bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Getting the right answer and getting the answer right
Authors: French Peter , Maclure Margaret
Published: August 2017

Asking and answering questions-on the part of teachers and pupils respectively-constitutes one of the central mechanisms of classroom interaction. This paper identifies two general interactive strategies, termed preformulating and reformulating, which, it is argued, are used by infant school teachers in the attempt to facilitate such question-answer exchanges, and hence to get the ‘right answers’ by which, from the teacher's point of view, pupil-competence and teacher-effectivity are reciprocally manifested.
Part-time and full-time nursery education: comparisons of play and performance
Authors: Hutt Corinne , Foy Helen , Dash Margaret
Published: August 2017

The intellectual and social performance of children who had attended nursery school on a part-time basis was compared with that of those attending full-time. While a beneficial effect of nursery education upon intellectual and social competence was observed, no differences between part-timers and full-timers were found on any of the measures used. Sex differences were apparent on two scales. A complementary study of the play activities however, revealed differences: part-timers spent proportionally more of their time in ‘nursery activities’ while full-timers engaged in more fantasy play. Time-of-day differences were also observed. The results are evaluated in the context of a model of play which ascribes distinctive functions to different forms of play.
Pre-school and Primary Teachers’ Interaction with their Most and Least Creative Pupils
Authors: Evans T. D.
Published: August 2017

In a study of two pre-schools and two primary schools it was found that the teachers interacted differently between those children whom they perceived as amongst the most creative and those they perceived as least creative. The statistical evidence demonstrated that the teachers interacted more frequently with their most creative nominees than with their least creative nominees. It was also found that the nature of interactions varied according to the nominee category. The most creative nominees received interactions of a typically positive, affirmative, praising or encouraging nature, whereas the least creative nominees received typically negative and disaffecting interactions. The observed behavioural characteristics of the nominees were recorded and are discussed in terms of the teachers’ typifications of the most and least creative pupils in their classes.
The Influence of Structural Aspects of the English Counting Word System on the Teaching and Learning of Place Value
Authors: Thompson Ian
Published: August 2017

The influence of structural aspects of the English counting word system on the teaching and learning of place value

In their discussion of the teaching of place value to young children Fuson and Briars (1990) describe the extent to which the English spoken system of number words constitutes a ‘named value’ system for large numbers. They argue that, because two-digit numbers are not ‘named value’, teachers should move from teaching single-digit calculations to teaching calculations with large numbers, only returning to two-digit numbers when children are familiar with the standard written algorithms. This article uses transcriptions of children calculating mentally to suggest that they appear to take advantage of the ‘partitionable’ aspect of the language associated with two-digit numbers - an aspect that Fuson and Briars (1990) appear to have ignored. These examples appear to raise questions about their recommendation that teachers should progress from single-digit to large number calculations.
Australian Mothers' views about Responsibility for Homework in Primary School
Authors: Warton Pamela W.
Published: August 2017

Responsibility for homework in primary school: Australian mothers' views

Homework is an accepted and encouraged part of school practice which, it has been argued, serves a number of functions for most children. The regular practice of homework is thought to help children consolidate their learning, to develop appropriate patterns of study and to take responsibility for their own learning. Children do not develop these skills alone: both parents' and teachers' views and practices are influential. This study investigated the views of mothers of primary school-age children (grades 2, 4 or 6) about homework practices and about the relative roles of parents, teachers and children in developing homework practices. The results indicated similarities on most issues across parents of the three age groups but significant differences in the relative responsibility assigned to children from grade 2 to grade 6. The implications for the development of children's sense of responsibility and of responsible homework practices are discussed.
Stochastic disturbance observer-based adaptive anti-disturbance control for non-linear systems with stochastic non-harmonic multiple disturbances
Authors: Pan Yanpeng
Published: August 2017

In this paper, the problem of anti-disturbance control is studied for non-linear systems with stochastic multiple disturbances. The multiple disturbances include two types: one is the stochastic harmonic disturbance and the other non-harmonic noise generated by a linear stochastic exogenous system. An adaptive stochastic disturbance observer (ASDO) is constructed to estimate both the two aforementioned disturbances. Combining the disturbance estimation with a conventional state feedback control law, a composite anti-disturbance control scheme is constructed such that the closed-loop system is stochastically stable, and different types of disturbances may be attenuated and rejected. By using the Lyapunov function method and linear matrix inequalities technique, sufficient conditions for the stochastic stability of the closed-loop system are established. Moreover, an adaptive stochastic extended state observer (ASESO) is proposed for the output feedback case. Finally, an application example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Finite element analysis of locking plate and 1/4 tubular plate for first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation
Authors: Yu Xiao , Li Wei-long , Pang Qing-jiang , Zhou Rong-li
Published: August 2017

Objective

The optimal plate for fixation of tarsometatarsal joint injuries is controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics between a locking plate and 1/4 tubular plate for first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation.

Method

Finite element analysis was used after establishment of a first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation model. Two implant simulations using a locking plate and five-hole 1/4 tubular plate were designed to simulate fixation of the fracture-dislocation. The displacement of the first tarsometatarsal articular surface and the stress distribution in the implants were calculated.

Results

A 700-N load was applied to both models. The minimum displacement of the articular surface in the locking plate and 1/4 tubular plate model was 0.6471 mm and 0.3833 mm, respectively. The maximum principal stress in the locking plate and 1/4 tubular plate was 1.212 × 103  MPa and 1.107 × 103  MPa, respectively.

Conclusion

Use of a 1/4 tubular plate is recommended for fixation of first tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocation after consideration of other factors such as economical issues.
Diabetes Mellitus induces alterations in metallothionein protein expression and metal levels in the testis and liver
Authors: Gu Yiming , Lian Xin , Sun Weixia , Gao Baoshan , Fu Yaowen
Published: August 2017

Objective

To investigate the effect of diabetes with and without vitamin E treatment on testicular metallothionein (MT) and metal (zinc, copper and iron) changes.

Methods

Diabetes was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of streptozotocin in rats, and diabetic rats were given Vitamin E by i.p. every other day for 4 weeks. MT protein was measured by the cadmium-haeme assay and metal levels were detected by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

Diabetes did not change testicular MT protein, but significantly increased hepatic MT protein. Diabetes significantly decreased testicular copper, but not hepatic copper. Zinc and iron levels were unchanged in both diabetic testis and liver. Vitamin E significantly enhanced both testicular and hepatic MT, and zinc levels in diabetic rats. Vitamin E slightly decreased the copper levels, but did not change the testicular and hepatic iron in diabetic rats.

Conclusions

Testicular MT protein expression was not increased, even though hepatic MT significantly increased independent of metal changes, in diabetic rats. Vitamin E enhanced testicular and hepatic MT, which correlated with increased zinc levels.
Understanding ageing: fear of chronic diseases later in life
Authors: Awang Halimah , Mansor Norma , Nai Peng Tey , Nik Osman Nik Ainoon
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Ageing is often associated with deteriorating mental and physical health and the need for long-term care, creating a fear of ageing. We investigated what people fear most in terms of disabling chronic diseases and their concerns regarding having long-term illnesses.

Methods

Data were obtained from an online survey of 518 respondents aged 40 years and older residing in Malaysia, which was based on a convenience sample collected in May 2015 to January 2016. Data were analyzed using chi-squared tests and multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Of the most dreaded diseases, heart disease and cancer are life-threatening; however, dementia, diabetes, and hypertension persist and have a disabling effect for a long time. While there were variations in the diseases feared most across sex, ethnicity, and place of residence, the biggest worry for all respondents with regard to having a long-term illness was that they would become a burden to their family, a concern that superseded fear of dying.

Conclusions

We found our survey respondents had a fear of chronic diseases and placing a burden on others. Thus, there is a need to provide motivation for people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to remain healthy.
Plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid in a cross section of the German population
Authors: Hagel Alexander F. , Albrecht Heinz , Dauth Wolfgang , Hagel Wolfgang , Vitali Francesco , Ganzleben Ingo , Schultis Hans W. , Konturek Peter C. , Stein Jürgen , Neurath Markus F. , Raithel Martin
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Vitamin C deficiency is considered extremely rare in modern industrialized countries. This study was performed to assess vitamin C concentrations in the German population.

Methods

As part of a consultant–patient seminar on nutrition and food intolerances, patients were asked to participate in this study on a voluntary basis. Blood samples were taken for analysis of serum vitamin C concentrations, and all patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. The vitamin C concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Of approximately 300 patients attending the seminar, 188 (62.6%) consented to vitamin C blood sample analysis and 178 (59.3%) answered the questionnaire. The mean vitamin C concentration was 7.98 mg/L (range, 0.50–17.40; reference range, 5–15 mg/L). A low plasma level with vitamin C insufficiency (<5 mg/L) was found in 31 patients (17.4%), and a potential scorbutogenic deficiency (<1.5 mg/L) was found in 6 (3.3%).

Conclusions

Potential vitamin C insufficiency and deficiency is common. It is therefore possible, even in modern developed populations, that certain individuals may require a higher intake of vitamin C.
State illegibility in the containment of labour unrest on the Thai-Myanmar border
Authors: Campbell Stephen
Published: August 2017

In the literature on governmentality, rights have been posited as technologies of rule, encouraging individual self-government, as well as active participation in the institutions of the liberal state. In the context of globalised industrial production, however, a realisation of justiciable rights may, by raising wages and other labour costs, challenge the ability of states to attract capital investment. In the present article, I take as a point of departure this apparent contradiction – between the liberal promise of rights through governmental incorporation and the reality that a realisation of such rights threatens profitability, and potentially viability, in domestic capitalist production. Empirically, my research is grounded in an ethnographic study of the garment sector at the Mae Sot industrial zone in north-west Thailand. Over the past decade-plus this site has seen an expansion of governmental interventions targeting the local Myanmar migrant population. Yet the vast majority of these migrants continue to earn wages far below the legal minimum, and face other egregious violations of labour rights. This gap, between the promise and the realisation of rights, leads to the state's illegibility. This illegibility is, I argue, of significance for theorising state regulatory regimes and the containment of labour unrest at sites of low-waged industrial production embedded in contemporary global supply chains.
Adopting children with high therapeutic needs: staying committed over the long haul
Authors: Bardsley Kate
Published: August 2017

This research arose from concern about the prevalence of UK adoptions of children with significant levels of emotional, behavioural and/or therapeutic needs, and the fact that these are being made in a context where research into the outcomes of such placements is sparse. It focuses on adopters of children pre-identified as having high therapeutic needs and looks specifically at the factors that affect adopters’ ongoing commitment. The methodology was qualitative with findings drawn from six in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adopters, followed by focus groups comprising adopters and social workers. Levels of commitment were assessed using the conceptualisation and measures outlined in previous research involving the ‘This is My Baby Interview’ (Bates and Dozier, 1998). Contrary to initial hypotheses, levels of adopter commitment did not correlate with the severity of need or challenging behaviours in their adopted children per se. Instead, it was found to be associated with their feelings of ‘hope’ about the future, feelings that were closely linked to the level, accessibility and quality of the therapeutic and professional resources available.
Meta-analysis of rare binary events in treatment groups with unequal variability
Authors: Li Lie , Wang Xinlei
Published: August 2017

Meta-analysis has been widely used to synthesize information from related studies to achieve reliable findings. However, in studies of rare events, the event counts are often low or even zero, and so standard meta-analysis methods such as fixed-effect models with continuity correction may cause substantial bias in estimation. Recently, Bhaumik et al. developed a simple average estimator for the overall treatment effect based on a random effects model. They proved that the simple average method with the continuity correction factor 0.5 (SA_0.5) is the least biased for large samples and showed via simulation that it has superior performance when compared with other commonly used estimators. However, the random effects models used in previous work are restrictive because they all assume that the variability in the treatment group is equal to or always greater than that in the control group. Under a general framework that explicitly allows treatment groups with unequal variability but assumes no direction, we prove that SA_0.5 is still the least biased for large samples. Meanwhile, to account for a trade-off between the bias and variance in estimation, we consider the mean squared error to assess estimation efficiency and show that SA_0.5 fails to minimize the mean squared error. Under a new random effects model that accommodates groups with unequal variability, we thoroughly compare the performance of various methods for both large and small samples via simulation and draw conclusions about when to use which method in terms of bias, mean squared error, type I error, and confidence interval coverage. A data example of rosiglitazone meta-analysis is used to provide further comparison.
Race and Victim Age Matter: Sexual Behaviors and Experiences Among Confined African American and European American Youth With Sexual and Nonsexual Offenses
Authors: Fix Rebecca L. , Falligant John Michael , Alexander Apryl A. , Burkhart Barry. R.
Published: August 2017

Previous research has found differences in sexual behavior and types of sexual offending by offense category and racial/ethnic group. The present study examined effects of offense category, victim age, and race/ethnicity on sexual behavior. Data from 561 confined adolescents adjudicated for illegal sexual behavior (AISBs) and adolescents adjudicated for illegal nonsexual behavior (AINBs) were included in the present study. A hierarchical multinomial logistic regression was run to test whether sexual experiences and behaviors differentially predicted AINBs, AISBs with child victims, and AISBs with peer/adult victims. Results supported the utility of distinguishing AISBs by victim age. Comparisons between AISBs and AINBs indicated AISBs had more sexual abuse and were more sexually restricted, whereas AINBs reported more sexual behavior, reflecting a finding potentially mirroring sexual development, sexual experiences, and caregiver approaches to discussing sexuality. Over 60% of AINBs and 30% of AISBs reported behaviors that could be classified as distribution of child pornography. Within the group of AISBs, select racial/ethnic group differences emerged such that European American participants were more likely to have had intrafamilial sexual experiences and were far less likely to have had vaginal intercourse than African American AISBs. Future directions and implications regarding policies related to sexual education and sexting are discussed.
Finite-deformation second-order micromorphic theory and its relations to strain and stress gradient models
Authors: Forest Samuel , Sab Karam
Published: August 2017

Germain’s general micromorphic theory of order [Formula: see text] is extended to fully non-symmetric higher-order tensor degrees of freedom. An interpretation of the microdeformation kinematic variables as relaxed higher-order gradients of the displacement field is proposed. Dynamical balance laws and hyperelastic constitutive equations are derived within the finite deformation framework. Internal constraints are enforced to recover strain gradient theories of grade [Formula: see text]. An extension to finite deformations of a recently developed stress gradient continuum theory is then presented, together with its relation to the second-order micromorphic model. The linearization of the combination of stress and strain gradient models is then shown to deliver formulations related to Eringen’s and Aifantis’s well-known gradient models involving the Laplacians of stress and strain tensors. Finally, the structures of the dynamical equations are given for strain and stress gradient media, showing fundamental differences in the dynamical behaviour of these two classes of generalized continua.
Applications of prebiotics in food industry: A review
Authors: Singla Vinti , Chakkaravarthi S
Published: August 2017

Benefits of prebiotics for stimulating a healthy intestinal tract are well known. From suppression of pathogens to proliferation of indigenous bacteria of intestines, prebiotics have it all. Since the research on the scope of prebiotics is expanding, new applications are coming up every day thus upgrading the choices consumer has for a healthy living. Incorporation of prebiotics in a wide range of products that food industry offers on shelf is an innovative way to replace fat and sugars along with enhancing the mouthfeel by providing better tongue lubrication. In some cases, the thermal stability of the product is improved along with other sensory, textural and physiological benefits. This paper gives an overview of the various prebiotics available from different sources and their applications in various segments of food industry, notably dairy, beverage, processed fruit-vegetable, bakery, confectionary, extruded snack, sweetener, infant formula, pet food and livestock industry. The effects observed on addition of various prebiotics are also elaborated.
Systematic mapping study of data mining–based empirical studies in cardiology
Authors: Kadi Ilham , Idri Ali , Fernandez-Aleman José Luis
Published: August 2017

Data mining provides the methodology and technology to transform huge amount of data into useful information for decision making. It is a powerful process to extract knowledge and discover new patterns embedded in large data sets. Data mining has been increasingly used in medicine, particularly in cardiology. In fact, data mining applications can greatly benefits all parts involved in cardiology such as patients, cardiologists and nurses. This article aims to perform a systematic mapping study so as to analyze and synthesize empirical studies on the application of data mining techniques in cardiology. A total of 142 articles published between 2000 and 2015 were therefore selected, studied and analyzed according to the four following criteria: year and channel of publication, research type, medical task and empirical type. The results of this mapping study are discussed and a list of recommendations for researchers and cardiologists is provided.
Net winch design in trawlers, influence of vessel size and fishing ground
Authors: Carral Couce Luis , Couce Juan Carral , Tarrío-Saavedra Javier , Formoso José A Fraguela
Published: August 2017

With mid-depth trawling techniques, the number of fishing grounds available increases. In turn, the vessel can have a greater workload, as it has to control and direct its activity towards different species depending on the use of mid- or deep-sea equipment. However, specific equipment for each depth has to be used and this equipment influences the fishing manoeuvre. A new piece of auxiliary equipment comes into play to haul and store the net: the net winch. The aim of this study is to determine the most suitable net winch for each of the various vessels, fishing grounds and fishing modalities of the Spanish trawling fishing fleet. For each fishing ground, vessel size and target species, a relationship will be established with the net winch design parameters: fishing reel capacity, traction and operation speed.
ADAMS-MATLAB co-simulation for kinematics, dynamics, and control of the Stewart–Gough platform
Authors: Sosa-Méndez Deira , Lugo-González Esther , Arias-Montiel Manuel , García-García Rafael A
Published: August 2017

The mechanical structure known as Stewart–Gough platform is the most representative parallel robot with a wide variety of applications in many areas. Despite the intensive study on the kinematics, dynamics, and control of the Stewart–Gough platform, many details about these topics are still a challenging problem. In this work, the use of automatic dynamic analysis of multibody systems software for the kinematic and dynamic analysis of the Stewart–Gough platform is proposed. Moreover, a co-simulation automatic dynamic analysis of multibody systems (ADAMS)-MATLAB is developed for motion control of the Stewart–Gough platform end-effector. This computational approach allows the numerical solution for the kinematics, dynamics, and motion control of the Stewart–Gough platform and a considerable reduction on the analytical and programming effort. The obtained results in the three topics (kinematics, dynamics, and control) are validated by comparing them with analytical results reported in the literature. This kind of computational approach allows for the creation of virtual prototypes and saves time and resources in the development of Stewart–Gough platform-based robots applications.
Methotrexate, blood pressure and markers of arterial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Mangoni Arduino A. , Baghdadi Leena R. , Shanahan E. Michael , Wiese Michael D. , Tommasi Sara , Elliot David , Woodman Richard J.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Methotrexate (MTX) treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with lower cardiovascular risk compared to other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We sought to identify whether the MTX-associated cardioprotection involves changes in blood pressure (BP) and/or arterial function.

Methods:

Clinic and 24-hour peripheral and central systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), augmentation index (AIx), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were assessed in RA patients on stable treatment with either MTX ± other DMARDs (MTX group, n = 56, age 61 ± 13 years, 70% females) or other DMARDs (non-MTX group, n = 30, age 63 ± 12 years, 76% females). Measurements were performed at baseline and after 8 months.

Results:

After adjusting for visit, age, gender, body mass index, folic acid use and 28-joint disease activity score, the MTX group had significantly lower clinic peripheral SBP (−7.7 mmHg, 95% CI −13.2 to −2.3, p = 0.006) and DBP (−6.1 mmHg, 95% CI −9.8 to −2.4, p = 0.001) and clinic central SBP (−7.8 mmHg, 95% CI −13.1 to −2.6, p = 0.003) and DBP (−5.4 mmHg, 95% CI −9.1 to −1.6, p = 0.005) versus the non-MTX group. Furthermore, the MTX group had significantly lower 24-hour peripheral and central SBP and DBP and PWV versus the non-MTX group ( p < 0.01 for all comparisons). By contrast, there were no significant between-group differences in AIx and ADMA.

Conclusions:

RA patients on MTX treatment had significantly lower clinic and 24-hour peripheral and central BP compared to those who did not take MTX. The lower BP with MTX may be related to differences in PWV, but not in AIx or ADMA concentrations. Further longitudinal studies including randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings, to identify other possible mechanisms responsible for the effects of MTX on BP and PWV, and to establish whether these effects might account for the reduced cardiovascular risk with MTX.
Daily Ups and Downs
Authors: Hui Bryant P. H. , Kogan Aleksandr
Published: August 2017

Numerous studies have shown that acting prosocially promotes the altruist’s well-being. What has been less clear, however, is when the effect is the strongest and what mechanism is behind the well-being benefits of prosocial action. We asked a community sample ( N = 383) to record their prosocial engagement, well-being levels, and autonomy, relatedness, and competence 4 times daily for 2 weeks using an app-based event-sampling method. We found that only one’s competence—and neither autonomy nor relatedness—at one time point ( t − 1) moderated the effect of prosocial engagement on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being at a subsequent time point ( t). Specifically, when participants reported lower competence levels at t − 1, the relationship between acting prosocially and well-being was stronger at t. We further demonstrated that this interaction was mediated by competence levels at t.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in homocystinuria: Dietary intervention in conjunction with anticoagulation
Authors: Yap Sufin , Annesley-Williams Deborah , Hardiman Orla
Published: August 2017

The presentation of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis may be acute or chronic with a progressive clinical course. The diagnosis can be challenging, and there are several clinical syndromes associated with the disease. It is also an uncommon but recognised complication of homocystinuria. We describe a case where early anticoagulation, together with dietary intervention, was associated with a favourable clinical outcome.
Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Consumption and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Panel Error Correction Model
Authors: Aneja Ranjan , Banday Umer J. , Hasnat Tanzeem , Koçoglu Mustafa
Published: August 2017

This study examines the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth for BRICS countries within a multivariate panel framework for 1990–2012. The Pedroni (1999–2004) panel cointegration test shows a long-run relationship among GDP per capita renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, and gross fixed capital formation. Finally, we apply panel error correction mechanism which reveals unidirectional causality from economic growth to renewable and non-renewable energy consumption. The results support the conservation hypothesis. In other words, no strong relationship is found between energy consumption to economic growth. These results indicate economic growth is the significant variable which boosts energy consumption in the BRICS countries. Higher the economic growth, higher will be the energy consumption.
Fixed points of set-valued maps in locally complete spaces
Authors: Bosch Carlos , García César L , Gilsdorf Thomas , Gómez-Wulschner Claudia , Vera Rigoberto
Published: August 2017

We prove an extension of the Pareto optimization criterion to locally complete locally convex vector spaces to guarantee the existence of fixed points of set-valued maps.
Prevent: What is pre-criminal space?
Authors: Goldberg David , Jadhav Sushrut , Younis Tarek
Published: August 2017

Prevent is a UK-wide programme within the government's anti-terrorism strategy aimed at stopping individuals from supporting or taking part in terrorist activities. NHS England's Prevent Training and Competencies Framework requires health professionals to understand the concept of pre-criminal space. This article examines pre-criminal space, a new term which refers to a period of time during which a person is referred to a specific Prevent-related safeguarding panel, Channel. It is unclear what the concept of pre-criminal space adds to the Prevent programme. The term should be either clarified or removed from the Framework.
The impact of transforming care on the care and safety of patients with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs
Authors: Taylor John L. , McKinnon Iain , Thorpe Ian , Gillmer Bruce T.
Published: August 2017

NHS England recently published a national plan to develop community services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism who display challenging behaviour by using resources from the closure of a large number of hospital beds. An ambitious timescale has been set to implement this plan. The bed closure programme is moving ahead rapidly, but there has been little progress in developing community services to support it. This paper discusses the impact of the gap between policy and practice on the care and safety of patients with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs who form a distinct subgroup of the target population and are being disproportionately affected by this government policy.
Therapeutic potential of systemic brain rejuvenation strategies for neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Horowitz Alana M. , Villeda Saul A.
Published: August 2017

Neurodegenerative diseases are a devastating group of conditions that cause progressive loss of neuronal integrity, affecting cognitive and motor functioning in an ever-increasing number of older individuals. Attempts to slow neurodegenerative disease advancement have met with little success in the clinic; however, a new therapeutic approach may stem from classic interventions, such as caloric restriction, exercise, and parabiosis. For decades, researchers have reported that these systemic-level manipulations can promote major functional changes that extend organismal lifespan and healthspan. Only recently, however, have the functional effects of these interventions on the brain begun to be appreciated at a molecular and cellular level. The potential to counteract the effects of aging in the brain, in effect rejuvenating the aged brain, could offer broad therapeutic potential to combat dementia-related neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. In particular, results from heterochronic parabiosis and young plasma administration studies indicate that pro-aging and rejuvenating factors exist in the circulation that can independently promote or reverse age-related phenotypes. The recent demonstration that human umbilical cord blood similarly functions to rejuvenate the aged brain further advances this work to clinical translation. In this review, we focus on these blood-based rejuvenation strategies and their capacity to delay age-related molecular and functional decline in the aging brain. We discuss new findings that extend the beneficial effects of young blood to neurodegenerative disease models. Lastly, we explore the translational potential of blood-based interventions, highlighting current clinical trials aimed at addressing therapeutic applications for the treatment of dementia-related neurodegenerative disease in humans.
Advances on minimally invasive approach for benign total hysterectomy: a systematic review
Authors: Andres Marina de Paula , Borrelli Giuliano Moysés , Abrão Mauricio Simões
Published: August 2017

Hysterectomy is one of the most commonly performed gynecologic surgeries, mainly for uterine myomas, abnormal uterine bleeding, and prolapses. It can be performed through several routes, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. We conducted this systematic review to evaluate recent advances in surgical outcomes of benign total hysterectomies by any route: vaginal (VH), laparoscopic (LH), laparoscopically assisted vaginal (LAVH), single-port (SP), and robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RH). The search was applied to the PubMed electronic database by using keywords “hysterectomy” and “uterine benign disease”, “adenomyosis”, and “myoma”. Prospective and randomized trials of the last 3 years were included. Nine studies were selected and showed that VH was superior to LH, LAVH, and RH in terms of hospital stay and operation time and had the same complication rate and lower costs. SP hysterectomy had no clear advantages over VH or conventional LH.
PLEDGE LAW REGULATION IN THE NEW CIVIL CODE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Authors: Сакович Ольга , Sakovich Olga
Published: August 2017

This article is devoted to analysis of the pledge law regulation in the Civil Code of the Czech Republic. The Civil Code was adopted within a private law reform. The author addresses the fact of renouncing dualistic system of private law. The notion of pledge in Czech law is discussed. The article places special emphasis on the evaluation of the pledge agreement’s position in the pledge relationships together with correlation of the contract and law’s state in course of pledge agreement negotiation. Requirements to the form of contract and its content depending on a pledged assets are esteemed. The article also includes comment on the Czech law approach to the registration of the pledge titles and security interests. The articles of the newly adopted Civil Code are compared with prior legal regulation in the Czech Republic. The author focuses on characteristics of special types of pledge such as pledge of shares, securities, account of paperless securities’ owner, rights in action and special property. The procedure for levying execution is examined in the article in combination of analysis of the role of parties’ declaration of intent in a process of selection of assets disposal method. There are such methods as public sale and enforced sale. Both methods’ procedures are regulated by special laws. The article gives priority of claims in case of asset disposal which is stipulated by the Civil Code.
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF FOREIGN INVESTOR
Authors: Хлестова Ирина , KHlyestova Irina
Published: August 2017

The article is devoted to the analysis of international agreements on questions of protection of foreign investments. The multilateral agreements are investigated in the indicated area. There is a detailed analysis of agreements concluded originally by the USSR and then by the Russian Federation. The author draws attention to the lack of a unified approach to the definition of the concept of “foreign investment”, which has evolved over time. It is argued that both national and foreign investments are an economic category and there is no single legal concept for them, similarly with respect to the definition of the term “an investor”.
The guarantees to the foreign investors by virtue of bilateral international agreements on protection of foreign investments are investigated, in particular: most favored nation treatment, national treatment, payment obligation for compensation in case of nationalization, expropriation and other measures that have analogical characters, permission of disputes between an investor and a state accepting investment.
The author comes to the conclusion that in international law there is no ordinary norm about investment disputes settlement by international commercial arbitration.
The author analyzes changes to the Law of the Russian Federation of July 7, 1993 No. 5338-I on International Commercial Arbitration introduced as a result of the adoption of the Federal Law of December 29, 2015 No. 409-FZ. The article highlights the influence of state courts on the activities of international commercial arbitration, the expansion of the competence of international commercial arbitration and the filling of gaps in the 1993 Law on International Commercial Arbitration. The author believes that the expansion of the use of international commercial arbitration bodies ensures the creation of conditions to protect the interests of foreign investors.
COMPETENCE OF THE ECONOMIC COURT OF THE CIS: WAYS OF IMPROVEMENT
Authors: Нагорная Эвелина , Nagornaya Evelina
Published: August 2017

In the article contains the analysis of functions of the CIS Economic Court, identifies the purpose of its activities and the tasks with reference to specific judicial practice of the Court.
The author recalls that the CIS Economic Court is a Commonwealth statutory authority under the section VI of the Charter of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The article contains a critical analysis of publications of legal scholars in the field of international judicial activities, expressed opinions concerning the purpose of creation of the CIS Economic Court, the object of its activities, the subjects entitled to appeal to the Court and interested in its existence.
Also the author has paid an attention to the Plenum of the CIS Economic Court as the authority to take into account the degree of development of the law in the context of the integration process in the CIS, giving the States the opportunity to participate in the CIS bodies in the format, which is convenient in present moment, taking into account multi-level and multi-speed integration of the republics.
The article presents statistics supporting the growth of economic links between the member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States since 2000 to the present, and the growth of the number of cases considered by the CIS Economic Court.
The article also contains the statistical data which are indicating a significant increase in the number of applying to the Court for clarification of the Agreements concluded within the Commonwealth and affect their rights in the sphere of social and labor relations.
The article gives not only insight into the history of the creation of the CIS Economic Court, but also identify the ways to improve its activities by expanding the subject matter of cases, increasing the number of entities eligible to appeal to Court, the vesting of such right a number of associations representing the interests of legal entities and citizens.
SOCIAL CONTROL AS A KEY FACTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION
Authors: Цирин Артем , Tsirin Artem , Матулис Сергей , Matulis Sergey , Молчанова Марина , Molchanova Marina
Published: August 2017

The article outlines the positions expressed by the participants of the VI Eurasian Anti-Corruption Forum “Social Control as a Key Factor of Anti-Corruption”, held on April 26—27, 2017.
The work of the Forum is aimed at understanding the actual theoretical and practical problems of ensuring social control in the sphere of anti-corruption, searching for new ideas, forms and effective ways of institutionalizing anti-corruption control by society in Russia and abroad. The discussed questions: the regulation of social control in various legal orders; criminological characteristics of corruption crime; main trends in the development of international anti-corruption cooperation; corruption offenses of organizations and the attitude of society towards such offenses; the role of the institution of commissioners in protection of the rights of entrepreneurs in anti-corruption; issues related to improving the effectiveness of social control, including anti-corruption education.
The participants of the Forum came to the conclusion that the fight against corruption is a task not only for state authorities and local self-government, but also for civil society, organizations and citizens. At the same time, the improvement of the state anticorruption policy assumes conducting interdisciplinary scientific research of the state, trends and dynamics of corruption, as well as anti-corruption legislation and practices. Based on the results of the work, recommendations were approved.
IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF CANADA’S PUBLIC SERVICE
Authors: Касаткина Наталья , Kasatkina Natalya
Published: August 2017

Improving the efficiency of public service is an important area for overcoming the crisis in relations between the state, society and a citizen.
Modernization of civil service of Canada is carried out in a number of ways. Changes were made in a recruitment order for civil service by means of expansion of the powers of persons competent to solve these issues in ministries and government departments. One of the directions for improving the quality of the civil service was an increase in the level of training of public servants. Coordination of the educational process in various government departments is carried out by the Canadian School of Public Service.
The system of human resources planning has been introduced. The quality of public services provided is improved with help of timely providing them in compliance with all requirements of a particular government department, and taking into account the rights of citizens by achieving a balance between the services provided and the money spent for this purpose and regular monitoring and evaluation of the dynamics of the providing process of services.
One of the areas of modernization of the public service is the introduction of strict control over of public servants’ ethical standards. Actions that lead to a conflict of interest are legislatively prohibited. Strict bans in Canada are implied regarding the employment of persons who replace public office after the end of their career.
As a result of the measures taken to fight corruption, including a sphere that is largely susceptible to corruption risks, Canada is among top ten countries with the least corruption.
Achievement of positive results in the activities of civil servants became possible due to the state’s special attention to the issues of its modernization.
A Distributed Interior-Point KKT Solver for Multistage Stochastic Optimization
Authors: Hübner Jens , Schmidt Martin , Steinbach Marc C.
Published: August 2017

Multistage stochastic optimization leads to NLPs over scenario trees that become extremely large when many time stages or fine discretizations of the probability space are required. Interior-point methods are well suited for these problems if the arising huge, structured KKT systems can be solved efficiently, for instance, with a large scenario tree but a moderate number of variables per node. For this setting we develop a distributed implementation based on data parallelism in a depth-first distribution of the scenario tree over the processes. Our theoretical analysis predicts very low memory and communication overheads. Detailed computational experiments confirm this prediction and demonstrate the overall performance of the algorithm. We solve multistage stochastic quadratic programs with up to 400 × 106 variables and 8.59 × 109 KKT matrix entries or 136 × 106 variables and 12.6 × 109 entries on a compute cluster with 384 GB RAM.

Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2017.0748 .
Avian radiography and radiology. Part 1
Authors: Naguib Mark
Published: August 2017

Radiography is an essential tool for the avian practitioner. In order to gain useful diagnostic information, clinicians must be able to obtain correctly positioned, good quality images and must first be familiar with their interpretation. This article discusses radiographic techniques, normal coelomic radio-anatomy and common changes observed on radiographs associated with pathology of the liver, spleen, gastro-intestinal tract and reproductive organs. The second article will cover common changes observed on radiographs associated with pathology of the cardio-respiratory tract, as well as normal radio-anatomy and common pathology of the muskuloskeletal system.
Guide for owners on the genetic issues of dog breeds
Authors: Fowler Carol
Published: August 2017

Dog Breed Health is a website designed to help prospective dog owners choose a healthy dog and suitable companion. It aims to provide them with clear information on the health and welfare problems associated with specific dog breeds. It includes conformation issues and breed related genetic diseases together with information on the DNA tests and health screening schemes available.
Would any Reader be Interested in Repeating This Piece of Research?
Authors: Carrotte Peter
Published: August 2017

The Erosive Potential of the Alcoholic Lemonade Hooch™. J. Rees, K. Burford and T. Loyn. European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry 1998; 6: 161-164.
Book Review
Authors: Burke F.J. Trevor
Published: August 2017

Quintessence of Dental Technology (QDT). Editor, John Sorensen. Quintessence Publishing Co., Chicago, 1999. (208pp., $US60).
Cleidocranial Dysplasia: Modern Concepts of Treatment and a Report of an Orthodontic Resistant Case Requiring a Restorative Solution
Authors: Butterworth Chris
Published: August 2017

A case is presented of a young boy with cleidocranial dysplasia, whose multiple supernumerary teeth prevented the eruption of most of his permanent teeth. His maxillary incisor teeth failed to erupt following removal of anterior supernumerary elements and orthodontic traction. Lack of abutment teeth and a difficult maxillary base made prosthetic treatment almost impossible. A horseshoe acrylic denture retained by milled crowns bonded to the deciduous canines and a maxillary first molar proved a very successful restoration. The problems of treating this group of patients are discussed.
Inhalation Sedation: A Viable Alternative to General Anaesthesia?
Authors: Blain Katharine M. , Mackie Iain C.
Published: August 2017

This paper reports three cases in which young children were treated successfully using inhalational sedation instead of general anaesthesia.
Is Lower Incisor Extraction Treatment a Compromise?
Authors: Hegarty David J. , Hegarty Mary
Published: August 2017

In this paper orthodontic treatment involving extraction of a lower incisor is described. This has traditionally been regarded as a compromise as loss of a lower incisor renders it impossible to achieve true ideal occlusion. However, with careful case selection, treatment planning and visualization of the post-treatment occlusion, excellent functional and aesthetic results can be achieved. The various factors that govern the decision to treat certain malocclusions in this way are discussed and a clinical case is presented to demonstrate this type of treatment.