bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nørlund overconvergence of power series
Authors: Gharibyan Tatevik , Luh Wolfgang , Nieß Markus
Published: May 2014

In the present paper we first examine growth properties of regular Nørlund means applied to power series outside their disk of convergence. Moreover, we show that overconvergent subsequences of Nørlund means exist, assuming that the considered power series has certain gaps.
Pharmacogenetics in Jewish populations
Authors: Yang Yao , Peter Inga , Scott Stuart A.
Published: May 2014

Spanning over 2000 years, the Jewish population has a long history of migration, population bottlenecks, expansions, and geographical isolation, which has resulted in a unique genetic architecture among the Jewish people. As such, many Mendelian disease genes and founder mutations for autosomal recessive diseases have been discovered in several Jewish groups, which have prompted recent genomic studies in the Jewish population on common disease susceptibility and other complex traits. Although few studies on the genetic determinants of drug response variability have been reported in the Jewish population, a number of unique pharmacogenetic variants have been discovered that are more common in Jewish populations than in other major racial groups. Notable examples identified in the Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population include the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) c.106G>T (p.D36Y) variant associated with high warfarin dosing requirements and the recently reported cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) allele, CYP2C19*4B, that harbors both loss-of-function [*4 (c.1A>G)] and increased-function [*17 (c.-806C>T)] variants on the same haplotype. These data are encouraging in that like other ethnicities and subpopulations, the Jewish population likely harbors numerous pharmacogenetic variants that are uncommon or absent in other larger racial groups and ethnicities. In addition to unique variants, common multi-ethnic variants in key drug metabolism genes (e.g., ABCB1, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, NAT2) have also been detected in the AJ and other Jewish groups. This review aims to summarize the currently available pharmacogenetics literature and discuss future directions for related research with this unique population.
Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure Treated Mung Bean Starch on Characteristics of Batters and Crusts from Deep-Fried Pork Nuggets
Authors: Zhang Lingwen , Ji Hongfang , Yang Mingduo , Ma Hanjun
Published: May 2014

Influences of mung bean starches treated with different high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the properties of batters and crusts from deep-fried pork nuggets were explored. HHP-treated starch increased water retention capacity of batter and consequently the batter pick-up. The increase in pressure at 150–450 MPa could facilitate hydration and swelling of starch granules during gelatinization. The crusts containing HHP-treated starches had higher moisture and less oil content, and the oil content was 15.82 g/100 g dry weight (DW) for 450 MPa treated starch, which was much lower than that of native starch (18.39 g/100 g DW) (p<0.05). Additionally, HHP-treated starches changed the crispness of crusts with increases in the slope and decrease in the shearing distance. Results indicated that mung bean starch treated with HHP in the range of 150–450 MPa could improve the quality of deep-fried battered food.
Mathematical Modelling of Heat Transfer in Mortadella Bologna PGI during Evaporative Pre-Cooling
Authors: Rinaldi Massimiliano , Chiavaro Emma , Massini Roberto
Published: May 2014

Mortadella evaporative pre-cooling process from 70 to 50°C at core was investigated: the thermal diffusivity and the apparent heat transfer coefficient were experimentally estimated. The effects of ventilation and water spraying with different intervals (0, 5, 10 and 15 min) were tested and core and surface temperatures, cooling times and cook values were compared. Water spraying every 5 min combined with ventilation allowed obtaining both lowest cooling time and cook values in the product. On the contrary, continuous spraying (no interval) presented higher cooling times since probably, after a certain time, water formed a continuous film on product surface, which prevented evaporation. Based on the experimental data, a finite differences mathematical model, previously applied to Mortadella cooking process, was developed and validated by means of two cooling procedures. Acceptable approximation and low percentage errors on final core temperature were obtained, confirming the usefulness and reliability of the proposed model.
Utilizing architecture models for secure distributed web applications and services
Authors: Wild Stefan , Gaedke Martin
Published: May 2014

Today's Web applications are often compositions of distributed yet interconnected services that offer features and data through defined interfaces via standardized protocols.
Providing a set of best practices for organizing and utilizing distributed capabilities, the service-oriented architecture design pattern largely contributed to this trend.
To react on emerging customer requirements, using agile methodology for Web application development fits well in this context.
While it allows promptly responding to change by adjusting the Web application architecture, security must be applied as a holistic approach throughout the entire Web application's lifecycle.
There is a need for a flexible, expressive and easy-to-use way to model a Web application's architecture with a strong emphasis on security.
This article discusses our work on extending the WebComposition Architecture Model towards a semantically enriched description of a Web application's architecture.
For enabling systematic exploitation of such architecture descriptions, we utilize W3C's WebID identity mechanism, the WAC authorization method, and fine-grained filters.
We explain how WebID can be applied to allow Web services to mutually
authenticate and exchange data, e. g., interface definitions and service parameters, in a controlled way.
H2 Proxy – Dynamic load balancing for multi-tenant database systems
Authors: Göbel Andreas
Published: May 2014

Software as a service is becoming an increasingly common software
delivery model but causes a challenge to service providers related to the
design of both applications and data management. Multi-tenant databases allow
them to reduce operating costs by leveraging economies of scale. Load
balancing of multi-tenant databases with shared-nothing architectures can be
done in different tiers of the software stack. In this article, different
approaches for this purpose are discussed and the proxy server H2 Proxy is
presented. H2 Proxy can be deployed in different tiers and routes tenant
requests to database servers corresponding to a tenant placement policy which
is changeable at runtime. This article gives an overview of its implementation
and demonstrates its efficient routing according to test results.
A history and future of Web APIs
Authors: Kopecký Jacek , Fremantle Paul , Boakes Rich
Published: May 2014

Distributed information systems predominantly have client-server
architectures, as does the Web itself. In this article, we review the
evolution of the interface of client-server distributed systems, from
Messaging and RPC systems that predate the Web, to RESTful Web APIs. We
highlight the often overlooked importance of the client-server interface in
Web applications, and we reference historic and current systems to discuss
the roles of “Web Service” technologies and Service-Oriented Architectures.
Considering the future, we point out four directions in which we can see Web
APIs moving, including the incorporation of hypermedia and semantics.
Lithiated oxazolinyloxiranes and oxazolinylaziridines: key players in organic synthesis
Authors: Florio Saverio , Degennaro Leonardo , Mansueto Rosmara , Musio Biagia , Perna Filippo M. , Salomone Antonio
Published: May 2014

This paper focuses on α-lithiated oxazolinyloxiranes and oxazolinylaziridines, their generation, reactions, and synthetic applications. The ability of the oxazoline ring in providing stabilization to such α-heterosubstituted carbanions either through electronic effects and coordinative action has been stressed as well as the contribution to the configurational stability or instability of such species. IR spectroscopic data, multinuclear NMR investigations, and ab initio calculations planned to get insights on chemical properties and structural features have been carried out. A number of new reactions including alkylations, addition reactions, hydroxyalkylations, cyclopropanations, lactonizations, and rearrangements have been discovered, giving access to a variety of substances including: aziridinolactones, epoxylactones, aryl alkanones, polysubstituted cyclopropanes, cyclopropanefused lactones, dihydro-oxazoloisoquinolines, diversely functionalized oxazolines, and products that can be derived from them by synthetic elaboration.
Chemoecological studies on marine natural products: terpene chemistry from marine mollusks
Authors: Mudianta I. Wayan , White Andrew M. ,   Suciati, Katavic Peter L. , Krishnaraj Rahul R. , Winters Anne E. , Mollo Ernesto , Cheney Karen L. , Garson Mary J.
Published: May 2014

Some species of nudibranchs (Mollusca) protect themselves from predatory attacks by storing defensive terpene chemicals acquired from dietary sponges (Porifera) in specialized body parts called MDFs (mantle dermal formations), often advertising their unpalatability to potential predators by means of bright coloration patterns. Consequently, the survival of these trophic specialist species is closely related to the possibility of obtaining the defensive tools from sponges that live in their immediate vicinity; therefore, it is important to determine as precisely as possible the chemical composition of nudibranch extracts prior to any ecological studies addressing issues that involve their alimentary behavior and their defensive strategies, including the significance of their color patterns. Some of our recent studies on the chemical composition of terpene extracts from nudibranchs belonging to the genera Chromodoris and Hypselodoris are summarized. We also report the development of a method to assay extracts and purified metabolites for their feeding deterrent activity against co-occurring generalist predators. In a recent chemoecological study, showing that repugnant terpene chemicals are accumulated at extremely high concentrations in exposed parts of the nudibranchs’ bodies, the feeding deterrence assays were carried out on the generalist marine shrimp Palaemon elegans, very common in the Mediterranean. We have modified this assay for use with the Australian shrimp species P. serenus, and confirmed the ecological validity of the assay by analysis of extracts from species of sponges and mollusks that live in the same habitat as P. serenus. The deterrent properties of haliclonacyclamine alkaloids isolated from the sponge Haliclona sp. were demonstrated, with the alkaloid mixture demonstrating palatability deterrence at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL, and complete deterrence at 0.75 mg/mL. In contrast, the diterpene thuridillin metabolites from the sacoglossan mollusk Thuridilla splendens did not deter feeding by P. serenus.
Hydrogenation of carboxylic acid derivatives with bifunctional ruthenium catalysts
Authors: Ikariya Takao , Kayaki Yoshihito
Published: May 2014

This paper focuses on recent advances in the chemistry of bifunctional Ru catalysts with chelate protic amine ligands effective for hydrogenation of polar carbonyl compounds. The rational design of the cooperating amine ligand that adjusts the balance of the electronic factors on the M/NH units in the bifunctional catalysts is crucial to exploit the characteristic catalytic performance with a wide scope and high practicability. These bifunctional molecular catalysts offer a great opportunity to develop new fundamental processes for the straightforward hydrogenation of carboxylic acid derivatives as a powerful alternative for classical reduction using stoichiometric amounts of metal hydride reagents.
Candidate biomarkers of multiple system atrophy in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Zhang Feng , Chen Jianwen , Zhao Li , Dong Chunbo
Published: May 2014

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease that presents as an autonomic dysfunction in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism and cerebellar ataxia. It comprises a pathologically widespread neuronal loss accompanied by gliosis in the basal ganglia, cerebellum, pons, inferior olivary nuclei, and spinal cord. As a rapidly progressive disorder, MSA develops with autonomic dysfunction and mobility problems in several years. These autonomic and motor function impairments severely disrupt the patients’ daily lives. Currently, the therapeutic management of this disease is only symptomatic. An early and accurate diagnosis is helpful not only in the clinical field but also in the research for new therapies. The biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum facilitate the differential diagnosis of MSA when the disease is difficult to recognize based on the clinical features or even presymptomatic. This review will summarize the biomarkers present in CSF that are potential candidates to accurately differentiate MSA from other similar neurodegenerative disorders.
Investigating the performance of AIC in selecting phylogenetic models
Authors: Jhwueng Dwueng-Chwuan , Huzurbazar Snehalata , O’Meara Brian C. , Liu Liang
Published: May 2014

The popular likelihood-based model selection criterion, Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC), is a breakthrough mathematical result derived from information theory. AIC is an approximation to Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence with the derivation relying on the assumption that the likelihood function has finite second derivatives. However, for phylogenetic estimation, given that tree space is discrete with respect to tree topology, the assumption of a continuous likelihood function with finite second derivatives is violated. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between the expected log likelihood of a candidate model, and the expected KL divergence in the context of phylogenetic tree estimation. We find that given the tree topology, AIC is an unbiased estimator of the expected KL divergence. However, when the tree topology is unknown, AIC tends to underestimate the expected KL divergence for phylogenetic models. Simulation results suggest that the degree of underestimation varies across phylogenetic models so that even for large sample sizes, the bias of AIC can result in selecting a wrong model. As the choice of phylogenetic models is essential for statistical phylogenetic inference, it is important to improve the accuracy of model selection criteria in the context of phylogenetics.
Criminal conflict as collective punishment
Authors: Nakao Keisuke , Chai Sun-Ki
Published: May 2014

Political conflicts have been extensively studied by political scientists, but criminal conflicts have received much less attention, especially by theorists in the field. Focusing on the latter type of conflict, we address why an individual crime across an ethnic or tribal border can lead to large-scale violence. Building on rational choice theory, we present three hypothetical mechanisms which may account for criminal conflicts: (1) Avengers penalize suspects in the culprit's social group because they cannot identify the culprit; (2) avengers inflict vicarious punishment because such punishment can be more severe for the culprit than a penalty on the culprit himself; (3) by demanding collective responsibilities, avengers urge the target group to police itself and to suppress deviant behavior against outsiders. Drawing on historical incidents and recent case studies, our third mechanism appears the most compelling.
Análisis morfológico del sistema reproductor e identificación molecular a través de los marcadores mitocondriales COI y 16S rRNA de Megalobulimus oblongus (Mollusca, Strophocheilidae) de Colombia
Authors: Jaramillo Roldán Erika , López Martínez Jessika , Ramírez Rina , Velásquez Trujillo Luz Elena
Published: May 2014

En este trabajo se hizo el análisis morfológico y molecular a 28 caracoles terrestres de Megalobulimus oblongus, colectados en diferentes departamentos de Colombia, depositados en una colección de referencia. Para la caracterización morfológica, los animales se disecaron al estéreomicroscopio. Se describieron el sistema reproductor y la concha. Del sistema reproductor se tomaron medidas a las estructuras que lo componen. De la concha se describió la forma, el color, el número de espiras y la ornamentación e igualmente se tomaron medidas básicas usando un calibrador digital. Para el análisis molecular se usaron dos marcadores mitocondriales, el 16S rRNA y el gen Citocromo Oxidasa C subunidad I (COI). Ambos marcadores confirmaron la presencia de un único haplotipo en los ejemplares, aun para individuos situados en regiones biogeográficas diferentes y distantes. Este estudio sugiere que en Colombia M. oblongus se encuentra en peligro, por lo que urgen investigaciones sobre reproducción, genética poblacional y biogeografía que esclarezcan su situación en el país. Demuestra además que las colecciones de referencia y los bancos de tejidos son fuentes de información de gran valor, ya que permiten conocer aspectos relacionados con el riesgo en que se encuentran las especies y que sirven de insumo para el diseño de acciones de conservación.
High Doses of Methylprednisolone in the Management of Caustic Esophageal Burns
Authors: Usta Merve , Erkan Tülay , Cokugras Fugen Cullu , Urganci Nafiye , Onal Zerrin , Gulcan Mahir , Kutlu Tufan
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE:

Caustic substance ingestion in childhood is a public health issue in developing countries, and several management protocols have been proposed to prevent the resulting esophageal strictures. The role of corticosteroids in preventing corrosive-induced strictures is controversial. Our aim was to study the influence of high doses of corticosteroids in preventing esophageal strictures.

METHODS:

Eighty-three children with a mean age of 4.10 ± 2.63 years and with grade IIb esophageal burns (an esophagogastroscopy was performed within 24–48 hours of injury) due to corrosive substance ingestion were enrolled in our study between 2005 and 2008. Forty-two children (study group) received methylprednisolone (1 g/1.73 m2 per day for 3 days), ranitidine, ceftriaxone, and total parenteral nutrition. Forty-one children (control group) were administered the same regimen excluding methylprednisolone. Stricture development was compared between groups based on endoscopic and radiologic findings.

RESULTS:

During the endoscopic examination, stricture development was observed in 4 patients (10.8%) in the study group and in 12 patients (30%) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P = .038). The stricture development rate in the upper gastrointestinal system with barium meal was 14.3% and 45.0% in the study and control groups, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = .004). The duration of total parenteral nutrition was shorter in the study group compared with the control group (P = .001). High doses of methylprednisolone were well tolerated in the study group without any side effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

High doses of methylprednisolone used for the management of grade IIb esophageal burns may reduce stricture development.
Testing for Drugs of Abuse in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Levy Sharon , Siqueira Lorena M. ,   COMMITTEE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Published: May 2014

Drug testing is often used as part of an assessment for substance use in children and adolescents. However, the indications for drug testing and guidance on how to use this procedure effectively are not clear. The complexity and invasiveness of the procedure and limitations to the information derived from drug testing all affect its utility. The objective of this clinical report is to provide guidance to pediatricians and other clinicians on the efficacy and efficient use of drug testing on the basis of a review of the nascent scientific literature, policy guidelines, and published clinical recommendations.
A Screening Tool for Delineating Subregions of Steady Recharge within Groundwater Models
Authors: Dickinson Jesse E. , Ferré T.P.A. , Bakker Mark , Crompton Becky
Published: May 2014

We have developed a screening method for simplifying groundwater models by delineating areas within the domain that can be represented using steady‐state groundwater recharge. The screening method is based on an analytical solution for the damping of sinusoidal infiltration variations in homogeneous soils in the vadose zone. The damping depth is defined as the depth at which the flux variation damps to 5% of the variation at the land surface. Groundwater recharge may be considered steady where the damping depth is above the depth of the water table. The analytical solution approximates the vadose zone diffusivity as constant, and we evaluated when this approximation is reasonable. We evaluated the analytical solution through comparison of the damping depth computed by the analytic solution with the damping depth simulated by a numerical model that allows variable diffusivity. This comparison showed that the screening method conservatively identifies areas of steady recharge and is more accurate when water content and diffusivity are nearly constant. Nomograms of the damping factor (the ratio of the flux amplitude at any depth to the amplitude at the land surface) and the damping depth were constructed for clay and sand for periodic variations between 1 and 365 d and flux means and amplitudes from nearly 0 to 1 × 10−3 m d−1. We applied the screening tool to Central Valley, California, to identify areas of steady recharge. A MATLAB script was developed to compute the damping factor for any soil and any sinusoidal flux variation.
Resolved Psychosis after Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Wilson’s Disease
Authors: Sorbello Orazio , Riccio Daniela , Sini Margherita , Carta Mauro , Demelia Luigi
Published: May 2014

A psychiatric involvement is frequently present in Wilson’s disease. Psychiatric symptoms are sometimes the first and only manifestation of Wilson’s disease. More often a psychiatric involvement is present beside a neurologic or hepatic disease.

We describe the case of a 18 years-old male patient who shows a clinic and laboratoristic pattern of cirrhosis and an history of subchronic hallucinatory psychosis, behavioral symptoms and mood disturbances with depressed mood. He hadn’t familiar history of liver or psychiatric disease. Laboratory and imaging tests confirmed the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease with psichiatric involvement. After liver transplantation copper metabolism and liver function normalised and we noticed no recurrency of the psichiatric illness. Very few cases of psychiatric improvement after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been described until now.
Characterizing the Nature of Human Carriers of Head Lice
Authors: Canyon Deon V. , Canyon Chauncey , Milani Sami
Published: May 2014

Pediculosis is a ubiquitous disease common throughout the globe and managed entirely through the application of
insecticides and natural therapies with varying success. Resistance and reinfection are known to be responsible for increases in
prevalence reported in many countries since the 1900s. This study investigated reinfection, which has been neglected by
researchers, by attempting to learn more about the role of reservoir hosts. Open-ended questions were asked from 126 students of
Grades 8 and 9 to explore this issue from the perspective of the infected population. A majority of females (60%) and 40% of
males had no idea that they had pediculosis until it was discovered by themselves, a friend or a carer. Some female (12.1%) and
male (14.5%) students did not tell their parents when they became aware that they had pediculosis. Hair thickness was
significantly related to this question with 23.3% of thick-haired students concealing their infections. The results from this study
suggest that brown- and short-haired White boys should be a primary target in lice awareness and control programs, because they
are much more likely to harbor lice than long-haired girls. Health professionals should be aware of the social reasons for why this
pest is so difficult to control.
Paleoclimate Signals of Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia, Over the Last 19,000 Years Using Authigenic Beryllium Isotopes
Authors: Choi Yire , Kim Kyeong Ja , Cheong Daekyo , Kim Yong Ha
Published: May 2014

The paleoclimatic signal of Lake Hovsgol in Mongolia was investigated using authigenic beryllium isotopes from 20 sediment samples. The beryllium isotopic records from this study indicate that there were three dry and cold periods at the lake around 9400, 12,700, and 17,100 cal yr BP. The significant 10Be signal during the Younger Dryas (YD) period is found to be lower. This indicates that the Lake Hovsgol area was subject to a period of cold and dry conditions with minimal dust input, which manifests itself as a low 9Be profile in this study. In warmer and wetter climatic conditions, the 10Be concentration was found to be higher, and this agrees with the sedimentation record of this study. The climatic signals from Lake Hovsgol appear to be similar to a decreased beryllium record during the deglacial period. The results of this study confirm that the Lake Hovsgol area also experienced the global paleoclimatic change associated with the YD event around 12,700 cal yr BP. Further investigation using worldwide lake records by the analytical technique of authigenic beryllium will be useful for understanding the global paleoclimatic change pattern in conjunction with lake-level change.
Variability in Radiocarbon Dates in Middle Pleniglacial Wood from Kurtak (Central Siberia)
Authors: Haesaerts P , Damblon F , Drozdov N , Checha V , van der Plicht J
Published: May 2014

The chronology of long Upper Pleistocene loess sequences in Eurasia is based on combined pedostratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of high-quality charcoal. The accuracy of such a chronology depends on the reproducibility and precision of the 14C dates. However, certain dates may show discrepancies with regard to their chronostratigraphic context based on series of coherent dates. In order to evaluate the consistency and variation in the 14C dates obtained from small charcoal pieces, this question was tested on a set of spruce wood remains with well-preserved tree rings found in the Middle Pleniglacial loess-loam sequence of Kurtak (central Siberia). Tree-ring analysis of five fairly large wood pieces from three successive layers, dated to about 30.0, 30.8, and 32.2–32.5 ka BP previously, was done by continuous sampling of 90–150 rings on each wood piece. This enabled direct comparison of the succession of tree rings with the 14C dates. A total of 133 dates was obtained for the five wood pieces. The results show fluctuations in the 14C dates within a time range between 1000 and 2000 yr. Four possible causes for such variation will be discussed herein: (1) internal variability of the AMS dating method; (2) outliers; (3) variations in the 14C background; and (4) external factors such as past atmospheric 14C variations.
A New Bayesian Chronology for Postclassic and Colonial Occupation at Xaltocan, Mexico
Authors: Overholtzer Lisa
Published: May 2014

This article proposes a new four-phase chronology for Postclassic and colonial occupation at Xaltocan, Mexico, using Bayesian statistical modeling of a suite of 54 radiometric dates. Of these, 46 samples come from recent extensive excavations of sealed, stratified household deposits, facilitating improved understanding of sample context and resulting in a more accurate chronology. The timing of the adoption of major ceramic wares at the site and intrasite level is outlined and contextualized within broad, regional phases. These results are particularly valuable given recent research that repudiates a uniform chronological framework for the Basin of Mexico in the Postclassic period, and indicates instead a significant amount of chronological overlap and regional variation in the use of distinct ceramic types.
Calibration of the Method for Measuring 14C in Combustion Gases
Authors: Chałupnik S , Smoliński A , Wysocka M
Published: May 2014

Much recent effort has been focused on the development of monitoring methods to calculate the percentage of biomass in the fuel used for energy generation in power plants. One possible method is based on measurements of radiocarbon concentration in combustion gases by liquid scintillation (LS) spectrometry. Fossil fuels contain no 14C due to their age. Therefore, after the combustion of such fuels, the resulting CO2 contains no 14C as well. The only source of 14C comes from the admixture of biomass containing modern carbon. 14C is a beta-emitting radionuclide with a maximum beta energy of 156 keV. There is no emission of gamma rays during decay; therefore, no possibility of gamma spectrometry exists. A difficult task thus is to validate the method and to calibrate it in agreement with the known amount of biomass in the fuel. For this purpose, a set of samples was prepared that were mixtures of hard coal and biomass with a known percentage of carbon. The oxycombustion method was applied for sample preparation in which the combustion of the fuel is done in pure oxygen; therefore, the combustion gas contains mostly CO2 and steam. The CO2 from the gas sample is then adsorbed by 3-methoxypropylamine. A known amount of this absorbent was mixed with a scintillation cocktail and measured in the LS spectrometer. In this way, a calibration curve has been obtained, allowing quantitative measurements of biomass content in the fuel.
14C Distribution in Atmospheric and Aquatic Environments Around Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, China
Authors: Wang Zhongtang , Hu Dan , Xu Hong , Guo Qiuju
Published: May 2014

Atmospheric CO2 and aquatic water samples were analyzed to evaluate the environmental 14C enrichment due to operation of the Qinshan nuclear power plant (NPP), where two heavy-water reactors and five pressurized-water reactors are employed. Elevated 14C-specific activities (2–26.7 Bq/kg C) were observed in the short-term air samples collected within a 5-km radius, while samples over 5 km were close to background levels. The 14C-specific activities of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the surface seawater samples ranged from 196.8 to 206.5 Bq/kg C (average 203.4 Bq/kg C), which are close to the background value. No elevated 14C level in surface seawater was found after 20 years of operation of Qinshan NPP, indicating that the 14C discharged was well diffused. The results of the freshwater samples show that excess 14C-specific activity (average 17.1 Bq/kg C) was found in surface water and well water samples, while no obvious 14C increase was found in drinking water (groundwater and tap water) compared to the background level.
Rates of Organic Carbon Burial in a Floodplain Lake of the Lower Yellow River Area During the Late Holocene
Authors: Yu Shi-Yong , Li Chunhai , Chen Xuexiang , Jin Guiyun , Fang Hui
Published: May 2014

The rapid outward and upward growth of the world's large fluvial sedimentary systems during the second half of the Holocene is a remarkable geologic process that may have buried considerable areas of pre-existing riparian wetlands, which in turn would sequester massive carbon. However, the role of floodplain lakes in the global carbon budget has long been neglected. This article demonstrates the potential of organic carbon burial due to floodplain aggradation during the late Holocene by analyzing a sediment core from a buried floodplain lake in the lower Yellow River area. Based on detailed radiocarbon dating, this study inferred that landscape development in the study area has experienced three disparate stages closely related to the displacement of the lower Yellow River channel. The first stage (∼2250–1700 cal yr BP) represents a widespread pedogenic process while the Yellow River discharged to the northern Bohai Sea through a course much farther north from the present-day position. The subsequent stage (∼1700–1000 cal yr BP) broadly corresponds to the calm period of the Yellow River while it discharged to the southern Bohai Sea through a course slightly north from the present-day position. A lacustrine environment prevailed during this period, sequestering organic carbon at a rate of ∼0.58 kg m2yr1. The final stage (∼1000 cal yr BP to present) is marked by the rapid growth of the floodplain due to the frequent rerouting of the lower Yellow River. This analysis suggests that fluvial sedimentary systems should be integrated into the terrestrial carbon budget when accounting for the aberrant rise of the atmospheric CO2in the face of global cooling during the second half of the Holocene.
Canine Brief Pain Inventory scores for dogs with osteoarthritis before and after administration of a monoclonal antibody against nerve growth factor
Authors: Webster Ralph P. , Anderson Gail I. , Gearing David P.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To determine changes in Canine Brief Pain Inventory scores for dogs with osteoarthritis after administration of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against nerve growth factor (NGF) that was modified by use of a proprietary process for administration to dogs.

Animals—11 adult dogs.

Procedures—Dogs received the anti-NGF mAb (0.2 mg/kg, IV) at various evaluation times during the study period; at other evaluation times, dogs received an equivalent volume of PBS solution IV. Owners determined Canine Brief Pain Inventory pain severity (PS) and pain interference (PI) scores immediately before (baseline) and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after administration of the anti-NGF mAb; owners were unaware of the evaluation time at which the mAb had been administered.

Results—Compared with baseline PS scores (median, 4.75; range, 0.75 to 8.5), dogs had significantly lower PS scores 2 weeks (median, 3; range, 1 to 5.5) and 4 weeks (median, 2.25; range, 0.25 to 7.25) after administration of anti-NGF mAb. Compared with baseline PI scores (median, 5.33; range, 1.17 to 9.33), dogs had significantly lower PI scores 2 weeks (median, 3; range, 0.67 to 6.83) and 4 weeks (median, 3.33; range, 0.67 to 6.67) after administration of anti-NGF mAb. The PS and PI scores 6 weeks after mAb administration were lower than baseline scores, although values were not significantly different.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested the evaluated anti-NGF mAb decreased PS and PI scores for 4 weeks after administration. This treatment may be effective for alleviation of signs of pain in dogs with osteoarthritis for up to 4 weeks.
Evaluation of four methods for inducing death during slaughter of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)
Authors: Nevarez Javier G. , Strain George M. , da Cunha Anderson F. , Beaufrère Hugues
Published: May 2014

Objective—To evaluate physical methods for inducing death during the slaughter of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Animals—24 captive hatched-and-reared American alligators.

Procedures—Baseline electroencephalograms (EEGs) were obtained for awake and anesthetized alligators. Corneal reflex, spontaneous blinking, and EEGs were evaluated after severance of the spinal cord, severance of the spinal cord followed by pithing of the brain, application of a penetrating captive bolt, or application of a nonpenetrating captive bolt (6 alligators/group).

Results—Overall, alligators subjected to spinal cord severance alone differed from those subjected to the other techniques. Spinal cord severance alone resulted in postprocedure EEG power values greater than those in anesthetized alligators, whereas the postprocedure EEG power values were isoelectric for the other 3 techniques. Corneal reflex and spontaneous blinking were absent in all alligators immediately after application of a penetrating or nonpenetrating captive bolt. One of 6 alligators had a corneal reflex up to 1 minute after pithing, but all others within that group had immediate cessation of reflexes after pithing. Mean time to loss of spontaneous blinking and corneal reflex for alligators subjected to spinal cord severance alone was 18 minutes (range, 2 to 37 minutes) and 54 minutes (range, 34 to 99 minutes), respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Spinal cord severance followed by pithing of the brain and application of a penetrating or nonpenetrating captive bolt appeared to be humane and effective techniques for inducing death in American alligators, whereas spinal cord severance alone was not found to be an appropriate method.
Reproducibility and feasibility of acoustoelastography in the superficial digital flexor tendons of clinically normal horses
Authors: Ellison Michelle E. , Duenwald-Kuehl Sarah , Forrest Lisa J. , Vanderby Ray , Brounts Sabrina H.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of in vivo measurement of stiffness gradients by means of acoustoelastography in the superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) of clinically normal horses.

Animals—15 clinically normal horses.

Procedures—For each horse, stiffness gradient index and dispersion values for SDFTs in both forelimbs were evaluated in longitudinal orientation by use of acoustoelastography at 3 sites (5, 10, and 15 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone) by 2 observers; for each observer, data were acquired twice per site. The left forelimb was always scanned before the right forelimb. Lifting of the contralateral forelimb with the carpus flexed during image acquisition resulted in the required SDFT deformation in the evaluated limb. Interobserver repeatability, intraobserver repeatability, and right-to-left limb symmetry for stiffness gradient index and dispersion values were evaluated.

Results—Stiffness gradient index and dispersion values for SDFTs at different locations as well as effects of age or sex did not differ significantly among the 15 horses. Interclass correlation coefficients for interobserver repeatability, intraobserver repeatability, and limb symmetry revealed good to excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients, > 0.74).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that acoustoelastography is a feasible and repeatable technique for measuring stiffness gradients in SDFTs in clinically normal horses, and could potentially be used to compare healthy and diseased tendon states.
Effect of intramammary administration of prednisolone on the blood-milk barrier during the immune response of the mammary gland to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Wellnitz Olga , Wall Samantha K. , Saudenova Makhabbat , Bruckmaier Rupert M.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To investigate effects of intramammary administration of prednisolone on the immune response of mammary glands in cows.

Animals—5 lactating Red Holsteins.

Procedures—Cows received a different intramammary infusion in each mammary gland (10 mg of prednisolone, 100 μg of lipopolysaccharide [LPS], 100 μg of LPS and 10 mg of prednisolone, or saline [0.9% NaCl] solution). Milk samples were collected before (time 0) and 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 36 hours after treatment. Somatic cell count (SCC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and concentrations of serum albumin (SA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in milk and mRNA expression of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-1β in milk somatic cells were analyzed.

Results—Saline solution or prednisolone did not change SCC, LDH activity, and SA and TNF-α concentrations in milk and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 in milk somatic cells. The SCC and TNF-α concentration in milk increased similarly in glands infused with LPS, independent of prednisolone administration. However, the increase of LDH activity and SA concentration in milk after LPS infusion was diminished by prednisolone administration. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-1β in milk somatic cells increased after LPS infusion and was unaffected by prednisolone.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Intramammary administration of prednisolone did not induce an immune response and did not change mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-8, and L-1β during the response to intramammary administration of LPS. However, prednisolone reduced disruption of the blood-milk barrier. This could influence the severity and cure rate of mastitis.
In vitro evaluation of anatomic landmarks for the placement of suture to achieve effective arytenoid cartilage abduction by means of unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization in dogs
Authors: Gauthier Christopher M. , Monnet Eric
Published: May 2014

Objective—To evaluate anatomic landmarks to define the ideal suture placement location to achieve appropriate and consistent arytenoid cartilage abduction via unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization (UCL) in dogs.

Sample—6 cadaveric canine larynges.

Procedures—Laryngeal airway resistance (LAR) was determined for each specimen before (baseline) and after suture placements with the epiglottis open and closed. To achieve UCL, suture was placed through the cricoid cartilage just caudal to the cricoarytenoid articulation (suture placement position [SPP] 1), one-fourth of the distance caudally between the cricoarytenoid and cricothyroid articulations (SPP 2), and three-fourths of the distance caudally between the cricoarytenoid and cricothyroid articulations (SPP 3). The LAR was again calculated after tensioning of each suture separately.

Results—With a closed epiglottis, median LAR was 30.0, 20.4, 11.4, and 3.3 cm H2O/L/s at baseline and SPPs 1, 2, and 3, respectively. After UCL at SPP 1, LAR with the epiglottis closed was not significantly different from that at baseline. With an open epiglottis, median LAR was 2.0, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.0 cm H2O/L/s at baseline and SPPs 1, 2, and 3, respectively. After UCL at SPPs 1, 2, or 3, LAR with an open epiglottis was significantly lower than that at baseline.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that placement of suture through the cricoid cartilage at the caudal border of the cricoarytenoid articulation was appropriate to sufficiently reduce LAR without increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia through overabduction of the arytenoid cartilage.
Editorial Vol.2(1)
Authors: Bhatia BD
Published: May 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v2i1.10481 Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2014) Vol.2(1)
Soft Pneumatic Actuators for Rehabilitation
Authors: Belforte Guido , Eula Gabriella , Ivanov Alexandre , Sirolli Silvia
Published: May 2014

Pneumatic artificial muscles are pneumatic devices with practical and various applications as common actuators. They, as human muscles, work in agonistic-antagonistic way, giving a traction force only when supplied by compressed air. The state of the art of soft pneumatic actuators is here analyzed: different models of pneumatic muscles are considered and evolution lines are presented. Then, the use of Pneumatic Muscles (PAM) in rehabilitation apparatus is described and the general characteristics required in different applications are considered, analyzing the use of proper soft actuators with various technical properties. Therefore, research activity carried out in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the field of soft and textile actuators is presented here. In particular, pneumatic textile muscles useful for active suits design are described. These components are made of a tubular structure, with an inner layer of latex coated with a deformable outer fabric sewn along the edge. In order to increase pneumatic muscles forces and contractions Braided Pneumatic Muscles are studied. In this paper, new prototypes are presented, based on a fabric construction and various kinds of geometry. Pressure-force-deformation tests results are carried out and analyzed. These actuators are useful for rehabilitation applications. In order to reproduce the whole upper limb movements, new kind of soft actuators are studied, based on the same principle of planar membranes deformation. As an example, the bellows muscle model and worm muscle model are developed and described. In both cases, wide deformations are expected. Another issue for soft actuators is the pressure therapy. Some textile sleeve prototypes developed for massage therapy on patients suffering of lymph edema are analyzed. Different types of fabric and assembly techniques have been tested. In general, these Pressure Soft Actuators are useful for upper/lower limbs treatments, according to medical requirements. In particular devices useful for arms massage treatments are considered. Finally some applications are considered.
Stakeholder Valuing: A Process for Identifying the Interrelationships between Firm and Stakeholder Attributes
Authors: Carlon Donna , Downs Alexis
Published: May 2014

As firms are creating and recreating themselves as stakeholder corporations, tensions mount between a firm’s fiduciary duties to its shareholders and the broader responsibilities inherent in a stakeholder focus. Firms have employed several techniques to help resolve this tension with limited success. We suggest that the next step in reducing this tension is formally accounting for stakeholder value through changes in financial reporting. We contend that stakeholders have a financial value to the firm that can and should be accounted for through the firm’s financial reporting system. We propose a three-step process we call stakeholder valuing (SV) to begin a conversation regarding how such a method can be created. SV begins with codifying the firm’s identity as a stakeholder entity, moves to assessing stakeholder value that’s consistent with that identity, and concludes with accounting for and reporting that value. What we are suggesting will be seen by some as a radical change in accounting practices but we believe it is necessary as we move toward a consistent, reliable, verifiable, transparent, and comparable means of accounting for the true value of a stakeholder corporation.
An Isocratic Toxic Chemical-Free Mobile Phase HPLC-PDA Analysis of Malachite Green and Leuco-Malachite Green
Authors: Furusawa Naoto
Published: May 2014

This paper describes a reserved-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for detecting malachite green (MG) and leuco-malachite green (LMG) using an isocratic toxic organic solvent/reagent-free mobile phase. Chromatographic separations were performed an Inertsil® WP300 C4 with 0.02 mol/L octane sulfonic acid–ethanol mobile phase and a photodiode-array detector. The total run time was <5 min. The system suitability was well within the international acceptance criteria. A harmless method for simultaneously detecting MG and LMG was developed and may be further applied to the quantification in foods.
Pharmacogenomics: Current State-of-the-Art
Authors: Carr Daniel , Alfirevic Ana , Pirmohamed Munir
Published: May 2014

The completion of the human genome project 10 years ago was met with great optimism for improving drug therapy through personalized medicine approaches, with the anticipation that an era of genotype-guided patient prescribing was imminent. To some extent this has come to pass and a number of key pharmacogenomics markers of inter-individual drug response, for both safety and efficacy, have been identified and subsequently been adopted in clinical practice as pre-treatment genetic tests. However, the universal application of genetics in treatment guidance is still a long way off. This review will highlight important pharmacogenomic discoveries which have been facilitated by the human genome project and other milestone projects such as the International HapMap and 1000 genomes, and by the continued development of genotyping and sequencing technologies, including rapid point of care pre-treatment genetic testing. However, there are still many challenges to implementation for the many other reported biomarkers which continue to languish within the discovery phase. As technology advances over the next 10 years, and the costs fall, the field will see larger genetic data sets, including affordable whole genome sequences, which will, it is hoped, improve patient outcomes through better diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers.