bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consórcios de exportação: um processo de aprendizagem organizacional em PMEs
Authors: Lima Geraldine Aparecida Neves , Lima Juvêncio Braga de
Published: October 2014

Neste trabalho foram estudados os consórcios de exportação de pedras ardósia, de jóias e de gemas e de calçados localizados no estado de Minas Gerais. Estudou-se o processo de formação dos consórcios, partindo da aprendizagem decorrente dessa formação e da internacionalização das PMEs (Pequenas e Médias Empresas), ressaltando a relação de confiança e cooperação necessária neste tipo de empreendimento. Os consórcios de exportação que se inserem no conceito de redes interorganizacionais agregam competências coletivas por meio da expansão das parcerias entre empresas e órgãos públicos, visando a novos mercados e a novas formas de sobrevivência. Como resultado desse processo, as empresas compartilham idéias, cooperam entre si e trocam informações para que juntas consigam participar deste mercado global. Constatou-se que, por meio de um trabalho associativo, as empresas conseguiram alcançar novos mercados e, principalmente, tornaram-se mais competitivas no mercado doméstico. Concluiu-se que os consórcios de exportação são uma alternativa perfeitamente viável e aplicável à realidade das PMEs.
Fotoetnografia: a união da fotografia com a etnografia no descortinamento dos não ditos organizacionais
Authors: Cavedon Neusa Rolita
Published: October 2014

O artigo tem por objetivo discutir a utilização da fotoetnografia em pesquisas realizadas no âmbito administrativo/organizacional, evidenciando a interlocução da Antropologia Visual com a Administração. A fotografia é apresentada como recurso semiológico de conotação e de denotação, e são feitas considerações sobre o fazer antropológico. A seguir, é relatado um trabalho de pesquisa no âmbito da Antropologia elaborado com base na fotoetnografia. Tendo por base o antecedente, discute-se como vêm sendo conduzidos as pesquisas e debates sobre o uso da linguagem fotográfica no campo dos estudos organizacionais. Finalmente, propugna-se em prol do uso da fotoetnografia como forma de captar a afetividade subjacente ao universo organizacional.
Geometric issues in reverse osmosis: numerical simulation and experimentation
Authors: Srivathsan G. , Sparrow Ephraim , Gorman John
Published: October 2014

This investigation is a synergistic combination of laboratory experimentation and numerical simulation to quantify the practical impact of geometric imperfections in the flow channels of a reverse osmosis (RO) system. To this end, carefully executed experiments are performed to quantify the fluid flow in a system containing feed spacers which are embedded in the RO membrane. In a complementary activity, numerical simulations were performed both for an ideal geometric situation (without embedments) and the actual geometric configuration including the embedments. It was found that the presence of unaccounted embedments affected the pressure drop predictions for the system by 14–19%. When account was taken of the embedments, the simulation results were found to be virtually coincident with the experimental results. This outcome suggests that deviations between experimental and simulation results encountered in the literature might well have been due to geometrical deviations of the type investigated here. The numerical simulation of the feedwater fluid flow was based on the often-used but unverified assumption that the velocity field experiences the geometric periodicity of the feed spacer. This assumption was lent support by results from a non-periodic simulation model and by the excellent agreement between the numerically based predictions and the experimental data.
Revealing biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion in sludge digesters: detection of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within full-scale digesters
Authors: Huber B. , Drewes J. E. , Lin K. C. , König R. , Müller E.
Published: October 2014

Biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion (BSA) is a costly problem affecting both sewerage infrastructure and sludge handling facilities such as digesters. The aim of this study was to verify BSA in full-scale digesters by identifying the microorganisms involved in the concrete corrosion process, that is, sulfate-reducing (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). To investigate the SRB and SOB communities, digester sludge and biofilm samples were collected. SRB diversity within digester sludge was studied by applying polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) targeting the dsrB-gene (dissimilatory sulfite reductase beta subunit). To reveal SOB diversity, cultivation dependent and independent techniques were applied. The SRB diversity studies revealed different uncultured SRB, confirming SRB activity and H2S production. Comparable DGGE profiles were obtained from the different sludges, demonstrating the presence of similar SRB species. By cultivation, three pure SOB strains from the digester headspace were obtained including Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiomonas intermedia and Thiomonas perometabolis. These organisms were also detected with PCR-DGGE in addition to two new SOB: Thiobacillus thioparus and Paracoccus solventivorans. The SRB and SOB responsible for BSA were identified within five different digesters, demonstrating that BSA is a problem occurring not only in sewer systems but also in sludge digesters. In addition, the presence of different SOB species was successfully associated with the progression of microbial corrosion.
Self-Reported Drug Use and Creativity: (Re)Establishing Layperson Myths
Authors: Humphrey Danielle E. , McKay Alexander S. , Primi Ricardo , Kaufman James C.
Published: October 2014

This study examined self-reported drug use (legal, illegal, and psychotropic) and creativity (using self-assessments, behavioral checklists, and a photo caption task). Drug usage was first analyzed using EFA and CFA; these factors were then entered into SEM analyses in order to predict creativity on each of the four measures while controlling for openness to experience. Although openness to experience was the strongest predictor of creativity on all scales, self-reported drug use did provide some incremental effects beyond personality on the creativity measures. Results are explained in terms of possible expectancy/placebo effects.
Is “Healthy Dying” a Paradox? Revisiting an Early Kastenbaum Challenge
Authors: Kellehear Allan
Published: October 2014

This article is a review of Robert Kastenbaum's 1979 essay entitled “Healthy dying: A paradoxical quest continues.” It begins with a summary of the arguments and challenges in the original essay. This is followed by an evaluation of his original claims in the light of contemporary insights in modern public health history and empirical studies of near-death experiences and deathbed visions. The recent development of health promotion in palliative care is described in relation to these developments and Kastenbaum's early question about the paradoxical quest for health while dying is again posed against this background. Given our modern understanding of “health” in current global health policy and debates, it is argued that “healthy dying” is no paradox. Instead, the pursuit of health at the end of life represents a realistic modern desire to compress morbidity, minimize unnecessary suffering, and enhance quality of life at this time.
Are oxidised low-density lipoproteins the true inducers of inflammation in atherosclerosis?
Authors: Montero-Vega Maria Teresa
Published: October 2014

Low-density lipoproteins become oxidised (ox-LDL) when retained in the arterial intima and are considered to be the inducers of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Peroxidation of phospholipids generates a variety of oxidised molecules in LDL and leads to the formation of oxidised lipid-protein adducts. These oxidative modifications are the target of various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and constitute immunogenic neoepitopes, termed oxidation-specific epitopes (OSEs). OSEs are thought to be a class of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that mediate pro-inflammatory signals in atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, identical OSEs are generated on apoptotic cells that are identified by innate immunity through the same receptors to promote housekeeping tasks and immunosuppression. The present study provides an alternative point of view and proposes that OSEs are ‘waste-associated molecular patterns’ (WAMPs) recognised by innate immunity as a signal for the presence of oxidised waste that must be cleared without triggering inflammation. The hypothesis presented here states that ox-LDL are not inflammatory per se but instead polarise macrophages for housekeeping functions; however, other immune alerts, which are generated under the influence of risk factors, cooperate with them in switching macrophage polarisation towards dangerous phenotypes that complicate atheromas with different tendencies. This hypothesis of ‘immune cooperation’ explains why atheromas grow silently for decades and reveals atherosclerosis to be a dynamic disease that begins with the retention and oxidation of LDL in the arterial intima and ends with the formation of a thrombus, but in which the underlying immune process changes over time and differs between patients.
WTO Provision and Higher Education in Nepal
Authors: Koirala Amit
Published: October 2014

The World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements cover a wide range of activities such as agriculture, textiles and clothing, banking, telecommunications, government purchases, industrial standards and product safety, food and sanitation regulations and intellectual property. Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners. Imported and locally produced goods should be treated equally. The same should apply to foreign and domestic services, and to trademarks, copyrights and patents. Education has been considered as one of the trades in the WTO. It has been argued that the accession of membership to WTO will be very helpful in the development of a country like Nepal so, this paper especially tries to find out the dilemmas and prospective on higher education in Nepal with respect to WTO provision. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v1i4.10965 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-1, issue-4: 139-142
Efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine versus sertraline: an open, randomized study in acute treatment in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Dahal S , Ojha SI , Chapagain M , Tulachan P
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Mirtazapine is the first noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). It has demonstrated efficacy that is significantly superior to older and newer anti-depressant in the initial weeks of treatment in western studies. The specific pharmacologic profile of mirtazapine also means that it lacks many of the serotonergic side effects, in particular, sexual dysfunction. The effectiveness of sertraline is well established in major depression. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the anti-depressant efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine and sertraline in treatment of patients with a diagnosis of major depressive episode attending Psychiatry department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: A total of 60 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. These patients were diagnosed as depression as per the ICD-10 DCR criteria and were randomized to 6 week treatment with either mirtazapine (N=30, 15-45 mg/day) or sertraline (N=30, 50-150mg/day). Efficacy was evaluated by the HAMD scale, Clinical Global Impression scales (CGI) and UKU side effect rating scale was used for any adverse event noted during study period. Assessments were done on baseline and week 2, 4 and 6. Result: The primary efficacy variable (mean absolute change from baseline in HAMD score) showed that mirtazapine was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective than sertraline at assessment during 2 and 4 weeks of the study after which there was no statistically significant differences in efficacy (p >0.05) between two drugs. There was statistically significant reduction in CGI- mean severity of illness rating scale score at 2 week ( p< 0.05) in mirtazapine treated patients compared to sertraline after which reduction of score was similar in both group. Both treatments were well tolerated. Tension (57.6%) , palpitation / tachycardia (26.9%), sexual dysfunction (22.9%) were more frequent in sertraline treated patients compared to nausea / vomiting (26.9%) , sleepiness / sedation (23.0%), increased duration of sleep (23.0%) in mirtazapine treated patients. Conclusion: Mirtazapine was well tolerated and was equally effective as sertraline in reducing depressive symptoms. However, mirtazapine was significantly more effective than sertraline after 2 and 4 week of treatment. The findings need to be confirmed with other large scale studies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v3i1.11349 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .3, No.1, 2014: 29-34
Olanzapine induced DVT: A Case Report
Authors: Joshi N , Singh PM , Thapa M , Gautam S
Published: October 2014

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious life threatening event which might not be paid much attention in Psychiatric setting. In this paper, a case of DVT following the use of Olanzapine is presented. The patient was in good general physical health and had no personal or familial history of DVT. There were no known risk factors for DVT. The patient was not overweight (BMI < 25) but she suffered from DVT after initiating Olanzapine. Conclusion: Risk of DVT exists in patients under treatment with atypical antipsychotics in spite of no pre existing risk factor.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v3i1.11351 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .3, No.1, 2014: 41-42
Investigation of the wear resistance and microstructure of Al/SiC metal matrix composites as a function of reinforcement volume fraction and reinforcement to matrix particle size ratio applying artificial neural network
Authors: Ghiami Amir , Diler Ege Anıl , Ipek Rasim
Published: October 2014

In this study, the influences of reinforcement volume fraction and the ratio of the reinforcement particle size to the matrix particle size on the wear behaviour of Al/SiC metal matrix composites were investigated by use of a model function obtained from an artificial neural network. Hardness and ball-on-disc wear tests were applied to Al/SiC composites manufactured via a powder metallurgy method. The results indicate that as the reinforcement volume fraction and the ratio of the reinforcement particle size to the matrix particle size increase, the wear loss decreases except in two cases; in the first case (vol.% ≤ 7.5), as the ratio of the reinforcement particle size to the matrix particle size rises, the wear loss increases and then decreases. In the second case, the decreasing trend of wear loss at high values of volume fraction (≥ 15%) declines and then increases where the value of the reinforcement to the matrix particle size ratio is about 1.
Rune Ervik and Tord Skogedal Lindén (eds.) (2013). The Making of Ageing Policy: Theory and Practice in Europe. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 304 pp. ISBN 978 1 78195 247 4 (hardback)
Authors: Formosa Marvin
Published: October 2014

Not Available.
Regulation of Cardiac Cell Fate by microRNAs: Implications for Heart Regeneration
Authors: Gama-Carvalho Margarida , Andrade Jorge , Brás-Rosário Luis
Published: October 2014

microRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that have been shown to be central players in the establishment of cellular programs, often acting as switches that control the choice between proliferation and differentiation during development and in adult tissues. The heart develops from two small patches of cells in the mesoderm, the heart fields, which originate the different cardiac cell types, including cardiomyocytes, vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. These progenitors proliferate and differentiate to establish a highly connected three-dimensional structure, involving a robust succession of gene expression programs strongly influenced by microRNAs. Although the mammalian heart has conventionally been viewed as a post-mitotic organ, cardiac cells have recently been shown to display some regenerative potential, which is nonetheless insufficient to regenerate heart lesions, in contrast with other vertebrates like the zebrafish. Both the proliferation of adult cardiac stem cells and the ability of cardiomyocytes to re-enter the cell cycle have been proposed to sustain these regenerative processes. Here we review the role of microRNAs in the control of stem cell and cardiomyocyte dependent cardiac regeneration processes, and discuss potential applications for the treatment of cardiac injury.
Field Performance Test of an Air-Cleaner with Photocatalysis-Plasma Synergistic Reactors for Practical and Long-Term Use
Authors: Ochiai Tsuyoshi , Ichihashi Erina , Nishida Naoki , Machida Tadashi , Uchida Yoshitsugu , Hayashi Yuji , Morito Yuko , Fujishima Akira
Published: October 2014

A practical and long-term usable air-cleaner based on the synergy of photocatalysis and plasma treatments has been developed. A field test of the air-cleaner was carried out in an office smoking room. The results were compared to previously reported laboratory test results. Even after a treatment of 12,000 cigarettes-worth of tobacco smoke, the air-cleaner maintained high-level air-purification activity (98.9% ± 0.1% and 88% ± 1% removal of the total suspended particulate (TSP) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations, respectively) at single-pass conditions. Although the removal ratio of TSP concentrations was 98.6% ± 0.2%, the ratio of TVOC concentrations was 43.8% after a treatment of 21,900 cigarettes-worth of tobacco smoke in the field test. These results indicate the importance of suitable maintenance of the reactors in the air-cleaner during field use.
Advances in Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Halogenated Quinazolinones and Their Quinazoline Derivatives
Authors: Mphahlele Malose , Maluleka Marole
Published: October 2014

Halogenated quinazolinones and quinazolines are versatile synthetic intermediates for the metal-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond formation reactions such as the Kumada, Stille, Negishi, Sonogashira, Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling reactions or carbon-heteroatom bond formation via the Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling to yield novel polysubstituted derivatives. This review presents an overview of the application of these methods on halogenated quinazolin-4-ones and their quinazolines to generate novel polysubstituted derivatives.
Brefeldin A Reduces Anchorage-Independent Survival, Cancer Stem Cell Potential and Migration of MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Tseng Chao-Neng , Hong Yi-Ren , Chang Hsueh-Wei , Yu Tsai-Jung , Hung Ting-Wei , Hou Ming-Feng , Yuan Shyng-Shiou , Cho Chung-Lung , Liu Chien-Tsung , Chiu Chien-Chih , Huang Chih-Jen
Published: October 2014

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cancer cells in tumors or established cancer cell lines that can initiate and sustain the growth of tumors in vivo. Cancer stem cells can be enriched in serum-free, suspended cultures that allow the formation of tumorspheres over several days to weeks. Brefeldin A (BFA) is a mycotoxin that induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in eukaryotic cells. We found that BFA, at sub-microgram per milliliter concentrations, preferentially induced cell death in MDA-MB-231 suspension cultures (EC50: 0.016 µg/mL) compared to adhesion cultures. BFA also effectively inhibited clonogenic activity and the migration and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) activity of MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blotting analysis indicated that the effects of BFA may be mediated by the down-regulation of breast CSC marker CD44 and anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, as well as the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, BFA also displayed selective cytotoxicity toward suspended MDA-MB-468 cells, and suppressed tumorsphere formation in T47D and MDA-MB-453 cells, suggesting that BFA may be effective against breast cancer cells of various phenotypes.
Stray Light Artifacts in Imagery from the Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor
Authors: Montanaro Matthew , Gerace Aaron , Lunsford Allen , Reuter Dennis
Published: October 2014

The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) has been collecting imagery of the Earth since its launch aboard Landsat 8 in early 2013. In many respects, TIRS has been exceeding its performance requirements on orbit, particularly in terms of noise and stability. However, several artifacts have been observed in the TIRS data which include banding and absolute calibration discrepancies that violate requirements in some scenes. Banding is undesired structure that appears within and between the focal plane array assemblies. In addition, in situ measurements have shown an error in the TIRS absolute radiometric calibration that appears to vary with season and location within the image. The source of these artifacts has been determined to be out-of-field radiance that scatters onto the detectors thereby adding a non-uniform signal across the field-of-view. The magnitude of this extra signal can be approximately 8% or higher (band 11) and is generally twice as large in band 11 as it is in band 10. A series of lunar scans were obtained to gather information on the source of this out-of-field radiance. Analyses of these scans have produced a preliminary map of stray light, or ghost, source locations in the TIRS out-of-field area. This dataset has been used to produce a synthetic TIRS scene that closely reproduces the banding effects seen in actual TIRS imagery. Now that the cause of the banding has been determined, a stray light optics model is in development that will pin-point the cause of the stray light source. Several methods are also being explored to correct for the banding and the absolute calibration error in TIRS imagery.
Pieter M. Venter’s contribution to Old Testament Studies – an appreciation
Authors: Van Wyk Wouter C.
Published: October 2014

The contribution that Professor Pieter M. Venter has made to the study of the Old Testament during his academic and ecclesiastic career is reviewed. After a brief biographical introduction, the article surveys the development of his research interests, focusing specifically on his contributions to the study of wisdom literature, narratives and narratology, second temple literature, the formation of the canon, and Old Testament Theology. The review concludes with reference to his way of practising critical theology, taking full cognisance of research into the linguistic, historical critical, narratological and ideological aspects of Old Testament texts, but always with a sensitivity for the needs of the church as interpretive community.
Feasibility of Applying the Life History Calendar in a Population of Chronic Opioid Users to Identify Patterns of Drug Use and Addiction Treatment
Authors: Fikowski Jill , Marchand Kirsten , Palis Heather , Oviedo-Joekes Eugenia
Published: October 2014

Uncovering patterns of drug use and treatment access is essential to improving treatment for opioid dependence. The life history calendar (LHC) could be a valuable instrument for capturing time-sensitive data on lifetime patterns of drug use and addiction treatment. This study describes the methodology applied when collecting data using the LHC in a sample of individuals with long-term opioid dependence and aims to identify specific factors that impact the feasibility of administering the LHC interview. In this study, the LHC allowed important events such as births, intimate relationships, housing, or incarcerations to become reference points for recalling details surrounding drug use and treatment access. The paper concludes that the administration of the LHC was a resource-intensive process and required special attention to interviewer training and experience with the study population. These factors should be considered and integrated into study plans by researchers using the LHC in addiction research.
A Survey of Nursing Home Physicians to Determine Laboratory Monitoring Adverse Drug Event Alert Preferences
Authors: Perera S. , Nace D.A. , Culley C.M. , Handler S.M. , Boyce R.D.
Published: October 2014

Objective: We conducted a survey of nursing home physicians to learn about (1) the laboratory value thresholds that clinical event monitors should use to generate alerts about potential adverse drug events (ADEs); (2) the specific information to be included in the alerts; and (3) the communication modality that should be used for communicating them.

Methods: Nursing home physician attendees of the 2010 Conference of AMDA: The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.

Results: A total of 800 surveys were distributed; 565 completed surveys were returned and seven surveys were excluded due to inability to verify that the respondents were physicians (a 70% net valid response rate). Alerting threshold preferences were identified for eight laboratory tests. For example, the majority of respondents selected thresholds of ≥ 5.5 mEq/L for hyperkalemia (63%) and ≤ 3.5 without symptoms for hypokalemia (54%). The majority of surveyed physicians thought alerts should include the complete active medication list, current vital signs, previous value of the triggering lab, medication change in the past 30 days, and medication allergies. Most surveyed physicians felt the best way to communicate an ADE alert was by direct phone/voice communication (64%), followed by email to a mobile device (59%).

Conclusions: This survey of nursing home physicians suggests that the majority prefer alerting thresholds that would generally lead to fewer alerts than if widely accepted standardized laboratory ranges were used. It also suggests a subset of information items to include in alerts, and the physicians’ preferred communication modalities. This information might improve the acceptance of clinical event monitoring systems to detect ADEs in the nursing home setting.

Citation: Boyce RD, Perera S, Nace DA, Culley CM, Handler SM. A survey of nursing home physicians to determine laboratory monitoring adverse drug event alert preferences. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 895–906

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-06-RA-0053
Characteristics of Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines (NEIALs) in relation to auroral forms
Authors: Michell R. G. , Grydeland T. , Samara M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines (NEIALs) have been observed with the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) ever since it began operating in 2006. The nearly continuous operation of PFISR since then has led to a large number of NEIAL observations from there, where common-volume, high-resolution auroral imaging data are available. We aim to systematically distinguish the different types of auroral forms that are associated with different NEIAL features, including spectral shape and altitude extent. We believe that NEIALs occur with a continuum of morphological characteristics, although we find that most NEIALs observed with PFISR fall into two general categories. The first group occurs at fairly low altitudes – F region or below – and have power at, and spread between, the ion-acoustic peaks. The second group contains the type of NEIALs that have previously been observed with the EISCAT radars, those that extend to high altitudes (600 km or more) and often have large asymmetries in the power enhancements between the two ion-acoustic shoulders. We find that there is a correlation between the auroral structures and the type of NEIALs observed, and that the auroral structures present during NEIAL events are consistent with the likely NEIAL generation mechanisms inferred in each case. The first type of NEIAL – low altitude – is the most commonly observed with PFISR and is most often associated with active, structured auroral arcs, such as substorm growth phase, and onset arcs and are likely generated by Langmuir turbulence. The second type of NEIAL – high altitude – occurs less frequently in the PFISR radar and is associated with aurora that contains large fluxes of low-energy electrons, as can happen in poleward boundary intensifications as well as at substorm onset and is likely the result of current-driven instabilities and in some cases Langmuir turbulence as well. In addition, a preliminary auroral photometry analysis revealed that there is an anticorrelation between the altitude of the NEIALs and the calculated energy of the electrons, which is consistent with the hypotheses presented here regarding generation mechanisms.
Fatigue testing of flexure hinges for the purpose of the development of a high-precision micro manipulator
Authors: Ivanov I. , Corves B.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. An approach was initially proposed for the estimation of the maximum von Mises stress in flexure hinges. It relied on recognizing relevant stress factors that were calculated from empirical functions set up by using the finite element method. Afterwards, a fatigue test bench was designed and realized for the examination of flexure hinge specimens. As functional failure occurred before fracture, crack initiation and propagation were observed permanently with the help of a monitoring system and sporadically by means of scanning electron microscopy. On the basis of results obtained thereby, where varying the maximum rotation angle, the operating frequency and the quality of the notch surfaces, a correlation was established between the stress limit and the number of cycles up to functional failure. This was utilized for the optimal dimensioning of flexure hinges within the framework of the development of a high-precision micro manipulator.
Endometriosis of the sciatic nerve with cyclic sciatica
Authors: Baskan Ozdil , Ozdemir Ferda
Published: October 2014

Endometriosis is an important gynecological disorder which is characterized by proliferation of the functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, affects most commonly the ovaries and less frequently the gastrointestinal tract, chest, urinary tract, and soft tissues. Endometriosis invading the sciatic nerve is a rare manifestation of a common disease. The cyclic rhythm of pain, associated with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal of the lesion should suggest a diagnosis of endometriosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent irreversible damage to the sciatic nerve.
Macroscopic Limits of Microscopic Models
Authors: Abeyaratne Rohan
Published: October 2014

Many physical systems are comprised of several discrete elements, the equations of motion of each element being known. If the system has a large number of degrees of freedom, it may be possible to treat it as a continuous system. In this event, one might wish to derive the equations of motion of the continuous (macroscopic) system by taking a suitable limit of the equations governing the discrete (microscopic) system. The classical example of this involves a row of particles with each particle connected to its nearest neighbor by a linear spring, its continuum counterpart being a linearly elastic bar; see Fig. 1.

In a typical undergraduate engineering subject on, for example, Dynamics, the transition from a discrete system to a continuous system is usually carried out through a formal Taylor expansion of the terms of the discrete model about some reference configuration. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to the fact that a macroscopic model derived in this way should be examined critically in order to confirm that it provides a faithful representation of the underlying microscopic model. We use a specific (striking) example to make this point. In this example, a simple solution of the discrete model can be stable or unstable depending on the state of the system. However, the corresponding solution of the continuous system is always unstable! We go on to show how the dispersion relations of the two models can be used to identify the source of the discrepancy and to suggest how one might modify the continuous model.
System Identification and Control Design of a Piezoelectric-Actuated Cantilever Beam
Authors: Lu Bei , Li Qifu
Published: October 2014

Cantilever beams are widely found in many different applications such as aircraft wings and microelectromechanical devices. One of the problems associated with cantilever structures is that uncontrolled tip vibrations can cause serious structural damage. Piezoelectric materials can be used to control the vibration of cantilever beams. In this paper, a piezoelectric-actuated cantilever beam is utilized to help students understand basic concepts in system dynamics and learn state-space control design methods. The piezoelectric cantilever beam is modeled as a second-order system with one degree-of-freedom. The system parameters, including the natural frequency, the damping ratio and zeroes, are identified from the measurement of free and sinusoidal responses. An observer-based controller is then designed using the identified dynamics model. Both computer simulations and realtime experiments are conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of the model and the performance of the controller. Such a smart structure can be easily set up to improve the education in the area of controls at both the undergraduate and introductory graduate levels.
The Self-Help Clearinghouse of Metropolitan Toronto: Reflections on Seven Years of Survival and Beyond
Authors: Fine Randi , Hammett Carter , Sernick David , Steinhouse Karol
Published: October 2014

In May of 1987, Health and Welfare Canada awarded the Self-Help Clearinghouse of Metropolitan Toronto a three-year demonstration grant. Today, the Toronto Clearinghouse remains the only free-standing self-help resource of its kind in Canada and is a registered charitable organization whose mandate is to facilitate the growth and development of self-help/mutual-aid groups, networks, and resources. This paper describes the unique Toronto Clearinghouse model which from its carliest beginnings has been a partnership between the self-help community and interested and supportive professionals. The success of this model stems from its strong grassroots origins, respect for a community empowerment approach, and focused goals and objectives. Using information gleaned from the archival history of the Toronto Clearinghouse and through a series of interviews with past and current members of the Clearinghouse board of directors, program staff, and local self-help group members, the paper explains the “roller coaster ride” which has characterized the history of the Clearinghouse to date. Finally, the paper illustrates that while the achievement of financial stability has been an ongoing challenge in the face of variable community and political support, the Toronto Clearinghouse is, today, a strong centre of self-help activitity and promotion, involved in a unique exercise to determine the role that self-help can play as a strategic component of an overall health and social services system—and with every reason to be optimistic about its future.
Évaluation Du Processus Dans Une Expérience De Groupe Pour Parents Négligents
Authors: Palacio-Quintin Ercilia , Calille Sylvie
Published: October 2014

Dans cet article, nous rapportons une évaluation du processus d'une expérience de groupe avec des parents négligents. Les parents négligents éprouvent évidemment des difficultés è assumer leurs responsabilités parentales, mais ils présentent aussi comme caractéristique de vivre des situations difficiles, de souffrir d'isolement, et d'être peu intégrés dans leur communautés. Une expérience de groupe a été réalisée auprès de 35 familles, dont 33 femmes et 17 hommes, retenues comme négligentes par le CPEJ. Les parents ont été répartis en quatre groupes chacun animé par un professionnel. Nous tentons ici de dégager ce que l'expérience de groupe comporte et peut apporter compte tenu des besoins spécifiques de ces parents.
Understanding Aggression with Adolescent Girls: Implications for Policy and Practice
Authors: Cummings Anne L. , Leschied Alan W.
Published: October 2014

Seventy at-risk adolescent girls in 7 residential facilities were interviewed over a 12-month period. The girls were asked questions regarding experiences, thoughts, and feelings about physical and verbal fights with friends and parents. Results showed that many of these girls reported different reasons for starting and escalating verbal and physical fights, they had more negative feel-ings for verbal fights than for physical fights, and had similar thought pro-cesses during both kinds of fights. More girls acknowledged responsibility for starting fights with parents than they did with peers. Implications of the results for treatment of female young offenders and the development of public policy are discussed.
An Evaluation of Residential Treatment Programs for Young Offenders in the Waterloo Region
Authors: Bidgood Bruce A. , Pancer S. Mark
Published: October 2014

This paper chronicles a comprehensive evaluation of 6 residential facilities for young offenders located within the region of Waterloo. Two kinds of research methodologies were employed in the investigation. One was primarily quantitative in nature, involving the completion of standardized scales for each of the youths who participated in the study (N = 129). The other was qualitative in nature, and involved interviews with a small sample of “graduates” from the centres (N = 9), and some of their parents and guardians (N = 4). Residential treatment was associated with significant improvements on the 2 measures developed specifically for the evaluation: a measure which focused on the specific goals which had been assigned to youths while in the program (Catalogue of Goals for Youth in Residence), and the global index of youth functioning which was empirically generated from residential case files (Inventory of Work Life and Social Skills). Qualitative interviews with program graduates and selected parents and guardians generally confirmed the positive evaluation of the impact of residential facilities on youths and served as the foundation for a series of recommendations for programmatic modifications and improvements.
Bridging the Gap Between Dreams and Realities Related to Employment and Mental Health: Implications for Policy and Practice
Authors: Sundar Purnima , Ochocka Joanna
Published: October 2014

Access to valued resources, especially to employment and income, is a critical issue in community mental health. Appropriate public policy and services are needed to bridge the gap between dreams and realities related to employment for people with a serious mental health illness. This article reviews current literature in the area of employment and mental health, and describes the findings of a research study focusing on these issues in one community in Southern Ontario. This study used a participatory, action-oriented approach to understand the ideal employment situation for people with a serious mental health illness, and to explore the barriers preventing them from finding, getting, and keeping work. Concrete areas for action (generated by people with a serious mental health illness working with service providers in this field) are suggested in order to respond to employment barriers at various levels and to make employment a reality for people experiencing a serious mental health illness.
Catalytic Studies Featuring Palladium(II) Benzoylthiourea Derivative as Catalyst in Sonogashira Reaction
Authors: Khairul Wan M. , Mohd Faisol Sarah Liyana , Jasman Siti Maryam , Che Soh Siti Kamilah , Shamsuddin Mustaffa
Published: October 2014

A benzoylthiourea derivative (LTU) and its metal complexation of palladium(II) chloride (MLTU) has been successfully synthesized and characterized via typical spectroscopic and analytical techniques namely IR, 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, UV-Visible and Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The Infrared spectrum for LTU shows four significant bands of interest namely ν(N-H), ν(C=O), ν(C-N) and ν(C=S) and the values were observed within the range. The 1H NMR spectrum for the compound shows expected protons for N-H at δH 10.95 ppm and δH 11.15 ppm while the 13C NMR spectrum shows resonances of carbonyl (C=O) carbon and thiones (C=S) at δC 168.26 ppm and δC 180.56 ppm, respectively. From UV-Vis spectrum, it shows the presence of n-pi* and pi→pi*electronic transitions which are expected to be attributed from the phenyl ring, carbonyl (C=O) and thiones (C=S) chromophores. Complexation of LTU with palladium(II) chloride was done to afford MLTU which in turn, was tested as homogeneous catalyst in Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The reaction was monitored by GC-FID at 6 hours reaction period. The percentage conversion of 4-bromoacetophenone to the coupled product was 75.73% indicated that MLTU can act as an ideal potential catalyst in the Sonogashira reaction. © 2014 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Kinetic Control over Pathway Complexity in Supramolecular Polymerization through Modulating the Energy Landscape by Rational Molecular Design
Authors: Ogi Soichiro , Fukui Tomoya , Jue Melinda L. , Takeuchi Masayuki , Sugiyasu Kazunori
Published: October 2014

Far‐from‐equilibrium thermodynamic systems that are established as a consequence of coupled equilibria are the origin of the complex behavior of biological systems. Therefore, research in supramolecular chemistry has recently been shifting emphasis from a thermodynamic standpoint to a kinetic one; however, control over the complex kinetic processes is still in its infancy. Herein, we report our attempt to control the time evolution of supramolecular assembly in a process in which the supramolecular assembly transforms from a J‐aggregate to an H‐aggregate over time. The transformation proceeds through a delicate interplay of these two aggregation pathways. We have succeeded in modulating the energy landscape of the respective aggregates by a rational molecular design. On the basis of this understanding of the energy landscape, programming of the time evolution was achieved through adjusting the balance between the coupled equilibria.
DNA‐Programmed Dynamic Assembly of Quantum Dots for Molecular Computation
Authors: He Xuewen , Li Zhi , Chen Muzi , Ma Nan
Published: October 2014

Despite the widespread use of quantum dots (QDs) for biosensing and bioimaging, QD‐based bio‐interfaceable and reconfigurable molecular computing systems have not yet been realized. DNA‐programmed dynamic assembly of multi‐color QDs is presented for the construction of a new class of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)‐based QD computing systems. A complete set of seven elementary logic gates (OR, AND, NOR, NAND, INH, XOR, XNOR) are realized using a series of binary and ternary QD complexes operated by strand displacement reactions. The integration of different logic gates into a half‐adder circuit for molecular computation is also demonstrated. This strategy is quite versatile and straightforward for logical operations and would pave the way for QD‐biocomputing‐based intelligent molecular diagnostics.
Air holding problem solving with reinforcement learning to reduce airspace congestion
Authors: Cruciol Leonardo L. B. V. , Weigang Li , de Barros Alexandre Gomes , Koendjbiharie Marlon Winston
Published: October 2014

The Air Holding Problem Module is proposed as a decision support system to help air traffic controllers in their daily air traffic flow management. This system is developed using an Artificial Intelligence technique known as multiagent systems to organize and optimize the solutions for controllers to handle traffic flow in Brazilian airspace. In this research, the air holding problem is modeled with reinforcement learning, and a solution is proposed and applied in two case studies of the Brazilian airspace. The system can suggest more precise and realistic actions based upon past situations and knowledge of the professionals and forecast the impact of restrictive measures at the local and/or overall level. The first case study shows performance improvements in traffic flows between 8 and 47% at the local level up to 49% at the overall level. In the second case study, performance improvements were between 15 and 57% at the local level and between 41 and 48% at the overall level. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy for DNA quantification in cell nucleus
Authors: Okotrub K. A. , Surovtsev N. V. , Semeshin V. F. , Omelyanchuk L. V.
Published: October 2014

Here we demonstrate the feasibility of a novel approach to quantify DNA in cell nuclei. This approach is based on spectroscopy analysis of Raman light scattering, and avoids the problem of nonstoichiometric binding of dyes to DNA, as it directly measures the signal from DNA. Quantitative analysis of nuclear DNA contribution to Raman spectrum could be reliably performed using intensity of a phosphate mode at 1096 cm−1. When compared to the known DNA standards from cells of different animals, our results matched those values at error of 10%. We therefore suggest that this approach will be useful to expand the list of DNA standards, to properly adjust the duration of hydrolysis in Feulgen staining, to assay the applicability of fuchsines for DNA quantification, as well as to measure DNA content in cells with complex hydrolysis patterns, when Feulgen densitometry is inappropriate. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Noninvasive monitoring of moisture uptake in Ca(NO3)2‐polluted calcareous stones by 1H‐NMR relaxometry
Authors: Casieri Cinzia , Terenzi Camilla , De Luca Francesco
Published: October 2014

NMR transverse relaxation time (T2) distribution of 1H nuclei of water has been used to monitor the moisture condensation kinetics in Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O‐polluted Lecce stone, a calcareous stone with highly regular porous structure often utilized as basic material in Baroque buildings. Polluted samples have been exposed to water vapor adsorption at controlled relative humidity to mimic environmental conditions. In presence of pollutants, the T2 distributions of water in stone exhibit a range of relaxation time values and amplitudes not observed in the unpolluted case. These characteristics could be exploited for in situ noninvasive detection of salt pollution in Lecce stone or as damage precursors in architectural buildings of cultural heritage interest. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the validation of crystallographic symmetry and the quality of structures
Authors: Wang Jimin
Published: October 2014

In 2008, Zwart and colleagues observed that the fraction of the structures deposited in the PDB alleged to have “pseudosymmetry” or “special noncrystallographic symmetry” (NCS) was about 6%, and that this percentage was rising annually. A few years later, Poon and colleagues found that 2% of all the crystal structures in the PDB belonged to higher symmetry space groups than those assigned to them. Here, I report an analysis of the X‐ray diffraction data deposited for this class of structures, which shows that most of the “pseudosymmetry” and “special NCS” that has been reported is in fact true crystallographic symmetry (CS). This distinction is important because the credibility of crystal structures depends heavily on quality control statistics such as Rfree that are unreliable when they are computed incorrectly, which they often are when CS is misidentified as “special NCS” or “pseudosymmetry”. When mistakes of this kind are made, artificially low values of Rfree can give unjustified confidence in the accuracy of the reported structures.