bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home Versus Host — Identifying With Either, Both, or Neither?
Authors: Lee Yih-teen
Published: April 2010

The present study examines the relationship between dual cultural identities and intercultural effectiveness. Upon the evidence of the regulating effects of cultural identities on individuals’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to cultural stimuli, we argue that cultural identities cast non-negligible influence on intercultural effectiveness. Focusing on the distinction between identity to one’s cultural origin and identity to host culture, we hypothesize that individuals high on both identities are more effective than those low on both of them, followed by those high on one of the identities but low on the other. We apply polynomial regression and the response surface method to data collected from managers and workers with international experience ( n = 82), in order to better capture the relationship between dual cultural identities and various aspects of intercultural effectiveness. The hypotheses are generally supported. Theoretical and practical implications for further capitalizing on such knowledge are discussed.
Review: Endothelial cell dysfunction, medial arterial calcification and osteoprotegerin in diabetes
Authors: Singh Dhruv K , Winocour Peter , Farrington Ken
Published: April 2010

Macrovascular complications such as cardiovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease are the leading cause of increased mortality and morbidity, respectively, in patients with diabetes mellitus. The aetiopathogenesis of macrovasculopathy in diabetes is multifactorial and differs in types 1 and 2 diabetes. Endothelial cell dysfunction is an early feature of diabetic vasculopathy and is associated with poor glycaemic control. Chronic hyperglycaemia may promote an adverse vascular milieu leading to early endothelial cell apoptosis, in the long run. The presence of apoptotic cells in the vascular lumen may trigger a cascade of reactions between the promoters and inhibitors of arterial calcification. Medial arterial calcification, a characteristic feature of diabetes, is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease and occurs independently of atherosclerosis. Medial arterial calcification may occur in the presence of normal serum calcium and phosphate levels. Osteoprotegerin is an important modulator of mineral metabolism and manifests its effects in the bone and arteries. It is hypothesised that osteoprotegerin is a key inhibitor of arterial calcification which is released by endothelial cells as a protective measure for survival in adverse conditions. It is a potential risk marker for early identification and monitoring of disturbed mineral metabolism and vasculopathy in diabetes.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric syn-Selective Direct Aldol Reaction in Ionic Liquid
Authors: Yong Fui-Fong , Poh Chai-Yun , Chua Guan-Leong , Teo Yong-Chua
Published: April 2010

A practical and recyclable organocatalytic strategy is developed to provide syn-selective aldol products in ionic liquid. The siloxy serine organocatalyst mediates the direct aldol reaction of TBSO-protected hydroxyacetone with a variety of aldehyde to provide the β-hydroxycarbonyl scaffolds in good yields and enantioselectivities up to 94%.
Preparation of Hybrid Ordered Inorganic–Organic Mesostructures from an Asymmetrically Bridged Organic Precursor Containing Both Silanolate and Phosphonate
Authors: Otsu Masato , Yamazaki Tsutomu , Sasaki Yukichi , Maeda Kazuyuki
Published: April 2010

Novel hybrid inorganic–organic mesostructures were hydrothermally prepared from pseudo-boehmite and an organic precursor containing both silanolate and phosphonate groups in the presence of cationic surfactants. The solid-state NMR revealed that aluminum species are mainly connected with phosphonate groups in the formed 2D hexagonal mesostructures.
Drug Release of Sonochemical Protein Containers
Authors: Han Yongsheng , Shchukin Dmitry , Möhwald Helmuth
Published: April 2010

A new protein container was prepared by introducing gelation into sonochemically prepared protein microsphere. The drug release behaviors of the new container and the previous protein microsphere were first investigated in this paper.
Reverse Micellar Synthesis of Dye/Gold Hybrid Nanocomposites
Authors: Takahashi Masaki , Ohno Shuhei , Fujita Norifumi , Sengoku Tetsuya , Yoda Hidemi
Published: April 2010

Complexation of a light-harvesting dye with hydrogen tetrachloroaurate led to spontaneous formation of gold nanoparticles within self-assembled reverse micellar aggregates, which generated stabilized dye/gold hybrid nanocomposites.
An Aryne Route to Cytosporone B and Phomopsin C
Authors: Yoshida Hiroto , Morishita Takami , Ohshita Joji
Published: April 2010

The octaketide cytosporone B has been synthesized in six steps using 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene as a starting material via aryne insertion reaction into a carbon–carbon σ-bond.
Teleradiology in an inaccessible area of northern India
Authors: Char Amit , Kalyanpur Arjun , Puttanna Gowda V N , Bharathi Anjan , Singh Jasbir
Published: April 2010

Teleradiology can be used to provide health care to rural populations, especially where there is a scarcity of resources, including on-site radiologists. We have established a network link between a commercial teleradiology provider in Bangalore, south India and the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital (RKMH), located over 3000 km away in the north east of India. Image files were transferred to Bangalore via an ADSL connection using secure file transfer protocol. In the 12-month period beginning in August 2007, a total of 962 studies was sent to Bangalore from the RKMH. The average turnaround time for the report to reach the hospital once the images had been received in Bangalore was six hours for non-emergency cases. For emergency cases the turnaround time was consistently below 30 minutes. Because the RKMH was a charitable institution providing rural patients with free or low-cost treatment, no charge was made for the reporting. Our experience demonstrates that remote implementation of teleradiology is possible in rural India. The service has proved valuable for the remote hospital concerned.
Child and adolescent telepsychiatry: variations in utilization, referral patterns and practice trends
Authors: Myers Kathleen M , Vander Stoep Ann , McCarty Carolyn A , Klein Jesse B , Palmer Nancy B , Geyer John R , Melzer Sanford M
Published: April 2010

Seattle Children's Hospital is a tertiary referral hospital that has provided telepsychiatry to seven partner sites in the north-west since 2001. Service utilization data, patient demographics and diagnoses were collected for the period from the service inception in October 2001 until November 2007. During the study period, 701 patients were treated with a mean of 2.8 appointments per patient (SD 1.9). Five psychiatrists and four psychologists provided care. Utilization varied across referring sites and was largely dependent upon the availability of telepsychiatrists, although the degree of support from administration and stakeholders also contributed to the success of the service. A total of 190 primary care practitioners referred patients to telepsychiatry, including 106 family physicians and 71 paediatricians. Paediatricians referred to the service more frequently than family physicians ( t = 2.8, P < 0.05). Overall, telepsychiatry with young people is feasible, acceptable and increases access to mental health care. There appear to be four core components necessary to a successful telepsychiatry programme: psychiatrists who are interested in exploring new ways to reach underserved young people; clearly identified stakeholders who can collaborate with one another to make good use of the telepsychiatry service; a children's mental health ‘champion’ who represents these stakeholders and wants services for their community; and a stable administration that perceives telepsychiatry as valuable for their patients and their doctors.
Bye-Bye Bundles: The Unbundling of Music in Digital Channels
Authors: Elberse Anita
Published: April 2010

Fueled by digital distribution, unbundling is prevalent in many information and entertainment industries. What is the effect of this unbundling on sales, and what bundle characteristics drive this effect? The author empirically examines these questions in the context of the music industry, using data on weekly digital-track, digital-album, and physical-album sales from January 2005 to April 2007 for all titles released by a sample of more than 200 artists. The modeling framework, a system of an “album-sales” and a “song-sales” equation estimated with the seemingly unrelated regression method, explicitly accounts for the interaction between sales for the bundle and its components. The findings reveal that revenues decrease significantly as digital downloading becomes more prevalent, but the number of items included in a bundle (a measure of its “objective” value) is not a significant moderator of this effect. Instead, bundles with items that are more equal in their appeal and bundles offered by producers with a strong reputation suffer less from the negative impact of the shift to mixed bundling in online channels.
Measures on the space of convex bodies
Authors: Hoffmann Lars Michael
Published: April 2010

It is a classical question in convex geometry whether there exists a σ-finite Borel measure on the space of convex bodies such that every open subset has positive measure. In this paper we give a positive answer by introducing a class of measures with the desired feature and additional invariance properties which are (in a certain sense) strongest possible.
Linear inverse problems for parabolic and hyperbolic equations
Authors: Kozhanov Aleksandr Ivanovich , Safiullova Regina Rifkhatovna
Published: April 2010

We study solvability of the parabolic and hyperbolic inverse problems of finding a solution together with an unknown right-hand side when the general overdetermination condition is given (the cases of final and integral overdetermination are inclusively). Some theorems of unique existence of regular solutions are proved.
Kapazitäts-Gittersensor: Prinzip und AnwendungCapacitance Wire-Mesh Sensor: Principle and Application
Authors: da Silva Marco Jose , Hampel Uwe
Published: April 2010

Gittersensoren ermöglichen räumlich und zeitlich hochaufgelöste Untersuchungen von Mehrphasenströmungen und können für viele strömungsdiagnostische Probleme eingesetzt werden. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt den neu entwickelten Kapazitäts-Gittersensor, welcher auf der Messung der elektrischen Permittivität (Kapazität) basiert. Neben der Beschreibung des Messprinzips und der dazugehörigen Messelektronik sowie Datenanalyse wird auch ein ausgewähltes Anwendungsbeispiel präsentiert. Der Gittersensor wurde bei der Untersuchung einer zweiphasigen Öl-Gas-Rohrströmung eingesetzt, wobei die Strömungsregime visualisiert und einige wichtige quantitative Strömungsparameter aus den gemessenen Rohdaten extrahiert wurden.
Histomorphometric Analysis After Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation Using Cancellous Bone–Block Allograft
Authors: Chaushu Gavriel , Vered Marilena , Mardinger Ofer , Nissan Joseph
Published: April 2010

Background: Cancellous bone–block allografts may contribute to improved initial implant stability during sinus augmentation in cases with posterior atrophic maxillary ridge height ≤4 mm. The present study histologically and histomorphometrically evaluates the application of cancellous bone–block allografts for maxillary sinus‐floor augmentation.

Methods: Thirty‐one consecutive patients, 16 females and 15 males (age range, 25 to 65 years; mean age: 54 ± 9 years) underwent sinus augmentation with simultaneous implant placement with cancellous bone–block allografts. After 9 months, a second‐stage surgery was performed. The previous window location was determined. A cylindrical sample core was collected. All specimens were prepared for histologic and histomorphometric examinations.

Results: Seventy‐two of 76 implants were clinically osseointegrated (94.7%). All patients received a fixed implant‐supported prosthesis. The mean t values of newly formed bone, residual cancellous bone–block allograft, marrow and connective tissue were 26.1% ± 15% (range: 10% to 58%); 24.7% ± 19.4% (range: 0.6% to 71%), and 49.2% ± 20.4% (range: 14.9% to 78.9%), respectively. No statistically significant histomorphometric differences regarding newly formed bone were found between genders (27.02% in males versus 25.68% in females; P = 0.446), ages (29.82% in subjects ≤40 years old versus 24.43% in subjects >40 years old; P = 0.293), presence of membrane perforations (25.5% in non‐perforated sinuses versus 27.3% in perforated sinuses; P = 0.427), and residual alveolar bone height (25.85% for residual alveolar bone height <2 mm versus 26.48% for residual alveolar bone height of 2 to 4 mm; P = 0.473).

Conclusion: The cancellous bone–block allograft is biocompatible and osteoconductive and permits new bone formation in sinus augmentations with simultaneous implant‐placement procedures in extremely atrophic posterior maxillae.
The Association between Financial Reporting Risk and Audit Fees before and after the Historic Events Surrounding SOX
Authors: Charles Shannon L. , Glover Steven M. , Sharp Nathan Y.
Published: April 2010

SUMMARY: This study investigates whether the association between financial reporting risk and audit fees changed during 2000–2003: a time period marked by momentous and historic events for auditors. We find a positive statistically and economically significant relationship between financial reporting risk and audit fees paid to Big 4 auditors. More importantly, we predict and find that the relation between financial reporting risk and audit fees strengthened significantly in 2002 and 2003, consistent with a shift in the way auditors priced risk, likely in response to the events surrounding the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Finally, we provide evidence that a commercially developed, comprehensive risk measure effectively proxies for an element of risk beyond what has traditionally been captured by various risk measures in audit fee models: namely, the risk that financial statements have been intentionally misstated. We believe this risk measure will be of interest to future researchers.
Audit Committee Member Investigation of Significant Accounting Decisions
Authors: Pomeroy Bradley
Published: April 2010

SUMMARY: In the post-Enron environment, audit committee (AC) members are under increased scrutiny to demonstrate effectiveness in resolving significant accounting issues. However, prior research suggests that AC members are not involved in material auditor-client negotiations and that they are often not adequately informed of the issue resolution process. Therefore, AC members may not be effective in their oversight of the financial reporting process unless an accounting decision is clearly aggressive or adequate information about the decision is provided. In this study, I examine AC members’ investigation of accounting decisions when they are (or not) adequately informed of the negotiation process that led to the decision and when the decision results in an aggressive (versus conservative) financial reporting outcome. The hypotheses are developed from social psychology and research on corporate governance practice suggesting that AC members investigate accounting decisions to reduce discomfort in the financial reporting process by asking probing questions of the auditors and management. The results indicate that negotiation knowledge increases AC discomfort but has no effect on AC investigation, perhaps because potential questions were adequately addressed by the available information. I also find that AC members investigate more extensively as accounting decisions become increasingly aggressive and AC members with accounting experience are particularly thorough in their investigations when accounting decisions are aggressive. The results of this research have important implications to practice and future research.
Auditor Conservatism after Enron
Authors: Feldmann Dorothy A. , Read William J.
Published: April 2010

SUMMARY: Corporate scandals and the resulting passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in 2002 significantly affected the auditing profession. The quality of financial statement audits was called into questioned and the media and regulators held audit firms responsible. Several studies found evidence of an increase in the issuance of going-concern opinions after the passage of SOX relative to earlier time periods (Geiger et al. 2005; Nogler 2008; Myers et al. 2008). Auditors, it appears, behave more conservatively when the profession is in the headlines. We replicate and extend this research to determine whether the heightened conservatism continues or whether it fades as time passes. We examine audit opinions issued 12 months or less prior to a bankruptcy filing for 565 companies from 2000–2008. Our findings indicate that while the proportion of going-concern modifications increases sharply in 2002–2003 compared to 2000–2001, it declines in the periods that follow, ultimately returning to its pre-Enron level.
Exploring Trust and the Auditor-Client Relationship: Factors Influencing the Auditor’s Trust of a Client Representative
Authors: Rennie Morina D. , Kopp Lori S. , Lemon W. Morley
Published: April 2010

SUMMARY: This research examines financial statement auditors’ trust of members of client management in the context of a disagreement. In this descriptive field study involving 48 partners and 23 managers of Canadian offices of international accounting firms, we explore factors that can influence an auditor’s trust of client management.

We find that a client representative’s openness of communication and demonstration of concern during an auditor-client disagreement are positively associated with the trust that an auditor feels for that individual. We also find that aspects of the auditor-client relationship are associated with auditor trust. Responses to general questions about trust and auditing indicate that our auditors believe it is important to trust their clients and that they attempt to ensure that trust does not impede professional skepticism, primarily through a rigorous audit process and the adoption of an independent attitude.
Priming/Reaction-Time Evidence of the Structure of Auditors’ Knowledge of Financial Statement Errors
Authors: Coyne Michael P. , Biggs Stanley F. , Rich Jay S.
Published: April 2010

SUMMARY: Audit research has generally concluded that auditors primarily organize their memory of financial statement errors by audit objective rather than transaction cycle. Although this stream of research has typically used the cue sorting method, the concept of primary organizing dimension is believed to be sufficiently general to obtain consistent results with other experimental methods (e.g., Nelson et al. 1995). The purpose of this study is to determine if the finding that auditor knowledge of financial statement errors is organized primarily around audit objectives can be replicated with a priming/reaction time method. The priming/reaction time method is widely used in knowledge structure research and appears consistent with the concept of primary organizing dimension discussed in the audit literature. We conducted a study with sorting and priming/reaction time phases. Consistent with prior research, the sorting phase found that audit objective was the primary organizing dimension for both managers and staff. However, the priming/reaction time phase found that managers’ knowledge was primarily structured around transaction cycle, while staff demonstrated no primary organizing structure.
MRI of the achilles tendon: A comprehensive review of the anatomy, biomechanics, and imaging of overuse tendinopathies
Authors: Pierre-Jerome Claude , Moncayo Valeria , Terk Michael R.
Published: April 2010

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body; it plays an important role in the biomechanics of the lower extremity. It can withstand great forces, especially during sporting exercises and pivoting. The pathologies related to the Achilles tendon are diverse and many carry undesirable consequences. We retrospectively analyzed the images of patients who underwent examinations of the ankle/foot region to review the anatomy of the Achilles tendon and its surroundings and to search for pathologies consistent with overuse injuries. The anatomy of the tendon is described from origin to insertion. The imaging characteristics of the Achilles tendon including pitfalls are reviewed. We also describe the Achilles overuse injuries: paratenonitis, tendinosis, tendon tear, atypical tear, tendon re-tear, retrocalcaneal bursitis, retro-Achilles bursitis, Haglund's deformity, and tendon calcification. We present other entities like tendon ossification and failed transplanted Achilles tendon, with emphasis on MRI.
Cardiovascular parameters to assess the severity of acute pulmonary embolism with computed tomography
Authors: Zhao Dian-Jiang , Ma Da-Qing , He Wen , Wang Jian-Jun , Xu Yan , Guan Chun-Shuang
Published: April 2010

Background: Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has been established as a first-line test in the acute pulmonary embolism (APE) diagnostic algorithm, but the assessment of the severity of APE by this method remains to be explored.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and severity in patients with APE without underlying cardiopulmonary disease using helical computed tomography (CT).

Material and Methods: Seventy-three patients (35 men and 38 women) were divided into two groups according to the clinical findings: severe APE ( n=22) and non-severe APE ( n=51). Pulmonary artery CT obstruction index was calculated according to the location and degree of clots in the pulmonary arteries. Cardiovascular parameters including RV short axis and left ventricular (LV) short axis, RV short axis to LV short axis (RV/LV) ratio, main pulmonary artery, azygos vein, and superior vena cava diameters were measured. Leftward bowing of the interventricular septum, reflux of contrast medium into the inferior vena cava and azygos vein, and bronchial artery dilatation were also recorded. The results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test, x2 test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( Az).

Results: CT obstruction index in patients with severe APE (median 43%) was higher than that of patients with non-severe APE (median 20%). Comparison of cardiovascular parameters between patients with severe and non-severe pulmonary embolism showed significant differences in RV short axis, LV short axis, RV/LV ratio, RV wall thickness, main pulmonary artery diameter, azygos vein diameter, leftward bowing of the interventricular septum, and bronchial artery dilatation. The correlation between CT obstruction indexes and cardiovascular parameters was significant. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was highest between RV/LV ratio and CT obstruction index. Az values were significantly higher than 0.5 for CT obstruction index, LV short axis, RV/LV ratio, main pulmonary artery diameter, and azygos vein diameter.

Conclusion: These results suggest that CTPA is a practical and accurate means for evaluating RV dysfunction of pulmonary embolism in patients without any underlying cardiopulmonary disease and can discriminate between severe and non-severe APE.
MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation of small renal cell carcinoma: Initial clinical experience
Authors: Kariniemi Juho , Ojala Risto , Hellström Pekka , Sequeiros Roberto Blanco
Published: April 2010

Background: The number of detected small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) has been rising, largely due to advances in imaging. Open surgical resection is the standard management of small RCCs; however, imaging-guided percutaneous ablative therapies have emerged as a minimally invasive treatment alternative, especially for patients who are poor candidates for surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the initial clinical experience of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided percutaneous laser ablation of small RCCs.

Material and Methods: Eight patients with 10 tumors were treated with percutaneous MRI-guided laser ablation. All tumors (diameter range 1.5–3.8 cm, mean 2.7 cm) were biopsy-proven RCCs. By using a 0.23 T open MRI system and general anesthesia in patients, one to four (mean 2.6) laser fibers were placed and the tumors were ablated under near real-time MRI control by observing the signal void caused by the temperature change in the heated tissue. The treatment was considered successful if the tumor showed no contrast enhancement at follow-up imaging.

Results: All except one tumor were successfully ablated in one session. The first patient treated showed enhancing residual tumor in post-procedural MRI; she has thus far declined retreatment. One complication, a myocardial infarction, occurred; all other patients tolerated the procedure well. No local recurrence was discovered during the follow-up (range 12–30 months, mean 20 months).

Conclusion: In this small group of patients with relatively short follow-up period, MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation proved to be a promising treatment option for small RCCs.
Peanut Response to Fluometuron Applied to a Preceeding Cotton Crop1
Authors: York Alan C.
Published: April 2010

An experiment was conducted to determine the potential for fluometuron to carry over to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Fluometuron was applied preemergence to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at 1.12 and 2.24 kg ai ha-1 as a broadcast spray or as a 30-cm band in 91-cm rows. Each preemergence application was followed by zero, one, or two postemergence-directed applications of fluometuron at 1.12 kg ha-1 plus MSMA at 2.24 kg ae ha-1 in a 30-cm band. Herbicide treatments did not adversely affect cotton yield or fiber quality. Fluometuron injury was not observed on peanut planted the following year. Peanut yield, grade, and value were not affected by previous fluometuron treatments.
Effect of Temperature on Urediniospore Production and Germinability in Puccinia arachidis1
Authors: Rao P. V. Subba , Subrahmanyam P. , McDonald D.
Published: April 2010

Effect of temperature on urediniospore production in Puccinia arachidis was investigated under monocyclic infection using detached leaves of the susceptible peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivar TMV 2. Urediniospores produced at different temperatures were also examined for their germinability in vitro. The optimal temperature for urediniospore production was at about 20 and 25 C. Temperatures below 20 C or above 30 C were highly detrimental to urediniospore production. There were also marked differences in the percent germination of urediniospores produced at different temperatures. Urediniospores produced at 20 and 25 C showed the highest germination percentages. The interaction of temperature with urediniospore production and germinability is important in understanding the development of peanut rust epidemics.
Sorting Peanuts by Pod Density to Improve Quality and Kernel Maturity Distribution and to Reduce Aflatoxin1
Authors: Rucker K. S. , Kvien C. K. , Calhoun K. , Henning R. J. , Koehler P. E. , Ghate S. R. , Holbrook C. C.
Published: April 2010

Peanut maturity and several peanut quality factors are closely related. An examination of peanut physical properties revealed that by sorting farmer-stock peanuts into pod density classes before shelling, the maturity distributions within shelled-stock classes can be manipulated. An unsorted sample of farmer-stock peanut having an initial maturity distribution in No. 1 kernels of 66% immature, 23% mid-mature and 11% mature was sorted using a gravity separator into four pod-density fractions ranging from 98% immature and 2% mid-mature in the least dense fraction to 8% immature, 43% mid-mature and 49% mature in the most dense fraction. Along with improvements in maturity distributions, we also found that the higher test weight fractions (higher pod density) had less aflatoxin and a greater percentage of large kernels than did the low test weight fractions. Many density sorting devices were tested, including air columns, pod cleaners, and gravity tables. All of these devices were capable of sorting pods into maturity groups, but the gravity table was the most precise.
Quality Characteristics of Red Testa Peanuts Associated With Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Infected Plants1
Authors: Sanders T. H. , Schubert A. M. , Bett K. L.
Published: April 2010

Florunner peanuts with red, cracked testae commonly associated with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infected plants were examined for size, oil quality and flavor variation. Samples of visually normal and red testa peanuts (RTP) were collected randomly by electronic color sorting and hand-picking from three locations in Texas. Size distributions in the samples indicated higher percentages of RTP in smaller commercial sizes. Mean seed weight was lower for RTP except in the single largest screen size (9.5 mm). The oleic/linoleic acid ratio in oil from various commercial sizes was slightly but consistently higher in RTP and oven test stability of oil was correspondingly longer. Descriptive flavor analysis of roasted normal peanuts and RTP indicated no relevant flavor differences.
Identification of Peanut Genotypes with Improved Drought Avoidance Traits1
Authors: Rucker K. S. , Kvien C. K. , Holbrook C. C. , Hook J. E.
Published: April 2010

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are often subjected to drought during some period in the growing season. A large root system may improve the plant's ability to continue growth during a drought. During greenhouse and field screening trials for resistance to the peanut root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, race 1], 16 peanut genotypes were observed to have very large root systems. Using these 16 genotypes plus cultivars Florunner, Southern Runner, and germplasm line Tifton 8 as checks, several studies were conducted to evaluate these genotypes for drought avoidance characteristics. In the first study, root and shoot development were observed at 15-d intervals on plants grown from seed in sand-filled pots. In a second 2-yr study, selections were grown in the field under portable rain-exclusion shelters that created controlled periods of stress. In addition, the genotypes were also planted and observed in unsheltered naturally drought stressed field plots. In the sand-filled pot study, plant inventory (PI) numbers 315628, 268885, 318740, 269106, and 314893 developed the largest root systems. In the field drought stress studies, low visual stress ratings were recorded for Southern Runner, Tifton 8, PI 295722, and PI 315628. Low canopy temperatures characterized PI 315628, Tifton 8, and PIs 295722, 259637, and 268885. When averaged over three tests, sheltered (1991 and 1992) and unsheltered (1991), Tifton 8, PI 318740, Florunner, PI 315622, and PI 315628 produced the highest yields. Two of these higher yielding genotypes (Tifton 8 and PI 315628) had low stress and temperature ratings and PI 315628 also had the largest root system measured in this study.
Sound Symbolism in Basic Vocabulary
Authors: Wichmann Søren , Holman Eric W. , Brown Cecil H.
Published: April 2010

The relationship between meanings of words and their sound shapes is to a large extent arbitrary, but it is well known that languages exhibit sound symbolism effects violating arbitrariness. Evidence for sound symbolism is typically anecdotal, however. Here we present a systematic approach. Using a selection of basic vocabulary in nearly one half of the world’s languages we find commonalities among sound shapes for words referring to same concepts. These are interpreted as due to sound symbolism. Studying the effects of sound symbolism cross-linguistically is of key importance for the understanding of language evolution.
Numerical Experiments Providing New Insights into Plasma Focus Fusion Devices
Authors: Lee Sing , Saw Sor Heoh
Published: April 2010

Recent extensive and systematic numerical experiments have uncovered new insights into plasma focus fusion devices including the following: (1) a plasma current limitation effect, as device static inductance is reduced towards very small values; (2) scaling laws of neutron yield and soft x-ray yield as functions of storage energies and currents; (3) a global scaling law for neutron yield as a function of storage energy combining experimental and numerical data showing that scaling deterioration has probably been interpreted as neutron ‘saturation’; and (4) a fundamental cause of neutron ‘saturation’. The ground-breaking insights thus gained may completely change the directions of plasma focus fusion research.
Economic Evaluation and Transferability of Physical Activity Programmes in Primary Prevention: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wolfenstetter Silke B. , Wenig Christina M.
Published: April 2010

This systematic review aims to assess the characteristics of, and the clinical and economic evidence provided by, economic evaluations of primary preventive physical exercise interventions, and to analyse their transferability to Germany using recommended checklists. Fifteen economic evaluations from seven different countries met eligibility criteria, with seven of the fifteen providing high economic evidence in the special country context. Most of the identified studies conclude that the investigated intervention provide good value for money compared with alternatives. However, this review shows a high variability of the costing methods between the studies, which limits comparability, generalisability and transferability of the results.
Associations between Physical Activity and Health Parameters in Adolescent Pupils in Egypt
Authors: El Ansari Walid , El Ashker Said , Moseley Laurence
Published: April 2010

Physical activity (PA) could be protective against hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. This quantitative study assessed the association between a PA intervention and three anthropometric parameters (weight, body mass index, body fat) and four physiological parameters (cholesterol level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate) among secondary school pupils (N = 160) in Egypt through the school term. The pupils were randomised to an intervention group (80 pupils) and controls (80 pupils). Measurements were obtained for all pupils twice: at baseline; and then again after three months. The PA intervention programme comprised an ‘afterschool’ one hour of moderate exercise three times a week for three months. Both the controls and the intervention pupils attended the ‘normal’ exercise schedule provided by the school; in addition, the intervention group attended afterschool PA programme from about 2–3 o’clock in the afternoon. At baseline, employing pupil’s BMI, 27.5% and 28.8% of the intervention and control pupils respectively were classified as overweight. After three months, the percentage of overweight decreased to 12.5% in the intervention pupils, while it increased to 37.3% in the controls. At the end of the three months period, there were significant improvements across most anthropometric and physiological parameters of the intervention pupils when compared with the control children. The correlation coefficient of the improvements for the boys and the girls was 0.97, indicating clearly that the intervention was having nearly the same beneficial effect for boys and girls. A moderate PA programme for a modest period of 3 months could be effective in maintaining or enhancing pupil’s anthropometric and physiological parameters in comparison to the controls where there was deterioration in both parameters. Policy makers and secondary schools in Egypt might need to pay more attention to PA programmes conducted on school days, in order to motivate pupils to attend such programmes. There is also an urgent need to look at current PA systems within schools in Egypt in order to assess PA outside school times.
Emission Characteristics of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes and Organic Thin-Films with Planar and Corrugated Structures
Authors: Wei Mao-Kuo , Lin Chii-Wann , Yang Chih-Chung , Kiang Yean-Woei , Lee Jiun-Haw , Lin Hoang-Yan
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we review the emission characteristics from organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic molecular thin films with planar and corrugated structures. In a planar thin film structure, light emission from OLEDs was strongly influenced by the interference effect. With suitable design of microcavity structure and layer thicknesses adjustment, optical characteristics can be engineered to achieve high optical intensity, suitable emission wavelength, and broad viewing angles. To increase the extraction efficiency from OLEDs and organic thin-films, corrugated structure with micro- and nano-scale were applied. Microstructures can effectively redirects the waveguiding light in the substrate outside the device. For nanostructures, it is also possible to couple out the organic and plasmonic modes, not only the substrate mode.
Colon-Specific Drug Delivery Behavior of pH-Responsive PMAA/Perlite Composite
Authors: Mahkam Mehrdad , Vakhshouri Laleh
Published: April 2010

The preparation, characterization, and in vitro release of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)from methacrylic acid (MAA)/perlite composites (APC) prepared via a sol–gel route are reported. The free-radical graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) onto perlite particles was studied experimentally. The grafting procedure consisted of surface activation with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TSPA), followed by free-radical graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) in ethyl acetate with 2,2΄-azobis-isobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator. The composition of the composites hybrid materials was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme-free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). The dried composites were immersed in a saturated solution of 5-ASA in water overnight and dried over a period of three days at room temperature and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in both (SGF, pH 1) and (SIF, pH 7.4). The 5-ASA concentration of the solution was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (205 nm) at different time intervals. The in vitro drug release test revealed that the release rate of 5-ASA in buffer solutions increased with the silica content in the composites; on the contrary, the increase of the content of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSPA), a coupling agent, decreased the drug release rate.
3-Hydroxy-4-{[(4-bromophenyl)imino]methyl}phenyl Octadecanoate
Authors: Ha Sie-Tiong , Ng Mei-Yoke , Koh Teck-Ming , Lee Teck-Leong
Published: April 2010

A new Schiff base ester, 3-hydroxy-4-{[(4-bromophenyl)imino]methyl}phenyl octadecanoate, was synthesized and its IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectroscopic data are presented.
Luminescence from Zinc Oxide Nanostructures and Polymers and their Hybrid Devices
Authors: Willander Magnus , Nur Omer , Sadaf Jamil Rana , Qadir Muhammad Israr , Zaman Saima , Zainelabdin Ahmed , Bano Nargis , Hussain Ijaz
Published: April 2010

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a strong luminescent material, as are several polymers. These two materials have distinct drawbacks and advantages, and they can be combined to form nanostructures with many important applications, e.g., large-area white lighting. This paper discusses the origin of visible emission centers in ZnO nanorods grown with different approaches. White light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by combining n-ZnO nanorods and hollow nanotubes with different p-type materials to form heterojunctions. The p-type component of the hybrids includes p-SiC, p-GaN, and polymers. We conclude by analyzing the electroluminescence of the different light emitting diodes we fabricated. The observed optical, electrical, and electro-optical characteristics of these LEDs are discussed with an emphasis on the deep level centers that cause the emission.
Pyridine-Based Heterocycles. Synthesis of New Pyrido [4',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines and Related Heterocycles
Authors: El-Kashef Hussein , Farghaly Abdel-Rahman , Al-Hazmi Ahmed , Terme Thierry , Vanelle Patrice
Published: April 2010

The synthesis of the title compounds was achieved using ethyl 2-amino-6-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine-3-carboxylate (1) as starting material. The reaction of the amino ester 1 with phenylisothiocyanate in boiling ethanol afforded the thiourea derivative 5. The cyclization reactions of 5 under different reaction conditions led to different pyridothienopyrimidine derivatives. Other reactions of the latter derivatives leading to pyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines are also presented.
DMP: Detouring Using Multiple Paths against Jamming Attack for Ubiquitous Networking System
Authors: Kim Mihui , Chae Kijoon
Published: April 2010

To successfully realize the ubiquitous network environment including home automation or industrial control systems, it is important to be able to resist a jamming attack. This has recently been considered as an extremely threatening attack because it can collapse the entire network, despite the existence of basic security protocols such as encryption and authentication. In this paper, we present a method of jamming attack tolerant routing using multiple paths based on zones. The proposed scheme divides the network into zones, and manages the candidate forward nodes of neighbor zones. After detecting an attack, detour nodes decide zones for rerouting, and detour packets destined for victim nodes through forward nodes in the decided zones. Simulation results show that our scheme increases the PDR (Packet Delivery Ratio) and decreases the delay significantly in comparison with rerouting by a general routing protocol on sensor networks, AODV (Ad hoc On Demand Distance Vector), and a conventional JAM (Jammed Area Mapping) service with one reroute.
Extracting Minerals from Seawater: An Energy Analysis
Authors: Bardi Ugo
Published: April 2010

The concept of recovering minerals from seawater has been proposed as a way of counteracting the gradual depletion of conventional mineral ores. Seawater contains large amounts of dissolved ions and the four most concentrated metal ones (Na, Mg, Ca, K) are being commercially extracted today. However, all the other metal ions exist at much lower concentrations. This paper reports an estimate of the feasibility of the extraction of these metal ions on the basis of the energy needed. In most cases, the result is that extraction in amounts comparable to the present production from land mines would be impossible because of the very large amount of energy needed. This conclusion holds also for uranium as fuel for the present generation of nuclear fission plants. Nevertheless, in a few cases, mainly lithium, extraction from seawater could provide amounts of metals sufficient for closing the cycle of metal use in the economy, provided that an increased level of recycling can be attained.
Studies on Carcinogenic and Toxic Effects of Ochratoxin A in Chicks
Authors: Stoev Stoycho D.
Published: April 2010

Carcinogenic/toxic effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) in various internal organs of Plymouth Rock chicks were determined. The number of OTA-induced neoplasms was similar in chicks given 25 ppm L-β-phenylalanine (PHE) in addition to 5 ppm OTA compared to chicks given only 5 ppm OTA, which showed that PHE cannot be used as a real protector against the carcinogenic or toxic effects of OTA in chicks. OTA was found to provoke strong degenerative changes in liver and kidneys, degenerative changes and depletion of cells in lymphoid organs, oedematous and degenerative changes in the brain, muscular haemorrhages and fatty changes in the bone marrow. The target organs for carcinogenic effect of OTA in chicks were found to be kidneys and liver.
Association of systemic risk factors with the severity of retinal hard exudates in a north Indian population with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sachdev N , Sahni A
Published: April 2010

Background:

The various risk factors for diabetic retinopathy and its spectrum are still poorly understood in the Indian population. Aims: To study the association of various systemic risk factors with retinal hard exudates in type 2 diabetic north Indian patients and to measure the incidence of dyslipidemia in them.

Settings and Design:

A tertiary-hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Materials and Methods:

An observational case-study which included 180 type 2 diabetic patients (180 eyes) of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with clinically significant macular edema (CSME). In these patients the retinal hard exudates were graded on a central 500 fundus picture using modified Airlie House classification and divided into three groups of absent or minimal hard exudates (Group 1), hard exudates present (Group 2) and prominent hard exudates (Group 3). Their association with various risk factors, namely the age of onset of diabetes and its duration, gender, insulin therapy, and various systemic parameters like hypertension, blood hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum (s.) creatinine levels, 24-h proteinuria and complete lipid profile including total s. cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and s. triglyceride (TG) was studied. The incidence of dyslipidemia was also calculated among these groups of patients. Statistical Analysis: ANOVA test, linear regression analysis and Spearman's correlation test.

Results:

On univariate analysis, the retinal hard exudates were significantly associated with s. creatinine (P=0.016), systolic blood pressure (P=0.014), s. cholesterol (P<0.001), s. LDL (P=0.008) and s. TG (P=0.013) levels. While on linear regression analysis, s. cholesterol (P<0.001) and s. LDL cholesterol (P=0.028) were found to be independent risk factors affecting the density of retinal hard exudates. On Spearman's correlation test, the retinal hard exudates showed a significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure (P=0.019), s. cholesterol (P<0.001), LDL (P=0.002) and TG (P=0.014) levels. The incidence of dyslipidemia varied from as high as nearly 70% among patients of Group 3 compared to as low as 18% among Group 1 patients.

Conclusion:

Serum cholesterol and LDL are independent risk factors for retinal hard exudates in type 2 diabetic north Indian patients who suffer from a remarkably high incidence of dyslipidemia.
A serious drug interaction leading to spontaneous total hyphema
Authors: Trivedi D , Newton JD , Mitra A , Puri P
Published: April 2010

A 70 year-old diabetic man receiving anti-coagulant therapy (Warfarin) for pulmonary embolism secondary to factor V Leiden deficiency, presented to the hospital for chest pain. After initial evaluation, he was started on aspirin (300 mg) and clopidogrel (300 mg). Three days after he was discharged, he presented with preseptal cellulitis complicating left upper eyelid chalazion. Initially, he was treated with several anti-microbial agents used sequentially. Although, the cellulitis resolved, he developed total hyphema of the left eye. The complication seems to have resulted from a complex interaction amongst anti-microbial agents, Warfarin and anti-platelet agents.