bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Update on a Quality Initiative to Standardize Perioperative Care for Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy
Authors: Mackey Patricia A. , Thompson Bithika M. , Boyle Mary E. , Apsey Heidi A. , Seifert Karen M. , Schlinkert Richard T. , Stearns Joshua D. , Cook Curtiss B.
Published: June 2015

Objective:

The objective of the analysis was to review the effectiveness of a care process model (CPM) developed to guide management of patients on insulin pump therapy undergoing elective surgical procedures.

Methods:

Electronic medical records were reviewed to assess the impact of the CPM on documentation of insulin pump status, glucose monitoring, and safety during the perioperative phase of care. Post-CPM care was compared with management provided before CPM implementation.

Results:

We reviewed 45 cases on insulin pump therapy in the pre-CPM cohort and 106 in the post-CPM cohort. Demographic characteristics, categories of surgery, and perioperative times were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Recommended hemoglobin A1c monitoring occurred in 73% of cases in the pre-CPM cohort but improved to 94% in the post-CPM group ( P < .01). There was a higher frequency of documentation of the insulin pump during the preoperative, intraoperative, and postanesthesia care unit segments of care in the post- vs pre-CPM periods (all P < .01). The number of cases with intraoperative glucose monitoring increased (57% pre-CPM vs 81% post-CPM; P < .01). Glycemic control was comparable between the 2 CPM periods. Hypoglycemia was rare, with only 3 episodes in the pre-CPM group and 4 in the post-CPM. No adverse events associated with perioperative insulin pump use were observed.

Conclusions:

This analysis adds to previous data on use of insulin pump therapy during the perioperative period. Some processes require additional attention, but data continue to indicate that a standardized approach to care can lead to a successful and safe transition of insulin pump therapy throughout the perioperative period.
Easy synthesis of titania–tungsten trioxide nanocomposite films by anodising method for solar water splitting
Authors: Momeni M. M. , Nazari Z.
Published: June 2015

Titania–tungsten trioxide (W-TiO2) films were in situ fabricated by the electrochemical anodising of titanium in a non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing sodium tungstate as the tungsten source. Glycerol was used as a green solvent. The morphology, structure and composition of synthesised films were characterised by SEM, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–visible respectively. The results indicated that sodium tungstate concentration in anodising solution significantly influenced the morphology of the surface, structure and photocatalytic activity of these films. So to access an optimum morphology, a proper concentration of sodium tungstate is required. Photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by testing the solar water splitting. The W1-TiO2 sample exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the bare TiO2 film and other W-TiO2 samples.
Controlled growth of Si-based heterostructure nanowires and their structural and electrical properties
Authors: Qian Guanghan , Rahman Saadah Abdul , Goh Boon Tong
Published: June 2015

Ni-catalyzed Si-based heterostructure nanowires grown on crystal Si substrates by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) were studied. The nanowires which included NiSi nanowires, NiSi/Si core-shell nanowires, and NiSi/SiC core-shell nanowires were grown by varying the filament temperature T
f from 1150 to 1850 °C. At a T
f of 1450 °C, the heterostructure nanowires were formed by crystalline NiSi and crystalline Si that were attributed to the core and shell of the nanowires, respectively. The morphology of the nanowires showed significant changes with the increase in the filament temperature to 1850 °C. Moreover, the effect of hydrogen heat transfer from the filament temperature demonstrated significant phase changes from NiSi to Ni2Si with increase in the filament temperature. The increased filament temperature also enhanced reactions in the gas phase thus generating more SiC clusters and consequently formed the NiSi/SiC heterostructure core-shell nanowires at T
f of 1850 °C. This paper discusses the role of filament temperatures on the growth and constituted phase change of the nanowires as well as their electrical characteristics.
Influence of a strict glucose protocol on serum potassium and glucose concentrations and their association with mortality in intensive care patients
Authors: Uijtendaal Esther V. , Zwart-van Rijkom Jeannette E.F. , de Lange Dylan W. , Lalmohamed Arief , van Solinge Wouter W. , Egberts Toine C.G.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Tight glucose control therapy (TGC) has been implemented to control hyperglycemia in ICU patients. TGC may also influence serum potassium concentrations. We therefore investigated the influence of TGC on both serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations and associated mortality.

Method

We performed a retrospective analysis including all patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital for 24 hours or more and with at least three serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations between 1999–2001 (conventional period), 2002–2006 (implementation period) or 2007–2009 (TGC period). Segmented regression analysis was used to estimate changes in outcomes that occurred after the intervention controlling for pre-intervention trends. Means and standard deviations (SDs) of serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations, and rate of severe hypoglycemia (≤2.2 mmol/L) and hypokalemia (≤3 mmol/L), were compared between the TGC and conventional period.

Results

Although mean serum glucose concentrations dropped 2.1 mmol/L (95 % CI =−1.8 to −2.3 mmol/L, p<0.002), mean serum potassium concentrations did not change (absolute increase 0.02 mmol/L; 95 % CI = −0.06 to 0.09 mmol/L, p=0.64). The rate of severe hypoglycemia increased with 5.9 % (95 % CI=−3.0 to −8.9, p<0.002), but the rate of hypokalemia remained equal (absolute reduction 4.8 %; 95 % CI = −11.1 % to 1.5 %, p=0.13). The SD of serum glucose concentrations within a patient did not change, while the SD of serum potassium concentrations even decreased 0.04 mmol/L (95 % CI = −0.01 to −0.07, p=0.01). ICU mortality decreased but this decrease was not significant (absolute difference −3.63 %; 95 % CI = −9.33 to 2.09, p=0.20).

Mean serum glucose concentrations, mean serum potassium concentrations and SDs of both serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations were all independently associated with ICU mortality. Highest mortality rates were seen at both the lowest and highest mean values (U/J-shaped association) and mortality rates increased with increasing variability (SDs) for both serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations.

Conclusion

Our study shows that a TGC was not associated with an increased risk of serum potassium related events. Low and high mean values and high variability of both serum glucose and serum potassium concentrations are predictors for high ICU mortality.
FOXM1 binds directly to non-consensus sequences in the human genome
Authors: Sanders Deborah A. , Gormally Michael V. , Marsico Giovanni , Beraldi Dario , Tannahill David , Balasubramanian Shankar
Published: June 2015

Background

The Forkhead (FKH) transcription factor FOXM1 is a key regulator of the cell cycle and is overexpressed in most types of cancer. FOXM1, similar to other FKH factors, binds to a canonical FKH motif in vitro. However, genome-wide mapping studies in different cell lines have shown a lack of enrichment of the FKH motif, suggesting an alternative mode of chromatin recruitment. We have investigated the role of direct versus indirect DNA binding in FOXM1 recruitment by performing ChIP-seq with wild-type and DNA binding deficient FOXM1.

Results

An in vitro fluorescence polarization assay identified point mutations in the DNA binding domain of FOXM1 that inhibit binding to a FKH consensus sequence. Cell lines expressing either wild-type or DNA binding deficient GFP-tagged FOXM1 were used for genome-wide mapping studies comparing the distribution of the DNA binding deficient protein to the wild-type. This shows that interaction of the FOXM1 DNA binding domain with target DNA is essential for recruitment. Moreover, analysis of the protein interactome of wild-type versus DNA binding deficient FOXM1 shows that the reduced recruitment is not due to inhibition of protein-protein interactions.

Conclusions

A functional DNA binding domain is essential for FOXM1 chromatin recruitment. Even in FOXM1 mutants with almost complete loss of binding, the protein-protein interactions and pattern of phosphorylation are largely unaffected. These results strongly support a model whereby FOXM1 is specifically recruited to chromatin through co-factor interactions by binding directly to non-canonical DNA sequences.
Prestack time-migration velocity analysis using remigration trajectories
Authors: Santos Henrique B. , Coimbra Tiago A. , Schleicher Jörg , Novais Amélia
Published: June 2015

We have developed a prestack time-migration tool for local improvement of the seismic migration-velocity model. The method is based on remigration trajectories that describe the position of an image point in the image domain for different source-receiver offsets as a function of the migration velocity. It determines kinematic migration parameters using local-slope information of migrated seismic reflection events. These parameters, in turn, are used to locally correct the velocity model. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows us to carry out a moveout correction not just at a fixed point in a zero-offset (poststack) time-migrated gather, but varying through all offsets of a common-image gather, taking into account the reflection-point displacement in the midpoint direction. In other words, it provides for time-migration velocity analysis from prestack data. We have tested the feasibility of the method on synthetic data from four simple models and the Sigsbee2B data. Our tests determined that the proposed tool increases the velocity-model resolution and provides a plausible time-migrated image. The quality of the initial model is not critical. The procedure is quite efficient. Significant effort was spent on manual event picking.
Time-domain multiscale full-waveform inversion using the rapid expansion method and efficient step-length estimation
Authors: dos Santos Adriano W. G. , Pestana Reynam C.
Published: June 2015

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is rapidly becoming a standard tool for high-resolution velocity estimation. However, the application of this method is usually limited to low frequencies due to the high computational cost of the wavefield propagation and the inversion scheme. To mitigate this problem, we have developed a rapid expansion method (REM) for numerical wavefield extrapolation inside the FWI workflow. This method approximated the partial time derivative of the wave equation using Chebyshev polynomials instead of the conventional finite-difference (FD) approximation. This allowed the REM to accurately propagate wavefields with bigger time steps, thus improving the computational efficiency of FWI. We have compared high-frequency FWI results using REM and the traditional FD approximation of the time derivative to illustrate the ability of REM to remain stable and free of numerical dispersion noise even with large grid and time samplings. In addition, we studied a step-length estimation scheme with the objective of avoiding an extra forward wavefield propagation during the line search at each FWI iteration. In this scheme, we estimated the step-length value based on prior iterations and validated this value using the Wolfe conditions. If the value was accepted, then the forward modeling was availed in the next iteration and no extra propagation was necessary. We tried seven different step-length estimation methods, from which we highlighted the adaptive Barzilai-Borwein method when combined with the steepest-descent inversion scheme, and the unitary step length for the L-BFGS algorithm. Through synthetic numerical results, we showed how this scheme could achieve convergence, while keeping the number of extra forward modelings way below the number of FWI iterations.
Bayesian inversion of pressure diffusivity from microseismicity
Authors: Poliannikov Oleg V. , Prange Michael , Djikpesse Hugues , Malcolm Alison E. , Fehler Michael
Published: June 2015

We have considered the problem of using microseismic data to characterize the flow of injected fluid during hydraulic fracturing. We have developed a simple probabilistic physical model that directly ties the fluid pressure in the subsurface during the injection to observations of induced microseismicity. This tractable model includes key physical parameters that affect fluid pressure, rock failure, and seismic wave propagation. It is also amenable to a rigorous uncertainty quantification analysis of the forward model and the inversion. We have used this probabilistic rock failure model to invert for fluid pressure during injection from synthetically generated microseismicity and to quantify the uncertainty of this inversion. The results of our analysis can be used to assess the effectiveness of microseismic monitoring in a given experiment and even to suggest ways to improve the quality and value of monitoring.
BMP signalling controls the construction of vertebrate mucociliary epithelia
Authors: Cibois Marie , Luxardi Guillaume , Chevalier Benoit , Thomé Virginie , Mercey Olivier , Zaragosi Laure-Emmanuelle , Barbry Pascal , Pasini Andrea , Marcet Brice , Kodjabachian Laurent
Published: June 2015

Despite the importance of mucociliary epithelia in animal physiology, the mechanisms controlling their establishment are poorly understood. Using the developing Xenopus epidermis and regenerating human upper airways, we reveal the importance of BMP signalling for the construction of vertebrate mucociliary epithelia. In Xenopus, attenuation of BMP activity is necessary for the specification of multiciliated cells (MCCs), ionocytes and small secretory cells (SSCs). Conversely, BMP activity is required for the proper differentiation of goblet cells. Our data suggest that the BMP and Notch pathways interact to control fate choices in the developing epidermis. Unexpectedly, BMP activity is also necessary for the insertion of MCCs, ionocytes and SSCs into the surface epithelium. In human, BMP inhibition also strongly stimulates the formation of MCCs in normal and pathological (cystic fibrosis) airway samples, whereas BMP overactivation has the opposite effect. This work identifies the BMP pathway as a key regulator of vertebrate mucociliary epithelium differentiation and morphogenesis.
PAT-seq: a method to study the integration of 3′-UTR dynamics with gene expression in the eukaryotic transcriptome
Authors: Harrison Paul F. , Powell David R. , Clancy Jennifer L. , Preiss Thomas , Boag Peter R. , Traven Ana , Seemann Torsten , Beilharz Traude H.
Published: June 2015

A major objective of systems biology is to quantitatively integrate multiple parameters from genome-wide measurements. To integrate gene expression with dynamics in poly(A) tail length and adenylation site, we developed a targeted next-generation sequencing approach, Poly(A)-Test RNA-sequencing. PAT-seq returns (i) digital gene expression, (ii) polyadenylation site/s, and (iii) the polyadenylation-state within and between eukaryotic transcriptomes. PAT-seq differs from previous 3′ focused RNA-seq methods in that it depends strictly on 3′ adenylation within total RNA samples and that the full-native poly(A) tail is included in the sequencing libraries. Here, total RNA samples from budding yeast cells were analyzed to identify the intersect between adenylation state and gene expression in response to loss of the major cytoplasmic deadenylase Ccr4. Furthermore, concordant changes to gene expression and adenylation-state were demonstrated in the classic Crabtree–Warburg metabolic shift. Because all polyadenylated RNA is interrogated by the approach, alternative adenylation sites, noncoding RNA and RNA-decay intermediates were also identified. Most important, the PAT-seq approach uses standard sequencing procedures, supports significant multiplexing, and thus replication and rigorous statistical analyses can for the first time be brought to the measure of 3′-UTR dynamics genome wide.
International Partnership as a Tool to R&D Achievements
Authors: Zarpelon Felipe de Mattos , Gavronski Iuri
Published: June 2015

Global competition emerges with greater need for faster innovations. R&D plays an essential role on the elaboration of new products and processes in even shorter period of time. As the access to resources and knowledge inside the own country borders are restrict, companies start to go abroad looking for other options of R&D. This way, international R&D partnerships arise as an important theme of discussion in literature and in practice. Through a systematic literature review of 31 papers published in management journals from 2002 to 2014, this study brings first a description of the main concepts in international R&D partnerships, then the best practices for the theme proposed and the gaps in the area’s knowledge. As an outcome, this paper aims to contribute to both practitioners and literature by providing a research agenda with seven themes for future research, regarding in-depth studies, secondary data analysis, measure proposal and practical development.DOI: 10.12660/joscmv8n1p16-28URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv8n1p16-28
Is There a Bitter Flavor in Sustainability for the Sugar-Alcohol Industry?
Authors: Paiva Ely Laureano , Biazzin Cristiane , Di Serio Luiz Carlos , De Andrade Marta Cleia Ferreira
Published: June 2015

Biofuel has been pointed out as one “green” option for traditional fossil fuels like petroleum.  Brazil is one the leading countries within this proposal competing globally with its sugar ethanol.. Nevertheless, there is a debate between corn ethanol and sugar ethanol .regarding the appropriateness to produce fuel instead of food in highly fertile regions. This industry is also severely criticized regarding its socio-environmental practices. We analyzed three cases  identified as featuring best practices in this industry in Brazil. Two of the companies are located in the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, the most important region in sugar-ethanol production. The third is situated in the Brazilian Midwest, a region with fast growth in this industry. In this region, cattle, soy and corn have been substitute by sugarcane plantation. The results suggest that, when a company in this industry pursues a sustainable approach to its operations, it is possible to mitigate environmental impacts and to improve local social conditions. Such practices are potential sources of competitive advantage. However, clear gaps are still present regarding integration and collaboration along the supply chain. Nevertheless, sustainable business policies have also created new business opportunities. The continuous challenge is to develop synergetic operational capabilities that are able to mitigate environmental impacts, to decrease operational costs and to add value to the products.DOI:10.12660/joscmv8n1p45-56URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv8n1p46-56
INFLUENCE OF YOUTH POLICY OF PARLIAMENTARY PARTIES ON FORMATION OF POLITICAL SUBJECTIVITY OF THE RUSSIAN YOUTH
Authors: Мельников  , Melnikov Aleksey , Малик  , Malik Elena
Published: June 2015

In the article specifics of youth policy of parliamentary parties of modern Russia are considered. The authors pay attention to the main strategic objectives of parliamentary parties in the sphere of youth policy. Further a number of the main directions of youth involvement in socio-political practice of the Russian society are given in the article; the most important priorities of parliamentary parties on formation of political potential of youth are compared. In the article the attention is paid to the generalized target reference points of political parties concerning the younger generation.
MENTORING IN THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC CIVIL SERVICE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (REGIONAL EXPERIENCE)
Authors: Малахова  , Malakhova Oksana , Лозинская  , Lozinskaya Svetlana
Published: June 2015

In the article an attempt of definition of essence of mentoring institute, and also its features in the system of public civil service is made. Departmental and regional experience of introduction of mentoring institute on public civil service is examined, on the basis of what the conclusion about possibility of mentoring application in the activity of the executive bodies of government of special competence in the Orel region is made.
DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OREL REGION
Authors: Петрище  , Petrishche Vitaliy
Published: June 2015

The level of innovative activity in the region is increasingly determined by the quality of professional staff. Migration processes are a factor in shaping the size and quality of the population of the region. The outflow of innovative professionals from the region does not pay for intensive investment in human capital and jeopardizing the implementation of innovative development programs of the Orel region.
GENESIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOCRACY IN RUSSIA
Authors: Гребенкин  , Grebenkin Aleksey
Published: June 2015

The article gives a historical analysis of emergence and development of autocracy traditions in Russia, main factors of its evolution are revealed. It is concluded that the tradition of autocracy continues to develop nowadays, affecting the nature of Russian statehood.
THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF UNDERSTANDING THE MANAGEMENT CULTURE OF CIVIL SERVANTS
Authors: Евтехова  , Evtekhova Anna
Published: June 2015

The main purpose of the article is to examine the management culture in the framework of sociological theories and concepts. In the analysis, the author determines that the basis of the management culture is social interaction, the starting point of which is social action.
TO THE QUESTION OF TRANSFORMATION OF FAMILY VALUES IN MODERN RUSSIAN SOCIETY
Authors: Кулаженкова  , Kulazhenkova Nataliya
Published: June 2015

The article analyzes the transformation of family values in the contemporary Russian society. The author considers the main approaches to the study of values, reveals the essence of family values; gives various reasons for the classification of family values; calls the basic processes that finds expression in the transformation of family values and indicates the presence of crisis in values of family life in the modern society.
Costume drama: Diana Vreeland’s ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’
Authors: Buick Nadia
Published: June 2015

This article examines the legacy of Diana Vreeland’s 1974 exhibition ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’ for contemporary curatorial approaches to Hollywood costume exhibitions. Staged during her time as a Special Consultant at the Costume Institute, this was the first blockbuster exhibition of Hollywood costume held in a major museum. Alongside exploring its historical significance, I argue that this exhibition offers particular insights into Vreeland’s body of work, articulating a synergy between curator and subject matter. To illustrate the ongoing influence of ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’, I explore a contemporary curatorial project, ‘Costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood’, which has direct and indirect connections to Vreeland’s exhibition.
Curdled milk for the masses: The Paradise, Mr Selfridge and the seductive spectacle of the department store
Authors: Grace Tony , Jamieson Gill
Published: June 2015

In 2010 the BBC commissioned an ambitious adaptation of Émile Zola’s Au Bonheur des Dames/The Ladies’ Paradise ([1883] 2012) by established dramatist Bill Gallagher. Transposing Zola’s story to Victorian England, Gallagher hoped that its topicality, set during a time of great social change, would resonate with a contemporary audience familiar with a dying high street and endless online shopping. The BBC targeted the global interest in British, quality period drama following the phenomenal success of Downton Abbey (2010). The Paradise aired in September 2012 but would run for only two series before being summarily decommissioned. Brutal market forces occasioned this dramatic change in fortunes. ITV had launched their own rival department store series about an American entrepreneur and his ambitious wife, Mr Selfridge (2012), capturing the audience desired by the BBC. This article contextualizes both productions and their audience appeal. At a time of economic austerity, with ‘make do and mend’ regarded as a virtue, and the high street struggling to survive as online shopping expands, what are we to make of the nostalgia for the traditional department store and its pleasures? Why did The Paradise fail to resonate with the domestic where Mr Selfridge succeeded?
The ghost of cultures past: Fashion, Hollywood and the end of everything
Authors: Radner Hilary
Published: June 2015

The much heralded end of cinema, as well as the less loudly proclaimed end of fashion, raise crucial issues with regard to the relations between film as a social institution and the growth and propagation of consumer culture particularly in the form of dress and other items of self-adornment. Exploring the economic, cultural and technological changes that have lead to significant shifts in the nature of both cinema, as a social institution and a mode of representation, and the fashion system suggests continuities as well as breaks from the past, the consequences of which will not be fully encompassed without further significant interdisciplinary research.
‘I don’t want orange trees, I want something that others don’t have’: Ottoman Head-Gardeners after Mahmud II
Authors: Türker Denіz
Published: June 2015

Among the many effects of the Tanzimat period’s political and cultural reforms was an overhaul of the physical appearance of the house of Osman. Borrowing from their immediate predecessor Selim III, sultans of the nineteenth century hired foreign horticultural experts to design their imperial gardens. The new post of the head-gardener, continually refilled by European expatriates until the early twentieth century, would revitalize the once prominent, pre-Tanzimat court institution of the gardeners’ corps. This article provides an in-depth look at the first of these figures, Christian Sester from Bavaria, who would design and install the last and largest of these imperial sites – the groves of Çragan Palace that would later become the Yldz palatial complex – and in the process reconfigure the corps with a group of his disciples. Sester’s scholastic foundation in the vibrant European milieu of the German Enlightenment later primed him to become the ‘noble’ garden expert among the equally multicultural émigré community that he would form in the Ottoman capital.
Book Reviews
Authors: Luyster Amanda , Novikoff Alex J. , Campo Juan E. , Brend Barbara , Peirce Leslie , Aslan Rose
Published: June 2015

Sharing Sacred Spaces in the Mediterranean: Christians, Muslims and Jews at Shrines and Sanctuaries, Dionigi Albera and Maria Couroucli (eds.) (2012) Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 290 pp., 1 b/w illus. ISBN 9780253356338, $70.00 (hardback), ISBN 9780253223173 $24.95 (paperback)

Muslims and Others in Sacred Space, Margaret Cormack (ed.) (2013) Oxford: Oxford University Press, 256 pp., 17 b/w illus. ISBN 9780199925049, $105.00 (hardback), ISBN 9780199925063, $36.95 (paperback)

The Islamic Villa in Early Medieval Iberia: Architecture and Court Culture in Umayyad Córdoba, Glaire D. Anderson (2013) Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate, 258 pp., 82 b/w illus., 16 colour illus., ISBN 9781409449430, $109.95 (hardback)

Routes and Realms: The Power of Place in the Early Islamic World, Zayde Antrim (2012) New York: Oxford University Press, 240 pp., 8 b/w illus. ISBN 9780199913879, $69.00 (hardback)

Picturing History at the Ottoman Court, Emіne Fetvaci (2013) Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 332 pp., 102 colour illus. ISBN 9780253006783, $45.00 (hardback)

Women, Gender, and the Palace Households of Ottoman Tunisia, Amy Aisen Kallander (2013) Austin: University of Texas Press, 287 pp., 15 b/w illus. ISBN 9780292748385, $55.00 (hardback), ISBN 9781477302132, $25.00 (paperback)

The Shrines of the ‘Alids in Medieval Syria: Sunnis, Shi’is and the Architecture of Coexistence, Stephennie Mulder (2014) Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 320 pp., 21 b/w illus., 121 colour illus. ISBN 9780748645794, $120.00 (hardback)
The role of correction of hypogonadism in the treatment and prophylaxis of urolithiasis in the men presenting with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Gusakova D A , Kalinchenko S Yu , Kamalov A A , Tishova Yu A
Published: June 2015

Abdominal obesity is a major component of metabolic syndrome (MS) considered to be the key factor contributing to the development of testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) in men. Bearing in mind the etiopathogenetic relationship between MS and urolithiasis (UL), the present study was undertaken for the purpose of elucidating the role of the main biochemical risk factors of metabolic syndrome in men, evaluating the influence of correction of hypogonadism on these factors, and optimization of the treatment and prevention of MS in these patients. The study included 90 men presenting with hypogonadism in whom the serum levels and renal excretion of the main lithogenic substances (uric acid, calcium, phosphates, magnesium) and urine pH were measured. At the first stage of the study, the patients were allocated to two groups. Group 1 was comprised of 52 patients with UL, group 2 consisted of 38 patients without UL. The patients of group 1 were found to suffer hyperuricemia (the serum uric acid levels 430 mcmol/l and higher). The patients of both groups exhibited hyperuricosuria (daily uric acid excretion over 4.13 mmol/24 hr) with the urine pH value of 5.5 and lower. The serum uric acid concentration was shown to positively correlate with the insulin and C-peptide levels. At the second stage of the study, 65 randomly selected patients were divided into two groups in one of which (n=40) they were given testosterone therapy. Compensation of hypogonadism in these patients was associated with a significant reduction of the serum uric acid levels and its daily excretion, an increase and normalization of urine pH, and a rise in the serum magnesium concentration, Similar significant changes of the same parameters were absent in the control subjects (n=25). Moreover, testosterone therapy improved characteristics of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, caused reduction in the body weight, BMI, and the severity of insulin resistance.
Financial performance of investment funds as members of Tehran stock exchange
Authors: Jamdar Marzieh
Published: June 2015

In this research, the financial performance of investment funds as members of Tehran Stock Exchange was measured based on the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) measures including Sharpe's, Jensen's, Treynor's and Modigliani's measures. The performance rating of investments was also compared based on the above measures and the relation of any fund's rank with the related measures was examined. Overall, 32 mutual funds were evaluated during 2011-12. The results showed that the net growth percentage of any in-vestment unit's asset value is directly and strongly related to the growth percentage of Sharpe's, Jensen's and Modigliani's measures, but the net growth percentage of any investment unit's asset value is weakly and inversely related to Treynor's measure. The funds' ranks were not also the same based on the abovementioned measures, but there is only a significant relationship between their ranks.
Linear correlation between Debye temperature and lattice thermal conductivity in II-VI and III-V semiconductors
Authors: Daoud Salah
Published: June 2015

A simple linear empirical relationship between high intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity K, and Debye temperature Î¸a is suggested from data on high intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity K, and Debye temperature Î¸a for some selected II-VI and III-V cubic zincblende type, and I-VII and II-VI rock-salt type binary semiconductors. A good linear correlation between Debye temperature and the high intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity was obtained. The minimum average percentage deviations in the present approach reveal that our simple model prove its identity and soundness compared to those of other author relations.
A quantitative, surface plasmon resonance-based approach to evaluating DNA binding by the c-Myc oncoprotein and its disruption by small molecule inhibitors
Authors: Wang Huabo , Ramakrishnan Anand , Fletcher Steven , V. Prochownik Edward
Published: June 2015

The use of small molecules to interfere with protein-protein interactions has tremendous therapeutic appeal and is an area of intense interest.  Numerous techniques exist to assess these interactions and their disruption.  Many, however, require large amounts of protein, do not allow interactions to be followed in real time, are technically demanding or require large capital expenditures and high levels of expertise. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) represents a convenient alternative to these techniques with virtually none of their disadvantages.  We have devised an SPR-based method that allows the heterodimeric association between the c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein and its obligate partner Max to be quantified in a manner that agrees well with values obtained by other methods.  We also adapted it to examine the ability of previously validated small molecules to interfere with Myc-Max heterodimerization and DNA binding. These inhibitors comprised two distinct classes of molecules that inhibit DNA binding by preventing Myc-Max interaction or distorting pre-formed heterodimers and rendering them incapable of DNA binding.  Our studies also point out several potential artifacts and pitfalls to be considered when attempting to employ similar SPR-based methods. This technique should be readily adaptable to the study of other protein-protein interactions and their disruption by small molecules.
Some properties of chain recurrent sets in a nonautonomous discrete dynamical system
Authors: Thakkar Dhaval , Das Ruchi
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we define chain recurrence and study properties of chain recurrent sets in a nonautonomous discrete dynamical system induced by a sequence of homeomorphisms on a compact metric space. We also study chain recurrent sets in a nonautonomous discrete system having shadowing property.
NT-proBNP levels and their relationship with systemic ventricular impairment in adult patients with transposition of the great arteries long after Mustard or Senning procedure
Authors: Kotaska Karel , Popelova Jana , Prusa Richard
Published: June 2015

The aim of the study was to investigate serum NT-proBNP levels in adult patients with transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) corrected by atrial switch procedures (Mustard or Senning) operation and to assess the relationship with ventricular impairment and NYHA class.

Serum NT-proBNP levels were measured in a group of 81 consecutive adult patients (59 males, mean age 27 years and 22 females, mean age 28 years) with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after surgical correction in childhood, and in a control group of 25 healthy individuals (16 males, mean age 32 years, and 9 females, mean age 29 years). Age-matched correlation of NT-proBNP concentrations in TGA patients after Mustard or Senning correction was performed, but this correlation was considered not significant (p=0.08).

Concentrations of NT-proBNP in patients with TGA were significantly elevated compared to the control group of healthy individuals (203 ng/L vs. 41 ng/L, p<0.0001). Patients after the Mustard repair had significantly higher NT-proBNP values than patients after the Senning operation (234 ng/L vs. 148 ng/L, p=0.0023). NT-proBNP correlated negatively with the systemic right ventricular ejection fraction with the greatest significance in patients after Mustard correction (r=–0.32, p<0.0001). The concentration of NT-proBNP was also associated with NYHA functional class (p=0.0035) with the greatest significance in patients with Mustard correction (p=0.028).

Elevated levels of NT-proBNP appear to be a useful tool in assessing heart failure in patients with transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch correction.
Liquid chromatographic determination of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid residues in rapeseed with MS/MS detection or derivatization/fluorescence detection
Authors: Kaczyński Piotr , Łozowicka Bożena
Published: June 2015

Glyphosate and AMPA determinations in rapeseed extracts by (a) liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole MS detection (LC-MS/MS), or (b) liquid chromatography with post-column OPA derivatization and fluorescence detection (LC-FLD) were developed. Mean recoveries for glyphosate and AMPA were (a) 88.8–95.0% and 82.1–86.1%, and (b) 70.8–74.1% and 62.4–72.6%. RSD were below (a) 11% and (b) 22%. Correlation coefficients were above 0.997 for both methods. LOD were 0.01 mg kg-1 for (a) and 0.05 mg kg-1 for (b). Both methods are simple and efficient for routine analysis of glyphosate and AMPA in a fatty matrix.
High-temperature electrical properties of silane cross-linked chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane: thermal, mechanical and surface characterization
Authors: Islam Atif , Yasin Tariq , Sabir Aneela , Khan Shahzad Maqsood , Sultan Misbah , Shafiq Muhammad , Khan Asad U. , Jamil Tahir
Published: June 2015

Chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) were blended and cross-linked with tetraethoxysilane and showed conductive properties. Impedance spectroscopy was used to study the influence of temperature on the electrical properties of the membranes. The conductivity of the membranes was increased with an increase in temperature. Free water was decreased and bound water was increased with an increase in cross-linker contents. The tensile strength improved, whereas elongation at break decreased by increasing the amount of cross-linker contents. The water contact angle of the membranes lowered with time, exhibiting the hydrophilic nature of the membranes. The novel characteristics of biocompatible membranes can be used in biomedical applications including biological schemes that require smaller charge in medicinal apparatus, bioelectrode coatings, etc.
Mathematical Modeling of Hot-Air Drying of Osmo-dehydrated Nectarines
Authors: Rodríguez M. Marcela , Mascheroni Rodolfo H. , Quintero-Ramos Armando
Published: June 2015

The influence of osmotic pretreatment on nectarines with solutions of glucose syrup and sorbitol and subsequent dehydration at different temperatures (60 °C, 70 °C, or 80 °C) was evaluated. The kinetics of moisture loss during drying was obtained and mathematical models were adjusted to estimate the kinetic parameters. Effective diffusion coefficients were calculated using Fick’s second law. All drying kinetics exhibited only a falling-rate period during hot-air drying owing to moisture loss in the osmotic pretreatment. Moisture loss was favoured by the use of sorbitol, whereas the diffusivity of water increased when glucose was used as an osmotic agent. Logarithmic and Midilli et al. models best described the changes in moisture over time, whereas Fick’s second law estimated water diffusion coefficient values between 4.96×10−9and 2.43×10−8m2s−1. These models may be employed to predict the optimum conditions for osmo-dehydrating nectarines under hot-air drying at the industrial level.
Using Social Multimedia Content to Inform Emergency Planning of Recurring and Cyclical Events in Local Communities
Authors: Shih Patrick C. , Han Kyungsik , Carroll John M.
Published: June 2015

Social media has been widely adopted for assisting the efforts in emergency response and recovery, but it has been underutilized for emergency planning purposes. Emergency planning in a local community context must leverage accessible and free resources such as social media, because it is largely a volunteer enterprise. We describe our fieldwork with local annual festival emergency planning teams that led to the design of the Community Incident Report (CIR). CIR is a novel emergency planning system that externalizes community knowledge on persisting issues and common mitigation strategies by integrating police reports, local crisis information, and social multimedia content to foster citizens’ awareness of local emergency information and to assist emergency planners in planning for recurring and cyclical events. We provide a use case analysis of CIR and its evaluation with 20 local residents, and discuss how it could be extended to inform emergency planning for other community events and local municipalities that share similar characteristics.
NGO Policy in Pre- and Post-Mubarak Egypt: Effects on NGOs’ Roles in Democracy Promotion
Authors: Herrold Catherine E.
Published: June 2015

This article examines the Egyptian government’s evolving policy toward Egypt’s NGO sector and its effects on organizations’ efforts to support democratic political reform. The January 25, 2011 uprisings that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak seemed to present an opportunity for Egypt’s NGO sector to break free from decades of government co-optation and repression and lead Egyptian civil society’s political reform efforts. NGOs did initiate democracy promotion projects immediately following the uprisings, and for a few months it seemed that NGOs would be torchbearers of political reform. By the summer of 2014, however, NGO employees were predicting the looming “death of civil society” in Egypt. Drawing upon data from over 90 interviews, this article analyzes the ways in which authoritarian adaptation, through both discourse and policy toward the NGO sector, constrained NGOs’ capacities to advance political reform efforts.
Testing for long memory in the presence of non-linear deterministic trends with Chebyshev polynomials
Authors: Cuestas Juan Carlos , Gil-Alana Luis Alberiko
Published: June 2015

This paper examines the interaction between non-linear deterministic trends and long run dependence by means of employing Chebyshev time polynomials and assuming that the detrended series displays long memory with the pole or singularity in the spectrum occurring at one or more possibly non-zero frequencies. The combination of the non-linear structure with the long memory framework produces a model which is linear in parameters and therefore it permits the estimation of the deterministic terms by standard OLS-GLS methods. Moreover, the orthogonality property of Chebyshev’s polynomials makes them especially attractive to approximate non-linear structures of data. We present a procedure which allows us to test (possibly fractional) orders of integration at various frequencies in the presence of the Chebyshev trends with no effect on the standard limit distribution of the method. Several Monte Carlo experiments are conducted and the results indicate that the method performs well. An empirical application, using data of real exchange rates is also carried out at the end of the article.
Az impaktfaktor és akiknek nem kell
Authors: Schubert András
Published: June 2015

Since its introduction in 1976, the impact factor is permanently a subject of both criticism and glorification. This paper gives an overview on what actually the reservations and objections attack. A closer look often reveals that the criticisms are not against the specific substantial features of the impact factor. They may formulate much more general doubts or, on the other hand, superficial technical details, easily remediable flaws or inconsistensies resulting erroneous use. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(26), 1065–1069.
Reptilia, Colubridae, Philodryas aestivus: distribution extension
Authors: Celsi Cintia Eleonora , Monserrat Ana Laura , Kacoliris Federico Pablo
Published: June 2015

None
Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Dendropsophus pseudomeridianus: distribution extension and geographic distribution map
Authors: Silva Guilherme Ramos da , Carvalho-e-Silva Sergio Potsch de , Carvalho-e-Silva Ana Maria Paulino Telles de
Published: June 2015

None
Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperidae, Pleurodema bibroni: rediscovery
Authors: Natale Guillermo S. , Maneyro Raul
Published: June 2015

None
Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusa azurea: distribution extension [with erratum]
Authors: Prado Vitor Hugo M. do , Borges Rinneu E. , Da Silva Fernando R. , Tognolo Thiago T. , Rossa-Feres Denise De C.
Published: June 2015

None
Plantae, Magnoliophyta, Asterales, Asteraceae, Senecioneae, Pentacalia desiderabilis and Senecio macrotis: distribution extensions and first records for Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Teles Aristônio M. , Stehmann João R.
Published: June 2015

None.
Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae, Myotis albescens: new occurrence site in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Quintela Fernando Marques , Porciúncula Rafael Almeida , Pacheco Susi Missel
Published: June 2015

None.
In situ Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Heber Marcel , Schilling Christian , Gross Toni , Hess Christian
Published: June 2015

The potential of Raman and UV-Vis diagnostics for spatially-resolved and in situ diagnostics of lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated. Regarding the use of in situ Raman diagnostics focus is put on LiCoO2 electrode materials, which were investigated in detail as composites of LiCoO2 with binder and conductive additives. The potential of in situ UV-Vis analysis is illustrated for carbon-based materials showing significant absorption changes during electrochemical cycling due to lithium de-/intercalation.
Laser Terahertz Emission Spectroscopy of Graphene/InAs Junctions
Authors: Bagsican Filchito Renee , Gonzales Jofferson , Zhang Xiang , Ma Lulu , Kawayama Iwao , Murakami Hironaru , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan Pulickel , Kono Junichiro , Tonouchi Masayoshi
Published: June 2015

We applied laser THz emission spectroscopy to study the effects of monolayer graphene on the THz emission from InAs. THz emission from graphene/InAs varies linearly with the laser excitation power in the low-intensity excitation regime. We found that unlike in graphene/SI-InP junctions, graphene and O2 adsorbates on graphene have no significant effect on the THz emission from graphene/InAs junctions because the THz radiation mechanism in InAs is by the photo-Dember effect, whereas for SI-InP is by the surge current effect. There is also a slight enhancement in the THz emission from both bare InAs and graphene/InAs by UV illumination, which is probably due to the additional photoexcited carriers by UV that somehow enhances the photo-Dember field.
Structural and Electrochemical Investigation of Na+ Insertion Into λ-Mn1-xNixO2
Authors: Kim J. R. , Amatucci G. G.
Published: June 2015

Increased demand for low cost energy storage options has expanded the scope of Na+ batteries considerably; and with the growing interest in Na-based chemistries, the importance of high voltage positive electrodes is quickly realized as the Na/Na+ redox introduces lower operating voltages as compared to Li/Li+ based electrochemical cells. The 4.7V LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel has exhibited considerable properties as a high voltage Li+ positive electrode, with a host structure (λ-Mn0.75Ni0.25O2) that may provide an analogous high voltage Na+ positive electrode. Structural and electrochemical properties of NaxMn1.56Ni0.44O4 and NaxMn2O4 are investigated for the first time[1] utilizing ex-situ, in-situ X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution electrochemical techniques to provide an insightful study of the Na+ insertion mechanism.