bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analysis of the Motivations of Fast Fashion Consumers in Relation to Innovativeness
Authors: Saricam Canan , Erdumlu Nazan
Published: April 2016

In this study, fast fashion concept is investigated in order to understand the motivations of the consumers that make them adopt these products because of their willingness for the innovativeness. The relationship between the motivational factors which were named as “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality, “Conformity” and the willingness for “Innovativeness” is analyzed using a conceptual model. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze and validate the model. The data used for the study was obtained from 244 people living in Turkey. The findings showed that the motivational factors “Social or status image” and “Uniqueness” as expressions of individuality are influential on the consumers’ willingness for “Innovativeness”.
The No Blur Principle and Faroese conjugation
Authors: Enger Hans-Olav
Published: April 2016

The paper presents the approach referred to as the ›No Blur Principle‹ (NBP), aka ›Vocabular Clarity‹. This approach can account for an otherwise unexpected case of diachronic productivity in Faroese verb conjugation, viz. the spreading of the suffix-iin the present tense 3rdsg., not associated with the largest class. Even if the NBP is meant as a synchronic restriction, the paper shows some consequences for diachrony – yielding the right ›predictions‹ (in a weak sense of the word). Given the NBP analysis of Old Norse, there is a good reason why the suffix-a,at first sight a much better candidate for productivity (as it is associated with a more type-frequent class than-i),could not spread – at least not without extensive ›reshuffling‹ of the affixes first; no such reshuffling was necessary for the spreading of-i, which was the ›class-default‹ affix anyway. The traditional account of the spreading of Faroese-i,which goes back to Rask (1811, p. 279), has it that this spreading is due to influence from the subjunctive. This is problematic, because one would not normally expect affixes to spread from the subjunctive to the indicative, and because a similar development in some few dialects of Norwegian cannot plausibly be accounted for along such lines. While the NBP account does not exclude Rask’s hypothesis, it can help us overcome these problems. The fact that the NBP helps us answer questions of productivity must count in its favour, and some other arguments in its favour are also marshalled. The Faroese development also shows that productivity for affixes and words need not behave in identical fashion; thus supporting a theoretical distinction.

Thanks to audiences in Oslo (ICHL 21, August 2013), Zürich (Doktorierendenkolloquium Linguistik, October 2013), Copenhagen (Dano-Norwegian seminar on historical linguistics, January 2014), Tromsø (NORKOG, June 2014), Bergen (Forskergruppe nordisk språkvitenskap, September 2014), and Berlin (Freie Universität, December 2014), in particular to Tore Nesset, Helge Sandøy and Horst Simon. Very helpful comments on written versions have been given by Andrew Carstairs-McCarthy, Oda Røste Odden, Arne Torp and two anonymous PBB referees. Thanks for saving me from a number of embarrassing mistakes. Remaining weaknesses are my own.
Aspekte der Figurenkonstitution in mittelhochdeutscher Heldenepik
Authors: Lienert Elisabeth
Published: April 2016

The constitution of characters in Middle High German heroic epics is transtextual and transpersonal, yet specific to certain texts or characters. Characters can be formed by an aggregation of the recipients’ knowledge on narrative tradition or by a reduction to stereotypes. The anthropological ›rules‹ of heroic epics – collective feudal norms, transpersonal coding of emotions, the principles of heroism – are of only limited validity. Interpolations by recipients regarding the motivation of characters can be manipulated or rejected by the texts. Heterogeneity, traditionality, partially even alterity of the characters are exhibited; consistency is not necessarily intended.
Sequential and Parallel Algorithms for the State Space Exploration
Authors: Allal Lamia , Belalem Ghalem , Dhaussy Philippe , Teodorov Ciprian
Published: April 2016

In this article, we are interested in the exploration part of model checking which consists in traversing all the possible states of a system. We propose two approaches to exploration, parallel and sequential. We present a comparison between our parallel approach and the parallel algorithm proposed in SPIN.
Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Strategy for Communication Networks Selection in Smart Grid
Authors: Xiang Min , Huang Haolin , He Chuan , Li Rui , Zeng Lingkang
Published: April 2016

Different communication networks are used in the different application environment of the smart grid. So, how to effectively select the communication networks with the optimal comprehensive performance is an important issue for the power management corporations. A novel comprehensive performance evaluation based on Exponential Scale Analytic Hierarchy Process (ESAHP) and Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process (GAHP) for the communication networks selection is proposed in the electricity information acquisition system. The ESAHP is used to calculate the weight of each communication performance index and the economic performance index, and the GAHP is adopted to evaluate the economic cost of the different communication modes. The optimal comprehensive communication model can be selected by comprehensively comparing the communication performance and the economic cost. The test results show that the assessment model can effectively evaluate the comprehensive performance of the different communication networks selection in the electricity information acquisition system of the smart grid.
Simple Clustering for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Rathna R.
Published: April 2016

Traditional Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are designed for connecting pure electronic or mechanical sensors through wireless communication. Nowadays, WSNs are combined with other technologies like big data and cloud for data management. While combining the sensors (low level devices) with a high end network like Internet, data communication should be taken care of in the gateway between these two networks. With this type of WSNs, if all the sensors are in direct communication with the high end network, then a lot of energy will be consumed, requiring complex protocols for making this communication possible. So, to reduce the energy wastage, the clustering concept is used in WSN. Although so many complex and innovative clustering techniques are available for WSN, this paper describes a very simple clustering technique for environmental monitoring WSN with proven results.
A Report on Multilinear PCA Plus GTDA to Deal With Face Image
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wang Xiaoping , Sun Ke
Published: April 2016

Because face images are naturally two-dimensional data, there have been several 2D feature extraction methods to deal with facial images while there are few 2D effective classifiers. Meanwhile, there is an increasing interest in the multilinear subspace analysis and many methods have been proposed to operate directly on these tensorial data during the past several years. One of these popular unsupervised multilinear algorithms is Multilinear Principal Component Analysis (MPCA) while another of the supervised multilinear algorithm is Multilinear Discriminant Analysis (MDA). Then a MPCA+MDA method has been introduced to deal with the tensorial signal. However, due to the no convergence of MDA, it is difficult for MPCA+MDA to obtain a precise result. Hence, to overcome this limitation, a new MPCA plus General Tensor Discriminant Analysis (GTDA) solution with well convergence is presented for tensorial face images feature extraction in this paper. Several experiments are carried out to evaluate the performance of MPCA+GTDA on different databases and the results show that this method has the potential to achieve comparative effect as MPCA+MDA.
Free light chains and heavy/light chains in monitoring POEMS patients
Authors: Altinier Sara , Proko Kozeta , Zaninotto Martina , Ciubotaru Daniela , Seguso Mara , Varagnolo Mariacristina , Lessi Federica , Briani Chiara , Adami Fausto , Plebani Mario
Published: April 2016

POEMS syndrome is defined by Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome, and its concentrations are deemed to correlate to disease activity. The aim of the present study was to verify whether other biochemical markers including serum free light chains (FLC) and heavy/light chains (HLC) would be of value in monitoring POEMS patients.

Fifty-three serum samples were collected from seven POEMS patients at diagnosis and during a follow-up period (range 14–56 months). VEGF was measured using an ELISA method, while FLC and HLC concentrations were measured using Binding Site reagents on a BNII (Siemens) nephelometer.

At diagnosis all patients presented high VEGF concentrations, while the κ/λFLC ratio (FLCr) was within the reference range. Four patients had abnormal HLC, HLCκ/HLCλ (HLCr) and FLC values. The relationship between the trend of VEGF and both HLC and FLC during the follow-up was analysed by means of Cohen’s κ coefficient. VEGF and HLC values displayed a significant κ-Cohen (0.537, p=0.002) in all chemotherapy-responder patients while in non-responders it did not. Conversely, in both responders and non-responders, VEGF and FLC values did not attain a significance on κ-Cohen analysis. In three out of four responders HLCr values increased, thus reflecting an improved clinical condition.

The findings made in the present study indicate that HLC, either as intact immunoglobulin or as HLCr, may provide useful information, particularly in identifying responders and confirm that the role of FLC is unreliable in monitoring patients with POEMS syndrome.
The Effects of Recasts and Working Memory on the Development of Implicit and Explicit Knowledge
Authors: Ahn Jieun , Kim Youngkyu
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to investigate the effects of recasts and working memory on the acquisition of Korean morphological causatives by advanced Chinese learners of Korean. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: A experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received intensive recasts during task-based interaction, whereas the control group did not. The effects of recasts were measured by two types of tests: An elicited imitation test, as a measure of implicit knowledge, and an untimed grammaticality judgment test, as a measure of explicit knowledge. The findings are as follows. First, from the pretest to the delayed posttest, recasts facilitated the learners’ acquisition of causative construction by developing both their implicit and explicit knowledge. Second, the results of delayed posttests showed that recasts were more effective in aiding the development of implicit knowledge than explicit knowledge. Third, working memory was found to be a significant covariate in the facilitative effects of recasts on explicit knowledge; that is, it mediated the development of explicit knowledge via recasts as a significant individual difference factor. The effects of recasts were maintained even when the impact of working memory was controlled. (189 words)
Study on Chinese College EFL Learners' Comprehension and Production of English Relative Clauses: Testing Three Hypotheses
Authors: Tiehua Song
Published: April 2016

This study considers both comprehension and production of the English restrictive relative clauses (RC) by EFL learners in Chinese context. Different tests were employed respectively in data collection, namely a sentence combination test and a grammaticality judgment test, aiming to test the hypotheses about the acquisition of English relative clauses. The participants were 30 first-year College students randomly selected in a university of Shanxi province. The results showed that Chinese EFL learners do not follow the Orders of RC acquisition predicted by any of the three hypotheses, Parallel Function Hypothesis (PFH), Perceptual Difficulty Hypothesis (PDH), and Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy Hypothesis (NPAHH). They also showed that the participants performed better in the sentence combination test than in the grammaticality judgment test, and in both tests the easiest type of RC is O-DO, and the most difficult ones are O-OPREP and S-IO.
Processing Relative Clauses in Chinese: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Xiaoxia Sun , Hancock Roeland , Bever Thomas G. , Xiaoguang Cheng , Schmidt Lüder , Seifert Uwe
Published: April 2016

The Interpretation of Chinese relative clauses has become of significant interest in sentence processing research, since some studies found that Chinese comprehension patterns violate the well-known universal subject relatives preference proposed by NAPH theory and proved by cross-linguistic studies. The current study uses the neuropsychological measure of ERP. It supports such a language-specific phenomenon, with the results showing that both subject-and object-modifying subject relatives eliciting larger ERP components than object relatives. The results suggest that object relatives are easier to process than subject relatives at both modifying positions, challenging the claim of universal subject preference for all languages. In addition, this study casts doubts on CWO and working memory-based DLT models despite results being compatible with them, and concludes that none of the current models are comprehensive enough to account for the data. Finally, this study offers a piece of evidence for the garden path effect caused by the surface NVN word order in the Chinese relative clause. All in all, this study adds to the evidence that processing preference is not universal. It contributes to a comprehensive model of how complex structures are processed.
Studying the Effect of Different Drying Bed on Drying Characteristic of Mint Leaves
Authors: Motevali Ali , Chayjan Reza Amiri , Salari Kamran , Taghizadeh Ahmad
Published: April 2016

Mint leaves are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs. Drying of mint leaves guarantees a longer shelf time while preserving its quality for use in pharmaceutical and food industries. In this study, the drying behavior of Mint leaves in a fluidized bed dryer (FBD) under different drying conditions (fixed, semi-fluidized and fluidized) and 4 temperature levels (30, 40, 50 and 60 °C) was investigated. The experimental data was assessed using semi-theoretical and experimental models. Finally, Page’s model was selected as the best model based on its R2,χ2and RMSE values. Findings showed that the effective moisture diffusivity of Mint leaves ranged between 0.91 × 10–11and 10.41 × 10–11 m2/s. The activation energy was also between 60.82 and 65.59 kJ/mol. The results of statistical analyses also showed that drying time was significantly reduced with increasing air velocity (changing drying bed from fix bed to fluid bed).
Inspection Regulation between General Procedural Codification and Field Specifics – a Case Study of Slovenia
Authors: Kovač Polonca
Published: April 2016

Inspection, as the authoritative supervision of private liable persons to comply their activities with sector-specific laws, should ensure the full implementation of public policies. Slovenia adopted the Inspection Act (IA) in 2002, in order to conduct efficient inspection, and simultaneously guarantee the defence rights of the supervised parties pursuant to the fundamental principles of the EU, the national Constitution, and general Administrative Procedure Act. This article addresses the search for a balance between general codification and sector-related specifics as stipulated by the IA, applying normative, constitutional case law and comparative methods. Special attention is dedicated to the IA rules regarding participants, their legal protection and stages of respective proceedings. It has been concluded that the most of the IA specifics are justified in order to efficiently serve the public interest. This study reveals that the Slovene IA can represent a role model for efficient yet democratic supervision in other MS as well.
European Constitutionalism as the Metatheory of the Construction of Legal and Political Reality and the Challenges for its Development*
Authors: Bieliauskaitė Jolanta , Šlapkauskas Vytautas
Published: April 2016

The latter European crisis reveals the fact that traditional agreements between governments of the Member States and supranational political and legal institutions of the European Union are not sufficient for the maintenance of European Union stability and integrity. Therefore, the political and legal sustainability of the European Union requires a certain metatheory as a methodology, which could essentially contribute to the coherent construction, interpretation and assessment of theoretical and practical issues of the European Union’s legal and political reality. This paper aims to explore two main questions: What is constitutionalism as a legal-political metatheory? What challenges are faced by this theory while addressing the specific EU legal-political reality construction problems?

The results of the research reveal that constitutionalism as a metatheory is constituted by principles and values, which provide ideological support for the development of the nation, and performs a methodological function in the construction of legal and political reality. However, the EU’s political elite still seeks to legitimize constitutionalism as a political action theory, which, accordingly, legitimizes the respective legal policies it pursues. This process dangerously increases the gap between the EU’s political elite and the societies of its Member States.
Sorption dynamics of Direct Orange 26 dye onto a corncob plant sorbent
Authors: Tomczak Elwira , Blus Martyna
Published: April 2016

The azo dye and plant-derived sorbent system was investigated in this paper. Direct Orange 26 azo dye was acquired from Boruta-Zachem Kolor Sp. z o.o. Chemically modified granulated corncobs obtained from Chipsi Mais Germany were used as the biosorbent. The changes in the dye and sorbent concentrations with time were measured and used for further calculations. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory fixed bed column. Breakthrough curves were plotted for different initial concentrations, volumetric flow rates and bed heights. Sorption dynamics was described by a model presented in the literature. It was demonstrated that Infrared analysis of the system allows to determine the nature of the dye-sorbent bond. It was found that corncobs can be used as a promising sorbent material.
Approaching Multifunctionality by a ‘Normative View’: Finnish Farmers’ Visions on Contemporary Agriculture
Authors: Rizzo Fulvio
Published: April 2016

Productivity alone is not the most important defining character of contemporary agriculture. On the grounds of the dominant models of market liberalization and multifunctionality, farmers have been urged to take new roles beyond food production. By deploying a ’normative’ view of multifunctionality, based on the acknowledgment of spatial heterogeneity, and on an actor-oriented explanation of agricultural change, this paper investigates Finnish farmers’ visions on the redefined and redifining role of contemporary agriculture. From a review and anaylsis of sixteen qualitative semi-structured interviews, it emerges that such visions — through their components of identity, opponent, and project — are constructed upon three factors which are linked to each other to a various extent: 1) farming contingent conditions (as location, climate, terrain); 2) externalities (including international policy environment, and market liberalization); 3) farmers’ personal views on profitability and risk. In a policy context dominated by uncertainty, decision-making has shifted mainly from the national to the international level, and the collected data supports the dominance of productivist actions and thoughts. On one hand, farmers still tend to prioritize the continuity of production, which contribute both to resistance identity, and to the identification of a variety of opponents. Yet on the other hand, farmers are, to an embryonic stage, upgrading themselves to meet the challenges faced by contemporary agriculture.
A class of hash functions based on the algebraic eraser™
Authors: Anshel Iris , Atkins Derek , Goldfeld Dorian , Gunnells Paul E.
Published: April 2016

This paper introduces a novel braid based cryptographic hash function candidate which is suitable for use in low resource environments. It is shown that the new hash function performed extremely well on a range of cryptographic test suites.
Furfural production from birch hemicelluloses by two-step processing: a potential technology for biorefineries
Authors: Rivas Sandra , Vila Carlos , Santos Valentín , Parajó Juan Carlos
Published: April 2016

Birch samples were subjected to non-isothermal autohydrolysis to obtain a solution of hemicellulosic saccharides and a solid phase mainly made up of cellulose and lignin. Based on kinetic modeling, operational conditions were identified which give rise to soluble saccharides and furfural derived from xylan in a yield of 80.5%. The soluble mixture was supplemented with 1% sulfuric acid and heated (directly or in the presence of methyl isobutyl ketone, MIBK) for furfural production. MIBK is used as an extraction agent to limit furfural consumption by side reactions. Operating in single phase at 170°C, up to 44.8% of the potential substrates were converted into furfural. In experiments performed in biphasic media, the effects of MIBK were assessed by empirical modeling and about 75% of the potential substrates were converted under selected conditions.
Mechanisms of mitophagy: putting the powerhouse into the doghouse
Authors: Riley Joel S. , Tait Stephen W.G.
Published: April 2016

Since entering our cells in an endosymbiotic event one billion years ago, mitochondria have shaped roles for themselves in metabolism, inflammation, calcium storage, migration, and cell death. Given this critical role in cellular homeostasis it is essential that they function correctly. Equally critical is the ability of a cell to remove damaged or superfluous mitochondria to avoid potential deleterious effects. In this review we will discuss the various mechanisms of mitochondrial clearance, with a particular focus on Parkin/PINK1-mediated mitophagy, discuss the impact of altered mitophagy in ageing and disease, and finally consider potential therapeutic benefits of targeting mitophagy.
Thermodynamic Model Formulations for Inhomogeneous Solids with Application to Non-isothermal Phase Field Modelling
Authors: Gladkov Svyatoslav , Kochmann Julian , Reese Stefanie , Hütter Markus , Svendsen Bob
Published: April 2016

The purpose of the current work is the comparison of thermodynamic model formulations for chemically and structurally inhomogeneous solids at finite deformation based on “standard” non-equilibrium thermodynamics [SNET: e. g. S. de Groot and P. Mazur, Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics, North Holland, 1962] and the general equation for non-equilibrium reversible–irreversible coupling (GENERIC) [H. C. Öttinger, Beyond Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Wiley Interscience, 2005]. In the process, non-isothermal generalizations of standard isothermal conservative [e. g. J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, Free energy of a non-uniform system. I. Interfacial energy. J. Chem. Phys. 28 (1958), 258–267] and non-conservative [e. g. S. M. Allen and J. W. Cahn, A macroscopic theory for antiphase boundary motion and its application to antiphase domain coarsening. Acta Metall. 27 (1979), 1085–1095; A. G. Khachaturyan, Theory of Structural Transformations in Solids, Wiley, New York, 1983] diffuse interface or “phase-field” models [e. g. P. C. Hohenberg and B. I. Halperin, Theory of dynamic critical phenomena, Rev. Modern Phys. 49 (1977), 435–479; N. Provatas and K. Elder, Phase Field Methods in Material Science and Engineering, Wiley-VCH, 2010.] for solids are obtained. The current treatment is consistent with, and includes, previous works [e. g. O. Penrose and P. C. Fife, Thermodynamically consistent models of phase-field type for the kinetics of phase transitions, Phys. D 43 (1990), 44–62; O. Penrose and P. C. Fife, On the relation between the standard phase-field model and a “thermodynamically consistent” phase-field model. Phys. D 69 (1993), 107–113] on non-isothermal systems as a special case. In the context of no-flux boundary conditions, the SNET- and GENERIC-based approaches are shown to be completely consistent with each other and result in equivalent temperature evolution relations.
Successful treatment of epilepsia partialis continua due to Rassmussen encephalitis with perampanel
Authors: Göde Katja , Grossmann Annette , Rösche Johannes
Published: April 2016

Background. Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a difficult to treat condition, which tends to be refractory to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We previously published two other treatment episodes of EPC due to stroke and vascular dementia with a possible effect of perampanel (PER).

Aim. With the publication of a third treatment episode of EPC terminated by the administration of PER we would like to suggest that PER may be an effective treatment option in this condition.

Material and Methods. We present a case where PER was the last AED introduced in the treatment of a patient with EPC and individual seizures due to Rasmussen encephalitis before his seizure frequency could be reduced significantly.

Results. A 44 years old male patient, who had been on a combination therapy of at least 4 AEDs since the age of 24, was admitted to our hospital presenting with an EPC. After the introduction of PER in the therapy EPC stopped and he remained seizure free for more than a year. Two of his other AEDs could be tapered of.

Conclusion. PER might be especially effective in EPC.
NLRP3 and CARD8 Polymorphisms Influence Higher Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Jenko Barbara , Praprotnik Sonja , Tomšić Matija , Dolžan Vita
Published: April 2016

Background: The activation of NLRP3-inflammasome may contribute to inflammatory processes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Functional polymorphisms in the genes coding for its components NLRP3 and CARD8 were associated with a proinflammatory phenotype. Our aim was to investigate the influence of these polymorphisms on RA susceptibility and disease activity at the time of diagnosis and after six months of treatment.

Methods: A group of 128 RA patients treated with methotrexate and 122 healthy controls were genotyped for NLRP3 rs35829419 (p. Q705K) and CARD8 rs2043211 (p. C10X) polymorphisms.

Results: RA susceptibility was not influenced by the investigated polymorphisms or their interaction. The investigated polymorphisms explained 8% of variability in DAS28 at the time of diagnosis. Carriers of NLRP3 rs35829419 or CARD8 rs2043211 polymorphisms had significantly higher DAS28 at the time of diagnosis (p=0.003; p=0.022; respectively). Polymorphic CARD8 rs2043211 TT genotype was also associated with higher DAS28 after six months of treatment (p=0.033).

Conclusions: Genetic variability of inflammasome components may contribute to higher disease activity at the time of diagnosis and after 6 months of methotrexate treatment in RA patients. Better understanding of the immunological mechanisms behind a more active course of RA may suggest novel treatment approaches in a subset of patients with a proinflammatory phenotype.
The role of licenses in public utility services provision – 19th century experiences
Authors: Adamczyk Elżbieta
Published: April 2016

The subject of this article is a part of a broader debate related to the participation of the private sector in the execution of public services. It concerns those services which are provided to recipients in the conditions of a natural monopoly, based on a license (so with the privilege of exclusivity) awarded to private companies for executing the state’s tasks. This paper aims at outlining the reasons behind the implementation of similar solutions and the problems related to entrusting the private party with satisfying public needs – problems which revealed a conflict of interest between the parties of the licensing contract.
The female privilege. On celebrating International Women’s Day in state enterprises in the Polish People’s Republic
Authors: Kosztowna Natalia
Published: April 2016

The article discusses the subject of celebrating International Women’s Day in the Polish People’s Republic (1952-1989). The author aims at showing the importance of this day in the public space – specifically in state enterprises. The article mainly attempts to assess whether those celebrations were inspired by the communist authorities and used to achieve some short- and long-term social goals, or if they allowed to establish or re-establish some kind of trust for the party in power. Empirical data are used to illustrate the phenomenon.

The author points out that in the period of the Polish People’s Republic, there existed a certain privilege of being a women. This was evidenced by the prestige that the authorities of the time assigned to the celebration of Women’s Day and the fact that Men’s Day was not celebrated, or at least was much more marginal.
Painless Multidermatomal Herpes Zoster in an Immunocompetent Elderly Male: a Case Report
Authors: Ganjoo Shikhar , Sawhney Mohinder Pal Singh , Chawla Dikshak
Published: April 2016

The varicella-zoster virus is the cause of both varicella and herpes zoster. The primary infection of varicella includes viremia and a widespread eruption, after which the virus persists in nerve ganglion cells, usually sensory. Herpes zoster is the result of reactivation of this residual latent virus. The first manifestation of zoster is usually pain, which may be severe and accompanied by fever, headache, malaise and tenderness localized to one or more nerve roots. The lymph nodes draining the affected area are enlarged and tender. Occasionally, the pain is not followed by eruption (zoster sine herpete).

We hereby report an 85-year-old otherwise healthy male patient with a 3-day history of a non-painful rash on the left side of abdomen, pubic and penile regions, left groin and the left leg. He denied any pain and/or abnormal sensations before the rash onset. On examination, there were closely grouped multiple vesicles over the anterior left abdominal wall, left groin, thigh, knee and left upper quarter of penis, involving the left T12, L1-L4 and S2 dermatomes. The patient reported no pain, fever, rigor or any other symptoms; he had no associated cervical, axillary or inguinal lymphadenopathy. He denied any abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, any weakness or sensory changes in the limbs. There was no history of penile numbness, urinary retention, and increased frequency of micturition or constipation. The varicella-zoster virus serology test performed by Calbiotech VZV IgG ELISA Kit (Calbiotech, Spring Valley, Canada) was strongly positive. The human immunodeficiency virus serology test, as well as herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 serology tests performed by ELISA were all negative. The Tzanck smear, stained with Giemsa, demonstrated multinucleated giant cells. The patient responded well to valacyclovir with complete clearance of lesions within one week.

An extensive PubMed search revealed only few reports of painless herpes zoster.

We present a rather peculiar case of painless herpes zoster in an elderly patient with no apparent systemic immunosuppression, with severe involvement affecting multiple adjacent and one remote dermatome. We hereby propose the term ”herpes zoster sine algesia” in cases where eruption is not followed by pain.
Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Paravina Mirjana , Ljubenović Milanka , Binić Ivana , Milosavljević Mirjana , Stanojević Milenko , Nikolić Ljiljana
Published: April 2016

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an idiopathic inflammatory hyperproliferative chronic dermatosis characterized by: perifollicular coalescing papules with central keratotic acuminate plugs gradually submerged in sheets of erythema; perifollicular erythema with islands of unaffected skin; palmoplantar keratoderma; diffuse desquamation which typically spreads from the head down to the feet. The cause of the condition is unknown, but possible etiological factors include: vitamin A deficiency, trauma, infections, autoimmune mechanisms, and malignancies. Taking into account different age of onset, clinical course, morphology and prognosis, there are six different types of the disease: two in adults (classical and atypical); three in children (classical, circumscribed and atypical); one in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

This paper presents two male patients with clinical symptoms of classical PRP, 53 and 69 years of age at the onset of the disease, with rapid generalized involvement, typical erythematous perifollicular papules, islands of unaffected skin, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis with a waxy appearance and nail changes. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings and histopathologic analysis. Apart from topical therapy with emollients, corticosteroids and keratolytics, they received systemic retinoids and corticosteroids, which resulted in improvement of skin lesions.

It is extremely important to consider the possible triggering factors, establish the diagnosis as soon as possible and begin proper treatment.
Creation of Tenancy in Public Housing
Authors: Swannie Bill
Published: April 2016

People living in public housing who are not named on the tenancy agreement can be summarily evicted when the tenancy agreement comes to an end, for example by the death of the tenant. The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) allows such people to apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for an order that they be made a tenant at the premises. However VCAT has consistently refused such applications, giving much weight to the ‘orderly administration’ of the public housing waiting list, rather than the human rights of the person being evicted from their home. The enactment of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), which includes the right to home and the right to protection of the family unit, has forced VCAT to consider the human rights involved in applications for creation of a tenancy agreement.
Criminal Law Implications for Doctors Who Perform Sacrificial Separation Surgery on Conjoined Twins in England and Australia
Authors: Davis Colleen
Published: April 2016

There are two reported cases in which courts have been asked to declare lawful surgery to separate conjoined twins where it is known that one twin will die during the procedure. Although judges granted the declaration sought, the two written decisions one from the common law jurisdiction of England and Wales, the other from a code jurisdiction in Queensland, Australia are problematic. This paper argues that neither of these cases provides a principled or certain basis for exculpating doctors in a future conjoined twin case, particularly if this case does not involve infant conjoined twins, one of whom is dying or is severely disabled.
Commercial Arbitration
Authors: Denton David , Heaton Michael
Published: April 2016

The Commercial Arbitration Act 2011 has expanded the potential for arbitration to grow as a more popular method of dispute resolution and as a realistically feasible alternative to litigation. National reform has created greater procedural certainty and predictability and has solidified the overarching benefits of arbitration. This has been achieved through various avenues, such as incorporating efficiency, both in cost and time, into the legislation. Further, the purpose in the Act has been given a meaningful status in the interpretation of the subsequent provisions. The case law demonstrates the broad way in which arbitration agreements and the subject matter to which they are applied are interpreted where appropriate, without undermining party autonomy where a narrower approach is to be preferred and is indeed required. The authors explore the Act, its effects and operation as well as highlighting trends and unique examples in case law as to how arbitration has progressed in Victoria, as well as in other states within Australia.
A Conversation with His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes AO
Authors: Shiavone Chanelle , Chand Deepa , Carbone Joseph , Ainsworth Levi , Campbell Simon , Jones Brett
Published: April 2016

Interview with the Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria conducted on 19 August 2014 at the College of Law & Justice, Victoria University in Melbourne.
Magistrate, Peacekeeper, Politician, Administrator
Authors: Roxon Nicola , Durham Helen , Francis Clare , Popovic Jelena
Published: April 2016

As part of Law Week 2014, Victoria University hosted a panel discussion on the role of women in the field of law and legal studies. This article is an edited transcript of the session held on 14 May 2014.
Renin–angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and endometrial cancer
Authors: Pringle Kirsty G , Delforce Sarah J , Wang Yu , Ashton Katie A , Proietto Anthony , Otton Geoffrey , Blackwell C Caroline , Scott Rodney J , Lumbers Eugenie R
Published: April 2016

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynaecological malignancy and its incidence is increasing. Dysregulation of the endometrial renin–angiotensin system (RAS) could predispose to EC; therefore, we studied the prevalence of RAS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Australian women with EC. SNPs assessed were AGT M235T (rs699); AGTR1 A1166C (rs5186); ACE A240T and T93C (rs4291, rs4292) and ATP6AP2 (rs2968915). They were identified using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. The C allele of the AGTR1 SNP (rs5186) was more prevalent in women with EC (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.2–2.3), P=0.002). The CC genotype of this SNP is associated with upregulation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1). The G allele of AGT rs699, which is associated with higher angiotensinogen (AGT) levels, was less prevalent in women with EC (OR 0.54, 95% CI (0.39–0.74), P<0.001) compared with controls. AGT and AGT formed by removal of angiotensin I (des(Ang I)AGT) are both anti-angiogenic. In women with EC who had had hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the prevalence of the AGTR1 SNP (rs5186) and the ACE SNPs (rs4291 and rs4292) was greater than in women who had no record of HRT; SNP rs4291 is associated with increased plasma ACE activity. These data suggest there is an interaction between genotype, oestrogen replacement therapy and EC. In conclusion, the prevalence of two SNPs that enhance RAS activity was different in women with EC compared with healthy controls. These genetic factors may interact with obesity and hyperoestrogenism, predisposing ageing, obese women to EC.
An unusual phenotype of MEN1 syndrome with a SI-NEN associated with a deletion of the MEN1 gene
Authors: Manoharan Jerena , Lopez Caroline L , Hackmann Karl , Albers Max B , Pehl Anika , Kann Peter H , Slater Emily P , Schröck Evelin , Bartsch Detlef K
Published: April 2016

We report about a young female who developed an unusual and an aggressive phenotype of the MEN1 syndrome characterized by the development of a pHPT, malignant non-functioning pancreatic and duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasias, a pituitary adenoma, a non-functioning adrenal adenoma and also a malignant jejunal NET at the age of 37 years. Initial Sanger sequencing could not detect a germline mutation of the MEN1 gene, but next generation sequencing and MPLA revealed a deletion of the MEN1 gene ranging between 7.6 and 25.9 kb. Small intestine neuroendocrine neoplasias (SI-NENs) are currently not considered to be a part of the phenotype of the MEN1-syndrome. In our patient the SI-NENs were detected during follow-up imaging on Ga68-Dotatoc PET/CT and could be completely resected. Although SI-NENs are extremely rare, these tumors should also be considered in MEN1 patients. Whether an aggressive phenotype or the occurrence of SI-NENs in MEN1 are more likely associated with large deletions of the gene warrants further investigation.

Learning points

Our patient presents an extraordinary course of disease.

Although SI-NENs are extremely rare, these tumors should also be considered in MEN1 patients, besides the typical MEN1 associated tumors.

This case reports indicate that in some cases conventional mutation analysis of MEN1 patients should be supplemented by the search for larger gene deletions with modern techniques, if no germline mutation could be identified by Sanger sequencing.
Five stages of progressive β-cell dysfunction in the laboratory Nile rat model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yang Kaiyuan , Gotzmann Jonathan , Kuny Sharee , Huang Hui , Sauvé Yves , Chan Catherine B
Published: April 2016

We compared the evolution of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), a diurnal rodent model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes (T2D), when maintained on regular laboratory chow versus a high-fiber diet. Chow-fed Nile rats already displayed symptoms characteristic of insulin resistance at 2 months (increased fat/lean mass ratio and hyperinsulinemia). Hyperglycemia was first detected at 6 months, with increased incidence at 12 months. By this age, pancreatic islet structure was disrupted (increased α-cell area), insulin secretion was impaired (reduced insulin secretion and content) in isolated islets, insulin processing was compromised (accumulation of proinsulin and C-peptide inside islets), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein ERp44 was upregulated in insulin-producing β-cells. By contrast, high-fiber-fed Nile rats had normoglycemia with compensatory increase in β-cell mass resulting in maintained pancreatic function. Fasting glucose levels were predicted by the α/β-cell ratios. Our results show that Nile rats fed chow recapitulate the five stages of progression of T2D as occurs in human disease, including insulin-resistant hyperglycemia and pancreatic islet β-cell dysfunction associated with ER stress. Modification of diet alone permits long-term β-cell compensation and prevents T2D.
Diurnal regulation of hypothalamic kisspeptin is disrupted during mouse pregnancy
Authors: Yap Cassandra C , Wharfe Michaela D , Mark Peter J , Waddell Brendan J , Smith Jeremy T
Published: April 2016

Kisspeptin, the neuropeptide product of the Kiss1 gene, is critical in driving the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus mediate differential effects, with the Arc regulating negative feedback of sex steroids and the AVPV regulating positive feedback, vital for the preovulatory surge and gated under circadian control. We aimed to characterize hypothalamic Kiss1 and Kiss1r mRNA expression in nonpregnant and pregnant mice, and investigate potential circadian regulation. Anterior and posterior hypothalami were collected from C57BL/6J mice at diestrus, proestrus, and days 6, 10, 14, and 18 of pregnancy, at six time points across 24h, for real-time PCR analysis of gene expression. Analysis confirmed that Kiss1 mRNA expression in the AVPV increased at ZT13 during proestrus, with a luteinizing hormone surge observed thereafter. No diurnal regulation was seen at diestrus or at any stage of pregnancy. Anterior hypothalamic Avp mRNA expression exhibited no diurnal variation, but Avpr1a peaked at 12:00h during proestrus, possibly reflecting the circadian input from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to AVPV Kiss1 neurons. Rfrp (Npvf) expression in the posterior hypothalamus did not demonstrate diurnal variation at any stage. Clock genes Bmal1 and Rev-erbα were strongly diurnal, but there was little change between diestrus/proestrus and pregnancy. Our data indicate the absence of the circadian input to Kiss1 in pregnancy, despite high gestational estradiol levels and normal clock gene expression, and may suggest a disruption of a kisspeptin-specific diurnal rhythm that operates in the nonpregnant state.
Resveratrol improves reproductive parameters of adult rats varicocelized in peripuberty
Authors: Mendes Talita Biude , Paccola Camila Cicconi , de Oliveira Neves Flávia Macedo , Simas Joana Noguères , da Costa Vaz André , Cabral Regina Elisabeth L , Vendramini Vanessa , Miraglia Sandra Maria
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective action of resveratrol against the reproductive damage caused by left-sided experimental varicocele. There was a reduction of testicular major axis in the varicocele group when compared with the other groups; the testicular volume was reduced in varicocele group in comparison to the sham–control and resveratrol groups. The frequency of morphologically abnormal sperm was higher in varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups than in sham–control and resveratrol groups. The frequency of sperm with 100% of mitochondrial activity and normal acrosome integrity were lower in varicocele group than in varicocele treated with resveratrol, sham–control and resveratrol groups. Sperm motility was also reduced in varicocele group than in other groups. The sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in varicocele group than in other groups. Testicular levels of malondialdehyde were higher in varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups. The varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups had a significantly higher frequency of TUNEL-positive cells than sham–control and resveratrol groups; however, immunolabeling of the testes from varicocele treated with resveratrol group showed a lower number of apoptotic germ cells in comparison with the left testis of rats of the varicocele group. Reproductive alterations produced by varicocele from peripuberty were reduced by resveratrol in adulthood. Resveratrol should be better investigated as an adjuvant in the treatment of varicocele. Daily administration of resveratrol to rats with varicocele from peripuberty improves sperm quality in the adulthood.
Spatial differences in gene expression in the bovine oviduct
Authors: Maillo Veronica , de Frutos Celia , O’Gaora Peadar , Forde Niamh , Burns Gregory W , Spencer Thomas E , Gutierrez-Adan Alfonso , Lonergan Patrick , Rizos Dimitrios
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to compare the transcriptome of the oviductal isthmus of pregnant heifers with that of cyclic heifers as well as to investigate spatial differences between the transcriptome of the isthmus and ampulla of the oviduct in pregnant heifers. After synchronizing crossbred beef heifers, those in standing oestrus (=Day 0) were randomly assigned to cyclic (non-bred,n=6) or pregnant (artificially inseminated,n=11) groups. They were slaughtered on Day 3 and both oviducts from each animal were isolated and cut in half to separate ampulla and isthmus. Each portion was flushed to confirm the presence of an oocyte/embryo and was then opened longitudinally and scraped to obtain epithelial cells which were snap-frozen. Oocytes and embryos were located in the isthmus of the oviduct ipsilateral to thecorpus luteum. Microarray analysis of oviductal cells revealed that proximity to thecorpus luteumdid not affect the transcriptome of the isthmus, irrespective of pregnancy status. However, 2287 genes were differentially expressed (P<0.01) between the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct ipsilateral to thecorpus luteumin pregnant animals. Gene ontology revealed that the main biological processes overrepresented in the isthmus were synthesis of nitrogen, lipids, nucleotides, steroids and cholesterol as well as vesicle-mediated transport, cell cycle, apoptosis, endocytosis and exocytosis, whereas cell motion, motility and migration, DNA repair, calcium ion homeostasis, carbohydrate biosynthesis, and regulation of cilium movement and beat frequency were overrepresented in the ampulla. In conclusion, large differences in gene expression were observed between the isthmus and ampulla of pregnant animals at Day 3 after oestrus.