bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'homme du XXI e siècle et l'homme au XXI e siècle
Authors: de Broca Alain
Published: September 2012

Résumé Le chrétien a une « bonne nouvelle » à annoncer. Une nouvelle qui crie la volonté de créer avant toute chose une relation entre Dieu et l’Homme. Une bonne nouvelle qui souligne que la foi est plus importante que l’écrit ou le faire. Une bonne nouvelle qui renvoie l’homme à son humanité, au sein de l’humanité, et qui contredit tout dualisme, demande à ce que l’amour d’autrui ne soit jamais chantage et que l’autre vaille toujours plus que ce qu’il montre... Comment une bonne nouvelle peut-elle trouver un écho dans une société où l’homme est tenaillé par les questions susmentionnées ? Comment répondre à un Dieu qui s’est incarné et ose nous dire qu’il nous aime ainsi et dans notre vie d’aujourd’hui, alors que l’incarnation est en soi refusée parce qu’elle est comprise comme le lieu de souffrances et d’échecs ?
Amour et justice dans la vie économique
Authors: Renouard Cécile
Published: September 2012

Résumé Demander à la théologie comment elle peut accompagner les sujets dans leur activité professionnelle en entreprise, c’est aussi chercher en quoi elle peut interroger la justice des institutions économiques et financières en faisant place à la critique sociale. L’article fait l’hypothèse qu’étudier la relation entre amour et justice dans l’entreprise offre de bons jalons pour une telle réflexion. Il présente d’abord cette relation au niveau individuel : l’accompagnement des sujets en vue d’une unification personnelle et d’un engagement professionnel fécond soulève le double enjeu de la justesse de la relation à l’entreprise et de l’ouverture à une logique du don et de la gratuité, de l’amour, à l’intérieur de la sphère économique. Cette interrogation, relayée au niveau collectif et institutionnel, invite à regarder comment l’entreprise comme organisation peut mettre en œuvre une démarche à la fois éthique et supra-éthique. Dans un troisième temps, sont dégagées les implications de cette démarche pour une approche éthique et théologique visant la défaite des « structures de péché » et la réalisation de ce que nous nommons la « nouvelle économie du Royaume ».
Vérité intensive et projet universel
Authors: Müller Denis
Published: September 2012

Résumé Nous vivons dans une époque où les crises d’identité et de repères suscitent des mouvements de réaction et de ré-identification qui peuvent prendre la forme de retours d’orthodoxie doctrinale ou morale. Une analyse plus fine des différents aspects de l’identité – personnelle, éthique, religieuse et politique – permet d’instaurer un autre rapport à la vérité et de surmonter le relativisme par un universalisme concret.
L'expérience paulinienne d'une identité en tension
Authors: Focant Camille
Published: September 2012

Résumé Cet article sur l’identité de Paul en tension souligne d’abord la complexité du personnage en rappelant brièvement les trois cultures auxquelles il appartient. Il examine ensuite le renversement de ses évidences sur le chemin de Damas, alors même qu’il se trouvait, dans sa conception élitiste de l’élection, à l’extrême de l’identité fermée sur le chemin de l’identité meurtrière. Il est renvoyé alors sur la voie du Dieu créateur dont la grâce en Jésus-Christ crucifié et ressuscité s’étend à toutes les nations. Ce n’est pas un universel par surplomb du monde, mais par contestation et renversement des valeurs de ce monde, sur la voie d’une dépossession. Par son identification avec le Crucifié, Paul sort tant de la logique grecque du Dieu de l’ordre et de la pensée que de la logique juive du Dieu des signes, des miracles et de la toute-puissance. La puissance libérée à laquelle il se réfère est celle de l’ agapè .
Juicio y valoración de las siete primeras semanas de la II República, vistas por un escritor jesuita. El diario del Padre Alberto Risco, Sj (1873-1937)
Authors: Verdoy Herranz Alfredo
Published: September 2012

El jesuita padre Alberto Risco (1873-1937) fue un reconocido autor de textos católicos y cristianos de corte popular y devoto, entre los que podemos destacar Emigración y su muy famoso Compendio de Historia de la Literatura Española. Con el advenimiento de la II República comienza a redactar un diario, en el que sigue con pasión y detalle las siete primeras semanas del nuevo régimen. A pesar de que por temperamento y tradición Risco se muestra más inclinado al fundamentalismo y al tradicionalismo que a los nuevos aíres de la República, nos ofrece en el texto que ahora presentamos una viva, personal e inspirada visión no muy distinta a la de otros escritores y analistas de su tiempo. Como jesuita, se sintió muy afectado por el futuro de la Iglesia y de la Compañía de Jesús. En consecuencia, presta especial atención a los dolorosos sucesos del 11 de mayo de 1931.
Alcalá Zamora: un republicano demócrata y un cristiano
Authors: Robles Muñoz Cristóbal
Published: September 2012

Este trabajo quiere presentar a un cristiano, que amó la libertad, creyó en ella y trabajó para que llegara a todos por la vía de la justicia y del respeto a la ley, que resuelve dificultades y conflictos, reconociendo al otro igual dignidad y respeto y dando igual comprensión y tolerancia. Alcalá Zamora vivió una libertad fraterna, cómplice, compañera del otro. En su casa aprendió a unir Dios y libertad. Su familia venía de aquellos liberales que miraban a los otros y los hallaban “benévolos y benéficos”.
Vale más la libertad que las tradiciones y los intereses que se oponen a ella. Quiso que los cristianos fueran ciudadanos sin privilegios. Quiso que la Iglesia se sintiera protegida por la ley, bajo el signo de la libertad.
“Homo homini res sacra”. Esa sacralidad de la compasión inspiró una ética privada y pública basada en la sencillez del trato y en la austeridad. Ese fue el rastro que dejó Alcalá Zamora. No se cansó de dar palabras a su razón. Lo hizo incluso cuando otros no honraron la suya, como se vio en el debate del que luego fue el artículo 26 de la Constitución. Su respuesta fue dimitir.
La Ley de Confesiones y Congregaciones Religiosas de 1933 y la fundación de las descalzas reales de Madrid
Authors: Polo Serrano Justo , Vilacoba Ramos Karen M. , Muñoz Serrulla Teresa
Published: September 2012

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es aportar información sobre el Monasterio de Descalzas Reales de Madrid en la primera mitad del siglo XX por medio del análisis del expediente que se formó en 1933 a raíz de la ley de Confesiones y Congregaciones religiosas, y muy especialmente dar noticia del fondo que se formó con toda la documentación que los diferentes institutos religiosos debieron presentar para conseguir su inclusión en el registro que les permitiría subsistir.
Las tensiones político-eclesiásticas en torno a Fermín Yzurdiaga, 1936-1939
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Santiago
Published: September 2012

El sacerdote navarro Fermín Yzurdiaga desarrolló una notable actividad política y periodística al servicio de la Falange durante la guerra civil española. Impulsó desde Pamplona algunos proyectos culturales pioneros en la España franquista: el diario Arriba España y la revista Jerarquía. Franco le encumbró a la jefatura de prensa y propaganda de la Falange unificada, en mayo de 1937. Como clérigo, Yzurdiaga aspiró a conciliar catolicismo y falangismo. Pero sus superiores eclesiásticos le vieron con creciente recelo, por su incesante visibilidad política, por sus arengas y sermones, por sus habituales polémicas con católicos y por la incertidumbre sobre el rumbo totalitario del Estado al que Yzurdiaba servía. Su obispo Marcelino Olaechea exigió que renunciase a su protagonismo público: a la actividad política, a finales de 1937; y a la periodística, a fines de 1938. Este trabajo pretende dibujar aquel temprano choque de intereses entre los poderes civil y religioso por orientar la identidad de las iniciativas del cura azul.
El Cardenal Isidro Gomá y la cuestión vasca
Authors: Dionisio Vivas Miguel Ángel
Published: September 2012

Uno de los múltiples campos de actuación del cardenal Isidro Gomá durante la guerra civil fue la atención a la cuestión vasca. En primer lugar los problemas derivados del enfrentamiento de las autoridades militares con el obispo de Vitoria, Mateo Múgica. Después la polémica entre el propio Gomá y el lehendakari Aguirre, consecuencia del alineamiento del nacionalismo vasco con la República. El primado tuvo, asimismo, un papel central en torno al fin del conflicto bélico en el Pais Vasco, con las negociaciones para la rendición de Bilbao. Por último debió afrontar los conflictos clero nacionalista, el que permaneció en España, el que fue represaliado y el que fue exiliado o aquellos que censuraron la posición del Cardenal Gomá.
La Guerra Civil española y la Conferencia de Obispos Norteamericana
Authors: González Gullón José Luis
Published: September 2012

La National Catholic Welfare Conference –la organización nacional de católicos de Estados Unidos– lideró la respuesta oficial de los católicos estadounidenses sobre la guerra civil española. Además mantuvo contacto con el episcopado de España a través del cardenal Isidro Gomá. La conferencia de obispos norteamericana condenó al Gobierno de la zona republicana debido a la persecución religiosa y a su dependencia del comunismo. Su posición sobre el general Franco fue más articulada. Deseaba que Franco ganara la guerra pero, a la vez, que España recuperase un sistema democrático.
Recuperación de iones cobre por flotación con amilxantato de potasio
Authors: Ramírez-Serrano B. , Coello-Velázquez A. L. , Bernardo A. , Afif E. , Menéndez-Aguado J. M.
Published: September 2012

Se realiza un estudio sobre la flotación en columnas de iones cobre utilizando como reactivo colector amilxantato de potasio. Se determina experimentalmente el efecto de la modificación de las variables relación colector/metal, velocidad superficial del gas y del líquido sobre la recuperación, a partir del análisis del modelo matemático-estadístico que caracteriza la flotación de cobre, así como de los fenómenos físico-químicos que tienen lugar, donde se comprueba el papel preponderante de la variable relación colector/metal en la recuperación de cobre. Se estudia además, el efecto del pH como elemento determinante de las características químicas del sistema en la recuperación y la cinética del proceso de flotación. Los resultados experimentales muestran que es posible la recuperación del cobre disuelto para el rango de pH de 4,5 a 12 con predominio de la flotación de precipitados.
Predicting Multi-Component Protein Assemblies Using an Ant Colony Approach
Authors: Venkatraman Vishwesh , Ritchie David W.
Published: September 2012

Many biological processes are governed by large assemblies of protein molecules. However, it is often very difficult to determine the three-dimensional structures of these assemblies using experimental biophysical techniques. Hence there is a need to develop computational approaches to fill this gap. This article presents an ant colony optimization approach to predict the structure of large multi-component protein complexes. Starting from pair-wise docking predictions, a multi-graph consisting of vertices representing the component proteins and edges representing candidate interactions is constructed. This allows the assembly problem to be expressed in terms of searching for a minimum weight spanning tree. However, because the problem remains highly combinatorial, the search space cannot be enumerated exhaustively and therefore heuristic optimisation techniques must be used. The utility of the ant colony based approach is demonstrated by re-assembling known protein complexes from the Protein Data Bank. The algorithm is able to identify near-native solutions for five of the six cases tested. This demonstrates that the ant colony approach provides a useful way to deal with the highly combinatorial multi-component protein assembly problem.
A Multi-Objective Gravitational Search Algorithm Based on Non-Dominated Sorting
Authors: Nobahari Hadi , Nikusokhan Mahdi , Siarry Patrick
Published: September 2012

This paper proposes an extension of the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) to multi-objective optimization problems. The new algorithm, called Non-dominated Sorting GSA (NSGSA), utilizes the non-dominated sorting concept to update the gravitational acceleration of the particles. An external archive is also used to store the Pareto optimal solutions and to provide some elitism. It also guides the search toward the non-crowding and the extreme regions of the Pareto front. A new criterion is proposed to update the external archive and two new mutation operators are also proposed to promote the diversity within the swarm. Numerical results show that NSGSA can obtain comparable and even better performances as compared to the previous multi-objective variant of GSA and some other multi-objective optimization algorithms.
Mannan-Binding Lectin-Associated Serine Protease (MASP)-1 Is Crucial for Lectin Pathway Activation in Human Serum, whereas neither MASP-1 nor MASP-3 Is Required for Alternative Pathway Function
Authors: Degn Søren E. , Jensen Lisbeth , Hansen Annette G. , Duman Duygu , Tekin Mustafa , Jensenius Jens C. , Thiel Steffen
Published: September 2012

The lectin pathway of complement is an important component of innate immunity. Its activation has been thought to occur via recognition of pathogens by mannan-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins in complex with MBL-associated serine protease (MASP)-2, followed by MASP-2 autoactivation and cleavage of C4 and C2 generating the C3 convertase. MASP-1 and MASP-3 are related proteases found in similar complexes. MASP-1 has been shown to aid MASP-2 convertase generation by auxiliary C2 cleavage. In mice, MASP-1 and MASP-3 have been reported to be central also to alternative pathway function through activation of profactor D and factor B. In this study, we present functional studies based on a patient harboring a nonsense mutation in the common part of the MASP1 gene and hence deficient in both MASP-1 and MASP-3. Surprisingly, we find that the alternative pathway in this patient functions normally, and is unaffected by reconstitution with MASP-1 and MASP-3. Conversely, we find that the patient has a nonfunctional lectin pathway, which can be restored by MASP-1, implying that this component is crucial for complement activation. We show that, although MASP-2 is able to autoactivate under artificial conditions, MASP-1 dramatically increases lectin pathway activity at physiological conditions through direct activation of MASP-2. We further demonstrate that MASP-1 and MASP-2 can associate in the same MBL complex, and that such cocomplexes are found in serum, providing a scenario for transactivation of MASP-2. Hence, in functional terms, it appears that MASP-1 and MASP-2 act in a manner analogous to that of C1r and C1s of the classical pathway.
Rut 3:9 en 4:5: Wat het die (leviraats) huwelik met lossing te doen?
Authors: De Villiers Gerda
Published: September 2012

Ruth 3:9 en 4:5: What does the levirate marriage have in common with the practice of land redemption? This article examines two passages in the book of Ruth – 3:9 and 4:5. Both pertain to two practices in ancient Israel, namely the levirate marriage and the redemption of property – here in the case of the book of Ruth. Ruth 3:9 hints only indirectly to these, therefore, I aim to indicate that Ruth does offer Boaz a marriage proposal and that some form of redemption of property is intended. In Ruth 4:5 these two practices are once again juxtaposed. Scholars propose various reasons why the levirate marriage and redemption are related to each other in the book of Ruth and nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible. It appears that their proposals can be related directly to their dating of the book, either pre- or post-exilic. In my article, I accept a post-exilic dating since the author of the book of Ruth seems to know most of the laws in the Pentateuch. I conclude with the views of Irmtraud Fischer, a feminist scholar who offers interesting perspectives from a feminist historical critical point of view.
Libraries and information provision for African relief
Authors: Wishart Elsemieke
Published: September 2012

This research article explores the concept that libraries as communication centres in sub-Saharan Africa can play a vital role in bringing poverty relief by providing greater access to information through modern technology. It discusses the patrons who can benefit from community information centres and explores their particular needs. I have researched how modern tools like the Internet, computers, e-readers and cell phones can bring valuable information to impoverished citizens. My research was conducted through reading research papers using article databases, books and Internet websites. The future for libraries in sub-Saharan Africa is bright, as new technology opens up vast opportunities to share information in a way that is accessible, affordable and adaptable to the needs of the African people. I recommend that librarians and relief organisations in Southern Africa seriously consider using modern technology to provide information that will empower its citizens.
Occupational Exposure to Sharp Instrument Injuries among Dental, Medical and Nursing Students in Mahatma Gandhi Mission's Campus, Navi Mumbai, India
Authors: Hussain Juveria Syed Ali , Galinde Jyotsna , Jingade Ranganatha Rao K
Published: September 2012

Background

Sharp instrument injuries among health care students significantly increase the risk of transmission of different blood-borne pathogens which can lead to serious consequences including death.

Objectives

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sharp instrument injuries among the health care students in the Mahatma Gandhi Mission's Campus, Navi Mumbai and to make recommendations to the institutional authorities about measures to be undertaken to prevent such injuries among the students.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 700 health care students which included dental, medical and nursing students during their clinical training at Mahatma Gandhi Mission's Campus, Navi Mumbai from May 2012 to July 2012. It was a self-administered questionnaire with a 1-year recall period for sharp instrument injury. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 627 students of which 76.4% of nursing, 75.4% of dental and 48.7% of the medical students had experienced sharp instrument injuries in the past 1 year with hollow-bore needle being the most common instrument causing such injuries. Overall, 77.4% of the students had not reported the incident of the injury and only 34.4% of the students had taken postexposure prophylaxis.

Conclusion

Educational interventions with effective training on proper handling and disposal of sharp instruments and postexposure prophylaxis along with the formation of a reporting center are some of the recommendations which can reduce the occupational exposure to sharp instrument injuries among the health care students.

How to cite this article

Hussain JSA, Ram SM, Galinde J, Jingade RRK. Occupational Exposure to Sharp Instrument Injuries among Dental, Medical and Nursing Students in Mahatma Gandhi Mission's Campus, Navi Mumbai, India. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):1-10.
A Comparative Shade Evaluation of Two Different All-Ceramic Materials over Three Core Build-up Materials: An in vitro Study
Authors: Batra Pranshu
Published: September 2012

Aim

To evaluate and compare the shade of zirconia and alumina crowns over composite, all-ceramic and metal core material.

Objectives

(1) To evaluate the influence of composite core build-up material on the shade of zirconia and alumina crowns. (2) To evaluate the influence of all-ceramic core material on the shade of zirconia and alumina crowns. (3) To evaluate the influence of metal core material on the shade of zirconia and alumina crowns. (4) To compare the influence of composite, all-ceramic and metal core material on the shade of zirconia and alumina crowns.

Materials and Methods

The all-ceramic materials used for fabrication of crowns were zirconia (LAVA) and alumina (PROCERA). They were evaluated spectrophotometrically for the change in shade when placed over three core build-up materials.

Results

The observations obtained were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance. Zirconia crowns when compared with alumina crowns showed the least shade change when placed on the three core materials. Among the three core materials used, composite core build-up material showed the least change in the shade.

Conclusion

Zirconia crowns showed least shade change when placed on the three core materials.

How to cite this article

Batra P, Ram SM. A Comparative Shade Evaluation of Two Different All-Ceramic Materials over Three Core Build-up Materials: Anin vitroStudy. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):15-21.
Facial Dog Bite Injury
Authors: Natarajan Srivalli , Galinde Jyotsna S , Asnani Usha , Sidana Sunil , Ramaswami Radhika
Published: September 2012

The exposed position compounded by the short stature of children makes the face very vulnerable to dog bite injuries. Unlike wounds inflicted by assaults and accidents, animal bite wounds are distinctive as they are puncture type deep wounds which are injected by the bite force, with an inoculum of pathogenic bacteria from the saliva of the attacking dog. Hence, these wounds are at high-risk of infection which is further aggravated by the presence of crushed devitalized tissue, an outcome of the bite force. The key points in successful management of facial dog bites, are thorough cleansing of the wound, meticulous but not overzealous debridement, primary closure, appropriate antibiotic therapy and tetanus and rabies immunization where indicated. A case of a 8-year-old child who had succumbed to multiple facial bite injuries is presented. She was managed by a primary one stage closure with good esthetic and functional outcome.

How to cite this article

Natarajan S, Galinde JS, Asnani U, Sidana S, Ramaswami R. Facial Dog Bite Injury. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):34-38
Restoration of Anterior Esthetics and Function through Interdisciplinary Approach
Authors: Joshi Mridula Nilesh , Abhyankar Vrushali Pavan , Joshi Nilesh Vaman
Published: September 2012

Smile is an integral part of dentistry. Patients come with the prime aim of achieving esthetics. The dentist may preserve or alter the relationships of the visible components of the oral region to give the desired esthetic result. But, it is our responsibility to attain this result through a scientifically based and thoroughly planned treatment.

The appearance of gingival tissue surrounding the teeth plays an important role in the esthetics of anterior region. Abnormities in symmetry and contour can significantly affect the harmonious appearance of natural or prosthetic dentition.

There are a variety of cases of teeth wear, wherein interdisciplinary intervention is essential. Also the factor causing severe wear of natural teeth must be identified and eliminated, or reduced before attempting restorative treatment to improve long-term prognosis of restorative treatment.

This article deals with a case of anterior teeth wear, stressing upon diagnosis, treatment planning and progression of treatment with regards to perio-prostho esthetics.

How to cite this article

Joshi MN, Abhyankar VP, Joshi NV. Restoration of Anterior Esthetics and Function through Interdisciplinary Approach. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):43-46.
Interappointment Flare-up in Endodontics: A Case Report and an Overview
Authors: Shenoy Vanitha
Published: September 2012

A problem that an endodontist can encounter during the course of root canal treatment is pain and swelling or both in the form of flare-ups. The causes for this flare-up are numerous which include mechanical, chemical, microbial injury to the pulp or periradicular tissues, whereby an acute periradicular inflammation results. This situation can be prevented by selection of instrumentation technique, that extrude lesser amount of debris apically, completion of biomechanical preparation in a single sitting, use of antimicrobial intracanal medicament between appointment in the treatment of infected cases with an appropriate coronal temporary restoration and maintaining asepsis throughout the root canal treatment. The flare-up phenomena are complex and not well-understood which involves a number of hypotheses for its etiology. A correct diagnosis and treatment aids in the resolution of the flare-up. This case report explains the management of an interappointment flare-up, with an overview of flare-ups.

How to cite this article

Shenoy V, Kumar R, Sumanthini MV. Interappointment Flare-up in Endodontics: A Case Report and an Overview. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):53-56.
Nonsurgical Treatment of a Patient with Class III Malocclusion and Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisors: A Combined Orthodontic-Prosthodontic Approach
Authors: Mhatre Amol , Doshi Sachin S , Jayarama M , Gaikwad Shashank , LNU Ravindranath
Published: September 2012

Class III treatment is a considerable clinical challenge and commonly includes (a) growth modification involving a chincup to restrain mandibular growth or a facemask to protract the maxilla, (b) dentoalveolar compensation or camouflage involving dental extractions and (c) orthognathic surgery. Surgical treatment is the preferred and most stable treatment for adult patients with severe skeletal class III malocclusion. Patients with borderline dentoalveolar compensation who are not willing to accept the costs, risks and potential complications of surgery can sometimes be treated successfully with camouflage orthodontics. In more extreme cases, however, conservative orthodontic treatment may lead to adverse side effects, such as periodontal disease and root resorption as well as poor long-term stability. It is not clear which mechanics are most appropriate or which patients are most likely to benefit from an orthodontic approach to severe skeletal class III malocclusion. In this list of alternatives, orthodontic treatment is often seen as either a less-desirable alternative to surgery or a treatment reserved for milder skeletal problems. This report questions this hierarchy of treatment options.

How to cite this article

Doshi SS, Jayarama M, Gaikwad S Mhatre A, Ravindranath. Nonsurgical Treatment of a Patient with Class III Malocclusion and Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisors: A Combined Orthodontic-Prosthodontic Approach. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):57-63.
Modified Ovate Pontic Design for Immediate Anterior Tooth Replacement
Authors: Mhatre Swapnali , Gala Anita
Published: September 2012

Pontic is an artificial substitute for the missing tooth. The design of this prosthetic tooth will be dictated by esthetics, functions, hygiene, patient comfort and maintenance of the edentulous ridge. An ovate pontic has been widely recommended to fulfill both esthetic and functional requirements of the prosthesis. The convex design of this pontic intends to form a concave soft tissue outline at the site of the alveolar ridge mucosa. This design eliminates the ‘black triangle’ which is created after loss of tooth and interdental papilla. Clinically, healthy conditions can be established at pontic site, if appropriate plaque control is performed.

Unfortunately, an ovate pontic design is not frequently advised by the clinicians. The case report presented a modified ovate pontic design for replacing upper anterior tooth to give both esthetics and health.

How to cite this article

Mhatre S, Gala A, Ram SM, Shah N. Modified Ovate Pontic Design for Immediate Anterior Tooth Replacement. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(2):64-68.
Improving the active involvement of stakeholders and the public in flood risk management – tools of an involvement strategy and case study results from Austria, Germany and Italy
Authors: Fleischhauer M. , Greiving S. , Flex F. , Scheibel M. , Stickler T. , Sereinig N. , Koboltschnig G. , Malvati P. , Vitale V. , Grifoni P. , Firus K.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The EU Flood Risk Management Directive 2007/60/EC aims at an active involvement of interested parties in the setting up of flood risk management plans and thus calls for more governance-related decision-making. This requirement has two perspectives. On the one hand, there is (1) the question of how decision-makers can improve the quality of their governance process. On the other hand, there is (2) the question of how the public shall be appropriately informed and involved. These questions were the centre of the ERA-Net CRUE-funded project IMRA (integrative flood risk governance approach for improvement of risk awareness) that aimed at an optimisation of the flood risk management process by increasing procedural efficiency with an explicit involvement strategy. To reach this goal, the IMRA project partners developed two new approaches that were implemented in three case study areas for the first time in flood risk management: 1. risk governance assessment tool: An indicator-based benchmarking and monitoring tool was used to evaluate the performance of a flood risk management system in regard to ideal risk governance principles; 2. social milieu approach: The concept of social milieus was used to gain a picture of the people living in the case study regions to learn more about their lifestyles, attitudes and values and to use this knowledge to plan custom-made information and participation activities for the broad public. This paper presents basic elements and the application of two innovative approaches as a part of an "involvement strategy" that aims at the active involvement of all interested parties (stakeholders) for assessing, reviewing and updating flood risk management plans, as formulated in the EU Flood Risk Management Directive 2007/60/EC.
Two-Strategy reinforcement group cooperation based symbiotic evolution for TSK-type fuzzy controller design
Authors: Lin Sheng-Fuu , Chang Jyun-Wei , Hong Yu-Bi , Hsu Yung-Chi
Published: September 2012

This paper proposes a TSK-type fuzzy controller (TFC) with a two-strategy reinforcement group cooperation based symbiotic evolution (TSR-GCSE) for solving various control problems. The TSR-GCSE proposes the two-strategy reinforcement (TSR) signal designed to improve the performance of the traditional reinforcement signal designed. Moreover, the TSR-GCSE is different from the traditional symbiotic evolution; with each population in the TSR-GCSE method is divided to several groups. Each group represents a set of the chromosomes that belongs to a fuzzy rule and can cooperate with other groups to generation the better chromosomes by using elites-base compensation crossover strategy (ECCS). The illustrative examples show that the proposed method has the better time steps and CPU times than other existing methods.
Swine influenza inspired optimization algorithm and its application to multimodal function optimization and noise removal
Authors: Pattnaik Shyam S. , Jadhav Devidas G. , Devi Swapna , Ratho Radha Kanto
Published: September 2012

Swine Influenza Inspired Optimization (SIIO) is a search algorithm proposed for optimal solution. The authors followed the SIR (susceptible - infectious-recovered) virus spread model of Swine Influenza to develop the new evolutionary algorithm named as SIIO. SIR model is used to frame optimization algorithm following the spread and control phenomenon of the swine flu virus in the human population. The fitness based classes viz. susceptible (S), infectious (I) and recovered (R) of the individuals are made and treatment is used for the affected individuals by imitating the health information from the best fitness individual. The proposed algorithm shows improved performance on multi-dimensional unimodal and multimodal standard numerical benchmark functions than the compared optimization algorithms. The performance of the SIIO algorithm is better in terms of speed of convergence and quality of solutions. The SIIO is also applied for the Gaussian noise removal with Blind Source Separation (BSS) based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA).
Predicting the rates of cross-pollination between GM and non-GM crops using RBFNN with SVM and bootstrap approach
Authors: Lee Chien-Pang , Lin Wen-Shin , Kuo Bo-Jein , Chu Kuo-Chung
Published: September 2012

Recently, genetically modified (GM) technology has been successfully used to reduce the cost and to enhance the profit in agriculture. Although GM technology brings many benefits for non-food crops, people still misgive the effects of GM products for the health and the environment. Furthermore, GM crops might affect food (non-GM) crops in the open environment. Hence, how to find strategies for the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops are become a popular issue. One of the strategies is to determine a befitting distance between GM and non-GM crops to reduce the cross-pollination occurred by predicting the rate of cross-pollination. Owing to most of the existing methods for predicting the cross-pollination rates of non-GM crops are only based on the distance between GM and non-GM crops. To counter this problem, we propose a hybrid method, which is composed of radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), support vector machine (SVM) and bootstrap, to apply in this issue. The proposed method includes three specificities. (a) The proposed method reduces the effect of imbalance class problem. (b) The proposed method uses more variables, which are effect the cross-pollination rates, for prediction to enhance the prediction accuracy. (c) The proposed method searches relevant samples to reduce execution time and enhance the prediction accuracy. The results show the performance of our method is better than the existing methods in terms of the root mean square error (RMSE) in prediction and the correlation coefficient between the actual and the predicted cross-pollination rates.
Effects of a web-based preoperative education program for patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: a preliminary study
Authors: Nahm Eun-Shim , Stevens Lena , Scott Pamela , Gorman Kristy
Published: September 2012

Increasing numbers of surgical procedures that were once done in hospitals are now being performed in ambulatory care settings. Provision of quality preoperative education in those settings has become a challenge. This article reports findings from a practice-based study where the nurses in a preoperative preparation center implemented a supplemental, web-based educational program for same-day surgery patients and assessed its outcomes (N = 69). The patients who used the web-based program in addition to usual care achieved significantly higher scores for anesthesia knowledge (t = 2.15, p = 0.04) and teaching satisfaction (t = 2.13, p = 0.04) than those who received usual care only. The findings demonstrate a great potential for use of web-based programs to improve patient education in busy preoperative care areas. A convenience sample with a small sample size was a major limitation. Further studies with large samples are needed to demonstrate tangible clinical outcomes.
Quantitative assessment of mortuary waste: occupational safety and environmental health
Authors: Patwary Masum A , Sarker Mosharraf H.
Published: September 2012

Mismanagement of mortuary waste is a significant risk factor for disease transmission. Quantitative estimation of mortuary waste generation is needed to estimate the potential risk and as a basis for any waste treatment, disposal and management plan. Bangladesh, a developing country, is an example where there has been no rigorous estimation of mortuary waste generation and associated risk factors based on a thorough scientific study. The present study used a statistically designed sampling method of waste generation in a broad range to identify the factors associated with public health and environmental safety. The data gathering techniques included observation, formal structured interview, informal dialogue, and waste weighing. The proportion of mortuary waste classified as hazardous by the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines was found to be high. The waste generation rate per dead body was found to be 9.00 ± 2.52kg and average waste generation per day was 918 ± 11kg among the surveyed mortuaries. Operatives dealing with the infectious waste were frequently found to be untrained, without even a basic understanding of the hazards involved. Personal protective equipment was inadequate in most cases, which led to frequent accidental injuries. None of the mortuaries were found to have adequate storage facilities for dead bodies as well as hazardous waste in the context of environmental health and safety. Hazardous waste was dumped into city corporation bins, and disposed of on general landfill sites. As well as exposing the waste to the environment, this could potentially contaminate ground water, soil and sediments, especially as the dumps were located in areas subject to frequent flooding. The significant factor of health and environmental risk was identified as decomposition of dead bodies. The degree to which dead bodies are decomposed is related to the time taken to bring them to the mortuary and to the duration of the autopsies. The delay was due to poor communication, low level of interest, transportation cost, and trying to avoid social harassment. This is the first study to attempt this type of thorough estimation of mortuary waste and assessment of risk on environmental health occupational safety.
Polymorphisms upstream of the melanocortin‐1 receptor coding region are associated with human pigmentation variation in a Brazilian population
Authors: Neitzke‐Montinelli Vanessa , Urmenyi Turan P. , Rondinelli Edson , Cabello Pedro Hernan , Silva Rosane , Moura‐Neto Rodrigo S.
Published: September 2012

Objective:

We describe an association of two SNPs, rs3212345:C>T and rs3212346:G>A, located approximately 2.5 kb upstream of the melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) translation initiation codon, with pigmentation phenotype variation in a Southeast Brazilian miscegenated population.

Methods:

One hundred thirty‐eight genetically unrelated subjects, with multicolor phenotype, were selected from the southeast region of Brazil. Skin, hair and eye color, and tanning ability were rated. Genotypes for each SNP (rs3212345:C>T and rs3212346:G>A) were determined. A logistic regression analysis was performed with the additive model to determine which of the polymorphisms contributed to a specific phenotype.

Results:

We found that the rs3212345:C>T is associated with light skin, red hair, and poor tanning ability, while the rs3212346:G>A is associated with dark skin, black hair, and strong tanning ability. The presence of rs3212345‐C and rs3212346‐A alleles in human, chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, and marmoset genomes suggests that they are the ancestral alleles.

Conclusion:

These data suggest that the rs3212345‐T and rs3212346‐G alleles may have contributed to lighter pigmentation phenotypes in modern humans. Genotyping for these SNPs may prove useful to the fields of molecular anthropology and forensic genetics. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Older farmers and machinery exposure—cause for concern?
Authors: Voaklander Don , Day Lesley , Dosman James , Hagel Louise , Pickett William
Published: September 2012

Background

The average age of farmers in North America is increasing each year. We had the unique opportunity to examine work patterns and how they change across the lifespan in a large cohort of farm operations.

Methods

Saskatchewan farms were surveyed via questionnaire during the winter of 2007 to examine the determinants of injury. A sub‐sample of 2,751 male farmers aged 25 and older was used in this project. The primary dependent variable was the proportion of work time devoted to specific farm tasks which was related to advancing age.

Results

The weekly hours of work declined approximately 34% as farmers aged over the lifespan. Older farmers disproportionately retained tasks involving tractors and combines as they aged, so that the proportion of time spent operating machinery such as tractors and combines increased by about 40% in the older age groups.

Conclusion

Exposure to potentially dangerous farm equipment does not decrease as much as would be expected based on an equal linear reduction in all work tasks as overall work quantity decreases with age. Older farmers remain relatively active in the workplace, and, therefore, prevention efforts should focus on safe machinery operation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:1044–1050, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Excess healthcare costs associated with prior workers' compensation activity
Authors: Bhattacharya Anasua , Park Robert M.
Published: September 2012

Background

Workers compensation (WC) does not fully compensate workplace injuries and illnesses. This work examines whether cost shifting occurs to group health insurance for work‐related injuries and illnesses.

Methods

Thomson Reuters MarketScan databases of medical insurance claims were used. WC and other benefit system data, employee status and types of medical insurance coverage were also available. Medical cost was analyzed using two‐part models: the first part modeled the monthly probability of a worker having any group health medical claims, and the second part modeled the total monthly cost of those medical claims. Models included an estimate of a worker's annual medical costs prior to a WC claim. The predicted monthly medical costs were derived by retransformation using Duan's smearing factor.

Results

Individuals with prior WC claims were more likely to file a group health medical claim compared to those with no prior WC claims (OR = 1.25) and incurred a higher average monthly medical costs (among nonunion hourly men aged 18–34 years with prior WC claims: $203.72 vs. $160.29 with no prior claim, an increase of $43). These increases were observed in all industrial sectors with the service sector having the highest monthly increase ($66).

Discussion

The results reveal that individuals with prior WC claims had higher probability of filing a group health medical claim and higher average monthly medical costs in all sectors. This suggests that a part of employer liability costs related to WC gets shifted to the group health medical insurance system. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:1018–1027, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Occupational exposures and mortality from cardiovascular disease among women textile workers in Shanghai, China
Authors: Gallagher Lisa G. , Ray Roberta M. , Li Wenjin , Psaty Bruce M. , Gao Dao Li , Thomas David B. , Checkoway Harvey
Published: September 2012

Background

Exposure to textile fiber dusts, like particulate air pollution, may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Bacterial endotoxin, a potent inflammagen found in cotton dust, may be a specific risk factor.

Methods

Female textile workers (N = 267,400) in Shanghai, China were followed for CVD mortality (1989–2000). Factory exposures were approximated by sector classifications based on materials and processes. Quantitative endotoxin and cotton dust measures were available for a subcohort (n = 3,188). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Slightly elevated mortality risk for the cotton sector was seen for ischemic stroke (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.97–1.31) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23). Similar hemorrhagic stroke mortality risk was observed in high dust sectors (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.24). No association was observed for ischemic heart disease.

Conclusions

Exposures in textile factories may have contributed to CVD mortality among this cohort. The specific components of these exposures that may be harmful are not clear and should be further investigated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:991–999, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rhodium nitrosyl catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid under mild conditions
Authors: Zou Fenglou , Cole Jacqueline M. , Jones Timothy G. J. , Jiang Li
Published: September 2012

A new synthetic protocol for catalysing CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid under mild conditions is reported, and the CO2 hydrogenation is efficiently achieved by dcpe‐rhodium‐nitrosyl catalyst precursors, Rh(NO)(dcpe) (1) (dcpe = 1,2‐dicyclohexylphosphinoethane) and Rh(III)(NO)(dcpe)Cl2 (2). The catalytic activity of 1 is noteworthy for being able to proceed in the absence of protic conditions. Compound 2 is characterized by NMR, IR and X‐ray crystallography. In particular, 2 is observed to bear a bent NO ligand with a Rh–N–O angle of 115.7(3)°, representing one of the smallest M–N–O angles known. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding the concepts and tools of metabolic engineering to elucidate cancer metabolism
Authors: Keibler Mark A. , Fendt Sarah‐Maria , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: September 2012

The metabolic engineer's toolbox, comprising stable isotope tracers, flux estimation and analysis, pathway identification, and pathway kinetics and regulation, among other techniques, has long been used to elucidate and quantify pathways primarily in the context of engineering microbes for producing small molecules of interest. Recently, these tools are increasingly finding use in cancer biology due to their unparalleled capacity for quantifying intracellular metabolism of mammalian cells. Here, we review basic concepts that are used to derive useful insights about the metabolism of tumor cells, along with a number of illustrative examples highlighting the fundamental contributions of these methods to elucidating cancer cell metabolism. This area presents unique opportunities for metabolic engineering to expand its portfolio of applications into the realm of cancer biology and help develop new cancer therapies based on a new class of metabolically derived targets. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
A Photochemical Mechanism for Homochirogenesis. Part 2
Authors: Bartmess John E. , Pagni Richard M.
Published: September 2012

A theoretical investigation of the photochemistry of racemic compounds with circularly polarized light was undertaken. The exact solutions of the differential equations by numerical integration to the approximate solutions used in an earlier article were compared. The exact solutions showed that sequential reactions yield enhanced optical activities in the products. For irreversible reactions, all enantiomeric excesses are lost if the reactions are carried to completion, but appreciable resolution occurs in many cases for partial conversion. For reversible reactions, significant enantiomeric excesses are found at the photostationary state. Chirality 25:16‐21, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lightweight Concrete with Tailor‐Made Expanded Aggregates
Authors: Rübner Katrin , Schnell Alexander , Haamkens Frank , Jakubcová Petra , Müller Anette
Published: September 2012

Neue leichte Gesteinskörnungen werden durch rohstoffliches Recycling aus heterogenem und feinkörnigem Mauerwerkbruch hergestellt. Die Erprobung dieser Aufbaukörnungen im Leichtbeton liefert Aussagen zu ihrer Qualität und Eignung. Nach einer kurzen Charakterisierung der für die Betonherstellung ausgewählten Aufbaukörnungen werden die entworfene Betonrezeptur vorgestellt und einige Ergebnisse der Festbetonuntersuchungen diskutiert.
Analysis and design of a two‐transformer active‐clamping ZVS isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter
Authors: Lo Yu‐Kang , Lin Jing‐Yuan , Yen Shang‐Chin , Lin Liang‐Chun
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a two‐transformer active‐clamping zero‐voltage‐switching (ZVS) isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter, which is mainly composed of two active‐clamping ZVS isolated inverse‐SEPIC converters. The proposed converter allows a low‐profile design for liquid crystal display TVs and servers. The presented two‐transformer active‐clamping ZVS isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter can equally share the total load current between two secondaries. Therefore, the output inductor copper loss and the output diode conduction loss can be decreased. Detailed analysis and design of this new two‐transformer active‐clamping ZVS isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter are described. Experimental results are recorded for a prototype converter with an AC input voltage ranging from 85 to 135 V, an output voltage of 12 V and a rated output current of 13.5A, operating at a switching frequency of 65 kHz. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.