bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiberoptic bronchoscope guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in intensive care unit: a prospective observational study
Authors: Azimee Asfar , Singh Taiyenjam Kennedy
Published: September 2015

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of fiberoptic bronchoscope guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy performed in the intensive care unit.Methods: This was a prospective clinical study done on 30 critically ill patients in Intensive care unit. A puncture was made with 16G cannula at the second or third tracheal interspace which was confirmed by the fiberoptic bronchoscope. This was followed by insertion of guide wire through the cannula followed by insertion of the guiding catheter over the guide wire. The tract was enlarged with white single stage dilator to allow placement of a standard tracheostomy tube. The procedure was continuously monitored with the fiberoptic bronchoscope. Complications were noted during procedure and till patient’s stay in Intensive care unit.Results: The study included 18 (60%) male and 12 (40%) female patients. The mean age was 64.5±8 years. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was done early (<10 days) in 10 (33.3%) patients and late (>10 days) in 20 (66.7%) patients. Fentanyl was used for the procedure in all the patients and among them 8 (26.6%) patients required injection rocuronium. Average procedure duration, from incision to suture for 30 patients was 12.6± 2 minutes. Indication for tracheostomy was weaning failure in 22 (73.3%) patients and airway maintenance in 8 (26.6%) patients. The mean duration patient remained on mechanical ventilation was 12.6 days and mean length of stay in critical care unit before shifting to ward was 7.6 days after tracheostomy. Acute postprocedure complications were transient bleed in four patients (13.3%), two (6.7%) had stomal bleeding, one (3%) had tracheal mucosa laceration and another (3%) had subcutaneous emphysema. No cases of stomal infection, pneumothorax, tracheal laceration, paratracheal insertion, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. There was no procedure-related mortality. Conclusion: Fiberoptic bronchoscope guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is safe and the method of choice for elective tracheostomy in the majority of intensive care patientsJournal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(2): 52-55
Anesthetic and critical care challenges in massive chyle leak following robotic surgery: a special case report
Authors: Hariharan Uma , Choudhary Itee , Bhargava Ajay Kumar
Published: September 2015

A unique case report is hereby presented which entails the multi-modality management of a very rare complication of modern minimally-invasive robotic surgery. Chyle leak can be an extremely challenging problem following certain surgeries, especially in cancer patients. Medical, nutritional and/or surgical management is required to control the leak. Prolonged massive chyle leaks which do not respond to conservative management require surgical intervention. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is a complex procedure undertaken for lymph node clearance in germ cell tumors after primary radical surgery. Robotic surgeries have revolutionized the field of minimally invasive operations. A patient who underwent robotic nerve sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for non-seminomatous germ cell tumor of the right testis, post-chemotherapy, developed a continuous large volume chylous ascites, presenting with electrolyte imbalances and hypotension. Exploratory laparotomy in the operation theatre was required for sealing the chyle leak after failure of medical and nutritional management in the intensive care unit. The main take-away message is that refractory chyle leak can occur in retroperitoneal surgeries requiring multidisciplinary management. Careful coordinated action between critical care, oncological, anesthesia and surgical teams is mandatory for a favourable outcome. Familiarity with the nuances of robotic surgery and eternal vigilance are the keys to successful conduction of complex robotic procedures.Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of Nepal 2015; 2(2): 73-76
Meta-omic signatures of microbial metal and nitrogen cycling in marine oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Glass Jennifer B. , Kretz Cecilia B. , Ganesh Sangita , Ranjan Piyush , Seston Sherry L. , Buck Kristen N. , Landing William M. , Morton Peter L. , Moffett James W. , Giovannoni Stephen J. , Vergin Kevin L. , Stewart Frank J.
Published: September 2015

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are essential cofactors for microbial metalloenzymes, but little is known about the metalloenyzme inventory of anaerobic marine microbial communities despite their importance to the nitrogen cycle. We compared dissolved O2, NO3−, NO2−, Fe and Cu concentrations with nucleic acid sequences encoding Fe and Cu-binding proteins in 21 metagenomes and 9 metatranscriptomes from Eastern Tropical North and South Pacific oxygen minimum zones and 7 metagenomes from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Station. Dissolved Fe concentrations increased sharply at upper oxic-anoxic transition zones, with the highest Fe:Cu molar ratio (1.8) occurring at the anoxic core of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific oxygen minimum zone and matching the predicted maximum ratio based on data from diverse ocean sites. The relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-binding proteins was negatively correlated with O2, driven by significant increases in genes encoding Fe-proteins involved in dissimilatory nitrogen metabolisms under anoxia. Transcripts encoding cytochrome c oxidase, the Fe- and Cu-containing terminal reductase in aerobic respiration, were positively correlated with O2 content. A comparison of the taxonomy of genes encoding Fe- and Cu-binding vs. bulk proteins in OMZs revealed that Planctomycetes represented a higher percentage of Fe genes while Thaumarchaeota represented a higher percentage of Cu genes, particularly at oxyclines. These results are broadly consistent with higher relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-proteins in the genome of a marine planctomycete vs. higher relative abundance of genes encoding Cu-proteins in the genome of a marine thaumarchaeote. These findings highlight the importance of metalloenzymes for microbial processes in oxygen minimum zones and suggest preferential Cu use in oxic habitats with Cu > Fe vs. preferential Fe use in anoxic niches with Fe > Cu.
Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Stem Cells Display Immunomodulatory Properties and Transiently Improve Rat Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Donders Raf , Vanheusden Marjan , Bogie Jeroen F. J. , Ravanidis Stylianos , Thewissen Kristof , Stinissen Piet , Gyselaers Wilfried , Hendriks Jerome J. A. , Hellings Niels
Published: September 2015

Umbilical cord matrix or Wharton's jelly-derived stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) are an easily accessible source of mesenchymal-like stem cells. Recent studies describe a hypoimmunogenic phenotype, multipotent differentiation potential, and trophic support function for WJ-MSCs, with variable clinical benefit in degenerative disease models such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and Parkinson's disease. It remains unclear whether WJ-MSCs have therapeutic value for multiple sclerosis (MS), where autoimmune-mediated demyelination and neurodegeneration need to be halted. In this study, we investigated whether WJ-MSCs possess the required properties to effectively and durably reverse these pathological hallmarks and whether they survive in an inflammatory environment after transplantation. WJ-MSCs displayed a lowly immunogenic phenotype and showed intrinsic expression of neurotrophic factors and a variety of anti-inflammatory molecules. Furthermore, they dose-dependently suppressed proliferation of activated T cells using contact-dependent and paracrine mechanisms. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 was identified as one of the main effector molecules responsible for the observed T-cell suppression. The immune-modulatory phenotype of WJ-MSCs was further enhanced after proinflammatory cytokine treatment in vitro (licensing). In addition to their effect on adaptive immunity, WJ-MSCs interfered with dendritic cell differentiation and maturation, thus directly affecting antigen presentation and therefore T-cell priming. Systemically infused WJ-MSCs potently but transiently ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS, when injected at onset or during chronic disease. This protective effect was paralleled with a reduction in autoantigen-induced T-cell proliferation, confirming their immunomodulatory activity in vivo. Surprisingly, in vitro licensed WJ-MSCs did not ameliorate EAE, indicative of a fast rejection as a result of enhanced immunogenicity. Collectively, we show that WJ-MSCs have trophic support properties and effectively modulate immune cell functioning both in vitro and in the EAE model, suggesting WJ-MSC may hold promise for MS therapy. Future research is needed to optimize survival of stem cells and enhance clinical durability.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Angiogenesis and Follicle Survival in Human Cryopreserved Ovarian Cortex Transplantation
Authors: Xia Xi , Yin Tailang , Yan Jie , Yan Liying , Jin Chao , Lu Cuilin , Wang Tianren , Zhu Xiaohui , Zhi Xu , Wang Jijun , Tian Lei , Liu Jing , Li Rong , Qiao Jie
Published: September 2015

Transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue is a novel technique to restore endocrine function and fertility especially for cancer patients. However, the main obstacle of the technique is massive follicle loss as a result of ischemia in the process of transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been acknowledged to play an important role in supporting angiogenesis and stabilizing long-lasting blood vessel networks through release of angiogenic factors and differentiation into pericytes and endothelial cells. This study is aimed to investigate whether MSCs could be applied to overcome the above obstacle to support the ovarian tissue survival in the transplantation. Here we show that human MSCs could enhance the expression level of VEGF, FGF2, and especially the level of angiogenin, significantly stimulate neovascularization, and increase blood perfusion of the grafts in the cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation. Further studies reveal that MSCs could notably reduce the apoptotic rates of primordial follicles and decrease follicle loss in the grafted ovarian tissues. In summary, our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized function of MSCs in improving human ovarian tissue transplantation and provide a useful strategy to optimize fertility preservation and restoration.
Transplanted Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells Secrete Paracrine Proangiogenic Cytokines in Rat Model of Myocardial Infarctio
Authors: Song Yi-Sun , Joo Hyun-Woo , Park In-Hwa , Shen Guang-Yin , Lee Yonggu , Shin Jeong Hun , Kim Hyuck , Shin Il-Seob , Kim Kyung-Soo
Published: September 2015

Human amniotic epithelial cells (h-AECs) have been shown to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in vivo that can regenerate myocardial tissue and improve cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we investigated the paracrine factors released from h-AECs under hypoxic conditions to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying this previously reported phenomenon of h-AEC-mediated cardiac repair. We used hypoxic cell culture conditions to simulate myocardial infarction in vitro. In comparison to normal conditions, we found that h-AECs secreted higher levels of several cytokines, including angiogenin (ANG), epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin (IL)-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. To determine whether transplanted h-AECs express these proangiogenic cytokines in vivo, we ligated the coronary artery of rats to cause MI and injected either h-AECs or saline into the infarcted area. We found that the infarct and border zones of rat myocardium treated with h-AECs had higher expression levels of the human-origin cytokines ANG, EGF, IL-6, and MCP-1 compared to the tissues of saline-treated rats. In conclusion, h-AECs secreted proangiogenic cytokines in a rat model of MI, which may suggest that the paracrine effect by h-AECs could regenerate myocardial tissue and improve cardiac function.
A Combination of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound and Nanohydroxyapatite Concordantly Enhances Osteogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Buccal Fat Pad
Authors: Nagasaki Rika , Mukudai Yoshiki , Yoshizawa Yasumasa , Nagasaki Masahiro , Shiogama Sunao , Suzuki Maiko , Kondo Seiji , Shintani Satoru , Shirota Tatsuo
Published: September 2015

The osteogenic induction of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) has been regarded as an important step in bone tissue engineering. In the present study, we focused on the buccal fat pad (BFP) as a source of adipose tissue, since BFPs are encapsulated by adipose tissue and are often coextirpated during oral surgery. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is effective in the treatment of fractures, and nanohydroxyapatite (NHA) is known as a bone substitute material. Here we investigated the synergistic effects of LIPUS and NHA in the osteogenesis of ADSCs. A combination of LIPUS irritation and NHA as a scaffold significantly increased the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro, and in our in vivo study in which ADSCs were transplanted into calvarial bone defects of nude mice, the combinational effect greatly enhanced the new bone formation of the margin of the defects. These results demonstrate that synergistic effects of LIPUS and NHA are capable of effectively inducing the differentiation of ADSCs into osteoblasts, and they suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration by the autotransplantation of ADSCs.
Disease and Stem Cell-Based Analysis of the 2014 ASNTR Meeting
Authors: Eve David J.
Published: September 2015

A wide variety of subjects are presented at the annual American Society of Neural Therapy and Repair meeting every year, as typified by this summary of the 2014 meeting. Parkinson's disease-related presentations were again the most popular topic, with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke being close behind. Other disorders included Huntington's disease, brain cancer, and bipolar disorders. Several studies were related to multiple diseases, and many studies attempted to reveal more about the disease process. The use of scaffolds, drugs, and gene therapy as disease models and/or potential therapies were also featured. An increasing proportion of presentations related to stem cells, with the study of multiple stem cell types being the most common. Induced pluripotent stem cells were increasingly popular, including two presentations each on a muscle-derived dedifferentiated cell type and cells derived from bipolar patients. Other stem cells, including neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, umbilical cord blood cells, and embryonic stem cells, were featured. More than 55% of the stem cell studies involved transplantation, with human-derived cells being the most frequently transplanted, while rats were the most common recipient. Two human autologous studies for spinal cord injury and hypoxia-derived encephalopathy, while a further three allogenic studies for stroke and spinal cord injury, were also featured. This year's meeting highlights the increasing promise of stem cells and other therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Paramagnetism of cobalt-doped ZnO nanoparticles obtained by microwave solvothermal synthesis
Authors: Wojnarowicz Jacek , Kusnieruk Sylwia , Chudoba Tadeusz , Gierlotka Stanislaw , Lojkowski Witold , Knoff Wojciech , Lukasiewicz Malgorzata I , Witkowski Bartlomiej S , Wolska Anna , Klepka Marcin T , Story Tomasz , Godlewski Marek
Published: September 2015

Zinc oxide nanopowders doped with 1–15 mol % cobalt were produced by the microwave solvothermal synthesis (MSS) technique. The obtained nanoparticles were annealed at 800 °C in nitrogen (99.999%) and in synthetic air. The material nanostructure was investigated by means of the following techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), helium pycnometry density, specific surface area (SSA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and with magnetometry using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Irrespective of the Co content, nanoparticles in their initial state present a similar morphology. They are composed of loosely agglomerated spherical particles with wurtzite-type crystal structure with crystallites of a mean size of 30 nm. Annealing to temperatures of up to 800 °C induced the growth of crystallites up to a maximum of 2 μm in diameter. For samples annealed in high purity nitrogen, the precipitation of metallic α-Co was detected for a Co content of 5 mol % or more. For samples annealed in synthetic air, no change of phase structure was detected, except for precipitation of Co3O4 for a Co content of 15 mol %. The results of the magentometry investigation indicated that all as-synthesized samples displayed paramagnetic properties with a contribution of anti-ferromagnetic coupling of Co–Co pairs. After annealing in synthetic air, the samples remained paramagnetic and samples annealed under nitrogen flow showed a magnetic response under the influences of a magnetic field, likely related to the precipitation of metallic Co in nanoparticles.
The simple production of nonsymmetric quaterpyridines through Kröhnke pyridine synthesis
Authors: Sasaki Isabelle , Daran Jean-Claude , Commenges Gérard
Published: September 2015

Quaterpyridines have been demonstrated to be useful building blocks in metallo-supramolecular chemistry; however, their synthesis requires the preparation of sensitive building blocks. We present here three examples of nonsymmetric quaterpyridines that were easily obtained in yields of 70–85% by condensation of commercially available enones with 6-acetyl-2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine through a Kröhnke pyridine synthesis. Easy access to 6-acetyl-2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine starting from 2,6-diacetylpyridine and 2-acetylpyridine is described. The X-ray analysis of a chiral quaterpyridine and its Pt(II) complex is presented.
L’armée de l’Empire ou l’armée de la Nation ? Front et arrières pendant la seconde campagne de France (1944-1945)
Authors: Miot Claire
Published: September 2015

La Première Armée française du général de Lattre de Tassigny, qui débarque en Provence à partir du 15 août 1944 est composée dans une large majorité de soldats originaires de l’Empire colonial, qu’ils soient Européens ou considérés comme « indigènes ». Si de nombreux combattants issus de la Résistance sont, à mesure de la libération de la métropole, intégrés à l’armée, c’est encore l’Empire qui fournit le gros des forces françaises qui doivent supporter la violence du champ de bataille à l’hiver 1944-1945, car le gouvernement provisoire de la République française n’a pas les moyens de mettre en œuvre un mobilisation générale des métropolitains et doit veiller à la reconstruction d’un pays exsangue. La sortie de guerre de la France et de son Empire, en 1944-1945 s’est opérée selon des temporalités disjointes. Cet article propose ainsi d’analyser les causes et les manifestations de la crise multiforme entre le front et les fronts métropolitain et impérial qui en résultent.
La force locale après les accords d’Évian (mars-juillet 1962)
Authors: Laribi Soraya
Published: September 2015

Composée d’environ 90 % de Musulmans, la « force algérienne » appelée tantôt « force de l’ordre locale » ou « force locale » comprend également des recrues européennes dont des appelés. Sous la houlette de l’Exécutif provisoire, elle est censée représenter l’embryon de la future armée algérienne. Toutefois, dans le contexte de la fin de la guerre d’Algérie, elle peine à s’imposer et ses membres sont victimes d’une « crise d’identité. » Ils ne peuvent pas correctement accomplir leur mission principale : garantir l’ordre. Désertion des « Marsiens » qui rejoignent l’Armée de Libération Nationale, Européens qui ont l’impression « d’être livrés à l’ennemi » : la force locale est un échec.
L’assainissement des finances publiques en Belgique fédérale
Authors: Troupin Steve , Steen Trui , Stroobants Jesse
Published: September 2015

Dans le présent article, nous analysons la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques en Belgique fédérale au cours de la période comprise entre 2009 et 2014, jusqu’au premier budget 2014. Notre étude s’appuie sur une analyse documentaire et des entretiens pour examiner l’intensité et le contenu de cette politique, de même que le processus décisionnel connexe. Nous rechercherons des explications à cette politique d’assainissement des finances publiques dans le contexte macroéconomique, le système politico-administratif et les influences extérieures. On observe, d’une manière générale, des coupes budgétaires modestes, ponctuées d’un exercice budgétaire exceptionnellement important. Cette tendance s’explique par les tensions présentes dans l’administration politique belge, qui génèrent une continuité stratégique, ainsi que par la pression externe, qui a permis aux décideurs de venir à bout de manière ponctuelle de ces tensions. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Outre les éclairages qu’il apporte sur les particularités de la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques en Belgique fédérale, le présent article permet de mieux comprendre pourquoi les gouvernements se lancent comme ils le font dans l’assainissement de leurs finances. Notre analyse indique que l’assainissement des finances publiques est un processus essentiellement politique, influencé par des facteurs nationaux et internationaux, et elle permet aux praticiens de comprendre comment tirer parti d’arguments nationaux et internationaux dans des contextes politiques nationaux pour déclencher des changements stratégiques.
L’assainissement des finances publiques et les réformes structurelles en Lituanie entre 2008 et 2012 : Entre grandes ambitions et gestion de crise mouvementée
Authors: Nakrošis Vitalis , Vilpišauskas Ramūnas , Kuokštis Vytautas
Published: September 2015

Dans cet article, nous analysons les ressources, les décisions, les résultats et les conséquences de la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques et des réformes structurelles menées par les autorités lituaniennes entre 2008 et 2012. Notre étude s’appuie sur des recherches documentaires, que nous avons complétées par des entretiens avec des décideurs du gouvernement. Notre étude nous a amenés à constater que la Lituanie a mené sa politique d’assainissement des finances publiques avec succès, ce qui a contribué à stabiliser son économie et ses finances publiques. Si des facteurs économiques expliquent en grande partie le calendrier des décisions en matière d’assainissement des finances publiques, ce sont des facteurs politiques surtout qui expliquent le fait que cet assainissement ait avant tout été axé sur les dépenses en Lituanie. Cependant, malgré des projets ambitieux et audacieux, les réformes structurelles lituaniennes se sont avérées fragmentées et progressives, faute de stabilité dans le soutien politique, d’attention politique soutenue et de leadership politique constant. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Premièrement, l’expérience lituanienne fait apparaître l’importance des politiques antérieures et les contraintes qu’elles engendrent tout au long de la crise, alors même que la rapidité du processus décisionnel est déterminante. Deuxièmement, elle démontre qu’un choc extérieur et un programme de réforme ne sont pas une condition suffisante pour une bonne mise en œuvre — les politiques de coalition et la résistance institutionnelle peuvent faire dérailler les projets initialement prévus. Troisièmement, cette expérience indique que même les pays qui sont parvenus à appliquer un programme d’assainissement des finances publiques à grande échelle ne parviennent pas toujours à profiter de la « conjoncture favorable » offerte par la crise financière pour mettre en œuvre des réformes structurelles à long terme.
La politique d’assainissement des finances publiques aux Pays-Bas. Des tentatives hésitantes, essentiellement basées sur des compromis, d’établissement de priorités ciblées
Authors: Kickert Walter J.M.
Published: September 2015

Le présent article analyse la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques aux Pays-Bas, en particulier les aspects politiques de l’assainissement et des coupes budgétaires. Nous examinons le contenu des mesures d’assainissement des finances et les processus décisionnels politiques qui conduisent à ces mesures. L’analyse du processus décisionnel politique porte sur les caractéristiques et les phases du processus décisionnel. Les trois phases de la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques analysées dans le présent article (l’accord de coalition d’octobre 2010, l’accord de printemps d’avril 2012 et l’accord de coalition d’octobre 2012) indiquent une reconnaissance croissante de la nécessité d’entreprendre des coupes budgétaires sérieuses. Le processus décisionnel était essentiellement caractérisé par des compromis consensuels, à savoir des mesures progressives, généralisées, destinées à favoriser les économies. Durant les phases ultérieures de la crise budgétaire, cependant, des tentatives hésitantes ont été faites en vue de procéder à un établissement de priorités politiques ciblées. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Notre article s’intéresse avant tout au processus décisionnel politique qui a conduit aux mesures d’austérité, que les décisions soient essentiellement progressives, généralisées et axées sur les économies, ou que des coupes sélectives, ciblées, basées sur un établissement des priorités politiques soient également intervenues. Il s’avère que les tentatives hésitantes de ce second type ont effectivement été réalisées. Après quelque temps, certains éléments fondamentaux ont bel et bien été reconsidérés dans la politique de consensus néerlandaise. Autre point essentiel : la discipline budgétaire a joué un rôle prédominant dans la politique d’assainissement des finances publiques du gouvernement. Les experts économiques du ministère des Finances, du Bureau central de planification, etc. ont eu une influence majeure sur les cadres financiers des mesures d’austérité.
La politique d’assainissement des finances publiques en Europe : Analyse comparative
Authors: Kickert Walter J.M. , Savi Riin , Randma-Liiv Tiina
Published: September 2015

Notre intention, dans le présent article est de décrire et d’expliquer, d’un point de vue comparatif, les mesures d’assainissement et les processus décisionnels politiques dans quatorze pays d’Europe. Les mesures d’assainissement ont suivi une tendance similaire. Un gel du recrutement et des salaires est intervenu presque partout, tandis que des mesures de repli plus radicales n’ont été introduites que dans un nombre limité de pays. Les décisions en faveur de mesures d’austérité n’ont pas été un événement ponctuel : elles se composaient d’une série d’étapes, à commencer par des mesures temporaires et limitées, qui ont progressivement évolué pour se transformer en mesures plus radicales, aboutissant parfois à des coupes ciblées et à un établissement des priorités politiques. Le processus décisionnel politique était plus modéré et progressif que drastique et rapide. Cette tendance générale comportait des exceptions, comme les pays Baltes, ainsi que les pays d’Europe ayant bénéficié d’une assistance financière en échange de l’application de mesures d’austérité rapides et radicales. L’ampleur des mesures d’assainissement s’expliquait essentiellement par des facteurs économiques et les influences supranationales, tandis que les facteurs politiques nationaux ont eu une influence relativement limitée. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens L’analyse comparative de l’assainissement des finances publiques dans quatorze pays d’Europe indique que les mesures d’assainissement ont suivi une tendance similaire. Un gel du recrutement et des salaires est intervenu presque partout, tandis que des mesures de repli plus radicales n’ont été introduites qu’à un stade ultérieur de l’assainissement des finances publiques. Au début de la crise, on a nié sa gravité et sa durée, et on ne s’est rendu compte que plus tard de la nécessité d’appliquer des mesures d’austérité sérieuses. Cette tendance générale comportait des exceptions, comme les pays Baltes, ainsi que les pays d’Europe ayant bénéficié d’un plan de sauvetage en échange de l’application de mesures d’austérité rapides et radicales. Dans cet article, nous soutenons que la volonté politique et la capacité des gouvernements à prendre des mesures radicales et ciblées, s’appuyant sur un établissement des priorités, font encore sérieusement défaut.
Occurrence ofFusarium species and mycotoxins in wheat grain collected in the Czech Republic
Authors: Chrpová J. , Šíp V. , Sumíková T. , Salava J. , Palicová J. , Štočková L. , Džuman Z. , Hajšlová J.
Published: September 2015

Random collections of ears of winter wheat cultivars grown within the Czech Republic were made during 2004-2013. The ears were assessed forFusarium head blight symptoms on a 0-9 scale and grain samples were analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON) content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Samples from 2011-2013 were analysed in greater detail, including to detectFusarium species using polymerase chain reaction assays and determine mycotoxin content (including ‘emerging’ mycotoxins) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The 10-year survey reveals a significant adverse effect from maize as the preceding crop on the accumulation of DON. Most endangered were those areas situated in the eastern part of the country. The study revealed prevailing occurrence ofFusarium poae andFusarium graminearum within the Czech Republic. The occurrence ofF. poae increased greatly in 2012 (with 93.3% of samples infected) in association with relatively warmer and drier weather. These investigations provide abundant evidence as to the presence of so-called ‘emerging’ mycotoxins, particularly enniatins. The survey also shows that increased content of ‘emerging’ mycotoxins could be accompanied by high DON content through mixed infections. Among examined toxins, only DON and DON-3-glucoside (DON-3G) were positively correlated (r=0.800;P<0.001) while levels of the remaining toxins were independent of one another. DON production by both DON-producing speciesF. graminearum andFusarium culmorum was significantly higher in mixed infections with other species. The presence ofFusarium avenaceum with other species appeared markedly to promote the production of 5 out of 6 mycotoxins, namely DON, DON-3G, nivalenol, enniatins, and beauvericin. These five mycotoxins profited also from contamination byF. poae. Moreover, the presence ofF. graminearum andF. culmorum appeared to be decisive for zearalenone accumulation, which was not correlated with DON levels.
Aggressive Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast with Osteoclastic Giant Cells
Authors: Khong Kathleen , Zhang Yanhong , Tomic Mary , Lindfors Karen K , Aminololama-Shakeri Shadi
Published: September 2015

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is an uncommon type of malignancy that is aggressive but can mimic other benign breast neoplastic processes on imaging. We present a case of a young female patient who presented with a rapidly progressing metaplastic carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells subtype. There have been only very rare published reports of this pathologic subtype of metaplastic carcinoma containing osteoclastic giant cells.
Diffuse Proliferative Cerebral Angiopathy: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rohit Rohit , Goh Poh Sun
Published: September 2015

Diffuse proliferative cerebral angiopathy is a distinct entity from cerebral arterio-venous malformations; characterized by multiple small arterial feeders and draining veins with normal brain parenchyma seen in-between the abnormal vessels. It is usually seen in younger age group. Here we report a case of diffuse cerebral proliferative angiopathy in a 78-year-old female patient along with discussion of the neuro-imaging findings and review of the literature. It is important to recognize this entity to avoid aggressive surgery or intervention and thus preventing permanent damage to the normal intermingled brain tissue.
Minimally invasive percutaneous endovascular therapies in the management of complications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A case report
Authors: Salsamendi Jason , Pereira Keith , Kang Kyungmin , Fan Ji
Published: September 2015

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of disorders from simple steatosis to inflammation leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma.  With the progressive epidemics of obesity and diabetes, major risk factors in the development and pathogenesis of NAFLD, the prevalence of NAFLD and its associated complications including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma is expected to increase by 2030 with an enormous health and economic impact. We present a patient who developed Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis.  Due to morbid obesity, she was not an optimal transplant candidate and was not initially listed.  After attempts for lifestyle modifications failed to lead to weight reduction, a transarterial embolization of the left gastric artery was performed.  This is the sixth such procedure in humans in literature.  Subsequently she had a meaningful drop in BMI from 42 to 36 over the following 6 months ultimately leading to her being listed for transplant.  During this time, the left hepatic HCC was treated with chemoembolization without evidence of recurrence. In this article, we wish to highlight the use of minimally invasive percutaneous endovascular therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the comprehensive management of the NAFLD spectrum and percutaneous transarterial embolization of the left gastric artery (LGA), a novel method, for the management of obesity.
Diagnosis de una patología en gres porcelánico pegado en fachada
Authors: Delgado-Méndez L. , Del Moral-Ávila C. , Valverde-Palacios I. , Valverde-Espinosa I.
Published: September 2015

Esta investigación analiza las causas del desprendimiento de un revestimiento de gres porcelánico colocado en fachada. En el momento de abordar este trabajo comprobamos que hay métodos normalizados para la determinación de las características de los adhesivos para las baldosas cerámicas y de las propias baldosas, pero en ambos casos, son métodos a aplicar durante el proceso de fabricación. No existen métodos normalizados para la determinación de las características de aplacados en servicio, cuestión que aborda este trabajo. Las técnicas de diagnosis empleadas han consistido en la comprobación de la capacidad de adherencia del adhesivo, la localización de juntas de movimiento, el análisis de las juntas de colocación y la detección de anclajes mecánicos ocultos.

Finalmente, los resultados obtenidos tras la aplicación de dicha metodología para el análisis de la patología han permitido establecer las causas que han originado los daños, proponiéndose como método de diagnosis del desprendimiento de un aplacado cerámico en servicio.
Antecedents of Stakeholder Trust in Business Development in Latin America
Authors: Chandan Harish C.
Published: September 2015

Trust is the expectation of honest and co-operative future behavior based on commonly shared norms (Fukuyama, 1995). In Latin American region, people who believe that most people can be trusted ranges from 4 to 19% as compared with 34% for USA and 60% for China and Sweden (World Values Survey, 2010-2014; Jamison, 2011; Cardenas et al., 2009). Trust consists of a mix of inter-personal trust and institutional trust. An understanding of business culture, national culture and religion is essential for developing trust in business relationships (Hurtado, 2010; Searing, 2013; Weck, 2013, Ransi and Kobti, 2014). Trust among various business stakeholders within a firm or between firms in a local, national or international setting is an essential component of business development activities that are rooted in the relationships between exchange partners (Barron, 2014; Taylor, 2013; Friman et al., 2002;). The monitoring mechanisms on trust, i.e., “trust but verify” are conductive to maintaining trust in a business relationship (Kusari, et al. 2014).
Children and Youth Librarians
Authors: Stavridi Sylvia Vincent , Hamada Dalia Ragaa
Published: September 2015

In a high-tech environment where knowledge and information are delivered in a fast paced mode, the role of librarians serving children and young adults is being re-directed from being solely responsible for information and knowledge transfer to teaching and research. The children and young adult libraries at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina have been trying to extend their ways to deliver the services and understand the challenges in integrating various technologies. The chapter locates a series of technology competencies and skills that are currently expected of librarians working with children and young adults. In addition to their non-technical skills, librarians have to be technologically empowered and learn a variety of technical behaviors and acquire the digital skills needed to embrace the constantly changing complexities and advances in digital technology. This chapter upgrades the digital literacy skills in discipline-specific knowledge to support the integration of digital proficiencies as relevant skills for librarians to serve in their new role as teacher librarian.
Special Library Consortia
Authors: Nazir Tawfeeq
Published: September 2015

Due to increase in costs, proliferation of electronic resources and dwindling library budgets, cooperative e-acquisition has become a compelling proposition in a library consortium environment. The user community also has been greatly influenced by newer technologies facilitating seamless access to information. Users demand to have a wide array of electronic information services. As such, the current library scenario has reached a critical mass both in terms of e-products as well as increased number of virtual users. Due to journal crisis, and cuts in library budgets, the special library professionals are forced to come together in forming a consortium for subscription of e-journals. This chapter provides an outlook of special library consortia in India and the rest of the world.
Cloud-Based Digital Library Era
Authors: Shawish Ahmed , Salama Maria
Published: September 2015

Rapid advances in information processing, storage, and communication technologies have revolutionized the role of the libraries. This chapter reviews the library services, problems and drivers of change from the classical form to the digital one. The chapter then focuses on the current cloud era. It comparatively covers the library cloud-based platforms, services, management systems, innovative products and opened environments in terms of their characteristics, added values, pros and cons. A comprehensive survey on the digital libraries in the cloud era is presented in this chapter.
Profiling Prominent Malaysians in Bernama Library and Infolink Service
Authors: Ibrahim Hasnita , Mustapa Rozlen , Edzan N.N. , Yahya Wan Ahmad Hanis Wan
Published: September 2015

InfoLibNews is an information centre for news. In May 1968, InfoLibNews had to adapt the conditions of digital and online environment by taking charge of storing, processing and archiving news and information for easy access by journalists which been extended to the entire nation for its research values. InfoLibNews also functions as an information holding center by maintaining BERNAMA news and processing news clippings published by main stream newspapers which are later stored in BLIS for quick reference check, comparison and analysis. Thus, this article will focus on familiarizing the “Who's Who” module; listing of key personnel selection criteria; the work processes; headings within the profiles; evolution; actions taken to ensure speedy storage and reliable retrieval systems so as to ensure accurate, up-to-date news and information, credibility and quality. Finally, InfoLibNews will share the challenges of processing the module in line with the expectations of its users and clients as BERNAMA is set to be the leading information provider on prominent personalities in Malaysia.
An Optimal Band for Prediction of Buy and Sell Signals and Forecasting of States
Authors: Vijay Vivek , Paul Parmod Kumar
Published: September 2015

A trading band, based on historical movements of a security price, suggests buy or sell pattern. Bollinger band is one of the most famous bands based on moving average and volatility of the security. The authors define a new trading band, namely Optimal Band, to forecast the buy or sell signals. This optimal band uses a linear function of local and absolute extrema of a given financial time series. The parameters of this linear function are then estimated by simple linear optimization technique. The authors then define different states using various upper and lower values of Bollinger band and the optimal band. The approach of Markov and Hidden Markov Models are used to forecast the future states of given time series. The authors apply all the techniques on the closing price of Bombay stock exchange and intra-day price series of crude oil and Nifty stock exchange.
Evolution Impact on Architecture Stability in Open-Source Projects
Authors: Alenezi Mamdouh , Khellah Fakhry
Published: September 2015

Software systems usually evolve constantly, which requires constant development and maintenance. Subsequently, the architecture of these systems tends to degrade with time. Therefore, stability is a key measure for evaluating an architecture. Open-source software systems are becoming progressively vital these days. Since open-source software systems are usually developed in a different management style, the quality of their architectures needs to be studied. ISO/IEC SQuaRe quality standard characterized stability as one of the sub-characteristics of maintainability. Unstable software architecture could cause the software to require high maintenance cost and effort. In this work, the authors propose a simple, yet efficient, technique that is based on carefully aggregating the package level stability in order to measure the change in the architecture level stability as the architecture evolution happens. The proposed method can be used to further study the cause behind the positive or negative architecture stability changes.
CSCLab
Authors: Prata Paula , Alves Samuel
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a platform to create and manage virtual computing laboratories using Cloud resources. Using this platform a professor can create a customized laboratory according to the class needs. The laboratory is composed of a set of virtual machines that students may use to get access to the necessary computing resources to attend the class. The platform aims at the creation of a solution to avoid proprietary lock in's, and it was designed to be agnostic to the cloud infrastructure. The machines of the lab can be accessed using some remote desktop protocol and managed by non-experts users.
Customer Value Dimensions in E-Healthcare Services
Authors: Lindberg-Repo Kirsti , Dube Apramey
Published: September 2015

Healthcare services have been extensively researched for customer value creation activities. There has been, however, limited attention on the dimensions of customer value, as reported by customers themselves, in e-healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate customer value dimensions in which customers experience e-healthcare services. Narrative techniques were used to investigate customer experiences of e-healthcare services offered by eight private Finnish providers. The findings show that customers evaluate e-healthcare services in four value dimensions: 1) The outcome of e-healthcare service (‘What'), 2) The process of e-healthcare service (‘How'), 3) The responsiveness and temporal aspect of e-healthcare service (‘When'), and, 4) The location of e-healthcare service provision (‘Where'). The value dimensions reflect customer expectations that service providers can fulfill for improved customer value creation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first researches to investigate customer value dimensions in e-healthcare services in Finland.
eHealth Service Modeling for Developing Country
Authors: Sukkird Vatcharapong , Shirahada Kunio
Published: September 2015

Healthcare service is an essential mechanism for the well-being of the elderly from physical, social and mental health. Implications of mobile technology for Electronic healthcare (eHealth) are challenges in technological management and healthcare market for developing countries. eHealth support trends of the aging population in Asia that increase at an average to 30% in 2050.There is a need to identify and develop Emergency Medical Service (EMS) with electronic healthcare for elderly. This research is aimed to develop eHealth service model through mobile technology for developing countries to face with elderly patient demands in aging societies. The authors use systematic reviews to identify component of health situation and EMS from WHO. Then they develop the eHealth service model through mobile technology on basic of value co-creation concept with feasible applications. The findings show that eHealth is a significant service platform influencing effective in Demand increasing quality of service to elderly people. Mobile technologies in eHealth are key factors to increase quality of healthcare service to elderly people.
Mobility test protocols for the elderly: a methodological note
Authors: Sarabon Nejc , Löfler Stefan , Hosszu Gabriella , Hofer Christian
Published: September 2015

Consequences of falls are a major health problem in elderly. Poor balance is the precursor of falls and balance impairment has been evidenced after an injury. On the other hand, balance and stability can be improved with training. At the beginning of the project Mobility in Aging one of the questions was how to measure dynamic and static balance in order to get reliable and sensitive parameters to follow the effect of decay in movement functions in elderly or to track the improvement after training. In this short report we will give a couple of answers to a long standing debate. There is indeed evidence in literature that stability and balance is very important. Elderly people often shift from the so called ankle strategy to the hip strategy for balancing. The reflex reactions are the more to decay and we observed more co-contractions. Also, inactivity causes slower muscles contractions. Our goal should be a combination of trainings, where we can see changes at neuromuscular, structural and molecular levels, but we would like to say that our training protocols did not touch all the aspects of movement function we aimed to observe. Future projects will hopefully provide the missing information.
Preliminary investigation on the use of allyl isothiocyanate to increase the shelf-life of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets
Authors: Giarratana Filippo , Crinò Chiara , Muscolino Daniele , Beninati Chiara , Ziino Graziella , Giuffrida Alessandro , Panebianco Antonio
Published: September 2015

The aim of this work is to evaluate the activity of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) against fish spoilage bacteria (specific spoilage organisms; SSOs) as well as its possible use in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets to extend their shelf-life. In this regard, in vitro tests are carried out in order to evaluate the inhibitory activity of AITC and its vapours on several strains of SSOs. The AITC effect on the shelflife of sea bream fillets was made by putting them in plastic trays hermetically closed with the addition AITC. Microbiological and sensorial evaluations were made on fish fillets during storage. Treated fillets maintained microbial populations at a significantly lower level compared with the control samples during storage, showing better sensorial characteristics. Therefore, the use of AITC’s vapours seems to be a new and interesting alternative way to increase fish product shelf-life.