bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Total Sialic Acid and Highly Sensitive C-reactive Protein: Prognostic Markers for the Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Varma Vandana , Varma Meena , Varma Amit , Kumar Ravindra , Bharosay Anuradha , Vyas Savita 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate and establish the role of total sialic acid (TSA) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its correlation with complications such as diabetic nephropathy.
Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty-seven patients with T2DM with nephropathy (DN) and 162 patients of T2DM without nephropathy (DM) along with 165 unrelated age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum glucose (fasting and postprandial) levels, renal profile, and lipid profile were done as per standard protocol. Serum TSA test levels and hs-CRP level were evaluated using thiobarbituric acid assay and immunoturbidimetric method respectively.
Results: We observed a higher concentration of serum TSA (82.67 ± 6.63 mg/dl) and hs-CRP (3.2 ± 1.44 mg/L) in diabetic nephropathy than the diabetes mellitus group (73.83 ± 6.90 mg/dl and 2.07 ± 1.32 mg/L, respectively). Both TSA and hs-CRP levels were found significantly correlated with fasting and postprandial blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and urine microalbumin levels in both DM and DN groups. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that both TSA and hs-CRP was independently associated with diabetic nephropathy.
Conclusion: High serum TSA and hs-CRP levels may increase the microangiopathic (diabetic nephropathy) complications of T2DM.
Aeromonas spp.: An Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen
Authors: Batra Priyam , Mathur Purva , Misra Mahesh C 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Aeromonads are hallophillic, nonacid fast, nonspore forming, Gram-negative rods which are widely distributed in the soil, foodstuffs, and aquatic environment. Since times immemorial, they are important zoonotic pathogens of poikilotherms but are now emerging as important human pathogens. These emerging enteric pathogens flourish in the water distribution system by forming biofilms. They possess large number of virulence factors including inherent resistance to various antibiotics and ability to form biofilms using quorum sensing. These properties make them easy pathogens for human infections. Aeromonads are important enteric pathogens, but, with the growing level of immunosuppression in the population, they have been associated with various extraintestinal infections, such as skin and soft‑tissue infections, traumatic wound infections, and lower respiratory tract/ urinary tract infections. The average annual incidence of bacteremia in Southern Taiwan due to Aeromonas spp. was 76 cases/ million inhabitants between 2008 and 2010. However, the incidence reported from Western countries is much lower. The case fatality rate among patients with Aeromonas bacteremia ranges from 27.5 to 46%. Aeromonads are universally resistant to the narrow-spectrum penicillin group of antibiotics such as penicillin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, and ticarcillin. They are however susceptible to piperacillin, azlocillin, second and third generation cephalosporins, and carbapenems. Most of the Aeromonas species are susceptible to aminoglycosides, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim‑sulfamethoxazole, quinolones, and monobactams. This manuscript is a comprehensive systematic review of the literature available on Aeromonas spp.
Evaluation of SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0 for Rapid Diagnosis of Syphilis: Report from a Regional Sexually Transmitted Infection Reference Laboratory in North India
Authors: Mehra Bhanu , Bhattar Sonali , Saxena Shikhar , Rawat Deepti , Bhalla Preena 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Background: Serology is considered the mainstay of syphilis diagnosis. The limitations of the traditional serological methods and the advent and availability of novel immunochromatographic assays have led to the widespread application of rapid point-of-care procedures as screening tools for syphilis. However, these tests have not been extensively evaluated. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a rapid syphilis diagnostic test known as SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0 (SD Biostandard Diagnostics Private Limited, Gurgaon, Haryana, India).
Materials and Methods: A panel comprising of 50 venereal disease research laboratory reactive and 50 nonreactive sera was tested using SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0. The performance of the test was evaluated using IMMUTREP Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) (OMEGA Diagnostics Limited, Scotland, United Kingdom) as the reference standard and sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were calculated.
Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0 were 92.86% (confidence interval of 95%: 80.52–98.50%), 98.28% (90.76-99.96%), 97.50% (86.84–99.94%), and 95.00% (86.08–98.96%), respectively, compared to TPHA as the gold standard.
Conclusion: Keeping in view the high sensitivity and specificity of SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0, we conclude that the test can be used as a tool for rapid on-site diagnosis of syphilis and as an alternative to TPHA for detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum.
Vascular malformations of central nervous system: A series from tertiary care hospital in South India
Authors: Karri Sudhir Babu , Uppin Megha S. , Rajesh A. , Ashish K. , Bhattacharjee Suchanda , Rani Y. Jyotsna , Sahu B. P. , Saradhi M. Vijaya , Purohit A. K. , Challa Sundaram 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
Aims and Objectives: To describe clinicopathological features of surgically resected vascular malformations (VMs) of central nervous system (CNS). Materials and Methods: Histologically diagnosed cases of VMs of CNS during April 2010–April 2014 were included. Demographic data, clinical and radiological features were obtained. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed along with Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG), Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, and Perls’ stains. Morphologically, cavernomas and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were distinguished on the basis of vessel wall features on VVG and intervening glial parenchyma. Results: Fifty cases were diagnosed as VMs of CNS with an age range of 14–62 years. These included 36 cavernomas, 12 AVMs, 2 mixed capillary-cavernous angiomas. Most of the cavernoma patients (15/36) presented with seizures, whereas AVM patients (8/12) had a headache as the dominant symptom. Twenty-nine patients were reliably diagnosed on radiological features. Microscopic evidence of hemorrhage was seen in 24/36 cavernomas and 6/12 AVMs, as opposed to radiologic evidence of 10 and 4, respectively. Reactive gliosis was seen in 16 cavernomas. Conclusions: Histological features are important for classifying the VMs of CNS as there are no specific clinical and radiological features. Type of VM has a bearing on management, prognosis, and risk of hemorrhage.
An Historical Perspective of Reward Systems: Lessons Learned from the Scientific Management Era
Authors: Caudill Helene L. , Porter Constance D. 
Published: February 2016

This paper reveals how similar the reward systems prevalent during the scientific management era are to the rewards systems in use today. Systems popular today, such as profit sharing, gain sharing, skill/knowledge-based pay, merit-based pay/pay for performance, and variable-based pay, were also advocated during the reign of scientific management. The ideas expressed by several key scientific management contributors, including Frederick W. Taylor, Henry L. Gantt, Harrington Emerson, and Frank B and Lillian M. Gilbreth, are detailed. These ideas are compared and contrasted with existing reward systems and their underlying premises. In addition, the lessons learned from the scientific management era as they relate to reward system philosophies of today are presented.
Aseptic Technique for Accessing Central Venous Catheters: Applying a Standardised tool to Audit ‘Scrub the Hub’ Practices
Authors: Desra Andra P. , Breen Jennifer , Harper Susan , Slavin Monica A. , Worth Leon J. 
Published: February 2016

Background To reduce the risk of infections associated with indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs), practices for hub disinfection have been widely promoted. The objective of this study was to design and implement a standardised tool to monitor compliance with ‘scrub the hub’ practices at an Australian centre. Methods Review of existing literature and recommendations regarding scrub the hub practices was performed to identify nine key components that could be audited by direct observation of staff in clinical areas. The tool was reviewed by stakeholders in infection prevention, infectious diseases and senior nursing roles prior to pilot evaluation. Results Twenty attempts to access a CVC were audited. In all instances, scrub the hub practices were commenced. However, a 15-second scrub was performed in only 60% of cases, and the hub was permitted to dry in only 65% of instances. With respect to maintaining an aseptic field, the overall compliance was 40%, and compliance was lowest for maintenance of a non-touch technique for key parts and sites, and hand hygiene practices following CVC access. Conclusions A standardised clinical audit tool for monitoring aseptic access of CVCs enabled identification of practices amendable to targeted intervention and education, such as duration of hub disinfection. This tool would be readily utilised to facilitate quality improvement initiatives in a range of healthcare contexts, including high-risk inpatient and ambulatory care settings.
Do físico ao virtual: relações interpessoais que geram redes sociais dos alunos de um curso de graduação
Authors: Satur Roberto Vilmar , Ribeiro Bruno De Araújo , Lima Janecely Silveira de , Dias Guilherme Ataíde 
Published: February 2016

<p><strong>Resumo:</strong></p><p align="center"> </p><p><strong>Introdução:</strong> Nos dias atuais, as redes sociais têm ocasionado uma grande participação no cotidiano das pessoas, em especial aos estudantes, tornando-se uma realidade no meio educacional. Mais do que <em>entretenimento</em>, as redes vem sendo ferramentas de interação valiosas para auxiliar na comunicação da informação.</p><p><strong>Objetivo:</strong> Frente a esse cenário, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é observar a capacidade das interações interpessoais e intragrupo dos alunos de um curso de graduação (Letras Estrangeiras Aplicadas às Negociações Internacionais), de uma universidade pública (UFPB), na formação e expansão de redes sociais iniciadas por meio de contato pessoal e ampliadas para o universo virtual. Nesse sentido, visa especificamente, mapear as interações interpessoais dos alunos na formação de redes sociais e na ampliação de suas relações; descrever quais as formas de interação mais utilizadas e levantar dados básicos do perfil dos atores.</p><p><strong>Metodologia:</strong> Para conhecer melhor essa realidade desses sujeitos foi adotado, como instrumento de coleta de dados, um questionário composto por questões fechadas, direcionadas aos alunos do curso já mencionado. No total, foram listados 95 nomes de alunos no curso, no mês de maio, que podiam ser marcados pelos respondentes. A pesquisa foi aplicada durante todo o mês de junho de 2014 e computou 71 questionários respondidos. Após a coleta, os dados foram lançados e aplicou-se o software Gephi.</p><p><strong>Resultados:</strong> Os resultados mostram a tendência à formação de uma rede ampla dentro do curso, mas mais intensa entre determinados alunos formando minigrupos e a existência de atores-ponte. O artigo também demonstrou que havia uma clara passagem da relação do contato pessoa para o ambiente virtual.</p><strong>Conclusões:</strong> Ainda que as redes sociais podem servir cada vez mais de espaço de comunicação e interação, uma vez que o uso destas na educação está relacionado ao processo de ensino e aprendizagem, havendo avanços nas formas de interação e acesso e busca a informações entre os seus usuários. Assim, estudar os fenômenos que possam traduzir esse novo comportamento e essas novas interações é de fundamental importância, tendo em vista o processo, até certo ponto irreversível de virtualização social.
A relação entre informação, cultura organizacional e tomada de decisão em uma organização
Authors: Lopes Paulo Danelon , Perucchi Valmira 
Published: February 2016

<p><strong>Introdução:</strong> Compreende uma pesquisa documental sobre a relação entre informação, cultura organizacional e tomada de decisão em uma organização.</p><p><strong>Objetivo:</strong> verificar qual a influência da informação, considerando-se a cultura organizacional, na tomada de decisão em uma organização.</p><p><strong>Metodologia:</strong> A revisão de literatura procura contemplar autores especializados nas áreas de informação (Belkin; Borko; Capurro; Choo; Tarapanoff; dentre outros); cultura (Fleury et al.; Moraes e Fadel; Nassar e Schein); tomada de decisão (Angeloni; Hoppen; Leitão e Nassif; Lousada e Valentim e Oliveira) e organização (Bernardes e Marcondes e Maximiano).</p><p><strong>Resultados:</strong> pode existir uma grande interdependência entre informação, cultura e tomada de decisão em uma organização.</p><p><strong>C</strong><strong>onclusões:</strong> A informação pode facilitar a compreensão da cultura de uma organização, de como ocorrem os processos de mudança e quais alternativas podem ser levantadas para que ela possa lograr êxito em seu processo de tomada de decisão com o objetivo de assegurar a sua perpetuação ao longo do tempo.</p>
Reflexões sobre a privacidade na sociedade da informação
Authors: Calheiros Tânia Da Costa , Takada Thalles Alexandre 
Published: February 2016

<p><strong>Introdução</strong>: O artigo aborda as mudanças de paradigmas da privacidade na sociedade da informação.</p><p><strong>Objetivo</strong>: O objetivo principal deste artigo é contextualizar as mudanças legislativas ocorridas nos últimos 10 anos relacionadas ao direito à privacidade no mundo atual.</p><p><strong>Metodologia</strong>: A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica referente aos últimos10 anos (2005-2015) de atualizações da Constituição Federal, do Código Civil e demais legislações especiais.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Resultados</strong>: A revisão e discussão da literatura sobre Internet, ambiente virtual, violação de direitos e sanções, demonstraram que o direito à privacidade sofreu alteração legislativa.</p><p><strong>Conclusões</strong>: Constatou-se que as legislações advindas do contexto da sociedade digital são tentativas de respostas eficazes às necessidades da sociedade civil brasileira e do Poder Judiciário Brasileiro. <strong></strong></p>
Les RaeRae et Mahu : troisième sexe polynésien
Authors: Stip Emmanuel 
Published: February 2016

Contexte Dans la société polynésienne/tahitienne, il existe une condition sociologique et anthropologique appelée RaeRae ou Mahu. Un RaeRae est un homme se comportant et se considérant comme une femme. Les RaeRae et Mahu sont des bons exemples de transsexualisme ou de transvestisme liés à la culture. Être Mahu a une signification culturelle, reconnue dans l’histoire de la société polynésienne, et n’est pas le synonyme d’une condition médicale ou psychiatrique. Être RaeRae, c’est pousser la transformation jusqu’à l’éventuelle hormonothérapie et la chirurgie, en conservant le rôle social traditionnel du Mahu mais en étant susceptible d’être influencé par les rencontres avec les phénomènes de prostitution et d’homosexualité à risque.
Revue de la documentation scientifique et méthode Recherche dans différentes sources (MedLine, PsycINFO, google scholar), y compris les thèses universitaires (source DUMAS) avec 20 références françaises et anglophones au total.
Résultats et contenus Nous décrivons le phénomène, le contextualisons et décrivons les hypothèses socioculturelles. Nous retenons une référence liée à une connaissance implicite des rituels polynésiens en particulier sur les sacrifices : ce qui permettait aux Mahu de ne pas subir le sacrifice dont les victimes étaient des hommes. Une discussion générale doit être envisagée autour du DSM-5 avec l’entité du transgenre. La description contribue à une réflexion sur les limites qu’il y a à considérer le genre comme binaire plutôt que comme un continuum non régi par la médicalisation et la psychologisation d’un élément de culture, identifiable d’ailleurs dans d’autres espaces culturels, dont ceux des Amérindiens.
Safety of combination antiretroviral prophylaxis in high‐risk HIV‐exposed newborns: a retrospective review of the Canadian experience
Authors: Kakkar Fatima W , Samson Lindy , Vaudry Wendy , Brophy Jason , Le Meur Jean‐Baptiste , Lapointe Normand , Read Stanley E , Bitnun Ari 
Published: February 2016

IntroductionThe optimal management of infants born to HIV‐positive mothers who are untreated or have detectable viral load prior to delivery remains controversial. Despite the increasing use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of neonates at high risk of HIV infection, there is little safety and pharmacokinetic data to support this approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of cART for PEP in HIV‐exposed neonates.MethodsRetrospective study on 148 cART and 145 Zidovudine (ZDV) monotherapy‐exposed infants identified from four Canadian centres where cART for PEP has routinely been prescribed in high‐risk situations. Physician‐reported adverse events and clinical outcomes were extracted by chart review. Haematological and growth parameters at birth, one and six months of age were compared between cART and ZDV‐exposed infants using multivariate mixed effects modelling.ResultsNon‐specific signs and symptoms were reported in 10.2% of cART recipients versus none of the ZDV recipients. Treatment was discontinued prematurely in 9.5% of cART recipients versus 2.1% of ZDV recipients (p=0.01). In the multivariate model, cART recipients had lower mean haemoglobin (decrease of 2.07 g/L) over the 6‐month period compared with ZDV recipients (p=0.04), but no effect was seen on absolute neutrophil count. cART recipients had lower weight and smaller head circumference at birth and one month of age compared with ZDV‐exposed infants; these differences were no longer significant at six months of age.ConclusionscART administered at treatment doses for PEP in neonates was generally well tolerated, though a higher incidence of non‐specific signs and symptoms and early treatment discontinuation occurred among cART recipients.
Local gate leakage current induced by inhomogeneous epitaxial growth in AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors
Authors: Narita Tomotaka , Wakejima Akio , Egawa Takashi 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
We found that inhomogeneous epitaxial growth in a superlattice near a Si substrate creates an area where local leakage current occurs at the interface between an AlGaN surface and a Schottky electrode. Here, electroluminescence (EL) through a transparent gate of an AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor enables us to identify the area in the entire gate periphery. Further, the superlattice near the Si substrate supports clear observation of inhomogeneous growth under the EL spots. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy profile indicates that a Ga-rich layer was grown in the early stage of inhomogeneous area creation.
Conduction mechanism in highly doped β-Ga2O3

single crystals grown by edge-defined film-fed growth method and their Schottky barrier diodes
Authors: Oishi Toshiyuki , Harada Kazuya , Koga Yuta , Kasu Makoto 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Edge-defined fed-grown

β-Ga2O3 single crystals with high electron concentration of 3.9 × 1018 cm−3 at 300 K were characterized by Hall effect measurement, and Schottky barrier diodes have been demonstrated. Electron mobility was as high as 74 cm2/(V·s) at 300 K regardless of the high doping concentration. The electron concentration did not change substantially in the low temperature below 160 K. This properties can be explained by the two-band model due to the inter-band conduction. On the Schottky barrier diodes, the rectification characteristics were clearly observed, and the current density of 96.8 A/cm2 at the forward voltage of 1.6 V was obtained.
Use of antireflection layers to avoid ghost plating on Ni/Cu plated crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Jeong Myeong Sang , Choi Sung Jin , Chang Hyo Sik , Lee Jeong In , Kang Min Gu , Kim Donghwan , Song Hee-eun 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Screen printing is a method commonly used for making electrodes for crystalline silicon solar cells. Although the screen-printing method is fast and easy, screen-printed electrodes have a porous structure, high contact resistance, and low aspect ratio. On the other hand, plated electrodes have low contact resistance and narrow electrode width. Therefore, the plating method could be substituted for the screen-printing method in crystalline silicon solar cells. During the plating process, ghost plating can appear at the surface when the quality of the passivation layer is poor, causing an increase in the recombination rate. In this paper, light-induced plating was applied to the fabrication of electrodes, and various passivation layers were investigated to remove ghost plating in crystalline silicon solar cells. These included, (1) SiN
x
deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), (2) a double SiN
x
layer formed by PECVD, (3) a double layer with thermal silicon oxide and SiN
x
deposited by PECVD, and (4) a double layer comprising SiN
x
and SiO
x
formed by PECVD. For the plated solar cells, a laser was used to remove various antireflection coating (ARC) layers and phosphoric acid was spin-coated onto the doped silicon wafer prior to laser ablation. Also, a screen-printed solar cell was fabricated to compare plated solar cells with screen-printed solar cells. As a result, we found that a thermal SiO2/PECVD SiN
x
layer showed the lowest pinhole density and its wet vapor transmission rate was characterized. The solar cell with the thermal SiO2/PECVD SiN
x
layer showed the lowest J
02 value, as well as improved V
oc and J
sc.
Organic crystal light-emitting transistors combined with a metal oxide layer
Authors: Obara Keiji , Higashihara Shohei , Yamao Takeshi , Hotta Shu 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
We improved organic light-emitting transistors (OLETs) characterized by aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) layer insertion between organic and gate insulator layers using organic oligomer semiconductor crystals. (i) To ensure firm contact between the crystal and the AZO layer, we shaped the AZO layer into a rectangle (250 × 500 µm2) and covered it with a vapor-phase-grown crystal. (ii) To enhance contact between the crystal and the AZO layer, we placed the crystal used as a mask on the patternless AZO layer and etched parts of AZO not covered with the crystal with hydrochloric acid vapor. We completed OLETs by forming electron- and hole-injection contacts on the crystal. We modified these contacts with an oxide and/or a carbonate. The devices showed bright light emission from the part of the crystal sandwiched between the electron- and hole-injection contacts located on the AZO layer.