bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF AN ADSORPTION CHILLER USING COMPOSITE ADSORBENT, SILICA GEL IMPREGNATED WITH LITHIUM CHLORIDE, PAIRED WITH METHANOL AS THE ADSORBATE
Authors: ISHUGAH FRED T. , WANG RUZHU , WANG LIWEI , LU ZISHENG
Published: January 2014

This study aimed at analyzing different operation strategies to improve the performance of a new type adsorption chiller employing a novel composite adsorbent, silica gel impregnated with lithium chloride, paired with methanol as the adsorbate. The chiller's experimental test results showed an average Specific Cooling Power (SCP) and Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 286 W/kg and 0.48, respectively. This was when the average hot water inlet temperature, cooling water inlet temperature, and chilled water inlet temperature were 83°C, 26°C and 15°C, respectively. In addition, the corresponding mass flow rates were 0.22, 0.39 and 0.09 kg/s, respectively. Despite the fact that the average SCP and COP, were rather satisfactory, analysis of experimental results conducted with different cycle times, inlet hot water temperatures, and hot water flow rates showed that a much better performance could be achieved. Experimental results indicated the following: (1) the COP increased while the SCP decreased with increased cycle time, (2) both the COP and the SCP increased with increase in heat and mass recovery time to an optimal time then started to decrease as heat and mass recovery time increased beyond the optimal time, (3) both the cooling power and COP generally increased with increase in inlet hot water temperature at a relatively higher value from 60°C to about 90°C beyond which the incremental value started diminishing, and, (4) increase in mass flow rates produced higher cooling power with decreased COP while decrease in mass flow rates of hot water produced lower cooling power with increased COP. This paper therefore recommends an adsorption/desorption time, heat and mass recovery time, inlet hot water temperature, and hot water mass flow rate of 780 s, 60 s, 83°C, and 0.22 kg/s as appropriate to give the best chiller performance for refrigeration.
Abnormal Profit Opportunities and the Informational Advantage of High Frequency Trading
Authors: Jarrow Robert , Li Hao
Published: January 2014

In a frictionless and competitive economy, where high frequency (HF) traders possess no market power, this paper characterizes necessary and sufficient conditions on the price process and information sets for HF traders to earn abnormal trading profits. Two sufficient conditions shown to generate abnormal returns are that HF trading enables the observation of short-term price momentum/reversals, not otherwise visible, or it enables the observation of signals correlated to future price movements. The welfare considerations of the existence of such abnormal trading profits are also discussed.
Statistics and Quantitative Risk Management for Banking and Insurance
Authors: Embrechts Paul , Hofert Marius
Published: January 2014

As an emerging field of applied research, quantitative risk management (QRM) poses a lot of challenges for probabilistic and statistical modeling. This review provides a discussion on selected past, current, and possible future areas of research at the intersection of statistics and QRM. Topics treated include the use of risk measures in regulation, including their statistical estimation and aggregation properties. An extensive literature provides the statistically interested reader with an entrance to this exciting field.
Statistics and Climate
Authors: Guttorp Peter
Published: January 2014

For a statistician, climate is the distribution of weather and other variables that are part of the climate system. This distribution changes over time. This review considers some aspects of climate data, climate model assessment, and uncertainty estimation pertinent to climate issues, focusing mainly on temperatures. Some interesting methodological needs that arise from these issues are also considered.
Fusobacterium in Colonic Flora and Molecular Features of Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Tahara Tomomitsu , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Suzuki Hiromu , Maruyama Reo , Chung Woonbok , Garriga Judith , Jelinek Jaroslav , Yamano Hiro-o , Sugai Tamotsu , An Byonggu , Shureiqi Imad , Toyota Minoru , Kondo Yutaka , Estécio Marcos R.H. , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: January 2014

Fusobacterium species are part of the gut microbiome in humans. Recent studies have identified overrepresentation of Fusobacterium in colorectal cancer tissues, but it is not yet clear whether this is pathogenic or simply an epiphenomenon. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between Fusobacterium status and molecular features in colorectal cancers through quantitative real-time PCR in 149 colorectal cancer tissues, 89 adjacent normal appearing mucosae and 72 colonic mucosae from cancer-free individuals. Results were correlated with CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) status, microsatellite instability (MSI), and mutations in BRAF, KRAS, TP53, CHD7, and CHD8. Whole-exome capture sequencing data were also available in 11 cases. Fusobacterium was detectable in 111 of 149 (74%) colorectal cancer tissues and heavily enriched in 9% (14/149) of the cases. As expected, Fusobacterium was also detected in normal appearing mucosae from both cancer and cancer-free individuals, but the amount of bacteria was much lower compared with colorectal cancer tissues (a mean of 250-fold lower for Pan-fusobacterium). We found the Fusobacterium-high colorectal cancer group (FB-high) to be associated with CIMP positivity (P = 0.001), TP53 wild-type (P = 0.015), hMLH1 methylation positivity (P = 0.0028), MSI (P = 0.018), and CHD7/8 mutation positivity (P = 0.002). Among the 11 cases where whole-exome sequencing data were available, two that were FB-high cases also had the highest number of somatic mutations (a mean of 736 per case in FB-high vs. 225 per case in all others). Taken together, our findings show that Fusobacterium enrichment is associated with specific molecular subsets of colorectal cancers, offering support for a pathogenic role in colorectal cancer for this gut microbiome component. Cancer Res; 74(5); 1311–8. ©2014 AACR.
Comparative Effectiveness of Wide Antral Versus Ostial Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: Proietti Riccardo , Santangeli Pasquale , Di Biase Luigi , Joza Jacqueline , Bernier Martin Louis , Wang Yang , Sagone Antonio , Viecca Maurizio , Essebag Vidal , Natale Andrea
Published: January 2014

Background—

For the past decade, electric pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become a procedure implemented worldwide for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Currently, 2 main approaches are used for PVI: ostial isolation of the PVs and wide antral PVI. The aims of this systematic review are to evaluate the relative merits of each technique with a pooled comparative analysis of efficacy and complications.

Methods and Results—

Studies were identified by searching electronic databases for studies on ostial versus antral PVI. Information was extracted from each included trial. Odds ratio was the primary measure of treatment effect or side effects. The proportion of patients with recurrences of atrial fibrillation or other atrial tachyarrhythmias was evaluated at the end of the follow-up periods in 12 trials, including 1183 patients. The recurrence rate of total supraventricular arrhythmias was significantly lower in wide antral than in segmental PVI group (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.56;
P
<0.00001). Atrial fibrillation recurrence was significantly lower in the wide antral group (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.46;
P
<0,00001). A trend toward a higher incidence of left atrial tachycardia occurrence in the wide antral circumferential ablation group was detected, which did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–2.69;
P
=0.13).

Conclusions—

Our primary finding is that PVI performed with a wide antral approach is more effective than ostial PVI in achieving freedom from total atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence at long-term follow-up.
Assessing Reperfusion With Whole-Brain Arterial Spin Labeling
Authors: Mirasol Raymond V. , Bokkers Reinoud P.H. , Hernandez Daymara A. , Merino José G. , Luby Marie , Warach Steven , Latour Lawrence L.
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose—

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a perfusion imaging technique that does not require gadolinium. The study aimed to assess the reliability of ASL for evaluating reperfusion in acute ischemic stroke in comparison with dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) imaging.

Methods—

The study included 24 patients with acute ischemic stroke on admission and 24-hour follow-up ASL and DSC scans. Two readers rated images for interpretability and evidence of reperfusion. Cohen unweighted κ was used to assess (1) inter-rater reliability between readers for determining interpretability and the presence of reperfusion, (2) agreement between ASL and DSC for determining reperfusion for individual raters, and (3) agreement between ASL and DSC for determining reperfusion after consensus.

Results—

Inter-rater reliability for both ASL and DSC was moderate to good (κ of 0.67 versus 0.55, respectively). Reader 1 rated 16 patients as having interpretable ASL and DSC when compared with 15 patients for reader 2. The κ between ASL and DSC for determining reperfusion was 0.50 for reader 1 and 0.595 for reader 2. After consensus, 18 ASL and 17 DSC image sets were rated interpretable for reperfusion and 13 had both interpretable ASL and DSC scans, yielding a κ for assessment of reperfusion of 0.8.

Conclusions—

Inter-rater reliability of ASL and DSC was moderate to good. Agreement between ASL and DSC for determining reperfusion was moderate for each individual rater and increased substantially after consensus. ASL is a noninvasive and practical alternative to DSC for reperfusion assessments in patients with confirmed acute ischemic stroke.
Species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Li Weihai , MURÁNYI DÁVID , Wang Rongfeng
Published: January 2014

Two new species of the genus Neoperla are described from Yunnan Province, China: Neoperla lihuae Li & Murányi, sp. nov. and Neoperla yanlii Li & Wang, sp. nov. They are compared with related congeners. Brief comments on the taxonomy of N. cavaleriei (Navás, 1922), N. limbatella Navás, 1933, N. obscurofulva Wu, 1962 and N. lui Du, 2004 are also presented.
Taxonomic study of the leafhopper genera Gredzinskiya Dworakowska and Musbrnoia Dworakowska (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini) with descriptions of seven new species
Authors: CAO YANGHUI , ZHANG YALIN
Published: January 2014

The genera Gredzinskiya Dworakowska and Musbrnoia Dworakowska are revised and seven new species are described: Gredzinskiya lamellaris, G. serrata, G. spinalis, G. zhangae, Musbrnoia angusta, M. corollaris and M. lata spp. nov.. Habitus photos, illustrations of male genitalia and keys to adult males for both genera are provided.
Periclimenaeus denticulodigitus sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae: Pontoniinae), from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia
Authors: BRUCE A. J.
Published: January 2014

An unusual species of the genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, 1915 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae Pontoniinae) from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia, collected by Dr Niel Bruce in 1979, is described and illustrated. Periclimenaeus denticulodigitus sp. nov., an ascidian associate was collected from coral reef at 7.0 m and presents some interesting new features. It increases to 17 the number of Periclimenaeus known from Heron Island, Queensland, and to 28 the number of species known from Australia. The new species has the second pereiopod fingers minutely denticulate and unique to the genus.
A new species of Amazophrynella (Anura:Bufonidae) from the southwestern part of the Brazilian Guiana Shield
Authors: ROJAS ROMMEL R. , DE CARVALHO VINÍCIUS TADEU , GORDO MARCELO , ÁvilA Robson W. , FARIAS IZENI PIRES , HRBEK TOMAS
Published: January 2014

Amazophrynella is a genus of the family Bufonidae, currently represented by three species. The type species of the genus, Amazophrynella minuta, however, is a complex of species occurring throughout the Amazonian biome. This group remains problematic taxonomically; the difficulty lays principally in the lack of diagnostic characters in the original description of A. minuta, the lack of molecular data and refined taxonomic comparison of individuals through its wide distribution. We describe a new species of the genus Amazophrynella, distributed in the southwestern part of the Guiana Shield of Brazil based on a series of morphological and molecular characters. The new species differs from others of the genus by presenting a slightly truncated triangular snout, ventral texture covered by many fine granules, white belly covered with black spots and by fifteen molecular autapomorphies in the 16S rDNA fragment. Uncorrected p-distances of a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial rDNA gene revealed high divergence among other Amazophrynella species (9%–14%). Additionally we provide a new diagnosis of topotypic material of Amazophrynella minuta including molecular data. Our results show the existence of a subestimated diversity in the genus Amazophrynella.
The Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic species of Spinolambrus Tan & Ng, 2007: S. macrochelos (Herbst, 1790), S. notialis (Manning & Holthuis, 1981), and S. verrucosus (Studer, 1883), with a note on the identity of Lambrus spinosissimus Osório, 1923 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Parthenopidae)
Authors: TAN S. H. , LOW MARTYN E.Y.
Published: January 2014

Spinolambrus Tan & Ng, 2007, was established for eight species of parthenopid crabs, with members of the genus characterised by the presence of two spine-like teeth on the upper margin of the third maxilliped merus, and one tooth on the upper margin of the propodus (Tan & Ng 2007: 111). Three species of Spinolambrus, are found in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic regions: Cancer macrochelos Herbst, 1790 (type species by original designation), Parthenope notialis Manning & Holthuis, 1981, and Lambrus verrucosus Studer, 1883.
Stable Boundary Layer and Its Impact on Tropical Cyclone Structure in a Coupled Atmosphere–Ocean Model
Authors: Lee Chia-Ying , Chen Shuyi S.
Published: January 2014

The atmospheric boundary layer (BL) in tropical cyclones (TCs) connects deep convection within rainbands and the eyewall to the air–sea interface. Although the importance of the BL in TCs has been widely recognized in recent studies, how physical processes affect TC structure and intensity are still not well understood. This study focuses on a particular physical mechanism through which a TC-induced upper-ocean cooling within the core circulation of the TC can affect the BL and TC structure. A coupled atmosphere–ocean model forecast of Typhoon Choi-Wan (2009) is used to better understand the physical processes of air–sea interaction in TCs. A persistent stable boundary layer (SBL) is found to form over the cold wake within the TC’s right-rear quadrant, which influences TC structure by suppressing convection in rainbands downstream of the cold wake and enhancing the BL inflow into the inner core by increasing inflow angles over strong SST and pressure gradients. Tracer and trajectory analyses show that the air in the SBL stays in the BL longer and gains extra energy from surface heat and moisture fluxes. The enhanced inflow helps transport air in the SBL into the eyewall. In contrast, in the absence of a TC-induced cold wake and an SBL in an uncoupled atmosphere model forecast, the air in the right-rear quadrant within the BL tends to rise into local rainbands. The SBL formed over the cold wake in the coupled model seems to be a key feature that enhances the transport of high energy air into the TC inner core and may increase the storm efficiency.
A Novel Financial Market for Mitigating Hurricane Risk. Part II: Empirical Validation
Authors: Meyer Robert J. , Horowitz Michael , Wilks Daniel S. , Horowitz Kenneth A.
Published: January 2014

This paper explores the empirical features of a novel commodity option trading instrument described in the companion paper (Part I) that allows market participants to hedge against the risk that a coastal county or region in the eastern United States will experience a hurricane landfall. In this instrument investors can speculate on whether a landfall event will occur in any one of a number of coastal counties or regions, with option prices being determined by an adaptive control algorithm that reflects previous purchasing decisions of other market participants. In this paper, the authors report the results of an experiment designed to test the empirical robustness of this mechanism using data from traders buying landfall options over the course of a simulated hurricane season. In the experiment traders are given the opportunity to buy landfall options in the primary market as well as sell and buy options in a conventional bilateral secondary market. The data show that aggregate market prices quickly converge to rational (efficient) levels among market participants after limited amounts of trading experience. Some systematic anomalies are observed in the trading of options for individual outcomes, however, with the most notable being an initial tendency to overvalue landfall options that have the highest prior probabilities and for valuations of the “No Landfall” option to be inflated immediately after a storm threat passes without making landfall.
Jean Mohr: photography on the world’s edge
Authors: Hudson Martyn
Published: January 2014

The work of Jean Mohr, the photographer who has often collaborated with John Berger on projects covering migrancy, refuge, displacement, subaltern classes (and their passing) and on Palestine (with Edward Said), is celebrated here. The author argues that the nature and role of photography is rethought by Mohr, as his photographic work, which is integral to the text, transcends time and place to suggest a universality.
Extending immigration policing and exclusion in the UK
Authors: Webber Frances
Published: January 2014

This piece contains the responses to two consultations by the UK government on proposals to place duties on private landlords to act as extensions of the immigration service in order to exclude undocumented migrants from rented accommodation, and to exclude all migrants, except permanent residents, from free National Health Service (NHS) healthcare. The author comments on the likely effects and the larger human rights implications.
Curriculum-Based Measurement and Standards-Based Mathematics
Authors: Jitendra Asha K. , Dupuis Danielle N. , Zaslofsky Anne F.
Published: January 2014

This purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of a curriculum-based measure of word problem solving (CBM-WPS) as an indicator of performance and progress in a sample of 136 third-grade students at risk for mathematics difficulties (MDs) instructed in a standards-based mathematics curriculum. Students completed the CBM-WPS measure every 2 weeks across 12 school weeks. Results indicated that the CBM-WPS measure was reliable and significantly correlated with measures of arithmetic WPS, number combinations fluency, and a standardized test of mathematics achievement. Results of growth modeling indicated that students showed significant growth on the CBM-WPS measure, with an average increase of 0.33 problems correct per week. Additional analyses revealed that students identified as high at-risk demonstrated similar growth as students identified as low at-risk. Furthermore, the CBM-WPS growth slopes were a significant predictor of students’ spring performance on a standardized test of mathematics achievement, demonstrating their predictive validity. Implications for practice and future research for assessing mathematics skill development are discussed.
The use of sonication treatment to decellularize aortic tissues for preparation of bioscaffolds
Authors: Azhim A , Syazwani N , Morimoto Y , Furukawa KS , Ushida T
Published: January 2014

A novel decellularization method using sonication treatment is described. Sonication treatment is the combination of physical and chemical agents. These methods will disrupt cell membrane and release cell contents to external environments. The cell removal was facilitated by subsequent rinsing of sodium dodecyl sulfate detergents. Sonication treatment is used in the preparation of complete decellularized bioscaffolds. The aim of this study is to confirm the usefulness of sonication treatment for preparation of biological scaffolds. In this study, samples of aortic tissues are decellularized by sonication treatment at frequency of 170 kHz in 0.1% and 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate detergents for 10-h treatment time. The relation between decellularization and sonication parameters such as dissolved oxygen concentration, conductivity, and pH is investigated. Histological analysis and biomechanical testing is performed to evaluate cell removal efficiency as well as changes in biomechanical properties. Minimal inflammation response elicit by bioscaffolds is confirmed by xenogeneic implantation and immunohistochemistry. Sonication treatment is able to produce complete decellularized tissue suggesting that these treatments could be applied widely as one of the decellularization method.
Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Social Comparison Scale in chronic illness patients
Authors: Terol Carmen , Lledó Ana , Quiles Yolanda , Martín-Aragón Maite
Published: January 2014

This study examined the Social Comparison Scale in Spanish chronic illness context and analyzed its psychometric properties. The article presented the results of two studies. The first explored the test’s dimensional structure in a sample of 202 patients in a range of several chronic illnesses. The second study examined the instrument’s structure in a sample of 186 patients with specific chronic illness. The results replicated the original structure of the scale and proved to be valid for use with optimum reliability.
Circular metal tubes during lateral compression between a V-shape indenter and a platen – Theory and experiment
Authors: Niknejad Abbas , Javan Yahya Tadrisi
Published: January 2014

In this study, indentation of circular metal tubes during lateral compression process between a V-shape indenter and a rigid platen is investigated by the experimental and theoretical methods. A new analytical model of plastic deformation in the circular metal tubes during the process is introduced and the theoretical analysis is performed based on the energy method and several relations are derived to predict the average lateral load and absorbed energy by the tubes as functions of lateral displacement, geometrical characteristics, and material properties of the tube. Also, to verify the theoretical analysis, some lateral compression tests were performed on circular metal tubes and the results were compared with the corresponding theoretical predictions. The comparison shows a good agreement between the theoretical predictions and experimental results and so, it confirms general form of the present theoretical formula. Also, effects of each geometrical dimension and material properties of the tubes on the average lateral load are investigated using the experimental measurements and the theoretical predictions.
A Behavior Genetic Analysis of Pleasant Events, Depressive Symptoms, and Their Covariation
Authors: Whisman Mark A. , Johnson Daniel P. , Rhee Soo Hyun
Published: January 2014

Although pleasant events figure prominently in behavioral models of depression, little is known regarding characteristics that may predispose people to engage in pleasant events and derive pleasure from these events. The present study was conducted to evaluate genetic and environmental influences on the experience of pleasant events, depressive symptoms, and their covariation in a sample of 148 twin pairs. A multivariate twin modeling approach was used to examine the genetic and environmental covariance of pleasant events and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that the experience of pleasant events was moderately heritable and that the same genetic factors influence both the experience of pleasant events and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that genetic factors may give rise to dispositional tendencies to experience both pleasant events and depression.
Functional platelet defects in children with severe chronic ITP as tested with 2 novel assays applicable for low platelet counts
Authors: van Bladel Esther R. , Laarhoven Annemieke G. , van der Heijden Laila B. , Heitink-Pollé Katja M. , Porcelijn Leendert , van der Schoot C. Ellen , de Haas Masja , Roest Mark , Vidarsson Gestur , de Groot Philip G. , Bruin Marrie C. A.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Pediatric chronic ITP patients with a severe bleeding phenotype exhibit functional platelet defects. The platelet microaggregation test and the platelet reactivity assay are able to assess platelet function at extremely low platelet count.
Robust isolation of malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma
Authors: Frigyesi Ildikó , Adolfsson Jörgen , Ali Mina , Kronborg Christophersen Mikael , Johnsson Ellinor , Turesson Ingemar , Gullberg Urban , Hansson Markus , Nilsson Björn
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Molecular characterization of myeloma requires isolation of malignant plasma cells, which is currently hampered by the instability of CD138. We identified CD319 and CD269 as robust replacements for CD138, facilitating molecular diagnostics in myeloma.
Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae isolate MAX-2 from Shangri-la, China under desiccation stress
Authors: Chen Zi-Hong , Xu Ling , Yang Feng-lian , Ji Guang-Hai , Yang Jing , Wang Jian-Yun
Published: January 2014

Background

Metarhizium anisopliae, a soil-borne entomopathogen found worldwide, is an interesting fungus for biological control. However, its efficacy in the fields is significantly affected by environmental conditions, particularly moisture. To overcome the weakness of Metarhizium and determine its isolates with antistress capacity, the efficacies of four M. anisopliae isolates, which were collected from arid regions of Yunnan Province in China during the dry season, were determined at different moisture levels, and the efficacy of the isolate MAX-2 from Shangri-la under desiccation stress was evaluated at low moisture level.

Results

M. anisopliae isolates MAX-2, MAC-6, MAL-1, and MAQ-28 showed gradient descent efficacies against sterile Tenebrio molitor larvae, and gradient descent capacities against desiccation with the decrease in moisture levels. The efficacy of MAX-2 showed no significant differences at 35% moisture level than those of the other isolates. However, significant differences were found at 8% to 30% moisture levels. The efficacies of all isolates decreased with the decrease in moisture levels. MAX-2 was relatively less affected by desiccation stress. Its efficacy was almost unaffected by the decrease at moisture levels > 25%, but slowly decreased at moisture levels < 25%. By contrast, the efficacies of other isolates rapidly decreased with the decrease in moisture levels. MAX-2 caused different infection characteristics on T. molitor larvae under desiccation stress and in wet microhabitat. Local black patches were found on the cuticles of the insects, and the cadavers dried without fungal growth under desiccation stress. However, dark black internodes and fungal growth were found after death of the insects in the wet microhabitat.

Conclusions

MAX-2 showed significantly higher efficacy and superior antistress capacity than the other isolates under desiccation stress. The infection of sterile T. molitor larvae at low moisture level constituted a valid laboratory bioassay system in evaluating M. anisopliae efficacy under desiccation stress.
Detection of drug effects on gastric emptying and contractility using a wireless motility capsule
Authors: Rozov-Ung Inna , Mreyoud Amjad , Moore John , Wilding Gregory E , Khawam Elias , Lackner Jeffrey M , Semler John R , Sitrin Michael D
Published: January 2014

Background

A wireless motility capsule is a new method for ambulatory assessment of transit times and motility throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a wireless motility capsule to detect drug effects on gastric emptying time (GET) and gastric contractility.

Methods

15 healthy adults were administered in random order saline, erythromycin IV 150 mg, or morphine IV 0.05 mg/kg BW. Subjects ate a standard meal after each infusion, and subsequently ingested the motility capsule. Data were recorded for 8 hours, and the results were analyzed using the manufacturer’s software.

Results

GET was significantly faster after erythromycin than either saline or morphine. Morphine tended to delay emptying of the capsule compared to saline. There was a trend toward a greater frequency of gastric contractions with erythromycin and a reduced frequency of gastric contractions with morphine that did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

A wireless motility capsule successfully detected acceleration of gastric emptying induced by erythromycin, and retardation of gastric motility caused by morphine. These results indicate that a wireless motility capsule is a promising technique to assess pharmacologic effects on gastric transit and contractility and aid in development of drugs for gastric motor disorders.
Sublingual buprenorphine for acute renal colic pain management: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Payandemehr Pooya , Jalili Mohammad , Mostafazadeh Davani Babak , Dehpour Ahmad Reza
Published: January 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of sublingual buprenorphine with intravenous morphine sulfate for acute renal colic in the emergency department.

Methods

In this double-dummy, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled patients aged 18 to 55 years who had a clinical diagnosis of acute renal colic. Patients received either 2 mg sublingual buprenorphine with an IV placebo, or 0.1 mg/kg IV morphine sulfate with a sublingual placebo. Subjects graded their pain with a standard 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) before medication administration and 20 and 40 minutes after that. The need for rescue analgesia and occurrence of side effects were also recorded in the two groups.

Results

Of 69 patients analyzed, 37 had received buprenorphine, and 32 had taken morphine. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. NRS pain scores were reduced across time by administration of both buprenorphine (from 9.8 to 5.22 and then 2.30) and morphine (from 9.78 to 4.25 and then 1.8), significantly (P <0.0001). The two regimens did not differ significantly for pain reduction (P?=?0.260). Dizziness was more frequently reported by the buprenorphine group (62.1% versus 37.5%, P <0.05) but other adverse effects observed within 40 minutes were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

Sublingual buprenorphine (2 mg) is as effective as morphine sulfate (0.1 mg/kg) in acute renal colic pain management.
Significant dose Escalation of Idarubicin in the treatment of aggressive Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma leads to increased hematotoxicity without improvement in efficacy in comparison to standard CHOEP-14: 9-year follow up results of the CIVEP trial of the DSHNHL
Authors: Hohloch Karin , Zwick Carsten , Ziepert Marita , Hasenclever Dirk , Kaiser Ulrich , Engert Andreas , Höffkes Heinz-Gert , Kroschinsky Frank , Mesters Rolf , Feller Andreas C , Löffler Markus , Trümper Lorenz , Pfreundschuh Michael
Published: January 2014

Background

Dose escalation and modification of CHOP has improved the prognosis of patients with aggressive lymphoma; even in the rituximab era, dose escalation for high-risk patients is exploited and frequently limited by drug toxicity. Idarubicin (Id) is a 4-demethoxy anthracycline analogue of daunorubicin with activity against lymphoma and has been reported to cause less cardiotoxicity than other anthracylines. The aim of this study was to replace doxorubicine with idarubicin in the CHOEP regimen and to find the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of idarubicin based on hematotoxicity.

Patients and methods

Between 11/96 and 09/98, 64 patients (pts) aged 18–75 yrs (pts. 18–60, LDH not elevated, >60 years all risk groups) with newly diagnosed aggressive lymphoma received 6 cycles of CIVEP-14 with an escalating dose of idarubicin, consisting of idarubicin (11–16 mg/m2 d1) and standard doses of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, etoposide, and prednisone with G-CSF support.

Results

55 pts (median age 56 yrs) were evaluable for a final analysis with a median observation time of 9.3 years. The CR-rate was 77.4% ; the 5 and 8-year-EFS rates were 46.4% (95%CI 32.5-60.3%) and 43.5% (29.4-57.6%), respectively, and the 5- and 8 yr OS rates were 64.6% (51.7-77.5%) and 59.9% (46.4-73.4%). 14/55 patients have died due to lymphoma progression, and 2/55 patients (3.6%) due to treatment related toxicity, 4/55 due to other causes (3 infections, 1 acute heart failure). In a matched pair analysis comparing CHOEP-14 and CIVEP-14, CIVEP-14 had a higher hematotoxicity with no significant differences in the event free and overall survival for the two regimens.

Conclusions

Thus, idarubicin cannot be used instead doxorubicin even if its dose is escalated to achieve similar hematotoxicity. Doxorubicin remains the standard anthracycline for the treatment of aggressive NHL.
Devotion and Intellectual Labor
Authors: Picciotto Joanna
Published: January 2014

This special issue is a response to three remarkable developments in the humanities: religion's return to the center of scholarly attention, an outpouring of work on the changing nature and historical conditions of intellectual labor, and the widespread revival of interest in affect. While narrowly epistemological approaches to the study of religion have long been criticized for failing to capture aspects of mental activity that can't be described in rational-propositional terms, perhaps only a small portion of anyone's intellectual life can be adequately rendered in these terms. Simone Weil's famous assertion that every school exercise is like a sacrament challenges us to reconsider the limited vocabulary we employ to describe the nature of the mind's work in both “religious” and “secular” contexts. To this end, essays explore intersections between devotional practice and intellectual pursuits like textual production and scientific investigation.
Gender, Colonialism, and the Queerness of Dreams: Seventeenth-Century Dreamwork
Authors: Campbell Mary Baine
Published: January 2014

This essay focuses attention on the cognitive and spiritual work of the dream and the devotional labor of the Jesuit missionary in seventeenth-century Quebec, and views these often passionately opposed spiritual efforts—performed by the various and often passionately opposed peoples of Catholic France and “New France”—through the lens of gender. In the case of early modern Atlantic dreaming, gender and its confusions in the social imaginary are not tied to the historical practice of female-bodied persons. The femininity investigated here is positional and symbolic. There are many kinds of “female” in the early modern shake-up: the terms of sex and gender lose purchase in an avalanche of novel categories at least transitionally operative in the social and epistemological chaos of the period. Confronted by the colonial New World, European gender and other fundamental categories are visible as fragile arrays of power relations, grounded in opposing forms of consciousness.
Novel intracellular functions of apolipoproteins: the ApoO protein family as constituents of the Mitofilin/MINOS complex determines cristae morphology in mitochondria
Authors: Koob Sebastian , Reichert Andreas S.
Published: January 2014

Mitochondria exist in a highly dynamic network that is constantly altered by fusion and fission events depending on various factors such as cellular bioenergetic state and cell cycle. Next to this dynamic nature of the organelle, its cristae membrane also undergoes drastic morphological changes upon physiological or pathological alterations. The Mitofilin/mitochondrial inner membrane organizing system (MINOS) complex was recently reported to ensure mitochondrial architecture and crista junction integrity. Several subunits of this complex are linked to a diverse set of neurological human disorders. Recently, two apolipoproteins, ApoO (APOO) and ApoO-like (APOOL) were suggested to represent constituents of the mammalian Mitofilin/MINOS complex. APOOL was shown to bind the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) and to interact physically with this complex. In this review we highlight the current view on the mammalian Mitofilin/MINOS complex and focus on APOOL and the role of CL in determining cristae morphology. We will discuss possible functions of the Mitofilin/MINOS complex on lipid transport, on assembly of respiratory supercomplexes, on F1FO-ATP synthase organization, on contact site formation, and on trapping CL within the cristae subcompartment.
Measuring Exercise Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women: Psychometric Properties of the Pregnancy-Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (P-ESES)
Authors: Bland Helen W. , Melton Bridget F. , Marshall Elaine S. , Nagle Jacquelyn A.
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose: This study assessed the psychometric properties of a modified self-efficacy scale—the Pregnancy-Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (P-ESES). Methods: Pregnant women completed the P-ESES and physical activity questionnaires (N = 88). Results: Internal consistency was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.838) and equal-length Spearman–Brown (α = 8.22). Squared multiple correlation coefficients were calculated showing 9 of 10 items with values greater than the desired .5. A nonrotated exploratory principal components analysis confirmed the same 9 of 10 items loaded on a single factor, accounting for 46.1% of the variance. Each item had an acceptable load value of .40 or higher. Conclusions: Initial testing of the P-ESES confirmed validity and reliability with the exception of 1 item from the original measure: “Exercising without physician approval.”
Development and Validation of the Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs of Appalachian Women Questionnaire
Authors: Vance Mary E. , Keele Becky
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose: Cervical cancer rates in Appalachia are persistently higher in Appalachia when compared to the rest of the United States. No quantitative instrument exists that examines the cervical cancer knowledge, behavior, and beliefs of Appalachian women. The purpose of this research is to develop, test, and use a new instrument that quantifies the cervical cancer knowledge, behavior, and beliefs of Appalachian women. Methods: Constructs from the Health Belief Model, Health Promotion Model, findings from the qualitative literature, and the researcher’s clinical background were used to construct an initial 58–item instrument. Inclusion Criteria: Appalachian residence, intact uterus, age 21–64 year, and English speaking. Results: Content and construct validity techniques decreased the initial 58-item instrument (5 demographic questions, 9 behavior questions, and 44 cervical cancer knowledge and belief questions) to a 27-item instrument consisting of 5 demographic items, 8 behavior items, and 14 knowledge and belief items. Construct validity was supported with items clustering into 4 factors explaining 53% of the variance. Pilot study testing (20 subjects) and main study testing (217 subjects) composes the sample pool. Conclusions: The new instrument demonstrated initial reliability and validity. Revision and retesting in other populations within Appalachia should comprise the next step to confirm reliability and validity.
Evaluation of Equilibrium Sorption Isotherm Equations
Authors: Chen Chiachung
Published: January 2014

The sorption isotherm is important information for evaluating the ability of an adsorption system to treat the industrial waste water. In this study, eleven datasets from literatures were selected and three two-parameter and three-parameter equations were used to evaluate adsorption systems. Quantitative criteria included six error functions, and the quantitative criterion was residual plots. Isotherm constants differed by linearization and nonlinear regression analysis, especially for the three-parameter equations. The results indicated the inconsistent results of the error functions for select-ing the adequate equations. Residual plots were useful to observe the fitting ability of isotherm equations. Temperature has a significant effect on isotherm constants.
Derivation of the Probability Distribution of Extreme Values of Offshore Structural Response by Efficient Time Simulation Method
Authors: Husain M.K. Abu , Zaki N.I. Mohd , Najafian G.
Published: January 2014

Offshore structures are exposed to random wave loading in the ocean environment and hence the probability distribution of the extreme values of their response to wave loading is required for their safe and economical design. To this end, the conventional simulation technique (CTS) is frequently used for predicting the probability distribution of the extreme values of response. However, this technique suffers from excessive sampling variability and hence a large num-ber of simulated response extreme values (hundreds of simulated response records) are required to reduce the sampling variability to acceptable levels. A more efficient method (ETS) was recently introduced which takes advantage of the cor-relation between the extreme values of surface elevation and their corresponding response extreme values. The method has proved to be very efficient for high-intensity sea states; however, the correlation and hence the efficiency and accura-cy of the technique reduces for sea states of lower intensity. In this paper, a more efficient version of the ETS technique is introduced which takes advantage of the correlation between the extreme values of the nonlinear response and their corre-sponding linear response values.
Cat-Scratch Disease In Adult Hospitalized For Prolonged-Fever Associated With Multiple Lymphadenopathies and Weight Loss
Authors: Guiyedi Vincent , Haddad Hanna , Okome-Nkoumou Madeleine , Gire Fabien , Ongali Brice , Lore Philippes , Gameiro Luis
Published: January 2014

We report a 19-year-old patient with a Cat-scratch disease presenting three months continuous alteration of the general condition, including prolonged-fever, anorexia, asthenia, weight loss associated with adenitis and multiple thoracic-abdominal adenopathies, leukocytosis with neutrophil polynuclear predominance, and increased of C-reactive protein. The serologies of toxoplasmosis, infectious mononucleosis, human immunodeficiency virus, Brucellosis, Bartonellosis and the tuberculosis research by tuberculin reaction test and Ziehl acid-alcohol resistant bacilli direct examination were negatives. The cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus serologies were positives only for immunoglobulin-G. The Bartonella henselae diagnosis was made with the analysis of histopathological specimens. The clinical and biological symptoms regressed following eight weeks of azithromycin's treatment.

According to this observation, the cat-scratch disease should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients presenting prolonged-fever associated with multiple lymphadenopathies and weight loss. The azithromycin would be an alternative therapeutic issue for this pathology in case of confirmed efficacy by studies in a large patient population.
Potential Contradictions Connected to the Inclusion of Stable Schools in
the Legislation for Danish Organic Dairy Farms
Authors: M. Vaarst , I. Fisker
Published: January 2014

This article aims to raise questions and discuss how a previous farmer-driven group approach (Stable Schools)
works under a legislation framework as a part of an obligatory health advisory service for Danish organic dairy producers.
The study takes its starting point in an on-line questionnaire evaluation (79 farmer respondents) conducted after one year
(2011) with the Stable School approach as part of the legislation. This is followed by a discussion on the perspectives of
‘obligatory farmer groups’ supported by literature on experience from other institutionalized advisory approaches.

Respondents generally found the Stable Schools useful for many organic farmers, also after introduction to the legislation,
given that farmers are motivated and the process is actively supported by a skilled facilitator. We raise the question of a
potential mismatch between the legislative aims and the farmer group approach. Shifts between different advisory approaches
at the farm level can potentially stimulate continuous on-farm development.
Validating Emergency Department Vital Signs Using a Data Quality Engine for Data Warehouse
Authors: Genes N , Chandra D , Ellis S , Baumlin K
Published: January 2014

Background:

Vital signs in our emergency department information system were entered into free-text fields for heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature and oxygen saturation.

Objective:

We sought to convert these text entries into a more useful form, for research and QA purposes, upon entry into a data warehouse.

Methods:

We derived a series of rules and assigned quality scores to the transformed values, conforming to physiologic parameters for vital signs across the age range and spectrum of illness seen in the emergency department.

Results:

Validating these entries revealed that 98% of free-text data had perfect quality scores, conforming to established vital sign parameters. Average vital signs varied as expected by age. Degradations in quality scores were most commonly attributed logging temperature in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius; vital signs with this error could still be transformed for use. Errors occurred more frequently during periods of high triage, though error rates did not correlate with triage volume.

Conclusions:

In developing a method for importing free-text vital sign data from our emergency department information system, we now have a data warehouse with a broad array of quality-checked vital signs, permitting analysis and correlation with demographics and outcomes.
Genetic Studies: The Linear Mixed Models in Genome-wide Association Studies
Authors: Li Gengxin , Zhu Hongjiang
Published: January 2014

With the availability of high-density genomic data containing millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms and
tens or hundreds of thousands of individuals, genetic association study is likely to identify the variants contributing to
complex traits in a genome-wide scale. However, genome-wide association studies are confounded by some spurious
associations due to not properly interpreting sample structure (containing population structure, family structure and
cryptic relatedness). The absence of complete genealogy of population in the genome-wide association studies model
greatly motivates the development of new methods to correct the inflation of false positive. In this process, linear mixed
model based approaches with the advantage of capturing multilevel relatedness have gained large ground. We summarize
current literatures dealing with sample structure, and our review focuses on the following four areas: (i) The approaches
handling population structure in genome-wide association studies; (ii) The linear mixed model based approaches in
genome-wide association studies; (iii) The performance of linear mixed model based approaches in genome-wide
association studies and (iv) The unsolved issues and future work of linear mixed model based approaches.