bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bio-Crypto Protocol for Password Protection Using ECC
Authors: Nagaraj Srinivasan , Raju G.V.S.P. , Apparao G , Kishore B.
Published: August 2015

In  information  security the  following security parameters like, integrity , non repudiation and confidentiality , authentication   must be satisfied.  To avoid thievery of organization resources  it needs be secured in more efficient way  and there is always demand  for different levels of security attacks include virus , brute force and Eveadroper  in business that  organizations make use of voice biometrics an attractive low-cost. Voice biometrics is the  cheapest  among the  other biometrics and used all levels for management to buy readily available metric and it is the way of  identifying individuals remotely  with high level of accuracy . In this work, we have been designed a  new  password- authentication approach  that provides security  using voice biometrics for authentication and uses the device  itself into an authenticator which uses  voice itself as its passwords and we are primarily interested in keys that can be temporally reproduced on the same device from the same user’s voice. Public and private keys are generated  randomly from the user's voice  and stored in the voice file(.wav).This Method uses voice recognition , include the operation of  register( recording feature ) or voice prints  and  storing of one or more voice passwords into the  database. It uses ECDSA to perform the authentication process that matching the  voice sample  with the database. The recognition, entity makes the database  to decide that  the sample is matched to perform an operation or not. Our proposed approach  generates cryptographic keys from voice input itself and this algorithm developed an adhoc basis. It can effectively defend  attacks specially brute force attack in system networks.
Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Circular Tube with Rectangular Opened Rings
Authors: Altaie Arkan , R. Hasan Moayed , Lafta Rashid Farhan
Published: August 2015

Turbulent forced convection of coolant air flow (10 m/s velocity) in a steel tube of 50 cm long having outside diameter of 60 mm and inside diameter of 30 mm with constant outside surface temperature of 1000, 1200 and 1400 Ko is numerically analyzed. The renormalization group k-ε model is used to simulate turbulence in ANSYS - FLUENT 14.5. An opened ring of rectangular cross section (5x7 mm) is fitted in the tube and separated by 8cm pitch. Results of temperature and velocity distribution along the tube center line for the case of tube with internal ribs  were compared with that of plain tube  , these results show that the use of internal ribs enhance the heat transfer rate and found to possess the highest performance factors for turbulent flow.
Long-Term Outcome of Mustard/Senning Correction for Transposition of the Great Arteries in Sweden and Denmark
Authors: Vejlstrup Niels , Sørensen Keld , Mattsson Eva , Thilén Ulf , Kvidal Per , Johansson Bengt , Iversen Kasper , Søndergaard Lars , Dellborg Mikael , Eriksson Peter
Published: August 2015

Background—

The atrial switch operation, the Mustard or Senning operation, for the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) was introduced in the late 1950s and was the preferred surgery for TGA until the early 1990s. The Mustard and Senning operation involves extensive surgery in the atria and leaves the right ventricle as the systemic ventricle. The Mustard and Senning cohort is now well into adulthood and we begin to see the long-term outcome.

Methods and Results—

All the 6 surgical centers that performed Mustard and Senning operations in Sweden and Denmark identified all operated TGA patients. Information about death was obtained in late 2007 and early 2008 from the Danish and Swedish Centralised Civil Register by using the patients’ unique national Civil Registration Numbers. Four hundred sixty-eight patients undergoing the atrial switch operation were identified. Perioperative 30-day mortality was 20%, and 60% were alive after 30 years of follow-up. Perioperative mortality was significantly increased by the presence of a ventricular septal defect, left ventricular outflow obstruction, surgery early in the Mustard and Senning era. However, only pacemaker implantation is predictive of long-term outcome (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.46,
P
=0.04), once the TGA patient has survived the perioperative period. The risk of reoperation was correlated to the presence of associated defects and where the first Mustard/Senning operation was performed.

Conclusions—

The long-term survival of patients with Mustard and Senning correction for TGA appears to be primarily determined by factors in the right ventricle and tricuspid valve and not the timing of or the type of surgery in childhood. Cardiac function necessitating the implantation of a pacemaker is associated with an increase in mortality.
Risk Factors for Abnormal Developmental Trajectories in Young Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Mussatto Kathleen A. , Hoffmann Raymond , Hoffman George , Tweddell James S. , Bear Laurel , Cao Yumei , Tanem Jena , Brosig Cheryl
Published: August 2015

Background—

Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for developmental delay. This study sought to identify early risk factors for abnormal developmental trajectories in children with congenital heart disease.

Methods and Results—

Children with congenital heart disease at high risk for developmental delay, without known genetic abnormality, and with ≥3 assessments by the use of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, were studied. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of patient and clinical factors on cognitive, language, and motor score trajectories; classified as: average or improved if all scores were ≥85 (<1 standard deviation below the mean) or increased to ≥85 and never decreased; or abnormal if all scores were <85, fell to <85 and never improved, or fluctuated above and below 85. Data on 131 children with 527 Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition assessments were analyzed. Subject age was 5.5 to 37.4 months. Overall, 56% had cognitive, language, and motor development in the average range. Delays occurred in single domains in 23%. Multiple domains were delayed in 21%. More cardiac surgeries, longer hospital stay, poorer linear growth, and tube feeding were associated with worse outcomes in all domains (
P
<0.05). In the multivariable model, the need for tube feeding was a risk factor for having an abnormal developmental trajectory (odds ratio, 5.1–7.9). Minority race and lack of private insurance had significant relationships with individual domains.

Conclusions—

Longitudinal developmental surveillance identified early factors that can help quantify the risk of developmental delay over time. Strategies to improve modifiable factors and early therapeutic intervention can be targeted to children at highest risk.
Influence of Baseline Characteristics, Operative Conduct, and Postoperative Course on 30-Day Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Among Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Wrobel Krzysztof , Stevens Susanna R. , Jones Robert H. , Selzman Craig H. , Lamy Andre , Beaver Thomas M. , Djokovic Ljubomir T. , Wang Nan , Velazquez Eric J. , Sopko George , Kron Irving L. , DiMaio J. Michael , Michler Robert E. , Lee Kerry L. , Yii Michael , Leng Chua Yeow , Zembala Marian , Rouleau Jean L. , Daly Richard C. , Al-Khalidi Hussein R.
Published: August 2015

Background—

Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, ischemic heart failure, and coronary artery disease suitable for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at higher risk for surgical morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, those patients with the most severe coronary artery disease and ventricular dysfunction who derive the greatest clinical benefit from CABG are also at the greatest operative risk, which makes decision making regarding whether to proceed to surgery difficult in such patients. To better inform such decision making, we analyzed the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) CABG population for detailed information on perioperative risk and outcomes.

Methods and Results—

In both STICH trials (hypotheses), 2136 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤35% and coronary artery disease were allocated to medical therapy, CABG plus medical therapy, or CABG with surgical ventricular reconstruction. Relationships of baseline characteristics and operative conduct with morbidity and mortality at 30 days were evaluated. There were a total of 1460 patients randomized to and receiving surgery, and 346 (≈25%) of these high-risk patients developed a severe complication within 30 days. Worsening renal insufficiency, cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ventricular arrhythmias were the most frequent complications and those most commonly associated with death. Mortality at 30 days was 5.1% and was generally preceded by a serious complication (65 of 74 deaths). Left ventricular size, renal dysfunction, advanced age, and atrial fibrillation/flutter were significant preoperative predictors of mortality within 30 days. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was the only independent surgical variable predictive of 30-day mortality.

Conclusions—

CABG can be performed with relatively low 30-day mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Serious postoperative complications occurred in nearly 1 in 4 patients and were associated with mortality.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.
Microfluidic Single-Cell Analysis of Transplanted Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ong Sang-Ging , Huber Bruno C. , Hee Lee Won , Kodo Kazuki , Ebert Antje D. , Ma Yu , Nguyen Patricia K. , Diecke Sebastian , Chen Wen-Yi , Wu Joseph C.
Published: August 2015

Background—

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are attractive candidates for therapeutic use, with the potential to replace deficient cells and to improve functional recovery in injury or disease settings. Here, we test the hypothesis that human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) can secrete cytokines as a molecular basis to attenuate adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

Human iPSCs were generated from skin fibroblasts and differentiated in vitro with a small molecule–based protocol. Troponin
+
iPSC-CMs were confirmed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and electrophysiological measurements. Afterward, 2×10
6
iPSC-CMs derived from a cell line transduced with a vector expressing firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein were transplanted into adult NOD/SCID mice with acute left anterior descending artery ligation. Control animals received PBS injection. Bioluminescence imaging showed limited engraftment on transplantation into ischemic myocardium. However, magnetic resonance imaging of animals transplanted with iPSC-CMs showed significant functional improvement and attenuated cardiac remodeling compared with PBS-treated control animals. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism, microfluidic single-cell profiling of harvested iPSC-CMs, laser capture microdissection of host myocardium, and in vitro ischemia stimulation were used to demonstrate that the iPSC-CMs could release significant levels of proangiogenic and antiapoptotic factors in the ischemic microenvironment.

Conclusions—

Transplantation of human iPSC-CMs into an acute mouse myocardial infarction model can improve left ventricular function and attenuate cardiac remodeling. Because of limited engraftment, most of the effects are possibly explained by paracrine activity of these cells.
Speaking to Strangers: Sharon Hayes and the Publics of Politics
Authors: Maimon Vered
Published: August 2015

In Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) Screeds #13, 16, 20, and 29 (2003) Sharon Hayes recites the declarations made by Patty Hearst on four audiotapes that were delivered to underground radio stations in 1974. By changing Hearst’s statements from auditory announcements to textual transcripts to a visual performance in front of an audience, Hayes’s work explores not just the rhetorical and performative affects of political modes of address, but also the importance of transmission and circulation processes in the formation of publics.
Actors, Spectators, and “Vibrant” Objects: Kris Verdonck’s ACTOR #1
Authors: Grehan Helena
Published: August 2015

In contrast to much new media performance, Kris Verdonck’s ACTOR #1 does not attempt to accelerate time or to enhance the spectatorial experience by juxtaposing theatrical elements. Instead the work presents a three-phase meditation that strips back the tools and techniques of theatre to allow, or perhaps even compel, spectators to focus on a single element, to inhabit one state, or to consider a single idea at a time.
Cherry Theft under Apartheid: Playback Theatre in the South Hebron Hills of Occupied Palestine
Authors: Rivers Ben
Published: August 2015

Beginning in December 2011, The Freedom Theatre began using Playback Theatre in villages, refugee camps, and Bedouin communities throughout the West Bank of Occupied Palestine. In the South Hebron Hills, various ethical imperatives came to the fore—including the need to honor the integrity of the narrator’s subjective experience and avoid the replication of oppressive power dynamics—as the group simultaneously attended to the realities of staging stories.
Of the Eye and of the Hand: Performance in Early Modern Anatomy
Authors: Mandressi Rafael
Published: August 2015

In early modern Europe, anatomists elaborated theoretical discourses concerning the role of the senses in the acquisition of scientific knowledge. This “sensorial program” gave birth to spaces of public demonstration — anatomy theatres — specifically designed to orchestrate an audience’s attention toward the actions and gestures of anatomy’s scientists. These public performances of scientific knowledge in turn influenced the conception, construction, and uses of the theatrical stage.
Mapping the Boundaries of Otherness
Authors: Bonacci Giulia
Published: August 2015

This paper analyses the stranger-host relationship through examples of names, which are taken or asserted by Caribbean Rastafari, and attributed or given to them by Ethiopians. In the late 1950s a Caribbean Rastafari population settled on the outskirts of Shashemene, a southern Ethiopian town. I explain how these settlers, inspired by a popular tradition of Ethiopianism, identify themselves as “real Ethiopians”. I analyse as well the names they claim (Jamaican, Rastafari) and the names given to them by Ethiopians (sädätäñña färänjočč, tukkur americawi, balabbat and baria). These names illustrate the changing representations the Ethiopians have of the Caribbeans and the shifting position of the latter in Ethiopian society. The complexities of the diasporic subject “returned home” and those of the national setting are discussed, thus mapping the boundaries of otherness at work. Based on extensive research in Jamaica and Ethiopia, this paper draws on archival, written, and oral sources in English and Amharic.
Transforming into Global Universities
Authors: Han Shuangmiao , Zhong Zhou
Published: August 2015

Effective and efficient strategy is central to university internationalization. This study focused on 50 top research universities worldwide to compare their international endeavors through in-depth analysis of their publicly stated international strategies. The study conducted a typological analysis of those world-class research universities at macro, meso and micro levels. The findings point to a set of generic strategies across the universities, as well as various specific strategies at individual universities. We provide a conceptual framework to describe, explain and evaluate university international strategies.
The Rise of Teaching Focused Academics in Universities
Authors: Probert Belinda , Sachs Judyth
Published: August 2015

This paper describes developments in the rise and implementation of teaching focused positions in universities. We note that such development is not without challenge given the research priority of many universities, and we note that teaching focused academics need to be across developments in the disciplinary knowledge of their field and able to integrate these into their teaching practice. We argue that teaching scholars must be different but equal to those engaged in research and/or research and teaching, we note the Importance of Ernest Boyer and we highlight the role of scholarship in teaching focussed positions. We provide examples of universities that have implemented teaching focused positions and identify implications for Chinese universities.
Modes of University Governance
Authors: Shi Xiaoguang
Published: August 2015

Issues of university governance, at both international and national levels have become a popular discussion topic in the last few decades. The paper presents a general picture of modes of university governance in China’s public higher education institutions. The paper also focuses on discussing the China way of shifting the modes from conventional paradigm to emerging paradigm in terms of power structure, roles and duties, challenges and reality and future development.
Revision of the genus Ferkeria Roewer, 1947, with the description of a new species (Opiliones: Laniatores: Cosmetidae)
Authors: MONTEIRO YAGO FERRO , PINTO-DA-ROCHA RICARDO
Published: August 2015

A new diagnosis for the cosmetid genus Ferkeria Roewer, 1947 is proposed. The type species, F. vestita Roewer, 1947 is redescribed and a new species, Ferkeria flavicoxae sp. nov., is described from Zongo, La Paz, Bolivia. The new species differs from the only other species of the genus by: yellow-white colored coxa IV (orange-brown in F. vestita); armature of scutal areas I–III with rounded tubercles (spiniform in F. vestita) and conspicuous tarsal process (reduced in F. vestita).
An enigmatic Rhachotropis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Eusiridae) from New Zealand
Authors: LÖRZ ANNE-NINA
Published: August 2015

The eusirid genus Rhachotropis S.I. Smith, 1883 has a worldwide distribution and the largest bathymetric range known from any amphipod genus. A large, charismatic, colourful species was collected below 800 m at two sites 1000 km apart on the southern Kermadec Ridge and on the Chatham Rise in the south-western Pacific off eastern New Zealand. The new species, Rhachotropis oweni is described, increasing the total number of Rhachotropis to 61 species worldwide, including six species from New Zealand waters.
The Sea Level Response to External Forcings in Historical Simulations of CMIP5 Climate Models*
Authors: Slangen Aimée B. A. , Church John A. , Zhang Xuebin , Monselesan Didier P.
Published: August 2015

Changes in Earth’s climate are influenced by internal climate variability and external forcings, such as changes in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG), and aerosols. Although the response of surface temperature to external forcings has been studied extensively, this has not been done for sea level. Here, a range of climate model experiments for the twentieth century is used to study the response of global and regional sea level change to external climate forcings. Both the global mean thermosteric sea level and the regional dynamic sea level patterns show clear responses to anthropogenic forcings that are significantly different from internal climate variability and larger than the difference between models driven by the same external forcing. The regional sea level patterns are directly related to changes in surface winds in response to the external forcings. The spread between different realizations of the same model experiment is consistent with internal climate variability derived from preindustrial control simulations. The spread between the different models is larger than the internal variability, mainly in regions with large sea level responses. Although the sea level responses to GHG and anthropogenic aerosol forcing oppose each other in the global mean, there are differences on a regional scale, offering opportunities for distinguishing between these two forcings in observed sea level change.
Seasonal Soil Moisture Drought Prediction over Europe Using the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME)
Authors: Thober Stephan , Kumar Rohini , Sheffield Justin , Mai Juliane , Schäfer David , Samaniego Luis
Published: August 2015

Droughts diminish crop yields and can lead to severe socioeconomic damages and humanitarian crises (e.g., famine). Hydrologic predictions of soil moisture droughts several months in advance are needed to mitigate the impact of these extreme events. In this study, the performance of a seasonal hydrologic prediction system for soil moisture drought forecasting over Europe is investigated. The prediction system is based on meteorological forecasts of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) that are used to drive the mesoscale hydrologic model (mHM). The skill of the NMME-based forecasts is compared against those based on the ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) approach for the hindcast period of 1983–2009. The NMME-based forecasts exhibit an equitable threat score that is, on average, 69% higher than the ESP-based ones at 6-month lead time. Among the NMME-based forecasts, the full ensemble outperforms the single best-performing model CFSv2, as well as all subensembles. Subensembles, however, could be useful for operational forecasting because they are showing only minor performance losses (less than 1%), but at substantially reduced computational costs (up to 60%). Regardless of the employed forecasting approach, there is considerable variability in the forecasting skill ranging up to 40% in space and time. High skill is observed when forecasts are mainly determined by initial hydrologic conditions. In general, the NMME-based seasonal forecasting system is well suited for a seamless drought prediction system as it outperforms ESP-based forecasts consistently over the entire study domain at all lead times.
Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs), Military Effectiveness, and Conflict Severity in Weak States, 1990–2007
Authors: Petersohn Ulrich
Published: August 2015

For more than two decades, private military and security companies (PMSCs) have become increasingly involved in armed conflicts. A common view is that PMSCs are menaces who simply take economic advantage of—and thereby aggravate—already bad situations. Yet, empirical research has rarely investigated these claims or the impact of commercial actors’ selling force-related services. This article investigates how PMSCs impact the severity of armed conflict in weak states and advances the argument that PMSC services increase the client’s military effectiveness. In turn, increased military effectiveness translates into increased conflict severity, the extent of which depends on type of service provided by the PMSC, the level of competition on the market, and oversight.
Measuring what really matters
Authors: Wei Ruth Chung , Pecheone Raymond L. , Wilczak Katherine L.
Published: August 2015

Since the passage of No Child Left Behind, large-scale assessments have come to play a central role in federal and state education accountability systems. Teachers and parents have expressed a number of concerns about their state testing programs, such as too much time devoted to testing and the high-stakes use of testing for teacher evaluation. We don't dispute that federal and state testing and accountability policies have been problematic or that there are ethical issues with high-stakes uses of a single measure. But rather than doing away with state tests, we should improve them so they do measure what matters, and so that what matters gets taught in our public schools. In short, we need a better system of assessments.
Complicated politics to the Core
Authors: McGuinn Patrick
Published: August 2015

People dislike the Common Core for several different reasons, and so it is important to disaggregate the sources of opposition and to assess and then to dispel some of the myths that have built up around it. It also is important to understand the unusual political alliances that have emerged in opposition to Common Core implementation and how they may play out over the longer term. Further, social media has had an unanticipated role in the fray that has made it less likely for adversaries to actually talk to one another and resolve their differences over the Core.
The Editor’s Note
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: August 2015

The author assesses some of the data from the most recent PDK/Gallup poll and asks if policy makers are listening to the quiet messages that may be bubbling up from these important sectors of the American public? Or are they just listening to the loudest voices in the room today?
Highlighted & Underlined
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: August 2015

Figuring out how to tap the micro-expertise of individual educators and then aggregate their learning is the way to create greater wisdom in the field and solve big problems in education. Two researchers tackle the question of whether schools alone can close the achievement gap or whether we must fix poverty before we can improve education and come down on both sides. New federal data reveal less violence and less fear of violence among children in schools than in the past. Sesame Street was the first MOOC, and informed by rigorous standards for research and evaluation that continue to shape the show’s educational programming.
Under the Law
Authors: Underwood Julie
Published: August 2015

Public funding of private K-12 schooling through vouchers continues to be a contentious issue across the U.S., even though a solid majority of Americans continues to oppose them. The voucher plans run the risk of legal challenge for how they handle the rights of students with disabilities and whether they violate state constitutional provisions that require all students to have equitable public educational opportunities.
PDK Connection
Authors: Patterson Gregory A.
Published: August 2015

New CEO Joshua Starr joins PDK. PDK Book Club selection for November announced. PDK welcomes new board members.
Backtalk
Authors: Karpyn Allison
Published: August 2015

There is a direct connection between the level of education and public health. Policy makers from these two fields should collaborate to press for education improvements that would ultimately result in better public health.
Threat, Opportunity, and Network Interaction in Organizations
Authors: Srivastava Sameer B.
Published: August 2015

This article examines how uncertain situations of threat or opportunity influence people’s choices to interact with their colleagues in an organization. The threat/opportunity lens encompasses two conceptually distinct dimensions, gain/loss and control/limited control, which are hypothesized to produce different patterns of network interaction. Two experimental studies—one involving 158 leaders in a health-care organization and the other involving 129 employees in a range of smaller establishments—provided support for the proposed conceptualization. The studies found that (1) people chose to interact with more network contacts in situations of loss than in situations of gain, (2) those with an internal locus of control chose to interact with more network contacts in situations of limited control than in situations of control, whereas those with an external locus of control exhibited the opposite response, and (3) the tendency to interact with more network contacts in loss rather than gain was greater for low-ranking actors relative to high-ranking ones. These findings contribute to our understanding of the interplay between individual cognition and organizational social networks.
Citalopram for the Treatment of Agitation in Alzheimer Dementia
Authors: Peters Matthew E. , Vaidya Vijay , Drye Lea T. , Devanand Davangere P. , Mintzer Jacobo E. , Pollock Bruce G. , Porsteinsson Anton P. , Rosenberg Paul B. , Schneider Lon S. , Shade David M. , Weintraub Daniel , Yesavage Jerome , Lyketsos Constantine G. , Avramopoulos Dimitri
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To assess potential genetic influences on citalopram treatment efficacy for agitation in individuals with Alzheimer dementia (AD). Six functional genetic variants were studied in the following genes: serotonin receptor 2A ( HTR2A-T102C), serotonin receptor 2C ( HTR2C-Cys23Ser), serotonin transporter ( 5HTT-LPR), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF-Val66Met), apolipoprotein E (ε2, ε3, ε4 variants), and cytochrome P450 ( CYP2C19). Treatment response by genotype was measured by (1) the agitation domain of the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale, (2) the modified Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study—Clinical Global Impression of Change scale (mADCS-CGIC), (3) the agitation domain of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and (4) the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory.

Method:

We utilized data from the Citalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (CitAD) database. CitAD was a 9-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial showing significant improvement in agitation and caregiver distress in patients treated with citalopram. Proportional odds logistic regression and mixed effects models were used to examine the above-mentioned outcome measures.

Results:

Significant interactions were noted on the NPI agitation domain for HTR2A (likelihood ratio [LR] = 6.19, df = 2, P = .04) and the mADCS-CGIC for HTR2C (LR = 4.33, df = 2, P = .02) over 9 weeks.

Discussion:

Treatment outcomes in CitAD showed modest, although statistically significant, influence of genetic variation at HTR2A and HTR2C loci. Future studies should continue to examine the interaction of known genetic variants with antidepressant treatment in patients with AD having agitation.
Quality of Work Life and Organizational Performance
Authors: Nayak Tanaya , Sahoo Chandan Kumar
Published: August 2015

Background

The quality movement in health care has recognized better quality of work life (QWL) of employees as an important rubric for a health care organization’s performance. Health care employees are the front lines of the health care delivery system. However, studies on the QWL of private health care unit’s employees are limited.

Methodology

This research investigates the relationship between QWL, organizational performance (OP) and employee commitment (EC). A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to 300 health care employees. Out of which only 205 valid responses were received resulting in a response rate of 68 per cent from the survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.

Results

The findings show that EC acts as a partial and a significant mediator in the relationship between QWL and OP. Mediation analysis was also conducted for each dimension of QWL, EC and OP to reinforce the results.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Findings can be used by health care units’ managers and policy makers to design and implement appropriate initiatives to improve QWL. Better QWL is the key to attract and retain qualified and motivated employees and can possibly lead to enhanced quality of services in health care organizations.
Factors Affecting Timeliness of Immunization Coverage Among Children of Assam, India
Authors: Barman Manash Pratim , Nath Krishnajyoti , Hazarika Jiten
Published: August 2015

This article attempts to estimate timeliness of vaccination coverage and to model the pattern of timeliness of vaccination using techniques of survival analysis in order to trace the determinants of age-appropriate immunization status of children. Multistage cluster sampling has been used to collect information on immunization and other related variables using a pre-tested questionnaire from the universe of children of age between 12 and 36 months of two districts of Assam, India. At first, the Kaplan–Meier product limit estimator has been applied to estimate the age-appropriate immunization coverage. Though the immunization coverage as a whole is quite satisfactory in the study area, the Kaplan–Meier estimator shows poor age-appropriate immunization coverage which necessitates studying the impact of different demographic and socio-economic factors on this problem. In this context, the Cox proportional hazard model has been used which is found to be a good fit. The findings of this model show that education of mother, caste, religion and socio-economic status of the family have significant impact on the age-appropriate immunization coverage of children. Thus, it can be concluded that though the child immunization coverage in Assam has been inclining, there is still a lot of concern over the timeliness of vaccination coverage.
Utilization of Outpatient Care Services in Odisha
Authors: Rout Sarit Kumar
Published: August 2015

Background:

Comparative studies analysing the user’s perception about the services and reasons for selecting a public or private facility are crucial for improving service delivery. In India, there is considerable debate regarding public versus private sector. In this context, this study examines the factors determining utilization of either public or private health care institutions in Odisha.

Methods:

The study is based on primary data collected from the outpatients visiting public and private health care institutions in the two districts of Odisha. Information on socio economic status (SES) and patient’s perception on service delivery were collected through a questionnaire. Association between health care utilization either from a public or private facility and the predicator variables–SES and facilities related variables was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results:

A higher proportion of patients belonging to the low SES utilized public facility than the private facility. The scheduled tribes (STs) were five times more likely to visit public facility than the general caste (OR = 5.042, CI = 1.0538–24.130). Physical accessibility was main the reason to access a public facility. However, quality of care remained a major constraint in the public facility. Due to quality reasons, patients were 50 per cent less likely to utilize a public facility (OR = 0.506, CI = 0.289–0.886).

Conclusion:

This study concludes people from the low SES are more likely to visit a public health facility than private. However, due to quality reasons the likelihood of visiting a public health facility is reduced significantly. Further, people incur expenditure out of their pocket on drugs and diagnostic tests in the public health system. Therefore, only physical access may not ensure higher utilization unless quality is ensured to protect the interest of the poor in the public health care system.
Social interaction in type 2 diabetes computer-mediated environments: How inherent features of the channels influence peer-to-peer interaction
Authors: Lewinski Allison A , Fisher Edwin B
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Interventions via the internet provide support to individuals managing chronic illness. The purpose of this integrative review was to determine how the features of a computer-mediated environment influence social interactions among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and design

A combination of MeSH and keyword terms, based on the cognates of three broad groupings: social interaction, computer-mediated environments, and chronic illness, was used to search the PubMed, PsychInfo, Sociology Research Database, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Computer-mediated environments enhance an individual's ability to interact with peers while increasing the convenience of obtaining personalized support. A matrix, focused on social interaction among peers, identified themes across all articles, and five characteristics emerged: (1) the presence of synchronous and asynchronous communication, (2) the ability to connect with similar peers, (3) the presence or absence of a moderator, (4) personalization of feedback regarding individual progress and self-management, and (5) the ability of individuals to maintain choice during participation.

Conclusions

Individuals interact with peers to obtain relevant, situation-specific information and knowledge about managing their own care. Computer-mediated environments facilitate the ability of individuals to exchange this information despite temporal or geographical barriers that may be present, thus improving T2D self-management.
Tracing reinforcement through asymmetrical partner preference in the European common vole Microtus arvalis
Authors: Beysard Mathias , Krebs-Wheaton Rebecca , Heckel Gerald
Published: August 2015

Background

The mechanistic basis of speciation and in particular the contribution of behaviour to the completion of the speciation process is often contentious. Contact zones between related taxa provide a situation where selection against hybridization might reinforce separation by behavioural mechanisms, which could ultimately fully isolate the taxa. One of the most abundant European mammals, the common vole Microtus arvalis, forms multiple natural hybrid zones where rapidly diverging evolutionary lineages meet in secondary contact. Very narrow zones of hybridization spanning only a few kilometres and sex-specific gene flow patterns indicate reduced fitness of natural hybrids and incipient speciation between some of the evolutionary lineages. In this study, we examined the contribution of behavioural mechanisms to the speciation process in these rodents by fine-mapping allopatric and parapatric populations in the hybrid zone between the Western and Central lineages and experimental testing of the partner preferences of wild, pure-bred and hybrid female common voles.

Results

Genetic analysis based on microsatellite markers revealed the presence of multiple parapatric and largely non-admixed populations at distances of about 10 km at the edge of the area of natural hybridization between the Western and Central lineages. Wild females from Western parapatric populations and lab-born F1 hybrids preferred males from the Western lineage whereas wild females of Central parapatric origin showed no measurable preference. Furthermore, wild and lab-born females from allopatric populations of the Western or Central lineages showed no detectable preference for males from either lineage.

Conclusions

The detected partner preferences are consistent with asymmetrical reinforcement of pre-mating reproductive isolation mechanisms in the European common vole and with earlier results suggesting that hybridization is more detrimental to the Western lineage. As a consequence, these differences in behaviour might contribute to a further geographical stabilization of this moving hybrid zone. Such behavioural processes could also provide a mechanistic perspective for frequently-detected asymmetrical introgression patterns in the largely allopatrically diversifying Microtus genus and other rapidly speciating rodents.
On the existence of fixed points that belong to the zero set of a certain function
Authors: Karapinar Erdal , O’Regan Donal , Samet Bessem
Published: August 2015

Let $T: X\to X$
T
:
X
→
X
be a given operator and $F_{T}$

F
T

be the set of its fixed points. For a certain function $\varphi: X\to[0,\infty)$
φ
:
X
→
[
0
,
∞
)
, we say that $F_{T}$

F
T

is φ-admissible if $F_{T}$

F
T

is nonempty and $F_{T}\subseteq Z_{\varphi}$

F
T

⊆

Z
φ

, where $Z_{\varphi}$

Z
φ

is the zero set of φ. In this paper, we study the φ-admissibility of a new class of operators. As applications, we establish a new homotopy result and we obtain a partial metric version of the Boyd-Wong fixed point theorem.
Angiogenin-loaded fibrin/bone powder composite scaffold for vascularized bone regeneration
Authors: Kim Beom-Su , Kim Jin-Seong , Yang Sun-Sik , Kim Hyung-Woo , Lim Hun Jun , Lee Jun
Published: August 2015

Background

Angiogenin (ANG) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to fabricate an ANG-loaded scaffold and to evaluate its angiogenic and osteogenic effects. In this study, we fabricated an ANG-loaded scaffold using bovine bone powder and fibrin glue. We then evaluated the structural, morphological, and mechanical properties of the scaffold and the in vitro release profile of ANG. Cell proliferation, viability, and adhesion were evaluated using endothelial cells
in vitro
, and angiogenesis and new bone formation were evaluated using a rabbit calvarial defect model
in vivo
.

Results

Micro-computed tomography imaging showed that the bone powder was uniformly distributed in the scaffold, and scanning electron microscopy showed that the bone powder was bridged by polymerized fibrin. The porosity and compressive strength of the scaffolds were ~60 % and ~0.9 MPa, respectively, and were not significantly altered by ANG loading.
In vitro
, at 7 days, approximately 0.4 μg and 1.3 μg of the ANG were released from the FB/ANG 0.5 and FB/ANG 2.0, respectively and sustained slow release was observed until 25 days. The released ANG stimulated cell proliferation and adherence and was not cytotoxic. Furthermore,
in vivo
implantation resulted in enhanced angiogenesis, and new bone formation depended on the amount of loaded ANG.

Conclusions

These studies demonstrate that a fibrin and bone powder scaffold loaded with ANG might be useful to promote bone regeneration by enhanced angiogenesis.
An Empirical Model to Predict Topographic Effects in Strong Ground Motion Using California Small- to Medium-Magnitude Earthquake Database
Authors: Rai Manisha , Rodriguez-Marek Adrian , Yong Alan
Published: August 2015

We develop a model to predict the effects of topography on earthquake ground motions using a database of small- to medium-magnitude earthquakes from California. The proposed model relies on a parameter called relative elevation that quantifies topography using the elevation of a site relative to its surroundings. We also investigate an alternative parameterization of topography called smoothed curvature. We study the bias in the residuals from the Chiou et al. (2010) ground motion model with respect to these parameters and fit a model to remedy those biases. We then compare these models by assessing their goodness of fit to the data. The proposed model for topographic effects is intended as a correction to the Chiou et al. (2010) small- to medium-magnitude earthquake prediction model.
Moment Analysis of Affinity Kinetics in Inclusion Complex System between Thymol and Sulfated-β-cyclodextrin by Chromatographic Capillary Electrophoresis (CCE)
Authors: Miyabe Kanji , Shimazaki Youki
Published: August 2015

We developed a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method for the kinetic study of intermolecular interactions. Neither immobilization nor chemical modification, e.g., fluorescence labelling, of solute and ligand molecules is required. A concept of chromatographic capillary electrophoresis (CCE) was introduced as an experimental CE procedure. In the CCE mode, the migration of solute–ligand complex in a capillary is stopped. Only solute molecules migrate and are detected. New moment equations were developed, which were essential for determining association and dissociation rate constants from elution peak profiles measured under the CCE conditions. The combination of the CCE concept and the moment theory leads to the CE method, i.e., moment analysis by CCE (MACCE). However, because it was hard to really perform CE experiments under the CCE conditions, we also developed practical experimental and data analysis procedures for the MACCE measurement. The reaction rate constants were analytically determined by the MACCE method for the formation and dissociation of the inclusion complex between thymol and sulfated-β-cyclodextrin. It is unnecessary to fit elution curves numerically calculated to those experimentally measured for determining the rate constants. It was demonstrated that the MACCE method was effective for the kinetic study of intermolecular interactions.
Une histoire de la politique régionale européenne
Authors: Alliès Paul
Published: August 2015

Le régionalisme a toujours été dans l’Europe post-Westphalienne une question incertaine, administrée de manière contradictoire par les Etats-nations ou les Empires. Son traitement dans le cadre des institutions européennes de l’après-guerre a marqué un tournant essentiel. Alors qu’il n’avait fait l’objet d’aucune définition dans les Traités, la Communauté-Union Européenne a réussi à en faire une politique essentielle à sa propre construction. La situation a complètement changé après l’adoption par les Etats membres de la stratégie de Lisbonne en 2000. On tentera ici de proposer une lecture de ce cycle régionaliste, riche en pratiques et en résultats pour un avenir qui n’est pas tracé.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_1
AMARAL, Carlos E. Pacheco (coord.), Cristianismo e Europa, Coimbra, Almedina/CEIS20, 2015, 178 p. ISBN 978-972-40-5944-0
Authors: Mendes João Maria
Published: August 2015

http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_10
VALENTE, Isabel Maria Freitas, Calvet de Magalhães: Pensamento e Acção Bruxelas, Bern, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, New York, Oxford, Wien, Peter Lang, 2015, 216 p., ISBN 978-2-87574-265-0
Authors: Ribeiro Maria Manuela Tavares
Published: August 2015

http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_11
Festina lente. The first steps towards regional policy and the origins of a European model of territorial cohesion
Authors: Grazi Laura
Published: August 2015

This paper focuses on how the slow but steady development of the EU regional policy was shaped by the gradual emergence of a territorial perspective in its strategic design. In particular, it examines the origins of regional policy, shedding light on its first stage of formulation, from the Treaty of Paris to the adoption of the European Regional Development Fund (1951-1975). Notably it analyses some underlying factors influencing its elaboration: the idea and vision of transnational spatial planning promoted by the Council of Europe, the exchange of ideas within the European Commission expert groups on town and country planning and the territorial studies relating to the first EEC enlargement. This cultural milieu contributed to a common outlook on the equilibrium of the European regions, thus planting a seed that would ripen into the “territorial cohesion” model recently included in the Lisbon Treaty.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_2
O processo de implementação da política de coesão europeia em Portugal: o avanço do diálogo político-democrático e as nuances da governação multinível assimétrica
Authors: Castro Aline Contti
Published: August 2015

A Política de Coesão Econômica, Social e Territorial (PCEST) da UE responde por cerca de um terço do orçamento do bloco e foi desenhada no sentido de causar impactos socioeconômicos e políticos - aumento da participação democrática no âmbito comunitário. O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar a influência da política de coesão europeia no tocante à evolução da Governação Multinível em Portugal e em suas regiões. Mais especificamente, procura-se analisar a atuação e a inter-relação entre os diversos atores envolvidos no processo de implementação (UE-DG-Regio, Governo Central, autoridades subnacionais e sociedade civil), seu grau de participação e as diferenças entre as regiões continentais e autônomas portuguesas. São destacados avanços e dificuldades do processo de implementação – no contexto do que foi conceituado como um processo de governança multinível assimétrica.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_3
L’Union européenne et ses Outre-mer
Authors: Perrot Danielle
Published: August 2015

Parmi les entités ultramarines rattachées à des Etats membres et à l’Union européenne elle-même, certaines relèvent d’un statut d’intégration – les régions ultrapériphériques (RUP) –, d’autres d’un statut d’association – les pays et territoires d’outre-mer (PTOM). La contribution ci-dessous rend compte de cette opposition juridique, de même que des similitudes d’approche de la part d’Institutions de l’Union et des possibilités de changement de statut, facilitées depuis la révision opérée par le traité de Lisbonne.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_12_5