bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of recent methods versus conventional methods for diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis
Authors: Al-Zahrani Ali Kh , Ghonaim Mabrouk M , Hussein Yousri M , Eed Emad M , Khalifa Amany S , Dorgham Lalia S
Published: April 2015

Introduction: Hospital-acquired infections continue to be a major public health problem, especially among neonates. Large proportions of infants are admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and receive potent systemic antibiotics while the diagnostic work-up is still in progress. This study aimed to evaluate the recent methods for diagnosing neonatal sepsis (NS) and compare them to conventional diagnostic work-up. Methodology: The study included 100 neonates divided into three groups: proven early-onset NS, clinical early-onset NS, and negative infectious status. Bacterial DNA was detected in the blood by broad-range 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Markers for diagnosis of bacterial infection, which includedprocalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Blood culture was positive in 25 cases, while PCR for 16S rDNA was positive in 32 cases. Hs-CRP was significantly elevated in 30 patients in group 1, 35 patients in group 2, and 8 patients in group 3. IL-6 was significantly elevated in 28 patients in group 1, 24 patients in group 2, and 9 patients in group 3. PCT was found to be significantly elevated in 29 patients in group 1, 31 patients in group 2, and 2 patients in group 3. Conclusions: The16S rDNA PCR assay was more sensitive than blood culture. The combination of markers (hs-CRP, PCT, and IL-6) is better than single markers to diagnose sepsis. PCT had greater diagnostic value than did hs-CRP and IL-6, while IL-6 was better for diagnosis of neonatal infection.
Summary of Sensitivity and Specificity for Psoriatic Arthritis in a South African Cohort according to Classification Criteria
Authors: Maharaj Ajesh B. , Govender Jayandran , Maharaj Kasthurba , Rajkaran Michelle , Tak Paul P.
Published: April 2015

Objective.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a South African cohort.

Methods.

Data from consecutive patients with PsA and other chronic inflammatory arthritides were collected prospectively. Subjects were classified according to the classification criteria. The sensitivity and specificity in each group of patients were compared with a clinical diagnosis made by a rheumatologist.

Results.

The European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria exhibited the lowest sensitivity followed by the Moll and Wright criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of the ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria were 98.4% and 99.7%, respectively.

Conclusion.

The CASPAR criteria were evaluated in our cohort and they performed well.
Les salles de musique à Paris : hiérarchies de légitimité et manières d’entendre les genres musicaux
Authors: Picaud Myrtille
Published: April 2015

Des lieux très différents (bars musicaux, théâtres, salles de concert, boîtes de nuit) forment l’espace des salles de musique à Paris. Ces dispositifs cadrent le lien entre artistes et publics et participent de la signification sociale conférée à la sortie musicale. À partir d’une analyse des correspondances multiples et d’une enquête ethnographique, cet article se propose d’observer la relation qui se construit entre offres de sortie et genres musicaux dans un cadre géographique spécifique. L’examen des principes qui structurent l’espace des salles révèle ainsi une inégale reconnaissance institutionnelle des manières de sortir et d’entendre la musique. Sur le plan de la renommée, des salles de taille importante occupent une position dominante, qui mène à des recoupements de genres en partie contre-intuitifs. L’importance de l’ancienneté des salles est également rendue visible.Cet article est issu d’une recherche effectuée dans le cadre du Partenariat institutions-citoyens pour la recherche et l’innovation dirigé par Stéphane Dorin, « Les publics de la musique classique au XXI e siècle. Enquête sur les publics de la musique classique vivante et sa diffusion numérique en Île-de-France et sur le plan national ».
Accompagnement des nouveau-nés prématurés et de leurs parents à la sortie de néonatologie
Authors: Granier Michèle
Published: April 2015

Les données de la littérature ont montré que la période néonatale était une période de vulnérabilité pour le nouveau-né prématuré et ses parents, pouvant constituer un risque pour le développement ultérieur de l’enfant. La sortie du nouveau-né prématuré après une hospitalisation est souvent un moment difficile pour lui et ses parents. Elle constitue une rupture mais aussi une continuité. L’anticipation et la préparation de la sortie préoccupent les néonatologistes lors de l’hospitalisation du nouveau-né prématuré. Le retour à domicile est actuellement organisé avec les structures petite enfance qui prennent le relais de la structure hospitalière : had , pmi , camsp , réseau de suivi des nouveau-nés vulnérables, associations.
Des psychomotriciennes de camsp dans une consultation néonatale
Authors: Leroy Alexia , Poinot Émilie
Published: April 2015

La prématurité interpelle à tous les niveaux : un bébé fragile, des parents bouleversés, une équipe présente dès les premiers instants de vie et tout au long de la petite enfance ... et le camsp . En tant que psychomotriciennes de l’antenne du camsp dans le service de consultation de néonatologie de Port-Royal, notre rôle s’inscrit dans un soutien global de l’enfant, de ses parents et de l’équipe hospitalière. Notre action s’articule autour de plusieurs espaces de co-consultations qui enrichissent profondément nos capacités d’évaluation et de dépistage des troubles précoces du développement. Nos regards croisés avec les néonatologistes et les autres membres de l’antenne nous éclairent également sur la qualité de la relation parent-enfant, les subtilités du développement et les retards ou pathologies avérées. Dans ce partenariat, l’antenne du camsp travaille, se questionne et évolue continuellement dans cette idée d’une globalité d’approche dont les psychomotriciennes sont le liant.
Jeux de mort à l’adolescence
Authors: Le Breton David
Published: April 2015

Les « jeux » dangereux qui investissent aujourd’hui l’univers adolescent sont d’abord des rites de virilité, et non des manières ludiques et heureuses d’explorer le monde. Leur objectif est de montrer qu’on en est, qu’on en a, qu’on ne s’est pas dérobé. Mais simultanément, ils participent aussi de la quête des limites de sens qui caractérise les conduites à risque. Ils participent à cette surestimation de soi propre aux garçons. De manière socialement transversale, et en lien avec une culture adolescente qui se répand à l’infini à travers les réseaux sociaux, les défis qui concouraient traditionnellement à la fabrique du masculin dans un quartier ou dans la cour de récréation ne cessent de s’accentuer et de susciter la surenchère sur une scène désormais mondialisée.
Mémoire de vie(s)
Authors: Jouve Alain
Published: April 2015

De très nombreuses années au sein d’une même structure spécialisée font de nous des professionnels et témoins privilégiés d’une vie institutionnelle marquée par des vécus émotionnels d’une grande intensité et une façon de les appréhender qui évolue au fil du temps.
Mourir, voir mourir : place des ehpad dans la société
Authors: Olivier Sylvie
Published: April 2015

Les ehpad sont, pour la très grande majorité des personnes qui y séjournent, le lieu où la mort peut advenir. Au travers de témoignages de fin de vie nous sont dépeintes, malgré son universalité, la singularité de ces derniers instants, la capacité de les penser, de les accompagner et de les vivre. Et si les ehpad aidaient notre société à porter un regard apaisé sur la mort des personnes âgées ?
Blended Learning to Support Alternative Teacher Certification
Authors: Anthony Anika Ball , Gimbert Belinda G. , Parker Rebecca A.
Published: April 2015

This chapter reviews literature on the use of e-learning to complement and extend preservice and inservice teacher education. It also provides an in depth example of the design and implementation of blended learning for supporting alternative teacher certification. In light of the example, research findings are summarized. The second part of the chapter provides a discussion on the following strategies that led to the successful use of blended learning in alternative teacher certification and explains how applying them can contribute to effective uses of blended learning in other settings: a) leveraging a network of partners, b) designing blended learning to address needs of multiple learners and organizational entities, c) balancing standardization and customization, and d) conducting evaluation and engaging in continuous improvement.
Factors Shaping Academics' Use of Technology in Teaching
Authors: Torrisi-Steele Geraldine
Published: April 2015

Whilst academics have generally adopted the use of new technologies in their teaching, literature indicates that only a minority is exploiting technology to provide pedagogically rich learning experiences. This is a significant issue for universities, many of which are making considerable strategic investment into technology-infused teaching, as one way of responding to the pressures of globalization and meeting the needs technology-savvy student cohorts. Providing appropriate support to assist academics to implement effective, technology-infused teaching strategies is thus critical. It is argued that development of appropriate academic support should be informed by an understanding of why academics use technology as they do in their teaching. Towards this end, a model of factors influencing how academics use technology in their teaching is proposed in the chapter. The model arises from a synthesis of relevant literature and the identification of pertinent conceptual frameworks.
Implications of Mobile Devices in a Bachelor of Education Program
Authors: Vaughan Norman , Lawrence Kimberley
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a study that investigated if and how mobile devices could be used to support the required program outcomes in a blended Bachelor or Education (B.Ed.) program. All students enrolled in an educational technology course during the Fall 2011 semester were provided with a ViewSonic Tablet. Through faculty interviews, student online surveys, and a post-course focus group, the study participants indicated that mobile devices could be useful for supporting future professional responsibilities (e.g., career-long learning, collaboration) and facilitating student learning but less effective for planning, assessment, and managing the classroom environment.
Use of Tablet Computers and Mobile Apps to Support 21st Century Learning Skills
Authors: Reichert Michael , Mouza Chrystalla
Published: April 2015

In this chapter, the authors provide examples that illustrate ways in which educators can use tablets and mobile apps to redesign school experience in order to support individualized instruction, development of 21st century skills, and anytime anyplace learning. These examples are generated from a two-year examination of a tablet initiative in a private all-boys school. Using insights from human-centered views of mobile learning, the authors highlight interactions among mobile apps, learners, and peers, while examining issues of pedagogy associated with the implementation of mobile learning. They conclude with implications for researchers, educators, and practitioners involved in the implementation of mobile initiatives.
Blended Learning for Learners in SMEs
Authors: Moebs Sabine
Published: April 2015

While blended learning seems to be quite suitable for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), take-up of this learning method is not implemented at the level it could be. This chapter investigates aspects that encourage learners in European SMEs to choose blended learning for professional development. The results indicate how the take-up of blended learning by SME learners can be improved. Research has explored the field further and blended learning has become a more mainstream form of learning. A revisit of case studies with stakeholders of Blended Learning in SMEs looks at changes indicated by research and explores Blended Learning in progress. A comparison between European and African SMEs looks at differences and commonalities that might affect blended learning. The final section outlines a vision of how blended learning is feasible under challenging conditions, including inadequate funding, limited computer or Internet access, poor infrastructure, diversity of learner groups, and differences in learning culture.
A Framework for Promoting Complex Learning in a Blended Learning Environment
Authors: Stefaniak Jill E.
Published: April 2015

Different learning outcomes warrant different learning strategies. Instructional sequencing is dependent upon the various learning outcomes that are intended for a particular course or instructional unit. Complex learning integrates a learner's knowledge, skills, and attitudes, newly obtained skillsets, and the transference of learning in an applied environment. A challenge that many educators face when teaching complex tasks is the ability to assist students to draw from prior knowledge from various subjects in order to approach problem solving. The intent of this chapter is to provide educators with strategies to promote complex learning within a blended learning environment.
Shifting a Face-to-Face (F2F) Course to the Blended Environment
Authors: Crews Tena B. , Wilkinson Kelly , Howard Alexandria
Published: April 2015

Many educational experts predict that in the future blended learning will become far more common than traditional Face-to-Face (F2F) or online learning. With this in mind, instructors are being asked or required to move F2F courses to a blended environment. When doing so, there are a variety of issues to consider. Thus, a framework for transference is necessary. This framework includes the seven principles for good practice for undergraduate education. This chapter covers the essential topics to help educators conduct a successful transference and uphold the quality of their courses.
Optimizing Blended Teaching and Learning in Brick-and-Mortar Institutions
Authors: Agamba Joachim Jack
Published: April 2015

The increase of blended instructional offerings in brick-and-mortar institutions provides leverage for the appropriate utilization of technology for instruction to optimize learning and serve a generation of learners who prefer such environments. However, the question of appropriate use of technology to improve student performance rests on teacher belief. Where faculty believe that they are content experts who should be trusted to deliver instruction as they see fit, the integration of technology becomes a choice. Some faculty see a clear demarcation between curriculum development and instruction as two separate processes involving separate activities (Heinich, 2011). The missing link appears to be a lack of appreciation for the benefits of instructional design principles that increase learning outcomes as a result of interactivity. This chapter focuses on the need for the inclusion of instructional design principles for in-service and pre-service teacher professional development to assist faculty transition effectively to blended instructional delivery. Barriers that impede the appropriate use of technology for blended delivery need to be identified and alternative approaches need to be applied to assist instructors and increase the effective use of technology in blended learning environments that are more learner-centered.
Blended Learning at Ajman University of Science and Technology
Authors: Ankit Ahmed , Nachouki Mirna , Abou Naaj Mahmoud
Published: April 2015

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in the development of technology-based learning and teaching. Professors have become more pragmatic in their approach to technology-based media by using it to supplement or to replace traditional face-to-face teaching. Blended learning, which combines both electronic and face-to-face interaction, has gained more ground as midway between distance and face-to-face teaching approaches. Thus, opportunities for both educators and learners have been created. The teaching and learning approach adopted at Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) combines an equal balance of traditional face-to-face and videoconference learning, complemented with the use of a learning management system (Moodle). Student and instructor satisfaction is considered the most important factor in measuring the quality of blended learning. The purpose of this chapter is, therefore, to examine student and instructor satisfaction of blended learning at AUST. The chapter demonstrates that the majority of students and instructors hold positive views but are still attached to the traditional face-to-face learning and teaching. They also show that the level of satisfaction may depend on individual experience as well as on the major studied/taught.
M-Learning in the Middle East
Authors: Marinakou Evangelia , Giousmpasoglou Charalampos
Published: April 2015

The introduction of e-learning in higher education has brought radical changes in the way undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed and delivered. University students now have access to their courses anytime, anywhere, which makes e-learning and m-learning popular and fashionable among university students globally. Nevertheless, instructors are now challenged, as they have to adopt new pedagogies in learning and teaching. This chapter explores the adoption of m-learning at universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the relevant current developments and challenges related to the major stakeholders (educators and students) in higher education. It mainly investigates the educators' views and perceptions of m-learning, as well as its future potential in higher education. Most of the educators use m-learning tools to some limited extent, and there is still opportunity to reach full integration with curriculum and the blended learning approach. Further, it is proposed that professional development should be provided to instructors to enable them to use the available new technologies in an appropriate and effective way.
Using a Task-Based Approach for Supporting a Blended Learning Model for English as a Foreign Language
Authors: Ferreira Anita Ferreira , Salinas Jaime García , Morales Sandra
Published: April 2015

As Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) has taken an important role in foreign language teaching and learning, not only is concrete data about the usefulness of technology- mediated environments for these purposes necessary, but also how the learning process is improved in such environments when learner training for CALL. The objective of this paper is to present an investigation which sought to explore empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of a blended learning model, and also the use of language learning strategies in this kind of learning environment in order to increase its methodological potency with language learners. Consequently, this paper shows the findings of 2 experimental studies which aimed to provide data on (1) the efficiency of a blended learning (BL) model for language teaching and learning which combined task-based instruction, cooperative learning and optimal methodological principles for online learning (Doughty & Long, 2003), and (2) the use of learner training strategies for CALL in order to support and enhance the language learning process in this blended learning environment. The results from both studies suggest that the experimental group improved their language proficiency when compared to the control group. As a result, it is possible to conclude that (1) the blended learning design that included online tasks and cooperative instruction was beneficial for the development of language skills and (2) the use of learner training strategies for the blended learning model was highly beneficial for the students' language learning experience.
Triumphs and Tribulations of the Flipped Classroom
Authors: Carstens Frederick J. , Sheehan Milton
Published: April 2015

This chapter focuses on the experiences of a Social Studies teacher who has recently introduced the concept of the flipped classroom to his students at an inner city school in Buffalo, NY. Despite his technological issues and struggles with homework completion, his perseverance throughout this process provides valuable lessons for educators seeking to implement similar initiatives in their own classrooms. Ideas for improving student engagement and literacy in the flipped classroom as well as first hand accounts from his ninth grade students are discussed.
Quality Assurance in Transnational Education Management
Authors: Ahamer Gilbert
Published: April 2015

This chapter deals with quality assessment for interdisciplinary university curricula. As a case study, it analyses the recently established “Global Studies” (GS) developmental curriculum at Graz University, Austria. After reviewing literature on concepts of quality for curricula, key concepts for multi-disciplinarity, inter-disciplinarity, and trans-disciplinarity, approaches for their monitoring, and necessary ingredients for multi-paradigmatic inputs, processes, and outputs, this chapter applies these criteria to the ethically and globalization-oriented curriculum Global Studies at Graz University, Austria. A practical set of criteria assessing quality in curricula and in courses is identified, a list of assessment exercises that have been performed so far is provided, and assessment of academic performance and suggestions for future improvements are given. Recommendations focus on the implementation of inter-paradigmatic mutual understanding and include setting up a regular, peer-oriented discourse among all stakeholders and founders of the curriculum and the inclusion of expertise into the curricula commission. All such concrete measures shall underpin the key capability of inter-paradigmatic studies, namely to see complex phenomena as perceived by other stakeholders, friend or foe.
The Future of Curriculum Development in Distance Education
Authors: Kılıc Figen
Published: April 2015

Today, extremely fast developments take place in science and technology. These changes and developments reflect upon all systems and give rise to changes in some concepts and processes. Lifelong learning is one of the concepts affected by these changes. Educational institutions are considered to be responsible for spreading knowledge through e-learning, virtual university, Web-based education, distance education, which offer professional development. Therefore, distance education institutions have an important place in the education system of the future. However, innovations and developments have to be followed closely and operationally used for adaptation to the education system of the future within the distance education system as well. A scientific and realistic way of adapting to these developments is possible only if program development efforts are constant. Looking from this framework, teaching design, internationalization, entrepreneurship have given rise to differentiation in the program development of distance education. This is explored in this chapter.
Librarian without Building in an E-Learning Environment
Authors: Idiegbeyan-Ose Jerome , Esse Ugwunwa Chinyere
Published: April 2015

This chapter discusses e-learning, its advantages and challenges, the concept of a librarian without a building, and the characteristics and skills of a librarian without a building in an e-learning environment. The chapter empirically looks at the need for an e-librarian in an e-learning environment, the needed skills for such a librarian, and their challenges. Possible solutions to identify challenges are also discussed. The survey method was used for the study; the questionnaire was designed and administered to 138 librarians from Academic libraries in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. 127 questionnaires were returned and used for analysis. The study reveals that there is a great need for e-librarians in e-learning environments, and that the librarians must possess such skills as high computer literacy, ability to learn fast, teach, and evaluate others. It was also discovered that e-librarians are faced with technical, administrative, financial, and capacity building challenges. Based on these, the authors recommend that e-librarians should be supported at all levels; they should be ready to develop themselves, strive at all cost to acquire more knowledge and skills in order to stand the changing nature of their job. It is also recommended that government agencies that accredit programmes at tertiary institutions should make sure that any institution that offers e-learning must also have a well organized e-library, and a well trained e-librarian must man the library. The study concludes that e-library and e-librarian without building must be recognized and empowered as part of the e-teaching and learning processes.
Experimentally Reduced Hip-Abductor Muscle Strength and Frontal-Plane Biomechanics During Walking
Authors: Pohl Michael B. , Kendall Karen D. , Patel Chirag , Wiley J. Preston , Emery Carolyn , Ferber Reed
Published: April 2015

Context

Researchers have postulated that reduced hip-abductor muscle strength may have a role in the progression of knee osteoarthritis by increasing the external knee-adduction moment. However, the relationship between hip-abductor strength and frontal-plane biomechanics remains unclear.

Objective

To experimentally reduce hip-abduction strength and observe the subsequent changes in frontal-plane biomechanics.

Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Eight healthy, recreationally active men (age = 27 ± 6 years, height = 1.75 ± 0.11 m, mass = 76.1 ± 10.0 kg).

Intervention(s)

All participants underwent a superior gluteal nerve block injection to reduce the force output of the hip-abductor muscle group.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Maximal isometric hip-abduction strength and gait biomechanical data were collected before and after the injections. Gait biomechanical variables collected during walking consisted of knee- and hip-adduction moments and impulses and the peak angles of contralateral pelvic drop, hip adduction, and ipsilateral trunk lean.

Results

Hip-abduction strength was reduced after the injection (P = .001) and remained lower than baseline values at the completion of the postinjection gait data collection (P = .02). No alterations in hip- or knee-adduction moments (hip: P = .11; knee: P = .52) or impulses (hip: P = .16; knee: P = .41) were found after the nerve block. Similarly, no changes in angular kinematics were observed for contralateral pelvic drop (P = .53), ipsilateral trunk lean (P = .78), or hip adduction (P = .48).

Conclusions

A short-term reduction in hip-abductor strength was not associated with alterations in the frontal-plane gait biomechanics of young, healthy men. Further research is needed to determine whether a similar relationship is true in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.
MicroRNA-Seq Data Analysis Pipeline to Identify Blood Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease from Public Data
Authors: Satoh Jun-ichi , Kino Yoshihiro , Niida Shumpei
Published: April 2015

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia with no curative therapy currently available. Establishment of sensitive and non-invasive biomarkers that promote an early diagnosis of AD is crucial for the effective administration of disease-modifying drugs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate posttranscriptional repression of numerous target genes. Aberrant regulation of miRNA expression is implicated in AD pathogenesis, and circulating miRNAs serve as potential biomarkers for AD. However, data analysis of numerous AD-specific miRNAs derived from small RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) is most often laborious.

Methods

To identify circulating miRNA biomarkers for AD, we reanalyzed a publicly available small RNA-Seq dataset, composed of blood samples derived from 48 AD patients and 22 normal control (NC) subjects, by a simple web-based miRNA data analysis pipeline that combines omiRas and DIANA miRPath.

Results

By using omiRas, we identified 27 miRNAs expressed differentially between both groups, including upregulation in AD of miR-26b-3p, miR-28–3p, miR-30c-5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-148b-5p, miR-151a-3p, miR-186–5p, miR-425–5p, miR-550a-5p, miR-1468, miR-4781–3p, miR-5001–3p, and miR-6513–3p and downregulation in AD of let-7a-5p, let-7e-5p, let-7f-5p, let-7g-5p, miR-15a-5p, miR-17–3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-98–5p, miR-144–5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-502–3p, miR-660–5p, miR-1294, and miR-3200–3p. DIANA miRPath indicated that miRNA-regulated pathways potentially down– regulated in AD are linked with neuronal synaptic functions, while those upregulated in AD are implicated in cell survival and cellular communication.

Conclusions

The simple web-based miRNA data analysis pipeline helps us to effortlessly identify candidates for miRNA biomarkers and pathways of AD from the complex small RNA–Seq data.
Diastolic Function in Heart Failure
Authors: Kovács Sándor J.
Published: April 2015

Heart failure has reached epidemic proportions, and diastolic heart failure or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) constitutes about 50% of all heart failure admissions. Long-term prognosis of both reduced ejection fraction heart failure and HFpEF are similarly dismal. No pharmacologic agent has been developed that actually treats or repairs the physiologic deficit(s) responsible for HFpEF. Because the physiology of diastole is both subtle and counterintuitive, its role in heart failure has received insufficient attention. In this review, the focus is on the physiology of diastole in heart failure, the dominant physiologic laws that govern the process in all hearts, how all hearts work as a suction pump, and, therefore, the elucidation and characterization of what actually is meant by “diastolic function”. The intent is for the reader to understand what diastolic function actually is, what it is not, and how to measure it. Proper measurement of diastolic function requires one to go beyond the usual E/A, E/E′, etc. phenomenological metrics and employ more rigorous causality (mathematical modeling) based parameters of diastolic function. The method simultaneously provides new physiologic insight into the meaning of in vivo “equilibrium volume” of the left ventricle (LV), longitudinal versus transverse volume accommodation of the chamber, diastatic “ringing” of the mitral annulus, and the mechanism of L-wave generation, as well as availability of a load-independent index of diastolic function (LIIDF). One important consequence of understanding what diastolic function is, is the recognition that all that current therapies can do is basically alter the load, rather than actually “repair” the functional components (chamber stiffness, chamber relaxation). If beneficial (biological/structural/metabolic) remodeling due to therapy does manifest ultimately as improved diastolic function, it is due to resumption of normal physiology (as in alleviation of ischemia) or activation of compensatory pathways already devised by evolution. In summary, meaningful quantitative characterization of diastolic function in any clinical setting, including heart failure, requires metrics based on physiologic mechanisms that quantify the suction pump attribute of the heart. This requires advancing beyond phenomenological global indexes such as E/A, E/E′, Vp, etc. and employing causality (mathematical modeling) based parameters of diastolic function easily obtained via the parametrized diastolic function (PDF) formalism.
Spectral gaps of almost Mathieu operators in the exponential regime
Authors: Liu Wencai , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: April 2015

For almost Mathieu operator

(H_{\lambda,\alpha,\theta}u)_n=u_{n+1}+u_{n-1}+2\lambda \cos2\pi(\theta+n\alpha)u_n,

the dry version of the Ten Martini Problem predicts that the spectrum

\Sigma_{\lambda,\alpha}

of

H_{\lambda,\alpha,\theta}

has all gaps open for all

\lambda\neq 0

and

\alpha \in \mathbb{R}\backslash \mathbb{Q}

. Avila and Jitomirskaya prove that

\Sigma_{\lambda,\alpha}

has all gaps open for Diophantine

\alpha

and

0<|\lambda|<1

. In the present paper, we show that

\Sigma_{\lambda,\alpha}

has all gaps open for all

\alpha \in \mathbb{R}\backslash \mathbb{Q}

with small

\lambda

.
Preparing Nursing Homes for the Future of Health Information Exchange
Authors: Rantz M. , Galambos C. , Vogelsmeier A. , Flesner M. , Popejoy L. , Mueller J. , Shumate S. , Elvin M. , Alexander G.L.
Published: April 2015

Objective: Our purpose was to describe how we prepared 16 nursing homes (NHs) for health information exchange (HIE) implementation.

Background: NH HIE connecting internal and external stakeholders are in their infancy. U.S. initiatives are demonstrating HIE use to increase access and securely exchange personal health information to improve patient outcomes.

Method: To achieve our objectives we conducted readiness assessments, performed 32 hours of clinical observation and developed 6 use cases, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 230 participants during 68 site visits to validate use cases and explore HIE.

Results: All 16 NHs had technology available to support resident care. Resident care technologies were integrated much more with internal than external stakeholders. A wide range of technologies were accessible only during administrative office hours. Six non-emergent use cases most commonly communicated by NH staff were: 1) scheduling appointments, 2) laboratory specimen drawing, 3) pharmacy orders and reconciliation, 4) social work discharge planning, 5) admissions and pre-admissions, and 6) pharmacy-medication reconciliation. Emerging themes from semi-structured interviews about use cases included: availability of information technology in clinical settings, accessibility of HIE at the point of care, and policies/procedures for sending/receiving secure personal health information.

Conclusion: We learned that every facility needed additional technological and human resources to build an HIE network. Also, use cases help clinical staff apply theoretical problems of HIE implementation and helps them think through the implications of using HIE to communicate about clinical care.

Citation: Alexander GL, Rantz M, Galambos C, Vogelsmeier A, Flesner M, Popejoy L, Mueller J, Shumate S, Elvin M. Preparing nursing homes for the future of health information exchange. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 248–266

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-12-RA-0113
Dimensions and aspect ratios of natural ice crystals
Authors: Um J. , McFarquhar G. M. , Hong Y. P. , Lee S.-S. , Jung C. H. , Lawson R. P. , Mo Q.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. During the 2006 Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) in the tropics, the 2008 Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC) in the Arctic, and the 2010 Small PARTicles In CirrUS (SPARTICUS) campaign at mid-latitudes, high-resolution images of ice crystals were recorded by a Cloud Particle Imager at temperatures (T) between −87 and 0 °C. The projected maximum dimension (D'), length (L'), and width (W') of pristine columns, plates, and component bullets of bullet rosettes were measured using newly developed software, the Ice Crystal Ruler. The number of bullets in each bullet rosette was also measured. Column crystals were further distinguished as either horizontally oriented columns or columns with other orientations to eliminate any orientation effect on the measured dimensions. The dimensions and aspect ratios (AR, the dimension of the major axis divided by the dimension of the minor axis) of crystals were determined as functions of temperature, geophysical location, and type of cirrus. Dimensions of crystals generally increased with temperature. Columns and bullets had larger dimensions (i.e., W') of the minor axis (i.e., a axis) for a given dimension (i.e., D' orL') of the major axis (i.e., c axis), and thus smaller AR, as T increased, whereas this trend did not occur for plate crystals. The average number of branches in bullet rosettes was 5.50 ± 1.35 during three campaigns and 6.32 ± 1.34 (5.46 ± 1.34; 4.95 ± 1.01) during TWP-ICE (SPARTICUS; ISDAC). The AR of bullets increased with the number of branches in bullet rosettes. Most dimensions of crystals and ARs of columnar crystals measured during SPARTICUS were larger than those measured during TWP-ICE and ISDAC at −67 < T < -35 °C and at −40 < T < −15 °C, respectively. The relative occurrence of varying pristine habits depended strongly on cirrus type (i.e., anvil or non-anvil clouds), with plates especially occurring more frequently in anvils. The L–W relationships of columns derived using current data exhibited a strong dependence on temperature; similar relationships determined in previous studies were within the range of the current data.
Heavy air pollution episodes in Beijing during January 2013: inorganic ion chemistry and source analysis using Highly Time-Resolved Measurements in an urban site
Authors: Han B. , Zhang R. , Yang W. , Bai Z. , Ma Z. , Zhang W.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Heavy air pollution episodes occurred in Beijing in January 2013 attracted intensively attention around the whole world. During this period, the authors conducted highly time-resolved measurements of water soluble ions associated with PM2.5 at an urban site, and attempted to distinguish the ion chemistry and potential sources. In this study, hourly mean concentrations of Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were measured during the air pollution episode in January 2013, and the ions were found to exist mainly in the form of (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, NaCl and KCl in aerosol particles by correlation and linear analysis. SO42− and NO3− were observed peak concentrations in 10–15, 18–20, 21–24, and 26–30 January during this monitoring campaign. The percentage of SO42− and NH4+ in total ions concentrations exhibited an increasing trend with the enhancement of PM2.5 concentration, indicating high concentrations of SO42− and NH4+ had played important roles in the formation of air pollution episodes. Ratio of [NO3−]/[SO42−] was calculated, finding the sources of SO42− would contribute more to the formation of PM2.5 than mobile sources. Diurnal variations of SO42−, NO3−, NH4+ were examined, and all of them exhibited similar pattern with high concentration in night and relative low level at daytime. Emission from coal combustion, remote transportation at night or impact of meteorological was likely to be responsible for the high level of SO42−, NH4+ andNO3−. Potential sources were identified by applying PMF. Secondary nitrate, secondary sulfate, coal combustion and biomass burning, as well as fugitive dust were considered as the major contributors to total ions.
Effects of CO2 and iron availability on rbcL gene expression in Bering Sea diatoms
Authors: Endo H. , Sugie K. , Yoshimura T. , Suzuki K.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Iron (Fe) can limit phytoplankton productivity in approximately 40% of the global ocean, including in high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) waters. However, there is little information available on the impact of CO2-induced seawater acidification on natural phytoplankton assemblages in HNLC regions. We therefore conducted an on-deck experiment manipulating CO2 and Fe using Fe-deficient Bering Sea water during the summer of 2009. The concentrations of CO2 in the incubation bottles were set at 380 and 600 ppm in the non-Fe-added (control) bottles and 180, 380, 600, and 1000 ppm in the Fe-added bottles. The phytoplankton assemblages were primarily composed of diatoms followed by haptophytes in all incubation bottles as estimated by pigment signatures throughout the 5-day (control) or 6-day (Fe-added treatment) incubation period. At the end of incubation, the relative contribution of diatoms to chlorophyll a biomass was significantly higher in the 380 ppm CO2 treatment than in the 600 ppm treatment in the controls, whereas minimal changes were found in the Fe-added treatments. These results indicate that, under Fe-deficient conditions, the growth of diatoms could be negatively affected by the increase in CO2 availability. To further support this finding, we estimated the expression and phylogeny of rbcL (which encodes the large subunit of RuBisCO) mRNA in diatoms by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and clone library techniques, respectively. Interestingly, regardless of Fe availability, the transcript abundance of rbcL decreased in the high CO2 treatments (600 and 1000 ppm). The present study suggests that the projected future increase in seawater pCO2 could reduce the RuBisCO transcription of diatoms, resulting in a decrease in primary productivity and a shift in the food web structure of the Bering Sea.
Crop physiology calibration in the CLM
Authors: Bilionis I. , Drewniak B. A. , Constantinescu E. M.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Farming is using more of the land surface, as population increases and agriculture is increasingly applied for non-nutritional purposes such as biofuel production. This agricultural expansion exerts an increasing impact on the terrestrial carbon cycle. In order to understand the impact of such processes, the Community Land Model (CLM) has been augmented with a CLM-Crop extension that simulates the development of three crop types: maize, soybean, and spring wheat. The CLM-Crop model is a complex system that relies on a suite of parametric inputs that govern plant growth under a given atmospheric forcing and available resources. CLM-Crop development used measurements of gross primary productivity (GPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) from AmeriFlux sites to choose parameter values that optimize crop productivity in the model. In this paper, we calibrate these parameters for one crop type, soybean, in order to provide a faithful projection in terms of both plant development and net carbon exchange. Calibration is performed in a Bayesian framework by developing a scalable and adaptive scheme based on sequential Monte Carlo (SMC). The model showed significant improvement of crop productivity with the new calibrated parameters. We demonstrate that the calibrated parameters are applicable across alternative years and different sites.
Movement of the Donglingxin landslide, China, induced by reservoir inundation and rainfall
Authors: Yu J. , Wang R. B. , Xu W. Y. , Yan L. , Zhang J. C. , Meng Q. X.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. With numerous high mountains, deep valleys and turbulent rivers, many hydropower plants have been constructed in the south-west China. Reservoir bank slopes are very common in this area, these slopes are widespread and quite often involved in deformation that can result in serious damage and casualties. In case of the Donglingxin landslide, for an in-depth study of processes that can trigger these events, the deformation characteristics and the failure mechanisms of the slope were performed on a detail scale, based on an intensive monitoring of rainfall events, reservoir level fluctuation and groundwater movement. The deformation of the upper part of slope is mainly induced by rainfall events, reservoir level fluctuation affects the deformation of the lower part of slope. The increase of pore water pressure may result in the failure of slope. The filed investigation suggest that the slope is unstable. Drainages is the only stabilization measure which can be implemented, due to very complex geological and geomorphology condition.
Analysis and Forecasting of Electricity Price Risks with Quantile Factor Models
Authors: Bunn Derek , Andresen Arne , Chen Dipeng , Westgaard Sjur
Published: April 2015

Forecasting quantile and value-at-risk levels for commodity prices is methodologically challenging because of the distinctive stochastic properties of the price density functions, volatility clustering and the importance of exogenous factors.

Despite this, accurate risk measures have considerable value in trading and risk management with the topic being actively researched for better techniques. We approach the problem by using a multifactor, dynamic, quantile regression formulation, extended to include GARCH properties, and applied to both in-sample estimation and out-of-sample forecasting of traded electricity prices. This captures the specification effects of mean reversion, spikes, time varying volatility and demonstrates how the prices of gas, coal and carbon, forecasts of demand and reserve margin in addition to price volatility influence the electricity price quantiles. We show how the price coefficients for these factors vary substantially across the quantiles and offer a new, useful synthesis of GARCH effects within quantile regression. We also show that a linear quantile regression model outperforms skewed GARCH-t and CAViaR models, as specified on the shocks to conditional expectations, regarding the accuracy of out-of-sample forecasts of value-at-risk.
The Consolidation of Assets and Liabilities within Company Groups
Authors: Stevens Richard
Published: April 2015

The Consolidation of Assets and Liabilities within Company Groups: Can South African Company Law Learn from New Zealand’s Company Law?

Limited liability is one of the cornerstones of company law. This is also the case where companies form part of a group of companies with one controlling holding company. In South African law, as in most jurisdictions, there are exceptions to limited liability. These exceptions usually lead to the piercing of the veil between the company and its shareholders. In New Zealand company law the legislature has introduced measures to enable courts to consolidate or pool together the assets and liabilities of companies within a group in cases of liquidation of one/all of the companies in the group of companies. This article investigates whether South African company law should consider introducing these New Zealand measures into South African company law to better protect creditors of the liquidated company. The article concludes that the New Zealand measures could serve as a useful presumption to enable courts to consolidate assets and liabilities within a group of companies in cases of liquidation of one or all the companies in the group.
Determining the glyphosate tolerance of eastern white cedar: First year post-treatment results
Authors: Noland Thomas L. , Man Rongzhou , Irvine Michael
Published: April 2015

Little is known about the silvicultural traits of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), and especially the tolerance of seedlings to herbicides. A study was established to determine the sensitivity of cedar seedlings to timing and concentration of glyphosate applications. Glyphosate was applied to seedlings at three concentrations (1.04, 2.07, and 4.14 acid equivalent (ae) kg ha-1) at three times (July 28, August 10 and August 31) and their survival and growth was compared with that of seedlings in three control treatments (competition free, always competition, and competition free after an August 10 application of 2.07 kg ha-1 glyphosate) for a total of 12 treatments. Damage to foliage increased (r2 = 0.99) and first-year volume growth decreased (r2 = 0.91) with increasing glyphosate concentration. Glyphosate applied at 4.14 kg ha-1 killed 9% of the seedlings; even the lowest concentration of glyphosate (1.04 kg ha-1) reduced first-year volume growth more than continuous herbaceous competition. Application timing did not affect the amount of foliar damage or the growth of seedlings. However, in the winter following the treatments, snow damage was greater in the weed-free control seedlings than in all other treatments.