bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pull-out strength of cemented solidversusfenestrated pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae
Authors: Leichtle C. I. , Lorenz A. , Rothstock S. , Happel J. , Walter F. , Shiozawa T. , Leichtle U. G. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesCement augmentation of pedicle screws could be used to improve screw stability, especially in osteoporotic vertebrae. However, little is known concerning the influence of different screw types and amount of cement applied. Therefore, the aim of this biomechanical in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of cement augmentation on the screw pull-out force in osteoporotic vertebrae, comparing different pedicle screws (solid and fenestrated) and cement volumes (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL).Materials and MethodsA total of 54 osteoporotic human cadaver thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were instrumented with pedicle screws (uncemented, solid cemented or fenestrated cemented) and augmented with high-viscosity PMMA cement (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL). The insertion torque and bone mineral density were determined. Radiographs and CT scans were undertaken to evaluate cement distribution and cement leakage. Pull-out testing was performed with a material testing machine to measure failure load and stiffness. The paired t-test was used to compare the two screws within each vertebra.ResultsMean failure load was significantly greater for fenestrated cemented screws (+622 N; p ⩽ 0.001) and solid cemented screws (+460 N; p ⩽ 0.001) than for uncemented screws. There was no significant difference between the solid and fenestrated cemented screws (p = 0.5). In the lower thoracic vertebrae, 1 mL cement was enough to significantly increase failure load, while 3 mL led to further significant improvement in the upper thoracic, lower thoracic and lumbar regions.ConclusionConventional, solid pedicle screws augmented with high-viscosity cement provided comparable screw stability in pull-out testing to that of sophisticated and more expensive fenestrated screws. In terms of cement volume, we recommend the use of at least 1 mL in the thoracic and 3 mL in the lumbar spine. Cite this article: C. I. Leichtle, A. Lorenz, S. Rothstock, J. Happel, F. Walter, T. Shiozawa, U. G. Leichtle. Pull-out strength of cemented solid versus fenestrated pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:419–426.
Generation of Full-Length Class I Human Leukocyte Antigen Gene Consensus Sequences for Novel Allele Characterization
Authors: Clark Peter M , Duke Jamie L , Ferriola Deborah , Bravo-Egana Valia , Vago Tunde , Hassan Aniqa , Papazoglou Anna , Monos Dimitri 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDRoutine, high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping by next generation sequencing within clinical immunogenetics laboratories can now provide the full-length gene sequence characterization of fully phased HLA alleles. This powerful technique provides insights into HLA variation beyond the traditionally characterized antigen recognition domain, providing sequence annotation across the entire gene including untranslated and intronic regions and may be used to characterize novel alleles from massively parallel sequencing runs.METHODSWe evaluated the utility of the Omixon Holotype HLA assay to generate credible, fully phased full-length gene consensus sequences for 50 individuals at major histocompatibility complex, class I, A (HLA-A), HLA-B, and HLA-C loci (300 genotyped alleles in total) to identify and characterize novel class I HLA alleles using our downstream analytical pipeline.RESULTSOur analysis revealed that 7.7% (23/300) of genotyped class I HLA alleles contain novel polymorphisms. Interestingly, all of the novel alleles identified by our analysis were found to harbor sequence variations within intronic regions of the respective locus. In total our analysis identified 17 unique novel class I HLA alleles from 23 of the 300 genotyped alleles and generated full-length gene sequence annotations for 9 previously incompletely annotated HLA class I allele sequences derived from 14 of the 300 genotyped alleles.CONCLUSIONSThe demonstrated utility of the Omixon Holotype HLA assay in combination with our downstream analytical framework to generate fully phased, full-length gene consensus sequences for the identification and characterization of novel HLA alleles, facilitates the study of HLA polymorphism beyond the antigen recognition domain in human health and disease.
Ökologisches Verantwortungsbewusstsein und Ansatzpunkte zur Förderung im Unternehmen
Authors: Ewers Eyko , Hoff Ernst-Η. , Walter Jens 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
In diesem Beitrag wird eine Konzeption zum ökologischen Verantwortungsbewusstsein vorgestellt, die sich auf folgende Teilbereiche bezieht: (a) auf das ökologische Denken bzw. Strukturwissen zu Umweltproblemen; (b) auf ökologische Kontrollvorstellungen zu Handlungsmöglichkeiten angesichts dieser Probleme sowie (c) auf ökologische Moral- bzw. Wertvorstellungen. Zuerst geht es um die theoretischen und empirischen Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Teilbereichen. Außerdem wird auf Bezüge zum tatsächlichen Umwelthandeln eingegangen. Anschließend werden Konsequenzen für die Förderung des ökologischen Verantwortungsbewusstseins und des Umwelthandelns im Unternehmen aufgezeigt. Diese zielen vor allem auf den Bereich der Umweltbildung, auf die Integration individuellen Umwelthandelns in kollektive Handlungsstrategien und auf die Entwicklung einer ökologischen Konfliktkultur im Unternehmen.
Umweltmanagementsysteme: Hemmschuh oder Auslöser für sozial-ökologische Lernprozesse in Kleinunternehmen der Bauwirtschaft?
Authors: Becke Guido , Meschkutat Bärbel , Weddige Petra 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Die Einführung eines Umweltmanagements ist in Kleinbetrieben vergleichsweise wenig verbreitet. Anhand eines Modellprojekts in der Bauwirtschaft soll aufgezeigt werden, unter welchen Voraussetzungen das Umweltmanagement als Katalysator für sozial-ökologische Lernprozesse in Kleinunternehmen wirken kann. Eine kommunikative und organisatorische Einbettung von Managementsystemen ist erforderlich für ihre Anschlussfähigkeit an kleinbetriebliche Strukturen. Ein umweltorientierter Organisationswandel bleibt begrenzt, wenn es nicht gelingt, paternalistische Kommunikationsmuster in Kleinunternehmen zu verändern.
Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of Leishmania tropica PDI-2 protein
Authors: Ali Dina , Abbady Abdul-Qader , Kweider Mahmoud , Soukkarieh Chadi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn Leishmania species, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes thiol-disulfide interchange. The present work describes the isolation, cloning, sequencing and expression of the pdI-2 gene. Initially, the gene was amplified from L. tropica genomic DNA by PCR using specific primers before cloning into the expression vector pET-15b. The construct pET/pdI-2 was transformed into BL21(DE3) cells and induced for the protein expression. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis showed that the expressed protein is about 51 kDa. Cloned gene sequence analysis revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence showed significant homology with those of several parasites PDIs. Finally, recombinant protein was purified with a metal-chelating affinity column. The putative protein was confirmed as a thiol - disulfide oxidoreductase by detecting its activity in an oxidoreductase assay. Assay result of assay suggested that the PDI-2 protein is required for both oxidation and reduction of disulfide bonds in vitro. Antibodies reactive with this 51 kDa protein were detected by Western blot analysis in sera from human infected with L. tropica. This work describes for the first time the enzymatic activity of recombinant L. tropica PDI-2 protein and suggests a role for this protein as an antigen for the detection of leishmaniasis infection.
High potential of sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands for sheep epizoochory
Authors: Kaligarič Mitja , Brecl Jožica , Škornik Sonja 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThere is a general decline of grasslands across Europe due to habitat loss and degradation. Ensuring plant dispersal thus becomes a key process for preserving grassland patches in all scales. We examined diaspore dispersal by sheep epizoochory in the pastures of the North Adriatic Karst (NW Slovenia) and determined the qualitative and quantitative features of diaspores in fur. We recorded 25,650 diaspores of 141 plant taxa (with 107 taxa and 23,350 diaspores determined to species level), using three different methods: (i) the “whole-coat method”, (ii) the “part-of-thecoat method” and (iii) a “seedling emergence method”. A comparison of these techniques revealed that the “wholecoat method” provided the highest number of diaspores and plant species. All diaspores were clustered into five emergent groups based on seven functional traits (diaspore weight, length, width, height, volume, specific weight and the diaspore surface structure). Our research revealed that sheep represent an important dispersal vector, since about half of the plant species recorded in the pastures were found as diaspores in fur. This study contributes to knowledge about the modes of seed dispersal in seminatural grasslands. Taking into account that livestock play a key role in vegetation dynamics, understanding their effects on seed dispersal is essential for conservation and restoration of these species-rich grassland communities.
Abnormal expressed long non-coding RNA IRAIN inhibits tumor progression in human renal cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Zhiqiang Wang , Qian Liu , Tieqiang Li , Xiaodong Li , Guangwei Zhang , Yang Li , Hao Zi , Chaoyang Zhu 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) IRAIN has been verified to have key roles in tumor biology. The aim of this study was to explore its expression and biological functions in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells.MethodsQuantitative RT-PCR was applied to detect the RNA expression of IRAIN in RCC tissues and cell lines when compared with respective controls. MTT and flow cytometry methods were respectively used to monitor the cell proliferation and apoptosis of 786-O cells after IRAIN was overexpressed. Altered expression of cyclin D1 and Bax was determined by immunoblotting. Xenograft models were finally carried out to confirm the roles of IRAIN in RCC in vivo.ResultsIRAIN expression was found to be remarkably decreased in RCC tissues and cell lines. Its overexpression in 786-O cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. We further demonstrated that cyclin D1 was reduced while apoptosis promoting protein Bax was elevated in IRAIN-overexpressed 786-O cells. Importantly, we found that IRAIN overexpression could suppress in vivo tumorigenesis of RCC, reflected by tumor volume and tumor weight measurement.ConclusionIRAIN might serve as a novel tumor suppressing lncRNA and a potential therapeutic target in RCC treatment.
Poly(acrylamide)-MWNTs hybrid hydrogel with extremely high mechanical strength
Authors: Feng Huanhuan , Zheng Tingting , Wang Xuezhen , Wang Huiliang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPoly(acrylamide)-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PAAm-MWNTs) hybrid hydrogels were prepared through the radiation-induced polymerization and crosslinking of the aqueous solution of acrylamide and well-dispersed MWNTs for the first time. The PAAm gels obtained by the radiation-induced polymerization and cosslinking showed very high mechanical strengths, and the PAAm-MWNTs hybrid hydrogels had improved mechanical properties compared with the PAAm gels, and hence the PAAm-MWNTs hybrid hydrogels showed extremely high compressive and tensile strengths. The hybrid hydrogels with water contents more than 80 wt.% usually did not fracture even at compressive strengths close to or even more than 60 MPa and strains more than 97%. And the hybrid hydrogels had very high elongations (more than 2000% in some cases), especially when the water content was high. The tensile strengths were in sub-MPa. The hybrid PAAm-MWNTs hydrogel is one of the strongest hydrogel even made.
Hydrothermal decomposition of actinide(IV) oxalates: a new aqueous route towards reactive actinide oxide nanocrystals
Authors: Walter Olaf , Popa Karin , Blanco Oliver Dieste 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe hydrothermal decomposition of actinide(IV) oxalates (An= Th, U, Pu) at temperatures between 95 and 250 °C is shown to lead to the production of highly crystalline, reactive actinide oxide nanocrystals (NCs). This aqueous process proved to be quantitative, reproducible and fast (depending on temperature). The NCs obtained were characterised by X-ray diffraction and TEM showing their size to be smaller than 15 nm. Attempts to extend this general approach towards transition metal or lanthanide oxalates failed in the 95–250 °C temperature range. The hydrothermal decomposition of actinide oxalates is therefore a clean, flexible and powerful approach towards NCs of AnO2 with possible scale-up potential.
Determination of vapor—liquid equilibrium diagrams of multicomponent systems
Authors: Serafimov Leonid , Frolkova Anastasia 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA method for the determination of vapor–liquid phase diagram structure of five-component systems based on the analysis of types and Poincare indexes of singular points of the geometric scan and full structure of the concentration simplex is proposed. Validity of the proposed method was demonstrated by vapor–liquid equilibrium modeling in five-component mixtures: ethanol + water + toluene + butanol + chlorbenzene and acetone + chloroform + ethanol + cyclohexane + water.
Magnetic properties of binary and ternary mixed metal oxides NiFe2O4 and Zn0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 doped with rare earths by sol—gel synthesis
Authors: Tsvetkov Martin , Milanova Maria , Pereira Laura C. J. , Waerenborgh João C. , Cherkezova-Zheleva Zara , Zaharieva Joana , Mitov Ivan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe spinel-type ferrites NiFe
Synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from glucose in a biphasic medium with AlCl3 and boric acid as the catalyst
Authors: Xu Zhi-Lei , Wang Xiao-Yue , Shen Mei-Yu , Du Chang-Hai 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn combination with non-corrosive and low-toxic boric acid, AlCl3 ·6H2O was found to be effective for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from glucose. In this work, a 5-HMF yield of ≈ 60 % was obtained at 170°C for 40 min in a H
Why is diagnosis not probabilistic in clinical-pathological conference (CPCs): Point
Authors: Jain Bimal P. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The main reason a probabilistic approach is not employed for diagnosis in clinical-pathological conferences (CPCs) is the notion of prior probability as prior evidence in it which encourages failure to suspect diseases with atypical presentations thus increasing diagnostic errors. In addition, errors in some individual persons are a necessary consequence of employing a probabilistic approach for inference as is seen in its use in the life insurance business. This consequence is in conflict with the aim in diagnosis of determining a disease correctly in every individual patient which also leads to a probabilistic approach not being employed in CPCs.
Changes in cognitive function after pediatric intensive care unit rounds: a prospective study
Authors: Friedman Matthew L. , McBride Mary E. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background:
Mental fatigue is impaired cognitive function induced by engaging in cognitively demanding activities. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) rounds are demanding and may be a cause of impaired cognitive functioning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if PICU rounds induce poorer performance on cognitive tasks after rounds compared to before rounds and assess the feasibility of cognitive testing in the PICU.

Methods:
This was a prospective study of residents in the PICU. Participants were evaluated before and after rounds on a single day, consisting of two tests of cognitive function that are sensitive to mental fatigue, the cognitive estimation test (CET) and the repeatable episodic memory test (REMT).

Results:
Thirty residents participated. The mean length of rounds was 191 min (SD 33.8 min), the mean number of patients rounded on by the team was 14.9 (SD 2.3) and the median patients presented by the participant was two (range 0–6). The average number of words recalled on the REMT was significantly lower after rounds compared to before (29.6 vs. 31.2, p < 0.05). There were significantly more falsely recalled words after rounds (1.3 vs. 0.7, p=0.02). There was a correlation between worsening performance and later time of testing in the 4-week PICU rotation (r=0.42, p < 0.02). There were no differences in performance on the CET.

Conclusions:
PICU rounds induced impairments on cognitive testing but the effect size is small and not consistent across tests. There is an increased susceptibility to impaired cognition induced by rounds over the course of a rotation, this finding merits further investigation.
Inflationäre Schocks in Deutschland: Eine Common Trends Analyse / Inflationary Shocks in Germany: A Common Trends Analysis
Authors: Carstensen Kai , Hansen Gerd 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
In diesem Beitrag wird die Inflationsrate in Deutschland mit Hilfe eines Common Trends Modells untersucht. Ausgehend von einem IS-LM Modell der offenen Volkswirtschaft wird zunächst eine Kointegrationsanalyse durchgeführt, die der Bestimmung plausibler Langfristbeziehungen dient. Darauf aufbauend werden permanent und transitorisch wirkende Schocks strukturell identifiziert und hinsichtlich ihrer Bedeutung für die Inflationsentwicklung untersucht. Es zeigt sich, daß permanent wirkende Angebotsschocks langfristig zu einer Zunahme, transitorische Angebotsschocks hingegen zu einer vorübergehenden Reduktion der Inflationsrate führen. Negative Inflationserwartungsschocks besitzen dagegen eindeutig eine inflationssenkende Wirkung.
Selbständige in die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung? / Should Self-employed Persons Subject to the Statutory Pay-as-you-go Pension System?
Authors: Jess Heinrich 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
Die vorliegende Arbeit stützt sich auf frühere Arbeiten von Kifmann (2001) und Buslei (2002) und untersucht eine Einbeziehung der Selbständigen in das System der gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung ab dem Jahr 2005 im Rahmen eines numerischen Gleichgewichtsmodells überlappender Generationen. Im Gegensatz zu den bisherigen Arbeiten wird hier erstmals die zukünftige Bevölkerungsentwicklung und eine steigende Lebenserwartung in Abhängigkeit von sozio-ökonomischen Merkmalen berücksichtigt. Die Simulationen werden für eine kleine offene Volkswirtschaft und eine geschlossene Volkswirtschaft unter Berücksichtigung von Anpassungskosten bei den Investitionen durchgeführt. In weiteren Simulationen wird die Veränderung des Altersquotienten im Zeitraum 2020 bis 2030 zur Absenkung des Nettorentenniveaus auf 60 % instrumentalisiert.
Im Rahmen der Untersuchung wird zwischen 5 Einkommensklassen sowie Arbeitnehmern und Selbständigen unterschieden. Die sich ergebenden intra- und intergenerativen Wohlfahrtseffekte zeigen, daß durch die Versicherungspflicht der Selbständigen und eine zeitlich verzögerte Absenkung des Nettorenteniveaus im Zeitraum 2020-2030 eine dauerhafte Besserstellung des bisher pflichtversicherten Personenkreises möglich ist.
Poverty Measurement Under Income Risk / Armutsmessung bei Einkommensrisiken
Authors: Weikard Hans-Peter 
Published: September 2016

Summary
Poverty indices are usually calculated on the basis of (cross section) income data from the past. As past income is fixed and future income is uncertain such measurement does not reflect the ex ante risk of falling into poverty. This paper presents refinements of commonly used poverty measures to account for income risk. It is shown that the standard headcount ratio underestimates poverty in societies with moderate poverty if income is risky. The Foster, Greer and Thorbecke measure always underestimates poverty if income risk is neglected.
Consistency in Aggregation / Aggregationskonsistenz
Authors: Auer Ludwig von 
Published: September 2016

Summary
In empirical economic research, individual prices are often aggregated into average prices of subaggregates. Then, these average prices are aggregated to produce the average price of the total aggregate. Often, such two stage procedures help to illuminate the underlying forces driving the overall result. Since price data are usually published as price changes, this two stage aggregation is typically based on some price index formula. In this paper, various screening devices are introduced which help to differentiate between suitable and unsuitable formulas. It is argued that testing for weak consistency in aggregation is a particularly important screening device. If a price index formula fails the weak consistency test and, nevertheless, this formula is used for a multi stage price index computation, then the measured overall price change depends on the number of computational stages and also on the precise manner in which the elementary items are partitioned into subaggregates. In other words, the findings are not robust and cannot be considered as particularly reliable. Based on these screening devices, it is examined which price index formulas can be expected to produce consistent results.
Die betriebliche Weiterbildung im organisatorischen Wandel / Continuous Training and Organizational Change
Authors: Berthold Norbert , Stettes Oliver 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag zeigt, dass die Reorganisation von Unternehmen mit einem Wandel von einer tayloristischen Organisationsform in eine holistische erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Weiterbildungsbereitschaft des Unternehmens hat. Die Abflachung von Hierarchien, die Partizipation der Mitarbeiter an Informations- und Entscheidungsprozessen sowie die Aufgabe der strengen funktionalen Arbeitsteilung erhöhen die Nachfrage nach qualifizierter Arbeit nicht nur dauerhaft, sondern verschieben sie auch zu Gunsten von multifunktionalem, transferierbarem Humankapital. Die zusätzlichen Qualifikationsanforderungen bewegen holistische Unternehmen, ihre Beschäftigten für die neuen Aufgaben weiterzubilden. Multifunktional ausgebildete Arbeitnehmer versichern das Unternehmen gegen negative Schocks und damit gegen Ertragsminderungen. Dies setzt jedoch voraus, dass die Beschäftigten auch nach Ablauf der Fortbildungsperiode im Unternehmen verbleiben. Unvollkommenheiten auf dem Arbeitsmarkt leisten die Gewähr, dass die Mobilität der Arbeitnehmer ex post reduziert ist und die Betriebe entgegen den Standardaussagen der Humankapitaltheorie ihre Finanzierungsbeteiligung an allgemeinen, multifunktionalen Humankapitalinvestitionen amortisieren können. Die institutionelle Ausgestaltung der Arbeitsmarktordnung in Deutschland hemmt jedoch die Finanzierungsbereitschaft der Betriebe bei allgemeinen Humankapitalinvestitionen und erweist sich zunehmend als Hindernis für den organisatorischen Wandel von tayloristischen in holistische Unternehmen.