bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Associated Risk Factors Among 1557 Nursing Students in a Context of Low Endemicity
Authors: Lamberti Monica , Uccello Rossella , Monaco Maria Grazia Lourdes , Muoio Mariarosaria , Sannolo Nicola , Arena Paola , Mazzarella Gennaro , Arnese Antonio , La Cerra Giuseppe 
Published: March 2015

Introduction:
The risk of tuberculosis (TBC) in nurses is related to its incidence in the general population. Nursing students involved in clinical training could be exposed to occupational risks similar to those of healthcare workers (HCWs). To better understand the epidemiology of nosocomial TBC among nurses in a context of low endemicity, we recruited a cohort of young nursing trainees at the Second University of Naples.

Methods:
A screening programme for LTBI in nursing students was conducted between January 2012 and December 2013, at the Second University of Naples, with clinical evaluations, tuberculin skin test (TST) and, in positive TST student, the interferon-g release assays (IGRA). Putative risk factors for LTBI were assessed by a standardized questionnaire.

Results:
1577 nursing students attending the Second University of Naples have been submitted to screening programme for TBC. 1575 have performed TST as first level test and 2 Quantiferon test (QFT). 19 students were TST positive and continued the diagnostic workup practicing QFT, that was positive in 1 student. Of the 2 subjects that have practiced QFT as first level test only 1 was positive. In 2 students positive to QFT test we formulated the diagnosis of LTBI by clinical and radiographic results.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of LTBI among nursing students in our study resulted very low. In countries with a low incidence of TBC, the screening programs of healthcare students can be useful for the early identification and treatment of the sporadic cases of LTBI.
Implementation and Outcomes of a Collaborative Multi-Center Network Aimed at Web-Based Cognitive Training – COGWEB Network
Authors: Tedim Cruz Vítor , Pais Joana , Ruano Luis , Mateus Cátia , Colunas Márcio , Alves Ivânia , Barreto Rui , Conde Eduardo , Sousa Andreia , Araújo Isabel , Bento Virgílio , Coutinho Paula , Rocha Nelson ,   COGWEB Network Collaborators
Published: March 2015

Background
Cognitive care for the most prevalent neurologic and psychiatric conditions will only improve through the implementation of new sustainable approaches. Innovative cognitive training methodologies and collaborative professional networks are necessary evolutions in the mental health sector.

Objective
The objective of the study was to describe the implementation process and early outcomes of a nationwide multi-organizational network supported on a Web-based cognitive training system (COGWEB).

Methods
The setting for network implementation was the Portuguese mental health system and the hospital-, academic-, community-based institutions and professionals providing cognitive training. The network started in August 2012, with 16 centers, and was monitored until September 2013 (inclusions were open). After onsite training, all were allowed to use COGWEB in their clinical or research activities. For supervision and maintenance were implemented newsletters, questionnaires, visits and webinars. The following outcomes were prospectively measured: (1) number, (2) type, (3) time to start, and (4) activity state of centers; age, gender, level of education, and medical diagnosis of patients enrolled.

Results
The network included 68 professionals from 41 centers, (33/41) 80% clinical, (8/41) 19% nonclinical. A total of 298 patients received cognitive training; 45.3% (n=135) female, mean age 54.4 years (SD 18.7), mean educational level 9.8 years (SD 4.8). The number enrolled each month increased significantly (r=0.6; P=.031). At 12 months, 205 remained on treatment. The major causes of cognitive impairment were: (1) neurodegenerative (115/298, 38.6%), (2) structural brain lesions (63/298, 21.1%), (3) autoimmune (40/298, 13.4%), (4) schizophrenia (30/298, 10.1%), and (5) others (50/298, 16.8%). The comparison of the patient profiles, promoter versus all other clinical centers, showed significant increases in the diversity of causes and spectrums of ages and education.

Conclusions
Over its first year, there was a major increase in the number of new centers and professionals, as well as of the clinical diversity of patients treated. The consolidation of such a national collaborative network represents an innovative step in mental health care evolution. Furthermore, it may contribute to translational processes in the field of cognitive training and reduce disease burden.
Consumer satisfaction with pharmaceutical care in Slovak community pharmacies / Spokojnosť klientov lekární s lekárenskou starostlivosťou na Slovensku
Authors: Mináriková D. , Malovecká I. , Foltán V. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate consumer satisfaction with pharmaceutical care provided in community pharmacies at the region level. Expectations and opinions of consumers were also confronted with the assumptions of pharmacists. Up to 82.0% of consumers confirmed their satisfaction with the care given to them by the pharmacist. A key factor of consumer satisfaction has been the professional (78.7%) and human approach (83.5%) of the pharmacist. A total of 73.6% of consumers in the survey accepted the pharmacist as an expert in medicines. The pharmacist´s self-evaluation was more negative. Monitoring and evaluation of consumer satisfactory with pharmaceutical care is not only essential for improvement of the quality of the healthcare system and for the implementation of pharmaceutical care focussed on the patient, but it may influence the economic and financial outcomes of entities providing pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies.
An Empirical Analysis Of Stock Returns And Volatility: The Case Of Stock Markets From Central And Eastern Europe
Authors: Okičić Jasmina 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The main goal of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of stock returns in the case of stock markets from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), focusing on the relationship between returns and conditional volatility. Since there is relatively little empirical research on the volatility of stock returns in underdeveloped stock markets, with even fewer studies on markets in the transitional economies of the CEE region, this paper is designed to shed some light on the econometric modelling of the conditional mean and volatility of stock returns from this region. The results presented in this paper provide confirmatory evidence that ARIMA and GARCH processes provide parsimonious approximations of mean and volatility dynamics in the case of the selected stock markets. There is overwhelming evidence corroborating the existence of a leverage effect, meaning that negative shocks increase volatility more than positive shocks do. Since financial decisions are generally based upon the trade-off between risk and return, the results presented in this paper will provide valuable information in decision making for those who are planning to invest in stock markets from the CEE region.
Analysis of Mythical-Metaphorical Narratives as a Resource for Education in the Principles and Values of Sustainability
Authors: Cutanda Grian-Antonio , Murga-Menoyo María Ángeles 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
This research aims to prove that the mythical-metaphorical narratives from cultures in harmonic relationship with their natural environment can be considered as an educational resource within the context of education for sustainable development. Using the Earth Charter as a basis and after establishing as analysis categories the competencies that education should foster in the students from this perspective, a content analysis of 28 stories was performed. The results endorse the existing coherence between the materials analysed and the principles and values that the Earth Charter’s text reflects and the relevance of these materials as educational resources within the framework of education for sustainable development.
Investigating Estonian Teachers’ Expectations for the General Education Curriculum
Authors: Viirpalu Piret , Krull Edgar , Mikser Rain 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Finding a balance between a centralised and decentralised curricular policy for general education and seeing teachers as autonomous agents of curriculum development is a recurrent issue in many countries. Radical reforms bring about the need to investigate whether and to what extent different parties – and first of all, teachers – are ready to accept and internalise the new policies and roles as curriculum leaders to ensure the sustainability of curriculum development. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a questionnaire for investigating Estonian teachers’ curricular work and preferences and to introduce the results of its piloting. The main topics covered by the questionnaire are teachers’ experience and autonomy in using and developing curricula, their preparation for curriculum development and preferences and expectations for the best curricular solutions. The developed questionnaire can be used for investigating teachers’ curricular work and preferences in different national contexts, thus enabling comparative studies across countries with different practices regarding curriculum policy.
Interleukin-21 Inhibits HBV Replication in vitro
Authors: Li Hai-Jun , Kang Fu-Biao , Li Bao-Sheng , Yang Xin-Ying , Zhang Yin-Ge , Sun Dian-Xing 
Published: March 2015

Background Cytokines are crucial factors in the non-cytolytic antiviral process to inhibit HBV gene expression and replication. Interleukin (IL)-21 has been suggested to play an important role in HBV infection, but it remains unknown whether IL-21 can inhibit HBV replication or how it inhibits HBV replication. Methods In this study, we investigated the influence of IL-21 on HBV replication based on human hepatoma Huh7.93 cells co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the possible correlation among IL-21, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-10. Results We demonstrated that the decrease of IL-21 expression and the increase of IL-10 expression in PBMCs could promote HBV replication in vitro. We further revealed that IL-21 is not only able to effectively suppress HBV replication directly but also reduce HBV replication by inhibition of IL-10 secretion. Conclusions Our results provide important evidence for the non-cytolytic antiviral mechanism mediated by cytokines and their interactions in chronic hepatitis B.
Takayasu Arteritis in Southern Sweden
Authors: Mohammad Aladdin J. , Mandl Thomas 
Published: March 2015

Objective.To study the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Takayasu arteritis (TA) in southern Sweden.Methods.The study area is situated in Skåne, the southernmost county in Sweden (total population December 2011: 983,419, 50.5% women). Patients were identified using clinical registries in all the 5 hospitals and private rheumatology clinics within the study area between the years 1997 and 2011. The diagnosis of TA was confirmed by medical records review. Only patients fulfilling the 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were included.Results.Thirteen patients (all women) were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 23 years [interquartile range (IQR) 16–38]. Ten patients were diagnosed between 1997 and 2011. The annual incidence rate was estimated to 0.7/million inhabitants (95% CI 0.3–1.2) and 1.5/million among women (95% CI 0.6–2.4). Patients were followed for a median of 9 years (IQR 4–17.5). As of January 1, 2012, all 13 patients were alive and living within the study area. The point prevalence per million inhabitants was 13.2 (95% CI 6.0–20.4), and 26.2 among women (95% CI 11.9–40.4). Subclavian arteries were the most commonly affected vessels. Organ damage was common, affecting all patients. Seven pregnancies resulting in 5 live births and 2 abortions were registered after the diagnosis of TA.Conclusion.The incidence of TA in Sweden is comparable to recently reported rates from other European studies, while the prevalence is higher than previously reported. The prognosis of TA is good, but the rate of damage is high.
A revision of the New World species of theAleiodes compressorspecies group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae)
Authors: Shimbori Eduardo M. , Shaw Scott R. , Penteado-Dias Angélica M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSpecies of theAleiodes compressor(Herrich-Schaeffer) species group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae) from the New World are revised. Two new species are described (Aleiodes mantiqueirensisnew speciesandAleiodes marinoniinew species) and geographical range of the species group is extended into the Neotropical Region. Both new species are known only from the type locality in Brazil. Including the current descriptions, there are six species within theAleiodes compressorspecies group, four of them from the New World. Some new diagnostic characters for the group are proposed such as the relative length of antenna and the shape of ovipositor sheaths. The males of this group are difficult to distinguish from males of theAleiodes gastritor-circumscriptusspecies group because most diagnostic features are found only in females.
Diocleziano e i «poveri» di Alessandria: sulla donazione del panis castrensis (marzo 302)
Authors: Roberto Umberto 
Published: March 2015

There is an evident link between the preamble of the(November-December 301) and the grain dole in Alexandria (winter 302), attested by different sources. After the revolt and the siege in 298, Diocletian decided to reconcile the city of Alexandria with the imperial government. During his stay in Alexandria in winter 302, Diocletian granted the grain dole to support this reconciliation. On the other hand, it was a necessary measure to help a huge population threatened by poverty. According to the preamble of the Edict, this was a main task for the emperors to preserve peace and order in the empire.
The Impact of Cardiac Coherence on Executive Functioning in Children with Emotional Disturbances
Authors: Kenien Nicholas 
Published: March 2015

Objective: We used archival data originally collected using a quasi-experimental design to analyze inhibition, emotional regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility before and after an intervention of a coherence training program incorporating heart rate variability biofeedback. Method: Sixty-three participants, ages 7 to 14 years, were involved in the study: 30 in the treatment group and 33 in the control group. Split-plot analysis of variance (SPANOVA) was used to assess the impact of the intervention for the 4 dependent variables. Results: SPANOVA yielded no significant differences among inhibition, emotional regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in response to the coherence training intervention. Conclusions: Future research in this area would benefit from the use of more objective measures of executive functioning. Qualitative assessment of child-reported symptomatology and treatment acceptability on the part of students and staff would also be an area for future research.
Shielding Analysis of Microwave Circuits
Authors: Bolz Thomas , Beyer Adalbert 
Published: March 2015

Because of the trend toward higher operating frequencies, the problem of electromagnetic coupling between components of microwave circuits and parasitic resonances of metal packages becomes an important aspect in microwave circuit design.The goal of this work is to give the circuit designer a physical insight into these coupling mechanisms to handle this problem in the early stage of circuit design.
Polymeric Foams
Authors: Ruiz‐Herrero Jose Luis , Rodríguez‐Perez Miguel Angel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis review covers key aspects related to the production, structure, properties, and applications of polymeric foams. These important man‐made materials are currently used in almost any sector and are continuously increasing their market due to a very specific combination of properties, the possibility of tailoring the properties in a simple way, their low cost in comparison with other materials, and the environmental benefits that can be obtained when they substitute solid plastics. The paper covers general aspects associated with the science and technology of these materials and also summarizes the new trends and new polymeric foams that are currently under development.
X‐Ray Diffraction by Polymers
Authors: Roe Ryong‐Joon 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article introduces X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques as applicable to structural characterization of macromolecules. General XRD principles and instrumentation are presented. Special attention is put on the analysis of small‐ and wide‐angle scattering data of polymers forming crystalline or amorphous structures. For each type of XRD experiment and specimen type (eg, powder, fiber, thin film, and dispersed particles) representative data analysis are presented including, for example, crystallite size and orientation, polymer chain conformation, and density fluctuations.
Polymer Aerogels
Authors: Schiraldi David A. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Polymer aerogels can be produced using two very different processes. The supercritical carbon dioxide process follows that originally devised for producing silica aerogels, retaining the wet gel structure to produce aerogels that allows for nanometer‐scale features. Significant amounts of solvent handling, relatively high expenses, and potentially significant environmental concerns are associated with the supercritical processing method. The alternative, freeze‐drying process generates morphologies from the freezing step itself, reflecting the gel structure to a lesser extent than is seen with supercritical processing. Aerogel structures are more tunable with freeze drying, but the available morphological features are generally on the micrometer scale, resulting in thermal and mechanical properties more like those of traditional polymer foams. Regardless of the process employed, polymer aerogels are low density materials that offer a wide and increasing range of available properties with which to design products.
Energetic electron precipitation associated with pulsating aurora: EISCAT and Van Allen Probe observations
Authors: Miyoshi Y. , Oyama S. , Saito S. , Kurita S. , Fujiwara H. , Kataoka R. , Ebihara Y. , Kletzing C. , Reeves G. , Santolik O. , Clilverd M. , Rodger C. J. , Turunen E. , Tsuchiya F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPulsating auroras show quasi‐periodic intensity modulations caused by the precipitation of energetic electrons of the order of tens of keV. It is expected theoretically that not only these electrons but also subrelativistic/relativistic electrons precipitate simultaneously into the ionosphere owing to whistler mode wave‐particle interactions. The height‐resolved electron density profile was observed with the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) Tromsø VHF radar on 17 November 2012. Electron density enhancements were clearly identified at altitudes >68 km in association with the pulsating aurora, suggesting precipitation of electrons with a broadband energy range from ~10 keV up to at least 200 keV. The riometer and network of subionospheric radio wave observations also showed the energetic electron precipitations during this period. During this period, the footprint of the Van Allen Probe‐A satellite was very close to Tromsø and the satellite observed rising tone emissions of the lower band chorus (LBC) waves near the equatorial plane. Considering the observed LBC waves and electrons, we conducted a computer simulation of the wave‐particle interactions. This showed simultaneous precipitation of electrons at both tens of keV and a few hundred keV, which is consistent with the energy spectrum estimated by the inversion method using the EISCAT observations. This result revealed that electrons with a wide energy range simultaneously precipitate into the ionosphere in association with the pulsating aurora, providing the evidence that pulsating auroras are caused by whistler chorus waves. We suggest that scattering by propagating whistler simultaneously causes both the precipitations of subrelativistic electrons and the pulsating aurora.
Shocks inside CMEs: A survey of properties from 1997 to 2006
Authors: Lugaz N. , Farrugia C. J. , Smith C. W. , Paulson K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe report on 49 fast‐mode forward shocks propagating inside coronal mass ejections (CMEs) as measured by Wind and ACE at 1 AU from 1997 to 2006. Compared to typical CME‐driven shocks, these shocks propagate in different upstream conditions, where the median upstream Alfvén speed is 85 km s−1, the proton β = 0.08 and the magnetic field strength is 8 nT. These shocks are fast with a median speed of 590 km s−1 but weak with a median Alfvénic Mach number of 1.9. They typically compress the magnetic field and density by a factor of 2–3. The most extreme upstream conditions found were a fast magnetosonic speed of 230 km s−1, a plasma β of 0.02, upstream solar wind speed of 740 km s−1 and density of 0.5 cm−3. Nineteen of these complex events were associated with an intense geomagnetic storm (peak Dst under −100 nT) within 12 h of the shock detection at Wind, and 15 were associated with a drop of the storm time Dst index of more than 50 nT between 3 and 9 h after shock detection. We also compare them to a sample of 45 shocks propagating in more typical upstream conditions. We show the average property of these shocks through a superposed epoch analysis, and we present some analytical considerations regarding the compression ratios of shocks in low β regimes. As most of these shocks are measured in the back half of a CME, we conclude that about half the shocks may not remain fast‐mode shocks as they propagate through an entire CME due to the large upstream and magnetosonic speeds.
Toward hyper‐resolution land‐surface modeling: The effects of fine‐scale topography and soil texture on CLM4.0 simulations over the Southwestern U.S.
Authors: Singh R. S. , Reager J. T. , Miller N. L. , Famiglietti J. S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIncreasing computational efficiency and the need for improved accuracy are currently driving the development of “hyper‐resolution” land‐surface models that can be implemented at continental scales with resolutions of 1 km or finer. Here we report research incorporating fine‐scale grid resolutions into the NCAR Community Land Model (CLM v4.0) for simulations at 1, 25, and 100 km resolution using 1 km soil and topographic information. Multiyear model runs were performed over the Southwestern U.S., including the entire state of California and the Colorado River basin. The results show changes in the total amount of CLM‐modeled water storage, and changes in the spatial and temporal distributions of water in snow and soil reservoirs, as well as changes in surface fluxes and the energy balance. To inform future model progress and continued development needs and weaknesses, we compare simulation outputs to station and gridded observations of model fields. Although the higher grid‐resolution model is not driven by high‐resolution forcing, grid resolution changes alone yield significant improvement (reduction in error) between model outputs and observations, where the RMSE decreases by more than 35%, 36%, 34%, and 12% for soil moisture, terrestrial water storage anomaly, sensible heat, and snow water equivalent, respectively. As an additional exercise, we performed a 100 m resolution simulation over a spatial subdomain. Those results indicate that parameters such as drainage, runoff, and infiltration are significantly impacted when hillslope scales of ∼100 m or finer are considered, and we show the ways in which limitations of the current model physics, including no lateral flow between grid cells, may affect model simulation accuracy.