bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Four-body treatment of the K-shell positronium formation from multi-electron atoms
Authors: Ghanbari-Adivi Ebrahim , Velayati Azime 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The four-body Coulomb-Born distorted-wave approximation with correct boundary conditions (CBDW-4B) is applied to the K-shell positronium formation from multi-electron atoms at intermediate and high impact energies. In the present approach, both K-shell electrons are treated as active electrons. For collisions of positrons with helium, carbon, and neon atoms, both the post and prior forms of the transition amplitude are calculated and the corresponding differential and integral cross sections are compared with the results of the three-body version of the formalism (CBDW-3B). In order to investigate the effects of the static electronic correlations on the process, initial bound states of the active electrons in helium atoms are described by Hylleraas and Silverman wave functions. Also for positronium formation from helium atoms the obtained cross sections are compared with the available experimental data and also with the results of the other theories.
Charge-sensitive vibrational modes in the (EDT-TTF-OX)2AsF6 chiral molecular conductors
Authors: Olejniczak Iwona , Frąckowiak Arkadiusz , Matysiak Jacek , Madalan Augustin , Pop Flavia , Avarvari Narcis 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Infrared and Raman spectra of three chiral molecular conductors (EDT-TTF-OX)2AsF6, comprising of two salts based on enantiopure EDT-TTF-OX donor molecules and one based on their racemic mixture, have been measured as a function of temperature. In the frequency range of the C=C stretching vibrations of EDT-TTF-OX, charge-sensitive modes are identified based on theoretical calculations for neutral and oxidized EDT-TTF-OX using density functional theory (DFT) methods. The positions of C=C stretching modes in both Raman and infrared spectra of the (EDT-TTF-OX)2AsF6 materials are analyzed assuming a linear relationship between the frequency and charge of the molecule. The charge density on the EDTTTF-OX donor molecule is estimated to be +0.5 in all investigated materials and does not change with temperature. Therefore we suggest, that M-I transition observed in (EDT-TTF-OX)2AsF6 chiral molecular conductors at low temperature is not related to the charge ordering mechanism.
Integration Potential of the European Neighbourhood Policy
Authors: Sklenková Veronika 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to examine the actual integration potential of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its related regional initiative - Eastern Partnership for the countries of the Eastern Europe that currently do not have an official perspective of the EU membership. Based on the analysis of official documents we would like to assess the benefits that EU offers to its neighbours under this policy in return for certain reforms and in doing so to analyse the degree of exogenous integration it actually enables to achieve. We assume that for the time being the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy aims to provide the neighbour countries with an alternative to the accession process since neither the EU nor the neighbour countries are now ready for their potential membership. However, this alternative could have a significant integration potential (even though without a full EU membership as the last step) if all the rules are complied with and the procedures are consistently followed. To support our postulate, we compare the mechanisms and instruments of this policy with those used during the EU enlargement process.
Party System of Slovak Republic and its Stability after 2010 and 2012 Elections in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Stískala Jozef 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe main aim of this paper is to evaluate the changes in the Slovak party system after the elections to the National Council in 2012. This study is divided into two chapters. The first one deals with theoretical constructions of the classification of the party system with special focus on the party system theory by Giovanni Sartori. After the theoretical introduction, the author is trying to apply this concept on the Slovak party system. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the evaluation of volatility applying the concepts of Sarah Birch, Maurice N. Pedersen, Richard Rose, and Neil Munro on the election results. In the conclusion, the presented calculations are used in comparison with the data from the 2010 elections to verify the hypothesis that the rising volatility constitutes a new milestone in the party system of the Slovak Republic.
The Decline of Centralized Collective Wage Bargaining in Sweden
Authors: Hanuš Karel 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
This article explores development (including its shaping in the 1930s and institutionalisation within the Post-war economic model) and causes of the decline of centralized collective wage bargaining in Sweden. Some effects of the Post-war model in combination with changes in global economic environment and technology of production caused changes in domestic distribution of power and influenced strategies and institutional preferences of crucial actors (especially the association of the export-oriented engineering employers, but also unions). The way of connection of the Swedish and the global economy is therefore of fundamental importance for shaping of domestic socioeconomic institutions like collective bargaining.
Out-of-pile modelling of nuclear fuel elements for MTR type reactors – Part 1
Authors: Farhadi K. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
In the first part of the present paper, for a 5 MW thermal pool-type research reactor, the fuel element is modelled for when undergoing both natural circulation of the coolant and forced convection of the coolant operational conditions. First, the required dimensionless groups were identified and then the pertinent similarity criteria were derived accordingly. The derived similitude laws were modified under the conditions of identical pressure, identical temperature difference and identical coolant and fuel cladding in the model and the prototype. These modifications were done for the system under both natural and forced convections. The effect of varying cladding materials under normal operating conditions of the research reactor were observed via coolant channel thickness. Also the effect of a wider coolant channel on the nature of the coolant fluid was observed. The results obtained indicate that it is not possible to conserve all the dimensionless groups between the model and the prototype and hence achieve an errorless outcome. Among all the liquids available, methanol is the only liquid which nearly satisfies the thermal-hydraulic similitude and must be used in place of ordinary coolant water. This in turn necessitates the coolant channel to be wider and as a consequence the traditional Aluminium cladding in research reactors should be replaced by Iron. The derived scale down criteria can be used for the design of fuel element for the out-of-pile testing.
Reduced Toll-Like Receptor 9 Expression on Peripheral C D14+ Monocytes of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients and its Restoration by Effective Therapy
Authors: Huang Yi-Wen , Hsu Cheng-Kai , Lin Shih-Chang , Wei Shu-Chen , Hu Jui-Ting , Chang Han-Yu , Liang Cher-Wei , Chen Ding-Shinn , Chen Pei-Jer , Hsu Ping-Ning , Yang Sien-Sing , Kao Jia-Horng 
Published: March 2014

Background Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients display Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-dependent defective immune responses. We aimed to study TLR9 expression on CHB patients and its alteration during therapy. Methods We compared TLR9 expression on fresh peripheral CD14+ monocytes from a cohort of 97 CHB patients and 35 HBsAg-negative, anti-HCV-negative controls, during pegylated interferon or entecavir therapy. TLR9 expression on liver tissue was also investigated. Results Compared with controls, peripheral CD14+ monocytes of CHB patients displayed reduced expression of TLR9 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI; 9.90 ±3.64 versus 7.95 ±3.61; P=0.007) independent of age, gender and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; -2.09, 95% CI -3.568, -0.613; P=0.006). Furthermore, age, gender, ALT, HBeAg status, quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) or HBV DNA did not predict the TLR9 expression ( P=0.863). Hepatic TLR9 messenger RNA (mRNA) was significantly reduced in 54 patients compared with 3 controls (0.45 ±0.32 versus 1-fold). Using response-guided therapy by qHBsAg levels and pretreatment TLR9 MFI as a reference, TLR9 MFI restored to a mean of 1.7- to 2.7-fold in pegylated interferon responders and reduced to a mean of 0.6-to 0.7-fold in non-responders starting from treatment week 12. Among 10 entecavir-treated patients, TLR9 MFI gradually restored to a mean of 1.2- to 2.1-fold starting from treatment week 48. Conclusions CHB patients display reduced TLR9 expression on peripheral CD14+ monocytes, which is independent of host and viral markers, and on liver tissue. Responders to pegylated interferon and those under entecavir demonstrate restoration of TLR9 expression. On-treatment TLR9 expression on peripheral monocytes might predict response to pegylated interferon therapy.
Prevalence of Baseline Polymorphisms for Potential Resistance to NS5A Inhibitors in Drug-Naive Individuals Infected with Hepatitis C Genotypes 1–4
Authors: McCormick Adele L , Wang Lawrence , Garcia-Diaz Ana , Macartney Malcolm J , Webster Daniel P , Haque Tanzina 
Published: March 2014

Background The non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein of HCV is a multifunctional phosphoprotein involved in regulation of viral replication and virion assembly. NS5A inhibitors targeting domain I of NS5A protein have demonstrated high potency and pan-genotypic antiviral activity, however they possess a low genetic barrier to resistance. At present, only genotype 1, the most prevalent HCV genotype has been studied in detail for resistant variants. Methods Utilizing a panel of genotypic-specific resistance assays, population sequencing was performed on plasma-derived viral RNA isolated from 138 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1–4 and not treated with direct-acting antiviral agents. Amino acid changes in HCV NS5A domain I at codon positions 28, 30, 31, 32 and 93, reported to confer reduced susceptibility to certain NS5A inhibitors were examined. Additionally, genotypic outcome based on NS5A sequences were compared with VERSANT HCV Genotype Assay (LiPA) 1.0 (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Surrey, UK) and Abbott m2000 RealTi me HCV genotype II assay (Abbott Molecular, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK). Results Amino acid substitutions associated with moderate to high level resistance to NS5A inhibitors were detected in 2/42 (4.76%) HCV-1a, 3/23 (13.04%) HCV-1b, 4/26 (15.38%) HCV-2, 1/24 (4.17%) HCV-3 and 1/23 (4.35%) HCV-4 infected patients who had not been treated with NS5A inhibitors. Genotype prediction based on NS5A sequences were concordant with LiPA and/or Abbott Real-Ti me for 97.10% of cases. Conclusions Primary resistance mutations associated with resistance to first-generation NS5A inhibitors such as daclatasvir were observed in all genotypes, albeit at low frequencies. An excellent correlation based on NS5A genotyping and LiPA or Abbott Real-Ti me was achieved.
Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Inhibits the MEQ, Ul49 and VP22 Expression of Marek's Disease Virus
Authors: Sun Na , Cong Xiang-Ming , Jiang Jun-Bing , Zhao Jun-Xing , Wang Wen-Kui , Duan Zhi-Bian , Hu Yuan-Liang , Lei Hai-Min , Li Hong-Quan 
Published: March 2014

Background Our previous studies have demonstrated that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a natural compound derived from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen), could effectively inhibit Marek's disease virus (MDV) infection both in vitro and in vivo, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The main objective of the study was to explore the effect of STS on the meq, ul49 and VP22 expression of MDV in vitro. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyse the effect of STS on meq and ul49 expression at both the DNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) level, and the effect of STS on VP22 was assessed by immunofluorescence assay and western blotting. Results The DNA and mRNA copy numbers of meq and ul49 significantly decreased in the groups treated with STS compared with MDV control ( P<0.05), which indicated that STS could inhibit the expression of meq and ul49 at both the DNA and mRNA level. Moreover, the expression of VP22 encoded by ul49 was also significantly inhibited ( P<0.05). Conclusions STS possessed anti-MDV activity in chicken embryo fibroblasts. Its antiviral mechanisms may be ascribed to inactivating MDV directly, disturbing meq and ul49 replication and inhibiting the expression of VP22 encoded by ul49. These results suggested that STS is a promising natural compound to be further developed as an antiviral agent against MDV infection.
Persistence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky from poultry and poultry sources in Nigeria
Authors: Raufu Ibrahim A , Fashae Kayode , Ameh James A , Ambali AbdulGaniyu , Ogunsola Folashade T , Coker Akitoye O , Hendriksen Rene S. 
Published: March 2014

Introduction: This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance and clonality of Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky in poultry and poultry sources in Nigeria, and compared the isolates with the clone of S. Kentucky STI98-X1 CIPR using (PFGE) and (MIC). Methodology: Fecal samples from chickens and poultry sources (litter, water, rodent and lizard fecal samples) were collected from fourteen (14) poultry farms in 2007, 2010 and 2011 and were analyzed for S. Kentucky. Results and conclusions: Six percent of the samples were positive for S. Kentucky – all resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. The isolates are grouped within the PFGE cluster X1 of S. Kentucky STI98 CIPR, indicating the association to the emerging and widely spread CIPR S. Kentucky clone with poultry and poultry sources.
Screening for antiretroviral drug resistance among treatment-naive human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected individuals in Lebanon
Authors: Mokhbat Jacques M , Melhem Nada M. , El-Khatib Ziad , Zalloua Pierre 
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been successful at decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) among ART-naive patients has been documented to compromise the success of initial therapy. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIVDR mutations among newly diagnosed drug-naive HIV-infected individuals in Lebanon. Methodology: Plasma samples from 37 newly diagnosed participants at various stages of HIV-1 infection were used to determine HIV-1 RNA viral load, isolate viral RNA, and amplify DNA by RT-PCR. Purified PCR products were used to perform genotypic resistance tests. Results: The prevalence of resistance mutations to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRT), and protease inhibitors (PI) were 5.4%, 10.8%, and 8%, respectively. The major mutations detected in the study participants conferred resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs recommended for HIV-1 treatment. No significant relationship between HIV-1 viral load of participants and the mode of HIV-1 transmission or between the occurrence of HIVDR and the mode of transmission was found. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study on HIVDR mutations among newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons in Lebanon. The overall prevalence of HIVDR mutations detected in our study was 16%. Our results are important for evaluating the utility of the standard first-line regimens in use, determining the feasibility of HIVDR testing before the initiation of ART, as well as minimizing the emergence and transmission of HIVDR.
External Factors Affecting Investment Decisions of Companies
Authors: Bialowolski Piotr , Weziak-Bialowolska Dorota 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we attempt to investigate the importance of certain external factors on the investment decisions made by Polish companies. With the use of data from the tailor-made Survey on Receivables, we (1) examine factors influencing investment decisions of companies in Poland; (2) assess the relation between branch, company size and investment factors; (3) evaluate the importance of the investment factors; and (4) determine the relative influence of these factors on the company-level investment reductions. The results show that first, although the problem of payment delays is the most important single issue determining the investment decisions of Polish companies, its importance decreases when analysed simultaneously with other issues. Second, among the indicators selected for an assessment of investment decisions, two driving forces determine the investment decisions of Polish companies - namely, macroeconomic factors and law-related factors, with the relative importance of the former lower than the latter. Third, there is a positive association between the importance of each of the two factors and the actual investment reductions, implying that among companies facing higher investment reductions, the importance of macroeconomic and law-related factors is higher.
Meertaligheid: Nederlands na Duits en Engels
Authors: Wenzel Veronika 
Published: March 2014

Dutch is a typical 'third language'. Most learners have knowledge of other languages before they start to learn Dutch. One or two of these languages are closely related to Dutch, English and/or German. When L3-learners come across a new language for the first time, it can be observed that they try to make use of languages they learned before. Experienced language learners often perform better than less experienced subjects. Furthermore, prior research shows that related languages will contribute more to intelligibility than less related languages do.
The objects of this study were 42 German multilinguals reading a Dutch text without knowledge of this language. They mainly differ according to their language background and language learning experience. The results indicate that the experienced learners use more inferring strategies than the less experienced learners and that German is indeed the preferred source of transfer. However, the experienced multilinguals do not show a significantly different metalinguistic strategy pattern, and some regard Scandinavian words as being much more transferable than one might expect. This leads to the assumption that their explicit knowledge about language relatedness and their linguistic knowledge is not fully available in reading comprehension. Finally, the author offers some suggestions as to the direction explanations might take.
Empathising and Systemising in Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria
Authors: Di Ceglie Domenico , Skagerberg Elin , Baron-Cohen Simon , Auyeung Bonnie 
Published: March 2014

Background: Recent studies have highlighted the co-occurrence of gender dysphoria (GD) in adolescence and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Systemising and empathising are two psychological dimensions linked to ASC. People with ASC score below average on the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and average or above average on the Systemising Quotient (SQ). Based on the results of previous studies we predicted that if the young people with GD shared aspects of the ‘broader autism phenotype’, their EQ would be lower, and their SQ would be the same or higher, compared to controls of their natal gender. Methods: This preliminary study examined systemising and empathising in adolescents with GD using parent report questionnaires. 35 parents of adolescents with GD aged 12-18 attending the Gender Identity Development Service (London) took part. Parents of 156 typically developing adolescents aged 12-18 were used as a control group. The parents were asked to complete the Adolescent EQ and SQ. Results: The mean EQ score of both the female-to-male, and male-to-female GD group was found to be significantly lower than typically developing females, but similar to that of control males. There was no significant difference on the SQ between the gender dysphoric groups and either female or male controls. Conclusion: This study shows that on average adolescents with GD, specifically those who are female-to-male, have lower empathy than controls. For this group of adolescents it may be helpful to offer psychological interventions that improve their communication skills and their ability to take on board other people’s views, to support their development. This may enable them to make better informed decisions regarding treatment and physical intervention options during adolescence and beyond.
Réception critique et historique des technologies du son au cinéma 1
Authors: Barnier Martin 
Published: March 2014

Autour de 1900, les discours des journalistes et inventeurs concernant les technologies du son cinématographique sont enthousiastes et prophétiques. Cet article analyse l’évolution des écrits, journalistiques puis historiques, concernant ces techniques du son. Le lyrisme associé aux images sonorisées avant 1914 pousse les journalistes vers un langage purement promotionnel. On y trouve une fascination pour « l’illusion » devant des « personnages bien vivants ». Ces exploits techniques ont longtemps été oubliés par les historiens, alors que les séances étaient largement relayées par la presse de l’époque. Après la généralisation du parlant, la presse des années 1930 s’est avidement penchée sur le son des années 1900, pour le revendiquer sur une base nationaliste, aussi bien en France qu’aux États-Unis. Dans les années subséquentes, jusque dans les années 1980, le discours historique restera imprégné d’une vision téléologique sur le son cinématographique, tout en restant réticent devant son aspect « nouvelle technologie ». Cet article conclut donc à une transformation des discours sur le son en fonction des époques d’écriture des textes. Ce n’est que depuis les années 2000 que lessound studiesse sont multipliées et diversifiées.
Late Pleistocene‐Holocene right slip rate and paleoseismology of the Nayband fault, western margin of the Lut block, Iran
Authors: Foroutan M. , Meyer B. , Sébrier M. , Nazari H. , Murray A. S. , Le Dortz K. , Shokri M. A. , Arnold M. , Aumaître G. , Bourlès D. , Keddadouche K. , Solaymani Azad S. , Bolourchi M. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe 290 km long Nayband right‐lateral fault cuts across a region seismically quiescent during the last few millennia. Chlorine‐36 and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of cumulative geomorphic offsets between 9 ± 1 m and 195 ± 15 m with ages from 6.8 ± 0.6 ka to ∼ 100 ka allow deriving a slip rate of 1.8 ± 0.7 mm yr‐1. The paleoseismic record retrieved from the first trench excavated across the fault combined with 18 OSL ages demonstrates the occurrence of at least four large (Mw∼ 7) earthquakes during the last 17.4 ± 1.3 ka and two older earthquakes (before ∼ 23 ka and 70 ± 5 ka). Sediments from the last ∼ 7 ka contain evidence of the three younger earthquakes. Penultimate and antepenultimate events occurred between 6.5 ± 0.4 ka and 6.7 ± 0.4 ka within at most 1 ka whereas the most recent earthquake occurred within the last millennium. Such an irregular earthquake occurrence may suggest seismic clustering. Therefore, the imminence of an earthquake along the fault cannot be discarded even if the most recent earthquake occurred within the last 800 years. This event went unnoticed in the historical records demonstrating the incompleteness of the historical seismic catalogs in Central Iran, challenging any assessment of seismic hazard without geologic information. Infrequent large earthquakes typify the slow‐slipping strike‐slip faults slicing Central and Eastern Iran. Also, the slip rates summed from the Iran Plateau up to the Afghan lowlands appear in fairly good agreement with the most recent GPS data.