bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heritability of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Weng Lu-Chen , Choi Seung Hoan , Klarin Derek , Smith J. Gustav , Loh Po-Ru , Chaffin Mark , Roselli Carolina , Hulme Olivia L. , Lunetta Kathryn L. , Dupuis Josée , Benjamin Emelia J. , Newton-Cheh Christopher , Kathiresan Sekar , Ellinor Patrick T. , Lubitz Steven A.
Published: December 2017

Background—

Previous reports have implicated multiple genetic loci associated with AF, but the contributions of genome-wide variation to AF susceptibility have not been quantified.

Methods and Results—

We assessed the contribution of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism variation to AF risk (single-nucleotide polymorphism heritability,
h

2

g

) using data from 120 286 unrelated individuals of European ancestry (2987 with AF) in the population-based UK Biobank. We ascertained AF based on self-report, medical record billing codes, procedure codes, and death records. We estimated
h

2

g

using a variance components method with variants having a minor allele frequency ≥1%. We evaluated
h

2

g

in age, sex, and genomic strata of interest. The
h

2

g

for AF was 22.1% (95% confidence interval, 15.6%–28.5%) and was similar for early- versus older-onset AF (≤65 versus >65 years of age), as well as for men and women. The proportion of AF variance explained by genetic variation was mainly accounted for by common (minor allele frequency, ≥5%) variants (20.4%; 95% confidence interval, 15.1%–25.6%). Only 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 5.1%–7.7%) of AF variance was attributed to variation within known AF susceptibility, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy gene regions.

Conclusions—

Genetic variation contributes substantially to AF risk. The risk for AF conferred by genomic variation is similar to that observed for several other cardiovascular diseases. Established AF loci only explain a moderate proportion of disease risk, suggesting that further genetic discovery, with an emphasis on common variation, is warranted to understand the causal genetic basis of AF.
Particulate Matter Air Pollution Exposure and Heart Disease Mortality Risks by Race and Ethnicity in the United States
Authors: Parker Jennifer D. , Kravets Nataliya , Vaidyanathan Ambarish
Published: December 2017

Background:

Most US studies of mortality and air pollution have been conducted on largely non-Hispanic white study populations. However, many health and mortality outcomes differ by race and ethnicity, and non-Hispanic white persons experience lower air pollution exposure than those who are non-Hispanic black or Hispanic. This study examines whether associations between air pollution and heart disease mortality differ by race/ethnicity.

Methods:

We used data from the 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Survey linked to mortality records through December 2011 and annual estimates of fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) by census tract. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals between PM
2.5
(per 10 µg/m
3
) and heart disease mortality using the full sample and the sample adults, which have information on additional health variables. Interaction terms were used to examine differences in the PM
2.5
-mortality association by race/ethnicity.

Results:

Overall, 65 936 of the full sample died during follow-up, and 22 152 died from heart disease. After adjustment for several factors, we found a significant positive association between PM
2.5
and heart disease mortality (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.25). This association was similar in sample adults with adjustment for smoking and body mass index (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.31). Interaction terms for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic groups compared with the non-Hispanic white group were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Using a nationally representative sample, the association between PM
2.5
and heart disease mortality was elevated and similar to previous estimates. Associations for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults were not statistically significantly different from those for non-Hispanic white adults.
Medical Crises and Critical Days in Avicenna and After: Insights from the Commentary Tradition
Authors: Cooper Glen M.
Published: December 2017

Conceptualized as a relationship between the patient, his illness, its resolution, the celestial bodies, and the doctor, and expressed through metaphors, such as divine judgment, or effects of the stars, crises and critical days were important elements of Galenic therapy. While the early Arabic physicians maintained Galenic imagery, Ibn Sīnā (d. 1037 CE) and his followers introduced new imagery that omitted supernatural influences, and emphasized physical agents. The crisis was now described as a separation instead of a verdict, and the critical days were caused by the lunar phases alone. The “body politic” metaphor was introduced to describe medical crises. By closely examining the writings of Ibn al-Nafīs (d. 1288 CE) on the Canon of Ibn Sīnā and the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, these shifts in imagery are analysed in detail, and their implications for our understanding of a period that has been dismissed as “post-decline” and devoid of innovation.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the jumping grasshopper Sinopodisma pieli (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and the phylogenetic analysis of Melanoplinae
Authors: LIU HUAXUAN , YAN LIYUN , JIANG GUOFANG
Published: December 2017

In this study, we reported the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Sinopodisma pieli by polymerase chain reaction method for the first time, the type species of the genus Sinopodisma. Its mitogenome was a circular DNA molecule of 15,625 bp in length, with 76.0% A+T, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes and one A+T control region. The overall base composition of the S. pieli mitogenome was 42.8% for A, 33.2% for T, 13.5% for C, and 10.5% for G, respectively. All 13 mitochondrial PCGs shared the start codon ATN. Twelve of the PCGs ended with termination codon TAA and TAG, while cytochrome coxidase subunit 1 (COI) utilized an incomplete T as terminator codon. All tRNA genes could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except trnS(AGN) lacking of dihydrouridine arm. The sizes of the large and small ribosomal RNA genes were 1379 bp and 794 bp, respectively. The A+T rich region was 798 bp in length and contained 88.5% AT content. A phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCGs by using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) revealed that Sinopodisma is not monophyletic group. We think that the name and taxonomic status of S. tsinlingensis are right, and it should not be moved into the genus Pedopodisma. These data will provide important information for a better understanding of the population genetics and species identification for Sinopodisma.
Does antibiotic treatment duration affect the outcomes of exacerbations of asthma and COPD? A systematic review
Authors: Stolbrink Marie , Amiry Jack , Blakey John D
Published: December 2017

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, primarily through exacerbations. Exacerbations are often treated with antibiotics but their optimal course duration is uncertain. Reducing antibiotic duration may influence antimicrobial resistance but risks treatment failure. The objective of this article is to review published literature to investigate whether shorter antibiotic therapy duration affects clinical outcomes in the treatment of asthma and COPD exacerbations. We systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, World Health Organisation International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, the Cochrane library, and ISRCTN) with no language, location, or time restrictions. We retrieved observational and controlled trials comparing different durations of the same oral antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma or COPD in adults. We found no applicable studies for asthma exacerbations. We included 10 randomized, placebo-controlled trials for COPD patients, all from high-income countries. The commonest studied antibiotic class was fluoroquinolones. Antibiotic courses shorter than 6 days were associated with significantly fewer overall adverse events (risk ratio (RR): 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–0.93, p = 0.001) when compared with those of 7 or more days. There was no statistically significant difference for clinical success or bacteriological eradication in sputum (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88–1.13 and RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.79–1.44, respectively). Shorter durations of antibiotics for COPD exacerbations do not seem to confer a higher risk of treatment failure but are associated with fewer adverse events. This is in keeping with previous studies in community acquired pneumonia, but studies were heterogeneous and differed from usual clinical practice. Further observational and prospective work is needed to explore the significance of antibiotic duration in the treatment of asthma and COPD exacerbations.
Impact of cataract on health-related quality of life in a longitudinal Japanese chronic obstructive pulmonary cohort
Authors: Irie Hidehiro , Chubachi Shotaro , Sato Minako , Sasaki Mamoru , Kameyama Naofumi , Inoue Takashi , Oyamada Yoshitaka , Nakamura Hidetoshi , Asano Koichiro , Betsuyaku Tomoko
Published: December 2017

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing both cataract and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prevalence of cataract and the clinical characteristics of COPD patients with cataract were retrospectively investigated in a 2-year observational COPD cohort. We analyzed 395 patients with complete data on ophthalmologic evaluation (319 subjects with COPD and 76 subjects at risk of COPD). There was no difference in the prevalence of cataract between COPD patients and those at risk (47.0% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.44). Age ≥ 75 years, low body mass index, and hypertension were independently associated with cataract as a comorbidity in COPD. The incidence of exacerbation within 2 years was significantly higher in COPD patients with cataract than those without cataract (36.6% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.0019). COPD patients with cataract exhibited significantly higher COPD assessment test score compared to those without cataract (13.7 ± 8.9 vs. 11.5 ± 7.2, p = 0.0240). Overall St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score and each component were significantly worse in COPD patients with cataract compared to those without cataract. COPD patients with cataract exhibited poor health-related quality of life and frequent exacerbations. The association between cataract and exacerbations of COPD deserves further attention.
Error Grid Analysis for Arterial Pressure Method Comparison Studies
Authors: Saugel Bernd , Grothe Oliver , Nicklas Julia Y.
Published: December 2017

The measurement of arterial pressure (AP) is a key component of hemodynamic monitoring. A variety of different innovative AP monitoring technologies became recently available. The decision to use these technologies must be based on their measurement performance in validation studies. These studies are AP method comparison studies comparing a new method (“test method”) with a reference method. In these studies, different comparative statistical tests are used including correlation analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and trending analysis. These tests provide information about the statistical agreement without adequately providing information about the clinical relevance of differences between the measurement methods. To overcome this problem, we, in this study, propose an “error grid analysis” for AP method comparison studies that allows illustrating the clinical relevance of measurement differences. We constructed smoothed consensus error grids with calibrated risk zones derived from a survey among 25 specialists in anesthesiology and intensive care medicine. Differences between measurements of the test and the reference method are classified into 5 risk levels ranging from “no risk” to “dangerous risk”; the classification depends on both the differences between the measurements and on the measurements themselves. Based on worked examples and data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II database, we show that the proposed error grids give information about the clinical relevance of AP measurement differences that cannot be obtained from Bland-Altman analysis. Our approach also offers a framework on how to adapt the error grid analysis for different clinical settings and patient populations.
The Anesthesia Workstation: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Hendrickx Jan F. A. , De Wolf Andre M.
Published: December 2017

Ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation and delivering inhaled anesthetic agent to the patient remain core responsibilities of the anesthesia provider during general anesthesia. Because of the emphasis placed on physiology, pharmacology, clinical sciences, and administrative duties, the stellar anesthesia workstation technology may be underutilized by the anesthesia community. Target-controlled O2 and agent delivery and automated end-expired CO2 control have entered the clinical arena, with only cost, luddism, and administrative hurdles preventing their more widespread use. This narrative review will explain technological aspects of existing and recently introduced anesthesia workstations. Concepts rather than particular anesthesia machines will be addressed, but examples will mostly pertain to the more recently introduced workstations. The anesthesia workstation consists of a ventilator, a carrier gas and agent delivery system, a scavenging system, and monitors. Mainly, the circle breathing circuit configuration, ventilator, and carrier gas and agent delivery technology are discussed. Occasionally, technical details are provided to give the reader a taste of the modern technology.
Bias in Before–After Studies: Narrative Overview for Anesthesiologists
Authors: Ho Anthony M. H. , Phelan Rachel , Mizubuti Glenio B. , Murdoch John A. C. , Wickett Sarah , Ho Adrienne K. , Shyam Vidur , Gilron Ian
Published: December 2017

Before–after study designs are effective research tools and in some cases, have changed practice. These designs, however, are inherently susceptible to bias (ie, systematic errors) that are sometimes subtle but can invalidate their conclusions. This overview provides examples of before–after studies relevant to anesthesiologists to illustrate potential sources of bias, including selection/assignment, history, regression to the mean, test–retest, maturation, observer, retrospective, Hawthorne, instrumentation, attrition, and reporting/publication bias. Mitigating strategies include using a control group, blinding, matching before and after cohorts, minimizing the time lag between cohorts, using prospective data collection with consistent measuring/reporting criteria, time series data collection, and/or alternative study designs, when possible. Improved reporting with enforcement of the Enhancing Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) checklists will serve to increase transparency and aid in interpretation. By highlighting the potential types of bias and strategies to improve transparency and mitigate flaws, this overview aims to better equip anesthesiologists in designing and/or critically appraising before–after studies.
Labor Analgesia as a Predictor for Reduced Postpartum Depression Scores: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Lim Grace , Farrell Lia M. , Facco Francesca L. , Gold Michael S. , Wasan Ajay D.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND:

Using labor, epidural analgesia has been linked to a reduced risk of postpartum depression, but the role of labor pain relief in this association remains unclear. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that effective epidural analgesia during labor is associated with reduced postpartum depression symptomatology.

METHODS:

A single, institutional, retrospective, observational cohort design was chosen. The primary outcome was Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) score, measured at the 6-week postpartum visit. Subjects included in the final analysis had (1) received labor epidural analgesia; (2) pain assessed during labor both before and during initiation of labor epidural analgesia by 0–10 numeric rating scores; and (3) depression risk assessed by the EPDS and documented at their 6-week postpartum visit. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to identify the best model for assessing the association between pain improvement, defined as percent improvement in pain (PIP), and depression, after adjusting for a history of anxiety or depression, other psychiatric history, abuse, trauma, mode of delivery, and other maternal or fetal comorbid diseases.

RESULTS:

Two hundred one patients were included in the final analysis. Women with higher improvements in pain were associated with lower EPDS scores (r = 0.025; P = .002). Variables known to be associated with depression (body mass index, anxiety and/or depression, third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations, and anemia) were significantly correlated with EPDS score and included in the final model. After we adjusted for these covariates, PIP remained a significant predictor of EPDS score (r = 0.49; P = .008), accounting for 6.6% of the variability in postpartum depression scores. The full model including pain, body mass index, anxiety and/or depression, perineal lacerations, and anemia explained 24% of the variability in postpartum depression scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the extent of labor pain relief by epidural analgesia predicts lower postpartum depression scores, the relative contribution of PIP to risk for postpartum depression symptoms may be less than other established risk factors for depression. These data support that the clinical significance of labor analgesia in the development of postpartum depression needs to be more clearly defined.
A campus LGBTQ community’s sexual violence and stalking experiences: the contribution of pro-abuse peer support
Authors: DeKeseredy Walter , Hall-Sanchez Amanda , Nolan James , Schwartz Martin
Published: December 2017

Previous studies of peer support for various types of violence against college students are heteronormative, being primarily concerned with the abuse of heterosexual women by heterosexual males. Using recent data from the Campus Quality of Life Survey conducted at a large residential college in the South Atlantic part of the US, the main objective of this paper is to help fill a major research gap by presenting data on two ways in which negative peer support contribute to sexual violence and stalking in a campus LGBTQ community. The results show that LGBTQ students are more likely to receive such support than heterosexual ones and that negative peer support predicts sexual assault and stalking among both types of students. Implications for further empirical and theoretical work are discussed, as well as some key policy issues.
Brand references and music video intertextuality: Lessons from Summer Girls and She Looks So Perfect
Authors: Lascity Myles Ethan
Published: December 2017

This article seeks to analyse the use of fashion brands in two pop music videos: LFO’s Summer Girls and 5 Seconds of Summer’s She Looks So Perfect. The analysis takes a multimodal discourse and intertextual approach, by teasing out the uses of the brand name and the imagery of the music videos, in order to compare the video-brand relations in each. Through this analysis, it is possible to see this intertextuality as a dialectic relationship that provides a unique meaning for each, while also evaluating the desirability of both. Moreover, using each pairing as a stand-in for cultural messages presented to teens, it is possible to tease out representational issues between the release of Summer Girls in 1999 and She Looks So Perfect in 2014. This suggests changes in sexual behaviour, the increasing sexualization of western society and general consumption habits, with less movement in representations of race, gender and sexual orientation.
Elsa Klensch: The inventor of fashion television
Authors: Arrington Deidra W.
Published: December 2017

A show created and hosted by Elsa Klensch, a former Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar fashion editor, brought exclusive runway shows from global fashion capitals to a new and very receptive audience. Fashion had been acknowledged as a serious and an occasional news topic, but until 1980, the year Style with Elsa Klensch (1980–2001) was first broadcast, fashion coverage was both limited and sporadic. Her new show very soon became popular with viewers – of all ages. Klensch was arguably the inventor of the ‘fashion television’ we take for granted.
Experiencing Online Orchestra: Communities, connections and music-making through telematic performance
Authors: Rofe Michael , Geelhoed Erik , Hodsdon Laura
Published: December 2017

Telematic performance offers significant potential for musicians in remote communities to perform together, increasing access to the type of ensemble music-making that is commonplace in urban areas. This article presents a range of perspectives taken from interviews with participants in the Online Orchestra pilot performance. Participants highlight the significant potential of telematic performance to overcome the challenge of music-making in geographically remote communities. The feasibility of making music in latency-rich environments is corroborated, as is the importance of the conductor in telematic performance. Suggestions are given for the fine tuning of peripheral equipment, and a preference emerges for the more traditional and simple music commissioned by the project.
Klingende Eklats
Authors: Schürmer Anna
Published: December 2017

Der klingende Eklat ist mehr als der Pfeffer musikhistorischer Narrationen. Vielmehr ist der Musikskandal ein kultureller Störfall und ein ästhetisches Ereignis. Er überschreitet nicht nur die künstlerischen und moralischen Grenzen des guten Tons, sondern greift zudem gesellschaftliche Normen auf und an. Anna Schürmer analysiert diese Verschränkung und nutzt das interdisziplinäre Potential, das der klingende Eklat als konfliktiver Seismograf sozialer Problem- wie ästhetischer Experimentierfelder bereithält. An der Schnittstelle von Geschichts- und Musikwissenschaften fokussiert die medienkulturwissenschaftlich inspirierte Studie den prismatischen Gegenstand des klingenden Eklats vor dem akustischen Hintergrund nicht nur der musikalischen Moderne.
Wanna go Clubbing? - Senior Citizens Clubs in Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Oppermann Carolin
Published: December 2017

Senior Citizens Clubs stellen eine transnationale Form von Freizeitorganisationen für ältere Menschen dar. Als teilnehmende Beobachterin verbrachte Carolin Oppermann mehrere Monate in zwei Clubs in Kuala Lumpur und hat mit den Senioren getanzt, gesungen, gekocht, gemanagt, organisiert, gelernt, entspannt und diskutiert. Ihre Analyse zeigt, wie diese älteren Menschen ihre Clubs formen - wie sie Mitgliedschaften inszenieren, Entscheidungen treffen, die Finanzierung sichern, Ordnungen immer wieder aushandeln und die Clubs mit Bedeutung versehen. Die Ethnographie bietet neue und unmittelbare Einblicke in die organisierte Freizeitgestaltung älterer Menschen.
Das Bildungsimperium
Authors: Ellßel Christoph
Published: December 2017

Zu Beginn des Kalten Krieges hinterließ der imperiale Wandel in Südostasien und Australien durch den Zerfall des britischen Empires ein Machtvakuum im Pazifikraum, das die USA zu füllen versuchten. Mit dem Ziel, ein »intellektuelles Bollwerk« gegen den chinesischen und sowjetischen Kommunismus zu schaffen, wurde das Stipendienprogramm des »Colombo-Plan« ins Leben gerufen, das Studienplätze für zukünftige Multiplikatoren an einer westlichen Universität in Australien förderte. Die Studie von Christoph Ellßel ermöglicht vor dem Hintergrund dieser amerikanischen Zukunftsvision des Pazifikraumes eine neue Perspektive auf die heutige politische Rolle der Weltmacht USA.
Schattenorte in Belfast
Authors: Bertram Henriette
Published: December 2017

Innerstaatliche Konflikte prägen Städte und hinterlassen räumliche Spuren, die über die Beilegung hinaus wahrnehmbar bleiben. Diese Orte werden Schattenorte genannt - ihre Neuentwicklung ist häufig langwierig und schmerzhaft. In Belfast wird dies noch 20 Jahre nach dem Ende des Nordirlandkonflikts im Rahmen vieler Stadterneuerungsvorhaben deutlich. Henriette Bertram zeigt: Schattenorte sind aufgrund ihrer historischen Symbolik umstritten. Bei der Neuentwicklung entsteht Dissonanz zwischen den ehemaligen Konfliktparteien, aber auch zwischen denjenigen Akteur_innen, die eine schnellstmögliche Normalisierung anstreben, und denjenigen, die der Erinnerung an den Konflikt mehr Raum geben möchten.
A rare cause of hypophysitis: tuberculosis
Authors: Ates Ihsan , Katipoglu B. , Copur B. , Yilmaz N.
Published: December 2017

Objectives. Hypophysitis is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease of pituitary gland. As it causes headache and visual defects, it mimics sellar tumors in clinical and radiological aspects. It may occur due to primary or secondary causes. Tuberculosis is one of the rare secondary causes of the hypophysitis. Subject and Results. A 30-year-old male patient presented with fatigue and headache. Panhypopituitarism was considered due to the results and the diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed sagittal section diamater of pituitary gland higher than normal. Biopsy of the pituitary gland was concordant with the granulomatous hypophysitis. Other possible diagnosis was excluded. Conclusion. The tubercular hypophysitis, as a result of performed tests, is discussed hereby, in the case report.
The Constitutional Court and Others in Romanian Constitutionalism – 25 Years After
Authors: Selejan-Guțan Bianca
Published: December 2017

The current Romanian constitutional system, established in 1991, has undergone numerous formal and informal developments in the last 25 years. The main issues that arose in the decade since the country’s adhesion to the European Union were the respect for the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. In this context, the Constitutional Court has been one of the central elements of the rule of law guarantee in Romania. This paper intends to present a critical overview of the actual role of the Constitutional Court in the Romanian constitutional system, in the different contexts that link the Court with ‘others’, ie mainly with State powers (the Court itself being and independent organ, placed outside the judicial power).
Al2O3-CeO2 Oxides: Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation as Catalytic Supports in Benzene Combustion. Surface Ceria Effects
Authors: Pérez-Pastenes Hugo , Barrales-Cortés César A. , Viveros Tomás
Published: December 2017

Al2O3-CeO2 sol-gel oxides were obtained at ceria loadings of 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 wt.%, calcined at 700 °C and characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, TEM, 27Al MAS-NMR, and TPR. All samples present high amounts of surface ceria species and bulk ceria has significant presence from 20 wt.% of ceria. The sample with 50 wt.% presents both the reduction of bulk and interfacial ceria species and X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to cerianite phase. Surface ceria dispersion degree (surface ceria/total reduced ceria) was determined to be 100 % for samples with 2 and 5 wt.% CeO2, with a slight decrease to ca. 90 % and 75 % for samples with 10 and 20 wt.% CeO2 respectively, and a lower value of 41 % for the sample with 50 wt.% CeO2. It was found the amount of surface ceria has a good correlation with the amount of AlV sites, indicating that incorporated Ce ions distorts the alumina matrix and restricts the amount of surface ceria. Platinum supported on these materials showed that the catalytic activity in benzene combustion for oxygen-depleted environments increased as the surface ceria concentration increased.
Linguistic variation and legal representation in legislative discourse: A corpus-based multi-dimensional study
Authors: Sun Yuxiu , Cheng Le
Published: December 2017

This study starts with the multi-dimensional analysis of describing linguistic variation in legislative discourse through three corpora (Chinese legislative corpus, the corresponding English translation corpus and American legislative corpus). Based on the findings from the multi-dimensional data derived from the factor analysis, contrastive interpretations are provided for related legal representations. This study then goes further to apply the corpus-based multi-dimensional analytical approach, deducing total 53 features into 5 interpretable underlying dimensions, represented as: Dimension 1 Involved Production vs. Specialized Information Density; Dimension 2 Narrative vs. Non-Narrative Discourse; Dimension 3 Author-centered Explicitness vs. Situational-dependent Reference; Dimension 4 Overly vs. Not Overly Expression of Persuasion; and Dimension 5 Abstract Description vs. Non-impersonal Style. After the analysis of certain typical patterns among these five dimensions, this study identifies and discusses four legal representations (non-narrative and explicitness, high informational density, the decontextualized style, and less overly persuasion) as key features represented in legislative discourse. Finally, general characteristics, tendencies and preferences identified in the three types of legislative texts are further deduced and interpreted from jurisprudential perspectives.
Is there a relationship between delivery mode and serum irisin levels in pregnant women?
Authors: Haberal Esra Tuştaş , Ulu İpek , Özcan Cemile , Gök Gülden Aday , Kıran Gürkan , Kucur Mine
Published: December 2017

Background:

The aim of our study was to find out whether exercise of the pelvic muscles during vaginal delivery increases maternal and cord blood irisin levels.

Methods:

This prospective study included 20 patients who vaginally delivered their babies and 20 patients that underwent elective cesarean section. In the vaginal delivery group, delivery occured either spontaneously or by induction. In the other group, the patients were electively operated before uterine contractions started. We compared serum irisin levels of the two groups and cord blood irisin levels of the babies of these mothers.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference in maternal serum irisin levels between the two groups (p>0.05). We also found no statistically significant difference in cord blood irisin levels (p>0.05). The positive correlation between maternal and cord blood irisin levels was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). We also detected a significant positive correlation between maternal irisin levels and BMI in our study (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Irisin is a challenging molecule. Although we did not find a significant difference in the irisin levels of women according to the method of delivery, we feel that further investigations are warranted.
American postmodern poetic texts: in search of rhythmicity
Authors: Zabuzhanska Inna
Published: December 2017

This paper highlights the results of the experimental phonetic research on American postmodern poetic texts, voiced by their authors. The acoustic analysis of fundamental frequency, duration, and intensity of rhythmic groups proves their rhythm-creating ability. Arrhythmicity is seen as a means of creating the effect of defeated expectancy, emphasizing those speech fragments, which are crucial in the decoding of the author’s intention.
How Do Public Libraries Assist Small Businesses in Rural Communities? An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Tennessee
Authors: Mehra Bharat , Bishop Bradley Wade , Partee II Robert P.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how public libraries assist small businesses in rural communities in the state of Tennessee in the United States. Tennessee’s rural residents, especially in its Appalachian counties, face debilitating economic and social challenges such as inadequate financial prospects, information poverty, unemployment and low degrees of information literacy and educational attainment. The article presents findings from interviews and focus groups with 25 public library small business liaison representatives gathering input about their needs, expectations and experiences with rural public libraries. The foci are the existing and proposed ways rural public libraries provide small business assistance and identify components of a
Evaluation of the Role of Inventory Management in Logistics Chain of an Organisation
Authors: Oluwaseyi Joseph Afolabi , Onifade Morakinyo Kehinde , Odeyinka Olumide F.
Published: December 2017

The operation of inventory management determines the efficiency of storage of products. The progress in techniques and management principles improves the moving load, delivery speed, service quality, operation costs, the usage of facilities and energy saving. Inventory management takes a crucial part in the manipulation of logistics. Reviewing the current condition, a strong system needs a clear frame of logistics and a proper inventory implements and techniques to link the producing procedures. The objective of the paper is to define the role of inventory management in logistics for the reference of further improvement. The research was undertaken to assist logistics managers, researchers and inventory planners to define and comprehend the basic views of logistics and its various applications and the relationships between logistics and inventory.
Research on Demand for Bus Transport and Transport Habits of High School Students in Žilina Region
Authors: Konečný Vladimír , Berežný Róbert , Petro František , Trnovcová Martina
Published: December 2017

The paper deals with the analysis of demand for bus transport to examine determinants of demand and practices of high school students based on survey of their transport habits in Žilina Region. Transport habits of students are individual and variable in time. This group of passengers is dependent on public passenger transport services because of their travelling to schools. Significant part of demand for public passenger transport is also formed by this this group of passengers. The knowledge of student's transport habits may help in process of adaptation of offering and quality of transport serviceability what may subsequently stabilize demand for public passenger transport.
Crystal structure of bis(N′-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-1-methylthio-methanethiohydrazido-κ2
S,N)nickel(II), C14H16N6NiS4
Authors: Lin Long , Zhu Ling-Hao , Wang Yuan
Published: December 2017

C14H16N6NiS4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.817(16) Å, b = 10.172(17) Å, c = 10.043(17) Å, β = 97.77(4)°, V = 892(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0788, wRgt(F2) = 0.1962, T = 296 K.
Sustainable Oil and Profitable Wind
Authors: Hoffmann Jochen , Kristensen Maria E.
Published: December 2017

Companies are confronted with differing public perceptions, which influence the way in which they present their social and environmental responsibilities. Our qualitative study compares the online responsibility communication of two companies from the energy sector: Shell, representing the controversial but profitable oil industry; and Vestas, representing the sustainable wind industry, the financial competitiveness of which is sometimes called into question. The website analysis reveals that both companies engage in inverted positioning. They invert perceived weaknesses into strengths: Shell highlights its social and environmental responsibilities, whereas Vestas, instead of capitalising on its potential as a CSR brand, highlights its economic responsibility. Theoretically, we integrate inverted positioning into a constitutive process model of responsibility communication. Inverted positioning might lead either to a reputational downward spiral, making a company less credible in the longer term, or the public communication of contested responsibilities functions as a self-imposed ambition that can, over time, induce substantial corporate learning processes.
Parasites and endobiotic fungi in digestive gland cryosections of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Northern Adriatic, Croatia
Authors: Kovačić Ines , Pustijanac Emina
Published: December 2017

Histology has been used in the past to investigate the effects of diseases and parasite infections in native mussel populations that are often used as sentinel species in coastal environmental monitoring and as stock in mariculture. This paper presents the first study of parasite diversity using cryosections of the Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 digestive gland. Mussels were sampled across the annual cycle at two sampling sites: St. Andrew and ACI Marina in the Northern Adriatic (Croatia). The protozoan of the genus Nematopsis Schneider, 1892 (Apicomplexa, Gregarina) was detected in digestive tubules, while the turbellarian (Urastomidae) Urastoma cyprinae von Graff, 1913 was found in the connective tissue at the edge of the digestive gland. The filamentous fungus Alternaria sp. (Fungi, Ascomycota) was detected in epithelial cells of the digestive tubule in cryosections. Nematopsis sp. occurred with the prevalence ranging from 20 to 100%, and the intensity of infection in less than 30 oocysts in most of the cases. U. cyprinae was detected in mussels sampled at St. Andrew and had a prevalence of 20% in September. Conidia of Alternaria sp. were found in mussels sampled at St. Andrew in September and November. Cryosections provide a useful and affordable means for monitoring parasites and endobiotic fungi.
New records and redescriptions of three Cyprididae ostracods(Crustacea) from Turkey
Authors: Rasouli Hamidreza , Aygen Cem
Published: December 2017

Hemicypris vulgaris Okubo, 1990, Stenocypris bolieki Ferguson, 1962 and Bradleystrandesia parva (Hartmann, 1964) are reported from a tributary of the Gönen River (Balikesir) in Turkey. Hemicypris vulgaris is reported for the first time from Turkey. The finding of Bradleystrandesia parva is especially important as its original description is brief and inadequate. This paper provides details of redetection of the three species and comments on their variability and possible cryptic speciation.
Thermal cycling of composite laminates made of out-of-autoclave materials
Authors: Mahdavi Soheila , Gupta Shambhu Kumar , Hojjati Mehdi
Published: December 2017

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer material has been widely used in space/aerospace industries for manufacturing of spacecraft structures, satellite panels and antennas. In space, composites can be subjected to periodic thermal cycling (TC) in which temperature ranges from −196°C to 180°C, depending on the operational condition. The effect of TC on the properties of flat laminates made of unidirectional (UD) and fabric out-of-autoclave (OOA) material will be presented. Flat laminates were made using the recommended cure cycle by the material supplier. Then, the samples were cut and subjected to the thermal cycle. To do so, the samples were dipped into liquid nitrogen (−196°C) and then transferred to the oven (140°C). After different numbers of cycles (30, 60, 100, 150 and 200), the cross section of the specimens was examined under a microscope for microcrack detection. Other mechanical and physical properties including interlaminar shear strength, storage modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were measured. It was identified that TC can affect the examined properties by two competing factors: (i) more cross-linking in the polymer chain due to post-curing at high temperature during TC and (ii) microcrack formation due to the induced thermal stresses as a result of the matrix/fiber CTE mismatch. It was found that TC can cause microcrack formation and propagation around the voids in the laminate and affect its properties. Depending on the size and shape of the void, microcracks can form at different stages of TC.
Spring and autumn phenology of Bulgarian and German provenances of Common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under similar climatic conditions
Authors: Petkova Krasimira , Molle Emil , Huber Gerhard , Konnert Monika , Gaviria Julian
Published: December 2017

The ongoing climate change creates serious concerns about how tree species will behave under new environmental condi­tions. Common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), a main and important tree species in Europe, will also be affected by the coming changes. One possibility to test the adaptability of this tree species is to perform provenance tests, transplanting trees from northern areas to warmer and drier places, and to investigate their behavior over a long period of time (transfer experiments). This work describes such an experiment. A provenance test was established in April 2010 with two-year-old seedlings from 8 provenances of beech - 5 from Germany (Bavaria) and 3 from Bulgaria. Our purposes were to determine differences in the manifestation of the spring and autumn phenophases from beech of German and Bulgarian provenances and to seek a relationship between geographical coordinates and altitude of the same provenances and timing of leaf flushing and leaf coloring/shedding. In this experiment we examined leaf unfolding and leaf coloring/shedding in two growing periods (2013 and 2016). We found that the Bulgarian provenances flushed earlier in comparison with the German ones in both growing periods. No statistically significant clustering of the Bulgarian and German provenances during leaf coloring/shedding for the second period of observation was found. Longitude had the most important influence on flushing. A linear relationship between the mean date of leaf coloring and the longitude and latitude was determined, but only for the first growing period (2013), when eastern provenances had later leaf coloring, while more northern provenances had earlier leaf coloring.
Analysis of Glycodelin Levels Before and After Hysteroscopic Polypectomy in Infertile Patients
Authors: Sorak Marija , Devic Ana
Published: December 2017

Glycodelin (or placental protein 14) is a glycoprotein located in the glandular and thin epithelium of the endometrium. It is considered an important factor in the implantation process, and its traces can be found in elevated concentrations in the uterine flushing obtained at the time of implantation, while in the proliferative phase of the cycle, its levels are low. A certain concentration has been found to inhibit the binding of spermatozoids to the zona pellucida of the oocites therefore, it effects conception. It has a role in angiogenesis and is in high concentrations in the tissues of both benign and malignant gynaecological tumours.

The aim of this study is to analyse and display the glycodelin level changes before and after hysteroscopic polypectomy in infertile patients in the uterine flushing fluid and serum. This survey covers 80 infertile patients, who were divided into two groups. The first group, the experimental group, consisted of 50 infertile patients with endometrial polyps, and a control group of 30 infertile patients without endometrial polyps was also included.

The results primarily indicate the existence of changes in glycodelin levels preoperatively in the flushing and venous blood in infertile patients with endometrial polyps compared with the levels after surgery. In the control group of patients, no significant change in the glycodelin levels was detected in the flushing and venous blood. When comparing these two groups, statistically significant differences in the glycodelin levels in the flushing and venous blood were noted. We conclude that the presence of endometrial polyps in the cavum uteri affects the increase in the glycodelin concentration in the flushing fluid and in the plasma. Increased glycodelin concentrations complicate fertilization and implantation.
Grenzpolitiken und Flüchtlingsschutz
Authors: Hoesch Matthias
Published: December 2017

In der sozialwissenschaftlichen Literatur wird die empirische Analyse gegenwärtiger Grenzpolitiken oftmals mit ethischen Bedenken verbunden. Der Beitrag greift als Beispiel die These heraus, dass Staaten in ethisch problematischer Weise versuchen, die Zahl der Flüchtlinge zu reduzieren, die auf ihr Territorium gelangen. Anhand von Positionen aus der Ethik der Migration soll gezeigt werden, unter welchen Bedingungen dieses Bedenken berechtigt sein kann.
Assistierte Selbstbestimmung als normatives und empirisches Problem des Rechts – am Beispiel von Einwilligungs- und Entscheidungsfähigkeit
Authors: Damm Reinhard
Published: December 2017

Die Normkonzepte der Einwilligungs- und Entscheidungsfähigkeit gehören zum klassischen Bestand des Personenrechts und zugleich zu dessen aktuell besonders intensiv bearbeiteten Problemfeldern. Dies gilt sowohl für die rechtsdogmatische Diskussion als auch für rechtspolitische Normbildungsprozesse. Einschlägige Entwicklungen sind auf innerstaatlicher und internationaler Ebene zu beobachten. Der unübersehbare rechtliche und gesellschaftliche Bedeutungszuwachs der Thematik beruht insbesondere auf ihrer Verknüpfung mit veränderten Wahrnehmungen von Reifeprozessen und Adoleszenz bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, von Demographie, Altersentwicklung und Demenz sowie schließlich von Behinderung und Betreuung. Hieraus resultiert eine ebenfalls besondere Relevanz von Medizin-, Pflege-, Betreuungs- und Teilhaberecht. In einer historischen Abfolge bis zur derzeitigen Situation sind expandierende autonomieorientierte Normbildungen von der traditionellen Einwilligungsfähigkeit und deren Differenzierung gegenüber der Geschäftsfähigkeit über die Unterscheidung von Entscheidungsebene und Einbeziehungs- oder Partizipationsebene bis hin zu aktuellen Konzepten einer Selbstbestimmung fördernden „Assistenz“ nachzuvollziehen. Empirische und interdisziplinäre Analysen hinsichtlich betroffener Personen, Populationen und Institutionen sind im Gange, aber insgesamt noch überwiegend am Anfang und unabgeschlossen. Dabei ist eine empirische Aufladung des Einwilligungskonzepts zu beobachten, die sich nicht zuletzt in professionsinterner Normbildung durch fachwissenschaftliche Leitlinien und standardisierte Prüfkonzepte niederschlägt. Dies korrespondiert mit einer normativen Aufladung dieses Konzepts durch rechtliche Statusveränderungen betroffener Personen auf der Partizipations- und Förderungsebene. Der Beitrag bearbeitet die Wechselbezüglichkeit einschlägiger Normentwicklungen und rechtstatsächlicher Rahmenbedingungen.
Reducing the Carbon Intensity of Methanol for Use as a Transport Fuel
Authors: Ingham Alan
Published: December 2017

Methanol is increasingly being looked at as a way to reduce the emissions potential of transport fuel. It may be used in place or in addition to gasoline fuel, for example. The amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted in producing methanol can vary hugely according to the syngas generation technology selected and the choice of electrical or steam turbine drive for compressors and pumps. This paper looks at the impact of these technology choices on GHG emissions and how the carbon intensity of methanol used as a transport fuel compares to the carbon intensity of other hydrocarbon fuels. It is found that methanol produces lower well to wheel emissions than gasoline under all production methods studied and can even produce lower GHG emissions compared to ethanol as a fuel supplement. However, the same is not always true if methanol is used to produce gasoline from natural gas.