bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of Anthraquinone Dye Reactive Blue 4 in Pyrite Ash Catalyzed Fenton Reaction
Authors: Becelic-Tomin Milena , Dalmacija Bozo , Rajic Ljiljana , Tomasevic Dragana , Kerkez Djurdja , Watson Malcolm , Prica Miljana
Published: January 2014

Pyrite ash (PA) is created by burning pyrite in the chemical production of sulphuric acid. The high concentration of iron oxide, mostly hematite, present in pyrite ash, gives the basis for its application as a source of catalytic iron in a modified Fenton process for anthraquinone dye reactive blue 4 (RB4) degradation. The effect of various operating variables such as catalyst and oxidant concentration, initial pH and RB4 concentration on the abatement of total organic carbon, and dye has been assessed in this study. Here we show that degradation of RB4 in the modified Fenton reaction was efficient under the following conditions:pH=2.5;[PA]0=0.2 g L−1;[H2O2]0=5 mM and initial RB4 concentration up to 100 mg L−1. The pyrite ash Fenton reaction can overcome limitations observed from the classic Fenton reaction, such as the early termination of the Fenton reaction. Metal (Pb, Zn, and Cu) content of the solution after the process suggests that an additional treatment step is necessary to remove the remaining metals from the water. These results provide basic knowledge to better understand the modified, heterogeneous Fenton process and apply the PA Fenton reaction for the treatment of wastewaters which contains anthraquinone dyes.
Results of Infrapopliteal Endovascular Procedures Performed in Diabetic Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia and Tissue Loss from the Perspective of an Angiosome-Oriented Revascularization Strategy
Authors: Acín Francisco , Varela César , López de Maturana Ignacio , de Haro Joaquín , Bleda Silvia , Rodriguez-Padilla Javier
Published: January 2014

Our aim was to describe our experience with infrapopliteal endovascular procedures performed in diabetic patients with ischemic ulcers and critical ischemia (CLI). A retrospective study of 101 procedures was performed. Our cohort was divided into groups according to the number of tibial vessels attempted and the number of patent tibial vessels achieved to the foot. An angiosome anatomical classification of ulcers were used to describe the local perfusion obtained after revascularization. Ischemic ulcer healing and limb salvage rates were measured. Ischemic ulcer healing at 12 months and limb salvage at 24 months was similar between a single revascularization and multiple revascularization attempts. The group in whom none patent tibial vessel to the foot was obtained presented lower healing and limb salvage rates. No differences were observed between obtaining a single patent tibial vessel versus more than one tibial vessel. Indirect revascularization of the ulcer through arterial-arterial connections provided similar results than those obtained after direct revascularization via its specific angiosome tibial artery. Our results suggest that, in CLI diabetic patients with ischemic ulcers that undergo infrapopliteal endovascular procedures, better results are expected if at least one patent vessel is obtained and flow is restored to the local ischemic area of the foot.
Applying 3D Polygonal Mesh Watermarking for Transmission Security Protection through Sensor Networks
Authors: Hu Roland , Xie Li , Yu Huimin , Ding Baocang
Published: January 2014

Although many research works have been carried out in the area of transmission 3D data through sensor networks, the security issue of transmission remains to be unsolved. It is important to develop systems for copyright protection and digital right management (DRM). In this paper, a blind watermarking algorithm is proposed to protect the transmission security of 3D polygonal meshes through sensor networks. Our method is based on selecting prominent feature vertices (prongs) on the mesh and then embedding the same watermark into their neighborhood regions. The embedding algorithm is based on modifying the distribution of vertex norms by using quadratic programming (QP). Decoding results are obtained by a majority voting scheme over neighborhood regions of these prongs. Assuming that cropping cannot remove all prongs, we can achieve robustness against the cropping attack both theoretically and experimentally. Experiments indicate that the proposed method is also robust against noise, smoothing, and mesh simplification. The proposed method has provided a solution for 3D polygonal watermarking which is potential to withstand a variety of attacks.
Penetrating Bladder Trauma: A High Risk Factor for Associated Rectal Injury
Authors: Pereira B. M. , Reis L. O. , Calderan T. R. , Campos C. C. de , Fraga G. P.
Published: January 2014

Demographics and mechanisms were analyzed in prospectively maintained level one trauma center database 1990–2012. Among 2,693 trauma laparotomies, 113 (4.1%) presented bladder lesions; 51.3% with penetrating injuries (n=58); 41.3% (n=24) with rectal injuries, males corresponding to 95.8%, mean age 29.8 years; 79.1% with gunshot wounds and 20.9% with impalement; 91.6% arriving the emergence room awake (Glasgow 14-15), hemodynamically stable (average systolic blood pressure 119.5 mmHg); 95.8% with macroscopic hematuria; and 100% with penetrating stigmata. Physical exam was not sensitive for rectal injuries, showing only 25% positivity in patients. While 60% of intraperitoneal bladder injuries were surgically repaired, extraperitoneal ones were mainly repaired using Foley catheter alone (87.6%). Rectal injuries, intraperitoneal in 66.6% of the cases and AAST-OIS grade II in 45.8%, were treated with primary suture plus protective colostomy; 8.3% were sigmoid injuries, and 70.8% of all injuries had a minimum stool spillage. Mean injury severity score was 19; mean length of stay 10 days; 20% of complications with no death. Concomitant rectal injuries were not a determinant prognosis factor. Penetrating bladder injuries are highly associated with rectal injuries (41.3%). Heme-negative rectal examination should not preclude proctoscopy and eventually rectal surgical exploration (only 25% sensitivity).
Structural Health Monitoring Based on Combined Structural Global and Local Frequencies
Authors: Hou Jilin , Jankowski Łukasz , Ou Jinping
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a parameter estimation method for Structural Health Monitoring based on the combined measured structural global frequencies and structural local frequencies. First, the global test is experimented to obtain the low order modes which can reflect the global information of the structure. Secondly, the mass is added on the member of structure to increase the local dynamic characteristic and to make the member have local primary frequency, which belongs to structural local frequency and is sensitive to local parameters. Then the parameters of the structure can be optimized accurately using the combined structural global frequencies and structural local frequencies. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method are verified by the experiment of a space truss.
Synthesis and Characterisation of New Symmetrical Binucleating Ligands and Their Binuclear Copper(II) Complexes
Authors: Jothivenkatachalam K. , Chandra Mohan S.
Published: January 2014

New symmetrical binucleating ligands N,N-bis[2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-(4-methyl-piperazinomethyl)benzyl]-alkylamines L1and L2and their copper(II) complexes [Cu2L(X)2]·2H2O, where X = CH3COO−, C6H5COO−, Cl−, andClO4-, were prepared and characterised. All the complexes undergo quasi-reversible reduction at negative potential (E = −0.48 to −1.02 V). The acetate and benzoate complexes undergo a two-step single electron transfer at –0.48 to –0.60 V and −0.9 to −1.02 V. The chloro and perchlorate complexes undergo a single step two-electron transfer at −0.55 to −0.75 V. Variable temperature magnetic studies show the presence of weak exchange interaction for acetate (−2 J around 25 to 40 cm−1) and benzoate (−2 J around 45 to 55 cm−1) bridged complexes and no exchange interaction is found for chloro and perchlorate complexes. ESR spectra of chloro and perchlorate complexes are like mononuclear copper(II) complexes with hyperfine splitting (A= 165 ± 5,g∥= 2.17–2.23, andg⊥= 2.05–2.10). The ESR spectra of acetate and benzoate complexes are like binuclear copper(II) complexes with broad signal (g= 2.2).
Automatic Identification of Motion Artifacts in EHG Recording for Robust Analysis of Uterine Contractions
Authors: Ye-Lin Yiyao , Garcia-Casado Javier , Prats-Boluda Gema , Alberola-Rubio José , Perales Alfredo
Published: January 2014

Electrohysterography (EHG) is a noninvasive technique for monitoring uterine electrical activity. However, the presence of artifacts in the EHG signal may give rise to erroneous interpretations and make it difficult to extract useful information from these recordings. The aim of this work was to develop an automatic system of segmenting EHG recordings that distinguishes between uterine contractions and artifacts. Firstly, the segmentation is performed using an algorithm that generates the TOCO-like signal derived from the EHG and detects windows with significant changes in amplitude. After that, these segments are classified in two groups: artifacted and nonartifacted signals. To develop a classifier, a total of eleven spectral, temporal, and nonlinear features were calculated from EHG signal windows from 12 women in the first stage of labor that had previously been classified by experts. The combination of characteristics that led to the highest degree of accuracy in detecting artifacts was then determined. The results showed that it is possible to obtain automatic detection of motion artifacts in segmented EHG recordings with a precision of 92.2% using only seven features. The proposed algorithm and classifier together compose a useful tool for analyzing EHG signals and would help to promote clinical applications of this technique.
Isolated Fracture of the Coracoid Process
Authors: Güleç Ali , Kütahya Harun , Göncü Recep Gani , Toker Serdar
Published: January 2014

Coracoid fractures are rarely seen fractures. In the shoulder girdle, coracoid process fractures generally accompany dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint or glenohumeral joint, scapula corpus, clavicula, humerus fracture, or rotator cuff tear. Coracoid fractures can be missed and the treatment for coracoid process fractures is still controversial. In this paper, a 34-year-old male manual labourer presented to the emergency department with complaints of pain and restricted movement in the left shoulder following a traffic accident. On direct radiographs and computerised tomography images a fragmented fracture was observed on the base of the coracoid process. In addition to the coracoid fracture, a mandibular fracture was determined. The patient was admitted for surgery on both fractures. After open reduction, fixation was made with a 3.5 mm cannulated screw and washer. At the postoperative 6th week, bone union was determined. The patient returned to his previous occupation pain-free and with a full range of joint movement. In conclusion, in the current case of isolated fragmented coracoid process fracture showing minimal displacement in a patient engaged in heavy manual work, surgery was preferred as it was thought that nonunion might be encountered particularly because of the effect of forces around the coracoid.
Synthesis, Characterization, Electrochemical Studies, andIn VitroAntibacterial Activity of Novel Thiosemicarbazone and Its Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) Complexes
Authors: Khan Salman A. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Al-Amry Khalid , Malik Maqsood Ahmad
Published: January 2014

Metal complexes were prepared by the reaction of thiosemicarbazone with CuCl2, NiCl2, CoCl2, Cu(OAc)2, Ni(OAc)2, and Co(OAc)2. The thiosemicarbazone coordinates to metal through the thionic sulfur and the azomethine nitrogen. The thiosemicarbazone was obtained by the thiosemicarbazide with 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene. The identities of these compounds were elucidated by IR,1H,13C-NMR, and GC-MS spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The antibacterial activity of these compounds was first testedin vitroby the disc diffusion assay against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria, and then the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using chloramphenicol as reference drug. The results showed that compound 1.1 is better inhibitor of both types of tested bacteria as compared to chloramphenicol.
Adapting a Database of Text Messages to a Mobile-Based Weight Loss Program: The Case of the Middle East
Authors: Limam Mansar Selma , Jariwala Shashank , Behih Nawal , Shahzad Maahd , Anggraini Aysha
Published: January 2014

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic. Qatar, a rapidly developing country in the Middle East, has seen a sharp increase in the prevalence of obesity. The increase can be attributed to several reasons, including sedentary lifestyles imposed by a harsh climate and the introduction of Western fast food. Mobile technologies have been used and studied as a technology to support individuals’ weight loss. The authors have developed a mobile application that implements three strategies drawn from proven theories of behavioral change. The application is localized to the cultural context of its proposed users. The objective of this paper is to present a method through which we adapted the messaging content of a weight loss application to the context of its users while retaining an effective degree of automation. The adaptation addressed body image, eating and physical exercise habits, and regional/cultural needs. The paper discusses how surveying potential users can be used to build a profile of a target population, find common patterns, and then develop a database of text messages. The text messages are automated and sent to the users at specific times of day, as suggested by the survey results.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Kobak Senol , Kalkan Sezai , Kirilmaz Bahadır , Orman Mehmet , Ercan Ertuğurul
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune epithelitis. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an important and severe complication, which is encountered in many collagen tissue disorders. Early diagnostic strategies are required to define it at the asymptomatic stage. Doppler echocardiography is an important, noninvasive screening test for PAH diagnosis.Objective. The aim of this present study is to define the frequency of PAH in patients with pSS and to reveal correlations with laboratory and clinical findings.Material and Methods. A total of 47 patients, who were diagnosed with pSS according to American-European Study Group criteria were enrolled in the study. After all patients were evaluated clinically and by laboratory tests, Doppler echocardiography was performed in the cardiology outpatient clinic. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) >30 mm Hg values, which were measured at the resting state, were accepted as significant for PAH.Results. Forty-seven patients with pSS were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 48 years and the mean disease duration was 5.3 years. PAH was defined in 11 of the 47 patients (23.4%). The SPAP value was over 35 mm Hg in 5 out of 11 patients, whereas six patients had SPAP measuring 30–35 mm Hg. While pulmonary hypertension was related with earlier age and shorter duration of disease (P=0.04), there was no statistically significant correlation between SPAP increase and clinical findings (P>0.05).Conclusion. We have defined high PAH frequency in patients with pSS. Since there are different data in the literature, it is obvious that large scale, multicentre studies are required.
A Novel and Highly Regioselective Synthesis of New Carbamoylcarboxylic Acids from Dianhydrides
Authors: Ochoa-Terán Adrián , Estrada-Manjarrez Jesús , Martínez-Quiroz Marisela , Landey-Álvarez Marco A. , Alcántar Zavala Eleazar , Pina-Luis Georgina , Santacruz Ortega Hisila , Gómez-Pineda Luis Enrique , Ramírez José-Zeferino , Chávez Daniel , Montes Ávila Julio , Labastida-Galván Victoria , Ordoñez Mario
Published: January 2014

A regioselective synthesis has been developed for the preparation of a series ofN,N′-disubstituted 4,4′-carbonylbis(carbamoylbenzoic) acids andN,N′-disubstituted bis(carbamoyl) terephthalic acids by treatment of 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (1) and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (2) with arylalkyl primary amines (A-N). The carbamoylcarboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized with good yield and high purity. The specific reaction conditions were established to obtain carbamoyl and carboxylic acid functionalities over the thermodynamically most favored imide group. Products derived from both anhydrides1and2were isolated as pure regioisomeric compounds under innovative experimental conditions. The chemo- and regioselectivity of products derived from dianhydrides were determined by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT). All products were characterized by NMR, FTIR, and MS.
A Rare Case of Near Complete Regression of a Large Cervical Disc Herniation without Any Intervention Demonstrated on MRI
Authors: Mahajan Parag Suresh , Al Moosawi Nawal M. , Hasan Islam Ali
Published: January 2014

There are very few reported cases of regression of large cervical disc herniation without any intervention—the so-called spontaneous regression, demonstrated using MRI. We report a rare and interesting case of MRI that demonstrated near complete regression of a large herniated cervical intervertebral disc, without any surgical treatment.
Limpets and Their Algal Epibionts: Costs and Benefits ofAcrosiphoniaspp andUlva lactucaGrowth
Authors: Seaborn Travis
Published: January 2014

Epibiont and basibiont relationships can have positive and negative effects on both organisms involved, ranging in intensity from minor to major effects. Limpets of speciesLottia peltaare commonly found with two algal species growing on their backs,Ulva lactucaandAcrosiphoniaspp. Previous research has shown that basibionts (substrate organism) and epibionts (organism growing on the surface) have complex interactions that can be positive, negative, or neutral. A force transducer and flume were used to measure the drag forces experienced by a limpet at various water velocities. Presence of either epiphyte significantly increased limpet drag.Acrosiphoniaproduced a greater drag effect thanU. lactuca, increasing the force substantially. When dropped in a tank, limpets with algal growth landed foot-down significantly more often than limpets without algal growth.Acrosiphoniaspp. had a greater effect thanUlva lactuca. Lastly, limpets in a wind tunnel with algal growth (especiallyAcrosiphonia) had cooler body temperatures than limpets without algal growth. In conclusion, the effects on the basibiont of this relationship were found to be both positive and negative.
Image Mosaic Method Based on SIFT Features of Line Segment
Authors: Zhu Jun , Ren Mingwu
Published: January 2014

This paper proposes a novel image mosaic method based on SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) feature of line segment, aiming to resolve incident scaling, rotation, changes in lighting condition, and so on between two images in the panoramic image mosaic process. This method firstly uses Harris corner detection operator to detect key points. Secondly, it constructs directed line segments, describes them with SIFT feature, and matches those directed segments to acquire rough point matching. Finally, Ransac method is used to eliminate wrong pairs in order to accomplish image mosaic. The results from experiment based on four pairs of images show that our method has strong robustness for resolution, lighting, rotation, and scaling.
Frequency of Adverse Events of Antithyroid Drugs Administered during Pregnancy
Authors: Yoshihara Ai , Noh Jaeduk Yoshimura , Watanabe Natsuko , Iwaku Kenji , Kobayashi Sakiko , Suzuki Miho , Ohye Hidemi , Matsumoto Masako , Kunii Yo , Mukasa Koji , Sugino Kiminori , Ito Koichi
Published: January 2014

The frequency and types of adverse events after initial antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy during pregnancy have never been reported, nor has whether the frequency of adverse events is the same as among nonpregnant subjects ever been investigated. We investigated retrospectively the frequency of adverse events after initial ATD administration to previously untreated Graves’ disease (GD) patients during pregnancy. We reviewed the charts of cases of 91 untreated pregnant women who came to our hospital for the first time and were newly diagnosed with GD during the period between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2011. Thiamazole (MMI) was used to treat 40 patients and 51 patients were treated with propylthiouracil (PTU). Adverse events occurred in 5 patients (5/40; 12.5%) treated with MMI, and they consisted of cutaneous reactions in 5 patients. Adverse events occurred in five patients (5/51; 9.8%) treated with PTU, and they consisted of hepatotoxicity in two patients and cutaneous reactions in three patients. No patients experienced agranulocytosis or ANCA-related vasculitis. Comparison with the expected rate of adverse events in nonpregnant individuals showed that the frequency of adverse events in pregnant individuals was low.
A Case of Enlarged Intracranial Translucency in a Fetus with Blake’s Pouch Cyst
Authors: Iuculano Ambra , Zoppi Maria Angelica , Ibba Rosa Maria , Monni Giovanni
Published: January 2014

The intracranial translucency (IT) is a recently introduced marker of open spina bifida (OSB). In this study, we describe a case of a fetus affected by Blake’s pouch cyst which showed alterations of BS/BSOB ratio at the first trimester screening.
Thermomechanical Model and Bursting Tests to Evaluate the Risk of Swelling and Bursting of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel Steam Generator Tubes during a Sodium-Water Reaction Accident
Authors: Bertrand C. , Allou A. , Beauchamp F. , Pluyette E. , Defrasne P. , Baqué F.
Published: January 2014

The MECTUB code was developed to evaluate the risk of swelling and bursting of Steam Generator (SG) tubes. This code deals with the physic of intermediate steam-water leaks into sodium which induce a Sodium-Water Reaction (SWR). It is based on a one-dimensional calculation to describe the thermomechanical behavior of tubes under a high internal pressure and a fast external overheating. The mechanical model of MECTUB is strongly correlated with the kind of the material of the SG tubes. It has been developed and validated by using experiments performed on the alloy 800. A change to tubes made of Modified 9Cr-1Mo steel requires more knowledge of Modified 9Cr-1Mo steel behavior which influences the bursting time at high temperatures (up to 1200°C). Studies have been initiated to adapt the mechanical model and to qualify it for this material. The first part of this paper focuses on the mechanical law modelling (elasticity, plasticity, and creep) for Modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and on overheating thermal data. In a second part, the results of bursting tests performed on Modified 9Cr-1Mo tubes in the SQUAT facility of CEA are used to validate the mechanical model of MECTUB for the Modified 9Cr-1Mo material.
Sense of Coherence in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Opheim Randi , Fagermoen May Solveig , Jelsness-Jørgensen Lars-Petter , Bernklev Tomm , Moum Bjørn
Published: January 2014

Background and Aim. Sense of coherence (SOC) is a health-promoting concept reflecting a person’s view of life and response to stressful situations and may be of importance in coping with chronic illness. The aim of this study was to explore associations between SOC and sociodemographic, disease-related, and personal characteristics in a sample of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods. Measures included sociodemographic and disease-related data, the Sense of Coherence Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS-5).Results. In total, 428 IBD patients had evaluable questionnaires (response rate 93%). The overall mean SOC total score was 66.25 (SD 11.47) and with no statistically significant difference between patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). In the multivariate analyses, higher GSE scores were significantly associated with higher SOC scores and higher FSS-5 scores were significantly associated with lower SOC scores in both UC and CD.Conclusion. GSE and FSS-5 contributed more to the variance in SOC than sociodemographic and disease-related variables. Longitudinal studies are warranted to investigate the value of SOC as a predictor of disability, medication adherence, coping behavior, and health-related quality of life.
Insufficient Coping Behavior under Chronic Stress and Vulnerability to Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Mohr Christine , Braun Silke , Bridler René , Chmetz Florian , Delfino Juan P. , Kluckner Viktoria J. , Lott Petra , Schrag Yann , Seifritz Erich , Stassen Hans H.
Published: January 2014

Background: Epidemiological data indicate that 75% of subjects with major psychiatric disorders have their onset of illness in the age range of 17-24 years. An estimated 35-50% of college and university students drop out prematurely due to insufficient coping skills under chronic stress, while 85% of students receiving a psychiatric diagnosis withdraw from college/university prior to the completion of their education. In this study, we aimed at developing standardized means of identifying students with insufficient coping skills under chronic stress and at risk for mental health problems. Sampling and Methods: A sample of 1,217 college students from 3 different sites in the USA and Switzerland completed 2 self-report questionnaires: the Coping Strategies Inventory (COPE) and the Zurich Health Questionnaire (ZHQ), which assesses ‘regular exercises', ‘consumption behavior', ‘impaired physical health', ‘psychosomatic disturbances' and ‘impaired mental health'. The data were subjected to structure analyses by means of a neural network approach. We found 2 highly stable and reproducible COPE scales that explained the observed interindividual variation in coping behavior sufficiently well and in a socioculturally independent way. The scales reflected basic coping behavior in terms of ‘activity-passivity' and ‘defeatism-resilience', and in the sense of stable, socioculturally independent personality traits. Results: Correlation analyses carried out for external validation revealed a close relationship between high scores on the defeatism scale and impaired physical and mental health. This underlined the role of insufficient coping behavior as a risk factor for physical and mental health problems. Conclusion: The combined COPE and ZHQ instruments appear to constitute powerful screening tools for insufficient coping skills under chronic stress and for risks of mental health problems.
Clopidogrel metaboliser status based on point-of-care CYP2C19 genetic testing in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: James Stefan , Duvvuru Suman , Jakubowski Joseph A. , Wagner Henrik , Varenhorst Christoph , Tantry Udaya S. , Brown Patricia B. , Small David , Moser Brian A. , Sundseth Scott S. , Walker Joseph R. , Winters Kenneth J. , Gurbel Paul A. , Erlinge David
Published: January 2014

We compared results obtained with the Nanosphere Verigene® System, a novel point-of-care (POC) genetic test capable of analysing 11 CYP2C19 variants within 3 hours, to an established, validated genotyping method (Affymetrix™ DMET+; reference assay) for identifying extensive and reduced metabolisers of clopidogrel. Based on genotyping, patients (N=82) with stable coronary artery disease on clopidogrel 75 mg daily were defined as extensive metabolisers (*1/*1, *1/*17, *17/*17), reduced metabolisers (*1/*2, *1/*8, *2/*2, *2/*3), or of indeterminate metaboliser status (*2/*17). Pharmacokinetic exposure to clopidogrel’s active metabolite and pharmacodynamic measures with P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) (VerifyNow® P2Y12 assay) and VASP PRI (PRI) were also assessed. There was a 99.9% overall concordance of marker-level data between the Nanosphere Verigene and DMET+ systems in identifying the CYP2C19 variants and 100% agreement in classifying the patients as extensive (n=59) or reduced metabolisers (n=15). Extensive metabolisers had significantly higher active metabolite exposure than reduced metabolisers (LS means 12.6 ng*h/ml vs 7.7 ng*h/ml; p<0.001). Extensive metabolisers also had lower PRU (LS means 158 vs 212; p=0.003) and VASP PRI (LS means 48% vs 63%, p=0.01) compared to reduced metabolisers. Rates of high on-treatment platelet reactivity were higher in reduced metabolisers compared to extensive metabolisers (VASP PRI ≥50%: 79% vs 47%; PRU >235: 33% vs 16%). The Nanosphere Verigene CBS system identified 11 CYP2C19 alleles in less than 3 hours with a high degree of accuracy when compared to a conventional method, and was further validated against pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic phenotypes.
Uvaria huana (Annonaceae), a replacement name for an Asian species
Authors: Wang Ruijiang
Published: January 2014

Uvaria huana is proposed as a new name for U. yunnanensis (Hu) L. L. Zhou, Y. C. F. Su & R. M. K. Saunders (2009), a later homonym of U. yunanensis Li (1978).
Contributions of the Hadley and Ferrel Circulations to the Energetics of the Atmosphere over the Past 32 Years*
Authors: Huang Junling , McElroy Michael B.
Published: January 2014

The Hadley system provides an example of a thermally direct circulation; the Ferrel system in contrast provides an example of a thermally indirect circulation. In this study, the authors develop an approach to investigate the key thermodynamic properties of the Hadley and Ferrel systems, quantifying them using assimilated meteorological data covering the period January 1979–December 2010. This analysis offers a fresh perspective on the conversion of energy in the atmosphere from diabatic heating to the production of atmospheric kinetic energy. The results indicate that the thermodynamic efficiency of the Hadley system, considered as a heat engine, has been relatively constant over the 32-yr period covered by the analysis, averaging 2.6%. Over the same interval, the power generated by the Hadley regime has risen at an average rate of about 0.54 TW yr−1; this reflects an increase in energy input to the system consistent with the observed trend in the tropical sea surface temperatures. The Ferrel system acts as a heat pump with a coefficient of performance of 12.1, consuming kinetic energy at an approximate rate of 275 TW and exceeding the power production rate of the Hadley system by 77 TW.
Endocan—A Novel Inflammatory Indicator in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Hypertension
Authors: Balta Sevket , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Demirkol Sait , Ozturk Cengiz , Kurtoglu Ertugrul , Demir Mustafa , Celik Turgay , Turker Turker , Iyisoy Atila
Published: January 2014

Endothelial dysfunction is regarded as the initial lesion in the development of atherosclerosis. Endocan, previously called endothelial cell–specific molecule 1 (ESM-1), is a new candidate immunoinflammatory marker that may be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, we assessed serum levels of endocan in newly diagnosed patients with untreated essential hypertension (HT). A total of 18 patients with HT and 23 normotensive control participants were included in the study. Serum endocan levels, carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. Serum endocan levels were significantly higher in the HT group ( P < .001). In patients with HT, serum endocan levels correlated positively with cIMT and hsCRP ( r = .551, P < .001 and r = .644, P < .001, respectively). Our findings suggest that circulating endocan levels represent a new marker in patients with essential HT. Endocan may be a surrogate endothelial dysfunction marker and may have a functional role in endothelium-dependent pathological disorders.
Negative Associations Between Arterial Stiffness Parameter Evaluated by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration in Early-Stage Atherosclerosis
Authors: Homma Satoki , Kato Kiyoe , Hayashi Junichi , Yamamoto Minoru
Published: January 2014

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), calculated values from cardio-ankle pulse wave velocity and blood pressure, corresponds predominantly to the stiffness of the aorta and peripheral arteries of the lower limbs. However, the reported associations between CAVI and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels remain inconsistent. A cross-sectional study of 1878 consecutive patients (mean age: 59.2 years) who underwent general health checkup showed a negative association between CAVI and serum LDL-C or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations with age-adjusted correlation and multiple regression analysis. Using the similar analyses divided by the status of risk factors and degree of maximum carotid intima–media thickness (maxIMT), negative correlations between CAVI and LDL-C or non-HDL-C levels were observed only in nonrisk groups including nondiabetics patients or patients with maxIMT <1.0 mm, in those with expected low extent of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. In contrast, such a correlation was not found in each comparable risk-loaded group.
Crossfading music education: Connections between secondary students’ in- and out-of-school music experience
Authors: Tobias Evan S.
Published: January 2014

In this case study, the author investigated intersections of secondary students’ musical engagement in a Songwriting and Technology Class (STC) and outside of school. The study traces the experiences of three individual participants and three participant groups (six embedded cases in total) in the creation, performance, recording, and production of original music over the course of a culminating class project. Findings suggest that the STC allowed students to experience smooth transitions between their musical engagement and learning in and out of school. Key factors that contributed to participants’ engagement in the STC were (a) their experience with instruments and software outside of school and (b) use of popular music. Participants’ engagement in the STC (a) informed and influenced the ways they listened to music outside of school, (b) broadened and deepened their aesthetic preferences, and (c) provided an environment in which participants could experience and negotiate their perspectives on issues related to popular music and the music industry. Participants also saw the STC as related and connected to their current and future lives as musicians. The study supports the inclusion of curricular offerings that allow for crossfading or overlap between students’ in-school and outside-school musical experiences.
Biased Predecisional Processing of Leading and Nonleading Alternatives
Authors: Blanchard Simon J. , Carlson Kurt A. , Meloy Margaret G.
Published: January 2014

When people obtain information about choice alternatives in a set one attribute at a time, they rapidly identify a leading alternative. Although previous research has established that people then distort incoming information, it is unclear whether distortion occurs through favoring of the leading alternative, disfavoring of the trailing alternative, or both. Prior examinations have not explored the predecisional treatment of the nonleading alternative (or alternatives) because they conceptualized distortion as a singular construct in binary choice and measured it using a relative item comparing the evaluation of both alternatives simultaneously. In this article, we introduce a measure of distortion at the level of the alternative, which allows for measuring whether predecisional distortion favors or disfavors every alternative being considered in choice sets of various sizes. We report that both proleader and antitrailer distortion occur and that the use of antitrailer processing differs between binary choices and multiple-options choices.
A Forerunner of Qualitative Health Research
Authors: Fernández-Guerrero Inés M. , Torralbo Manuel , Fernández-Cano Antonio
Published: January 2014

In this article we discuss and examine the report presented to the Académie Royale de Médicine of Paris by the Spanish doctor Benigno Risueño de Amador in 1836, in which he argued against the calculation of probabilities in the health sciences. In his report, Risueño opposed the proposals put forward by Pierre Louis, precursor of the application of statistics in the health sciences. The report was a pioneering document that rejected the use of statistics in clinical practice and medical research. At the same time, however, it could well be considered a seminal document of a certain kind of qualitative research methodology in the health sciences.
Survivorship of Bipolar Fresh Total Osteochondral Ankle Allograft
Authors: Giannini Sandro , Buda Roberto , Pagliazzi Gherardo , Ruffilli Alberto , Cavallo Marco , Baldassarri Matteo , Vannini Francesca
Published: January 2014

Background:

Severe posttraumatic ankle arthritis poses a reconstructive challenge in the young and active patient. Bipolar fresh total osteochondral allograft (BFTOA) may represent an intriguing alternative to arthrodesis and prosthetic replacement. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the outcomes of BFTOA performed through an anterior approach to the ankle and to investigate the parameters influencing the results.

Methods:

A total of 26 patients (18 males and 8 females with a mean age of 34.9 ± 7.7 years) underwent BFTOA. The allograft was prepared with the help of specifically designed jigs and the surgery was performed using a direct anterior approach. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after the operation, and at a mean 40.9 ± 14.1 months of follow-up. Radiographic evaluation included the measurement of allograft size matching and alignment.

Results:

The AOFAS score improved from 26.6 ± 6 preoperatively to 77.8 ± 8.7 after a mean follow-up of 40.9 ± 14.1 months ( P < .0005). Six failures occurred. Joint degeneration was classified as 2 in 12 and as 3 in 14 patients. A statistically significant correlation between low degrees of distal tibial slope and better clinical outcomes was observed ( P = .049).

Conclusion:

BFTOA appears to be a viable option to arthrodesis or arthroplasty. Precise allograft sizing, stable fitting, and fixation and delayed weight-bearing were key factors for a successful outcome. In this series the correct alignment of the tibial graft, in terms of slope, was found to play a crucial role in the allograft survivorship.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Family care for immigrants with dementia: The perspectives of female family carers living in the Netherlands
Authors: van Wezel Nienke , Francke Anneke L , Kayan-Acun Emine , LJM Devillé Walter , van Grondelle Nies J , Blom Marco M
Published: January 2014

Abstracts

Background

The prevalence of dementia is increasing among non-western immigrants. It is known that family care is provided relatively often among immigrant groups. Until now, however, relatively little was known about how relatives of people with dementia in the immigrant communities perceive family care. This study therefore focuses on describing the perspectives of female Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese Creole family carers in the Netherlands about providing family care to a close relative with dementia.

Methods

Forty-one individual interviews and six focus group interviews ( n=28) were held with female Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese Creole family carers who are looking after a close relative with dementia. A qualitative analysis of the interviews has been carried out, supported by the software MaxQda.

Results

Related to their cultural and religious backgrounds, female family carers with Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese Creole origins see family care as a task that they should carry out with respect and love. They feel that family care is superior to professional care and that it is principally a task for women. If men do have a role in family care, then it generally covers non-physical aspects. Despite the fact that the family carers interviewed listed aspects that make caring for a close relative with dementia difficult, they do say that they get a great deal of satisfaction from providing this care. In Turkish and Moroccan families in particular this type of care leads to more recognition and appreciation of the daughter or daughter-in-law who is giving it.

Conclusion

Family carers of Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese Creole origin derive a great deal of satisfaction from giving family care to a relative with dementia. This fulfilment largely outweighs the burden of care. Professional support or information for these family carers can be improved by also focusing on the positive aspects of providing family care instead of an exclusive focus on reducing the burden.
Quantifying Cortical EEG Responses to TMS in (Un)consciousness
Authors: Sarasso Simone , Rosanova Mario , Casali Adenauer G. , Casarotto Silvia , Fecchio Matteo , Boly Melanie , Gosseries Olivia , Tononi Giulio , Laureys Steven , Massimini Marcello
Published: January 2014

We normally assess another individual’s level of consciousness based on her or his ability to interact with the surrounding environment and communicate. Usually, if we observe purposeful behavior, appropriate responses to sensory inputs, and, above all, appropriate answers to questions, we can be reasonably sure that the person is conscious. However, we know that consciousness can be entirely within the brain, even in the absence of any interaction with the external world; this happens almost every night, while we dream. Yet, to this day, we lack an objective, dependable measure of the level of consciousness that is independent of processing sensory inputs and producing appropriate motor outputs. Theoretically, consciousness is thought to require the joint presence of functional integration and functional differentiation, otherwise defined as brain complexity. Here we review a series of recent studies in which Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS/EEG) has been employed to quantify brain complexity in wakefulness and during physiological (sleep), pharmacological (anesthesia) and pathological (brain injury) loss of consciousness. These studies invariably show that the complexity of the cortical response to TMS collapses when consciousness is lost during deep sleep, anesthesia and vegetative state following severe brain injury, while it recovers when consciousness resurges in wakefulness, during dreaming, in the minimally conscious state or locked-in syndrome. The present paper will also focus on how this approach may contribute to unveiling the pathophysiology of disorders of consciousness affecting brain-injured patients. Finally, we will underline some crucial methodological aspects concerning TMS/EEG measurements of brain complexity.
Brazil's Pension Fund Developmentalism
Authors: Datz Giselle
Published: January 2014

Lula's government in Brazil fostered an engagement with local pension funds that have become key state levers for long-term investment, particularly in large and politically salient infrastructure projects. This process, here called pension fund developmentalism, describes more than specific investment choices; it grounds Brazil's current growth strategy on relationships between the government and a particular set of prominent players, shedding light on the state's more forceful re-engagement as a promoter of development at a time when aspirations for global economic integration have been matched by the commitment to growth through the expansion of local sources of funding.
Eros and Thanatos: A Byzantine hermit’s conception of sexuality
Authors: Galatariotou Catia
Published: January 2014

Sexuality is a term used to describe the conception of sexual being, a characteristic unique to humankind and, like any other concept, a product of culture. It is aspects of this cultural construct that I shall attempt to examine here. I shall focus on the conception of sexuality of one Byzantine individual, as this can be reconstructed from his voluminous writings: St. Neophytos the Recluse, the late twelfth- and early thirteenth-century Saint of Cyprus. A holy man may seem a peculiar subject for an inquiry into conceptions of sexuality. But focussing on Neophytos has the advantage of offering us the rare opportunity, in terms of Byzantine sources, of examining the thought-patterns of a Byzantine man from close quarters, and concerning a subject as important, as intimate and as elusive as sexuality. For even though sexuality was as universal an experience as in any other culture, very few Byzantines discussed it in writing and even fewer in a manner as personal, as direct and as extensive as Neophytos the Recluse did. Why Neophytos discussed sexuality in his writings more extensively than other Byzantines is an interesting question, and one to which we shall return at the end of this paper.
The Oxford Colloquium on Orality in Medieval and Modern Greek Poetry: Introduction
Authors: Mackridge Peter
Published: January 2014

A colloquium under the above title was held in Oxford on May 12–13, 1989, under the auspices of the British association of university teachers of Modern Greek studies known as SCOMGIU (Standing Committee on Modern Greek in the Universities). The following articles represent a selection of the papers given at this colloquium, some printed with minimal alterations (thus preserving some traces of their oral performance) and others extensively rewritten.
‘Be Amorous, But Be Chaste…’: Sexual morality in Byzantine learned and vernacular romance
Authors: Garland Lynda
Published: January 2014

Tales of love and romance, although love stories were regarded of less account than other literary themes, had always been a part of the literature of ancient Greece:

‘There never was a time in the history of Greek Literature when a good story of personal adventure of any kind, erotic or non-erotic, tragic, comic or scandalous, wonder-seeking or realistic, was not welcome to readers or listeners, so long as it was presented within the context of an approved literary form, or on a suitable oral occasion. The Greeks from the earliest times were familier with all kinds of stories and enjoyed them.’
The Cyprus question, 1949–1952: British attitude, American reactions and Greek dilemmas
Authors: Stefanidis Ioannis D.
Published: January 2014

The present study is an attempt to construe the position of Britain and the US as well as Greek reactions with regard to the Cyprus question at a stage which preceded its internationalisation and the concurrent deterioration of Anglo-Greek and Greek-Turkish relations. There is a voluminous bibliography on the problem, which has developed into one of the major international entanglements of our time. Most works on the Cyprus question, in the form of either general scholarly works or memoirs, devote very little space to the 1949–1952 period — when they do not overlook it entirely. A notable exception is Angelos Vlachos’ Deka hronia Kypriako (Ten Years of Cyprus Question) which mainly examines the attitude of the Greek government and the Greek-Cypriot Ethnarchy towards the question of Enosis. Francois Crouzet’s Le Conflict de Chypre, 1946–1959, on the other hand, published in 1973, offers a rather limited insight of the question at its early stage given the absence of relevant primary sources at that time. The present paper, however, is primarily based on British and American diplomatic records.