bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current trends in headgear use for the treatment of Class II malocclusions
Authors: Tüfekçi Eser , Allen Samuel B. , Best Al M. , Lindauer Steven J.
Published: September 2015

Objective: 

To investigate American and Canadian orthodontists’ opinions and perceptions on the use of headgear in the treatment of Class II malocclusions.

Materials and Methods: 

An online survey was sent to randomly chosen orthodontists (n  =  1000).

Results: 

The study was completed by 948 orthodontists; 62% of the orthodontists indicated that they were using headgear in their practice. Those who were not using the appliance (38%) reported that this was mainly due to the availability of better Class II correctors in the market and lack of patient compliance. Of those who use headgear, 24% indicated that the emphasis on headgear use during their residency was an influential aspect of their decision making (P < .05). Nearly a quarter of those who do not use headgear reported that learning about other Class II correctors through continuing education courses was an important factor (P < .05). There was no difference between the headgear users and nonusers in the year and location of practice. Compared with previous studies, this study showed a decline in the use of headgear among orthodontists.

Conclusions: 

Despite a decline, more than half of the orthodontists (62%) believe headgear is a viable treatment. Availability of Class II correctors in the market and familiarity with these appliances though continuing education courses are the reasons for the remaining 38% of orthodontists to abandon use of the headgear.
Trends of Diagnosis-Specific Work Disability After Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: A 4-Year Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Virtanen Marianna , Ervasti Jenni , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor , Tinghög Petter , Lallukka Tea , Kjeldgård Linnea , Pentti Jaana , Alexanderson Kristina
Published: September 2015

OBJECTIVE

We examined trends of diagnosis-specific work disability after newly diagnosed diabetes, comparing individuals with diabetes with those without diabetes, and identified the subgroups with the highest levels of work disability.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The register data of diabetes medication and in- and outpatient hospital visits were used to identify all recorded new diabetes cases among the population aged 25–59 years in Sweden in 2006 (n = 14,098). Data for a 4-year follow-up of ICD-10 physician-certified sickness absence and disability pension days (2007‒2010) were obtained from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Comparisons were made using a random sample of the population without recorded diabetes (n = 39,056).

RESULTS

The most common causes of work disability were mental and musculoskeletal disorders; diabetes as a reason for disability was rare. Most of the excess work disability among people with diabetes compared with those without diabetes was owing to mental disorders (mean difference adjusted for confounding factors 18.8‒19.8 compensated days/year), musculoskeletal diseases (12.1‒12.8 days/year), circulatory diseases (5.9‒6.5 days/year), diseases of the nervous system (1.8‒2.0 days/year), and injuries (1.0‒1.2 days/year). The disparity in mental disorders first widened and then narrowed, while the difference in other major diagnostic categories was stable over 4 years. The highest rate (45.3 days/year) was found among people who had diabetes, lived alone, and were disabled from work owing to mental disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased risk of work disability among those with diabetes is largely attributed to comorbid mental, musculoskeletal, and circulatory diseases. It is important to monitor comorbid conditions and take account of socioeconomic disadvantage.
Design and Measurement of Nonislet-Specific Autoantibodies for the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium Autoantibody Workshop
Authors: Akolkar Beena , Hilner Joan , Nierras Concepcion R.
Published: September 2015

The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) comprised groups of investigators from many countries throughout the world, with a common goal of identifying genes predisposing to type 1 diabetes. The T1DGC ascertained and collected samples from families with two or more affected siblings with type 1 diabetes and generated a broad array of clinical, genetic, and immunologic data. The T1DGC Autoantibody Workshop was designed to distribute data for analyses to discover genes associated with autoantibodies in those with type 1 diabetes. In the T1DGC-affected sibling pair families, three T1DGC Network laboratories measured antibodies to the islet autoantigens GAD65 and the intracellular portion of protein tyrosine phosphatase (IA-2A). The availability of extensive genetic data provided an opportunity to investigate the associations between type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases for which autoantibodies could be measured. Measurements of additional nonislet autoantibodies, including thyroid peroxidase, tissue transglutaminase, 21-hydroxylase, and the potassium/hydrogen ion transporter H+/K+-ATPase, were performed by the T1DGC laboratory at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Aurora, CO. Measurements of all autoantibodies were transmitted to the T1DGC Coordinating Center, and the data were made available to members of the T1DGC Autoantibody Working Groups for analysis in conjunction with existing T1DGC genetic data. This article describes the design of the T1DGC Autoantibody Workshop and the quality-control procedures to maintain and monitor the performance of each laboratory and provides the quality-control results for the nonislet autoantibody measurements.
Shared Genetic Basis for Type 1 Diabetes, Islet Autoantibodies, and Autoantibodies Associated With Other Immune-Mediated Diseases in Families With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Brorsson Caroline A. , Pociot Flemming ,   the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium
Published: September 2015

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic autoimmune disease that is often present with autoantibodies directed against pancreatic islet proteins. Many genetic susceptibility loci are shared with other autoimmune or immune-mediated diseases that also cosegregate in families with T1D. The aim of this study was to investigate whether susceptibility loci identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of T1D were also associated with autoantibody positivity in individuals with diabetes. Fifty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 6,556 multiethnic cases collected by the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC). These were tested for association with three islet autoantibodies—against autoantibodies to GAD (GADA), IA-2 (IA-2A), and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A)—and autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOA) in autoimmune thyroid disease, gastric parietal cells (PCA) in autoimmune gastritis, transglutaminase (TGA) in celiac disease, and 21-hydroxylase (21-OHA) in autoimmune hypoadrenalism. In addition to the MHC region, we identify SNPs in five susceptibility loci (IFIH1, PTPN22, SH2B3, BACH2, and CTLA4) as significantly associated with more than one autoantibody at a false discovery rate less than 5%. IFIH1/2q24 demonstrated the most unrestricted association, as significant association was demonstrated for PCA, TPOA, GADA, 21-OHA, and IA-2A. In addition, 11 loci were significantly associated with a single autoantibody.
Changes in Zinc Transporter 8 Autoantibodies Following Type 1 Diabetes Onset: The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium Autoantibody Workshop
Authors: Wenzlau Janet M. , Frisch Lisa M. , Hutton John C. , Fain Pamela R. , Davidson Howard W.
Published: September 2015

Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) were analyzed in sera from 1,504 subjects as part of the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) Autoantibody Workshop. For these participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D), samples were collected within 3 years of T1D diagnosis. ZnT8A were detected in 862 subjects (57.3%), with the highest frequencies and median titers being associated with the shortest duration of disease. ZnT8A were present at similar frequencies in non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics, but significantly less prevalent in those of Asian ancestry. Sera containing ZnT8A selectively recognizing at least one of the SLC30A8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (encoding ZnT8A) were detected in all populations; however, Trp-specific sera were much less frequent in non-Hispanic blacks, consistent with the anticipated lower frequency of the SLC30A8 rs13266634 T allele in African American populations. ZnT8A positivity was associated with HLA-DQ8, but this was primarily due to the DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotype. This was in contrast to autoantibodies to IA-2 that were strongly associated with DRB1*0401-DQ8. These effects appeared essentially independent of racial or ethnic background. The DRB1*0401-DQ8 and DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotypes were associated with T1D subjects positive for GAD65, IA-2, and ZnT8A. In contrast to DRB1*0401-DQ8, there was no significant association of DRB1*0404-DQ8 with single or dual autoantibody positivity. The DRB1*0404-DQ8 haplotype was also associated with T1D subjects whose sera recognized both polymorphic variants of zinc transporter 8, an effect not seen for DRB1*0401-DQ8.
Genetics of Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Type 1 Diabetes Reveals a Novel Association With DPB1*0201: Data From the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium
Authors: Kahles Heinrich , Fain Pamela R. , Baker Peter , Eisenbarth George , Badenhoop Klaus
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune thyroiditis occurs in 10–25% of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Most of these patients are also positive for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies. Thyroid dysfunction complicates T1D metabolic control and is a component of the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS, type 2 or 3). Previous studies of isolated T1D and of T1D combined with other autoimmune disorders showed genetic susceptibility for alleles in HLA-DQB1 and -DRB1 and also CTLA4 and PTPN22.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium Autoantibody Workshop data by differentiating those T1D probands with and without TPO antibodies or thyroid disease with respect to polymorphisms in HLA, CTLA4, INS, PTPN22, and VDR, taking into account the ethnic origin. Genotype and clinical/immunogenic phenotype data were analyzed by gene counting methods and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The presence of TPO antibodies (25.2%) and thyroid disease (8.4%) was associated with older age, female sex, and presence of other autoantibodies (GAD65, ATPase, 21-OH) (all P < 0.001). The highest prevalence was in patients of Hispanic ancestry (31%) and the lowest in those of African ancestry (8%). In T1D non-Hispanic whites, HLA-DRB1*0101 is significantly (P < 0.0001) less frequent in TPO-positive than in TPO-negative individuals, whereas HLA-DRB1*0404, -DQB1*0301, and -DPB1*0201 are significantly (P < 0.0001) more frequent. Subjects with a high titer of TPO autoantibodies and with thyroid disease were associated with female sex and older age and negatively associated with DRB1*0401-DQB1*0302 (P < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed for an association of TPO positivity or thyroid disease with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the INS, CTLA4, or VDR loci, with nominal significance (P = 0.01) for PTPN22 R620W variant.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid autoimmunity is highly prevalent in T1D patients of non-Hispanic white, Asian, or Hispanic origin. The strongest disease risk is conferred by female sex and older age. This risk is modulated by HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 loci. The immunogenetic profile for T1D with thyroid autoimmunity may identify distinct pathways regulating polyglandular autoimmunity and disease.
ATPase4A Autoreactivity and Its Association With Autoimmune Phenotypes in the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium Study
Authors: Wenzlau Janet M. , Fain Pamela R. , Gardner Thomas J. , Frisch Lisa M. , Annibale Bruno , Hutton John C.
Published: September 2015

Autoantibodies targeting the H+/K+-ATPase proton pump of the gastric parietal cell (parietal cell antibodies [PCA]) are diagnostic of atrophic body gastritis (ABG) leading to pernicious anemia (PA). PCA, ABG, and PA occur in increased frequency in patients with type 1 diabetes and their relatives and are considered “minor” components of forms of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS). A customized radioimmunoprecipitation assay was applied to 6,749 samples from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium to measure ATP4A autoreactivity. Autoantibody prevalence was correlated with variants in HLA class II, PTPN22, and CTLA4 genes. With an ATP4A radioimmunoprecipitation assay, PCA were detected in sera from 20.9% of affected individuals. PCA prevalence increased with age and was greater in females (25.3%) than males (16.5%) and among Hispanics (36.3%) and blacks (26.2%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (20.8%) and Asians (16.7%). PCA and other organ-specific autoantibodies GAD65, IA-2, thyroid peroxidase (TPO), 21-hydroxylase (21-OH), and transglutaminase (TG) clustered within families with heritability estimates from 71 to 95%. PCA clustered with TPO, 21-OH, and persistent GAD65 autoantibodies but not with celiac (TG) or IA-2 autoantibodies. PCA-positive subjects showed an increased frequency of DRB1*0404, DPB1*0201, and PTPN22 R620W (rs2476601-T) and a decreased frequency of DRB1*0101, DPB1*0301, and CTLA4 CT60 (rs3087243-T). Genetic variants accounted for 4–5% of the heritable risk for PCA. The same alleles were associated with other autoantibody phenotypes in a consistent pattern. Whereas most of the heritable risk for PCA and other antibodies reflects genetic effects that are tissue specific, parietal cell autoimmunity is a major pathogenetic contributor in APS2.
Estimation of above-ground phytomass and carbon in tree resources outside the forest (TROF): A geo-spatial approach
Authors: Heyojoo B. P. , Nandy S.
Published: September 2015

This study aims to estimate above-ground phytomass and carbon of TROF ecosystem in part of Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh state of India using IRS P6 LISS-IV satellite image by geo-spatial approach coupled with field sampling. Chacko’s formula was referred to compute number of samples in each TROF types and the sample plot size in each stratum was adopted from Vegetation Carbon Project (VCP) under National Carbon Project (NCP). With the help of field data consisting mainly the height and girth information, volume of each individual tree per plot was obtained using site and tree species-specific standard volumetric equations. The phytomass was calculated by multiplying volume with Biomass Expansion Factor (BEF) then with regional specific gravity of the individual species and summed up in each plot to get total phytomass per plot. The total phytomass per plot was reported to be maximum 544.00 t/ha for linear TROF followed by 121.89 t/ha for block TROF. The carbon from phytomass was obtained by multiplying the total phytomass by a conversion factor that represents the average carbon content in phytomass. Spectral modeling for phytomass with different bands and indices were established and the best fit curve (R2 = 0.552) with red band was applied to generate phytomass and carbon distribution map of the study area.Banko Janakari, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 34-40
Prevalence of biofilm and beta-lactamase producing Staphylococcus in nasal and throat isolates from healthy volunteers: A medical alert
Authors: Devapriya F , Sajith P , Ranganathan R , Shanmugam J
Published: September 2015

Background: The Staphylococci species are the predominant inhabitants of the nose and throat as normal flora, they are now becoming a threat due to their capacity to produce biofilm. Biofilm related infections are difficult to be treated unless it is diagnosed early. The aim was to study the prevalence of biofilm and beta-lactamase production in Staphylococcus isolates from nasal and throat mucosa in healthy volunteers.Methods: Staphlococcal isolates were collected from nasal and throat swabs of 100 healthy volunteers at Gulf Medical University and Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Staphylococcus aureus or Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) was classified from growth on Mannitol Salt Agar and tube coagulase test. Biofilm production detected by Christensen’s tissue culture plate and Congo red agar methods. Betalactamase production among biofilm producers identified by iodometric tube method.Results: Among 100 Staphylococcus isolates, 41 were Staphylococcus aureus of which 61% were biofilm producers of which 46.3% were betalactamase positive. Among the 59 CoNS isolates, 64.4% were biofilm producers of which 30.5% were beta-lactamase positive. Predominance of nasal Staphylococcal isolation observed among males at the age group of <20 years.Conclusion: Biofilm-producing Staphylococcus inhabits the nasal and throat mucosa of healthy individuals. Beta-lactamase production was higher in Staphylococcus aureus positive for biofilm producers as compared to CoNS. Transmission of these biofilm producers with drug resistance factors from the healthy individuals to high risk patients with indwelling devices need to be considered.Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2014: 79-83
Non fermentative gram negative bacilli as nosocomial pathogens: Identification and antibiotic sensitivity in clinical samples of indoor patients
Authors: Sharma D , Vyas N , Sinha P , Mathur A
Published: September 2015

Background: Non fermenting gram negative bacilli (NFGNB) are usually considered to be non pathogenic commensals of little significance, however, data suggest that they are remarkable because of antimicrobial resistance; propensity to cause outbreaks and complex epidemiology. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence and sensitivity pattern of NFGNB from various clinical samples.Methods: A total of 519 samples were received from patients suspected of having hospital acquired infections (HAI), admitted in Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur, India. Organisms grown on culture were subjected to phenotypic identification along with antimicrobial sensitivity testing by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method.Results: Among 366 culture positive samples, 94 (25.6%) NFGNB were isolated. Maximum pevalence prevalence was found in burn ward i.e. 76.7 % followed by surgical wards 71.0%, surgical ICUs 69.6% and medical ICUs 68.0 %. Highest yield was found in pus/wound samples (95.5%) while it was only 23.7% in blood samples. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common isolate (48.9%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (33%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (13.8%) and Burkholderia cepacia complex (4.3%). P.aeruginosa and A. baumanii strains were most sensitive to Meropenem. S.maltophilia showed maximum sensitivity with ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid and B. cepacia complex with Piperacillin/ Tazobactam.Conclusion: Isolation of NFGNB and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern should be regarded with all seriousness in clinical practice and epidemiology because they are emerging nosocomial pathogens and by being resistant to multiple antibiotics, their prevalence not only limits the treatment options but also act as a reservoir of drug resistance genes.Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2014: 101-105
Quality of life issue in psoriasis: A study from western Nepal
Authors: Kumar A , Neupane S , Shrestha PR , Pun J , Thapa P , Manandhar M
Published: September 2015

Background: Psoriasis may have negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. Very few studies have examined this aspect in Nepalese population. Aim of this study was to evaluate the Quality of life (QOL) in chronic psoriatic patients by modified version of psoriasis disability index (PDI).Methods: Present cross sectional study was conducted in three major hospitals in western Nepal. One hundred chronic psoriatic patients of 18 years or more of age, with disease duration of six months or more and body surface area involvement of 10% or more were recruited. Clinical assessment was done with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and quality of life was measured by modified version of PDI. Patients were managed as per indication. At the follow up at four weeks, improvement in PASI and improvement in QOL was measured. Statistical analysis by Chisquare test was done to assess the relation between severity of psoriasis and different items of quality of life.Results: Psoriasis has negative impact on all aspect of quality of life in Nepalese patients, as shown by score of modified version of PDI, which was 39.27% of total. There was significant improvement in PASI at follow up visit, from 23.29% to 15.35% of total. There was significant improvement in quality of life after treatment (modified version of PDI) from 39.27% to 32.66% of total.Conclusions: Psoriasis has negative impact on all aspect of quality of life in Nepalese patients.Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2014: 116-120
Prolonged Pyrexia due to Hemophaghocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Shumy Farzana , Ahmed Tanvir , Anam Ahmad Mursel , Khan Abed Hussain , Rahaman Mohammad Ferdous Ur , Ahmed Quazi Mamtaz Uddin , Chowdhury MA Jalil
Published: September 2015

Haemophaghocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon illness in adults. It is rare but common clinical features like lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, fever are presentation of many different familiar clinical illness, make it a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present a case of a previously healthy young boy presented with fever and other features like hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, markedly elevated serum ferritin, Lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, low fibrinogen, persistent hyponatremia and finally detectable Haemophagocytosis in his bone marrow. Unfortunately, diagnosis was delayed around 4 month after his initial presentation and he succumbed to his disease. This case highlights common clinical features and diagnostic difficulties have to face in making confirmed diagnosis of HLH.Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2015; 3 (2): 77-78
Analysis of the study skills of undergraduate pharmacy students of the University of Zambia School of Medicine
Authors: Ezeala Christian Chinyere , Siyanga Nalucha
Published: September 2015

It aimed to compare the study skills of two groups of undergraduate pharmacy students in the School of Medicine, University of Zambia using the Study Skills Assessment Questionnaire (SSAQ), with the goal of analysing students’ study skills and identifying factors that affect study skills. A questionnaire was distributed to 67 participants from both programs using stratified random sampling. Completed questionnaires were rated according to participants study skill. The total scores and scores within subscales were analysed and compared quantitatively. Questionnaires were distributed to 37 students in the regular program, and to 30 students in the parallel program. The response rate was 100%. Students had moderate to good study skills: 22 respondents (32.8%) showed good study skills, while 45 respondents (67.2%) were found to have moderate study skills. Students in the parallel program demonstrated significantly better study skills (mean SSAQ score, 185.4±14.5), particularly in time management and writing, than the students in the regular program (mean SSAQ score 175±25.4; P<0.05). No significant differences were found according to age, gender, residential or marital status, or level of study. The students in the parallel program had better time management and writing skills, probably due to their prior work experience. The more intensive training to students in regular program is needed in improving time management and writing skills.
Celluloid Bohemia? Ken Russell's Biopics of Visual Artists
Authors: Adriaensens Vito , Jacobs Steven
Published: September 2015

Few directors are so closely associated with the genre of the artist biopic as Ken Russell who made several films dedicated to composers, dancers and writers. Only three of these, however, have visual artists as their protagonists: Always on Sunday (1965), Dante's Inferno (1967) and Savage Messiah (1972), dealing with Henri ‘Le Douanier’ Rousseau, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska respectively. There has also been relatively little critical commentary on these films compared with the discussion devoted to Russell's films dealing with the lives of composers. This article attempts to remedy this situation by considering the ways in which Russell tackles some of the thematic and formal challenges inherent to the genre of the artist biopic, such as the representation of the artist's personality, the visualisation of the process of artistic creation, and the relation between the style of the film and that of the artist portrayed. We will argue that, to a large extent, Russell's protagonists in these films conform to the romantic stereotype of the tormented and alienated artist. However, and perhaps contrary to what one would associate with the director, we will demonstrate that Russell's biopics also demystify this cult of artistic genius by focusing on the mundane or laborious activities involved in the process of artistic creation, which is at odds with genre conventions that normally glorify this process.
Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structures of the Pnictides AE3TrPn3 (AE = Sr, Ba; Tr = Al, Ga; Pn = P, As)
Authors: Stoyko Stanislav , Voss Leonard , He Hua , Bobev Svilen
Published: September 2015

The new ternary arsenides AE3TrAs3 (AE = Sr, Ba; Tr = Al, Ga) and their phosphide analogs Sr3GaP3 and Ba3AlP3 have been prepared by reactions of the respective elements at high temperatures. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that Sr3AlAs3 and Ba3AlAs3 adopt the Ba3AlSb3-type structure (Pearson symbol oC56, space group Cmce, Z = 8). This structure is also realized for Sr3GaP3 and Ba3AlP3. The compounds Sr3GaAs3 and Ba3GaAs3 crystallize with the Ba3GaSb3-type structure (Pearson symbol oP56, space group Pnma, Z = 8). Both structures are made up of isolated pairs of edge-shared AlPn4 and GaPn4 tetrahedra (Pn = pnictogen, i.e., P or As), separated by the alkaline-earth Sr2+ and Ba2+ cations. In both cases, there are no homoatomic bonds, hence, regardless of the slightly different atomic arrangements, both structures can be rationalized as valence-precise [AE2+]3[Tr3+][Pn3−]3, or rather [AE2+]6[Tr2Pn6]12−, i.e., as Zintl phases.
Simulation of Forestland Dynamics in a Typical Deforestation and Afforestation Area under Climate Scenarios
Authors: Jiang Qun'ou , Cheng Yuwei , Jin Qiutong , Deng Xiangzheng , Qi Yuanjing
Published: September 2015

Forestland dynamics can affect the ecological security of a country and even the global environment, and therefore it is of great practical significance to understand the characteristics of temporal and spatial variations of forestland. Taking Jiangxi Province as the study area, this study first explored the driving mechanism of the natural environment and social economy on deforestation and afforestation using a simultaneous equation model. The results indicate that population size, topographic and geomorphologic factors, climate, and location play leading roles in influencing forestland density fluctuations. Specifically, the population size, economic development level, gross value of forestry production, climate conditions, and government policies are key influencing factors of afforestation. Deforestation is mainly influenced by agricultural population, non-agricultural economy, forestry production, forestry density, location, transportation, and climate. In addition, this study simulated the spatial distribution of land use and analyzed the spatial characteristics and variation trends of forestland area and quality under the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) climate scenarios from 2010 to 2030 using the Conversion of Land Use and its Effects (CLUE) model. The results indicate that forestland declines under the Asia-Pacific integrated model (AIM) climate scenario. The environment tends to be heavily damaged under this kind of scenarios, and measures should be taken in order to protect the environment. Although the model for energy supply strategy alternatives and their general environmental impact (MESSAGE) scenario is to some extent better than the AIM scenario, destruction of the environment will still occur, and it is necessary to restrain deforestation and convert shrub land into forestland or garden land. These results can provide significant information for environmental protection, forest resource exploitation, and utilization in the areas experiencing deforestation and afforestation.
Modeling Wood Fibre Length in Black Spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) Based on Ecological Land Classification
Authors: Townshend Elisha , Pokharel Bharat , Groot Art , Pitt Doug , Dech Jeffery
Published: September 2015

Effective planning to optimize the forest value chain requires accurate and detailed information about the resource; however, estimates of the distribution of fibre properties on the landscape are largely unavailable prior to harvest. Our objective was to fit a model of the tree-level average fibre length related to ecosite classification and other forest inventory variables depicted at the landscape scale. A series of black spruce increment cores were collected at breast height from trees in nine different ecosite groups within the boreal forest of northeastern Ontario, and processed using standard techniques for maceration and fibre length measurement. Regression tree analysis and random forests were used to fit hierarchical classification models and find the most important predictor variables for the response variable area-weighted mean stem-level fibre length. Ecosite group was the best predictor in the regression tree. Longer mean fibre-length was associated with more productive ecosites that supported faster growth. The explanatory power of the model of fitted data was good; however, random forests simulations indicated poor generalizability. These results suggest the potential to develop localized models linking wood fibre length in black spruce to landscape-level attributes, and improve the sustainability of forest management by identifying ideal locations to harvest wood that has desirable fibre characteristics.
“Decolonizing Trauma Studies: Trauma and Postcolonialism”—Introduction
Authors: Andermahr Sonya
Published: September 2015

This Special Issue aims to explore the complex and contested relationship between trauma studies and postcolonial criticism, focusing on the ongoing project to create a decolonized trauma theory that attends to and accounts for the suffering of minority groups and non-Western cultures, broadly defined as cultures beyond Western Europe and North America. [...]
When is Genomic Testing Cost-Effective? Testing for Lynch Syndrome in Patients with Newly-Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer and Their Relatives
Authors: Grosse Scott
Published: September 2015

Varying estimates of the cost-effectiveness of genomic testing applications can reflect differences in study questions, settings, methods and assumptions. This review compares recently published cost-effectiveness analyses of testing strategies for Lynch Syndrome (LS) in tumors from patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) for either all adult patients or patients up to age 70 along with cascade testing of relatives of probands. Seven studies published from 2010 through 2015 were identified and summarized. Five studies analyzed the universal offer of testing to adult patients with CRC and two others analyzed testing patients up to age 70; all except one reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) < $ 100,000 per life-year or quality-adjusted life-year gained. Three studies found lower ICERs for selective testing strategies using family history-based predictive models compared with universal testing. However, those calculations were based on estimates of sensitivity of predictive models derived from research studies, and it is unclear how sensitive such models are in routine clinical practice. Key model parameters that are influential in ICER estimates included 1) the number of first-degree relatives tested per proband identified with LS and 2) the cost of gene sequencing. Others include the frequency of intensive colonoscopic surveillance, the cost of colonoscopy, and the inclusion of extracolonic surveillance and prevention options.
Associations between Urinary Excretion of Cadmium and Renal Biomarkers in Nonsmoking Females: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas of South China
Authors: Zhang Yun-rui , Wang Ping , Liang Xu-xia , Tan Chuen , Tan Jian-bin , Wang Jing , Huang Qiong , Huang Rui , Li Zhi-xue , Chen Wen-cai , Wu Shi-xuan , Ong Choon , Yang Xing-fen , Wu Yong-ning
Published: September 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the relationship between urinary excretion of cadmium (U-Cd) and biomarkers of renal dysfunction. Methods: One hundred eighty five non-smoking female farmers (aged from 44 to 71 years) were recruited from two rural areas with different cadmium levels of exposure in southern China. Morning spot urine samples were collected for detecting U-Cd, urinary creatinine (U-cre), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), α1-microglobulin (α1-MG), metallothionein (MT), retinol binding protein (RBP), albumin (AB), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Spearman’s rank correlation was carried out to assess pairwise bivariate associations between continuous variables. Three different models of multiple linear regression (the cre-corrected, un-corrected and cre-adjusted model) were used to model the dose-response relationships between U-Cd and nine urine markers. Results: Spearman’s rank correlation showed that NAG, ALP, RBP, β2-MG and MT were significantly associated with U-Cd for both cre-corrected and observed data. Generally, NAG correlated best with U-Cd among the nine biomarkers studied, followed by ALP and MT. In the un-corrected model and cre-adjusted model, the regression coefficients and R2 of nine biomarkers were larger than the corresponding values in the cre-corrected model, indicating that the use of observed data was better for investigating the relationship between biomarkers and U-Cd than cre-corrected data. Conclusions: Our results suggest that NAG, MT and ALP in urine were better biomarkers for long-term environmental cadmium exposure assessment among the nine biomarkers studied. Further, data without normalization with creatinine show better relationships between cadmium exposure and renal dysfunction.
Exploratory Testing of an Artificial Neural Network Classification for Enhancement of the Social Vulnerability Index
Authors: Hile Ryan , Cova Thomas
Published: September 2015

The Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) has served the hazards community well for more than a decade. Using Utah as a test case, a state with a population exposed to a variety of hazards, this study sought to build upon the SoVI approach by augmenting it with a non-linear Artificial Neural Network (ANN). A SoVI was created for the state of Utah at the census block group level using five-year data (2008–2012) from the American Community Survey. The SoVI provided a dataset from which to train a neural network. The ANN was then used to classify a subset of the state to determine if it could provide a comparable classification of vulnerability. The ANN produced a vulnerability classification that was approximately 26% consistent with the SoVI created using the traditional approach. The differences in classifications were assessed using radar plots of block group variable averages to explore how the variables were handled in each classification. The results of this study warrant further investigation of the capabilities of an ANN-enhanced SoVI.
Generating Heat Maps of Popular Routes Online from Massive Mobile Sports Tracking Application Data in Milliseconds While Respecting Privacy
Authors: Sainio Jani , Westerholm Jan , Oksanen Juha
Published: September 2015

The breakthrough of GPS-equipped smartphones has enabled the collection of track data from human mobility on massive scales that can be used in route recommendation, urban planning and traffic management. In this work we present a fast map server that can generate and visualize heat maps of popular routes online from massive sports track data based on client preferences, e.g., running routes lasting less than an hour. The heat maps shown respect user privacy by not showing routes with less than a predefined number of different users, for instance five. The results are represented to the client using a dynamic tile layer. The current implementation uses data collected by the Sports Tracker mobile application with over 800,000 different tracks and 2.8 billion GPS data points. Stress tests indicate that the server can handle hundreds of simultaneous client requests in a single server configuration.
Simulating and Communicating Outcomes in Disaster Management Situations
Authors: Lichter Michal , Grinberger Asher , Felsenstein Daniel
Published: September 2015

An important, but overlooked component of disaster managment is raising the awareness and preparedness of potential stakeholders. We show how recent advances in agent-based modeling and geo-information analytics can be combined to this effect. Using a dynamic simulation model, we estimate the long run outcomes of two very different urban disasters with severe consequences: an earthquake and a missile attack. These differ in terms of duration, intensity, permanence, and focal points. These hypothetical shocks are simulated for the downtown area of Jerusalem. Outcomes are compared in terms of their potential for disaster mitigation. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the simulation yield rich outputs. Web-based mapping is used to visualize these results and communicate risk to policy makers, planners, and the informed public. The components and design of this application are described. Implications for participatory disaster management and planning are discussed.
Study of Fresh and Hardening Process Properties of Gypsum with Three Different PCM Inclusion Methods
Authors: Serrano Susana , Barreneche Camila , Navarro Antonia , Haurie Laia , Fernandez A. , Cabeza Luisa
Published: September 2015

Gypsum has two important states (fresh and hardened states), and the addition of phase change materials (PCM) can vary the properties of the material. Many authors have extensively studied properties in the hardened state; however, the variation of fresh state properties due to the addition of Micronal® DS 5001 X PCM into gypsum has been the object of few investigations. Properties in fresh state define the workability, setting time, adherence and shrinkage, and, therefore the possibility of implementing the material in building walls. The aim of the study is to analyze, compare and evaluate the variability of fresh state properties after the inclusion of 10% PCM. PCM are added into a common gypsum matrix by three different methods: adding microencapsulated PCM, making a suspension of PCM/water, and incorporating PCM through a vacuum impregnation method. Results demonstrate that the inclusion of PCM change completely the water required by the gypsum to achieve good workability, especially the formulation containing Micronal® DS 5001 X: the water required is higher, the retraction is lower (50% less) due to the organic nature of the PCM with high elasticity and, the adherence is reduced (up to 45%) due to the difference between the porosity of the different surfaces as well as the surface tension difference.
Fatigue Behavior of a Box-Type Welded Structure of Hydraulic Support Used in Coal Mine
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui , Li Fuyong , Liu Yu , Fan Yanjun
Published: September 2015

Hydraulic support is the main supporting equipment of the coal mining systems, and they are usually subjected to fatigue failure under the high dynamic load. The fracture positions are generally at welded joints where there is a serious stress concentration. In order to investigate and further improve the fatigue strength of hydraulic support, the present work first located the possible position where fatigue failure occurs through finite element analysis, and then fatigue tests were carried out on the different forms of welded joints for the dangerous parts. Finally, Fatigue strength-life (S-N) curves and fracture mechanism were studied. This research will provide a theoretical reference for the fatigue design of welded structures for hydraulic support.
Synthesis and Tribological Studies of Branched Alcohol Derived Epoxidized Biodiesel
Authors: Ren Qinggong , Pan Jingjing , Zhou Jie , Na Yinna , Chen Changle , Li Weimin
Published: September 2015

The optimization and kinetics of the ring-opening reaction of an epoxidized biodiesel (epoxidized rapeseed oil methyl ester) (EBD) with 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) were studied. The determined optimum conditions were 4:1 2-EH/oil molar ratio, 90 °C, 18 h, and 7 wt % of Amberlyst D001 (dry) catalyst; the product’s oxirane oxygen content was 0.081% with 38.32 mm2/s viscosity at 40 °C. The catalyst retained its high catalytic power after recycling five times. Furthermore, the determined non-catalyzed activation energy was 76 kJ·mol−1 and 54 kJ·mol−1 with the D001 resin catalyst. The product’s chemical structure was investigated through FT-IR and 1H NMR. The viscosity, flash point, pour point, and anti-wear properties of the product were improved compared with those of epoxidized biodiesel.
Influence of Surface Modification on the Microstructure and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fibers
Authors: Zhang Xiaoping , Wang Fang , Keer Leon
Published: September 2015

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of surface treatment on the morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of bamboo fibers. The fibers are subjected to an alkali treatment using 4 wt % sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 1 h. Mechanical measurements show that the present concentration has an insignificant effect on the fiber tensile strength. In addition, systematic experimental results characterizing the morphological aspects and thermal properties of the bamboo fibers are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. It is found that an alkali treatment may increase the effective surface area, which is in turn available for superior bonding with the matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals that the alkali treatment leads to a gradual removal of binding materials, such as hemicellulose and lignin from the bamboo fiber. A comparison of the curve of thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry for the treated and untreated samples is presented to demonstrate that the presence of treatment contributes to a better thermal stability for bamboo fibers.
Ocean Warming and CO2-Induced Acidification Impact the Lipid Content of a Marine Predatory Gastropod
Authors: Valles-Regino Roselyn , Tate Rick , Kelaher Brendan , Savins Dale , Dowell Ashley , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: September 2015

Ocean warming and acidification are current global environmental challenges impacting aquatic organisms. A shift in conditions outside the optimal environmental range for marine species is likely to generate stress that could impact metabolic activity, with consequences for the biosynthesis of marine lipids. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the lipid content of Dicathais orbita exposed to current and predicted future climate change scenarios. The whelks were exposed to a combination of temperature and CO2-induced acidification treatments in controlled flowthrough seawater mesocosms for 35 days. Under current conditions, D. orbita foot tissue has an average of 6 mg lipid/g tissue, but at predicted future ocean temperatures, the total lipid content dropped significantly, to almost half. The fatty acid composition is dominated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA 52%) with an n-3:6 fatty acid ratio of almost 2, which remains unchanged under future ocean conditions. However, we detected an interactive effect of temperature and pCO2 on the % PUFAs and n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were significantly reduced by elevated water temperature, while both the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly reduced under increased pCO2 acidifying conditions. The present study indicates the potential for relatively small predicted changes in ocean conditions to reduce lipid reserves and alter the fatty acid composition of a predatory marine mollusc. This has potential implications for the growth and survivorship of whelks under future conditions, but only minimal implications for human consumption of D. orbita as nutritional seafood are predicted.
Investigation of Interspecies Interactions within Marine Micromonosporaceae Using an Improved Co-Culture Approach
Authors: Adnani Navid , Vazquez-Rivera Emmanuel , Adibhatla Srikar , Ellis Gregory , Braun Doug , Bugni Tim
Published: September 2015

With respect to bacterial natural products, a significant outcome of the genomic era was that the biosynthetic potential in many microorganisms surpassed the number of compounds isolated under standard laboratory growth conditions, particularly among certain members in the phylum Actinobacteria. Our group, as well as others, investigated interspecies interactions, via co-culture, as a technique to coax bacteria to produce novel natural products. While co-culture provides new opportunities, challenges exist and questions surrounding these methods remain unanswered. In marine bacteria, for example, how prevalent are interspecies interactions and how commonly do interactions result in novel natural products? In an attempt to begin to answer basic questions surrounding co-culture of marine microorganisms, we have tested both antibiotic activity-based and LC/MS-based methods to evaluate Micromonosporaceae secondary metabolite production in co-culture. Overall, our investigation of 65 Micromonosporaceae led to the identification of 12 Micromonosporaceae across three genera that produced unique metabolites in co-culture. Our results suggest that interspecies interactions were prevalent between marine Micromonosporaceae and marine mycolic acid-containing bacteria. Furthermore, our approach highlights a sensitive and rapid method for investigating interspecies interactions in search of novel antibiotics, secondary metabolites, and genes.
Preparation of Potassium Ferrate from Spent Steel Pickling Liquid
Authors: Wei Yu-Ling , Wang Yu-Shun , Liu Chia-Hung
Published: September 2015

Potassium ferrate (K2FeO4) is a multi-functional green reagent for water treatment with considerable combined effectiveness in oxidization, disinfection, coagulation, sterilization, adsorption, and deodorization, producing environment friendly Fe(III) end-products during the reactions. This study uses a simple method to lower Fe(VI) preparation cost by recycling iron from a spent steel pickling liquid as an iron source for preparing potassium ferrate with a wet oxidation method. The recycled iron is in powder form of ferrous (93%) and ferric chlorides (7%), as determined by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectrum (XANES) simulation. The synthesis method involves three steps, namely, oxidation of ferrous/ferric ions to form ferrate with NaOCl under alkaline conditions, substitution of sodium with potassium to form potassium ferrate, and continuously washing impurities with various organic solvents off the in-house ferrate. Characterization of the in-house product with various instruments, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), proves that product quality and purity are comparative to a commercialized one. Methylene blue (MB) de-colorization tests with in-house potassium ferrate shows that, within 30 min, almost all MB molecules are de-colorized at a Fe/carbon mole ratio of 2/1.