bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Compass of Hope for Egypt
Authors: ZEWAIL AHMED H.
Published: July 2011

Just as the Arab Spring blossomed, the al‐Qaeda‐led era of terrorism came to an end with the killing of Osama Bin Laden in his Pakistani lair by American special forces. We asked two of the most contentious experts on all things Islamic—Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Tariq Ramadan—to assess the meaning of these historic moments on the future. Amr Moussa, the leading candidate for Egypt's presidency, and Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister, also offer their views. Two top former intelligence agents from MI6 and the CIA look at the next turn of events—the Saudi counter‐revolution.
Gestion et financement du congé de maladie dans le monde
Authors: SCHLIWEN Anke , EARLE Alison , HAYES Jeff , HEYMANN S. Jody
Published: July 2011

Les responsables politiques qui envisagent d'instituer ou de réformer le congé de maladie ont besoin d'en comprendre les mécanismes de financement possibles. Partant de données mondiales, les auteurs observent que la durée et la générosité de l'indemnisation dépendent du modèle utilisé– responsabilité de l'employeur, assurance sociale, assistance sociale, ou une combinaison des trois –, mais ils ne relèvent aucun lien significatif avec les indicateurs économiques tels que PIB par habitant, taux de chômage ou compétitivité nationale. Ils envisagent aussi les mécanismes politiques propices à l'efficacité du congé de maladie et à la solidité des résultats économiques.
Viabilité des régimes publics de retraite face au vieillissement de la population: la solution viendra‐t‐elle de l'immigration?
Authors: SERRANO Felipe , EGUÍA Begoña , FERREIRO Jesús
Published: July 2011

Dans de nombreux pays développés, le vieillissement de la population compromet la viabilité financière des régimes de retraite par répartition. L'immigration est souvent présentée comme l'une des solutions, particulièrement dans les pays où elle est forte. Les auteurs présentent un modèle d'analyse des effets de l'immigration sur la viabilité des régimes par répartition en prenant l'Espagne comme exemple. Ils montrent que l'afflux migratoire ne résout pas le problème, d'où la nécessité de recourir à des réformes paramétriques. Ils donnent aussi la mesure des réformes nécessaires à l'équilibre financier du système.
Relations professionnelles en Chine: pour un modèle hexapartite
Authors: MA Zhining
Published: July 2011

Relativement peu de recherches ont été publiées sur les relations professionnelles et le travail en Chine, en partie parce que le modèle tripartite classique ne permet pas d'expliciter la réalité chinoise. Après un bref examen de la théorie et de l'histoire des relations professionnelles dans ce pays, l'auteur présente une nouvelle taxonomie à six dimensions pour les expliciter. Les acteurs, avec leurs spécificités chinoises, sont: l'Etat‐parti, la Fédération panchinoise des syndicats, les organisations d'employeurs, les syndicats de base, les employeurs et les travailleurs. Ce modèle, selon l'auteur, est un outil utile pour bien rendre compte de l'évolution du système des relations professionnelles en Chine.
Le régime de sécurité sociale des travailleurs migrants en Chine
Authors: WANG Zhikai
Published: July 2011

En Chine, le manque de cohérence des politiques sociales et du travail risque de saper les relations entre les employeurs et, en fin de compte, la solidité de la transition du pays à l'économie de marché. L'une des contraintes qui pèse sur le développement du secteur privé est l'absence d'un régime intégré de protection sociale pour les migrants venus des zones rurales. Ils représentent une part notable de la main‐d'œuvre du secteur privé, mais ne jouissent pas des mêmes droits sociaux que les résidents urbains. Le gouvernement a commencéà s'attaquer au problème en renforçant l'application de la loi mais, selon l'auteur, des réformes institutionnelles restent indispensables.
Employment relations “with Chinese characteristics”: The role of trade unions in China
Authors: ZHU Ying , WARNER Malcolm , FENG Tongqing
Published: July 2011

Reviewing recent labour developments and trade union policy shifts in historical perspective, this article explores the role of trade unions in China's efforts to promote a “harmonious society”. The much‐criticized “top‐down” approach associated with the All‐China Federation of Trade Unions, however, has led to growing pressure “from below”, as evidenced by the recent increase in the number of strikes. With an emergent new role for trade unions, the authors argue, an employment relations system “with Chinese characteristics” is now institutionally embedded in the People's Republic.
Failures of enterprise‐level unionization in China: Implications for coalmine safety and beyond
Authors: LIU Chaojie
Published: July 2011

In recent years, China's frequent coalmining accidents have highlighted legislative defects that disable enterprise unions from exercising their statutory functions effectively in regard to occupational safety. The causes of this dysfunction have much wider implications, however. Reviewing the country's Trade Union Law, the author argues for amendments to empower workers to set up genuine enterprise‐level unions – by clarifying the procedures for doing so, excluding senior corporate executives from union membership and leadership, securing unions' financial independence from enterprise management, providing safeguards for the election of trade union leaders and their removal from office, and recognizing the right to strike.
Clinical trial of oral malodor treatment in patients with periodontal diseases
Authors: Pham T. A. V. , Ueno M. , Zaitsu T. , Takehara S. , Shinada K. , Lam P. H. , Kawaguchi Y.
Published: July 2011

Pham TAV, Ueno M, Zaitsu T, Takehara S, Shinada K, Lam PH, Kawaguchi Y. Clinical trial of oral malodor treatment in patients with periodontal diseases. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 722–729. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  Only a few clinical research studies have assessed different therapeutic approaches to oral malodor in subjects affected by periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment and tongue cleaning on oral malodor parameters in periodontitis and gingivitis patients.

Material and Methods:  The subjects were 102 periodontitis and 116 gingivitis patients with oral malodor. Oral malodor was measured by organoleptic test and Oral Chroma™. Oral health status, including tooth conditions, periodontal health, tongue coating and proteolytic activity of the BANA test in tongue coating were assessed. Subjects in each periodontal disease group were randomly assigned into two subgroups depending on the sequence of treatment: periodontal treatment and tongue cleaning. Oral malodor and oral health parameters were compared by groups and sequence of treatment.

Results:  For subjects in the periodontitis group, there were statistically significant reductions in oral malodor after periodontitis treatment or tongue cleaning; however, major reductions were found after periodontitis treatment. For those in the gingivitis group, there were also statistically significant reductions in oral malodor after gingivitis treatment or tongue cleaning, but the most marked reductions were observed after tongue cleaning. At the completion of treatment, all oral malodor parameters fell below the threshold levels in all subgroups.

Conclusion:  The present study indicated that periodontal treatment played an important role and tongue cleaning contributed to a lesser extent to reduction in oral malodor in periodontitis patients. In contrast, tongue cleaning alone can be the primary approach to reduce oral malodor in gingivitis patients.
Prenatal paracetamol exposure and risk of wheeze at preschool age*
Authors: Goksör Emma , Thengilsdottir Hrefna , Alm Bernt , Norvenius Gunnar , Wennergren Göran
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To analyse the association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and preschool wheeze.

Methods:  Data were obtained from a prospective, longitudinal study of a cohort of children born in the region of western Sweden in 2003; 8176 families were randomly selected. The parents answered questionnaires at 6 and 12 months and at 4.5 years of age. The response rate was 55%, i.e. 4496 of the 5398 questionnaires distributed at 4.5 years (83%). Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treated wheeze during the last year was regarded as a proxy for doctor‐diagnosed asthma. Episodic viral wheeze was defined as wheezing only with viral infections and multiple‐trigger wheeze as wheezing also in between infections.

Results:  In the multivariate analysis, the risk of ICS‐treated wheeze was increased by paracetamol (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.01–2.6). Within the ICS‐treated group, the effect was significant for multiple‐trigger wheeze (OR 2.4; 1.2–4.8) but not for episodic viral wheeze (OR 1.1; 0.5–2.3).

Conclusion:  Prenatal paracetamol exposure was an independent risk factor for ICS‐treated wheeze at preschool age, especially among children with ICS‐treated multiple‐trigger wheeze. Although the analysis adjusted for e.g. maternal asthma and antibiotic use, the possibility of residual confounding by maternal indication (respiratory illness) should be acknowledged.
Characterization of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza in a population of Dutch children with influenza‐like signs and symptoms
Authors: Smit Patrick M , Bongers Karlien M , Kuiper Rosalie JL , von Rosenstiel Ines A , Smits Paul HM , Brandjes Dees PM
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To determine causative respiratory pathogens and describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics in a paediatric population with influenza‐like illness during the 2009 H1N1‐pandemic.

Methods:  Observational study of 412 children visiting an outpatient clinic of a Dutch teaching hospital.

Results:  From August to December 2009, 412 children were tested at the clinic; 32% proved H1N1‐positive, confirmed by reverse‐transcriptase‐polymerase‐chain‐reaction (RT‐PCR). Pathogens were detected in 65% of samples. Influenza A(H1N1) (n = 132), human rhinovirus (n = 55), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 45) and adenovirus (n = 34) were mostly identified. Co‐infections were seen in 34 children (8.3%). Mean age was 6.8 and 4.2 years in H1N1‐positive and H1N1‐negative cases, respectively (p < 0.01). H1N1‐positive outpatient children reported fever, cough and rhinorrhoea more frequently than their H1N1‐negative counterparts. Of 72 hospitalized children, 31% proved H1N1‐positive; all showed a relatively mild clinical illness. None of the children had been admitted to an intensive care unit or died. Oseltamivir treatment was initiated in 72 children and discontinued in 42 (63%) when RT‐PCR results turned negative.

Conclusion:  The 2009 H1N1‐pandemic showed a mild clinical course in a Dutch paediatric outpatient clinic population. Respiratory pathogens were detected in the majority of children with influenza‐like illness and influenza A(H1N1) virus was identified in one‐third. Testing symptomatic children during an influenza pandemic has effectively limited the use of oseltamivir.
Response of blanket bog vegetation to drain‐blocking
Authors: Bellamy Paul E. , Stephen Leigh , Maclean Iain S. , Grant Murray C.
Published: July 2011

Question: Does blocking of moorland drains increase bog vegetation on blanket peat?

Location: Two sites with blocked drains and two with unblocked drains on Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve, Sutherland, UK.

Methods: Vegetation cover was recorded from 70 locations, with 12 sampling points at different distances (0.5‐14.5 m) from moorland drains in each location. Gradients in the cover of species indicative of wet and dry conditions, as well as bog recovery and degradation in relation to distance from drain, were compared from a sample of drains at two sites with blocked drains and two with unblocked drains.

Results: There was evidence for drain‐blocking having a negative effect on vegetation indicative of drier conditions and bog degradation. One of the blocked sites had the lowest values of these indices near to the drain and increasing at greater distances perpendicular from the drain. The two unblocked sites, and the other blocked site, had a contrasting pattern of highest values of these indices close to the drain declining with distance. Cover of species indicative of bog recovery was greater where the drains had been blocked for the longest time.

Conclusions: In some cases drain‐blocking can improve the ecological functioning of blanket bogs by increasing cover of healthy bog vegetation. Further studies into the causes of such variability in restoring vegetation through drain‐blocking are needed to aid targeting of peatland restoration projects to areas or methods most likely to be effective.
Bromocriptine inhibits salsolinol‐induced prolactin release in male goats
Authors: HASHIZUME Tsutomu , SAWADA Tatsuru , NAKAJIMA Yuka , YAEGASHI Tomoyoshi , SAITO Hayato , GOTO Yuki , JIN Jin , FÜLÖP Ferenc , NAGY György Miklos
Published: July 2011

The secretion of prolactin (PRL) is under the dominant and tonic inhibitory control of dopamine (DA); however, we have recently found that salsolinol (SAL), an endogenous DA‐derived compound, strongly stimulated the release of PRL in ruminants. The aim of the present study was to clarify the inhibitory effect of DA on the SAL‐induced release of PRL in ruminants. The experiments were performed from late June to early July. Male goats were given a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL (5 mg/kg body weight (BW)), a DA receptor antagonist (sulpiride, 0.1 mg/kg BW), or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 µg/kg BW) before and after treatment with a DA receptor agonist (bromocriptine), and the effect of DA on SAL‐induced PRL release was compared to that on sulpiride‐ or TRH‐induced release. Bromocriptine completely inhibited the SAL‐induced release of PRL (P < 0.05), and the area under the response curve (AUC) for a 120‐min period after the treatment with bromocriptine was 1/28 of that for before the treatment (P < 0.05). Bromocriptine also completely inhibited the sulpiride‐induced release (P < 0.05). The AUC post‐treatment was 1/17 that of pre‐treatment with bromocriptine (P < 0.05). Bromocriptine also inhibited the TRH‐induced release (P < 0.05), though not completely. The AUC post‐treatment was 1/3.8 that of pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that DA inhibits the SAL‐induced release of PRL in male goats, and suggest that SAL and DA are involved in regulating the secretion of PRL. They also suggest that in terms of the regulatory process for the secretion of PRL, SAL resembles sulpiride but differs from TRH.
CHANGING VISIONS OF EXCELLENCE IN ONTARIO SCHOOL POLICY: THE CASES OF LIVING AND LEARNING AND FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING
Authors: Bruno‐Jofré Rosa , Hills George (Skip)
Published: July 2011

In this essay, Rosa Bruno‐Jofré and George Hills examine two major Ontario policy documents: 1968's Living and Learning and 1994's For the Love of Learning. The purpose is, first, to gain insight into the uses of the term “excellence” in the context of discourse about educational aims and evaluation, and, second, to explore how these uses may have changed over time. Bruno‐Jofré and Hills employ the conceptual framework developed by Madhu Prakash and Leonard Waks to elucidate the varied notions of excellence contained in the two reports. Bruno‐Jofré and Hills argue that Living and Learning is an eclectic report that creates continuity by aligning itself with the pedagogically progressive tradition in Ontario; that propounds a holistic conception of excellence centered on the all‐around development of the self; and that seeks simultaneously to secure a sense of being Canadian while dealing with rapidly emerging social fragmentation. For the Love of Learning, in contrast, attempts to combine a technical view of excellence in education (stressing various literacies and skills as measurable indicators) with the principles of caring and the goals of social responsibility. Each report can be seen as an attempt to respond to the expectations of a population that had become increasingly diverse in the interval between the two reports. What is cause for concern in terms of policymaking, Bruno‐Jofré and Hills conclude, is the turn away from broader, more comprehensive and coherent views of excellence in education toward narrower and more fragmented accounts that are preoccupied with various types of literacy or loosely related vocational and other skills. The effect of this shift is to leave educational policy and practice in the schools essentially rudderless.
A MORE PRACTICAL PEDAGOGICAL IDEAL: SEARCHING FOR A CRITERION OF DEWEYAN GROWTH
Authors: Jesse Ralston Shane
Published: July 2011

When Dewey scholars and educational theorists appeal to the value of educative growth, what exactly do they mean? Is an individual's growth contingent on receiving a formal education? Is growth too abstract a goal for educators to pursue? Richard Rorty contended that the request for a “criterion of growth” is a mistake made by John Dewey's “conservative critics,” for it unnecessarily restricts the future “down to the size of the present.” Nonetheless, educational practitioners inspired by Dewey's educational writings may ask Dewey scholars and educational theorists, “How do I facilitate growth in my classroom?” Here Shane Ralston asserts, in spite of Rorty's argument, that searching for a more concrete standard of Deweyan growth is perfectly legitimate. In this essay, Ralston reviews four recent books on Dewey's educational philosophy—Naoko Saito's The Gleam of Light: Moral Perfectionism and Education in Dewey and Emerson, Stephen Fishman and Lucille McCarthy's John Dewey and the Philosophy and Practice of Hope, and James Scott Johnston's Inquiry and Education: John Dewey and the Quest for Democracy and Deweyan Inquiry: From Educational Theory to Practice—and through his analysis identifies some possible ways for Dewey‐inspired educators to make growth a more practical pedagogical ideal.
The Impact of Mid-Urethral Slings for the Treatment of Urodynamic Stress Incontinence on Female Sexual Function: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Authors: Filocamo Maria Teresa , Serati Maurizio , Frumenzio Emanuela , Marzi Vincenzo Li , Cattoni Elena , Champagne Alison , Salvatore Stefano , Nicita Giulio , Costantini Elisabetta
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Urinary incontinence is a common condition that negatively impacts on female sexuality (FS).

Aim

To evaluate FS before and after a mid-urethral sling (MUS) procedure using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). We included women that were both sexually and nonsexually active at baseline.

Methods

One hundred fifty-seven women complaining of urodynamic stress incontinence underwent a MUS procedure and were enrolled in the study. All patients answered the Italian translation of FSFI, before and 12 months after surgery. To understand the real impact of the MUS on female sexual function, for the first time in the literature, we also monitored and included in the final analysis all the women who are nonsexually active at baseline. We evaluated the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction according to the FSFI cutoff point (26.55).

Main Outcome Measures

FSFI total score, pads use, and stress test presurgery and postsurgery.

Results

One hundred thirty-three patients completed the study protocol: 105 out of 133 underwent to a trans-obturator procedure, while 28 out of 133 had a retropubic procedure. After the 12-month follow up, 115 out of 133 patients (86%) were dry, 10 improved their symptoms, and the remaining 8 were unchanged. Seventy-nine out of 133 (59%) patients reported an active sexual life before surgery. Fifty-four (41%) reported they were not sexually active before surgery. Twelve months after surgery, 22 out of 54 nonsexually active women (40%) reestablished sexual activity, whereas only 6 out of 79 (7.5%) patients, sexually active at baseline, were not sexually active 1 year after surgery (P < 0.05). After adjusting for multiple testing, only age, menopause, and storage symptoms remained significantly correlated with the FSFI total score postsurgery as independent variables.

Conclusions

Our data showed that after a MUS procedure, female sexual function improves. We also found that a very relevant percentage of nonsexually active women reported renewed sexual activity after MUS.
New natural hybrids of Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae) from Turkey
Authors: Aykurt Candan , Sümbül Hüseyin
Published: July 2011

The present study introduces two new nothospecies from Turkey, Convolvulus×pseudocompactus C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. oleifolius Desr. var. deserti Pamp.×C. compactus Boiss.) and Convolvulus×peshmenii C. Aykurt & Sümbül (C. holosericeus Bieb. subsp. macrocalycinus Hausskn. & Bornm.×C. compactus Boiss.). Morphological differences and similarities between the hybrids and their parents are discussed; in addition, habit and sepals are illustrated as diagnostic characters, and the geographic distribution of the hybrids and their parents are mapped. Pollen characteristics of Convolvulus×pseudocompactus, Convolvulus×peshmenii and their parents were examined by means of light microscopy and SEM. Detailed morphological and palynological investigations have been performed for hybrid individuals and parental species. As a result of the palynological investigations, the rate of dehydrated pollen grains was established as an important criterion to determine the hybrid status of Convolvulus taxa.
Oral health messages for the Australian public. Findings of a national consensus workshop#
Authors:   National Oral Health Promotion Clearing House
Published: July 2011

The Australian National Oral Health Plan 2004–2013 noted the importance of oral health promotion in improving oral health and stated that broad agreement was required on a consistent suite of evidence‐based oral health promotion messages. Consistent messages are needed to avoid confusion among the public and to assist the advocacy for oral health being integrated into general health promotion. A workshop was held to examine the scientific evidence and develop consensus oral health messages for the Australian public which are in line with the general health messages recommended by Australian health authorities.
When it matters how you pronounce it: The influence of regional accents on job interview outcome
Authors: Rakić Tamara , Steffens Melanie C. , Mummendey Amélie
Published: July 2011

The visual dimension has featured prominently in person perception in the last 25 years. Alone, this dimension cannot give the complete ‘picture’ of others because language and speech (i.e., the auditory dimension) are also highly informative. Social‐cognition research investigates the role of auditory information for impression formation. In a series of experiments, we tested perceived competence, hirability, and socio‐intellectual status of different targets based on their regional accents. Given identical content of statements in different conditions of an alleged job interview, regional German accents (Saxon, Bavarian, and Berlin) resulted in lower perceived competence and hirability than standard German, even though the Bavarian accent at the same time resulted in higher ratings of socio‐intellectual status compared to other regional accents (Experiment 1). These findings were confirmed when using a broader population sample and a ‘matched guise’ technique (Experiment 2). Our findings indicate that regional accents, similar to faces, can be very powerful in creating differentiated pictures of individuals.
Chinese preschoolers’ implicit and explicit false‐belief understanding
Authors: Wang Bo , Low Jason , Jing Zhang , Qinghua Qu
Published: July 2011

Mandarin‐speaking preschoolers in Mainland China (3‐ to 4‐year‐olds; N= 192) were tested for dissociations between anticipatory looking (AL) and verbal judgments on false‐belief tasks. The dissociation between the two kinds of understanding was robust despite direct false‐belief test questions using a Mandarin specific think‐falsely verb and despite participants living in a culture that promotes early self‐control. Children showed coherent AL across different belief‐formation scenarios. Manipulation of inhibitory demand in the false‐belief task did not affect preschoolers’ verbal judgments any more than their AL, and yet separate measures executive function correlated only with direct judgments and not looking responses. The findings are discussed in terms of an implicit–explicit cognitive systems account of false‐belief understanding.
An Improved Kriging-Assisted Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Mian
Published: July 2011

Although Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms (MOGAs) have been widely used in engineering design optimization, the important challenge still faced by researchers in using these methods is their high computational cost due to the population-based nature of these methods. For these problems it is important to devise MOGAs that can significantly reduce the number of simulation calls compared to a conventional MOGA. An improved kriging-assisted MOGA, called Circled Kriging MOGA (CK-MOGA), is presented in this paper, in which kriging metamodels are embedded within the computation procedure of a traditional MOGA. In the proposed approach, the decision as to whether the original simulation or its kriging metamodel should be used for evaluating an individual is based on a new and advanced objective switch criterion and an adaptive metamodeling technique. The effect of the possible estimated error from the metamodel is mitigated by applying the new switch criterion. Five numerical and engineering examples with different degrees of difficulty are used to illustrate applicability of the proposed approach, with the verification using different quality measures. The results show that, on the average, CK-MOGA outperforms both a conventional MOGA and a previously developed Kriging MOGA in terms of the number of simulation calls.
Design and Development of a Sun Tracking Mechanism Using the Direct SMA Actuation
Authors: Ganesh N. Jeya , Maniprakash S. , Chandrasekaran L. , Srinivasan S. M. , Srinivasa A. R.
Published: July 2011

An attempt has been made in this work to develop a simple yet efficient sun tracking mechanism (SSTM) using smart shape memory alloy (SMA). This mechanism is directly activated by the sun dispensing with the requirement of an additional external source to power it. The SMA element incorporated in the SSTM device performs the dual functions of sensing and actuating in such a way as to position the solar receptor tilted appropriately to face the sun directly at all times during the day. The mechanism has been designed such that the thermal stimulus needed to activate the SMA element is provided by the concentration and direct focusing of the incident sun rays on to the SMA element. This paper presents, in detail, the design and construction adopted to develop the functional model that was fabricated and tested for performance.
Bioengineering functional copolymers. XV. Synthesis of organoboron amide-ester branched derivatives of oligo(maleic anhydride) and their interaction with HeLa and L929 fibroblast cells
Authors: Kahraman Gülten , Türk Mustafa , Rzayev Zakir M. O. , Unsal M. Elif , Söylemez Ernur
Published: July 2011

Novel bioengineering functional organoboron oligomers were synthesized by (i) amidolysis of oligo(maleic anhydride) (OMA) with 2-aminoethyldiphenylborinate (2-AEPB), (ii) esterification of organoboron oligomer (OMA-B) with α-hydroxy-ω-methoxypoly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a compatibilizer and (iii) conjugation of organoboron PEO branches (OMA-B-PEO) with folic acid as a taggering agent. Structure and composition of the synthesized oligomers were characterized by FTIR-ART and 1H (13C) NMR spectroscopy, chemical and physical analysis methods. Interaction of functional oligomers and oligomer···FA complex (OMA-B-PEO-F) with HeLa and L929 fibroblast cells were investigated by using different biochemical methods such as cytotoxicity, statistical, apoptotic and necrotic cell indexes, double staining and caspase-3 immunostaining, light and fluorescence inverted microscope analyses. It was found that citotoxisity and apoptotic/necrotic effects of oligomers significantly depend on the structure and composition of studied oligomers, and increase the following raw: OMA << OMA-B < OMA-B-PEO < OMA-B-PEO-F. A folic acid complex (MA-PEG-B-F) at 400 μg ml–1 (2.36 μmol ml–1) concentration as a therapeutic drug exhibits minimal toxcisity toward the fibroblast cells, but influential for HeLa cells.
ENERGY CONTENTS OF THE WORMHOLES
Authors: ULU MELİS , TÜRKOGLU MURAT METEHAN
Published: July 2011

In this study, energy distributions of the various wormholes which connect two different parts of the universe have been investigated. We have obtained the energies of several types of wormholes as the statical wormholes, wormholes with scalar fields, electrical charged wormholes, zero density wormholes, zero radial tides wormholes, conformal wormholes, inflating wormholes, wormhole model in the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmology and Visser–Kar–Dadlich (VKD) wormholes using the Einstein, Weinberg and Landau–Lifshitz energy–momentum prescriptions. The Weinberg and Landau–Lifshitz energies of the statical wormholes, wormholes with scalar fields, electrical charged wormholes, zero density wormholes, zero radial tides wormholes or VKD-wormholes give the same results. Also, Weinberg, Landau–Lifshitz and Einstein energies of the conformal wormholes, inflating wormholes or wormholes in the FRW-cosmology give the different results.
HEDGING EUROPEAN DERIVATIVES WITH THE POLYNOMIAL VARIANCE SWAP UNDER UNCERTAIN VOLATILITY ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: TAKAHASHI AKIHIKO , TSUZUKI YUKIHIRO , YAMAZAKI AKIRA
Published: July 2011

This paper proposes a new hedging scheme of European derivatives under uncertain volatility environments, in which a weighted variance swap called the polynomial variance swap is added to the Black-Scholes delta hedging for managing exposure to volatility risk. In general, under these environments one cannot hedge the derivatives completely by using dynamic trading of only an underlying asset owing to volatility risk. Then, for hedging uncertain volatility risk, we design the polynomial variance, which can be dependent on the level of the underlying asset price. It is shown that the polynomial variance swap is not perfect, but more efficient as a hedging tool for the volatility exposure than the standard variance swap. In addition, our hedging scheme has a preferable property that any information on the volatility process of the underlying asset price is unnecessary. To demonstrate robustness of our scheme, we implement Monte Carlo simulation tests with three different settings, and compare the hedging performance of our scheme with that of standard dynamic hedging schemes such as the minimum-variance hedging. As a result, it is found that our scheme outperforms the others in all test cases. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the scheme proposed in this paper continues to be robust against model risks.
THE TERM STRUCTURE OF CURRENCY HEDGE RATIOS
Authors: KORN OLAF , KOZIOL PHILIPP
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates the variance minimizing currency forward hedge of an exporting firm that is exposed to different sources of risk. In an empirical study, we quantify the corresponding hedge ratios of a "typical" German firm for different hedge horizons. Based on cointegrated vector autoregressive models of prices, interest rates and exchange rates, we show that hedge ratios decrease substantially with the hedge horizon for different currencies, reaching values of one half or less for a ten-years horizon. Our findings can partly explain underhedging of long-term exchange rate exposures and have important implications for the design of risk management strategies.
Titrimetric and Spectrophotometric Assay of Oxcarbazepine in Pharmaceuticals Using N-Bromosuccinimide and Bromopyrogallol Red
Authors: Rajendraprasad Nagaraju , Basavaiah Kanakapura , Vinay Kanakapura B.
Published: July 2011

Titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of oxcarbazepine (OXC) in bulk drug and in tablets. The methods use N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and bromopyrogallol red (BPR) as reagents. In titrimetry (method A), an acidified solution of OXC is titrated directly with NBS using methyl orange as indicator. Spectrophotometry (method B) involves the addition of known excess of NBS to an acidified solution of OXC followed by the determination of the unreacted NBS by reacting with BPR and measuring the absorbance of the unreacted dye at 460 nm. Titrimetry allows the determination of 6–18 mg of OXC and follows a reaction stoichiometry of 1 : 1 (OXC : NBS), whereas spectrophotometry is applicable over the concentration range of 0.8–8.0 μg mL-1. Method B with a calculated molar absorptivity of2.52×104 L mol-1 cm-1is the most sensitive spectrophotometric method ever developed for OXC. The optical characteristics such as limits of detection (LOD), quantification (LOQ), and Sandell's sensitivity values are also reported for the spectrophotometric method. The accuracy and precision of the methods were studied on intraday and interday basis. The methods described could usefully be applied to routine quality control of tablets containing OXC. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical adjuvants. Statistical comparison of the results with a reference method shows an excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference in accuracy and precision. The reliability of the methods was further ascertained by recovery studies in standard addition procedure.
Perforated Duodenal Ulcer in Pregnancy—A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Essilfie Papa , Hussain M. , Bolaji I.
Published: July 2011

Medical and surgical disorders in pregnancy can be can be quite challenging for the obstetrician gynaecologist even in resource rich countries. Reaching an accurate diagnosis and admininstering appropriate management can be difficult in the presence of an on-going pregnancy. The importance of involving specialist from other disciplines (multidisciplinary care) cannot be overemphasized. We present an interesting case of perforated duodenal ulcer in a pregnant patient, review the literature ,discuss the differential diagnosis and evaluate the management principles for this rare condition.
Microstructural Study of ZnO Nanostructures by Rietveld Analysis
Authors: Pola-Albores Francisco , Paraguay-Delgado Francisco , Antúnez-Flores Wilber , Amézaga-Madrid Patricia , Ríos-Valdovinos Edna , Miki-Yoshida Mario
Published: July 2011

ZnO nanorods were synthesized by induced seeds by chemical bath deposition using hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as a precipitant agent and zinc nitrate (ZN) as Zn2+source at 90°C. The influence of reactants ratio was studied from 2 to 0.25 ZN/HMT molar. The results obtained by scanning electron microscopy confirm that the diameter of nanorods was affected directly by the concentration of both zinc and OH−sources. Nanotubes (hollow nanorods) were obtained with high HMT concentrations and were turning over nanorods as HMT concentration decreased. Microstructural information was obtained by Rietveld refinement of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction data. These results evidence low-textured materials with oriented volumes less than 18% coming from (101) planes in Bragg condition.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in the Form of Peritoneal Abscess Complicating Late Pregnancy
Authors: Navada H. Mahesha , Bhat B. Poornima Ramachandra
Published: July 2011

Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the form of peritoneal abscess during pregnancy is almost unheard entity. Early and antenatal diagnosis may be difficult or may be revealed only during caesarean section. We report a case of peritoneal abscess secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease incidentally found at repeat caesarean section. It was managed by conservative surgical approach.
Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Quercetin in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine
Authors: Sriraksa Napatr , Wattanathorn Jintanaporn , Muchimapura Supaporn , Tiamkao Somsak , Brown Kamoltip , Chaisiwamongkol Kowit
Published: July 2011

Oxidative stress has been reported to induce cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. This paper aimed to determine the effect of quercetin, a substance possessing antioxidant activity, on the cognitive function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Male Wistar rats, weighing 200–250 g, were orally given quercetin at doses of 100, 200, 300 mg/kg BW once daily for a period of 14 days before and 14 days after the unilateral lesion of right substantia nigra induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Their spatial memory was assessed at 7 and 14 days of treatment and neuron density was determined, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. In addition, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also measured. It was found that all doses of quercetin enhanced spatial memory. Therefore, it is suggested that the cognitive-enhancing effect of quercetin occurs partly because of decreased oxidative damage resulting in increased neuron density.
Radiation Effects in Nuclear Ceramics
Authors: Thomé L. , Moll S. , Debelle A. , Garrido F. , Sattonnay G. , Jagielski J.
Published: July 2011

Due to outstanding physicochemical properties, ceramics are key engineering materials in many industrial domains. The evaluation of the damage created in ceramics employed in radiative media is a challenging problem for electronic, space, and nuclear industries. In this latter field, ceramics can be used as immobilization forms for radioactive wastes, inert fuel matrices for actinide transmutation, cladding materials for gas-cooled fission reactors, and structural components for fusion reactors. Information on the radiation stability of nuclear materials may be obtained by simulating the different types of interactions involved during the slowing down of energetic particles with ion beams delivered by various types of accelerators. This paper presents a review of the radiation effects occurring in nuclear ceramics, with an emphasis on recent results concerning the damage accumulation processes. Energetic ions in the KeV-GeV range are used to explore the nuclear collision (at low energy) and electronic excitation (at high energy) regimes. The recovery by electronic excitation of the damage created by ballistic collisions (SHIBIEC process) is also addressed.
Kras, Pten, NF-κB, and Inflammation: Dangerous Liaisons
Authors: Chiao Paul J. , Ling Jianhua
Published: July 2011

Ying and colleagues identify a novel function of Pten as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in human pancreatic cancer development. Genomic, genetic, and biochemical data reveal that Pten loss and Kras mutation cooperate to accelerate pancreatic cancer development by altering PI3K regulation to enhance NF-κB activation and upregulate downstream cytokine genes; this provides a protumorigenic and metastatic microenvironment. Cancer Discovery; 1(2); 103–5. ©2011 AACR.

Commentary on Ying et al., p. 158
The First Line of Intra-abdominal Metastatic Attack: Breaching the Mesothelial Cell Layer
Authors: Kenny Hilary A. , Nieman Kristin M. , Mitra Anirban K. , Lengyel Ernst
Published: July 2011

Iwanicki and colleagues reveal that ovarian cancer spheroids clear mesothelial cells which cover the surface of the abdominal cavity using myosin-generated force. Cancer Discovery; 1(2); 100–2. ©2011 AACR.

Commentary on Iwanicki et al., p. 144
Global Climate Change and the Industrial Animal Agriculture Link: The Construction of Risk
Authors: Bristow Elizabeth
Published: July 2011

This paper examines discourses of stakeholders regarding global climate change to assess whether and how they construct industrial animal agriculture as posing a risk. The analysis assesses whether these discourses have shifted since the release of Livestock’s Long Shadow, a report by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, which indicated that the industrial animal agriculture sector as a whole contributes more to global climate change than the transportation sector. Using Ulrich Beck’s theorizing of the “risk society,” this paper examines how various animal rights and welfare groups, environmental organizations, meat industry stakeholders, governmental agencies, and newspapers in Canada, the United States, and internationally investigate and construct industrial animal agriculture as a risk, if at all, and how their respective discourses conflict. The findings indicate that while some stakeholders acknowledge industrial animal agriculture’s contribution to global climate change, for the most part the problematization of animal agriculture has not increased since the release of Livestock’s Long Shadow, and the animal agriculture industry has seemingly not lost its power to “rationalize risk.”
Seventh Graders’ Direct Experience with, and Feelings toward, Amphibians and Some Other Nonhuman Animals
Authors: Tomažič Iztok
Published: July 2011

This study investigated how seventh-grade students (11-12 years old) rate their fear of, and disgust toward, amphibians in comparison to some other nonhuman animal species. For the purpose of evaluating these variables, a questionnaire with open-ended and self-report questions was used. The study found that direct experience of animals significantly affects students’ self-reported fear and disgust ratings. Boys generally reported less fear and disgust toward animals than girls. With regard to amphibians, students expressed relatively high disgust, but low fear. There were no differences in disgust ratings between boys and girls. Also, a majority of students reported having no direct experience of amphibians, and their attitudes hovered between negative and neutral. Factor analysis placed amphibians in a category of disgust-relevant animals. The other two categories that emerged were interpreted as fear-relevant animals and companion animals. The study concluded that education should place greater importance on allowing students to experience a variety of different animal species directly in order to foster positive change in their feelings and attitudes toward them, and at the same time to build on their understanding of animals.
The Principles of Animal Advocacy in Islam: Four Integrated Ecognitions
Authors: Haque Nadeem , Masri Al-Hafiz Basheer Ahmad
Published: July 2011

The Qurān—the scripture of the Muslims, which purports to be from the Creator of the Universe—presents a rational, holistic, and integrated view of life, where the human being is considered an integral, coexistential part of nature who has responsibilities as representative of the Creator on earth. This responsibility is both based on, and directed by, four principles/realizations called “ecognitions,” from which all animal rights can be formulated and through which a case for proactive animal advocacy can be advanced. It is argued that the Qurānic view, from which the four ecognitions are drawn, has the potential to enable the coexistence of human and nonhuman animals, in an optimally harmonious way, for the 21st century and beyond.
Strong Claims, Feeble Evidence: A Rejoinder to Falk et al. (2010)
Authors: Malamud Randy , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Broglio Ron , Nobis Nathan , Marino Lori
Published: July 2011

The criticisms of Falk et al. (2010) are addressed, and the question of whether claims made by Falk et al. (2007) are valid is revisited. This rebuttal contends that Falk et al. (2007) misconstrue Popper’s role in philosophy of science and hence do not provide a strong test of their hypothesis. Falk et al. (2010) claim that they never made causal statements about the impact of zoo and aquarium visits in their 2007 study. Yet, this commentary shows that Falk et al. (2007) draw several unsupported, strong causal conclusions. The criticism that primary documents were not used in Marino et al. (2010) is also addressed, as this refutation demonstrates that the analysis was based on all available documents. Finally, this commentary aims, through its criticisms of Falk et al. (2007), to catalyze better-quality research on the effects of zoo and aquarium visits.
Furries and the Limits of Species Identity Disorder: A Response to Gerbasi et al.
Authors: Probyn-Rapsey Fiona
Published: July 2011

This is a response to an article published inSociety & Animals in 2008 that argued for the existence of a “species identity disorder” in some furries. Species identity disorder is modeled on gender identity disorder, itself a highly controversial diagnosis that has been criticized for pathologizing homosexuality and transgendered people. This response examines the claims of the article (and the design of the study itself) and suggests that the typology it constructs is based on unexamined assumptions about what constitutes “human” identity and regulatory fictions of gender identity.
Why so FURious? Rebuttal of Dr. Fiona Probyn-Rapsey’s Response to Gerbasi et al.’s Furries from A to Z (Anthropomorphism to Zoomorphism)”
Authors: Gerbasi Kathleen C. , Bernstein Penny L. , Scaletta Laura L. , Plante C. Nuka
Published: July 2011

This is a rebuttal to Fiona Probyn-Rapsey’s criticisms of the original furry research conducted in 2006 and published in 2008. Her focus on gender identity disorder misses the main point of the study, which was that it was the first empirical study to collect data scientifically and report findings on the furry fandom, an often misrepresented subculture.
Sexing the Rotifer: Reading Nonhuman Animals’ Sex and Reproduction in 19th-Century Biology
Authors: Ebeling K. Smilla
Published: July 2011

This paper looks at the role nonhuman animals play in how we think about sex, gender, and sexuality in zoology and in society. In examining the history of ideas regarding a microscopic invertebrate species—rotifers—the paper explores how humans have projected aspects of their lives onto nonhuman animals and how they have extrapolated from nonhuman animals to human society. The paper emphasizes the intersections between knowledge about nonhuman animals and gender and sexuality politics.
Sexual Difference, Gender, and (Microscopic) Animals: A Commentary on Ebeling’s “Sexing the Rotifer”
Authors: Åsberg Cecilia
Published: July 2011

In this commentary, the microscopic animals of the genus Rotifera, or “rotifers,” emerge as a theory-provoking nonhuman animal. Rotifers embody otherness in ways that may intrigue scholars within both Human-Animal Studies and feminist science studies. In their encounter with rotifers, such fields of research (and others) might also engage each other in new, unexpected, and fruitful ways, as is here argued.
Universalising Europe: In the Spirit of Rabindranath Tagore 1
Authors: Munshi Surendra
Published: July 2011

Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, made a distinction between ‘the spirit of the West’ and ‘the nation of the West.’ While the spirit of the West is moved by freedom, he argued, the nation of the West manufactures unbreakable chains. He was distressed by colonial misery as well as by the two World Wars which in his eyes were the result of aggressive nationalistic interests. He argued in favour of going beyond nationalism and through cooperation between cultures for humanity to win back its lost human heritage. At a time when Europe is trying to go beyond national rivalries and create the possibility of peace, we need to look forward. Tagore is relevant here. What is needed is not to ‘provincialize Europe’ as has been argued from a post-colonial perspective, but to ‘universalise Europe,’ not in the false sense of its arrogant boast which sounds more and more hollow now, but rather in the spirit of Tagore and before him in the spirit of a European like Goethe. This is where Europeans need non-Europeans, just as non-Europeans need Europeans for their own projects.