bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Land-Use Changes and Soil Quality: Evaluating Long-Term Trends in a Rural Mediterranean Region
Authors: Salvati Luca
Published: December 2013

Land-Use Changes (LUCs) are the result of interacting environmental and socioeconomic factors. Although in southern Europe traditional agroforestry systems are an important component of the Mediterranean landscape, intensification and simplification of the rural space coupled with the increasing sensitivity to soil degradation are potentially harmful for the integrity of natural resources and biodiversity stock. The present study introduced a quantitative assessment of rural LUCs that occurred in a region devoted to agriculture and experiencing a progressively higher human impact from both urbanization and land abandonment. The assessment was carried out at the municipality scale along forty years (1970–2010) using data collected every ten years in the framework of the National Census of Agriculture. The Maximum potential Water Capacity (MWC) in the soil, taken as a proxy for agricultural soil quality, and an index of crop intensity have been introduced in the analysis as supplementary variables. A Multiway Factor Analysis (MFA) was developed to evaluate stability or dynamics in the investigated land-use classes. Results illustrate relevant changes in the rural landscape by identifying the classes “moving” towards better soils. An integrated evaluation of rural LUCs and soil resources based on long-time inventories available at an adequate spatial scale is a tool informing policies against soil degradation.
Mixed Methods in CAM Research: A Systematic Review of Studies Published in 2012
Authors: Bishop Felicity L. , Holmes Michelle M.
Published: December 2013

Background. Mixed methods research uses qualitative and quantitative methods together in a single study or a series of related studies.Objectives. To review the prevalence and quality of mixed methods studies in complementary medicine.Methods. All studies published in the top 10 integrative and complementary medicine journals in 2012 were screened. The quality of mixed methods studies was appraised using a published tool designed for mixed methods studies.Results. 4% of papers (95 out of 2349) reported mixed methods studies, 80 of which met criteria for applying the quality appraisal tool. The most popular formal mixed methods design was triangulation (used by 74% of studies), followed by embedded (14%), sequential explanatory (8%), and finally sequential exploratory (5%). Quantitative components were generally of higher quality than qualitative components; when quantitative components involved RCTs they were of particularly high quality. Common methodological limitations were identified. Most strikingly, none of the 80 mixed methods studies addressed the philosophical tensions inherent in mixing qualitative and quantitative methods.Conclusions and Implications. The quality of mixed methods research in CAM can be enhanced by addressing philosophical tensions and improving reporting of (a) analytic methods and reflexivity (in qualitative components) and (b) sampling and recruitment-related procedures (in all components).
Fracture Toughness Reliability in Polycarbonate: Notch Sharpening Effects
Authors: Salazar A. , Rodríguez J. , Martínez A. B.
Published: December 2013

The effect of the notch sharpening on the fracture toughness obtained under linear elastic fracture mechanics has been analyzed in an amorphous polycarbonate. The samples for fracture characterization were sharpened via the traditional contact steel razor blade technique and the noncontact femtosecond laser ablation technique. The values of the fracture toughness of the specimens sharpened through femtosecond laser ablation were lower than those measured on samples sharpened using a steel razor blade. Moreover, the former was in plane strain state, but the latter did not verify the size criterion. The damage produced ahead of the crack tip through plastic deformation in the steel razor blade sharpened samples over the lack of damage in the femtolaser sharpened specimens explains the differences in the fracture toughness. It has been proven that there is a relationship between the plastic deformation at the crack front and the stress state. This has been assessed through the application of a fracture criterion for dissipative systems with small scale yielding.
Three Metachronous Osteosarcomas within 22 Years without Pulmonary Metastases: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Pirker-Frühauf Ulrike Michaela , Friesenbichler Jörg , Rabitsch Katharina , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Bauernhofer Thomas , Windhager Reinhard , Leithner Andreas
Published: December 2013

Introduction. We present the extremely rare case of a patient with three metachronous osteosarcomas within 22 years without evident pulmonary manifestation of disease 30 years after first diagnosis.Case Presentation. In 1983, a high-grade osteosarcoma of the left distal femur was diagnosed in an 18-year-old Caucasian male. He received rotationplasty accompanied by pre- and postoperative chemotherapy. Ten years later, an osteoblastic osteosarcoma occurred in TH12. En bloc resection and pre- and postoperative chemotherapy followed. In 2005, the patient developed another high-grade osteosarcoma in his right distal femur. Treatment included a wide resection and reconstruction with a tumour endoprosthesis as well as (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. After the third tumour occurrence, cytogenetic and molecular genetic examinations (p53, rb1) were performed, showing a normal genetic pattern. Screening for metastases never showed clinical evidence of extraskeletal tumour manifestation.Discussion. In patients presenting metachronous osteosarcoma, identification of their lesions clonality (second primary tumour or metastases) could lead to a better understanding of tumour development and help to filter patients who need extended long-term followup due to a higher risk of late occurring sarcoma recurrence.
Restoration of Endodontically Treated Molars Using All Ceramic Endocrowns
Authors: Carlos Roopak Bose , Thomas Nainan Mohan , Pradhan Shamina , Roshni Sharma  , Benjamin Shiny , Rose Rajani
Published: December 2013

Clinical success of endodontically treated posterior teeth is determined by the postendodontic restoration. Several options have been proposed to restore endodontically treated teeth. Endocrowns represent a conservative and esthetic restorative alternative to full coverage crowns. The preparation consists of a circular equigingival butt-joint margin and central retention cavity into the entire pulp chamber constructing both the crown and the core as a single unit. The case reports discussed here are moderately damaged endodontically treated molars restored using all ceramic endocrowns fabricated using two different systems, namely, CAD/CAM and pressed ceramic.
Characteristics of Multidrug Resistant Shigella and Vibrio cholerae O1 Infections in Patients Treated at an Urban and a Rural Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Das Sumon Kumar , Klontz Erik H. , Azmi Ishrat J. , Ud-Din Abu I. M. S. , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Afrad Mokibul Hassan , Malek Mohammad Abdul , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Das Jui , Talukder Kaisar Ali , Salam Mohammed Abdus , Bardhan Pradip Kumar , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Klontz Karl C.
Published: December 2013

We determined the frequency of multidrug resistant (MDR) infections with Shigella spp. and Vibrio cholerae O1 at an urban (Dhaka) and rural (Matlab) hospital in Bangladesh. We also compared sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with MDR infections to those with antibiotic-susceptible infections at both sites. Analyses were conducted using surveillance data from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), for the years 2000–2012. Compared to patients with antibiotic-susceptible for Shigella infections, those in Dhaka with MDR shigellosis were more likely to experience diarrhea for >24 hours, while, in Matlab, they were more likely to stay inhospital >24 hours. For MDR shigellosis, Dhaka patients were more likely than those in Matlab to have dehydration, stool frequency >10/day, and diarrheal duration >24 hours. Patients with MDR Vibrio cholerae O1 infections in Dhaka were more likely than those in Matlab to experience dehydration and stool frequency >10/day. Thus, patients with MDR shigellosis and Vibrio cholerae O1 infection exhibited features suggesting more severe illness than those with antibiotic-susceptible infections. Moreover, Dhaka patients with MDR shigellosis and Vibrio cholerae O1 infections exhibited features indicating more severe illness than patients in Matlab.
Thermal Load in Large-Scale Bridges: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Zhou Guang-Dong , Yi Ting-Hua
Published: December 2013

Thermal load is an important factor that must be taken into account during the procedure of bridge design and structural condition evaluation especially for those statically indeterminate bridges and cable-supported bridges. This paper presents an overview of current research and development activities in the field of thermal load in bridge, in which emphasis is placed on the thermal load models established by numerical analysis and field measurement. The theoretical formulations and boundary conditions of heat transfer in bridge are firstly outlined. And then, the states of the art of numerical solutions for temperature distribution in bridge including finite difference method and finite element method are reviewed in detail. Following that, the progress on thermal load in three types of representative bridges that are concrete bridge, steel-concrete composite bridge, and steel bridge based on field measurement data is discussed extensively. Finally, some existing problems and promising research efforts about thermal load in bridge are remarked.
Preparation and Characterization of Di-, Tri-, and Tetranuclear Schiff Base Complexes Derived from Diamines and 3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde
Authors: Abdulghani Ahlam Jameel , Khaleel Asmaa Mohammed Noori
Published: December 2013

A series of new di-, tri-, and tetranuclear Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of three new diSchiff base ligands were synthesized by two different methods. The first method involved the synthesis of the three ligands from condensation reaction of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (L′H2) with ethylenediamine (en), o-phenylenediamine (o-PD), or 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylendiamine (DMPD) in a mole ratio of 2 : 1 followed by the reaction of the resulting Schiff bases ligands with Cu(II) or Co(II) ions in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridyl (L) to form the di- and trinuclear metal complexes. The second method involved the condensation of the copper complexLCu(II)L′(L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, L′ = 4-formylbenzene-1,2-bis(olate)) with en, o-PD, or DMPD in a mole ratio of 2 : 1, respectively, followed by reaction with CuCl2or Cu(ClO4)2to form di-, tri-, and tetranuclear copper (II) complexes, respectively. The structures of the ligands and metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR, and FTIR spectra. The geometries of metal complexes were suggested according to elemental analysis, electronic spectra, thermal analyses, atomic absorption, and magnetic moments and conductivity measurements.
High Energy Efficient Heterogeneous Networks: Cooperative and Cognitive Techniques
Authors: Wang Heng , Jiang Jiamo , Li Jian , Ahmed Manzoor , Peng Mugen
Published: December 2013

Heterogeneous network (HetNet) is considered as the main and eminent future communication technology, since it achieves high spectral efficiency per unit area and saves energy due to low transmission power. Mass deployment of small cells in cochannel mode increases overall system capacity, but it is also coupled with greater risk of cochannel interference. This paper overviews the interference model based on the Poisson point process (PPP) and analyzes the performance in terms of energy efficiency in multitier HetNet. As the promising solution for improving the performance of HetNet, both the cooperative communication and cognitive radio techniques to mitigate the interference in HetNet are surveyed. As one example of cooperative communication techniques, a hierarchical cooperation scheme on the spectrum allocation is presented and its energy efficiency performance is analyzed and evaluated. Meanwhile, the energy efficiency increases from the cognitive radio technique are demonstrated as well. The energy efficiency performance comparison between the presented cooperative communication and cognitive radio techniques is emphasized, which suggests that the cooperation communication technique is preferred to suppress the interference and increase the energy efficiency in HetNets.
The Role of BNP and CRP in Predicting the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Pilatis Nektarios D. , Anyfantakis Zacharias-Alexandros , Spiliopoulos Kyriakos , Degiannis Dimitrios , Chaidaroglou Antigoni , Vergou Georgia , Kimpouri Konstantina , Cokkinos Dennis V.
Published: December 2013

Objective. To evaluate the association of BNP and CRP with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Methods. The series consists of 125 patients (aged 65 ± 9 years), who underwent isolated CABG-surgery. BNP and CRP levels were measured pre- and 24 hours postoperatively and their correlation to the development of postoperative AF was analyzed. Results. Forty-four patients (35%) developed AF postoperatively. They were significantly older (68 ± 8 versus 63 ± 9, P = 0.01) and predominantly nonsmokers (18% versus 46%, P = 0.004), compared to the non-AF cases. In addition they showed significant higher preoperative mean BNP levels of 629 versus 373 pg/mL (P = 0.019). Postoperative BNP levels were significantly higher in both groups (AF-group: 1032 pg/mL versus non-AF group: 705 pg/mL; P<0.001), while there was a trend of more increased postoperative levels in AF-cases (P = 0.065). AF-episodes appeared significantly more frequent in the two highest quartiles of BNP levels with 44% (P = 0.035). On the contrary pre- and postoperative CRP levels were not associated with AF. Multivariable analysis revealed only increased preoperative BNP levels as independent predictor for postoperative AF (P = 0.036). Conclusion. Elevated preoperative BNP serum levels are associated with the development of post-CABG AF, while CRP does not seem to be influential.
Rapid-Testing Technology and Systems Improvement for the Elimination of Congenital Syphilis in Haiti: Overcoming the “Technology to Systems Gap”
Authors: Severe Linda , Benoit Daphne , Zhou Xi K. , Pape Jean W. , Peeling Rosanna W. , Fitzgerald Daniel W. , Mate Kedar S.
Published: December 2013

Background. Despite the availability of rapid diagnostic tests and inexpensive treatment for pregnant women, maternal-child syphilis transmission remains a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Haiti, more than 3000 babies are born with congenital syphilis annually. Methods and Findings. From 2007 to 2011, we used a sequential time series, multi-intervention study design in fourteen clinics throughout Haiti to improve syphilis testing and treatment in pregnancy. The two primary interventions were the introduction of a rapid point-of-care syphilis test and systems strengthening based on quality improvement (QI) methods. Syphilis testing increased from 91.5% prediagnostic test to 95.9% after (P<0.001) and further increased to 96.8% (P<0.001) after the QI intervention. Despite high rates of testing across all time periods, syphilis treatment lagged behind and only increased from 70.3% to 74.7% after the introduction of rapid tests (P=0.27), but it improved significantly from 70.2% to 84.3% (P<0.001) after the systems strengthening QI intervention. Conclusion. Both point-of-care diagnostic testing and health systems-based quality improvement interventions can improve the delivery of specific evidence-based healthcare interventions to prevent congenital syphilis at scale in Haiti. Improved treatment rates for syphilis were seen only after the use of systems-based quality improvement approaches.
Nuclear p27 Expression Confers a Favorable Outcome for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liu Zhen , Long Yufei , Zhang Yajie , Huang Wei , Long Xiaobin , Yang Huiling , Long Jie , Cheng Chao , Fang Weiyi
Published: December 2013

Objective. The purpose of the present study is to explore the correlation between nuclear expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27) and clinicopathologic features in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), including patient survival.Methods. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of p27 in 130 primary NPC tissues. The relationship between the levels of p27 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics was analyzed. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The significance of various survival variables was analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.Results. p27 was expressed in both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Nuclear expression of p27 was inversely correlated with T classification and clinical stage. Patients with nuclear p27 expression had better overall survival rates than those without nuclear expression of p27. Further, we observed that nuclear expression of p27 was positively associated with survival time of NPC patients not only in N0-1 and M0 classifications but also in radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment groups. Finally, we found that nuclear expression of p27 was not an independent prognostic factor for patients with NPC.Conclusions. Our findings hint that nuclear expression of p27 is a potentially favorable factor in the progression and prognosis of NPC.
A Novel Solution for Camera Occlusion in Stereo Vision Technique
Authors: Lin Junyi , Jiang Kaiyong , Chang Ming
Published: December 2013

Stereo version is a well-known technique for obtaining depth and surface information of objects from images captured by two cameras. In general, this technique is limited by camera occlusion inherent to grooved or steep profiles in 3D shape measurements. To alleviate this problem, a traditional dual-camera system accompanied with a projector based on the stereo vision principle is presented. The projector was considered as a virtual camera. Three sets of stereo vision systems were then obtained with each of the two cameras at the same global coordinates for 3D topography measurements. The data acquisition system constructed with the two real cameras was first calibrated. Then the two-camera-projector system can be calibrated based on the data obtained from the common measurement area of the three systems. Experiments were implemented to evaluate the accuracy of the merging profile integrated from the three sets of stereo vision systems. Experimental results show that the problem of camera occlusion encountered in the original dual-camera system was effectively resolved and a 0.05% error for the height measurement of a ladder-shaped specimen with camera occlusions was obtained in a measurement range of 640 mm × 480 mm.
Root Anatomy and Root Canal Configuration of Human Permanent Mandibular Premolars: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kottoor Jojo , Albuquerque Denzil , Velmurugan Natanasabapathy , Kuruvilla Jacob
Published: December 2013

Introduction. Mandibular premolars have been reported with complex anatomical aberrations, making them one of the most difficult teeth to manage endodontically. Methodology. An exhaustive search was undertaken to identify associated anatomic studies of mandibular premolars through MEDLINE/PubMed database using keywords, and a systematic review of the relevant articles was performed. Chi-square test with Yates correction was performed to assess the statistical significance of any anatomic variations between ethnicities and within populations of the same ethnicity. Documented case reports of variations in mandibular premolar anatomy were also identified and reviewed. Results. Thirty-six anatomic studies were analyzed which included 12,752 first premolars and nineteen studies assessing 6646 second premolars. A significant variation in the number of roots, root canals, and apical foramen was observed between Caucasian, Indian, Mongoloid, and Middle Eastern ethnicities.The most common anatomic variation was C-shaped canals in mandibular first premolars with highest incidence in Mongoloid populations (upto 24%) while dens invaginatus was the most common developmental anomaly. Conclusions. A systematic review of mandibular premolars based on ethnicity and geographic clusters offered enhanced analysis of the prevalence of number of roots and canals, their canal configuration, and other related anatomy.
A New Technique of Laplace Variational Iteration Method for Solving Space-Time Fractional Telegraph Equations
Authors: Alawad Fatima A. , Yousif Eltayeb A. , Arbab Arbab I.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the exact solutions of space-time fractional telegraph equations are given in terms of Mittage-Leffler functions via a combination of Laplace transform and variational iteration method. New techniques are used to overcome the difficulties arising in identifying the general Lagrange multiplier. As a special case, the obtained solutions reduce to the solutions of standard telegraph equations of the integer orders.
Condition Assessment on Thermal Effects of a Suspension Bridge Based on SHM Oriented Model and Data
Authors: Chen Bo , Chen Zhi-wei , Sun Yu-zhou , Zhao Sheng-lin
Published: December 2013

This paper aims to carry out the condition assessment on temperature distribution and thermal effects of a long span suspension bridge. The structural health monitoring (SHM) oriented data analysis is first performed and several indices are developed to process the time-varying temperature, displacement, and strain responses. An analytical procedure based on heat transfer theory is presented to determine the temperature distributions within the bridge. The fine finite element models of the deck plate, the cross frame, and the bridge tower are constructed for thermal analysis. A new approach to the thermal-structural coupling analysis of long span bridges is proposed to examine the structural thermal effects. The feasibility and validity of the proposed data process method and the new approach for thermal-structural coupling analysis are examined through detailed numerical simulation. The numerical results are compared with the field measurement data obtained from the long-term monitoring system of the bridge and they show a very good agreement, in terms of temperature distribution in different time and in different seasons. This exercise verifies the accuracy of the heat transfer analysis employed and the effectiveness and validity of the proposed approaches for data processing and thermal-structural coupling analysis.
Application of Taguchi Method and Genetic Algorithm for Calibration of Soil Constitutive Models
Authors: Yazdani M. , Daryabari A. , Farshi A. , Talatahari S.
Published: December 2013

A special inverse analysis method is established in order to calibrate soil constitutive models. Taguchi method as a systematic sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the real values of mechanical parameters. This technique was applied on the hardening soil (as an elastoplastic constitutive model) which is calibrated using the results from pressuremeter test performed on “Le Rheu” clayey sand. Meanwhile, a genetic algorithm (GA) as a well-known optimization technique is used to fit the computed numerical results and observed data of the soil model. This study indicates that the Taguchi method can reasonably calibrate the soil parameters with minimum number of numerical analyses in comparison with GA which needs plenty of analyses. In addition, the contribution of each parameter on mechanical behavior of soil during the test can be determined through the Taguchi method.
Environmental Method to Determine Dopamine and Ascorbic Acid Simultaneously via Derivative Spectrophotometry
Authors: El-Zohry Ahmed M. , Hashem E. Y.
Published: December 2013

Many various methods were applied to determine dopamine and ascorbic acid simultaneously using hazardous materials and complex procedures. Derivative absorption spectra can give safely and five sensitive derivative equations that are used for the simultaneous determination of dopamine and ascorbic acid in the UV region, using first and second derivative spectroscopy with high precision at pH value of 9.2. Dopamine and ascorbic acid can be detected in the ranges of 0.375–9.45 mg L−1and 0.352–5.28 mg L−1, respectively. These obtained methods could be used to determine both reagents in real and synthesized samples.
Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Patients with Hereditary Cancer Risk within the United States
Authors: Cragun Deborah , Pal Tuya
Published: December 2013

Recognizing the importance of identifying patients at high risk for inherited cancer predisposition, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has outlined specific family history patterns associated with an increased risk for BRCA mutations. However, national data indicate a need to facilitate the ability of primary care providers to appropriately identify high risk patients. Once a patient is identified as high risk, it is necessary for the patient to undergo a detailed genetics evaluation to generate a differential diagnosis, determine a cost-effective genetic testing strategy, and interpret results of testing. With identification of inherited predisposition, risk management strategies in line with national guidelines can be implemented to improve patient outcomes through cancer risk reduction and early detection. As use of genetic testing increasingly impacts patient outcomes, the role of primary care providers in the identification and care of individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer becomes even more important. Nevertheless it should be acknowledged that primary care providers face many competing demands and challenges to identify high risk patients. Therefore initiatives which promote multidisciplinary and coordinated care, potentially through academic-community partnerships, may provide an opportunity to enhance care of these patients.
Satellite Observations of NO2 Trend over Romania
Authors: Constantin Daniel-Eduard , Voiculescu Mirela , Georgescu Lucian
Published: December 2013

Satellite‐based measurements of atmospheric trace gases loading give a realistic image of atmospheric pollution at global, regional, and urban level. The aim of this paper is to investigate the trend of atmospheric NO2 content over Romania for the period 1996–2010 for several regions which are generally characterized by different pollutant loadings, resulting from GOME‐1, SCIAMACHY, OMI, and GOME‐2 instruments. Satellite results are then compared with ground‐based in situ measurements made in industrial and relatively clean areas of one major city in Romania. This twofold approach will help in estimating whether the trend of NO2 obtained by means of data satellite retrievals can be connected with the evolution of national industry and transportation.
Research Equity: A Capacity Building Workshop of Research Methodology for Medical Health Professionals
Authors: Bhardwaj Ashok Kumar , Grover Ashoo , Raina Sunil Kumar , Kumar Dinesh , Chander Vishav , Sood Shailja Sharma , Sharma Sushant
Published: December 2013

Research is a cornerstone for knowledge generation, which in turns requires capacity building for its tools and techniques. Despite having a vast infrastructure in India the research in medical science has been carried out in limited and focused institutions. In order to build the capacity in carrying out research activities a five-day planning workshop was conducted at state run medical college. Total 22 medical faculty members participated in the workshop with average public health experience of 12 years (range: 5–25 years). The knowledge was assessed objectively by multiple-choice questionnaire. The mean score increased from 6.7 to 7.9 from pre- to posttest. About seventy-percent participants showed improvement, whereas 21.0% showed deterioration in the knowledge and the rest showed the same score. Apart from knowledge skills also showed improvement as total 12 research projects were generated and eight were approved for funding by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. It can be concluded that a supportive environment for research can be built with the technical assistance.
Forecasting Latin America’s Country Risk Scores by Means of a Dynamic Diffusion Model
Authors: Cervelló-Royo R. , Cortés J.-C. , Sánchez-Sánchez A. , Santonja F.-J. , Villanueva R.-J.
Published: December 2013

Over the last years, worldwide financial market instability has shaken confidence in global economies. Global financial crisis and changes in sovereign debts ratings have affected the Latin American financial markets and their economies. However, Latin American’s relative resilience to the more acute rise in risk seen in other regions like Europe during last years is offering investors new options for improving risk-return trade-offs. Therefore, forecasting the future of economic situation involves high levels of uncertainty. The Country Risk Score (CRS) represents a broadly used indicator to measure the current situation of a country regarding measures of economic, political, and financial risk in order to determine country risk ratings. In this contribution, we present a diffusion model to study the dynamics of the CRS in 18 Latin American countries which considers both the endogenous effect of each country policies and the contagion effect among them. The model predicts quite well the evolution of the CRS in the short term despite the economic and political instability. Furthermore, the model reproduces and forecasts a slight increasing trend, on average, in the CRS dynamics for almost all Latin American countries over the next months.
Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of Two New Cobalt(II) Complexes with Triazole-Substituted Nitronyl and Imino Nitroxide Radicals
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhang You-Juan , Huang Kun-Tao , Huang Qiang , Wang Jun-Jie
Published: December 2013

Two new cobalt(II) complexes of formula [Co(hfac)2(NITphtrz) 1 and Co(hfac)2(IMphtrz) 2] have been prepared and characterized structurally [where NITphtrz = 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl)imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide and IMphtrz = 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl)imidazoline-1-oxyl]. All of the complexes crystallize in an isomorphous triclinic space group P1- with the Co(II) ion octahedrally coordinated via the bidentate chelating mode. The magnetic measurements show that two complexes exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions and the nitroxide radicals.
The Effect of Nanoparticles Percentage on Mechanical Behavior of Silica-Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Islam Md Saiful , Masoodi Reza , Rostami Hossein
Published: December 2013

Silica-epoxy nanocomposites are very common among nanocomposites, which makes them very important. Several researchers have studied the effect of nanoparticle’s size, shape, and loading on mechanical behavior of silica-epoxy nanocomposites. This paper reviews the most important research done on the effect of nanoparticle loading on mechanical properties of silica-epoxy nanocomposites. While the main focus is the tensile behavior of nanocomposite, the compressive behavior and flexural behavior were also reviewed. Finally, some of the published experimental data were combined in the graphs, using dimensionless parameters. Later, the best fitted curves were used to derive some empirical formulas for mechanical properties of silica-epoxy nanocomposites as functions of weight or volume fraction of nanoparticles.
A Source‐Initiated On‐Demand Routing Algorithm Based on the Thorup‐Zwick Theory for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Mao Yuxin , Zhu Ping
Published: December 2013

The unreliability and dynamics of mobile wireless sensor networks make it hard to perform end‐to‐end communications. This paper presents a novel source‐initiated on‐demand routing mechanism for efficient data transmission in mobile wireless sensor networks. It explores the Thorup‐Zwick theory to achieve source‐initiated on‐demand routing with time efficiency. It is able to find out shortest routing path between source and target in a network and transfer data in linear time. The algorithm is easy to be implemented and performed in resource‐constrained mobile wireless sensor networks. We also evaluate the approach by analyzing its cost in detail. It can be seen that the approach is efficient to support data transmission in mobile wireless sensor networks.
Oxidative Precipitation of Manganese from Acid Mine Drainage by Potassium Permanganate
Authors: Freitas Regeane M. , Perilli Thomaz A. G. , Ladeira Ana Claudia Q.
Published: December 2013

Although oxidative precipitation by potassium permanganate is a widely recognised process for manganese removal, research dealing with highly contaminated acid mine drainage (AMD) has yet to be performed. The present study investigated the efficiency of KMnO4 in removing manganese from AMD effluents. Samples of AMD that originated from inactive uranium mine in Brazil were chemically characterised and treated by KMnO4 at pH 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0. Analyses by Raman spectroscopy and geochemical modelling using PHREEQC code were employed to assess solid phases. Results indicated that the manganese was rapidly oxidised by KMnO4 in a process enhanced at higher pH. The greatest removal, that is, 99%, occurred at pH 7.0, when treated waters presented manganese levels as low as 1.0 mg/L, the limit established by the Brazilian legislation. Birnessite (MnO2), hausmannite (Mn3O4), and manganite (MnOOH) were detected by Raman spectroscopy. These phases were consistently identified by the geochemical model, which also predicted phases containing iron, uranium, manganese, and aluminium during the correction of the pH as well as bixbyite (Mn2O3), nsutite (MnO2), pyrolusite (MnO2), and fluorite (CaF2) following the KMnO4 addition.
Nondifferentiable Minimax Programming Problems in Complex Spaces Involving Generalized Convex Functions
Authors: Jayswal Anurag , Prasad Ashish Kumar , Kummari Krishna
Published: December 2013

We start our discussion with a class of nondifferentiable minimax programming problems in complex space and establish sufficient optimality conditions under generalized convexity assumptions. Furthermore, we derive weak, strong, and strict converse duality theorems for the two types of dual models in order to prove that the primal and dual problems will have no duality gap under the framework of generalized convexity for complex functions.
A Bidirectional Relationship between Conceptual Organization and Word Learning
Authors: Kaefer Tanya , Neuman Susan B.
Published: December 2013

This study explores the relationship between word learning and conceptual organization for preschool-aged children. We proposed a bidirectional model in which increases in word learning lead to increases in taxonomic organization, which, in turn, leads to further increases in word learning. In order to examine this model, we recruited 104 4-year olds from Head Start classrooms; 52 children participated in a two-week training program, and 52 children were in a control group. Results indicated that children in the training program learned more words and were more likely to sort taxonomically than children in the control condition. Furthermore, the number of words learned over the training period predicted the extent to which children categorized taxonomically. Additionally, this ability to categorize taxonomically predicted the number of words learned outside the training program, over and above the number of words learned in the program. These results suggest a bi-directional relationship between conceptual organization and word learning.
Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis with Intramedullary Metastasis of Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: An Autopsy Case Report
Authors: Nishioka Kenya , Tanaka Ryota , Tsutsumi Satoshi , Shimura Hideki , Oji Yutaka , Saeki Harumi , Yasumoto Yukimasa , Ito Masanori , Hattori Nobutaka , Urabe Takao
Published: December 2013

Background. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is characterized by spinal cord inflammation extending vertically through three or more vertebral segments. The widespread use of MRI revealed LETM more frequency than ever. We report the case of a patient with pathologically confirmed small-cell lung carcinoma metastasis into the spinal cord presenting as LETM.Case Presentation. A 74-year-old man developed rapidly progressive sensorimotor disturbance and vesicorectal dysfunction. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed LETM at the level of from T3 to conus medullaris; gadolinium enhancement showed concurrent tumor in the thoracic spinal cord from T10 to T11. Systemic survey identified a nodular mass in the lung that was verified as small-cell carcinoma. Following initial failed treatment by high-dose steroid, the patient underwent an emergent microsurgical tumor resection. Histological examination was identical with the lung carcinoma. The patient died of tumor progression at the 47th day after admission. At autopsy, only changes of edema were found in the gray matter of the cord, while tumor cells were not noted in it.Conclusion. Metastasis may rarely present symptoms of LETM. Prompt identification of underlying etiology by contrast examination and systemic survey is crucial for the patient assumed as LETM.
Human Influences on Tree Diversity and Composition of a Coastal Forest Ecosystem: The Case of Ngumburuni Forest Reserve, Rufiji, Tanzania
Authors: Kimaro J. , Lulandala L.
Published: December 2013

This paper reports on the findings of an ecological survey conducted in Ngumburuni Forest Reserve, a biodiversity rich forest reserve within the coastal forests of Tanzania. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of uncontrolled anthropogenic activities on tree species diversity and composition within the forest ecosystem. It was revealed that economic activities including logging, charcoaling, and shifting cultivation were the most important disturbing activities affecting ecological functioning and biodiversity integrity of the forest. Further to this, we noted that the values of species diversity, composition, and regeneration potential within the undisturbed forest areas were significantly different from those in heavily disturbed areas. These observations confirm that the ongoing human activities have already caused size quality degradation of useful plants, enhanced species diversification impacts to the forest ecosystem, and possibly negatively affected the livelihoods of the adjacent local communities. Despite these disturbances, Ngumburuni forest reserve still holds important proportions of both endemic and threatened animal and plant species. The study suggests urgent implementation of several conservation measures in order to limit accessibility to the forest resources so as to safeguard the richness and abundance of useful biodiversity stocks in the reserve.
Computationally Inexpensive Approach for Pitch Control of Offshore Wind Turbine on Barge Floating Platform
Authors: Zuo Shan , Song Y. D. , Wang Lei , Song Qing-wang
Published: December 2013

Offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT) has gained increasing attention during the past decade because of the offshore high‐quality wind power and complex load environment. The control system is a tradeoff between power tracking and fatigue load reduction in the above‐rated wind speed area. In allusion to the external disturbances and uncertain system parameters of OFWT due to the proximity to load centers and strong wave coupling, this paper proposes a computationally inexpensive robust adaptive control approach with memory‐based compensation for blade pitch control. The method is tested and compared with a baseline controller and a conventional individual blade pitch controller with the “NREL offshore 5 MW baseline wind turbine” being mounted on a barge platform run on FAST and Matlab/Simulink, operating in the above‐rated condition. It is shown that the advanced control approach is not only robust to complex wind and wave disturbances but adaptive to varying and uncertain system parameters as well. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method performs better in reducing power fluctuations, fatigue loads and platform vibration as compared to the conventional individual blade pitch control.
Research on Achievable Rate of Interference Channel with Cooperative Transmission
Authors: Xiao Lin , Yang Dingcheng , Su Geng , Tan Anping , Liu Shengen
Published: December 2013

This paper studies the achievable data rate of the two-transmitter and two-receiver interference channel model with cooperative transmission. To implement the cooperation, a finite rate conferencing link is deployed at the transmitters side in order to share the message. A new transmit scheme with private message sharing is proposed based on the dirty paper coding. The achievable rate region is established in both strong interference regime and weak interference regime. In weak interference regime, the asymptotically rate region shows the conferencing link can improve the achievable rate region for cooperative receiver. In strong interference regime, the conferencing link not only improves the achievable rate for cooperative receiver but also improves the sum rate of the cooperative network. Numerical results demonstrate these theories in a Gaussian interference channel.
Dynamic Analysis and Vibration Attenuation of Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulators for Large Workspace Applications
Authors: Du Jingli , Duan Xuechao , Qiu Yuanying
Published: December 2013

Cable-driven parallel manipulators are one of the best solutions to achieving large workspace since flexible cables can be easily stored on reels. However, due to the negligible flexural stiffness of cables, long cables will unavoidably vibrate during operation for large workspace applications. In this paper a finite element model for cable-driven parallel manipulators is proposed to mimic small amplitude vibration of cables around their desired position. Output feedback of the cable tension variation at the end of the end-effector is utilized to design the vibration attenuation controller which aims at attenuating the vibration of cables by slightly varying the cable length, thus decreasing its effect on the end-effector. When cable vibration is attenuated, motion controller could be designed for implementing precise large motion to track given trajectories. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the dynamic model and the control algorithm.
Study of Materials for Drugs Delivery: cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] Hydrolysis on Functionalized SiO2(100) Surfaces
Authors: Díaz Compañy A. , Brizuela G. , Simonetti S.
Published: December 2013

The hydrolysis of the cis-platin drug on a SiO2(100) hydrated surface was investigated by computational modeling. The cisplatin molecule presents weak interactions with the neighbouring OH groups of the hydrated surface. The cisplatin hydrolysis is not favourable on the SiO2(100) surface. Consequently, the adsorption properties of SiO2(100) are improved considering the surface's modification with K, Mg, or NH2 functional species. In general, the system is more stable and the molecule-surface distance is reduced when cisplatin is adsorbed on the promoted surfaces. The hydrolysis is a favourable process on the SiO2(100) functionalized surfaces. The cisplatin hydrolysis is most favoured when the surface is functionalized with the NH2 specie. The electron density exchange plays a main role in the adsorption process. cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] and cis-[PtCl(NH3)2]+ are adsorbed on the functionalized surface via Cl–N and Cl–Si interactions, while the cis-[Pt(NH3)2]2+ complex is adsorbed through Pt–O, Pt–Si, and Pt–H interactions. After adsorption, the strength of the N–Si, Si–O, and N–H superficial bonds of the functionalized SiO2(100) changes favouring the interaction between the molecule and their complexes with the surface.
Harmonic Scalpel versus Conventional Haemostasis in Neck Dissection: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Ferri Emanuele , Armato Enrico , Spinato Giacomo , Lunghi Marcello , Tirelli Giancarlo , Spinato Roberto
Published: December 2013

Purpose.The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to compare operative factors, postoperative outcomes, and surgical complications of neck dissection (ND) when using the harmonic scalpel (HS) versus conventional haemostasis (CH) (classic technique of tying and knots, resorbable ligature, and bipolar diathermy).Materials and methods.Sixty-one patients who underwent ND with primary head and neck cancer (HNSCC) resection were enrolled in this study and were randomized into two homogeneous groups: CH (conventional haemostasis with classic technique of tying and knots, resorbable ligature, and bipolar diathermy) and HS (haemostasis with harmonic scalpel). Outcomes of the study included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications.Results.The use of the HS reduced significantly the operating time, the intraoperative blood loss, the postoperative pain, and the volume of drainage. No significant difference was observed in mean hospital stay and perioperative, and postoperative complications.Conclusion.The HS is a reliable and safe tool for reducing intraoperative blood loss, operative time, volume of drainage and postoperative pain in patients undergoing ND for HNSCC. Multicenter randomized studies need to be done to confirm the advantages of this technique and to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio.
Syncope Associated with Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Aygun Dursun , Kocabicak Ersoy , Yildiz Onur , Onar Musa Kazim , Guz Hatice , Boke Omer , Kurt Murat , Temel Yasin
Published: December 2013

In advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an alternative option for the treatment of motor symptoms. Side effects associated with subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS in patients with PD are emerging as the most frequent sensory and motor symptoms. DBS-related syncope is reported as extremely rare. We wanted to discuss the mechanisms of syncope associated with STN DBS in a patient with Parkinson's disease.Case report.Sixty-three-year-old female patient is followed up with diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease for 6 years in our clinic. The patient has undergone STN DBS due to painful dystonia and drug resistant tremor. During the operation, when the left STN was stimulated at 5 milliampere (mAmp), the patient developed presyncopal symptoms. However, when the stimulation was stopped symptoms improved. During the early period after the operation, when the right STN was stimulated at 1.3 millivolts (mV), she developed the pre-yncopal symptoms and then syncope. Our case shows that STN DBS may lead to directly autonomic symptoms resulting in syncope during stimulation-on (stim-on).