bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlations of Endogenous Testosterone and DHEA-S in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Nagy Elod , Kun Imre Zoltan , Kelemen Piroska 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Background: there is an overt bias between cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in male and female patients. Research of the past decades postulated that this difference could be due to the lipid-lowering effect of male sexual-steroids, that show decreased values in cardiovascular disease.

Methods: the aim of our study was to determine total serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) on a peripheral arterial disease patient’s cohort (n=35), in comparison with a healthy control group, (n=23) and to establish correlations with other biological risk factors like serum lipids, C-reactive protein, plasma fibrinogen, and the ankle-brachial pressure index.

Results: our results showed that total serum testosterone and DHEA-S were significantly decreased in PAD patients in comparison to the control group. We could not observe any significant correlation with the presence of critical ischemia, the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein or plasma fibrinogen.

Conclusion: these results express that low androgen levels could be implicated in the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease, but testosterone and DHEA-S are not markers of disease severity. The elucidation of their exact role needs larger, population-based studies.
The Impact of Comorbidities on the Efficacy of Percutaneous Nephrolitotomy (PCNL) in Elderly Patients
Authors: Todea-Moga Ciprian , Boja Radu , Porav-Hodade Daniel , Maier Adrian , Vida Oliver , Mártha Orsolya 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PCNL as a method of treatment of renal stones in elderly patients.

Material and method: This was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 5 years in the Clinic of Urology, where we analyzed the surgical protocols and case reports of 56 patients who underwent PCNL intervention.

Results: The incidence of urolithiasis was higher in females 69.6% (n = 39) than in males 30.4% (n = 17). Comorbidities included hypertension (48.2%), chronic ischemic cardiopathy (28.6%), chronic cardiac failure (16.1%), type II diabetes (17.9%), obesity (39.3%), chronic renal failure (8.9%), chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (30.4%), history of kidney stones (21.4%), solitary kidney surgery (1.8%), renal malformation (horseshoe kidney and renal incomplete duplication) (3.6%), urethral stricture (3.6%). Nine patients had a duble “J” catheter inserted on admission. The group of male patients presented prostate hyperplasia in 35.3% of the cases and prostate carcinoma in 5.9% of the cases.

Conclusions: PCNL is an effective and safe treatment of kidney stones in elderly patients, with a stone- free rate increased despite existing comorbidities. The presence of comorbidities requires careful preoperative evaluation. PCNL in elderly patient has similar results to those seen in younger patients.
Teaching Chinese as a foreign language: A classroom study on the timing of grammar around a task
Authors: Baralt Melissa , Bravo Marcela López 
Published: May 2016

AbstractContrary to common belief, there is a place for grammar teaching in task-based language teaching (TBLT). It is still an unresolved debate, however, what the most effectivetimingof grammar teaching is around a task. Citing theory, some methodologists argue against grammar in the pre-task phase (e. g., Willis 1996.A framework for task-based learning. Harlow: Longman; Willis and Willis 2007.Doing task-based teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press), while others argue for it (e. g., DeKeyser 1998. Beyond focus on form: Cognitive perspectives on learning and practicing second language grammar. In C. Doughty & J. Williams (eds.),Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition, 42–63. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Lightbown 1998. What have we here? Some observations on the influence of instruction on L2 learning. In R. Phillipson, E. Kellerman, L. Selinker, M. Sharwood Smith & M. Swain (eds.),Foreign language pedagogy research: A commemorative volume for Claus Faerch, 197–212. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters and Nunan 2004.Task-based language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). Still other methodologists have suggested that a pre-task grammar explanation renders TBLT more culturally appropriate in Confucian-heritage teaching contexts (e. g., Carless 2007. The suitability of task-based approaches for secondary schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong. Schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong.System35. 595–608; Luk 2009. Preparing EFL students for communicative task performance: The nature and role of language knowledge.Asian Journal of English Language Teaching19. 67–90). None of these claims have been tested empirically. The present paper attempts to contribute to that gap by reporting on a case study that took place in a Chinese as a foreign language classroom in the United States. We examined how a Chinese teacher’s grammar teaching in the pre- versus post-task phase differentially affected the task outcome, as well as the teacher’s and learners’ beliefs of which was most effective. One Chinese teacher and 12 learners participated in the study. Results showed that the task outcome was comprised of more language production, accuracy, and modified output, as well as 15 times more interactional turns, when the grammar was explained in thepost-task phase. However, the teacher overwhelmingly valued a grammar explanation in thepre-task phase. Learners were equally divided. We discuss how the methodological timing of grammar shaped discourse differently for the pragmatic ends of tasks, and make suggestions for Chinese teachers new to TBLT.
Motivic decomposition of compactifications of certain group varieties
Authors: Karpenko Nikita A. , Merkurjev Alexander S. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Let D be a central simple algebra of prime degree over a field
and let E be an

𝐒𝐋
1

⁡

(
D
)

{\operatorname{\mathbf{SL}}_{1}(D)}

-torsor.
We determine the complete motivic decomposition of certain compactifications of E.
We also compute the Chow ring of E.
Serum Progranulin Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Shafaei Azam , Marjani Abdoljalal , Khoshnia Masoud 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Introduction. The role of progranulin in individuals with metabolic syndrome is not exactly clear.We aimed to assess the serum level of progranulin in type 2 diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome and compare them with healthy controls.
Methods. The study included 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 healthy individuals as control groups. Biochemical parameters and progranulin levels were determined.
Results. Subjects with metabolic syndrome showed significantly higher levels of triglyceride, waist circumference, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure than subjects without metabolic syndrome and the control groups, while HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients than in the control groups. Serum level of progranulin was slightly increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Serum progranulin level had no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome components.
Conclusions. Serum progranulin was also not dependent on cardiometabolic risk factors for subjects with metabolic syndrome, but it could be considered for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further studies are recommended to explain the effect of progranulin on the pathogenesis of metabolic risk factors.
Die Werturteilsfreiheit als praktisches Postulat der Wissenschaft / The Independence of Judgements as to Value as a Practical Demand of Science
Authors: Meyer Heinz 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
It is discussed, how judgements as to value affect the process of perception: Generally perception seems to be susceptible to guiding prejudices, which bring the process of making hypothesis’ by possible thoughts and falsification as well as confirmation by facts in a special direction. This process is necessary to percept reality. Aims for acting engaged advocated have a tendency, to percept and to discuss only facts, which fit to them. In this way they tend to confirm themselves. Only by relinquishing judgements as to value it seems possible, to confront the field of facts to the hypothesis’ without restrictions, which belong to the results of the investigation. This unrestricted confrontation is necessary, to investigate preliminary opinions, which are made in starting whith theories, questions and methods. In accepting the primateship of sience as the perception of reality - as antithesis to variation of reality - the independence of judgements as to value appears as a practical demand, which certainly also is possible to avail to the variation of reality by preparing true opinions about the reality.
Bedingungen für Widerstandsverhalten in psychologischen Experimenten: Ton der Instruktion sowie Einstellung zum Forschungsgegenstand und Studienfach der Versuchsperson / Factors conditioning reactant behavior in psychological experiments
Authors: Grabitz-Gniech Gisla , Zeisel Birgit 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
According to the Theory of Psychological Reactance from BREHM (1966) people get motivated by freedom restrictions to restore the lost or threatened freedom. Applied to subject behavior in experiments the hypotheses are tested that (1) the emotional sound of an instruction (moral obligating and authoritarian vs. liberal) is able to arouse psychological reactance (the data give partial support); (2) negative attitudes toward psychological experiments cause anticonformity (no support in the data); and additional (3) the field of studies influences students’ behavior in experiments (social scientists show more opposition against authoritarian instructions than economists).
Neuere Literatur zur Methodenlehre der empirischen Sozialforschung / New literature on the methodology of empirical social research
Authors: Schrader Achim 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This review discusses a number of recent publications in the methodology of empirical social research. With one exception, all publications reviewed are in German and the point of view governing their evaluation is their significance for the teaching of sociology. By this we are referring to, on the one hand, their suitability for integrating instruction in empirical research methods into sociological curricula generally and, on the other side, to the question if the measure of consideration given in them to techniques of learning is sufficient to make them commentable for classroom use.
Leistungsgesellschaft in der Diskussion / Achieving society in discussion
Authors: Széplábi Michael 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The aim of this article is to do away with the ambigous and arbitrary use of the term of „Leistungsgesellschaft“ (achieving society), in order to obtain a more clarified applicability for sociology, by the means of a differentiating analysis. Three different levels of definition are found by examining the meanings used to date. Each of these levels are based on different types of the principle of achievement, which we call here: 1. the macro-economic principle of maximal economic growth (type A), 2. the socialpsychological principle of achievement motivation (type B), and 3. the microsociological principle as a constitutive element of a distributive system of social status (type C). Both types A and B produce a relatively precise term of the “achieving society”. The main point of discussion, however, is the third level of definition. Here, the problem begins with the terminological construction, which is not able to integrate the premises to a consistent model. Nevertheless, this model, taken as an ideological instrument, fulfils several social functions.
Determinanten der Einstellung von Eltern zum selbständigen Verhalten der Kinder / Determinants of parents’ attitudes towards independent behavior of children
Authors: Weiß Wolfgang W. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Education towards independence is considered as an important aspect of political socialization. Presupposing an interrelationship between the „attitudes of parents towards independent behavior of children“ (= „AIB“) and the actual independent behavior of children, the following questions were asked in an empirical research paper: Is it meaningful to distinguish between ‚inner independence‘ (to be able to assert oneself and to decide freely for oneself) and ‚outer independence‘ (to be able to rely upon oneself)? What are the respective attitudes influenced by? In a sample (n=764) of 382 mothers and fathers of firstgraders among whom members of lower class as well as members of rural and big-city environments were underrepresented, the AIB and their determinants were explored by means of a questionnaire, especially designed for this purpose.
The distinction between ‚inner and outer independence‘ proved to be meaningful: Certain groups which did not differ in their AIB when observed in an undifferentiated manner showed highly significant differences when observed in a differentiated manner. Furthermore the age of a child seemed to play a part for the AIB since it becomes relevant for certain situations where independence is demanded. Thus mothers proved significantly more positive in their AIB than fathers, when the situation, where independence was demanded revolved around the ‚inner independence‘ of a child under thirteen years of age. On the other hand, when ‚outer independence‘ was demanded or the child was older than thirteen, fathers proved more positive in their AIB.
Obviously society has an immense influence on the AIB. The higher the social class the more positive the AIB and the more frequently „independence“ is chosen by the members of this group as the most important educational goal. Members of the middle class and lower classes differed significantly in their AIB. - A comparison between results of former research papers showed that the AIB is also definitely dependent upon the „historical background“. About 15 years ago the AIB were significantly more negative than in 1973.
Probleme einer sozialstrukturell orientierten Sozialisationsforschung / Problems of socio-structural socialization research
Authors: Bertram Hans 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The paper discusses the thesis that the class specific socialization research of the last years suffers from stagnation, though the programme of the research in this field has not yet reached its aim to explain the relations between socio-structural constellations and the development of modal behavior patterns. The causes for this stagnation are sought both in the theoretically and empirically insufficient analysis of the socio-structural conditions, of the intra-familial communication processes, and of the concepts of individual behavior. Criticism is focussed on methodical issues, for neglecting methodical problems is considered as a specific lack of socialization research.
Multivariate Analyse nominalskalierter Daten / Multivariate analyzing of nominal-scaled data
Authors: Küchler Manfred 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Pointing out difficulties with a substantive interpretation of empirical data when using only traditional methods of data analysis such as crosstabulation of two or at most three variables, two recently suggested models - HARDER’s DO and GOODMAN’s ECTA - are briefly outlined. These two are combined in a new approach that has been developped by the author while analyzing data from two empirical studies. Some practical advice is included to help the average researcher with implementing this way of data analysis at his local computer installation.
Measures of Social Proximity and their Use in Sociometric Research / Maße der sozialen Nähe und ihre Anwendung in der soziometrischen Forschung
Authors: Langeheine Rolf 
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung
Konzepte sozialer Nähe für Paare von Personen eines Netzwerkes sowie Möglichkeiten zur Quantifizierung von Ähnlichkeit, Interaktion bzw. Kohäsion werden diskutiert. Ein Computerprogramm wird vorgestellt, das die Berechnung einer Vielzahl von ,,Proximitätsmaßen“ gestattet. Diese Maße lassen sich mit Hilfe Nichtmetrischer Multidimensionaler Skalierung in einen 2- bzw. 3-dimensionalen euklidischen Raum eskalieren. Schließlich wird an denselben Daten demonstriert, wie sich durch Einsatz des vorliegenden Programms in Verbindung mit Techniken der Nichtmetrischen Multidimensionalen Skalierung und Clusteranalyse Cliquen innerhalb eines Netzwerkes bestimmen lassen.
Einführung in die konfirmatorische Faktorenanalyse / Introduction to Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Authors: Weede Erich , Jagodzinski Wolfgang 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This paper is an attempt to discuss the principles of confirmatory factor analysis in a fairly simple way and without recourse to mathematical techniques which are either difficult or not well-known among German social scientists. Merely knowledge of the fundamentals of path analysis as well as of classical or exploratory factor analysis is taken for granted. Beside first-order factors, second-order factors are introduced. Assumptions and characteristics of confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis are compared with each other. The comparison does not focus on mathematical details but on „psychology“ and practice of research as well as on substantial or theoretical utility of both approaches. Use of confirmatory factor analysis is especially recommended, if there are multiple, but defective indicators for each theoretically important variable, firstly in order to test the assumption of merely random or unsystematic measurement error, secondly in order to eleminate the effects of such errors by moving from the indicator to the factor level of analysis in testing substantial propositions.
Societal Reactions and Engendered Deviation: The Case of Offensive Groups / Gesellschaftliche Reaktionen und erzeugte Abweichung: Der Fall der offensiven Gruppen
Authors: Willke Helmut 
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung
Der Aufsatz befaßt sich mit drei Aspekten der Abweichung von gesellschaftlichen Normen: 1. kollektive Abweichung als Ergebnis struktureller Zwänge, wie sie von Differenzierungsprozessen in hochkomplexen Gesellschaften notwendig hervorgebracht werden; 2. die Entstehung abweichender Gruppen als Strategie der Anpassung an Anomie und 3. die Frage, ob offensive kollektive Abweichung durch gesellschaftliche Reaktionen auf primäre Abweichung erzeugt wird. Im Anschluß an Merton und Dunphy wird gezeigt, daß Form und Folgen der primären Abweichung von Gruppen von den unterschiedlichen Möglichkeiten, Ressourcen und der Kontrollmacht der Gruppe abhängen. Je nach den positiven oder negativen Rückkopplungsprozessen zwischen individuellen, Gruppen- und sekundären Normensystemen können vier Idealtypen von Gruppen unterschieden werden: konforme, abweichende, produktive und regressive Gruppen. Abweichende Gruppen werden durch „defensive Strukturierung“ gekennzeichnet, wenn sie die herrschenden Werte und Normen nur passiv negieren. Sie werden zu offensiven Gruppen, wenn sie den gesellschaftlichen Normen aktiv zuwiderhandeln und wenn ihre Abweichung funktionale Unentbehrlichkeiten berührt. Meine Hypothese ist, daß das Ausmaß und die Intensität staatlicher Kontrolle bei der Entstehung offensiver Gruppen eine wichtige Rolle spielt.
Meßniveau und Analyseverfahren – Das Problem „strittiger Intervallskalen”
Authors: Allerbeck Klaus R. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Many variables used in social research are measured „by fiat”. The „undermeasurement controversy” focusses on the question whether such variables may be treated as interval scales in the process of data analysis. To resolve this issue, the original prescriptions by STEVENS (1946) are critically examined. From a philosophy of science perspective, the problem of the undermeasurement controversy needs redefinition. The traditional issue „Should ordinal scales be treated as interval” is shown to be strictly nonsensical.
A strict comparison of statements about relationships between variables assumed to be „measured” at the ordinal or interval level is not possible. In particular, linearity of relationships is a meaningful concept only if interval scales are assumed. However, statements about 1. existence, 2. direction and 3. comparative strength of relationships are possible at both ordinal and interval levels of measurement. Thus, a meaningful question is whether treatment of an assumed interval scale as merely ordinal yields different or identical statements.
It is empirically demonstrated that for typical social survey data of an attitudinal nature, the use of an ordinal measure of association and the use of product-moment correlation coefficients lead to virtually identical statements (to the extent to which their comparison is meaningful).
The generalizibility of the result is discussed. An argument for the parametric strategy is made. The coding of variables measured by fiat is discussed. Progress of theory-building in sociology requires that theories state more than just the direction of relationships. Thus ratio scales are needed. It is pointed out that metric concepts are both a condition and consequence of development in theory as well as empirical research. A general adoption of a conservative ordinal strategy would effectively prevent such empirical and theoretical progress.
Zeit und Handlung – Eine vergessene Theorie / Time and Action – A Forgotten Theory
Authors: Luhmann Niklas 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The work of VAUVENARGUES (1715-1747) contains the proposal to define action as a countermovement which is made necessary by the continuous vanishing of the present. This was, at his time, an unsuccessful theory because a moralistic and later an utilitarian concept of action prevailed. The sociological theory of action systems, on the other hand, began with a critique of the utilitarian conception of action systems and never arrived at any depth in apprehending the relation of time and action. This historical case study is used to discuss problems of the sociology of knowledge and of action theory as well. It is shown that theories with incommensurable conceptual bases (action as movement and action as event) can nevertheless be compared. And it is proposed to replace the subject/action scheme by a time/action scheme.
Transzendentale Theorie der Gesellschaft: Philosophische Anmerkung zu einem soziologischen Programm
Authors: Gerhardt Volker 
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung
Ausgangspunkt der Studie ist das 1959 von H. Schelsky skizzierte und bis heute noch offene Programm einer „transzendentalen Theorie der Gesellschaft“. Der Autor untersucht, wie sich dieses ausdrücklich auf Kant berufende Programm aus der Sicht der Transzendentalphilosophie begründen läßt. Dabei hebt er die enge Verbindung zwischen neuzeitlichem Weltverständnis und transzendentaler Fragestellung hervor. Danach steht die transzendentale Begründung nicht im Widerspruch zu anderen wissenschaftlichen Verfahren; sie fordert keine bestimmte metaphysische oder moralische Einstellung - ausgenommen die Erkenntnishaltung der modernen Wissenschaft selbst. Eine eigene transzendentale Fragestellung für die Gesellschaftswissenschaften ergibt sich allerdings nur dann, wenn die prinzipielle Differenz von Natur und Gesellschaft in Verbindung mit der konstitutiven Funktion der menschlichen Handlung beachtet wird. Unter dieser Bedingung ist auch aus Kantischer Sicht eine transzendentale Gesellschaftstheorie möglich. Die mit dieser Bedingung verbundene Abgrenzung gegenüber empirischer und systemtheoretischer Fragestellung wird aufgezeigt. Darüberhinaus werden erste schon bei Kant sichtbare Ansätze für eine systematische Behandlung des Programms der transzendentalen Gesellschaftstheorie hervorgehoben.