bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictability of extreme meteo‐oceanographic events in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Cavaleri L. , Bertotti L. , Buizza R. , Buzzi A. , Masato V. , Umgiesser G. , Zampieri M.
Published: February 2010

The performance of state‐of‐the‐art meteorological and oceanographic numerical systems in predicting the sea state in the Adriatic Sea during intense storms is assessed. Two major storms that affected Venice are discussed. The first storm occurred on 4 November 1966, when Venice suffered its most dramatic flood event. The damage and loss of life caused by the storm and the associated flood were extremely high also because the event was poorly forecast. The 1966 event is reanalysed using state‐of‐the‐art meteorological and oceanographic numerical systems to investigate whether the poor forecast quality was due to a lack of data or of suitable numerical modelling. The second severe storm took place on 22 December 1979, when Venice experienced the second‐worst ‘acqua‐alta’ conditions in recorded history. Results show that with the present numerical systems both storms and associated wave and surge conditions could have been forecast several days in advance. Potential implications for the prediction of more frequent less intense storms are discussed, and a suitably enhanced system based on a global meteorological model and a limited area one is outlined. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Improving a spectral bin microphysical scheme using TRMM satellite observations
Authors: Li Xiaowen , Tao Wei‐Kuo , Matsui Toshihisa , Liu Chuntao , Masunaga Hirohiko
Published: February 2010

TRMM‐observed mature‐stage squall lines during late spring and early summer in the central USA over a 9‐year period are compiled and compared with a case simulation by the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model with a spectral bin microphysical scheme. During the quasi‐steady state of the simulation, a forward radiative transfer model calculates TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) reflectivity and 85 GHz brightness temperatures from simulated particle size distributions. Comparisons between model and TRMM observations using radar Contoured Frequency with Altitude Diagrams (CFADs) and 85 GHz brightness temperature probability density distributions are performed, in addition to CFADs from a surface C‐band radar for the same case. Radar CFADs comparisons reveal that the model overestimates sizes of snow/aggregates in the stratiform region.

Three sets of sensitivity tests are carried out in order to improve the simulated radar reflectivity profiles: increase of aggregates' density and terminal fall velocity; changing temperature dependency of collection efficiency between ice‐phase particles, particularly those of the plate‐type; and adding a break‐up scheme for large aggregates. While all three approaches mitigate the discrepancies, changing collection efficiency produces the best match in magnitudes and characteristics of radar CFADs. In addition, interactions between ice‐ and water‐phase particles also need to be adjusted in order to have good comparisons in both radar CFADs and 85 GHz brightness temperature distributions. This study shows that long‐term satellite observations, especially those with multiple sensors, can be very useful in constraining model microphysics. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Viral infections associated with haemophagocytic syndrome
Authors: Maakaroun Nadine Rouphael , Moanna Abeer , Jacob Jesse T , Albrecht Helmut
Published: February 2010

Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) or haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disease caused by a dysfunction of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells. This T cell/NK cell dysregulation causes an aberrant cytokine release, resulting in proliferation/activation of histiocytes with subsequent haemophagocytosis. Histiocytic infiltration of the reticuloendothelial system results in hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and pancytopenia ultimately leading to multiple organ dysfunctions. Common clinical features include high fevers despite broad spectrum antimicrobials, maculopapular rash, neurological symptoms, coagulopathy and abnormal liver function tests. Haemophagocytic syndrome can be either primary, i.e. due to an underlying genetic defect or secondary, associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases (also called macrophage activation syndrome) or infections. Infectious triggers are most commonly due to viral infections mainly of the herpes group, with EBV being the most common cause. HPS can be fatal if untreated. Early recognition of the clinical presentation and laboratory abnormalities associated with HPS and prompt initiation of treatment can be life saving. HPS triggered by viral infections generally does not respond to specific antiviral therapy but may be treated with immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory agents and, in refractory cases, with bone marrow transplantation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An autonomous attestation token to secure mobile agents in disaster response
Authors: Hein Daniel M. , Toegl Ronald , Kraxberger Stefan
Published: February 2010

Modern communication and computing devices have the potential to increase the efficiency of disaster response. Mobile agents and ad hoc networks are decentralized and flexible technologies to leverage this potential. While both ad hoc networks and mobile agent platforms suffer from a greater variety of security risks than the classic client‐server approach, Trusted Computing is capable of alleviating these problems. Unfortunately, Remote Attestation, a core concept of Trusted Computing, requires a powerful networked entity to perform trust decisions. The existence and availability of such a service in a disaster response scenario cannot be relied upon. In this paper we introduce the autonomous attestation token (AAT), a hardware token for mobile computing devices that is capable of guaranteeing the trusted state of a limited set of devices without relying on a networked service. We propose a Local Attestation protocol with user interaction that in conjunction with the AAT prevents unauthorized access to an emergency mobile agent platform. In addition, we sketch a possible solution which integrates trusted computing to leverage ad hoc networks and peer‐to‐peer systems to provide a robust communication platform. This helps ensuring the security of the next generation of disaster response tools. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic Study of the Formation of Polypyrrole Nanoparticles in Water‐Soluble Polymer/Metal Cation Systems: A Light‐Scattering Analysis
Authors: Hong Jin‐Yong , Yoon Hyeonseok , Jang Jyongsik
Published: February 2010

A facile way to synthesize nanometer‐sized polymer (polypyrrole, PPy) particles is explored on the basis of the formation of complexes between water‐soluble polymers and metal cations in aqueous solution. The metal cation is used as an oxidizing agent to initiate the chemical oxidation polymerization of the corresponding monomer, and the water‐soluble polymer effectively provides a steric stability for the growth of polymer nanoparticles during the polymerization process. Light‐scattering analyses are performed to give insight into the behavior of the complexes in aqueous solution. In addition, major physical parameters affecting the formation of polymer nanoparticles are investigated, including hydrodynamic radius, radius of gyration, shape factor, and viscosity. By judicious control of these parameters, PPy nanoparticles with narrow size distribution can be readily fabricated in large quantities. It is also possible to control the diameter of the nanoparticles by changing critical synthetic variables. Importantly, PPy nanoparticles of ≈ 20–60 nm in diameter can be prepared without using any surfactants or specific templates; this novel strategy offers great possibility for mass production of polymer nanoparticles.
Effect of Milling on the Starch Properties of Winter Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Rakszegi Mariann , Bognár Zoltán , Li Zhongy , Békés Ferenc , Láng László , Bedő Zoltán
Published: February 2010

Fifteen winter wheat varieties (12 hard and 3 soft genotypes) produced in Martonvásár were selected to study the effect of milling on flour starch properties. Differences in protein and starch content, flour yield, water absorption, starch damage, particle size and pasting properties were studied. Significant difference was observed in the starch properties of the different wheat genotypes when milled with different laboratory mills (Chopin CD1, Brabender Junior, FQC‐109). Brabender Junior differed significantly from the other two mills for the properties of starch content, and final viscosity. That was Chopin CD1 which most differed from the other two mills, as it produces flour with the smallest particle size. It also produces flour with the lowest water absorption, and the highest breakdown‐ and lowest trough‐ viscosity parameters. The damage of starch was the smallest for Brabender Junior and the highest for FQC‐109 and they were statistically different. It was concluded that according to the purpose of the processing industry, starch properties can be varified by an appropriate wheat choice, grain preparation and mill‐choice, ‐setup and ‐adjustments.
In Vitro High-Capacity Assay to Quantify the Clonal Heterogeneity in Trilineage Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reveals a Complex Hierarchy of Lineage Commitment
Authors: Russell Katie C. , Phinney Donald G. , Lacey Michelle R. , Barrilleaux Bonnie L. , Meyertholen Kristin E. , O'Connor Kim C.
Published: February 2010

In regenerative medicine, bone marrow is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for a broad range of cellular therapies. This research addresses a basic prerequisite to realize the therapeutic potential of MSCs by developing a novel high-capacity assay to quantify the clonal heterogeneity in potency that is inherent to MSC preparations. The assay utilizes a 96-well format to (1) classify MSCs according to colony-forming efficiency as a measure of proliferation capacity and trilineage potential to exhibit adipo-, chondro-, and osteogenesis as a measure of multipotency and (2) preserve a frozen template of MSC clones of known potency for future use. The heterogeneity in trilineage potential of normal bone marrow MSCs is more complex than previously reported: all eight possible categories of trilineage potential were detected. In this study, the average colony-forming efficiency of MSC preparations was 55–62%, and tripotent MSCs accounted for nearly 50% of the colony-forming cells. The multiple phenotypes detected in this study infer a more convoluted hierarchy of lineage commitment than described in the literature. Greater cell amplification, colony-forming efficiency, and colony diameter for tri- versus unipotent clones suggest that MSC proliferation may be a function of potency. CD146 may be a marker of multipotency, with ∼2-fold difference in mean fluorescence intensity between tri- and unipotent clones. The significance of these findings is discussed in the context of the efficacy of MSC therapies. The in vitro assay described herein will likely have numerous applications given the importance of heterogeneity to the therapeutic potential of MSCs.
A Novel Molecule Integrating Therapeutic and Diagnostic Activities Reveals Multiple Aspects of Stem Cell-based Therapy
Authors: Hingtgen Shawn D. , Kasmieh Randa , van de Water Jeroen , Weissleder Ralph , Shah Khalid
Published: February 2010

Stem cells are promising therapeutic delivery vehicles; however pre-clinical and clinical applications of stem cell-based therapy would benefit significantly from the ability to simultaneously determine therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of therapies delivered by engineered stem cells. In this study, we engineered and screened numerous fusion variants that contained therapeutic (TRAIL) and diagnostic (luciferase) domains designed to allow simultaneous investigation of multiple events in stem cell-based therapy in vivo. When various stem cell lines were engineered with the optimized molecule, SRLOL2TR, diagnostic imaging showed marked differences in the levels and duration of secretion between stem cell lines, while the therapeutic activity of the molecule showed the different secretion levels translated to significant variability in tumor cell killing. In vivo, simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring revealed that stem cell-based delivery significantly improved pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor effectiveness of the therapy compared to intravenous or intratumoral delivery. As treatment for highly malignant brain tumor xenografts, tracking SRLOL2TR showed stable stem cell-mediated delivery significantly regressed peripheral and intracranial tumors. Together, the integrated diagnostic and therapeutic properties of SRLOL2TR answer critical questions necessary for successful utilization of stem cells as novel therapeutic vehicles.
Uterine venous blood flow in normal and complicated pregnancies: a methodological study
Authors: Thuring A. , Laurini R. , Maršál K.
Published: February 2010

Objective

To investigate the possibility of recording Doppler flow signals from the maternal uterine veins (UtVs) during pregnancy and to assess the relationship between UtV signals and other Doppler parameters as well as pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Transabdominal Doppler ultrasound examination of the UtVs on both sides of the uterus was performed in 40 normal and 44 high‐risk singleton pregnancies at 23–39 weeks' gestation. The UtV was identified using color Doppler imaging and the flow velocity signals of the UtV and uterine artery (UtA) were recorded. Morphological examination of the placenta was carried out in 45 of the pregnancies (14 uncomplicated and 31 high‐risk pregnancies).

Results

Flow‐velocity signals of the UtVs were recorded from at least one side of the uterus in all patients (success rate of 81 and 89% for the right and left UtV, respectively). Three types of flow‐velocity pattern were identified: continuous non‐pulsatile flow (Type I, n = 70), pulsatile flow with a notch touching the zero line (Type II, n = 6) and pulsatile flow with absent flow signals for part of the heart cycle (Type III, n = 8). The UtA pulsatility index was significantly higher in women with UtV Types II and III than in those with UtV Type I (P = 0.039). Similarly, UtV Types II and III were more often found in pregnancies with bilateral UtA notching (P = 0.013) and with UtA score 3–4 (P = 0.024) than in those with normal UtA. No statistically significant association was found between the UtV flow pattern and abnormal histopathological findings in the placenta, or between the UtV and umbilical artery findings.

Conclusion

It is possible to record Doppler signals from the UtVs in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Pulsatile flow‐velocity patterns of the UtVs are associated with abnormal UtA Doppler findings. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐channel power‐controlled directional MAC for wireless mesh networks
Authors: Martignon Fabio
Published: February 2010

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) have emerged recently as a technology for providing high‐speed last mile connectivity in next‐generation wireless networks. Several MAC protocols that exploit multiple channels and directional antennas have been proposed in the literature to increase the performance of WMNs. However, while these techniques can improve the wireless medium utilization by reducing radio interference and the impact of the exposed nodes problem, they can also exacerbate the hidden nodes problem. Therefore, efficient MAC protocols need to be carefully designed to fully exploit the features offered by multiple channels and directional antennas.

In this paper we propose a novel Multi‐Channel Power‐Controlled Directional MAC protocol (MPCD‐MAC) for nodes equipped with multiple network interfaces and directional antennas. MPCD‐MAC uses the standard RTS‐CTS‐DATA‐ACK exchange procedure. The novel difference is the transmission of the RTS and CTS packets in all directions on a separate control channel, while the DATA and ACK packets are transmitted only directionally on an available data channel at the minimum required power, taking into account the interference generated on already active connections.

This solution spreads the information on wireless medium reservation (RTS/CTS) to the largest set of neighbors, while data transfers take place directionally on separate channels to increase spatial reuse. Furthermore, power control is used to limit the interference produced over active nodes.

We measure the performance of MPCD‐MAC by simulation of several realistic network scenarios, and we compare it with other approaches proposed in the literature. The results show that our scheme increases considerably both the total traffic accepted by the network and the fairness among competing connections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cultural psychology
Authors: Heine Steven J. , Ruby Matthew B.
Published: February 2010

Humans are a cultural species, constantly navigating a complex web of culturally bound practices, norms, and worldviews. This article provides a brief overview of the relatively young field of cultural psychology, which investigates the many ways psychology and culture interweave with one another. Highlighting the cultural nature of the human species, it draws upon research on cultural evolution, enculturation, and developmental processes. This review further summarizes a number of cultural differences in how people perceive the self, and the behavioral consequences that follow from these differences, in the domains of internal and external attribution styles, motivations for self‐enhancement, approach/avoidance, primary and secondary control, as well as motivations for distinctiveness and conformity. Additionally, the review discusses research on the intersection of culture and emotion, as well as cultural differences in cognition, perception, and reasoning. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Comparative Psychology
Bioconversion of heptanal to heptanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Verma Shikha , Ray Aurobindo Kumar , De Bijay Krishna
Published: February 2010

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely known for its catalytic activity on substrates such as aldehyde and ketone. Interestingly, the activity of S. cerevisiae on heptanal (C6H13CHO), in spite of its being a very common aldehyde, has not been explored. The main objective of this study was therefore to investigate the bioconversion of heptanal, using a strain of the yeast S. cerevisiae. Bioconversion parameters such as incubation period, pH, concentration of substrate, yeast and maltose were also optimized. The study revealed heptanol as the major product. The optimum conditions for biotransformation were found to be: 3 days incubation; pH 7.0; heptanal concentration 0.15 ml/100 ml medium; and S. cerevisiae concentration of 0.15 g/100 ml medium. Reduction in maltose content (to 0.3 g maltose/100 ml medium) showed increased conversion of heptanal. Heptanoic acid and 2‐hydroxyheptanoic acid were obtained as two minor co‐products. The overall study showed that S. cerevisiae converted heptanal to heptanol by a yield of 68.9 ± 1.1% w/w under optimum conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionic Conductivity of Ce3NF6
Authors: Noetzel Gerd , Schweda Eberhard , Wiemhöfer Hans‐Dieter
Published: February 2010

The electrical conductivity of pressed polycrystalline Ce3NF6 pellets was measured using two‐probe measurements with two types of blocking contacts, namely platinum and LaF3, in the temperature range 300–450 K. The cerium nitride fluoride Ce3NF6 was prepared by the direct reaction of CeN and CeF3 at 1170 K. The DC measurements with the two types of blocking contacts proved that the conductivity of Ce3NF6 is mainly ionic due to fluoride ion transport, although the fluoride ion conductivity is much lower than known for the binary CeF3 phase. The analysis of the AC impedance measurements with both types of blocking contacts support the assumption of predominating fluoride ion transport. There was no indication for mobile nitride ions. Two relaxation processes were identified in the impedance spectra giving two maxima of the phase angle. The first one occurred at high frequencies around 200 kHz and was attributed to the bulk conductivity and dielectric response of Ce3NF6. The second relaxation process showed the maximum of the phase angle at medium frequencies in the range 100 Hz to 10 kHz. It was attributed to the impedance of high resistivity contacts between the grains. The transference number of electrons was lower than 0.1. The fluoride ion conductivity at 450 K was 5 × 10–7 S·cm–1 in the bulk and 7 × 10–9 S·cm–1 in the grain boundaries. The corresponding activation energy from the temperature dependence of the conductivity was 0.6 eV with no discernible difference of bulk and grain boundary contribution.
Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Materials: Syntheses, X‐ray Diffraction Study, and Characterisations of Manganese, Cobalt, and Copper Complexes of Modified Bis(phosphonates)
Authors: Kunnas‐Hiltunen Susan , Laurila Elina , Haukka Matti , Vepsäläinen Jouko , Ahlgrén Markku
Published: February 2010

Four new cobalt, manganese, and copper bis(phosphonates), [Co2{Cl2C(PO3)2}(H2O)7·4H2O] (1), [Co{Cl2C(PO2O(C(O)C6H5))2(H2O)5}·2H2O{Cl2C(PO2O(C(O)C6H5))2}{Co(H2O)6}] (2), [Mn{[Cl2C(PO2O(C(O)C6H5))2](H2O)3}] (3), and [Cu{(CH2C5H5N)C(OH)(PO3H)2}2·4H2O] (4), were prepared by gel, liquid, and evaporation crystallisation methods. Compounds 1–4 were characterised by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of metal and various substituted groups in bis(phosphonate) ligands on the structure formation of bis(phosphonates) were studied. In the structure of 1, the clodronic acid ligand (L1) is in bischelating bonding mode, and the dinuclear units of 1 are surrounded by two‐dimensional water cluster patterns. The hydrogen bond network of compound 1 is extended to a three‐dimensional framework when the phosphonate oxygen atoms serve as hydrogen‐bond acceptors. In complex 2, the CoO6 octahedron shares a corner of one PCO3 tetrahedron of the dibenzoyl derivative of clodronic acid ligand (L2), and forms a two‐dimensional hydrogen bonding network, which consists of [Co(H2O)6}]2+ cations, lattice water molecules and L2 ligand molecules. Compound 3, in turn, consists of dimeric building blocks built up of PCO3 tetrahedra of the ligand L2, which connect the corner‐sharing MnO6 octahedra and form an overall 2D structure through hydrogen bonds of coordinated and crystal water molecules and phosphonate oxygen atoms. Complex 4 is among the first metal complexes of risedronic acid (L3). In compound 4, two L3 ligand molecules chelate tridentately the CuII atom at the center of symmetry, and the monomeric units of 4 are connected to a 3D structure through hydrogen bonding of coordinated and lattice water molecules to both protonated and deprotonated phosphonate oxygen atoms and protonated nitrogen atoms in the pyridine ring.
A safer method for studying hormone metabolism in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus): accelerator mass spectrometry
Authors: Yon Lisa , Faulkner Brian , Kanchanapangka Sumolya , Chaiyabutr Narongsak , Meepan Sompast , Lasley Bill
Published: February 2010

Noninvasive hormone assays provide a way to determine an animal's health or reproductive status without the need for physical or chemical restraint, both of which create unnecessary stress for the animal, and can potentially alter the hormones being measured. Because hormone metabolism is highly species‐specific, each assay must be validated for use in the species of interest. Validation of noninvasive steroid hormone assays has traditionally required the administration of relatively high doses of radiolabelled compounds (100 µCi or more of 14C labeled hormone) to permit subsequent detection of the excreted metabolites in the urine and feces. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is sensitive to extremely low levels of rare isotopes such as 14C, and provides a way to validate hormone assays using much lower levels of radioactivity than those traditionally employed. A captive Asian bull elephant was given 1 µCi of 14C‐testosterone intravenously, and an opportunistic urine sample was collected 2 hr after the injection. The sample was separated by HPLC and the 14C in the fractions was detected by AMS to characterize the metabolites present in the urine. A previously established HPLC protocol was used, which permitted the identification of fractions into which testosterone sulfate, testosterone glucuronide, and the parent compound testosterone elute. Results from this study indicate that the majority of testosterone excreted in the urine of the Asian bull elephant is in the form of testosterone sulfate. A small amount of testosterone glucuronide is also excreted, but there is no parent compound present in the urine at all. These results underscore the need for enzymatic hydrolysis to prepare urine samples for hormone assay measurement. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of proper hormone assay validation in order to ensure accurate measurement of the desired hormone. Although this study demonstrated the utility of AMS for safer validation of noninvasive hormone assays in nondomestic species, this methodology could also be applied to studies of nutrient metabolism and drug pharmakokinetics, both areas in great need of further study in wildlife species. Zoo Biol 29:760–766, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictor for Histological Microvascular Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Lesson from 229 Consecutive Cases of Curative Liver Resection
Authors: Eguchi Susumu , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Hidaka Masaaki , Soyama Akihiko , Tomonaga Tetsuo , Muraoka Izumi , Kanematsu Takashi
Published: February 2010

Background

Microscopic vascular invasion is an important risk factor for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even after curative liver resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. To predict microscopic portal venous invasion, the following two questions were examined retrospectively: Is it possible to detect microvascular invasion preoperatively? What are the characteristics of a group of early HCC recurrences even with no microvascular invasion?

Methods

Study 1 included 229 patients with HCC who underwent curative liver resection between 1991 and 2008; 127 had HCC without microscopic portal venous invasion, and 52 had HCC with microscopic portal venous invasion (MPVI). These two distinct groups were analyzed with regard to various clinicopathologic factors. Subsequently, we specifically investigated if HCCs <5 cm with vascular invasion (n = 32) have some characteristics that would allow detection of latent microvascular invasion. Study 2 included 127 HCC patients without MVPI; 42 had a recurrence within 2 years, and 85 patients were recurrence‐free for at least 2 years. These two distinct groups were analyzed with regard to various clinicopathologic factors.

Results

HCC diameter of >5 cm, the macroscopic appearance of HCC, and high levels of preoperative des‐γ‐carboxyprothrombin are significant prognostic factors in identifying microvascular invasion of HCC. The strongest predictor of early recurrence (within 2 years) was the serum α‐fetoprotein level in patients without clear microvascular invasion.

Conclusions

Tumor size, macroscopic appearance, and high tumor marker levels are important elements in identifying the group of patients with a low HCC recurrence rate after curative liver resection.
Trauma Evaluation of Patients with Chest Injury in the 2008 Earthquake of Wenchuan, Sechuan, China
Authors: Hu Yang , Tang Yun , Yuan Yong , Xie Tian‐Peng , Zhao Yong‐Fan
Published: February 2010

Background

The purpose of the present study was twofold: to summarize the characteristics of trauma patients with thoracic injury in the 2008 earthquake of Wenchuan, Sichuan, China, and to validate the accuracy of the Injury Severity Score (ISS), the New Injury Severity Score (NISS), and the Chest Injury Index (CII) in prediction of respiratory failure.

Methods

A group of 1,823 patients injured in the earthquake of Wenchuan were transferred to West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between May 12 and May 27, 2008. Of these 1,823 patients, 184 (10.1%) had suffered chest injury. They were enrolled in this cohort study. The risk factors of respiratory failure were analyzed with unconditional Logistic Regression. The predictive accuracies of ISS, NISS, and CII were compared with Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Of the group of patients with chest injuries, 156 (84.78%) had suffered injury to more than one organ, and 38 developed respiratory failure, for an incidence of 20.65%. The duration of mechanical ventilation ranged from 3 to 72 days (mean: 18.82 ± 15.94 days). The occurrence of flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and crush syndrome was shown to be the risk factor for respiratory failure. There are statistical differences in area under the ROC curve between NISS and the other two trauma scores in prediction of respiratory failure. The best cut‐off point of NISS is 24, with a sensitivity of 94.74% and specificity of 79.45%.

Conclusions

Chest injury in earthquake is often accompanied with multiple injuries. The incidence of respiratory failure is high. The NISS can accurately predict the development of respiratory failure in chest injury patients. We recommend that NISS should be considered as a useful tool for trauma evaluation.
Grounded Theory in Genetic Counseling Research: An Interpretive Perspective
Authors: Grubs Robin E. , Piantanida Maria
Published: February 2010

As qualitative inquiry has gained wider acceptance in genetic counseling research, it has become increasingly important for researchers and those who evaluate their work to recognize the diversity of methods that fall under this broad umbrella. Some of these methods adhere to the traditional conventions of scientific research (e.g., objectivity, reliability, validity, replicability, causality and generalizability). When such studies are evaluated by reviewers who are well versed in scientific methods, the rigor of the study may be readily apparent. However, when researchers are using methods that do not conform to traditional scientific conventions, the distinction between well conducted and poorly conducted studies may become more difficult to discern. This article focuses on grounded theory because it is a widely used qualitative method. We highlight key components of this method in order to contrast conventions that fall within a scientific paradigm to those that fall within an interpretivist paradigm. The intent is to illustrate how the conventions within these two different paradigms yield different types of knowledge claims—both of which can advance genetic counseling theory and practice.
Detection of Corn Oil in Adulterated Sesame Oil by Chromatography and Carbon Isotope Analysis
Authors: Seo Hye‐Young , Ha Jaeho , Shin Dong‐Bin , Shim Sung‐Lye , No Ki‐Mi , Kim Kyong‐Su , Lee Kang‐Bong , Han Sang‐Bae
Published: February 2010

Abstracts

This study was performed to the development of methods for the identification and detection of corn oil in adulterated sesame oil. The fatty acids composition and carbon isotope ratio of authentic sesame oil and adulterated sesame oil with corn oil were studied by using GC‐FID and IRMS. The content of palmitic (P), linoleic (L), and linolenic (Ln) acids increased gradually as the mixed rate of corn oil was increased, whereas the content of stearic (S) and oleic (O) acids decreased. On increasing the mixing ratio of corn oil, the stearic acid contents and the (L × L)/O ratio showed significant differences between authentic and adulterated sesame oils (p < 0.05). The δ13C‰ value for authentic sesame oil and corn oil fell into the range of −27.68 to −29.26‰ and −16.51 to −17.27‰. The adulterant had more carbon‐13 compared with those of authentic sesame oil and the δ13C‰ value was increased linearly (r2 = 0.996). Therefore, the combination of the stearic acid% (<4.8%), (L × L)/O ratio (>56.1) and the carbon isotope ratio (> −27.0‰) turned out to be a good tool for detecting the adulteration of sesame oil with the cheaper corn oil, up to the 10% level.
Vitrification of canine cumulus–oocyte complexes in DAP213 with a cryotop holder
Authors: Abe Yasuyuki , Asano Tomoyoshi , Ali Mohammed , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The effects of the cryoprotectant and the container (holder) used for the vitrification of canine germinal vesicle stage oocytes were examined to improve the cryopreservation method for canine oocytes and embryos.

Methods

Canine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovaries, and were vitrified with E30S (30% ethylene glycol and 0.5 M sucrose) or DAP213 (2 M dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 M acetamide, and 3 M propylene glycol) solution held by a cryotube or cryotop sheets. After warming, the oocytes were stained with propidium iodide for the assessment of their plasma membrane integrity.

Results

In all the vitrification groups, more than 65% of the vitrified oocytes displayed a normal morphology (E30S‐top, 65.6%; DAP‐tube, 67.3%; DAP‐top, 80.0%). However, when assessed by propidium iodide staining, the viability of oocytes in the DAP‐top group (43.6%) was higher than that in the E30S‐top group (21.3%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the viability of the oocytes in the DAP‐top group (43.6%) was higher than that in the DAP‐tube group (4.1%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that a combination of DAP213 as the cryoprotectant and a cryotop sheet as the holder improved viability after the vitrification of canine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage.
Shakespeare's Rome
Authors: Miola Robert S.
Published: February 2010

This book studies Shakespeare's changing vision of Rome in the six works where the city serves as a setting. Unlike other scholars treatment, the subject Dr Miola offers a coherent analysis of all the major appearances of Rome in the Shakespeare canon. Shakespeare's recurrent and varied treatment of Rome suggests that a close examination of the city's transformations can teach us much about his development as a playwright and the development of his dramatic vision. The book focuses on Shakespeare's changing conception of the Roman city, its people, and its ideals. Dr Miola examines the symbolic and topographical features that help define the city.
Religion, Politics and Preferment in France since 1890
Authors: Larkin Maurice
Published: February 2010

This book investigates the problems that committed Catholics allegedly faced if they sought careers in state employment under the Third French Republic. Using ministerial and Masonic archives, the book explores the broad divergence of practice between individual ministries and between particular governments. It also examines the factors that underlay these discriminatory attitudes - notably the claims of Catholic involvement in the right-wing subversive activities of the late 1890s at the time of the Dreyfus affair. It investigates the increased difficulties that French Catholics faced after the change of pope in 1903. Later chapters explore the degree to which wariness towards committed Catholics in the public services evaporated under later regimes - despite the traumas of the Vichy years.
France and Islam in West Africa, 1860–1960
Authors: Harrison Christopher
Published: February 2010

This book is a major contribution to the social, political and intellectual history of the largest colonial state in Africa, the French West African Federation. By focusing on the specific subject of the development of French policy towards Islam, it sheds light on a wide range of issues, from the grand strategy of French imperialism to the psychology of individual administrators in isolated outposts of the empire. Christopher Harrison argues that in order to make sense of colonial rule, it is vitally important to understand the way in which the colonial power thought about the people it governed. He demonstrates how French understanding of Islam in West Africa evolved from the short-term, and often contradictory, policies associated with the period of military expansion, through a period of intense suspicion and fear of pan-Islamic movements, to a widely-held consensus that Islam in Africa was quite distinct from the Islam of the Arab world.
Poetics of the Feminine
Authors: Kinnahan Linda A.
Published: February 2010

This book examines the early work of William Carlos Williams in relationship to a woman's tradition of American poetry, as represented by Mina Loy, Denise Levertov and Kathleen Fraser - three generations of women poets working in or directly from a modernist tradition. Linda Kinnahan traces notions of the feminine and the maternal that develop as Williams seeks to create a modern poetics. The impact of first-wave American feminism is examined through an extended analysis of Mina Loy's poetry as a source of a feminist modernism for Williams. Levertov and Fraser are discussed as poetic daughters of Williams who strive to define their voices as women and to reclaim an enabling poetic tradition. In the process, each woman's negotiations with poetic authority and tradition call into question the relationship of poetic father and daughter. Positioning Williams in relation to these three generations of Anglo-American writing within and descending from the modernist movement, the book pursues two questions: what can women poets, writing with an informed awareness of Williams teach us about his modernist poetics of contact, and just as importantly, what can they teach us about the process, for women, of constructing a writing self within a male-dominated tradition?
The Vegetative State
Authors: Jennett Bryan
Published: February 2010

The strange and harrowing sight of a person being awake but unaware with no evidence of a working mind - the characteristics of the vegetative state - provokes intense debate and raises profound questions for health professionals, ethicists, philosophers and lawyers. This unique account by an unrivalled expert in the field, who himself collaborated in coining the term 'persistent vegetative state', surveys the medical, ethical and legal issues that surround this controversial topic. The medical definition and criteria for diagnosis are discussed, as are its frequency and causes, and possible outcomes. Ethical arguments discussed include the conflict between sanctity of life and respect for the autonomy and best interests of the victim, and between killing and letting die. Legal issues are explored with details of landmark court cases from the USA, Britain and elsewhere. This well-informed and carefully constructed account will be a benchmark for medical specialists, ethicists, lawyers and philosophers.
The Wealth of Nations Rediscovered
Authors: Wright Robert E.
Published: February 2010

In The Wealth of Nations Rediscovered: Integration and Expansion in American Financial Markets, 1780–1850, Robert E. Wright portrays the development of a modern financial sector - with a central bank, a national monetary system, and efficient capital markets - as the driving force behind America's economic transition from agricultural colony to industrial juggernaut. This study applies the economic theory of information asymmetry to our understandings of early US financial development, expanding on scholarship of finance-led economic growth. The book's research is original, incorporating little-used archival material and data on early US securities prices, trading volumes, and stockholder patterns. The topics covered - securities trading, market liquidity, intermediation, banking reform, emerging market success, and foreign investment - are relevant to discussions in today's business community. Drawing from and building upon Adam Smith's lesser-known insights into financial relationships, The Wealth of Nations Rediscovered positions itself on the cusp of emerging paradigm shifts in history and economics.
The 2005 Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements
Authors: Brand Ronald A. , Herrup Paul
Published: February 2010

The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements was concluded on June 30, 2005, and promises to become an important instrument in judicial relations throughout the world, making choice of forum clauses both more likely to be honored and more likely to lead to judgments that will be recognized and enforced around the globe. The Convention, and the proposed treatise, will serve as an indispensable source for both transactions lawyers drafting the transnational commercial contracts of the future and for litigators involved in the resolution of disputes between parties to important transnational commercial transactions.
The Poetics of Personification
Authors: Paxson James J.
Published: February 2010

Literary personification has long been taken for granted as an important aspect of Western narrative; Paul de Man has given it still greater prominence as 'the master trope of poetic discourse'. James Paxson here offers a much-needed critical and theoretical appraisal of personification in the light of poststructuralist thought and theory. The poetics of personification provides a historical reassessment of early theories, together with a sustained account of how literary personification works through an examination of narratological and semiotic codes and structures in the allegorical texts of Prudentius, Chaucer, Langland and Spenser. The device turns out to be anything but an aberration, oddity or barbarism, from ancient, medieval or early modern literature. Rather, it works as a complex artistic tool for revealing and advertising the problems and limits inherent in narration in particular and poetic or verbal creation in general.
T. S. Eliot: The Poems
Authors: Scofield Martin
Published: February 2010

This book is designed to provide a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to T. S. Eliot's poetry for those reading and studying it. The poems, as well as some of the poetic drama (particularly Sweeney Agonistes) and relevant sections of the prose criticism, are discussed in detail and placed in relation to the development of Eliot's œuvre, and more briefly to his life and a wider context of philosophical and religious enquiry. In sections devoted to each major poem or group of poems, Martin Scofield examines Eliot's techniques of personae or masks; his use of musical effects; the tension between fragmentation and cohesion in The Waste Land and other verse; the place in his work of symbolism and imagism, as well as less explored elements such as surrealism and comedy; the relevance to his poetry of concepts worked out in his critical writing; and the criticism of his 'poetic workshop', those essays on other poets which he saw as part of the development of his own verse. One recurring theme in the study is the poetic treatment of the relationship (often conflict) between experience in life and experience in art; another is the relation between Eliot's beliefs and his poetry, and between poetry and belief in general. Eliot in his finest poems is seen above all as a poet of what he called 'the first voice', 'oppressed by the burden which he must bring to birth'. The book concludes with a detailed and helpful study of Four Quartets: here as elsewhere Martin Scofield is concerned to look first of all at the texture of the verse and the qualities of the poetic 'surface', while clarifying obscurities and explaining allusions where appropriate. Both students and general readers will find his book informative and his commitment to the poetry infectious.
Political Domination in Africa
Authors: Chabal Patrick
Published: February 2010

This collection of essays brings together historians and political scientists from Britain, France and the United States, who, from widely differing perspectives and traditions, have been involved in the process of rethinking African politics. They present here the outline of a new approach, grounded in universal political theory rather than on theories of Third World political development. This seeks to integrate the history of Africa (from pre- to post-colonial) with concepts of political theory as they have been applied historically to the analysis of Europe and America. The book addresses a wide audience: students of African history and politics, of Third World development and of political theory.
Perspectives on Technology
Authors: Rosenberg Nathan
Published: February 2010

Perspectives on Technology consists of papers written by Nathan Rosenberg over a ten-year period, from the early 1960s to the early 1970s. Their origin was in Professor Rosenberg's interest in long-term economic growth processes and, especially, in the behaviour of industrializing societies. The form and direction which this book has taken reflect two basic influences: (1) a growing awareness of the centrality of technological phenomena in generating economic growth, and (2) a growing sense that, in spite of the basic and genuine insights into technological phenomena provided by the neo-classical economics, a deeper and richer understanding of the phenomena can only be achieved by a willingness to step outside the limited intellectual boundaries of this mode of reasoning.
An Introduction to Millikelvin Technology
Authors: Betts David S.
Published: February 2010

This book is a concise introduction to the experimental technicalities of low and ultralow temperature physics research. The author has made extensive use of diagrams as aids to understanding, and refers the reader to the professional literature at appropriate points in the text. The book begins with an introduction to the thermodynamic principles of refrigeration and thermometry. It covers the properties of fluid 3He/3He mixtures and the most important practical means of achieving low temperatures, including dilution and Pomeranchuk refrigeration and adiabatic nuclear demagnetisation. The basic introduction to the subject will be of value to postgraduate students beginning research in low temperature physics, and to seasoned researchers moving into the field. It could also be used by advanced undergraduates taking low temperature physics courses.
Designing Conservation Projects
Authors: Caldecott Julian , Janzen Daniel H.
Published: February 2010

What are the challenges involved in protecting biodiversity in tropical terrestrial and coastal ecosystems? What practical lessons can be learned from conservation projects? And what are the procedures and attitudes of governments, NGOs, donor agencies, development banks and consulting firms? These key questions are all answered, drawing on the author's extensive experience of conservation projects in Malaysia, Nigeria, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Costa Rica. Project descriptions illustrate two important themes in conservation: increasing the awareness of the economic value of biodiversity among decision makers and enabling and encouraging local people to participate in designing and implementing projects. The book sets out guidelines to help others design projects that are practical and effective, yet more complete and more robust than some of those designed in the recent past.
Theory of Societal Constitutionalism
Authors: Sciulli David
Published: February 2010

Sciulli argues that the existing conceptual frameworks of political and social theory restrict both theorists and empirical researchers to a narrow definition of authoritarianism. This 1992 book focuses on government structure and fails to take account of forms of social control exercised outside the governmental sphere. Rather than define authoritarianism primarily by contrast to liberal democracy, Sciulli argues, we need to broaden our conception of authoritarianism to include 'social authoritarianism', referring to social control imposed by private organizations and institutions. Sciulli develops an alternative conceptual framework, which he calls the theory of societal constitutionalism. He explains how the theory can be used to assess whether social order in a society, whether democratic or authoritarian in political rule, is characterized by some degree of social authoritarianism. The book will be important reading for theorists in sociology, political science and legal studies.