bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil improvement using electroosmosis with the injection of chemical solutions: field tests
Authors: Ou Chang-Yu , Chien Shao-Chi , Chang Hsuan-Hsiang 
Published: June 2009

Previous laboratory studies have shown that the injection of a calcium chloride solution followed by the injection of a sodium silicate solution during electroosmosis is effective in strengthening soft silty clay. Very stiff cemented soil near the anodes is formed after the treatment. This paper presents the effectiveness of the process in the field. Nine electrodes were installed using two grid arrangements with electrode spacings of 2.0 m × 2.5 m and 2.0 m × 5.0 m. The test procedure is similar to those employed in the laboratory. Test results show that the soil surrounding the anodes (within a diameter of 50–60 cm) became very stiff and cemented due to the effect of cementation between the two chemical solutions and soil particles under the electric field. Except for the areas of stiff cemented soil, the undrained shear strength of the soil between electrodes was increased substantially. Polarity reversal after normal polarity did not produce favorable improvement effects in terms of undrained shear strength of the soil and treatment time.
Effet des cations extra-réseau de la zéolithe Y sur l’activité catalytique du palladium dans la réaction de combustion du méthane
Authors: Zina Mongia Saïd , Bassalah Lobna , Ghorbel Abdelhamid 
Published: June 2009

Alkali and alkaline earth metal cations were introduced into zeolite to explore their influence on the activity of supported palladium in the total combustion of methane and to study how the acido-basic properties of the support affected the structure and the oxidation state of Pd. The results show that all samples exhibit a slight activation with time. Moreover, at temperatures below 430 °C, PdLiNaY seems to be the most active catalyst, while PdHY is the most active sample at higher temperatures. Except for PdHY, all Pd catalysts lead to an activation energy (Ea) value in the range of 79–97 kJ mol–1.
Quantifying Statistical Interdependence by Message Passing on Graphs—Part I: One-Dimensional Point Processes
Authors: Dauwels J. , Vialatte F. , Weber T. , Cichocki A. 
Published: June 2009

We present a novel approach to quantify the statistical interdependence of two time series, referred to as stochastic event synchrony (SES). The first step is to extract “events” from the two given time series. The next step is to try to align events from one time series with events from the other. The better the alignment, the more similar the two time series are considered to be. More precisely, the similarity is quantified by the following parameters: time delay, variance of the timing jitter, fraction of noncoincident events, and average similarity of the aligned events. The pairwise alignment and SES parameters are determined by statistical inference. In particular, the SES parameters are computed by maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation, and the pairwise alignment is obtained by applying the max-product algorithm. This letter deals with one-dimensional point processes; the extension to multidimensional point processes is considered in a companion letter in this issue. By analyzing surrogate data, we demonstrate that SES is able to quantify both timing precision and event reliability more robustly than classical measures can. As an illustration, neuronal spike data generated by the Morris-Lecar neuron model are considered.
Law in Romans Regulation and Instruction
Authors: Gosnell Peter 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPaul, in Romans, appears inconsistent in quoting from the Law while declaring believers in Jesus to be discharged from it. This discussion suggests a resolution, first by comparing Paul's use of the term νομοζ with his appeals to scripture. After observing Paul's tendency to refer to νομοζ as written regulation, not to scripture, the study discusses problem passages to observe Paul using νομοζ ambiguously to advance his argument. That sets up Paul's normative appeal to laws in 13:8-10. Paul appears to advocate reading Torah as instructing scripture, while declaring its regulatory force at an end in Christ.
Wiederentstehung und Erneuerung (Tit 3:5) Zu einem erhaltenswerten Aspekt der Soteriologie des Titusbriefs
Authors: Zimmermann Christiane 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe soteriological metaphor in Tit 3:5 δια λουτρου παλιγγενεσιαζ και ανακαινωσεωζ seems to be a combination of Pauline and pagan language. The Pauline neologism ανακαινωσιζ describes the individual salvation in the context of the new creation as a universal process, and seems to serve as an explanation of the preceding term παλιγγενεσια. The author of Titus uses the expression παλιγγενεσια, which is probably influenced by the reception of Stoic terminology by Philo, to describe not only the salvation of the individual person, but also of all believers in a universal sense. As the Stoic term παλιγγενεσια is used for the cosmic renewal of the world, this connotation has to be remembered even in Titus. Consequently παλιγγενεσια has to be translated rather with “regeneration” than with “rebirth”.
μακρουμειν in Ben Sira 35:19 and Luke 18:7 A Lexicographical Note
Authors: Rogland Max 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article investigates the lexical meaning of μακρουμειν in Luke 18:7 with a view to clarifying whether the verb means “to be patient or longsuffering” or “to delay or tarry”. The former meaning is well-attested in Greek sources, while evidence for the latter is sparse and is primarily supported by appeal to Sir 35:19 [22], in which μακρουμειν occurs in parallelism with βραδυνειν. After noting some of the limitations of parallelism as a lexicographical tool, the article examines the underlying Hebrew text of Sir 35:19. The verb μακρουμειν is used to render the hithpael of ℘ℑℵ, a verb which never indicates a “slowness to act” but rather refers to restraining or controlling oneself. Lexical evidence that μακρουμειν means “to delay or tarry” is therefore lacking; any sense of a temporal “delay” in Luke 18 or Sir 35 is to be attributed to the larger literary context and not to the semantics of the verb itself.
The Initial Location of the Pericope Adulterae in Fourfold Tradition
Authors: Keith Chris 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article responds to the recent claim of Josep Rius-Camps that the Pericope Adulterae was originally composed by Mark. Rius-Camps, in making his creative proposal, has overlooked significant textual and patristic evidence regarding where early Christians confronted the story of Jesus and the adulteress. This evidence suggests that, while the Pericope Adulterae is not original to the Gospel of John, its first location in fourfold gospel tradition was its traditional location, John 7:53-8:11.
Comparing local governments' performance internationally: a mission impossible?
Authors: Padovani Emanuele , Scorsone Eric 
Published: June 2009

While some attempt has been made to address cross-national trends in performance measurement systems (PMSs) in local governments, very few systemic efforts have been attempted to uncover similarities and differences. This article seeks to advance the understanding of the variables researchers should consider when comparing the adoption characteristics and process of PMSs across countries at the local level. Specifically, a framework is constructed to argue that the intersection of the level of performance regime, the types of intergovernmental relationships and the focus of PMS in use on the different types of measure, shape a specific `performance measurement context' that affects comparability. The framework is then empirically motivated by a comparison between Italy and Michigan, USA. For practitioners and analysts, the framework is a tool to guide effective comparisons across service areas for applied research and organizational learning purposes. Points for practitioners While benchmarking has become an increasingly used practice by local governments for various purposes — e.g. disclosure to citizens, definition of targets in budgeting processes, personnel evaluation — its domain is usually limited to comparisons within the same country. This article seeks to advance the understanding of the variables practitioners should consider when comparing local governments across countries at the local level. They are: the level of performance regime, the types of intergovernmental relationships and the focus of performance measurement systems in use including the different types of measures. These are discussed in the article and are the basis of a conceptual framework that will assist practitioners in understanding the comparability of local governments' performance systems across countries.
Financial autonomy and consistency of central government policy towards local governments
Authors: Oulasvirta Lasse , Turala Maciej 
Published: June 2009

Traditionally, empirical assessment of local government financial autonomy has concentrated on the different income sources available to local governments. In this article we extend such evaluation to the expenditure autonomy side and combine these two dimensions of autonomy into a comprehensive evaluation of local government financial autonomy. The operationalization of financial autonomy offers a basis for an evaluation of the consistency of central government policy towards local governments. Our approach is then used for a comparison of two countries — Finland and Poland. Points for practitioners Key implications in our approach are the systematic evaluation of both income and expenditure autonomy of local governments, and combining these two dimensions of autonomy into a comprehensive evaluation of local government financial autonomy. The measurement of financial autonomy which is developed can be used as a management tool in central government policy towards local governments.
How to raise commitment in public university lecturers
Authors: Bayona-Sáez Cristina , Goñi-Legaz Salomé , Madorrán-García Cristina 
Published: June 2009

The purpose of this article is to qualify the hypothesis that states that the presence of committed workers contributes to organizational success. So, it is necessary to clarify first of all what type of commitment and what kind of success is meant. The article then examines which variables the organization needs to act upon in order to influence it. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to academic staff at a public university in Spain. Data were analyzed using two ordered logit models, one for each type of commitment analyzed: affective commitment and continuance commitment. Analysis of the data shows that personal variables have a positive impact on affective commitment, and, while job-related characteristics do not appear to be significant, group variables such as working atmosphere have a positive impact. With respect to continuance commitment, age proved to be negatively significant and possession of a doctorate has a positive influence. The variables used to capture available opportunities to leave the organization are negatively significant. Points for practitioners The results that emerge can help educational managers to understand the predictors of the different types of commitment and design effective human resource policies. The empirical application is carried out in an organization within the services sector, specifically, a public university in Spain. A further contribution is the incorporation of variables from all categories or groups of antecedents, which permits a thorough diagnosis.
Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Tears in Professional Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Schickendantz Mark S. , Kaar Scott G. , Meister Keith , Lund Pamela , Beverley Laurel 
Published: June 2009

Background Latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears are uncommon injuries. Only a few case reports exist, mainly in high-level athletes. Purpose To describe a series of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon tears in professional baseball pitchers. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Injury data from 3 Major League Baseball clubs were collected over a total of 10 seasons. Any baseball player who sustained an injury to either the latissimus dorsi or teres major identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was included. All injured players were treated nonoperatively with a goal of returning to full velocity throwing at 3 months from the time of injury. Results Ten players sustained injuries to the latissimus dorsi and/or the teres major during pitching. The MRI findings documented 5 isolated latissimus dorsi tears, 4 isolated teres major tears, and 1 combined injury. All athletes returned to pitching, and all but 1 player returned to baseball at the same level of competition in the same season. Nine of 10 players returned at 3 months from the time of their injury. One recurrence was seen 6 months after returning to throwing; however, this healed with further nonoperative treatment, and the player returned to competition at the same level 6 weeks later. One player had continued shoulder symptoms and retired at the end of the season. Conclusion Although uncommon, tears of the latissimus dorsi and teres major occur in professional baseball players. Acute injuries are demonstrated on standard shoulder MRI, although larger field-of-view images are required to accurately assess the injury. Most heal successfully with nonoperative treatment, and most players are able to return to the same level of competition in 3 months.
Oncology pharmacy practice in a teaching hospital in Nepal
Authors: Khanal Saval , Poudel Arjun , Sharan Krishna , Palaian Subish 
Published: June 2009

Objective. To highlight the patient care activities performed by pharmacists during their ward rounds in medical oncology ward of a tertiary care hospital in western region of Nepal. Methods. The study was conducted for 3 months. Two pharmacists joined the clinicians and nurses in the ward rounds every morning as a member of healthcare team. The data used in this study was obtained from different documented files in hospital and were analyzed as per study objectives. Results. During 3 months (May 20, 2008 to August 20, 2008), pharmacists provided answers to eight queries asked by clinicians and nurses for the patient care purpose. During the same period pharmacists detected four cases of medication errors and provided suggestions on them. A total of 30 adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports were reported to the regional pharmacovigilance center during the study time. Altogether there were 84 types of adverse drug reaction seen on those patients. Most of them were related to hematological system. Conclusion. The study evaluated the drug information provided by pharmacists, spontaneous reporting of ADRs by the pharmacists, and their intervention on treatment plan of patients during ward round. This suggests pharmacists can play a significant role on patient care when he or she joins round with other healthcare personnel in the oncology ward. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2010) 16: 75—79.
Cognitive impairment and its relation with disease measures in mildly disabled patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: baseline results from the Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (COGIMUS) study
Authors: Patti F , Amato MP , Trojano M , Bastianello S , Tola MR , Goretti B , Caniatti L , Di Monte E , Ferrazza P , Brescia Morra V , Lo Fermo S , Picconi O , Luccichenti G ,   For the COGIMUS Study Group
Published: June 2009

Background Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the association between cognitive impairment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease measures in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR) MS is unclear. Objectives To study the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its relation with MRI disease measures in mildly disabled patients with RRMS. Methods Patients aged 18–50 years with RRMS (McDonald criteria) and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤4.0, who were enrolled in the Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (COGIMUS) study, underwent baseline standardized MRI complete neurological examination and neuropsychological testing. Results A total of 550 patients were enrolled, 327 of whom underwent MRI assessments. Cognitive impairment (impaired performance in ≥3 cognitive tests) was present in approximately 20% of all patients and in the subgroup who underwent MRI. T2 hyperintense and T1 hypointense lesion volumes were significantly higher in patients with cognitive impairment (defined as impaired performance on at least three tests of the Rao’s battery) than those without. EDSS score was also significantly higher in cognitively impaired than in cognitively preserved patients. Disease duration, depression, and years in formal education did not differ significantly between cognitively impaired and cognitively preserved patients. T2 lesion volume, performance intelligence quotient, and age were significant predictors of cognitive impairment in this population. Weak correlations were found between performance on individual cognitive tests and specific MRI measures, with T1 and T2 lesion volumes correlating with performance on most cognitive tests. Conclusions Cognitive impairment occurs in approximately one-fifth of mildly disabled patients with MS and is associated with specific MRI disease measures. Assessment of cognitive function at diagnosis could facilitate the identification of patients who may benefit from therapeutic intervention with disease-modifying therapies to prevent further lesion development.
Multiple sclerosis produces significant changes in urinary bladder innervation which are partially reflected in the lower urinary tract functional status-sensory nerve fibers role in detrusor overactivity
Authors: Radziszewski P , Crayton R , Zaborski J , Członkowska A , Borkowski A , Bossowska A , Majewski M 
Published: June 2009

BackgroundDetrusor overactivity is often observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and neurotoxins are emerging as second-line therapies albeit with different degrees of success per patient basis.ObjectiveTo investigate lower urinary tract (LUT) functional status and bladder innervation (calcitonin gene related peptide [CGRP] and substance P [SP] positive nerve fibers) in patients with MS.MethodEighteen MS patients with LUT symptoms underwent urodynamic investigations, and six non-MS patients undergoing cystoscopy due to microscopic hematuria served as controls. Cold cut bladder biopsies were taken from the bladder trigone region. Neurotransmitter expression was determined by individual immunohistochemical staining.ResultsTwo distinct groups could be distinguished: group 1 with pronounced neurogenic detrusor overactivity and mild outflow obstruction; group 2 with some degree of neurogenic detrusor overactivity, detrusor hypocontractility during voiding, and high degree of an outflow obstruction. The presence of SP and CGRP immunoreactive + fiber density was observed in greater numbers in group 1.ConclusionDensity of CGRP and SP positive nerve fibers within the urinary bladder of patients with MS may be suggestive of functional status of the lower urinary tract, namely denser innervation is observed in patients with mild outflow obstruction and strong detrusor overactivity. This observation could be useful when planning second-line treatment (neurotoxins) in these patients. Patients with denser innervation probably will respond better to such a therapy.
Leukocyte proteases cleave von Willebrand factor at or near the ADAMTS13 cleavage site
Authors: Raife Thomas J. , Cao Wenjing , Atkinson Bonnie S. , Bedell Bruce , Montgomery Robert R. , Lentz Steven R. , Johnson George F. , Zheng X. Long 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe function of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is regulated by proteolysis, which limits its multimeric size and ability to tether platelets. The importance of ADAMTS13 metalloprotease in VWF regulation is demonstrated by the association between severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, ADAMTS13 activity levels do not always correlate with the clinical course of TTP, suggesting that other proteases could be important in regulating VWF. We identified 4 leukocyte proteases that cleave the synthetic VWF substrate FRETS-VWF73 and multimeric VWF. Elastase and proteinase 3 (PR3) cleave multimeric VWF and FRETS-VWF73 at the V1607-T1608 peptide bond; cathepsin G and matrix metalloprotease 9 cleave VWF substrates at the Y1605-M1606 and M1606-V1607 bonds, respectively. Isolated intact human neutrophils cleave FRETS-VWF73 at the V1607-T1608 peptide bond, suggesting that elastase or PR3 expressed on leukocyte surfaces might cleave VWF. In the presence of normal or ADAMTS13-deficient plasma, cleavage of FRETS-VWF73 by resting neutrophils is abolished. However, activated neutrophils retain proteolytic activity toward FRETS-VWF73 in the presence of plasma. Although the in vivo relevance remains to be established, these studies suggest the existence of a “hot spot” of VWF proteolysis in the VWF A2 domain, and support the possibility that activated leukocytes may participate in the proteolytic regulation of VWF.
Restoration of NET formation by gene therapy in CGD controls aspergillosis
Authors: Bianchi Matteo , Hakkim Abdul , Brinkmann Volker , Siler Ulrich , Seger Reinhard A. , Zychlinsky Arturo , Reichenbach Janine 
Published: June 2009

AbstractChronic granulomatous disease (CGD) patients have impaired nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase function, resulting in poor antimicrobial activity of neutrophils, including the inability to generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Invasive aspergillosis is the leading cause of death in patients with CGD; it is unclear how neutrophils control Aspergillus species in healthy persons. The aim of this study was to determine whether gene therapy restores NET formation in CGD by complementation of NADPH oxidase function, and whether NETs have antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that reconstitution of NET formation by gene therapy in a patient with CGD restores neutrophil elimination of A nidulans conidia and hyphae and is associated with rapid cure of preexisting therapy refractory invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, underlining the role of functional NADPH oxidase in NET formation and antifungal activity.
Pesticide use and adult-onset asthma among male farmers in the Agricultural Health Study
Authors: Hoppin J. A. , Umbach D. M. , London S. J. , Henneberger P. K. , Kullman G. J. , Coble J. , Alavanja M. C. R. , Beane Freeman L. E. , Sandler D. P. 
Published: June 2009

Although specific pesticides have been associated with wheeze in farmers, little is known about pesticides and asthma.Data from 19,704 male farmers in the Agricultural Health Study were used to evaluate lifetime use of 48 pesticides and prevalent adult-onset asthma, defined as doctor-diagnosed asthma after the age of 20 yrs. Asthma cases were categorised as allergic (n = 127) and nonallergic (n = 314) based on their history of eczema or hay fever. Polytomous logistic regression, controlling for age, state, smoking and body mass, was used to assess pesticide associations.High pesticide exposure events were associated with a doubling of both allergic and nonallergic asthma. For ever-use, 12 individual pesticides were associated with allergic asthma and four with nonallergic asthma. For allergic asthma, coumaphos (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.49–3.70), heptachlor (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.30–3.11), parathion (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.21–3.46), 80/20 mix (carbon tetrachloride/carbon disulfide) (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.23–3.76) and ethylene dibromide (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.02–4.20) all showed ORs of >2.0 and significant exposure–response trends. For nonallergic asthma, DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) showed the strongest association (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09–1.84), but with little evidence of increasing asthma with increasing use. Current animal handling and farm activities did not confound these results. There was little evidence that allergy alone was driving these associations. In conclusion, pesticides may be an overlooked contributor to asthma risk among farmers.