bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physicians’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges for patients in the vegetative state: comparing Canadian and German perspectives in a vignette survey
Authors: Kuehlmeyer Katja , Palmour Nicole , Riopelle Richard J , Bernat James L , Jox Ralf J , Racine Eric 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Physicians treating patients in the vegetative state (VS) must deal with uncertainty in diagnosis and prognosis, as well as ethical issues. We examined whether physicians’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges vary across two national medical practice settings.

Methods
A comparative survey was conducted among German and Canadian specialty physicians, based on a case vignette about the VS. Similarities and differences of participants’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges between the two samples were analyzed with non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney-U-Test).

Results
The overall response rate was 13.4%. Eighty percent of all participants correctly applied the diagnostic category of VS with no significant differences between countries. Many of the participants who chose the correct diagnosis of VS attributed capabilities to the patient, particularly the ability to feel pain (70%), touch (51%) and to experience hunger and thirst (35%). A large majority of participants (94%) considered the limitation of life-sustaining treatment (LST) under certain circumstances, but more Canadian participants were in favor of always limiting LST (32% vs. 12%; Chi-square: p < 0.001). Finding long-term care placement was considered more challenging by Canadian participants whereas discontinuing LST was much more challenging for German participants.

Conclusions
Differences were found between two national medical practice settings with respect to physicians’ experiences and attitudes about treatment limitation about VS in spite of comparable diagnostic knowledge.
Global existence and blow-up analysis to a cooperating model with self-diffusion
Authors: Zhu Linling , Ling Zhi , Lin Zhigui 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this paper, a two-species cooperating model with free diffusion and self-diffusion is investigated. The existence of the global solution is first proved by using lower and upper solution method. Then the sufficient conditions are given for the solution to blow up in a finite time. Our results show that the solution is global if the intra-specific competition is strong, while if the intra-specific competition is weak and the self-diffusion rate is small, blow-up occurs provided that the initial value is large enough or the free diffusion rate is small. Numerical simulations are also given to illustrate the blow-up results.

MSC:35K57, 92D25.
Maternal immunity enhances Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaevaccination induced cell-mediated immune responses in piglets
Authors: Bandrick Meggan , Theis Kara , Molitor Thomas W 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundPassively acquired maternal derived immunity (MDI) is a double-edged sword. Maternal derived antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are critical immediate defenses for the neonate; however, MDI may interfere with the induction of active immunity in the neonate, i.e. passive interference. The effect of antigen-specific MDI on vaccine-induced AMI and CMI responses toMycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) was assessed in neonatal piglets. To determine whether CMI and AMI responses could be induced in piglets with MDI, piglets with high and low levels of maternalM. hyopneumoniae-specific immunity were vaccinated againstM. hyopneumoniaeat 7 d of age. PigletM. hyopneumoniae-specific antibody, lymphoproliferation, and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured 7 d and 14 d post vaccination.ResultsPiglets withM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI failed to show vaccine-induced AMI responses; there was no rise inM. hyopneumoniaeantibody levels following vaccination of piglets in the presence ofM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI. However, piglets withM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI had primary (antigen-specific lymphoproliferation) and secondary (DTH)M. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses following vaccination.ConclusionsIn this study neonatalM. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI was not subject to passive interference by MDI. Further, it appears that both maternal derived and endogenous CMI contribute toM. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses in piglets vaccinated in the face of MDI.
The antimicrobial effects of selenium nanoparticle-enriched probiotics and their fermented broth against Candida albicans
Authors: Kheradmand Erfan , Rafii Fatemeh , Yazdi Mohammad Hossien , Sepahi Abas Akhavan , Shahverdi Ahmad Reza , Oveisi Mohammad Reza 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Lactic acid bacteria are considered important probiotics for prevention of some infections. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of selenium dioxide on the antifungal activity of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. johnsonii against Candida albicans.

Methods

Lactobacillus plantarum and L. johnsonii cells, grown in the presence and absence of selenium dioxide, and their cell-free spent culture media were tested for antifungal activity against C. albicans ATCC 14053 by a hole-plate diffusion method and a time-kill assay.

Results
Both L. plantarum and L. johnsonii reduced selenium dioxide to cell-associated elemental selenium nanoparticles. The cell-free spent culture media, from both Lactobacillus species that had been grown with selenium dioxide for 48 h, showed enhanced antifungal activity against C. albicans. Enhanced antifungal activity of cell biomass against C. albicans was also observed in cultures grown with selenium dioxide.

Conclusions
Selenium dioxide-treated Lactobacillus spp. or their cell-free spent broth inhibited the growth of C. albicans and should be investigated for possible use in anti-Candida probiotic formulations in future.
Adaptive polar transform and fusion for human face image processing and evaluation
Authors: Bhattacharjee Debotosh 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHuman face processing and evaluation is a problem due to variations in orientation, size, illumination, expression, and disguise. The goal of this work is threefold. First, we aim to show that the variant of polar transformation can be used to register face images against changes in pose and size. Second, implementation of fusion of thermal and visual face images in the wavelet domain to handle illumination and disguise and third, principal component analysis is applied in order to tackle changes due to expressions up to a particular extent of degrees. Finally, a multilayer perceptron has been used to classify the face image. Several techniques have been implemented here to depict an idea about improvement of results. Methods started from the simplest design, without registration; only combination of PCA and MLP as a method for dimensionality reduction and classification respectively to the range of adaptive polar registration, fusion in wavelet transform domain and final classification using MLP. A consistent increase in recognition performance has been observed. Experiments were conducted on two separate databases and results yielded are very much satisfactory for adaptive polar registration along with fusion of thermal and visual images in the wavelet domain.
Respiratory viral infection, epithelial cytokines, and innate lymphoid cells in asthma exacerbations
Authors: Kumar Rakesh K , Foster Paul S , Rosenberg Helene F 
Published: June 2014

AbstractExacerbations of asthma are most commonly triggered by viral infections, which amplify allergic inflammation. Cytokines released by virus-infected AECs may be important in driving this response. This review focuses on accumulating evidence in support of a role for epithelial cytokines, including IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP, as well as their targets, type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations. Production and release of these cytokines lead to recruitment and activation of ILC2s, which secrete mediators, including IL-5 and IL-13, which augment allergic inflammation. However, little information is currently available about the induction of these responses by the respiratory viruses that are strongly associated with exacerbations of asthma, such as rhinoviruses. Further human studies, as well as improved animal experimental models, are needed to investigate appropriately the pathogenetic mechanisms in virus-induced exacerbations of asthma, including the role of ILCs.
Technical Advance: Live-imaging analysis of human dendritic cell migrating behavior under the influence of immune-stimulating reagents in an organotypic model of lung
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu , Chen Puran , Björnfot Sofia , Högstrand Kari , Lock John G , Grandien Alf , Coles Mark , Svensson Mattias 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis manuscript describes technical advances allowing manipulation and quantitative analyses of human DC migratory behavior in lung epithelial tissue. DCs are hematopoietic cells essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and the induction of tissue-specific immune responses. Important functions include cytokine production and migration in response to infection for the induction of proper immune responses. To design appropriate strategies to exploit human DC functional properties in lung tissue for the purpose of clinical evaluation, e.g., candidate vaccination and immunotherapy strategies, we have developed a live-imaging assay based on our previously described organotypic model of the human lung. This assay allows provocations and subsequent quantitative investigations of DC functional properties under conditions mimicking morphological and functional features of the in vivo parental tissue. We present protocols to set up and prepare tissue models for 4D (x, y, z, time) fluorescence-imaging analysis that allow spatial and temporal studies of human DCs in live epithelial tissue, followed by flow cytometry analysis of DCs retrieved from digested tissue models. This model system can be useful for elucidating incompletely defined pathways controlling DC functional responses to infection and inflammation in lung epithelial tissue, as well as the efficacy of locally administered candidate interventions.
Multiple Metabolic Genetic Risk Scores and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Three Racial/Ethnic Groups
Authors: Klimentidis Yann C. , Wineinger Nathan E. , Vazquez Ana I. , de los Campos Gustavo 
Published: June 2014

Context/Rationale:
Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies have identified many single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with various metabolic and cardiovascular traits, offering us the opportunity to learn about and capitalize on the links between cardiometabolic traits and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Design:
In multiple datasets comprising over 30 000 individuals and 3 ethnic/racial groups, we calculated 17 genetic risk scores (GRSs) for glycemic, anthropometric, lipid, hemodynamic, and other traits, based on the results of recent trait-specific meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies, and examined associations with T2D risk. Using a training-testing procedure, we evaluated whether additional GRSs could contribute to risk prediction.

Results:
In European Americans, we find that GRSs for T2D, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and body mass index are associated with T2D risk. In African Americans, GRSs for T2D, fasting insulin, and waist-to-hip ratio are associated with T2D. In Hispanic Americans, GRSs for T2D and body mass index are associated with T2D. We observed a trend among European Americans suggesting that genetic risk for hyperlipidemia is inversely associated with T2D risk. The use of additional GRSs resulted in only small changes in prediction accuracy in multiple independent validation datasets.

Conclusions:
The analysis of multiple GRSs can shed light on T2D etiology and how it varies across ethnic/racial groups. Our findings using multiple GRSs are consistent with what is known about the differences in T2D pathogenesis across racial/ethnic groups. However, further work is needed to understand the putative inverse correlation of genetic risk for hyperlipidemia and T2D risk and to develop ethnic-specific GRSs.
Biocompatible Gold Submicrometer Spheres with Variable Surface Texture Fabricated by Pulsed Laser Melting in Liquid
Authors: Rehbock Christoph , Zwartscholten Janina , Barcikowski Stephan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper highlights a strategy on how totally ligand-free biocompatible gold submicrometer spheres (Au-SMSs) can be synthesized by aggregating laser-fabricated nanoparticles (NPs) with NaCl followed by subsequent post-irradiation using pulsed lasers at a moderate fluence. Interestingly, we observed significant changes in the surface structure of the SMSs, caused by the adsorption of smaller particles following a disaggregation–melting–redeposition–sintering-mechanism. Here, utilization of low fluences yielded perfectly smooth textures while higher fluences lead to wrinkled textures. Furthermore, we elucidate that prior to aggregation, the particle size distribution of the source AuNPs may significantly interfere with the surface texture of the resulting Au-SMSs, indicated by predominant formation of rough surface structures in the presence of smaller source NPs. These findings may highlight novel synthesis strategies for Au-SMSs with rough surface textures, particularly beneficial for SERS applications.
About Prospects of Development of Geometry and Its Tools
Authors: Волошинов  , Voloshinov Denis 
Published: June 2014

This paper is devoted to development of new tools
implementing methods of constructive geometric modeling. Such
tools’ development methods on a base of discrete electronic programmable
devices’ use have been proposed. It has been shown
that such tools can serve as a base for an enhanced implementation
of geometric methods in practical applications.
Assessment in Historical Discourse
Authors: Миньяр-Белоручева  , Minyar-Belorucheva A. 
Published: June 2014

The present paper deals with linguistic means of expression evaluation of
historical events and personalities. Evaluation as a universal language category
is determined by social and cultural factors. Evaluation is of primary
im-portance for historical discourse in which the generalized world view of
the historical past is reflected as the unity of rational and emotional. In History
as an academic discipline evaluation permits to expose the significance
of the events of the past within the framework of the present-day ideology.
Historians never overlook their milieu and always evaluate historical facts
in its light. Determined by the system of concepts particular for a certain
social class or a political group evaluation of historical facts can be modified
together with ideology renovations, invigorating historians to revise their
views. This makes historians be cautious in choosing linguistic means of
expression evaluation, which can be both explicit and implicit.
Electronic Resources as a Mean of Students’ Independent Work Organization
Authors: Исакова  , Isakova G. 
Published: June 2014

The article deals with the problem of learners’ independent work organization
effectiveness. The author defines active use of electronic resources
within the organization of students’ independent work as one of the most
effective means of this issue solution in college educational environment.
The article describes pedagogical potential of Internet-resources, such as:
search engines and catalogues, theme web-sites and portals within the
framework of examined material, college web-site, personal teachers’ websites
(web-pages), e-mail services, web-forums, students’ blogs, students’
promo-sites, cloud technologies, wiki technologies, social networks. The
author comes to a conclusion that the types of students’ independent work,
which are becoming available to the teacher with using mentioned electronic
resources, facilitates the learners’ motivation rising, their cognitive activity,
professional self-perfection, developing of business communication skills,
and therefore upgrading the level of college students specialized training.
The geriatric canine and physiotherapy
Authors: Cottriall Suzanne 
Published: June 2014

The geriatric canine is an increasing population where breed type determines the aged patient. Multi-medical problems exist and must be considered in any physiotherapy programme prescribed. Close attention should be paid to pain, and pain eliminated wherever possible to achieve better outcomes so that the therapist can achieve the functional and realistic goals being set. This article outlines the potential physical problems presented in the elderly canine and the associated physiotherapy that can be used to address these. The aim of the physiotherapy is to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Natural Clay-Sized Glauconite in the Neogene Deposits of the Campine Basin (Belgium)
Authors: Adriaens R. , Vandenberghe N. , Elsen J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNatural clay-sized glauconite has the same mineralogical composition as sand-sized glauconite pellets but occurs in <2 μm clay fractions. This particular glauconite habit has been described previously from soil environments resulting from pelletal weathering but is rarely reported in higher-energy sedimentary environments. In the present study, clay-sized glauconite was identified as a common constituent in transgressive Neogene glauconite pellet-rich deposits of the southern North Sea in Belgium. X-ray diffraction results revealed that the characteristics of the clay-sized glauconite are very similar to the associated glauconite pellets in sand deposits. Both glauconite types consisted of two glauconite-smectite R1 phases with generally small percentages of expandable layers (<30%) with d060 values ranging between 1.513 Å and 1.519 Å. Clay-sized glauconite was not neoformed but formed by the disintegration of sand-sized glauconite pellets which were abraded or broken up during short-distance transport within the sedimentary basin or over the hinterland. Even in an environment where authigenic glauconite pellets occur, minimal transport over transgressive surfaces is sufficient to produce clay-sized glauconite. Furthermore, clay-sized glauconite can be eroded from marine deposits and subsequently resedimented in estuarine deposits. Clay-sized glauconite is, therefore, a proxy for the transport intensity of pelletal glauconite in energetic depositional environments and, moreover, indicates reworking in such deposits which lack pelletal glauconite.
Relative Humidity-Induced Reversible Hydration Of Sulfate-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Radha S. , Jayanthi K. , Breu Josef , Kamath P. Vishnu 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLayered double hydroxides (LDH) are extremely important materials for industrial processes and in the environment, and their physical-chemical behavior depends in large part on their hydration state, but the characterization of these hydration effects on their properties are incomplete. The present study was designed to explore the interpolytype transitions induced by variation in the ambient humidity among LDHs. The cooperative behavior of intercalated water molecules resulted in a sudden, single-step, reversible dehydration of the [Zn-Cr-SO4] LDH. The [Zn-Al-SO4] LDH provided an interesting contrast with (1) the coexistence of the end members of the hydration cycle over the 40-20% relative humidity range during the dehydration cycle, and (2) a random interstratified intermediate in the hydration cycle. These observations showed that the [Zn-Al-SO4] LDH offered sites having a range of hydration enthalpies, whereby, at critical levels of hydration (20–40%), the non-uniform swelling of the structure resulted in an interstratified phase. The variation in domain size during reversible hydration was also responsible for the differences observed in the hydration vs. the dehydration pathways. This behavior was attributed to the distortion in the array of hydroxyl ions which departs from hexagonal symmetry on account of cation ordering as shown by structure refinement by the Rietveld method. This distortion was much less in the [Zn-Cr-SO4] LDH, whereby the nearly hexagonal array of hydroxyl ions offered sites of uniform hydration enthalpy for the intercalated water molecules. In this case, all the water molecules experienced the same force of attraction and dehydrated reversibly in a single step. The changes in basal spacing were also accompanied by interpolytype transitions, involving the rigid translations of the metal hydroxide layers relative to one another.
Reliability and Validity of the Supplemental Protection and Advocacy Scale of the Supports Intensity Scale
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Thompson James R. , Wehmeyer Michael L. , Chapman Tec , Tassé Marc J. , McLaughlin Colleen A. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Three separate studies were undertaken to examine the reliability and validity of the Supplemental Protection and Advocacy Scale (P&A Scale) of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS). In Study 1, the interrater reliability of the P&A Scale was investigated when interviewers were trained in SIS administration and scoring. Pearson's product moment coefficients were considerably higher than coefficients reported in a previous study conducted with untrained interviewers. In Study 2, the reliability (internal consistency, standard error of measurement, and interrater reliability) and validity (content and construct validity) of the P&A Scale when administered by trained interviewers with a sample of individuals with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities (ID/DD) receiving services from a state ID/DD agency were examined. Results indicated strong reliability and validity of the P&A Scale, comparable to other domains of the SIS. In Study 3, additional psychometric properties of the P&A Scale were examined in a large sample of trained interviewers from across the United States and Canada using the SIS Online, with findings again showing strong psychometric properties. Collectively, findings from these three investigations suggested that the P&A Scale is a reliable and valid measure of support needs. In future revisions of the SIS, the P&A Scale should be considered for inclusion in the section of the SIS that yields standard scores reflecting an individual's relative intensity of support need.
The never-ending problem named female migrant workers: A critical discourse analysis of Indonesian media
Authors: Sarwono Billy 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The Indonesian media seems to confirm the endless suffering of Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs). In June 2011, Ruyati Binti Satubi’s execution in Saudi Arabia was put in the spotlight by widespread national media coverage. The government seemed to ignore the problem, but it is more striking as to how the execution was also ignored by high-ranking female officials. Study of women’s voices and gender bias in the news coverage is important since most victims are female migrant workers (FMW). It focuses on how Ruyati’s execution was framed in three national newspapers. Interviews were conducted with a journalist, a female migrant worker, a media observer, a political observer and a feminist blogger. This study concludes that: Fewer female voices are represented by the media; IMWs are powerless; Indonesia’s foreign diplomacy and internal bureaucracy are weak; and female politicians’ awareness of migrant workers’ problems was an individual position rather than a gender movement.