bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive inventory control system for material items with continuous non-stationary demand
Authors: Krajčovič Martin , Plinta Dariusz
Published: April 2014

This paper describes an algorithm of dynamic inventory control system for large numbers of material items with continuous non-stationary demand. It uses principles of pull inventory control systems, statistical inventory analysis and joint replenishment inventory systems. This algorithm was processed in software module (VBA for Excel) and applied in practice. The target of described algorithm is to keep an optimum inventory level and optimum customer service level in terms of inventory control of items with non-stationary demand.
Management trust, organizational trust, and organizational performance: advancing and measuring a theoretical model
Authors: Paliszkiewicz Joanna , Koohang Alex , Gołuchowski Jerzy , Horn Nord Jeretta
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to propose a theoretical model and empirically measure whether trust impacts organizational performance. This study focused on three constructs: management trust (MT); organizational trust (OT); and organizational performance (OP). Specifically, the results of this study determined whether management trust (MT) significantly and positively contributes to organizational trust (OT) and whether organizational trust (OT) significantly and positively contributes to organizational performance (OP). Based on the findings, recommendations were made for building and sustaining a culture that will lead to improved organizational performance).
Investigations of harbour brick structures by using operational modal analysis
Authors: Żółtowski Mariusz
Published: April 2014

Historic harbour brick objects are subject to large dynamic loads clearly reflected by generated vibration processes. The vibrations may affect state of serviceability of structures by lowering comfort of persons working there as well as possible reaching the level hazardous to safety of the structures. The effect of vibrations to structure is mainly manifested by additional stresses in a given cross-section, which are summed up with those resulting from static loads. Moreover often occur consequences associated with environmental conditions and fatigue of materials which accelerate destruction of the objects. Therefore the dynamic loads may cause damaging effects in buildings of various structural types or even lead to their catastrofic destruction. Judging the necessity of improving the quality assessment methods of building structures for purposes of estimation of their state as well as safety factors for brick structures (see PN-B- 03002 standard, p.3.1.3 and 4.6), the author of this work undertook an attempt to investigate destruction process of selected building structures by using the method of operational modal analysis.
Influence of pitting corrosion on fatigue and corrosion fatigue of ship structures Part I Pitting corrosion of ship structures
Authors: Jakubowski Marek
Published: April 2014

The present paper is a literature survey focused on a specific kind of corrosion, i.e. pitting corrosion and its influence on fatigue of ship and offshore steels. Mechanisms of a shortand long-term pitting corrosion in marine environment have been described including pit nucleation and growth phases. Some models of pit growth versus time of exposure have been presented. Some factors which influence the pit growth rate have been discussed briefly
A method to improve repeatability and reproducibility of the results of examination of the rate of heat released by shipbuilding materials
Authors: Sychta Krzysztof
Published: April 2014

A specialised integrated research rig has been designed and built to validate the method of heat release dynamic error correction based on the FTP Code, part 5, and to control the rig operation and calibration. The basic rig component is a programmed gas burner with an option to select the function and parameters of burner’s operation. The use of the programmed burner increased the level of consistency (reproducibility and correlation) of the results of heat release rate measurements
Investigating the impact of intranet resistance and intranet withdrawal in Malaysian maritime industry
Authors: Daud Norzaidi Mohd , Mohamed Intan Salwani , Alghanim Saad , Alhamali Rashid
Published: April 2014

This article investigates the impact of intranet resistance (i.e. co-workers affluence, negative prior experience, efficacy experience, poor systems design and loss of power) on manager’s performance, which indirectly influences intranet withdrawal in Malaysia maritime industry. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results indicate that all intranet resistance factors negatively influence managers’ performance and indirectly influence intranet withdrawal. This is probably the first work that investigate the impact of intranet resistance and withdrawal in Malaysia. The results provide insight on how the Malaysian maritime industry could improve their intranet adoption.
Synsacra of the Eocene Antarctic penguins: new data on spinal maturation and an insight into their role in the control of walking
Authors: Jadwiszczak Piotr
Published: April 2014

The synsacrum is an important element of the axial skeleton in birds, both volant and flightless. Little is known about the maturation of this complex bone in penguins. In this work, the supposedly ontogenetically youngest known synsacrum of early penguins was described. The analysis of this specimen, collected within the Eocene La Meseta Formation of Seymour (Marambio) Island, Antarctic Peninsula, revealed that this bird had attained at least the fledging stage of growth. Studies of three mature synsacra recovered from the same formation focused on the synsacral canals and, using indirect reasoning, their contents. These analyses revealed that the lumbosacral intumescence of the spinal cord and its extensions, the transverse canals, had been developed roughly like those in extant penguins (and also swifts and cormorants). The neural spine extensions (a non−nervous tissue) tracing the transverse grooves of the dorsal wall of the synsacral canal are currently considered as involved in the control of walking. The presented data suggest that such a sense organ gained its current penguin configuration by the late Eocene.
Rock surface micro−roughness, Schmidt hammer rebound and weathering rind thickness within LIA Skálafellsjökull foreland, SE Iceland
Authors: Dąbski Maciej
Published: April 2014

: Glacially abraded basaltic rock surfaces found within a Little Ice Age (LIA) fore− land of Skálafellsjökull (SE Iceland) were studied at eight sites of different age applying different weathering indices. They include surface micro−roughness parameters measured with the Handysurf E35−B electronic profilometer - a new tool in geomorphology, Schmidt hammer rebound (R−values) and weathering rind thickness. Values of these indices obtained from study sites exposed to subaerial weathering for more than ca. 80 years are significantly different than those from younger moraines closer to the glacier snout. Despite a wide scatter of readings within each study site, there is a significant correlation between the ages and the values of the indices. It is concluded that the micro−roughness parameters provided by the Handysurf E35−B profilometer, Schmidt hammer R−values and weathering rind thickness are robust indices of rock surface deterioration rate in short time−scales. There is mounting evidence that rock surface undergoes relatively rapid weathering during first decades since deglaciation.
Out of sight – out of mind? Information acquisition patterns in risky choice framing
Authors: Schulte-Mecklenbeck Michael , Kühberger Anton
Published: April 2014

We investigate whether risky choice framing, i.e., the preference of a sure over an equivalent risky option when choosing among gains, and the reverse when choosing among losses, depends on redundancy and density of information available in a task. Redundancy, the saliency of missing information, and density, the description of options in one or multiple chunks, was manipulated in a matrix setup presented in MouselabWeb. On the choice level we found a framing effect only in setups with non-redundant information. On the process level outcomes attracted more acquisitions than probabilities, irrespective of redundancy. A dissociation between acquisition behavior and choice calls for a critical discussion of the limits of process-tracing measures for understanding and predicting choices in decision making tasks
EAS Temperament Traits, Gender, Age and Religious Fundamentalism in a Polish Sample
Authors: Oniszczenko Włodzimierz , Stanisławiak Ewa , Dąbrowska Anita D.
Published: April 2014

This is a study of the relationship between EAS temperament traits, age and gender, and religious fundamentalism in an adult Polish sample. Participants were sampled from among people who tended towards secularisation. A total of 902 participants, including 551 women and 351 men, aged 18 to 58 (M=27.73; SD=7.40) were studied. Participants were students in a variety of university faculties and adults with higher education representing a variety of professions. They all lived in the Warsaw area. Temperament was assessed with Buss and Plomin’s EAS Temperament Survey. Religious fundamentalism was assessed using Altemeyer and Hunsberger’s Religious Fundamentalism Scale (short, revised version). The level of religious fundamentalism was found to be associated with the temperament traits of sociability and anger. All three variables decrease in intensity with age. Women have higher levels of religious fundamentalism than men
Lack of evidence for the assessment of personality traits using handwriting analysis
Authors: Gawda Barbara
Published: April 2014

Background: The aim of the study is to clarify the beliefs and numerous doubts about the possible identification of personality in handwriting. The purpose of the described studies was to show an association between personality traits and handwriting features. The author aimed to verify whether or not there are any specific characteristics of writing in relation to personality traits. | Method: Two different studies have been described. A different number of subjects participated in the investigations and different techniques for personality assessment were used; however, the same set of handwriting features was analyzed in each study. In the first study the NEO-FFI (n=260) was used, while the EPQ-R (n=180) was used in the second study. The graphic characteristics of the handwriting samples were examined by forensic experts. | Results: The correlations between the personality traits and handwriting features were counted. The results showed that there were few significant correlations between handwriting parameters and personality traits, as measured by the NEO-FFI and EPQ-R. | Conclusions: No writing characteristics were specific to personality traits. There is no evidence for assessment of personality on the base of handwriting
Beauty and social influence. Adonization and its correlates
Authors: Mandal Eugenia
Published: April 2014

The article attempts to describe adonization, a specific tactic for exerting influence which employs physical attraction, as well as its determinants. The article presents a proprietary model of determinants and motivational mechanisms which constitute the basis of the attitude toward adonization. A cycle of 3 studies on individual determinants for the attitude toward adonization was described. Results of study 1 (50 women and 50 men) confirmed that male gender, psychological masculinity, narcissism, Machiavellianism and high self-monitoring were correlates of a positive attitude toward adonization. Study 2 (36 women and 36 men) showed that extraversion was the predictor of a positive attitude toward adonization of men and women and that agreeableness was the predictor of a less positive attitude of women. In Study 3 (91 women and 88 men aged 18-63) it was established that there were no differences in the attitude toward adonization in young and middle-aged men. Comparison among young and middle-aged women proved that younger women had a more positive attitude toward adonization in the cognitive and in the affective components than older women
Body Ego and Trauma as Correlates of Comfort in the Physical Proximity of Others
Authors: Obada Olga Sakson
Published: April 2014

The purpose of the study was to investigate the associations between comfort in the physical proximity of others and interpersonal trauma and body ego. Comfort in the physical proximity of others was measured using a self-report method, as well as by means of a procedure where the experimenter initiated interpersonal touch. The results show that comfort in the physical proximity of others (based on self-report) was associated with four types of trauma (emotional, physical or sexual abuse and emotional neglect) as well as with all aspects of dysfunctional body ego (e.g. disrupted perception, problems with interpreting and regulating physical states). Defying expectations, the types of trauma studied did not differentiate individuals experiencing comfort from those experiencing discomfort, in an experimental setting of being touched. As predicted, both groups differed in all aspects of body ego. Moreover body ego proved to be a mediator between trauma and comfort in the physical proximity of others (self-report measure)
LAND-COVER MODELLING USING CORINE LAND COVER DATA AND MULTI-LAYER PERCEPTRON
Authors: Dzieszko Piotr
Published: April 2014

Last decades of research have revealed the environmental impacts of Land-Use/Cover Change (LUCC) throughout the globe. Human activities’ impact is becoming more and more pronounced on the natural environment. The key activity in the LUCC projects has been to simulate the syntheses of knowledge of LUCC processes, and in particular to advance understanding of the causes of land-cover change. Still, there is a need of developing case studies regional models to understand LUCC change patterns. The aim of this work is to reveal and describe the main changes in LUCC patterns occurring in Poznań Lakeland Mesoregion according to CORINE Land Cover database. Change analysis was the basis for the identification of the main drivers in land cover changes in the study area. The dominant transitions that can be grouped and modelled separately were identified. Each submodel was combined with all submodels in the final change prediction process. Driver variables were used to model the historical change process. Transitions were modelled using multi-layer perceptron (MLP) method. Using the historical rates of change and the transition potential model scenario for year 2006 was predicted. Corine Land Cover 2006 database was used for model validation.
RELATION BETWEEN EXTENSIVE EXTREME PRECIPITATION IN POLAND AND ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
Authors: Nowosad Jakub , Stach Alfred
Published: April 2014

The basic aim of this study was to find relations between the dates of occurrence and characteristics of extensive extreme daily (24-h) precipitation totals (EEDPTs) and pressure systems. The analysis was conducted on the basis of precipitation data from the multi-year period 1956-1980 and the Grosswetterlagen classification of circulation situations. EEDPTs were taken to embrace those cases of maximum annual daily precipitation totals that were registered on the same day at a minimum of 75 precipitation stations. In the years 1956-1980 there were 209 such events. The hypothesis about the effect of a circulation situation on the probability of occurrence of an EEDPT was verified in quantitative terms, the reference being both the entire multi-year period and the seasonal variation in the occurrence of precipitation of this type. Next, circulation situations were compared in terms of amount-related parameters of EEDPTs (mean precipitation, coefficient of variation), their spatial features (perimeter, area), and precipitation volume. The analyses performed show a statistically significant dependence between the atmospheric circulation and extensive extreme precipitation. It was demonstrated that there were circulation situations during which EEDPTs occurred much more often or much more rarely than over the entire multi-year period under study. Also identified was the connection of an atmospheric circulation with the mean amount, coefficient of variation and volume of extensive extreme precipitation.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE CHANNEL CHANGES UPSTREAM FROM DAM RESERVOIR
Authors: Liro Maciej
Published: April 2014

Most of geomorphological studies related to the impact of dam reservoirs are focused on its effect on the river channels downstream of dams. However, little is known about the evolution of river channels upstream of dams (in backwater areas). In this paper I propose a conceptual model of alluvial channel changes in the backwater. It assumes that three conditions of a channel that may occur in the pre-dam period. These are sediment supply deficit, balance and surplus compared to the river transport capacity. These conditions can be strengthened, stable or weakened. In the post-dam period these conditions is modified by the influence of the dam reservoir, which may affect the trajectory of channel changes, as well as its response and adjustment time in the backwater. The adjustment of channel parameters, in spite of the reservoir operation mode, also depends on the local river, reach characteristics and the magnitude and frequency of floods. Therefore, the use of an appropriate reference reach is inherent in this model. The model suggests that some adverse changes to backwater channels degraded by the regulation can be hampered. The model is based on Lane’s balance concept. It may be useful for explaining and predicting channel changes upstream of reservoirs and forming hypotheses in other studies.
IMPACT OF SEA LEVEL RISE TO COASTAL ECOLOGY: A CASE STUDY ON THE NORTHERN PART OF JAVA ISLAND, INDONESIA
Authors: Marfai Muh Aris
Published: April 2014

The coastline of Indonesia, which borders almost 17,500 islands and the sea and extends for more than 80,000 km, is vulnerable to sea level rise. This paper aims to investigate the impact of sea level rise on coastal ecology in Indonesia focusing on coastal area of Jakarta, Pekalongan, Semarang and Demak in the northern part of Java Island. Geo-spatial data, i.e. satellite images and maps were used to monitor the environmental changes and primary data were obtained through field survey and observation on the specified area. In Jakarta, sea level rise has been predicted to bring great damages to infrastructure in coastal area. Multiple impacts of sea level rise towards mangrove, agriculture, and aquaculture ecosystem occurs in Pekalongan. Semarang coastal area also suffers from the widening spread of health problems as the coastal inundation increases. At the same time, Demak experiences major losses on mangrove and aquaculture ecosystem due to sea level rise.
VARIABILITY OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN THE SCOTT RIVER CATCHMENT (SVALBARD) DURING THE HYDROLOGICALLY ACTIVE SEASON OF 2009
Authors: Kociuba Waldemar , Janicki Grzegorz , Siwek Krzysztof
Published: April 2014

Investigations of fluvial transport in the glacial river catchment (Scott River, Spitsbergen) were conducted in the melt season of 2009. A special attention was given to dynamics and distribution of bedload transport − the major component of fluvial transport in a proglacial gravel-bed river. Bed-load transport rate was determined using the River Bedload Traps (RBT) constructed for the project’s need. The obtained results indicate high diversity of bedload transport, the amount of which reached up to 220 kg m-1 day-1 for twenty-four hours in particular measurement sites. The results confirmed also great variability of local intensity fluvial processes in polar zone.
Radio-induced brain lesions
Authors: Gorgan Mircea Radu , Giovani Andrei , Sandu Aurelia Mihaela , Brehar Felix Mircea , Bucur Narcisa , Neacşu Angela , Cristescu Catioara Fănica
Published: April 2014

Introduction : Radiotherapy, an important tool in multimodal oncologic treatment, can cause radio-induced brain lesion development after a long period of time following irradiation.

Material and method : We report 4 cases with radio-induced brain lesions, admitted into the Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Clinical Hospital Bagdasar-Arseni, during a 4 years period of time.

Results : Two patients had meningiomas and two had unruptured cavernomas. Other side effects of radiotherapy, such as diffuse brain atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, optic atrophy, panhypopituitarism were also noted. The two patients with large meningiomas underwent surgery, with good outcome. Observation was the choice for the two asymptomatic cavernomas. Panhypopituitarism needed synthetic hormonal replacement therapy.

Conclusions : Radiotherapy can cause long-term complications and can induce development of new brain lesions into previous radiation area. Meningiomas and cavernomas can be radio-induced brain lesions. Meningiomas can grow to large size, requiring surgery. Unruptured asymptomatic cavernomas can be left in place and patients are followed clinical and with serial imaging. Other findings after radiotherapy are diffuse brain atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, optic atrophy and panhypopituitarism.
Primary hypothyroidism masquerading pituitary macroadenoma
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Reddy Amareesh P. , Malleswara Rao G. , Reddy V. Umamaheswara
Published: April 2014

Diffuse and reactive pituitary gland enlargement secondary to primary hypothyroidism is an uncommon occurrence and that can masquerade many pituitary disorders. In present article, we report a case of 19 year female severe hypothyroidism presenting with diffuse enlargement of pituitary gland and hyperprolactinemia and review the clinical importance of this entity. Knowledge of this entity is very important to avoid unnecessary surgery and irreversible complications in this sub-group of patients.
Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon and intention tremors in case of chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Sasikala P. , Menon Bindu , Agarwal Amit
Published: April 2014

Movement disorders are atypical and rare presentation of chronic subdural hematomas. We report a case of 60 year man who presented with intention tremors and altered sensorium. The patient had Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon on clinical examination. CT scan brain showed a large left fronto-temporo-parietal chronic subdural hematoma with significant mass effect and midline shift. His symptoms relieved completely after surgical evacuation of the hematoma.
Risk Factors for Re-bleeding of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Systemic Review and Meta Analysis
Authors: Taha Alfotih Gobran , Li Fang Cheng , Xu Xin Ke , Zhang Shang Yi
Published: April 2014

Objective : The mortality of re-bleeding is high and patients surviving are usually in poor clinical condition and have a worse outcome than patients with single bleed. We performed an update systemic review and Meta-analysis to determine the most common risk factors for re-bleeding in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

Method: We reviewed all publications on the risk factors of the re-bleeding or rerupture of already bled intracranial aneurysms. This Meta analysis included studies published from the year 2000 until 2013. Pooled mean difference was calculated for the continuous variables (Age), and pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated for categorical factors. Heterogeneity was tested first. If it is significant (p<0.05), random effect model was applied, otherwise, fixed model was used. Software - Review manager was used to find pooled effects and perform significant test for each potential risk factor.

Results : We identified 174 articles. Only 7 retrospective studies had met the inclusion criteria, with 2470 patients, 283 patients had aneurysmal re-bleeding. The weighted average rate of re-bleeding is 11.3% with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.1-12.6. Statistically significant risk factor for re-bleeding were sex (OR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.92), high systolic blood pressure [SBP] (OR 2.52; 95% CI: 1.40, 4.53), aneurysm size (OR 3.00; 95% CI: 2.06- 4.37), clinical condition (Hunt & Hess) (OR 4.94; 95% CI: 2.29, 10.68), and Fisher Grade (OR 2.29; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.61).

Conclusion: Sex, high SBP, high Fisher Grade, aneurysm size larger than 10 mm, and patients with poor clinical condition (Hunt & Hess) were independent risk factors for aneurysmal re-bleeding. The importance of early aneurysm intervention should be emphasized to eliminate the risk of re-bleeding and poor outcome.
Using hydrodynamic modelling to assess the impact of the development on hydrogeological conditions in a polygenic river valley marginal zone
Authors: Bujakowski Filip , Falkowski Tomasz , Wierzbicki Grzegorz , Żukowska Kornelia
Published: April 2014

Using hydrodynamic modelling to assess the impact of the development on hydrogeological conditions in a polygenic river valley marginal zone. The study area is located in the southern part of the Warsaw city agglomeration, adjacent to the Chojnowski Landscape Park. The study area is situated in the boundary zone between: (1) the bottom of the river valley reach with peat cover and (2) the Pleistocene glaciofluvial plain on its lower level. The main aim of the study is the analysis of the investment impact on hydrogeological conditions. During the pre-construction site works on the bottom of the valley it was an earthwork constructed in order to extend the zone of the buildings in the valley area. The research method consists of field works (geological drillings, piezometers constructions and observations, geodetic measurements), as well as laboratory works (sieve analysis) and hydrodynamic modelling (Visual MODFLOW, version 2009.1). The hydrogeological model performed in the study seems to became a base for the concept of the restoration of groundwater conditions.
Survival and Recovery Estimates of Male Elk in a Harvested Inter‐Jurisdictional Population
Authors: Hegel Troy M. , Gates C. Cormack , Eslinger Dale
Published: April 2014

Demographic rates are critical pieces of information for understanding ungulate population dynamics and effectively managing populations. In harvested elkCervus elaphus canadensispopulations, human harvest is often the greatest source of adult male mortality. In the Cypress Hills of southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan, Canada, hunting is a tool to mitigate conflicts between elk and agricultural producers in the area. We estimated survival (S) and animal recovery (f) rates based on individually marked male elk (n = 47) using hunter‐returned ear tags from 1998–2001. Recovery rate differed between jurisdictions and was substantially lower in Saskatchewan (f= 0.16, SE = 0.05) compared to Alberta (f= 0.31, SE = 0.08). A constant survival rate (S= 0.61, SE = 0.15) was most supported. The average longevity for male elk in the Cypress Hills was 2.02 (SE = 0.51) years after surviving their first year of life. This research highlights the importance of considering regulatory regimes and requirements when investigating and interpreting demographic and population dynamics of populations managed across jurisdictions.
Role of Thermal Environment in Habitat Selection by Male White‐Tailed Deer during Summer in Texas, USA
Authors: Wiemers Dean W. , Fulbright Timothy E. , Wester David B. , Ortega‐S. J. Alfonso , Rasmussen G. Allen , Hewitt David G. , Hellickson Mickey W.
Published: April 2014

Thermal cover may influence habitat selection by white‐tailed deerOdocoileus virginianusin subtropical climates with hot summers. We 1) tested the hypothesis that thermal environment is more important in habitat selection at midday during summer than forage quality or quantity and concealment cover and 2) determined whether operative temperature, vegetation height, or woody plant canopy cover (or some combination of these) explain habitat selection at midday. We predicted that during crepuscular periods and at night habitat use increases with increasing forage quality and quantity and concealment cover and is unrelated to thermal environment. Male white‐tailed deer were fitted with GPS collars to determine resources selected within habitats during June and July 2008 and 2009. A generalized linear mixed model using logistic regression was used to estimate resource selection functions. We used the first principal component in a principal components analysis (PCA) of forage standing crop, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) to create a ‘forage index’. This index and vegetation height, operative temperature and concealment cover, together with their interactions with activity period, were used to develop a priori candidate models. Akaike weights were used to compare candidate models. A model that included the forage index, vegetation height, operative temperature, concealment cover and their interactions with activity period was the best model out of 97 candidate models for explaining habitat selection by adult male white‐tailed deer. Male white‐tailed deer selected areas with taller vegetation in morning and midday activity periods but selected shorter vegetation during evening and nighttime. Forage quality was important in habitat selection in all activity periods. Male white‐tailed deer did not select areas with greater concealment cover during any activity period. A combination of operative temperature, vegetation height, and woody plant canopy cover predicted midday habitat use better than any of these three variables alone. Thermoregulatory behavior in male white‐tailed appears to include a combination of seeking cooler environments during midday but at the same time using areas with greater forage quality.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility inEnterobacteriaceaeRecovered from Okinawa Least Horseshoe BatRhinolophus pumilus
Authors: Obi Takeshi , Chibana Maki , Taira Chie , Nakayama Ayano , Miyazaki Kei , Takase Kozo , Nakamura Ichiro , Miyamoto Atsushi , Kawamoto Yasuhiro
Published: April 2014

Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents amongEnterobacteriaceaerecovered from feces of the Okinawa least horseshoe batRhinolophus pumilus(OLHB) in Japan was investigated in 78 isolates. Of these, one isolate was resistant to chlortetracycline and streptomycin, and nine were resistant to sulfadimethoxine (SDMX). Half of these (n = 5) resistant isolates had the transmissible R plasmid for antimicrobials suggesting that OLHB is a species that hardly harbors antimicrobial‐resistantEnterobacteriaceae.One possible reason for this low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance is that the bat lives in a clean environment with no or only very low artificial drug contaminations due to low contact with such as livestock that frequently carries antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. This study suggests that it's important to monitor antimicrobial resistance ofEnterobacteriaceaein OLHB as a model for natural R plasmid transfer in a natural environment without specific pathological bacteria and artificial drugs.
Development of intracranial approaches for craniopharyngiomas: an analysis of the first 160 historical procedures
Authors: Pascual José María , Prieto Ruth , Castro-Dufourny Inés , Carrasco Rodrigo , Strauss Sewan , Barrios Laura
Published: April 2014

Object

The development of surgical procedures for the removal of craniopharyngiomas (CPs) was greatly influenced by the enormous topographical and morphological heterogeneity displayed by these lesions. In this study the authors reviewed the intracranial approaches designed to treat CPs during the early historical period (1891–1938) with the aim of finding the CP topographical and pathological features that influence patient outcomes.

Methods

The authors conducted a systematic retrospective review of well-described cases of surgically treated CPs in publications from the period 1891–1938. Valuable information regarding the diagnosis of the lesion, type of craniotomy performed, CP topography, and outcome was selected from 418 reports included in medical publications from this period. The type of surgical procedure used, degree of tumor removal, CP position and histological variety, and clinical evidence of postoperative hypothalamic injury were the variables analyzed with the aim of defining their influence on the final patient outcome.

Results

A collection of 160 cases was eligible for analysis. Craniopharyngioma topography was significantly related to the existence of postoperative hypothalamic damage and the degree of tumor removal achieved (p < 0.001). The infundibulo-tuberal, or not strictly intraventricular, topography was associated with the highest rate of hypothalamic injury (84%) and impossibility of tumor removal (51%). This topography also showed the worst prognosis (p = 0.001). Additional variables correlated with patient outcome were the presence of hypothalamic damage, type of surgical approach used, and degree of tumor removal. Patients having a poor outcome, suffering from permanent coma, or dying after surgery presented with symptoms of hypothalamic injury in 40% of cases (p < 0.001). The surgical approach associated with the best outcome was the transsphenoidal (58%), followed by the subfrontal (45%) and the transcallosal (45%). Subtotal resection of the lesion yielded the best postoperative results, with only 17% of patients dying or suffering from a poor outcome, in contrast to the 39% reported for gross-total removal of the lesion (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Two major variables influenced the results of early surgical experience with CPs for the period from 1891 to 1938: 1) the inaccuracy in defining CP topography with the diagnostic methods available at that time; and 2) the ignorance about the risks associated with the dissection of lesions showing tenacious adherence to the hypothalamus. The degree of functional and morphological disturbance of the hypothalamus caused by a CP remains a fundamental variable helping the surgeon to predict the risks associated with the radical excision of the tumor and patient outcome.
Democracy: Freedom of Speech and Floor-crossing interface
Authors: Rahman Ziaur
Published: April 2014

Democracy is a sine qua non for the administration of a modern State. Modern developed countries are trying to flourish the democratic culture in every sphere of their stately actions. The framers of the Constitution of Bangladesh have made many provisions ensuring the true democracy in many Articles of the Constitution. As part of these, Preamble, Articles 7, 9, 11 and 59 deal with the democratic character of the government. On the other hand, Article 39 deals with the freedom of speech. But Article 70 puts a barrier on the exercise of freedom of vote of the Members of Parliament against his party decision. The provisions of Article 70 of the Constitution of Bangladesh are pushing the democracy in a back seat. This provision does not help the Parliament to uphold the democratic values of the Constitution. By this provision, the freedom of speech as enunciated in Article 39 of the Constitution becomes a useless tool in respect of giving vote inside the Parliament. This study seeks to find out the relation among democracy, freedom of speech and floor-crossing, to examine the desirability of the provision of floorcrossing, to explore the bad effects of Article 70 in democratic culture of in Bangladesh and to find out the possible way of solving this problem. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v1i0.18523 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.1 2010: 24-38
Establishment of the International Criminal Court and the Role of USA: A Legal Appraisal
Authors: Hassan Saud
Published: April 2014

In order to end global impunity of perpetration of heinous crimes against humanity and gross violation of human rights and to bring individual perpetrators to justice, international community felt the need for a permanent international criminal court.2 As the armed conflicts and serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law continue to victimize millions of people throughout the world, the reasons for an international criminal court became compelling.3 In many conflicts around the world, armies or rebel groups attack ordinary people and commit terrible human rights abuses against them. Often, these crimes are not punished by the national courts. Here the ICC is complementary to national criminal jurisdictions.4 The court only acts in cases where states are unwilling or unable to do so.5 The jurisdiction of the Court is not retrospective and binds only those States that ratify it.6 Unlike the International Court of Justice in The Hague, whose jurisdiction is restricted to states, the ICC has individualized criminal responsibility. However, the role of USA regarding the establishment and continuation of ICC has caused the organization fall in a trouble. The better cooperation of USA and other states could make the organization more active and effective as to its activities. The view of this paper is to analyze the role of USA towards the establishment, continuation and function of the International Criminal Court. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v1i0.18525 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.1 2010: 51-69
A critical examination of the Financial Mechanism as adopted in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from a developing countrys perspective
Authors: Rahman Shah Md Mushfiqur
Published: April 2014

The main objective of this article would be to examine the financial mechanism of the CBD for the purpose of measuring its efficiency to ensure the Convention's implementation in the developing countries. The more international environmental law advances the more it is realized that normative provisions are hardly able to bring any good to the environment, if it is not substantiated by effective compliance mechanisms. The Convention on Biological Diversity is no exception to this realization and in tune with that the CBD adopted some in-built mechanisms e.g. financial mechanism, technology transfer etc. But how much is the financial mechanism, the most important of these, efficient to prompt the developing countries to comply with the Convention? This article will search for the answer to this question which is especially intriguing given the challenge of developing countries to strike a balance between developmental and conservation needs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v1i0.18526 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.1 2010: 70-81
The Role of Mobile Courts in the Enforcement of Laws in Bangladesh
Authors: Hosen Gazi Delwar , Ferdous Syed Robayet
Published: April 2014

Mobile court ventilates a praiseworthy neo-paradigm in the whole gamut of enforcing laws in the adversarial legal tradition of common law system in Bangladesh. The very outline of mobile courts, in terms of its structure, legal basis, modus operandi, functioning, efficacy, judicial activism, etc. are concerned, it is axiomatically proved that the mobile court is an admixture of inquisitorial and adversarial legal traditions of civil and common law legal system as a hybrid legal system for ensuring justice through dynamic implementation of law. Mobile court is probably the most popular and effective government institution to materialize the laws which is a core demand of millions of down trodden people in Bangladesh, thereby providing an avenue of hope for this nation. At the infancy stage of mobile court, we discover multi- dimensional problems in terms of its functioning, legal basis, logistic support, acceptance to the vested segment and people at large. But notwithstanding these multi-faceted acid tests, mobile court takes place an unparallel and distinctive place to protect and preserve consumer protection, sound public heath, law & order situation and ultimately justice through the proper enforcing of existing concomitant laws. This is high time for all of us to launch profound research and investigations to find out its lacunae so as to establish a full-fledged and robust socio-legal background for mobile court so that it can work with its full bloom. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v1i0.18527 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.1 2010: 82-95
Emerging Cyber Threats in Bangladesh: In Quest of Effective Legal Remedies
Authors: Maruf Ashiquddin Mohammad , Islam Md Rabiul , Ahamed Bulbul
Published: April 2014

With the advent of technology human beings are becoming exclusively dependant on automation and we can see its influence on all spheres of our life. The history of automation began when Babbage invented computer and especially a new horizon was opened before us with the invention of network particularly the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW). Internet has become the backbone of all kinds of communication systems and it is also one of the most important sources of knowledge in the present digitalized world. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v1i0.18529 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.1 2010: 112-124
The multiple reals of workplace learning
Authors: Harman Kerry
Published: April 2014

The multiple reals of workplace learning are explored in this paper. Drawing on a Foucauldian conceptualisation of power as distributed, relational and productive, networks that work to produce particular objects and subjects as seemingly natural and real are examined. This approach enables different reals of workplace learning to be traced. Data from a collaborative industry-university research project is used to illustrate the approach, with a focus on the intersecting practices of a group of professional developers and a group of workplace learning researchers. The notion of multiple reals holds promise for research on workplace learning as it moves beyond a view of reality as fixed and singular to a notion of reality as performed in and through a diversity of practices, including the practices of workplace learning researchers.
Rapid and Sensitive Assessment of Human Hepatocyte Functions
Authors: Gramignoli Roberto , Tahan Veysel , Dorko Kenneth , Venkataramanan Raman , Fox Ira J. , Ellis Ewa C. S. , Vosough Massoud , Strom Stephen C.
Published: April 2014

Transplantation of human hepatocytes (HTx) has gained recognition as a bridge to, or an alternative to, orthotopic liver transplantation for patients with acute liver failure or genetic defects in liver function. Although the quality of the hepatocytes used for cell transplantation is critical, no consensus exists on protocols to assess the function of hepatocytes prior to HTx. Application of this cell therapy in clinical practice could be aided by fast and reliable assays to evaluate the functional competence of isolated hepatocytes prior to clinical transplantation. Traditional assays for measuring metabolic functions in primary hepatocytes frequently involve highly technical equipment, time-consuming methods, and large numbers of cells. We describe a novel approach for the rapid assessment of the metabolic capabilities of human hepatocytes. This report details simple procedures to evaluate 11 endpoints from cells isolated from human liver that can be performed by a single operator within approximately 2 h of isolation. Longer term cultured hepatocytes were also analyzed to determine if the results from the 2-h tests were predictive of long-term hepatic function. The assays simultaneously measure five cytochrome P450 activities, one phase II activity, plating efficiency, and ammonia metabolism in addition to viability and cell yield. The assays require fewer than 20 million cells and can be completed using commonly available and inexpensive laboratory equipment. The protocol details methods that can be used in a time frame that would allow analysis of hepatic functions in freshly isolated hepatocytes prior to their use for clinical transplantation.
Neutral and charged boron-doped fullerenes for CO2 adsorption
Authors: de Silva Suchitra W , Du Aijun , Senadeera Wijitha , Gu Yuantong
Published: April 2014

Recently, the capture and storage of CO2 have attracted research interest as a strategy to reduce the global emissions of greenhouse gases. It is crucial to find suitable materials to achieve an efficient CO2 capture. Here we report our study of CO2 adsorption on boron-doped C60 fullerene in the neutral state and in the 1e−-charged state. We use first principle density functional calculations to simulate the CO2 adsorption. The results show that CO2 can form weak interactions with the BC59 cage in its neutral state and the interactions can be enhanced significantly by introducing an extra electron to the system.
Lean Games Approaches – Simulation Games and Digital Serious Games
Authors: Vaz de Carvalho Carlos , Lopes Manuel Pereira , Ramos António Galrão
Published: April 2014

Training staff is one of the most important aspects of management and is crucial to the success of businesses in an increasingly competitive and globalized world. It is an investment that requires time and money; it needs to be effective and the selection of training methodologies and tools are fundamental to the success of a training program. Selecting the most suitable is not an easy task since it depends on the requirements of the target group and the training goals. This is typically the case for Lean training, where games are frequently used to illustrate the concepts and the application of lean tools. This paper presents and compares two different game approaches to lean training: a simulation game based on a single realistic manufacturing platform, involving production and assembly operations and a digital serious game that replicates a production environment that demonstrate the potential of lean tools. The results show that both approaches promote trainee motivation and knowledge acquisition and suggest that they can be used in a complementary way to achieve more effective learning results.
Learning to Connect: a Training Model for Public Sector on Advanced E-Government Services and Inter-Organizational Cooperation
Authors: Casalino Nunzio
Published: April 2014

Accomplishing interoperability among public information systems is a complex task not only by the variety of technological specifications and by the nature of the organisations in which the systems are implemented, but also because a detailed evaluation and analysis of the multiple aspects involved is lacking. The aim of this paper is to identify and summarize the main aspects regarding the field of interoperability (strategic frameworks, laws, regulations, specific requirements, organizational and technical issues) by means of the location and assessment of works that focus on the identification and analysis of the barriers, issues and risk factors involved in IS corporate learning in public sector. The training model proposed and the project described are based on the analysis of several themes such as bond interconnection, information sharing, and processes integration between public European administrations.
Advancing Collaboration between M-Learning Researchers and Practitioners through an Online Portal and Web 2.0 Technologies
Authors: Dyson Laurel Evelyn , Litchfield Andrew
Published: April 2014

With growing interest in mobile learning to address the educational requirements of a generation of students who have grown up with digital technology, and given the widespread adoption of mobile devices by indigenous people and in developing countries, there is a need for improved practice and better theoretical understanding of m-learning. This could be achieved through a more accessible body of knowledge of m-learning principles, teaching strategies and case-studies. This paper proposes the establishment of an online portal to influence and support good m-learning practice. An m-learning portal, incorporating a range of online, Web 2.0 and mobile technologies, would foster collaboration between researchers and educators and inform emerging national and international approaches using mobile technologies at all levels of the education sector and across all disciplines.