bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economic Evaluation of a Public–Private Mix TB Project in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Ramaiah Arul Anand , Gawde Nilesh Chandrakant 
Published: August 2015

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a public–private mix (PPM) project with private sector as sole provider of services in an urban area under India’s Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in Tamil Nadu. Methods: Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) was provided exclusively by a non-governmental organization (NGO) in one area which was compared with another area served by public sector. Data on cost and effectiveness were collected from records and interviews of patients. Cost and effectiveness of non-DOTS treatment was based on previous literature and market rates. Costs for 2011 in US$ were assessed for PPM and non-PPM areas with both public provider and societal perspective. Effectiveness was measured as proportion of cases successfully treated. Results: Service delivery through private sector alone had limited success in drawing patients to DOTS and majority of TB patients received non-DOTS in the area managed by the NGO. From the public provider perspective, cost per patient treated was US$19 in non-PPM and US$22 in PPM DOTS. From societal perspective, these costs were US$142, US$192 and US$204 for non-PPM DOTS, PPM DOTS and non-DOTS strategies, respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis found PPM DOTS to be more cost-effective compared to non-DOTS but less cost-effective than non-PPM DOTS. Conclusion: In rapidly growing urban areas with lack of public sector infrastructure, engaging private sector is a short-term measure to improve effectiveness of the TB Control Programme. Developing public sector infrastructure is key to long-term success especially in countries where private sector is largely unregulated.
Long‐term functional and radiographic outcomes in 243 operated ankle fractures
Authors: Verhage S. M. , Schipper I. B. , Hoogendoorn J. M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundLarge comparative studies that have evaluated long‐term functional outcome of operatively treated ankle fractures are lacking. This study was performed to analyse the influence of several combinations of malleolar fractures on long‐term functional outcome and development of osteoarthritis.MethodsRetrospective cohort‐study on operated (1995–2007) malleolar fractures. Results were assessed with use of the AAOS‐ and AOFAS‐questionnaires, VAS‐pain score, dorsiflexion restriction (range of motion) and osteoarthritis. Categorisation was determined using the number of malleoli involved.Results243 participants with a mean follow‐up of 9.6 years were included. Significant differences for all outcomes were found between unimalleolar (isolated fibular) and bimalleolar (a combination of fibular and medial) fractures (AOFAS 97 vs 91, p = 0.035; AAOS 97 vs 90, p = 0.026; dorsiflexion restriction 2.8° vs 6.7°, p = 0.003). Outcomes after fibular fractures with an additional posterior fragment were similar to isolated fibular fractures. However, significant differences were found between unimalleolar and trimalleolar (a combination of lateral, medial and posterior) fractures (AOFAS 97 vs 88, p < 0.001; AAOS 97 vs 90, p = 0.003; VAS‐pain 1.1 vs 2.3 p < 0.001; dorsiflexion restriction 2.9° vs 6.9°, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in isolated fibular fractures with or without additional deltoid ligament injury. In addition, no functional differences were found between bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Surprisingly, poor outcomes were found for isolated medial malleolar fractures. Development of osteoarthritis occurred mainly in trimalleolar fractures with a posterior fragment larger than 5 %.ConclusionsThe results of our study show that long‐term functional outcome is strongly associated to medial malleolar fractures, isolated or as part of bi‐ or trimalleolar fractures. More cases of osteoarthritis are found in trimalleolar fractures.
Isolation, selection and culture methods to enhance clonogenicity of mouse bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cell precursors
Authors: Baustian Claas , Hanley Shirley , Ceredig Rhodri 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIntroductionConventionally cultured mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (mBM-MSC) are a heterogeneous population that often initially contain contaminating haematopoietic cells. Variability in isolation methods, culture protocols and the lack of specific mBM MSC markers might explain this heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to optimise the isolation, culture conditions and selection of mBM-MSC.MethodsMouse BM-MSCs were isolated from crushed long bones (cBM) or flushed bone marrow (fBM) from 6–8 week old C57Bl/6 mice. These subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry using commonly used mBM-MSC cell surface marker, e.g. Sca-1, CD29 and CD44. Cells were cultured and expanded in vitro in hypoxic conditions of either 2 % or 5 % oxygen. Cell sorting and qRT-PCR was used to determine transcript levels of stem cell and lineage related genes in individual subpopulations.ResultsDuring early passaging not only do contaminating haematopoietic cells disappear, but there is a change in the phenotype of mBM-MSC affecting particularly CD44 and Sca-1 expression. By fluorescence activated cell sorting of CD45−/Ter119−mBM stroma based on Sca-1 expression and expansion in hypoxic conditions, we show that Sca-1+cells had higher CFU-F frequencies and showed enhanced proliferation compared with Sca-1−cells. As evaluated by in vitro assays and qRT-PCR, these cells presented in vitro tri-lineage differentiation along osteocyte, chondrocyte, and adipocyte lineages. Finally, by prospective isolation of Sca-1+PDGFRα+CD90+cells we have isolated mBM-MSC on a single cell level, achieving a CFU-F frequency of 1/4. Functional investigations demonstrated that these MSC clones inhibited T-lymphocyte proliferation.ConclusionBy positive selection using a combination of antibodies to Sca-1, CD90 and PDGFRα and culturing in hypoxia, we have found a subpopulation of BM cells from C57Bl/6 mice with a CFU-F cloning efficiency of 1/4. To our knowledge these results represent the highest frequencies of mouse MSC cloning from C57Bl/6 mice yet reported.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Growth properties at infinity for solutions of modified Laplace equations
Authors: Sun Jianguo , He Binghang , Peixoto-de-Büyükkurt Corchado 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLet $\mathscr{F}$
F
be a family of solutions of Laplace equations in a domain D and for each $f\in\mathscr{F}$
f
∈
F
, f has only zeros of multiplicity at least k. Let n be a positive integer and such that $n\geq\frac{1+\sqrt{1+4k(k+1)^{2}}}{2k}$
n
≥

1
+

1
+
4
k

(
k
+
1
)

2

2
k

. Let a be a complex number such that $a\neq0$
a
≠
0
. If for each pair of functions f and g in $\mathscr{F}$
F
, $f^{n}f^{(k)}$

f
n

f

(
k
)

and $g^{n}g^{(k)}$

g
n

g

(
k
)

share a value in D, then $\mathscr{F}$
F
is normal in D.
Weak and strong convergence theorems of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings and strongly pseudocontractive mappings in a new class of probabilistic normed spaces
Authors: Xu Yongchun , Guan Jinyu , Su Yongfu 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to present a new class of probabilistic normed spaces and to study fixed point problems in this class of probabilistic normed spaces. This paper includes the following two contents: (1) The definition of a new class of probabilistic normed spaces, the so-called S-probabilistic normed spaces, is given. In order to study the fixed point problems, some relevant properties of S-probabilistic normed spaces are discussed and some basic useful results are obtained; (2) The notion of probabilistic weak convergence is firstly presented in this paper. Therefore the probabilistic weak and strong convergence theorems of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings, asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and strongly pseudocontractive mappings are also proved by using the new methods and techniques.
Dermatoglyphic meta-analysis indicates early epigenetic outcomes & possible implications on genomic zygosity in type-2 diabetes
Authors: Yohannes Seile 
Published: August 2015

Background: Dermatoglyphic studies, particularly those arising from the Dutch Hunger Winter Families Cohort, indicate an involvement of prenatal epigenetic insults in type-2 diabetes. However, the exact orchestration of this association is not fully understood. Herein is described a meta-analysis performed based on a belief that such an approach could shed some light as to the role of genetic & epigenetic influences in the etiology of type-2 diabetes. Methodology/principal findings: The study incorporated reports identified from PubMed, Medline, & Google Scholar databases for eligible case-control studies that assessed dermatoglyphics in type-2 diabetes cases relative to controls. Over 44,000 fingerprints & 2300 palm prints from around 4400 individuals were included in the analysis. Decreased loops patterns [OR= 0.76; 95% CI= (0.59, 0.98)], increased non-loop patterns [OR= 1.31; 95% CI= (1.02, 1.68)], and reduced absolute finger ridge counts [OR= -0.19; 95% CI= (-0.33, -0.04)] were significant findings among the diabetic group. These results are indicative of mild developmental deviances, with epigenetic insults significantly linked to early gestation wherein critical events &signaling pathways of the endocrine pancreas development are witnessed. Further, the increased loop patterns with decreased non-loop patterns were deemed as possible indicators of decreased genomic heterozygosity with concurrently increased homozygosity in the diabetic group, linked to reduced buffering capacities during prenatal development. Conclusions: Epigenetic insults primarily during the 1st trimester, to a lesser extent between the early-to-mid 2ndtrimester, but least likely linked to those beyond the mid-second trimester are evident in type-2 diabetes. It is recommended that future research aimed at expounding the prenatal origins of T2DM, as well as developing novel therapeutic methods, should focus on the early stages of endocrine pancreatic development.
Hydropsychidae Curtis e Leptoceridae Leach (Insecta, Trichoptera) do Parque Estadual Intervales, Serra de Paranapiacaba, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Moretto Rafael Alberto , Bispo Pitágoras Conceição 
Published: August 2015

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das famílias Hydropsychidae e Leptoceridae (Trichoptera) do Parque Estadual Intervales, um dos últimos remanescentes florestais de Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo. As coletas foram realizadas em diferentes riachos do Parque entre julho de 2010 e agosto de 2013. Foram coletados 2.319 indivíduos machos, totalizando 29 espécies, 17 da família Hydropsychidae e 12 de Leptoceridae. Dentre essas espécies, duas não possuíam registro para o Estado de São Paulo.Hydropsychidae Curtis and Leptoceridae Leach (Insecta, Trichoptera) from Parque Estadual Intervales, Serra de Paranapiacaba, São Paulo State, BrazilAbstract. This study aimed to survey the caddisfly families Hydropsychidae and Leptoceridae from Intervales State Park, one of the last remaining of the Atlantic Rain Forest of São Paulo State. The collections were carried out in several streams between July 2010 and August 2013. Were collected 2,319 males, totaling 29 species, 17 of the Hydropsychidae and 12 of Leptoceridae. Among these species, two had no record for the State of São Paulo.
Ecological Interaction Among Stingless Bees, Ants, and the whitefly Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)
Authors: Alves Luis Henrique , Pereira Sérgio Nogueira , Prezoto Fábio , Cassino Paulo Cesar Rodrigues 
Published: August 2015

Many organisms consume honeydew to meet their energy requirements. Some species of stingless bees also consume honeydew secreted by hemipterans. In this study we describe the ecological relationships among stingless bees, ants, and the whitefly [Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)]. In order to do so, we made 30-min observations twice a day, carried out once a week for four weeks in the month of April 2009, in a cassava plantation (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Valença in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results show no necessary dependence between the bees and A. aepim. The presence of ants help protect whiteflies from their natural enemies, A. aepim may be benefited by this interaction and thereby increase their evolutionary success.Interação Ecológica entre Abelhas sem Ferrão, Formigas, e a Mosca Branca Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)Resumo. Muitos organismos consomem honeydew para suprir suas necessidades energéticas. Algumas espécies de abelhas sem ferrão, também utilizam este recurso com esta finalidade. Com o intuito de descrever a relação ecológica entre abelhas sem ferrão, formigas e mosca branca [Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi)], fizemos 30 minutos de observação 2 vezes ao dia, uma vez por semana, durante quatro semanas no mês de abril de 2009, em plantação de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), em Valença estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Não foi observada uma dependência obrigatória entre abelhas sem ferrão e A. aipim, caracterizando esta relação como comensal. Como a presença de formigas ajuda a proteger os aleirodídeos de seus inimigos naturais, A. aepim pode estar sendo beneficiado por esta interação e com isso, aumentando seu sucesso evolutivo.
MATERIAŁY FUNKCJONALNE WYTWARZANE W SKALI PRZEMYSŁOWEJ
Authors: Barska Justyna , Kłysz Sylwester 
Published: August 2015

AbstractW artykule przedstawiono szeroką gamę zastosowań materiałów funkcjonalnych i skalę ich obecnej produkcji przemysłowej. Są to materiały charakteryzujące się specyficznymi wła-ściwościami, dzięki którym stały się wręcz niezbędne w pewnych rozwiązaniach konstruk-cyjnych. Opisano ich podstawowe charakterystyki, właściwości, metody wytwarzania i zastosowania jako materiały inteligentne.
System Research Of Multi-Barrel Machine Guns Installed On Board Of The Helicopter Of Mi-17 Type
Authors: Bęczkowski Grzegorz , Krzonkalla Jarosław , Mordzonek Maj , Rymaszewski Stanisław , Zgrzywa Franciszek 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis article presents tests of a multi-barreled machine gun system built on board of a helicopter. The described weapon system consists of three 7.62 mm M-134G multi-barreled machine guns built on the designed frames of shooting positions located in the escape hatch window, the side doors and the rear doors of the transport cabin of the Mi-17-1V helicopter.The article presents basic tactical and technical parameters of the M-134G multi-barreled machine gun as well as detailed placement and equipment of the shooting positions. Secondly, the adopted range and the actual conduct of tests on the system are discussed. Among other things, its reliability, the impact of its work on the operation of the other on-board systems and vice versa as well as the effectiveness of the helicopter protection are analysed and rated. Finally, the results of conducted tests are given, in particular the system’s compliance with the tactical and technical requirements.
Selected Problems In Controlling On-Board Direct And Alternating Current Systems
Authors: Gębura Andrzej , Tokarski Tomasz 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe article addresses in a complex way the problem of cooperation between the on-board electric power sources of an aircraft with its on-board electric network. The authors paid special attention to conditions related to correct switching of the on-board electric power sources. Structural protection of the electric power sources against harmful impact of loads, and of the loads against incorrectly operating sources, as well as certain methods to counteract such phenomena, are discussed. Exploring these relations will enable the user to undertake actions which can reduce the failure rate of the on-board electrical power network, and ensure power supply to the electrical loads under all flight conditions. Their correct operation determines correct operation of the on-board electrical power network. The authors tried to discuss all the problems in the most universal way possible, so the deliberations presented here could be helpful in analyzing defects in various aircrafts.
Determination Of The Position Of The Optoelectronic Gimbal Using MEMS Sensors
Authors: Sokołowska Justyna , Błaszczyk Janusz 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe paper describes the use of MinIMU-9 v3 sensors to determine changes in the position of a cheap, stabilised optoelectronic gimbal for unmanned aircraft systems. The sensors calibration process, the influence of temperature changes on their readings, and recommendations that should be considered during assembly were presented.
Various heuristic algorithms to minimise the two-page crossing
numbers of graphs
Authors: He Hongmei , Sălăgean Ana , Mäkinen Erkki , Vrt’o Imrich 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
We propose several new heuristics for the twopage
book crossing problem, which are based on recent
algorithms for the corresponding one-page problem. Especially,
the neural network model for edge allocation is
combined for the first time with various one-page algorithms.
We investigate the performance of the new heuristics
by testing them on various benchmark test suites. It
is found out that the new heuristics outperform the previously
known heuristics and produce good approximations
of the planar crossing number for severalwell-known
graph families. We conjecture that the optimal two-page
drawing of a graph represents the planar drawing of the
graph.
Investigation into the toughening mechanism of epoxy reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Wenjing , Zhai Shiwei , Tang Shawei , Zhou Xiaoqin , Yu Dengguang , Wang Xia 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
This study reports the reinforcement and fracture toughening mechanism of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on epoxy matrix. The tensile strength and fracture energy (G
IC) of the epoxy polymer increased simultaneously upon the addition of a small amount of MWCNTs. The fracture surfaces of single-edge-notch three-point bending test specimens were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, and the double-notch four-point bending technique was used to investigate the fracture process by transmission electron microscopy, respectively. MWCNT pull-out and subsequent plastic void growth were found; meanwhile, fracture of MWCNTs was observed along the crack propagation path. The theoretical model of shearing band initiated by the stress concentrations around the MWCNTs is the dominant toughening mechanism. While the crack bridging of MWCNTs and the plastic void growth of epoxy also have a toughening effect.
Importance Of Rural Women As Part Of The Population In Turkey
Authors: Oğuz Cennet 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Turkey has a total land potential of 78 million ha with a population about 74 million. About one third of the land is arable, and 26% of the population has lived in rural areas. The active population, work in the rural area of Turkey, is 14,767,000 and women have about 51% of that population. The population of women working in agriculture has shown an increase from year to year. In that regard, importance of women in agricultural activities and rural development is very clear. In agricultural enterprises, the individuals are comprised from 54% men and 46% women whose main work is agricultural activities and female economically active population in agriculture is about 55% in Turkey. The Social Gender Inequality Index, SGII, can be used to make some recommendations for policy makers. SGII is still at a high rate of 0.366 in Turkey. In present paper, some secondary data such as reports and statistical data were analyzed about the contributions of women labor uses in agriculture.
The Changing Face of Unions and White Labor Support for the Democratic Party
Authors: Camobreco John F. , Barnello Michelle A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis manuscript examines the political behavior of White union members, with a focus on the differences between private sector and public sector union members. In the last several decades, private sector union membership has drastically declined, but public sector union membership has greatly increased. This has transformed the White unionized workforce from a group composed primarily of non-professional men with no college education to one that is much more female, college educated, and professional. We test the proposition that White public sector union members have greater incentives to support the Democratic Party than their private sector counterparts. The method employed is an examination of the presidential vote among both unionized and non-unionized Whites during the 1950s and the 2000s, using data from the American National Election Studies. Support among unionized Whites for Democratic presidential candidates in the 2000s came primarily from college educated and professional White union members, which represents a reversal of the pattern found during the 1950s. These results provide evidence that the White union members currently voting for Democratic candidates belong mainly to public sector unions.
Executive functioning in three groups of pupils in D-KEFS: Selected issues in adapting the test battery for Slovakia
Authors: Ferjenčík Ján , Slavkovská Miriam , Kresila Juraj 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The paper reports on the adaptation of a D-KEFS test battery for Slovakia. Drawing on concrete examples, it describes and illustrates the key issues relating to the transfer of test items from one socio-cultural environment to another. The standardisation sample of the population of Slovak pupils in the fourth year of primary school included 250 children with an average age of 9.7 years. The two comparative samples of the same age range were analysed at the same time. They included pupils from classes for gifted children (n = 55) and Roma children from socially disadvantaging environments (n = 50).
The results manifested a significant skewness in most distributions of the D- -KEFS primary indicator raw scores. The nature of the skewness suggests that these indicators are more sensitive at discriminating the performance of weaker children but not at discriminating within the above-average performance range. The distribution in the Roma children sample was skewed to the opposite value. Most of the Roma children found the tests from the D-KEFS battery, especially those based on verbal materials, too difficult and so it only differentiated results achieved by the best in the group. Comparisons of the mean scores in all the primary indicators (One-way ANOVA) highlight the need to establish specific norms for the standard population of Slovak children on the one hand and for Roma children from socially disadvantaging environment on the other
The effect of pulverising aeration on changes in the oxygen and nitrogen concentrations in water of Lake Starzyc
Authors: Wesołowski Piotr , Brysiewicz Adam 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Due to poor ecological status of Lake Starzyc, lake restoration measures were undertaken in 2003 to improve aerobic conditions of near-bottom waters and to decrease phosphorus concentrations. To do this, a wind-driven pulverising aerator was installed in the lake. The aim of this study was to analyse variability of oxygen and nitrogen concentrations in lake water near the aerator in the third year of its operation and later on in the three-year-long period of the years 2008–2010. It was found that concentrations of ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen and dissolved oxygen near the aerator did not differ from those in sites 4 and 5, which evidenced similar abiotic conditions in analysed waters. Higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen and lower concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen were found in the years 2008–2010 than in 2005.