bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male Iranian adolescent’s reasons for having an other-gender friend
Authors: Bahrami Nasim , Simbar Masoumeh , Vedadhir AbouAli , Bukowski William M. , Panarello Bianca
Published: January 2016

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the primary reasons why male Iranian adolescents enter into other-gender friendships.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with a sample of 21 male adolescents recruited in public places in Tehran, Iran. Information about each boy’s experiences with other-gender friends was collected via semi-structured interviews whose contents were analyzed with a conventional qualitative content analysis approach.

Results: Five reasons were identified for engaging in other-gender friendships: (a) for the purpose of entertainment, (b) financial benefits, (c) increased popularity with peers, (d) sensation seeking and (e) sexual experiences.

Conclusion: This study revealed that adolescent males do not follow appropriate goals for communicating with the other-gender. In many cases, these goals could endanger their own health and the health of their other-gender friends. Future researchers must focus on identifying and understanding the factors that influence an adolescent to enter into an other-gender friendship.
Starch–PVA Nanocomposite Film Incorporated with Cellulose Nanocrystals and MMT: A Comparative Study
Authors: Noshirvani Nooshin , Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Fasihi Hadi , Almasi Hadi
Published: January 2016

The goal of this work was to compare the barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of two types of starch–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites. Sodium montmorillonite (MMT) and nanocrystalline cellulose were chosen as nanoreinforcements. X-ray diffraction (XRD) test showed well-distributed MMT in the starch–PVA matrix, possibly implying that the clay nanolayers formed an exfoliated structure. The moisture sorption, solubility and water vapor permeability (WVP) studies revealed that the addition of MMT and nanocrystalline cellulose reduced the moisture affinity of starch–PVA biocomposite. At the level of 7 % MMT, the nanocomposite films showed the highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) (4.93 MPa) and the lowest strain to break (SB) (57.65 %). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed an improvement in thermal properties for the starch–PVA–MMT nanocomposites, but not for the starch–PVA–NCC nanocomposites. Results of this study demonstrated that the use of MMT in the fabrication of starch–PVA nanocomposites is more favorable than that of nanocrystalline cellulose to produce a desirable biodegradable film for food packaging applications.
50 Shades of Radicalism: an Analysis of Contemporary Radical Parties in Europe
Authors: Bartoszewicz Monika Gabriela
Published: January 2016

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of European radical parties. The main aim of this paper is to examine whether there are common patterns regarding these parties, and to analyse the implications of this phenomenon. In order to achieve the above, the paper proceeds as follows: Firstly, the phenomenon of political radicalisation in contemporary Europe is explored. This leads to mapping the radical political landscape in Europe. Finally, the paper concludes with the analysis of the possible outcomes of radicalisation of European politics including the possible societal effects. By doing so the paper argues that a fresh theoretical approach to comprehend the phenomenon is necessary.
Breaking the Waves: How the Phenomenon of European Jihadism Militates Against the Wave Theory of Terrorism
Authors: Proshyn Denys
Published: January 2016

David Rapoport’s Wave theory of terrorism is one of the most oftencited theories in the literature on terrorist violence. Rapoport is praised for having provided researchers with a universal instrument which allows them to explain the origin and transformation of various historical types of terrorism by applying to them the concept of global waves of terrorist violence driven by universal political impulses. This article, testing the Wave theory against the recent phenomenon of homegrown jihadism in Europe, uncovers this theory’s fundamental weaknesses and questions its real academic and practical value.
Countering Radicalisation of Muslim Community Opinions on the EU Level
Authors: Zięba Aleksandra , Szlachter Damian
Published: January 2016

The paper explores selected factors influencing the process of radicalisation leading to the use of political violence and terror by the Muslim minorities living in the European Union member states. Internal and external catalysts conditioning this process and methods of their analysis have been presented. The second section examines various counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation efforts of the EU. The authors analysed the multidimensional European Union policy in the area of counteracting radicalisation for empowering the population and member states in preventing the radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism and emphasising the role of social partners and local authorities. Also, the promotion of good practices for combating radicalisation, developed under the auspices of the multidisciplinary Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) is presented.
Evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic crude extract of Lophopetalum javanicum (bark)
Authors: Ansari Prawej , Badhan Sanjeeda Sarmin , Azam Shofiul , Sultana Nasrin , Anwar Sabbir , Mohamed Abdurahman Mohamed Sheikh , Hannan J.M.A.
Published: January 2016

Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate the scientific basis of the traditional application of Lophopetalum javanicum for measuring anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity and phytochemical screening.

Methods: Present study includes the preliminary screening of the phytochemical composition and in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of L. javanicum (MELJ). Hot-plate test and tail immersion method were used to investigate acute analgesic effects of L. javanicum, and the potency in inhibition of chronic inflammation in mice was tested by carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin-induced edema method.

Results: One hour after the administration of carrageenan, rat’s paw was inflamed, and after treating it with 500 mg/kg dose, increase in the significant inhibitory effect on paw was observed. At the third hour after carrageenan injection, extreme inhibition (55.61%±0.015%; p<0.001) resulted by methanolic extract. By using hot plate method, it was found that L. javanicum increases pain tolerance time up to 17.89±0.079 min, whereas the compared standard’s interval was 21.48±0.397 min. In tail immersion method, the pain threshold was 3.02±0.074 (p<0.001) at 400 mg/kg by L. javanicum at 90 min of experiment.

Conclusions: This study manifested that the methanolic extract of L. javanicum is efficient in inhibiting pain mediators to release, and conceivably, this report should get priority while searching for a new analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.
The Proposal to “Snapshot” Raim Method for Gnss Vessel Receivers Working in Poor Space Segment Geometry
Authors: Nowak Aleksander
Published: January 2016

Nowadays, we can observe an increase in research on the use of small unmanned autonomous vessel (SUAV) to patrol and guiding critical areas including harbours. The proposal to “snapshot” RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) method for GNSS receivers mounted on SUAV operating in poor space segment geometry is presented in the paper. Existing “snapshot” RAIM methods and algorithms which are used in practical applications have been developed for airborne receivers, thus two main assumptions have been made. The first one is that the geometry of visible satellites is strong. It means that the exclusion of any satellite from the positioning solution don’t cause significant deterioration of Dilution of Precision (DOP) coefficients. The second one is that only one outlier could appear in pseudorange measurements. In case of SUAV operating in harbour these two assumptions cannot be accepted. Because of their small dimensions, GNSS antenna is only a few decimetres above sea level and regular ships, buildings and harbour facilities block and reflect satellite signals. Thus, different approach to “snapshot” RAIM is necessary. The proposal to method based on analyses of allowable maximal separation of positioning sub-solutions with using some information from EGNOS messages is described in the paper. Theoretical assumptions and results of numerical experiments are presented.
Design of the Dual Constellation Gps/Galileo Mobile Device for Improving Navigation of the Visually Impaired in an Urban Area
Authors: Drypczewski K. , Moszyński M. , Demkowicz J. , Bikonis K. , Stepnowski A.
Published: January 2016

The article discusses damages of essential tribological associations in crankshaft and piston systems of large power two-stroke engines used as main engines, which take place during transport tasks performed by those ships. Difficulties are named which make preventing those damages impossible, despite the fact that the technical state of engines of this type is identified with the aid of complex diagnostic systems making use of advanced computer technology. It is demonstrated that one of causes of the damages is the lack of research activities oriented on recognising random properties of the loads leading to those damages. A proposal is made for the loads acting at a given time t on tribological associations in crankshaft and piston systems of internal combustion engines used as main engines to be considered as random variables Qt. At the same time the loads examined within a given time interval tr ≤ t ≤ tz would be considered stochastic processes {Q(t): t ≥ 0}. Essential properties of the loads of the abovementioned tribological associations are named and explained by formulating hypotheses which need empirical verification. Interval estimation is proposed for estimating the expected value E(Qt) of the load Qt acting at time t. A relation is indicated between the mechanical load and the thermal load acting on tribological associations in the ship main engine crankshaft and piston system. A suggestion is formulated that a stochastic form of the relation between these types of load is to be searched for, rather than statistic relation, and a proposal is made to measure the intensity (strength) of the stochastic relation using the Czuprow’s convergence coefficient.
Sensitivity of the Game Control of Ship in Collision Situations
Authors: Lisowski Józef
Published: January 2016

The paper introduces the application of the theory of deterministic sensitivity control systems for sensitivity analysis taking place in game control systems of moving objects, such as ships. The sensitivity of parametric model of game ship control process and game control in collision situations - sensitivity to changes in its parameters have been presented. First-order and k-th order sensitivity functions of parametric model of the process and game control are described. The structure of the game ship control system in collision situations and the mathematical model of game control process in the form of state equations are given. Characteristics of sensitivity functions of the model and game ship control process on the base of computer simulation in Matlab/Simulink software have been presented. At the end are given proposals regarding the use of sensitivity analysis to practical synthesis of computer-aided system navigator in potential collision situations.
Swarm Intelligence Approach to Safe Ship Control
Authors: Lazarowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an application of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique in a safe ship control system. The method developed solves the problem of path planning and collision avoidance of a ship in the open sea as well as in restricted waters. The structure of the developed safe ship control system is introduced, followed by a presentation of the applied algorithm. Results showing the problem-solving capability of the system are also included. The aim of the system developed is to increase automation of a safe ship control process. It is possible to apply the proposed method in Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) control system, what will contribute to the enhancement of their autonomy.
Numerical Analysis of Emissions from Marine Engines Using Alternative Fuels
Authors: M.I. Lamas , C.G. Rodríguez , J. Telmo , J.D. Rodríguez
Published: January 2016

The current restrictions on emissions from marine engines, particularly sulphur oxides (SOx ), nitrogen oxides (NOx ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ), are compelling the shipping industry to a change of tendency. In the recent years, many primary and secondary reduction techniques have been proposed and employed in marine engines. Nevertheless, the increasingly restrictive legislation makes it very difficult to continue developing efficient reduction procedures at competitive prices. According to this, the paper presents the possibility to employ alternative fuels. A numerical model was developed to analyze the combustion process and emissions using oil fuel, natural gas and hydrogen. A commercial marine engine was studied, the Wärtsilä 6L 46. It was found, that hydrogen is the cleanest fuel regarding CO2 , hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). Nevertheless, it is very expensive for marine applications. Natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than fuel oil regarding CO2 and CO emissions. Still, natural gas emits more NOx and HC than oil fuel. SOx depends basically on the sulphur content of each particular fuel.
Isolating Graphical Failure-Inducing Input for Privacy Protection in Error Reporting Systems
Authors: Matos João , Garcia João , Coração Nuno
Published: January 2016

This work proposes a new privacy-enhancing system that minimizes the disclosure of information in error reports. Error reporting mechanisms are of the utmost importance to correct software bugs but, unfortunately, the transmission of an error report may reveal users’ private information. Some privacy-enhancing systems for error reporting have been presented in the past years, yet they rely on path condition analysis, which we show in this paper to be ineffective when it comes to graphical-based input. Knowing that numerous applications have graphical user interfaces (GUI), it is very important to overcome such limitation. This work describes a new privacy-enhancing error reporting system, based on a new input minimization algorithm called GUIᴍɪɴ that is geared towards GUI, to remove input that is unnecessary to reproduce the observed failure. Before deciding whether to submit the error report, the user is provided with a step-by-step graphical replay of the minimized input, to evaluate whether it still yields sensitive information. We also provide an open source implementation of the proposed system and evaluate it with well-known applications.
Survival of patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma treated with superselective transarterial chemoembolization using doxorubicin-loaded DC Bead under cone-beam computed tomography control
Authors: Popovic Peter , Stabuc Borut , Jansa Rado , Garbajs Manca
Published: January 2016

Background

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate treatment response, adverse events and survival rates of patients with intermediate stage HCC treated with superselective doxorubicin-loaded DC Bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEBDOX) under cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) control.

Patients and methods

Between October 2010 and June 2012, 35 consecutive patients with intermediate stage HCC (32 male, 3 female; average age, 67.5 ± 7.8 years; 22 patients Child-Pugh class A, 8 class B, 5 without cirrhosis) were treated with DEBDOX TACE. Portal vein thrombosis was observed in 6 (17.1%) patients. DEBDOX TACE was performed by superselective catheterization of feeding vessels followed by embolization with 100-300 μm microspheres loaded with 50-100 mg of doxorubicin. In all cases, CBCT was used during chemoembolization. Tumor response rates were defined according to mRECIST criteria.

Results

Overall, 120 procedures were performed (mean, 3.2 per patients). We treated 97 lesions with an average diameter of 4.9 ± 1.9 cm. There were 32 minor and 2 (1.6%) major complications (one liver abscess and one cerebrovascular insult). After a mean follow-up of 27.7 ± 10.5 months, 94.3% of patients achieved an objective response to treatment (42.4% complete response and 57.6% partial response). Mean time to progression was 10.9 ± 5.3 months. Mean overall survival was 33.9 months (95% CI; 28.9 – 38.9 months), with 1- and 2- year survival of 97.1% and 65.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

Superselective DEBDOX TACE performed under CBCT control is a safe and effective method with high rates of tumor response and overall survival.
Association between polymorphisms in segregation genes BUB1B and TTK and gastric cancer risk
Authors: Hudler Petra , Britovsek Nina Kocevar , Grazio Snjezana Frkovic , Komel Radovan
Published: January 2016

Background

Malignant transformation of normal gastric cells is a complex and multistep process, resulting in development of heterogeneous tumours. Susceptible genetic background, accumulation of genetic changes, and environmental factors play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mitotic segregation genes could be responsible for inducing the slow process of accumulation of genetic changes, leading to genome instability.

Patients and methods

We performed a case-control study of polymorphisms in mitotic kinases TTK rs151658 and BUB1B rs1031963 and rs1801376 to assess their effects on gastric cancer risk. We examined the TTK abundance in gastric cancer tissues using immunoblot analysis.

Results

C/G genotype of rs151658 was more frequent in patients with diffuse type of gastric cancer and G/G genotype was more common in intestinal types of gastric cancers (p = 0.049). Polymorphic genotype A/A of rs1801376 was associated with higher risk for developing diffuse type of gastric cancer in female population (p = 0.007), whereas A/A frequencies were increased in male patients with subserosa tumour cell infiltration (p = 0.009). T/T genotype of rs1031963 was associated with well differentiated tumours (p = 0.035). TT+CT genotypes of rs1031963 and GG+AG genotypes of rs1801376 were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk (dominant model; OR = 2,929, 95% CI: 1.281-6.700; p = 0.017 and dominant model; OR = 0,364, 95% CI: 0.192-0.691; p = 0.003 respectively).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that polymorphisms in mitotic kinases TTK and BUB1B may contribute to gastric tumorigenesis and risk of tumour development. Further investigations on large populations and populations of different ethnicity are needed to determine their clinical utility.
Emerging trends in graphene carbon based polymer nanocomposites and applications
Authors: Idumah Christopher Igwe , Hassan Azman
Published: January 2016

Recent sustainable advancement in carbon nanotechnology has further broadened the scope of application of carbon based materials, especially graphene based polymer nanocomposites, in emerging applications. This paper mainly focuses on recently emerging trends in synthesis and properties of graphene based polymer nanocomposites, in addition to brief discussion of some selected carbon based nanocomposites for application in electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency, terahertz shielding efficiency, electrostatic dissipation, thermal interface materials, sensors, and energy storage. Finally, an overview of recently emerging trends in sustainability, economies of scale, and emerging commercial market share of these materials is also presented.
Sentencing Discounts, Attorney Compensation and Plea Bargaining in Criminal Cases
Authors: Bowles Roger
Published: January 2016

Offering defendants a sanction reduction if they agree to plead guilty at an early stage in criminal proceedings represents one form of “plea bargaining”. As with the better known form, where a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for the dropping of a more serious charge, it is motivated by a wish to reduce expenditure on the criminal justice system. In England and Wales sentencing discounts have been used as part of an effort to reduce the high proportion of criminal cases that end in a “cracked trial” where a defendant who had originally pleaded not guilty changes their plea to guilty “at the courtroom door”. The paper presents a model of sentencing discounts and looks also at the closely-related issue of attorney compensation and the associated agency issues. Using data on “cracked trials” from England and Wales and evidence from the US on the relationship between plea bargaining and attorney compensation we argue that sentencing discounts alone may not be a very effective way of economising on legal resources unless they are supported by an appropriate structure of payments to defence lawyers.
Multiple historical and social layers of interpretation of marital rape in England
Authors: Wagner Anne
Published: January 2016

This paper sets out to examine the way in which legal reasoning constructed marital rape and eventually officially recognized it after centuries of men’s ascendency over women. Understanding the multiple layers requires cultural and historical awareness of the traditional concept of “marriage” and the practice of religion as well as the very different conditions in which marital rape was envisaged. The main contention of this paper is to show that legal knowledge derives from a patriarchal tradition where the processing of marital abuse and rape hovered between cultural and subjective realities contrary to objective rationality.
Preserving zeros of Lie product on alternate
matrices
Authors: Fošner Ajda , Kuzma Bojan
Published: January 2016

We study continuous maps on alternate matrices over complex field which preserve zeros of Lie
product.
Studying the various properties of MIN and
MAX matrices - elementary vs. more advanced
methods
Authors: Mattila Mika , Haukkanen Pentti
Published: January 2016

Let T = {z1, z2, . . . , zn} be a finite multiset of real numbers, where z1 ≤ z2 ≤ · · · ≤ zn. The purpose
of this article is to study the different properties of MIN and MAX matrices of the set T with min(zi , zj) and
max(zi , zj) as their ij entries, respectively.We are going to do this by interpreting these matrices as so-called
meet and join matrices and by applying some known results for meet and join matrices. Once the theorems
are found with the aid of advanced methods, we also consider whether it would be possible to prove these
same results by using elementary matrix methods only. In many cases the answer is positive.
On Specification Predication and the derivation of copular to-clauses in Polish
Authors: Tajsner Przemysław
Published: January 2016

The paper offers a consistently derivational account of Polish predicational and specificational copular clauses with the occurrence of a particle to instead of a verbal copula być (‘be’). The particle to is given the status of a predicative head with the potential of designating a phrase in its c-command domain as a specification predicate. Such a phrase is then interpreted as the focus at the C-I interface. Thus, a view is promoted in which the focus, a category of information structure, is not directly coded in narrow syntax, but is rather an interpretive outcome of a more general syntactic relation, referred to as Specification Predication. This view has been inspired by Kiss’s (2006, 2010) idea that focusing is predication but it substantially differs from her approach. The analysis is limited to copular-to clauses, but it is suggested to have a potential for the account of two more syntactic types with the occurrence of the particle to, namely, so-called to-clefts, and topic-to sentences.

The proposal advanced in the paper is confronted with three earlier accounts dealing with copular-to clauses, and is shown to avoid some empirical and conceptual problems they have posed. It is shown how the derivation of copular-to clauses proceeds through a sequence of minimal and well-defined steps starting from the formation of an array of two nominal phrases, through a Small Clause stage to a Specification Predicative Phrase. Couched in the recent minimalist framework, the analysis specifically dwells on the theoretical advancements determining the nature of syntactic derivations, such as Hornstein’s (2009) distinctions between operations Concatenate, Merge and Label, Moro’s (2000, 2008) idea of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking or Chomsky’s (2013) view of Labeling.
Electro-acupuncture on Nei Guan and Bai Hui: How Does It Affect GRP78 and Caspase-12 Gene Expression in Rats with Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Shen Jing , Lei Xiao-Ming , Song Yang , Tan Xing , Liu Qin , Dai Li-Wen , Yu Jie
Published: January 2016

Objective: To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on GRP78 and Caspase-12 gene expression in rats with ischemia- reperfusion injury (IRI) by stimulation on Nei Guan (PC6) and Bai Hui (GV20) points, so that to understand whether or not the protective effects of acupuncture is related to endocytoplasmic reticulum (ER) stressapoptosis passage.

Methods: 50 rats were randomly assigned to five groups (10 in each group): normal control(A), pseudo-operation(B), operation(C), Edaravone(D) and EA(E). The ischemia/reperfusion model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by suture embolic method. TUNEL staining method was employed to measure the apoptosis index of nerve cells in rats. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure the mRNA expression of GRP78 and Caspase-12.

Results: Compared with normal group and pseudo-operation group, the apoptosis indexes and mRNA expression of GRP78 and Caspase-12 in operation group, Edaravone group and EA group were increased, with statistical significance（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）; compared with operation group, the apoptosis indexes and Caspase-12 mRNA expression in Edaravone group and EA group were decreased（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）, but GRP78 mRNA expression were increased（P＜0.01）; there were no significant difference between Edaravone group and EA group on the above indexes（P＞0.05).

Conclusion: Acupuncture on Nei Guan and Bai Hui points could effectively suppress the nerve cell apoptosis in cerebral ischemia. The underlying mechanism might be related to upregulation of the ERS-protective GRP78 expression and downregulation of apoptosis-promotion Caspase-12 expression.
Influence of Geometry on Rotordynamic Coefficients of Brush Seal
Authors: Wei Yuan , Dowell Earl H. , Chen Zhaobo , Jiao Yinghou , Zhang Zhouqiang
Published: January 2016

It has been observed that the geometry of a brush seal has a significant effect on the sealing performance. However, the relationship between rotordynamic coefficients and geometry factors of the brush seal itself are rarely considered. In this article, the rotordynamic coefficients of a typical single-stage brush seal for different geometries and operating conditions were numerically analyzed using CFD RANS solutions coupled with a non-Darcian porous medium model. The reaction force which plays an essential role in rotordynamic coefficients was obtained by integrating the dynamic pressure distribution. The influence of the bristle pack thickness, fence height, clearance size and other working condition parameters on aerodynamic force, stiffness coefficients, and damping coefficients of brush seal were presented and compared. In addition, the effects of various geometric configurations on pressure and flow features were also discussed.
Mitigating “The Coercive Effect of the Schoolhouse Setting”
Authors: Short Natalie
Published: January 2016

This article discusses Miranda rights in relation to police interrogation of juveniles in schools. Part I argues that, under the standard recently announced by the Supreme Court in J.D.B.—the “Reasonable Child Test”—all schoolhouse interrogations should require Miranda warnings because no reasonable minor would feel free to leave an interrogation conducted at school. Schoolhouse interrogations have a higher risk of coercion due to the regimented nature of schools and the likelihood that parents will not be present. Further, Part II encourages state legislators to propose legislation requiring that minors have the advice of counsel prior to waiving Miranda rights. Such a law would avoid rash waivers of rights by minors who misunderstand the usefulness of Miranda rights, and ensure that when minors make statements to police at school, those statements will be admissible in later court proceedings.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Reversible hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Authors: Dwyer Andrew A , Raivio Taneli , Pitteloud Nelly
Published: January 2016

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is characterized by lack of puberty and infertility. Traditionally, it has been considered a life-long condition yet cases of reversibility have been described wherein patients spontaneously recover function of the reproductive axis following treatment. Reversibility occurs in both male and female CHH cases and appears to be more common (~10–15%) than previously thought. These reversal patients span a range of GnRH deficiency from mild to severe and many reversal patients harbor mutations in genes underlying CHH. However, to date there are no clear factors for predicting reversible CHH. Importantly, recovery of reproductive axis function may not be permanent. Thus, CHH is not always life-long and the incidence of reversal warrants periodic treatment withdrawal with close monitoring and follow-up. Reversible CHH highlights the importance of environmental (epigenetic) factors such as sex steroid treatment on the reproductive axis in modifying the phenotype. This review provides an overview and an update on what is known about this phenomenon.
Very low frequency of germline GPR101 genetic variation and no biallelic defects with AIP in a large cohort of patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas
Authors: Lecoq Anne-Lise , Bouligand Jérôme , Hage Mirella , Cazabat Laure , Salenave Sylvie , Linglart Agnès , Young Jacques , Guiochon-Mantel Anne , Chanson Philippe , Kamenický Peter
Published: January 2016

Context

Recently, germline and somaticGPR101p.(E308D) mutation was found in patients with isolated acromegaly. It is not known whetherGPR101point mutations are associated with other histological types of pituitary adenoma.

Objective

We sought germlineGPR101mutations in patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas, and compared the phenotypes ofGPR101mutation carriers andAIPmutation carriers.

Design

An observational cohort study performed between 2007 and 2014 in a single referral center.

Participants

This prospective study involved 766 unselected patients (413 women) with sporadic pituitary adenomas of all histotypes.

Methods

EntireGPR101andAIPcoding sequence were screened for germline mutations.

Results

Twelve patients (1.6%) were found to carry theGPR101p.(E308D) mutation or rareGPR101variants. The minor allele frequency of theGPR101mutation and variants was higher in patients with pituitary adenomas than in unaffected individuals included in the Exome Aggregation Consortium database. Three of the six patients with theGPR101p.(E308D) mutation had adult-onset acromegaly, two had adrenocorticotropin-secreting adenomas, and one had a nonfunctioning macroadenoma. Six patients carried rareGPR101variants. GermlineAIPmutations or rareAIPvariants were identified in 32 patients (4.2%).AIPmutation carriers were younger at diagnosis thanGPR101mutation carriers and non carriers. None of the patients harbored mutations in both theGPR101andAIPgenes.

Conclusion

GermlineGPR101mutations are very rare in patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas of various histotypes. No digenism withAIPwas identified. Further studies are required to establish whether and how genetic variation inGPR101gene contributes to pituitary tumorigenesis.
Six months of daily treatment with vardenafil improves parameters of endothelial inflammation and of hypogonadism in male patients with type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial
Authors: Santi Daniele , Granata Antonio R M , Guidi Alessandro , Pignatti Elisa , Trenti Tommaso , Roli Laura , Bozic Roberto , Zaza Stefano , Pacchioni Chiara , Romano Stefania , Nofer Jerzy Roch , Rochira Vincenzo , Carani Cesare , Simoni Manuela
Published: January 2016

Objective

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, characterized by a reduction of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) improve NO levels. The aim of the study was to investigate whether long-term, chronic treatment with the PDE5i vardenafil improves systemic endothelial function in diabetic men.

Design

A prospective, investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted.

Methods

In total, 54 male patients affected by T2DM, diagnosed within the last 5 years, and erectile dysfunction were enrolled, regardless of testosterone levels. In all, 26 and 28 patients were assigned to verum and placebo groups respectively. The study consisted of an enrollment phase, a treatment phase (24 weeks) (vardenafil/placebo 10 mg twice in a day) and a follow-up phase (24 weeks). Parameters evaluated were as follows: International Index of Erectile Function 15 (IIEF-15), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), serum interleukin 6 (IL6), endothelin 1 (ET-1), gonadotropins and testosterone (measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry).

Results

IIEF-15 erectile function improved during the treatment (P<0.001). At the end of the treatment both FMD (P=0.040) and IL6 (P=0.019) significantly improved. FMD correlated with serum testosterone levels (R2=0.299;P<0.001). Testosterone increased significantly under vardenafil treatment and returned in the eugonadal range only in hypogonadal men (n=13), without changes in gonadotropins. Chronic vardenafil treatment did not result in relevant side effects.

Conclusion

This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the effects of chronic treatment of vardenafil on endothelial health-related parameters and sexual hormones in patients affected by a chronic disease. Chronically administered vardenafil is effective and improves endothelial parameters in T2DM patient. Moreover, chronic vardenafil therapy improves hypogonadism in diabetic, hypogonadal men.
Primary Care Access, Emergency Department Visits, and Unplanned Short Hospitalizations in the UK
Authors: Cecil Elizabeth , Bottle Alex , Cowling Thomas E. , Majeed Azeem , Wolfe Ingrid , Saxena Sonia
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Demand for unplanned hospital services is rising, and children are frequent users, especially where access to primary care is poor. In England, universal health care coverage entitles parents to see a general practitioner (GP) for first-contact care. However, access to GP appointments is variable, and few patients can see their own regular GP out of hours (OOH). The goal of this study explored the association between access to GPs , emergency department (ED) visits and short hospitalizations (<2 days) in children in England.

METHODS:

ED visit and short hospitalization rates were investigated in 9.5 million children aged <15 years registered with English family practices between April 2011 and March 2012 by using administrative hospital data. Six access categories ranked all practices according to patients’ reported ability to schedule GP appointments; from national GP Patient Survey data. GP consulting hours were 8:00 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays.

RESULTS:

There were 3 074 616 ED visits (56% OOH) and 470 752 short hospitalizations over the 12 months studied. Children registered with practices in the highest access group compared with the lowest were 9% less likely to visit an ED (adjusted rate ratio: 0.91 [95% confidence interval: 0.89–93]), particularly OOH compared with consulting hours (10% vs 7%). Children in the highest access groups were equally likely to be admitted for a short stay.

CONCLUSIONS:

Increasing GP accessibility might alleviate the burden of ED visits from children, particularly during peak times OOH. Short hospitalizations may be more sensitive to other aspects of health systems.
Gurdjieff as a Bricoleur
Authors: Sutcliffe Steven J.
Published: January 2016

Several descriptions have been given to the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff (1866?-1949), including ‘esoteric Christianity’, a herald of the ‘New Age Movement’ and a standalone system called ‘The Work’ or the ‘Fourth Way’. Scholars qualify their assessments by noting Gurdjieff’s exposure to Theosophy, Spiritualism and Hypnotism, or his background in indigenous oral culture. Nevertheless, a complex unity of ideas, constituting a whole, is usually taken to underpin Gurdjieff’s instructions, with the allure and mystique of this ‘System’ lying in the quest to uncover its source(s). As a result, the Gurdjieff movement is typically presented as sui generis, issuing from a self-contained dynamic. In contrast, taking my lead from the model of the bricoleur in Levi-Strauss, and drawing on an illustrative range of primary sources and secondary literature, I argue that Gurdjieff is better understood not as launching a new ‘system’ – complete, integrated and self-sufficient - but as drawing together a heterogenous repertoire of sources and resources through which to make a bricolage. As a result, the ‘fourth way’ has always been a ‘work in progress’.
Atmospheric oxidation effect of silicon–carbon nanotube anode on Li-ion battery performance
Authors: Chouksey Sameer , Sil Anjan , Lahiri Debrupa , Lahiri Indranil
Published: January 2016

Secondary energy storage devices are in high demand owing to recent developments in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. In the last two decades, lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology has witnessed phenomenal growth. In order to cope with future requirements and to improve specific capacity, retention ability and life span of the battery, different anode materials, such as carbon nanotube (CNT), tin dioxide (SnO2), silicon (Si) and so on, were investigated. A pure Si-based anode offers maximum theoretical specific capacity of 4200 mAh/g. However, a large volume change (around 400%) during the lithiation–delithiation process hampers its wide acceptance. This problem could be addressed by incorporating different composite anode materials; Si–CNT composite is one of them. Si–CNT composite has shown great promise as a Li-ion battery anode material, but at the same time, the large surface area of Si nanoparticles makes it highly sensitive to atmospheric oxidation. This research work reports an easy and scalable method of synthesis of a Li-ion battery anode using Si–CNT composite and demonstrates the effect of atmospheric oxidation of Si nanoparticles on the performance of the Li-ion battery. The prepared anode was characterized for its structure and electrochemical performance. It offered good initial specific capacity of 663 mAh/g, though this deteriorated owing to surface oxidation.
Trans-disciplinary Research: An Academic-Practitioner Partnership Effort on Investigating the Relationship between the Cooperative Model and Sustainability
Authors: Newell Robert , Dale Ann , Herbert Yuill , Duguid Fiona , Foon Rebecca , Hough Peter
Published: January 2016

This article details novel research methodology developed through a researcher-practitioner partnership and employed in a three-phase research effort that explored relationships between the co-operative model and sustainable development. Firstly, a basic understanding of the characteristics of the co-operative model was established using the co-operative principles as a framework, and their complementarity to sustainable development was examined by comparing them with sustainability theory, principles and best practices (defined through seminal journal articles on the topic). Secondly, relationships between sustainability theory and the ideas and operations of currently functioning co-operatives were investigated, namely, whether co-operatives had integrated sustainability into their organizations.  Thirdly, an integrated analysis that examined the relationship between co-operatives, the co-operative principles and sustainability concepts was conducted, and output from this work was used to build a visualization (referred to as the ‘Co-operative Star’), specifically designed to communicate a synthesis of research findings to diverse audiences.  This study specifically focused on co-operatives and sustainability; however, the analytical techniques developed and employed have applications for other research involving comparisons between concepts and large bodies of literature, and it is particularly useful for comparing theoretical works (such as academic literature) with texts that discuss operations and practices (such as website and reports).
Transversality in Diversity: Experiencing Networks of Confusion and Convergence in the World Social Forum
Authors: Hosseini S A Hamed
Published: January 2016

Drawing on the World Social Forum as an exemplary case study, this article shows how an emerging mode of cosmopolitanist vision (‘transversalism’) can be explained in terms of activists’ experiences of both complexity and contradiction in their networks. The paper questions the idea that the transnationalization of networks of solidarity and interconnection can uncomplicatedly encourage the growth of cosmopolitanism among global justice activists. Activists’ experiences of dissonances between their ideals, the complexity of power relations and the structural uncertainties in their global justice networks can provide them with a base for self-reflexive ideation and deliberation, and thereby encourage agendas for accommodating differences. Underpinning the accommodating measures which arise for dealing with such a cognitive-practical dissonance is a new mode of cosmopolitanism, coined here as ‘transversalism’. The article proposes a new conceptual framework and an analytical model to investigate the complexity of this process more inclusively and systematically.
Description of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills Revisited (ABLLS-R)
Authors: Semenovich M.L. , Manelis N.G. , Khaustov A.V. , Kozorez A.I. , Morozova E.V.
Published: January 2016

Diagnostics and assessment of the functional skills of children with disabilities and autism spectrum disorders are to be conducted to develop comprehensive remedial educational programmes. The described Methodology of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills — Revisited (ABLLS-R) allows to simplify and make the diagnostics more efficient, to conduct a comprehensive examination of the child in different areas of development, detect the formed and deficit skills. The second and final part of the description of the methodology offers recommendations on the filling of the Table of the Results of Initial and Repeated Testing and on the choice of goals of correctional work with a child on the basis of performance of individual test scales. The pattern of the table filled after the initial and repeated testing is given. In drawing up of the programme of individual development the willingness of the child to the development of that skill should be considered. Regular practice of selected skills in various situations and the preventive measures against the regression of skills are also important.
Conclusive part. Beginning in № 3 (48), 2015
The Use of the Technique of «Theme Photobooks» in the Work with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Intellectual Disorders
Authors: Veksler D. , Moskalenko S.A.
Published: January 2016

The technique of «Theme Photobooks» is chosen out of the method of phototherapy and is developed by a group of American specialists in the process of remedial work with children or adults with disturbance of devel¬opment or autistic spectrum disorders. «Theme Photobooks» are an optional tool for remedial activities with children, enabling their development. Activities with Theme Photobooks consist of several stages: choice of an interesting or relevant for the child topic, selection of the objects for photographing, creation of photobooks (selection of images, their placement, making up the inscription to the photo), creation of the stories based on the pictures. The use of the technique of «Theme Photobooks» increases the intensity of communication pro¬cesses, which leads to the normalization of the child’s behaviour and considerably extends the chances of social integration. The article contracts the technique of «Theme Photobooks» with the methods PECS and «Social Stories», it also gives examples of activities with children with autistic spectrum disorders, beginning from the stage of the acquaintance of the teacher with the child to the selection of photos for the Theme Photobook «Rules of Behaviour Outdoors».
Core Challenges of Autism
Authors: Nason B.
Published: January 2016

Bill Nason, an American clinical psychologist, «a humanistic behaviourist» as as he calls himself, tells us about the differences in the means of functioning between people with autistic spectrum disorders and neurotypi¬cal people. The second chapter of his Blue book «Autism Discussion Page» is devoted to the peculiarities in processing of cognitive information of the individuals with the autistic spectrum. B. Nason divides all cogni¬tive difficulties in autism into three main categories: 1. Information processing difficulties, 2. Rigid, inflexible thinking, and 3. Executive functioning difficulties. While working through each of these aspects in a simple and detailed way the author emphasizes on the respect and acceptance of the peculiarities of people who func¬tion differently, not worse and not better than us, just in a different way. Each feature of cognitive functioning has both its pluses and minuses. The main thing is to be aware of them and to learn to use them properly, turn¬ing weaknesses into strengths and gifts.
When the Child is Suspected to Have Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recommendation for Parents
Authors: Borodina L.G. , Soldatenkova E.N.
Published: January 2016

Experts in the area of treatment and intervention for autism spectrum disorders provide parents with recommenda¬tions for situations when their children are suspected to have autism or have been diagnosed. These recommenda¬tions are universal and are appropriate for raising a child with any spectrum disorder. Following these recommenda¬tions will allow parents to comprehend the situation with the child’s development, access approaches, that are used by professionals, and will help them to not waste precious time on finding primary information after the diagnosis.
The Theme of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Fiction
Authors: Isakova S.V. , Feofanov V.N.
Published: January 2016

The article examines the content of six literary works about people with autism spectrum disorders. As cri¬teria for comparison the following things are selected: the genre in which the book is written, the presence of specialized terminology, the narrator of the story, the subjects of relationships, the gender and age of the main character, the description of the symptoms of autism and the nature of that description, the dynamics of the state and the climax of the literary work. The conclusion is drawn that the works of fiction on autism are aimed at informing the society of the problem, improving tolerance towards people with autism and supporting all those who are personally affected by autism.
Skiing in Summer
Authors: Potachinskaya Y.N.
Published: January 2016

mother of a teenager with autism writes about training of her daughter in mountain skiing in an adaptive club