bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prdm13 forms a feedback loop with Ptf1a and is required for glycinergic amacrine cell genesis in the Xenopus Retina
Authors: Bessodes Nathalie , Parain Karine , Bronchain Odile , Bellefroid Eric J. , Perron Muriel
Published: September 2017

Background

Amacrine interneurons that modulate synaptic plasticity between bipolar and ganglion cells constitute the most diverse cell type in the retina. Most are inhibitory neurons using either GABA or glycine as neurotransmitters. Although several transcription factors involved in amacrine cell fate determination have been identified, mechanisms underlying amacrine cell subtype specification remain to be further understood. The Prdm13 histone methyltransferase encoding gene is a target of the transcription factor Ptf1a, an essential regulator of inhibitory neuron cell fate in the retina. Here, we have deepened our knowledge on its interaction with Ptf1a and investigated its role in amacrine cell subtype determination in the developing Xenopus retina.

Methods

We performed prdm13 gain and loss of function in Xenopus and assessed the impact on retinal cell fate determination using RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Results

We found that prdm13 in the amphibian Xenopus is expressed in few retinal progenitors and in about 40% of mature amacrine cells, predominantly in glycinergic ones. Clonal analysis in the retina reveals that prdm13 overexpression favours amacrine cell fate determination, with a bias towards glycinergic cells. Conversely, knockdown of prdm13 specifically inhibits glycinergic amacrine cell genesis. We also showed that, as in the neural tube, prdm13 is subjected to a negative autoregulation in the retina. Our data suggest that this is likely due to its ability to repress the expression of its inducer, ptf1a.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that Prdm13, downstream of Ptf1a, acts as an important regulator of glycinergic amacrine subtype specification in the Xenopus retina. We also reveal that Prdm13 regulates ptf1a expression through a negative feedback loop.
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy in psychiatry
Authors: Lai Cynthia Y. Y. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Lim Charmaine R. , Ho Roger C. M.
Published: September 2017

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been used in healthcare and medical research for the past two decades. In particular, the use of fNIRS in academic and clinical psychiatry has increased rapidly owing to its advantages over other neuroimaging modalities. fNIRS is a tool that can potentially supplement clinical interviews and mental state examinations to establish a psychiatric diagnosis and monitor treatment progress. This article provides a review of the theoretical background of fNIRS, key principles of its applications in psychiatry and its limitations, and shares a vision of its future applicability in psychiatric research and clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the theoretical background, mechanism of action and clinical applications of fNIRS and compare it to other neuroimaging modalities

• Understand the use of fNIRS in academic and clinical psychiatry through current research findings

• Be able to evaluate the future potential of fNIRS and formulate new ideas for using fNIRS in academic and clinical psychiatry
Disordered eating in older people: Some causes and treatments
Authors: Aziz Victor M. , Rafferty Danika , Jurewicz Isabella
Published: September 2017

This overview considers causes of disordered eating, including eating disorders, in older people. Eating disorders are becoming more common in older adults and research has shown a related mortality of 21%. The wide range of medical and pharmacological causes of weight loss in older people means that eating disorders may go undetected, occurring insidiously and surreptitiously.

Learning Objectives

• Be aware of the numerous causes of weight loss in older people, and understand that eating disorders are not about weight but about control

• Appreciate that physical and mental health problems and polypharmacy affect eating and weight

• Understand that successful management focuses on a combination of pharmacological and behavioural interventions
Bipolar disorder and addictions: The elephant in the room
Authors: Stokes Paul R. A. , Kalk Nicola J. , Young Allan H.
Published: September 2017

Addictions are highly prevalent in bipolar disorder and greatly affect clinical outcomes. In this editorial, we review the evidence that addictions are a key challenge in bipolar disorder, examine putative neurobiological mechanisms, and reflect on the limited clinical trial evidence base with suggestions for treatment strategies and further developments.
Do antipsychotic drugs lose their efficacy for relapse prevention over time?
Authors: Leucht Stefan , Davis John M.
Published: September 2017

There is a debate about long-term treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs, with some experts suggesting that these drugs should be discontinued. In this issue, Takeuchi et al demonstrated by a meta-analysis of 11 trials that antipsychotic drugs maintained their efficacy for relapse prevention for 1 year, whereas patients on placebo kept getting worse. We consider these findings in the light of the current discussion about possible dose-related brain volume loss, supersensitivity psychosis, the high variability of results in long-term follow-up studies and recent approaches to discontinue antipsychotics in patients with a first-episode. The new findings speak in favour of continuing antipsychotics at the same dose, at least in patients whose condition is chronic, but the topic is complex.
Closing the mortality gap for severe mental illness: Are we going in the right direction?
Authors: Siddiqi Najma , Doran Tim , Prady Stephanie L. , Taylor Johanna
Published: September 2017

In this editorial, we discuss a UK-based cohort study examining the mortality gap for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from 2000 to 2014. There have been concerted efforts to improve physical and mental healthcare for this population in recent decades. Have these initiatives reduced mortality and ‘closed the gap’?
Transfusion of Older Red Blood Cells Increases the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Wang Yue , Li Qingshan , Ma Tao , Liu Xuemin , Wang Bo , Wu Zheng , Dang Shaonong , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Transfusion of older red blood cells (RBCs) has been implicated in poor outcomes in trauma, cardiac surgery, and critically ill patients. However, whether transfusion of older RBCs plays any role in post-OLT AKI remained unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the age of transfused RBCs on post-OLT AKI.

METHODS:

The clinical data of consecutive adult patients who received donation after cardiac death and underwent OLT from December 2011 to December 2015 were analyzed. These patients were divided into 2 groups: the newer blood group, who received exclusively RBCs that had been stored for <14 days; and the older blood group, who received RBCs that had been stored for 14 days or more. The incidence of post-OLT AKI, severe AKI, lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality after OLT were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Postoperative AKI occurred in 65.1% of patients in the older blood group and 40.5% of patients in the newer blood group (P < .01). The incidence of severe AKI after OLT was significantly higher, and the duration of intensive care unit stay was significantly longer, in the older blood group. After adjustment by the multivariable regression logistic analysis, transfusion of older blood was independently associated with post-OLT AKI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.13–5.41]; P = .024) and severe AKI (OR = 5.88 [95% CI, 2.06–16.80]; P = .001). After adjustment by the inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, patients in the older blood group still had significantly higher incidences of postoperative AKI (OR = 2.13 [95% CI, 1.07–4.22]; P = .030) and severe AKI (OR = 3.34 [95% CI, 1.47–7.60]; P = .003) than those in the newer blood group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Transfusion of older RBCs significantly increased the risk of postoperative AKI in liver transplant recipients.
The Effect of Head Position on the Cross-Sectional Area of the Subclavian Vein
Authors: Kim Hyerim , Chang Jee-Eun , Lee Jung-Man , Han Sung-Hee , Ryu Jung-Hee , Hwang Jin-Young
Published: September 2017

In 41 healthy volunteers, we investigated the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the subclavian vein (SCV) in the following head positions: neutral and 30° head rotation toward the contralateral or ipsilateral sides. Significant differences were observed in the CSA of the SCV at 3 different head positions: contralateral 30° versus neutral, −0.05 cm2 (95% confidence interval, −0.08 to −0.03); contralateral 30° versus ipsilateral 30°, −0.15 cm2 (−0.19 to −0.12); neutral versus ipsilateral 30°, −0.10 cm2 (−0.13 to −0.07); all P
corrected< .001). For SCV catheterization, 30° head rotation to the ipsilateral side provided significant improvements in the CSA compared with the other head positions.
WTO Accession and Performance of Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Brandt Loren , Van Biesebroeck Johannes , Wang Luhang , Zhang Yifan
Published: September 2017

We examine the effects of trade liberalization in China on the evolution of markups and productivity of manufacturing firms. Although these dimensions of performance cannot be separately identified when firm output is measured by revenue, detailed price deflators make it possible to estimate the average effect of tariff reductions on both. Several novel findings emerge. First, cuts in output tariffs reduce markups, but raise productivity. Second, pro-competitive effects are most important among incumbents, while efficiency gains dominate for new entrants. Third, cuts in input tariffs raise both markups and productivity. We highlight mechanisms that explain these findings in the Chinese context. (JEL D24, F13, L25, L60, O14, P31, P33)
Policy Uncertainty, Trade, and Welfare: Theory and Evidence for China and the United States
Authors: Handley Kyle , Limão Nuno
Published: September 2017

We examine the impact of policy uncertainty on trade, prices, and real income through firm entry investments in general equilibrium. We estimate and quantify the impact of trade policy on China's export boom to the United States following its 2001 WTO accession. We find the accession reduced the US threat of a trade war, which can account for over one-third of that export growth in the period 2000– 2005. Reduced policy uncertainty lowered US prices and increased its consumers' income by the equivalent of a 13-percentage-point permanent tariff decrease. These findings provide evidence of large effects of policy uncertainty on economic activity and the importance of agreements for reducing it. (JEL D72, F13, F14, O19, P33)
Community nursing middle management: ‘dealing with different people in different time zones on both sides’
Authors: Allan Elaine
Published: September 2017

The overall aim of the investigation was to redress a knowledge gap by exploring community nursing middle managers' (CNMMs') experiences of role enactment through change within Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) in Scotland—now further evolved into Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs). HSCPs play a key role in shifting care from the acute to the primary care/community setting. However, a literature review demonstrated there has been very little research into the role of CNMMs within the changing primary care context. This concept was considered important in understanding how CNMMs enacted their roles to implement service change. A qualitative longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) ( Smith, 1996 ) study was conducted in four distinct phases, comprising the reflexive, foundational, recursive and expansive, from 2008–2011. Some 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 participants. CNMMs perceived that their responsibilities had increased, become more complex and wider ranging. Maintaining an implicit connection with service users was a primary motivation for CNMMs. They were proud to be members of the nursing profession aligning their identity with their career history. A small but significant proportion resigned during the study and some were considering leaving the NHS.

The study addresses a gap in literature, contributes to the understanding of NHS community nursing, middle management, role, change and gives a voice to CNMMs in Scotland. They are the lynchpins in taking change forward and maintaining quality services. Much more attention needs to be paid to the needs, constitution and sustenance of middle managers in Scottish community nursing—which has policy, practice, education, and research and retention implications.
Chronic leg ulcers disrupt patients' lives: A study of leg ulcer-related life changes and quality of life
Authors: Cunha Nélia , Campos Sara , Cabete Joana
Published: September 2017

Chronic leg ulcers have a profound impact on patients' physical, functional, and psychological status, which may result in several life changes and a significant decline in quality of life (QoL). We aimed to study what changed in patients' lives after developing a chronic leg ulcer, including QoL, patients' comprehension of the disease and related feelings. A cross-sectional study, using an anonymous questionnaire and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was performed. Chronic leg ulcers were life changing events, causing abandonment of work in almost 80% of the patients and important limitations in daily activities and autonomy. Familial relationships changed in more than half of the patients. Almost 15% hid or would like to hide their disease from others, especially patients with a shorter duration of disease. QoL was very or extremely affected in 18.2% of the participants completing the DLQI.
Wound management should not be a pain
Authors: Jones June , Williams Heather
Published: September 2017

Pain is a complex sensation with a variety of qualities rather than a single sensation varying in intensity. People find it difficult to describe their pain mainly because its nature and intensity vary so much, not only between individuals but also for a person over time. This article provides an overview of wound pain, its causes and assessment, with a focus on the procedure of dressing change itself. The wound care industry has manufactured dressings to assist in reducing the pain experience and it is incumbent on health care professionals to make the most appropriate dressing selection for the individual patient and wound, rather than a ‘one type of dressing fits all’ approach. The choice of primary product is important and is the aspect of focus for this discussion. This paper discusses the use of Flaminal (an enzyme alginogel) to assist practitioners in managing painful wounds.
The art of incident reporting
Authors: Fowler John
Published: September 2017

John Fowler examines the importance of using precise language when writing incident reports
Diagnosis and management of chronic and aggressive Periodontitis part 3: two clinical reports
Authors: Chatzistavrianou Despoina , Blair Fiona
Published: September 2017

Although our understanding of periodontal disease pathogenesis has improved, periodontal disease remains one of the most common diseases that affects the oral cavity. Diagnosis, and therefore correct management, of chronic and aggressive periodontitis can be challenging. The first and second paper of this three-part series focused on periodontal pathogenesis, periodontal examination and diagnosis and management of chronic and aggressive periodontitis. This third and final paper will discuss two clinical cases putting theory into practice.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper aims to provide the general dental practitioner with an understanding of diagnosis and management of chronic and aggressive periodontitis using two clinical examples.
Consent and capacity — considerations for the dental team part 1: consent and assessment of capacity
Authors: Burke Suzanne , Kwasnicki Andrew , Thompson Shelagh , Park Tom , Macpherson Avril
Published: September 2017

Abstract: Consent and capacity legislation varies across the UK, however, the principles remain similar, with protective and supportive roles and responsibilities in place. Appropriate information should be shared in order to empower the patient. Every effort should be made to overcome barriers to communication, and it is essential for the dental team to have a sound understanding of legal and ethical principles underpinning assessment of capacity, thereby ensuring continued, valid consent. Patients lacking capacity to consent attempt to access primary care dental services frequently and with difficulty, with the increasing complexity of chronic medical conditions, dementia, mental ill health potentially causing social challenges.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper defines common terms relating to consent and capacity, provides an overview of UK legislation, and discusses practical dilemmas that the dental team may face.
Brave's new world
Authors: Ohs Ethan
Published: September 2017

Can empathy save lives? Practice managers in north London are learning to recognise the need for compassion with the help of HIV support charity, Body & Soul. Ethan Ohs reports
The big issue
Authors: Wilson Andrew
Published: September 2017

A look at how experts in preventive mobile community health screenings are helping to highlight one of the UK's biggest health crises, obesity
An easy fix
Authors: Wells Sheila
Published: September 2017

If there's a spanner in the works at your practice, it may take a simple patient survey to solve the problem. Sheila Wells offers you a toolkit
Make patients happy
Authors: Ward Beverley
Published: September 2017

With demand for GP appointments at record levels, 1 a well-managed appointment system can help to ensure complaints are kept to a minimum
Is flexible working too flexible?
Authors: Buxton Sarah
Published: September 2017

June's major legislative change now means employment practices in the UK are much more family-friendly. But does your practice have to bend over backwards to accommodate it?
Losing the addiction
Authors: Bissett Gabrielle
Published: September 2017

Gaby Bissett investigates the latest thinking regarding smoking cessation and e-cigarettes
Six of the best
Authors: Fletcher Tom
Published: September 2017

If 100% confidence in your medical equipment is key, Tom Fletcher asks can you afford to be even one degree out?
An eye opener
Authors: Ainsworth Steve
Published: September 2017

In the wake of the Jimmy Savile affair, sexual offences have gained a lot of prominence of late – and quite rightly, too, says Steve Ainsworth
A new kind of companion matrix
Authors: Chan Eunice , Corless Robert
Published: September 2017

A new kind of companion matrix is introduced, for polynomials of the form c(Î») = Î»a(Î»)b(Î»)+c_0, where upper Hessenberg companions are known for the polynomials a(Î») and b(Î»). This construction can generate companion matrices with smaller entries than the Fiedler or Frobenius forms. This generalizes Piers Lawrenceâs Mandelbrot companion matrix. The construction was motivated by use of Narayana-Mandelbrot polynomials, which are also new to this paper.
Developmental pattern of tibiofemoral angle in healthy north-east Indian children
Authors: Baruah R. K. , Kumar S. , Harikrishnan S. V.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Physiological range of tibiofemoral angle (TFA) is poorly defined and may lead to unnecessary therapeutic interventions. Studies on TFA developmental pattern suggest that racial and ethnic differences are present; children in north-east India who have not yet been studied need to be evaluated.

Patients and methods

Cross-sectional study of clinical TFA, intermalleolar distance and intercondylar distance in 1020 healthy north-east Indian children aged from 2 to 18 years was done. Height, weight and body mass index were also recorded.

Results

At two years of age the mean TFA was valgus. The values reached a peak of 8.55° (standard deviation (SD) 1.01) valgus at seven years of age. The TFA then gradually stabilised to 3.18° (SD 1.18) valgus by 18 years of age. There was no significant difference in TFA between male and female patients.

Discussion

The present study is the largest and only the third such study on Indian children and the first on healthy northeast Indian children. By the end of two years most children had valgus angulation. This, along with the peak angulation observed, was similar to most of the other studies. The age at peak angulation and subsequent stabilisation of valgus angulation varied greatly among children of different origins, especially non-Indian children.

Conclusions

Data can be used to identify children who require further follow-up/evaluation and can serve as guidelines during deformity correction and future studies. The development of TFA in this cohort is not different from other children of India but differs from children of other ethnic origins.
Promoting Social Inclusion in High Schools Using a Schoolwide Approach
Authors: Siperstein Gary N. , Summerill Lauren A. , Jacobs Holly E. , Stokes Jeffrey E.
Published: September 2017

This study examines the impact of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program in high schools across the country. Data were analyzed from 2,774 students from 11 high schools implementing the program concerning their perceptions and attitudes toward including students with intellectual disability (ID). Students participating in 1 or more program activities reported increased visibility of and social interactions with students with ID in school. This, in turn, promoted more positive perceptions and attitudes regarding school and classroom inclusion. Participation in different activities had unique effects on students' perceptions of their school's inclusive environment and on their attitudes toward classroom inclusion. These findings support an ecological approach to social inclusion and for structured, schoolwide interventions embedded within normative school contexts.
Views of Inclusive Education From the Perspectives of Preservice and Mentor Teachers
Authors: Kurth Jennifer A. , Forber-Pratt Anjali
Published: September 2017

The trend of educating students with disabilities in inclusive general education settings is expanding. Consequently, teacher preparation for inclusive practices is a necessary consideration for teacher educators. An important component of shaping preservice teacher dispositions comes from school experiences and interactions with mentor teachers. It is through this relationship that preservice teachers formulate their own attitudes, beliefs, and skills about inclusive practices. This article reports the findings from a set of surveys containing both closed- and open-ended responses related to inclusive education from both preservice (student) and mentor teachers. Analysis of the open-ended responses revealed definitions of inclusive education focused on student deficits and barriers to implementation of inclusive practices that focused on deficits in the capacity of the environment. Implications for teacher preparation, including challenging deficit-based assumptions, are discussed.
FICTITIOUS DOMAIN METHOD FOR NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF INCOMPRESSIBLE VISCOUS FLOW AROUND RIGID BODIES
Authors: Beno Matej , Patzák Bořek
Published: September 2017

This article describes the method of efficient simulation of the flow around potentially many rigid obstacles. The finite element implementation is based on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using structured, regular, two dimensional triangular mesh. The fictitious domain method is introduced to account for the presence of rigid particles, representing obstacles to the flow. To enforce rigid body constraints in parts corresponding to rigid obstacles, Lagrange multipliers are used. For time discretization, an operator splitting technique is used. The model is validated using 2D channel flow simulations with circular obstacles. Different possibilities of enforcing rigid body constraints are compared to the fully resolved simulations and optimal strategy is recommended.
TRANSITION METAL OXIDES AS MATERIALS FOR ADDITIVE LASER MARKING ON STAINLESS STEEL
Authors: Mihalev Mihail Stoyanov
Published: September 2017

The product information plays an important role in the improvement of the manufacturing, allowing the tracking of the part through the full life cycle. Laser marking is one of the most versatile techniques for this purpose. In this paper, a modification of the powder bed selective laser melting for additive laser marking of stainless steel parts is presented. This modification is based on the use of only one transition metal oxide chemically bonded to the stainless steel substrate, without using any additional materials and cleaning substances. The resulting additive coatings, produced from initial MoO3 and WO3 powders, show strong adhesion, high hardness, long durability and a high optical contrast. For estimation of the chemical and structural properties, the Raman and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy have been implemented. A computer model of the process of the laser melting and re-solidification has been developed as well. A comparative analysis of the properties of both (MoO3 and WO3) additive coatings has been performed. An attempt for a qualitative explanation of the thermo-chemical phenomena during the marking process has been undertaken.
Discursos políticos e retórica em torno da Lei da Unicidade Sindical na revolução portuguesa de 1974
Authors: Amaral Virgílio
Published: September 2017

Resumo: O presente trabalho tem como objectivo principal entender, através da análise dos discursos políticos em torno da Lei da Unicidade Sindical que ocorreu no contexto revolucionário do pós 25 de  Abril de 1974 em Portugal, de que forma as partes em contenda construíram diferentes concepções sobre as modalidades de organização laboral. Baseados, por um lado, nas propostas de análise de discursos dialógicos de Marková (2006), assim como nos modelos de análise de discurso retórico de Billig (1991) e Castro (2002), e, por outro lado, nas noções de dicotomias argumentativas ou polaridades ideológicas de Van Dijk (2006), procedeu-se à reconstrução dos discursos veiculados nos argumentários, tendo-se verificado que determinados termos – como Sindicatos ou Liberdade – assumem diferentes sentidos para cada das partes em contenda. Verificou-se também que determinados mecanismos retóricos elencados por Castro (2002) e Amaral & Pereira (2014) são tendencialmente usados por cada um dos lados. Adicionalmente, a análise do corpus de discursos políticos permitiu relevar um mecanismo próprio das comunicações unidireccionais persuasivas (como a propaganda), que não sendo característico dos discursos dialógicos, permite aceder à dicotomias argumentativas / polaridades ideológicas que sustentam as diferentes concepções sobre as modalidades de organização laboral propostas à época
Notes from the Editors, September 2017
Authors: The Editors -
Published: September 2017

buy this issueThe publication last month of The Age of Monopoly Capital: The Selected Correspondence of Paul A. Baran and Paul M. Sweezy, 1949–1964, edited by Nicholas Baran and John Bellamy Foster, constitutes a landmark for Monthly Review Press. A historical document in itself, The Age of Monopoly Capital is not simply about the writing of their magnum opus, but also provides a window onto an entire era of American life.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
A Management of the conflict for entrepreneurial innovation at a transnational company located in Mexico
Authors: Gonzalez Alvarado Tania Elena , Sánchez Gutiérrez José
Published: September 2017

The objective of this work is to analyse how conflict gives way to entrepreneurial innovation – before the non-compatibility between Universalism-particularism at the subsidiary of a transnational company located in Mexico. The evidence was obtained by means of a survey, interviews, analysis of electronic mails, minutes of work, project documents and systemic observation. For this research the SPSS and the root cause analysis were required. Conflict derived from non-compatibility between Universalism and Particularism lead to a more accurate decision making process.
What Factors Influence the Career Choice of Hotel Management Major Students in Guangzhou?
Authors: Qiu Shaoping , Dooley Larry , Palkar Trupti
Published: September 2017

This exploratory study examined students’ perceptions of importance with reference to contributory factors of their career choice in hospitality and tourism department of a polytechnic college in Guangzhou City, China. The study result was derived from a survey of 372 freshmen and sophomore students. The questionnaire comprised items relating to factors influencing students when they made their career decision. Descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis were conducted using SPSS 17.0. It is found that more students made their own career choice with little influence exerted by their family members. It was also indicated that generally there was no statistically significant difference between male and female students; however, a difference between freshmen and sophomore respondents was found for a few items. Additionally, this study identified five underlying contributory factors. “Students self-efficacy and occupational aspiration” was the most important factor to influence the students’ career decision, followed by “tradition and cultural value”, “career guidance”, “support from parents”, and “external consultation”. Finally, discussion of the findings was presented and possible suggestions were given for both hospitality educators and practitioners.
The Impact of Product Quality, Service Quality, and Customer Loyalty Program perception on Retail Customer Attitude
Authors: Putra Ricko Achmadi , Hartoyo Hartoyo , Simanjuntak Megawati
Published: September 2017

This journal examines the relationship between perception of product quality, perception of service quality, perception of Customer Loyalty Program on retail customer behavior, and sales volumes of cement products. This study examines three different cement brands, namely cement XYZ with the largest market share, cement PQR which is the main competitor, as well as cement ABC, a newcomer cement brand which is strong enough to enter the Indonesian cement market. The research is focused on the building material retailers with 100 respondents. The data collection will be done by survey through direct interview by using questionnaires. The analysis of this research uses descriptive analysis, analysis by ANOVA and also inferential analysis by using Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results of this study indicate that from the factors that influence the attitudes of retail customers of the three variables tested, only one dominant factor which influences the attitude of retail customers, which is the perception of the product quality. The results of this research also show that the perception of product quality also affects sale volume significantly, the greater the perception of the quality of cement products, the greater the volume of sales generated by the retail customer.
The moderating role of brands for low income luxury consumers
Authors: Bizarrias Flavio Santino , Strehlau Suzanne , Brandão Marcelo Moll
Published: September 2017

The value of luxury is a multidimensional construct that assesses how consumers consider the various dimensions of luxury in their consumption relations. The consumption of luxury is not a trivial activity for most people, but brings a certain fascination and is part of the imaginary of the lower classes in emerging markets. The social identity of these consumers is changing because they aspire a new social position. But luxury consumption hurts the standards of this consumer profile. At the same time the self esteem is observed as an important element of people self-confirmation. For consumers, specifically, self-esteem is an important antecedent of consumption decisions. A sample of low income students was analyzed in this study to describe their relationship with luxury, and its influence on self-esteem when moderated by brand expressiveness. Through structural equation modeling this study found that the expression of the brand moderates the relationship of the value of luxury with self-esteem, allowing consumers of lower classes to observe a significant role of luxury in their lives.
The model of halfring to dental braces intended to treat for the palatal suture expansion
Authors: Chojdacka Magdalena Kinga , Cieślik Jacek
Published: September 2017

One of the most common stomatognathic system dysfunctions on the skeletal level is the maxilla’s narrowing. Orthodontic treatment of defects occurs by using a Biderman appliance with a Hyrax screw. The appliance is placed in the jaw through the cemented rings on the premolars and molar teeth. The cement-mounting ring includes fluorine, still released to the tooth enamel, having a protective effect. Where the cement begins to crumble, it gradually weakens to maintain the ring and begins to move, or to slide up the tooth. Then, it is re-cemented, tightly filling the space between the ring and the tooth. As a result, the aim of the project was to present new conception rings whose use does not lead to a lack in enamel. The proposed new design was created in such a way that the halfring design makes it impossible to slip from a single tooth in the jaw. The project was designed to propose the shape and material of the biocompatible and durable material for the load. The comparative tension analysis and movements of the turnbuckle of the three used stainless steel (AISI 304, AISI 316L, AISI 430) have been performed by means of the finite element method (FEM).
Household Production and the Elasticity of Marginal Utility of Consumption
Authors: Asplund Disa
Published: September 2017

The popular approach to estimating the elasticity of marginal utility of consumption (EMUC) (Chetty 2006, “A New Method of Estimating Risk Aversion.” American Economic Review 96 (5):1821–1834. doi:10.1257/aer.96.5.1821. http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/aer.96.5.1821) is here extended by including household production. It is shown that this generalization of the model is important as omission of household production may lead to bias, as demonstrated in a numerical sensitivity analysis. An extended model with household production is used to derive new EMUC formulas. Empirical estimates based on current evidence of the included parameters suggest a lower bound for EMUC of about 0.9.
Does the National Flood Insurance Program Have Redistributional Effects?
Authors: Bin Okmyung , Bishop John , Kousky Carolyn
Published: September 2017

This study examines possible redistributional effects of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), using a nationwide database of flood insurance policies and claims between 2001 and 2013 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Applying methods from the tax and transfer progressivity literature, we use the departure from per capita income proportionality at the zip code level as our measure of progressivity. Our findings indicate that premiums as a percentage of coverage purchased are regressive: premium shares are larger than income shares for lower-income zip codes. Payouts, however, also as a percentage of coverage purchased, are progressive, meaning lower-income zip codes receive a larger portion of claims paid. Overall net premiums (premiums – payouts) divided by coverage are also regressive. Our findings are driven by certain aspects of the current rate structure of the NFIP, as well as how income is related to risk. We discuss potential policies to provide assistance to lower-income households in purchasing flood insurance.
Need for pharmacogenetic studies on the prevalence of MTHFR mutations in Puerto Ricans and Hispanics
Authors: Morales-Borges Raúl H.
Published: September 2017

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations have been linked to many diseases. Evidence has been provided to prove that we need to perform pharmacogenetic studies regarding the prevalence of MTHFR mutations and diseases, risks, and the impact on folate requirement in general, but little has been published about Puerto Ricans. A multi center cross-sectional retrospective review study or a prospective pharmacogenetic study of valid genotypes and phenotypes of MTHFR mutations within the different populations of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics are recommended, because differences within them and within the general population are expected.
Russia and the Use of Trade Policy: Concentration with Soviet Successor States
Authors: Lutz Carol , Lutz James
Published: September 2017

Economic policy has often been an integral part of foreign policy usage by governments. Many states will use trade, aid, and investment as instruments to attain other objectives deemed to be in the national interest. Albert Hirschman in an early and classic study suggested that governments in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany consciously attempted to dominate the trade of weaker states in Europe as a means of enhancing the German foreign policy position. Russian trade policy since the breakup of the Soviet Union has followed a similar policy, especially in regard to the other successor states of the former Soviet Union. Patterns were different for the Baltic countries, other European successor states, the Transcaucasian states, and Central Asian countries. Notwithstanding differences that were present, there was evidence in the trade patterns to indicate that Moscow was using trade policy to gain influence in the successor states.
On duality for a second-order multiobjective fractional programming problem involving type-I functions
Authors: Dubey Ramu , Gupta S. K.
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this paper is to study a nondifferentiable multiobjective fractional programming problem (MFP) in which each component of objective functions contains the support function of a compact convex set. For a differentiable function, we introduce the class of second-order

(
C
,
α
,
ρ
,
d
)

-
V

{(C,\alpha,\rho,d)-V}

-type-I convex functions. Further, Mond–Weir- and Wolfe-type duals are formulated for this problem and appropriate duality results are proved under the aforesaid assumptions.
Frequency Control Method using Automated Demand Response for Isolated Power System with Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Uehara Takahiro , Ngoc Son Dang , Matayoshi Hidehito , Lotfy Mohamed , Senju Tomonobu , Datta Manoj , Motin Howlader Abdul
Published: September 2017

In response to mounting concerns regarding environmental problem and depletion of Energy Resources, the introduction of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs), has been advancing in recent years. The system frequency deviation is a serious problem for a RESs-integrated power system. In this paper, we propose a system frequency control method using the automated demand response (ADR) for an isolated power system with RESs. The ADR can automatically adjust the consumption power of appliances after receiving the DR signal. It is assumed that consumption power of controllable loads is automatically varied based on the electricity price information from the real-time pricing (RTP). This method improves the supply-demand balancing, and hence the system frequency control is achieved. Furthermore, the stability of controller is demonstrated by indicating the poles of the control system.
Comparative Studies on Physicochemical Properties of Bovine Serum Albumin–Glucose and Galactose Conjugates Formed by Glycation Combined with Ultrasonic Pretreatment
Authors: Liu Jun , Tu Zong–cai , Wang Hui , Zhang Lu , Sha Xiao–mei , Shao Yan–hong
Published: September 2017

The effects of ultrasonication on the physicochemical properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–glucose and the galactose conjugates formed by glycation was investigated. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra analysis showed that the conjugates had a higher molecular weight than the native and ultrasonicated BSA. Ultrasonicated BSA had significantly higher emulsifying and foaming properties than native BSA. The browning intensity, surface hydrophobicity, emulsifying property and foaming capacity of the conjugates were substantially improved while the free amino groups, intrinsic fluorescence emission and foaming stability were decreased compared to native and ultrasonicated BSA. The results of this study indicate that ultrasonication is an efficient technique to improve the physicochemical properties of proteins. The glycation between ultrasonicated BSA and monosaccharide can effectively improve the physicochemical properties of BSA, and the glycation rate order is galactose \gt glucose. It also shows the critical role of monosaccharide conformational changes in improving the glycation and physicochemical properties of proteins.
French second language learners’ acquisition of the sequence aller + infinitive: Movement, aspect and tense
Authors: Michot Marie-Eve , Pierrard Michel
Published: September 2017

This article reports on the development of a particular TAM (tense, aspect, modality) sequence in L2 French (FL2):
Aspectual distinctions in the narratives of bilingual children
Authors: Andreou Maria , Tsimpli Ianthi
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the production of perfective and imperfective aspect in Greek by Greek-German and Greek-English bilingual children. Participants produced retellings of narratives (ENNI,
From The Corner to The Wire: On Nonfiction, Fiction, and Truth
Authors: Bruun Vaage Margrethe
Published: September 2017

The orthodox view in analytical film theory is that the difference between fiction and nonfiction is anchored in communicative practice. Whereas the creator of nonfiction can be seen as asserting something as true, the creator of fiction merely asks of its spectators that they imagine the work’s content. This could be labelled an intention-response theory of the difference between fiction and nonfiction. While watching

However, when it comes to truth claims the difference between the many varieties of fiction and nonfiction is not as straightforward as this. For example, one may argue that the spectator can and commonly does perceive even a prototypical fiction film such as

Among the many difficult issues this counterargument raises, I will concentrate on only one here, namely on the case of social realism in fiction. Social realism arguably asserts that something is true in our actual world and asks its spectators to believe this – although works of social realism are also classified as fiction. The solution is not to dismiss the basic theory, but to make finer distinctions. I argue that one difference between prototypical nonfiction and social realist fiction is that nonfiction asserts that its contents (characters and events) are true as tokens, e.g., this person experienced this. As fiction, a work of social realism calls for imagining. However, such a work also asserts that its contents are true as types, e.g., these types of persons experience these types of events.

I argue that this can explain what the difference is between the truth claims made in the nonfictional

In conclusion, the theory presented in this paper may not be able to neatly categorize any given film as either fiction or nonfiction, as some nonfiction films make type claims and some fictions make token claims. I do not claim that the difference between type and token claims is sufficient for categorizing any given work as either fiction or nonfiction. More work is needed in order to categorize and describe the various types of fiction and nonfiction, paying special attention to the particular blend of imagining and belief prescribed by each, as evident in what the creators say about their intentions, textual features of the work itself, and critical reception. However, difficult borderline cases such as social realism in fiction do not collapse the distinction between fiction and nonfiction, as demarcated by the intention-response theory. Rather, such difficult cases should compel us to investigate more closely the communicative intentions and conventions at work. In the case of social realism, it is still correct to say that the spectator merely imagines that these fictional characters experience various events; however, she also perceives a double invitation to believe that these events and experiences are typical, and as such representative, of a larger group about which the work intends to assert something as true.
Performance Optimization of Optical Amplifiers for High Speed Multilink Optical Networks using Different Modulation Techniques
Authors: Malik Deepak , Kaushik Geeta , Wason Amit
Published: September 2017

Next generation optical networks require large capacity communication networks for proper utilization of gain bandwidth of the networks. Optical amplifiers with wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems are the key technologies for the realization of these networks. In this paper, we have investigated the performance of the networks using different modulation techniques, such as return-to-zero (RZ), non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and duobinary. Attempts were taken to design 8 channels, 10 Gbps WDM network at channel spacing of 0.8 nm. An innovative model with EDFA-Raman amplifier is designed to examine the performance of the different modulation schemes. From the results, it is found that NRZ configuration gives maximum output power and good quality of communication as compared to other modulation schemes. Further, it is seen that with increase in channel dispersion from 2 to 4 ps/nm/km, the quality of the signal started decreasing.
The Double Etymology of Babel in Genesis 11
Authors: Grossman Jonathan
Published: September 2017

Zahlreiche Diskussionen widmeten sich der Etymologie des Namens Babylon vom Ende der Turmbauerzähling in Gen 11. Viele lesen dies als eine polemische Etymologie gerichtet gegen die babylonische Deutung des Namens als »das Tor des Gottes«. Diese Deutung erfasst jedoch nur die erste Hälfte des Abschnitts, mit der Deutung Babylons als Ort der Verwirrung der Sprachen. Die zweite Hälfte des Abschnitts bezieht sich auf die Zerstreuung der Nationen: »Von dort verstreute der Herr sie hinaus über das ganze Erdreich.« Dieser Teil scheint nichts mit dem Namen Babylon zu tun zu haben. Der Beitrag schlägt eine Deutung im Sinne zweier Etymologien vor, die beide in Enûma Eliš ihren Ursprung haben.
The »Samuel the Judge« Narrative in 1Sam 1–7
Authors: Tobolowsky Andrew
Published: September 2017

Die biblische Darstellung des Lebenswegs Samuels schließt im Vergleich derjenigen Sauls und Davids eine unbeachtete Besonderheit ein. In Sam 7,13 und 7,15 wird dem Leser ausdrücklich gesagt, dass die Philister während des Lebens von Samuel Israel nicht bedrohten und dass Samuel während seines ganzen Lebens Israels Richter blieb. Beide Behauptungen erweisen sich rasch als unzutreffend: In einem der Berichte zum Aufstieg Sauls ist es die Bedrohung durch die Philister, die Israel dazu zwingt, einen König zu erbitten. Und nach seinem Rückzug von seinen Aufgaben in 1Sam 12, lebt Samuel noch weiter (1Sam 25: 1). Dieser Artikel behauptet, dass der Großteil der Texte von 1Sam 1–7 ursprünglich die Karriere Samuels als Richter beschreiben, eine Figur Samson vergleichbar, die keine Bedeutung beim Aufkommen der Monarchie in Israel haben sollte. Mit dieser Erzählung stimmen die Aussagen in 1Sam 7,13 und 15 ausdrücklich überein und sind als Fazit zur Geschichte von Samuels Leben gedacht.