bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing frequency and spatial extent of concurrent meteorological droughts and heatwaves in India
Authors: Sharma Shailza , Mujumdar Pradeep 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe impacts of concurrent droughts and heatwaves could be more serious compared to their individual occurrence. Meteorological drought condition is generally characterized by low rainfall, but impact of such an event is amplified with simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves. Positive feedback between these two extremes can worsen the rainfall deficit situation to serious soil moisture depletion due to enhanced evapotranspiration. In this study, the concurrence of meteorological droughts and heatwaves is investigated in India using Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) high resolution gridded data over a period of 60 years. Significant changes are observed in concurrent meteorological droughts and heatwaves defined at different percentile based thresholds and durations during the period 1981–2010 relative to the base period 1951–1980. There is substantial increase in the frequency of concurrent meteorological droughts and heatwaves across whole India. Statistically significant trends in the spatial extent of droughts are observed in Central Northeast India and West Central India; however, the spatial extent affected by concurrent droughts and heatwaves is increasing across whole India. Significant shifts are identified in the distribution of spatial extent of concurrent drought and heatwaves in India compared to the base period.
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound improves behavioral and histological outcomes after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Su Wei-Shen , Wu Chun-Hu , Chen Szu-Fu , Yang Feng-Yi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on behavioral and histological outcomes in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mice subjected to controlled cortical impact injury were treated with LIPUS in the injured region daily for a period of 4 weeks. The effects of LIPUS on edema were observed by MR imaging in the mouse brain at 1 and 4 days following TBI. Brain water content, blood-brain barrier permeability, histology analysis, and behavioral studies were performed to assess the effects of LIPUS. Two-way analysis of variance and Student t test were used for statistical analyses, with a significant level of 0.05. Treatment with LIPUS significantly attenuated brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability, and neuronal degeneration beginning at day 1. Compared with the TBI group, LIPUS also significantly improved functional recovery and reduced contusion volumes up to post-injury day 28. Post-injury LIPUS treatment reduced brain edema and improved behavioral and histological outcomes following TBI. The neuroprotective effects of LIPUS may be a promising new technique for treating TBI.
Bidirectional modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by Dopaminergic D4-receptors in the CA1 area of hippocampus
Authors: Navakkode Sheeja , Chew Katherine C. M. , Tay Sabrina Jia Ning , Lin Qingshu , Behnisch Thomas , Soong Tuck Wah 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLong-term potentiation (LTP) is the persistent increase in the strength of the synapses. However, the neural networks would become saturated if there is only synaptic strenghthening. Synaptic weakening could be facilitated by active processes like long-term depression (LTD). Molecular mechanisms that facilitate the weakening of synapses and thereby stabilize the synapses are also important in learning and memory. Here we show that blockade of dopaminergic D4 receptors (D4R) promoted the formation of late-LTP and transformed early-LTP into late-LTP. This effect was dependent on protein synthesis, activation of NMDA-receptors and CaMKII. We also show that GABAA-receptor mediated mechanisms are involved in the enhancement of late-LTP. We could show that short-term plasticity and baseline synaptic transmission were unaffected by D4R inhibition. On the other hand, antagonizing D4R prevented both early and late forms of LTD, showing that activation of D4Rs triggered a dual function. Synaptic tagging experiments on LTD showed that D4Rs act as plasticity related proteins rather than the setting of synaptic tags. D4R activation by PD 168077 induced a slow-onset depression that was protein synthesis, NMDAR and CaMKII dependent. The D4 receptors, thus exert a bidirectional modulation of CA1 pyramidal neurons by restricting synaptic strengthening and facilitating synaptic weakening.
Safe management of laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors
Authors: Otowa Yasunori , Kanaji Shingo , Morita Yoshinori , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamamoto Masashi , Matsuda Yoshiko , Matsuda Takeru , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Kawara Fumiaki , Tanaka Shinwa , Ishida Tsukasa , Toyonaga Takashi , Azuma Takeshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for duodenal tumors results in a high delayed perforation rate due to the thinness of the duodenal wall. In most cases with perforation after duodenal ESD, additional surgery is needed due to severe peritonitis. A newly developed procedure, laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for duodenal tumors (D-LECS), may help to avoid perforation after ESD. In our institution, patients with superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADET) smaller than 50 mm which could not have en-bloc resection by endoscopic mucosal resection were treated with D-LECS. After a laparoscopic exposure of anterior duodenal wall of second portion, ESD was performed. Laparoscopic suturing from the serosal side of ESD site was performed for reinforcement. There were neither postoperative leakage nor other complications. Therefore, D-LECS can be performed safely and prevent perforation after ESD for SNADET. D-LECS could be selected as a treatment for SNADET which can be cured by ESD.
Messung der Zyklofusionskompetenz bei Normalprobanden mittels dynamischer 3-D-„Random-Dot“-Stereogramme
Authors: Heckmann Jan , Sturm Veit , Landau Klara , Török Béla 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Evaluation einer neuen Methode zur Bestimmung der Zyklofusionskompetenz.
Patienten und Methoden Die maximale In- und Exzyklofusionskompetenz wurde bei 20 Normalprobanden (15 w, 5 m, mittleres Alter 36 ± 9,9 Jahre) gemessen. Den Probanden wurden zufallsgeneriert Landolt-Ringe als nur binokular sichtbare, simultane Stimuli in Form dynamischer Random-Dot-Stereogramme auf einem 3-D-Monitor präsentiert. Mithilfe einer Shutterbrille erfolgte die seitengetrennte, 3-dimensionale Stimulation für das rechte und das linke Auge. Die gegensinnige Rotation der Stimuli erfolgte in 0,5°-Schritten. Bei 10 Probanden wurde die Messung wiederholt, um die Reproduzierbarkeit zu bestimmen.
Ergebnisse Die Inzyklofusionsbreite lag zwischen 2,5° und 6°, die Exzyklofusionsbreite zwischen 3° und 5,5°. Die mittlere Inzyklofusionskompetenz betrug 3,71° (SD 0,82). Die mittlere Exzyklofusionskompetenz betrug 4,24° (SD 0,73). Die wiederholten Messungen der In- und Exzyklofusionskompetenz bei der gleichen Person wichen durchschnittlich um ca. 0,5° voneinander ab (0,55° bei Inzyklofusion, 0,45° bei Exzyklofusion).
Schlussfolgerung Die Verwendung dynamischer 3-D-Random-Dot-Stereogramme ermöglicht eine zuverlässige und gut reproduzierbare Bestimmung der Zyklofusion. Die ermittelten Zyklofusionskompetenzen lagen über den Literaturangaben für dissoziierende 2-D-Messtechniken.
Effectiveness of TC-325 (Hemospray) for treatment of diffuse or refractory upper gastrointestinal bleeding – a single center experience
Authors: Cahyadi Oscar , Bauder Markus , Meier Benjamin , Caca Karel , Schmidt Arthur 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Background and study aims TC-325 (Hemospray, Cook Medical) is a powder agent for endoscopic hemostasis in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Although most publications are based on case-reports and retrospective studies, data on efficacy are promising. Here we report our experience with TC-325 for diffuse or refractory UGIB.
Patients and methods Data on patients receiving TC-325 for endoscopic hemostasis from November 2013 to February 2017 at our center were analyzed retrospectively. Primary endpoints were technical success (successful immediate hemostasis) and clinical success (effective hemostasis and no recurrent bleeding). Secondary endpoints were recurrent bleeding within 3 and 7 days, hospital mortality and TC-325 associated complications. TC-325 was used for bleeding not amenable to standard endoscopic treatment (e. g. diffuse bleeding) or as salvage therapy after failure of conventional methods
Results Fifty-two patients received TC-325 treatment. Most of the patients were treated for peptic ulcer bleeding (18/52 patients, 34.6 %) and post-interventional bleeding (13/52 patients, 25 %). Hemospray was used in 23/52 (44.2 %) patients as monotherapy and in 29/52 (55.8 %) patients as a salvage therapy. Application of the powder on the bleeding source was successful in all patients with no therapy-related adverse events (AEs). Immediate hemostasis was achieved in 51/52 (98.1 %) patients. Recurrent bleeding within 3 and 7 days was observed in 22/51 and 25/51 patients respectively (43.1 % and 49 %). The overall clinical success was 56.9 % on day 3 and 51 % on day 7. Total mortality was 15.4 % (8 patients), bleeding associated mortality was 3.8 % (2 patients). There were no therapy-related AEs.
Conclusions TC-325 showed a high technical success rate as monotherapy for bleeding sources not amenable to standard methods or as an “add-on” therapy after unsuccessful hemostasis. However, rebleeding was frequent in this cohort and further studies are warranted to exactly define a treatment algorithm for TC-325 use.
The Effects of a Modified High-carbohydrate High-fat Diet on Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Male Rats
Authors: Wong Sok , Chin Kok-Yong , Suhaimi Farihah , Ahmad Fairus , Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMetabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. A previous study has established that high-carbohydrate high-fat diet (HCHF) can induce MetS in rats. In this study, we modified components of the diet so that it resembled the diet of Southeast Asians. This study aimed to determine the effects of this modified HCHF diet on metabolic parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats (n=14) were randomised into two groups. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The MetS group was given the HCHF diet, comprises of fructose, sweetened condensed milk, ghee, Hubble Mendel and Wakeman salt mixture, and powdered rat food. The diet regimen was assigned for a period of 16 weeks. Metabolic syndrome parameters (abdominal circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile) were measured at week 0, 8, 12, and 16 of the study. The measurement of whole body composition (fat mass, lean mass, and percentage of fat) was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at week 0, 8, and 16. Our results indicated that the components of MetS were partially developed after 8 weeks of HCHF diet. Systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, fat content, and percentage of fat was significantly higher in the HCHF group compared to normal group (p<0.05). After 12 weeks of HCHF diet, the rats showed significant increases in abdominal circumference, blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia compared to normal control (p<0.05). In conclusion, MetS is successfully established in male rats induced by the modified HCHF diet after 12 weeks.
In-vitro-Untersuchung zur optischen Qualität segmental refraktiver multifokaler Intraokularlinsen
Authors: Yildirim Timur Mert , Auffarth Gerd Uwe , Tandogan Tamer , Liebing Stephanie , Labuz Grzegorz , Choi Chul Young , Khoramnia Ramin 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Kenntnisse zur optischen Qualität verschiedener Intraokularlinsen (IOL) sind wichtig für eine individualisierte Patientenversorgung. In dieser Studie wurde die optische Qualität dreier segmentaler Intraokularlinsen untersucht.
Material und Methoden Analysiert wurden an der optischen Bank OptiSpheric IOL PRO (Trioptics GmbH, Wedel) die LENTIS Comfort LS-313 MF15, LENTIS Mplus X LS-313 MF30 und LENTIS High Add IOL LS-313 MF80 (Oculentis, Berlin) mit jeweils einer Brechkraft von + 21 dpt für die Ferne. Die Linsen haben nahezu das gleiche optische Design, unterscheiden sich jedoch hinsichtlich ihrer Brechkraft im Nahteilsegment: Die MF15 hat eine Nahaddition von + 1,5 dpt zur Verbesserung des Sehens im Intermediärbereich, die MF30 hat eine Nahaddition von + 3 dpt und die MF80 eine Nahaddition von + 8 dpt. Untersucht wurden der Flächenanteil unter der Kurve der Modulationstransferfunktion (MTFa) und die Strehl Ratio jeweils bei einer Blendengröße von 3 mm (photopisch) und 4,5 mm (mesopisch).
Ergebnisse Die MTFa-Werte für den Fernfokus lagen bei 33,34/30,80/51,53 (MF15/MF30/MF80) bei einer Blendengröße von 3 mm und 25,38/22,52/43,15 bei einer Blendengröße von 4,5 mm. Für den Intermediärfokus erreichten die MTFa-Werte 29,85/16,21/6,25 für eine Blendengröße von 3 mm und 23,92/8,05/3,08 für 4,5 mm. Die MTFa-Werte für den Nahfokus waren 9,75/21,49/33,12 für eine Blendengröße von 3 mm und 4,95/22,70/31,68 für 4,5 mm. Die Strehl Ratio des Fernfokusses war 0,34/0,30/0,52 für eine Blendengröße von 3 mm und 0,24/0,22/0,43 für 4,5 mm. Für den Intermediärfokus betrug die Strehl Ratio 0,30/0,17/0,07 für eine Blendengröße von 3 mm und 0,24/0,08/0,03 bei 4,5 mm. Die Strehl Ratio des Nahfokusses betrug 0,10/0,22/0,33 bei einer Blendengröße von 3 mm und 0,05/0,23/0,32 bei 4,5 mm.
Schlussfolgerung Es kann bestätigt werden, dass die Addition einen Einfluss auf die optische Qualität von segmentalen Bifokallinsen hat. Für den Fernfokus sind die Ergebnisse der MF15 und MF30 hinsichtlich der optischen Qualität ähnlich. Im Intermediärfokus erreicht die MF15 die besten Werte. Im Nahbereich erreicht die MF30 bessere Werte als die MF15. Die für Patienten mit Makulopathien konzipierte MF80 liefert sowohl im Fern- als auch für im Nahbereich eine gute optische Qualität.
How social information can improve estimation accuracy in human groups
Authors: Jayles Bertrand , Kim Hye-rin , Escobedo Ramón , Cezera Stéphane , Blanchet Adrien , Kameda Tatsuya , Sire Clément , Theraulaz Guy 
Published: November 2017

Significance
Digital technologies deeply impact the way that people interact. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how social influence affects individual and collective decision-making. We performed experiments where subjects had to answer questions and then revise their opinion after knowing the average opinion of some previous participants. Moreover, unbeknownst to the subjects, we added a controlled number of virtual participants always giving the true answer, thus precisely controlling social information. Our experiments and data-driven model show how social influence can help a group of individuals collectively improve its performance and accuracy in estimation tasks depending on the quality and quantity of information provided. Our model also shows how giving slightly incorrect information could drive the group to a better performance.
Mining Meaning from the Rhetoric of Nature—Australian Mining Companies and their attitudes to the environment at home and abroad
Authors: McEachern Doug 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
This article explores the claims used by international mining companies, based in Australia, to justify the impact which their activities have on the environment in both Australia and Melanesia. The first section of the paper looks at the character of the major mining companies involved. The second provides an account of the forms of rhetoric used to defend their actions. These defences include the invocation of a rhetoric of nature. The third section of the paper considers the political dynamics of mining company responses to environmental criticism and regulation. The article concludes with an account of the potential for mining companies to embrace the goal of (ecologically) sustainable development.
Accord VII: Collective Bargaining In a Labourist Framework
Authors: Singleton Gwynneth 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The Accord of 1983 gave substance to Australian labourism as a partnership in government between the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Hawke Labor Government to deliver real wage maintenance ‘over time’ for all workers through a system of centralised wage-fixing and full wage indexation. Accord VII, on the other hand, offers a decentralised system of enterprise bargaining that delivers variable wage outcomes across and within industries. The paper finds limited coherence between the outcomes of Accord VII and corporatism in the Panitch/Winkler mode of labour subordination and the greater association with the Crouch concept of bargained corporatism because it delivers some positive benefits to labour. The paper concludes that the political linkage between the ACTU and the ALP places Accord VII more in the context of traditional Australian labourism predicated on union support for wage restraint in return for select benefits to a ‘labour aristocracy’, continuation of the safety-net and a protective Labor government.
In 1990 I described the Accord as ‘an alliance or partnership in government between the Australian trade union movement and the Australian Labor Party’ in the ‘labourist tradition’, a strategy to achieve their economic, electoral and social objectives through Labor in government (Singleton 1990).
The several configurations of the Accord since 1983 have seen the original agreement transformed from centralised wage indexation to the current Accord VII two-tier system of decentralised enterprise-based productivity bargaining, supported by a safety net based on maintenance of the award system and increases for those unable to secure a result through enterprise bargaining. The original Accord sought equitable outcomes from centralised wage-fixing. Accord VII, while claiming the advancement of equity is central to its wages policy, is premised on equal access but variable outcomes across and within industries.
The paper will examine the capacity of Australian workers to achieve wage increases under Accord VII and analyse whether the outcomes give credence to a corporatist critique of this latest version of the Accord as the tool of capital to induce wage restraint from labour or alternatively, whether the two-tier system embodied in Accord VII upholds the labourist underpinnings of the original Accord that sought to manage the capitalist state to the advantage of working people through Labor in government (Singleton 1990, Chapter 11).
Cambodia after UNTAC: The Domestic Limits to International Intervention
Authors: Martin Tom 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The UN's unprecedented commitment in Cambodia was to be the harbinger of a revived role for the UN in enhancing international peace and security in the post-Cold War era. However, in the initial optimism associated with this renewed hope, the nature of the challenge the UN faces in cases of international intervention was not fully recognised. This paper focuses on the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and the nature of Cambodian politics since UNTAC. In drawing attention to the complexity of domestic conflict in Cambodia, it argues that if there is a lesson to be learnt from UNTAC, it lies in the need to examine the limits of international attempts to transform political cultures and to monitor political developments and enforce agreements once a mandate has expired.
Organisation Theory and Postmodern Thinking: The uncertain place of Human Agency
Authors: Carr Adrian 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPostmodernist formulations are increasingly being entertained throughout the social sciences—creating turbulence for those fields who traditionally draw from the social and human sciences. Fundamental ‘troths’ are being revisited and taken- for-granted assumptions are being reconsidered. Much of the postmodernist formulations leave us an image of the individual (to be read ‘subject’) whose existence and constitution is a textual creation, and whose intentionally is dissolved in the liquor that is the text. The integrated self is replaced with, at best, a fragmented self. In the postmodernists' declaration of ‘the death-of-the-subject’ putatively there is a declaration of the death of a number of fields and a need for significant reform in others. Using, as an example, the current discourse in organisation theory and administrative theory this paper highlights how postmodernist formulations brush against the grain of the existing paradigms of these fields and in so doing, draws attention to aspects of our theorising that have been neglected or obscured.
Economic Development in South Korea: By-product of Military Regimes
Authors: Han Gil Soo , Sharp Rachel 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper is a brief account of ‘miraculous’ economic development in postwar South Korea. The paper provides a short appraisal of existing perspectives regarding Korean economic development and discusses how three recent military regimes utilized current opportunities in relation to the international political economy situation and Korean society including its Confucian culture. Focus is given to the ways in which military regimes have constantly pursued development as a way of justifying their regimes. While pursuing growth and exported-oriented policies, the regimes in South Korea adopted a tight control over industrial relations and a low wage policy towards its work force.
Port Corporatisation in Australia: Dilemmas of Microeconomic Reform
Authors: Everett Sophia 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Corporatisation and privatisation strategies in Australian ports are part of an ongoing microeconomic reform program by Australian governments to establish the maritime sector along commercially viable and competitive bases. Privatisation strategies transfer ports to non-government operators and subsequently operate under regulatory regimes identical to those imposed on any other business. Due to the inability of government to separate commercial imperatives from political control the processes of corporatisation becomes rather complex.
Reform strategies in Australian ports are about removing or distancing governments from day to day commercial operations. This places governments in some dilemma for if they retain ownership Ministers remain accountable. Clearly for government owned businesses to operate like the private sector they must have freedom to respond to market demands and have independence from political constraints. This places on governments the onus to separate commercial and political imperatives. To date, this remains unresolved and, moreover, while port corporatisation is in its infancy, some practices are emerging which are anticompetitive and non-commercial. Thus, they do not reflect freedom from political control.