bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult B Lymphoblastic Leukemia with a Novel De Novo Chromosomal Translocation [Der(9)t(9;12)(p24;q12),-12]: A Case Report
Authors: P.K. Gadhia , G.D. Shastri , E.G. Shastri
Published: December 2014

Patients suffering from adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are very ill and present most commonly with shortness of breath during physical activity, a pale complexion from anemia, a very low platelet count, the appearance of pinhead-sized red spots under the skin called petechiae, or prolonged bleeding from minor cuts and discomfort in the bones and joints. Fever in the absence of an obvious cause is common. Leukemic lymphoblasts may accumulate in the lymphatic system, and lymph nodes can be enlarged. We report a young adult male with a novel translocation in ALL, who had vague (uncertain) minimal symptoms and splenomegaly. The patient had a unique cytogenetic abnormality: 45,XY,der(9)t(9;12)(p24;q12),-12, which has not been previously described in ALL. This is categorized as a poor risk due to his failure to achieve complete remission after induction chemotherapy.
An Orchestrated Response To Tumor Signals By Macrophages and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Potentiates Interleukin-6 Secretion In Glioblastoma
Authors: Anton Kevin , Glod John
Published: December 2014

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in the survival, growth, invasion, and metastasis of solid tumors. However, the mechanisms by which it influences these aspects of tumor progression remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we show that human glioblastoma cells secrete soluble factors that alter the phenotype and cytokine secretion profile of both macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Macrophages and MSCs respond to tumor-secreted factors by increasing the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and this response is potentiated when macrophages and MSCs are combined in co-culture. In glioblastoma, IL-6 has been associated with tumor cell invasion, angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, immune suppression, and poor prognosis. Our results suggest that the orchestrated response of macrophages and stromal elements to neoplastic cells enhances tumor progression through the release of soluble factors.
New Geometric Interpretation of Quaternionic Fueter Functions
Authors: Królikowski Wiesław
Published: December 2014

A correspondence between quaternionic regular functions in the sense of Fueter and fundamental 2-forms on a 4-dimensional almost Kähler manifold is shown.
On Derivations of Operator Algebras with Involution
Authors: Širovnik Nejc , Vukman Joso
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is to prove the following result. Let X be a complex Hilbert space, let L(X) be an algebra of all bounded linear operators on X and let A(X) ⊂ L(X) be a standard operator algebra, which is closed under the adjoint operation. Suppose there exists a linear mapping D : A(X) → L(X) satisfying the relation 2D(AA*A) = D(AA*)A + AA*D(A) + D(A)A*A + AD(A*A) for all A ∈ A(X). In this case, D is of the form D(A) = [A,B] for all A ∈ A(X) and some fixed B ∈ L(X), which means that D is a derivation.
On m-ω1-pω+n-Projective Abelian p-Groups
Authors: Danchev Peter
Published: December 2014

For any non-negative integers m and n, we define the classes of m-ω1-pω+n- projective groups and strongly m-ω1-pω+n-projective groups, which properly encompass the classes of ω1-pω+n-projectives introduced by Keef in J. Algebra Numb. Th. Acad. (2010) and strongly ω1-pω+n-projectives introduced by the present author in Hacettepe J. Math. Stat. (2014), respectively. The new group structures share many interesting properties, which are closely related to these of the aforementioned two own subclasses. Moreover, certain basic results in this direction are also established.
Generalizations of Opial-Type Inequalities in Several Independent Variables
Authors: Andric Maja , Barbir Ana , Pecaric Josip , Roqia Gholam
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we consider Willett’s and Rozanova’s generalizations of Opial’s inequality and extend them to inequalities in several independent variables. Also, we present some new Opial-type inequalities in several independent variables.
The Existence of a Unique Solution of the Hyperbolic Functional Differential Equation
Authors: Karpowicz Adrian
Published: December 2014

We consider the Z. Szmydt problem for the hyperbolic functional differential equation. We prove a theorem on existence of a unique classical solution and the Carathéodory solution of the hyperbolic equation.
On Bi-Dimensional Second µ-Variation
Authors: Ereú Jurancy , Giménez José , Merentes Nelson
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we present a generalization of the notion of bounded slope variation for functions defined on a rectangle Ib
a in ℝ2. Given a strictly increasing function µ-defined in a closed real interval, we introduce the class BVµ,2 (Ib
a ), of functions of bounded second µ-variation on Ib
a ; and show that this class can be equipped with a norm with respect to which it is a Banach space. We also deal with the important case of factorizable functions in BVµ,2 (Ib
a ) and finally we exhibit a relation between this class and the one of double Riemann-Stieltjes integrals of functions of bi-dimensional bounded variation.
On the Nemytskii Operator in the Space of Functions of Bounded (p, 2, α)-Variation with Respect to the Weight Function
Authors: Aziz Wadie
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we consider the Nemytskii operator (Hf)(t) = h(t, f(t)), generated by a given function h. It is shown that if H is globally Lipschitzian and maps the space of functions of bounded (p,2,α)-variation (with respect to a weight function α) into the space of functions of bounded (q,2,α)-variation (with respect to α) 1<q<p, then H is of the form (Hf)(t) = A(t)f(t)+B(t). On the other hand, if 1<p<q then H is constant. It generalize several earlier results of this type due to Matkowski-Merentes and Merentes. Also, we will prove that if a uniformly continuous Nemytskii operator maps a space of bounded variation with weight function in the sense of Merentes into another space of the same type, its generator function is an affine function.
Radical Transversal Lightlike Submanifolds of Indefinite Para-Sasakian Manifolds
Authors: Shukla S.S. , Yadav Akhilesh
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we study radical transversal lightlike submanifolds and screen slant radical transversal lightlike submanifolds of indefinite para-Sasakian manifolds giving some non-trivial examples of these submanifolds. Integrability conditions of distributions D and RadTM on radical transversal lightlike submanifolds and screen slant radical transversal lightlike submanifolds of indefinite para-Sasakian manifolds, have been obtained. We also study totally contact umbilical radical transversal lightlike submanifolds of indefinite para-Sasakian manifolds.
Influence of the Collection Season on Production, Size, and Chemical Composition of Bee Pollen Produced by Apis Mellifera L.
Authors: Negrão Adriana F. , Barreto Lidia M. R. C. , Orsi Ricardo O.
Published: December 2014

The aim of our study was to investigate how the collection period affects and influences the production, chemical composition, and size of bee pollen loads (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, greater than 2.0 mm). The results showed there was a predominance of pollen loads with a diameter greater than 2.0 mm in all the production seasons. For all the seasons, there were no differences in protein content between the particle sizes. But when comparing 0.5 mm during the different periods, there were significant differences; the highest value was found during the winter (24.39 ± 3.7%). As far as lipids and crude fiber are concerned, we obtained differences between the same granulometry sizes for the spring and summer seasons. As for ashes, the results showed differences between different particle sizes for the summer and autumn seasons. Our results have shown that regardless of pollen particle size, its quality was not altered, suggesting that smaller loads can be commercially used by containing nutritional quality or else be used by beekeepers as a supplement during periods of food scarcity.
Pollen Foraging by Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.) in Greece: Botanical and Geographical Origin
Authors: Dimou Maria , Tananaki Chrysoula , Liolios Vasilios , Thrasyvoulou Andreas
Published: December 2014

Pollen is very important for honey bee colony development and nutrition. It is also a valuable product for human consumption, considered to have high nutritional value. In this study, we performed melissopalynological analysis of 285 pollen load samples collected from 44 apiaries throughout Greece. The analysis revealed 229 plant taxa represented in total. The abundance of each pollen type varied among the geographical areas from which the samples were collected. We also observed variation among samples collected from the same geographical region. The most frequently found families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Rosaceae. The most frequently observed taxa were Brassicaceae, Carduus type, Cistus and Papaver rhoeas. Statistical analysis showed that the geographical classification of pollen samples among northern, central and southern Greece is possible.
Changes in Alternative Splicing in Apis Mellifera Bees Fed Apis Cerana Royal Jelly
Authors: Shi Yuan Yuan , Huang Zachary Y. , Wu Xiao Bo , Wang Zi Long , Yan Wei Yu , Zeng Zhi Jiang
Published: December 2014

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a social insect characterized by caste differentiation in which the queen bee and worker bees display marked differences in morphology, behavior, reproduction, and longevity despite their identical genomes. The main causative factor in caste differentiation is the food fed to queen larvae, termed royal jelly (RJ). Alternative splicing (AS) is an important RNA-mediated post-transcriptional process in eukaryotes. Here we report AS changes in A. mellifera after being fed either A. mellifera RJ or A. cerana RJ. The results demonstrated that the RJ type affected 4 types of AS in adult A. mellifera: exon skipping, intron retention, alternative 5’ splice sites, and alternative 3’splice sites. After feeding with A. cerana RJ, AS occurred in many genes in adult A. mellifera that encode proteins involved in development, growth, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and substance metabolism. This study provides the first evidence that heterospecific RJ can influence the AS of many genes related to honey bee development and growth.
Injuries of Worker Bees (Apis Mellifera Carnica) Stored in Own and Stranger Queenright Colonies
Authors: Zajdel Barbara , Gąbka Jakub , Jasiński Zygmunt , Beata Madras-Majewska
Published: December 2014

This research was conducted in 2008 and 2010 in the experimental apiary of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Worker bees were stored in transport cages in their own colonies and stranger colonies. The number of injuries and the death rate were checked twice, after 3 and 7 days of storage. In total, 6720 bees were examined (3360 workers from their own colonies and the same number from stranger colonies). The number of injured and dead workers had an exponential distribution (skewness>1). The worker bees sustained significantly more leg injuries (missing leg segments - 92 - 96%) than injuries of arolia (13 - 15%), wings (1 - 7%) or antennae (1 - 2). Worker bees stored in stranger colonies were injured significantly more frequently than worker bees stored in their own colonies. A significantly greater number of bees died in stranger colonies than in own colonies. The fact that bees stored in own colonies were injured proves that, even if they have the same smell, bees kept in cages provoke aggressive behavior from bees belonging to the banking colony.
Performance of Bee Colonies Headed by Queens Instrumentally Inseminated with Semen of Drones Who Come from a Single Colony or Many Colonies
Authors: Gerula Dariusz , Węgrzynowicz Paweł , Panasiuk Beata , Bieńkowska Małgorzata , Skowronek Wojciech
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of honey bee worker diversity within the colony on: development, honey productivity, and wintering. Two different levels of diversity within the colony were tested. The appropriate levels of diversity within the colony were obtained by selecting drones for inseminating the queens. Lower genetic diversity was obtained in the colonies headed by a queen inseminated with semen collected from drones originating from a single colony. Higher genetic diversity was obtained in the colonies with queens inseminated with semen from drones of 30 different colonies. Colonies with a higher genetic variation of workers in the colonies had greater levels of functional characteristics. However, apart from the number of dead bees in winter, the genetic diversity level of the workers on the colony development and honey production, did not have a significant influence. There was an averaging effect observed concerning that male component in the colonies with a higher genetic variation of workers - on honey yield, when compared to the non-additive effect of the best drones.
The Utility of Nonparametric Transformations for Imputation of Survey Data
Authors: Robbins Michael W.
Published: December 2014

Missing values present a prevalent problem in the analysis of establishment survey data. Multivariate imputation algorithms (which are used to fill in missing observations) tend to have the common limitation that imputations for continuous variables are sampled from Gaussian distributions. This limitation is addressed here through the use of robust marginal transformations. Specifically, kernel-density and empirical distribution-type transformations are discussed and are shown to have favorable properties when used for imputation of complex survey data. Although such techniques have wide applicability (i.e., they may be easily applied in conjunction with a wide array of imputation techniques), the proposed methodology is applied here with an algorithm for imputation in the USDA’s Agricultural Resource Management Survey. Data analysis and simulation results are used to illustrate the specific advantages of the robust methods when compared to the fully parametric techniques and to other relevant techniques such as predictive mean matching. To summarize, transformations based upon parametric densities are shown to distort several data characteristics in circumstances where the parametric model is ill fit; however, no circumstances are found in which the transformations based upon parametric models outperform the nonparametric transformations. As a result, the transformation based upon the empirical distribution (which is the most computationally efficient) is recommended over the other transformation procedures in practice.
Detecting and Treating Verified Influential Values in a Monthly Retail Trade Survey
Authors: Mulry Mary H. , Oliver Broderick E. , Kaputa Stephen J.
Published: December 2014

In survey data, an observation is considered influential if it is reported correctly and its weighted contribution has an excessive effect on a key estimate, such as an estimate of total or change. In previous research with data from the U.S. Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS), two methods, Clark Winsorization and weighted M-estimation, have shown potential to detect and adjust influential observations. This article discusses results of the application of a simulation methodology that generates realistic population time-series data. The new strategy enables evaluating Clark Winsorization and weighted M-estimation over repeated samples and producing conditional and unconditional performance measures. The analyses consider several scenarios for the occurrence of influential observations in the MRTS and assess the performance of the two methods for estimates of total retail sales and month-to-month change.
Economic, Cultural and Social Factors Influencing the Development of Gay Businesses and Places: Evidence from the European Union / Ekonomické, Kulturní A Sociální Faktory V Pozadí Rozvoje Gay Podniků A Míst: Situace V Evropské Unii
Authors: Gabiam Koessan , Pitoňák Michal
Published: December 2014

The late 20th century emergence of gay neighbourhoods and their related businesses has been examined by a number of researchers, but few have tackled this issue on a larger scale compared to case studies in a national context. This study considers the development of European gay businesses and gay non-residential places, using principal components analysis on data from the Spartacus International Gay Guide of 2007. This is an unusual quantitative approach in the largely qualitatively-dominated field of geographies of sexualities. It has identified gay commodification and gay (in)visibilities as the most likely factors of spatial diversity in observed gay places. These two identified dimensions are then analysed in terms of their linkages, specificities and regional importance. Subsequently, the interactions between economic, cultural and social factors at stake in the development of gay business and non-residential places across Europe, are evaluated.
Shopping and Services Related Travel in the Hinterland of Brno: Changes From the Socialist Period to the Present / Spádovost Za Obchodem A Službami V Zázemí Brna: Srovnání Období Socialismu A Současnosti
Authors: Maryáš Jaroslav , Kunc Josef , Tonev Petr , Szczyrba Zdeněk
Published: December 2014

Shopping and services related travel represent significant aspects of the service functions of settlements and belong to basic region-forming processes. They are relatively irregular movements, and the analyses of these processes are based on data which are not available from official sources. This article presents some results from a survey on the attraction of retail and services provision, as exemplified by service processes in the hinterland of Brno City. The results from our survey contain both a time dimension in a single-model space (in terms of a comparison between current results and those from the socialist era at the end of the 1970s), and the possibility to compare various methodologies using responses from municipalities and those from local residents. Hence, this article presents an outline of selected changes in the shopping resources and shopping and services related travel in the Brno hinterland, over a period of about three decades, with some interesting methodological aspects.
The Identification of Residents with their Region and the Continuity of Socio-Historical Development / Identifikace Obyvatel Se Svým Regionem A Kontinuita Socio-Historického Vývoje
Authors: Šerý Miloslav
Published: December 2014

The regional identity of inhabitants in typologically different regions, which differ mainly in terms of the continuity of their socio-historical development, is examined in this article using the example of two case study areas. An important dimension of the concept of any population’s regional identity is the phenomenon of the identification of inhabitants with their region, and this is subject to analysis in this paper. The research demonstrated that a stronger form of the identity phenomenon could be reported for the case study region in which socio-historical development had an uninterrupted continuity. The observed findings helped to confirm the importance of long-term processes in a region’s formation.
Hydrodechlorination of tetrachloromethane over silica-supported palladium-gold alloys
Authors: Karpiński Zbigniew , Bonarowska Magdalena , Juszczyk Wojciech
Published: December 2014

Compared with the monometallic palladium, bimetallic Pd-Au/SiO2 catalysts show much higher activity and better stability in the reaction of hydrodechlorination of tetrachloromethane, also providing higher selectivity to longer than methane hydrocarbon products. Reasonably mixed Pd-Au particles show better catalytic performance during ~60 h operation, whereas the monometallic palladium and very rich in palladium catalysts suffer rapid deactivation. Smaller amounts of carbon- and chlorine-containing deposits found after reaction on Pd-Au catalysts correspond to their superior catalytic behavior.
The study of glycerol-based fermentation and broth downstream by nanofiltration
Authors: Gryta Marek , Markowska-Szczupak Agata , Grzechulska-Damszel Joanna , Bastrzyk Justyna , Waszak Marta
Published: December 2014

In this work, the glycerol fermentation was carried out using Citrobacter freundii bacteria. The influence of glycerol and metabolites concentrations, and the pH changes on the efficiency of 1,3-propanediol production, during batch and fed-batch processes, was presented. The nanofiltration was used for the separation of obtained post-fermentation solutions. The resulted 1,3-PD solutions were significantly desalted, which may facilitate further downstream processes during 1,3-PD production.
Unusual Clinical Manifestations of Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Miteva Ljubka , Broshtilova Valentina , Schwartz Robert A.
Published: December 2014

A 22-year-old woman with a 3-year history of discoid lupus erythematosus presented with two circumscribed patches of non-scarring alopecia, clinically simulating alopecia areata. Histopathological analysis of scalp lesions revealed discoid lupus erythematosus. Based on the clinical history, physical examination, and histological and immunological findings, we distinguished our case from a true combination of alopecia areata and typical chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.
Hypertrophic Lichen Planus – a Case Report
Authors: Paravina Mirjana
Published: December 2014

Lichen planus is an immune, infl ammatory reaction with characteristic clinical and histological lesions. It is a benign disorder, often chronic or recurrent, characterized by fl at-topped, pink to purple, shiny pruritic polygonal papules on the skin, or milky white reticular papules on the visible mucous membranes. Hypertrophic lichen planus is a chronic form of lichen planus with marked epidermal hyperplasia and intense pruritus. It is characterized by symmetrical hypertrophic plaques, usually located on the pretibial or perimalleolar regions. Lesions are often resistant to treatment.

This paper presents a patient with a giant form of verrucous lichen planus on the lower extremities, with a chronic course and resistance to various forms of therapy (keratolytics, local and intralesional corticosteroids, radiotherapy, systemic antibiotics, cryotherapy). Significant improvement was seen after 8-month treatment with etretinate (initial dose of 75 mg per day, with progressive reduction to 10 mg per day). Etretinate therapy resulted in a significant regression of the disease.
Patterns with several multiple eigenvalues
Authors: Dorsey J. , Johnson C.R. , Wei Z.
Published: December 2014

Identified are certain special periodic diagonal matrices that have a predictable number of pairedeigenvalues. Since certain symmetric Toeplitz matrices are special cases, those that have several multiple 5eigenvalues are also investigated further. This work generalizes earlier work on response matrices from circularlysymmetric models.
Staged Approach for Rehabilitation Classification: Shoulder Disorders (STAR–Shoulder)
Authors: McClure Philip W. , Michener Lori A.
Published: December 2014

Shoulder disorders are a common musculoskeletal problem causing pain and functional loss. Traditionally, diagnostic categories are based on a pathoanatomic medical model aimed at identifying the pathologic tissues. However, the pathoanatomic model may not provide diagnostic categories that effectively guide treatment decision making in rehabilitation. An expanded classification system is proposed that includes the pathoanatomic diagnosis and a rehabilitation classification based on tissue irritability and identified impairments. For the rehabilitation classification, 3 levels of irritability are proposed and defined, with corresponding strategies guiding intensity of treatment based on the physical stress theory. Common impairments are identified and are used to guide specific intervention tactics with varying levels of intensity. The proposed system is conceptual and needs to be tested for reliability and validity. This classification system may be useful clinically for guiding rehabilitation intervention and provides a potential method of identifying relevant subgroups in future research studies. Although the system was developed for and applied to shoulder disorders, it may be applicable to classification and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders in other body regions.
Interrater Reliability of AM-PAC “6-Clicks” Basic Mobility and Daily Activity Short Forms
Authors: Jette Diane U. , Stilphen Mary , Ranganathan Vinoth K. , Passek Sandra , Frost Frederick S. , Jette Alan M.
Published: December 2014

Background

The interrater reliability of 2 new inpatient functional short-form measures, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) “6-Clicks” basic mobility and daily activity scores, has yet to be established.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrater reliability of AM-PAC “6-Clicks” measures.

Design

A prospective observational study was conducted.

Methods

Four pairs of physical therapists rated basic mobility and 4 pairs of occupational therapists rated daily activity of patients in 1 of 4 hospital services. One therapist in a pair was the primary therapist directing the assessment while the other therapist observed. Each therapist was unaware of the other's AM-PAC “6-Clicks” scores. Reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland-Altman plots, and weighted kappa.

Results

The ICCs for the overall reliability of basic mobility and daily activity were .849 (95% confidence interval [CI]=.784, .895) and .783 (95% CI=.696, .847), respectively. The ICCs for the reliability of each pair of raters ranged from .581 (95% CI=.260, .789) to .960 (95% CI=.897, .983) for basic mobility and .316 (95% CI=−.061, .611) to .907 (95% CI=.801, .958) for daily activity. The weighted kappa values for item agreement ranged from .492 (95% CI=.382, .601) to .712 (95% CI=.607, .816) for basic mobility and .251 (95% CI=.057, .445) to .751 (95% CI=.653, .848) for daily activity. Mean differences between raters' scores were near zero.

Limitations

Raters were from one health system. Each pair of raters assessed different patients in different services.

Conclusions

The ICCs for AM-PAC “6-Clicks” total scores were very high. Levels of agreement varied across pairs of raters, from large to nearly perfect for physical therapists and from moderate to nearly perfect for occupational therapists. Levels of agreement for individual item scores ranged from small to very large.
Districts’ Responses to Demographic Change
Authors: Turner Erica O.
Published: December 2014

Many U.S. public school systems now face three large demographic shifts: rising poverty, the growing number of students from immigrant families, and increasing populations of students of color. Yet, we know little about how district policymakers react to these important changes or indeed the factors that consistently shape their policymaking. Drawing on interpretative policy analysis, the politics of education, and in-depth interviews with 37 school board members, superintendents, and district administrators across two school districts, I argue that racial meaning emerged as central in both districts’ policymaking processes as political and organizational contexts interacted to shape district leaders’ meaning-making and policy responses. Yet, leaders’ meaning-making and policy responses obscured systematic inequalities in students’ lives, including those stemming from race, immigration, and poverty. I conclude with implications of this analysis for understanding school district policymaking and how to improve schooling for students of color, students in poverty, and immigrant students.
A Quasi-Parametric Method for Fitting Flexible Item Response Functions
Authors: Liang Longjuan , Browne Michael W.
Published: December 2014

If standard two-parameter item response functions are employed in the analysis of a test with some newly constructed items, it can be expected that, for some items, the item response function (IRF) will not fit the data well. This lack of fit can also occur when standard IRFs are fitted to personality or psychopathology items. When investigating reasons for misfit, it is helpful to compare item response curves (IRCs) visually to detect outlier items. This is only feasible if the IRF employed is sufficiently flexible to display deviations in shape from the norm. A quasi-parametric IRF that can be made arbitrarily flexible by increasing the number of parameters is proposed for this purpose. To take capitalization on chance into account, the use of Akaike information criterion or Bayesian information criterion goodness of approximation measures is recommended for suggesting the number of parameters to be retained. These measures balance the effect on fit of random error of estimation against systematic error of approximation. Computational aspects are considered and efficacy of the methodology developed is demonstrated.
Indigenous Feminist Legal Theory
Authors: Snyder Emily
Published: December 2014

This article considers the necessity of critical gender analyses of indigenous laws. “Gender neutral” approaches dominate in the field of indigenous law, ignoring the gendered realities of indigenous laws and also the gendered aspects of theorizing. There is a need to develop theoretical frameworks that explicitly address these problems, and, thus, in this article I articulate Indigenous feminist legal theory. This theory is an analytic tool for examining Indigenous laws as gendered. I build this theory by bringing three bodies of work together, which are presently speaking past one another—feminist legal theory, Indigenous feminist theory, and Indigenous legal theory. Indigenous feminist legal theory generates an intersectional, multi-juridical, anti-colonial, anti-essentialist reading of law that is crucial to a multitude of fields.
Life in Kierkegaard's Imaginary Rural Parish: Preaching, Correctivity, and the Gospel
Authors: Edwards Aaron
Published: December 2014

Abstract:

What kind of pastor might Søren Kierkegaard have been? What kind of gospel would he have preached? Kierkegaard's polemical theology often portrays him as the perpetually pessimistic legalist, seemingly devoid of grace. This claim will be questioned by situating Kierkegaard's corrective thought in the context of the “imaginary” rural pastorate to which he (occasionally) felt called. Unpacking Kierkegaard's curious reflections on theological correctivity regarding Luther, we find his homiletical imperatives may assist theological and pastoral reflection upon the announcement, reception, and outworking of the gospel in the life of the congregation.
Early Heidegger's Methodology and Its Challenges for the Future
Authors: Klun Branko
Published: December 2014

Abstract:

This paper analyzes the phenomenological method in Heidegger's early Freiburg lectures, which distinguishes three dimensions of sense for a phenomenon (content, relation, and actualization sense). Through a specific phenomenological reduction to the original Vollzugssinn (actualization sense) of a phenomenon within concrete factical life, Heidegger literally breathes new life into static phenomena within the non-temporal, theoretical approach. However, the enormous potential in analyzing phenomena within the horizon of temporality and historicity also sets some methodological limits that still represent a challenge for the future development of hermeneutic phenomenology, especially in its dialogue—which will be considered only briefly in this article—with two important areas: theology and science.
Predictors of excellent functional outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Pegoli Marianna , Mandrekar Jay , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: December 2014

OBJECT

Case fatality rates after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have decreased over time, and many patients treated with modern paradigms return to a normal life. However, there is little information on predictors of excellent functional outcome after aSAH. In this study, the authors investigated predictors of excellent outcome in a modern consecutive series of patients with aSAH.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of patients with aSAH admitted between 2001 and 2013. The primary outcome measure was excellent functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 or 1 at last follow-up within 1 year of aSAH.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-three patients were identified with posthospital follow-up. Excellent outcome was noted in 236 patients (63.3%), including an mRS score of 0 in 122 (32.7%) and an mRS score of 1 in 114 (30.6%). On univariate analysis, the following factors were associated with an excellent outcome: indicators of less severe bleeding, such as better World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade at any of the times of assessment, better modified Fisher grade, and absence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and symptomatic hydrocephalus; aneurysm treatment with coil embolization; absence of symptomatic vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, and radiological infarction; absence of in-hospital seizures; lack of need for CSF diversion; fewer hours with fever; less severe anemia; and absence of transfusion. On multivariable analysis, the 4 variables that were most strongly associated with excellent outcome were presence of good clinical grade after neurological resuscitation, absence of ICH on initial CT scan, blood transfusion during the hospitalization, and radiological infarctions on final brain imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent outcomes (mRS score 0–1) can be achieved in the majority of patients with aSAH. The likelihood of excellent outcome is predicted by good clinical condition after resuscitation, absence of ICH on presentation, no evidence of infarction on brain imaging, and absence of blood transfusion during hospitalization.
Non-linear Influence of Nest Size on Thermal Buffering of Sociable Weaver Nests and the Maintenance of Cooperative Nest Construction
Authors: Leighton Gavin M. , Echeverri Sebastian
Published: December 2014

Communal nests often provide benefits, such as protection from predators and refuge from extreme temperatures, to the inhabitants of the nest. The benefits returned to individuals performing nest construction may not scale linearly with the amount of nest construction performed. If the returns on nest construction are non-linear, then recent theoretical studies suggest that selection for reproductive competition may destabilise the cooperative behaviours that maintain the communal nest. To investigate these questions, we measured the thermal benefits provided by sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) nests, and how those benefits scale at multiple nest sizes, including the point where zero investment in nest building returns no benefits. We find that the average temperature buffering provided by nest chambers is correlated with distance to the edge of the nest and that the benefits provided by nest construction are asymptotic. This suggests that cooperative nest construction will maintained at a lower level than if the benefits were linear.
Boldness of Urban Australian Magpies and Local Traffic Volume
Authors: Gravolin Isaac , Key Michelle , Lill Alan
Published: December 2014

In order to successfully colonise the urban environment, birds must be able tolerate pedestrian and vehicle proximity, because exhibiting a strong fleeing response each time that a harmless traffic stimulus is encountered would be maladaptive. We examined whether a native ‘urban adapter’, the Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen), varied in its tolerance of human approach and a simulated vehicular traffic sound in urban Melbourne, Australia as a function of pedestrian or vehicular traffic volume in the local area. The flight initiation distance (FID) paradigm and presentation of a potentially startling sound stimulus (SSS) were used to measure the magpies’ boldness in areas with differing traffic volumes. Magpies in areas with relatively high pedestrian traffic volumes exhibited a shorter FID to, and retreated a shorter distance from, an approaching human than conspecifics experiencing relatively low volumes of pedestrian traffic. Magpies in areas with a relatively high vehicular traffic volume were less likely to flee from a SSS than conspecifics in areas with little or no vehicular traffic. Habituation to human disturbance and/or adjustment of anti-predator effort seem the most likely explanations for these disparities and suggest that magpies have considerable behavioural flexibility. The ability to tolerate high volumes of traffic and the associated noise allows magpies to use: (a) ecologically suitable habitat adjoining city roads with heavy vehicular traffic and (b) urban areas with many pedestrians and consequently much human food waste, which the birds exploit.
Effect of Low-Protein Diets with Crystalline Amino Acid Supplementation on Egg Production, Blood Parameters and Nitrogen Balance in Laying Japanese Quails
Authors: Alagawany Mahmoud , El-Hack Mohamed Ezzat Abd , Laudadio Vito , Tufarelli Vincenzo
Published: December 2014

A total of 120 Japanese quails were randomly distributed into six dietary groups to evaluate the effect of low-crude protein (CP) diet supplemented with crystalline amino acids on productive and reproductive performance, blood parameters and nitrogen (N) balance. Treatments consisted of six different diets: a control diet (20% CP), a low-CP (16%) diet supplemented with threonine (Thr), valine (Val) and tryptophan (Trp), three low-CP diets supplemented with individual Thr, Val or Trp, and a low-CP diet supplemented with all aforementioned amino acids. None of the growth traits examined were influenced either by dietary treatments or by egg production (P > 0.05). The highest fertility percentages (88.2%) were observed in quails fed the low-CP diet without crystalline amino acids supplementation followed by low-CP diet supplemented with Val (86.2%), whereas the highest hatchability (from fertile eggs) percentage was observed in quails fed low-CP diet plus Trp. Egg shell percentages from quails fed the control diet were higher (P < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments during the whole feeding period. Yolk percentage was decreased (P < 0.01) with the low-CP diet supplemented with amino acids. Blood protein and ammonia levels were decreased (P < 0.05) by reducing the dietary CP level or by supplementing amino acids to the low-CP diet. Reducing the CP level in the diet with amino acids supplementation in laying quails decreased the daily N excretion (P < 0.05). It is concluded that reducing the CP level in a diet supplemented with crystalline amino acids supports reproductive performance in quails, and is a valuable strategy for decreasing feeding cost and mitigating ammonia emission.
Seabird Embryos as Biomonitors of Micronucleogenic Genotoxic Agents: Potential Application for the Coasts of Mexico
Authors: Ceyca Juan Pablo , Torres-Bugarín Olivia , Castillo-Guerrero José Alfredo , Betancourt-Lozano Miguel
Published: December 2014

Genotoxic, teratogenic, and cytotoxic chemical agents are often products of anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture and industry, and many eventually settle in marine and coastal ecosystems. Therefore, there is a need to implement monitoring programs that provide early warnings of the risks and problems associated with contamination to contribute to the conservation of coastal ecosystems and human health. This paper describes the fundamental characteristics of a micronucleus assay that uses seabird embryo blood and highlights its ability to detect the presence of micronucleogenic genotoxic agents along the coasts of Mexico. This paper also demonstrates the potential of this assay to assess possible seasonal and spatial effects of these agents on wildlife, which has direct implications for human health.
If the Borders Could Tell: The Hybrid Identity of the Border in the Karelian Borderland
Authors: Kaskinen Saija
Published: December 2014

This paper analyses the nature of the border. The paper poses the question of whether a border, in this case the national border between Finland and Russia in the Finnish Karelian border region, can have its own distinctive identity[ies], and if so, could the border itself be or become a hybrid – a border subject. To examine the hybridization process of the border, this paper draws on individual experiences of the border that are illustrated using interview material. In addition, by analysing historical documents, literature and historiography, the paper shows how the border has affected people’s relationship with the border itself and also their perception of regional landscapes, regional memories and identity. On the other hand, this process can be reversed by exploring how people have changed and embodied the border. The paper utilises the framework of John Perry’s theory of “reflective knowledge”, where both conscious experience and the knowledge it yields differ from physical knowledge that is explicitly characterized in terms of empirical facts. Exploring these relationships enhances our understanding of the role of “private knowledge” and its contribution to the understanding of borders.
Culture Bound and Unbound: Concurrent Voices and Claims in Postcolonial Places
Authors: Brydon Diana , Forsgren Peter , Fur Gunlög
Published: December 2014

No abstract available.
COOBBO: A Novel Opposition-Based Soft Computing Algorithm for TSP Problems
Authors: Xu Qingzheng , Guo Lemeng , Wang Na , He Yongjian
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we propose a novel definition of opposite path. Its core feature is that the sequence of candidate paths and the distances between adjacent nodes in the tour are considered simultaneously. In a sense, the candidate path and its corresponding opposite path have the same (or similar at least) distance to the optimal path in the current population. Based on an accepted framework for employing opposition-based learning, Oppositional Biogeography-Based Optimization using the Current Optimum, called COOBBO algorithm, is introduced to solve traveling salesman problems. We demonstrate its performance on eight benchmark problems and compare it with other optimization algorithms. Simulation results illustrate that the excellent performance of our proposed algorithm is attributed to the distinct definition of opposite path. In addition, its great strength lies in exploitation for enhancing the solution accuracy, not exploration for improving the population diversity. Finally, by comparing different version of COOBBO, another conclusion is that each successful opposition-based soft computing algorithm needs to adjust and remain a good balance between backward adjacent node and forward adjacent node.
Optimisation of Storage for Concentrated Solar Power Plants
Authors: Cirocco Luigi , Belusko Martin , Bruno Frank , Boland John , Pudney Peter
Published: December 2014

The proliferation of non-scheduled generation from renewable electrical energy sources such concentrated solar power (CSP) presents a need for enabling scheduled generation by incorporating energy storage; either via directly coupled Thermal Energy Storage (TES) or Electrical Storage Systems (ESS) distributed within the electrical network or grid. The challenges for 100% renewable energy generation are: to minimise capitalisation cost and to maximise energy dispatch capacity. The aims of this review article are twofold: to review storage technologies and to survey the most appropriate optimisation techniques to determine optimal operation and size of storage of a system to operate in the Australian National Energy Market (NEM). Storage technologies are reviewed to establish indicative characterisations of energy density, conversion efficiency, charge/discharge rates and costings. A partitioning of optimisation techniques based on methods most appropriate for various time scales is performed: from “whole of year”, seasonal, monthly, weekly and daily averaging to those best suited matching the NEM bid timing of five minute dispatch bidding, averaged on the half hour as the trading settlement spot price. Finally, a selection of the most promising research directions and methods to determine the optimal operation and sizing of storage for renewables in the grid is presented.
Energy Consumption of a Battery Electric Vehicle with Infinitely Variable Transmission
Authors: Bottiglione Francesco , De Pinto Stefano , Mantriota Giacomo , Sorniotti Aldo
Published: December 2014

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) represent a possible sustainable solution for personal urban transportation. Presently, the most limiting characteristic of BEVs is their short range, mainly because of battery technology limitations. A proper design and control of the drivetrain, aimed at reducing the power losses and thus increasing BEV range, can contribute to make the electrification of urban transportation a convenient choice. This paper presents a simulation-based comparison of the energy efficiency performance of six drivetrain architectures for BEVs. Although many different drivetrain and transmission architectures have been proposed for BEVs, no literature was found regarding BEVs equipped with infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs). The analyzed drivetrain configurations are: single- (1G) and two-speed (2G) gear drives, half toroidal (HT) and full toroidal (FT) continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) with two different types of internal power flow (IVT-I and IVT-II). An off-line procedure for determining the most efficient control action for each drivetrain configuration is proposed, which allows selecting the optimal speed ratio for each operating condition. The energy consumption of the BEVs is simulated along the UDC (Urban Driving Cycle) and Japanese 10-15 driving cycle, with a backward facing approach. In order to achieve the lowest energy consumption, a trade-off between high transmission efficiency and flexibility in terms of allowed speed ratios is required.
Atmospheric Dispersion of Radioactivity from Nuclear Power Plant Accidents: Global Assessment and Case Study for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
Authors: Christoudias Theodoros , Proestos Yiannis , Lelieveld Jos
Published: December 2014

We estimate the contamination risks from the atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides released by severe nuclear power plant accidents using the ECHAM/Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy) atmospheric chemistry (EMAC) atmospheric chemistry-general circulation model at high resolution (50 km). We present an overview of global risks and also a case study of nuclear power plants that are currently under construction, planned and proposed in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, a region prone to earthquakes. We implemented continuous emissions from each location, making the simplifying assumption that all potential accidents release the same amount of radioactivity. We simulated atmospheric transport and decay, focusing on 137Cs and 131I as proxies for particulate and gaseous radionuclides, respectively. We present risk maps for potential surface layer concentrations, deposition and doses to humans from the inhalation exposure of 131I. The estimated risks exhibit seasonal variability, with the highest surface level concentrations of gaseous radionuclides in the Northern Hemisphere during winter.