bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demise of the Modern Human
Authors: Taylor Kenneth B.
Published: April 2014

Humanity has come to dominate the Earth for many reasons. We are robust, intelligent, industrious, cooperative, fecund, and have invented adaptive means to meet many difficulties. While we have been exceedingly successful on the individual and tribal levels, the collective impacts of seven billion people have taken a dark turn summarized in this unresolved conundrum: what is best for the individual is no longer best for everyone. Unfortunately, the institutions of democracy and capitalism have grown rigid and partisan, unable to constructively respond to current crises. The crux of the problem lies not with institutions, but ultimately in the flaws of individuals. Society is a reflection of culture, culture is a reflection of beliefs, and beliefs reflect our deepest needs and wants as human beings. If we are to change our fate, we must begin by changing ourselves: we need a better human.
The Future of Alien Contact
Authors: Horn Michael
Published: April 2014

The large number of exo-planets being discovered now raises the question, “If we are not alone in the universe, why haven’t we detected radio signals from those other civilizations yet? Are we doing something wrong, will we ever receive an intelligent radio signal from an alien race, or are we really all alone?” A concept is proposed to explain this discrepancy.
Time to Get Real
Authors: Slaughter Richard A.
Published: April 2014

The article acknowledges some of the strengths of the NIC report such as its use of scenarios. It also critiques it on grounds that include failing to learn from feedback on the 2005 report, over-optimism on several fronts—especially IT, giving less weight than required to issues like global warming, overlooking the profound implications of the U.S.-led “trajectory of development,” and, in particular, its failure to recognize global limits. The report demonstrates a typical American preoccupation with technology and empirical surfaces
A Canadian “Big Picture” View of Future Security
Authors: Harries David
Published: April 2014

This reaction to the 2012 NIC quadrennial report on global trends contains criticism and suggestions. Criticized is the producers’ failure to live up to their claims and expectations for it. The suggestions offered are of ways to improve the 2016 edition so that it will reflect more creative thinking.
Beyond the NIC Quadrennial Reports
Authors: Fuerth Leon
Published: April 2014

This report certainly has its limitations—some of which are discretionary, and others attributable to the unique fact that it is a product of the U.S. intelligence community. I will give particular attention to this aspect because it is part of the National Intelligence Council’s (NIC) “DNA,” rather than a reflection of managerial preference. My main point, however, has less to do with any faults in the report itself, but rather with faults in the way it is applied to policy: something that is far more the responsibility of “consumers” in the policy world than of “producers” in the Intelligence Community (IC). The U.S. government badly needs a systematic process for applying foresight to long-range policy, and in my opinion, the NIC’s 2030 edition qualifies as a major source of input to that process. I certainly do not have it in mind that the NIC foresight process should become the sole such source of foresight for an integrated policy process but as part of a blended feedstock. As for how to accomplish such a blend, given the many possible sources, I will also have some observations.
What If Colorful Images Become More Important than Words? Visual Representations as the Basic Building Blocks of Human Communication and Dynamic Storytelling
Authors: Au-Yong-Oliveira Manuel , Pinto Ferreira João José
Published: April 2014

Pre-historic communication included doing cave paintings, for example, of wild animals. Today, we continue to use images when communicating, most notably with videos and other such recordings. The advent and popularity of social networks on the Internet is based on the exchange of messages but for the most part on the sharing of images and videos. Although we are still generally very geared toward communication using words (and numbers) rather than visual representations, we foresee that a specific language that produces movement in the brain will soon be developed. The Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML) has been used in various research contexts. BNML is based on pictorial representations, while incorporating business ontologies, which are studies of words and language to create a vocabulary that best represents relevant meanings in the business context to optimize information exchange. Do you prefer the narrative or do you prefer visual representations or would you rather have both? Providing examples of BNML, about servant leadership, we maintain that text without figures leads to incomplete communication, and vice versa—especially true for the “Millennium generation.” Leaders in business should strive to communicate more visually and diagrammatically, encouraging such communication among their employees, as much of knowledge today is tacit, and so difficult to communicate solely with the written word. Furthermore, words should be chosen carefully, to avoid overload and lack of comprehension, and using pre-defined ontologies is a good way of achieving this.
An Analytical Review of Education Policy-Making and Implementation Processes Within the Context of “Decentralized System of Administration” in Ghana
Authors: Nudzor Hope Pius
Published: April 2014

A critical assessment of education policy and practice in Ghana suggests that despite the initiation of the concept of decentralization, education policy making and implementation is still perceived as adopting a hierarchical structure with its inherent practice of concentration of power at the center. This article conducts an analytical review of the processes of education policy making and implementation within the context of decentralized system of administration in Ghana. This is done with the view to illuminating the theoretical and practical challenges and limitations that this “top-down” and rationalist approach to policy processes imposes on the functioning of the education system. In pursuit of this agenda, useful proposals for democratizing and decentralizing the processes of policy formulation and implementation are presented. The article contends that this critical review is necessary to provide analytic information for facilitating and informing national education policy dialogue and policy formulation to improve the Ghanaian education system.
High Prevalence of Disc Degeneration and Spondylolysis in the Lumbar Spine of Professional Beach Volleyball Players
Authors: Külling Fabrice A. , Florianz Hannes , Reepschläger Bastian , Gasser Johann , Jost Bernhard , Lajtai Georg
Published: April 2014

Background:

Beach volleyball is an intensive sport with high impact on the lumbar spine. Low back pain (LBP) is frequent among elite players. Increased prevalence of pathological changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the lumbar spine of elite athletes has been reported. Hypothesis: There is an increased prevalence of disc degeneration and spondylolysis in the MRI of the lumbar spine of professional beach volleyball players.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Twenty-nine fully competitive professional male volleyball players (mean age, 28 years) completed outcomes questionnaires and underwent a complete clinical examination and an MRI of their lumbar spine.

Results:

Whereas 86% of players suffered from LBP during their career, the incidence of LBP in the last 4 weeks was 35%. Pain rated using a visual analog scale (VAS) averaged 3 points (range, 0-8). Twenty-three of 29 players (79%) had at least 1 degenerated disc of Pfirrmann grade ≥3. The most affected spinal levels were L4-5 in 14 (48%) and L5-S1 in 15 players (52%); both levels were involved in 5 players (17%). Six of 29 (21%) players showed a spondylolysis grade 4 according to the Hollenburg classification; there was evidence of spondylolisthesis in 2 players. There was no significant correlation between LBP and MRI abnormalities.

Conclusion:

In the lumbar spine MRI of professional beach volleyball players, the prevalence of disc degeneration is 79%. Spondylolysis (21%) is up to 3 times higher compared with the normal population. Abnormal MRI findings did not correlate with LBP, thus MRIs have to be interpreted with caution.
Thermal analysis and failure behaviour of YSZ thermal barrier coatings on low heat rejection diesel engine piston
Authors: Lu G. X. , Hao L. J. , Liu C. , Ye F. X.
Published: April 2014

To investigate the failure behaviour of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on diesel engine piston, YSZ TBCs were sprayed onto the 2A70 aluminium by atmospheric plasma spray. Finite element model was employed to estimate the temperature and stress distributions in TBCs on piston. Both the temperature and stress distributions were affected by the thickness of TBCs. The simulation results indicated that the bond coat/substrate interface was the weak region due to large interfacial stress. The thermal cycling performance of TBCs was evaluated by a burner rig test facility. The phase transformation of weak region during thermal cycling was analysed. After about 2000 cycles, the cracks along bond coat/substrate interface and the oxidation of the heat affected zone (HAZ) were visible. The TBCs spalled after about 4000 cycles, which is mainly attributed to the large thermal mismatch stress at bond coat/substrate interface and severe oxidation of HAZ.
Murine coagulation factor VIII is synthesized in endothelial cells
Authors: Everett Lesley A. , Cleuren Audrey C. A. , Khoriaty Rami N. , Ginsburg David
Published: April 2014

Key Points

Lman1 tissue-specific knockout mice reveal that endothelial cells, not hepatocytes, are the primary source of FVIII biosynthesis. F8 gene expression is heterogeneous among endothelial cell populations in different tissues.
Common carotid artery intima-media thickness is useful for diagnosis of the acute stage of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Wu Ting-Hsin , Kuo Hsuan-Chang , Tain You-Lin , Lin Kuan-Miao , Kuo Ho-Chang , Chien Shao-Ju
Published: April 2014

Background

This study aimed to investigate intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries in children with acute Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, patients fulfilling the criteria for KD, including a fever lasting >5 days, were prospectively enrolled in this study. Laboratory data, echocardiography, and IMT were measured and compared with matched controls.

Results

A total of 70 common carotid IMTs were measured in 35 children. We studied 21 patients aged 3–60 months old with acute KD and 14 febrile patients aged 3–194 months old with acute infection and similar characteristics to those of KD patients. Children with KD had a significantly higher IMT compared with the controls (0.550 ± 0.081 mm vs. 0.483 ± 0.046 mm, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

IMT during the acute stage of KD is increased, suggesting that IMT could be a useful diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of KD.
An analysis of causal asyndetic constructions in United States history textbooks
Authors: Fitzgerald Jason C
Published: April 2014

Over the last three decades, an increased focus on engaging K-12 students in historical thinking has highlighted the importance of providing students with direct instruction regarding how causal relationships are formed in text. Many teachers provide this instruction by focusing on explicit causal structures, neglecting implicit forms of causation such as causal asyndetic constructions. Studies of United States history textbooks have found instances of causal asyndetic construction use, similar to the implicit constructions found in studies of spoken and written discourse. This study examines two questions: (1) Do causal asyndetic constructions occur in history textbooks with similar frequency to causal conjunctions and causal material processes? and (2) How is causal asyndetic cohesion signaled in history texts? A mixed methods analysis of two middle school and two high school textbooks demonstrates that causal asyndetic constructions are used as frequently, if not more frequently, than explicit means of expressing causation; they are signaled through authors’ uses of modals, mental processes, relational processes, and verbal processes. The use of mental processes to signal causal asyndetic constructions far outnumbered other implicit signals, accounting for 58% of the total. These findings suggest that teachers need to provide students with instruction about how to identify and make meaning of causal asyndetic constructions as well as causal conjunctions and explicit processes.
Cross-enhancement of ANGPTL4 transcription by HIF1 alpha and PPAR beta/delta is the result of the conformational proximity of two response elements
Authors: Inoue Tsuyoshi , Kohro Takahide , Tanaka Toshiya , Kanki Yasuharu , Li Guoliang , Poh Huay-Mei , Mimura Imari , Kobayashi Mika , Taguchi Akashi , Maejima Takashi , Suehiro Jun-ichi , Sugiyama Akira , Kaneki Kiyomi , Aruga Hirofumi , Dong Shoulian , Stevens Junko F , Yamamoto Shogo , Tsutsumi Shuichi , Fujita Toshiro , Ruan Xiaoan , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Nangaku Masaomi , Ruan Yijun , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Wada Youichiro
Published: April 2014

Background

Synergistic transcriptional activation by different stimuli has been reported along with a diverse array of mechanisms, but the full scope of these mechanisms has yet to be elucidated.

Results

We present a detailed investigation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1 dependent gene expression in endothelial cells which suggests the importance of crosstalk between the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ and HIF signaling axes. A migration assay shows a synergistic interaction between these two stimuli, and we identify angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as a common target gene by using a combination of microarray and ChIP-seq analysis. We profile changes of histone marks at enhancers under hypoxia, PPARβ/δ agonist and dual stimulations and these suggest that the spatial proximity of two response elements is the principal cause of the synergistic transcription induction. A newly developed quantitative chromosome conformation capture assay shows the quantitative change of the frequency of proximity of the two response elements.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that two different transcription factors cooperate in transcriptional regulation in a synergistic fashion through conformational change of their common target genes.
Broad metabolic sensitivity profiling of a prototrophic yeast deletion collection
Authors: VanderSluis Benjamin , Hess David C , Pesyna Colin , Krumholz Elias W , Syed Tahin , Szappanos Balázs , Nislow Corey , Papp Balázs , Troyanskaya Olga G , Myers Chad L , Caudy Amy A
Published: April 2014

Background

Genome-wide sensitivity screens in yeast have been immensely popular following the construction of a collection of deletion mutants of non-essential genes. However, the auxotrophic markers in this collection preclude experiments on minimal growth medium, one of the most informative metabolic environments. Here we present quantitative growth analysis for mutants in all 4,772 non-essential genes from our prototrophic deletion collection across a large set of metabolic conditions.

Results

The complete collection was grown in environments consisting of one of four possible carbon sources paired with one of seven nitrogen sources, for a total of 28 different well-defined metabolic environments. The relative contributions to mutants' fitness of each carbon and nitrogen source were determined using multivariate statistical methods. The mutant profiling recovered known and novel genes specific to the processing of nutrients and accurately predicted functional relationships, especially for metabolic functions. A benchmark of genome-scale metabolic network modeling is also given to demonstrate the level of agreement between current in silico predictions and hitherto unavailable experimental data.

Conclusions

These data address a fundamental deficiency in our understanding of the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its response to the most basic of environments. While choice of carbon source has the greatest impact on cell growth, specific effects due to nitrogen source and interactions between the nutrients are frequent. We demonstrate utility in characterizing genes of unknown function and illustrate how these data can be integrated with other whole-genome screens to interpret similarities between seemingly diverse perturbation types.
Optimization and stabilization of gold nanoparticles by using herbal plant extract with microwave heating
Authors: Yasmin Akbar , Ramesh Kumaraswamy , Rajeshkumar Shanmugam
Published: April 2014

In this study, we have synthesized the gold nanoparticles by using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a medicinal plant. The gold nanoparticles were synthesized rapidly by the involvement of microwave heating. By changing of plant extract concentration, gold solution concentration, microwave heating time and power of microwave heating the optimized condition was identified. The surface Plasmon resonance found at 520 nm confirmed the gold nanoparticles synthesis. The spherical sized nanoparticles in the size range of 16–30 nm were confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The stability of the nanoparticles is very well proved in the invitro stability tests. The biochemical like alkaloids and flavonoids play a vital role in the nanoparticles synthesis was identified using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Combining the phytochemical and microwave heating, the rapid synthesis of gold nanoparticles is the novel process for the medically applicable gold nanoparticles production.
NAV-Edge: Edge detection of potential-field sources using normalized anisotropy variance
Authors: Zhang Heng Lei , Ravat Dhananjay , Marangoni Yára R. , Hu Xiang Yun
Published: April 2014

Most existing edge-detection algorithms are based on the derivatives of potential-field data, and thus, enhance high wavenumber information and are sensitive to noise. The normalized anisotropy variance method (NAV-Edge) was proposed for detecting edges of potential-field anomaly sources based on the idea of normalized standard deviation (NSTD). The main improvement over the balanced, windowed normalized variance method (i.e., NSTD) used for similar purposes was the application of an anisotropic Gaussian function designed to detect directional edges and reduce sensitivity to noise. NAV-Edge did not directly use higher-order derivatives and was less sensitive to noise than the traditional methods that use derivatives in their calculation. The utility of NAV-Edge was demonstrated using synthetic potential-field data and real magnetic data. Compared with several existing methods (i.e., the curvature of horizontal gradient amplitude, tilt angle and its total-horizontal derivative, theta map, and NSTD), NAV-Edge produced superior results by locating edges closer to the true edges, resulting in better interpretive images.
Cadherin 99C regulates apical expansion and cell rearrangement during epithelial tube elongation
Authors: Chung SeYeon , Andrew Deborah J.
Published: April 2014

Apical and basolateral determinants specify and maintain membrane domains in epithelia. Here, we identify new roles for two apical surface proteins – Cadherin 99C (Cad99C) and Stranded at Second (SAS) – in conferring apical character in Drosophila tubular epithelia. Cad99C, the Drosophila ortholog of human Usher protocadherin PCDH15, is expressed in several embryonic tubular epithelial structures. Through loss-of-function and overexpression studies, we show that Cad99C is required to regulate cell rearrangement during salivary tube elongation. We further show that overexpression of either Cad99C or SAS causes a dramatic increase in apical membrane at the expense of other membrane domains, and that both proteins can do this independently of each other and independently of mislocalization of the apical determinant Crumbs (Crb). Overexpression of Cad99C or SAS results in similar, but distinct effects, suggesting both shared and unique roles for these proteins in conferring apical identity.
Medicaid Medical Directors Quality Improvement Studies: A Case Study of Evolving
Methods for a Research Network
Authors: Fairbrother Gerry , Trudnak Tara , Katherine Griffith
Published: April 2014

Objective: To describe the evolution of methods and share lessons learned from
conducting multi-state studies with Medicaid Medical Directors (MMD) using state
administrative data. There was a great need for these studies, but also much to be
learned about conducting network-based research and ensuring comparability of
results.Methods: This was a network-level case study. The findings were drawn from the
experience developing and executing network analyses with the MMDs, as well as from
participant feedback on lessons learned. For the latter, nine interviews with MMD
project leads, state data analysts, and outside researchers involved with the projects
were conducted. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using NVivo 10.0
analytic software.Findings: MMD study methodology involved many steps: developing
research questions, defining data specifications, organizing an aggregated data
collection spreadsheet form, assuring quality through review, and analyzing and
reporting state data at the national level. State analysts extracted the data from their
state Medicaid administrative (claims) databases (and sometimes other datasets).
Analysis at the national level aggregated state data overall, by demographics and other
sub groups, and displayed descriptive statistics and cross-tabs.Conclusions: Projects in
the MMD multi-state network address high-priority clinical issues in Medicaid and impact
quality of care through sharing of data and policies among states. Further, these
studies contribute not only to high-quality, cost-effective health care for Medicaid
beneficiaries, but also add to our knowledge of network-based research. Continuation of
these studies requires funding for a permanent research infrastructure nationally, as
well as at the state-level to strengthen capacity.
Turkey and Iran: Between Friendly Competition and Fierce Rivalry
Authors: S. Gülden Ayman
Published: April 2014

The article starts by stressing the distinctive features of Turkish-Iranian relations. It argues that in order to understand the different stages in Turkish-Iranian relations one needs to define the fine line between competition and rivalry, which are usually used interchangeably. It explains the common concerns that united and fostered cooperation between Turkey and Iran as well as the differences that persisted after the US invasion of Iraq. Delineating under what sort of conditions Turkey emerged as a competitor in Iraq, it evaluates the main instruments Ankara and Tehran employed in their efforts to affect the future of that country. In an effort to explain why this competition heightened, carrying the risk of transforming the two countries' relationship to a rivalry, it elaborates on both countries' approaches and concerns vis-à-vis Syria and the role of the US in shaping the two countries' interactions.
On the limit of spectral measures associated to a test configuration of a polarized Kähler manifold
Authors: Hisamoto Tomoyuki
Published: April 2014

We apply our integral formula of volumes to the family of graded linear series constructed from any test configuration. This solves the conjecture raised by Witt Nyström to the effect that the sequence of spectral measures for the induced ℂ*-action on the central fiber converges to the canonical measure defined by the associated weak geodesic ray in the space of Kähler metrics. This limit measure coincides with the classical Duistermaat–Heckmann measure if the test configuration is product. As a consequence, we show that the algebraic p-norm of the test configuration is equal to the Lp
-norm of tangent vectors on the geodesic ray. Using this result, we give a natural energy theoretic explanation for the lower bound estimate on the Calabi functional by Donaldson, extending the statement to any p-norm (p ≥ 1), and prove an analogous result for Kähler–Einstein metrics.
Emergency Messenger als Kommunikationskonzept für Notfallarbeit/ EmergencyMessenger as a Communication Concept for Emergency Response Work
Authors: Betz Matthias , Dyrks Tobias , Wulf Volker
Published: April 2014

Das Auffinden und Retten von vermissten oder verletzten Personen und die Brandbekämpfung im Innenangriff stellt eine zentrale Herausforderung für Feuerwehreinsatzkräfte dar. Um die Sicherheit der Trupps im Innenangriff zu gewährleisten, ist das Beobachten und Nachhalten der Aktivitäten solcher Trupps durch die übergeordnete Führungsebene von zentraler Bedeutung. Feuerwehrleute in Deutschland nutzen Sprechfunkgeräte, um einen verbalen Kommunikationskanal zu den übergeordneten und verantwortlichen Führungskräften zu etablieren. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen ethnografischer Studien in Kooperation mit verschiedenen deutschen Feuerwehren über einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren wurden die Vor- und Nachteile der etablierten Kommunikationstaktiken und -techniken eingehend analysiert. Im Zuge der Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeiten im Forschungsprojekt „Koordinator“ wurde ein komplementäres textbasiertes Meldesystem konzeptioniert, gestaltet und evaluiert, um die anstrengende, gefährliche und zeitkritische Arbeit von Atemschutztrupps im Innenangriff zu unterstützen. Dazu wurden gemeinsam mit einer Arbeitsgruppe von Feuerwehrleuten in insgesamt 13 Einsatzübungen durchgeführt. Dies umfasst die Vorbereitung, Durchführung und Evaluation der Einsatzerfahrungen in Form gemeinsamer Gruppenarbeit.
#Hochwasser – Visuelle Analyse von Social Media im Bevölkerungsschutz / #Hochwasser – Using Visual Analytics of social media in civil protection
Authors: Zisgen Julia , Kern Julia , Thom Dennis , Ertl Thomas
Published: April 2014

Anhand des Hochwassers 2013 in Deutschland soll in diesem Artikel untersucht werden, ob sich die Lageeinschätzung zur Krisenreaktion durch die Auswertung von Social Media-Daten verbessern lässt. Dabei soll insbesondere gezeigt werden, dass Techniken zur computergestützten explorativen Datenanalyse geeignet sind, um trotz der noch recht dünnen Datenlage relevante Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen. Neben einer allgemeinen Erörterung zu Nutzen und Möglichkeiten von Social Media-Daten im Bevölkerungsschutz wird dabei Scatterblogs, ein bestehendes interaktives Social Media- Analysewerkzeug, kurz vorgestellt und evaluiert. Dabei werden Daten verwendet, die während des Hochwassers aufgezeichnet wurden.
Berichte aus der Usability/UX Branche: Ausbildungswege, Arbeitsfeld und aktuelle Diskussionen
Authors: Kolb Nina , Diefenbach Sarah , Ullrich Daniel
Published: April 2014

Gute Usability und User Experience sind mittlerweile allgemein anerkannte Qualitätskriterien, werden vom Nutzer aber auch eingefordert und erwartet. Hier beginnt der Job der Usability und User Experience (UX) Professionals. Mit dem jährlich erscheinenden Branchenreport Usability gibt die German UPA (Berufsverband der deutschen Usability und User Experience Professionals, www.germanupa.de) einen Eindruck in das Berufsbild von Usability und User Experience Professionals und berichtet über Entwicklungen, aktuelle Themen sowie die bekanntesten Unternehmen der Branche. Auf Basis des Branchenreports 2013 und der Angaben von 356 Teilnehmern berichtet der vorliegende Beitrag zentrale Kennzahlen und Entwicklungen der Branche. Neben Informationen zu Ausbildungswegen, dem Arbeitsfeld Usability/UX sowie aktuellen Diskussionen der Branche greift der Beitrag einige Schwerpunktthemen auf wie beispielsweise eine genauere Betrachtung der Arbeitssituationen hinter einzelnen Jobbezeichnungen (z. B. Usability Engineer, UX Consultant), eine Beleuchtung der speziellen Arbeitssituation und typischen Werdegängen der Freiberufler sowie die Abgrenzung der Begriffe User Experience und Usability.
Morphology and ferroelectric properties of Ce-substituted Bi4 Ti3 O12 thin films prepared by sol-gel method
Authors: Li Sanxi , Wei Nan , Zhang Wenzheng
Published: April 2014

The Ce-substituted bismuth titanate (Bi4 Ti3 O12) ferroelectric thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by sol-gel method and annealed at 700°C. The Bi-layered perovskite (with Ce substitution for Bi) single phase films were obtained and the thickness was 500 nm. At 12 V amplitude and 1000 Hz frequency, ferroelectric tests results showed a hysteresis loop with remnant polarization (2Pr) and coercive field values (2Ec) of 9.86 μC/cm2 and 208 kV/cm, respectively. The structure and lattice parameters were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that by increasing Ce substitution the ratio of a/c, the ferroelectric properties, increased when the Ce-substitution of 0.6, a and c values were 5.40734 Å and 5.3559 Å, respectively. The a-axis highly oriented structure may have influenced the remnant polarization and coercive field values of the films obtained.
Mechanical behavior of walnut (Juglans L.) shell particles reinforced bio-composite
Authors: Singh Vinay K.
Published: April 2014

In the present work walnut particle reinforced composite material was developed. Ten wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% and 25 wt% (weight percentage) of walnut particles were mixed with epoxy resin (CY-230). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the walnut particles were well dispersed in the epoxy resin matrix. Addition of walnut particles increased the modulus of elasticity of the bio composite. Addition of walnut particles in bio composite decreased the ultimate strength both in compression and tension. However, addition of walnut particles in bio composite increased the hardness. Flexural modulus of elasticity also increased with increasing walnut particles weight percentage, whereas flexural strength and strain decreased with increased weight percentage of walnut particles.
Factor instrumental variable quantile regression
Authors: Chen Jau-er
Published: April 2014

This paper proposes a factor instrumental variable quantile regression (FIVQR) estimator and studies its asymptotic properties. The proposed estimators share with quantile regression the advantage of exploring the shape of the conditional distribution of the dependent variable. When there are a factor structure and co-movement for economic variables, the underlying unobservable factors (or common components) are more efficient instruments. The proposed estimators achieve the optimality in the following sense: The method of principal component consistently estimates the space spanned by the ideal instruments which are utilized to control the endogeneity in the quantile regression analysis. Analyzing the asymptotic properties of the estimator, we assume that a panel of observable instruments follows a factor structure and the endogenous variables also share the same unobservable factors. Using the estimated factors as instruments, we show that the FIVQR estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal. Furthermore, when compared in the GMM framework, the proposed estimator is more efficient than the GMM estimator using many observable instruments directly. Monte Carlo studies demonstrate that the proposed estimators perform well. For an empirical application, we use a firm-level panel data set consisting of trading volumes and returns on DJIA to explore the asymmetric return–volume relation, controlling the endogeneity problem with the estimated factor instruments.
Qualification and comparison in Berber. The verb-noun distinction and its Fluctuations
Authors: Taine-Cheikh Catherine
Published: April 2014

The world's languages generally distinguish between nouns and verbs. However, many do not have a specific class of adjectives with its own significantly different grammatical properties to set it apart from nouns and verbs. This is true of Berber which, in this respect, differs from Arabic. That being said, if one looks at the details, there is wide variety across Berber languages. Most have both ``verbal'' adjectives and ``nominal'' adjectives, with more or less marked secondary properties. Some have a small adjective class for describing certain core properties. Historically, these could reflect an earlier phase of Berber.
Predicting Arterial Injuries after Penetrating Brain Trauma Based on Scoring Signs from Emergency CT Studies
Authors: Bodanapally Uttam K. , Krejza Jaroslaw , Saksobhavivat Nitima , Jaffray Paul M. , Sliker Clint W. , Miller Lisa A. , Shanmuganathan Kathirkamanathan , Dreizin David
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of individual radiologists in detection of vascular injury in patients after penetrating brain injury (PBI) based on head CT findings at admission. We retrospectively evaluated 54 PBI patients who underwent admission head CT and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), used here as a reference standard. Two readers reviewed the CT images to determine the presence or absence of the 29 CT variables of injury profile and quantified selected variables. Four experienced trauma radiologists and one neuroradiologist assigned their own specific scores for each CT variable, a high score indicative of a high probability of artery injury. A sixth set consisted of the average score obtained from the five sets, generated by five experts. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for each set to assess the diagnostic performance of an individual radiologist in predicting an underlying vascular injury. The area under ROC curve (AUC) was higher for CT scores obtained from the sixth set (average of five sets of scores) of variable rank score 0.75 (95% CI 0.62–0.88) and for the rest of the data sets, the value ranged from 0.70 (95% CI 0.56–0.84) to 0.74 (95% CI 0.6–0.88). In conclusion, radiologists may be able to recommend DSA with a fair accuracy rate in selected patients, deemed ‘high-risk’ for developing intracranial vascular injuries after PBI based on admission CT studies. A better approach needs to be developed to reduce the false positive rate to avoid unnecessary emergency DSA.
Endovascular Treatment in an Unusual Case of Direct Carotid Cavernous Fistula
Authors: Chavan Rajendra Gajanan , Kamble Ravindra Bhimrao , Bonde Vivek
Published: April 2014

We describe a unique and unusual case of post-traumatic direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) with occluded proximal internal carotid artery and CCF filling from the contralateral side with retrograde cortical venous reflux. A male patient presented with intracranial haemorrhage due to cortical venous reflux. He was treated endovascularly through a contralateral approach by coiling the cavernous sinus and occluding the distal internal carotid artery at the fistulous site with glue.
Spontaneous Regression and Recurrence of a Tumefactive Perivascular Space
Authors: Muttikkal Thomas Jose Eluvathingal , Raghavan Prashant
Published: April 2014

Perivascular spaces can occasionally appear mass-like (tumefactive or giant perivascular space), and can be associated with clinical symptoms. Spontaneous regression of a tumefactive perivascular space is a very rare phenomenon with only two reported cases in the English medical literature. Spontaneous regression of a tumefactive perivascular space along with resolution of clinical symptoms, followed by spontaneous recurrence associated with symptom recurrence is an extremely rare occurrence, which to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in the medical literature. We describe a case of spontaneous regression of a tumefactive perivascular space, three years after its initial detection, followed by spontaneous recurrence after two years.
Enfrentamento e percepção da mulher em relação à infecção pelo HIV
Authors: Renesto Helana Maria Ferreira , Falbo Ana Rodrigues , Souza Edvaldo , Vasconcelos Maria Gorete
Published: April 2014

OBJETIVO Analisar o enfrentamento e as percepções das mulheres em relação à descoberta da infecção pelo HIV. MÉTODOS Estudo qualitativo em Serviço de Assistência Especializada em HIV/aids em Recife, PE, de janeiro a setembro de 2010. Participaram oito mulheres entre 27 e 37 anos de idade vivendo com HIV, assintomáticas, sem critérios de diagnóstico de aids, infectadas por meio de relação sexual, e acompanhadas no serviço há pelo menos um ano. Foram utilizados formulário para caracterizar o quadro clínico e entrevista semiestruturada para compreender as percepções e sentimentos relacionados à trajetória pessoal após o diagnóstico e as diferentes maneiras de enfrentar o diagnóstico no meio familiar e social. Foi realizada análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática segundo Bardin. RESULTADOS A categoria temática emergente foi estigma e discriminação. As mulheres apresentavam trajetórias de vida marcadas pelo estigma, percebido como discriminação desde o diagnóstico e nas vivências do cotidiano. A revelação da infecção foi sentida como limitante para uma vida normal, levando à necessidade de ocultação do diagnóstico. As posturas discriminatórias por parte de alguns profissionais dos serviços de saúde não especializados em HIV/aids repercutiram negativamente nas experiências futuras em outros serviços de saúde. Além dos efeitos do estigma institucional, o serviço especializado não contemplou espaço para a expressão de outras necessidades para além da doença, o que poderia ajudar no enfrentamento da infecção. CONCLUSÕES A convivência com o HIV esteve fortemente ligada ao estigma. É importante fortalecer as abordagens educativas e o apoio emocional no momento do diagnóstico para favorecer o enfrentamento da condição de soropositividade.
Common mental disorders and intimate partner violence in pregnancy
Authors: Ludermir Ana Bernarda , Valongueiro Sandra , Araújo Thália Velho Barreto de
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVE : To investigate the association between common mental disorders and intimate partner violence during pregnancy. METHODS : A cross sectional study was carried out with 1,120 pregnant women aged 18-49 years old, who were registered in the Family Health Program in the city of Recife, Northeastern Brazil, between 2005 and 2006. Common mental disorders were assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Intimate partner violence was defined as psychologically, physically and sexually abusive acts committed against women by their partners. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated for the association studied utilizing logistic regression analysis. RESULTS : The most common form of partner violence was psychological. The prevalence of common mental disorders was 71.0% among women who reported all form of violence in pregnancy and 33.8% among those who did not report intimate partner violence. Common mental disorders were associated with psychological violence (OR 2.49, 95%CI 1.8;3.5), even without physical or sexual violence. When psychological violence was combined with physical or sexual violence, the risk of common mental disorders was even higher (OR 3.45; 95%CI 2.3;5.2). CONCLUSIONS : Being assaulted by someone with whom you are emotionally involved can trigger feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem and depression. The pregnancy probably increased women`s vulnerability to common mental disorders
Exposição ao álcool entre escolares e fatores associados
Authors: Malta Deborah Carvalho , Mascarenhas Márcio Dênis Medeiros , Porto Denise Lopes , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Morais Neto Otaliba Libânio de
Published: April 2014

OBJETIVO : Analisar a prevalência de consumo de álcool entre escolares adolescentes e identificar fatores individuais e contextuais associados. MÉTODOS : Estudo baseado em dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Escolar (PeNSE), com amostra de 59.699 escolares do 9º ano, residentes nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal, em 2009. A associação entre consumo regular de álcool e as variáveis explicativas independentes foi medida utilizando-se o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson com nível de significância de 0,05. As variáveis explicativas foram classificadas em quatro categorias (sociodemográficas, contexto escolar e familiar, fatores de risco e fatores de proteção). As análises multivariadas foram feitas por categoria, ajustadas por idade e sexo. As variáveis com p ≤ 0,10 foram inseridas no modelo final de análise multivariada. RESULTADOS : O maior consumo de álcool nos últimos 30 dias esteve independentemente associado a escolares: com 15 anos (OR = 1,46) ou mais, do sexo feminino (OR = 1,72), de cor branca, filhos de mães com maior escolaridade, que estudam em escola privada, que experimentaram tabaco (OR = 1,72) e drogas (OR = 1,81), que têm consumo regular de tabaco (OR = 2,16) e que já tiveram relação sexual (OR = 2,37). Os fatores relativos à família foram: faltar às aulas sem o conhecimento dos pais (OR = 1,49), pais não saberem o que escolares fazem no tempo livre (OR = 1,34), fazer menor número de refeições com os pais (OR = 1,22), relato de que os pais não se importariam se chegassem bêbados em casa (OR = 3,05), ou se importariam pouco (OR = 3,39), e ter sofrido violência doméstica (OR = 1,36). CONCLUSÕES : Os resultados confirmam a importância de considerar o álcool na adolescência como um fenômeno complexo, multifatorial e socialmente determinado.
Promoção da saúde: desafios revelados em práticas exitosas
Authors: Silva Kênia Lara , Sena Roseni Rosângela de , Belga Stephanie Marques Moura Franco , Silva Paloma Morais , Rodrigues Andreza Trevenzoli
Published: April 2014

OBJETIVO : Identificar os avanços e desafios para a promoção da saúde em práticas exitosas nas áreas da saúde, educação, cultura, assistência social e esporte-lazer. MÉTODOS : Estudo qualitativo com dados obtidos da análise em profundidade que incluiu observação participante e entrevista com gestores, coordenadores, profissionais e participantes de 29 práticas indicadas como exitosas para a promoção da saúde, em seis municípios da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, MG, 2011. As variáveis de estudo foram concepção, dimensão, disseminação e oportunidade de acesso identificadas nas práticas, orientada pela análise de conteúdo temática. RESULTADOS : Observou-se indefinição conceitual e metodológica a respeito da promoção da saúde apresentada por objetos e finalidades contraditórios. As práticas se diferiram quanto à dimensão, disseminação e oportunidade de acesso, determinadas pela articulação intersetorial e investimento político e financeiro. CONCLUSÕES : A focalização das práticas em públicos vulneráveis, limites do financiamento e parceiras intersetoriais foram identificados como desafios para a promoção da saúde.
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing at improving oral health: a systematic review
Authors: Cascaes Andreia Morales , Bielemann Renata Moraes , Clark Valerie Lyn , Barros Aluísio J D
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVE : To analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) at improving oral health behaviors (oral hygiene habits, sugar consumption, dental services utilization or use of fluoride) and dental clinical outcomes (dental plaque, dental caries and periodontal status). METHODS : A systematic search of PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, PsyINFO, Cochrane and Google Scholar bibliographic databases was conducted looking for intervention studies that investigated MI as the main approach to improving the oral health outcomes investigated. RESULTS : Of the 78 articles found, ten met the inclusion criteria, all based on randomized controlled trials. Most studies (n = 8) assessed multiple outcomes. Five interventions assessed the impact of MI on oral health behaviors and nine on clinical outcomes (three on dental caries, six on dental plaque, four on gingivitis and three on periodontal pockets). Better quality of evidence was provided by studies that investigated dental caries, which also had the largest population samples. The evidence of the effect of MI on improving oral health outcomes is conflicting. Four studies reported positive effects of MI on oral health outcomes whereas another four showed null effect. In two interventions, the actual difference between groups was not reported or able to be recalculated. CONCLUSIONS : We found inconclusive effectiveness for most oral health outcomes. We need more and better designed and reported interventions to fully assess the impact of MI on oral health and understand the appropriate dosage for the counseling interventions.
Trajetória profissional de egressos de cursos de doutorado nas áreas da saúde e biociências
Authors: Hortale Virginia Alonso , Moreira Carlos Otávio Fiúza , Bochner Rosany , Leal Maria do Carmo
Published: April 2014

OBJETIVO : Analisar a trajetória e satisfação profissional de egressos de cursos de doutorado na área da saúde. MÉTODOS : Estudo exploratório com 827 egressos dos cursos de doutorado da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz nas áreas da saúde coletiva, biociências e atenção à saúde, entre 1984 e 2007. Os sujeitos foram agrupados em três coortes temporais. Foi analisado o perfil dos egressos; mapeadas suas trajetórias profissionais, suas percepções sobre a formação recebida; suas motivações para escolha da instituição para realizar o doutorado; e as avaliações efetuadas sobre os cursos. Utilizou-se questionário em formato eletrônico para preenchimento on-line para coleta de dados. RESULTADOS : Existiram diferenças entre as coortes de egressos, relacionadas ao período em que cursaram o doutorado, a distintas trajetórias de formação e processos de trabalho entre egressos das áreas de biociências e saúde e as peculiaridades das diferentes áreas em que a instituição oferece cursos de doutorado: saúde coletiva, biociências e atenção à saúde. CONCLUSÕES : Os resultados possibilitam ampliar o conhecimento das instâncias de gestão acadêmica sobre os processos de formação, estabelecendo uma “linha de base” para o acompanhamento da trajetória dos egressos e contribuir com subsídios para o aprimoramento dos processos de acompanhamento de egressos dos programas de pós-graduação.