bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is Nomad Art? A Benjaminian Reading of Deleuze's Riegl
Authors: Hetrick Jay
Published: April 2012

In A Thousand Plateaus, Deleuze and Guattari offer a description of what they call ‘nomad art’ by detailing its three primary characteristics: close-range vision, haptic space, and abstract line. In an attempt to unpack the significance of this provocative term, this paper will sketch the provenance of the first two of these characteristics, both of which come from Deleuze and Guattari's particular reading of Alois Riegl. Together, close-range vision and haptic space delineate the synaesthetic vision of the artist as well as the space s/he creates in the work. Walter Benjamin will be invoked as a sort of phantom link between Riegl and Deleuze, a link that will both provide the proper orientation towards the central aspect of the haptic — against a Phenomenology of affect — as well as inject the necessary political significance into the discussion of nomad art.
James Stirling's Architecture and the Post-War Crisis of Movement
Authors: Satter Todd Jerome
Published: April 2012

Deleuze's cinema project identifies a crisis of movement, action and thought, established initially in the war-devastated spaces of neo-realist cinema. Indirectly these spaces subordinate architecture as the locus of crisis, which only new, temporal artistic practices can avert. However, an architectural model of the smooth and striated, revealing a sophisticated interplay of the two concepts, can reinstall design practice and the intentional built environment as part of a productive and affirmative image of thought. The designs of James Stirling, whose career unfolds alongside significant developments in post-war spatial thought, reveal sensual expressions of new modes of subjectivity and individuation to accompany the increasingly aleatory and lacunary nature of movement.
Effects of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Clusters on the Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Higashi Toshiaki , Minegishi Hiroaki , Nagaoka Yutaka , Fukuda Takahiro , Echigo Akinobu , Usami Ron , Maekawa Toru , Hanajiri Tatsuro
Published: April 2012

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is widely used for the reproduction and amplification of specific DNA segments, and a novel PCR method using nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles has recently been reported. This paper reports on the effects of superparamagnetic nanoparticles on PCR amplification without an external magnetic field, and clarifies the mechanism behind the effects of superparamagnetic particle clusters on PCR efficiency by estimating the structures of such clusters in PCR. It was found that superparamagnetic nanoparticles tend to inhibit PCR amplification depending on the structure of the magnetic nanoparticle clusters. The paper also clarifies that Taq polymerase is captured in the spaces formed among magnetic nanoparticle clusters, and that it is captured more efficiently as a result of their motion from heat treatment in PCR thermal cycles. Consequently, Taq polymerase that should be used in PCR is reduced in the PCR solution. These outcomes will be applied to novel PCR techniques using magnetic particles in an external magnetic field.
Comparison of Three Bed Bug Management Strategies in a Low-Income Apartment Building
Authors: Wang Changlu , Saltzmann Kurt , Bennett Gary , Gibb Timothy
Published: April 2012

Bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) infestations are currently controlled by a variety of non-chemical and chemical methods. There have been few studies on the comparative effectiveness of these control techniques. We evaluated three bed bug management strategies in an apartment building: (1) non-chemical methods only (n = 9); (2) insecticides only (n = 6); and (3) integrated pest management including both non-chemical methods and insecticides (n = 9). The apartments were one-bedroom units occupied by seniors or people with disabilities. Bed bug numbers in each apartment were determined by visual inspection and/or installing intercepting devices under bed and sofa legs. The median (min, max) bed bug counts in the non-chemical methods only, insecticides only, and integrated pest management (IPM) treatment were: 4 (1, 57), 19 (1, 250), and 14 (1, 219), respectively prior to the treatments. The apartments were retreated if found necessary during biweekly to monthly inspections. After 10 weeks, bed bugs were found to be eliminated from 67, 33, and 44% of the apartments in the three treatment groups, respectively. The final (after 10 weeks) median (min, max) bed bug counts in the non-chemical methods only, insecticides only, and IPM treatment were: 0 (0, 134), 11.5 (0, 58), and 1 (0, 38), respectively. There were no significant differences in the speed of bed bug count reduction or the final bed bug counts. Lack of resident cooperation partially contributed to the failure in eliminating bed bugs from some of the apartments. Results of this study suggest that non-chemical methods can effectively eliminate bed bugs in lightly infested apartments.
Naucline, a New Indole Alkaloid from the Bark of Nauclea officinalis
Authors: Liew Sook Yee , Mukhtar Mat Ropi , Hadi A. Hamid A. , Awang Khalijah , Mustafa Mohd Rais , Zaima Kazumasa , Morita Hiroshi , Litaudon Marc
Published: April 2012

A new indole alkaloid, naucline (1) together with four known alkaloids, angustine (2), angustidine (3), nauclefine (4) and naucletine (5), were isolated from the bark of Nauclea officinalis. The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated with various spectroscopic methods such as 1D- and 2D- NMR, IR, UV and LCMS-IT-TOF. In addition to that of alkaloid 1, the complete 13C-NMR data of naucletine (5) were also reported. Naucline (1) showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity (90% relaxation at 1 × 10−5 M) whereas, angustine (2), nauclefine (4), and naucletine (5) showed potent vasorelaxant activity (more than 90% relaxation at 1 × 10−5 M) on an isolated rat aorta.
Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques—FRAP, FLIP, FLAP, FRET and FLIM
Authors: Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen C. , Ankerhold Richard , Drummen Gregor P. C.
Published: April 2012

Fluorescence microscopy provides an efficient and unique approach to study fixed and living cells because of its versatility, specificity, and high sensitivity. Fluorescence microscopes can both detect the fluorescence emitted from labeled molecules in biological samples as images or photometric data from which intensities and emission spectra can be deduced. By exploiting the characteristics of fluorescence, various techniques have been developed that enable the visualization and analysis of complex dynamic events in cells, organelles, and sub-organelle components within the biological specimen. The techniques described here are fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), the related fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP), fluorescence localization after photobleaching (FLAP), Förster or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and the different ways how to measure FRET, such as acceptor bleaching, sensitized emission, polarization anisotropy, and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). First, a brief introduction into the mechanisms underlying fluorescence as a physical phenomenon and fluorescence, confocal, and multiphoton microscopy is given. Subsequently, these advanced microscopy techniques are introduced in more detail, with a description of how these techniques are performed, what needs to be considered, and what practical advantages they can bring to cell biological research.
Key Characteristics of Multicultural Festivals: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Lee Insun Sunny , Arcodia Charles , Lee Timothy Jeonglyeol
Published: April 2012

While multicultural festivals have become a significant feature of multicultural societies, offering a distinct and valuable experience for visitors, few studies have considered their role in contemporary social settings. This article outlines the key characteristics of multicultural
festivals by drawing upon literature from a range of disciplines to clearly conceptualize their role. The article concludes that such festivals play a particularly significant role engendering multiculturalism in outwardly diverse social contexts. It contributes, in turn, to further comprehension
of the importance of such festivals in contemporary social contexts characterized by growing ethnic diversity.
ANTI-FOAMING ADMIXTURE (AFA) AND ITS INFLUENCES ON THE PROPERTIES OF A FRESH SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE MIX / PRIEŠPUČIO (AFA) ĮTAKA SUSITANKINANČIO BETONO MIŠINIO SAVYBĖMS
Authors: Łaźniewska-Piekarczyk Beata , Szwabowski Janusz
Published: April 2012

The properties of a concrete mix should secure the self-elimination of needless air bubbles from its volume. What is interesting, these properties are not taken into consideration in commonly used self-compacting tests. On the basis of different tests concerning self-compacting concrete mixes, it has been discovered that too high air content in their volume was a result of a superplasticiser, in spite of meeting the self-compactibility criteria. To decrease too high air volume in SCC, the use of an anti-foaming admixture (AFA) is proposed by the authors. Because of an AFA introduced into a self-compacting mix, air-content in this mix is decreased, mix flow diameter is increased and flow time is decreased. In case of a mix incorporating an AFA, its high flowability does not cause segregation of the mix, which is possible in case of SCC incorporating only a superplasticiser. However, time of introduction of an AFA is essential to get higher flowability degree, but is not important in achieving low air volume in SCC. Moreover, the workability of a self-compacting mix with an AFA keeps the same level for a longer period of time.

Santrauka

Betono mišinio sudėtis turi būti tokių savybių, kad užtikrintų nereikalingo oro kiekio pasišalinimą. Įdomu, kad į šias savybes dažniausiai nėra atsižvelgiama atliekant susitankinančio betono bandymus. Remiantis įvairiais susitankinančio betono mišinio tyrimais, buvo nustatyta, kad per dideliam oro kiekiui įtakos turi superplastikliai, nepaisant to, kad jie turi tankinančių savybių.

Norint susitankinančio betono mišinyje (SCC) sumažinti per didelį oro kiekį, siūloma naudoti priešputį (AFA). Kadangi AFA įterpimas į susitankinančio betono mišinį sumažina oro kiekį, padidėja mišinio pasklidimo skersmuo ir sumažėja pasklidimo trukmė. Jeigu mišinio sudėtyje yra AFA, mišinio takumas neskatina išsisluoksniavimo, o tai gali atsitikti naudojant SCC tik superplastiklį. Tačiau AFA įterpimo trukmė turi poveikį mišinio takumo laipsniui, bet nėra reikšminga pasiektam mažam oro kiekiui SCC. Be to, susitankinančio betono mišinio su AFA klojumas ilgesnį laiką išlieka to paties lygmens.
INDONESIAN CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY CHAINS COST STRUCTURE AND FACTORS: A CASE STUDY OF TWO PROJECTS / SĄNAUDŲ STRUKTŪRA IR VEIKSNIAI INDONEZIJOS STATYBŲ TIEKIMO GRANDINĖSE: DVIEJŲ PROJEKTŲ ATVEJO TYRIMAS
Authors: Abduh Muhamad , Soemardi Biemo W. , Wirahadikusumah Reini D.
Published: April 2012

Studies of Indonesian construction supply chains have been in the early stage. Previous studies have described very well the structures of construction project supply chains. Moreover, one of strategies that have been considered by construction companies for gaining a competitive advantage is to reduce the cost of their supply chains. The research's objective is to identify the cost structure of construction supply chains in Indonesia and factors that could influence it. By knowing these factors, construction companies are expected to be able to determine strategic efforts needed for reducing cost of their construction supply chains. Two construction projects operated by a large construction company were explored as case-studies. Rebar material was chosen for this supply chains study. It was found that the cost of purchasing was very significant. Meanwhile, costs of transportation and inventory were insignificant. It can be concluded that efforts to reduce supply chains cost by reducing costs of inventory and transportation would not be effective. Therefore, factors that could influence the cost of supply chains are related to management of supply chains, such as procurement policy, material requirement planning, supplier qualification, selection process, contract, and supplier development. Santrauka Ankstesniuose Indonezijos statybų tiekimo grandinių tyrimuose labai gerai apibūdintos statybos projektų tiekimo grandinių struktūros. Be to, viena iš strategijų, kurias statybų įmonės nagrinėjo kaip galimybę įgyti konkurencinį pranašumą, buvo išlaidų mažinimas tiekimo grandinėms. Šiuo tyrimu siekiama nustatyti Indonezijos statybų tiekimo grandinių išlaidų struktūrą ir jai įtaką galinčius daryti veiksnius. Žinodamos tokius veiksnius, statybų įmonės turėtų sugebėti nustatyti, kokios strategijos leistų sumažinti išlaidas statybų tiekimo grandinėms. Atvejui tirti pasirinkti du statybų projektai, kuriuos vykdė stambi statybos įmonė. Šiam tiekimo grandinių tyrimui pasirinkta armatūra. Nustatyta, kad pirkimo kaina buvo labai svarbi, o pristatymo ir inventorizacijos išlaidos svarbiomis nelaikytos. Galima daryti išvadą, kad bandymas apriboti išlaidas tiekimo grandinėms, mažinant inventorizacijos ir pristatymo išlaidas, nebūtų veiksmingas. Taigi išlaidoms, kurios skiriamos tiekimo grandinėms, įtaką galintys daryti veiksniai yra susiję su tiekimo grandinių valdymu: pirkimo politika, medžiagų poreikio planavimu, tiekėjų kvalifikacija, atrankos procesu, sutarties sudarymu ir tiekėjų tobulinimo programa.
UTILIZING RANDOM PERFORMANCE RECORDS IN THE BEST VALUE MODEL / ATSITIKTINE TVARKA PARINKTŲ VEIKLOS EFEKTYVUMO DUOMENŲ NAUDOJIMAS GERIAUSIOS VERTĖS MODELYJE
Authors: Elyamany Ahmed Hussien , Abdelrahman Magdy , Zayed Tarek
Published: April 2012

Most construction agencies have a quality management system in order to control and manage the quality of their final product. Once the project is over, the testing results are kept in archives in which they are rarely re-visited or utilized. Quality testing results carry much information about the contractor performance that could be useful during the contractor evaluation/selection process. Previous attempts to implement the Best Value (BV) used the average performance records as the expected performance, which was utilized to evaluate contractors. The objective of this research is to develop, based on random data obtained from the contractor's performance records, a methodology that provides decision makers with the level of confidence or risk associated with the contractor selection using the BV model. Simulation technique is used to develop the BV model and analysis. Field performance data have been used to obtain the Percentage Defective, which indicates the contractor's performance in the BV model. The analysis of data indicates that performance follows a normal distribution. Sensitivity analysis of the BV model illustrates the significance of the weights in the BV model, which demands special attention when selecting the parameters’ weights. The developed methodology provides the decision makers with the confidence and risk associated with their selection decision. Santrauka Dauguma statybos imonių galutinio produkto kokybę kontroliuoja ir valdo naudodamos kokybės vadybos sistemą. Projektui pasibaigus, patikrinimo rezultatai laikomi archyvuose ir retai peržiūrimi arba naudojami. Kokybės patikrinimo rezultatuose daug informacijos apie rangovo veiklos efektyvumą, kuri praverstų vertinant (renkantis) rangovą. Anksčiau mėginant diegti geriausios vertės (GV) modelį, veiklos efektyvumas buvo numatomas pagal vidutinius veiklos efektyvumo duomenis ir pagal tai būdavo vertinami rangovai. Šio tyrimo tikslas – pasitelkus atsitiktine tvarka atrinktus duomenis iš įrašų apie rangovo veiklos efektyvumą, sukurti metodiką, kuri sprendimus priimantiems asmenims suteikia pasitikėjimo arba mažina riziką, susijusią su rangovų atranka pagal GV modelį. Kuriant GV modelį ir atliekant analię taikomas imitacijos metodas. Naudojant faktinius veiklos duomenis apie efektyvumą buvo nustatyta procentinė defektų dalis (angl. Percentage Defective), kuri GV modelyje rodo rangovo veiklos efektyvumą. Duomenų analizė rodo, kad veiklos efektyvumas nenukrypsta nuo normaliojo skirstinio. GV modelio jautrumo analizė rodo, kad jame svarbūs reikšmingumai, taigi parametru reikšmingumus reikia rinktis itin atidžiai. Sukurta metodika sprendimus priimantiems asmenims suteikia pasitikėjimo ir mažina riziką, susijusią su pasirinkimo sprendimais.
Peripheral Blood Gene Expression and IgG Glycosylation Profiles as Markers of Tocilizumab Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: MESKO BERTALAN , POLISKA SZILARD , SZAMOSI SZILVIA , SZEKANECZ ZOLTAN , PODANI JANOS , VARADI CSABA , GUTTMAN ANDRAS , NAGY LASZLO
Published: April 2012

Objective.

Tocilizumab, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, has recently been approved as a biological therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other diseases. It is not known if there are characteristic changes in gene expression and immunoglobulin G glycosylation during therapy or in response to treatment.

Methods.

Global gene expression profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 13 patients with RA and active disease at Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 following treatment were obtained together with clinical measures, serum cytokine levels using ELISA, and the degree of galactosylation of the IgG N-glycan chains. Gene sets separating responders and nonresponders were tested using canonical variates analysis. This approach also revealed important gene groups and pathways that differentiate responders from nonresponders.

Results.

Fifty-nine genes showed significant differences between baseline and Week 4 and thus correlated with treatment. Significantly, 4 genes determined responders after correction for multiple testing. Ten of the 12 genes with the most significant changes were validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. An increase in the terminal galactose content of N-linked glycans of IgG was observed in responders versus nonresponders, as well as in treated samples versus samples obtained at baseline.

Conclusion.

As a preliminary report, gene expression changes as a result of tocilizumab therapy in RA were examined, and gene sets discriminating between responders and nonresponders were found and validated. A significant increase in the degree of galactosylation of IgG N-glycans in patients with RA treated with tocilizumab was documented.
YouTube for Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis — A Wakeup Call?
Authors: SINGH ABHA G. , SINGH SIDDHARTH , SINGH PREET PAUL
Published: April 2012

Objective.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common debilitating autoimmune disease, with unmet need for knowledge among patients and the general population. YouTube is a popular, consumer-generated, video-sharing website, which can be a source of information on RA. We investigated the quality of information on RA on YouTube and analyzed audience interaction.

Methods.

YouTube was searched using the term “Rheumatoid Arthritis,” for videos uploaded on RA. Two physicians independently classified videos as useful, misleading, or patient views, and rated them on a 5-point global quality scale (GQS; 1 = poor quality, 5 = excellent quality). Useful videos were rated for reliability and content, on a 5-point scale (higher scores represent more reliable and comprehensive videos). Source of videos was also noted. Audience interaction was assessed through video viewership.

Results.

A total of 102 relevant videos were identified; 54.9% were classified as useful (GQS 2.9 ± 1.0) and 30.4% deemed misleading (GQS 1.3 ± 1.6). Mean reliability and content score of useful videos was 3.2 (± 1.0) and 2.5 (± 1.2), respectively. All videos uploaded by university channels and professional organizations provided useful information but formed only 12.7% of total videos, whereas 73.9% of medical advertisements and videos by for-profit organizations were misleading. There was no difference in the viewership/day (10.0 vs 21.5; p = nonsignificant) of useful and misleading information.

Conclusion.

YouTube is a source of information on RA, of variable quality, with wide viewership and potential to influence patients’ knowledge and behavior. Physicians and professional organizations should be aware of and embrace this evolving technology to raise awareness about RA, and empower patients to discriminate useful from misleading information.
A Prospective Observational Study of Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment in Progressive Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis of Recent Onset
Authors: MENDOZA FABIAN A. , NAGLE SARAH J. , LEE JASON B. , JIMENEZ SERGIO A.
Published: April 2012

Objective.

A prospective observational study of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment in patients with diffuse progressive cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) of recent onset.

Methods.

Twenty-five previously untreated consecutive patients with recent-onset (< 24 mo) diffuse progressive cutaneous SSc received MMF as the only disease-modifying therapy. Modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and affected body surface area (BSA) were compared from initiation of MMF to study end. Pulmonary function tests performed at the same institution before therapy and at study end were available in 15 patients. Histopathology and real-time PCR assessment of fibrosis-related gene expression were performed before and after treatment in skin biopsies from 3 patients.

Results.

At 18.2 ± 8.73 months of MMF therapy (median 2000 mg/day) the mRSS decreased from 24.56 ± 8.62 to 14.52 ± 10.9 (p = 0.0004) and the affected BSA from 36% ± 16% to 14% ± 13.3% (p = 0.00001). Pulmonary function tests remained stable from initiation of MMF to the end of the study. Skin histopathology showed a remarkable reduction in accumulation of fibrotic tissue. Real-time PCR of skin biopsies demonstrated a marked decrease in expression of fibrosis-related genes.

Conclusion.

Patients with diffuse progressive cutaneous SSc of recent onset treated with MMF experienced marked improvement in skin involvement and stabilization of pulmonary function. Skin biopsies from 3 patients demonstrated histopathological improvement and decreased expression of fibrosis-related genes.
Media Education, Media Literacy and Digital Competence
Authors: Gutiérrez-Martín Alfonso , Tyner Kathleen
Published: April 2012

This article addresses some possible relationship between education and media in contemporary society and explores the role that formal education should play in both the integration of media in the curriculum and the digital literacy skills necessary for the 21st century. The authors discuss here different theories and approaches that have dominated international media studies, media education and media literacy in recent decades. Confusion and misunderstandings in terminology for contemporary literacy in a complex, global and intercultural environment are explored and the authors present some inclusive categories for 21st century literacy such as media literacy, digital, multimodal, critical and functional. Interpretations of media literacy and digital competencies are discussed with particular emphasis on the current European regulatory framework. The authors warn that reductionist interpretations that focus on applied technical competencies with devices, hardware and software have the potential to severely limit media literacy education. Instead, the authors stress critical approaches as central to media literacy. In addition to technical competency, the authors highlight the need to include a broader and deeper analysis of the social uses, attitudes, and values associated with new media tools, texts and practices.

El presente trabajo aborda las posibles relaciones entre educación y medios en la sociedad actual, y el papel que le corresponde a la educación formal tanto en la integración curricular de los medios como en la alfabetización digital necesaria para el siglo XXI. Se parte de distintas concepciones y enfoques que en las últimas décadas han predominado en el estudio de los medios y en la educación y alfabetización mediáticas en el panorama internacional; se intentan subsanar algunos problemas terminológicos derivados de la riqueza idiomática del mundo global e intercultural en el que nos movemos; se buscan posturas integradoras y se propone una alfabetización para el siglo XXI que se caracteriza por ser mediática, digital, multimodal, crítica y funcional. Se analizan posibles interpretaciones de educación mediática y competencia digital prestando especial atención al actual marco normativo europeo y se advierte de dos posibles peligros: reducir la educación mediática al desarrollo de la competencia digital, y reducir la competencia digital a su dimensión más tecnológica e instrumental: centrarse en los conocimientos técnicos, en los procedimientos de uso y manejo de dispositivos y programas, olvidando las actitudes y los valores. Para evitar el reduccionismo y el sesgo tecnológico se recomienda recuperar para el desarrollo de la alfabetización mediática y de la competencia digital los enfoques más críticos e ideológicos de la educación para los medios.
Media Competence. Articulated Proposal of Dimensions and Indicators
Authors: Ferrés Joan , Piscitelli Alejandro
Published: April 2012

The changes occurring in the media environment over the last decade force us to revise the parameters from which media education is to be implemented today, in a new age of communications. This article seeks to provide some criteria that media education or media literacy should follow, and especially a coordinated proposal of dimensions and indicators to define the new media competence. The proposal has been made by the authors of this article from the contributions made by 50 renowned Spanish and foreign experts in Media Literacy. The proposal focuses on six major dimensions: languages; technology; interaction processes; production and dissemination processes; ideology and values, and the aesthetic dimension. And it is structured around two areas of work in every dimension: the production of their own messages and the interaction with outside messages. We propose to develop this media education in the context of participatory culture, combining critical and aesthetic thinking with the expressive capacity; the development of personal autonomy with social and cultural commitment. Finally, we propose to combine technological revolution with neurobiological revolution, assuming changes produced in the conception of the human mind, especially as regards the importance of emotions and unconscious processes over reasoned and conscious ones.

Los cambios que se han producido en el entorno comunicativo durante la última década obligan a revisar los parámetros desde los que se ha de impartir la educación mediática. En este artículo se ofrecen algunos criterios que deberían presidir esta educación y, sobre todo, una propuesta articulada de dimensiones y de indicadores para definir la nueva competencia mediática. La propuesta ha sido realizada por los autores y ajustada a partir de las aportaciones hechas por 50 reconocidos expertos, españoles y extranjeros, y gira en torno a seis grandes dimensiones: lenguajes, tecnología, procesos de interacción, procesos de producción y difusión, ideología y valores, y dimensión estética. Y está estructurada en torno a dos ámbitos de trabajo: el de la producción de mensajes propios y el de la interacción con mensajes ajenos. Se propone desarrollar esta educación en el marco de la cultura participativa, compaginando el espíritu crítico y estético con la capacidad expresiva, el desarrollo de la autonomía personal con el compromiso social y cultural. Se pretende, en fin, compaginar la revolución tecnológica con la neurobiológica, asumiendo los cambios producidos en la concepción de la mente humana, sobre todo en lo referente al peso de las emociones y del inconsciente sobre los procesos razonados y conscientes.
Social Media and Self-curatorship: Reflections on Identity and Pedagogy through Blogging on a Masters Module
Authors: Potter John , Banaji Shakuntala
Published: April 2012

The widespread uses of social media have been celebrated as a unique opportunity to redesign innovative learning environments that position students at the center of a participatory, multiliteracy and peer learning experience. This article problemitizes the connection between the social uses of new media and relevant educational practices and proposes more rigorous theoretical frames that can be used to guide future research into the role of social media in education. This article reports on a case study of a small group of students who use an online module to study media, culture and communication as part of a wider master’s programme. The students were invited to reflect in a more reflexive and theoretical manner than is commonly used in a standard course evaluation about their experiences of engaging with social media as both the medium and the subject of the course. The article discusses the student experience as it unfolded in the context of an assessed piece of project work. In discussing the findings the authors locate the arguments in the context of debates about new literacies, pedagogy and social media as well as in an emergent theory of self-curatorship as a metaphorical frame for understanding the production and representation of identity in digital media.

El uso de los medios sociales se ha extendido notablemente y se considera ya como una oportunidad única para el diseño de entornos innovadores de aprendizaje, donde los estudiantes se conviertan en protagonistas de experiencias de multialfabetización participativas y entre iguales. El trabajo cuestiona la conexión entre los usos sociales de los nuevos medios y las prácticas educativas relevantes, y propone marcos teóricos más rigurosos que puedan orientar en futuras investigaciones sobre el papel de los medios sociales en la educación. El trabajo reflexiona sobre el estudio de caso llevado a cabo en un grupo de alumnos en un módulo on-line como parte de un programa de máster sobre medios de comunicación, cultura y comunicación. Se invitó a los estudiantes a desenvolverse en estrategias de evaluación más allá de las convencionales, con el fin de teorizar y reflexionar sobre sus experiencias con los medios sociales como soporte y materia del curso. El artículo analiza la experiencia de los estudiantes evaluados en el conjunto del proyecto. Durante la exposición de resultados, los autores situaron los argumentos en el contexto del debate sobre las nuevas alfabetizaciones, la pedagogía y los medios sociales, así como en el marco de la teoría emergente de la autogestión del individuo en estos contextos, como marco metafórico para comprender la producción y la representación de la identidad en los medios digitales.
L'internationalisation de la profession d'avocat
Authors: August Gilles
Published: April 2012

Résumé Depuis vingt ans, la profession d’avocat s’est fortement internationalisée sous l’influence de la construction européenne et de l’accroissement des échanges internationaux. Aiguillonnés par les demandes de leurs clients français souhaitant investir à l’étranger ou inversement, les avocats ont internationalisé leurs formations et leurs structures d’exercice. Consécutivement à l’implantation de cabinets étrangers en France, l’assouplissement de la réglementation a permis le développement des cabinets français à l’étranger. La réalité de ce mouvement ne doit cependant pas dissimuler les limites de l’internationalisation : la spécialisation des systèmes juridiques nationaux et la personnalisation des relations avec le tissu économique local assurent encore, et pour une période indéterminée, le quasi-monopole des avocats nationaux sur la profession.
Smoking habits and teachable moment among hospitalized patients admitted to the internal medicine department
Authors: Bösch Dennis
Published: April 2012

Hospitalization seems a favorable setting to quit smoking. The purpose of this study was to determine the smoking habits and teachable moments among hospitalized patients admitted to the internal medicine department. A prospective study involving 253 patients admitted to an academic teaching hospital was conducted. The rate of current smokers ranged from 75% in the group of 30 to 39-year-old male patients to 0% in female patients 80 years and older; mean prevalence 34%. Although males had a higher prevalence of smoking in the younger population, the number of current smokers between the genders nearly converged in patients greater or equal to 50 years of age. Among the internal subspecialties, it was highest in patients admitted for pulmonary disease. The number of patients that quit smoking before discharge was similar between both genders, but significantly different among the age-groups and subspecialties. The fraction of quitters was greater in patients 50 years and older, compared to patients less than 50 years (35% vs. 11%, respectively), and in patients admitted for pulmonary disease, compared to all other patients (33% vs. 12%, respectively). In summary, smoking habits among inpatients are very heterogenous, depending on age, gender, and medical reason for admission. Highest prevalences are found in young, male patients, as well as patients admitted for pulmonary disease. On the other hand, the rate of quitters is significantly greater in patients 50 years and older, and patients admitted for pulmonary disease. Besides targeting our efforts at those who are susceptible to the effects, within the scope of secondary and tertiary prevention of many chronic pulmonary and cardiac diseases, it might be favorable and most efficient to focus on the young, middle-aged patients in tailoring specific support, especially in respiratory medicine.
Haematuria in Association with Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Ma'ayeh Marwan , Power Richard , Fanning Deirdre Mary
Published: April 2012

A 40-year-old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department complaining of intermittent painless frank haematuria. Past medical history was significant for Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) and a prophylactic total colectomy. Computed tomography urogram showed thickening in the posterior wall of the bladder. Cystoscopy showed a small bladder mass. Histology showed a papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential. HNPCC, also known as Lynch Syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder responsible for 3-5% of colorectal cancers. There are certain cancers known to be associated with HNPCC; colorectal cancer, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, pancreas, biliary tract, small bowel, brain, renal pelvic and ureteric tumours, sebaceous gland adenomas and keratocanthomas. An association with bladder tumours is not well established.
Indirect drivers of plant diversity-productivity relationship in semiarid sandy grasslands
Authors: Zuo X. A. , Knops J. M. H. , Zhao X. Y. , Zhao H. L. , Zhang T. H. , Li Y. Q. , Guo Y. R.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Although patterns between plant diversity and ecosystem productivity have been much studied, a consistent relationship has not yet emerged. Differing patterns between plant diversity and productivity have been observed in response to spatial variability of environmental factors and vegetation composition. In this study, we measured vegetation cover, plant diversity, productivity, soil properties and site characteristics along an environmental gradient (mobile dune, semi-fixed dune, fixed dune, dry meadow, wet meadow and flood plain grasslands) of natural sandy grasslands in semiarid areas of northern China. We used multivariate analysis to examine the relationships between environmental factors, vegetation composition, plant diversity and productivity. We found a positive correlation between plant diversity and productivity. Vegetation composition aggregated by the ordination technique of non-metric multidimensional scaling had also a significantly positive correlation with plant diversity and productivity. Environmental gradients in relation to soil and topography affected the distribution patterns of vegetation composition, species diversity and productivity. However, environmental gradients were a better determinant of vegetation composition and productivity than of plant diversity. Structural equation modeling suggested that environmental factors determine vegetation composition, which in turn independently drives both plant diversity and productivity. Thus, the positive correlation between plant diversity and productivity is indirectly driven by vegetation composition, which is determined by environmental gradients in soil and topography.
Development of a iron pipe corrosion simulation model for a water supply network
Authors: Bernats M. , Osterhus S. W. , Dzelzitis K. , Juhna T.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Corrosion in water supply networks is unwanted process that causes pipe material loss and subsequent pipe failures. Nowadays pipe replacing strategy most often is based on pipe age, which is not always the most important factor in pipe burst rate. In this study a methodology for developing a mathematical model to predict the decrease of pipe thickness in a large cast iron networks is presented. The quality of water, the temperature and the water flow regime were the main factors taken into account in the corrosion model. The water quality and flow rate effect were determined by measuring corrosion rate of metals coupons over the period of one year at different flow regimes. The obtained constants were then introduced in a calibrated hydraulic model (Epanet) and the corrosion model was validated by measuring the decrease of wall thickness in the samples that were removed during the regular pipe replacing event. The validated model was run for 30 yr to simulate the water distribution system of Riga (Latvia). Corrosion rate in the first year was 8.0–9.5 times greater than in all the forthcoming years, an average decrease of pipe wall depth being 0.013/0.016 mm per year in long term. The optimal iron pipe exploitation period was concluded to be 30–35 yr (for pipe wall depth 5.50 mm and metal density 7.5 m3 t−1). The initial corrosion model and measurement error was 33%. After the validation of the model the error was reduced to below 15%.
Regional feedbacks under changing climate and land-use conditions
Authors: Batlle Bayer L. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M. , Strengers B. J. , van Minnen J. G.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Ecosystem responses to a changing climate and human-induced climate forcings (e.g. deforestation) might amplify (positive feedback) or dampen (negative feedback) the initial climate response. Feedbacks may include the biogeochemical (e.g. carbon cycle) and biogeophysical feedbacks (e.g. albedo and hydrological cycle). Here, we first review the most important feedbacks and put them into the context of a conceptual framework, including the major processes and interactions between terrestrial ecosystems and climate. We explore potential regional feedbacks in four hot spots with pronounced potential changes in land-use/management and local climate: sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Europe, the Amazon Basin and South and Southeast Asia. For each region, the relevant human-induced climate forcings and feedbacks were identified based on published literature. When evapotranspiration is limited by a soil water deficit, heat waves in Europe are amplified (positive soil moisture-temperature feedback). Drought events in the Amazon lead to further rainfall reduction when water recycling processes are affected (positive soil moisture-precipitation feedback). In SSA, the adoption of irrigation in the commonly rainfed systems can modulate the negative soil moisture-temperature feedback. In contrast, future water shortage in South and Southeast Asia can turn the negative soil moisture-temperature feedback into a positive one. Further research including advanced modeling strategies is needed to isolate the dominant processes affecting the strength and sign of the feedbacks. In addition, the socio-economic dimension needs to be considered in the ecosystems-climate system to include the essential role of human decisions on land-use and land-cover change (LULCC). In this context, enhanced integration between Earth System (ES) and Integrated Assessment (IA) modeling communities is strongly recommended.
Debonding of the Acetabular Porous Coating of A Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Authors: Ray Robbie , Goudie Ewan B. , Gaston Paul
Published: April 2012

We report an unusual case of loosening of the acetabular component of a hip resurfacing arthroplasty due to debonding of the titanium surface coating from the acetabular shell.

A 41-year-old male scaffolder had bilateral hip resurfacings in 2006. These initially functioned well. At 54 months he was found to have migration of the acetabular component on the right side. This was subsequently revised to a cemented total hip arthroplasty. Debonding of the surface coating was suspected on radiographs prior to the revision procedure, and was confirmed intraoperatively.
Indications for Early Hip Revision Surgery in the Uk - A Re-Analysis of Njr Data
Authors: Bolland Ben J. , Whitehouse Sarah L. , Timperley A. John
Published: April 2012

This study determined the rate and indication for revision between cemented, uncemented, hybrid and resurfacing groups from NJR (6th edition) data. Data validity was determined by interrogating for episodes of misclassification. We identified 6,034 (2.7%) misclassified episodes, containing 97 (4.3%) revisions. Kaplan-Meier revision rates at 3 years were 0.9% cemented, 1.9% for uncemented, 1.2% for hybrids and 3.0% for resurfacings (significant difference across all groups, p<0.001, with identical pattern in patients <55 years). Regression analysis indicated both prosthesis group and age significantly influenced failure (p<0.001). Revision for pain, aseptic loosening, and malalignment were highest in uncemented and resurfacing arthroplasty. Revision for dislocation was highest in uncemented hips (significant difference between groups, p<0.001). Feedback to the NJR on data misclassification has been made for future analysis.
Relationship between the Outcomes of Stent Placement and the Properties of Arteriovenous Graft Outflow Vein Stenotic Lesions
Authors: Yamamoto Yuya , Nakamura Junichi , Nakayama Yuji , Hino Hiroko , Kobayashi Hiroki , Sugiura Toshihiro
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The mechanisms of venous stenosis in vascular access include vascular constriction and neointimal hyperplasia. One purpose of this study was to examine the properties of stenotic lesions in arteriovenous graft outflow veins and the association with the results of treatment using stent placement.

Subjects and Methods.

The study involved 46 patients who underwent stent placement to treat arteriovenous graft outflow vein stenosis. The properties of stenotic lesions before stent placement were observed by ultrasonography and were classified into three groups: vascular constriction types, neointimal proliferation types, and mixed types. Stent placement was performed when elastic recoil occurred or when restenosis occurred at the same site within three months. The primary patency results for each group were then compared. The primary endpoint included patency of the treatment area.

Results.

The primary patency rate of the treatment area at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-stent placement for the vascular constriction type was 100.0%, 92.3%, 84.6% and 75.2%, respectively. Those rates were 66.7%, 33.3%, 33.3% and 25.0% for the neointimal proliferation type, and 90.5%, 52.4%, 38.1% and 27.2% with the mixed type. The vascular constriction type displayed excellent primary patency rates after stent placement.

Conclusions.

It is possible to define the types of stenotic lesions for which stent therapy is effective through morphological diagnosis of those lesions using ultrasound tomography.
Enterprise Choice Decisions in Urban Food Production in Nigeria
Authors: Okon Ubokudom E. , Enete Anselm A. , Amusa Taofeq A.
Published: April 2012

Farm enterprises differ in resource requirements (quantity, quality and timing). Enterprise choice decisions are particularly important in urban farming because of the associated farmland constraints and expectations of abrupt urban expansion. Given its importance in combating food insecurity and generating employment for the urban poor, city planners must begin to take urban farming into consideration in developing city plans. Informed decisions can be meaningful only if the factors that drive urban farmers' enterprise choice decisions are empirically determined. This study identifies some of these factors in urban smallholder farming in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. The study was based on farm-level data from 160 randomly selected farmers across the six agricultural zones of the state, and analysed using the multinomial logit model. While marital status and household size were negatively and significantly related to the probability of the farmers choosing pepper over waterleaf, the choice of garden egg over waterleaf was positively related to marital status but negatively related to the sole cropping system. The farmers' level of formal education and farm size were positively and significantly related to the odds of their choosing cassava, maize, pepper or garden egg enterprise instead of waterleaf, perhaps because these other crops are more resource-intensive than waterleaf. Income was, however, negatively and significantly related to the farmers' choice of these other crops instead of waterleaf, perhaps also because, as their income improves, they begin to restrict their urban farming activities. It is hoped that these factors may help to guide city planners with respect to the location of urban settlements where agricultural land could be most useful.
Radiation Effect on the Mixed Convection Flow of a Viscoelastic Fluid Along an Inclined Stretching Sheet
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Hayat Tasawar , Obaidat Saleem
Published: April 2012

This study concentrates on the heat transfer analysis of the steady flow of viscoelastic fluid along an inclined stretching surface. Analysis has been carried out in the presence of thermal radiation and the Rosseland approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. The equations of continuity, momentum and energy are reduced into the system of governing differential equations and solved by homotopy analysis method (HAM). The velocity and temperature are illustrated through graphs. Exact and homotopy solutions are compared in a limiting sense. It is noticed that viscoelastic parameter decreases the velocity and boundary layer thickness. It is also observed that increasing values of viscoelastic parameter reduces the thickness of momentum boundary layer and increase the heat transfer rate. However, it is found that increasing the radiation parameter has the effect of decreasing the local Nusselt number
Symmetry Breaking by Electric Discharges in Water and Formation of Light Magnetic Monopoles in an Extended Standard Model (Part III)
Authors: Stumpf Harald
Published: April 2012

By Lochak (theory) and Urutskoev (experiment) the hypothesis has been suggested that during electric discharges in water light magnetic monopoles can be created and according to Lochak these monopoles should be looked upon as a kind of excited neutrinos. Based on a quantum field theoretic derivation of an extended (effective) Standard Model, which describes the effects of symmetry breaking caused by the discharge, in Part I and Part II (H. Stumpf, Z. Naturforsch. 66a, 205 and 329 (2011)), the possibility was investigated whether under these circumstances magnetic effects can occur. While in the above two parts the focus of the theory was directed to show the evidence of magnetically active neutrinos, in this part the behaviour of the leptonic doublets (v, e ¯) and (v̅ , e+) is studied under the (symmetry breaking) conditions of such an electric discharge. The results obtained by the quantum field theoretic treatment of this problem are in agreement with symmetry considerations earlier performed by Lochak