bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the AHP Method to Select an ERP System for an SME Manufacturing Company
Authors: Kłos Sławomir , Trebiina Peter
Published: September 2014

This paper proposes the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process method to support decision making regarding the selection of an Enterprise Resource Planning system in a manufacturing company. The main assumption of the work is that the management of the selection of an ERP system should consider that the most important selection criteria are concerned with the functionality of the ERP system. Besides this, the aspects of total cost of ownership, technical support and implementation time or vendor experience are taken into consideration to guarantee a successful ERP implementation. The proposed procedure of an ERP system selection is dedicated for small and medium manufacturing enterprises. A structure of attributes for the AHP method is proposed on the basis of an analysis and identification of critical success factors. Different kinds of production (make-to-stock, make-to-order and engineer-to-order are taken into consideration). Illustrative examples are also given.
Alerts and affairs in the “brigádnik” dossier. The trajectory of public problems in (and beyond) online discussion spaces
Authors: Smith Simon
Published: September 2014

This article describes the covert seeding by political parties of forums and blogs hosted by one of the leading Slovak daily newspapers, and the techniques developed by journalists, administrators, bloggers and discussants to defend these ‘public spheres’ against perceived colonisation by professional political communicators acting under false identities. We follow a trajectory of accusatory forms and registers—a collective inquiry which gathered and evaluated evidence to support public accusations. The episode demonstrates the vulnerability of the sociotechnical systems used by the media to host e-participation as well as their capacities for self-regulation. It shows how citizens, journalists and party political communicators are engaged in complex boundary struggles for the appropriation and regulation of these new spaces of sociability in order to qualify the forms of knowledge that emerge there, agree conventions for the expression of disquiet and negotiate practically enforcable definitions distinguishing political marketing from free public debate.
Parties, pirates and politicians: The 2014 European Parliamentary elections on Czech Twitter
Authors: Hrdina Matouš , Karaščáková Zuzana
Published: September 2014

The ongoing expansion of new communication technologies is inseparably linked to the transformation of political communication. The new thinking behind communication is embedded directly in the code of popular social networks. Can a formal political party successfully implement a decentralized mode of communication based on personal connections and weak social ties, or is it against the very logic of both the hierarchical organizations and the technology itself? Our case study describes the vast spectrum of various types of behavior of political actors on Twitter through computer-assisted analysis of Twitter communication in Czech Republic before the elections to the European Parliament in May 2014. The research is based on the concept of connective action, as defined by Bennett and Segerberg. Preliminary results show an emerging typology of campaign strategies, from formal and centralized campaigns on one hand to various hybrid overlaps of traditional and new forms of communication on the other.
Asynchronous email interview as a qualitative research method in the humanities
Authors: Ratislavová Kateřina , Ratislav Jakub
Published: September 2014

The article focuses on a method for collecting qualitative data. The method is the asynchronous email interview. The authors assess the advantages, challenges and best practices of the asynchronous email interview method. They base their assessment on the academic literature and their own experiences using this data collection method in qualitative research on women who had experienced perinatal loss. The asynchronous email interview will never fully replace traditional face-to-face interviews, but it could gain a solid position as a qualitative research method thanks to its unique benefits.
Reflections on solidarity in global and transnational environment: Issue of social recognition in the context of the potential and limitations of the media
Authors: Solík Martin , Laluhová Juliána
Published: September 2014

The present article deals with issues of social recognition in the global and transnational environment. It deals with the issue of solidarity, a form of recognition that has no adequate parallel beyond nation state borders and manifests itself mainly in the transnational economy. We focus on the articulation of the extraterritorial recognition of social rights-holders at the international and transnational levels of justice. It is clear that conditions in developing countries do not allow the people there to express disapproval in ways that are typical for Western societies. We stress that states should strengthen their influence in global and transnational organizations and equally that the media should improve its informative role and should provide information on what is happening in developing parts of the world.
Internet, social sciences and humanities
Authors: Stellner František , Vokoun Marek
Published: September 2014

The paper deals with the state of the social sciences after the boom of internet services in the Czech Republic in the 1990s. The results of our survey, based on 512 responses from the economics and history departments of major Czech public universities, show that internet services are considered a quality factor for academic output; however, the issues of plagiarism, a lack of resource criticism, inadequacy of impact factor-based evaluations, poor academic training for the new generation of social scientists, the failure of state academic policy, and the generation gap make further development in the Czech social sciences rather problematic. As a result we recommend creating a better communication link between policy makers and scholars, reforming the current state policy which encourages lower quality academic output, and improving academic training, which requires a more individual approach, and also placing higher demands on social scientists.
Sediment geochronology and spatio-temporal and vertical distributions of radionuclides in the Upper Bonny Estuary (South Nigeria)
Authors: Omokheyeke Omorotionmwan , Sikoki Francis , Laissaoui Abdelmourhit , Akpuluma David , Onyagbodor Peter , Benkdad Azzouz , Benmansour Moncef
Published: September 2014

Surface deposits and sediment cores were collected from the Upper Bonny Estuary, located in Southwest Nigeria, and analyzed to determine spatio-temporal and vertical distributions of radio-nuclide activities expressed in Bq·kg−1 dry weight. The results of activities of naturally occurring radionuclides of 226Ra (15 ± 2–34 ± 3 Bq·kg−1), 228Ra (32 ± 5–48 ± 6 Bq·kg−1), 40K (264 ± 29–462 ± 36 Bq·kg−1) were found to be all within the range of typical values reported for coastal regions. Ratios of 226Ra to 228Ra suggested accretion for all samples with low sediment accumulation registered during rainy months. In addition, vertical distributions at the three sampling sites were also studied with the initial aim of establishing chronologies from the decay of excess 210Pb. In two cores, excess 210Pb, estimated by subtracting 226Ra from total 210Pb on a layer-by-layer basis, exhibit relatively constant activity with discrete minima and maxima. Therefore, these cores were excluded from radiometric dating. Only the third core could be dated by the constant rate of supply model, and 137Cs was utilized to validate the 210Pb chronology.
Tree ring analysis as an indicator of environmental changes caused by tourist trampling — A potential method for the assessment of the impact of tourists
Authors: Ciapała Szymon , Adamski Paweł , Zielonka Tomasz
Published: September 2014

This paper shows that tree-ring trends might be used for the assessment of the intensity of trampling along touristic tracks in the forests. The study aims at determining the effects of trampling, on the dynamics of annual increments in trees subject to pressure from hiking tourism. The studies were conducted at a spruce stand in the Tatra Mts., on sections of different trails. Within each trail, four transects were determined. Transects include the zones with damage from trampling and the un-affected areas, treated as a reference zones. Selected trees growing in both zones were sampled by coring and the core samples were used to develop sequences of annual increment widths. Next, the dynamics of increments in trees growing in the tourist zone and the reference zone were compared. The decrease in the annual increments was significantly more rapid in trees growing directly along the trail that those in trees deep in the forest stand in one locality. This finding may testify the adverse effects of hiking along tourist routes on the radial increments in trees in the neighbourhood of the trails. The results of the study indicate that the impact of trampling in the form of soil compaction and mechanical damage to root systems of trees may, to some extent, be compensated by better light access and lessened competition experienced by trees growing along the edges of hiking trails. Tree-ring analyses might be an efficient alternative for assessment of tourism intensity conducted by the other methods.
Performance tests using the Lexsyg luminescence reader
Authors: Lomax Johanna , Kreutzer Sebastian , Fuchs Markus
Published: September 2014

This study presents test measurements on a Lexsyg luminescence reader, acquired by the Giessen luminescence group. The reader is of the type Standard, hence designed for routine determination of palaeodoses using quartz or K-feldspars. The tests include measurements of the stimulation powers, preheat temperatures, OSL- and TL-curves, as well as dose recovery tests and calibration measurements using highly sensitised calibration quartz. A comparison of D
e values determined using a Lexsyg reader with single grain D
e-values, which have been previously obtained on a Risø reader, is also presented. The results imply that the Lexsyg reader is a highly reliable measurement device with high reproducibility, yielding instrumental uncertainties of around 0.3%.
Learning object-oriented paradigm by playing computer games: concepts first approach
Authors: Livovský Jakub , Porubän Jaroslav
Published: September 2014

Since the beginning of teaching object-oriented programming at universities in the mid 90’s, university teachers are trying to come up with more effective ways of teaching. Number of researches has been made in this area. They are trying to identify errors teachers are making in learning process. These researches suggest different teaching methodologies and tools, which should help them to avoid these mistakes.

The subject of this paper is to present a solution we developed to teach and illustrate basic concepts of object oriented paradigm through playing of computer game. In this approach, we are teaching basic principles, such as class, objects and relationship between them in the beginning of object oriented programming (OOP) course and postpone learning of specific objective language to later time. Also we are taking advantage of attractiveness of computer games to increase students motivation, which should lead to improved learning performance of students.
Molecular and serological investigation of border disease virus infection in sheep in the Kars District of Turkey
Authors: Yilmaz Volkan , Yildirim Yakup , Coskun Nuvit
Published: September 2014

This study is a serological and virological examination of the border disease virus (BDV) in sheep at 1–5 years of age from private small scale production units of less than 20 sheep per unit, in the Kars District of Turkey. For this purpose, blood sera from 460 sheep were tested for antibodies against BDV using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Since BDV causes persistent infection, antigen-ELISA was also performed for this agent. Seropositivity rate was detected to be 74.57%. In addition, the BDV antigen was detected in one sample of seronegative sera (0.85%). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to determine the presence of pestivirus nucleic acid by using 5’UTR primer pair. Pestivirus nucleic acid was found in 2 of 117 seronegative samples (1.71%) by RT-PCR. The results suggest that the infection was spreading in private small scale production units. Furthermore, recommendations for the control of BDV infection are presented. This study is the first molecular and serological study to determine viroprevalence and seroprevalence of BDV infection in sheep in the Kars District of Turkey.
Effect of oral supplementation of bamboo grass leaves extract on cellular immune function in dairy cows
Authors: Ohtsuka Hiromichi , Fujiwara Hidemi , Nishio Ai , Sakai Yasushi , Matsuda Kei-ichi , Muramatsu Yukiko , Hara Hideo , Nakagawa-Yagi Yuzo , Hara Taka-aki
Published: September 2014

Beta glucans extracted from bamboo (Sasa sensanensis) grass leaves are known to have an immune-modulatory effect in animals. These glucans have been used for the treatment of diseases such as viral infections, inflammation, and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immuno-modulatory effect of SanSTAGETM (pure compounds obtained from the bamboo grass leaves; 25% of bamboo grass extract and 75% of dextrin) on peripheral blood leukocyte population and mRNA expression of immune related molecules of 20 dairy cows. Ten cows were orally administered 30 mg/kg/day of SanSTAGETM for first two weeks; the other 10 cows were control without supplementation. The blood samples were collected in tubes containing dipotassium-EDTA for analysis of leukocyte population, and in tubes containing heparin for analysis of cytokine production. Cows supplemented with SanSTAGETM showed an increased number of CD8+ T cells and expression of perforin (cytotoxicity factor to virally infected cells) and MX-2 (anti-virus factor). The study describes for the first time that oral administration of supplement extracted from Kumaizasa bamboo grass leaves affects cellar immune function of dairy cows, and can be recommended as part of diet for prevention of infectious diseases.
DIRECTT-Rekonstruktionen im Vergleich zur gefilterten Rückprojektion
Authors: Lange Axel , Kupsch Andreas , Hentschel Manfred P. , Müller Bernd R.
Published: September 2014

Kurzfassung

Anhand von computertomografischen Messungen und Modellrechnungen werden DIRECTT-Rekonstruktionen im Vergleich mit gefilterten Rückprojektionen bewertet. Dazu wird die Rekonstruktionsqualität mittels einer zirkular erweiterten Modulations-Transfer-Funktion (MTF) und mit integralen Kenngrößen im Radon- und im Ortsraum verglichen. Zur Überprüfung der Rekonstruktionsgenauigkeit experimenteller Daten werden Mustermessungen einfacher Probengeometrien unter definierten physikalischen Bedingungen durchgeführt. Diese beinhalten die Monochromasie, die Unterdrückung von Kantenartefakten und die radiometrische Intensitätsbestimmung. Für die Qualität der Rekonstruktionen mittels DIRECTT erweisen sich sowohl unterschiedliche Rekonstruktionsfilter als auch der Verzicht auf jede Filterung als unerheblich, im Gegensatz zur gefilterten Rückprojektion.
Machining Parameter Optimization of Bidirectional CFRP Composite Pipe by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Vijaykumar Krishnasamy , Panneerselvam Kavan , Sait Abdullah Naveen
Published: September 2014

Composite materials such as fiber-reinforced composites (FRP) are extensively used in today's industries such as aerospace, automotive, and shipping because of their high specific strength and high specific stiffness. In addition, they have good thermal resistance, corrosion resistance, damping resistance, and dimensional stability. But, due to the inhomogeneous composition of these materials, machining of composite materials becomes a major concern in the industry. For the present study, machining was carried out at a CFRP composite pipe with bidirectional carbon fiber. Based on the experimental results, regression analysis was conducted to determine the input-output relationships of the process. A mathematical model was developed to predict the responses, and correlation graphs were plotted. The regression equations were then plotted and the effects of each process parameter on the response were analyzed using the response surface methodology. The process parameters were then optimized using genetic algorithm to yield minimum cutting force and minimum surface roughness.
Effect of Rotational Speed and Dwell Time on Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar AA1050-AA3105 Friction Stir Spot Welded Joints*
Authors: Aydin Hakan , Tuncel Oguz , Yuce Celalettin , Tutar Mumin , Yavuz Nurettin , Bayram Ali
Published: September 2014

Friction stir spot welding is a newly developed joining technology which is expected to be used in the automotive industry for joining body parts made of aluminum sheets. The effect of the rotational speed and dwell time on the mechanical properties of dissimilar friction stir spot welded aluminum sheet alloys was investigated in this study. In the experimental studies, macro-structural characterization, micro-hardness tests and tensile shear tests were conducted. The experimental results showed that the tensile shear load and tensile deformation of the friction stir spot welded joints decreased roughly by 20 % and 25 %, respectively, when the rotational speed increased from 1000 rpm to 2000 rpm. On the other hand, when the dwell time increased from 3 s to 11 s, the tensile shear load increased roughly by 7 %, while the tensile deformation decreased roughly by 19 %, respectively.
Numerical and Experimental Determination of the Residual Stress State in Multipass Welded API 5L X70 Plates*
Authors: Garipova Nuriya , Batigün Caner , Gür Cemil Hakan
Published: September 2014

Residual stress distributions in multipass welded API 5L X70 steel plates were determined by numerical and experimental methods. SYSWELD finite element software was used for numerical simulations. Microstructure variations were also considered for calculation of residual stresses. The continuous cooling transformation diagram was obtained via JMatPro software. The results showed that residual stress distribution is sensitive to number of weld passes, and microstructure changes. The simulation results were compared with those obtained by Magnetic Barkhausen Noise measurements on the welded plates. Simulation and experimental results gave qualitatively similar tendencies for the variation of the residual stress state.
Fatigue Cracking of Hybrid Plasma Gas Metal Arc Welded 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel*
Authors: Yurtisik Koray , Tirkes Suha
Published: September 2014

Contrary to other keyhole welding applications on duplex stainless steels, a proper cooling time and a dilution were achieved during hybrid plasma gas metal arc welding that provided sufficient reconstructive transformation of austenite without sacrificing its high efficiency and productivity. Simultaneous utilization of keyhole and metal deposition in the hybrid welding procedure enabled us to get an as-welded 11 mm-thick standard duplex stainless steel plate in a single pass. Metallographic examination on hybrid plasma-gas metal arc weldments revealed only primary austenite in ferrite matrix, whereas in addition to reconstructive transformation of primary austenite during solidification, secondary austenite was also transformed in a displacive manner due to successive thermal cycles during multi-pass gas metal arc welding. On the one hand, secondary austenite provided barriers and retarded the crack propagation during the tests in laboratory air. On the other hand, chromium and molybdenum depletion in the neighborhood of secondary austenite precipitates yielded relatively high crack propagation rates in multi-pass weldments under chloride attack.
Torsional Behavior of AISI 420/AISI 4340 Steel Friction Welds
Authors: Ozan Sermin
Published: September 2014

The solid-state friction welding method, which is widely used in the automotive, machinery, aviation and aerospace industry, was applied in this study. AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel, which is difficult to join by using fusion welding methods, and AISI 4340 tempered steel, which is commonly used in the automotive industry, were joined. During the welding process, three different rotations as 700, 1000 and 1300 rpm were used and parameters such as friction pressure, friction time, upset pressure as well as upsetting duration were kept constant. After the welding process, welded joints were examined macroscopically and microscopically, and their microhardness were measured. Then, torsion tests were performed on these samples. During the torsion tests, the samples fractured outside the welded joint regions. Thus, it was concluded that torsional strength of welded joint zones was high and AISI 420 and AISI 4340 steels were smoothly joined by friction welding.
Mechanical Properties of Pattern Welded 1075-15N20 Steels*
Authors: Özkan Furkan , Kirdan Hakan , Kara İsmail Hakkı , Hüsem Fazıl , Özcelik Sait , Akinay Yüksel , Çug Harun , Sun Yavuz , Ahlatci Hayrettin
Published: September 2014

Forged welded (damascus) steels are produced by traditional methods and mostly used in the design of decorative tools. These steels are well-known for their good mechanical properties. The process for making forged welded (damascus) steel consists of stacking alternating sheets of different kinds of steel on top of each other and then forge welding them together. In this study, the steels 1075 and 15N20 were used for the forging and folding procedure. The effect of fold numbers on the microstructure and mechanical behavior were investigated. The steel consisted of both materials, 54 and 250 layers, respectively, produced by forge welding. The pattern layers are homogeneous and regular, but after the process sections with up to 54 pattern layers were irregular. Steel 1075 has a pearlitic microstructure, while steel 15N20 has a ferritic microstructure. The impact toughness and tensile strength of the folded steels improved with increasing the number of folds.
Phase fraction mapping in the as-cast microstructure of extrudable 6xxx aluminum alloys
Authors: Sarafoglou Panagiota I. , Haidemenopoulos Gregory N.
Published: September 2014

The mapping of Mg2Si and β-AlFeSi phase fractions in the as-cast microstructure of Al–Mg–Si–Fe–Mn (6xxx series) alloys has been performed over the useful composition range (0–1.2 mass%) of the principal alloying elements Mg and Si. The calculations were based on the Scheil–Gulliver assumption of infinite diffusion in the liquid and limited diffusion in the solid state. The computed phase fractions were validated with experimental measurements of phase fractions. The mapping procedure allows the control of intermetallic phases in the as-cast microstructure, the minimization of the β-AlFeSi phase in particular, which is a significant prerequisite in obtaining enhanced extrudability, combined with high strength in this alloy series. Construction of maps for different levels of Mn has shown that addition of Mn could allow for higher alloying with Mg and Si, in order to obtain higher amounts of Mg2Si, without at the same time increasing the β-AlFeSi phase in the as-cast microstructure.
Synthesis of ultrafine powder (W,Ti)C by microwave heating in a stream of argon
Authors: Nikolaenko Irina , Kedin Nikolay , Shveikin Gennadii
Published: September 2014

In this article, a new method of synthesis of ultrafine powder solid solution (Ti,W)C by a combination of classical liquid-phase precipitation on a carbon support and low-temperature microwave heat treatment is proposed. An entire spectrum of intermediates obtained during thermolysis, reduction, and carbidization precursor to the final product has been obtained. The structure, particle morphology, phase structure and surface area values for the samples are shown.
Using Multiple Investigative Techniques to Assess Flushing of Chip Seal Surfaces
Authors: Kodippily Sachi , Henning Theuns F. P. , Ingham Jason M. , Holleran Glynn
Published: September 2014

Flushing is a defect that has a damaging effect on the functional performance of chip seal pavements. The reported study was conducted to develop techniques to identify and assess flushed pavements effectively. The main aims of the study were first to investigate the effects of chip seal volumetrics on development of flushing and second to develop a model to forecast flushing of chip seal pavements. The study methodology consisted of mechanical testing of chip seal pavement samples and analysis of pavement performance data. Laboratory testing was conducted on samples obtained from flushed chip seal pavements from four regions in New Zealand. Samples were loaded by using a wheel-tracking device, and imaging techniques were used to assess the effects of micromechanical changes on development of flushing. Data analysis was performed on pavement condition data to identify factors providing the best prediction of flushing, and regression analysis was performed to develop a model to predict the initiation and progression of flushing. Study results revealed a direct relationship between flushing and reduction in air void volume that occurred as a result of loading. Data analysis revealed that the combination of factors providing the best indication of flushing was surface thickness, surface age, rut depth, and grade of aggregates. The flushing initiation model had an accuracy of 76%, and the flushing progression model was robust at predicting the quantity of flushing. By using the study outcomes, a pavement condition assessment guideline was developed to aid with assessing and managing flushed chip seal pavements.
Field Validation of Laboratory-Predicted Low-Temperature Performance of Hot-Poured Crack Sealants
Authors: Ozer Hasan , Solanki Pranshoo , Yousefi Seyed Saleh , Al-Qadi Imad L.
Published: September 2014

When properly installed, hot-poured crack sealants are widely accepted as a cost-effective, routine preventive maintenance practice that extends pavement service life by 3 to 5 years. However, current ASTM specifications for selection of crack sealants correlate poorly with field performance. Therefore, an improved sealant specification and selection system is urgently needed. Recently, performance-based guidelines were developed by the pooled-fund North American Consortium expert group for selecting hot-poured bituminous crack sealants. The work proposed a sealant grade system for selecting hot-poured crack sealant on the basis of environmental conditions. A special effort was made to use the equipment originally developed by SHRP, which was used to measure binder rheological behavior as part of the performance grade system. The equipment and testing procedures used for performance grading of binders were modified in accordance with crack sealant behavior. The main objective of this study was to validate the low-temperature selection thresholds for the newly developed performance-based guidelines for selecting hot-poured crack sealants. Thresholds for the crack sealant bending beam rheometer, crack sealant direct tension test, and crack sealant adhesion test were validated. Nine hot-poured crack sealants were installed in four test sites experiencing low temperatures. The field performance of crack sealants was evaluated for 2 consecutive years by detailed field surveys. The field database consisted of 40 sections containing 647 cracks. Overall, results showed good correlation between the proposed selection thresholds and sealant performance in the field.
Chronic gliosis and behavioral deficits in mice following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Mannix Rebekah , Berglass Jacqueline , Berkner Justin , Moleus Philippe , Qiu Jianhua , Andrews Nick , Gunner Georgia , Berglass Laura , Jantzie Lauren L. , Robinson Shenandoah , Meehan William P.
Published: September 2014

Object

With the recent increasing interest in outcomes after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI; e.g., sports concussions), several models of rmTBI have been established. Characterizing these models in terms of behavioral and histopathological outcomes is vital to assess their clinical translatability. The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth behavioral and histopathological phenotype of a clinically relevant model of rmTBI.

Methods

The authors used a previously published weight-drop model of rmTBI (7 injuries in 9 days) in 2- to 3-month-old mice that produces cognitive deficits without persistent loss of consciousness, seizures, gross structural imaging findings, or microscopic evidence of structural brain damage. Injured and sham-injured (anesthesia only) mice were subjected to a battery of behavioral testing, including tests of balance (rotarod), spatial memory (Morris water maze), anxiety (open field plus maze), and exploratory behavior (hole-board test). After behavioral testing, brains were assessed for histopathological outcomes, including brain volume and microglial and astrocyte immunolabeling.

Results

Compared with sham-injured mice, mice subjected to rmTBI showed increased exploratory behavior and had impaired balance and worse spatial memory that persisted up to 3 months after injury. Long-term behavioral deficits were associated with chronic increased astrocytosis and microgliosis but no volume changes.

Conclusions

The authors demonstrate that their rmTBI model results in a characteristic behavioral phenotype that correlates with the clinical syndrome of concussion and repetitive concussion. This model offers a platform from which to study therapeutic interventions for rmTBI.
Synthesis of Novel Indolizine, Pyrrolo[1,2-A] Quinoline, and 4,5-Dihydrothiophene Derivatives Via Nitrogen Ylides and their Antimicrobial Evaluation
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Dawood Kamal M.
Published: September 2014

Treatment of 2-(2-bromoacetyl)-3 H-benzo[ f]chromen-3-one with pyridine, quinoline, and 2-methylquinoline afforded the corresponding pyridinium, quinolinium and 2-methylquinolinium bromides. The latter salts underwent [3 + 2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with some electron deficient acetylene and ethylene derivatives to give the corresponding indolizine and pyrrolo[1,2- a]quinoline derivatives. Moreover, 2-(2-bromoacetyl)-3 H-benzo[ f]chromen-3-one reacted with arylidene cyanothioacetamides to afford the corresponding 2-amino-4,5-dihydrothiophene-3-carbonitriles. The synthesised compounds were characterised based on their elemental analysis and spectral data. Antimicrobial activity of some of the synthesised compounds was evaluated.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Fungicidal activity of Novel 1-Aryl-3-Oxypyrazoles Containing a Z-Configuration Methyl 2-(Methoxyimino) Acetate Moiety
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Li Yi , Chen Nanqing , Xiong Xiaohui , Yu Lu , Jing Chaoxuan , Zheng Qiang , Du Kang , Jiang Huiying
Published: September 2014

Six novel methyl( Z)-2-(4-{[(1-aryl-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl)oxy]methyl}phenyl) 2-(methoxyimino)acetate were synthesised by the reaction of 1-aryl-1 H-pyrazol-3-ols with methyl ( Z)-2-[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-2-(methoxyimino)acetate. The structure of methyl ( Z)-2-[4-({[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1 H-pyrazol-3-yl]oxy}methyl)phenyl]-2-(methoxyimino)acetate was also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A preliminary in vitro bioassay indicated that compounds 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl and 4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl) derivatives exhibited moderate fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani at a dosage of 10 μg mL-1.
A Facile synthesis of Novel Indole-Based Chalcones (E)-1-(2-Chloro-1-Methyl-1H-Indol-3-Yl)-3-Arylprop-2-En-1-Ones
Authors: Gao Wentao , Lan Shuai , Li Yang , Zhang Hong , Chang Mingqin
Published: September 2014

A facile and general synthesis of 23 novel indole-based chalcones, ( E)-1-(2-chloro-1-methyl-1 H-indol-3-yl)-3-arylprop-2-en-1-ones, has been achieved in good yields of 71–89% by the Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction of 3-acetyl-2-chloro- N-methylindole with variously substituted araldehydes using 1,4-dioxane as solvent in the presence of 5% aq. KOH. A similar reaction using furan-2- or thiophene-2-carbaldehyde gave analogous products in good yield, but an unexpected aldol reaction occurred with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and the stable aldol product was isolated as the major product in a good yield of 73%.
Densification of layered firn of the ice sheet at NEEM, Greenland
Authors: Fujita Shuji , Hirabayashi Motohiro , Goto-Azuma Kumiko , Dallmayr Remi , Satow Kazuhide , Zheng Jiancheng , Dahl-Jensen Dorthe
Published: September 2014

Densification of firn at the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) camp is investigated using density surrogates: dielectric permittivities ∊v and ∊h at microwave frequencies with electrical fields in the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively. Dielectric anisotropy Δ∊ (= ∊v − ∊h) is then examined as a surrogate for the anisotropic geometry of firn. Its size, fluctuations and mutual correlations are investigated in samples taken at depths from the surface to ~90 m. The initial Δ∊ of ~0.06 appears within the uppermost 0.2 m. After that, Δ∊ decreases rapidly until 21–26 m depth. Below this, Δɛ decreases slowly. Layers with more ions of fluorine, chlorine and some cations deposited between the autumn and the subsequent summer deform preferentially during all these stages. This layered deformation is explained partly by the textural effects initially formed by the seasonal variation of metamorphism, and partly by ions such as fluorine, chlorine and ammonium, which are known to modulate dislocation movement in the ice crystal lattice. Insolation-sensitive microstructure appears to be preserved all the way to the pore close-off, within layers of the summer-to-autumn metamorphism. Like previous authors, we hypothesize that calcium is not the active agent in the reported deformation– calcium correlations.
Direct measurement of glacier thinning on the southern Tibetan Plateau (Gurenhekou, Kangwure and Naimona’Nyi glaciers)
Authors: Lide Tian , Jibiao Zong , Tandong Yao , Linglong Ma , Jianchen Pu , Dayun Zhu
Published: September 2014

Numerous studies have confirmed the rapid retreat of Tibetan Plateau glaciers in recent decades, and resulting reductions in glacier volume. However, high-resolution determinations of the changes in glacier thickness remain sparse. This paper presents results based on differential GPS measurements to accurately measure glacier thickness change over the past few years. Measurements from the lower part of Gurenhekou glacier show an average thickness change of –3.82 m over a 4 year period. On the lower part of Kangwure glacier we measured an average thickness change of –2.70 m over 3 years. On the upper part of Naimona’Nyi glacier (northern branch), western Himalaya, thickness changed by –1.34 m on average between 2008 and 2010, and –0.87 m between 2010 and 2013. Large temporal changes in thinning rates were found on Naimona’Nyi glacier, due to variations in local precipitation. Our measurements also show variable changes in glacier thickness over different parts of each glacier, with little dependence on elevation. The limited data also show glacier thinning in the accumulation zone.
“Not a Vacation, But a Hardening Process”: The Self-Empowerment Work of Therapeutic Craft in Nova Scotia
Authors: Morton Erin
Published: September 2014

This article will examine the development of a state-sponsored therapeutic craft regime in Nova Scotia in the early to mid-twentieth century. Built on the notion that postwar residents needed “work therapy – not a vacation, but a hardening process” (Black n.d. a: 3) – therapeutic craft emerged in Nova Scotia through a complex combination of the individualization of work habits, the desire to construct an antimodern regional identity around handwork, and the notion that both infirm patients and the province as a whole could be healed from economic stagnation through craft. Key to the success of Nova Scotia’s therapeutic craft regime was occupational therapist Mary E. Black’s career as director of the provincial government’s Handicrafts and Home Industries Division from 1943 to 1955. Black’s healthcare training led her to seek out therapeutic possibilities in everyday work activities, not to mention a therapeutic solution to what she called “the attitude of most Nova Scotians…[:] defeatism” (Black 1949: 46). Her ability to turn seemingly disparate things – such as Scandinavian design, the ordered work of occupational rehabilitation, and a phenomenological focus on what she called “individualistic existence” (Black n.d. b: 2) – into a unified therapeutic solution demonstrates that the contemporary rise of therapeutic culture under the increased individualism of the neoliberal era has an established historical root in the postwar period that remains important to understand.
Happiness Studies and Wellbeing: A Lacanian Critique of Contemporary Conceptualisations of the Cure
Authors: Wright Colin
Published: September 2014

Criticising the discourse of happiness and wellbeing from a psychoanalytic perspective, this article is in five parts. The first offers a brief philosophical genealogy of happiness, charting its diverse meanings from ancient Greece, through Medieval Scholasticism and on to bourgeois liberalism, utilitarianism and neoliberalism. The second contextualizes contemporary happiness in the wider milieu of self-help culture and positive psychology. The third explores the growing influence but also methodological weaknesses of the field of Happiness Studies. The fourth then focuses specifically on the notion of wellbeing and the impact it has had on changing definitions of health itself, particularly mental health. The fifth and final section then turns to psychoanalysis, its Lacanian orientation especially, to explore the critical resources it offers to counter today’s dominant therapeutic cultures. It also emphasises psychoanalytic clinical practice as itself an ethico-political challenge to the injunction to be happy that lies at the heart of consumer culture.
Gefitinib Plus Interleukin-2 in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Previously Treated with Chemotherapy
Authors: Bersanelli Melissa , Buti Sebastiano , Camisa Roberta , Brighenti Matteo , Lazzarelli Silvia , Mazza Giancarlo , Passalacqua Rodolfo
Published: September 2014

The activation of lymphocytes by gefitinib treatment has been described. In this phase II pilot trial, we explored the possible synergism between IL-2 and gefitinib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. From September, 2003, to November, 2006, 70 consecutive patients with advanced, progressive NSCLC, previously treated with chemotherapy, received oral gefitinib 250 mg daily. The first 39 patients received gefitinib alone (G group). The other 31 also received subcutaneous IL-2 (GIL-2 group): 1 MIU/m2 (Million International Unit/m2)twice a day on Days 1 and 2, once a day on Days 3, 4, 5 every week for four consecutive weeks with a four-week rest period. Median follow-up was 25.2 months. Grade 3–4 toxicity of gefitinib was represented by skin rash (7%), asthenia/anorexia (6%) and diarrhea (7%); patients treated with IL-2 showed grade 2–3 fever (46%), fatigue (21%) and arthralgia (13%). In the GIL-2 group and G-group, we respectively observed: an overall response rate of 16.1% (6.4% complete response) and 5.1% (only partial response); a disease control rate of 41.9% and 41%; a median time to progression of 3.5 (CI 95% = 3.2–3.8) and 4.1 (CI 95% = 2.6–5.7) months; a median overall survival of 20.1 (CI 95% = 5.1–35.1) and 6.9 (CI 95% = 4.9–8.9) months (p = 0.002); and an actuarial one-year survival rate of 54% and 30%. Skin toxicity (p < 0.001; HR = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.16–0.54) and use of IL-2 (p < 0.001; HR = 0.33; CI 95% = 0.18–0.60) were independently associated with improvement of survival. In this consecutive, non-randomized, series of advanced NSCLC patients, the use of IL-2 increased the efficacy of gefitinib.
Changes in Access to Health Services of the Immigrant and Native-Born Population in Spain in the Context of Economic Crisis
Authors: Garcia-Subirats Irene , Vargas Ingrid , Sanz-Barbero Belén , Malmusi Davide , Ronda Elena , Ballesta Mónica , Vázquez María
Published: September 2014

Aim: To analyze changes in access to health care and its determinants in the immigrant and native-born populations in Spain, before and during the economic crisis. Methods: Comparative analysis of two iterations of the Spanish National Health Survey (2006 and 2012). Outcome variables were: unmet need and use of different healthcare levels; explanatory variables: need, predisposing and enabling factors. Multivariate models were performed (1) to compare outcome variables in each group between years, (2) to compare outcome variables between both groups within each year, and (3) to determine the factors associated with health service use for each group and year. Results: unmet healthcare needs decreased in 2012 compared to 2006; the use of health services remained constant, with some changes worth highlighting, such as the decline in general practitioner visits among autochthons and a narrowed gap in specialist visits between the two populations. The factors associated with health service use in 2006 remained constant in 2012. Conclusion: Access to healthcare did not worsen, possibly due to the fact that, until 2012, the national health system may have cushioned the deterioration of social determinants as a consequence of the financial crisis. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of health policy responses to the crisis after 2012.
Bacterial Meningitis: A Density-Equalizing Mapping Analysis of the Global Research Architecture
Authors: Pleger Niklas , Kloft Beatrix , Quarcoo David , Zitnik Simona , Mache Stefanie , Klingelhoefer Doris , Groneberg David
Published: September 2014

Bacterial meningitis is caused by a variety of pathogens and displays an important public health threat all over the world. Despite the necessity to develop customized public health-related research projects, a thorough study of global meningitis research is not present, so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was a combined density-equalizing and scientometric study. To evaluate the scientific efforts of bibliometric methods, density-equalizing algorithms and large-scale data analysis of the Web of Science were applied in the period between 1900 and 2007. From this, 7998 publications on bacterial meningitis have been found. With a number of 2698, most publications have been written by U.S. authors, followed by the UK (912), Germany (749) and France (620). This dominance can also be shown in the international cooperation. The specific citation analyses reveal that the nation with the highest average citation rate (citations per publications) was Norway (26.36), followed by Finland (24.16) and the U.S. (24.06). This study illustrates the architecture of global research on bacterial meningitis and points to the need for customized research programs with a focus on local public health issues in countries with a low development index, but high incidences, to target this global public health problem.
Correction: Xiao, X., et al. Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induction in Human Tumor Cells by Galaxamide and Its Analogues. Mar. Drugs 2014, 12, 4521–4538
Authors: Xiao Xi , Liao Xiaojian , Qiu Shaoling , Liu Zihao , Du Bin , Xu Shihai
Published: September 2014

We have found the following error in the title of this article, which was recently published in Mar. Drugs [1]: a word “paper” has been inserted at the beginning of title by mistake. [...]
Methylthio-Aspochalasins from a Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhao Shizhe , Ding Wanjing , Wang Pinmei , Yang Xianwen , Xu Jinzhong
Published: September 2014

Two novel aspochalasins, 20-β-methylthio-aspochalsin Q (named as aspochalasin V), (1) and aspochalasin W (2), were isolated from culture broth of Aspergillus sp., which was found in the gut of a marine isopod Ligia oceanica. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR and mass spectral data analysis. This is the first report about methylthio-substituted aspochalasin derivatives. Cytotoxicity against the prostate cancer PC3 cell line and HCT116 cell line was assayed using the MTT method. Apochalasin V showed moderate activity at IC50 values of 30.4 and 39.2 μM, respectively.
Concerted Practice-Based Actions in Intimate Partner and Family Violence: When the Children’s Well-Being Is the Central Concern
Authors: Lessard Geneviève , Drouin Marie-Eve , Germain Anne-Sophie , Alvarez-Lizotte Pamela , Turcotte Pierre
Published: September 2014

In Canada, the exposure of children to intimate partner violence is, along with negligence, one of the most frequent forms of maltreatment. Intimate partner violence raises important issues with regard to child custody and to the exercising of parental roles. The aid provided for children exposed to intimate partner violence covers a range of programs, in particular community services specializing in intimate partner violence, frontline social and health services, and child protection. However, these resource services do not share the same missions, or the same understanding of the problems and possible solutions, since they often operate in parallel networks. The complex situations of families confronted with intimate partner violence present considerable challenges in terms of collaboration between the different organizations. Action research was employed to develop an innovative concertation strategy that fostered collaboration between practitioners from different family resource services. The strategy, which was implemented in the Québec City region between 2011 and 2013, was then evaluated. This article presents the results of this evaluation as well as the positive outcomes that the concertation strategy had for the practitioners’ practice and for the improvement of family services.
Procoagulant and platelet‐derived microvesicle absolute counts determined by flow cytometry correlates with a measurement of their functional capacity
Authors: Ayers Lisa , Harrison Paul , Kohler Malcolm , Ferry Berne
Published: September 2014

Background

Flow cytometry is the most commonly used technology to measure microvesicles (MVs). Despite reported limitations of this technique, MV levels obtained using conventional flow cytometry have yielded many clinically relevant findings, such as associations with disease severity and ability to predict clinical outcomes. This study aims to determine if MV enumeration by flow cytometry correlates with a measurement of their functional capacity, as this may explain how flow cytometry generates clinically relevant results.

Methods

One hundred samples from healthy individuals and patients with obstructive sleep apnoea were analysed by conventional flow cytometry (FACSCalibur) and by three functional MV assays: Zymuphen MP‐activity in which data were given as phosphatidylserine equivalent, STA® Phospholipid Procoag Assay expressed as clotting time and Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) reflecting in vitro thrombin generation. Correlations were determined by Spearman correlation.

Results

Absolute counts of lactadherin+ procoagulant MVs generated by flow cytometry weakly correlated with the results obtained from the Zymuphen MP‐activity (r=0.5370, p<0.0001); correlated with ETP (r=0.7444, p<0.0001); negatively correlated with STA® Phospholipid Procoag Assay clotting time (−0.7872, p<0.0001), reflecting a positive correlation between clotting activity and flow cytometry. Levels of Annexin V+ procoagulant and platelet‐derived MVs were also associated with functional assays. Absolute counts of MVs derived from other cell types were not correlated with the functional results.

Conclusions

Quantitative results of procoagulant and platelet‐derived MVs from conventional flow cytometry are associated with the functional capability of the MVs, as defined by three functional MV assays. Flow cytometry is a valuable technique for the quantification of MVs from different cellular origins; however, a combination of several analytical techniques may give the most comprehensive information on the role of MVs in health and disease.