bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimated abundance and diversity of heterotrophic protists in South African biocrusts
Authors: Dumack Kenneth , Koller Robert , Weber Bettina , Bonkowsk Michael
Published: July 2016

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) occur widely in the uppermost millimeters of the soil in arid and semi-arid systems. Worldwide they cover large terrestrial areas and play a major role in the global terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, knowledge of the microbial decomposer foodwebs within biocrusts is particularly scarce. Heterotrophic protists in soil are predominantly bacterivores, and because of their high biomass compared with other soil fauna and fast turnover rates, protists are considered an important factor for soil nutrient cycling and energy fluxes. Thus, knowledge of their biodiversity, abundance and functional roles is important to understand soil ecosystem functions. We investigated the diversity and abundance of heterotrophic soil protists in different types of biocrusts from the Succulent Karoo, South Africa. With an overall diversity of 23 distinct morphotypes, soil protist biodiversity was shown to be high. The most abundant groups were Spumella-like chrysomonads, gliding bodonids, glissomonads and heteroloboseans. Protist abundance was highly variable among samples. The abundance and diversity did not differ significantly among different types of biocrusts, indicating that microscale differences, but not macroscopic soil crust builders (e.g. cyanobacteria, lichens and bryophytes), have a major impact on the protist community.
Universities are becoming major players in the national system of innovation
Authors: Walwyn David , Cloete Laurens
Published: July 2016

Based on data from South Africa’s research and development (R&D) surveys, the country’s R&D expenditure has grown in real terms by 52% over the period 2001 to 2012. This growth has been driven by government funding, which rose from 34% of the total funding in 2003 to 45% by 2012. Much of the additional funding has been granted to universities, with government support of R&D in this sector rising 450% in nominal terms, or 250% in real terms, over the same period. This funding focus, indicative of a growing role for universities as R&D performers within the national system of innovation, follows a pattern set earlier in many developed countries and reflects a revision in the state’s steering of knowledge creation. The R&D Survey also revealed a decline in the average cost of research, as expressed by expenditure per full-time equivalent researcher. This finding suggests that the researcher labour market is being better supplied and the constraints identified by earlier reviews are slowly being overcome. Both trends are highly positive for the research system. However, the 34% decline in business R&D expenditure since its peak in 2008 is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed. In particular, the level of state-industry embeddedness must be increased to encourage private investment and to overcome South Africa’s present growth constraints in respect of developing competitive medium- to high-technology sectors.
Inward foreign direct investment and transfer of environmentally sound technology in Angola
Authors: Manyuchi Albert E.
Published: July 2016

Many developing countries have relied on foreign direct investment as a primary means to acquire technologies. However, there has been inadequate empirical research on the nexus between foreign direct investment and the transfer of environmentally sound technology (EST), specifically focused on African countries. In this paper I explore whether inward foreign direct investment in Angola’s energy sector has indeed transferred ESTs. My study encompasses illustrative case studies specifically related to energy firms, and the data were drawn from literature and in-depth individual interviews. The results indicate that Angola has used its national policy framework and institutions to promote inward foreign direct investment, and has harnessed appropriate international regimes to acquire ESTs. Countries may therefore invoke sovereignty principles enshrined in constitutional provisions, or may utilise international regimes to attract ESTs through foreign direct investment. I recommend that further studies be conducted to explore this subject area, drawing examples from other African countries and differing economic sectors.
Comparison Air Temperature under Global Climate Change Issue in Gifu city and Ogaki city, Japan
Authors: Rahmat Ali , Mutolib Abdul
Published: July 2016

Increases in air temperature indicate a global climate change. Thus, information in the change of temperature regional scale is important to support global data. The present research was conducted in Gifu city and Ogaki city located in Gifu prefecture, Japan. The results showed that, average air temperatures in both cities are quite similar with a difference value of under 1oC. Maximum air temperature in Gifu city is significantly higher than Ogaki city, whereas minimum air temperature in Gifu city is significantly lower than in Ogaki city. Daily range of air temperature in Gifu city significantly higher than in Ogaki city. In both cities, air temperature relatively increased in three decades. This is because of different in land characteristics in both cities.
High-temperature Oxidation of Fe-Cr Steels in Steam Condition – A Review
Authors: Kurniawan Tedi , Binti Fauzi Farah Alia , Asmara Yuli Panca
Published: July 2016

The development of supercritical (SC) and ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants requires materials with better corrosion properties. Deep understanding on the oxidation mechanism in the boiler environment is one of the important factors to support this development. In this work, high temperature oxidation of Fe-Cr steels in steam condition is reviewed.  Several mechanisms that explain the effect of water vapor in the oxidation behavior the steel were presented.
Editorial Board and Guideline for the Authors
Authors: Mimbar Pendidikan Editor Journal
Published: July 2016

MIMBAR PENDIDIKAN journal will provide a peer-reviewed forum for the publication of thought-leadership articles, discussion, applied research, case and comparative studies, and expert comment and analysis on the key issues surrounding the educational studies and its various aspects. Analysis will be practical and rigorous in nature.
El esperanto y las lenguas artificiales
Authors: Dodd William Steven
Published: July 2016

El esperanto y las lenguas artificiales
El tema lírico de la autoalabanza femenina
Authors: Cuesta Torre María Luzdivina
Published: July 2016

El tema lírico de la autoalabanza femenina
Víctima expiatoria y perversión del poder en M.S.V. de Alfonso Sastre
Authors: Chen Sham Jorge
Published: July 2016

Víctima expiatoria y perversión del poder en M.S.V. de Alfonso Sastre
Hacia un nuevo concepto de utopía en el pensamiento de José Ortega y Gasset
Authors: Rodríguez Amaro Javier
Published: July 2016

Hacia un nuevo concepto de utopía en el pensamiento de José Ortega y Gasset
La lingüística computacional y sus aplicaciones
Authors: Villayandre Llamazares Milka
Published: July 2016

La lingüística computacional y sus aplicaciones
Galdós: "La de Bringas"
Authors: Martinón Cejas Miguel
Published: July 2016

Galdós: "La de Bringas"
El espacio narrativo en "Rabos de lagartija" de Juan Marsé: del hogar natal al útero materno
Authors: Álvarez Méndez Natalia
Published: July 2016

El espacio narrativo en "Rabos de lagartija" de Juan Marsé: del hogar natal al útero materno
Poesía contemporánea en lengua judeoespañola: Margalit Matitiahu y su obra
Authors: Riaño López Ana María , Marcos Casquero María Del Carmen
Published: July 2016

Poesía contemporánea en lengua judeoespañola: Margalit Matitiahu y su obra
El 'amor intellectualis' orteguiano y la interpretación cervantina de Ramiro Maeztu
Authors: Chen Sham Jorge
Published: July 2016

El 'amor intellectualis' orteguiano y la interpretación cervantina de Ramiro Maeztu
Dejó la vieja Celestina fama de hechicera o el tema de la magia en las continuaciones celestinescas
Authors: Teijeiro Fuentes Miguel Ángel
Published: July 2016

Dejó la vieja Celestina fama de hechicera o el tema de la magia en las continuaciones celestinescas
Ethnic Contestation in Regional Extension: Local Elite in Pringsewu Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia
Authors: Idris Yusuf Irsan , Vivit Bartoven , Bustami Reevany , Ricardo Ricky
Published: July 2016

This paper examines the power dynamics between central and regional institutions since the Reform was introduced and the era of regional extension began. Specifically, it analyzes the so- called ethnic contestation in Pringsewu Regency located within the province of Lampung, Indonesia. It is found that since Reform, the efforts to build regional autonomy have spread significantly. However, this phenomenon of regional extension1 has witnessed the interplay of the interests of political elites and the exploitation of ethnic issues, which in some cases has resulted in inter-group conflicts. This paper traces the ways in which ethnically-linked issues are being constructed, manipulated and spread within this game of power. It also examines issues of ethnic identity and boundaries. Connecting to the larger conceptual underpinnings of theory of resistance from Scott (1985), Tsing (1998) and Abu-lughod (1990), this contestation is also arguably a manifestation of social resistance. Using the qualitative approach, the data is obtained through in- depth interviews and participant observation; hence, insights and inner meanings can be used to explicate events within this phenomenon.
A Comparative Study of Post-Marriage Nationality of Women in Legal Systems of Different Countries
Authors: Pourjabali Nazanin , Almasi Najjad Ali
Published: July 2016

In the nineteenth century a school known as “The Unity System of Couples Nationality” stated the idea that women should acquire the nationality of their husbands after marriage. In other words, the nationality of men should be imposed on women. However, in the 20th century, a movement known as feminism emerged which led to the formation of a school named “System of Nationality Independence”. This school advocated the separation of marriage and nationality and believed that women’s nationality should not change following marriage. The aforementioned legal schools have had different manifestations in the positive laws of different countries and sometimes it is hard to classify them into a single legal school. The legal systems of countries can be classified into two groups: legal systems advocating the imposition of husbands’ nationality on wives; legal systems opposing the imposition of husbands’ nationality on wives.
Public Perception on Calligraphic Woodcarving Ornamentations of Mosques; a Comparison between East Coast and Southwest of Peninsula Malaysia
Authors: Saberi Ahmadreza , Endut Esmawee Hj , Ahmad Sabarinah Sh. , Motamedi Shervin , Kariminia Shahab , Hashim Roslan
Published: July 2016

Woodcarving ornamentation is considered as, a national heritage and can be found in many Malaysian mosques. Woodcarvings are mostly displayed in three different motifs, namely floral, geometry and calligraphy. The application of floral and geometry motifs is to convey an abstract meaning of Islamic teachings to the viewers. However, the calligraphic decorations directly express the messages of Allah almighty or the sayings of the prophets to the congregations. Muslims are the main users of mosques as these are places for prayers as well as other religious and community activities. Therefore, the assessment of users’ opinion about this type of decoration needs to be investigated. This paper aims to evaluate the perception of two groups of mosque users on the calligraphic woodcarving ornamentations from two regions, namely the East Coast and Southwest of Peninsula Malaysia. As Arabic is not the primary language in Malaysia, it would be interesting to find out how much of the calligraphic ornamentation is recognised and understood by the mosque users. The quantitative approach and questionnaire survey were adopted to fulfil the objectives of the study through convenient sampling where 420 questionnaire surveys were distributed at eight selected mosques. A total of 408 respondents amongst users completed and returned the survey forms. The mosques were chosen based on the abundance and diversity of calligraphy woodcarving elements found in the prayer hall. The Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to find out the differences between the two groups of respondents. Ability of reading and understanding the Arabic scripts, the aesthetic values, the function, appropriate location and finally the desirability of scripts were assessed and compared between the participants of North East and Southwest of Peninsula Malaysia. The results showed that respondents of two areas in Malaysia had different opinions about this traditional sacred ornamentation in mosques. However, there were also similar ideas regarding to the items of variables between two evaluated groups of the study.
Blended Learning in the Vocational Education and Training System in Tanzania: Understanding Vocational Educators’ Perceptions
Authors: Machumu Haruni J. , Zhu Chang , Sesabo Jennifer K.
Published: July 2016

In a constructivist world of teaching and learning, opportunities to acquire and develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, establish, and deploy blended learning in vocational education and training (VET) programs delivery is a labour-market-driven. The paper examines VET educator’s pleas about the need for the design, adoption and deployment of blended learning in VET programs delivery in Tanzania. A single case study design with an in-depth interview and focus group discussion was conducted with 15 VET educators in three VET colleges in both Morogoro and Dar es Salaam regions. Snowball and purposive sampling were used to obtain sample respondents. For the data analysis, content analysis was employed to condense data obtained from interviews and focus group discussion. It was found that continuous professional development, institutional arrangements, and support should be provided online to facilitate the design, adoption and use of blended learning in VET. We recommend that locally designed blended learning should be relevant to the environment of both students and teachers. In reality, the interplay between blended learning, imparting knowledge and practical skills remain the key focus of future research.
IMPACTO DOS ROYALTIES DO PETRÓLEO NO ÍNDICE DE EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA: ANÁLISE DO CASO DOS MUNICÍPIOS CAPIXABAS
Authors: Lopo Martinez Antonio , Reis Sergio Dos Santos
Published: July 2016

Neste trabalho analisou-se o impacto dos royalties do petróleo e gás no índice de desenvolvimento da educação básica (IDEB) nos municípios do Espírito Santo (Brasil) entre os anos 2006 e 2013. O objetivo foi identificar se há uma associação positiva entre o IDEB e as receitas provenientes de royalties de petróleo transferida pelo Governo Federal para os municípios. No trabalho utilizaram-se dados coletados e compilados a partir de documentos obtidos na Agência Nacional de Petróleo (ANP) e no Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisa (INEP). Utilizando regressões em painel para o IDEB, na sua categoria anos iniciais e anos finais, investigaram-se 67 municípios capixabas. Os resultados encontrados apontam para uma associação entre a avaliação no IDEB e os royalties do petróleo e gás. Conclui-se que há uma relação positiva significativa entre o aumento de receitas provenientes dos royalties do petróleo e gás e o crescimento do IDEB no período e amostra analisados. Desse modo, há evidências que a nota do IDEB cresce à medida que aumentam as receitas provenientes de royalties do petróleo e gás em determinado município.

Palavras-chave: Royalties do petróleo e gás. IDEB. Investimentos.
EFEITO MANADA NO MERCADO DE CAPITAIS: UM ESTUDO COM GERENTES DE BANCOS PÚBLICOS DO DISTRITO FEDERAL
Authors: Araujo Neto Luiz Medeiros de , Serrano Andre Luiz Marques , Oliveira Neto José Carneiro da Cunha , Freitas Roberto Lúcio Corrêa de , Abreu Emmanuel Sousa de
Published: July 2016

O objetivo com este trabalho foi verificar se os gerentes de bancos estatais, autorizados a recomendar investimentos, sofrem influência de opiniões externas em decisões de aquisição de ativos financeiros. A pesquisa se justifica em razão da necessidade de se saber se mesmo agentes com elevado conhecimento em finanças e acesso à informação poderiam sofrer influência da opinião emitida por analistas de mercado no momento da decisão de compra desses ativos. Para tal, foram aplicados 80 questionários a gerentes autorizados a recomendar investimentos, em três bancos públicos localizados no Distrito Federal. Para a operacionalização estatística, foram utilizados testes de hipóteses para se verificar se existiam diferenças significativas entre a escolha de gerentes sob influência externa e de outros sem essa interferência. Concluiu-se que a opinião do analista não influencia a forma de qualificar as ações da empresa, porém foram achadas fortes relações entre a opção de compra e a opinião do analista.

Palavras-chave: Finanças comportamentais. Efeito manada. Assimetria de informação. 
MOTIVAÇÕES PARA A EXPULSÃO DE CONTABILISTAS DO SERVIÇO PÚBLICO FEDERAL BRASILEIRO
Authors: Portulhak Henrique , Barilli Renan Felipe
Published: July 2016

A corrupção no Brasil é considerada sistêmica, um problema grave e estrutural da sociedade e do sistema político, que enfraquece a moral pública e a legitimidade governamental. Um dos profissionais que possui como incumbência pautar suas ações com base em condutas éticas, podendo contribuir com a diminuição da corrupção no Estado é o contabilista. Contudo, tal profissional também pode estar envolvido em situações de corrupção. Dessa forma, a investigação verificou quais motivos levaram contabilistas à expulsão do serviço público federal brasileiro. Dados secundários foram obtidos por meio do Portal da Transparência do Governo Federal, compreendendo as punições ocorridas entre janeiro de 2003 e fevereiro de 2016, entre os quais foram destacados o fundamento legal que embasou a expulsão, UF e região de lotação, cargo efetivo, eventual cargo ou função de confiança, ano de publicação da portaria de punição, tipo de punição e gênero. Os resultados revelaram que as principais motivações para a expulsão de contabilistas do serviço público federal brasileiro, especialmente por meio de demissões, envolvem práticas de valimento, improbidade administrativa e lesão aos cofres públicos, englobando, principalmente, técnicos em contabilidade, profissionais lotados na região Norte e no Distrito Federal, servidores do sexo masculino e sem cargo ou função de confiança, verificando-se um aumento nas expulsões a partir de 2011. Espera-se que tais resultados subsidiem ações de órgãos representativos a fim de conscientizar os contabilistas presentes no setor público com o intuito de mitigar a ocorrência de atos ilícitos provocados por estes no exercício de sua função.

Palavras-chave: Profissional contábil. Serviço público. Ética profissional. Corrupção.
Pieniądz międzynarodowy w powojennej historii międzynarodowego systemu walutowego. Teoria i praktyka
Authors: Bilski Janusz
Published: July 2016

Celem artykułu jest omówienie dyskusji na temat istoty, form i mechanizmów pieniądza międzynarodowego. W artykule przedstawiono ewolucję głównych form waluty światowej oraz zbadano korzyści i zagrożenia wynikające z senioratu walutowego.
Poszkodowani w pożarach i miejscowych zagrożeniach, jakie miały miejsce w budynkach mieszkalnych w Polsce w latach 2000–2006
Authors: Konciak Jacek Mikołaj
Published: July 2016

W artykule przedstawiono skutki osobowe pożarów mieszkań i miejscowych zagrożeń w Polsce w latach 2000–2006. Każdego roku w pożarach traci życie około 500 osób. Większość ofiar przypada na pożary mieszkań, z czego 60–70% tych przypadków to ofiary zetknięcia z dymami i toksycznymi produktami spalania. W artykule zaprezentowano przyczyny tak dużych strat osobowych oraz zaproponowano rozwiązanie, które znacząco przyczyni się do poprawy bezpieczeństwa mieszkańców.
Perceptual and Chemical Analyses of Methods to Remove Fish Odor
Authors: Grosofsky Dr. Alexis , Spencer Collin , Stoller Jonah , Gries Dr. Theodore J.
Published: July 2016

Methods for removal of trimethylamine, the main molecule responsible for the foul odor associated with seafood, were tested from two perspectives. Perception trials revealed that a common hand soap and corn starch were effective at reducing the fishy odor resulting from trimethylamine, while a soap specially formulated to remove fish order was not effective. Quantitative chemical analysis of the amount of trimethylamine persisting after washing revealed that corn starch, hand soap, and a soap specially formulated to remove fish odor were not more effective than water alone. Taken together, these results reinforce the importance of conducting both perceptual and chemical analyses, while also calling into question what the best proxy for human skin is in these types of studies.
Current State of Art in Security of Data Aggregator in Smart Grids
Authors: Emmanuel Naina , Anjum Adeel , Shafiq Sadia , Adam Mahamud Hussein
Published: July 2016

Multiple sensor nodes known as detection stations make the sensor networks; each node is light and portable. Every sensor node contains power source, microcomputer, transducer and transceiver. Power source provides power to each node. Micro-computer is used for storing and processing the output coming from the sensors. The transducer is used to generate the signals and the transceiver is used to receive and transmit data to the central computer. Eavesdropping gets facilitated with wireless communication, and it has many useful applications in military, homeland, hostile and uncontrolled environments. So it is prone to the high level of security. The process in which information is gathered to form a summarized type for analysis is known as data aggregation, as it is used to reduce the energy consumption in wireless sensor networks. The security issues have become crucial in data aggregation, especially when gets deployed in hostile and remote environment. In wireless sensor networks many secure aggregations have been proposed. It still faces some resource constrained that’s why new techniques are needed. In our survey we will discuss those approaches and their pros and cons.
Epidemiological Assessments of Skin Outcomes in the Nurses’ Health Studies
Authors: Li Wen-Qing , Cho Eunyoung , Weinstock Martin A. , Mashfiq Hasan , Qureshi Abrar A.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the contribution of the Nurses’ Health Studies (NHSs) to identifying epidemiological factors associated with multiple skin diseases, including skin cancer, psoriasis, and other inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases.

Methods. We carried out a narrative review of NHS articles published between 1976 and 2016.

Results. The NHSs have identified environmental and lifestyle factors related to psoriasis, supporting obesity and smoking as psoriasis risk factors; associations between psoriasis and diabetes, myocardial infarction, and Crohn’s disease, supporting psoriasis as a systemic disorder; and associations of pigmentary traits, ultraviolet radiation, and lifestyle factors such as citrus consumption with risk of skin cancer. Genetic studies have identified novel genetic loci for skin pigmentation (e.g., IRF4, SLC24A4, NID1, and EDNRB) and skin cancer (e.g., TET2 and HERC2-OCA2). Work continues on highly prevalent but less studied skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, and atopic dermatitis. The NHS results have influenced public health policies on indoor tanning devices.

Conclusions. The NHSs have provided invaluable resources on skin disease population science and contributed to the etiological understanding of multiple skin disorders.
Epidemiology of Major Neurodegenerative Diseases in Women: Contribution of the Nurses’ Health Study
Authors: Hagan Kaitlin A. , Munger Kassandra L. , Ascherio Alberto , Grodstein Francine
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the contribution of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) to identifying the role of lifestyle, diet, and genetic or biological factors in several neurodegenerative diseases, including cognitive decline, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Methods. We completed a narrative review of the publications of the NHS and NHS II between 1976 and 2016.

Results. In primary findings for cognitive function, higher intake of nuts, moderate alcohol consumption, and higher physical activity levels were associated with better cognitive function. Flavonoids, physical activity, and postmenopausal hormone therapy were related to cognitive decline over 2 to 6 years. The NHS also has been integral in establishing Epstein-Barr virus infection, inadequate vitamin D nutrition, cigarette smoking, and obesity as risk factors for multiple sclerosis and inverse associations between cigarette smoking and caffeine and risk of Parkinson’s disease. Increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been associated with cigarette smoking and decreased risk associated with obesity.

Conclusions. The NHS has provided invaluable resources on neurodegenerative diseases and contributed to their etiological understanding. We anticipate that the NHS cohorts will continue to make important contributions to the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
Key Findings on Alcohol Consumption and a Variety of Health Outcomes From the Nurses’ Health Study
Authors: Mostofsky Elizabeth , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Giovannucci Ed L. , Stampfer Meir J. , Rimm Eric B.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review critical contributions from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) on alcohol consumption and health outcomes.

Methods. We performed a narrative review of NHS (1980–2012) and NHS II (1989–2011) publications.

Results. Using detailed information on self-reported alcohol drinking patterns obtained approximately every 4 years combined with extensive information on diet, lifestyle habits, and physician-diagnosed health conditions, NHS investigators have prospectively examined the risks and benefits associated with alcohol consumption. Moderate intake, defined as up to 1 drink a day, is associated with a lower risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac death, gallstones, cognitive decline, and all-cause mortality. However, even moderate intake places women at higher risk for breast cancer and bone fractures, and higher intake increases risk for colon polyps and colon cancer.

Conclusions. Regular alcohol intake has both risks and benefits. In analyses using repeated assessments of alcohol over time and deaths from all causes, women with low to moderate intake and regular frequency (> 3 days/week) had the lowest risk of mortality compared with abstainers and women who consumed substantially more than 1 drink per day.
Nurses’ Health Study Contributions on the Epidemiology of Less Common Cancers: Endometrial, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Hematologic
Authors: Birmann Brenda M. , Barnard Mollie E. , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Bao Ying , Crous-Bou Marta , Wolpin Brian M. , De Vivo Immaculata , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the contributions of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) to epidemiologic knowledge of endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic, and hematologic cancers.

Methods. We reviewed selected NHS publications from 1976 to 2016, including publications from consortia and other pooled studies.

Results. NHS studies on less common cancers have identified novel risk factors, such as a reduced risk of endometrial cancer in women of advanced age at last birth, and have clarified or prospectively confirmed previously reported associations, including an inverse association between tubal ligation and ovarian cancer. Through biomarker research, the NHS has furthered understanding of the pathogenesis of rare cancers, such as the role of altered metabolism in pancreatic cancer risk and survival. NHS investigations have also demonstrated the importance of the timing of exposure, such as the finding of a positive association of early life body fatness, but not of usual adult body mass index, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk.

Conclusions. Evidence from the NHS has informed prevention strategies and contributed to improved survival from less common but often lethal malignancies, including endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic, and hematologic cancers.
Origin, Methods, and Evolution of the Three Nurses’ Health Studies
Authors: Bao Ying , Bertoia Monica L. , Lenart Elizabeth B. , Stampfer Meir J. , Willett Walter C. , Speizer Frank E. , Chavarro Jorge E.
Published: July 2016

We have summarized the evolution of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), a prospective cohort study of 121 700 married registered nurses launched in 1976; NHS II, which began in 1989 and enrolled 116 430 nurses; and NHS3, which began in 2010 and has ongoing enrollment.

Over 40 years, these studies have generated long-term, multidimensional data, including lifestyle- and health-related information across the life course and an extensive repository of various biological specimens. We have described the questionnaire data collection, disease follow-up methods, biorepository resources, and data management and statistical procedures.

Through integrative analyses, these studies have sustained a high level of scientific productivity and substantially influenced public health recommendations. We have highlighted recent interdisciplinary research projects and discussed future directions for collaboration and innovation.
Exogenous Hormone Use: Oral Contraceptives, Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy, and Health Outcomes in the Nurses’ Health Study
Authors: Bhupathiraju Shilpa N. , Grodstein Francine , Stampfer Meir J. , Willett Walter C. , Hu Frank B. , Manson JoAnn E.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the contribution of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) to our understanding of the complex relationship between exogenous hormones and health outcomes in women.

Methods. We performed a narrative review of the publications of the NHS and NHS II from 1976 to 2016.

Results. Oral contraceptive and postmenopausal hormone use were studied in relation to major health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Current or recent oral contraceptive use is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (mainly among smokers), melanoma, and breast cancer, and a lower risk of colorectal and ovarian cancer. Although hormone therapy is not indicated primarily for chronic disease prevention, findings from the NHS and a recent analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative indicate that younger women who are closer to menopause onset have a more favorable risk–benefit profile than do older women from use of hormone therapy for relief of vasomotor symptoms.

Conclusions. With updated information on hormone use, lifestyle factors, and other variables, the NHS and NHS II continue to contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between exogenous hormones and health outcomes in women.
Contributions of the Nurses’ Health Studies to Reproductive Health Research
Authors: Chavarro Jorge E. , Rich-Edwards Janet W. , Gaskins Audrey J. , Farland Leslie V. , Terry Kathryn L. , Zhang Cuilin , Missmer Stacey A.
Published: July 2016

Objectives. To review the Nurses’ Health Study’s (NHS’s) contribution to identifying risk factors and long-term health consequences of reproductive events.

Methods. We performed a narrative review of the NHS I, NHS II, NHS3, and Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) publications between 1976 and 2016.

Results. Collection of detailed reproductive history to identify breast cancer risk factors allowed the NHS to document an association between menstrual irregularities, a proxy for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The NHS II found that infertility associated with ovulation problems and gestational diabetes are largely preventable through diet and lifestyle modification. It also identified developmental and nutritional risk factors for pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and uterine leiomyomata. As women in NHS II age, it has become possible to address questions regarding long-term health consequences of pregnancy complications and benign gynecologic conditions on chronic disease risk. Furthermore, the NHS3 and GUTS are allowing new lines of research into human fertility, PCOS, and transgenerational effects of environmental exposures.

Conclusions. The multigenerational resources of the NHSs and GUTS, including linkages of related individuals across cohorts, can improve women’s health from preconception through late adulthood and onto the next generation.
Early-Time Analysis of Tracers for Use in Enhanced-Oil-Recovery Flood Optimization
Authors: Michael Shook G.. , Sharma Abhinav , Pope Gary A.
Published: July 2016

Tracer testing is a powerful tool for reservoir surveillance. Conducting and analyzing an interwell tracer test (IWTT) before starting an enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) flood provides specific information required to balance the pattern's swept pore volume (PV) and to optimize chemical or solvent use. Tracer testing also plays an important role in EOR by establishing a baseline for estimating incremental volume swept and recovery factor.

A key limitation to tracer testing is the time required to obtain a complete interpretation of the test results. Conventional interpretation methods require observing exponential decline in the tracer concentration from all producers; depending on the pattern size and processing rate, this can take many months or years. Meanwhile, the EOR flood is delayed, thereby eroding its value and reducing the remaining oil target. We have developed a method for analyzing tracer data from relatively early times that is based, in part, on a new way to extrapolate the tracer data, providing timely information to optimize flood performance. The extrapolation can be performed soon after the peak tracer concentration is observed in the well with the slowest response. We illustrate the extrapolation procedure with a synthetic, yet realistic, data set showing that the new methods result in a good approximation at much earlier times. We then compare ‘early time analysis’ swept PVs with the (correct) swept PVs using the complete tracer data set. We also discuss how early-time approximations can thus provide the opportunity to optimize chemical-flood performance and to enable field startup of EOR floods in a timely fashion.
Relationships between ruminal Gram-positive bacteria and methane from lactating dairy cows supplemented with monensin and tallow, alone or in combination
Authors: Castillo-González Alva Rocio , Burrola-Barraza M.Eduviges , Rivas-Martínez Mayra Iliana , Domínguez-Viveros Joel , Ortega-Gutiérrez Juan Angel , Domínguez-Díaz David
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between a Gram-positive bacterial population and methane production in the rumen of dairy cows supplemented with monensin and tallow, alone or in combination. Under each treatment condition, the following ruminal fermentation parameters were measured: pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), VFA, and methane production. Quantification of Gram-positive bacteria present in the rumen was performed by amplifying the 16S rDNA gene using PCR. Diversity analysis of Gram-positive bacteria was performed by PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and bacterial taxonomy data were obtained by bioinformatics tools. Neither additive affected the pH or ORP, but they both reduced the total quantity of VFA. Supplementation with monensin, tallow, or their combination caused a decrease in methane production compared to the control diet. The best treatment to reduce methane production was monensin, with a reduction of 7.2% compared to the control diet. Supplementation with monensin or tallow did not affect the bacterial population. The Shannon diversity index was higher with monensin supplementation than with the other treatments. The analysis of each DGGE microbial community by the unweighted pair group method with averaging (UPGMA) revealed two clusters, one group with the control and monensin diets and the other with the tallow and combination diets. Taxonomic analysis of the dominant bands from the DGGE gel with the use of the Ribosomal Database Project (RBP) revealed that the Ruminococcaceae family was predominant, followed by the Lachnospiraceae family. Correspondence analysis (CA) suggested that both were negatively correlated with methane production in all treatments.
Development of a Competitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Progesterone in Dairy Cows’ Milk
Authors: Xu Chuang , Yang Wei , Xia Cheng , Wu Ling , Zhang Hongyou
Published: July 2016

The routine monitoring of progesterone, a hormone that plays important roles during pregnancy, has become increasingly important in dairy cows. In this study, 11α-OH-progesterone-hemisuccinate-BSA was used to immunize Balb/c mice for the preparation of mouse anti-progesterone monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A competitive lateral flow immunoassay for progesterone was developed with the use of purified mAbs. Standard progesterone solutions or milk samples containing different concentrations of progesterone were added to the sample pad of the test strip. A bright or weak test line represented progesterone levels <3 ng>   Key words: progesterone; lateral flow immunoassay; pregnancy diagnosis; dairy cows  
Methods of prolonging a pregnancy threatened with preterm labour
Authors: Dobrzyński Artur , Max Andrzej , Jurka Piotr
Published: July 2016

Both prolonged and shortened pregnancies carry the risk of increased mortality of the offspring. The main causes of early delivery are genetic factors, bacterial and viral infections, corpus luteum insufficiency and pathologies of the placenta. Antepartum luteolysis is due to the activity of prostaglandin F2α. A decrease in the progesterone concentration activates the sensitivity of the uterine muscles to oxytocin. Calcium ions move into the myocytes and bind to calmodulin, starting enzymatic reactions necessary for muscle contraction. Oxytocin promotes prostaglandin F2α release. Cholesterol and magnesium stimulate the binding of oxytocin to its receptors. A premature delivery is caused by a disorder of the balance between contractility and relaxation of the myometrium, which is regulated by many signalling pathways. Birth in humans can be postponed by the use of many different tocolytic medications, β-adrenergic drugs (ritodrine, hexoprenaline, fenoterol, terbutaline), magnesium salts, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (indomethacin, naproxen), pentoxifylline, metoprolol, calcium antagonists – calcium channel blockers (nifedipine), oxytocine antagonists (atosiban), nitric oxide donors (nitroglycerin) as well as progesterone and its synthetic analogs. In dogs and cats, in the presence of endogenous hormone deficiency, progesterone and its derivatives (gestagens) are recommended. In small animals with the risk of premature delivery, terbutaline has successfully been used. Premature delivery is a serious problem in both human and veterinary medicine, and experience from human medicine is being gradually introduced into veterinary practice.
Role of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors in skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Milewska Marta , Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk Katarzyna
Published: July 2016

Skeletal muscle healing after injury can be divided into three distinct but overlapping phases. The destruction phase is characterized by rupture followed by necrosis of muscle fibers, formation of hematoma and inflammatory reaction. During the repair phase a necrotic tissue is phagocyted by macrophages, muscle fibers are regenerating and connective tissue scars are formed. The remodeling phase concerns the period when regenerating muscle fibers mature, scar contraction and reorganization occurs and the muscle recovers its functional efficiency. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and growth factors (FGF, IGF, TGF-β, HGF) play a critical role in all phases of muscle repair. Moreover, chemokines expressed at early stages of myogenesis can regulate the survival and proliferation of myoblasts. Chemokines expressed in vivo in muscle cells can directly influence myogenesis, but can also act in a paracrine manner by recruiting the immune cells (macrophages) to injured skeletal muscles, which is crucial for the regeneration process. Identification of molecules regulating myogenesis, like cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, contributes to the exploration of molecular mechanisms that can improve muscle regeneration after injury, diseases, surgery and increase the effectiveness of cell transplantation.
Textual Self-branding: the Rhetorical Ethos in Mallarmé’s Divagations
Authors: Bakken Arild Michel
Published: July 2016

This article examines, from a rhetorical perspective, the textual presence of the auctorial figure in Mallarmé’s collection of prose writings, Divagations. It challenges the traditional and structuralist idea of Mallarmé as a poet eager to exclude his own persona from his work, and even as the initiator of the “death of the author.” Recent Mallarméan studies have been shifting the field’s attention away from the myth of the ivory tower to focus on the poet’s social project as it appears in the Divagations. Such a project presupposes a rhetorical commitment, and thus an auctorial presence in the text. The question that is raised here is then what role the figure of the poet plays in Mallarmé’s rhetorical strategy. A close rhetorical analysis of the Divagations reveals that the poet constantly, although discreetly, writes his own persona into the text. Throughout the Divagations, Mallarmé deploys much effort to give his persona qualities likely to win the support of his audience. It is argued that this manifest ethos preoccupation has a double function. The rhetorically efficient image of the poet is obviously intended to add authority to his social project. However, the poet’s constant cultivation of his textual figure shows that the ethos has gained a certain autonomy. An important preoccupation for the poet is in fact to brand himself as an author: contrary to the traditional idea of the absent poet, the auctorial figure seems to be one of the primary subjects of the Divagations. The argument thus invites us, in order to avoid overlooking this central aspect of Mallarmé’s project, to take the ethos perspective into account in any approach to Mallarmé’s prose work.
Cutting and authorship in early modern England
Authors: Smyth Adam
Published: July 2016

This article considers the cultural practice of cutting up texts in early modern England. The article provides a taxonomy of evidence for this practice, in part based on the Anglican community of Little Gidding in the 1630s, where members of the group bought printed gospels and cut them up to reorder, and harmonise, the story of Christ's life. The article then considers the implications of this practice of cutting, including for how we think about authorship.
Media Literate Catholics: Seeing, Reading and Writing in Early Modern Participatory Culture
Authors: Dietz Feike
Published: July 2016

In this article I use the concept of ‘media literacy’ – generally discussed in the context of new media – to analyse media ability and conversance in seventeenth century Catholic culture. In particular, I focus on an untitled and anonymous Dutch composite volume which combines handwritten texts, printed texts and images. By reconstructing the relationship between the manuscript and its printed sources, I argue that the composite volume was the result of a meditative reading and writing process in which fragments from the popular religious emblem book Pia Desideria (1624) and other contiguous printed books were combined in a new multimedial product, which may serve as a means to share (media) skills and knowledge, and to facilitate the meditation processes of future consumers. I demonstrate that literacies now associated with new media – such as the ability to actively participate in media practices, and to consult hypertexts – were vital to early modern Catholics who constructed their identity by using and producing media.
Genuinely New: The Strategy of Remix in Live Blogs
Authors: Ng Jenna
Published: July 2016

This article examines the strategies of remix as used to author live blogs in mainstream news media. The importance of this lies in how authorship shapes not only the form of the text but also its critical content and reading experience. Studying a variety of live blogs as used on The Guardian website, the author observes and classifies three such strategies: remix for continuity and diversity of content; for connecting digital and physical time-spaces; and for sociability on both the worldwide and mobile web. In light of the reproducibility of content in digital media, the article also re-considers the nature of digital authorship in terms of how such authorship engages in a more extensive global dialogue, adding to a glue of social media that holds together different voices across spaces.
The Thrust of Demand: Literary Writing and Cultural Democratization in Argentina, 1900-1930
Authors: Rogers Geraldine
Published: July 2016

This article focuses on ordinary people’s interest in writing and publishing their texts during the first decades of the twentieth century in Argentina. In that period, the demand for participation and self-representation through literary writing founded an auspicious ground in newspapers and magazines “for the people”, which had sections devoted to publishing or commenting on the works of readers. This article focuses on the emerging aspirations of a broad readership that was willing to exercise a right tothe word, the way in which these demands found a place to be expressed, and how they were read and processed in different areas of the cultural field: the cultural market, left-wing culture and professional writers.
Introduction: Reconfiguring Authorship
Authors: Berensmeyer Ingo , Buelens Gert , Demoor Marysa
Published: July 2016

Introduction to the fifth issue of Authorship.
The Picture of Nobody: Shakespeare’s anti-authorship
Authors: Wilson Richard
Published: July 2016

"The Picture of Nobody" posits that Shakespeare's birth as an author in print was “aborted” by strategies of absence that avoided institutionalized forms of authorial representation. Wilson argues that these possibly deliberate acts of evasion and self-concealment are linked to early modern problems of social class and to Shakespeare's ambition to become "a subject without an identity".
“And every day new Authors doe appeare…”: Labelling the Author in the Front Matter of Thomas Beedome’s Poems Divine, and Humane (1641)
Authors: Herbe Sarah
Published: July 2016

In 1641, Thomas Beedome’s first and only book, Poems Divine, and Humane, was published posthumously. Considering this volume of poetry in the context of a proliferation of poetry publishing in mid-seventeenth century England and accepting the idea that early modern paratexts provided an ideal site for the renegotiation and manifestation of authorship, I argue that throughout the front matter of Beedome’s book, the largest part of which is taken up by commendatory poetry, a concept of the author, not only as singular creator, but also as proprietor of his work, is created. This essay shows how the writers of the commendatory verses try to single out Beedome by almost obsessively labelling him as a worthy author, comparing him favourably with classical and contemporary poets, and affirming the proprietary relationship between Beedome and his poems.