bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detailed characterization of mechanical properties and molecular mobility within dry seed glasses: relevance to the physiology of dry biological systems
Authors: Ballesteros Daniel , Walters Christina
Published: August 2011

Slow movement of molecules in glassy matrices controls the kinetics of chemical and physical reactions in dry seeds. Variation in physiological activity among seeds suggests that there are differences in mobility among seed glasses. Testing this hypothesis is difficult because few tools are available to measure molecular mobility within dry seeds. Here, motional properties within dry pea cotyledons were assessed using dynamic mechanical analysis. The technique detected several molecular relaxations between −80 and +80°C and gave a more detailed description of water content–temperature effects on molecular motion than previously understood from studies of glass formation in seeds at glass transition (Tg). Diffusive movement is delimited by the α relaxation, which appears to be analogous to Tg. β and γ relaxations were also detected at temperatures lower than α relaxations, clearly demonstrating intramolecular motion within the glassy matrix of the pea cotyledon. Glass transitions, or the mechanical counterpart α relaxation, appear to be less relevant to seed aging during dry storage than previously thought. On the other hand, β relaxation occurs at temperature and moisture conditions typically used for seed storage and has established importance for physical aging of synthetic polymer glasses. Our data show that the nature and extent of molecular motion varies considerably with moisture and temperature, and that the hydrated conditions used for accelerated aging experiments and ultra‐dry conditions sometimes recommended for seed storage give greater molecular mobility than more standard seed storage practices. We believe characterization of molecular mobility is critical for evaluating how dry seeds respond to the environment and persist through time.
Fatty acid composition, oxidative stability and sensory quality of meat from broiler chicken fed autolysate from bacteria grown on natural gas
Authors: Øverland M. , Skrede A.
Published: August 2011

Bacterial autolysate, a down stream product of bacterial biomass grown on natural gas by mainly the methanotrophic bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus, was fed at 8% as is to broiler chickens from 1 to 35 days of age for studies of fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and sensory quality of thigh meat stored frozen for 6 month at −18 °C or −80 °C. Lipid oxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and volatile profile by dynamic headspace gas chromatography. Adding bacterial autolysate to diets did not affect the total content of saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids in thigh meat, but increased the levels of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0 and C16:1n‐7 and reduced the levels of C18:1n‐7, C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 fatty acids. Feeding of bacterial autolysate tended (p < 0.08) to reduce TBARS of meat samples. Contents of volatiles were generally low, but feeding of bacterial autolysate significantly reduced levels of butanal (p < 0.04) and tended to reduce levels of hexanal (p < 0.11), pentanal (p < 0.09), 1‐penten‐3‐ol (p < 0.08) and butanone (p < 0.08). Bacterial autolysate had no effects on sensory quality parameters of meat related to odour and flavour. To conclude, adding bacterial autolysate to diets did not affect the relative proportion of saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, but reduced content of volatiles in frozen‐stored broiler meat. The reduced susceptibility to lipid oxidation in broiler meat may be related to antioxidant properties of the bacterial autolysate.
The effect of supplementation of clove and agrimony or clove and lemon balm on growth performance, antioxidant status and selected indices of lipid profile of broiler chickens
Authors: Petrovic V. , Marcincak S. , Popelka P. , Simkova J. , Martonova M. , Buleca J. , Marcincakova D. , Tuckova M. , Molnar L. , Kovac G.
Published: August 2011

The study investigated the effects of diet supplementation with 1% clove flower buds powder combined with either 0.2% lemon balm extract or 0.2% agrimony extract (each of the two pulverized extracts supplied through drinking water) on body weight of broilers, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the carcass yield, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px, EC 1.11.1.9) in blood, concentration of sulfhydryl (−SH) groups, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A and E, low‐density lipoproteins in the blood plasma, serum cholesterol, total lipids, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins in broiler chickens at 42 days of age. On the day of hatching, 120 male and female broilers of Cobb 500 were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (1st group) of broilers received a basal diet (BD) without any feed and water additive. Both experimental groups of chicks were fed BD enriched with clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) powder at a dose of 10 g/kg DM for 42 days. Moreover, either lemon balm (Mellisa officinalis L.) extract or agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) extract diluted with drinking water (2:1000) was given to broilers in the 2nd and 3rd group respectively. The results indicated that feeding the diets enriched with selected herbal supplements failed to affect the growth performance of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. In addition, this supplementation had no influence on the activities of SOD and GSH‐Px, concentration of vitamin A and selected lipid metabolism indices. On the other hand, we observed beneficial effects on some indices of the antioxidant status (increased concentration of −SH groups and vitamin E, decreased concentration of MDA) in the blood of broilers in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group of chickens (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a slightly better antioxidant capacity was found in the blood of broilers supplied the combination of clove and lemon balm compared to clove and agrimony (vitamin E, 11.26 ± 0.73 vs. 9.73 ± 0.64 μmol/L, p < 0.05 respectively). It could be concluded that supplementation of the diet with clove flower buds powder combined with lemon balm extract or agrimony extract dissolved in drinking water has a potential to increase the antioxidant status but fails to influence either the growth performance or the selected lipid metabolism indices of broilers at the age of 42 days.
Carry‐over effects of body condition in the early pregnant ewe on peri‐partum adipose tissue metabolism
Authors: Álvarez‐Rodríguez J. , Estopañan G. , Sanz A. , Dervishi E. , Govoni N. , Tamanini C. , Joy M.
Published: August 2011

This study evaluated the carry‐over effects of ewe body reserves during early pregnancy on peri‐partum adipose tissue metabolism. Forty‐nine multiparous ewes were divided in three categories according to their body condition score (BCS) at day 30 of pregnancy (BCS < 3, 2.5–2.75; BCS = 3; BCS > 3, 3.25–3.5). Live‐weight (LW) and BCS gains from 1st to 4th month of pregnancy were greater in ewes with BCS < 3 and 3 than in >3 animals. In contrast, in the last month of pregnancy, there was BCS decrease in all groups, although LW continued increasing. There were no differences in LW or BCS across ewe categories during this period. Peripheral leptin levels throughout the three last weeks of pregnancy were greater in ewes with BCS > 3 than in the rest, but this difference did not persist after lambing. Plasma metabolites related to energy metabolism, milk yield and lamb growth were not affected by ewe BCS in early pregnancy. Long‐chain saturated milk fatty acids (FA) (C16–C24) were greater in ewes with lowest BCS (<3 and 3). Ewes with greater BCS showed greater monounsaturated and lowest polyunsaturated milk FA content. Ewe post‐mating body reserves affect both pre‐partum leptinaemia and post‐partum milk polyunsaturated fatty acids content, but it had little effect on lamb performance.
Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with psammomatous calcification: Report of a case with immunohistochemical study for bone morphogenetic protein
Authors: Takahashi Toshiyuki , Hatakeyama Setsuko , Machida Takuro
Published: August 2011

We report a case of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with psammomatous calcification. A 57‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas was diagnosed based on precise clinical examinations. A subtotal stomach‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was subsequently performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma composed of irregular tubular structures involving the head of the pancreas. Conspicuously, numerous tiny psammomatous‐type calcifications were observed, mainly within the neoplastic lumen, but also in association with carcinoma cells that had infiltrated the lymphatics and lymph nodes. In addition, expression of bone morphogenetic protein, cartilage and bone‐inducing factor cloned from demineralized bone matrix and the transforming growth factor‐β subfamily was immunohistochemically examined for carcinoma cells. Reactivity for multiple kinds of bone morphogenetic protein (types 5, 6 and 7) was identified in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Psammoma body formation is an unusual event in invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with only one similar case previously reported in the English literature. We also discuss the formation of psammomatous calcifications by pancreatic cancer cells.
Drug utilization pattern in pregnant women in rural areas, India: Cross–sectional observational study
Authors: Adhikari Anjan , Biswas Sharmistha , Gupta Raj K.
Published: August 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the drug‐utilization trend of pregnant women in rural areas of central India.

Materials and Methods:  This was a prospective, observational study using a questionnaire, face‐to‐face interview and a prescription audit.

Results:  The majority of the subjects were primigravida (51.4%), from the lower socioeconomic group (71.3%) and with poor formal education. Although the drugs prescribed for them per prescription (2.66) were within rational limits, there was scope for improvement in generic (21%) and essential drugs (18%), antibiotics (9.6%) and injections (10.97%).

Conclusions:  Morbidity and mortality during the antenatal period occur due to different factors. Regular drug‐utilization studies following the guidelines of the World Health Organization and information, education and communication factors related to drug use by pregnant women can be improved.
Effect of pre‐amniocentesis counseling on maternal pain and anxiety
Authors: Balci Osman , Acar Ali , Mahmoud Alaa S. , Colakoglu Mehmet Cengiz
Published: August 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of anticipated and perceived pain and anxiety in expectant mothers at the times of pre‐counseling, post‐counseling, and post‐amniocentesis and to investigate the effect of pre‐amniocentesis counseling on the level of pain and anxiety.

Materials and Methods:  This prospective study was carried out on 240 women with singleton pregnancies at mid‐trimester. The maternal pain and anxiety levels associated with the procedure were evaluated using the visual analogue scale. Perceived pain and anxiety were assessed before and after counseling the pregnant woman about amniocentesis, and after amniocentesis.

Results:  Median anticipated pain levels before (pain 1) and after pre‐procedure counseling (pain 2) were 5 and 4, respectively. The actual pain after the procedure (pain 3) was 3. Median levels of anxiety felt by the patients before (anxiety 1) and after pre‐procedure counseling (anxiety 2) were 6 and 3, respectively, while the median anxiety after the procedure (anxiety 3) was 5. For the pain and anxiety measurements, the results for each of the comparison times were significantly different from the results for the other two comparison times (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Adequate pre‐amniocentesis counseling effectively reduces the actual level of pain and anxiety felt by the mother undergoing mid‐trimester amniocentesis.
Prevalence and risk factors of lower genital tract infections among women in Beijing, China
Authors: Caiyan Xu , Weiyuan Zhang , Minghui Wu , Songwen Zhang
Published: August 2011

Aim:  The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of common female lower genital tract infections (LGTIs) among married women in Beijing.

Material & Methods:  A community‐based, cross‐sectional survey was conducted among married women aged 25–54 years. All subjects were interviewed, followed by gynecological examination and laboratory tests.

Results:  A total of 6339 women were enrolled. The prevalence of LGTIs was 11.4%, including 8.7% bacterial vaginosis, 1.0% trichomoniasis and 1.7% candidiasis. Three factors were associated with the increased likelihood of LGTIs: age of 30–49 years (odds ratio (OR), 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.046–1.840), a high number of sexual partners (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.911–2.173), and failure to use a condom (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.434–2.065). Bacterial vaginosis was significantly associated with the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and high‐risk human papillomavirus infection.

Conclusions:  Improving women's living standards and knowledge regarding reproductive health issues can help decrease the incidence of LGTIs and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
Body mass index and survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Suh Dong Hoon , Kim Hee Seung , Chung Hyun Hoon , Kim Jae Weon , Park Noh Hyun , Song Yong Sang , Kang Soon‐Beom
Published: August 2011

Aim:  There is controversy regarding the effect of obesity on the treatment and survival of ovarian cancer. This study examined the impact of obesity on the treatment and survival outcomes of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods:  The medical records of patients undergoing surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) between January 2000 and February 2010 were reviewed. Patient demographics, surgical outcomes, clinicopathological factors and survival were evaluated and compared according to the body mass index (BMI). The Asian BMI criteria for Koreans were used.

Results:  Of a total of 486 patients identified, 31 (6.4%) were underweight (BMI < 18.5), 224 (46.1%) were normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23), 179 (36.8%) were overweight (23 ≤ BMI < 27.5) and 52 (10.3%) were obese (27.5 ≥ BMI). All surgical outcome parameters except for wound problems failed to show a significant association with BMI. Similarly, there were no differences in the stage, recurrence rate, pathological features or chemotherapy characteristics, including platinum resistance rates, between the BMI groups. However, overweight and obese patients were significantly older than the underweight and normal body weight patients (P < 0.01). A history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus were more common in these overweight and obese patients (P < 0.01 for both). There were no differences in progression free survival (P > 0.05) or overall survival (P > 0.05) according to the BMI. No difference in progression free survival (P > 0.05) or overall survival (P > 0.05) could be found, even in the subcohort of stages III and IV.

Conclusion:  Obesity itself does not affect the surgical and clinicopathological outcomes or even survival in EOC patients.
Day case stapled anopexy for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucosal prolapse
Authors: Hidalgo Grau L. A. , Heredia Budó A. , Llorca Cardeñosa S. , Carbonell Roure J. , Estrada Ferrer O. , García Torralbo E. , Suñol Sala X.
Published: August 2011

Aim  Stapled anopexy (SA) gives better early postoperative results than classical haemorrhoidectomy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that SA is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucose prolapse in a day‐case surgery programme.

Method  From January 2000 to December 2008, 297 SA procedures were performed; 230 (77.4%) were performed in the Day Surgery Unit (DSU). Third‐ and fourth‐degree haemorrhoids, second‐degree haemorrhoids with no response to conservative treatment and several cases of rectal prolapse were included. The mean age of the patients in the series was 48.1 years (range 21–85). Preoperative preparation included phosphate enemas and antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients were operated on mainly under spinal anaesthesia. Day‐case rate, postoperative pain (measured by a visual analogic scale, 1–10), admissions, re‐admissions, early postoperative situation and recurrence were evaluated in the study.

Results  The overall DSU rate was 78%, with a progressive increase from 46% to 99% in 2008. One hundred and eighty‐five patients (80%) had pain scores under 2; no patient had a pain score over 7. Eighteen (8%) patients required admission on the day of surgery. Late admission was needed for 3 (3%) patients. Thirty‐three patients reported their situation as excellent, 174 as good, 20 as acceptable and three as bad when they answered a phone questionnaire 24 h after surgery. Overall, 20 (9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms.

Conclusion  SA is a safe and effective procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids in the day case setting. The recurrence rate is higher than that observed in classical haemorrhoidectomy. Most patients can be managed as day‐cases.
A laparoscopic approach reduces short‐term complications and length of stay following ileocolic resection in Crohn’s disease: an analysis of outcomes from the NSQIP database
Authors: Lee Y. , Fleming F. J. , Deeb A.‐P. , Gunzler D. , Messing S. , Monson J. R. T.
Published: August 2011

Aim  Studies to date examining the impact of laparoscopy in resection for Crohn's disease on short‐term morbidity have been limited by small study populations. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the operative approach (laparoscopic or open) on outcomes after ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease.

Method  Ileocolic resections for Crohn’s disease were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2005–2009). Complications were categorized as major (organ system damage and systemic sepsis) or minor (incisional and urinary infections). Multivariate 30‐day outcomes and length of stay were determined using linear models adjusting for patient characteristics, comorbidities and operative approach.

Results  Of 1917 ileocolic resections, 644 (34%) were performed laparoscopically. At baseline, the open group was significantly older, had more comorbidities, higher American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classes, and more intra‐operative transfusions (all variables, P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, laparoscopic ileocolic resections were associated with a decrease in major (OR = 0.629, 95% CI: 0.430–0.905, P = 0.014) and minor (OR = 0.576, 95% CI: 0.405–0.804, P = 0.002) complications compared with open resections. Laparoscopy was associated with a significant reduction in adjusted length of stay compared with the open approach (−1.08 ± 0.29 days, P = 0.0002).

Conclusion  After adjusting for comorbidities and perioperative factors, such as preoperative sepsis, higher ASA class and higher transfusion rates in the open group, laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease was found to be a safer choice than the open approach, resulting in fewer complications and length of stay. All other things being equal, such patients should be offered the laparoscopic approach as a first‐choice option.
Empirical evaluation of nonpoint pollution policies under agent heterogeneity: regulating intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand*
Authors: Doole Graeme J. , Pannell David J.
Published: August 2011

Models used for policy evaluation rarely consider firm heterogeneity, despite its importance for instrument design. This study considers agent heterogeneity explicitly in the evaluation of policies for nonpoint pollution control through the integration of decomposition and calibration procedures for programming models. The application concerns the regulation of nitrate leaching from intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Failing to represent firm heterogeneity leads to widely different estimates of mitigation costs, relative to where heterogeneity is considered. Variation in baseline emissions and the slopes of abatement cost curves between firms renders a differentiated policy less costly than a uniform standard. However, the relative values of these policies are not broadly different, as firms required to do the most abatement – intensive farms with large baseline pollutant loads – can do so more cheaply, on average.
Jobless, Friendless and Broke: What Happens to Different Areas of Life Before and After Unemployment?
Authors: Powdthavee Nattavudh
Published: August 2011

Using a nationally representative longitudinal dataset of the British people, this paper explores how different areas of a person's life evolved before and after unemployment. There is evidence that unemployment is preceded, on average, by a year of dissatisfaction with one's finance and job, for both genders. Having entered unemployment, men and women reported a significant and persistent drop in satisfaction with finance and social life, which perhaps explains why there is little overall hedonic adaptation to unemployment. This paper proposes a two‐layer model to study leads and lags in life satisfaction to changes in employment status.
Longitudinal follow‐up of autism spectrum features and sensory behaviors in Angelman syndrome by deletion class
Authors: Peters Sarika U. , Horowitz Lucia , Barbieri‐Welge Rene , Taylor Julie Lounds , Hundley Rachel J.
Published: August 2011

Background:  Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability, lack of speech, and low threshold for laughter; it is considered a ‘syndromic’ form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies have indicated overlap of ASD and AS, primarily in individuals with larger (∼6 Mb) Class I deletions of chromosome 15q11‐13. Questions remain regarding whether intellectual disability solely contributes to ASD features in AS and how ASD features in AS change over time. In this study, we used a dimensional approach to examine ASD symptom severity in individuals with AS Class I versus Class II deletions within the context of cognitive development over time.

Methods:  A total of 17 participants with a larger, Class I deletion and 25 participants with a smaller Class II deletion (∼5 Mb) were enrolled (age range = 2–25 years; 5 years 5 months). Standardized measures of cognition, language, motor skills, adaptive skills, maladaptive behavior, autism, and sensory‐seeking behaviors/aversions were given at baseline and after 12 months.

Results:  Despite equivalent cognition and adaptive behavior, the results of repeated measures analyses of variance indicate that participants with Class I deletions have greater impairment in social affect (F = 8.65; p = .006) and more repetitive behaviors (F = 7.92; p = .008) compared to participants with Class II deletions. Although both groups improve in cognition over time, differences in ASD behaviors persist.

Conclusions:  Despite a lack of differences in cognition or adaptive behavior, individuals with Class I deletions have greater severity in ASD features and sensory aversions that remain over time. There are four genes (NIPA 1, NIPA 2, CYFIP1, and GCP5) missing in Class I and present in Class Il deletions, one or more of which may have a role in modifying the severity of social affect impairment, and level of restricted/repetitive behaviors in AS. Our results also suggest the utility of a dimensional, longitudinal approach to the assessment of ASD features in populations of individuals who are low functioning.
Food consumption patterns and healthy eating across the household life cycle in Hungary
Authors: Neulinger Agnes , Simon Judit
Published: August 2011

The family or household life‐cycle concept has a significant place in the consumer behaviour literature. The ideology reflects the different lifestyle, income and expenditure patterns brought about by family‐form transitions. The household life‐cycle model is accepted as a predictive tool of household expenditures; however, this predictive ability is debated.

The different life‐cycle stages may also have an affect on dietary habits and health consciousness. Several studies supported that the family form has a strong influence on children's food consumption. Some examples, which are heavily influenced by the family form and likewise the family life‐cycle stages, are fruit and vegetable intake, breakfast consumption and healthy eating in general.

The present study focuses on eating patterns and healthy eating in various stages of the household life cycle. A total of 518 questionnaires were completed in a form of face‐to‐face interviews in Hungary in November 2008, in which the respondents were analysed according to the categories of the household life cycle. Eating patterns and healthy eating were measured by nutrition awareness with statements such as choice of fast food restaurants, the characteristics of meal and the frequency of cooking from fresh ingredients.

Current results suggest that the construct of the household life‐cycle model is a valid tool to understand the food intake and healthy eating within different family forms.
The routinely forgotten routine character of domestic practices
Authors: Wahlen Stefan
Published: August 2011

In recent debates on sustainable consumption, consumer's responsibility for the outcome of consumption has been outlined. Even though (co‐)responsibilities have to be acknowledged, a general notion of responsibility is not unproblematic. Consequently, this article challenges conceptions of the responsible and thoughtful consumer. In providing a perspective on theorizing domestic consumption as social practice, the analysis of diary data encompassing a period of 20 years elucidates on the contours of routinized practices. The empirical material consists of diaries kept by a housewife during the years 1970–1990 in a mid‐sized German town. In analysing the data, distinct features such as seasonality and constancy of routines in domestic practices become apparent. In this study, it is possible to stress the longevity of the repetitive and routine character of domestic practices and provide a perspective on often unrecognized and unaware aspects in routines. Assuming that routine consumption processes are taking place as moments in domestic practices, the data analysed here illustrate interesting directions for more sustainable consumption and further developments in home economics and consumer studies.
Home economics in higher education: pre‐professional socialization
Authors: McGregor Sue L.T.
Published: August 2011

It is paramount that higher education programmes in home economics remain ever vigilant regarding how they are designed, because they socialize individuals into the profession, and deeply affect the formation of home economics professional identities, how people see themselves as a home economist and identify with the profession. This paper discusses the link between higher education home economics programmes and future‐proofing the profession through a well‐thought‐out pre‐professional socialization process. Well‐planned socialization processes better ensure a commitment to the home economics professional culture and community, and to deeply entrenched alignment with a positive home economics identity.
Major concepts and perspective of sustainability in housing content area: comparison of Home Economics textbooks of Korea and Japan
Authors: Ju Sueun , Jang Sang Ock , Yoo Taemyung
Published: August 2011

Korea and Japan have similar educational systems, and both countries base their curricula on national standards. Textbooks in both countries are published under a government‐authorized system, and the role of textbooks is very important because all students rely on the same materials. The curricula of both countries have been revised recently, and less importance has been accorded to content related to housing than to that related to other areas. The purpose of this study was to examine the content of the Korean and Japanese curricula in terms of their objectives, major concepts and perspectives with respect to the sustainability of housing by analysing the Home Economics curricula and textbooks used in the middle schools in the two countries. An in‐depth content analysis was conducted on the two textbooks that will be used in Korea in 2011 and the two textbooks that are currently being used in Japan. The sections on housing in the middle school Home Economics curricula represented two of a total of 18 units in Korea; they cover ‘Housing and Living Environments’ and ‘Use of Housing Space’. In Japan, housing‐related content is taught in one of 12 units: ‘Maintenance of Indoor Environments and Residential Lifestyles’. Major concepts included in the textbooks in both countries consist of family characteristics related to housing, housing culture, housing for sustainable development, indoor environments and housing safety. Content related to perspectives on sustainability has focussed primarily on environmental and economic components in Korea and primarily on environmental and social components in Japan. Korean textbooks have focussed on transmitting scientific knowledge and understanding major concepts, and the processes underpinning practical reasoning were introduced in the 2007 revised Home Economics curriculum. Japanese textbooks were written to solve problems and cultivate the ability to achieve fulfilment as residents.
‘Talking about my generation’: a state‐of‐the‐art review of health information for men in the andropause
Authors: Harrison Janet
Published: August 2011

The focus of this article is the availability and use of information in the UK about the male menopause or as it’s beginning to be known by the general public and health professionals, the andropause. The experiences of men suffering from the andropause today are reflective of menopausal women some 20 or 30 years ago. Ignorance and fear of the andropause condition abounds in the general public and amongst health professionals. There is a paucity of information in the literature about the symptoms and condition of the andropause. The review considers the provision and use of information available for men in the andropause in the public domain, examining both NHS and condition specific sources. The use of electronic sources is specifically reviewed, including an online forum. The use of electronic sources is indicative of other health information users. The reviewer concludes by suggesting that increased knowledge sharing is required by health professionals and the general public about the symptoms and condition of the andropause. It is recommended that men in the andropause identify a ‘champion’ to assist their cause. This will help in gaining greater recognition and understanding of the condition and attract the most appropriate treatment.
EXPERT INTERPRETATION COMPENSATES FOR REDUCED IMAGE QUALITY OF CAMERA‐DIGITIZED IMAGES REFERRED TO RADIOLOGISTS
Authors: ZWINGENBERGER ALLISON L. , BOUMA JENNIFER L. , SAUNDERS H. MARK , NODINE CALVIN F.
Published: August 2011

We compared the accuracy of five veterinary radiologists when reading 20 radiographic cases on both analog film and in camera‐digitized format. In addition, we compared the ability of five veterinary radiologists vs. 10 private practice veterinarians to interpret the analog images. Interpretation accuracy was compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Veterinary radiologists' accuracy did not significantly differ between analog vs. camera‐digitized images (P=0.13) although sensitivity was higher for analog images. Radiologists' interpretation of both digital and analog images was significantly better compared with the private veterinarians (P<0.05).
EFFECT OF DELAYED ACQUISITION TIMES ON GADOLINIUM‐ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE PRESUMABLY NORMAL CANINE BRAIN
Authors: JOSLYN STEPHEN , SULLIVAN MARTIN , NOVELLAS ROSA , BRENNAN NICOLA , CAMERON GILL , HAMMOND GAWAIN
Published: August 2011

A delay in imaging following intravenous contrast medium administration has been recommended to reduce misdiagnoses. However, the normal variation of contrast enhancement in dogs following a delay has not been characterized. Contrast‐enhanced MR imaging of 22 dogs was assessed, in terms of identification of normal anatomic structures, to investigate the variation associated with 10‐min delay between contrast medium administration and imaging. All dogs had a normal brain MR imaging study and unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid. Specific regions of interest were assessed both objectively, using computer software, and subjectively using three observers. Mean contrast enhancement >10% was seen in the pituitary gland, choroid plexus, meninges, temporal muscle, trigeminal nerve, and the trigeminal nerve root. Structures with an active blood–brain barrier had minimal contrast enhancement (<6%). Enhancing structures had significantly more contrast enhancement at t=1 min vs. t=10 min, except in temporal muscle, the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminal nerve root. Interobserver agreement was moderate to good in favor of the initial postcontrast T1‐weighted (T1w) sequence. The observers found either no difference or poor agreement in identification of the nonvascular structures. Intraobserver agreement was very good with all vascular structures and most nonvascular structures. A degree of meningeal enhancement was a consistent finding. The initial acquisition had higher enhancement characteristics and observer agreement for some structures; however, contrast‐to‐noise was comparable in the delayed phase or not significantly different. We provide baseline references and suggest that the initial T1w postcontrast sequence is preferable but not essential should a delayed postcontrast T1w sequence be performed.
ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED CERVICAL CENTESIS TO OBTAIN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID IN THE STANDING HORSE
Authors: PEASE ANTHONY , BEHAN ASHLEY , BOHART GEORGE
Published: August 2011

Horses with intracranial lesions and severe ataxia are not good anesthesia candidates; however, only one method to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the cervical region in a standing horse has been reported. This method is not performed routinely due to the difficulty for sample acquisition. Our hypothesis is that standing cervical centesis can be performed in horses without complication. Ultrasound‐guided centesis of the CSF between C1 and C2 in 11 clinically normal horses and two horses with neurologic signs were performed. Horses were sedated and ultrasound was used to identify the subarachnoid space and spinal cord between C1 and C2. With ultrasound guidance, a needle was introduced into the dorsal aspect of the subarachnoid space using a lateral approach. Ten milliliters of CSF was obtained and analyzed. Two normal horses in this study had moderate red blood cell contamination in the CSF (940 and 612 RBC/μl). One horse had 11 RBC/μl and the remaining horses had <4 RBC/μl. The total procedure time was approximately 2 min. No reaction was observed and no complications were detected up to 48 h after the procedure. Ultrasound‐guided centesis between C1 and C2 is a rapid procedure that causes minimal to no reaction in standing, sedated horses used in this study. The use of ultrasound to guide a standing C1–2 centesis of the subarachnoid space provides an additional route to obtain CSF for analysis in the equine patient.
IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS OF INTRATHORACIC HISTIOCYTIC SARCOMA IN DOGS
Authors: TSAI STEVEN , SUTHERLAND‐SMITH JAMES , BURGESS KRISTINE , RUTHAZER ROBIN , SATO AMY
Published: August 2011

In this retrospective study, two observers independently reviewed thoracic imaging studies of 39 dogs with confirmed histiocytic sarcoma. The most common findings were intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, identified by the first and second observers in 82.1% and 87.2% of dogs, respectively, and pulmonary masses (74.4% and 82.1%). Right middle lung lobe masses were significantly more common than masses in any other lung lobe (P<0.0013), with the majority having a ventral distribution. Sternal and tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy were significantly more common than cranial mediastinal lymphadenopathy (P‐values of 0.0002 and 0.012, respectively). Interobserver agreement regarding distribution of lymphadenopathy and pulmonary masses was good (κ=0.64 and 0.75, respectively). Other findings included pulmonary nodules, pleural effusion, and abnormal pulmonary patterns. In patients with CT examinations, the majority of masses were mildly to moderately enhancing and heterogeneous, poorly marginated, and bronchocentric. Lymphadenopathy and pulmonary masses are the most common intrathoracic findings in dogs with histiocytic sarcoma, and the strong predilection for the ventral aspect of the right middle lung lube may help to differentiate it from other types of neoplasia.
Thermal Effectiveness of Different IR Radiators Employed in Rheumatoid Hand Therapy as Assessed by Thermovisual Examination
Authors: Rutkowski Radosław , Straburzyńska‐Lupa Anna , Korman Paweł , Romanowski Wojciech , Gizińska Małgorzata
Published: August 2011

We conducted a thermovisual comparison of mean hand surface temperature changes upon local heating with two different IR sources. Sixty‐six patients with rheumatoid arthritis (47 women and 19 men; average age, 56.1 ± 8.6 years) were subjected to topical heat therapy for one hand with either the standard IR radiator (SIR) or the water filter IRA (wIRA). The surface temperature of the dorsal side of both hands was measured, and thermal images were taken before and up to 2 h after treatment. At 1 min after treatment, SIR application increased the surface skin temperature of the heated hand from 31.5 ± 1.9 to 35.0 ± 1.9°C (P < 0.05), while wIRA increased it from 32.1 ± 1.6 to 34.2 ± 1.1°C (P < 0.05). Constant decline in temperature was observed immediately after treatment, with the temperatures reaching baseline in about 30 and 120 min after wIRA and SIR treatment, respectively. Similar temperature changes were observed in the heated hands for wIRA and SIR, except at 1 min after treatment. Changes in the untreated hands indicated contralateral reaction. The temperature of the warmed hand showed a correlation to the body mass index.
A Blended Learning Approach to Project Risk Management: Developing Requirements and Evaluating the Student Learning Experience
Authors: Hussein. Bassam A.
Published: August 2011

The aim of this research has been to develop a project risk management lesson that is, capable to take into account practical challenges that project managers have to deal with during managing project risks. Interviews were conducted with the project managers experienced in project risk management. The list of challenges and associated tactics to deal with these challenges were mapped into ten requirements representing the intended learning outcome of the lesson. The requirements were then mapped onto the design using the four instructional methods; a briefing lecture, team-based assignment, a computer simulation, and a debriefing lecture. All these methods are linked by a real life project case, and executed in a gaming context in order to improve motivation and engagement. The uniqueness and strength of the design comes from its ability to engage the students actively in the entire risk management process. The design also provides students with ability to simulate some of the risks they have identified themselves during the team-assignment. This gave the students a feeling of ownership to risk management process during simulation.
A Freehand Vascular Designing and Modeling Tool for Surgery Simulation
Authors: Guo J. X. , Meng Q. , Li S. , Chui Y. P. , Yu S. C. H. , Heng P. A.
Published: August 2011

This paper presents an intuitive sketching tool for human-computer interactively designing and modeling the vascular structure. Our system supports freehand outlining of the initial vascular structure through a 3D user interface, which is capable of modeling tubular vessel segments as well as bifurcations. The editing capability can be used for completing partially segmented vascular information such as the topology and radius, as well as designing normal vascular structure or pathological vascular structure such as the aneurysm and stenosis for medical simulations curriculum. Our tool may also be used in the various semi-automatic initialization steps for segmentation and registration processes such as the positioning of 3D seed and land-marking of vessels on top of different modalities. The improved parallel frame approach is used for sweeping surfaces along the composed curve of vascular tree such that the vascular structure can be easily and well visualized as a tube model.
Real-Time Dynamics Simulation of Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicle for Virtual Environments
Authors: Thakur Atul , Gupta Satyandra K.
Published: August 2011

The role of virtual environments (VEs) is crucial in efficient design and operation of unmanned vehicles. VEs are extensively used in operator training for tele-operation, planning using programming by demonstration, and hardware and software designs. VE for unmanned sea surface vehicles (USSV) requires a 6 degree of freedom dynamics simulation in the time domain. In order to be interactive, the VE requires real-time performance of the underlying dynamics simulator. In general, the dynamics simulation of USSVs involves the following four main operations: (1) computation of dynamic pressure head due to fluid flow around the hull under the ocean wave, (2) computation of wet surface, (3) computing the surface integral of the dynamic pressure head over the wet surface, and (4) solving the rigid body dynamics equation. The first three operations depend upon the boat geometry complexity and need to be performed at each time step, making the simulation run very slow. In this paper, we address the problem of physics preserving model simplification for real-time potential flow based simulator for a USSV in the time domain, with an arbitrary hull geometry. This paper reports model simplification algorithms based on clustering, temporal coherence, and hardware acceleration using parallel computing on multiple cores to obtain real time simulation performance for the developed VE.
Synthesis of Deployable/Foldable Single Loop Mechanisms With Revolute Joints
Authors: Deng Zongquan , Huang Hailin , Li Bing , Liu Rongqiang
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a geometric approach for design and synthesis of deployable/foldable single loop mechanisms with pure revolute joints. The basic kinematic chains with symmetric mobility are first synthesized, and an intuitive geometric method is proposed for the mobility analysis of these kinematic chains. The deployable/foldable single loop mechanisms can be regarded as a combination of the basic kinematic chains with nontrivial mobility intersection, under this approach, the 5R to 8R single loop mechanisms with symmetric mobility are synthesized systematically. The method for determining the positions of the joint axes on polyhedral links is also proposed, so that the mechanism can be fully deployed or fully folded without suffering from physical interference. Under this framework, a class of novel deployable/foldable single loop mechanisms is developed. The computer-aided design models for typical examples are built to illustrate their feasibility.
Screw Theory Based Methodology for the Deterministic Type Synthesis of Flexure Mechanisms
Authors: Yu Jingjun , Li Shouzhong , Su Hai-jun , Culpepper M. L.
Published: August 2011

Flexure mechanism synthesis, however, is still a comparably difficult task. This paper aims at exploring a simple but systematic type synthesis methodology for general flexure mechanisms. The applied mathematical tool is reciprocal screw system theory in geometric form, and the proposed approach is an improvement of freedom and constraint topology (FACT), which is based on the FACT approach, combining with other methods including equivalent compliance mapping, set operation on building blocks, etc. As a result, it enables the type synthesis of flexure mechanisms simple, complete, and effective. What is more significant is that the proposed approach makes the unified type synthesis of both constraint-based and kinematics-based flexure mechanisms available. That is also the new contribution to the flexure de-sign.
Potential Benefits of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Consumers and Electric Power Utilities
Authors: Himelic Jim B. , Kreith Frank
Published: August 2011

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have the potential of substantially reducing petroleum consumption and vehicular CO2 emissions relative to conventional vehicles. The analysis presented in this article first ascertains the cost-effectiveness of PHEVs from the perspective of the consumer. Then, the potential effects of PHEVs to an electric utility are evaluated by analyzing a simplified hypothetical example. When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of a PHEV, the additional required premium is an important financial parameter to the consumer. An acceptable amount for the additional upfront costs will depend on the future costs of gasoline and the on-board battery pack. The need to replace the on-board battery pack during the assumed vehicle lifetime also affects the allowed premium. A simplified unit commitment and dispatch model was used to determine the costs of energy and the CO2 emissions associated with PHEVs for different charging scenarios. The results show that electricity can be used to charge PHEVs during off-peak hours without an increase in peak demand. In addition, the combined CO2 emissions from the vehicles and the electric generation facilities will be reduced, regardless of the charging strategy.
An Experimental Study of Heat Pipe Performance Using Binary Mixture Fluids That Exhibit Strong Concentration Marangoni Effects
Authors: Armijo Kenneth M. , Carey Van P.
Published: August 2011

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental investigation of the performance characteristics of a gravity/capillary driven heat pipe using water/alcohol mixtures as a working fluid. This investigation specifically explored the use of water/alcohol mixtures that exhibit strong concentration-based Marangoni effects. Experiments to determine heat pipe performance were conducted for pure water and water/alcohol solutions with increasing concentrations of alcohol. Initial tests with pure water determined the optimal working fluid charge for the heat pipe; subsequent performance tests over a wide range of heat input levels were then conducted for each working fluid at this optimum value. The results indicate that some mixtures can significantly enhance the heat transfer coefficient and heat flux capability of the heat pipe evaporator. For the best mixture tested, the maximum evaporator heat flux carried by the coolant without dryout was found to be 52% higher than the value for the same heat pipe using pure water as a coolant under comparable conditions. Peak evaporator heat flux values above 100 W/cm2 were achieved with some mixtures. Evaporator and condenser heat transfer coefficient data are presented, and the trends are examined in the context of the expected effect of the Marangoni mechanisms on heat transfer.