested at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, it was determined that the level of FeLV antigenaemia in eastern Austria between 1996 and 2011 was 5.6%. The proportion of FeLV antigenaemic cats was highly variable and has not fallen significantly over this period, despite advances in vaccination, and the education of pet owners and animal welfare charities.

Conclusions and relevance

This study confirms the importance of continued and regular vaccination against FeLV among Austrian cats, particularly those allowed access to the outdoors. Within the remit of this retrospective study, it was not possible to follow-up results of repeat testing or of other assays (PCR) of individual cats. As a result of this, no conclusions can be drawn as to the possibility of transient antigenaemic cats or false-positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results.
Photographs of a Prayer: The (Neglected) Visual Archive and Latin American Labor History
Authors: Coleman Kevin
Published: July 2015

Drawing on photographs of the 1954 banana workers' strike in Honduras, this article seeks to demonstrate the potential of the visual archive for recovering the historical agency of the working class. Photos from the archive of a studio photographer named Rafael Platero Paz enable me to rethink the role of United Fruit Company workers in staging an event that brought the Honduran worker into being as a new political subject. The fact that every photograph is its own certificate of a that-was-there can be drawn upon to radically historicize moments when the shutter opened to capture a particular image. After attending to the ways that the striking workers self-consciously and photographically asserted themselves — as employees, citizens, and devout Catholics — I outline a methodological framework for historians of Latin America who wish to engage with photographs, a source material of unique evidentiary and poetic force.
Comparing Results of MATLAB and Seismosignal in Plotting Earthquake Graphs
Authors: Kamrava Alireza
Published: July 2015

In this paper I teach how to find, Save and open Acceleration vs. Period, Velocity Vs. Period and Displacement Vs. Period data files by using Peer Berkley’s earthquakes database website and Notepad. Then Using MATLAB to draw Acceleration vs. Period(A-T), Velocity Vs. Period (V-T) and Displacement Vs. Period(D-T) graphs in one sheet of paper, save with . jpeg or other formats and print them. Then Using Seism signal V4. 3 to draw previous graphs. You will learn the definition and difference of accelerogram and seismogram too.
Examine the Role of Urban Management in the Development of Small Towns (Case Study: Bandare Torkeman City)
Authors: NajafiKani Ali , Mohammadi Zahra
Published: July 2015

In terms of the urban development discussion with grassroots participation, if applicable, the idea and the realization of the continuity and will be based on a codified policies and planned initiatives and work devices and headquarters of organs and institutions involved in the development, transformation and urban management in this regard, the municipal Manager is a function of the set of factors and host components. So on the subject of urban management and development program formulated and set of policies, practices and responsibilities of the main administrative, municipal notice has to be confidence - building, with the culture and people's participation in the cooperative activities of the municipality, to prepare and mobilize; otherwise in terms of complexity and, with regard to the dimensions of the problems today in the science of management and enabling the accumulation of people's demands and limited, especially in the areas of the municipalities of theoretical and achieve development, Advisory And a successful and constructive management without the use of massive capacity will be popular, low yields and the main objective will not be achieved and strategic. It is obvious that determines and identifies areas of citizens ' participation in Urban Affairs and services has long been part of the urban management authorities and concerns was and is. In this issue there is that the interactive triangle between citizens and municipal authorities, professionals involved is not well formed. This is the basis,the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between urban development policies, urban management system. Research papers, survey strategy is based on the cross. Data were collected through a questionnaire among 250 residents of Bandare Torkeman and the chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis is located. between the people and the situation in the sense of participation among citizens as well as the crystallization of lead.
Assessment of Shear Operation Tegular Unreinforced Beam and Reinforced Beam Under Monotonous Loads
Authors: Elyasi Ehsan , Montazerian Roxana
Published: July 2015

Brick buildings are the oldest constructional systems that have been prevalently constructed during the time. As appropriate knowledge about performance of these constructions is very important in optimizing, improving and developing them against inserted loads, we investigated cutting manner of brick beams as a specific element in brick buildings. The samples were under steady state loading at the middle of opening. Both beams were claps at both ends. Samples were studied in two conditions of reinforced armatures (in lengths) and without reinforced armatures. The results revealed about 7 times increase in loading capacity and about 6 time increase in maximum place change of the beam. It was resulted that cracking start and development was same in both samples but depend upon value of inserted loads.
Firstly, experiments were performed on constructional materials in accordance with ASTM standards in order to determine type of mixtures and pressure strength of mortar on brick units.
The Role of Structure in Creating Architectural Space
Authors: Azizi Mona , Torabi Zohreh
Published: July 2015

What is the role of structure in creating and identifying architectural space? The structure and architecture be may related through a variety of methods which includes a full range of priority of the structure over architecture to the structural requirements ignorance in determining the shape and beauty of the building. In this study we are determined to first examine the relationship between structure and architecture as two monotonous elements and consider the position of “high-tech” architecture in the same tone as well as the structural position in creating space and especially architectural space. This study is an analytical study in which the library method is used for data collection. It is concluded from the various studies in the area that although in the past the building structure must had been remained hidden and covered and the had to be no traces of structure within or outside of the buildings but with the development of science and technology the role and position of structures have changed as far as the structure itself creates architectural space and gives identity.
Identification and Evaluation of Parameters Influencing the selection of Finance Project Contractors of Mashhad Water and Wastewater Company Using an AHP and Fuzzy Pramty
Authors: Mazaheri-Zadeh Yoones , Naji-Azimi Zahra
Published: July 2015

For managers and decision-makers, selecting the contractor is a key decision given this fact that the contractor plays a fundamental role in any outsourced project. So, identifying and evaluating the contractors selection criteria will result in eliminating inefficient contractors from the tender process. It is needed to collect and process these criteria in order to maximize the performance of selected contractors, and to minimize the errors and mistakes in fulfilling the society needs and organization standards. Obviously, many quantitative and qualitative indicators of different importance are involved in determining the contractors' eligibility. In this paper, we are to identify the factors affecting the selection of contractors, and then, to determine the importance levels of the factors and prioritize the contractors by combining the multi-criteria methods of fuzzy AHP and fuzzy PROMETHEE. This is the first time to implement this hybrid method for solving the contractor selection problem. In this regard, first, the criteria are identified and their weights are calculated using the fuzzy AHP technique, then premier contractor is selected using the fuzzy PROMETHEE method. A real application to select finance projects' contractor in the Water and Wastewater Company of Mashhad city is considered as the base problem.
Comparison of Sulfur Concrete, Cement Concrete and Cement-Sulfur Concrete and their Properties and Application
Authors: Khademi Ali , Sar Hooshyar
Published: July 2015

One of the applications of sulfur in construction and industry is producing sulfur concrete. Sulfur concrete has charming features and many properties such as high strength, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, impermeability, recyclability and rapid hardening that have caused much interest in using it. It can be used in dam building, construction of sewer pipes, irrigation canals, concrete piles, piers, beach walls and etc , so that a greater proportion of cement produced in the country would be used in construction because generally sulfur concrete cannot be used instead of cement concrete unless in areas with medium and low structural importance or when there is no possibility of using concrete cement. Results obtained in this study indicate that sulfur concrete with the additional stuff, cover cement concrete with sulfur-modification, sulfur concrete containing fiber, sulfur concrete with electrolytic residual and sulfur concrete with fly ash, depending on the combination of resistance in most cases, have equal to or higher resistance than conventional sulfur and cement concrete; it is also clarified that sulfur concrete with fly ash has higher pressure resistance than the other compositions.
Providing A Model for Reducing the Time of Construction Phases
Authors: Moslemi Arman , Shakeri Eghbal
Published: July 2015

In construction projects, each type of delay in implementation and lack of exploitation of them is the precise instance of wasting the resources. The most important resource which is wasted in this regard is the element of time which is the most valuable capital of nations in today’s fast-paced world. Sometimes, the profit resulting from early completion of the project may tempt the employers and project owners to reduce the time of project. Some other times, macro policies may urge a project to be exploited earlier than its due date. After introducing the time reduction techniques briefly in this paper, the challenges of these techniques were specified through interviewing with the experts. Then three criteria were selected to investigate the techniques. Using the results of the questionnaire, the impact of these techniques on the criteria was then dealt with in different phases of the project in Design and Build contracts.
Determining Social Capital Indicators Affecting the Residents Life Quality in Informal Settlements
Authors: Khorasani-Moghadam Saba , Mozaffar Farhang , Hosseini Bagher
Published: July 2015

Given the importance of sustainable urban development and quality of life, the problem of informal settlements is now entering a new phase of research and social capital, as an important aspect of the quality of life in such settlements, is being widely explored. Aiming at realizing sustainable development and recovering liveliness in these settlements, the present study seeks to compile social capital factors of the quality of life in informal settlements. The methodology is descriptive-analytical and the indicators are determined by means of logical argumentation. According to the findings, outstanding indicators of the quality of life in informal settlements turn out to be trust, norm-orientation, as well as network connections in direct evaluation and participation, attitude of voluntariness, social cohesion, sense of security, informal social relations, as well as adherence to values in indirect evaluation. If investigated and improved, these indicators will play a major role in sustainable development
The Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) Introducing and Evaluation of their Performance in Bending Moment Frame Connections
Authors: Jamalpour Saeed , Jamalpour Reza
Published: July 2015

B.M frames are responsible for absorbing earthquake energy by reaching their cross-sectional yield point and undergoing non-elastic deformations. this, in turn, causes permanent deformations in the frames, and occasionally restoration is impossible so that the whole structure might have to be disposed . The vulnerability of moment frame joints to lateral loadings and the need to improve their performance necessitates the use of materials capable of undergoing large and restorable deformations. Shape memory alloys are one type of such materials that have found use for this purpose. Because of their super-elastic property, these alloys are able to withstand non-elastic stresses and undergo large deformations, as well as to restore to their orginal configuration after being unloaded in the presence of the required conditions. In this paper these alloys will be introduced and their performance in moment frame joints will be studied..
Philosophie africaine: histoire dune expression
Authors: Diagne Souleymane Bachir
Published: July 2015

This article offers a reflection on the notion of ‘African philosophy’. First, its disciplinary history is examined with a specific focus on the decisive input of some of its major forerunners such as Placide Tempels but also W. V. Brelsford, Paul Radin and Léopold Sédar Senghor. At the beginning of the 1970s their ethnophilosophical pronouncements are, however, radically challenged by a new generation of francophone and anglophone thinkers such as Paulin Hountondji and Kwasi Wiredu. This article also envisages the future for ‘African philosophy’. It argues that African translators-philosophers will need to assign a central role to African languages in order to produce and translate philosophy in these languages.

Cet article propose une réflexion sur la notion de ‘philosophie africaine’. Il envisage d’abord son histoire et examine l’apport décisif de quelques précurseurs tels que Placide Tempels mais aussi W. V. Brelsford, Paul Radin, Alexis Kagamé et Léopold Sédar Senghor. Au tournant des années soixante-dix, leur vision ethnophilosophique se bute aux critiques d’une nouvelle génération de penseurs francophones et anglophones tels que Paulin Hountondji et Kwasi Wiredu. Cet essai se penche aussi sur l’avenir de la discipline. Il met ainsi en évidence le rôle primordial qu’il convient d’accorder aux langues africaines d’aujourd’hui ainsi qu’aux traducteursphilosophes à qui incombe le projet de traduire et de produire de la philosophie dans les langues africaines.
Reviews
Authors: Rodgers Eamonn , Threlfall Monica , Tedaldi Chiara
Published: July 2015

The War and its Shadow: Spain’s Civil War in Europe’s Long Twentieth Century, Helen Graham (2012) Brighton, Portland and Toronto: Sussex Academic Press (in collaboration with the Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Iberian Studies), xiv+250 pp., ISBN: 9781845195196, h/bk, £60

Majority-Minority Relations in Contemporary Women’s Movements: Strategic Sisterhood, Line Nyhagen Predell i and Beatrice Halsaa (2012) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 352 pp., ISBN 9780280540, h/bk, £61

El Documental Cinematográfico y Televisivo Contemporáneo. Memoria, Sujeto y Formación de la Identidad Democrática Española, Isabel M. Estrada (2013) Woodbridge: Tamesis, ix+196 pp., ISBN: 9781855662513, h/bk, £60.00
Ripeness and the 2008 Djibouti-Eritrea Border Dispute
Authors: Frank Kevin K.
Published: July 2015

The border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea provides a rare example of twenty-firstcentury interstate conflict. While not a major conflict in terms of lives lost, its location in the Horn of Africa lends an importance to the event beyond its details. Through the mediation of the Government of Qatar, the two states initiated negotiation, but it took two years from the skirmish that began the dispute until the Qatari mediation bore fruit. This case is presented through the perspective of Zartman’s ripeness theory to identify the conditions in which Qatar’s mediation became effective. While Djibouti desired international and regional mediation from the start, the Eritreans were not amenable to mediation, taking the opportunity to link the border dispute with Djibouti to wider issues of the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict. This article identifies the growing international pressure, especially in the United Nations, and the counsel of the Qataris as providing Eritrea with the “mutually hurting stalemate” that resulted in their acquiescence to mediation. The role of Qatar is highlighted, as it was able to effect mediation where international, regional, and functional organizations’ efforts were unsuccessful. This provides an example of the importance of the mediator in bringing recalcitrant parties to an understanding that negotiation initiation may be in their best interests.
Possible and certain SQL keys
Authors: Köhler Henning , Link Sebastian , Zhou Xiaofang
Published: July 2015

Driven by the dominance of the relational model, the requirements of modern applications, and the veracity of data, we revisit the fundamental notion of a key in relational databases with NULLs. In SQL database systems primary key columns are NOT NULL by default. NULL columns may occur in unique constraints which only guarantee uniqueness for tuples which do not feature null markers in any of the columns involved, and therefore serve a different function than primary keys. We investigate the notions of possible and certain keys, which are keys that hold in some or all possible worlds that can originate from an SQL table, respectively. Possible keys coincide with the unique constraint of SQL, and thus provide a semantics for their syntactic definition in the SQL standard. Certain keys extend primary keys to include NULL columns, and thus form a sufficient and necessary condition to identify tuples uniquely, while primary keys are only sufficient for that purpose. In addition to basic characterization, axiomatization, and simple discovery approaches for possible and certain keys, we investigate the existence and construction of Armstrong tables, and describe an indexing scheme for enforcing certain keys. Our experiments show that certain keys with NULLs do occur in real-world databases, and that related computational problems can be solved efficiently. Certain keys are therefore semantically well-founded and able to maintain data quality in the form of Codd's entity integrity rule while handling the requirements of modern applications, that is, higher volumes of incomplete data from different formats.
Scaling similarity joins over tree-structured data
Authors: Tang Yu , Cai Yilun , Mamoulis Nikos
Published: July 2015

Given a large collection of tree-structured objects (e.g., XML documents), the similarity join finds the pairs of objects that are similar to each other, based on a similarity threshold and a tree edit distance measure. The state-of-the-art similarity join methods compare simpler approximations of the objects (e.g., strings), in order to prune pairs that cannot be part of the similarity join result based on distance bounds derived by the approximations. In this paper, we propose a novel similarity join approach, which is based on the dynamic decomposition of the tree objects into subgraphs, according to the similarity threshold. Our technique avoids computing the exact distance between two tree objects, if the objects do not share at least one common subgraph. In order to scale up the join, the computed subgraphs are managed in a two-layer index. Our experimental results on real and synthetic data collections show that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods by up to an order of magnitude.
Low SAR Microstrip Patch Antenna for Mobile Phone
Authors: Hossain M. I. , Faruque M. R. I. , Islam M. T.
Published: July 2015

The aim of this article is to design a new microstrip-fed patch antenna for cell phone applications. The antenna design is composed of slots and FR-4 dielectric substrate fed by a partial ground plane and a microstrip line. The user’s effects on antenna performances are also analyzed using standard SAM phantom. The specific absorption rate (SAR) values of proposed antenna are evaluated for different frequency bands considering cheek position of talk mode. The proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth (–10 dB reflection coefficients) 100 MHz (0.87–0.97 GHz, lower band), 50 MHz (1.47–1.52 GHz, middle band), and 150 MHz (1.78–1.93 GHz, upper band), which can cover GSM 900 MHz, GPS 1,500 MHz, DCS 1,800 MHz, PCS 1,900 MHz, and GSM 1,900 MHz bands. Moreover, the proposed antenna produces lower SAR values in the human head than that of a dipole and helical antenna.
A CPW-Fed Wide Slot Ultra-Wideband Antenna with Triple Band Rejection Characteristics
Authors: Li Yingsong , Ye Qiubo
Published: July 2015

A coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed circular slot ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with triple band-notched characteristics is proposed and its performance is evaluated by HFSS simulation and measurement. The three notch bands are realized by means of two arc-shaped parasitic elements (ASPEs) and an E-shaped stub (ESS). By adjusting the dimensions of the ASPEs and ESS, three notch bands can be tuned to filter unwanted 3.5 GHz WiMAX, 5.5 GHz WLAN and 8 GHz X-band signals. The simulated and measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna covers the entire UWB band with voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) less than 2 and provides three notch bands to reduce potential interferences from existing narrowband systems. Furthermore, this tri-band frequency rejection UWB antenna can provide omnidirectional radiation patterns and high rejection band-notched characteristics, which are suitable for UWB communication applications.
Development of a sickle cell disease readiness for transition assessment
Authors: Treadwell Marsha , Johnson Shirley , Sisler India , Bitsko Matthew , Gildengorin Ginny , Medina Rogelio , Barreda Fernando , Major Kimberly , Telfair Joseph , Smith Wally R.
Published: July 2015

Background: Instrumentation with established reliability and validity is not yet routinely utilized to assess readiness for transition from pediatric to adult care for youth and young adults with chronic conditions, including sickle cell disease (SCD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a SCD specific readiness for transition assessment tool.

Subjects: Fifty-seven youths with SCD, ages 15–21 years, completed the initial version of the Transition Intervention Program – Readiness for Transition (TIP-RFT) assessment; 113 youths/young adults with SCD, ages 14–26 years, at two distinct sites of care completed a refined version of the TIP-RFT.

Methods: The TIP-RFT was constructed based on a literature review, provider and patient consensus and assessed domains including knowledge and skills in medical self-care, social support, health benefits and independent living and educational/vocational skills. We used principal components factor analysis to evaluate TIP-RFT responses and assessed differences in TIP-RFT scores in relation to age, gender, sickle cell diagnosis and site of care.

Results: The original TIP-RFT, which had demonstrated face validity, was reduced from 56 to 22 items. The revised instrument consisting of four subscales demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and construct validity.

Conclusion: Our results support that the TIP-RFT is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of transition readiness for youths with SCD. The TIP-RFT assessment can guide interventions to improve transition readiness and can provide a foundation for future research on other variables that might be associated with transition readiness.
Self-efficacy and readiness for transition from pediatric to adult care in sickle cell disease
Authors: Treadwell Marsha , Johnson Shirley , Sisler India , Bitsko Matthew , Gildengorin Ginny , Medina Rogelio , Barreda Fernando , Major Kimberly , Telfair Joseph , Smith Wally R.
Published: July 2015

Background:

Theories of self-care management, particularly the development of self-efficacy or confidence in one’s ability to manage health-related goals, tasks, and challenges may provide a useful framework for developing programs to improve transition from pediatric to adult care for youth and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis stating that ratings of self-efficacy is positively associated with self-ratings of transition readiness.

Subjects:

A total of 113 individuals with SCD aged 14–26 years at two distinct sites of care were recruited for the study.

Materials and methods:

Participants completed the Transition Intervention Program Readiness for Transition (TIP-RFT) assessment, the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale and the Sickle Cell Stress –Adolescent scale.

Results:

In multivariate regression models, self-efficacy was positively associated with scores on the total TIP-RFT and on the Education/Vocation Planning and Independent Living Skills scales. Older age was independently associated with higher scores on the Independent Living Skills scale and higher stress levels were independently associated with lower scores on Education/Vocation Planning scale.

Conclusion:

The TIP-RFT assessment, along with measures of self-efficacy and stress, appear to be useful measures of overall transition readiness for youth and young adults with SCD. Future studies should evaluate whether self-management skill development and health outcomes are indeed affected by programs to improve readiness for transition from pediatric to adult care.
Are The Courts Unintentionally Promoting Unethical Behavior In Business Valuators?
Authors: Conn Richard R.
Published: July 2015

The expert business valuator’s primary responsibility is to assist the Court in the understanding of complex financial and economic issues impacting the valuation of an asset or damages claim. The Courts expect valuation opinions that are unbiased and impartial. But empowering the advocate-lawyers to select and engage those valuators misaligns the reward system. The reward the expert valuator seeks is the engagement itself – being appointed to the case. The current system of lawyer-engaged experts acts as an impediment towards absolute impartiality. Court-appointed experts may be the easiest means of eliminating role-conflict and realigning the reward system so that the expert valuator is focused upon the primary goal of serving the Court’s needs.
Children with hyperthyroidism younger than age 7 require higher mg/kg doses of methimazole to normalize free T4 compared to older children
Authors: Stafford Diana , Vaidyanathan Priya , Kaplowitz Paul
Published: July 2015

Hyperthyroidism is much less common in children <7 years vs. older children and less well studied. It was our impression that the youngest patients needed a higher weight-based dose of methimazole (MMI) to achieve euthyroidism.

To compare the mean MMI dose needed to normalize free T4 in younger (<7 years) vs. older children and the time taken to normalize free T4.

Based on chart review (2004–2012), patients were divided into groups based on age at diagnosis: <7 years (n=13), 7–12 years (n=30) and >12 years (n=40). Follow-up visits were reviewed until free T4 normalized.

The mean dose of MMI (mg/kg/day) needed to normalize free T4 was 0.71 (±0.29) in the <7 group, significantly higher vs. the two older groups: 0.50 (±0.22) and 0.44 (±0.24). Months taken to achieve a euthyroid state was significantly longer in children <7 (6.23±3.91) vs. the older groups (3.10±2.12 and 3.18±2.86 months).

Hyperthyroid children diagnosed before age 7 required higher initial doses of MMI and took a longer time to become euthyroid than older patients. Clinicians should consider starting with higher weight-based MMI doses when treating younger patients to more rapidly normalize free T4.
Researching Policy for Nonprofit Organizations: A Brief Observation on Dilemmas Created by Conflicting Values
Authors: Hammack David C.
Published: July 2015

Conflicting cultural and religious values pose challenges – challenges that are too often ignored – to efforts to comprehend and to solve tough social problems. Value-conflict challenges call for much more thoughtful attention both by analysts seeking to understand the sources of problems, and by advocates for particular solutions. This contribution to the ARNOVA Policy Brief series draws on a wide range of historical and social research to advance its argument for recognizing value conflicts.
Multiple Fano Resonances in Plasmonic Metamaterials Composed of Al/Al2O3 Nanomatryushka Structures
Authors: Ahmadivand Arash , Pala Nezih
Published: July 2015

Metamaterial structures composed of ordered arrays of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocavities are able to support strong plasmon and Fano resonances in the optical frequencies, where the appeared Fano dips can be utilized in bio/chemical sensing and spectroscopic purposes with a significant sensitivity. Herein, we utilize two concentric compositional Aluminum (Al) nanoshells (Al/Al2O3) to design nanomatryushka (NM) structures in periodic arrays, where each one of Al NPs is covered by a certain thickness of the oxide layer. Depositing studied Al NM arrays on metasurfaces, we determined the optical response of the metamaterial. It is shown that the proposed structure is able to support multiple strong Fano resonances in the visible spectrum. Evaluating the plasmon response of the metamaterial configuration for the presence of various semiconductor metasurfaces (Silicon and GaP), the quality of Fano dips is analyzed for different regimes. In this method, we measured the accuracy and sensitivity of the metamaterial structure by plotting the linear figure of merit (FoM) and quantifying this parameter.
Association of family risk and lifestyle/comorbidities in ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Teixeira Natália , Folgueira Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike , Maistro Simone , Encinas Giselly , Bock Geertruida Hendrika de , Diz Maria Del Pilar Estevez
Published: July 2015

Summary Objectives: to analyze factors that might indicate familial predisposition for ovarian cancer in patients diagnosed with this disease. Methods: in a prospective single center cohort study at the Institute of Cancer of the State of São Paulo (ICESP), 51 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer were included. Familial predisposition for ovarian cancer was defined as having a higher than 10% chance of having a BRCA1/2 mutation according to the Manchester scoring system, a validated method to assess the likelihood of mutation detection. Each patient was interviewed with a standardized questionnaire on established risk factors for ovarian cancer and other factors that might influence the risk to develop ovarian cancer. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the impact of the evaluated factors on the likelihood of mutation detection, by calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: seventeen out of 51 patients had a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, four patients had a history of breast or endometrial cancer, 11 were diagnosed before the age of 50, and 12 presented a risk of familial predisposition to ovarian cancer higher than 10%. Patients with comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, hormonal disorders, dyslipidemia and psychiatric conditions, presented a lower chance of having a familial predisposition for ovarian cancer (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06-0.88; p=0.03). Conclusion: in this study, having comorbidities was associated with a lower risk of having a familial predisposition for ovarian cancer. Other factors associated with the risk of ovarian cancer did not have an impact on this predisposition.
Pediatric cancer and Li-Fraumeni/Li-Fraumeni-like syndromes: a review for the pediatrician
Authors: Giacomazzi Cristina Rossi , Giacomazzi Juliana , Netto Cristina B.O. , Santos-Silva Patricia , Selistre Simone Geiger , Maia Ana Luiza , Oliveira Viviane Ziebell de , Camey Suzi Alves , Goldim José Roberto , Ashton-Prolla Patricia
Published: July 2015

Summary Introduction: cancer is the second leading cause of death in children between the ages of 0 and 14 years, corresponding to approximately 3% of all cases diagnosed in Brazil. A significant percentage (5-10%) of pediatric cancers are associated with hereditary cancer syndromes, including Li-Fraumeni/Li-Fraumeni-like syndromes (LFS/LFL), both of which are caused by TP53 germline mutations. Recent studies have shown that a specific TP53 mutation, known as p.R337H, is present in 1 in 300 newborns in Southern and Southeast Brazil. In addition, a significant percentage of children with LFS/LFL spectrum tumors in the region have a family history compatible with LFS/LFL. Objective: to review clinical relevant aspects of LFS/LFL by our multidisciplinary team with focus on pediatric cancer. Methods: the NCBI (PubMed) and SciELO databases were consulted using the keywords Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome and pediatric cancer; and all manuscripts published between 1990 and 2014 using these keywords were retrieved and reviewed. Conclusion: although LFS/LFL is considered a rare disease, it appears to be substantially more common in certain geographic regions. Recognition of population- specific risks for the syndrome is important for adequate management of hereditary cancer patients and families. In Southern and Southeastern Brazil, LFS/ LFL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with cancer, especially if within the spectrum of the syndrome. Due to the complexities of these syndromes, a multidisciplinary approach should be sought for the counseling, diagnosis and management of patients and families affected by these disorders. Pediatricians and pediatric oncologists in areas with high prevalence of hereditary cancer syndromes have a central role in the recognition and proper referral of patients and families to genetic cancer risk evaluation and management programs.
The Effect of Longer Development Times on Product Pipeline Management Performance
Authors: Figueiredo Paulo S. , Travassos Xisto L. , Loiola Elisabeth
Published: July 2015

In the pharmaceutical industry, value is being destroyed through longer product development times. Given that patent lives are (normally) fixed at 20 years, the double hit of increasing time to market is evident - higher R & D costs and less time at market before generic competitors are able to be released into the marketplace. The Policy implications are massive: A huge and permanent shift away from internal R & D towards partnerships, licensing deals and acquisitions of more innovative biotechnology companies. In this study, we build a system dynamics model of the product development pipeline for a single company operating in the pharmaceutical market. The study shows that in the presence of loss of value due to longer lead times, it is more advantageous to: (a) work faster to reduce the backlog of projects; (b) increase the number of projects started whenever it is possible reduce complexity in the pipeline; and also (c) the optimal decision on resource allocation is independent of the loss of value due to longer lead times.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in Brazil’s inmate population: a systematic review
Authors: Magri Mariana Cavalheiro , Ibrahim Karim Yaqub , Pinto Walkyria Pereira , França Francisco Oscar de Siqueira , Bernardo Wanderley Marques , Tengan Fátima Mitiko
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil’s inmate population. METHODS Systematic review on hepatitis C virus infection in the inmate population. Brazilian studies published from January 1, 1989 to February 20, 2014 were evaluated. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using a scale of 0 to 8 points. RESULTS Eleven eligible studies were analyzed and provided data on hepatitis C virus infection among 4,375 inmates from seven states of Brazil, with a mean quality classification of 7.4. The overall hepatitis C virus prevalence among Brazilian inmates was 13.6% (ranging from 1.0% to 41.0%, depending on the study). The chances of inmates being seropositive for hepatitis C virus in the states of Minas Gerais (MG), Sergipe (SE), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Goiás (GO) and Espirito Santo (ES) were 84.0% (95%CI 0.06;0.45), 92.0% (95%CI 0.04;0.13), 88.0% (95%CI 0.09;0.18), 74.0% (95%CI 0.16;0.42), 84.0% (95%CI 0.08;0.31) and 89.0% (95%CI 0.01;0.05) respectively, lower than that observed in the Sao Paulo state (seroprevalence of 29.3%). The four studies conducted in the city of Sao Paulo revealed a lower prevalence in more recent studies compared to older ones. CONCLUSIONS The highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil’s inmate population was found in Sao Paulo, which may reflect the urban diversity of the country. Despite Brazilian studies having good methodological quality to evaluate the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus, they are scarce and lack data on risk factors associated with this infection, which could support decisions on prevention and implementation of public health policies for Brazilian prisons.
Práticas e comportamentos de liderança na gestão dos recursos humanos escolares
Authors: Costa Andreia Rubina da Conceição , Bento António V.
Published: July 2015

Num mundo globalizado e complexo em que o capital humano assume centralidade em temáticas associadas à liderança das organizações escolares e consequente Gestão de Recursos Humanos, urge perceber que perceções têm os liderados, pessoal docente e não docente, acerca das práticas e comportamentos da liderança do Diretor escolar. Esta pesquisa de natureza mista, privilegiou como estratégia metodológica o estudo de caso, incidindo sobre uma Escola Básica dos 2º e 3º Ciclos da Região Autónoma da Madeira. Foi administrado, ao pessoal docente e não docente da escola, o questionário LPI - Observer (Leadership Practice Inventory) de Kouzes e Posner. A análise de conteúdo recaiu sobre o Projecto Educativo de Escola e o Plano Anual de Escola. Concluíu-se que, na opinião dos inquiridos, as práticas de liderança que deverão ser privilegiadas por um líder eficaz são “Permitir que os outros ajam” e “Encorajar a vontade”.
Processo de envelhecimento: percepções de docentes da rede básica de educação do município de Uruguaiana-RS
Authors: Vieira Aline dos Santos , Mello-Carpes Pâmela Billig
Published: July 2015

OBJETIVO: Verificar a percepção do processo de envelhecimento humano pelos docentes da rede pública de educação básica de Uruguaiana-RS. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo descritivo, cuja amostra foi composta por 13 educadores que responderam a um questionário, previamente validado por pesquisadores da área, contendo oito perguntas. As respostas foram posteriormente lidas, analisadas e categorizadas por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: Encontraram-se aspectos positivos e negativos na investigação, de acordo com os valores socioculturais de cada docente. Os educadores encaram o envelhecimento como uma etapa de transferência e partilha de experiências e conhecimentos e, apesar das adversidades e problemas de saúde que supostamente enfrentarão, têm uma visão otimista desse processo. CONCLUSÕES: Os relatos afirmaram que a qualidade de vida futura é reflexo da atual. Assim, a autopercepção pode levar à mudança de comportamento de uma comunidade, proporcionando uma ótica diferente desse ciclo biológico. Ressalta-se a importância de se investir em estudos de conscientização para eliminar preconceitos e estereótipos comuns às pessoas em relação a essa etapa da vida, especialmente junto a esse público que é formador de opinião.
Simulación numérica de un horno tipo empujador para palanquillas con formación de óxido
Authors: Arreola Villa Sixtos A. , Solorio-Díaz Gildardo , Vergara Hernández H. J.
Published: July 2015

El siguiente trabajo muestra un modelo numérico de un horno de recalentamiento tipo empujador, utilizando un programa comercial de dinámica de fluidos (CFD). El modelo acopla las ecuaciones de transferencia de calor, dinámica de fluidos y reacción química en estado no estacionario. Para la simulación de la combustión se utilizó el modelo de transportes de especies Eddy-dissipation; para la dinámica de fluidos de los gases se hizo uso del modelo k - e realizable. Se simuló la transferencia de calor considerando los mecanismos de conducción, convección y radiación. El modelo P-1 fue utilizado para simular la radiación que aportan los gases de combustión al calentamiento de la palanquilla. Las historias térmicas simuladas al interior de las palanquillas fueron comparadas con mediciones en planta. El modelo también acopla los modelos de oxidación superficial de la carga (barras de sección cuadrada de acero de 160 mm x 160 mm x 12.7 m). Se caracterizó el historial térmico en estado no estacionario de una palanquilla cuadrada de 16 mm y 12.7 m, durante su desplazamiento en el interior del horno, estas mediciones de temperatura permitieron caracterizar las pérdidas de material por formación de óxidos, en cada tiempo y posición al interior del horno de calentamiento.
Diseño, construcción y evaluación de dispositivos de estimulación periférica en extremidades inferiores, para ayuda a pacientes de párkinson con problemas de congelamiento de la marcha
Authors: Argüello Geovanny , Vaca David , Santibáñez Rocío , Loayza Francis
Published: July 2015

La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es un trastornoprogresivo neurodegenerativo, cuyo impacto principalradica en la pérdida de la habilidad motora incluyendotemblores, rigidez, desequilibrio y congelamiento dela marcha (FOG de sus siglas en inglés). Los eventosde FOG se inician de manera repentina y consisten enuna detención parcial o total de la marcha durante periodos cortos de tiempo, presentándose cuando el paciente atraviesa lugares estrechos o sobre obstáculos,afectando su forma de caminar y provocando inclusocaídas y fracturas. En este documento se presentael diseño, implementación y evaluación de un dispositivo electrónico de estimulación periférica que através de estímulos vibratorios durante la marchaayuda a este tipo de pacientes a reducir significativamente los episodios de FOG y mejorar su cadencia.Adicionalmente, el sistema registra parámetros comoaceleración en los ejes horizontal y vertical, así comodistribución de presión en cuatro puntos específicos de la planta de los pies para un análisis a posteriori de la fisiología de la marcha.

Este dispositivo fue probado en siete pacientes conEP, de los cuales dos presentaron episodios de FOG;y donde el análisis de series temporales y de frecuencia de los datos recopilados mostró ser un sistemaefectivo como terapia en el congelamiento de la marcha, reduciendo hasta un 75% los episodios de FOGy mejorando significativamente la homogeneidad de la marcha.
Actividades de Ocio y Bienestar Emocional en Personas Jubiladas Independientes
Authors: López Fernández Verónica , Navarro Enrique , Requena Hernández Carmen
Published: July 2015

This work aims to investigate the promotion of healthy aging and factors contributing on the quality of life of old people. A sample of 56 healthy, independent old people from the province of León (Spain) differing in the type of free time-entertainment (new information, memory and cards game) participated in this study.  Emotional well-being state was evaluated using a Spanish-adaptation of the Carol Ryff Psychological Well Scale, composed of six dimensions: environmental mastery, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, purpose of life and personal growth. Results show statistically significant differences in the Autonomy dimension, with favorable scores in those people who were predominantly involved in free time activities related to memory enhancement versus people who were predominantly involved in cards game. These findings highlight the relevance of the type of free time activities in elderly age, besides community activities.