bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Banking Innovations and Entrepreneurial Adoption Decisions
Authors: Ratten Vanessa
Published: January 2013

This paper examines an individual’s entrepreneurial adoption decisions to use mobile banking for both business and social reasons. A conceptual model based on social cognitive theory is developed to explain an individual’s propensity to adopt mobile banking. The theoretical framework examines how advertising, experience, perceived risk, learning inclination, and entrepreneurial proclivity influence a person’s intention to use mobile banking. This paper stresses the role of financial risk in determining a person’s intention to use mobile banking and whether their entrepreneurial nature is influenced by their experience and advertising they are subjected to about the advantages or disadvantages of mobile banking. This paper ties together research on technological innovation with entrepreneurship and learning studies. The author stresses the importance for financial institutions to market the innovativeness of mobile banking whilst addressing security concerns. The impact of a person’s social environment through personal contacts and acquaintances underpins social cognitive theory and helps to understand the motives for a person adopting mobile banking. The paper integrates mobile banking literature with current thinking on the importance of entrepreneurship and learning influences to how a person adopts a technological innovation.
Building the Agile Enterprise with Service-Oriented Architecture, Business Process Management and Decision Management
Authors: Mircea Marinela
Published: January 2013

Organizations are permanently confronted with the need for adaptation to a complex business environment that is in a continuous change and transformation. Thus, the organization’s agility represents a key element in obtaining the strategic advantage and the market success. The paper analyzes the connection between the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), the Business Process Management (BPM) and the Decision Management, as well as the way in which these modern approaches contribute to obtaining organization agility. The main changes determined by the organization’s service orientation, changes that are necessary for the success of the transition to the agile organization, are also identified and presented within the paper. Obtaining and maintaining agility implies the existence of an agile architecture at the level of organization. For that matter, the final part of the paper analyzes the creation of an organizational architecture based on standards and oriented on services. Four relevant approaches have been selected, which joined may lead to obtaining an agile enterprise architecture, namely: SOA, Cloud Computing, BPM, and Decision Management.
Intelligent Agent for Modeling and Processing Decisional Workflows in Logistics
Authors: Tamisier Thomas , Feltz Fernand
Published: January 2013

The authors present the design and some implementation trials of Atlas, a new reasoning and decision making assistant used for processing complex and heterogeneous procedural workflows. Benefiting from a multicore implementation, Atlas includes different solving engines that are selected according to the intrinsic complexity of the problem being processed. The operational knowledge of Atlas is accessed through 2 different views. In an analytical view, the knowledge is modeled on elementary if-then rules, which are processed by a resolution engine written in the Soar architecture. A synthetic view offers a pictorial representation of all the knowledge, and in particular, shows the inter-dependence of the rules and their procedural references. In addition to allowing an efficient processing, the system checks the coherence of the knowledge and produces a justification of the decision with respect to relevant operational procedures.
Effect of age and hunger on host-feeding behaviour by femaleTrichogramma euproctidis(Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Lessard Émilie , Boivin Guy
Published: January 2013

Adult parasitoid females can obtain proteins and lipid by consuming the haemolymph of their host. InTrichogrammaWestwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species, host feeding on the host egg occurs after oviposition and leads to smaller offspring. We tested the effect of age and hunger on host-feeding behaviour of femaleTrichogramma euproctidisGirault. Young and old females, either starved, water fed, or honey fed, were observed and the host-feeding frequency, duration, distribution, and number of hosts used for nutrition were measured. The sex ratio (proportion of males) allocated to parasitised hosts where host feeding occurred and time taken to parasitise 10 hosts (indicator of female mobility) were also noted. The majority of females host fed on the first host encountered. Age had no impact on frequency, duration, number of hosts used, and mobility ofT. euproctidis. Starved females host fed longer and were less mobile. The sex ratio of the progeny emerging from the first host parasitised was more male biased when host feeding occurred. Host feeding had no effect on the sex ratio deposited elsewhere in the sequence of hosts encountered. Age of female had no effect on host feeding, possibly because host feeding incurs little cost for this species. To host feed on the first host parasitised, in which a male is allocated, is less costly in terms of fitness and represents a strategic choice for the female.
TLR7 Triggering with Polyuridylic Acid Promotes Cross-Presentation in CD8α+ Conventional Dendritic Cells by Enhancing Antigen Preservation and MHC Class I Antigen Permanence on the Dendritic Cell Surface
Authors: Crespo María I. , Zacca Estefanía R. , Núñez Nicolás G. , Ranocchia Romina P. , Maccioni Mariana , Maletto Belkys A. , Pistoresi-Palencia María C. , Morón Gabriel
Published: January 2013

ssRNA can interact with dendritic cells (DCs) through binding to TLR7, inducing secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and type I IFN. Triggering TLR7 enhances cross-priming of CD8+ T cells, which requires cross-presentation of exogenous Ag to DCs. However, how TLR triggering can affect Ag cross-presentation is still not clear. Using OVA as an Ag model, we observed that stimulation of TLR7 in DCs by polyuridylic acid (polyU), a synthetic ssRNA analog, generates a strong specific cytotoxic response in C57BL/6 mice. PolyU stimulate CD8α+ DCs to cross-prime naive CD8+ T cells in a type I IFN–dependent fashion. This enhanced cross-priming is accompanied by a higher density of OVA256-264/H-2Kb complexes on CD8α+ DCs treated with polyU, as well as by upregulation of costimulatory molecules and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by DCs. Cross-priming of CD8+ T cells by DCs treated with polyU requires proteasome and Ag translocation to cytosol through the Sec61 channel in DCs. The observed enhancement in OVA cross-presentation with polyU in DCs could be mediated by a limited Ag degradation in endophagosomal compartments and a higher permanence of OVA peptide/MHC class I complexes on DCs. These observations clearly reveal that key steps of Ag processing for cross-presentation can be modulated by TLR ligands, opening new avenues for understanding their mechanisms as adjuvants of the immune response.
Salmonella Downregulates Nod-like Receptor Family CARD Domain Containing Protein 4 Expression To Promote Its Survival in B Cells by Preventing Inflammasome Activation and Cell Death
Authors: Perez-Lopez Araceli , Rosales-Reyes Roberto , Alpuche-Aranda Celia Mercedes , Ortiz-Navarrete Vianney
Published: January 2013

Salmonella infects and survives within B cells, but the mechanism used by the bacterium to promote its survival in these cells is unknown. In macrophages, flagellin secreted by Salmonella activates the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family CARD domain containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome, leading to the production of IL-1β and pyroptosis of infected cells. In this study, we demonstrated that the NLRC4 inflammasome is functional in B cells; however, in Salmonella-infected B cells, IL-1β secretion is prevented through the downregulation of NLRC4 expression. A functional Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 type III secretion system appears to be required for this process. Furthermore, infection induces Yap phosphorylation and promotes the interaction of Yap with Hck, thus preventing the transcriptional activation of NLRC4. The ability of Salmonella to inhibit IL-1β production also prevents B cell death; thus, B cells represent an ideal niche in which Salmonella resides, thereby promoting its persistence and dissemination.
A Synthetic Codon-Optimized Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural 5A DNA Vaccine Primes Polyfunctional CD8+ T Cell Responses in Wild-Type and NS5A-Transgenic Mice
Authors: Holmström Fredrik , Pasetto Anna , Nähr Veronica , Brass Anette , Kriegs Malte , Hildt Eberhard , Broderick Kate E. , Chen Margaret , Ahlén Gustaf , Frelin Lars
Published: January 2013

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural (NS) 5A protein has been shown to promote viral persistence by interfering with both innate and adaptive immunity. At the same time, the HCV NS5A protein has been suggested as a target for antiviral therapy. In this study, we performed a detailed characterization of HCV NS5A immunogenicity in wild-type (wt) and immune tolerant HCV NS5A-transgenic (Tg) C57BL/6J mice. We evaluated how efficiently HCV NS5A-based genetic vaccines could activate strong T cell responses. Truncated and full-length wt and synthetic codon-optimized NS5A genotype 1b genes were cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmids, and the immunogenicity was determined after i.m. immunization in combination with in vivo electroporation. The NS5A-based genetic vaccines primed high Ab levels, with IgG titers of >104 postimmunization. With respect to CD8+ T cell responses, the coNS5A gene primed more potent IFN-γ–producing and lytic cytotoxic T cells in wt mice compared with NS5A-Tg mice. In addition, high frequencies of NS5A-specific CD8+ T cells were found in wt mice after a single immunization. To test the functionality of the CTL responses, the ability to inhibit growth of NS5A-expressing tumor cells in vivo was analyzed after immunization. A single dose of coNS5A primed tumor-inhibiting responses in both wt and NS5A-Tg mice. Finally, immunization with the coNS5A gene primed polyfunctional NS5A-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Thus, the coNS5A gene is a promising therapeutic vaccine candidate for chronic HCV infections.
Biphasic RLR–IFN-β Response Controls the Balance between Antiviral Immunity and Cell Damage
Authors: Hwang Sun-Young , Hur Kye-Yeon , Kim Jeong-Rae , Cho Kwang-Hyun , Kim Seung-Hwan , Yoo Joo-Yeon
Published: January 2013

In RNA virus–infected cells, retinoic acid–inducible gene-I–like receptors (RLRs) sense foreign RNAs and activate signaling cascades to produce IFN-α/β. However, not every infected cell produces IFN-α/β that exhibits cellular heterogeneity in antiviral immune responses. Using the IFN-β–GFP reporter system, we observed bimodal IFN-β production in the uniformly stimulated cell population with intracellular dsRNA. Mathematical simulation proposed the strength of autocrine loop via RLR as one of the contributing factor for biphasic IFN-β expression. Bimodal IFN-β production with intracellular dsRNA was disturbed by blockage of IFN-α/β secretion or by silencing of the IFN-α/β receptor. Amplification of RLRs was critical in the generation of bimodality of IFN-β production, because IFN-βhigh population expressed more RLRs than IFN-βlow population. In addition, bimodality in IFN-β production results in biphasic cellular response against infection, because IFN-βhigh population was more prone to apoptosis than IFN-βlow population. These results suggest that RLR-mediated biphasic cellular response may act to restrict the number of cells expressing IFN-β and undergoing apoptosis in the infected population.
Self-perceived health-related quality of life of Indian children with specific learning disability
Authors: Karande S , Venkataraman R
Published: January 2013

Background:

Specific learning disability (SpLD) often remains undetected, resulting in the afflicted child experiencing chronic poor school performance.

Aims:

To measure and analyze the self-perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with newly-diagnosed SpLD.

Settings and Design:

Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in our clinic.

Materials and Methods:

From February to December 2008, 150 children consecutively diagnosed as having SpLD were enrolled and their HRQoL documented using the DISABKIDS chronic generic module self-report version instrument.

Statistical Analysis:

Multiple regression analysis was carried out for determining the 'independent' impact that each of the clinical and socio-demographic variables had on a poor facet score outcome and on a poor total score outcome.

Results:

Clinically significant deficits were detected in all 6 facets, namely: 'large deficits (effect size ≥−0.8)' in "social exclusion", "emotion", "limitation", "treatment", and "independence"; and 'medium deficit (effect size −0.5 to <−0.8)' in "social inclusion"; and 'large deficit' in "total score". Multivariate analysis revealed that: (i) not belonging to the upper socio-economic strata of society was an independent predictor of a poor "independence" facet outcome (P=0.010, OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.37); (ii) not having experienced class detainment was an independent predictor of a poor "emotion" facet outcome (P=0.008, OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.34 to 6.85); (iii) first-born status was an independent predictor of a poor "limitation" facet outcome (P=0.022, OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.15 to 5.90); and (iv) female gender was an independent predictor of a poor "social exclusion" facet outcome (P=0.024, OR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.85) and a poor "overall health" outcome (P=0.025, OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.87).

Conclusions:

Children with newly-diagnosed SpLD perceive their psychosocial, physical, and overall HRQoL to be significantly compromised.
Evaluation of nature and extent of injuries during Dahihandi festival
Authors: Nemade P , Wade R , Patwardhan AR , Kale S
Published: January 2013

Background:

Injuries related to the Hindu festival of Dahihandi where a human pyramid is formed and a pot of money kept at a height is broken, celebrated in the state of Maharashtra, have seen a significant rise in the past few years. The human pyramid formed is multi-layered and carries with it a high risk of injury including mortality.

Aims:

To evaluate the nature, extent and influencing factors of injuries related to Dahihandi festival.

Settings and Design:

We present a retrospective analysis of patients who presented in a tertiary care center with injuries during the Dahihandi festival in the year 2010.

Materials and Methods:

124 patients' records were evaluated for timing of injury, height of the Dahihandi pyramid, position of the patient in the multi-layered pyramid, mode of pyramid collapse and mechanism of an injury. A binary regression logistic analysis for risk factors was done at 5% significance level.

Statistical Analysis:

Univariate and multi-variate binary logistic regression of the risk factors for occurrence of a major or minor injury was done using Minitab™ version 16.0 at 5% significance.

Results:

Out of 139 patients presented to the center, 15 were not involved directly in the formation of pyramid, rest 124 were included in the analysis. A majority of the patients were above 15 years of age [110 (83.6%)]. 46 (37.1%) patients suffered major injuries. There were 39 fractures, 3 cases of chest wall trauma with 10 cases of head injuries and 1 death. More than half of the patients [78 (56.1%)] were injured after 1800 hours. 73 (58.9%) injured participants were part of the pyramid constructed to reach the Dahihandi placed at 30 feet or more above the ground. 72 (51.8%) participants were part of the middle layers of the pyramid. Fall of a participant from upstream layers on the body was the main mechanism of injury, and majority [101 (81.5%)] of the patients suffered injury during descent phase of the pyramid.

Conclusions:

There is a considerable risk of serious, life-threatening injuries inherent to human pyramid formation and descent in the Dahihandi festival. Safety guidelines are urgently needed to minimize risk and prevent loss of human life.
Oral and parenteral anticoagulants
Authors: Aditya S
Published: January 2013

Well-documented drawbacks of traditional anticoagulants have lead to the quest for an ideal anticoagulant resulting in a surge of novel anticoagulant molecules. These newer agents directly target specific steps in coagulation cascade and include newer low molecular weight heparins (adomiparin), ultra low molecular weight heparins (semuloparin, RO-14), inhibitors of activated factor II (dabigatran, AZD0837), X (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, betrixaban), IX (REG1,2), XI (antisense oligonucleotides, BMS 262084, clavatadine A), VII/tissue factor (tifacogin, PCI 274836, and BMS 593214), V (recomodulin, solulin), VIII (TB402), dual thrombin/factor X inhibitors (EP21709, tanogitran), and newer vitamin K antagonists (tecarfarin). Direct thrombin inhibitors and Factor X inhibitors are the most clinically advanced. This article discusses the recent advances in the development of novel targets of anticoagulants. Medline, EMBASE, cochrane database, medscape, SCOPUS, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched using terms "anticoagulants", "blood coagulation inhibitors", "anticoagulants and venous thromboembolism", "anticoagulants and atrial fibrillation", and "'antithrombins." Journal articles published from 2007 to 2012 discussing pharmacology and/or clinical trials were screened.
Upper aerodigestive tract cancer and the lung
Authors: Vaideeswar P , Ghodke R
Published: January 2013

Patients with upper aerodigestive epithelial cancers frequently develop second primary cancers due to common risk factors or develop distant metastases depending on the locoregional status of the primary tumor. In most instances, the organ affected is the lung. Pulmonary spread usually occurs due to hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination. The following is a report of two patients with upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinomas who developed lung metastases due to aspiration, a route not well documented in recent literature.
Isolated exon 8 deletion in type 1 spinal muscular atrophy with bilateral optic atrophy
Authors: Maiti D , Bhattacharya M , Yadav S
Published: January 2013

Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) or type 1 SMA is a fatal autosomal recessive disorder usually caused by homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 in the survivor motor neuron (SMN) gene. Additional deletion of the neuronal apotosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene exacerbates the clinical severity. Isolated exon 8 deletion has been reported in a single case series of SMA types 2 and 3 and never with SMA type 1. While extraocular muscles are typically spared, there are a few case reports documenting associated external ophthalmoplegia. Optic atrophy is a hitherto unreported association of SMA. We report a 10-month-old male infant with SMA type 1 with optic atrophy due to isolated deletion of exon 8 of the SMN gene with intact exon 7 and NAIP gene.
Opsoclonus in scrub typhus
Authors: D'sa S , Singh S , Sowmya S
Published: January 2013

Scrub typhus is a mite borne infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is a common cause of undifferentiated febrile illness in the Indian subcontinent. We present a case of scrub typhus with a rare ophthalmic manifestation. Our patient presented with fever and opsoclonus, was diagnosed to have scrub typhus and completely improved upon treatment. Opsoclonus complicates various medical diseases, including viral infections, toxin, encephalitis, brain tumors, and paraneoplastic syndromes. There has been only one previously reported case of opsoclonus in scrub typhus. This phenomenon highlights the increasingly complex presentation of common diseases. It also indicates there is much to be discovered about the immunopathogenesis of this infectious disease.
An unusual cause of central cyanosis in a nine-year-old boy
Authors: Shobi A , Tullu MS , Bhatia S , Agrawal M
Published: January 2013

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are rare vascular anomalies which rarely present in childhood. We discuss a nine-year-old male child who presented with the classical triad of exertional dyspnea, cyanosis and clubbing since six years of age. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was suspected on chest radiography and was later confirmed on computed tomography scan. A bubble contrast echocardiography showed the presence of an extracardiac shunt. Pulmonary angiography was done to delineate the anatomy of the pulmonary vasculature and to plan embolization. The child has undergone two sittings of transcatheter coil embolization with improvement in oxygenation.
Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws: An update
Authors: Kumar R Anil , Sawhney Chand , Kumar Santosh , Dhingra Mohita
Published: January 2013

Bisphosphonates (BPs) have been recommended for the use in patients with various bony lesions such as Paget′s disease, hypercalcemia, osteoporosis, and multiple myeloma. Despite the increasing use and various benefits, bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a significant complication with significant morbidity. A search of PUBMED journal databases from January 2000 to April 2012 was conducted with the objective of identifying publications regarding BRONJ. Based on the available data current concepts in the diagnosis and management of BRONJ are discussed in this article.
Correlative and comparative study of Fishman′s skeletal maturity indicators with CVMI and chronological age in Lucknow population
Authors: Kiran Sachan , Sharma V. P. , Tandon Pradeep
Published: January 2013

Objective: The present study consists of comparison and correlation between the hand-wrist skeletal maturation indicator (SMI) and the cervical vertebral maturation indicator (CVMI) and verification of the reliability of the vertebral index and chronological age in the determination of the stages of the skeletal maturation. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of randomly selected 90 children from Lucknow population with 45 males (age range 10-13 years) and 45 females (age range 9-12 years). Hand wrist radiograph taken for SMI, Lateral cephalogram taken for CVMI. Correlation was made between cervical vertebrae maturation and hand wrist maturation. These two methods and the chronological age were compared using the Newman-Keuls test. Results: There was strong correlation between SMI and CVMI for both male and female (0.849, 0.932). Cervical vertebrae maturation indicator and hand-wrist skeletal maturational indicator (SMI) showed no statistical signi?cant difference for males and females. However, females showed maturation at an early age as compared to males. Chronological age shows significant difference in comparison to skeletal age. Conclusion: It was concluded that CVMI stages can also be used as for assessing skeletal maturity. Cervical vertebrae assessment provided a reliable assessment for pubertal growth spurt, it would be bene?cial to use a lateral cephalogram for skeletal maturity assessment and thereby eliminate the need for an additional radiograph (hand-wrist radiograph). This is cost effective and will also reduce the radiation exposure to the patient.
Comparison of centrifuged liquid based cytology method with conventional brush cytology in oral lesions
Authors: Dwivedi Nidhi , Agarwal Akhil , Raj Vineet , Kashyap Bina , Chandra Shaleen
Published: January 2013

Background: Exfoliative cytology is the study of cells that are shed or scrapped off from mucosal surfaces. Centrifuged Liquid based cytology is a modified technique employed in the present study. Aims: To compare the utility of centrifuged liquid based cytology with conventional cytology in oral lesions after staining with Papanicolaou (PAP) stain. Materials and Methods: 50 cases of oral lesions comprising of normal mucosa (n=14), hyperkeratotic lesions (n=17), ulcerated lesions (n=7) and atrophic lesions (n=12) were selected. Two smears were obtained from the lesion using a cytological brush. One was spread on the slide using conventional technique, fixed immediately in 95% ethyl alcohol. Second sample was suspended in suspending solution for 10 minutes then spun in centrifuge for 10 minutes. The supernatant was poured off and the obtained cell pellet was used to prepare a smear by sedimentation and left to dry overnight. Both the smears were stained by PAP. The stained smears were compared for seven morphological parameters such as adequacy of smear, clear background, cell distribution, smear thickness, cell morphology, and presence of blood, inflammatory cells, microbial colonies and artifacts. Wilcoxon Signed rank test was used and P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) between centrifuged liquid based cytology and conventional cytology when clear background was evaluated while in all other parameters the difference was not significant. Conclusion: Centrifuged Liquid based cytology showed clearer background than conventional brush cytology in oral lesions.
On Whitney-type Characterization of Approximate Differentiability on Metric Measure Spaces
Authors: Durand-Cartagena E. , Ihnatsyeva L. , Korte R. , Szumańska M.
Published: January 2013

We study approximately differentiable functions on metric measure spaces admitting a Cheeger differentiable structure. The main result is a Whitney-type characterization of approximately differentiable functions in this setting. As an application, we prove a Stepanov-type theorem and consider approximate differentiability of Sobolev, BV, and maximal functions.
Mechanistic Modeling of Carbon Steel Corrosion in a Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA)-Based Carbon Dioxide Capture Process
Authors: Choi Yoon-Seok , Duan Deli , Jiang Shengli , Nešić Srdjan
Published: January 2013

A predictive model was developed for corrosion of carbon steel in carbon dioxide (CO2)-loaded aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) systems, based on modeling of thermodynamic equilibria and electrochemical reactions. The concentrations of aqueous carbonic and amine species (CO2, bicarbonate [HCO3−], carbonate [CO32−], MDEA, and protonated MDEA [MDEAH+]) as well as pH values in the MDEA solution were calculated. The water chemistry model showed a good agreement with experimental data for pH and CO2 loading, with an improved correlation upon use of activity coefficients. The electrochemical corrosion model was developed by modeling polarization curves based on the given species's concentrations. The required electrochemical parameters (e.g., exchange current densities, Tafel slopes, and reaction orders) for different reactions were determined from experiments conducted in glass cells. Iron oxidative dissolution, HCO3− reduction, and MDEAH+ reduction reactions were implemented to build a comprehensive model for corrosion of carbon steel in an MDEA-CO2-water (H2O) environment. The model is applicable to uniform corrosion when no protective films are present. A solid foundation is provided for corrosion model development for other amine-based CO2 capture processes.
Data-based modelling and environmental sensitivity of vegetation in China
Authors: Wang H. , Prentice I. C. , Ni J.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. A process-oriented niche specification (PONS) model was constructed to quantify climatic controls on the distribution of ecosystems, based on the vegetation map of China. PONS uses general hypotheses about bioclimatic controls to provide a "bridge" between statistical niche models and more complex process-based models. Canonical correspondence analysis provided an overview of relationships between the abundances of 55 plant communities in 0.1° grid cells and associated mean values of 20 predictor variables. Of these, GDD (accumulated degree days above 0 °C) Cramer–Prentice α (an estimate of the ratio of actual to equilibrium evapotranspiration) and mGDD5 (mean temperature during the period above 5 °C) showed the greatest predictive power. These three variables were used to develop generalized linear models for the probability of occurrence of 16 vegetation classes, aggregated from the original 55 types by k-means clustering according to bioclimatic similarity. Each class was hypothesized to possess a unimodal relationship to each bioclimate variable, independently of the other variables. A simple calibration was used to generate vegetation maps from the predicted probabilities of the classes. Modelled and observed vegetation maps showed good to excellent agreement (κ = 0.745). A sensitivity study examined modelled responses of vegetation distribution to spatially uniform changes in temperature, precipitation and [CO2], the latter included via an offset to α (based on an independent, data-based light use efficiency model for forest net primary production). Warming shifted the boundaries of most vegetation classes northward and westward while temperate steppe and desert replaced alpine tundra and steppe in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau. Increased precipitation expanded mesic vegetation at the expense of xeric vegetation. The effect of [CO2] doubling was roughly equivalent to increasing precipitation by ∼ 30%, favouring woody vegetation types, particularly in northern China. Agricultural zones in northern China responded most strongly to warming, but also benefited from increases in precipitation and [CO2]. These results broadly conform to previously published findings made with the process-based model BIOME4, but they add regional detail and realism and extend the earlier results to include cropping systems. They provide a potential basis for a broad-scale assessment of global change impacts on natural and managed ecosystems.
Ocean acidification increases photosynthate translocation in a coral–dinoflagellates symbiosis
Authors: Tremblay P. , Fine M. , Maguer J. F. , Grover R. , Ferrier-Pagès C.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. This study has examined the effect of an increased seawater pCO2 on the rates of photosynthesis and carbon translocation in the scleractinian coral species Stylophora pistillata using a new model based on 13C-labelling of the photosynthetic products. Symbiont photosynthesis contributes for a large part of the carbon acquisition in tropical coral species and is therefore an important process that may determine their survival under climate change scenarios. Nubbins of S. pistillata were maintained for six months under two pHs (8.1 and 7.2). Rates of photosynthesis and respiration of the symbiotic association and of isolated symbionts were assessed at each pH. The fate of 13C-photosynthates was then followed in the symbionts and the coral host for 48 h. Nubbins maintained at pH 7.2 presented a lower areal symbiont concentration, lower areal rates of gross photosynthesis, and lower carbon incorporation rates compared to nubbins maintained at pH 8.1, therefore suggesting that the total carbon acquisition was lower in this first set of nubbins. However, the total percentage of carbon translocated to the host, as well as the amount of carbon translocated per symbiont cell was significantly higher under pH 7.2 than under pH 8.1 (70% at pH 7.2 versus 60% at pH 8.1), so that the total amount of photosynthetic carbon received by the coral host was equivalent under both pHs (5.5 to 6.1 μg C cm−2 h−1). Although the carbon budget of the host was unchanged, symbionts acquired less carbon for their own needs (0.6 against 1.8 μg C cm−2 h−1), explaining the overall decrease in symbiont concentration at low pH. In the long-term, this decrease might have important consequences for the survival of corals under an acidification stress.
Intraosseous Vascular Access is Safe, Effective and Costs less than Central Venous Catheters for Patients in the Hospital Setting
Authors: Dolister Michael , Miller Stephen , Borron Stephen , Truemper Edward , Shah Manoj , Lanford Muriel R. , Philbeck Thomas E.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are often placed to resuscitate unstable emergency department (ED) patients. In an observational study, we assessed intraosseous (IO) vascular access in the hospital, and compared results to published experiences with CVC placement.

Methods

Patients who would typically receive a CVC were considered for the study. Vascular access was gained using a powered IO device. Data collection included placement success, placement time, ease-of-use, satisfaction with flow rates, complications and subsequent CVC placement.

Results

A total of 105 cases were studied from six centers. Mean age was 48.0±28.0 years and 53% were men; 85% of the patients were medical cases, and 53% were in cardiac/respiratory arrest. Of those, 48% returned to spontaneous circulation. A total of 94% of placements were successful on the first attempt. Mean time to IO access was 103.6±96.2 seconds. There was one serious complication – a lower extremity compartment syndrome. IO access costs $100/patient.

Conclusions

The data revealed faster and more successful IO catheter placement than reported for CVCs, few complications and high user satisfaction. For simple placements, cost savings for IO access vs. CVCs was $195/procedure. If 20% of the 3.5 million CVCs placed annually were replaced with IO catheters, cost savings could approach $650 million/year. We conclude that IO access in place of CVCs delivers high value in terms of being a safe, fast and effective mode of vascular access for patients in the hospital setting, with potentially substantial cost savings. These data indicate that IO access is a cost effective and viable alternative to problematic CVC lines.
Analysis of the Body Control System Related to Mental Workload
Authors: Naito Seiji , Kim Youngwoo , Obinata Goro
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we present a model-based analysis of the standing posture control mechanism with consideration to mental workload and the physiological features of sensory feedback. It has been known that standing posture control is not performed autonomously or unconsciously but is affected by “working memory” [ 1 ]. In order to investigate how mental workload in working memory influences standing posture control, we consider the feedback groups in the standing posture control mechanism which include the viscoelastic characteristics of the musculoskeletal system and sensory feedback. We use a centre of pressure (COP)-based tracking task to investigate the influence of mental workload on voluntary (tracking) movement. Maurer-Peterka's model is applied to analyse the standing posture control mechanism, with respect to a change in the internal processes. The simulation results show the relationship of the feedback gain and its delay from the central nervous system with the standing posture control performance. The proposed model-based scheme provides a comprehensive view for physiological data analysis of human body movement in relation to mental workload.
The quality of online, offline, and mixed-mode friendships among users of a social networking site
Authors: Antheunis Marjolijn L. , Valkenburg Patti M. , Peter Jochen
Published: January 2013

The first aim of this study was to compare the quality of online, offline, and mixed-mode friendships (i.e., friendships that originate online and extend to offline settings) among users of a social networking site. The second aim was to investigate the relative contribution of proximity, perceived similarity, and social attraction to the quality of each of the three types of friendships. We surveyed 2,188 members of a Dutch social networking site. Results showed that the quality of all three types of friendships increased over time. The differences in quality between online and offline friendships remained significant over time, but those between mixed-mode and offline friendships disappeared. Proximity did not affect the quality of any of the three types of friendships. Perceived similarity was the most important predictor of online friendships, whereas social attraction was the most important predictor of mixed-mode and offline friendships. Our results are discussed in the light of both interpersonal and computer-mediated communication theories.
Negotiating Social Justice Teaching: One Full-Time Teacher's Practice Viewed From the Trenches
Authors: Gregson Susan A.
Published: January 2013

This case study examines the practice of a full-time mathematics teacher and social activist working in a secondary school with the twin missions of college preparation and social justice. Findings detail how this teacher views the relationship between mathematics education and social justice and how her conception of teaching for social justice is enacted in her mathematics classes. Interview data and excerpts of classroom practice are used to describe how the teacher negotiates 2 dilemmas in her teaching: the challenge of fostering students' independence/interdependence and the problem of dominant mathematics as a necessity/obstacle to social justice.
English Learners' Participation in Mathematical Discussion: Shifting Positionings and Dynamic Identities
Authors: Turner Erin , Dominguez Higinio , Maldonado Luz , Empson Susan
Published: January 2013

This study investigated discursive positioning moves that facilitated Latino/a English learners' (ELs) opportunities to take on agentive problem-solving roles in group mathematical discussion. A focus on mechanisms that support students' agentive participation is consistent with our view that recurrent experiences participating and being positioned in particular ways contribute to identity development. Findings suggest several ways that discursive positioning facilitated ELs' agentive participation, including via: (a) explicit statements that validated ELs' reasoning, (b) invitations to share, justify, or clarify thinking that positioned ELs as competent problem solvers, and (c) inviting peers to respond to an EL's idea in ways that positioned the idea as important and/or mathematically justified.
L-Arginine in Nutrition: Multiple Beneficial Effects in the Etiopathology of Diabetes
Authors: Stancic Ana , Korac Aleksandra , Buzadzic Biljana , Otasevic Vesna , Jankovic Aleksandra , Vucetic Milica , Korac Bato
Published: January 2013

L-arginine is a nutritionally important amino acid that controls a wide spectrum of cellular functions and physiological processes, acting by itself or through its various metabolites. There are several factors that determine overall L-arginine homeostasis: dietary supplementation, endogenous de novo synthesis, whole-body protein turnover and its extensive metabolism. The destiny of L-arginine is determined by the complex network of enzymes and pathways differentially expressed according to health and disease status. Diabetes is characterized by reduced concentrations of L-arginine in plasma and many tissues, and failure of its metabolic effects. Emerging data suggest that oral supplementation of L-arginine exerts multiple beneficial effects on the complex etiological and pathophysiological basis of diabetes including: i) β-cell function and mass and ii) obesity and peripheral insulin resistance. This review emphasizes important aspects of L-arginine action which classifies this amino acid as a promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of diabetes.
Nutrients, Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Properties of Multi-Whole Grain Mix for Drink and Porridge
Authors: Banu Hameeda , Itagi N. , Jayadeep A. , Singh Vasudeva
Published: January 2013

Whole grains are reported to be rich in nutrients, nutraceuticals and have number of health beneficial effects. A convenient multi-whole grain mix for the preparation of a drink or porridge was formulated by using cereals, millets, pulses and nuts. Particle size was mostly of 180-250 microns (52%). Amylograph characteristics like GT, PV, HPV, CPV were 82°C, 285BU, 310BU, and 605BU, respectively were ideal for drink. The mix was found to be rich in carbohydrate, protein, fibre and calorie. The 100g of the mix had nutraceuticals like carotenoids (290µg), γ-tocopherol (4.6mg), α-tocopherol (1.5mg), and polyphenols-soluble, bound and total (94,132 and 226mg GA Eq.). Bioactive properties like vitamin E activity, free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and starch digestibility were 2.6i.u., 153mg catechin.Eq./100g, 17mg Tocopherol equivalent and 61.8%. Mix was sensorily acceptable in the form of drink and porridge and can be used as an ideal nutritious food for all age group.
Dietary Correlates to the Development of Nasca Social Complexity (A.D. 1–750)
Authors: Kellner Corina M. , Schoeninger Margaret J.
Published: January 2013

This study examines the relationship between agricultural intensification and social complexity in past societies using a diachronic, contextualized population, the Nasca of the southern coast of Peru (A.D. 1–750). Using stable isotope analysis of human bone collagen, we tested social assumptions arising from the relationship between agricultural intensification and social complexity during the Nasca’s cultural fluorescence, including the construction of underground filtration galleries (puquios). Our data show that while agricultural intensification may have spurred social complexity in the Nasca region, it engendered few significant differences in access to foodstuffs. High status individuals in Nasca society had access to more meat than low status individuals, especially during time periods characterized by more social conflict, increasing trade routes, and agricultural intensification. Meat consumption may have been an important marker of status identity among the Nasca. Nasca elites, however, did not control access to agricultural products such as maize as effectively as they did meat. These dietary data support the contention that an indigenous process of innovation and intensification was the major catalyst to later social complexity in the Nasca population from the Las Trancas Valley.
The El Gigante Rockshelter: Preliminary Observations on an Early to Late Holocene Occupation in Southern Honduras
Authors: Scheffler Timothy E. , Hirth Kenneth G. , Hasemann George
Published: January 2013

La cueva de El Gigante en las tierras altas de Honduras fue ocupada tan temprano como 10,000 años a.P. y da información previamente desconocida sobre la prehistoria de Honduras. Las condiciones climáticas secas resultan en una excelente preservación de esta área residencial. Las excavaciones documentaron una clara secuencia de ocho estratos culturales bien definidos que contienen hogares, así como depósitos densos de lítica, y restos microbotánicos y faunísticos. Basándose en métodos de fechamiento de radiocarbon convencional y AMS, se identificaron tres horizontes culturales distintos. La ocupación más antigua es de la fase Esperanza, la cual representa ocupación del Arcaico Temprano que se extiende entre 10,040–9100 a.P. La segunda es la fase Marcala que corresponde al periodo Arcaico Medio, entre 7350–6050 a.P. La tercera y más reciente ocupación en estas cuevas es en la fase Estanzuela, entre 3900–1500 a.P. El Gigante fue usado como residencia durante los dos periodos del Arcaico. Varias puntas de proyectil largas fueron recuperadas en niveles estratigráficos claramente identificados como del Paleoindio. El examen de los datos faunísticos muestra que, mientras disminuyen los huesos de mamíferos grandes, aumentan los de mamíferos de menor tamaño y los de animales no mamíferos. Una gran cantidad de maíz (Zea sp.) está presente en el sitio durante el periodo Estanzuela. La variedad de materiales de comida encontrados entre la transición sugiere el mantenimiento a largo plazo de una amplitud dietética en el contexto de una economía flexible y mezclada. El Gigante es un sitio que revela información clave en relación a la colonización inicial de Centroamérica y la incorporación de especies domesticadas dentro de una base de forrajeo que acompaña a la transición a la agricultura.
Expression of M2-Polarized Macrophages is Associated with Poor Prognosis for Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lan Chunyan , Huang Xin , Lin Suxia , Huang Huiqiang , Cai Qichun , Wan Ting , Lu Jiabin , Liu Jihong
Published: January 2013

Macrophages are polarized into two functionally distinct forms, M1 and M2, in response to different microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) generally have M2 phenotype and promote tumor progression. Few studies to date have described the infiltration of M2-polarized macrophages in ovarian cancer. We used two macrophages markers, CD68 and CD163, to analyze the expression of TAMs and to clarify the relationship between the M2 form and survival in advanced ovarian cancer. Clinical data of 110 patients with stages III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 1999 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining of CD68 and CD163 was performed. Correlations between macrophage density and patient survival were analyzed. Our data showed that no significant difference was observed in survival between patients in the high- and the low-CD68 expression groups. In contrast, the progression-free survival (PFS) rates ( p = 0.003) and overall survival (OS) rates ( p = 0.004) were significantly higher in the low-CD163 expression group than in the high-CD163 expression group, respectively. Similarly, we also observed significantly improved 3-year PFS (49.8% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.001) and OS (77.4% vs. 45.0%, p < 0.001) rates in patients in the low-CD163/CD68 ratio group when compared with the high-CD163/CD68 ratio group. Multivariate analysis identified the density of CD163-positive cells as well as the ratio of CD163/CD68 as negative predictors for PFS and OS, respectively. Our results show that the infiltration of CD163-positive M2 macrophages as well as activation of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype may contribute to poor survival in advanced ovarian cancer.
Computer-Assisted, Atlas-Based Segmentation for Target Volume Delineation in Whole Pelvic IMRT for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pejavar Sunanda , Yom Sue S. , Hwang Andrew , Speight Joycelyn , Gottschalk Alexander , Hsu I-Chow , Roach Mack , Xia Ping
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether computer-assisted segmentation is clinically feasible in target volume delineation for prostate cancer patients treated with whole pelvic IMRT. An atlas was created, comprised of 44 clinically node-negative prostate cancer patients. Three regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen for analysis: prostate, pelvic lymph nodes, and rectum. For a separate tester set of 15 patients with previously contoured ROIs by three experienced physicians, atlas-assisted contours were compared to manual contours by calculating a volumetric overlap index. In the tester set patients, the average overlap between the manually drawn and atlas-based contours for the prostate, pelvic lymph nodes, and rectum was 60%, 51%, and 64%, respectively. The volume differences were significant in the rectum and pelvic lymph nodes ( p = 0.049 and p = 0.016, respectively); this was not true for the prostate. A subset analysis based on physician-specific atlases showed that the average overlap index for the pelvic lymph nodal volume increased from 51% to 60%, while the other ROIs had no significant changes. Despite significant interphysician differences, atlas-based segmentation for pelvic lymph node delineation serves as an initial guideline for physicians, potentially improving both consistency and efficiency in contouring.