bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roads Less Traveled in Middle East Anthropology—And New Paths in Gender Ethnography
Authors: Inhorn Marcia C.
Published: August 2014

Marcia C. Inhorn is the recipient of the 2013 Middle East Distinguished Scholar Award, given by the Middle East Section (MES) of the American Anthropological Association. This biennial award was established in 2006 to recognize the efforts of “a senior scholar in Middle Eastern anthropology who is an outstanding academic in terms of scholarly publications and service to Middle Eastern anthropology.” The MES Award Committee wrote to Inhorn: “Our committee greatly values your efforts as a scholar, a mentor, and a leader who has been deeply invested in the anthropology of the Middle East. We very much value your impressive pioneering and important work on medical anthropology, science and reproductive technologies, the anthropology of gender, and religion in the Middle East. Your thick ethnographic accounts of the lives of men and women who struggle with infertility and how they appropriate different discourses and technologies in their quest for conception as well as your engagement with broader theories and concerns in anthropology have been very valuable contributions to our field. We also greatly value your service to the anthropology of the Middle East and leading role in making our discipline more visible in different institutions and organizations, including MESA as well as your committed work with the Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies. In addition, we deeply appreciate your mentoring of students and junior faculty. As was communicated by one of your students, you are renowned among graduate students and recent PhDs ‘as one of the best mentors in the field’ for your ‘support, enthusiasm, and warmth.’ On behalf of the MES Distinguished Scholar Award Committee, I would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations and warmly invite you to give our Distinguished Lecture at the MES Business Meeting during the AAA’s 2013 Annual Meetings, and we look forward to celebrating your work and contributions to our field.” Inhorn’s Distinguished Lecture reflects on the state of Middle East anthropology, including ten directions for the future. New paths in Middle East gender ethnography are highlighted.
The Mothers’ Paradise
Authors: Shahrokni Nazanin
Published: August 2014

Despite Iran’s geopolitical importance and mounting global concerns over its domestic and international practices, the state and its diverse mechanisms of rule have been largely neglected in mainstream sociology. To understand the state’s shifting modality of power between its 1979 establishment and 2009, this paper analyzes the development of women-only parks as a major site of gender segregation. Offering a thorough account of the formation of the first women-only park in Tehran—the Mothers’ Paradise—I contend that conceiving of gender segregation as a state project of Islamic dimensions overlooks significant shifts in state power from prohibition to production. I explore how the Islamic Republic of Iran, which thirty years ago considered women’s outdoor exercise a problem, or even un-Islamic, now promotes it as a solution to women’s health problems.
How tort law empowers
Authors: Herstein Ori J
Published: August 2014

The following realization has begun to dominate contemporary tort theory: in order to understand tort law, theorists must also focus on the legal power that tort law vests in tort victims to pursue a remedy, not only on the implications of holding tortfeasors liable for such a remedy. This insight has lead some of the leading theorists of tort law – often writing under the banner of ‘civil recourse theory’ – to suggest that tort law empowers tort victims to pursue and even to obtain redress from tortfeasors. This view has even been expanded to describe private law in general. Yet, close scrutiny reveals that tort law mostly does not vest in tort victims a legal power over the rights of tortfeasors. The same is most likely true for private law more broadly. For the sake both of descriptive accuracy and of realizing its prescriptive potential, civil recourse theory is best amended to view the legal rights and powers of tort victims, as well as the realities of civil litigation, more soberly and with more conceptual accuracy. This article endorses and grounds the more modest – and I think, orthodox – view on how tort law and private law more broadly empower victims of civil wrongs. Adopting this view makes civil recourse theory truer, yet less novel.
Measuring Displacement of Tall Concrete Columns during Construction
Authors: Norouzi Mehdi , Cormier Karen , Aydemir Murat , Hashtroodi Seyedowjan , Hunt Victor J. , Nims Douglas K. , Helmicki Arthur
Published: August 2014

Multiple-span, segmental concrete bridges built by balanced cantilever construction demand precise geometric control so that adjoining tips align at the time the closure segment is cast. When this type of bridge superstructure is cast monolithically on tall piers, moment redistribution, as well as creep, shrinkage, and temperature effects, can cause excessive demand on the exterior end spans and piers of the structure. To compensate, designers often use horizontal forces (jacking) to induce a counteractive moment in the pier columns. However, designers often do not make the effort to ensure that the intended displacement is realized at the needed structural elements. A methodology for measuring deflections of tall pier elements with tiltmeters during construction is presented in this paper for the Jeremiah Morrow Replacement Bridge, Interstate 71, Lebanon, Ohio. Fast-sampling data collection systems and postprocessing algorithms, including thermal effect removal, are detailed. In addition to the deflections from unbalanced cantilever moment during the casting cycle, fast-sampling data for the first horizontal jacking event are discussed and compared with the data collected through traditional laser survey techniques. The data were valuable information. They allowed the designer to fine-tune the geometry setup during the segment casting cycles, and they provided real-time displacement readings that permitted field decisions about the final force application during the jacking event.
Planning-Level Tool for Assessing and Optimizing Gate Layout for Marine Container Terminals
Authors: Minh Chu Cong , Huynh Nathan
Published: August 2014

Drayage is a critical link in the intermodal supply chain. In the past decade, a sharp growth in drayage activity has occurred at major container ports in the United States. Because of the high volume of dray-age trucks arriving at container terminals, the trucks often experience significant delays at the terminal gates. Reducing this delay is necessary to improve the efficiency of drayage operations and the entire freight supply chain and to reduce the emissions from diesel-fueled trucks. This study developed a planning-level tool that can be used by design engineers, terminal operators, port authorities, and transportation planners to assess the effectiveness of gate layouts and determine the optimal layout for marine container terminals. Specifically, the analytical tool can be used to determine the average truck queuing time for a given gate con-figuration and to determine how many service gates and queuing lanes are needed to achieve a desired level of service for a given truck arrival rate and truck service rate. This tool accounts for the non deterministic nature of truck arrivals and service times. Specifically, the tool takes into account that trucks arrive as a Poisson stream, a truck is served by one of n gates, and gate service times are independent and identically distributed random variables. In this paper, example applications and results are presented and discussed. In addition, the setup of the online tool is described.
Developing and Applying Level-of-Service Framework to Land-Based Port-of-Entry Infrastructure Planning
Authors: Lettner David E. , Kosior Jake M. , Rozyckie Stephen P.
Published: August 2014

Major land-based ports of entry (POEs) are key surface transportation components within the global supply chain. Appropriate planning methodologies are critical for assessing whether port infrastructure is adequate to meet projected demands and support economic and trade objectives. However, the development and the application of planning methodologies to assess the delay and congestion impacts of inaction or specific port improvement scenarios have not kept pace with the growing significance of these key surface transportation assets. In response to these methodology gaps, a level-of-service (LOS) framework and analysis was developed during the Pembina–Emerson POE study (2012). The LOS framework and performance measurement algorithms for POEs were developed from LOS concepts in the Highway Capacity Manual 2010. The LOS framework and performance measurement algorithms can be applied to any major border crossing to assess port throughput with any combination of policy settings, processing times, staffing levels, or infrastructure improvement scenarios. The LOS methodology can assess port improvement scenarios and provide a standardized basis for port-to-port and border-to-border comparisons. Combining the LOS framework (a trade-off analysis) with 30th highest hour design (an infrastructure design approach) provides transportation policy makers, planners, and engineers greater flexibility to assess the implications of various port improvement scenarios, infrastructure designs, and phasing considerations as well as the potential to generate outputs that enhance economic analysis for proposed port improvement scenarios.
Pharmacokinetic parameters of Amoxicillin in Bangladeshi volunteers: a preliminary evaluation
Authors: Chowdhury Reefat Zaman , Islam Md. Saiful , Rahman Md. Sayedur
Published: August 2014

The present study was designed to get preliminary idea about the pharmacokinetic behavior of the Bangladeshi population through estimating plasma amoxicillin concentration by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. In this study, Bangladeshi healthy volunteers were divided in two groups, 8 Bangladeshi Bangalee and 7 Bangladeshi Tribal male healthy volunteers. Both the groups received 500 mg of amoxicillin in oral route and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, 360 and 480 minutes after drug administration. After 1 week of washout period, same volunteers of two groups received 500 mg of amoxicillin in intravenous route. In case of oral route, the Cmax, AUC08h, Tmax and T1/2 values for Bangladeshi Bangalee and Tribal healthy volunteers were 6.78 ± 1.20 & 9.10 ± 1.34 ìg/mL, 1290.13 ± 158.39 & 1766.06 ± 188.37 ìg min/mL, 82.50 ± 32.05 & 102.86 ± 29.28 min and 96.05 ± 3.80 & 88.15 ± 5.33 min respectively. The difference in Cmax, AUC08h and T1/2 values between these two groups of volunteers was significant (p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively). However, the difference in Tmax was not significant (p>0.05). In case of intravenous route, the C30 min and AUC08h values for Bangladeshi Bangalee and Tribal healthy volunteers were 17.88 ± 1.14 & 18.58 ± 0.71 ìg/mL, 2297.96 ± 222.49 & 2376.41 ± 149.99 ìg min/mL respectively and the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The T1/2 for Bangladeshi Bangalee and Tribal healthy volunteers were 97.50 ± 3.33 & 94.40 ± 2.33 min respectively and the difference was significant (p<0.05). The Mean Percent Absolute Bioavailability in Bangladeshi Bangalee and Tribal healthy volunteers was 56.76 ± 5.39 and 74.17 ± 3.90 respectively and the difference was highly significant (p<0.001). The study concluded that the pharmacokinetic parameters of amoxicillin significantly varied among Bangladeshi Bangalee and Bangladeshi Tribal healthy volunteers indicating necessity of further study on population pharmacokinetic to formulate tailor-made drug therapy in these groups of people. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v26i1-2.19958 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 26(1&2) : 1-9
Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of the leaves of Feronia limonia Linn
Authors: Saha Moni Rani , Raihan Sheikh Zahir , Rahman Akm Shahidur
Published: August 2014

The antinociceptive activity of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Feronia limonia Linn. (Family Rutaceae) was investigated using acetic acid-induced writhing model and tail flick test in swiss albino mice. The extract produced about 26.01% ( p< 0.01), 39.88% ( p< 0.01) and 57.07% (p< 0.01) writhing inhibition at the dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight respectively, which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium where the inhibition was about 63.58% (p< 0.01) at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight. All doses of extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased latency of flick tail in tail immersion method. The methanolic extract showed dose dependent antinociceptive activity in both type of test in swiss albino mice. Phytochemical investigations of the leaves extract indicate the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids. The preliminary study of the methanolic extract showed antinociceptive activity in both writhing and tail flick test in mice. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v26i1-2.19962 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 26(1&2) : 21-24
Pharmacogenetics and polymorphism: future tools for optimizing therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Helali Asadul Mazid
Published: August 2014

Individual variation in drug response is a major problem in clinical practice and drug development, which ranges from therapeutic failure to adverse drug reaction as well as drug interaction in multidrug therapy. Pharmacogenetics is relevant in this aspects and mainly concern with the study of genetic variation, which influence individuals responses to drug. Again, polymorphism (variation) in the genes which are involved in encoding drug metabolizing enzymes, transporters of drug and ion channels can play role in the adverse drug reaction in an individual or can interfere with the therapeutic efficacy. By studying pharmacogenetics one can apply genotyping of polymorphic alleles that encodes drug metabolizing enzymes to identify individuals drug metabolism phenotype and correlating this knowledge to dosing or drug selection, avoidance of many adverse effect of drug and therapeutic failure is possible as well as economic burden to the patient will be reduced. It is true that one drug will not effective for everyone and everyone will not response to a single drug in a similar fashion. It is almost impossible to test every drug in whole population in respect of investment and time. From this point of view, pharmacogenetic screening, such as phenotying test can be useful to identify patients who have inherent risk factor for a specific adverse drug reaction. Recently pharmacogenetic testing is performed for only a few drugs e.g. mercaptopurine, thioguanine, azathriopine and tacrine and the facility is also available in a limited number of teaching hospital but the days are not so far, when it may be considered as unethical if pharmacogenetics test is not done routinely before prescribing a drug to a patient. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v26i1-2.19966 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 26(1&2) : 34-42
The Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)/Met Axis: A Neglected Target in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms?
Authors: Boissinot Marjorie , Vilaine Mathias , Hermouet Sylvie
Published: August 2014

Met is the receptor of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a cytoprotective cytokine. Disturbing the equilibrium between Met and its ligand may lead to inappropriate cell survival, accumulation of genetic abnormalities and eventually, malignancy. Abnormal activation of the HGF/Met axis is established in solid tumours and in chronic haematological malignancies, including myeloma, acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The molecular mechanisms potentially responsible for the abnormal activation of HGF/Met pathways are described and discussed. Importantly, inCML and in MPNs, the production of HGF is independent of Bcr-Abl and JAK2V617F, the main molecular markers of these diseases. In vitro studies showed that blocking HGF/Met function with neutralizing antibodies or Met inhibitors significantly impairs the growth of JAK2V617F-mutated cells. With personalised medicine and curative treatment in view, blocking activation of HGF/Met could be a useful addition in the treatment of CML and MPNs for those patients with high HGF/MET expression not controlled by current treatments (Bcr-Abl inhibitors in CML; phlebotomy, hydroxurea, JAK inhibitors in MPNs).
Influence of Wood Biochar on Phenanthrene Catabolism in Soils
Authors: Ogbonnaya Uchenna , Oyelami Ayodeji , Matthews Justin , Adebisi Olusoji , Semple Kirk
Published: August 2014

The impact of increasing amendments of two particle sizes of biochar (≤2 mm and 3–7 mm), applied at 0%, 0.01%, 0.1% and 1% concentrations, on the development of indigenous phenanthrene catabolism was investigated in two soils with different soil organic matter contents. Mineralisation of 14C-phenanthrene was measured after 1, 20, 60 and 100 d soil-phenanthrene-biochar aging period. The presence of biochar in the pasture soil (low OM) resulted in a decrease in the lag phase of 14C-phenanthrene mineralisation, with higher maximum rates of mineralisation following 20 d aging. Higher extents of 14C-phenanthrene mineralisation were observed in the Kettering loam soil (high OM), which was more prominent with 0.01% biochar amendments (p < 0.05) at 61.2% and 64.9% in ≤2 mm and 3–7 mm biochar amended soils, respectively. This study illustrates the potential role for biochar to enhance microbial catabolic activity to degrade common petroleum contaminants. It however depends on contaminant concentration, aging period, and soil properties.
E-Health Interventions for Suicide Prevention
Authors: Christensen Helen , Batterham Philip , O'Dea Bridianne
Published: August 2014

Many people at risk of suicide do not seek help before an attempt, and do not remain connected to health services following an attempt. E-health interventions are now being considered as a means to identify at-risk individuals, offer self-help through web interventions or to deliver proactive interventions in response to individuals’ posts on social media. In this article, we examine research studies which focus on these three aspects of suicide and the internet: the use of online screening for suicide, the effectiveness of e-health interventions aimed to manage suicidal thoughts, and newer studies which aim to proactively intervene when individuals at risk of suicide are identified by their social media postings. We conclude that online screening may have a role, although there is a need for additional robust controlled research to establish whether suicide screening can effectively reduce suicide-related outcomes, and in what settings online screening might be most effective. The effectiveness of Internet interventions may be increased if these interventions are designed to specifically target suicidal thoughts, rather than associated conditions such as depression. The evidence for the use of intervention practices using social media is possible, although validity, feasibility and implementation remains highly uncertain.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Novel Arylpiperazine Derivatives on Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Chen Hong , Liang Xue , Xu Fang , Xu Bingbing , He Xuelan , Huang Biyun , Yuan Mu
Published: August 2014

A series of novel arylpiperazine derivatives was synthesized. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of all synthesized compounds against three human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and DU145) were evaluated by a CCK-8 assay. Compounds 9 and 15 exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against LNCaP cells (IC50 < 5 μM), and compound 8 (IC50 = 8.25 μM) possessed the most potent activity against DU145 cells. However, these compounds also exhibited cytotoxicity towards human epithelial prostate normal cells RWPE-1. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) of these arylpiperazine derivatives was also discussed based on the obtained experimental data.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics Study of Sinomenine in Rats after Oral Administration of Sinomenine Monomer and Sinomenium Acutum Extract
Authors: Zhang Mao-Fan , Zhao Yan , Jiang Kun-Yu , Han Long , Lu Xiao-Yue , Wang Xin , Zuo Lan , Meng Sheng-Nan
Published: August 2014

Various products containing sinomenine monomer and extracts of Sinomenium acutum have been widely applied in clinical treatments. The goal of the present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of sinomenine in rats after oral administration of sinomenine monomer and Sinomenium acutum extract, and to attempt to explore potential component-component interactions between the constituents of this traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A reliable and specific reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed to analyze sinomenine in rat plasma. Pharmacokinetic parameters for sinomenine were processed by non-compartmental analysis. The results showed that the maximum concentration, the area under the concentration-time curve, clearance and the apparent volume of distribution of sinomenine in the Sinomenium acutum extract statistically differed from those of sinomenine monomer (p < 0.05); however, the mean residence time, time of peak concentration, and half-life did not show significant differences between the two groups. These findings suggested that some additional components in the Sinomenium acutum extract may decrease the absorption of sinomenine. The complex interactions between sinomenine and other components of the herbal extract could result in the altered pharmacokinetic behavior of sinomenine, which may subsequently cause different therapeutic and detoxification effects.
Isocorydine Derivatives and Their Anticancer Activities
Authors: Zhong Mei , Liu Yanjuan , Liu Junxi , Di Duolong , Xu Mengrou , Yang Yaya , Li Wenguang , Chen Yali , Liu Jinxia
Published: August 2014

In order to improve the anticancer activity of isocorydine (ICD), ten isocorydine derivatives were prepared through chemical structure modifications, and their in vitro and in vivo activities were experimentally investigated. 8-Amino-isocorydine (8) and 6a,7-dihydrogen-isocorydione (10) could inhibit the growth of human lung (A549), gastric (SGC7901) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines in vitro. Isocorydione (2) could inhibit the tumor growth of murine sarcoma S180-bearing mice, and 8-acetamino-isocorydine (11), a pro-drug of 8-amino-isocorydine (8), which is instable in water solution at room temperature, had a good inhibitory effect on murine hepatoma H22-induced tumors. The results suggested that the isocorydine structural modifications at C-8 could significantly improve the biological activity of this alkaloid, indicating its suitability as a lead compound in the development of an effective anticancer agent.
Energy-Saving Mechanism in WDM/TDM-PON Based on Upstream Network Traffic
Authors: Garfias Paola , De Andrade Marilet , Tornatore Massimo , Buttaboni Anna , Sallent Sebastià , Gutiérrez Lluís
Published: August 2014

One of the main challenges of Passive Optical Networks (PONs) is the resource (bandwidth and wavelength) management. Since it has been shown that access networks consume a significant part of the overall energy of the telecom networks, the resource management schemes should also consider energy minimization strategies. To sustain the increased bandwidth demand of emerging applications in the access section of the network, it is expected that next generation optical access networks will adopt the wavelength division/time division multiplexing (WDM/TDM) technique to increase PONs capacity. Compared with traditional PONs, the architecture of a WDM/TDM-PON requires more transceivers/receivers, hence they are expected to consume more energy. In this paper, we focus on the energy minimization in WDM/TDM-PONs and we propose an energy-efficient Dynamic Bandwidth and Wavelength Allocation mechanism whose objective is to turn off, whenever possible, the unnecessary upstream traffic receivers at the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). We evaluate our mechanism in different scenarios and show that the proper use of upstream channels leads to relevant energy savings. Our proposed energy-saving mechanism is able to save energy at the OLT while maintaining the introduced penalties in terms of packet delay and cycle time within an acceptable range. We might highlight the benefits of our proposal as a mechanism that maximizes the channel utilization. Detailed implementation of the proposed algorithm is presented, and simulation results are reported to quantify energy savings and effects on network performance on different network scenarios.
A New Method for Modifying Thresholds in the Classification of Tree Models for Mapping Aquatic Vegetation in Taihu Lake with Satellite Images
Authors: Luo Juhua , Ma Ronghua , Duan Hongtao , Hu Weiping , Zhu Jinge , Huang Wenjiang , Lin Chen
Published: August 2014

Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in maintaining the balance of lake ecosystems. Thus, classifying and mapping aquatic vegetation is a priority for lake management. Classification tree (CT) approaches have been used successfully to map aquatic vegetation from spectral indices obtained from remotely sensed images. However, due to the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, applying a CT model developed for imagery from one date to imagery from another date or a different dataset likely would reduce the classification accuracy. In this study, three spectral features (SFs) were selected to develop a CT model for identifying aquatic vegetation in Taihu Lake. Three traditional CT models with three SFs were developed using CT analysis based on satellite images acquired on 11 July, 16 August and 26 September 2013, and corresponding ground-truth samples, from the Huangjing-1A/B Charge-Coupled Device (HJ-CCD) images, environment and disaster reduction small satellites that were launched by China Center for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA). The overall accuracies of traditional CT models were 82%, 80% and 84%. We then tested two methods to modify CT model thresholds to adjust the traditional CT models based on image date to determine if the results would enable us to map and classify aquatic vegetation for periods when no ground-based data were available. We assessed the results with ground-truth samples and area agreement with traditional CT models. Results showed that CT models modified from a linear adjustment based on the relationship between ranked values of SFs between two image dates produced map accuracies comparable with those obtained from the traditional CT models and suggest that the method we proposed is feasible for mapping aquatic vegetation types in lakes when ground data are not available.
A Novel Carbon Nanofibers Grown on Glass Microballoons Immunosensor: A Tool for Early Diagnosis of Malaria
Authors: Gikunoo Emmanuel , Abera Adeyabeba , Woldesenbet Eyassu
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a novel method for direct detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein-2 (PfHRP-2) antigen using carbon nanofiber (CNF) forests grown on glass microballoons (NMBs). Secondary antibodies specific to PfHRP-2 densely attached to the CNFs exhibit extraordinary ability for the detection of minute concentrations of Plasmodium species. A sandwich immunoassay protocol was employed, where a glass substrate was used to immobilize primary antibodies at designated capture zones. High signal amplification was obtained in both colorimetric and electrical measurements due to the CNFs through specific binding. As a result, it was possible to detect PfHRP-2 levels as low as 0.025 ng/mL concentration in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) using a visual signal within only 1 min of test duration. Lower limits of 0.01 ng/mL was obtained by measuring the electrical resistivity of the capture zone. This method is also highly selective and specific in identifying PfHRP-2 and other Plasmodium species from the same solution. In addition, the stability of the labeling mechanism eliminates the false signals generated by the use of dyes in current malaria rapid diagnostic test kits (MRDTs). Thus, the rapid, sensitive and high signal amplification capabilities of NMBs is a promising tool for early diagnosis of malaria and other infectious diseases.
Flexible Capacitive Electrodes for Minimizing Motion Artifacts in Ambulatory Electrocardiograms
Authors: Lee Jeong , Heo Jeong , Lee Won , Lim Yong , Kim Youn , Park Kwang
Published: August 2014

This study proposes the use of flexible capacitive electrodes for reducing motion artifacts in a wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) device. The capacitive electrodes have conductive foam on their surface, a shield, an optimal input bias resistor, and guarding feedback. The electrodes are integrated in a chest belt, and the acquired signals are transmitted wirelessly for ambulatory heart rate monitoring. We experimentally validated the electrode performance with subjects standing and walking on a treadmill at speeds of up to 7 km/h. The results confirmed the highly accurate heart rate detection capacity of the developed system and its feasibility for daily-life ECG monitoring.
“Under His Spell”: Victims’ Perspectives of Being Groomed Online
Authors: Whittle Helen , Hamilton-Giachritsis Catherine , Beech Anthony
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to highlight key themes within the process of online grooming from the victim’s perspective. Eight adolescents who experienced online grooming were interviewed and data were analysed using Thematic Analysis. It was found that participants, who had been both sexually abused online and/or offline, were subjected to a range of grooming experiences. Consistent grooming themes within this sample included: manipulation; deception; regular/intense contact; secrecy; sexualisation; kindness and flattery; erratic temperament and nastiness; and simultaneous grooming of those close to the victim. These themes are similar to those identified by the literature surrounding grooming offline. Analysis demonstrated that once a participant was ‘enmeshed’ in the relationship with the offender, they were more likely to endure negative feelings associated with the grooming, than if the victim was not ‘enmeshed’. This paper supports the notion that grooming is a varied and non-linear process. Recommendations are made for practitioners, parents and carers, as well as suggestions for primary preventative education.
A practical introduction to skeletons for the plant sciences
Authors: Bucksch Alexander
Published: August 2014

Before the availability of digital photography resulting from the invention of charged couple devices in 1969, the measurement of plant architecture was a manual process either on the plant itself or on traditional photographs. The introduction of cheap digital imaging devices for the consumer market enabled the wide use of digital images to capture the shape of plant networks such as roots, tree crowns, or leaf venation. Plant networks contain geometric traits that can establish links to genetic or physiological characteristics, support plant breeding efforts, drive evolutionary studies, or serve as input to plant growth simulations. Typically, traits are encoded in shape descriptors that are computed from imaging data. Skeletons are one class of shape descriptors that are used to describe the hierarchies and extent of branching and looping plant networks. While the mathematical understanding of skeletons is well developed, their application within the plant sciences remains challenging because the quality of the measurement depends partly on the interpretation of the skeleton. This article is meant to bridge the skeletonization literature in the plant sciences and related technical fields by discussing best practices for deriving diameters and approximating branching hierarchies in a plant network.
Purification of ethanol for highly sensitive self-assembly experiments
Authors: Barbe Kathrin , Kind Martin , Pfeiffer Christian , Terfort Andreas
Published: August 2014

Ethanol is the preferred solvent for the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiolates on gold. By applying a thin film sensor system, we could demonstrate that even the best commercial qualities of ethanol contain surface-active contaminants, which can compete with the desired thiolates for surface sites. Here we present that gold nanoparticles deposited onto zeolite X can be used to remove these contaminants by chemisorption. This nanoparticle-impregnated zeolite does not only show high capacities for surface-active contaminants, such as thiols, but can be fully regenerated via a simple pyrolysis protocol.
Macrocyclic bis(ureas) as ligands for anion complexation
Authors: Kretschmer Claudia , Dittmann Gertrud , Beck Johannes
Published: August 2014

Two macrocyclic bis(ureas) 1 and 2, both based on diphenylurea, have been synthesized. Compound 1 represents the smaller ring with two ethynylene groups as linkers and 2 the larger ring with two butadiynylene groups. On thermal treatment to 130 °C molecule 1 splits up into two dihydroindoloquinolinone (3) molecules. Both compounds 1 and 2 form adducts with polar molecules such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) and act as complexing agents towards a series of anions (Cl−, Br−, I−, NO3−, HSO4−). The crystal structures of 3, 2·2DMSO, 2·2DMF, and of the complex NEt4[Br·2] have been determined. Quantitative investigations of the complexation equilibria were performed via 1H NMR titrations. While 1 is a rather weak complexing agent, the large ring of 2 binds anions with association constants up to log K = 7.93 for chloride ions.
Prevalence of "anti-HBc alone" among Syrian blood donors
Authors: Muselmani Wael , Habbal Wafa , Monem Fawza
Published: August 2014

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of "anti-HBc alone" among Syrian blood donors, highlighting the possibility of representing occult HBV infection. Methodology: Sera of 3,896 healthy blood donors were tested for both HBsAg and anti-HBc. HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive samples were further tested for the antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and "anti-HBc alone" sera were tested for HBV DNA. Results: Of 3,830 HBsAg-negative donors, 63 were "anti-HBc alone" donors, five of whom were HBV DNA positive. Conclusions: Greater consideration should be given to the "anti-HBc alone" serological profile in blood screening, premarital testing, organ transplantation tests, and other HBV transmission-related procedures in Syria.
Diagnosis and molecular typing of rabies virus in samples stored in inadequate conditions
Authors: Beltran Fernando J , Dohmen Federico Gury , Del Pietro Horacio , Cisterna Daniel M
Published: August 2014

Introduction: The exposure of nervous tissue samples to high temperatures affects the sensitivity of rabies virus diagnostic tests, causing degradation of the viral structure. This study evaluated reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis and molecular characterization of brain tissue samples in an advanced state of decomposition and poorly conserved viral isolates by comparing it with routine diagnostic tests. Methodology: A panel of three canine brain samples exposed to controlled decomposition for 7, 15, 30, and 120 days were evaluated using fluorescence antibody test (FAT), mouse inoculation test (MIT), and RT-PCR. In addition, 14 isolates of rabies variants, representing the largest circulation in Argentina, preserved in inadequate cooling for six to eight years were analyzed. Molecular typing of strains was performed using a 159-nucleotide region corresponding to the nucleoprotein gene. Results: The three samples analyzed were positive by RT-PCR at all the decomposition times evaluated, in contrast to results observed with FAT and MIT, which rapidly became negative. In addition, 100% of the inadequately preserved samples were characterized molecularly. The limit of detection of RT-PCR was 0.5 MICDL50/0.03 mL. Conclusion: RT-PCR can be useful for rabies diagnosis and typing of putrefying samples or rabies isolates stored in inadequate conditions.
Oropharyngeal tularemia cases admitted to a military hospital in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Karakas Ahmet , Coskun Omer , Artuk Cumhur , Savasci Umit , Gul Hanefi Cem , Mert Gurkan , Avci Ismail Yasar , Besirbellioglu Bulent Ahmet , Eyigun Can Polat
Published: August 2014

Introduction: This study aimed to review the possible sources of infection of 16 oropharyngeal tularemia hospital cases, and to document their epidemiological and demographical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment methods, and treatment results. Methodology: Sixteen cases from a Turkish military hospital between January 2011 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The age, sex, occupation, place of residence, symptoms, duration of symptoms, laboratory results, treatment and duration, and treatment results were recorded. Tularemia was diagnosed through tularemia-specific tests once the other conditions that may have caused lymphadenopathy were excluded. Results: Twelve of the patients included in this study were males. The average age of the patients was 32.1±17.2 years. Sore throat, fatigue, and fever were the most frequent symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms was 21.6±6.9 days. All the patients had been treated for tonsillopharyngitis in primary healthcare institutions previously. However, despite the treatment, cervical lymphadenopathy had developed in these cases. Patients were given streptomycin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin monotherapy or in combination. Ten of the cases fully recovered, while five required surgical lymph node drainage. Spontaneous drainage occurred in the single remaining case. Conclusions: Turkey is considered to be an endemic country with regards to tularemia. Prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease is imperative in providing cure. Since it can be potentially confused with tuberculous lymphadenitis, differential diagnosis is vital. Patients presenting with a condition of tonsillopharyngitis in endemic areas must be carefully monitored.
Transportation of sputum samples in cetylpyridinium chloride for drug resistance studies from remote areas of Odisha, India
Authors: Das Dasarathi , Dwibedi Bhagirathi , Kar Shantanu Kumar
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is required for successful treatment of patients, mainly in retreatment cases which necessitate isolation of mycobacteria from sputum samples within 24-48 hours. In situations where transportation of sputum is required, the use of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) effectively sustains the viability of mycobacteria up to two weeks. Methodology: Sputum samples were collected from pulmonary TB patients attending designated microscopy centres (DMC), stored in CPC solution and transported to a culture drug susceptibility testing laboratory using overnight bus transport facilities. For culture, the sputum specimens were processed and inoculated in Lowenstein- Jensen (LJ) medium. Growth on LJ was identified by colony morphology, growth rate and biochemical tests, and transit time was calculated as the time taken from the date of sample collection to the inoculation date. Results: Out of the 816 sputum samples collected in CPC, 691 (84.7%) yielded M. tuberculosis, 97 (11.9%) yielded no growth, 21(2.6%) grew contaminants and 7 (0.8%) were nontuberculous mycobacteria. CPC containing sputum samples processed within two weeks showed 88.6% culture positivity, while positivity was significantly affected beyond two weeks. Conclusions: CPC is cheap, easy to use, inhibits the growth of other organisms and can effectively be used to transport sputum specimens within two weeks from hard to reach areas to central locations without compromising culture positivity. Bus transport services can also help in reducing delay and the cost of transportation from remote areas.
Parainfluenza virus 4 presenting with pericardial effusion in an immunocompetent child
Authors: Ozkaya-Parlakay Aslinur , Cetin Ibrahim Ilker , Tezer Hasan , Gulhan Belgin , Revide Sayli Tulin
Published: August 2014

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Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in large ruminants in northern Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Nisar , Qayyum Mazhar
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that causes significant economic losses due to abortions and other developmental disabilities in livestock animals. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle and buffaloes in northern parts of Punjab, Pakistan, where no such work previously existed. Methodology:Serum samples obtained from 400 cattle and 422 buffaloes present on different private and government-owned farms were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additional data, including water sources, hygienic status at the farm, management practices, size of the herd, and presence of cats in the vicinity of the farm were obtained using a questionnaire in surveys and interviews. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 19.75% (79/400) in cattle and 15.16% (64/422) in buffaloes. IgG antibodies were found in 75 (18.75%) cattle and 58 (13.74%) buffaloes, while IgM antibodies were found in 9 (2.25%) cattle and 10 (2.37%) buffaloes. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in females and older animals of both species. Seroprevalence was found to be associated with poor hygienic conditions, extensive management practices, and presence of cats in the surrounding areas. No difference of seroprevalence was observed with respect to different breeds, location, water source, and herd size. Conclusion: The present study found that T. gondii is prevalent in large ruminants in northern Punjab, and may have important implications for the livestock industry and public health.
Self-Regulated Learning as the Enabling Environment to Enhance Outcome-Based Education of Undergraduate Engineering Mathematics
Authors: Rahman Roselainy Abdul , Baharun Sabariah , Yusof Yudariah Mohamad , Rahman Sharifah Alwiah S. Abdur
Published: August 2014

The paper discusses the results of an action research to improve teaching practice which applied the philosophy of Knowledge – Experiential – Self-regulated (KES) at the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The teaching and learning strategies were implemented to achieve the following objectives; (i) to enhance students' mathematical competencies; (ii) to support self-regulated learning; and (iii) to improve the teaching practice of Engineering Mathematics 3 i.e. Advanced Calculus. A modification to a previously developed framework by Roselainy et al. (2012a) was performed to encourage students to adopt self-regulated learning behaviour in an active learning environment. The teaching, learning and assessment activities were aligned constructively based on the theory of Biggs & Tang (2010). Data was collected, analysed and later employed to modify the teaching and learning activities. The findings found that it is imperative for teachers to design an appropriate learning environment and apply suitable strategies in encouraging and supporting students to embrace and take charge of their own learning.
Implementation of Online Instructional Technology and Hands-On Skills Training
Authors: Huong Giang Nguyen Thi
Published: August 2014

Online instructional technology supports an organization's capability in the online environment for training hands-on skills. This study uses the modeling theory by developing an online three-stage training environment of technical skills. This paper describes the implementation of the online environment for the course “making of a network cable”, and evaluates the effectiveness of the online method. A survey was used in comparing the online instruction with face-to-face teaching by using the following criteria: learning content's presentation; students' attitude; students' completion of the skills; the effectiveness of online learning; the organisational capability of online courses; the requirement of IT skills for online teachers. The results prove that effective teaching strategies can encourage the learners to practice technical skills in online courses.
Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 3 and Nod2 Synergistically Protect Mice from Dextran Sodium Sulfate–Induced Colitis
Authors: Jing Xuefang , Zulfiqar Fareeha , Park Shin Yong , Núñez Gabriel , Dziarski Roman , Gupta Dipika
Published: August 2014

Aberrant immune response and changes in the gut microflora are the main causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (Pglyrp1, Pglyrp2, Pglyrp3, and Pglyrp4) are bactericidal innate immunity proteins that maintain normal gut microbiome, protect against experimental colitis, and are associated with IBD in humans. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (Nod2) is an intracellular bacterial sensor and may be required for maintaining normal gut microbiome. Mutations in Nod2 are strongly associated with Crohn’s disease, but the causative mechanism is not understood, and the role of Nod2 in ulcerative colitis is not known. Because IBD is likely caused by variable multiple mutations in different individuals, in this study, we examined the combined role of Pglyrp3 and Nod2 in the development of experimental colitis in mice. We demonstrate that a combined deficiency of Pglyrp3 and Nod2 results in higher sensitivity to dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis compared with a single deficiency. Pglyrp3−/−Nod2−/− mice had decreased survival and higher loss of body weight, increased intestinal bleeding, higher apoptosis of colonic mucosa, elevated expression of cytokines and chemokines, altered gut microbiome, and increased levels of ATP in the colon. Increased sensitivity to dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis in Pglyrp3−/−Nod2−/− mice depended on increased apoptosis of intestinal epithelium, changed gut microflora, and elevated ATP. Pglyrp3 deficiency contributed colitis-predisposing intestinal microflora and increased intestinal ATP, whereas Nod2 deficiency contributed higher apoptosis and responsiveness to increased level of ATP. In summary, Pglyrp3 and Nod2 are both required for maintaining gut homeostasis and protection against colitis, but their protective mechanisms differ.
Innate Immune Cell CD45 Regulates Lymphopenia-Induced T Cell Proliferation
Authors: Saunders Amy E. , Shim Yaein A. , Johnson Pauline
Published: August 2014

The leukocyte-specific tyrosine phosphatase, CD45, severely impacts T cell development and activation by modulating TCR signaling. CD45-deficient (CD45KO) mice have reduced peripheral T cell numbers where CD8 T cells are underrepresented. In this article, we show that CD45KO mice are unable to support efficient homeostatic proliferation, affecting CD8 T cells more than CD4 T cells. Using CD45-RAG1 double-deficient (45RAGKO) mice, we show that lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) of CD45-sufficient T cells is defective in a host environment lacking CD45 on innate immune cells. We identify two deficiencies in the 45RAGKO mice that affect LIP. One involves CD11c+ cells and the second the production of IL-7 by lymphoid stromal cells. CD45KO dendritic cells were not defective in foreign Ag–induced T cell proliferation, yet CD45KO CD11c+ cells were unable to rescue the spontaneous LIP in the 45RAGKO mice. This was in contrast with the CD45-sufficient CD11c+ cells that partially rescued this spontaneous proliferation and did so without affecting IL-7 levels. The absence of CD45 also led to reduced IL-7 production by lymphoid stromal cells, suggesting an indirect effect of CD45 on innate immune cells in influencing IL-7 production by lymphoid stromal cells. These findings demonstrate a novel role for CD45 on innate immune cells in promoting lymphopenia-induced T cell proliferation and suggest that innate immune cells may communicate with stromal cells to regulate IL-7 production.