bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel irradiation techniques in the treatment of solid tumours. Radiotherapy of metastases
Authors: Mayer Árpád , Póti Zsuzsa
Published: February 2014

Novel developments in percutaneous radiotherapy, such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography, adaptive radiation planning, intensity modulation radiotherapy and intensity modulated arc therapy (RapidArc), as well as the newer generation of image control (cone-beam computed tomography) and image guided radiotherapy ensure increased dosages of planning target volume and clinical target volume of solid tumours without damaging surrounding tissues and providing maximal protection. By raising the dosages of planned target volume and clinical target volume, these novel technical developments have created new indications in the treatment of solid tumours. With the aid of the cone-beam computed tomography and image guided radiotherapy the organ metastasis (lung, liver, spinal cord) and the primary tumour can be treated safety and effectively. Hypofractionation, dose escalation and the use of stereotactic devices can probably decrease radiation damage. The authors review the most common forms of evidence-based fractionation schemes used in irradiation therapy. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(8), 283–290.
Identifying Iron Oxide Based Materials that Can Either Pass or Not Pass through the in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier
Authors: Shi Di , Sun Linlin , Mi Gujie , Bhattacharya Soumya , Nayar Suprabha , Webster Thomas J
Published: February 2014

In this study, an in vitro blood-brain barrier model was developed using murine brain endothelioma cells (b.End3 cells). By comparing the permeability of FITC-Dextran at increasing exposure times in serum-free medium to such values in the literature, we confirm that the blood-brain barrier model was successfully established. After such confirmation, the permeability of five ferrofluid (FF) nanoparticle samples, GGB (ferrofluid synthesized using glycine, glutamic acid and BSA), GGC (glycine, glutamic acid and collagen), GGP (glycine, glutamic acid and PVA), BPC (BSA, PEG and collagen) and CPB (collagen, PVA and BSA), was determined using this model. In addition, all the five FF samples were characterized by zeta potential to determine their charge as well as TEM and dynamic light scattering for determining their hydrodynamic diameter. Results showed that FF coated with collagen had better permeability to the blood-brain barrier than FF coated with glycine and glutamic acid based on an increase of 4.5% in permeability. Through such experiments, magnetic nanomaterials, such as ferrofluids, that are less permeable to the blood brain barrier can be used to decrease neural tissue toxicity and magnetic nanomaterials with more permeable to the blood-brain barrier can be used for brain drug delivery.
Biofunctional Thermo-Responsive Polymeric Surface with Micropatterns for Label Free Cell Separation
Authors: Kumashiro Yoshikazu , Ishihara Jun , Umemoto Terumasa , Itoga Kazuyoshi , Kobayashi Jun , Yamato Masayuki , Okano Teruo
Published: February 2014

Thready stripe-patterned thermo-responsive surfaces were prepared and their surface properties were characterized. Prepared 3 μm wide stripe-patterned surfaces were evaluated by observing the adhesions and detachments of three types of cells: HeLa cells (HeLas), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and NIH-3T3 cells (3T3s). Although cell adhesion and detachment in response to temperature were observed on all cells on a conventional thermo-responsive surface without patterns, the thermo-responsive surface with a 3 μm striped-pattern exhibited various cell adhesion properties. HeLas hardly adhered to the patterned surface even at 37 °C. On the other hand, although HUVECs adhered on the patterned surface at 12 h after incubation at 37 °C, the adhered HUVECs detached themselves after another 12 h incubation at 37 °C. 3T3s adhered to the patterned surface at 37 °C and detached themselves after reducing temperature to 20 °C. A mixture of HeLa, HUVEC and 3T3 was separated using their different specific cell-adhesion properties, and the composition of cells was analyzed by a flow-cytometry. As a result, the conventional thermo-responsive surface with a stripe-pattern was found to function as a cell-separating interface by using specific cell adhesion properties.
Dielectric Response of Light Emitting Semiconductor Junction Diodes: Frequency and Temperature Domain Study
Authors: Bansal Kanika , Datta Shouvik
Published: February 2014

We report a change in the dielectric response of AlGaInP based multi quantum well diodes with the onset of modulated light emission. Observed variation in junction capacitance and modulated light emission, with frequency and temperature, suggests participation of slow defect channels in fast radiative recombination dynamics. Our work establishes prominent connection between electrical and optical properties of light emitting diodes and provides a tool to investigate the interesting condensed matter physics of these structures. Our observations demand a generalized physical framework, beyond conventional models, to understand an active light emitting diode under charge carrier injection. We suggest that the low frequency response can compromise the performance of these diodes under high frequency applications. We also suggest how internal quantum well structure can affect modulated light output efficiency of the device.
Improvement of Mo/Cu2ZnSnS4 interface for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film solar cell application
Authors: Cui Hongtao , Liu Xiaolei , Hao Xiaojing , Liu Fangyang , Song Ning , Li Wei , Yan Chang , Conibeer Gavin , Green Martin
Published: February 2014

The focus of this work is on back contact improvement for sputtered CZTS thin film solar cells. Three methods have been investigated including a thin Ag coating, a thin ZnO coating on the Mo back contact and rapid thermal annealing of the back contact. All of these methods have been found to reduce defects such as voids as well as secondary phases at the back contact region and inhibit the formation of MoS2. Consequently all the mothods effectively enhances Voc, Jsc, FF and therefore efficiency significantly.
Theranostic Anticancer Agents Based on Internally Functionalized ORMOSIL Nanoparticles
Authors: Walton Nathan I. , Gao Zhe , Zharov Ilya
Published: February 2014

We prepared organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles with internal functional groups and mesoporosity, suitable for the incorporation of modalities for both MRI imaging and cancer treatment by neutron capture therapy using gadolinium-157 nuclei. These modalities were incorporated by preparing ORMOSIL nanoparticles with reactive functional groups throughout the nanoparticle body, followed by their conversion into the metal chelating moieties inside the nanoparticles.
Dual Functionalized Janus Nanocomposites for Targeted pH-Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Feng , Pauletti Giovanni , Wang Yilong , Shi Donglu
Published: February 2014

A superparamagnetic Janus nanocomposite (SJNC) of polystyrene/Fe3O4@SiO2 was designed and developed with dual surface bearing functional groups for medical diagnosis and treatment. Folic acid (FA) and doxorubicin (DOX) were conjugated stepwise to the surfaces. SJNCs were found to enable simultaneous cell-targeted drug delivery via pH-responsive release mechanism.
Measuring the microenvironmental temperature around magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Reeves Daniel B. , Weaver John B.
Published: February 2014

It is important to measure the temperature of magnetic nanoparticles during hyperthermia therapy to develop safe practices. We theoretically demonstrate a method for measuring the temperature of magnetic nanoparticles using induction coils and nanoparticle magnetization harmonics. A geometrically decoupled sensing coil is described that enhances the sensitivity to small amounts of iron and also could possibly be used to eliminate sensing challenges created by the high-powered hyperthermia drive field.
Using videoed simulated clinical interaction to promote communication skills and reflective practice for overseas-born medical students.
Authors: Hill Kathryn , Hamilton Jan
Published: February 2014

This paper describes a teaching intervention designed to promote the clinical communications skills of overseas-born medical students through critical reflection on the practice of others. Using a staged process and a video recording of a simulated medical interaction it investigated the extent to which the participants were able to anticipate, identify and resolve the targeted communication issues, and demonstrate selected skills in a simulated interaction. Data comprised worksheet notes, transcriptions (group discussions) and completed questionnaires (ratings and comments). Analysis was thematic (worksheet notes, transcription, questionnaire feedback) and quantitative (questionnaire ratings). The results suggest the notion of reflective practice could be productively extended to take account of current developments in pedagogy and learning. This includes providing opportunities for students to share ideas, resolve differences and ambiguities, and address gaps in their communication skills as well as to apply learned concepts and receive targeted feedback. While the intervention specifically targeted overseas-born medical students, the approach described in the paper has potential for developing the communication skills of ‘local’ medical students and healthcare professionals more generally.
The Patient's Lifeworld: Building meaningful clinical encounters between patients, physicians and interpreters
Authors: Leanza Yvan , Boivin Isabelle , Rosenberg Ellen
Published: February 2014

In this paper, our objectives are first to explore the different ways physicians and interpreters interact with patients’ Lifeworld, and second, to describe and compare communication patterns in consultations with professional and those with family interpreters. We used a qualitative design and conducted analyses of transcriptions of 16 family practice consultations in Montréal in the presence of interpreters. Patterns of communication are delineated grounded in Habermas’ Communicative Action Theory and Mishler's operational concepts of Voice of Medicine and Voice of Lifeworld. Four communication patterns emerged: (1) strategically using Lifeworld data to achieve biomedical goals, (2) having an interest in the Lifeworld for itself, (3) integrating the Lifeworld with biomedicine and (4) referring to another professional. Our results suggest physicians engage with patients’ Lifeworld and may benefit from both types of interpreters’ understanding of the patient's specific situations. A professional interpreter is likely to transmit the patient's Lifeworld utterances to the physician. A family member, on the other hand, may provide extra biomedical and Lifeworld information, but also prevent the patient's Lifeworld accounts from reaching the physician. Physicians’ training should include advice on how to work with all type of interpreters and interpreters’ training should include mediation competencies in order to enhance their ability to promote the processes of co-construction of meaning.
Assessing the risk to railway structures from train impact
Authors: Lane John , Thompson Kevin
Published: February 2014

Designers of railway structures frequently find that they have difficulty meeting the requirements for design of structures to resist impact loads from a derailed train. Potentially such loads can be extremely high, especially where a very substantial proportion of the train mass can be mobilised at line speed, as was the case for the Eschede incident in Germany. It is rarely economical to design structures for such extreme loads and design standards such as BS EN 1991-1-7 set impact load values that are intended to provide a minimum level of robustness for safety and economy. However, the safety benefits compared to the cost of providing sufficient resistance, even for the loads in design standards, can be difficult to justify in some cases. Risk assessment can be used in such circumstances to demonstrate achievement of an acceptable level of safety at reasonable cost. Application of the risk assessment methodology in UIC leaflet UIC-777-2R is described, highlighting the availability of Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) derailment risk data and RSSB guidance on taking safe decisions.
Ways of Knowing: A Nurse and a Physician Discuss Clinical Decisions, Actions, and Lessons
Authors: Potter Teddie M. , Savett Laurence A.
Published: February 2014

The authors, both experienced clinicians, met to discuss multiple and diverse ways of knowing in the clinical setting. How do we know what we know? Can we tease out the lessons we have learned from our experience in a sufficiently creative way so that we can apply them to new clinical situations and nurture the next generations of nurses and physicians— and our colleagues—with those insights? This article is a record of that discussion.
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Increasing Nurse Practitioner Students ‘Observational and Mindfulness Skills
Authors: Grossman Sheila , Deupi Jill , Leitao Kathleen
Published: February 2014

Accurate, objective observation is a critical component of clinical diagnosis and patient management, which in turn is essential for successful diagnostic reasoning by advanced practice nurses. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to enhance nurse practitioner students ‘observation and reflective thinking skills using Looking Is Not Seeing, a reflective practice/experiential learning technique that uses art objects to teach observation (Pellico, Friedlaender, & Fennie, 2009). Students ‘posttest observation and interpretation scores showed statistically significant improvement over pretest scores. Students ‘mindfulness scores and their own perceived observational and interpretive ability were statistically significantly higher after participating in the study. Building on the established record of successful visual literacy programs for nursing and medical students at other institutions, this research can help educators implement the Looking Is Not Seeing pedagogy.
Kaleidoscopes of Reality
Authors: Franquemont Sharon
Published: February 2014

This article addresses the broad context of shifting definitions of how knowledge and reality can be described, including the transition from positivism to postpositivism in the 20th century. It provides an exploration of ways of knowing, from ancient Greek and yogic traditions to Barbara Carper's Fundamental Patterns of Knowing in Nursing (1978). It examines three reported components of modern care (intuition, cultural knowing, and spirituality) which are simultaneously present and absent in nursing. It concludes with an imaginative exploration of how nursing might be changed by trans-disciplinary scholarship and education, new knowledge creation through interactive online communities, and the emergence of collective wisdom.
Identification of Quercitrin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Periodontal Applications
Authors: Gómez‐Florit Manuel , Monjo Marta , Ramis Joana M.
Published: February 2014

Background: Flavonoids are natural phenolic compounds with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial capacity. This study aims to investigate the effects of different flavonoids for potential use in periodontal applications.

Methods: Cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis or primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were treated with different doses of chrysin, diosmetin, galangin, quercitrin, and taxifolin. The effect of these molecules was evaluated on S. epidermidis growth rate and HGF viability, gene expression, collagen production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, wound healing, and production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and tissue inhibitor of MMP‐1 (TIMP1).

Results: Among all the screened flavonoids, quercitrin showed the most promising biologic effects, in both HGFs and S. epidermidis. Thus, quercitrin was not toxic for HGFs; increased collagen IIIα1 and decorin levels; downregulated interleukin‐6 messenger RNA levels; decreased the expression of profibrotic markers during wound healing; decreased ROS levels in basal and stimulated conditions; and decreased the MMP1/TIMP1 ratio. Quercitrin also decreased the bacterial growth rate.

Conclusions: Results suggest that quercitrin could contribute to protect and recover the integrity of gingival tissues, thus displaying a potential use for periodontal disease treatment or to functionalize dental implant abutments to improve soft tissue integration. Further studies are required to confirm the role of quercitrin in gingival tissues.
Genetic Analysis on Flowering Time and Root System in Brassica napus L
Authors: Rahman Mukhlesur , McClean Phillip
Published: February 2014

Rapeseed or canola (Brassica napus L.) exhibits both winter and spring growth habit. Vernalization is required to induce flower in the winter type whereas the spring type does not require vernalization to flower. The winter type has a vigorous root system whereas the spring type has a weakly developed root system. The inheritance of flowering time and root system were studied using seven winter parents and three spring parents. Crosses (F1) and reciprocal crosses (F′1) were made between the winter‐ and spring‐type parents. The F1, F′1, and F2 progenies were grown in the greenhouse. The vernalization requirement for flowering was observed as a recessive trait. Significant flowering delays (3–5 d) in F1's of the spring × winter crosses were observed compared with winter × spring crosses. Segregation of flowering time indicated that one major gene is responsible for flower initiation in the population. The F1 and F′1 of winter and spring crosses showed a vigorous root system, indicating the dominant nature of vigorous root system in B. napus. The vigorous root system phenotype was found to be controlled by three genes. Positive and significant correlations were observed between several yield contributing characteristics. Root length showed a positive significant correlation with seed yield per plant for both cross and reciprocal cross whereas dry root weight was not significantly correlated with seed yield. A significant positive correlation was also observed between late flowering vs. root length and late flowering vs. dry root weight. This is the first report on genetics of root system and its contribution to seed yield in B. napus.
Relationships of Forage Nutritive Value to Cool‐Season Grass Canopy Characteristics
Authors: Nave Renata La Guardia , Sulc R. Mark , Barker David J.
Published: February 2014

In‐field assessment of forage nutritive value could help producers manage forage harvesting or grazing based on potential feed value to ruminants. The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship of forage nutritive value to canopy characteristics of mixed cool‐season grass forage to identify potential indicators of forage nutritive value that can be assessed in real time. The research was conducted at Columbus, OH, from April to October 2009 and 2010 in a mixed cool‐season grass forage stand. Growth periods were initiated in April, May, June, July, and August and allowed to continue unharvested for the remainder of the growing season, with weekly sampling for nutritive value and morphological composition. The proportions of dead material and lamina, age (days of growth), and herbage mass had the highest correlations with forage neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) and were higher than the correlations of the canopy characteristics with neutral detergent fiber (NDF). A linear model was fit to predict NDFD (g kg−1) from herbage mass (kg dry matter [DM] ha−1), in which NDFD = (−0.05 × herbage mass) + 746 (root mean square error = 44.1, r2 = 0.81, P < 0.001). The relationship between herbage mass and NDFD was consistent over the growing season and across both years.
A Process‐Based Model for Predicting Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux and Concentration
Authors: Pumpanen Jukka , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Hari Pertti
Published: February 2014

Decomposition and root respiration processes, important to C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, are affected by soil temperature, soil moisture, and other soil properties. For studying the effect of these factors on soil CO2 efflux and soil‐air CO2 concentration, a dynamic model was developed. In the model, soil was described in successive layers and the processes and soil properties were described separately for each layer. The CO2 in soil layers originated from root and microbial respiration, which were assumed to depend on soil temperature and moisture multiplicatively. The CO2 flux between the layers was driven by diffusion, which depended on CO2 concentration, porosity, and temperature of the layers. The model predictions of CO2 effluxes and soil CO2 concentrations were close to those observed in the field. There was a clear seasonal pattern in the soil CO2 efflux and the soil‐air CO2 concentration. According to the model analysis, most of the CO2 was produced in the humus layer throughout the year, but the contribution of deeper layers to total respiration was higher in winter than in summer. The CO2 concentration was strongly dependent on factors affecting the diffusion properties of the soil, that is, the soil porosity and the soil‐water content. The CO2 efflux and the soil‐air CO2 concentration were overestimated, if the soil‐water content was not included in the soil respiration model. The model developed in this study provided a simple and an effective tool for studying the factors affecting soil CO2 efflux and CO2 concentration.
Estimating Water Content from Electrical Conductivity Measurements with Short Time‐Domain Reflectometry Probes
Authors: Persson Magnus , Haridy Sahar
Published: February 2014

Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is a widely used technique for measuring the dielectric constant (Ka) and bulk electrical conductivity (σa) of soil. The Ka measurement can be converted to water content (θ) by means of a (soil specific) calibration. Since the accuracy of the Ka measurement is dependent on the TDR probe length, probes longer than about 0.1 m are preferred. However, shorter probes are desired for many applications. The possible use of the σa measurement of short TDR probes for estimating θ under conditions with constant soil solution electrical conductivity (σw) is investigated and the accuracy of the Ka and σa measurements of two reference TDR probes (0.20 m long) and four miniature probes (0.02 m long) is determined. The standard deviation of the Ka measured by the miniature probes was found to be ten times higher compared to the reference probes. The standard deviation of the σa measured by the miniature probes was only slightly larger compared with the reference probes. A calibration experiment in sand using the reference TDR probes showed that when σw is constant, the θ estimations from Ka and σa measurements have the same accuracy. TDR measurements were taken with the miniature probes in small sand samples. From the Ka–θ and σa–θ relationships determined in the calibration experiment, the Ka and σa measurements of the miniature probes could be converted to θ. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the θ estimated by the Ka measurements was 10 to 20 times higher compared with the reference probe measurement. The RMSEs of the θ estimated by the σa measurements was only two to three times higher compared with the reference probes. The results presented in this study clearly show that the σa measurement made with short TDR probes can give accurate θ estimations under conditions of constant σw
Landscape Patterns of Net Nitrification in a Northern Hardwood‐Conifer Forest
Authors: Venterea Rodney T. , Lovett Gary M. , Groffman Peter M. , Schwarz Paul A.
Published: February 2014

The production of NO−3 in forest soils is an important process influencing the form of N available for plant uptake and the potential for off‐site N losses. We sampled mineral and organic soil horizons in 100 plots distributed across a 3160‐ha hardwood‐conifer forest in central New Hampshire to examine patterns of net nitrification rate (NR) and NO−3 concentration associated with physiographic features and vegetation abundances. Net NR and NO−3 concentrations each varied by a factor of 150 across the forest. Greater rates of net NO−3 production were associated with higher plot elevation, extent of southerly aspect, greater abundance of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.), and lower abundances of coniferous trees. Regression models incorporating these factors accounted for 52% of the variance in NR across the entire valley. Higher soil water contents, N mineralization rates, and total N concentrations in higher elevation plots and higher N mineralization and respiration rates in more south‐facing plots contributed to the landscape patterns. Incorporation of measured soil C/N ratios together with landscape factors accounted for an additional 10% of the variation. Regression models incorporating vegetation, physiographic, and soils data explained 62 to 73% of the variance in soil C/N ratios across the valley. Our results demonstrate how multiple biotic and abiotic factors combine to generate wide variation in NO−3 production, and provide a quantitative basis for estimating how vegetation shifts and climate change may influence N cycling in heterogeneous landscapes characteristic of many temperate forest ecosystems.
Thresholds of Leaf Nitrogen for Optimum Fruit Production and Quality in Grapefruit
Authors: He Z. L. , Calvert D. V. , Alva A. K. , Banks D. J. , Li Y. C.
Published: February 2014

Fertilization is critical for sustainable production of citrus on sandy soils. However, information on nutritional diagnosis standards for grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi Macfad. ) is lacking and this information is needed for implementation of best management practices (BMPs). A field experiment was conducted from 1997 to 2000 on a Riviera fine sand (loamy, siliceous, hyperthermic, Arenic Glossaqualf) with 30‐yr‐old+ white Marsh grapefruit trees on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) rootstock to evaluate irrigation and fertilization effects on fruit yield and quality and to validate leaf nutrient concentration standards for guiding fertilization of grapefruit. Fertilizers were applied as water soluble granular (WSG, 3 applications yr−1), by fertigation (FRT, 15 applications yr−1), or as controlled‐release fertilizers (CRF, 1 application yr−1) and at five rates (0, 56, 112, 168, or 224 kg N ha−1 yr−1) with an N:P:K blend (1.0:0.17:1.02). Fruit yield and quality were not affected by irrigation treatments or fertilizer sources. There was a significantly positive correlation between leaf N concentrations and N rates (r = 0.98**). Fruit yield was linearly related to N rates or leaf N concentrations. At 90% of maximum yield, leaf N concentrations (dry weight basis) were 22 to 23 g kg−1 Fruit quality parameters such as soluble solid concentration (SSC), juice, and total soluble solids (TSS) were positively correlated with leaf N concentrations, whereas fruit titratable acidity (TA) was negatively related to leaf N concentrations or N rates. The effect of N rate on TA outweighed that on SSC and consequently, the SSC/TA ratio decreased with increasing N rates or leaf N concentration. Fruit size was quadratically related to N rate or leaf N concentration. Overall, fruit sizes and SSC/TA ratios were acceptable for fresh marketing or processing at leaf N concentrations of 22 to 23 g kg−1 Therefore, this leaf N concentration of 22 to 23 g kg−1 can be considered the optimal concentration guideline for fertilization of grapefruit provided that other nutrients are sufficient.
Influence of Long‐term Cropping Systems on Soil Physical Properties Related to Soil Erodibility
Authors: Rachman Achmad , Anderson S. H. , Gantzer C. J. , Thompson A. L.
Published: February 2014

Crop rotations and manure application are thought to alter soil quality. This study was conducted to quantify the effects of over 100 yr of continuous crop management and annual manure applications on selected soil physical properties at Sanborn Field, Columbia, MO. Intact soil cores (76 mm i.d. by 76 mm) were collected from continuous corn (Zea mays L.), continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), continuous timothy (Phleum pratense L.), and a rotation of corn–wheat–red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). The soil was Mexico silt loam (fine, smectitic, mesic, Aeric Vertic Epiaqualfs). Soil was tested throughout a 1‐yr period for aggregate stability, single‐drop rainfall splash detachment, and soil shear strength. Cropping systems affected aggregate stability (P < 0.01), soil strength (P < 0.01), and splash detachment (P < 0.01), but not bulk density. Continuous cropping to timothy produced soil that had three to four times greater aggregate stability, 21 to 27% greater soil strength, and 55 to 67% less soil splash compared with continuous wheat or continuous corn. Season significantly affected all measured soil properties, but the effect was inconsistent. The highest aggregate stability was found during July for all treatments. Splash detachment was more sensitive to cropping systems than other soil measures, and thereby the best measure for evaluating changes in soil erodibility. Cropping and soil management that accumulate plant residues can improve soil quality by increasing soil aggregate stability, shear strength, and resistance to splash detachment.
Life cycle analysis of two Hungarian drinking water arsenic removal technologies
Authors: Jones C. J. , Laky D. , Galambos I. , Avendano C. , Colvin V. L.
Published: February 2014

Determining a technology's merit as a solution to Hungarian drinking water arsenic contamination goes beyond technical concerns: environmental and economic aspects also play very important roles. In an effort to address the current arsenic drinking water requirements in Hungary, life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology was applied on two example arsenic removal technologies, coagulation-filtration and adsorption, from cradle to grave. A distribution of 500 m3/day was assumed, along with a range of possible operation boundary conditions modelled solely for As treatment. Nine out of 10 considered impact categories tended to favour coagulation-filtration, however realistic variations in water chemistry and product characteristics led to some overlap of their environmental impact. Unlike other studies on water systems, electricity did not have a large direct impact; this was due to the focussed nature of this study on individual treatment technologies rather than an entire water supply system. Regeneration of the adsorption technology filter material was also observed to require nearly the same mass of materials for one regeneration as what was needed to support the coagulation-filtration technology for an entire year. Hazardous waste was surprisingly not reduced for adsorption compared to coagulation-filtration due to prefiltration requirements and an extra regeneration, even though adsorption shifts some of the environmental burden to the production phase. Additionally, cost analysis observes that coagulation-filtration is the cheaper of the two technologies; its highest cost is that of waste disposal, while the highest single expense modelled is that of the adsorption media cost.
Antagonism between clinical and environmental isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa against coliforms
Authors: Martins Vinicius Vicente , Macarenco Ana Carolina , Gradella Débora Galves , Stehling Eliana Guedes
Published: February 2014

Water is essential to life, yet many people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water and suffer or die from preventable diseases caused by unsafe water. Microbiological water analysis is based on coliform bacteria, but these microorganisms can have their growth affected by others, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 60 isolates of P. aeruginosa was investigated in this study to obtain better knowledge about the relationship between P. aeruginosa pigments and the effect of antagonism against coliforms. Of these, 40 isolates were isolated from environmental samples (drinking water and soil) and 20 from clinical patients. Three environmental coliform isolates from water samples, two Escherichia coli and one Klebsiella pneumoniae, and an Enterobacter aerogenes were used in antagonism tests. The results have demonstrated that these bacteria were inhibited by P. aeruginosa by an effect known as antagonism. The inhibitory action of P. aeruginosa against coliforms was more effective when P. aeruginosa produced pyocyanin and/or pyoverdin.
Evaluating groundwater sustainability for fractured crystalline bedrock
Authors: Metcalf Meredith J. , Robbins Gary A.
Published: February 2014

Water sustainability is an important concern for communities that rely on groundwater in fractured rock; yet the complexity of the fracture system and the unknown rate of recharge make quantifying groundwater availability difficult, if not impossible, using conventional water balance calculations. This study provides a new approach for estimating groundwater sustainability in fractured rock that entails synthesis of pre-existing well data into a comprehensive database that permits defining bedrock groundwater drainage basins and flow for use in estimating recharge and usage. The method was tested in the Coventry Quadrangle, Connecticut and entailed the use of more than 2,500 wells. Groundwater recharge and usage were estimated for each drainage basin and the sustainability of each basin was determined by taking the difference between these estimates. Additionally, temporal analysis of well parameters indicated a decrease in well yield by approximately 20% and the depth to water declined. The method demonstrated here provides a means to allow the consideration of groundwater sustainability in land use planning and decision-making.
Hand-pump subsurface arsenic removal: the effect of groundwater conditions and intermittent operation
Authors: Borges Freitas S. C. , van Halem D. , Rahman M. M. , Verberk J. Q. J. C. , Badruzzaman A. B. M. , van der Meer W. G. J.
Published: February 2014

Hand-pump subsurface arsenic removal (SAR) has been investigated in rural Bangladesh with different groundwater conditions and intermittent operation modes. Multiple injection-abstraction cycles were performed after injection of 1 m3 of aerated water. From these experiments it can be concluded that hand-pump SAR, in the traditional injection-abstraction design, does not provide drinking water below the WHO arsenic guideline of 10 μg/L. Results show that arsenic removal was not enhanced by: (i) injection of O2-rich water, (ii) higher Fe:As ratios in the groundwater, or by (iii) multiple injection-abstraction cycles, i.e. at location 1, the breakthrough occurred at abstraction-injection ratios of Va/Vi = 2, for cycle 23. It is proposed that dissolved organic carbon (DOC), bicarbonate and phosphate have a significant effect on the arsenic adsorption process. However, iron removal was very efficient and abstraction-injection ratios increased within successive cycles, with Va/Vi > 8 for cycle 23. Furthermore, intermittent operation reduced arsenic concentrations after stop and restart, suggesting insufficient contact time between soluble arsenic and oxidized iron surfaces around the tube well.
Translation of Oswestry Disability Index into Tamil with Cross Cultural Adaptation and Evaluation of Reliability and Validity§
Authors: Vincent Joshua Israel , MacDermid Joy Christine , Grewal Ruby , Sekar Vincent Prabhakaran , Balachandran Dinesh
Published: February 2014

Study Design:

Prospective longitudinal validation study

Objective:

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to the Tamil language (ODI-T), and to evaluate its reliability and construct validity.

Summary of Background Data:

ODI is widely used as a disease specific questionnaire in back pain patients to evaluate pain and disability. A thorough literature search revealed that the Tamil version of the ODI has not been previously published.

Methods:

The ODI was translated and cross-culturally adapted to the Tamil language according to established guidelines. 30 subjects (16 women and 14 men) with a mean age of 42.7 years (S.D. 13.6; Range 22 - 69) with low back pain were recruited to assess the psychometric properties of the ODI-T Questionnaire. Patients completed the ODI-T, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), VAS-pain and VAS-disability at baseline and 24-72 hours from the baseline visit.

Results:

The ODI-T displayed a high degree of internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. The test-retest reliability was high (n=30) with an ICC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.96) and a mean re-test difference of 2.6 points lower on re-test. The ODI-T scores exhibited a strong correlation with the RMDQ scores (r = 0.82) p<0.01, VAS-P (r = 0.78) p<0.01 and VAS-D (r = 0.81) p<0.01. Moderate to low correlations were observed between the ODI-T and lumbar ROM (r = -0.27 to -0.53). All the hypotheses that were constructed apriori were supported.

Conclusion:

The Tamil version of the ODI Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to measure subjective outcomes of pain and disability in Tamil speaking patients with low back pain.
Cervical Epidural Abscess Mimicking as Stroke - Report of Two Cases
Authors: Velpula Jagan Mohana Reddy , Gakhar Harinder , Sigamoney Kohilavani , Bommireddy Rajendra
Published: February 2014

Background:

Stroke is a common provisional diagnosis in patients presenting to the emergency department
(ED) with unilateral neurological deficit. Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) may also present clinically with a unilateral
neurological deficit.

Objects:

To highlight the inherent problems with diagnosing cervical epidural abscess and possible consequences of
delay in diagnosis.

Case Report:

We would like to highlight two cases provisionally diagnosed as stroke. Both cases turned out to be cervical
epidural abscesses. The delay in diagnosis and treatment led to suboptimal outcome in both cases.

Cases with suspected stroke who deteriorate while under treatment or whose diagnosis is doubtful should have
MRI whole spine in order to avoid potential complications.
Use of Cemented Spacer with a Handmade Stem to Treat Acute Periprosthetic Tibial Fracture Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Font-Vizcarra LluÍs , Izquierdo Oscar , GarcÍa-NuÑo Laura , GonzÁlez Araceli , Diaz-Brito VicenÇ , Castellanos Juan
Published: February 2014

We report an 85-year-old woman with dementia and dependent for normal life activities who was admitted due
to a left periprosthetic tibial fracture. The tibial component was replaced by one with a long stem and she was discharged.
Four weeks after the intervention the patient was re-admitted due to an acute prosthetic joint infection. All the components
were removed and a bone-cement spacer with a handmade stem with a metal core was implanted. Radiological signs of
fracture consolidation were observed after 3 months of follow-up. Due to the previous health status of the patient, it was
decided to keep the spacer as a definitive treatment. After 24 months, the patient was able to sit without pain and to stand
up with help using a knee brace. There were no radiological or clinical signs of infection.
Competition policy and optimal retail network development in transitional economies
Authors: Lovreta Stipe , Milosevic Sinisa , Stankovic Ljiljana
Published: February 2014

The choice of retail store location is a very complex process, with many
different stakeholders having interests in both the micro and macro
locations. The goal of this work is to contribute to the better
understanding of the different interests of corporative and public policies
in choosing retail store locations, in order to enable more efficient and
effective trade network development. After having slowed down as a
consequence of the global economic crisis, the retail sector is experiencing
strong expansion in the markets of transitional countries. Insufficient
engagement of public policy in planning trade networks can violate market
competition. An active government role in carrying out the policy of retail
network development in transitional countries is necessary to maintain the
level of competition and prevent big market players abusing their dominant
position.
Modelling home equity conversion loans with life insurance models
Authors: Baskot Bojan
Published: February 2014

Home equity represents a reserve that can be used for providing additional
money for its owners during their retirement. Life insurance models can be
successfully applied to model home equity conversion loans. The home equity
conversion loan is a financial product that provides a certain flexibility by
using home equity as a resource for a quality life during retirement. Home
equity conversion loans do not have a predetermined maturity date, as do
conventional loans. But, like every loan, it must be repaid. One potential
advantage of using a home equity conversion loan during tough financial times
instead of some types of need-based assistance is that eligibility is
straightforward. Home equity conversion loans can be useful tools in the
process of pension system reform.
L’oubli épistémologique: Les ancrages du savoir dans l’histoire culturelle
Authors: Breznik Maja
Published: February 2014

L?acte constitutif de l?histoire culturelle contemporaine ?tait la coupure
avec les presuppositions ?pist?mologiques et m?thodologiques de l?histoire
?conomique et sociale. Le champ nouveau de l?historiographie, rompant avec
?la tradition historiographique?, s?est fond? sur le nouveau ?mat?rialisme?
et sur la th?orie de la r?pr?sentation. Une question inqui?tante cepandant
s?impose: dans quelle mesure les conceptualisations et les m?thodologies de
l?histoire contemporaine ne sont que costumes nouveaux pour vieux
engagements de l?histoire? Le mat?rialisme nouveau ne d?guise-t-il pas la
vieille pratique des historiens de rassembler des ?faits?? La th?orie de la
r?pr?sentation ne d?guise-t-elle pas l?id?e des m?ntalit?s? Si la r?ponse
est affirmatif, il faut poser une nouvelle question: Les grandes luttes dans
le champ de l?histoire ne sont-elles pas des strat?gies d?oubli qui
essaient d?effacer la m?moire de l?historiographie recente et de ses effets
cognitifs?
Neoliberal epistemology: From the impossibility of knowing to human capital
Authors: Krasovec Primoz
Published: February 2014

Today?s discussions on education policy mostly consist of uncritical
shuffling of allegedly neutral and merely technical or practical notions such
as life-long learning, learning to learn or problem-solving and are based on
similarly uncritical acceptance of socio-economic theories of the knowledge
society, which is supposed to present an objective framework of education
reforms. The aim of this article is to sketch the history of mentioned
notions and to present a critique of theories of the knowledge society
through an analysis of its tacit political content. To this aim, we took upon
early neoliberal epistemology (Hayek and Polanyi) as well as its transition
towards theories of human capital (Drucker and Machlup).
Counterfactuals and unphysical ceteris paribus: An explanatory fallacy
Authors: Cirkovic Milan
Published: February 2014

I reconsider a type of counterfactual argument often used in historical
sciences on a recent widely discussed example of the so-called ?rare Earth?
hypothesis in planetary sciences and astrobiology. The argument is based on
the alleged ?rarity? of some crucial ingredient for the planetary
habitability, which is, in Earth?s case, provided by contingent evolutionary
development. For instance, the claim that a contingent fact of history which
has created planet Jupiter enables shielding of Earth from most dangerous
impact catastrophes, thus increasing Earth?s habitability, leads often to the
conclusion that such state-of-affairs must be rare in the Galaxy. I argue
that this reasoning is deeply flawed, for several closely related reasons. In
addition, the relevance of the philosophical problem of transworld identity
for this kind of historical reasoning in science is put forward. This
highlights many explanatory problems one faces when using historical
counterfactuals in study of complex, nonlinear dynamical systems - and
bolsters the relevance of philosophy for evaluation of scientific explanatory
claims.
Dispositional explanations in dualism
Authors: Nesic Janko
Published: February 2014

In order to defend mental explanations dualists may appeal to dispositions
(powers). By accepting a powers theory of causation, a dualist can more
plausibly defend mental explanations that are given independently of physical
explanations. Accepting a power-based theory still comes with a price.
Absences and double preventers are not causes in a powers theory, and
solutions based on them can only defend their explanatory relevance in mental
explanations. There is still a chance that such mental explanations can be
causal explanations, though they do not refer to real causes.
Platonism, cartesianism and Hegel’s thought in the Matrix Trilogy
Authors: Milidrag Predrag
Published: February 2014

In this article I will try to interpret changes in Neo, the main character in
The Matrix Trilogy, against the background of the ideas of Plato and
Descartes, as well as Hegel?s from his Philosophy of History and The
Phenomenology of Spirit. Although ?philosophical? The Matrix Trilogy is not
long-winded and boring film: instead of talking endlessly, the characters are
working ceaselessly, and that work is changing them. Contrary to wide?spread
opinion, this interpretation does not find the presence of Descartes?
hyperbolic doubt in the first part of trilogy, but first film sees as a pure
Platonism. Nevertheless, there are the Cartesian motifs (e.g. dualism,
freeing mind from preconceived opinions, acquiring different habits of
belief). The result of the first film is the position of Hegelian unhappy
consciousness. This is just a preparation for the key moment of whole Trilogy
that is the dialogue between Neo and Architect. Neo?s decision to chose to
save Trinity is interpreted in Hegel?s terms of the infinite right of the
subject to satisfy himself in his activity and work; because of that, this,
sixth Neo is new. After showing the differences in the objectives of Neo and
Agent Smith, and transformations of the objectives of humans, the third part
of the article analyzes the very end of the Matrix Revolutions, using Marx?s
ideas, with some references to Plato and Nietzsche.
Impact of geo-environmental factors on landslide susceptibility using an AHP method: A case study of Fruska Gora Mt., Serbia
Authors: Marjanovic Milos , Abolmasov Biljana , Djuric Uros , Bogdanovic Snezana
Published: February 2014

The paper considers the outcome of multi-criteria analysis of landslide
susceptibility on the NW outskirts of Fruska Gora Mountain, Serbia. The area
of the interest is known for landslide occurrences, and to focus on the most
affected areas, it was necessary to consider some principal factors
(lithology, slope inclination, rainfall, erosion, vegetation, altitude and
slope aspect) and sort them by their importance to the phenomena. Prior to
any criteria assessment, available data records had been assembled and
refashioned as raster datasets. Thereafter, the criteria arising from an
analytical hierarchy process (AHP) provided their weights of preference in
the final model. In addition, the model was analyzed for the information gain
and classified in accordance to the optimal informativeness. Being tailored
in the context of raster modelling, aided by the GIS spatial tools, our
result gained substantial correlation to the control reference map (a digital
photo-geological interpretation map of active and potential landslides).