bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zeta functions, heat kernels, and spectral asymptotics on degenerating families of discrete tori
Authors: Chinta Gautam , Jorgenson Jay , Karlsson Anders
Published: May 2015

By a discrete torus we mean the Cayley graph associated to a finite product of finite cycle groups with the generating set given by choosing a generator for each cyclic factor. In this article we examine the spectral theory of the combinatorial Laplacian for sequences of discrete tori when the orders of the cyclic factors tend to infinity at comparable rates. First, we show that the sequence of heat kernels corresponding to the degenerating family converges, after rescaling, to the heat kernel on an associated real torus. We then establish an asymptotic expansion, in the degeneration parameter, of the determinant of the combinatorial Laplacian. The zeta-regularized determinant of the Laplacian of the limiting real torus appears as the constant term in this expansion. On the other hand, using a classical theorem by Kirchhoff, the determinant of the combinatorial Laplacian of a finite graph divided by the number of vertices equals the number of spanning trees, called the complexity, of the graph. As a result, we establish a precise connection between the complexity of the Cayley graphs of finite abelian groups and heights of real tori. It is also known that spectral determinants on discrete tori can be expressed using trigonometric functions and that spectral determinants on real tori can be expressed using modular forms on general linear groups. Another interpretation of our analysis is thus to establish a link between limiting values of certain products of trigonometric functions and modular forms. The heat kernel analysis which we employ uses a careful study of I-Bessel functions. Our methods extend to prove the asymptotic behavior of other spectral invariants through degeneration, such as special values of spectral zeta functions and Epstein-Hurwitz–type zeta functions.
Existence of extremal Beltrami coefficients with nonconstant modulus
Authors: Yao Guowu
Published: May 2015

Suppose that [μ]T(Δ) is a point of the universal Teichmüller space T(Δ). In 1998, Božin, Lakic, Marković, and Mateljević showed that there exists μ such that μ is uniquely extremal in [μ]T(Δ) and has a nonconstant modulus. It is a natural problem whether there is always an extremal Beltrami coefficient of constant modulus in [μ]T(Δ) if [μ]T(Δ) admits infinitely many extremal Beltrami coefficients; the purpose of this paper is to show that the answer is negative. An infinitesimal version is also obtained. Extremal sets of extremal Beltrami coefficients are considered, and an open problem is proposed. The key tool of our argument is Reich’s construction theorem.
Buchsbaumness in local rings possessing constant first Hilbert coefficients of parameters
Authors: Goto Shiro , Ozeki Kazuho
Published: May 2015

Let (A,m) be a Noetherian local ring with d = dim A ≥ 2. Then, if A is a Buchsbaum ring, the first Hilbert coefficients of A for parameter ideals Q are constant and equal to where hi(A) denotes the length of the ith local cohomology module of A with respect to the maximal ideal m. This paper studies the question of whether the converse of the assertion holds true, and proves that A is a Buchsbaum ring if A is unmixed and the values are constant, which are independent of the choice of parameter ideals Q in A. Hence, a conjecture raised by [GhGHOPV] is settled affirmatively.
Topological uniqueness of negatively curved surfaces
Authors: Chan Hsungrow
Published: May 2015

In this paper we consider complete, noncompact, negatively curved surfaces that are twice continuously differentiably embedded in Euclidean three-space, showing that if such surfaces have square integrable second fundamental form, then their topology must, by the index method, be an annulus. We then show how this relates to some minimal surface theorems and has a corollary on minimal surfaces with finite total curvature. In addition, we discuss, by the index method, the relation between the topology and asymptotic curves. Finally, we apply the results yielded to the problem of isometrical immersions into Euclidean three-space of black hole models.
Log-canonical thresholds on del Pezzo surfaces of degrees ≥ 2
Authors: Park Jihun , Won Joonyeong
Published: May 2015

We compute the global log-canonical thresholds (lct) of del Pezzo surfaces of degrees ≥ 2 with du Val singularities.
On fibrations whose geometric fibers are nonreduced
Authors: Schröer Stefan
Published: May 2015

We give a bound on embedding dimensions of geometric generic fibers in terms of the dimension of the base, for fibrations in positive characteristic. This generalizes the well-known fact that for fibrations over curves, the geometric generic fiber is reduced. We illustrate our results with Fermat hypersurfaces and genus 1 curves.
Presenting cyclotomic q-Schur algebras
Authors: Wada Kentaro
Published: May 2015

We give a presentation of cyclotomic q-Schur algebras by generators and defining relations. As an application, we give an algorithm for computing decomposition numbers of cyclotomic q-Schur algebras.
Vegfa regulates perichondrial vascularity and osteoblast differentiation in bone development
Authors: Duan Xuchen , Murata Yurie , Liu Yanqiu , Nicolae Claudia , Olsen Bjorn R. , Berendsen Agnes D.
Published: May 2015

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) has important roles in endochondral bone formation. Osteoblast precursors, endothelial cells and osteoclasts migrate from perichondrium into primary ossification centers of cartilage templates of future bones in response to Vegfa secreted by (pre)hypertrophic chondrocytes. Perichondrial osteolineage cells also produce Vegfa, but its function is not well understood. By deleting Vegfa in osteolineage cells in vivo, we demonstrate that progenitor-derived Vegfa is required for blood vessel recruitment in perichondrium and the differentiation of osteoblast precursors in mice. Conditional deletion of Vegfa receptors indicates that Vegfa-dependent effects on osteoblast differentiation are mediated by Vegf receptor 2 (Vegfr2). In addition, Vegfa/Vegfr2 signaling stimulates the expression and activity of Indian hedgehog, increases the expression of β-catenin and inhibits Notch2. Our findings identify Vegfa as a regulator of perichondrial vascularity and osteoblast differentiation at early stages of bone development.
Compensatory branching morphogenesis of stalk cells in the Drosophila trachea
Authors: Francis Deanne , Ghabrial Amin S.
Published: May 2015

Tubes are essential for nutrient transport and gas exchange in multicellular eukaryotes, but how connections between different tube types are maintained over time is unknown. In the Drosophila tracheal system, mutations in oak gall (okg) and conjoined (cnj) confer identical defects, including late onset blockage near the terminal cell-stalk cell junction and the ectopic extension of autocellular, seamed tubes into the terminal cell. We determined that okg and cnj encode the E and G subunits of the vacuolar ATPase (vATPase) and showed that both the V0 and V1 domains are required for terminal cell morphogenesis. Remarkably, the ectopic seamed tubes running along vATPase-deficient terminal cells belonged to the neighboring stalk cells. All vATPase-deficient tracheal cells had reduced apical domains and terminal cells displayed mislocalized apical proteins. Consistent with recent reports that the mTOR and vATPase pathways intersect, we found that mTOR pathway mutants phenocopied okg and cnj. Furthermore, terminal cells depleted for the apical determinants Par6 or aPKC had identical ectopic seamed tube defects. We thus identify a novel mechanism of compensatory branching in which stalk cells extend autocellular tubes into neighboring terminal cells with undersized apical domains. This compensatory branching also occurs in response to injury, with damaged terminal cells being rapidly invaded by their stalk cell neighbor.
Context-specific function of the LIM homeobox 1 transcription factor in head formation of the mouse embryo
Authors: Fossat Nicolas , Ip Chi Kin , Jones Vanessa J. , Studdert Joshua B. , Khoo Poh-Lynn , Lewis Samara L. , Power Melinda , Tourle Karin , Loebel David A. F. , Kwan Kin Ming , Behringer Richard R. , Tam Patrick P. L.
Published: May 2015

Lhx1 encodes a LIM homeobox transcription factor that is expressed in the primitive streak, mesoderm and anterior mesendoderm of the mouse embryo. Using a conditional Lhx1 flox mutation and three different Cre deleters, we demonstrated that LHX1 is required in the anterior mesendoderm, but not in the mesoderm, for formation of the head. LHX1 enables the morphogenetic movement of cells that accompanies the formation of the anterior mesendoderm, in part through regulation of Pcdh7 expression. LHX1 also regulates, in the anterior mesendoderm, the transcription of genes encoding negative regulators of WNT signalling, such as Dkk1, Hesx1, Cer1 and Gsc. Embryos carrying mutations in Pcdh7, generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and embryos without Lhx1 function specifically in the anterior mesendoderm displayed head defects that partially phenocopied the truncation defects of Lhx1-null mutants. Therefore, disruption of Lhx1-dependent movement of the anterior mesendoderm cells and failure to modulate WNT signalling both resulted in the truncation of head structures. Compound mutants of Lhx1, Dkk1 and Ctnnb1 show an enhanced head truncation phenotype, pointing to a functional link between LHX1 transcriptional activity and the regulation of WNT signalling. Collectively, these results provide comprehensive insight into the context-specific function of LHX1 in head formation: LHX1 enables the formation of the anterior mesendoderm that is instrumental for mediating the inductive interaction with the anterior neuroectoderm and LHX1 also regulates the expression of factors in the signalling cascade that modulate the level of WNT activity.
Inhibition of Daughterless by Extramacrochaetae mediates Notch-induced cell proliferation
Authors: Spratford Carrie M. , Kumar Justin P.
Published: May 2015

During development, the rate of cell proliferation must be constantly monitored so that an individual tissue achieves its correct size. Mutations in genes that normally promote tissue growth often result in undersized, disorganized and non-functional organs. However, mutations in genes that encode growth inhibitors can trigger the onset of tumorigenesis and cancer. The developing eye of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has become a premier model system for studies that are focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that underpin growth control. Here, we examine the mechanism by which the Notch pathway, a major contributor to growth, promotes cell proliferation in the developing eye. Current models propose that the Notch pathway directly influences cell proliferation by regulating growth-promoting genes such as four-jointed, cyclin D1 and E2f1. Here, we show that, in addition to these mechanisms, some Notch signaling is devoted to blocking the growth-suppressing activity of the bHLH DNA-binding protein Daughterless (Da). We demonstrate that Notch signaling activates the expression of extramacrochaetae (emc), which encodes a helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factor. Emc, in turn, then forms a biochemical complex with Da. As Emc lacks a basic DNA-binding domain, the Emc-Da heterodimer cannot bind to and regulate genomic targets. One effect of Da sequestration is to relieve the repression on growth. Here, we present data supporting our model that Notch-induced cell proliferation in the developing eye is mediated in part by the activity of Emc.
Enolase 1 and protein disulfide isomerase associated 3 regulate Wnt/β-catenin driven alveolar epithelial cell trans-differentiation
Authors: Mutze Kathrin , Vierkotten Sarah , Milosevic Jadranka , Eickelberg Oliver , Königshoff Melanie
Published: May 2015

The alveolar epithelium represents a major site of tissue destruction during lung injury. It consists of alveolar epithelial type I (ATI) and type II (ATII) cells. ATII cells are capable of self-renewal and exert progenitor function for ATI cells upon alveolar epithelial injury. Cell differentiation pathways enabling this plasticity and allowing for proper repair, however, are poorly understood. Here, we applied proteomics, expression analysis, and functional studies in primary murine ATII cells to identify novel proteins and molecular mechanisms involved in alveolar epithelial plasticity. Mass spectrometry of cultured ATII cells revealed a reduction of carbonyl reductase 2 (CBR2) and an increase in enolase 1 (ENO1) and protein disulfide isomerase associated 3 (PDIA3) protein expression during ATII to ATI cell trans-differentiation. This was accompanied by increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as analyzed by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. Notably, ENO1 and PDIA3, along with T1α, exhibited decreased protein expression upon pharmacological and molecular Wnt/β-catenin inhibition in cultured ATII cells, while CBR2 levels were stabilized. Moreover, we analyzed primary ATII cells from bleomycin-induced lung injury, a model exhibiting activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vivo. We observed reduced CBR2 significantly correlating with SFTPC, whereas ENO1 and PDIA3 along with T1α were increased in injured ATII cells. Finally, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ENO1, as well as PDIA3, in primary ATII cells led to reduced T1α expression, indicating diminished cell trans-differentiation. Our data thus identified novel proteins involved in ATII to ATI cell trans-differentiation and suggest a Wnt/β-catenin-driven functional role of ENO1 and PDIA3 in alveolar epithelial cell plasticity in lung injury and repair.
Audit of antenatal screening for syphilis and HIV in migrant and refugee women on the Thai-Myanmar border: a descriptive study
Authors: McGready Rose , Kang Joy , Watts Isabella , Tyrosvoutis Mary Ellen G , Torchinsky Miriam B. , Htut Aung Myo , Tun Nay Win , Keereecharoen Lily , Wangsing Chirapat , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Nosten François H.
Published: May 2015

Objective: The antenatal prevalence of syphilis and HIV/AIDS in migrants and refugees is poorly documented. The aim of this study was to audit the first year of routine syphilis screening in the same population and reassess the trends in HIV rates.

Methods: From August 2012 to July 2013, 3600 pregnant women were screened for HIV (ELISA) and syphilis (VDRL with TPHA confirmation) at clinics along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Results: Seroprevalence for HIV 0.47% (95% CI 0.30-0.76) (17/3,599), and syphilis 0.39% (95% CI 0.23-0.65) (14/3,592), were low. Syphilis was significantly lower in refugees (0.07% 95% CI 0.01-0.38) (1/1,469), than in migrants (0.61% 95% CI 0.36-1.04) (13/2,123). The three active (VDRL≥1:8 and TPHA reactive) syphilis cases with VDRL titres of 1:32 were easy to counsel and treat. Women with low VDRL titres (>75% were < 1:8) and TPHA reactive results, in the absence of symptoms and both the woman and her husband having only one sexual partner in their lifetime, and the inability to determine the true cause of the positive results presented ethical difficulties for counsellors.

Conclusion: As HIV and syphilis testing becomes available in more and more settings, the potential impact of false positive results should be considered, especially in populations with low prevalence for these diseases. This uncertainty must be considered in order to counsel patients and partners accurately and safely about the results of these tests, without exposing women to increased risk for abuse or abandonment. Our findings highlight the complexities of counselling patients about these tests and the global need for more conclusive syphilis testing strategies.
Formation Level Assessment of Students� Professional Competence Using the Weighted Ratings Method
Authors: �������  , Miroshin Dmitriy
Published: May 2015

The article deals with the evaluation of the level of formation of professional competences of students within the technical disciplines. Proposed by

description competency for descriptors: to know, be able, to master skills and the method of weighted estimates for ascertaining the level of formation

of professional students� competence.

It also offers and describes the levels of development of professional competences and shows the Foundation of assessment tools. Describes step by step

methodology for applying the method of weighted estimates for estimating the level of formation of professional competence of University students

during studying technical disciplines and provides forms to describe the results of the evaluation in accordance with the developed descriptors.

It represents the experience of applying the method of weighted estimates of the costs of the level of formation of professional competence of students

in studying of discipline �Mechanical equipment and tools of automatisation�.

It contains the conclusion about the effectiveness and objectivity of the evaluation of the characteristics of formation of professional competence of

students, obtained by applying the method of weighted estimates.
Monitoring Educational Process Quality at a Medical Higher Educational Institution
Authors: ������  , Shikhova Elena , �������  , Noskova Marina , �������  , Andrega Dmitriy
Published: May 2015

Medical education and training of a future doctor or a medical officer are strongly influenced by changes taking place in society. The reform process

aimed at forming new approaches to teaching methods, monitoring, evaluation of educational activities and the development of corrective actions.

Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Professional Education (FSES of HPE) requires the implementation of competence-based approach in the

training of future health service expert that requires regular monitoring of the learning process.

In higher medical education monitoring of the learning process has a significant role. Monitoring of the education quality includes the complexity of

actions: organization, data collection, processing and information on results of the activities in the educational process to ensure continuous monitoring

of the condition and forecasting its development.

The analysis results of the satisfaction with the quality of the educational process of the department of psychology and pedagogy within the quality

management system in medical university are presented, the concept of "quality", "satisfaction with the quality", "customer satisfaction", "pedagogical

monitoring" is revealed, psychological and pedagogical conditions of educational activities affecting the education quality are described.
Implementation of Interdisciplinary Relations in the Educational Process of Students with Disabilities
Authors: ����������  , Panteleeva Larisa , ��������  , Zhigoreva Marina , ����������  , Kuzminova Svetlana
Published: May 2015

�his article describes an interdisciplinary approach in the system of psychological and pedagogical support of children with limited possibilities of

health. It determines the directions for psychological and pedagogical assistance to children with disabilities. The article also presents the possibility of

implementing interdisciplinary relations between different scientific branches in special pedagogy, which complement and extend the areas of psychopedagogical

assistance to persons with disabilities. It �onsiders in details the theoretically and methodologically grounded types of interdisciplinary

relationships in the context which reveals the mechanism of a multidisciplinary approach involving the integration of pedagogical, psychological, medical

and social directions. It presents an algorithm to create an integrated content outline of remedial work and designing educational route for handicapped

students.
The Case-Study As a Method of Humanitarian Research
Authors: �������  , Volkova Natalya
Published: May 2015

The article presents the reasons and results of case-study usage as a method of humanitarian research. The method of case-study is displayed not only in education but also as a research methodology realized through the research program. The article presents the interpretation of the humanitarian research and the research case. The realization of the part of Humanitarian school research is described as an educational event used with the method of case-study. The article gives the analysis fragments of research cases (reflexive texts) of students-participants of the educational event. Reflexion with the case-method usage performs two roles: as the means of the educational event organization and as the means of humanitarian research. A Humanitarian school is considered to be a precedent and a phenomenon of the educational event. The article contains conclusions about the essential potential of case-study method for the humanitarian research.
Conceptual View to the Nature of Planning of Younger School Students� Extracurricular Activity in Conditions of the Mastering of Federal State Educational Standard of Primary Education
Authors: �������  , Ivanova Irina
Published: May 2015

Due to the modernization of education system, one of the most important task of educational organizations is to assist in the process of human selfactualization

and self-development. According to the Federal state brand-new educational standard , to the �Law on Education in Russia�, and to the

national educational initiative �Our new school�, the emphasis in educational practice is gradually shifts towards support for the formation of the

personality of the individual, of his capacity for self-realization.

As one of the conditions that can provide self-development of students in modern-term educational practice supports extracurricular activities, which

today has a special role in the development and education of the younger generation. According to information on launch of FSES of primary education,

extracurricular activities should be understood as educational activities carried out in the forms of non-class-lesson, and aimed at achieving the

expected results of development of the basic educational program of primary education.

The article presents the author´s vision of constructing models, that is to support self-development of students in extracurricular activities in the development

of the FSES of primary general education in rural schools. The model is based on the principles of flexibility, variability, individualization, creative

interaction of all participants of the educational process, and is to pay attention on individual characteristics of students and accept the regional features

of educational environment of rural schools. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the structural components of the model, the conditions of its realization in educational practice. The structural

model consists of three units: methodical, informational and psycho-pedagogical, their implementation relies are based on the adequate mechanisms

for psychological and pedagogical support of students (active basis of claims for recognition of motifs in the hierarchical subordination ,domination

of moral norms , the motive of self-acceptance and the desire for self-development, prevention and correction of negative psychological formations.

An important aspect of the model is to provide the author´s technology-monitoring measurements of the results of its operations on each structural unit

(methodical, psychological and pedagogical, informational).

The proposed model of self-support of students in extracurricular activities in the development of the FSES of primary general education in rural schools,

can be widely used in the regional educational practice in the context of the organization of extracurricular activities of younger students.

Currently testing model is performed on the basis of rural schools of Yukhnovskiy area of the Kaluga region. The study is conducted with the financial

support of the Government of RHF and the Kaluga region, the project �14-16-40007 a (r).
Comparative Pedagogy: Theoretico-Methodological Approaches and Methods
Authors: ���������  , Suprunova Ludmila
Published: May 2015

The paper characterizes theoretical and methodological approaches and methods of comparative education (Comparative Education) on the philosophical, general scientific, concrete scientific and technological levels, which were received on the basis of the analysis of the works of Russian and foreign comparativists and educational practices. The features of the humanitarian approach, the essence and distinctive features of the system, cultural, axiological, competence approach to the methodology of the Russian comparative education are presented. The advantages of the humanitarian approach to the comparative study of the educational reality are considered. Great attention is paid to the identification of variant conditions for the development of the individual student based on an integrated use of quantitative and qualitative methods, that allows researchers to study not only the educational system but also the man himself in these systems in a particular socio-cultural context . The methods of application of theoretical and practical, quantitative and qualitative methods in a comparative study of the educational reality at the global, national and institutional levels are described. Measures to improve the scientific and methodological potential of comparative education in Russia are suggested to convert this branch of scientific knowledge and educational discipline into an effective instrument of modernization of national education.
To the Question of Modern Methods of Assessment Educational Outcomes of Students
Authors: ������  , Babkin A.
Published: May 2015

This article describes one of the most important issues in pedagogy at the present time - the question of assessment of students. What should be the

evaluation in terms of educational paradigm shift, what role do the mark and the assessment play and what is the difference between them. The article

also touched upon the historical question of the appearance of "the mark" and "lesson point". It describes the process of formative assessment, gives the

author´s definition and identifies the basic tools of formative assessment. Portfolio and student record book are considered as the main elements of the

system of formative assessment. The article also mentions the main directions of assessing the achievement of the expected results of development of

the basic educational program, including assessment of metasubject results using standardized metasubject works.
Improving Store Liquidation
Authors: Craig Nathan C. , Raman Ananth
Published: May 2015

Store liquidation is the time-constrained divestment of retail outlets through an in-store sale of inventory. The retail industry depends extensively on store liquidation, both to allow managers of going concerns to divest stores in efforts to enhance performance and as a means for investors to recover capital from failed ventures. Retailers sell billions of dollars of inventory annually during store liquidations. This paper introduces the store liquidation problem to the literature and presents a technique for optimizing key store liquidation decisions, including markdowns, inventory transfers, and the timing of store closings. We propose a heuristic for solving the store liquidation problem and evaluate the performance of this method. Through applications, we show that our approach could improve net recovery on cost (i.e., the profit obtained during a liquidation stated as a percentage of the cost value of liquidated inventory) by two to five percentage points in the cases we examined. Further, we discuss ways in which current practice in store liquidation differs from the decisions identified by our method, and we trace the consequences of these differences.
A Dynamic Formulation for Car Ownership Modeling
Authors: Cirillo Cinzia , Xu Renting , Bastin Fabian
Published: May 2015

Discrete choice models are commonly used in transportation planning and modeling, but their theoretical basis and applications have been mainly developed in a static context. In this paper, we propose an estimation technique for analyzing the impact of technological changes on the dynamic of consumer demand. The proposed research presents a dynamic formulation that explicitly models market evolution and accounts for consumers’ expectations of future product characteristics. The timing of consumers’ decisions is formulated as a regenerative optimal stopping problem where the agent must decide on the optimal time of purchase. This model frame will be further improved by modeling the choice from a set of differentiated products whose characteristics randomly change over time. The framework proposed is developed and applied in the context of car ownership.
Do not attempt resuscitation: patients and families must have a say
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: May 2015

Patients and their relatives have the right to be consulted before a do not attempt resuscitation notice (DNAR) is placed on file by a health professional (Tracey v Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and others [2014]). Failing to do so is a breach of the patient's right to respect for a private and family life under the European Convention of Human Rights, article 8 ( Council of Europe, 1950 ). In this article, the author sets out the steps nurses must take to ensure that DNAR notices placed on the file of their patients are lawful.
New CQC standards for healthcare delivery
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: May 2015

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, at the University of Southampton, discusses the launch of the latest Care Quality Commission fundamental standards of care which are now the health and social care benchmarks. These new regulations became effective on 1 April 2015
Reducing inappropriate urinary catheter use: quality care initiatives
Authors: Buckley Catherine , Clements Charlotte , Hopper Adrian
Published: May 2015

Healthcare-acquired urinary infection presents a substantial burden for patients and the healthcare system. Urinary tract infections have not gained the same level of media attention as other healthcare-associated infections, yet interventions to reduce urinary catheter use are one of the top ten recommended patient safety strategies. To improve practice around urinary catheter placement and removal requires interventions to change the expectations and habits of nurses, medical teams and patients regarding the need for a urinary catheter. In the authors' trust, a redesign of the existing urinary catheter device record was undertaken to help avoid unnecessary placement of catheters, and resulted in a reduction of urinary catheters in situ longer than 48 hours. Other strategies included implementation of catheter rounds in a high-usage area, and credit-card-sized education cards. A catheter ‘passport’ was introduced for patients discharged with a catheter to ensure information for insertion and ongoing use were effectively communicated.
Prostatectomy: information provision and education for patients
Authors: Simpson Paula
Published: May 2015

Following the diagnosis of prostate cancer, information should be imparted to ensure an informed decision regarding treatment can be made. The impact of a cancer diagnosis could lead men to opt for surgical intervention without fully understanding the consequences of treatment. Effective communication of evidence-based information can assist men to fully understand the consequences of treatment. Radical prostatectomy, whether robotically assisted laparoscopic or retropubic, will lead to quality-of-life issues with functional outcomes such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence being at the forefront. Issues should be discussed and communicated in depth so that frustration and regret following treatment are avoided. A cautious approach to information provision should be considered so the patient does not feel in a position of information overload. Advanced communication skills are of utmost importance to ensure information is tailored to suit individual needs, as no one model of information giving suits all. This article is a rapid literature search relating to post-prostatectomy functional outcomes and how communication and information giving before treatment assists with acceptance of treatment outcomes.
The male experience of ISC with a silicone catheter
Authors: Logan Karen
Published: May 2015

Since its introduction in the 1970s, intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) has become more common and should be considered the method of choice for draining retained urine. The realisation for male patients that they require catheterisation can be associated with a significant physical and psychological burden ( Shaw and Logan, 2013 ). This article describes a UK multi-centre patient satisfaction survey evaluating the features of a male ISC silicone catheter. The survey was aimed at determining patient preferences and perceptions of learning ISC with the intermittent catheter to evaluate if a silicone catheter is acceptable and user friendly. This information is intended to be used to expand the knowledge base around catheter selection and help guide nurses who offer a choice of catheters when teaching ISC to patients.
Supporting children without a diagnosis in the school setting
Authors: Ingram Miriam
Published: May 2015

Thousands of children are born in the UK every year with a genetic condition that is likely to remain undiagnosed. This article looks at the challenges facing affected families and provides some advice on how school nurses can help support them.
The importance of a healthy breakfast to start the school day
Authors: Lepkowska Dorothy
Published: May 2015

Dorothy Lepkowska looks at the importance of breakfast as part of a healthy diet, the impact skipping breakfast can have on children and young people's learning and health and the benefits of breakfast clubs in schools.
Sexual abstinence and young people: A subject worthy of consideration?
Authors: Bennett Clare
Published: May 2015

A plethora of literature questions the UK's approach to sexual health promotion, however, in contrast to the international literature there is a dearth of research which examines how young people in the UK feel about approaches to sexual health promotion which include abstinence. This study, therefore, aims to explore whether young people feel that adequate emphasis is placed on delaying sexual intercourse in school-based sex education and whether they feel that abstinence is something that young people would be interested in exploring. A total of 124 18–21-year-old students completed a two item open-ended questionnaire which encouraged them to reflect on their experiences and views regarding school-based sexual health promotion. Thematic analysis demonstrated a desire among young people for greater emphasis to be placed on abstinence as a sexual health option within school-based sex and relationship education.
Dispelling common myths surrounding self-harm
Authors: Thornton Stephanie
Published: May 2015

The incidence of self-harm in young people has increased in the UK over the last decade. Stephanie Thornton dispels some of the common myths surrounding the disorder and provides some advice on supporting students who self-harm.
Contributing towards improved end of life care for children
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: May 2015

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has recently updated the end of life care framework for children. Ian Peate looks at the new guidance and the role school nurses can play in supporting children and their family.
Designing a sexual health app: What's in a name?
Authors: Menzies Alison
Published: May 2015

In her regular column, Alison Menzies shares her experiences as a research scholarship holder and on the development of a sexual health app aimed at young offenders.
Using Qualitative Methods to Create a Home Health Web Application User Interface
for Patients with Low Computer Proficiency
Authors: Baier Rosa R. , Cooper Emily , Wysocki Andrea , Gravenstein Stefan , Clark Melissa
Published: May 2015

Introduction: Despite the investment in public reporting for a number of
healthcare settings, evidence indicates that consumers do not routinely use available
data to select providers. This suggests that existing reports do not adequately
incorporate recommendations for consumer-facing reports or web
applications.Methods: Healthcentric Advisors and Brown University undertook a
multi-phased approach to create a consumer-facing home health web application in Rhode
Island. This included reviewing the evidence base review to identify design
recommendations and then creating a paper prototype and wireframe. We performed
qualitative research to iteratively test our proposed user interface with two user
groups, home health consumers and hospital case managers, refining our design to create
the final web application.Results: To test our prototype, we conducted two focus groups,
with a total of 13 consumers, and 28 case manager interviews. Both user groups responded
favorably to the prototype, with the majority commenting that they felt this type of
tool would be useful. Case managers suggested revisions to ensure the application
conformed to laws requiring Medicare patients to have the freedom to choose among
providers and could be incorporated into hospital workflow. After incorporating changes
and creating the wireframe, we conducted usability testing interviews with 14 home
health consumers and six hospital case managers. We found that consumers needed
prompting to navigate through the wireframe; they demonstrated confusion through both
their words and body language. As a result, we modified the web application’s sequence,
navigation, and function to provide additional instructions and
prompts.Discussion: Although we designed our web application for low literacy and low
health literacy, using recommendations from the evidence base, we overestimated the
extent to which older adults were familiar with using computers. Some of our key
learnings and recommendations run counter to general web design principles, leading us
to believe that such guidelines need to be adapted for this user group. As web
applications proliferate, it is important to ensure those who are most vulnerable—who
have the least knowledge and the lowest literacy, health literacy, and computer
proficiency—can access, understand, and use them.Conclusions: In order for the
investment in public reporting to produce value, consumer-facing web applications need
to be designed to address end users’ unique strengths and limitations. Our findings may
help others to build consumer-facing tools or technology targeted to a predominantly
older population. We encourage others designing consumer-facing web technologies to
critically evaluate their assumptions about user interface design, particularly if they
are designing tools for older adults, and to test products with their end
users.
ADSORPSI LOGAM SENG (Zn) DAN TIMBAL (Pb) PADA LIMBAH CAIR INDUSTRI KERAMIK OLEH TANAH LIAT
Authors: Priadi Cindy Rianti , Anita Anita , Sari Putri Nilam , Moersidik Setyo Sarwanto
Published: May 2015

ADSORPTION OF ZINC AND LEAD FROM CERAMIC WASTEWATER USING CLAY. Ceramic industry generates glaze wastewater and clay waste. Glaze wastewater contains heavy metal from ceramic painting process which can potentially cause severe pollution problem. Glaze wastewater from PT.X typically contains Cd (0.013 mg/L); Cu (0.033 mg/L); Pb (1.20 mg/L); and Zn (7.00 mg/L). Clay waste used as adsorbent to reduce heavy metal amount in glaze wastewater. The present study investigates in bench scale and uses batch adsorption method to determine effective  adsorbent amount and contact time in removing heavy metals in glaze wastewater in order to fulfill the discharge requirement based on regulation of Minister of Environment No.16/2008concerning effluent water standard for ceramic industries. The results showed that the effective adsorbent amount and contact time respectively are 5 g/L and 15 minutes with pH 8 and stirring speed of 150 rpm. Concentration of heavy metal adsorbed are 0,614 mg/L and 2,07 mg/L for lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) with removal efficiency up to 61.0% for Pb and 9.8% for Zn.From this study clay waste could be potentially used as an adsorbent to reduce heavy metal amount in glaze wastewater. Keywords: adsorption, clay waste, heavy metals Abstrak Industri keramik menghasilkan limbah glasir dan limbah tanah liat. Limbah glasir mengandung logam berat yang berasal dari proses pewarnaan keramik dan berpotensi mencemari lingkungan. Kandungan logam berat pada limbah glasir PT.X yaitu Cd (0,013 mg/L); Cu (0,033 mg/L); Pb (1,20 mg/L); dan Zn (7,00 mg/L). Limbah tanah liat digunakan sebagai adsorben yang berguna mengurangi kadar logam berat pada limbah glasir.Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam skala laboratorium menggunakan metode batch adsorpsi untuk menentukan dosis adsorben dan waktu kontak yang efektif dalam mengolah limbah glasir agar memenuhi persyaratan Peraturan Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup Nomor 16 Tahun 2008 tentang baku mutu air limbah bagi usaha dan/atau kegiatan industri keramik. Hasil penelitian menunjukan dosis efektif  adsorben sebesar 5 g/L dan waktu kontak 15 menit dengan kondisi pH 8 dan kecepatan pengadukan 150 rpm. Kadar logam setelah diadsorpsi telah mencapai baku mutu yaitu sebesar 0,614 mg/L dan 2,07 mg/L untuk Pb dan Zn dengan efisiensi pengurangan kadar logam Pb sebesar 61% dan Zn sebesar 9,8%. Dari hasil penelitian didapatkan data bahwa limbah tanah liat berpotensi dijadikan adsorben untuk mengurangi kandungan logam pada limbah cair industri keramik.
PENGOLAHAN LINDI DENGAN OZON DAN PROSES OKSIDASI LANJUT BERBASIS OZON
Authors: Sururi Mohamad Rangga , Saleh Siti Ainun , Krisna Amalia
Published: May 2015

Limbah industri tekstil di area pinggir kota Surabaya mempunyai karakteristik perbandingan COD dan BOD = 5.57. Limbah jenis ini sulit untuk dibiodegradasi. Studi ini mempelajari tekonologi elektrokoagulasi untuk mengolah limbah tekstil dengan menurunkan intensitas warna, Total Suspended Solid (TSS) dan Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Percobaan batch pada suhu kamar dilakukan untuk mempelajari pengaruh pH, jarak elektroda terhadap penurunan warna,TSS dan COD dan membandingkan biaya operasinya jika menggunakan pengolahan kimia.Effisiensi penurunan tertinggi untuk warna (91.96%),  TSS (49.17%), dan COD (29.67%) terjadi pada pH awal 4.0 dan jarak elektroda 2 cm dengan  elektroda Al/Al. Waktu optimum penurunan intensitas warna dalah 10 menit. Laju penurunan COD adalah : -dC/dt = 0.0053 C +0.056 , dengan C adalah konsentrasi COD. Jumlah sludge yang dihasilkan daripengolahan elektrokoagulasi  3.4 % lebih kecil dibandingkan menggunakan bahan kimia. Biaya yang digunakan untuk pengolahan dengan elektrokoagulasi 52.35 % lebih murah dibandingkan jika menggunakan koagulasi dengan bahan kimia ( tawas). Kata kunci : elektrokoagulasi, penurunan warna, penurunan TSS, laju degradasi COD, imbah tekstil Abstract Waste water from textile industry which is located in one suburb of Surabaya city as characteristic which the ratio of COD to BOD was 5.57. This type of waste water is difficult to be biodegraded. This study investigated elektrokoagulasi technology to treat textile waste water by removing color, total suspended solid, and Chemical Oxygen Demand. Batch experiment at room temperature was carried out to study the effect of pH, electrode distance for color, TSS and COD removal. This study also tried to compare the operation cost between elektrokoagulasi and chemical processes. The best removal efficiencies by Al electrodes was 91.96 % for color, 49.17 % for TSS and 29.67 % for COD which were under initial pH 4.0 and electrodes distance 2 cm. The optimum operation time for color removal was  found 10 minutes.The COD degradation rate was - dC/dt = 0.0053 C +0.056, with C= COD concentration. Sludge result from elektrokoagulasi was 3.4 % less than that by chemical treatment.The operation cost for elektrokoagulasi is 52.35 % less than that for chemical coagulation.
Work-efficient parallel skyline computation for the GPU
Authors: Bøgh Kenneth S. , Chester Sean , Assent Ira
Published: May 2015

The skyline operator returns records in a dataset that provide optimal trade-offs of multiple dimensions. State-of-the-art skyline computation involves complex tree traversals, data-ordering, and conditional branching to minimize the number of point-to-point comparisons. Meanwhile, GPGPU computing offers the potential for parallelizing skyline computation across thousands of cores. However, attempts to port skyline algorithms to the GPU have prioritized throughput and failed to outperform sequential algorithms.

In this paper, we introduce a new skyline algorithm, designed for the GPU, that uses a global, static partitioning scheme. With the partitioning, we can permit
controlled branching
to exploit transitive relationships and avoid most point-to-point comparisons. The result is a non-traditional GPU algorithm, SkyAlign, that prioritizes work-efficiency and respectable throughput, rather than maximal throughput, to achieve orders of magnitude faster performance.
Reptile checklist of Río Pilcomayo National Park, Formosa, Argentina
Authors: Cano Paula Daniela , Ball Héctor Alejandro , Carpinetto Matías Federico , Peña Germán Darío
Published: May 2015

The present study reports a qualitative survey of the reptiles present in Río Pilcomayo National Park in Formosa, Argentina. A total of 30 reptile species were recorded between June 2009 and June 2011. Here we provide a checklist that includes relative species abundance, the different habitats present in the national park as well as the national conservation category for each species. In addition, 12 other reptile species cited in the literature for this area are included in the checklist. This study provides baseline information for future research in the park.
Site Dependent Hydrogenation in Graphynes: A Fully Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Investigation
Authors: Autreto Pedro A. S. , Galvao Douglas S.
Published: May 2015

Graphyne is a generic name for a carbon allotrope family of 2D structures, where acetylenic groups connect benzenoid rings, with the coexistence of sp and sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. In this work we have investigated, through fully atomistic reactive molecular dynamics simulations, the dynamics and structural changes of the hydrogenation of α, β, and γ graphyne forms. Our results showed that the existence of different sites for hydrogen bonding, related to single and triple bonds, makes the process of incorporating hydrogen atoms into graphyne membranes much more complex than the graphene ones. Our results also show that hydrogenation reactions are strongly site dependent and that the sp-hybridized carbon atoms are the preferential sites to chemical attacks. In our cases, the effectiveness of the hydrogenation (estimated from the number of hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to carbon atoms) follows the α, β, γ-graphyne structure ordering.
Electronic properties of monolayer molybdenum dichalcogenides under strains
Authors: Sugimoto J. , Shintani K.
Published: May 2015

The electronic band structures of monolayer molybdenum dichalcogenides, MoS2, MoSe2, and MoTe2 under either uniaxial or biaxial strain are calculated using first-principles calculation with the GW method. The imposed uniaxial strain is in the zigzag direction in the honeycomb lattice whereas the imposed biaxial strain is in the zigzag and armchair directions. It is found that the band gaps of these dichalcogenides almost linearly increase with the decrease of the magnitude of compressive strain, reach their maxima at some compressive strain, and then decrease almost linearly with the increase of tensile strain. It is also found their maximum band gaps are direct bandgaps.