bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viscoelastic properties of hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene) based composite rocket propellants
Authors: Brzic Sasa , Jelisavac Ljiljana , Galovic Jela , Simic Danica , Petkovic Jelena
Published: September 2013

In the present study, the viscoelastic response of three composite solid
propellants based on hydroxyl-terminated poly(butadiene), ammonium
perchlorate and aluminum has been investigated. The investigation was
surveyed by dynamic mechanical analysis over a wide range of temperatures
and frequencies. The mechanical properties of these materials are related to
the macromolecular structure of the binder as well as to the content and
nature of solid fillers. The storage modulus, loss modulus, loss factor and
glass transition temperature for each propellant sample have been evaluated.
The master curves of storage (log G' vs log ?) and loss modulus (log G'' vs
log ?) were generated for each propellant. A comparison of logaT vs
temperature curves for all propellants indicate conformance to
Williams-Landel-Ferry equation. Choosing the glass transition as the
reference temperature, WLF equation constants are determined. Fractional
free volume at the glass transition temperature and thermal coefficient of
free volume expansion values are in accordance with the consideration that
Al is reinforcing filler.
Electrochemical oxidation of methanol on Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 nanocatalyst
Authors: Krstajic Mila , Obradovic Maja , Babic Biljana , Radmilovic Velimir , Lacnjevac Uros , Krstajic Nedeljko , Gojkovic Snezana
Published: September 2013

The Ru-doped SnO2 powder, (RuxSn1-x)O2, with the Sn:Ru atomic ratio of 9:1
was synthesized and used as a support for Pt nanoparticles (30 mass%
loading). The (RuxSn1-x)O2 support and Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 catalyst were
characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and
transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (RuxSn1-x)O2 was found to be
two-phase material consisting of probably solid solution of RuO2 in SnO2 and
pure RuO2. The average Pt particle size determined by TEM was 5.3 nm. Cyclic
voltammetry of Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 indicated good conductivity of the sup-port
and displayed usual features of Pt. The results of the electrochemical
oxidation of COads and methanol on Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 were compared with those
on commercial Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts. Oxidation of COads on
Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 starts at less positive potentials than on PtRu/C and Pt/C.
Potentiodynamic polarization curves and chronoamperometric curves of methanol
oxidation indicated higher initial activity of Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 catalyst
compared to PtRu/C, but also a greater loss in the current density over time.
Potentiodynamic stability test of the catalysts revealed that deactivation of
the Pt/(RuxSn1-x)O2 and Pt/C was primarily caused by the poisoning of Pt
surface by the methanol oxidation residues, which mostly occurred during the
first potential cycle. In the case of PtRu/C the poisoning of the surface was
minor and deactivation was caused by the PtRu surface area loss.
Stigma in psychiatry
Authors: Soldatovic-Stajic Branislava , Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak Mina
Published: September 2013

nema
Expression of neuropeptide Y in rat brain ischemia
Authors: Babovic Sinisa , Srdic-Galic Biljana , Soldatovic-Stajic Branislava , Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak Mina , Krstonosic Bojana , Siladji-Mladenovic Djendji
Published: September 2013

Introduction. The immunohistochemical method was used to follow the
expression of neuropeptide Y in the course of pre ischemia of the rat brain.
The aim of the study was to define all the areas of expression of this
protein, show their localization, their map of distribution and histological
types. Material and Methods. All the sections of telencephalon, diencephalon
and midbrain were studied in resistant, and transitory ischemia, which
enabled us to observe the reaction of neurons to an ischemic attack or to
repeated attacks. The mapping was done for all three proteins by introducing
our results into the maps of rat brain atlas, George Paxinos, Charles Watson.
Photographing and protein expression was done using Analysis program.
Results. The results of this research show that there is a differens in
reaction between the resistant and transitory ischemia groups of rats,
especially in the caudoputamen, gyrus dentatus, corpus amygdaloideum,
particularly in the medial nucleus. The mapping shows the reaction in
caudoputamen, gyrusdentatus, corpus amygdaloideum - especially in the central
nucleus, then in the sensitive and secondary auditory cortex, mostly in the
laminae V/VI, but less in neuron groups CA1, CA2, CA3 of hippocampus.
Discussion. The phylogenetically older parts of the brain-rhinencephalon,
also showed reaction, which lead us to conclude that both newer and older
brain structures reacted immunohistochemically. Histological data have shown
that small neurons are most commonly found while the second most common ones
are big pyramidal cells of multipolar and bipolar type, with a different body
shape. Conclusion. Our findings have confirmed the results obtained in some
rare studies dealing with this issue, and offered a precise and detailed map
of cells expressing neuropeptide Y in the rat brain following ischemic
attack.
Orphan drugs
Authors: Golocorbin-Kon Svetlana , Vojinovic Aleksandra , Lalic-Popovic Mladena , Pavlovic Nebojsa , Mikov Momir
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Drugs used for treatment of rare diseases are known worldwide
under the term of orphan drugs because pharmaceutical companies have not been
interested in ?adopting? them, that is in investing in research, developing
and producing these drugs. This kind of policy has been justified by the fact
that these drugs are targeted for small markets, that only a small number of
patients is available for clinical trials, and that large investments are
required for the development of drugs meant to treat diseases whose
pathogenesis has not yet been clarified in majority of cases. The aim of this
paper is to present previous and present status of orphan drugs in Serbia and
other countries. The beginning of orphan drugs development. This problem was
first recognized by Congress of the United States of America in January 1983,
and when the ?Orphan Drug Act? was passed, it was a turning point in the
development of orphan drugs. This law provides pharmaceutical companies with
a series of reliefs, both financial ones that allow them to regain funds
invested into the research and development and regulatory ones. Seven years
of marketing exclusivity, as a type of patent monopoly, is the most important
relief that enables companies to make large profits. Conclusion. There are no
sufficient funds and institutions to give financial support to the patients.
It is therefore necessary to make health professionals much more aware of
rare diseases in order to avoid time loss in making the right diagnosis and
thus to gain more time to treat rare diseases. The importance of discovery,
development and production of orphan drugs lies in the number of patients
whose life quality can be improved significantly by administration of these
drugs as well as in the number of potential survivals resulting from the
treatment with these drugs.
Level of job satisfaction among employees working at healthcare facilities in Nisava and Toplica district
Authors: Teofilo-Markovic Roberta , Deljanin-Ilic Marina , Milosevic Zoran , Vasic Milena , Bogdanovic Dragan , Sagric Cedomir
Published: September 2013

Introduction. The product of health system and its employees is health
service whose quality is related to the satisfaction and motivation of people
working in health system. The objective of this study was to assess and
compare satisfaction with different aspects of work among different
categories of employees in healthcare facilities on primary, secondary and
tertiary level of health care in Nisava and Toplica districts. Materials and
Methods. The study was conducted as a one-day study in 15 healthcare
facilities on primary level, in two public hospitals and 27 clinics of
Clinical Centre of Nis, using anonymous questionnaire. Out of 3,892
employees, who took part in this study, 2,227 were from primary and 1,665
were from secondary and tertiary level. Results. All employees on primary
level are more satisfied with the majority of aspects of job comparing with
employees on secondary and tertiary level of health care. Administrative
staff is in general more satisfied with all aspects of job comparing with
other categories of employees. All employees on secondary and tertiary level
are more physically and psychically exhausted than employees on primary level
of health care. Health workers on secondary and tertiary level are most
psychically exhausted. Conclusion. There is a difference in satisfaction with
different aspects of job in different categories of employees, and on
different levels of health, in healthcare facilities in Nisava and Toplica
districts. Employees of healthcare facilities on primary level of health care
are in general more satisfied than employees on secondary and tertiary level
of health care.
Dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint
Authors: Milankov Miroslav , Kecojevic Vaso , Gvozdenovic Nemanja , Obradovic Mirko
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint is a rare
injury. It occurs during a sports activity that includes rough twisting
movements of the bent knee. The role of the proximal tibiofibular joint is to
reduce torsional loads to the ankle, to distribute the bending moment of the
outer side of tibia, and transfer the vertical load while standing. In the
literature there is no larger series; only several cases of the proximal
tibiofibular joint dislocation treated by different methods have been
published so far. Case Report. A 23-year-old male soccer player sustained an
injury after he had joined the game without previous warming-up. He fell on
his right side because of a sudden change of direction while his foot was
fixed to the base. He felt a severe pain and had a sensation as if something
had snapped in his right knee. Pain and swelling at the head of fibula were
found by physical examination, which, however, did not reveal any pain,
swelling and instability of the ankle or peroneal nerve palsy. The x-ray
showed anterolateral dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint, Ogden
type II. Since manual reposition in general anesthesia failed, open reduction
internal fixation was performed and proximal tibiofibular joint was
transfixed with a screw. After the wound closure, the above-the-knee plaster
cast was applied. The screw was extracted six weeks later, full weight
bearing was allowed and he started with physical therapy. Four months after
the injury he returned to sports activities. On the follow- up one year after
the injury he had the full range of motion of the knee, no complains, and
continued with active soccer playing. X-ray showed no signs of arthrosis of
the proximal tibiofibular joint. Conclusion. The proximal tibiofibular joint
dislocation may be the cause of the chronic pain of the knee so it has to be
taken into account when making differential diagnosis in case of the pain at
the lateral side of the knee. The key for making the accurate diagnosis is
the technically correct X-ray of the injured knee compared with the opposite
one, showing the displacement of fibular head. If manual reposition fails,
open reduction internal fixation and screw transfixation of the proximal
tibiofibular joint allow good results and fast return to sport activities.
Homicide or suicide by strangulation: Case report
Authors: Radosavkic Radosav , Vapa Dusan , Pilija Vladimir
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Ligature strangulation represents a violent mechanical
asphyxiation caused by tightening a loop around the victim?s neck, pulled
either by an active or passive force. Mechanism of death is most often due
to cerebral hypoxia caused by compression of blood vessels which feed the
brain, but it can also occur either due to compression and closing the air
passages or by stimulating the superior laryngeal nerve. Case Report. An
81-year-old woman was found in her home lying across the couch with a
bathrobe belt tied around her neck and a knot at the back side. Body
examination showed congestion of the face, conjunctival petechiae as well as
a ligature mark in the middle of the neck. The internal examination revealed
hematomas on the left side of the tongue, on its base and in the neck
muscles on the left side. Conclusion. Thorough forensic expertise of a
strangulation case includes the circumstances surrounding the death,
detailed information of a crime scene and a complete autopsy report. The
relevant pieces of information obtained from each of the investigation phase
can be vital for making the right decision about the cause of death.
Miopericarditis - diagnostic dilemmas in relation to acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Ivanov Igor , Dejanovic Jadranka , Ivanov Olivera , Petrovic Milovan , Jung Robert , Panic Gordana
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Miopericarditis with clinical presentation of chest pain,
electrocardiographic changes and positive cardio specific enzymes is often a
differential diagnostic dilemma in relation to acute myocardial infarction.
Literature data are very scarce and only case reports or small series of
patients can be found in the literature so each case is a significant
contribution to this issue. Case report. A 19-year-old patient was admitted
to the intensive care unit, with chest pain, electrocardiographic signs of
suspected myocardial lesion and highly positive cardio specific enzymes.
Since echocardiography revealed segmental hypocinesia of the left ventricle,
urgent coronary angiography was done, which diagnosed normal luminogram of
coronary arteries. Having received the adequate therapy, the patient was
subjectively asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable, sub-febrile at the
beginning of hospitalization. Two weeks after admission, the patient was
discharged in good condition with diagnosis of myopericarditis. Conclusion.
This case shows that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate acute
miopericarditis from acute myocardial infarction only according to anamnesis,
clinical, electrocardiographic sings and echocardiography.
Neurovascular lesion after total hip arthroplasty in congenital hip dysplasia: Case report
Authors: Stojkovic-Jovanovic Tatjana , Martinov Dobrivoje , Boskovic Ksenija
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Nowadays, the total hip arthroplasty is a very frequent
surgical intervention. In some cases, vascular and nerve injuries may happen
around the hip with total hip arthroplasty. Although they are very rare, they
may be very dangerous for the patient in some cases. This paper presents a
case of a female patient, in whom the nervous fibularis lesion was detected
after the total hip arthroplasty, and the occlusion of the iliac femoral
artery was revealed later during physical therapy. Case Report. We described
a case of a 32-year-old female patient, in whom the nervous fibularis lesion
was detected after the total hip arthroplasty. The patient was referred to a
ward for physical therapy. On the 19th postoperative day, she felt a vigorous
ache and numbness on the left operated leg during stimulation of the paretic
fibular musculature. Clinically weak inguinal arterial pulse was detected.
After the examination, iliac-femoral occlusion was diagnosed. The patient was
referred to the vascular surgeon. In the next few months, she was treated
conservatively and eventually underwent surgery. The revascularization was
achieved with a satisfactory effect. A year after the total hip replacement,
the patient continued with rehabilitation and physical treatment, which
lasted one and a half month and had an incomplete functional result - the
patient walked with a walking stick and had weak fibular musculature of a
severe degree. The vascular status of the leg was good. Conclusion. In this
case, neurovascular lesions led to an incomplete functional recovery of the
patient and compromised the expected treatment outcome. According to the
scoring system used to assess the functionality, the result was marked as
poor.
Hereditary coproporphyria from clinician’s point of view: A case report
Authors: Savic Zeljka , Vracaric Vladimir , Hadnadjev Ljiljana , Petrovic Zora , Damjanov Dragomir
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Acute hepatic porphyrias can mimic a range of unrelated
diseases and conditions that may occur independently of porphyria and trigger
their initial manifestations and further attacks. Case Report. A 46-year-old
female patient was subjected to cholecystectomy for biliary colic.
Histopathological analysis revealed acute purulent exacerbation of chronic
cholecystitis. On the 8th day post surgery, the patient was rehospitalized
for nausea, abdominal pain, weakness and faintness, poor general condition,
hypertension, tachycardia, apathy and profuse sweating. Laboratory findings
revealed hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. Exploratory
laparotomy did not detect a pathomorphological substrate. The patient was
transferred to surgery department of the tertiary care institution. Due to
metabolic imbalance, she was transferred to the Department of Endocrinology
with signs of paleness, profuse sweating, tachycardia, and tachydyspnoea. The
cardiologist performed echocardiography. The patient was diagnosed to have
acute left ventricular failure and sub-acute myocardial infarction and
transferred to the Department of Cardiology. Coronarography findings were
normal. Cramps and pain in the legs with sensory loss, general weakness,
apathy and mental confusion suggested acute hepatic porphyria. Thus,
hereditary coproporphyria was diagnosed in the second month of illness. The
treatment was continued at the Department of Gastroenterology. Clinical
manifestations included polyneuropathy, flaccid paraparesis and acute brain
syndrome, precordial oppressions and tachycardia. Haem arginate and
hypertonic glucose were applied. The condition of the patient gradually
improved. Conclusion. Porphyrias should always be taken into consideration in
doubtful, frequently dramatic clinical pictures characterized by
neurovisceral symptoms and precipitating factors of acute porphyria attacks
must never be neglected.
Thromboembolic complications during pregnancy and delivery
Authors: Sparic Radmila , Lazovic Biljana , Stajic Zoran , Mazic Sanja , Djelic Marina , Kadija Sasa
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Venous thromboembolism is one of the leading cause of maternal
mortality worldwide. The incidence of venous thromboembolism is estimated at
0.76 to 1.72 per 100.000 pregnancies which is four times as great as the risk
in nonpregnant women. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of
this frequent problem in pregnancy and provide a practical approach for the
diagnosis, management, and prevention of venous thromboembolism during
pregnancy and delivery. Risk factors. A number of risk factors for the
development venous thromboembolism have been identified. The two most
important risk factors for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy are
thrombophilia and previous venous thromboembolism. Deep venous thrombosis in
the majority of cases occurs in the lower extremities and pelvis. Diagnosis.
As the clinical diagnosis of venous thromboembolism is unreliable, the women
who are suspected of having deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
should be examined promptly using imaging diagnostics. The first diagnostic
method is Doppler ultrasound. Where available, individual authors recommend
magnetic resonance venography, pulmonary angiography or computed tomography.
Therapy. Unfractionated heparin or low-molecularweight heparin has a central
place in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy
because they do not pass through the placenta, thus avoiding the risks likely
to be induced by warfarin. The prevention of venous thromboembolism must
focus on the patients known to be at high risk bearing in mind that the
recommendations for prophylaxis, even in high-risk patients, are based on the
limited data.
Impact of the subprime crisis on commercial banks’ financial performance
Authors: Fang Hao , Lu Yang-Cheng , Su Chi-Wei
Published: September 2013

We investigated changes in the financial performance of representatives of
the world?s top 200 commercial banks after the global subprime financial
crisis. Our empirical results show that following the subprime-crisis
disclosure, all commercial banks exhibited worse performance in asset
quality, profitability, liquidity, and growth index, accompanied by risk
increases in asset adequacy, managerial ability, profitability, and growth
index. Developed markets have suffered a greater negative influence than
emerging markets, causing downward pressure on asset adequacy, asset quality,
and profitability since the subprime crisis. Commercial banks within
developed nations suffered more direct pronounced effects from the subprime
crisis than did those in emerging markets. Our results prove that larger
commercial banks, particularly those with larger capitalization, have the
economies-of-scale advantage to resist the negative effects of economic
downturns.
Causality between regional stock markets: A frequency domain approach
Authors: Gradojevic Nikola , Dobardzic Eldin
Published: September 2013

Using a data set from five regional stock exchanges (Serbia, Croatia,
Slovenia, Hungary and Germany), this paper presents a frequency domain
analysis of a causal relationship between the returns on the CROBEX, SBITOP,
CETOP and DAX indices, and the return on the major Serbian stock exchange
index, BELEX 15. We find evidence of a somewhat dominant effect of the CROBEX
and CETOP stock indices on the BELEX 15 stock index across a range of
frequencies. The results also indicate that the BELEX 15 index and the SBITOP
index interact in a bi-directional causal fashion. Finally, the DAX index
movements consistently drive the BELEX 15 index returns for cycle lengths
between 3 and 11 days without any feedback effect.
France and Germany nuclear energy policies revisited: A veblenian appraisal
Authors: Petit Pascal
Published: September 2013

Nuclear energy policy should have been a major area of cooperation for France
and Germany, playing a lead role in the energy policy of the EU. Yet they
have retained different options, especially regarding nuclear energy while
the EU energy policy remained very indicative. These two ?coordinated
economies? should have been able to cooperate more closely on this issue.
While the reasons for this difference in behavior have much to do with the
specificities of the nuclear energy, they are more precisely related to the
continuously rising level of security requirements, a learning process in
which the magnitude of risks and time lengths appeared, even before
Fukushima, to go beyond rational boundaries on which cooperation (as well as
market) ventures could be based. This raises the issue in the present state
of the technologies of the possibility of an international governance of this
nuclear industry.
A Riemann-Hilbert problem with a vanishing
coefficient and applications to Toeplitz operators
Authors: Perälä A. , Virtanen J. A. , Wolf L.
Published: September 2013

We study the homogeneous Riemann-Hilbert problem with a
vanishing scalar-valued continuous coefficient. We characterize
non-existence of nontrivial solutions in the case where the
coefficient has its values along several rays starting from the
origin. As a consequence, some results on injectivity and existence
of eigenvalues of Toeplitz operators in Hardy spaces
are obtained.
‘Arise, O magnificent effulgence of Ossian's soul!’: Werther the Translator in English Translation
Authors: Gaskill Howard
Published: September 2013

As first published in 1774, over seven per cent of Goethe's novel, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, consists of translation from extended passages from James Macpherson's Ossian. What should the anglophone translator do with these? The essay begins by considering the merits of J. M. Coetzee's criticism of Stanley Corngold's translation for simply inserting what he and Coetzee take to be Macpherson's English original, instead of back-translating from the German. Questions about the editions used, both of Macpherson and Goethe, are raised. The function of the Ossianic translations within the economy of the novel is discussed and the ways in which the source text is adapted in order to serve this. In consequence it is argued that back-translation represents the only legitimate option.
Foreignizing Macpherson: Translating Ossian into French after Le Tourneur and Lacaussade
Authors: Baudry Samuel
Published: September 2013

This article expounds the method followed by its author to produce a new translation of James Macpherson's Ossianic poetry in French. Through a systematic comparison with earlier translations (in particular Pierre Le Tourneur's 1777 version) various levels of signification are explored, and the article discusses possible ways of recovering the original idiosyncrasy and foreignizing effect of Macpherson's putative translations: which cultural artefacts were highlighted, which were played down, how stylistic features, such as semantic uniformity, unconventional tense or punctuation usages, syntactic disjointedness or phonetic patterns were smoothed away, and how these can be transferred into a French text. The essay also suggests possible indications of the impact of Gaelic literary or linguistic sources on Macpherson's English.
Ossian Translations and Hungarian Versification, 1773–93
Authors: Hartvig Gabriella
Published: September 2013

Ossianic translations in the Hungary of the1790s were the occasion of heated debates between different schools of translation. Michael Denis, Ossian's first German-language translator, was known in Hungary primarily as a bardic poet, bibliographer, and also as a Jesuit monk. He had personal connections with, and was a great inspiration for, Hungarian ‘Latinate poets’ who knew Denis’ German and Latin hexameter renderings. This essay suggests that it was through Denis’ Jesuit connections that Ossianic poetry first reached the Hungarian reading public and was interpreted in the context of Latinate classicism. It then outlines how contemporary foreign translations of Ossian contributed to translational debates in the pages of the journal Magyar Museum, which also published János Batsányi's hexameter translation of The Death of Oscar.
Celtic Postmodernism: Ossian and Contemporary Art
Authors: Mitchell Sebastian
Published: September 2013

This article examines the depiction of Ossian in the works of four prominent contemporary artists: Calum Colvin, Gayle Chong Kwan, Geoff MacEwan, and Alexander Stoddart. Recent Ossianic artworks in terms of two significant and opposing definitions of the postmodern are discussed. On the one side, the approach of Jean Baudrillard stressed fabrication and imitation as the distinctive features of the postmodern aesthetic; on the other, Charles Jencks conceived of the postmodern as a revival of classical form. The essay demonstrates ways in which contemporary Ossianic art draws together both conceptions. It argues, furthermore, that Ossian has made a significant contribution to British art through the introduction of Celtic primitivism into more familiar forms of representation. It concludes by suggesting that the last twenty years have produced the most important visual interpretations of Ossian since the Romantic period.
Relationship between Leadership and Characteristics of Learning Organizations in Deployed Military Units: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Di Schiena Raffaella , Letens Geert , Van Aken Eileen , Farris Jennifer
Published: September 2013

Previous research has shown that military units operating in the context of risky missions display the characteristics of a Learning Organization. The present work provides preliminary exploratory evidence about the association between Learning Organization characteristics and leadership styles used by military leaders in the field. Based on the literature, we hypothesized that higher Learning Organization characteristics would be associated with a more transformational style of leadership that inspires followers. With this purpose, the five characteristics of a Learning Organization as defined by Peter Senge (Systems Thinking, Team Learning, Shared Vision, Mental Models, and Personal Mastery) and leadership styles as defined by the multifactor leadership model of Bass and Avolio (Transformational, Transactional, and Passive-Avoidant), were measured among commanding officers who had recently served in a mission abroad. Associations with organizational outcomes (Extra-Effort, Effectiveness, and Satisfaction) were also investigated for both Learning Organization characteristics and leadership styles. The correlations showed that Learning Organization characteristics were highly related to Transformational leadership dimensions, and also with Transactional leadership based on Contingent Rewards; meanwhile no association was found with a Passive-Avoidant leadership. Organizational outcomes were also related to Transformational leadership, Contingent Rewards and to various characteristics of a Learning Organization. Implications of these results, as well as avenues for future research, are also discussed.
Effects of Increased Vigilance for Locomotion Disorders on Lameness and Production in Dairy Cows
Authors: Gundelach Yasmin , Schulz Timo , Feldmann Maren , Hoedemaker Martina
Published: September 2013

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of weekly locomotion scoring and, thus, early detection and treatment of lame cows by a veterinarian on lameness prevalence, incidence, duration of lameness, fertility and milk yield on one dairy farm in Northern Germany. Cows were distributed to two groups. Cows in Group A (n = 99) with a locomotion score (LS) > 1 were examined and treated. In Group B (n = 99), it was solely in the hands of the farmer to detect lame cows and to decide which cows received treatment. Four weeks after the beginning of the experimental period, the prevalence of cows with LS = 1 was higher in Group A compared with Group B. Prevalence of lame cows (LS > 1) increased in Group B (47.6% in Week 2 to 84.0% in Week 40) and decreased in Group A from Week 2 to Week 40 (50% to 14.4%; P < 0.05). Within groups, the monthly lameness incidence did not differ. The average duration of lameness for newly lame cows was 3.7 weeks in Group A and 10.4 weeks in Group B (P < 0.001). There was no effect on fertility and incidence of puerperal disorders. The 100-day milk yield was calculated from cows having their first four Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) test day results during the experimental period. The mean 100-day milk yield tended to be higher in Group A compared with Group B (3,386 kg vs. 3,359 kg; P = 0.084).
“How Do You Feel about Antibiotics for This?” A Qualitative Study of Physician Attitudes towards a Context-Rich Communication Skills Method
Authors: Cals Jochen , Van Leeuwen Mirjam , Chappin Fleur , De Bont Eefje , Dinant Geert-Jan , Butler Christopher
Published: September 2013

To explore experiences with and views of general practitioners (GPs) on a physician communication training method in primary care and its applicability and implementation in daily practice, we performed a semi-structured qualitative study of GPs’ experience of training in and implementing a communication skills training program for managing lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) which included a seminar, simulated patient consultation together with providing and receiving feedback on ones own transcript, and a seminar in a structured approach to the LRTI consultation. Seventeen out of 20 eligible GPs who had participated in the IMPAC3T trial and were allocated to receiving enhanced physician communication training for managing lower respiratory tract infection participated. GPs’ experiences with the physician communication training method and its specific components were positive. The method gave GPs additional tools for managing LRTI consultations and increased their sense of providing evidence-based management. During the study, GPs reported using almost all communication items covered in the training, but some GPs stated that the communication skills diluted over time, and that they continued to use a selected set of the skills. The general communication items were most regularly used. Implementation of the method in daily practice helped GPs to prescribe fewer antibiotics in LRTI with the only perceived disadvantage being time-pressure. This study suggests that GPs felt positive about the physician communication training method for enhanced management of LRTI in primary care. GPs continued to use some of the communication items, of which general communication items were the most common. Furthermore, GPs believed that implementation of the communication skills in daily practice helped them to prescribe fewer antibiotics. The context-rich communication method could have wider application in common conditions in primary care.
Contrasting Responses to Nutrient Enrichment of Prokaryotic Communities Collected from Deep Sea Sites in the Southern Ocean
Authors: McCarthy David , Pearce David , Patching John , Fleming Gerard
Published: September 2013

Deep water samples (ca. 4,200 m) were taken from two hydrologically-similar sites around the Crozet islands with highly contrasting surface water productivities. Site M5 was characteristic of high productivity waters (high chlorophyll) whilst site M6 was subject to a low productivity regime (low chlorophyll) in the overlying waters. Samples were incubated for three weeks at 4 °C at in-situ and surface pressures, with and without added nutrients. Prokaryotic abundance increased by at least two-fold for all nutrient-supplemented incubations of water from M5 with little difference in abundance between incubations carried out at atmospheric and in-situ pressures. Abundance only increased for incubations of M6 waters (1.6-fold) when they were carried out at in-situ pressures and with added nutrients. Changes in community structure as a result of incubation and enrichment (as measured by DGGE banding profiles and phylogenetic analysis) showed that diversity increased for incubations of M5 waters but decreased for those with M6 waters. Moritella spp. came to dominate incubations carried out under in-situ pressure whilst the Archaeal community was dominated by Crenarchaea in all incubations. Comparisons between atmospheric and in situ pressure incubations demonstrated that community composition was significantly altered and community structure changes in unsuspplemented incubations at in situ pressure was indicative of the loss of functional taxa as a result of depressurisation during sampling. The use of enrichment incubations under in-situ conditions has contributed to understanding the different roles played by microorganisms in deep sea ecosystems in regions of low and high productivity.
Damage to Myelin and Oligodendrocytes: A Role in Chronic Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury?
Authors: Maxwell William
Published: September 2013

There is increasing evidence in the experimental and clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) literature that loss of central myelinated nerve fibers continues over the chronic post-traumatic phase after injury. However, the biomechanism(s) of continued loss of axons is obscure. Stretch-injury to optic nerve fibers in adult guinea-pigs was used to test the hypothesis that damage to the myelin sheath and oligodendrocytes of the optic nerve fibers may contribute to, or facilitate, the continuance of axonal loss. Myelin dislocations occur within internodal myelin of larger axons within 1–2 h of TBI. The myelin dislocations contain elevated levels of free calcium. The volume of myelin dislocations increase with greater survival and are associated with disruption of the axonal cytoskeleton leading to secondary axotomy. Waves of Ca2+ depolarization or spreading depression extend from the initial locus injury for perhaps hundreds of microns after TBI. As astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are connected via gap junctions, it is hypothesized that spreading depression results in depolarization of central glia, disrupt axonal ionic homeostasis, injure axonal mitochondria and allow the onset of axonal degeneration throughout an increasing volume of brain tissue; and contribute toward post-traumatic continued loss of white matter.
Biological Water Dynamics and Entropy: A Biophysical Origin of Cancer and Other Diseases
Authors: Davidson Robert , Lauritzen Ann , Seneff Stephanie
Published: September 2013

This paper postulates that water structure is altered by biomolecules as well as by disease-enabling entities such as certain solvated ions, and in turn water dynamics and structure affect the function of biomolecular interactions. Although the structural and dynamical alterations are subtle, they perturb a well-balanced system sufficiently to facilitate disease. We propose that the disruption of water dynamics between and within cells underlies many disease conditions. We survey recent advances in magnetobiology, nanobiology, and colloid and interface science that point compellingly to the crucial role played by the unique physical properties of quantum coherent nanomolecular clusters of magnetized water in enabling life at the cellular level by solving the “problems” of thermal diffusion, intracellular crowding, and molecular self-assembly. Interphase water and cellular surface tension, normally maintained by biological sulfates at membrane surfaces, are compromised by exogenous interfacial water stressors such as cationic aluminum, with consequences that include greater local water hydrophobicity, increased water tension, and interphase stretching. The ultimate result is greater “stiffness” in the extracellular matrix and either the “soft” cancerous state or the “soft” neurodegenerative state within cells. Our hypothesis provides a basis for understanding why so many idiopathic diseases of today are highly stereotyped and pluricausal.
Blind Demodulation of Chaotic Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Signals Based on Particle Filters
Authors: Li Ting , Zhao Dexin , Huang Zhiping , Liu Chunwu , Su Shaojing , Zhang Yimeng
Published: September 2013

Applying the particle filter (PF) technique, this paper proposes a PF-based algorithm to blindly demodulate the chaotic direct sequence spread spectrum (CDS-SS) signals under the colored or non-Gaussian noises condition. To implement this algorithm, the PFs are modified by (i) the colored or non-Gaussian noises are formulated by autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models, and then the parameters that model the noises are included in the state vector; (ii) the range-differentiating factor is imported into the intruder’s chaotic system equation. Since the range-differentiating factor is able to make the inevitable chaos fitting error advantageous based on the chaos fitting method, thus the CDS-SS signals can be demodulated according to the range of the estimated message. Simulations show that the proposed PF-based algorithm can obtain a good bit-error rate performance when extracting the original binary message from the CDS-SS signals without any knowledge of the transmitter’s chaotic map, or initial value, even when colored or non-Gaussian noises exist.
Permutation Complexity and Coupling Measures in Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Haruna Taichi , Nakajima Kohei
Published: September 2013

Recently, the duality between values (words) and orderings (permutations) has been proposed by the authors as a basis to discuss the relationship between information theoretic measures for finite-alphabet stationary stochastic processes and their permutatio nanalogues. It has been used to give a simple proof of the equality between the entropy rate and the permutation entropy rate for any finite-alphabet stationary stochastic process and to show some results on the excess entropy and the transfer entropy for finite-alphabet stationary ergodic Markov processes. In this paper, we extend our previous results to hidden Markov models and show the equalities between various information theoretic complexity and coupling measures and their permutation analogues. In particular, we show the following two results within the realm of hidden Markov models with ergodic internal processes: the two permutation analogues of the transfer entropy, the symbolic transfer entropy and the transfer entropy on rank vectors, are both equivalent to the transfer entropy if they are considered as the rates, and the directed information theory can be captured by the permutation entropy approach.
Adaptive Wide-Area Damping Control Scheme for Smart Grids with Consideration of Signal Time Delay
Authors: Cai Guowei , Yang Deyou , Liu Cheng
Published: September 2013

As an important part of the smart grid, a wide-area measurement system (WAMS) provides the key technical support for power system monitoring, protection and control. But 20 uncertainties in system parameters and signal transmission time delay could worsen the damping effect and deteriorate the system stability. In the presented study, the subspace system identification technique (SIT) is used to firstly derive a low-order linear model of a power system from the measurements. Then, a novel adaptive wide-area damping control scheme for online tuning of the wide-area damping controller (WADC) parameters using the residue method is proposed. In order to eliminate the effects of the time delay to the signal transmission, a simple and practical time delay compensation algorithm is proposed to compensate the time delay in each wide-area control signal. Detailed examples, inspired by the IEEE test system under various disturbance scenarios, have been used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive wide-area damping control scheme.
Multidimensional Screening with Complementary Activities: Regulating a Monopolist with Unknown Cost and Unknown Preference for Empire Building
Authors: Borges Ana , Laussel Didier , Correia-da-Silva João
Published: September 2013

We study the optimal regulation of a monopolist when intrinsic efficiency (intrinsic cost) and empire building tendency (marginal utility of output) are private information, but actual cost (the difference between intrinsic cost and effort level) is observable. This is a problem of multidimensional screening with complementary activities. Results are not only driven by the prior probabilities of the four possible types, but also by the relative magnitude of the uncertainty along the two dimensions of private information. If the marginal utility of output varies much more (less) across managers than the intrinsic marginal cost, there is empire building (efficiency) dominance. In that case, an inefficient empire builder produces more (less) and at lower (higher) marginal cost than an efficient money-seeker. It is only when variabilities are similar that there may be the natural ranking of activities (empire builders produce more, while efficient managers produce at a lower cost).
Genes Involved in Type 1 Diabetes: An Update
Authors: Bakay Marina , Pandey Rahul , Hakonarson Hakon
Published: September 2013

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component, which, through interactions with specific environmental factors, triggers disease onset. T1D typically manifests in early to mid childhood through the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells resulting in a lack of insulin production. Historically, prior to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), six loci in the genome were fully established to be associated with T1D. With the advent of high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array technologies, enabling investigators to perform high-density GWAS, many additional T1D susceptibility genes have been discovered. Indeed, recent meta-analyses of multiple datasets from independent investigators have brought the tally of well-validated T1D disease genes to almost 60. In this mini-review, we address recent advances in the genetics of T1D and provide an update on the latest susceptibility loci added to the list of genes involved in the pathogenesis of T1D.
Spectroscopic Studies of Model Photo-Receptors: Validation of a Nanosecond Time-Resolved Micro-Spectrophotometer Design Using Photoactive Yellow Protein and α-Phycoerythrocyanin
Authors: Purwar Namrta , Tenboer Jason , Tripathi Shailesh , Schmidt Marius
Published: September 2013

Time-resolved spectroscopic experiments have been performed with protein in solution and in crystalline form using a newly designed microspectrophotometer. The time-resolution of these experiments can be as good as two nanoseconds (ns), which is the minimal response time of the image intensifier used. With the current setup, the effective time-resolution is about seven ns, determined mainly by the pulse duration of the nanosecond laser. The amount of protein required is small, on the order of 100 nanograms. Bleaching, which is an undesirable effect common to photoreceptor proteins, is minimized by using a millisecond shutter to avoid extensive exposure to the probing light. We investigate two model photoreceptors, photoactive yellow protein (PYP), and α-phycoerythrocyanin (α-PEC), on different time scales and at different temperatures. Relaxation times obtained from kinetic time-series of difference absorption spectra collected from PYP are consistent with previous results. The comparison with these results validates the capability of this spectrophotometer to deliver high quality time-resolved absorption spectra.
The Clinical Utilization of Circulating Cell Free DNA (CCFDNA) in Blood of Cancer Patients
Authors: Elshimali Yahya , Khaddour Husseina , Sarkissyan Marianna , Wu Yanyuan , Vadgama Jaydutt
Published: September 2013

Qualitative and quantitative testing of circulating cell free DNA (CCFDNA) can be applied for the management of malignant and benign neoplasms. Detecting circulating DNA in cancer patients may help develop a DNA profile for early stage diagnosis in malignancies. The technical issues of obtaining, using, and analyzing CCFDNA from blood will be discussed.
A Polymorphism at the 3'-UTR Region of the Aromatase Gene Is Associated with the Efficacy of the Aromatase Inhibitor, Anastrozole, in Metastatic Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Lei , Bai Yu-Xian , Zhou Jian-Hua , Sun Xiu-Wei , Sui Hong , Zhang Wen-Jie , Yuan Heng-Heng , Xie Rui , Wei Xiao-Li , Zhang Ting-Ting , Huang Peng , Li Yan-Jing , Wang Jing-Xuan , Zhao Shu , Zhang Qing-Yuan
Published: September 2013

Estrogen-related genes and the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene play a critical role in estrogen metabolism, and those polymorphisms are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, little is known about the association between these polymorphisms and the efficacy of anastrozole. The aim was to investigate the impact of the genetic polymorphisms, CYP19A1, 17-β-HSD-1 and FTO, on the response to anastrozole in metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) and to evaluate the impact of those polymorphisms on various clinicopathologic features. Two-hundred seventy-two women with hormone receptor-positive MBC treated with anastrozole were identified retrospectively. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotyped for five variants in three candidate genes. Time to progression was improved in patients carrying the variant alleles of rs4646 when compared to patients with the wild-type allele (16.40 months versus 13.52 months; p = 0.049). The rs4646 variant alleles were significantly associated with longer overall survival (37.3 months versus 31.6 months; p = 0.007). This relationship was not observed with the rs10046, rs2830, rs9926298 and rs9939609 polymorphisms. The findings of this study indicate that rs4646 polymorphism in the CYP19A1 gene may serve as a prognostic maker of the response to anastrozole in patients with MBC who are treated with anastrozole.