bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Armed Respondents to Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Recovering Their Firearms: Process Evaluation of an Initiative in California
Authors: Wintemute Garen J. , Frattaroli Shannon , Claire Barbara E. , Vittes Katherine A. , Webster Daniel W.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We evaluated a law enforcement initiative to screen respondents to domestic violence restraining orders for firearm ownership or possession and recover their firearms.

Methods. The initiative was implemented in San Mateo and Butte counties in California from 2007 through 2010. We used descriptive methods to evaluate the screening process and recovery effort in each county, relying on records for individual cases.

Results. Screening relied on an archive of firearm transactions, court records, and petitioner interviews; no single source was adequate. Screening linked 525 respondents (17.7%) in San Mateo County to firearms; 405 firearms were recovered from 119 (22.7%) of them. In Butte County, 88 (31.1%) respondents were linked to firearms; 260 firearms were recovered from 45 (51.1%) of them. Nonrecovery occurred most often when orders were never served or respondents denied having firearms. There were no reports of serious violence or injury.

Conclusions. Recovering firearms from persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders is possible. We have identified design and implementation changes that may improve the screening process and the yield from recovery efforts. Larger implementation trials are needed.
Protective School Climates and Reduced Risk for Suicide Ideation in Sexual Minority Youths
Authors: Hatzenbuehler Mark L. , Birkett Michelle , Van Wagenen Aimee , Meyer Ilan H.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined whether sexual minority students living in states and cities with more protective school climates were at lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts.

Methods. Data on sexual orientation and past-year suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were from the pooled 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Surveys from 8 states and cities. We derived data on school climates that protected sexual minority students (e.g., percentage of schools with safe spaces and Gay–Straight Alliances) from the 2010 School Health Profile Survey, compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students living in states and cities with more protective school climates reported fewer past-year suicidal thoughts than those living in states and cities with less protective climates (lesbians and gays: odds ratio [OR] = 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47, 0.99; bisexuals: OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.66, 0.99). Results were robust to adjustment for potential state-level confounders. Sexual orientation disparities in suicidal thoughts were nearly eliminated in states and cities with the most protective school climates.

Conclusions. School climates that protect sexual minority students may reduce their risk of suicidal thoughts.
Selection for Postflowering Drought Resistance in Short‐ and Medium‐ duration Cowpeas Using Stress Tolerance Indices
Authors: Belko Nouhoun , Cisse Ndiaga , Diop Ndeye N. , Zombre Gerard , Thiaw Samba , Muranaka Satoru , Ehlers Jeffrey. D.
Published: December 2013

Available drought‐tolerant cowpeas [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] are few, and identification of additional genotypes with even greater tolerance to drought would enable breeders to develop cultivars with higher and more stable yields across the semiarid ecologies where this crop is grown. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of drought on the growth and reproduction of a diverse set of cowpea germplasm and select drought‐tolerant and high‐yielding genotypes using stress tolerance indices. Thirty short‐ and 30 medium‐duration genotypes were separately assessed in adjacent drought‐stressed (DS) and nonstressed (NS) environments in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Selection indices, including stress tolerance index (STI) and geometric mean productivity (GMP), were estimated considering grain yield under NS and DS environments and the stress intensity. Overall, the medium‐duration genotypes had higher yields than the short‐duration ones under both DS and NS conditions. On average, fodder and grain yields were 40 and 65% less under DS conditions and maturity occurred 4 d earlier. IT85F‐3139, IT93K‐693‐2, IT97K‐499‐39, IT93K‐503‐1, IT96D‐610, IT97K‐207‐15, KVx‐61‐1, KVx‐403, KVx‐421‐25, and Mouride had the highest grain yields under both DS and NS environments and were identified as the most drought‐tolerant and high‐yielding genotypes based on their rank in terms of STI and GMP values. Therefore, these cultivars may be valuable parents for breeding programs whose objectives include developing drought‐tolerant cowpea cultivars.
Relationships between the Weedy Amaranthus hybridus (Amaranthaceae) and the Grain Amaranths
Authors: Kietlinski Kiel D. , Jimenez Felix , Jellen Eric N. , Maughan Peter J. , Smith Scott M. , Pratt Donald B.
Published: December 2013

Previous phylogenetic work investigating the origins of the grain amaranths is plagued by two methodological faults. Primarily, no study to date has adequately sampled all of the grain species as well as the two putative weedy progenitors across their entire native species’ ranges. Second, no study to date adequately investigates the genetic diversity component of both putative weedy species (Amaranthus hybridus L. and Amaranthus quitensis Kunth). Two hundred fifty‐eight individuals from 56 taxa representing the three grain amaranth species and two putative weedy progenitors were sampled from their native species’ ranges and subjected to microsatellite testing. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis, clustering algorithms, and genetic distance neighbor‐joining tree dendrograms. Standard genetic diversity measures indicate strong inbreeding coefficients in all studied taxa. Principal component analysis, clustering algorithms, private alleles, and tree dendrograms all resolve a distinct A. quitensis group. The grain amaranths and A. hybridus were found to group together. Results from 11 simple sequence repeat loci indicate the following: (i) A. hybridus is the progenitor of all three grain amaranths in at least two separate domestication events, (ii) A. quitensis is its own species and not a variant of A. hybridus, and (iii) Amaranthus caudatus L. and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. appear to be closely related.
Cytological Mechanisms of Leaf Rolling in Rice
Authors: Zou Liangping , Zhang Zhiguo , Qi Dengfeng , Peng Ming , Lu Tiegang
Published: December 2013

Moderate leaf rolling, which probably results from changes of various cells that constitute leaf blades, is an important trait for rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding. To elucidate the cytological mechanism of leaf rolling, 46 stable mutants with inward (adaxial) or outward (abaxial) rolling phenotypes were obtained from more than 100,000 transfer DNA insertion lines in rice. Histological analyses of those mutants show that changes of number, size, and pattern of bulliform cells, sclerenchyma cells, parenchyma cells, and mesophyll cells as well as vascular bundles could lead to leaf rolling. Here, eight groups have been categorized according to their cytological characteristics in these mutants: increased bulliform cell number and area, decreased bulliform cell number and area, disordered bulliform cell number and area, partial sclerenchyma cell absence, phloem expansion, increased number of parenchyma cells, changes in multiple cell types, and parenchyma‐like cells from partial mesophyll cells. Our study demonstrates that changes in each individual cell type can result in rolled‐leaf formation.
Development and Characterization of Simple Sequence Repeat Markers for St. Augustinegrass
Authors: Mulkey Steven E. , Zuleta M. Carolina , Keebler Jonathan E. , Schaff Jennifer E. , Milla‐Lewis Susana R.
Published: December 2013

Illumina sequencing data was used to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze], an economically important warm‐season turfgrass. Polymorphism was observed in 190 of 215 designed SSR markers among a panel of eight diverse germplasm accessions. Of these, 94 were subsequently used to assess levels of diversity within a diverse collection of S. secundatum and pembagrass [Stenotaphrum dimidiatum (L.) Brongn.] germplasm. A total of 982 alleles ranging in size from 63 to 250 bp were amplified. Levels of polymorphism were high, with number of alleles amplified per loci ranging from 5 to 23 (μ = 10) and with polymorphic information content values ranging from 0.09 to 0.83 (μ = 0.54). Cluster and principal coordinate analyses of S. secundatum and S. dimidiatum accessions showed groupings based primarily on ploidy level. Analysis of population structure identified six subpopulations with some admixture present among them. Additionally, the ability of these newly developed SSR markers to uniquely identify specific cultivars was assessed. A set of five SSR markers were capable of producing unique banding patterns for all but two cultivars. These markers, the first developed for the species, should be useful for linkage mapping, diversity and pedigree analyses, accurate varietal identification, and marker‐assisted selection in St. Augustinegrass.
Quantitative Trait Loci Influencing Mycotoxin Contamination of Maize: Analysis by Linkage Mapping, Characterization of Near‐Isogenic Lines, and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Mideros Santiago X. , Warburton Marilyn L. , Jamann Tiffany M. , Windham Gary L. , Williams W. Paul , Nelson Rebecca J.
Published: December 2013

Mycotoxin contamination of maize (Zea mays L.) exposes people to grave health consequences in subsistence agricultural settings and to economical losses in quality‐regulated markets. Genetic variation for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in maize has been reported in many studies. Resistance can act at multiple steps at which there is fungal–plant interaction. In this study, we report the identification and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for multiple traits or components of resistance to Aspergillus flavus using different genetic tools and resources. For QTL mapping, we used a B73 × CML322 population of recombinant inbred lines. Ten QTL were found using two QTL mapping methods, six of which were located on the same chromosome segments using both approaches. These QTL were located in maize bins 4.08, 4.09, 8.02, 8.03, 10.06 and 10.07. Various sources of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) for selected loci were tested. The resistance QTL located in bin 4.08 was confirmed using a NIL pair. Finally, we conducted a meta‐analysis of QTL using data from 12 populations in which resistance to Aspergillus, Fusarium, or Giberella ear rots has been mapped. This meta‐analysis indicated that the QTL in bin 4.08 has been reported in four mapping populations. Overall, we found evidence for significant QTL × year interactions and that QTL were distributed in a manner consistent with an infinitesimal model. The largest‐effect QTL, located in bin 4.08, is a good candidate for further characterization and use.
Transference of Wheat Expressed Sequence Tag–Simple Sequence Repeats to Paspalum Species and Cross‐Species Amplification of Paspalum notatum Simple Sequence Repeats: Potential Use in Phylogenetic Analysis and Mapping
Authors: Siena Lorena Adelina , Sartor María Esperanza , Quarin Camilo Luis , Espinoza Francisco , Ortiz Juan Pablo A.
Published: December 2013

The genus Paspalum L. includes numerous species of agronomic importance. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the transferability and polymorphism of publicly available wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) expressed sequence tag (EST)–simple sequence repeat (SSR) (wEST‐SSR) markers to Paspalum spp., assess the cross‐species amplification of Paspalum notatum Flüggé genomic SSRs (PnSSRs) within the genus, and evaluate both types of markers for phylogenetic analyses and mapping. Thirty‐two accessions including 10 species were used. Moreover, 65 F1 hybrids of P. notatum were used for mapping. Transferability ratio of wEST‐SSRs was 72.72%. On average 19.25 bands per primer combination were obtained. Cross‐species amplification of PnSSRs was 55.37%, with an average of 9.45 fragments per primer pair. Both types of markers differed in the amplification capacity between primers pairs and species. Clustering analysis with wEST‐SSR data discriminated accessions by species and taxonomic groups. Genomic relationships were in agreement with previous works indicating that wEST‐SSRs are adequate for phylogenetic surveys in the genus. Mapping experiments showed that both wEST‐SSRs and PnSSRs mapped scattered in the genome. One hundred two new markers were added to the existent P. notatum linkage groups. Primer pairs ksum206, ksum219, and PN03 F2 generated markers linked to apospory. Sequences of EST‐SSRs experimentally mapped in P. notatum showed 46.23 to 55.27% similarity with the original wheat EST. A preliminary comparative mapping analysis was carried combining experimental and in silico mapping results.
Examination of Cold Deacclimation Sensitivity of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass
Authors: Hoffman Lindsey , DaCosta Michelle , Ebdon J. Scott
Published: December 2013

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) (AB) frequently exhibits increased susceptibility to winter injury compared to other cool‐season turfgrass species such as creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) (CB). Interspecific differences in winter survival of these two species may be associated with enhanced sensitivity of AB to decreases in freezing tolerance (deacclimation) during winter and early spring months; however, there is limited understanding of the factors associated with cold deacclimation between these two species. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the deacclimation sensitivity of one AB ecotype and one CB cultivar in response to varying temperature increases and durations. Total shoot growth and freezing tolerance (lethal temperature resulting in 50% mortality [LT50]) of AB and CB was monitored throughout cold acclimation (20, 2, and –2°C) and following exposure to a combination of 4, 8, or 12°C for 1 or 5 d. Overall, freezing tolerance of AB (LT50 of –17.7°C) was significantly lower than CB (LT50 of –21.2°C) following cold acclimation, and in general CB maintained higher levels of freezing tolerance throughout deacclimation compared to AB (LT50 of –16.2 and –12°C, respectively). Both AB and CB exhibited deacclimation in response to above‐freezing temperatures; however, the threshold temperature required to induce greater losses in freezing tolerance was lower for AB compared to CB. Specifically, a 2.5‐fold greater loss in freezing tolerance was detected in AB compared to CB following exposure to 4°C. Furthermore, total shoot growth and LT50 were correlated during deacclimation in these species.
The History of Reed Canarygrass in North America: Persistence of Natives among Invading Eurasian Populations
Authors: Jakubowski Andrew R. , Jackson Randall D. , Casler Michael D.
Published: December 2013

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceaL.) is a major invader in North American wetlands that has also been planted as a forage crop for nearly a century. While the species is native to both North America and Eurasia, the geographic origin of invaders has remained unknown due to the previous inability to distinguish North American and Eurasian populations. The goals of this study were to (i) identify extant native North American populations if they exist, (ii) determine the geographic origin of present‐day populations in North America, and (iii) compare the diversity among Eurasian and North American populations to determine whether there is evidence of a genetic bottleneck in North America. A total of 987 individuals from 373 accessions were investigated using 15 microsatellite markers. A subset of 37 individuals was sequenced at four chloroplast regions. The population structure of the species was inferred using Bayesian clustering approaches and a median joining tree. Native North American populations of reed canarygrass are still present in North America. However, only 3 of the 235 North American accessions sampled were of North American origin. All Eurasian subpopulations were present in North America and invading populations in North America were as diverse as populations in the Eurasian range. The Eurasian populations are far more common in North American wetlands today and suggest introduced Eurasian populations are more invasive than their North American counterparts although the mechanisms for the differences in invasibility remain a mystery.
Test Cross Evaluation of Upland Cotton Accessions for Selected Fiber Properties
Authors: Beyer Benjamin M. , Smith C. Wayne , Percy Richard , Hague Steve , Hequet Eric F.
Published: December 2013

Texas A&M AgriLife Research released several upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines that exhibit near extra long and extra long staple (ELS) upper half mean length (UHML) fibers, similar to those produced by pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) and significantly longer than those of upland cultivars currently grown in the United States. While present‐day global marketing systems do not reward the production of such upland cotton fibers, future competitiveness of upland cotton may depend on availability of such variability. Thirty‐six improved upland cotton cultivar accessions from the USDA‐ARS Cotton Collection were crossed to two testers to determine if any contained alleles for additional improvement in fiber length or strength parameters of germplasm developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. ‘Tamcot CAMD‐E’ was chosen as a standard fiber quality tester and TAM B182‐33 ELS was the elite fiber quality tester. The lines, testers, and F1s were grown in Tecoman, Colima, Mexico, and at College Station, TX, in 2010 and at College Station only in 2011. Fiber data were subjected to line × tester analysis. Funtua FT‐5 from northern Africa and Stoneville 474 from the United States may harbor additional UHML and length uniformity alleles for improving TAM B182‐33 ELS. Phytogen 72 (United States) and BJA 592 (northern Africa) may contain additional alleles to improve fiber bundle strength.
Analyzing the spatial and temporal characteristics of membrane fouling
Authors: Agwu Nnanna A. G. , Yu Jinsong , Biswas Ishita
Published: December 2013

Fouling characteristics of crossflow flat-sheet membranes for two Nanofiltration (NF), one Ultrafiltration (UF), and one Microfiltration (MF) membranes were analyzed using 12.5 parts per million (mg/L) FeCl3 solution and 350 mg/L copper nanofluid. FeCl3 solution represents dissolved contaminant whereas copper nanofluid simulates particulate contaminant. The spatial and temporal fouling evolutions were captured using digital photography and analyzed using ImageJ software. FeCl3 fouling studies for one NF membrane showed uniform fouling whereas for the other NF membrane, isolated fouling was apparent and the fouling initiated at the outlet then gradually extended towards the inlet. Copper nanoparticle fouling studies analyzed through gravimetric and image processing revealed spatial and temporal fouling developments. Both non-equilibrium and equilibrium fouling stages/regions were evaluated through fouling density analysis.
Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coke plant wastewater
Authors: Burmistrz Piotr , Burmistrz Michał
Published: December 2013

The subject of examinations presented in this paper is the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between solid and liquid phases in samples of raw wastewater and wastewater after treatment. The content of 16 PAHs according to the US EPA was determined in the samples of coke plant wastewater from the Zdzieszowice Coke Plant, Poland. The samples contained raw wastewater, wastewater after physico-chemical treatment as well as after biological treatment. The ΣPHA16 content varied between 255.050 μg L−1 and 311.907 μg L−1 in raw wastewater and between 0.940 and 4.465 μg L−1 in wastewater after full treatment. Investigation of the distribution of PAHs showed that 71–84% of these compounds is adsorbed on the surface of suspended solids and 16–29% is dissolved in water. Distribution of individual PAHs and ΣPHA16 between solid phase and liquid phase was described with the use of statistically significant, linear equations. The calculated values of the partitioning coefficient Kp changed from 0.99 to 7.90 for naphthalene in samples containing mineral-organic suspension and acenaphthylene in samples with biological activated sludge, respectively.
Large-scale hydropower system optimization using dynamic programming and object-oriented programming: the case of the Northeast China Power Grid
Authors: Li Ji-Qing , Zhang Yu-Shan , Ji Chang-Ming , Wang Ai-Jing , Lund Jay R.
Published: December 2013

This paper examines long-term optimal operation using dynamic programming for a large hydropower system of 10 reservoirs in Northeast China. Besides considering flow and hydraulic head, the optimization explicitly includes time-varying electricity market prices to maximize benefit. Two techniques are used to reduce the ‘curse of dimensionality’ of dynamic programming with many reservoirs. Discrete differential dynamic programming (DDDP) reduces the search space and computer memory needed. Object-oriented programming (OOP) and the ability to dynamically allocate and release memory with the C++ language greatly reduces the cumulative effect of computer memory for solving multi-dimensional dynamic programming models. The case study shows that the model can reduce the ‘curse of dimensionality’ and achieve satisfactory results.
Experimental Evaluation of the Energy Performance of an Air Vortex Tube when the Inlet Parameters are Varied
Authors: Torrella E. , Patiño J. , Sánchez D. , Llopis R. , Cabello R.
Published: December 2013

The paper presents the analysis of the energy performance of an air vortex cooling tube under variations of the
air inlet properties, with three independent experimental tests validated through the energy balance in the device.

The experimental analysis includes the following variations of the input conditions: First, the effect of the air inlet
pressure to the vortex tube, focused on the analysis of temperature variations in the output cold stream and in the cooling
capacity when the cold flow fraction varies. Second, we studied air inlet temperature variations to the vortex tube under
different cold flow fractions, which is an analysis not found in the literature. And finally, is studied the performance of the
vortex tube when the insulation is provided or in absence of insulation.
An Optimization System Applied in Optical Design of LED Light Guide
Plate
Authors: Chen Wen-Chin , Liou Pen-Hsi , Chen Bo-Jui
Published: December 2013

Most of the small and medium-sized backlight modules are applied to a small amount of various products.
Since the time to design a product is rigid and the light guide plate (LGP) is the key component that affects the quality of
backlight modules, photovoltaic industries can enhance the core competence if they are able to develop high standard light
guide plates with fast and efficient methods. The study proposes an optical optimal design system of light guide plate
(LGP). The optimization design is conducted in the longitudinal structure of the LGP incidence plane with three LED
light sources. Taguchi method is also used in carrying out the design of experiment through the TracePro, optical analysis
software, and the experiment data which are employed as the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) training and
testing samples and, then, created an optical quality predictor of the longitudinal structure. BPNN can predict the impact
of incidence plane luminance versus the different constructed parameters. Finally, the optical quality predictor can
effectively generate the optimal parameters settings combined with genetic algorithm (GA). The simulation results show
that the proposed system can improve the non-uniformity problem of the incidence plane but also make it easier to design
the longitudinal structure of the incidence plane.
The Prevalence and Nature of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain in Out-Patient Services in Spain
Authors: Garzón-Rodríguez Cristina , Gayoso Luis Olay , Sepulveda Juan M. , Martínez Enrique , Peláez Ignacio , Merino Luis de la Cruz , Atkinson Gary , López-Gómez Vanessa , Páramo Maria Pérez , Litsenburg Chantal van
Published: December 2013

Cancer patients with neuropathic pain have been shown to have higher levels of pain interference and impaired quality of life (QoL) compared with cancer patients without neuropathic pain. This article presents sub-analysis of data from a large non-interventional study conducted between 23 August 2010 and 22 July 2011 in Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain and the UK. Descriptive data collected in 21 oncology or palliative care centers during patients’ routine out-patient visits in Spain are reported here to further investigate the prevalence and nature of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CRNP). The prevalence of CRNP in 557 cancer patients with chronic pain in Spain was estimated at 30.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.0-34.7) by physicians before considering scores on the PainDETECT questionnaire and 30.7% (95% CI: 26.9-34.5) after considering PainDETECT scores. Despite a similar overall number, there were shifts in the numbers of patients with or without a diagnosis of CRNP after physicians had had the opportunity to consider
PainDETECT scores, particularly for patients who received an initial diagnosis of ‘unknown’. In the opinion of the physicians, 92/171 (53.8%) of the CRNP population had mixed cancer-related pain with a neuropathic component, which can be difficult to identify and effectively manage. The self-reported responses to questions and scales in this Spanish sample indicated that many aspects of daily functioning were negatively impacted within the CRNP participants and that pain was not always controlled. These data highlight the need for national guidelines to identify and treat cancer-related pain with a neuropathic component.
Trichomonas vaginalis acidic phospholipase A2: isolation and partial amino acid sequence
Authors: Escobedo-Guajardo Brenda , González-Salazar Francisco , Palacios-Corona Rebeca , Torres de la Cruz Víctor , Morales-Vallarta Mario , Mata-Cárdenas Benito , Garza-González Jesús , Rivera-Silva Gerardo , Vargas-Villarreal Javier
Published: December 2013

Sexually transmitted diseases are a major cause of acute disease worldwide, and trichomoniasis is the most common and curable disease, generating more than 170 million cases annually worldwide. Trichomonas vaginalis is the causal agent of trichomoniasis and has the ability to destroy in vitro cell monolayers of the vaginal mucosa, where the phospholipases A2 (PLA2) have been reported as potential virulence factors. These enzymes have been partially characterized from the subcellular fraction S30 of pathogenic T. vaginalis strains. The main objective of this study was to purify a phospholipase A2 from T. vaginalis, make a partial characterization, obtain a partial amino acid sequence, and determine its enzymatic participation as hemolytic factor causing lysis of erythrocytes. Trichomonas S30, RF30 and UFF30 sub-fractions from GT-15 strain have the capacity to hydrolyze [2-14C-PA]-PC at pH 6.0. Proteins from the UFF30 sub-fraction were separated by affinity chromatography into two eluted fractions with detectable PLA A2 activity. The EDTA-eluted fraction was analyzed by HPLC using on-line HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry and two protein peaks were observed at 8.2 and 13 kDa. Peptide sequences were identified from the proteins present in the eluted EDTA UFF30 fraction; bioinformatic analysis using Protein Link Global Server charged with T. vaginalis protein database suggests that eluted peptides correspond a putative ubiquitin protein in the 8.2 kDa fraction and a phospholipase preserved in the 13 kDa fraction. The EDTA-eluted fraction hydrolyzed [2-14C-PA]-PC lyses erythrocytes from Sprague-Dawley in a time and dose-dependent manner. The acidic hemolytic activity decreased by 84% with the addition of 100 μM of Rosenthal’s inhibitor.
Transmission and molecular characterisation of wild measles virus in Romania, 2008 to 2012
Authors: Necula G , Lazar M , Stanescu A , Pistol A , Santibanez S , Mankertz A , Lupulescu E
Published: December 2013

Molecular characterisation of measles virus is a powerful tool for tracing transmission. Genotyping may prove the absence of endemic circulation of measles virus, i.e. transmission for more than 12 months, which is one of the criteria for verifying elimination of the disease. We have genetically characterised measles viruses detected in Romania from 2008 to 2012, focusing on the recent outbreaks from 2010 to 2012 that affected mainly groups with limited access to healthcare and schools. The findings emphasise the importance of genotyping during the different phases of an outbreak. A total of 8,170 cases were notified, and 5,093 (62%) of the 7,559 possible cases were serologically confirmed. RT-PCR was performed for 104 samples: from the 101 positive samples obtained from sporadic measles cases or clusters from different counties, 73 were genotyped. Sporadic measles cases associated with D4 and D5 viruses were observed from 2008 to 2009. Genotype D4-Manchester was predominant in 2011 and 2012. In addition, the related variant D4-Maramures and MVs/Limoges.FRA/17.10[D4] and a few D4-Hamburg strains were detected. The detection of several distinct MV-D4 genotypes suggests multiple virus importations to Romania. The outbreak associated with D4 genotype is the second largest outbreak in Romania in less than 10 years.
Schallfeldmodellierung von Ultraschall-Transversalwellen-Prüfköpfen
Authors: Mielentz Frank , Feller Viktor , Krause Martin , Orglmeister Reinhold , Mayer Klaus
Published: December 2013

Kurzfassung

Ultraschallmessverfahren werden seit Langem erfolgreich für Prüfaufgaben, wie zum Beispiel die Ermittlung von Bauteilgeometrien, im Bauwesen eingesetzt. Um die Schallbündelung der Prüfköpfe zu verbessern, werden oft mehrere Prüfköpfe in einem Array angeordnet. Für die Entwicklung der Prüfkopfarrays ist es zweckmäßig, mithilfe von Modellierungen den Einfluss der Arraygröße, der Anordnung der Einzelprüfköpfe im Array und der Prüffrequenz auf das Schallfeld zu untersuchen. Dazu werden in der Praxis erfolgreich Modellierungen auf der Basis der Elastodynamischen Finiten Integrationstechnik (EFIT) und der Punktquellensynthese angewendet. Beim Aufbau der Arrays kommen zurzeit immer häufiger Transversal-Punktkontaktprüfköpfe zur Anwendung. Daher wird bei der Beschreibung der Schallfeldberechnung insbesondere auf die der Transversalwellenprüfköpfe eingegangen und mithilfe von Modellierungen und Experimenten gezeigt, wie sich die Prüfkopfpositionierung auf die Richtcharakteristik auswirkt.
Effects of Copper (Cu), Indium (In), Tin (Sn), Antimony (Sb) and Zinc (Zn) in Sterling Silver Alloys on Mechanical Properties Improvement
Authors: Praiphruk Sumethee , Lothongkum Gobboon , Nisaratanaporn Ekasit , Lohwongwatana Boonrat
Published: December 2013

The jewelry industry has been searching for sterling silver with high hardness values as it is believed by the industry to have direct effect on scratch resistance as well as improved mechanical properties such as “spring” property. Even though the direct relationship between hardness and how springy the jewelry articles are could not be linked. However it is a conventional wisdom of goldsmith to observe the usual trend for alloys with higher hardness to be more elastic. Moreover it is a common and cheap test to apply to a jewelry article. Therefore it is common find jewelry manufacturers to discuss and compare hardness values. The current commercial alloys could reach 140–170 HV after careful heat treatments and/or mechanical treatments. In our research, we focused on a systematic alloy development study of ultra-hard silver alloy systems. These systems could reach high hardness values in as-cast state without subsequent post-processing treatments. The complex system comprises of silver content in the range of 80.0–92.5 wt.- % with supersaturated matrix. Twenty-two alloying element candidates and fifteen supersaturated ternary and quaternary compositions were investigated. Vickers hardness tests were performed on prototyped alloy ingots. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to measure the lattice distortion as well as to identify second or third phases in the alloys, if they existed. Metallography and electron microscopes were used to identify the microstructures. Seven developed alloy systems were presented in this paper as the investigation led to the discovery of a quaternary ductile alloy system with the hardness value of 142 HV as cast. The microstructure of the quaternary alloy was mostly single phase and these preliminary results suggested the alloy could be a good candidate for jewelry application.
Neurolysis alone as the treatment for neuroma-in-continuity with more than 50% conduction in infants with upper trunk brachial plexus birth palsy
Authors: Andrisevic Emily , Taniguchi Marshall , Partington Michael D. , Agel Julie , Van Heest Ann E.
Published: December 2013

Object

The debate addressed in this article is that of surgical treatment methods for a neuroma-in-continuity. The authors of this study chose to test the hypothesis that more severe nerve injuries, as distinguished by < 50% conduction across a neuroma-in-continuity, could be treated with neuroma resection and grafting, whereas less severe nerve injuries, with > 50% conduction across the neuroma, could be treated with neurolysis alone.

Methods

The goal of this study was to compare preoperative and postoperative Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores in children with upper trunk brachial plexus birth injuries treated with neurolysis alone if the neuroma's conductivity was > 50% on intraoperative nerve testing. Seventeen patients (7 male, 10 female) met the criteria for inclusion in this study. Surgery was done when the patients were an average of 10 months old (range 6–19 months). The authors analyzed AMS scores from the preoperative assessment, 1-year postoperative follow-up visit, and subsequent follow-up assessment as close to 3 years after surgery as possible (referred to in this paper as > 2-year postoperative scores).

Results

Comparison of preoperative and 1-year follow-up data showed significant improvement in shoulder abduction, flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation; elbow flexion and supination; and wrist extension. Comparison of preoperative findings and results of assessment at > 2-year follow-up showed significant improvement in shoulder abduction, flexion, external rotation; and elbow flexion and supination. At final follow-up, useful function (AMS score of 6 or 7) was achieved for elbow flexion in 14 of 16 patients, shoulder flexion in 11 of 15 patients, shoulder abduction in 11 of 16 patients, and shoulder external rotation in 5 of 15 patients.

Conclusions

This report indicates that there is a subgroup of patients who can benefit clinically, with functional improvement of shoulder and elbow function, from treatment with neurolysis alone for upper trunk lesions demonstrating more than 50% conduction across the neuroma on intraoperative nerve testing. Patients with less than 50% conduction, indicating more severe disease, are treated with nerve resection and grafting in the authors' treatment algorithm.
Advanced neuroimaging findings of pseudotumoral hemicerebellitis in an elderly male requiring surgical decompression
Authors: Gupta Rajesh , Maralani Pejman J. , Chawla Sanjeev , Gopal Pallavi P. , Mohan Suyash
Published: December 2013

Acute cerebellitis is an inflammatory process that usually affects bilateral cerebellar hemispheres in the pediatric population. Pseudotumoral hemicerebellitis is an extremely rare presentation in which unilateral cerebellar involvement mimics a tumor that can exert significant mass effect on the surrounding structures, which may require surgical intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics that suggest cerebellitis include cerebellar swelling, T2 hyperintensity, and pial enhancement. Advanced neuroimaging, including MR perfusion and MR spectroscopy, may be helpful in excluding other diagnoses. The authors present the case of pseudotumoral hemicerebellitis in the oldest documented patient, a 73-year-old man who required surgical decompression, and they provide a brief discussion of advanced neuroimaging findings.
Effect of machined interfacet allograft spacers on cervical foraminal height and area
Authors: Tan Lee A. , Gerard Carter S. , Anderson Paul A. , Traynelis Vincent C.
Published: December 2013

Object

Iatrogenic foraminal stenosis is a well-known complication in cervical spine surgery. Machined interfacet allograft spacers can provide a large surface area, which ensures solid support, and could potentially increase foraminal space. The authors tested the hypothesis that machined interfacet allograft spacers increase cervical foraminal height and area.

Methods

The C4–5, C5–6, and C6–7 facets of 4 fresh adult cadavers were exposed, and the cartilage was removed from each facet using customized rasps. Machined allograft spacers were tamped into the joints. The spines were scanned with the O-arm surgical imaging system before and after placement of the spacers. Two individuals independently measured foraminal height and area on obliquely angled sagittal images.

Results

Foraminal height and area were significantly greater following placement of the machined interfacet spacers at all levels. The Pearson correlation between the 2 radiographic reviewers was very strong (r = 0.971, p = 0.0001), as was the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.907, p = 0.0001). The average increase in foraminal height was 1.38 mm. The average increase in foraminal area was 18.4% (0.097 mm2).

Conclusions

Modest distraction of the facets using machined interfacet allograft spacers can increase foraminal height and area and therefore indirectly decompress the exiting nerve roots. This technique can be useful in treating primary foraminal stenosis and also for preventing iatrogenic foraminal stenosis that may occur when the initially nonlordotic spine is placed into lordosis either with repositioning after central canal decompression or with correction using instrumentation. These grafts may be a useful adjunct to the surgical treatment of cervical spine disease.
Serial endovascular embolization as stand-alone treatment of a sacral aneurysmal bone cyst
Authors: Doss Vinodh T. , Weaver Jason , Didier Scott , Arthur Adam S.
Published: December 2013

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are destructive cystic lesions of the bone and are common in children. They are expansile in nature and, therefore, may become symptomatic. These have traditionally been treated surgically; but recently, endovascular embolization has shown promise as a stand-alone therapy. The authors describe a case of an ABC highlighting the effectiveness and efficiency of endovascular treatment. A 16-year-old boy was referred for a 4-month history of radiating back pain and urinary hesitancy. Findings from his neurological examination were normal, but he had problems ambulating because of pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and CT scanning showed a cystic mass in the sacrum; a biopsy was performed and diagnosis of ABC was confirmed. Treatment options were then discussed with the family.

The patient underwent 2 endovascular embolizations in approximately 1 month: Onyx 18 was involved in the first session, and N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue was used in the second session. After the first treatment, the patient experienced a dramatic decrease in pain and concomitant improvement in function. The patient went from being mildly symptomatic after the first treatment to completely asymptomatic after the second treatment. Clinical and radiographic follow-up obtained at 2, 6, and 18 months after initial treatment revealed the patient to be asymptomatic with progressive ossification.

Endovascular treatment can be effective in treating symptomatic cases of ABC in which surgery would carry significant risk. Selective arterial embolization can promote sclerosis and result in an immediate and significant decrease in pain.
From Losing to Loss: Exploring the Expressive Capacities of Videogames Beyond Death as Failure
Authors: Harrer Sabine
Published: December 2013

In games, loss is as ubiquitous as it is trivial. One reason for this has been found in the established convention of on-screen character death as a signifier for failure (Klastrup 2006; Grant 2011; Johnson 2011). If that’s all that games have to offer in terms of addressing an existential trope of human experience, the worried protectionist concludes, shouldn’t we dismiss this intrinsically flat medium as inferior to more established media forms such as film or literature? (Ebert 2010). Contrary to this view, this paper discusses gameplay examples that shed light on how this medium might leverage its expressive resources to arrive at rich representations of loss.

First, the notion of loss implied in Sigmund Freud’s work “Mourning and Melancholia” (1917) will be discussed in relation to losing in games. Looking at procedurality, fictional alignment and experiential metaphor as three expressive gameplay devices identified by Doris Rusch (2009) will help explain the expressive shortcoming of losing and lay out what is at stake with profound gameplay expression. Moreover, it will serve as the keywords structuring the following analysis of three videogames, Final Fantasy VII (1997), Ico (2001) and Passage (2007), and their design decisions fostering deep representations of loss. Keeping the Freudian notion of loss in mind, we can trace its repercussions on the three expressive dimensions respectively. Following a separate analysis of each gameplay example, the last section will discuss some commonalities and differences and arrive at the identification of desired object, permanent disruption and linearity as design aspects modeling loss in more compelling ways than losing.
Narrated Political Theory: Theorizing Pop Culture in Dietmar Dath’s Novel Für immer in Honig
Authors: Spitaler Georg
Published: December 2013

In recent decades, debates on the relationship between pop culture and the political have transgressed academia and have even been prominent in pop (media) discourses and texts, including pop literature. Amongst the contributions at the intersection of art, theory and entertainment are the novels and essays by the German author Dietmar Dath. Taking the example of his novel Für immer in Honig (Berlin 2005/2008), it will be discussed how the book reloads and theorizes pop culture, and how a common cultural-theoretical narrative of de-politicized pop is challenged by the imaginative narratives of the novel.

It will be argued that Dath’s references to affective ‘mattering maps’ of pop culture, that on the one hand tend to fall into the pitfalls of exclusive ‘pop sophistication’, nevertheless play a key role for his aesthetical/theoretical project of political emancipation, and that these references can be viewed as examples of why popular passions matter for the formation of political identities/subjectivities as well as for the production and reading of political theory.
Transformative Learning for a Sustainable Future: An Exploration of Pedagogies for Change at an Alternative College
Authors: Blake Joanna , Sterling Stephen , Goodson Ivor
Published: December 2013

Educators and policy makers have long recognised the central role that education can play in creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Yet some question whether current processes across mainstream higher education prepare learners sufficiently to graduate with the capabilities or motivation to shape and create a future that is life-sustaining. This paper presents findings from a qualitative research project carried out by Plymouth University in association with Schumacher College, Devon, UK. Schumacher College is an alternative, civil society college, owned by the Dartington Hall Trust that claims to provide transformative learning opportunities within a broad context of sustainability. The study explored the nature and application of transformative learning as a pedagogical approach to advance change towards sustainability. If learners claimed transformational learning experiences, the research asked whether, and to what extent, this transformation could be attributed to the pedagogies employed at the College. The paper begins by setting out the broad background to the relationship between marginal and mainstream educational settings, and definitions and theoretical underpinnings of transformative learning, and then leads into the research design and findings. The potential for transformative pedagogies to be applied to and employed within the wider higher education (HE) sector is then discussed, and the overall findings and conclusions are presented.
Institutional Change, Sustainability and the Sea
Authors: Schlüter Achim , Wise Sarah , Schwerdtner Mánez Kathleen , De Morais Gabriela , Glaser Marion
Published: December 2013

Currently, a substantial institutional change is under way for marine and coastal resources. Sustainability plays a major role therein. At the time of writing, roughly 2.3% of the marine and coastal territory has been declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The Convention of Biological Diversity set a target to protect 10% of the global marine environment by 2020. This move toward enclosure signifies a substantial shift away from mainly open access to at least de jure marine protected areas. What drives institutional change towards MPAs; and what role does sustainability play in this change in governance? In reflecting on these questions, the paper’s aim is to begin a dialogue on how the social-ecological system (SES) analytical framework developed by Elinor Ostrom and her collaborators engages differentially with marine and coastal systems. How institutional change takes place depends on the characteristics of the resources considered and the drivers of change for the particular resource. In order to characterize the marine and coastal realm we use the social-ecological system (SES) framework of Elinor Ostrom. Douglas North’s theory of institutional change is used to classify the change observed. The marine realm has ambiguous system boundaries and often high resource mobility. Uncertainties about system properties and change are much higher than for terrestrial systems. Interdependencies among different ecosystems are high, necessitating multi-level governance. Institutional change in this sector occurs under strong institutional path dependencies and competing ideologies. All these features make it particularly relevant to think about institutional change, sustainability and the current process of MPA expansion.
De l'infamie à la gloire céleste : la rédemption du bandit dans la poésie populaire chilienne
Authors: Grouès Delphine
Published: December 2013

La poésie populaire chilienne des XIXe et XXe siècles rend compte de nombre d'exécutions. S'élevant contre l'inégalité du système judiciaire qui condamne les pauvres et gracie les riches, les poètes restituent une forme de dignité aux criminels par le biais de l'expression. Nous étudierons tout d'abord l'élévation des brigands au rang d'angelitos avant de souligner l'osmose de la représentation du bandit avec la figure du Christ.
Cantar de bandoleros en la Argentina
Authors: Chumbita Hugo
Published: December 2013

El cantar de bandoleros se vincula en Argentina con la cultura gauchesca y sus expresiones folklôricas. Con esa impronta, la exaltaciôn de los «buenos bandidos», a menudo santifîcados por la devociôn campesina, proliferaron en las verseadas, copias, milongas, chaînâmes y otras composiciones propias de las diversas regiones del pais, y sus ecos llegaron también al rock nacional.