bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of Health Records by Using Relaxed ACID Properties between Hospitals, Physicians and Mobile Units like Ambulances and Doctors
Authors: Frank Lars , Pape-Haugaard Louise
Published: December 2012

This paper describes an architecture for integrating both stationary health units like hospitals and group physicians with health records of mobile health units like ambulances and doctors at emergency call service. This paper focuses on how it is possible to have high availability in all the integrated health units and at the same time keep the consistency between the health records in the different locations at an acceptable level. In central databases the consistency of data is normally implemented by using the Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability (ACID) properties of a Data Base Management System (DBMS) (Gray & Reuter, 1993). This is not possible if mobile databases are involved and the availability of data also has to be optimized. Therefore, this paper describes using relaxed ACID properties across different locations. The objective of designing relaxed ACID properties across different database locations is to make it possible for all the involved locations to operate in disconnected mode and at the same time give the users a view of the data that may be inconsistent across different locations but anyway better than the data in a centralized database with low availability for the users.
Information Technology Project Performance
Authors: Lind Mary R. , Culler Evetta
Published: December 2012

In this exploratory research study the critical success factors resulting in Information Technology (IT) project performance were assessed. Previous research supported associations between critical success factors and information technology project performance. A survey of 116 different projects at firms in the United States was used as the context to examine the critical success factors in project performance. The examination of the data analysis showed the size of the project, clarity of goals and mission, availability of required technology, and client acceptance of the project had a significant impact on project performance.
The Relationship between Information Technology Adoption and Job Satisfaction in the Jordanian Construction Industry
Authors: Sweis Rateb , Sweis Ghaleb , Attar Ghalia , Abu Hammad Ayman
Published: December 2012

Despite the popularity of Information Technology and job satisfaction research, little empirical evidence exists of the relationship between IT adoption and job satisfaction within the Jordanian construction industry. This research fills these knowledge gaps by exploring the relationship between IT adoption and job satisfaction from the perspective of construction companies, contractors, consultants, and architectural and engineering firms in Jordan. Measures were developed using MSQ and IT Barometer surveys. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to investigate this relationship among different companies from the Jordanian construction sector. Descriptive statistics were obtained and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. Results show that more investment in technology would increase employee job satisfaction regarding intrinsic, extrinsic, and general perspectives.
Optimizing the Configuration of Development Teams Using EVA
Authors: Baumeister Alexander , Floren Alexander
Published: December 2012

Resource constrained software development projects are likely to exceed the planned duration as well as the originally planned budget. As variances arise, the revision of team-task-assignments and a resource reallocation might be advisable to avoid a project escalation. In doing so, the development management has to consider the impact on team expertise and possible productivity losses if team members are shifted to other work packages than originally planned. This paper proposes the use of a modified Earned Value Analysis based on new resource-based performance measures, which provides information on the performance effects of adjustment alternatives. Furthermore, it will be demonstrated how these figures can support the decision which human resources should be shifted if a delay exists in one work package that belongs to the critical chain. In this regard, the idea of the knapsack problem is transformed into the challenging task of shifting resources to find the work package that should release the resources to minimize an overall performance decrease. A case study clarifies the implementation.
Local vs. Expert Perception of Climate Change
Authors: Baptiste April Karen
Published: December 2012

Local communities are known for having different and in some cases divergent perceptions of reality than experts. Particularly with respect to climate change, there is incongruence in the way that experts, namely scientists, view climate change and its effects and the way that this is perceived by laypersons, particularly those that are most impacted by climate change. But what are those differences and how exactly are these conceptualized? The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, it examines the differences among three stakeholders (scientists, policy makers, and fishers) in their view of climate change and its impacts, using the case study of the fishing industry in Trinidad and Tobago. These views are mapped using the mental model approach and then compared in order to determine the best way to address climate change within a local setting. There is a clear difference in the way fishers in this study view climate change from the way local scientists view it. There is, however, some overlap between the perspective of the fishers and that of the policy maker. Moving from a position that all perspectives are equally important if there is to be a meaningful response to climate change, this chapter develops a set of procedures for mapping community perceptions of climate change on to those of scientists and policy makers. The second and ultimate objective is to look at the implication that the mental modeling approach has for diffusion, adoption, and technology transfer in response to climate change.
Desert in Bengal Delta- Changes in Landscape, Changes in Livelihood
Authors: Saroar Md. Mustafa , Routray Jayant K.
Published: December 2012

This study is aimed to assess the impacts of various climate induced events and the sustainability of adoption of coping and adaptive measures against these impacts. The study was conducted through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and focus group discussion (FGD) in three sites of Kalapara Upazila (Sub-district), located along the Bay of Bengal in Southwest Bangladesh. Finding suggests that although flooding, cyclones, storm surges, and seasonal droughts have different attributes, they have commonality in bringing severe salinity in soil, sub-soil water, and surface water bodies that severely affects the livelihood security of natural resource-dependent coastal population. Indigenous knowledge and diffusion of vernacular technologies have helped a large majority of people to adopt various coping and adaptation strategies against the salinity problem for long. However, in a changing nature of salinity (i.e. a discrete isolated event has been turning to a perpetual event), which is resulting from climate change induced sea level rise (CC-SLR), most of their adopted coping and adaptation measures have failed to address their livelihood security on a sustained basis. To bolster their efforts toward adoption of adaptation strategies for sustainable livelihood, a range of avenues for interventions are identified.
Student-Faculty Communication on Facebook
Authors: Soitu Laurentiu , Paulet-Crainiceanu Laura
Published: December 2012

This chapter addresses the topic of Facebook use in education, with focus on the learning issues concerning the student-faculty relations and communication on this social network. Its main purpose is to reveal academics’ general and particular attitudes towards the use of Facebook with instructional aim. Therefore, it presents a generous theoretical perspective on the emerging phenomenon of Social Networks integration on education, in the United States mainly. Further on, it puts side by side these views with the findings of a particular, empirical study conducted by the authors. A survey applied to a sample of Facebook users from “Alexadru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Romania (N=160) revealed that the academics partially agreed that the use of Facebook is suitable for educational exchanges. Whilst the literature suggested that students have more positive attitudes than faculty towards the use of Facebook in education, this present study does not support this view.
Framing Non-Formal Education through CSR 2.0
Authors: Pătruţ Bogdan , Pătruţ Monica , Cmeciu Camelia
Published: December 2012

Schools and universities are not the only providers of knowledge any longer. Other types of organizations have become aware that a solid public-serving reason should lie beyond the firm-serving motive. “Doing well by doing good” has been the syntagm that prevails nowadays in the organizational discourse focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaigns. This chapter has a twofold aim: to highlight two paradigmatic shifts (CSR 1.0 --> CSR 2.0 & formal education --> non-formal education), and to provide an analysis of the Web 2.0 practices and items and of the verbal and visual framing devices used in a CSR 2.0 campaign on non-formal financial education. Social media have provided the applications to put into practice the concept of edutainment specific to non-formal education since educators get a multifold identity, being, at the same time, generators and receivers of knowledge.
Social Media Usage among University Students in Malaysia
Authors: Hamid Norsiah Abdul , Ishak Mohd Sobhi , Ismail Syamsul Anuar , Yazam Siti Syamsul Nurin Mohmad
Published: December 2012

Social media are playing an increasing role in today’s living. The social media platforms allow users to search, create, share, collaborate, and organise contents among them, and at the same time provide virtual self-presentation and self-disclosure of oneself. Social media were also claimed to give implications to human beings with regards to personality, yet these variables have not much been emphasised in previous studies. Thus, it is important to highlight the implications of social media on users’ personality. Given the issues and challenges faced by the country in profiling the adoption of social media and its implications in view of the perspective of personality, it is timely and significantly important to undertake this research in Malaysia. The objective of this chapter is to discuss a research conducted recently to determine the relationships between social media and personality traits. The specific objectives of this study are to identify the profile of social media adoption among students in Malaysia, including duration, frequency of use, purpose, and person/s that introduced the social media, and to determine the relationships between social media and personality traits.
Social Media and other Web 2.0 Technologies as Communication Channels in a Cross-Cultural, Web-Based Professional Communication Project
Authors: Zemliansky Pavel , Goroshko Olena
Published: December 2012

In recent years, cross-national web-based teaching projects have become very popular in many fields. During such projects, participants from different countries work together on collaborative tasks. Communications among project participants take place over the Internet, including via social media. In this chapter, the author reports the results of social media use in one such project, which brought together students from the United States and Ukraine. A pre and post project survey taken by the participants demonstrate the main opportunities and challenges afforded by social media to educators. The reporting and analysis of the survey results are preceded by a review of relevant literature, which contextualizes our findings.
E-Learning Records
Authors: Duranti Luciana , Shaffer Elizabeth
Published: December 2012

Through the lens of an archival theoretical framework, this chapter examines the digital outputs of the use of social media applications by students, faculty, and educational institutions, and discusses the need to control and manage their creation, use, maintenance, and preservation. The authors draw on a case study that explores the identification, arrangement, description, and preservation of students’ records produced in an eLearning environment in Singapore and is used as a starting point to highlight and discuss the implications that the use of social media in education can have for the management and preservation of educational institutions’ records as evidence of their activity and of students’ learning, to fulfill legal and accountability requirements. The authors also discuss how the use of social media by educators in the classroom environment facilitates the creation of records that raise issues of intellectual property and copyright, ownership, and privacy: issues that can further impact their maintenance and preservation.
Digital Literacy for Effective Communication in the New Academic Environment
Authors: Vasilescu Ruxandra , Epure Manuela , Florea Nadia
Published: December 2012

“The fixity” of knowledge - the accumulation of fixed elements of knowledge - no longer meets the requirements of nowadays society. The capacity of change, adaptation, and constant updating of these elements according to individual needs, but also to the needs of the various contexts the knowledge, must be used as a prerequisite of social integration for the graduate. Education stepped into the era of deep reforms based on new concepts: student-centered learning, informal education, and personal learning environment. Thus, to teach means to model and to demonstrate; to learn means to practice and to consider. The information technology provides the new student with the learning environment he/she needs in the new context, and it connects him/her rapidly to the up-to-date information and to the rest of the world. Finding new ways of recreating student community on the background of the change of the student structure, the profile of the new student, his/ her interests and individual learning habits, on the one hand, and the main challenges of the workforce training/retraining for the current and future information society, on the other hand are the main concerns of this chapter. Due to the spectacular extension of the Internet use, the blog is a solution for the development of the student community, for social interaction and serves as an alternative or extension of classroom discourse.
A Consolidated Process Model for Identity Management
Authors: Ng Alex , Watters Paul , Chen Shiping
Published: December 2012

Recently, identity management has gained increasing attention from both enterprises and government organisations, in terms of security, privacy, and trust. A considerable number of theories and techniques have been developed to deal with identity management issues within and between organisations. In this paper, the authors reviewed, assessed, and consolidated the research and development activities of identity management in 14 privately and publicly funded organisations. Furthermore, the authors developed a taxonomy to characterise and classify these identity management frameworks into two categories: processes and technologies. The authors then studied these frameworks by systematically reviewing the whole lifecycle of an identity management framework, including actors, roles, security, privacy, trust, interoperability, and federation. This paper aims to provide the reader with the state of art of existing identity management frameworks and a good understanding of the research issues and progress in this area.
G-Profile
Authors: Viviani Marco , Bennani Nadia , Egyed-Zsigmond Elöd
Published: December 2012

In the digital world, many organizations are developing different applications (with different purposes) where users are generally represented by a heterogeneous set of attributes. From time to time, depending on the context, different attributes can provide different digital identities for the same user, often involved in the identification/authentication processes. In the personalized service provision perspective, the scope of identity management becomes much larger, and takes into account information susceptible to change such as user profile information as a whole. Many purely user-centric identity management systems has emerged in the few last years, among them the Higgins project that provides the user with a direct control over his/her data and covers some data security issues. However, a complete user-centric view of extended user identity management is not realistic, in our opinion. In this paper, the authors present G-Profile: a hybrid, open, general-purpose and flexible user modeling system for extended identity management in multi-application environments. G-Profile also tackles the trade-off between users’ and applications’ requirements.
Regulatory Influence and the Imperative of Innovation in Identity and Access Management
Authors: Khansa Lara , Liginlal Divakaran
Published: December 2012

In an effort to protect end users from identity theft, policy makers have enacted numerous regulations that require organizations to acquire identity and access management (IAM) technologies. In this paper, the authors develop and validate a conceptual framework that captures the unique characteristics of information security regulations and their impact on demand for IAM technologies, and the innovation and market value of IAM firms. Using paired two-sample for means t-tests and the Chow test, the authors demonstrate that the annual changes in sales of IAM firms from 1998 to 2008 are higher than those of other information technology (IT) firms around the time that information security regulations were enacted. The vector autoregression analyses show that IAM innovation is demand-driven, consistent with Schmookler’s “demand-pull” hypothesis, and has been positively valued by stock market investors. As such, our results demonstrate how policy makers can stimulate innovation and increase shareholder wealth by regulating IT consumers.
GATA-3 Regulates the Homeostasis and Activation of CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Tai Tzong-Shyuan , Pai Sung-Yun , Ho I-Cheng
Published: December 2012

GATA-3, a C2C2-type zinc finger transcription factor, regulates many steps of T cell development and differentiation. It is also required for optimal production of type 2 cytokines by CD8+ T cells. However, its role in the development and function of this subset of T cells is still poorly characterized. In this paper, we report that GATA-3 is required for MHC-mediated positive selection and final maturation of CD8 single-positive thymocytes. Deficiency of GATA-3 mediated by a CD4cre transgene led to age-dependent lymphadenopathy partly because of abnormal expansion of CD8+ T cells driven by a cell-extrinsic mechanism. Paradoxically, GATA-3–deficient CD8+ T cells were hyporesponsive to Ag stimulation due to a defect in the maintenance/progression, but not initiation, of activation signals. More importantly, GATA-3–deficient CD8+ T cells were less efficient in killing Ag-bearing tumor cells in vivo. Taken together, our data further expand the role of GATA-3 in T cells.
Successful Autologous Stem Cell Collection with Filgrastim and Plerixafor after Long-Term Lenalidomide Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Agarwal Rishi , Abidi Muneer H.
Published: December 2012

Novel agents such as lenalidomide have demonstrated responses similar to high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma. For patients who are started on lenalidomide, it is advisable to collect stem cells early if future transplant is contemplated. We are reporting a patient who underwent successful stem cell mobilization after 68 cycles of lenalidomide. A 60-year old male presented with back pain. He was diagnosed with stage IIA, IgA multiple myeloma. He was enrolled in a clinical trial and was randomized to receive lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. He received a total of 68 cycles of lenalidomide before progressing. He underwent mobilization of stem cells using filgrastim and plerixafor. He underwent successful stem cell transplant. Longer duration of lenalidomide adversely effects stem cell mobilization. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no other case reported in which stem cell mobilization was feasible after such a long (68 months) duration of uninterrupted lenalidomide therapy.
Early Surgical Complications after Single Kidney Transplantation from Heart-Beating Deceased Donor
Authors: Adani Gian Luigi , Rossetto Anna , Baccarani Umberto , Bresadola Vittorio , Lorenzin Dario , Terrosu Giovanni , Montanaro Domenico , Gropuzzo Maria , Vallone Clotilde , Tulissi Patrizia , Risaliti Andrea
Published: December 2012

To evaluate early surgical complications occurring in the first year after kidney transplantation, and their correlation with one-year patient and graft survival, we retrospectively evaluated 504 single kidney transplantations from heart-beating deceased donors performed in our center from 1993 to 2008. Twenty-seven re-transplanted patients, 10 living related, 8 double kidney, 9 combined liver-kidney, 3 heart-kidney, one heart-kidney-pancreas, and 12 kidney-pancreas transplantations were excluded from our study. Cases of immunological complications, systemic infections or primary disease recurrence were also excluded. There were 25 (4.96%) vascular complications: 3 cases of arterial thrombosis (0.6%), 11 of venous thrombosis (2.18%), and 2 cases of concomitant arterial and venous thrombosis (0.4%). There were 6 cases (1.2%) of arterial rupture due to pseudo-aneurysm; in 3 patients (0.6%) Candida Albicans was diagnosed as principal cause of arthritis. Fortythree (8.5%) patients developed early urinary complications, differentiated in leakage or stenosis. Intestinal complications occurred in 13 cases (2.6%), and 3 patients (0.6%) developed acute pancreatitis. In our series, complicated lymphoceles treated by open or laparoscopic surgery, or by the positioning of a Tenchkoff catheter occurred in 61 patients (12.10%). Median time between diagnosis and treatment was four days (range 1–12 days). Despite early surgical complications, one year patient and graft survival was 95.7% and 85.3%, respectively, similar to patients without complications (96.8% and 87.9%, respectively) (P=0.04). Kidney transplantation is currently considered a safe therapeutic option for endstage renal disease, with low morbidity, and very low mortality. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment of early surgical complications can have a positive impact on one-year patient and graft survival.
Paradoxical Distribution of Augmentation Index Level in Chronic Kidney Diseases
Authors: Kanno Yoshihiko , Takenaka Tsuneo , Watanabe Yusuke , Inoue Tsutomu , Takane Hiroshi , Ohno Yoichi , Hayashi Matsuhiko , Suzuki Hiromichi
Published: December 2012

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) are used as indexes of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular survival. Although PWV is known to increase as the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) advances, how this is related to AI and CKD stage has not yet been well defined.

A sub-analysis was performed using the data from the Antihypertensive and Blood Pressure of Central Artery in Japan study. This was a cross-sectional study on hypertensive patients. All the patients with available serum creatinine levels were selected, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the modification of diet in renal disease equation for a Japanese population. Augmentation indexes at different stages of CKD were compared.

Data from 1392 patients were pooled and analyzed. In addition to eGFR, there were differences in age (P<0.0001), pulse rate (P<0.0001), vasodilator antihypertensive drugs (P<0.005), systolic (P<0.005) and diastolic (P<0.01) blood pressure at 5 CKD stages. Multivariate regression showed that AI correlated to age (0.19%/year), pulse rate (-0.54%/bpm), systolic blood pressure (0.18%/mmHg) and vasodilator antihypertensive drugs (-2.42%/class). Therefore, AI was adjusted for these confounding factors. Adjusted AI in stage 5 (77±20%) was lower than that in stage 1 (84±19%, P<0.05).

These data indicate that AI varies according to CKD stage, and suggest that a cut-off value of AI should be set for each stage of CKD to detect cardiovascular disease.
Distribution Pattern of Orchids in Uttarakhand, Western Himalayas, India
Authors: Jalal Jeewan Singh
Published: December 2012

Orchids are widely distributed in tropics, subtropics and temperate regions. Within the tropics, orchids form an important feature of the vegetation, chiefly as epiphytes. India’s epiphytic orchid is to be found primarily in the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats, while the terrestrial species flourishes in the Western Himalayas. In the state of Uttarakhand, India, orchid distribution is not homogeneous. Orchids are typically concentrated along the riverine areas and in pockets of moist forests where there is suitable habitat for their growth, development and regeneration. The purpose of this study was to provide a general review of the distribution of orchid species (epiphytic and terrestrial) in Uttarakhand. A total of 240 species (of which 10 are endemic) belonging to 73 genera were recorded. The largest number of orchid species (terrestrial and epiphytic) were encountered in the sub-tropical zone (<1500 m). Terrestrial orchids were distributed throughout the altitudinal gradient, but the largest number of species occurred in two ecotones between high and low altitude forests (1500–2000 m and 3000–3500 m). Twenty-one species were restricted to a particular habitat.
Feasibility of A Novel Web-Based Physical Activity Questionnaire for Young Children
Authors: Bonn Stephanie E. , Surkan Pamela J. , Trolle Lagerros Ylva , Bälter Katarina
Published: December 2012

Accurate assessment of children’s physical activity is critical in determining associations between childhood physical activity and health later in life. We have developed a web-based questionnaire, KidActive-Q, to assess physical activity in early childhood. The feasibility and reproducibility of KidActive-Q were assessed in a sample of 20 children aged 2 to 6 years. The questionnaire was distributed to parents via e-mail on two occasions. The median time required to complete KidActive-Q was 2.5 minutes. All the parents reported that the questionnaire was easy or very easy to fill. The intraclass correlations for test-retest reliability were 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.88) for daily time spent outdoors, and 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.97) for daily time watching television. Our results suggest that KidActive-Q is a user-friendly tool for assessing physical activity in early childhood. To our knowledge, this is the first web-based questionnaire specifically developed for young children.
Quality of life domains relevant to people living with HIV and AIDS who are on antiretroviral therapy in Swaziland
Authors: Ntshakala Theresa T. , Mavundla Thandisizwe R. , Dolamo Bethabile L.
Published: December 2012

Quality of life (QOL) domains that are context specific to people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Swaziland are unknown. This presents a problem when research has to be conducted on QOL of PLWHA who are on ART. As a result, this study was conducted to identify, validate and describe domains necessary to assess QOL of PLWHA, who are on ART in Swaziland. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used for this study. The first phase dealt with a review of fifty existing QOL definitions and the identification of the common domains amongst them. Findings from this review revealed that the most common domains of QOL are the physiological, psychological, spiritual and socio-economic domains. The second phase was the validation of the above common domains identified from the examined QOL definitions to make them context specific to PLWHA who are on ART in Swaziland. A workshop was used to validate the domains with expert nurses involved in the care of PLWHA in Swaziland. The experts in ART care were trained on ART and had more than a year’s experience of working with PLWHA who are on ART. The validation process revealed that the essential context specific domains to consider when assessing QOL of PLWHA who are on ART are, (1) physiological domain, (2) psychological domain, (3) spiritual domain, (4) socio-economic domain, (5) cognitive domain, and (6) environmental domain. The process of validation of the domains was important as two extra domains were revealed, which were not initially recognised by the researcher during literature review.
Careers and retention of staff in the 21st century world of work: Introduction to the special edition
Authors: Coetzee Melinde , Gunz Hugh
Published: December 2012

How to cite this article: Coetzee, M., & Gunz, H. (2012). Careers and retention of staff in the 21st century world of work: Introduction to the special edition. SA Journal of Human Resource Management/SA Tydskrif vir Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 10(2), Art. #505, 4 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ sajhrm.v10i2.505
Virtue and responsibility: Economic-ethical perspectives in the work of Etienne de Villiers
Authors: Naude Piet J.
Published: December 2012

This article was developed in six statements and attempted to reconstruct the basis for the�socio-economic ethics of Etienne de Villiers, as well as its ecclesio-centric nature and theoretical�formulation in virtue and responsibility ethics. There was reference to De Villiers�s shift from�an exclusive to an inclusive ethical view as a response to his interpretation of modernity and�secularism. Critical questions were raised as to the actual theological character of his ethics�and his re- interpretation of Weberian responsibility ethics. The article concluded with an�appreciative view on the applied ethics perspectives developed by De Villiers over the last�three decades.
Reading the African context
Authors: Bwalya Musonda
Published: December 2012

There is so much alienation, pain and suffering in our today�s world. In this vein, African Christianity, a voice amongst many voices, should seek to be a transformational religion for the whole of life, affecting all facets of human life towards a fuller life of all in Africa. This article sought to highlight and point to some of the major societal challenges in the African context which African Christianity, as a life-affirming religion, should continue to embrace, re-embrace and engage with, if it has to be relevant to the African context. In this vein, the article argued that a correct reading of the African context would lead to a more relevant theory and praxis of African Christianity for the benefit of all African peoples and their global neighbours. The contention of this article was that African Christianity has a significant role to play in the re-shaping of the African society and in the global community of humans, only that this role must be executed inclusively, responsibly and appropriately, together with all those who seek the holistic development of Africa towards one common destiny.
Food justice and Christian ethics
Authors: Bedford-Strohm Heinrich
Published: December 2012

The article dealt with the moral and political problem of international food justice in which the deep contradiction between the present situation of malnourishment and starvation in large parts of the global population on the one hand and the biblical notion of the preferential option for the poor on the other hand was described. This ecumenically widely accepted notion was clarified in several aspects. How deeply this is rooted in the history of Christian social thought was shown by Martin Luther�s writings on the economy which have remained relatively unknown in the churches and in the scholarly world. The article then presented three models of Christian economic ethic: the technical economic model, the utopian economic model and the public theological economic model. On the basis of the public theological model seven challenges for international food justice were presented. The basis for these challenges is an understanding of globalisation which guarantees just participation for everyone and deals with nature in an ecologically sustainable way. The interests of small farmers are the basis for judging the activities of big agro-corporations. Public theology is the background for an active involvement of the churches as agents of a global civil society to promote international food justice.
Review of the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Gefitinib
Authors: Araki Takuya , Yashima Hideaki , Shimizu Kimihiro , Aomori Tohru , Hashita Tadahiro , Kaira Kyoichi , Nakamura Tomonori , Yamamoto Koujirou
Published: December 2012

In the past decade, molecular-targeted drugs have been focused upon for the treatment of cancer. In 2002, gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor became available in Japan for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Over 80% of selected patients, such as EGFR mutation-positive patients, respond to gefitinib treatment; however, most patients develop acquired resistance to gefitinib within a few years. Recently, many studies have been performed to determine precisely how to select patients who will respond to gefitinib, the best timing for its administration, and how to avoid the development of acquired resistance as well as adverse drug effects. This article reviews the use of gefitinib for the treatment of NSCLC from a pharmaceutical viewpoint.
How does EMDR work?
Authors: van den Hout Marcel A. , Engelhard Iris M.
Published: December 2012

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for alleviating trauma symptoms, and the positive effects of this treatment have been scientifically confirmed under well-controlled conditions. This has provided an opportunity to explore how EMDR works. The present paper reports on the findings of a long series of experiments that disproved the hypothesis that eye movements or other ‘dual tasks’ are unnecessary. These experiments also disproved the idea that ‘bilateral stimulation’ is needed; moving the eyes up and down produces the same effect as horizontal eye movement, and so do tasks that require no eye movement at all. However, it is important that the dual task taxes working memory. Several predictions can be derived from the working memory explanation for eye movements in EMDR. These seem to hold up extremely well in critical experimental tests, and create a solid explanation on how eye movements work. This paper discusses the implications that this theory and the empirical findings may have for the EMDR technique.
Dissolved organic matter composition and bioavailability reflect ecosystem productivity in the Western Arctic Ocean
Authors: Shen Y. , Fichot C. G. , Benner R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved amino acids (TDAA) were measured in high (Chukchi Sea) and low (Beaufort Sea) productivity regions of the western Arctic Ocean to investigate the composition and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Concentrations and DOC-normalized yields of TDAA in Chukchi surface waters were relatively high, indicating an accumulation of bioavailable DOM. High concentrations and yields of TDAA were also observed in the upper halocline of slope and basin waters, indicating off-shelf transport of bioavailable DOM from the Chukchi Sea. In contrast, concentrations and yields of TDAA in Beaufort surface waters were relatively low, indicting DOM was of limited bioavailability. Concentrations and yields of TDAA in the upper halocline of slope and basin waters were also low, suggesting the Beaufort is not a major source of bioavailable DOM to slope and basin waters. In shelf waters of both systems, elevated concentrations and yields of TDAA were often observed in waters with higher chlorophyll concentrations and productivity. Surface concentrations of DOC were similar (p > 0.05) in the two systems despite the contrasting productivity, but concentrations and yields of TDAA were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the Chukchi than in the Beaufort. Unlike bulk DOC, TDAA concentrations and yields reflect ecosystem productivity in the western Arctic. The occurrence of elevated bioavailable DOM concentrations in the Chukchi Sea implies an uncoupling between the biological production and utilization of DOM and has important implications for sustaining heterotrophic microbial growth and diversity in oligotrophic waters of the central Arctic basins.
Priming and substrate quality interactions in soil organic matter models
Authors: Wutzler T. , Reichstein M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Interactions between different qualities of soil organic matter (SOM) affecting their turnover are rarely represented in models. In this study we propose three mathematical strategies at different levels of abstraction for representing those interactions. Implementing these strategies into the Introductory Carbon Balance Model (ICBM) and applying them to several scenarios of litter input show that the different levels of abstraction are applicable on different time scales. We present a simple one-parameter equation of substrate limitation applicable at decadal time scale that is straightforward to implement into other models of SOM dynamics. We show how substrate quality interactions can explain priming effects, acceleration of turnover times in FACE experiments, and the slowdown of decomposition in long-term bare fallow experiments as an effect of energy limitation of microbial biomass. The mechanisms of those interactions need to be further scrutinized empirically for a more complete understanding. Overall, substrate quality interactions offer a valuable way of understanding and quantitatively modelling SOM dynamics.
Organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in soils of the Lena River Delta
Authors: Zubrzycki S. , Kutzbach L. , Grosse G. , Desyatkin A. , Pfeiffer E.-M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The Lena River Delta, which is the largest delta in the Arctic, extends over an area of 32 000 km2 and likely holds more than half of the entire soil organic carbon mass stored in the seven major deltas in the northern permafrost regions. The geomorphic units of the Lena River Delta which were formed by true deltaic sedimentation processes are a Holocene river terrace and the active floodplains. Their mean soil organic carbon stocks for the upper 1 m of soils were estimated at 29 kg m−2 ± 10 kg m−2 and at 14 kg m−2 ± 7 kg m−2, respectively. For the depth of 1 m, the total soil organic carbon pool of the Holocene river terrace was estimated at 121 Tg ± 43 Tg, and the soil organic carbon pool of the active floodplains was estimated at 120 Tg ± 66 Tg. The mass of soil organic carbon stored within the observed seasonally thawed active layer was estimated at about 127 Tg assuming an average maximum active layer depth of 50 cm. The soil organic carbon mass which is stored in the perennially frozen ground below 50 cm soil depth, which is excluded from intense biogeochemical exchange with the atmosphere, was estimated at 113 Tg. The mean nitrogen (N) stocks for the upper 1 m of soils were estimated at 1.2 kg m−2 ± 0.4 kg m−2 for the Holocene river terrace and at 0.9 kg m−2 ± 0.4 kg m−2 for the active floodplain levels, respectively. For the depth of 1 m, the total N pool of the river terrace was estimated at 4.8 Tg ± 1.5 Tg, and the total N pool of the floodplains was estimated at 7.7 Tg ± 3.6 Tg. Considering the projections for deepening of the seasonally thawed active layer up to 120 cm in the Lena River Delta region within the 21st century, these large carbon and nitrogen stocks could become increasingly available for decomposition and mineralization processes.
Tagged ozone mechanism for MOZART-4, CAM-chem and other chemical transport models
Authors: Emmons L. K. , Hess P. G. , Lamarque J.-F. , Pfister G. G.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A procedure for tagging ozone produced from NO sources through updates to an existing chemical mechanism is described, and results from its implementation in the Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers (MOZART-4), a global chemical transport model, are presented. Artificial tracers are added to the mechanism, thus, not affecting the standard chemistry. The results are linear in the troposphere, i.e., the sum of ozone from individual tagged sources equals the ozone from all sources to within 3% in zonal mean monthly averages. In addition, the tagged ozone is shown to equal the standard ozone, when all tropospheric sources are tagged and stratospheric input is turned off. The stratospheric ozone contribution to the troposphere determined from the difference between total ozone and ozone from all tagged sources is significantly less than estimates using a traditional stratospheric ozone tracer (8 vs. 20 ppbv at the surface). The commonly used technique of perturbing NO emissions by 20% in a region to determine its ozone contribution is compared to the tagging technique, showing that the tagged ozone is 2–4 times the ozone contribution that was deduced from perturbing emissions. The ozone tagging described here is useful for identifying source contributions based on NO emissions in a given state of the atmosphere, such as for quantifying the ozone budget.
Ground penetrating radar detection of subsnow slush on ice-covered lakes in interior Alaska
Authors: Gusmeroli A. , Grosse G.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Lakes are abundant throughout the pan-Arctic region. For many of these lakes ice cover lasts for up to two thirds of the year. The frozen cover allows human access to these lakes, which are therefore used for many subsistence and recreational activities, including water harvesting, fishing, and skiing. Safe traveling condition onto lakes may be compromised, however, when, after significant snowfall, the weight of the snow acts on the ice and causes liquid water to spill through weak spots and overflow at the snow-ice interface. Since visual detection of subsnow slush is almost impossible our understanding on overflow processes is still very limited and geophysical methods that allow water and slush detection are desirable. In this study we demonstrate that a commercially available, lightweight 1 GHz, ground penetrating radar system can detect and map extent and intensity of overflow. The strength of radar reflections from wet snow-ice interfaces are at least twice as much in strength than returns from dry snow-ice interface. The presence of overflow also affects the quality of radar returns from the base of the lake ice. During dry conditions we were able to profile ice thickness of up to 1 m, conversely, we did not retrieve any ice-water returns in areas affected by overflow.
Three-Year Prospective Clinical and Radiological Results of a New Flexible Horseshoe Acetabular Cup
Authors: Field Richard E. , Rajakulendran Karthig , Eswaramoorthy Vasanth K. , Rushton Neil
Published: December 2012

We report the three-year results of a new flexible, horseshoe-shaped acetabular cup, with a carbon fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) bearing surface. The 3 mm thick composite cup is designed to conserve acetabular bone stock and reproduce a near-physiological stress distribution to the adjacent bone. The cup is intended to articulate against a large diameter ceramic femoral head to produce a low-wear bearing couple that generates minimal wear debris.

A prospective, two-centre clinical study of the MITCH PCR cup was started in January 2007, to verify its safety and performance. Twenty-five MITCH PCR cups were implanted by three surgeons. There were 12 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 67.9 years (range 57.4 to 74.9). The mean Oxford hip score improved from 19.6 (SD 7.5) preoperatively to 43.5 (SD 7) at 3 years. The mean Harris hip score improved from 52.9 (SD 7) to 91.4 (SD 13.8) and the Euroqol-5D score increased from 62.6 (SD 18.4) to 82.8 (SD 19). One revision of the acetabular cup was undertaken at 21 months for squeaking. This has been investigated and modification of the articular geometry has resolved the problem, on in-vitro testing. Radiological analysis showed good early osseointegration of the MITCH PCR cup. However at three years, five cases of acetabular component migration and calcar resorption were observed. Three patients have subsequently undergone revision of the acetabular cup, at 41, 42 and 50 months respectively. The cause of the osteolysis is the subject of on-going investigation.
Influence of a Polyester Coating of Magnetic Nanoparticles on Magnetic Heating Behavior of Shape-Memory Polymer-Based Composites
Authors: Wang Li , Heuchel Matthias , Fang Liang , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas
Published: December 2012

Background

Magnetic composites of thermosensitive shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) allow noncontact actuation of the shape-memory effect in an alternating magnetic field. In this study, we investigated whether the magnetic heating capability of cross-linked poly(∊-caprolactone)/MNP composites (cPCLC) could be improved by covalent coating of MNPs with oligo(∊-caprolactone) (OCL).

Methods

Two different types of cPCLC containing uncoated and OCL-coated MNP with identical magnetite weight content were prepared by thermally induced polymerization of poly(∊-caprolactone) diisocyanatoethyl methacrylate. Both cPCLCs exhibited a melting transition at tm = 48°C, which could be used as switching transition.

Results

The dispersion of the embedded nanoparticles within the polymer matrix could be substantially improved, when the OCL-coated MNPs were used, as visualized by scanning electron microscopy. We could further demonstrate that in this way the maximal achievable bulk temperature (tbulk) obtained within the cPCLC test specimen in magnetic heating experiments at a magnetic field strength of H = 30 kA·m−1 could be increased from tbulk = 48°C to tbulk = 74°C.
In Vitro Toxicity of Stearoyl-poly(glycerol adipate) Nanoparticles
Authors: Weiss Verena M. , Naolou Toufik , Groth Thomas , Kressler Jörg , Mäder Karsten
Published: December 2012

Purpose

Poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA)-based nanoparticles are promising carriers for drug delivery with a wide range of available structures. The biodegradable polymer with pendant free hydroxyl groups can be diversely functionalized. In this study, the toxicity of different Stearoyl-PGA nanoparticles with respect to erythrocytes and HepG2 cells was assessed. These cells are crucial test systems for intravenously injected biomedical particles.

Methods

For this work, a series of PGA polyesters with 0, 20, 50 and 65 mol% of converted hydroxyl groups was synthesized with stearic acid (PGABB, S20, S50, S65). Nanoparticles were prepared with these polymers by an optimized nanoprecipitation method. Physicochemical characterization was performed by photon correlation spectroscopy and zeta potential measurement. Cell compatibility was studied by a hemolysis assay with separated red blood cells as well as a QBlue viability test and a modified LDH cytotoxicity assay with HepG2 cells.

Results and Conclusions

Different self-stabilizing nanoparticles with narrow size distributions in the range of 100–140 nm were prepared. All tested nanoparticle samples were nontoxic for HepG2 cells. In fact, increased metabolic activity and proliferation was observed after 24 h incubation with the Stearoyl-PGA particles. Apart from PGAS20, all samples did not show any hemolytic effect. Hemolysis of PGAS20 particles could be considerably decreased by adding Poloxamer 188 during the preparation process.