bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Students learning about research through the process of publishing academic papers in Qatar
Authors: Nasser Ramzi , Alkhateeb Haitham M.
Published: May 2013

This study investigates undergraduate students' experiences working with a mentor to understand research through the process of publishing scholarly manuscripts. The study is based on a 10-week educational program. Two undergraduate students were integrated into an educational mentoring process to identify and evaluate the research of various scientific manuscripts, such as literature reviews, research questions, hypotheses, and methods. The undergraduate students were exposed to the processes behind the review, research and production of manuscripts. They also worked with their mentors to review a manuscript, an activity that engaged them in the process of editorial work through the manuscript management system. The students then drew concept maps of the publishing process, pre- and post-session. These maps presented evidence of students' knowledge of the complex interactions of the players and issues in the publishing process. The students evaluated the mentoring process and demonstrated their satisfaction with the strength of the program. As a qualitative study and as a result of the study program, a blueprint of an undergraduate course in scholarly publishing was developed, and is presented in the paper.
Mobile teledermoscopy—there’s an app for that!
Authors: Börve Alexander , Terstappen Karin , Sandberg Carin , Paoli John
Published: May 2013

Background: The introduction of the smartphone with high-quality, built-in digital cameras and easy-to-install software may make it more convenient to perform teledermatology. In this study we looked at the feasibility of using a smartphone (iPhone 4®) with an installed application especially developed for teledermatology (iDoc24®) and a dermoscope (FotoFinder Handyscope®) that is customized to attach to the smartphone to be able to carry out mobile teledermoscopy.

Objectives: To study the diagnostic accuracy of this mobile teledermoscopy solution, to determine the interobserver concordance between teledermoscopists (TDs) and a dermatologist meeting the patient face-to-face (FTF), and to assess the adequacy of the TDs’ management decisions and to evaluate the image quality obtained.

Patients/Methods: During a 16-week period, patients with one or more suspicious skin lesions deemed to need a biopsy or excision were included. The smartphone app was used to send a clinical image, a dermoscopy image and relevant clinical information to a secure Internet platform (Tele-Dermis®). Two TDs assessed the incoming cases, providing a specific primary diagnosis and a management decision. They also graded the image quality. The histopathological diagnosis was used as the gold standard.

Results: Sixty-nine lesions were included. The FTF dermatologist’s diagnostic accuracy was 66.7%, which was statistically higher than TD 1 (50.7%, P=0.04) but similar to TD 2 (60.9%, P=0.52). The interobserver concordances between the FTF dermatologist and the two TDs and between the respective TDs showed moderate to substantial agreement. The TDs provided adequate management decisions for 68 (98.6%) and 69 (100%) lesions, respectively. The image quality was rated as excellent or sufficient in 94% and 84% of the cases by the respective TDs.

Conclusion: This novel mobile teledermoscopy solution may be useful as a triage tool for patients referred to dermatologists for suspicious skin lesions.
When algorithms falter: a case report of a very small melanoma excised due to the dermatoscopic “ugly duckling” sign
Authors: Inskip Mike , Magee Jill , Weedon David , Rosendahl Cliff
Published: May 2013

We present a case report of a 3.5 mm diameter superficial spreading melanoma on the upper back of a 27-year-old woman, signed out as Clark level 2, Breslow thickness 0.2 mm with regression to 0.45 mm. The patient, with Fitzpatrick type 1 skin and minimal actinic damage, had presented for a routine skin check with no previous history of skin cancers. At the age of 17 she had received chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Ewing’s sarcoma of the right hip with pulmonary metastases. The skin lesion was assessed as dermatoscopically symmetrical and was not predicted as a melanoma by any algorithmic method. The provisional diagnosis of melanoma was made on the basis that this lesion was completely different in dermatoscopic pattern to her other nevi, a dermatoscopic “ugly duckling” lesion. We draw attention to the recently established link between defects in the STAG2 gene and Ewing’s sarcoma, glioblastoma and melanoma.
“Court from Away but Marry Close to Home”
Authors: Powers Ann Marie , Tye Diane
Published: May 2013

Belonging is important in Newfoundland and Labrador but with its long history of patrilocality, where and to whom have women belonged? Here we consider how women who married into new families and communities in the Placentia Bay area of the province over a fifty year period (1943-1993) negotiated a place for themselves. The women, sometimes in complicity with their mothers-in-law, managed to create physical and social space through a variety of informal strategies, from managing gossip to creating a separate living space in their in-laws’ home. Some wives eventually developed a sense of belonging while others were never able to shake off their status as strangers and always felt like outsiders.
Filmer les pratiques de soin dans la consultation médicale en acupuncture
Authors: Remillet Gilles
Published: May 2013

Dans la consultation d’acupuncture, les aiguilles remplacent les médicaments du médecin allopathe. Ainsi, le traitement n’est pas différé, mais s’effectue plutôt sur-le-champ. Dans ces conditions, quelle est la place accordée au corps, à la parole du malade et à ses émotions dans la construction de « sa maladie » ? Quels en sont les impacts pour sa prise en charge thérapeutique ? Cette médecine propose-t-elle un autre modèle de mise en récit des maux et de la maladie ? Au-delà des résultats mêmes de l’étude, cet article tente d’évaluer l’impact du dispositif filmique comme mode de connaissance anthropologique ainsi que les possibilités heuristiques qu’offre le film pour une anthropologie des pratiques thérapeutiques en situation clinique. Nous essaierons ainsi d’aller plus loin dans ce domaine de l’anthropologie visuelle, encore peu exploré.
Le Rara de Léogâne
Authors: Dautruche Joseph Ronald
Published: May 2013

Le Rara de Léogâne, une pratique rituelle des collectivités haïtiennes, a fait l’objet de plusieurs réaménagements au fil des évolutions sociétales. Les événements composés de musiques, de danses et de processus ritualisés sont organisés en bande et dirigés par des chefs. Ce sont eux qui, les premiers, ont changé l’image de cette pratique hautement culturelle à l’occasion du premier festival de Rara, qui a eu lieu en 1992. L’étude de leurs communications avec les médias lors de ce premier événement centralisateur démontre une médiation culturelle auprès du public qui a été appuyée par l’ensemble des acteurs de la gouvernance sociale, la mairie, la députation et le ministère de la Culture. L’auteur, dans cet article, se questionne sur les processus qui ont fait du Rara un patrimoine identitaire territorial et met en lumière l’importance de la potentialité touristique de l’événement, qui s’impose en tant que ressource de développement dans une zone ravagée par des confrontations humaines et des catastrophes naturelles répétées.
“Our Brommtopp is of Our Own Design”
Authors: Fehr Marcie , Greenhill Pauline
Published: May 2013

In the past and to some extent the present, various Euro North American and other cultural groups marked the period from Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night with rowdy, disguised, playful/ludic or carnivalesque behaviour that mainstream Euro North Americans associate more with Halloween than with this holiday season. Many such customs, termed the “informal house visit” involve a group (usually young men) who perambulate from one location to another within a community. They include performative aspects–often dancing and singing–as well as the expectation of a reward--usually food and/or drink--and some sociability with the visited household members. A seasonal custom performed by young men, almost always on New Year’s Eve, in rural Manitoba Mennonite villages where the church tolerated it, Brommtopp is named after the musical instrument used during the performance. Traditionally a group of some dozen teenaged boys and young married men would drive and/or walk from house to house within their own village and sometimes beyond. At each residence, the group would sing the traditional song which generally asked for money in return for good wishes. We examine the sociohistorical surround of the practice and its past and current racialised and postcolonial implications.
“You Have to Strike That Balance Between Sharing and Charging”
Authors: Hayes Ian
Published: May 2013

This article will discuss the concept of musical ownership and copyright in the Cape Breton fiddling tradition. Intellectual property rights have become an increasingly important issue in recent years and represent an intersection between the commercial music industry and vernacular tradition. As such, the way boundaries are constructed in regard to repertoire and ownership is subject to debate. On one hand, some discourses favor the rights of the individual, arguing that intellectual property should be protected, acknowledged and subject to financial compensation. Other perspectives favor the rights and needs of the community, valuing free exchange.
Conteúdo digital interativo para tablets-iPad: uma forma híbrida de conteúdo digital
Authors: Paulino Rita de Cássia Romeiro
Published: May 2013

Convivemos atualmente com um novo meio para transferir informações, os tablets. Esses equipamentos concentram possibilidades de mesclar os recursos de visualização de mídia impressa com o lado interativo da mídia online. É uma nova mídia que começa a ser explorada não só pela área da comunicação e tecnologia, mas também pela área da educação. As possibilidades de apresentar um conteúdo didático interativo são inimagináveis, de tal modo que o conteúdo possa se apresentar de forma lúdica e com fácil assimilação. Tais possibilidades interativas configuram, segundo uma abordagem sistêmica, um sistema sociotecnológico. A possibilidade do toque e movimentos na tela do iPad ou do tablet estimula a interação com o conteúdo midiático (texto, fotos, áudio, vídeos, animações, infográficos e mapas) e proporciona ao leitor diversos caminhos na construção de uma narrativa única. Este artigo pretende situar as revistas digitais para tablets e suas lexias interativas2 como um sistema social e interativo, não tecnocêntrico, segundo as teorias do modelo CESM, de Mario Bunge (2004).
Ene‐Carbonyl Reductive Coupling Mediated by Zinc and Ammonia for the Synthesis of γ‐Hydroxybutyric Acid Derivatives
Authors: Yeh Chien‐Hung , Korivi Rajendra Prasad , Cheng Chien‐Hong
Published: May 2013

The reductive coupling of an aryl carbonyl group with an activated alkene to give the corresponding γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) derivative was achieved in the presence of zinc and ammonia. A board scope of GHBA derivatives could be synthesized under ambient conditions by this method. A mechanism involving a Zn‐ketyl radical as the key intermediate is proposed.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Cycloisomerization of 1,6‐Ene‐ynamides
Authors: Nishimura Takahiro , Takiguchi Yuka , Maeda Yuko , Hayashi Tamio
Published: May 2013

The rhodium‐catalyzed asymmetric cycloisomerization of heteroatom‐bridged 1,6‐ene‐ynamides proceeded to give high yields of functionalized 3‐aza‐ and oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptene derivatives with high enantioselectivity, which was achieved by use of a rhodium/chiral diene catalyst. The 1,6‐ene‐ynamides substituted with 2‐oxazolidinone and 2‐azetidinone moieties at the alkyne terminus were found to display high reactivity towards the rhodium/chiral diene catalyst, where the chelate coordination of the alkyne moiety and the carbonyl oxygen of the ene‐ynamides might be responsible for the high catalytic activity.
Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Amino‐γ‐sulfonyl Phosphonates with a Tetrasubstituted Chiral α‐Carbon via Quinine‐Squaramide‐Catalyzed Michael Addition of Nitrophosphonates to Vinyl Sulfones
Authors: Bera Kalisankar , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: May 2013

α‐Nitro‐γ‐sulfonyl phosphonates with a key tetrasubstituted chiral α‐carbon center have been synthesized for the first time in high yield and enantioselectivity through a quinine‐squaramide‐catalyzed conjugate addition of α‐nitro phosphonates to aryl vinyl sulfones. Representative examples presented here for the transformation of nitrosulfonyl phosphonates to aminosulfonyl phosphonates, alkylation at the α‐position of the sulfonyl group followed by desulfonation and scale‐up of the conjugate addition highlight the practical applications of the methodology.
Enhancing the stability of immobilized catalase on activated carbon with gelatin encapsulation
Authors: Wang Yulin , Guan Yuepeng , Yang Yin , Yu Peng , Huang Yaqin
Published: May 2013

Gelatin (Gel) encapsulation onto activated carbon (AC) with catalase (CAT) was developed as an alternative method for CAT immobilization in this study. The immobilized CAT with AC encapsulated by Gel as the supporter accounted for 65.69% of the native enzyme activity. Furthermore, the properties of the immobilized CATs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Among free CAT and the two immobilized CATs, the immobilized CAT with AC encapsulated by Gel as the supporter showed the highest relative enzymatic activity and a high stability in a broad range of pH values and temperatures, and its residual activity was 80% after 15 uses, whereas the immobilized CAT with AC as the supporter was retained at a level of only 50% under the same conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1498–1502, 2013
Outcome of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Thein Mya S. , Ershler William B. , Jemal Ahmedin , Yates Jerome W. , Baer Maria R.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the common form of acute leukemia in adults, accounting for over 80% of all acute leukemias in individuals aged >18 years. Overall 5‐year survival remains poor in older AML patients; it is <5% in patients aged >65 years. In this study, the authors examined whether survival has improved for subsets of geriatric AML patients over 3 successive decades.

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data were used to determine trends in relative survival by age among 19,000 patients with AML over 3 successive decades (1977‐1986, 1987‐1996, and 1997‐2006). Relative survival rates (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as measures of survival.

RESULTS

Overall, the RRs increased for each successive decade (1977‐1986, 1987‐1996, and 1997‐2006) in patients ages 65 to 74 years, with improvements in 12‐month survival from 20%, to 25%, to 30%, respectively. Findings were similar for 24‐month, 36‐month, 48‐month, and 60‐month survival. However, survival rates did not improve in patients aged ≥75 years. The oldest old patients (aged ≥85 years) had the lowest survival rates, with no apparent improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of a large data set demonstrated that, although overall survival remained unsatisfactory among older patients, it improved in the younger old (ages 65‐74 years). Survival of older old AML patients has not been favorably impacted by available AML therapies or supportive care, and intervention in this age group is best undertaken on a clinical trial. Cancer 2013;119:2720–2727. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Results of inotuzumab ozogamicin, a CD22 monoclonal antibody, in refractory and relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Thomas Deborah , Jorgensen Jeffrey , Kebriaei Partow , Jabbour Elias , Rytting Michael , York Sergernne , Ravandi Farhad , Garris Rebecca , Kwari Monica , Faderl Stefan , Cortes Jorge , Champlin Richard , O'Brien Susan
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

CD22 expression occurs in >90% of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Inotuzumab ozogamicin, a CD22 monoclonal antibody bound to calicheamicin, is active in ALL.

METHODS

Patients with refractory‐relapsed ALL received treatment with inotuzumab. The first 49 patients received single‐dose, intravenous inotuzumab at doses of 1.3 to 1.8 mg/m2 every 3 to 4 weeks. In the next 41 patients, the schedule was modified to inotuzumab weekly at a dose of 0.8 mg/m2 on day 1 and at a dose of 0.5 mg/m2 on days 8 and 15, every 3 to 4 weeks, based on higher in vitro efficacy with more frequent exposure.

RESULTS

Ninety patients were treated; 68% were in salvage 2 or beyond. Overall, 17 patients (19%) achieved a complete response (CR), 27 (30%) had a CR with no platelet recovery (CRp), and 8 (9%) had a bone marrow CR (no recovery of counts), for an overall response rate of 58%. Response rates were similar for single‐dose and weekly dose inotuzumab (57% vs 59%, respectively). The median survival was 6.2 months overall, 5.0 months with the single‐dose schedule, and 7.3 months with the weekly dose schedule. The median survival was 9.2 months for patients in salvage 1 (37% at 1 year), 4.3 months for patients in salvage 2, and 6.6 months for patients in salvage 3 or later. The median remission duration was 7 months. Reversible bilirubin elevation, fever, and hypotension were observed less frequently on the weekly dose. In total, 36 of 90 patients (40%) underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Veno‐occlusive disease was noted in 6 of 36 patients after stem cell transplantation (17%), was less frequent after the weekly schedule (7%), and with less alkylators in the preparative regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

Inotuzumab single‐agent therapy was highly active, safe, and convenient in patients with refractory‐relapsed ALL. A weekly dose schedule appeared to be equally effective and less toxic than a single‐dose schedule. Cancer 2013;119:2728–2736. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Electronically controlled oscillator with linear frequency adjusting for four‐phase or differential quadrature output signal generation
Authors: Sotner Roman , Herencsar Norbert , Jerabek Jan , Koton Jaroslav , Dostal Tomas , Vrba Kamil
Published: May 2013

This paper introduces novel four‐phase oscillator employing two Dual‐Output Controlled Gain Current Follower Buffered Amplifiers (DO‐CG‐CFBAs), single Current Amplifier, three resistors, and two grounded capacitors suitable for differential quadrature signal production (floating outputs). To control the frequency of oscillation (FO) and condition of oscillation (CO), only the current gain adjustment of active elements is used. The circuit was designed by well‐known state variable approach. The oscillator employs three active elements for linear control of FO and to adjust CO and provides low‐impedance voltage outputs. Furthermore, two straightforward ways of automatic amplitude gain control were used and compared. Active elements with very good performance are implemented to fulfill required features. Suitable CMOS implementation of introduced DO‐CG‐CFBA was shown. Important characteristics of the designed oscillator were verified experimentally and by PSpice simulations to confirm theoretical and expected presumptions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the non‐conjugacy of nightside aurora and their generator mechanisms
Authors: Reistad J. P. , Østgaard N. , Laundal K. M. , Oksavik K.
Published: May 2013

We have investigated a data set of 19 h of simultaneous global conjugate auroral imaging from space. The data set consists of 10 sequences with durations from 1 to 5 h during active geomagnetic conditions (average AE ∼ 400 nT). We have identified 15 features (including two presented earlier) of auroral forms that appear mainly in one hemisphere, and we define this as non‐conjugate aurora. Three generator mechanisms has been suggested for producing interhemispheric currents and non‐conjugate aurora: (1) Hemispherical differences in solar wind dynamo efficiency due to interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bx and dipole tilt angle leading to asymmetric region 1 currents in the two polar hemispheres, (2) interhemispheric currents induced by the penetration of IMF By into the closed nightside magnetosphere, and (3) hemispheric differences in ionospheric conductivity controlled by the dipole tilt angle inducing interhemispheric currents on closed field‐lines. We want to find out if our observations are consistent with these mechanisms. Our analysis shows that five features were consistent with the IMF By penetration mechanism, seven features consistent with the solar wind dynamo mechanism, three features consistent with the conductivity mechanism, and two features could not be explained by any of the three suggested mechanisms. Because two features were consistent with two different mechanisms, the numbers add up to 17 although the total number of features is 15. The analysis also shows the expected correlation between the magnitude of the longitudinal shift of conjugate points, ΔMLT, and the occurrence of non‐conjugate aurora consistent with the By mechanism.
Vessel‐encoded arterial spin labeling (VE‐ASL) reveals elevated flow territory asymmetry in older adults with substandard verbal memory performance
Authors: Donahue Manus J. , Hussey Erin , Rane Swati , Wilson Tracy , van Osch Matthias , Hartkamp Nolan , Hendrikse Jeroen , Ally Brandon A.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To evaluate how flow territory asymmetry and/or the distribution of blood through collateral pathways may adversely affect the brain's ability to respond to age‐related changes in brain function. These patterns have been investigated in cerebrovascular disease; however, here we evaluated how flow‐territory asymmetry related to memory generally in older adults.

Materials and Methods

A multi‐faceted MRI protocol, including vessel‐encoded arterial spin labeling capable of flow territory mapping, was applied to assess how flow territory asymmetry; memory performance (CERAD‐Immediate Recall); cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF), white matter lesion (WML) count, and cortical gray matter volume were related in older healthy control volunteers (HC; n = 15; age = 64.5 ± 7 years) and age‐matched mild cognitive impairment volunteers (MCI; n = 7; age = 62.7 ± 3.7 years).

Results

An inverse relationship was found between memory performance and flow territory asymmetry in HC volunteers (P = 0.04), which reversed in MCI volunteers (P = 0.04). No relationship was found between memory performance and cortical tissue volume in either group (P > 0.05). Group‐level differences for HC volunteers performing above versus below average on CERAD‐I were observed for flow territory asymmetry (P < 0.02) and cortical volume (P < 0.05) only.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that flow territory asymmetry may correlate more sensitively with memory performance than CBF, atrophy and WML count in older adults. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:377–386. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Presence of a hypovascular hepatic nodule showing hypointensity on hepatocyte‐phase image is a risk factor for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Ichikawa Tomoaki , Motosugi Utaroh , Sano Katsuhiro , Morisaka Hiroyuki , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Matsuda Masanori , Fujii Hideki , Araki Tsutomu
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To determine whether the presence of a hypovascular nodule in the liver showing hypointensity on hepatocyte‐phase of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB‐MRI) is a risk factor for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐one patients with pathologically confirmed hypervascular HCC and 41 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were retrospectively selected. These patients had undergone EOB‐MRI at least twice: the latest EOB‐MRI and EOB‐MRI performed more than 6 months earlier. History of hypervascular HCC, presence of a hypointense hypovascular nodule in previous hepatocyte‐phase MR images, percent prothrombin time, platelet count, serum levels of albumin, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, α‐fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence‐II (PIVKA‐II) were variables evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that serum albumin level (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.19 [0.06–0.57]; P = 0.0024), history of hypervascular HCC (8.62 [2.71–32.8]; P = 0.0001), and presence of a hypointense hypovascular nodule (4.18 [1.18–17.2]; P = 0.0256) were significant risk factors for hypervascular HCC.

Conclusion

Patients with chronic liver disease showing a hypointense hypovascular nodule in the liver on hepatocyte‐phase EOB‐MRI have a high risk of HCC development. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:293–297. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on a biomimetic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method for rapid determination of trace acrylamide in French fries and cracker samples
Authors: Sun Qing , Xu Longhua , Ma Yue , Qiao Xuguang , Xu Zhixiang
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Acrylamide has attracted worldwide concern due to its neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive–development toxicity. It is necessary to develop an accurate and reliable analytical method to prevent the harm on the human health.

RESULTS

In this study, a sensitive and fast analytical method of direct competitive biomimetic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (BELISA) was developed using a hydrophilic imprinted membrane as biomimetic antibody. This novel imprinted membrane was directly synthesised on the well surface of MaxiSorp polystyrene 96‐well plates in an aqueous environment, and it exhibited high binding ability and specificity toward acrylamide. Under the optimal conditions, the established BELISA method had a good sensitivity (IC50, 8.0 ± 0.4 mg L−1) and a low limit of detection (IC15, 85.0 ± 4.2 µg L−1). The blank potato samples spiked with acrylamide at three levels of 100, 250 and 500 µg L−1 were extracted and determinate by the proposed method, and good recoveries ranging from 90.0% to 110.5% were obtained. This presented method was applied to the quantitative detection of the acrylamide in French fries and cracker samples. Also, the results were correlated well with that obtained by the gas chromatography method.

CONCLUSION

With good properties of high sensitivity, simple pre‐treatment and low cost, this BELISA could be a promising screening method in food sample analysis. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Digestive recovery of sulfur‐methyl‐l‐methionine and its bioaccessibility in Kimchi cabbages using a simulated in vitro digestion model system
Authors: Lee Hae‐Rim , Cho Sun‐Duk , Lee Woon Kyu , Kim Gun‐Hee , Shim Soon‐Mi
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Sulfur‐methyl‐l‐methionine (SMM) has been known to provide various biological functions such as radical scavenging effect, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, and prevention of gastric mucosal damage. Kimchi cabbages are known to be a major food source providing SMM but its bioaccessibility has not been studied. The objective of current study was to determine both the digestive stability of SMM and the amount released from Kimchi cabbages under a simulated in vitro digestion model system.

RESULTS

The in vitro digestion model system simulating a human gastrointestinal tract was carried out for measuring digestive recovery and bioaccessibility of SMM. SMM was quantified by using high‐performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Recovery of an SMM standard after digestion was 0.68 and 0.65% for fasted and fed conditions, respectively, indicating that the digestive stability of the SMM standard was not affected by dietary energy or co‐ingested food matrix. The SMM standard was also significantly stable in acidic pH (P < 0.05). The bioaccessibility of SMM from Kimchi cabbages was measured under a fasted condition, resulted in 8.83, 14.71 and 10.88%, for salivary, gastric and small intestinal phases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results from our study suggest that SMM from Kimchi cabbages, a component of food sources, is more bioavailable than SMM by itself. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of organic, conventional and mixed cultivation practices on soil microbial community structure and nematode abundance in a cultivated onion crop
Authors: Reilly Kim , Cullen Eileen , Lola‐Luz Theodora , Stone Dorothy , Valverde Juan , Gaffney Michael , Brunton Nigel , Grant James , Griffiths Bryan S
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Responses of the soil microbial and nematode community to organic and conventional agricultural practices were studied using the Teagasc Kinsealy Systems Comparison trial as the experimental system. The trial is a long‐term field experiment which divides conventional and organic agriculture into component pest‐control and soil treatment practices. We hypothesised that management practices would affect soil ecology and used community level physiological profiles, microbial and nematode counts, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to characterise soil microbial communities in plots used for onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation.

RESULTS

Microbial activity and culturable bacterial counts were significantly higher under fully organic management. Culturable fungi, actinomycete and nematode counts showed a consistent trend towards higher numbers under fully organic management but these data were not statistically significant. No differences were found in the fungal/bacterial ratio. DGGE banding patterns and sequencing of excised bands showed clear differences between treatments. Putative onion fungal pathogens were predominantly sequenced under conventional soil treatment practices whilst putative soil suppressive bacterial species were predominantly sequenced from the organic pest‐control treatment plots.

CONCLUSION

Organic management increased microbial activity and diversity. Sequence data was indicative of differences in functional groups and warrants further investigation. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Urethral dilatation: Is there any benefit over cystoscopy and distension? A randomized trial in women with overactive bladder symptoms
Authors: Basu Maya , Khullar Vik , Duckett Jonathan
Published: May 2013

Aim

To evaluate the effect of urethral dilatation (UD) on urgency symptoms in women with overactive bladder (OAB) and voiding dysfunction.

Methods

Women with OAB symptoms and a maximum flow rate of less than 15 ml/sec on a volume voided of 200 ml were eligible for entry to the trial. Fifty women with OAB symptoms and a maximum flow rate of less than 15 ml/sec on a volume voided of over 200 ml were randomized to undergo UD plus cystoscopy or cystoscopy alone. All subjects underwent filling and voiding cystometry pre‐operatively and at 6 weeks' post‐operatively. Subjective outcomes were assessed using the Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) and King's Health Questionnaire at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months. The primary outcome measure was cure of urgency, defined using the UPS.

Results

Urgency was cured in 10/22 (45%) patients in the UD group and 5/28 (18%) in the non‐UD group at 6 weeks (Odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1–13.8, P = 0.03). Cystometric flow data were available for all patients pre‐ and post‐UD. UD was associated with a significant increase in the flow rate centile from 1.66 to 8.54 (P = 0.01). At 6 months there was no benefit from UD with 4/22 in the UD group cured of urgency and 4/28 in the non‐UD group cured (Odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 0.3–6.1, P = 0.50).

Conclusion

UD confers a significant short‐term benefit in cure of urgency over cystoscopy alone, but there is no significant benefit in symptom relief in the long term. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:283–288, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An efficient 3D implicit approach for the thermomechanical simulation of elastic–viscoplastic materials submitted to high strain rate and damage
Authors: Jeunechamps P.‐P. , Ponthot J.‐P.
Published: May 2013

This paper aims at presenting a general consistent numerical formulation able to take into account, in a coupled way, strain rate, thermal and damage effects on the behavior of materials submitted to quasistatic or dynamic loading conditions in a large deformation context. The main features of this algorithmic treatment are as follows:

A unified treatment for the analysis and implicit time integration of thermo‐elasto‐viscoplastic constitutive equations including damage that depends on the strain rate for dynamic loading conditions. This formalism enables us to use dynamic thermomechanically coupled damage laws in an implicit framework.

An implicit framework developed for time integration of the equations of motion. An efficient staggered solution procedure has been elaborated and implemented so that the inertia and heat conduction effects can be properly treated.

An operator split‐based implementation, accompanied by a unified method to analytically evaluate the consistent tangent operator for the (implicit) coupled damage–thermo‐elasto‐viscoplastic problem.

The possibility to couple any hardening law, including rate‐dependent models, with any damage model that fits into the present framework.

All the developments have been considered in the framework of an implicit finite element code adapted to large strain problems. The numerical model will be illustrated by several applications issued from the impact and metal‐forming domains. All these physical phenomena have been included into an oriented object finite element code (implemented at LTAS‐MN 2L, University of Liège, Belgium) named Metafor.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the surface reactivity of AA1050 aluminium alloy
Authors: Witkowska Malgorzata , Thompson George Edward , Hashimoto Teruo , Koroleva Elena
Published: May 2013

During processing from cast slab to thin gauge material, the AA1050 aluminium alloy proceeds through various stages of thermomechanical processing, with the conditions at each processing stage influencing the microstructure of the final coil. The reactivity of the material in defined chemical and electrochemical processes has been demonstrated as a useful method to describe variance in the microstructure and surface chemical properties of the aluminium. Various techniques have been employed to assess the reactivity of the surface, e.g. sodium hydroxide etching and open circuit potential measurements. Etching in hydrochloric acid was also carried out on samples that had been previously alkaline etched. The weight losses in both alkaline and acid solutions were measured, and the surface responses were examined and analysed using scanning electron microscopy and white light interferometry. Visible and measurable differences in the sample surfaces were observed. Finally, the novel state‐of‐the‐art technique of in‐SEM 3D electron tomography was used to characterize the near‐surface microstructure in a way that has not previously been possible for such a representative volume. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards verification of computation orchestration
Authors: Dong Jin Song , Liu Yang , Sun Jun , Zhang Xian
Published: May 2013

Recently, a promising programming model called
Orc
has been proposed to support a structured way of orchestrating distributed Web Services. Orc is intuitive because it offers concise constructors to manage concurrent communication, time-outs, priorities, failure of Web Services or communication and so forth. The semantics of Orc is precisely defined. However, there is no
automatic
verification tool available to verify critical properties against Orc programs. Our goal is to verify the orchestration programs (written in Orc language) which invoke web services to achieve certain goals. To investigate this problem and build useful tools, we explore in two directions. Firstly, we define a Timed Automata semantics for the Orc language, which we prove is semantically equivalent to the operational semantics of Orc. Consequently, Timed Automata models are systematically constructed from Orc programs. The practical implication is that existing tool supports for Timed Automata, e.g., Uppaal, can be used to simulate and model check Orc programs. An experimental tool has been implemented to automate this approach. Secondly, we start with encoding the operational semantics of Orc language in Constraint Logic Programming (CLP), which allows a systematic translation from Orc to CLP. Powerful constraint solvers like CLP are then used to prove traditional safety properties and beyond, e.g., reachability, deadlock-freeness, lower or upper bound of a time interval, etc. Counterexamples are generated when properties are not satisfied. Furthermore, the stepwise execution traces can be automatically generated as the simulation steps. The two different approaches give an insight into the verification problem of Web Service orchestration. The Timed Automata approach has its merits in visualized simulation and efficient verification supported by the well developed tools. On the other hand, the CPL approach gives better expressiveness in both modeling and verification. The two approaches complement each other, which gives a complete solution for the simulation and verification of Computation Orchestration.
Probabilistic illumination-aware filtering for Monte Carlo rendering
Authors: Doidge Ian C. , Jones Mark W.
Published: May 2013

Noise removal for Monte Carlo global illumination rendering is a well known problem, and has seen significant attention from image-based filtering methods. However, many state of the art methods breakdown in the presence of high frequency features, complex lighting and materials. In this work we present a probabilistic image based noise removal and irradiance filtering framework that preserves this high frequency detail such as hard shadows and glossy reflections, and imposes no restrictions on the characteristics of the light transport or materials. We maintain per-pixel clusters of the path traced samples and, using statistics from these clusters, derive an illumination aware filtering scheme based on the discrete Poisson probability distribution. Furthermore, we filter the incident radiance of the samples, allowing us to preserve and filter across high frequency and complex textures without limiting the effectiveness of the filter.
Early cardiovascular remodelling in Fabry disease
Authors: Costanzo Luca , Buccheri Sergio , Capranzano Piera , Di Pino Luigi , Curatolo Giuseppina , Rodolico Margherita , Leggio Stefano , Blundo Anita , Tamburino Corrado , Monte Ines
Published: May 2013

Aims

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X‐linked genetic disorder caused by the deficiency or absent activity of lysosomal α‐galactosidase A. Cardiovascular remodelling is a hallmark of FD. The present study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the cardiac, vascular and microvascular status in a population of patients with genetic mutations for FD without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods and results

This study includes subjects carrying genetic mutations for FD (Fabry disease mutation‐carrier, FDMC) without LVH (n = 19). A group of control subjects (n = 19) matched for age, sex, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors were also included. All subjects underwent echocardiography, carotid ultrasound scan, endothelial flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) assessment. When compared to the subjects in the control group, FDMC patients showed significantly lower mean values of systolic myocardial velocity (7.33 ± 1.28 vs. 10.08 ± 1.63 cm/s, p < 0.0001), longitudinal systolic strain (−18.07 ± 1.72 vs. −21.15 ± 2.22 %, p < 0.0001), significantly higher E/E’ mean values (7.15 ± 1.54 vs. 5.98 ± 1.27, p = 0.016) and intima‐media thickness mean values (0.80 ± 0.20 vs. 0.61 ± 0.19 mm, p = 0.005), significantly lower FMD (8.3 ± 4.6 vs. 12.2 ± 5.0 %, p = 0.02), more atypical capillaries and irregular NFC architecture in FDMC than control subjects (52.6 vs. 0 %, p < 0.0001; 78.9 vs. 36.8 %, p = 0.02 respectively).

Conclusions

FD progressively involves cardiac, macrovascular and microvascular systems in an early stage. These features are present even in asymptomatic mutation carriers without LVH.
Velocity of Ground Water Percolation at Indaram, Godavari Sub-Basin, India
Authors: Gupta Mohan L. , Sharma S. R.
Published: May 2013

We present values of velocity of ground water percolation (Vg) over large depth intervals, varying from shallow to deeper depths in Indaram area of Godavari sub-basin. The velocities have been estimated using available measured geothermal data. Sub-surface temperatures were measured in seven boreholes. Terrestrial heat flow values are calculated using temperature data and measured values of thermal conductivity of core samples. The results show that Vg is ~3.4 x10−7 cm/sec in the top layers (70-150 m) and decreases to ~0.04x 10−7 cm/sec in the deeper levels around 350 m depth and becomes negligibly small thereafter, thereby, indicating that the overall permeability of the sub-surface layers, due to the occurrence of successions of permeable, semi-permeable layers gets reduced to more or less zero at depths around 350 m. The value of Thermal Peclet Number, which is the ratio of the heat transfer through convection to that through conduction, naturally becomes negligible around this depth in the area. The observed consistency of the magnitude of heat flow through various deep sections is a clear indicator that water percolation is practically reduced to zero at depths around 320-400 m and that conduction is the dominant mechanism of heat transfer below the inferred depth section, while the upper layers are dominated by recharge at various depths by near surface water from streams at Indaram.
First Report of Ranikothalia Caudri from Middle Andaman Island, India and its Significance
Authors: Koley Tarun , Wanjarwadkar K. M.
Published: May 2013

Genus Ranikothalia Caudri is described for the first time from the Upper Palaeocene sediments of Middle Andaman Island. Three species R. sidensis, R. cf. nuttalli, R. cf. tobleri along with one species of Discocyclina are described here. The occurrence of Ranikothalia has great implication in understanding the stratigraphy of the island and in deciphering the palaeogeography of the area. This point to the extension of the Ranikot Sea at least up to Middle Andaman.
Hydrocarbon of Source Rocks Evaluation Study of Lokichar Basin, Northwestern Kenya
Authors: Rop B. K. , Patwardhan A. M.
Published: May 2013

The hydrocarbon potential of the sub-surface Tertiary sedimentary rock sequences of the Lokichar basin system (NW-Kenya) has been interpreted using some selective geochemical analysis of rock samples in Loperot-1 Well (denoted as LT-1 Well) for their total organic carbon (TOC) which forms the premise of this study. Understanding the sub-surface structures and depositional environments conducive for hydrocarbon generation and trapping is essential as it forms the basis for exploration. The organic matter richness and degree of thermal alteration and/or maturation are factors useful in evaluating the potential source rocks. Rock-Eval pyrolysis has been employed on selected rock samples with high TOC for quantification of data and this would help in precise identification of phases of hydrocarbon generation.
Predictors of Emotional Distress in Family Caregivers of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sander Angelle M. , Maestas Kacey Little , Clark Allison N. , Havins Whitney N.
Published: May 2013

The purpose of the current paper was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on predictors of emotional distress in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to provide evidence-based classification for prognostic variables to guide future research and clinical practice. A search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases. The citations of resulting articles were also reviewed. Twenty-eight articles met inclusion criteria and were retained for review. Reviews were conducted in accordance with the 2011 edition of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Guidelines for classifying evidence for prognostic studies. Data abstraction revealed one Class I study, four Class II studies, eight Class III studies, and 15 Class IV studies. Results of the review indicated that caregivers’ report of neurobehavioural problems in the person with injury is a probable predictor of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with complicated mild, moderate or severe TBI (Class B evidence). The level of participation in the person with injury, level of support needed by the person with injury, and family systems functioning are probably predictors of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with severe TBI (Class B evidence). Executive functioning impairment in the person with injury, pre-injury emotional distress in caregivers, caregiver age, caregivers’ use of emotion-focused coping, and social support may possibly be risk factors for caregivers’ emotional distress (Class C evidence). Recommendations for future research and implications for assessment and treatment of family caregivers are discussed.
Stagnation Point Flow of Burgers' Fluid and Mass Transfer with Chemical Reaction and Porosity
Authors: Alsaedi A. , Alsaadi F. E. , Ali S. , Hayat T.
Published: May 2013

This paper studies the influence of mass transfer in the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer stagnation point flow of Burgers' fluid over a shrinking sheet. Analysis has been carried out in the presence of first order chemical reaction. The two-dimensional flow equations are modeled and then simplified using boundary layer approach. Similarity variables are used to transform the partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The resulting system is computed using homotopy analysis method (HAM). It is noted that retardation time in Burgers' fluid enhances the magnitude of the flow. The gradient of mass transfer and surface mass transfer for various interesting parameters are also tabulated and analyzed.
Mixed Convection Flow of a Micropolar Fluid Past a Vertical Stretching Surface in a Thermally Stratified Porous Medium with Thermal Radiation
Authors: Mahmoud Mostafa A.A. , Waheed Shimaa E.
Published: May 2013

This paper is concerned with the effect of thermally stratification on the steady, two-dimensional mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid past a vertical stretching permeable surface saturated in porous medium taking into account the effect of thermal radiation. The governing system of partial differential equations describing the problem are converted into a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation. The resulting system of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations is solved numerically using the Chebyshev spectral method. The numerical results for the velocity, the micro-rotation and the temperature are displayed graphically showing the effects of various parameters like the buoyancy parameter, the radiation parameter, the stratification parameter, the permeability parameter and the suction/injection parameter. Moreover, the numerical values of the local skinfriction coefficient, the wall couple stress and the local Nusselt number for these parameters are also tabulated and discussed.
Using Fictitious Time Integration Method to Study Wave Propagation Over Arbitrary Bathymetry
Authors: Chang J.-Y. , Tsai C.-C. , Hsu T.-W.
Published: May 2013

In this study, the fictitious time integration method (FTIM) is applied to investigate wave propagation over an arbitrary bathymetry with measured uncertainty. The FTIM is used to convert the higher-order elliptic mild-slope equation (EMSE) into a FTIM like EMSE (FTIMEMSE). It has the advantage to describe wave transformation from deep water to shallow water region in a large coastal area with numerical efficiency. The validity of the noise resistance for the measured uncertainty of the bathymetry is also studied. In addition, typical examples for waves propagating over an elliptic shoal rest on a horizontal and sloping bottom is presented. It is concluded that the FTIM is robust in the numerical stability and capable of against the noise of the measurement.