bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Rhetoric of Othering in the Greek Parliament: Representations of the Troika and the Self/Other Dichotomy
Authors: Sosoni Vilemini
Published: March 2016

Cornelius Castoriadis (1987: 147) argues that all societies have a central imaginary in order to consider basic questions about their identity. Imaginary specifications provide an answer to these questions, while they assemble, adjust, fabricate and construct a society. In all this, language plays a crucial role. As Castoriadis points out, it is through language that these social imaginary significations become manifest and do their constitutive work. In the spirit of these claims and the assumption that identities are constructed discursively (Tekin 2010: 4), the present article uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to investigate the construction of the identity of the Troika – the common support mechanism for Greece in the wake of its sovereign debt crisis and threat of a disorderly default in 2010 consisting of the IMF, the European Central Bank and the European Commission. The aim is to determine how the different political parties construct the identity of the troika. Since identity necessarily concerns a relation to the Self and the Other, and othering is an important activity in the construction of identity, the paper studies the strategies of othering used in the Greek Parliament by the different political parties across all political affiliations during the parliamentary debate preceding the vote on the second bailout loan on 12 February, 2012. The paper also seeks to identify the social imaginary of Greek society and determine whether it is one of social division and dissimulation or one of unity and accord.
Crystal structure of bis(8-ethyl-5-oxo-2-(piperazin-4-ium-1-yl)-5,8-dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carboxylato-κ2
O,O′)copper(II) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate dihydrate, C36H42CuN10O12
Authors: Zhu Ling , Zhou Tian
Published: March 2016

C36H42CuN10O12, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 5.2227(1) Å, b = 10.9412(1) Å, c = 16.7603(2) Å, α = 96.292(1)°, β = 95.972(1)°, γ = 100.010(1)°, V = 930.02(2) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt
(F) = 0.0494, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1543, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of 1,6-ditosyl-1,6-diazecane, C22H30N2O4S2
Authors: Li Guo Qiang , Meng Jiang Ping , Zhou Xia , Wang Qing , Xu Qiang
Published: March 2016

C22H30N2O4S2, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 13.6316(5) Å, b = 5.7462(2) Å, c = 14.1562(5) Å, β = 91.758(4)°, V = 1108.33(7) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt
(F) = 0.0464, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1249, T = 293 K.
A Pharmacogenetic Discovery: Cystamine Protects Against Haloperidol-Induced Toxicity and Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Zhang Haili , Zheng Ming , Wu Manhong , Xu Dan , Nishimura Toshihiko , Nishimura Yuki , Giffard Rona , Xiong Xiaoxing , Xu Li Jun , Clark J David , Sahbaie Peyman , Dill David L , Peltz Gary
Published: March 2016

Haloperidol is an effective antipsychotic agent, but it causes Parkinsonian-like extrapyramidal symptoms in the majority of treated subjects. To address this treatment-limiting toxicity, we analyzed a murine genetic model of haloperidol-induced toxicity (HIT). Analysis of a panel of consomic strains indicated that a genetic factor on chromosome 10 had a significant effect on susceptibility to HIT. We analyzed a whole-genome SNP database to identify allelic variants that were uniquely present on chromosome 10 in the strain that was previously shown to exhibit the highest level of susceptibility to HIT. This analysis implicated allelic variation within pantetheinase genes (Vnn1 and Vnn3), which we propose impaired the biosynthesis of cysteamine, could affect susceptibility to HIT. We demonstrate that administration of cystamine, which is rapidly metabolized to cysteamine, could completely prevent HIT in the murine model. Many of the haloperidol-induced gene expression changes in the striatum of the susceptible strain were reversed by cystamine coadministration. Since cystamine administration has previously been shown to have other neuroprotective actions, we investigated whether cystamine administration could have a broader neuroprotective effect. Cystamine administration caused a 23% reduction in infarct volume after experimentally induced cerebral ischemia. Characterization of this novel pharmacogenetic factor for HIT has identified a new approach for preventing the treatment-limiting toxicity of an antipsychotic agent, which could also be used to reduce the extent of brain damage after stroke.
Efeito de óleo essencial de laranja associados a fungicidas no controle de doenças foliares do trigo
Authors: Coradini Cezar , Piccinini Fernando , Reimche Geovane Boschmann , Costa Ivan Francisco Dressler da , Machado Sérgio Luiz de Oliveir
Published: March 2016

RESUMO Foi conduzido um experimento em campo na safra de 2012 com o objetivo de avaliar a contribuição do óleo essencial de laranja na performance dos fungicidas visando o controle de doenças foliares do trigo. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial (3x5) + 1, com quatro repetições. O fator A foi composto pelos fungicidas (dose do produto comercial) epoxiconazol (0,75L ha-1), piraclostrobina (0,80L ha-1) e epoxiconazol+piraclostrobina (0,75L ha-1) e o fator B pelos adjuvantes (doses) óleo mineral (500mL ha-1) e óleo essencial de laranja (0, 50, 100 e 150mL ha-1). O tratamento adicional compreendeu-se pela testemunha (água). O controle de manchas foliares na folha bandeira foi mais eficaz com a aplicação de epoxiconazol e de epoxiconazol+piraclostrobina independentemente do adjuvante usado ser óleo mineral ou óleo essencial de laranja, enquanto que os adjuvantes testados não interferiram no controle da ferrugem. O peso do hectolitro, massa de mil grãos e a produtividade do trigo não foram afetados negativamente pelas diferentes concentrações do óleo essencial de laranja.
Physical activity, fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients
Authors: Canário Ana Carla Gomes , Cabral Patricia Uchoa Leitão , Paiva Lucila Corsino de , Florencio Gilzandra Lira Dantas , Spyrides Maria Helena , Gonçalves Ana Katherine da Silveira
Published: March 2016

SUMMARY Objective: to evaluate the relationship between levels of physical activity, fatigue and quality of life (QOL) in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: 215 women between the ages of 40 and 65 years were recruited at a cancer clinic. Physical activity levels were assessed by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), fatigue levels by using the revised Piper scale, and QOL by means of EORTC QLQ-C30 and WHOQOL-Bref. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab statistical software, version 16. Results: the mean age of subjects was 52.66 years (SD=8.6); patients were mostly white (58.14%) and overweight (55.81%). Most women were fatigued (72.09%) while physically active women showed lower symptoms of fatigue (p<0.001). Mean scores for QOL were significantly lower among fatigued women (p<0.001). More active women scored higher on all scales of QOL (EORTC), especially for functional capacity (p<0.001), compared with the sedentary patients. A significant association was found between level of physical activity and overall QOL (WHOQOL-Bref) for all domains (p<0.001). Climacteric symptoms ranged from mild to strong and did not show any statistically significant results; however, the most active women had the fewest symptoms. Conclusion: physical activity appears to positively influence fatigue and QOL in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Advances in the endovascular treatment of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas
Authors: Aguiar Guilherme Brasileiro de , Jory Maurício , Silva João Miguel de Almeida , Conti Mario Luiz Marques , Veiga José Carlos Esteves
Published: March 2016

SUMMARY Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. They are considered direct when there is a direct connection between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These cases are generally traumatic. Direct CCFs are high-flow lesions, possibly related to intracranial bleeding, visual loss, corneal exposure or even fatal epistaxis. Treatment of such lesions is, thus, always recommended. The ideal treatment for direct CCF is to exclude the fistula from circulation, preserving the carotid flow. This can be attained using diverse endovascular techniques. The objective of the present article is to review the current techniques for treatment of direct CCFs, with special attention to the currently available endovascular treatment options.
Differences between the profiles of institutionalized elderly people and those on waiting lists and who do not want to be institutionalized
Authors: Araújo Andrea Mendes , Sousa Neto Temístocles Bezerra de , Bós Ângelo José Gonçalves
Published: March 2016

Objective To identify the demographic, environmental, economic, functional, and health characteristics and the lifestyle habits of elderly persons considering their degree of institutionalization. Method A cross-sectional observational study was carried out of individuals in long-term care institutions for the elderly (resident group) in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba, those on the waiting list (waiting list group) for such institutions, and those who did not demonstrate interest in being institutionalized (non-waiting list group). Fifty elderly persons per group were interviewed, paired by sex, age and education level. Results The non-waiting list group had a higher proportion of married individuals (p<0.0001), mean number of children (p=0.0068), number of homeowners (p=0.0060) and less difficulty going out, with a higher frequency of activities. The waiting list group presented a higher proportion of individuals living alone (p=0.0089), and a lower frequency and more difficulty going out. There was no significant difference in the functional capacity of the three groups (p=0.2019). Conclusion There were differences among the three groups; however, the waiting list group had much more similar characteristics to the resident group than the non-waiting list group. Elderly persons on waiting lists to be institutionalized represent a neglected social group both in terms of research and public policies.
Depressive disorders and comorbidities among the elderly: a population-based study
Authors: González Anne Christie Timm , Ignácio Zuleide Maria , Jornada Luciano Kurtz , Réus Gislaine Zilli , Abelaira Helena Mendes , Santos Maria Augusta Bernardini dos , Ceretta Luciane Bisognin , Quevedo João Luciano de
Published: March 2016

Objective The present study assessed the prevalence of depressive disorders and associated factors in a sample of elderly persons in the south of Santa Catarina. Methods A cross-sectional study based on population data was performed, evaluating 1021 elderly individuals aged between 60 and 79 years. Home interviews were carried out using the Portuguese version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), in order to collect demographic data, information on hypertension and reports of acute myocardial infarction. The disorders studied were current depressive episode, dysthymia and a comorbidity of a depressive episode and dysthymia, representing double depression. The comparison of mean age and prevalence was made with the t-test and other associations were analyzed using the Chi-squared test. Results The prevalence of depression was 26.2%, while 5.5% of the sample suffered from dysthymia and 2.7% experienced double depression. Risk factors for depression were: nine or more years of schooling [PR = 1.44 (1.17 to 1.77); p <0.05] and being a current smoker [OR = 1.63 (1.30-2.05); p <0.05]. Dysthymia was associated with the male gender [OR = 6.46 (3.29 to 12.64); p <0.05], reports of hypertension [OR = 2.55 (1.53 to 4.24); p <0.05] and being either a current [OR = 1.86 (1.02 to 3.42); p <0.05] or past or former [OR = 2.89 (1.48 to 5.65); p <0.05] smoker. The same risk factors as for dysthymia were found for double depression: male [OR = 4.21 (1.80 to 9.81); p <0.05], reports of hypertension [OR = 8.11 (3.32 to 19.80); p <0.05], and being either a current [OR = 5.72 (1.64 to 19.93); p <0.05] or past [PR = 13.11 (3.75 to 45.86); p <0.05] smoker. Conclusions The present study shows that depressive disorders are a common phenomenon among the elderly. The results not only corroborated with other studies, but found slightly higher levels of depressive disorders among the elderly population.
Elderly health care in the Family Health Strategy and the prevalence of common mental disorders
Authors: Onofri Júnior Venício Aurélio , Martins Vinícius Spazzapan , Marin Maria José Sanches
Published: March 2016

The aims of the present study were to characterize the reasons for medical appointments and treatment procedures of elderly people in the Estratégia Saúde da Família ("Family Health Strategy") (ESF), with emphasis on mental health, as well as to identify the prevalence of common mental disorders, and compare this with the approaches described in medical records. A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 219 elderly persons was performed by reviewing medical records and applying a Self-Response Questionnaire (SRQ-20). For this population the average number of appointments per year was three, 42.3% of appointments were to obtain a medical prescription, and 70.9% of medical procedures involved the provision of medical prescriptions. There were eight referrals to specialized mental health services. The most prescribed psychiatric drugs were anxiolytics (55%), and antidepressants (29.7%). A total of 19.6% of the elderly persons had scores above seven in the SRQ-20. It was observed that a large proportion of mental disorders were not detected, and there was a failure in the procedures adopted. More investment in patient flow and the definition of assistance criteria for this population is required.
DO SABER FAZER AO SABER DIZER: UMA ANÁLISE DO PAPEL DA RESOLUÇÃO DE PROBLEMAS NA APRENDIZAGEM CONCEITUAL DE FÍSICA.
Authors: Greca Ileana Maria , Moreira Marco Antonio
Published: March 2016

Resumo: Neste trabalho propomo-nos retomar a discussão sobre a aprendizagem procedimental e a aprendizagem conceitual, de acordo com a perspectiva da Teoria dos Campos Conceptuais de Vergnaud. Partindo de uma visão integrada de ambas as aprendizagens, argumentaremos a favor de uma postura que considere os problemas tradicionais e os problemas abertos como sendo ambos indispensáveis e complementares para a compreensão de conceitos físicos.
O MAPA ENQUANTO DISCURSO E O DISCURSO DO MAPA: ALGUMAS QUESTÕES
Authors: Gaudio Rogata Soares Del
Published: March 2016

Resumo: Este artigo procura analisar o discurso presente em alguns mapas políticos em pequena escala. Os referenciais teóricos para essa análise estão presentes no campo da Análise do Discurso. Se os mapas políticos elaborados em pequena escala exercem uma função "mistificadora", esta se apresenta sob a forma da "neutralidade e cientificidade" aparen temente presentes em sua elaboração, e a partir de nossa familiarização com eles, construída no contato cotidiano nas aulas de geografia da escola básica, e mesmo na grande imprensa.
Prevalence of uterine infection in relation to certain haematological and biochemical changes of blood serum in dairy cows
Authors: Sarkar B. , Ray K. , Sarkar U.
Published: March 2016

In the present study, blood samples of 79 cows with different uterine infections (pyometra, endometritis, cervicitis and abortion) and 41 normal cows of non-descripts and crossbreds were collected to study the prevalence of uterine infection in relation to haematological as well as biochemical changes in blood serum. In uterine infections, major infection remained endometritis which was recorded as highest (34.16%) followed by pyometra (18.33%), cervicitis (10.00%) and abortion (3.33%). Haematological study revealed a significant decrease in haemoglobin and total erythrocyte count while a significant increase in total leukocyte count in animals with uterine infection as compared to the control group. Biochemical study revealed that there was a severe decrease in serum glucose and serum cholesterol level in uterine infected cows in comparison to healthy cows. It was concluded that infection in the body, nature of the causative agents, and resistance of animal and localization of inflammatory response might be possible causes of lower biochemical parameters and haematological parameters except total leukocyte count in uterine infected cows.
A Review On Evaluation And Benefits Of Decision Support Systems
Authors: Pick Roger Alan , Weatherholt Nancy
Published: March 2016

This review paper identifies benefits from various Decision Support Systems (DSSs) and introduces a range of examples from the literature. Those examples are organized according to the driving technological architecture of the DSS. Benefits may impact a decision or the decision-making process. Some techniques for assessing the benefits of a particular DSS were also surveyed.
Finding A Recipe For Spam
Authors: Rose Chris
Published: March 2016

The prevalence of unsolicited e-mail, otherwise called spam, continues to haunt every user of the Internet. The overwhelming response to the governments do-not-call registry in which persons could register their telephone numbers in a database that will restrict telemarketers from calling, is an indication that people are becoming increasingly resentful of unwanted intrusions into their personal lives. It is estimated that more than a half of all e-mail, or over one trillion pieces of spam will reach the inboxes of Internet users this year but the problems of controlling spam are many since:(a) spam is virtually free for the sender (b) the SMTP protocol which governs the transmission of e-mail on the Internet was not designed to handle the complexities of deception and mistrust on a large network and (c) many major corporations are surreptitiously involved in spam. Although the development of a social conscience might keep some large corporations from engaging in spam, but spam, as we know it, would cease to exist only if either the cost of sending e-mail increased or a new secure protocol to exchange e-mail was developed. Of the two options, the quickest and easiest remedy would be to eliminate the reverse economics of sending spam by introducing a computing cost for sending e-mail.
Preliminary Analysis Of Interteachings Frequent Examinations Component In The Community College Classroom
Authors: Felderman Theresa A.
Published: March 2016

Interteaching has shown to be an effective alternative to traditional lecture in a number of studies, but thorough analyses of its components, including frequent exams, is limited. Research suggests that increasing the frequency of exams may improve student learning. This study assessed the effectiveness of interteachings frequent exams component on student exam scores in two introductory psychology course sections at a community college. Six unit exams were given to Section 1 and 12 to Section 2. Both sections received identical pretests and posttests. Although statistically insignificant, Section 2 consistently scored better or equal to Section 1 on all exams. Section 2 also produced a greater difference between pretest and posttest scores. Although not reaching traditionally significant levels, the results suggest that students given frequent exams may achieve higher exam scores and increase retention of overall course material.
Technology Increases Students Attention
Authors: Mosca Joseph , Paul David , Skiba Mickey
Published: March 2016

N/A
Students, Faculty, And Administrators Perception Of Students Evaluations Of Faculty In Higher Education Business Schools
Authors: Gaillard Franklin D. , Mitchell Sonja P. , Kavota Vahwere
Published: March 2016

This literature review analyzes students’ evaluations of faculty in higher education business schools.  Particularly, differences in perception amongst students, faculty and administrators are examined across variables deemed significant by scholars. Each academic year students are requested to complete faculty evaluation forms for the classes they take at almost every university (Mohammad Ahmadi, Marilyn M. Helm, Farhad Raiszadeh [2001]. Numerous approaches and research related to students’ evaluations of faculty have been conducted and have led to different results and conclusions. Students’ evaluations of faculty have been used primarily for faculty promotion, salary raises, tenure, teaching efficiency, retention or faculty dismissal. Nevertheless, students, faculty and administrators have mixed feelings and perceptions about the students’ evaluations of faculty. This paper examines the views and perceptions of business major students and faculty at the School of Business at Hampton University. Business students and faculty will be asked to complete a various survey instruments. Results will be examined and presented.
Using Graded Peer Evaluation To Improve Students Writing Skills, Critical Thinking Ability, And Comprehension Of Material In A Principles Of Public Relations Course
Authors: Todd Vicki , Hudson Jerry C.
Published: March 2016

This peer-evaluation assignment encouraged students to think critically, synthesize information and write about public relations course material rather than incorporate surface information into written assignments. Because peer reviewers can improve the grades on their final papers by offering concrete suggestions to the original authors, students tended to report that the peer-evaluation process improved their writing skills, critical thinking ability, and their understanding of public relations concepts and theories. This research demonstrates how peer evaluation can be a positive learning exercise that prompts students to develop higher-order cognitive skills and to improve their writing skills while learning discipline-specific course concepts.
Teaching Practice In The Greater Vaal Triangle Area: The Student Teachers Experience
Authors: Kiggundu Edith
Published: March 2016

Teaching Practice as observed by (Ngidi and Sibaya 2003) forms an integral part of teacher training. It exposes the students to a teaching environment in which they will contextualise their theoretical knowledge gained during their training. It also grants student teachers experience in the actual teaching and learning environment. Given the importance of teaching practice, the researcher sought to investigate the experiences of student teachers doing their teaching practice. This paper examines of the positive experiences and challenges faced by Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Post Graduate Certificate Education (PGCE) student teachers (n=24) during their 10 week teaching practice in the Vaal area. A qualitative research design was followed. Semi-structured interviews with all student teachers were used to collect the data while content analysis was used to identify themes and analyse the data. The research established that despite the enriching experiences during teaching practice, student teachers experienced many challenges which significantly affected their ability to fully achieve the desired outcomes from the exercise. Based on the findings of this study, measures were suggested on how to improve teaching Practice in order to enable the student teachers to accrue maximum benefits/ outcomes from the experience.
The Effects Of Students Predispositions Toward Communication, Learning Styles, And Sex On Academic Achievement
Authors: Allen Jerry L. , Long Kathleen M. , O'Mara Joan , Judd Ben B.
Published: March 2016

Females are more apprehensive when talking in class, but more nonverbally immediate, and prefer a collaborative learning style.  Males prefer independent and avoidant learning styles, and report learning less than females.
Maturity Effects On Students Perceptions Of How Accounting Scandals Impact The Accounting Profession
Authors: Theuri Peter , Weickgenannt Andrea
Published: March 2016

This study examines the impact of recent ethical scandals on business students’ perceptions of the accounting profession and related regulatory reforms, and whether such perceptions may be differentiated by maturity.  Student maturity is distinguished by age, class standing, and number of accounting classes taken so far.    The study results are based on a survey of student perceptions regarding their understanding of recent accounting scandals and related regulations, the adequacy of the response (from the profession as well as Congress) to these scandals, and the ensuing viability of the accounting profession.  Student maturity is found to be a significant determinant of differentiation in these perceptions.  Among the results presented, it is interesting to note that more mature students perceive the accounting profession as being more viable than less mature students; however, less mature students purport to have a better understanding of the ethical scandals.  The findings of this study have important implications for academicians in their efforts to engage students in meaningful dialog regarding ethical and professional issues.
Relationship Between Achievement Goals, Meta-Cognition And Academic Success In Pakistan
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad , Yousuf Muhammad Imran , Hussain Shafqat , Noreen Shumaila
Published: March 2016

The research was the replication of the study done by Coutinho (2006) and it aimed at finding the relationship between achievement goals, meta-cognition and academic success. Achievement goals were further divided into two types: mastery and performance. The participants were 119 students enrolled in M. A. Education, Department of Education at the University of Sargodha. The questionnaire used in the original study, along with Urdu translation, was administered to the participants. The questionnaire consisted of three sections measuring mastery goals, performance goals, and meta-cognition, respectively. The academic achievement record was taken from the Office of Department of Education. Academic achievement was taken as marked and obtained at the Matric, Intermediate, Bachelors, and M.A. levels. It was concluded there is no significant correlation between mastery goals and academic achievement. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between performance goals and academic achievement at Matric, Intermediate and Bachelor levels. However, negative correlation was observed between performance goals and achievement at the masters level. The researchers found no significant relationship between meta-cognition and academic achievement at all levels and there were no significant gender differences in mastery goals, performance goals and meta-cognition.
Ive Got The Music In Me: A Study Of Peak Musical Memory Age And The Implications For Future Advertising
Authors: Gerlich R. Nicholas , Browning Leigh , Westermann Lori
Published: March 2016

Neuropsychologists have demonstrated the effect music has on the human brain, and that a peak “musical memory age” occurs around 14, when normal bodily maturation is in progress. A group of 114 college students between the ages of 19 and 25 was exposed to short clips of the top 20 songs from each of the 11 years during their youth; participants were asked to rate their liking of each song sample on a 0-10 scale. Data analysis showed that the peak musical memory age of these students was not as precise as prior research had shown, and that overall there was difference in degree of musical affinity between age groups in the sample. This deviation from prior findings may have resulted from changes in how music is available today. Whereas specifically targeted music was once standard procedure in past TV advertising, these findings produce new implications for future TV advertising.
Commercial greenhouse water demand sensitivity analysis: single crop case study
Authors: Rice Dean C. J. , Carriveau Rupp , Ting David S.-K.
Published: March 2016

Today water distribution utilities are trying to improve operational efficiency through increased demand intelligence from their largest customers. Moving to prognostic operations allows utilities to optimally schedule and scale resources to meet demand more reliably and economically. Commercial greenhouses are large water consumers. In order to produce effective forecasting models for greenhouse water demand, the factors that drive demand must be enumerated and prioritized. In this study greenhouse water demand was modeled using artificial neural networks trained with a dataset containing eight input factors for a commercial greenhouse growing bell peppers. The dataset contained water usage, climatic and temporal data for the years 2012–2014. This model was then evaluated using the Extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test, a global sensitivity analysis, in order to determine the importance, or sensitivity, of each input factor. It was found that time of day, solar radiation, and outdoor temperature (°C) had the largest effects on the model output. These outputs could be used to contribute to the generation of a simplified demand-forecasting model.
Kinetic evaluation of nitrification performance in an immobilized cell membrane bioreactor
Authors: Güven D. , Ubay Çokgör E. , Sözen S. , Orhon D.
Published: March 2016

High rate membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems operated at extremely low sludge ages (superfast membrane bioreactors (SFMBRs)) are inefficient to achieve nitrogen removal, due to insufficient retention time for nitrifiers. Moreover, frequent chemical cleaning is required due to high biomass flux. This study aims to satisfy the nitrification in SFMBRs by using sponge as carriers, leading to the extension of the residence time of microorganisms. In order to test the limits of nitrification, bioreactor was run under 52, 5 and 2 days of carrier residence time (CRT), with a hydraulic retention time of 6 h. Different degrees of nitrification were obtained for different CRTs. Sponge immobilized SFMBR operation with short CRT resulted in partial nitrification indicating selective dominancy of ammonia oxidizers. At higher CRT, simultaneous nitrification–denitrification was achieved when accompanying with oxygen limitation. Process kinetics was determined through evaluation of the results by a modeling study. Nitrifier partition in the reactor was also identified by model calibration.
A Patient with Abnormal Kidney Function and a Monoclonal Light Chain in the Urine
Authors: Leung Nelson , Nasr Samih H.
Published: March 2016

Monoclonal gammopathy is increasingly recognized as a cause of kidney injury. These renal conditions behave differently than ones without monoclonal gammopathy and require specific treatment. To avoid misdiagnosis, testing for paraprotein should be performed in addition to vasculitis and autoimmune diseases serologies in adults with unexplained AKI or proteinuria. Because the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy is much more common than glomerular diseases, the nephrotoxicity of the monoclonal protein must be confirmed before cytotoxic therapy is initiated. This can only be done by a kidney biopsy. After a monoclonal gammopathy of renal significant is verified, the evaluation should then focus on the identification of the pathologic clone, because therapy is clone specific. We present this patient to illustrate the clinical presentation of a patient with renal dysfunction and a monoclonal gammopathy. This patient is also used to discuss the diagnostic process in detail when monoclonal gammopathy–associated renal disease is suspected.
Analyse statistique des affaires d’ententes dans l’UE (2004-2014)
Authors: Broos Sébastien , Gautier Axel , Ramos Jorge Marcos , Petit Nicolas
Published: March 2016

À partir d’une base de données originale rassemblant toutes les ententes sanctionnées par la Commission européenne depuis mai 2004, nous présentons des résultats statistiques relatifs au « design » des ententes et aux aspects procéduraux au niveau de la Commission et du Tribunal de l’Union européenne. L’étude souligne l’importance de la clémence et de la récidive, la première étant sollicitée par plus de la moitié des entreprises et donnant lieu à une réduction d’amende de 37 % en moyenne ; la seconde étant fréquente avec 27 % des condamnations qui concernent des récidivistes sans que la majoration de l’amende soit systématique. L’étude montre aussi l’importance de l’appel devant le Tribunal et son faible taux de succès avec un taux de maintien des amendes de 63 %. Enfin, l’étude met en avant certains facteurs qui influencent le succès de l’appel, comme l’importance de l’affaire.
Rétention des demandeurs d’asile et droit à la liberté et à la sûreté : Les errements stratégiques de la Cour de justice
Authors: Peyronnet Chloé
Published: March 2016

Si les renvois préjudiciels en appréciation de validité permettent de contrôler la conformité du droit dérivé au droit primaire, ils sont aussi l’occasion de préciser les contours de ce dernier. Dans l’affaire J. N., le Conseil d’État néerlandais interrogeait la Cour de justice sur la conformité de la rétention des demandeurs d’asile telle qu’encadrée par la directive « accueil » au droit à la liberté et à la sûreté. Y répondre impliquait de clarifier la teneur de ce droit, auquel la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne et la Convention de sauvegarde des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales accordent une protection différenciée. Renvoyant implicitement à son avis 2/13, la Cour de justice écarte sans ambages l’article 5 de la Convention EDH pour proposer une interprétation autonome de l’article 6 de la Charte des droits fondamentaux. Cette théorie de la « Charte-écran » ne doit pas tromper : possible symptôme d’une volonté d’émancipation, elle permet surtout d’éviter la circonscription de la rétention des demandeurs d’asile aux hypothèses liées à une procédure pénale, conséquence inévitable d’un contrôle au regard de la Convention.
The Role of Stimulus Specificity and Attention in the Generalization of Extinction
Authors: Barry Tom J. , Griffith James W. , Vervliet Bram , Hermans Dirk
Published: March 2016

Exposure therapy for anxiety is effective but fear can still return afterward. This may be because the stimuli that people are exposed to are dissimilar from the stimuli to which fear was originally acquired.

After pairing an animal-like image (A) with a shock stimulus (US), a perceptually similar stimulus (B) was presented without the US in extinction. Participants were then shown A (ABA), a second generalization stimulus (ABC) or B (ABB).

Groups ABA and ABC evidenced a return of US expectancy relative to participants who were shown B (ABB). Participants in group ABC who self-reported high levels of attentional control evidenced greater return of expectancy relative to participants low in attentional control. Participants with a high level of attentional control also showed steeper extinction gradients.

Attentional control may influence perceptions of similarity and the learning that follows. Making note of such differences may be valuable in exposure treatment for anxiety.
The Relationship between Negative Problem Orientation and Worry: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Clarke James Bowness , Ford Michelle , Heary Sara , Rodgers Jacqui , Freeston Mark H.
Published: March 2016

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can have a significant detrimental effect on the lives of sufferers. Research into the psychological process involved in worry has an important role in the prevention and treatment of problems such as GAD. Negative problem orientation (NPO) has been identified as an important psychological construct involved in worry (Gosselin, Ladouceur & Pelletier, 2005). The focus of this meta-analytic review was to further our understanding of the relationship between NPO and worry, and a related construct called intolerance of uncertainty (IU). The review identified 31 articles reporting correlations between measures of NPO and worry. These articles detailed a total of 33 independent effect sizes. Using a random-effects model and raw and attenuation-corrected values, NPO was found to be significantly correlated to worry (r = 0.57, CI = 0.55–0.60, k = 33, N = 5376). The type of NPO measure moderated the relationship between NPO and worry. In addition, NPO was found to be significantly correlated with IU (r= 0.71, CI = 0.69–0.73, k = 14, N = 3072) and more strongly correlated with IU than with worry (p<.05). The findings have implications for theory, research and practice. Issues in the measurement of NPO are discussed, and the relationship between NPO and IU is considered.
Psychotherapy and Antidepressant Treatment Effects on the Functional Neuroanatomy of Depression
Authors: Sankar Anjali , Fu Cynthia H.Y.
Published: March 2016

The present review examines the functional neural correlates of the effects of antidepressant medication as well as psychological therapy in depression. There has been considerable evidence to suggest that antidepressant medications normalize dysfunctional activity in limbic regions, in particular the amygdala, as well as in subcortical and prefrontal regions in patients during processing of emotional and cognitive stimuli. Fewer studies to date have examined psychotherapy related brain changes in patients with depression, with some evidence for amygdala-hippocampal reductions following psychological therapies. There may be potential common therapeutic mechanisms of action with antidepressants and psychotherapy. The specificity of effects related to pharmacological and psychological therapies as well as to different classes of pharmacotherapy and effects due to improvements in the severity of depressive symptoms requires further investigation. Anterior cingulate activity as a predictor of clinical response before initiation of antidepressant treatment has been highly replicated, while evidence from CBT has been mixed. In order to derive clinical applications from these findings, machine learning methods have been applied to ascertain diagnosis and prognosis at the individual level with high accuracy. Future research should also aim to investigate whether integration of neuroimaging biomarkers based on multiple neural processes, such as affective and cognitive processing and structural neuroimaging, would achieve more accurate classification. This would help to optimize treatment strategies which are particularly important for those patients who may be less likely to benefit from the usual initial therapies.
Experimental Psychopathology and Clinical Psychology: An Integrative Model to Guide Clinical Science and Practice
Authors: Waters Allison M. , LeBeau Richard T. , Craske Michelle G.
Published: March 2016

Experimental psychopathology has elucidated mechanisms underlying various forms of psychopathology and has contributed to the continuous updating and generation of mechanistically-focused and evidence-based psychological treatments. Clinical psychology is an applied field of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders and behavioral problems. Despite the notable commonality in their focus upon psychological dysfunction, conceptual frameworks that guide their integration are surprisingly scarce. Clinical science and practice would benefit greatly from the combined strengths of each discipline. In this review, we begin by defining experimental psychopathology and clinical psychology, we present arguments for greater integration between them, and we propose a model to guide the integration of experimental psychopathology-informed science into clinical practice, illustrating the relevance of the model by drawing upon the seminal research on fear conditioning and extinction and other experimental paradigms.
Causal Inference in Psychopathology: A Systematic Review of Mendelian Randomisation Studies Aiming to Identify Environmental Risk Factors for Psychopathology
Authors: Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Cecil Charlotte A. M. , Murray Joseph , Munafò Marcus R , Viding Essi
Published: March 2016

Psychopathology represents a leading cause of disability worldwide. Effective interventions need to target risk factors that are causally related to psychopathology. In order to distinguish between causal and spurious risk factors, it is critical to account for environmental and genetic confounding. Mendelian randomisation studies use genetic variants that are independent from environmental and genetic confounders in order to strengthen causal inference. We conducted a systematic review of studies (N = 19) using Mendelian randomisation to examine the causal role of putative risk factors for psychopathology-related outcomes including depression, anxiety, psychological distress, schizophrenia, substance abuse/antisocial behaviour, and smoking initiation. The most commonly examined risk factors in the reviewed Mendelian randomisation studies were smoking, alcohol use and body mass index. In most cases, risk factors were strongly associated with psychopathology-related outcomes in conventional analyses but Mendelian randomisation indicated that these associations were unlikely to be causal. However, Mendelian randomisation analyses showed that both smoking and homocysteine plasma levels may be causally linked with schizophrenia. We discuss possible reasons for these diverging results between conventional and Mendelian randomisation analyses and outline future directions for progressing research in ways that maximise the potential for identifying targets for intervention.
Could a Unified Theory of Cognition and Emotion Further the Transdiagnostic Perspective? A Critical Analysis Using Interacting Cognitive Subsystems as a Case Example
Authors: Cowdrey Felicity A , Lomax Claire , Gregory James D , Barnard Philip J
Published: March 2016

There is evidence that common processes underlie psychological disorders transdiagnostically. A challenge for the transdiagnostic movement is accounting for such processes theoretically. Theories of psychological disorders are traditionally restricted in scope, often explaining specific aspects of a disorder. The alternative to such ‘micro-theories’ is developing frameworks which explain general human cognition, so called ‘macro-theories’, and applying these systematically to clinical phenomena. Interacting Cognitive Subsystems (ICS) [Teasdale, J.D., & Barnard, P.J. (1993). Affect, cognition and change: Re-modelling depressive thought, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hove] is a macro-theory which aims to explain aspects of information processing. The aim of this review is to examine whether ICS provides a useful platform for understanding common processes which maintain psychological disorders. The core principles of ICS are explained and theoretical papers adopting ICS to explain a particular psychological disorder or symptom are considered. Dysfunctional schematic mental models, reciprocal interactions between emotional and intellectual beliefs, as well as attention and memory processes, are identified as being important to the maintenance of psychological disorders. Concrete examples of how such variables can be translated into novel therapeutic strategies are given. The review concludes that unified theories of cognition and emotion have the potential to drive forward developments in transdiagnostic thinking, research and treatment.
Measuring Teachers’ Adherence to Ethical Principles in Educational Assessment
Authors: Alkharusi Hussain A.
Published: March 2016

Although educational assessment is one of the main responsibilities of the teachers, there has been little research designed to examine ethical principles in the daily classroom assessment practices of the teachers. Using a descriptive survey research design, the purposes of the current study were to develop a measure of the teachers’ adherence to the ethical principles in educational assessment and identify teachers’ characteristics associated with it. Participants were 3557 teachers teaching grades 5 to 12 in public schools across all educational governorates in Oman. Principal components analysis of the teachers’ responses to an 11-items survey revealed three dimensions of the ethical principles in educational assessment: confidentiality, test integrity, and transparency. Internal consistency reliability ranged from .64 to .78. The correlations among the dimensions ranged from .19 to .32. Construct validity was evidenced by the statistically significant positive low correlation of .10 between the dimensions and knowledge of educational assessment ethics. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed statistically significant differences in levels of adherence to the ethical principles in educational assessment among teachers with respect to gender, educational qualification, teaching subject, teaching experience, and training in educational assessment. It was concluded that the measure developed in this study has the potential to provide educators and researchers with valuable information to understand teachers’ adherence to the ethical principles in educational assessment.
The Reference of Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy to Remodel Chinese’s Personality
Authors: Yuan Zhang , Tao Yu
Published: March 2016

In China, the traditional moral is absolute holism which caused the traditional personality a blind altuism and be short of healthy individualism. And more seriously, servility in the personality of Chinese people is a severe weakness rooted in the traditional morals of China which was criticised by Chinese scholars fierecely, and this major defect of Chinese personality is the huge obstacle of the development of modern Chinese thought. To eliminate all the weakness of Chinese traditional morality and to renew the personality of Chinese, we could learn from the essence of Nietzsche’s theories of “superman morality” which advocated the independent and self-esteem strongly, thus create an independent personality for Chinese which urges people to be free, self-esteem, creative, courageous and with healthy psychology. 
Can Academic Performance Enhance Group Membership and Leadership among Student Entrepreneurs in Malaysia?
Authors: Ekpe Isidore , Mat Norsiah
Published: March 2016

This study examined the effect of academic performance on social group membership and future leadership among student entrepreneurs in Malaysia so as to enhance good quality leaders in the future. Underpinned to Blau’s social exchange theory, the study adopted survey method and proportionate stratified random sampling to collect data from 319 semester-5 university students from three public universities in Malaysia. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics and regression methods. We found that high academic performance significantly and positively influenced future leadership among Malaysian student entrepreneurs. Therefore, the government and the universities management should initiate more advocacy programs to counsel students on the need to focus on their studies so as to earn better grades which would enhance their active participation in leadership activities after school. However, there was no evidence to prove that academic performance had any influence on group membership among the student entrepreneurs. The study was limited to university business students. Similar studies could be conducted on youths in other academic institutions such as secondary schools.
Process Innovation, Alliances, and the Interplay of Firm Age: Early Evidence from Italian Small Firms
Authors: Bettinelli Cristina , Bergamaschi Mara , Kokash Rasmi , Biffignandi Silvia
Published: March 2016

We investigate whether and how process innovation of small enterprises is influenced by allying with another firm. Drawing on resource-based view of the firm and integrating findings from studies on the liabilities of age and newness, we argue: 1) for a direct association between strategic alliances and process innovation, and 2) in favor of a moderating role of firm age on this relationship. The results from a representative sample of 159 Italian small firms shed new light on the role of strategic alliances in explaining process innovation, and support this proposal. We find a significant and positive relationship between strategic alliances and process innovation, and a moderating effect of firm age on this relationship. This suggests that a younger firm benefits more than an older one from the increase in process innovation activities occurring as a result of alliances with other firms. The age of the firm appears to dictate the nature of relationship between strategic alliances and process innovation. Significant and novel theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.