bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental Smoking and Vascular Damage in Their 5-year-old Children
Authors: Geerts Caroline C. , Bots Michiel L. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , Grobbee Diederick E. , Uiterwaal Cuno S. P. M.
Published: December 2011

Background:

The relation between smoke exposure in early life, the prenatal period in particular, and the vascular development of young children is largely unknown.

Methods:

Data from the birth cohort participating in the WHISTLER-Cardio study were used to relate the smoking of parents during pregnancy to subsequent vascular properties in their children. In 259 participating children who turned 5 years of age, parental smoking data were updated and children’s carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial wall distensibility were measured by using ultrasonography.

Results:

Children of mothers who had smoked throughout pregnancy had 18.8 μm thicker CIMT (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 36.5, P = .04) and 15% lower distensibility (95% CI −0.3, −0.02, P = .02) after adjustment for child’s age, maternal age, gender, and breastfeeding. The associations were not found in children of mothers who had not smoked in pregnancy but had smoked thereafter. The associations were strongest if both parents had smoked during pregnancy, with 27.7 μm thicker CIMT (95% CI 0.2, 55.3) and 21% lower distensibility (95% CI −0.4, −0.03).

Conclusion:

Exposure of children to parental tobacco smoke during pregnancy affects their arterial structure and function in early life.
Aerobic Capacity and Exercise Performance in Young People Born Extremely Preterm
Authors: Clemm Hege , Røksund Ola , Thorsen Einar , Eide Geir Egil , Markestad Trond , Halvorsen Thomas
Published: December 2011

Objectives:

The goal of this study was to compare aerobic capacity and exercise performance of children and adolescents born extremely preterm and at term, and to relate findings to medical history and lifestyle factors. Potential cohort effects were assessed by studying subjects born in different decades.

Methods:

Two area-based cohorts of subjects born with gestational age ≤28 weeks or birth weight ≤1000 g in 1982–1985 and 1991–1992 and matched control subjects born at term were compared by using standardized maximal treadmill exercise and pulmonary function tests. Background data were collected from questionnaires and medical records.

Results:

Seventy-five of 86 eligible preterm subjects (87%) and 75 control subjects were assessed at mean ages of 17.6 years (n = 40 + 40) and 10.6 years (n = 35 + 35). At average, measures of aerobic capacity for subjects born preterm and at term were in the same range, whereas average running distance was modestly reduced for those born preterm. Leisure-time physical activity was similarly and positively associated with exercise capacity in preterm and term-born adolescents alike, although participation was lower among those born preterm. Neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia and current forced expiratory vol in 1 second was unrelated to exercise capacity. Differences between subjects born preterm and at term had not changed over the 2 decades studied.

Conclusion:

Despite their high-risk start to life and a series of potential shortcomings, subjects born preterm may achieve normal exercise capacity, and their response to physical training seems comparable to peers born at term.
A genetic algorithm for the routing and carrier selection problem
Authors: Kratica Jozef , Kostic Tijana , Tosic Dusan , Dugosija Djordje , Filipovic Vladimir
Published: December 2011

In this paper we present new evolutionary approach for solving the Routing
and Carrier Selection Problem (RCSP). New encoding scheme is implemented with
appropriate objective function. This approach in most cases keeps the
feasibility of individuals by using specific representation and modified
genetic operators. The numerical experiments were carried out on the standard
data sets known from the literature and results were successful comparing to
two other recent heuristic for solving RCSP.
An approach to automated conceptual database design based on the IML activity diagram
Authors: Brdjanin Drazen , Maric Slavko
Published: December 2011

This paper presents an approach to the automated design of the initial
conceptual database model. The UML activity diagram, as a frequently used
business process modeling notation, is used as the starting point for the
automated generation of the UML class diagram representing the conceptual
database model. Formal rules for automated generation cover the automatic
extraction of business objects and business process participants, as well as
the automatic generation of corresponding classes and their associations.
Based on these rules we have implemented an automatic generator and
evaluated it on a real business model.
Improving the evaluation of software development methodology adoption and its impact on enterprise performance
Authors: Vavpotic Damjan , Hovelja Tomaz
Published: December 2011

Although the literature studying software development methodologies (SDMs)
lists several significant positive effects of the deployment of SDMs,
investments into SDMs by the enterprises remain relatively limited. Strategic
investments decisions, such as SDMs investments, are mostly taken with the
goal of improving enterprise performance. In this paper a model for
evaluation of the adoption of SDMs that focuses on the abovementioned SDMs
impact on enterprise performance is proposed. The model was empirically
tested in four case studies in software development small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia. The case studies confirmed that the use of
the proposed model enabled SMEs to improve SDMs related investment and
adoption decisions and enabled SMEs to invest their limited resources in the
most productive and competitive way. The case study experience with the
proposed model suggests that its use would also bring similar benefits to
larger software development enterprises.
Visualisation of the interaction between Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and oil shale by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Milic Jelena , Beskoski Vladimir , Randjelovic Danijela , Stojanovic Jelica , Vrvic Miroslav
Published: December 2011

This study visually documents the mechanical contact and interaction between
the bacterial cells of two biogeocenotically different strains of
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (At. ferrooxidans) and oil shale containing
pyrite. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging was used to visualise initial
interaction between the microorganisms and the surface minerals of an oil
shale and to evaluate bacterial effects in the first hours of the bioleaching
process. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was attached to the shale surface
already after 2 h, and after 48 h, numerous cells covered the surface with a
biofilm. After 5 day incubation with At. ferrooxidans, AFM imaging revealed
ellipsoid etched pits that represent footprints left by detached cells.
Combining AFM surface imaging and leaching analysis following bacterial
colonisation of oil shale layers demonstrates that an initial attachment to
the surface is necessary for the leaching and that later on, once a
sufficient concentration of Fe2+ ions in the solution is achieved, cells
detach to become free cells, and leaching occurs primarily by the Fe3+. This
experiment confirmed that microorganisms isolated from sites in which a
particular substrate is found will demonstrate stronger binding to that
substrate.
The effect of copper content in the matte on the distribution coefficients between the slag and the matte for certain elements in the sulphide copper concentrate smelting process
Authors: Djordjevic P. , Mitevska N. , Mihajlovic I. , Nikolic Dj. , Manasijevic D. , Zivkovic Z.
Published: December 2011

This paper presents the results of investigating the dependence of
distribution coefficient LS/MMe for: Cu, Zn, Pb, Sb, As, Ni, Ag, Au and Bi,
between the slag and the matte, on the copper content in matte. The research
was conducted under industrial conditions of copper concentrate smelting, in
the reverberatory furnace in the copper smelter in Bor, Serbia. It was found
that with the increase of the copper content in the matte, distribution
coefficient between slag and matte for Cu, Zn and Pb increases, for Ag and
Se decreases, while for Ni, As and Sb has an insignificant change. Au and Bi
are almost entirely concentrated in the matte.
Efficiency of the stochastic approximation method
Authors: Japundzic Milos
Published: December 2011

The practical aspect of the stochastic approximation method (SA) is studied.
Specifically, we investigated the efficiency depending on the coefficients
that generate the step length in optimization algorithm, as well as the
efficiency depending on the type and the level of the corresponding noise.
Efficiency is measured by the mean values of the objective function at the
final estimates of the algorithm, over the specified number of replications.
This paper provides suggestions how to choose already mentioned coefficients,
in order to achieve better performance of the stochastic approximation
algorithm.
Efficiency and duality in nonsmooth multiobjective fractional programming involving η-pseudolinear functions
Authors: Mishra S.K. , Upadhyay B.B.
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we shall establish necessary and sufficient optimality
conditions for a feasible solution to be efficient for a nonsmooth
multiobjective fractional programming problem involving ?-pseudolinear
functions. Furthermore, we shall show equivalence between efficiency and
proper efficiency under certain boundedness condition. We have also obtained
weak and strong duality results for corresponding Mond-Weir subgradient type
dual problem. These results extend some earlier results on efficiency and
duality to multiobjective fractional programming problems involving
?-pseudolinear and pseudolinear functions.
Brain tumor-initiating cells and cells of origin in glioblastoma
Authors: Agnihotri Sameer , Munoz Diana , Zadeh Gelareh , Guha Abhijit
Published: December 2011

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant and devastating primary brain tumour with a median survival of ∼12–16 months. Although recent large scale sequencing projects have shed considerable light into the complexity of the disease, there remains much to be elucidated in the hopes of generating effective therapeutic strategies. Although these studies investigate the mutations and expression of bulk tumour they have limits with respect to cell of origin and the concept of brain tumour initiating cells (BTIC). Current research has challenged the old paradigm of the stochastic model as recent evidence suggests that a subset of cancer cells within a tumor is responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance, and resistance to therapy. To gain a better understanding of the different compartment of cells that GBM comprise of require careful and elegant experiments. In addition to studying GBM, exploring the role of normal neural stem cells and progenitors cells is essential to partially explain whether these GBM BTIC behave similarly or differently then their non transformed counterparts. Here we discuss the recent literature between the two models, candidate regions of glioma genesis, candidate cells of origin for GBM, and possible therapeutic avenues to explore.
Young-onset dementia and MRI changes in a patient with subclinical liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Boban Marina , Malojčić Branko
Published: December 2011

Young-onset dementia (before age of 65) is relatively infrequent and presents a challenge in everyday neurological practice due to wide spectrum of clinical presentations and diversity of underlying etiology. When cognitive deficits are accompanied with liver dysfunction different etiologies should be considered. We present a case report of a young patient with subclinical decompensated liver disease due to underlying chronic hepatitis C, presented with the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy spectrum, called minimal (subclinical) hepatic encephalopathy and characteristic MRI changes.
Discharge Measurements In Low Flow Conditions With ADCP Technology – First Experiences In Nepal
Authors: Merz J
Published: December 2011

Low flows prevail during about nine months of the year in Himalayan rivers as a result of the influence of the monsoon climate. They account for a large portion of the annual water balance and accurate information about these flows is therefore critical for water resources planning, development, management and hydropower design. Issues that occur with the neighbouring country India are often related to low flows and make exact information on low flows a prerequisite for successful transboundary water management. However, reliable and long-term information on low flows are generally not available as most basins are ungauged. In addition low flow measurements are often associated with measurement errors as measurement cross-sections change during the flood season. Changes in measurement cross-sections are natural, but need frequent re-surveying of the sections in order to obtain good quality discharge measurements. This is often done on in-frequent basis and changes between big flood events are not recorded. The equipment used for discharge measurements is rarely recalibrated leading to additional errors. Internationally, in the last two decades river and stream discharge measurements have been improved with the introduction of Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) technology. This new technology for hydrologic data acquirement has so far not been used extensively in the Himalayan region. First experiences with a StreamPro ADCP in Nepal as a part of a technology evaluation confirmed the commonly stated advantages of this technology compared to current-meter measurements, and showed its promising potential for various future applications including the application for accurate low flow measurements. Keywords: Discharge measurement; ADCP; low flowDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jhm.v7i1.5615 JHM 2010; 7(1): 40-48
Combining Ability Analysis In Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)
Authors: Akter A , Hasan MJ , Begum H , Kulsum MU , Hossain MK
Published: December 2011

Twenty hybrids were produced using five CMS lines viz., BRRI3A, BRRI9A, IR73328A, BRRI10A and IR78355A and four restorers viz., BRRI12R, BRRI13R, BRRI14R and BRRI15R following line x tester mating design to find out the best combination (s) in respect of their combining ability effects among the parents and hybrids at BRRI, Gazipur, Bangladesh from July 2008 to May 2009. Data were recorded from yield and yield contributing agronomic characters each entry through out the replications and mean values were subjected to line x tester analysis. The genotypes were found highly significant for all the traits which indicated that the treatments used in this study were significantly varied from each other. After the partitioning of mean sums of squares (MSS) of the treatments into parent, cross and parent vs cross. They were found highly significant except yield per plant for parent, panicle weight for crosses and leaf area index for parent vs cross. The ratio of GCA and SCA variances were found less than unity for all the characters except plant height, days to maturity and panicles per square meter. The relative contribution of line, tester and combinations of line x tester interaction of ten characters were calculated and found that panicle weight contributed the highest (69.53%) followed by thousand grain weight (63.62%), yield per plant (54.76%), panicle per meter square 51.52% in their hybrids. IR73328A was identified as good general combiner for shorter plant height (-6.09) and panicle per square meter (16.92). BRRI10A and IR78355A produced significant positive GCA for yield per plant which could be regarded as good general combiner for higher grain yield. Six hybrid combinations were found with significant and positive SCA effect of which the highest value was obtained from BRRI3A/BRRI14R (2.46) followed by IR73328A/BRRI13R (2.23) for yield per plant.   Key words: Line × tester; GCA; SCA; riceDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v23i2.9319 Bangladesh J. Pl. Breed. Genet., 23(2): 7-13, 2010
Multivariate Analysis Of Divergence In Advanced Lines Of Mustard (Brassica spp)
Authors: Zaman MA , Tuhina-Khatun M , Ullah MZ , Moniruzzamn M , Rahman MZ
Published: December 2011

A field experiment was conducted comprising eighteen advanced lines of mustard in a randomized block design with three replication at Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Hathazari, Chittagong during Rabi season (December 2009 to April 2010) for estimation of divergence among advanced lines of mustard. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters. Cluster I contained the highest number of genotypes (6) and the cluster III contained the lowest (3). The inter-cluster distances in all cases were larger than the intra-cluster distance which indicated that wider diversity was present among the genotypes of distant grouped. The highest intra cluster distance was observed in cluster II and the lowest in I. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between the cluster III and II followed by III and I and the lowest between cluster IV and III. Days to 50% flowering (81.94%), days to maturity (8.24%), plant height (5.82%), branches per plant (1.91%) and siliquae per plant (1.17%) contributed maximum towards the total divergence which suggested that these characters were highly responsible for genetic divergence in the present materials. But the highest cluster means for primary branches per plant and maximum seeds per siliquae with minimum seed yield per plant were obtained from the cluster II. The genotypes from cluster I had dwarf plant along with earliness in days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and maximum number of primary branches per plant. Therefore, the genotypes from cluster I and III could be utilized in the hybridization programme for getting desirable transgressive segregants and high heterotic response due to getting maximum yield along with short duration.   Key words: Multivariate analysis; Divergence; MustardDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v23i2.9322 Bangladesh J. Pl. Breed. Genet., 23(2): 29-34, 2010
Textural Properties Of Rock For Penetration Rate Prediction
Authors: Adebayo B , Akande JM
Published: December 2011

Abstract: The relationship between textural properties of selected Nigeria rocks and penetration rate of top-hole hammer drill was investigated. These rock samples were tested in the laboratory for mineral composition, silica content and porosity. Also, average grain size and packing density were determined from photomicrograph of the samples using empirical equations proposed by researchers. Penetration rate for each rock samples obtained in the field were correlated with the textural properties to establish their relationships. The results show that all textural character and penetration rate have high coefficient of correlation for all the samples. The highest penetration rate was experience on biotite hornblende-granite having mean packing density of 92.58% and the silica content vary for 82.60 - 82.72%. This has revealed that penetration rate of rock drill bit in quarries is related to textural rock properties and this will be necessary to have overview of time of drilling as well as rock response to mechanical loading. Keywords: Textural properties; rocks; packing density; penetration rate; top-hole-hammer drill; quarry
Handover Delay Optimization In PMIPv6 Domain Through Improved Update Latency
Authors: Liza Farhana Ferdusi , Al-Farabi Khan Md
Published: December 2011

This paper proposes an efficient low update latency handover scheme for Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6)-a Network-based mobility management protocol. The major aspect that introduces high latency during Mobile Node (MN) handover between Mobile Access gateways (MAGs) of the same PMIPv6 domain has been analyzed. The analysis included MN profile acquirement by MAG agent and handover process between MAG agents. From this analysis, an improved solution that optimizes the handover delay has been provided. The solution has been verified by simulation in Network Simulator 2(NS2). Keywords: PMIPv6; Handover Delay; NS2; FMIPv6; MIPv6; PMIPv6_Ex DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i1.9328 DIUJST 2011; 6(1): 9-16
Enrichment Of Yarn Quality By The Change Of Drafting Zone Of Drawing Machines
Authors: Mahabubuzzaman AKM , Miazi Md. Osman Ghani , Jalil Mohammad Abdul , Sinha Rabindra Chandra
Published: December 2011

In Drawing frame, different pin settings were used to produce 5lbs/spy jute yarn in apron draft spinning frame. Among the pin settings of 1st draw frame: Draft-4.0, 2nd draw frame: 6.3 and 3rd draw frame: 5.4, Doubling- 2:1, 3:1 and 2:1 respectively achieved the highest quality at modified pin settings for said jute yarn. In this experiment, existing pins of 3rd Drawing frame were replaced by new sets of pins with different density, size and shape and yarns were produced from both systems. Physical properties of produced yarn were tested and found modified pins density shows better quality yarn. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i1.9329 DIUJST 2011; 6(1): 17-19
Development Of Isolated Speech Recognition System For Bangla Words
Authors: Rahman Md Mijanur , Khatun Fatema
Published: December 2011

This research devoted to the development of Speech Recognition System in Bengali language that works with speaker independent, isolated and subword-unit-based approaches. In our work, the original Bangla speech words were recorded and stored as RIFF (.wav) file. Then these words were classified into three different groups according to the number of syllables of the speech words and these grouping speech signals were converted to digital form, in order to extract features. The features were extracted by the method of Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficient (MFCC) analysis. The recognition system includes direct Euclidean distance measurement technique. The test database contained 600 distinct Bangla speech words and each word was recorded from six different speakers. The development software is written in Turbo C and common feature of today’s software have been included. The development system achieved recognition rate at about 96% for single speaker and 84.28% for multiple speakers. Keywords: MFCC; Syllable-based grouping; Speaker independent; End-point detection; Euclidian distance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i1.9331 DIUJST 2011; 6(1): 30-35
An Experimental Investigation Of Pool Boiling At Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Islam Md Saimon , Haque Khadija Taslima , Saha Suman Chandra
Published: December 2011

This paper deals with an experimental investigation of pool boiling of water and methanol at atmospheric pressure from small horizontal heat sources. The heat sources are inserted into the copper tube submerged in a laterally-confined, finite pool of liquid. The saturated pool boiling heat transfer characteristics and the critical heat flux (CHF) condition were determined in the experiments. In the experiment, an attempt has been made to estimate the heat flux for pool boiling of Water and Methanol at atmospheric pressure. An indoor experiment was conducted to measure (i) the heat flux of water and methanol, (ii) the temperature of the working fluids, (iii) the wall superheat temperatures, (iv) the temperatures at the bottom and side of the pot, (v) time required to be superheated at definite time intervals for a given heat input. The heat input has been varied by changing the voltage with the help of a voltage regulator. A regression analysis has been performed by using the experimental data in the correlation of Rohsenow for pool boiling. Keywords: Pool Boiling; Heat Flux; Wall Superheat; Correlation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i1.9337 DIUJST 2011; 6(1): 80-86
Improvement Of The Text Dependent Speaker Identification System Using Discrete MMM With Cepstral Based Features
Authors: Islam Md Rabiul , Rahman Md Fayzur , Khan Muhammad Abdul Goffar
Published: December 2011

In this paper, an improved strategy for automated text based speaker identification scheme has been proposed. The identification process incorporates the Hidden Markov Model technique. After preprocessing the speech, HMM is used in the learning and identification. Features are extracted by different techniques such as RCC, MFCC, ΔMFCC, ΔΔMFCC, LPC and LPCC which is almost different in each case. The highest identification rate of 93% has been achieved in the close set text dependent speaker identification system. Keywords: Biometric Technologies; Automatic Speaker Identification; Cepstral Coefficients; Feature Extraction; Hidden Markov Model. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i2.9341 DIUJST 2011; 6(2): 14-21
Sectionally Pseudocomplemented Residual Lattice
Authors: Rahman MD Zaidur , Azad Md Abdul Kalam , Hasan Md Nazmul
Published: December 2011

At first, we recall the basic concept, By a residual lattice is meant an algebra L = (L,∨,∧,∗,o,0,1) such that (i) L = (L,∨,∧,0,1) is a bounded lattice, (ii) L = (L,∗,1) is a commutative monoid, (iii) it satisfies the so-called adjoin ness property: (x ∨ y) ∗ z = y if and only if y ≤ z ≤ x o y Let us note [7] that x ∨ y is the greatest element of the set (x ∨ y) ∗ z = y Moreover, if we consider x ∗ y = x ∧ y , then x o y is the relative pseudo-complement of x with respect to y, i. e., for ∗ = ∧ residuated lattices are just relatively pseudo-complemented lattices. The identities characterizing sectionally pseudocomplemented lattices are presented in [3] i.e. the class of these lattices is a variety in the signature {∨,∧,o,1}. We are going to apply a similar approach for the adjointness property: Key words: Residuated lattice; non Distributive; Residuated Abeliean; commutative monoid: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/diujst.v6i2.9345 DIUJST 2011; 6(2): 53-54
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Three Cage Layer Housing Systems
Authors: Fournel Sébastien , Pelletier Frédéric , Godbout Stéphane , Lagacé Robert , Feddes John
Published: December 2011

Agriculture accounts for 10 to 12% of the World’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Manure management alone is responsible for 13% of GHG emissions from the agricultural sector. During the last decade, Québec’s egg production systems have shifted from deep-pit housing systems to manure belt housing systems. The objective of this study was to measure and compare carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from three different cage layer housing systems: a deep liquid manure pit and a manure belt with natural or forced air drying. Deep liquid manure pit housing systems consist of “A” frame layer cages located over a closed pit containing the hens’ droppings to which water is added to facilitate removal by pumping. Manure belt techniques imply that manure drops on a belt beneath each row of battery cages where it is either dried naturally or by forced air until it is removed. The experiment was replicated with 360 hens reared into twelve independent bench-scale rooms during eight weeks (19–27 weeks of age). The natural and forced air manure belt systems reduced CO2 (28.2 and 28.7 kg yr−1 hen−1, respectively), CH4 (25.3 and 27.7 g yr−1 hen−1, respectively) and N2O (2.60 and 2.48 g yr−1 hen−1, respectively) emissions by about 21, 16 and 9% in comparison with the deep-pit technique (36.0 kg CO2 yr−1 hen−1, 31.6 g CH4 yr−1 hen−1 and 2.78 g N2O yr−1 hen−1). The shift to manure belt systems needs to be encouraged since this housing system significantly decreases the production of GHG.
An Investigation of Two Highest Ozone Episodes During the Last Decade in New England
Authors: Lai Tzu-Ling , Talbot Robert , Mao Huiting
Published: December 2011

This study examined the role of meteorological processes in two of the highest ozone (O3) episodes within the last decade at monitoring sites in southern New Hampshire (NH), USA. The highest O3 levels occurred on 14 August 2002 at Thompson Farm (TF) and 22 July 2004 at Castle Springs (CS). Ozone mixing ratios in the 2002 episode showed continual high values (>100 ppbv) at the beginning of the episode, and reached 151 ppbv on 14 August. The 2004 episode consisted of one day of high O3 (>100 ppbv) on 22 July at CS with the peak level of 111 ppbv. Our analysis suggested that the August 2002 high O3 event at TF occurred under stagnant synoptic high-pressure conditions that prevailed over the entire eastern USA for an unusually extended time period. The clear skies and stable meteorological conditions resulted in accumulation of pollutants in the boundary layer. At the same time, the mesoscale low-level-jet (LLJ) played an important role in transporting air masses from the polluted Mid-Atlantic areas to the Northeast. Local land-sea-breeze circulations also added to the impact of this event. Our examination showed that the unprecedented high levels of O3 on 22 July 2004 at CS was driven by two mechanisms, stratospheric intrusion and the Appalachian lee trough (APLT), which was not found during other O3 episodes at the site in the decade long data record. This study demonstrated that unusually high O3 levels at New England rural sites were driven by multi-scale processes, and the regional/local scale processes controlled the magnitude and timing of the local pollution episodes.
Implication of an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene and a Phosphinothricin N-Acetyltransferase Gene in the Diversity of Pseudomonas cichorii Virulence
Authors: Tanaka Masayuki , Wali Ullah Md , Nakayashiki Hitoshi , Fukuda Tatsuya , Mizumoto Hiroyuki , Ohnishi Kouhei , Kiba Akinori , Hikichi Yasufumi
Published: December 2011

Pseudomonas cichorii harbors the hrp genes. hrp-mutants lose their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. A phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase gene (pat) is located between hrpL and an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (aldH) in the genome of P. cichorii. Comparison of nucleotide sequences and composition of the genes among pseudomonads suggests a common ancestor of hrp and pat between P. cichorii strains and P. viridiflava strains harboring the single hrp pathogenicity island. In contrast, phylogenetic diversification of aldH corresponded to species diversification amongst pseudomonads. In this study, the involvement of aldH and pat in P. cichorii virulence was analyzed. An aldH-deleted mutant (ΔaldH) and a pat-deleted mutant (Δpat) lost their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. P. cichorii expressed both genes in eggplant leaves, independent of HrpL, the transcriptional activator for the hrp. Inoculation into Asteraceae species susceptible to P. cichorii showed that the involvement of hrp, pat and aldH in P. cichorii virulence is independent of each other and has no relationship with the phylogeny of Asteraceae species based on the nucleotide sequences of ndhF and rbcL. It is thus thought that not only the hrp genes but also pat and aldH are implicated in the diversity of P. cichorii virulence on susceptible host plant species.
Essential Questions on Suicide Bereavement and Postvention
Authors: Andriessen Karl , Krysinska Karolina
Published: December 2011

During the past decades public and research interest in postvention, i.e., support for families and communities after a suicide, has increased. However, the postvention field is still facing a number of important challenges and questions. This article aims to discuss a series of essential issues on suicide bereavement and postvention, regarding the current state of the art and future developments. Who is a suicide survivor and how many suicide survivors are there? Is suicide bereavement different from other types of bereavement? What are the needs of suicide survivors and what is postvention from a clinical perspective and from a public health perspective? Can postvention be prevention? With this last question, the article concludes with a series of recommendations in order to strengthen the potential of postvention as prevention.
Determination of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Taraxacum formosanum Kitam by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Coupled with a Post-Column Derivatization Technique
Authors: Chen Hung-Ju , Inbaraj Baskaran Stephen , Chen Bing-Huei
Published: December 2011

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in a medicinal Chinese herb Taraxacum formosanum Kitam. Initially, both phenolic acids and flavonoids were extracted with 50% ethanol in a water-bath at 60 °C for 3 h and eventually separated into acidic fraction and neutral fraction by using a C18 cartridge. A total of 29 compounds were separated within 68 min by employing a Gemini C18 column and a gradient solvent system of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Based on the retention behavior as well as absorption and mass spectra, 19 phenolic acids and 10 flavonoids were identified and quantified in T. formosanum, with the former ranging from 14.1 μg/g to 10,870.4 μg/g, and the latter from 9.9 μg/g to 325.8 μg/g. For further identification of flavonoids, a post-column derivatization method involving shift reagents such as sodium acetate or aluminum chloride was used and the absorption spectral characteristics without or with shift reagents were compared. An internal standard syringic acid was used for quantitation of phenolic acids, whereas (±) naringenin was found suitable for quantitation of flavonoids. The developed LC-MS/MS method showed high reproducibility, as evident from the relative standard deviation (RSD) values for intra-day and inter-day variability being 1.0–6.8% and 2.0–7.7% for phenolic acids and 3.7–7.4% and 1.5–8.1% for flavonoids, respectively, and thus may be applied for simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Chinese herb and nutraceuticals.
Development of a Hybrid Atomic Force Microscopic Measurement System Combined with White Light Scanning Interferometry
Authors: Guo Tong , Wang Siming , Dorantes-Gonzalez Dante J. , Chen Jinping , Fu Xing , Hu Xiaotang
Published: December 2011

A hybrid atomic force microscopic (AFM) measurement system combined with white light scanning interferometry for micro/nanometer dimensional measurement is developed. The system is based on a high precision large-range positioning platform with nanometer accuracy on which a white light scanning interferometric module and an AFM head are built. A compact AFM head is developed using a self-sensing tuning fork probe. The head need no external optical sensors to detect the deflection of the cantilever, which saves room on the head, and it can be directly fixed under an optical microscopic interferometric system. To enhance the system’s dynamic response, the frequency modulation (FM) mode is adopted for the AFM head. The measuring data can be traceable through three laser interferometers in the system. The lateral scanning range can reach 25 mm × 25 mm by using a large-range positioning platform. A hybrid method combining AFM and white light scanning interferometry is proposed to improve the AFM measurement efficiency. In this method, the sample is measured firstly by white light scanning interferometry to get an overall coarse morphology, and then, further measured with higher resolution by AFM. Several measuring experiments on standard samples demonstrate the system’s good measurement performance and feasibility of the hybrid measurement method.
Hierarchical Leak Detection and Localization Method in Natural Gas Pipeline Monitoring Sensor Networks
Authors: Wan Jiangwen , Yu Yang , Wu Yinfeng , Feng Renjian , Yu Ning
Published: December 2011

In light of the problems of low recognition efficiency, high false rates and poor localization accuracy in traditional pipeline security detection technology, this paper proposes a type of hierarchical leak detection and localization method for use in natural gas pipeline monitoring sensor networks. In the signal preprocessing phase, original monitoring signals are dealt with by wavelet transform technology to extract the single mode signals as well as characteristic parameters. In the initial recognition phase, a multi-classifier model based on SVM is constructed and characteristic parameters are sent as input vectors to the multi-classifier for initial recognition. In the final decision phase, an improved evidence combination rule is designed to integrate initial recognition results for final decisions. Furthermore, a weighted average localization algorithm based on time difference of arrival is introduced for determining the leak point’s position. Experimental results illustrate that this hierarchical pipeline leak detection and localization method could effectively improve the accuracy of the leak point localization and reduce the undetected rate as well as false alarm rate.
Self-Calibrated Humidity Sensor in CMOS without Post-Processing
Authors: Nizhnik Oleg , Higuchi Kohei , Maenaka Kazusuke
Published: December 2011

A 1.1 µW power dissipation, voltage-output humidity sensor with 10% relative humidity accuracy was developed in the LFoundry 0.15 µm CMOS technology without post-processing. The sensor consists of a woven lateral array of electrodes implemented in CMOS top metal, a humidity-sensitive layer of Intervia Photodielectric 8023D-10, a CMOS capacitance to voltage converter, and the self-calibration circuitry.
Using Transformational Change to Improve Organizational Culture and Climate in a School of Nursing
Authors: Springer Pamela J. , Clark Cynthia M. , Strohfus Pamela , Belcheir Marcia
Published: December 2011

A positive organizational culture and climate is closely associated with an affirming workplace and job satisfaction. Especially during a time of faculty shortages, academic leaders need to be cognizant of the culture and climate in schools of nursing. The culture of an organization affects employees, systems, and processes, and if the culture becomes problematic, transformational leadership is essential to create change. The purpose of this article is to describe an 8-year journey to change the culture and climate of a school of nursing from one of dissatisfaction and distrust to one of high employee satisfaction and trust. Kotter’s model for transformational change was used to frame a longitudinal study using the Cultural and Climate Assessment Scale to transform the organizational culture and climate of a school of nursing.
The Flow Experiences of People with Chronic Pain
Authors: Robinson Katie , Kennedy Norelee , Harmon Dominic
Published: December 2011

This electronic momentary assessment study explored the relationship between flow and pain intensity and examined whether flow is an optimal experience for people with chronic pain. Adults with chronic pain ( n = 30) were signaled randomly seven times daily during 1 week to respond to a flow questionnaire via personal digital assistant. The participants responded to 718 questionnaires from 1,447 beeps (response rate = 49.6%). Results indicated that participants were most commonly at home, doing self-care activities, with family or alone. Participants experienced flow 34.9%, apathy 44.6%, relaxation 11.6%, and anxiety 8.9% of the sampled time. Participants' mean concentration, self-esteem, motivation, and potency scores were highest in flow compared to the other three states. Separate one-way between-groups analyses of variance comparing concentration ( F(3) = 11.85; p < .001), self-esteem ( F(3) = 11.98; p < .001), motivation ( F(3) = 29.29; p < .001), positive affect ( F(3) = 2.89; p = .035), potency ( F(3) = 19.88; p < .001), and pain intensity ( F(3) = 1.39; p = .245) scores across the four states showed a significant overall effect on all comparisons except pain intensity and positive affect.
Neighborhood Influences on Participation among Older Adults with Chronic Health Conditions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hand Carri , Law Mary C. , McColl Mary Ann , Hanna Steven , Elliott Susan J.
Published: December 2011

Older adults with chronic health conditions face difficulties participating in everyday occupations but may gain support to do so from neighborhood environments. This article describes research regarding neighborhood influences on participation in this population. A scoping review identified 689 articles, of which 15 met the selection criteria. Findings indicate that neighborhood economic status, services/resources, mobility resources/barriers, physical problems, cohesion, and safety are linked to participation in older adults and older adults with chronic conditions. Most studies measured participation frequency or limitations and did not consider social support as a covariate. These findings can guide research to examine a range of neighborhood characteristics while considering the effects of the individual's characteristics and social support. Longitudinal and qualitative research can also help to understand this complex area of study.
Drill and Chop: Modified Vertical Chop Technique for Hard Cataract
Authors: Kim Dae Yune , Jang Jung Hyun
Published: December 2011

The authors describe a technique to improve the control and safety of vertical chopping during hard cataract surgery. Whereas the conventional vertical chop technique uses a sharp vertical chopper, the proposed technique uses a short blunt chopper. This requires complete engagement of the central nucleus by a phaco tip. The authors first drilled a hole into the endonucleus. By rotating the Kelman phaco tip clockwise, the nucleus was deeply impaled horizontally and firmly engaged with the phaco tip. This was followed by vertical chopping. This technique results in safer and more effective vertical chopping in patients with hard cataracts.
De cante, baile y toque en la emigración. Sociabilidad en torno al flamenco en Bélgica, 1956-1975
Authors: Ruiz-Morales Fernando C.
Published: December 2011

Desde finales de los años cincuenta emigran a Bélgica numerosos trabajadores procedentes de España. Muchos llevan consigo el flamenco como forma de relación en reuniones, fiestas y otros espacios de sociabilidad. Pronto esta forma expresiva se convirtió en emblemática y constituyó un poderoso medio para el mantenimiento de vínculos entre los emigrantes, pero también un instrumento para la integración en la sociedad local, así como una fuente de recursos económicos. Se formó una densa red de restaurantes, bares y asociaciones regentados por españoles, en los que el flamenco tuvo un papel de gran relevancia. En este artículo se describe ese proceso hasta el final del franquismo, y se exponen los principales componentes relacionados con la sociabilidad en torno al flamenco en ese contexto.
[Re]buscando el amor: Motivos y razones de las uniones mixtas de hombres españoles con mujeres extranjeras
Authors: Roca Girona Jordi
Published: December 2011

El artículo aborda el fenómeno reciente y creciente de las uniones sentimentales mixtas. Se centra en parejas heterosexuales compuestas por un hombre español y una mujer extranjera de origen latinoamericano o eslavo, las predominantes en España. La hipótesis de partida vincula el fenómeno a las transformaciones acaecidas en el sistema de género en España y lo contextualiza en el nuevo orden mundial caracterizado por el aumento y la facilidad de la movilidad y la comunicación. La atención se focaliza en las motivaciones expresadas por los diversos actores sociales implicados en estas uniones.
Cytokeratin-negative small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Terada Tadashi
Published: December 2011

Cytokeratins (CK) are good markers of epithelial tumors, and most of carcinomas including small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) expresses CK. Herein reported is a case of SCLC without CK expression.
Cytomorphology of Erdheim–Chester disease presenting as a retroperitoneal soft tissue lesion
Authors: Purgina Bibianna , Jaffe Ronald , Monaco Sara E. , Khalbuss Walid E. , Beasley H. Scott , Dunn John A. , Pantanowitz Liron
Published: December 2011

Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, multisystem disorder of macrophages. Patients manifest with histiocytic infiltrates that lead to xanthogranulomatous lesions in multiple organ systems. The cytologic features of this disorder are not well characterized. As a result, the cytologic diagnosis of ECD can be very challenging. The aim of this report is to describe the cytomorphology of ECD in a patient presenting with a retroperitoneal soft tissue lesion. A 54-year-old woman with proptosis and diabetes insipidus was found on imaging studies to have multiple intracranial lesions, sclerosis of both femurs and a retroperitoneal soft tissue mass. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and a concomitant core biopsy of this abnormal retroperitoneal soft tissue revealed foamy, epithelioid and multinucleated histiocytes associated with fibrosis. The histiocytes were immunoreactive for CD68, CD163, Factor XIIIa and fascin, and negative for S100, confirming the diagnosis of ECD. ECD requires a morphologic diagnosis that fits with the appropriate clinical context. This case describes the cytomorphologic features of ECD and highlights the role of cytology in helping reach a diagnosis of this rare disorder.
Thank you reviewers – CytoJournal 2011
Authors: Shidham Vinod B. , DeMay Richard M. , Pitman Martha B.
Published: December 2011

CytoJournal, with its continued contribution of scientific cytopathology literature to the public domain under open access (OA) charter, thanks its dedicated peer reviewers for devoting significant efforts, time, and resources during 2011. The abstracts of poster-platform submissions to the 59th Annual Scientific Meeting (November 2011) of the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC) in Baltimore, MD, USA, were peer reviewed by the ASC Scientific Program Committee.
Optimal $L^1$-Control in Coefficients for Dirichlet Elliptic Problems: $H$-Optimal Solutions
Authors: Kogut Peter I. , Leugering Günter
Published: December 2011

In this paper we study a Dirichlet optimal control problem associated with a linear elliptic equation the coefficients of which we take as controls in

L^1(\Omega)

. In particular, when the coefficient matrix is taken to satisfy the decomposition

B(x)=\rho(x)A(x)

with a scalar function

\rho

, we allow the

\rho

to degenerate. Such problems are related to various applications in mechanics, conductivity and to an approach in topology optimization, the SIMP-method. Since equations of this type can exhibit the Lavrentieff phenomenon and non-uniqueness of weak solutions, we show that the optimal control problem in the coefficients can be stated in different forms depending on the choice of the class of admissible solutions. Using the direct method in the Calculus of variations, we discuss the solvability of the above optimal control problems in the so-called class of

H

-admissible solutions.
On equivalent conditions for the general weighted Hardy type inequality in space $L^{p(\cdot)}$
Authors: Mamedov Farman I. , Zeren Yusuf
Published: December 2011

We study the Hardy type two-weighted inequality for the multidimensional Hardy operator in the norms of generalized Lebesgue spaces

L^{p(\cdot)}(\mathbb{R}^{n})

. In this way we prove equivalent conditions for

L^{p(\cdot)}\rightarrow L^{q(\cdot)}

boundedness of Hardy operator in the case of exponents

q(0)\geq p(0)

,

q(\infty)\geq p\left(\infty \right)

. We also prove that the condition for such inequality to hold coincides with condition for validity of two weighted Hardy inequalities with constant exponents, if we require the exponents to be regular near zero and at infinity.
On an Extension of the Space of Bounded Deformations
Authors: Kružík Martin , Zimmer Johannes
Published: December 2011

As for functions of bounded variations (

BV

), the space of functions of bounded deformations (

BD

) can be equipped with different topologies. We propose an extension of the traditional space of

BD

functions equipped with the weak-

\star

topology. It is shown that in this fine extension, both compactness and weak-

\star

continuity of the trace hold under weak assumptions. This is relevant for applications, where the specimen is typically exposed to forces on the boundary. We give an application to a functional with a linearly growing energy density.