bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that Hasten the Integrity of Albania in the European Union
Authors: Gjini Arjan 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
European Union is nowadays the most popular term used in Albania. Its integration means development, solidarity, justice, equality. Data of verified polls reveal Albania as the most enthusiastic country, bearing the highest percentage of popularity willing to join EU. Ben Rosamond defines European Union as an “endless, deep, broad process of the politic, economic and security cooperation among nations with the intention to restore peace”1. North Europe has been called Europe by greeks in the VII century B.C, naming it after the name of the Phoenician king’s daughter who was brought in Crete by her absconder Zeus. The integrity process is complex, complicated, multidimensional and deep in reforms of all fields. It is a long process with great responsibility that requires a big invest in fulfilling standards. The psychological factors have their role and impact in all other factors hasting this process.
DNA Lean Philosophy and TOC for Develop, Innovate and Improve Processes
Authors: Lu-Chang-Say Julio , Lu-Chang-Say Estuardo , Zuloaga-Rotta Luis , Zarate-Otarola Benito 
Published: June 2018

<strong>EXPLORATORY RESEARCH</strong>. Analysis and review of fundamentals, principles, definitions and concepts around the DNA of the Lean Philosophy and Theory of Restrictions, to Develop, Innovate and Improve any Process.<strong>PROBLEM: </strong>How? Develop, Innovate and Improve Processes, applying the TPS - Toyota Production System and TOC for improvement and innovation in the management of the processes of the transformative and productive operations, in the creation and exchange of value and benefits.<strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong>: Research exposed that the continuous improvement of all is achieved, focusing on improving the flow to increase the speed with which the system creates and delivers value, is the basis or the DNA of the TPS and TOC, for which it would be enough to identify the target value (truput) per unit of time that is creating the system, as well as what is the constraint (bottleneck or problem) that limits the capacity, to then develop innovations and improvements, which increase the trutput, applying the 4 principles followed by Ohno and the 5 steps of TOC.
Prospective validation of a molecular prognostication panel for clival chordoma
Authors: Zenonos Georgios A. , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C. , Mukherjee Debraj , Chang Yue-Fang , Panayidou Klea , Snyderman Carl H. , Wang Eric W. , Seethala Raja R. , Gardner Paul A. 
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVEThere are currently no reliable means to predict the wide variability in behavior of clival chordoma so as to guide clinical decision-making and patient education. Furthermore, there is no method of predicting a tumor’s response to radiation therapy.METHODSA molecular prognostication panel, consisting of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the chromosomal loci 1p36 and 9p21, as well as immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, was prospectively evaluated in 105 clival chordoma samples from November 2007 to April 2016. The results were correlated with overall progression-free survival after surgery (PFSS), as well as progression-free survival after radiotherapy (PFSR).RESULTSAlthough Ki-67 and the percentages of tumor cells with 1q25 hyperploidy, 1p36 deletions, and homozygous 9p21 deletions were all found to be predictive of PFSS and PFSR in univariate analyses, only 1p36 deletions and homozygous 9p21 deletions were shown to be independently predictive in a multivariate analysis. Using a prognostication calculator formulated by a separate multivariate Cox model, two 1p36 deletion strata (0%–15% and > 15% deleted tumor cells) and three 9p21 homozygous deletion strata (0%–3%, 4%–24%, and ≥ 25% deleted tumor cells) accounted for a range of cumulative hazard ratios of 1 to 56.1 for PFSS and 1 to 75.6 for PFSR.CONCLUSIONSHomozygous 9p21 deletions and 1p36 deletions are independent prognostic factors in clival chordoma and can account for a wide spectrum of overall PFSS and PFSR. This panel can be used to guide management after resection of clival chordomas.
A re-evaluation of the effects of dual growing rods on apical vertebral rotation in patients with early-onset scoliosis and a minimum of two lengthening procedures: a CT-based study
Authors: Xu Liang , Qiu Yong , Chen Zhonghui , Shi Benlong , Chen Xi , Li Song , Du Changzhi , Zhu Zezhang , Sun Xu 
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the correction results of traditional dual growing rods (DGRs) on axial rotation using CT scans and to further explore the relationships between axial and torso deformities in patients with early-onset scoliosis (EOS).METHODSPatients with EOS who were treated with traditional DGRs between January 2006 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Plain radiographs were used to assess the degree of coronal and sagittal deformity. The apical vertebral rotation (AVR) and rib hump (RH) were measured on CT scans at the apical vertebra. Pearson or Spearman rank correlation analyses were used to analyze the associations between spinal and torso deformities.RESULTSA total of 27 patients (10 boys and 17 girls, average age 6.5 ± 1.7 years) were enrolled in this study. The average number of lengthenings per patient was 5.0 ± 1.9, with a mean follow-up duration of 52.9 ± 18.2 months. The apical vertebral translation, apical vertebral body–rib ratio (AVB-R), AVR, and RH parameters were significantly decreased after the initial surgery (p < 0.05) but showed notable progression at the latest follow-up evaluation (p < 0.05). The preoperative AVR and its correction after index surgery were significantly correlated with the preoperative values as well as with the corrections of the major Cobb angle, AVB-R, and RH. During the follow-up period, significant correlations were found between the deterioration of AVR and the AVB-R and also between the deterioration of AVR and the RH from the initial surgery to the latest follow-up.CONCLUSIONSSignificant AVR correction can be achieved by DGR techniques after the initial surgery. However, this technique weakly prevents the deterioration of AVR during the follow-up period.
Bryophytes of Ghana
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Anthony , Hodgetts Nick 
Published: June 2018

There is currently limited information on plant biodiversity from Ghana. Most of the information openly available has been published by the Ghana Herbarium at the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, University of Ghana. The Ghana Herbarium has over 100,000 specimens from Ghana and other West African countries. Of these approximately 85% of the specimen labels have been digitized. The database contains information including species names, taxonomic family, barcode number, name of collector(s), locality data, date of collection, description of species and uses of the plants. Data were captured using Botanical Research and Herbarium Management Software (BRAHMS) software and is openly available on Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (http://www.gbif.org/country/GH/publishing). Less than 1% of the herbarium collection contains bryophyte information of Ghana.
Even though bryophytes are an often overlooked flora, Ghana has a high diversity of bryophytes. Indeed Ghana has an enormous biomass of bryophytes, particularly in the humid forest areas, that is bound to contribute significantly to the water-retentive capacity of the Ghanaian forest, absorbing water quickly and releasing it slowly. It is clear that the bryophytes are an important part of the ecosystem generally, helping to stabilize the hillsides and acting as a source of water. As very little is known about Ghana's bryophyte flora, a short expedition was undertaken in the Atewa Forest in 2014. A total of 164 species were added to the herbarium collection, including about 58 new to Ghana and at least one new species (Cololejeunea sp. yet to be described).
The Ghana Herbarium recognises the growing need for digitization across its collections. Data from bryophytes specimens in the Ghana Herbarium and other Ghanaian herbaria as well as other data types on Ghanaian bryophytes will need to be captured using appropriate workflows, technologies and comply with Darwin Core standards. There is also paucity of observational and bryophyte abundance data. This presentation will review the current status of biodiversity information on bryophytes from Ghana and biodiversity informatics activities at Ghana Herbarium. It will also explore ways forward for digitization which incudes capturing the information on the already existing bryophyte specimens in the Ghana Herbarium and the newly added collections using BRAHMS software.
The Lectin Pathway of Complement Activation in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Troldborg Anne , Thiel Steffen , Trendelenburg Marten , Friebus-Kardash Justa , Nehring Josephine , Steffensen Rudi , Hansen Søren Werner Karlskov , Laska Magdalena Janina , Deleuran Bent , Jensenius Jens Christian , Voss Anne , Stengaard-Pedersen Kristian 
Published: June 2018

Objective.The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves complement activation. Activation of complement through the classical pathway (CP) is well established. However, complement activation through pattern recognition not only happens through the CP, but also through the lectin pathway (LP). We investigated the hypothesis that the LP is activated in SLE and involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.Methods.Using immunoassays developed in-house, we measured concentrations of LP proteins in a cohort of 372 patients with SLE and 170 controls. We estimated complement activation measuring total C3, and investigated whether LP protein concentrations were associated with complement activation and disease activity. Protein changes and disease activity over time were assessed in a cohort of 52 patients with SLE followed with repeated samples over a 5-year period.Results.Concentrations of LP proteins in SLE were altered compared with controls. The differences observed in LP proteins associated with complement activation were reflected by a decrease in total C3. The pattern recognition molecules (M-ficolin, CL-L1, and CL-K1), the serine protease (MASP-3), and the associated protein (MAp19) displayed a negative correlation with disease activity. Changes in MASP-2 concentrations over time correlated significantly with increased disease activity. Association between active proteinuria and serum concentration was observed for MASP-3 and MAp19.Conclusion.In patients with SLE, we measured specific changes in LP proteins that are associated with complement activation and disease activity, indicating that the LP is activated in patients with SLE. These novel findings substantiate the involvement of the LP in SLE.
Sex-associated Treatment Differences and Their Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from the METEOR Register
Authors: Bergstra Sytske Anne , Allaart Cornelia F. , Ramiro Sofia , Chopra Arvind , Govind Nimmisha , Silva Cândida , Murphy Elizabeth A. , Landewé Robert B.M. 
Published: June 2018

Objective.To assess differences in initial treatment and treatment response in male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice.Methods.The proportion of patients with RA starting different antirheumatic treatments (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; DMARD) and the response to treatment were compared in the international, observational METEOR register. All visits from start of the first DMARD until the first DMARD switch or the end of followup were selected. The effect of sex on time to switch from first to second treatment was calculated using Cox regression. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to assess whether men and women responded differently to treatments, as measured by Disease Activity Score (DAS) or Health Assessment Questionnaire.Results.Women (n = 4393) more often started treatment with hydroxychloroquine, as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or a glucocorticoid, and men (n = 1142) more often started treatment with MTX and/or sulfasalazine. Time to switch DMARD was shorter for women than for men. Women had a statistically significantly higher DAS over time than men (DAS improvement per year β −0.69, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.62 for men and −0.58, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.55 for women). Subanalyses per DMARD group showed for the conventional synthetic DMARD combination therapy a slightly greater decrease in DAS over time in men (−0.89, 95% CI −1.07 to −0.71) compared to women (−0.59, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.51), but these difference between the sexes were clinically negligible.Conclusion.This worldwide observational study suggests that in daily practice, men and women with RA are prescribed different initial treatments, but there were no differences in response to treatment between the sexes.
Role of MiR-98 and Its Underlying Mechanisms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Xie Lin , Xu Jinhua 
Published: June 2018

Objective.T-lymphocyte apoptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis in SLE remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of miR-98 in SLE and its underlying mechanisms.Methods.Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to analyze miR-98 and Fas expression. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify miR-98 targets. To modify miRNA levels, miR-98 mimics and inhibitor were transfected into cells. A lentiviral construct was used to overexpress the level of Fas in SLE CD4+ T cells. Gene and protein expression were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis levels were evaluated by annexin V staining and flow cytometry.Results.Compared to those of healthy donors, miR-98 was downregulated in SLE CD4+ T cells, whereas Fas mRNA and protein expression were upregulated. Upregulation of miR-98 by mimic transfection protected Jurkat cells against Fas-mediated apoptosis at both mRNA and protein levels, while miR-98 inhibitor induced the completely opposite effect. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-98 directly targeted Fas mRNA. Further, miR-98 inhibitor induced apoptosis in primary healthy CD4+ T cells through the Fas-caspase axis, while upregulation of miR-98 in SLE CD4+ T cells led to the opposite effect.Conclusion.The current study revealed that downregulation of miR-98 induces apoptosis by modulating the Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in SLE CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that miR-98 might serve as a potential target for SLE treatment.
La protection du consommateur de produits financiers : quel rôle pour les recours en réparation d'un préjudice ?
Authors: Fluet Claude 
Published: June 2018

Cet article discute du rôle des recours en réparation d'un préjudice, judiciaires ou extrajudiciaires, dans la régulation des produits et des services financiers destinés aux particuliers à la lumière des réglementations adoptées depuis une quinzaine d'années. Les recours en réparation sont complémentaires des réglementations et constituent un mécanisme de contrôle a posteriori des produits et des services, susceptibles de présenter un avantage de coût intrinsèque sur les contrôles a priori dans la dissuasion des comportements inappropriés chez les prestataires de services financiers. Classification JEL : G28, K22, K41.
Vincennes, 50 ans déjà... Ce qu’ Hérodote doit à Vincennes
Authors: Giblin Béatrice 
Published: June 2018

1968-2018 : Yves Lacoste et moi, nous nous devions de célébrer le cinquantenaire de la création de « Vincennes » ; car sans Vincennes il se pourrait qu’ Hérodote n’ait jamais existé. Cette université fut créée comme une réponse à la révolte universitaire de Mai 68, ce qui lui valut d’avoir un statut exceptionnel et de pouvoir déroger aux normes classiques des cursus universitaires de l’époque, ayant en partie pour modèle celui des universités américaines. Avant même de venir à Vincennes, Lacoste avait l’idée de faire une revue de géographie et j’ai eu la chance qu’il associe à son projet notre petit groupe d’étudiants en histoire, séduits par sa géographie. Au printemps 1976 sortent, presque en même temps, le premier numéro d’ Hérodote et le célèbre petit livre bleu de Lacoste La géographie, ça sert d’abord à faire la guerre . L’Institut français de géopolitique (IFG) de Paris-8 est, à ce jour, unique en France car c’est la seule formation exclusivement géopolitique. Pourquoi cette exception à Paris-8 ? J’y vois la survivance de l’exceptionnalité vincennoise : il est encore possible de proposer de nouveaux domaines de recherche et de formation, ce qui est rare dans l’enseignement supérieur.
A study of the approaches used to retrieve aerosol extinction, as applied to limb observations made by OSIRIS and SCIAMACHY
Authors: Rieger Landon A. , Malinina Elizaveta P. , Rozanov Alexei V. , Burrows John P. , Bourassa Adam E. , Degenstein Doug A. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Limb scatter instruments in the UV–vis spectral range have provided long-term global records of stratospheric aerosol
extinction important for climate records and modelling. While comparisons with occultation instruments show generally good
agreement, the source and magnitude of the biases arising from retrieval assumptions, approximations in the radiative
transfer modelling and inversion techniques have not been thoroughly characterized. This paper explores the biases
between SCIAMACHY v1.4, OSIRIS v5.07 and SAGE II v7.00 aerosol extinctions through a series of coincident comparisons as
well as simulation and retrieval studies to investigate the cause and magnitude of the various systematic differences.
The effect of a priori profiles, particle size assumptions, radiative transfer modelling, inversion techniques and the
different satellite datasets are explored. It is found that the assumed a priori profile can have a large effect near
the normalization point, as well as systematic influence at lower altitudes. The error due to particle size assumptions
is relatively small when averaged over a range of scattering angles, but individual errors depend on the particular
scattering angle, particle size and measurement vector definition. Differences due to radiative transfer modelling
introduce differences between the retrieved products of less than 10 % on average, but can introduce vertical
structure. The combination of the different scenario simulations and the application of both algorithms to both datasets
enable the origin of some of the systematic features such as high-altitude differences when compared to SAGE II to be
explained.
Collection Profile: Catholic University's Gilded Age and Progressive Era Labor Collections
Authors: Shepherd William John 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT
Now available online in digital format are the papers of John Mitchell, Terence V. Powderly, and John W. Hayes, three Gilded Age and Progressive Era labor leaders of significant national importance with strong ties to Pennsylvania. Powderly was active in union work, eventually rising to national leadership; in addition, he served as mayor of Scranton, practiced law, and became a Republican Party operative before working for the federal government. He was also a world traveler, talented photographer, and author. John William Hayes also became active with unions and was an ally of Powderly until 1893 when Hayes joined with the socialists and populist agrarians in order to oust Powderly from his leadership role in the Knights of Labor. John Mitchell began working as a farm laborer as a child, then became a coal miner. He was first a member of the Knights of Labor and then, successively, legislative agent, organizer, vice president, and president of the fledgling United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).
BIOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND BREAKING OF DORMANCY OF SEEDS OF Piptadenia viridiflora (Kunth) Benth
Authors: Vieira Cangussu Anne Caroline , Caetano Ana Paula Oliveira , Santos Jerffson Lucas , Castro Filho Manoel Nelson de , Cardoso Adriana Dias 
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study is to evaluate the biometric characteristics and the efficiency of treatments using mechanical scarification and immersion in water at different temperatures to break the dormancy of seeds of surucucu [Piptadenia viridiflora (Kunth) Benth], a tree with several uses and adapted to the semiarid conditions of the northeast of Brazil. The biometric analysis of the seeds was conducted using a digital caliper. The mean length, width, and thickness of 100 seeds were measured. The study adopted a completely randomized experimental design, with six treatments and four repetitions of 25 seeds per plot, totaling 100 seeds per treatment. The experiment consisted of control treatment (seeds without scarification), treatment with mechanical scarification on sandpaper, and heat treatment at 60, 70, 80 and 90 ºC for 5 min. The average size of the seeds was 8.050 mm in length, 6.529 mm in width, and 0.997 mm in thickness. For breaking dormancy, scarification on sandpaper and water immersion at 70 °C produced higher percentages of germination and emerged seedlings.
PARTITIONING OF RAINFALL IN EXPERIMENTAL PLANTATIONS OF Eucalyptus urophylla AND Pinus elliottii
Authors: Arcova Francisco Carlos Soriano , Ranzini Maurício , Cicco Valdir De 
Published: June 2018

In a period of 36 months, the partitioning of rainfall was studied in plantations of 30-year-old Eucalyptus urophylla and Pinus elliottii cultivated in flat drainage lysimeters. Gross precipitation was measured with one rain gauge installed in an open area located near the plantations; throughfall was determined by the arithmetic mean of five rain gauges located under the canopy of each species; stemflow was obtained with polyurethane foam collars connected to plastic containers installed on four trees of each species. The mean proportions of throughfall, stemflow and interception in relation to gross rainfall for eucalyptus were 89.0%, 5.4% and 5.6%, respectively, and for pine, they were 79.8%, 1.0 % and 19.2%, respectively. The interannual variation in the percentages of interception for the two species had an amplitude of approximately 6%. There was marked variation in the proportion of stemflow depending on the season for eucalyptus, averaging 8.7% between April and September and 4.6% from October to March. There was a large number of events with negative interception for eucalyptus. One of the likely causes of the negative interception was capture of fog water by the canopy. Linear regressions estimated that rainfall amounts were responsible for approximately 99% and 70% of the variation in throughfall and stemflow, respectively, in the two plantations.