bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality of acute mesenteric ischemia remains unchanged despite significant increase in utilization of endovascular techniques
Authors: Eslami Mohammad H , Rybin Denis , Doros Gheorghe , McPhee James T , Farber Alik
Published: March 2015

Introduction

In this study, we evaluated if increase in utilization of endovascular surgery has affected in-hospital mortality rates among patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample (2003–2011) was queried for acute mesenteric ischemia using ICD-9 code for acute mesenteric ischemia (557.1). This cohort was divided into patients treated with open vascular surgery (open vascular group) and by endovascular therapies (endovascular group) based on the ICD-9CM procedure codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine temporal trend for mortality while adjusting for confounding variables.

Results

There was 1.45-fold increase in utilization of endovascular techniques in this study. In-hospital mortality rate, total median charges and length of stay were significantly lower among the endovascular group than the open vascular group despite having significantly higher Elixhauser comorbidities index (3 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1, p = .003). Over the course of the study period, there was no change in the overall mortality rate despite higher endovascular utilization. Factors associated with increased mortality included age, open surgical repair (Odds ratio: 1.45, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.10–1.91, p = .016) and bowel resection Odds ratio: 2.88, 95% Confidence Interval: 2.01–4.12).

Conclusion

The mortality rate for acute mesenteric ischemia remains unchanged throughout this contemporary study. Open surgical intervention, bowel resection and age were associated with increased mortality. Endovascular group patients had better survival despite higher morbidity indices.
Investigation of two week wait referred haematuria patients in the UK: A national survey
Authors: Hughes Kaylie E , Drake Tamsin , Hamm Rebecca
Published: March 2015

Aim:

To analyse current UK practice for investigation of patients with visible haematuria (VH) or non-visible haematuria (NVH) who meet referral criteria according to National Institute of Clinical Excellence referral guidelines for suspected cancer.

Patients and methods:

Questionnaires were sent to 131 trusts. Data collected included demographics, conformity with NICE improving outcomes in urological cancer guidelines, standard first line investigations into VH and NVH and criteria for second line investigations.

Results:

Seventy-two trusts (55%) responded from 15 deaneries including 48 cancer centres. Almost two-thirds (63.9%) provide a one-stop service. First line investigations into VH varied considerably: 82% of trusts undertake urine tests (cytology 43.0%); three-quarters perform blood tests (prostate-specific antigen 54.2%); all conduct varying radiological imaging of the upper tracts; 95.8% of patients had flexible cystoscopy. Forty per cent of trusts’ first line investigations differ for NVH. Triple phase computed tomography-urogram is not routinely undertaken. Of the trusts, 55.5% perform second line investigations for VH and 55.5% for recurrent VH including computed tomography-urogram or retrograde studies; 20.5% perform non-contrast helical computed tomography scan of the kidneys, ureters and bladder or urine cytology for NVH if the history is indicative.

Conclusion:

Across trusts, there are wide variations in the regimes for investigation of haematuria. Development of an evidence based guideline to standardise practice across the National Health Service for haematuria referrals is required to abolish the postcode lottery system.
I-STOP/PMP: A tool for monitoring prescription drug abuse in patients with chronic pain syndromes
Authors: Bahlani Sonia , Mehta Sandeep , King Alexandra , Moldwin Robert
Published: March 2015

Background:

Patients with chronic pain syndromes often require analgesics and muscle relaxants for symptom management. Unfortunately, many of these agents have abuse potential, and specific concerns have been raised with regard to drug-seeking behaviours that involve multiple clinicians dispensing similar, if not identical, agents. The Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) is a newly implemented law targeted at monitoring the abuse and diversion of controlled substances in New York State. The purpose of this study is to describe the use and the potential for abuse of agents commonly used in the treatment of a variety of urological pelvic pain patients.

Materials and methods:

Clinical data from 397 patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), and pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) were identified through medical record review over a consecutive 6-month period. These names were entered into the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) database to which all prescribers have access. I-STOP monitors prescription use over a prior 6-month interval from the date of access. Categoric data were compared with Fisher’s exact test and the chi-square test. Kaplan–Meier product limit curves were stratified by group and compared using the log-rank test.

Results:

In total, 397 patients with IC/BPS, CP/CPPS, and PFD were included; 14 patients (3.5%) had been prescribed duplicate medications by more than one practitioner. Of those patients who received duplicate prescriptions, 4 of 14 (29%) were for benzodiazepines, and 10 of 14 (71%) of duplicate medications prescribed were opioids.

Conclusions:

The implementation of the I-STOP/PMP registry provides an innovative way for practitioners to monitor prescribed controlled substances while allowing patients to receive necessary medications for symptom control.
“Death Is Part of the Job” in Long-Term Care Homes
Authors: Marcella Jill , Kelley Mary Lou
Published: March 2015

For long-term care (LTC) home staff who work directly with residents, death, dying, and grief are day-to-day experiences in their working life. However, staff are often overlooked for grief and bereavement support. This exploratory research used a qualitative approach to understand LTC staff’s grief and bereavement experience and to identify the perceived support needs of nurses and personal support workers who work in two faith-based non-profit care homes in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Findings indicated that participants’ experiences are complex, shaped by the emotional impact of each loss, the cumulative burden of ongoing grief, an organizational culture in LTC where death is hidden, and the lack of organizational attention to staffs’ support and education needs. Eight recommendations were developed from the findings. It is hoped that this research will assist in the development of organizational policy and procedures, addressing the health and well-being of direct care workers in LTC homes.
Racial Representation in Physical Education Textbooks for Secondary Schools
Authors: Táboas-Pais María Inés , Rey-Cao Ana
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this article is to examine the representation of race through images that are published in Spanish physical education textbooks for secondary schools and to offer an insight into students’ beliefs related to racial stereotypes in physical education. The sample was composed of 2,583 images and 87 secondary school pupils. The analysis was carried out through the elaboration of an ad hoc coding scheme. The results showed that people whose appearance is similar to the in-group predominate. The kind of physical activity, the field, space, and level of competence vary according to race. The textbooks analyzed in this study engender a stigmatized vision of racial diversity, and the images reproduce and reinforce racial prejudice.
Making sense of hematopoietic stem cell niches
Authors: Boulais Philip E. , Frenette Paul S.
Published: March 2015

The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche commonly refers to the pairing of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cell populations that regulate HSC self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation. Anatomic localization of the niche is a dynamic unit from the developmental stage that allows proliferating HSCs to expand before they reach the bone marrow where they adopt a quiescent phenotype that protects their integrity and functions. Recent studies have sought to clarify the complexity behind the HSC niche by assessing the contributions of specific cell populations to HSC maintenance. In particular, perivascular microenvironments in the bone marrow confer distinct vascular niches that regulate HSC quiescence and the supply of lineage-committed progenitors. Here, we review recent data on the cellular constituents and molecular mechanisms involved in the communication between HSCs and putative niches.
Doubling survival and improving clinical outcomes using a left ventricular assist device instead of chest compressions for resuscitation after prolonged cardiac arrest: a large animal study
Authors: Derwall Matthias , Brücken Anne , Bleilevens Christian , Ebeling Andreas , Föhr Philipp , Rossaint Rolf , Kern Karl B , Nix Christoph , Fries Michael
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Despite improvements in pre-hospital and post-arrest critical care, sudden cardiac arrest (CA) remains one of the leading causes of death. Improving circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may improve survival rates and long-term clinical outcomes after CA.

Methods

In a porcine model, we compared standard CPR (sCPR; n =10) with CPR using an intravascular cardiac assist device without additional chest compressions (iCPR; n =10) following 10 minutes of electrically induced ventricular fibrillation (VF). In a separate crossover experiment, 10 additional pigs were subjected to 10 minutes of VF and 6 minutes of sCPR; the iCPR device was then implanted if a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was not achieved using sCPR. Animals were evaluated in respect to intra- and post-arrest hemodynamics, survival, functional outcome and cerebral and myocardial lesions following CPR. We hypothesized that iCPR would result in more frequent ROSC and better functional recovery than sCPR.

Results

iCPR produced a mean flow of 1.36 ± 0.02 L/min, leading to significantly higher coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) values during the early period of CPR (22 ± 10 mmHg vs. 9 ± 5 mmHg, P ≤0.01, 1 minute after start of CPR; 20 ± 11 mmHg vs. 10 ± 7 mmHg, P =0.03, 2 minutes after start of CPR), resulting in high ROSC rates (100% in iCPR vs. 50% in sCPR animals; P =0.03). iCPR animals showed significantly lower serum S100 levels at 10 and 30 minutes following ROSC (3.5 ± 0.6 ng/ml vs. 7.4 ± 3.0 ng/ml 30 minutes after ROSC; P ≤0.01), as well as superior clinical outcomes based on overall performance categories (2.9 ± 1.0 vs. 4.6 ± 0.8 on day 1; P ≤0.01). In crossover experiments, 80% of animals required treatment with iCPR after failed sCPR. Notably, ROSC was still achieved in six of the remaining eight animals (75%) after a total of 22.8 ± 5.1 minutes of ischemia.

Conclusions

In a model of prolonged cardiac arrest, the use of iCPR instead of sCPR improved CPP and doubled ROSC rates, translating into improved clinical outcomes.
Lobular breast cancer: incidence and genetic and non-genetic risk factors
Authors: Dossus Laure , Benusiglio Patrick R
Published: March 2015

While most invasive breast cancers consist of carcinomas of the ductal type, about 10% are invasive lobular carcinomas. Invasive lobular and ductal carcinomas differ with respect to risk factors. Invasive lobular carcinoma is more strongly associated with exposure to female hormones, and therefore its incidence is more subject to variation. This is illustrated by US figures during the 1987 to 2004 period: after 12 years of increases, breast cancer incidence declined steadily from 1999 to 2004, reflecting among other causes the decreasing use of menopausal hormone therapy, and these variations were stronger for invasive lobular than for invasive ductal carcinoma. Similarly, invasive lobular carcinoma is more strongly associated with early menarche, late menopause and late age at first birth. As for genetic risk factors, four high-penetrance genes are tested in clinical practice when genetic susceptibility to breast cancer is suspected, BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and CDH1. Germline mutations in BRCA1 and TP53 are predominantly associated with invasive ductal carcinoma, while BRCA2 mutations are associated with both ductal and lobular cancers. CDH1, the gene coding for the E-cadherin adhesion protein, is of special interest as mutations are associated with invasive lobular carcinoma, but never with ductal carcinoma. It was initially known as the main susceptibility gene for gastric cancer of the diffuse type, but the excess of breast cancers of the lobular type in CDH1 families led researchers to identify it also as a susceptibility gene for invasive lobular carcinoma. The risk of invasive lobular carcinoma is high in female mutation carriers, as about 50% are expected to develop the disease. Carriers must therefore undergo intensive breast cancer screening, with, for example, yearly magnetic resonance imaging and mammogram starting at age 30 years.
CD27-IgD- memory B cells are modulated by in vivo interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blockade in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mahmood Zafar , Muhammad Khalid , Schmalzing Marc , Roll Petra , Dörner Thomas , Tony Hans-Peter
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Enhanced B cell activity, particularly memory B cells have gained interest in evaluating response during therapies with biologics. CD27-IgD- double-negative (DN) B cells lacking the conventional memory marker CD27 are reported to be part of the memory compartment, however, only scarce data is available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We therefore focused on DN B cells in RA, studied their isotypes and modulation during interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) inhibition by tocilizumab (TCZ).

Methods

DN B cells were phenotypically analyzed from 40 RA patients during TCZ at baseline week 12, week 24 and 1 year. A single B cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach was used to study Ig receptors, VH gene rearrangements and specific isotypes.

Results

Phenotypic analysis showed a significantly expanded population of DN B cells in RA which contain a heterogeneous mixture of IgG-, IgA- and IgM-expressing cells with a clear dominance of IgG+ cells. DN B cells carry rearranged heavy chain gene sequences with a diversified mutational pattern consistent with memory B cells. In contrast to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibition, a significant reduction in mutational frequency of BCR gene rearrangements at week 12, 24 and 1 year (P <0.0001) was observed by in vivo IL-6R inhibition. These changes were observed for all BCR isotypes IgG, IgA and IgM at week 12, 24 and 1 year (P <0.0001). IgA-RF, IgA serum level and IgA+ DN B cells decreased significantly (P <0.05) at week 12 and week 24 during TCZ. Patients with a good European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response to TCZ had less DN B cells at baseline as compared to moderate responders (P = 0.006). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of DN B cells at baseline is inversely correlated to a subsequent good EULAR response (P = 0.024) with an odds ratio of 1.48 (95% confidence interval as 1.05 to 2.06).

Conclusions

In RA, the heterogeneous DN B cell compartment is expanded and dominated by IgG isotype. TCZ can modulate the mutational status of DN Ig isotype receptors over 1 year. Interestingly, the frequency of DN B cells in RA may serve as a baseline predictor of subsequent EULAR response to TCZ.
Role of whole bone marrow, whole bone marrow cultured cells, and mesenchymal stem cells in chronic wound healing
Authors: Rodriguez-Menocal Luis , Shareef Shahjahan , Salgado Marcela , Shabbir Arsalan , Van Badiavas Evangelos
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Recent evidence has shown that bone marrow cells play critical roles during the inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases of cutaneous wound healing. Among the bone marrow cells delivered to wounds are stem cells, which can differentiate into multiple tissue-forming cell lineages to effect, healing. Gaining insight into which lineages are most important in accelerating wound healing would be quite valuable in designing therapeutic approaches for difficult to heal wounds.

Methods

In this report we compared the effect of different bone marrow preparations on established in vitro wound healing assays. The preparations examined were whole bone marrow (WBM), whole bone marrow (long term initiating/hematopoietic based) cultured cells (BMC), and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC). We also applied these bone marrow preparations in two murine models of radiation induced delayed wound healing to determine which had a greater effect on healing.

Results

Angiogenesis assays demonstrated that tube formation was stimulated by both WBM and BMC, with WBM having the greatest effect. Scratch wound assays showed higher fibroblast migration at 24, 48, and 72 hours in presence of WBM as compared to BM-MSC. WBM also appeared to stimulate a greater healing response than BMC and BM-MSC in a radiation induced delayed wound healing animal model.

Conclusions

These studies promise to help elucidate the role of stem cells during repair of chronic wounds and reveal which cells present in bone marrow might contribute most to the wound healing process.
The flavonoid profile of pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan: a review
Authors: Nix Aaron , Paull Cate A , Colgrave Michelle
Published: March 2015

Background

Pigeonpea is ranked as the sixth largest grain legume produced by volume and as such is a major global food crop for livestock and human consumption. We show that pigeonpea contains a number of flavonoids and report their distribution and concentration within different parts of the plant.

Findings

There are a total of 27 flavonoids reported in the literature representing seven flavonoid classes. We found no published evidence of flavanols (catechins/flavan-3-ols) or aurones reported from pigeonpea, nor any study of the flavonoids from pigeonpea flowers.

Conclusions

Despite over 40 years of research in to various aspects of pigeonpea we identified research gaps related to the phytochemical properties of pigeonpea. We explain how addressing these gaps could help to realise the full potential of pigeonpea in agricultural production.
Biogas production experimental research using algae
Authors: Baltrėnas Pranas , Misevičius Antonas
Published: March 2015

The current study is on the the use of macro-algae as feedstock for biogas production. Three types of macro-algae, Cladophora glomerata (CG), Chara fragilis (CF), and Spirogyra neglecta (SN), were chosen for this research. The experimental studies on biogas production were carried out with these algae in a batch bioreactor. In the bioreactor was maintained 35 ± 1°C temperature. The results showed that the most appropriate macro-algae for biogas production are Spirogyra neglecta (SN) and Cladophora glomerata (CG). The average amount of biogas obtained from the processing of SN – 0.23 m3/m3d, CG – 0.20 m3/m3d, and CF – 0.12 m3/m3d. Considering the concentration of methane obtained during the processing of SN and CG, which after eight days and until the end of the experiment exceeded 60%, it can be claimed that biogas produced using these algae is valuable. When processing CF, the concentration of methane reached the level of 50% only by the final day of the experiment, which indicates that this alga is less suitable for biogas production.
Estimation of slip rate and fault displacement during shallow earthquake rupture in the Nankai subduction zone
Authors: Hamada Yohei , Sakaguchi Arito , Tanikawa Wataru , Yamaguchi Asuka , Kameda Jun , Kimura Gaku
Published: March 2015

Enormous earthquakes repeatedly occur in subduction zones, and the slips along megathrusts, in particular those propagating to the toe of the forearc wedge, generate ruinous tsunamis. Quantitative evaluation of slip parameters (i.e., slip velocity, rise time and slip distance) of past slip events at shallow, tsunamigenic part of the fault is critical to characterize such earthquakes. Here, we attempt to quantify these parameters of slips that may have occurred along the shallow megasplay fault and the plate boundary décollement in the Nankai Trough, off southwest Japan. We apply a kinetic modeling to vitrinite reflectance profiles on the two fault rock samples obtained from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). This approach constitutes two calculation procedures: heat generation and numerical profile fitting of vitrinite reflectance data. For the purpose of obtaining optimal slip parameters, residue calculation is implemented to estimate fitting accuracy. As the result, the measured distribution of vitrinite reflectance is reasonably fitted with heat generation rate

$$ \left(\dot{Q}\right) $$

Q
˙

and slip duration (t

r
) of 16,600 J/s/m2 and 6,250 s, respectively, for the megasplay and 23,200 J/s/m2 and 2,350 s, respectively, for the frontal décollement, implying slow and long-term slips. The estimated slip parameters are then compared with previous reports. The maximum temperature, Tmax, for the Nankai megasplay fault is consistent with the temperature constraint suggested by a previous work. Slow slip velocity, long-term rise time, and large displacement are recognized in these fault zones (both of the megasplay, the frontal décollement). These parameters are longer and slower than typical coseismic slip, but are rather consistent with rapid afterslip.
Percutaneous Native Renal Biopsy Adequacy: A Successful Interdepartmental Quality Improvement Activity
Authors: Geldenhuys Laurette , Nicholson Peter , Sinha Namita , Dini Angela , Doucette Steve , Alfaadhel Talal , Keough Valerie , West Michael
Published: March 2015

Background:

An adequate renal biopsy is essential for diagnosis and treatment of medical renal disease.

Objective:

We evaluated two initiatives to improve adequacy of renal biopsy samples at our centre.

Design:

Retrospective determination of renal biopsy adequacy.

Setting:

Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre.

Patients:

Patients undergoing medical renal biopsies.

Measurements:

Renal biopsy adequacy.

Methods:

The first initiative was to restrict the performance of biopsies to a smaller group of radiologists and to include a comment on biopsy adequacy in every pathology report. The second initiative was to introduce on-site adequacy assessment by a medical laboratory technologist. Native renal and allograft biopsy adequacies were calculated for three periods: 1) baseline, October 2005 to September 2006; 2) after implementation of the first initiative, January 2007 to September 2011; and 3) after implementation of the second initiative, October 2011 to September 2012. A subset of native renal biopsies was examined to determine if there was a relationship between adequacy and number of passes.

Results:

The percentages of adequate native renal biopsies during the first, second, and third periods were 31%, 72% and 90%, respectively. This represents a significant increase (40%, p < 0.0001) in adequacy following the first initiative, and another significant increase (18%, p = 0.0003) following the second initiative. The percentages of adequate renal allograft biopsies during the first, second, and third periods were 75%, 56% and 69%, respectively. These changes in adequacy were not statistically significant. In the subset of native renal biopsies examined, a biopsy comprising more than three cores was not associated with increase in adequacy.

Limitations:

The most important limitation is the lack of generally accepted and applied adequacy criteria limiting generalizability of our findings.

Conclusions:

Restricting the performance of biopsies to subspecialist operators, including an adequacy statement in the renal biopsy report and on-site adequacy assessment were effective in significantly improving native renal biopsy adequacy. This improvement appeared unrelated to an increase in the number of passes taken with a biopsy needle. Neither initiative improved the low adequacy of allograft biopsies.
Experimental validation of fracture aperture determination from borehole electric microresistivity measurements
Authors: Ponziani Michel , Slob Evert , Luthi Stefan , Bloemenkamp Richard , Le Nir Isabelle
Published: March 2015

We studied the electric response of fractures with laboratory experiments and numerical simulations for a full-bore formation microimaging tool. The laboratory setup was designed and built to perform controlled experiments with accurate measurements of all principal properties involved for electric borehole imaging. These properties are formation resistivity, mud resistivity, fracture aperture, pad position, and button current. The experiments were conducted on two types of limestone for fracture apertures ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 mm and mud/formation resistivity contrasts varying from 1/100 to 1/10,000. A numerical model was used to reproduce the laboratory configuration and to validate the results. The model proved to be an effective tool to optimize the experimental setup, and it was also used to study the effect of standoff (up to 5 mm) on the measured integrated additional current. Linear relationships between the fracture aperture and measured integrated current were found to be valid for the laboratory experiment and the corresponding numerical simulation. The measured integrated current could therefore be used to determine the fracture aperture if the other parameters are known. Two coefficients in the relationship were found to differ from those previously found using numerical simulations for the actual borehole situation. These differences are attributed to tool- and scale-dependent factors.
Fetal Exposure to Sertraline Hydrochloride Impairs Pancreatic β-Cell Development
Authors: De Long Nicole E. , Gutgesell Marie K. , Petrik James J. , Holloway Alison C.
Published: March 2015

Ten percent to 15% of women take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants during pregnancy. Offspring exposed to SSRIs are more likely to have low birth weight; this is associated with an increased risk of development of diabetes in adulthood in part due to altered pancreatic development. The effects of perinatal exposure to SSRIs on pancreatic development are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of fetal exposure to sertraline hydrochloride on pregnancy outcomes and pancreatic development. Wistar rats were given vehicle (n = 5) or sertraline hydrochloride (10 mg/kg/d; n = 8) via daily subcutaneous injection from the confirmation of mating until parturition. Results from this animal model demonstrated that offspring born to sertraline-exposed dams have no changes in birth weight but had a reduction in pancreatic β-cell area. The altered pancreatic islet development was a result of altered gene expression regulating islet development and survival. Therefore, fetal exposure to sertraline reduces β-cell capacity at birth, raising concerns regarding the long-term metabolic sequelae of such exposures.
Systems Theories and the Study of Literature and Culture
Authors: de Zepetnek Steven Tötösy
Published: March 2015

“Systems Theories and the Study of Literature and Culture” introduces the ACLA Forum on systemic and empirical approaches for the study of literature and culture. While both micro- and macro-systemic approaches have been prominent in the study of literature and culture in European scholarship since at least the 1980s, these approaches remain under-utilized in humanities scholarship in the U.S. This essay provides definitions or tenets of systemic and empirical frameworks for the study of literature and culture and aims to show how these approaches highlight the social relevance of the study of literature.
Sysemics and Semiotic Informatics
Authors: Filimowicz Michael
Published: March 2015

“Sysemics and Semiotic Informatics” offers a close reading of Derrida's use of Norbert Weiner's thought. Cybernetics is seen as a particular moment of resistance for deconstruction, as it is the encounter between a discourse of general systems, which includes even sign systems, versus a semiotic philosophy that would potentially circumscribe all discourses including discourse on systems. The cybernetic categories of matter/energy, information, and organization in forms of relative openness and closure are used to offer a counter-reading of Derrida's concepts of writing (gramme, arche-writing, the trace). At stake is the notion of “whole organization” that informs all systems thinking from Ludwig von Bertalanffy forward, a schema of contemporary techno-scientific thinking typically evaded by postmodern discourses, which offer instead tropes of “schizo-fracture” or “liquid fluidity” as a consequence of the anti-structuralist animus towards heuristics of meaning.
Keats, Hegel, and Belated Mythography
Authors: Coker William
Published: March 2015

This essay aims to contribute to a growing body of criticism devoted to the paradox of John Keats's peculiarly political aestheticism. Keats places a seemingly disinterested aestheticism squarely within the matrix of history, at a time when history itself was coming into its own as a philosophical category. Hyperion's figurations share the theoretical horizon of Keats's contemporaries in post-Kantian philosophy and betray a concern with one of the formative impulses behind Hegel's system-building: the interplay of myth and rationality. Reading Hyperion in comparison with a line of dialectical thinkers from Schiller to Adorno, I locate Keats's engagement with history precisely where he appears to suspend it: in those sculptural figurations of stasis in which the poem depicts, and to no small degree fetishizes, the archaic. An ironic myth of myth's demise, Hyperion exposes the fetishism latent in post-Enlightenment mythography.
Collaborative Differences: Marguerite Duras, Eve Sedgwick, and “The Beast in the Jungle”
Authors: Wichelns Kathryn
Published: March 2015

Marguerite Duras's 1962 theatrical adaptation of Henry James's short story offers a feminist alternative to Eve Sedgwick's famous interpretation. The precise elements that for Duras reveal James's interest in “feminine” forms of expression also are significant for queer theoretical readers, after Sedgwick, who emphasize James's style rather than his biography. However, in none of those recent discussions do notions of temporal or stylistic queerness in James's work resonate with the ideas about gendered time and language that are central to Duras's approach, and to twentieth-century French feminism more generally. Duras's adaptation, grounded in heteronormative assumptions, suffers from a parallel blind spot; James Lord, her collaborator in the project, suggests that she undermined the queer elements in both James's story and his own first draft. This article uses the unexamined resonances between Duras's and Sedgwick's readings to offer a possible counter-narrative to ongoing scholarly divisions among contemporary feminisms and queer theories.
Remaking Poetics After Postmodernism: Intertextuality, Intermediality, and Cultural Circulation in the Wake of Borges
Authors: Infante Ignacio
Published: March 2015

This article examines how El hacedor (de Borges), Remake (2011) by the Spanish writer Agustín Fernández Mallo, a remake of Jorge Luis Borges's El hacedor (1960), constitutes an extremely relevant manifestation of contemporary poetics and transnational literature. I analyze the formal and conceptual relation between Fernández Mallo's version and Borges's original work and key theoretical implications connected to the removal of El hacedor (de Borges), Remake from publishing markets world-wide soon after its publication. By focusing on the concepts of intertextuality, intermediality, and transnational cultural circulation, I examine from a comparative perspective how Fernández Mallo's remake closely relates to Jeffrey Nealon's notion of “post-postmodernism”—as the contemporary cultural logic of neoliberal global capitalism—and to the transnational process of cultural exchange that Benjamin Lee and Edward LiPuma have defined as “cultures of circulation.”
Adamtsl2 deletion results in bronchial fibrillin microfibril accumulation and bronchial epithelial dysplasia – a novel mouse model providing insights into geleophysic dysplasia
Authors: Hubmacher Dirk , Wang Lauren W. , Mecham Robert P. , Reinhardt Dieter P. , Apte Suneel S.
Published: March 2015

Mutations in the secreted glycoprotein ADAMTSL2 cause recessive geleophysic dysplasia (GD) in humans and Musladin–Lueke syndrome (MLS) in dogs. GD is a severe, often lethal, condition presenting with short stature, brachydactyly, stiff skin, joint contractures, tracheal-bronchial stenosis and cardiac valve anomalies, whereas MLS is non-lethal and characterized by short stature and severe skin fibrosis. Although most mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1) cause Marfan syndrome (MFS), a microfibril disorder leading to transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) dysregulation, domain-specific FBN1 mutations result in dominant GD. ADAMTSL2 has been previously shown to bind FBN1 and latent TGFβ-binding protein-1 (LTBP1). Here, we investigated mice with targeted Adamtsl2 inactivation as a new model for GD (Adamtsl2−/− mice). An intragenic lacZ reporter in these mice showed that ADAMTSL2 was produced exclusively by bronchial smooth muscle cells during embryonic lung development. Adamtsl2−/− mice, which died at birth, had severe bronchial epithelial dysplasia with abnormal glycogen-rich inclusions in bronchial epithelium resembling the cellular anomalies described previously in GD. An increase in microfibrils in the bronchial wall was associated with increased FBN2 and microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP1) staining, whereas LTBP1 staining was increased in bronchial epithelium. ADAMTSL2 was shown to bind directly to FBN2 with an affinity comparable to FBN1. The observed extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations were associated with increased bronchial epithelial TGFβ signaling at 17.5 days of gestation; however, treatment with TGFβ-neutralizing antibody did not correct the epithelial dysplasia. These investigations reveal a new function of ADAMTSL2 in modulating microfibril formation, and a previously unsuspected association with FBN2. Our studies suggest that the bronchial epithelial dysplasia accompanying microfibril dysregulation in Adamtsl2−/− mice cannot be reversed by TGFβ neutralization, and thus might be mediated by other mechanisms.
Preparation of Surface Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Removal and Determination of Sulphamethoxazole from Aqueous Media
Authors: Ma Pengfei , Zhou Zhiping , Xu Wanzhen , Fan Ting , Yang Wenming
Published: March 2015

In this study, surface imprinted particles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization using silica microspheres as carrier for adsorbing sulphamethoxazole (SMO) from aqueous media. Different functional monomers (4-vinylpyridine, acrylamide and methacrylic acid) and different cross-linkers (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) were selected to synthesize different kinds of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and their corresponding non-imprinted polymers. The MIP with the best adsorption performance in aqueous media was identified by adsorption experiments. Various kinds of kinetic models and isotherm models were fitted, and the kinetic and isotherm properties of MIPs in selective adsorption were studied and analyzed in depth. Advanced characterization methods were applied to demonstrate the successful preparation of the imprinted materials, and expound their physical and chemical properties. In addition, the concentration of SMO in aqueous media was determined by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography.
Removal of Cr(VI) from Wastewater Using a Natural Nanoporous Adsorbent: Experimental, Kinetic and Optimization Studies
Authors: Maheshwari Utkarsh , Gupta Suresh
Published: March 2015

In the present work, a nanoporous adsorbent prepared from low-cost neem bark is used for the removal of chromium (VI) ions from wastewater. The adsorbent is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, BET surface area, infrared analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of various parameters such as adsorbent dosage, pH, initial concentration and contact time for the removal of chromium (VI) ions has been studied. The data obtained have been tested with various isotherm and kinetic models. Langmuir model is found to be the best suited isotherm model giving maximum adsorption capacity as 26.95 mg g−1 for the removal of chromium (VI) ions. Effluent from a plating industry was also used to evaluate the performance of the developed adsorbent. Weber and Morris and Boyd models show that both intra-particle and film diffusion are the controlling mechanism for adsorption of chromium (VI) ions on the developed adsorbent. The mathematical model is developed to optimize the adsorption capacity (q) in terms of the influencing parameters with the help of differential evolution (DE) technique.
Removal of Contaminants from Industrial Lean Amine Solvent Using Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Optimized by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Pal Priyabrata , Banat Fawzi
Published: March 2015

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a three-level, three-variable model was used to optimize the preparation parameters of a hydrogel consisting of acrylamide (AAM) as monomer, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as cross-linker and ammonium peroxodisulphate as initiator. Considering percentage removal of total metal ions (contaminants) as the treatment response, the effects of three variables, namely, wt% AAM, wt% cross-linker and temperature of polymerization were investigated. The polyacrylamide (PAAM) hydrogel was obtained as small beads and optimized using RSM. The hydrogel was used for the removal of total metal ions and total organic acid anions (known as heat-stable salts, HSSs) from industrial lean methyl diethanolamine solvents (MDEA, 50 wt% used by Gasco, Habshan, Abu Dhabi for natural gas sweetening). The presence of heavy-metal ions and HSS is responsible for many problems such as corrosion, foaming and fouling of the equipment. The PAAM hydrogel was characterized by determining its cross-link density and diffusivity. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the polymeric hydrogel explained the adsorption process. using the best-prepared hydrogel, the percentage removal of total metal ions and total organic acid anions was 74% and 24.26%, respectively. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of the hydrogel for total metal ions was 1.876 µ equivalence/g and 7.686 mg/g for organic acid anions. The adsorption kinetics obeyed pseudo-first-order model for metal-ions removal and the highest rate of chromium ion adsorption was observed at pH 10.33. The desorption studies showed that the percentage removal was consistent across five cycles of adsorption and desorption.
Temperature Distributions and Variations in Concrete Box-Girder Bridges: Experimental and Finite Element Parametric Studies
Authors: Tayşi Nildem , Abid Sallal
Published: March 2015

In this research, a full-scale, experimental box-girder bridge segment and three dimensional finite element thermal studies were conducted to investigate the temperature distributions and variations in concrete bridges under environmental thermal loads, with particular reference to the influence of the thermal properties of concrete. Applicable ranges of the studied properties were gathered from an extensive literature survey. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of the concrete properties of interest, demonstrating that density and surface emissivity have negligible effects. Parametric studies showed that the combined effects of thermal conductivity, specific heat, and solar absorptivity may increase the maximum bridge temperature by approximately 25%. Analysis of extreme thermal conditions indicated that these combined effects increased the mean bridge temperature by approximately 15 to 20%. Moreover, it may cause vertical temperature gradients exceeding the AASHTO's and the Bridge Manual's vertical gradients by up to 10°C.
Convex Set and Probabilistic Model-Based Hybrid Earthquake Loss Assessment Method
Authors: Jia Lizhe , Li Hui , Duan Zhongdong
Published: March 2015

In order to make the most of the advantages of probabilistic model and non-probabilistic model, a hybrid earthquake loss assessment method based on convex model and probabilistic model was proposed. The exceeding probability of earthquake loss bounds within convex model was derived based on the probabilistic earthquake loss assessment model proposed by PEER. Moreover, the uncertainties of repair cost and collapse probability in the complete damage state were modeled by the envelope bound convex model, and the bounds of exceeding probability of earthquake loss were obtained by the hybrid earthquake loss model. The loss results of a hotel indicate that non-collapse parts mostly contribute to economic loss, and earthquake loss is more sensitive to repair cost than collapse probability. The presentation form of earthquake loss results is enhanced by the hybrid loss method and is also easier for owners and decision-makers to understand and accept.
Seismic Performance of Segmental Rocking Columns Connected with NiTi Martensitic SMA Bars
Authors: Moon Do Young , Roh Hwasung , Cimellaro Gian Paolo
Published: March 2015

As well known, the damping or energy dissipation capacity of bridge columns is very important because it is directly related to the design spectrum and affects the seismic performance of whole bridge systems. For this reason, several investigations evaluating the energy dissipation capacity of segmental columns, which has a small energy dissipation capacity itself, have been conducted by adopting various material types of energy dissipating (ED) bars. This paper investigates the damping capacity of post-tensioned (PT) segmental rocking columns connected with large diameter (36.5 mm) martensitic SMA bars at their base as ED bars. Two aspect ratios for the columns are considered: 7.5 for slender and 5.0 for medium size. Moment-curvature relationships and complementary computational tools are adopted to model the behavior of the columns. A bilinear model for the PT tendon and a modified four-spring model for the martensitic SMA bar are used. From the quasi-static cyclic analysis, the martensitic SMA bars leads to an equivalent damping ratio between 10.5% and 12.5% for the different aspect ratios and PT tendon forces. For the sake of comparison, another material type of the SMA bar, which is 25.4 mm diameter superelastic bar, is considered. The damping ratio of the columns with the martensitic SMA bars is much higher than the use of the superelastic SMA bars showing between 5% and 7% damping ratio.
Data Missing Mechanism and Missing Data Real-Time Processing Methods in the Construction Monitoring of Steel Structures
Authors: Luo Y.F. , Ye Z.W. , Guo X.N. , Qiang X.H. , Chen X.M.
Published: March 2015

The data link of construction monitoring of steel structures is usually long, complicated and with huge amount of data. Because of the influences of various factors during construction process, sometimes it is inevitable to cause partial monitoring data missing or interrupt of the data link which may affect the real-time control of construction process, even the structural safety assessment during construction. Based on the generating mechanism and characteristics of the missing data discovered from the statistic of actual construction monitoring of steel structures, this paper classifies the missing data into three types for developing new data processing methods. According to the characteristics of the different types of missing data, several compensating methods of the missing data are proposed respectively in this paper by regression analysis based on the principle of least square. The proposed methods are adopted to process the missing monitoring data of the steel structure construction of Art Gallery of Datong and the Circle of Life of Shenyang for verification. The estimated values are compared with the measured data. The numerical results show that the proposed missing data processing methods are effective and practical.
Image Segmentation Using GAC Model Combining with GVF and Balloon Force
Authors: Xu Haiping , Lin Zhenmei , Guo Yanqing , Wang Meiqing
Published: March 2015

The geodesic active contour (GAC) model has been widely used due to the high precision of edge detection and the continuity of boundaries. However, compared to the gradient vector flow (GVF) field, it usually has poor performance in the object boundaries with concave shape. In this paper, the improvements that integrate the good performance of the GAC model and the GVF field are described in detail and the GAC_GVF&B model combining the GAC model with the GVF field and a balloon force is proposed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is insensitive to the positions of initial curves and can segment complex-shape or multi-objects images correctly with higher convergence.
Optimal FWMAV Wing Design for a Combination of Energy-Effective Hovering and Roll Control
Authors: Peters Hugo J. , Goosen Johannes F.L. , van Keulen Fred
Published: March 2015

Energy-effective hovering and active flight control are of paramount importance for the usefulness of Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAVs). Recent studies have focused on separate parts (e.g., wing planform design, wing kinematics, or flight control) rather than on the complete system. This work presents a combined approach to find an optimal wing design (i.e., wing planform and pitching kinematics) for energy-effective hovering and roll control. Relatively simple mathematical descriptions are used for the kinematics, the aerodynamics and the roll motion to allow its use in optimization techniques. Results show that the wing design depends significantly on the relative importance of either energy-effective hovering or effective roll control during the optimization. The roll control effectiveness increases if the wing area around the wingtip is increased to push the center of lift outwards. Additionally, we show that the most effective control variable, to enforce the required body moment for the roll motion, depends strongly on the wing design. In conclusion, flapping wing design requires, in general, a combined approach to guarantee both energy-effective hovering and effective roll control.
Indoor/Outdoor Scan-Matching Based Mapping Technique with a Helicopter MAV in GPS-Denied Environment
Authors: Friedman Chen , Chopra Inderjit , Rand Omri
Published: March 2015

This work focuses on autonomous operation of rotary-wing Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) in previously unexplored, GPS-denied environments. This type of operation requires the MAV to simultaneously estimate a map of its surroundings and its own position within that map. This work presents a refined algorithm for performing Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) which does not rely on revisiting previously mapped areas. The algorithm is first benchmarked against previously published algorithms. Different scenarios, both indoors and outdoors, are then presented, showing the high amount of detail captured by the proposed method. Scenarios were mapped using three different platform types, including a conventional main-tail rotor helicopter, showing that the algorithm is platform-independent and does not require the rotorcraft's dynamic model, which can be complex. Experimental validation of the SLAM method shows an accuracy of approximately 0.1% of the traveled course length. The algorithm is capable of operating in real time on small form factor computers.