bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical and social aspects on rare diseases
Authors: Krajnovic Dusanka
Published: March 2013

Rare diseases are a heterogenic group of disorders with a little in common
except of their rarity affecting by less than 5 : 10.000 people. In the world
is registered about 6000-8000 rare diseases with 6-8% suffering population
only in the European Union. In spite of rarity, they represent an important
medical and social problem due to their incidence. For many rare diseases
have no treatment, but if it exists and if started on time as being available
to patients, there is a good prognosis for them to be able for normal life.
The problems of patients affected by rare diseases are related to the lack of
diagnosis and timely undergoing as well as their treatment or prevention.
Orphan drugs are products intended for treatment, diagnosis or prevention of
rare diseases, but for their development and marketing the industry has not
been interested in yet because of their marketing reasons. Patients suffering
from a rare disease although belonging to the vulnerable group for their
specific health needs, is becoming invisible in the health care system due to
their additional needs un properly recognized. Ethical problems faced by
patients, but also health care professionals are related to the allocation of
medical diagnostics, unequal approach to health care, inappropriately
specialized social services as well as therapy and rare orphan drugs
unavailability. Ethical questions related to clinical trails on orphan drugs,
population screening and epidemiology testing on rare diseases will also be
discussed in this paper.
Bioethical issues in the development of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Todorovic Zoran , Protic Dragana
Published: March 2013

Development of biopharmaceuticals is a challenging issue in bioethics. Unlike
conventional, small molecular weight drugs, biopharmaceuticals are proteins
derived from DNA technology and hybrid techniques with complex three
dimensional structures. Immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals should always be
tested in clinical settings due to low predictive value of preclinical animal
models. However, non-human primates (NHP) and transgenic mice could be used
to address certain aspects of immunogenicity. Substantial efforts have been
made to reduce NHP use in biopharmaceutical drug development, e.g. study
design improvements and changes in regulatory policy. In addition, several
expert groups are active in this field (e.g. NC3Rs, BioSafe, and
Biopharmaceutical Technical Group). Despite that, there is an increasing
trend of use of NHP in preclinical safety testing of biopharmaceuticals,
especially regarding monoclonal antibodies. Other potential bioethical
issues related biopharmaceutical drug development are their
cost/effectiveness ratio, clinical safety assessment, production of
biosimilars, and comparison of their efficacy with placebo in countries
without intention to market. Identification of the human genome has opened
many new bioethical issues. Development of biopharmaceuticals is an important
bioethical issue for several reasons. It connects all aspects of contemporary
bioethics: bio?medicine (e.g. clinical trials in vulnerable subjects), animal
welfare and the most recent ad?vances in biotechnology. In particular,
biopharmaceutical drug development is a challenging issue regarding treatment
of rare diseases.
Determinism and free will in the age of genetics: Theoretical-legal concerns about predictive genetic tests
Authors: Salardi Silvia
Published: March 2013

The paper deals with the use of predictive genetic tests in medical research.
I limit my discussion to those advances in genetics which try to overcome the
limits represented by our genetic make-up, in particular by gene mutations
that lead, or could lead, to the development of genetic diseases. Besides the
ethical issues concerning the topic of the current discussion, the reader
will also find an evaluation of the legal provisions elaborated at the
different levels of the legal order (international, European, and national).
The aim of this evaluation is to find out which model of Law is being adopted
in bioethical issues like the one discussed in this paper. The paper
underlines and argues how Law can contribute (and has already contributed at
the different levels: International, European, and national) to value and to
spread an ethics of responsibility.
Challenges of traditional bioethical principles in the implementation of contemporary standards of medical law
Authors: Mujovic-Zornic Hajrija
Published: March 2013

The paper focuses on issues of development dimensions of Medical Law and its
ongoing process of standardization and harmonization on one hand, versus the
traditionally rooted and available principles of biomedical ethics, on the
other. The collision of new legal institutes and the spread of human rights
protections is evident. This paper follows the theory and practice of medical
ethics and medical law. The theoretical aspect points out medical ethics as
one of the sources of medical law. Legal theory makes a distinction between
formal and autonomous sources of medical law. Even though ethics is morally
much higher, law prevails because it has stronger sanctions and legal power.
In its practical aspect, this paper gives examples of different situations
of medical decision-making processes. Ethical rules are of the utmost
relevance in the domain of confidentiality and options of medical treatment.
But, in concrete medical procedures, where legal positions of patients are
evidently very significant, law has a more distinct function. Therefore,
explaining particular cases from medical malpractice, such as cases of penal,
civil or professional liability have an ethical dimension as well. Members of
medical professions in Serbia often find these cases unfair. Mostly this is
the consequence of ignorance in this kind of medical law and ethics
relations. A discussion about practical cases has in that sense a
self-learning component, which could be developed to strengthen ethical
reasoning and judgment.
The current debate: (C+M) E and ultimate harm
Authors: Rakic Vojin
Published: March 2013

Persson and Savulescu (2011b) is a largely successful defense of the position
promoted in Persson and Savulescu (2008) against Fenton?s critique of this
position in Fenton (2009). However, one of Fenton?s essential censures has
remained without response: if moral enhancement (ME) is to occur at the
genetic or biological level, as Persson and Savulescu suppose it can and
ought to, it will not be possible without significant scientific progress,
including cognitive enhancement (CE) by bio-medical means. I will offer a
response here to this critique Fenton raised-a response Persson and Savulecu
did not give. It will be based on the concept of ?integrated
neuroenhancement?, abbreviated (C+M) E.
Sajmiste, Jasenovac, and the social frames of remembering and forgetting
Authors: Karge Heike
Published: March 2013

The article discusses the reasons for the construction, in the 1960s, of
memorial to the victims of the former camp in Jasenovac in Yugoslavia,
although no such memorial was built at the Sajmiste site. How should we
explain and understand this difference and what do these two sites stand for
in Yugoslav discourses about the past? I will argue that the memorial project
for Jasenovac was, due to certain developments, seen as a substitute for
similar plans at nearly all the former camp locations in Yugoslavia. Because
of this substitution, after the mid 1960s none of the other concentration camp
sites in the country benefited from federal financing and thus all of them
were excluded from having a real chance at being made into a proper memorial
site.
“The bright past”, or whose (hi)story? Challenges in Russia and Serbia today
Authors: Adler Nanci
Published: March 2013

In Russia, two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Stalin?s
popularity soared in nationwide polls, as many recalled the country?s former
prestige and their previous sense of security. Likewise, many Serbs, who
formed the largest group in former Yugoslavia, look back with nostalgia to a
time of greater national pride and material comfort. By contrast the
dominated ethnic populations in that same nation at that same time were
frustrated in their striving for national pride. Each polity has a story
fashioned by selected and connected events that promote its national
interests. Although the physical battle in former Yugoslavia has ended, the
divisiveness remains, and is perpetuated by competing narratives of what
happened and why. And in Russia, an increasingly emergent ?invisible
Stalinism? has once again given victims of the repression little validation
of their experience. This article offers preliminary observations on the
disjunction of narratives in Russia and Serbia, and seeks to explain one of
the key impediments to coming to terms with the past.
Le devenir Afrique de Lumumba, Nkrumah et Sankara. Ou de l’importance de ressasser le passé contre le discours de Dakar
Authors: Rampazzo Bazzan
Published: March 2013

Cet article, issu d?une ?tude men?e au sein du Groupe de
Recherches Mat?rialistes, vise ? critiquer la matrice id?ologique
neocolonialiste du c?l?bre et controvers? discours que Nicolas Sarkozy tint ?
Dakar en 2007. Les th?ses de l?ancien Pr?sident de la R?publique Fran?aise
sont d?embl?e reconduites aux st?r?otypes colonialistes, puis d?construites ?
partir de l?invitation ? revenir sur cette page de l?histoire formul?e par
Makhili Gassama, ancien conseilleur de Senghor. Tout en reconnaissant la
complicit? d?une grosse partie des politiciens africains dans le partage et
saccage de leur continent et dans les guerres qui les traversent, l?article
veut contrecarrer le discours de Sarkozy par les paroles de trois
repr?sentants les plus significatifs du panafricanisme: Kwame Nkrumah,
Patrice Lumumba et Thomas Sankara. Ces trois hommes politiques ont d?nonc?
avec fermet? les int?r?ts ?conomiques n?ocoloniaux qui emp?chent une
v?ritable ind?pendance de l?Afrique. Il s?agit en outre de souligner que
l?oblit?ration et le refoulement des souffrances provoqu?es par la
colonisation au sein des pays de l?occident sont l?indice de l?acceptation
par la majorit? de leurs populations de l??tat des choses en Afrique, qui est
ainsi, en quelque sorte, naturalis?. Cette acceptation tacite constitue une
condition fondamentale de la reproduction quotidienne du dispositif
pacificateur de domination au sein du monde d?velopp?. Les maux de l?Afrique
trouvent leur cause alors moins dans une attitude de l?homme africain que
dans un syst?me de domination ?conomique et id?ologique assur? par les
institutions internationales tels que l?ONU, la Banque mondiale ou le FMI.
Comparison of PWM control of pneumatic actuator based on energy efficiency
Authors: Cajetinac Stanimir , Seslija Dragan , Nikolic Vlastimir , Todorovic Milica
Published: March 2013

In this paper different realizations of PWM control of pneumatic actuators
are compared. The actuators are controlled by PLC and two 3/2 valves.
Quality of tracking and air consumptions for different realizations of
control are compared.
TLM Z-transform method modelling of Lossy Grin MTM with different refractive index profiles
Authors: Doncov Nebojsa , Asenov Tatjana , Stankovic Zoran , Paul John , Milovanovic Bratislav
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a numerical three-dimensional (3D) model of electromagnetic
lefthanded metamaterials (LH MTM) is applied for the modelling of composite
right-left handed (RH/LH) structures with a graded refractive index profile
commonly named GRIN MTM. The core of this model is Transmission Line Matrix
(TLM) Z-transform method that incorporates the Drude function to account for
dispersive LH MTM properties in the time-domain. Lossy GRIN slabs with
abrupt, hyperbolic tangent, cosine, and linear refractive index profiles have
been considered. The accuracy, efficiency and stability of the proposed
approach are verified using analytical solution.
The importance and the role of forensics of mobile
Authors: Spalevic Zaklina , Bjelajac Zeljko , Caric Marko
Published: March 2013

Scientific-technological development, along with initiating integrative
forces that offer improvement of the quality of human life, concurrently
created prerequisites for individuals to exploit certain innovations for
performing criminal activities. Modern criminals wander through electronic
networks, and assisted by high technology, perform a variety of criminal acts
and ?launder? large sums of money. Computer forensics is a technological,
systemic control of the computer system and its content for the purpose of
gathering evidence of a criminal act or other abuse that it has been used
for. Digital forensics requires particular expertise that goes beyond
traditional data collection, as well as employment of techniques available to
the final user or system support personnel. In this context, this article
examines principles, methods and procedures in mobile device investigation,
which nowadays represent a multifunctional, powerful computer weapon, and
considers the necessity to update concrete procedures in accordance with the
development and growth of IT.
Electrical characteristics of thin film solar panels on a river boat under different microclimatic conditions
Authors: Kurjakov Aleksandar , Kurjakov Milan , Miskovic Dusan , Caric Marijana
Published: March 2013

In this paper are measured the changes in electrical output characteristics
of thin film solar panels as a function of external microclimate parameters.
Possible application of thin film solar panels in the production of
electricity on a small river boat was analyzed. Based on the results the
efficiency of thin film solar panels was determined. Also, cost benefit
analysis of their use on the river boat was performed as independent and
additional sources of electricity to the existing system which is based on
the ship diesel engine alternator.
Information analysis of iris biometrics for the needs of cryptology key extraction
Authors: Adamovic Sasa , Milosavljevic Milan
Published: March 2013

The paper presents a rigorous analysis of iris biometric information for the
synthesis of an optimized system for the extraction of a high quality
cryptology key. Estimations of local entropy and mutual information were
identified as segments of the iris most suitable for this purpose. In order
to optimize parameters, corresponding wavelets were transformed, in order to
obtain the highest possible entropy and mutual information lower in the
transformation domain, which set frameworks for the synthesis of systems for
the extraction of truly random sequences of iris biometrics, without
compromising authentication properties.
Patient doses in chest CT examinations: Comparison of various CT scanners
Authors: Bozovic Predrag , Ciraj-Bjelac Olivera , Arandjic Danijela , Hadnadjev Darka , Stojanovic Sanja
Published: March 2013

This paper presents results from study on patient exposure level in chest CT
examinations. CT scanners used in this study were various Siemens and General
Electric (GE) models. Data on patient doses were collected for adult and
pediatric patients. Doses measured for adult patients were lower then those
determined as Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) for Europe, while doses for
pediatric patients were similar to those found in published data. As for the
manufactures, slightly higher doses were measured on GE devices, both for
adult and pediatric patients.
An algorithm for formation control of mobile robots
Authors: Cosic Aleksandar , Susic Marko , Graovac Stevica , Katic Dusko
Published: March 2013

Solution of the formation guidance in structured static environments is
presented in this paper. It is assumed that high level planner is available,
which generates collision free trajectory for the leader robot. Leader robot
is forced to track generated trajectory, while followers? trajectories are
generated based on the trajectory realized by the real leader. Real
environments contain large number of static obstacles, which can be
arbitrarily positioned. Hence, formation switching becomes necessary in cases
when followers can collide with obstacles. In order to ensure trajectory
tracking, as well as object avoidance, control structure with several
controllers of different roles (trajectory tracking, obstacle avoiding,
vehicle avoiding and combined controller) has been adopted. Kinematic model
of differentially driven two-wheeled mobile robot is assumed. Simulation
results show the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Platform for capacity reservation in IP networks
Authors: Maksic Natasa , Smiljanic Aleksandra
Published: March 2013

The fast development of multimedia devices and services causes the need for
increase of the transport capacity of packet networks. OSPF-TE uses both the
information about network topology and the link utilization when finding the
routing path. Accordingly, it might find path even in the cases when the
shortest path routing would cause overloaded link and dropped packets. In
this paper we develop the platform for capacity reservation in IP networks.
We implement OSPF-TE protocol as an extension of the existing OSPF. In
addition, the basic functionalities of the reservation protocol and the user
interface are implemented. We present the simulation environment for the
verification of our implementation and for the analysis of various routing
algorithms based on the information conveyed by OSPF-TE.
Application of G100/120 thermal imaging camera in energy efficiency measuring in building construction
Authors: Pavlovic Aleksandra , Barbaric Zarko
Published: March 2013

A measurement of energy efficiency in the construction industry aims to
reduce permanently energy requirements in design, construction and use of new
buildings, sannation and reconstruction of the existing ones. Over the long
term, with the expected increasing in the price of energy and the development
of awareness about energy conservation and environmental protection, thermal
imaging methods will certainly find their wide application in the
construction industry. Infrared thermal camera is used to estimate the
temperature. However, we do not see all the details of interest on the
thermal image, therefore we suggest using the fusion of visual and thermal
images of the same part of the building recorded simultaneously. The analysis
images of the object obtained by fusion of television and infrared thermal
imaging shows the areas of interest for further processing.
Integration of an industrial robot with the systems for image and voice recognition
Authors: Tasevski Jovica , Nikolic Milutin , Miskovic Dragisa
Published: March 2013

The paper reports a solution for the integration of the industrial robot ABB
IRB140 with the system for automatic speech recognition (ASR) and the system
for computer vision. The robot has the task to manipulate the objects placed
randomly on a pad lying on a table, and the computer vision system has to
recognize their characteristics (shape, dimension, color, position, and
orientation). The ASR system has a task to recognize human speech and use it
as a command to the robot, so the robot can manipulate the objects.
Application of aromatic plant extract apples in nutrition chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)
Authors: Obradovic Sasa , Vukasinovic Marija , Sefer Dragan , Djekic Vera , Ivanc Aleksandar
Published: March 2013

In this paper we studied the effect of apple aroma as a food additive in a
concentration of 0.04% on performance and reduction of fur chewing and basic
production parameters. During the experimental period (30 days), the
experimental group of chinchillas that was fed with the pellet mixture with
the addition of the aroma showed a statistically significant decrease in fur
chewing (p<0.01) in comparison with the control group. Also, only 5% of the
animals in the experimental group chewed fur out of the total number in that
group (20 chinchillas), whereas the percentage of fur chewing with the
control group with the same number of animals was 30%. The positive effects
of aroma addition were noted for other examined factors as well, since the
experimental group of chinchillas showed a bigger increase in body mass
(1.36%), better growth (21.18%), increased food consumption (0.48%) and
better conversion (17.13%) in comparison with the control group that was not
fed with the aromatic additive.
Investigations of effects of magnesium, zinc and copper on cadmium excretion in rabbits
Authors: Bulat Zorica , Djukic-Cosic Danijela , Buha Aleksandra , Cupic Vitomir , Pavlovic Zoran , Matovic Vesna
Published: March 2013

Cadmium (Cd) is today one of the most significant metal poisons, both in the
area of professional as well as of eco toxicology. In the organism, cadmium
has a harmful effect on the kidneys, liver, bones, testicles, etc., and,
based on evidence in humans that it causes lung carcinoma, it has been placed
in the first group of carcinogens. In spite of numerous data in literature on
the harmful effects of cadmium, the interactions between cadmium and
bioelements as a significant mechanism for cadmium toxicity have still not
been sufficiently explained. Since the data so far point to a positive effect
of supplementation with certain bioelements regarding toxicity and cadmium
content in the organism, the objective of this work was to investigate the
effect of increased simultaneous intake of magnesium, zinc and copper on
urinary elimination of cadmium in rabbits exposed to cadmium. Rabbits were
divided into two groups: Cd group - for a period of 28 days the animals
received per os 10 mg Cd/kg b.m/day and Cd+(Mg+Zn+Cu) group - 10 mg Cd/kg
b.m. + 40 mg Mg/kg b.m, 20 mg Zn/kg b.m. and 10 mg Cu/kg b.m/day. Daily urine
was collected on days 0, 10, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, and 28 of the
experiment. Following decomposition of urine samples with the help of
concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 (4:1), the metal concentration was determined
using the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Supplementation with
magnesium, zinc and copper did not result in significant changes in the
elimination of cadmium through urine in animals poisoned with cadmium, in
comparison with the animals that were administered only cadmium, while the
concentration of all three applied bioelements in urine was significantly
increased. It can be concluded that the simultaneous administration of
increased doses of zinc, copper and magnesium does not have a positive effect
on the elimination of cadmium in conditions when rabbits are poisoned with
cadmium.
Possibility for use essential oils in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry with special emphasis on oregano oil
Authors: Vucinic Marijana , Nedeljkovic-Trailovic Jelena , Trailovic Sasa , Ivanovic Sasa , Milovanovic Mirjana , Krnjaic Dejan
Published: March 2013

The paper reviews the latest studies on possible applications of oregano
essential oil in veterinary medicine and animal livestock production. The
first part of the paper deals with the definition of essential oils,
possibilities for their extraction from plants, possibilities for their
application in human and veterinary medicine, the interest of a science in
essential oils, and, essential oils classification based on their use in
human and veterinary medicine. The second part of the review deals with the
properties of oregano essential oil, its main active principles, carvacrol
and thymol and its application in veterinary medicine and animal livestock
production. Oregano essential oil may be applied in animal feed, in the
treatment of coccidiosis of domestic animals and candidiasis. It can be
applied as a larvicide, repellent, insecticide and acaricide. It is used in
aquaculture to treat fish diseases caused by bacteria and parasites or in the
hatchery industry as a disinfectant for eggs or for disinfection of manure.
The greatest potential of oregano essential oil is the possibility of its
application in organic agriculture and organic animal husbandry.
Viral hepatitis E: A disease of humans and animals
Authors: Kureljusic Branislav , Ivetic Vojin , Savic Bozidar , Kureljusic Jasna , Jezdimirovic Nemanja
Published: March 2013

The hepatitis E virus is ubiquitous in all parts of the world where pig
production exists. The infection occurs in several animal species and its
course is mostly asymptomatic. Viral strains isolated from pigs and humans
are genetically similar, which indicates a potential zoonotic nature of the
disease, and the possibility that pigs, and perhaps also other species of
animals diseased with viral hepatitis E are a source of infection to humans.
The pig hepatitis E virus, which is similar to the hepatitis E virus in
humans, was isolated and described for the first time in the USA in 1997. The
infection of pigs with hepatitis E virus occurs through faeco-oral
transmission, by ingestion of feed and water contaminated with the virus, or
through direct contact between infected and healthy animals. The pathogenesis
of this infection in pigs differs from its pathogenesis in humans and it has
not been sufficiently examined in all its aspects. Even though viral
hepatitis E in pigs has been described as a subclinical disease, some authors
describe changes in the concentration of certain biochemical parameters in
blood serum of the infected pigs. Histologically, a mild to moderate
lymphotic-plasma cellular infiltration is observed in livers of infected
pigs, as well as focal areas of hepatocyte necrosis. Viral hepatitis E is an
endemic disease of humans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In developed
countries, hepatitis E sporadically occurs in humans, but it is becoming of
increasing importance in particular in Japan, North America, and Europe,
because the populations of these areas travel extensively to the endemic
regions or as a result of the consumption of thermally untreated meat of wild
boar and products made from thermally untreated meat. Pork products can be
contaminated with hepatitis E virus. Further proof that indicates the
zoonotic potential of this virus and places this diseases among the group of
professional diseases of farmers and veterinarians is the finding of
antibodies to hepatitis E virus in farmers and veterinarians who work on pig
farms without showing any clinical signs of the disease. Having in mind the
fact that viral hepatitis E has been proven in pig farms in Serbia and
neighboruign countries, there should be strict respect of biosecutiry
measures from the episootiological and epidemiological aspects, and the
principle of good production and hygiene practice should be adhered to on pig
farms. This disease should in future also be included in the legal
regulations of our country in order to ensure the production of products of
animal origin that are safe from the aspect of hygiene.
Teacher and Student-Focused Approaches: Influence of Learning Approach and Self-Efficacy in a Psychology Postgraduate Sample
Authors: Kaye Linda K. , Brewer Gayle
Published: March 2013

The current study examined approaches to teaching in a postgraduate psychology sample. This included considering teaching-focused (information transfer) and student-focused (conceptual changes in understanding) approaches to teaching. Postgraduate teachers of psychology ( N = 113) completed a questionnaire measuring their use of a teacher- or student-focused approach, deep and surface approaches to learning and teaching, and research self-efficacy. Standard multiple regressions revealed that the manner in which postgraduate students approached their own studies (i.e., deep or surface learning approach) predicted the use of a teacher- or student-focused approach in their teaching practice. Specifically, postgraduates adopting a deep approach to their own learning were more likely to adopt a teaching-focused approach to their teaching practice. Those adopting a surface approach to their own studies were most likely to adopt a student-focused approach. Furthermore, postgraduates with a high level of teaching self-efficacy were more likely to adopt a student-focused approach to teaching practice. Additionally, postgraduates who had received formal teaching training scored higher on teacher self-efficacy than those who had not received such training. Taken together, the findings suggest the key role of formal training in enhancing self-efficacy in teaching, and demonstrate an association between the learning styles adopted by postgraduate teachers and their approach to teaching.
Misconceptions about Psychological Science: A Review
Authors: Hughes Sean , Lyddy Fiona , Lambe Sinead
Published: March 2013

This article provides an overview of the available evidence on psychological misconceptions, including key findings, current directions and emerging issues for investigation. We begin by defining misconceptions and then examine their prevalence and persistence, discuss their implications for student learning and highlight potential strategies to eliminate or reduce their influence. Thereafter, several theoretical and methodological issues that have traditionally defined research in this area are discussed. In particular, we highlight the possibility that reported rates of misconceptions may in part be driven by particular features of the measurement procedures employed. On the basis of this analysis, potential avenues for future research are outlined.
Staff Perspectives of Service User Involvement on Two Clinical Psychology Training Courses
Authors: Clarke Simon P. , Holttum Sue
Published: March 2013

This study investigated both negative and positive staff perspectives of service user involvement on two clinical psychology training courses as part of an ongoing process of service evaluation. Ten clinical psychology staff from two training courses were interviewed over the telephone by a current trainee clinical psychologist using a semi-structured interview method. Data were coded into textual units of meaning and then analysed using content analysis. The categories most cited by participants regarding the positives of service user involvement were that service user involvement ‘develops trainees' learning’ and ‘challenges power differences’. For opportunities of service user involvement to provide benefits to the training courses, most participants cited ‘meaningful versus tokenistic involvement’, followed by ‘strategic involvement’. Regarding negatives and barriers, those most cited were ‘differences of opinion or agendas' and ‘lack of resources’. Whilst the findings suggested that the service user involvement initiatives on both courses have been well received, research is needed into how service users also experience the process. Interventions that facilitate staff reflection and processing of multiple perspectives were also recommended, particularly with regards to negative experiences of service user involvement.
Adaptive Perfectionism, Maladaptive Perfectionism and Statistics Anxiety in Graduate Psychology Students
Authors: Comerchero Victoria , Fortugno Dominick
Published: March 2013

The current study examined if correlations between statistics anxiety and dimensions of perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) were present amongst a sample of psychology graduate students ( N = 96). Results demonstrated that scores on the APS-R Discrepancy scale, corresponding to maladaptive perfectionism, correlated with higher levels of statistics anxiety with several subscales of the Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS). Results also demonstrated negative correlations between bilingualism and dimensions of statistics anxiety. Implications for future research and practical implications are presented.
Teaching Method and Effect on Learning Piagetian Concepts
Authors: Swiderski David J. , Amadio Dean M.
Published: March 2013

Instructors of psychology typically use a variety of methods to teach concepts. The present double-blind experiment is intended to determine the effectiveness of popular television clips as exemplars of Piagetian concepts compared to verbal descriptions of the same exemplars among a sample of 86 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory psychology course in a US college. Results indicated an advantage in learning the concept of conservation at follow-up stage for students exposed to the popular television exemplars, but there were no differences in overall learning at initial assessment, or on the three other Piagetian concepts.
Using Game-Based Learning to Teach Psychopharmacology
Authors: Scarlet Janina , Ampolos Lauren
Published: March 2013

This article reviews several approaches used to teach psychopharmacology for graduate clinical psychology students. In order to promote engagement and increase student interest, students were broken up into groups and were asked to demonstrate their understanding of the material through a variety of interactive games (i.e., game-based learning, or GBL). Games used to teach this course included Quiz Bowl, Family Feud, Rounds, Potions, Brainopoly, and Puzzles. Results indicated that most students completed the reading prior to each class, were engaged with their team members, and appeared more confident in their understanding of the material over the course of the semester. Additionally, student satisfaction surveys revealed that most students greatly enjoyed these games and reported that they were useful to advancing their understanding of the material.
Using Eportfolios to Aid Reflection in Introductory Psychology
Authors: Siporin Sheldon
Published: March 2013

Electronic portfolios (EP) are an academic version of online social media (e.g., Facebook) that archive student work and support integrated learning. Despite limited theory, advocates believe EP enhances the reflective process. Thirty-six students in introductory psychology at Pace University were invited to create EP and complete optional EP assignments: a personality assessment; an appraisal of a group learning project; and a review of a guest lecture on addiction. Reaction to EP was mixed. Twenty-five out of 36 students created an EP and 15 out of 25 earned extra credit. Some higher-level reflection was observed. Results are discussed and a few ideas for future use are suggested.
Counterfactual Thinking in the History of Psychology Course
Authors: Carroll David W.
Published: March 2013

History of psychology students wrote essays about historical figures and counterfactual events. A linguistic analysis of the essays revealed that counterfactual assignments included more auxiliary verbs and more references to tentativeness and the future. More important, scores on the counterfactual assignments but not the historical figure assignments correlated positively with a critical thinking subtest of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency. The linguistic analysis and standardized test results suggest that the counterfactual assignment promotes a different form of thinking than more traditional historical assignments. Counterfactual thinking assignments may be applied to courses in other areas of psychology.
Strategy to Promote Active Learning of an Advanced Research Method
Authors: McDermott Hilary J. , Dovey Terence M.
Published: March 2013

Research methods courses aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for research yet seldom include practical aspects of assessment. This reflective practitioner report describes and evaluates an innovative approach to teaching and assessing advanced qualitative research methods to final-year psychology undergraduate students. An active-learning approach involving auto-photography was developed and implemented as the assessment requirements for a qualitative component of an advanced research methods module. The authors suggest that this student-centred active-learning exercise is a useful and successful strategy to promote the construction of knowledge.
A Collaborative Project to Integrate Information Literacy Skills into an Undergraduate Psychology Course
Authors: Birkett Melissa , Hughes Amy
Published: March 2013

A collaborative project between an academic librarian and faculty member was implemented in an undergraduate psychology course with the goal of integrating specific information literacy learning outcomes relating to students' use of resources. As part of a semester-long, cumulative project, students' annotated bibliography assignments ( N = 67), including 510 unique citations, were reviewed to distinguish resource format and type of research (empirical versus non-empirical). Based on the analysis, students used a variety of resources to complete course assignments. Our evaluation suggests that partnerships between academic librarians and faculty members may be beneficial in positively influencing information literacy skills in psychology classes.
Extreme Estimation Uncertainty and Audit Assurance
Authors: Christensen Brant E. , Glover Steven M. , Wood David A.
Published: March 2013

The overall uncertainty inherent in financial statements has increased in recent decades, but the related reports and required level of audit assurance have changed very little. In our study, “Extreme Estimation Uncertainty in Fair Value Estimates: Implications for Audit Assurance” (Christensen et al. 2012a), we examine estimates reported by public companies and find that estimates based on management's subjective models and inputs contain estimation uncertainty that is many times greater than typical audit materiality. We do not question the value that audits provide to the marketplace or the ability of auditors to deploy up-to-date auditing techniques. Rather, we suggest that the convergence of relatively recent events is placing an increasingly difficult and perhaps, in some cases, unrealistic burden on auditors. We discuss potential changes to financial reporting and auditing standards that may improve the information provided to users, and also address the concerns raised in our study.
Multi-component, Self-assembled, Functional Soft Materials
Authors: Sajisha V. S. , Maitra Uday
Published: March 2013

Supramolecular chemistry is an emerging tool for devising materials that can perform specified functions. The self-assembly of facially amphiphilic bile acid molecules has been extensively utilized for the development of functional soft materials. Supramolecular hydrogels derived from
the bile acid backbone act as useful templates for the intercalation of multiple components. Based on this, synthesis of gel-nanoparticle hybrid materials, photoluminescent coating materials, development of a new enzyme assay technique, etc. were achieved in the author's laboratory.
The present account highlights some of these achievements.
Supramolecular Gels and Functional Materials Research in India
Authors: Kartha Kalathil K. , Mukhopadhyay Rahul Dev , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai
Published: March 2013

Supramolecular gels are a class of soft materials made up of small molecules held together through non-covalent interactions. They have reversible properties and a wide range of applications. Chromophore-based gels are of particular interest due to their inherent electronic properties
such as emission and charge transport useful for organic electronic device fabrication. Significant contributions have been made by Indian researchers in this area, which are highlighted in this mini review.
Pyridyloxy Cyclophosphazenes and Carbophosphazenes: Inorganic Ring-Supported Coordination Platforms
Authors: Chandrasekhar Vadapalli , Narayanan Ramakirushnan Suriya
Published: March 2013

This review deals with the utility of cyclophosphazenes and carbophosphazenes as supports for the construction of multi-site coordination platforms. The rich nucleophilic substitution chemistry of the chlorocyclophosphazenes and the analogous carbocyclophosphazenes can be utilized to
replace chlorine atoms from these inorganic rings with coordinating side arms. This leads to the assembly of interesting compounds that have the capability to bind to multiple transition metal ions. Using this strategy several coordination ligands have been constructed. After a brief introduction
to such ligands, this review deals with pyridyloxy cyclophosphazenes and carbophosphazenes. These ligands, in addition to possessing multiple coordinating arms, are also considered to be structurally flexible systems. This is because the pyridyl substituents are connected to the inorganic
ring skeleton through flexible oxygen spacer atoms. The coordination chemistry of these pyridyloxy systems is discussed particularly in light of the work that has emanated from our laboratories in India.
Olten Meeting 2012: Highlight the Potential of Drug Development November 28, 2012
Authors: Heinzelmann Elsbeth
Published: March 2013

How can the full potential of drug development be exploited? This question was in the focus of attention at the annual Olten Meeting of the Swiss biotech branch held on November 28, 2012. Renowned scientists from research institutions and industry gave us a glimpse behind the scenes
and reflected on the current state of research in the field.
Conceptual Influence of the Baylis-Hillman Reaction on Recent Trends in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Basavaiah Deevi , Sahu Bharat Chandra
Published: March 2013

This mini review describes our endeavors for the last 28 years in understanding and developing the Baylis-Hillman reaction as an useful and powerful tool in synthetic chemistry. We have also mentioned briefly how we initiated the research program in this area.
Correlation Of Portal Vein Pulsatility Pattern And Severity Of Liver Disease In Patients With Cirrhosis And Portal Hypertension
Authors: Subedee Anish , Lohani Benu , Sharma Shashi
Published: March 2013

Objective: To correlate the portal vein pulsatility pattern with severity of liver disease in patients with cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension. Subjects and methods: Doppler signals from the main portal vein of 36 healthy adults and 52 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were studied. Severity of liver disease was graded using modified Child-Pugh classification. Pulsatility of portal flow was quantified using portal venous pulsatility index and complete spectral widening was defined as absence of window below the wave base. The Doppler findings were correlated between the study groups. Results: The mean pulsatility index value in control group was 0.37+0.10 and in cirrhotic patients was 0.17+0.03 (Child A- 0.21+0.02, Child B- 0.18+0.02, Child C- 0.14+0.03). The difference between control and cirrhosis group, as well as the difference within different Child classes were statistically significant (P<0.05). None of the patients in control group had complete spectral widening while 76.92% of cirrhotic patients had complete spectral widening (28.5% of Child A, 66.6% of Child B and 100% of Child C). The difference in distribution of complete spectral widening between control and cirrhotic group as well as within the cirrhotic group was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Portal vein pulsatility index and spectral widening can reflect the early hemodynamic changes in cirrhotic patients. These changes become more pronounced with increasing severity of liver disease. Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 2, No.1 Issue 3 Nov.-April 2013 Page 1-8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v2i1.7664
Status Of Microalbumin In Hypertensive Patient
Authors: Yadav Shekhar Chandra , Yadav Ritu
Published: March 2013

Hypertension is one of the major risk factor for an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. The kidney is a main target of organ damage in hypertension. Microalbuminuria is one of the earliest indications of kidney injury in patients with hypertension. Total of 50 cases and 50 controls are enrolled into the study. Their blood pressure was measured and spot urine sample was analyzed for Microalbumin. Blood pressure and Microalbumin were statically elevated in case group in comparison to control group. Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 2, No.1 Issue 3 Nov.-April 2013 Page 9-12 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v2i1.7665
The Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation In A Tertiary Care Hospital-A Retrospective Study
Authors: Singh Ganesh Kumar , Parajuli Kamal Prasad , Shrestha Medhavi , Pandey Santwana , Yadav Shekhar Chandra
Published: March 2013

Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent among the general population in Nepal. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of intestinal parasites among patients attending Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. A total of 5,524 stool samples examined by direct smear and Formal-Ether concentration technique were reported. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was found to be 15.17% (M=15.65% vs F=14.62%). The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be highest among patients aged 5-14 years (20.66%), followed by elderly people aged > 45 years (16.20%) and least among children aged < 5 years (9.09%). Among various parasites detected, the most common was Entamoeba histolytica (44.86%) followed by Giardia lamblia (33.65%), hookworm (10.50%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5.72%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.77%), Hymenolepis nana (3.34%), Trichuris trichiura (0.95%) and Enterobius vermicularis (0.23%) respectively. Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 2, No.1 Issue 3 Nov.-April 2013 Page 13-17 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v2i1.7666
Radiological Mapping Of Nepalese Calvaria.
Authors: Bhattarai Manoj
Published: March 2013

Introduction Skull has cranial vault and base. The cranial vault is called as calvarium which roofs the cranial cavity (brain box).Cranial vault consists of frontal, parietal and occipital bones. Total thickness of calvarial bones includes outer table, diploe and inner table. Diploe is made up of spongy bone whereas outer and inner table made up of compact bone. Objective To measure the thickness of Nepalese calvarial bones i.e. Frontal, Parietal and Occipital. Methods It is a hospital base cross-sectional study. CT records of one hundred and fifty adult people were studied. Nine various points on frontal bone, seven on parietal and six on occipital were located and their thickness were measured bilaterally with help of CT scan. Results The present study showed that Mean thickness+_SD of frontal bone were 6.1+_1.8mm; parietal 4.6+_2.2 and occipital 9.5+_3.4. The study also showed that frontal bone had 2.4+_0.8 mm thick outer table; 1.4+_0.6mm inner table and 3.5+_1.3mm diploe. Similarly parietal bone had 1.9+_0.6 mm thick outer table; 1.1+_0.4mm inner table and 0.8+_0.5mm diploe. The occipital bone had 3.5+_1.5 mm thick outer table; 2.2+_0.8mm inner table and 4.3+_1.8mm diploe. Similarly this present study also calculated the mean thickness+_SD of outer table in the calvarium as 2.7+_1.3mm and that of inner table 1.5+_0.9 mm. Thus it concluded that outer table was thicker than inner table. Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 2, No.1 Issue 3 Nov.-April 2013 Page 31-35 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v2i1.7670