bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical and mechanical properties of aluminum-loaded NBR composites
Authors: Hassan H.H. , Nasr G.M. , El-Waily M.A. 
Published: October 2012

The present work aims at studying the effect of adding aluminum (Al) powder at different concentrations as white fillers on the electrical and mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) vulcanizates. Tensile strength and elongation at break decreased by the addition of Al up to 150 phr; the experimental stress–strain results showed a good fitting with the general form proposed by Menges and Schmachtenberg ( Kunststoffe 1983; 73: 543–546; Kunststoffe 1987; 77: 289–292), Michaeli et al. ( Kunststoffe 1989; 79: 692–700). For most of the NBR composites, the Poole–Frenkel conduction mechanism was dominant at room temperature. The dielectric characteristics revealed a percolation threshold at 50 phr. Using Tsangaris et al. ( Mater Sci Tech 1996; 12(7): 533) model for all Al volume fractions of Al/NBR composites resulted in a good agreement between the calculated and the experimental values of the dielectric constant. Finally, a simple equivalent circuit model was successfully used to describe frequency dependence of both the dielectric constant and the AC electrical conductivity of Al/NBR composites.
Modeling and Control of UAV Bearing Formations with Bilateral High-level Steering
Authors: Franchi Antonio , Masone Carlo , Grabe Volker , Ryll Markus , Bülthoff Heinrich H , Giordano Paolo Robuffo 
Published: October 2012

In this paper we address the problem of controlling the motion of a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) bound to keep a formation defined in terms of only relative angles (i.e. a bearing formation). This problem can naturally arise within the context of several multi-robot applications such as, e.g. exploration, coverage, and surveillance. First, we introduce and thoroughly analyze the concept and properties of bearing formations, and provide a class of minimally linear sets of bearings sufficient to uniquely define such formations. We then propose a bearing-only formation controller requiring only bearing measurements, converging almost globally, and maintaining bounded inter-agent distances despite the lack of direct metric information. The controller still leaves the possibility of imposing group motions tangent to the current bearing formation. These can be either autonomously chosen by the robots because of any additional task (e.g. exploration), or exploited by an assisting human co-operator. For this latter ‘human-in-the-loop’ case, we propose a multi-master/multi-slave bilateral shared control system providing the co-operator with some suitable force cues informative of the UAV performance. The proposed theoretical framework is extensively validated by means of simulations and experiments with quadrotor UAVs equipped with onboard cameras. Practical limitations, e.g. limited field-of-view, are also considered.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Communication through Sustainability Reports by Indian and Multinational Companies
Authors: Tewari Ruchi , Dave Darshana 
Published: October 2012

Purpose: To understand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication made through the use of sustainability reports and to compare the CSR communication made by the Indian Companies and the Multinational Companies (MNCs) through the medium of sustainability reports. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sustainability reports of the top 100 companies operating in the Information and Technology sector in India were taken and content analysis techniques of visual communication were used to compare the performance of the Indian and the MNCs in terms of CSR disclosure. Further, guidelines stated by the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRT) were taken as a measure of comparison to gauge the standardization of the sustainability reports published by the Indian companies and the MNCs. Findings: The total number of Indian companies in the IT sector publishing sustainability reports is few but the quality of reports is of global standards and the international benchmarks stated by GRI are achieved by a larger percentage of the Indian companies as against the MNCs operating in India in the IT sector. Research Limitations/Implications: The paper considers the sustainability reports only and no other medium of CSR communication. The study is limited to the companies operating in the IT sector only. Originality/Value: Sustainability reports as a medium of CSR communication is highly ignored and therefore the findings will supplement and enhance the understanding of CSR communication.
Student Mobility Across the World and India
Authors: Misra Sheelan 
Published: October 2012

In this era of educational marketing, education has become a commodity to be purchased by a consumer in order to build a skill set to be used in the market place and no more is it only recognized as the assets of skills, attitudes and values required for citizenship and effective participation in today’s society. Moreover, with the globalization phenomenon, which was always reflected in the education sector especially in India from olden times, has lead to the mobility of the students to the foreign countries either for quality or affordable education. Educational marketing can be defined as a planned and systematic two-way process of communication between an educational institution and its stakeholders designed to build morale, goodwill, understanding and support for that organization. The outcomes are usually goodwill, positive attitudes, respect, understanding and basic support. A developing country like India can use educational marketing as per its requirements. Therefore, this paper deals with two aspects in higher education in India. It tries to build a case for the need of decreasing outward student mobility and for more foreign students to be attracted to Indian higher education. To meet this purpose, the present study focuses light on the scenario of the higher education system worldwide and how economic globalization of higher education is shaping new horizons in the education sector. The present study details the statistics of student mobility world-wide and in India. The present study will also compare the composition and trends of exports of higher educational services by selected universities in Delhi, the capital and one of the metrocities of India. The present study is based upon the data collected from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of HRD, WTO publications, University Annual Reports and various journals and books published by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).The three universities under study are the University of Delhi (DU), Jamia MiliaI slamia (JMI) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). These universities are involved in globalization by admitting foreign students. DU and JMI offer regular and distance education courses in India, therefore foreign students come to these universities and take admission and study, whereas IGNOU has a different modus operandi. It has the partner institutions (PIs) all over the world in different countries. Students from those countries get enrolled through the PIs and pursue courses from IGNOU as it offers only distance courses. These universities in New Delhi have been chosen as Delhi is the capital of India and has two functional universities acclaimed worldwide and one open university of international repute, in order to understand how the various modes attract the foreign students; and these being publicly funded universities, how much impetus has been put on internationalization of higher education despite all required infrastructure being available with them for conducting the courses effectively and efficiently.
Characterization of anti-natalizumab antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Lundkvist M , Engdahl E , Holmén C , Movérare R , Olsson T , Hillert J , Fogdell-Hahn A 
Published: October 2012

Background: A small proportion of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab develop anti-drug antibodies. Objective: The objective of this paper is to characterize the anti-natalizumab antibody response and to investigate differences between persistently and transiently antibody-positive patients. Methods: Screening for anti-natalizumab antibodies was performed using a standardized bridging ELISA. Antibody-positive samples were further analyzed for IgM and IgG1–4 antibodies using ELISA and ImmunoCAP®. Results: Anti-natalizumab antibodies developed in 57 of 1379 (4.1%) treated patients after a median treatment duration of three months. Of the positive patients, 20 (35%) patients reverted to negative, 19 (33%) patients were confirmed persistently positive and 18 (32%) patients were unconfirmed positive. Significantly higher anti-natalizumab antibody levels were detected in persistently compared to transiently positive patients. A cutoff value predicting persistence of antibodies could be determined with a sensitivity of 0.84 and a specificity of 0.80. IgM and IgG4 antibody levels were significantly higher in persistently compared to transiently positive patients, and IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 increased significantly over time. Conclusions: The level of total anti-natalizumab antibodies in a first positive sample can be used to predict patients at risk for persisting antibody positivity. However, neither IgM nor IgG1–4 antibodies could be used to discriminate between transiently and persistently positive patients.
Glucocorticoids
Authors: Gensler Lianne S. 
Published: October 2012

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Their mechanism of action is most commonly rooted in genomic effects that have both beneficial and adverse consequences. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential complications and side effects that may occur with GC use. Many of these complications are related to the dose and duration of therapy used. Evidence-based preventative strategies are discussed. Many recommendations are based on expert opinion and not on strong evidence. A 54-year-old man presents with proximal upper and lower extremity weakness. There are no rashes. The antinuclear antibody is negative; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein are 24 mm/h and 3 mg/dL, respectively. An electromyography displays myopathic motor unit potentials with fibrillation and a muscle biopsy confirms polymyositis. Prednisone of 60 mg/d is initiated. What are the risks associated with GC use? What other studies and interventions should occur in this patient starting long-term GC therapy?
Grape berry ripening delay induced by a pre-véraison NAA treatment is paralleled by a shift in the expression pattern of auxin- and ethylene-related genes
Authors: Ziliotto Fiorenza , Corso Massimiliano , Rizzini Fabio Massimo , Rasori Angela , Botton Alessandro , Bonghi Claudio 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Auxins act as repressors of ripening inception in grape (véraison), while ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) play a positive role as inducers of the syndrome. Despite the increasing amount of information made available on this topic, the complex network of interactions among these hormones remains elusive. In order to shed light on these aspects, a holistic approach was adopted to evaluate, at the transcriptomic level, the crosstalk between hormones in grape berries, whose ripening progression was delayed by applying naphtalenacetic acid (NAA) one week before véraison.

Results
The NAA treatment caused significant changes in the transcription rate of about 1,500 genes, indicating that auxin delayed grape berry ripening also at the transcriptional level, along with the recovery of a steady state of its intracellular concentration. Hormone indices analysis carried out with the HORMONOMETER tool suggests that biologically active concentrations of auxins were achieved throughout a homeostatic recovery. This occurred within 7 days after the treatment, during which the physiological response was mainly unspecific and due to a likely pharmacological effect of NAA. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the up-regulation of genes involved in auxin conjugation (GH3-like) and action (IAA4- and IAA31-like). A strong antagonistic effect between auxin and ethylene was also observed, along with a substantial ‘synergism’ between auxins and ABA, although to a lesser extent.

Conclusions
This study suggests that, in presence of altered levels of auxins, the crosstalk between hormones involves diverse mechanisms, acting at both the hormone response and biosynthesis levels, creating a complex response network.
Analyzing the spatio-temporal relationship between dengue vector larval density and land-use using factor analysis and spatial ring mapping
Authors: Sarfraz Muhammad Shahzad , Tripathi Nitin K , Tipdecho Taravudh , Thongbu Thawisak , Kerdthong Pornsuk , Souris Marc 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Dengue, a mosquito-borne febrile viral disease, is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and is now extending its range to temperate regions. The spread of the dengue viruses mainly depends on vector population (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), which is influenced by changing climatic conditions and various land-use/land-cover types. Spatial display of the relationship between dengue vector density and land-cover types is required to describe a near-future viral outbreak scenario. This study is aimed at exploring how land-cover types are linked to the behavior of dengue-transmitting mosquitoes.

Methods
Surveys were conducted in 92 villages of Phitsanulok Province Thailand. The sampling was conducted on three separate occasions in the months of March, May and July. Dengue indices, i.e. container index (C.I.), house index (H.I.) and Breteau index (B.I.) were used to map habitats conducible to dengue vector growth. Spatial epidemiological analysis using Bivariate Pearson’s correlation was conducted to evaluate the level of interdependence between larval density and land-use types. Factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to ascertain the variance among land-use types. Furthermore, spatial ring method was used as to visualize spatially referenced, multivariate and temporal data in single information graphic.

Results
Results of dengue indices showed that the settlements around gasoline stations/workshops, in the vicinity of marsh/swamp and rice paddy appeared to be favorable habitat for dengue vector propagation at highly significant and positive correlation (p = 0.001) in the month of May. Settlements around the institutional areas were highly significant and positively correlated (p = 0.01) with H.I. in the month of March. Moreover, dengue indices in the month of March showed a significant and positive correlation (p <= 0.05) with deciduous forest. The H.I. of people living around horticulture land were significantly and positively correlated (p = 0.05) during the month of May, and perennial vegetation showed a highly significant and positive correlation (p = 0.001) in the month of March with C.I. and significant and positive correlation (p <= 0.05) with B.I., respectively.

Conclusions
The study concluded that gasoline stations/workshops, rice paddy, marsh/swamp and deciduous forests played highly significant role in dengue vector growth. Thus, the spatio-temporal relationships of dengue vector larval density and land-use types may help to predict favorable dengue habitat, and thereby enables public healthcare managers to take precautionary measures to prevent impending dengue outbreak.
Physicians’ knowledge of and adherence to improving oral health
Authors: Rabiei Sepideh , Mohebbi Simin Z , Patja Kristiina , Virtanen Jorma I 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundIntegration of oral health promotion into general health care has been highly recommended by the World Health Organization. Primary-care physicians can as part of their general health care promote and contribute to improved oral health care. Our aim was to investigate primary-care physicians’ knowledge of oral health, their attitudes toward delivering oral health care (OHC), and their willingness to obtain more education in this field.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of all primary-care physicians working in the public health centers of Tehran city. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire queried their knowledge in pediatric- and general medicine-related areas of dentistry, providing knowledge scores to be calculated for three domains. The physicians’ attitudes toward OHC and willingness to pursue continuous education underwent evaluation with statements utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Totally, 220 physicians took part in the survey (response rate: 92%). Chi-square test, linear and logistic regression, and t-test served for statistical analyses.ResultsThe physicians’ knowledge score was significantly lower in the pediatric domain than in the dental and medical domains (p < 0.001). The number of physicians answering correctly to the pediatric questions was less than 40%. Almost all physicians (95%) reported it necessary for a physician to know about OHC and admitted (78%) that physicians’ general knowledge in this field is inadequate. Further, 77% of the physicians expressed a will to implement preventive oral health activities in their practice, and almost two-thirds (62%) of them showed a willingness to pursue further education about OHC. Those with higher knowledge scores had a greater willingness to deliver oral health care to their patients.ConclusionsPhysicians’ lack of knowledge of OHC and their generally positive attitudes toward it revealed a great need for planning of a continuous medical education program in primary care.
A qualitative study into the use of formal services for dementia by carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Authors: Shanley Christopher , Boughtwood Desiree , Adams Jon , Santalucia Yvonne , Kyriazopoulos Helena , Pond Dimity , Rowland Jeffrey 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
People with dementia and their family carers need to be able to access formal services in the community to help maintain their wellbeing and independence. While knowing about and navigating one’s way through service systems is difficult for most people, it is particularly difficult for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. This study addresses a lack of literature on the use of formal services for dementia by people from CALD backgrounds by examining the experiences and perceptions of dementia caregiving within four CALD communities – Italian, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic-speaking – in south western Sydney, Australia.

Methods
The study used a qualitative design and the methods included focus groups with family carers and one-to-one interviews with bilingual/bicultural community workers, bilingual general practitioners and geriatricians. A total of 121 family carers participated in 15 focus groups and interviews were held with 60 health professionals. All fieldwork was audiotaped, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results
People from CALD communities are often unfamiliar with the concept of formal services and there may be strong cultural norms about maintaining care within the family, rather than relying on external services. CALD communities often have limited knowledge of services. There is a preference for services that will allow families to keep their relative at home, for safety as well as cultural reasons, and they are particularly reluctant to use residential care. While there is a preference for ethno-specific or multicultural services, mainstream services also need to ensure they are more flexible in providing culturally appropriate care. Positive outcomes occur when ethno-specific services work in partnership with mainstream programs. Dementia service providers need to develop a trusting relationship with their local CALD communities and promote their services in a way that is understandable and culturally acceptable to members of these communities.

Conclusions
While members of CALD communities may have difficulties accessing formal services, they will use them if they are culturally and linguistically appropriate and can meet their needs. There are a number of ways to improve service provision to CALD communities and the responsibility for this needs to be shared by a range of stakeholders.
Scheffersomyces stipitis: a comparative systems biology study with the Crabtree positive yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Papini Marta , Nookaew Intawat , Uhlén Mathias , Nielsen Jens 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background

Scheffersomyces stipitis is a Crabtree negative yeast, commonly known for its capacity to ferment pentose sugars. Differently from Crabtree positive yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the onset of fermentation in S. stipitis is not dependent on the sugar concentration, but is regulated by a decrease in oxygen levels. Even though S. stipitis has been extensively studied due to its potential application in pentoses fermentation, a limited amount of information is available about its metabolism during aerobic growth on glucose. Here, we provide a systems biology based comparison between the two yeasts, uncovering the metabolism of S. stipitis during aerobic growth on glucose under batch and chemostat cultivations.

Results
Starting from the analysis of physiological data, we confirmed through 13C-based flux analysis the fully respiratory metabolism of S. stipitis when growing both under glucose limited or glucose excess conditions. The patterns observed showed similarity to the fully respiratory metabolism observed for S. cerevisiae under chemostat cultivations however, intracellular metabolome analysis uncovered the presence of several differences in metabolite patterns. To describe gene expression levels under the two conditions, we performed RNA sequencing and the results were used to quantify transcript abundances of genes from the central carbon metabolism and compared with those obtained with S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, genes involved in central pathways showed different patterns of expression, suggesting different regulatory networks between the two yeasts. Efforts were focused on identifying shared and unique families of transcription factors between the two yeasts through in silico transcription factors analysis, suggesting a different regulation of glycolytic and glucoenogenic pathways.

Conclusions
The work presented addresses the impact of high-throughput methods in describing and comparing the physiology of Crabtree positive and Crabtree negative yeasts. Based on physiological data and flux analysis we identified the presence of one metabolic condition for S. stipitis under aerobic batch and chemostat cultivations, which shows similarities to the oxidative metabolism observed for S. cerevisiae under chemostat cultivations. Through metabolome analysis and genome-wide transcriptomic analysis several differences were identified. Interestingly, in silico analysis of transciption factors was useful to address a different regulation of mRNAs of genes involved in the central carbon metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the metabolism of S. stiptis is investigated in details and is compared to S. cerevisiae. Our study provides useful results and allows for the possibility to incorporate these data into recently developed genome-scaled metabolic, thus contributing to improve future industrial applications of S. stipitis as cell factory.