bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of levosimendan in cardiogenic shock
Authors: Janen Fayçal , El Arayedh Khaoula , Labbene Iheb , Romdhani Chihebeddine , Ferjani Mustapha
Published: December 2014

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is acute inadequate tissue perfusion caused by the heart's inability to pump an adequate amount of blood. Due to the failure of classic inotrope agents, a sensitizer agent, levosimendan, has been used as a rescue therapy in such situations. In order to assess the effectiveness of levosimendan to treat CS, we studied its hemodynamic effects on patients with CS. A retrospective study was conducted at the ICU of the Military Hospital of Tunis between January 2004 and December 2009, and between January 2011 and December 2013. Twenty-six patients with CS refractory to catecholamines were included in our study. When catecholamines failed to improve the hemodynamic condition, levosimendan was introduced. This treatment was administered in two steps: a loading dose of 12 µg/kg/min was infused for 30 min; and then continuous infusion was given for 24 h at a dose of 0.1 µg/kg/min. Levosimendan significantly increased mean arterial pressure to 76 ± 7 mmHg at 48 h and cardiac index to 3.19 ± 0.68 L/min/m2 and decreased pulmonary wedge pressure to 17 ± 3 mmHg at 48 h. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly reduced at 24 h. A significant decrease in lactate from 3.77 ± 2.93 to 1.60 ± 1.32 mmol/L, by 72 h, was also noted. Levosimendan significantly reduced systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistances. Administration of levosimendan also reduced the need for catecholamines. Our study confirms the efficacy of levosimendan to stabilize hemodynamic parameters in patients with CS.
Sign evolution on multiple time scales. Introductory comments
Authors: Tylén Kristian , Bruni Luis Emilio
Published: December 2014

Th is thematic issue explores aspects of sign emergence, development and change. Rather than static entities, signs are approached as dynamic relations that grow, develop and change over time in response to various environmental, cognitive, social or biological factors.
The growth of signs
Authors: Nöth Winfried
Published: December 2014

The paper discusses the theory of semiosis in the context of Peirce’s philosophy of evolution. Focussing on the thesis that symbols grow by incorporating indices and icons, it proposes answers to the following questions: What does Peirce mean by the “self-development of signs” in nature and culture and by symbols as living things? How do signs grow? Do all signs grow, or do only symbols grow? Does the growth of signs presuppose semiotic agency, and if so, who are the agents in semiosis when signs and sign systems grow? The paper discusses objections raised by culturalists and historical linguists against the assumption that signs can still grow and are still growing in complex cultures, and it draws parallels and points out differences between Peirce’s theory of semiotic growth and the theories of memetics and teleosemiotics.
Conceptual change and development on multiple time scales: From incremental evolution to origins
Authors: Parthemore Joel
Published: December 2014

In the context of the relationship between signs and concepts, this paper tackles some of the ongoing controversies over conceptual development and change – including the claim by some that concepts are not open to revision at all – taking the position that concepts pull apart from language and that concepts can be discussed on at least four levels: that of individual agent, community, society, and language. More controversially, it claims that concepts are not just inherently open to revision but that they, and the frameworks of which they form part, are in a state of continuous, if generally incremental, change: a position that derives directly from the enactive tradition in philosophy. Concepts, to be effective as concepts, must strike a careful balance between being stable enough to apply across suitably many contexts and flexible enough to adapt to each new context. The paper’s contribution is a comparison and contrast of conceptual development and change on four time scales: that of the day-to-day life of an individual conceptual agent, the day-to-day life of society, the lifetime of an individual agent, and the lifetime of society and the human species itself. It concludes that the relationship between concepts and experience (individual or collective) is one of circular and not linear causality.
The carrying: Material frames and immaterial meanings
Authors: Wheeler Wendy
Published: December 2014

Jakob von Uexküll Lecture; University of Tartu, 30 April 2014.
Applying Peirce in Tallinn and Helsinki
Authors: Pietarinen Ahti-Veikko
Published: December 2014

Applying Peirce in Tallinn and Helsinki.
Plant diversification in the Espinhaço Range: Insights from the biogeography of Minaria (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Ribeiro Patricia Luz , Rapini Alessandro , Damascena Leilton S. , van den Berg Cássio
Published: December 2014

The Espinhaço Range, eastern Brazil, is a region with remarkable floristic diversity and endemism, which are mainly concentrated in the campo rupestre. Minaria (Apocynaceae) is a genus with 21 species, most of which are endemic to the Espinhaço Range. In the present study, we investigated the biogeography of Minaria as the basis for understanding the origin and maintenance of plant diversity and endemism in the campo rupestre of the Espinhaço Range. We assessed the ecological divergence between clades, reconstructed the historical biogeography and dated the phylogeny of Minaria based on plastid and nuclear DNA. According to our estimates, Minaria arose in the Espinhaço Range during the Neogene. Its distribution is postulated to have been driven by a trend toward long‐term retraction, interrupted by a few episodes of expansion. Ecologically, Minaria species do not present any obvious innovations that could explain their diversification by adaptive radiation. Apparently, the higher‐altitude rocky savannas in the Espinhaço Range have offered stable environments in which dry seasons and fire regimes are less intense than in savannas at lower altitudes. Isolated on rocky outcrops, lineages would be more likely to differentiate by non‐adaptive radiation, which may result in high plant diversity and endemism.
The correct author citation of the combination Eriolaena quinquelocularis (Malvaceae: Dombeyoideae) and typification of its basionym
Authors: Dorr Laurence J.
Published: December 2014

A combination in Eriolaena DC. based on Microchlaena quinquelocularis Wight & Arn. has been attributed erroneously to at least three different authors, but it is established here that a fourth author heretofore overlooked, Heber Drury, validly published the combination in 1864. A lectotype is selected for M. quinquelocularis.
A decade of uncertainty: Resolving the phylogenetic position of Diclinanona (Annonaceae), including taxonomic notes and a key to the species
Authors: Erkens Roy H.J. , Chatrou Lars W. , Chaowasku Tanawat , Westra Lubbert Y.Th. , Maas Jan W. , Maas Paul J.M.
Published: December 2014

The molecular phylogenetic placement of Diclinanona (Annonaceae) has been debated in the literature for a decade. On the basis of morphological studies the genus was thought to be related to genera now all placed in subfam. Annonoideae. This early hypothesis was supported by the first phylogenetic analyses of Annonaceae. However, more recently a placement in subfam. Malmeoideae was hypothesised based on an analysis of more plastid data, thus contradicting older but also new morphological findings and previous phylogenetic work. The current study uses newly sequenced plastid data for two species of Diclinanona to show that the earlier hypothesised placement was correct and discusses the (little) anatomical and morphological data on Diclinanona that is available in a phylogenetic framework. Furthermore, an online revision of the three species of Diclinanona is presented in order to update the taxonomic knowledge of this genus.
Neotypification of the name Plantago alpina (Plantaginaceae)
Authors: Di Pietro Romeo , Iamonico Duilio
Published: December 2014

The typification of the Linnaean name Plantago alpina (Plantaginaceae) is discussed. A specimen from the Haller Herbarium (GOET) is designated as the neotype.
Integrating DNA barcode data in a monographic study of Convolvulus
Authors: Williams Bethany R.M. , Mitchell Thomas C. , Wood John R.I. , Harris David J. , Scotland Robert W. , Carine Mark A.
Published: December 2014

The stage at which DNA sequence data is incorporated into the taxonomic process and the extent of its contribution has been much discussed, but rarely in the context of assembling a taxonomic revision or monograph of a sizeable group of organisms. We present a new approach, the “foundation monograph”, which incorporates DNA sequence data into a large taxonomic study in a fast and pragmatic way, thereby overhauling the taxonomy of species‐rich, problematic plant groups. In this pilot study we focus on Convolvulus and use this group to exemplify how DNA barcode data can be utilised in the production of a “foundation monograph”. DNA was extracted from 310 accessions, representing 140 species, most of which (285) were herbarium specimens. Samples were sequenced for the proposed plant barcoding markers rbcL, matK and ITS. Sequencing success for each marker was 74%, 49% and 63% respectively. Of the 189 species of Convolvulus recognized to date, 74% (140 species) were sampled and 68% (128 species) were successfully sequenced for at least one region. Specimen age did not impact sequencing success except in the case of matK, the longest region. Eighty percent of the species sampled exhibited combined rbcL + matK barcodes not shared with another species. The addition of ITS increased this proportion to 99%. Phylogenetic analyses of the chloroplast (152 accessions representing 90 Convolvulus species) and nuclear (200 accessions representing 112 Convolvulus species) datasets both resulted in a well‐resolved and well‐supported topology, and revealed four main clades with strong geographical signal. Convolvulus appeared as paraphyletic with respect to Calystegia. Species limits of eight species complexes in which morphological delimitation proved difficult and for which multiple accessions were obtained were evaluated using the phylogenetic framework as a basis. Our study highlights the utility of herbarium specimens as a source of material for DNA extractions as well as the utility of DNA barcode data in the production of a “foundation monograph”, while also providing a robust, well‐sampled and well‐supported framework within which generic relationships, character evolution and biogeography can be investigated.
An Integrated Approach to Tactical Transportation Planning in Logistics Networks
Authors: Harks Tobias , König Felix G. , Matuschke Jannik , Richter Alexander T. , Schulz Jens
Published: December 2014

We propose a new mathematical model for transport optimization in logistics networks on the tactical level. The main features include accurately modeled tariff structures and the integration of spatial and temporal consolidation effects via a cyclic pattern expansion. Using several graph-based gadgets, we are able to formulate our problem as a capacitated network design problem. To solve the model, we propose a local search procedure that reroutes flow of multiple commodities at once. Initial solutions are generated by various heuristics, relying on shortest path augmentations and LP techniques. As an important subproblem we identify the optimization of tariff selection on individual links, which we prove to be NP-hard and for which we derive exact as well as fast greedy approaches. We complement our heuristics by lower bounds from an aggregated mixed-integer programming formulation with strengthened inequalities. In a case study from the automotive, chemical, and retail industries, we prove that most of our solutions are within a single-digit percentage of the optimum.
Nurse prescribers’ experiences of recording prescribing data to the Minimum Data Set in Ireland
Authors: Creedon Rena , McCarthy Suzanne , Kennedy Julia
Published: December 2014

This study aimed to investigate and enhance understanding of nurse prescribers’ experiences of working with the Irish national data gathering system for nurse prescribing: the Minimum Data Set (MDS) in Irish clinical practice. A phenomenological research design was used, collecting data via semi-structured interviews using a purposive sample of practising nurse prescribers. The study identified three recurrent themes: communication, workload/time, and attitudes. The MDS produces only standard national reports (lists) on nurse/midwife prescribing that cannot be utilised efficiently to inform practice or understand health service needs. Nurses have reacted to this situation and evaluate the MDS in the context of their clinical setting, identifying conflicting demands and expectations and an increased workload as factors that correlated negatively with the process of collecting nurse prescribing data. Consultation and evaluation is required, particularly to analyse the nurse prescribers’ views of collecting data and working with the MDS in the context of the major adjustments that the Irish health service has experienced over the past 6 years.
Modelling district nurse expertise
Authors: Burke Michelle
Published: December 2014

As changes in society and health provision mean that one in four people over the age of 75 will require nursing care at home, pre-registration adult nurse education increasingly prepares student nurses for a future career within the community. District nurses undertake complex, multidimensional health and social assessments and care in a non-clinical setting and work in partnership with patients and their significant others to promote practical and psychological coping mechanisms and self-care. The district nurse's first assessment visit is key to developing a therapeutic partnership and it is often during this visit that expertise in district nursing practice emerges. The holistic, contextual and dynamic aspects of nursing in the home setting can make district nursing expertise difficult to illustrate and demonstrate within the classroom setting. This article explores the ways in which an understanding of expertise development theory can enable the tacit expertise that occurs within the first assessment visit to be made visible to student nurses, using simulation and expert narrative as a pedagogical strategy.
Book Reviews
Authors: Wray Julie
Published: December 2014

As Abramsky and Chappie state: ‘the purpose of this book is to clarify the issues and lay the foundation for debate’ concerning the human side of prenatal diagnosis. The overall aim is to make people think…and I believe it does this beautifully.
Dose- and time-dependent effects of triamcinolone acetonide on human rotator cuff-derived cells
Authors: Harada Y. , Kokubu T. , Mifune Y. , Inui A. , Sakata R. , Muto T. , Takase F. , Kurosaka M.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To investigate the appropriate dose and interval for the administration of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in treating tendinopathy to avoid adverse effects such as tendon degeneration and rupture.

Methods

Human rotator cuff-derived cells were cultured using three media: regular medium (control), regular medium with 0.1 mg/mL of TA (low TA group), and with 1.0 mg/mL of TA (high TA group). The cell morphology, apoptosis, and viability were assessed at designated time points.

Results

In the low TA group, the cells became flattened and polygonal at seven days then returned to normal at 21 days. The cell apoptosis ratio and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of caspase-3, 7, 8, and 9 increased, and viability was reduced in the low and high groups at seven days. In the low TA group, apoptosis and viability returned to normal at 21 days, however, in the high TA group, the cell morphology, apoptosis ratio, caspase-3, 7, 8, and 9 and viability did not return by day 21. Re-administration was performed in the low TA group at 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals, and cell viability did not return to the control level at the 7- and 14-day intervals.

Conclusion

A 0.1 mg/mL dose of TA temporarily decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis, which was recovered at 21 days, however, 1 mg/mL of TA caused irreversible damage to cell morphology and viability. An interval > three weeks was needed to safely re-administer TA. These findings may help determine the appropriate dose and interval for TA injection therapy. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:328–34.
Effect of Different Extenders and Storage Periods on Motility and Fertility of Ram Sperm
Authors: Stefanov Rossen Georgiev , Anev Georgi , Abadjieva Desislava Vasileva
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to test the effect of extenders containing different sugar in their composition on ram sperm motility and pregnancy rate of ewe’s following artificial insemination. Semen were collected from ten North-east Bulgarian fine-fleece breed and tested for quality. Semen was diluted with different extenders, with di- and trisaccharides. A series of experiments were repeated in triplicate. Total motility was determined by using Sperm Analysis (SCA, Microptic, Spain). A total of 200 North-east Bulgarian fine-fleece breed mature ewes were used for cervical insemination with a sperm dose at the concentration of 100 × 106 spermatozoa. Pregnancies were diagnosed 60 days after AI by - a real-time ultrasonic scan device (Alloka SSD 500). In conclusion, our experiments demonstrated that higher sperm motility after storage at 4°C for 24 hours and 48 hours has a ram spermatozoa diluted with extender 1, with combination of disaccharides (sucrose and lactose) and trisaccharides (rafinosa). This semen extender (number 1) can be used for successful insemination of ewes and to enhance pregnancy rate after artificial insemination.
O IMAGINÁRIO DE ESTUDANTES DE LICENCIATURA SOBRE EXERCÍCIOS EM AULAS DE FÍSICA
Authors: Almeida Maria José Pereira Monteiro de
Published: December 2014

O estudo aqui apresentado foi realizado a partir das produções de licenciandos em Física no âmbito de uma disciplina na qual a formulação de questões abertas constituiu um aspecto central da metodologia de ensino e foram trabalhados artigos envolvendo diferentes estratégias de ensino. As avaliações deram prioridade à noção de autoria como é compreendida na análise do discurso iniciada na França por Michel Pechêux. Nessa vertente a autoria circunstancia a repetição com três possibilidades, empírica como exercício mnemônico, formal como técnica de produzir frases, ou seja, um exercício gramatical, e histórica como a que inscreve o dizer no repetível enquanto memória constitutiva, saber discursivo, em uma palavra interdiscurso. Esta noção orientou as leituras das produções dos licenciandos, principalmente das respostas às questões abertas e a um artigo escrito por eles, o que motivou as seguintes questões: como as aulas pautadas na realização de exercícios se constituíram modelo para aulas de física, no imaginário desses estudantes de licenciatura em Física? Como superar esse modelo? Entre os resultados do estudo destacamos a constatação da relevância de se buscar compreender aspectos do imaginário dos futuros professores. Concluímos que se em sua formação os professores de Física só tiverem aulas pautadas em exercícios dificilmente seus imaginários apontarão para aulas de outra natureza.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v22i23.1750
GRUPO DE PROFESSORES DE FÍSICA MODERNA: O GRUPO DE ESTUDO/DISCUSSÃO COMO ESTRATÉGIA FORMADORA DE AUTONOMIA DOCENTE EM PROFESSORES DE FÍSICA
Authors: Silva João Ricardo Neves da , Fusinato Polônia Altoé , Araya Ana Maria Osório , Lino Alex
Published: December 2014

Este trabalho tem por objetivo fazer uma reflexão sobre as intenções dos grupos de formação continuada de professores para promover o desenvolvimento de características de professores consideradas importantes pelas pesquisas acadêmicas. Com base na hipótese de que os grupos de estudo/discussão de tópicos específicos de física podem surtir efeitos significativos e recomendados pela literatura da área, apóia-se nas proposições do educador José Contreras Domingo sobre autonomia docente e faz-se uma sistematização dos resultados de um trabalho em um grupo de formação continuada de professores de física que se pauta nessa metodologia, no qual se obteve sucesso em desenvolver as características de autonomia docente. Foi possível identificar nos professores participantes desse trabalho as características defendidas pelo referencial adotado e, a partir da perspectiva da formação para autonomia, relacionar os resultados obtidos com um panorama geral da formação continuada de professores de física, propondo inclusive o modelo estudado como referencia no que concerne a este tipo de formação.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v22i23.1752
INVESTIR NO PRÉ-ESCOLAR NA AFRICA SUBSAARIANA. UMA SÍNTESE DA LITERATURA INTERNACIONAL
Authors: Akkari Abdeljalil , Loomis Colleen , Lauwerier Thibaut
Published: December 2014

Esta revisão de literatura integra e sintetiza os conhecimentos existentes sobre educação da primeira infância e dos programas pré-escolares com o objetivo de avaliar sob quais condições a pré-escolarização tem um impacto positivo sobre o desenvolvimento cognitivo e social das crianças em idade pré-escolar e sobre os seus resultados escolares posteriores. Quatro condições fundamentais se destacam na literatura existente sobre o ensino pré-escolar de qualidade em contextos desfavorecidos: 1. Modelos pedagógicos pertinentes; 2. Uma educação ancorada na cultura local; 3. Implicação das famílias e das comunidades; 4. Programas sanitários e nutricionais ligados ao pré-escolar.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v22i23.1765
PESQUISA ETNOGRÁFICA COM CRIANÇAS: CAMINHOS TEÓRICO-METODOLÓGICOS
Authors: De Azevedo Nair Correia Salgado , Betti Mauro
Published: December 2014

Esse artigo problematiza questões metodológicas nas pesquisas educacionais realizadas com crianças pequenas. Aborda a pesquisa qualitativa de caráter etnográfico, destacando a observação participante como uma das estratégias mais adequadas para pesquisas realizadas em escolas que atendem crianças nos dois anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, ou seja, alunos entre seis e sete anos de idade. Sugere-se que a pesquisa de caráter etnográfico e a observação participante podem diminuir as diferenças existentes entre observador (adulto) e observado (crianças), ao considerar a cultura de pares na infância, possibilitando que o pesquisador insira-se com mais propriedade a realidade cultural de um determinado grupo. Além disso, é preciso respeitar princípios éticos, considerar as especificidades das crianças dessa faixa etária e utilizar várias estratégias para a geração de dados empíricos, de modo a possibilitar-lhes participação mais ativa nas pesquisas educacionais que tem como objeto de estudo a infância. Conclui-se que, dessa forma, seria possível contribuir para que as crianças pequenas sejam reconhecidas como produtoras de conhecimento e sujeitos do processo investigativo.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v25i2.3189
Der Digitale Assistent: Halbautomatisches Verfahren der Sacherschließung in der Zentralbibliothek Zürich
Authors: Malits Andrea , Schäuble Peter
Published: December 2014

Seit Juni 2013 ist der Digitale As­sistent in den Workflow der Erschließungsprozesse der Zentralbibliothek Zürich integriert. Das System des Di­gitalen Assistenten kombiniert automatisch unterstützte Prozesse und intellektuelle Sacherschließung: Es werden Schlagwortvorschläge generiert, die danach intellektuell von den Fachreferenten überprüft werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Entwicklung des Digitalen Assis­tenten im Kontext der Praxis der Sacherschließung im Allgemeinen und in der Zentralbibliothek Zürich im Speziellen skizziert. Im Anschluss werden die unterschied­lichen Prozesse der Datenverarbeitung des Systems näher erläutert, sodann wird auf Basis von Statistiken ein erstes Resümee gezogen. Ausführungen zu technischen Spezifikationen runden den Bericht ab.
Zum Text von Sapph. Fr. 44A a–b V.
Authors: Benelli Luca
Published: December 2014

Textual notes on a series of verses from Sappho Fr. 44A a-b V. At the beginning of v. 3 the new textual supplement ἐν Δάλωι κρανάαι Κρ]ονίδαι μεγαλωνύμω̣<ι> is very likely and would solve the textual problems linked with this verse.
A collection of chreiai: P.Mich. inv. 41 Revisited
Authors: Mauleón Cristina Iturralde
Published: December 2014

New readings in P.Mich. inv. 41 suggest that the fragment has transmitted a catalogue of chreiai attributed to different well-known people.
Papiri ‘a fumetti’: P.Oxy. XXII 2331 e P.Köln IV 179
Authors: Russo Giuseppe
Published: December 2014

P.Oxy. XXII 2331 (3
Un nuovo papiro di palmomanzia nell’Università del Michigan
Authors: Litinas Nikos
Published: December 2014

A Michigan papyrus preserves one of the earliest testimonies of muscle divination (divination based on the observation of involuntary muscle movements). It is also important because a reading in a Latin translation of the 16th century is supported by the text of the papyrus.
Sale on Delivery for Reeds
Authors: Gad Usama
Published: December 2014

Edition of P.Col. inv. 156, a sale on delivery for 132 bundles of reeds agreed between the sons of Phoibammon from the Oxyrhynchite nome (Andreas, Matheias and a third son whose name is lost) and Alexander the trader from the nearby Kynopolite nome. The delivery is to be made in Pauni of a fourteenth indiction. A date in the 5
Un exercice épistolaire arabe adressé au gouverneur Ǧābir ibn al-ʾʾAšʿ at̲
Authors: Vanthieghem Naïm
Published: December 2014

Edition of an Arabic school exercise mentioning the Arabic governor of Egypt Ǧābir ibn al-ʾʾAšʿat̲ . The paper gives an insight into the world of Arabic school exercises and attempts for the first time to establish a typology of such exercises.
Les archives des marchands d’étoffes du Fayoum revisitées I. Un nouveau ḏikr ḥaqq du marchand Abū Hurayra
Authors: Vanthieghem Naïm
Published: December 2014

This article reassesses the Arabic documents in the Louvre Museum, and offers an edition of a new legal document of the so-called archive of the fabric merchants of the Fayyum.
Legendary Aspects of Ramon Llull
Authors: Valriu Caterina
Published: December 2014

Ramon Llull’s life is associated with classic legendary themes. Legends that dwell on his conversion show the pathway from a courtier to a spiritual person, while others that revolve around divine apparitions can be tied in with the hagiographic theme of the chosen one, and stories about Llull the wise or the alchemist tend to emphasize his intelligence and expressive capacity. Legends that focus on his saintliness illustrate different aspects (the convert, the wise and enlightened man, the evangelizer, the pious hermit or the holy protector), whereas the legend of the stoning extols Llull’s life and legacies. Underlying all these legends is a sense of popular devotion and the purpose of canonizing Ramon Llull.
Nutzergenerierte Reisewarnungen auf Twitter: Eine Explorative Analyse / User-Generated Travel Warnings on Twitter: An Explorative Analysis
Authors: Noyen Kay , Wortmann Felix
Published: December 2014

Viele internationale auswärtige Ämter nutzen die Online-Plattform Twitter mittlerweile als Kanal für Reisewarnungen. Dieser neue Informationskanal erlaubt den Betrieb von Anwendungen, die einem breiten Publikum aktuelle, hochqualitative Reiserisikoinformationen zugänglich machen. Unsere explorative Forschung hat das Ziel, die Rolle der Informationsquelle und Zielgruppe einer solchen Anwendung zu untersuchen. Die Resultate unserer Analyse zeigen keine substantiellen Hinweise darauf, dass nutzergenerierte Inhalte per se ungeeignet als Informationsquelle sind. Zusätzlich zeigt unsere Analyse, dass Vielreisende eine besonders interessante Zielgruppe sind.
Einfluss von Layout-Prinzipien auf die ästhetische Wahrnehmung von Web-Seiten / On the Influence of Layout Heuristics on the Aesthetic Perception of Web Pages
Authors: Müller Kerstin , Schrepp Martin
Published: December 2014

Ein mittlerweile gut untersuchtes Phänomen ist der Zusammenhang zwischen wahrgenommener Usability und wahrgenommener Ästhetik. Wie mehrere Studien zeigten, werden als ästhetisch empfundene Produkte oft auch als gut und einfach bedienbar wahrgenommen. Ästhetische Gestaltung ist also ein wichtiges Kriterium für den Erfolg eines interaktiven Produkts. Für die Gestaltung einer Benutzerschnittstelle ist es daher wichtig zu wissen, wie sich konkrete Gestaltungsentscheidungen auf die ästhetische Wahrnehmung auswirken. Wir untersuchen mehrere bekannte Heuristiken für die Gestaltung des Layouts, d. h. der Anordnung der Elemente auf der Benutzerschnittstelle. In unserer Studie wurde überprüft, ob diese Layout-Prinzipien überhaupt einen Einfluss auf die ästhetische Wahrnehmung haben und ob sich die Stärke dieses Einflusses zwischen verschiedenen Layout-Prinzipien unterscheidet. Für die Studie wurden Varianten von acht Web- Seiten erstellt, die sich in Bezug auf die Layout-Prinzipien systematisch unterschieden. Die Teilnehmer der Studie hatten die Aufgabe, diese Varianten bzgl. ihres ästhetischen Eindrucks in eine Rangreihe zu bringen. Über eine Conjoint-Analyse wurde für die verschiedenen Gestaltungsmechanismen bestimmt, wie stark sie die ästhetische Wahrnehmung der Teilnehmer beeinflussten. Aus der Studie ergibt sich aus methodischer Sicht, dass sich Empfehlungen für die Gestaltung eines Layouts durch systematische Variation realer Web-Seiten in Verbindung mit einer Conjoint-Analyse relativ leicht ableiten lassen. Weiterhin konnten eine Reihe von Empfehlungen formuliert werden, die für konkrete Design-Entscheidungen hilfreich sein können.
Tangicons: Ein be-greifbares Lernspiel mit kognitiven, motorischen und sozialen Aktivitäten / Tangicons: A Tangible Educational Game with Cognitive, Motor and Social Activities
Authors: Winkler Thomas , Scharf Florian , Hahn Claudia , Wolters Christian , Herczeg Michael
Published: December 2014

Dieser Beitrag diskutiert das Konzept der Tangicons, einem nicht-kompetitiven Lernspiel mit be-greifbaren Programmierbausteinen. Tangicons wurden in einem gemeinsamen Designprozess mit Kindern entwickelt. Ziel ist es, Kinder im Vor- und Grundschulalter in einer gemeinsamen Lernsituation mit logisch-abstrakten Problemstellungen zu konfrontieren, während sie fein- und grobmotorisch Handeln. Das Konzept, welches über drei Systemgenerationen in den letzten Jahren entwickelt worden ist, wird im Beitrag in der Forschung verortet, auf zeitgemäße pädagogische Ansätze bezogen und am Beispiel eines Spiels der dritten Systemgeneration erläutert. In Evaluationen gewonnene Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse münden in einem Fazit. Abschließend werden Fragen für weitere Untersuchungen benannt.
Nutzerzentrierte Produktentwicklung im interdisziplinären Team / Am Beispiel der IAV Messdatenplattform
Authors: Endmann Anja
Published: December 2014

Kreative Lösungen entstehen nur in Ausnahmefällen durch Zufall oder durch „Heureka“-Momente einer einzelnen Person. Doch wie können Ideen und Konzepte entsprechend der Nutzerbedürfnisse, aber auch in Abhängigkeit der technischen Machbarkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit kostengünstig agil entwickelt werden? Innovation bei gleichzeitiger Senkung der Entwicklungskosten und -zeit kann durch zwei Aspekte erzielt werden: 1. die kontinuierliche Einbeziehung des Nutzers über den gesamten Entwicklungsprozess und 2. durch ein interdisziplinäres Projektteam, das über alle Phasen des Projektes zusammenarbeitet. Nur so lässt sich ein gemeinsames Verständnis für die Nutzer und deren Problemstellungen aufbauen sowie die Entwicklung einer innovativen, technisch realisierbaren, wirtschaftlichen und den Nutzerbedürfnissen entsprechende Lösungen realisieren. Der nachfolgende Artikel beschreibt anhand eines Praxisbeispiels, wie eine interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit im Kontext einer nutzerzentrierten agilen Produktentwicklung funktionieren kann.
Accuracy of ultrasound in estimating fetal weight and growth discordancy in triplet pregnancies
Authors: Weissman Amir , Matanes Emad , Drugan Arie
Published: December 2014

Aims: Sonographic estimation of fetal weight is a fundamental part of the routine obstetrical practice and may affect management decisions particularly in multiple gestations. The data available on the accuracy of sonographic estimation of fetal weight in triplets are very limited. In the present study we investigated the accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation and discordancy in triplet gestations.

Methods: We analyzed the sonographic data of 33 sets of triplets born at one medical center between January 2001 and March 2013. Estimated fetal weight was calculated from biometric measurements and compared with actual neonatal weights following delivery. The Pearson correlation coefficient, linear regression analyses, and Bland-Altman method were used for statistical comparisons.

Results: The differences between predicted and actual birth weights (ABW) were <10% in 69 newborns (70%), 10%–20% in 19 newborns (19%), and more than 20% in 11 newborns (11%). There was a good correlation between predicted and ABW (correlation coefficient=0.928, r
2=0.86, P<0.0001).

Conclusions: Weight assessment in triplets does not fall behind that of singletons or twins, and decisions based upon these examinations are reliable in the majority of cases.
Mesoporous Au-loaded Fe2O3 Nanoparticle Assemblies for Chemoselective Reduction of Nitroarenes
Authors: Papadas Ioannis , Fountoulaki Stella , Lykakis Ioannis N. , Armatas Gerasimos S.
Published: December 2014

In this article, we report the synthesis of unique mesoporous Au-loaded Fe2O3nanoparticle assemblies (Au/Fe2O3-NPAs) through a surfactant-assisted aggregating assembly method. The resulting network structure, which composed of small Au nanocrystals (ca. 5 nm) finely dispersed on surface of Fe2O3 NPs (ca. 6–7 nm), possesses a 3D open-pore structure with a BET surface area of 123 m2g-1 and uniform mesopores (∼4.5 nm). Au/Fe2O3-NPAs showed high catalytic activity and chemical stability for the selective transformation of nitroaromatic compounds into the corresponding amines, using 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane as reducing agent at ambient conditions.
New Cancer Drugs at the Cost of Bankruptcy: Will the Oncologist Tell the Patients the Benefit in Terms of Days/Weeks Added to Life?
Authors: Garg Pankaj Kumar , Jain Bhupendra Kumar
Published: December 2014

In addition to considerations of possible cancer treatments reducing quality of life, the cost effectiveness of such treatments must also be a factor when determining treatments. Some patients have opted for expensive new treatments, leading to high financial risk but only modest results. Oncologists must explain to patients the expected benefits of treatments in terms of absolute values to allow patients to make informed decisions.
Effect of nano silica on properties of concretes containing recycled coarse aggregates
Authors: Shaikh Faiz Uddin Ahmed , Odoh Heasam , Than Andrew B.
Published: December 2014

The effect of nano silica on mechanical and durability properties of concretes containing recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) is investigated using seven series of concretes: the first is the control series, containing all natural aggregates and no nano silica. In the second and third series, 25% and 50% (by weight) natural coarse aggregates are replaced by RCA, respectively. Effects of nano silica on concretes containing RCA are evaluated in the remaining series: in the fourth and fifth, 1% and 2% (by weight) nano silica is added to concrete containing 25% RCA, respectively. Similar nano silica additions are used in the sixth and seventh series, but the RCA content is 50%. Compressive and tensile strengths of all concretes are evaluated after 7, 28 and 56 d of water curing. Concrete durability properties, such as sorptivity, volume of permeable voids and chloride penetration, are also evaluated after 7 and 28 d of water curing. Addition of nano silica is found to significantly improve compressive strength of concrete containing 25% RCA at all ages; however, no such improvement is observed in concrete containing 50% RCA. An opposite scenario is observed for tensile strength, where nano silica addition showed improvement in concrete containing 50% RCA. The addition of nano silica also exhibited improvement in the durability properties of concretes containing 25% and 50% RCA.
Briefing: Shear strength of concrete with E-waste plastic
Authors: Senthil Kumar Kaliyavaradhan , Baskar Kaliyamoorthy
Published: December 2014

This briefing paper presents results from an experimental investigation on the shear strength of concrete with E-waste plastic (high-impact polystyrene) as coarse aggregate. The coarse aggregate is partially replaced with different percentages of high-impact polystyrene by volume (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%). It is found that the shear strength is decreased with the increase of high-impact polystyrene in concrete. Even though a reduction in strength is observed, however, the high-impact polystyrene aggregate alters the brittle behaviour of concrete into ductile behaviour. At 50% replacement, 50% of strength retention in the concrete is observed. Therefore, high-impact polystyrene aggregate can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate up to a certain percentage; this represents one possible solution to the E-waste problem and an alternative to using natural aggregate.
Briefing: Safety innovations in materials testing for tunnel construction
Authors: Ledzion Karol
Published: December 2014

It is accepted that tunnel environments present high levels of risk associated with the confined nature of this type of project, especially during the construction phase. Therefore, it is essential that high-quality product and workmanship are maintained at all stages. In order to achieve this, only the most suitable materials and highly skilled personnel should be used. One area often overlooked or addressed as an afterthought is the inspection and testing regimes of the materials in both temporary and permanent states. By operating a high level of control through adopting best-practice test methods and timely reporting systems, it is possible to better manage risk to operatives and provide surety for the long-term performance required for these expensive infrastructure projects. The identification and implementation of best practice and innovative test methods, together with the short- and long-term benefits of extensive research undertaken are covered by this briefing paper.
Soil conservation measures with rural road improvements in Kenya
Authors: Komakech Dick , Jennings Dave
Published: December 2014

Environmental impacts need to be predicted so that their prevention, or enhancement in the case of positive impacts, can be incorporated into road works. The inclusion of environmental protection measures into the road design, construction and maintenance can result in long-term cost savings. This paper provides an insight into soil erosion control measures that have been implemented on rural roads improvements project in Nyanza Province, western Kenya. The measures promote the need for participation of local communities in addressing soil erosion challenges. Experience has shown that community participation enhances dialogue among various stakeholders and ensures ownership, transparency and accountability in public infrastructure delivery.
Briefing: Infusing culture into a playground to aid engineering design
Authors: Worcester Frank Rhys
Published: December 2014

Cultural issues have been demonstrated as being of key importance in a design project for a playground in East Timor. This paper briefly describes the research into the specific culture of East Timor, and the use of this research as a benchmark for every decision made in the design process. It discusses the successful choice of technology, both in terms of the materials and the description of the construction process, in order to generate a high probability of adoption by the end users. It is concluded that this small-scale example could provide lessons that can be adopted on larger projects.
Grassland management intensification weakens the associations among the diversities of multiple plant and animal taxa
Authors: Manning Pete , Gossner Martin M. , Bossdorf Oliver , Allan Eric , Zhang Yuan-Ye , Prati Daniel , Blüthgen Nico , Boch Steffen , Böhm Stefan , Börschig Carmen , Hölzel Norbert , Jung Kirsten , Klaus Valentin H. , Klein Alexandra Maria , Kleinebecker Till , Krauss Jochen , Lange Markus , Müller Jörg , Pašalić Esther , Socher Stephanie A. , Tschapka Marco , Türke Manfred , Weiner Christiane , Werner Michael , Gockel Sonja , Hemp Andreas , Renner Swen C. , Wells Konstans , Buscot François , Kalko Elisabeth K. V. , Linsenmair Karl Eduard , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Fischer Markus
Published: December 2014

Land‐use intensification is a key driver of biodiversity change. However, little is known about how it alters relationships between the diversities of different taxonomic groups, which are often correlated due to shared environmental drivers and trophic interactions. Using data from 150 grassland sites, we examined how land‐use intensification (increased fertilization, higher livestock densities, and increased mowing frequency) altered correlations between the species richness of 15 plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate taxa. We found that 54% of pairwise correlations between taxonomic groups were significant and positive among all grasslands, while only one was negative. Higher land‐use intensity substantially weakened these correlations (35% decrease in r and 43% fewer significant pairwise correlations at high intensity), a pattern which may emerge as a result of biodiversity declines and the breakdown of specialized relationships in these conditions. Nevertheless, some groups (Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera) were consistently correlated with multidiversity, an aggregate measure of total biodiversity comprised of the standardized diversities of multiple taxa, at both high and low land‐use intensity. The form of intensification was also important; increased fertilization and mowing frequency typically weakened plant–plant and plant–primary consumer correlations, whereas grazing intensification did not. This may reflect decreased habitat heterogeneity under mowing and fertilization and increased habitat heterogeneity under grazing. While these results urge caution in using certain taxonomic groups to monitor impacts of agricultural management on biodiversity, they also suggest that the diversities of some groups are reasonably robust indicators of total biodiversity across a range of conditions.
Maternal deprivation of rat pups reduces body weight and alters behavior in adulthood in a gender-specific manner
Authors: Djordjevic Jelena , Mitic Milos , Lukic Iva , Adzic Miroslav
Published: December 2014

The early postnatal environment is critical for its capacity to influence
adult behavior, and is associated with traits of altered physiological and
neurobiological function and long-term predisposition to depression. Here we
describe the delayed effects of maternal deprivation (MD) in male and female
Wistar pups on their physical development and behavior in adulthood in tasks
designed to explore depressive-like (forced swimming test, FST), and
anxiety-like behaviors (elevated plus maze, EPM). We observed that MD led to
reduced body weight in adulthood, anxiety-like traits in the EPM test and
increased activity in the phases of the FST. Particularly, a consistent
sexual dimorphism was observed in the responses to MD. A lower increase in
body weight during maturation of MD rats was more pronounced in males than in
females. MD anxiogenic effects were more pronounced in females, while in FST
only MD males showed a marked increase in swimming activity followed by
decreased immobility.
Unconjugated Bilirubin Mediates Heme Oxygenase-1–Induced Vascular Benefits in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Liu Jian , Wang Li , Tian Xiao Yu , Liu Limei , Wong Wing Tak , Zhang Yang , Han Quan-Bin , Ho Hing-Man , Wang Nanping , Wong Siu Ling , Chen Zhen-Yu , Yu Jun , Ng Chi-Fai , Yao Xiaoqiang , Huang Yu
Published: December 2014

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts vasoprotective effects. Such benefit in diabetic vasculopathy, however, remains unclear. We hypothesize that bilirubin mediates HO-1–induced vascular benefits in diabetes. Diabetic db/db mice were treated with hemin (HO-1 inducer) for 2 weeks, and aortas were isolated for functional and molecular assays. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in cultured endothelial cells. Hemin treatment augmented endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) and elevated Akt and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in db/db mouse aortas, which were reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor SnMP or HO-1 silencing virus. Hemin treatment increased serum bilirubin, and ex vivo bilirubin treatment improved relaxations in diabetic mouse aortas, which was reversed by the Akt inhibitor. Biliverdin reductase silencing virus attenuated the effect of hemin. Chronic bilirubin treatment improved EDRs in db/db mouse aortas. Hemin and bilirubin reversed high glucose–induced reductions in Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. The effect of hemin but not bilirubin was inhibited by biliverdin reductase silencing virus. Furthermore, bilirubin augmented EDRs in renal arteries from diabetic patients. In summary, HO-1–induced restoration of endothelial function in diabetic mice is most likely mediated by bilirubin, which preserves NO bioavailability through the Akt/eNOS/NO cascade, suggesting bilirubin as a potential therapeutic target for clinical intervention of diabetic vasculopathy.
Stroke Impact Scale Version 2: Validation of the French Version
Authors: Caël Sylvia , Decavel Pierre , Binquet Christine , Benaim Charles , Puyraveau Marc , Chotard Morgane , Moulin Thierry , Parratte Bernard , Bejot Yannick , Mercier Mariette
Published: December 2014

Background

Almost 1 person in 1,000 experiences a stroke annually in France. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measurement with specific questionnaires is useful to study the consequences of stroke on patients' daily lives.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to validate the French version of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) questionnaire, as no disease-specific questionnaire was validated in French heretofore.

Methods

Two hundred eighty-eight patients with stroke were classified into 2 groups (158 acute, 130 chronic). Rate of item completion, test-retest reliability, sensitivity to change, and construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the questionnaire were assessed. Acute group patients were recruited during the first month poststroke and followed for 3 months. Chronic group patients (stroke dating from 1 year) were recruited from outpatient consultations. The first 100 patients in the chronic group were called back 15 days after inclusion for test-retest measurements. The Barthel Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Duke Health Profile questionnaires were administered.

Results

The French version of the SIS was well accepted by all participants. It had good reproducibility. Cronbach alpha was 89% for all scales. A ceiling effect was noted in the majority of scales. Physical domains were significantly correlated to other measures of physical capacity (Barthel Index and Duke Health Profile; Spearman coefficients were between .5 and .73), and the emotional and social domains were significantly correlated to almost all domains of the Duke Health Profile. Psychometric properties were similar to those of the US version. Responsiveness was good for physical and emotional domains.

Limitations

Validation was conducted only on people who were able to answer the questionnaire.

Conclusions

The French SIS version presents good psychometric properties, except for ceiling effect. This is the first stroke-specific questionnaire evaluating perceived health after stroke to be validated in France and could be useful for further investigations of HRQoL after stroke.