bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pilot randomised trial of a healthy eating behavioural intervention in uncontrolled asthma
Authors: Ma Jun , Strub Peg , Lv Nan , Xiao Lan , Camargo Carlos A. , Buist A. Sonia , Lavori Philip W. , Wilson Sandra R. , Nadeau Kari C. , Rosas Lisa G.
Published: October 2015

Rigorous research on the benefit of healthy eating patterns for asthma control is lacking.

We randomised 90 adults with objectively confirmed uncontrolled asthma and a low-quality diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) scores <6 out of 9) to a 6-month DASH behavioural intervention (n=46) or usual-care control (n=44). Intention-to-treat analyses used repeated-measures mixed models.

Participants were middle-aged, 67% female and multiethnic. Compared with controls, intervention participants improved on DASH scores (mean change (95% CI) 0.6 (0, 1.1)versus−0.3 (−0.8, 0.2); difference 0.8 (0.2, 1.5)) and the primary outcome, Asthma Control Questionnaire scores (−0.2 (−0.5, 0)versus0 (−0.3, 0.3); difference −0.2 (−0.5, 0.1)) at 6 months. The mean group differences in changes in Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire overall and subdomain scores consistently favoured the intervention over the control group: overall 0.4 (95% CI 0, 0.8), symptoms 0.5 (0, 0.9), environment 0.4 (−0.1, 1.0), emotions 0.4 (−0.2, 0.9) and activities 0.3 (0, 0.7). These differences were modest, but potentially clinical significant.

The DASH behavioural intervention improved diet quality with promising clinical benefits for better asthma control and functional status among adults with uncontrolled asthma. A full-scale efficacy trial is warranted.
Circulating free DNA concentration is an independent prognostic biomarker in lung cancer
Authors: Tissot Claire , Toffart Anne-Claire , Villar Stéphanie , Souquet Pierre-Jean , Merle Patrick , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Pérol Maurice , Zavadil Jiri , Brambilla Christian , Olivier Magali , Couraud Sébastien
Published: October 2015

Plasma circulating cell-free (cf)DNA is of interest in oncology because it has been shown to contain tumour DNA and may thus be used as liquid biopsy. In nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cfDNA quantification has been proposed for the monitoring and follow-up of patients. However, available studies are limited and need to be confirmed by studies with larger sample sizes and including patients who receive more homogenous treatments. Our objective was to assess the predictive and prognostic value of plasma cfDNA concentration in a large series of patients with NSCLC and treated with a standard chemotherapy regimen.

We included samples from lung cancer patients recruited into the Pharmacogenoscan study. The cfDNA of 218 patients was extracted and quantified by fluorometry before and after two or three cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. The association between baseline and post-chemotherapy concentrations and treatment response, assessed by RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours) or patient survival was analysed.

Patients with high cfDNA concentrations (highest tertile) at baseline had a significantly worse disease-free and overall survival than those with lower concentrations (lowest and middle tertiles) (median overall survival 10 months (95% CI 10.7–13.9)versus14.2 months (95% CI 12.6–15.8), respectively; p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, increased baseline concentration of cfDNA was an independent prognostic factor. However, we did not find any association between cfDNA concentration and response to treatment.

cfDNA may be a biomarker for the assessment of prognosis in NSCLC. However, total concentration of cfDNA does not appear to predict chemotherapy response.
Inhibition of MTA1 by ERα contributes to protection hepatocellular carcinoma from tumor proliferation and metastasis
Authors: Deng Lei , Yang Hui , Tang Junwei , Lin Zhe , Yin Aihong , Gao Yun , Wang Xuehao , Jiang Runqiu , Sun Beicheng
Published: October 2015

Background

Although expression of MTA1 inversely correlates with the nuclear localization of ERα, the effect and molecular mechanism of ERα regulation of MTA1 remain unknown.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analyses were used to measure levels of MTA1. The effect on HCC cell proliferation and invasion was assessed by EdU incorporation assays and Transwell, respectively. ShRNA and dual-luciferase assays were used to investigate the regulatory relationship between MTA1 and ERα in cell lines.

Results

We found that MTA1 gene regulation by ERα may be influenced by nuclear corepressors. The MTA1 promoter has three functional ER-element half-sites that lead to decreased MTA1 transcription and expression. ERα overexpression suppressed the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC). In addition, overexpression of MTA1 attenuated ERα-mediated suppression of the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells and tumor formation in vivo. These results suggested feedback regulation between ERα and MTA1. In summary, our results demonstrated that ERα suppressed proliferation and invasion of human HCC cells through downregulation of MTA1 transcription.

Conclusions

Our study is an improved description of the mechanisms of the suppressive effect of ERα on HCCs, adding understanding to the gender disparity of HCC progression.
The need for thorough phase II studies in medicines development for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gray Julian A. , Fleet David , Winblad Bengt
Published: October 2015

An important factor in the universal failure in phase III trials in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease in the past decade is the lack of phase II clinical data prior to entering phase III, with common reliance on biomarker results alone. Conduction of two learn-confirm cycles according to the Sheiner model would allow go/no-go decision making to include reliable clinical efficacy data prior to conducting phase III and would likely bring the rate of late stage failure more into line with that of other neurological indications. In studies in earlier disease stages, combined phase IIB/III adaptive approaches merit consideration in view of the long timelines of each study, though advantages and disadvantages of this approach versus the classical development pathway still need careful assessment.
Generalized proximal-type methods for weak vector variational inequality problems in Banach spaces
Authors: Pu Lin-chang , Wang Xue-ying , Chen Zhe
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we propose a class of generalized proximal-type method by the virtue of Bregman functions to solve weak vector variational inequality problems in Banach spaces. We carry out a convergence analysis on the method and prove the weak convergence of the generated sequence to a solution of the weak vector variational inequality problems under some mild conditions. Our results extend some known results to more general cases.
Extra-gradient methods for solving split feasibility and fixed point problems
Authors: Chen Jin-Zuo , Ceng Lu-Chuan , Qiu Yang-Qing , Kong Zhao-Rong
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this paper is to study the extra-gradient methods for solving split feasibility and fixed point problems involved in pseudo-contractive mappings in real Hilbert spaces. We propose an Ishikawa-type extra-gradient iterative algorithm for finding a solution of the split feasibility and fixed point problems involved in pseudo-contractive mappings with Lipschitz assumption. Moreover, we also suggest a Mann-type extra-gradient iterative algorithm for finding a solution of the split feasibility and fixed point problems involved in pseudo-contractive mappings without Lipschitz assumption. It is proven that under suitable conditions, the sequences generated by the proposed iterative algorithms converge weakly to a solution of the split feasibility and fixed point problems. The results presented in this paper extend and improve some corresponding ones in the literature.
Damage function for historic paper. Part I: Fitness for use
Authors: Strlič Matija , Grossi Carlota M. , Dillon Catherine , Bell Nancy , Fouseki Kalliopi , Brimblecombe Peter , Menart Eva , Ntanos Kostas , Lindsay William , Thickett David , France Fenella , De Bruin Gerrit
Published: October 2015

Background

In heritage science literature and in preventive conservation practice, damage functions are used to model material behaviour and specifically damage (unacceptable change), as a result of the presence of a stressor over time. For such functions to be of use in the context of collection management, it is important to define a range of parameters, such as who the stakeholders are (e.g. the public, curators, researchers), the mode of use (e.g. display, storage, manual handling), the long-term planning horizon (i.e. when in the future it is deemed acceptable for an item to become damaged or unfit for use), and what the threshold of damage is, i.e. extent of physical change assessed as damage.

Results

In this paper, we explore the threshold of fitness for use for archival and library paper documents used for display or reading in the context of access in reading rooms by the general public. Change is considered in the context of discolouration and mechanical deterioration such as tears and missing pieces: forms of physical deterioration that accumulate with time in libraries and archives. We also explore whether the threshold fitness for use is defined differently for objects perceived to be of different value, and for different modes of use. The data were collected in a series of fitness-for-use workshops carried out with readers/visitors in heritage institutions using principles of Design of Experiments.

Conclusions

The results show that when no particular value is pre-assigned to an archival or library document, missing pieces influenced readers/visitors’ subjective judgements of fitness-for-use to a greater extent than did discolouration and tears (which had little or no influence). This finding was most apparent in the display context in comparison to the reading room context. The finding also best applied when readers/visitors were not given a value scenario (in comparison to when they were asked to think about the document having personal or historic value). It can be estimated that, in general, items become unfit when text is evidently missing. However, if the visitor/reader is prompted to think of a document in terms of its historic value, then change in a document has little impact on fitness for use.
Drastically Improved Durability and Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells Using Hyper-Stable Lanthanide Coordination Polymer Beads
Authors: Kataoka Hisataka , Nakanishi Takayuki , Omagari Shun , Takabatake Yu , Kitagawa Yuichi , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: October 2015

Remarkable improvements of environmental durability and energy conversion efficiency in silicon solar cells were achieved using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) protection film containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer beads (PB), which includes hyper-stable luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer [Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonate, dpbp: 4,4′-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)biphenyl). The shape of PB including [Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n (PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n) was observed with SEM. Luminescence performance of EVA protection films including PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n or related lanthanide complexes (previously reported [Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n powder, Tb(hfa)3(TPPO)2, Eu(hfa)3(TPPO)2, and Yb(hfa)3(TPPO)2, TPPO: triphenylphosphine oxide) were characterized using emission spectroscopy, quantum yields, and lifetimes. Their durability were evaluated using photophysical measurements after degradation test (85 °C 85% RH). The durability of PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n in EVA film was estimated to be twenty-five years, which is much longer than those of previous lanthanide complexes. The temperature dependency of emission spectra of PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n confirmed that the luminescence properties are maintained even at high temperatures up to 120 °C. Increased value of the solar cell short-circuit current efficiency using EVA protection film containing PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n was found to be 1.1%, which is a drastic increase as a photovoltaic solar system. The EVA protection films with PB-[Eu(hfa)3(dpbp)]n are effective for enhancing the performance of silicon solar cells.
Option Protection Manure belt breakage during freezing and a variety of scrapers peregruhkah
Authors: Мазуха  , Mazukha A.
Published: October 2015

It is proposed to use single-phase relay current monitoring CM-SRS.2 (ABB) with adjustable time delay with respect to manure cleaning the conveyor in the barn.
Using the multifunction relay insulation monitoring and control phases in the control circuit by a crane
Authors: Мазуха  , Mazukha N. , Мазуха  , Mazukha A.
Published: October 2015

The proposed control scheme for the engine crane at low speed before brak-ing. The circuit has multifunction relay RKF-M-2-15 for the control of unbalance mains and isolation control circuits to which it is connected.
Analysis of the effect of iron-carbon alloy constituents on their wear resistance in contact with the abrasive medium
Authors: Попов  , Popov Dmitriy , Символоков  , Simvolokov A.
Published: October 2015

The article provides an overview of the influence of the main structural com-ponents (metallic, graphite, carbides) iron-carbon alloys on their wear resistance in the interaction with the abrasive. The results of laboratory testing of metals for wear
Management Strategy technical condition of vehicles
Authors: Поляков  , Polyakov Igor , Иванников  , Ivannikov Valeriy , Никонов  , Nikonov Vadim
Published: October 2015

The paper presents the management strategies technical condition of vehicles.
On assessment of the impact of man-made Forestry transport on the environment
Authors: Сушков  , Sushkov Oleg
Published: October 2015

This article describes a system designed to support the analytical activities of forestry enterprises, substantiated the choice of multi-agent system.
Credit Scoring with Social Network Data
Authors: Wei Yanhao , Yildirim Pinar , Van den Bulte Christophe , Dellarocas Chrysanthos
Published: October 2015

Motivated by the growing practice of using social network data in credit scoring, we analyze the impact of using network-based measures on customer score accuracy and on tie formation among customers. We develop a series of models to compare the accuracy of customer scores obtained with and without network data. We also investigate how the accuracy of social network-based scores changes when consumers can strategically construct their social networks to attain higher scores. We find that those who are motivated to improve their scores may form fewer ties and focus more on similar partners. The impact of such endogenous tie formation on the accuracy of consumer scores is ambiguous. Scores can become more accurate as a result of modifications in social networks, but this accuracy improvement may come with greater network fragmentation. The threat of social exclusion in such endogenously formed networks provides incentives to low-type members to exert effort that improves everyone’s creditworthiness. We discuss implications for managers and public policy.
A Branch-Price-and-Cut Algorithm for the Inventory-Routing Problem
Authors: Desaulniers Guy , Rakke Jørgen G. , Coelho Leandro C.
Published: October 2015

The inventory-routing problem (IRP) integrates two well-studied problems, namely, inventory management and vehicle routing. Given a set of customers to service over a multiperiod horizon, the IRP consists of determining when to visit each customer, which quantity to deliver in each visit, and how to combine the visits in each period into feasible routes such that the total routing and inventory costs are minimized. In this paper, we propose an innovative mathematical formulation for the IRP and develop a state-of-the-art branch-price-and-cut algorithm for solving it. This algorithm incorporates known and new families of valid inequalities, including an adaptation of the well-known capacity inequalities, as well as an ad hoc labeling algorithm for solving the column generation subproblems. Through extensive computational experiments on a widely used set of 640 benchmark instances involving between two and five vehicles, we show that our branch-price-and-cut algorithm clearly outperforms a state-of-the-art branch-and-cut algorithm on the instances with four and five vehicles. In this instance set, 238 were still open before this work and we proved optimality for 54 of them.
Essential metals and phenolic acids in commercial herbs and spices. Multivariate analysis
of correlations among them
Authors: Arceusz Agnieszka , Wesolowski Marek
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to show relationships among the levels of essential metals (zinc, iron, sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium) and phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, gallic, rosmarinic and syringic) in commercial herbs (lemon balm, thyme, rosemary, mint, sage and angelica) and spices (caraway, lovage, hyssop and oregano). In the herbs higher quantities of metals and phenolic compounds were found than in spices. All plants contained high levels of calcium, potassium and rosmarinic acid, but low levels of zinc and gallic acid. By using principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses several clusters were identified grouping samples originating from a plant of a particular botanical species. Multivariate analysis has also shown that the contents of phenolic acids had a stronger impact on the scattering of herbs and spices than the metals levels. Furthermore, statistically significant correlations were found between calcium and ferulic, gallic, rosmarinic and syringic acids as well as between zinc and sodium and caffeic acid. This suggests co-operate between these biologically active constituents in metabolic processes occurring in plants.
Development and validation of the simple
and sensitive spectrophotometric method
of sulphanilamides determination with
4-(2-thiazolylazo)-resorcinol in veterinary preparations
Authors: Smolinska Maria , Korkuna Olha , Vrublevska Teodoziya , Rudchuk Petro , Teslyar Grigory
Published: October 2015

New simple, rapid, and accurate spectrophotometric techniques for sulphanilamides assay in combination drugs have been elaborated. The method is based on the formation of coloured products of sulphanilamides diazonium salt azoсoupling with heterocyclic azo reagent 4-(2-thiazolylazo)-resorcinol (TAR) in alkaline medium (pH 9.5) with the following measurement of their absorbance at λmax = 615 nm. Formed products are stable for 1 hour at room temperature. Effective molar absorptivities at absorbance maximum 615 nm for disazo dyes were ~ 104 M-1 cm-1. Linear ranges for sulphanilamides determination were 0.5−30.0 μg mL-1. The developed method was used for the suphanilamides determination in tablets, powder, solutions, suspensions and ointments.
Damage Evaluation in Shear-Critical Reinforced
Concrete Beam using Piezoelectric Transducers as
Smart Aggregates
Authors: Chalioris Constantin E. , Papadopoulos Nikos A. , Angeli Georgia M. , Karayannis Chris G. , Liolios Asterios A. , Providakis Costas P.
Published: October 2015

Damage detection at early cracking stages in
shear-critical reinforced concrete beams, before further
deterioration and their inevitable brittle shear failure
is crucial for structural safety and integrity. The effectiveness
of a structural health monitoring technique using
the admittance measurements of piezoelectric transducers
mounted on a reinforced concrete beam without
shear reinforcement is experimentally investigated.
Embedded “smart aggregate” transducers and externally
bonded piezoelectric patches have been placed in arrays
at both shear spans of the beam. Beam were tested till total
shear failure and monitored at three different states;
healthy, flexural cracking and diagonal cracking. Test results
showed that transducers close to the critical diagonal
crack provided sound and graduated discrepancies between
the admittance responses at the healthy state and
thedamage levels.Damage assessment using statistical indices
calculated from the measurements of all transducers
was also attempted. Rational changes of the index values
were obtained with respect to the increase of the damage.
Admittance responses and index values of the transducers
located on the shear span where the critical diagonal
crack formed provided cogent evidence of damage. On the
contrary, negligible indication of damage was yielded by
the responses of the transducers located on the other shear
span, where no diagonal cracking occurred.
Determination of log moisture content using ground penetrating radar (GPR). Part 1. Partial least squares (PLS) method
Authors: Hans Guillaume , Redman David , Leblon Brigitte , Nader Joseph , La Rocque Armand
Published: October 2015

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a handheld system showing good potential for the real-time and nondestructive characterization of wood moisture content (MC). However, measurements performed over logs can be challenging because of their curved surface that can affect the GPR signal. In this study, the MC of thawed and frozen logs was estimated for three species (quaking aspen, balsam poplar, and black spruce) using the full GPR signals and the partial least squares (PLS) regression method. The signal was acquired from the cross-section (CS) and through the bark (TB) of the logs with and without an aluminum plate placed under the log. The full GPR signal does not provide better log MC prediction accuracy for small logs compared with the early-time GPR signal. The information about the shape and diameter of the log is contained in the direct and reflected waves of the GPR signal. CS models provided more accurate log MC prediction (RMSEv=7–25%) than TB models (RMSEv=6–40%) for the hardwood species. Thawed and frozen log models showed similar performances. This study demonstrates that GPR in combination with PLS regression is suitable for predicting log MC in the field.
Evaluation of Anticorrosion Performance of New Materials for Alternative Superheater Tubes in Biomass Power Plants
Authors: Li Yuchun , Zhang Hongliang , He Yuwu
Published: October 2015

One way of controlling alkali chloride-induced corrosion in biomass boilers is by designing new alloy materials used as superheater tubes. Four newly designed Cr–Ni alloy was designed and studied for applicability in biomass power plants. High-temperature oxidation experiments and high-temperature corrosion experiments were carried out for evaluation material characterization. Through analysis and discussion of the corrosion kinetics and oxidation kinetics, it can be concluded that materials with series number of “2xx” and “3xx” had better endurance ability in KCl environment under 650°C and 700°C than TP316 material. In the same conditions, 3xx material had better anticorrosion ability in 700°C with KCl environment.
Effect of Blender and Blending Time on Color and Aroma Characteristics of Juice and Its Freeze-Dried Powder of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. Leaves (Pandan)
Authors: Sowndhararajan Kandhasamy , Chin Nyuk Ling , Yusof Yus Aniza , Lai Lee Ling , Mustapha Wan Aida Wan
Published: October 2015

The color and aroma properties of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. leaves (pandan) were studied by mechanical extraction using normal and turbo blade blenders under different blending times (60–180 s). The extracted juice was freeze-dried into powders and its aroma components were measured in a solid-phase microextraction using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) analysis. The turbo blade blender provided maximum color pigment of greenness and yellowness at blending time of 90 s as compared to the normal blender that required 180 s. In GC-MS analysis, the major component, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, was found to be one time higher in the freeze-dried pandan juice samples obtained from turbo blade blender than normal blender. Other components including the cis-3-hexanal, 2-methylene-4-pentenenitrile and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were also detected in the samples. In conclusion, the turbo blade blender is more effective than normal laboratory blender in terms of color extraction, particle size reduction and the aroma retention.
Increasing Protease Activities and Antioxidant Properties of Koji for Soy Sauce Brewing by Adding a Medicinal Herb Rhodiola rosea
Authors: Xue-jun Lei , Zheng-yun Wu , Chao-yi Cui , Jun Yang , Wen-xue Zhang
Published: October 2015

Koji preparation is the key step in soy sauce brewing. In this study, 21 medicinal herbs were tested for their abilities in enhancing the protease activities of soy sauce koji. Among these herbs Rhodiola rosea was found to be the most efficient in increasing protease activities. Kinetic analyses revealed that R. rosea addition not only promoted microbe growth and increase the activities of neutral and acid proteases (by 29.8% and 13.4%, respectively) but also elevated α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenolics and flavonoids (by 9.5%, 47.1% and 14.1%, respectively); the formations of proteases and antioxidant properties depend largely on microbe growth; and the promotion effects of R. rosea addition were mainly displayed in later stage of fermentation. Using the R. rosea koji for soy sauce production resulted in 8.9%, 19.1%, 6.6%, 23% and 102% higher of total and amino-type nitrogen contents, protein utilization, total phenolics and flavonoids, respectively.
Phytochemical, sub-acute toxicity, and antibacterial evaluation of Cordia sebestena leaf extracts
Authors: Osho Adeleke , Otuechere Chiagoziem A. , Adeosun Charles B. , Oluwagbemi Tolu , Atolani Olubunmi
Published: October 2015

Background: In Nigeria, Cordia sebestena (Boraginaceae), an understudied medicinal plant, is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition, antibacterial potential, and sub-acute toxicity of C. sebestena leaves.

Methods: Ethyl acetate extracts were analyzed using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. The antibacterial potential of the extracts was tested against five standard bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clinical observations and blood parameters were used to evaluate the possible toxicity of C. sebestena.

Results: The TLC profile yielded 39 fractions, which were pooled to nine combined sub-fractions (A–I). The FTIR spectrum of sub-fraction H indicated the presence of aliphatic C-H stretching vibration at 2922 and 2850 cm−1, C=O stretch at 1734 and 1708 cm−1, and C=C stretch of aromatics and aliphatics at 1464 and (shoulder) 1618 cm−1, respectively. The fractions of the C. sebestena ethyl acetate leaf extract showed antibacterial potential across board, but fraction H had the highest antibacterial activity against B. cereus and S. aureus. The study also indicated the relatively low toxicity profile of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of C. sebestena in the liver of rats.

Conclusions: The study showed that C. sebestena leaves have strong antibacterial potential and low toxicity, thereby underlying the scientific basis for their folkloric use in the management of microbial infections and its associated complications.
Composite structure of vortices in two-component
Bose-Einstein condensate
Authors: Ivashin Anatoly P. , Poluektov Yuri M.
Published: October 2015

In contrast to one-component Bose-Einstein condensate
case, the vortices in two-component condensate
can have various complicated structures. The vortices in a
space-homogeneous Bose-Einstein condensate have been
studied in this paper. It is shown that the vortex structure
is described by three dimensionless parameters. This is totally
different from the usual one-component condensate
case,where an isolated vortex is described by a parameterless
dimensionless equation. The two-component vortex
structure strongly depends on the sign of “interaction”
constant of the components. A few types of vortices with
different qualitative structure are explored. We show that
the “super-density vortices” can exist, when the “interaction”
constant is positive. The “super-density vortices”
have the near-axis density greater than the equilibrium
density of a homogeneous space Bose-Einstein condensate.
We also show that the vortices with opposite direction
of the condensate component rotation near the axis
and far off the axis can exist.
Random fixed point theorems based on orbits of random mappings with some applications to random integral equations
Authors: Prakasa Rao B. L. S. , Varadarajaperumal V.
Published: October 2015

We obtain some random fixed point theorems for random mappings. We use the orbits of the random mappings
to show the existence of a fixed point for a class of random mappings and also establish the measurability of solutions
obtained through such random mappings. Some applications of these theorems to random integral equations are given.
Preventive effect of total glycosides from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus against nonalcoholic fatty liver in mice
Authors: Yang Nianyun , Zhang Yiwen , Guo Jianming
Published: October 2015

The protective effects of the total glycosides from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus against nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) in mice were investigated. Liver injury was induced by the administration of high fat diet for 60 days. During this period, the model group received high fat diet only; the treatment groups received various drugs plus high fat diet. Compared with the model group, the total glycosides significantly decreased the contents of triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC), as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum. Moreover, the contents of TG and TC in liver tissue and the liver index were reduced. Histological findings also confirmed antisteatosis. Compared with the model group, total glycosides significantly reduced the levels of the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and liver X receptor-a (LXR-α) protein, and down-regulated the expression of SREBP-1c, LXR-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA in the liver. These results suggest that the total glycosides are effective in the treatment of NAFL of mice. Their mode of action is associated with inhibiting SREBP-1c, LXR-α and IL-6 mRNA, reducing lipid synthesis factor SREBP-1c and LXR-α protein and gene expression, suppressing inflammatory responses, then decreasing serum lipid and hepatic lipid.
Quirk Shame
Authors: Walton Benjamin
Published: October 2015

Although music historians have begun to consider some of the broad implications of large-scale digitization, the shift from traditional library- or archive-based methods of research to speculative Internet text searching remains largely invisible within an unchanged scholarly apparatus of footnotes and bibliographies. As a result, quirky details become easier to find, yet that ease is itself concealed, perhaps, this article argues, because to admit it might occasion a variety of academic shame.
Brecht for Children
Authors: Timberlake Anicia Chung
Published: October 2015

East German music educators developed new children’s operas on the model of Brechtian Lehrstücke to teach critical, “dialectical” thinking, a skill they considered essential for young socialists. This essay examines how the operas offered an alternative political education to the GDR’s official program of state-loyal patriotism and explores the conflicts that arose when Brecht’s theories of gestus and estrangement came into contact with the fairy tale tradition long thought to be the center of German children’s culture.
Elephants in the Music Room
Authors: Mathew Nicholas , Smart Mary Ann
Published: October 2015

In this introduction to the forum Quirk Historicism, the editors describe the recent tendency of music scholars, in the wake of New Historicism, to avail themselves of objets trouvés and historical micronarratives for interpretation.
An Art-Hungry People
Authors: Schad Jasper G.
Published: October 2015

Nineteen fifteen was a pivotal year for art in Los Angeles. Paintings of the adjacent countryside, already widely popular, became even more so that year, propelled by a rising tide of cultural progressivism, World War I, and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Those events raised art interest, introduced Angelenos to new forms of artistic expression, and quickened the pace of social, cultural, and economic change. In so doing, they also set the stage, during the 1920s, for the eventual collapse of the city’s vibrant 1915 art world.
Persistent Pacifism, Southern California Women, and the People’s Council of America, 1917–1918
Authors: Brown Kathleen A.
Published: October 2015

Southern California women, through local chapters of the People’s Council of America for Democracy and Terms of Peace, actively resisted American involvement in World War I. Vilified, threatened, and refused meeting places and publicity, these women activists persisted in their cause. This article looks at women in the Santa Ana, San Diego, and Riverside chapters of the People’s Council and highlights their diverse backgrounds and their links to other progressive causes.
A Research Report
Authors: Lotchin Roger W.
Published: October 2015

Public opinion polls taken between 1939 and 1945 questioned Americans’ attitudes toward Japan and Germany and toward the people of Japan and Japanese Americans. The polls’ quantified responses provide previously overlooked data that should be taken into account by scholars of Japanese American and World War II history.
Injerto autólogo versus aloinjerto fresco congelado en cirugía lumbar instrumentada. Resultados clínicos y radiológicos
Authors: Ortiz Pablo N. , Flores Kanter Diego N.
Published: October 2015

Re­su­men
 In­tro­duc­ción: La eficacia del aloinjerto fresco congelado es controvertida en la fusión lumbar. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar los resultados clínicos, el tiempo de cirugía y de estadía hospitalaria, y los resultados radiológicos utilizando injerto autólogo versus aloinjerto fresco congelado en cirugía de artrodesis lumbar instrumentada.
 Materiales­ y ­Métodos: Desde enero de 2009 hasta mayo de 2011, se analizaron 32 pacientes sometidos a fusión lumbar circunferencial de un nivel. Se formaron dos grupos, Grupo A: injerto autólogo, Grupo B: aloinjerto fresco congelado. Antes de la cirugía, se utilizó la escala analógica visual (valoración sintomática) y el índice ODI (calidad de vida); después de la intervención, se aplicó nuevamente el índice ODI y se empleó la clasificación de Bridwell en la tomografía computarizada para evaluar la fusión. Se evaluó la duración del acto quirúrgico y de la estadía hospitalaria. Estudio de valor terapéutico, observacional, analítico, prospectivo y aleatorizado.

Resultados:­ No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos: calidad de vida: mejoría en grupo A: 55,26%, grupo B: 55,30 (p <0,9); tiempo quirúrgico: grupo A: promedio 169,4 minutos, grupo B: 148 minutos (p <0,16); estadía hospitalaria: grupo A: promedio 73,3 horas, grupo B: 58,7 horas (p <0,12); tasa de fusión posterolateral: grupo A: 94,74%, grupo A: 92,31% (p <0,57).

Conclusión: Si bien las diferencias entre el aloinjerto fresco congelado y el autoinjerto no fueron significativas, el menor tiempo de cirugía y la estadía hospitalaria más corta en el grupo con aloinjerto fresco congelado eviden- cian que es una opción válida al autoinjerto.

 
Tomografía Computada de doble Energía: Nueva tecnología para la reducción de artefactos de metal. [Dual Energy Computed Tomography: New technology for metal artifacts reduction.]
Authors: Reynoso Exequiel , Carrascosa Patricia , Capunay Carlos , Rasumoff Alejandro , Vallejos Javier , Carpio Jimena , Lago Karen
Published: October 2015

Objetivos: Explorar la utilidad de la tomografía computada de doble energía (TCDE) mediante tecnología de imágenes espectrales gemstone (GSI) y de un software dedicado a la reducción de artefactos de metal (MARS), para la evaluación de tejidos periprotésicos e interpretabilidad diagnóstica de patologías  relacionadas con implantes.

Materiales y Métodos: Se estudió la densidad ósea, partes blandas y grasa en el tejido periprotésico comparado con tejido control sin implante, utilizando un escáner de alta definición de TCDE-GSI tanto en imágenes policromáticas convencionales (PI)  y monocromáticas virtuales (VMSI) con MARS en 80 pacientes con prótesis metálicas en diversas regiones musculo-esqueléticas. Se valoró también la calidad de imagen y la interpretabilidad diagnóstica mediante escala de Likert.

Resultados: Con PI se observaron diferencias significativas entre el área periprotésica en los tres tipos de tejidos evaluados  respecto a los controles (p<0.0001); sin diferencias significativas utilizando VMSI-MARS (p=0.053 hueso, p=0.32 partes blandas, y p=0.13 grasa), demostrando mayor similitud con el tejido normal. Además, los niveles de ruido de las imágenes (DS) fueron significativamente mayores con PI (p<0.0001) que con VMSI-MARS. Todas las regiones periprotésicas se consideraron no interpretables utilizando PI comparado con  11 (9%) utilizando VMSI-MARS. No hubo diferencias significativas en la dosis de radiación comparado con un grupo control pareado por sexo y edad (p= 0.21).

Conclusiones: La tecnología TCDE tiene la capacidad de reducir los artefactos periprotésicos, logrando un significativo incremento en la capacidad de identificación de tejidos e interpretabilidad diagnóstica de posibles patologías relacionadas con implantes.
La situación tributaria en América Latina: raíces y hechos estilizados
Authors: Gómez Sabaíni Juan C. , Morán Dalmiro
Published: October 2015

Este documento identifica los hechos estilizados que han caracterizado los sistemas tributarios de América Latina a lo largo de los últimos dos decenios. A pesar de la heterogeneidad entre países, la carga tributaria ha aumentado en casi todos los casos; y la estructura tributaria, en promedio, se ha venido concentrando en el Impuesto al Valor Agregado y el Impuesto a la Renta. La ampliación, en años recientes, de los objetivos de la política tributaria más allá de lo meramente fiscal ha llevado a los autores a plantear nuevos lineamientos de reforma tributaria en los países de la región.
Défis à relever pour la politique budgétaire en Amérique latine en matière de stabilisation et de redistribution
Authors: Llorca Matthieu
Published: October 2015

Cet article se propose d'étudier les réponses offertes par la politique fiscale en Amérique latine dans la situation actuelle " d'atterrissage en douceur ". En fait, il apparaît que la région est exposée à un risque de choc externe de pays développés et la Chine à un risque politique. Dans ces conditions, la politique fiscale a un rôle important à jouer pour gérer ces risques en se centrant sur ses fonctions de stabilisation et de distribution. En outre, nous proposons un système de plusieurs mesures pour chaque fonction. Enfin, nous démontrons que les pays latino-américains ne souffrent pas de contrainte du financement pour appliquer nos recommandations.
Determinación de residuos de plaguicidas organoclorados en suero sanguíneo de trabajadores de cultivo de Café y plátano en el departamento del quindío por gc-μecd
Authors: Bedoya P Santiago , García R. Alejandro , Londoño F. Ángela L. , Restrepo C. Beatriz
Published: October 2015

La falta de conocimiento del potencial nocivo
de los plaguicidas por parte de los trabajadores
agrícolas puede ocasionar graves problemas
en su salud y en la de los consumidores. Se
determinó la residualidad de plaguicidas
organoclorados (OCP, por sus siglas en
inglés) en muestras de suero sanguíneo de
trabajadores agrícolas de cultivos de café y
plátano en el departamento del Quindío. Para
la extracción de los analitos se implementó un
método rápido, seguro, económico y eficiente
de microextracción dispersiva en fase líquida
(DLLME, por sus siglas en inglés) asistida por
sonicación, logrando la extracción de 20 OCP
de 200 μL de suero sanguíneo en un tiempo
de 35 min con porcentajes de recuperación
mayores al 87 %. Se empleó cromatografía
de gases con detector de micro captura de
electrones (GC-μECD) para el análisis de los
OCP. Para cada analito, los coeficientes de
correlación obtenidos a partir de las curvas
de calibración interna fueron superiores a
0,9996, los límites de detección (LOD) se
establecieron entre 0,02 a 0,04 ng/mL y los
límites de cuantificación (LOQ) por debajo
de 0,14 ng/mL. En el 55 % de las muestras
analizadas (166) se evidenció la presencia de:
4,4-DDE, alfa y gamma BHC, endrin aldehído,
endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfato, heptacloro y
metoxicloro, compuestos que están prohibidos
por la regulación nacional e internacional.
Investigating Relationship among Research Self-Efficacy, Research Outcome Expectation, and Research Interest of Cambodian Faculty: Testing Social-Cognitive Theory
Authors: Eam Phyrom
Published: October 2015

Social-Cognitive Theory has been used in a number of previous studies centered on research interest. A key angle of this theory seeks to test if faculty who believe they have ability and skills to accomplish research tasks effectively (i.e. having high research self-efficacy) and those who anticipate meaningful outputs from engaging in those research activities (i.e. having high research outcome expectation) are more likely to hold persistent interest in research works. Based on this theoretical framework and with the purpose to bring the current research practices in a developing context of higher education into discussion, this study set out to examine to what extent research self-efficacy and research outcome expectation predict research interest of Cambodian faculty. Participants in the study were 453 faculty members from ten major universities in the country. The main analyses were conducted using Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression. The study detected that three blocks of independent variables (i.e. controlled personal and professional background variables, research self-efficacy, and research outcome expectation) explained about 37% of variances in research interest, with research self-efficacy accounting for the highest percentage of the total explained variances. Yet, the interaction effect of the research self-efficacy and research outcome expectation on research interest was not statistically significant. With terminal degree countries and disciplines as moderators, further moderation analyses indicated that the effect of research self-efficacy and research outcome expectation on research interest did not vary across disciplines and across places where participants obtained their terminal degree. Through these empirical analyses, this article offered some constructive thoughts on the current practices and policies of research culture building in the studied context.
Description of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills Revisited (ABLLS:R)
Authors: Semenovich M.L. , Manelis N.G. , Khaustov A.V. , Kozorez A.I. , Morozova E.V.
Published: October 2015

The experts of the Center for Psychological, Medical and Social Support to Children and Adolescents of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education conducted the pilot approbation of The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills — Revised (ABLLS_R). The method is used for diagnostics and assessment of the functional skills and speech development level of children and adults with developmental delays or autism spectrum disorders in order to develop individual education plan and to assess teaching efficiency.
The first part of the published description contains the history of the test development, goals and conditions of the assessment, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the list of areas of skills for assessment and ways of collecting data.
The pilot approbation of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills — Revised (ABLLS_R) was conducted by the experts of the Center for Psychological, Medical and Social Support to Children and Adolescents of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education in 2014.
Anthropology of Pilgrims with Regard to Accommodation and the Activities they Performed while Visiting Shahdra Sharief Shrine
Authors: Malik Sharaz Ahmed
Published: October 2015

Tourism is a prosperous industry; tourism pilgrimage tourism is evolving a lot these days. It has been found that pilgrimage tourism increased many fold in every nook and corner of the world. May it be the case of Christine, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist followers, pilgrimage of all of these has risen in these years. Pilgrims, like tourists, also spend money on traveling, accommodation, donation, eating, and purchasing. Spending of these pilgrims becomes a source for earning natives of pilgrimage destinations.

Keeping, this thing in mind, this study has been conducted to know various activities of pilgrims.

Herein this paper only accommodation related activities, the time duration of trip of pilgrims, and various activities which were performed by pilgrims have been recorded, specifically from those pilgrims who visit to Shahdra Sharief Shrine Rajouri of State Jammu and Kashmir.
Exploring Cruise Passengers’ Demographics, Experience, and Satisfaction with Cruising the Western Caribbean
Authors: A Baker David Mc.
Published: October 2015

Each year millions of people vacation aboard cruise ships, some carrying thousands of passengers and crew members. These ships are small, floating cities that offer many options for food and entertainment and calling at various ports in the Caribbean. This study aims to explore cruise passengers experience and their satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis was performed and revealed that the “environment factor” had the most influence on cruise passengers’ experience. Subsequently, a multiple regression was conducted to identify variables that affect passengers’ satisfaction; clean unpolluted environments, and sun-sea-sand continue to be the top variables affecting tourists’ satisfaction in the Caribbean. Based on these findings recommendations are made to the cruise companies and Caribbean governments in order to have more effective marketing campaigns and to retain and/or attract cruise passengers through the offering of positive means in the cruise experience.
DA EDUCAÇÃO ESCOLAR À EDUCAÇÃO PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO: FUNDAMENTOS FILOSÓFICO-CULTURAIS
Authors: Antunes Maria Pinto
Published: October 2015

Nos nossos dias, não obstante as reformulações a que constantemente é
sujeito, o sistema educativo, enquanto demasiado centrado na razão e nos conhecimentos
teórico-científicos, continua a ser criticado pelo seu desajustamento à atual
conceção holista do homem, da vida e do conhecimento. O exercício a que nos propomos
neste ensaio procura evidenciar que o facto de alguns dos pressupostos da narrativa
cultural e filosófica da modernidade continuarem a estar subjacentes ao sistema
educativo atual explica, em grande medida, a manutenção do dito desajustamento. O
texto sugere, ainda, a necessidade de uma recontextualização dessa narrativa como
condição a uma nova conceção e ação educativas.
Palavras-chave: Educação escolar. Educação para o desenvolvimento. Fundamentos
filosófico-culturais.
FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES DA AMÉRICA LATINA NO CONTEXTO DO MUNDO GLOBALIZADO
Authors: Mascarello Vieira Marilandi Maria , Bagnara Ivan Carlos
Published: October 2015

Neste artigo, apresenta-se uma visão panorâmica sobre as ações propostas
pela Organização das Nações Unidas (Unesco) para a Educação, a Ciência e a Cultura com a temática formação de professores. O artigo foi elaborado a partir da pesquisa bibliográfica e da análise das Declarações e Recomendações da Unesco, aprovadas nas reuniões Promedlac e Prelac entre 1981 e 2007. Assim, traçou-se um retrato do processo de globalização, formação de blocos econômicos, atuação da Unesco em relação à educação e às ações e diretrizes propostas pelo órgão quanto à formação dos professores. Como resultados, tem-se que o organismo teve papel de destaque na definição de políticas educacionais nas décadas de 1980 e 1990, mas perdeu seu poder de atuação, pois os organismos financeiros de dimensão global assumiram o protagonismo na tarefa de definir princípios e estratégias em todos os âmbitos da vida política, econômica e cultural da região da região latino-americana.
Palavras-chave: Formação de professores. Globalização. América Latina.