bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and Barriers of Survivorship Care in Asia: Perceptions From Asian Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Chan Alexandre , Lum Zheng Kang , Ng Terence , Eyob Tewodros , Wang Xiao Jun , Chae Jung-woo , Dorajoo Sreemanee , Shwe Maung , Gan Yan Xiang , Fok Rose , Loh Kiley Wei-Jen , Tan Yee Pin , Fan Gilbert
Published: June 2016

Purpose

With the long-term goal to optimize post-treatment cancer care in Asia, we conducted a qualitative study to gather in-depth descriptions from multiethnic Asian breast cancer survivors on their perceptions and experiences of cancer survivorship and their perceived barriers to post-treatment follow-up.

Methods

Twenty-four breast cancer survivors in Singapore participated in six structured focus group discussions. The focus group discussions were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by thematic analysis.

Results

Breast cancer survivors were unfamiliar with and disliked the term “survivorship,” because it implies that survivors had undergone hardship during their treatment. Cognitive impairment and peripheral neuropathy were physical symptoms that bothered survivors the most, and many indicated that they experienced emotional distress during survivorship, for which they turned to religion and peers as coping strategies. Survivors indicated lack of consultation time and fear of unplanned hospitalization as main barriers to optimal survivorship care. Furthermore, survivors indicated that they preferred receipt of survivorship care at the specialty cancer center.

Conclusion

Budding survivorship programs in Asia must take survivor perspectives into consideration to ensure that survivorship care is fully optimized within the community.
Jim Crow Pragmatism: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and the Legal Logic of Race
Authors: Wells Hannah
Published: June 2016

In The Common Law (1881), Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote famously, “the life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.” This essay turns to this seminal work of American legal pragmatism to reconsider the stakes of pragmatism for contemporary studies of race. After a framing discussion of Holmes’s debt to William James, it examines The Common Law as well as Holmes’s subsequent reading of the Fourteenth Amendment and the ways in which this reading replicates the Supreme Court’s reconstruction of racial citizenship from the end of Reconstruction to Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). The root of this shared logic is a pragmatist theory of personhood that, first elucidated in The Common Law, is itself a remnant of racial citizenship in the United States. Pragmatism’s failure to address practically the racial discord of its era, I argue, is inseparable from its conceptual failure to recognize the social histories of racialized bodies.
The Rho GTPase Rif signals through IRTKS, Eps8 and WAVE2 to generate dorsal membrane ruffles and filopodia
Authors: Sudhaharan Thankiah , Sem Kai Ping , Liew Hwi Fen , Yu Yuan Hong , Goh Wah Ing , Chou Ai Mei , Ahmed Sohail
Published: June 2016

Rif induces dorsal filopodia but the signaling pathway responsible for this has not been identified. We show here that Rif interacts with the I-BAR family protein IRTKS (also known as BAIAP2L1) through its I-BAR domain. Rif also interacts with Pinkbar (also known as BAIAP2L2) in N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells. IRTKS and Rif induce dorsal membrane ruffles and filopodia. Dominant-negative Rif inhibits the formation of IRTKS-induced morphological structures, and Rif activity is blocked in IRTKS-knockout (KO) cells. To further define the Rif–IRTKS signaling pathway, we identify Eps8 and WAVE2 (also known as WASF2) as IRTKS interactors. We find that Eps8 regulates the size and number of dorsal filopodia and membrane ruffles downstream of Rif–IRTKS signaling, whereas WAVE2 modulates dorsal membrane ruffling. Furthermore, our data suggests that Tir, a protein essential for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, might compete for Rif for interaction with the I-BAR domain of IRTKS. Based on this evidence, we propose a model in which Rho family GTPases use the I-BAR proteins, IRSp53 (also known as BAIAP2), IRTKS and Pinkbar, as a central mechanism to modulate cell morphology.
Sorting nexin 9 negatively regulates invadopodia formation and function in cancer cells
Authors: Bendris Nawal , Stearns Carrie J. S. , Reis Carlos R. , Rodriguez-Canales Jaime , Liu Hui , Witkiewicz Agnieszka W. , Schmid Sandra L.
Published: June 2016

The ability of cancer cells to degrade the extracellular matrix and invade interstitial tissues contributes to their metastatic potential. We recently showed that overexpression of sorting nexin 9 (SNX9) leads to increased cell invasion and metastasis in animal models, which correlates with increased SNX9 protein expression in metastases from human mammary cancers. Here, we report that SNX9 expression is reduced relative to neighboring normal tissues in primary breast tumors, and progressively reduced in more aggressive stages of non-small-cell lung cancers. We show that SNX9 is localized at invadopodia where it directly binds the invadopodia marker TKS5 and negatively regulates invadopodia formation and function. SNX9 depletion increases invadopodia number and the local recruitment of MT1-MMP by decreasing its internalization. Together, these effects result in increased localized matrix degradation. We further identify SNX9 as a Src kinase substrate and show that this phosphorylation is important for SNX9 activity in regulating cell invasion, but is dispensable for its function in regulating invadopodia. The diversified changes associated with SNX9 expression in cancer highlight its importance as a central regulator of cancer cell behavior.
G-quadruplex RNA binding and recognition by the lysine-specific histone demethylase-1 enzyme
Authors: Hirschi Alexander , Martin William J. , Luka Zigmund , Loukachevitch Lioudmila V. , Reiter Nicholas J.
Published: June 2016

Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1) is an essential epigenetic regulator in metazoans and requires the co-repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (CoREST) to efficiently catalyze the removal of mono- and dimethyl functional groups from histone 3 at lysine positions 4 and 9 (H3K4/9). LSD1 interacts with over 60 regulatory proteins and also associates with lncRNAs (TERRA, HOTAIR), suggesting a regulatory role for RNA in LSD1 function. We report that a stacked, intramolecular G-quadruplex (GQ) forming TERRA RNA (GG[UUAGGG]8UUA) binds tightly to the functional LSD1–CoREST complex (Kd ≈ 96 nM), in contrast to a single GQ RNA unit ([UUAGGG]4U), a GQ DNA ([TTAGGG]4T), or an unstructured single-stranded RNA. Stabilization of a parallel-stranded GQ RNA structure by monovalent potassium ions (K+) is required for high affinity binding to the LSD1–CoREST complex. These data indicate that LSD1 can distinguish between RNA and DNA as well as structured versus unstructured nucleotide motifs. Further, cross-linking mass spectrometry identified the primary location of GQ RNA binding within the SWIRM/amine oxidase domain (AOD) of LSD1. An ssRNA binding region adjacent to this GQ binding site was also identified via X-ray crystallography. This RNA binding interface is consistent with kinetic assays, demonstrating that a GQ-forming RNA can serve as a noncompetitive inhibitor of LSD1-catalyzed demethylation. The identification of a GQ RNA binding site coupled with kinetic data suggests that structured RNAs can function as regulatory molecules in LSD1-mediated mechanisms.
RiboProfiling: a Bioconductor package for standard Ribo-seq pipeline processing
Authors: Popa Alexandra , Lebrigand Kevin , Paquet Agnes , Nottet Nicolas , Robbe-Sermesant Karine , Waldmann Rainer , Barbry Pascal
Published: June 2016

The ribosome profiling technique (Ribo-seq) allows the selective sequencing of translated RNA regions. Recently, the analysis of genomic sequences associated to Ribo-seq reads has been widely employed to assess their coding potential. These analyses led to the identification of differentially translated transcripts under different experimental conditions, and/or ribosome pausing on codon motifs. In the context of the ever-growing need for tools analyzing Ribo-seq reads, we have developed ‘RiboProfiling’, a new Bioconductor open-source package. ‘RiboProfiling’ provides a full pipeline to cover all key steps for the analysis of ribosome footprints. This pipeline has been implemented in a single R workflow. The package takes an alignment (BAM) file as input and performs ribosome footprint quantification at a transcript level. It also identifies footprint accumulation on particular amino acids or multi amino-acids motifs. Report summary graphs and data quantification are generated automatically. The package facilitates quality assessment and quantification of Ribo-seq experiments. Its implementation in Bioconductor enables the modeling and statistical analysis of its output through the vast choice of packages available in R. This article illustrates how to identify codon-motifs accumulating ribosome footprints, based on data from Escherichia coli.
Conversations in the American Newspaper «The New York Times» at the End of the XX Сentury
Authors: Маркина  , Markina Yulia
Published: June 2016

In this article the author analyzes factors and social conditions that in the

1990s affected the transformation of the editorial policy of the «The New

York Times», one of the most respected and influential newspapers, not

only in the United States, but worldwide. The author of this article traced

trends and conditions of the development of American quality press that

turned «The New York Times» from strictly quality newspaper intended for

the intellectual elite and high-ranking officials in qualitative mass edition.

The publishers were forced to adapt to the wishes and sentiments of new

readers. Consequently, their decision was to simplify the official style of respectable

«The New York Times» paying more attention to the scandalous

articles and the criminal chronicle. The article also explores the thematic focus

of updated elite newspaper, addressed now not only to the rich people

of high society, but also to representatives of different social groups. The

subjects of this article are typological innovations in the newspaper related

to social, cultural, economic and political changes in the United States. The

purpose of the study is to analyze the above changes in content of the

newspaper’s publications.
Verbalization of Perceptual Experience in Russian Cordinative Constructions
Authors: Семенова  , Semenova N.
Published: June 2016

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of verbalization of perceptual experience

in the syntactic constructions that actualize indefinite-temporal taxical

relation. In the author opinion, this meaning is always realized in coordinative

constructions, correlative asyndetic compound sentences and simple

sentences with homogeneous predicates when the latter are expressed by

verbs in the imperfective aspect and the subject – by a noun or pronoun in

the plural. Incidentally, it is specially emphasized that the subject need not

be explicit. The communicative effect of such sentences is in the fact that

giving a precise description of the actual or imaginary sequence of actions

is not very important for the speaker: what really matters is the speaker’s

own, subjective interpretation of a complex event. That is why the speaker

builds syntactic constructions of a particular kind, choosing specific lexicogrammatical

means.
The Case of Dialetheism
Authors: Tkaczyk Marcin
Published: June 2016

The concept of dialetheia and the claim of dialetheism has been examined and compared to such related concept as contradiction, antinomy, consistency and paraconsistency. Dialetheia is a true contradiction and dialetheism is the claim that there exists at least one dialetheia. It has been observed that dialetheism is equivalent to the negation of the traditional principle of contradiction. Hence, dialetheism itself is no new idea in whatsoever. The novelty of dialetheism consists in the arguments delivered for its case. Key justification the partisans deliver for dialetheism has been examined and evaluated: antinomies, an alleged Gödel’s paradox, and existence of limits of thought. The structure of those arguments has been analyzed. It has been claimed that they share one and the same simple structure which may be called reverse paradox. The vital content dialetheists add to the traditional paradoxes is only the thesis of reliability of the vernacular prima facie knowledge. Three objections have been raised against the justification of dialetheism: firstly, it has been claimed that exactly the same argument supports principle of contradiction, secondly, it has been questioned whether the arguments preserve their value when logic is subject to revision, and thirdly, it has been claimed that the underlying logic of dialetheism is classical.
CHARACTERIZING HIGH-TEMPERATURE DEFORMATION OF INTERNALLY HEATED NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENT SIMULATORS
Authors: Belov Alexander I. , Fong Randy W.L. , Leitch Brian W. , Nitheanandan Thambiayah , Williams Anthony
Published: June 2016

The sag behaviour of a simulated nuclear fuel element during high-temperature transients has been investigated in an experiment utilizing an internal indirect heating method. The major motivation of the experiment was to improve understanding of the dominant mechanisms underlying the element thermo-mechanical response under loss-of-coolant accident conditions and to obtain accurate experimental data to support development of 3-D computational fuel element models.

The experiment was conducted using an electrically heated CANDU fuel element simulator. Three consecutive thermal cycles with peak temperatures up to ≈1000 °C were applied to the element. The element sag deflections and sheath temperatures were measured. On heating up to 600 °C, only minor lateral deflections of the element were observed. Further heating to above 700 °C resulted in an element multi-rate creep and significant permanent bow. Post-test visual and X-ray examinations revealed a pronounced necking of the sheath at the pellet-to-pellet interface locations. A wall thickness reduction was detected in the necked region that is interpreted as a sheath longitudinal strain localization effect. The sheath cross-sectioning showed signs of a “hard” pellet–cladding interaction due to the applied cycles.

A 3-D model of the experiment was generated using the ANSYS finite element code. As a fully coupled thermal mechanical simulation is computationally expensive, it was deemed sufficient to use the measured sheath temperatures as a boundary condition, and thus an uncoupled mechanical simulation only was conducted. The ANSYS simulation results match the experiment sag observations well up to the point at which the fuel element started cooling down.
IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON ZR-2.5NB IN POWER REACTORS
Authors: Song Carol
Published: June 2016

Zirconium alloys are widely used as structural materials in nuclear applications because of their attractive properties such as a low absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons, excellent corrosion resistance in water, and good mechanical properties at reactor operating temperatures. Zr-2.5Nb is one of the most commonly used zirconium alloys and has been used for pressure tube materials in CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) and RBMK (Reaktor Bolshoy Moshchnosti Kanalnyy, “High Power Channel-type Reactor”) reactors for over 40 years. In a recent report from the Electric Power Research Institute, Zr-2.5Nb was identified as one of the candidate materials for use in normal structural applications in light-water reactors owing to its increased resistance to irradiation-induced degradation as compared with currently used materials. Historically, the largest program of in-reactor tests on zirconium alloys was performed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Over many years of in-reactor testing and CANDU operating experience with Zr-2.5Nb, extensive research has been conducted on the irradiation effects on its microstructures, mechanical properties, deformation behaviours, fracture toughness, delayed hydride cracking, and corrosion. Most of the results on Zr-2.5Nb obtained from CANDU experience could be used to predict the material performance under light water reactors. This paper reviews the irradiation effects on Zr-2.5Nb in power reactors (including heavy-water and light-water reactors) and summarizes the current state of knowledge.
The role the nurse in the management of norovirus: vigilance and prevention
Authors: Wyeth Jennifer
Published: June 2016

Jennifer Wyeth, Lead Nurse Infection Control, Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, discusses novovirus—its symptoms, how it spreads, and what nurses can do in the event of an outbreak
Point-of-care testing of activated clotting time in the ICU: is it relevant?
Authors: Brown Ellenora , Clarke Jody , Edward Karen-leigh , Giandinoto Jo-Ann
Published: June 2016

Background:

Over the past 50 years there have been significant advances in both the clinical techniques and equipment used in the intensive care environment. One traditionally used point-of-care test is activated clotting time (ACT), a coagulation test primarily used during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to monitor the anticoagulation effects of heparin. The ACT test has since emerged into the intensive care environment to guide clinical assessment and management of haemostasis in postoperative cardiac patients.

Objectives:

The aim of this integrative systematic review was to critique the available research evaluating the effectiveness of ACT point-of-care testing in the intensive care unit for adult patients following cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery and any impacts this may have on nursing care.

Methods:

A systematic search of Medline, CINAHL and PubMed was undertaken.

Results:

The search identified five research papers reporting on the use of ACT point-of-care testing in the intensive care unit for adult cardiac surgical patients. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the lack of homogeneity between the papers included.

Conclusions:

There was a lack of clear evidence for the use of the ACT point-of-care test after cardiac surgery in the intensive care environment. This review has highlighted that conventional laboratory tests are generally more accurate and reliable than this point-of-care test in guiding nursing care management.
The first national clinical audit for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Firth J , Snowden N , Ledingham J , Rivett A , Galloway J , Dennison EM , MacPhie E , Ide Z , Rowe I , Kandala N , Jameson K ,   BSR National Audit Project Working Group
Published: June 2016

The first national audit for rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis has benchmarked care for the first 3 months of follow-up activity from first presentation to a rheumatology service. Access to care, management of early rheumatoid arthritis and support for self care were measured against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standards; impact of early arthritis and experience of care were measured using patient-reported outcome and experience measures. The results demonstrate delays in referral and accessing specialist care and the need for service improvement in treating to target, suppression of high levels of disease activity and support for self-care. Improvements in patient-reported outcomes within 3 months and high levels of overall satisfaction were reported but these results were affected by low response rates. This article presents a summary of the national data from the audit and discusses the implications for nursing practice.
Handwriting and a nurse's duty of care
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: June 2016

Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law, Swansea University, considers the professional duty of nurses to write clearly and highlights the financial and human cost of poor handwriting
From staff nurse to nurse consultant
Authors: Fowler John
Published: June 2016

John Fowler, Independent education consultant, continues to explore the importance of leadership for clinically based nurses
Managing constipation in adults with co-morbidities
Authors: Gardiner Angela , Hilton Andrea
Published: June 2016

Methods of identifying the causes and treatments, are discussed by Angela Gardiner and Andrea Hilton
Sensation Seeking among Persian Married and Divorced Women
Authors: Jafarzadehkhorrami Samaneh , Kalantarkousheh Seyed Mohammad
Published: June 2016

A social crisis that contemporary societies face is the increasing rate of divorce that results in detrimental effects on societies as well as families. The present study has aimed to examine the factors of sensation seeking among married and divorced women in different regions of Tehran, Iran. A qualitative phenomenology method was utilized for the purpose of this research. Using a purposive sampling technique, a number of married and divorced women who referred to a counseling center was interviewed. The findings indicated that sensation seeking factors such as seeking diversity, self-indulgence, seeking beauty and risk-taking were more worded by divorced women. Nevertheless, sentences indicating factors such as pessimism to the opposite sex and sociability were more found among married women.
Arcade fever: Economics, affect and interface design of the 1970s and 1980s video arcade
Authors: Pullen Treva M.
Published: June 2016

How is it that the paradigm shift from mechanical to video-based arcade gaming has created a loyal video game following that holds true today? This article will explore the historical development of video arcade games, their instantaneous popularity and their continued presence in the world of contemporary gaming. In reading the affective experience of gaming through the lens of actor-network-theory (ANT), a number of factors can be specified for the popularity of nostalgic gaming: the affective design of interface, the emergent symbols of the arcade game, the spectacular nature of play, the mastery of a game (maximizing play per dollar spent), and the affective potential of precognitive actions and its relation to nostalgia. This leads to the conclusion that all these factors co-produce a wholly novel experience particular to the network of the arcade.
Pseudo-nature: A reading of Raze Bloom by Rachael Champion through the theories of Hannah Arendt
Authors: Moore Hattie
Published: June 2016

This article is a reading of Rachael Champion’s work Raze Bloom through the philosophy of Hannah Arendt, in her book The Human Condition. Focusing on the category of work and products of homo faber (the man-made world), with specific attention paid to the problematic relationship of humans with nature and the authority of science on the earth and human life.
Reviews
Authors: Robertson Clare , McGown Katie
Published: June 2016

Feed Me, Rachel Maclean (2015), Glasgow Film Festival 2016, Glasgow Film Theatre, 17 January 2016

Magdalena Abakanowicz at Art_Textiles, The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, 10 October 2015–31 January 2016
Ontological shifts: Multi-sensoriality and embodiment in a third wave of digital interfaces
Authors: Davidson Andrea
Published: June 2016

Examining the ontology and place of digital dance within the spectrum of contemporary choreographic expression, this article proposes to consider the interweaving of interoceptive (somatic) and exteroceptive (technological) agency in a third wave of digital interfaces for dance. It argues that an ontology of digital dance might be summarily qualified as an active sensory-perceptual mode of experiencing, capable of revealing new dimensions of aesthetic reception, modes of performativity and expressions of corporeal presence in dance that emerge with/through the mediated body. It views technology not as a foreign, autonomous agency, system or simple tool, but rather as a means of stimulating heightened sensory awareness and forging relations with the individual’s somatic (inner) bodily experience. while referencing a range of recent works that establish the conditions for such experiences, it further proposes to consider how digital works develop and underscore perspective as a dramaturgical strategy and aesthetic, and as a consequence, how new media interfaces for dance can be considered ‘new viewing-sensing devices’.
Synthesis of some benzimidazole derivatives endowed with 1,2,3-triazole as potential inhibitors of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Youssif Bahaa G. M. , Mohamed Yaseen A. M. , Salim Mohammed T. A. , Inagaki Fuyuhiko , Mukai Chisato , Abdu-Allah Hajjaj H. M.
Published: June 2016

New derivatives of 2-thiobenzimidazole incorporating triazole moiety were synthesized, characterized and tested in vitro for antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Their cytotoxicity was determined by the reduction in the number of viable cell. All of the synthesized compounds are inactive against HBV and some showed activity against HCV. In particular, two compounds showed significant activity, 2-{4-[(1-benzoylbenzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitro-phenyl)-acetamide (13) and 2-(4-{[1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitrophenyl)-acetamide (17). The results give an insight into the importance of the substituent at position 2 of benzimidazole for the inhibition of HCV.
Kingly versus Political Rule in Aristotle’s Politics
Authors: Buekenhout Brecht
Published: June 2016

The absolute king as a god-like ruler is a notorious exception to Aristotle’s political paradigm of ruling and being ruled in turn. Since the idea appears several times in the
Class Teachers – Their Thinking and Reasoning in the Context of Creating a Favourable Classroom Social Climate by Means of the Methods of Personal and Social Education
Authors: Geršicová Zuzana
Published: June 2016

The paper deals with class teachers’ thinking and reasoning processes and the possibilities of influencing teachers’ ability to create a favourable classroom social climate. This paper describes personal and social education as one of the means and methods of such influencing. The results of the research carried out indicate that teachers have a very high opinion regarding their ability to create a favourable classroom social climate. The issues of personal and social education in the work of a class teacher are the topic of the project KEGA 002DTI-4/2013 being solved by a team of professionals at Dubnica Institute of Technology in Dubnica nad Váhom.
Effect of Biopolishing On Warm–Cool Feeling of Knitted Fabric: A Subjective and An Objective Evaluations
Authors: Mangat Asif , Hes Lubos , Bajzik Vladimir
Published: June 2016

Soft and clean surface of fabric without any floating fibers is one of the factors important for better marketing of clothing. The most common method for having such clean fabric surface is the removal of protruding (floating) fiber from the surface of the fabric. Many studies have proved that enzymatic treatment, commonly called biopolishing, removes the floating fibers from the surface of fabric and gives a smooth surface to the fabric. This study is an effort to assess and measure the impact of biopolishing of knitted fabric through objective and subjective evaluation on warm-cool feeling of fabric because of change in surface profile of the fabric. For testing purposes, 31 knitted fabric samples of various kinds were produced. Alambeta has been used for measuring thermal absorptivity values of fabric. Thermal absorptivity is an indicator of warm-cool feeling. For subjective evaluation, a group of 30 people were asked to give their opinion about warm-cool feeling. Both subjective and objective assessments confirm that biopolishing has a significant impact on warm-cool feeling. Fabric gives cool feeling after biopolishing. This study explores that clean surface will have higher thermal absorptivity and will give cool feeling when it will be touched by human skin.
Improvment of Clothes Fit for Different Female Bodies
Authors: Surikova Olga V. , Kuzmichev Victor E. , Surikova Galina I.
Published: June 2016

The factors influencing for fit and suit of women’s clothing have been studied. The main reason of misfit is the nonconformity between the front and back width of pattern block, the corresponding body sizes taken across the hipline, and the textile materials properties. To predict the behavior of textile fabrics in real clothes including the shear deformation and wrinkles appearing, the special test and device have been designed. The developed method of pattern block making includes the test of clothes proportionality based on the female bodies sizes, pattern block indexes, and textile fabrics properties. Features of “figure-clothes” systems in-cluding the vertical designing lines, styles, volume of clothes, ease allowance and its distribution between the back, armhole, and front of the pattern blocks were taken into consideration. Recommendations in terms of selecting the proper design of style for different sizes of female bodies have been made.
Human Resources or Information Technology: What is More Important for Companies in the Digital Era?
Authors: Turulja Lejla , Bajgorić Nijaz
Published: June 2016

Background: Companies can improve their business performance, increase revenues and reduce costs by enhancing their information technology (IT) capability. On the other side, there is an increasing importance of human resource management (HRM) practices related to IT utilization, which are important for the business performance of a company in the rapidly changing knowledge-based economy.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to analyze the relations among IT capability, HRM capability and the firm’s performance outcomes.

Methods/Approach: The paper uses survey data and Structural Equation Modeling to analyze the relationships among IT capability, HRM capability and firms’ performance.

Results: This paper reveals that IT capability to some extent determines firms’ business performance but it plays more important role in enhancing HRM capability. In addition, HRM capability significantly impacts business performance.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that managers should not focus on allocating resources only for IT investments. In order to achieve better business performances, these technologies need to be used to support all business processes including HRM activities.
Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance Strategy in Southeast European Markets
Authors: Agić-Šabeta Elma
Published: June 2016

Background: In today’s highly volatile and unpredictable market conditions, there are very few investment strategies that may offer a certain form of capital protection. The concept of portfolio insurance strategies presents an attractive investment opportunity.

Objectives: The main objective of this article is to test the use of portfolio insurance strategies in Southeast European (SEE) markets. A special attention is given to modelling non-risky assets of the portfolio.

Methods/Approach: Monte Carlo simulations are used to test the buy-and-hold, the constant-mix, and the constant proportion portfolio insurance (CPPI) investment strategies. A covariance discretization method is used for parameter estimation of bond returns.

Results: According to the risk-adjusted return, a conservative constant mix was the best, the buy-and-hold was the second-best, and the CPPI the worst strategy in bull markets. In bear markets, the CPPI was the best in a high-volatility scenario, whereas the buy-and-hold had the same results in low- and medium-volatility conditions. In no-trend markets, the buy-and-hold was the first, the constant mix the second, and the CPPI the worst strategy. Higher transaction costs in SEE influence the efficiency of the CPPI strategy.

Conclusions: Implementing the CPPI strategy in SEE could be done by combining stock markets from the region with government bond markets from Germany due to a lack of liquidity of the government bond market in SEE.
Three-Dimensional Crane Modelling and Control Using Euler-Lagrange State-Space Approach and Anti-Swing Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Aksjonov Andrei , Vodovozov Valery , Petlenkov Eduard
Published: June 2016

The mathematical model of the three-dimensional crane using the Euler-Lagrange approach is derived. A state-space representation of the derived model is proposed and explored in the Simulink® environment and on the laboratory stand. The obtained control design was simulated, analyzed and compared with existing encoder-based system provided by the three-dimensional (3D) Crane manufacturer Inteco®. As well, an anti-swing fuzzy logic control has been developed, simulated, and analyzed. Obtained control algorithm is compared with the existing anti-swing proportional-integral controller designed by the 3D crane manufacturer Inteco®. 5-degree of freedom (5DOF) control schemes are designed, examined and compared with the various load masses. The topicality of the problem is due to the wide usage of gantry cranes in industry. The solution is proposed for the future research in sensorless and intelligent control of complex motor driven application.
PLC-Based Pressure Control in Multi-Pump Applications
Authors: Vodovozov Valery , Raud Zoja , Gevorkov Levon
Published: June 2016

The paper is devoted to the centrifugal pumps represented the most popular type of pumping equipment used in different areas. The pressure control approach for variable speed driven (VSD) parallel connected centrifugal pumps is reported. The goal of the study is optimization of some quality indices, such as efficiency, consumed power, productivity, energy carrier temperature, heat irradiation, etc. One of them – efficiency – has been studied in the paper more carefully. The mathematical model of pumping process is discussed and a vector-matrix description of the multi-pump application is given. The program-based pressure control system is developed which productivity is changed by regulating the number of working pumps. The paper introduces new pressure control algorithms based on the working point estimation intended for programmable logical controllers (PLC). Experiments prove correctness of the offered methodology.
Seasonal assessment, treatment and removal of heavy metal concentrations in a tropical drinking water reservoir
Authors: Mustapha Moshood Keke , Ewulum Joy Chinenye
Published: June 2016

Heavy metals are present in low concentrations in reservoirs, but seasonal anthropogenic activities usually elevate the concentrations to a level that could become a health hazard. The dry season concentrations of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc were assessed from three sites for 12 weeks in Oyun reservoir, Offa, Nigeria. Triplicate surface water samples were collected and analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The trend in the level of concentrations in the three sites is site C > B > A, while the trend in the levels of the concentrations in the reservoir is Ni > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Hg. Ni, Cd, Pb and Hg were found to be higher than the WHO guidelines for the metals in drinking water. The high concentration of these metals was from anthropogenic watershed run-off of industrial effluents, domestic sewages and agricultural materials into the reservoir coming from several human activities such as washing, bathing, fish smoking, especially in site C. The health effects of high concentration of these metals in the reservoir were highlighted. Methods for the treatment and removal of the heavy metals from the reservoir during water purification such as active carbon adsorption, coagulation-flocculation, oxidation-filtration, softening treatment and reverse osmosis process were highlighted. Other methods that could be used include phytoremediation, rhizofiltration, bisorption and bioremediation. Watershed best management practices (BMP) remains the best solution to reduce the intrusion of the heavy metals from the watershed into the reservoir.
The bioindication importance of the Carabidae communities of Veporské vrchy and Juhoslovanská kotlina
Authors: Langraf Vladimír , Petrovičová Kornélia , David Stanislav , Schlarmannová Janka
Published: June 2016

The Carabidae family (Coleoptera) is used frequently for its bioindication potential to detect the environmental burden. In 2013 and 2014, we studied the correlation of Carabidae on the biotopes of six areas in the Veporské vrchy Mts and the Juhoslovenská kotlina basin by using pitfall traps, Möricke plates and Bambara beetle traps. Out of 432 recorded specimens of beetles (53 species, 15 families), the Carabidae family were the highest number of species and specimens represented, with which we confirmed higher anthropogenic interference and disturbance of ecosystems in the Juhoslovenská kotlina basin. This statistic confirms the presence of the following species typically found on arable land: Anchomenus dorsalis, Calathus fuscipes fuscipes, Harpalus affinis and Pseudoophonus rufipes. The ecosystems in the Veporské vrchy Mts region show less disturbance, and the anthropological impact is smaller, indicated by the presence of the Carabus problematicus species, an important indicator of the conservation of natural forest ecosystems.
Quality assessment of urban trees using growth visual and chlorophyll fluorescence indicators
Authors: Uhrin Peter , Supuka Ján
Published: June 2016

Urbanised landscape represents composed structures of technical and biotic elements where social and economy activities create living space for human society but with strongly changed environment. To dominant characters belong climate changes with increased air temperature, drought and emission load, which has developed wide spectrum of stress factors influencing the urban vegetation. For the assessment of plant growth and adaptation response, we have used Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) as study model woody plant. In the framework of visual characters, we assessed the following indicators: (a) assimilation organs (leaf necrosis); (b) crown quality (degree of foliage and degree of dead tree crown); (c) trunk and branch quality (mechanical damage, incidence of wood destroying fungus and trunk cavities and callus healing of trunk wounds). Each indicator was assessed in five-point scale, and in the end, the common index of quality was calculated. The quality index achieved 9.33 points in the first and 10.33 in the second evaluation periods in the Nitra city and 2.66 at the both assessed periods in the comparable rural park. In the group of physiological indicators, chlorophyll a fluorescence marker and its Fv/Fm parameter were used. Within three repeating assessment during growing season (June, August and September), the average values reached Fv/Fm = 0.814 in the city and Fv/Fm = 0.829 in rural park. The results confirmed statistical significances between loaded city conditions and relatively clean rural locality. Used markers have shown as appropriate tools for growth response measurements of street trees in a changed urban environment.
Impact of sample size on principal component analysis ordination of an environmental data set: effects on eigenstructure
Authors: Shaukat S. Shahid , Rao Toqeer Ahmed , Khan Moazzam A.
Published: June 2016

In this study, we used bootstrap simulation of a real data set to investigate the impact of sample size (N = 20, 30, 40 and 50) on the eigenvalues and eigenvectors resulting from principal component analysis (PCA). For each sample size, 100 bootstrap samples were drawn from environmental data matrix pertaining to water quality variables (p = 22) of a small data set comprising of 55 samples (stations from where water samples were collected). Because in ecology and environmental sciences the data sets are invariably small owing to high cost of collection and analysis of samples, we restricted our study to relatively small sample sizes. We focused attention on comparison of first 6 eigenvectors and first 10 eigenvalues. Data sets were compared using agglomerative cluster analysis using Ward’s method that does not require any stringent distributional assumptions.
Common therapeutic strategies for prion and Alzheimer’s diseases
Authors: Elezgarai Saioa R. , Biasini Emiliano
Published: June 2016

A number of unexpected pathophysiological connections linking different neurodegenerative diseases have emerged over the past decade. An example is provided by prion and Alzheimer’s diseases. Despite being distinct pathologies, these disorders share several neurotoxic mechanisms, including accumulation of misfolded protein isoforms, stress of the protein synthesis machinery, and activation of a neurotoxic signaling mediated by the cellular prion protein. Here, in addition to reviewing these mechanisms, we will discuss the potential therapeutic interventions for prion and Alzheimer’s diseases that are arising from the comprehension of their common neurodegenerative pathways.
Specification of the process of chloride extraction from reinforced concrete based on the inverse task of the diffusion equation
Authors: Alsabry A. , Zybura A.
Published: June 2016

When the structure of reinforcement is in danger of chloride corrosion it is possible to prevent this disadvantageous phenomenon through exposing the cover to the influence of an electric field. The forces of an electric field considerably reduce chloride ions in pore liquid in concrete, which helps to rebuild a passive layer on the surface of the reinforcement and stops corrosion. The process of removing chlorides can be described with multi-component diffusion equations. However, an essential parameter of these equations, the diffusion coefficient, can be determined on the basis of an inverse task. Since the solution was achieved for one-dimension flow, the method applied can be confirmed by experimental results and the material parameters of the process can be determined theoretically. Some examples of numerical calculations of the effective electro-diffusion coefficient of chloride ions confirmed the usefulness of the theoretical solution for generalizing experimental results. Moreover, the calculation process of the numerical example provides some practical clues for future experimental research, which could be carried out in close connection with the theoretical solution.
Ferrofluid flow due to a rotating disk in the presence of a non-uniform magnetic field
Authors: Bhandari A. , Kumar V.
Published: June 2016

The flow of a ferrofluid due to a rotating disk in the presence of a non-uniform magnetic field in the axial direction is studied through mathematical modeling of the problem. Contour and surface plots in the presence of 10 kilo-ampere/meter, 100 kilo-ampere/meter magnetization force are presented here for radial, tangential and axial velocity profiles, and results are also drawn for the magnetic field intensity. These results are compared with the ordinary case where magnetization force is absent.
Magneto-polar fluid flow through a porous medium of variable permeability in slip flow regime
Authors: Gaur P.K. , Jha A.K. , Sharma R.
Published: June 2016

A theoretical study is carried out to obtain an analytical solution of free convective heat transfer for the flow of a polar fluid through a porous medium with variable permeability bounded by a semi-infinite vertical plate in a slip flow regime. A uniform magnetic field acts perpendicular to the porous surface. The free stream velocity follows an exponentially decreasing small perturbation law. Using the approximate method the expressions for the velocity, microrotation, and temperature are obtained. Further, the results of the skin friction coefficient, the couple stress coefficient and the rate of heat transfer at the wall are presented with various values of fluid properties and flow conditions.
Unsteady two-layered fluid flow of conducting fluids in a channel between parallel porous plates under transverse magnetic field in a rotating system
Authors: Linga Raju T. , Neela Rao B.
Published: June 2016

An unsteady MHD two-layered fluid flow of electrically conducting fluids in a horizontal channel bounded by two parallel porous plates under the influence of a transversely applied uniform strong magnetic field in a rotating system is analyzed. The flow is driven by a common constant pressure gradient in a channel bounded by two parallel porous plates, one being stationary and the other oscillatory. The two fluids are assumed to be incompressible, electrically conducting with different viscosities and electrical conductivities. The governing partial differential equations are reduced to the linear ordinary differential equations using two-term series. The resulting equations are solved analytically to obtain exact solutions for the velocity distributions (primary and secondary) in the two regions respectively, by assuming their solutions as a combination of both the steady state and time dependent components of the solutions. Numerical values of the velocity distributions are computed for different sets of values of the governing parameters involved in the study and their corresponding profiles are also plotted. The details of the flow characteristics and their dependence on the governing parameters involved, such as the Hartmann number, Taylor number, porous parameter, ratio of the viscosities, electrical conductivities and heights are discussed. Also an observation is made how the velocity distributions vary with the rotating hydromagnetic interaction in the case of steady and unsteady flow motions. The primary velocity distributions in the two regions are seen to decrease with an increase in the Taylor number, but an increase in the Taylor number causes a rise in secondary velocity distributions. It is found that an increase in the porous parameter decreases both the primary and secondary velocity distributions in the two regions.
Closed system of coupling effects in generalized thermo-elastoplasticity
Authors: Śloderbach Z.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the field equations of the generalized coupled thermoplasticity theory are derived using the postulates of classical thermodynamics of irreversible processses. Using the Legendre transformations two new thermodynamics potentials P and S depending upon internal thermodynamic forces Π are introduced. The most general form for all the thermodynamics potentials are assumed instead of the usually used additive form. Due to this assumption, it is possible to describe all the effects of thermomechanical couples and also the elastic-plastic coupling effects observed in such materials as rocks, soils, concretes and in some metalic materials. In this paper not only the usual postulate of existence of a dissipation qupotential (the Gyarmati postulate) is used to derive the velocity equation. The plastic flow constitutive equations have the character of non-associated flow laws even when the Gyarmati postulate is assumed. In general formulation, the plastic strain rate tensor is normal to the surface of the generalized function of plastic flow defined in the the space of internal thermodynamic forces Π but is not normal to the yield surface. However, in general formulation and after the use the Gyarmati postulate, the direction of the sum of the plastic strain rate tensor and the coupled elastic strain rate tensor is normal to the yield surface.