bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morel-Lavallee Lesion in the Upper Extremity
Authors: Cochran Grant K. , Hanna Kathryn H.
Published: August 2016

Background: The Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a closed internal degloving injury that results from shearing of the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. Disruption of the perforating blood vessels and lymphatics results in a lesion filled with serosanguinous fluid and necrotized fat. MLLs are most commonly described in association with pelvic and lower extremity trauma, and there are limited reports of these lesions in other locations. Methods: This case report describes a 58-year-old male referred from his primary care physician with a soft tissue mass in the upper arm. Careful history discovered prior trauma with extensive bruising and MRI revealed a large encapsulated mass consistent with MLL. Results: An open debridement with excision of pseudocapsule was performed. Meticulous closure over a drain was performed and the patient healed without complication or recurrence. Intra-operative cultures were negative and pathology was consistent with MLL. Conclusion: MLL should always be considered in the setting of previous trauma regardless the location. In the chronic setting an open approach with excision of pseudocapsule can have an acceptable result.
Modeling and simulation of the equivalent material damping loss factor of fixed joint interface
Authors: Xu Yakai , Zhang Dawei
Published: August 2016

The damping characteristics of the joint interfaces affect the dynamic behaviors of a whole accurate machine construction notably. An equivalent material damping model between the joint interfaces under the tangential force is established based on contact theory and micro-slip theory. A quantitative analysis of the damping which is characterized by the equivalent loss factor β is presented. Through the numerical simulation, the influences of the joint parameters (such as tangential force, normal force, and friction factor) on damping loss factor are investigated. The numerical simulation result shows that under the condition of micro-slip ( T <  µP), the equivalent damping loss factor increases with the tangential force growing but decreases as normal force and friction factor increase. Finally, through comparison with traditional joint interface model, the effectiveness of the equivalent damping model has been verified.
Type synthesis to design variable camber mechanisms
Authors: Li Gang , Miao Zhihuai , Li Bing , Hu Ying
Published: August 2016

This article proposes multiple hinges’ type spectrum that provides an effective description of the multiple hinges of planar kinematic chains. The relationships between characteristic invariants are established and applied into type synthesis methods. A type synthesis method for planar kinematic chains, which is called the characteristic spectrum analysis type synthesis method, is proposed. A systematic design method for variable camber mechanisms is proposed. Using the results of the type synthesis and the systematic design method, three design schemes are proposed and the mathematic models are set up. Some simulation analysis has been done. All these analyses can verify the deformation performance of the proposed mechanism.
A Bayesian response-adaptive trial in tuberculosis: The endTB trial
Authors: Cellamare Matteo , Ventz Steffen , Baudin Elisabeth , Mitnick Carole D. , Trippa Lorenzo
Published: August 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the use of Bayesian adaptive randomization for clinical trials of new treatments for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Methods:

We built a response-adaptive randomization procedure, adapting on two preliminary outcomes for tuberculosis patients in a trial with five experimental regimens and a control arm. The primary study outcome is treatment success after 73 weeks from randomization; preliminary responses are culture conversion at 8 weeks and treatment success at 39 weeks. We compared the adaptive randomization design with balanced randomization using hypothetical scenarios.

Results:

When we compare the statistical power under adaptive randomization and non-adaptive designs, under several hypothetical scenarios we observe that adaptive randomization requires fewer patients than non-adaptive designs. Moreover, adaptive randomization consistently allocates more participants to effective arm(s). We also show that these advantages are limited to scenarios consistent with the assumptions used to develop the adaptive randomization algorithm.

Conclusion:

Given the objective of evaluating several new therapeutic regimens in a timely fashion, Bayesian response-adaptive designs are attractive for tuberculosis trials. This approach tends to increase allocation to the effective regimens.
Adult patient perspectives on clinical trial result reporting: A survey of cancer patients
Authors: Elzinga Kate E , Khan Omar F , Tang Andrew R , Fernandez Conrad V , Elzinga Christine L , Heng Daniel YC , Vickers Michael M , Truong Tony H , Tang Patricia A
Published: August 2016

Background:

The provision of study results to research participants is supported by pediatric and adult literature. This study assessed adult cancer patient preferences surrounding aggregate result disclosure to study participants.

Methods:

A 46-item questionnaire was given to 250 adult cancer patients who had participated in oncology trials at a single center. Respondents answered questions surrounding their preferences for timing, content, and modality of communication for dissemination of study results.

Results:

Questionnaire completion rate was 76% (189/250). Most patients (92%) strongly felt a right to know study results. Patients preferred result dissemination via letter for trials with positive outcomes, but preferred in-person clinic visits for negative outcomes. Despite this, a majority of participants (59%) found letters acceptable to inform participants of negative results. Only a minority (36%) of the participants found Internet-based disclosure acceptable for negative trial results. Unfortunately, very few patients (8%) recalled having received the results for a study they participated in, and of these patients, less than half fully understood the results they were given.

Conclusion:

Most clinical trial participants feel they have a right to study result disclosure, regardless of trial outcome. In-person visits are preferred for negative results, but more feasible alternatives such as letters were still acceptable for the majority of participants. However, Internet-based disclosure was not acceptable to most participants in oncology trials. Time and cost allocations for result disclosure should be considered during grant and ethics board applications, and clear guidelines are required to help researchers share the results with patients.
Educational tracking, inequality and performance: New evidence from a differences-in-differences technique
Authors: Lavrijsen Jeroen , Nicaise Ides
Published: August 2016

One of the important differences between educational systems from different countries is the age at which students are placed into separate tracks. We examined the effects of the age at which tracking occurred on student achievement in a comparative perspective, making use of recent waves of three internationally standardized student assessments (PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS). In order to control for unobserved national heterogeneity, we adopted a differences-in-differences approach, in which we controlled secondary school results for differences already present in primary school (i.e. before the introduction of tracking). The results indicate that early tracking has a negative effect on mean performance of students, particularly in the domain of literacy. Moreover, by separating out groups with different abilities, it is shown that early tracking has a very strong negative effect on low achieving students, suggesting that disadvantageous peer- and environmental effects in the lower tracks may have detrimental consequences on students’ academic achievements. By contrast, a null effect on the group of top achieving students was found, suggesting that comprehensive systems can equally challenge high performers to learn at a high pace.
Outcomes of Patellofemoral Osteochondral Lesions Treated With Structural Grafts in Patients Older Than 40 Years
Authors: Degen Ryan M. , Coleman Nathan W. , Tetreault Danielle , Chang Brenda , Mahony Greg T. , Camp Christopher L. , Anthony Shawn G. , Williams Riley J.
Published: August 2016

Background

Chondral lesions in the patellofemoral compartment represent a difficult entity to treat among active patients, with no clear consensus on the optimal treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to review the functional outcomes of patients >40 years old with primary patellofemoral osteochondral lesions who underwent a cartilage restoration procedure with a structural graft.

Methods

Following institutional review board approval, 35 patients >40 years treated for patellofemoral chondral or osteochondral injuries were retrospectively identified. Seventeen (47%) had prior surgery (mean 1.4 procedures, range 1-4). Average follow-up was 3.6 ± 1.6 years. Average patient age was 51.5 years (range 40-72 years); 54% were male. Twenty-six (74%) had isolated trochlear lesions, 7 had isolated patellar lesions (20%), while 2 (6%) had bipolar lesions. Twenty patients (57%) were treated with synthetic biphasic scaffold plugs (SS), 9 (26%) with fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) and 6 (17%) with osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT). Outcomes were measured with validated measures: Activity of Daily Living Score (ADL), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Evaluation form, and Marx Activity Scale (MAS).

Results

The average lesion size for the entire cohort was 3.1 ± 1.7 cm2. Average defect size was 2.6 ± 1.7 cm2 for the SS group, 4.3±1.5 cm2 for the OCA group, and 2.9 ± 0.8 cm2 for the OAT group ( P > 0.051). Outcome scores for the entire population demonstrated significant improvement in ADL ( P = 0.002) and IKDC scores ( P = 0.004) between baseline and final follow-up, while MAS scores were maintained ( P = 0.51).

Conclusion

Structural grafts are a viable treatment option for symptomatic focal osteochondral lesions of the patellofemoral joint in patients 40 years and older, with anticipated improvements in pain and function and maintenance of preoperative activity levels.
A feasibility study to determine the benefits of upper extremity virtual rehabilitation therapy for coping with chronic pain post-cancer surgery
Authors: House Gregory , Burdea Grigore , Grampurohit Namrata , Polistico Kevin , Roll Doru , Damiani Frank , Hundal Jasdeep , Demesmin Didier
Published: August 2016

Background:

Persistent pain in shoulder and arm following post-surgical breast cancer treatment can lead to cognitive and physical deficits. Depression is also common in breast cancer survivors. Virtual reality therapy with integrative cognitive and physical rehabilitation has not been clinically trialed for this population. The novel BrightArm Duo technology improved cognition and upper extremity (UE) function for other diagnoses and has great potential to benefit individuals coping with post-surgical breast cancer pain.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of BrightArm Duo therapy for coping with post-surgical chronic pain and associated disability in breast cancer survivors with depression.

Methods:

BrightArm Duo is a robotic rehabilitation table modulating gravity loading on supported forearms. It tracks arm position and grasping strength while patients play three-dimensional (3D) custom integrative rehabilitation games. Community-dwelling women (N = 6) with post-surgical breast cancer pain in the upper arm trained on the system twice a week for 8 weeks. Training difficulty increased progressively in game complexity, table tilt and session length (20–50 minutes). Standardized assessments were performed before and after therapy for pain, cognition, emotion, UE function and activities of daily living.

Results:

Subjects averaged upwards of 1300 arm repetitions and 850 hand grasps per session. Pain intensity showed a 20% downward trend (p = 0.1) that was corroborated by therapist observations and participant feedback. A total of 10 out of 11 cognitive metrics improved post-training (p = 0.01) with a significant 8.3-point reduction in depression severity (p = 0.04). A total of 17 of 18 range of motion metrics increased (p < 0.01), with five affected-side shoulder improvements above the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (8°). In all, 13 out of 15 strength and function metrics improved (p = 0.02) with lateral deltoid strength increasing 7.4 N on the affected side (p = 0.05).

Conclusion:

This pilot study demonstrated feasibility of using the BrightArm Duo Rehabilitation System to treat cancer survivors coping with upper body chronic pain. Outcomes indicate improvement in cognition, shoulder range, strength, function and depression.
Ethnic variations in the occurrence of colonic neoplasms
Authors: Sonnenberg Amnon , Turner Kevin O , Genta Robert M
Published: August 2016

Background and aims

With the exception of African Americans and Hispanics, few studies have dealt with the influence of other types of ethnicity on the prevalence of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. The present study was undertaken to compare the ethnic and socioeconomic distributions of colonic neoplasms among different ethnic groups in the United States.

Methods

A total of 813,057 patients, who underwent colonoscopy during 2008–2014, were recruited from an electronic database of histopathology reports (Miraca Life Sciences) for a cross‐sectional study. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, the presence of hyperplastic polyps, serrated adenomas, tubular adenomas, or adenocarcinomas each served as separate outcome variables. Patient ethnicity was determined using a name‐based computer algorithm. Demographic (age, sex, ethnicity) and a variety of socioeconomic risk factors (associated with patients’ ZIP code) served as predictor variables.

Results

About 50% of the study population harbored adenomatous polyps, 25% hyperplastic polyps, 8% serrated adenomas, and 1.4% adenocarcinomas. Tubular adenomas and adenocarcinomas showed similar ethnic distributions, being slightly more common among Hispanics and East Asians. All four types of colonic neoplasm were relatively rare among patients of Asian‐Indian descent and relatively common among patients of Japanese descent. Except for Japanese patients, serrated adenomas tended to be less prevalent among East Asians. In general, markers of high socioeconomic status showed a tendency to be negatively associated with the presence of tubular adenoma and adenocarcinoma, but positively with the presence of serrated adenoma.

Conclusion

Ethnicity and socioeconomic factors affect different histology types of polyps differently. Genetic as well as environmental factors interact in the development of colorectal cancer and its precursor lesions.
Combining proportional and majoritarian democracy: An institutional design proposal
Authors: Ganghof Steffen
Published: August 2016

The article proposes a new way to combine the “proportional” and “majoritarian” visions of democracy. The proposal blends elements of mixed electoral systems, parliamentarism, presidentialism and bicameralism. Voters are given a single vote to make two simultaneous choices: one about the proportional composition of the legislature and one about the two top parties forming a majoritarian “confidence chamber” embedded within the legislature. Only the majority in this chamber has the power to dismiss the cabinet in a vote of no-confidence. The proposed system virtually guarantees the feasibility of identifiable and stable one-party cabinets governing with shifting, issue-specific majorities in a highly proportional legislature. It is illustrated with respect to the 2013 federal election in Germany.
Does Islamic Microfinance Go beyond the Self-employability? An Appraisal from Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Mahmood Hafiz Zahid , Abbas Kausar , Fatima Mehreen , Asghar Shumaila
Published: August 2016

Unemployment is a syndrome which is a common feature of all developing nations. Masses are either unemployed or self-employed due to lack of opportunities and distorted public policies regarding employment generation in these countries. Microenterprises financing through microfinance institutions are playing a pivotal role in creating employment opportunities for their target households. This study observes the impact of Islamic microfinance on self, family and community employment generation activities. In this regard, data were collected from 168 clients of three pioneering Islamic microfinance institutions working in Lahore, Pakistan. The study uses descriptive analysis and probability econometric modeling to achieve its objectives. The results show that the Islamic microfinance played a significant role in starting and extending existing businesses of the target households. Moreover, it also helps households and community members to get absorbed in the microenterprises apart from borrowers themselves. Therefore, it is concluded that Islamic microfinance does go beyond self-employability.
Complete Unbalanced Atrioventricular Septal Defect With a Common Arterial Trunk in an Uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetic Mother
Authors: Boyd Roberta , Patel Jayur , Harden Brandon
Published: August 2016

When performed by a trained sonographer, fetal echocardiography can be instrumental in identifying cardiac pathology and abnormal cardiac physiology before a baby is born. Even though the diagnostic accuracy of a fetal echocardiogram can be limited by maternal body habitus, gestational age, and fetal position, sequential exams allow for detailed analysis of the cardiac structures. Early identification and diagnosis of intrauterine cardiac anomalies and subsequent pregnancy management and delivery planning are essential to providing the best possible outcome for fetuses born with heart defects. In this case study, we describe a rare combination of congenital heart defects diagnosed in an uncontrolled type 1 diabetic mother while in her second trimester of pregnancy.
Alobar Holoprosencephaly With Cebocephaly
Authors: Callahan Jodi , Harmon Casey , Aleshire John , Hickey Bill , Jones Brandy
Published: August 2016

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a complex brain malformation caused by incomplete fusion of cleavage of the cerebral hemispheres and deep brain structures affecting 6 to 12:10,000 live-born infants. There are three categories of HPE ranging in severity, with alobar holoprosencephaly being the most severe, followed by semilobar holoprosencephaly, and lobar holoprosencephaly being the mildest form. Facial anomalies as well as chromosome anomalies are often associated with HPE. This case study describes a transabdominal sonographic diagnosis of alobar HPE with cebocephaly originally found at 27 weeks 3 days on a patient with no prenatal care.
Ray-map migration of transmitted surface waves
Authors: Li Jing , Schuster Gerard T.
Published: August 2016

Near-surface normal faults can sometimes separate two distinct zones of velocity heterogeneity, where the medium on one side of the fault has a faster velocity than on the other side. Therefore, the slope of surface-wave arrivals in a common-shot gather should abruptly change near the surface projection of the fault. We present ray-map imaging method that migrates transmitted surface waves to the fault plane, and therefore it roughly estimates the orientation, depth, and location of the near-surface fault. The main benefits of this method are that it is computationally inexpensive and robust in the presence of noise.
Combining surface-wave phase-velocity dispersion curves and full microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio for subsurface sedimentary site characterization
Authors: Lontsi Agostiny Marrios , Ohrnberger Matthias , Krüger Frank , Sánchez-Sesma Francisco José
Published: August 2016

We compute seismic velocity profiles by a combined inversion of surface-wave phase-velocity dispersion curves together with the full spectrum of the microtremor horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio at two sediment-covered sites in Germany. The sediment deposits are approximately 100 m thick at the first test site and approximately 400 m thick at the second test site. We have used an extended physical model based on the diffuse wavefield assumption for the interpretation of the observed microtremor H/V spectral ratio. The extension includes the interpretation of the microtremor H/V spectral ratio observed at depth (in boreholes). This full-wavefield approach accounts for the energy contribution from the body and surface waves, and thus it allows for inverting the properties of the shallow subsurface. We have obtained the multimode phase velocity dispersion curves from an independent study, and a description of the extracted branches and their interpretation was developed. The inversion results indicate that the combined approach using seismic ambient noise and actively generated surface-wave data will improve the accuracy of the reconstructed near-surface velocity model, a key step in microzonation, geotechnical engineering, seismic statics corrections, and reservoir imaging.
A Fast Convergent Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Protein-Folding: Simulated Annealing Outlier FLOODing (SA-OFLOOD) Method
Authors: Harada Ryuhei , Nakamura Tomotake , Shigeta Yasuteru
Published: August 2016

A Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm is combined with our recently developed conformational search technique, Outlier FLOODding (OFLOOD) method [J. Comput. Chem. 2015, 36, 97], to avoid a slow convergence in finding a global minimum by the conventional SA (CSA). This method is referred to as SA-OFLOOD and designed for an efficient SA algorithm that robustly detects global minimum states in the protein-folding problems. As a demonstration, SA-OFLOOD was applied to reproduce the folding process of Trp-cage from a fully extended to the native states in implicit solvent. Through the demonstration, SA-OFLOOD successfully predicted the native state of Trp-cage within errors of 0.6 ± 0.2 Å Cα root mean square deviation (RMSD) with only 200 ns simulation time. In contrast, both CSA with sufficiently slow temperature scheduling and canonical MD simulations at room temperature (300 K) failed to find the native state (more than 3.0 Å Cα RMSD), indicating the strength of SA-OFLOOD on the protein-folding problem. As an application to a realistic system, SA-OFLOOD was applied to the folding of Trp-cage in explicit solvent, and the native state was also sampled within Cα RMSD of 1.0 Å through a nanosecond-order simulation time.
Controlled Generation of Singlet Oxygen by Porphyrin-Appended Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Shinohara Akira , Shinmori Hideyuki
Published: August 2016

Porphyrin-appended gold nanoparticles with different chain lengths were synthesized to examine the control over photosensitization. The efficiencies evaluated by singlet-oxygen generation were adjusted by the average number of porphyrins on one gold nanoparticle and the particle size regardless of the linker chain length between porphyrin site and gold core.
The invariances of power law size distributions
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: August 2016

Size varies. Small things are typically more frequent than large things. The logarithm of frequency often declines linearly with the logarithm of size. That power law relation forms one of the common patterns of nature. Why does the complexity of nature reduce to such a simple pattern? Why do things as different as tree size and enzyme rate follow similarly simple patterns? Here I analyze such patterns by their invariant properties. For example, a common pattern should not change when adding a constant value to all observations. That shift is essentially the renumbering of the points on a ruler without changing the metric information provided by the ruler. A ruler is shift invariant only when its scale is properly calibrated to the pattern being measured. Stretch invariance corresponds to the conservation of the total amount of something, such as the total biomass and consequently the average size. Rotational invariance corresponds to pattern that does not depend on the order in which underlying processes occur, for example, a scale that additively combines the component processes leading to observed values. I use tree size as an example to illustrate how the key invariances shape pattern. A simple interpretation of common pattern follows. That simple interpretation connects the normal distribution to a wide variety of other common patterns through the transformations of scale set by the fundamental invariances.
Knowledge in practice: the specialist nurse role in Huntington's disease
Authors: Wilson Eleanor , Aubeeluck Aimee
Published: August 2016

Background:

There are challenges in providing care for individuals living with Huntington's disease and specialist nurses need a broad range of knowledge and skills.

Method:

Interviews and observations with 33 individuals living with Huntington's disease, their family members and key healthcare staff were conducted over 3 years. Data were collected to explore the lived experience of patients and how their lives had been affected by Huntington's disease. For the study, 68 interviews were undertaken face to face in the patient's own home; 47 observation sessions were also conducted to complement and inform interviews.

Findings:

Patients and carers described the importance of specialist nurses, in particular their knowledge of the disease. They recognised that HD was a rare, complex condition about which generalists often knew little. In addition, the specialist nurses also had person-and service-specific knowledge and advice that was highly prized and considered to be an essential aspect of care by participants.

Conclusion:

Specialist nurses appear to be a vital resource for people with HD. Their disease-specific, person-centred and service-specific knowledge can be used to enhance the provision of care in Huntington's disease.
I'll be back in a minute: an initiative to improve nurses' communication with acute stroke patients
Authors: Williams Kate , Gurr Birgit
Published: August 2016

Effective communication between health professionals and patients is fundamental to achieving high-quality care. In addition to improving patient satisfaction and subjective wellbeing, effective nurse–patient communication is understood to directly influence patients' health outcomes. Following a stroke, good communication can be particularly challenging. Nurses and care staff require strong communication skills to be able to adapt flexibly to patients' needs and abilities. Given the resource-strapped nature of the NHS and high staff turnover, traditional, lengthy training in communication is neither economical nor practical. This report reviews an innovative, brief communication training session provided to 31 care staff working with patients who had recently had a stroke. This training comprised a short education session in the clinical environment (a hospital ward) and solution-focused reflection. Overall findings indicate that the training was acceptable to nurses and care staff and it improved their confidence in communicating with patients. Limitations include a lack of behavioural measurement of changes in such nurse–patient communications.
Afasia hizkuntzaren antolaketarako erakusleiho
Authors: Munarriz Amaia
Published: August 2016

Afasiaren azterketak hizkuntzaren antolaketarako ebidentzia enpirikoa eskaintzen du, horregatik da ekarpen garrantzitsua eredu neurolinguistiko eta psikolinguistikoak garatzeko. Lan honetan, afasiologiarako sarrera labur gisa, burmuineko lesioen ikerketak hizkuntzaren eta hizkuntza osagaien antolaketaz zer erakutsi duen berrikusten da. Horretarako, aurkezten dira, batetik, afasiologiaren historian hizkuntzaren irudikapenaren inguruan izandako ikuspegi nagusiak eta, bestetik, zer-nolako datuak eskaintzen dituen afasiak hizkuntz osagaien antolaketa funtzionalerako eta hizkuntzalaritza teoriarako.
Poliolefinen pirolisia iturri-ohantze konikoan
Authors: Arabiourrutia Miriam , Elordi Gorka , Olazar Martin
Published: August 2016

Hondakin plastikoen kantitatea gero eta handiagoa da eta horrek arazo larria sortzen du. Hondakin plastikoen artean ugarienak, %60 inguruko masa-proportzioan, poliolefinak dira (dentsitate altuko eta baxuko polietilenoa eta polipropilenoa). Pirolisi bidezko birziklatzea aukera interesgarria da plastikoen materiala berreskuratzeko. Pirolisia atmosfera inertean gauzatzen den degradazio termikoko prozesua da. Iturri-ohantze konikoak propietate egokiak ditu material plastikoen pirolisia egiteko, batez ere plastikozko partikula urtuek eragin ditzaketen aglomerazio-arazoak ekiditeko. Pirolisia tenperatura ezberdinetan, katalizatzailerik gabe edo katalizatzaile ezberdinak erabiliz egin daiteke, lortzen diren produktuen banaketa aldatzeko. Poliolefinen pirolisian lortzen diren produktuak hidrokarburoak dira, hala nola, C1-C4 gasak, gasolina frakzioa, gasolio frakzioa edota ezkoak. Frakzio horiek findegietan ohiko korronteekin elkar daitezke edo bertako unitateetako elikadurak osa ditzakete.
Laser bidezko ablazioaren egungo egoera eta aplikazioak
Authors: Grijalba Nagore , Claverie Fanny , Donard Ariane , Tabouret Hélène , Pecheyran Christophe , Unceta Nora , Goicolea Mª Aranzazu , Barrio Ramón J.
Published: August 2016

80ko hamarkadaz geroztik, laser bidezko ablazioa eta akoplamendu induktibozko plasma-masa espektrometria (LA-ICPMS) konbinatzen dituen teknika analitikoa sakonki ikertu eta garatu da, eta, gaur egun, lagin solidoen analisi elemental zein isotopiko zuzena egiteko erreferentziazko teknika bilakatu da. Ezaugarri bereizgarrienak hauexek dira: erabilpen erraza, analisi-denbora laburra, laginari eragindako kalte urriak, sentsibilitate handia eta elementu nagusi zein minoritarioen eta ratio isotopikoen aldibereko neurketa ahalbidetzen duen tarte dinamiko zabala. Lan honetan, LA-ICPMS teknikaren oinarriak eta konfigurazio orokorra azaldu eta femtosegundo/ nanosegundo laser bidezko ablazioaren erabileraren arteko desberdintasun nagusiak nabarmentzen dira. Azkenik, teknika honen egungo egoeraz jabetzeko, jatorri askotariko laginen analisi elementala laburbildu eta berrikusten da biologian eta ingurumenean, osasunean, geokimikan zein auzitegi zientzien alorretan.
Ibilgailu elektrikoen propultsio-sistemak: motor elektrikoak eta horien kontrola
Authors: Trancho Elena , Ibarra Edorta , Arias Antoni , Sabihi Nima , López Iraide
Published: August 2016

Ibilgailu elektriko eta hibridoetako propultsio-sistemetan erabiltzen diren motor elektrikoen artearen egoera aztertzen du artikulu honek. Horrez gain, makina horiek kontrolatzeko ohikoak diren FOC (Field Oriented Control) eta DTC (Direct Torque Control) kontrol-egiturak azaltzen eta konparatzen dira, eta baita motorraren posizio eta abiadura mekanikoa neurtzen duen sentsorerik gabeko kontrola (sensorless, ingelesez) ere: behatzaileetan oinarritutako estimadoreak, abiadura moderatu eta altuetarako baliagarriak direnak, eta salientzia magnetikoan oinarritutako metodoak, abiadura baxu edota ibilgailua geldi dagoenean ezartzen direnak. Amaitzeko, teknologiak etorkizunean izan ditzakeen erronkak eta joerak azaltzen dira.
The Sting of Social: How Emphasizing Social Consequences in Warning Messages Influences Perceptions of Risk
Authors: Murdock Mitchel R. , Rajagopal Priyali
Published: August 2016

This research examines the effects of warning messages that emphasize the social consequences of negative health outcomes. The authors demonstrate that highlighting social (vs. health) consequences leads to greater perceived temporal proximity of and increased perceived vulnerability to the outcome, thereby affecting risk perceptions, behavioral intentions, and customer perceptions of actual experience. They document this effect across five studies in different health domains including flossing (Study 1), soda consumption (Study 2), smoking (Study 3), and unprotected ultraviolet light exposure (Studies 4 and 5). These findings point to the important role of the consequence type highlighted in warning messages, which can have a significant impact on risk perceptions and consumer experiences.
Mobility of Top Marketing and Sales Executives in Business-to-Business Markets: A Social Network Perspective
Authors: Wang Rui , Gupta Aditya , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: August 2016

In business-to-business markets, top marketing and sales executives (TMSEs) have considerable influence on their organizations’ customer strategies. When TMSEs switch firms, a pattern of informal organizational connections results; this pattern reflects the flow of information and knowledge among firms and creates managerial social capital in the process. To model this information flow, the current study considers information reach and richness, conceptualized according to the network position (i.e., centrality and brokerage) of the firm in the TMSE mobility network, which can be constructed by tracing executive movements through the work experience records of TMSEs in an industry. TMSE tenure (i.e., time with the firm) and firm market orientation constitute critical moderators, which capture motivation and ability at the individual and firm level, respectively. Data from the semiconductor industry and a model that corrects for unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity suggest that managerial social capital enhances firm performance; however, TMSE tenure and firm market orientation are essential for absorbing the benefits of managerial social capital.
Language learning, polylanguaging and speaker perspectives
Authors: Ritzau Ursula , Madsen Lian Malai
Published: August 2016

Sociolinguists have recently suggested a range of new terms to re-conceptualise language and language use. Most of these are based on the empirical documentation of speakers using linguistically hybrid constructions which are understood as reflecting speakers’ orientation to norms of linguistic hybridity. In this article we bring data typical of SLA research and sociolinguistic theorisation together by discussing data collected among Swiss German university students learning Danish in the light of such sociolinguistic concepts. We show how in some cases, the students signal investment in and alignment with hybrid language use, but in others the students “polylanguage” from a form-analytic point of view, while the co- and context suggest they orient strongly to an idea of “pure” Danish. In these cases their hybrid linguistic productions are more likely to be explained by their status as language learners. We argue that these observations point to the need for a closer consideration of speaker stances towards language forms as well as a need for considering repertoire restrictions and learner ambitions in current sociolinguistic conceptualisations of linguistic hybridity.
Evaluation of cell inkjet printing technique for biofabrication
Authors: Detsch Rainer , Blob Sebastian , Zehnder Tobias , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: August 2016

The main goal in biofabrication approach is to build living tissue substitutes on demand. In order to create functional tissue structures, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are being increasingly considered. They allow generating functional structures created out of CAD models within a short period of time and with a very high precision. Different techniques are already established to build three-dimensional (3D) complex cell-loaded structures. One of these robotic additive fabrication techniques is the ink jet technology which is highly promising for biofabrication. This technique allows to process very small amounts of liquids or low-viscous polymer solutions e.g. to set biomolecules and cells in a suitable structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate a piezo inkjet printing device which is integrated in a commercial modular instrument platform together with a bioplotting system for biofabrication. The inkjet device is able to print single ink droplets of different volumes by controlling the applied voltage and the number of drops released to the spot. In this work different selective sets of parameters influencing the droplet formation and the spot size have been investigated. It has been proven that inkjet printing process in combination with fibrin hydrogel and bone marrow stromal cells is cytocompatible. In summary, the applied piezo inkjet printing is shown to be completely programmable, accurate and the resolution of the device allowed printing of various patterns with biomaterials and vital cells.
Next-generation osmotic gradient ektacytometry for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis: interlaboratory method validation and experience
Authors: Lazarova Elena , Gulbis Béatrice , Oirschot Brigitte van , van Wijk Richard
Published: August 2016

Background:

Osmotic gradient ektacytometry is part of the laboratory diagnosis process of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and other red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorders. We here present the experience of two independent institutions with a next-generation ektacytometer, the LoRRca MaxSis analyzer, in HS diagnostic settings.

Methods:

Inter- and intra-assay variability and sample stability were analyzed. Samples from patients with HS (n=40), probable HS (n=21), auto-immune hemolytic anemia (n=7), and other pathologies (n=37) were studied. Daily controls were run in parallel with patient samples. Results were expressed as percent of change compared to mean of controls.

Results:

Analytical performances showed an inter-assay variability between 0.2% and 3%. Samples were stable for 48–72 h depending of temperature storage and anticoagulant used. The following diagnostic cut-offs were established for HS: an increase of more than 21.5% for the osmolality point at the minimal elongation index (O min), a decrease of more than 8.5% for the maximal elongation index (EI max), and a decreased area under the curve (AUC) of more than 18.5% compared to the mean of controls.

Conclusions:

As the previous instrument, the next-generation ektacytometer is an efficient tool for laboratory diagnosis of HS. Sample stability and standardized reporting of results allow inter-laboratory exchange and comparison. The most useful parameters for HS diagnosis were AUC, EI max, and O min; unfortunately, this method does not differentiate between HS and auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), but it distinguishes HS from other hereditary membrane pathologies. It can thus be considered as an intermediate step between screening and diagnostic tests.
Climate Change and Conflict: Taking Stock
Authors: Buhaug Halvard
Published: August 2016

Is climate change a major security threat? How has research on climate and conflict progressed in recent years? And where should it move forward? This brief essay reflects on some ways in which climatic changes could constitute a threat to peace and stability. Rather than assuming a direct causal link, the essay argues that climate change may exert an indirect and conditional effect on conflict risk, increasing the security gap between affluent societies well able to cope with climate change and societies already suffering from violence and instability, who are unlikely to achieve successful adaptation on their own. For this reason, peace building is quite possibly the most effective climate resilience policy in unstable corners of the world.
Sub-national constitutional politics: contesting or complementing, replicating or innovating, traditional constitutionalism?
Authors: Blokker Paul , Reutter Werner
Published: August 2016

This special issue of Perspectives on Federalism collects papers mostly presented at the General Conference of the European Consortium of Political Research in September 2014. The issue contains five papers dealing with the role, the status, the dynamics, and the functions of sub-national constitutional politics and sub-national constitutionalism in a number of member states of the EU as well as in a comparative, non-EU perspective. Even though the papers take different perspectives on the topic at hand, they all engage with the contribution sub-national constitutions can make to democracy and the nationstate within as well as outside of Europe.
Rights of Minors and Constitutional Politics in the German Länder. Legal Framework, Party Strategies, and Constitutional Amendments
Authors: Lorenz Astrid
Published: August 2016

The article analyses constitutional politics in the German Länder in the field of minors’ rights. Since this issue seems a purely legal matter dealt with at the federal, European and international level, we should expect similar, almost identically shaped policies at the Länder level. However, the analysis brings considerable variations of constitutional activities in this field to the fore: time, frequency, and contents of respective initiatives vary significantly in the period from 1999 to 2014. These variations were due to different party strategies, diverging party platforms and majority constellations in the Länder. The analysis also shows that the public arguments brought forward in favour of constitutional amendments refer only weakly and randomly to legal provisions and processes at other levels. The political debate supporting extended children's rights rather refers to general observations, to the specific regional context, and constitutional provisions in other Länder. At least with regard to this issue, the multi-level system did not systematically impact on constitutional politics in the Länder. It rather can be understood as an opportunity structure providing parties with multiple realms in which they can pursue their goals. Thus the study shows that federal and regional party strategies are key factors in explaining policy diffusion in multilevel systems.
Sub-national Constitutionalism in Austria: a Historical Institutionalist Perspective
Authors: Karlhofer Ferdinand
Published: August 2016

Austria’s federal system is determined by an apparent contrast between formal and real constitution having its roots in foundational defects shaping the system to the present day. As for the formal dimension, Austria has a rather uneven balance with regard to powersharing. No wonder that, given the structural bias between central state and substates, informal forces are at work in order to make up for the shortcomings of the federal architecture. In this context, sub-national constitutionalism at first sight appears to be marginal. Astoundingly, though, in recent time a lot of constitutional changes and amendments, quite possibly paving the way for a sustainable redesign of the federation as a whole have taken place.

The article starts with a historical outline of the Austrian federation’s origins. In chapter 2, the interplay of formal and informal rules and practices is discussed. Chapter 3 deals with scope, contents and dynamics of sub-national constitutionalism under the given framework. The article concludes with assessing the efficacy of subconstitutional politics in relation to the capacities of the federal constitution.
Federalism in Pakistan: Of Promises and Perils
Authors: Shahid Zubair
Published: August 2016

This paper presents the case of Pakistan, which is also broadly illustrative of the issues concerning federalism and subnational empowerment in developing countries characterized by unconsolidated political systems and enhanced constitutionalism. In the course of the analysis, this paper examines the dynamics and determinants of federalist/subnational politics in Pakistan, the formal constitutional and ordinance frameworks stipulated in support of federalism and subnational governance. The analysis shall be focused on the Local Governments Ordinance of 2001 and the 18th Constitutional Amendment, as these have been the most substantive attempts at subnational constitutionalism that were instituted under opposing political systems, and the extent to which they have enabled greater prospects for a stable federation while also examining the challenges that the radical departure under the 18th Constitutional Amendment put forth.
The cholinergic system in the cerebellum: from structure to function
Authors: Zhang Changzheng , Zhou Peiling , Yuan Tifei
Published: August 2016

The cerebellar cholinergic system belongs to the third type of afferent nerve fiber system (after the climbing and mossy fibers), and has important modulatory effects on cerebellar circuits and cerebellar-mediated functions. In this report, we review the cerebellar cholinergic system, including cholinergic origins and innervations, acetylcholine receptor expression and distributions, cholinergic modulations of neuronal firing and synaptic plasticity, the cholinergic role in cerebellar-mediated integral functions, and cholinergic changes during development and aging. Because some motor and mental disorders, such as cerebellar ataxia and autism, are accompanied with cerebellar cholinergic disorders, we also discuss the correlations between cerebellar cholinergic dysfunctions and these disorders. The cerebellar cholinergic input plays an important role in the modulation of cerebellar functions; therefore, cholinergic abnormalities could induce physiological dysfunctions.
Non-viral Vector Mediated RNA Interference Technology for Central Nervous System Injury
Authors: Macks Christian , Lee Jeoung Soo
Published: August 2016

Neuronal axons damaged by traumatic injury are unable to spontaneously regenerate in the mammalian adult central nervous system (CNS), causing permanent motor, sensory, and cognitive deficits. Regenerative failure in the adult CNS results from a complex pathology presenting multiple barriers, both the presence of growth inhibitors in the extrinsic microenvironment and intrinsic deficiencies in neuronal biochemistry, to axonal regeneration and functional recovery. There are many strategies for axonal regeneration after CNS injury including antagonism of growth-inhibitory molecules and their receptors, manipulation of cyclic nucleotide levels, and delivery of growth-promoting stimuli through cell transplantation and neurotrophic factor delivery. While all of these approaches have achieved varying degrees of improvement in plasticity, regeneration, and function, there is no clinically effective therapy for CNS injury. RNA interference technology offers strategies for improving regeneration by overcoming the aspects of the injured CNS environment that inhibit neurite growth. This occurs through the knockdown of growth-inhibitory molecules and their receptors. In this review, we discuss the current state of RNAi strategies for the treatment of CNS injury based on non-viral vector mediated delivery.
Methyl-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-phenyl)sulfonamido propanoate: structural study, supramolecular architecture and analysis of molecular surface electrostatic potential
Authors: Chatterjee Paramita , Dey Tanusri , Das Uday , Sureshbabu Vommina V. , Mukherjee Alok K.
Published: August 2016

An arylsulfonamide compound, methyl-2-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)sulfonamido propanoate, (1), has been synthesised and structurally characterised. Compound (1) has a staggered conformation relative to the S–N bond. The DFT-optimised molecular geometry of (1) agrees closely with that obtained from the crystallographic study. The crystal exhibits cooperation of N–H···O hydrogen bonds with C–H···O and C–H···π(arene) interactions, resulting in a three-dimensional framework featuring R2
2(8) and R2
2(10) synthons. The effect of substitution in different arylsulfonamides retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) on the formation of supramolecular synthons has been analysed in terms of graph-set notation. Hydrogen-bond based interactions in (1) have been complemented by molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculation. Hirshfeld surface analyses of (1) and a few related arylsulfonamides retrieved from the CSD indicate that about 80% of the Hirshfeld surface areas in these compounds are due to H···H and O···H contacts.