bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Labor Market Adjustments to Large Scale Emigration: The Philippine Case
Authors: Tan Edita A.
Published: January 2015

The international migration of Filipinos has raised questions on how outflows of human resources have affected the domestic labor market. Focusing on the education-labor market, the article presents a theoretical and empirical description of the factors affecting the supply and demand of specific skills. Typical of less developed countries, the education-labor market in the Philippines is beset by capital and information imperfections. The article advances that the education-labor market has flexibility in supplying many of the skills demanded domestically and overseas. However, capital and information imperfections have restricted the efficient allocation of education or training investment to employment opportunities in the domestic and foreign labor markets.
Immigration Policy and New Zealand's Development into the 21st Century: Review and Speculation
Authors: Bedford Richard , Ho Elsie , Lidgard Jacqueline
Published: January 2015

This article reviews the impacts of changes in immigration policy since the 1980s on New Zealand's population, with particular reference to the labor market, and discusses recent initiatives in strengthening policies for New Zealand's development in the 21st century. The policy objectives of encouraging the immigration of highly skilled people and those with capital to invest in business development initially drew favorable response, especially from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. However, the actual experiences of migrants in the New Zealand labor market and business environment were much less positive. Immigrants from Asian countries were found to have high levels of unemployment. Another concern is the emigration of skilled people from New Zealand. The government has undertaken a review of immigration policies and is supporting a longitudinal study of immigrant experiences. The final section speculates on prospects for immigration and the labor force into the 21st century, bearing in mind the evolving immigration policy environment.
Dreaming inside a Walled City: Imagination, Gender and the Roots of Immigration
Authors: Teo Sin Yih
Published: January 2015

Focusing on the phase before immigration occurs, this paper examines the social and cultural embeddedness, as well as gendered nature, of migration decisions. Based upon focus groups and interviews with recent immigrants from the People's Republic of China in Vancouver, Canada, I explore migrants' deeply personal and multi-layered reasons for departure, challenging economistic views that tend to overvalorize the desire for improving human capital. I also consider the phenomenon of the “adventuring wife” and her “agreeing husband” through a gender lens. The paper demonstrates the significance of context, and reveals the active role of the imagination in initiating migration.
Educational Status of Temporary Migrant Children in China: Determinants and Regional Variations
Authors: Lu Yao
Published: January 2015

This paper examines the educational status of temporary migrant children in China, using a unique data set specifically designed to study this population across a wide range of migration destinations. The determinants of migrant children's schooling at both the micro-level (child- and family-level) and macro-level (city-level) were examined using multiple measures of schooling to provide a more complete picture. Emphasis has been placed on gender gap and city-level variations. Results show that household composition, family size and economic conditions are all strong predictors of migrant children's schooling. Based on contrasting children pairs within households using fixed-effect models, the study found no gender gap in migrant children's schooling, despite the persistent son preference in the rural areas where migrants came from. Importantly, variations across city-specific contexts are evident: migrant children in more coastal regions and in destinations with high levels of development and high concentration of migrants are especially disadvantaged, presumably due to the more restrictive migration controls in such areas. Results are shown to be robust to outliers, potential confounders as well as different proxy measures of migration controls.
Bangladesh
Authors: Sikder Mohammad Jalal Uddin
Published: January 2015

New opportunities for international migration, especially migration for employment, arose since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Temporary labor migration is mostly to countries in the Middle East and South-East Asia while the United Kingdom and the United States of America are the major destinations for permanent migration. The Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), the implementing arm of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, collects basic statistics on international labor migration. Aside from documenting labor outflows, BMET has started to develop a database on return migration. Some suggestions for collaborative work involving government agencies, academia and NGOs are presented.
Iranian Rural Youths' Intention to Migrate to Urban Areas
Authors: Alibaygi Amirhossein , Karamidehkordi Esmail
Published: January 2015

This study probed into the migration intentions of rural youths in West Iran and sought to identify the variables influencing these intentions. The study found that about one-third of the youths had a high to very high intention of migrating to urban areas. The stepwise multiple regression revealed four factors to be statistically significant determinants of migration intentions, namely, attitudes to agriculture, family structure, parental relations, and number of friends and family members in the urban areas. Findings suggest that supporting inter-generational relationships and agricultural activities, and enhancing the economic and socio-cultural aspects of rural areas can encourage young people to remain in the rural areas.
Labor Nationalization Policies in Oman: Implications for Omani and Migrant Women Workers
Authors: Zerovec Mojca , Bontenbal Marike
Published: January 2015

The Sultanate of Oman has relatively high unemployment, especially among women and youth, while its economy continues to rely on imported labor. To reduce dependence on foreign labor and to tackle unemployment, the government introduced a policy of Omanization or nationalization of its labor force. As part of a wider agenda for the diversification and privatization of the Omani economy, a key aim of the policy is to increase the participation of women in the labor force, to maximize the use of national human resources and to enhance the return of investments from the rapidly expanding educational attainment of Omani females in the last two decades. This paper focuses on female labor force participation in Oman and examines the implications of Omanization for women in the teaching and nursing professions. Empirical research was carried out in Muscat to determine how labor nationalization manifests in the workplace and to what extent and in what way Omani and migrant women workers perceive and respond to the effects of the policy. The results aim to shed light on the feasibility of labor nationalization policy implementation, and how Omanization policies may lead to a more efficient and effective use of the country's human resources.
Tobacco Use and Exposure among Children in Migrant and Non-Migrant Households in Java, Indonesia
Authors: Sukamdi  , Wattie Anna Marie
Published: January 2015

This research note aims to understand the impact of parental migration on the children who stay behind by examining the issue of smoking. It asks whether tobacco use and exposure are higher among children in migrant households compared with those in non-migrant households in Java, Indonesia. Data were collected in 2008 in two provinces, West Java and East Java, as part of the Child Health and Migrant Parents in South-East Asia (CHAMPSEA) Project. The analytical sample used here relates to children aged 9, 10 and 11 living in both non-migrant and transnational households (N=451).

The findings show that the incidence of ever having smoked among these primary school-aged children is relatively low at less than 10 percent, but that boys are much more likely to have used tobacco than girls. Findings from multivariate logistic models predicting smoking behavior show no difference between the children of migrants and non-migrants; nor does household wealth appear to influence whether or not a child has tried to-bacco. Gender, child stunting (low height-for-age), carer's education, family functioning and tobacco use by friends are the four main factors found to be significantly associated with child smoking.
Transnational Undocumented Marriages in the Sino-Vietnamese Border Areas of China
Authors: Maochun Liang , Wen Chen
Published: January 2015

For many countries, irregular immigration usually engenders adverse public reaction and restrictionist policies. However, public attitudes often vary and looser policies have been adopted at certain times and for certain reasons. The purpose of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of undocumented, transnational marriages in the Sino-Vietnamese border areas of China, and to explain why many undocumented immigrants are treated leniently and/or have not been deported. Research reveals that this could be due to female immigrants considerably relieving the marriage market crisis along China's border. Thus, unauthorized border crossing continues despite prohibition and de facto marriage is prevalent and uncontrollable. China and Vietnam have yet to establish a bilateral cooperation to address the problematic aspects of this phenomenon.
The Turning Point in International Migration and Economic Development in Korea
Authors: Park Young-Bum
Published: January 2015

Korea passed its turning point in international labor migration in the 1990s, largely due to government policies aimed at rapid economic development, industrial upgrading and coping with demographic change. From the 1960s to the 1980s, international migration was initiated and pursued by the government, bringing in remittances which improved the balance of payments and helped fund investment projects necessary for industrial upgrading. Rapid upgrading, coupled with demographic and social changes, have led to a need for unskilled foreign workers on a large scale. With a large influx of illegal workers, the Korean government now faces changing its policy to allow unskilled workers to enter the country.
Development, Employment, and Migration
Authors: Martin Philip L.
Published: January 2015

The concept of Asian Pacific panethnicity is examined in the light of the growing numbers and diversity of the population in the 1990s. The term ‘Asian American’ originated in the civil rights period of the 1960s to help unify Asian groups in the common struggle against negative stereotypes and discrimination. Revised immigration laws, new immigrant groups and continued hostility have brought new challenges, and it is argued that Asian Pacific Americans as a group can provide important leadership for the U.S.'s transformation to a more truly multicultural society.
Typology and Conditions of Migrant Workers in South Korea
Authors: Kang Su Dol
Published: January 2015

After presenting the three major types of migrant workers currently in South Korea — professional employees, technical trainees and illegal workers — this article examines the role of contractors and other middlemen to expose the possibility for ‘intermediary exploitation.’ The results of such exploitation are illustrated in the living and working conditions of foreign workers.
The adverse health effects of synthetic cannabinoids with emphasis on psychosis-like effects
Authors: van Amsterdam Jan , Brunt Tibor , van den Brink Wim
Published: January 2015

Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. Cannabis containing high levels of the partial cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB1) agonist tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is associated with the induction of psychosis in susceptible subjects and with the development of schizophrenia, whereas the use of cannabis variants with relatively high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) is associated with fewer psychotic experiences. Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are full agonists and often more potent than THC. Moreover, in contrast to natural cannabis, SCRAs preparations contain no CBD so that these drugs may have a higher psychosis-inducing potential than cannabis. This paper reviews the general toxicity profile and the adverse effects of SCRAs with special emphasis on their psychosis-inducing risk. The review shows that, compared with the use of natural cannabis, the use of SCRAs may cause more frequent and more severe unwanted negative effects, especially in younger, inexperienced users. Psychosis and psychosis-like conditions seem to occur relatively often following the use of SCRAs, presumably due to their high potency and the absence of CBD in the preparations. Studies on the relative risk of SCRAs compared with natural cannabis to induce or evoke psychosis are urgently needed.
Comparison of volume perfusion computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessment of therapeutic effect of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary report
Authors: Kaufmann Sascha , Schulze Maximilian , Spira Daniel , Horger Marius
Published: January 2015

Background

Evaluation of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and volume perfusion computed tomography (VPCT) as methods that display tumor vascularization.

Purpose

To assess early results of TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using CEUS and VPCT.

Material and Methods

Twenty patients with HCC underwent CEUS and VPCT in the pre- and post-TACE setting (1 day). Hepatic perfusion index (HPI), arterial liver perfusion (ALP), blood flow (BF), and blood volume (BV) were measured with VPCT. Peak intensity (PI), time-to-peak (TTP), and regional blood flow (RBF) were measured with CEUS. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and cutoff values for these parameters were calculated. Immediate tumor response after TACE was classified as responder or non-responder. Results were compared with those at follow-up after 2 and 4 months (FU2mo/FU4mo) following modified RECIST.

Results

CEUS and VPCT showed comparable immediate post-TACE results in 20/20 cases. Complete response was confirmed in 10/20 patients at FU2mo and in 9/20 at FU4mo. For responders, reduction in HPI, ALP, BV, and BF at day 1 post TACE proved significant ( P < 0.001). For non-responders, the course of all VPCT parameters proved non-significant. A cutoff of 40% reduction in HPI and a reduction in ALP of >29.6%, in BV of >41.4%, or in BF of >53.1% was indicative of response according to FU2mo. For responders only, changes in PI ( P < 0.001), TTP ( P < 0.01), and BF ( P < 0.01) proved significant whereas for non-responders, all CEUS parameters proved non-significant.

Conclusion

CEUS performs equally to VPCT for assessment of early response to TACE in HCC by a lesion-by-lesion assessment and showed prognostic value at mid-term.
Natural alginate biopolymer montmorillonite clay composites for vitamin B2 delivery
Authors: Kaygusuz Hakan , Uysal Mutlu , Adımcılar Veselina , Erim F Bedia
Published: January 2015

This work describes the in vitro release of a small drug, riboflavin, from novel calcium and barium crosslinked alginate–montmorillonite composite beads via oral route. Effect of crosslinking cation, concentration of montmorillonite and media on encapsulation efficiencies, and release profiles of riboflavin were studied. Beads were characterized using gravimetric swelling ability study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that addition of montmorillonite increases the encapsulation efficiencies and slows down the release rates significantly.
Tocotrienol preserves ovarian function in cyclophosphamide therapy
Authors: Saleh HS , Omar E , Froemming GRA , Said RM
Published: January 2015

Introduction:

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) chemotherapy leads to ovarian failure and infertility. Tocotrienol (T3) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The role of T3 in ovarian protection throughout chemotherapy remains unclear.

Aim:

To investigate the role of T3 in the preservation of female fertility in CPA treatment.

Method:

Sixty female mice were divided into five treatment groups, namely, normal saline, corn oil only, T3 only, CPA and CPA + T3. The treatment was given for 30 days, followed by administration of gonadotrophin to induce ovulation. After killing, both ovaries were collected and examined histologically.

Results:

There was significant reduction in ovarian size in the CPA group compared with the normal group (CPA versus normal, mean area ± SD; 0.118 ± 0.018 vs. 0.423 ± 0.024 cm2; p ≤ 0.005), whilst concurrent administration of T3 with CPA leads to conservation of ovarian size (CPA + T3 vs. CPA, mean area ± SD; 0.285 ± 0.032 vs. 0.118 ± 0.018 cm2; p ≤ 0.005). Ovaries in CPA group showed abnormal folliculogenesis with accompanied reduced ovulation rate, follicular oedema, increased vascularity and inflammatory cell infiltration. These changes were reversed by concurrent T3 administration.

Conclusion:

Co-administration of T3 with CPA confers protection of ovarian morphology and function in vivo. These findings contribute to the further elucidation of CPA effect on ovary and suggest the potential of T3 use in preserving fertility in chemotherapy.
Internationalization and Global Tension
Authors: Altbach Philip G. , de Wit Hans
Published: January 2015

Increasing political and military tension in several parts of the world will inevitably affect international higher education. Nationalist, religious, and ideological conflicts challenge the original ideas of international cooperation and exchange in higher education as promoters of peace and mutual understanding and of global engagement. Since the end of the Cold War, we have not seen this type of tension and turmoil on such a scale. What lessons can we learn from the past in how to act and react in this new environment? In the 20th century, politics and international ideological struggles dominated the world. Academic cooperation and exchange have been critical in maintaining connections between nations and have paved the way for further contacts. Even though we should be realistic that international cooperation and exchange are not a guarantee of peace and mutual understanding, they certainly keep communication open and dialogue active. Will the increasingly widespread conflicts in the world today, based on religious fundamentalism, resurgent nationalism, and other challenges, harm the impressive strides that have been made in international higher education cooperation?
Fractal dimension-based approach for detection of multiple combined faults on induction motors
Authors: Amezquita-Sanchez Juan P , Valtierra-Rodriguez Martin , Camarena-Martinez David , Granados-Lieberman David , Romero-Troncoso Rene J , Dominguez-Gonzalez Aurelio
Published: January 2015

Induction motors, key elements for industry, are susceptible to one or more faults at the same time; yet, they can keep working without affecting the process, but increasing the production costs. For this reason, a monitoring system that can efficiently diagnose the induction motor condition, even under multiple combined faults, is a demanding task. In this work, a methodology and its implementation into a field programmable gate array for an online and real-time monitoring system of multiple combined faults are presented. First, the fractal dimension approach, using the Katz algorithm, is introduced as a measure of variation of 3-axis startup vibration signals for the induction motor condition, considering that these signals describe changes on its dynamic characteristics due to the different faults. Then, an artificial neural network determines in an automatic way the induction motor condition according to the fractal dimension values. The obtained results show a higher overall efficiency than previous works for detecting broken rotor bars, outer-race bearing defects, unbalance, and their combinations, as well as a healthy condition.
Telemonitoring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cost and cost-utility analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Stoddart Andrew , van der Pol Marjon , Pinnock Hilary , Hanley Janet , McCloughan Lucy , Todd Allison , Krishan Ashma , McKinstry Brian
Published: January 2015

We compared the costs and cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring vs usual care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 256 patients were randomised to either telemonitoring or usual care. In the telemonitoring arm, the touch-screen telemonitoring equipment transmitted data to clinical teams monitoring the patients. Total healthcare costs were estimated over a 12-month period from a National Health Service perspective and quality adjusted life year (QALYs) were estimated by the EQ-5D tool. Telemonitoring was not significantly more costly than usual care (mean difference per patient £2065.90 ( P < 0.18). The increased costs were predominantly due to telemonitoring service costs and non-significantly higher secondary care costs. Telemonitoring for COPD was not cost-effective at a base case of £137,277 per QALY with only 15% probability of being cost-effective at the usual threshold of £30,000 per QALY. Although there was some statistical and methodological uncertainty in the measures used, telemonitoring was not cost-effective in the sensitivity analyses performed. It seems unlikely that a telemonitoring service of the kind that was trialled would be cost-effective in providing care for people with COPD.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Careers and Human Resource Development
Authors: McFadden Ciarán
Published: January 2015

A systematic review was carried out on literature within the business, management, and broader social sciences disciplines, from 1985 to the present day, on the careers and workplace experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers. Major themes identified included identity, sexual orientation discrimination, career/identity overlap, and social issues. Discussion and conclusions build on these themes. In addition, the characteristics of the literature surrounding this topic were also examined. Findings include the growth of academic interest in LGBT issues in recent years and, despite this, the relative dearth in management studies regarding this population. The topic still remains under-researched; areas that require further study and exposition are highlighted. Recommendations are made for HRD practitioners and for future research. This article is of relevance to LGBT individuals, managers, HRD practitioners, academics in the field, and for wider policy influencers interested in the promotion of workplace diversity.
The Internet’s Multiple Roles in Facilitating the Sexual Orientation Identity Development of Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents
Authors: Harper Gary W. , Serrano Pedro A. , Bruce Douglas , Bauermeister Jose A.
Published: January 2015

One emerging avenue for the exploration of adolescents’ sexual orientation identity development is the Internet, since it allows for varying degrees of anonymity and exploration. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the role of the Internet in facilitating the sexual orientation identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. Qualitative interviews were conducted with an ethnically diverse sample of 63 gay/bisexual male adolescents (ages 15-23). Participants reported using a range of Internet applications as they explored and came to accept their sexual orientation identity, with the intended purpose and degree of anonymity desired determining which applications were used. Youth reported that the Internet provided a range of functions with regard to the exploration and acceptance of their sexual orientation identity, including (1) increasing self-awareness of sexual orientation identity, (2) learning about gay/bisexual community life, (3) communicating with other gay/bisexual people, (4) meeting other gay/bisexual people, (5) finding comfort and acceptance with sexual orientation, and (6) facilitating the coming out process. Future research and practice may explore the Internet as a platform for promoting the healthy development of gay and bisexual male adolescents by providing a developmentally and culturally appropriate venue for the exploration and subsequent commitment to an integrated sexual orientation identity.
Candidate Gene–Environment Interaction Research
Authors: Dick Danielle M. , Agrawal Arpana , Keller Matthew C. , Adkins Amy , Aliev Fazil , Monroe Scott , Hewitt John K. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Sher Kenneth J.
Published: January 2015

Studying how genetic predispositions come together with environmental factors to contribute to complex behavioral outcomes has great potential for advancing the understanding of the development of psychopathology. It represents a clear theoretical advance over studying these factors in isolation. However, research at the intersection of multiple fields creates many challenges. We review several reasons why the rapidly expanding candidate gene–environment interaction (cG×E) literature should be considered with a degree of caution. We discuss lessons learned about candidate gene main effects from the evolving genetics literature and how these inform the study of cG×E. We review the importance of the measurement of the gene and environment of interest in cG×E studies. We discuss statistical concerns with modeling cG×E that are frequently overlooked. Furthermore, we review other challenges that have likely contributed to the cG×E literature being difficult to interpret, including low power and publication bias. Many of these issues are similar to other concerns about research integrity (e.g., high false-positive rates) that have received increasing attention in the social sciences. We provide recommendations for rigorous research practices for cG×E studies that we believe will advance its potential to contribute more robustly to the understanding of complex behavioral phenotypes.
Mobile news use and participation in elections: A bridge for the democratic divide?
Authors: Martin Jason A.
Published: January 2015

This study explores the role of mobile news in democracy by examining individual-level variations in mobile election news use based on demographics, socioeconomic indicators, and mobile media activity breadth, and, in turn, how mobile news use is associated with political participation. Nationally representative data from a random-sample survey of American adults ( N = 2,250) in the 2010 general election were analyzed to better explain who mobile election news users are, how they compare to nonusers, and whether mobile news use was associated with voter turnout and mobile campaign donation. Findings underscore the significance of mobile media use and mobile news as phenomena of emerging importance in the election campaigns, and important differential patterns in the relationships of sociodemographics, mobile media, and electoral participation are discussed. By providing a nuanced accounting of the socioeconomic and demographic profile of mobile election news users and how those individuals differ from nonusers, this study enriches explanations of how societal privilege and the benefits of political engagement are related in complicated ways to individual-level variations in consuming and using mobile election news. Notably, for racial minorities, mobile media may provide a bridge across the digital-driven democratic divide and a more effective means of engaging with digital election information than other ICTs. Analysis also extends what is known about how citizens use mobile news to engage with increasingly personalized election campaigns. Results indicate that mobile election news use was a significant positive predictor of the odds of having voted and whether individuals used their mobile devices to make contributions during the campaign. These findings support arguments that the unique qualities of mobile devices are contributing to new and different pathways to political engagement while also retaining significance in relation to traditional forms of offline political participation.
Efficacy of Jollab in the Treatment of Depression in Dyspeptic Patients
Authors: Pasalar Mehdi , Choopani Rasool , Mosaddegh Mahmoud , Kamalinejad Mohammad , Mohagheghzadeh Abdolali , Fattahi Mohammad Reza , Zarshenas Mohammad M. , Jafari Peyman , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri
Published: January 2015

The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of jollab, a well-known beverage from traditional Persian medicine in the treatment of depression among patients suffering from functional dyspepsia. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a pair of 80 patients were enrolled in 2 parallel groups as Jollab and placebo. The Beck Depression Inventory–II questionnaire was used for the assessment. At all, 133 patients enrolling in the treatment and placebo groups ended the protocol. According to the outcomes, changes in scores between the 2 groups were statistically significant at the end of trial ( P ≤ .001). Taken as a whole, treatment group was significantly more effective than the placebo. Focusing on nutritional and pharmaceutical properties, jollab may be introduced not only as a medication for depression and allied ailment but also a pleasant daily drink.
Land, Politics, Work and Home-Life in a City Slum
Authors: Devika J.
Published: January 2015

This article is a limited attempt at sketching the history of a prominent slum in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, using mainly the memories of residents collected as oral narratives. It stops in the mid-1990s, when decentralisation and women’s self-help groups began a new phase of social change. It focuses mainly on changing vicissitudes of land, politics, work and domestic life in this urban slum to reflect on the specific form of marginalisation that the residents of this pocket of extreme disadvantage have suffered since its earliest days, in the mid-twentieth century, which I refer to as ‘marginalisation by abjection’. It also examines the usefulness of widely used concepts such as ‘political society’ to make sense of politics there, and concludes by cautioning against the perfunctory use of concepts such as political society and clientelism.
Sonographic Visualization of Fecal Loading in Adults
Authors: Yabunaka Koichi , Matsuo Jyunko , Hara Akiko , Takii Michiaki , Nakagami Gojiro , Gotanda Tatsuhiro , Nishimura Genichi , Sanada Hiromi
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to compare ultrasonographic assessment of fecal loading in adults with that of computed tomography. Ultrasonography (US) was performed on 43 adult patients immediately after abdominal computed tomography images had identified fecal loading in their colons. In 18 of 43 patients (haustrations-visualized cases), fecal loading was detected as crescent-shaped acoustic shadows associated with haustrations behind the strong echoes off the colon wall. In the remaining 25 patients (haustrations-not-visualized cases), fecal loading was detected as attenuating echoes with multiple high echoic spots behind weak high echoes off the colon wall in 17 patients and similar to those seen in the haustrations-visualized cases but without haustrations in 8 patients. US can be used for qualitative assessment of fecal loading in the colon. This new technique is simple and noninvasive and can be used concomitantly with physical examination to assess severity of constipation.
Carbon dioxide fluxes from contrasting ecosystems in the Sudanian Savanna in West Africa
Authors: Quansah Emmanuel , Mauder Matthias , Balogun Ahmed A , Amekudzi Leonard K , Hingerl Luitpold , Bliefernicht Jan , Kunstmann Harald
Published: January 2015

Background

The terrestrial land surface in West Africa is made up of several types of savanna ecosystems differing in land use changes which modulate gas exchanges between their vegetation and the overlying atmosphere. This study compares diurnal and seasonal estimates of CO2 fluxes from three contrasting ecosystems, a grassland, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and nature reserve in the Sudanian Savanna and relate them to water availability and land use characteristics.

Results

Over the study period, and for the three study sites, low soil moisture availability, high vapour pressure deficit and low ecosystem respiration were prevalent during the dry season (November to March), but the contrary occurred during the rainy season (May to October). Carbon uptake predominantly took place in the rainy season, while net carbon efflux occurred in the dry season as well as the dry to wet and wet to dry transition periods (AM and ND) respectively. Carbon uptake decreased in the order of the nature reserve, a mixture of fallow and cropland, and grassland. Only the nature reserve ecosystem at the Nazinga Park served as a net sink of CO2, mostly by virtue of a several times larger carbon uptake and ecosystem water use efficiency during the rainy season than at the other sites. These differences were influenced by albedo, LAI, EWUE, PPFD and climatology during the period of study.

Conclusion

These results suggest that land use characteristics affect plant physiological processes that lead to flux exchanges over the Sudanian Savanna ecosystems. It affects the diurnal, seasonal and annual changes in NEE and its composite signals, GPP and RE. GPP and NEE were generally related as NEE scaled with photosynthesis with higher CO2 assimilation leading to higher GPP. However, CO2 effluxes over the study period suggest that besides biomass regrowth, other processes, most likely from the soil might have also contributed to the enhancement of ecosystem respiration.
ALLMAPS: robust scaffold ordering based on multiple maps
Authors: Tang Haibao , Zhang Xingtan , Miao Chenyong , Zhang Jisen , Ming Ray , Schnable James C , Schnable Patrick S , Lyons Eric , Lu Jianguo
Published: January 2015

The ordering and orientation of genomic scaffolds to reconstruct chromosomes is an essential step during de novo genome assembly. Because this process utilizes various mapping techniques that each provides an independent line of evidence, a combination of multiple maps can improve the accuracy of the resulting chromosomal assemblies. We present ALLMAPS, a method capable of computing a scaffold ordering that maximizes colinearity across a collection of maps. ALLMAPS is robust against common mapping errors, and generates sequences that are maximally concordant with the input maps. ALLMAPS is a useful tool in building high-quality genome assemblies. ALLMAPS is available at: https://github.com/tanghaibao/jcvi/wiki/ALLMAPS.
Potential utilization of bagasse as feed material for earthworm Eisenia fetida and production of vermicompost
Authors: Bhat Sartaj Ahmad , Singh Jaswinder , Vig Adarsh Pal
Published: January 2015

In the present work bagasse (B) i.e waste of the sugar industry, was fed toEisenia fetidawith cattle dung (CD) support as feed material at various ratios (waste: CD) of 0:100 (B0), 25:75 (B25), 50:50 (B50), 75:25 (B75) and 100:0 (B100) on dry weight basis. Co-composting with cattle dung helped to improve their acceptability forE. fetidaand also improved physico-chemical characteristics. Best appropriate ratio for survival, maximum growth and population buildup ofE. fetidawas determined by observing population buildup, growth rate, biomass, mortality and cocoon formation. Minimum mortality and highest population size of worms was observed in 50:50 (B50) ratio. Increasing concentrations of wastes significantly affected the growth and reproduction of worms. Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sodium increased from pre-vermicompost to post-vermicompost, while organic carbon, and C:N ratio decreased in all the end products of post-vermicomposting. Heavy metals decreased significantly from initial except zinc, iron and manganese which increased significantly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to recognize the changes in texture in the pre and post-vermicomposted samples. The post-vermicomposted ratios in the presence of earthworms validate more surface changes that prove to be good manure. The results observed from the present study indicated that the earthwormE. fetidawas able to change bagasse waste into nutrient-rich manure and thus play a major role in industrial waste management.
miRNA-221 is elevated in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells and regulates expression of ATF6
Authors: Oglesby Irene K , Agrawal Raman , Mall Marcus A , McElvaney Noel G , Greene Catherine M
Published: January 2015

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression differs in cystic fibrosis (CF) versus non-CF bronchial epithelium. Here, the role of miRNA in basal regulation of the transcription factor ATF6 was investigated in bronchial epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Using in silico analysis, miRNAs predicted to target the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of the human ATF6 mRNA were identified.

Results

Three of these miRNAs, miR-145, miR-221 and miR-494, were upregulated in F508del-CFTR homozygous CFBE41o- versus non-CF 16HBE14o- bronchial epithelial cells and also in F508del-CFTR homozygous or heterozygous CF (n = 8) versus non-CF (n = 9) bronchial brushings. ATF6 was experimentally validated as a molecular target of these miRNAs through the use of a luciferase reporter vector containing the full-length 3′UTR of ATF6. Expression of ATF6 was observed to be decreased in CF both in vivo and in vitro. miR-221 was also predicted to regulate murine ATF6, and its expression was significantly increased in native airway tissues of 6-week-old βENaC-overexpressing transgenic mice with CF-like lung disease versus wild-type littermates.

Conclusions

These results implicate miR-145, miR-221 and miR-494 in the regulation of ATF6 in CF bronchial epithelium, with miR-221 demonstrating structural and functional conservation between humans and mice. The altered miRNA expression evident in CF bronchial epithelial cells can affect expression of transcriptional regulators such as ATF6.
El asentamiento irregular como principal fuente de crecimiento urbano en Bolivia: entre ilegalidad y constitucionalidad
Authors: Vargas Gamboa Nataly Viviana
Published: January 2015

La nueva norma constitucional boliviana ha introducido importantes cambios para la protección del derecho a la vivienda, propiciando un oportuno marco legal para la implementación de nuevas políticas que atiendan el acceso a la vivienda en condiciones dignas para la población pobre y vulnerable. A través de dichos cambios se han intentado generar programas habitacionales y de protección al derecho a la vivienda y servicios para los habitantes de los asentamientos irregulares en Bolivia, tratando de superar las ineficientes condiciones de acceso a la vivienda que han propiciado un crecimiento exponencial y descontrolado de las ciudades. Sin embargo, las acciones del sector público son todavía incapaces de dar soluciones a estos problemas.
Tahap-tahap pendidikan karakter dalam pemikiran Ki Ageng Suryomentaram dan relevansinya dengan pendidikan akhlak Islam
Authors: Sumedi Dr.
Published: January 2015

Morality shows people’s life quality and how the moral education could influence them.The religious people have assumption that religion always teaches the followers to do goodness and forbid them from doing badness. Islam, in the context of Indonesia, is of course influenced by the real condition of the society. In relation to this, there is Javanese philosopher, Ki Ageng Suryomemtaram, who thought the character building that is still relevant. He thought, “feeling is the center of everyone’s personality”. Based on his idea and feeling, he divides them into four dimensions of life. Moralitas menunjukkan kualitas kehidupan masyarakat dan bagaimana pendidikan moral bisa mempengaruhi mereka. Orang-orang beragama memiliki asumsi bahwa agama selalu mengajarkan pengikutnya untuk berbuat baik dan melarangnya melakukan kesalahan. Islam, dalam konteks Indonesia, tentu saja dipengaruhi oleh kondisi riil masyarakatnya. Sehubungan dengan ini, ada filsuf Jawa, Ki Ageng Suryomemtaram, yang memikirkan pembangunan karakter yang masih dianggap relevan. Baginya, “perasaan adalah pusat dari kepribadian setiap orang”.Berdasarkan pemikirannya pada perasaan, dia membaginya menjadi empat dimensi kehidupan.
Filsafat Tarbiyah berbasis kecerdasan makrifat
Authors: Mulkhan Abdul Munir
Published: January 2015

Philosophy is the source of science and technology. The practice of Islamic Education works without being guided by Tarbiyah (Islamic Education) Philosophy, but by the seculer thinking, It develops without orientation and it is hard to compete with others. It’s time the Islamic education pratice to guiding by the Tarbiyah Philosophy, Tarbiyah Theories and Tarbiyah Technology which is structurally and functionally built from Islamic philosophy. As of the basic idea of Islamic philosophy, the essential of Tarbiyah Philosophy is Ma’rifat Quotient wich means the activity for understand and realize the presence of God in whole life, activities of man; that also means the knowledge about God and intimate relationship with Him. The practical of Tarbiyah Philosophy based on Ma’rifat Quotient it both a creative solution for all kind of education problems andalternatif educational model. Based on Ma’rifat Quotient, it can be used to develop boarding school in more effcient way to accelerate qualities learning only 8 years for elementary to senior high school before join to university.Filsafat merupakan sumber ilmu dan teknologi. Sementara praktik PendidikanIslam bergerak tanpa panduan Filsafat Pendidikan Islam (Tarbiyah), tapi dipandu pemikiran sekuler sehingga tumbuh tanpa arah dan sulit bersaing. Karena itu sudah waktunya praktik pendidikan Islam dipandu Filsafat Tarbiyah, Teori Tarbiyah dan Teknologi Tarbiyah yang secara struktural dan fungsional dibangun dari Filsafat Islam. Sesuai gagasan dasar Filsafat Islam, inti-isi Filsafat Tarbiyah ialah kecerdasan makrifat sebagai kemampuan memahami dan menyadari kehadiran Tuhan dalam segala kegiatan hidup manusia sekaligus pengetahuan tentang Tuhan dan kedekatan hubungan dengan-Nya. Praktik tarbiyah berbasis kecerdasan makrifat merupakan solusi kreatif berbagai problem pendidikan Islam sekaligus menawarkan model pendidikan alternatif. Dari sini boarding school dikembangkan bebas dari pemborosan tidak produktif, melainkan model percepatan bermutu, sehingga cukup 8 tahun menyelesaikan pendidikan dasar (SD 4 Th) dan menengah (SLTPSLTA 4 Th) sebelum memasuki jenjang pendidikan tinggi.
Epistemologi pendidikan Islam; Studi kurikulum SMA MTA Surakarta
Authors: Suharto Toto
Published: January 2015

It is the fact that religious extracurricular learning is done differently and variously by each educational unit level. The interesting phenomenon happens in which is a learning process of religious education extracurricular at a high school of MTA Surakarta. The high school is registered as the list of the fifty leading Islamic high school in Indonesia. This study of educational ideology analyzes is found that at the MTA high school is implemented the integral curriculum structure, that is national curriculum combined with diniyah curriculum . Although it is still in a small portion of the diniyah curriculum made as its core curriculum. The Islamic extracurricular activities are implemented invarious forms , such as the recitation on Sunday morning , a special recitation , Arba’in Hadith studies and Riyadlus Shalihin, khitobah , BTA , Tahsin , Tahfidz , Muhadasah, and Tasyji’ul Lughoh and Nafar Ramadan. Secara faktual pembelajaran ekstrakurikuler agama dilakukan secara berbeda dan beragam oleh setiap tingkat satuan pendidikan. Fenomena yang menarik terjadi, yaitu proses pembelajaran ekstrakulikuler pendidikan agama di SMA MTA Surakarta. SMA ini masuk ke dalam daftar lima puluh SMA Islam unggulan se-Indonesia. Kajian tentang analisis ideologi pendidikan ini ditemukan bahwa di SMA MTA Surakarta diterapkan struktur kurikulum secara integral, yaitu dipadukannya kurikulum nasional dengan kurikulum diniyah. Meski baru sedikit kurikulum
The periods of the generalized Jacobian of a complex elliptic curve
Authors: Di Bartolo Alfonso , Falcone Giovanni
Published: January 2015

We show that the toroidal Lie group G = ℂ2/Λ, where Λ is the lattice generated by (1, 0), (0, 1) and (τ̂, τ͂), with τ̂ ∉ ℝ, is isomorphic to the generalized Jacobian JL of the complex elliptic curve C with modulus τ̂, defined by any divisor class L ≡ (M) + (N) of C fulfilling M − N = [℘ (τ͂) : ℘´(τ͂) : 1] ∈ C. This follows from an apparently new relation between the Weierstrass sigma and elliptic functions.
Entwurf einer lernenden Kaskadenregelung für ein nichtinvasives kontinuierliches Blutdruckmesssystem
Authors: Seel Thomas , Schneider Sarah , Affeld Klaus , Schauer Thomas
Published: January 2015

Im vorliegenden Beitrag entwerfen wir für ein neuartiges Blutdruckmesssystem eine kaskadierte Regelung aus zwei unterlagerten
klassischen Rückführungen mit Vorfilter und einem iterativ lernenden Regler. Wir zeigen, dass die Bandbreite der klassischen Regelung
durch das Messrauschen der Ultraschallsonde stark eingeschränkt ist und dass diese Einschränkung umgangen werden kann, wenn die
repetitive Natur des Regelungsproblems ausgenutzt wird.
Elevated circulating levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in obese children
Authors: Sakka Sophia , Siahanidou Tania , Voyatzis Chronis , Pervanidou Panagiota , Kaminioti Christina , Lazopoulou Natalia , Kanaka-Gantenbein Christina , Chrousos George P. , Papassotiriou Ioannis
Published: January 2015

Obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) often co-exist, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms that link the two are not fully understood. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A

Sixty-seven lean [39 boys and 28 girls, mean body mass index (BMI) z-score –0.2±0.8] and 66 obese (32 boys and 34 girls, mean BMI z-score 4.4±1.2) age-matched (p=0.251) children, aged 6–12 years, were studied. BMI z-score was calculated based on the Greek BMI growth curves, and children were categorized as obese according to the Cole criteria. All children underwent physical examination and a fasting morning blood sample was obtained for glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and Lp-PLA2 assessment. Plasma concentrations of Lp-PLA2 were determined by a commercially available Lp-PLA2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (PLAC Test), while other measurements were performed using standard methods.

Plasma Lp-PLA2 levels were significantly higher in obese children (322.5±77.8 ng/mL) compared with normal-weight ones (278.0±64.4 ng/mL, p<0.001). Lp-PLA2 concentrations were significantly correlated with the BMI z-score (p=0.004). Receiver operating characteristic analysis on Lp-PLA2 values resulted in significant areas under the curve (AUC) for distinguishing between obese and normal-weight groups of children (AUC, 0.726; p<0.001).

We found significantly higher Lp-PLA2 levels in obese children than lean controls. Interestingly, they all had levels >200 ng/mL, which are considered to correlate with atherosclerosis and a high thromboembolic risk in adults. The positive correlation of Lp-PLA2 with BMI suggests that Lp-PLA2 might be the link between obesity and increased cardiovascular risk, which can be elevated even at a very young age. Measurement of Lp-PLA2 in plasma could therefore represent a further biomarker for assessing increased CVD risk in obese children and adolescents.