bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELATIONSHIP MODEL OF PERSONALITY, COMMUNICATION, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, AND LEARNING SATISFACTION
Authors: ARIANI Dorothea Wahyu
Published: December 2015

This study aims to examine the engagement as a mediating variable of the relationship between personality and communication with satisfaction. This study was conducted at business school in Indonesia with 307 students who are still active as a respondent. Survey research was conducted over four months by questionnaire that has been well-established that was taken and modified from previous studies. The results of this study indicate that student engagement mediates the relationship between personality and communication as independent variables and satisfaction as the dependent variable. Extroversion personality and communication significantly positive effect on student engagement in all three dimensions (vigor, dedication, and absorption). In addition, this study also showed that engagement and satisfaction are two different variables, but correlated, and there was no difference in terms of gender differences involvement.
SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Apsalone Madara , Šumilo Ērika
Published: December 2015

Socio-cultural factors – shared values, norms and attitudes are significant, but less acknowledged sources of international competitiveness. Previous studies have found socio-cultural factors positively affecting various aspects of international competitiveness – entrepreneurship, innovation, productivity and international cooperation. These factors are more sustainable and less affected by external environment changes in comparison with the traditional factors. Socio-cultural factors provide an opportunity to develop competitiveness strategies based on unique advantages. This research aims to explore the impact of socio-cultural factors on international competiveness in small, open economies. Analysing relationship between 400 socio-cultural indicators and competitiveness indicators such as productivity, economic development, business and government efficiency, innovation capacity and infrastructure in 37 countries, six socio-cultural factors have emerged: Collectivism and Hierarchy; Future, Cooperation and Performance Orientation, Self-expression, Monochronism and Rationality, Economic Orientation and Social structure. The first factor – Collectivism and Hierarchy – tends to reduce the international competitiveness; the other five affect it positively.
Adipokines Vaspin and Visfatin in Obese Children
Authors: Salama Hassan M. , Galal Ashraf , Motawie Ayat A. , Kamel Ashraf F. , Ibrahim Doaa M. , Aly Azza A. , Hassan Emman A.
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND: Adipokines provides new insights about the physiology, pathology and treatment of obesity.AIM: We investigated the association between serum vaspin and serum visfatin concentrations with obesity in Egyptian children.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty two obese children with body mass index (BMI) above 95th percentile; 11 males and 11 females were included in this study. Their mean age was 9.18 Â± 2.8 years. After general clinical examination, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in cases and controls (n=11). Fasting insulin, vaspin and visfatin were detected using ELIZA. Insulin resistance was estimated by Homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA-IR).RESULTS: Blood pressure, in both systolic and diastolic measurements was elevated significantly in obese children. Significant elevation of serum insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA/IR) were observed in obese children too. Vaspin and visfatin showed significant elevation in obese children than controls. Significant positive correlations were detected between visfatin and BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and HOMA/IR. We found that Vaspin and visfatin are higher in obese children.CONCLUSION: Visfatin but not vaspin correlates positively with waist circumference and HOMA/IR in obese children.
Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients with Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules who underwent Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Majstorov Venjamin
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND: Patients with thyroid nodules represent common problem in daily routine of thyroidologists as well as other medical specialties. Fortunately only small number of thyroid nodules turns out to be malignant. Ultrasound is most frequently used imaging modality in the evaluation of thyroid nodules and certain ultrasonographic features are associated with greater risk for malignancy.AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of various ultrasonographic findings regarding thyroid malignancy.METHODS: Between September 2012 and August 2013 a total of 592 patients with 694 nodules were included in the present study. They were evaluated for thyroid nodules as a part of routine work up at outpatientâ€™s unit of Institute of Pathophysiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, UKIM Skopje. In all patients thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were performed. Surgically were removed 84 nodules and ultrasonography and cytology data were compared to histology results.RESULTS: From all examined ultrasonographic features, significant association with malignancy has been found for hypoechogenecity, marked central vascularisation, ultrasound suspicious nodules (including at least two suspicious features) and marginal for presence of microcalcifications. Highest sensitivity was obtained for hypoechogenecity, and highest specificity for microcalcifications and marked central vascularisation.CONCLUSION: Awareness of the suspicious ultrasound features is mandatory in order to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the vast number of patients with thyroid nodules.
Glutathione Transferase as a Potential Marker for Gut Epithelial Injury versus the Protective Role of Breast Milk sIgA in Infants with Rota Virus Gastroenteritis
Authors: Sherif Lobna S. , Abdel Raouf Randaa K. , El Sayede Rokaya M. , El Wakkadd Amany S. , Shoaib Ashraf R. , Ali Hanan M. , El Refay Amira S.
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND: Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) plays an important protective role in the recognition and clearance of enteric pathogens.AIM: This study was designed to assess if mucosal integrity â€œmeasured by secretory IgA (SIgA)â€ is a protective factor from more epithelial alteration â€œmeasured by glutathione transferaseâ€ in infants with Rota gastroenteritis and its relation to infantsêžŒ feeding pattern.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 79 infants aged 6 months and less from those diagnosed as having gastroenteritis and admitted to Gastroenteritis Department in Abo El Rish Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University. Plasma glutathione s-transferases and Stool SIgA were measured using ELISA technique. Rota virus detection was done by Reverse transcriptase PCR.RESULTS: SIgA was found to be significantly positive in exclusive breast fed infants, Glutathione transferase was significantly more frequently positive in Rota positive cases than Rota negative cases by Reverse transcriptase PCR. A significant negative correlation between Glutathione transferase and Secretory IgA was found, (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Breast feeding should be encouraged and highly recommended in the first two years of life as it provides Secretory IgA to breast fed infants who in turn protect them against epithelial damage caused by Rota viral gastroenteritis.
Développer la capacité d’empathie des enfants porteurs de troubles du spectre autistique avec le Jeu des trois figures
Authors: Tisseron Serge , Clément Marie-Noëlle , Joncour Annick
Published: December 2015

Le Jeu des trois figures a été créé en 2005 par le docteur Serge Tisseron pour être pratiqué par les enseignants de l’Éducation nationale dans le but de cultiver la capacité d’empathie chez les enfants. Son efficacité a été évaluée en 2007-2008 par une recherche-action, et il est recommandé par l’Académie des sciences et la Direction générale de l’enseignement scolaire ( dgesco ). Dans la mesure où la question de l’empathie occupe une place centrale chez les enfants atteints de troubles du spectre autistique, il nous a paru intéressant d’étudier son application à cette population spécifique, tout d’abord en milieu scolaire dans des classes spécialisées, puis dans un hôpital de jour pour enfants. Les résultats qualitatifs montrent que cette activité a des effets très positifs. Ces résultats encouragent le développement de cette pratique et son évaluation quantitative.
Que veut dire européen ?
Authors: Baechler Jean
Published: December 2015

L’Europe est éventuellement une civilisation, c’est-à-dire un mode particulier d’humanisation, au même titre que les civilisations asiatiques, indienne et chinoise. Les particularités européennes sont dominées par le fait que la civilisation n’a jamais été intégrée à un empire. Cette circonstance fortuite s’exprime, dans tous les domaines, par une propension marquée à la diversité, à l’innovation, à la recherche de l’originalité et à l’ouverture sur le monde extérieur. La réalisation historique la plus marquante a été l’émergence de la modernité.
La COP21 : une chance à saisir pour l’Afrique
Authors: Diop Makhtar
Published: December 2015

Pour l’Afrique, plus que tout autre continent, l’enjeu de la COP21 est fondamental. La raison est simple : si l’Afrique est la région qui contribue le moins aux émissions totales de gaz à effet de serre dans le monde, les pays africains subissent de plein fouet les effets dévastateurs de conditions climatiques de plus en plus extrêmes. Pour relever ce défi, l’Afrique doit accélérer sa transition vers la croissance verte. Mais le développement des énergies renouvelables en Afrique ne pourra se faire sans le soutien financier de la communauté internationale. C’est tout l’objet de l’Africa Climate Business Plan de la Banque Mondiale qui sera lancé à l’occasion de COP21. Énergies renouvelables, agro-écologie, finance climatique... Makhtar Diop, Vice-Président de la Banque pour l’Afrique nous présente les contours de ce plan ambitieux.
Le réchauffement climatique et la sécurité militaire
Authors: Paillard Christophe-Alexandre
Published: December 2015

La XXI e Conférence des parties de la Convention-cadre des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques, ou COP21, a pour objectif de parvenir à un nouvel accord international sur le climat, applicable à tous les pays, pour maintenir le réchauffement mondial en deçà de 2 degrés Celsius à l’horizon 2100. Ce sommet est l’occasion de s’interroger sur les liens entre réchauffement climatique et sécurité militaire. En effet, l’incidence croissante des atteintes à l’environnement finit par bouleverser les grands équilibres stratégiques. Définir précisément la valeur stratégique et militaire réelle de la sécurité liée aux questions environnementales reste cependant un exercice ardu aujourd’hui. Toutefois, si ces risques liés au changement climatique sont susceptibles de porter atteinte à notre sécurité nationale, les questions environnementales deviendront par construction un enjeu essentiel des affaires militaires et sécuritaires dans un avenir proche.
L’évaluation des politiques publiques en Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Gambotti Christian
Published: December 2015

Après plus d’une décennie d’errance, liée aux crises successives, la Côte d’Ivoire a, depuis avril 2011, choisi d’adosser son cheminement sur une véritable culture de l’évaluation des politiques publiques. Historiquement, l’État ivoirien s’est doté très tôt d’institutions susceptibles de mesurer l’impact réel des politiques conduites, mais ces institutions n’ont jamais pu remplir véritablement leur rôle, dès l’instant qu’il n’existait pas de véritable volonté politique pour appliquer les principes de « bonne gouvernance ». Or, selon le Président Alassane Ouattara, il existe un lien entre la « bonne gouvernance » et l’épanouissement même de la démocratie. Après dix années d’improvisations politiques et économiques, qui ont eu des conséquences désastreuses pour le pays et la population, le contexte est historique pour la Côte d’Ivoire et il appartient aux nouveaux dirigeants d’installer définitivement leur légitimité en faisant du mouvement que provoque l’articulation entre la « bonne gouvernance » et la démocratisation, le vecteur du développement.
Le projet de partenariat transatlantique et ses tensions agricoles
Authors: Pouch Thierry
Published: December 2015

L’engagement des États-Unis et de l’UE dans des négociations commerciales a pour but d’aboutir à un partenariat économique, afin de contenir les ambitions de la Chine de s’imposer comme un acteur décisif de l’économie mondiale. Cette négociation a rapidement mis au jour les rivalités et tensions commerciales entre les deux protagonistes sur la question agricole et alimentaire. De ce fait, la durée de la négociation risque d’être longue.
Analysis of internal shading degree to a prototype of dynamics photovoltaic greenhouse through simulation software
Authors: Marucci Alvaro , Monarca Danilo , Cecchini Massimo , Colantoni Andrea , Cappuccini Andrea
Published: December 2015

In recent years the use of photovoltaic panels as cover materials for greenhouses developed a great interest due to the state’s incentives obtainable by such applications. Shading caused by these elements inside the structure appears to be often too much for the normal development of agricultural activity. In this study it was analyzed the behaviour of shading caused by the photovoltaic panels inside a prototype of dynamic photovoltaic greenhouse whose particularity lies in the possibility of rotation of the panels along the longitudinal axis. The panels’ rotation allows varying shading degree in function of some parameters such as latitude and the different solar angles. In order to avoid any reflection losses due to imperfect inclination of the photovoltaic panels, 24 highly reflective aluminium mirrors were prepared with the objective of recovering the portion of solar radiation otherwise lost by reflection. For the study it was used the simulation software Autodesk® Ecotect® Analysis which allows to analyse the path of the shadows during the day and throughout the year for any latitude considered. For this study it was analyzed shading with the panels in a horizontal position. It was also analyzed the evolution of the percentage of shading simulating different latitudes. The results obtained show a great variation of the shading degree inside the structure during a single day and during the year. We can conclude that integrating this analysis with the energy balance it is possible to study the behaviour of photovoltaic greenhouses in order to integrate the energy production from renewable energy sources and agricultural production.
The Contributions of the Psychotherapy Process Q-set to Psychotherapy Research
Authors: Ablon J. Stuart , Levy Raymond A. , Smith-Hansen Lotte
Published: December 2015

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the year that the late Enrico Jones first published his manual for the Psychotherapy Process Q-set (PQS). The manual has since been published in Jones' landmark book, Therapeutic Action (2000), and was recently revised and updated by the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychotherapy Research Program. In this article, we mark the 25th anniversary of the PQS by reviewing both the early findings from the measure and more current research driven by those first findings.
The Evolution of Communicative Intentions During Change Episodes and Throughout the Therapeutic Process
Authors: Dagnino Paula , Krause Mariane , PÃ©rez Carola , Valdès Nelson , Tomicic Alemka
Published: December 2015

The present study examines the heterogeneity of the therapeutic process through the analysis of the conversation between therapists and clients in psychotherapy. The Communicative Intentions dimension of the Therapeutic Activity Coding Sys-tem (TACS) was applied to 69 change episodes taken from 100 sessions that belong to five brief psychotherapies. Depending on what the participants are trying to achieve with their communication, the TACS distinguishes three types of Communicative Intentions: Exploring, Attuning, and Resignifying. Client and therapist verbalizations corresponding to these categories were analysed searching for differences between (a) both speakers, (b) initial, middle and final change episode stages, and (c) initial, middle and final phases of the whole therapeutic process. Results indicate that, in general, therapists resignify and attune more frequently, while clients explore more often. The analysis of Communicative Intentions within change episodes and during the whole therapeutic process reveals that there is an evolution in both: Even small therapy segments, as change episodes are, show that the process is not homogeneous, since in initial stages, the use of Exploring is more frequent than the use of Resignifying, especially for clients, while during the end of the episode clients and therapists increase their use of Resignify-ing. The analysis of the whole process confirms that Resignifying surpasses the use of Exploring in the final phases of therapy.
Analysis of the Process in Brief Psychotherapy Group: The Role of Therapeutic Factors
Authors: Marogna Cristina , Caccamo Floriana
Published: December 2015

In all group therapeutic processes, there are interacting and interdependent mechanisms and changing conditions: the therapeutic factors (Corsini & Rosenberg, 1955; Yalom, 1995). These factors are intrinsic to the therapeutic process and unrelated to the type of group (Rorhbaugh & Bartels, 1975). The present study examines the factor structure of the questionnaire Factors Aspecific and Specific in the Group Therapy (FAT.A.S.-G.; Marogna, 2009), designed to investigate specific and non-specific therapeutic factors. The questionnaire was administered to 167 patients involved in a short-term psychotherapy group. The factor analysis identified two main dimensions: interdependence and the group as Object-Self. The Cronbach Alpha coefficients range from .88 to .93, showing high internal consistency between items.
Assessment of Autobiographical Memory Narratives in Psychotherapy with Borderline Personality Disorder: An exploratory study
Authors: Guruprasad Deepti , Bhola Poornima
Published: December 2015

Autobiographical memory narratives that emerge in therapeutic discourse can aid the understanding of the client?s narrative identity and the identification of cen-tral themes or conflicts. The study aimed to examine the structure and thematic content of autobiographical memory narratives of five clients with Borderline Personality Dis-order (BPD), during the early phase of individual psychotherapy. The Biopsychosocial Interview gathered narrative material about the clients? life experiences in childhood and adulthood and explored the history of psychological difficulties and/or disorders. The interview and the first five sessions of psychotherapy for each client were audio record-ed, transcribed and coded for analysis. The Coding System for Autobiographical Memory Narratives in Psychotherapy was used to identify autobiographical memory narratives from the clients? life experiences, rate the narrative complexity, specificity and integration, and derive narrative patterns or themes. Analysis indicated that the narra-tives had a moderate level of complexity, low levels of specificity, were predominantly autobiographical, poorly integrated and revealed dominant themes of contamination. Narrative themes of agency, communion and redemption were relatively lower among the clients. The implications for therapeutic practice, training of clinicians and future re-search are discussed.
Pre-Mississippian geology of northern Axel Heiberg and northwestern Ellesmere islands, Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Trettin H P
Published: December 2015

This bulletin records the results of a geological reconnaissance and related petrographic studies of parts of the lower Palaeozoic Franklinian eugeosyncline and its metamorphic basement. The Lower Cambrian or older metamorphic Cape Columbia Complex is exposed in
a fault-bounded uplift. Weakly metamorphosed, unfosiliferous elastic sediments, carbonates, chert, and volcanic are probably of Cambrian and Ordovician ages. The Lower Silurian to Middle Devonian section is nearly complete. It consists of more than 30,000 feet of predominantly elastic and minor
volcanic strata, assigned to nine units that represent non-marine, littoral, shelf, and submarine slope environments. The sediments (mainly lithic and volcanic arenites) and siltstones were produced partly by contemporaneous volcanism, but mainly by uplift and rapid erosion and redisposition. The
sedimentary record indicates that the Arctic Ocean region adjacent to Ellesmere Island was elevated in the Early Silurian. Within the area studied, orogenies occurred in late Proterozoic or Early Cambria n, Late Silurian to Earl y Devonian, and Middle Devonian to Mississippian times; intrusion of
quartz diorite took place 360±25 million years ago.
Study of pegmatite bodies and enclosing rocks, Yellowknife-Beaulieu region, District of Mackenzie
Authors: Kretz R
Published: December 2015

Pegmatite bodies are found in muscovite-biotite granite plutons, dated at 2550 my and in biotite-, cordierite-, and garnet-bearing schists that form broad aureoles about the plutons. Most of the pegmatite bodies consist of quartz, albite, potashfeldpar, and
muscovite, and some contain notable amounts of beryllium, lithium, and niobium- tantalum mineral s. Most of the pegmatite dykes found in the Sparrow Lake granite pluton and in its contact aureole are several centimetres or a few metres thick and dip steeply in different directions. Da ta on the
geometry of some of these dyke suggest that they are fracture-controlled dilation dykes. Tourmaline, beryl, and spodumene are found within the dykes at progressively greater distances from the granite pluton. The distribution of minerals within individual dykes is normally irregular and the
composition of minerals is variable. In one large dyke, bite crystals near the centre contain less sodium and more potassium than those near the margin, whereas crystals of muscovite near the centre contain more sodium and less potassium than those near the margin. The granite and schist adjacent to
some pegmatite dykes have been altered. In granite, muscovite, tourmaline, and apatite have crystallized a t the expense of potash feldspar and biotite, and in schist, tourmaline, quartz, and apatite have crystallized a t the expense of biotite and plagioclase. These mineral react ions were
accompanied by an addition to the country rocks of boron and phosphorus, and a removal of potassium. The pegmatite and the muscovite- biotite granite were evidently derived from a common source. The pegmatite-forming matter was relatively mobile and capable of transport for great distances through
the country rocks. At numerous structurally favourable sites, the pegmatite minerals proceeded to crystallize, ca us in g enlargement of the pegmatite bodies. The various chemical and physical processes that were involved are not clearly understood.
Faunas of the Pleistocene Champlain Sea
Authors: Wagner F J E
Published: December 2015

The Champlain Sea was a body of water of varying salinity that covered parts of the present Ottawa -St. Lawrence Lowland from about 11,500 years B.P. to between 8,000 and 9,000 years B.P. Fossil s are widespread throughout the a rea and have been the subject of
numerous studies since 1837. A comprehensive listing of previous records has been issued separately, and this report presents the results of more recent field work. Species examined by the writer are described and illustrated. The faunal assemblages indicate that the Champlain Sea was shallow, with
the salinity of the water ranging from almost fresh in the upper reaches of the Ottawa River and Lake Champlain areas of inundation, to more nearly marine in the Quebec City a rea. Water temperatures were boreal in the earlier stages of the sea and later became more temperate. An attempt to
establish precise temperatures by 0 18 isotope determinations was not successful.
Petrology and structure of Poplar Creek map-area, British Columbia
Authors: Read P B
Published: December 2015

Poplar Creek map-area lies on the eastern side of the Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia. Within the area a sequence of complexly deformed metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks compose the Lardeau Group of early to middle Paleozoic (?) age and
the Milford Group of Late Mississippian to Triassic age. Westward the foliated Kuskanax batholith, chiefly composed of aegerineaugite leucoquartz monzonite, intrudes the Milford Group, which borders the batholith, and massive satellitic stocks of similar composition intrude both groups. The rocks
show polyphase deformation. Coaxially superposed folds in the Lardeau Group trend northwesterly with low to moderate plunges, but in the Milford Group the plunge ranges from steep northwesterly, through horizontal, to steep southeasterly. Three coaxial generations of folding deform the Lardeau
Group, and polyphase deformation, locally not coaxial, affects the Milford Group. Second generation folding dominates, with the result that the higher structural levels lie on the western side of the area. Of three episodes of faulting the second predominates; it strikes northwesterly and cuts the
more westerly trending folds into ribbons. Two periods of regional metamorphism affect the Lardeau Group, and the structurally highest rocks are of highest metamorphic grade. The fabric from the first period of regional metamorphism, of the lowermost greenschist facies group, remains in rocks on the
eastern side of the area. In structurally higher rocks to the west, the second period of metamorphism has increased the grade of rocks of the Milford and Lardeau Groups to the lower amphibolite facies group and has developed a new fabric. In and around the map-area regional metamorphism is
characterized by the absence of kyanite and cordierite, the presence of andalusite and staurolite, and the coincidence of garnet and oligoclase (without albite) isograds. This mineralogy, characteristic of parts of many regionally metamorphosed terranes, developed during a distinctive type of
regional metamorphism termed Slocan metamorphism. The Kuskanax batholith, with moderately inward-dipping contacts, has been metamorphosed and deformed. Related sills and dykes are foliated, lineated, folded, and disrupted into strings of blocks. Massive satellitic stocks intrude second generation
folds and faults of the second episode. In the Lardeau Group, relict flakes of muscovite and grains of plagioclase in meta-grits and rare gneissic granitic pebbles are evidence of an early metamorphism and intrusion that predates deposition of the Broadview Formation.
Neuroendoscopic treatment of idiopathic occlusion of unilateral foramen of Monro presenting as chronic headache
Authors: Shukla Dhaval
Published: December 2015

Asymmetric ventriculomegly due to idiopathic occlusion of the foramen of Monro is rare. Such patients present with clinical features of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Presentation as chronic headache has not been previously described. In the absence of raised ICP, pursuing surgical treatment raises a clinical dilemma as the headache may be a primary headache with no improvement after surgery. A 21-year-old woman presented with chronic headache. She was found to have asymmetric ventriculomegaly due to the occlusion of the foramen of Monro. She underwent endoscopic septostomy and widening of the foramen of Monro. Her headache subsided after surgery. At 15 months of follow-up, she was free from headache without medications. Unilateral occlusion of the foramen of Monro can present with asymmetric ventriculomegaly resulting in chronic headache. Though the symptoms of raised ICP may not be present, still endoscopic relief of ventriculomegaly leads to cure of headache.
Stereotactic radiosurgery in hemangioblastoma: Experience over 14 years
Authors: Goyal Nishant , Agrawal Deepak , Singla Raghav , Kale Shashank Sharad , Singh Manmohan , Sharma Shankar Bhawani
Published: December 2015

Background: Although gamma knife has been advocated for hemangioblastomas, it is not used widely by neurosurgeons. Objective: We review our experience over 14 years in an attempt to define the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of hemangioblastomas. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients of hemangioblastoma who underwent SRS at our institute over a period of 14 years (1998–2011). Gamma knife plans, clinical history, and radiology were reviewed for all patients. Results: A total of 2767 patients underwent gamma knife during the study period. Of these, 10 (0.36%) patients were treated for 24 hemangioblastomas. Eight patients (80%) had von Hippel-Lindau disease while two had sporadic hemangioblastomas. The median peripheral dose (50% isodose) delivered to the tumors was 29.9 Gy. Clinical and radiological follow-up data were available for eight patients. Of these, two were re-operated for persisting cerebellar symptoms. The remaining six patients were recurrence-free at a mean follow-up of 48 months (range 19–108 months). One patient had an increase in cyst volume along with a decrease in the size of the mural nodule. Conclusions: SRS should be the first option for asymptomatic hemangioblastomas. Despite the obvious advantages, gamma knife is not widely used as an option for hemangioblastomas.
A Cohort Study on Long-Term Adverse Effects of Parental Drinking: Background and Study Design
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Bukten Anne , Storvoll Elisabet E. , Moan Inger Synnøve , Skurtveit Svetlana , Handal Marte , Nordfjærn Trond , Brunborg Geir Scott , Rossow Ingeborg
Published: December 2015

Although many studies have addressed adverse outcomes in children of parents with alcohol abuse/dependence, less is known about the possible long-term effects of more normative patterns of parental alcohol consumption, including drinking at lower risk levels and heavy episodic or binge drinking. The extent of harm from parental drinking may therefore be underestimated. With this research proposal, we describe a project that aims to assess possible long-term adverse effects of parental drinking by combining survey and nationwide registry data. Advantages of a longitudinal general population cohort design include that it allows for detailed information on parental drinking through survey data and identification of possible negative long-term health and social outcomes from exposure to parental drinking 1–19 years after exposure through continuously updated nationwide registers. The rich information available from combining survey and registry data allows us to take into account important confounders, mediators, and moderators.
Professor Ron K. Pickerill and the genesis of ichnology in the Antilles (Jamaica and Carriacou)
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: December 2015

Antillean ichnology was essentially a blank book when Ron Pickerill of the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, made his first research visit to Jamaica in February 1990. Ron’s first Jamaican trace-fossil research team worked initially on the Paleogene Richmond Formation, a flysch succession. Subsequent fieldwork examined the diverse sedimentary formations of the Neogene Coastal Group. Ron’s encyclopaedic knowledge of ichnotaxonomy and his enthusiasm for fieldwork led the team in many directions. Investigations were integrated with new studies of the island’s sedimentology and paleontology. For example, the description of the ichnology and sedimentology of the Upper Pliocene Bowden Formation, including the internationally famous Bowden shell bed, was part of a much wider study. The case-hardened rocks of the White Limestone Group discouraged detailed study until Donovan Blissett attacked the diverse ichnobiota of these user-unfriendly rocks for his doctorate under Ron’s supervision at the University of New Brunswick. Carriacou in the Grenadines was the other island to receive detailed examination in terms of its ichnofauna by Ron and his co-workers. The east coast of this small island provides a near-continuous exposure of the deep water succession of the Grand Bay Formation. Deeper-water burrows and borings in allochthonous bioclasts derived from the shallow shelf provide ichnological contrast in this formation.
Perturbations of Von Neumann Subalgebras With Finite Index
Authors: Ino Shoji
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we study uniformperturbations of von Neumann subalgebras of a von Neumann algebra. Let M and N be von Neumann subalgebras of a von Neumann algebra with finite probabilistic index in the sense of Pimsner and Popa. If M and N are sufficiently close, then M and N are unitarily equivalent. The implementing unitary can be chosen as being close to the identity
Виртуальные многогранники
Authors: Panina Gaiane Yur'evna , Streinu Ileana
Published: December 2015

Появившиеся в различных областях математики - от алгебры многогранников и торических многообразий до теории вложенных графов с внутренними напряжениями, виртуальные многогранники представляют собой естественное алгебраическое обобщение выпуклых многогранников. Будучи определенными как элементы группы Гротендика, связанной с полугруппой выпуклых многогранников, они, однако, могут быть представлены геометрически.
Данный обзор связывает теорию виртуальных многогранников с другими областями геометрии, содержит описание разнообразных геометризаций с взаимными связями, а также дает ряд приложений этой теории.
Библиография: 50 названий.
Determinants of Anemia Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Adults at Care and Treatment Clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Petraro Paul , Duggan Christopher , Spiegelman Donna , Hertzmark Ellen , Makubi Abel , Chalamilla Guerino , Siril Helen , Sando David , Aboud Said , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: December 2015

Anemia is often a comorbidity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Many cross-sectional studies have been conducted on anemia and HIV, but few, if any, have addressed incidence of anemia prospectively. A longitudinal analysis was conducted in 48,068 nonpregnant HIV-infected adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, seen at Management and Development for Health–U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief HIV care and treatment programs between 2004 and 2011. Almost 56% (N = 27,184) of study participants had anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) at the time of enrollment at the clinic. Female gender, low body mass index (BMI), low CD4 T-cell count, high levels of liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase, antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens, and concurrent tuberculosis treatment were all independently significantly associated with an increased risk of anemia. Low BMI and low CD4 T-cell count were independently significantly associated with an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Higher BMI status and ART use were associated with recovery from anemia. Anemia, including IDA, is a comorbidity that is associated with other adverse consequences (e.g., low BMI and CD4 T-cell count) among individuals with HIV infection, including those on ART. Interventions to prevent anemia and its complications need to be examined in the context of future studies.
Ética en la investigación científica, en el área de las Ciencias Sociales, en Universidades del Paraguay
Authors: Estigarribia Marta Isabel Canese de
Published: December 2015

Esta investigación analiza las bases teóricas y principios éticos de la investigación social a fin de aportar al fortalecimiento de las prácticas actuales en las universidades del Paraguay. La metodología tuvo un alcance exploratorio, cualitativo, mediante una revisión bibliográfica y documental de las declaraciones, guías y códigos de ética científica publicados por organizaciones internacionales y nacionales. Los resultados señalan que la preocupación sobre la ética en la investigación científica comenzó en las Ciencias de la Salud, siendo aplicada a toda investigación con personas. A partir de 1980, se cuenta a nivel internacional con guías éticas específicas para la investigación social, que destacan la importancia de la empatía, del diálogo permanente y la negociación con la comunidad participante. Para fortalecer las prácticas éticas en la investigación social en las universidades del Paraguay, este estudio considera que mas allá de los requisitos burocráticos, debe basarse en una ética dialógica y situacional, que promueva una actitud y un proceso de investigación auténticamente ético, respetuoso de la dignidad de las personas, sus diferencias y su autonomía, y  que contribuya a la justicia y a la equidad.
Role of radiatively forced temperature changes in enhanced semi-arid warming in the cold season over east Asia
Authors: Guan X. , Huang J. , Guo R. , Yu H. , Lin P. , Zhang Y.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. As climate change has occurred over east Asia since the 1950s, intense interest and debate have arisen concerning the contribution of human activities to the observed warming in past decades. In this study, we investigate regional surface temperature change during the boreal cold season using a recently developed methodology that can successfully identify and separate the dynamically induced temperature (DIT) and radiatively forced temperature (RFT) changes in raw surface air temperature (SAT) data. For regional averages, DIT and RFT contribute 44 and 56 % to the SAT over east Asia, respectively. The DIT changes dominate the SAT decadal variability and are mainly determined by internal climate variability, represented by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO). Radiatively forced SAT changes have made a major contribution to the global-scale warming trend and the regional-scale enhanced semi-arid warming (ESAW). Such enhanced warming is also found in radiatively forced daily maximum and minimum SAT. The long-term global-mean SAT warming trend is mainly related to radiative forcing produced by global well-mixed greenhouse gases. The regional anthropogenic radiative forcing, however, caused the enhanced warming in the semi-arid region, which may be closely associated with local human activities. Finally, the relationship between the so-called "global warming hiatus" and regional enhanced warming is discussed.
Adaption of the MODIS aerosol retrieval algorithm using airborne spectral surface reflectance measurements over urban areas: a case study
Authors: Jäkel E. , Mey B. , Levy R. , Gu X. , Yu T. , Li Z. , Althausen D. , Heese B. , Wendisch M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. MODIS (MOderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD) are biased over urban areas, primarily because the reflectance characteristics of urban surfaces are different than that assumed by the retrieval algorithm. Specifically, the operational "dark-target" retrieval is tuned towards vegetated (dark) surfaces and assumes a spectral relationship to estimate the surface reflectance in blue and red wavelengths. From airborne measurements of surface reflectance over the city of Zhongshan, China, were collected that could replace the assumptions within the MODIS retrieval algorithm. The subsequent impact was tested upon two versions of the operational algorithm, Collections 5 and 6 (C5 and C6). AOD retrieval results of the operational and modified algorithms were compared for a specific case study over Zhongshan to show minor differences between them all. However, the Zhongshan-based spectral surface relationship was applied to a much larger urban sample, specifically to the MODIS data taken over Beijing between 2010 and 2014. These results were compared directly to ground-based AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) measurements of AOD. A significant reduction of the differences between the AOD retrieved by the modified algorithms and AERONET was found, whereby the mean difference decreased from 0.27±0.14 for the operational C5 and 0.19±0.12 for the operational C6 to 0.10±0.15 and -0.02±0.17 by using the modified C5 and C6 retrievals. Since the modified algorithms assume a higher contribution by the surface to the total measured reflectance from MODIS, consequently the overestimation of AOD by the operational methods is reduced. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the MODIS AOD retrieval with respect to different surface types was investigated. Radiative transfer simulations were performed to model reflectances at top of atmosphere for predefined aerosol properties. The reflectance data were used as input for the retrieval methods. It was shown that the operational MODIS AOD retrieval over land reproduces the AOD reference input of 0.85 for dark surface types (retrieved AOD = 0.87 (C5)). An overestimation of AOD = 0.99 is found for urban surfaces, whereas the modified C5 algorithm shows a good performance with a retrieved value of AOD = 0.86.
Challenges associated with the sampling and analysis of organosulfur compounds in air using real-time PTR-ToF-MS and off-line GC-FID
Authors: Perraud V. , Meinardi S. , Blake D. R. , Finlayson-Pitts B. J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Organosulfur compounds (OSC) are naturally emitted via various processes involving phytoplankton and algae in marine regions, from animal metabolism and from biomass decomposition inland. These compounds are malodorant and reactive. Their oxidation to methanesulfonic and sulfuric acids leads to the formation and growth of atmospheric particles, which are known to have negative effects on visibility, climate and human health. In order to predict particle formation events, accurate measurements of the OSC precursors are essential. Here, two different approaches, proton-transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and canister sampling coupled with GC-FID are compared for both laboratory standards [dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) and methanethiol (MTO)] and for a complex sample. Results show that both techniques produce accurate quantification of DMS. While PTR-ToF-MS provides real-time measurements of all four OSCs individually, significant fragmentation of DMDS and DMTS occurs, which can complicate their identification in complex mixtures. Canister sampling coupled with GC-FID provides excellent sensitivity for DMS, DMDS and DMTS. However, MTO was observed to react on metal surfaces to produce DMDS and, in the presence of hydrogen sulfide, even DMTS. Avoiding metal in sampling systems seems to be necessary for measuring all but dimethyl sulfide in air.
Micro- and mesozooplankton community response to increasing CO2 levels in the Baltic Sea: insights from a large-scale mesocosm experiment
Authors: Lischka S. , Bach L.T. , Schulz K.-G. , Riebesell U.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Community approaches investigating ocean acidification (OA) effects suggest a high tolerance of micro- and mesozooplankton to carbonate chemistry changes expected to occur within this century. Plankton communities in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea frequently experience pH variations partly exceeding projections for the near future both on a diurnal and seasonal basis, thus some level of tolerance/adaptation may be expected. We conducted a large-scale mesocosm CO2 enrichment experiment (~ 55 m3) enclosing the natural plankton community in Tvärminne/Storfjärden for eight weeks during June–August 2012 and studied community and species/taxon response of microzooplankton (ciliates) and mesozooplankton to CO2 elevations expected for this century. Besides the response to fCO2 and associate changes in carbonate chemistry speciation, we also considered temperature and chlorophyll a variations in our analyses. Shannon diversity of microzooplankton significantly decreased with fCO2 and temperature with a greater dominance of smaller species. Small sized ciliates (Myrionecta rubra, Balanion comatum, Strombidium cf. epidemum, Strobilidium sp.) showed significant relations with one or more of the factors. The phototrophic Myrionecta rubra seemed to directly benefit from higher CO2 concentrations and showed increased abundance in the pre-bloom phase. With respect to meszooplankton, we neither detected significant effects for total abundance nor for Shannon diversity. The cladocera Bosmina occurred at distinctly higher abundance (more than twice as high compared to the control mesocosms) for a short time period during the second half of the experiment in three of the CO2-enriched mesocosms except for the highest CO2 level. The ratio of Bosmina with empty to embryo/resting egg bearing brood chambers, however, was significantly affected by all three factors. An indirect CO2 effect via increased food availability stimulating Bosmina reproduction is suggested, but too low sampling frequency of this highly flexible organism probably entailed proving a significant relation with fCO2. Filter-feeding cladocerans effectively transfer microbial loop carbon to higher trophic levels. Thus, under increasing OA in cladoceran dominated mesozooplankton communities the importance of the microbial loop in the pelagic zone may be enhanced and carbon transfer to higher trophic levels stimulated.
Global riverine N and P transport to ocean increased during the twentieth century despite increased retention along the aquatic continuum
Authors: Beusen A. H. W. , Bouwman A. F. , Van Beek L. P. H. , Mogollón J. M. , Middelburg J. J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Various human activities, including agriculture, water consumption, river damming, and aquaculture, have intensified over the last century. This has had a major impact on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling in global continental waters. In this study, we use a coupled nutrient-input, hydrology, in-stream nutrient retention model to quantitatively track the changes in the global freshwater N and P cycles over the 20th century. Our results suggest that, during this period, the global nutrient delivery to streams increased from 34 to 64 Tg N yr−1 and from 5 to 9 Tg N yr−1. Furthermore, in-stream retention and removal grew from 14 to 27 Tg N yr−1 and 3 to 5 Tg N yr−1. One of the major cause of increased retention is the growing number of reservoirs which now account for 24 and 22 % of global N and P retention/removal in freshwater systems, respectively. This increase in nutrient retention could not balance the increase in nutrient delivery to rivers with the consequence that river nutrient transport to the ocean increased from 19 to 37 Tg N yr−1 and from 2 to 4 Tg N yr−1. Human activities have also led to a global increase in the molar N : P ratio in freshwater bodies.
Grain sorting in the morphological active layer of a braided river physical model
Authors: Leduc P. , Ashmore P. , Gardner J. T.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. A physical scale model of a gravel-bed braided river was used to measure vertical grain size sorting in the morphological active layer aggregated over the width of the river. This vertical sorting is important for analyzing braided river sedimentology, for numerical modeling of braided river morphodynamics, and for measuring and predicting bedload transport rate. We define the morphological active layer as the bed material between the maximum and minimum bed elevations at a point over extended time periods sufficient for braiding processes to rework the river bed. The vertical extent of the active layer was measured using 40 hourly high-resolution DEMs (digital elevation models) of the model river bed. An image texture algorithm was used to map bed material grain size of each DEM. Analysis of the 40 DEMs and texture maps provides data on the geometry of the morphological active layer and variation in grain size in three dimensions. By normalizing active layer thickness and dividing into 10 sublayers, we show that all grain sizes occur with almost equal frequency in all sublayers. Occurrence of patches and strings of coarser (or finer) material relates to preservation of particular morpho-textural features within the active layer. For numerical modeling and bedload prediction, a morphological active layer that is fully mixed with respect to grain size is a reliable approximation.