bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migraine and body mass index categories: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ornello Raffaele , Ripa Patrizia , Pistoia Francesca , Degan Diana , Tiseo Cindy , Carolei Antonio , Sacco Simona
Published: March 2015

Background

Several studies have assessed the associations between migraine and underweight, pre-obesity or obesity, with conflicting results. To assess the consistency of the data on the topic, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available observational studies.

Methods

Multiple electronic databases were systematically searched up to October 2014 for studies assessing the association between migraine and body mass index categories (underweight, pre-obesity, or obesity).

Results

Out of 2,022 records, we included 15 studies. When considering the 11 studies following the World Health Organization BMI cutoffs, we found an increased risk of having migraine in underweight subjects (pooled adjusted effect estimate [PAEE] 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07-1.37; P = 0.002) and in obese women (PAEE 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05-1.97; P = 0.023) as compared with normal weight subjects; additionally, pre-obese subjects had an increased risk of having chronic migraine (PAEE 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13-1.71; P = 0.002). When considering all the 15 studies, we additionally found an increased risk of having migraine in obese as compared with normal weight subjects (PAEE 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.27; P = 0.017); additionally, obese subjects had an increased risk of having chronic migraine (PAEE 1.75; 95% CI, 1.33-2.29; P < 0.001). The pooled analysis did not indicate an increased risk of having migraine in pre-obese subjects.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis of the available observational studies suggested an association between migraine and obesity likely mediated by gender and migraine frequency. Further studies taking into account gender, migraine type, frequency, activity, and duration could provide more robust evidence.
Templated fabrication of hollow nanospheres with ‘windows’ of accurate size and tunable number
Authors: Xie Duan , Hou Yidong , Su Yarong , Gao Fuhua , Du Jinglei
Published: March 2015

The ‘windows’ or ‘doors’ on the surface of a closed hollow structure can enable the exchange of material and information between the interior and exterior of one hollow sphere or between two hollow spheres, and this information or material exchange can also be controlled through altering the window’ size. Thus, it is very interesting and important to achieve the fabrication and adjustment of the ‘windows’ or ‘doors’ on the surface of a closed hollow structure. In this paper, we propose a new method based on the temple-assisted deposition method to achieve the fabrication of hollow spheres with windows of accurate size and number. Through precisely controlling of deposition parameters (i.e., deposition angle and number), hollow spheres with windows of total size from 0% to 50% and number from 1 to 6 have been successfully achieved. A geometrical model has been developed for the morphology simulation and size calculation of the windows, and the simulation results meet well with the experiment. This model will greatly improve the convenience and efficiency of this temple-assisted deposition method. In addition, these hollow spheres with desired windows also can be dispersed into liquid or arranged regularly on any desired substrate. These advantages will maximize their applications in many fields, such as drug transport and nano-research container.
Protective socks for people with diabetes: a systematic review and narrative analysis
Authors: Otter Simon J , Rome Keith , Ihaka Belinda , South Andrew , Smith Mandy , Gupta Amit , Joseph Frances , Heslop Peter
Published: March 2015

Padded socks to protect the at‐risk diabetic foot have been available for a number of years. However, the evidence base to support their use is not well known. We aimed to undertake a systematic review of padded socks for people with diabetes. Additionally, a narrative analysis of knitted stitch structures, yarn and fibres used together with the proposed benefits fibre properties may add to the sock. Assessment of the methodological quality was undertaken using a quality tool to assess non‐randomised trials. From the 81 articles identified only seven met the inclusion criteria. The evidence to support to use of padded socks is limited. There is a suggestion these simple‐to‐use interventions could be of value, particularly in terms of plantar pressure reduction. However, the range of methods used and limited methodological quality limits direct comparison between studies. The socks were generally of a sophisticated design with complex use of knit patterns and yarn content. This systematic review provides limited support for the use of padded socks in the diabetic population to protect vulnerable feet. More high quality studies are needed; including qualitative components of sock wear and sock design, prospective randomized controlled trials and analysis of the cost‐effectiveness of protective socks as a non‐surgical intervention.
FAK activity protects nucleostemin in facilitating breast cancer spheroid and tumor growth
Authors: Tancioni Isabelle , Miller Nichol LG , Uryu Sean , Lawson Christine , Jean Christine , Chen Xiao Lei , Kleinschmidt Elizabeth G , Schlaepfer David D
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) controls cell growth and survival downstream of integrin-matrix receptors. Upon adhesion loss or FAK inhibition, FAK can translocate to the nucleus. The nucleolus is a non-membrane nuclear structure that regulates ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. Nucleostemin (NS), a nucleolar-localized protein, modulates cell cycle progression, stemness, and three-dimensional tumor spheroid formation. The signaling pathways that regulate NS levels in tumors remain undefined.

Methods

Human breast carcinoma cells were evaluated for growth in culture (adherent and anchorage-independent spheroid) and as orthotopic tumors. FAK signaling was evaluated by pharmacological FAK inhibitor addition (PF-271, IC50 ~ 0.1 μM) and by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown followed by re-expression of FAK wildtype (WT) or a kinase-dead (KD, K454R) FAK point mutant. Immunoblotting was used to evaluate FAK, NS, nucleolar phosphoprotein B23, and nucleolin levels. Total and phosphospecific antibody imunoblotting were used to detect changes in FAK, Akt kinase (Akt also known as protein kinase B), and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) phosphorylation, a translation repressor protein and target of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex. Immunohistochemical, co-immunoprecipitation, and cellular fractionation analyses were used to evaluate FAK association with nucleoli.

Results

Pharmacological (0.1 μM PF-271) or genetic inhibition of FAK activity prevents MDA-MB-231 and 4T1L breast carcinoma growth as spheroids and as orthotopic tumors. FAK inhibition triggers proteasome-mediated decreased NS levels but no changes in other nucleolar proteins such as B23 (nucleophosmin) or nucleolin. Active FAK was associated with purified nucleoli of anchorage-independent cells and present within nucleoli of human invasive ductal carcinoma tumor samples. FAK co-immunoprecipitated with B23 that binds NS and a complex between FAK, NS, Akt, and mTOR was detected. Constitutively-active Akt kinase promoted tumor spheroid growth, stabilized NS levels, and promoted pS65 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in the presence of inhibited FAK. Rapamycin lowered NS levels and inhibited pS65 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in cells with activated Akt-mTOR signaling.

Conclusions

FAK signaling occurs in the nucleolus, active FAK protects NS, and Akt-mTOR pathway regulates NS protein stability needed for breast carcinoma spheroid and tumor growth.
Hypermutation takes the driver’s seat
Authors: Schlesner Matthias , Eils Roland
Published: March 2015

Most pediatric tumors have only very few somatic mutations. However, a recent study revealed that a subset of tumors from children with congenital biallelic deficiency of DNA mismatch repair exhibits a mutational load surpassing almost all other cancers. In these ultra-hypermutated tumors, somatic mutations in the proofreading DNA polymerases complement the congenital mismatch repair deficiency to completely abolish replication repair, thereby driving tumor development. These findings open several possibilities for exploiting ultra-hypermutation for cancer therapy.
Point-of-care ultrasound of the diaphragm in a liver transplant patient with acute respiratory failure
Authors: Barbariol Federico , Vetrugno Luigi , Pompei Livia , De Flaviis Adelisa , Rocca Giorgio Della
Published: March 2015

In some intensive care, nowadays, ultrasound diagnostics have become an extension of the physical examination (like a stethoscope). In this report, we discuss the case of an acute respiratory failure which arose immediately after the end of general anesthesia. An initial bedside ultrasound evaluation applying the ‘BLUE protocol’ showed no pathological changes capable of explaining the clinical picture; however, by evaluating also the right and left hemidiaphragms, we made a diagnosis of diaphragmatic dysfunction, which would probably have been difficult to diagnose without the aid of the diaphragm ultrasound. We therefore decided to avoid intubation, transfer the patient to the intensive care unit, and treat him conservatively with non-invasive ventilation only. To our knowledge, this is the first case report that has shown the usefulness of ultrasonography in detecting diaphragmatic dysfunction as a cause of acute respiratory failure with a subsequent change in patient management. The use of bedside ultrasonography provides practical functional information on the diaphragmatic function in patients with acute respiratory failure and can also be easily repeated if follow-up is required. This feature is still held in little consideration, but it can affect the diagnosis and the treatment of critically ill patients.
Finite Element Modeling of a Reinforced Concrete Frame with Masonry Infill and Mesh Reinforced Mortar Subjected to Earthquake Loading
Authors: Redmond Laura , Ezzatfar Pourang , DesRoches Reginald , Stavridis Andreas , Ozcebe Guney , Kurc Ozgur
Published: March 2015

Failures of unreinforced masonry infill walls commonly occur during seismic events. One method of preventing such failures is the use of externally applied mesh reinforced mortar (MRM). This paper presents a finite element (FE) modeling scheme combining smeared crack and interface elements to simulate the seismic response of RC frames with hollow clay tile (HCT) infill and RC frames with HCT infill and MRM. The models can capture cracking patterns, timing of damages, and force-displacement behavior of the frames. A study modeling the plastering mortar with overlay elements and a transformed section approach suggests the latter gives more realistic predictions for initial stiffness and drift at peak strength. Parametric studies on the influence of dowel area and the placement of dowels indicate that there are diminishing returns in increasing the dowel area and that the connections must be present on both the top and bottom of the infill walls to be effective.
The vav oncogene antagonises EGFR signalling and regulates adherens junction dynamics during Drosophila eye development
Authors: Martín-Bermudo Maria-Dolores , Bardet Pierre-Luc , Bellaïche Yohanns , Malartre Marianne
Published: March 2015

Organ shaping and patterning depends on the coordinated regulation of multiple processes. The Drosophila compound eye provides an excellent model to study the coordination of cell fate and cell positioning during morphogenesis. Here, we find that loss of vav oncogene function during eye development is associated with a disorganised retina characterised by the presence of additional cells of all types. We demonstrate that these defects result from two distinct roles of Vav. First, and in contrast to its well-established role as a positive effector of the EGF receptor (EGFR), we show that readouts of the EGFR pathway are upregulated in vav mutant larval eye disc and pupal retina, indicating that Vav antagonises EGFR signalling during eye development. Accordingly, decreasing EGFR signalling in vav mutant eyes restores retinal organisation and rescues most vav mutant phenotypes. Second, using live imaging in the pupal retina, we observe that vav mutant cells do not form stable adherens junctions, causing various defects, such as recruitment of extra primary pigment cells. In agreement with this role in junction dynamics, we observe that these phenotypes can be exacerbated by lowering DE-Cadherin or Cindr levels. Taken together, our findings establish that Vav acts at multiple times during eye development to prevent excessive cell recruitment by limiting EGFR signalling and by regulating junction dynamics to ensure the correct patterning and morphogenesis of the Drosophila eye.
Climate Clubs: Overcoming Free-riding in International Climate Policy
Authors: Nordhaus William
Published: March 2015

Notwithstanding great progress in scientific and economic understanding of climate change, it has proven difficult to forge international agreements because of free-riding, as seen in the defunct Kyoto Protocol. This study examines the club as a model for international climate policy. Based on economic theory and empirical modeling, it finds that without sanctions against non-participants there are no stable coalitions other than those with minimal abatement. By contrast, a regime with small trade penalties on non-participants, a Climate Club, can induce a large stable coalition with high levels of abatement. (JEL Q54, Q58, K32, K33)
Medicare Part D: Are Insurers Gaming the Low Income Subsidy Design?
Authors: Decarolis Francesco
Published: March 2015

This paper shows how in Medicare Part D insurers' gaming of the subsidy paid to low-income enrollees distorts premiums and raises the program cost. Using plan-level data from the first five years of the program, I find multiple instances of pricing strategy distortions for the largest insurers. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that the changes in a concentration index measuring the manipulability of the subsidy can explain a large share of the premium growth observed between 2006 and 2011. Removing this distortion could reduce the cost of the program without worsening consumer welfare.(JEL G22, H51, I13, I18)
Methods of management decision making
Authors: Кузнецова  , Kuznetsova Nina
Published: March 2015

Managerial decision-key element of the leader’s activity in the hierarchical structure of the organization management.
In the manual there is opened identity, content, basic principles and methods of the process by making the managerial decisions. The publication contains theoretical material of the course, presented in schemes and tables, questions for the self-control, test materials,
glossary, list of offered literature for studying.
It corresponds to the Federal State Educational standard of Highest Vocational Education of the 3d generation.
For the undergraduate, teachers, all those, who are interested in questions and problems of the modern management.
Dynamic Pricing and Inventory Management Under Fluctuating Procurement Costs
Authors: Xiao Guang , Yang Nan , Zhang Renyu
Published: March 2015

We consider a periodic review joint pricing and inventory control model in which a firm faces both stochastic demand and fluctuating procurement costs. To address procurement cost fluctuation, the firm adopts a dual-sourcing strategy, under which it procures from a spot market with immediate delivery and through a forward-buying contract with postponed delivery. Our analysis offers the unique insight that a risk-neutral firm may earn higher expected profit under a more volatile procurement cost process. This is because the firm makes its pricing and sourcing decisions in response to the realized cost in each period. Moreover, we characterize how the firm should dynamically adjust its pricing and sourcing decisions in accordance to cost evolution. For example, if sourcing through the forward-buying contract is less expensive than sourcing directly from the spot market, the optimal safety stock is decreasing in the current spot market purchasing cost. However, the optimal order quantity through the forward-buying contract is, in general, not monotone in the current spot-purchasing cost. Finally, we conduct extensive numerical experiments to show that dynamic pricing and dual sourcing may be either strategic complements or substitutes in the presence of fluctuating procurement costs and uncertain demand. This is because dynamic pricing mitigates demand uncertainty risk and exploits procurement cost fluctuation, whereas dual sourcing may either intensify or dampen demand risk.
End caps prevent nail migration in elastic stable intramedullary nailing in paediatric femoral fractures
Authors: Windolf M. , Fischer M. F. , Popp A. W. , Matthys R. , Schwieger K. , Gueorguiev B. , Hunter J. B. , Slongo T. F.
Published: March 2015

End caps are intended to prevent nail migration (push-out) in elastic stable intramedullary nailing. The aim of this study was to investigate the force at failure with and without end caps, and whether different insertion angles of nails and end caps would alter that force at failure.

Simulated oblique fractures of the diaphysis were created in 15 artificial paediatric femurs. Titanium Elastic Nails with end caps were inserted at angles of 45°, 55° and 65° in five specimens for each angle to create three study groups. Biomechanical testing was performed with axial compression until failure. An identical fracture was created in four small adult cadaveric femurs harvested from two donors (both female, aged 81 and 85 years, height 149 cm and 156 cm, respectively). All femurs were tested without and subsequently with end caps inserted at 45°.

In the artificial femurs, maximum force was not significantly different between the three groups (p = 0.613). Push-out force was significantly higher in the cadaveric specimens with the use of end caps by an up to sixfold load increase (830 N, standard deviation (SD) 280 vs 150 N, SD 120, respectively; p = 0.007).

These results indicate that the nail and end cap insertion angle can be varied within 20° without altering construct stability and that the risk of elastic stable intramedullary nailing push–out can be effectively reduced by the use of end caps.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:558–63.
Cost effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty in osteoarthritis
Authors: Pulikottil-Jacob R. , Connock M. , Kandala N-B , Mistry H. , Grove A. , Freeman K. , Costa M. , Sutcliffe P. , Clarke A.
Published: March 2015

Many different designs of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with varying performance and cost are available. The identification of those which are the most cost-effective could allow significant cost-savings. We used an established Markov model to examine the cost effectiveness of five frequently used categories of THA which differed according to bearing surface and mode of fixation, using data from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales. Kaplan–Meier analyses of rates of revision for men and women were modelled with parametric distributions. Costs of devices were provided by the NHS Supply Chain and associated costs were taken from existing studies. Lifetime costs, lifetime quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs) and the probability of a device being cost effective at a willingness to pay £20 000/QALY were included in the models.

The differences in QALYs between different categories of implant were extremely small (<  0.0039 QALYs for men or women over the patient’s lifetime) and differences in cost were also marginal (£2500 to £3000 in the same time period). As a result, the probability of any particular device being the most cost effective was very sensitive to small, plausible changes in quality of life estimates and cost.

Our results suggest that available evidence does not support recommending a particular device on cost effectiveness grounds alone. We would recommend that the choice of prosthesis should be determined by the rate of revision, local costs and the preferences of the surgeon and patient.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:449–57.
Secondary neurological deterioration in traumatic spinal injury
Authors: Todd N. V. , Skinner D. , Wilson-MacDonald J.
Published: March 2015

We assessed the frequency and causes of neurological deterioration in 59 patients with spinal cord injury on whom reports were prepared for clinical negligence litigation. In those who deteriorated neurologically we assessed the causes of the change in neurology and whether that neurological deterioration was potentially preventable. In all 27 patients (46%) changed neurologically, 20 patients (74% of those who deteriorated) had no primary neurological deficit. Of those who deteriorated, 13 (48%) became Frankel A. Neurological deterioration occurred in 23 of 38 patients (61%) with unstable fractures and/or dislocations; all 23 patients probably deteriorated either because of failures to immobilise the spine or because of inappropriate removal of spinal immobilisation. Of the 27 patients who altered neurologically, neurological deterioration was, probably, avoidable in 25 (excess movement in 23 patients with unstable injuries, failure to evacuate an epidural haematoma in one patient and over-distraction following manipulation of the cervical spine in one patient). If existing guidelines and standards for the management of actual or potential spinal cord injury had been followed, neurological deterioration would have been prevented in 25 of the 27 patients (93%) who experienced a deterioration in their neurological status.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:527–31.
Coxa profunda in the diagnosis of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement and its prevalence in asymptomatic subjects
Authors: Diesel C. V. , Ribeiro T. A. , Coussirat C. , Scheidt R. B. , Macedo C. A. S. , Galia C. R.
Published: March 2015

In many papers, the diagnosis of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is attributed to the presence of coxa profunda. However, little is known about the prevalence of coxa profunda in the general population and its clinical relevance.

In order to ascertain its prevalence in asymptomatic subjects and whether it is a reliable indicator of pincer-type FAI, we undertook a cross-sectional study between July and December 2013. A total of 226 subjects (452 hips) were initially screened. According to strict inclusion criteria, 129 asymptomatic patients (257 hips) were included in the study. The coxa profunda sign, the crossover sign, the acetabular index (AI) and lateral centre–edge (LCE) angle were measured on the radiographs. The median age of the patients was 36.5 years (28 to 50) and 138 (53.7%) were women.

Coxa profunda was present in 199 hips (77.4%). There was a significantly increased prevalence of coxa profunda in women (p < 0.05) and a significant association between coxa profunda and female gender (p < 0.001) (92% vs 60.5%). The crossover sign was seen in 36 hips (14%), an LCE > 40° in 28 hips (10.9%) and an AI < 0º in 79 hips (30.7%). A total of 221 normal hips (79.2%) (normal considering the crossover) had coxa profunda, a total of 229 normal hips (75.5%) (normal considering the LCE) had coxa profunda and a total of 178 normal hips (75.3%) (normal considering AI) had coxa profunda.

When the presence of all radiological signs in the same subject was considered, pincer-type FAI was found in only two hips (one subject). We therefore consider that the coxa profunda sign should not be used as a radiological indicator of pincer-type FAI. We consider profunda to be a benign alteration in the morphology of the hip with low prevalence and a lack of association with other radiological markers of FAI. We suggest that the diagnosis of pincer-type FAI should be based on objective measures, in association with clinical findings.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:478–83.
Contribution of inflammation to cellular injury in compartment syndrome in an experimental rodent model
Authors: Lawendy A-R. , Bihari A. , Sanders D. W. , McGarr G. , Badhwar A. , Cepinskas G.
Published: March 2015

Compartment syndrome, a devastating consequence of limb trauma, is characterised by severe tissue injury and microvascular perfusion deficits. We hypothesised that leucopenia might provide significant protection against microvascular dysfunction and preserve tissue viability. Using our clinically relevant rat model of compartment syndrome, microvascular perfusion and tissue injury were directly visualised by intravital video microscopy in leucopenic animals. We found that while the tissue perfusion was similar in both groups (38.8% (standard error of the mean (sem) 7.1), 36.4% (sem 5.7), 32.0% (sem 1.7), and 30.5% (sem 5.35) continuously-perfused capillaries at 45, 90, 120 and 180 minutes compartment syndrome, respectively versus 39.2% (sem 8.6), 43.5% (sem 8.5), 36.6% (sem 1.4) and 50.8% (sem 4.8) at 45, 90, 120 and 180 minutes compartment syndrome, respectively in leucopenia), compartment syndrome-associated muscle injury was significantly decreased in leucopenic animals (7.0% (sem 2.0), 7.0%, (sem 1.0), 9.0% (sem 1.0) and 5.0% (sem 2.0) at 45, 90, 120 and 180 minutes of compartment syndrome, respectively in leucopenia group versus 18.0% (sem 4.0), 23.0% (sem 4.0), 32.0% (sem 7.0), and 20.0% (sem 5.0) at 45, 90, 120 and 180 minutes of compartment syndrome in control, p = 0.0005). This study demonstrates that the inflammatory process should be considered central to the understanding of the pathogenesis of cellular injury in compartment syndrome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:539–43
The influence of the strength of bone on the deformation of acetabular shells
Authors: Bone M. C. , Dold P. , Flohr M. , Preuss R. , Joyce T. J. , Aspden R. M. , Holland J. , Deehan D.
Published: March 2015

Concerns have been raised that deformation of acetabular shells may disrupt the assembly process of modular prostheses. In this study we aimed to examine the effect that the strength of bone has on the amount of deformation of the acetabular shell. The hypothesis was that stronger bone would result in greater deformation. A total of 17 acetabular shells were inserted into the acetabula of eight cadavers, and deformation was measured using an optical measuring system. Cores of bone from the femoral head were taken from each cadaver and compressed using a materials testing machine. The highest peak modulus and yield stress for each cadaver were used to represent the strength of the bone and compared with the values for the deformation and the surgeon’s subjective assessment of the hardness of the bone. The mean deformation of the shell was 129 µm (3 to 340). No correlation was found between deformation and either the maximum peak modulus (r² = 0.011, t = 0.426, p = 0.676) or the yield stress (r² = 0.024, t = 0.614, p = 0.549) of the bone. Although no correlation was found between the strength of the bone and deformation, the values for the deformation observed could be sufficient to disrupt the assembly process of modular acetabular components.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:473–7.
Nachhaltigkeitskonzepte für Universitäten: Handbuch der Allianz Nachhaltige Universitäten in Österreich
Authors: Lindenthal Thomas , Kromp-Kolb Helga , Bohunovsky Lisa , Weiger Thomas M.
Published: March 2015

Zur Unterstützung der Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien an Universitäten wurde von der Allianz Nachhaltige Universitäten ein Handbuch erstellt. Es enthält Ziele und eine Fülle von beispielhaften Maßnahmen, wie Nachhaltigkeit unter anderem in Forschung, Lehre,
Umweltmanagement und Wissenstransfer auf konzeptiver Ebene verstärkt umgesetzt werden kann.
Und doch: Klimaschutz als Weltbürgerbewegung
Authors: Leggewie Claus , Messner Dirk , Schlacke Sabine
Published: March 2015

Reaktion auf A.Brunnengräber.2014. Eine Weltbürgerbewegung ohne Realitätsbezug. Zum WBGU-Gutachten Klimaschutz als Weltbürgerbewegung. GAIA 23/4: 306‐308
Eurozentrische Weltbürgerbewegung. Zum WBGU-Sondergutachten Klimaschutz als Weltbürgerbewegung
Authors: Bauriedl Sybille
Published: March 2015

Reaktion auf zwei Beiträge zum Thema Klimaschutz als Weltbürgerbewegung in GAIA: A. Brunnengräber (2014),C. Leggewie et al. (2015)
Transformative Wissenschaft ‐ eine neue Ordnung im Wissenschaftsbetrieb?
Authors: Grunwald Armin
Published: March 2015

Transformative Wissenschaft will den Wissenschaftsbetrieb gegenüber gesellschaftlichen Problemlagen öffnen, um so Antworten auf dringende Zukunftsfragen zu finden. Die Initiative erhielt viel Zustimmung und Unterstützung ‐ bei Vertreter(inne)n etablierter Forschungseinrichtungen
stößt sie aber auf Kritik. Die Kritiker unterstellen den neuen Akteuren, die Forschungslandschaft komplett umbauen zu wollen, dabei soll diese nur erweitert werden. Dass von der Erweiterung das gesamte Wissenschaftssystem profitieren kann, zeigt der Erfolg der Technikwissenschaften,
die zu Beginn ebenfalls und mit ähnlichem Gegenwind zu kämpfen hatten.
Reallabore als Forschungs- und Transformationsinstrument Die Quadratur des hermeneutischen Zirkels
Authors: Wagner Felix , Grunwald Armin
Published: March 2015

Reallabore gelten derzeit als das Forschungsinstrument, mit dem transformative Prozesse hin zu einer Kultur der Nachhaltigkeit abgebildet werden können. Doch der Spagat zwischen guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und praxistauglichem Erkenntnisgewinn ist schwer, denn das reale und
damit vor allem auch soziale Leben kann meist nur ausschnitthaft erfasst werden. Es müssen noch grundlegende Fragen geklärt werden.
The Ecosystem Services Concept: Gaps between Science and Practice in River Landscape Management
Authors: Böck Kerstin , Muhar Susanne , Muhar Andreas , Polt Renate
Published: March 2015

This paper investigates the imbalance between the significance of the ecosystem services concept in scientific literature and its actual implementation in processes of river landscape management. Particular attention has been paid to stakeholders’ awareness of the concept, their
perception of the practicability, and their concerns regarding implementation. In two Austrian river landscapes, qualitative interviews (n = 110) were conducted with decision makers, stakeholders in river landscape management processes, and other persons benefiting from landscape functions.
There is little awareness of the concept in most stakeholder groups. Those who are already familiar with it reported that it currently only plays a minor role in their work. Nevertheless, they regarded the concept as a potentially relevant tool: not only for assessments of river ecosystems,
but also for bolstering argumentation, communication, and education, as well as for minimizing redundancies with already implemented concepts such as landscape functionality.
Building a constructivist social learning environment through talk in the mathematics classroom
Authors: Acar Esin , Yılmaz Ayşen
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to create a constructivist learning environment wherein third grade students talk to problem solve, which is different from traditional approaches to math learning. The study focused on the group talk and discussions to understand the students’ actions and interactions during the process of problem solving. Fifteen students and their teacher participated in the study, which was conducted within a collaborative action study design. Different types of problems were constructed including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Students were divided into four groups and observed for four weeks as they solved the different types of problems through group discussion. In the study, it was observed that the students who took leadership roles in the groups during the problem solving activities lead discussions. Additionally, the study found that the students, who could not solve the problems individually, were able to contribute more to the problem solving activity in the group works.
LDOC1 expression in fibroblasts of patients with Down syndrome
Authors: Salemi Michele , Barone Concetta , Romano Carmelo , Caniglia Salvatore , Ragalmuto Alda , Scillato Francesco , Salluzzo Maria Grazia , Scavuzzo Cataldo , Vinci Mirella , Salluzzo Roberto , Romano Corrado , Bosco Paolo
Published: March 2015

Down syndrome (DS) is characterised by
intellectual disability and is caused by trisomy 21. Apoptosis
is a programmed cell death process and is involved in
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer. People
with DS can develop some traits of Alzheimer disease at an
earlier age than subjects without trisomy 21. The leucine
zipper, down regulated in cancer 1 (LDOC1) appears to be
involved in the apoptotic pathways. The aim of the present
work was to detect the presence of intracellular synthesis
of LDOC1 protein and LDOC1 mRNA in fibroblast cultures
from DS subjects. The western blot shows the presence of
LDOC1 protein in fibroblasts of DS subjects but no evidence
of LDOC1 protein in fibroblasts of normal subjects. LDOC1
gene mRNA expression is increased in fibroblasts from DS
subjects compared to fibroblasts from normal subjects. The
data obtained from this study strengthen the hypothesis
that the over-expression of LDOC1 gene could play a role in
determining the phenotype of individuals with DS but does
not exclude that this results from apoptotic mechanisms.
Specific remnants of old iron-ore extraction sites
as islands of plant species richness
Authors: Podgórska Monika
Published: March 2015

In the Old-Polish Industrial Region (Southern
Poland, Central Europe), specific remnants of former
iron-ore extraction occur. These interesting post-mining
habitats influence the plant cover which emerges on
them. In this paper, I analyzed the impact of the former
iron-ore mining on the increase of plant species richness
in forest communities. I analyzed the floristic composition
of 100 phytosociological relevés (plots) made in the
mining areas, their surroundings and 100 associated
soil samples. I found that within the island communities
developing in the former mining fields, there was a
considerable increase in the number of species of
native flora (in comparison with communities of nontransformed
areas). This increase in species richness is
caused chiefly by the increased proportion of species
characteristic of the syntaxa from the Querco-Fagetea
class – species exclusively attached to the mesophilous
forest communities developing in gob piles whose limits
are marked by the material extracted and scattered
around in ancient times. My research suggested that in
this case, mining activity exerted a positive influence on
the biodiversity in forested areas, improving the quality
of soils and creating mesophilous forest communities
growing on remnants of former iron-ore extraction,
which are specific islands among acidophilous forest
communities growing in the non-transformed areas.
Uncertainty in measurement for 43 biochemistry, immunoassay, and hemostasis routine analytes evaluated by a method using only external quality assessment data
Authors: Matar Gladys , Poggi Bernard , Meley Roland , Bon Chantal , Chardon Laurence , Chikh Karim , Renard Anne-Claude , Sotta Catherine , Eynard Jean-Christophe , Cartier Regine , Cohen Richard
Published: March 2015

Background: International organizations require from medical laboratories a quantitative statement of the uncertainty in measurement (UM) to help interpret patient results. The French accreditation body (COFRAC) recommends an approach (SH GTA 14 IQC/EQA method) using both internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assessment (EQA) data. The aim of this work was to validate an alternative way to quantify UM using only EQA results without any need for IQC data. This simple and practical method, which has already been described as the long-term evaluation of the UM (LTUM), is based on linear regression between data obtained by participants in EQA schemes and target values. We used it for 43 routine analytes covering biochemistry, immunoassay, and hemostasis fields.

Methods: Data from 50 laboratories participating in ProBioQual (PBQ) EQA schemes over 25 months were used to obtain estimates of the median and 90th percentile LTUM and to compare them to the usual analytical goals. Then, the two UM estimation methods were compared using data from 20 laboratories participating in both IQC and EQA schemes.

Results: Median LTUMs ranged from 2.9% (sodium) to 16.3% (bicarbonates) for biochemistry analytes, from 12.6% (prothrombin time) to 18.4% (factor V) for hemostasis analytes when using the mean of all participants, and were around 10% for immunoassays when using the peer-group mean. Median LTUMs were, in most cases, slightly lower than those obtained with the SH GTA 14 method, whatever the concentration level.

Conclusions: LTUM is a simple and convenient method that gives UM estimates that are reliable and comparable to those of recommended methods. Therefore, proficiency testing (PT) organizers are allowed to provide participants with an additional UM estimate using only EQA data and which could be updated at the end of each survey.
Functionality and physico-chemical characteristics of wheat straw lignin, Biolignin™, derivatives formed in the oxypropylation process
Authors: Arshanitsa Alexandr , Vevere Laima , Telysheva Galina , Dizhbite Tatiana , Gosselink Richard J.A. , Bikovens Oskars , Jablonski Anton
Published: March 2015

The new organosolv process of wheat straw fractionation elaborated by Compagnie Industrielle de la matiere Vegetale (France) corresponds to the biorefinery approach, which allows separating cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. The straw lignin (Biolignin™) is an attractive product, for which new applications are sought. In the present work, straw lignin (L) was converted into liquid lignopolyols via a batch reaction with propylene oxide (PO). The effects of the lignin content (L%) in the initial reaction mixture (L/(L+PO) on the oxypropylation process and the properties of whole lignopolyols and L/PO copolymers were studied. Almost complete disappearance of L-OHphen and L-COOH groups in copolymers was accompanied by an increase in the L-OHaliph groups’ content therein. The polydispersity (M

w

/M

n
) of all copolymers obtained decreased essentially compared to the reference. The extent of PO grafting onto OH groups increased with decreasing lignin content in the initial reaction mixture. At a lignin content of 15–30% in the initial reaction mixture, the lignopolyols fulfil the requirements of polyol polyethers for rigid polyurethane foam production. The further increase in the lignin content leads to the appearance of the non-liquefied fraction and the undesirable increase in the viscosity of the liquefied part.
Effect of homopterocarpin, an isoflavonoid from Pterocarpus
erinaceus, on indices of liver injury and oxidative stress in acetaminophen-provoked hepatotoxicity
Authors: Akinmoladun Afolabi C. , Olaleye M. Tolulope , Komolafe Kayode , Adetuyi Abayomi O. , Akindahunsi Afolabi A.
Published: March 2015

Background: Novel hepatoprotectives are needed to address the increasing cases of liver problems worldwide. Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir (Fabaceae) ethanol stem bark extract (PE) and its constituent flavonoid, homopterocarpin (HP), were investigated for their protective property in acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and liver damage.

Methods: Adult male albino rats were divided into nine groups. Seven groups were pretreated with PE (50-, 100-, and 150 mg/kg), HP (25-, 50-, and 75 mg/kg) or silymarin (25 mg/kg), respectively, once daily for 5 consecutive days and then administered acetaminophen (2 g/kg) on the 5th day. The control and acetaminophen-intoxicated groups received normal saline throughout the experimental period, with the latter group additionally receiving 2 g/kg acetaminophen on the 5th day. Administrations were performed po.

Results: In the acetaminophen-intoxicated group, there were significant increases (p<0.05) in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (31.72±3.3 vs. 22.1±1.2 U/I), aspartate aminotransferase (185.1±10.1 vs. 103.83±13.3 U/I), bilirubin level and hepatic malondialdehyde (2.32±0.3 vs. 1.42±0.1 units/mg protein), accompanied with significant decreases (p<0.05) in hepatic reduced glutathione level (0.10±0.01 vs. 0.23±0.03 units/mg protein) and glutathione peroxidase activity (2.51±0.2 vs. 3.25±0.2 μmol H2O2 consumed/min/mg protein) compared with the control.

Conclusions: PE and HP ameliorated most of the observed biochemical alterations with HP appearing to show more potency. The results suggest that the flavonoid, homopterocarpin contributes to the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potentials of P. erinaceus extract.
Orthoamides and iminium salts, LXXXIX. Reactions of N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″,N′″,N′″-octamethyl-acetylene-bis(carboxamidinium) tetrafluoroborate with nucleophilic reagents – new methods for the preparation of amidinium salts and ketene aminalsa
Authors: Drandarov Konstantin , Tiritiris Ioannis , Kantlehner Willi
Published: March 2015

The acetylene-bis(carboxamidinium) salt 4 dehydrates carboxylic acids to the corresponding anhydrides, as the byproduct 2-oxo-but-2-en-amidinium salt 6b was isolated. Aromatic hydroxy compounds and 2-furyl-methylmercaptan add to the triple bond of the salt 4 to give 2-aryloxy- and 2-alkylmercapto-but-2-ene-bis(amidinium) salts 7–9. According to this reaction principle, 2-organoamino-buten-2-ene-bis(amidinium) salts 10 and 11 were prepared from 4 and primary and secondary amines, whereas 4-chlorobenzhydrazide reacted with 4 to give the imidazole-3-carboxamidinium salt 13. The reaction of CH2-acidic compounds as malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate with the bis(amidinium) salt 4 affords 2-cyanomethylene-but-3-enamidinium salts 15. With the CH-acidic diethyl 2-bromomalonate, compound 4 undergoes a Michael-initiated ring closure cyclopropenation reaction with further ring opening by the released Br– to the corresponding 2-diethoxycarbonylmethylene-3-bromo-but-3-enamidinium salt 18. Unlike cyclopentadiene and furane, the reaction of N-methylpyrrole and bis(amidinium) salt 4 does not lead to Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloadduct but to the Michael-type 1:1 adduct 20. Pyrrole- and thiophene-2-carboxamidinium salts 23–25 can be prepared from compound 4 and esters of glycine, N-methylglycine (sarcosine), and mercaptoacetic acid, respectively. The derivatives of quinoxaline-2-carboxamidinium salts 29 are accessible from aromatic 1,2-diamines and compound 4. The reaction of the CH2/NH-acidic cyanoacetamide with the bis(amidinium) salt 4 produced the 3-pyrroline-2-on derivatives 33.
Fabrication of heterojunction diodes comprising nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond/hydrogenated amorphous carbon and p-type silicon
Authors: Zkria Abdelrahman , Gima Hiroki , Al-Riyami Sausan , Yoshitake Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2015

Nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond/hydrogenated amorphous carbon composite (UNCD/a-C:H) films were deposited in nitrogen and hydrogen mixed gas atmospheres by coaxial arc plasma deposition (CAPD). Nitrogen-doped films with nitrogen contents of 3 and 8 at.% possessed n-type conduction. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing nitrogen content. Heterojunction diodes with p-type Si exhibited typical rectifying action. From the capacitance-voltage measurement, it was confirmed that the carrier density increases with the nitrogen content.
Stray Current Induced Corrosion Control in Reinforced Concrete by Addition of Carbon Fiber and Silica Fume
Authors: Chen Zhipei , Koleva Dessi , Koenders Eduard , van Breugel Klaas
Published: March 2015

Stray current arising from direct current electrified traction systems and then circulating in reinforced concrete near railways is known to induce corrosion on embedded steel reinforcement. The present paper will review the principles of stray current induced corrosion in reinforced concrete, which is relatively uncommon but with significant impact in practice.

Within one of the approaches to ease this kind of specific corrosion in reinforced concrete, carbon fibres (CF) can be added to enhance the conductivity of concrete, subsequently reduce the stray current density and/or direct the stray current dissipation in a desired manner. The side effects (such as increasing the bulk matrix porosity) caused by CF, which can in turn reduce the general corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete, will be compensated by adding silica fume (SF). The combination of CF and SF can be a potentially feasible and original application to reduce the risk of stray current induced corrosion in reinforced concrete, without obvious negative side effects.
Synthesis of Hydraulically Active Calcium Silicates Produced by Combustion Methods
Authors: Restrepo Juan C. , Chavarriaga Andrés , Restrepo Oscar J. , Tobón Jorge I.
Published: March 2015

Portland cement is synthesized from a mixture of limestone and clay at high temperature (1450 °C) via a conventional process (solid-phase synthesis), in which partial fusion of raw materials and the formation of clinker nodules are produced. The clinker is mixed with a small percentage of gypsum and ground together to make the cement. This synthesis process holds the cement industry accountable for 5–8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The production of a ton of cement emits between 0.62 and 0.97 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, depending on the processing plant. Furthermore, the use of fossil fuels in cement production is another important factor in the environmental impact of this industry. The production of 1 ton of clinker consumes approximately 5.86 GJ per tons of clinker produced in wet processes and 3.35 GJ per tons of clinker produced by dry process. Some researches have reported the possibility to obtain silicate and aluminate cements by alternative synthesis methods, which optimize both time and temperature, such as Pechini method, sol-gel method and microwave assisted method. The combustion methods, another alternative, are chemical redox processes in which the use of chemical precursors and organic fuels at high temperature generate a self-sustaining fastwave. The said wave is characterized by the fact that once the initial exothermic reaction starts, it generates a reaction wave (0.1–10 cm/s) at high temperature (1000–3000 °C) that propagates, in a self-sustaining way, through the heterogeneous mixture which leads to the formation of the solid material. For this reason, and the irreplaceable role of cement in the construction industry, this paper shows the advances in the production of silicates, similar to those found in the Portland cement, by combustion synthesis method.

This paper shows the production of calcium silicates similar to the silicates of Portland cement, by combustion synthesis. Thermal analysis and XRD techniques were used to compare the syhthetized silicates with alite and belite of Portland cement.