bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JHPPL Workshop on Medicaid Fiscal and Governance Issues: Objectives and Themes
Authors: Long Peter V. , Campbell Andrea Louise
Published: August 2013

At a November 2012 workshop, state health policy officials, other Medicaid and insurance exchange practitioners, and health policy researchers discussed issues surrounding the implementation and sustainability of Medicaid expansion and insurance exchange coordination under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Foremost were concerns about (1) intergovernmental relations (states experiencing uncertain information, lack of coordination among federal agencies, and limited resources to take on new responsibilities under the PPACA), and (2) policy design (new issues such as Medicaid exchange coordination on top of preexisting Medicaid challenges). JHPPL has proposed the creation of a research network to develop policy options and share strategies and best practices.
Dendritic Light-harvesting Antennas with Excitation Energy Gradients
Authors: Kozaki Masatoshi , Suzuki Shuichi , Okada Keiji
Published: August 2013

Dendritic architectures provide attractive scaffolds for the precise arrangement of considerable numbers of antenna chromophores. Multichromophoric antennas are advantageous for obtaining intense absorption over the entire visible light spectrum. The strategic arrangement of various antenna chromophores produces the lowest excitation energy gradient for efficient energy transfer. Large light-harvesting systems can be constructed by the proper arrangement of the antennas.
Ownership Consolidation and Product Characteristics: A Study of the US Daily Newspaper Market
Authors: Fan Ying
Published: August 2013

This paper develops a structural model of newspaper markets to analyze the effects of ownership consolidation, taking into account not only firms' price adjustments but also the adjustments in newspaper characteristics. A new dataset on newspaper prices and characteristics is used to estimate the model. The paper then simulates the effect of a merger in the Minneapolis newspaper market and studies how welfare effects of mergers vary with market characteristics. It finds that ignoring adjustments of product characteristics causes substantial differences in estimated effects of mergers. (JEL G32, L13, L82, M37)
Asset Prices and Institutional Investors
Authors: Basak Suleyman , Pavlova Anna
Published: August 2013

We consider an economy populated by institutional investors alongside standard retail investors. Institutions care about their performance relative to a certain index. Our framework is tractable, admitting exact closed-form expressions, and produces the following analytical results. We find that institutions tilt their portfolios towards stocks that compose their benchmark index. The resulting price pressure boosts index stocks. By demanding more risky stocks than retail investors, institutions amplify the index stock volatilities and aggregate stock market volatility and give rise to countercyclical Sharpe ratios. Trades by institutions induce excess correlations among stocks that belong to their benchmark, generating an asset-class effect. (JEL G12, G23)
Taxation and International Migration of Superstars: Evidence from the European Football Market
Authors: Kleven Henrik Jacobsen , Landais Camille , Saez Emmanuel
Published: August 2013

We analyze the effects of top tax rates on international migration of football players in 14 European countries since 1985. Both country case studies and multinomial regressions show evidence of strong mobility responses to tax rates, with an elasticity of the number of foreign (domestic) players to the net-of-tax rate around one (around 0.15). We also find evidence of sorting effects (low taxes attract highability players who displace low-ability players) and displacement effects (low taxes on foreigners displace domestic players). Those results can be rationalized in a simple model of migration and taxation with rigid labor demand. (JEL F22, H24, H31, J44, J61, L83)
Matching with Contracts: Comment
Authors: Aygün Orhan , Sönmez Tayfun
Published: August 2013

The matching with contracts model (Hatfield and Milgrom 2005) is widely considered to be one of the most important advances of the last two decades in matching theory. One of their main messages is that the set of stable allocations is non-empty under a substitutes condition. We show that an additional irrelevance of rejected contracts (IRC) condition is implicitly assumed throughout their analysis, and in the absence of IRC several of their results, including the guaranteed existence of a stable allocation, fail to hold. (JEL C78, D86)
Communicology and linguistics: a long-term cooperation
Authors: Голубкова  , Golubkova E.
Published: August 2013

The article looks at the contribution of cognitive-semantic approach in linguistics into communication science. It is argued that verbal communication is viewed as a creative process that has cognitive background. It performs a reshaping function towards the language in its turn, too.
Ritual characteristics of an American lawyer discourse
Authors: Гуляева  , Gulyaeva E. , Дженкова  , Dzhenkova E.
Published: August 2013

The author looks at the communicative behaviour of American lawyers and stresses the importance of the persuasive emotional factor of their speeches in court in specific professional situations. The tactics and strategies of communicative behaviour of American lawyers are studied in the light of courtroom discourse rituals. The article gives a definition of "ritual" and offers opinions on its essence.
Metaphor in English-speaking youth communication
Authors: Лукьянченко  , Lukyanchenko E.
Published: August 2013

The article deals with the language of the modern English-speaking youth and noun incorporation as a trend in its development. Nominalizations with incorporated objects are on the whole neologisms to the English language. There are metaphorical or colloquial compounds among them. The author of this article pays special attention to the kind of nominalizations which are characterized by both features. The study of the material involves several example incorporated nouns included in the article for illustration purposes. The author makes conclusions concerning possible future changes in meaning of these lexical units and their further frequency of use. As the author generalizes, informal discourse enriches the language with new diverse forms of nomination and stimulates its further development.
The role of communicative abilities in foreign language teaching
Authors: Кочкина  , Kochkina O.
Published: August 2013

The article highlights communicative aspects of foreign language teaching, namely, communicative competence and communicative abilities. The author stresses the importance of students’ abilities for successful mastery of the language and singles out a special type — discourse abilities — applied in the process of realization of discourse practice.
Problems Related to Creation of Scientific Schools in Pedagogy
Authors: Артемьева  , Artemyeva Svetlana
Published: August 2013

The author analyzes the content of concept «scientific school» in the past and present times, describes the experience of «Education Quality Monitoring» scientific school formation on the basis of «Pedagogy and Psychology» Chair of Moscow State University of Technology and Management named after K.G. Razumovsky.
BRICS Countries’ Role in Global Governance System Modifying
Authors: Зеленева  , Zeleneva I.
Published: August 2013

In the conditions of accruing civilization crisis a need of reforming of modern international system, global leadership and global management is becoming apparent. The ascending giant countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and the Republic of South Africa), becoming the new geopolitical centers of the world, became a new force in world politics. The author believes that BRICS as global association of regional powers is capable to reform the global management system.
Moscow Society of Commercial Education Expansion (end of XIX — beginning of XX century)
Authors: Горбунова  , Gorbunova E.
Published: August 2013

The activities of Moscow society of commercial education distribution for creation of educational institutions for different level specialist training in the field of trade and banking are analyzed in this paper. This society’s contribution to formation of economic education system in Russia at the end of XIX — the beginning of XX century has been studied in.
Formation of Multicultural Competences: European Way of Education Development
Authors: Полушина  , Polushina Lyubov
Published: August 2013

The mutual understanding and cross-cultural competence are very important today as with their help we can address to the most complex problems of modern society. Manifestation of prejudices, discrimination and aggression has become an everyday occurrence,

and the political parties protecting extremist ideas, have received a new driving force. These problems are connected with social and economic and political inequality and misunderstanding between people of different cultural estates and religions.
Vol. 16/17 Editor's Note
Authors: Baker Zachary
Published: August 2013

Judaica Librarianship 16/17 (2011) editorial.
The Contribution of Hebrew Printing Houses and Printers in Istanbul to Ladino Culture and Scholarship
Authors: Simon Rachel
Published: August 2013

Sephardi printers were pioneers of moveable type in the Islamic world, establishing a Hebrew printing house in Istanbul in 1493. Initially emphasizing classical religious works in Hebrew, since the eighteenth century printers have been instrumental in the development of scholarship, literature, and journalism in the vernacular of most Jews of the western Ottoman Empire: Ladino. Although most Jewish males knew the Hebrew alphabet, they did not understand Hebrew texts. Communal cultural leaders and printers collaborated in order to bring basic Jewish works to the masses in the only language they really knew. While some books in Ladino were printed as early as the sixteenth century, their percentage increased since the second quarter of the eighteenth century, following the printing of Me-’am lo’ez, by Jacob Culi (1730), and the Bible in Ladino translation by Abraham Assa (1739). In the nineteenth century the balance of Ladino printing shifted toward novels, poetry, history, and biography, sciences, and communal and state laws and regulations. Ladino periodicals, which aimed to modernize, educate, and entertain, were of special social and cultural importance, and their printing houses also served as publishers of Ladino books. Thus, from its beginnings as an agent that aimed to “Judaize” the Jews, Ladino publishing in the later period sought to modernize and entertain, while still trying to spread Judaic knowledge.
Optimal Operation Method of Smart House by Controllable Loads based on Smart Grid Topology
Authors: Yoza Akihiro , Uchida Kosuke , Yona Atsushi , Senju Tomonobu
Published: August 2013

From the perspective of global warming suppression and depletion of energy resources, renewable energy such as wind generation (WG) and photovoltaic generation (PV) are getting attention in distribution systems. Additionally, all electrification apartment house or residence such as DC smart house have increased in recent years. However, due to fluctuating power from renewable energy sources and loads, supply–demand balancing fluctuations of power system become problematic. Therefore, “smart grid” has become very popular in the worldwide. This article presents a methodology for optimal operation of a smart grid to minimize the interconnection point power flow fluctuations. To achieve the proposed optimal operation, we use distributed controllable loads such as battery and heat pump. By minimizing the interconnection point power flow fluctuations, it is possible to reduce the maximum electric power consumption and the electric cost. This system consists of photovoltaics generator, heat pump, battery, solar collector, and load. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed system, MATLAB is used in simulations.
Polymers as enhancers of photodynamic activity of chlorin photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Aksenova Nadezhda A. , Zhientaev Timur M. , Brilkina Anna A. , Dubasova Ljubov V. , Ivanov Andrey V. , Timashev Peter S. , Melik-Nubarov Nicolay S. , Solovieva Anna B.
Published: August 2013

The impact of water-soluble and amphiphilic polymers with different structures, namely carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), was studied on the photoactivity of chlorin photosensitizers (PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT). It was shown that such polymers can cause a considerable increase in the PS activity, both in the process of singlet oxygen photogeneration in cell experiments, and in the model reaction of a substrate photooxidation in water. Amongst the studied polymers, CMC and PVP appeared to have the most significant influence on the photoactivity of PSs. The observed effect of the polymers on the photosensitizing activity of PSs can be attributed to the presence of chlorin-polymer interactions resulting in the porphyrin disaggregation in aqueous phase. The effect of the polymers on the photocytotoxicity of PSs is attributed to the absence of interactions between chlorin and polypeptide or lipoproteins which results in a decrease of the photoactivity of chlorins in cell culture. The PS/polymer systems appear to be a new effective dosage form of PDT drugs.
Technique for measuring laser radiation intensity in biological tissues
Authors: Grachev Pavel , Loschenov Victor
Published: August 2013

Laser methods, such as laser-induced fluorescence diagnostics, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and hyperthermia, are finding increasing use in medicine. Irradiation can be performed both with and without contact on the tissue surface. In the case of contact irradiation, especially when laser radiation is introduced into biological tissue through an optical fiber, it is important to know the processes taking place at the irradiation fiber end. These processes affect diffusely reflected radiation which returns to the fiber. By analyzing backscattered radiation, we can evaluate the quality of the radiation procedure and the state of the fiber end. The objectives of this study were to develop a method and device for measuring backscattered radiation power and using this method, to determine the time and temperature ranges realized in PDT and hyperthermia.

Light propagation is discussed in bent optical fibers. A technique is proposed for measuring laser radiation intensity in the optical fiber bend. Based on this technique, a system was developed for monitoring the laser radiation dose absorbed in biological tissues. We studied samples of bovine liver, muscle and brain tissues. Experiments were performed using a 675 nm, 100–2200 mW continuous wave semi-conductor laser. Laser radiation was delivered through a silica/polymer optical fiber. Data concerning the temperature and transmitted radiation intensity was acquired.

Modeling of the light propagation in a bent optical fiber showed that the sensitivity of the method depends on the position of the photodetectors, but is independent of the loop number of the optical fiber. The results of experiments are presented using different types of biological tissues. We obtained the experimental dependencies of backward and transmitted radiation intensities and the temperature of the tissue surface in the irradiated region on the irradiation time measured with a flat-end fiber. The characteristic ranges of tissue heating caused by irradiation were determined for use in clinical practice.

The optical parameters of biological tissues change with increasing temperature. This affects the intensity of transmitting radiation and diffuse radiation entering the fiber. The change in the backscattered radiation intensity greatly depend on the temperature of the irradiated area. The control of the irradiation of biological objects provides an efficient delivery of laser radiation to biological tissues and increases hyperthermia and PDT treatment effect.
Monogynistic and Monogamous Tendencies, Memories and Imagination in Late Persian/Early Hellenistic Yehud
Authors: Zvi Ehud Ben
Published: August 2013

Abstract: This article explores monogynistic and monogamous tendencies, memories and imagination in late Persian/early Hellenistic Yehud that were evoked, encoded and represented as the community or at least its literati read and reread the texts in their central literary repertoire. It also sets these tendencies within larger contexts, in terms both of a regional oikoumene and of general anthropological considerations.

Résumé: Cette étude est consacrée aux tendances, souvenirs et représentations monogyniques et monogamiques à l’époque Yéhud, c-à-d. à la période perse tardive et au début de l’ère hellénistique, qui furent suscitées, figées et énoncées alors que la communauté – ou du moins ses spécialistes de l’écrit – lurent et relurent les textes du répertoire considérés par eux comme centraux. Cette étude situe également ces tendances dans un contexte plus large, aussi bien dans la perspective d’une oecumène régionale que dans le cadre de considérations anthropologiques plus larges.

Zusammenfassung: Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit monogynistischen und monogamen Tendenzen, Erinnerungen und Vorstellungen im spätpersischen/frühhellenistischen Jehud, die wachgerufen, festgehalten und vertreten wurden, als die Gemeinschaft oder zumindest die Schriftkundigen die für sie zentralen Texte wieder und neu gelesen haben. Er stellt die Tendenzen dieses literarischen Repertoires in einen größeren Zusammenhang, sowohl im Blick auf eine regionale Ökumene als auch hinsichtlich allgemeiner anthropologischer Überlegungen.
Antiochos contra Eleazar – Das vierte Makkabäerbuch als Zeugnis des Ringens um ein zentrales Element jüdischen Glaubens
Authors: Witulski Thomas
Published: August 2013

Abstract: The following essay is the first attempt at a construal of the Fourth Book of Maccabees in a way that is consistently sensitive to its context, i.e. the first attempt to ask to which schools and ideas of his contemporary addressees the author refers. In the present paper, IV Maccabees 5,1–4.5–38 will be used as an example of this approach. This context-sensitive analysis results in the conclusion that certain groups in IV Maccabees' audience wanted to abandon their Jewish identity for the sake of a thoroughgoing integration into a pagan majority. They try to argue that the Jewish law, or at least some parts of its regulations, is contrary to reason as well as nature. In contrast, the author of IV Maccabees proves the law to coincide with reason as well as with nature. Furthermore, he states that the virtue of piety as well as the Jewish tradition demand the total observance of the law.

Résumé: Il s’agit d’un premier essai d’interprétation, cohérente et tenant compte du contexte, du IVème livre des Maccabées, réalisé sur la base de IV Macc. 5,1–4.5–38, c-à-d. à repérer à quels courants de pensée s’adresse l’auteur parmi ses auditeurs. Il en résulte le tableau suivant: certains cercles parmi les auditeurs de IV Macc. veulent s’intégrer dans la société majoritairement païenne et ainsi abandonner leur identité juive. Ils tentent ainsi de montrer que la Loi juive, ou du moins certaines de ses prescriptions, s’opposent aussi bien aux lois de la raison qu’à celles de la nature. A l’opposé, l’auteur de IV Macc. défend la cohérence de la Loi en ces deux domaines, ajoutant qu’aussi bien la piété que la tradition juives exigent l’observation conséquente de cette Loi.

Zusammenfassung: Bei dem vorliegenden Aufsatz handelt es sich um den ersten, paradigmatisch an IV Makk 5,1–4.5–38 durchgeführten Versuch, das vierte Makkabäerbuch konsequent kontextbezogen auszulegen, d.h., danach zu fragen, auf welche Strömungen und Gedanken seines aktuellen Auditoriums dessen Verfasser mit seinen Ausführungen eingeht. Als Ergebnis dieser kontextbezogenen Auslegung ergibt sich: Bestimmte Kreise aus der Zuhörerschaft des IV Makk wollen um einer weitergehenden Integration in die pagane Mehrheitsgesellschaft willen ihre jüdische Identität ablegen. Sie versuchen zu belegen, dass das jüdische Gesetz oder zumindest einige seiner Bestimmungen sowohl der Vernunft als auch der Natur entgegenstehen. Dem entgegen erweist der Verfasser des IV Makk sowohl die Vernunft- als auch die Naturgemäßheit des Gesetzes. Darüber hinaus macht er klar, dass sowohl die Tugend der Frömmigkeit als auch die jüdische Tradition die konsequente Beachtung dieses Gesetzes gebieten.
A note on the horses and chariots of fire at Dothan
Authors: Gilmour Rachelle
Published: August 2013

Abstract: This contribution argues that the horses and chariots of fire in II Reg 6,15b–17 play an important function in the plot of II Reg 6,8–23. These verses contribute to irony in the story, to the theme of »seeing«, and it is likely that they are the means by which God smites the Arameans with the sanwerîm (v. 18). Their irrelevancy to the plot cannot be sustained as a sufficient argument for considering these verses to be a later addition to the pericope.

Résumé: On avance ici l’hypothèse que les chevaux et les chariots de feu en II Rois 6,15b–17 jouent un rôle important quant à l’action de II Rois 6,8–23. Ces versets constituent un apport ironique au récit quant au thème du »voir«, et ce sont probablement là les instruments à l’aide desquels Dieu fracasse les Araméens, avec les sanwerîm (v. 18). Leur non-pertinence pour l’action en cours ne peut ainsi servir d’argument suffisant pour considérer ces versets comme une addition tardive à la péricope.

Zusammenfassung: In diesem Beitrag wird argumentiert, dass die feurigen Rosse und Streitwagen in II Reg 6,15b–17 eine wichtige Funktion in der Handlung von II Reg 6,8–23 innehaben. Diese Verse tragen zur Ironie der Geschichte, dem Thema »sehen«, bei, und wahrscheinlich sind diese feurigen Rosse und Streitwagen das Mittel, durch welches Gott die Aramäer mit sanwerîm schlägt (v. 18). Ihre Irrelevanz für die Handlung kann kein ausreichendes Argument dafür sein, diese Verse einer späteren Ergänzung der Perikope zuzurechnen.
The Refraction of Geometry
Authors: Engberg-Pedersen Anders
Published: August 2013

This essay examines the role of geometry in military theory around 1700 and its critical reception in Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy. Juxtaposing literature, maps, and war games, the essay outlines a poetics of war in the eighteenth century and traces the decline of the geometrical order that governs it. A forged continuation of Sterne’s novel written in the immediate aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars reveals the development of a new poetics and the installment of a military order based on topography and chance.
Breastfeeding Keratosis: This Frictional Keratosis of Newborns May Mimic Thrush
Authors: Kiat-amnuay Sudarat , Bouquot Jerry
Published: August 2013

We report the first example, to our knowledge, of a frictional keratosis from exuberant sucking in a breastfeeding infant. A 2-month-old girl was referred for evaluation of a well-demarcated, nonsloughing white keratotic plaque of the lower lip mucosa, just inside the vermilion border. The plaque had a slightly irregular surface, had no surrounding erythema, and was the only such plaque in the mouth. It had been present for at least 3 weeks and had been unsuccessfully treated by her pediatrician via oral Mycostatin (nystatin). Her parents sought a second opinion when the infant was prescribed a full course of oral Diflucan (fluconazole). A cytopathology smear (Papanicolaou test) revealed abundant mature keratinocytes with no evidence of Candida. The mother admitted that the infant “worked hard” at sucking during breastfeeding and continued sucking long after feeding. The parents were unaware of any other habit or potential irritation of the lips. After 3 months of age the infant’s sucking pattern became more “normal” and the keratosis disappeared; it did not recur during 3 years of follow-up. We propose the term “breastfeeding keratosis” for this entity.
Asthma During Pregnancy and Clinical Outcomes in Offspring: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Tegethoff Marion , Olsen Jørn , Schaffner Emmanuel , Meinlschmidt Gunther
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Maternal asthma is a common pregnancy complication, with adverse short-term effects for the offspring. The objective was to determine whether asthma during pregnancy is a risk factor of offspring diseases.

METHODS:

We studied pregnant women from the Danish National Birth Cohort (births: 1996–2002; prospective data) giving birth to live singletons (n = 66 712 mother-child pairs), with 4145 (6.2%) women suffering from asthma during pregnancy. We estimated the associations between asthma during pregnancy and offspring diseases (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnoses from national registries), controlling for potential confounders and validating findings by secondary analyses.

RESULTS:

Offspring median age at end of follow-up was 6.2 (3.6–8.9) years. Asthma was associated with an increased offspring risk of infectious and parasitic diseases (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–1.46), diseases of the nervous system (HR 1.43; CI 1.18–1.73), ear (HR 1.33; CI 1.19–1.48), respiratory system (HR 1.43; CI 1.34–1.52), and skin (HR 1.39; CI 1.20–1.60), and potentially (not confirmed in secondary analyses) of endocrine and metabolic disorders (HR 1.26; CI 1.02–1.55), diseases of the digestive system (HR 1.17; CI 1.04–1.32), and malformations (odds ratio 1.13; CI 1.01–1.26), but not of neoplasms, mental disorders, or diseases of the blood and immune system, circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, and genitourinary system.

CONCLUSIONS:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of the associations between asthma during pregnancy and a wide spectrum of offspring diseases. In line with previous data on selected outcomes, asthma during pregnancy may be a risk factor for numerous offspring diseases, suggesting that careful monitoring of women with asthma during pregnancy and their offspring is important.
Visual Processing in Adolescents Born Extremely Low Birth Weight and/or Extremely Preterm
Authors: Molloy Carly S. , Wilson-Ching Michelle , Anderson Vicki A. , Roberts Gehan , Anderson Peter J. , Doyle Lex W.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ocular growth and development differs between preterm and term-born infants and may cause long-term negative consequences for visual function, but contemporary data on long-term visual outcomes in representative samples of the highest risk extremely low birth weight (ELBW, <1000 g birth weight) or extremely preterm (EP, <28 weeks’ gestation) survivors are lacking. Our objective was to compare visual functioning between ELBW/EP and normal birth weight (NBW, >2499 g birth weight) control adolescents.

METHODS:

Geographically determined cohort study of 228 consecutive ELBW/EP survivors born in the state of Victoria in 1991 and 1992, and 166 randomly selected NBW controls assessed between 14 and 20 years of age. Visual acuity, stereopsis, convergence, color perception, and visual perception were assessed and contrasted between groups.

RESULTS:

ELBW/EP subjects had significantly worse visual acuity with habitual correction in both the left and right eyes, and for the best eye (P < .001). The ELBW/EP adolescents also exhibited poorer stereopsis, odds ratio (OR) 3.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78 to 5.84), and convergence, OR 2.76 (CI 1.32 to 5.75) than controls, and more problems with visual perception, OR 3.09 (CI 1.67 to 5.71) after habitual correction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite advances in medical care improving the survival rate of high-risk ELBW/EP infants, visual morbidity is still relatively high compared with controls in late adolescence.
Rapid Changes in American Family Life: Consequences for Child Health and Pediatric Practice
Authors: Fiese Barbara H. , Rhodes Holly G. , Beardslee William R.
Published: August 2013

Pediatricians are in the unique position of being on the front line of care for children and having access to their families. This article presents both a rationale and the evidence base for identifying the family characteristics and processes that affect child health and suggests approaches that pediatricians can implement to improve the care of children, using data from 3 recent reports of the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, as well as other recent family research. Evidence regarding the impact on child health of 3 family factors in particular (family composition and living arrangements, family routines, and parental depression) is highlighted, and implications for pediatric practice are described.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in 2- to 5-Year-Old Children
Authors: DeBoer Mark D. , Scharf Rebecca J. , Demmer Ryan T.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Although sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been tightly linked to weight status among older children, the data regarding these relationships in children aged 2 to 5 years have been mixed. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between SSB consumption and weight status among children aged 2 to 5 years.

METHODS:

We assessed SSB consumption and BMI z scores among 9600 children followed in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey—Birth Cohort, using linear and logistic regression and adjusting for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mother’s BMI, and television viewing.

RESULTS:

Higher rates of SSB consumption were associated with higher BMI z scores among children age 4 (P < .05) and 5 (P < .001) but not yet at 2 years. Children aged 5 years who drank SSB regularly (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a higher odds ratio for being obese (1.43, confidence interval 1.10–1.85, P < .01). In prospective analysis, children drinking SSB at 2 years (compared with infrequent/nondrinkers) had a greater subsequent increase in BMI z score over the ensuing 2 years (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Similar to what is seen among older children, children aged 2 to 5 years drinking SSB demonstrate both prospective and cross-sectional correlations with higher BMI z score. Pediatricians and parents should discourage SSB consumption to help avoid potential unhealthy weight gain in young children. From a public health standpoint, strong consideration should be made toward policy changes leading to decreases in SSB consumption among children.
The way of self-defence of the organism: inflammation
Authors: Jakab Lajos
Published: August 2013

The acute and chronic constitutional reactions of the organism elicited by sterile causes and pathogenic structures threatening the soundness of the organism are surveyed by the author. It is emphasized that depending on causes which can be very different, there are various syndromes occurring in the clinical practice. On the basis of multitudiness of pathogenic factors and individual differences, the infammatory reactions are clinically, pathologically and pathobiochemically can be hugely variable. The acute inflammatory response may be sterile. It is often difficult to recognize in these processes whether the inflammation is harmful or beneficial for the organism as a whole. It is possible that the inflammatory response itself is the defending resource of the individual. The non-sterile acute inflammation is evoked by pathogenic microorganisms. The variety of clinical syndromes are explained by the high diversity of pathogenic microbes, the individualities of the defending organisms, and the natural and adaptive immunity of the organism which may be intact or possibly defective. In the latter case the inflammation itself is the disease, as a consequence of a pathological process conducted by the cortico-hypothalamo-adernal axis. The acute inflammation is a defending, preventing and repairing process, constituting an important part of the natural innate immune response. It is inseparable from the natural innate immune response, which is in close cooperation with the adaptive, specific immune response with mutual effects on each of the other. The conductor and the response reactions of the two immune responses are also the same. There are alterations in serum proteins/glycoproteins synthesized mostly by the hepatocytes. Because the concentration of almost all proteins/glycoproteins may change, the use of the discriminative term “acute phase reactant” is hardly relevant. For example, the HDL molecule is a negative “acute phase reactant”. On the gound of clinical, pathological and biochemical caracteristics, the chronic sterile inflammation is a very different entity. It has been established that atherosclerosis is one of the ab origine chronic inflammatory syndrome. It is a long-lasting pathological entity progressing, rather than resolving with different celerity, namely a unique vasculitis syndrome. We are speaking about risk factors instead of causes, which constitute larger or smaller groups to elicite the preventing reaction of the host. The propagations and final outcomes are quite different from that of the acute process. The disadvantages or benefits for the organism are scarcely predictable, albeit the chronic process may have roles in its prolonged nature. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1247–1255.
Knowledge transfer in health care informatics education: quality, efficiency and measurability
Authors: Sára Zoltán , Csedő Zoltán , Dinyáné Szabó Mariann , Pörzse Gábor
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Electronic exams have been used at Semmelweis University within Health Care Informatics courses since 2006. The statistical analysis of the electronic exam sheets enabled the authors to assess the reliability of examinations, as well as recommend important measures to increase the quality and efficiency of knowledge transfer. Aim: The main objective of the study was to propose an optimal teaching methodology with a special focus on electronic exams, based on the statistical analysis of databases of electronic exams recorded at Health Care Informatics courses of Semmelweis University. Method: All data were analysed with statistical methods at the level of individual questions as well as exam results of each student (2801 medical students have undertaken 4933 electronic exams since 2006). Results were evaluated based on teaching methodology criteria. Results: There was a significantly increased tendency in grades obtained at individual exams. The authors identified exam questions that are needed to be modified or even ignored, because they failed to correlate with the knowledge measurement of the students. Conclusions: Statistical analysis of exam results proved to be a useful tool to assess methodology of teaching, knowledge transfer, and their practical implications. It is essential to monitor continuously exam results, this may exert a significant impact on the improvement of the quality and efficiency of knowledge transfer processes. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1269–1276.
Variabilidade dos índices de colheita de nutrientes em genótipos de feijoeiro e sua relação com a produção de grãos
Authors: Araújo Adelson Paulo , Teixeira Marcelo Grandi
Published: August 2013

A identificação de genótipos com elevada acumulação de biomassa e nutrientes, mas com baixo índice de colheita de nutrientes (razão entre conteúdo de nutrientes nos grãos e na parte aérea), pode reduzir a remoção pelas colheitas e aumentar a sustentabilidade agrícola. Evidências de reduzida variabilidade nos índices de colheita em feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) demandam a avaliação de uma ampla gama de genótipos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a variabilidade dos índices de colheita de nutrientes e sua relação com a produção de grãos em genótipos de feijoeiro. Foi conduzido um experimento de campo em Seropédica - RJ, com 64 genótipos de feijoeiro em quatro repetições, incluindo 41 cultivares, 12 linhagens de melhoramento e 10 cultivares locais da região Sul. Os índices de colheita foram mensurados a partir das quantidades acumuladas de biomassa e nutrientes nos grãos, caules e palha de vagens produzidos após trilhagem dos grãos. A média da produção de grãos foi de 205 g m-2, com índices de colheita médios de biomassa, N, P, K, Ca e Mg de 0,62, 0,83, 0,89, 0,58, 0,33 e 0,51 g g-1, respectivamente, denotando intensa translocação de N e P para os grãos, sendo relativamente estreita a variabilidade desses índices. A massa seca de resíduos após trilhagem dos grãos foi em média de 107 g m-2, contendo 2,0, 0,15, 3,6, 2,8 e 1,3 g m-2 de N, P, K, Ca e Mg, respectivamente, o que indica que esses materiais podem restituir quantidades relativamente elevadas de nutrientes em comparação com as demandas do cultivo. Foram obtidas elevadas correlações fenotípicas e genéticas (p < 0,001): positivas entre produção de grãos e índices de colheita de biomassa e N e negativas entre produção e teores de N e P nos grãos. Como as correlações fenotípicas e genéticas entre rendimento e índice de colheita de P foram menos significativas (p < 0,01), foi possível identificar alguns genótipos com baixo índice de colheita de P e bom rendimento. A seleção de genótipos de feijoeiro para maior rendimento de grãos pode resultar em maiores índices de colheita de biomassa e de N, assim como em maiores quantidades de nutrientes nos grãos e menores teores de N e P nos grãos.
Cytauxzoon felis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Maia Leticia Mendes Pupio , Cerqueira Aloysio de Mello Figueiredo , de Barros Macieira Daniel , de Souza Aline Moreira , Moreira Namir Santos , da Silva Adrianna Vieira , Messick Joanne Belle , Ferreira Renata Fernandes , Almosny Nádia Regina Pereira
Published: August 2013

This article describes the first detection of Cytauxzoon felis, using molecular techniques, in a naturally infected domestic cat from Brazil, South America. Coinfection with 'CandidatusMycoplasma haemominutum' was also found. The molecular identification of the piroplasmid species was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. A 284 pb fragment of the gene encoding the 18S ribosomal RNA region was amplified and showed 99% identity with other C. felis strains from North America. In addition, PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis, which amplifies a 595 bp fragment of the gene encoding 16S ribosomal RNA of some bacterial species, identified the co-infecting species as 'Candidatus M. haemominutum'.
Dissolved oxygen and idle time effects on sewage bioremediation
Authors: Khan Mohammad Zain , Lai Ka Man , Campos Luiza , Jones Leigh
Published: August 2013

This paper explores the effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and idle time on the performance of aerated-sludge portable sewage systems for rapid deployment during natural calamities or warfare. Using synthetic sewage, three different reactors were operated at DO levels of 2–6 mg/l to determine the optimum DO for reactor performance, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic content (TOC) removal, pH, conductivity and biomass concentrations. Low DO values result in very low COD removal efficiency, while DO levels over 6 mg/l are not significantly more efficient. The oxygen utilisation rate and specific oxygen utilisation rate were in the ranges 0·87–1·08 mg O2/h and 0·44–0·895 mg O2/g MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solids) per hour respectively for the three reactors. The highest achieved specific removal rate was 14 mg/g MLSS per hour and 6 mg/g MLSS per hour for COD and TOC respectively. Investigation of idle time (no-aeration) revealed that an idle time of less than 24 h results in low removal efficiency (COD and/or TOC) but the system recovers in the next 24 h; however, an idle period of 48 h or greater results in very poor efficiency and may cause permanent failure of the bioremediation process. The results of the present study can be applied to avoid system failure in a sewage treatment system as a result of, say, intermittent or sudden power shutdown.
Lake morphometry and resource polymorphism determine niche segregation between cool‐ and cold‐water‐adapted fish
Authors: Hayden Brian , Harrod Chris , Kahilainen Kimmo K.
Published: August 2013

Climate change is increasing ambient temperatures in Arctic and subarctic regions, facilitating latitudinal range expansions of freshwater fishes adapted to warmer water temperatures. The relative roles of resource availability and interspecific interactions between resident and invading species in determining the outcomes of such expansions has not been adequately evaluated.

Ecological interactions between a cool‐water adapted fish, the perch (Perca fluviatilis), and the cold‐water adapted European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), were studied in both shallow and deep lakes with fish communities dominated by (1) monomorphic whitefish, (2) monomorphic whitefish and perch, and (3) polymorphic whitefish and perch. A combination of stomach content, stable‐isotope, and invertebrate prey availability data were used to identify resource use and niche overlap among perch, the trophic generalist large sparsely rakered (LSR) whitefish morph, and the pelagic specialist densely rakered (DR) whitefish morph in 10 subarctic lakes at the contemporary distribution limit of perch in northern Scandinavia.

Perch utilized its putative preferred littoral niche in all lakes. LSR whitefish utilized both littoral and pelagic resources in monomorphic whitefish‐dominated lakes. When found in sympatry with perch, LSR whitefish exclusively utilized pelagic prey in deep lakes, but displayed niche overlap with perch in shallow littoral lakes. DR whitefish was a specialist zooplanktivore, relegating LSR whitefish from pelagic habitats, leading to an increase in niche overlap between LSR whitefish and perch in deep lakes.

Our results highlight how resource availability (lake depth and fish community) governs ecological interactions between native and invading species, leading to different outcomes even at the same latitudes. These findings suggest that lake morphometry and fish community structure data should be included in bioclimate envelope‐based models of species distribution shifts following predicted climate change.
Water network sectorization based on a genetic algorithm and minimum dissipated power paths
Authors: Di Nardo A. , Di Natale M. , Santonastaso G. F. , Tzatchkov V. G. , Alcocer-Yamanaka V. H.
Published: August 2013

Water Network Sectorization (WNS) consists of dividing a water system into sectors with an independent water supply. When each district is supplied by its only water source the districts can be defined as i-DMAs (isolated District Meter Areas) because they are completely cut off from the rest of the water network. This isolation of the i-DMAs may decrease hydraulic performance of the water system reducing its topologic (network loops) and hydraulic (diameter sections) redundancy. Traditionally the design of WNS is carried out by empirical or simulation assisted trial-and-error approaches that are difficult to apply to large water distribution systems. In this paper an original methodology for automatic sectorization of water networks is proposed. The methodology is based on Shortest Path techniques that allow defining a tree graph of the network with dissipated power used as weight of the pipes (or links). Once the districts are found, a swapping phase follows which is achieved by using a genetic algorithm (GA) that allows refining the choice of nodes that belong to each district. The objective function of the GA is based on network mean pressure. The methodology was tested, using different performance indices, on two real water supply systems.
A comparative study of three different assimilable organic carbon (AOC) methods: results of a round-robin test
Authors: Ross P. S. , Hammes F. , Dignum M. , Magic-Knezev A. , Hambsch B. , Rietveld L. C.
Published: August 2013

Easily assimilable organic carbon (AOC) is frequently used for the assessment of the biological stability of drinking water, which is an important consideration in the control of bacterial growth in distribution networks. The first AOC bioassay was developed in 1982 and is based on growth of two bacterial strains (Pseudomonas fluorescens P17 and Spirillum spp. NOX) in drinking water relative to their growth on acetate. Much research was subsequently conducted to modify, simplify and increase the speed of the assay which resulted in a number of alternative AOC assays. Application of these assays raises legitimate questions about the comparison of AOC data from different studies. In the present study, a round-robin test was performed to evaluate the correlation between three established AOC methods. A total of 14 water samples, covering a wide range of AOC concentrations, were analyzed with the original ‘van der Kooij’ method, the ‘Werner & Hambsch’ method and ‘Eawag’ method. Good correlations were found between AOC concentrations measured with the various methods. The data suggest an acceptable compatibility between different AOC methods, although deviations between the methods call for careful interpretation and reporting of AOC data.
Artificial destratification of Dipotamos reservoir in Northern Greece by low energy air injection
Authors: Mitrakas Manassis , Samaras Petros , Stylianou Stelios , Kakalis Chris , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: August 2013

The aims of this study were to investigate the Dipotamos water reservoir destratification process that used the low-energy method of air injection, and evaluate its potential to suppress the presence of nuisance compounds to within permitted drinking water limits. The selection of optimum design parameters for the application of air injection through perforated pipes was based on the Davis model. Data collected throughout a 4-year operation period showed that artificial mixing by air injection may be adequate for the complete destratification of the reservoir. The air injection method had a low energy demand, estimated to be around 55 Wh/103m3/d. Upon air injection start-up, water column homogenization occurred relatively quickly, as deduced by the values of temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration recorded at various sampling points within the reservoir. After the 1st week of operation, the oxygen concentration at 20 m depth increased from nearly zero to 2 mg/L, and doubled 1 week later, reaching equilibrium after 30 d of continuous operation. The air injection method resulted in the improvement of water quality.
Frequency pressure regulation in water supply systems
Authors: Halkijevic Ivan , Vukovic Zivko , Vouk Drazen
Published: August 2013

In water supply systems, pressure management in most cases is proven to be the most cost-effective activity related to water loss control. As an advanced method of pressure control, it is possible to use variable frequency drives for centrifugal pump control. Pressure regulation can be performed with constant pressure or with proportional pressure control. The application of proportional pressure control is particularly applicable in water supply systems as the operating pump performance is constantly adapting the pressure to the actual demand. Along with lower leakage losses, it also results in lower energy consumption and the elimination of non-stationary phenomena, thereby extending the pump lifetime. Therefore, the paper presents a theoretical discussion of the proportional pressure control. Possible savings are shown on the numerical example of water supply system of the city of Velika Gorica.