bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Modelling of the Ageing of Graphite Cores
Authors: Maul Philip R.
Published: December 2012

Statistics must be one of the most misused branches of mathematics. Nevertheless, statistical modelling techniques offer powerful tools that can be used in concert with other types of model to gain insight into the behaviour of complex systems such as the graphite cores of gas-cooled nuclear reactors. Some of the issues that need to be addressed go to the heart of the whole philosophy of mathematical models: why we need them and what they can do for us. Some key concepts for mathematical modelling in general and statistical modelling in particular are considered and applied to problems associated with the ageing of graphite cores with mathematical details only being given where these are needed to illustrate key concepts. Statistical models have a major role to play in this field, not least in helping to avoid fallacious conclusions being drawn from the use of other types of model.
Intelligent Graphite Core Condition Monitoring
Authors: Wallace Christopher J. , West Graeme M. , McArthur Stephen D. J. , Coghlan Michael
Published: December 2012

Condition monitoring of graphite cores has increased significantly in recent years, as the safety cases required to continue operation of Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR) have evolved. This paper describes the development and implementation of intelligent systems designed to automate and formalise the condition monitoring (CM) analyses and tasks performed within the remit of the Monitoring Assessment Panels, which are currently being rolled out across the AGR fleet. The implementation of such systems is found to depend crucially on the involvement of station staff at each step of design and implementation, which is highlighted by the successful deployment of second iterations of the IMAPS system for managing reactor observations and the BETA system for automatically analysing refuelling data. Though each system was initially based on an individual analysis or tasks, this paper describes more recent work to allow closer integration of the systems as they are developed, in order to maximise the use of the available data while minimising duplication of effort and required operator time.
Preparation, cellular uptake and angiogenic suppression of shikonin-containing liposomes in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Xia Hongmei , Tang Chengyi , Gui Heng , Wang Xiaoming , Qi Jinliang , Wang Xiuqiang , Yang Yonghua
Published: December 2012

Shikonin has anticancer activity, but it has not yet been applied into clinical use. In the present study, shikonin was prepared using liposomes. We aimed to examine several aspects of sh-L (shikonin-containing liposomes): preparation, angiogenic suppression and cellular uptake through self-fluorescence. Sh-L were prepared using soybean phospholipid and cholesterol to form the membrane and shikonin was encapsulated into the phospholipid membrane. Three liposomes were prepared with shikonin. They had red fluorescence and were analysed using a flow cytometer. Angiogenic suppression of sh-L was determined using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide], Transwell tests, chick CAM (chorioallantoic membrane) and Matrigel™ plug assay. MTT assay showed the median IC50 (inhibitory concentrations) as follows: shikonin, sh-L1 and sh-L2 were 4.99±0.23, 5.81±0.57 and 7.17±0.69 μM, respectively. The inhibition rates of migration were 53.58±7.05, 46.56±4.36 and 41.19±3.59% for 3.15 μM shikonin, sh-L1 and sh-L2, respectively. The results of CAM and Matrigel plug assay demonstrated that shikonin and sh-L can decrease neovascularization. Effect of shikonin was more obvious than sh-L at the same concentration. The results showed that sh-L decreased the toxicity, the rate of inhibition of migration and angiogenic suppression. The cellular uptake of the sh-L could be pictured because of the self-fluorescence. The self-fluorescence will be useful for conducting further research. Sh-L might be an excellent preparation for future clinical application to cancer patients.
Décompensation orthodontique assistée par corticotomie pour
accroître le volume de l’os alvéolaire de la région symphysaire
Authors: Kim Seong-Hun , Kim Insoo , Jeong Do-Min , Chung Kyu-Rhim , Zadeh Homayoun
Published: December 2012

Introduction : Le but de cet article est de montrer l’intérêt de
l’utilisation de la technique de déplacements dentaires accélérés par corticotomie dans le
cas de patients présentant une occlusion de classe III, avec une crête alvéolaire fine,
allant bénéficier d’une chirurgie orthognathique. Méthode : Nous avons
sélectionné deux patients adultes pour lesquels la malocclusion de classe III devait être
décompensée avant chirurgie de recul mandibulaire. La première patiente a été traitée par
déplacement dentaire accéléré par corticotomie et technique de décompensation
orthodontique classique, la seconde patiente par déplacement dentaire accéléré par
corticotomie et décompensation orthodontique à l’aide d’ancrage squelettique temporaire en
association avec une membrane de régénération tissulaire guidée. Une décortication
alvéolaire sélective est effectuée à l’aide d’une fraise ronde à vitesse lente et une
piézochirurgie au niveau du groupe incisivo-canin mandibulaire. Après hémostase, un
greffon osseux est placé sur la zone de décortication. Au niveau de la crête alvéolaire
extrêmement fine, un système rigide est mis en place pour immobiliser le greffon. Les
forces orthodontiques sont appliquées dès la cicatrisation du lambeau, pour initier le
déplacement dentaire accéléré. Résultats : Dans les deux cas, le déplacement
dentaire accéléré a été initié et a permis de déplacer les dents du secteur incisivo-canin
mandibulaire dans la position requise pour la chirurgie orthognathique. Avec l’imagerie
préopératoire en 3D, on peut noter des déhiscences alvéolaires au niveau de la face
antérieure des dents symphysaires. L’imagerie postopératoire montre une couverture
radio-opaque des racines dénudées. Conclusion : La technique de déplacements
dentaires accélérés par corticotomie est une méthode sûre et efficace pour permettre la
décompensation alvéolaire pré-chirurgicale au niveau des dents symphysaires de ces
patients. La combinaison de cette technique avec l’utilisation d’ancrage squelettique
temporaire et de greffe osseuse facilite le déplacement dentaire dans des cas de dentures
sévèrement altérées.
Evaluation of an Australian primary care telephone cognitive behavioural therapy pilot
Authors: Bassilios Bridget , Pirkis Jane , King Kylie , Fletcher Justine , Blashki Grant , Burgess Philip
Published: December 2012

A telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy pilot project was trialled from July 2008 to June 2010, via an Australian Government-funded primary mental health care program. A web-based minimum dataset was used to examine level of uptake, sociodemographic and clinical profile of consumers, precise nature of services delivered, and consumer outcomes. Key informant interviews with 22 project officers and 10 mental health professionals elicited lessons learnt from the implementation of the pilot. Overall, 548 general practitioners referred 908 consumers, who received 6607 sessions (33% via telephone). The sessions were delivered by 180 mental health professionals. Consumers were mainly females with an average age of 37 years and had a diagnosis of depressive and/or anxiety disorders. A combination of telephone and face-to-face sessions of 1 h in duration were conducted, delivering behavioural and cognitive interventions, usually with no cost to consumers. Several implementation issues were identified by project officers and mental health professionals. Although face-to-face treatment is preferred by providers and consumers, the option of the telephone modality is valued, particularly for consumers who would not otherwise access psychological services. Evidence in the form of positive consumer outcomes supports the practice of multimodal service delivery.
Human seizures self-terminate across spatial scales via a critical transition
Authors: Kramer Mark A. , Truccolo Wilson , Eden Uri T. , Lepage Kyle Q. , Hochberg Leigh R. , Eskandar Emad N. , Madsen Joseph R. , Lee Jong W. , Maheshwari Atul , Halgren Eric , Chu Catherine J. , Cash Sydney S.
Published: December 2012

Why seizures spontaneously terminate remains an unanswered fundamental question of epileptology. Here we present evidence that seizures self-terminate via a discontinuous critical transition or bifurcation. We show that human brain electrical activity at various spatial scales exhibits common dynamical signatures of an impending critical transition—slowing, increased correlation, and flickering—in the approach to seizure termination. In contrast, prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) repeatedly approach, but do not cross, the critical transition. To support these results, we implement a computational model that demonstrates that alternative stable attractors, representing the ictal and postictal states, emulate the observed dynamics. These results suggest that self-terminating seizures end through a common dynamical mechanism. This description constrains the specific biophysical mechanisms underlying seizure termination, suggests a dynamical understanding of status epilepticus, and demonstrates an accessible system for studying critical transitions in nature.
Reconstitution of the human cytoplasmic dynein complex
Authors: Trokter Martina , Mücke Norbert , Surrey Thomas
Published: December 2012

Cytoplasmic dynein is the major motor protein responsible for microtubule minus-end–directed movements in most eukaryotic cells. It transports a variety of cargoes and has numerous functions during spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. It is a large complex of about 1.4 MDa composed of six different subunits, interacting with a multitude of different partners. Most biochemical studies have been performed either with the native mammalian cytoplasmic dynein complex purified from tissue or, more recently, with recombinant dynein fragments from budding yeast and
Dictyostelium
. Hardly any information exists about the properties of human dynein. Moreover, experiments with an entire human dynein complex prepared from recombinant subunits with a well-defined composition are lacking. Here, we reconstitute a complete cytoplasmic dynein complex using recombinant human subunits and characterize its biochemical and motile properties. Using analytical gel filtration, sedimentation-velocity ultracentrifugation, and negative-stain electron microscopy, we demonstrate that the smaller subunits of the complex have an important structural function for complex integrity. Fluorescence microscopy experiments reveal that while engaged in collective microtubule transport, the recombinant human cytoplasmic dynein complex is an active, microtubule minus-end–directed motor, as expected. However, in contrast to recombinant dynein of nonmetazoans, individual reconstituted human dynein complexes did not show robust processive motility, suggesting a more intricate mechanism of processivity regulation for the human dynein complex. In the future, the comparison of reconstituted dynein complexes from different species promises to provide molecular insight into the mechanisms regulating the various functions of these large molecular machines.
Congruent numbers with many prime factors
Authors: Tian Ye
Published: December 2012

Mohammed Ben Alhocain, in an Arab manuscript of the 10th century, stated that the principal object of the theory of rational right triangles is to find a square that when increased or diminished by a certain number,
m
becomes a square [Dickson LE (1971)
History of the Theory of Numbers
(Chelsea, New York), Vol 2, Chap 16]. In modern language, this object is to find a rational point of infinite order on the elliptic curve

. Heegner constructed such rational points in the case that
m
are primes congruent to 5,7 modulo 8 or twice primes congruent to 3 modulo 8 [Monsky P (1990)
Math Z
204:45–68]. We extend Heegner's result to integers m with many prime divisors and give a sketch in this report. The full details of all the proofs will be given in ref.
1
[Tian Y (2012) Congruent Numbers and Heegner Points, arXiv:1210.8231].
Fe3O4(1 1 1) thin films with bulk-like properties: growth and atomic characterization
Authors: Matsuzaki Kosuke , Lazarov Vlado K , Lari Leonardo , Hosono Hideo , Susaki Tomofumi
Published: December 2012

Growth defects, domain structures and off-stoichiometric compositional deviation are the cause of significant deviation of magnetic and transport properties of magnetite (Fe3O4) thin films. We show that these anomalous properties can be fully controlled by postannealing in CO/CO2 atmosphere. Aberration corrected electron microscopy has revealed a full structural transformation from Fe/FeO
x
to Fe3O4 and a drastic reduction of growth defects in the postannealed films. The magnetic and magnetotransport measurements show that postannealed film properties are bulk-like: the magnetization was fully saturated with ∼480 emu cm−3, as in bulk single crystal, and the negative magnetoresistance was suppressed by an order of magnitude.
Numerical analysis of the pre-arcing liquid metal self-pinch effect for current-limiting applications
Authors: Liu Yiying , Rong Mingzhe , Wu Yi , He Hailong , Niu Chunping , Liu Hong
Published: December 2012

This paper focuses on the numerical investigation of the pre-arcing liquid metal self-pinch effect in a liquid metal current limiter (LMCL). According to the typical structure of the LMCL, an experimental setup is designed to support this study. A three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model, based on the volume of the fluid approach, is used to simulate the dynamic self-pinch process of the liquid metal with a free surface. The distributions of volume fraction, pressure and velocity of the two-phase flow are calculated. The simulation results indicate that the depression of the liquid metal free surface during the self-pinch process is due to the downward gas flow, which eventually leads to the rupture of the liquid metal column and arc initiation in the channel. The expansion phenomenon of the free surface depression observed by both calculation and experiment is caused by the interaction of the pressure field produced by the Lorentz force and the gas flow field. The startup of the self-pinch process depends mainly on the effect of three factors, which are the pressure gradient, flow recirculation and the detaching effect of the Lorentz force.
Rotation dependent ion fluxes in front of resonant magnetic perturbation coils
Authors: Stoschus H. , Lehnen M. , Schmitz O. , Reiser D. , Unterberg B. , Samm U.
Published: December 2012

Ion fluxes to the first wall of TEXTOR are modulated during application of a fast rotating resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field. The modulation in front of the RMP coils matches the magnetic topology modelled in vacuum approximation for low relative rotation of f
rel = −0.2 kHz between the RMP field and toroidal plasma rotation. With increasing relative rotation, the ion flux pattern is shifted linearly in counter-B
t direction. The shift is correlated to a displacement Δφ = π/2 of the electron density modulation at the outermost resonant flux surface caused by an internal plasma response. This indicates a competition between the near magnetic field of the RMP coils and the net magnetic field at the resonant flux surface.
Field Resistance to Verticillium Wilt in Selected Olive Cultivars Grown in Two Naturally Infested Soils
Authors: Trapero C. , Serrano N. , Arquero O. , Del Río C. , Trapero A. , López-Escudero F. J.
Published: December 2012

The resistance of 11 olive cultivars to Verticillium dahliae was assessed in two experimental field trials. One-year-old rooted olive cuttings from the World Olive Germplasm Bank (IFAPA research center, Córdoba, Spain) were planted in a heavily infested field in Utrera (Sevilla province) and in a moderately infested field in Andújar (Jaén province) of southern Spain. Plants were assessed for Verticillium wilt resistance during 22 months based on disease severity and tree growth. Severe disease symptoms were observed 6 months after planting in both trials. Twenty months after planting in the heavily infested soil, V. dahliae had killed nearly all of the trees of ‘Bodoquera’, ‘Cornicabra’, ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’, and ‘Picual’, demonstrating the elevated risk of planting susceptible cultivars in a soil heavily infested with V. dahliae. ‘Arbequina’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Sevillenca’, and especially ‘Frantoio’, ‘Empeltre’, and ‘Changlot Real’ showed a high level of disease resistance. However, all of them were affected by the disease. Although the field results confirmed the level of resistance previously obtained for these olive genotypes under controlled conditions, there were some discrepancies. This information will be useful in managing the disease and also in selecting new cultivars for the breeding of Verticillium wilt resistance.
Incorporation of cigarette butts into nests reduces nest ectoparasite load in urban birds: new ingredients for an old recipe?
Authors: Suárez-Rodríguez Monserrat , López-Rull Isabel , Macías Garcia Constantino
Published: December 2012

Birds are known to respond to nest-dwelling parasites by altering behaviours. Some bird species, for example, bring fresh plants to the nest, which contain volatile compounds that repel parasites. There is evidence that some birds living in cities incorporate cigarette butts into their nests, but the effect (if any) of this behaviour remains unclear. Butts from smoked cigarettes retain substantial amounts of nicotine and other compounds that may also act as arthropod repellents. We provide the first evidence that smoked cigarette butts may function as a parasite repellent in urban bird nests. The amount of cellulose acetate from butts in nests of two widely distributed urban birds was negatively associated with the number of nest-dwelling parasites. Moreover, when parasites were attracted to heat traps containing smoked or non-smoked cigarette butts, fewer parasites reached the former, presumably due to the presence of nicotine. Because urbanization changes the abundance and type of resources upon which birds depend, including nesting materials and plants involved in self-medication, our results are consistent with the view that urbanization imposes new challenges on birds that are dealt with using adaptations evolved elsewhere.
A “Novel” Protocol for the Analysis of Hydroxycinnamic Acids in Leaf Tissue of Chicory (Cichorium intybusL., Asteraceae)
Authors: Bahri Meriem , Hance Philippe , Grec Sébastien , Quillet Marie-Christine , Trotin Francis , Hilbert Jean-Louis , Hendriks Theo
Published: December 2012

A “novel” protocol is presented for easy and reliable estimation of soluble hydroxycinnamate levels inCichorium intybusL. leaf tissue in large-scale experiments. Samples were standardized by punching 6 discs per leaf, and hydroxycinnamates were extracted by submerging the discs in 80% ethanol with 5% acetic acid for at least 48 h in the darkness at 4°C. Residual dry mass of the discs was used fora posterioricorrection of compound levels. Chlorophyll was eliminated by chloroform, and the aqueous phases were transferred to microplates, dried, and dissolved in 50% methanol for HPLC analysis and storage. An HPLC program of 8 min was developed for the analysis of the extracts. Comparisons with extractions of liquid nitrogen powders indicated that the novel extraction method was reliable. No degradation of the major hydroxycinnamates—caftaric, chlorogenic, and chicoric acids—was observed, during maceration at ambient temperatures, or after storage for 1 year.
Identification of patterns in diffraction intensities affected by radiation exposure
Authors: Borek Dominika , Dauter Zbigniew , Otwinowski Zbyszek
Published: December 2012

In an X-ray diffraction experiment, the structure of molecules and the crystal lattice changes owing to chemical reactions and physical processes induced by the absorption of X-ray photons. These structural changes alter structure factors, affecting the scaling and merging of data collected at different absorbed doses. Many crystallographic procedures rely on the analysis of consistency between symmetry-equivalent reflections, so failure to account for the drift of their intensities hinders the structure solution and the interpretation of structural results. The building of a conceptual model of radiation-induced changes in macromolecular crystals is the first step in the process of correcting for radiation-induced inconsistencies in diffraction data. Here the complexity of radiation-induced changes in real and reciprocal space is analysed using matrix singular value decomposition applied to multiple complete datasets obtained from single crystals. The model consists of a resolution-dependent decay correction and a uniform-per-unique-reflection term modelling specific radiation-induced changes. This model is typically sufficient to explain radiation-induced effects observed in diffraction intensities. This analysis will guide the parameterization of the model, enabling its use in subsequent crystallographic calculations.
Development of a Training Needs Assessment for an Education Scholarship Fellowship in Emergency Medicine
Authors: Lin Michelle , Santen Sally A. , Yarris Lalena M. , Mullan Patricia , Searle Nancy , Rougas Steven , Coates Wendy C.
Published: December 2012

At the 2012 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, “Education Research in Emergency Medicine: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies for Success,” a breakout session convened to discuss postgraduate fellowship training in emergency medicine (EM), which would focus on education research. Graduates will form a growing cadre of education scholars who conduct and publish quality education research. This proceedings article reports the consensus findings of a breakout session subgroup whose goal was to construct a needs assessment for the proposed 2‐year education scholarship fellowship. The authors describe, based on expert and participant consensus, a framework for a large‐scale, mixed‐methods needs assessment for such a fellowship.
Birth outcomes of cases with isolated atrial septal defect type II – a population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Vereczkey Attila , Kósa Zsolt , Csáky‐Szunyogh Melinda , Urbán Róbert , Czeizel Andrew E.
Published: December 2012

Objectives

In general, epidemiological studies have evaluated cases with congenital cardiovascular abnormalities together. The aim of this study is to describe the birth outcomes of cases with isolated/single atrial septal defect type II (ASD‐II, i.e. only a fossa ovalis defect) after surgical correction or lethal outcome in the light of maternal sociodemographic data.

Design

Comparison of birth outcomes and maternal characteristics of cases with ASD‐II and controls without defect.

Setting

The population‐based Hungarian Case‐Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities.

Population

Hungarian newborn infants with or without ASD‐II.

Methods

Medically recorded birth outcomes, maternal age and birth order were evaluated. Marital and employment status was based on maternal information. The lifestyle factors were analyzed in a subsample of mothers visited at home based on a personal interview with mothers and their close relatives, and the family consensus was accepted.

Main outcome measures

Mean gestational age at delivery and birthweight, rate of preterm birth and low birthweight, maternal age, birth order, marital and employment status.

Results

The evaluation of 471 cases with ASD‐II and 38 151 controls without any defects showed a female excess in cases with ASD‐II, having shorter gestational age and lower mean birthweight, and thus a higher rate of preterm births and low birthweight.

Conclusions

Intrauterine growth restriction and shorter gestational age were found in cases with ASD‐II, particularly in female children. These factors may have a general developmental process in which there was not closure of the foramen ovale, thus echocardiographic screening of these babies might be of value.
Reduced satellite cell population may lead to contractures in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: SMITH LUCAS R , CHAMBERS HENRY G , LIEBER RICHARD L
Published: December 2012

Aim  Satellite cells are the stem cells residing in muscle responsible for skeletal muscle growth and repair. Skeletal muscle in cerebral palsy (CP) has impaired longitudinal growth that results in muscle contractures. We hypothesized that the satellite cell population would be reduced in contractured muscle.

Method  We compared the satellite cell populations in hamstring muscles from participants with CP contracture (n=8; six males, two females; age range 6–15y; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels II–V; 4 with hemiplegia, 4 with diplegia) and from typically developing participants (n=8; six males, two females, age range 15–18y). Muscle biopsies were extracted from the gracilis and semitendinosus muscles and mononuclear cells were isolated. Cell surface markers were stained with fluorescently conjugated antibodies to label satellite cells (neural cell adhesion molecule) and inflammatory and endothelial cells (CD34 and CD4 respectively). Cells were analyzed using flow cytometry to determine cell populations.

Results  After gating for intact cells a mean of 12.8% (SD 2.8%) were determined to be satellite cells in typically developing children, but only 5.3% (SD 2.3%; p<0.05) in children with CP. Hematopoietic and endothelial cell types were equivalent in typically developing children and children with CP (p>0.05) suggesting the isolation procedure was valid.

Interpretation  A reduced satellite cell population may account for the decreased longitudinal growth of muscles in CP that develop into fixed contractures or the decreased ability to strengthen muscle in CP. This suggests a unique musculoskeletal disease mechanism and provides a potential therapeutic target for debilitating muscle contractures.
Characterisation, stability and in vitro degradation of microcapsules containing Chinese yak (Poephagus grunniens L.) butter
Authors: Bai Chunqing , Peng Hailong , Xiong Hua , Zhu Xuemei , Hu Juwu , Zhao Shiqiang , Luo Guowei , Zhao Qiang
Published: December 2012

In this research, microcapsules containing Chinese yak butter (MYB) were prepared by spray drying technique using rice syrup/whey protein isolate/sodium caseinate as wall materials. The physiochemical properties, nutritional value, stability and in vitro digestion behaviour of MYB were analysed. The results indicated that MYB were round‐shaped particles with good flow properties, high microencapsulation efficiency (97.4%) and prolonged shelf life. After rehydration, the reconstituted emulsion was found to be uniform and stable. Results also suggested yak butter (YB) with more kinds of fatty acids and a ω‐3/ω‐6 ratio higher than 0.33 was more nutritional for human consumption than commercial milk powder, and spray drying process had nearly no side effects on nutritional value of YB. In addition, the comparative analysis of leakage behaviour after exposure to different simulated gastrointestinal tract fluids indicated that YB could be efficiently leaked out of MYB except a ratio bound to wall materials.
Effect of alkaline extraction on the structure of the protein of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and its influence on film formation
Authors: Valenzuela Carolina , Abugoch Lilian , Tapia Cristian , Gamboa Alexander
Published: December 2012

It is important to produce hydrophobic edible protein films for use in foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alkaline extraction of quinoa proteins (QP) on the structure and their film‐forming ability without plasticiser. QP were extracted between pH 8 to 12, and their structure was evaluated by PAGE‐SDS, size‐exclusion HPLC light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy and SH and SS. Film was characterised by FTIR, SEM, tensile strength, barrier and colour. Structural changes of QP showing that alkalinisation over pH 10 produce significant denaturation/aggregation/dissociation structural changes in QP. pH 12 was the condition to form a film (film12). FTIR showed hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic film interactions. Film12 had 16.6 ± 3.8% elongation and 15.7 ± 1.1 MPa tensile strength, and water vapour permeability was 5.18 ± 0.38 g mm m−2 day−1 kPa−1. Film12 had a brownish colour. A high degree of denaturation/aggregation/dissociation of QP structure is required to form a film without plasticiser.
Preserving sensory attributes of roasted peanuts using edible coatings
Authors: Riveros Cecilia G. , Mestrallet Marta G. , Quiroga Patricia R. , Nepote Valeria , Grosso Nelson R
Published: December 2012

Peanut products are susceptible to develop rancid and off‐flavours through lipid oxidation. Preservation of these products is one of the problems in the peanut industry. The purpose of this work was to determine the sensory and chemical stability of roasted peanuts (RP) coated with different edible coatings: carboxymethyl cellulose (RP‐CMC), methyl cellulose (RP‐MC) or whey protein (RP‐WPI) during storage. Sensory attributes and chemical indicators (peroxide and p‐anisidine values, and conjugated dienes) of lipid oxidation were measured during storage. Chemical indicator values and intensity ratings of oxidised and cardboard flavours had lower increase in RP‐CMC, RP‐MC and RP‐WPI during storage than in RP, whereas roasted peanutty flavour showed a lower decrease. The stability of RP‐CMC is about a double longer with respect to RP. These results indicate that edible coatings preserve the sensory properties of roasted peanuts. Carboxymethyl cellulose exhibited the best protecting effect on this product.
From Entrepreneurial Orientation and Learning Orientation to Business Performance: Analysing the Mediating Role of Organizational Learning and the Moderating Effects of Organizational Size
Authors: Real Juan C. , Roldán José L. , Leal Antonio
Published: December 2012

Following the organizational learning theory and the knowledge‐based view approach, this contribution aims to study the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and learning orientation on organizational learning, considering the latter as a mediating variable in the relationships between both antecedent cultural values and business performance. We also analyse the moderating role of organizational size on these previous relationships. The hypotheses proposed in our research model are tested on a sample of 140Spanish industrial companies, applying variance‐based structural equation modelling: partial least squares. In order to assess the moderating effects of organizational size, we adopt a multi‐group approach using two subsamples with large firms and small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Our findings indicate that organizational learning partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance and fully mediates the link between learning orientation and performance. Likewise, the results reveal that the relationship established between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational learning is more intense for the group of large firms than for the group ofSMEs. Moreover, the influence of learning orientation on organizational learning is greater in SMEs than in large firms.
Out‐of‐Core GPU‐based Change Detection in Massive 3D Point Clouds
Authors: Richter Rico , Kyprianidis Jan Eric , Döllner Jürgen
Published: December 2012

If sites, cities, and landscapes are captured at different points in time using technology such as LiDAR, large collections of 3D point clouds result. Their efficient storage, processing, analysis, and presentation constitute a challenging task because of limited computation, memory, and time resources. In this work, we present an approach to detect changes in massive 3D point clouds based on an out‐of‐core spatial data structure that is designed to store data acquired at different points in time and to efficiently attribute 3D points with distance information. Based on this data structure, we present and evaluate different processing schemes optimized for performing the calculation on the CPU and GPU. In addition, we present a point‐based rendering technique adapted for attributed 3D point clouds, to enable effective out‐of‐core real‐time visualization of the computation results. Our approach enables conclusions to be drawn about temporal changes in large highly accurate 3D geodata sets of a captured area at reasonable preprocessing and rendering times. We evaluate our approach with two data sets from different points in time for the urban area of a city, describe its characteristics, and report on applications.
Multiple mediation analysis of the relationship between rapid naming and reading
Authors: Poulsen Mads , Juul Holger , Elbro Carsten
Published: December 2012

It is well established that rapid automatised naming (RAN) correlates with reading ability. Despite several attempts, no single component process (mediator) has been identified that fully accounts for the correlation. The present paper estimated the explanatory value of several mediators for the RAN–reading correlation. One hundred and sixty‐nine preschool students were given measures of RAN and additional measures of phonological awareness, lexical search speed, letter knowledge and paired associate learning. Their reading skills were tested a year later along with speed of processing. The influence of the mediators on the RAN–reading correlation was estimated as indirect effects in mediation analyses. Phonological awareness and letter knowledge significantly mediated the RAN–reading relationship, each accounting for a moderate part of the correlation between RAN and reading fluency. Thus, the RAN–reading correlation was partly, but not fully, accounted for by precursors of reading that are currently known.
Civic Education and Democratic Capacity: How Do Teachers Teach and What Works?
Authors: Martens Allison M. , Gainous Jason
Published: December 2012

Objectives

In recent years, political scientists have found that civic education improves the democratic capacity of students, yet little research has been done to date on how and why civic education works when it does. In this study, we go inside the classroom to explore how teachers teach civics to find out what works best at preparing young people for responsible, democratic citizenship.

Methods

Using a survey of American students, principals, and teachers, we examine the varied instructional methods being employed by social studies teachers in ninth‐grade classrooms across the country to determine which methods and which combinations of methods do the best job of enhancing students’ democratic capacity defined as their political knowledge, political efficacy, and intent to vote.

Results

Our results suggest that there are four broad teaching approaches employed by social studies teachers: traditional teaching, active learning, video teaching, and maintenance of an open classroom climate. Teachers may employ some combination of these approaches. The analysis indicates that approaches that foster an open classroom climate (encouraging student input) in combination with the others tend to be the most fruitful across the board. While any combination including an open classroom climate maximizes benefit, traditional teaching (i.e., use of methods including textbook reading, worksheets, memorization, and so forth) combined with an open classroom climate seems to do the best. Also, the results suggest that the combinations that work best for stimulating internal efficacy vary greatly from those stimulating the other citizenship outcomes.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that fostering an open classroom climate when teaching civics is the surest way to improve the democratic capacity of America's youth. Further, teachers should be attentive to the instructional tradeoffs necessary to creating student capacities for both active and informed citizenship.
Latino School Concentration and Academic Performance among Latino Children
Authors: Lee Jennifer C. , Klugman Joshua
Published: December 2012

Objective

To examine the effects of the concentration of Latino students in elementary schools on Latino first graders’ test scores, and to determine if the effects vary by children's nativity status.

Methods

We use generalized estimating equations (GEE) on a sample of Latino first graders from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Kindergarten Class of 1998 (ECLS‐K).

Results

For math and reading, Latino concentration in schools improves students’ first grade test scores for Latino children of immigrants, but it has no effect for Latino children of U.S.‐born parents. For general knowledge test scores, Latino concentration has no effect for children of immigrants and has a deleterious impact on the scores of children of U.S.‐born parents. We also show no effect of Latino concentration on the scores of white children of U.S.‐born parents.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Latino concentration in elementary schools promotes educational outcomes for children from Latino immigrant families, but Latino families headed by U.S.‐born parents do not benefit from coethnic concentration, which is in accordance with expectations derived from assimilation theories.
My military: A navy nurse practitioner's perspective on military culture and joining forces for veteran health
Authors: Kuehner Cynthia A.
Published: December 2012

Purpose

This article responds to the need for improved integration of veteran health considerations across the broader community. A focus of the Joining Forces initiative is to foster partnerships between veterans and their communities through enhanced education, knowledge, and commitment of resources and support.

Data resources

Data and resources on known threats to veteran health are widely available in the literature. Personal perspectives on military culture and experience expand the body of knowledge and lead to improved outcomes in both established and evolving care delivery models and best practices for veteran health.

Conclusions

The need for veteran health care outside of military and Veterans Affairs facilities is vast and expanding. Enhancing resources for health care of veterans is of critical importance. An understanding of military culture offers a basic reference for nonmilitary care providers to consider when providing and facilitating care across the continuum of veterans’ health.

Implications for practice

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are ideal providers of care for veteran and military family healthcare needs. NP practice incorporates cultural sensitivity, prevention strategies, and wellness‐focused care while delivering and facilitating optimal patient, family, and community outcomes. The NP will be of critical community value in joining forces for veteran health.
Mechanisms of daptomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: role of the cell membrane and cell wall
Authors: Bayer Arnold S. , Schneider Tanja , Sahl Hans‐Georg
Published: December 2012

The bactericidal, cell membrane–targeting lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin (DAP) is an important agent in treating invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, there have been numerous recent reports of development of daptomycin resistance (DAP‐R) during therapy with this agent. The mechanisms of DAP‐R in S. aureus appear to be quite diverse. DAP‐R strains often exhibit progressive accumulation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the multipeptide resistance factor gene (mprF) and the yycFG components of the yycFGHI operon. Both loci are involved in key cell membrane (CM) events, with mprF being responsible for the synthesis and outer CM translocation of the positively charged phospholipid, lysyl‐phosphotidylglycerol (L‐PG), while the yyc operon is involved in the generalized response to stressors such as antimicrobials. In addition, other perturbations of the CM have been identified in DAP‐R strains, including extremes in CM order, resistance to CM depolarization and permeabilization, and reduced surface binding of DAP. Moreover, modifications of the cell wall (CW) appear to also contribute to DAP‐R, including enhanced expression of the dlt operon (involved in d‐alanylation of CW teichoic acids) and progressive CW thickening.
The biological effects of occlusal trauma on the stomatognathic system – a focus on animal studies
Authors: Liu H. , Jiang H. , Wang Y.
Published: December 2012

The aim of this review of the literature was to assess the biological effects of occlusal trauma on the stomatognathic system focusing on animal studies. However, there are no conclusive explanations on the association between occlusal trauma and disease of the stomatognathic system. A literature survey was performed using the Medline database, covering the period from 1967 to 2012. Over 300 abstracts were reviewed, and 70 manuscripts were selected. Additional references from citations within the articles were obtained, and current textbooks were also used. This review does not include the effects of occlusal trauma on dental implants or dental prostheses/appliances. A total of 70 full articles were included for the final analysis. The selected 70 articles were classified into the following five categories, including the effects of occlusal trauma on the pulp tissues, periodontal tissues, masticatory muscle, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and central nervous system (CNS). It was demonstrated that occlusal trauma caused a variety of harmful biological effects on stomatognathic system. Additionally, occlusal trauma could lead to some pain substance changes in the pulp, periodontal tissues, masticatory muscle, TMJ and CNS, which was possibly related to the peripheral and the central neuronal sensitisation. However, these findings demonstrate that there are remaining disagreements by various authors. More randomised trials are needed to validate these effects.
Analysis of Micro-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication and Prediction of Surface Fatigue Damage in Micropitting Tests on Helical Gears
Authors: Evans H. P. , Snidle R. W. , Sharif K. J. , Shaw B. A. , Zhang J.
Published: December 2012

The paper describes results obtained from the micro-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (micro-EHL) modeling of the gear tooth contacts used in micropitting tests together with a contact fatigue and damage accumulation analysis of the surfaces involved. Tooth surface profiles were acquired from pairs of helical test gears and micro-EHL simulations were performed corresponding to surfaces that actually came into contact during the meshing cycle. Plane strain fatigue and damage accumulation analysis shows that the predicted damage is concentrated close to the tooth surfaces and this supports the view that micropitting arises from fatigue at the asperity contact level. A comparison of the micropitting performance of gears finish-ground by two alternative processes (generation-grinding and form-grinding) suggests that 3D “waviness” may be an important factor in explaining their different micropitting behavior.
Complete Genome Sequence of Brucella suis Field Strain BCB025 of Sequence Type ST22
Authors: Ke Yuehua , Wang Yufei , Yuan Xitong , Xu Jie , Zhen Qing , Wang Zhoujia , Li Tiefeng , Wang Dali , Huang Liuyu , Song Hongbin , Chen Zeliang
Published: December 2012

Brucella
is a genus of relatively conservative pathogenic bacteria.
Brucella suis
is the most diversified
Brucella
species. Strains of
B. suis
belong to different sequence types. Here, we report the genome sequence of
B. suis
strain BCB025, one isolate of the sequence type 22 epidemic in China.
Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility and Its Relationship with Vagal Activity
Authors: Li Han , Wang Yin-Ping
Published: December 2012

Background

Vagus nerve stimulation is capable of regulating autonomic nerve function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the effect of auricular acupuncture (AA) is mediated by the vagus. This study was designed to investigate the effect of AA on gastrointestinal (GI) motility and the relationship of this effect with the vagus nerve.

Methods

50 rats were divided into five groups for observation of the effects of different types of acupuncture and influencing factors: control, AA, somatic acupuncture (SA), atropine and atropine+AA. The acupuncture points used for AA were ST (Stomach) and SI (Small intestine), while the acupuncture point used for SA was ST36. Electroacupuncture was performed for 15 min. A model of reduced GI motility was established using ethanol, and GI transit rate was used to measure GI motility. Heart rate variability (HRV) and the effect of atropine administration were investigated to study the relationship between AA and vagal activity.

Results

The GI transit rate increased in both the AA and SA groups compared with control, and no significant difference was found between their effects. In addition, after atropine administration, AA was found to be ineffective in influencing the GI transit rate. In the HRV analysis, no significant differences were found in the absolute low frequency normalised units, high frequency normalised units or the low frequency/high frequency component ratio in the AA or SA groups compared with control. After administration of atropine AA still had no effect on HRV.

Conclusions

The function of AA in improving GI motility is similar to that of SA, and this effect can be blocked by the presence of atropine, indicating that this effect is regulated by the vagus. However, HRV did not reflect the acupuncture-induced changes in vagal nerve function.
What is a disease? Perspectives of the public, health professionals and legislators
Authors: Tikkinen Kari A O , Leinonen Janne S , Guyatt Gordon H , Ebrahim Shanil , Järvinen Teppo L N
Published: December 2012

Objective

To assess the perception of diseases and the willingness to use public-tax revenue for their treatment among relevant stakeholders.

Design

A population-based, cross-sectional mailed survey.

Setting

Finland.

Participants

3000 laypeople, 1500 doctors, 1500 nurses (randomly identified from the databases of the Finnish Population Register, the Finnish Medical Association and the Finnish Nurses Association) and all 200 parliament members.

Main outcome measures

Respondents’ perspectives on a five-point Likert scale on two claims on 60 states of being: ‘(This state of being) is a disease’; and ‘(This state of being) should be treated with public tax revenue’.

Results

Of the 6200 individuals approached, 3280 (53%) responded. Of the 60 states of being, ≥80% of respondents considered 12 to be diseases (Likert scale responses of ‘4’ and ‘5’) and five not to be diseases (Likert scale responses of ‘1’ and ‘2’). There was considerable variability in most states, and great variability in 10 (≥20% of respondents of all groups considered it a disease and ≥20% rejected as a disease). Doctors were more inclined to consider states of being as diseases than laypeople; nurses and members were intermediate (p<0.001), but all groups showed large variability. Responses to the two claims were very strongly correlated (r=0.96 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.98); p<0.001).

Conclusions

There is large disagreement among the public, health professionals and legislators regarding the classification of states of being as diseases and whether their management should be publicly funded. Understanding attitudinal differences can help to enlighten social discourse on a number of contentious public policy issues.