bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Change in Prolonged Walking Be Inferred From a Short Test of Gait Speed Among Older Adults Who Are Initially Well-Functioning?
Authors: White Daniel K. , Neogi Tuhina , King Wendy C. , LaValley Michael P. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Nevitt Michael C. , Harris Tamara B. , Ferrucci Luigi , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Satterfield Suzanne , Strotmeyer Elsa S. , Zhang Yuqing
Published: May 2014

Background

The ability to walk for short and prolonged periods of time is often measured with separate walking tests. It is unclear whether decline in the 2-minute walk coincides with decline in a shorter 20-m walk among older adults.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe patterns of change in the 20-m walk and 2-minute walk over 8 years among a large cohort of older adults. Should change be similar between tests of walking ability, separate retesting of prolonged walking may need to be reconsidered.

Design

A longitudinal, observational cohort study was conducted.

Methods

Data were from 1,893 older adults who were well-functioning (≥70 years of age). The 20-m walk and 2-minute walk were repeatedly measured over 8 years to measure change during short and prolonged periods of walking, respectively. Change was examined using a dual group-based trajectory model (dual model), and agreement between walking trajectories was quantified with a weighted kappa statistic.

Results

Three trajectory groups for the 20-m walk and 2-minute walk were identified. More than 86% of the participants were in similar trajectory groups for both tests from the dual model. There was high chance-corrected agreement (kappa=.84; 95% confidence interval=.82, .86) between the 20-m walk and 2-minute walk trajectory groups.

Limitations

One-third of the original Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study cohort was excluded from analysis due to missing clinic visits, followed by being excluded for health reasons for performing the 2-minute walk, limiting generalizability to healthy older adults.

Conclusions

Patterns of change in the 2-minute walk are similar to those in the 20-m walk. Thus, separate retesting of the 2-minute walk may need to be reconsidered to gauge change in prolonged walking.
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance by Switching off its Activity
Authors: Heinzelmann Elsbeth
Published: May 2014

In order to develop new approaches for effectively combating antimicrobial resistance, universities of applied sciences, teaching hospitals and biotechnet industrial partners are working together in a National Research Consortium supported by the Commission for Technology and Innovation,
CTI.
Determining Factors for the Accuracy of DMRG in Chemistry
Authors: Keller Sebastian F. , Reiher Markus
Published: May 2014

The Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) algorithm has been a rising star for the accurate ab initio exploration of Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surfaces in theoretical chemistry. However, owing to its iterative numerical nature, pitfalls that can affect the accuracy of
DMRG energies need to be circumvented. Here, after a brief introduction into this quantum chemical method, we discuss criteria that determine the accuracy of DMRG calculations.
Development and Evaluation of Novel PET Tracers for Imaging Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 in Brain
Authors: Slavik Roger , Bieri Daniel , Čermak Stjepko , Müller Adrienne , Krämer Stefanie D. , Weber Markus , Schibli Roger , Ametamey Simon M. , Mu Linjing
Published: May 2014

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has a very low expression level in brain tissue under basal conditions, but it is up-regulated in diverse pathological conditions. Two promising lead structures from the literature, N-((3S,5S,7S)-adamantan-1-yl)-8-methoxy-4-oxo-1-pentyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide
and 8-butoxy-N-(2-fluoro-2-phenylethyl)-7-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide – designated KD2 and KP23, respectively – were evaluated as potential PET ligands for imaging CB2. Both KD2 and KP23 were synthesized and labeled with carbon-11. In vitro autoradiographic
studies on rodent spleen tissues showed that [11C]KD2 exhibits superior properties. A pilot study using [11C]KD2 on human post mortem ALS spinal cord slices indicated high CB2 expression level and specific binding, a very exciting finding if considering the future diagnostic
application of CB2 ligands and their utility in therapy monitoring. In vivo blocking studies in rats with [11C]KD2 showed also high specific uptake in spleen tissue. Although the protein-bound fraction is relatively high, KD2 or KD2 derivatives could be very useful tools
for the non-invasive investigation of CB2 levels under various neuroinflammatory conditions.
Mechanistic Insights into Nickamine-catalyzed Alkyl-Alkyl Cross-coupling Reactions
Authors: Breitenfeld Jan , Hu Xile
Published: May 2014

Within the last decades the transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling of non-activated alkyl halides has significantly progressed. Within the context of alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling, first row transition metals spanning from iron, over cobalt, nickel, to copper have been successfully
applied to catalyze this difficult reaction. The mechanistic understanding of these reactions is still in its infancy. Herein we outline our latest mechanistic studies that explain the efficiency of nickel, in particular nickamine-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reactions.
Original Reactivity of ?-Diazo-?- ketoesters Catalyzed by CpRu Complexes
Authors: Tortoreto Cecilia , Achard Thierry , Austeri Martina , Zeghida Walid , Lacour Jérôme
Published: May 2014

Using ?-diazo-?-ketoesters as reagents and combinations of CpRu fragments and diimine ligands as catalysts, a series of original transformations have been obtained that can be rationalized by the formation of metal carbenes and metal-bound ylide intermediates. Interesting
1,3-dioxole, enol-acetal and 1,4-dioxene motifs are obtained directly when the reactive mixture is reacted in presence of aldehydes or ketones, THF and epoxides.
Low-temperature Collisions between Neutral Molecules in Merged Molecular Beams
Authors: Bertsche Benjamin , Jankunas Justin , Osterwalder Andreas
Published: May 2014

We have developed an experiment for the investigation of neutral molecular collisions in the gas phase at temperatures as low as 100 mK. These low temperatures are obtained by merging two supersonic expansions, using an electric and a magnetic guide, and by matching the velocities of
the beams. Since the energy available for the collisions, or the temperature, is determined only by the relative velocity of the reaction partners this enables the study of chemical processes at very low temperatures without the need to prepare slow molecules in the laboratory frame of reference.
This paper describes the method and presents results on the Ne(3P2)+NH3 Penning ionization.
Gas-phase Lifetimes of Nucleobase Analogues by Picosecond Pumpionization and Streak Techniques
Authors: Blaser Susan , Frey Hans-Martin , Heid Cornelia G. , Leutwyler Samuel
Published: May 2014

The picosecond (ps) timescale is relevant for the investigation of many molecular dynamical processes such as fluorescence, nonradiative relaxation, intramolecular vibrational relaxation, molecular rotation and intermolecular energy transfer, to name a few. While investigations of ultrafast
(femtosecond) processes of biological molecules, e.g. nucleobases and their analogues in the gas phase are available, there are few investigations on the ps time scale. We have constructed a ps pump-ionization setup and a ps streak camera fluorescence apparatus for the determination of lifetimes
of supersonic jet-cooled and isolated molecules and clusters. The ps pump-ionization setup was used to determine the lifetimes of the nucleobase analogue 2-aminopurine (2AP) and of two 2AP?(H2O)n water cluster isomers with n=1 and 2. Their lifetimes lie between 150
ps and 3 ns and are strongly cluster-size dependent. The ps streak camera setup was used to determine accurate fluorescence lifetimes of the uracil analogue 2-pyridone (2PY), its self-dimer (2PY)2, two isomers of its trimer (2PY)3 and its tetramer (2PY)4, which lie in the 7–12 ns range.
Human Capital Theory
Authors: Tan Emrullah
Published: May 2014

Human capital theory has had a profound impact on a range of disciplines from economics to education and sociology. The theory has always been the subject of bitter criticisms from the very beginning, but it has comfortably survived and expanded its influence over other research disciplines. Not surprisingly, a considerable number of criticisms have been made as a reaction to this expansion. However, it seems that these criticisms are rather fragmented and disorganized. To bridge this gap and organize them in a systematic way, the present article takes a holistic approach and reviews human capital theory from four comprehensive perspectives focusing on the methodological, empirical, practical, and moral aspects of the theory.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Patients with a Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Participating in Non-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes: A Brief Report
Authors: Janaudis-Ferreira Tania , D'Souza Lorna , Brooks Dina , Goldstein Roger S.
Published: May 2014

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of people with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among those completing non-pulmonary rehabilitation (NPR) programmes and to describe their characteristics. Methods: Electronic data of participants who completed an in-patient rehabilitation programme between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted were month and year of birth, sex, height, weight, referral source, admission and discharge dates, programme admitted to, reason for admission, most responsible health condition, number of co-morbidities, referral agency on discharge, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores on admission and discharge. Results: The prevalence of COPD among participants who completed the NPR programmes was 7.5%. The most common reasons for admission were cardiac conditions (n=69, 20%), followed by post-unilateral hip replacement (n=40, 11%) and post-unilateral hip fracture (n=38, 11%). Patients were discharged after an average stay of 20 (SD 13) days. The mean FIM score was 91 (SD 11) at admission and 108 (SD 9) at discharge. Conclusions: The prevalence of a COPD diagnosis among participants in NPR programmes was 7.5%. COPD is a common comorbidity for people in rehabilitation programmes who have had amputations, have a cardiac condition, have undergone organ transplantation, or require complex care.
Contact with Young Adults with Disability Led to a Positive Change in Attitudes toward Disability among Physiotherapy Students
Authors: Shields Nora , Taylor Nicholas F.
Published: May 2014

Purpose: To determine whether contact over 8 weeks with a person with disability benefits physiotherapy students' attitudes toward disability and their development of professional behaviours and skills. Methods: Sixteen adults with Down syndrome were matched with 16 physiotherapy students (13 women, 3 men; mean age 22.5 [SD 3.0] years) and randomized to either an 8-week, twice-weekly walking programme or an 8-week, once-weekly social activities programme. Students completed the Interaction with Disabled Persons scale, the Community Living Attitudes scale, and the Barriers to Exercise scale and rated their competency in professional behaviours and skills. Results: There were no differences between the groups for any outcome. Across both groups, students showed positive changes in attitudes toward disability, self-ratings of professional behaviours, and confidence in working with people with disability. Conclusions: After an 8-week programme, physiotherapy students reported being more comfortable with and having more confidence in working with people with disability. These data support the idea that contact with people with disability in community settings has positive benefits for physiotherapy students, regardless of the content of the experience.
Complications and intercenter variability of three-column osteotomies for spinal deformity surgery: a retrospective review of 423 patients
Authors: Bianco Kristina , Norton Robert , Schwab Frank , Smith Justin S. , Klineberg Eric , Obeid Ibrahim , Mundis Gregory , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Kebaish Khaled , Hostin Richard , Hart Robert , Gupta Munish C. , Burton Douglas , Ames Christopher , Boachie-Adjei Oheneba , Protopsaltis Themistocles S. , Lafage Virginie
Published: May 2014

Object

Three-column resection osteotomies (3COs) are commonly performed for sagittal deformity but have high rates of reported complications. Authors of this study aimed to examine the incidence of and intercenter variability in major intraoperative complications (IOCs), major postoperative complications (POCs) up to 6 weeks postsurgery, and overall complications (that is, both IOCs and POCs). They also aimed to investigate the incidence of and intercenter variability in blood loss during 3CO procedures.

Methods

The incidence of IOCs, POCs, and overall complications associated with 3COs were retrospectively determined for the study population and for each of 8 participating surgical centers. The incidence of major blood loss (MBL) over 4 L and the percentage of total blood volume lost were also determined for the study population and each surgical center. Complication rates and blood loss were compared between patients with one and those with two osteotomies, as well as between patients with one thoracic osteotomy (ThO) and those with one lumbar or sacral osteotomy (LSO). Risk factors for developing complications were determined.

Results

Retrospective review of prospectively acquired data for 423 consecutive patients who had undergone 3CO at 8 surgical centers was performed. The incidence of major IOCs, POCs, and overall complications was 7%, 39%, and 42%, respectively, for the study population overall. The most common IOC was spinal cord deficit (2.6%) and the most common POC was unplanned return to the operating room (19.4%). Patients with two osteotomies had more POCs (56% vs 38%, p = 0.04) than the patients with one osteotomy. Those with ThO had more IOCs (16% vs 6%, p = 0.03), POCs (58% vs 34%, p < 0.01), and overall complications (67% vs 37%, p < 0.01) than the patients with LSO. There was significant variation in the incidence of IOCs, POCs, and overall complications among the 8 sites (p < 0.01). The incidence of MBL was 24% for the study population, which varied significantly between sites (p < 0.01). Patients with MBL had a higher risk of IOCs, POCs, and overall complications (OR 2.15, 1.76, and 2.01, respectively). The average percentage of total blood volume lost was 55% for the study population, which also varied among sites (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Given the complexity of 3COs for spinal deformity, it is important for spine surgeons to understand the risk factors and complication rates associated with these procedures. In this study, the overall incidence of major complications following 3CO procedures was 42%. Risks for developing complications included an older age (> 60 years), two osteotomies, ThO, and MBL.
Long fusion from sacrum to thoracic spine for adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance: upper versus lower thoracic spine as site of upper instrumented vertebra
Authors: Fujimori Takahito , Inoue Shinichi , Le Hai , Schairer William W. , Berven Sigurd H. , Tay Bobby K. , Deviren Vedat , Burch Shane , Iwasaki Motoki , Hu Serena S.
Published: May 2014

Object

Despite increasing numbers of patients with adult spinal deformity, it is unclear how to select the optimal upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) in long fusion surgery for these patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the use of vertebrae in the upper thoracic (UT) versus lower thoracic (LT) spine as the upper instrumented vertebra in long fusion surgery for adult spinal deformity.

Methods

Patients who underwent fusion from the sacrum to the thoracic spine for adult spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance at a single medical center were studied. The patients with a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) ≥ 40 mm who had radiographs and completed the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) preoperatively and at final follow-up (≥ 2 years postoperatively) were included.

Results

Eighty patients (mean age of 61.1 ± 10.9 years; 69 women and 11 men) met the inclusion criteria. There were 31 patients in the UT group and 49 patients in the LT group. The mean follow-up period was 3.6 ± 1.6 years. The physical component summary (PCS) score of the SF-12 significantly improved from the preoperative assessment to final follow-up in each group (UT, 34 to 41; LT, 29 to 37; p = 0.001). This improvement reached the minimum clinically important difference in both groups. There was no significant difference in PCS score improvement between the 2 groups (p = 0.8). The UT group had significantly greater preoperative lumbar lordosis (28° vs 18°, p = 0.03) and greater thoracic kyphosis (36° vs 18°, p = 0.001). After surgery, there was no significant difference in lumbar lordosis or thoracic kyphosis. The UT group had significantly greater postoperative cervicothoracic kyphosis (20° vs 11°, p = 0.009). The UT group tended to maintain a smaller positive SVA (51 vs 73 mm, p = 0.08) and smaller T-1 spinopelvic inclination (−2.6° vs 0.6°, p = 0.06). The LT group tended to have more proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Radiographic PJK was 32% in the UT group and 41% in the LT group (p = 0.4). Surgical PJK was 6.4% in the UT group and 10% in the LT group (p = 0.6).

Conclusions

Both the UT and LT groups demonstrated significant improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes. A significant difference was not observed in improvement of clinical outcomes between the 2 groups.
The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery algorithm: a reproducible rational framework for decision making in minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery
Authors: Mummaneni Praveen V. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Lenke Lawrence G. , Park Paul , Wang Michael Y. , La Marca Frank , Smith Justin S. , Mundis Gregory M. , Okonkwo David O. , Moal Bertrand , Fessler Richard G. , Anand Neel , Uribe Juan S. , Kanter Adam S. , Akbarnia Behrooz , Fu Kai-Ming G.
Published: May 2014

Object

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is an alternative to open deformity surgery for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity. However, at this time MIS techniques are not as versatile as open deformity techniques, and MIS techniques have been reported to result in suboptimal sagittal plane correction or pseudarthrosis when used for severe deformities. The minimally invasive spinal deformity surgery (MISDEF) algorithm was created to provide a framework for rational decision making for surgeons who are considering MIS versus open spine surgery.

Methods

A team of experienced spinal deformity surgeons developed the MISDEF algorithm that incorporates a patient's preoperative radiographic parameters and leads to one of 3 general plans ranging from MIS direct or indirect decompression to open deformity surgery with osteotomies. The authors surveyed fellowship-trained spine surgeons experienced with spinal deformity surgery to validate the algorithm using a set of 20 cases to establish interobserver reliability. They then resurveyed the same surgeons 2 months later with the same cases presented in a different sequence to establish intraobserver reliability. Responses were collected and tabulated. Fleiss' analysis was performed using MATLAB software.

Results

Over a 3-month period, 11 surgeons completed the surveys. Responses for MISDEF algorithm case review demonstrated an interobserver kappa of 0.58 for the first round of surveys and an interobserver kappa of 0.69 for the second round of surveys, consistent with substantial agreement. In at least 10 cases there was perfect agreement between the reviewing surgeons. The mean intraobserver kappa for the 2 surveys was 0.86 ± 0.15 (± SD) and ranged from 0.62 to 1.

Conclusions

The use of the MISDEF algorithm provides consistent and straightforward guidance for surgeons who are considering either an MIS or an open approach for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity. The MISDEF algorithm was found to have substantial inter- and intraobserver agreement. Although further studies are needed, the application of this algorithm could provide a platform for surgeons to achieve the desired goals of surgery.
New Spectrophotometric Methods for Estimation of Perindopril Erbumine in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Unnisa A. , Raju K. V. G. , Balaji K. , Jyothi A. N. , Kumar T. S.
Published: May 2014

Three rapid, simple, inexpensive, precise, and accurate spectrophotometric procedures were developed for the determination of Perindopril erbumine (PPE) using cobalt-thiocyanate, citric acid and 2,3- dichloro-5,6-dicyano benzoquinone in bulk sample and in dosage forms. The procedures are based on the coordination complex of the drug (electron donor) and the chromogenic reagents used. The colored products are extracted into non aqueous solvents and measured spectrophotometrically at the optimum ?maxfor each complex. Regression analysis of Beer-Lambert plots showed good correlation in the concentration range of 30-70 µg mL?1, 4-20 µg mL?1 and 20-60 µg mL?1 for cobalt-thiocyanate, citric acid and 2,3- dichloro-5,6-dicyano benzoquinone, respectively. The apparent molar absorptivity, Sandells sensitivity, detection and quantification limits were calculated. The developed methods were successfully applied for the determination of PPE in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations without any interference from common excipients and hence can be used for their routine analysis. Keywords: Perindopril erbumine; Spectrophotometry; Cobalt-thiocyanate; Citricacid-acetic anhydride.  © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.16106 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 319-327 (2014)
Study of PCFs Output Intensity Profiles with Various Configurations for Low d/? Values
Authors: Hosseinpour M. , Zendehnam A. , Mirzaei M. , Hedayati K.
Published: May 2014

In this study, a Gaussian amp function relating to the Gaussian family is employed to approximate the output intensity profile of various arrangements of air holes in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) with small d/? values. The studied structures include six distinctive designs starting with square lattice and carried on up to the PCF with Nano configuration. It is shown that d/? = 0.4 is the best value of low d/? ratios (0.2 ? d/? ? 0.4) which leads to the rise of the central intensity noticeably and the reduction of the full width at half maximum at three studied wavelengths (? = 1.35 , 1.55 and 1.65?m). Keywords: Photonic crystal fibers; Central intensity; Gaussian function. © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.16901 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 193-203 (2014)
Synthesis and Characterization of Some Mixed Ligand Complexes of Zn(II) with 4, 4´- Bipyridine: Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of these Complexes
Authors: Hossain M. A. , Alam M. A. , Zahan R. , Sheikh C. M. , Islam M. A. A. A. A.
Published: May 2014

The mixed ligand complexes of Zn(II) with 4,4-bipyridine and some organic acids or amino acids were prepared in the solid form and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic moment measurement, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FAB+ mass studies. To study anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of these complexes, some Swiss albino mice of 5-7 weeks old were taken. One dose of the test compounds of 10 mg/kg was selected throughout the research work. The anti-inflammatory activity of the test compounds were determined by carrageenan induced mice paw edema inhibition method. The analgesic activity was determined by acetic acid induced writhing methods. These three compounds showed positive effects as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. Anti- inflammatory and analgesic activities of the test compounds at 50 mg/kg were quite comparable to those of standard drugs at 10 mg/kg.  Keywords: Zinc; Organic acids; 4, 4'-Bipyridine; Anti-inflammatory; Analgesic activity.  © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.  doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.16994 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 309-318 (2014)
Study of Factors Affecting and Causing Low Birth Weight
Authors: Khan M. W. , Arbab M. , Murad M. , Khan M. B. , Abdullah S.
Published: May 2014

Low birth weight in new born is major reason of neonatal deaths resulting in severe short term and long term effect on babies. Descriptive study conducted with the help of questionnaires to study factors contributing to deliver low birth weight babies, investigating interrelationships among different factors effecting LBW and increasing awareness of LBW among expecting mothers. Data was collected from June to September 2013. A total of 140 questionnaires were filled from three tertiary care hospitals after taking informed consent form participants. Outcomes of the study included that maternal BMI, maternal education, malnutrition, and infections and diseases during pregnancy had positive impact on delivering LBW babies. Mothers with familial vertical history of LBW, inter-pregnancy interval of less than one year and those having previous LBW babies were more likely to deliver LBW baby. Mothers belonging to higher socioeconomic class, those using multivitamins and folic acid during pregnancy had less chances of having LBW.Keywords: Birth weight; Preterm birth; Growth retardation; Gestational age, Inter-pregnancy interval.© 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.17090J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 387-394 (2014)
Anthelmintic and Cytotoxic Activities of Two Medicinal Plants: Polygonum viscosum and Aphanamixis polystachya Growing in Bangladesh
Authors: Amin M. N. , Majumder M. S. , Moghal M. M. R. , Banik S. , Kar A. , Hossain M. M.
Published: May 2014

The present study was designed to investigate in vitro anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of crude methanolic extract of two plants(Polygonum viscosum and Aphanamixis polystachya) grown in Bangladesh. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity was done using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The crude methanolic extract of Polygonum viscosum showed significant cytotoxic potential (LC50 value of 6.34 ?g/ml) among all the fractions comparing with that of standard vincristine sulphate (0.825 ?g/ml). Besides, the LC50 values of crude methanolic extract, pet ether and chloroform extracts of Aphanamixis polystachya showed good cytotoxic activities 11, 10.36, and 16.45 µg/ml, respectively. The other study was undertaken to evaluate anthelmintic activity (using Pheretima posthuma model) where piperazine was used as reference standard. The crude methanolic extract of Polygonum viscosum leaves produced a significant anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner and the activity of crude extract was comparable with that of standard drugs. Besides, the Aphanamixis polystachya extract revealed moderate anthelmintic activity. Here, the anova testing was done with the P < 0.05. Further studies are suggested to determine the active compounds responsible for the anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of these two plant extracts.   Keywords: Anthelmintic; Cytotoxic; Medicinal plant; Aphanamixis polystachya; Polygonum viscosu.  © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.17299 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 339-345 (2014)
Investigation and Synthesis of Some Novel Spiro Heterocycles Related to Indoline Moiety
Authors: El-Ossaily Y. A. B. , Zaki R. M. , Metwally S. A.
Published: May 2014

Reactions of indole-2,3-dione 1 with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, o-phenylenediamine, 2-aminophenol, 2-aminobenzothiazole, 2-aminobenzimidazole and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one were carried out to give compounds spiroindolethiazetobenzimidazole 2, spirobenzimidazole(oxazole)indoline 3a,b, benzothiazol(imidazol) iminoindolinone 4a,b and methyloxoindolylidenepyrazolone 5 respectively. Compound 5 was reacted with 2-aminophenol as well as o-phenylenediamine to give new spirooxazepine and diazepine derivatives 6a,b respectively. Reaction of 5 with nitrogen nucleophiles as well as carbon nucleophiles was investigated to furnish new spiro heterocycles 7-11. The reaction of 2-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)malononitrile compound 12 with 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one was carried out to give spiroindolopyranopyrazolo derivative 13. Compounds 4a,b was reacted with thioglycolic acid to give thiazolidinone derivatives 14a,b. Epoxidation of 5 using monoperoxyphthalic acid magnesium salt hexahydrate and hydrogen peroxide were executed to afford the novel dispiro (2-pyrazolin oxiraneindoline)dione compound 15. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were well established by elemental and spectral analyses.   Keywords: Spiroheterocycles; Epoxidation; Diazapines, Oxazepines; Spirothiazolidinone.  © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.17590 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 303-317 (2014)
Impact of Lithium Composition on Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of Lithium Cobaltite Prepared by Solid-state Reaction
Authors: Khatun F. , Gafur M. A. , Ali M. S. , Islam M. S. , Sarker M. A. R.
Published: May 2014

The lithium-cobalt oxide LixCoO2 is a promising candidate as highly active cathode material of lithium ion rechargeable batteries. The crystalline-layered lithium cobaltite has attracted increased attention due to recent discoveries of some extraordinary properties such as unconventional transport and magnetic properties. Due to layered crystal structure, Li contents (x) in LixCoO2 might play an important role on its interesting properties. LiCoO2 crystalline cathode material was prepared by using solid-state reaction synthesis, and then LixCoO2 (x<1) has been synthesized by deintercalation of produced single-phase powders. Structure and morphology of the synthesized powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy, Impedance analyzer etc. The influence of lithium composition (x) on structural, electronic and optical properties of lithium cobaltite was studied. Temperature dependent electrical resistivity was measured using four-probe technique. While LixCoO2 with x = 0.9 is a semiconductor, the highly Li-deficient phase (0.75 ? x ? 0.5) exhibits metallic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of LixCoO2 (x = 0.5  1.15) was measured using impedance spectroscopy and maximum conductivity of Li0.5CoO2 was found to be 6.5×10-6 S/cm at 273 K. The properties that are important for applications, such as ionic conductivity, charge capacity, and optical absorption are observed to increase with Li deficiency. Keywords: Calcination; Characterization; Inorganic compounds; Solid-State reaction; X-ray diffraction. © 2014 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v6i2.17900 J. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 217-231 (2014)
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR A NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION DESCRIBING CRYSTAL SURFACE GROWTH
Authors: Zhao Xiaopeng , Liu Fengnan , Liu Bo
Published: May 2014

In this paper, for a nonlinear differential equation describing crystal surface growth, the finite element method is presented. A nice order error estimates is derived by means of a finite element projection approximation.
EXTINCTION AND NON-EXTINCTION OF SOLUTIONS TO A P-LAPLACE EQUATION WITH A NONLOCAL SOURCE AND AN ABSORPTION TERM
Authors: Han Yuzhu , Li Haixia , Gao Wenjie
Published: May 2014

In this short paper, the authors investigate the extinction and non-extinction of solutions to a fast diffusive p-Laplace equation with a nonlocal source and an absorption term. By applying the super-solution and sub-solution methods, instead of energy estimate methods, they give a classification of the exponents and coefficients for the solutions to vanish in finite time or not, which generalizes some previous results.
A FULL MULTIGRID METHOD FOR LINEAR COMPLEMENTARITY PROBLEMS ARISING FROM ELASTIC NORMAL CONTACT PROBLEMS
Authors: Zhao Jing , Vollebregt Edwin A.H. , Oosterlee Cornelis W.
Published: May 2014

This paper presents a full multigrid (FMG) technique, which combines a multigrid method, an active set algorithm and a nested iteration technique, to solve a linear complementarity problem (LCP) modeling elastic normal contact problems. The governing system in this LCP is derived from a Fredholm integral of the first kind, and its coefficient matrix is dense, symmetric and positive definite. One multigrid cycle is applied to solve this system approximately in each active set iteration. Moreover, this multigrid solver incorporates a special strategy to handle the complementarity conditions, including restricting both the defect and the contact area (active set) to the coarse grid, and setting all quantities outside contact to zero. The smoother is chosen by some analysis based on the eigenvectors of the iteration matrix. This method is applied to a Hertzian smooth contact and a rough surface contact problem.
ON CONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF FINITE DIFFERENCE SCHEMES FOR PSEUDOPARABOLIC PROBLEMS WITH NONLOCAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: Čiegis Raimondas , Tumanova Natalija
Published: May 2014

In this paper the one- and two-dimensional pseudoparabolic equations with nonlocal boundary conditions are approximated by the Euler finite difference scheme. In the case of classical boundary conditions the stability of all schemes is investigated by the spectral method. Stability regions of finite difference schemes approximating pseudoparabolic problem are compared with the stability regions of the classical discrete parabolic problem. These results are generalized for problems with nonlocal boundary conditions if a matrix of the finite difference scheme can be diagonalized. For the two-dimensional problem an efficient algorithm is constructed, which is based on the combination of the FFT method and the factorization algorithm. General stability results, known for the three level finite difference schemes, are applied to investigate the stability of some explicit approximations of the two-dimensional pseudoparabolic problem with classical boundary conditions. A connection between the energy method stability conditions and the spectrum Hurwitz stability criterion is shown. The obtained results can be applied for pseudoparabolic problems with nonlocal boundary conditions, if a matrix of the finite difference scheme can be diagonalized.
L'impact de la crise sur la gouvernance européenne
Authors: Dehousse Renaud , Boussaguet Laurie
Published: May 2014

Depuis de nombreuses années, une dynamique intergouvernementale est à l’œuvre, reléguant au second plan la logique de délégation de pouvoir qui a marqué les débuts de la construction européenne. Le mouvement s’est accentué sous la pression de la crise. Toutefois, une analyse approfondie de la réponse européenne laisse entrevoir une réalité plus complexe. Quelles que puissent être leurs préférences profondes, les gouvernements ont été amenés à redécouvrir les vertus de la supranationalité, ce qui réduira leur marge de manœuvre à l’avenir.
Les lobbies dans la gouvernance ou la main – invisible – du marché
Authors: Klüver Heike , Richet Isabelle
Published: May 2014

L’élaboration des politiques au sein de l’Union européenne a été sévèrement critiquée pour son manque de légitimité démocratique. Dans un effort visant à contrecarrer ces critiques permanentes, la Commission a pris différentes initiatives pour accroître la participation des groupes d’intérêt. Cet article illustre le potentiel démocratique de cette participation à l’élaboration des politiques européennes en analysant quels groupes sont représentés à Bruxelles, comment ces groupes sont organisés et quelle influence ils ont sur la politique de l’Union.
LEARNING TO CONTROL THE THREE-LINK MUSCULOSKELETAL ARM USING ACTOR–CRITIC REINFORCEMENT LEARNING ALGORITHM DURING REACHING MOVEMENT
Authors: Tahami Ehsan , Jafari Amir Homayoun , Fallah Ali
Published: May 2014

Learning to control the planar three-link musculoskeletal arm by using an Actor–Critic learning algorithm during reaching movements to stationary target is presented. The arm model used in this study includes three skeletal links (hand, forearm and upper arm), three joints (wrist, elbow and shoulder without redundancy) and six nonlinear monoarticular muscles with redundancy which are modeled based on Hill model. The learning system is composed of Actor and Critic parts. For each part, a single layer neural network is used. This learning system applies six activation commands to six muscles at each instant of time. It also uses a reinforcement (reward) feedback for learning process and controlling the arm movement direction. The results showed that with a learning rate α = 0.9 and after 20 episodes, Mean square error (MSE), average reward and average time of reaching the target are gradually converged to the values: 0.0056, 0.02262 and 187 s, respectively. After the 20th episode, the learning will be completed. The research suggests a new direction for designation of learning-based controllers for functional electrical stimulation (FES) applications and for arm movement of autonomous robots.
Strategic Roadmapping as a Policy Tool for Meso-Level Industrial Transformation
Authors: Ahlqvist Toni , Kettle John , Valovirta Ville , Vanderhoek Nafty
Published: May 2014

This chapter illustrates the use of strategic roadmapping as a policy tool for regions or industry sectors to formulate a strategy to renew and transform their industrial base when faced with structural decline, diminishing opportunities, and intensifying competitive pressures. This approach is illustrated by the case study of the forest and wood products industry in the Green Triangle region in the southeast of South Australia, both the road maps produced and the staged policy recommendations made for immediate, short, and long-term action. The chapter concludes by summarising the key arguments for the use of strategic roadmapping as policy tool for industrial transformation, and identifying some future avenues for strategic roadmapping in the forest and wood products industry and in manufacturing industry in general.
An Accelerated Resource Utilization in Autonomous Stochastic Mobile Multi-Agents
Authors: Shioya Isamu
Published: May 2014

This paper describes how to coordinate autonomous mobile multi-agents, whose agents stochastically move over a finite resource consisting of cells in accordance with transition probabilities. We assume there are interactions or coordination among agents such that (1) each agent cannot move to a destination cell occupied by agents more than the agents of a current cell and (2) their agents have time-lag. Then it is ideal that every cell is always occupied by agents, because of the efficient use of resources, and it is desirable to be the fewest expected number of cells not occupied by agents. The first result shows that the resource utilization of accelerated mobile multi-agents with appropriate average moving speed becomes higher than the resource utilization of mobile multi-agents without average moving speed. Then the resource utilization can be accelerated to maximum by giving appropriate moving speed. The second result shows that there are the best moving speed of system-specific optimum to utilize the resources of autonomous stochastic mobile multi-agents.
Comprehension of Technology in Parent-Child Activities Using Bloom's Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain
Authors: Ger Tzu-Hsiang , Chu Yao-Ming , Chang Mei-Chen
Published: May 2014

Science museums often hold various science education activities in exhibition halls to enhance visitors' cognition and comprehension of science and technology. However, the experience and knowledge accumulated during the participation in technological experiential and learning activities merits exploration. This study conducts a quantitative survey and qualitatively analyzes the data based on the taxonomy of educational objectives that are outlined in the revised version of Bloom's taxonomy handbook. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of life creativity contests held by museums for elementary school children and their parents on the participants' conceptual cognition of water conservation technologies. A survey is designed to evaluate the change in the participants' conceptual cognition of the technologies, and includes questionnaires on water consumption habits in daily lives, understanding of the water resources in the Taiwan region, and uses of and opinions on water-saving devices. A method on which the assessment of the conceptual knowledge of the participants was based was a content analysis of the interviews. The findings of this study suggested: (a) the creativity contest provided diverse opportunities to improve the participants' cognitive concepts of water conservation; (b) this activity also has positively influenced the learning of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of water conservation technologies.
Trends in e-Strategic Management
Authors: Anthopoulos Leonidas , Fitsilis Panos
Published: May 2014

More than a decade has passed since the conception of major Government e-strategies and significant outcomes have been delivered worldwide concerning information technology infrastructure and e-service deployment. Already, major e-Strategies have closed their lifecycles and have been reviewed. British “t-Government” and Obama's “Open Government Initiative” are only some of the transformation results, where citizens have been placed in the center of the strategic planning and e-Government priorities have been reconsidered. This paper addresses an important issue: the identification of international e-strategic transformation and the recognition of patterns for e-strategic transformation. A methodological analysis of major e-strategies is performed according to strategic lifecycle management tool and patterns for e-strategic evolution are structured.
The Adoption of Web 2.0 by the State Government
Authors: Ahn Michael J. , Berardino Michael
Published: May 2014

The emergence of Web 2.0 introduced a new potential in e-government which empowers citizens to share information and mobilize spontaneously online, and enables citizens to communicate directly with the government and its elected officials while significantly lowering some of the traditional barriers of e-government adoption such as the lack of financial resources and technical expertise in government. This paper examined the pattern of Web 2.0 adoption on state web portals to identify key factors influencing its adoption. The results suggest that while the potential of the new technology is immense, its adoption is constrained by a number of political factors. In particular, the authors find that there is disinclination toward adopting Web 2.0 by incumbent governors while the technology was favored by governors who are newly elected into their office. Moreover, there was disinclination toward the new technology by governors with high approval rating while those with low approval rating sought to adopt them. Our findings point to a perception by governors about Web 2.0 as a powerful and effective instrument of communication but, at the same time, politically risky, creating disincentive to adopt the technology by governors with established political support. There is a “more to lose” mentality about Web 2.0 by political actors with high level of political support while “less to lose” by those with thin political support. This research sketches a picture of Web 2.0 adoption in government where political instability and newcomers facilitates the use of Web 2.0 increasing dialogue and communication with citizens while higher levels of political stability and support reduces the use of Web 2.0, diminishing the channel of communication created by the new technology.
Cloud Computing and Gov 2.0
Authors: Roy Jeffrey
Published: May 2014

This article seeks to dissect the evolution of digital governance within the Canadian public sector at an expansionary time for cloud computing and wider reforms often referred to as Gov 2.0. Beyond infrastructure, the notion of the cloud may also be viewed as a proxy for a wider societal transformation that, in turn, impacts government both administratively and politically. This wider transformational nonetheless faces tensions between traditional proprietary concepts and mindsets and newer emerging models of open source and shared openness. The future of the Canadian public sector requires a careful navigation and blending of these two worldviews. While some observers may prefer to decouple cloud computing from new governance capacities associated with Gov 2.0 (viewing the cloud instead strictly through a prism of internal architecture and infrastructure), the evidence presented in this article suggests that both directions are intimately related in shaping the public sector going forward.
IT and Collaborative Community Services
Authors: Taylor Natalie Greene , Gorham Ursula , Jaeger Paul T. , Bertot John Carlo
Published: May 2014

The role that the Internet has played in redefining the activities of public sector organizations is well-documented. What has yet to be fully explored, however, are recent collaborations among community-oriented entities (local government agencies, public libraries, and non-profit organizations) to provide enhanced services through innovative uses of information technology. These collaborative community services are enhanced by information technology, but also framed within the context of the organizations supporting the services. Using data from the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Survey (PLFTAS), and drawing upon ongoing research into e-government partnerships between libraries, government agencies, and community organizations as well as community-based civic engagement initiatives, this paper will frame this issue within the contexts of local e-government in the United States; the relationship between public libraries, e-government, and the Internet; and innovative partnerships between public libraries, local government, and nonprofit entities. The article discusses both best practices and common challenges among these partnerships as a guide to future projects.
From Software-Based To Knowledge-Based Policy Implementation and Compliance
Authors: Gong Yiwei , Janssen Marijn
Published: May 2014

Law-making is inextricably bound up with the developments of e-government. Yet translating legislation into administrative processes and services has been extremely complex, taking a long time and involving many manual tasks. This problem is further complicated by the increasing amount of legislation and the frequent changes of legislation. Recent technology innovations enable a shift from implementation and maintenance of e-government services by software configuration and engineering towards implementation and maintenance based on knowledge representation. Despite the many benefits such as faster, cheaper and easier implementation, adoption has been limited. In this paper we describe these developments and compare software-based with knowledge-based implementation and maintenance. Based on a case study, we identify success factors and challenges from moving towards knowledge-based implementation and maintenance in the aspects of motivation, architecture, technique, expertise and finance.