bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La tentation de l’édition : Montesquieu annotateur de Cicéron
Authors: Volpilhac-Auger Catherine
Published: July 2013

Cet article retrace la manière dont j’ai découvert et surtout
identifié et authentifié un manuscrit inédit de Montesquieu, les Notes sur Cicéron (conservé dans le fonds de La
Brède de la bibliothèque de Bordeaux). Ce document jette un jour
nouveau sur la formation philosophique de Montesquieu et révèle une
attitude très critique envers la religion, inspirée en grande partie
par la lecture de Bayle.
The Challenges of the Prosumer as Entrepreneur in IT
Authors: Burlea Adriana Schiopoiu
Published: July 2013

The aim of this chapter is to put into value the importance of the prosumer as an entrepreneur in the IT domain, taking into account that an active and creative user has an important role in increasing the added value of the business. The value, recognition, and cooperation should be placed on prosumer as a strategic factor of the organisation. The transformation of the prosumer in an IT entrepreneur is generated by his/her personal accountability and by the rampant development of the IT. The Internet plays an important role in the prosumer’s life from two perspectives. Firstly, it provides the needed tools for co-creation; secondly, it motivates the prosumer to become co-creative in order to comply with their own needs.
Improving IT Market Development through IT Solutions for Prosumers
Authors: Costello Robert
Published: July 2013

With the IT markets rapidly changing, organisations are looking at alternative ways of improving their economic status through using the prosumer to improve IT solutions. This whole concept of using the prosumer involves organisations coming away from the traditional way of thinking about the producers and consumers as individual entities. IT companies frequently face product development challenges from industrial or societal innovations pressure. Organisations are responding to these trends within the IT sector by developing new products and improving existing products. This chapter looks at what key factors are associated with prosumers’ and how organisations can harness this power through personalisation. Personalisation through prosumers’ can improve the software development cycles and innovations through incorporating individual expert skills.
Social Acceptability of Open Source Software by Example of the Ubuntu Operating System
Authors: Szołtysik Mateusz
Published: July 2013

The modern development of information technology, and what is connected with it—technological progress and also the wide availability of hardware—make the Open Source software a necessary part of life today. Alternative operating systems with equal functionality are often exceedingly available. These systems often allow one to use a computer freely and are fully suitable for household use. The first part of the chapter includes explanation of acceptance issues and presentation of the most popular acceptance models. The second part contains a description of creating this study and analysis of its results.
Users as Prosumers of PETs
Authors: Angulo Julio
Published: July 2013

Frequent contact with online businesses requires Internet users to distribute large amounts of personal information. This spreading of users’ information through different Websites can eventually lead to increased probabilities for identity theft, profiling and linkability attacks, as well as other harmful consequences. Methods and tools for securing people’s online activities and protecting their privacy on the Internet, called Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), are being designed and developed. However, these technologies are often perceived as complicated and obtrusive by users who are not privacy aware or are not computer or technology savvy. This chapter explores the way in which users’ involvement has been considered during the development process of PETs and argues that more democratic approaches of user involvement and data handling practices are needed. It advocates towards an approach in which people are not only seen as consumers of privacy and security technologies, but where they can play a role as the producers of ideas and sources of inspiration for the development of usable PETs that meet their actual privacy needs and concerns.
Evaluating E-Learning from an End User Perspective
Authors: Costello Robert
Published: July 2013

Evaluating e-learning is an important measure for quality control, which aims to improve the whole e-learning environment through taking into consideration users’ perceptions and needs, as well as participants, stakeholders, and institutions. However, literature does indicate that institutions are only using e-learning as a repository for uploading academic materials, instead of taking into consideration of features and the learner. This chapter examines a variety of evaluation techniques adopted from e-learning, personalised learning, and User Modelling to suggest improvements within the industry to challenge the end users’ perceptions of on-line education.
Distribuzione in Italia di Eusphyrus vasconicus (Coleoptera Anthribidae)
Authors: Cornacchia Paolo , Colonnelli Enzo
Published: July 2013

Riassunto - Gli autori forniscono dati precisi sulla distribuzione in Italia dell’antribide Eusphyrus vasconicus (Hoffmann & Tempère, 1954) e ne tracciano la storia nomenclaturale. Sono caratterizzate le stazioni di raccolta ed elencati i sistemi di cattura utilizzati. Il taxon viene illustrato con fotografie e inserito in una tabella dicotomica per il riconoscimento tra gli Anthribidae Anthribinae presenti in Italia. Sono inclusi dati ecologici e ipotesi sulla presenza in Europa di questa specie i cui congeneri sono americani.Abstract - Italian distribution of Eusphyrus vasconicum (Coleoptera Anthribidae). Precise data on the Italian distribution of the anthribid beetle Eusphyrus vasconicus (Hoffmann & Tempère, 1954) is provided, and its nomenclatural history is traced. The collecting localities and collecting methods used are briefly described. The species is illustrated with photographs, and included in an identification key to Italian Anthribidae Anthribinae. Ecological data and hypotheses are provided on the occurrence in Europe of this species, the congeners of which are all American.
Nanomutilla vaucheri in Sardegna, prima segnalazione per l’Italia (Hymenoptera Mutillidae)
Authors: Romano Marcello
Published: July 2013

Riassunto - Viene resa nota la presenza in Sardegna di Nanomutilla vaucheri (Tournier, 1895), in base alla raccolta di un esemplare di sesso femminile. Questo reperto costituisce la prima segnalazione per il territorio italiano di un rappresentante della sottofamiglia Ticoplinae. La specie è segnalata per la prima volta anche per la Tunisia. Vengono riportate alcune osservazioni sulla biologia di questa specie e ne viene fornita una breve ridescrizione. Infine sono aggiunte alcune note tassonomiche e sistematiche sul genere Nanomutilla André, 1900.Abstract - Nanomutilla vaucheri in Sardinia, first record from Italy (Hymenoptera Mutillidae). A single female of Nanomutilla vaucheri (Tournier, 1895) is reported from Sardinia, being the first record of a representative of the subfamily Ticoplinae from Italy. The species is recorded for the first time from Tunisia, too. Observations on its biology, together with a short redescription of the species, are provided. The paper is concluded by taxonomic notes on the genus Nanomutilla André, 1900.
Segnalazioni faunistiche italiane
Authors: V.V. A.A.
Published: July 2013

528 - Acrometopa macropoda (Burmeister, 1838) (Orthoptera Phaneropteridae)529 - Anisops sardeus sardeus Herrich-Schäffer, 1849 (Hemiptera Heteroptera Notonectidae)530 - Amara (Amara) littorea C. G. Thomson, 1857 (Coleoptera Carabidae)531 - Scaphidium quadrimaculatum G. A. Olivier, 1790 (Coleoptera Staphylinidae Scaphidiinae)532 - Hololepta (Hololepta) plana (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera Histeridae)533 - Ptinomorphus regalis (Duftschmid, 1825) (Coleoptera Anobiidae)534 - Cerocoma ( Metacerocoma) schreberi Fabricius, 1781 (Coleoptera Meloidae)535 - Xylotrechus (Xylotrechus) antilope antilope (Schönherr, 1817) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)536 - Phoracantha recurva Newman, 1840 (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)537 - Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier 1795) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae)538 - Trychopteryx carpinata (Borkhausen, 1794) (Lepidoptera Geometridae)539 - Stilbia faillae Püngeler, 1918 (Lepidoptera Noctuidae)540 - Xestia (Xestia) cohaesa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1849) (Lepidoptera Noctuidae)541 - Caradrina (Paradrina) noctivaga Bellier, 1863 (Lepidoptera Noctuidae)
Barriers to tacit knowledge retention: An understanding of the perceptions of the knowledge management of people inside and outside the organisation
Authors: Bessick Jacky , Naicker Visvanathan
Published: July 2013

Background: Knowledge loss causes challenges for organisations that wish to remain competitive. These organisations must identify the risks that could lead to knowledge loss and become aware of issues that affect knowledge retention.Objectives: The objective of this research was to identify tacit knowledge retention barriers that could cause knowledge loss in an organisation. The paper presents a framework for the assessment of the impact of these barriers and discusses the research findings in order to critique that framework.Method: A quantitative strategy was used to interpret the findings. The target population is information technology (IT) professionals in a government organisation. Interviews were conducted in order to produce a more context-sensitive interpretation of the findings. A quantitative research approach was used to ensure the findings would precisely reflect the target population.Results: The majority of respondents confirmed that career development requires professional development, training prospects and improves the employability of employees. The agreed result was that respondents seek autonomy, that is, the ability to make decisions. Job stress and burnout are experienced because of problems with in filling posts, and the competition between the private and public sectors for experienced IT employees.Conclusion: Certain determinants were found that affect barriers in knowledge management: organisational commitment, job satisfaction, job characteristics and talent management. These need to be measured to prevent barriers from occurring. Implications are drawn from the study; these provide a focus for further research to bridge some gaps in information technology that currently limit the widespread use of knowledge management.
AC Sundancer™ poplar
Authors: Schroeder William , Soolanayakanahally Raju , Lindquist Carl
Published: July 2013

Schroeder, W., Soolanayakanahally, R. and Lindquist, C. 2013. AC Sundancer™ Poplar. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 1285–1287. AC Sundancer™ is a male, winter-hardy hybrid poplar tree released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Agroforestry Development Centre for the Canadian prairies and United States northern Great Plains. The name AC Sundancer™ was chosen as it depicts the striking upright growth habit of the tree.
Bioimpedancia vectorial y espectroscópica: valoración del estado de hidratación con ambos métodos en hemodiálisis
Authors: Ros Nogales Ruth , Manso Gil Mª Teresa , Palacios García Gema , Rodríguez Peña Jacoba
Published: July 2013

El análisis de bioimpedancia es una herramienta útil para determinar el estado nutricional y de hidratación del enfermo en hemodiálisis. Los dos sistemas más utilizados son la bioimpedancia de monofrecuencia vectorial y la bioimpedancia multifrecuencia espectroscópica que utilizan diferentes criterios para clasificar el estado de hidratación del enfermo dializado. El sistema de bioimpedancia de monofrecuencia vectorial utiliza una escala ordinal de 7 puntos que va desde el valor 3 (mayor hidratación) hasta el valor -3 (mayor deshidratación) definiendo la hiperhidratación cuando el vector está en el eje de hidratación por debajo de la elipse de tolerancia del 75% (valores 3 y 2 de la escala ordinal). El sistema de bioimpedancia multifrecuencia espectroscópica emplea dos criterios para definir el estado de hiperhidratación prediálisis: OH superior a 2,5 litros o mayor del 15% del volumen de agua extracelular. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar el grado de concordancia entre ambos sistemas de bioim-pedancia para definir el estado de hiperhidratación en enfermos tratados con hemodiálisis. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 54 enfermos tratados con hemodiálisis a los que se les realizó un análisis de bioimpedancia con monitores de monofrecuencia vectorial y multifrecuencia espectroscópica inmediatamente antes de una sesión de hemodiálisis. El grado de equivalencia en la defi nición de hiperhidratación entre ambos monitores fue mejor cuando se utilizó, en el monitor de multifrecuencia, el criterio de OH>15% del agua extracelular (índice kappa 0.81, concordancia excelente) que cuando se utilizó el criterio de OH>2,5 litros (índice kappa 0.71, concordancia aceptable).Conclusiones: Hay una buena relación entre la es-cala vectorial de hidratación y el valor OH (exceso de hidratación). Los criterios utilizados por los monitores de monofrecuencia vectorial y multifrecuencia espectroscópica para definir los estados de hiperhidratación prediálisis tienen una equivalencia aceptable y sus resultados pueden ser intercambiables
Hemorragia retroperitoneal espontánea durante sesión de hemodiálisis
Authors: Galiano Roa Raquel F. , Olmedo Bravo de Mansilla Joaquín , Ropero Liñán Elisa
Published: July 2013

La hemorragia retroperitoneal espontánea (Hre) engloba a toda extravasación de sangre al espacio retroperitoneal sin que exista traumatismo externo, manipulación endourológica o endovascular previa. Tiene múltiples etiologías, destacando la rotura de un aneurisma de aorta abdominal como causa más frecuente en adultos. Se ha observado mayor frecuencia de hemorragias en pacientes con terapia de anticoagulación y en pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis por largo tiempo (posiblemente por la anticoagulación que conlleva su tratamiento intradialítico), como es el caso que a continuación expondremos. Es una patología infrecuente, en la que a pesar de llegar al diagnóstico de una manera relativamente sencilla con estudios imagen, el poder determinar la etiología representa un reto y es motivo de múltiples estudios y procedimientos invasivos, algunas veces sin poder llegar a esclarecer la causa(3). La hemorragia retroperitoneal de origen renal fue observada por primera vez en 1700 por Bonet, siendo Wünderlich quien la define como “apoplejía espontánea de la cápsula renal” en 1856. Con posterioridad, Coenene en 1910 la designa con el término de “síndrome de Wünderlich”(4). La clínica fundamental está marcada por la llamada triada de Lenk: dolor lumboabdominal de comienzo brusco, masa palpable y shock hipovolémico. Siendo concretamente el dolor lumbar o abdominal el síntoma predominante. Los parámetros analíticos más relevantes son el descenso de la hemoglobina y hematocrito y la leucocitosis.
Comparison results for the CFSv2 hindcasts and statistical downscaling over the northeast of Brazil
Authors: Silva G. A. M. , Mendes D.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. An Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) approach was used to reproduce the precipitation anomalies for the rainy seasons over the south and north parts of the Northeast of Brazil (NEB) during 1982–2009 period. The seasonal hindcasts of precipitation anomalies from Climate Forecast System v2 (CFSv2) model and the observed dominant modes of anomalous Sea Surface Temperature over the South and North Atlantic Ocean were used as explanatory variables separately. The reduction of dispersion between the explanatory and dependent variables after the fit of the networks suggest the ANN as an important complementary technique for the climate studies over the NEB. However, a large dataset are required to the models capture the non-linear process in more details. The practical implication of the results is that ANNs constructed here could be applied in further analyses, for example, to explore the ANN's ability in improving the seasonal climate forecasts considering that the numerical and statistical methods must be complementary tools.
Spatiotemporal distributions of Fukushima-derived radionuclides in nearby marine surface sediments
Authors: Kusakabe M. , Oikawa S. , Takata H. , Misonoo J.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Spatiotemporal distributions of anthropogenic radionuclides in marine surface sediments off Miyagi, Fukushima, and Ibaraki Prefectures were analyzed on the basis of data collected during the monitoring program launched by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Sports, Science and Technology in 2011 right after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident began. Concentrations of 137Cs in the surface sediments varied spatially by two orders of magnitude, from 1.7 to 580 Bq kg-dry−1, and there was no obvious correlation between 137Cs concentration and the proximity of the sampling location to the accident site. The total inventory of 137Cs accumulated in the upper 3 cm of surface sediments in the monitoring area was estimated to be 3.78 × 1013 Bq, that is, 0.1–2% of the total 137Cs flux from the plant to the ocean as a result of the accident (the percentage depends on the model used to estimate the total flux). The spatial variations of 137Cs concentration and inventory depended on two main factors: the 137Cs concentration in the overlying water during the first several months after the accident and the physical characteristics of the sediments (water content and bulk density). The temporal variations of the concentrations of other anthropogenic radionuclides (90Sr, 95Nb, 110 mAg, 125Sb, 129Te, and 129 mTe) in the sediments were also investigated. Activity ratios of these nuclides to 137Cs suggest that the nuclides themselves were not homogenized before they were removed from seawater to the sediments.
Kinetic bottlenecks to respiratory exchange rates in the deep-sea – Part 1: Oxygen
Authors: Hofmann A. F. , Peltzer E. T. , Brewer P. G.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Ocean warming is now reducing dissolved oxygen concentrations, which can pose challenges to marine life. Oxygen limits are traditionally reported simply as a static concentration threshold with no temperature, pressure or flow rate dependency. Here we treat the oceanic oxygen supply potential for heterotrophic consumption as a dynamic molecular exchange problem analogous to familiar gas exchange processes at the sea surface. A combination of the purely physico-chemical oceanic properties temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and oxygen concentration defines the ability of the ocean to provide the oxygen supply to the external surface of a respiratory membrane. This general oceanic oxygen supply potential is modulated by further properties such as the diffusive boundary layer thickness to define an upper limit to oxygen supply rates. While the true maximal oxygen uptake rate of any organism is limited by gas transport either across the respiratory interface of the organism itself or across the diffusive boundary layer around an organism, controlled by physico-chemical oceanic properties, it can never be larger than the latter. Here, we define and calculate quantities that describe this upper limit to oxygen uptake posed by physico-chemical properties around an organism and show examples of their oceanic profiles.
Facile Synthesis of Thiazole, Thiazine and Isoindole Derivatives via EDA Approach and Conventional Methods
Authors: El-Shaieb Kamal M. , Ameen Mohamed A. , Abdel-latif Fathy F. , Mohamed Asmaa H.
Published: July 2013

The reactivity of N-amidinothiourea (1) as an electron donor towards several electron-accepting functional groups via electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) interaction has been studied. Thus on treatment of 1 with either 1,1,2,2-tetracyanoethylene (TCNE, 2), 2,3-dicyano-1,4-naphthoquinone (DCNQ, 4), 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo-1,4-benzoquinone (BHL-p, 6), 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (DCHNQ, 8), 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (CHL-p, 13), 2,3-dicyano-5,6-dichloro-1,4- benzoquinone (DDQ, 15), 2-dicyanomethyleneindan-1,3-dione (CNIND, 17), 2-(2-oxoindolin-3- ylidene)malononitrile (19), and/or dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD, 21), the reaction proceeds to give thiazole and thiazine derivatives, respectively. However, isoindole derivatives 24 and 26 were formed on heating of 1 with either tetrabromophthalic anhydride and=or o-phthalaldehyde, respectively. The products were fully characterized according to their spectral data. The mechanisms of formation of the products have been rationalized.
Trichostatin A Enhances Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Cardiogenic Cells for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: Lim Shiang Y. , Sivakumaran Priyadharshini , Crombie Duncan E. , Dusting Gregory J. , Pébay Alice , Dilley Rodney J.
Published: July 2013

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are a promising source of autologous cardiomyocytes to repair and regenerate myocardium for treatment of heart disease. In this study, we have identified a novel strategy to enhance cardiac differentiation of human iPS cells by treating embryoid bodies (EBs) with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), together with activin A and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Over a narrow window of concentrations, TSA (1 ng/ml) directed the differentiation of human iPS cells into a cardiomyocyte lineage. TSA also exerted an additive effect with activin A (100 ng/ml) and BMP4 (20 ng/ml). The resulting cardiomyocytes expressed several cardiac-specific transcription factors and contractile proteins at both gene and protein levels. Functionally, the contractile EBs displayed calcium cycling and were responsive to the chronotropic agents isoprenaline (0.1 μM) and carbachol (1 μM). Implanting microdissected beating areas of iPS cells into tissue engineering chambers in immunocompromised rats produced engineered constructs that supported their survival, and they maintained spontaneous contraction. Human cardiomyocytes were identified as compact patches of muscle tissue incorporated within a host fibrocellular stroma and were vascularized by host neovessels. In conclusion, human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes can be used to engineer functional cardiac muscle tissue for studying the pathophysiology of cardiac disease, for drug discovery test beds, and potentially for generation of cardiac grafts to surgically replace damaged myocardium.
Sustained Release of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 via Coacervate Improves the Osteogenic Potential of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Li Hongshuai , Johnson Noah Ray , Usas Arvydas , Lu Aiping , Poddar Minakshi , Wang Yadong , Huard Johnny
Published: July 2013

Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) isolated from mouse skeletal muscle by a modified preplate technique exhibit long-term proliferation, high self-renewal, and multipotent differentiation capabilities in vitro. MDSCs retrovirally transduced to express bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) can differentiate into osteocytes and chondrocytes and enhance bone and articular cartilage repair in vivo, a feature that is not observed with nontransduced MDSCs. These results emphasize that MDSCs require prolonged exposure to BMPs to undergo osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. A sustained BMP protein delivery approach provides a viable and potentially more clinically translatable alternative to genetic manipulation of the cells. A unique growth factor delivery platform comprised of native heparin and a synthetic polycation, poly(ethylene argininylaspartate diglyceride) (PEAD), was used to bind, protect, and sustain the release of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) in a temporally and spatially controlled manner. Prolonged exposure to BMP2 released by the PEAD:heparin delivery system promoted the differentiation of MDSCs to an osteogenic lineage in vitro and induced the formation of viable bone at an ectopic site in vivo. This new strategy represents an alternative approach for bone repair mediated by MDSCs while bypassing the need for gene therapy.
Dynamique de l’activité individuelle et collective en classe lors du passage dans les rangs
Authors: Veyrunes Philippe
Published: July 2013

Cet article concerne le passage dans les rangs del’enseignant, à l’école primaire, lors dutravail individuel écrit des élèves. Il viseà décrire et à analyser l’activité del’enseignant et des élèves ainsi que la dynamiquespatiotemporelle de l’activité collective en classeà partir d’observations filmées etd’entretiens en autoconfrontation. Nos résultats montrentque les élèves, autant que l’enseignant, pilotentle passage dans les rangs par leurs demandes d’aide et leuractivité masquée, et que la dynamique del’activité collective permet aux acteursd’actualiser leurs préoccupations, ce qui rend laconfiguration viable et stable.
Sonographically Guided High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Management of Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Cheung Vincent Y. T.
Published: July 2013

High‐intensity focused ultrasound therapy has received increasing interest in the management of solid malignancies and benign tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging has always been used to define the target for controlling and monitoring the ablation. Recently, sonographically guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound has been introduced to monitor the ablation process. This article provides an overview of the background, clinical use, and treatment outcomes of sonographically guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of uterine fibroids.
Development of an In‐house Endoanal Ultrasound Teaching Phantom
Authors: Shobeiri S. Abbas , Rostaminia Ghazaleh , Shobeiri Hediyeh
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study was to construct an anatomically correct phantom for visualization of anal sphincter complex structures.

Methods

To make an endoanal ultrasound phantom, we experimented with a variety of commercially available materials to simulate hyperechoic, hypoechoic, and isoechoic tissue consistency. We created external anal sphincter muscle and the levator plate using stand‐alone density gel and microbubbles to simulate the echogenicity of the muscles. A mold was created in a container, the muscles were inserted, and the mold was filled with high‐density clear gel and allowed to fill. Once finished, the container was sealed tightly and stored for later use. To evaluate the accuracy of the model, 6 ultrasound imaging raters from different disciplines were included. The raters were administered a 6‐item Internet‐based interactive test using 2‐dimensional images obtained from scanning the phantom. Rater agreement was determined. The Fleiss κstatistic was calculated to determine inter‐rater reliability.

Results

The raters identified the structures in 32 (89%) of 36 test questions. There was good to excellent agreement among the readers. Agreement rates for visualization of the external anal sphincter, perineal body, and internal anal sphincter were 67%, 83%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

An endoanal phantom can be constructed as a simulator for endoanal sonography.
Does Computed Tomography Have Any Additional Value After Sonography in Patients With Suspected Acute Appendicitis?
Authors: Koo Hye Soo , Kim Hyun Cheol , Yang Dal Mo , Kim Sang Won , Park Seong Jin , Ryu Jung Kyu
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the additional value of supplementary computed tomography (CT) after sonography for diagnosing acute appendicitis.

Methods

Among 140 consecutive patients with suspected acute appendicitis who underwent both initial sonography and supplementary CT within 12 hours, 88 patients whose appendices could not be visualized on sonography were excluded. The remaining 52 patients (mean age, 37.3 years; range, 15–98 years) were enrolled in this study. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the findings of 52 sonographic and CT examinations, and the appendix of each patient was classified as normal, equivocal appendicitis, nonperforated acute appendicitis, or perforated appendicitis. Causes of right lower quadrant pain other than appendicitis were also recorded. The additional value of supplementary CT was evaluated by performing head‐to‐head comparisons between CT and sonographic results.

Results

No patients with a normal appendix on sonography showed appendicitis on CT. In addition, there were no patients with a sonographic diagnosis of appendicitis who had a normal appendix on CT. Ten patients (19.2%) were determined to have additional value gained from CT. Among these 10 patients, however, the additional information from CT affected treatment modality decisions in only 5.

Conclusions

Initial sonography can be as effective as CT in patients with suspected acute appendicitis when the results are definite. Supplementary CT should only be performed when sonography is inconclusive.
Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells Can Be Accelerated by Controlling the Frequency of Continuous Ultrasound
Authors: Kang Kyung Shin , Hong Jung Min , Kang Jo A. , Rhie Jong-Won , Cho Dong-Woo
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the effects of continuous ultrasound on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) are dependent on the frequency in vitro.

Methods

Before stimulation, we characterized the hASCs using cluster of differentiation marker profiles and tridifferentiation. Then we selected effective frequencies in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 MHz (with a peak negative pressure of 52 kPa), which upregulated runt‐related transcription factor 2 messenger RNA expression. Next, the effects of ultrasound at the selected frequencies on the osteogenic differentiation were evaluated at the protein level. Alkaline phosphatase activity and the formation of mineralized nodules were measured. We additionally identified the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of ultrasound stimulation using Western blotting.

Results

The hASCs showed general cluster of differentiation marker profiles of stem cells and confirmed their potentials to yield adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation. Frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MHz were selected for higher runt‐related transcription factor 2 expression in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 MHz. Among the 3 groups, alkaline phosphatase activity and the formation of mineralized nodules were increased in cells exposed to 1.5‐MHz ultrasound compared with cells exposed to 0.5‐or 1.0‐MHz ultrasound and nontreated control cells. We additionally confirmed that this acceleration of osteogenic differentiation was related to p38 and protein kinase B signaling pathways.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that, in the selected range, 1.5 MHz was the most effective frequency for inducing the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs.
Reference Ranges and Distribution of Placental Volume by 3‐Dimensional Virtual Organ Computer‐Aided Analysis Between 11 Weeks and 13 Weeks 6 Days
Authors: Guyomard Aurélie , Macé Guillaume , Ferdynus Cyril , Franceschini Carole , Rousseau Thierry , Sagot Paul
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, reproducibility, and distribution of placental volume measurements according to the crown‐rump length between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days.

Methods

Images were acquired in 128 pregnancies followed in Burgundy during first‐trimester screening sonography using an abdominal 3‐dimensional transducer. The placental volume was then calculated by the virtual organ computer‐aided analysis method with a rotation angle of 30° by a single operator.

Results

Placental volumes ranged from 33.3 to 107.6 cm3 with a mean ± SD of 62.3 ± 14.8 cm3; the 5th and 10th percentiles were 38.0 and 44.20 cm3, respectively, whereas the 90th and 95th percentiles were 80.25 and 86.68 cm3. An exponential relationship was found between placental volume and crown‐rump length: ln placental volume = 0.018 × crown‐rump length + 2.93425; ln SD = 0.15; r2 = 0.58. Finally, the mean placental quotient, defined as the ratio of placental volume to crown‐rump length, was 1 ± 0.1 cm3/mm; the respective percentile values were 0.74, 0.81, 1.18, and 1.29 cm3/mm. No associations were found between parity or smoking and the placental quotient or between obesity and the placental quotient. Intraobserver reproducibility was good, with a mean difference of 0.2 cm3.

Conclusions

Measurement of placental volume between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days is reliable and reproducible and correlates strongly with crown‐rump length.
Sonographic Features of Placenta Accreta After First‐Trimester Abortion
Authors: Li Ping , Zheng Qichao , Xiong Bin , Cai Hongbing
Published: July 2013

We assessed 5 patients with histologically/clinically confirmed placenta accreta after first‐trimester abortion. In 4 patients, sonography showed an unclear endometrium, absence of an endometrium‐myometrium interface, a well‐vascularized hyperechoic lesion in the uterine body with a low resistive index, and myometrial thinning near the lesion. In 2 patients, contrast‐enhanced sonography showed rapid irregular lesion enhancement. Chemotherapy reduced the lesions in 3 patients, and a decreased blood supply increased the resistive index in all lesions. Two patients each underwent hysterectomy and uterine curettage. The fifth patient had a cervical pregnancy; sonography showed a well‐vascularized hyperechoic lesion in an enlarged cervix. Methotrexate gradually reduced this lesion. Sonography, especially contrast‐enhanced sonography, can detect placenta accreta and guide treatment.
Intoxication before last sexual encounter and HIV risk behavior among men and women in Uganda: Evidence from a nationwide survey
Authors: Tumwesigye Nazarius M. , Wanyenze Rhoda K. , Greenfield Tom K.
Published: July 2013

Tumwesigye, N. M.. Wanyenze, R. K. & Greenfield, T. K. (2012). Intoxication before last sexual encounter and HIV risk behavior among men and women in Uganda: Evidence from a nationwide survey. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 67-78. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.36 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.36)Aims: To establish the prevalence of intoxication before sex and its association with risky sexual behavior.Design: The data were from the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey which had been designed for a cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: The study covered the whole of Uganda.Participants: The respondents were 6,253 women and 1,804 men who had ever had sex.Measurements: The key independent variable was intoxication before last sexual intercourse, while the major outcome variables were condom use and sex with non-regular partners. Weighted prevalence of intoxication was computed and multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the independent association of intoxication with risky sexual behavior.Findings: Twelve percent of men and 16% of women reported having been intoxicated before last sexual intercourse. Of the women who reported that one of the partners was intoxicated before last sexual intercourse, 78% said it was their partner who was intoxicated. Of the men who reported intoxication, 83% said it was they themselves who were intoxicated. Intoxication of men was associated with having sex with non-regular partners (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.04–3.03) and having unprotected sex (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.07–2.73). Women who were intoxicated were less likely to have been with non-regular partners (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.95). The women whose partners were intoxicated were more likely to report having had unprotected sex (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.12–2.15).Conclusions: HIV prevention mechanisms should address intoxication before sex. More effort is needed to find ways of helping women avoid unprotected sex with intoxicated partners.
Distress and drinking: Cross-cultural connections and contexts
Authors: Wilsnack Richard , Kristjanson Arlinda F. , Wilsnack Sharon C. , Benson Perry W.
Published: July 2013

Wilsnack, R., Kristjanson, A. F., Wilsnack, S. C. & Benson, P. W. (2012). Distress and drinking: Cross-cultural connections and contexts. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 79-94. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.37 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.37)Aims: Research on how distress is related to drinking has paid relatively little attention to gender and to cultural differences. This study examines how distress is associated with men’s and women’s drinking cross-culturally.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting/Participants: Surveys of 30,728 women and 24,204 men in 22 countries of the GENACIS project (Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study) provided data on how women’s and men’s mental, interpersonal and work-situational distress are related to their drinking patterns.Measurements: Analyses examined correlations within surveys, and used hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to take into account economic development, abstinence rates and distress levels in the populations surveyed.Findings: We found few associations of drinking patterns with reported stressful work situations. Mental and interpersonal distress had more frequent but geographically scattered associations with men’s and women’s drinking, particularly with quantities consumed. HLM analyses confirmed cross-culturally that drinking tended to increase with psychological and interpersonal distress, but the societal-level variables had few effects.Conclusions: Distress measures in GENACIS surveys were positively though not powerfully associated with both women's and men's drinking cross-culturally, associations not attributable to societal-level characteristics. The findings indicate a need for better cross-cultural information about the processes by which distress may lead to heavier drinking.
Community-based prevention of alcohol-related injuries: Possibilities and experiences
Authors: Holmila Marja , Warpenius Katariina
Published: July 2013

Holmila, M. & Warpenius, K. (2012). Community-based prevention of alcohol-related injuries: Possibilities and experiences. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 27-39. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.43 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.43)Aims: This paper discusses the possibilities of community-based prevention of alcohol-related injuries by summarizing the results from the Finnish Local Alcohol Policy (PAKKA).Design: Quasi-experimental controlled pre-/post-intervention design.Setting: The Finnish community-based prevention project PAKKA is described as an example of prevention that combines into one process the three necessary prevention elements: affecting the environment, grassroots enforcement of legislation, and education.Participants: Two intervention areas and two matched control areas.Measurements: Triangulation: purchase trials, school- and population survey and register data.Results: There were reductions in alcohol availability among minors and among intoxicated customers, an increase in abstinence among underaged youth and some changes in attitudes and knowledge on age-limit control.Conclusions: The results of PAKKA show that community-based action has the potential to produce results in all three prevention elements. One of the challenges is how to use community mobilization to target those who are less supportive of community interventions.
Why do we need another journal?
Authors: Rehm, IJADR Advisory Board Chair Jürgen , Pollock, VP Research, CAMH Bruce G.
Published: July 2013

(no abstract)Rehm, J.  & Pollock, B. G. (2012). Why do we need another journal? International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 9-10. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.54  (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.54)
A call to support the new KBS journal
Authors: Parry, IJADR Advisory Board Charles D.H.
Published: July 2013

(no abstract)Parry, C. D. H. (2012). A call to support the new KBS journal. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 7. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.56 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.56)
Toward new comparative understandings
Authors: Stenius, IJADR Advisory Board Kerstin
Published: July 2013

(no abstract)Stenius, K. (2012). Toward new comparative understandings. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1(1), 11. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.69  (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.69)
A hybrid gradient‐based and differential evolution algorithm for infinite impulse response adaptive filtering
Authors: Yuenyong Sumeth , Nishihara Akinori
Published: July 2013

Global optimization algorithms (GO) had been applied to solve the adaptive infinite impulse response filtering problem, which is known to have multimodal error surface under certain conditions. However, although GO may be able to search multimodal surfaces, they have certain disadvantages. They may not converge to any minimum point, the convergence speed is reduced as the solution vectors move closer, and tracking ability for non‐stationary environment is lacking. The traditional gradient descent method does not have these limitation but is not able to search multimodal surfaces. In this work, we propose a hybrid algorithm combining gradient descent and differential evolution (DE) for adapting the coefficients of infinite impulse response adaptive filters. DE is run in a block‐based manner. The coefficient vector with the lowest error surface value (the best member) of the current block is updated via gradient descent for the duration of the next block. Thus combining the ability to search multimodal surface of DE and fast local search of gradient descent. As with all GO, global search capacity is gradually lost as the coefficient vectors converge together. Thus, re‐initialization is also incorporated into the hybrid algorithm to provide continuous global search capacity for non‐stationary environment. All the coefficient vectors except the best member are re‐initialized when the normalized mean Euclidean distance between each pair of vectors falls below a threshold value. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves better solution quality and convergence speed than classic DE and GO for stationary and non‐stationary environments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modification to adaptive model reduction for regulation of distributed parameter systems with fast transients
Authors: Pourkargar Davood Babaei , Armaou Antonios
Published: July 2013

We focus on output feedback control of distributed processes whose infinite dimensional representation in appropriate Hilbert subspaces can be decomposed to finite dimensional slow and infinite dimensional fast subsystems. The controller synthesis issue is addressed using a refined adaptive proper orthogonal decomposition (APOD) approach to recursively construct accurate low dimensional reduced order models (ROMs) based on which we subsequently construct and couple almost globally valid dynamic observers with robust controllers. The novelty lies in modifying the data ensemble revision approach within APOD to enlarge the ROM region of attraction. The proposed control approach is successfully used to regulate the Kuramoto‐Sivashinsky equation at a desired steady state profile in the absence and presence of uncertainty when the unforced process exhibits nonlinear behavior with fast transients. The original and the modified APOD approaches are compared in different conditions and the advantages of the modified approach are presented. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4595–4611, 2013
Formulation and manufacture of pharmaceuticals by fluidized‐bed impregnation of active pharmaceutical ingredients onto porous carriers
Authors: Grigorov Plamen I. , Glasser Benjamin J. , Muzzio Fernando J.
Published: July 2013

A manufacturing method is presented for solid dosage forms using fluidized‐bed impregnation, which could eliminate many of the challenges during solid dosage manufacturing. The main difference between impregnation and dry blending is the placement of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) inside a porous carrier. This makes the final material flow properties independent of the physical properties of the API. The method consists of spraying an API solution in appropriate solvent onto a carefully chosen porous excipient in a fluidized state. The solution penetrates the porous carrier due to capillary forces and the solvent is evaporated soon after that. Impregnation and drying occur simultaneously, which makes this impregnation method suitable for continuous implementation. Carefully choosing the operating conditions allows impregnation to occur without introducing spray drying or spray coating of the API. The method is shown to generate an impregnated excipient with very high degree of homogeneity independent of the API loading. It is also shown that mild milling further improves blend uniformity to RSD levels below 1%, which are challenging to achieve using conventional techniques. On impregnation, the final physical properties of the material are seen to be mainly unchanged from the initial excipient properties. A study of this one‐step manufacturing method is described, using acetaminophen as the model drug and anhydrous calcium phosphate dibasic as the porous excipient. The experimental work presented establishes a proof of concept and investigates in detail blend uniformity, physical state of impregnated API, final physical properties of impregnated material, compressibility during tableting, capsule filling, and release profile of the final capsule formulation. It also discusses potential ways for drug release control and improvements using impregnation. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4538–4552, 2013
Modeling thermodynamic properties of aqueous single‐solute and multi‐solute sugar solutions with PC‐SAFT
Authors: Held Christoph , Sadowski Gabriele , Carneiro Aristides , Rodríguez Oscar , Macedo Eugénia A.
Published: July 2013

The Perturbed‐Chain Statistical Association Fluid Theory is applied to simultaneously describe various thermodynamic properties (solution density, osmotic coefficient, solubility) of aqueous solutions containing a monosaccharide or a disaccharide. The 13 sugars considered within this work are: glucose, fructose, fucose, xylose, maltose, mannitol, mannose, sorbitol, xylitol, galactose, lactose, trehalose, and sucrose. Four adjustable parameters (three pure‐sugar parameters and a kij between sugar and water that was allowed to depend linearly on temperature) were obtained from solution densities and osmotic coefficients of binary sugar/water solutions at 298.15 K available in literature. Using these parameters, the sugar solubility in water and in ethanol could be predicted satisfactorily. Further, osmotic coefficients and solubility in aqueous solutions containing two solutes (sugar/sugar, sugar/salt) were predicted (no additional kij parameters between the two solutes) reasonably. The model was also applied to predict the solubility of a sugar in a solvent mixture (e.g., water/ethanol) without additional fitting parameters. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4794–4805, 2013