bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Employee Satisfaction with Services of Human Resource Departments in the Fujairah Medical District (FMD) of the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Naqbi Sana Ali Al , Hamidi Samer A. , Younis Mustafa Z. , Rivers Patrick A. 
Published: June 2014

Introduction: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven monarchies, whose rulers retain absolute power within their emirates. The seven Emirates include Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharajah, and Umm al-Quwain. Abu Dhabi, the capital, is also the country’s centre of political, industrial and cultural activities. This study focuses on the Emirate of Fujairah. Employees are the backbone of any strong health system, thus, the success of any health system is highly dependent on satisfaction of employee needs. This study identifies and quantifies main determinants of employee satisfaction within Human Resource Departments in the Fujairah Medical District (FMD, thereafter). Methods: Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to measure employee satisfaction with the services provided by Human Resource Departments in the FMD. After completing a pilot study of the self-developed questionnaire, researchers randomly distributed 600 copies to employees at all 16 health institutes under the authority of the FMD. However, 310 responses were received, representing a 52 per cent response rate. Data were subsequently analyzed with t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Compared to the standard of 60 per cent or greater, overall level of employee satisfaction in this study was slightly lower at 58 per cent. Results indicated that males were significantly more dissatisfied with the organizational factors than females. Both married and unmarried employees were dissatisfied with the services provided by Human Resources. Employees at all experience levels reported low levels of satisfaction with training and development. Regardless of educational level, employee satisfaction with conditions of the workplace and facility structure in the FMD was low when compared to the standard. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study shows that the employees were not satisfied with the services within Human Resource Departments in the FMD. It is recommended that FMD management overcome the determinant factors to reduce the level of dissatisfaction of their employees in the following four dimensions: organizational factors, work conditions/facility structure, training and career development.
The Breivik controversy: politics, terrorism and psychiatry
Authors: Tietze Tad 
Published: June 2014

Objectives: To examine and analyse the controversy over psychiatric aspects of the case of Norwegian far right mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik. Conclusions: Because of a basic acceptance of methodological individualism and scientific positivism, mainstream psychiatry is currently ill suited to being broadly applied to the spheres of politics and political violence. Rather than jettison psychiatric insights in such cases, the choices facing the profession are either to accept the narrowness of its utility or to work towards a theoretical framework that sees the individual psyche as socially embedded rather than as socially constitutive, and psychiatric science itself as socially constructed and hence inescapably value-laden.
Assessing Preoperative Frailty Utilizing Validated Geriatric Mortality Calculators and Their Association With Postoperative Hip Fracture Mortality Risk
Authors: Dwyer Jennifer G. , Reynoso Jason F. , Seevers Georgia A. , Schmid Kendra K. , Muralidhar Padmashri , Konigsberg Beau , Lynch Thomas G. , Johanning Jason M. 
Published: June 2014

Introduction: End-of-life surgical care is a major concern with a significant number of operations performed within the last year of life; surgery for hip fractures is a prime example. Unfortunately, no simple objective tool exists to assess life expectancy in the postoperative period. The goal of our study was to analyze 2 simple geriatric life expectancy calculators to compare with the current Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) postoperative 30-day mortality calculator. Methods: This retrospective study assessed the utility of 3 validated calculators in 47 hip fracture repairs from July 2009 to May 2011. The tools included: 30-day VASQIP mortality calculator, 6-month Minimum Data Set Mortality Risk Index-Revised (MMRI-R), and Four-Year Mortality Index. The VASQIP calculator requires chart review, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and laboratory analysis, whereas the mortality risk indices require simple patient questioning if prospective or simple chart review if retrospective. Scoring was performed and mortality risk was compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: A total of 47 hip fractures were repaired during the study period with 37 survivors and 10 nonsurvivors. In all, 7 died within 30 days, 2 died within 6 months, and 1 died greater than 6 months after surgery. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of all patients undergoing hip fracture repair was 73.6 (13.3) years. The VASQIP calculator mean (SD) 30-day mortality risk was 10.4% (5.4) for nonsurvivors compared to survivors 4.3% (5.5), P < .003; the MMRI-R mean (SD) mortality risk was 35.8% (15.4) for nonsurvivors compared to survivors 14.7% (9.5), P < .001; the Four-Year Mortality Index mean (SD) mortality risk was 60.9% (16.9) for nonsurvivors compared to survivors 48.9% (24.4), P < .09. Conclusion: Overall, the VASQIP 30-day and MMRI-R 6-month mortality calculators showed significant differences in mortality risk between survivors versus nonsurvivors in a population with hip fracture. In contrast, the Four-Year Mortality calculator may not sufficiently discriminate operative risk. The easily obtained MMRI-R has the potential to provide information on short-term postoperative mortality risk.
MicroRNA-155 influences B-cell receptor signaling and associates with aggressive disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Cui Bing , Chen Liguang , Zhang Suping , Mraz Marek , Fecteau Jessie-F. , Yu Jian , Ghia Emanuela M. , Zhang Ling , Bao Lei , Rassenti Laura Z. , Messer Karen , Calin George A. , Croce Carlo M. , Kipps Thomas J. 
Published: June 2014

Key Points
High-level miR-155 enhances BCR signaling, and is associated with poor prognosis in CLL. Signals within the CLL microenvironment, such as CD154 or BAFF, can induce miR-155 and enhance BCR signaling.
Optimization on condition of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) nanoliposomes by response surface methodology and cellular uptake studies in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Luo Xiaobo , Guan Rongfa , Chen Xiaoqiang , Tao Miao , Ma Jieqing , Zhao Jin 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The major component in green tea polyphenols, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been demonstrated to prevent carcinogenesis. To improve the effectiveness of EGCG, liposomes were used as a carrier in this study. Reverse-phase evaporation method besides response surface methodology is a simple, rapid, and beneficial approach for liposome preparation and optimization. The optimal preparation conditions were as follows: phosphatidylcholine-to-cholesterol ratio of 4.00, EGCG concentration of 4.88 mg/mL, Tween 80 concentration of 1.08 mg/mL, and rotary evaporation temperature of 34.51°C. Under these conditions, the experimental encapsulation efficiency and size of EGCG nanoliposomes were 85.79% ± 1.65% and 180 nm ± 4 nm, which were close with the predicted value. The malondialdehyde value and the release test in vitro indicated that the prepared EGCG nanoliposomes were stable and suitable for more widespread application. Furthermore, compared with free EGCG, encapsulation of EGCG enhanced its inhibitory effect on tumor cell viability at higher concentrations.
Transcriptome and methylome profiling reveals relics of genome dominance in the mesopolyploid Brassica oleracea
Authors: Parkin Isobel AP , Koh Chushin , Tang Haibao , Robinson Stephen J , Kagale Sateesh , Clarke Wayne E , Town Chris D , Nixon John , Krishnakumar Vivek , Bidwell Shelby L , Denoeud France , Belcram Harry , Links Matthew G , Just Jérémy , Clarke Carling , Bender Tricia , Huebert Terry , Mason Annaliese S , Pires J Chris , Barker Guy , Moore Jonathan , Walley Peter G , Manoli Sahana , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David , Nelson Matthew N , Wang Xiyin , Paterson Andrew H , King Graham , Bancroft Ian , Chalhoub Boulos , Sharpe Andrew G 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background
Brassica oleracea is a valuable vegetable species that has contributed to human health and nutrition for hundreds of years and comprises multiple distinct cultivar groups with diverse morphological and phytochemical attributes. In addition to this phenotypic wealth, B. oleracea offers unique insights into polyploid evolution, as it results from multiple ancestral polyploidy events and a final Brassiceae-specific triplication event. Further, B. oleracea represents one of the diploid genomes that formed the economically important allopolyploid oilseed, Brassica napus. A deeper understanding of B. oleracea genome architecture provides a foundation for crop improvement strategies throughout the Brassica genus.

Results
We generate an assembly representing 75% of the predicted B. oleracea genome using a hybrid Illumina/Roche 454 approach. Two dense genetic maps are generated to anchor almost 92% of the assembled scaffolds to nine pseudo-chromosomes. Over 50,000 genes are annotated and 40% of the genome predicted to be repetitive, thus contributing to the increased genome size of B. oleracea compared to its close relative B. rapa. A snapshot of both the leaf transcriptome and methylome allows comparisons to be made across the triplicated sub-genomes, which resulted from the most recent Brassiceae-specific polyploidy event.

Conclusions
Differential expression of the triplicated syntelogs and cytosine methylation levels across the sub-genomes suggest residual marks of the genome dominance that led to the current genome architecture. Although cytosine methylation does not correlate with individual gene dominance, the independent methylation patterns of triplicated copies suggest epigenetic mechanisms play a role in the functional diversification of duplicate genes.
Illumination invariant head pose estimation using random forests classifier and binary pattern run length matrix
Authors: Kim Hyunduk , Lee Sang-Heon , Sohn Myoung-Kyu , Kim Dong-Ju 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this paper, a novel approach for head pose estimation in gray-level images is presented. In the proposed algorithm, two techniques were employed. In order to deal with the large set of training data, the method of Random Forests was employed; this is a state-of-the-art classification algorithm in the field of computer vision. In order to make this system robust in terms of illumination, a Binary Pattern Run Length matrix was employed; this matrix is combination of Binary Pattern and a Run Length matrix. The binary pattern was calculated by randomly selected operator. In order to extract feature of training patch, we calculate statistical texture features from the Binary Pattern Run Length matrix. Moreover we perform some techniques to real-time operation, such as control the number of binary test. Experimental results show that our algorithm is efficient and robust against illumination change.
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes promote hepatic regeneration in drug-induced liver injury models
Authors: Tan Cheau Yih , Lai Ruenn Chai , Wong Winnie , Dan Yock Young , Lim Sai-Kiang , Ho Han Kiat 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) has been shown to have protective effects against various cellular-injury models. This mechanism of protection, however, has yet to be elucidated. Recently, exosomes were identified as the active component in MSC-CM. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of MSC-derived exosomes in an established carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury mouse model. This potential effect is then validated by using in vitro xenobiotic-induced liver-injury assays: (1) acetaminophen (APAP)- and (2) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced liver injury.

Methods
The exosomes were introduced concurrent with CCl4 into a mouse model through different routes of administration. Biochemical analysis was performed based on the blood and liver tissues. Subsequently the exosomes were treated in APAP and H2O2-toxicants with in vitro models. Cell viability was measured, and biomarkers indicative of regenerative and oxidative biochemical responses were determined to probe the mechanism of any hepatoprotective activity observed.

Results
In contrast to mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline, CCl4 injury in mice was attenuated by concurrent-treatment exosomes, and characterized by an increase in hepatocyte proliferation, as demonstrated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) elevation. Significantly higher cell viability was demonstrated in the exosomes-treated group compared with the non-exosome-treated group in both injury models. The higher survival rate was associated with upregulation of the priming-phase genes during liver regeneration, which subsequently led to higher expression of proliferation proteins (PCNA and cyclin D1) in the exosomes-treated group. Exosomes also inhibited the APAP- and H2O2-induced hepatocytes apoptosis through upregulation of Bcl-xL protein expression. However, exosomes do not mitigate hepatocyte injury via modulation of oxidative stress.

Conclusions
In summary, these results suggest that MSC-derived exosomes can elicit hepatoprotective effects against toxicants-induced injury, mainly through activation of proliferative and regenerative responses.
A new fibrin sealant as a three-dimensional scaffold candidate for mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Gasparotto Vinícius P O , Landim-Alvarenga Fernanda C , Oliveira Alexandre L R , Simões Gustavo Ferreira , Lima-Neto João F , Barraviera Benedito , Ferreira Rui S 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Introduction
The optimization of an organic scaffold for specific types of applications and cells is vital to successful tissue engineering. In this study, we investigated the effects of a new fibrin sealant derived from snake venom as a scaffold for mesenchymal stem cells, to demonstrate the ability of cells to affect and detect the biological microenvironment.

Methods
The characterization of CD34, CD44 and CD90 expression on mesenchymal stem cells was performed by flow cytometry. In vitro growth and cell viability were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages was induced.

Results
The fibrin sealant did not affect cell adhesion, proliferation or differentiation and allowed the adherence and growth of mesenchymal stem cells on its surface. Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining demonstrated the viability of mesenchymal stem cells in contact with the fibrin sealant and the ability of the biomaterial to maintain cell survival.

Conclusions
The new fibrin sealant is a three-dimensional scaffolding candidate that is capable of maintaining cell survival without interfering with differentiation, and might also be useful in drug delivery. Fibrin sealant has a low production cost, does not transmit infectious diseases from human blood and has properties of a suitable scaffold for stem cells because it permits the preparation of differentiated scaffolds that are suitable for every need.
Surgeon Influence on Use of Needle Biopsy in Patients With Breast Cancer: A National Medicare Study
Authors: Eberth Jan M. , Xu Ying , Smith Grace L. , Shen Yu , Jiang Jing , Buchholz Thomas A. , Hunt Kelly K. , Black Dalliah M. , Giordano Sharon H. , Whitman Gary J. , Yang Wei , Shen Chan , Elting Linda , Smith Benjamin D. 
Published: June 2014

Purpose Use of needle biopsy is a proposed quality measure in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, yet prior literature documents underuse. Nationally, little is known regarding the contribution of a patient's surgeon to needle biopsy use, and knowledge regarding downstream impact of needle biopsy on breast cancer care is incomplete. Methods Using 2003 to 2007 nationwide Medicare data from 89,712 patients with breast cancer and 12,405 surgeons, logistic regression evaluated the following three outcomes: surgeon consultation before versus after biopsy, use of needle biopsy (yes or no), and number of surgeries for cancer treatment. Multilevel analyses were adjusted for physician, patient, and structural covariates. Results Needle biopsy was used in 68.4% (n = 61,353) of all patients and only 53.7% of patients seen by a surgeon before biopsy (n = 32,953/61,312). Patient factors associated with surgeon consultation before biopsy included Medicaid coverage, rural residence, residence more than 8.1 miles from a radiologic facility performing needle biopsy, and no mammogram within 60 days before consultation. Among patients with surgeon consultation before biopsy, surgeon factors such as absence of board certification, training outside the United States, low case volume, earlier decade of medical school graduation, and lack of specialization in surgical oncology were negatively correlated with receipt of needle biopsy. Risk of multiple cancer surgeries was 33.7% for patients undergoing needle biopsy compared with 69.6% for those who did not (adjusted relative risk, 2.08; P < .001). Conclusion Needle biopsy is underused in the United States, resulting in a negative impact on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Surgeon-level interventions may improve needle biopsy rates and, accordingly, quality of care.
Teacher immediacy and student learning: An examination of lecture/laboratory and self-contained course sections
Authors: LeFebvre Luke , Allen Mike 
Published: June 2014

This study examined teaching assistant’s immediacy in lecture/laboratory and self-contained classes. Two hundred fifty-six students responded to instruments measuring teachers’ immediacy behavior frequency, perceptions of instruction quality, and cognitive learning. No significant difference was identified when comparing lecture/laboratory and self-contained teaching assistants’ immediacy behaviors. But all students who observed frequent immediate behaviors demonstrated higher affective and cognitive learning. Teaching assistants’ ratings had significantly higher levels of faculty-student interaction for self-contained sections but lecture/laboratory sections were significantly higher for student effort/involvement.
Highly sensitive telescope designs for higher contrast observations
Authors: Moretto Gil , Kuhn Jeff R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Off-axis telescope concepts that use unobstructed pupils have better emissivity, throughput, diffraction-limited energy concentrations, and higher dynamic range than traditional concentric instruments. The coronagraphic performance of off-axis telescopes will enable instruments, which are starved for higher dynamic range, for example, those devoted to faint companion detection, circumstellar and solar atmosphere studies.
Policy Uncertainty and Technology Adoption
Authors: Dehghani Mohammad H. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper considers technology adoption under both technological and subsidy uncertainties. Uncertainty in subsidies for green technologies is considered as an example. Technological progress is exogenous and modeled as a jump process with a drift. The analytical solution is presented for cases when there is no subsidy uncertainty and when the subsidy changes once. The case when the subsidy follows a time invariant Markov process is analyzed numerically. The results show that improving the innovation process raises the investment thresholds. When technological jumps are small or rare, this improvement reduces the expected time before technology adoption. However, when technological jumps are large or abundant, this improvement may raise this expected time.
Transthyretin microheterogeneity and molecular interactions: implications for amyloid formation
Authors: Landreh Michael , Östberg Linus J. , Pettersson Tom M. , Jörnvall Hans 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAggregation of transthyretin (TTR), a plasma-binding protein for thyroxine and retinol-binding protein, is the cause of several amyloid diseases. Disease-associated mutations are well known, but wild-type TTR is, to a lesser extent, also amyloidogenic. Monomerization, not oligomer formation as in several other depository diseases, is the rate-limiting step in TTR aggregation, and stabilization of the natively tetrameric form can inhibit amyloid formation. Modifications on Cys10, as well as interactions with native ligands in plasma, were early found to influence the equilibrium between tetrameric and monomeric TTR by dissociating or stabilizing the tetramer. Following these discoveries, synthetic ligands for pharmacological prevention of TTR aggregation could be developed. In this article, we outline how the different types of TTR interactions and its microheterogeneity in plasma are related to its propensity to form amyloid fibrils. We conclude that plasma constituents and dietary components may act as natural TTR stabilizers whose mechanisms of action provide cues for the amelioration of TTR amyloid disease.
A floristic analysis of the marine algae and seagrasses between Cape Mendocino, California and Cape Blanco, Oregon, USA
Authors: Augytė Simona , Shaughnessy Frank J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The biogeographic area between Cape Mendocino, California and Cape Blanco, Oregon in the USA spans over 320 km and is characterized by prominent coastal headlands. This study was a first attempt to produce a current intertidal macroalgal and seagrass species list for this understudied region with basic habitat attributes included. A total of 164 species of marine macroalgae (105 species within 16 orders in Rhodophyta, 32 species within six orders in Heterokontophyta, Phaeophyceae, and 27 species in six orders in Chlorophyta) and two species of seagrasses (Anthophyta) were identified. The optimal habitat for most species was the rocky intertidal in the mid zone (>50%), while some species were specialists in either tidepool and/or sandy habitats (∼20%). Furthermore, based on Akaike Information Criterion, our top ranking model suggests that species richness is dependent on zonation, functional grouping and site location. Based on the seven functional group classification, the leathery macrophytes and crusts were the most prevalent at the two capes exposed to higher wave action and upwelling. One near-endemic species (Cumathamnion sympodophyllum), one invasive species (Sargassum muticum), and seven new records for the region were identified.
Overwintering strategies of bloom-forming Ulva species in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA
Authors: Rinehart Shelby , Guidone Michele , Ziegler Amanda , Schollmeier Tanja , Thornber Carol 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Temperate coastal estuaries worldwide, such as Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, are influenced by seasonal macroalgal blooms (e.g., Ulva) during warm months, whereas bloom-forming macroalgae are rarely encountered during winter. We assessed the ability of distromatic Ulva to overwinter through fragments, recruits, and/or microscopic propagules. We documented (a) small tissue fragments in sediment cores and the water column, (b) recruits and microscopic propagules on field-based settlement tiles, and (c) production of reproductive propagules, throughout the winter months. Laboratory culturing experiments indicated that both fragments and propagules are viable. Our data indicate that bloom-forming overwintering Ulva simultaneously use multiple reproductive strategies.