bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Perspectives in NSAID-Induced Gastropathy
Authors: Sinha Mau , Gautam Lovely , Shukla Prakash Kumar , Kaur Punit , Sharma Sujata , Singh Tej P.
Published: March 2013

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most highly prescribed drugs in the world. Their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic actions may be beneficial; however, they are associated with severe side effects including gastrointestinal injury and peptic ulceration. Though several approaches for limiting these side effects have been adopted, like the use of COX-2 specific drugs, comedication of acid suppressants like proton pump inhibitors and prostaglandin analogs, these alternatives have limitations in terms of efficacy and side effects. In this paper, the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and their critical gastrointestinal complications have been reviewed. This paper also provides the information on different preventive measures prescribed to minimize such adverse effects and analyses the new suggested strategies for development of novel drugs to maintain the anti-inflammatory functions of NSAIDs along with effective gastrointestinal protection.
Effects of Media Formulation on the Growth and Morphology of Ectomycorrhizae and Their Association with Host Plant
Authors: Islam Ferzana , Ohga Shoji
Published: March 2013

Tricholoma matsutake and Rhizopogon roseolus form ectomycorrhizal (ECM) association with their host plant on natural habitats. The main objective of this study was to test mycelial growth, morphology, and host plant survival both in vitro and in vivo when treated with enriched media. Aseptically germinated seedlings of Pinus densiflora and P. thunbergii were inoculated with the strains of T. matsutake and R. roseolus, respectively. Under in vitro conditions mycelial growth rates performed best on pH 5 and were better on Modified-Melin-Norkrans-(MMN) based medium and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA); addition of micronutrients and vitamins in MMN mycelial growth rates had 6–27% differences. Without ECM, plant survival rates on standard media were 30% to below 30% and by inclusion of elements they were 50% to 80%. On in vivo, soil containing different media with ECM allowed successful mycorrhizal association and increased seedling survival rates approximately 100%. Our findings confirm that MMN and PDA allowed higher mycelial growth but poor plant survival (<30%); however, enriched media supported 100% plant survival with successful ECM associations. The present method is advantageous in terms of giving objectivity for ECM by employing suitable media for strains and host plant, and making it possible for mass production of ECM-infected seedlings.
Alsterpaullone, a Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor, Mediated Toxicity in HeLa Cells through Apoptosis-Inducing Effect
Authors: Cui Chunying , Wang Yuji , Wang Yaonan , Zhao Ming , Peng Shiqi
Published: March 2013

Alsterpaullone, a small molecule cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, regulates the cell cycle progression. Beyond death-inducing properties, we identified the effect of alsterpaullone on cycle procedure and apoptosis of HeLa cell. It was found that alsterpaullone inhibited HeLa cells in a time-dependent (0–72 h) and dose-dependent (0–30 μM) manner. In the presence of alsterpaullone, HeLa cells were arrested in G2/M prior to undergoing apoptosis via a mechanism that is involved in the regulation of various antiapoptotic genes, DNA-repair, transcription, and cell cycle progression. Compared to controls, alsterpaullone effectively prevented HeLa cells from entering S-phase. These potential therapeutic efficacies could be correlated with the activation of caspase-3.
Changes in Antibiotic Susceptibility ofHelicobacter pyloriin the Course of Eight Years in the Zaanstreek Region in The Netherlands
Authors: Loffeld R. J. L. F. , Werdmuller B. F. M.
Published: March 2013

Background. Failure of anti-Helicobactertherapy is the result noncompliance and resistance to the prescribed antibiotics.Aim. Antibiotic susceptibility ofH. pyloriwas determined in native Dutch patients and patients of Turkish descent.Methods. In a period of eight years a total of 925 strains ofH. pyloriwere cultured. Bacterial susceptibility was successfully determined in 746 (80.6%) of these isolates. Three hundred and nine strains (33%) originated from patients of Turkish descent.Results. In total clarithromycin resistance was found in 146 (20.5%) strains, metronidazole resistance in 147 (19.9%) strains. Amoxicillin resistance was found to be present in five strains. There is a slight but nonsignificant decrease in the percentage of clarithromycin-resistant strains in the consecutive period of eight years from 20% to 18%. No changes were seen in the consecutive years in metronidazole resistance. The number of clarithromycin-resistant strains decreased in Turkish patients, not in native Dutch patients.Conclusion. Resistance did not change significantly in consecutive years. But clinicians should take not only the antibiotic history into account but also ethnicity before prescribing metronidazole or clarithromycin.
Therapeutic Potential ofDioscoreaExtract (DA-9801) in Comparison with Alpha Lipoic Acid on the Peripheral Nerves in Experimental Diabetes
Authors: Jin Heung Yong , Kim Sun Hee , Yu Hea Min , Baek Hong Sun , Park Tae Sun
Published: March 2013

DA-9801, a mixture of extracts fromDioscorea japonicaThunb. andDioscorea nipponicaMakino, was reported to have neurotrophic activity. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic potential of DA-9801, in comparison with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), for peripheral nerves preservation in experimental diabetes. Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups, and each group was designated according to the type of treatment administered as follows: normal, DM, DM+DA-9801, and DM+ALA. After 16 weeks, response thresholds to tactile and thermal stimuli were higher in DM+DA-9801 group than in nontreated DM group. This degree of increase in DM+DA-9801 group indicates more therapeutic potency of DA-9801 than ALA. Western blot analysis showed more significant increase in NGF and decrease in TNF-αand IL-6 in DM+DA-9801 group than in DM or DM+ALA groups (P<0.05). IENF density was reduced less significantly in the DM+DA-9801 group than in other DM groups (7.61 ± 0.32, 4.2 ± 0.26, and 6.5 ± 0.30 in DM+DA-9801, DM, and DM+ALA, resp.,P<0.05). Mean myelinated axonal area in the sciatic nerves was significantly greater in DM+DA-9801 group than in other DM groups (69.2 ± 5.76, 54.0 ± 6.32, and 63.1 ± 5.41 in DM+DA-9801, DM, and DM+ALA, resp.,P<0.05). Results of this study demonstrated potential therapeutic applications of DA-9801 for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Nontrivial Solutions for a Modified Capillary Surface Equation
Authors: Liang Zhanping
Published: March 2013

A negative solution and a positive solution are obtained for a modified capillary surface equation by variational methods.
A Coordination of Risk Management for Supply Chains Organized as Virtual Enterprises
Authors: Huang Min , Wang Xingwei , Lu Fu-Qiang , Bi Hua-Ling
Published: March 2013

As a new management mode, great attention has been paid to virtual enterprise (VE). While there is much research material on risk management of VE, a relationship perspective on owner and partner performance assessment and management can bring an added dimension. The coordination of risk management in fashion and textiles (FTs) supply chain organized as a VE is studied in this paper. The aim of this study is to find proper decision mechanisms that can improve the overall performance of risk management for the whole VE as well as each member. For the risk management problem in VE, a centralized mechanism is given as the base case, and then a distributed decision-making (DDM) mechanism with incentive scheme is introduced to establish a practicable strategic partnership. Under the DDM mechanism, a relationship performance definition that incorporates the financial dimension is investigated. For the two resulting optimization problems, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is designed. In the numerical examples, the study shows that the DDM mechanism with incentive scheme can improve the overall benefit of risk management beyond the centralized one. Additionally, sensitivity analysis is conducted with respect to the bonus parameter, and suggestions are made for further research.
Some New Intrinsic Topologies on Complete Lattices and the Cartesian Closedness of the Category of Strongly Continuous Lattices
Authors: Wu Xiuhua , Li Qingguo , Zhao Dongsheng
Published: March 2013

We prove some new characterizations of strongly continuous lattices using two new intrinsic topologies and a class of convergences. Lastly we show that the category of strongly continuous lattices and Scott continuous mappings is cartesian closed.
A New Fuzzy-Based Maximum Power Point Tracker for a Solar Panel Based on Datasheet Values
Authors: Kargarnejad Ali , Taherbaneh Mohsen , Kashefi Amir Hosein
Published: March 2013

Tracking maximum power point of a solar panel is of interest in most of photovoltaic applications. Solar panel modeling is also very interesting exclusively based on manufacturers data. Knowing that the manufacturers generally give the electrical specifications of their products at one operating condition, there are so many cases in which the specifications in other conditions are of interest. In this research, a comprehensive one-diode model for a solar panel with maximum obtainable accuracy is fully developed only based on datasheet values. The model parameters dependencies on environmental conditions are taken into consideration as much as possible. Comparison between real data and simulations results shows that the proposed model has maximum obtainable accuracy. Then a new fuzzy-based controller to track the maximum power point of the solar panel is also proposed which has better response from speed, accuracy and stability point of view respect to the previous common developed one.
Flexible Pavement Performance in relation to In Situ Mechanistic and Volumetric Properties Using LTPP Data
Authors: Jamal Khattak Mohammad , Peddapati Nagaraju
Published: March 2013

This research study focuses on the actual performance of the flexible pavements and its relationship with the in-situ mechanistic and volumetric properties. The data required for the study were obtained using the Long Term Pavement Performance database. Approximately, 116 flexible pavement sections throughout United States were analyzed and discussed. The results indicated that the temperature has a significant affect on the backcalculated modulus of the hot mix asphalt layer. However, no strong relationship was observed between the hot mix asphalt backcalculated modulus and in situ air voids. It was found that fatigue life was a function of tensile strain at the bottom of hot mix asphalt layer, peak surface deflection, hot mix asphalt air voids and maximum specific gravity, and ambient air temperature. Similar relationships between the rut life, mechanistic and volumetric properties were established for wet-freeze and wet-no-freeze climatic zones. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the rut performance in wet-no-freeze sections is mainly affected by higher base and roadbed compressive stresses and strains. On the other hand, the performances in wet-freeze sections are highly depended on roadbed compressive strain and modulus ratio of subbase to roadbed.
Home Artificial Nutrition in Switzerland: An Epidemiological Survey from 2005 to 2009
Authors: Shaw Susy Ann , Rühlin Maya , Wagener Nicole , Stanga Zeno , Meier Rémy , Ballmer Peter E.
Published: March 2013

Background and Aims: Home artificial nutrition (HAN), including oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and enteral (HEN) and parenteral (HPN) nutrition, is an established, important treatment for malnourished patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological data of patients on HAN in Switzerland. Methods: This retrospective study recorded all new cases of HAN in Switzerland from January 2005 to December 2009. Results: A total of 12,917 cases were recorded: 6,731 (52%) males and 6,186 (48%) females, with a mean age of 65.0 ± 17.6 years. The number of patients on ONS was 7,827 (57.4%), on HEN 3,966 (39.4%) and on HPN 433 (3.2%). The most common underlying disease category was neoplasms (6,519, 50.7%). The number of patients on ONS increased from 57.0% (n = 1,252) to 60.8% (n = 2,039), and on HPN from 2.1% (n = 45) to 4.0% (n = 134) between 2005 and 2009. Conclusions: This first analysis of the large-scale Swiss registry of HAN shows that approximately half of the patients received ONS, whereas HPN was rarely delivered. The frequency of ONS and HPN increased from the year 2005 to 2009. In accordance with previous European studies, malignant tumors were by far the most frequent indication for HAN.
Comparison between Bilateral Cochlear Implants and Neurelec Digisonict SP Binaural Cochlear Implant: Speech Perception, Sound Localization and Patient Self-Assessment
Authors: Bonnard Damien , Lautissier Sylvie , Bosset-Audoit Amélie , Coriat Géraldine , Beraha Max , Maunoury Antoine , Martel Jacques , Darrouzet Vincent , Bébéar Jean-Pierre , Dauman René
Published: March 2013

An alternative to bilateral cochlear implantation is offered by the Neurelec Digisonict SP Binaural cochlear implant, which allows stimulation of both cochleae within a single device. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare a group of Neurelec Digisonict SP Binaural implant users (denoted BINAURAL group, n = 7) with a group of bilateral adult cochlear implant users (denoted BILATERAL group, n = 6) in terms of speech perception, sound localization, and self-assessment of health status and hearing disability. Speech perception was assessed using word recognition at 60 dB SPL in quiet and in a ‘cocktail party’ noise delivered through five loudspeakers in the hemi-sound field facing the patient (signal-to-noise ratio = +10 dB). The sound localization task was to determine the source of a sound stimulus among five speakers positioned between –90° and +90° from midline. Change in health status was assessed using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory and hearing disability was evaluated with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit. Speech perception was not statistically different between the two groups, even though there was a trend in favor of the BINAURAL group (mean percent word recognition in the BINAURAL and BILATERAL groups: 70 vs. 56.7% in quiet, 55.7 vs. 43.3% in noise). There was also no significant difference with regard to performance in sound localization and self-assessment of health status and hearing disability. On the basis of the BINAURAL group’s performance in hearing tasks involving the detection of interaural differences, implantation with the Neurelec Digisonict SP Binaural implant may be considered to restore effective binaural hearing. Based on these first comparative results, this device seems to provide benefits similar to those of traditional bilateral cochlear implantation, with a new approach to stimulate both auditory nerves.
Strain Magnitude-Dependent Calcific Marker Expression in Valvular and Vascular Cells
Authors: Ferdous Zannatul , Jo Hanjoong , Nerem Robert M.
Published: March 2013

Aortic valve disease and atherosclerosis tend to coexist in most patients with cardiovascular disease; however, the causes and mechanisms of disease development in heart valves are still not clearly understood. To understand the contributions of the magnitude of cyclic strain (5% hypotension, 10% physiological, and 15% hypertension) in calcification, we used a model system of tissue-engineered collagen gels containing human aortic smooth muscle cells and human aortic valvular interstitial cells, both isolated from noncalcific heart transplant tissue. The compacted collagen gels were cultured in osteogenic media for 3 weeks in a custom-designed bioreactor and all assessments were performed at the end of the culture period. The major finding of this study is that bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-4 and transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA expression significantly changed in response to the magnitude of applied strain in valvular cells, while the lowest expression was observed for the representative physiological strain. On the other hand, mRNA expression in vascular cells did not vary in response to the magnitude of strain. Regarding BMP-2 and BMP-4 protein expression determined by immunostaining, trends were similar to mRNA expression in vascular and valvular cells, where only valvular cells showed a varied protein expression depending on the magnitude of the strain applied. Our results suggest that cellular differences exist between vascular and valvular cells in their response to altered levels of cyclic strain during calcification.
A 1.3-Mb 7q11.23 Atypical Deletion Identified in a Cohort of Patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome
Authors: Delgado L.M. , Gutierrez M. , Augello B. , Fusco C. , Micale L. , Merla G. , Pastene E.A.
Published: March 2013

Williams-Beuren syndrome is a rare multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a 1.55-1.84-Mb hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23. The classical phenotype consists of characteristic facial features, supravalvular aortic stenosis, intellectual disability, overfriendliness, and visuospatial impairment. So far, 26-28 genes have been shown to contribute to the multisystem phenotype associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Among them, haploinsufficiency of the ELN gene has been shown to cause the cardiovascular anomalies. Identification of patients with atypical deletions has provided valuable information for genotype-phenotype correlation, in which other genes such as LIMK1,CLIP2, GTF2IRD1, or GTF2I have been correlated with specific cognitive profiles or craniofacial features. Here, we report the clinical and molecular characteristics of a patient with an atypical deletion that does not include the GTF2I gene and only partially includes the GTF2IRD1 gene.
QualiPRO: Eine Internetplattform zur Erleichterung der Studienteilnahme für Prüfärzte, Prüfzentren und Studienzentralen
Authors: Ihrig Kristina , Gökbuget Nicola
Published: March 2013

Investigator-initiierte Studien (IIT) stellen deutschlandweit den Versorgungsstandard in der Hämatologie und Onkologie dar und zielen zugleich auf stetige Therapieoptimierung ab. Mit der 12. Arzneimittelgesetz(AMG)-Novelle wurden die regulatorischen Vorgaben für IIT denen von Zulassungsstudien angeglichen. Insbesondere die Beantragung von Ethikvoten stellt eine große Herausforderung dar, da gegebenenfalls für bis zu 51 Ethikkommissionen umfangreiche Antragsunterlagen bereitgestellt werden müssen. Auch im Jahr 2012, nach Änderung des AMG, sind diese Prozesse komplex, wobei die Verantwortung nun auf den Prüfer am Zentrum übertragen worden ist. Aus diesen Gründen wurde die Online-Datenbank «QualiPRO» entwickelt, kostenfrei und einfach zugänglich für Prüfer, ihre Studienteams und Studienzentralen von Multicenterstudiengruppen. QualiPRO vereinfacht den Prozess, einen vollständigen, aktuellen Lebenslauf (Curriculum Vitae (CV)) für die Teilnahme an klinischen Studien sowie andere benötigte Dokumente bereitzustellen. Der Inhalt und die Architektur der Datenbank berücksichtigen die Empfehlungen des Arbeitskreises medizinischer Ethikkommissionen und die Good Clinical Practice (GCP) der International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH). Nach Registrierung der eigenen Abteilung und der Mitgliedschaft der Kollegen können Daten eingegeben, bearbeitet und ein CV mit ausführlicher Studienaktivität leicht erzeugt werden. CV, GCP-Zertifikate, Zulassungsbescheinigungen und andere Dokumente stehen nach dem Upload zentral den Teammitgliedern und den Studienzentralen von Therapieoptimierungsstudien zur Verfügung, sofern eine Einwilligung der Studienteilnahme vorliegt. Außerdem liefert QualiPRO Übersichten für Gruppenleitungen über die Studienaktivität und den Einsatz des Studienpersonals sowie dessen Trainingsstand.
Three Cases of Sacral Pressure Ulcers Presenting Primary Dermatoporosis on the Forearms
Authors: Kurashige Yuta , Minemuta Tokuya , Nagatani Tetsuo
Published: March 2013

The relatively new term dermatoporosis refers to chronic deficiencies in the skin's functions in the elderly population due to aging. This syndrome is marked by chronic cutaneous fragility clinically represented by skin atrophy, senile purpura, stellate pseudoscars, skin laceration, and dissecting hematoma of the skin. In this paper, we report three cases of sacral pressure ulcers presenting primary dermatoporosis on the forearms. Case 1 was a 74-year-old male who presented with a stage IV sacral pressure ulcer. The signs of dermatoporosis appeared on the forearms. Histopathology of the lesions revealed epidermal thinning with loss of rete ridges. Azan and Elastica van Gieson staining demonstrated the degeneration of the dermal collagen fibers and elastic fibers, respectively. In spite of 6 months of treatment, the ulcer failed to heal sufficiently. Case 2 was a 74-year-old male and Case 3 was a 97-year-old female. Both cases presented with a stage II sacral pressure ulcer and dermatoporosis on the forearms. Histopathological examinations and the clinical course of the wound could not be ascertained in Cases 2 and 3. None of the patients had previously used corticosteroids. The presence of a primary dermatoporosis on the forearms in these cases may be associated with the increased risk of pressure ulcer development.
Pulsatility and the Risk of Nonsurgical Bleeding in Patients Supported With the Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device HeartMate II
Authors: Wever-Pinzon Omar , Selzman Craig H. , Drakos Stavros G. , Saidi Abdulfattah , Stoddard Gregory J. , Gilbert Edward M. , Labedi Mohamed , Reid Bruce B. , Davis Erin S. , Kfoury Abdallah G. , Li Dean Y. , Stehlik Josef , Bader Feras
Published: March 2013

Background—

Bleeding is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Reduced pulsatility has been implicated as a contributing cause. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different degrees of pulsatility on the incidence of nonsurgical bleeding.

Methods and Results—

The Utah Transplantation Affiliated Hospitals (U.T.A.H.) heart failure and transplant program databases were queried for patients with end-stage heart failure who required support with the continuous-flow LVAD HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) between 2004 and 2012. Pulsatility was evaluated by means of the LVAD parameter pulsatility index (PI) and by the echocardiographic assessment of aortic valve opening during the first 3 months of LVAD support. PI was analyzed as a continuous variable and also stratified according to tertiles of all the PI measurements during the study period (low PI: <4.6, intermediate PI: 4.6–5.2, and high PI: >5.2). Major nonsurgical bleeding associated with a decrease in hemoglobin ≥2 g/dL (in the absence of hemolysis) was the primary end point. A total of 134 patients (median age of 60 [interquartile range: 49–68] years, 78% men) were included. Major bleeding occurred in 33 (25%) patients (70% gastrointestinal, 21% epistaxis, 3% genitourinary, and 6% intracranial). In multivariable analysis, PI examined either as a categorical variable, low versus high PI (hazard ratio, 4.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–12.21;
P
=0.04), or as a continuous variable (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.92;
P
=0.02) was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

Conclusions—

Reduced pulsatility in patients supported with the continuous-flow LVAD HeartMate II is associated with an increased risk of nonsurgical bleeding, as evaluated by PI.
Economic Integration and Business Cycle Synchronization in Asia
Authors: Gong Chi , Kim Soyoung
Published: March 2013

This paper examines the effects of internal (or regional) vs. external (inter-regional) integration and of trade vs. financial integration on regional business cycle synchronization in Asia. The empirical results show the following: (1) similar and strong common external linkages have significant positive effects on regional business cycle synchronization; (2) after controlling for external linkages, internal trade integration has a positive effect on regional business cycle synchronization but internal financial integration has a negative effect; and (3) the measures of external linkages, particularly the measure of external financial linkages, are more important than those of internal linkages in explaining regional business cycle co-movements.
French Absolutism and Agricultural Capitalism: A Comment on Henry Heller’s Essays
Authors: Miller Stephen
Published: March 2013

Abstract

This intervention takes up the depiction of agriculture in Henry Heller’s essays on ancien régime France. The argument of this intervention is that rural social relations did not evolve according to a capitalist logic. Rather, given market opportunities, landlords, both noble and bourgeois, sought to enhance their power over the peasantry, extract additional labour from the families of smallholders, and gain profit for the purpose of adding to their political authority.
Responsibility to Protect and Theorising Normative Change in International Organisations: From Weber to the Sociology of Professions
Authors: Karlsrud John
Published: March 2013

How does normative change occur in international organisations (IOs)? The literature has theorised IO behaviour as being a consequence of the interest of powerful states, or has applied concepts borrowed from organisational sociology related to bureaucratic dysfunction, such as ‘dysfunctional behaviour’, ‘pathologies’, or ‘organised hypocrisy’. This article argues that using the sociology of professions can augment constructivist theorising of IO behaviour and offer a better understanding of normative change in IOs. The evolving norm of ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) has a significant impact on how the UN supports and intervenes in member states, and on the core principle of sovereignty in the international system. By examining the R2P concept and process, this article shows how key donor states, think tanks, and academic institutions have, together with the UN, pushed for R2P, effectively driving normative change in the international system. Such change is seen not solely as a top–down function of state interests, but as also a bottom–up process driven by advocacy and support from key donor states, think tanks, and academic circles. Further, for grasping how norms develop, a constructivist framework influenced by the sociology of professions appears better suited than existing constructivist frameworks.
The Responsibility to Record Civilian Casualties
Authors: Breau Susan , Joyce Rachel
Published: March 2013

The responsibility to record civilian casualties in both armed conflict and civil disturbances must be an integral element of the responsibility to protect, particularly in the application of the just cause principles. The first part of this article examines the threshold issue of the possibility of large-scale civilian casualties which triggers the international community’s responsibility to react. The reports recommending the responsibility to protect emphasise the need to establish the actuality or risk of ‘large scale’ loss of life which is not possible in the current context without a civilian casualty recording structure. The second part of the article outlines the international legal obligation to record civilian casualties based on international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Thirdly, the responsibility to protect and the legal obligation to record casualties are brought together within the framework of Ban Ki-moon’s reports on implementation of the Responsibility to Protect. The fourth and final part of the article reviews the situations in Sri Lanka and Syria. Both states represent egregious examples of governments hiding the existence of casualties, resulting in paralysis within the international community. These situations establish, beyond doubt, that the national obligation to record civilian casualties must be part and parcel of the responsibility to protect.
Two new species of Oncerotrachelus Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Saicinae), from Amazonas, Brazil, with taxonomical notes
Authors: GIL-SANTANA HÉLCIO R.
Published: March 2013

Oncerotrachelus amazonensis sp. nov. and O. paraconformis sp. nov. from Amazonas, Brazil, are described. Oncerotrachelus conformis Uhler is recorded for the first time fromBrazil and a description of male genitalia of this species is provided.
The bitter recent history of employee involvement at Royal Mail: An aggressive management agenda versus resilient workplace unionism
Authors: Beale David , Mustchin Stephen
Published: March 2013

Focused on a large, diverse branch of the British postal workers’ trade union, workplace union responses to Royal Mail’s employee involvement initiatives are examined through a two-stage longitudinal case study. Royal Mail – the letters section of the British postal service – has carried out a series of managerialist experiments with employee involvement and participation in the last few decades, providing the basis for an important research literature on union and worker responses to new management initiatives, participation and HRM. Findings suggest that these management initiatives and union responses have mutated over time, with an ever-growing gap between management rhetoric associated with employee involvement and increasingly punitive management practice; and with changing but relatively resilient, oppositional workplace union responses. These developments are closely related to the entrenched, confrontational nature of Royal Mail industrial relations that has persisted since the mid-1980s.
Why epistemology matters
Authors: Dick Archie L.
Published: March 2013

Epistemology is traditionally devoted to the study of the justification or the evaluation of the beliefs we have on the basis of some given body of evidence. Epistemology in library and information studies questions its assumptions and methods in order to test the reliability of its knowledge claims and to eliminate false claims and errors in models and theories.
The 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 6 agonist EMD 386088 ameliorates ketamine-induced deficits in attentional set shifting and novel object recognition, but not in the prepulse inhibition in rats
Authors: Nikiforuk Agnieszka , Fijał Katarzyna , Potasiewicz Agnieszka , Popik Piotr , Kos Tomasz
Published: March 2013

Preclinical data suggest that the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 6 (5-HT6) receptor may be a potential target for the development of new therapies for treating cognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenia and other central nervous system disorders. Recent evidence indicates that not only blockade but also activation of 5-HT6 receptors exerts procognitive effects. Nevertheless, little is known about the potential efficacy of 5-HT6 receptor agonists in models of schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the 5-HT6 receptor agonist, EMD 386088, on the ketamine-induced deficits in the attentional set-shifting task (ASST), novel object recognition (NOR) task and prepulse inhibition (PPI) task in rats.

Acute administration of EMD 386088 (2.5 and 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) to Sprague-Dawley rats reversed the deficit in the ASST induced by repeated ketamine administration. Moreover, the ketamine-induced deficit in the NOR task was ameliorated by EMD 386088 at a dose of 5 mg/kg. However, in contrast to the antipsychotic drug clozapine, the 5-HT6 agonist did not affect PPI disrupted by ketamine.

The present study demonstrated the beneficial effects of the 5-HT6 agonist in ameliorating some of the ketamine-induced deficits relevant to schizophrenia. It thus seems likely that the 5-HT6 receptor activation may represent a useful pharmacological approach to the treatment of cognitive disturbances observed in this disorder.
A passivity-based decentralized strategy for generalized connectivity maintenance
Authors: Robuffo Giordano Paolo , Franchi Antonio , Secchi Cristian , Bülthoff Heinrich H
Published: March 2013

The design of decentralized controllers coping with the typical constraints on the inter-robot sensing/communication capabilities represents a promising direction in multi-robot research thanks to the inherent scalability and fault tolerance of these approaches. In these cases, connectivity of the underlying interaction graph plays a fundamental role: it represents a necessary condition for allowing a group or robots to achieve a common task by resorting to only local information. The goal of this paper is to present a novel decentralized strategy able to enforce connectivity maintenance for a group of robots in a flexible way, that is, by granting large freedom to the group internal configuration so as to allow establishment/deletion of interaction links at anytime as long as global connectivity is preserved. A peculiar feature of our approach is that we are able to embed into a unique connectivity preserving action a large number of constraints and requirements for the group: (i) the presence of specific inter-robot sensing/communication models; (ii) group requirements such as formation control; and (iii) individual requirements such as collision avoidance. This is achieved by defining a suitable global potential function of the second smallest eigenvalue λ2 of the graph Laplacian, and by computing, in a decentralized way, a gradient-like controller built on top of this potential. Simulation results obtained with a group of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles, and experimental results obtained with four quadrotor UAVs, are finally presented to thoroughly illustrate the features of our approach on a concrete case study.
Hollow interference fitted multi-ring composite rotor of the superconducting attitude control and energy storage flywheel
Authors: Tang Jiqiang , Zhang Yongbin , Ge Shuzhi Sam , Zhao Libin
Published: March 2013

The superconducting attitude control and energy storage flywheel is a kind of energy storage flywheel. With respect to this kind of flywheel, a rotor consisting of a hollow hub and three composite cylindrical rings in interference fitted state is presented to achieve high specific energy density. The hollow hub made of high strength steel 18Ni350 is used to change the distribution of centrifugal stress, reduce the maximum radial stress and to ensure the working gap of radial magnetic bearings and motor/generator is constant when the rotor rotates at a high rotary speed. Interference has been introduced between rings or ring and hub to avoid their delamination and eventually increase the maximum speed of the rotor. In order to find out the quantitative relationship among interference, tension force, radial pre-stress and so on, we analyzed the stress distribution of the rotor subjected to centrifugal loads, the initial stresses and displacements of the multi-rings rotor in interference fitted state by mathematical methods and finite element methods. Effects of these factors, such as interference between rings, thickness ratio of rings, different materials of rings and so on, are studied in detail to make clear how they affect the stress distribution of the interference fitted multi-ring composite rotor. The results of this study will give a useful hint for the design, test and manufacture of the composite rotor for the superconducting attitude control and energy storage flywheel.
Low combustible polypropylene/flax/magnesium hydroxide composites: mechanical, flame retardation characterization and recycling effect
Authors: El-sabbagh Ahmed , Steuernagel Leif , Ziegmann Gerhard
Published: March 2013

Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites are nowadays receiving considerable attention, especially in the automobile and civil engineering industries. Reduction in flammability characteristics besides retention of their excellent mechanical properties will ensure wider market for these composites. Polypropylene matrix was reinforced with 30 and 50 wt% of flax fibres. Magnesium hydroxide was added at different levels of 0, 20 and 30 wt% in order to investigate the flammability resistance behaviour. Thermal and thermomechanical tests were carried out in order to evaluate new and recycled composites. Limited oxygen index was improved to more than 27 with 50 wt% flax/30% magnesium hydroxide, although very slow burning rate in the horizontal test condition was achieved with 30/30, 50/20 and 50/30 wt% for flax/magnesium hydroxides. Regarding the UL94 test, no sample passed vertical burn test. Recycling of these composites was investigated and showed 4 and 10% decrease in strength and stiffness, respectively. Recycling experiments on 50/30 system showed an effect of 5% limited oxygen index decrease after reprocessing for two cycles.
Incremental Validity in the Clinical Assessment of Early Childhood Development
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhou Xiaobin , Lackaff Julie
Published: March 2013

The authors demonstrate the increment of clinical validity in early childhood assessment of physical impairment (PI), developmental delay (DD), and autism (AUT) using multiple standardized developmental screening measures such as performance measures and parent and teacher rating scales. Hierarchical regression and sensitivity/specificity analyses were used to identify the differential impact of each domain the scales measure. Significant findings include (a) self-help domains in either parent or teacher questionnaires are more significant contributors than social-emotional domains to early detection, (b) performance measures are stronger predictors than parent or teacher questionnaires in detecting physical impairment or developmental delay, and (c) parent questionnaires measuring self-help skills are a stronger predictor of autism than performance measures. These results support the combined use of parent and teacher rating scales and provide important implications in choosing instruments for different developmental disorders when time and resources are limited.
A Validation of Elements, Methods, and Barriers to Inclusive High School Service-Learning Programs
Authors: Dymond Stacy K. , Chun Eul Jung , Kim Rah Kyung , Renzaglia Adelle
Published: March 2013

A statewide survey of coordinators of inclusive high school service-learning programs was conducted to validate elements, methods, and barriers to including students with and without disabilities in service-learning. Surveys were mailed to 655 service-learning coordinators; 190 (29%) returned a completed survey. Findings support the validity of the elements and methods. Respondents consistently rated the elements and methods higher in importance than actual use. Few barriers were identified although some individual respondents reported extreme barriers. Lack of money and time to co-plan were the greatest barriers shared across respondents. School size, presence of a service-learning graduation requirement, and inclusion of students with intellectual disability did not account for significant differences among service-learning coordinators.
Electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/wool keratin fibrous composite scaffolds potential for bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Zhang Hualin , Liu Jinsong
Published: March 2013

Biocomposite scaffolds consist of poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) and wool keratin were obtained by an electrospinning process. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)/wool keratin fibers had relatively rougher surfaces and smaller diameters. Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher thermal stabilities of the developed biocomposites compared to neat poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid). Mechanical tests showed that when the wool keratin content increased from 0% to 0.5% w/v, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)/0.5% wool keratin scaffolds increased with maxima of 6.59 MPa and 104.44%, respectively, which was an increase of 8.2% and 570% over the poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) scaffold. The biological response of bone mesenchymal stem cells to the poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)/1.5% wool keratin biocomposites was superior when compared to pure poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) scaffold in terms of improved cell attachment and higher proliferation. These observations suggest that the addition of wool keratin to a poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) matrix can improve several properties of the electrospun poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) fibers, and the poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid)/wool keratin biocomposites could make excellent materials for tissue engineering applications.
Computational analysis of the wave motions in micro-shock tube flow
Authors: Kumar R Arun , Kim HD , Setoguchi T
Published: March 2013

In recent times, shock tube flows have been widely employed in many micro-scale devices in the fields of propulsion technology, micro-heat engines, particle delivery systems, and so on. The very small length scales in such micro-shock tubes make the flow physics more complicated compared to the ordinary macro-shock tubes. The major differences in the flow features are the profound influences of wall effects and rarefaction effects. The rarefaction effect alters the boundary layer structure by imparting additional velocity and thermal gradients to the wall-bounded fluid. These phenomena can strongly affect the micro-shock tube flow characteristics such as shock–contact wave speeds, wave propagations, hot and cold zone properties. The main objective of the present work is to produce a detailed understanding on the wave propagation characteristics in a micro-shock tube under rarefied conditions using computational fluid dynamics methods. The shock–contact interface movement under different operating conditions such as Knudsen number and pressure ratio are investigated in detail and compared with the macro-scale shock tube flows. The difference between the numerical and analytical works and their cause is identified and discussed. The results obtained show that the shock strength attenuates rapidly for micro-shock tubes compared to macro-shock tubes. The shock–contact propagation and the distance between them in a micro-shock tube have a strong dependence on rarefaction effects. The more the rarefaction effects are, lesser will be the shock–contact distance. The shock–contact distance decreases as the pressure ratio increases. A strong attenuation in shock strength can also be observed as the rarefaction increases.
Competencies required by special librarians: An analysis by educational levels
Authors: Peyvand Robati Alireza , Singh Diljit
Published: March 2013

This paper presents the results of a study conducted with the aim of identifying competencies needed by special librarians in Iran at three different levels of library and information science education. A list of competencies was initially identified from the literature and 21 semi-structured interviews with managers of special libraries in Iran. Then, a panel of experts was employed to validate 122 competency statements by using a seven-point Likert type scale. The results demonstrated that the panelists validated the importance of 55 competencies required by special librarians with Associate degree qualification, while all 122 competencies were validated as necessary for special librarians with Bachelors and Masters degree qualifications. The findings also indicated that the main competencies that were expected from special librarians with any qualification are information technology competencies. In addition, communication and interpersonal skills were identified as the second most important competencies for special librarians with Associate and Bachelors degree qualifications. However, for special librarians with a Masters degree qualification, the next priorities were information organization and research competencies.
Critical Evaluation of Outcome Scales Assessment of Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Burn Alexandre , Buerer Yannick , Chopra Swati , Winkler Michaela , Crevoisier Xavier
Published: March 2013

Background:

Outcome following foot and ankle surgery can be assessed by disease- and region-specific scores. Many scoring systems exist, making comparison among studies difficult. The present study focused on outcome measures for a common foot and ankle abnormality and compared the results obtained by 2 disease-specific and 2 body region-specific scores.

Methods:

We reviewed 41 patients who underwent lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. Four outcome scales were administered simultaneously: the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and the Chronic Ankle Instability Scale (CAIS), which are disease specific, and the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scale and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), which are both body region-specific. The degree of correlation between scores was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Nonparametric tests, the Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney test for pairwise comparison of the scores, were performed.

Results:

A significant difference ( P < .005) was observed between the CAIS and the AOFAS score ( P = .0002), between the CAIS and the FAAM 1 ( P = .0001), and between the CAIT and the AOFAS score ( P = .0003).

Conclusions:

This study compared the performances of 4 disease- and body region-specific scoring systems. We demonstrated a correlation between the 4 administered scoring systems and notable differences between the results given by each of them. Disease-specific scores appeared more accurate than body region-specific scores. A strong correlation between the AOFAS score and the other scales was observed. The FAAM seemed a good compromise because it offered the possibility to evaluate the patient according to his or her own functional demand.

Clinical Relevance:

The present study contributes to the development of more critical and accurate outcome assesment methods in foot and ankle surgery.
Similarities and differences among fluid milk products: traditionally produced, extended shelf life and ultrahigh-temperature processed
Authors: Grabowski NT , Ahlfeld B , Brix A , Hagemann A , von Münchhausen C , Klein G
Published: March 2013

Extended shelf life milk is a relatively new kind of fluid milk, generally manufactured by high-temperature treatment and/or micro-filtration. Being advertised as ‘pasteurized milk with an extended shelf life’, its flavour, compositional quality and labelling was questioned. Extended shelf life (high-temperature treatment), pasteurized (‘traditionally produced’) and ultrahigh-temperature milk were, therefore, compared at the beginning and end of shelf life. In triangle tests, panellists distinguished clearly between all products. High-temperature treatment milk’s flavour was closer to ultrahigh-temperature and traditionally produced milk in the beginning and at the end of shelf life, respectively. Physicochemically and bacteriologically, all three types could be distinguished. Since ‘extended shelf life’ comprises many process varieties (each affecting flavour differently), consumer information and appropriate package labelling beyond ‘long-lasting’ is necessary, e.g. by mentioning the heat treatment applied.