bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entry Deterrence in Dynamic Second-Price Auctions
Authors: Che Xiaogang , Klumpp Tilman
Published: April 2016

We examine a dynamic second-price auction with independent private values and sequential costly entry. We show that delayed revelation equilibria exist in which some buyers place coordinated low early bids. These buyers revise their bids to reflect their true valuations just prior to the end of the auction. Compared to the benchmark immediate revelation equilibrium, in which buyers bid their valuations immediately after entry, fewer high-value bidders enter on expectation in the delayed revelation equilibria. Delayed revelation of buyer values decreases social welfare, but is necessary for bidders to have a strict participation incentive. (JEL D44, D82, D83)
Manipulability of Stable Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Peter , Egesdal Michael , Pycia Marek , Yenmez M. Bumin
Published: April 2016

We study the manipulability of stable matching mechanisms and show that manipulability comparisons are equivalent to preference comparisons: for any agent, a mechanism is more manipulable than another if and only if this agent prefers the latter to the former. One important implication is that when agents on one side of the market have unit demand, no stable matching mechanism is less manipulable than another for all agents. (JEL C78, D82)
Use of cidofovir in pediatric patients with adenovirus infection
Authors: Ganapathi Lakshmi , Arnold Alana , Jones Sarah , Patterson Al , Graham Dionne , Harper Marvin , Levy Ofer
Published: April 2016

Background: Adenoviruses contribute to morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised pediatric patients including stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients. Cidofovir (CDV), an antiviral compound approved by the FDA in 1996, is used for treatment of adenoviral (ADV) infections in immunocompromised patients despite concern of potential nephrotoxicity.  

Methods: We conducted a retrospective 5-year review at Boston Children’s Hospital of 16 patients (mean age = 6.5 years) receiving 19 courses of CDV. During therapy all pertinent data elements were reviewed to characterize potential response to therapy and incidence of renal dysfunction.  

Results:Of the 19 CDV courses prescribed, 16 courses (84%) were in patients who had a positive blood ADV Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) alone or in combination with positive ADV PCR/ Direct Immunofluorescence Assay (DFA) at another site. Respiratory symptoms with or without pneumonia were the most common presentation (10/19, 53%). In the majority of blood positive courses (10/16, 63%), viral clearance was also accompanied by clinical response. This was not the case in four courses where patients expired despite viral clearance, including one in which death was directly attributable to adenovirus. There was reversible renal dysfunction observed during the use of CDV.

Conclusions:  CDV appeared safe and reasonably tolerated for treatment of ADV in this pediatric population and was associated with viral response and clinical improvement in the majority of patients but reversible renal dysfunction was a side effect. Further studies of the efficacy of CDV for immunocompromised children with ADV infection are warranted.
Respondent driven sampling of wheelchair users: A lack of traction?
Authors: Bourke John A. , Schluter Philip J. , Hay-Smith E. Jean C. , Snell Deborah L.
Published: April 2016

Background: Internationally wheelchair users are an emerging demographic phenomenon due to their rapidly increasing life-span coupled with accelerated general population ageing. While having significant healthcare and social implications, basic robust epidemiological information of wheelchair users is often lacking due in part to this population’s “hidden” nature. Increasingly popular in epidemiological research, Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) provides a mechanism for generating unbiased population-based estimates for hard-to-reach populations, overcoming biases inherent within other sampling methods. This paper reports the first published study to employ RDS amongst wheelchair users.

Methods: Between October 2015 and January 2016, a short, successfully piloted, internet-based national survey was initiated. Twenty seeds from diverse organisations were invited to complete the survey then circulate it to peers within their networks following a well-defined protocol. A predetermined reminder protocol was triggered when seeds or their peers failed to respond. All participants were entered into a draw for an iPad.

Results: Overall, 19 people participated (9 women); 12 initial seeds, followed by seven second-wave participants arising from four seeds. Completion time for the survey ranged between 7 and 36 minutes. Despite repeated reminders, no further people were recruited.

Discussion: While New Zealand wheelchair user numbers are unknown, an estimated 14% of people have physical impairments that limited mobility. The 19 respondents generated from adopting the RDS methodology here thus represents a negligible fraction of wheelchair users in New Zealand, and an insufficient number to ensure equilibrium. While successful in other hard-to-reach populations, applying RDS methodology to wheelchairs users requires further consideration. Formative research exploring areas of network characteristics, acceptability of RDS, appropriate incentive options, and seed selection amongst wheelchair users is needed.
Money of the XXI Century: Modification or Transformation of Money in the XX Century?
Authors: Родина  , Rodina G.
Published: April 2016

This article analyzes the changes in the money today. Modern conditions are

understood as the proliferation of high-tech sectors of the economy, designed

to make the transition from the fifth to the sixth technological order. In general

terms, it relates to the concept of “information economy”. For its genesis the

term “industrial and information economy” is allowable. Is the essence of money

changing? Does the money undergo transformation of a certain conversion,

accompanied by a radical breaking the old, habitual substance? Or does the

development process of its functions continue without changing the content

of the money — at the form level? Is the term “modification” more suitable

as change that does not affect the essence of the subject?

During the conducted analysis the following conclusions were formulated. Firstly,

money gets its traditional functions over again, and in the same sequence as in

preinformation economy. Secondly, the existing cash and non-cash money cannot

meet the needs of settlement due to the fact that all their forms are based,

ultimately, on the material money, that cannot be transmitted by electronic

networks; according to key parameters closest to the ideal model of the

information economy is approaching digital cash money because its handling

mechanism based on the electronic representation of the value stored in a physical

medium.
Calculation and Analysis of Cooperation Efficiency As the Important Components of the Cooperative Associations Creation and Development
Authors: Морозкина  , Morozkina I.
Published: April 2016

In the article are considered the various approaches to the concept of efficiency,

the existing methods of assessment and calculation of efficiency on both

quantitative and qualitative basis; the methods of estimation of the inter-firm

cooperation’s effectiveness are analyzed; the formula of efficiency’s calculation

of the types of cooperation is offered, it can be used both for comparison

of cooperative associations, and as a composite measure for decision making

about participation in cooperation; criteria for the concept of efficiency is set for

companies (members of cooperatives), consumers, industry, regions and the

country; the estimation of cooperation on the basis of the indicators characterizing

the benefit from the growth of cooperation’s productivity “breadth” and “depth”

of one or groups of indicators is suggested; the matrix of correlation between

time of finding the answer to a positive question and time of proving of this

response, which shows the gap between the calculations of the efficiency

of decision making and the proof of its effectiveness.
Overweight, obesity and cognitive functions disorders in group of people suffering from mental illness
Authors: Łopuszańska Urszula , Skórzyńska-Dziduszko Katarzyna , Prendecka Monika , Makara-Studzińska Marta
Published: April 2016

Cel

Zbadanie czy otyłość wpływa na funkcje poznawcze u osób chorujących psychicznie.

Metoda

Do badań zakwalifikowano 91 z rozpoznaną chorobą psychiczną, w tym 51 kobiet i 40 mężczyzn, średni wiek badanych wynosił 46 lat. Osoby te były pod stałą opieką psychiatryczną, byli to uczestnicy ośrodków wsparcia. Nadwagę i otyłość mierzono wg wskaźnika BMI. Otyłość brzuszną wg wytycznych IDF i wskaźnika WHR. Funkcje poznawcze badano przy pomocy testu STMS, Testu Fluencji Słownej oraz Testu Uczenia Słuchowego Reya.

Wyniki

Otyłość brzuszną rozpoznano u 70% badanych wg wytycznych IDF i 61% wg wskaźnika WHR, u kobiet wyniki te wniosły odpowiednio: 83% i 94%, podczas gdy u mężczyzn 62% i 32%. Rozkład BMI w badanej grupie wyniósł odpowiednio: otyłość II st. -5 os. (5%), otyłość I st.-26 os. (35%), nadwaga-32 os. (35%), BMI prawidłowe -27 os. (30%), niedowaga-1 os. (2%) . Istniała ujemna korelacja miedzy WHR, obwodem talii a myśleniem abstrakcyjnym, pamięcią bezpośrednią i pamięcią odroczoną. BMI i masa ciała korelowały ujemnie jedynie z pamięcią odroczoną. Liczba przyjmowanych przez osoby badane leków wykazywała dodatnią korelację z masą ciała i obwodem talii. U kobiet zaobserwowano ujemne korelacje pomiędzy funkcjami poznawczymi a masą ciała, nadwagą i otyłością brzuszną. U mężczyzn wyżej wymienione korelacje nie występowały, zaobserwowano jedynie związki funkcji poznawczych z wiekiem.

Wnioski

Otyłość przyczynia się do spadku funkcji poznawczych szczególnie w zakresie pamięci bezpośredniej i myślenia abstrakcyjnego.
Relational semantics for the 4-valued relevant logics BN4 and E4
Authors: Robles Gemma , Blanco José M. , López Sandra M. , Paradela Jesús R. , Recio Marcos M.
Published: April 2016

The logic BN4 was defined by R.T. Brady in 1982. It can be considered as the 4-valued logic of the relevant conditional. E4 is a variant of BN4 that can be considered as the 4-valued logic of (relevant) entailment. The aim of this paper is to define reduced general Routley-Meyer semantics for BN4 and E4. It is proved that BN4 and E4 are strongly sound and complete w.r.t. their respective semantics.
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Pseudoaneurysm after Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Shariff Masood , Martingano Daniel , Khan Usman , Goyal Nikhil , Sharma Raman , Rizvi Syed , Motivala Apurva , Asgarian Kourosh , Nabagiez John
Published: April 2016

Left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication following aortic valve replacement (AVR), occurring most frequently secondary to endocarditis. We present a case of a 47-year-old female with a history of intravenous drug abuse and a past surgical history of two AVRs (2001 and 2009 with aortic root replacement for endocarditis) who presented with symptoms of lower extremity weakness. Subsequent radiologic imaging revealed the presence of a left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm, which was surgically managed with a homologous conduit.
Management of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Rupture and Entrapment
Authors: Bhamidipaty Madhu , Mees Barend , Wagner Timothy
Published: April 2016

While the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) itself has many useful and life-saving indications, it has a high complication rate, up to 30% in some studies. This report discusses the surgical removal and subsequent vascular repair in a patient with a ruptured and subsequently entrapped IABP and reviews the literature on the presentation and management of this rare but major complication.
Complete Resolution of Wegener’s Granulomatosis Lung Granuloma After Aortic Root Replacement
Authors: Edmondson Sarah-Jayne , Attaran Saina , Rosendahl Ulrich
Published: April 2016

Wegner’s granulomatosis (WG) is an autoimmune systemic vasculitis that results in necrotizing granulomas. We report a WG patient with a lung granuloma and aortic root dilatation, who underwent aortic root replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Intraoperatively, the patient suffered an aortic dissection, which was repaired immediately under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Follow-up imaging showed complete granuloma resolution, despite absence of immunosuppressive therapy. Immune stimulation following CPB is well described; here, the opposite was observed and DHCA effects are discussed.
Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Farag Ahmed , Chauhan Aneesha , Avinash Sunita , Liew Chee , Eichhöfer Jonas , Chauhan Anoop
Published: April 2016

This case illustrates the complexities of performing a primary percutaneous intervention in a patient with chronic Type A aortic aneurysm and dissection with contraindications for surgical management. We also discuss the significant risk that the patient had to overcome to survive an undiagnosed aortic dissection and an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.
How can aesthetic clinics boost their sales during the summer months?
Authors: Underdown Pam
Published: April 2016

During the traditionally busy spring, many aesthetic practitioners don't always have enough time to ensure they are prepared for a potentially quieter summer. If you are worried about the forthcoming holiday period, the following business and marketing strategies from Pam Underdown will help you to maximise your business potential during this time, instead of worrying about a dip in bookings
Data suggests thousands of young carers remain hidden
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: April 2016

Young Carers in School support programme unearths an average of 15 previously unknown young carers in each participating school
Supporting autistic girls
Authors: Lee-Potter Emma
Published: April 2016

There are many more autism diagnoses for boys than there are for girls, but this does not mean girls do not have autism. Emma Lee-Potter speaks to Sarah Wild, the head of the only boarding school in the country specifically for girls with autism
Preparing your parents
Authors: Sullivan Karen
Published: April 2016

Continuing her advice on encouraging parents to engage in their children's education, Karen Sullivan offers some research-based, practical ideas
Extremity soft tissue sarcomas: what’s hot and what’s not
Authors: Patel M.S. , Eastley N.C. , Ashford R.U.
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to provide evidence-based guidance for the general orthopaedic surgeon faced with the presentation of a potential soft tissue sarcoma in an extremity.
This is a Poem/Afto einai ena Poiima: Graffiti, public space and poetry in the contemporary Athenian cityscape
Authors: Fragopoulos George
Published: April 2016

While most responses to contemporary Greek cultural production have referenced the ongoing economic and social crises, not as much attention has been paid directly to the art that has arisen directly out of such pressures. This article focuses on one small mode of cultural production, QR Code Poetry, an amalgam of graffiti, poetry and technology. Code Poetry comments on contemporary Greek social and political landscapes and is clearly indebted to larger global political and aesthetic movements as well. The brainchild of artists and poets Theodoros Papatheodorou and Ioannis Dimitriadis, Code Poetry is an art form that critiques neo-liberal ideology and its role in dismantling both the contemporary welfare state and any notion of a public commons. Code Poetry achieves these goals by making city space itself an integral component of the art object itself, suggesting that the relationship between the observer and the artwork must be a politicized one in order to produce any potential critique.
Argentina era una fiesta: Ocio, modernidad y presente constante en la comedia sofisticada durante el primer peronismo
Authors: Hopfenblatt Alejandro Kelly
Published: April 2016

A principios de la década de 1940 el cine argentino comenzó un proceso de aburguesamiento y sofisticación, buscando nuevos argumentos y modos de representación. Entre los principales referentes de este cambio se destacó Carlos Schlieper, quien, en la segunda mitad de la década, dirigió un conjunto de films que presentaban un universo burgués con jóvenes alocados y caprichosos y tramas centradas en las relaciones amorosas. Ambientados en un universo idílico alejado de problemáticas sociales, significó una aproximación novedosa al mundo de las elites, en el marco de las profundas transformaciones que acaecían en los primeros años del gobierno peronista. En un contexto de fuerte modernización del país y alteración de la estructura social, sus comedias muestran sin denunciarla a una burguesía que no se avergüenza de su condición, alterando los discursos cinematográficos previos sobre el ocio, la movilidad social y las pautas de consumo.
Reviews
Authors: Noble Fiona , Zubiaurre Maite , Marsh Leslie L.
Published: April 2016

Disability Studies and Spanish Culture: Films, Novels, the Comic and the Public Exhibition, Benjamin Fraser (2013) Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, xxviii+192 pp., ISBN: 9781846318702, h/bk, £70

Imagen, Cuerpo Y Sexualidad. Representaciones Del Cuerpo en la Cultura Audiovisual Contemporánea, Francisco A. Zurián (ED.) (2013) Madrid: Editorial Ocho y Medio, 241 pp., ISBN: 9788496582873, p/bk, €25.00

Remaking Brazil: Contested National Identities in Contemporary Brazilian Cinema, Tatiana Signorelli Heise (2012) Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 200 pp., ISBN: 97807708325091, p/bk, $35.00
Análisis crítico de la sentencia TC/0168/13
Authors: Perdomo Cordero Nassef
Published: April 2016

El 23 de septiembre de 2013, el Tribunal Constitucional de República Dominicana emitió la sentencia TC/0168/13. El Tribunal estableció el criterio de que carecían de la nacionalidad dominicana los hijos de indocumentados haitianos nacidos en territorio nacional desde 1929. Para ello aplicó criterios que sólo fueron constitucionalizados en la reforma constitucional de 2010. La sentencia del Constitucional ha sido criticada tanto por sus efectos sobre los hijos de indocumentados, como por su vulneración de principios fundamentales del Estado de Derecho. Entre estos podemos contar la aplicación retroactiva de las normas, violación a la seguridad jurídica y del derecho a la nacionalidad. También se ignoró la jurisprudencia de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH), cuya sentencia Yean y Bosico v. República Dominicana ya había tocado el tema para los nacidos antes de 2010. De hecho, el Constitucional declaró en la sentencia TC/0256/14 que las decisiones de la Corte IDH no obligan a República Dominicana. En el presente trabajo examinamos los fundamentos de la sentencia TC/0168/13 y las críticas a los mismos.
¿Ajeno Siempre Será (Foreigners Forever)?:The Spectacle of (Un)Making Dominican/Haitian Identity
Authors: Pérez Hazel Yadira
Published: April 2016

Este artículo examina los desarrollos políticos que llevaron a la decisión de la corte constitucional el 23 de septiembre del 2013, en la República Dominicana, que cambió la política de ciudadanía del país y la aplicó retroactivamente al 1929, citando la cláusula “en tránsito” en su constitución 1929. Examino esta controversial acción internacional de redefinir la cláusula “en tránsito” como un espectáculo que rehace varias experiencias vividas en meras representaciones de una visión elitista de la Dominicanidad, y por lo tanto un poderoso vehículo para aislar y consolidar poder. A través de examinar estas acciones legislativas como un espectáculo, una muestra pública de poder de reescribir la ley en el presente y concretar la imagen de los haitianos como esencialmente como no dominicanos. fraudulentos y amanezadores, la ciudadanía dominicana se separa de las experiencias vividas y las realidades políticas y culturales previas, por lo que la dominicanidad se convierte en un cliché y objeto de contemplación infinita. Las funciones del espectáculo, principalmente, es atraer el escenario de defensores internacionales de los derechos humanos a los que el gobierno etiqueta de intervencionistas y violadores de la soberanía. Es con este discurso neocolonialista que el gobierno dominicano consolida las disidentes opiniones nacionales alrededor de la reforma.
Procesos de desmovilización de las AUC en Colombia y el FMLN en El Salvador en el marco de la ley de Justicia y Paz y el acuerdo de Chapultepec en El Salvador.
Authors: Molina Álvarez María Fernanda , Vizcaíno Barrera Vanessa Juliet
Published: April 2016

Este trabajo establece una comparación entre los procesos de reinserción de los desmovilizados de las AUC en Colombia durante el 2006 y el FMLN en el Salvador en 1992. Desde el enfoque histórico-hermenéutico, se realizó un análisis de las investigaciones empíricas y de los informes académicos, estatales y de organizaciones internacionales. Hay una concurrencia entre los artículos científicos y los informes hallados en el gran alcance de la violencia política y la implementación de estrategias por parte de las AUC y el FMLN. Sin embargo, existen diferencias relevantes entre ambos procesos de cara al escenario del postconflicto. En el caso de El Salvador, la creación de un partido político tras la desintegración del FMLN, su rendición de cuentas ante una Comisión de Verdad y la reparación de las víctimas, mientras que en el caso de las AUC en Colombia, la desmovilización favoreció la aparición de las llamadas bandas criminales que operan en base al narcotráfico y el crimen organizado opacando los avances de la Ley de Justicia y Paz.
Un río difícil. El Magdalena: historia ambiental, navegabilidad y desarrollo
Authors: Márquez Calle Germán Eugenio
Published: April 2016

La historia de la dificultosa y limitada navegabilidad del río Magdalena se ilustra con referencias de diversos viajes y viajeros, desde Bastidas y Jiménez de Quesada hasta inicios de la década del sesenta del siglo XX, cuando la navegación con pasajeros colapsó con el incendio del vapor David Arango. Se evidencian las crecientes dificultades en la navegación debidas a la formación de bancos de arena, sedimentos, torrencialidad y otros obstáculos, y se las relaciona, por una parte, con la búsqueda de alternativas de transporte y lo que ello implicó en el desarrollo nacional y, por otra, con sus causas como la deforestación y subsecuente erosión en la cuenca, a medida que se expandían la población y las actividades humanas. Respecto a las implicaciones en el desarrollo nacional, se plantea que la pérdida de navegabilidad del río, en confluencia con la apertura del Canal de Panamá y la construcción del ferrocarril del Pacífico, indujeron un impulso mayor a Buenaventura, Cali y el occidente del país, en detrimento del desarrollo caribe y en particular de Barranquilla, que a través del río Magdalena había sido el eje del comercio exterior colombiano. Sobre la deforestación, erosión, sedimentación, torrencialidad y pérdida de navegabilidad, se aporta evidencia científica que muestra que el Magdalena ha sido, por sus condiciones naturales, un río muy torrentoso y cargado de sedimentos y que la deforestación de su cuenca intensificó estas condiciones desfavorables; un panorama general de la historia de la deforestación y sus causas contribuye a entender porque el río perdió su ya escasa navegabilidad. Actualmente se están iniciando proyectos muy ambiciosos y costosos para devolver navegabilidad al río, en un proceso con altos riesgos en cuyo desarrollo parece importante tener presente que el Magdalena siempre fue un río difícil.
A Study Comparing the Efficacy of Monopolar Radiofrequency and Glycolic Acid Peels in Facial Rejuvenation of Aging Skin Using Histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic Sonography (UBM) – An Evidence Based Study
Authors: Wakade Deepal V. , Nayak Chitra S. , Bhatt Kalpana D.
Published: April 2016

Background: Radio frequency (RF) and chemical peels have been used for nonablative skin rejuvenation. Both of these cause collagen remodeling in the dermis and neo-collagen formation resulting in facial rejuvenation. There is limited literature on the evaluation of collagen remodeling by objective methods. Objective: To compare the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency and glycolic acid peels in facial rejuvenation with regards to histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic sonography (UBM). Methodology: In this study, forty patients with mild to moderate photoaging received four treatments with 3 weeks interval of monopolar radiofrequency on one side of face and glycolic acid peels in increasing concentrations (NeostrataR) on the other side. Pre and post treatment, 2 mm biopsies were taken from both preauricular areas and Ultrasonography using a 35 MHz probe was done from outer canthus of eye and nasolabial folds from both sides of face. A blinded assessment was done to measure the increase in the grenz zone and dermal thickness. Results: In 35/40 patients there was a significant increase in the grenz zone on histopathology and decrease in subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) on UBM of the nasolabial folds on both sides of the face (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency and chemical peels showed equal efficacy in the treatment of facial rejuvenation.
Five Roots Pattern of Median Nerve Formation
Authors: Natsis Konstantinos , Paraskevas George , Tzika Maria
Published: April 2016

An unusual combination of median nerve’s variations has been encountered in a male cadaver during routine educational dissection. In particular, the median nerve was formed by five roots; three roots originated from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus joined individually the median nerve’s medial root. The latter (fourth) root was united with the lateral (fifth) root of the median nerve forming the median nerve distally in the upper arm and not the axilla as usually. In addition, the median nerve was situated medial to the brachial artery. We review comprehensively the relevant variants, their embryologic development and their potential clinical applications.
Relative performance of antisymmetric angle-ply laminated stiffened hypar shell roofs with cutout in terms of static behavior
Authors: Chowdhury Puja B. , Mitra Anirban , Sahoo Sarmila
Published: April 2016

A review of literature reveals that bending analysis of laminated composite stiffened hypar shells with cutout have not received due attention. Being a doubly ruled surface, a skewed hypar shell fulfils aesthetic as well as ease of casting requirements. Further, this shell allows entry of north light making it suitable as civil engineering roofing units. Hypar shell with cutout subjected to uniformly distributed load exhibits improved performances with stiffeners. Hence relative performances of antisymmetric angle-ply laminated composite stiffened hypar shells in terms of displacements and stress resultants are studied in this paper under static loading. A curved quadratic isoparametric eight noded element and three noded beam elements are used to model the shell surface and the stiffeners respectively. Results obtained from the present study are compared with established ones to check the correctness of the present approach. A number of additional problems of antisymmetric angle-ply laminated composite stiffened hypar shells are solved for various fibre orientations, number of layers and boundary conditions. Results are interpreted from practical application standpoints and findings important for a designer to decide on the shell combination among a number of possible options are highlighted.
Numerical simulation of tests for the evaluation of the performance of the reinforced concrete slabs strengthening by FRCM
Authors: Anania Laura , Badalá Antonio , D’Agata Giuseppe
Published: April 2016

In this work the attention is focused to the numerical simulation of the experimental bending tests carried out on a total of six reinforced concrete r.c. plates the latter aimed to provide a basic understanding of the its performance when strengthened by Fiber Reinforced Cementitius Matrix (FRCM) Composites. Three of those were used as control specimens. The numerical simulation was carried out by LUSAS software. A good correlation between the FE results and data obtained from the test, both in the load–deformation behavior and the failure load was highlighted. This permits to prove that applied strengthening system gives back an enhancement 2.5 times greater in respect of the unreinforced case. A greater energy dissipation ability and a residual load-bearing capacity makes the proposed system very useful in the retrofitting as well as in the case of strengthening of bridge structures. Based on the validation of the FE results in bending, the numerical analysis was also extended to characterize the behavior of this strengthening system in tensile.
Those eyes don’t lie: a case of osmotic demyelination syndrome in a patient with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Murphy Caleb J. , Cathcart Peter L. , Olson Andrew P.J.
Published: April 2016

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS), previously known as central pontine myelinolysis, is a rare neurological condition characterized by demyelination of the pons or extrapontine areas including the midbrain, thalamus, basal nuclei, and cerebellum, resulting in upper motor neuron dysfunction and pseudobulbar palsy. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of alcohol dependence and end stage liver disease complicated by hepatic encephalopathy who developed symptoms suspicious of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy and experienced a generalized seizure during an inpatient stay. After 10 days of treatment with no improvement, it was noted that the patient had locked-in syndrome and that her sodium levels had rapidly risen 2 days prior. This led to a clinical suspicion of ODS, which was confirmed on T2-weighted MRI and subsequently on autopsy. In this clinical vignette, we review the clinical presentation, prognosis, and diagnostic considerations of ODS.
Healthcare is a giant with feet of clay
Authors: Barletta Giovanni , Nesi Stefano , Becciolini Simone , Plebani Mario
Published: April 2016

There is an increasing emphasis on using cost-effectiveness analysis to achieve a higher value for the money invested in the healthcare, avoiding waste and unnecessary costs. The process for achieving a better use of available resources should include five steps: collecting data, developing indicators, evaluating evidence, making informed decisions, and considering consequences. Clinical laboratories represent a paradigmatic model to improve data collection in order to develop further steps of the improvement process. Here we describe the experience of the “e-Valuate” project, aiming to improve the collection of laboratory data to provide useful information that should be the foundation for all other steps of this improvement project.
The role of computers to understand the past. The case of archaeological research
Authors: Barceló Juan A.
Published: April 2016

As practitioners of an historical discipline, archaeologists are in general, interested in guessing how ancient objects, buildings
and/or landscapes were produced and used in the past from the object's visual appearance and material properties. In the pursuit of
this general goal, archaeologists act as detectives looking for material cues (mostly visual) that may allow the discovering of social
actions that may have happened in the past. This investigation can be made intuitively, but also formally, in which case we need
computational tools and techniques to 1) extract necessary information from visual and non-visual data, 2) data processing to evaluate
relevant relationships between different items at different spatial and temporal scales, 3) build appropriate models that can be used
to provide explanatory hypothesis about the human past. In this paper I review the nature of archaeological problems and suggest
computational techniques and methods that can be useful in solving these kinds of questions. Emphasis is made on modern classification
and clustering techniques (neural networks, for instance), and computational simulation approaches.
Made in the humanities: Dual integral invariants for efficient edge detection
Authors: Mara Hubert
Published: April 2016

Motivated by the demand for robust character extraction from ancient documents with Script in 3D like cuneiform tablets, we
are developing curvature based filter algorithms using integral invariants. While previous work was focused on analyzing 3D-models
i. e. irregular triangular meshs in ℝ3, we introduce a fast, efficient adaption for edge detection in raster images. It
is an alternative to the Canny edge detector algorithm and other complex algorithms using first and second order derivative filters.
Our approach consists of two steps using (i) zero-crossings of volume integral invariants and (ii) surface integral invariants to
discard false positives introduced by noise. The runtime of these Dual Integral Invariants (DII) is comparable with Difference of
Gaussian filtering and it is independent of the number and length of edges. An additional benefit is the constant execution time as
line tracing is not necessary. As the proposed algorithm has no smoothing included it preserves smaller features than recent variants
of the Canny edge detector. We use artificial data sets with and without a known amount of noise to validate the accuracy of our
method in comparison with operators supplied by the OpenCV library. The equidistant spacing of raster images allows fast estimation of
the integral invariants based on filter masks like Roberts, Scharr and Kirsch. We show the results on well-known standard test images
and synthetic data.
Decentralized communication against surveillance and privacy violation
Authors: Graffi Kalman
Published: April 2016

The Internet is one of the main communication platforms of our society. In many countries,
communication contents and patterns are surveilled aiming to identify, punish or block
undesired ideas. I focus with my research on fully decentralized and secure communication
platforms which cannot be surveilled or switched off, on Android-based wireless mesh
networks which support local communication that do not pass through the Internet, as well as
on concepts for Internet-based democracy. My contributions aim for a practical usability in
form of prototypes and software provided to potential users.
Effects of Constitutive Properties on Pressure and Extent of Reaction
Authors: Arato Elisabetta , Morro Angelo
Published: April 2016

The paper applies the theory of mixtures to the chemical reaction rate. Concerning the time dependence of pressure, it is
shown that pressure increases, is constant or decreases depending on the analogous behaviour of mole numbers. The results
are established analytically and then numerically for the ideal gas, the van der Waals and the truncated virial
equations. Next, in connection with the ideal gas model, Denbigh assumption is established by starting from the
thermodynamic relation between (partial) pressure and Helmholtz free energy. Moreover, it is pointed out that the chemical
potential does not exactly equal the partial derivative of the Gibbs free energy with respect to the corresponding mole
number. This in turn is shown to imply that the evolution of a reaction is provided by the chemical potentials rather than
by the derivative of the Gibbs free energy. Subject to the assumption of ideal gas for the constituents, as
a thermodynamic requirement it is shown that if the number of moles increases the reaction is favoured by low pressures,
and viceversa, and explicit estimates are established.
Inverse Calibration Free fs-LIBS of Copper-Based Alloys
Authors: Smaldone Antonella , De Bonis Angela , Galasso Agostino , Guarnaccio Ambra , Santagata Antonio , Teghil Roberto
Published: April 2016

In this work the analysis by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique of copper-based alloys having different
composition and performed with fs laser pulses is presented. A Nd:Glass laser (Twinkle Light Conversion,
λ = 527 nm at 250 fs) and a set of bronze and brass certified standards were used. The
inverse Calibration-Free method (inverse CF-LIBS) was applied for estimating the temperature of the fs laser
induced plasma in order to achieve quantitative elemental analysis of such materials. This approach strengthens the
hypothesis that, through the assessment of the plasma temperature occurring in fs-LIBS, straightforward and reliable
analytical data can be provided. With this aim the capability of the here adopted inverse CF-LIBS method, which is based
on the fulfilment of the Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) condition, for an indirect determination of the species
excitation temperature, is shown. It is reported that the estimated temperatures occurring during the process provide
a good figure of merit between the certified and the experimentally determined composition of the bronze and brass
materials, here employed, although further correction procedure, like the use of calibration curves, can be demanded. The
reported results demonstrate that the inverse CF-LIBS method can be applied when fs laser pulses are used even
though the plasma properties could be affected by the matrix effects restricting its full employment to unknown samples
provided that a certified standard having similar composition is available.
The Effect of the Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit Upon Movement and Strength
Authors: Carvil Philip A. , Attias Julia , Evetts Simon N. , Waldie James M. , Green David A.
Published: April 2016

Carvil, PA, Attias, J, Evetts, SN, Waldie, JM, and Green, DA. The effect of the gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit upon movement and strength. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 154–161, 2017—Effective countermeasures against musculoskeletal deconditioning induced by microgravity and disuse are required. A simple alternative to provision of artificial gravity by centrifugation is compressive axial loading. The Russian “Pingvin” suit was the first wearable suit to apply this concept using bungee cords tethered around the shoulders and feet. However, poor loading characteristics and severe thermal and movement discomfort were reported. The gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit (GLCS) uses a bidirectional weave to generate staged axial loading from shoulders to feet, better mimicking how Earth's gravity induces progressive loading head to foot. The Mk III GLCS's loading was evaluated and tolerability assessed during maximal joint motion, ambulation, and selected strength exercises. Eight subjects (5 male and 3 female; 28 ± 3 years; 179 ± 0.1 cm and 74.8 ± 2.9 kg), having given written informed consent, had an Mk III GLCS individually tailored. Axial loading imparted, body height, joint range of motion (ROM), ambulation, and strength tests (12 repetition maximum) were performed in the GLCS and gym attire, with subjective (rating of perceived exertion, thermal comfort, movement discomfort and body control) ratings recorded throughout. Gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit provided significant axial loading when standing but significantly reduced knee (−13°), spinal (−28°) and shoulder flexion/extension ROM (−34°/−13°), in addition to Sit and Reach (−12.8 cm). No thermal issues were reported but there was an increase in subjective discomfort. Gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit did not significantly impede strength exercise, with the exception of shoulder press. The GLCS (Mk III) demonstrates potential as a countermeasure by providing tolerable, static axial loading. Furthermore, it may serve as an elasticlike strength exercise adjunct, which may have utility as a rehabilitation modality after further design refinement.
In-Game Heart Rate Responses Among Professional Baseball Starting Pitchers
Authors: Cornell David J. , Paxson Jeffrey L. , Caplinger Roger A. , Seligman Joshua R. , Davis Nicholas A. , Flees Robert J. , Ebersole Kyle T.
Published: April 2016

Cornell, DJ, Paxson, JL, Caplinger, RA, Seligman, JR, Davis, NA, Flees, RJ, and Ebersole, KT. In-game heart rate responses among professional baseball starting pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 24–29, 2017—The purpose of the current study was to characterize the in-game heart rate (HR) responses of baseball pitching. In-game HR was recorded from 16 professional baseball starting pitchers (mean ± SD, age = 22.1 ± 1.3 years; height = 187.9 ± 4.4 cm; weight = 90.5 ± 9.5 kg) for a total of 682 innings (home = 381, away = 301). All analyzed HR data were then normalized to each pitcher's age-predicted maximal HR (%HRmax). The group mean ± SD in-game %HRmax among all pitchers was 84.8 ± 3.9%, suggesting that baseball pitching is predominantly an anaerobic task. A split-plot mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance identified a significant interaction effect between inning and game location (p = 0.042). Follow-up simple effects indicated that the in-game %HRmax was significantly different across innings, but only during home starts (p < 0.001). Specifically, pairwise analyses indicated that the in-game %HRmax during home starts were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the first and second innings than in all other innings. In addition, follow-up simple effects indicated that the in-game %HRmax was significantly (p = 0.017) higher during home starts than away starts in the first inning (87.3 ± 3.6% vs. 85.8 vs. 3.8%, respectively). Thus, it is possible that inning-dependent psychological factors may have contributed to the observed changes in in-game physiological intensity across innings and that these factors are specific to game location. Consequently, strength and conditioning practitioners should prescribe high-intensity exercises when developing conditioning programs for professional baseball starting pitchers.
Validity and Reliability of the PowerCal Device for Estimating Power Output During Cycling Time Trials
Authors: Costa Vitor P. , Guglielmo Luiz G.A. , Paton Carl D.
Published: April 2016

Costa, VP, Guglielmo, LGA, and Paton, CD. Validity and reliability of the PowerCal device for estimating power output during cycling time trials. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 227–232, 2017—This study assessed the validity and reproducibility of the PowerCal device for estimating power output (PO) during cycling hilly time trials (TTs). Twenty-one well-trained men cyclists performed an incremental exercise test and three 20-km TTs (34.1 ± 10.6 years; 73.2 ± 3.2 kg, 176.8 ± 6.2 cm; maximal PO, 334 ± 31 W; maximal oxygen uptake, 61.0 ± 4.2 ml·kg−1·min−1). The first TT was used for familiarization, and the tests were separated by at least 72 hours. Mean PO over the 20-km TT was significantly greater for the Velotron (282 ± 27 W) than for the PowerCal (242 ± 28 W). The mean power over each kilometer of the trial ranged from 5.8 to 23.4% greater on the Velotron than on the PowerCal. High within-subject variation between the trials was substantially greater for the PowerCal (4.9%) than for the Velotron (1.8%). High coefficients of variation scores for the Velotron test-retest were found to be concentrated in the beginning and final meters of the TT (∼6.0%), whereas the scores were lower in the middle of the trials (∼3.0%). In contrast, the PowerCal test-retest achieved a high coefficient of variation (∼6.0%) in each km over the TT. Thus, the PowerCal device should be used with caution during cycling activities because it is not reliable and underestimates PO.
Wobblies of the Partido Liberal Mexicano
Authors: Weber Devra Anne
Published: April 2016

This article examines the Mexican grassroots base of the Partido Liberal Mexicano (PLM) and PLM members who belonged to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). It suggests that a grassroots perspective, one that is also multilingual and transnational, reframes both the PLM and the IWW. Eschewing an institutional approach, this perspective suggests that the organizational underbelly for much of this work rested with Mexican social networks that formed the labor crews, strikes, foci, and union locals. PLM supporters prepared for a Mexican revolution. Some of them did so while organizing IWW locals. Within the context of the intense migration of the period, labor and revolutionary foci moved across binational space, facilitating the spread of ideas, organizing, strikes, and revolutionary forays that were, in effect, binational “circularities of struggle.” These Wobblies of the PLM challenged industrial capitalism, questioned U.S. imperialism and racism, and helped launch the first social revolution in Mexico. This perspective reframes the IWW as one part of a spectrum of organizations attempting to counteract dispossession; yet it simultaneously reveals the organization as more expansive, diverse, multilingual, and transnational than previously presented. By decentering the United States and Europe, this Mexican perspective contributes to a re-envisioned transnational internationalist Left that includes the Americas and opens interpretative frameworks that cross gender, racial, ethnic, and national categories.
NNT mutations: a cause of primary adrenal insufficiency, oxidative stress and extra-adrenal defects
Authors: Roucher-Boulez Florence , Mallet-Motak Delphine , Samara-Boustani Dinane , Jilani Houweyda , Ladjouze Asmahane , Souchon Pierre-François , Simon Dominique , Nivot Sylvie , Heinrichs Claudine , Ronze Maryline , Bertagna Xavier , Groisne Laure , Leheup Bruno , Naud-Saudreau Catherine , Blondin Gilles , Lefevre Christine , Lemarchand Laetitia , Morel Yves
Published: April 2016

Objective

Nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT), one of the several genes recently discovered in familial glucocorticoid deficiencies (FGD), is involved in reactive oxygen species detoxification, suggesting that extra-adrenal manifestations may occur, due to the sensitivity to oxidative stress of other organs rich in mitochondria. Here, we sought to identify NNT mutations in a large cohort of patients with primary congenital adrenal insufficiency without molecular etiology and evaluate the degree of adrenal insufficiency and onset of extra-adrenal damages.

Methods

Sanger or massive parallel sequencing of NNT and patient monitoring.

Results

Homozygous or compound heterozygous NNT mutations occurred frequently (26%, 13 unrelated families, 18 patients) in our cohort. Seven new mutations were identified: p.Met337Val, p.Ala863Glu, c.3G>A (p.Met1?), p.Arg129*, p.Arg379*, p.Val665Profs*29 and p.Ala704Serfs*19. The most frequent mutation, p.Arg129*, was found recurrently in patients from Algeria. Most patients were diagnosed belatedly (8–18 months) after presenting severe hypoglycemia; others experiencing stress conditions were diagnosed earlier. Five patients also had mineralocorticoid deficiency at onset. One patient had congenital hypothyroidism and two cryptorchidism. In follow-up, we noticed gonadotropic and genitalia impairments (precocious puberty, testicular inclusions, interstitial Leydig cell adenoma, azoospermia), hypothyroidism and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Intrafamilial phenotype heterogeneity was also observed.

Conclusions

NNT should be sequenced, not only in FGD, but also in all primary adrenal insufficiencies for which the most frequent etiologies have been ruled out. As NNT is involved in oxidative stress, careful follow-up is needed to evaluate mineralocorticoid biosynthesis extent, and gonadal, heart and thyroid function.