bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rape in Victoria as a Crime of Absolute Liability: A Departure from Both Precedent and Progressivism
Authors: Arenson Kenneth J.
Published: December 2014

In recent decades, a disturbing trend has emerged in Victoria and elsewhere that has witnessed the emergence of statutory rules that accord preferential treatment to prosecutors and complainants in instances where allegations of rape are made. This article examines not only the manifestations of such treatment in the form of Victorian crime legislation, but the means by which the statutory crime of rape in Victoria has been transformed into an offence which, though technically one of mens rea, can effectively be prosecuted as an offence of absolute liability. The piece concludes with a discussion of the likely reasons for this trend as well as the implications of allowing such a serious offence to be prosecuted as one of absolute liability.
Unfitness to Plead and the Trial of Facts: A Critical Review of the Law Commission's Proposals and the Decision in R v MB
Authors: Howard Helen
Published: December 2014

The Law Commission published Consultation Paper No. 197 in October 2010 on unfitness to plead. This article will focus on the trial of facts hearing and the Law Commission's proposals in this regard. An examination will also be made of the Court of Appeal's judgment in R v MB given since the publication of the Law Commission Consultation Paper. The preferred route chosen by the Law Commission will be advocated, subject to concerns of properly balancing the need to protect both the vulnerable defendant from an unfair hearing and the public from the dangerous individual.
The Paradox of Disallowing Duress as a Defence to Murder
Authors: Arenson Kenneth J.
Published: December 2014

The common law has long recognised that what would otherwise constitute murder should be reduced to the lesser offence of voluntary manslaughter in instances where the accused was induced to kill because of provocative conduct on the part of the deceased that does not amount to lawful excuse or justification such as self-defence or defence of others. In what is often termed as a reasonable concession to human frailty, the law has opted to treat those who kill under such circumstances as less morally blameworthy than those who kill in the absence of such provocation or other mitigating circumstances such as a genuinely held, albeit objectively unreasonable belief, that the use of deadly force was necessary in self-defence or the defence of another person. In sharp contrast, the common law has steadfastly declined to allow the defence of duress to be interposed in like manner as a partial defence to the crime of murder. The discussion to follow will examine whether this disparate treatment is justifiable in light of the stated underpinnings of these defences. The discussion will conclude by exploring various proposals for reform and the extent to which they are likely to result in sanctions that are commensurate with the relative degrees of moral culpability of those who seek to interpose these defences as complete or partial defences to the crime of murder.
Untargeted Metabolic Profiling Identifies Altered Serum Metabolites of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Prospective, Nested Case Control Study
Authors: Drogan Dagmar , Dunn Warwick B , Lin Wanchang , Buijsse Brian , Schulze Matthias B , Langenberg Claudia , Brown Marie , Floegel Anna , Dietrich Stefan , Rolandsson Olov , Wedge David C , Goodacre Royston , Forouhi Nita G , Sharp Stephen J , Spranger Joachim , Wareham Nick J , Boeing Heiner
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Application of metabolite profiling could expand the etiological knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, few prospective studies apply broad untargeted metabolite profiling to reveal the comprehensive metabolic alterations preceding the onset of T2D.

METHODS

We applied untargeted metabolite profiling in serum samples obtained from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam cohort comprising 300 individuals who developed T2D after a median follow-up time of 6 years and 300 matched controls. For that purpose, we used ultraperformance LC-MS with a protocol specifically designed for large-scale metabolomics studies with regard to robustness and repeatability. After multivariate classification to select metabolites with the strongest contribution to disease classification, we applied multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression to assess the association of these metabolites with T2D.

RESULTS

Among several alterations in lipid metabolism, there was an inverse association with T2D for metabolites chemically annotated as lysophosphatidylcholine(dm16:0) and phosphatidylcholine(O-20:0/O-20:0). Hexose sugars were positively associated with T2D, whereas higher concentrations of a sugar alcohol and a deoxyhexose sugar reduced the odds of diabetes by approximately 60% and 70%, respectively. Furthermore, there was suggestive evidence for a positive association of the circulating purine nucleotide isopentenyladenosine-5′-monophosphate with incident T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

This study constitutes one of the largest metabolite profiling approaches of T2D biomarkers in a prospective study population. The findings might help generate new hypotheses about diabetes etiology and develop further targeted studies of a smaller number of potentially important metabolites.
La comunicación estratégica y sus profesionales
Authors: Carrillo Durán María Victoria
Published: December 2014

La comunicación estratégica se ha convertido en un ámbito de trabajo académico y profesional de gran relevancia. Sentar las bases de la formación de los futuros profesionales de la comunicación que decidan trabajar en la comunicación estratégica supone, por una parte, delimitar la problemática subyacente en torno a este ámbito de trabajo teórico y profesional. Por otra parte, supone abundar en la necesidad de enmarcar el trabajo del profesional de la comunicación estratégica en el ámbito de la gestión de la comunicación empresarial.
Dielectric properties of liquid systems: study of interactions in the systems carbon tetrachloride with benzene, toluene, and p-xylene
Authors: Buep Adrian
Published: December 2014

Intermolecular associations in liquid systems of non-polar and slightly polar compounds were studied through excess molar volumes, and excess dielectric properties for mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with benzene, toluene and p-xylene. These excess properties were calculated from measurements of density, static permittivity and refractive index over the whole range of concentrations, at 298.15K. The values of the excess dielectric properties for these mixtures were fitted in two different ways, one through least squares using the Redlich-Kister equation and the other using a model developed to explain deviations from ideality. The first fit was found to be descriptive while the second gave the equilibrium constant values for the interaction products actually formed in the mixtures and the respective electronic polarizabilities and dipole moments, indicating the existence of interaction products.
Taxonomic significance of morphology and palynology of two species of Dracaena found in south eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ilodibia Chinyere , Okeke Clement , Chukwuma Maureen , Okeke Nneka , Akachukwu Ebele , Aziagba Bibian
Published: December 2014

Morphology and Palynology were carried out on Dracaena mannii Bak and Dracaena arborea Link various parts. T test was used for the analyses. Morphologically, the leaves of D. arborea are longer and wider than those of D. mannii, and the length of the internode of D. arborea is more than those of the D. mannii. Both species are trees and have the same inflorescence, floral, fruit and seed Morphology. Palynologically, the pollen grains of the two species are monocolpate with scabrate surfaces. The colpus in D. mannii is longer than that of D. arborea. The result also showed that there was no significant difference in the sizes of the pollen grains, the pollen form indices as well as length and diameter of the colpi of both D. arborea and D. mannii. The overall analyses showed no significant statistical difference in the morpology and palynology of the two Dracaena species. The implication is that the two species are closely related and this justified their placement under the same genus Draceana while the slight differences between them suggest the reason for their separation into different species.
AVALIAÇÃO DA CONTAMINAÇÃO PARASITOLÓGICA DE RÚCULAS (Eruca sativa) COMERCIALIZADAS EM ERECHIM, RS, BRASIL
Authors: Matiasso Maiara Carla , Gonçalves Itamar Luís , Grazziotin Neiva Aparecida
Published: December 2014

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a contaminação por enteroparasitas em amostras de rúcula (Eruca sativa) comercializadas na cidade de Erechim–RS. No período de março a maio de 2013, foram analisadas pelo método de sedimentação espontânea 40 amostras, obtidas em mercados e feiras do produtor. Dentre as rúculas analisadas, 22,5% apresentaram contaminação por trofozoítos e/ou cistos de ameba. Não foram encontrados ovos e/ou larvas de helmintos patogênicos ao homem. Vegetais consumidos sem cozimento prévio podem apresentar padrão de qualidade higiênico-sanitária inadequado, o que destaca a necessidade de maior orientação aos produtores e manipuladores, no que se refere à sua correta manipulação e higienização.
AVALIAÇÃO DOS INDICADORES DE QUALIDADE DAS PRESCRIÇÕES DE MEDICAMENTOS DISPENSADOS EM UM CENTRO DE SAÚDE DO MUNICÍPIO DE VITÓRIA DA CONQUISTA, BAHIA, BRASIL
Authors: Silva Luciana Amaral de Faria , Silva Kelle Oliveira , Mascarenhas Geysa Donária Miranda
Published: December 2014

A prescrição apropriada é um dos fatores mais importantes para a adequada utilização do medicamento e sua qualidade pode ser avaliada por indicadores. Estes são medidas qualitativas ou quantitativas que avaliam desempenhos, detectam problemas e orientam a solução. Este trabalho buscou avaliar a qualidade da prescrição de um Centro de Saúde no município de Vitória da Conquista, BA. Para tal, foram recolhidas 1064 cópias de prescrições médicas a partir das quais foram calculados os indicadores de prescrição propostos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), complementados pelos indicadores propostos por Frohlich e Mengue. Os medicamentos prescritos foram classificados obedecendo à classificação da Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical, também da OMS. No Centro de Saúde avaliado, são prescritos, em média, 2,2 medicamentos por receita médica. Do total de medicamentos prescritos, 98,7% são prescritos por seus nomes genéricos. Em 40,3% das prescrições foi encontrada a indicação de antibióticos. Houve prescrição de injetáveis em 5,4% das receitas médicas. Em relação à lista municipal de medicamentos, 50,6% dos medicamentos fazem parte desta lista. Tais resultados demonstram que as prescrições do Centro de Saúde avaliadas não atenderam à totalidade dos parâmetros de qualidade propostos, indicando que alguns hábitos de prescrição devem ser modificados em busca da melhoria da qualidade da prescrição.
Cap-and-trade of Water Rights. A Sustainable Way out of Australia's Rural Water Problems?
Authors: Burdack Doreen , Biewald Anne , Lotze-Campen Hermann
Published: December 2014

Trading water rights is a tool for re-allocation of water resources in water-scarce regions such as Australia. Tradable water rights help farmers to act flexibly when facing high fluctuations in water availability and to use the water in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
A precondition is that the quantity of water rights is capped at an appropriate level. The institutional arrangements and market structures in which water-right trading is embedded are key factors for the success of such water management instruments. By analysing the structure of the water-right
market and water caps as well as using results from explorative expert interviews, the article sheds light on potential problems with the Australian cap-and-trade scheme concerning sustainable water usage. It also asks whether the Australian scheme provides lessons to be learnt by other countries
facing similar problems.
Die beste Idee, die Bayern je hatte: der Alpenplan. Raumplanung mit Weitblick
Authors: Job Hubert , Mayer Marius , Kraus Felix
Published: December 2014

The Alpenplan (AP) was implemented as an area-wide zoning tool for the Bavarian Alps in 1972. The AP regulates transport infrastructure and leads tourism development towards stronger sustainability. Its top-down approach is based on the rational, technocratic planning
paradigm of the 1970s unlike today's governance approaches which are mostly footed on bottom-up concepts. As the empirical results show the AP prevented the Bavarian Alps from an overdevelopment of tourism infrastructure and provided important improvements for nature protection -without restricting
tourism, its economic impact or recreational function. The AP today faces another problem: It is not suitable for solving issues arising from the post-Fordist recreational demand which leads to a stronger differentiation and individualization of outdoor recreation activities.
Low-power consumption seamless wireless and wired links using transparent waveform transfer
Authors: Kawanishi Tetsuya
Published: December 2014

This paper describes wired and wireless seamless networks consisting of radiowave and optical fiber links. Digital coherent technology developed for high-speed optical fiber transmission can mitigate signal deformation in radiowave links in the air as well as in optical fibers. Radio-over-fiber (RoF) technique, which transmits radio waveforms on intensity envelops of optical signals, can provide direct waveform transfer between optical and radio signals by using optical-to-electric or electric-to-optical conversion devices. Combination of RoF in millimeter-wave bands and digital coherent with high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) can provide wired and wireless seamless links where bit rate of wireless links would be close to 100 Gb/s. Millimeter-wave transmission distance would be shorter than a few kilometers due to large atmospheric attenuation, so that many moderate distance wireless links, which are seamlessly connected to optical fiber networks should be required to provide high-speed mobile-capable networks. In such systems, reduction of power consumption at media converters connecting wired and wireless links would be very important to pursue both low-power consumption and large capacity.
A Novel Approach for Evaluating TFT–LCD Manufacturer Operational Performance
Authors: Sun Chia-Chi
Published: December 2014

Accurate business performance evaluation is a key to success for enterprises. The purpose of this research was to analyze the current evaluation system for Taiwan thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT–LCD) manufacturers. Using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) in combination with information entropy, more objective and reasonable evaluation results are obtained. This paper introduces entropy into the grey relational analysis weighting calculation method to improve the precision. The proposed method provides more flexible and objective information in determining the criteria weights vector. The study results show that the combined method has certain scientific rationality.
Severe cerebral vasospasm in chronic cocaine users during neurointerventional procedures: A report of two cases
Authors: García-Bermejo Pablo , Rodríguez-Arias Carlos , Crespo Eduardo , Pérez-Fernández Santiago , Arenillas Juan F , Martínez-Galdámez Mario
Published: December 2014

Cocaine is a widespread recreational drug that has the potential to induce neurological vascular diseases, including ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Although arterial vasospasm has been suggested as a pathogenic factor in the development of neurovascular complications, it remains unclear whether cocaine users carry an increased risk to suffer iatrogenic vasospasm during endovascular procedures. We report the case of two patients with a history of cocaine abuse, who developed unusual severe vasospasms during different interventional procedures. The first case occurred in a middle-aged woman with an unruptured left internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm who was scheduled for treatment by remodelling assisted coiling. Just after the placement of the remodelling balloon, a severe occlusive vasospasm interrupted the procedure. The second case happened to a 46-year-old man with a non-aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and a symptomatic vasospasm in the right-sided anterior circulation who developed another occlusive vasospasm after the first attempt at transluminal balloon angioplasty. Further research is needed to establish a relation between cocaine use and increased risk of iatrogenic vasospasm in endovascular procedures, but we suggest practitioners be extremely cautious when treating this subgroup of patients.
Assessment of periprocedural hemodynamic changes in arteriovenous malformation vessels by endovascular dual-sensor guidewire
Authors: Orlov Kirill , Panarin Vyacheslav , Krivoshapkin Alexey , Kislitsin Dmitry , Berestov Vadim , Shayakhmetov Timur , Gorbatykh Anton
Published: December 2014

Endovascular embolization is an important modality in the treatment of brain AVMs. Nowadays staged embolization is the method of choice for the prevention of perioperative hemorrhagic complications.

Current theory suggests that simultaneous occlusion of more than 60% of AVM volume induces significant redistribution local blood flow. That, in turn, may lead to hemorrhage due to AVM rupture. Aside from angiographic findings, there is still no method that predicts the degree of safe partial embolization. Intraluminal measurement of flow velocity and pressure in the vicinity of the AVM nidus might allow detecting the changes in local hemodynamics. That can provide a valuable data and shed the light on the origin of vascular catastrophes.

Ten patients underwent 12 embolization sessions with intraluminal flow velocity and pressure monitoring. The measurements were performed by dual-sensor guidewire. The “Combomap” (Volcano) system with Combowire microguidewires was chosen for measurements, as there is a documented experience of safe use of said guidewires in the cerebral vasculature.

The findings observed during the study matched empirical data as well as the current physiological hypothesis of AVM hemorrhage.

In conjunction with DSA runs, intraluminal flow velocity and pressure monitoring has the potential to become a valuable tool in AVM treatment.
A New Model for Accurate Prediction of Pressure Drop in Gas Well
Authors: Fadairo Adesina  , Olafuyi Olalekan
Published: December 2014

The analytical model for predicting the pressure at any point in a flow string from the bottom hole to the well head is essential in determining optimum production string dimension and in the design of gas-lift installations.A variety of models for predicting pressure transience in flowing wells have been reported in the literatures. Most of the early models were based on steady state fluid flow equation that did not consider time factor which results in inaccurate at early production time. Hence, there is the need for developing a model capable of estimating pressure transverse accurately at all times in flowing well bore.This study presents equation for pressure drop in flowing vertical well without neglecting any term in the momentum equation by the inclusion of accumulation and kinetic term. The analytical solution of the resulting differential equation gives functional relationship between flow rates and pressure at any point in flowing well at any given time. The results show improvement over previous studies as the assumptions previously neglected were all considered.
Impact of Multifunctional Agriculture on Territorial Competitiveness: Theoretical Approach
Authors: Atkociuniene Vilma , Petruliene Dovile
Published: December 2014

The topic of this paper remains actual and new as the interrelationship between multifunctional agriculture and territorial competitiveness has not yet been deeply analysed. Those observations prompted us to analyse the scientific problem of how multifunctional agriculture affects territorial competitiveness. The purpose of the study is to analyse a potential impact of multifunctional agriculture on territorial competitiveness. The key method applied in the paper is a comparative analysis of scientific literature, documents and reports. The article is structured as follows: the first section deals with the conception of multifunctional agriculture; the second section explores the territorial competitiveness background; the third section outlines the effect of multifunctional agriculture on territorial competitiveness by presenting the conceptual framework of the impact of multifunctional agriculture on territorial competitiveness and the final section provides the main conclusions.
High temperature oxidation protection of Ti3Al-based alloys with different Nb-content by a combined Al-/F-treatment
Authors: Donchev A. , Galetz M. , Schütze M.
Published: December 2014

Orthorhombic titanium-based Ti2AlNb alloys cannot be used above a temperature limit of about 800°C due to accelerated oxidation and environmental embrittlement. This embrittlement is caused by the high oxygen solubility which deteriorates the mechanical properties. Even if these materials possess an Al content up to ca. 25at.% no protective alumina layer is formed. Instead a non-protective fast growing mixed scale is found. Several attempts have been made to increase their operation temperature e.g. by coatings but none has proven sufficiently protective so far. One new way presented in this paper is to enrich Al in a narrow surface zone by using a powder pack process (aluminization) followed by a fluorination step. Exposure tests at elevated temperature have shown that the aluminized specimens form an alumina layer during exposure in oxidizing environments. Due to the gradient in the Al-concentration interdiffusion with the substrate and the Al-rich diffusion zone occurs which lowers the Al concentration in the diffusion zone. If the Al content drops below a critical value, Ti oxides will also form, which deteriorates the protection provided by the alumina scale. The subsequent fluorination triggers the fluorine effect which stabilizes the protective alumina layer. Untreated specimens are covered with a thick non protective scale and exhibit oxygen ingress in the subsurface zone while treated specimens reveal a thin protective alumina layer and no inward diffusion of oxygen. In this paper results of exposure tests of untreated and treated orthorhombic Ti2AlNb alloys will be presented and compared with the Nb-free α2-phase Ti3Al and Nb-containing Ti3Al-based alloys.
Analiza procesów kształtujących łańcuch wartości przedsiębiorstwa
Authors: Walas-Trębacz Jolanta
Published: December 2014

Today's enterprises are forced to identify and change the whole chain of value creation for the customer, which usually extends beyond its borders. An important stage in the analysis of an enterprise's value chain is identifying the processes carried out in the organisation and evaluating how effectively and efficiently they are achieved, which is possible by establishing and developing specific measures and methods of measuring these processes. The purpose of this article is to provide a method for increasing the value of the enterprise, based on the analysis of processes involved in the enterprise's value chain. The paper explains the basic concepts of process, system processes and process management, defines the value chain and shows the structure of the processes that shape it. The main part of the article presents the methodology of the analysis process, which consists of the following stages: identifying the processes carried out in the enterprise, indicating the role of the processes in creating added value for the customer, measurement and evaluation of the results of processes, and determining process improvement proposals.
Alteration of the Intestinal Environment by Lubiprostone Is Associated with Amelioration of Adenine-Induced CKD
Authors: Mishima Eikan , Fukuda Shinji , Shima Hisato , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Akiyama Yasutoshi , Takeuchi Yoichi , Fukuda Noriko N. , Suzuki Takehiro , Suzuki Chitose , Yuri Akinori , Kikuchi Koichi , Tomioka Yoshihisa , Ito Sadayoshi , Soga Tomoyoshi , Abe Takaaki
Published: December 2014

The accumulation of uremic toxins is involved in the progression of CKD. Various uremic toxins are derived from gut microbiota, and an imbalance of gut microbiota or dysbiosis is related to renal failure. However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the relationship between the gut microbiota and renal failure are still obscure. Using an adenine-induced renal failure mouse model, we evaluated the effects of the ClC-2 chloride channel activator lubiprostone (commonly used for the treatment of constipation) on CKD. Oral administration of lubiprostone (500 µg/kg per day) changed the fecal and intestinal properties in mice with renal failure. Additionally, lubiprostone treatment reduced the elevated BUN and protected against tubulointerstitial damage, renal fibrosis, and inflammation. Gut microbiome analysis of 16S rRNA genes in the renal failure mice showed that lubiprostone treatment altered their microbial composition, especially the recovery of the levels of the Lactobacillaceae family and Prevotella genus, which were significantly reduced in the renal failure mice. Furthermore, capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry-based metabolome analysis showed that lubiprostone treatment decreased the plasma level of uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate and hippurate, which are derived from gut microbiota, and a more recently discovered uremic toxin, trans-aconitate. These results suggest that lubiprostone ameliorates the progression of CKD and the accumulation of uremic toxins by improving the gut microbiota and intestinal environment.
Psychological Well-Being During the Great Recession: Changes in Mental Health Care Utilization in an Occupational Cohort
Authors: Modrek Sepideh , Hamad Rita , Cullen Mark R.
Published: December 2014

Objectives. We examined the mental health effects of the Great Recession of 2008 to 2009 on workers who remained continuously employed and insured.

Methods. We examined utilization trends for mental health services and medications during 2007 to 2012 among a panel of workers in the 25 largest plants, located in 15 states, of a US manufacturing firm. We used piecewise regression to compare trends from 2007 to 2010 in service and medication use before and after 2009, the year of mass layoffs at the firm and the peak of the recession. Our models accounted for changes in county-level unemployment rates and individual-level fixed effects.

Results. Mental health inpatient and outpatient visits and the yearly supply of mental health–related medications increased among all workers after 2009. The magnitude of the increase in medication usage was higher for workers at plants with more layoffs.

Conclusions. The negative effects of the recession on mental health extend to employed individuals, a group considered at lower risk of psychological distress.
Recall of Anti-Tobacco Advertisements and Effects on Quitting Behavior: Results From the California Smokers Cohort
Authors: Leas Eric C. , Myers Mark G. , Strong David R. , Hofstetter C. Richard , Al-Delaimy Wael K.
Published: December 2014

Objectives. We assessed whether an anti-tobacco television advertisement called “Stages,” which depicted a woman giving a brief emotional narrative of her experiences with tobacco use, would be recalled more often and have a greater effect on smoking cessation than 3 other advertisements with different intended themes.

Methods. Our data were derived from a sample of 2596 California adult smokers. We used multivariable log-binomial and modified Poisson regression models to calculate respondents’ probability of quitting as a result of advertisement recall.

Results. More respondents recalled the “Stages” ad (58.5%) than the 3 other ads (23.1%, 23.4%, and 25.6%; P < .001). Respondents who recalled “Stages” at baseline had a higher probability than those who did not recall the ad of making a quit attempt between baseline and follow-up (adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 1.34) and a higher probability of being in a period of smoking abstinence for at least a month at follow-up (adjusted RR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.02, 2.37).

Conclusions. Anti-tobacco television advertisements that depict visceral and personal messages may be recalled by a larger percentage of smokers and may have a greater impact on smoking cessation than other types of advertisements.
Public Health in the Vilna Ghetto as a Form of Jewish Resistance
Authors: Longacre Mckenna , Beinfeld Solon , Hildebrandt Sabine , Glantz Leonard , Grodin Michael A.
Published: December 2014

We describe the system of public health that evolved in the Vilna Ghetto as an illustrative example of Jewish innovation and achievement during the Holocaust. Furthermore, we argue that by cultivating a sophisticated system of public health, the ghetto inmates enacted a powerful form of Jewish resistance, directly thwarting the intention of the Nazis to eliminate the inhabitants by starvation, epidemic, and exposure. In doing so, we aim to highlight applicable lessons for the broader public health literature. We hope that this unique story may gain its rightful place in the history of public health as an insightful case study of creative and progressive solutions to universal health problems in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
Diabetes and Hypertension Prevalence in Homeless Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bernstein Rebecca S. , Meurer Linda N. , Plumb Ellen J. , Jackson Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2014

We estimated hypertension and diabetes prevalence among US homeless adults compared with the general population, and investigated prevalence trends. We systematically searched 5 databases for published studies (1980–2014) that included hypertension or diabetes prevalence for US homeless adults, pooled disease prevalence, and explored heterogeneity sources. We used the National Health Interview Survey for comparison.

We included data from 97 366 homeless adults. The pooled prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 27.0% (95% confidence interval = 23.8%, 29.9%; n = 43 studies) and of diabetes was 8.0% (95% confidence interval = 6.8%, 9.2%; n = 39 studies). We found no difference in hypertension or diabetes prevalence between the homeless and general population.

Additional health care and housing resources are needed to meet the significant, growing burden of chronic disease in the homeless population.
Shape Up Somerville: Change in Parent Body Mass Indexes During a Child-Targeted, Community-Based Environmental Change Intervention
Authors: Coffield Edward , Nihiser Allison J. , Sherry Bettylou , Economos Christina D.
Published: December 2014

Objectives. We investigated the body mass index (BMI; weight in pounds/[height in inches]2 × 703) of parents whose children participated in Shape Up Somerville (SUS), a community-based participatory research study that altered household, school, and community environments to prevent and reduce childhood obesity.

Methods. SUS was a nonrandomized controlled trial with 30 participating elementary schools in 3 Massachusetts communities that occurred from 2002 to 2005. It included first-, second-, and third-grade children. We used an inverse probability weighting estimator adjusted for clustering effects to isolate the influence of SUS on parent (n = 478) BMI. The model’s dependent variable was the change in pre- and postintervention parent BMI.

Results. SUS was significantly associated with decreases in parent BMIs. SUS decreased treatment parents’ BMIs by 0.411 points (95% confidence interval = −0.725, −0.097) relative to control parents.

Conclusions. The benefits of a community-based environmental change childhood obesity intervention can spill over to parents, resulting in decreased parental BMI. Further research is warranted to examine the effects of this type of intervention on parental health behaviors and health outcomes.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Sleep Duration Among Veterans of the US Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Widome Rachel , Jensen Agnes , Fu Steven S.
Published: December 2014

We characterized socioeconomic disparities in short sleep duration, which is linked to multiple adverse health outcomes, in a population-based sample of veterans of the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who had interacted with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Lower reported household assets, lower food security, greater reported discrimination, and lower subjective social status were significantly (P < .05) related to less sleep, even after adjusting for demographics, health behaviors, and posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis. Assisting veterans to navigate social and socioeconomic stressors could promote healthful sleep and overall health.
Numerical Study of Borehole Radar for Cliff Imaging
Authors: Ma Chunguang , Zhao Qing , Ran Limin , Chang Xinghao
Published: December 2014

Numerical simulation of borehole radar (BHR) is an efficient and economical method to verify its feasibility before applying it in subsurface imaging. We conducted a physical experiment by using a commercial BHR system in a borehole close to a limestone cliff and used the 2-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation to cross-check the observed features of reflection from the cliff wall. For a maximum distance between the borehole and cliff of about 10 m, the time delay of the cliff wall reflection appears at about 170 ns. The simulation agrees well with the experiment, and the accuracy can meet the need for imaging analysis.
Treatment costs for advanced prostate cancer using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists: a solid biodegradable leuprorelin implant versus other formulations
Authors: Merseburger Axel S , Björk Thomas , Whitehouse James , Meani Davide
Published: December 2014

Aim:
To compare treatment costs with alternative luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist preparations and determine whether a leuprorelin solid implant is associated with potential cost savings.
Patients & methods:
A hypothetical population of 1000 prostate cancer patients was apportioned between the three most commonly-prescribed LHRH agonist preparations. Differentiated annual costs for 1- and 3-monthly formulations were calculated for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK (EU5) and Sweden, and compared with the leuprorelin solid implant.
Results:
Compared with alternative formulations, leuprorelin solid implants had potential annual cost savings/1000 patients of €353,000 (EU5) and €699,000 (Sweden; 1-month formulations), and €259,000 (EU5) and €300,000 (Sweden; 3-month formulations).
Conclusion:
The leuprorelin solid implant was associated with potential cost savings compared with the most commonly used LHRH agonist preparations.
Assessment of the state of a forest road network as a basis for making a program of forest management unit opening
Authors: Danilovic Milorad , Stojnic Dusan
Published: December 2014

The planning of a forest road network is preceded by a detailed analysis of
the current qualitative and quantitative state of forest roads, and above
all, the determination of their spatial layout. This paper presents a
categorization and assessment of the state of the existing roads in the FMUs
"Zeljin" and "Bukovik II" and defining of the parts of management units with
insufficiently developed networks of forest roads. The identification of
unopened and insufficiently opened parts of management units was performed on
the basis of density of a forest road network by departments and using a
fishnet with 500 x 500 m cell dimensions and buffer zones of different widths
around forest roads. The absolute density of a forest road network in the FMU
"Zeljin" is 18.62 m/ha and in the FMU "Bukovik II" 12.03 m/ha. After placing
buffer zones around forest roads, it was found that in the FMU "Zeljin" over
56% of the area is covered by the zone ranging from 0 to 200 m, while in the
FMU "Bukovik II" this zone covers 48% of the area.
The effect of elevated Zn concentrations on seed germination and young seedling growth of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) swingle
Authors: Samuilov Sladjana , Djunisijevic-Bojovic Danijela , Djukic Matilda , Rakovic Jelena
Published: December 2014

Some heavy metals such as Zn are essential micronutrients for plants.
However, in a high concentration in soils they could cause repression of
growth with toxicity symptoms. It is therefore very important to investigate
the species that are tolerant to high concentration of zinc which have the
ability to survive on soils contaminated with heavy metals. This paper
presents an investigation of the effect of elevated Zn concentrations on the
germination and seedling growth of the invasive tree species Ailanthus
altissima (Swingle) Mill., aimed at a better understanding of its adaptation
ability to heavy metal stress and potential use in phytoremediation. Seeds of
Ailanthus altissima were treated with Zn concentrations of 25, 100 and 250 ?M
in form of zinc sulfate. After germination, the seedlings at the stage of
first leaf development were transferred into a growing chamber in the
hydroponic system where zinc sulfate was added in the concentrations of 100,
250 and 500 ?M. The results showed that Zn treatments, including the highest
concentration, have caused a reduction in seed germination parameters.
Considering the hypocotyl and radicle length, there was no significant
statistical difference among the treatments, but further growth of young
seedlings in hydroponics under high concentrations of Zn, cause an inhibition
of the root system growth and repress development of assimilating organs.
Seeds and seedlings of A. altissima are tolerant to elevated Zn
concentrations at early stages of development. However, later on with leaves
development, the inhibitory effect of the strongest concentrations is
expressed.
Market of innovative timber products in Europe and Serbia and their contribution to climate change mitigation
Authors: Sretenovic Predrag , Glavonjic Branko
Published: December 2014

The paper shows results of researching the market of glued laminated timber
as the most frequent innovative timber product in constructing timber framed
residential facilities in Europe and Serbia. The research included the
development of production, consumption and trade flows for the most
significant countries in the European Union and Serbia. Additionally, the
paper gives characteristics of this innovative timber product regarding
dimensions, allowed deviations of dimensions defined in adequate European
standard, wood species it is made of and fire resistance. The last part of
the paper shows results of econometric modeling of the impact of building
timber-framed houses on the consumption of glued laminated timber in Austria
as one of the countries belonging to the group of the largest consumers of
this innovative timber product in Europe. Taking into consideration that the
substitution of classic building materials, primarily concrete, steel and
aluminum, with glued laminated timber in residential construction contributes
to the reduction of carbon-dioxide emission and climate change mitigation,
research results of the effects of such substitution are presented in the
last chapter in this paper.
Study of aflatoxins incidence in cow feed and milk in Serbia during 2013.
Authors: Spiric Danka , Djinovic Jasna , Jankovic Vesna , Velebit Branko , Radicevic Tatjana , Stefanovic Srdjan , Jankovic Sasa
Published: December 2014

Atypical weather and climate conditions during the spring and summer 2012th
were assumed to be the main reason for the aflatoxins contamination of corn
crops in Serbia. High humidity in spring, and summer temperatures above the
average contributed to the increased possibility of mycotoxins occurance in
cereals in the fields. As a consequence, at the begining of 2013th
contaminated corn used for dairy cows diet had negative impact on the safety
of cow milk. The routine laboratory control data revealed an increased
content of aflatoxin M1 in milk samples. Large number of raw milk and various
feedstuff samples were collected from February to April 2013th and were
analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B1
respectively. The collected samples were a part of enhanced self-control
plans of the large dairy farms. Quantitative competitive and sandwich types
of ELISA tests were used for the screening analysis of the feed and milk
samples. Confirmation of the positive results obtained by ELISA tests was
performed by UPLC-MS/MS method. Out of 281 samples of complete mixtures for
dairy cows, 67 samples (24%) contained aflatoxin B1 quantities higher than
the MRL of 0,005 mg/kg [4]. Corn samples were also tested for the presence of
aflatoxin B1 revealing contamination of 22% above the MRL (0.03mg/kg).
Aflatoxin M1 content in the 934 positive milk samples ranged from 0,005- 1,25
?g/kg. The corresponding feed samples of sunflower meal, hay silage, corn
silage and sugar beet pulp were screening negative, with the content of
aflatoxin B1 less than 2 ?g/kg. The main source of aflatoxins were corn
samples, wholemeal and feed mixtures derived from contaminated corn. The
contamination peak was during March 2013, when 65% of milk samples contained
amounts of aflatoxin M1 higher than 0,05 ?g/kg, and 13% of milk samples
contained amounts higher than 0,5 ?g/kg.
The Serbian community of the Kosovo Morava region in a kaleidoscope of folklore fieldwork research
Authors: Zlatanovic Sanja
Published: December 2014

The present paper briefly reviews field research to date in the Morava region
of Kosovo, mainly centering on folklore studies but including studies in the
kindred sciences of ethnology and anthropology. It focuses on research
carried out in the Serbian community, as this is at the centre of interest of
Serbian folklore studies, ethnology and anthropology. The Kosovo Morava
region, however, is a multiethnic area with hybrid cultural practices.
Research, therefore, whether in the field or based on material obtained on
the ground, implies careful contextualization. The author first refers to
work of Jastrebov, and to articles published in the journal Carigradski
glasnik (1895-1905), going on to discuss the results of 20th century field
research by Ljubica and Danica Jankovic, Miodrag Vasiljevic, Tatomir
Vukanovic, Vladimir Cvetanovic, Momcilo Zlatanovic, students from University
of Pristina (Vladimir Bovan, ed.), with local enthusiasts Stanislav Kojic and
Ratko Stoiljkovic. The Serbian community of the Morava Region of Kosovo was
the focus of a ethnolinguistic project Studies of Slavic Speeches in Kosovo
and Metohija, by the Institute for Serbian Language of SASA, and supported by
UNESCO (2002- 2003). The project collected a significant body of folklore
material, but the relevant papers addressed this mainly from the linguistic
perspective. Sanja Zlatanovic, author of the present paper, carried out
extensive ethnographic research into the Serbian community of the Kosovo
Morava region, obtaining narratives with the marks of folklore. Those about
events linked to the war and its aftermath are of particular interest,
situated as they are at the point where the fields of anthropology and
folklore cross.
The ‘Immigrant Corner’: A Place for Identification and Resistance
Authors: Von Brömssen Kerstin , Risenfors Signild
Published: December 2014

This article shows how young people in a Swedish upper-secondary school negotiate identities through social relations in a particular part of a school corridor that they call the ‘immigrant corner’. This place offers subject positions determined by ethnicity, but the young people also legitimise various forms of intersections of gender, class and generation. However, the ‘immigrant corner’ is not only a place where identifications are performed, it is also a place that gives rise to discussions and challenges of the school's official integration policy. Thus, the place affects those who usually sit there as well as those who do not, and is therefore important for discussions on integration issues on a local, national, European and global level. The theoretical components of this article concern spatial theories according to the concepts of place and space. With regard to place and space, the article outlines and applies the young people's identity formations, as well as their discussions about integration issues with help from the concept of power geometry — that is, networks of social/power relations.
How Green are European Curricula? A Comparative Analysis of Primary School Syllabi in Five European Countries
Authors: Hanisch Anna , Rank Astrid , Seeber Günther
Published: December 2014

The authors conducted a cross-national curriculum analysis as part of a European Union Comenius project regarding the implementation of an online tool to foster environmental education (EE) in primary schools. The overall goal was to determine the extent and intensity that EE is embedded in the syllabi of five European countries. To this end, the authors developed a categorical analysis framework and undertook a content analysis. In addition to the general goals and contents of EE, they researched in particular the inclusion of the topics ‘waste’, ‘water’ and ‘energy’ in primary school curricula. The results highlight differences and commonalities with regard to goals, contents and methodological requirements, and they confirm the relevance of EE in European school curricula.
University Autonomy, Agenda Setting and the Construction of Agency: The Case of the European University Association in the European Higher Education Area
Authors: Nokkala Terhi , Bacevic Jana
Published: December 2014

This article analyses the ways in which a policy actor constructs its agency through the production of knowledge. Taking the example of the concept of ‘autonomy’ as constructed in the discourse of the European University Association (EUA), the article draws on the theory of discursive framing and agenda setting, as well as on Meyer and Jepperson's heuristic of agentic actors, to show how the practice of knowledge production can shape the European higher education policy. The article offers a contribution to the debate aiming to develop a more critical perspective on the development of the European Higher Education Area, which sees the process as constituted through the activities of, and the negotiations between, different political actors.
Bleak Weather for Sun-Shine AG: A Case Study of Impairment of Assets
Authors: Detzen Dominic , Wersborg Tobias Stork genannt , Zülch Henning
Published: December 2014

This case originates from a real-life business situation and illustrates the application of impairment tests in accordance with IFRS and U.S. GAAP. In the first part of the case study, students examine conceptual questions of impairment tests under IFRS and U.S. GAAP with respect to applicable accounting standards, definitions, value concepts, and frequency of application. In addition, the case encourages students to discuss the impairment regime from an economic point of view. The second part of the instructional resource continues to provide instructors with the flexibility of applying U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS when students are asked to test a long-lived asset for impairment and, if necessary, allocate any potential impairment. This latter part demonstrates that impairment tests require professional judgment that students are to exercise in the case.