bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pillar For Successful Business School Accreditation: Conducting The Curriculum Review Process A Systematic Approach
Authors: Gundersen David E. , Jennings Susan Evans , Dunn Deborah , Fisher Warren , Kouliavtsev Mikhail , Rogers Violet
Published: March 2016

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) describes their accreditation as the hallmark of business education. According to information at BestBizSchools.com (n.d.), AACSB accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Being AACSB accredited means a business school is able to continuously pass a strict set of standards that ensure quality. As of December 2010, only 5%, or 607, of the academic business programs globally were accredited by AACSB. This number represents schools in 38 countries where the majority of programs incorporate both undergraduate and graduate education covering business, accounting, or both. An institution must be a member of AACSB in order to apply for accreditation. It is important to note, however, that membership does not imply that the program is accredited (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, n.d.-a). Recent emphasis demanding external validation on the quality of Business Schools has resulted in the promotion of AACSB accreditation as the de facto quality standard. Earning this quality seal of approval, business programs can verify they have met the 21 AACSB standards that cover strategic, participant, and assurance of learning achievements and processes. Programs with AACSB accreditation are encouraged to promote the standard using it to externally validate their quality and to market their programs to external groups including students, employers, and contributors (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, n.d.-b). Despite established standards, no single approach to meeting standards for accreditation is suggested by AACSB. Rather, varying approaches to meeting standards should be developed to fit individual programs of institutions (Bryant & Scherer, 2009). This position by AACSB underscores its recognition of the diversity across accredited programs and allows educators wide latitude in developing and implementing approaches to excellence. Small programs are not disadvantaged so long as their students, faculty, graduates, and the employers who hire them receive the quality outputs that help them meet the external competitive requirements (Olian, 2007). In recognition of member institutions diversity, the AACSB has established the Affinity Group program where school administrators from schools sharing similar characteristics can interact, exchange ideas, and present views on a wide range of issues (Olian, 2007). This allows AACSB member schools, who have varying missions and constituents, to find and link with other programs of a similar nature where creativity and synergy can more easily occur. The AACSB wants the accreditation process to help facilitate creativity in designing business school strategies rather than being viewed as an impediment to a programs push to quality (Romero, 2008).
Todays Program Is Brought To You By The Letters Debit And Credit And By The Number Income
Authors: Bush H. Francis , Walsh Vonda K.
Published: March 2016

As each generation comes of age they receive a label. Currently, we are teaching the new millennials. Their learning style and time management preferences may respond better to a constant task and feedback cycle similar to the popular Public Television Series, Sesame Street. This paper examines the effects of requiring student to take an assessment as part of the grade in principles of financial accounting. In particular, this paper attempts to identify the effects on both performance and satisfaction.
Accounting Capstone Course Design: Using The Internet To Modernize A Graduate Accounting Capstone Course
Authors: Bloom Diane S. , Ehoff Jr. Clemense
Published: March 2016

This second paper describes how the Internet was used to modernize a graduate accounting capstone course to enhance student interest and learning, and is an extension of an earlier paper that examined a similar approach with an undergraduate accounting capstone course. Course content was developed from contemporary issues and cases obtained from the Internet. Benefits, drawbacks, and feedback from students who completed the updated course are presented as a basis for future study. The concepts and techniques presented in this analysis can easily be applied to capstone courses in other disciplines.
IRR: A Blind Guide
Authors: Kierulff Herbert
Published: March 2016

Over the past 60 years the internal rate of return (IRR) has become a major tool in investment evaluation. Many executives prefer it to net present value (NPV), presumably because they can more easily comprehend a percentage measure. This article demonstrates that, except in the rare case of an investment that is followed by a single cash return, IRR suffers from a definitional quandary. Is it an intrinsic measure, defined only in terms of itself, or is it defined by the efforts of active investors? Additionally, the article explains significant problems with the measure - reinvestment issues, multiple IRRs, timing problems, problems of choice among unequal investment opportunities, and practical difficulties with multiple discount rates. IRR is a blind guide because its definition is in doubt and because of its many practical problems.
An Internet-based Accounting Information Systems Project
Authors: Miller Louise
Published: March 2016

This paper describes a student project assignment used in an accounting information systems course. We are now truly immersed in the internet age, and while many required accounting information systems courses and textbooks introduce database design, accounting software development, cloud computing, and internet security, projects involving the actual integration of these topics with accounting concepts in a single comprehensive student project on the internet are uncommon. The project described gives students experience and knowledge of an internet-based accounting system using an online database. Although this project was used in an accounting information systems course, it could also be utilized in other courses such as introductory database management systems, advanced web design, financial technology systems, or introductory information technology. The project can be easily modified to align with the experience and sophistication of the students taking the course.
Facilitating Cooperative Learning In Online and Blended Courses: An Example from an Integrated Marketing Communications Course
Authors: Johnson Katryna
Published: March 2016

Employers today expect that students will be able to work in teams. Cooperative learning theory addresses how skills such as decision making, problem solving and communication can be learned by individuals in group settings. This paper discusses how cooperative learning can be used in an online and blended environment to increase active learning for students. Strategies to enhance collaboration in the online environment are discussed. The use of online discussions, blogs and experiential learning through an undergraduate integrated marketing communications plan are provided as examples of cooperative learning in online and blended environments.
The Application Of Documented Problem Solving In College Introductory Statistics Courses
Authors: Zhuang Hong
Published: March 2016

Introductory statistics is an important part of the undergraduate curriculum in business and economics education. A pedagogical method, documented problem solving, is applied in the undergraduate statistics course. This assessment method actively engages students in learning via reflecting their thinking process that helps stimulate metacognition and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
PROFESORADO Y EGRESADOS ANTE LOS SISTEMAS DE EVALUACIÓN DEL ALUMNADO EN LA FORMACIÓN INICIAL DEL MAESTRO DE EDUCACIÓN INFANTIL
Authors: Martínez Mínguez Lurdes , Flores Aguilar Gonzalo
Published: March 2016

Ante la necesidad de mejorar las guías de las asignaturas, se ha investigado para conocer el estado de los sistemas de evaluación del alumnado en las últimas promociones de la formación inicial del Maestro de Educación Infantil en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. La metodología utilizada ha sido cualitativa, a través de grupos de discusión de docentes y graduados de las cuatro últimas promociones (2007-2011). Los resultados muestran percepciones similares respecto a la coherencia entre los diferentes apartados de los programas de las asignaturas y la transparencia sobre el tipo de evaluación a realizar; y apuntan percepciones diferentes respecto a los instrumentos utilizados, el feedback transmitido y las capacidades cognitivas más evaluadas. Se concluye que es esencial que en las guías docentes haya coherencia entre los diferentes apartados;el estudiante conozca la evaluación con prontitud, claridad y transparencia; se contemplen sistemas de auto y coevaluación; y el profesorado guie la conexión entre teoría y práctica de forma crítica y reflexiva.
SPIRITUALITY AMONG THE PROFESSORIATE AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN LIMA, PERU
Authors: Gootjes Kasel Dirk , Limaymanta-Álvarez César H.
Published: March 2016

This study examined the professoriate view of spirituality at a private university in Lima, Peru. A two-phase, sequential mixed method was used. Two hundred forty professors completed Paloutzian and Ellison’s (1982) Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) for the quantitative phase. Five research questions exploring the professors’ gender, general area of teaching (humanities vs. sciences), highest university degree earned, age, and total years of university teaching experience were analyzed to determine if any significant differences existed within those variables. Two non-parametric tests were used: the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis Test. It was discovered only gender showed a significant difference. Five surveyed professors participated in the focus group phase exploring significant gender difference on the spiritual well-being scores. Five questions explored this difference between males and females. Four themes emerged: gender role enculturation, biological motherhood, stress, and internal strength.
Mariátegui entre dois mundos: Visões do comunitarismo indígena andino
Authors: Da Silva Cristhian Teófilo
Published: March 2016

Resumo Este artigo visa demonstrar que a presença da herança andina no projeto de socialismo “indo-americano” de Mariátegui gerou uma tensão epistemológica original e crítica do pensamento social marxista na América Latina. A partir desta releitura da perspectiva mariateguiana apoiada em duas vertentes, indigenista peruana e marxista europeia, o presente artigo afirma a importância dos estudos sobre o indigenismo para a compreensão dos limites do socialismo de orientação marxista no Peru. O artigo será concluído ressaltando a importância do socialismo indo-americano de Mariátegui para a “descoberta” da constituição híbrida do modo de produção peruano. Palavras-chave Indigenismo; marxismo; Peru; José Carlos Mariátegui ---Resumen Este artículo tiene como objetivo demostrar que la presencia de la herencia andina en el diseño del socialismo "indoamericano" de Mariátegui ha generado una crítica epistemológica original del pensamiento social marxista en América Latina. De este recuento la perspectiva de Mariátegui apoyada en dos frentes, indigenista peruana y marxista europea, este artículo defiende la importancia de los estudios sobre el indigenismo para la comprensión de los límites del socialismo marxista en el Perú. El artículo concluirá destacando la importancia del socialismo indo-americano de Mariátegui en el "descubrimiento" de la constitución híbrida del modo de producción peruana. Palabras clave Indigenismo; marxismo; Perú; José Carlos Mariátegui---AbstractThis article aims to demonstrate that the presence of the Andean heritage in Mariátegui's "Indo-American" socialist project generated a new and critical epistemological tension of the Marxist social thinking in Latin America. From this mariateguian retelling, which is established in two ways, Peruvian indigenous and European Marxist, this article maintains the importance of studies on the indigenous movement to understand the boundaries of Marxist socialism in Peru. The text highlights the importance of Mariátegui's Indo-American socialism in the "discovery" of the hybrid constitution of the Peruvian way of production.Keywordsindigenism; Marxism; Peru; José Carlos Mariátegui____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ERRATAOnde se lê na página 141, v.8, n. 2 (2014):Esse aspecto é precisamente o cerne das polêmicas que surgiram em torno de suas idéias, que culminaram em desavenças com a III Internacional Comunista, em Montevidéu (maio de 1929).Lê-se:Esse aspecto é precisamente o cerne das polêmicas que surgiram em torno de suas idéias, que culminaram em controvérsias na primeira conferência comunista latino-americana, em Buenos Aires (junho de 1929). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Política com paixão. A filosofia da libertação de Enrique Dussel
Authors: Rodrigues Pinto Simone , Raposo Erivan
Published: March 2016

Resumo O presente artigo propõe-se apresentar o pensamento do filósofo Enrique Dussel, autor central da reflexão política em muitos países da hispano-américa, embora pouco discutido no Brasil. Sua insistência em um discurso legitimamente latino-americano faz dele um autor fundamental para entendermos os problemas e as soluções pensadas fora dos grandes Centros, como Europa e Estados Unidos. O enfoque principal será em sua filosofia da libertação e nos desafios lançados para a ciência e sociologia política.Palavras-ChaveFilosofia da libertação, América Latina, ética, política, Dussel.--- AbstractThis article intends to present the thought of the philosopher Enrique Dussel, important author of the political debate in many countries of Hispanic America, though less recognized in Brazil. He seeks a though properly Latin American to reflect on the problems and solutions to the continent, designed outside of major academic centers such as Europe and United States. The main focus will be on his philosophy of liberation and the challenges posed to social and political science.  KeywordsPhilosophy of Liberation, Latin America, Ethics, Politics, Dussel ---Resumé: Cet article présente l'oeuvre de Enrique Dussel. Ce philosophe se retrouve au coeur de la réflexion politique des pays hispanophones de l'Amérique latine, mais il est encore peu débatu au Brésil. Son insistance à travailler un discours proprement latino-américain en fait un auteur incontournable pour la compréhension des problèmes et solutions pensés hors des grands centres, tels l'Europe et les États-Unis. L'accent sera mis sur la philosophie de la libération et sur les défis rencontrés par la science et la sociologie politique.Mots-clésPhilosophie de la libération, Amérique latine, éthique, politique, Dussel.
A high-efficient batch-recirculated photoreactor packed with immobilized TiO2-P25 nanoparticles onto glass beads for photocatalytic degradation of phenazopyridine as a pharmaceutical contaminant: artificial neural network modeling
Authors: Shargh Mahdie , Behnajady Mohammad A.
Published: March 2016

In this study, removal efficiency of phenazopyridine (PhP) as a model pharmaceutical contaminant was investigated in a batch-recirculated photoreactor packed with immobilized TiO2-P25 nanoparticles on glass beads. Influence of various operational parameters such as irradiation time, initial concentration of PhP, volume of solution, volumetric flow rate, pH and power of light source was investigated. Results indicated that removal percentage increases with the rise of irradiation time, volumetric flow rate and power of light source but decreases with the rise of initial concentration of PhP and volume of solution. Highest removal percentage was obtained in the natural pH of PhP solution (pH = 5.9). Results of mineralization studies also showed a decreasing trend of total organic carbon (TOC) and producing mineralization products such as NO3−, NO2− and NH4+. Modeling of the process using artificial neural network showed that the most effective parameters in the degradation of PhP were volume of solution and power of light source. The packed bed photoreactor with TiO2-P25 nanoparticles coated onto glass beads in consecutive repeats have the proper ability for PhP degradation. Therefore, this system can be a promising alternative for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants such as PhP from aqueous solutions.
Cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of waters and sediments from highway and parking lot runoffs
Authors: Haile Tadele Measho , Mišík Miroslav , Grummt Tamara , Halh Al-Serori , Pichler Clemens , Knasmueller Siegfried , Fuerhacker Maria
Published: March 2016

The genotoxicity of water and sediment samples from stormwater treatment systems and water from urban highway runoff was tested in the Salmonella/microsome assays with Salmonella typhimurium, micronucleus assay (Trad-MN) with plants and with human-derived liver cells (HepG2), or comet assay with HepG2. Cytotoxicity of water samples was studied using either reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell proliferation or dye exclusion assay in HepG2. Concentrations of several contaminants in the tested samples were also measured. Results suggested that urban highway runoff exposed to severe vehicle traffic emissions caused genotoxic effects in comet assay and in Trad-MN assays. Sediments induced either mutagenic effects in strain YG1024 or genotoxic effects in Trad-MN assay. These effects could be due to the presence of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) which possess carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Influent and effluents of stormwater treatment systems did not induce genotoxic activity or effects on HepG2 cell viability; however, the influents were able to induce ROS generation and cell proliferation in HepG2 cells. As the methods require a sterile filtration of the water samples, this could have also removed particulate-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and resulted in a less pronounced induction of genotoxicity, as would be expected by PAH contamination.
Retraction Notice: An Injectable Complex of β-tricalcium Phosphate Granules, Hyaluronate, and rhFGF-2 on Repair of Long-bone Fractures with Large Fragments
Authors: Tanaka T. , Kumagae Y. , Chazono M. , Komaki H. , Kitasato S. , Kakuta A. , Marumo K.
Published: March 2016

As per Bentham Science’s policy, the following article has been retracted upon approval of the Editor-in-Chief (Dr. Jason
Carey) of “The Open Biomedical Engineering Journal”.

Title: “An Injectable Complex of β-tricalcium Phosphate Granules, Hyaluronate, and rhFGF-2 on Repair of Long-bone
Fractures with Large Fragments; Open Biomed. Eng. J., vol. 8; pp. 52-59.”

Authors: T. Tanaka*, Y. Kumagae, M. Chazono, H. Komaki, S. Kitasato, A. Kakuta and K. Marumo

The above article is a near duplicate publication by the same team of authors (in a different order) that also includes duplicate
figures of the article entitled “Use of an Injectable Complex of β-Tricalcium Phosphate Granules, Hyaluronate, and Fibroblast
Growth Factor-2 on Repair of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures” Open Biomed. Eng. J., 2012, vol. 6, pp. 98-103. Bentham
OPEN apologizes to the readers of the journal for not detecting this omission during the publishing process.
Voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting: A Study of Early and Late Reporter Motivations and Outcomes
Authors: Bhimani Alnoor , Silvola Hanna , Sivabalan Prabhu
Published: March 2016

Neo-institutional logics for the early adoption of innovations are often argued as more authentic than for late adopters. To what extent might this be so in relation to corporate social responsibility reporting (CSRR)? We specifically focus on neo-institutionalist perspectives with an emphasis on isomorphism (DiMaggio and Powell 1983) to illustrate alternative motivations and verify our hypotheses using a mixed-methods approach (survey data and field evidence from five organizations). We find that the rationale for early reporters entails a financial pragmatism that is absent in current debates surrounding corporate social responsibility (CSR). We also show that normative and coercive isomorphism interplay among early adopters to drive their adoption decision over time, and these facilitate the generation of different strategic postures to placate key external stakeholders. This contrasts with prior studies that have mainly argued for mimetic and normative isomorphism to dominate the decision to implement CSRR among adopters. Finally, we argue that late reporters choose not to engage earlier as (ironically) their strategic proximity to the phenomena being reported is intrinsically close, meaning most internal and external stakeholders assume the proper functioning of the phenomena being reported, and therefore do not demand it. This rationale for mimetic isomorphism is unique and its narrative more positive than that normally ascribed to it in the prior literature. Firms are subsequently less inclined to opportunistically validate or signal their sustainability ethos using formal reporting systems, and only do so superficially to engage in practices similar to other organizations in their industry or the broader economy as a norm.
Differences in the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 and Visual Analog Scale Symptom Scores in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with and without Nasal Polyps
Authors: Gregurić Tomislav , Trkulja Vladimir , Baudoin Tomislav , Grgić Marko , Šmigovec Igor , Kalogera Livije
Published: March 2016

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with and without polyps has a high impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL), but the difference in HRQL and symptom presentation between two clinical phenotypes of CRS has not been specifically evaluated before now.

Objective

To evaluate patterns of symptoms and HRQL disease-specific domains affected in patients with CRS by comparing differences between two clinical phenotypes, adjusted for demographics, major risk factors, comorbidities, current medical treatment, and previous surgery.

Methods

A group of 251 patients with CRS completed the visual analog scale (VAS) symptom severity score and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire. Data sets were analyzed by using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify a set of symptom components, together with the items excluded from PCA, which were then analyzed for differences between patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP).

Results

PCA of SNOT-22 items identified six components, three referred to CRS-specific symptoms termed “nasal”; “extranasal, rhinologic”; and “olfactory/cough”; and three referred to HRQL impairment termed “sleep disturbance,” “functional disturbance,” and “emotional disturbance.” Nasal obstruction, ear pain, ear fullness, and fatigue were excluded from PCA and treated as separate outcomes. Patients with CRSwNP had significantly worse nasal symptoms, olfactory/cough symptoms, and nasal obstruction. Patients with CRSsNP scored significantly worse with regard to fatigue and to sleep and functional disturbances. The PCA results for VAS scores identified three symptom components: pain, nasal symptoms, and pharyngeal symptoms. Patients with CRSwNP had significantly worse VAS nasal symptoms but less pronounced VAS pain symptoms than patients with CRSsNP. The total SNOT-22 score between the groups was not significantly different.

Conclusion

With controlling of covariates that may influence the severity of the disease, this study showed significant differences in symptom patterns and different aspects of HRQL impairment between patients with CRSwNP and patients with CRSsNP, however, with no difference in the total HRQL score.
Nasal Septal Deviation with Obstructive Symptoms: Association Found with Asthma but not with Other General Health Problems
Authors: Ahn Jae-Cheul , Lee Woo Hyun , We Jaewoon , Rhee Chae-Seo , Lee ChulHee , Kim Jeong-Whun
Published: March 2016

Background

Nasal septal deviation (NSD) is a very common deformity. Because it may induce chronic upper airway obstruction in the nose, clinicians encounter some patients who have concerns about whether this can be a risk factor for general health. However, the influence of NSD on general health has rarely been studied.

Objective

To determine associations between NSD, especially NSD with nasal obstructive symptom, and general health problems in an adult Korean population.

Methods

This nationwide study analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2008–2009. NSD was evaluated by using a nasal endoscope, and a nasal obstructive symptom was assessed via individual interviews. The survey also investigated general health problems, such as medical comorbidity, mental health status, and quality of life. Medical conditions included neurocardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and malignant diseases. To eliminate the effect of combined nasal problems in otorhinolaryngology, subjects with rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis were excluded. This study focused on obstructive NSD, which is defined as an anatomic NSD with a chronic nasal obstructive symptom.

Results

We enrolled 8865 participants, and the prevalence of NSD was 44.8%. No general health problems showed a significant association with NSD. However, the prevalence of NSD with an obstructive symptom was 2.1%. Obstructive NSD had no association with all the general health problems, except asthma. A significant association was found between obstructive NSD and asthma (odds ratio 2.648 [95% confidence interval, 1.211–5.791]).

Conclusion

Among various general health problems, our study found that NSD was associated with asthma only when NSD was accompanied by a chronic nasal obstructive symptom.
Quality-of-life Outcomes after Sinus Surgery in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis versus Nonfungal Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Masterson Liam , Egro Francesco M. , Bewick Jessica , Erskine Sally E. , Clark Alan , Javer Amin R. , Philpott Carl M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Given the differences in pathophysiology between allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and other chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subgroups, it remains unclear about whether these patients respond differently to a combination of surgical and medical treatments.

Objective

To evaluate differences in quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes for a cohort of patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS.

Methods

This retrospective review included patients with CRS who underwent ESS between 2010 and 2013. QoL was measured by using the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Variables collected included baseline demographics, SNOT-22 scores before ESS and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ESS. Groups tested were CRS with nasal polyposis, CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP), and patients with AFRS. A linear mixed- effects regression model was used to calculate the adjusted mean QoL differences.

Results

Among the 250 patients included, 61.6% had CRS with nasal polyposis (n = 154), 28.8% had CRSsNP (n = 72), and 9.6% had AFRS (n = 24). Significant differences were seen in SNOT-22 scores between pre- and postoperative visits and between the etiologic subgroups (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed significantly greater improvement in QoL for patients with AFRS in comparison with those with CRSsNP at the 9-month follow-up (change in SNOT-22 score, 22.6 [95% confidence interval, 1.2–44.1]; p < 0.0) and the 12-month follow-up (change in SNOT-22 score, 20.2 [95% confidence interval, 0.5–39.9]; p < 0.04).

Conclusions

Patients with AFRS experienced a more-prolonged QoL benefit from surgical and targeted medical intervention compared with those with CRSsNP, which may reflect the severity of inflammation that they presented with compared with other CRS subtypes.
Cytofunctional Changes in Nasal Ciliated Cells in Patients Treated with Hyaluronate after Nasal Surgery
Authors: Cassano Michele , Russo Giuseppe Maria , Granieri Carla , Cassano Pasquale
Published: March 2016

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays a significant role in tissue repair of mucosal surfaces and, consequently, in surgical injury remodelling of nasal mucosa.

Objective

To assess the effect of high-molecular-weight HA administered by aerosol on the morphofunctional recovery of ciliated cells damaged by surgical trauma.

Methods

A single-blind, prospective, randomized trial was carried out with 94 patients who were randomly assigned, after endoscopic turbinoplasty, either to treatment with nasal saline solution irrigation (control group, n = 47) or to treatment with nasal douches based on high concentration (9 mg) and high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate (active treatment group, n = 47). All the patients were evaluated by using nasal fiberendoscopy, mucociliary transport time, nasal cytologic test, and a visual analog scale in terms of symptoms before and at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.

Results

Visual analog scale values were significantly lower in the active treatment (AT) group at week 2 regarding each individual symptom. Mucociliary transport time was significantly reduced in patients in the AT group but only 1 month after surgery. Both the percentage of cellular impairments and the number of cells with hyperchromatic supranuclear stria showed significant improvements in the AT group in all postsurgery evaluations (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Intranasal use of sodium hyaluronate in patients who underwent functional nasal surgery improved both mucociliary clearance and nasal mucosa regeneration due to a faster recovery of the impaired ciliated cells.
Septoplasty in Children
Authors: Cingi Cemal , Muluk Nuray Bayar , Ulusoy Seckin , Lopatin Andrey , Sahin Ethem , Passali Desiderio , Bellussi Luisa , Atilla Huntürk , Hanci Deniz , Altintoprak Niyazi , Rusetski Yuri , Sarafoleanu Codrut , Mladina Ranko , Kalog'era Livije , Manea Claudiu
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Physicians have long had concerns about the potential harmful effects of pediatric septoplasties on the nasoseptal growth process because septal cartilage is important for the growth and development of the face.

Methods

In this review article, pediatric septoplasty and its indications are discussed, together with a literature survey. In addition, overviews of development of the nasal skeleton from neonate to adult, nasal growth, and cartilaginous septum are presented. Important issues and comments on pediatric septoplasties are provided.

Results

During septoplasty procedures, elevation of the mucoperichondrium unilaterally or bilaterally does not negatively affect growth of the face. Stabilization of the septum may be easier when mucosal elevation is performed unilaterally. The nasal floor mucosa should not be elevated so to avoid damage to the incisive nerves. Corrections and limited excisions may be done from the cartilaginous septum. Separation of the septal cartilage from the perpendicular plate, especially at the dorsal part, should not be performed because this area is important for the length and height of the nasal septum and nasal dorsum. Incisions or excisions should not be performed through the growing and supporting zones, especially at the sphenoethmoid dorsal zone.

Conclusion

Ifthere are severe breathing problems related to the septal deviation, septoplasty should be performed. In the majority of cases, septal surgery may be conducted in 6-year-old children. However, if necessary, septal surgery may be performed in younger children and even at birth.
The Association between Serum Lead and Total Immunoglobulin E Levels According to Allergic Sensitization
Authors: Kim Jeong Hong , Chang Jung Hyun , Choi Hyun Seung , Kim Hyun Jik , Kang Ju Wan
Published: March 2016

Background

Results of several studies showed that blood lead concentration is positively associated with total immunoglobulin E (IgE) value. However, no study has investigated whether allergic sensitization could be responsible for the association between lead exposure and total IgE value.

Objective

We investigated whether there was difference in the association between lead exposure and the total IgE value, depending on the presence or absence of Dermatophagoides farinae sensitization.

Methods

We used data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, were measured. Total and D. farinae specific IgE levels were measured, and the urinary cotinine level was investigated. Information about sex, age, body mass index, and household income were also obtained. We analyzed the association between serum lead and total IgE levels, after adjusting other variables.

Results

In an multivariate linear regression analysis, only the serum concentration of lead among the three heavy metals was positively associated with logarithmic transformed total IgE (coefficient [B], 0.026 [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.008–0.044). When we performed the same analysis on groups divided by allergic D. farinae sensitization status, we found a significant positive association between serum lead and logarithmic transformed total IgE values in subjects with D. farinae sensitization (B, 0.043 [95% CI, 0.014–0.071]) but not in subjects without D. farinae sensitization (B, 0.015 [95% CI, -0.008 to 0.039]).

Conclusions

A positive association between the serum lead and total IgE levels was statistically significant in subjects with D. farinae sensitization, which indicated that the immunologic effects of lead exposure may be greater in people with allergic sensitization.
Propensity Score Analysis in R
Authors: Keller Bryan , Tipton Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

In this article, we review four software packages for implementing propensity score analysis in R: Matching, MatchIt, PSAgraphics, and twang. After briefly discussing essential elements for propensity score analysis, we apply each package to a data set from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study in order to estimate the average effect of elementary school special education services on math achievement in fifth grade. In the context of this real data example, we evaluate documentation and support resources, built-in quantitative and graphical diagnostic features, and methods available for estimating a causal effect. We conclude by making some recommendations aimed at helping researchers decide which package to turn to based upon their familiarity with propensity score methods, programming in R, and the type of analysis being conducted.
Review on the Major Failure Cases of Unlined Pressure Shafts/Tunnels of Norwegian Hydropower Projects
Authors: Panthi Krishna Kantha , Basnet Chhatra Bahadur
Published: March 2016

The Norwegian hydropower industry has more than 100 years of experience in constructing the unlined pressure shafts and tunnels. Most of the hydropower projects have long waterway systems consisting unlined high pressure shafts, underground powerhouse cavern, headrace and tailrace tunnels. The maximum static head reached with unlined pressure shaft and pressure tunnel concept is 1047 meter, which is equivalent to almost 10.5 MPa. It is obvious that the rock mass in the periphery of unlined shafts and tunnels experience high hydrostatic pressure exerted by the flowing water discharge. Experienced gained from the construction and operation of these unlined pressure shafts and tunnels were useful to develop design criterion and principles applied here in the Scandinavia. This paper reviews some of the first attempts of the use of unlined pressure shaft and tunnel concepts, highlights major failure cases, reviews and evaluates the triggering factors for the failure and also discusses about the gradual development of design criterion for the unlined pressure shafts and tunnels. The authors consider this review is a first step in the upgrade on this innovative concept, which could be used in other geological and tectonic environment than of the Scandinavia, such as in the Himalaya.HYDRO Nepal Journal of Water Energy and EnvironmentVolume- 18, 2016, JanuaryPage -6 to 15
High Density Polyethylene (HDP) Pipe as a Lining Material in Hilly Regions of Nepal
Authors: Rijal Krishna Prasad
Published: March 2016

Canal lining is a major part of construction in irrigation projects. Canal lining determines the cost of project to a great extent but also the discharge delivery efficiency of the irrigation system. Though earthen canal sections are least expensive, simple to maintain and environmentally friendly, they have high seepage rates and demand frequent repair. In the light of need for resource conservation and the general unavailability of labour for maintenance work, a canal lining, though more expensive, may be justifiable in the long run. Technological advances in the construction have made available lighter and more affordable materials that enhance many parts of the irrigation process.It is the private sector that should lead the development of these technologies as they relate to the construction business. We can look to foreign markets to see how canal lining technologies have improved the use of this tool in various environments and soils. In the Nepali context, we use traditional lining techniques like stone or reinforced concrete, which are effective in the plains, but less so in the hills and remote. In this paper, I review some alternatives to traditional canal linings, and examine the virtues of high density polyethylene (HDP) pipe for possible use in irrigation schemes. HYDRO Nepal Journal of Water Energy and EnvironmentVolume- 18, 2016, JanuaryPage -25-29
Trip Detection with Smartphone-Assisted Collection of Travel Data
Authors: Safi Hamid , Assemi Behrang , Mesbah Mahmoud , Ferreira Luis
Published: March 2016

This paper puts forward a method that automatically detects trips and trip segments with data on the instantaneous movement attributes of individuals that can be collected automatically by smartphone sensors. The goal is to enhance the accuracy of the data collected through the better identification of single-mode trips and trip segments while minimizing the participant’s involvement and preserving battery life. The proposed method works independently of data from external sources and can be implemented in smartphone applications to enhance the accuracy of the data that are collected and minimize the amount of data that need to be transferred. The method consists of a combination of real-time processing and postprocessing of the data and incorporates a series of rules to clean, split, and merge trips and trip segments, if required. The performance of the model was evaluated in a real-world experiment, in which it achieved an overall accuracy of 97% for the detection of trips from records of daily tracks. The analysis of the results shows that the implementation of the trip detection model increased the proportion of nonmotorized trips detected by 6%. In addition, the implementation of the model increased the accuracy of the data on the duration and the length of the recorded trips.
Eriodictyol-induced anti-cancer and apoptotic effects in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and modulation of apoptosis-related proteins
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Yu-Hang , Wang Jing-Jing , Xu He-Lin , Wang Chang-Miao
Published: March 2016

The objective of the present study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of eriodictyol in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep-G2) and normal liver hepatocyte cell line (AML12) along with evaluating its mode of action. Sulforhodamine B assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the compound while as fluorescence microscopy was involved to demonstrate the effect of eriodictyol on cellular apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the effect of eriodictyol on cell cycle while Western blot analysis revealed the effect on apoptosis-related protein expressions. Results indicate that eriodictyol-induced selective and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on Hep-G2 cancer cells while AML12 normal liver cells were very less susceptible to its effect. Eriodictyol-induced apoptosis related morphological changes including chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. It also induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in these cells. Eriodictyol led to up-regulation of Bax and PARP and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein.

Video Clip
Flow cytometry assay: 35 sec
 
Purification of bacteriocins using size-exclusion chromatography
Authors: Bajpai Vivek K. , Rather Irfan A. , Hamad Alshammari Fanar
Published: March 2016

The bacteriocin purification involves following main steps. a). Extraction of cell-free-supernatant of bacteria. b). Ammonium sulfate precipitation. c). Dialysis. d). Diafiltration using PVP and e). Size-exclusion chromatography. However, depending on the nature of work, the compound could be further analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC, NMR, mass spectrometry and sequencing.

Video Clips

Part 1: 4 min 52 sec

Part 2: 1 min 47 sec
Tail suspension test to evaluate the antidepressant activity of experimental drugs
Authors: Aslam Muhammad
Published: March 2016

Tail suspension test (TST) is a common behavioral paradigm used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of experimental drugs. Like the forced swimming test, in this test the animals are set in an inescapable yet modestly distressing circumstance. In the tail suspension test, the extent of immobility is thought to be associated with the depressive-like condition of the animal and is significantly diminished by antidepressant drugs.

Video clips

Pre-experiment:         53 sec

Experiment:      7 min 31 sec

 
Development and evaluation of bio-nanoparticles as novel drug carriers for the delivery of Selegiline
Authors: Goswami Laxmi , Madhav N.V. Satheesh , Upadhyaya Kumud
Published: March 2016

The purpose of the present study was to formulate and evaluate Selegiline loaded bio-nanoparticles for effective treatment of Depression. For the preparation of bio-nanoparticles biomaterial was isolated from fruits of Luffa acutangula by an economic method. The biomaterial recovered from the concentrate was subjected for various physicochemical properties like color, solubility, color changing point and chemical test. Bio-nanoparticles were prepared by modified solvent evaporation method in different batches with variable drug/biomaterial ratio. Prepared batches were subjected for various evaluation studies like particle size, zeta potential, SEM, TEM, surface entrapment, in-vitro diffusion, DSC and stability. Particle size and zeta potential result revealed that all nanoformulation were within range of 110 to 152.7 with slight negative in charge. SEM and TEM study report indicate that formulations were spherical in shape with less or no aggregation. Less surface entrapment leads to better drug entrapped inside nanomatrix. Bio-nanoformulations were capable of releasing the drug in a slow sustained manner. From the present investigation, it may be concluded that biomaterial isolated from fruits of Luffa acutangula used in the preparation of bio-nanoparticle act as an efficient carriers for deliver selegiline at a controlled rate. It may significantly improve the ability to cross blood-brain barrier and serve as an effective tool to treat Depression disease.Goswami et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, March 2016, 5(4): 33-37http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol5Issue4/01.pdf
Thimerosal-Preserved Hepatitis B Vaccine and Hyperkinetic Syndrome of Childhood
Authors: Geier David , Kern Janet , Hooker Brian , Sykes Lisa , Geier Mark
Published: March 2016

(1) Background: Hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood (HKSoC) is an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) category in which the majority of the children are also diagnosed under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), where the umbrella term is “Attention-Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders”. The diagnostic criteria for HKSoC are developmentally inappropriate inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Some studies have implicated mercury (Hg) exposure as a risk factor. (2) Methods: This hypothesis testing study; using the Vaccine Safety Datalink; assessed the toxicological effects of bolus exposure to organic-Hg from Thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs) by examining the relationship between Thimerosal-preserved hepatitis B vaccines (TM-HepB) given at varying levels and at specific intervals in the first six months after birth and the risk of a child being diagnosed with HKSoC. (3) Results: Children diagnosed with HKSoC were significantly more likely to be exposed to increased organic-Hg from TM-HepB doses given within the first month (odds ratio = 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30–1.62); within the first two months (odds ratio = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.28–1.59); and within the first six months (odds ratio = 4.51; 95% CI = 3.04–6.71) than controls. (4) Conclusion: The results indicate that increasing organic-Hg exposure from TCVs heightens the risk of a HKSoC diagnosis.
Catalysts Best Paper Award 2016
Authors: Hohn Keith
Published: March 2016

Catalysts has established a new award, to be given annually, for the best original and review articles published in Catalysts.[...]
A Cross-Entropy-Based Admission Control Optimization Approach for Heterogeneous Virtual Machine Placement in Public Clouds
Authors: Pan Li , Wang Datao
Published: March 2016

Virtualization technologies make it possible for cloud providers to consolidate multiple IaaS provisions into a single server in the form of virtual machines (VMs). Additionally, in order to fulfill the divergent service requirements from multiple users, a cloud provider needs to offer several types of VM instances, which are associated with varying configurations and performance, as well as different prices. In such a heterogeneous virtual machine placement process, one significant problem faced by a cloud provider is how to optimally accept and place multiple VM service requests into its cloud data centers to achieve revenue maximization. To address this issue, in this paper, we first formulate such a revenue maximization problem during VM admission control as a multiple-dimensional knapsack problem, which is known to be NP-hard to solve. Then, we propose to use a cross-entropy-based optimization approach to address this revenue maximization problem, by obtaining a near-optimal eligible set for the provider to accept into its data centers, from the waiting VM service requests in the system. Finally, through extensive experiments and measurements in a simulated environment with the settings of VM instance classes derived from real-world cloud systems, we show that our proposed cross-entropy-based admission control optimization algorithm is efficient and effective in maximizing cloud providers’ revenue in a public cloud computing environment.
Preference Inconsistence-Based Entropy
Authors: Pan Wei , She Kun , Wei Pengyuan
Published: March 2016

Preference analysis is a class of important issues in ordinal decision making. As available information is usually obtained from different evaluation criteria or experts, the derived preference decisions may be inconsistent and uncertain. Shannon entropy is a suitable measurement of uncertainty. This work proposes the concepts of preference inconsistence set and preference inconsistence degree. Then preference inconsistence entropy is introduced by combining preference inconsistence degree and Shannon entropy. A number of properties and theorems as well as two applications are discussed. Feature selection is used for attribute reduction and sample condensation aims to obtain a consistent preference system. Forward feature selection algorithm, backward feature selection algorithm and sample condensation algorithm are developed. The experimental results show that the proposed model represents an effective solution for preference analysis.