bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating use of the internet in public libraries: a review
Authors: Spacey Rachel , Cooke Louise , Muir Adrienne , Creaser Claire
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review current knowledge, research and thinking about the difficulties facing public libraries offering internet access to their users in ensuring legally compliant and non-offensive use of this facility whilst still adhering to the professional value of freedom of access to information.

Design/methodology/approach

– A range of recently published sources (1997-2013) relating to the technical and organisational measures used to manage public internet access primarily in public libraries in the UK with some limited international examples were reviewed and analysed. This work was undertaken as the underpinning research for an AHRC-funded project, MAIPLE (Managing Access to the internet in Public Libraries).

Findings

– The provision of public internet access is a well-established component of the role of public libraries, but is seen as a potential problem due to the possibility of misuse, and it appears that simplistic technical solutions have disappointed. Legislation increases the need for more effective solutions that can provide a balance between the need for legal compliance, a welcoming environment for users, and the protection of key freedoms. A range of measures are being adopted worldwide in response to this dilemma.

Originality/value

– Research exploring internet access in public libraries and its management in the UK is numerically small and much of it dates back to the start of the twenty-first century. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the available literature and is of relevance to practitioners and academics in the fields of public librarianship.
A new similarity measure for subject hierarchical structures
Authors: Zhang Jin , Lei Zeng Marcia
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new similarity method to gauge the differences between two subject hierarchical structures.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the proposed similarity measure, nodes on two hierarchical structures are projected onto a two-dimensional space, respectively, and both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes are considered in the similarity between the two hierarchical structures. The extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be controlled by adjusting a parameter. An experiment was conducted to evaluate soundness of the measure. Eight experts whose research interests were information retrieval and information organization participated in the study. Results from the new measure were compared with results from the experts.

Findings

– The evaluation shows strong correlations between the results from the new method and the results from the experts. It suggests that the similarity method achieved satisfactory results.

Practical implications

– Hierarchical structures that are found in subject directories, taxonomies, classification systems, and other classificatory structures play an extremely important role in information organization and information representation. Measuring the similarity between two subject hierarchical structures allows an accurate overarching understanding of the degree to which the two hierarchical structures are similar.

Originality/value

– Both structural similarity and subject similarity of nodes were considered in the proposed similarity method, and the extent to which the structural similarity impacts on the similarity can be adjusted. In addition, a new evaluation method for a hierarchical structure similarity was presented.
Do key investor information documents enhance retail investors’ understanding of financial products? Empirical evidence
Authors: Oehler Andreas , Höfer Andreas , Wendt Stefan
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether key investor information documents (KIDs) provided by suppliers/issuers help retail investors to understand the key characteristics of financial products. KIDs are fact sheets composed to describe the characteristics of financial products in a brief, standardized and straightforward manner.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the empirical analysis, the authors evaluate different versions of KIDs and examine whether they meet minimum requirements to provide benefits for consumers.

Findings

– The empirical results suggest that subjects assess KIDs of suppliers/issuers merely as moderately appropriate to grasp the key characteristics of financial products. In contrast, neutral benchmark KIDs are generally evaluated as being superior to those of suppliers/issuers, which at best meet current legal requirements.

Originality/value

– The authors argue that a major reason for these findings is consumer policy’s assumption of omnicompetent subjects in line with the neoclassical idea of aHomo economicus. This assumption, however, is far from being both realistic and practical.
WTO dispute settlement system and democracy
Authors: Rai Sheela
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the current proposals for reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement system. Two areas of proposed reforms have been chosen: one is regarding democratic control over the WTO dispute settlement body and the other is regarding structural balance within the WTO.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is a theoretical study based on decided cases, opinions and writing of other writers.

Findings

– Democratizing a judicial body from within is not the most desirable method to control it. Separation of powers and checks and balances which is termed as institutional balance in WTO is a better way to rein in the judicial organ of the WTO.

Originality/value

– Most of the work on WTO judicial reforms have either concentrated on technical aspects. Some writers have written about the dispute settlement system from a political point of view. Most of the writings seem to be shy of pointing towards obvious developments in the WTO dispute settlement system, e.g. the precedent system. The work analyses the proposed reforms from two perspectives and presents writer’s opinion on them which is clearly and openly stated.
Domestic legal traditions and the dispute settlement body
Authors: Fattore Christina
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to focus on the influence of domestic legal traditions on dispute behavior, which has been widely examined in the conflict literature, within the World Trade Organization (WTO). States with a civil legal tradition hold treaties and agreements in high esteem. Therefore, they will be more likely to file trade complaints and pursue adjudication when compared to states with common or mixed legal traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses in this study have been tested using a quantitative test with data from the WTO regarding trade disputes.

Findings

– While civil law states are more likely to file complaints, they are less likely to pursue adjudication over a negotiated settlement.

Originality/value

– This study brings to light how domestic legal systems affect state behavior within an international legal body.
US-Mexico tomato dispute
Authors: Jacob Kosse Elijah , Devadoss Stephen , Luckstead Jeff
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical background of the tomato dispute, review the USA trade law and its effect on the tomato trade, discuss the role of the North American Free Trade Agreement and other supply and demand factors on increased tomato imports from Mexico and present a conceptual analysis of the effects of a Suspension Agreement (a form of Voluntary Export Restraint) on the USA and Mexico. In 1996, the USA and Mexico signed the Suspension Agreement which sets a guaranteed minimum price for Mexican tomato imports.

Design/methodology/approach

– Conceptual analysis graphically illustrates how the Suspension Agreement affects the tomato trade for the USA and Mexico and shows the benefits and losses of consumers and producers in these two countries.

Findings

– There is no consensus regarding whether Mexico dumps tomatoes onto the US market. However, US trade law favors domestic producers, leading to the signing of the Suspension Agreement. It is shown here that this agreement has substantial welfare effects in both Mexico and the USA. While it was designed to protect US producers, it also aids Mexican consumers and may potentially improve Mexican producer surplus as well. Only US consumers unambiguously suffer a loss.

Research limitations/implications

– As the theoretical model indicates, the Suspension Agreement’s minimum price does help Floridian farmers but, if the rents are large enough, may also aid Mexican producers. If Mexican producers do gain, then quota rent is shifted from tomato consumers to Mexican producers. On the other hand, US consumers are hurt as well as tomato processing plants because they purchase fresh tomatoes for use as inputs. The higher price minimum after the 2013 agreement will likely intensify the welfare effects, and the addition of different categories with distinct prices is likely to have additional consequences for both welfare and trade distortions.

Originality/value

– As the USA and Mexico recently signed a new Suspension Agreement, this paper deals with a very timely and contentious trade dispute and contributes to the area of research international trade war. The literature on Suspension Agreements is also expanded by providing welfare analysis of both producers and consumers.
ETD on a shoestring
Authors: Feuer Gabor
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe how, with minimal budget, lots of goodwill, and successful collaboration, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) – at the time Ontario's newest university, could rapidly build an ETD collection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The project was sponsored by the UOIT library. DSpace was selected as the software platform. The paper describes the collaboration between the library, the faculty of graduate studies and the campus information technology department which resulted in the successful launch of the ETD program, Ontario's first example of establishing a born digital theses program and publishing platform.

Findings

– Innovative and risk-taking approaches combined with intra- and inter-organizational collaboration were the key factors contributing to success of the library ETD project.

Originality/value

– This case study emphasizes the value of entrepreneurial thinking. Other organizations can learn from the pitfalls and benefits encountered during the implementation of this project.
The role of concentration−effect relationships in the assessment of QTc interval prolongation
Authors: France Nicholas P. , Della Pasqua Oscar
Published: June 2014

Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic−pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling has been widely used in clinical research. Yet, its application in the evaluation of cardiovascular safety remains limited, particularly in the evaluation of pro‐arrhythmic effects. Here we discuss the advantages of disadvantages of population PKPD modelling and simulation, a paradigm built around the knowledge of the concentration−effect relationship as the basis for decision making in drug development and its utility as a guide to drug safety. A wide‐ranging review of the literature was performed on the experimental protocols currently used to characterize the potential for QT interval prolongation, both pre‐clinically and clinically. Focus was given to the role of modelling and simulation for design optimization and subsequent analysis and interpretation of the data, discriminating drug from system specific properties. Cardiovascular safety remains one of the major sources of attrition in drug development with stringent regulatory requirements. However, despite the myriad of tests, data are not integrated systematically to ensure accurate translation of the observed drug effects in clinically relevant conditions. The thorough QT study addresses a critical regulatory question but does not necessarily reflect knowledge of the underlying pharmacology and has limitations in its ability to address fundamental clinical questions. It is also prone to issues of multiplicity. Population approaches offer a paradigm for the evaluation of drug safety built around the knowledge of the concentration−effect relationship. It enables quantitative assessment of the probability of QTc interval prolongation in patients, providing better guidance to regulatory labelling and understanding of benefit/risk in specific populations.
Will I get there? Effects of parental support on children's possible selves
Authors: Zhu Shimin , Tse Samson , Cheung Sing‐Hang , Oyserman Daphna
Published: June 2014

Background

Imagining one's future self is a hallmark of adolescence. But imagining is not enough; adolescents must feel that this future is plausibly likely and take action, which may require pragmatic support from parents. Prior research has examined the effect of parental aspirations and expectations on children's possible self, not the effect of their support.

Aims

Therefore, this study assessed the role of parental support on youths’ possible selves, strategies, and subjective likelihood of attaining possible selves.

Sample

A representative sample of Hong Kong Chinese secondary students aged 12–20 (N = 3,078).

Methods

Students responded to an in‐class questionnaire. Responses were analysed using generalized linear mixed models and linear mixed models.

Results

Content of hoped‐for possible selves was mostly about school and career. Content of feared possible selves was more diverse. Girls had more school‐ and career‐focused possible selves and were more likely to have strategies to attain their positive and avoid their negative possible selves. Students reporting more pragmatic support (‘If I need to know something about the world, I can ask my parent about it’) from parents had more school‐ and career‐focused possible selves and were more likely to believe they could attain their hoped‐for and avoid their feared possible selves and to report having at least one strategy to do so.

Conclusions

Parental pragmatic support provides students a secure base to engage in their future generally and in their school‐ and career‐focused future in particular.
Erstad, Ola & Sefton‐Green, Julian ed (2012) Identity, community, and learning lives in the digital ageCambridge UP (Cambridge & New York) isbn 978‐1‐10700‐591‐4 237 pp $103 http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/psychology/educational‐psychology/identity‐community‐and‐learning‐lives‐digital‐age
Authors: Esteban‐Guitart Moisès
Published: June 2014

This interesting book looks at the impact of the “digital age” on the interrelated forms of learning and identity. The focus is on learning lives: learning within and across a range of “whole‐life” experiences and locations. It will be essential reading for teachers and researchers concerned with a “whole‐life” perspective on learning, so if that is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you buy a copy for your own use.

Moisès Esteban‐Guitart
Preconception counseling, fertility, and pregnancy complications after abdominal organ transplantation: a survey and cohort study of 532 recipients
Authors: Rupley Devon M. , Janda Allison M. , Kapeles Steven R. , Wilson Tim M. , Berman Deborah , Mathur Amit K.
Published: June 2014

Background

Pregnancy after solid organ transplant is a significant priority for transplant recipients but how patients report being counseled is unknown.

Methods

We performed a single‐center retrospective cohort study and telephone survey of female patients ages 18–49 at the time of kidney, pancreas, or liver transplant from 2000 to 2012 (n = 532). Data on pregnancy counseling, fertility, and maternal, fetal‐ and transplant‐specific outcomes were collected. Multivariate Cox models assessed the impact of pregnancy on graft‐specific outcomes.

Results

The survey response rate was 29% (n = 152). One‐third (n = 51) of women were actively counseled against pregnancy by one or more providers. A total of 17 pregnancies occurred among nine patients (5.9%), with 47% live births, 47% early embryonic demises, 5.9% stillbirths. Of live births, 50% were premature. Gestational complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and preeclampsia were present in 88% of mothers. Pregnancy after transplant was associated with higher rates of acute rejection than nulliparous transplant recipients (33% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.07) but did not significantly affect graft survival (HR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.01), after stratifying by organ and adjusting for clinical factors.

Conclusion

This study suggests that transplant patients are being counseled against pregnancy despite acceptable risks of complications and no specific effects on long‐term graft function.
Characterization of delayed cracking in deep‐drawn Swift cups of metastable austenitic stainless steels
Authors: Ortega S. , Papula S. , Saukkonen T. , Talonen J. , Hänninen H.
Published: June 2014

Fracture behaviour of metastable austenitic stainless steels (Cr‐Ni grade 301 and low‐Ni high‐Mn grades 201 and 204Cu) that suffer of delayed cracking after deep drawing was examined. The phenomenon of delayed cracking is known to be related to the coexistence of internal hydrogen, strain‐induced α′‐martensite and tensile residual stresses. The objective of this study was to maximize the information attainable from the common Swift cup test, which is used to evaluate the formability and delayed cracking susceptibility of sheet metals. Fractures in deep‐drawn Swift cups were analysed macroscopically, by fracture surface study and electron backscatter diffraction analysis. Residual stresses in the cups were measured with X‐ray diffraction and α′‐martensite content using a Ferritescope. Estimation of fracture toughness of the materials was made using two different approaches: measuring the width of shear lips and relating it to the plastic zone size, and measuring the crack‐tip opening angle CTOA. On the basis of the results, grade 301 presents the highest fracture toughness, and 204Cu the lowest. Toughness of the materials seems to correlate with their nickel content. The order between the studied materials is similar when considering the susceptibility to delayed cracking.
PARADIGMS OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Worsley Peter
Published: June 2014

The author contends that there is no uniform mode of agricultural development. Rather, three major “ideal‐types” have to be distinguished: capitalist agriculture, peasant agriculture, and socialist agriculture. The continuing effectiveness of the first of these as a productive system, especially in its modern form, “agribusiness”, is discussed, as well as its social dysfunctions, as are attempts to develop socialist alternatives, from collectivization to cooperatives, and the continuing peasant dream of independence on one's own family smallholding.

L'auteur soutient qu'il n'y a pas un mode unique de développement agricole, mais qu'il faut plutôt distinguer trois “idéal‐types” principaux: l'agriculture capitaliste, l'agriculture paysanne et l'agriculture socialiste. L'auteur procède alors à la discussion des themes suivants: l'efficacité de l'agriculture capitaliste à travers le temps, et spécialement dans sa forme moderne (“agribusiness”), mais aussi ses effets sociaux néfastes; les essais de développement d'alternatives socialistes, depuis la collectivisation jusqu‘à la coopérative; et l’éternel rêve paysan de l'indépendance à travers l'exploitation familiale.

Nach Meinung des Verfassers gibt es keinen einheitlichen Weg der landwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung. Vielmehr müssen drei “Idealtypen” unterschieden werden: kapitalistische Landwirtschaft, bäuerliche Landwirtschaft und sozialistische Landwirtschaft. Die anhaltende Effektivität der ersteren als Produktionssystem, vor allem in ihrer modernen Form, dem “Agribusiness”, wird diskutiert, ebenso deren soziale Unzulänglichkeiten, die Versuchc zur Entwicklung sozialistischer Alternativen von Kollektivierung bis hin zu Genossenschaften und der fortwährende Traum des Bauern von Unabhängigkeit auf dem eigenen kleinen Familienbetrieb.
Genetic structure and hybridization in the species group of Ficus auriculata: can closely related sympatric Ficus species retain their genetic identity while sharing pollinators?
Authors: Wei Z.‐D. , Kobmoo N. , Cruaud A. , Kjellberg F.
Published: June 2014

Obligate mutualistic nursery pollination systems between insects and plants have led to substantial codiversification involving at least some parallel cladogenesis, as documented in Yucca, Ficus and Phyllanthaceae. In such systems, pollinators are generally species specific thus limiting hybridization and introgression among interfertile host species. Nevertheless, in the three systems, cases of one insect pollinating several plant species are reported. In most cases, host plants sharing pollinators are allopatric. However, in the case of the species group of Ficus auriculata, forms may co‐occur over large parts of their range. We show here that the species group of F. auriculata is constituted by four well‐defined genetic entities that share pollinators. We detected hybrids in nature mainly when both parental forms were growing nearby. Controlled crosses showed that F1 offspring could be successfully backcrossed. Hence, despite sharing pollinators and despite hybrid viability, the different forms have preserved their genetic and morphological identity. We propose that ecological differentiation among forms coupled with limited overlap of reproductive season has facilitated the maintenance of these interfertile forms. As such, establishment of pollinator host specificity may not be a prerequisite for sympatric diversification in Ficus.
Spatial gene expression analysis in tomato hypocotyls suggests cysteine as key precursor of vascular sulfur accumulation implicated in Verticillium dahliae defense
Authors: Klug Katharina , Hogekamp Claudia , Specht André , Myint San Shwe , Blöink Dominik , Küster Helge , Horst Walter J.
Published: June 2014

Verticillium dahliae is a prominent generator of plant vascular wilting disease and sulfur (S)‐enhanced defense (SED) mechanisms contribute to its in‐planta elimination. The accumulation of S‐containing defense compounds (SDCs) including elemental S (S0) has been described based on the comparison of two near‐isogenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lines differing in fungal susceptibility. To better understand the effect of S nutrition on V. dahliae resistance both lines were supplied with low, optimal or supraoptimal sulfate‐S. An absolute quantification demonstrated a most effective fungal elimination due to luxury plant S nutrition. High‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed a strong regulation of Cys levels and an S‐responsive GSH pool rise in the bulk hypocotyl. High‐frequency S peak accumulations were detected in vascular bundles of resistant tomato plants after fungal colonization by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Global transcriptomic analysis suggested that early steps of the primary S metabolism did not promote the SDCs synthesis in the whole hypocotyl as gene expression was downregulated after infection. Enhanced S fertilization mostly alleviated the repressive fungal effect but did not reverse it. Upregulation of glutathione (GSH)‐associated genes in bulk hypocotyls but not in vascular bundles indicated a global antioxidative role of GSH. To finally assign the contribution of S metabolism‐associated genes to high S0 accumulations exclusively found in the resistant tomato line, a spatial gene expression approach was applied. Laser microdissection of infected vascular bundles revealed a switch toward transcription of genes connected with cysteine (Cys) synthesis. The upregulation of LeOASTLp1 suggests a role for Cys as key precursor for local S accumulations (possibly S0) in the vascular bundles of the V. dahliae‐resistant tomato line.
Investigating mid‐Ediacaran glaciation and final Gondwana amalgamation using coupled sedimentology and 40Ar/ 39Ar detrital muscovite provenance from the Paraguay Belt, Brazil
Authors: McGee Ben , Collins Alan S. , Trindade Ricardo I. F. , Jourdan Fred
Published: June 2014

Understanding the evolution of the northern Paraguay Belt, Brazil, is critical in two current controversies: (i) the number, timing and significance of Ediacaran glaciations; and (ii) the timing of amalgamation of South American Gondwana. The Neoproterozoic Alto Paraguay Group forms much of the northern Paraguay Belt. The Serra Azul Formation, within this Group, contains unequivocal evidence for a glacial influence on sedimentation, including multi‐directional striations on sandstone clasts and striated, polished and bullet‐shaped mudstone clasts. However, the age of the Serra Azul Formation is not well‐constrained. The northern Paraguay Belt also formed after the traditionally accepted time for amalgamation of South American Gondwana. If the orogen represents closure of an ocean, then this traditional view is incorrect. A significant number of single grain 40Ar/39Ar detrital muscovite cooling ages (ca 120) from the Alto Paraguay Group are presented. The three youngest grains from the Serra Azul Formation yield a weighted mean age of 640 ± 15 Myr, providing a robust maximum depositional age for this formation. This age, when considered with other data, suggests that the Serra Azul Formation developed in a mid‐Ediacaran glaciation consistent with that expressed in the Gaskiers Formation of Newfoundland, Canada. Cryogenian 40Ar/39Ar detrital muscovite ages from the Alto Paraguay Group are hard to reconcile with the known geology of Amazonia and are interpreted as being sourced from the evolving orogen to the east – from an arc terrane, possibly the Goiás–Paranapanema Massif. Detrital muscovites in the upper part of the Alto Paraguay Group are as young as 544 ± 7 Myr, consistent with mounting evidence that indicates a Cambrian age for orogenesis within the Paraguay Belt during the final amalgamation of Gondwana. This article suggests that the data best support a model where ocean closure in the region continued until Ediacaran/Cambrian times, with final ocean closure represented by orogenesis in the Paraguay–Araguaia orogen.
Group Norms in Youth Sport: Role of Personal and Social Factors
Authors: Bruner Mark W. , Carreau Jeremie M. , Wilson Kathleen S. , Penney Michael
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate youth athletes’ perceptions of group norms for competition, practice, and social setting contexts in relation to personal and social factors. A secondary purpose of this study was to examine the interactions of the personal and situation factors on perceptions of group norms. Participants included 424 athletes from 35 high school sport teams who completed a survey assessing team norms in competition, practice, and social settings. Multilevel analysis results revealed differences in group norms by gender as well as gender by team tenure and gender by sport type interactions. Female teams held higher perceptions of norms for competition, practice, and social settings than male teams. Interactions between gender and team tenure and gender and sport type revealed significant differences in practice norms. No differences were found in norms by group size. The findings suggest that examining the characteristics of the team members (i.e., gender, team tenure) and team (i.e., type of sport) may enhance our understanding of group norms in a youth sport setting.
Decreasing Clostridium difficile Infections by an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program That Reduces Moxifloxacin Use
Authors: Wenisch Judith Maria , Equiluz-Bruck Susanne , Fudel Marta , Reiter Ingun , Schmid Andrea , Singer Erna , Chott Andreas
Published: June 2014

Clostridium difficile
infections (CDI) in hospitalized patients are known to be closely related to antibiotic exposure. Although several substances can cause CDI, the risk differs between individual agents. In Vienna and other eastern parts of Austria, CDI ribotype 027 is currently highly prevalent. This ribotype has the characteristic of intrinsic moxifloxacin resistance. Therefore, we hypothesized that moxifloxacin restriction can decrease the number of CDI cases in hospitalized patients. Our antibiotic stewardship (ABS) group applied an information campaign on CDI and formal restriction of moxifloxacin in Wilhelminenspital (Vienna, Austria), a 1,000- bed tertiary care hospital. The preintervention period (period 1) was January through May 2013, and the intervention period (period 2) was June through December 2013. We recorded the defined daily doses (DDD) of moxifloxacin and the number of CDI patients/month. Moxifloxacin use was reduced from a mean (± standard error of the mean [SEM]) of 1,038 ± 109 DDD per month (period 1) to 42 ± 10 DDD per month (period 2) (
P
= 0.0045). Total antibiotic use was not affected. The mean (±SEM) numbers of CDI cases in period 1 were 59 ± 3 per month and in period 2 were 32 ± 3 per month (46% reduction;
P
= 0.0044). Reducing moxifloxacin use in combination with providing structured information on CDI was associated with an immediate decrease in CDI rates in this large community teaching hospital.
Basic accounting refresher for your practice
Authors: Gripper Peter
Published: June 2014

If you are new to accounts and are looking at the subject for the first time, there is an array of jargon to wade through. In this article, Peter Gripper reviews the basics of business accounts, why you need them and what they can tell you about your business.
Phase transitions in three-lane TASEPs with weak coupling
Authors: Wang Yu-Qing , Jiang Rui , Wu Qing-Song , Wu Hai-Yi
Published: June 2014

This paper studies three-lane totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes (TASEP) with weak coupling under open boundary conditions. Here, particles can hop along each lane or hop to the adjacent lane. Besides, the lane-changing rates are inversely proportional to the system size L. Complemented by Monte Carlo simulations, mean-field analysis has been performed. The phase diagrams, density profiles and current profiles have been calculated. Moreover, the bulk-induced shock has been found in the system.
Postcoital Bleeding: A Review on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: Tarney Christopher M. , Han Jasmine
Published: June 2014

Postcoital bleeding refers to spotting or bleeding that occurs after intercourse and is not related to menstruation. The prevalence of postcoital bleeding ranges from 0.7 to 9.0 percent of menstruating women. There are multiple etiologies for this common complaint in which most are benign such as cervicitis or cervical polyps. However, the most serious cause of postcoital bleeding is cervical cancer. There are currently no recommendations from governing bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on evaluating and treating women with postcoital bleeding. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the common causes of postcoital bleeding, the etiologies of postcoital bleeding, and the likelihood that malignancy is the underlying cause. After an extensive literature review, we compiled a paper illustrating the key concepts a practitioner should know when it comes to postcoital bleeding. Finally, this review will conclude with treatment options for women who are found to have an identifiable source for their bleeding and a discussion on the natural history of postcoital bleeding in women who are found to have no identifiable etiology on evaluation.
CNB-001 a Novel Curcumin Derivative, Guards Dopamine Neurons in MPTP Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Jayaraj Richard L. , Elangovan Namasivayam , Manigandan Krishnan , Singh Sonu , Shukla Shubha
Published: June 2014

Copious experimental and postmortem studies have shown that oxidative stress mediated degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons underlies Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology. CNB-001, a novel pyrazole derivative of curcumin, has recently been reported to possess various neuroprotective properties. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of CNB-001 in a subacute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) rodent model of PD. Administration of MPTP (30 mg/kg for four consecutive days) exacerbated oxidative stress and motor impairment and reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) expressions. Moreover, MPTP induced ultrastructural changes such as distorted cristae and mitochondrial enlargement in substantia nigra and striatum region. Pretreatment with CNB-001 (24 mg/kg) not only ameliorated behavioral anomalies but also synergistically enhanced monoamine transporter expressions and cosseted mitochondria by virtue of its antioxidant action. These findings support the neuroprotective property of CNB-001 which may have strong therapeutic potential for treatment of PD.
Research on Hybrid Isolation System for Micro-Nano-Fabrication Platform
Authors: Fu Jie , Wang Yuan , Li Pei-dong , Yu Miao
Published: June 2014

In order to obtain better vibration suppression effect, this paper designs a semiactive/fully active hybrid isolator by using magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) and piezoelectric material. Combined with multimode control scheme, full frequency vibration suppression is achieved. Firstly, series type structure is determined for the hybrid isolator, and the structure of hybrid isolator is designed. Next, the dynamic model of hybrid isolator is derived, the dynamic characteristics measurement for MRE isolator and piezoelectric stack actuator (PSA) is established, and parameters such as voltage-displacement coefficient, stiffness and damping constant are identified from the experimental results, respectively. Meanwhile, the switch frequency is determined by experimental results of PSA and MRE isolator. Lastly, influence of the stiffness of MRE, control voltage of PSA, and intermediate mass on hybrid isolator system is analyzed by simulations, and the results show that the hybrid isolator proposed is effective.
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric Assay for Determination of Stavudine in Human Plasma
Authors: Jin Fengdan
Published: June 2014

A LC-MS/MS method for determination of stavudine in human plasma was established and validated, and it was applied to the pharmaceutical formulations bioequivalence study. 0.5 mL plasma sample was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction. Stavudine was detected by a LC-MS/MS system. The pharmacokinetic parameters of stavudine in different formulations were calculated by noncompartment model statistics. The method was linear over the concentration ranges 5.00–1000 ng/mL in plasma. The intra- and interassay relative standard deviation (RSD) was <10%. The average accuracies for the assay at three concentrations (5.00, 80.0, and 900 ng/mL) were from 100.2% to 102.5%. Pharmacokinetic parameters of stavudine reference formulation were obtained as follows:Tmaxwas0.6±0.2 h,Cmaxwas480.7±150.9 g/L,t1/2was1.7±0.4 h, andAUC0-twas872.8±227.8 g·h/L, and pharmacokinetic parameters of stavudine test formulation were obtained as follows:Tmaxwas0.5±0.2 h,Cmaxwas537.5±178.5 g/L,t1/2was1.7±0.3 h, andAUC0-twas (914.1±284.5) g·h/L. Calculated withAUC0-t, the bioavailability of two formulations was 105.0%.
Thrombocytopenia inPlasmodium vivaxMalaria: How Significant?
Authors: Muley Arti , Lakhani Jitendra , Bhirud Saurabh , Patel Abhinam
Published: June 2014

Introduction. Thrombocytopenia is frequently noticed withP. falciparummalaria but is less reported and studied withP. vivax.Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, SBKS MI & RC, Pipariya. We included patients who were diagnosed with vivax malaria. The data regarding their clinical and hematological profile was collected and analysed.Result. A total of 66 patients were included. 42 (63%) had platelet count <100000/mm3. Mean platelet count was 1,18,650, range being 8000/mm3–6,10,000/mm3. Amongst those with thrombocytopenia, 16 (38.09%) had anemia, 14 (33.33%) had serum creatinine >1.2 gm/dL, 15 (35.71%) had jaundice (s. bilirubin > 1.2), 2 (4.76%) had altered sensorium, 6 (14.28%) had ARDS, 2 needed ventilator support, and 1 expired. Amongst those with normal platelet count, 5 (20.83%) had anemia and 1 had jaundice whereas none had elevated s. creatinine, altered sensorium, or lung involvement.Conclusion. Thrombocytopenia is now being seen more commonly with vivax malaria. Patients with platelet count <1 lac/cumm have more severe disease.
Design and Experimental Evaluation on an Advanced Multisource Energy Harvesting System for Wireless Sensor Nodes
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Gaofei , Ma Rui , You Zheng
Published: June 2014

An effective multisource energy harvesting system is presented as power supply for wireless sensor nodes (WSNs). The advanced system contains not only an expandable power management module including control of the charging and discharging process of the lithium polymer battery but also an energy harvesting system using the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit with analog driving scheme for the collection of both solar and vibration energy sources. Since the MPPT and the power management module are utilized, the system is able to effectively achieve a low power consumption. Furthermore, a super capacitor is integrated in the system so that current fluctuations of the lithium polymer battery during the charging and discharging processes can be properly reduced. In addition, through a simple analog switch circuit with low power consumption, the proposed system can successfully switch the power supply path according to the ambient energy sources and load power automatically. A practical WSNs platform shows that efficiency of the energy harvesting system can reach about 75–85% through the 24-hour environmental test, which confirms that the proposed system can be used as a long-term continuous power supply for WSNs.
Conformational B-Cell Epitopes Prediction from Sequences Using Cost-Sensitive Ensemble Classifiers and Spatial Clustering
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhao Xiaowei , Sun Pingping , Gao Bo , Ma Zhiqiang
Published: June 2014

B-cell epitopes are regions of the antigen surface which can be recognized by certain antibodies and elicit the immune response. Identification of epitopes for a given antigen chain finds vital applications in vaccine and drug research. Experimental prediction of B-cell epitopes is time-consuming and resource intensive, which may benefit from the computational approaches to identify B-cell epitopes. In this paper, a novel cost-sensitive ensemble algorithm is proposed for predicting the antigenic determinant residues and then a spatial clustering algorithm is adopted to identify the potential epitopes. Firstly, we explore various discriminative features from primary sequences. Secondly, cost-sensitive ensemble scheme is introduced to deal with imbalanced learning problem. Thirdly, we adopt spatial algorithm to tell which residues may potentially form the epitopes. Based on the strategies mentioned above, a new predictor, called CBEP (conformational B-cell epitopes prediction), is proposed in this study. CBEP achieves good prediction performance with the mean AUC scores (AUCs) of 0.721 and 0.703 on two benchmark datasets (bound and unbound) using the leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). When compared with previous prediction tools, CBEP produces higher sensitivity and comparable specificity values. A web server named CBEP which implements the proposed method is available for academic use.
Analytical Solutions of Some Fully Developed Flows of Couple Stress Fluid between Concentric Cylinders with Slip Boundary Conditions
Authors: Devakar M. , Sreenivasu D. , Shankar B.
Published: June 2014

We establish, in this paper, the closed form analytical solutions of steady fully developed flows of couple stress fluid between two concentric cylinders, generated due to the constant pressure gradient or the translatory motion of the outer cylinder or both, using the slip boundary conditions. The classical solutions for Newtonian fluid in the hydrodynamic case appear as a limiting case of our solutions. The velocity profiles of the flows are presented and the effect of various parameters on velocity is discussed. The results indicate that the presence of couple stresses decreases the velocity of the fluid.
Pulse Splitting for Harmonic Beamforming in Time-Modulated Linear Arrays
Authors: Poli Lorenzo , Moriyama Toshifumi , Rocca Paolo
Published: June 2014

A novel strategy for harmonic beamforming in time-modulated linear arrays is proposed. The pulse splitting technique is exploited to simultaneously generate two harmonic patterns, one at the central frequency and another at a preselected harmonic of arbitrary order, while controlling the maximum level of the remaining sideband radiations. An optimization strategy based on the particle swarm optimizer is developed in order to determine the optimal parameters describing the pulse sequence used to modulate the excitation weights of the array elements. Representative numerical results are reported and discussed to point out potentialities and limitations of the proposed approach.
O conforto na arquitetura moderna brasileira
Authors: Silva Helga Santos da
Published: June 2014

Este artigo tem como objeto o significado do conforto na obra e nos discursos dos arquitetos modernos brasileiros. O objetivo é entender o que o conforto significava para esses arquitetos, principalmente no que diz respeito à habitação de interesse social. A fonte de pesquisa constituiu-se basicamente dos textos dos próprios arquitetos, publicados em revistas especializadas em arquitetura, urbanismo e engenharia, num período entre 1925 e 1960. Analisando esses textos, pode-se constatar que, para os modernos, conforto possui dois significados - conforto ambiental e comodidade. Pôde-se constatar também, que a idéia de conforto está aliada a diversos conceitos, como eficiência, técnica, estética, privacidade, dentre outros.
Informações, representações e discursos acerca das arquitetura-ícones de Brasília: o caso da revista Brasília
Authors: Videsott Luisa
Published: June 2014

A primeira série da revista Brasília, órgão oficial de divulgação da Novacap, foi publicada de janeiro de 1957 até maio de 1963, acompanhando e descrevendo a construção da Nova Capital. Seu patrimônio iconográfico, isto é, as fotografias e a complexa linguagem visual composta pela sua diagramação e paginação, é o objeto desse artigo. Nossa reflexão visa a chamar atenção para os discursos elaborados pelo mensal da Novacap, e divulgados no ambiente culto nacional e internacional. Visa também, contextualizando a sua política editorial, a considerar o aproveitamento das suas informações na pesquisa histórica.
Aspectos da relação entre o estético e o político em Jacques Rancière
Authors: Pallamin Vera
Published: June 2014

A reflexão estética contemporânea encontra no pensamento de Jacques Rancière um debate profícuo e consequente, em que são repensados alguns de seus vínculos fundamentais. Destaca-se sua tese de mútua constituição entre o estético e o político, sintetizada em sua noção de 'partilha do sensível'.
A monumentalidade arquitetônica dentro do planejamento estratégico de cidades: a arquitetura rentista e a grife Richard Rogers
Authors: Bandeira Camilla Ramos Cardoso
Published: June 2014

O planejamento estratégico de cidades tem sido um dos instrumentos mais utilizados pelos agentes urbanos. A cidade, analisada sob a perspectiva de uma mercadoria a ser "vendida", apoia-se nas estratégias do city marketing como forma de valorizar as potencialidades que promove. Nesse contexto, a arquitetura de grife atua como catalisadora na formação de imagens representativas para a promoção da cidade e está, ainda, associada às rendas de monopólio, por meio da majoração destas, dado o seu caráter singular. Assim, cada localidade busca reunir obras de arquitetos pertencentes ao star system, como é o caso da arquitetura high-tech de Richard Rogers.
O desejo de desmaterialização da arquitetura: a plasticidade como processo
Authors: Almeida Marcela Alves de
Published: June 2014

Este artigo seleciona dois textos da década de 1990, “Paradigmas de fim de século: anos 1990, entre a fragmentação e compacidade” de Rafael Moneo e ‘Arquitetura Líquida’, de Ignasi de Solà-Morales, para analisá-los diante dos conceitos de matéria e forma trabalhados pelo filósofo Vilém Flusser em ‘Forma e Material’. Por meio dessa análise, pretende-se compreender as modificações provocadas pela informática nestes conceitos a fim de desmistificar discursos que apontam para o desejo de desmaterialização da arquitetura. São também apresentadas três obras que complementam o texto, exemplificando-o.
Planejamento Urbano e Política Habitacional no Brasil: Institucionalização; Dicotomização, Municipalização. Reflexões a partir do caso de São Carlos - SP
Authors: Rosa Thaís Troncon
Published: June 2014

O artigo toma como ponto de partida o ápice do processo de institucionalização do planejamento urbano no Brasil (constituição SEFHAU e BNH), acompanhando a dicotomização da política urbana federal nesse contexto, a emergência de empresas mistas como agentes operadores de tal política, até sua completa fragmentação, resultando em uma municipalização compulsória dos processos de planejamento e das políticas urbanas e habitacionais. Visando a apreender tais processos na escala do município, procede a um estudo de caso, analisando historicamente a constituição da empresa mista PROHAB, em São Carlos/SP, e perscrutando suas conexões com o contexto mais amplo das políticas urbanas e habitacionais no país.
Ribeirão Preto, uma modernidade Entre Rios1: higiene, beleza e progresso no discurso2 da metrópole do interior paulista (1902-1930)
Authors: Faria Rodrigo Santos de
Published: June 2014

Situado entre a publicação do Código de Posturas de 1902 e a inauguração do Teatro Pedro II em 1930, o presente estudo tem como objeto as políticas urbanas que orientaram a modernização da cidade de Ribeirão Preto. Compreender os discursos da higiene e da beleza na estruturação do progresso da cidade que seus promotores definiam como a metrópole do interior, e como estas políticas estavam espacialmente delimitadas à área urbana que se expandia da Praça XV de Novembro aos limites dos córregos do Retiro e Ribeirão Preto, definindo assim uma modernização urbana restrita aos limites intra-rios: limpa, bela e rica.
Módulo só: o Edifício E 1, em São Carlos, de Ernest Mange e Hélio Duarte
Authors: Nobre Ana Luiza
Published: June 2014

O artigo procura colocar em discussão questões relativas à racionalização da construção no Brasil. Ao examinar em detalhe uma obra específica - o edifício E1, localizado no campus são-carlense da Universidade de São Paulo (SP) e projetado por Ernest de Carvalho Mange e Hélio de Queiroz Duarte - a autora verifica tanto o entusiasmo que atravessa a década de 1950 no Brasil quanto alguns dos impasses há muito envolvidos na relação entre arquitetura e indústria no país.
Revisão do plano diretor de Viçosa: participação popular e auto-aplicabilidade
Authors: Stephan Ítalo , Reis Luiz Fernando
Published: June 2014

A revisão do Plano Diretor do município de Viçosa foi iniciada no final de 2006. O texto revisto apresenta duas características: a garantia da participação popular e a auto-aplicabilidade. A realização das consultas, audiências e debates públicos tiveram o respaldo das recomendações do Ministério das Cidades. No projeto encaminhado à Câmara Municipal, o papel dos conselhos municipais é reforçado e estabelece-se um variado elenco de formas de participação popular. O plano possui uma série de dispositivos auto-aplicáveis de forma a não depender de regulamentações posteriores.