bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macacine Herpes Virus (B Virus)
Authors: Rohrman Michele
Published: November 2015

B virus is endemic in macaque monkeys, which are frequently used for research studies. B virus is a risk for every employee working with macaque monkeys, their tissues or cells. Although the risk for B virus infection is low, the risk of death or permanent neurological deficit is high if an exposure is not promptly evaluated and treated. Researcher training, routine use of personal protective equipment, first aid protocols, and prompt reporting to a provider knowledgeable about B virus treatment are essential to prevent this 70% lethal infection in untreated humans. This article presents the history and pathogenesis of B virus, first aid, treatment, and prevention.
Changes in Medication Management After a Diagnosis of Cancer Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes
Authors: Stuart Bruce C. , Davidoff Amy J. , Erten Mujde Z.
Published: November 2015

The authors found that a cancer diagnosis among patients with diabetes reduced adherence to evidence-based medications, particularly if patients' life expectancy was short.
Oral Anticancer Medication Adherence, Toxicity Reporting, and Counseling: A Study Comparing Health Care Providers and Patients
Authors: Gandhi Sonal , Day Larissa , Paramsothy Thivaher , Giotis Angie , Ford Maggie , Boudreau Angela , Pasetka Mark
Published: November 2015

This study highlights disparities in patient and health care provider perceptions of oral anticancer medication adherence principles and toxicity reporting.
Complications Associated With Use of Long-Term Central Venous Catheters Among Commercially Insured Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Lipitz-Snyderman Allison , Ma Qinli , Pollack Michael F. , Barron John , Elkin Elena B. , Bach Peter B. , Malin Jennifer L.
Published: November 2015

Long-term central venous catheter (CVC) use is associated with increased morbidity. Evidence-based guidelines tools may help decrease discretionary use of long-term CVCs resulting from provider- or institution-driven variations in practice.
Lessons From Early Implementation of a Patient-Centered Care Model in Oncology
Authors: Tirodkar Manasi A. , Acciavatti Nicole , Roth Lindsey M. , Stovall Ellen , Nasso Shelley Fuld , Sprandio John , Tofani Susan , Lowry Maureen , Friedberg Mark W. , Smith-McLallen Aaron , Chanin Johann , Scholle Sarah Hudson
Published: November 2015

The participating practices have many structures and processes in common, many of which were established during the pilot's early intervention period. However, there is little standardization in how these processes are established and documented.
Experimental Study on the Effects of Stacking Sequence on Low Velocity Impact and Quasi-Static Response of Foam Sandwich Composite Structures
Authors: Ahmed Azzam , Bingjie Zhou , Ikbal Md. Hasan , Qingtao Wang , Obed Akampumuza , Wei Li
Published: November 2015

In this study, investigation has been made on the impact response of twill weave carbon fabric/epoxy foam sandwich composites by subjecting two types of stacking sequences of a sandwich composite structure, SC1 and SC2 to quasi-static indentation and low velocity impact loading. SC1 and SC2 had a sequence of [0/90, ±45, Core, 0/90, ±45], [0/90, ±45, 0/90, ±45, 0/90, Core, 0/90, 0/90, 0/90, 0/90], respectively. This work was done by use of material testing system and an instrumented Drop-Weight Machine (CEAST 9350 drop tower). Foam sandwich composite structures are mainly used in making an Engine Hood. The analysis was done with increase of impact energy on both types of stacking sequences, until complete perforation of the specimens at 25 Joule impact energy occurs. The failure processes of the damaged specimens under the three different impact energies (5 J, 15 J, and 25 J) were evaluated by comparing load–displacement curves. Images of damaged samples were taken from both impacted side and non-impacted side and compared for all impact energies. Cross-sections of damaged specimens were also inspected visually and discussed. The load-displacement curves were obtained to characterize the failure mechanisms in the face sheets and core. Failure modes were also studied by sectioning the samples at the impact location and observed under an optical microscope. The primary damage mode was found due to the fiber fracture, delamination, matrix crack, and foam crack.
Experiments on Dented Steel Tubes under Bending
Authors: Ghazijahani Tohid Ghanbari , Jiao Hui , Holloway Damien
Published: November 2015

Steel tubular sections are extensively found in many kinds of civil and mechanical engineering structures such as columns and bracing elements, offshore industry, bridge elements, etc. Due to the extensive usage, a considerable amount of research has been carried out on such structural members. Although many studies focused on the bending stability of steel members, very little research can be found on the effect of surface defects, such as dent imperfection, on the bending behavior of such tubular members. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of dent-shaped defects on the flexural capacity of CHS members. The data obtained in this paper can be applied to evaluate the capacity of large scale CHS members with similar D/t ratio when a dent is formed on the tubes during the service life of such members. An interrelation between the capacity and the details of the dent, i.e. size and position of the dent, was proposed.
Buckling of Flexural-Shear Bracing System and Its Braced Steel Frames
Authors: Zhang L. , Tong G.S. , Ji Y.
Published: November 2015

This paper reports an investigation into the stability of dual systems composed of the multi-storey steel frame and the flexural-shear bracing system. The lateral buckling of cantilever column, to simulate the bracing system in the dual systems, is first studied with both the flexural and shear deformations taken into account. A very accurate solution in simple expression, capable of considering the variations of the sectional properties and axial force along the height, is proposed for the buckling load of such a cantilever column, with which an explicit solution is proposed for the buckling load of steel frames with the flexural-shear bracing system. The threshold stiffness of the flexural-shear bracing system, the minimum stiffness for the braced steel frame failing into the non-sway buckling mode, is also investigated. Utilizing this threshold stiffness, a simple expression illustrating the relationship between the buckling loads of weakly braced frame with the fully braced and unbraced steel frames is presented. Comparisons are made between the predictions of solutions presented in this paper and those from the finite element (FE) analysis, showing reasonable agreements between these two results.
Experimental Research on Seismic Behaviour of the Concrete-Filled Double-Steel-Plate Composite Wall
Authors: Luo Yongfeng , Guo Xiaonong , Li Jian , Xiong Zhe , Meng Lei , Dong Niancai , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2015

The concrete-filled double-steel-plate composite wall is a new type of structural member that is widely used in super high-rise buildings. To study the seismic behaviour of such wall, nine specimens are tested under axial compressive force and reversed cyclic horizontal load. This paper presents the mechanical behaviour of the wall specimens and their components, including stiffness, failure mode, seismic performance and ultimate load-bearing capacity. The influences of the height-width ratio, the plate thickness, the concrete strength and the axial compression ratio on the seismic performance of such wall are also investigated. The test results reveal that the concrete-filled double-steel-plate composite wall makes full use of steel and concrete. The concrete-filled double-steel-plate composite wall is a new type of structural member with better lateral resistance.
Investigation on the Behavior of Conical Shell Foundations Composed of Reactive Powder Concrete Embedded on Sandy Soil
Authors: Fattah Mohammed Y. , Waryosh Walled A. , Al-Hamdani Mohammed A. E.
Published: November 2015

Many forms of shells are available for use as foundations. Then frustum of a cone in the upright position can serve as footing for columns or raft for structure such as chimneys. Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is an ultra-high strength, low porosity material with high cement and silica fume contents and steel fibers. RPC uses low water-binder ratios and new generation superplasticizers with eliminating the coarse aggregates, all optimized particle size less than 600 micrometers. RPC can be readily used in a wide variety of structural applications, including situations where the concrete is required to carry substantial tensile stresses due to shear and bursting forces.

The present study is devoted to study the behavior of RPC shell foundations. A complete load-frame assembly was designed and fabricated for experimental work. Five values of steel fiber volume fractions of 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% were used in casting the shells in order to study the effect of steel fiber content on the shear strength. Three percentages of silica fume were used to obtain different grades of concrete to study the effect of concrete compressive strength on the shear strength. The percentages of silica fume are 5%, 10% and 15% by mass of cementations materials. Results of loading tests conducted on wire – reinforced small – concrete models of conical foundations under loads established substantially high values of load factors involved in the traditional design of the conical foundations by membrane theory.

The inclusion of steel fibers in RPC footings results in enhanced stiffness, reduced crack width and reduced rate of crack propagation. At failure, the RPC footings behave in a ductile manner as compared with the nonfibrous footing and most of the steel fibers pulled out of the cement matrix. The inclusion of steel fibers in RPC footings results in a significant enhanced ductility and absorbed energy. For RPC footings with the same steel fiber content, the footings with ring beam have stiffness greater than footings without ring beam. The failure of the conical shell footing is found to start with tension to extend upwards along the generator with its width decreasing with edge. As the applied load increases, the value of circumferential tension increases bending in the radial vertical plane increase near the pedestal base at top where there is complete fixity.
Energy Spectra of Constant Ductility Factors for Orthogonal Bidirectional Earthquake Excitations
Authors: Wang F. , Li H.N. , Yi T.H.
Published: November 2015

Current research findings about energy spectra are almost entirely based on the single-degree of freedom system that is only fit for two dimensional analyses. Therefore, it is necessary to establish energy spectra of multidimensional systems subjected to multidirectional earthquake excitations. The bidirectional energy balance equation is established based on the single-mass bi-degrees of freedom system. The equation of normalized energy spectra is presented with earthquake motions, periods, and strength reduction factors as variables. The approximate relation of strength reduction factors between the x and y directions are derived from the seismic influence coefficient spectra. The 89 pairs of bidirectional earthquake motion records are selected as earthquake excitations to establish mean normalized input energy spectra and hysteretic energy spectra. The spectral values of normalized energy are compared between the single-mass bi-degrees of freedom system and single degree of freedom system, which shows that in some cases traditional energy spectra may underestimate the energy responses. The influence factors of mean spectra such as period, ductility factor, period ratio, and soil site are analyzed. Analytic results show that the coupling influences of nonlinear responses of structural two lateral components are considered in normalized energy spectra and are theoretically more rational than traditional spectra. In addition, two kinds of energy spectra have the typical spectral pattern features of the soil site, while the pattern and values of the two kinds of spectra are affected by the ductility factor, period ratio and the soil site.
Investigation on Behavior of Glazing System with Elastomeric Interlayers under Blast Effects
Authors: Liu Chun-Lin , Li Guo-Qiang , Chen Hai-Hang , Xiao Yan , Palermo David , Lok Tat Seng
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop mitigation systems suitable for use in preventing casualties and injury due to glass window and glass façade failure in public facilities, such as mass transportation terminals, government, sport arenas or hotel buildings, etc. A series of air-blast tests are conducted to validate the blast resistance of laminated glazing system of new elastomeric urethane interlayers. The tests are conducted in a shock tube capable of achieving reflective impulses up to 250 psi-msec which does not have negative phase contribution to the mitigation system performance. Two aspects of mitigation systems are examined, blast resistant glazing utilizing a new elastomeric urethane interlayer and attachment methods. The attachment systems vary in order to determine the influence of deflection and ductility that yields the best results of reducing the loading to the structural elements.
Simultaneous Identification of Structural Parameter and External Excitation with an Improved Unscented Kalman Filter
Authors: Ding Y. , Zhao B.Y. , Wu B. , Zhang X.C. , Guo L.N.
Published: November 2015

The structural parameters identification without the prior known time history of external force is still a challenging problem for nonlinear structures. In this study, a new nonlinear system identification method is proposed to evaluate the structural parameters without the prior information of excitation time history. Excitation decomposition algorithm is utilized to the system identification. The structural excitation time history is decomposed by orthogonal approximation. With this approximation, the inverse problem of the external excitation identification is transformed into the inverse problem of parameter identification. An improved Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is proposed to identify the structural parameters and coefficients of the orthogonal decomposition only based on the acceleration measurements. The computation of the square roots of matrix may be ill-posed. The singular value decomposition (SVD) method instead of Cholesky decomposition is applied to calculate the square roots of the covariance matrix in the updating step of UKF identification to improve the robustness. The calculation of the covariance matrix is also modified to ensure its symmetric property so that error propagation can be mitigated. For the complicate excitation identification, the proposed method can be improved for practical application. The structural response would be divided into several windows. In each window the proposed method is performed iteratively for accuracy identification result. A single degree of freedom structure and a three-story hysteretic nonlinear shear frame are investigated numerically with the proposed identification method. Results from the simulation studies demonstrate that the structural parameters and excitation can be accurately identified. The proposed improved UKF can also simultaneously identify the structural parameters and dynamic excitation fairly accurately with measurement noise.
Ανέκδοτα βυζαντινά μνημεία εν Θράκη
Authors: ΣΤΑΜΟΥΛΗΣ Αντώνιος Κ.Π. , ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΕΥΣ Αλέξανδρος
Published: November 2015

no abstract
Η βυζαντινή τέχνη ως πρόδρομος της ευρωπαϊκής
Authors: ΑΔΑΜΑΝΤΙΟΥ Αδαμάντιος
Published: November 2015

no abstract
Εκ της Ιστορίας της Μονής Δαφνίου και της περιχώρου αυτής κατά τον αγώνα (1821-1827)
Authors: ΒΕΗΣ Νίκος Α.
Published: November 2015

no abstract
Analytics for an Online Retailer: Demand Forecasting and Price Optimization
Authors: Ferreira Kris Johnson , Lee Bin Hong Alex , Simchi-Levi David
Published: November 2015

We present our work with an online retailer, Rue La La, as an example of how a retailer can use its wealth of data to optimize pricing decisions on a daily basis. Rue La La is in the online fashion sample sales industry, where they offer extremely limited-time discounts on designer apparel and accessories. One of the retailer’s main challenges is pricing and predicting demand for products that it has never sold before, which account for the majority of sales and revenue. To tackle this challenge, we use machine learning techniques to estimate historical lost sales and predict future demand of new products. The nonparametric structure of our demand prediction model, along with the dependence of a product’s demand on the price of competing products, pose new challenges on translating the demand forecasts into a pricing policy. We develop an algorithm to efficiently solve the subsequent multiproduct price optimization that incorporates reference price effects, and we create and implement this algorithm into a pricing decision support tool for Rue La La’s daily use. We conduct a field experiment and find that sales does not decrease because of implementing tool recommended price increases for medium and high price point products. Finally, we estimate an increase in revenue of the test group by approximately 9.7% with an associated 90% confidence interval of [2.3%, 17.8%].
Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in survival and metastasis: Stat3 versus Akt
Authors: Niit Maximilian , Hoskin Victoria , Carefoot Esther , Geletu Mulu , Arulanandam Rozanne , Elliott Bruce , Raptis Leda
Published: November 2015

Both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion are important for epithelial cell differentiation and function. Classical cadherins mediate cell to cell interactions and are potent activators of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat3), thereby offering survival signaling. While the epithelial (E)-cadherin is required for cells to remain tightly associated within differentiated epithelial tissues, cadherin-11 promotes invasion and metastasis, preferentially to the bone. Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is mediated through the integrin receptors that bind to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Src complex, thus activating downstream effectors such as Ras/Erk1/2 and PI3k/Akt, but not Stat3. Therefore, at high densities of cultured cells or in epithelial tissues, co-ordinate activation of the complementary cadherin/Stat3 and integrin/FAK pathways can greatly enhance survival and growth of tumor cells. In neoplastically transformed cells on the other hand, a variety of oncogenes including activated Src or receptor tyrosine kinases, activate both pathways. Still, most single-agent therapies directed against these signaling pathways have proven disappointing in the clinic. Combined targeting of the Src/FAK and Stat3 pathways with inhibitory drugs would be expected to have greater efficacy in inhibiting tumor cell survival, and enhancing sensitivity to conventional cytotoxic drugs for treatment of metastatic disease.
Intersemiotic Bestiary
Authors: Salimena Mariana , Queiroz João
Published: November 2015

The phenomenon of intersemiotic translation from literature (source-sign) to graphic illustration (target-sign) is well known and has been exhaustively analyzed. Jakobson (2000: 114) defines the phenomenon as “transmutation⁄ or interpretation of verbal signs by means of signs of nonverbal sign systems”. This paper presents an intersemiotic translation of El libro de los Seres Imaginarios by Jorge Luis Borges, more specifically the chapter that describes a bestiary of Chinese fauna. Written in collaboration with Margarita Guerrero, El libro was first published in 1957 with the title Manual de Zoología Fantástica; later it was expanded and republished with the title El Libro de los Seres Imaginarios (“The Book of Imaginary Beings”). In this paper, we identify some formal aspects of the literary source-sign to be considered most relevant. Afterwards, we submit those aspects to graphic recreations directed by the construction of fantastic characters in the aesthetic domain of pixel art.
Double Debunking
Authors: Leone Massimo
Published: November 2015

Why did semiotics develop as a discipline that concentrates on the concept of sign, and that sees and interprets the world through this concept? Why was the idea of a science that systematically studies signs welcome in a certain epoch of humanity, and why does it seem so abstruse to most nowadays? Should it be given up, like something that belongs to a remote, vanished past? Or is there something, in semiotics, that still offers answers that no other discipline can provide?
Memory, Identity, Power
Authors: Giraudo Silvia E. , Martel Alvaro R.
Published: November 2015

In this paper we propose Peircean semiotics as one of the most useful methodological tools to analyze and elaborate interpretative hypotheses about the social meaning of rock art. Social meaning implies a dialectic interaction among memory, identity, and distribution of power within a social group. These three elements, together with materiality, take part in a dynamic productive process of social discourses. In many archaic cultures, rock art was one of those discourses.
Declining Trust in Congress: Effects of Polarization and Consequences for Democracy
Authors: Jones David R.
Published: November 2015

Why has Congress, once a widely trusted institution, experienced such a uniquely dramatic decline in the public’s confidence, and what are the consequences for democracy? This article sets out to systematically address these questions. First, I discuss how we can gauge Americans’ levels of trust in Congress. Second, I examine trends over time in public trust in Congress, looking both partisan differences within this measure, and also overall differences in comparison to other institutions. Third, I examine various ways in which the much-noted rise in party polarization in Congress might explain the downward trend in Americans’ trust in that institution. Finally, I explore one potentially important consequence of declining trust in the legislative branch: Americans’ willingness to obey laws. The results suggest that those interested in the problem of declining trust in government would be wise to focus their attention on Congress. Compared to other institutions, the problem in Congress appears more severe, more intractable, and carries greater political consequences.
The Strategic Promotion of Distrust in Government in the Tea Party Age
Authors: Fried Amy , Harris Douglas B.
Published: November 2015

This paper argues that distrust in government is not an inadvertent byproduct of economic change, scandals, and cultural and identity politics, but rather grows out of strategic efforts to promote and harness it for political purposes. Elites encouraging distrust interact with grassroots movements, which they can only loosely direct and control. Identifying four strategic benefits of distrust: organizational, electoral, institutional and policy, the paper discusses how Republicans and conservative movement organizations in the Tea Party age used distrust to develop groups and achieve coherence, try to influence primaries and win elections, argue for the constitutional powers of institutions they control, and seek to influence public policy. Paying special attention to health policy, we examine how, after distrust was successfully used to thwart President Bill Clinton’s proposed reforms, it was employed to try to stop and then to exact a price for President Barack Obama’s passage of the Affordable Care Act. While Tea Party rhetoric and current streams of distrust are often associated with racialized messages and anti-Obama sentiment, we contend they are likely to persist after Obama leaves office, particularly given the Tea Party’s comfort with ungovernability and long-standing conservative use of government distrust.
In Government We Distrust: Citizen Skepticism and Democracy in the United States
Authors: Gershtenson Joseph , Plane Dennis L.
Published: November 2015

Virtually all accounts of political trust in the US regard declining trust over the past half-century to be troubling. We argue that these interpretations are in need of reassessment since they often are rooted in the normatively questionable assumption that higher trust is always desirable. We review traditions in democratic theory and American thought extolling the virtues of skepticism and distrust of government and discuss potential problems in common trust measures and conclusions based on them. Using data from the 2014 General Social Survey, we explore relationships between trust, commitment to being vigilant watchdogs of government, and attitudes and behaviors generally considered desirable for a healthy democracy. Our findings indicate that higher trust is not always accompanied by characteristics of good democratic citizens. In fact, it is those individuals who exhibit lower levels of trust with high levels of vigilance who are most politically engaged. Thus, healthy skepticism of government may contribute to the vitality of democracy.
Influence of Some Mutant Genes on Certain Agronomically Important Traits in Sunflower
Authors: Vedmedeva K. V. , Soroka A. I.
Published: November 2015

During two growing seasons there were studied 11 sunflower breeding lines and their 30 analogues obtained via backcrossing, chemical mutagenesis and selected as natural mutants. The variability of such agronomic traits as crop yield, seed oil content, 1,000 seed weight, plant height, leaf and petiole size, number of leaves and branches, and head diameter was investigated. The traits of crop yield, leaf size, number of branches were the most variable, whereas the most stable were 1,000 seed weight, seed oil content, plant height, and the number of leaves. The influence of mutant genes which control ray flower color and shape, leaf color and shape, dwarfness, number of leaves and ray flowers, and shape of bracts on the manifestation of important agronomic traits was estimated. No negative impact of the genes of ray flower color and shape and leaf color was noticed. The gene of fringed leaf margin reduced plant height while the gene of erect petiole increased development of that trait. The genes of dwarfness can negatively influence seed oil content and 1,000 seed weight.
Inhibition of endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity of cathepsin B impairs extracellular matrix degradation and tumour invasion
Authors: Mitrović Ana , Mirković Bojana , Sosič Izidor , Gobec Stanislav , Kos Janko
Published: November 2015

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease that is implicated in a number of physiological processes, including protein turnover in lysosomes. Changes in its expression are associated with a variety of pathological processes, including cancer. Due to the structural feature, termed the occluding loop, cathepsin B differs from other cysteine proteases in possessing both, endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity. Here we investigated the impact of both cathepsin B activities on intracellular and extracellular collagen IV degradation and tumour cell invasion using new selective synthetic inhibitors, 2-{[(8-hydroxy-5-nitroquinoline-7-yl)methyl]amino}-acetonitrile (1), 8-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-5-nitroquinoline (2) and 7-[(4-methylpiperidin-1yl)methyl]-5-nitroquinolin-8-ol (3). All three compounds (5 μm) reduced extracellular degradation of collagen IV by MCF-10A neoT cells by 45–70% as determined by spectrofluorimetry and they (50 μm) attenuated intracellular collagen IV degradation by 40-60% as measured with flow cytometry. Furthermore, all three compounds (5 μm) impaired MCF-10A neoT cell invasion by 40–80% as assessed by measuring electrical impedance in real time. Compounds 1 and 3 (5 μm), but not compound 2, significantly reduced the growth of MMTV-PyMT multicellular tumour spheroids. Collectively, these data suggest that the efficient strategy to impair harmful cathepsin B activity in tumour progression may include simultaneous and potent inhibition of cathepsin B endopeptidase and exopeptidase activities.
Auditory and visual reaction times in school going adolescents: effect of structured and unstructured physical training – a randomized control trial
Authors: Sharma Vivek Kumar , Subramanian Senthil Kumar , Arunachalam Vinayathan , Radhakrishnan Krishnakumar , Ramamurthy Sarah , Ravindran Balasubramanian Sulur
Published: November 2015

Background:

Cognitive development of adolescents is influenced by their physical activity status. Exercises requiring greater cognitive engagement are likely to have a stronger effect on their executive cognitive functions than simpler exercises.

Materials and methods:

In our randomized, single blinded, parallel group, active controlled trial (CTRI/ 2013/08/003897) the recruited healthy student volunteers, aged 12–17 years (n=439), were allocated into structured physical activity (SPA) and unstructured physical activity (USPA) groups by age and gender stratified block randomization. Physical training for the respective groups was administered by physical education instructors for 2 h per day, 6 times per week, continuously for 6 months. SPA was designed as recommended by the WHO physical activity guidelines for children and young people, while USPA included any indoor or outdoor recreational activity of the participant’s choice. This paper describes a part of our findings: comparison of auditory and visual reaction times (ART and VRT), recorded pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis was done by an investigator blinded to the allocation sequence using paired and unpaired t-test for inter- and intra-group comparisons, respectively, by following per-protocol analysis [SPA (n=172) and USPA (n=175)].

Results and Conclusion:

Both ART and VRT significantly improved in either group but the effect size was more in SPA group vs. USPA group (VRT: 0.87 vs. 0.76; ART: 0.79 vs. 0.65). Thus structuring the physical training in a cognitively engaging manner leads to greater improvements in the perceptual, executive cognitive response phenomenon of growing adolescents.
Bioterrorism and Local Agency Preparedness: Results from an Experimental Study in Risk Communication
Authors: Malet David , Korbitz Mark
Published: November 2015

This article examines data collected from a panel of 43 local, state, and Federal emergency response professionals and public officials in Pueblo, Colorado who participated in a 6-month risk communication experiment simulating the remediation of simultaneous bioterrorist attacks involving anthrax and Foot and Mouth Disease. Participant responses to the scenario presented in real-time indicated that local and state government agency personnel with responsibility for public health emergency management are not necessarily familiar with best practices developed from major incidents. Findings also indicate that information related to bioterrorism response should be provided to agencies that do not normally work in public health but that would be involved in responding to a biological agent event.
Comparative Study of Triple-Clad Dispersion-Shifted, Dispersion-Flattened and Dispersion-Compensated Fiber for Broadband Optical Network Application
Authors: Palodiya Vikram , Raghuwanshi Sanjeev Kumar
Published: November 2015

In this paper, comprehensive analyses of triple-clad fibers are presented. The geometry of multiple-clad fibers has been considered as a four-layer cylindrical structure. The geometry consists of a core and three claddings. We have analyzed and compared different types of triple-clad refractive index profiles on the basis of dispersion, mode distribution and propagation constant. To enhance the optical characteristics of these three fibers, we have developed a combined formulation which is applicable for single-clad, double clad and triple-clad optical fibers. In optical fibers, two or more claddings are required for dispersion shifting, dispersion flattening and other specialized applications. Thus, an analysis of design dispersion-shifted, dispersion-flattened and dispersion-compensated fibers is presented. We have used a boundary match method for evaluating propagation wave vectors and guided modes.
Bone maturation along the spectrum from normal weight to obesity: a complex interplay of sex, growth factors and weight gain
Authors: Klein Karen Oerter , Newfield Ron S. , Hassink Sandra G.
Published: November 2015

The aim of the study was to define the prevalence and degree of advanced bone age (ABA) in normal vs. excessive weight children, and identify variables affecting ABA.

We studied 167 children (3–18 years) with normal weight (28 F, 28 M), overweight (8 F, 12 M), and obesity (OB) (63 F, 28 M) at AI duPont Hospital for Children. We assessed bone age (BA), insulin, leptin, estradiol (E2), DHEAS, and IGF-1 levels.

Almost 25% of OB children have ABA>2 SDS, 33% >2 years (range 2–6.5 years advanced). ABA correlated with leptin, DHEAS and BMI z-score in girls, and with IGF-1 z-score and BMI z-score in boys (p<0.01). Girls with ABA had higher BMI z-score (p<0.001), insulin levels (p=0.02), and rates of weight gain (p=0.03). Boys with ABA had greater BMI z-score (p<0.001), but rate of weight gain did not differ. The greatest degree of ABA was found combining variables by tertiles. The top tertile of BA/CA had the highest insulin and IGF-1 z-scores. The top combined tertiles of DHEAS and BMI z-score or DHEAS and leptin in girls had the highest BA/CA. In boys, the top tertiles of BMI z-score and IGF-1 z-score produced the highest BA/CA. The lowest combined tertiles of any variables related to the lowest BA/CA.

Multiple factors influence skeletal maturation. Almost 25% of children with OB have ABA, associated with BMI z-score, and one or more of the following: insulin, leptin, DHEAS, IGF-1, and rate of weight gain. This report delineates the prevalence and degree of ABA by sex, in children with normal versus excessive weight.
Pattern of teen menstruation among secondary school girls in south east Nigeria
Authors: Nwokocha Ada R.C. , Chinawa Josephat M. , Ubesie Agozie C. , Onukwuli Vivian I. , Manyike Pius C.
Published: November 2015

Menstruation in the teenage age has assumed variable trends which is been influenced by several variables. This study is aimed at determining the pattern and trend of menstruation among teens attending secondary school in south east Nigeria and associated factors.

Menstruation patterns were investigated using a stratified random sampling method of teens from junior secondary schools in Enugu, south east Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and data analyzed using SPSS version 19.

A total of 897 female teenagers aged 9–18 years completed the questionnaire with a mean age of 13.9±1.9 years. The mean age (SD) at onset of menarche was 12.5±1.2 years. Teenage girls with higher BMI achieved menarche earlier at age 8 and 9 when compared with their counterparts with lower BMI and this is statistically significant. F=7.60, df=8, p<0.001. Teens with a 14-day cycle had a higher BMI when compared with teens with longer cycle but this is not statistically significant. F=1.05, df=4, p=0.381. There is a statistical significance difference between teens duration of menstrual flow and BMI. Those with higher BMI had longer duration(4–5 days) compared with those with lower BMI. F=3.329, df=4, p=0.01

This study revealed that the mean age at onset of menarche was 12.5±1.2 years showing a continuing decreasing trend. Teens with higher BMI attain menarche earlier and had longer days of periods when compared with their counterpart with lower BMI.
Direct sequencing of FAH gene in Pakistani tyrosinemia type 1 families reveals a novel mutation
Authors: Ijaz Sadaqat , Zahoor Muhammad Yasir , Imran Muhammad , Afzal Sibtain , Bhinder Munir A. , Ullah Ihsan , Cheema Huma Arshad , Ramzan Khushnooda , Shehzad Wasim
Published: November 2015

Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) is a rare inborn error of tyrosine catabolism with a worldwide prevalence of one out of 100,000 live births. HT1 is clinically characterized by hepatic and renal dysfunction resulting from the deficiency of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) enzyme, caused by recessive mutations in the

Three Pakistani families, each having one child affected with HT1, were enrolled over a period of 1.5 years. Two of the affected children had died as they were presented late with acute form. All regions of the

Three different

Most of the HT1 patients die before they present to hospitals in Pakistan, as is indicated by enrollment of only three families in 1.5 years. Most of those with late clinical presentation do not survive due to delayed diagnosis followed by untimely treatment. This tragic condition advocates the establishment of expanded newborn screening program for HT1 within Pakistan.
Commonsense Morality and the Ethics of Killing in War: An Experimental Survey of the Israeli Population
Authors: Benbaji Yitzhak , Falk Amir , Feldman Yuval
Published: November 2015

The morality of killing in war, which has been the subject of debate among philosophers and legal scholars, focuses on two main approaches: the “traditional” and the “revisionist.” The traditional approach argues for symmetry: soldiers of both sides are liable to be killed, whether or not the war they fight is just; civilians are immune from being harmed whether or not they are responsible for the evil against which the just side fights. Recently this approach has been challenged by a revisionist viewpoint, which derives the morality of killing in war from facts concerning the responsibility of individuals for wrongful threats. Killing soldiers, who fight a just war, is morally impermissible, whereas in certain cases killing civilians who are involved in an unjust aggression is permissible. The present study uses an experimental survey to examine whether moral attitudes toward targeting individuals in war are shaped by the factors underlying this debate: the cause of the war, the status of the targeted individuals as soldiers or civilians, and their involvement in the war effort. Respondents comprised a representative sample of the Jewish population in Israel. Our findings reveal a complex interplay between the factors, demonstrating the relevance of each factor to moral judgments. Notably, participants did not consider decisions on the battlefield to be independent of the justification of the war, a result which is consistent with the revisionist approach. We discuss the potential consequences of our findings on the understanding of commonsense morality and on the law. We also suggest that concepts derived from the social-psychological literature concerning moral self-regulation may help explain some of our findings.
Enhanced production of lactic acid from liquefied sorghum starch by Rhizopus oryzae mutants / Laktik asit üretimini sıvılaştırılmış sorgum nişastası kullanılarak arttırmak için Rhizopus oryzae mutantlarının seçimi
Authors: Nemali Sailaja , Mannepula Sreedharamurthy , Obulam Vijaya Sarathi Reddy
Published: November 2015

Objective: Our aim was to find out Rhizopus oryzae mutants that are able to ferment a cost-effective substrate such as sorghum starch for enhanced lactic acid production.

Methods: The fungal spores were either exposed to UV treatment at 254 nm, for 1 h at a distance of 20 cm from the source or 0.01 mol/l of diethyl sulfate from 0.2 to 1 ml in 20 ml sterile potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) at 30°C for 0-40 min. Samples were withdrawn in 10 min intervals and inoculated on the single colony isolation medium, after 36 h of incubation the colonies were singled out and subjected to fermentation tests.

Results: Isolated mutants UV-40 and DES-30 were selected by following colour-zone method. They varied morphologically from the wild type R. oryzae; and single colony isolation of the mutants was carried out by using sodium deoxycholate. The UV-40 mutant produced (76.42%) more lactic acid than the DES-30 mutant (74.08%) and the wild type (23.8%) in 150 g/l of substrate concentration. UV-40 and DES-30 mutants yielded more lactic acid as 0.96 g/g substrate, with a productivity of 1.59 g/l/h than the wild type, which yielded only 0.39 g/g of substrate, with a productivity of 0.6 g/l/h at 150 g/l of substrate. Fermentation results of the both mutants at 200 g/l of the substrate were not encouraging, since more residual substrate was left over in the medium.

Conclusion: From results it was evident that UV mutant was producing consistently more lactic acid in 150 g/l of liquefied sorghum starch medium with a pH of 4.0. The mutants obtained in this study were also stable lactic acid producers up to 15 generations.
QSAR modeling of benzimidazole derivatives as potent inhibitors of trichomoniasis / QSAR modellemesi ile Benzimidazole türevlerinin trikomoniasis için etkili inhibitörler olarak kullanılması
Authors: Ghasemi Ghasem , Nemati-Rashtehroodi Alireza
Published: November 2015

Objective: Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections. It can cause genital inflammation that can increase the likelihood of infection with HIV or passing HIV on to a sex partner. The present study used QSAR modeling to study benzimidazole derivatives as potent inhibitors of trichomonicidal activity. A set of 10 compounds was randomly removed from the dataset to be used as the prediction set (PSET). The remaining 60 compounds were utilized as the training set (TSET).

Methods: Genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks (ANN), multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR) and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to create the QSAR models. Geometry optimization of compounds was carried out using the B3LYP method employing a 6-31G (2d) basis set. HyperChem, Gaussian 03W and Dragon (version 5.5) software were used for geometric optimization of the molecules and calculation of the quantum chemical descriptors. Unscrambler was used for analysis of data.

Results: The MLR method obtained a root mean square error (RMSE) for calibration of 0.0803 and R2 of 0.99. The R2 and RMSE of calibration using PCR were 0.58 and 0.5236, respectively.

Conclusion: The results found that the ANN and MLR models were the most favorable of the methods tested and are suitable for use in QSAR models.
Chemical components and biological activities of two freshwater green algae from Ordu, Turkey / Türkiye’nin Ordu ilinden iki tatlı su yeşil alglerinin kimyasal bileşenleri ve biyolojik aktiviteleri
Authors: Taş Beyhan , Ertürk Ömer , Yılmaz Özlem , Çol Ayvaz Melek , Ertürk Emine Yurdakul
Published: November 2015

Objective: Scientists are looking for new resources which have biological activities. The present study was planned to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of ethanol and acetone extracts, as well as the volatile compounds of two freshwater green algal species Spirogyra spp. and Zygnema stellinum (Vaucher) C. Agardh belonging to Zygnemaphyceae (Conjugatophyceae) obtained from Ordu University Campus wetlands.

Methods: The extracts were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial effects using disc diffusion method. Total phenolic content and the antioxidative activity according to FRAP and DPPH methods of the extracts were also determined. The secondary metabolites from the investigated extracts were identified using GC-MS.

Results: The extracts dramatically inhibited almost all tested microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of the acetone extract of the Zygnema against C. albicans was found as more higher than positive control Nystatin. In accordance with antimicrobial activity, the highest total phenolic content was also determined in the presence of the acetone extract of the Zygnema. Furthermore the highest FRAP value and the lowest EC50 (mg/mL) value were calculated for the same extract. The main components of the all consisted of dimethyl and diethyl ester of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. However, the abundance of these metabolites in the extracts was not associated with antimicrobial or antioxidant activity. Biological activities of these algal species could be attributed to chemicals such as 1-Pentadecene and 1-Tetradecene which were present in smaller amounts.

Conclusion: Investigated algal species can be evaluated to use in biotechnological applications such as food industry and medicine.
Density of the p2gg-4c1 packing of ellipses (II)
Authors: Tanemura Masaharu , Matsumoto Takeo
Published: November 2015

As the second paper of the series, the first of which was published in 1997 (M. Tanemura, T. Matsumoto, Density of the p2gg-4c1 packing of ellipses (I). Z. Kristallogr.
1997, 212, 637), the p2gg-4c1(b) packing of identical ellipses where four ellipses are included in the rectangular unit cell and where every ellipse has six contacting neighbors, is discussed. It is shown here that the p2gg-4c1(b) packing of ellipses does not exceed the maximum density

ρ
 
=
 
π
/

12

$\rho \; = \;\pi /\sqrt {12} $

through numerical computations and series expansions. It is also shown that the p2gg-2a2 packing of ellipses has the similar properties and that it is considered as a special case of p2gg-4c1(b) packing. The method of computing the density for every parameter values of aspect ratio and tilt angle is given.
The American Environmental Movement’s Lost Victory
Authors: Suisman David
Published: November 2015

Political contestation over sound can take many forms, with profound consequences for the aural environment. One example is found in the battles over the sonic booms associated with the US government’s supersonic transport (SST) program in the 1960s and early 1970s—a program that had it been realized, would have filled the everyday soundscape with thunderous sonic blasts. This article analyzes the individuals and groups who mobilized against sonic booms and the SST and the activists’ unlikely success over the SST in 1971. Today, this victory stands as an important, if largely forgotten, victory of the early environmental movement.
Erythropoietin regulates POMC expression via STAT3 and potentiates leptin response
Authors: Dey Soumyadeep , Li Xiaoxia , Teng Ruifeng , Alnaeeli Mawadda , Chen ZhiYong , Rogers Heather , Noguchi Constance Tom
Published: November 2015

The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus is essential for metabolic homeostasis and responds to leptin by producing several neuropeptides including proopiomelanocortin (POMC). We previously reported that high-dose erythropoietin (Epo) treatment in mice while increasing hematocrit reduced body weight, fat mass, and food intake and increased energy expenditure. Moreover, we showed that mice with Epo receptor (EpoR) restricted to erythroid cells (ΔEpoRE) became obese and exhibited decreased energy expenditure. Epo/EpoR signaling was found to promote hypothalamus POMC expression independently from leptin. Herein we used WT and ΔEpoREmice and hypothalamus-derived neural culture system to study the signaling pathways activated by Epo in POMC neurons. We show that Epo stimulation activated STAT3 signaling and upregulated POMC expression in WT neural cultures. ΔEpoREmice hypothalamus showed reduced POMC levels and lower STAT3 phosphorylation, with and without leptin treatment, compared toin vivoandex vivoWT controls. Collectively, these data show that Epo regulates hypothalamus POMC expression via STAT3 activation, and provide a previously unrecognized link between Epo and leptin response.