bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case‐based instruction: Improving students' conceptual understanding through cases in a mechanical engineering course
Authors: Yadav Aman , Vinh Megan , Shaver Gregory M. , Meckl Peter , Firebaugh Stephanie
Published: March 2014

Recently, there has been a push within engineering curricula to adopt more learner‐centered pedagogies, such as case‐based instruction. Case‐based instruction has been hypothesized to make the curriculum more relevant and motivating for students by pushing them to integrate the concepts they have learned with other experiences. The current study examined the influence of case‐based instruction when compared to traditional lecture‐based instruction within a mechanical engineering course on student performance in terms of learning, conceptual understanding, and student perceptions towards the two approaches. Seventy students from one systems course in a mechanical engineering program participated in this study. The study utilized within subjects posttest only experimental research design to assess student learning and engagement from cases. Participants completed posttests and a survey. We found that students' conceptual understanding was significantly higher when learning from case‐based instruction as compared to traditional lecture. Additionally, the survey results exhibited that cases allowed for significantly more engagement and connections to the real world. However, students reported that cases were not better in improving their learning. Given limited research on the effectiveness of case‐based instruction in engineering, this study provides empirical support for the use of cases in engineering. We also argue that student perceptions are not accurate predictors for their actual learning outcomes. Implications for engineering educators and directions for future research are offered. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 659–677, 2014
Best Practices in Reading
Authors: Roskos Kathleen , Neuman Susan B.
Published: March 2014

For years, the field of reading education has been engaged in thinking about best practices. In this column we highlight a set of practices that have amassed a significant body of work to demonstrate their usefulness in improving children's motivation for learning to read, proficiency in reading, and their likelihood to become lifelong readers and writers. Explicit instruction in vocabulary, rereading and using digital textbooks to motivate children's reading are among some of these updated best practices. Those in the reading community are urged to consider best practices, and how we may promote their uses, with high fidelity in classroom instruction.
Leader, Teacher, Diagnostician, Colleague, and Change Agent
Authors: Galloway Emily Phillips , Lesaux Nonie K.
Published: March 2014

Reading specialists are conceptualized as instrumental to literacy reform efforts focused on data‐driven instruction and improvement of reading outcomes at all levels. But this has meant a real shift in their role. To keep pace with these changes in the literacy reform movement, in contrast to even 10 years ago, the role of the reading specialist is now outlined as both an educator of students and of teachers. Because the last comprehensive review occurred in 2001, we have attempted to synthesize, for the field, what is known about the daily work of today's reading specialist.
An energy‐efficient utility‐based distributed data routing scheme for heterogenous sensor networks
Authors: Behzadan Afshin , Anpalagan Alagan , Woungang Isaac , Ma Bobby , Chao Han‐Chieh
Published: March 2014

A utility‐based distributed data routing algorithm is proposed and evaluated for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. It is energy efficient and is based on a game‐theoretic heuristic load‐balancing approach. It runs on a hierarchical graph arranged as a tree with parents and children. Sensor nodes are considered heterogeneous in terms of their generated traffic, residual energy and data transmission rate and the bandwidth they provide to their children for communication. The proposed method generates a data routing tree in which child nodes are joined to parent nodes in an energy‐efficient way. The principles of the Stackelberg game, in which parents as leaders and children as followers, are used to support the distributive nature of sensor networks. In this context, parents behave cooperatively and help other parents to adjust their loads, while children act selfishly. Simulation results indicate the proposed method can produce on average more load‐balanced trees, resulting in over 30% longer network lifetime compared with the cumulative algorithm proposed in the literature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploiting temporal and spatial diversities for spectrum sensing and access in cognitive vehicular networks
Authors: Liu Yi , Xie Shengli , Yu Rong , Zhang Yan , Zhang Xi , Yuen Chau
Published: March 2014

In cognitive vehicular networks (CVNs), spectrum sensing and access are introduced as the promising technologies to fully exploit the underutilized licensed spectrum. Because the sensing ability of a single secondary vehicular user (SVU) is affected by high mobility, dynamic topology, and unreliable wireless environment, collaborative sensing is developed to increase the sensing accuracy and efficiency. Generally, the synchronization is required in the collaborative sensing in CVN. However, it is difficult to keep all SVUs synchronized with others for sensing under the high dynamic network topology, and the sensing overhead of the synchronous cooperative action may be significant. In this paper, we first propose an asynchronous cooperative sensing scheme in which each SVU provides an energy information (EI) that is tagged with location and time information. The sensing decision will be made on account of the EI. Considering the temporal and spatial diversities of each SVU, we assign different weights to each EI and formulate the probabilities of detection and false alarm as the optimization problems to find the optimal weight of each EI. Then, based on the asynchronous sensing, the specifications of the opportunistic spectrum access mechanism are elaborated in both centralized and decentralized CVNs for the sake of practical implementation. We analyze the system performance in terms of achievable throughput and transmission delay. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme is able to achieve substantially higher throughput and lower delay, as compared with existing schemes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Revisiting domain‐general accounts of category specificity in mind and brain
Authors: Chen Lang , Rogers Timothy T.
Published: March 2014

Theories about the neural basis of semantic knowledge have been strongly influenced by reports that particular semantic categories can be differentially impaired by neuropathology and can differentially activate particular regions of cortex in brain imaging studies. One well‐known interpretation of these data is that the brain has evolved distinct functional and anatomical modules for storing and retrieving knowledge about different kinds of things. We review the evidence supporting an alternative view: that category specificity arises from many heterogeneous factors and so tells us little directly about the cognitive and neural architecture of semantic memory. We consider four general hypotheses about domain‐general causes of category‐specific patterns, their roots in early work, and their reemergence in contemporary research. We argue that there is compelling evidence supporting each hypothesis, and that the different hypotheses together can explain most of the interesting data. We further suggest that such a multifactor domain‐general approach to category specificity is appealing partly because it explains the important findings with reference to theoretical claims that are already widely accepted, and partly because it resolves several puzzles that arise under the alternative view.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Language

Psychology > Memory

Neuroscience > Cognition
Human diet and cognition
Authors: Stevenson Richard J. , Prescott John
Published: March 2014

Cognition influences what, when and how much we eat, which in turn affects the brain and hence cognition. In this overview, focusing mainly on the human literature, we start by examining cognitive influences on food and eating. This includes food preferences and choices (e.g., effects of learning, advertising, and cultural taboos), food habits relating to when and how much to eat (e.g., the concept of meals, dieting, and hunger strikes), the perception of food (e.g., the influence of appearance, food labels, and conceptions of naturalness), and how food perception is influenced by expertise. We also review how these various influences are disrupted by abnormalities of cognition (e.g., Gourmand syndrome, amnesia, and anorexia nervosa). The second part of the overview focuses on how diet affects cognition. We start by looking at the acute effects of diet, notably the impact of breakfast on cognitive performance in children. This is followed by a review of the effects of extended dietary exposures—years and lifetimes of particular diets. Here we look at the impacts of protein‐energy malnourishment and Western‐style diets, and their different, but adverse affects on cognition, and the beneficial effects on cognition of breast‐feeding and certain dietary practices. We then outline how diet and cooking may have allowed the evolution of the large energy‐hungry human brain. This overview serves to illustrate the multiple interactions that exist between cognition and diet, their importance to health and disease, and their impact on thinking about the role of conscious processes in decision making. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:463‐475. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1290

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Emotion and Motivation

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Effect of O‐ and Mn‐Doping on Superconductivity in FeTe0.5Se0.5 Superconductor
Authors: Thakur Gohil S. , Haque Zeba , Neha Prakriti , Gupta Laxmi C. , Patnaik Satyabrata , Ganguli Ashok K.
Published: March 2014

The effect of oxygen substitution at the selenium site and manganese substitution at the iron site in FeTe0.5Se0.5 superconductor was investigated. It was found that upon partial O substitution, Tc marginally decreases as seen in both resistivity and magnetization experiments. Tc decreases even by a small amount of oxygen concentration (as low as 1 %). This observation is in contrast against an earlier work on Fe(Te/Se) samples,1 wherein Tc as well as superconducting volume fraction were reported to increase in the samples annealed in air. Mn‐doping leads to a decrease in Tc in FeTe0.5Se0.5, which one would expect considering pair‐breaking due to Mn2+‐ions.
Structure and Properties of New Gallium‐containing Polyoxotungstates with Hexanuclear and Tetranuclear Cores
Authors: von Allmen Kim , Car Pierre‐Emmanuel , Blacque Olivier , Fox Thomas , Müller Rafael , Patzke Greta R.
Published: March 2014

A series of new gallium‐containing silicotungstates was obtained from the one step reaction of the lacunary Na10[α‐SiW9O34]·15H2O Keggin‐type building block (SiW9) with gallium nitrate in aqueous solution. The sandwich‐type polyoxotungstate [Ga6(H2O)x{α‐SiW9O34(OH)y}2]n– (1) crystallizes first as a mixture of two similar polyoxometalates (1a and 1b), while [Ga4(H2O)2{α‐SiW10O38}2]12– (2) is generated from the mother liquor in a second step. Both newly obtained polyoxometalates with tetra‐ and hexanuclear gallium cores were structurally characterized with a wide range of methods encompassing single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction techniques, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The solution stability of both dimeric POMs K10[Ga6(H2O)3{α‐SiW9O35(OH)2}2]·35.5H2O (1a) and K12[Ga4(H2O)2{α‐SiW10O38}2]·30H2O (2) was investigated with 183W NMR and HR ESI mass spectrometry, and the electrochemical properties of both compounds were determined by cyclic voltammetry.
Self‐assembly of Two 2D Copper(II) Coordination Networks with Tetrachloro‐1,3‐benzenedicarboxylate: Solvent Effects, Supramolecular Interactions, and Luminescence Behavior
Authors: Chen Sheng‐Chun , Wang Xin‐Xin , Luo Hai‐Kun , He Ming‐Yang , Li Cheng‐Peng , Chen Qun
Published: March 2014

Reaction of the rigid ligand 2,4,5,6‐tetrachloro‐1,3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,3‐H2BDC‐Cl4) with copper(II) nitrate in different solvent systems afforded two new complexes {[Cu(1,3‐BDC‐Cl4)(DMF)] (H2O)}n (1) and {[Cu(1,3‐BDC‐Cl4)(H2O)3] (dioxane)·(H2O)}n (2), which were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, as well as single crystal and powder X‐ray diffiraction techniques. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in different space groups P21/m and Pbca, respectivly. Compound 1 shows a two‐dimensional (2D) (4,6)‐connected layered network constructed by the connectivity between one‐dimensional (1D) [–Cu–DMF–COO–]n chains and tetrachlorinated backbones of 1,3‐BDC‐Cl4, which is further assembled to generate a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework through intermolecular O–H···O and O–H···Cl hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Compound 2 features a 2D 4‐connected sql coordination net formed by 1D [Cu‐H2O]n chains and 1,3‐BDC‐Cl4 spacers, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular network by multiple O–H···O hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The different structural features of the two compounds suggest that the choice of solvent systems should play a key role in the process of assembly. Their thermal and fluorescence properties were also investigated.
Functional expression of a single-chain antibody fragment against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inEscherichia coli
Authors: Akbari Vajihe , Mir Mohammad Sadeghi Hamid , Jafrian-Dehkordi Abbas , Abedi Daryoush , Chou C Perry
Published: March 2014

The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family plays an important role in cell growth and signaling and alteration of its function has been demonstrated in many different kinds of cancer. Receptor dimerization is necessary for the HER signal transduction pathway and tyrosine kinase activity. Recently, several monoclonal antibodies have been developed to directly interfere with ligand–HER receptor binding and receptor dimerization. A single chain variable fragment (ScFv) is a valuable alternative to an intact antibody. This report describes the production and purification of an ScFv specific for domain II of the HER2 receptor in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cytoplasm. The majority of expressed of anti-her2his-ScFv protein was produced as inclusion bodies. A Ni-NTA affinity column was used to purify the anti-her2his-ScFv protein. The molecular weight of anti-her2his-ScFv protein was estimated to be approximately 27 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting assay. The anti-her2his-ScFv showed near 95 % purity and reached a yield of approximately 29 mg/l in flask fermentation. The purified anti-her2his-ScFv showed its biological activity by binding to HER2 receptor on the surface of BT-474 cells. This ScFv may be a potential pharmaceutical candidate for targeting tumour cells overexpressing HER2 receptor.
Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Profile of Muscle, Brain and Eyes of Seven Freshwater Fish: a Comparative Study
Authors: Hong Hui , Zhou Yadi , Wu Hua , Luo Yongkang , Shen Huixing
Published: March 2014

The fatty acid and lipid content of the eyes, brain and muscle were determined for the following seven freshwater fish species in China: black carp, grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, common carp, crucian carp, and Wuchang bream. Lipid contents of all seven freshwater fish were in the order of brain > eyes > muscle. Most of the freshwater fish demonstrated much lower n‐3 PUFA than n‐6 PUFA in all tissues with n‐3/n‐6 ratios varying between 0.07 and 0.40, while silver carp and bighead carp had much higher n‐3 PUFA than n‐6 PUFA. The percentage of PUFA in the muscle of all species are the highest compared to those of the eyes and brain, while no significant difference was observed in PUFA concentration between eyes and brain (p > 0.05). Multivariable analyses indicate that the fatty acid composition of the filter‐feeder fish (silver carp and bighead carp) was distinct from the other four species.
Cluster Policies, Organising Capacity and Regional Resilience: Evidence from German Case Studies
Authors: Kiese Matthias , Hundt Christian
Published: March 2014

Resilience refers to the ability of a regional economy to recover from external shocks and to return to a sustainable growth path afterwards. This paper departs from the assumption that by improving a region’s organising capacity, cluster policies can strengthen regional resilience. We argue that the impact of cluster policies on regional resilience depends on the portfolio of clusters targeted for promotion, which may increase specialisation, unrelated or related variety in a region’s economic fabric. Based on a multidimensional model of cluster policies, case study evidence from seven German regions is drawn from an interview survey of 145 practitioners, policy advisors and independent observers. By illustrating the connections between cluster policy, organising capacity, and specialisation versus variety, these findings can be linked conceptually to regional economic resilience. This argument allows for some policy recommendations and the formulation of issues for further research.
Optimal seed water content and storage temperature for preservation of Populus nigra L. germplasm
Authors: Suszka Jan , Plitta Beata P. , Michalak Marcin , Bujarska-Borkowska Barbara , Tylkowski Tadeusz , Chmielarz Paweł
Published: March 2014

Context

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is an alluvial forest tree species whose genetic pool is decreasing in Europe. Poplar trees produce short-lived seeds that do not store well.

Aim

The feasibility of seed storage in conventional and cryogenic conditions after their desiccation from water content (WC) of 0.15 to 0.07 g H2O g−1 dry mass (g g−1) was investigated.

Methods

Seed germinability was evaluated (seeds with a radicle and green cotyledons were counted) after storage of seeds for a period of 3 to 24 months at different temperatures: 20°, 10°, 3°, −3°, −10°, −20° or −196°C.

Results

Seeds desiccated to a 0.07 g g−1 WC can be stored successfully at −10 °C and −20 °C for at least 2 years. A significant decrease in germination was observed only after 12 months of seed storage (WC 0.15 g g−1) at temperatures above 0 °C. We demonstrated that both fresh (0.15 g g−1 WC) and desiccated (0.07 g g−1 WC) seeds can be preserved at −196 °C for at least 2 years.

Conclusions

Seed storage temperature and time of storage were statistically significant factors affecting seed storability. The presented data provide a foundation for the successful gene banking of P. nigra seeds.
Emergent Church Practices in America: Inclusion and Deliberation in American Congregations
Authors: Burge Ryan P. , Djupe Paul A.
Published: March 2014

In the last 15 years a small but growing movement organized under the label “emergent church” has begun to help push the church through what many of them believe to be the first careful steps that will usher in a new understanding of Christianity for the twenty-first century. An emergent church model is quite a radical one that prioritizes the agency of those in attendance to determine the beliefs and direction of the church. In this way, emergent churches, at least in theory, are radical deliberative democrats in orientation, which may have profound effects on how the church is run and how members view the church, each other, and society as a result. Using the first dataset known to acquire this identity of Protestant clergy, we assess whether emergent Christian clergy adhere to a different set of religious beliefs, values, and deliberative norms than those in the modern church.
AROS has a context‐dependent effect on SIRT1
Authors: Kokkola Tarja , Suuronen Tiina , Molnár Ferdinand , Määttä Juha , Salminen Antero , Jarho Elina M. , Lahtela-Kakkonen Maija
Published: March 2014

The modulation of protein deacetylase SIRT1 has a vast therapeutic potential in treatment of several aging‐associated diseases. Active regulator of SIRT1 (AROS) is a small endogenous protein which was originally reported to activate SIRT1 through a direct interaction in cancer cells. We show that the interaction between the two proteins is weak and does not alter the activity of SIRT1 in non‐cancerous human cells. The results of different in vitro SIRT1 activity assays disclosed AROS as an inhibitor of SIRT1. The functional relationship between AROS and SIRT1 proved to be dependent on the biological context and experimental setting.
Dynamin related protein 1‐dependent mitochondrial fission regulates oxidative signalling in T cells
Authors: Röth Daniel , Krammer Peter H. , Gülow Karsten
Published: March 2014

In T cells mitochondria‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are indispensible for activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB, expression of cytokines and the CD95 ligand (CD95L/FasL). Here we show that activation‐induced ROS generation is dependent on mitochondrial fission. Inhibition of dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) results in reduced ROS levels and transcriptional activity of NF‐κB leading to diminished proliferation and CD95L‐dependent activation‐induced cell death (AICD). Upon stimulation Drp1 is S‐nitrosylated, which is required for oxidative signalling, AICD and cytokine production. In conclusion, we describe a novel signalling pathway that links TCR‐induced nitric oxide release to mitochondrial fission and oxidative signalling.
Beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota
Authors: Walsh Calum J. , Guinane Caitriona M. , O'Toole Paul W. , Cotter Paul D.
Published: March 2014

The human gut microbiota comprises approximately 100 trillion microbial cells and has a significant effect on many aspects of human physiology including metabolism, nutrient absorption and immune function. Disruption of this population has been implicated in many conditions and diseases, including examples such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer that are highlighted in this review. A logical extension of these observations suggests that the manipulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to prevent or treat these conditions. Thus, here we highlight a variety of options, including the use of changes in diet (including the use of prebiotics), antimicrobial‐based intervention, probiotics and faecal microbiota transplantation, and discuss their relative merits with respect to modulating the intestinal community in a beneficial way.
Subunit CydX of Escherichia coli cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase is essential for assembly and stability of the di‐heme active site
Authors: Hoeser Jo , Hong Sangjin , Gehmann Gerfried , Gennis Robert B. , Friedrich Thorsten
Published: March 2014

cydB
,
cydA
, and
cydX
physically interacts by affinity technology (1, 2)
The effects of the heme precursor 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on REV‐ERBα activation
Authors: Yamashita Kohei , Hagiya Yuichiro , Nakajima Motowo , Ishizuka Masahiro , Tanaka Tohru , Ogura Shun-ichiro
Published: March 2014

The nuclear receptor, REV‐ERBα, has a key role in circadian rhythms and requires heme as its ligand. The present study determined whether the heme precursor, 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), affects REV‐ERBα and its target genes. When exposed to ALA, the human lung diploid cell line, WI‐38, exhibited activation of REV‐ERBα and repression of the transcription of REV‐ERBα target genes, including BMAL1, an essential component of the circadian oscillator. Moreover, co‐incubation of sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) and ALA also activated REV‐ERBα and repressed the transcription of REV‐ERBα target genes. These results indicate that ALA regulates human circadian rhythms via REV‐ERBα.
Organisation und Versorgungsqualität
Authors: Kockert Svenja , Schott Thomas
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Gesundheit entsteht durch Kooperation zwischen Patient und den Behandlern. Dass diese Kooperation entscheidend durch den organisationsbezogenen Kontext geprägt ist, bleibt jedoch häufig unberücksichtigt. Insbesondere das Sozialkapital von Versorgungseinrichtungen scheint nach theoretischen Überlegungen ein wesentlicher Erfolgsfaktor darzustellen. Organisationale Rahmenbedingungen und das organisationale Verhalten sollten in der Versorgungsforschung zunehmend Aufmerksamkeit erfahren, um eine hohe Qualität der gesundheitlichen Versorgung sicherstellen zu können.
Stärkung von Qualität im Gesundheitswesen – Erfahrungen aus der Praxis einer Gesundheitsministerin
Authors: Schmidt Ulla , Ex Patricia
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Die Förderung von Qualität im Gesundheitswesen ist ein häufig gefordertes und häufig angekündigtes Vorhaben. Kurz vor meiner Übernahme des Ministeriums 2001 hatte der Sachverständigenrat im Gesundheitswesen ausführlich dargelegt, wie unser System von Über-, Unter- und Fehlversorgung geprägt war. Organisierte Abläufe zwischen ambulanter und stationärer Versorgung waren vielerorts rudimentär. Zwischen 2001 und 2009 haben wir insbesondere durch drei Stellschrauben die Qualität im Gesundheitswesen verbessert: durch integrierte Versorgungsstrukturen, durch Transparenz und durch ein gerechtes Versicherungssystem mit solidarischer Finanzierung.
Deutsches Netzwerk für Qualitätsentwicklung in der Pflege (DNQP): Aktueller Stand
Authors: Büscher Andreas , Möller Anna
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Seit 1992 arbeitet das Deutsche Netzwerk für Qualitätsentwicklung in der Pflege an der Verbesserung der Pflegequalität auf Basis von Expertenstandards. Dieser Beitrag stellt das Netzwerk vor und gibt einen Überblick über den Stand der Entwicklung sowie die methodischen Grundlagen von Expertenstandards. Einschätzungen zur Verbindlichkeit von Expertenstandards und zu den Herausforderungen für die zukünftige Entwicklung der Pflegequalität runden den Beitrag ab.
Die Qualität der gesundheitlichen Versorgung
Authors: Geraedts Max
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Mit der Qualität der gesundheitlichen Versorgung in Deutschland scheint etwas nicht in Ordnung zu sein. Obwohl schon zwei Institute auf der Bundesebene, IQWiG und AQUA, die Qualität im Gesundheitswesen im Fokus haben, plant die große Koalition die Gründung eines neuen Instituts für Qualität und Transparenz im Gesundheitswesen. Das Institut soll für den Bürger verständliche, vergleichende Informationen zur Qualität der ambulanten und stationären Gesundheitsversorger bereithalten.
Ergebnisorientierte Vergütung: Pay for performance
Authors: Göpffarth Dirk
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Bei ergebnisorientierten Vergütungssystemen wird ein Teil der Vergütung an das gemessene Leistungsniveau gekoppelt. Hierzu muss geeignete Indikatoren gefunden (Messbarkeitsproblem), relevante Entscheidungsträger abgegrenzt (Zurechenbarkeitsproblem) und Anreizsysteme entwickelt werden. In wettbewerblichen Systemen entsteht zudem ein Koordinationsproblem. Für eine erfolgreiche Umsetzung ist daher ein Ausgleich von Wettbewerb und Kooperation erforderlich.
Versorgungsqualität in der Hausarztzentrierten Versorgung
Authors: Götz Katja , Miksch Antje
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Mit dem In-Kraft-Treten des GKV-Modernisierungsgesetzes wurden gesetzliche Krankenkassen dazu aufgefordert, ihren Versicherten eine Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung anzubieten. Damit verbunden erscheint es wichtig zu erfassen, inwiefern sich die Qualität der Versorgung nach Einführung solcher Versorgungsmodelle verändert. Eine Evaluation sollte dabei neben der Struktur- und Prozessqualität auch die Ergebnisqualität aus Perspektive der Leistungserbringer und -berechtigten sowie der Krankenkassen im Blick haben.
Qualität der Gesundheitsversorgung – Was wollen Patienten wissen?
Authors: Romppel Matthias , Grande Gesine
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Patienten verfügen über differenzierte Vorstellungen zur Qualität medizinischer Versorgung und berücksichtigen bei ihren Entscheidungen eine Vielzahl an Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisqualitätsindikatoren. Es fehlt jedoch an geeigneten patientenorientierten, öffentlich zugänglichen und vergleichenden Informationsgrundlagen. Insbesondere die Operationalisierung und Messung von Indikatoren der Prozessqualität, über die Patienten besonders oft Informationen wünschen, wirft vielfach Probleme auf.
Qualitätsberichte und Qualitätsberichterstattung im Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Hensen Peter
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Ein relativ junges Instrument der Qualitätssicherung im deutschen Gesundheitswesen ist die Qualitätsberichterstattung. Dabei handelt es sich um die Veröffentlichung von Qualitäts- und Leistungsdaten mit dem Ziel der systematischen Qualitätsverbesserung von Gesundheitsleistungen. Diese kann freiwillig, gesetzlich verpflichtend oder unkontrolliert erfolgen. Im Gegensatz zur Gesundheitsberichterstattung zielt die Qualitätsberichterstattung auf Steuerungswirkungen im Gesundheitssystem, die im Folgenden beleuchtet werden.
Creeping axisymmetric plumes with strongly temperature-dependent viscosity
Authors: Crosby Andrew , Lister John R.
Published: March 2014

The structure of a steady axisymmetric thermal plume rising through a very viscous fluid with strongly temperature-dependent viscosity of the form $\mu \propto \exp (-\gamma T)$ is investigated. An analytic asymptotic solution is derived for the fast-flowing core of the plume, which predicts that the excess centreline temperature decays exponentially as $\exp \{ - 12 \pi \kappa z/(\gamma A) \}$, where $\kappa $ is the thermal diffusivity, $z$ the height and $A$ the vertical heat flux. This rate of decay, which is found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations of the boundary-layer equations, is three times faster than that predicted by the oft-quoted model of Olson, Schubert and Anderson (J. Geophys. Res., vol. 98 (B4), 1993, pp. 6829–6844).
Examining smoking dependence motives among African American light smokers
Authors: Bronars Carrie A. , Faseru Babalola , Krebill Ron , Mayo Matthew S. , Snow Tricia M. , Okuyemi Kolawole S. , Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Cox Lisa Sanderson
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Despite smoking fewer cigarettes per day, African American smokers have greater difficulty quitting compared to Caucasian smokers. Further elucidating the impact of smoking motivations on smoking behaviour would contribute to understanding the factors that maintain smoking.

Aims: This study examined the factor structure of a brief assessment examining smoking dependence motives among a sample of African American light smokers.

Methods: Data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised smoking cessation trial involving 540 participants. Results were analysed using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a randomly split EFA.

Results/Findings: Findings from the initial EFA analysis produced an eight-factor model, explaining 69% of the variation in responses. The overall Measure of Sampling Adequacy (MSA) was 0.88 with item level MSA ranging 0.68–0.94 across the 30 items. Results from the randomly split EFA replicated the findings of the original EFA; with the exception of the item ‘I smoke within the first 30 minutes of awakening in the morning’.

Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis of a multidimensional approach to conceptualising nicotine dependence, and provide information regarding characteristics of nicotine dependence in African American light smokers which may be helpful in identifying targets for cessation treatment in this population of smokers.
ON THE EXPONENTIAL DIOPHANTINE EQUATION
Authors: MIYAZAKI TAKAFUMI , TERAI NOBUHIRO
Published: March 2014

Let$m$,$a$,$c$be positive integers with$a\equiv 3, 5~({\rm mod} \hspace{0.334em} 8)$. We show that when$1+ c= {a}^{2} $, the exponential Diophantine equation$\mathop{({m}^{2} + 1)}\nolimits ^{x} + \mathop{(c{m}^{2} - 1)}\nolimits ^{y} = \mathop{(am)}\nolimits ^{z} $has only the positive integer solution$(x, y, z)= (1, 1, 2)$under the condition$m\equiv \pm 1~({\rm mod} \hspace{0.334em} a)$, except for the case$(m, a, c)= (1, 3, 8)$, where there are only two solutions:$(x, y, z)= (1, 1, 2), ~(5, 2, 4). $In particular, when$a= 3$, the equation$\mathop{({m}^{2} + 1)}\nolimits ^{x} + \mathop{(8{m}^{2} - 1)}\nolimits ^{y} = \mathop{(3m)}\nolimits ^{z} $has only the positive integer solution$(x, y, z)= (1, 1, 2)$, except if$m= 1$. The proof is based on elementary methods and Baker’s method.
Updating on the fungal composition in Sardinian sheep's milk by culture-independent methods
Authors: Panelli Simona , Brambati Eva , Bonacina Cesare , Feligini Maria
Published: March 2014

This work applies culture-independent methods for the characterization of fungal populations (yeasts and moulds) naturally occurring in Sardinian ewe's milk sampled in the Italian areas with the largest dairy production (Sardinia and Lazio regions). Sequences of the D1/D2 variable domains at the 5′ end of the 26S rRNA gene were obtained by amplification of DNA directly isolated from milk, and this allowed identification of a total of 6 genera and 15 species of fungi. Among the 6 identified generaGeotrichumspp.,Candidaspp.,Phaeosphaeriopsisspp.,Pestalotiopsisspp. andCladosporiumspp. belong to the phylum of Ascomycota, whileCryptococcusspp. is part of the phylum of Basidiomycota. In particular, two genera (PestalotiopsisandPhaeosphaeriopsis) and two species (Plectosphaerella cucumerinaandPryceomyces carsonii) have never been reported in dairy ecosystems before. Results provide evidence that several moulds and yeasts, previously described only in ovine cheeses, are transferred directly from raw milk. The knowledge of fungal consortia inhabiting sheep raw milk is a particularly relevant issue because several species are directly involved in cheese making and ripening, determining the typical aroma. On the other hand, spoilage yeasts and moulds are involved in anomalous fermentation of cheese and may be responsible for considerable economic losses and serious risks for consumers' health.
Effects of hunting camps on breeding grey-necked picathartesPicathartes oreasin south-east Nigeria
Authors: Atuo Fidelis Akunke , Ivande Samuel T. , Wala Zingfa , O'Connell Timothy J.
Published: March 2014

The dependence of forest communities on bushmeat as a source of protein and income is a challenge to wildlife conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the use of caves and overhanging rocks as hunting camps and the consequences for breeding grey-necked picathartesPicathartes oreasin the forests of Cross River in south-east Nigeria. We recorded 84 nesting colonies during guided and random searches. We found 14 (16.7%) breeding sites that had been used as hunting camps, with evidence including fire stands, sleeping spots, cooking utensils and drying racks. Fire stands were the most frequently recorded evidence of camping and were found in 11 of the camps. At the 14 breeding sites only two nesting attempts were made byP. oreasduring the survey. Thirty-seven nests (c. 95%) recorded in hunting camps were empty and showed no evidence of ongoing or potential breeding activities, suggesting that the nests may have been abandoned. We attributed the low nesting attempt rate to disturbance caused by hunters, who also affected breeding success through direct removal of eggs and fledglings from nests. We encourage conservation education for the protection ofP. oreasand other threatened species in the region and recommend strict enforcement of wildlife laws and disciplinary sanctions. Given the role of the forests of Cross River as a critical habitat for several endemic and threatened species, management efforts targeted at improving the integrity of the forest will benefit grey-necked picathartes and other avian species of conservation concern.
Abnormal resting-state connectivity of motor and cognitive networks in early manifest Huntington's disease
Authors: Wolf R. C. , Sambataro F. , Vasic N. , Depping M. S. , Thomann P. A. , Landwehrmeyer G. B. , Süssmuth S. D. , Orth M.
Published: March 2014

Background.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of multiple neural networks during the brain's ‘resting state’ could facilitate biomarker development in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and may provide new insights into the relationship between neural dysfunction and clinical symptoms. To date, however, very few studies have examined the functional integrity of multiple resting state networks (RSNs) in manifest HD, and even less is known about whether concomitant brain atrophy affects neural activity in patients.

Method.

Using MRI, we investigated brain structure and RSN function in patients with early HD (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20). For resting-state fMRI data a group-independent component analysis identified spatiotemporally distinct patterns of motor and prefrontal RSNs of interest. We used voxel-based morphometry to assess regional brain atrophy, and ‘biological parametric mapping’ analyses to investigate the impact of atrophy on neural activity.

Results.

Compared with controls, patients showed connectivity changes within distinct neural systems including lateral prefrontal, supplementary motor, thalamic, cingulate, temporal and parietal regions. In patients, supplementary motor area and cingulate cortex connectivity indices were associated with measures of motor function, whereas lateral prefrontal connectivity was associated with cognition.

Conclusions.

This study provides evidence for aberrant connectivity of RSNs associated with motor function and cognition in early manifest HD when controlling for brain atrophy. This suggests clinically relevant changes of RSN activity in the presence of HD-associated cortical and subcortical structural abnormalities.
Prenatal maternal immune disruption and sex-dependent risk for psychoses
Authors: Goldstein J. M , Cherkerzian S. , Seidman L. J. , Donatelli J.-A. L. , Remington A. G. , Tsuang M. T. , Hornig M. , Buka S. L.
Published: March 2014

Background.

Previous studies suggest that abnormalities in maternal immune activity during pregnancy alter the offspring's brain development and are associated with increased risk for schizophrenia (SCZ) dependent on sex.

Method.

Using a nested case–control design and prospectively collected prenatal maternal sera from which interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αand IL-10 were assayed, we investigated sex-dependent associations between these cytokines and 88 psychotic cases [SCZ = 44; affective psychoses (AP) = 44] and 100 healthy controls from a pregnancy cohort followed for > 40 years. Analyses included sex-stratified non-parametric tests adjusted for multiple comparisons to screen cytokines associated with SCZ risk, followed by deviant subgroup analyses using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models.

Results.

There were higher prenatal IL-6 levels among male SCZ than male controls, and lower TNF-αlevels among female SCZ than female controls. The results were supported by deviant subgroup analyses with significantly more SCZ males with high IL-6 levels (>highest quartile) compared with controls [odd ratio (OR)75 = 3.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–9.82], and greater prevalence of low TNF-αlevels (<lowest quartile) among SCZ females compared with their controls (OR25 = 6.30, 95% CI 1.20–33.04) and SCZ males. Higher levels of IL-6 were only found among SCZ compared with AP cases. Lower TNF-αlevels (non-significant) also characterized female AP casesversuscontrols, although the prevalence of the lowest levels was higher in SCZ than AP females (70%v. 40%), with no effect in SCZ or AP males.

Conclusions.

The results underscore the importance of immunologic processes affecting fetal brain development and differential risk for psychoses depending on psychosis subtype and offspring sex.
Spalding and Rogers' Floating Palace, 1852–1859
Authors: Leavitt Penelope M. , Moy James S.
Published: March 2014

The expanding American western frontier of the early nineteenth century was followed closely by travelling theatre companies. Since one of the primary modes of transportation was the riverboat, it is not surprising that floating theatres soon dominated theatrical activity in the towns along America's interior waterways. While the floating theatres often competed with land-based attractions, they also faced significant competition from other floating entertainments. One of the most successful of these was Spalding and Rogers' Floating Palace, which at various times operated as a floating circus, floating menagerie, and floating museum.
National narratives, institutional ideologies, and local talk: The discursive production of Spanish in a “new” US Latino community
Authors: Carter Phillip M.
Published: March 2014

This study investigates the figuration of “Spanish” as a sociocultural discourse within the context of a middle school in North Carolina, where immigration from Latin America is new, yet quickly accelerating. The school-based discourse is analyzed in terms of everyday ways of talking among students, as well as institutional ideologies and practices, which mediate national discourses about US Latinos and reinforce tropes circulated by students. Everyday ways of talking among non-Latino students suggest that Latinos—both immigrants and US born—are Spanish monolinguals who “choose” to be segregated from the English speakers. The use of Spanish by Latinos is constructed by non-Latinos as secretive and dangerous, linking local tropes about Spanish to national discourses. Consistent informal pressure against Spanish at school links to broader pressures against Spanish in the community and beyond. The discourse problematizes Latino identity formations and limits the types of identities available to Latino students. (Discursive production, Spanish, US Latinos, Latino threat narrative)*
Keeping disease at arm's length – how older Danish people distance disease through active ageing
Authors: LASSEN ASKE JUUL
Published: March 2014

Many older people live with a range of chronic diseases. However, these diseases do not necessarily impede an active lifestyle. In this article the author analyses the relation between the active ageing discourse and the way older people at two Danish activity centres handle disease. How does active ageing change everyday life with chronic disease, and how do older people combine an active life with a range of chronic diseases? The participants in the study use activities to keep their diseases at arm's length, and this distancing of disease at the same time enables them to engage in social and physical activities at the activity centre. In this way, keeping disease at arm's length is analysed as an ambiguous health strategy. The article shows the importance of looking into how active ageing is practised, as active ageing seems to work well in the everyday life of the older people by not giving emphasis to disease. The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork and uses vignettes of four participants to show how they each keep diseases at arm's length.
Refined Collision Risk Model for Oceanic Flight Under Longitudinal Distance-Based Separation in ADS-C Environment
Authors: Mori Ryota
Published: March 2014

Currently, the 30 nautical mile (nm) minimum longitudinal separation standard is applied on oceanic routes under the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) environment. However, the periodic position report should be provided at least every ten minutes in Japanese airspace based on previous safety analysis. The position report is usually sent via satellite connection, so less frequent position reports would reduce connection costs by airlines. Since the previous safety analysis estimates the risk of collision conservatively, this paper proposes a refinement of the collision risk model by considering the dependency between two closely separated aircraft. The result shows that the periodic position report interval can be extended without infringing safety.
Cooling of pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus) embryos stored at −10ºC
Authors: Pessoa Nathalie Ommundsen , Galvão José Agenor Soares , de Souza Filho Francisco Gerson Mendes , de Sousa Míriam Luiza Nogueira Martins , Sampaio Célia Maria Souza
Published: March 2014

Cryopreservation has not been used successfully to preserve fish embryos, although chilling techniques have been used with good results. The aim of this study was to chill Piaractus brachypomus embryos at – 10°C for various storage times. Embryos at the following ontogenetic stages were used: blastoderm – 1.2 hours post-fertilization (hpf); epiboly – 5 hpf; blastopore closure – 8 hpf; and appearance of the optic vesicle – 13 hpf. One hundred embryos were selected from each ontogenetic stage and chilled at – 10°C for 6 or 10 h. The results were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. A significantly greater number of completely developed live larvae were observed following embryonic treatment with a cryoprotectant solution that contained 17.5% sucrose and 10% methanol. There was no survival for embryos cooled at – 10°C in initial developmental stages (1, 2 and 5 h hpf). Furthermore, higher survival rates were observed when embryos were treated at more advanced developmental stages (8 and 13 hpf). Therefore, P. brachypomus embryos at the blastopore-closure (8 hpf) or appearance-of-optic-vesicle (13 hpf) stages should be used for embryo chilling protocols and chilling should be performed using a 17.5% sucrose with a 10% methanol solution at – 10°C for up to 6 h. The best results were obtained with 13-hpf and 8-hpf embryos and cooling at 6 h of storage.
In vitro development of secondary follicles from pre-pubertal and adult goats cultured in two-dimensional or three-dimensional systems
Authors: Silva G.M. , Rossetto R. , Chaves R.N. , Duarte A.B.G. , Araújo V.R. , Feltrin C. , Bernuci M. P. , Anselmo-Franci J.A. , Xu M. , Woodruff T.K. , Campello C.C. , Figueiredo J.R.
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) alginate culture systems on in vitro development of pre-antral caprine follicles. In addition, the influence of the reproductive age of the ovary donor on the in vitro culture success was investigated. Pre-antral follicles from pre-pubertal or adult goats were isolated and cultured directly on a plastic surface (2D) or encapsulated in an alginate-based matrix (3D). After 18 days, the oocytes underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to produce embryos. The 3D system showed higher rates of follicle survival, lower rates of oocyte extrusion, and a greater number of recovered oocytes for IVM and IVF (P < 0.05). Only pre-antral follicles from adult animals produced MII oocytes and embryos. The estradiol concentrations increased from day 2 to day 12 of culture in all groups tested (P < 0.05). Conversely, progesterone concentrations were lower in 3D-cultured follicles than in 2D-cultured follicles, with differences on days 2 and 6 of culture (P < 0.05). We provide compelling evidence that a 2D or 3D alginate in vitro culture system offers a promising approach to achieving full in vitro development of caprine pre-antral follicles to produce mature oocytes that are capable of fertilization and viable embryos.