bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensive Multiagent Therapy, Including Dose-Compressed Cycles of Ifosfamide/Etoposide and Vincristine/Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide, Irinotecan, and Radiation, in Patients With High-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Weigel Brenda J. , Lyden Elizabeth , Anderson James R. , Meyer William H. , Parham David M. , Rodeberg David A. , Michalski Jeff M. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Arndt Carola A.S.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), except those younger than 10 years with embryonal RMS, have an estimated long-term event-free survival (EFS) of less than 20%. The main goal of this study was to improve outcome of patients with metastatic RMS by dose intensification with interval compression, use of the most active agents determined in phase II window studies, and use of irinotecan as a radiation sensitizer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with metastatic RMS received 54 weeks of therapy: blocks of therapy with vincristine/irinotecan (weeks 1 to 6, 20 to 25, and 47 to 52), interval compression with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide alternating with etoposide/ifosfamide (weeks 7 to 19 and 26 to 34), and vincristine/dactinomycin/cyclophosphamide (weeks 38 to 46). Radiation therapy occurred at weeks 20 to 25 (primary) but was also permitted at weeks 1 to 6 (for intracranial or paraspinal extension) and weeks 47 to 52 (for extensive metastatic sites).

Results

One hundred nine eligible patients were enrolled, with a median follow-up of surviving patients of 3.8 years (3-year EFS for all patients, 38% [95% CI, 29% to 48%]; survival, 56% [95% CI, 46% to 66%]). Patients with one or no Oberlin risk factor (age > 10 years or < 1 year, unfavorable primary site of disease, ≥ three metastatic sites, and bone or bone marrow involvement) had a 3-year EFS of 69% (95% CI, 52% to 82%); high-risk patients with two or more risk factors had a 3-year EFS of 20% (95% CI, 11% to 30%). Toxicity was similar to that on prior RMS studies.

Conclusion

Patients with metastatic RMS with one or no Oberlin risk factor had an improved 3-year EFS of 69% on ARST0431 compared with an historical cohort from pooled European and US studies; those with two or more risk factors have a dismal prognosis, and new approaches are needed for this very-high-risk group.
Importance of Adult Dmbx1 in Long-Lasting Orexigenic Effect of Agouti-Related Peptide
Authors: Hirono Seiichiro , Lee Eun Young , Kuribayashi Shunsuke , Fukuda Takahiro , Saeki Naokatsu , Minokoshi Yasuhiko , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Miki Takashi
Published: October 2015

Dmbx1 is a brain-specific homeodomain transcription factor expressed primarily during embryogenesis, and its systemic disruption (Dmbx1−/−) in the ICR mouse strain resulted in leanness associated with impaired long-lasting orexigenic effect of agouti-related peptide (AgRP). Because spatial and temporal expression patterns of Dmbx1 change dramatically during embryogenesis, it remains unknown when and where Dmbx1 plays a critical role in energy homeostasis. In the present study, the physiological roles of Dmbx1 were examined by its conditional disruption (Dmbx1loxP/loxP) in the C57BL/6 mouse strain. Although Dmbx1 disruption in fetal brain resulted in neonatal lethality, its disruption by synapsin promoter-driven Cre recombinase, which eliminated Dmbx1 expression postnatally, exempted the mice (Syn-Cre;Dmbx1loxP/loxP mice) from lethality. Syn-Cre;Dmbx1loxP/loxP mice show mild leanness and impaired long-lasting orexigenic action of AgRP, demonstrating the physiological relevance of Dmbx1 in the adult. Visualization of Dmbx1-expressing neurons in adult brain using the mice harboring tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase in the Dmbx1 locus (Dmbx1CreERT2/+ mice) revealed Dmbx1 expression in small numbers of neurons in restricted regions, including the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB). Notably, c-Fos expression in LPB was increased at 48 hours after AgRP administration in Dmbx1loxP/loxP mice but not in Syn-Cre;Dmbx1loxP/loxP mice. These c-Fos-positive neurons in LPB did not coincide with neurons expressing Dmbx1 or melanocortin 4 receptor but did coincide with those expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide. Accordingly, Dmbx1 in the adult LPB is required for the long-lasting orexigenic effect of AgRP via the neural circuitry involving calcitonin gene-related peptide neurons.
Inhibition of motor neuron death in vitro and in vivo by a p75 neurotrophin receptor intracellular domain fragment
Authors: Matusica Dusan , Alfonsi Fabienne , Turner Bradley J. , Butler Tim J. , Shepheard Stephanie R. , Rogers Mary-Louise , Skeldal Sune , Underwood Clare K. , Mangelsdorf Marie , Coulson Elizabeth J.
Published: October 2015

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR; also known as NGFR) can mediate neuronal apoptosis in disease or following trauma, and facilitate survival through interactions with Trk receptors. Here we tested the ability of a p75NTR-derived trophic cell-permeable peptide, c29, to inhibit p75NTR-mediated motor neuron death. Acute c29 application to axotomized motor neuron axons decreased cell death, and systemic c29 treatment of SOD1G93A mice, a common model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, resulted in increased spinal motor neuron survival mid-disease as well as delayed disease onset. Coincident with this, c29 treatment of these mice reduced the production of p75NTR cleavage products. Although c29 treatment inhibited mature- and pro-nerve-growth-factor-induced death of cultured motor neurons, and these ligands induced the cleavage of p75NTR in motor-neuron-like NSC-34 cells, there was no direct effect of c29 on p75NTR cleavage. Rather, c29 promoted motor neuron survival in vitro by enhancing the activation of TrkB-dependent signaling pathways, provided that low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were present, an effect that was replicated in vivo in SOD1G93A mice. We conclude that the c29 peptide facilitates BDNF-dependent survival of motor neurons in vitro and in vivo.
Luman is involved in osteoclastogenesis through the regulation of DC-STAMP expression, stability and localization
Authors: Kanemoto Soshi , Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Yamashita Teruhito , Miyamoto Takeshi , Cui Min , Asada Rie , Cui Xiang , Hino Kenta , Kaneko Masayuki , Takai Tomoko , Matsuhisa Koji , Takahashi Naoyuki , Imaizumi Kazunori
Published: October 2015

Luman is a type II transmembrane transcription factor belonging to the OASIS family that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane under normal conditions. In response to ER stress, OASIS family members are subjected to regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP), following which the cleaved N-terminal fragments translocate to the nucleus. In this study, we show that treatment of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) with cytokines, M-CSF and RANKL, causes a time-dependent increase in Luman expression and that Luman undergoes RIP and becomes activated during osteoclast differentiation. ShRNA-mediated knockdown of Luman in BMMs prevents the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts, concomitant with the suppression of DC-STAMP, a protein essential for cell'cell fusion in osteoclastogenesis. N-terminus of Luman facilitates promoter activities of DC-STAMP, resulting in up-regulation of DC-STAMP expression. Furthermore, Luman interacts with DC-STAMP, and controls its stability and localization. These results suggest that Luman regulates the multinucleation of osteoclasts by promoting cell fusion of mononuclear osteoclasts through DC-STAMP induction and intracellular distribution during osteoclastogenesis.
Optimal Taxation and Debt with Uninsurable Risks to Human Capital Accumulation
Authors: Gottardi Piero , Kajii Atsushi , Nakajima Tomoyuki
Published: October 2015

We consider an economy where individuals face uninsurable risks to their human capital accumulation and analyze the optimal level of linear taxes on capital and labor income together with the optimal path of government debt. We show that in the presence of such risks, it is beneficial to tax both labor and capital and to issue public debt. We also assess the quantitative importance of these findings, and show that the benefits of government debt and capital taxes both increase with the magnitude of idiosyncratic risks and the degree of relative risk aversion. (JEL D52, H21, H24, H25, H63, J24)
Fiscal Volatility Shocks and Economic Activity
Authors: Fernández-Villaverde Jesús , Guerrón-Quintana Pablo , Kuester Keith , Rubio-Ramírez Juan
Published: October 2015

We study how unexpected changes in uncertainty about fiscal policy affect economic activity. First, we estimate tax and spending processes for the United States with time-varying volatility to uncover evidence of time-varying volatility. Second, we estimate a VAR for the US economy using the time-varying volatility found in the previous step. Third, we feed the tax and spending processes into an otherwise standard New Keynesian model. Both in the VAR and in the model, we find that unexpected changes in fiscal volatility shocks can have a sizable adverse effect on economic activity. An endogenous increase in markups is a key mechanism. (JEL E12, E23, E32, E52, E62)
Hybrid Representation: Intaglio Etching of Digital Models
Authors: Voordouw Johan
Published: October 2015

This paper explores an alternative approach to architectural representation by using computation and digital modeling to develop novel modes of drawing. The project was initiated for the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR 2014) and was exhibited in the seminal Kunsthal Rotterdam in the summer of 2014. The project, entitled Weerkas, was a set of twelve intaglio etchings. A combination of digital modeling programs such as Rhino, Grasshopper and 3D Studio Max and drafting software AutoCAD were used to develop the drawings. The digital files were photo-transferred and etched using a polymer intaglio plate. The analog/digital hybrid explores the limitations of such a combined means of expression and its possible significance in developing a two from three-dimensional drawing technique.
Urban Design Synthesis for Building Layouts Based on Evolutionary Many-Criteria Optimization
Authors: Reinhard König
Published: October 2015

When working on urban planning projects there are usually multiple aspects to consider. Often these aspects are contradictory and it is not possible to choose one over the other; instead, they each need to be fulfilled as well as possible. In this situation ideal solutions are not always found because they are either not sought or the problems are regarded as being too complex for human capabilities. To improve this situation we propose complementing traditional design approaches with a design synthesis process based on evolutionary many-criteria optimization methods that can fulfill formalizable design requirements. In addition we show how self-organizing maps can be used to visualize many-dimensional solution spaces in an easily analyzable and comprehensible form. The system is presented using an urban planning scenario for the placement of building volumes.
Architectural Layout Evolution through Similarity-Based Evaluation
Authors: Sönmez N. Onur
Published: October 2015

We propose a novel application of similarity-based evaluation for layout design. Basing evaluations on a pool of existing designs or quickly delivered graphical specifications enables an Evolutionary Algorithm to become an open-ended system, where problem definitions can be kept open for fast updating. Through its flexible and open-ended aspects, the approach is able to develop draft layouts for an unlimited variety of tasks, which are not implied within the initial task definition. This enables a versatile computational layout design assistant, which can be easily adopted within regular design processes through usual graphic media. In this paper, the functioning of the approach is described and verified; the versatility of the resulting assistant, its intuitive graphical interface, and its usage scenario are demonstrated.
Abstraction versus Case Based: A Comparative Study of Two Approaches to Support Parametric Design
Authors: Globa Anastasia , Donn Michael , Moloney Jules
Published: October 2015

We describe an experimental study testing the reuse of design knowledge as a method to support learning and use of parametric design in architecture. The use of parametric design systems and programming environments offer architects new opportunities, providing a powerful means to create geometries and allowing dynamic design exploration, but it can also impose substantial challenges. The proposition tested in this study is that the reuse of design knowledge can improve architects' ability to use parametric modelling, and reduce the barriers to using programming in a design context. The paper explores and compares two approaches as a means of accessing and reusing existing design solutions: the reuse of abstract parametric ‘Design Patterns' [1]; and secondly the reuse of parametric solutions from specific design cases (Case-Based Design). This paper outlines the principles and methods of ‘abstract' versus ‘case-based’ approaches to reuse parametric solutions; and focuses on the results of their practical implementation through the statistical analysis of a comparative study involving 126 designers. In conclusion, it is proposed the outcomes from this study can be applied to inform the methodology for introducing parametric design in architecture and design disciplines.
Non-invasive imaging to monitor lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Thurman Joshua M. , Serkova Natalie J.
Published: October 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple different organs, including the kidneys and central nervous system (CNS). Conventional radiological examinations in SLE patients include volumetric/ anatomical computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US). The utility of these modalities is limited, however, due to the complexity of the disease. Furthermore, standard CT and MRI contrast agents are contraindicated in patients with renal impairment. Various radiologic methods are currently being developed to improve disease characterization in patients with SLE beyond simple anatomical endpoints. Physiological non-contrast MRI protocols have been developed to assess tissue oxygenation, glomerular filtration, renal perfusion, interstitial diffusion, and inflammation-driven fibrosis in lupus nephritis (LN) patients. For neurological symptoms, vessel size imaging (VSI, an MRI approach utilizing T2-relaxing iron oxide nanoparticles) has shown promise as a diagnostic tool. Molecular imaging probes (mostly for MRI and nuclear medicine imaging) have also been developed for diagnosing SLE with high sensitivity, and for monitoring disease activity. This paper reviews the challenges in evaluating disease activity in patients with LN and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). We describe novel MRI and positron-emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging protocols using targeted iron oxide nanoparticles and radioactive ligands, respectively, for detection of SLE-associated inflammation.
Personal Preferences, Entrepreneurs’ Location Choices, and Firm Performance
Authors: Kulchina Elena
Published: October 2015

Whereas early location work established the role of economic factors in entrepreneurs’ location choices, recent studies suggest personal reasons as another factor. However, because the places where entrepreneurs want to live are often the places where they will likely do well, it is difficult to empirically separate the two mechanisms. We focus on entrepreneurs founding firms abroad, allowing us to more effectively isolate the effect of personal location attractiveness. We leverage entrepreneurs’ decisions to relocate and manage their firms personally or to remain in a home country and hire a manager. We find that entrepreneurs who view a host country as an attractive location are more likely to relocate and manage their firms personally. However, such entrepreneur-managers have lower firm performance. These results are consistent with the idea that entrepreneurs are more likely to reside in personally attractive places and are willing to substitute benefits of living there for some firm profit.

This paper was accepted by Jesper Sørensen, organizations.
The effect of mechanical ventilation on quality of life in patients with motor neurone disease
Authors: Smith Stephanie , McLeod Anne
Published: October 2015

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative condition, which is characterised by a progressive muscle weakening. As the disease progresses, many patients will experience respiratory insufficiency, which is the main cause of death in MND. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and/or invasive ventilation (IV) via a tracheostomy can be used to palliate these distressing respiratory symptoms and maintain quality of life (QOL). The aim of this literature review is to establish whether the use of artificial ventilation improves and/or maintains QOL. Additional objectives of this review are to evaluate contemporary primary research investigating the impact of mechanical ventilation on QOL in MND and to identify any disadvantages of mechanical ventilation and how these could be overcome in future practice. The use of NIV/IV in MND has both positive and negative effects on overall QOL. More comprehensive research needs to be conducted to establish how optimal QOL can be maintained despites the progressive nature of MND.
Exploring the impact on young people who are caring and grieving for a parent with motor neurone disease
Authors: Clabburn Oliver , O'Brien Mary R
Published: October 2015

Background:

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a terminal neurological disease. Little attention has been paid in the literature to investigating the experiences of children and young people who provide care for a parent with the disease.

Aim:

To explore how providing care for a parent with MND impacts upon a young person's life.

Sample:

A purposive sample of seven young people who were bereaved or currently providing care for a parent with MND.

Methods:

A qualitative methodology with informal semi-structured interviews.

Results:

Five key themes were identified; initial MND diagnosis, changing family roles, implications upon education, implications upon social life and positive outcomes.

Conclusion:

The study suggests that young carers for a parent with MND experience substantial challenges in addition to some positive outcomes.
Best interests and the critically sick child
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: October 2015

In this article Richard Griffith reviews the development of the best interests test in cases of seriously ill children and babies, and argues that this test should inform the decision as to when continued care and treatment become futile.
Research Roundup
Authors: Clabburn Oliver
Published: October 2015

Oliver Clabburn provides a synopsis and brief review of a selection of recently published research articles of interest to neuroscience nurses, highlighting the key points to keep you up to date. A full reference is provided for those who wish to read the research in more detail.
Registered nurses' involvement in advance care planning: an integrative review
Authors: Rietze Lori , Stajduhar Kelli
Published: October 2015

Background:

Even though registered nurses are uniquely positioned to have end-of-life conversations with their patients, there is limited engagement in such discussions between patients and health-care providers. Consequently, few patients are adequately prepared to make in-the-moment treatment decisions about goals of care.

Objectives:

The guiding question for this integrative review was what factors influence registered nurses' involvement in advance care planning (ACP) conversations with their patients in acute care settings?

Methods:

Based on integrative review guidelines, databases from CINAHL, Medline, Ovid, and ProQuest were searched from 1990–2014, yielding nine articles.

Results:

There were four patterns found in the literature: (1) Nurses' involvement in ACP, (2) Nurses' perceptions of their roles in ACP, (3) Barriers to ACP discussions, and (4) Facilitators of ACP discussions.

Discussion:

Additional educational opportunities related to ACP are necessary to promote integration of ACP into daily nursing care. Further research should focus on exploring operant mechanisms shaping nurses' ACP practice in acute care settings.
Nurses' resilience and nurturance of the self
Authors: Shimoinaba Kaori , O'Connor Margaret , Lee Susan , Kissane David
Published: October 2015

Background:

Despite the losses experienced by nurses in their role in palliative care, they wish to continue working in this environment. This is described as resilience, which enhances coping in dealing with death and grief.

Aim:

To explore the nature of nurses' resilience and the way it is developed.

Design:

A qualitative research design using grounded theory methods was employed. With theoretical sampling, 18 interviews were conducted and theoretical saturation was achieved.

Results:

Self-nurturing was evident as the way nurses developed resilience, which included knowledge of self, coping adaptively, valuing care and accepting limitations.

Discussion:

All participants spoke of the characteristics of resilience from the blend of individual responsibility for self and the support provided by others. However, none had educational pathways to build greater resilience.

Conclusion:

Integrating support and education to foster nurses' resilience is important to enable self-protection, as well as the provision of high quality care.
Politics and palliative care: Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Smyth Dion
Published: October 2015

Dion Smyth's review of the internet for palliative nursing
Comparison of 7 Published LC-MS/MS Methods for the Simultaneous Measurement of Testosterone, Androstenedione, and Dehydroepiandrosterone in Serum
Authors: Büttler Rahel M , Martens Frans , Fanelli Flaminia , Pham Hai T , Kushnir Mark M , Janssen Marcel J W , Owen Laura , Taylor Angela E , Soeborg Tue , Blankenstein Marinus A , Heijboer Annemieke C
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Recently, LC-MS/MS was stated to be the method of choice to measure sex steroids. Because information on the mutual agreement of LC-MS/MS methods is scarce, we compared 7 published LC-MS/MS methods for the simultaneous measurement of testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

METHODS

We used 7 published LC-MS/MS methods to analyze in duplicate 55 random samples from both men and women. We performed Passing–Bablok regression analysis and calculated Pearson correlation coefficients to assess the agreement of the methods investigated with the median concentration measured by all methods, and we calculated the intraassay CV of each method derived from duplicate results and the CVs between the methods.

RESULTS

Median concentrations of testosterone were 0.22–1.36 nmol/L for women and 8.27–27.98 nmol/L for men. Androstenedione and DHEA concentrations were 0.05–5.53 and 0.58–18.04 nmol/L, respectively. Intraassay CVs were 2.9%–10%, 1.2%–8.8%, 2.7%–13%, and 4.3%–16% for testosterone in women, testosterone in men, androstenedione, and DHEA. Slopes of the regression lines calculated by Passing–Bablok regression analysis were 0.92–1.08, 0.92–1.08, 0.90–1.13, and 0.91–1.41 for all testosterone values, testosterone in women, androstenedione, and DHEA. Intermethod CVs were 14%, 8%, 30%, and 22% for testosterone in women, testosterone in men, androstenedione, and DHEA.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the LC-MS/MS methods investigated show reasonable agreement. However, some of the assays show differences in standardization, and others show high variation.
Gap closure process by lateral extension growth of canopy trees and its effect on woody species regeneration in a temperate secondary forest, Northeast China
Authors: Lu Deliang , Zhu Jiaojun , Sun Yirong , Hu Lile , Zhang Guangqi
Published: October 2015

Gap formation and its effects on regeneration have been reported as being important in forest development, but seldom studies concentrated on the gap closure process by lateral extension growth of canopy trees surrounding gaps. We monitored the closure process of 12 artificial gaps for 7 years with three size classes: small (from 68 mto 125 m), middle (from 174 m to 321Â m), and large (from 514 m to 621 m); and investigated the regeneration twice in a temperate secondary forest, Northeast China. The closure process can be described through quadratic functions, which showed the closure rates slowed down with gap ages. Large gaps had a higher closure rate (39 m a) than middle gaps (25 m a) and small gaps (11 m a). According to the quadratic equations, the lateral growth could last 11, 13 and 16 years for small, middle and large gaps with a remaining size of 12, 69 and 223 m, respectively. As expected, regeneration exhibited the highest seedling density and volume in large gaps. There was no significant difference in regeneration density between middle gaps, small gaps and forest understory in the final investigation; but the volume of regenerated woody species increased significantly from small gaps to large gaps compared with forest understory. These results may provide references on the choice of appropriate gap sizes to promote the regeneration in temperate secondary forests.2 222222â12â12â12
Persistent Classroom Management Training Needs of Experienced Teachers
Authors: Stough Laura M. , Montague Marcia L. , Landmark Leena Jo , Williams-Diehm Kendra
Published: October 2015

Experienced special education teachers (n=62) were surveyed on their professional preparation to become effective classroom managers. Despite having received extensive preservice training, over 83% of the sample reported being underprepared in classroom management and behavioral interventions. No statistically significant difference was found with respect to the type of classroom management theoretical approach used to train these teachers. Of those (74.2%) who received classroom management training post-graduation, the majority (64%) reported needing still further training in dealing with student behavior. Specific training desired was in whole-class management strategies, as well as in managing behaviors of students with disabilities. Results suggest that teachers’ training needs in classroom management may persist throughout their professional careers, even following intensive preservice training.
"Millennial Perspectives and Priorities"
Authors: Therrell James , Dunneback Staci
Published: October 2015

Prioritizing student voice, this study investigated the perspectives of undergraduate students in relation to their preferences and priorities for how they desired to experience teaching and learning. While not experts, our assumption was that undergraduate students, because of their relatively long experience as students, would be closely in touch with how they preferred to learn. Employing a mixed method, randomly selected students (N=291 of 3,000) completed a brief online survey, and we followed with qualitative focus groups and individual interviews in order to confirm the quantitative data and deepen our understanding of the student perspective. Findings pointed toward particular student preferences and priorities for: teacher behaviors like caring, passion, and enthusiasm, the communication of clear expectations, course alignment between course content taught and tests, a desire for more real-world applications, and active learning opportunities, all of which, in turn, were generally linked by students to their improved attention, intensity of focus, and ability to engage both in the classroom and during homework.
The effects of word form variation and frequency on second language incidental vocabulary acquisition through reading
Authors: Reynolds Barry Lee
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether frequency of occurrence and the level of morphological form variation (i.e., none, inflectional, and derivational) exhibited by target words might interact to affect incidental acquisition through reading. An intact class of English as a foreign language learners (n=32) was given a copy of an unmodified 37,611-token English novel containing 49 target nonce words to read within two weeks. After reading, they were given two unexpected forms of assessment (meaning recall translation and meaning recognition multiple-choice). Meaning recall results indicate an average of 10 words having been acquired and meaning recognition results indicate an average of 25 words having been acquired. For the meaning recall data, a significant interaction effect between word form variation and frequency was found. Results point towards the conclusion that an increase in frequency may have a beneficial effect on acquisition for words whose tokens vary inflectionally, a marginal effect for words that do not vary in form, and little to no effect on words that vary derivationally. Examination of the meaning recognition acquisition results for a subset of 29 target words occurring 2–4 times to control for frequency of exposure found a significant effect for word form variation. Post hoc comparisons indicated that participants acquired significantly more target words that did not vary in form. There was no significant difference in acquisition between those that varied inflectionally and derivationally. Taken as a whole, the results of the current study indicate that word form variation does affect incidental acquisition and it can indeed present second language learners with difficulties, especially when less frequent input is received of words that vary in form. Implications for future incidental vocabulary acquisition research and classroom pedagogy incorporating reading and vocabulary instruction are discussed.
Moral Hazard in Monday Claim Filing: Evidence from Spanish Sick Leave Insurance
Authors: Martin-Roman Angel Luis , Moral Alfonso
Published: October 2015

The Monday effect on workers’ compensation insurance shows that there is a higher proportion of hard-to-diagnose injuries the first day of the week. The aim of this paper is to test whether the physiological hypothesis or the economic explanation is more satisfactory to understand this Monday effect and, if both are correct, to obtain an estimation of the magnitude of each of them. To do this, we exploit the singular legal regulation of Spanish sick leave benefits and use this country as a “laboratory”. Our econometric analysis detects and measures a hard-to-diagnose reporting gap on Mondays by about 6.5 percentage points due to physiological reasons and up to 1.4 percentage points attributable to moral hazard for those injuries with a short recovery period.
The fundamental groupoid as a terminal costack
Authors: Pirashvili Ilia
Published: October 2015

In this paper we prove that for good topological spaces the assignment
Symbolic competence in multilingual interactions in a university setting: A complexity analysis
Authors: Gu Michelle
Published: October 2015

This paper, drawing on the notion of symbolic competence and insights from complexity theory, investigates the multilingual practices of university students in group discussions. The data analysis reveals that the protagonists’ language uses index the various ways in which their rehearsal of potential identities, language ideologies, histories, and cultural memories are realized in the ongoing discourse. The findings indicate that language choice is not dictated by pre-existing and permanent value assigned to the languages, but is influenced by the interlocutors’ subjective perceptions of the shifting dynamics within interactions. Furthermore, the findings show that multilingual speakers show ‘semiotic awareness’ and the ability to manipulate, shape and reconstruct their environment on different timelines and space scales. It is also suggested that, as globalization has led to more and more multilingual communication, it would be desirable for teachers and educators to develop students’ symbolic competence to make them aware of both communicative and intercultural competences, and to enable them exploit social categories, the symbolic power relations of different languages and the legitimacy of languages to shape multilingual settings.
The Higgs Boson, The God Particle, and the Correlation Between Scientific and Religious Narratives
Authors: Stahlberg Lorns-Olaf
Published: October 2015

The Higgs mechanism – as part of the Standard Model of Elementary Particle Physics – is mostly considered to be a real physical process that brings about the mass of every elementary particle. Recent discussions show that there are alternative interpretations of it, differing from the common one in the spectrum and the features of some specific physical objects. This, in turn, shows that the problem of reference remains unsolved for physical theories: It is not obvious what kind of objects theoretical terms exactly refer to. Given the fact that the reference to the object level is ambiguous even in the natural sciences, what correlations can be established between scientific terms and religious expressions at all? Do ontic ambiguities make the dialogue between science and religion easier or more complicated? This article reflects on these questions by examining the possible significations (and interrelations) of scientific and religious signs in general as well as from the perspective of the individual. I suggest that religious storytelling and ritual practices can establish specific associations between scientific and religious worldviews under certain conditions – without confusing the different world-views conceptually.
Science and/or Miracle? The System Approach to Miracle Events
Authors: Świeżyński Adam
Published: October 2015

The system approach to the miracle is based on the conviction that the complex issues, requiring the interdisciplinary approach, should be captured in a system way. Thus, the problem of miracle, because of its interdisciplinary character, should be captured in a systemic way, because such approach enables the more adequate and comprehensive presentation of these issues. The system approach towards the epistemology of miracle is the attempt of the more adequate presentation of the relationship between the scientific-natural research and theological stage of recognizing the miracle. Because of using systemic categories, it is possible to present the common foundations (environment) of the system of scientific-natural knowledge and the system of theological interpretation, which can be described as the rationality of knowledge. The result of adopting the systemic epistemology of miracle is noticing the relations between the scientific-natural research and theological interpretation in their system complexity. Determining these relations leads to the more general conclusion that the natural sciences and theology as separate and autonomous systems of gaining the knowledge of reality do not have to be treated as the competing but rather as the complementary ones, with their methodological diversity and limitations in mind.
Standard electrode potentials involving radicals in aqueous solution: inorganic radicals (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Armstrong David A. , Huie Robert E. , Koppenol Willem H. , Lymar Sergei V. , Merényi Gábor , Neta Pedatsur , Ruscic Branko , Stanbury David M. , Steenken Steen , Wardman Peter
Published: October 2015

Recommendations are made for standard potentials involving select inorganic radicals in aqueous solution at 25 °C. These recommendations are based on a critical and thorough literature review and also by performing derivations from various literature reports. The recommended data are summarized in tables of standard potentials, Gibbs energies of formation, radical pK
a’s, and hemicolligation equilibrium constants. In all cases, current best estimates of the uncertainties are provided. An extensive set of Data Sheets is appended that provide original literature references, summarize the experimental results, and describe the decisions and procedures leading to each of the recommendations.
Models of Intra- and Interclass Correlation Test Mean-Score Reliability
Authors: Zanevskyy Ihor , Zanevska Lyudmyla
Published: October 2015

A mean-score reliability of a test in a form of repeated trials with the same measurement equipment is estimated using an intraclass correlation coefficient varied within -∞ and 1. The research aims to outline a method of estimation of the retest mean-score reliability coefficient adequate to its theoretical model, i.e., without negative values. The idea is: (1) to include all the scores obtained in the test–retest of the group of subjects to a united sample, and (2) to estimate corresponding true scores as individual means scores and include them to another sample. A proposed reliability score coefficient is derived as a ratio of a sum of squares of the individual means scores multiplied by a number of repeated trials to a total sum of squares. The method proposed in the work brings values of the mean-score reliability coefficient into the interval defined in the classic theory of test reliability: 0 to 1. The approach is illustrated with numerical examples.
Study on the Performance of Cold-Recycling Asphalt Mixture Influenced by Activity Sites of Lignin via Chemical Analysis
Authors: Chen Xiang , Liu Jie , Lin Juntao , Hong Jinxiang
Published: October 2015

Gas chromatograph (GC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used to investigate the activity sites of lignin, which influence the emulsifiability of emulsifier and mixing performance of cold-recycling asphalt mixture obviously, in this paper. It was found that the emulsifier A prepared by lignin A showed the highest activity in emulsifiability and mixing performance, which was due to its 9.48 activity sites on average. Moreover, emulsifier B synthesized by lignin B exhibited a lower activity on emulsifiability and mixing performance than that of lignin A, which was because lignin B had 7.68 activity sites. However, the mixing performance of emulsifier C could not satisfy the technical specifications for highway asphalt pavement recycling, which was attributed to its 4.42 activity sites only. The synthetic route of this emulsifier was simple and its performances used in cold-recycling were excellent; as such, this kind of emulsifier could have a promising application in the future.
Cost Optimization of a Single-Server Queue With Working Breakdowns Under the N Policy
Authors: Chen Jia-Yu , Yen Tseng-Chang , Wang Kuo-Hsiung
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we considered a single-server queue with working breakdowns under the N policy. The server was subjected to working breakdowns only when there was at least one customer in the system. We developed the steady-state probabilities of the number of customers in the system as well as several system performance measures. The stability condition was derived using a probability generating function technique. We constructed the total expected cost function per unit time and formulated an optimization problem to find the minimum cost. The two-stage optimization method is implemented to determine the optimal threshold, the optimal fast service rate, and the optimal slow service rate simultaneously at minimum cost. Numerical examples were presented to illustrate the two-stage optimization method. Sensitivity analysis with numerical illustration was also presented.
Superelastic Ball Bearings: Materials and Design to Avoid Mounting and Dismounting Brinell Damage in an Inaccessible Press-Fit Application. Part II: Detailed Analysis
Authors: Howard Samuel A. , DellaCorte Christopher , Carney Kelly S.
Published: October 2015

Rolling element bearings utilized in precision rotating machines require proper alignment, preload, and interference fits to ensure overall optimum performance. Hence, careful attention must be given to bearing installation and machine assembly procedures to ensure the above conditions are met. Usually, machines are designed such that bearings can be pressed into housings or onto shafts through the races without loading the rolling elements. However, in some instances, either because of limited size or access, a bearing must be installed or removed in such a way that the load path travels through the rolling elements. This can cause high-contact stresses between the rolling elements and the races and introduces the potential for Brinell denting of the races. In this paper, an in-depth treatment is given to the design of a dent-resistant bearing utilizing a superelastic alloy, 60NiTi, for the races. A companion paper by the authors (Part I [1]) discusses material selection and the general design philosophy for the bearing. Here, a common bearing analysis tool based on rigid body dynamics is used to design the bearing in combination with finite-element simulations to further understand the limitations of the design. The primary design constraints are prevention of denting and avoiding the balls riding over the edge of the race groove during a blind disassembly process where the load passes through the rolling elements. Through an iterative process, the resulting bearing geometry is tailored to improve axial static load capability compared to a deep-groove ball bearing of the same size. The results suggest that careful selection of materials and bearing geometry can enable blind disassembly without damage to the raceways, which is necessary in the current application (a compressor in the International Space Station distillation assembly), and results in design flexibility for other applications, especially small machines with miniature bearings.
Low postoperative nonstimulated thyroglobulin as a criterion to spare radioiodine ablation
Authors: Mourão Gabriela Franco , Rosario Pedro Weslley , Calsolari Maria Regina
Published: October 2015

This study evaluated the recurrence rate in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who had low nonstimulated thyroglobulin (Tg), measured with a second-generation assay, after total thyroidectomy and who were not submitted to ablation with 131I. The objective was to define whether low postoperative nonstimulated Tg can be used as a criterion to spare patients with PTC from therapy with 131I. This was a prospective study including 222 patients with PTC (except for microcarcinoma restricted to the thyroid and tumor with extensive extrathyroid invasion (pT4), aggressive histology, extensive lymph node (LN) involvement, or known residual disease). After thyroidectomy, all patients had nonstimulated Tg<0.3 ng/ml, negative antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and neck ultrasonography (US) showing no anomalies. Because of this finding, the patients were not submitted to ablation with 131I. The time of follow-up ranged from 15 to 102 months (median 62 months). Of the 222 patients, 217 (97.7%) continued to have nonstimulated Tg <0.3 ng/ml and negative US. Tg was undetectable in the last assessment in 185 of these patients and detectable in 32. Five patients (2.2%) exhibited an increase in Tg, and LN metastases were detected in 4 (structural recurrence). One patient progressed to an increase in Tg, but disease was not detected by the imaging methods (biochemical recurrence). The results obtained here suggest that patients with PTC who have low nonstimulated Tg (measured with a second-generation assay and in the absence of TgAb) and negative neck US after thyroidectomy do not require ablation with 131I.
Reflecting the Nation: The Historiography of Hanseatic Institutions
Authors: Szepesi Istvan
Published: October 2015

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Severe Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in a Neonate: Response to Sirolimus Therapy
Authors: Méder Ünőke , Bokodi Géza , Balogh Lídia , Körner Anna , Szabó Miklós , Pruhova Stepanka , Szabó Attila J.
Published: October 2015

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) is one of the most common causes of persistent hypoglycemic episodes in neonates. Current pharmacologic treatment of neonatal HH includes diazoxide and octreotide, whereas for diffuse, unresponsive cases a subtotal pancreatectomy may be the last resort, with questionable efficacy. Here we report a case of congenital diffuse neonatal HH, first suspected when severe hypoglycemia presented with extremely high serum insulin levels immediately after birth. Functional imaging and genetic tests later confirmed the diagnosis. Failure to respond to a sequence of different treatments and to avoid extensive surgery with predictable morbidity prompted us to introduce a recently suggested alternative therapy with sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. Glucose intake could be reduced gradually while euglycemia was maintained, and we were able to achieve exclusively enteral feeding within 6 weeks. Sirolimus was found to be effective and well tolerated, with no major adverse side effects attributable to its administration.
Growth Charts for Children With Down Syndrome in the United States
Authors: Zemel Babette S. , Pipan Mary , Stallings Virginia A. , Hall Waynitra , Schadt Kim , Freedman David S. , Thorpe Phoebe
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have lower birth weights and grow more slowly than children without DS. Advances in and increased access to medical care have improved the health and well-being of individuals with DS; however, it is unknown whether their growth has also improved. Our objective was to develop new growth charts for children with DS and compare them to older charts from the United States and more contemporary charts from the United Kingdom.

METHODS:

The Down Syndrome Growing Up Study (DSGS) enrolled a convenience sample of children with DS up to 20 years of age and followed them longitudinally. Growth parameters were measured by research anthropometrists. Sex-specific growth charts were generated for the age ranges birth to 36 months and 2 to 20 years using the LMS method. Weight-for-length and BMI charts were also generated. Comparisons with other curves were presented graphically.

RESULTS:

New DSGS growth charts were developed by using 1520 measurements on 637 participants. DSGS growth charts for children <36 months of age showed marked improvements in weight compared with older US charts. DSGS charts for 2- to 20-year-olds showed that contemporary males are taller than previous charts showed. Generally, the DSGS growth charts are similar to the UK charts.

CONCLUSIONS:

The DSGS growth charts can be used as screening tools to assess growth and nutritional status and to provide indications of how growth of an individual child compares with peers of the same age and sex with DS.