bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Method of Diagnosing Constitutional Types Based on Vocal and Facial Features for Personalized Medicine
Authors: Lee Bum Ju , Ku Boncho , Park Kihyun , Kim Keun Ho , Kim Jong Yeol
Published: July 2012

The aim of the present study is to develop an accurate constitution diagnostic method based solely on the individual’s physical characteristics, irrespective of psychologic traits, characteristics of clinical medicine, and genetic factors. In this paper, we suggest a novel method for diagnosing constitutional types using only speech and face characteristics. Based on 514 subjects, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) values of classification models in age and gender groups ranged from 0.64 to 0.89. We identified significant features showing statistical differences among three constitutional types by performing statistical analysis. Also, we selected a compact and discriminative feature subset for constitution diagnosis in each age and gender group. Our method may support the direction of improved diagnosis prediction and will serve to develop a personal and automatic constitution diagnosis software for improvement of the effectiveness of prescribed medications and development of personalized medicine.
Protective Effects of Flavanol-Rich Dark Chocolate on Endothelial Function and Wave Reflection During Acute Hyperglycemia
Authors: Grassi Davide , Desideri Giovambattista , Necozione Stefano , Ruggieri Fabrizio , Blumberg Jeffrey B. , Stornello Michele , Ferri Claudio
Published: July 2012

Nitric oxide plays a pivotal role in regulating vascular tone. Different studies show endothelial function is impaired during hyperglycemia. Dark chocolate increases flow-mediated dilation in healthy and hypertensive subjects with and without glucose intolerance; however, the effect of pretreatment with dark chocolate on endothelial function and other vascular responses to hyperglycemia has not been examined. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of flavanol-rich dark chocolate administration on (1) flow-mediated dilation and wave reflections; (2) blood pressure, endothelin-1 and oxidative stress, before and after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Twelve healthy volunteers (5 males, 28.2±2.7 years) randomly received either 100 g/d dark chocolate or flavanol-free white chocolate for 3 days. After 7 days washout period, volunteers were switched to the other treatment. Flow-mediated dilation, stiffness index, reflection index, peak-to–peak time, blood pressure, endothelin-1 and 8-iso-PGF
2α
were evaluated after each treatment phase and OGTT. Compared with white chocolate, dark chocolate ingestion improved flow-mediated dilation (
P
=0.03), wave reflections, endothelin-1 and 8-iso-PGF
2α
(
P
<0.05). After white chocolate ingestion, flow-mediated dilation was reduced after OGTT from 7.88±0.68 to 6.07±0.76 (
P
=0.027), 6.74±0.51 (
P
=0.046) at 1 and 2 h after the glucose load, respectively. Similarly, after white chocolate but not after dark chocolate, wave reflections, blood pressure, and endothelin-1 and 8-iso-PGF
2α
increased after OGTT. OGTT causes acute, transient impairment of endothelial function and oxidative stress, which is attenuated by flavanol-rich dark chocolate. These results suggest cocoa flavanols may contribute to vascular health by reducing the postprandial impairment of arterial function associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Relationship Between On-Treatment Decreases in Inappropriate Versus Absolute or Indexed Left Ventricular Mass and Increases in Ejection Fraction in Hypertension
Authors: Woodiwiss Angela J. , Libhaber Carlos D. , Libhaber Elena , Sareli Pinhas , Norton Gavin R.
Published: July 2012

Although in cross-sectional studies left ventricular mass (LVM), which exceeds that predicted by workload (inappropriate LVM [LVM
inappr
]) but not absolute LVM or LVM index (LVMI), is inversely related to LV ejection fraction (EF), whether on-treatment decreases in LVM
inappr
(%observed/predicted LVM) account for increases in EF beyond LVM or LVMI is unclear. Echocardiography was performed in 168 mild-to-moderate hypertensives treated for 4 months. Although in patients with an LVMI >51 g/m
2.7
(n=112; change in LVMI, −13.7±14.0 g/m
2.7
;
P
<0.0001) but not in patients with an LVMI ≤51 g/m
2.7
(n=56; change in LVMI, 1.3±9.3 g/m
2.7
) LVMI decreased with treatment, treatment failed to increase EF in either group (1.2±10.8% and 2.7±10.7%, respectively). In contrast, in patients with inappropriate LV hypertrophy (LVM
inappr
>150%; n=33) LVM
inappr
decreased (−32±27%;
P
<0.0001) and EF increased (5.0±10.3%;
P
<0.05) after treatment, whereas in patients with an LVM
inappr
≤150% (n=135), neither LVM
inappr
(−0.5±23%) nor EF (0.9±10.3%) changed with therapy. With adjustments for circumferential LV wall stress and other confounders, whereas on-treatment decreases in LVM or LVMI were weakly related to an attenuated EF (partial
r
=0.17;
P
<0.05), on-treatment decreases in LVM
inappr
were strongly related to increases in EF even after further adjustments for LVM or LVMI (partial
r
=−0.63 [CI, −0.71 to −0.52];
P
<0.0001). In conclusion, decreases in LVM
inappr
are strongly related to on-treatment increases in EF beyond changes in LVM and LVMI. LV hypertrophy can, therefore, be viewed as a compensatory change that preserves EF, but when in excess of that predicted by stroke work, it can be viewed as a pathophysiological process accounting for a reduced EF.
Investigation of heavy metal pollution of trees in a contaminated industrial area in the north of Iran
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Armin
Published: July 2012

Phytoremediation is the technology of purging soils and water systems from heavy pollutant metals. Cadmium is one of the heavy elements, which is environmentally important due to its toxicity to humans and animals. Toxicity and accumulation of cadmium in body organs through eating contaminated food has an important role in endangering human’s health. To this end, trees of buttonwood were prepared and irrigated with nutrient solution containing cadmium chloride in 10, 15 and 20 mM for 12 months. Then the root, stem and leaf samples were harvested and the amounts of cadmium element in stem, root and leaf organs together with the growth parameters were measured. This study determined the amount of cadmium accumulated by Platanus occidentalis. Furthermore, the comparison between accumulation and transfer of cadmium in the study showed that absorption of this metal by the root is more than its amount in stem and leaf. The result of this research shows that buttonwood has the potential for cadmium accumulation without any serious damage to its growth. Regarding the extent of contaminated industrial areas, petrochemical industry, power plants and vast contaminated municipal areas, there is a great need for planting fast-growing and tolerant plants like buttonwood.
Reliability and Validity of the Acanthosis Nigricans Screening Tool for Use in Elementary School-Age Children by School Nurses
Authors: Scott Leslie K. , Hall Lynne M.
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of an acanthosis nigricans (AN) screening tool for use in elementary school-age children of different ethnic groups. Cross-sectional data were collected via observation of 288, 5- to 12-year-old school-age children. Three nurse clinicians used a 0–4 grade AN screening tool to rate each child’s level of AN independently. AN was consistently and appropriately identified in elementary school-age children from different ethnic groups. All clinicians were within one grade 98% of the time. Substantial agreement among raters was found (kappa statistic = .822, p ≤ .001), indicating similar interpretation and reproducibility of the AN screening tool. There was more consistent detection of grade four AN regardless of the children’s sex, body mass index, or ethnic group. The AN screening tool is easy to use and reliable for use with elementary school-age children of various ethnic groups.
Investigation of the Skin Sensitizing Properties of 5 Osmolytic Prodrugs in a Weight-of-Evidence Assessment, Employing In Silico, In Vivo, and Read Across Analyses
Authors: Scheel Julia , Keller Detlef
Published: July 2012

The amino acid esters ethyl glycinate (EG), dl-α-tocopheryl-(mono-)betainate hydrochloride (TMB), dl-α-tocopheryl-(mono-)glycinate hydrochloride (TMG), dl-α-tocopheryl-(mono-)prolinate hydrochloride (TMP), and dl-α-tocopheryl-(mono-)sarcosinate hydrochloride (TMS) were previously shown to exert an osmoprotective function to human skin in vitro. Based on literature data, the parent compounds α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and the amino acids glycine, betaine (trimethylated glycine), proline, and sarcosine ( N-methylated glycine) are not considered to be sensitizers. To investigate skin sensitizing properties of the esters, EG, TMG, and TMP were tested in the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA). Remaining esters were assessed by read across analysis considering structural similarities and mechanistic aspects. The LLNA results were consistent with in silico outcomes from ToxTree 2.5.0 indicative for protein binding; EG was negative; TMG and TMP were positive. Since TMB and TMS showed structural similarities to TMG and TMP and were also positive in ToxTree, it was concluded that both TMB and TMS can also be expected to have a skin sensitizing potential and therefore animal testing was waived.
Using audit information to adjust parameter estimates for data errors in clinical trials
Authors: Shepherd Bryan E , Shaw Pamela A , Dodd Lori E
Published: July 2012

Background

Audits are often performed to assess the quality of clinical trial data, but beyond detecting fraud or sloppiness, the audit data are generally ignored. In an earlier study, using data from a nonrandomized study, Shepherd and Yu developed statistical methods to incorporate audit results into study estimates and demonstrated that audit data could be used to eliminate bias.

Purpose

In this article, we examine the usefulness of audit-based error-correction methods in clinical trial settings where a continuous outcome is of primary interest.

Methods

We demonstrate the bias of multiple linear regression estimates in general settings with an outcome that may have errors and a set of covariates for which some may have errors and others, including treatment assignment, are recorded correctly for all subjects. We study this bias under different assumptions, including independence between treatment assignment, covariates, and data errors (conceivable in a double-blinded randomized trial) and independence between treatment assignment and covariates but not data errors (possible in an unblinded randomized trial). We review moment-based estimators to incorporate the audit data and propose new multiple imputation estimators. The performance of estimators is studied in simulations.

Results

When treatment is randomized and unrelated to data errors, estimates of the treatment effect using the original error-prone data (i.e., ignoring the audit results) are unbiased. In this setting, both moment and multiple imputation estimators incorporating audit data are more variable than standard analyses using the original data. In contrast, in settings where treatment is randomized but correlated with data errors and in settings where treatment is not randomized, standard treatment-effect estimates will be biased. And in all settings, parameter estimates for the original, error-prone covariates will be biased. The treatment and covariate effect estimates can be corrected by incorporating audit data using either the multiple imputation or moment-based approaches. Bias, precision, and coverage of confidence intervals improve as the audit size increases.

Limitations

The extent of bias and the performance of methods depend on the extent and nature of the error as well as the size of the audit. This study only considers methods for the linear model. Settings much different than those considered here need further study.

Conclusions

In randomized trials with continuous outcomes and treatment assignment independent of data errors, standard analyses of treatment effects will be unbiased and are recommended. However, if treatment assignment is correlated with data errors or other covariates, naive analyses may be biased. In these settings, and when covariate effects are of interest, approaches for incorporating audit results should be considered.
Metagenome analyses of corroded concrete wastewater pipe biofilms reveal a complex microbial system
Authors: Gomez-Alvarez Vicente , Revetta Randy P , Domingo Jorge W Santo
Published: July 2012

Background

Concrete corrosion of wastewater collection systems is a significant cause of deterioration and premature collapse. Failure to adequately address the deteriorating infrastructure networks threatens our environment, public health, and safety. Analysis of whole-metagenome pyrosequencing data and 16S rRNA gene clone libraries was used to determine microbial composition and functional genes associated with biomass harvested from crown (top) and invert (bottom) sections of a corroded wastewater pipe.

Results

Taxonomic and functional analysis demonstrated that approximately 90% of the total diversity was associated with the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The top (TP) and bottom pipe (BP) communities were different in composition, with some of the differences attributed to the abundance of sulfide-oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Additionally, human fecal bacteria were more abundant in the BP communities. Among the functional categories, proteins involved in sulfur and nitrogen metabolism showed the most significant differences between biofilms. There was also an enrichment of genes associated with heavy metal resistance, virulence (protein secretion systems) and stress response in the TP biofilm, while a higher number of genes related to motility and chemotaxis were identified in the BP biofilm. Both biofilms contain a high number of genes associated with resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds subsystems.

Conclusions

The function potential of wastewater biofilms was highly diverse with level of COG diversity similar to that described for soil. On the basis of the metagenomic data, some factors that may contribute to niche differentiation were pH, aerobic conditions and availability of substrate, such as nitrogen and sulfur. The results from this study will help us better understand the genetic network and functional capability of microbial members of wastewater concrete biofilms.
The effect of crystalloid versus medium molecular weight colloid solution on post-operative nausea and vomiting after ambulatory gynecological surgery - a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Hayes Ivan , Rathore Raza , Enohumah Kingsley , Mocanu Edgar , Kumar Deepak , McCaul Conan
Published: July 2012

Background

Intravenous fluid is recommended in international guidelines to improve patient post-operative symptoms, particularly nausea and vomiting. The optimum fluid regimen has not been established. This prospective, randomized, blinded study was designed to determine if administration of equivolumes of a colloid (hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4) reduced post operative nausea and vomiting in healthy volunteers undergoing ambulatory gynecologic laparoscopy surgery compared to a crystalloid solution (Hartmann’s Solution).

Methods

120 patients were randomized to receive intravenous colloid (N = 60) or crystalloid (N = 60) intra-operatively. The volume of fluid administered was calculated at 1.5 ml.kg-1per hour of fasting. Patients were interviewed to assess nausea, vomiting, anti-emetic use, dizziness, sore throat, headache and subjective general well being at 30 minutes and 2, 24 and 48 hours post operatively. Pulmonary function testing was performed on a subgroup.

Results

At 2 hours the proportion of patients experiencing nausea (38.2 %vs17.9%, P = 0.03) and the mean nausea score were increased in the colloid compared to crystalloid group respectively (1.49 ± 0.3vs0.68 ± 0.2, P = 0.028). The incidence of vomiting and anti-emetic usage was low and did not differ between the groups. Sore throat, dizziness, headache and general well being were not different between the groups. A comparable reduction on post-operative FVC and FEV-1 and PEFR was observed in both groups.

Conclusions

Intra-operative administration of colloid increased the incidence of early postoperative nausea and has no advantage over crystalloid for symptom control after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.
Probabilistic Modeling of Post-Earthquake Fire in Wellington, New Zealand
Authors: Cousins Jim , Thomas Geoff , Heron Dave , Smith Warwick
Published: July 2012

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, has both high seismic and high post-earthquake fire risk because it straddles the highly active Wellington Fault, has many closely spaced wooden buildings, and has a fragile water supply system. Repeated modeling of a Wellington Fault earthquake showed that the distribution of fire losses was much broader than that of the shaking losses, so that while fire losses were usually much smaller than the preceding shaking losses, they could occasionally be much greater than the shaking losses. Probabilistic modeling using a synthetic catalog of earthquakes gave estimates of post-earthquake fire losses in Wellington that were relatively minor for return periods up to 1,000 years, equal to the shaking losses at about a 1,400-year level, and that dominated the losses for 2,000-year and longer return periods.
Modeling and Estimating Post-Earthquake Fire Spread
Authors: Thomas Geoff , Heron David , Cousins Jim , de Róiste Mairéad
Published: July 2012

This paper describes the development of a GIS-based dynamic fire-spread model, with seven distinct modes of fire spread: direct contact, spontaneous ignition of claddings, piloted ignition of claddings, spontaneous ignition through windows, piloted ignition through broken windows, fire spread via non-fire-rated roofs and branding. All except the first two modes include in-built probabilities, but these can be selected individually and given user-defined values. Fire spread modes can be added to the model or altered to suit available building information. Critical details of buildings are obtained from an existing-buildings database, street surveys, or deduced using conditional probabilities from available data. Results show that comparison with actual fires is reasonable. The model could be extended with further development for use as a real time firefighting tool.
Cumulative Absolute Velocity (CAV) and Seismic Intensity Based on the PEER-NGA Database
Authors: Campbell Kenneth W. , Bozorgnia Yousef
Published: July 2012

Cumulative absolute velocity (CAV) has been proposed as an instrumental index to quantify the potential earthquake damage to structures. We explore this idea further by developing a relationship between the standardized version of CAV and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and modified Mercalli (MMI) instrumental seismic intensities in order to correlate standardized CAV with the qualitative descriptions of damage in the corresponding macroseismic intensity scales. Such an analysis statistically identifies the threshold values of standardized CAV associated with the onset of damage to buildings of good design and construction inherent in these scales. Based on these results, we suggest that CAV might be used to rapidly assess the potential damage to a general class of conventional structures after an earthquake. However, other ground motion or damage-related parameters might be better suited to quantifying the potential damage to structures of a specific type and size.
Seismic Reinforcement for Adobe Houses with Straps from Used Car Tires
Authors: Charleson Andrew , Blondet Marcial
Published: July 2012

After outlining introductory research on a proposed reinforcing system for adobe housing using straps cut from used car tires, the paper reports on full-scale tests. One dynamic and two static tests are described and results presented. The most significant outcome was that a single-room adobe house reinforced by tire straps successfully withstood the strong shaking that routinely collapses unreinforced adobe dwellings. The reinforced house strength, as measured during the shaking, exceeded the requirements of the Peruvian seismic code. This type of reinforced adobe can undergo large horizontal deformations without collapse. Design, construction, economic, and cultural issues are discussed prior to concluding that the proposed system can prevent collapse of adobe houses during damaging earthquakes.
Nonlinear Time-History Analysis of a Six-Story Wood Platform Frame Buildings in Vancouver, British Columbia
Authors: Ni Chun , Pei Shiling , van de Lindt John W. , Kuan Steven , Popovski Marjan
Published: July 2012

In 2009, the British Columbia Building Code was amended to increase the allowable height of wood-frame residential buildings to six stories from four stories. This paper presents the details of a numerical study undertaken to understand the seismic performance of six-story wood-frame buildings designed in accordance with the 2006 British Columbia Building Code. To investigate the seismic behavior, a four-story building was used to represent the benchmark seismic performance prior to the amendment. Two independent analyses using computer programs DRAIN-3DX and SAPWood were carried out on representative buildings located in the city of Vancouver, BC, using a suite of 20 earthquake records scaled to the design seismic hazard level for the site. The analyses showed that six-story wood-frame buildings had similar performance to four-story wood-frame buildings.
Seismic Zonation and Default Suite of Ground-Motion Records for Time-History Analysis in the North Island of New Zealand
Authors: Oyarzo-Vera Claudio A. , McVerry Graeme H. , Ingham Jason M.
Published: July 2012

A seismic zonation to be used in the selection of ground-motion records for time-history analysis of buildings in the North Island of New Zealand is presented. Both deaggregations of the probabilistic seismic hazard model and the seismological characteristics of the expected ground motions at different locations were considered in order to define the zonation. A profile of the records expected to apply within each zone according to the identified hazard scenarios is presented and suites of records are proposed for each zone, based on region-wide criteria, to be used in time-history analysis in the absence of site specific studies. A solution for structures with fundamental periods of between 0.4 and 2.0 seconds is proposed, considering a 500-year return period and two common site classes (C and D, according to the New Zealand Loadings Standard).
A Method for Estimating Spectral Displacements Using a Velocity Pulse
Authors: Pekoz Hasan Aydin , Pincheira José A.
Published: July 2012

A method for computing spectral displacements using a single velocity pulse is presented. Bilinear systems with 5% damping were studied under 101 ground motions. Near-fault ground motions with known forward-directivity effects were not included. The systems covered a wide range of vibration periods and included six strength ratios. The results showed that for periods less than or equal to the characteristic period of the ground, spectral displacements were nearly always governed by the ground velocity pulse of largest amplitude. Based on these results, it is shown that spectral displacements can be estimated using a sinusoidal acceleration pulse whose elastic input energy is equivalent to that containing the peak ground velocity. Based on pulse duration and amplitude, a simplified method is proposed to estimate inelastic spectral displacements for periods less than or equal to the characteristic period of the ground. The proposed method provides estimates of spectral displacements that are in very good agreement with those computed from the actual ground motions, and it is shown to be as good a predictor as existing proposals.
Golden Gate Bridge Response: A Study with Low-Amplitude Data from Three Earthquakes
Authors: Çelebi Mehmet
Published: July 2012

The dynamic response of the Golden Gate Bridge, located north of San Francisco, CA, has been studied previously using ambient vibration data and finite element models. Since permanent seismic instrumentation was installed in 1993, only small earthquakes that originated at distances varying between ~11 to 122 km have been recorded. Nonetheless, these records prompted this study of the response of the bridge to low amplitude shaking caused by three earthquakes. Compared to previous ambient vibration studies, the earthquake response data reveal a slightly higher fundamental frequency (shorter-period) for vertical vibration of the bridge deck center span (~7.7–8.3 s versus 8.2–10.6 s), and a much higher fundamental frequency (shorter period) for the transverse direction of the deck (~11.24–16.3 s versus ~18.2 s). In this study, it is also shown that these two periods are dominant apparent periods representing interaction between tower, cable, and deck.
A View from the Corner Bar: Sérgio Porto’s Satirical Crônicas and the Democradura
Authors: McCann Bryan
Published: July 2012

This article explores the nature and influence of the satirical journalism of Sérgio Porto, alias Stanislaw Ponte Preta, in Brazil from 1964 to 1968. Porto’s daily column in the Última Hora newspaper lampooned the Brazilian military dictatorship for its corruption, self-satisfaction, and ignorance and denounced its violence. At the same time, Porto carefully distanced himself from the radical left, appealing to a moderate popular audience. This strategy undermined the regime’s attempt to build a popular base of support and enabled Porto to avoid censorship during the early years of the regime. Porto’s death in 1968 coincided with an intensification of regime repression that made his style of moderate opposition increasingly untenable. Porto’s example inspired the more self-consciously rebellious new journalists of the subsequent stage of the dictatorship, particularly the editors of the subversive magazine O Pasquim. The article explores both the importance and the limitations of the moderate, sensual opposition delineated in Porto’s columns.
Competition and the Strategic Choices of Churches
Authors: Rennhoff Adam D , Owens Mark F
Published: July 2012

We examine how the decisions of churches are impacted by the decisions of rival churches. Using a novel dataset, we estimate a model of strategic interaction, which accounts for the location and denomination of churches. We focus on a church's decision of whether to provide a weekday child care program. Empirical evidence indicates that churches compete more strongly with same-denomination churches than with different-denomination churches. These effects diminish with distance. (JEL J13, L31, Z12)
Shopping Cost and Brand Exploration in Online Grocery
Authors: Pozzi Andrea
Published: July 2012

This paper compares consumers' brand exploration when shopping online versus in a brick-and-mortar store. I use a new scanner dataset to compare the behavior of households shopping online and in-store at the same chain, for identical items and prices. I find that brand exploration is more prevalent in-store. My model quantifies the role of features of e-commerce, like the existence of “favorites lists” and the difficulty in verifying item quality. Limited exploration online implies higher barriers to entry on the Internet channel. Counterfactual exercises suggest that online advertising could make the Internet channel more competitive. (JEL D12, L11, L81, M31, M37)
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Dixon Jill
Published: July 2012

WHAT CATALANS WANT: COULD CATALONIA BECOME EUROPE'S NEXT STATE? TONI STRUBELL (2011) Ashfield: Catalonia Press, 242 pp., ISBN 978-1-61150-009-7 (colour, pbk); 978-1-61150-011-0 (black and white, pbk), £26.
Remarques sur la transformation des épithètes nfr ḫpr(.w) dans les cartouches du nom de naissance de Thoutmosis III
Authors: Biston-Moulin Sebastien
Published: July 2012

Reconsideration of the question of recarving (or erasing) the epithet nfr ḫpr in the name of son of Re of Tuthmosis III. It was suggested that these alterations could be the work of Thutmose III himself. Several evidences from the temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak shows however that this hypothesis must be rejected. The changes have occurred after the Amarna period. Based on these observations a new hypothesis related to the close resemblance of the epithet with the praenomen of Amenhotep IV – Akhenaten is raised regarding the nature and distri-bution of these changes rather erratic in a temple or even on a single wall.
„Denn was ich Ihnen als Phantasie bezeichnet habe, das liegt seit vorgestern Morgen im Museum.“. Einige Marginalien zum Ankauf der Keilschriftkorrespondenz aus Amarna durch J. P. A. Erman
Authors: Gertzen Thomas L.
Published: July 2012

Based on the examination of the correspondence between the director of the Egyptian and Near Eastern Departments of Berlin Museums, J. P. A. Erman, with his former academic teacher, G. M. Ebers at Leipzig and the director general of Berlin Museums, R. Schöne, this paper is to discuss the background of the purchase of the diplomatic correspondence found at Tell Amarna in 1888 from the hands of the Austrian carpet-dealer T. Graf, who incidentally also was an old school friend of Ebers.
Funerary Spells at Saqqara South: Some Considerations about the Inscriptions of Anu’s Coffin (Sq20X) and their Date
Authors: Russo Barbara
Published: July 2012

This article concerns burial equipment found intact at Saqqara South in 1935. The owner, Anu, reused an annex of an Old Kingdom mastaba; his equipment included two inscribed coffins, one of which is no longer preserved. The case of this official is noteworthy, since it documents the mortuary traditions of the “spells of Nut”, derived from the Pyramid Texts and further manipulated after the end of the Old Kingdom. The detailed study of this inscription on Sq20X, Anu’s inner coffin, sheds light on the links with other Middle Kingdom sources (particularly S1C, Da1C, Da2–4X). Moreover, the archaeological, prosopographical and textual data have been integrated to propose a probable date for this official at the very end of the Eleventh or early Twelfth Dynasties.
Case-Based Ethics Education: The Impact of Cause Complexity and Outcome Favorability on Ethicality
Authors: Johnson James F. , Bagdasarov Zhanna , Connelly Shane , Harkrider Lauren , Devenport Lynn D. , Mumford Michael D. , Thiel Chase E.
Published: July 2012

Case-based learning has been used across multiple disciplines, including ethics education, as an effective instructional tool. However, the value of case-based learning in ethics education has varied widely regarding case quality. Case content may significantly impact the ability of case-based ethics education to promote knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer to future situations requiring ethical decision-making. This study examined two critical areas of ethical case content—causes and outcomes. Complexity of described causes and outcome favorability were manipulated in two ethical cases used during an ethics education course. Results suggest that including information in case studies reflecting clear, simple key causes and negative outcomes results in better ethical sensemaking and ethical decision-making. Implications regarding case content and case-based ethics education are explored.
Evaluation of the Content and Process of Informed Consent Discussions for Neonatal Research
Authors: Marc-Aurele Krishelle L. , Steinman Sara L. , Ransom Kelly M. , Finer Neil N. , Dunn Laura B.
Published: July 2012

Studies of informed consent for neonatal research suggest that there are gaps in parental understanding of key aspects of research. Few studies have examined parental understanding and investigator disclosure simultaneously. This pilot study evaluated the content and processes of 21 audio-recorded consent discussions with parents of eligible newborns, as well as parents' self-reported comprehension of research elements following these discussions. Gaps in both investigator disclosure and parental understanding were found. Nevertheless, parents reported comprehension of a greater number of research elements than were actually disclosed by investigators. Our preliminary results indicate the feasibility and potential utility of jointly examining parental understanding and investigator behavior to characterize consent for neonatal research. Directions for future research are suggested.
Study of stress, coping and psychosomatic health among would-be baccalaureate nurses
Authors: Pikó Bettina , Piczil Márta
Published: July 2012

Stress is a risk factor that may endanger our quality of life and health. Certain occupational groups are particularly concerned, such as health care workers. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the stress load and coping strategies of nurses as well as their psychosomatic health. Method: The questionnaire survey was performed at the University of Szeged. The sample consisted of 208 nursing students (136 part-time and 72 full-time students). The self-completed questionnaire included items of psychosomatic symptoms, coping strategies and stress load. Results: Persons characterized by high level of stress and more frequent psychosomatic symptoms tended to use inadaptive ways of coping more often; whereas those with a relatively lower stress level and fewer symptoms were not characterized by a more frequent use of active ways of coping but instead a lack of the inadaptive coping strategies. Conclusions: The authors concluded that vulnerability of the would-be baccalaureate nurses in this sample was especially high because they even used less effectively the ways of coping that otherwise aimed at both problem solving and maintaining their own health. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1225–1233.
A Facile Method to Synthesis Hollow Silica Ellipsoids and Their Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Henan , Akins Daniel L.
Published: July 2012

We have utilized wet-chemical etching of ellipsoidal silica nanoparticles to form silica nanoshells of a range of elliptical morphologies. The thicknesses of the silica ellipsoidal nanoshells are controlled through variation of synthesis conditions. A mechanism has been proposed to explain how the nanoshells are formed, and we have demonstrated that the porosity of the silica ellipsoid plays a role in the dissolution-regrowth process. We have also, via appropriate functionalization of the silica surface, coated the ellipsoidal nanoshells with Au nanoparticles.
Thin Film Composite Heterostructures of Oxide Multicomponent Perovskites for Electronics
Authors: Endo Kazuhiro , Badica Petre , Arisawa Shunichi , Kezuka Hiroshi , Nanto Hidehito , Ikenaga Noriaki , Seto Masahiro , Saito Hiroshi , Endo Tamio
Published: July 2012

Oxide materials for electronics show recently significant progress. Among the most interesting are oxide composite heterostructures made of thin films. They are taking advantage of integration, anisotropy and synergetic concepts leading to new types of devices and functionalities. Remarkable is that, in the last few years, new devices and artificial materials showing new phenomena were demonstrated. At the same time, their synthesis, processing or fabrication is very often by complex, sophisticated, and, hence, by expensive methods. For further industrial implementation, deep understanding of the growth principles and concepts is required. On a higher level, understanding of the bi-directional relationship between the general and particular principles becomes important and deserves much attention. The immediate benefit is that knowledge on growth for one material can be transferred to another one. This may lead for search of less expensive but optimum technological approaches and can also lead to generation of new materials and devices. In our work we have analyzed the relationship between the particular and general growth principles for some oxide multicomponent perovskites. Materials used in our examples are Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and YBa2Cu3O7, (Ca, Sr)CuO2, (Ca, Ba)CuO2 and Bi4Ti3O12. Presented thin films or heterostructures are with c-axis and non-c-axis orientations. We discuss and we review based on our results film-substrate lattice relationships, principles to control the growth mechanism, the morphology/roughness, the uniformity, and the stability domain and inter diffusion aspects.
Formation of Nanoparticles of Organic Molecules by Liquid Laser Ablation
Authors: Akimoto Ikuko , Ohata Masahiro , Ozaki Nobuhiko , Ping Gu
Published: July 2012

We carried out laser ablation of three organic molecules, rubrene (Rb), Oralith Brilliant Pink R (BP) and quinacridonequinone (QQ) in a poor solvent, water. As a result, nanoparticles of BP and QQ were formed, but those of Rb were not formed because of photodissociation. For a rigid molecule, QQ, optical properties of colloidal solutions were investigated in relation to the size of the included nanoparticles. A linear correlation between the blue shift of the absorption peak energy and the decrease in the diameter of the nanoparticles was found, indicating that the nanoparticle diameter can be easily estimated from the absorption spectrum of a colloidal solution. From the solution, a nanoparticle film was fabricated on an electrode by the electrophoretic deposition method.
Parents' Perspectives of Cleft Lip and/or Palate Services: A Qualitative Interview
Authors: Nelson Pauline A. , Kirk Susan A.
Published: July 2012

The study aimed to explore in depth the perspectives of parents about their child's cleft services. Purposive and theoretical sampling produced a diverse sample of mothers and fathers with children aged 20 weeks to 21 years. Parents were recruited from a specialist cleft center in the U.K. Qualitative, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were carried out with 35 parents. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory to identify salient data categories. Findings revealed that parents' positive views about services rested on their perceptions of cleft-care practitioners as competent and trustworthy, possessing highly developed communication skills and the ability to provide continuity of care to families. At the same time, some mothers and fathers identified unmet support needs relating to information delivery and content as well as the coordination of services across the treatment course. More individualized information about treatment was desired; in particular, some parents had incomplete information about their child's surgical procedures, associated risks, and postsurgical recovery. Parents wanted better coordination of services with regard to communication about surgical cancellations, a child's transition to adult services, and having a key professional to link with throughout their child's treatment course. Routine assessments to gauge parents' needs could be built into cleft-care pathways so that more individualized information and support might be delivered to families in more consistent ways over long-term treatment.
Variability in winter climate and winter extremes reduces population growth of an alpine butterfly
Authors: Roland Jens , Matter Stephen F.
Published: July 2012

We examined the long‐term, 15‐year pattern of population change in a network of 21 Rocky Mountain populations of Parnassius smintheus butterflies in response to climatic variation. We found that winter values of the broadscale climate variable, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index, were a strong predictor of annual population growth, much more so than were endogenous biotic factors related to population density. The relationship between PDO and population growth was nonlinear. Populations declined in years with extreme winter PDO values, when there were either extremely warm or extremely cold sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific relative to that in the western Pacific. Results suggest that more variable winters, and more frequent extremely cold or warm winters, will result in more frequent decline of these populations, a pattern exacerbated by the trend for increasingly variable winters seen over the past century.
Influence of serotype, cell type, tissue composition, and time after inoculation on gene expression in recombinant adeno-associated viral vector–transduced equine joint tissues
Authors: Mason Jeffrey B. , Vandenberghe Luk H. , Xiao Ru , Wilson James M. , Richardson Dean W.
Published: July 2012

Objective—To evaluate transduction efficiency of gene therapy for treatment of osteoarthritis in horses.

Sample—Cartilage and synovial tissues were aseptically collected from the stifle joints of 3 Thoroughbreds; horses were 3, 7, and 12 years old and free from sepsis and long-term drug treatment and were euthanized for reasons unrelated to joint disease.

Procedures—Gene transfer experiments were performed with 8 recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) serotypes in monolayer-cultured equine chondrocytes, synovial cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells and in cartilage and synovial tissues.

Results—Serotypes rAAV2/5 and rAAV2/2 yielded the highest transduction efficiency in cultured cells 6 days after transduction. Synovial cells and mesenchymal stromal cells were more readily transduced than were chondrocytes. Serotype rAAV2/6.2 yielded the highest rate of gene expression in both cartilage and synovial tissues at 6 days after inoculation. However, at 30 and 60 days after inoculation, gene expression of serotypes rAAV2/2 and rAAV2/5 surpassed that of rAAV2/6.2 and all other serotypes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Maximally expressing serotypes changed between 6 and 30 days in tissues; however, the most efficient serotypes for transduction of joint cells over time were also the most efficient serotypes for transduction of joint tissues. In addition, the low transduction efficiency of articular cartilage tissue was paralleled by a low transduction efficiency of isolated chondrocytes. This suggested that the typically low transduction efficiency of articular cartilage may be attributable in part to the low transduction efficiency of the chondrocytes and not solely a result of the dense cartilage matrix.
Development of a quantitative multivariable radiographic method to evaluate anatomic changes associated with laminitis in the forefeet of donkeys
Authors: Collins Simon N. , Dyson Sue J. , Murray Rachel C. , Newton J. Richard , Burden Faith , Trawford Andrew F.
Published: July 2012

Objective—To establish and validate an objective method of radiographic diagnosis of anatomic changes in laminitic forefeet of donkeys on the basis of data from a comprehensive series of radiographic measurements.

Animals—85 donkeys with and 85 without forelimb laminitis for baseline data determination; a cohort of 44 donkeys with and 18 without forelimb laminitis was used for validation analyses.

Procedures—For each donkey, lateromedial radiographic views of 1 weight-bearing forelimb were obtained; images from 11 laminitic and 2 nonlaminitic donkeys were excluded (motion artifact) from baseline data determination. Data from an a priori selection of 19 measurements of anatomic features of laminitic and nonlaminitic donkey feet were analyzed by use of a novel application of multivariate statistical techniques. The resultant diagnostic models were validated in a blinded manner with data from the separate cohort of laminitic and nonlaminitic donkeys.

Results—Data were modeled, and robust statistical rules were established for the diagnosis of anatomic changes within laminitic donkey forefeet. Component 1 scores ≤ −3.5 were indicative of extreme anatomic change, and scores from −2.0 to 0.0 denoted modest change. Nonlaminitic donkeys with a score from 0.5 to 1.0 should be considered as at risk for laminitis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that the radiographic procedures evaluated can be used for the identification, assessment, and monitoring of anatomic changes associated with laminitis. Screening assessments by use of this method may enable early detection of mild anatomic change and identification of at-risk donkeys.
Effects of gemcitabine and gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin on five canine transitional cell carcinoma cell lines
Authors: de Brito Galvao Joao Felipe , Kisseberth William C. , Murahari Sridhar , Sutayatram Saikaew , Chew Dennis J. , Inpanbutr Nongnuch
Published: July 2012

Objective—To evaluate in vitro effects of gemcitabine alone and in combination with carboplatin on canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines.

Sample—In vitro cultures of 5 canine TCC cell lines.

Procedures—Cells were treated with gemcitabine, carboplatin, or a combination of both at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was assessed via a fluorescence-based microplate cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle was evaluated via propidium iodide staining, and apoptosis was assessed by measurement of caspase 3 and 7 enzymatic activity. Synergy between gemcitabine and carboplatin was quantified via combination index analyses.

Results—Treatment of 5 canine TCC cell lines with gemcitabine or carboplatin decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were markedly increased when cell lines were treated with both gemcitabine and carboplatin simultaneously or sequentially. Order of administration during sequential treatment did not consistently affect cell proliferation results in TCC cell lines. When TCC cell lines were treated with gemcitabine and carboplatin in combination at therapeutically relevant concentrations (gemcitabine concentration, < 10μM; carboplatin concentration, < 250μM), a significant decrease in cell proliferation was observed, compared with cell proliferation following treatment with gemcitabine or carboplatin alone. In combination, the effects of gemcitabine and carboplatin were synergistic in 3 of 5 cell lines and additive in the other 2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Gemcitabine had antitumor effects on canine TCC cells in vitro, and the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin had synergistic activity at biologically achievable concentrations.
Isolation, characterization, and in vitro proliferation of canine mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, muscle, and periosteum
Authors: Kisiel Agatha H. , McDuffee Laurie A. , Masaoud Elmabrok , Bailey Trina R. , Esparza Gonzalez Blanca P. , Nino-Fong Rodolfo
Published: July 2012

Objective—To isolate and characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from canine muscle and periosteum and compare proliferative capacities of bone marrow-, adipose tissue-, muscle-, and periosteum-derived MSCs (BMSCs, AMSCs, MMSCs, and PMSCs, respectively).

Sample—7 canine cadavers.

Procedures—MSCs were characterized on the basis of morphology, immunofluorescence of MSC-associated cell surface markers, and expression of pluripotency-associated transcription factors. Morphological and histochemical methods were used to evaluate differentiation of MSCs cultured in adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic media. Messenger ribonucleic acid expression of alkaline phosphatase, RUNX2, OSTERIX, and OSTEOPONTIN were evaluated as markers for osteogenic differentiation. Passage-1 MSCs were counted at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours to determine tissue-specific MSC proliferative capacity. Mesenchymal stem cell yield per gram of tissue was calculated for confluent passage-1 MSCs.

Results—Successful isolation of BMSCs, AMSCs, MMSCs, and PMSCs was determined on the basis of morphology; expression of CD44 and CD90; no expression of CD34 and CD45; mRNA expression of SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG; and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Proliferative capacity was not significantly different among BMSCs, AMSCs, MMSCs, and PMSCs over a 4-day culture period. Periosteum provided a significantly higher MSC yield per gram of tissue once confluent in passage 1 (mean ± SD of 19,400,000 ± 12,800,000 of PMSCs/g of periosteum obtained in a mean ± SD of 13 ± 1.64 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that canine muscle and periosteum may be sources of MSCs. Periosteum was a superior tissue source for MSC yield and may be useful in allogenic applications.