bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Framing a research question: The first and most vital step in planning research
Authors: Anastasiadis Eleni , Rajan Prabhakar , Winchester Catherine L
Published: October 2015

Posing the right research question is essential for consolidating your ideas from something that has piqued your interest into a focused, clinically relevant and achievable piece of research. This question should lead to results that can impact upon patient benefit by addressing a gap in your field, such as understanding the molecular basis of disease, developing biomarkers and diagnostics to improving established or identifying novel treatments. The question needs to be clear and precise in order to address a specific issue and to produce meaningful results. In this article we provide guidance on how to refine your initial idea to frame a research question by considering current knowledge, clinical utility and feasibility.
Spirals of Signification? A Corpus Linguistic Analysis of the German Doping Discourse
Authors: Meier Henk Erik , Rose Anica , Hölzen Martin
Published: October 2015

Based on the idea that the political success of the anti-doping movement might be reflected in an increasing moralization of media discourses, the article traces long-term trends in the German doping discourse. Thus, a unique text corpus covering the period between 1950 and 2009 is analyzed using a corpus linguistic (CL) approach. It is shown that attention for doping has heavily increased and that doping has been marked as a persistent and widespread problem subject to permanent efforts of mitigation. However, there is little evidence for more alarmist moralizations. While quantitative CL techniques proved useful for tracing long-term changes in language use, assessing the role of media within the political economy of the moral regulation of doping requires a more ambitious mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Nevertheless, the use of CL by scholars of sport communication is recommended, as CL methods are able to process large amounts of digitized data and are quite flexible in theoretical terms.
The Relationship Between Aggressive Communication Traits and Organizational Assimilation
Authors: Sollitto Michael , Cranmer Gregory A.
Published: October 2015

This study used theory of independent mindedness as a framework to examine the role of aggressive communication traits in organizational assimilation. Both employee traits and their perception of supervisor traits were examined. Results indicated that employees who are indirect verbally aggressive report lower levels of familiarity with coworkers, acculturation, involvement, job competence, and role negotiation. Additionally, employees who perceive their supervisors as higher in argumentativeness, low in verbal aggressiveness, and low in indirect interpersonal aggressiveness report higher levels of familiarity with coworkers, familiarity with supervisors, acculturation, recognition, involvement, and role negotiation.
How Consultants and Their Clients Collaborate in Spite of Massive Communication Barriers
Authors: Sutter Michäas , Kieser Alfred
Published: October 2015

Managers often collaborate with members of consultancies with the aim of improving the performance of their organizations. It is astonishing that, after the completion of such consulting projects, both parties in most cases express satisfaction with the results. It is astonishing because, as we show in this article, consultants and the managers of client organizations, when engaging in joint projects, have to overcome severe communication barriers. These communication barriers originate from different frames of reference the collaborators refer to, different goals they pursue, and different logics they follow. As we demonstrate on the basis of an empirical analysis, the communication barriers are overcome predominantly through the use of boundary objects and prototyping.
Probing Change in Racial Self-identification
Authors: Mowen Thomas J. , Stansfield Richard
Published: October 2015

Recent studies have shown that racial identification varies across context and time. Although sociologists recognize many contextual factors associated with racial group membership, relatively little attention has been given to understanding the specific factors—such as self-perceptions, socioeconomic incentives, and family pressures—that relate to changes in racial self-identification, especially among children of immigrants individuals who may have a relatively high propensity for inconsistency in racial identification. Using two waves of data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study and guided by social identity theory, the authors seek to (1) explore the prevalence of changes in racial self-identification over time within this sample and (2) understand the mechanisms that may contribute to changes in self-identification. The results indicate that self-esteem, self-worth, and family cohesion are related to an individual’s reporting a change in racial identification between waves. Socioeconomic status and depression are not related to changes in racial identification.
Ancestral role of Pax2/5/8 in molluscan brain and multimodal sensory system development
Authors: Wollesen Tim , Rodríguez Monje Sonia Victoria , Todt Christiane , Degnan Bernard M. , Wanninger Andreas
Published: October 2015

Background

Mollusks represent the largest lophotrochozoan phylum and exhibit highly diverse body plans. Previous studies have demonstrated that transcription factors such asPaxgenes play important roles during their development. Accordingly, in ecdysozoan and vertebrate model organisms, orthologs ofPax2/5/8are among others involved in the formation of the midbrain/hindbrain boundary, the auditory/geosensory organ systems, and the excretory system.

Methods

Pax2/5/8expression was investigated byin situhybridization during the development of representatives of the two major molluscan subclades, Aculifera and Conchifera.

Results

Compared to the investigated polyplacophoran and bivalve species that lack larval statocysts as geosensory organs and elaborate central nervous systems (CNS), cephalopods possess highly centralized brains and statocysts.Pax2/5/8is expressed in regions where sensory cells develop subsequently during ontogenesis. Expression domains include esthetes and the ampullary system in polyplacophorans as well as the eyes of cephalopods. NoPax2/5/8expression was observed in the less centralized CNS of bivalve, polyplacophoran, and gastropod embryos, thus arguing for a loss ofPax2/5/8involvement in CNS development in these lineages. In contrast,Pax2/5/8is expressed among others in brain lobes along the trajectory of the esophagus that divides the cephalopod brain.

Conclusions

Our results, along with those onOtx- andHox-gene expression, demonstrate that the cephalopod condition is similar to that in mouse and fruit fly, withOtxbeing expressed in the anterior-most brain region (except for the vertical lobe) and aPax2/5/8expression domain separating theOtx-domain from aHox-gene-expressing posterior brain region. Thus,Pax2/5/8appears to have been recruited independently into regionalization of non-homologous complex brains of organisms as different as squid, fruit fly, and mouse. In addition,Pax2/5/8is expressed in multimodal sensory systems in mollusks such as the esthetes and the ampullary system of polyplacophorans as well as the eyes of cephalopods.Pax2/5/8-expressing cells are present in regions where the future sensory cells such as the polyplacophoran esthetes are situated and hencePax2/5/8expression probably predates sensory cell development during ontogeny. In mollusks,Pax2/5/8is only expressed in derivatives of the ectoderm and hence an ancestral role in molluscan ectoderm differentiation is inferred.
Characterizing selective pressures on the pathway for de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines in yeast
Authors: Hermansen Russell A. , Mannakee Brian K. , Knecht Wolfgang , Liberles David A. , Gutenkunst Ryan N.
Published: October 2015

Background

Selection on proteins is typically measured with the assumption that each protein acts independently. However, selection more likely acts at higher levels of biological organization, requiring an integrative view of protein function. Here, we built a kinetic model for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to relate pathway function to selective pressures on individual protein-encoding genes.

Results

Gene families across yeast were constructed for each member of the pathway and the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous nucleotide substitution rates (dN/dS) was estimated for each enzyme from S. cerevisiae and closely related species. We found a positive relationship between the influence that each enzyme has on pathway function and its selective constraint.

Conclusions

We expect this trend to be locally present for enzymes that have pathway control, but over longer evolutionary timescales we expect that mutation-selection balance may change the enzymes that have pathway control.
Biogeographic history and high-elevation adaptations inferred from the mitochondrial genome of Glyptosternoid fishes (Sisoridae, Siluriformes) from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Xiuhui , Kang Jingliang , Chen Weitao , Zhou Chuanjiang , He Shunping
Published: October 2015

Background

The distribution of the Chinese Glyptosternoid catfish is limited to the rivers of the Tibetan Plateau and peripheral regions, especially the drainage areas of southeastern Tibet. Therefore, Glyptosternoid fishes are ideal for reconstructing the geological history of the southeastern Tibet drainage patterns and mitochondrial genetic adaptions to high elevations.

Results

Our phylogenetic results support the monophyly of the Sisoridae and the Glyptosternoid fishes. The reconstructed ancestral geographical distribution suggests that the ancestral Glyptosternoids was widely distributed throughout the Brahmaputra drainage in the eastern Himalayas and Tibetan area during the Late Miocene (c. 5.5 Ma). We found that the Glyptosternoid fishes lineage had a higher ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions than those found in non-Glyptosternoids. In addition, ωpss was estimated to be 10.73, which is significantly higher than 1 (p-value 0.0002), in COX1, which indicates positive selection in the common ancestral branch of Glyptosternoid fishes in China. We also found other signatures of positive selection in the branch of specialized species. These results imply mitochondrial genetic adaptation to high elevations in the Glyptosternoids.

Conclusions

We reconstructed a possible scenario for the southeastern Tibetan drainage patterns based on the adaptive geographical distribution of the Chinese Glyptosternoids in this drainage. The Glyptosternoids may have experienced accelerated evolutionary rates in mitochondrial genes that were driven by positive selection to better adapt to the high-elevation environment of the Tibetan Plateau.
Surgeon-performed ultrasound guided fine-needle aspirate biopsy with report of learning curve; a consecutive case-series study
Authors: Fernandes Vinay T. , De Santis Robert J. , Enepekides Danny J. , Higgins Kevin M.
Published: October 2015

Background

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has become the standard of care for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. More recently, the use of ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (UG-FNAB) has improved adequacy of sampling. Now there has been improved access to UG-FNAB as ultrasound technology has become more accessible. Here we review the adequacy rate and learning curve of a single surgeon starting at the adoption of UG-FNAB into surgical practice.

Methods

UG-FNABs performed at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Nodule characteristics were recorded along with cytopathology and final pathology reports. Chi-square analysis, followed by the reporting of odds ratios with confidence intervals, were used to assess the statistical significance and frequencies, respectively, of nodule characteristics amongst both diagnostic and non-diagnostic samples. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine if any nodule characteristic were predictive of adequacy of UG-FNABs. The learning curve was assessed by calculating the eventual adequacy rates across each year, and its statistical significance was measured using Fischer's Exact Test.

Results

In total 423 biopsies were reviewed in 289 patients. The average nodule size was 23.05 mm. When examining if each patient eventually received a diagnostic UG-FNAB, regardless of the number attempts, adequacy was seen to increase from 70.8 % in 2010 to, 81.0 % in 2011, 90.3 % in 2012, 85.7 % in 2013, 89.7 % in 2014, and 94.3 % in 2015 (Fischer's Exact Test, p = 0.049). Cystic (χ2 = 19.70, p <0.001) nodules were found to yield higher rates of non-diagnostic samples, and their absence are predictive of obtaining an adequate biopsy as seen in a multiple regression analysis ( p < 0.001) Adequacy of repeat biopsies following an initial non-diagnostic sample was 75.0 %.

Conclusions

Surgeons are capable of performing UG-FNAB with a learning curve noted to achieve standard adequacy rates. Cystic nodules are shown to yield more non-diagnostic samples in the surgeon's office.
CanVasc Recommendations for the Management of Antineutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Vasculitides – Executive Summary
Authors: McGeoch Lucy , Twilt Marinka , Famorca Leilani , Bakowsky Volodko , Barra Lillian , Benseler Susan , Cabral David A. , Carette Simon , Cox Gerald P. , Dhindsa Navjot , Dipchand Christine , Fifi-Mah Aurore , Goulet Michele , Khalidi Nader , Khraishi Majed M. , Liang Patrick , Milman Nataliya , Pineau Christian A. , Reich Heather , Samadi Nooshin , Shojania Kam , Taylor-Gjevre Regina , Towheed Tanveer E. , Trudeau Judith , Walsh Michael , Yacyshyn Elaine , Pagnoux Christian
Published: October 2015

The Canadian Vasculitis research network (CanVasc) is composed of physicians from different medical specialties, including rheumatology and nephrology and researchers with expertise in vasculitis. One of its aims was to develop recommendations for the diagnosis and management of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides in Canada. This executive summary features the 19 recommendations and 17 statements addressing general AAV diagnosis and management, developed by CanVasc group based on a synthesis of existing international guidelines, other published supporting evidence and expert consensus considering the Canadian healthcare context.
Comparison of sexual function and quality of life after pelvic trauma with and without Angioembolization
Authors: Goussous Naeem , Sawyer Mark D. , Wuersmer Lisa-Ann , Huebner Marianne , Osborn Molly L. , Zielinski Martin D.
Published: October 2015

Background

The aim is to study the safety of Angioembolization on long-term sexual function and quality of life.

Methods

IRB approval was gained to review the prospectively collected trauma database as well as prospective questionnaires of patients at least 1 year out from pelvic fractures that occurred between 1996 and 2009. Surveys included the SF36v2, Female Sexual Function Index and the International Index of Erectile Function. Values for each domain were compared between patients treated with AE and 2:1 case-matched control patients as well as between the national norms. Values are presented as percentages or means with 95 % CI. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Thirty Seven cases and 74 matched controls were identified. 42 patients completed the survey. There were 13 cases (12 males), and 29 controls (22 males). There was a higher ISS (Injury Severity Score) (32 vs 27; p = 0.048) in the cases, but no difference in pelvic AIS (Abbreviated Injury Severity Score) (3 vs 3). Both groups scored similarly in the SF36 in all domains, but the entire cohort scored lower than the national norms in the physical functioning (41.9 (37.8–46.0) vs50), role physical (40.9 (36.2–45.7) vs50), body pain 43.8 (40.7–46.9) vs50), role emotional 46.3 (42.8–49.8) vs50), and physical composite score (42.1 (38.0–46.3) vs50). All domains of the sexual function in both questionnaires showed significant impairment in our cohort compared with norms. Male cases had similar scores to the controls.

Conclusion

Pelvic fractures portend a worse long-term QOL and sexual function than the general population. AE, however, does not have an additive affect to these indices.
In Plain View of the Catholic Faithful: Church-Peasant Conflict in the Peruvian Andes, 1963–1980
Authors: La Serna Miguel
Published: October 2015

This essay chronicles the mounting conflict between indigenous peasants and Catholic Church authorities in mid-twentieth-century Chuschi, an Andean community in Ayacucho, Peru. What began as a local conflict between villagers and individual priests developed into an open rebellion against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ayacucho. Taking advantage of Peru's changing social and political landscape, as well as a vocational crisis within the church, Chuschinos ultimately succeeded in ousting the church from the community, thus contributing to the Catholic Church's final collapse in the Ayacuchan countryside.
Feminism's Two Legacies: A Tale of Ambivalence
Authors: Fraser Nancy
Published: October 2015

This essay explores the possibility for twenty-first-century feminism to retrieve the insurrectionary spirit of women's liberation. It begins by charting the shift from a feminist imaginary focused on egalitarian redistribution to a feminist imaginary founded on recognition of cultural difference. I attribute this shift to the inherent ambivalence of feminism, its ability to articulate as easily with liberal individualism as with solidary egalitarianism. I argue that this ambivalence accounts for a subterranean electoral affinity that has enabled the recuperation of feminist ideas as a source of energy and legitimation for the deregulatory, promarket reforms of neoliberal capitalism, with its valorization of market mechanisms (such as wage labor and micro-credit) that have harnessed the dream of women's emancipation to the engine of capitalist accumulation. I conclude by asking how twenty-first-century feminism might revive the political-economic concerns of its most radical period, together with its insights into the dynamics of recognition, to join forces with and radicalize the analyses of critics of neoliberalism who tend—despite the rich history of feminist critique—to overlook the centrality of women's labor in neoliberal productivity.
On Not Being Women: The 1970s, Mass Culture, and Feminism
Authors: Hesford Victoria
Published: October 2015

This essay offers a reassessment of the historiography of 1970s US feminism by situating its emergence as a culturally legible phenomenon through the mediating capacities of mass culture. Rather than understand 1970s feminism as shaped by a break between politics and culture, I argue that postwar feminism's manifestation as a multiplicity of political movements was made possible through the visual technologies of the mass media. The essay begins by situating the terms women and masses in historical relation, charting their mutual invocation in the mapping of collectivities that both mark the technologically defined era of modernity and signal forms of actual or possible political response to its effects. The second section of the article offers a reading of two mass-cultural texts from the 1970s, the CBS sitcom Maude (1972–78) and the 1975 gothic horror film The Stepford Wives, in order to chart a shift in the categorical appeal of “women” in the postwar era and to argue that these kinds of generic shifts offer us a way to historicize the meaning of 1970s US feminism in a transnational context.
“I Do What I Please, but Even So, I See a Psychologist”
Authors: Meler Tal
Published: October 2015

Divorce, separation, and widowhood produce great psychological stress for Palestinian women in Israel. Very often family support is a set of demands seeking to regulate and reshape their conduct. This article is based on a study conducted between 2007 and 2011 with twenty-four divorced, separated, and widowed Palestinian single mothers in Israel. In contrast to claims in most existing scholarship, all of the women turned to nonfamilial sources of support to deal with family and community regulation, restrictions, and stigmatization and to acquire resources. Level of surveillance and regulation was most highly associated with socioeconomic class. The poorer the women, the fewer their choices and the less freedom they had to determine their lives and their children’s lives. The women interviewed disproportionately reported turning to outsiders, such as psychologists, spiritualists, and feminist activists, for “expressive” support.
Perception and Annoyance Due to Vibrations in Dwellings Generated from Ground Transportation: A Review
Authors: Trollé Arnaud , Marquis-Favre Catherine , Parizet Étienne
Published: October 2015

Over the past decades, the improvement of the quality of buildings regarding sound insulation has made it possible to reduce noise exposure. But this improvement has led to the increasing importance of other environmental nuisances such as vibrations. Just like noise, vibrations can also affect human health and well-being. National authorities are progressively becoming aware of the adverse effects of vibrations on human beings. One of these adverse effects is vibration annoyance. As a prerequisite for studying vibration annoyance, many research works have provided knowledge of how vibrations are perceived by human beings. But, until now, only a few large-scale studies have been carried out to gain knowledge of annoyance due to vibrations. This knowledge is of importance for public authorities in order to plan the development of transportation networks while taking account of this environmental nuisance (i.e. vibrations). Assessing vibration annoyance is a complex task that implies research work spread over various disciplines (e.g. human sciences, physics). This is why a review of knowledge in the field of vibration perception and annoyance is felt to be necessary. More specifically, this review focuses on vibration annoyance felt by inhabitants inside buildings and caused by ground transportation sources. Before dealing with the review of annoyance due to vibrations, the basics of human vibratory perception are presented. Then, annoyance due to a vibration exposure is dealt with. In particular, the way vibration exposure and vibration annoyance are measured and assessed is tackled. The main features and results of research works that aimed to establish exposure-effect relationships between annoyance and vibrations are described. Finally, this review presents a state-of-the-art of annoyance due to a combined exposure to vibrations and noise, since people exposed to vibrations are also often exposed to airborne noise. This review is non-exhaustive, but it can give to scientists and engineers working in the field tools for a better understanding of some of the factors to consider when dealing with the issue of vibration annoyance due to ground transportation.
Designing of Compact Low Frequency Vibration Isolator with Quasi-Zero-Stiffness
Authors: Valeev Anvar , Zotov Alexey , Kharisov Shamil
Published: October 2015

This article considers the design of a compact isolator with quasi-zero stiffness. It has high vibration control properties at low weight and dimensions. Also the developed vibration isolator with quasi-zero stiffness can protect against low-frequency vibration. The vibration isolator is of a passive type, made from a single elastic material, which will be compact and convenient in manufacturing. An analytical study of the vibration isolation, its manufacturing and experimental static study are presented. The natural frequency of the developed vibration isolator with quasi-zero stiffness is less than 1 Hz.
μ-Synthesis Controller Design for Seismic Alleviation of Structures with Parametric Uncertainties
Authors: Gudarzi Mohammad
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this paper is to apply robust μ-synthesis output-feedback controller design for seismic alleviation of multi-structural buildings with parametric uncertainties and to tackle the instabilities and performance declines due to these uncertainties. To this aim, a general lumped-mass tree-building model of a shear-frame multi-structure with horizontal movements is developed, first. Then, an output-feedback controller based on the theory of structured singular value is designed for the main structure that not only alleviates the earthquake excitation but also guarantees the stability of the closed-loop system. Finally, to investigate the effect of the designed controller on the main and neighbouring structures, numerical simulations using historically recorded ground accelerations are carried out, where certain percentages of uncertainties are added to the multi-structure's parameters and the results are compared to those for passive structures and the results are discussed.
Modelling and Controller Design for a Flexible Structure System against Disturbance Effects
Authors: Tinkir Mustafa , Kalyoncu Mete , ŞLahin Yusuf
Published: October 2015

The effects of natural hazards such as earthquakes are serious threat to structures and most researchers have studied structural control systems. Vibration and displacement control of structures under seismic excitation are important problems for which a solution is to use structural control against the disturbances. This paper presents modelling and controller design for flexible structure systems against unexpected disturbance effects such as seismic excitation. The proposed system consists of two flexible floors with active mass damper. The system is set up on a shake-table and disturbances are created by the shake-table. Active mass damper consists of a moving mass actuated by a servomotor, which moves linearly and is mounted on the second floor to suppress structural vibrations and displacements. In simulation works, different types of modeling technique are used to obtain dynamic behaviour of the proposed system and control of the simulated system is carried out using SolidWorks and MATLAB/SimMechanics. Moreover linear quadratic regulator and proportional-integral-derivative controllers are designed to control the moving mass in active mode while the system is under excitation. For this purpose a full-order observer is formed and implemented as control strategy. Furthermore acceleration and displacement responses of the floors and displacement of proportional velocity controlled cart are investigated in passive mode. A set of results verifying the modelling technique, controller performance and effectiveness, displacements of cart, displacements and accelerations of the floors are presented and compared separately for passive and active modes in the form of graphics and tables.
Quality of histone modification antibodies undermines chromatin biology research
Authors: Kungulovski Goran , Jeltsch Albert
Published: October 2015

Histone post-translational modification (PTM) antibodies are essential research reagents in chromatin biology. However, they suffer from variable properties and insufficient documentation of quality. Antibody manufacturers and vendors should provide detailed lot-specific documentation of quality, rendering further quality checks by end-customers unnecessary. A shift from polyclonal antibodies towards sustainable reagents like monoclonal or recombinant antibodies or histone binding domains would help to improve the reproducibility of experimental work in this field.
INFLUENCE OF YOUTH POLICY STRATEGY OF PARLIAMENTARY PARTIES ON FORMATION OF YOUTH AS A SUBJECT OF POLITICAL RELATIONS IN MODERN RUSSIA
Authors: Бударина  , Budarina Kseniya
Published: October 2015

In the article specifics of youth policy of parliamentary parties in modern Russia is considered. Authors pay attention to the main strategic objectives of parliamentary parties in the sphere of youth policy. Further a number of the main directions of youth involvement in socio-political practicies of the Russian society is given in the article, the most important priorities of parliamentary parties on formation of political potential of youth are compared. Also in the article the attention to the generalized target reference points of political parties concerning the younger generation is paid.
Problems of implementation of judicial constitutional review
Authors: Горелова  , Gorelova I.
Published: October 2015

The article analyzes theoretical aspects of functioning of the bodies of constitutional control. The author concludes the need for changes to the provisions of the Federal Law "On the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation", in particular affecting the status of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
TENDENCIES AND PRIORITY DIRECTIONS OF REGIONAL YOUTH POLICY
Authors: Феклистова  , Feklistova Inessa
Published: October 2015

Priority directions of regional youth policy are substantiated in the article. It is suggested to use wider international positive experience of realization of youth policy. The system of priority directions of regional youth policy contributes to the improvement of position of young people, strengthening its role in the increase of competitiveness of the region. Its introduction assists to the rational use of limited facilities of the budget of the region.
DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGAL CONSCIENCE AS TECHNOLOGY OF ACTIVIZATION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION POTENTIAL OF THE RUSSIAN SOCIETY
Authors: Кнышева  , Knysheva E.
Published: October 2015

The author analyzes the main features of anti-corruption legal conscience as technology of activization the anti-corruption potential of the Russian society. The necessity of anti-corruption education in modern Russia is substantiated.
FINANCIAL BASIS OF RURAL SETTLEMENTS AND RURAL SETTLEMENTS PROGRAM SUPPORT BALANCED
Authors: Селиванова  , Selivanova Elena
Published: October 2015

The article presents some results of the expert survey performed as a part of the presidential grant, reflecting expert opinions on the adequacy of funding of rural settlements and their support programs.
On the methodology of question-answer situations in the professional activity of civil servants
Authors: Лупандин  , Lupandin Vitaliy
Published: October 2015

The article discusses the use of question-answer procedures in the activity of civil servants. The author examines the question-answer situations, depending on functions of a civil servant, emphasizing that the main task of clarifying questions is to complement the information already available.
Risk Estimation via Regression
Authors: Broadie Mark , Du Yiping , Moallemi Ciamac C.
Published: October 2015

We introduce a regression-based nested Monte Carlo simulation method for the estimation of financial risk. An outer simulation level is used to generate financial risk factors and an inner simulation level is used to price securities and compute portfolio losses given risk factor outcomes. The mean squared error (MSE) of standard nested simulation converges at the rate k−2/3, where k measures computational effort. The proposed regression method combines information from different risk factor realizations to provide a better estimate of the portfolio loss function. The MSE of the regression method converges at the rate k−1 until reaching an asymptotic bias level which depends on the magnitude of the regression error. Numerical results consistent with our theoretical analysis are provided and numerical comparisons with other methods are also given.
Patterns of Performance on the Modified Cued Recall Test in Spanish Adults With Down Syndrome With and Without Dementia
Authors: Benejam Bessy , Fortea Juan , Molina-López Rafael , Videla Sebastià
Published: October 2015

The assessment of memory decline in people with intellectual disability (ID) is more difficult than in the general population, due to a lack of appropriate instruments and to preexisting cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to describe performance of healthy adults with Down syndrome (healthy-DS; prospectively cohort) on a Spanish version of the modified Cued Recall Test (mCRT). We also recruited retrospectively a cohort of DS subjects with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DS-DAT). Healthy-DS obtained higher scores on free recall and total score than DS-DAT. Age was the main factor associated with decreasing mCRT scores. The mCRT was useful in DS subjects with ID at the upper end of the spectrum or ID in the middle range of the spectrum, and discriminated well between DS subjects with and without DAT.
The Relative Risk of Divorce in Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities:Impacts of Lifelong Parenting
Authors: Namkung Eun Ha , Song Jieun , Greenberg Jan S. , Mailick Marsha R. , Floyd Frank J.
Published: October 2015

We prospectively examined the risk of divorce in 190 parents of children with developmental disabilities compared to 7,251 parents of children without disabilities based on a random sample drawn from the community and followed longitudinally for over 50 years. A significant interaction between the parental group status and number of children was found: In the comparison group, having a larger number of children was related to an increased risk of divorce, whereas the number of children did not increase divorce risk among parents of children with developmental disabilities.
Populäre Geschichte im Kaiserreich
Authors: Reusch Nina
Published: October 2015

Familienzeitschriften waren im späten 19. Jahrhundert sowohl Unterhaltungs- als auch Bildungsmedien. In ihrer Untersuchung der Genese und medialen Vermittlung von populärer Geschichte im Wilhelminischen Kaiserreich geht Nina Reusch der Frage nach, wie die Zeitschriften die deutsche Geschichtskultur prägten. Sie zeigt: Unter Rückgriff auf zahlreiche geschichtskulturelle Traditionen schufen die gut mit der Fachwissenschaft vernetzten Periodika eigene Formen populärer Geschichte, die eng mit den sozialen Strukturen ihrer Zeit verbunden waren. Darüber hinaus gewährt die Analyse einen Einblick in die Interaktion diverser historiographischer Felder und liefert so einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Geschichtskulturforschung.
Shear Lag Effect In The Numerical Experiment
Authors: Szumigała M. , Ciesielczyk K.
Published: October 2015

The standard PN-EN 1993-1-5: 2008 (Eurocode 3) compared with the standard (PN-B-03200: 1990) used previously in Poland, introduces extended rules referring to the computations of the bearing capacity of the plated structural elements including the shear lag effect. The stress distribution in the width flanges is variable. Therefore in the case of the beam with the shear lag effect cannot be calculated by the classic beam theory.

In this article a comparison of the results of the calculations of forces distribution, stresses and displacement according to the rule presented in PN-EN 1993 and results of the numerical computations for 3D model (using finite element method) is presented. The elastic shear lag effects, the elastic shear lag effects including effects of the plate buckling and the elastic-plastic shear lag effects including the local instabilities were analysed. The calculations were performed for beams with a small and a large span and an influence of stiffeners was analysed.
Technology Selection For Construction Project, With The Use Of Fuzzy Preference Relation
Authors: Ibadov N. , Rosłon J.
Published: October 2015

Article deals with the problem of technology selection for construction project. Three criteria were proposed: cost, time and technological complexity. To solve the problem, fuzzy preference relations were used. Authors present an algorithm supporting multi-criteria decision-making process. The algorithm creates fuzzy preference relations on the basis of the fuzzy comparison: “xi is better than xj”. Then, with the use of criteria weights it creates general fuzzy preference relation, finds all non-dominated (admissible) alternatives and the best one among them. The algorithm consists of 7 steps. Authors show application of the proposed algorithm - example calculations.
Laboratory testing requirements for diagnosis and follow-up of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell dyscrasias
Authors: Willrich Maria A.V. , Katzmann Jerry A.
Published: October 2015

Monoclonal immunoglobulins are markers of plasma cell proliferative diseases and have been described as the first (and perhaps best) serological tumor marker. The unique structure of each monoclonal protein makes them highly specific for each plasma cell clone. The difficulties of using monoclonal proteins for diagnosing and monitoring multiple myeloma, however, stem from the diverse disease presentations and broad range of serum protein concentrations and molecular weights. Because of these challenges, no single test can confidently diagnose or monitor all patients. Panels of tests have been recommended for sensitivity and efficiency. In this review we discuss the various disease presentations and the use of various tests such as protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis as well as immunoglobulin quantitation, free light chain quantitation, and heavy-light chain quantitation by immuno-nephelometry. The choice of tests for inclusion in diagnostic and monitoring panels may need to be tailored to each patient, and examples are provided. The panel currently recommended for diagnostic screening is serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation electrophoresis, and free light chain quantitation.
Heparinate but not serum tubes are susceptible to hemolysis by pneumatic tube transportation
Authors: Pasqualetti Sara , Szőke Dominika , Panteghini Mauro
Published: October 2015

Background:

Pneumatic tube transportation (PTT) may induce hemolysis (H) in blood samples. We aimed to compare the H degree before and after PTT implementation in our hospital.

Methods:

Hemolysis indices (HI) for all lithium-heparin plasma samples (P) drawn by the Emergency Department in 2-month periods were retrospectively collected and pre- (n=3579) and post-PTT (n=3469) results compared. The impact of PTT introduction was investigated on LDH [HI threshold (HIt), 25], conjugated bilirubin (cBIL) (HIt, 30), K (HIt, 100) and ALT (HIt, 125). In addition, HI retrieved for P and paired serum samples collected in silica clot activator tubes (S) from the same venipuncture were compared in pre- (n=501) and post-PTT (n=509) periods.

Results:

Median (5–95th percentile) HI in P was significantly higher in post-PTT period [7 (0–112) vs. 6 (0–82), p<0.001]. Results reported as ‘Hemolysis’ in P increased from 6.6% in pre-PTT to 9.4% in post-PTT (p<0.001). Investigated tests gave the following rejection rates (pre-PTT vs. post-PTT): LDH, 13.4% vs. 18.8%, p<0.001; cBIL, 9.4% vs. 27.0%, p<0.05; K, 3.7% vs. 5.6%, p<0.001; ALT, 2.9% vs. 4.4%, p<0.01. The slightly higher susceptibility to H of S compared to paired P found in the pre-PTT [9 (1–64) vs. 6 (0–85)] was not confirmed in the post-PTT period [7 (0–90) vs. 8 (1–72)], in which median HI in S was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in pre-PTT.

Conclusions:

In our setting PTT promotes H in P, increasing the rate of rejected tests. The use of S appears to protect against the hemolysing effect of PTT.
Crystalluria
Authors: Daudon Michel , Frochot Vincent
Published: October 2015

Crystalluria is a marker of urine supersaturation with substances deriving from metabolic disorders, inherited diseases or drugs. The investigation of crystalluria must be done according to a protocol which includes the delivery to the laboratory of a proper urine sample, the use of a microscope equipped with polarized light, the accurate knowledge of urine pH, and a comprehensive examination of the crystals, which is based on their identification, quantification and size measurement. For unusual crystals, infrared spectroscopy may also be needed. The main urinary crystalline categories include: calcium oxalates, calcium phosphates, uric acids and urates, struvite, aminoacids (cystine), purines (2,8-dihydroxyadenine and xanthine) and drugs (e.g. sulfamethoxazole, amoxycillin, ceftriaxone, atazanavir). The investigation of crystalluria is a cheap and valuable tool for the detection and the monitoring of inherited and acquired diseases associated with urinary stone formation or renal function impairment – either acute or chronic – due to intrarenal crystal precipitation.
The roles of leptin and adiponectin at the fetal-maternal interface in humans
Authors: Dos Santos Esther , Duval Fabien , Vialard François , Dieudonné Marie-Noëlle
Published: October 2015

Infertility now affects one in seven couples, and the prevalence of this condition continues to increase. Ovulatory defects and unknown causes account for more than half of the cases of infertility. It has been postulated that a significant proportion of these cases are directly or indirectly related to obesity, since the presence of excess adipose tissue has a variety of effects on reproductive function. Here, we review on the effects of the two major adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) on fertility, with a focus on the first steps in embryo implantation and the key components of fetal-maternal interface (the placenta and the endometrium). These adipokines are reportedly involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, and as such affect local angiogenesis, immune tolerance and inflammatory processes in placental and endometrial tissues. In placental cells, leptin and adiponectin also modulate trophoblast invasiveness and the nutrient supply. These observations strongly suggest by interfering with the placenta and endometrium, adipokines can create a favorable environment for embryo implantation and have a key role in fetal-maternal metabolism, fetal-maternal communication, and gestation. Given that reproductive functions are tightly coupled to the energy balance, metabolic abnormalities may lead to the development of complications of pregnancy and changes in fetal growth. In this context, we suggest that the leptin/adiponectin ratio may be a clinically valuable marker for detecting a number of pathologies in pregnancy.
Serum steroids remain within the same normal postmenopausal values during 12-month intravaginal 0.50% DHEA
Authors: Ke Yuyong , Gonthier Renaud , Simard Jean-Nicolas , Archer David , Lavoie Lyne , Martel Céline , Vaillancourt Mario , Labrie Fernand
Published: October 2015

Objective: Analyze the serum levels of DHEA (prasterone) and its metabolites after daily intravaginal 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Methods: Serum samples were obtained at baseline and after 12, 26 and 52 weeks of treatment. The serum levels of DHEA, DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), androstene-3β, 17β-diol (5-diol), androstenedione (4-dione), testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), E1-sulfate (E1-S), androsterone glucuronide (ADT-G) and androstane-3α,17β-diol 17-glucuronide (3α-diol-17G) were measured by validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: A total of 435 women were exposed for 52 weeks. All serum steroids remained within normal values with no significant differences between lengths of treatment. For the most relevant estrogen-related compounds, namely E1, E2, and E1-S, a reliable marker of total estrogen exposure, the values in the DHEA-treated group at 52 weeks were –3.4%, –9.1% and +1.8%, respectively, compared to the normal postmenopausal values, thus clearly confirming the absence of significant systemic estrogen exposure.

Conclusion: While confirming that all serum sex steroids originating exclusively from DHEA after menopause are maintained within the normal postmenopausal values, the present data show that the dose of intravaginal DHEA used is free from systemic exposure with no detectable change in metabolism up to 52 weeks of treatment.
Unbiased Estimation of the Average Treatment Effect in Cluster-Randomized Experiments
Authors: Middleton Joel A. , Aronow Peter M.
Published: October 2015

Many estimators of the average treatment effect, including the difference-in-means, may be biased when clusters of units are allocated to treatment. This bias remains even when the number of units within each cluster grows asymptotically large. In this paper, we propose simple, unbiased, location-invariant, and covariate-adjusted estimators of the average treatment effect in experiments with random allocation of clusters, along with associated variance estimators. We then analyze a cluster-randomized field experiment on voter mobilization in the US, demonstrating that the proposed estimators have precision that is comparable, if not superior, to that of existing, biased estimators of the average treatment effect.
Multiphase flow metering with nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Bilgic Attila M. , Kunze Johannes W. , Stegemann Volker , Hogendoorn Jankees , Cerioni Lucas , Zoeteweij Marco
Published: October 2015

The measurement of fluids in the oil and gas industry requires
a robust measurement of multiphase flows. Magnetic resonance as
a measurement principle has multiple advantages over existing
technologies (one single measurement principle, measurement performed
from outside the pipe with no intruding sensors, full bore design,
suited for producing wells and high sensitivity at high water liquid
ratios). A magnetic resonance based multiphase flow meter which is
capable of producing an image of the spatial distribution of
a multiphase flow has been developed. This article describes the
principles of magnetic resonance. Afterwards details of the technical
implementation and the method by which the system determines
multiphase flow composition are explained.
Adaptation of Saccades and Perceived Size after Trans-Saccadic Changes of Object Size
Authors: Bosco Annalisa , Lappe Markus , Fattori Patrizia
Published: October 2015

When saccadic eye movements consistently fail to land on the intended target, saccade accuracy is maintained by gradually adapting the amplitude of successive saccades to the same target. Such saccadic adaptation is usually induced by systematically displacing a small visual target during the execution of the saccade. However, saccades are normally performed to extended objects. Here we report changes in saccade amplitude when the size of a target object is systematically changed during a saccade. Moreover, we find that this manipulation also affected the visual perception of the size of that object. Human subjects were tested in shortening and lengthening adaptation where they had to make saccades to targets of different sizes, which were each shortened or lengthened during saccade execution, respectively. In both experiments, a preadaptation and postadaptation phase required manually indicating the horizontal size of each target by grip aperture and, in a further experiment, a verbal size report. We evaluated the effect of change in visual perception on saccade and on the two modalities of judgment. We observed that (1) saccadic adaptation can be induced by modifying target object size and (2) this gradual change in saccade amplitude in the direction of the object size change evokes a concomitant change in perceived object size. These findings suggest that size is a relevant signal for saccadic system and its trans-saccadic manipulation entails considerable changes at multiple levels of sensorimotor performance.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAcross a saccade to an object the visual system receives two views of that object, a presaccadic peripheral view and a postsaccadic foveal view. We show that manipulation of the size of the object after the saccade modifies presaccadic size perception and motor control. Saccade amplitudes become smaller when the postsaccadic object is smaller and perceived size estimates become smaller, too. The reverse is true when the object is larger after the saccade. These findings suggest that an object feature as size is a relevant signal that influences the saccadic system and the size distortion following saccadic adaptation indicates that the representation of the central part of visual field is critical for interaction between hand and object or object recognition.