bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiological Changes in Infantile Dissecting Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Treated Endovascularly
Authors: Yatomi Kenji , Oishi Hidenori , Yamamoto Munetaka , Suga Yasuo , Nonaka Senshu , Yoshida Kensaku , Arai Hajime
Published: November 2014

Intracranial aneurysms are extremely rare in infants, and to our knowledge only seven infants treated for ruptured spontaneous dissecting aneurysms have been reported. Good outcomes have been achieved with endovascular treatment of infantile aneurysm. We the endovascular treatment of a one-month-old girl for ruptured dissecting aneurysm located in the anterior communicating artery, and the unique radiological changes that were observed during the perioperative and follow-up periods. These changes suggest that blood coagulation and fibrinolytic response play a part in the repair and healing processes of dissecting aneurysms. Careful neuroradiological surveys are needed for pediatric dissecting aneurysms treated endovascularly.
The symbology of the sea in Lygia Bojunga Nunes's work: a reflection on utopian and dystopian framing
Authors: Ferreira Eliane Aparecida Galvão Ribeiro , Matsuda Alice Atsuko
Published: November 2014

The ambivalent image of the sea is recurrent in Bojunga Nunes’s work. It receives a lot of symbolic meanings in her production, being sometimes a positive and sometimes a negative element. Thus, the sea is used in a utopic way, as a place for pleasure and leisure, and in a dystopic way, as scenery of a rite of passage, which includes the pain and suffering, part of the rite of passage that characterizes the bildungsromans. So, if in some texts the sea assumes a utopic character, being a place of snuggle, security, the ideal to reach, in others it is represented as dystopic, a place of distress, asphyxia and death. In this text we will study the hypothesis that, even in its dark symbolic meaning, in the author’s work the sea is an element of reflection and revelation. Thereby, it assumes metaphorically a sense of magnification of the reader’s expectative, being an element of emancipation. The objective of this text is to present a reflection on the sea’s symbolism on the mentioned texts and its importance for the reader’s formation.DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/elos.1.1720
Reflexos de Alice: Corpo, Gênero e escrita em Alice no Espelho, de Laura Bergallo
Authors: Barbosa Carrijo Silvana Augusta
Published: November 2014

Por via de aportes teóricos vários, porque  interdisciplinar se nos apresenta a produção epistemológica voltada ao exame do gênero literário infantil e juvenil,  importa investigar a obra Alice no espelho (2005), de Laura Bergallo, com ilustrações de Edith Derdyk. Na narrativa juvenil em questão, a autora contempla a história de Alice, uma adolescente que desenvolve um processo doloroso e angustiante de anorexia nervosa. A partir de um intenso e constante processo de intertextualidade com o clássico de Lewis Carroll, a escritora trata de forma bastante literária o tema, em muito distanciando sua obra de um mero compêndio médico dos sintomas e do tratamento da doença. Por via do presente trabalho, objetivamos investigar a representação literária do corpo e o investimento intertextual realizado pela autora como um dos procedimentos estilísticos que conferem literariedade à obra.DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/elos.1.1727
O ciclo do lobo e a raposa nos contos de animais
Authors: Ferreira Boo Mª del Carmen
Published: November 2014

Despois de describir os contos de animais, unha das clases na que os especialistas dividen os contos da transmisión oral, e de presentar as súas diferentes funcións, o estudo céntrase no denominado "ciclo do lobo e a raposa". Expóñense as súas características que se exemplifican co análise dos contos deste tipo que se reproducen na obra Contos de animais I, de Xosé Miranda, Antonio Reigosa e Xoán R. Cuba, comentando os tipos e motivos e as diferenzas entre as versións orais e as reescrituras que se ofrecen na colección infantil.DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/elos.1.1756
“Sozinho contra o mundo inteiro": representações da infância e da adolescência em José Marmelo e Silva
Authors: Ramos Ana Margarida
Published: November 2014

Pretende-se, neste estudo, proceder à análise das representações da infância e da adolescência em duas obras narrativas do escritor português José Marmelo e Silva. O tema da infância e da adolescência reveste-se de especial importância no contexto da literatura portuguesa do século XX, permitindo a reflexão sobre o contexto social e político, mas tambo e Silva; Portuguese literatureteratura; social critique dele com as crianças. Tambereender o livrortado para estas questém económico e educativo, que enquadrava o crescimento. No conto “Narrativa bárbara” e na novela Adolescente Agrilhoado é visível a recriação literária do processo de crescimento e de afirmação identitária do adolescente, em contextos adversos e hostis.DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.15304/elos.1.1784
Field study on swine influenza virus (SIV) infection in weaner pigs and sows
Authors: Meiners C. , Loesken S. , Doehring S. , Starick E. , Pesch S. , Maas A. , Noe T. , Beer M. , Harder T. , grosse Beilage E.
Published: November 2014

Objective: The aim of this field study was to explore the occurrence of and factors associated with the detection of swine influenza virus (SIV) by RTqPCR in weaner pigs and sows from herds with a history of respiratory or reproductive disorders. Material and methods: The sample set was based on nasal swabs from 823 sows (123 submissions) and 562 weaner pigs (80 submissions). Nasal swab samples were taken and submitted by 51 veterinary practices from all over Germany. Corresponding to the pig density most of the submissions ori ginated from the north-western part of Germany. The nasal swabs were used to detect SIV RNA by real-time RT-PCR (RTqPCR). Subtyping of SIV RNA by conventional RT-PCR and sequencing was attempted directly from clinical samples or from isolates when available. The herd characteristics, management and housing conditions of the pig herd as well as the course of the disease were collected by a telephone questionnaire with the herd attending veterinarian. Results: SIV was detected by RTqPCR in 53.8% of the submissions from weaner pigs with a history of respiratory disease. Moreover SIV was detected in 10.6% of the submissions from sows. The predominant endemic subtype found in nasal swabs from sows and weaner pigs was H1N1 (60.5%) whereas subtypes H1N2 (14.0%) and H3N2 (14.0%) were detected less frequently. In addition, human pandemic H1N1 virus or reassortants thereof were found in 11.5%. Conclusion and clinical relevance: The results underline the significance of a SIV infection in young pigs. A significant lower detection of SIV in weaner pigs was associated with the vaccination of piglets against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), possibly indicating an interaction of SIV and PCV2. Most of the positive samples from sows originated from gilts, whereas only two originated from sows. An association between reproductive disorders and the detection of SIV could not be confirmed.
Clonagem de canistel por estaquia
Authors: Chiamolera Fernando Marcelo , Silva Adriana de Castro Correia da , Sabião Rafael Roveri , Cunha Tatiana Pagan Loeiro da , Martins Antonio Baldo Geraldo
Published: November 2014

O canistel é nativo do sul do México e América Central e seus frutos apresentam elevado teor de carotenoides e vitamina A. Sua propagação é feita via sementes, resultando em considerável variabilidade genética entre os indivíduos, sendo a propagação vegetativa preferível, a fim de fixar características desejáveis. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a propagação vegetativa por estaquia de ramos semi-herbáceos de canistel, em função de quatro genótipos e quatro concentrações de AIB. Foram utilizadas estacas semiherbáceas apicais, mantidas com um par de folhas, sob nebulização intermitente, por 120 dias. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4×4 (genótipos de canistel × concentrações de AIB), com quatro repetições e dez estacas por parcela. Foram avaliados a porcentagem de sobrevivência, a retenção foliar, o enraizamento, o calejamento, o número e o comprimento médio de raízes por estaca. O genótipo PC-1 foi superior aos demais, em todas as variáveis avaliadas, com destaque para o enraizamento das estacas, superior a 60%. As concentrações de AIB (0; 1.000; 3.000 e 5.000 mg L-1) não influenciaram na sobrevivência, retenção foliar e enraizamento das estacas, mas aumentaram o número e o comprimento de raízes em relação ao tratamento-controle (sem AIB). Há diferença na capacidade de enraizamento das estacas entre os genótipos de canistel, sendo a melhor resposta obtida com PC-1. A concentração de 3.000 mg L-1 de AIB resulta em maior número e comprimento de raízes nas estacas de canistel.
Superação da dormência e o uso de fungicida em diásporos de teca
Authors: Coimbra Elza C. , Vazquez Gisele H. , Nogueira Thaissa O.
Published: November 2014

Objetivou-se, nesta pesquisa, testar métodos de superação da dormência além de avaliar a eficiência do uso de fungicida no armazenamento de diásporos de teca que já sofreram tratamentos pré-germinativos. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 7 x 2 x 2 (sete métodos de superação; com e sem fungicida e dois tempos de avaliação, zero e após 120 dias). Os métodos utilizados foram: imersão em água corrente (24 h) e em água quente (85-90 ºC por 8 min); escarificação com lixa + imersão em água parada (48 h); escarificação com ácido sulfúrico por 15 min + água corrente (72 h); aquecimento em estufa a 80 ºC (4 h por 3 dias) + imersão em água parada (12 h); solarização por 48 h + imersão em água parada (12 h) além da testemunha. Os métodos de superação com aquecimento a seco dos diásporos de teca são capazes de abreviar, aumentar e uniformizar a germinação sendo o uso do solarizador uma boa opção por não consumir energia e ser de baixo custo. O uso do fungicida Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl-M e o armazenamento de diásporos de teca que já sofreram tratamento de quebra da dormência, não são recomendados.
A coleta da erva-mate pela população cabocla do vale do rio do peixe e oeste de santa catarina: apropriação privada da terra e rupturas (décadas de 1900 a 1940)
Authors: Brandt Marlon , Silva Naiara Sampaio
Published: November 2014

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar a coleta da erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) pela população cabocla nas florestas do Vale do Rio do Peixe e Oeste de Santa Catarina, e o processo de apropriação privada da terra e ruptura nessa prática, que se torna mais intenso a partir da década da Primeira República. Nessa região se estabeleceu, desde as primeiras décadas do século XIX, uma significativa parcela de famílias caboclas, na maioria sob o regime da posse, às margens dos latifúndios pastoris localizados nas áreas de campos naturais. Sua fonte de renda básica era ligada à práticas relacionadas à exploração de recursos da floresta, como a extração da erva-mate. Isso foi se desestruturando à medida que uma nova dinâmica sócio-espacial ligada à economia capitalista, representada pela propriedade privada da terra, com a posterior colonização, o cercamento das terras e a exploração madeireira passaram a se fazer presentes na região, principalmente a partir das primeiras três décadas do século XX.
Organização e desempenho: avaliação da centralização da patologia do INCA-Brasil
Authors: Jorge Marcelino José , Carvalho Frederico A. de , Santiago Rafael Pessoa , Ferreira Daniela de Souza
Published: November 2014

A literatura atribui à descentralização da estrutura organizacional efeitos positivos sobre a orientação empreendedora e o desempenho da firma; existem também evidências de efeito positivo da centralização dos procedimentos complexos em hospitais de grande porte sobre os resultados do tratamento do câncer. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos da centralização dos laboratórios de anatomia patológica do Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA) brasileiro, em 2002, sobre o desempenho da atividade de diagnóstico e controle do câncer. A análise é desenvolvida com o cálculo de uma fronteira eficiente não paramétrica de produção no período 1997-2007, por meio da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). O resultado é que a centralização reverteu a queda de eficiência técnica dos laboratórios no período 1997-2001. A conclusão do artigo é que o Modelo DEA traz um aporte ao conhecimento sobre a mudança de estrutura organizacional nas organizações públicas de saúde e uma contribuição gerencial sobre a eficácia da centralização para melhorar o suporte laboratorial da patologia aos hospitais do INCA.
Dépendance à l'adolescence: le vide par l'excès
Authors: Rebelo Teresa
Published: November 2014

Le lien est perçu à la fois comme une condition et une variable de la formation psychique individuelle. Mais aussi la question qui renvoi à l'absence et à la séparation. Toutefois, pour certains adolescents si la question centrale du lien est justement la possibilité de symboliser une absence, on peut imaginer que la construction d'un lien sera toujours complexe et constituée de plusieurs aspects. Avec Daphnée, 17 ans, consommatrice de cannabis, nous allons questionner la fonction para excitante du cannabis pour que les liens intrapsychiques et symboliques puissent être préservés.
Inhibition of Thrombin-Activated Fibrinolysis Inhibitor Increases Survival in Experimental Kidney Fibrosis
Authors: Atkinson John M. , Pullen Nick , Da Silva-Lodge Michelle , Williams Lynne , Johnson Tim S.
Published: November 2014

Uncontrolled diabetes, inflammation, and hypertension are key contributors to progressive renal fibrosis and subsequent loss of renal function. Reduced fibrinolysis appears to be a feature of ESRD, but its contribution to the fibrotic program has not been extensively studied. Here, we show that in patients with CKD, the activity levels of serum thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor and plasmin strongly correlated with the degree of renal function impairment. We made similar observations in rats after subtotal nephrectomy and tested whether pharmacologic inhibition of thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor with UK-396082 could reduce renal fibrosis and improve renal function. Compared with untreated animals, UK-396082–treated animals had reduced glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis after subtotal nephrectomy. Renal function, as measured by an increase in creatinine clearance, was maintained and the rate of increase in proteinuria was reduced in UK-396082–treated animals. Furthermore, cumulative survival improved from 16% to 80% with inhibition of thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor. Taken together, these data support the importance of the fibrinolytic axis in regulating renal fibrosis and point to a potentially important therapeutic role for suppression of thrombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor activity.
A quantitative framework for analysis of regime shifts in a Galápagos coastal lagoon
Authors: Seddon Alistair W. R. , Froyd Cynthia A. , Witkowski Andrzej , Willis Katherine J.
Published: November 2014

Regime shifts are often used to describe sharp changes between two or more ecological states, each characterized by their own dynamics, stochastic fluctuations, or cycles. Ecological theory indicates they can occur either as a result of an abrupt environmental forcing (extrinsic regime shift), or be indicative of complex responses to local‐scale dynamics and thresholds (intrinsic regime shift). One important area of ecological research is to develop quantitative tools to analyze regime shifts, but there are few studies that have applied these methods to the long‐term ecological record. In this study, we introduce a framework to investigate regime shifts in diatom assemblages and mangrove ecosystem dynamics in a coastal lagoon from the Galápagos Islands over the past 2600 years. The framework integrates a set of established statistical methodologies for investigating regime shift dynamics in long‐term ecological records. We use these methods to (1) identify the presence of regime shifts; (2) test for a series of hypothetical relationships (i.e., linear through to threshold) between ecological response and environment using nonlinear regression; and (3) investigate the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic dynamics in response to environmental perturbations. The transitions in the diatoms closely track the sequence of disturbance, recovery, and habitat shifts that have occurred in the lagoon over the past 2600 years, demonstrating extrinsic responses to environmental forcing. In contrast, the shift from a mangrove‐ to a microbial mat‐dominated system ∼945 cal yr BP provides potential evidence of an intrinsic regime shift. Our framework enables robust interpretations into the underlying dynamics of regime shifts in the paleoecological record and is widely applicable for investigating abrupt ecological changes in a range of systems.
Enhanced physicochemical-biological sewage treatment process in cold regions
Authors: Xu Guoren , Jia Chao , Zhang Zhao , Jiang Yunlong
Published: November 2014

Biological treatment processes give relatively poor pollutant removal efficiencies in cold regions because microbial activity is inhibited at low temperatures. We developed an enhanced physicochemical-biological wastewater treatment process that involves micro-membrane filtration, anaerobic biofilter, and aerobic biofilter to improve the pollutant removal efficiencies that can be achieved under cold conditions. Full-scale experiments using the process were carried out in the northeast of China, at outdoor temperatures of around −30 °C. The average removal efficiencies achieved for chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, and suspended solids were 89.8, 92.9, 94.3, and 95.8%, respectively, using a polyaluminium chloride dosage of 50 mg L−1. We concluded that the process is effective to treat sewage in cold regions.
Removal of alizarin red from aqueous solution by ethyl acetate green nanoemulsions
Authors: Shakeel Faiyaz , Haq Nazrul , Alanazi Fars K. , Alsarra Ibrahim A.
Published: November 2014

The objective of the present study was to develop ethyl acetate (EA) green nanoemulsions for removal of alizarin red (AR) from water. Developed formulations were characterized in terms of thermodynamic stability, self-nanoemulsification efficiency, droplet size, polydispersity, viscosity, refractive index and per cent transmittance. Adsorption studies were performed by mixing small amounts of green nanoemulsions (1 ml) with relatively large amounts of AR solution (10 ml). It was observed that the droplet size, viscosity and % AR removal efficiency were influenced significantly by EA concentration of green nanoemulsions. However, contact time had negligible influence on % AR removal. Based on lowest droplet size (21.3 nm), lowest viscosity (19.3 Pa.s) and highest % AR removal efficiency (72.5%), green nanoemulsion E1 containing 4.0% w/w of EA, 16.0% w/w of Triton-X100, 8.0% w/w of ethylene glycol and 72% w/w of water was optimized as the best green nanoemulsion composition for removal of AR from its bulk aqueous solution.
Distinct Reactivity of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subtype 1 in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis with Serious Scratching
Authors: Xia Yan , Tanaka Akane , Oida Kumiko , Matsuda Akira , Jang Hyosun , Amagai Yosuke , Ishizaka Saori , Matsuda Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Background:

Abnormality in skin sensitivity may be responsible for unbearable itch in patients with atopic
dermatitis (AD).

Objectives:

We evaluated reactivity of NC/Tnd mice, a model for human AD, against various experimental stimulations.

Methods:

Several behavioral tests were performed after external stimuli were applied to NC/Tnd mice. Transient receptor
potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) reactivity of neuronal cells collected from the dorsal root ganglions (DRG) was
analyzed with a Ca++ influx test. Finally, we evaluated suppressive effect of capsaicin on atopic itch of NC/Tnd mice.

Results:

Pain responses to heat, acidic stimulation, and capsaicin injection, which are transduced through TRPV1, were
decreased in NC/Tnd mice, when compared to two standard strains BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The reactivity of the
primary neurons isolated from DRG to capsaicin was markedly reduced in NC/Tnd mice. Topical application of histamine
evoked scratching in NC/Tnd mice as well as other two strains; however, the scratching intensities induced by nonhistamine
pruritogens were significantly lower in NC/Tnd mice comparing to the two strains. In conventional NC/Tnd
mice with AD, topical application of capsaicin reduced the scratching behavior.

Conclusion:

TRPV1 is associated with both pain and itch sensation; however, abnormalities in TRPV1 reactivity may involve
in severe itch in NC/Tnd mice.
Reply on the commentary on paper "Investigation of microbial diversity of an extremely acidic metal-rich water body Lake Robule (Bor, Serbia) published in Journal of the Serbian chemical society, volume 79, issue 6, 729-741
Authors: Stankovic Srdjan , Vasiljevic Branka , Cvetkovic Vladica
Published: November 2014

This is a reply on the Commentary (hereafter: Commentary) by V. Beskoski and
M. Vrvic (Commentary on the article entitled ?Investigation of the microbial
diversity of an extremely acidic, metal-rich water body (Lake Robule, Bor,
Serbia)? by Srdjan Stankovic, Ivana Moric, Aleksandar Pavic, Branka
Vasiljevic, D. Barrie Johnson and Vladica Cvetkovic, published in the Journal
of the Serbian Chemical Society, Volume 79, Issue 6, Pages: 729-741; V. P.
Beskoski, M. M. Vrvic, J. Serb. Chem. Soc. /2014/, doi:
10.2298/JSC131228100B).
Acute Myocardial Infarction with an Initially Non–Diagnostic Electrocardiogram – Clinical Intuition is Crucial for Decision Making
Authors: Petrović Dejan , Ilić Marina Deljanin , Stojanović Sanja , Stoičkov Viktor
Published: November 2014

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cause of reduced cardiac capacity and functional status of a patient. Successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in acute coronary syndrome and appropriate, complex cardiovascular rehabilitation play a major role in preserving left ventricular function and improvement of prognosis and quality of patient’s life. The aim of this paper was to present a clinical course in a patient with acute myocardial infarction who did not have a classic ECG presentation in the form of ST-segment elevation. We showed that in everyday clinical work it is essential to timely recognize the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, make the proper diagnosis and perform right treatment strategy. The next step is cardiovascular rehabilitation program, which positive effects, in our patient, was achieved through the retrieval of functional capacity and correction of risk factors.
Preliminary Researches Regarding the Conservation of Endangered Local Cattle to be Abandoned and the Achieving of Meat Hybrids Throughout the Hybridization with Romanian Breeds
Authors: Dascălu L. , Creangă Şt. , Borş I. , Ruginosu Elena , Postolache Alina Narcisa
Published: November 2014

Studies were performed on first generation meat hybrids, from the Bălţată cu Negru Românească (BNR) dairy cattle, into four experimental groups of five animals /group, in relation to meat bulls breeds from which the frozen semen material used for cows artificial insemination, respectively: Group E1- Limousine (Li), E2 - Aberdeen Angus (AA), E3 - Blue Blanch Belgian (BBB) and E4 - Charolaise (CH). The hybrids obtained from the experimental groups were observed in terms of dynamic growth and development through biometric measurements and periodic weightings 3 months intervals until 12 months of age. Average Daily Gain (ADG) recorded different variations in report to age and breed: at six months old, between 418.52 ± 60.97 g (Group E3 -BBB) and 486.67 ± 108.66 g (Group E2 - AA), at 12 months old, between 997.22 g (Group E2 - AA) and 1311.11 g (Group E3 -BBB). Slaughter rate at 12 months showed variations in relation to breed and thermal regime, so in hot regime the values ranged between 56.62 % (BNR x AA) and 60.60 % (BNR x BBB) and in cold regime (to 24 hours) between 55.68 % (BNR x AA) and 59.73 % (BNR x BBB). Carcasses development indicators had values in most cases in favor of BNR x AA hybrids than BNR x BBB hybrids, with significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) regarding the width index (201.43 cm to 175.84 cm) and pulp development index (129.27 cm to 110.64 cm). From results analysis it can be concluded that in dangered local cattle, to be abandoned because of productive reform or not relevant point of view of milk production can be used in first generation for hybridization with meat breeds in obtaining meat hybrids with morphological features, slaughter rate and carcass structure from superior quality categories than the maternal breed.
Contribution of orders and institutes of consecrated life of Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church to the formation of national consciousness of Ukrainian children and youth
Authors: Myshchyshyn Iryna , Tcura Svitlana
Published: November 2014

The history of the Ukrainian nation, its cultural and spiritual inheritance is the bright example of the selfless mission of the Ukrainian church. In the end of ???- beg. ?? the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church played the most important role in the formation of national consciousness, deepening of the inner world, cultural rise of the Ukrainian nation on the territory of West Ukrainian lands.
The forming of the ethnic identity of Hutsul highlanders
Authors: Haratyk Anna
Published: November 2014

The forming of ethnic identity is one of the basic aims of education. First and foremost, it consists in creating bonds with the local community. The factors that are favourable to the forming of one’s identification with the region are social norms, history, traditions and customs, regional art, language, folktales and legends, handicraft and forms of everyday life, etc. The mentioned paper briefly presents the ways in which the ethnic identity of one of the most fascinating and unique ethnic groups of the Carpathians the Hutsul highlanders of Eastern Carpathians is formed; and the factors that influence their identity.
Some Practical Issues in the Application of Lean Six Sigma to Service Systems
Authors: Goh Thong-Ngee
Published: November 2014

Six Sigma as a quality improvement framework has gained considerable popularity in the past two decades. Its extension Lean Six Sigma has also been embraced by many organizations for improvement of quality and business competitiveness. One important factor for the popularity of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma is their potential for improving service systems, in contrast to the conventional perceptions that only manufacturing systems can benefit from statistics-based methodologies. There are however a number of issues related to the nature of service systems that must be resolved before the full benefits of Lean Six Sigma can be realized. In this paper, these issues are discussed from a practical point of view from three angles: analytical, organizational, and personal. Awareness of the existence of such issues, if not the answers to all of them, is a pre-requisite to effective adoption of Lean Six Sigma tools.
The Innovative Capacity of Firms
Authors: Neely Andy , Hii Jasper
Published: November 2014

Innovation is widely accepted as a crucial competitive weapon in today's global market place. Yet the levels of innovation achieved by different firms, even within the same industry, can vary widely. The key question raised by this observation is why. Why are some firms more innovative than others? What are the factors that determine a firm's capacity to innovate and how can these be managed to enhance the firm's innovative potential? This paper sets out to address these and related issues. It reports the results of a study of competitiveness and innovation of firms in the East of England. In the paper it is argued that the innovative capacity of a firm is a function of the firm's culture, resources, competences and networks. Justification for this framework is provided by a review of the relevant literature and a series of case studies examining the capacity to innovate of a sample of firms in the East of England.
Integrative Augmentation with the New ISO 10000 Standards1
Authors: Karapetrovic Stanislav
Published: November 2014

Application and integration of the systems based on ISO 10001: 2007 and other new augmentative standards are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the quality management standards forming the front end of the ISO 10000 series, namely ISO 10001, ISO 10002 and ISO 10003, as well as ISO 19011, the standard which stems from the original augmentative ISO 10000 guideline, specifically ISO 10011 on quality auditing. The ability of these and other similar standards to augment the performance of quality management systems in organizations and to foster integration of the respective augmentative systems themselves or within the overarching management systems is addressed and further illustrated through an example of their use in engineering education.
Contribution of Lean Management to Excellence
Authors: López-Fresno Palmira
Published: November 2014

To continuously and systematically improve efficiency and efficacy of processes, organizations need the implication of all employees in continuous improvement and innovation through suitable Quality Management Programs (QMPs). Effectiveness of these programs is directly linked to the requirement employees understand the methodologies and tools used for QM and the benefits that will derivate from their implementation, individually and collectively, so they can commit and implicate. Lean Management is a friendly methodology to continuously and systematically achieve process improvement, so helping the organization seeking operational excellence that contributes to overall excellence. This paper identifies Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for an effective implementation of QMPs, suggests Lean Management as an easy-to-understand, powerful and friendly methodology for operational excellence and overall excellence, and presents a case experience of implementation of Lean Management in a health care organization that applies the EFQM model, and the lessons learnt.
Objective Measurement of the Extent of Conformity to Management System Standards
Authors: Walker Alastair
Published: November 2014

The approach described in this paper relies on a radical and innovative approach to enable a management system to demonstrate conformity to the requirements of an unlimited number of management system standard requirements, at the cost of performing a single mapping exercise. This unique approach relies on interposing a 'process reference model' between the process evidence of the enterprise management system and the normative requirements of various management systems standards of interest. This approach requires that the process evidence of the enterprise management system is mapped to the process reference model elements - a once-off exercise. The mapping of the process reference model elements to the various management system requirements is also performed as a 'once off exercise, and is completely independent of the enterprise management system. By quantifying the judgements made when creating these various links, and by appropriately aggregating the data to derive quantitative results for the extent of the coverage of process reference model (by the management system process evidence) we can derive the extent of the coverage of the requirements of the various management system standards of interest. This leads to a novel result that the question 'how much ISO 9001 have you got?' can be expressed in meaningful, quantifiable and accurate terms, based on objective evidence.
The Road Towards Lean Six Sigma: Sustainable Success Factors in Service Industry
Authors: Vouzas Fotis , Psychogios Alexandros , Tsironis Loukas
Published: November 2014

It has been widely investigated that the application of operations management techniques is not only based on technical factors, but it is mainly associated with organisational factors such as culture, previous polices and procedures, etc. A prime example of promisng operations practices is Lean Six Sigma (L6σ). The main research question for L6σ is related to its liabilities and constrains regarding its implementation. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the critical factors related to the application L6σ. The context of the analysis is service industry since it seems that it has been neglected from the literature that mainly focuses on manufacturing. The methodology was based on the qualitative exploration of three case studies from the service industry. Secondary data were collected through an analysis of companies' documents, written procedures and quality assurance policies and primary data were collected through a number of in-depth face-to-face interviews with managers and quality experts. The findings show that there are ten (10) particular factors that influence the implementation of L6σ in service organizations.
Birefringence improvement in azopolymer doped with MFI zeolite nanoparticles
Authors: Nazarova Dimana , Nedelchev Lian , Mintova Svetlana
Published: November 2014

Hybrid organic/inorganic materials based on combination of polymers and inorganic nanoparticles (NP) attract considerable attention due to their advantageous electrical, optical, or mechanical properties. Recently it was reported that doping photopolymers with nanoparticles allows to achieve near 100% net diffraction efficiency in case of conventional holographic recording. Thus, we have synthesized novel organic/inorganic composite materials by incorporating MFI (Mordenite Framework Inverted) type zeolite nanoparticles in an amorphous side-chain azopolymer. A considerable improvement of the photoresponse in thin films of these composite materials has been observed compared to the non-doped samples - nearly 25% increase of the saturated value of the birefringence.Moreover the photoinduced birefringence is stable in time which allows these materials to be used as media for diffractive optical elements with high efficiency and unique polarization properties.
Simulation and sensitivity analysis for heavy linear paraffins production in LAB production Plant
Authors: Karimi Hajir , Askari Aboalfazl , Mansouri Elahe
Published: November 2014

Linear alkyl benzene (LAB) is vastly utilized for the production of biodegradable detergents and emulsifiers. Predistillation unit is a part of LAB production plant in which that produced heavy linear paraffins (nC10-nC13). In this study, a mathematical model has been developed for heavy linear paraffins production in distillation columns, which has been solved using a commercial code. The models have been validated by the actual data. The effects of process parameters such as reflux rate, and reflux temperature using Gradient Search technique has been investigated. The sensitivity analysis shows that optimum reflux in columns are achieved.
First Records and Comparative Notes of Twelve Aphidiid Species (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae) from the Fauna of Ukraine
Authors: Kaliuzhna M. O.
Published: November 2014

First Records and Comparative Notes of Twelve Aphidiid Species (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae) from the Fauna of Ukraine. Kaliuzhna, M. O. - Twelve aphidiid species are recorded from the fauna of Ukraine for the first time. Localities, hosts, distribution, and comparative notes on morphology of these species are given.
A New Species of Dolichopus (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from Japan
Authors: Negrobov O. P. , Fursov V. N. , Selivanova O. V.
Published: November 2014

A New Species of Dolichopus (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from Japan. Negrobov, O. P., Fursov, V. N., Selivanova, O. V. - Dolichopus satoi Negrobov, Fursov et Selivanova, sp. n. is described from Japan and compared with a closely related species, D. mediovenus Negrobov, 1977 which is recorded from Japan for the first time. The pictures of morphological features of both species are given.
Evaluation of the surveillance system for undiagnosed serious infectious illness (USII) in intensive care units, England, 2011 to 2013
Authors: Dabrera G , Said B , Kirkbride H , On behalf of the USII Collaborating Group Collective
Published: November 2014

Emerging infections are a potential risk during mass gathering events due to the congregation of large numbers of international travellers. To mitigate this risk for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a sentinel surveillance system was developed to identify clusters of emerging infections presenting as undiagnosed serious infectious illness (USII) in intensive care units (ICUs). Following a six month pilot period, which had begun in January 2011, the surveillance was operational for a further 18 months spanning the Games. The surveillance system and reported USII cases were reviewed and evaluated after this 18 month operational period including assessment of positive predictive value (PPV), timeliness, acceptability and sensitivity of the system. Surveillance records were used to review reported cases and calculate the PPV and median reporting times of USII surveillance. Sensitivity was assessed through comparison with the pilot period. Participating clinicians completed a five-point Likert scale questionnaire about the acceptability of surveillance. Between 11 July 2011 and 10 January 2013, 34 cases were reported. Of these, 22 remained classified as USII at the time of the evaluation, none of which were still hospitalised. No clusters were identified. The 22 USII cases had no association with the Games, suggesting that they represented the background level of USII in the area covered by the surveillance. This corresponded to an annualised rate of 0.39 cases/100,000 population and a PPV of 65%. Clinicians involved in the surveillance reported high acceptability levels. The USII surveillance model could be a useful public health tool in other countries and during mass gathering events for identifying potential clusters of emerging infections.
Impacts of Temperature and Carbon dioxide on Rice yield in Bangladesh
Authors: Basak JK , Titumir RAM , Biswas JK , Mohinuzzaman M
Published: November 2014

This simulation study aimed to predict the effects of potential change of temperature and carbon dioxide on winter rice (Boro rice) production in Bangladesh. We assessed the effects of temperature and carbon dioxide on yield of Boro rice using DSSAT model for six major rice growing Agro- Ecological Zones (AEZs). The sensitivity analysis included variation of maximum and minimum temperature at 20C and 40C and different levels of CO2 concentrations (50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm) above the value reported in 2005 of IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (379 ppm). The model predicted that the change of maximum temperature drastically reduced rice yield at all selected locations. The average value of yield reductions (average percentage change of rice yield for 6 locations) of Boro rice were 6% and 16% for increasing maximum temperature at 20C and 40C respectively. Minimum temperature had also negative impacts on Boro rice yields that reduced yield by 4% for 20C and 8% for 40C. However, a slight increase in rice yield due to increase in CO2 concentration could not overcome the negative effect of temperature. Such yield reductions under changing climatic conditions could significantly affect the rice production in Bangladesh in future.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20897Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 15-25
Effect of lemon grass (Cymbopogen citratus) extract on seed health of rice
Authors: Rahman MZ , Ali M Ayub , Hossain MS , Monsur MA , Zaman MZ
Published: November 2014

Lemon grass extract was evaluated in different dilutions on rice seed health in laboratory and net house experiments. The objectives were to investigate the effect of lemon grass extract on seed-borne pathogen of rice and seedling vigour. Four treatments as 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 dilution of lemon grass extract including a control were studied. Lemon grass extract at 1:1 dilution showed highest germination and vigour index of rice seed and seedlings. It was also found most effective in controlling seed borne fungi of rice. The fungi Bipolaris oryzae, Alternaria padwickii, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. were controlled effectively by soaking seeds in the extract of lemon grass at 1:1 dilution for 6 hours.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20904Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 105-108
Paratopie humaniste et variantes sémantiques d'Olympe de Gouges dans Zamore et Mirza ou L'Esclavage des Noirs
Authors: Viguier Audrey
Published: November 2014

La présente étude analyse les stratégies sémantiques développées par Olympe de Gouges dans son drame Zamore et Mirza ou l'esclavage des Noirs pour imposer certaines nouveautés relatives aux esclaves telles que leur droit à une liberté que la dramaturge voudrait universelle et à un humanisme plus fort. En attribuant un nombre de qualités jusque-là réservées aux blancs à des esclaves, la dramaturge choquera son public et notamment les colons présents à Paris, lesquels feront rapidement annuler la représentation du drame. La stratégie d'Olympe de Gouges visant à imposer des valeurs humanistes auxquelles elle croit, placera son drame et ses personnages dans une « topie » impossible (terme emprunté à Dominique Maingueneau), qu'elle nourrira par ailleurs de sa propre instabilité identitaire et finira de marquer son antagonisme important face à une société qui n'est pas prête à évoquer l’émancipation des esclaves et l’égalité des droits.
Informational Non-Differentiable Entropy and Uncertainty Relations in Complex Systems
Authors: Agop Maricel , Gavriluț Alina , Crumpei Gabriel , Doroftei Bogdan
Published: November 2014

Considering that the movements of complex system entities take place on continuous, but non-differentiable, curves, concepts, like non-differentiable entropy, informational non-differentiable entropy and informational non-differentiable energy, are introduced. First of all, the dynamics equations of the complex system entities (Schrödinger-type or fractal hydrodynamic-type) are obtained. The last one gives a specific fractal potential, which generates uncertainty relations through non-differentiable entropy. Next, the correlation between informational non-differentiable entropy and informational non-differentiable energy implies specific uncertainty relations through a maximization principle of the informational non-differentiable entropy and for a constant value of the informational non-differentiable energy. Finally, for a harmonic oscillator, the constant value of the informational non-differentiable energy is equivalent to a quantification condition.
How to Read Probability Distributions as Statements about Process
Authors: Frank Steven
Published: November 2014

Probability distributions can be read as simple expressions of information. Each continuous probability distribution describes how information changes with magnitude. Once one learns to read a probability distribution as a measurement scale of information, opportunities arise to understand the processes that generate the commonly observed patterns. Probability expressions may be parsed into four components: the dissipation of all information, except the preservation of average values, taken over the measurement scale that relates changes in observed values to changes in information, and the transformation from the underlying scale on which information dissipates to alternative scales on which probability pattern may be expressed. Information invariances set the commonly observed measurement scales and the relations between them. In particular, a measurement scale for information is defined by its invariance to specific transformations of underlying values into measurable outputs. Essentially all common distributions can be understood within this simple framework of information invariance and measurement scale.
Point Estimate Method for Voltage Unbalance Evaluation in Residential Distribution Networks with High Penetration of Small Wind Turbines
Authors: Long Chao , Farrag Mohamed , Hepburn Donald , Zhou Chengke
Published: November 2014

Voltage unbalance (VU) in residential distribution networks (RDNs) is mainly caused by load unbalance in three phases, resulting from network configuration and load-variations. The increasing penetration of distributed generation devices, such as small wind turbines (SWTs), and their uneven distribution over the three phases have introduced difficulties in evaluating possible VU. This paper aims to provide a three-phase probabilistic power flow method, point estimate method to evaluate the VU. This method, considering the randomness of load switching in customers’ homes and time-variation in wind speed, is shown to be capable of providing a global picture of a network’s VU degree so that it can be used for fast evaluation. Applying the 2m + 1 scheme of the proposed method to a generic UK distribution network shows that a balanced SWT penetration over three phases reduces the VU of a RDN. Greater unbalance in SWT penetration results in higher voltage unbalance factor (VUF), and cause VUF in excess of the UK statutory limit of 1.3%.
Occurrence of Virulence Genes Associated with Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Raw Cow’s Milk from Two Commercial Dairy Farms in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Caine Lesley-Anne , Nwodo Uchechukwu , Okoh Anthony , Ndip Roland , Green Ezekiel
Published: November 2014

Escherichia coli remains a public health concern worldwide as an organism that causes diarrhea and its reservoir in raw milk may play an important role in the survival and transport of pathogenic strains. Diarrheagenic E. coli strains are diverse food-borne pathogens and causes diarrhea with varying virulence in humans. We investigated the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli in raw milk from two commercial dairy farms. Four hundred raw milk samples, 200 from each dairy farm, were screened for the presence of fliCH7, eagR, ial, eagg, lt, and papC genes. In dairy farm A, 100 E. coli were identified based on culture, oxidase and Gram staining, while 88 isolates from dairy farm B were identified in the same manner. Gene detection showed fliCH7 27 (54%) to be the highest gene detected from farm A and lt 2 (4%) to be the lowest. The highest gene detected in dairy farm B was fliCH7 16 (43.2%) and papC 1 (2.7%) was the least. The amplification of pathogenic genes associated with diarrheagenic E. coli from cows’ raw milk demonstrates that potentially virulent E. coli strains are widely distributed in raw milk and may be a cause of concern for human health.
Inhibition of p53 deSUMOylation Exacerbates Puromycin Aminonucleoside-Induced Apoptosis in Podocytes
Authors: Wang Lingyu , Zhu Jingwei , Fang Ming , Zhang Tuaner , Xie Hua , Wang Nan , Shen Nan , Guo Hui , Fu Bo , Lin Hongli
Published: November 2014

Apoptosis is a major cause of reduced podocyte numbers, which leads to proteinuria and/or glomerulosclerosis. Emerging evidence has indicated that deSUMOylation, a dynamic post-translational modification that reverses SUMOylation, is involved in the apoptosis of Burkitt’s lymphoma cells and cardiomyocytes; however, the impact of deSUMOylation on podocyte apoptosis remains unexplored. The p53 protein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of podocyte apoptosis, and p53 can be SUMOylated. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the effect of p53 deSUMOylation, which is regulated by sentrin/SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1), on podocyte apoptosis. Our results showed that SENP1 deficiency significantly increases puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced podocyte apoptosis. Moreover, SENP1 knockdown results in the accumulation of SUMOylated p53 protein and the increased expression of the p53 target pro-apoptotic genes, BAX, Noxa and PUMA, in podocytes during PAN stimulation. Thus, SENP1 may be essential for preventing podocyte apoptosis, at least partly through regulating the functions of p53 protein via deSUMOylation. The regulation of deSUMOylation may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of glomerular disorders that involve podocyte apoptosis.