bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neglect of Differentiation — Loss of Competitive Advantage (Example of Russian Producers of Fittings for NPP)
Authors: Плахотникова  , Plakhotnikova E. 
Published: June 2014

Purchase of equipment for a nuclear power plant is carried out by Rosenergoatom
concern according to the Federal law No. 223-FZ “About purchases of goods,
works, services by separate types of legal entities” dated 18.07.2011. Among
the main criteria of assessment are quality, supplier’s reliability, delivery time
and price. Considering that in such tenders the reliable suppliers participate
which possess of considerable production potential and capable in tight
deadlines and approximately equal terms to fabricate and supply an equipment,
and that quality criterion is estimated on compliance of technical characteristics
which have been set in tender documentation to characteristics specified in
suppliers’ demands, the basis for decision-making on a contract award is first
of all a price. The price of electro-driving fittings depends on a basic cost of
electric drive and shutoff valves. Through a comparative analysis of electrodriving
shutoff valves of various producers it has been established that in some
cases for management of absolutely identical shutoff valves foreign and
domestic producers use the electric drives of various power. The use of more
powerful electric drive as an actuation device in Russia considerably increases
a system cost and therefore reduces domestic production competitiveness at
tender purchases. The reason of competitiveness decrease is connected with
incorrectness of fittings’ power characteristics calculation techniques which are
used by almost all fittings manufacturers of Russia, and unreasonably
overestimated power system characteristics as a result of unification. Revision
of expediency of the unification accepted still in the last century can reduce
considerably the price of domestic systems of electro-driving shutoff valves and
increase the production’s competitiveness and quality.
«Undeserved Profit» Problem on Modern Russia’s Resource Markets
Authors: Соловьев  , Solovev S. , Белов  , Belov Dmitriy , Протасьев  , Protasyev Viktor , Игнатьев  , Ignatev A. 
Published: June 2014

One of the main problems at commercial accounting of resources (natural gas,
electric energy, heat, water) is discrepancy of registered volumes (quantity) of
delivered (supplied) and consumed (paid) resource. Stated treats not only a resource,
but also an accounting of deliveries related to any kind of goods which
quantity is defined and considered by means of measuring tools (packaging of
loose products, supply of gasoline from a plant at a gas station, its further realization
to consumers, etc.). It is accepted to call a discrepancy of specified volumes
as imbalance. Its consequence is either an incomplete settlement of consumers
with a supplier (supplier’s damage and consumers’ “undeserved
profit”), or, on the contrary, consumers’ overpayment for delivered resource
(supplier’s “undeserved profit” and consumers’ damage). Therefore, the resource
imbalance can be classified as one of the most important economic indicators
of any resource supplying process since the economic efficiency of
activity of companies and organizations delivering and realizing resources to
consumers depends directly on the resource imbalance value.
Knee extensor strength measured using a Biodex dynamometer and an adapted hand held dynamometer
Authors: Clements Shaun , Samuel Dinesh 
Published: June 2014

Background: Muscle strength is widely used as an outcome measure in rehabilitation and knee extensor strength is an important determinant of physical function. Hand held dynamometry (HHD) is portable and easy to use; however, reliability of HHD measurements is significantly influenced by the strength of the tester. The present study assessed the agreement between an adapted HHD and Biodex dynamometry while measuring knee extensor strength in young adults. Method: Thirty participants aged 22–35 years (mean age 24.4 years; SD ± 2.5) were studied. Peak isometric knee extensor strength of the dominant leg was measured using the Biodex dynamometer and adapted HHD. The agreement between the maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) was analysed using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, intraclass correlation (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The mean peak knee extensor MVC was 191.7 Nm (± 53.6) for the Biodex dynamometer and 167.5 Nm (± 55) for the adapted HHD. The mean difference in peak knee extensor strength measured using the adapted HHD was 24.1 Nm (± 30.3) lower when compared to the Biodex. However, there was good correlation between the two measures (r=0.796, ICC (3, 1): peak torque=0.796; average of three trials=0.808) and Bland–Altman plots confirmed good agreement. Conclusions: The knee strength measurements were not influenced by examiner strength and results obtained using the adapted HDD were comparable to that using the Biodex; however, the absolute knee extensor strength obtained using the adapted HHD was generally lower.
National trends in revision spinal fusion in the USA
Authors: Rajaee S. S. , Kanim L. E. A. , Bae H. W. 
Published: June 2014

Using the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified national trends in revision spinal fusion along with a comprehensive comparison of comorbidities, inpatient complications and surgical factors of revision spinal fusion compared to primary spinal fusion. In 2009, there were 410 158 primary spinal fusion discharges and 22 128 revision spinal fusion discharges. Between 2002 and 2009, primary fusion increased at a higher rate compared with revision fusion (56.4% vs 51.0%; p < 0.001). In 2009, the mean length of stay and hospital charges were higher for revision fusion discharges than for primary fusion discharges (4.2 days vs 3.8 days, p < 0.001; USD $91 909 vs. $87 161, p < 0.001). In 2009, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) was used more in revision fusion than in primary fusion (39.6% vs 27.6%, p < 0.001), whereas interbody devices were used less in revision fusion (41.8% vs 56.6%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression model for all spinal fusions, depression (odds ratio (OR) 1.53, p < 0.001), psychotic disorders (OR 1.49, p < 0.001), deficiency anaemias (OR 1.35, p < 0.001) and smoking (OR 1.10, p = 0.006) had a greater chance of occurrence in revision spinal fusion discharges than in primary fusion discharges, adjusting for other variables. In terms of complications, after adjusting for all significant comorbidities, this study found that dural tears (OR 1.41; p < 0.001) and surgical site infections (OR 3.40; p < 0.001) had a greater chance of occurrence in revision spinal fusion discharges than in primary fusion discharges (p < 0.001). A p-value < 0.01 was considered significant in all final analyses. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:807–16.
Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgery
Authors: Gamo K. , Kuriyama K. , Higuchi H. , Uesugi A. , Nakase T. , Hamada M. , Kawai H. 
Published: June 2014

We examined the outcomes and levels of patient satisfaction in 202 consecutive cases of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SBPB) in upper limb surgery performed between September 2007 and March 2010. All blocks were performed by orthopaedic surgeons using ultrasound visualisation with a high-frequency linear probe. The probe was placed in the coronal–oblique plane in the supraclavicular fossa, and the puncture was ‘in-plane’ from lateral to medial. Most of the blocks were performed with 0.75% ropivacaine/1% lidocaine (1:1), with or without adrenaline in 1:200 000 dilution. In 201 patients (99.5%) the brachial plexus block permitted surgery without conversion to general anaesthesia. The mean procedure time for block was 3.9 min (2 to 12), the mean waiting time for surgery was 34.1 min (10 to 64), the mean surgical time was 75.2 min (6 to 232), and the mean duration of post-anaesthetic analgesia was 437 min (171 to 992). A total of 20 patients (10%) developed a transient Horner’s syndrome. No nerve injury, pneumothorax, arterial puncture or systemic anaesthetic toxicity were recorded. Most patients (96.7%) were satisfied with ultrasound-guided SBPB. This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided SBPB for orthopaedic surgery on the upper limb. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:795–9.
The frequency of sequelae of slipped upper femoral epiphysis in cam-type femoroacetabular impingement
Authors: Murgier J. , Reina N. , Cavaignac E. , Espié A. , Bayle-Iniguez X. , Chiron P. 
Published: June 2014

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is one of the known causes of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of FAI cases considered to be secondary to SUFE-like deformities.We performed a case–control study on 96 hips (75 patients: mean age 38 years (15.4 to 63.5)) that had been surgically treated for FAI between July 2005 and May 2011. Three independent observers measured the lateral view head–neck index (LVHNI) to detect any SUFE-like deformity on lateral hip radiographs taken in 45° flexion, 45° abduction and 30° external rotation. A control group of 108 healthy hips in 54 patients was included for comparison (mean age 36.5 years (24.3 to 53.9).The impingement group had a mean LVHNI of 7.6% (16.7% to -2%) versus 3.2% in the control group (10.8% to -3%) (p < 0.001). A total of 42 hips (43.7%) had an index value > 9% in the impingement group versus only six hips (5.5%) in the control group (p < 0.001). The impingement group had a mean α angle of 73.9° (96.2° to 53.4°) versus 48.2° (65° to 37°) in the control group (p < 0.001).Our results suggest that SUFE is one of the primary aetiological factors for cam-type FAI.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:724–9.
An anatomical study of transfer of the anterior interosseous nerve for the treatment of proximal ulnar nerve injuries
Authors: Sukegawa K. , Kuniyoshi K. , Suzuki T. , Ogawa Y. , Okamoto S. , Shibayama M. , Kobayashi T. , Takahashi K. 
Published: June 2014

We conducted an anatomical study to determine the best technique for transfer of the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) for the treatment of proximal ulnar nerve injuries. The AIN, ulnar nerve, and associated branches were dissected in 24 cadaver arms. The number of branches of the AIN and length available for transfer were measured. The nerve was divided just proximal to its termination in pronator quadratus and transferred to the ulnar nerve through the shortest available route. Separation of the deep and superficial branches of the ulnar nerve by blunt dissection alone, was also assessed. The mean number of AIN branches was 4.8 (3 to 8) and the mean length of the nerve available for transfer was 72 mm (41 to 106). The transferred nerve reached the ulnar nerve most distally when placed dorsal to flexor digitorum profundus (FDP). We therefore conclude that the AIN should be passed dorsal to FDP, and that the deep and superficial branches of the ulnar nerve require approximately 30 mm of blunt dissection and 20 mm of sharp dissection from the point of bifurcation to the site of the anastomosis. The use of this technique for transfer of the AIN should improve the outcome for patients with proximal ulnar nerve injuries. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:789–94.
Natural Progression of Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Innasimuthu Antony Leslie , Kumar Sanjay , Lazar Jason , Katz William E. 
Published: June 2014

Because the natural progression of low-gradient aortic stenosis (LGAS) has not been well defined, we performed a retrospective study of 116 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis who had undergone follow-up echocardiography at a median interval of 698 days (range, 371–1,020 d). All patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>0.50) during and after follow-up.
At baseline, patients were classified by aortic valve area (AVA) as having mild stenosis (≥1.5 cm2), moderate stenosis (≥1 to <1.5 cm2), or severe stenosis (<1 cm2). Severe aortic stenosis was further classified by mean gradient (LGAS, mean <40 mmHg; high-gradient aortic stenosis [HGAS], mean ≥40 mmHg). We compared baseline and follow-up values among 4 groups: patients with mild stenosis, moderate stenosis, LGAS, and HGAS.
At baseline, 30 patients had mild stenosis, 54 had moderate stenosis, 24 had LGAS, and 8 had HGAS. Compared with the moderate group, the LGAS group had lower AVA but similar mean gradient. Yet the actuarial curves for progressing to HGAS were significantly different: 25% of patients in LGAS reached HGAS status significantly earlier than did 25% of patients in the moderate-AS group (713 vs 881 d; P=0.035).
Because LGAS has a high propensity to progress to HGAS, we propose that low-gradient aortic stenosis patients be closely monitored as a distinct subgroup that warrants more frequent echocardiographic follow-up.
Exertional Dyspnea as a Symptom of Infrarenal Aortic Occlusive Disease
Authors: Schott Stacey L. , Carreiro Fernanda Porto , Harkness James R. , Malas Mahmoud B. , Sozio Stephen M. , Zakaria Sammy 
Published: June 2014

Advanced atherosclerosis of the aorta can cause severe ischemia in the kidneys, refractory hypertension, and claudication. However, no previous reports have clearly associated infrarenal aortic stenosis with shortness of breath. A 77-year-old woman with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with exertional dyspnea. Despite extensive testing and observation, no apparent cause for this patient's dyspnea was found. Images revealed severe infrarenal aortic stenosis. After the patient underwent stenting of the aortic occlusion, she had immediate symptomatic improvement and complete resolution of her dyspnea within one month. Twelve months after vascular intervention, the patient remained asymptomatic.
In view of the distinct and lasting elimination of dyspnea after angioplasty and stenting of a nearly occluded infrarenal aortic lesion, we hypothesize that infrarenal aortic stenosis might be a treatable cause of exertional dyspnea. Clinicians should consider infrarenal aortic stenosis as a possible cause of dyspnea. Treatment of the stenosis might relieve symptoms.
Slope of the Anterior Mitral Valve Leaflet: A New Measurement of Left Ventricular Unloading for Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Martinez Sara C. , Bradley Elisa A. , Novak Eric L. , Rasalingam Ravi , Cedars Ari M. , Ewald Gregory A. , Silvestry Scott C. , Joseph Susan M. 
Published: June 2014

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-supported patients are evaluated routinely with use of transthoracic echocardiography. Values of left ventricular unloading in this unique patient population are needed to evaluate LVAD function and assist in patient follow-up.
We introduce a new M-mode measurement, the slope of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (SLAM), and compare its efficacy with that of other standard echocardiographically evaluated values for left ventricular loading, including E/e′ and pulmonary artery systolic pressures. Average SLAM values were determined retrospectively for cohorts of random, non-LVAD patients with moderately to severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<0.35, n=60). In addition, pre- and post-LVAD implantation echocardiographic images of 81 patients were reviewed.
The average SLAM in patients with an LVEF <0.35 was 11.6 cm/s (95% confidence interval, 10.4–12.8); SLAM had a moderately strong correlation with E/e′ in these patients. Implantation of LVADs significantly increased the SLAM from 7.3 ± 2.44 to 14.7 ± 5.01 cm/s (n=42, P <0.0001). The LVAD-supported patients readmitted for exacerbation of congestive heart failure exhibited decreased SLAM from 12 ± 3.93 to 7.3 ± 3.5 cm/s (n=6, P=0.041). In addition, a cutpoint of 10 cm/s distinguished random patients with LVEF <0.35 from those in end-stage congestive heart failure (pre-LVAD) with an 88% sensitivity and a 55% specificity.
Evaluating ventricular unloading in LVAD patients remains challenging. Our novel M-mode value correlates with echocardiographic values of left ventricular filling in patients with moderate-to-severe systolic function and dynamically improves with the ventricular unloading of an LVAD.
On a new class of fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Shieh Tien-Tsan , Spector Daniel E. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we study a new class of fractional partial differential equations which are obtained by minimizing variational problems in fractional Sobolev spaces. We introduce a notion of fractional gradient which has the potential to extend many classical results in the Sobolev spaces to the nonlocal and fractional setting in a natural way.
To Work or Not to Work? The Effect of Childcare Subsidies on the Labour Supply of Parents
Authors: Kosonen Tuomas 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper studies the effect of childcare subsidies on parental labour supply. I use variation arising from changes in the municipality-specific supplement to Finnish child homecare allowance to identify the causal effect of subsidies on the labour force participation of parents. The variation in labour supply incentives is plausibly exogenous, since eligibility depends on municipal-level rules, but not on family income. Robustness checks indicate that the results are not driven by policy endogeneity or residential sorting. I find a robust result that 100 euros higher supplement per month reduces the maternal labour supply by 3 percentage points.
Einstufung in UNIcert®-Kurse mittels C-Test
Authors: Eggensperger Karl-Heinz 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article describes a procedure for constructing C-tests for UNIcert® courses, and in doing so gives an insight into work in progress. Each year since 2005 twelve colleagues working in language centres in third-level institutions in Germany have collaboratively developed a C-test for assigning students to French courses. Our central concern is to link the C-test format to the UNIcert® certification system. As the linguistic demands of the different UNIcert® levels cannot be reliably scaled on the basis of the usual descriptors, we use teaching times as stipulated in the UNIcert® framework and correlate this with corresponding language levels that cannot be described precisely. From this we have derived a UNIcert® reference scale, which shows competence ranges for each level in terms of C-test scores. In this way it is possible to define entry levels for the different courses according to a single system of C-test scores. The scale can only be used, however, if the C-tests in question satisfy certain requirements. Accordingly, a UNIcert® reference “testlet” to determine admission to appropriate levels of French courses is being developed according to various parameters. Empirical procedures are being used to explore potentially suitable testlets. Course-related pilot testlets are tested by students taking UNIcert® courses. The results from the piloting of the testlets are compared with the reference testlet, and this determines whether or not they are used in the main test that assigns students to the appropriate levels of the UNIcert® courses for which they have registered. Grading is on the basis of total test scores and the UNIcert® reference scale.
Using Quality Management Systems to improve test development and standards and to promote good practice: A case study of testing Italian as a foreign language
Authors: Grego Bolli Giuliana 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article discusses the problem of quality in the production of language tests in the context of Italian language examinations. The concept of quality is closely related to the application of stated standards and related procedures. These standards, developed over the last thirty years, are mainly related to the concepts of the accountability and responsibility of organisations and testing bodies. In this context and for these purposes, a quality management system (QMS) could be a useful tool for the setting out of procedures and the consistent application of standards to the different phases in the production of language examinations, thereby supporting and providing evidence of the valid interpretation and use of test results (Messick 1989). Taking into account the development of standards in educational assessment (Saville 2014), the article starts with a brief exploration of the terms
Singular integrals on self-similar sets and removability for Lipschitz harmonic functions in Heisenberg groups
Authors: Chousionis Vasilis , Mattila Pertti 
Published: June 2014

Abstract.

In this paper we study singular integrals on small (that is, measure zero and lower than full dimensional) subsets of
metric groups. The main examples of the groups we have in mind are Euclidean spaces and Heisenberg groups. In addition
to obtaining results in a very general setting, the purpose
of this work is twofold; we shall extend some results in Euclidean spaces to more general kernels than previously
considered, and we shall obtain in Heisenberg groups some applications to harmonic (in the Heisenberg sense) functions of
some results known earlier in Euclidean spaces.
Some Remarks on the Semio-Anthropology of Writing
Authors: Kim Sungdo 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The aim of this work consists in constructing some epistemological foundations for the semio-anthropology of writing. While recognizing the conceptual discord on the ontological properties of writing, the author provides some genealogies of perspectives on writing including the extensive conceptualization inspired by J. Derrida. The author of this paper wants to insist on the epistemological necessity of graphic pluralism beyond the narrow linguistic notion of writing. In doing so, he would envisage to discover the broad and productive domain of semiotics of writing.
The simultaneous systematic analysis approach for personalized management of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Marcus-Kalish Mira , Meiri Hamutal 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe simultaneous systematic analysis (SSA) approach, emanating from the novel achievements in science and technology, is targeted to provide a broad insight into the human body physical and mental functioning in various surroundings. Thus it paves the way to personalized, preventive and predictive medicine. The goal is to form an ongoing collaborative research and development platform focusing on the micro and macroenvironmental factors of the complex human functioning. This approach aims to build an open, innovative, systematic joint effort, combining and sharing all acquired knowledge and expertise among the leading professionals in all relevant areas of science and technology, while reducing technical, conceptual and formal barriers. The CHEST methodology (converging humanities, education, science and technology) will be utilized, as an innovative meeting point, enabling open and coherent discussions among all stakeholders from all relevant disciplines. The SSA approach is complementary and fully aligned with the partitioned research, creating a well-structured joint effort, ongoing R&D sharing and borderless discussions among the academic research, government, regulatory agencies, industry, and the public. Bringing on board all stakeholders including young students, could provide innovative outcomes and new regulations adjusted to the new era. This review study focuses on the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) diagnosis and treatment case study, as CVDs accounts for about one third of human morbidity and mortality and is a main driver in the biomedical and drug industries. The American Heart Association (AHA) in its 2020 published health goals reflect a similar attitude and thus provides strong support to the SSA approach. It is the authors’ contention that applying the SSA approach could provide the essential comprehensive insight into individual complex functioning over time and place. Thus, it would enable responsible personalized, accessible healthcare and yielding major economical and sociological impact on society.