bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison and Application of Two Mathematical Models in Predicting and Determining the State of Deposition and Slagging of Coal Burning Boiler
Authors: Wen Xiao Qiang
Published: September 2013

Building a model to predict the state of slag on coal-fired boilers is a good way to optimize the coal combustion and reduce the risk of boiler slag. This paper built new models based on vague sets to predict the state of slag on coal-fired boilers, in which there were six input vectors, which were softening temperature, SiO2-Al2O3 ratio, alkali-acid ratio, percentage of silicon content, the dimensionless average temperature furnace and the dimensionless inscribed circle diameter furnace, and one output vectors, which was slagging degree. Two methods, which were based on the sense of distance and symmetric fuzzy cross entropy, were proposed to calculate the similarity between vague sets. 10 coal burning boilers were selected as known samples and the feasibility of the new methods was proved by the result of predicting the state of slag on the four coal burning boilers from Jilin heat and power plant, Xinli power plant, Jinzhou power plant and Qinhuangdao power plant. Through predicting and determining, it proves that the two pattern recognition models are high in prediction accuracy. Compared with the normal method, it is easier for operators to predict, determine the slagging state and reduce disturbance as far as possible. Besides, a prediction system has been developed by object-oriented high-level language accordingly.
Measurement and Analysis of Power Density around Selected Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Base Station Masts in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Osahon O.D. , Okungbowa G.E. , Ogboghodo O.
Published: September 2013

Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and other telecommunication technologies are now ubiquitous worldwide. There has been considerable increase in the radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure of the public from GSM and telecommunication transmitting and receiving antennas. If the RF radiation emanating from these devices exceeds internationally recommended limits it may pose health risk to the public. There is, therefore, the need for database of RF distribution levels in Nigeria for safety assessment. In this study, the power density of mobile phone base station masts in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria was measured and analyzed to check if it is within the public standard recommended by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). A total of forty (40) mobile phone base station masts were studied and their power density (mW/m2), magnetic field strength (A/m) and electric field strength (V/m) were determined by means of a digital Electrosmog meter, model MECO 9810 RF covering the frequency range 10 MHz 8 GHz. The measurements were made at the base of the masts and at distances 25, 50, 75 and 100 m respectively from the base of the masts. The results obtained show that the mean power density, magnetic field strength and electric field strength range from 0.589 ± 0.198 to 127.718 ± 11.301 mW/m2, 0.318 ± 0.056 to 4.166 ± 2.041 A/m and 0.934 ± 0.139 to 11.745 ± 3.427 V/m. The measured and calculated power density values were compared and found to indicate high positive correlation. Also the values of the power density obtained in this study at the different distances and locations were found to be far below the ICNIRP public exposure limits ranging from 2000 10000 mW/m2 in the frequency range of 10 MHz 300 GHz.
Soil Modification and Stabilization Potential of Calcium Carbide Waste
Authors: Joel Manasseh , Edeh Joseph E.
Published: September 2013

Laterite was treated with calcium carbide waste and lime as the control, to ascertain its modification and stabilization potential, in incremental order of 2% up to 10 %. Atterbergs limits test, compaction test, California bearing ratio (CBR) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was performed on laterite treated with both additives. The use of χ2 test to compare results of tests, showed that there is no significant difference between the modification potential of both additive as reflected in χ2 values of 1.293, 0.995 and 0.650 obtained from the comparison of liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index test results. However difference was observed with CBR and 7 day UCS test results as χ2 values of 13.75 and 11.64 respectively were higher than the standard value of 9.49 obtained from statistical Table at 4 degree of freedom and 5 % level of significance. Based on result of tests, calcium carbide waste is recommended for use in soil modification and stabilization, as usage will provide an effective way of disposing calcium carbide waste.
Formation of Defects by Stretching Gold Nanosheet - A Simulation Study
Authors: Bansal Sumali , Dharamvir Keya
Published: September 2013

Under tensile deformation, gold nanosheets elongate to form defects via a series of small vacancies leading to structural deformations. Behavior of finite gold nanosheets containing 57 and 73 atoms under load are investigated modeled by many-body Gupta potential. Nanosheets with close packed structure (111) plane of a face-centered-cubic structure are stretched along one of the two symmetry directions of the plane. The accessibility of these structures and their stability under load are found to be the key factors governing the morphological evolution of the gold nanosheets. It is found that major deformation is the formation of vacancies which could be called defects in the sheets and is surprisingly different from the ultimate stretching of a nanocylinder which is via neck formation. Thus this study presents completely new theoretical results for gold nanosheets.
Enhancement of Temperature and Field Coefficient of Resistance in CSD Grown Nanostructure La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 Thin Films
Authors: Tank Tejas M. , Thaker Chetan M. , Chhatrala Rohini S. , Ganesan V. , Sanyal Sankar P.
Published: September 2013

We present the structural, surface and electrical properties of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LCMO) thin films of varying film thicknesses from 150 nm to 300 nm on single crystal LaAlO3 (LAO) (h00) oriented substrate, prepared using Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) technique. X-ray diffraction study shows that all LCMO films are epitaxial and (h00) oriented. With increasing film thickness all the films displayed excellent transport properties such as a low resistivity, very high metal-insulator transition temperature (TP). All the LCMO films show TP above 275 K. The sharp transition causes highest TCR ~6.10 %/K and FCR ~50 %/T at around room temperature in CSD grown LCMO thin films, which has not been reported so far. A strong dependence of the electrical resistivity and TCR on film thickness is attributed to the oxygen optimization and variation in lattice parameter caused by residual compressive strain of the LCMO films.
Radiation Stimulated Permanent Alterations in Structural and Electrical Properties of Core-Shell Mn-Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Naik P.P. , Tangsali R.B. , Sonaye B. , Sugur S.
Published: September 2013

A series of core-shell type nanoparticle samples of MnxZn1-xFe2O4were prepared by auto-combustion technique with x=0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0. Subsequent to the structural and electrical property investigation the samples were irradiated with gamma radiation for different time intervals using60Co source. A significant decrease in lattice parameter and particle size was observed in gamma irradiated samples. Electrical resistivity of irradiated samples was found to decrease with the increase in γ-radiation dose. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant and dissipation constant measurements carried out showed multifold enhancement of dielectric constant with pragmatic increase in dielectric loss, in γ-irradiated samples.
Additive Assisted Micelle-to-Vesicle Transition in Non-Ionic Mixed Surfactant Systems: Niosomes for Fullerene C60 Encapsulation
Authors: Ramakanth Illa
Published: September 2013

We report here the highly stable niosomes (non-ionic vesicles) from 1:1 Tween-80/Triton X-100 mixed surfactants in presence ofn-octanol as an organic additive. Niosomes of nanometer dimensions resulted at a total surfactant concentration ranging from 0.1 1 wt%. The critical concentration of the additive,n-octanol used to form niosomes was found to be 15 mM. The unilamellar vesicles thus formed had a mean diameter of ~100 nm for 0.1 wt% and ~300 nm for 1 wt% concentration. Phase evolution in the mixed 1:1 Tween-80/Triton X-100 surfactant system was unraveled upon investigating the morphology, based on microscopic and dynamic light scattering investigations. The formed vesicles are envisaged as probable potential drug carriers.
Numerical and Experimental Study of the Plasticity Effect on Residual Stress Measurement Using Slitting Method
Authors: Mahmoudi Amir Hossein , Heydarian Soroush , Behnam Kourosh
Published: September 2013

Residual Stress measurement has gained interests among researchers for many years. Slitting method is one of the destructive techniques that relies on the introduction of an increasing cut to a part containing residual stresses. Similar to all other mechanical strain relief techniques, slitting suffers from the level of plasticity occurs within the sample while cutting. In the present research, slitting method was simulated using finite element analysis. The correct performance of the slitting method procedure was explored using known residual stress fields. Then, simulations of the quenching process of beam samples were performed for three different temperature levels; 400°C, 600°C and 850°C. The experimental procedures of the slitting method on the quenched samples at these temperatures were then carried out. The influence of three stress levels on the ability of the slitting method was discussed. Interesting results were observed.
Evaluation of Residual Stresses Induced by Ultra-High-Speed Drilling in Aluminium Alloys
Authors: Nobre Joao P. , Guimarães Ruben , Batista António Castanhola , Marques Maria José , Coelho Luís , Nau Andreas , Scholtes Berthold
Published: September 2013

A hybrid experimental-numerical methodology is applied to evaluate the unwanted stresses induced by hole-drilling in two 5000 and 7000 series aluminium alloys. The influence of the cutting speed of ultra-high speed drills powered by turbine systems by compressed air, which are commonly used in the hole-drilling equipments for residual stress measurements, is analyzed. The comparison of the effect of different drilling conditions on the drilled material using a quantitative approach is now possible. The applied methodology can play an important role on the improvement and optimization of the hole-drilling technique for residual stress measurements in particular and the drilling process in general.
XRD2 Stress Measurement for Samples with Texture and Large Grains
Authors: He Bob B.
Published: September 2013

Stress measurement on samples with texture and large grains is always a challenge. The diffraction peak intensity varies dramatically with different sample orientation. The macroscopic elasticity becomes anisotropic due to strong preferred orientation. The large grains may results in a big error in 2θ due to poor sampling statistics. The fitting results of the conventional sin2ψ method is extremely sensitive to texture and large grains. When stress is measured with a 2D detector, most of the above adverse effects can be minimized or eliminated. The data integration helps to smooth out rough diffraction profiles due to large grain size, texture, small sample area or weak diffraction. The large angular coverage and multiple diffraction rings can minimize the effect of the macroscopic anisotropy. The weighted least squares regression and intensity threshold can further reduce the effect of poor statistics associated with texture and large grains. Multiple {hkl} rings may be used to measure the stress to improve the statistics and minimize the elastic anisotropy effect.
Stress of Homogeneous and Graded Epitaxial Thin Films Studied by Full-Shape Analysis of High Resolution Reciprocal Space Maps
Authors: Ulyanenkova Tatjana , Benediktovitch Andrei , Myronov Maksym , Halpin John , Rhead Stephen , Ulyanenkov Alex
Published: September 2013

The Bragg peak position of a homogeneous solid solution epitaxial film is directly related to the solid solution concentration, film strain and, consequently, residual stress. The peak shape contains information about defects present in the sample. In the case of compositionally graded epitaxial films the situation is more complex since instead of a single Bragg peak there is a continuous diffracted intensity distribution which can be measured by means of recording high resolution reciprocal space maps. We analyse the thin film residual stress based not only on peak positions, but taking into account the defect-induced peak shape as well. Consideration of the peak shape enables the determination of the stress depth profile in the case of graded films and to imporves the accuracy in the case of homogeneous films.
In Situ XRD Stress Analysis during Expansion of Stents
Authors: Kowalski Wolfgang , Dammer Markus , Bakczewitz Frank , Kessler Olaf
Published: September 2013

Stents are medical implants, which are applied to keep cavities in the human body open, e.g. blood vessels. Typically they consist of tube-like grids of suitable metal alloys. Typical dimensions depend on their applications: outer diameters in the mm-range and grid bar thickness in the 100 µm range. Before implantation, stents are compressed (crimped) to allow implantation in the human body. During implantation, stents are expanded, usually by balloon catheters. Crimping as well as expansion causes high strains and high stresses locally in the grid bars. These strains and stresses are important design criteria of stents. Usually, they are calculated numerically by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) [1,2]. The XRD-sin²ψ-technique is applied for in-situ-determination of stress conditions during crimping and expansion of stents of the CoCr-alloy L-605. This provides a realistic characterization of the near-surface stress state and an evaluation of the numerical FEA results. XRD-results show an increasing compressive load stress in circumferential direction with increasing stent expansion. These findings correlate with the numerical FEA results. Further residual stresses after removing the expansion device have been measured.
In Situ Biaxial Mechanical Testing at the Neutron Time-of-Flight Diffractometer POLDI
Authors: Repper Julia , Niffenegger Markus , van Petegem Steven , Wagner Werner , van Swygenhoven Helena
Published: September 2013

Complex strain paths are often applied to materials during production processes. This paper shows the first successful in-situ biaxial mechanical tests during neutron diffraction performed on a cruciform steel sample and reports on the differences compared to uniaxial deformation. Digital image correlation is demonstrated to be an appropriate tool to monitor spatially resolved the macroscopic straining. The new, modular biaxial machine that will be installed at the neutron diffractometer POLDI is presented.
Large differences in reanalyses of diabatic heating in the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere
Authors: Wright J. S. , Fueglistaler S.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. We present the time mean heat budgets of the tropical upper troposphere (UT) and lower stratosphere (LS) as simulated by five reanalysis models: the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), European Reanalysis (ERA-Interim), Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), Japanese 25-yr Reanalysis and Japan Meteorological Agency Climate Data Assimilation System (JRA-25/JCDAS), and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis 1. The simulated diabatic heat budget in the tropical UTLS differs significantly from model to model, with substantial implications for representations of transport and mixing. Large differences are apparent both in the net heat budget and in all comparable individual components, including latent heating, heating due to radiative transfer, and heating due to parameterised vertical mixing. We describe and discuss the most pronounced differences. Discrepancies in latent heating reflect continuing difficulties in representing moist convection in models. Although these discrepancies may be expected, their magnitude is still disturbing. We pay particular attention to discrepancies in radiative heating (which may be surprising given the strength of observational constraints on temperature and tropospheric water vapour) and discrepancies in heating due to turbulent mixing (which have received comparatively little attention). The largest differences in radiative heating in the tropical UTLS are attributable to differences in cloud radiative heating, but important systematic differences are present even in the absence of clouds. Local maxima in heating and cooling due to parameterised turbulent mixing occur in the vicinity of the tropical tropopause.
Sensitivity to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Males, Smokers, and Non-adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer in Patients with EGFR Mutations
Authors: Zeng Zhu , Chen Hua-jun , Yan Hong-hong , Yang Jin-ji , Zhang Xu-chao , Wu Yi-long
Published: September 2013

Introduction

The demographical/clinical characteristics of being Asian, having an adenocarcinoma, being female, and being a “never-smoker” are regarded as favorable predictors for epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with unknown EGFR gene status. In this study, we examined the effects of the supposedly unfavorable clinical variables in EGFR-mutant patients.

Method

In total, 159 EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients' clinical features were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis of clinical characteristics was performed using the Cox and logistic regression methods.

Result

There were 90 females (56.6%), 112 never-smokers (70.4%), and 153 patients with adenocarcinomas (96.2%). All patients were treated with EGFR-TKI, and 52.8% received TKI in a first-line setting. The median PFS of patients receiving first-line TKI was similar, regardless of gender (males vs females: 9.1 vs 9.7 months, p=0.793), smoking status (never-smokers vs smokers: 9.9 vs 9.1 months, p=0.570), or histology (adenocarcinoma vs non-adenocarcinoma: 9.7 vs 9.2 months, p=0.644). OS curves of first-line TKI-treated patients were also not associated with gender (p=0.722), smoking status (p=0.579), or histology (p=0.480). Similar results of PFS and OS were obtained for patients who received TKI beyond first-line. Multivariate analysis indicated that none of these clinical factors was an independent predictor of survival.

Conclusions

The supposedly ‘favorable’ clinical factors of female gender, non-smoking status, and adenocarcinoma were not independent predictive factors for PFS or OS in this population of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients.
Electric and Magnetic Coulomb Potentials in the Deuteron
Authors: Schaeffer Bernard
Published: September 2013

After one century of nuclear physics, the underlying fun- damental laws of nuclear physics are still missing. Bohr had found a formula for the H atom and another for the H2 molecule but no equivalent formula exists for the deuteron 2H. The only known Coulomb interaction in a nucleus by the mainstream nuclear physics is the long range repulsion between protons, forgetting that the neutron contains elec- tric charges with no net charge. The neutron is attracted by the proton in a way discovered two millenaries ago by the Greeks. This attraction is equilibrated by the repulsion between the opposite magnetic moments of the proton and of the neutron in the deuteron. The bare application of ge- ometry together with electric and magnetic Coulomb’s in- teractions accounts for the binding energy of the deuteron, without fitting, with only 4 per cent discrepancy, proving the electromagnetic nature of the nuclear energy.
Aging Induces Tissue‐Specific Changes in Cholesterol Metabolism in Rat Brain and Liver
Authors: Smiljanic Kosara , Vanmierlo Tim , Djordjevic Aleksandra Mladenovic , Perovic Milka , Loncarevic‐Vasiljkovic Natasa , Tesic Vesna , Rakic Ljubisav , Ruzdijic Sabera , Lutjohann Dieter , Kanazir Selma
Published: September 2013

Disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis in the brain is coupled to age‐related brain dysfunction. In the present work, we studied the relationship between aging and cholesterol metabolism in two brain regions, the cortex and hippocampus, as well as in the sera and liver of 6‐, 12‐, 18‐ and 24‐month‐old male Wistar rats. Using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, we undertook a comparative analysis of the concentrations of cholesterol, its precursors and metabolites, as well as dietary‐derived phytosterols. During aging, the concentrations of the three cholesterol precursors examined (lanosterol, lathosterol and desmosterol) were unchanged in the cortex, except for desmosterol which decreased (44 %) in 18‐month‐old rats. In the hippocampus, aging was associated with a significant reduction in lanosterol and lathosterol concentrations at 24 months (28 and 25 %, respectively), as well as by a significant decrease of desmosterol concentration at 18 and 24 months (36 and 51 %, respectively). In contrast, in the liver we detected age‐induced increases in lanosterol and lathosterol concentrations, and no change in desmosterol concentration. The amounts of these sterols were lower than in the brain regions. In the cortex and hippocampus, desmosterol was the predominant cholesterol precursor. In the liver, lathosterol was the most abundant precursor. This ratio remained stable during aging. The most striking effect of aging observed in our study was a significant decrease in desmosterol concentration in the hippocampus which could reflect age‐related reduced synaptic plasticity, thus representing one of the detrimental effects of advanced age.
Strategically Prophetic Priests: An Analysis of Competing Principal Influence on Clergy Political Action
Authors: Calfano Brian Robert , Oldmixon Elizabeth A. , Gray Mark
Published: September 2013

We assess clergy political activism dynamics using data from a national survey of Roman Catholic priests. Like their elite counterparts in interest groups and other secular political institutions, clergy encounter expectations and demands from competing principals when determining how to publicly act on key political issues. Building on insights from decades of clergy politics scholarship, we leverage new perspectives of principal-based influence by examining how Catholic priest perception of both local parish finances and diocesan bishop expectations affect their reported political actions. Our findings are consistent with the notion that parish and bishop principals condition priest political behavior, controlling for priest ideology. However, priest political action proves more sensitive to parish financial concerns than bishop encouragement.
Inheritance of Religiosity Among Muslim Immigrants in a Secular Society
Authors: van de Pol Jasper , van Tubergen Frank
Published: September 2013

This study examined the intergenerational transmission of religiosity within Muslim immigrant families who live in the Netherlands, a rather secular society. We studied whether transmission of religiosity within immigrant families is influenced by warm family relations on the one hand, and integration into the host country on the other hand. Two analyses were carried out on a nationally representative sample of Turkish and Moroccan first- and second-generation immigrants aged 15–45, in the Netherlands. The findings support the hypotheses to some extent: warm family ties are found to facilitate religious transmission but transmission is stronger when parents have different national backgrounds. A stronger transmission is found within families that are stronger embedded in religious communities; however there are large differences between men and women. Our research shows that the influence of parental religiosity cannot be ignored in the study of immigrants’ religiosity.
Worship Discourse and White Race-Based Policy Attitudes
Authors: Khari Brown R. , Kaiser Angela , Jackson James S.
Published: September 2013

The current study relies upon the 2004 National Politics Study to examine the association between exposure to race-based messages within places of worship and White race-based policy attitudes. The present study challenges the notion that, for White Americans, religiosity inevitably leads to racial prejudice. Rather, we argue, as others have, that religion exists on a continuum that spans from reinforcing to challenging the status quo of social inequality. Our findings suggests that the extent to which Whites discuss race along with the potential need for public policy solutions to address racial inequality within worship spaces, worship attendance contributes to support for public policies aimed at reducing racial inequality. On the other hand, apolitical and non-structural racial discussions within worship settings do seemingly little to move many Whites to challenge dominant idealistic perceptions of race that eschews public policy interventions as solutions to racial inequality.
Brief report: The Adolescent Child‐to‐Parent Aggression Questionnaire: An examination of aggressions against parents in Spanish adolescents
Authors: Calvete E. , Gamez‐Guadix M. , Orue I. , Gonzalez‐Diez Z. , Lopez de Arroyabe E. , Sampedro R. , Pereira R. , Zubizarreta A. , Borrajo E.
Published: September 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to assess child‐to‐parent aggression in adolescents and to document the extent of the problem. The questionnaire developed in this study, the Child‐to‐Parent Aggression Questionnaire (CPAQ), includes forms of physical and psychological aggression directed at both the mother and the father. It also includes open questions about the reasons for the aggressive acts. The CPAQ was completed by a sample of 2719 adolescents (age range: 13–18 years old, 51.4% girls). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four‐factor correlated structure (physical aggression against mother, physical aggression against father, psychological aggression against mother, and psychological aggression against father). Psychological and physical aggression against the mother was more frequent than against the father. However, there were no differences with regard to severe forms of aggression. Girls scored significantly higher on all indicators of psychological aggression, including severe psychological aggression. Nevertheless, except for the prevalence of physical aggression against mothers, which was higher in females, there were no significant differences in physical aggression against parents. Finally, the reasons provided by the adolescents for the aggression included both instrumental (e.g., to obtain permission to get home late and to access their computers) and reactive reasons (e.g., anger and self‐defense). These findings highlight the complexity of child‐to‐parent aggression in adolescence.
Análisis de la implementación de programas de gestión del conocimientoen las empresas chilenas
Authors: Liberona Dario , Ruiz Manuel
Published: September 2013

La gestión del conocimiento es una nueva disciplina que facilita la creación, el almacenamiento, la transfe-rencia y la aplicación de conocimientos en las organizaciones. En el caso de Chile no existe ningún estudioque aborde el estado de implementación de la gestión del conocimiento en las empresas y las dificulta-des para desarrollar estos programas. Este trabajo busca explorar el estado general de la implantaciónde estos programas en Chile y cuáles son las principales dificultades para desarrollarlos. Se identificaron6 problemas principales para la adopción e implementación de programas de gestión del conocimiento,y se determina que si bien la gestión del conocimiento es conocida y valorada en las empresas chilenas,su adopción todavía es muy baja.
Content and process priming: A review
Authors: Janiszewski Chris , Wyer Robert S.
Published: September 2013

The last forty years of social science research have produced over 12,000 articles on priming. The range, complexity, and novelty of priming effects are hard to comprehend, let alone explain, using a single model or perspective. In this review, we discuss content priming and process priming effects. We then propose an integrative model that can account for the combined results.
Comparison of Ho:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of impacted ureteral stones: An analysis of risk factors
Authors: Degirmenci Tansu , Gunlusoy Bulent , Kozacioglu Zafer , Arslan Murat , Koras Omer , Arslan Burak , Minareci Suleyman
Published: September 2013

The aim was to compare pneumatic and holmium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser in the treatment of impacted ureteral stones with different locations and to identify the risk factors for complications. Between March 2005 and November 2012, a total of 230 patients underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for impacted stones. Of the patients, 117 had pneumatic and 113 had laser lithotripsy for the fragmentation of the stones. Treatment outcomes based on evidence of being stone free were evaluated. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative follow‐up findings were analyzed and compared. There was a difference between the two groups according to overall stone clearance rate (93.8% vs. 80.3%, p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference for distal location between the laser and pneumatic groups (96.8% vs. 91.7%, p = 0.288). For 10 patients with intrarenally migrated stones who were managed with flexible ureterorenoscopy in the same session, laser lithotripsy was more successful than pneumatic for proximal ureteral stone (94.4% vs. 67.9%, p = 0.007). The overall complication rate was 26.1%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (29% vs. 23%, p = 0.296). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the proximal location was a statistically significant parameter for the occurrence of complications in both groups (p = 0.001 for PL, p = 0.004 for laser). The pneumatic and holmium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser lithotripsy are effective in the treatment of distal impacted stones. Both treatments with semirigid ureteroscopy are acceptable for proximal impacted ureteral stones, but holmium laser lithotripsy has an advantage of use with flexible ureteroscope for intrarenally migrated stone.
Plasma microRNAs predicting clinical outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving first‐line oxaliplatin‐based treatment
Authors: Kjersem J.B. , Ikdahl T. , Lingjaerde O.C. , Guren T. , Tveit K.M. , Kure E.H.
Published: September 2013

The conventional first‐line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) consists of fluorouracil (5‐FU) in combination with either oxaliplatin or irinotecan. We have explored microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma as potential predictive markers to oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy. The expression of 742 miRNAs was examined in plasma samples from 24 mCRC patients (12 responders and 12 non‐responders) before onset and after four cycles of 5‐FU/oxaliplatin. The top differentially expressed miRNAs between responders and non‐responders were selected for further analysis in a validation cohort of 150 patients. In the validation cohort, there was a significant overrepresentation of miRNAs with higher mean expression in the non‐responder group than in the responder group before treatment (p < 0.002). Moreover, we found three miRNAs (miR‐106a, miR‐484, and miR‐130b) to be significantly differentially expressed before treatment (p = 0.008, 0.008, and 0.008, respectively). All three miRNAs were upregulated in non‐responders. High expression of miR‐27b, miR‐148a, and miR‐326 were associated with decreased progression‐free survival (Hazard ratios (HR) of 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.8, p = 0.004), 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.6, p = 0.007), and 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.8, p = 0.008), respectively). miR‐326 was also associated with decreased overall survival (HR 1.5 (95% CI 1.1–2.0, p = 0.003)). There were no significantly differentially expressed miRNAs in association with clinical outcome after four cycles of chemotherapy. The present study demonstrates that plasma miRNAs analyzed before treatment may serve as non‐invasive markers predicting outcome in mCRC patients treated with 5‐FU and oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy.
Value-based Competition: the Role of Outcome Measurement
Authors: Deerberg-Wittram Jens , Guth Clemens , Porter Michael E.
Published: September 2013

The starting point to any real progress in health care is comprehensive measurement of outcomes. Outcomes should be measured for each medical condition. Rather than focusing on single procedures or specialties, outcome sets must cover any treatment option and the full care cycle, from diagnostics to treatment to rehabilitation covering both inpatient and outpatient care. Risk adjustment for individual patient circumstances is also essential to compare outcomes across patients and across time.
New Work at Kato Phana, Chios: the Kato Phana Archaeological Project: Preliminary report for 1997 and 1998
Authors: Beaumont Lesley , Archontidou-Argyri Aglaia
Published: September 2013

The first two fieldwork seasons of the Kato Phana Archaeological Project took place in 1997 and 1998 as a collaborative venture between the British School at Athens and the Mytilene Ephorate of the Greek Archaeological Service. The work comprised archaelogical surface survey and mapping of the lower Kato Phana Valley, cleaning and planning of the sanctuary of Apollo Phanaios and geophysical testing of selected areas around the sanctuary site. This article first sets out the aims of the Project and describes earlier work at the cult centre (Geometric to Early Christian periods) by K. Kourouniotes and W. Lamb. This is followed by an account of the survey methodology and of the results gained: these include the location of Bronze Age findspots NE and SW of the cult centre and a dense concentration of sherds, tile and ancient masonry, ranging in date from the Archaic to Early Christion periods, radiating out from the sanctuary, particularly to the S and SE. To the NW, the survey also succeeded in identifying the ancient quarry site from which grey limestone blocks were cut for the sanctuary constructing. The paper concludes with an account of the geophysical testing carried out at Kato Phana, and looks forward to the next projected phase of the Project's fieldwork.
Rich beyond the dreams of Avaris: Tell el-DabcA and the Aegean world – a guide for the perplexed
Authors: Cline Eric H.
Published: September 2013

The excavations at Tell el-Dabca/Avaris have produced exciting finds for the past 30 years, but none more riveting than the so-called ‘Minoan’ frescoes of the past half-decade. The publication of these fragmentary wall paintings has been commendably fast, but has also involved dramatic changes in the hypotheses put forth by the excavators. The present article attempts to summarize the situation by charting the discoveries announced between 1992 and 1996, and relating these to the changes in opinion of the excavators over that same period of time. Given the bombshell dropped most recently by Bietak, namely that the wall paintings may not be associated with the Hyksos period at all, but rather with the early 18th Dynasty Egyptian reoccupation of the site, it is here suggested that the spate of literature published by secondary authors (i.e. those not immediately involved in the excavation and interpretation of the site) be brought to a temporary halt, until Bietak and his team have completed their exploration of the relevant areas of Tell el-Dabca and have published all of the pertinent data, to both their satisfaction and ours.
Unpublished lists of gerontes and magistrates of Roman Sparta
Authors: Steinhauer George
Published: September 2013

Fourteen unpublished inscriptions from Sparta are discussed in this article. They were found in 1950–1980 by the Fifth Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and date from the Roman period, first century BC—second century AD. Eight of the inscriptions are lists of gerontes.
Knossos 1978: Roman Finds at the Venezeleion
Authors: Catling H. W. , Ridley C. , Smith J. Carington , Smyth D. , Dunn A. W.
Published: September 2013

During 1978 the British School at Athens was requested by the Herakleion Ephorate to oversee the first stage in the construction of an extension to the Venezeleion Hospital. The extension was to be built on the east side of the existing building, and to be used as a pediatric clinic. The architect wished to begin with the mechanical excavation of a rectangular cutting 23 m north-south, 10 m east-west immediately east of the extant building line. It was known that a substantial volume of upcast from the 1951–2 building of the main Venezeleion had been spread in this area, deeply burying the old ground surface. The School was asked to follow the mechanical excavation of the plot and, if necessary, stop the machine and excavate any ancient feature that might be brought to light on or below pre–1951 ground surface.
The ‘Thracian’ pottery of South-East Europe: a contribution to the discussion on the handmade pottery traditions of the historical period
Authors: Papadopoulos Stratis
Published: September 2013

From the southern Balkans to the region of Middle Donau, so-called ‘Thracian’ pottery is dominant during the historical period. Its co-existence with wheel-made pottery also has a long history in Aegean Thrace. In the city of Mesembria-Zone, barrel-shaped urns and one-handled cups represent the ‘classical period’ of this tradition. Until now, there was no example of a site in northern Greece with pottery exclusively of this type. This ‘missing link’ has been discovered during excavations at Agios Ioannis in south-cast Thasos. The pottery from the site is completely handmade and can be attributed to a Later Iron Age phase.

The absence of interest in this pottery tradition was due to difficulties concerning its identification and dating, but also to the fact that archaeologists were more interested in the definition of the nature of Greek colonies and the clarification of the relationships between settlers and natives. The survival of ‘Thracian’ pottery has been explained up to now through the idea of identifying an artefact type as an indicative element of the ‘culture’ of its producers. In fact, the intra-communal distribution of this pottery does not reveal any special differentiation, and does not appear to be related to only one group of the population, different in terms of race or economic strength. Here, we propose an additional interpretative tool, the ideological significance of this type of pottery for the people of south-east Europe.
Amber in the Mycenaean World
Authors: Beck Curt W. , Harding Anthony , Hughes-Brock Helen
Published: September 2013

Amber has long been recognized as an important indicator of Mycenaean foreign contacts. Though much has been written, no thorough survey of the topic has yet been undertaken. The chief purpose of this article is to present a corpus, as complete as the authors can make it, of the known Mycenaean amber finds, together with those from adjacent areas.

Since the nineteenth century amber objects in Italy and Greece have generally been considered by scholarly opinion to have been imported from the Baltic, and a number of finds, including Schliemann's from the Shaft Graves, were subjected to rudimentary chemical analyses to ‘prove’ this, the criterion being the presence of succinic acid. Navarro in 1925 traced the route the amber was supposed to have taken by charting the distribution of finds in central Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Sellopoulo Tomb 4: Some Analyses
Authors: Catling H. W. , Jones R. E.
Published: September 2013

Five Late Minoan tombs have been excavated at Sellopoulo, near Knossos. Much the richest of these, excavated in 1967 by M. R. Popham, was the unpillaged Tomb 4, whose three burials were accompanied by a rich array of gold and other jewellery, bronze vessels and weapons, and pottery. This pottery established the date of the burials within the Late Minoan II-early IIIA phase. Furthermore, the tomb contained a scarab of Amenophis III, whose reign extended from c 1420 to 1385 B.C., according to the high Egyptian chronology, c 1405–1375/70 B.C. according to the low chronology.
A New Minoan Deposit from Knossos c.1600 B.C., and its Wider Relations
Authors: Warren Peter
Published: September 2013

The article provides a detailed summary of a large deposit, primarily of pottery, from the 1978–82 Stratigraphical Museum Excavations at Knossos. The deposit is assigned to the Middle Minoan III B – Late Minoan I A transition. The material is used as the basis of a re-examination of this difficult stage in the Minoan ceramic sequence and a wide range of deposits, notable among them the seismic destruction level at Akrotiri on Thera, is able to be linked to the Knossos material in order to define the phase more fully. The wide destruction level thus documented may then be set within the historical development of Minoan civilization.
Excavations at Sparta: the Roman stoa, 1988–91. The inscriptions
Authors: Spawforth A. J. S.
Published: September 2013

Nineteen Greek inscriptions from the recent excavations at the Roman stoa and Roman theatre at Sparta are published. They include two honorific inscriptions of imperial date, one for a previously unknown Octavia Agis, ‘descendant of the founder gods of the city Heracles and Lycurgus’, and at least four fragments from Romanperiod lists of civic magistrates. Two of these were foundin situand reveal that theproedriaof the theatre, as well as the orchestra drain and eastparodos, were inscribed with documents of this type.
The Spatial Distribution of Mycenaean Tombs
Authors: Mee C.B. , Cavanagh W.G.
Published: September 2013

Factors which determine the siting of Mycenaean cemeteries are discussed. These include relationship to roads; a prominent position, especially for some of the more imposing monuments; relationship to the ‘sacred landscape’. Within cemeteries clusters of graves occur. The small total number of these, it is suggested, represent political alliance groups rather than families. Further research is necessary before arriving at more definite conclusions.
Central Places and Major Roads in the Peloponnese
Authors: Sanders G.D.R. , Whitbread I.K.
Published: September 2013

The technique of Graph Theory is described and applied to the ancient road system of the Peloponnese, using the network described in the Peutinger Table, and compared with George Gennadius' map of 1822. The result demonstrates the relative importance of centres in the Peloponnese during the Roman period, and the modification to the pattern of road usage resulting from sea communications. Details of a computer programme for the necessary calculations are given in an appendix.
Late bronze age grain crops and Linear B ideograms *65, *120, and *121
Authors: Halstead Paul
Published: September 2013

For late bronze age Greece, archaeobotanical research has demonstrated a striking range of grain crops, whereas only two or three categories of grain are recorded in Linear B texts. It is unlikely that each Linear B grain ideogram covers several crops, or that the paucity of grain ideograms results from the partial preservation of texts. It is argued that the Linear B evidence reflects selective palatial involvement in grain production, although the identity of the two or three crops documented in Linear B is uncertain.
Mythological childhood: a male preserve? An interpretation of classical Athenian iconography in its socio-historical context
Authors: Beaumont Lesley
Published: September 2013

The birth and childhood of the Greek male gods and heroes are themes well documented in classical Athenian art and myth. By contrast, contemporary Athenian iconography and mythology are remarkably empty of references to the birth and infancy of the female heroes and female gods, or alternatively present the newborn goddesses as adult women. This article seeks to shed light on the apparently missing childhood phase of the goddesses and heroines, by examining the evidence of fifth-century Athenian iconography in its socio-historical context. Consequently, in the case of the goddesses, it is proposed that the female child figure represented a state of being incompatible with the nature and manifestation of divinity. It is further suggested that the mythological heroines enter classical Athenian art and myth only once they have attained puberty, because it is at this point that their potential for relations with the male gains significance. And just as was the case with their mortal female counterparts, it is this capacity for interaction with the male sex that makes them of interest to society.
New evidence from Platygiali, an Early Bronze Age settlement in western Greece
Authors: Haniotes F. K. (Demetrios) , Voutiropoulos Nikos
Published: September 2013

Earlier excavations in western Greece, carried out by Dörpfeld in Lefkas and by British archaeologists in Ithaca and Akarnania, were chiefly aimed at answering the ‘Ithaca question’. After these investigations during the first decades of our century the western part of central Greece remained archaeologically unexplored. The newly discovered EH settlement of Platygiali, Astakos, fills a large gap in our knowledge of prehistoric habitation in western Greece, while certain features indicate that the settlement has a distinctive cultural significance.
Dedications by Alkibiades and Thrasyboulos
Authors: Pemberton E. G.
Published: September 2013

Custom regards such displays as honourable, and they cannot be made without leaving behind them an impression of power. Again, any splendour that I may have exhibited at home in providing choruses or otherwise, is naturally envied by my fellow-citizens, but in the eyes of foreigners has an air of strength … And this is no useless folly, when a man at his own private cost benefits not himself only but his city …

So in Thucydides' words Alkibiades spoke in defence of the celebrations of his recent chariot victories, against the charges of extravagance brought by Nikias. The tone and phrasing in his apology underscore the pleonexia of Alkibiades, yet in it there is an echo of the funeral oration of Perikles:

Rather, the admiration of the present and succeeding ages will be ours, since we have not left our power without witness … We have forced every sea and land to be the highway of our daring and everywhere, whether for evil or for good, have left imperishable monuments behind us.

Perikles may not have been referring specifically to architectural or sculptural monuments, but from the Kerameikos, his audience would have seen the buildings on the Akropolis already associated with his name. One may read into his words disguised justification of his policies, remembering that charges of extravagance were also brought against him.
Topshell Rings in the Aegean Bronze Age
Authors: Resse David S.
Published: September 2013

Finds of the topshells Monodonta turbinata (Born 1780) and M. articulata Lamarck 1822 are discussed. ‘Rings’ made of Monodonta shells were used as rings or pendants