bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of marketing ethics on customer satisfaction in tourism industry
Authors: Xu Anxin , Shieh Chich-Jen
Published: November 2014

Reputation is key in the management in tourism industry. In other words, a company should present favorable corporate image to enhance the trust of the customers and further induce the purchase intention and behaviors so as to enhance the sustainable management of tourism businesses. Customers’ Trust is the support of tourism industry, as it satisfies the basic demands for travel guarantee and safety. Following the promotion of consumer awareness, consumers tend to purchase products or accept services from trusted tourism businesses, which therefore have to present excellent corporate image. Nevertheless, some tourism businesses have neglected Marketing Ethics in the development of market economy because of over-pursuing economic interests. When consumer sovereignty is infringed, consumer satisfaction would be reduced, resulting in declining customer loyalty. By distributing and collecting questionnaires on-site, adult tourists of Lion Travel are sampled as the research subjects. A total of 400 copies of questionnaires were distributed, in which 276 copies were valid, with the retrieval rate of 69%. SPSS is utilized for the data analyses, and Factor Analysis, Reliability Analysis, Regression Analysis, and Analysis of Variance are applied to testing various hypotheses. The research results are concluded as following. 1. Marketing Ethics presents partially positive effects on Service Process in Customer Satisfaction. 2. Marketing Ethics reveals partially positive effects on Service Structure in Customer Satisfaction. 3. Marketing Ethics shows significantly positive effects on Service Outcome in Customer Satisfaction. 4. Individual Attributes appear to have remarkable effects on the correlations between Marketing Ethics and Customer Satisfaction.
Comparison of market risk models with respect to suggested changes of Basel Accord
Authors: Stiborová Eliška , Sznapková Barbora , Tichý Tomáš
Published: November 2014

The market risk capital charge of financial institutions has been mostly calculated by internal models based on integrated Value at Risk (VaR) approach, since the introduction of the Amendment to Basel Accord in 1996. The internal models should fulfil several quantitative and qualitative criteria. Besides others, it is the so called backtesting procedure, which was one of the main reasons why the alternative approach to market risk estimation — conditional Value at Risk or Expected Shortfall (ES) — were not applicable for the purpose of capital charge calculation. However, it is supposed that this approach will be incorporated into Basel III. In this paper we provide an extensive simulation study using various sets of market data to show potential impact of ES on capital requirements.
A study on the relations among the human resource management system, organizational commitment and business performance
Authors: Huang Shien-Ping
Published: November 2014

Change is a constant truth in a modern society; an organization no longer faces environments as stable as they used to be. In the face of the stronger market competition, an organization should deliberately consider and make proper responses in the operation in order to cope with the changeable environment and sustain the organizational life. When facing the changes in markets, an organization not only needs to constantly consider the changes in external environments, but also has to face the boycott or resistance of internal members to the organizational change. The effects of Human Resource Management System on Organizational Commitment therefore become critical.We have taken the Hsinchu Science Park as the research sample, in which the employees and supervisors of manufacturers have been randomly sampled. A total of 600 copies of questionnaires were e-mailed and 276 valid copies were retrieved, with the retrieval rate of 46%. The research results conclude significant correlations between 1. Human Resource Management System and Organizational Commitment, 2. Organizational Commitment and Business Performance, and 3. Human Resource Management System and Business Performance.
Effects of human resource outsourcing on service innovation in public sectors
Authors: Liu Hong-Cheng
Published: November 2014

To deal with a lot of public services, first-level human resources are largely required in governmental institutes. The changes of industries and employment structure have the government, in consideration of budgets and downsizing, apply Human Resource Outsourcing and introduce temporary employees to reduce labor personnel costs and labor flexibility and to solve the demands for temporary and non-core businesses for achieving the innovation of administrative services and organizational reform as well as enhance organizational competitiveness. Acquiring expected and stable temporary employees with favorable work performance is a dilemma for personnel units. By distributing and collecting questionnaires on-site, 230 copies of questionnaires were distributed to the superiors and public servants in various sectors of Kaohsiung City Government. A total of 169 valid copies were retrieved, with the retrieval rate of 73%. The empirical results show partially positive effects of Human Resource Outsourcing on Service Concept, Customer Interface, and Delivery System in Service Innovation, significantly positive effects of Human Resource Outsourcing on Technology Option in Service Innovation, and remarkable moderating effects of background variables on the correlations between Human Resource Outsourcing and Service Innovation.
Effects of American cultural identity on purchase intention of American commodity — an example of American military housing after the war
Authors: Chang Kuo-Liang , Chiou Shang-Chia , Ha Jih-Lian
Published: November 2014

With the changing world situation, the end of World War II, the withdrawal of Japanese people from Taiwan, the eruption of Korean War, the assistance of Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan, and the participation of American military in Vietnam War, a lot of US people came to Taiwan and brought a distinct lifestyle and culture, which have exerted their influence up to now. Apparently, the introduction of American culture greatly influenced the society at the time; people pursuing fashion gradually accepted western way of leisure and changed the existing traditional model. It also revealed the expansion of exotic cultural identity locally.By distributing and collecting questionnaires on-site, teachers and students of Chinese Culture University and the neighboring citizens in Yangmingshan are sampled for this study. A total of 500 copies of questionnaires were distributed, and 316 valid copies were retrieved, with the retrieval rate of 73%. Each retrieved copy stands for a valid sample. The research results are concluded as follows. 1. Cultural Identity presents significantly positive effects on Possible to purchase in Purchase Intention of American Commodity. 2. Cultural Identity reveals remarkably positive effects on Intend to Purchase in Purchase Intention of American Commodity. 3. Cultural Identity shows notably positive effects on Consider to Purchase in Purchase Intention of American Commodity. 4. The correlation between Cultural Identity and Purchase Intention of American Commodity shows partially significant differences on demographic variables.
A study on the expatriates, organizational justice, organizational commitment, job engagement, and organizational effectiveness
Authors: Lin Pao-Cheng
Published: November 2014

A lot of large-scale companies in Taiwan have actively expanded the overseas businesses in past years. In addition to recruiting local people as the human resources, expatriates from the mother country could better conform to the enterprise principles and policies. This study aims to discuss the correlations between expatriates and Organizational Justice, Organizational Commitment, Job Engagement, and Organizational Effectiveness and expects to provide decision reference for relevant industries. Questionnaires were distributed among and collected from the management and the expatriates of enterprises which were ranked top-ten revenue in 2013 through e-mails. A total of 300 copies of questionnaires were distributed, and 143 valid copies were retrieved, with the retrieval rate of 48%. The research results concluded the significant correlations between 1. Organizational Justice and Organizational Commitment, 2. Organizational Justice and Job Engagement, 3. Organizational Commitment and Job Engagement, 4. Organizational Commitment and Organizational Effectiveness, and 5. Job Engagement and Organizational Effectiveness.
Towards 3-Dimensional Rewriting Theory
Authors: Mimram Samuel
Published: November 2014

String rewriting systems have proved very useful to study monoids. In good
cases, they give finite presentations of monoids, allowing computations on
those and their manipulation by a computer. Even better, when the presentation
is confluent and terminating, they provide one with a notion of canonical
representative of the elements of the presented monoid. Polygraphs are a
higher-dimensional generalization of this notion of presentation, from the
setting of monoids to the much more general setting of n-categories. One of the
main purposes of this article is to give a progressive introduction to the
notion of higher-dimensional rewriting system provided by polygraphs, and
describe its links with classical rewriting theory, string and term rewriting
systems in particular. After introducing the general setting, we will be
interested in proving local confluence for polygraphs presenting 2-categories
and introduce a framework in which a finite 3-dimensional rewriting system
admits a finite number of critical pairs.
Querying the Guarded Fragment
Authors: Bárány Vince , Gottlob Georg , Otto Martin
Published: November 2014

Evaluating a Boolean conjunctive query Q against a guarded first-order theory
F is equivalent to checking whether "F and not Q" is unsatisfiable. This
problem is relevant to the areas of database theory and description logic.
Since Q may not be guarded, well known results about the decidability,
complexity, and finite-model property of the guarded fragment do not obviously
carry over to conjunctive query answering over guarded theories, and had been
left open in general. By investigating finite guarded bisimilar covers of
hypergraphs and relational structures, and by substantially generalising
Rosati's finite chase, we prove for guarded theories F and (unions of)
conjunctive queries Q that (i) Q is true in each model of F iff Q is true in
each finite model of F and (ii) determining whether F implies Q is
2EXPTIME-complete. We further show the following results: (iii) the existence
of polynomial-size conformal covers of arbitrary hypergraphs; (iv) a new proof
of the finite model property of the clique-guarded fragment; (v) the small
model property of the guarded fragment with optimal bounds; (vi) a
polynomial-time solution to the canonisation problem modulo guarded
bisimulation, which yields (vii) a capturing result for guarded bisimulation
invariant PTIME.
Random strings and tt-degrees of Turing complete C.E. sets
Authors: Cai Mingzhong , Downey Rodney G , Epstein Rachel , Lempp Steffen , Miller Joseph
Published: November 2014

We investigate the truth-table degrees of (co-)c.e.\ sets, in particular,
sets of random strings. It is known that the set of random strings with respect
to any universal prefix-free machine is Turing complete, but that truth-table
completeness depends on the choice of universal machine. We show that for such
sets of random strings, any finite set of their truth-table degrees do not meet
to the degree~0, even within the c.e. truth-table degrees, but when taking the
meet over all such truth-table degrees, the infinite meet is indeed~0. The
latter result proves a conjecture of Allender, Friedman and Gasarch. We also
show that there are two Turing complete c.e. sets whose truth-table degrees
form a minimal pair.
Analysis of Timed and Long-Run Objectives for Markov Automata
Authors: Guck Dennis , Hatefi Hassan , Hermanns Holger , Katoen Joost-Pieter , Timmer Mark
Published: November 2014

Markov automata (MAs) extend labelled transition systems with random delays
and probabilistic branching. Action-labelled transitions are instantaneous and
yield a distribution over states, whereas timed transitions impose a random
delay governed by an exponential distribution. MAs are thus a nondeterministic
variation of continuous-time Markov chains. MAs are compositional and are used
to provide a semantics for engineering frameworks such as (dynamic) fault
trees, (generalised) stochastic Petri nets, and the Architecture Analysis &
Design Language (AADL). This paper considers the quantitative analysis of MAs.
We consider three objectives: expected time, long-run average, and timed
(interval) reachability. Expected time objectives focus on determining the
minimal (or maximal) expected time to reach a set of states. Long-run
objectives determine the fraction of time to be in a set of states when
considering an infinite time horizon. Timed reachability objectives are about
computing the probability to reach a set of states within a given time
interval. This paper presents the foundations and details of the algorithms and
their correctness proofs. We report on several case studies conducted using a
prototypical tool implementation of the algorithms, driven by the MAPA
modelling language for efficiently generating MAs.
Observationally-induced algebras in Domain Theory
Authors: Battenfeld Ingo , Keimel Klaus , Streicher Thomas
Published: November 2014

In this paper we revise and simplify the notion of observationally induced
algebra introduced by Simpson and Schroeder for the purpose of modelling
computational effects in the particular case where the ambient category is
given by classical domain theory. As examples of the general framework we
consider the various powerdomains. For the particular case of the Plotkin
powerdomain the general recipe leads to a somewhat unexpected result which,
however, makes sense from a Computer Science perspective. We analyze this
"deviation" and show how to reobtain the original Plotkin powerdomain by
imposing further conditions previously considered by R.~Heckmann and
J.~Goubault-Larrecq.
Inferring Algebraic Effects
Authors: Pretnar Matija
Published: November 2014

We present a complete polymorphic effect inference algorithm for an ML-style
language with handlers of not only exceptions, but of any other algebraic
effect such as input & output, mutable references and many others. Our main aim
is to offer the programmer a useful insight into the effectful behaviour of
programs. Handlers help here by cutting down possible effects and the resulting
lengthy output that often plagues precise effect systems. Additionally, we
present a set of methods that further simplify the displayed types, some even
by deliberately hiding inferred information from the programmer.
On Separation by Locally Testable and Locally Threshold Testable Languages
Authors: Place Thomas , van Rooijen Lorijn , Zeitoun Marc
Published: November 2014

A separator for two languages is a third language containing the first one
and disjoint from the second one. We investigate the following decision
problem: given two regular input languages, decide whether there exists a
locally testable (resp. a locally threshold testable) separator. In both cases,
we design a decision procedure based on the occurrence of special patterns in
automata accepting the input languages. We prove that the problem is
computationally harder than deciding membership. The correctness proof of the
algorithm yields a stronger result, namely a description of a possible
separator. Finally, we discuss the same problem for context-free input
languages.
Representations of measurable sets in computable measure theory
Authors: Weihrauch Klaus , Tavana-Roshandel Nazanin
Published: November 2014

This article is a fundamental study in computable measure theory. We use the
framework of TTE, the representation approach, where computability on an
abstract set X is defined by representing its elements with concrete "names",
possibly countably infinite, over some alphabet {\Sigma}. As a basic
computability structure we consider a computable measure on a computable
$\sigma$-algebra. We introduce and compare w.r.t. reducibility several natural
representations of measurable sets. They are admissible and generally form four
different equivalence classes. We then compare our representations with those
introduced by Y. Wu and D. Ding in 2005 and 2006 and claim that one of our
representations is the most useful one for studying computability on measurable
functions.
Deciding Conditional Termination
Authors: Iosif Radu , Konecny Filip , Bozga Marius
Published: November 2014

We address the problem of conditional termination, which is that of defining
the set of initial configurations from which a given program always terminates.
First we define the dual set, of initial configurations from which a
non-terminating execution exists, as the greatest fixpoint of the function that
maps a set of states into its pre-image with respect to the transition
relation. This definition allows to compute the weakest non-termination
precondition if at least one of the following holds: (i) the transition
relation is deterministic, (ii) the descending Kleene sequence
overapproximating the greatest fixpoint converges in finitely many steps, or
(iii) the transition relation is well founded. We show that this is the case
for two classes of relations, namely octagonal and finite monoid affine
relations. Moreover, since the closed forms of these relations can be defined
in Presburger arithmetic, we obtain the decidability of the termination problem
for such loops.
On Ramsey properties of classes with forbidden trees
Authors: Foniok Jan
Published: November 2014

Let F be a set of relational trees and let Forbh(F) be the class of all
structures that admit no homomorphism from any tree in F; all this happens over
a fixed finite relational signature $\sigma$. There is a natural way to expand
Forbh(F) by unary relations to an amalgamation class. This expanded class,
enhanced with a linear ordering, has the Ramsey property.
Randomisation and Derandomisation in Descriptive Complexity Theory
Authors: Eickmeyer Kord , Grohe Martin
Published: November 2014

We study probabilistic complexity classes and questions of derandomisation
from a logical point of view. For each logic L we introduce a new logic BPL,
bounded error probabilistic L, which is defined from L in a similar way as the
complexity class BPP, bounded error probabilistic polynomial time, is defined
from PTIME. Our main focus lies on questions of derandomisation, and we prove
that there is a query which is definable in BPFO, the probabilistic version of
first-order logic, but not in Cinf, finite variable infinitary logic with
counting. This implies that many of the standard logics of finite model theory,
like transitive closure logic and fixed-point logic, both with and without
counting, cannot be derandomised. Similarly, we present a query on ordered
structures which is definable in BPFO but not in monadic second-order logic,
and a query on additive structures which is definable in BPFO but not in FO.
The latter of these queries shows that certain uniform variants of AC0
(bounded-depth polynomial sized circuits) cannot be derandomised. These results
are in contrast to the general belief that most standard complexity classes can
be derandomised. Finally, we note that BPIFP+C, the probabilistic version of
fixed-point logic with counting, captures the complexity class BPP, even on
unordered structures.
Formalization of Abstract State Transition Systems for SAT
Authors: Maric Filip , Janicic Predrag
Published: November 2014

We present a formalization of modern SAT solvers and their properties in a
form of abstract state transition systems. SAT solving procedures are described
as transition relations over states that represent the values of the solver's
global variables. Several different SAT solvers are formalized, including both
the classical DPLL procedure and its state-of-the-art successors. The
formalization is made within the Isabelle/HOL system and the total correctness
(soundness, termination, completeness) is shown for each presented system (with
respect to a simple notion of satisfiability that can be manually checked). The
systems are defined in a general way and cover procedures used in a wide range
of modern SAT solvers. Our formalization builds up on the previous work on
state transition systems for SAT, but it gives machine-verifiable proofs,
somewhat more general specifications, and weaker assumptions that ensure the
key correctness properties. The presented proofs of formal correctness of the
transition systems can be used as a key building block in proving correctness
of SAT solvers by using other verification approaches.
The Complexity of Nash Equilibria in Stochastic Multiplayer Games
Authors: Ummels Michael , Wojtczak Dominik
Published: November 2014

We analyse the computational complexity of finding Nash equilibria in
turn-based stochastic multiplayer games with omega-regular objectives. We show
that restricting the search space to equilibria whose payoffs fall into a
certain interval may lead to undecidability. In particular, we prove that the
following problem is undecidable: Given a game G, does there exist a Nash
equilibrium of G where Player 0 wins with probability 1? Moreover, this problem
remains undecidable when restricted to pure strategies or (pure) strategies
with finite memory. One way to obtain a decidable variant of the problem is to
restrict the strategies to be positional or stationary. For the complexity of
these two problems, we obtain a common lower bound of NP and upper bounds of NP
and PSPACE respectively. Finally, we single out a special case of the general
problem that, in many cases, admits an efficient solution. In particular, we
prove that deciding the existence of an equilibrium in which each player either
wins or loses with probability 1 can be done in polynomial time for games where
the objective of each player is given by a parity condition with a bounded
number of priorities.
Nested Hoare Triples and Frame Rules for Higher-order Store
Authors: Schwinghammer Jan , Birkedal Lars , Reus Bernhard , Yang Hongseok
Published: November 2014

Separation logic is a Hoare-style logic for reasoning about programs with
heap-allocated mutable data structures. As a step toward extending separation
logic to high-level languages with ML-style general (higher-order) storage, we
investigate the compatibility of nested Hoare triples with several variations
of higher-order frame rules. The interaction of nested triples and frame rules
can be subtle, and the inclusion of certain frame rules is in fact unsound. A
particular combination of rules can be shown consistent by means of a Kripke
model where worlds live in a recursively defined ultrametric space. The
resulting logic allows us to elegantly prove programs involving stored code. In
particular, using recursively defined assertions, it leads to natural
specifications and proofs of invariants required for dealing with recursion
through the store.
EXPTIME Tableaux for the Coalgebraic mu-Calculus
Authors: Cirstea Corina , Kupke Clemens , Pattinson Dirk
Published: November 2014

The coalgebraic approach to modal logic provides a uniform framework that
captures the semantics of a large class of structurally different modal logics,
including e.g. graded and probabilistic modal logics and coalition logic. In
this paper, we introduce the coalgebraic mu-calculus, an extension of the
general (coalgebraic) framework with fixpoint operators. Our main results are
completeness of the associated tableau calculus and EXPTIME decidability for
guarded formulas. Technically, this is achieved by reducing satisfiability to
the existence of non-wellfounded tableaux, which is in turn equivalent to the
existence of winning strategies in parity games. Our results are parametric in
the underlying class of models and yield, as concrete applications, previously
unknown complexity bounds for the probabilistic mu-calculus and for an
extension of coalition logic with fixpoints.
Permission-Based Separation Logic for Message-Passing Concurrency
Authors: Francalanza Adrian , Rathke Julian , Sassone Vladimiro
Published: November 2014

We develop local reasoning techniques for message passing concurrent programs
based on ideas from separation logics and resource usage analysis. We extend
processes with permission- resources and define a reduction semantics for this
extended language. This provides a foundation for interpreting separation
formulas for message-passing concurrency. We also define a sound proof system
permitting us to infer satisfaction compositionally using local,
separation-based reasoning.
Foot Modeling and Smart Plantar Pressure Reconstruction from Three Sensors
Authors: Ghaida Hussein Abou , Mottet Serge , Goujon Jean-Marc
Published: November 2014

In order to monitor pressure under feet, this study presents a biomechanical model of the human foot. The main elements of the foot that induce the plantar pressure distribution are described. Then the link between the forces applied at the ankle and the distribution of the plantar pressure is established. Assumptions are made by defining the concepts of a 3D internal foot shape, which can be extracted from the plantar pressure measurements, and a uniform elastic medium, which describes the soft tissues behaviour. In a second part, we show that just 3 discrete pressure sensors per foot are enough to generate real time plantar pressure cartographies in the standing position or during walking. Finally, the generated cartographies are compared with pressure cartographies issued from the F-SCAN system. The results show 0.01 daN (2% of full scale) average error, in the standing position.
Significant Effects Due to Peptone in Kelman Medium on Colony Characteristics and Virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum in Tomato
Authors: Thomas Pious , Upreti Reshmi
Published: November 2014

The study was taken up to assess if the media constituents played any role in governing the variable colony characteristics or pathogenicity of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum cultured on the widely employed Kelman medium. The effects due to the constituents 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), peptone, casein hydrolysate and glucose on colony characteristics were investigated using -80°C stored culture of strain ‘NH-Av01’ (race 1, biovar 3) isolated from tomato. Comparing the pigment inducing TTC from two brands, its source or mode of storage/incorporation did not impart any significant effects. The source of peptone, on the other hand, displayed striking effects on the extent of colony growth, fluidity and red pigmentation depending on type, brand or batch / lot of manufacture as documented with 20 different formulations. Significant differences in the pathogenicity of isolate derived from different peptone sources in seedling-challenge assay on tomato were observed. The observations on peptone effects were endorsed with four other isolates belonging to distinct geographic locations, crops (eggplant, chilli, ginger) or races (race 1 or 4). The peptone source did not influence the pathogen-responses in biovar tests but notably altered the pattern of lawn formation and inhibition zone development during antagonistic assays. Casein hydrolysate displayed some variable effects while glucose source had no effect. This study brings to light the significant modifying effects by the peptone-constituent in Kelman medium on the physiology of R. solanacearum and the virulence of isolate and the need to consider the source of media components during culture maintenance, host-pathogen interaction studies or microbe-microbe interaction investigations.
Establishing Restricted Expression of Caveolin-1 in HIV Infected Cells and Inhibition of Virus Replication
Authors: Lo Yung-Tsun , Nadeau Peter E , Lin Shanshan , Mergia Ayalew
Published: November 2014

Background:

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the major protein of the caveolae and plays a role in multiple cellular functions and implicated to have anti-HIV activity. Regulated expression of Cav-1 is important for safe and effective use in order to exploit Cav-1 for HIV therapeutic applications.

Methods:

A series of Cav-1 and GFP expression vectors were constructed under the control of the HIV LTR for conditional expression or CMV promoter and the expression of Cav-1 was monitored in the presence or absence of Tat or HIV infection in order to establish the restricted expression of Cav-1 to HIV infected cells.

Results:

Cav-1 expression was evident under the control of the HIV LTR in the absence of Tat or HIV infection as demonstrated by immunoblot. Placing two internal ribosomal entry sequences (IRES) and a Rev response element, RRE (5’~ LTR-IRES-GFP-RRE-IRES-Cav-1~3’) resulted in no expression of Cav-1 in the absence of Tat with effective expression in the presence of Tat. Transduction of HIV permissive cells with this construct using a foamy virus vector show that Cav-1 was able to inhibit HIV replication by 82%. Cells that received LTR-IRES-GFP-RRE-IRES-Cav-1 remain healthy in the absence of Tat or HIV infection.

Conclusion:

These results taken together reveal the inclusion of two IRES establishes a significant reduction of leak through expression of Cav-1 in the absence of Tat or HIV infection. Such regulated expression will have therapeutic application of Cav-1 for HIV infection as well as broad applications which can be beneficial for other host-targeted interventions as therapeutics.
Engineering Vibrio fischeri for Inducible Gene Expression
Authors: Ondrey Jakob M , Visick Karen L
Published: November 2014

The marine bacteriumVibrio fischeriserves as a model organism for a variety of natural phenomena, including symbiotic host colonization. The ease with which theV. fischerigenome can be manipulated contributes greatly to our ability to identify the factors involved in these phenomena. Here, we have adapted genetic tools for use inV. fischerito promote our ability to conditionally control the expression of genes of interest. Specifically, we modified the commonly used mini-Tn5transposon to contain an outward-facing, LacI-repressible/IPTG-inducible promoter, and inserted thelacIgene into theV. fischerichromosome. Used together, these tools permit the identification and induction of genes that control specific phenotypes. To validate this approach, we identified IPTG-controllable motility mutants. We anticipate that the ability to randomly insert an inducible promoter into the genome ofV. fischeriwill advance our understanding of various aspects of the physiology of this microbe.
Flap Decisions and Options in Soft Tissue Coverage of the Lower Limb
Authors: Jordan Daniel J , Malahias Marco , Hindocha Sandip , Juma Ali
Published: November 2014

The lower extremities of the human body are more commonly known as the human legs, incorporating: the foot, the lower or anatomical leg, the thigh and the hip or gluteal region.

The human lower limb plays a simpler role than that of the upper limb. Whereas the arm allows interaction of the surrounding environment, the legs’ primary goals are support and to allow upright ambulation. Essentially, this means that reconstruction of the leg is less complex than that required in restoring functionality of the upper limb. In terms of reconstruction, the primary goals are based on the preservation of life and limb, and the restoration of form and function. This paper aims to review current and past thoughts on reconstruction of the lower limb, discussing in particular the options in terms of soft tissue coverage.

This paper does not aim to review the emergency management of open fractures, or the therapy alternatives to chronic wounds or malignancies of the lower limb, but purely assess the requirements that should be reviewed on reconstructing a defect of the lower limb.

A summary of flap options are considered, with literature support, in regard to donor and recipient region, particularly as flap coverage is regarded as the cornerstone of soft tissue coverage of the lower limb.
Orthopaedic Approaches to Proximal Humeral Fractures Following Trauma
Authors: Mafi Reza , Khan Wasim , Mafi Pouya , Hindocha Sandip
Published: November 2014

Proximal humeral fractures have been a topic of discussion in medical literature dating back as far as 3rd century BC. Today, these fractures are the most common type of humeral fractures and account for about 5-6% of all fractures in adults with the incidence rising rapidly with age. In broad terms the management of proximal humeral fractures can be divided into two categories: conservative versus surgical intervention. The aim of treatment is to stabilize the fracture, aid better union and reduce pain during the healing process. Failure to achieve this can result in impairment of function, and significantly weaken the muscles inserting onto the proximal humerus. With the rising incidence of proximal humeral fractures, especially among the elderly, the short and long term burden for patients as well as the wider society is increasing. Furthermore, there is a lack of consistency in the definitive treatment and management of displaced fractures. This systematic review of literature compares the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures with their conservative management, by evaluating the available randomised controlled trials on this topic.
Characterization of Adult-Type IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura): A Retrospective Study of 122 Cases
Authors: Hitomi Katsuhiro , Izaki Seiichi , Teraki Yuichi , Aso Yuko , Yokoyama Megumi , Takamura Saori , Inoue Yumiko , Sato Yoshiki
Published: November 2014

The clinical features of adult-type IgA vasculitis have not been well characterized. To analyze the
characteristics of IgA vasculitis in adults, patients diagnosed with IgA vasculitis based on EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria
(2012) in our institution between 2003 and 2012 were studied, comprising 85 adults (age ≥ 21 years) and 37 pediatric
patients (≤ 20 years). Compared with pediatric cases, adult disease showed significantly higher serum C-reactive protein
and IgA values, a lower percentage of cases was associated with infections (56.5% vs 89.2%, P < 0.001) but there was a
greater range of infections affecting different tissues and organs, and there was occasional cases with malignancy (8.2%)
including four cases of lung carcinoma and three with hematological disorders. The skin lesions in adults tended to be
widely distributed on the abdomen and waist (15.3% vs 2.7%, P = 0.045). Adult cases were associated with greater renal
involvement, as evidenced by proteinuria, hematuria and/or urinary casts, compared with the pediatric group (76.2% vs
48.6%, P = 0.003) and disease recalcitrance was also significantly higher (38.8% vs 18.9%, P = 0.031). Examination of
the serum levels of immunoglobulins in adults showed that a sole increase in IgA was associated with renal and
gastrointestinal manifestations, but this was not seen in cases with concurrent increases of IgA and IgG or IgA, IgG and
IgM. Although the retrospective nature of the study is a limitation, it identified possible associations with the wide range
of infections, more severe renal damage, and malignancy in adult IgA vasculitis.
Long-term (30 days) toxicity of NiO nanoparticles for adult zebrafish Danio rerio
Authors: Kovrižnych Jevgenij A. , Sotníková Ružena , Zeljenková Dagmar , Rollerová Eva , Szabová Elena
Published: November 2014

Nickel oxide in the form of nanoparticles (NiO NPs) is extensively used in different industrial branches. In a test on adult zebrafish, the acute toxicity of NiO NPs was shown to be low, however longlasting contact with this compound can lead to its accumulation in the tissues and to increased toxicity. In this work we determined the 30-day toxicity of NiO NPs using a static test for zebrafish Danio rerio. We found the 30-day LC50 value to be 45.0 mg/L, LC100 (minimum concentration causing 100% mortality) was 100.0 mg/L, and LC0 (maximum concentration causing no mortality) was 6.25 mg/L for adult individuals of zebrafish. Considering a broad use of Ni in the industry, NiO NPs chronic toxicity may have a negative impact on the population of aquatic organisms and on food web dynamics in aquatic systems.
Antioxidant action of SMe1EC2, the low-basicity derivative of the pyridoindole stobadine, in cell free chemical models and at cellular level
Authors: Balcerczyk Aneta , Bartosz Grzegorz , Drzewinska Joanna , Piotrowski Łukasz , Pulaski Łukasz , Stefek Milan
Published: November 2014

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant action of SMe1EC2, the structural analogue of the hexahydropyridoindole antioxidant stobadine. The antiradical activity of SMe1EC2 was found to be higher when compared to stobadine, as determined both in cell-free model systems of AAPH-induced oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 and 2´,7´-dichloro-dihydrofluorescein diacetate, and in the cellular system of stimulated macrophages RAW264.7. Analysis of proliferation of HUVEC and HUVEC-ST cells revealed absence of cytotoxic effect of SMe1EC2 at concentrations below 100 μM. The antioxidant activity of SMe1EC2, superior to the parent drug stobadine, is accounted for by both the higher intrinsic free radical scavenging action and by the better bioavailability of the low-basicity SMe1EC2 relative to the high-basicity stobadine.
Subordination and superordination results associated with the generalized hypergeometric function
Authors: Magesh Nanjundan , Jothibasu Jagadeesan , Murthy Sami
Published: November 2014

In the present investigation, we obtain some subordination and superordination results involving Hadamard products for certain normalized analytic functions in the open unit disk. Relevant connections of the results, which are presented in this paper, with various other known results are also pointed out.
Entero-paraspinous fistula from recurrent spinal metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Reddy Ambur , Hitchon Patrick W. , Al-Nafi Sami , Choi Kent
Published: November 2014

The authors report a case of entero-paraspinous fistula 2 years after T-12 corpectomy and instrumentation for spinal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. The pathogenesis in the present case seems to have arisen from local recurrence of T-12 metastatic carcinoma in spite of radiation and corpectomy. As a result of previous nephrectomy and anterolateral dissection for the T-12 corpectomy, the jejunum adhered to the surgical site. Recurrent tumor at T-12 invaded the adherent small bowel loop, resulting in a fistulous communication between the small bowel lumen and the spinal wound. Loss of retroperitoneal fat, scarring, and adhesions from previous surgeries contributed to this complication by having the jejunum close to the T-12 corpectomy site, and eventually to its invasion by recurrent tumor. Avoidance of such a complication is difficult; however, total excision of the spinal malignancy, and when possible, creating a barrier cuff of fascia or fat around the spine to protect abdominal contents, are potential solutions.
Stem cell signature in glioblastoma: therapeutic development for a moving target
Authors: Nakano Ichiro
Published: November 2014

Tumor heterogeneity of adult high-grade glioma (HGG) is recognized in 3 major subtypes based on core gene signatures. However, the molecular signatures and clinical implications of glioma stem cells (GSCs) in individual HGG subtypes remain poorly characterized. Recently genome-wide transcriptional analysis identified two mutually exclusive GSC subtypes with distinct dysregulated signaling and metabolic pathways. Analysis of genetic profiles and phenotypic assays distinguished proneural (PN) from mesenchymal (MES) GSCs and revealed a striking correlation with the corresponding PN or MES HGGs. Similar to HGGs with a MES signature, MES GSCs display more aggressive phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, MES GSCs are markedly resistant to radiation as compared with PN GSCs, consistent with the relative radiation resistance of MES GBM compared with other subtypes. A systems biology approach has identified a set of transcription factors as the master regulators for the MES signature. Metabolic reprogramming in MES GSCs has also been noticed with the prominent activation of the glycolytic pathway, comprising aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family genes. This review summarizes recent progress in the characterization of the molecular signature in distinct HGG and GSC subtypes and plasticity between different GSC subtypes as well as between GSCs and non-GSCs in HGG tumors. Clinical implications of the translational GSC research are also discussed.
Burden of Rheumatic Diseases in A Rural Community of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Moniruzzaman , Haq Syed Atiqul , Islam Md. Nazrul , Banik Sree Krisna , Alam Mohammad Noor
Published: November 2014

Objective: To estimate the magnitude, burden of illness and help-seeking behavior of patients with musculoskeletal complaints and to provide incidence of osteoarthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases in a rural community of Bangladesh. Methods: The study was conducted in a few villages near Dhaka city which were considered to be a fairly representative sample of Bangladeshi rural population. Data were collected with the help of modified Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) questionnaire and a diagnosis using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria was established. Results: During the 18 months study period, 2685 adults (15 years and above) were included. A total of 441 (M=163, F=278) developed new musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. The incidence rates were 10.9/100 person-years (PY) for the whole population, 8.2/100 PY for males and 13.6/100 PY for females. Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of knee were common MSK problems. A total of 302 patients had complaints of low back pain, of them 204 persons had noninflammatory low back pain; 262 respondents had complaints of knee pain, 38 had satisfied the criteria of knee OA; a total of 116 respondents suffered from fibromyalgia during the study period. Of the respondents (M=17, F=24) 41 had inflammatory arthropathy. Among the incidences of inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis 120 (M=101, F=147), spondyloarthropathies 150 (M=252, F=49), ankylosing spondylitis 75 (M=151, F=0), reactive arthritis 50 (M=101, F=0), and psoriatic arthritis 256 (M=0, F=49) per 100,000 / PY respectively were observed, Conclusions: Rheumatic diseases are common in the rural community of Bangladesh, affecting nearly a quarter of adult population. Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of knee joints are common joint disorders; point prevalence estimates of most common diagnoses were similar to other community surveys using COPCORD methodology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v15i2.20685 J MEDICINE 2014; 15 : 125-130
Cold Agglutinin Disease Secondary to Multiple Myeloma in a Psoriatic Patient
Authors: Khatun Hazera , Afrose Salma , Khan Mohiuddin Ahmed , Ara Tasneem , Islam Md. Sirajul
Published: November 2014

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a chronic compensated hemolytic anemia. We report a case of cold agglutinin disease secondary to multiple myeloma (MM) in a patient of erythrodermic psoriasis. The patient presented with acral cyanosis, progressive weakness and generalized desquamating scaly lesions. After confirming the diagnosis (80-90% plasma cells in bone marrow, M- spike in serum protein electrophoresis, G-ë restriction pattern in immune electrophoresis) he was given chemotherapy with CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone) protocol. His clinical symptoms improved and he has now completed 4 cycles of chemotherapy. The interim follow up showed achievement of PR (partial response).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v15i2.20688 J MEDICINE 2014; 15 : 141-143
Indexing Bob Cranky: Social Meaning and the Voices of Pitmen and Keelmen in Early Nineteenth-Century Tyneside Song
Authors: Hermeston Rod
Published: November 2014

This article examines the social meanings (indexical relations) of Tyneside dialect spoken by pitmen and keelmen in early nineteenth-century Tyneside dialect songs. I focus on the pitman Bob Cranky. Pieces about Bob and other pitmen and keelmen emerge from a song culture enjoyed by audiences of clerks, artisans, and shopkeepers. A debate emerged from the 1970s as to whether Bob is a subject of satire who could not appeal to a ‘working man’, or whether pitmen and keelmen derived self-celebration from him. Recently, the perspective of self-celebration has dominated. The songs, northern dialect literature more broadly, and dialect itself are said to promote communal values, regional, local, and ‘working-class’ solidarity, and populism. I show that pitmen and keelmen are most closely associated in the songs with non-standard spellings and with expletives. Employing a notion of dialogism, I argue that the meaning of the songs and the language attributed to pitmen or keelmen depends on the attitudes of audiences towards their behaviour, and towards nineteenth-century discourses of respectability and correct language. Bob and his speech may be the subjects of satirical mockery, resistance to ‘respectability’, or self-celebration. The material also has potential to convey labouring-class and regional solidarity.
Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joints of a hindlimb in a heifer
Authors: Weidmann E. , Bruderer A. , Nuss K. , Muggli E.
Published: November 2014

A two-year-old Braunvieh heifer was presented with a traumatic luxation of the second phalanx of the medial digit and concurrent subluxation of the second phalanx of the lateral digit of the right hindlimb. Closed reduction of both luxations was possible. Surgical arthrodesis was achieved using one narrow 4.5 mm three-hole equine locking compression plate for each joint. Placement of the bone plates resulted in stable arthrodesis of both proximal interphalangeal joints of the right hindlimb but there was persistent residual lameness. The heifer delivered a healthy calf but was slaughtered eight months after surgery because of varus deformity of the contralateral limb. Radio-graphs taken post-mortem revealed pronounced periosteal reactions involving both proximal interphalangeal joints and only partial bony bridging of the joint spaces.
Modification of a single-molecule AFM probe with highly defined surface functionality
Authors: Long Fei , Cao Bin , Khanal Ashok , Fang Shiyue , Shahbazian-Yassar Reza
Published: November 2014

Single-molecule force spectroscopy with an atomic force microscope has been widely used to study inter- and intramolecular interactions. To obtain data consistent with single molecular events, a well-defined method is critical to limit the number of molecules at the apex of an AFM probe to one or to a few. In this paper, we demonstrate an easy method for single-molecule probe modification by using the Cu-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction. Excess terminal alkynes were covalently attached to the probe, and a bi-functional molecule containing an azide at one end and a carboxylic acid at the other was dissolved in the reaction solution. By simply contacting the probe and the Cu substrate, controlled carboxylation on the probe apex could be achieved, since the ‘click’ reaction requires the co-exist of alkyne, azide and Cu(I). The finite contact area would result in a highly defined surface functionality of the probe down to single molecule level with high reproducibility.