bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Correlation of Leadership Styles and the Political Behaviours of Employees in Workplaces
Authors: Erdem Mustafa , Alayoglu Nihat
Published: April 2016

Contemporary companies are giving considerable importance to satisfaction of their internal customers as well as satisfying their exterior customers by their goods and products. In tis context, employer branding-  an important concept developed by Simon Borrow- has been accepted as one of the most important developments of 1990s and myriad of companies has started to give importance to the mentioned point (Tüzüner, et al., 2009). Difficulties in finding talented employees, has made employer branding popular especially in service sector (Berthon vd. 2005; Knox and Freeman, 2006). According to information supplied from career portals, nowadays the highest number of job applications are being made to banking sector hence we were curious about this spesific sector in our study. Main sample of this study is composed of applicants that made job application to Albaraka Türk Participation Bank in the last three months prior to the design of this study. Aim of the study is measuring effects of employer branding dimensions in these applicant’s applicaitons behaviours and analyzing the relationship between their brand perceptions related to Albarak Türk Participation Bank and their levels of education and job experiences. With these purposes we used Berthon’s Employer Attractiveness Scale. Our survey has been applied to 500 job applicants from various education and experience levels and we used easy sampling method in choosing these applicants. Our survey, composed of 25 questions and Likert answer key with 7 answers has been brought to applicants via email and results have been analyzed by SPSS program. Our findings showed that rather than experience leves, education levels makes difference in appilicants perceptions about employer brand of the bank.
Relationship between the Islamic Work Ethic and the Love of Money
Authors: Senturk Faruk Kerem , Bayirli Mehmet
Published: April 2016

This study aims to determine the relationship between Islamic work ethics and the love of money, and was carried out with the participation of 500 tradesmen working in the Alanya district centre. It was determined from the research that there are positively significant correlations between the good, budget and power-success dimensions of the love of money and Islamic work ethic while no significant relationship was found with the evil dimension of the love of money. Furthermore, it was revealed that the perception of the Islamic work ethic changes according to marital status and the level of income.
An investigation of Budget-Related Antecedents of Job Performance
Authors: Karakoc Emine Yilmaz , Ozer Gokhan
Published: April 2016

This study aims to investigate budget related antecedents of job performance of managers. For this purpose, the effect of budgetary participation, budget goal commitment and information sharing on job performance of managers were examined. The sample consists of 104 managers who are responsible from the budgets of their units in different private enterprises. Most of these enterprises are operating in automotive sector and located in Marmara Region of Turkey. Survey data was analyzed with confirmatory factor analyses and Structural Equation Modeling. Results indicate that budgetary participation has statistically significant and positive impact on job performance. It also positively affects budget goal commitment and information sharing. Budget goal commitment and information sharing have significant and positive impact on job performance. In addition, budget goal commitment positively affects information sharing of managers. Analyses also revealed that budget goal commitment and information sharing have partial mediation effect on the relationship between budgetary participation and job performance.
Crisis of Legitimacy in Palestine
Authors: Albasoos Hani
Published: April 2016

Palestinian society is geographically separated and politically fragmented. This is attributed to partisan affiliation and alignment, absence of conceptual and professional framework of civil society, unethical approach of Palestinian political leaders, and unconstitutional political institutions. Such polarization and division have created political antagonism within elites and between factions. The broad objective of this research is to investigate the legitimacy crisis in Palestine, the current political dilemma in the Palestinian Authority, and the public response to the situation. The research introduces direct and thorough understanding of the developing political context surrounding these issues; taking into consideration that growing deficit in legitimacy could create potentially dire consequences, particularly if present trends on the ground continue. The research promotes an analytical perspective based on legitimacy theory and exploring recent public opinion polls.
Intergenerational Income Elasticity in Turkey
Authors: Mercan Murat Anıl , Barlin Hande
Published: April 2016

Social scientists have been intrigued by the relationship between generations based on different characteristics. Economists, has been especially interested in measuring intergenerational income elasticity, which looks at the relationship of parents and that of their children when they become adults and gives clue on trends of income inequality. Most of the literature concentrates on the experiences of developed countries and measurement issues. Nevertheless, new studies concerning intergenerational income elasticity is being undertaken in developing countries as the data become increasingly available for these countries. In this vein, there is only one previous study that investigates intergenerational income elasticity for Turkey. Mercan (2012) finds that intergenerational income elasticity is around 0.1 in Turkey, which depicts Turkey as a highly mobile country meaning that children of poor parents have a higher likelihood to have a better income status. However, his study does not depend on a longitudinal dataset, which might make Mercan’s (2012) estimate biased. Following Solon (1992) in using OLS for lower bound and instrumental variable (IV) for upper bound, this study puts forth a new estimate, which relies on a nationally representative and longitudinal dataset for Turkey. The study's estimate for intergenerational income elasticity varies between 0.3 and 0.6, which is much higher than the result of Mercan (2012), indicating that Turkey is a less mobile country than previously foreseen.
Impact of Disruptive Innovations on Mobile Telecom Industry in Lebanon
Authors: Bakhit Wael
Published: April 2016

The telecommunication industry is different from other industries in the basis of innovation rate. This industry continuously provides end users with new technological generations and disruptive technologies. Due to the complexity of the nature of the product served, telecommunication industry is an important case to study in order to explain the real reasons for the challenges facing telecom companies. Researching in this area will explain why some companies survive while others fail. The wide range served technology innovations is most likely to result in rapid mutation of consumers’ spending habits thus directly influencing the mobile phone companies. The aim of this is to test the reliability of innovations and its impact on companies’ profitability. For that purpose, a survey with 200 end users and 20 employees from two telecom providers (“Alfa, and “Touch”) was conducted to investigate various disruptive and conventional means and their impact on the financial performance of telecom industry. The results show that most of the revenue of telecom industry comes from usage of data while the industry is lacking for competition, and quality services while charging high tariffs for customers. Currently customers are migrating to data, therefore performing a pressure on the industry to improve its services. To conclude, network operators need to decide what to they want to sacrifice and how far they want to go to reach targeted results.
Service Quality Variables and Tourist Satisfaction at Destination Level – A Study of J&K Tourism
Authors: Sofi Maraj Rehman , Hakim Dr. Iqbal Ahmad , Gadoo Mohd Rafiq
Published: April 2016

The importance of quality service as a vehicle for communication is growing in competitive markets for tourism sector. Customer satisfaction is the leading criterion for determining the quality that is actually delivered to customers through the product/service and by the accompanying servicing. The research paper undertakes tourist satisfaction by examining causal relationships among the tourism products and overall tourist satisfaction at destination level. The research paper measures the tourism service and its impact of tourist satisfaction by examining parameters like main services, accessibility and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. The respondents of the research study have been tourists visiting at destinations of Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 150 respondents have been taken to collect required data pertaining to service quality and its impact on tourist satisfaction. The data has been collected through well designed questionnaire using 3-point Likert scale. The conclusion of the research study depicts that quality is considered as philosophy in guiding tourist destinations in relation to tourism services.
Longitudinal Change of Medial and Lateral Patellar Stiffness After Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament for Patients with Recurrent Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Kumahashi Nobuyuki , Kuwata Suguru , Takuwa Hiroshi , Egusa Norimasa , Uchio Yuji
Published: April 2016

Background:

Longitudinal changes in patellar stiffness following reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament for recurrent patellar dislocation at full extension are unknown.

Methods:

Fifteen consecutive patients (three men and twelve women, with a mean age of twenty-two years) with seventeen knees were matched by sex and age to thirty-two reference subjects in this prospective study. The follow-up period was a minimum of twenty-four months. The medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction used an autograft semitendinosus tendon and an interference screw system with or without lateral release under 10 N of laterally directed force. The medial patellar stiffness and lateral patellar stiffness were measured in 0° of knee extension using the Patella Stability Tester preoperatively; postoperatively at three, six, twelve, and eighteen months; and at the time of the latest follow-up. Before and after the surgical procedure, patients were evaluated for apprehension and Kujala and Lysholm scores; radiographic examinations were performed to evaluate changes, including osteoarthritic changes.

Results:

The medial stiffness of the affected side before the surgical procedure was significantly lower than the lateral stiffness (p = 0.004) and the stiffness for healthy reference knees (p = 0.004). Medial stiffness three months after the surgical procedure was significantly elevated compared with lateral values (p = 0.027), preoperative values (p < 0.001), and reference group values (p = 0.002); reached the reference level by six months; and was maintained for up to two years. Furthermore, medial stiffness and lateral stiffness were well balanced after six months and this balance was sustained for up to two years postoperatively. No recurrent dislocation occurred during the follow-up period; one patient experienced apprehension. Postoperative radiographic findings and clinical scores were significantly improved at the time of the latest follow-up (p < 0.05). One knee progressed to patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

Conclusions:

The value for medial stiffness was significantly improved three months after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction compared with the preoperative and lateral values and returned to the reference level by six months. Medial stiffness and lateral stiffness of the patella were well balanced by six months and retained that balance for up to two years, with good clinical results.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Anatomical Course of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve with Special Attention to the Anterior Approach to the Hip Joint
Authors: Rudin Diana , Manestar Mirjana , Ullrich Oliver , Erhardt Johannes , Grob Karl
Published: April 2016

Background:

Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is a risk during the operative anterior approach to the hip joint. Although several anatomical studies have described the proximal course of the nerve in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the inguinal ligament, the distal course of the LFCN in the proximal aspect of the thigh has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this cadaveric study was to examine the branching pattern of the nerve, with special consideration to the anterior approach to the hip joint.

Methods:

Twenty-eight cadaveric hemipelves from 18 donors (10 paired and 8 unpaired specimens) were dissected. The LFCN branches were localized proximal to the inguinal ligament and traced distally into the area of the proximal aspect of the thigh. Distribution patterns of the nerve with respect to its relationship to the ASIS and the internervous plane of the anterior approach to the hip joint were recorded.

Results:

We found 3 different branching patterns of the LFCN: sartorius-type (in 36% of the specimens), characterized by a dominant anterior nerve branch coursing along the lateral border of the sartorius muscle with no, or only a thin, posterior branch; posterior-type (in 32%), characterized by a strong posterior nerve branch; and fan-type (in 32%), characterized by multiple spreading nerve branches of equal thickness. In 50% of the specimens, the LFCN divided into ≥2 branches superior to the inguinal ligament. Sixty-two percent of the LFCN branches entered the proximal aspect of the thigh medial to the ASIS; 27%, above; and 11%, lateral to the ASIS. The LFCN consistently coursed within the deep layer of the subcutaneous fat tissue.

Conclusions:

Injury to branches of the LFCN cannot be avoided in approximately one-third of surgical dissections that use the anterior approach to the hip joint. To protect the anterior branch of the LFCN, the skin incision should be as lateral as possible. The posterior branch of the LFCN is most vulnerable in the proximal aspect of the anterior approach to the hip joint, where it can be expected to course within the deep layer of the subcutaneous tissue.
Viscosupplementation in Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence Revisited
Authors: Johal Herman , Devji Tahira , Schemitsch Emil H. , Bhandari Mohit
Published: April 2016

➢ The body of evidence surrounding the use of viscosupplementation in knee osteoarthritis is extensive and fraught with heterogeneous trials with conflicting conclusions.

➢ Attempts to aggregate the evidence through systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and guidelines have also resulted in unclear, discordant recommendations. Closer examination reveals that the evidence around viscosupplementation favors clinically important reductions in pain among higher-molecular-weight and cross-linked formulations and is a safe option in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

➢ Further large trials assessing the use of viscosupplementation across various formulations in knee osteoarthritis may confirm subgroup findings from meta-analyses; however, immediate focus on improved knowledge translation is required to ensure evidence-based approaches to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Real-time correction of antecedent precipitation for the Xinanjiang model using the genetic algorithm
Authors: Liao Sheng-Li , Li Gang , Sun Qian-Ying , Li Zhi-Fu
Published: April 2016

The Xinanjiang model has been successfully and widely applied in humid and semi-humid regions of China for rainfall–runoff simulation and flood forecasting. However, its forecasting precision is seriously affected by antecedent precipitation (Pa). Commonly applied methods relying on the experience of individual modelers are not standardized and difficult to transfer. In particular, the Xinanjiang daily model may result in obvious errors in the determination of Pa. Thus, a practical method for estimating Pa is proposed in this paper, which is based on a genetic algorithm (GA) and is estimated during a rising flood period. In the optimization process of a GA, Pa values form a chromosome, the root-mean-squared error between the observed and simulated streamflow is chosen as the fitness function. Simultaneously, the best individual reserved strategy is adopted between correction periods to avoid complete independence between each optimization process as well as to ensure the stability of the algorithm. Twenty-seven historical floods observed at the gauge station of the Shuangpai reservoir in Hunan Province of China are used to test the presented algorithm for estimation of Pa, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the quality of flood forecasting in the Xinanjiang model.
QMRA and water safety management: review of application in drinking water systems
Authors: Petterson S. R. , Ashbolt N. J.
Published: April 2016

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), the assessment of microbial risks when model inputs and estimated health impacts are explicitly quantified, is a valuable tool to support water safety plans (WSP). In this paper, research studies undertaken on the application of QMRA in drinking water systems were reviewed, highlighting their relevance for WSP. The important elements for practical implementation include: the data requirements to achieve sufficient certainty to support decision-making; level of expertise necessary to undertake the required analysis; and the accessibility of tools to support wider implementation, hence these aspects were the focus of the review. Recommendations to support the continued and growing application of QMRA to support risk management in the water sector are provided.
State of well-water quality in Kakua Chiefdom, Sierra Leone
Authors: Kaisam John P. , Kawa Yahaya K. , Moiwo Juana P. , Lamboi Umu
Published: April 2016

Water is the difference between living and non-living and water for drinking should be pollutant free. Thus, in supplies for urban and rural consumption, water quality is one of the most critical parameters to verify. Well and/or open-water systems are easily liable to anthropogenic contaminations, the source of most water-borne epidemics especially in developing countries like Sierra Leone. This study analyses 10 representative well-water systems for 18 water quality parameters in Kakua Chiefdom of Bo District, Sierra Leone. The study notes that well-water quality parameters such as total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, electrical conductivity, coliform and nitrate (NO3−) are fairly high above safe drinking water standard. The incidence of coliform in the well waters is highest in April and that of iron (Fe2+) and nitrate is highest in May. The Dipha Street well is amongst the most contaminated and has the highest scores for TDS, non-faecal coliform and fluoride (F−). Correlation analysis shows an interesting bond among the water quality parameters, ranging from strongly positive (R = 1.0) to strongly negative (R = −1.0). Fe2+ is strongly positively correlated with most of the well-water quality parameters. Irrespectively, the use of contaminated water in domestic and/or agro-industrial sectors could pose various health risks and epidemic outbreaks of different intensities.
Genetic variability and association of characters in Ethiopian hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) landraces
Authors: Aklilu Shimeles , Abebie Bekele , Wogari Dagne , T/Wolde Adeferis
Published: April 2016

Forty nine hot pepper accessions collected from different agroecologies were
compared in a 7x7 simple lattice design to estimate genetic variability and
understand the association of characters. Plant characters and yield
components were evaluated and analyzed accordingly. The values of genotypic
correlation coefficients were higher in magnitude than phenotypic values in
most instances in which fruit yield per plant showed high positive
significant genotypic correlation value with pericarp thickness (r = 0.91)
and number of fruits per plant (r = 0.61). On the other hand, significant
negative associations were registered with days to flowering (r = -0.73) and
50% fruiting period (r = -0.75). The phenotypic correlation coefficient of
most characters with yield was not significant except for flowering period,
fruit length and number of fruits per plant. The path coefficient analysis
indicated that pericarp thickness (mm) (5.5), fruit diameter (mm) (1.4),
number of fruits per plant (0.8), number of branches (0.33) and flowering
period (0.2) had the highest direct positive effect. However, fruit weight
(-2.8), number of internodes (-1.66), leaf area index (-1.6) and plant height
(-0.4) had a high negative direct effect on yield. The genetic component
analysis indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher
in magnitude than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most
characters except pericarp thickness and leaf area index. Higher magnitude of
GCV was observed in leaf area index (67%) followed by pericarp thickness
(34%), number of branches, internode length (23%) and plant height. Close
estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded from fruit and internode length,
pericarp thickness and fruiting period. Very high PCV and very low GCV
estimates were obtained from fruit weight and number of fruits, fruit yield,
plant height and canopy width. Broad sense heritability was high for fruiting
date, fruit length, plant height, internode length and fruit diameter.
However, genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) was high to moderate
for length and number of internodes, number of branches, fruit diameter and
weight, pericarp thickness and leaf area index. Therefore, from this study,
fruit diameter, pericarp thickness, leaf area index and internode length
exhibited high to moderate genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation
along with medium to high heritability and genetic advance and can be used as
a selection criterion for pepper improvement program.
Drivers of rice price variation in Nigeria: A two-stage iterative ridge regression approach
Authors: Ayinde Opeyemi , Aina Victor , Ayinde Kayode , Lukman Adewale
Published: April 2016

Most studies on local rice in Nigeria were centred on increasing production,
consumption or competitiveness with very few of them addressing the
determinants of the price of rice in an economy. Filling this gap requires a
study on the various factors that influence the price of rice. Food price
instability is a frequent forerunner of macroeconomic shocks and political
turmoil that can discourage long-run investment and curtail growth. In this
study, secondary data were employed. The study used descriptive statistics
tools to analyse the pattern of price variation over the period of 42 years
in the study area. Similarly, various factors affecting price variation of
rice were examined. The following recommendations were made: appropriate tax
collection measures on producers should be implemented so as to curtail
farmers from exploiting the masses by making excessive gains. Since the
decrease in export results in an increase in price, the government should
keep a balance between import and export to maintain the price of rice at a
reasonable level. The price of rice can be reduced by the government when
they implement measures to control the inflation rate in the economy. The
government should put measures to regulate the quantity of land used by rice
producers as well as to control the price of rice, since they both have a
positive relationship.
Effects of head pruning and different nutritional systems (chemical, biological and integrated) on seed yield and oil content in medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)
Authors: Zarei Dariush , Shabani Ghobad , Chaichi Reza , Akbarabadi Ali
Published: April 2016

To evaluate the effect of head pruning and different nutritional systems
(chemical, biological and integrated) on yield and seed oil content in
medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), an experiment was conducted in
Kermanshah/Iran during the 2013 growing season. The experimental treatments
consisted of two levels - no head pruning, control (Co) and head pruning (C1)
allocated to the main plots. Four levels of different fertilizing systems -
control (without fertilizer) (T0), chemical (T1), biological (a combination
of nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus mosseae)
(T2), and integrated fertilizing system (biological fertilizer + 50% chemical
fertilizer) (T3) were assigned to the sub-plots. The experimental treatments
were arranged as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design
with three replications. The results showed that the highest percentage of
seed oil was obtained (37%) in the integrated nutritional system along with
the head pruning treatment. The highest grain yields of 53 and 50 g per
square meter were obtained in integrated and chemical fertilizing systems,
respectively while no pruning was applied. The highest fruit yields of 3,710
and 3,668 kg per hectare were produced by chemical and integrated fertilizing
systems, respectively. The biological nutrition system required more time to
demonstrate its positive effect on the growth and yield of medicinal pumpkin.
Two warehouse inventory model for deteriorating item with exponential demand rate and permissible delay in payment
Authors: Kaliraman Naresh , Raj Ritu , Chandra Shalini , Chaudhary Harish
Published: April 2016

A two warehouse inventory model for deteriorating items is considered with
exponential demand rate and permissible delay in payment. Shortage is not
allowed and deterioration rate is constant. In the model, one warehouse is
rented and the other is owned. The rented warehouse is provided with better
facility for the stock than the owned warehouse, but is charged more. The
objective of this model is to find the best replenishment policies for
minimizing the total appropriate inventory cost. A numerical illustration and
sensitivity analysis is provided.
Evaluation of staining and color changes of a resin infiltration system
Authors: Leland Andrew , Akyalcin Sercan , English Jeryl D. , Tufekci Eser , Paravina Rade
Published: April 2016

Objective:

To analyze the staining and color changes of a resin infiltrant system used for management of white spot lesions (WSLs).

Materials and Methods:

WSLs were artificially created on left buccal halves of 48 extracted human teeth. These sites were then treated with resin infiltration (RI) while the right halves of the teeth remained as nonresin (NRI) areas. Six groups were formed (n = 8 teeth/group) and were exposed to the following: red wine, coffee, orange juice, combined staining agents, accelerated aging, and distilled water for 1 week. The teeth were then polished with a prophy cup and polishing paste. Color properties were assessed using a spectrophotometer at baseline (T0), after each exposure (T1), and after polishing (T2). Color difference (ΔE*) was calculated between each time point for both halves of the teeth (RI and NRI). Data were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance with presence of resin infiltration and staining agents as the main effects for each time point pair. Multiple comparisons were made with a Bonferroni post hoc test. The level of significance was set at P < .05.

Results:

The red wine and combined staining agent groups caused the greatest color change between all intervals (P < .05). Significant interactions were recorded between resin infiltration application and staining agents at all time periods (P < .05). The presence of resin infiltration as a main effect did not affect color change between T0 and T2 (P > .05).

Conclusions:

RI areas showed higher staining susceptibility than did NRI areas. However, prophylaxis had a strong effect on reversing the discoloration of both RI and NRI areas.
Integrin-Linked Kinase in Muscle Is Necessary for the Development of Insulin Resistance in Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Kang Li , Mokshagundam Shilpa , Reuter Bradley , Lark Daniel S. , Sneddon Claire C. , Hennayake Chandani , Williams Ashley S. , Bracy Deanna P. , James Freyja D. , Pozzi Ambra , Zent Roy , Wasserman David H.
Published: April 2016

Diet-induced muscle insulin resistance is associated with expansion of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagens, and the expression of collagen-binding integrin, α2β1. Integrins transduce signals from ECM via their cytoplasmic domains, which bind to intracellular integrin-binding proteins. The integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-PINCH-parvin (IPP) complex interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of β-integrin subunits and is critical for integrin signaling. In this study we defined the role of ILK, a key component of the IPP complex, in diet-induced muscle insulin resistance. Wild-type (ILKlox/lox) and muscle-specific ILK-deficient (ILKlox/loxHSAcre) mice were fed chow or a high-fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks. Body weight was not different between ILKlox/lox and ILKlox/loxHSAcre mice. However, HF-fed ILKlox/loxHSAcre mice had improved muscle insulin sensitivity relative to HF-fed ILKlox/lox mice, as shown by increased rates of glucose infusion, glucose disappearance, and muscle glucose uptake during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Improved muscle insulin action in the HF-fed ILKlox/loxHSAcre mice was associated with increased insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and increased muscle capillarization. These results suggest that ILK expression in muscle is a critical component of diet-induced insulin resistance, which possibly acts by impairing insulin signaling and insulin perfusion through capillaries.
Discovery of a Genetic Metabolic Cause for Mauriac Syndrome in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: MacDonald Michael J. , Hasan Noaman M. , Ansari Israr-ul H. , Longacre Melissa J. , Kendrick Mindy A. , Stoker Scott W.
Published: April 2016

A mechanistic cause for Mauriac syndrome, a syndrome of growth failure and delayed puberty associated with massive liver enlargement from glycogen deposition in children with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, is unknown. We discovered a mutation in the catalytic subunit of liver glycogen phosphorylase kinase in a patient with Mauriac syndrome whose liver extended into his pelvis. Glycogen phosphorylase kinase activates glycogen phosphorylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first step in glycogen breakdown. We show that the mutant subunit acts in a dominant manner to completely inhibit glycogen phosphorylase kinase enzyme activity and that this interferes with glycogenolysis causing increased levels of glycogen in human liver cells. It is known that even normal blood glucose levels physiologically inhibit glycogen phosphorylase to diminish glucose release from the liver when glycogenolysis is not needed. The patient’s mother possessed the same mutant glycogen phosphorylase kinase subunit, but did not have diabetes or hepatomegaly. His father had childhood type 1 diabetes in poor glycemic control, but lacked the mutation and had neither hepatomegaly nor growth failure. This case proves that the effect of a mutant enzyme of glycogen metabolism can combine with hyperglycemia to directly hyperinhibit glycogen phosphorylase, in turn blocking glycogenolysis causing the massive liver in Mauriac disease.
α-Hydroxybutyric Acid Is a Selective Metabolite Biomarker of Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Cobb Jeff , Eckhart Andrea , Motsinger-Reif Alison , Carr Bernadette , Groop Leif , Ferrannini Ele
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Plasma metabolites that distinguish isolated impaired glucose tolerance (iIGT) from isolated impaired fasting glucose (iIFG) may be useful biomarkers to predict IGT, a high-risk state for the development of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Targeted metabolomics with 23 metabolites previously associated with dysglycemia was performed with fasting plasma samples from subjects without diabetes at time 0 of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in two observational cohorts: RISC (Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease) and DMVhi (Diabetes Mellitus and Vascular Health Initiative). Odds ratios (ORs) for a one-SD change in the metabolite level were calculated using multiple logistic regression models controlling for age, sex, and BMI to test for associations with iIGT or iIFG versus normal. Selective biomarkers of iIGT were further validated in the Botnia study.

RESULTS

α-Hydroxybutyric acid (α-HB) was most strongly associated with iIGT in RISC (OR 2.54 [95% CI 1.86–3.48], P value 5E-9) and DMVhi (2.75 [1.81–4.19], 4E-5) while having no significant association with iIFG. In Botnia, α-HB was selectively associated with iIGT (2.03 [1.65–2.49], 3E-11) and had no significant association with iIFG. Linoleoyl-glycerophosphocholine (L-GPC) and oleic acid were also found to be selective biomarkers of iIGT. In multivariate IGT prediction models, addition of α-HB, L-GPC, and oleic acid to age, sex, BMI, and fasting glucose significantly improved area under the curve in all three cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

α-HB, L-GPC, and oleic acid were shown to be selective biomarkers of iIGT, independent of age, sex, BMI, and fasting glucose, in 4,053 subjects without diabetes from three European cohorts. These biomarkers can be used in predictive models to identify subjects with IGT without performing an OGTT.
Metallurgical Failure Investigation of HCF Cracking in a Premix Fuel Oil Manifold of a Heavy-duty Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Engine
Authors: Neidel A. , Fischer B. , Cagliyan E.
Published: April 2016

There was a fire incident at a combined cycle engine after almost 100 000 operating hours. The engine was operating on fuel oil at the time of failure. The fire was located at one burner only. An extensive visual inspection revealed that the fire was apparently caused by a leakage due to cracking in that burner's fuel oil premix (FOPM) manifold.

The subject component failed due to high cycle fatigue (HCF) cracking. The failure mechanism is purely mechanical. No corrosion was involved, nor any form of stress corrosion cracking (SCC). No evidence of any material or weld imperfections was found. The cyclic loading that caused the cracking was partly reversed bending.
Ion Beam Processing in the Sample Preparation for the Analysis of Ductile Damage in Deep Drawing Steels
Authors: Besserer H.-B. , Gerstein G. , Dalinger A. , Jablonik L. , Rodman D. , Nürnberger F.
Published: April 2016

Ion beam polishing and ion beam etching have proven their worth in examinations for which mechanical and wet chemical methods can not be applied. The analysis of voids in steel microstructures requires a sample preparation which provides for a surface ablation without mechanical impact on the sample surface. Otherwise, smearing effects prevent the revealing of voids. These voids arise during cold forming. They provide information on the ductile damage which is characterized by the formation, growth, and the merging of cavities in the microstructure. Taking the example of deep drawing steels, modified preparation methods for the imaging of microvoids and nanovoids by means of electron microscopy are presented. The specific resulting surface topography, which is influenced by the ion beam's angle of incidence, the accelerating voltage, and the processing time, is examined in a parameter study. It will be analyzed to what extent the relief structures created by ion beam processing are helpful for or interfere with the examinations. In addition to that, their suitability for the interpretation of microstructural processes in the context of the occurrence and evolution of ductile damages is discussed.
Prevalence, Patterns and Predictors of Psychotropic Polypharmacy Among Elderly Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease In Long Term Care Settings In The United States
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sandipan , Goldstone Lisa , Warholak Terri
Published: April 2016

Background: Elderly individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) generally suffer from more than one psychiatric comorbidity, which necessitates the use of concurrent psychotropic medications. To the best of the author’s knowledge there are no nationally representative estimates of psychotropic polypharmacy among elderly individuals with PD in the United States (US).

Objective: Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to examine the prevalence, patterns and predictors of psychotropic polypharmacy among elderly individuals with PD in the (US).

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study design with 2004 National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS) and 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS) data was used. The analytic sample included elderly (age ≥65 years) individuals with PD. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, and anti-anxiety medications constituted the psychotropic medication classes. Concurrent use of two or more psychotropic medications was classified as psychotropic polypharmacy.

Results: Approximately 93,648 and 37,439 elderly individuals with PD resided in nursing homes and home health settings respectively. Among elderly nursing home residents with PD, the nationally representative prevalence of psychotropic polypharmacy was 26.28%, whereas, it was 21.36% in the home health setting. Use of antidepressant medications constituted the majority of the psychotropic medication use among both nursing home (48.91%) and home health (40.98%) residents with PD. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that specific comorbidities were significantly associated with psychotropic polypharmacy among elderly nursing home residents with PD.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of evidence-based prescribing when psychotropic medications are used in elderly individuals with PD to reduce unnecessary polypharmacy.
Sudden Death: An Uncommon Occurrence in Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Authors: Molenaar Joery P. , Wilbers Joyce , Aerts Marjolein B. , Leijten Quinten H. , van Dijk Jan G. , Esselink Rianne A. , Bloem Bastiaan R.
Published: April 2016

We present a 75-year-old woman with dementia and parkinsonism who developed severe orthostatic hypotension and eventually died. Autopsy revealed extensive Lewy body formation in the midbrain, limbic system, intermediate spinal cord, and medulla oblongata. Furthermore, a vast amount of Lewy bodies was seen in the paravertebral sympathetic ganglia which likely explained the severe autonomic failure. We speculate that this autonomic failure caused sudden death through dysregulation of respiration or heart rhythm, reminiscent of sudden death in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Clinicians should be aware of this complication in patients presenting with parkinsonism and autonomic dysfunction, and that sudden death may occur in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) as it does in MSA.
Impulse Control Disorders – The Continuum Hypothesis
Authors: Stenberg Georg
Published: April 2016

The group Parkinson Inside Out is composed of health professionals and academic researchers who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In our discussions we try to make use of both our inside perspective as patients, and our outside perspective as professionals. In this paper, we apply the two perspectives to the Impulse Control Disorders. These impulsive behaviour patterns are thought to be relatively uncommon side effects of some of the medication used in dopamine replacement therapy. The phenomenon is usually described as relatively rare (<15%), and mainly confined to patients with special vulnerabilities. In contrast, we propose that having some problems with controlling impulses is a very common experience for patients undergoing dopamine replacement therapy. They result from difficulties in decision making engendered by variations in dopamine accessibility in the reward centre of the brain. Only in a minority do the consequences grow to the damaging proportions of a disorder, but most patients are probably affected to some degree. Seeing, and measuring, decision difficulties as a continuous dimension, rather than as a discrete category, brings increased possibilities for early detection and continuous monitoring. With reliable measures of the propensity for impulsive decision making, it may become possible to both reap the benefits and avoid the dangers of the dopamine agonists. We point to ways of empirically testing our continuity hypothesis.
Wheat Sown with Narrow Spacing Results in Higher Yield and Water Use Efficiency under Deficit Supplemental Irrigation at the Vegetative and Reproductive Stage
Authors: Hussain Mubshar , Farooq Shahid , Jabran Khawar , Ijaz Muhammad , Sattar Abdul , Hassan Waseem
Published: April 2016

A decrease in water resources around the globe in irrigated agriculture has resulted in a steep decline in irrigation water availability. Therefore, management options for efficient use of available irrigation water are inevitable. Deciding the critical time, frequency and amount of irrigation are compulsory to achieve higher crop outputs. Hence, this two-year field study was conducted to assess the role of different row spacings, i.e., 20, 25 and 30 cm, on growth, productivity, and water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat under deficit supplemental irrigation (DSI) at the vegetative and reproductive phase by using surplus supplemental irrigation (SSI) throughout the growing season as the control. DSI at both growth stages, and the reproductive stage in particular, changed the crop allometry, yield and net income of wheat. However, narrow spacing (20 cm) resulted in efficient use of available irrigation water (DSI and SSI) with higher yield, WUE and economic returns. Interestingly, wider spacing resulted in a higher number of grains per spike with higher 1000-grain weight under SSI and DSI, but final yield output remained poor due to a lower number of productive tillers. It was concluded that reducing irrigation during the vegetative stage is less damaging compared with the reproductive phase; therefore, sufficient supplemental irrigation must be added at the reproductive stage, particularly during grain-filling. Further, narrow spacing (20 cm) resulted in efficient utilization of available irrigation water; therefore, wheat must be grown at a narrow spacing to ensure the efficient utilization of available irrigation water.
Recent Progress in Anti-Obesity and Anti-Diabetes Effect of Berries
Authors: Tsuda Takanori
Published: April 2016

Berries are rich in polyphenols such as anthocyanins. Various favorable functions of berries cannot be explained by their anti-oxidant properties, and thus, berries are now receiving great interest as food ingredients with “beyond antioxidant” functions. In this review, we discuss the potential health benefits of anthocyanin-rich berries, with a focus on prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes. To better understand the physiological functionality of berries, the exact molecular mechanism of their anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effect should be clarified. Additionally, the relationship of metabolites and degradation products with health benefits derived from anthocyanins needs to be elucidated. The preventive effects of berries and anthocyanin-containing foods on the metabolic syndrome are not always supported by findings of interventional studies in humans, and thus further studies are necessary. Use of standardized diets and conditions by all research groups may address this problem. Berries are tasty foods that are easy to consume, and thus, investigating their health benefits is critical for health promotion and disease prevention.
Hybrid Robust Control Law with Disturbance Observer for High-Frequency Response Electro-Hydraulic Servo Loading System
Authors: Sheng Zhiqing , Li Yunhua
Published: April 2016

Addressing the simulating issue of the helicopter-manipulating booster aerodynamic load with high-frequency dynamic load superimposed on a large static load, this paper studies the design of the robust controller for the electro-hydraulic loading system to realize the simulation of this kind of load. Firstly, the equivalent linear model of the electro-hydraulic loading system under assumed parameter uncertainty is established. Then, a hybrid control scheme is proposed for the loading system. This control scheme consists of a constant velocity feed-forward compensator, a robust inner loop compensator based on disturbance observer and a robust outer loop feedback controller. The constant velocity compensator eliminates most of the extraneous force at first, and then the double-loop cascade composition control strategy is employed to design the compensated system. The disturbance observer–based inner loop compensator further restrains the disturbances including the remaining extraneous force, and makes the actual plant tracking a nominal model approximately in a certain frequency range. The robust outer loop controller achieves the desired force-tracking performance, and guarantees system robustness in the high frequency region. The optimized low-pass filter Q(s) is designed by using the H∞ mixed sensitivity optimization method. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid control scheme and controller can effectively suppress the extraneous force and improve the robustness of the electro-hydraulic loading system.
An Incidental Renal Oncocytoma: 18F-Choline PET/MRI
Authors: Mallia Andrew , Bashir Usman , Stirling James , Wolfe Konrad , Goh Vicky , Cook Gary
Published: April 2016

PET/MRI is a new hybrid imaging modality and has the potential to become a powerful imaging tool. It is currently one of the most active areas of research in diagnostic imaging. The characterisation of an incidental renal lesion can be difficult. In particular, the differentiation of an oncocytoma from other solid renal lesions such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a diagnostic challenge. We describe the detection of an incidental renal oncocytoma in a 79-year gentleman who underwent a re-staging 18F-Choline PET/MRI following a rise in PSA values (4.07, nadir 1.3).
Optimal Siting of Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Based on Fuzzy Delphi and Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approaches from an Extended Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Li Nana
Published: April 2016

Optimal siting of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) is crucial to the sustainable development of electric vehicle systems. Considering the defects of previous heuristic optimization models in tackling subjective factors, this paper employs a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to address the issue of EVCS siting. The initial criteria for optimal EVCS siting are selected from extended sustainability theory, and the vital sub-criteria are further determined by using a fuzzy Delphi method (FDM), which consists of four pillars: economy, society, environment and technology perspectives. To tolerate vagueness and ambiguity of subjective factors and human judgment, a fuzzy Grey relation analysis (GRA)-VIKOR method is employed to determine the optimal EVCS site, which also improves the conventional aggregating function of fuzzy Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacijia I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). Moreover, to integrate the subjective opinions as well as objective information, experts’ ratings and Shannon entropy method are employed to determine combination weights. Then, the applicability of proposed framework is demonstrated by an empirical study of five EVCS site alternatives in Tianjin. The results show that A3 is selected as the optimal site for EVCS, and sub-criteria affiliated with environment obtain much more attentions than that of other sub-criteria. Moreover, sensitivity analysis indicates the selection results remains stable no matter how sub-criteria weights are changed, which verifies the robustness and effectiveness of proposed model and evaluation results. This study provides a comprehensive and effective method for optimal siting of EVCS and also innovates the weights determination and distance calculation for conventional fuzzy VIKOR.