bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the association of polymorphisms CASR and VDR with the development of nephrolithiasis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Peretokina Elena Viktorovna , Pigarova Ekaterina Aleksandrovna , Mokrysheva Natal'ya Georgievna , Rozhinskaya Lyudmila Yakovlevna , Baydakova Galina Viktorovna , Zakharova Ekaterina Yur'evna
Published: January 2016

Pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis (NL) at PHPT is not fully understood. Meanwhile, the detection of NL patients with PHPT is an absolute indication for parathyroidectomy. Conducted various studies aimed at finding a predictor of NL patients with PHPT. Actively study the role of genetic markers, particularly genes that regulate calcium-phosphorus metabolism.Objective — to assess the relationship of polymorphisms CASR and VDR with the development of the NL at PHPТ.Material and methods. A study to include 203 patients with confirmed PHPT, out of which 114 patients had the NL and 87 patients without NL. All patients were studied indicators calcium-phosphorus metabolism, the study of the level of PTH, vitamin D, the filtration function of the kidneys. All patients were studied indicators calcium-phosphorus metabolism, the level of PTH, vitamin D, the filtration function of the kidneys. The study of gene polymorphisms VDR (FokI, TaqI, BsmI, ApaI, Cdx2) was performed in 169 patients (113 with NL, 56 without NL) by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction analysis; Study 3 polymorphisms CASR (A986S, R990G, Q1011E) was performed in 187 patients (110 with NL, 77 without NL), by direct sequencing.Results. No significant differences in the frequency of genotypes and alleles studied genes between the two groups has been received. According to logistic regression analysis, the only predictor of NL is the level of ionized calcium.Conclusions. The studied genes can not be used as predictors of the NL. May need to investigate other genes.
New approaches to early diagnostic of microangiopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Krutikov Evgeniy Sergeevich , Zhitova Viktoriya Andreevna
Published: January 2016

Aim — the development of method for early diagnosis of microangiopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) by capillaroscopy with functional tests: the cuff occlusion of the upper extremity, tests with the cooling and heat exposures on the upper extremity.Material and methods. We investigated 54 patients with DM type I (mean age 24,1±3.2 years), who were divided into 2 groups: I group — 28 (51.6%) patients with duration DM <5 years; group II — 26 (48.4%) with duration DM >7 years. All the patients were underwent complex laboratory and instrumental examinations and also capillaroscopy and functional tests. Control group was consisting of 26 healthy people.Results. We revealed early stages of the diabetic microangiopathy even before the appearance of structural changes in patients with DM type at functional tests. We were identified the functional disorders: increasing recovery time of capillaroscopic parameters after carrying out functional tests to baseline versus control.Conclusion. We were to diagnose structural changes of microcirculation in diabetic patients with disease duration more than 7 years by capillaroscopy. In the early stages of the disease we were observed functional disorders which appearance before the structural changes using functional tests. It was lengthened recovery time of capillaroscopic dates after carrying out functional tests to baseline values in comparison with the control group. Recovery time may be used as early diagnostic criteria of diabetic microangiopathy when carrying out functional tests in patients with DM.
Influence of obesity on sperm DNA fragmentation index and outcomes of IVF programs
Authors: Vitiazeva Irina Ivanovna , Altashina Marina Victorovna , Mun Tatiana Vladimirovna , Troshina Ekaterina Anatolievna
Published: January 2016

The reduction of the birth rates in the developed countries and increase in the frequency of male infertility stimulate the extensive investigations for the factors that negatively affect the reproductive system of the men and causing their infertility. The excessive body weight and obesity in the men of the reproductive age can promote the development of infertility. One of the mechanisms by which excess fat tissue has a negative impact on male fertility is disturbance of spermatogenesis. The authors aggregate scientific publications concerning the macroscopic and ultrastructural disturbances of spermatogenesis in men with obesity. We present the results of the study conducted at the Department of ART Endocrinology Research Center, targeted at the revelation of the relationship of body mass index of men of reproductive age, semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index, as well as the influence of body mass index on outcomes of in vitro fertilization programs.
Using Research in Policy Decision-Making An Approach to the Study
Authors: Moreles Vázquez Jaime
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an approach about research utilization in the decision making and the policy process, as well as in other social practices. The main findings show that social research has influence beyond the academic context and observes diverse modalities: inclusion of ideas in the public debate; decision making; policy evaluation; change and improvement of some practices. In addition, the exercise represents a contribution for the corresponding research agenda.
Using triangulation to assess continuing education teacher needs in Madrid (Spain)
Authors: González Coral , Castro María , Lizasoain Luis
Published: January 2016

This article aims at highlighting the importance of triangulation as tool to compare and validate information coming from different sources and procedures. To do so, we assessed the needs for in-service training demanded by teachers and offered by the educational administration in Madrid (Spain). The data was collected using different techniques and analyzed with different data-analysis method and from this combination the results are richer and more complex. Starting with a short introduction about triangulation, we present methods, sources and analysis of the data as well main results and conclusions obtained via triangulation.
MERCOSUR’s Influence on Higher Education: An analysis from the “Mercosurización” of public policies
Authors: Solanas Facundo
Published: January 2016

Different processes like the internationalization, globalization, mercantilization of the higher education, added to the regional blocks construction as the MERCOSUR, have brought about important transformations on countries members’ university systems. The article purpose is to analyze the institutional changes caused by the beginning of the MERCOSUR on university’s systems of each of the four States block’s founders as well as the first two associates ones. Therefore, abundant existing Literature on the matter of “europeanization of public policies” are taken into account, in addition to selected investigation tracks, based on a set of interviews carried out within the framework of another study and different documentary sources.
The world-system of academic capitalism: Process of consolidation of the entrepeneurial university
Authors: Fernández Eduardo
Published: January 2016

The goal of this article is to analyze two institutional contexts in which academic communities develop their educational activities: the enterprising university and academic capitalism. The methodology of analysis of Higher Education institutions in the world system uses the model developed by the sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein. This analysis focuses on three dimensions: the "consolidation of the world-economy of the academic capitalism" (the transformation of higher education as a commodity), the "de-capitalization of the public university" (the new policies of quasi-market and of financing associated with the "entrepreneurial university") and "geoculture of the system-world of the academic capitalism," linked to the society of the knowledge, managerial ideologies, and intellectual entrepreneurship, but also to counter-hegemonic ideologies that supports the autonomy of the university as a pre-condition for social development.
Why Shouldn’t Rural Kids Have It All? Place-conscious Leadership in an Era of Extralocal Reform Policy
Authors: Budge Kathleen M.
Published: January 2016

This article explores school and community leaders' beliefs about standards-based reform and the purposes of local schooling in a single rural community in the western United States. The study used interviews of 11 community and school leaders in the community. Participants engage in a balancing act between serving local interests and satisfying extralocal mandates. They care about both the students they serve and the place they inhabit, and their own assessment of the educational enterprise indicated that state and federal policy had had little constructive influence on either. The conclusion explores critical place-consciousness as a possible tool to refocus rural educators' attention on the intent of the standards-based movement and to ensure that schooling supports individual student success and the needs of rural communities.
The Citizen School: Inclusive policies and practices
Authors: Azevedo Jose Clovis de , Rodrigues Carolina Contreiras , Curço Sumaia Fuchs
Published: January 2016

The experience of Porto Alegre Citizen school is discussed in this study, being analyzed how this democratic participation based project has produced advances in the educational inclusion issue. The Citizen School project is discussed in the context of conquests and advances within the Brazilian legislation. Education is discussed as a right, which analyses the contradictions of the inclusion process limited by the excludent socioeconomical system. The assumptions and the pedagogical practises which produce the schooling failure are examined by presenting a critical view towards the merit conception-based evaluation. It is discussed the need of rethinking school centering the concerns with inclusion and educators training intended to gather the “different ones” and allow dialogues with the cultural contexts. The ongoing project at the Citizen School is being analyzed as an updated pedagogical practice reference. The data examined is referred to the Municipal net and indicates a rise in enrollments, in the different modalities of attending, in evasion reduction, in failing and shows a drastic decrease of illiteracy in the city. It also testifies a continuance of an integrating, cooperative, solidary, participative and democratic pedagogical practice commited to social inclusion.
The Teachers Union-Charter Impasse: Moving Forward from the New York Caps Fight
Authors: Stulberg Lisa Michele
Published: January 2016

The public narrative generally frames teachers unions and the charter movement as mistrustful opponents locked in an unresolved impasse. There is little scholarly literature to correct this simplistic narrative of the relationship between charters and unions. This article examines the teachers union- charter relationship through a recent case of active and sometimes bitter charter politics: the fight to lift the charter cap in New York state in 2006 and 2007. This study examines the dynamics of the relationship through an analysis of media coverage of the New York caps fight and interviews with nearly 30 experts with varied views on charter schooling and from a wide range of professional backgrounds. The New York case suggests that ultimately, creating strong unions and effective charter schooling depends on these two sides finding common ground.
Beyond the Labor Market Paradigm: A Social Network Perspective on Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Authors: Baker-Doyle Kira
Published: January 2016

This article identifies limits of the dominant labor market perspective (LMP) in research on teacher recruitment and retention and describes how research that incorporates a social network perspective (SNP) can contribute to the knowledge base and development of teacher education, staffing, and professional development approaches. A discussion of current literature on teachers' social networks and a case example of social network perspective research highlight how such research reveals complex social factors that shape teachers' workplace experiences and show the ways in which the labor market perspective tends have a "recruitment-heavy" focus. The article describes how the social network perspective allows researchers to study social workplace concerns from both macro and micro perspectives. This approach can broaden the current focus on recruitment to a more comprehensive understanding of recruitment and retention.
The Impact of Skills Development on Competitiveness: Empirical Evidence from a Cross-Country Analysis
Authors: Onsomu Eldah Nyamoita , Ngware Moses W. , Manda Damiano K.
Published: January 2016

In the past half-century, most countries have emphasized the development of human capital as an instrument for economic growth, sustainable development, and improved global competitiveness. However, limited evidence exists on the link between skills development and a country's competitiveness. This paper examines the contribution and association of skills to a country's competitiveness. The study uses panel data from 84 countries in estimating an empirical model. Skills availability, foreign direct investments, secondary education, and technical (engineering) education and training are significant contributors to a country's competitiveness in a technologically changing and demanding world. This dynamic requires institutionalizing high-level technical skills development and on-the-job training programs in various firms that provided company specific and general skills to employees. The study recommends increased participation in secondary education and technically-oriented courses in tertiary education and programs that encourage skills transfer from foreign companies. Foreign direct investment, however, requires a conducive investment environment. Increased collaboration between tertiary institutions and industry is crucial for improved skilled development.
Los Rankings Académicos
Authors: Post David , Stambach Amy , Ginsburg Mark , Hannum Emily , Benavot Aaron , Bjork Chris
Published: January 2016

El uso de factores de impacto y rankings para evaluar publicaciones, instituciones e investigadores se relaciona con cuatro movimientos: la racionalización del conocimiento experto, asumido como una característica inherente a la autoridad burocrática; la política en la  regulación y control de la educación superior, que se manifiesta en el nuevo “gerencialismo” y sus intentos de evaluar la investigación; las políticas de precios y finanzas de las editoriales académicas comerciales; y la actuación cada vez más dramática que se espera de los editores y sus revistas, aún cuando éstos se vean a sí mismos más como anfitriones de la convivencia y del pensamiento, que como empleados de línea en una fábrica de currículos.
La construcción de una ciudadanía intercultural inclusiva: instrumentos para su exploración
Authors: Maria Angeles Marin Gracia
Published: January 2016

La multiculturalidad que caracteriza cada vez más nuestras sociedades exige más que nunca el desarrollo de un concepto de ciudadanía que favorezca la plena integración de las diferentes culturas que inevitablemente coexisten y una educación en la que se valore el enriquecimiento que supone la multiculturalidad para el conjunto de ciudadanos y ciudadanas como pilar fundamental para avanzar en la equidad, potenciar la conciencia democrática y facilitar la convivencia. En este artículo presentamos los elementos que sustentan un modelo educativo para la construcción de una ciudadanía intercultural inclusiva y una breve descripción del mismo. Se hace una descripción de los principales  instrumentos para la exploración de los diferentes componentes del modelo, elaborados en diversas investigaciones del grupo GREDI (Grupo de investigación en educación intercultural).
Patterns in Student Assignment to Elementary School Classrooms
Authors: Bosworth Ryan , Li Hao
Published: January 2016

In an effort to better understand aggregate patterns in the way elementary school students are assigned to classes, we conduct a careful analysis of observed classroom assignment outcomes in the 5th grade in North Carolina elementary schools. First, we model the probability that a pair of students are classmates as a function of the characteristics of that pair of students. This novel methodological technique enables us to directly observe the degree to which actual assignment patterns differ from what might be expected under random assignment for a wide variety of student characteristics. Second, we analyze patterns in classroom assignment and discuss the implications of these patterns. We show that classroom assignments tend to deviate from random assignment in a way that tends to group similar students and that these deviations tend to be greatly magnified in Magnet schools. Importantly, we find evidence that administrators sort students based on attributes not normally observable by researchers. These findings have important implications for researchers using value-added modeling (VAM) techniques. Finally, we find that classroom assignment patterns are generally stable across the racial, income, and geographic characteristics of schools.
Assessing Pre-service Teachers Prior to Certification: Perspectives on the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT)
Authors: Okhremtchouk Irina , Newell Patrick , Rosa Rebecca
Published: January 2016

This study focuses on pre-service teachers’ perspectives regarding how the process of completing the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) affected them academically, professionally, and personally.  Two cohorts participated in this year-two study.  Pre-service teachers’ perspectives were acquired using a survey instrument comprised of open-ended questions.  In addition, pre-service teachers’ self-confidence levels pertaining to assessment task components of PACT (i.e., planning, instruction, assessment, reflection, and academic language) were measured prior to the execution of PACT portfolio assessment and these levels were compared to the actual scores on PACT. This study concludes with implications for teacher educators and teacher education programs implementing pre-service teacher assessments; these implications include policy level suggestions as well as a discussion of intended and unintended consequences of the PACT assessment on the pre-service teachers.
Evaluating the impact of NCLB school interventions in New York State: Does one size fit all?
Authors: Lee Jaekyung , Shin Hyejin , Amo Laura C.
Published: January 2016

This study examines the efficacy and moderators of New York State interventions for schools in need of improvement under NCLB, including: (1) school transfer, (2) supplementary education service (3) corrective action, (4) planning for restructuring, and (5) restructuring. Despite the fact that schools in increasingly aggressive treatment groups had higher performance gains relative to schools in good standing, propensity score matching analysis results reveal negative or null effects of the interventions. There are indications of treatment effect heterogeneity and the effects varied by the year of implementation and the propensity of treatment assignment (schooling conditions prior to interventions). The findings of our study have implications for both theory of action and program implementation.
Acessibilidade cognitiva para o letramento de jovens com deficiência intelectual
Authors: Cruz Mara Monteiro da , Monteiro Angélica Maria Reis
Published: January 2016

O presente artigo tem por objetivo descrever os procedimentos voltados para a acessibilidade cognitiva utilizados na concepção e desenvolvimento de um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem - AVALER, em uma pesquisa sobre práticas de letramento para jovens com deficiência intelectual fundamentada em teorias construtivistas. A metodologia utilizada no estudo é a pesquisa-ação. Os sujeitos são dois professores e nove alunos de uma escola especializada que realizaram atividades com tecnologias da comunicação e da informação, caracterizadas como “práticas de letramento”, durante dez meses. Como resultados da pesquisa, observou-se o interesse dos alunos pelas atividades propostas e a realização espontânea de tentativas de leitura e escrita. Os estudantes também fizeram associações de ideias e compreenderam os textos apresentados no AVALER, concebido a partir da Teoria da Flexibilidade Cognitiva.
The growth of single-sex schools: Federal policy meets local needs and interests
Authors: Mansfield Katherine Cumings
Published: January 2016

Changes to Title IX allowing the growth of single-sex schools have garnered media attention promoting the benefits of separating boys and girls. Alternately, civil rights groups such as the ACLU continue to oppose any type of school segregation. Within this context, a private philanthropy, the Foundation for the Education of Young Women (FEYW) has established public-private partnerships with six Texas school districts to open all-girls’ public college prep magnet schools with plans to expand. This multi-year ethno-historical case study explores the meaning making of one community in the FEYW network as it attempts to make sense of federal policy at the local level. The topic is important to the field of education because it is timely: changes to Title IX and the growth in single-sex arrangements pose interesting legal and sociological questions about equity and justice since it links Title IX (an equity-driven policy) with the choice provisions in NCLB (a market-driven policy). The significance of this study lies in the unique use of ethnography as interpretive policy analysis to show how local communities (re)interpret federal policy to better align with their personal values and more adequately address contextual complexities in their attempts to do what they believe is best for students.
An empirical test of Oklahoma’s A-F grades
Authors: Adams Curt Matthew , Forysth Patrick B. , Ware Jordan K. , Mwavita Mwarumba , Barnes Laura L. , Khojasteh Jam
Published: January 2016

Oklahoma is one of 16 states electing to use an A-F letter grade as an indicator of school quality. On the surface, letter grades are an attractive policy instrument for school improvement; they are seemingly clear, simple, and easy to interpret. Evidence, however, on the use of letter grades as an instrument to rank and improve schools is scant at best. We address the gap in the literature by using student test scores to evaluate the use of Oklahoma’s A-F grades as a school quality indicator. Achievement differences between letter grades were small and in most cases not statistically significant when student and school characteristics were held constant. School grades did not reveal large achievement gaps in the highest ranked schools. Additionally, free/reduced lunch and minority students in D and F schools outperformed peers in A and B schools.
Examination of psychometric properties of the Turkish form of adult playfulness trait scale-APTS
Yetişkin eğlence eğilimi özeliği ölçeği Türkçe formunun psikometrik özelliklerinin incelenmesi
Authors: Keleş Sadiye
Published: January 2016

Adult playfulness helps children to reduce their negative feelings and go through more smooth transitions for new experiences, and this propounds the importance of examining the playfulness of teachers. The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of Adult Playfulness Trait Scale (APTS)-Turkish Form in terms of teacher candidates. The study was conducted with 440 university students. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to test the validity of the scale; and alpha value was calculated to test the reliability of the scale. Factor loadings and fit indices indicated that the construct validity of scale was high. Consequently, construct validity and reliability of scale were found to be high level.  

 

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı Yetişkin Eğlence Eğilimi Özeliği Ölçeği’nin (YEEÖÖ) Türkçe formunun psikometrik özelliklerinin öğretmen adayları açısından incelenmesidir. Araştırma 440 üniversite öğrencisi üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ölçeğin geçerliği için Açımlayıcı Faktör Analizi (AFA) ve Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA); güvenirliği için ise alfa değeri hesaplanmıştır. Faktör yükleri ve uyum indekslerinin, ölçeğin yapı geçerliğinin yüksek düzeyde olduğuna işaret ettiği söylenebilmektedir. Sonuç olarak ölçeğin yapı geçerliği ve güvenirliğinin yüksek düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir.
A quantitative isoperimetric inequality on the sphere
Authors: Bögelein Verena , Duzaar Frank , Fusco Nicola
Published: January 2016

In this paper we prove a quantitative version of the isoperimetric inequality on the sphere with a constant independent of the volume of the set E.
Statistical Testing of Segment Homogeneity in Classification of Piecewise–Regular Objects
Authors: Savchenko Andrey V. , Belova Natalya S.
Published: January 2016

The paper is focused on the problem of multi-class classification of composite (piecewise-regular) objects (e.g., speech signals, complex images, etc.). We propose a mathematical model of composite object representation as a sequence of independent segments. Each segment is represented as a random sample of independent identically distributed feature vectors. Based on this model and a statistical approach, we reduce the task to a problem of composite hypothesis testing of segment homogeneity. Several nearest-neighbor criteria are implemented, and for some of them the well-known special cases (e.g., the Kullback–Leibler minimum information discrimination principle, the probabilistic neural network) are highlighted. It is experimentally shown that the proposed approach improves the accuracy when compared with contemporary classifiers.
High Dynamic Range Imaging by Perceptual Logarithmic Exposure Merging
Authors: Florea Corneliu , Vertan Constantin , Florea Laura
Published: January 2016

In this paper we emphasize a similarity between the logarithmic type image processing (LTIP) model and the Naka–Rushton model of the human visual system (HVS). LTIP is a derivation of logarithmic image processing (LIP), which further replaces the logarithmic function with a ratio of polynomial functions. Based on this similarity, we show that it is possible to present a unifying framework for the high dynamic range (HDR) imaging problem, namely, that performing exposure merging under the LTIP model is equivalent to standard irradiance map fusion. The resulting HDR algorithm is shown to provide high quality in both subjective and objective evaluations.
Symbolic Computing in Probabilistic and Stochastic Analysis
Authors: Kamiński Marcin
Published: January 2016

The main aim is to present recent developments in applications of symbolic computing in probabilistic and stochastic analysis, and this is done using the example of the well-known MAPLE system. The key theoretical methods discussed are (i) analytical derivations, (ii) the classical Monte-Carlo simulation approach, (iii) the stochastic perturbation technique, as well as (iv) some semi-analytical approaches. It is demonstrated in particular how to engage the basic symbolic tools implemented in any system to derive the basic equations for the stochastic perturbation technique and how to make an efficient implementation of the semi-analytical methods using an automatic differentiation and integration provided by the computer algebra program itself. The second important illustration is probabilistic extension of the finite element and finite difference methods coded in MAPLE, showing how to solve boundary value problems with random parameters in the environment of symbolic computing. The response function method belongs to the third group, where interference of classical deterministic software with the non-linear fitting numerical techniques available in various symbolic environments is displayed. We recover in this context the probabilistic structural response in engineering systems and show how to solve partial differential equations including Gaussian randomness in their coefficients.
On two new records of rare Cystoseira taxa (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from Greece (Eastern Mediterranean)
Authors: Tsiamis Konstantinos , Salomidi Maria , Kytinou Eleni , Issaris Yiannis , Gerakaris Vasilis
Published: January 2016

Two Mediterranean Cystoseira taxa, namely Cystoseira foeniculacea f. schiffneri and Cystoseira funkii, are added to the macroalgal flora of Greek seas, both of them being described for the first time in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Descriptions, photographs, habitat type and distribution details, as well as brief notes, are provided for each taxon. Both taxa are rare, protected by the Barcelona Convention, and were found within three Natura 2000 marine Sites of Community Importance, highlighting the importance of establishing and enforcing site-specific management measures to ensure conservation of these rare, Mediterranean endemic, and little known taxa.
Performance goals for immunoglobulins and serum free light chain measurements in plasma cell dyscrasias can be based on biological variation
Authors: Hansen Charlotte Toftmann
Published: January 2016

Measurements of immunoglobulins and serum free light chains (sFLC) are frequently used in patients with monoclonal plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD). For optimum patient care, well-defined performance standards or goals for the measured concentrations of immunoglobulins and sFLC are required. Generally, data based on biological variation is a good and reliable method for setting desirable performance standards; this also applies for the measurements of paraprotein and sFLC. The benefits of this approach are several. Among others, it is independent of the clinician, and it provides us with information about reference change value and index of individuality. Several studies on biological variation of both immunoglobulins and sFLC have been published, and mostly the studies are well performed. The studies normally show small within-subject biological variation resulting in strict analytical goals, which in most cases are difficult to meet. Nevertheless, we still need further information on biological variation of immunoglobulins and sFLC in patients with PCD and in the elderly, which are the main target populations for the two measurands. Furthermore, to improve data on biological variation of immunoglobulins and sFLC, studies accounting for number of individuals, samples, and replicates, as well as time length of the studies are needed.
Characterization and adsorption performance of chitosan/diatomite membranes for Orange G removal
Authors: Wu Xiu-Juan , Wang Ji-De , Cao Li-Qin
Published: January 2016

Novel chitosan/diatomite (CS/DM) membranes were prepared by phase inversion technique to remove anionic azo dyes from wastewater. The fabricated composite membranes exhibited the combined advantages of inorganic substances, diatomites, and polysaccharides. These composite membranes were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanical properties of the membranes were also evaluated. Adsorption experiments were conducted under varied initial dye concentration, solution pH values, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. The results indicate that pH 3 is the optimal pH value for Orange G adsorption. The CS/DM membranes exhibit the highest adsorption capacity of 588 mg g-1 and removal rate of 94% under an initial dye concentration of 200 mg l-1, contact time of 6 h, and membrane dosage of 8 mg. Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms at different dye concentrations. The equilibrium data was found to be fitted well to the Redlich-Peterson isotherm. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models were used to describe the adsorption of membranes. The adsorption data were well explained by pseudo-second-order models, and also followed by the Elovich model. In addition, these membranes display high adsorption capacity and mechanical performance even after reused for seven times.
How Effective is Population-Based Cancer Screening? Regression Discontinuity Estimates from the US Guideline Screening Initiation Ages
Authors: Kadiyala Srikanth , Strumpf Erin
Published: January 2016

We estimate the marginal benefits of population-based cancer screening by comparing cancer test and detection rates on either side of US guideline-recommended initiation ages (age 40 for breast cancer and age 50 for colorectal cancer during the study period). Using a regression discontinuity design and self-reported test data from national health surveys, we find test rates for breast and colorectal cancer increase at the guideline age thresholds by 109% and 78%, respectively. Data from cancer registries in twelve US states indicate that cancer detection rates increase at the same thresholds by 50% and 49%, respectively. We estimate significant effects of screening on earlier breast cancer detection (1.2 cases/1000 screened) at age 40 and colorectal cancer detection (1.1 cases/1000 individuals screened) at age 50. Forty-eight and 73% of the increases in breast and colorectal case detection occur among middle-stage cancers (localized and regional) with most of the remainder among early-stage (in-situ). Our analysis suggests that the cost of detecting an asymptomatic case of breast cancer at age 40 via population-based screening is $107,000–134,000 and that the cost of detecting an asymptomatic case of colorectal cancer at age 50 is $473,000–485,000.
The origin of the causative prefix in Rgyalrong languages and its implication for proto-Sino-Tibetan reconstruction
Authors: Jacques Guillaume
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the first detailed description of the two causative derivations in Japhug Rgyalrong is presented, based on a corpus of spontaneous speech. Two new pathways of grammaticalization are proposed. First, it is shown that the causative derives from a special type of denominal derivation. Second, a previously undocumented development from the causative to the abilitative derivation is described. Lastly, the implications of these grammaticalization hypotheses for the reconstruction of Sino-Tibetan morphology as a whole are evaluated.
A diachronic view of Zamucoan verb inflection
Authors: Ciucci Luca , Bertinetto Pier Marco
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the verb system of the three known Zamucoan languages, namely Old Zamuco, described by the Jesuit father Ignace Chomé in the first half of the eighteenth century, plus Ayoreo and Chamacoco, still actively spoken in the Chaco area between Bolivia and Paraguay. The analysis has confirmed the internal consistency of this language family, allowing us to build a plausible reconstruction of the Proto-Zamucoan verb system. The analysis has unsurprisingly pointed out Old Zamuco as the most conservative language among the three; Chamacoco, by contrast, appears to be the most innovative. This notwithstanding, Chamacoco also has conservative features that turn out to be particularly relevant for the purpose of linguistic reconstruction.
Event-centrality and the pragmatics–semantics interface in Kikongo: From predication focus to progressive aspect and vice versa
Authors: De Kind Jasper , Dom Sebastian , de Schryver Gilles-Maurice , Bostoen Koen
Published: January 2016

Across Bantu, several polysemic markers expressing progressive aspect and so-called predication focus have been reported (
Reconstruction and idiomaticity: The origin of Russian verbless clauses reconsidered
Authors: Kopotev Mikhail
Published: January 2016

There are three types of Russian verbless clauses, which emerged through the ellipsis of the copula and other (full) verbs. This paper provides arguments against the hypothesis that they owe their existence to contact with Uralic languages. It argues that Finnic verbless clauses developed in parallel or even later than their Russian counterparts, and that the verbless clauses in Samoyedic languages, which preserve ancient Proto-Uralic features and use predicate nominal suffixes, differ structurally too much from those in Russian to represent likely models. It is argued that verbless clauses can naturally emerge when the meaning expressed by a frequent and semantically bleached verb is also included in the meaning of the phrase dependent on it. Other factors (contact-induced change, pragmatic and contextual factors) can support the emergence of – usually highly idiomatic – verbless clause constructions.
A Special Issue: Geomathematics in practice: Case studies from earth- and environmental sciences – Proceedings of the Croatian-Hungarian Geomathematical Congress, Hungary 2015
Authors: Hatvani István Gábor , Horváth Janina
Published: January 2016

The present paper aims to introduce the current problems of geomathematics along with giving on overview on the papers published in the special issue covering the Croatian-Hungarian Geomathematical Congress of 2015 in Hungary.
Matrix-free hydrodynamic study on the size distribution and conformation of three technical lignins from wood and non-wood
Authors: Alzahrani Qushmua E. , Adams Gary G. , Gillis Richard B. , Besong Tabot M.D. , Kök M. Samil , Fong Emily , Harding Richard A. , van Dam Jan E.G. , Gosselink Richard J.A. , Rowe Arthur J. , Harding Stephen E.
Published: January 2016

Molecular weight (MW) and related conformational data of three commercially available technical lignins (Alcell L, kraft L, and soda L) have been studied by means of analytical ultracentrifugation, taking advantage of some recent developments in both sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium determinations. The lignins were dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (with ca. 90% solubility), and solutions were studied with regards to their oligomeric state, heterogeneity profiles (distribution of sedimentation coefficients), and molecular weight distributions (MWD). Alcell L and soda L have similar properties showing one major low MW component and two minor high MW components, whereas kraft L appears to be larger and more uniform, i.e., it shows a more monodisperse MWD. Weight average molecular weight (M
w) data from sedimentation equilibrium obtained by the new SEDFIT-MSTAR procedure in conjunction with MULTISIG analysis were found to be ~18 kDa (Alcell L), 25 kDa (kraft L), and 15 kDa (soda L). Further analysis of the data by means of the routines MULTISIG and M_INVEQ confirmed the presence of additional components in Alcell L and soda L, and the larger size and high degree of monodispersity of kraft L. The intrinsic viscosity data of the three lignins were found to be very similar in the range of 22–24 ml g-1, and all data were consistent with an elongated plate shape molecular structure with an equivalent discoid aspect ratio ~30.
Asia, Ionia, Maeonia und Luwiya? Bemerkungen zu den neuen Toponymen aus Kom el-Hettan (Theben-West) mit Exkursen zu Westkleinasien in der Spätbronzezeit
Authors: Gander Max
Published: January 2016

In den Jahren 2004 und 2005 kamen bei Arbeiten am sog. Totentempel Amenophis III. in Kom el-Hettan (Theben-West) verschiedene Fragmente von kolossalen beschrifteten Statuensockeln zutage. Diese ergänzen die schon bekannten, umfangreichen Fremdländerlisten aus dem Bereich dieses Tempels. Einige der in den Inschriften genannten Toponyme wurden inzwischen mit den Namen Asia, Ionia, Maeonia sowie mit dem aus hethitischen Quellen bekannten Land Luwiya in Verbindung gebracht. Der vorliegende Aufsatz bietet eine kritische Untersuchung dieser Identifikationen mit zwei Exkursen zu damit verbundenen Fragen der westkleinasiatischen Geographie der Hethiterzeit.
Beyond the ‚Invention of Athens‘. The 5thcentury Athenian „Tatenkatalog“ as example of ,Intentional History‘
Authors: Proietti Giorgia
Published: January 2016

Nicole Loraux’s seminal book „L’invention d’Athènes“ (1981) opened a new way of understanding the Athenian funeral oration. It is a well-known fact that the Athenians exploited the annuallogos epitaphiosin honor of the war dead to convey a patriotic image of the Athenian past, centered on a canonical list of glorious mythic-historical deeds. This list – the so called „Tatenkatalog“ – has been so far investigated in terms of either ,political propaganda‘ or ,official polis tradition‘, where both definitions involve a high degree of historical simplification and, to some extent, falsification. This view, if somehow true as for the 4thcentury literary version of the list, must be reassessed as for the 5thcentury catalogue, which in fact is to be considered as a prominent example of ,intentional history‘ (in H.-J. Gehrke’s definition), produced by – and at the same time turned to – the political community itself, as the result of complex identity needs.
Colophon in the Early Hellenistic Age
Authors: Vacante Salvatore
Published: January 2016

Primary historical, epigraphic and archeological evidence and research on Early Hellenistic Colophon are re-examined in this study. More specifically, the article deals with a famous inscription found on the site at the beginning of the 20thcentury (SEG 19.698) regarding the unification of thehyparchousa polisand thepalaia polisof Colophon within a large wall-circuit, as well as the building of a newagora, streets, and other public edifices. A new dating for this decree – traditionally dated either under Alexander the Great or Antigonus Monophthalmus – is offered, namely to 296 BCE, when Colophon was included in the anti-lysimachean alliance of Demetrius Poliorcetes and Seleucus. In light of archaeological evidence, the traditional historical view according to which Lysimachus deported en masse the Colophonians to Ephesus / Arsinoeia and razed the original settlement is radically rejected. The article also offers new insights on the unclear relationships between inland Colophon and Notion / Colophon by the Sea in the late fourth – early third century BCE.
Dissimilar friction stir welding of aluminum alloys reinforced with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Pantelis D.I. , Karakizis P.N. , Dragatogiannis D.A. , Charitidis C.A.
Published: January 2016

This chapter is devoted to studying the possibility of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing fillers in dissimilar metal matrices joints produced by friction stir welding (FSW), as well as the impact of this incorporation on the microstructural and mechanical properties of these joints. Carbon nanotubes are extensively used as a reinforcing material in nanocomposites, due to their high stiffness and strength. FSW is a solid-state welding process of joining aluminum and other metallic alloys and has been employed in the aerospace, rail, automotive, and marine industries. Recently, friction stir processing (FSP), a derivative method of FSW, has been employed as an alternative for the production of metal matrix composites (MMCs). In this work, the process parameters were optimized in order to achieve nondefective welds, with and without the addition of CNTs. Two main cases were studied: (1) FSP was optimized by changing the tool rotational and travel speed as well as the number and direction of FSW passes, and (2) a Taguchi design scheme was adopted to further investigate the FSP in relevance to three factors (number, direction of passes, and tool rotational speed). Mechanical behavior was studied, and the local mechanical properties of the produced MMCs were compared with their bulk counterparts and parent materials. More specifically, the measured mechanical properties in the micro- and nanoscale (namely hardness and elastic modulus) are correlated with the microstructure and the presence of fillers.
Early Cytokine Profile Changes In Interstitial And Necrotic Forms Of Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Kostic Irena , Spasic Marko , Stojanovic Bojan , Jurisevic Milena , Radovanovic Dragce , Canović Dragan , Stefanovic Srdjan , Jankovic Slobodan
Published: January 2016

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common, potentially lethal, acute inflammatory process with a highly variable clinical course. The aim of this study was to analyse early changes in the serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of patients with the interstitial form of acute pancreatitis (IAP) and necrotic acute pancreatitis (NAP), especially in those patients who had lethal outcomes.

The prospective study enrolled 52 patients who were divided into IAP (65.38% of patients) and NAP (34.62% of patients) groups. The serum levels of interleukins (IL) 6, 8 and 10, together with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured on the 1st and 3rd day of hospitalisation. Significantly higher values of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were found on day 1 and 3 in NAP than in IAP. IL-6 was significantly higher on both days of measurement, whereas IL-10 on the first day and IL-8 on the third day were significantly higher in the group of patients who did not survive in comparison with patients who had the interstitial form of AP.

In conclusion, the data from this study showed that immune suppression and excessive immune stimulation in the first three days after admission could indicate the development of NAP and a potentially lethal outcome.
Prognostic Value Of Normal Myocardial Perfusion Imaging In Asymptomatic Diabetic Patients With Moderate And High Calcium Scores
Authors: Mitevska Irena Peovska , Pavlovska Jelka Daceva , Zdravkovska Maja , Zdravskovska Marina
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intermediate prognostic value of normal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in asymptomatic diabetic patients with intermediate and high coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. Methods: A total of 115 asymptomatic diabetic patients with no known coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent MPI after multi-slice computed tomography CAC assessment for the detection of suspected CAD. The study included 75 patients with normal MPI results. A 17-segment model for myocardial perfusion and function analysis was used. Patients were divided into three groups: I gr-20 patients with a diabetes duration between 1-5 years; II gr-24 patients with a diabetes duration 5-10 years; and III gr-31 patients with a diabetes duration >10 years. End points (cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, new angina, revascularization) were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months.

All patients had normal resting left ventricular function and normal myocardial perfusion scans. Forty patients had moderate coronary artery calcification with an average CAC of 290+/−95. Thirty-five patients had severe coronary calcification with an average CAC of 568+/−67. A correlation was found between diabetes duration and CAC severity (r-0,62 for diabetes duration over 10 years). Three cardiac events were identified at 24--month follow-up (new angina with percutaneous coronary intervention-PCI). Hard events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction) were observed at a rate of 0% in group I, 4.2% in group II and 6.4% in group III. The overall event rate at 24--month follow-up was 4.0%.

MPI and CAC are valuable techniques for the preclinical assessment of CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients. This could guide decision-making to result in optimal treatment and prognosis. Even diabetic patients with normal MPI are at increased intermediate risk for CV events.