bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costs, culture and life decisions: analysing the factors that influence enrolment in master's level education in Germany
Authors: Silvester Danielle , Loibl Cäzilia , Roosen Jutta
Published: March 2014

Through evaluation of current literature and survey data, this exploratory study aimed to determine factors that influence enrolment in master's level education and attendant delay of life decisions. A total of 134 master's students at a German university were surveyed. The mean age was 25 years and respondents were nearly equal parts German and non‐German nationalities. Results show how cultural factors motivate enrolment in master's programmes and how enrolment influences the timing of other important life decisions. Respondents expected significant benefits to social status, job placement and income. While this small‐scale study does not include all decision factors and its findings are not fully generalizable, we hope it motivates further research in this area.
Acetic Acid Role on Magnesia Hydration for Cement‐Free Refractory Castables
Authors: Souza Tiago M. , Luz Ana P. , Braulio Mariana A. L. , Pagliosa Carlos , Pandolfelli Victor C.
Published: March 2014

Different approaches to master magnesia hydration in refractory castables have been recently proposed. Among them, the use of hydrating agents can change the Mg(OH)2 crystals morphology and its distribution in the resultant microstructure, minimizing the drawbacks related to the reaction expansion. In this work, the hydrating effect of acetic acid in Al2O3–MgO cement‐free castable properties during curing, drying, and firing steps was evaluated by elastic modulus, thermogravimetric, apparent porosity, and SEM analyses. Based on the attained results, adding acetic acid resulted in hydroxide crystals with distinct morphology and flexibility leading to a better accommodation of Mg(OH)2 in the designed microstructure, which inhibited the samples' cracking during curing. In addition, the drying behavior of the evaluated compositions was further optimized by incorporating polypropylene fibers. Thus, this study highlights a novel perspective for fine MgO powders application, indicating that brucite morphology engineering may be a key aspect for the development of advanced Al2O3–MgO cement‐free refractory castables.
Modulation of sebum oxidation and interleukin‐1α levels associates with clinical improvement of mild comedonal acne
Authors: Capitanio B. , Lora V. , Ludovici M. , Sinagra J.‐L. , Ottaviani M. , Mastrofrancesco A. , Ardigò M. , Camera E.
Published: March 2014

Background

Sebum plays a key role in the initiation of the acne lesions. Oxidized sebum lipids cause keratynocytes hyperproliferation and inflammatory cytokines release. Association between sebum oxidation and comedogenesis has been little investigated in comedonal acne.

Objectives

Evaluation of sebum oxidation parameters and levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1α) in patients with mild comedonal acne (MCA) before and after the treatment with a mixed RetinSphere®‐ vitamin E formulation.

Methods

Sebum excretion rate (SER), squalene concentration, and oxidation degree of sebum were measured in 18MCApatients and 10 controls.IL‐1α levels in the stratum corneum were measured in both lesional and non‐lesional facial areas ofMCApatients. Sebum parameters andIL‐1α were measured at week 4 of topical treatment. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) was performed in a subset of four patients at the baseline and at week 4 and all patients were assessed clinically before and following the 8 week‐treatment.

Results

Sebum excretion rate and squalene concentration were comparable betweenMCApatients and healthy controls. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the percentage of oxidized squalene (SQOX) were significantly elevated in the sebum ofMCApatients. The concentration of the proinflammatory cytokineIL‐1α in stratum corneum was significantly higher in the lesional area compared with non‐lesional area of theMCApatients at the baseline. At week 4, whileSERand squalene concentration did not vary significantly, theLPOlevels and theSQOXpercentage resulted decreased at a significant extent. Following the treatment,IL‐1α concentration in the lesional area reached values comparable to those of unaffected areas. Consistent with the biochemical data,RCMshowed the reduction of hyperkeratinization and of inflammatory cells infiltration of the adnexal structures epithelium, significant clinical improvement was recorded at week 8.

Conclusion

The data further support the involvement of lipid oxidation and particularly by‐products of squalene oxidation in comedogenesis.
Relationship between the IL‐4 gene promoter ‐590C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Qiu L.‐J. , Ni J. , Cen H. , Wen P.‐F. , Zhang M. , Liang Y. , Pan H.‐F. , Mao C. , Ye D.‐Q.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Studies investigating the association between interleukin (IL)‐4 gene promoter ‐590C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism and autoimmune diseases report conflicting results. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta‐analysis was performed.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the strength of association.

Results

A total of 6001 cases and 6788 controls from 24 studies were analysed. Significant association of the C allele of IL‐4 rs2243250 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was detected (odds ratio (OR) = 0.696, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.601–0.807). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the IL‐4 rs2243250 polymorphism and RA in Caucasians. Furthermore, the overall ORs of the associations between the C allele and multiple scleorosis (MS) were 1.340 (95% CI = 1.102–1.630). However, we failed to reveal any association between IL‐4 rs2243250 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Graves' disease (GD).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the IL‐4 rs2243250 polymorphism might be associated with genetic susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, including RA and MS.
Loss‐of‐function mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin underlie a Japanese family with food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Mizuno O. , Nomura T. , Ohguchi Y. , Suzuki S. , Nomura Y. , Hamade Y. , Hoshina D. , Sandilands A. , Akiyama M. , McLean W.H.I. , Abe R. , Shimizu H.
Published: March 2014

Background

Food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a serious food allergy in which anaphylaxis develops when exercise is performed within several hours after food intake. The precise mechanism underlying allergic sensitization in FDEIA has been an important issue but remains poorly understood.

Objectives

We aimed to elucidate the pathomechanism including the route of allergen sensitization involved in FDEIA.

Methods

A Japanese family with wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA), a specific form of FDEIA, were clinically examined. Mutation analysis of the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) was also performed.

Results

Two of the family members were confirmed as WDEIA on the basis of their medical history and positive provocation test results. Notably, the two affected individuals in the family had concomitant ichthyosis vulgaris. Mutation analysis of FLG revealed that they carry one or more loss‐of‐function mutations that have not been described in the Japanese population.

Conclusion

These results indicate that FLG mutations might be involved in the pathogenesis of WDEIA in the present case.
PAS‐positive extracellular deposits within germinal centers of hyperplastic follicles during SIV infection in a rhesus macaque
Authors: Hong Jung Joo , Villinger Francois , Courtney Cynthia L
Published: March 2014

Background

Lymphoid tissue remodeling is characteristic of chronic simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

Methods

A rhesus macaque infected with SIVmac239 was necropsied and its lymphoid tissues subjected to histopathology characterization.

Results

Germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes contained PAS‐positive, non‐amyloid extracellular deposits, decreased T follicular helper cells, and normal density of Ki67+ B cells.

Conclusions

A possible mechanism for PAS‐positive deposits includes exaggerated involution of SIV‐induced follicular hyperplasia secondary to virus‐associated immune reaction.
The Role of Previous Contraception Education and Moral Judgment in Contraceptive Use
Authors: Bader Valerie , Kelly Patricia J. , Cheng An‐Lin , Witt Jackie
Published: March 2014

Introduction

The knowledge and attitudes that lead to nonuse of contraception are not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine whether an association exists between contraceptive use and specific knowledge and attitudinal factors.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative telephone survey of 897 unmarried women aged 18 to 29 years to examine the relationship between contraceptive use and comprehensive sex education, attitude toward pregnancy prevention, perceived infertility, distrust toward the health care system or contraception, and moral attitude toward contraception.

Results

Both ever having made a visit to a physician or clinic for women's health care and ever having used any method of contraception to prevent pregnancy were significantly impacted by more comprehensive sex education and less likelihood to view contraception as morally wrong. Consistent with other research, we found no association between the desire to avoid pregnancy and contraceptive use. We found an association between health system distrust and contraceptive use, but health system distrust did not predict contraceptive use.

Discussion

Our findings show that contraceptive use among a sample of young women is influenced by previous contraceptive education and moral attitudes toward contraception. Clinicians should be cognizant of these realities, which may need to be addressed in both clinical and nonclinical venues.
Discontinuation of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Over 12 Months after Acute Coronary Syndromes Increases Risk for Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: D'ASCENZO FABRIZIO , COLOMBO FRANCESCO , BARBERO UMBERTO , MORETTI CLAUDIO , OMEDÈ PIERLUIGI , REED MATTHEW J. , TARANTINI GIUSEPPE , FRATI GIACOMO , DI NICOLANTONIO JAMES J. , BIONDI ZOCCAI GIUSEPPE , GAITA FIORENZO
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization remains to be defined, both for patients treated medically and for those undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for studies including patients presenting with ACS, and treated either with DAPT longer than or shorter than 12 months. Multivariable‐adjusted risk estimates for death and recurrent ACS with stopping DAPT after 12 months (odds ratios [OR] 95% confidence intervals [CI]) were pooled after logarithmic transformation according to random‐effect models with inverse‐variance weighting.

Results

Five studies with 49,586 patients were included. Median age was 66 (64–67) years, with 67% (65–75) males. Myocardial infarction (MI) represented the admission diagnosis for 88% (60–100) of the patients, and 66% (50–74) were treated with stenting. After a follow‐up of 2.1 years (1.5–2.7), 40% (35–46) still on DAPT after 12 months and the rates of death or recurrent ACS were 16.6 (14.5–17.0). Risk of adverse events for patients stopping DAPT after 1 year was significantly increased (OR = 1.19 [1.07–1.32]) for those receiving stents, but not for patients managed medically (OR = 1.13 [0.95–1.35]). The increased risk did not vary according to age, gender, myocardial infarction as admission diagnosis, and kind of stent.

Conclusions

Interruption of DAPT over 12 months after ACS increases the risk of adverse events for patients treated with PTCA, but not for those managed conservatively, independently from baseline features and admission diagnosis. This hypothesis‐generating finding should be tested in randomized controlled trials. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:233–241)
MODELLING FOR THE WAVELET COEFFICIENTS OF ARFIMA PROCESSES
Authors: Nanamiya Kei
Published: March 2014

We consider a model for the discrete nonboundary wavelet coefficients of autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) processes in each scale. Because the utility of the wavelet transform for the long‐range dependent processes, which many authors have explained in semi‐parametrical literature, is approximating the transformed processes to white noise processes in each scale, there have been few studies in a parametric setting. In this article, we propose the model from the forms of the (generalized) spectral density functions (SDFs) of these coefficients. Since the discrete wavelet transform has the property of downsampling, we cannot directly represent these (generalized) SDFs. To overcome this problem, we define the discrete non‐decimated nonboundary wavelet coefficients and compute their (generalized) SDFs. Using these functions and restricting the wavelet filters to the Daubechies wavelets and least asymmetric filters, we make the (generalized) SDFs of the discrete nonboundary wavelet coefficients of ARFIMA processes in each scale clear. Additionally, we propose a model for the discrete nonboundary scaling coefficients in each scale.
Recommendations for Management of Equine Athletes with Cardiovascular Abnormalities
Authors: Reef V.B. , Bonagura J. , Buhl R. , McGurrin M.K.J. , Schwarzwald C.C. , van Loon G. , Young L.E.
Published: March 2014

Murmurs and arrhythmias are commonly detected in equine athletes. Assessing the relevance of these cardiovascular abnormalities in the performance horse can be challenging. Determining the impact of a cardiovascular disorder on performance, life expectancy, horse and rider or driver safety relative to the owner's future expectations is paramount. A comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular abnormality detected is essential to determine its severity and achieve these aims. This consensus statement presents a general approach to the assessment of cardiovascular abnormalities, followed by a discussion of the common murmurs and arrhythmias. The description, diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis are considered for each cardiovascular abnormality. The recommendations presented herein are based on available literature and a consensus of the panelists. While the majority of horses with cardiovascular abnormalities have a useful performance life, periodic reexaminations are indicated for those with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease. Horses with pulmonary hypertension,CHF, or complex ventricular arrhythmias should not be ridden or driven.
Relationship among Serum Creatinine, Serum Gastrin, Calcium‐phosphorus Product, and Uremic Gastropathy in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: McLeland S.M. , Lunn K.F. , Duncan C.G. , Refsal K.R. , Quimby J.M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is associated with gastrointestinal signs commonly attributed to uremic gastropathy. Consequently, patients often are treated with antacids and gastrointestinal protectants. This therapeutic regimen is based on documented gastric lesions in uremic humans and dogs, but the nature and incidence of uremic gastropathy in cats are unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Evaluate uremic gastropathy inCKDcats to facilitate refinement of medical management for gastrointestinal signs.

Animals

Thirty‐seven CKD cats; 12 nonazotemic cats

Methods

Stomachs were evaluated for the presence of classic uremic gastropathy lesions. Histopathologic lesions were compared with serum creatinine concentrations, calcium‐phosphorus product (CPP), and serum gastrin concentrations.

Results

Gastric ulceration, edema, and vascular fibrinoid change were not observed. The most important gastric lesions inCKDcats were fibrosis and mineralization. SixteenCKDcats (43%) had evidence of gastric fibrosis of varying severity and 14CKDcats (38%) had gastric mineralization.CKDcats were more likely to have gastric fibrosis and mineralization than nonazotemic controls (P = .005 andP = .021, respectively). Only cats with moderate and severe azotemia had gastric mineralization.CPPwas correlated with disease severity; severely azotemicCKDcats had significantly higherCPPwhen compared with nonazotemic controls, and to mildly and moderately azotemic cats (P < .05). Gastrin concentrations were significantly higher inCKDcats when compared with nonazotemic controls (P = .003), but increased concentrations were not associated with gastric ulceration.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Uremic gastropathy inCKDcats differs from that described in other species and this difference should be considered when devising medical management.
A prospective observational study on tolerance and satisfaction to hepatic haemodynamic procedures
Authors: Casu Stefania , Berzigotti Annalisa , Abraldes Juan G. , Baringo M. Angels , Rocabert Laura , Hernández‐Gea Virginia , García‐Pagán Joan Carles , Bosch Jaume
Published: March 2014

Background

Understanding patients' attitudes to clinical experiences is essential for developing high‐quality patient‐centred healthcare, as a better knowledge of patients' tolerance and satisfaction might allow implementing measures that ameliorate comfort, care and use of resources.

Aims

We aimed to describe patients' tolerance and satisfaction to invasive hepatic haemodynamic procedures, and to investigate which factors might influence patients' perspective in this field.

Methods

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaires regarding pain and duration (for tolerance), and comfort and general handling (for satisfaction) were prospectively administered to all consecutive patients (N = 327) submitted to hepatic haemodynamic procedures (N = 355) in a tertiary care setting during 2011. VAS scores ranged between 0 and 100 mm and items were defined as excellent if <10 mm; good if 10–20 mm and inadequate if >20 mm. Clinical and laboratory data were also collected.

Results

Satisfaction was excellent in >95% of cases (mean 2 ± 5 mm, median 0 mm) and average tolerance was good (15 ± 18 mm; median 6 mm). A percentage of 59% of patients had excellent tolerance, 9% good and 32% had inadequate tolerance. Duration and complexity of the procedure and limited operator's experience were associated with inadequate tolerance on univariate analysis; duration of the procedure remained the only independent factor associated with inadequate tolerance on multivariate analysis. Procedures lasting <35 min had a >80% probability of being well tolerated.

Conclusions

Satisfaction and tolerance to hepatic haemodynamic procedures are excellent and good respectively. Tolerance was decreased in long procedures; hence reducing as much as possible the duration of the procedures might further improve tolerance.
Fine‐mapping natural alleles: quantitative complementation to the rescue
Authors: Turner Thomas L.
Published: March 2014

Mapping the genes responsible for natural variation and divergence is a challenging task. Many studies have mapped genes to genomic regions or generated lists of candidates, but few studies have implicated specific genes with a high standard of evidence. I propose that combining recent advances in genomic engineering with a modified version of the quantitative complementation test will help turn candidate genes into causal genes. By creating loss‐of‐function mutations in natural strains, and using these mutations to quantitatively fail‐to‐complement natural alleles, fine mapping should be greatly facilitated. As an example, I propose that the CRISPR/Cas9 system could be combined with the FLP/FRT system to fine‐map genes in the numerous systems where inversions have frustrated these efforts.
Retraction statement for ‘Ethics and Integrity of the Publishing Process: Myths, Facts, and a Roadmap’ by Marshall Schminke and Maureen L. Ambrose
Authors: Tsui Anne S. , Lewin Arie Y. , Schminke Marshall , Ambrose Maureen
Published: March 2014

The above article from Management and Organization Review, published online 7 SEP 2011, has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal's outgoing Editor-in-Chief Anne Tsui, the journal's incoming Editor-in-Chief Arie Y. Lewin, and John Wiley & Sons Asia Pty Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to unattributed overlap with work previously published in Academy of Management Review, 34(4): 586–591: ‘Editor's comments: The better angels of our nature – Ethics and integrity in publishing process’ by Marshall Schminke. The editors and authors joindy wrote a letter, available below, to explain the process used to come to the retraction decision.

The purpose of this letter is to explain the circumstances and reasons for the retraction of the paper ‘Ethics and integrity of the publishing process: Myths, facts, and a roadmap’ by Schminke and Ambrose in Management and Organization Review (MOR), Volume 7 issue 3, pages 397 to 406, November 2011.

Retraction of a published paper due to self-plagiarism is an unpleasant if not painful experience for both journal editors and authors. Self-plagiarism means that authors have used materials in another paper (whether published or in working paper format) without attributing the source of the materials or ideas. In this instance, the materials being self-plagiarized are from an earlier editorial written by the lead author. Self-plagiarism is in violation of publication ethics, according to the Committee of Publication Ethics' guidelines on suspected plagiarism (http://publicationethics.org/files/u7140/plagiarism%20B_0.pdf).
Multicultural iteration:SwedishNationalDay as multiculturalism‐in‐practice
Authors: Schall Carly Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the creation of ‘national day’ inSweden in order to understand how such a holiday works to shape theSwedish nation's relationship with diversity. Analyzing parliamentary debates and press coverage, the author finds that official national day coverage tends to invest the nation with progressive and multicultural meanings, foregrounding immigrant voices. However, this multiculturalism is polysemic, vague and subject to contestation, both from far right ‘traditionalists’ seeking to ‘protect’Swedishness from outside influences and cosmopolitans who see the nation as outdated and dangerous. The creation of a new national holiday can be seen as a ‘democratic iteration’ wherein democracy is restated and reinvested with meanings, and new lines of cleavage are drawn, and also as a ‘multicultural iteration’ where multiculturalism is invested with new meaning. Finally, the author argues that multiculturalism benefits from polysemy in that the concept can then adapt to changing circumstances, and, thus, survive.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in a hepatitis C virus‐infected liver: Mechanism of the tumor development may be similar to that of development of pancreatic neuroendocrine cells
Authors: Masunaga Atsuko , Inoue Kazuaki , Mizukami Hiroki , Hayashi Takaki , Mitsuya Toshiyuki
Published: March 2014

We experienced a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NC). The tumor developed in the cirrhotic liver of a 62‐year‐old Japanese man who had been infected with hepatitis C virus. The tumor cells showed high N/C ratio, formed many rosettes, and expressed CD56, synaptophysin, HepPar1 and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1. MIB1 expression was 65%. Because both liver and pancreas are derived from a common endodermal layer during fetal development, we speculated that the tumor may have formed via the interaction of neurogenin 3, insulinoma‐associated 1 gene and NeuroD/beta2, which are involved in the stage at which some pancreatic cells commit to becoming endocrine cells. Molecular analysis revealed that the NC had higher relative expression levels of mRNA of the three molecules than did the nontumorous liver. The results indicate that the NC in this patient may have formed via the same mechanism that acts in the development of pancreatic neuroendocrine cells.
Pollen limitation and pollinator preferences in Scorzonera hispanica
Authors: Červenková Z. , Münzbergová Z.
Published: March 2014

The plant life cycle is often affected by animal–plant interactions. In insect‐pollinated plants, interaction with pollinators is very important. When pollen transfer due to a lower abundance of pollinators limits seed production, selection pressures on plant traits related to plant attraction to pollinators might occur, e.g. on flowering phenology, height or number of flowerheads. Landscape changes (e.g. habitat fragmentation or changed habitat conditions) may cause plant–pollinator systems to lose balance and consequently affect population dynamics of many plant species. We studied the relationship between measured plant traits, environmental variables and pollinator preferences in Scorzonera hispanica (Asteraceae), a rare perennial, allogamous herb of open grasslands. We estimated the pollen limitation by comparing seed set of supplemental‐pollinated plants with that of open‐pollinated ones. Pollinators selected plants based on position within the locality (isolated plants close to trees) rather than on their traits. In spite of a high proportion of undeveloped seeds on the plants, we demonstrated that they are not pollen limited. Instead, seed set and weight of seeds was correlated with plant size traits (height and flowerhead number), with larger plants producing more and larger seeds. This suggests that the studied plants are likely resource limited. Overall, the results suggest that pollinators are not a selection factor in this system, in contrast to studies on various plant species, including self‐compatible species of the Asteraceae. The lack of any effect of pollinators in the system may be caused by a strong negative effect of ungulate herbivores, which could play a decisive role in functioning of the system.
Diesel-Ignited Propane Dual Fuel Low Temperature Combustion in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Polk Andrew C. , Carpenter Chad D. , Scott Guerry E. , Dwivedi U. , Kumar Srinivasan Kalyan , Rajan Krishnan Sundar , Rowland Zach L.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an experimental analysis of diesel-ignited propane dual fuel low temperature combustion (LTC) based on performance, emissions, and in-cylinder combustion data from a modern, heavy-duty diesel engine. The engine used for these experiments was a 12.9-liter, six-cylinder, direct injection heavy-duty diesel engine with electronic unit diesel injection pumps, a variable geometry turbocharger, and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The experiments were performed with gaseous propane (the primary fuel) fumigated upstream of the turbocharger and diesel (the pilot fuel) injected directly into the cylinders. Results are presented for a range of diesel injection timings (SOIs) from 10 deg BTDC to 50 deg BTDC at a brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 5 bar and a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm. The effects of SOI, percent energy substitution (PES) of propane (i.e., replacement of diesel fuel energy with propane), intake boost pressure, and cooled EGR on the dual fuel LTC process were investigated. The approach was to determine the effects of SOI while maximizing the PES of propane. Dual fuel LTC was achieved with very early SOIs (e.g., 50 deg BTDC) coupled with high propane PES (>84%), which yielded near-zero NOx (<0.02 g/kW h) and very low smoke emissions (<0.1 FSN). Increasing the propane PES beyond 84% at the SOI of 50 deg BTDC yielded a high COV of IMEP due to retarded combustion phasing (CA50). Intake boost pressures were increased and EGR rates were decreased to minimize the COV, allowing higher propane PES (∼93%); however, lower fuel conversion efficiencies (FCE) and higher HC and CO emissions were observed.
Robust dielectric properties of B-site size-disordered hexagonal Ln2CuTiO6 (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb)
Authors: Choudhury D. , Sarma D. D.
Published: March 2014

Hexagonal Ln2CuTiO6 (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb) exhibits a rare combination of interesting dielectric properties, in the form of relatively large dielectric constants (ϵ′>30), low losses, and extremely small temperature and frequency dependencies, over large ranges of temperature and frequency [Choudhury et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 162903 (2010) and Choudhury et al., Phys. Rev. B 82, 134203 (2010)], making these compounds promising as high-k dielectric materials. The authors present a brief review of the existing literature on this interesting class of oxides, complimenting it with spectroscopic data in conjunction with first-principles calculation results, revealing a novel mechanism underlying these robust dielectric properties. These show that the large size differences in Cu2+ and Ti4+ at the B-site, aided by an inherent random distribution of CuO5 and TiO5 polyhedral units, frustrates the ferroelectric instability, inherent to the noncentrosymmetric P63 cm space group of this system, and gives rise to the observed relatively large dielectric constant values. Additionally, the phononic contributions to the dielectric constant are dominated primarily by mid-frequency (>100 cm−1) polar modes, involving mainly Ti4+ 3d0 ions. In contrast, the soft polar phonon modes with frequencies typically less than 100 cm−1, usually responsible for dielectric properties of materials, are found to be associated with non-d0 Cu2+ ions and to contribute very little, giving rise to the remarkable temperature stability of dielectric properties of these compounds.
Structural, morphological, FTIR and photoluminescence properties of gallium oxide thin films
Authors: Cheng Yi , Chen Jixiang , Yang Kun , Wang Yizhuo , Yin Yan , Liang Hongwei , Du Guotong
Published: March 2014

Thin films of β-Ga2O3 are prepared on sapphire substrates via electron beam evaporation and annealed at 1000 °C for 1 h. The effect of the annealing treatment upon the crystal structures, surface morphologies, and optical properties of β-Ga2O3 films are investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence and optical transmittance spectra. The easily prepared β-Ga2O3 films present a mixed structure of amorphous and crystalline phases. The annealed β-Ga2O3 films exhibit a clear absorption edge in the deep ultraviolet region. Ultraviolet and red emissions are also observed in the photoluminescence spectra of the annealed β-Ga2O3 films.
Complete Genome Sequence of Swine Hepatitis E Virus Prevalent in Southwest China
Authors: Yu Wenhai , Ma Tianwu , Zhao Xianchen , He Zhanlong , Yang Chenchen , Bi Yanhong , Huang Fen
Published: March 2014

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important public health concern in the world, especially in developing countries of Africa and Asia, including China. Hepatitis E is recognized as a zoonotic disease, which is transmitted across species, including between humans and swine. HEV is highly endemic in China, but the complete sequence of HEV in southwestern China is lacking. Swine HEV strain KM01 was isolated from a village in rural Kunming, Yunnan province, China, where swine are housed with humans. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the swine HEV strain KM01. The sequence and phylogenetic analyses reveal that swine HEV is closely related to the strain isolated from Xinjiang (CHN-XJ-SW13). The genome of the KM01 strain will facilitate further study of HEV molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity in China.
High-Quality Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Three Strains of
Enterobacter
Isolated from Jamaican
Dioscorea cayenensis
(Yellow Yam)
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Triassi Alexander J. , Wheatley Matthew S. , Savka Michael A. , Hudson André O.
Published: March 2014

Here we report the whole-genome sequences of three endophytic bacteria,
Enterobacter
sp. strain DC1,
Enterobacter
sp. strain DC3, and
Enterobacter
sp. strain DC4, from root tubers of the yellow yam plant,
Dioscorea cayenensis
. Preliminary analyses suggest that the genomes of the three bacteria contain genes involved in acetoin and indole-3-acetic acid metabolism.
Genome Sequences of Sequence Type 45 (ST45) Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Bacteremia Strain 300-169 and ST45 Resolving MRSA Bacteremia Strain 301-188
Authors: Hernandez David , Seidl Kati , Corvaglia Anna-Rita , Bayer Arnold S. , Xiong Yan Q. , François Patrice
Published: March 2014

Persistent methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) bacteremia (positive blood cultures after ≥7 days) represents a challenging subset of invasive MRSA infections. The comparison of genome sequences of persistent (300-169) and resolving (301-188) MRSA bacteremia isolates with similar genetic background (sequence type 45 [ST45]) will help us to better understand underlying mechanisms of persistent MRSA bacteremia.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Extremely Halophilic Archaeon Haloarcula hispanica Strain N601
Authors: Ding Jiun-Yan , Chiang Pei-Wen , Hong Mei-Jhu , Dyall-Smith Mike , Tang Sen-Lin
Published: March 2014

Haloarcula hispanica
has been widely used in haloarchaeal studies, particularly in the isolation of haloviruses. The genome of strain N601, a laboratory derivative of the type strain ATCC 33960, was sequenced. Several potentially significant differences from the published sequence of the type strain (CGMCC 1.2049 = ATCC 33960) were observed.
Corrective osteotomy in femoral non-union in drug-induced hypophosphataemic osteomalacia
Authors: Sit Yan Kit , Lui Tun Hing
Published: March 2014

Adefovir/tenofovir are commonly used antiviral agents in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). We report a case of CHB-related cirrhosis presenting with sequential femoral neck fractures. Operative reduction and fixation was performed. Laboratory result and imaging was consistent with hypophosphataemic osteomalacia. He had bilateral femoral neck non-union and presented with a new left side subtrochanteric femoral fracture. Corrective osteotomy and cephalomedullary fixation was performed. The fractures healed in 6 months after correction of the hypophosphataemia.
Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess revisited
Authors: Menon Eva , Baruah Paramita
Published: March 2014

Retropharyngeal tubercular abscess is an uncommon cause of neck pain and dysphagia in the developed world. In this report, we describe an insidiously presenting retropharyngeal abscess treated successfully with intraoral aspiration and antitubercular chemotherapy. A 33-year-old female patient presented with neck pain and dysphagia. MRI revealed a large retropharyngeal abscess that was aspirated intraorally under local anaesthetic. Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) was confirmed by positive culture. The patient improved significantly following the initiation of antitubercular therapy. Retropharyngeal abscess is a recognised presentation of TB. The treatment is mainly medical with combination of specific antitubercular antibiotics, and aspiration may be sufficient for abscess drainage.
Importance of a thorough drug history in presurgical patients
Authors: Robati Shibby , Shahid Mohammad Kamren , Vella Adrien , Rang Simon
Published: March 2014

A 72-year-old woman was admitted for a routine elective total knee replacement. By day 1 postoperative, she became hyponatraemic following an Addisonian crisis, leading to an admission into the intensive therapy unit (ITU). It was later during this stay in the ITU and on a retrospective drug history review that she was found to have taken clobetasol, a high strength topical steroid cream over the past 2 years. The authors alert the reader to the importance of specially asking patients about their use of current or recent topical steroid creams as they may not always volunteer this information. Sudden withdrawal of steroid supplementation in these patients in the preoperative period may result in catastrophic consequences.
Independent and combined associations of total sedentary time and television viewing time with food intake patterns of 9- to 11-year-old Canadian children
Authors: Borghese Michael M. , Tremblay Mark S. , Leduc Genevieve , Boyer Charles , Bélanger Priscilla , LeBlanc Allana G. , Francis Claire , Chaput Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2014

The relationships among sedentary time, television viewing time, and dietary patterns in children are not fully understood. The aim of this paper was to determine which of self-reported television viewing time or objectively measured sedentary time is a better correlate of the frequency of consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 9- to 11-year-old children (n = 523; 57.1% female) from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Accelerometers were used to determine total sedentary time, and questionnaires were used to determine the number of hours of television watching and the frequency of consumption of foods per week. Television viewing was negatively associated with the frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, and green vegetables, and positively associated with the frequency of consumption of sweets, soft drinks, diet soft drinks, pastries, potato chips, French fries, fruit juices, ice cream, fried foods, and fast food. Except for diet soft drinks and fruit juices, these associations were independent of covariates, including sedentary time. Total sedentary time was negatively associated with the frequency of consumption of sports drinks, independent of covariates, including television viewing. In combined sedentary time and television viewing analyses, children watching >2 h of television per day consumed several unhealthy food items more frequently than did children watching ≤2 h of television, regardless of sedentary time. In conclusion, this paper provides evidence to suggest that television viewing time is more strongly associated with unhealthy dietary patterns than is total sedentary time. Future research should focus on reducing television viewing time, as a means of improving dietary patterns and potentially reducing childhood obesity.
INCOME EQUALITY IN A COURSE OF INDONESIAN DEVELOPMENT
Authors: HONDAI SUSUMU
Published: March 2014

Indonesia has done remarkably well in the areas of both economic growth and poverty reduction. However, the economic situations differ significantly among Indonesian provinces. Some provinces have already developed well, while the rest have been left behind. The variation in the situations will generate a synthetic long-run time series data of economic development as a whole and enable us to find out when income equality starts to improve in a course of economic development.
T-duality and scattering of stringy states
Authors: Maharana Jnanadeva
Published: March 2014

We present a procedure for application of T-duality transformation on scattering amplitudes of closed bosonic stringy states. These states arise due to compactification of closed string to lower space–time dimensions through dimensional reduction. The amplitude, in the first quantized formalism, is computed by introducing vertex operators. The amplitude is constructed by the standard prescription and the vertex operators are required to respect conformal invariance. Such vertex operators are constructed in the weak field approximation. Therefore, the vertex operators of the stringy states of our interest are to be defined accordingly. We propose a prescription to implement T-duality on the three-point functions and N-point functions. We argue that it is possible to generate new amplitudes through the transformations on a given amplitude just as T-duality transformations can take us to a new set of string vacuum when acted upon an initial set. Explicit examples are given for three-point and four-point functions.
Effective valence quark model and a possible dip in $d\, {\rm Br}(B\to K\ell\bar{\ell})/dq^2$
Authors: Ishida Hiroyuki , Koide Yoshio
Published: March 2014

In rare B meson decays B → Kℓ+ℓ-, a possible contribution of ℓ+ℓ- emission via photon from the "spectator" quark q(q = u, d) in the B meson [Formula: see text] is investigated in addition to the conventional one [Formula: see text]. If such a contribution is sizable compared with the standard estimation of B → Kℓ+ℓ-, we will observe visible difference between dΓ(B0 → K0ℓ+ℓ-)/dq2 and dΓ(B+ → K+ℓ+ℓ-)/dq2 in q2 dependence [Formula: see text]. Besides, as a result of the interference between the conventional one and a new one, a dip appears in dΓ(B → Kℓ+ℓ-)/dq2 at a small region of q2. The interference effect in the B0 decay will also be observed differently from that in the B+ decay. The calculation is done based on a semiclassical approach, a valence quark model. In the present model, the photon emission from the spectator quark q, d → d+γ(u → u+γ) is independent of the b–s transition mechanism, and the characteristic results are due to a straightforward estimate of the quark propagator which cannot be incorporated into the factorization method. The model is not a valence quark "dominant" model, so that, for example, the valence quarks in the final state carry only 24% of the energy–momentum of the kaon.
SEU-SECURE PARITY PREDICTION MULTIPLIER ON SRAM-BASED FPGAs
Authors: GOSHEBLAGH REZA OMIDI , MOHAMMADI KARIM
Published: March 2014

Modern SRAM-based field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices offer high capability in implementing satellites and space systems. Unfortunately, these devices are extremely sensitive to various kinds of unwanted effects induced by space radiations especially single-event upsets (SEUs) as soft errors in configuration memory. To face this challenge, a variety of soft error mitigation techniques have been adopted in literature. In this paper, we describe an area-efficient multiplier architecture based on SRAM-FPGA that provides the self-checking capability against SEU faults. The proposed design approach, which is based on parity prediction, is able to concurrently detect the SEU faults. The implementation results of the proposed architecture reveal that the average area and delay overheads are respectively 25% and 34% in comparison with the plain version while the conventional duplication with comparison (DWC) architecture imposes 117% and 22% overheads. Moreover, the single and multi-upset fault injection experiments reveal that the proposed architecture averagely provides the failure coverage of 83% and 79% while the failure coverage of the duplicated structure is 85% and 84%, respectively for SEU and MEU faults.
DUAL-OUTPUT CURRENT DIFFERENCING TRANSCONDUCTANCE AMPLIFIERS-BASED CURRENT-MODE SINUSOIDAL QUADRATURE OSCILLATORS
Authors: SUMMART SAKSIT , THONGSOPA CHANCHAI , JAIKLA WINAI
Published: March 2014

This paper presents three current-mode quadrature oscillator (QO) circuits based on dual-output current differencing transconductance amplifier (DO-CDTA) which is designed from block diagram. The proposed circuits consist of two DO-CDTAs and two grounded capacitors. The circuits can provide two sinusoidal output currents with 90° phase difference. The condition of oscillation (CO) can be adjusted independently from the frequency of oscillation (FO) by adjusting the bias currents of the DO-CDTA. The proposed circuits have high output impedance appropriate for cascade connection application in current mode which is capable to directly drive load. The circuits use only grounded capacitors without any external resistor which is very appropriate for further development into an integrated circuit. Moreover, the oscillator circuits can also adjust amplitude of the output signal. The results of PSPICE simulation program are corresponding to the theoretical analysis.
DYNAMIC CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF A LDR, MEMRISTOR-BASED CHAOTIC SYSTEM
Authors: WANG XIAOYUAN , WANG GUANGYI , WANG XINGYUAN
Published: March 2014

Based on the achievements of realization of the light dependent resistor (LDR) memristor (MR) analog model, a chaotic system has been proposed in this paper. The construction of such a nonlinear system is firstly shown in this paper, by dissipative characteristic analysis, equilibrium point and stability analysis, the strange attractor is possibly existing at each equilibrium point is confirmed. Also the dynamic characters are discussed, which indicates the nonlinear circuit we built based on LDR MR is a chaotic system.
Estimation of the Damping Matrix in Rotating Machinery for the Calculation of the Stability Threshold Speed
Authors: Vervisch Bram , Stockman Kurt , Loccufier Mia
Published: March 2014

Rotor internal damping is recognized as one of the main causes for instabilities in rotating systems. In a linear speed dependent model, the stability threshold speed can be calculated numerically. However, this threshold depends highly on the modeling choice and mainly on the relation between rotating and nonrotating damping. In this paper, the importance of a well-founded knowledge of the system parameters is highlighted and a method is proposed to estimate the damping of a rotating system not only influenced by the gyroscopic effect but also by rotating damping. With this method, it is possible to reconstruct the physical damping matrix and distinguish between rotating and nonrotating damping. Moreover, the gyroscopic effect can be identified. After a description of the method, a numerical validation is performed.
A UNIFIED COMMUNITY DETECTION, VISUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS METHOD
Authors: CRAMPES MICHEL , PLANTIÉ MICHEL
Published: March 2014

With the widespread social networks on the Internet, community detection in social graphs has recently become an important research domain. Interest was initially limited to unipartite graph inputs and partitioned community outputs. More recently, bipartite graphs, directed graphs and overlapping communities have all been investigated. Few contributions however have encompassed all three types of graphs simultaneously. In this paper, we present a method that unifies community detection for these three types of graphs while at the same time it merges partitioned and overlapping communities. Moreover, the results are visualized in a way that allows for analysis and semantic interpretation. For validation purposes this method is experimented on some well-known simple benchmarks and then applied to real data: photos and tags in Facebook and Human Brain Tractography data. This last application leads to the possibility of applying community detection methods to other fields such as data analysis with original enhanced performances.
Divided difference operators in equivariant KK-theory
Authors: Leung Ho-Hon
Published: March 2014

Let G be a compact connected Lie group with a maximal torus T. Let A, B be G-C*-algebras. We define certain divided difference operators on Kasparov's T-equivariant KK-group KKT(A, B) and show that KKG(A, B) is a direct summand of KKT(A, B). More precisely, a T-equivariant KK-class is G-equivariant if and only if it is annihilated by an ideal of divided difference operators. This result is a generalization of work done by Atiyah, Harada, Landweber and Sjamaar.