bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translating Infection Control Guidelines Into Practice
Authors: Raveis Victoria H. , Conway Laurie J. , Uchida Mayuko , Pogorzelska-Maziarz Monika , Larson Elaine L. , Stone Patricia W.
Published: March 2014

Health-care-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major patient safety problem even as policy and programmatic efforts designed to reduce HAIs have increased. Although information on implementing effective infection control (IC) efforts has steadily grown, knowledge gaps remain regarding the organizational elements that improve bedside practice and accommodate variations in clinical care settings. We conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews in 11 hospitals across the United States with a range of hospital personnel involved in IC ( n = 116). We examined the collective nature of IC and the organizational elements that can enable disparate groups to work together to prevent HAIs. Our content analysis of participants’ narratives yielded a rich description of the organizational process of implementing adherence to IC. Findings document the dynamic, fluid, interactional, and reactive nature of this process. Three themes emerged: implementing adherence efforts institution-wide, promoting an institutional culture to sustain adherence, and contending with opposition to the IC mandate.
C-Cell-Derived Calcitonin-Free Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Nakazawa Tadao , Cameselle-Teijeiro José , Vinagre João , Soares Paula , Rousseau Emmanuel , Eloy Catarina , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel
Published: March 2014

In the thyroid, primary neuroendocrine tumors encompass medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and, rarely, other tumors such as paragangliomas. MTCs are derived from C-cells and express calcitonin and neuroendocrine markers. Besides classic MTC, some reports have documented thyroid neuroendocrine tumors, which show no calcitonin expression and raise difficult diagnostic problems. A 76-year-old man presented with a mass in the left thyroid with neither serological calcitonin elevation nor familial history. A thorough clinico-laboratorial study did not disclose any other mass elsewhere. A left hemithyroidectomy was performed, and the histological examination revealed a neuroendocrine carcinoma resembling a paraganglioma-like MTC displaying unequivocal signs of vascular invasion. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed reactivity for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), paired box gene 8 (PAX8), cytokeratins (AE1/AE3 and CK8/18), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and negativity for calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, TTF-2, thyroperoxidase, and thyroglobulin. In situ hybridization showed that the tumor cells lacked expression for calcitonin and thyroglobulin mRNA. Genetic analysis did not disclose any RET mutation. A diagnosis of C-cell-derived primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thyroid without calcitonin expression was made, and the patient remains free of metastasis or recurrence 18 months after surgery.
Modified Histologic Classification as a Prognostic Factor in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hwang Ilseon , Park Keon Uk , Kwon Kun Young
Published: March 2014

Background. The histologic pattern of pulmonary adenocarcinoma is highly heterogeneous and considered to be an important prognostic factor. The predominant histologic pattern is emphasized in the 2011 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society classification, but few studies present a detailed investigation of the histologic changes and prognosis pulmonary adenocarcinoma using resected specimens. Methods. We examined 125 cases of surgically resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma and carefully observed histologic patterns. Invasive adenocarcinoma was divided into 3 groups according to a modified histologic classification system: group 1 had a lepidic or papillary predominant pattern with ≤10% solid or micropapillary pattern; group 2 had an acinar predominant pattern with ≤10% of the solid or micropapillary pattern; and group 3 had a solid or micropapillary predominant pattern, or any predominant pattern with >10% solid or micropapillary pattern. Results. Proportions of predominant lepidic, papillary, acinar, solid, and micropapillary patterns were 11 (9.3%), 8 (6.8%), 54 (45.8%), 38 (32.2%), and 7 (5.9%), respectively. Vague areas between 2 different patterns were frequently observed, which were considered as transitional areas for one pattern to the other pattern (gradual dedifferentiation). Modified histologic classification was significantly associated with disease-free and overall survival rate ( P = .026 and .010, respectively) using the Kaplan–Meier survival test, and an independent prognostic factor ( P = .016) in overall survival using the Cox regression test. Conclusion. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma demonstrates heterogeneous histologic patterns with gradual dedifferentiation, and this modified histologic classification is an important prognostic factor for patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
NREM and REM Sleep
Authors: Vyazovskiy Vladyslav V. , Delogu Alessio
Published: March 2014

The overall function of sleep is hypothesized to provide “recovery” after preceding waking activities, thereby ensuring optimal functioning during subsequent wakefulness. However, the functional significance of the temporal dynamics of sleep, manifested in the slow homeostatic process and the alternation between non–rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep remains unclear. We propose that NREM and REM sleep have distinct and complementary contributions to the overall function of sleep. Specifically, we suggest that cortical slow oscillations, occurring within specific functionally interconnected neuronal networks during NREM sleep, enable information processing, synaptic plasticity, and prophylactic cellular maintenance (“recovery process”). In turn, periodic excursions into an activated brain state—REM sleep—appear to be ideally placed to perform “selection” of brain networks, which have benefited from the process of “recovery,” based on their offline performance. Such two-stage modus operandi of the sleep process would ensure that its functions are fulfilled according to the current need and in the shortest time possible. Our hypothesis accounts for the overall architecture of normal sleep and opens up new perspectives for understanding pathological conditions associated with abnormal sleep patterns.
Workplace emotions in postcolonial spaces: Enduring legacies, ambivalence, and subversion
Authors: Ulus Eda
Published: March 2014

This article analyses the emotions of work in postcolonial spaces, where enduring racial tensions, arising from white privilege, continue to shape people’s experiences. Based on a close scrutiny of two interview extracts from field work in India, the article applies a postcolonial perspective to illustrate that colonial dynamics and attendant power relations are daily reproduced or subverted at work. Postcolonial arguments are extended to organizational emotions, by demonstrating how everyday narratives, including those told to researchers, uncover a wide range of experiences of race that may go unnoticed or may not surface through more structured methods. Ambivalence and subversion feature in these extracts as core experiences of emotionally charged postcolonial relations, which are often reproduced or experienced unconsciously. The enduring legacies of colonial history on organizational spaces are discussed, with implications for the emotions of working across racial and geographic boundaries. In a globalized work environment, such legacies may go unnoticed, but their effects are manifest in individual experiences.
Clergy as collaborators in the delivery of mental health care: An exploratory survey from Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: James Bawo O. , Igbinomwanhia Nosa G. , Omoaregba Joyce O.
Published: March 2014

The paucity of skilled manpower in sub-Saharan Africa limits the delivery of effective interventions for the mentally ill. Individuals with mental disorders and their caregivers frequently consult clergy when mental symptoms cause distress. There is an urgent need for collaboration with nonprofessionals in order to improve mental health care delivery and close the widening treatment gap. Using a cross-sectional descriptive method, we explored clergy’s (Christian and Muslim) aetiological attributions for common mental illness (schizophrenia and depression) from Benin City, Nigeria, as well as their willingness to collaborate with mainstream mental health services. We observed that a majority of clergy surveyed were able to correctly identify mental illnesses depicted in vignettes, embraced a multifactorial model of disease causation, and expressed willingness to collaborate with mental health care workers to deliver care. Clergy with a longer duration of formal education, prior mental health training, and Catholic/Protestant denomination expressed a greater willingness to collaborate. Educational interventions are urgently required to facilitate this partnership.
Playboring in the Tester Pit
Authors: Bulut Ergin
Published: March 2014

The labor of video game testers has barely registered within political-economic analyses of work practices in the game industry. This article addresses this gap through a critical deployment of the concept of precarity and its multiform nature experienced by game testers. Drawing on Harry Braverman’s concept of “degradation of labor,” I aim to contribute to media labor literature by introducing the concept of “degradation of fun,” where testers are alienated from play and forced to develop instrumental and selective ways of play. I make the argument that as opposed to popular representations, game testing is a decidedly precarious labor, due to its assumed low-skill status, and because of the existence of a large reserve army of labor, which depresses the wages and renders testers expendable. Ultimately, the “immateriality” and joy of testing as labor comes with material physical and bodily pains, and sentiments of second-class citizenship.
Time Regulations as Electoral Policy
Authors: Urbatsch R.
Published: March 2014

Having had more or less sleep changes mood and behavior; for example, more sleep associates with greater productivity and a perception that more time is available. This changes the time cost of voting in ways particularly important for the United States, where the general elections are sometimes but not always held 2 days after a 25-hr day, when people typically have had more time to catch up on sleep. Election returns and surveys confirm that circumstances where the election occurs 2 days after a long day produce higher turnout, suggesting a role for factors that affect sleep in political behavior.
Influence of Race and Ethnicity on Charge Severity in Chicago Homicide Cases
Authors: Martin Christine
Published: March 2014

This research examines prosecutorial decision making at the initial charging stage in Chicago homicide cases during the late 1990s. The objectives of this investigation are to determine whether African Americans were prosecuted more severely than similarly situated White and Latino defendants in Chicago homicide cases prior to the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois and to identify the factors that affected how severely prosecutors prosecuted defendants during that time. The study participants are adults who were identified by the Chicago Police Department as suspects in homicide incidents during the years of 1994 and 1995 and whose cases were selected for prosecution. Other relevant factors that may have influenced charging decisions include the defendant–victim relationship, the homicide circumstances, and the number of victims in a particular homicide incident. General linear regression modeling is used to determine the factors that affected how severely prosecutors prosecuted Chicago homicide defendants. Charge severity is measured by the number of charges of Class M felony murder that were filed against a defendant. The results indicate that prior to the moratorium on the death penalty in Chicago, all defendants studied (regardless of the race/ethnicity of their victims) were charged with fewer counts of murder (prosecuted less severely) than African American defendants who were charged with killing White victims. This direct and significant relationship persists even after adding defendant–victim relationship and homicide circumstance interaction terms to the analysis.
Interleukin-3-mediated regulation of β-catenin in myeloid transformation and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Sadras Teresa , Perugini Michelle , Kok Chung H , Iarossi Diana G , Heatley Susan L , Brumatti Gabriela , Samuel Michael S , To Luen B , Lewis Ian D , Lopez Angel F , Ekert Paul G , Ramshaw Hayley S , D'Andrea Richard J
Published: March 2014

Aberrant activation of β-catenin is a common event in AML and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis. Although increased β-catenin signaling in AML has been associated with oncogenic translocation products and activating mutations in the FLT3R, the mechanisms that activate β-catenin in AML more broadly are still unclear. Here, we describe a novel link between IL-3 signaling and the regulation of β-catenin in myeloid transformation and AML. In a murine model of HoxB8 and IL-3 cooperation, we show that β-catenin protein levels are modulated by IL-3 and that Cre-induced deletion of β-catenin abolishes IL-3-dependent growth and colony formation. In IL-3-dependent leukemic TF-1.8 cells, we observed increased β-catenin protein levels and nuclear localization in response to IL-3, and this correlated with transcriptional induction of β-catenin target genes. Furthermore, IL-3 promoted β-catenin accumulation in a subset of AML patient samples, and gene-expression profiling of these cells revealed induction of WNT/β-catenin and TCF4 gene signatures in an IL-3-dependent manner. This study is the first to link β-catenin activation to IL-3 and suggests that targeting IL-3 signaling may be an effective approach for the inhibition of β-catenin activity in some patients with AML.
Mapping crustal thickness using marine gravity data: Methods and uncertainties
Authors: Bai Yongliang , Williams Simon E. , Müller R. Dietmar , Liu Zhan , Hosseinpour Maral
Published: March 2014

Crustal thickness is a critical parameter for understanding the processes of continental rifting and breakup and the evolution of petroleum systems within passive margins. However, direct measurements of crustal thickness are sparse and expensive, highlighting the need for methodologies using gravity anomaly data, jointly with other geophysical data, to estimate crustal thickness. We evaluated alternative gravity inversion methodologies to map crustal thickness variations at rifted continental margins and adjacent oceanic basins, and we tested our methodology in the South China Sea (SCS). Different strategies were investigated to estimate and remove the gravity effect of density variations of sediments and the temperature and pressure variations of the lithospheric mantle from the observed free air gravity anomaly data. Sediment density was calculated using a relationship between sediment thickness, porosity, and density. We found that this method is essential for crustal thickness inversion in the presence of a thick sedimentary cover by comparing the Moho depths obtained from gravity inversion and seismic interpretation in the Yinggehai Basin where sediments are up to 13 km thick; the inversion accuracy depended on the parameters of the exponential equation between porosity and the buried depth. We modeled the lithospheric mantle temperature field based on oceanic crustal age, continental crustal stretching factors, and other boundary conditions. We tested three different methods to calculate the thermal expansion coefficient, which is either held constant or is a linear/polynomial function of temperature, for applying a thermal correction and found that the inversion results were relatively insensitive to alternative methods. We compared inversion results with two recent deep seismic profiles that image the rifted continental edge at the northern margin of the SCS and the continental Liyue Bank (Reed Bank) at the southern margin, and we found that the inversion accuracy was improved considerably by removing sediment, thermal, and pressure gravity effects.
A secretory cell type develops alongside multiciliated cells, ionocytes and goblet cells, and provides a protective, anti-infective function in the frog embryonic mucociliary epidermis
Authors: Dubaissi Eamon , Rousseau Karine , Lea Robert , Soto Ximena , Nardeosingh Siddarth , Schweickert Axel , Amaya Enrique , Thornton David J. , Papalopulu Nancy
Published: March 2014

The larval epidermis of Xenopus is a bilayered epithelium, which is an excellent model system for the study of the development and function of mucosal and mucociliary epithelia. Goblet cells develop in the outer layer while multiciliated cells and ionocytes sequentially intercalate from the inner to the outer layer. Here, we identify and characterise a fourth cell type, the small secretory cell (SSC). We show that the development of these cells is controlled by the transcription factor Foxa1 and that they intercalate into the outer layer of the epidermis relatively late, at the same time as embryonic hatching. Ultrastructural and molecular characterisation shows that these cells have an abundance of large apical secretory vesicles, which contain highly glycosylated material, positive for binding of the lectin, peanut agglutinin, and an antibody to the carbohydrate epitope, HNK-1. By specifically depleting SSCs, we show that these cells are crucial for protecting the embryo against bacterial infection. Mass spectrometry studies show that SSCs secrete a glycoprotein similar to Otogelin, which may form the structural component of a mucus-like protective layer, over the surface of the embryo, and several potential antimicrobial substances. Our study completes the characterisation of all the epidermal cell types in the early tadpole epidermis and reinforces the suitability of this system for the in vivo study of complex epithelia, including investigation of innate immune defences.
Editorial Introduction
Authors: McHugh Siobhan
Published: March 2014

Welcome to the very first issue of RadioDoc Review, an online space where producers, critics and lovers of radio documentaries and audio storytelling meet.
Those of us who make and listen to quality radio documentaries have learned to seek out the best examples of audio storytelling via a mixture of trusted outlets, programs that win esteemed awards, and word-of-mouth. Social media are a boon in drawing attention to notable works, and key producers, programs, festivals and events have all helped to develop a dedicated audiophile community. But those of us with a passion for the long-form audio narrative are hungry for more. What makes an audio documentary or feature memorable, evocative, or gripping? Why do we get so emotionally involved with some stories? What is the secret to storytelling through sound? What, in fact, are the unique strengths and characteristics of our particular medium and form?
Natural recovery of soil organic matter in 30–90‐year‐old abandoned oil and gas wells in sagebrush steppe
Authors: Avirmed Otgonsuren , Burke Ingrid C. , Mobley Megan L. , Lauenroth William K. , Schlaepfer Daniel R.
Published: March 2014

We addressed the rarely studied issue of how different soil organic matter pools respond to disturbances from historical oil and gas well development in semi‐arid Intermountain sagebrush steppe. We selected twenty‐nine study well sites in south‐central Wyoming that were plugged and abandoned 33–90 years ago. We designed our study to understand the long term impact of oil and gas development for soil organic matter pools on non‐reclaimed sites, and evaluate the importance of this disturbance type relative to other major influences on soil organic matter and the fine‐scale, shrub‐induced heterogeneity of soil organic matter. We compared total, labile, and recalcitrant pools of soil C and N in disturbed sites to adjacent, un‐disturbed sites. We found that that natural site‐specific conditions such as soil texture and fine‐scale heterogeneity associated with shrubs are the most important controls over soil C and N, particulate organic matter C and N, and potential C and N mineralization, and that these older well‐pad disturbances did not have a significant effect on any soil organic matter pools. Fine‐scale, shrub‐induced heterogeneity was higher for those pools that have a fast turnover rate than those with a slow turnover rate. Moreover, fine‐scale heterogeneity of total soil C was higher for well sites that were located in loamy sand soils compared to well sites on sandy soils. In addition, heterogeneity of total soil C recovered through time on the finer textured soils. Overall our study suggests that soil organic matter pools were not affected by old oil well development, and that recovery of shrub cover is a key component of soil organic matter recovery in these semi‐arid shrublands. A comparison of our work to other work on recent and reclaimed sites suggests that some reclamation procedures may decrease soil organic matter more than the absence of reclamation.
On-farm study on intercropping of hybrid maize with short duration vegetables
Authors: Sarker UK , Dey S , Kundu S , Awal MA
Published: March 2014

The experiment was conducted at Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Netrakona during rabi season of 2009-10 and 2010-11 to study the feasibility of intercropping of hybrid maize with different short duration vegetables and economic returns. Three intercrop combinations of hybrid maize along with sole maize were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated six times. There were four treatments viz., T1- Sole crop of maize, T2 - Three rows of red amaranth (25 cm apart) in between two (75 cm apart) rows of Maize, T3 - Three rows of bush bean (25 cm apart) in between two (75 cm apart) rows of Maize and T4 -Three rows of garden pea (25 cm apart) in between two (75 cm apart) rows of Maize. Yield contributing characters and yield of maize did not varied significantly due to intercropping with vegetables. The grain yield of maize in intercropped combination varied from 7.30-7.43 t/ha. But the highest grain yield (7.68 t/ha) was in sole maize. Maize equivalent yields in the intercrops ranged from 10.67-14.96 t/ha. The highest maize equivalent yield (14.96 t/ha), gross return (Tk. 224400/ha), gross margin (Tk.166830/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.90) were obtained in maize + garden pea combination. The lowest maize equivalent yield (7.68 t/ha), gross return (Tk. 115200/ha), gross margin (Tk. 64128/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.26) were obtained from sole crop of maize. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18195 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 1-4, 2013
Effect of variety and weeding regime on the yield components and yield of Aus rice
Authors: Mondal B , Sarkar MAR , Paul SK , Zaman F
Published: March 2014

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from April to July 2012 to study the effect of variety and weeding regime on the yield components and yield of Aus rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments comprised four varieties viz. BR 26, BRRI dhan27, BRRI dhan48 and Pariza; and five weeding treatments viz. no weeding, one hand weeding at 20 DAS(Days after sowing), two hand weeding at 20 DAS and 30 DAS, three hand weeding at 20, 30 and 40 DAS and weed free. Here broadcasting method of planting was used. Results revealed that varieties had significant effect on plant height, number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, number of non-effective tillers hill-1, number of grains panicle-1, number of unfilled spikelets panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index. Grain yield was the highest in BRRI dhan48. Weeding regime had also significant effect on all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield was obtained from weed free condition followed by three, two and one weeding conditions. Interaction between variety and weeding regime significantly influenced all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight and harvest index. In interaction it was observed that the highest grain yield was obtained from BRRI dhan48 under two weeding condition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18198 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 17-21, 2013
Major nutrient contents and their uptake by brinjal as influenced by phosphorus and sulphur
Authors: Hasan MM , Chowdhury MAH , Saha BK , Islam MR
Published: March 2014

A pot experiment was conducted in the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) on major nutrient contents and their uptake by brinjal (cv. BARI brinjal-8) during the period from October, 2011 to May, 2012. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with 12 treatments and 3 replications using four levels of P (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P ha-1) and three levels of S (0, 15 and 30 kg S ha-1) along with the basal doses of urea, muriate of potash, boric acid, zinc oxide, cowdung and poultry manure. The study revealed that major nutrient contents and their uptake were significantly influenced by P and S interactions. They had positive significant effects on major nutrient contents and their uptake. Application of P increased N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S contents and their uptake upto 60 kg ha-1 and over the dose the values were reduced or near to control treatment. Similarly, the gradual increases of major nutrient contents and their uptake were found in S application upto 30 kg ha-1. Among the treatments the combination of P @ 60 kg ha-1 and S @ 30 kg ha-1 showed the highest N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg contents and their uptake. The lowest values were found in control treatment. Results showed that an appropriate interaction of P and S increased major nutrient contents of brinjal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18206 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 41-46, 2013
Influence of stomatal characteristics on yield and yield attributes of rice
Authors: Sarwar AKM Golam , Karim M Abdul , Rana SMA Masud
Published: March 2014

Stomatal distribution is found to be an important trait of rice cultivars for increasing yield. A total of six rice cultivars, three from each of inbred and hybrid cultivars, were used to study stomatal distribution on the leaf epidermis and its influence on yield and yield attributing characters of rice during the Boro season. The hybrid cultivars exhibited superiority in respect of number of stomata, length and breadth of stomatal apparatus. They also produced longer panicle, higher number of filled grains panicle1, heavier grains and finally, higher grain yield ha1 than inbreds. The higher grain yield of the hybrid cultivars might be due to higher number of large sized stomata causing higher photosynthetic efficacy, although, they produced relatively lower number of effective tillers hill1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18207 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 47-52, 2013
Effect of weeding on the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Akter R , Samad MA , Zaman F , Islam MS
Published: March 2014

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to assess the effect of weeding on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cv. BINA mung- 4 during October 2011 to February 2012. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The trial comprised seven treatments namely, T1 = no weeding, T2 = one-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering), T3 = one-stage weeding (Flowering-Pod setting), T4 = one-stage weeding (Pod setting- Maturity), T5 = two-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting), T6 = two-stage weeding (Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity) and T7 = three-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity). The growth parameters such as relative growth rate (0.075 g g-1 day- 1) and net assimilation rate (0.075 g m-2day-1) showed the best performance with T2 at one-stage weeding condition (Emergence-Flowering). Three-stage weeding ensured the highest plant height (58.62 cm) as well as the highest number of branches (4.45) and leaves (10.34) plant-1. Dry weight plant-1 (12.38g) was highest from three stage weeding and the lowest from no weeding treatment. The highest number of pods (22.03) plant-1, the longest pod (5.95 cm), the highest number of seeds (17.07) pod-1 and the highest seed yield (1.38 t ha-1) were obtained from three-stage weeding (Emergence-Flowering and Flowering-Pod setting and Pod setting-Maturity) in mungbean. On the other hand, the lowest seed yield was obtained under no weeding condition. The highest seed yield resulted in higher biological yield (4.70 t ha-1) and the highest harvest index (37.15%) in three-stage weeding and the lowest from no weeding. Number of pods plant-1, length of pod, number of seeds pod-1 and 1000-seed weight showed highly significant positive correlations with seed yield. These parameters strongly influenced the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18209 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 53-60, 2013
An experimental study on small scale sea water desalination unit through solar power in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam MM , Uddin SA , Islam Z , Hossain MI
Published: March 2014

An experimental small scale desalination system where solar energy as the main heat source was conducted in a remote area of Coxs Bazar district of Bangladesh. In this investigation, the performance of three solar stills with transparent glass cover was studied. Treated sea water was given to the solar still and the quantity of distilled water from three solar stills was measured per day and the effectiveness of the stills was compared. The performance of these stills was checked for 20 days. The different parameters i.e. ambient temperature, Salinity, pH, Unionized NH3, Iron, NO2-N, Chlorine, DO and amount of distilled water were studied and analyzed. The average amount of water produced by the still (1) was 455 ml, still (2) was 394.75ml and still (3) was 339.25 ml. The total amount of water produced by the still (1) was 9100 ml, still (2) was 7895 ml and still (3) was 6785 ml. The average desalinated water were obtained 1.06 liter/m2/day, 0.98 liter/ m2/day and 0.95 liter/ m2/day from still 1, 2 and 3 respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v11i1.18229 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 11(1): 165-170, 2013
Clustering Multivariate Time Series Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Ghassempour Shima , Girosi Federico , Maeder Anthony
Published: March 2014

In this paper we describe an algorithm for clustering multivariate time series with variables taking both categorical and continuous values. Time series of this type are frequent in health care, where they represent the health trajectories of individuals. The problem is challenging because categorical variables make it difficult to define a meaningful distance between trajectories. We propose an approach based on Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), where we first map each trajectory into an HMM, then define a suitable distance between HMMs and finally proceed to cluster the HMMs with a method based on a distance matrix. We test our approach on a simulated, but realistic, data set of 1,255 trajectories of individuals of age 45 and over, on a synthetic validation set with known clustering structure, and on a smaller set of 268 trajectories extracted from the longitudinal Health and Retirement Survey. The proposed method can be implemented quite simply using standard packages in R and Matlab and may be a good candidate for solving the difficult problem of clustering multivariate time series with categorical variables using tools that do not require advanced statistic knowledge, and therefore are accessible to a wide range of researchers.
National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Sport Concussion
Authors: Broglio Steven P. , Cantu Robert C. , Gioia Gerard A. , Guskiewicz Kevin M. , Kutcher Jeffrey , Palm Michael , McLeod Tamara C. Valovich
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To provide athletic trainers, physicians, and other health care professionals with best-practice guidelines for the management of sport-related concussions.

Background:

An estimated 3.8 million concussions occur each year in the United States as a result of sport and physical activity. Athletic trainers are commonly the first medical providers available onsite to identify and evaluate these injuries.

Recommendations:

The recommendations for concussion management provided here are based on the most current research and divided into sections on education and prevention, documentation and legal aspects, evaluation and return to play, and other considerations.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveal Functional Differences Between Drugs Currently Investigated in Patients With Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
Authors: Blondel Sophie , Jaskowiak Anne-Laure , Egesipe Anne-Laure , Le Corf Amelie , Navarro Claire , Cordette Véronique , Martinat Cécile , Laabi Yacine , Djabali Karima , de Sandre-Giovannoli Annachiara , Levy Nicolas , Peschanski Marc , Nissan Xavier
Published: March 2014

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a rare congenital disease characterized by premature aging in children. Identification of the mutation and related molecular mechanisms has rapidly led to independent clinical trials testing different marketed drugs with a preclinically documented impact on those mechanisms. However, the extensive functional effects of those drugs remain essentially unexplored. We have undertaken a systematic comparative study of the three main treatments currently administered or proposed to progeria-affected children, namely, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, the combination of an aminobisphosphonate and a statin (zoledronate and pravastatin), and the macrolide antibiotic rapamycin. This work was based on the assumption that mesodermal stem cells, which are derived from Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome-induced pluripotent stem cells expressing major defects associated with the disease, may be instrumental to revealing such effects. Whereas all three treatments significantly improved misshapen cell nuclei typically associated with progeria, differences were observed in terms of functional improvement in prelamin A farnesylation, progerin expression, defective cell proliferation, premature osteogenic differentiation, and ATP production. Finally, we have evaluated the effect of the different drug combinations on this cellular model. This study revealed no additional benefit compared with single-drug treatments, whereas a cytostatic effect equivalent to that of a farnesyltransferase inhibitor alone was systematically observed. Altogether, these results reveal the complexity of the modes of action of different drugs, even when they have been selected on the basis of a similar mechanistic hypothesis, and underscore the use of induced pluripotent stem cell derivatives as a critical and powerful tool for standardized, comparative pharmacological studies.
Attitudes of Medical Students and Staff toward Organ Donation in Cases of Brain Death: A Survey at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Zahmatkeshan Mozhgan , Fallahzadeh Ebrahim , Moghtaderi Mozhgan , Najib Khadijeh-Sadat , Farjadian Shirin
Published: March 2014

Context

Organ transplant is one of the most important management strategies for end-of-life patients. The demand for organs in patients awaiting transplant is increasing, and many of these patients die before a donor is found.

Objective

To determine the attitudes of medical students and staff at clinical institutions affiliated with a large medical university in the Eastern Mediterranean region toward organ donation in cases of brain death.

Participants

A total of 500 medical students, physicians, and nurses recruited at hospitals and medical centers affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran.

Design and Setting

Information about participants' demographic characteristics, knowledge of organ donation, and willingness to donate their own organs after death was collected by using self-administered questionnaires.

Results

Most participants (78%) had favorable attitudes toward donating their own organs after brain death. However, only about 25% of them carried an organ donation card. In addition to public media, the main sources of information about organ donation after brain death were their professors and textbooks. An association in charge of improving public awareness and facilitating the process of registration and issuance of donation cards appears to be necessary.
Parental Live Liver Donation: A Transformational Experience
Authors: Nasr Annette Sue , Rehm Roberta S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Parental live liver donation is an attractive alternative to deceased donation for pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), yet very little has been published about the long-term emotional consequences of live liver donations on donors and their families.

Objectives

To better understand the impact that a parental live liver donation has on the everyday life of the donor.

Method

Thirteen living parental donors from 2 West Coast transplant centers participated. Data included semistructured interviews, observations, and field notes about the donors and their physical, emotional, and familial lives since their donation. The perceived impact of donation on parental donors and their intrafamilial relationships are reviewed and the social and emotional context of parental liver donation, including impacts on the predonation decisions and life after donation are analyzed.

Results

Thematic analysis was used to analyze this set of interviews, and after open coding, 3 major categories emerged: a self-awareness process, a clarification of familial relationships, and a change in perspectives on community. The overarching theme that was constructed from the interviews suggested that the impact the donation had on the donors' lives was one of transformation.
A Mixed-Method Study to Explore Patients' Perspective of Self-Management Tasks in the Early Phase after Kidney Transplant
Authors: Schmid-Mohler Gabriela , Schäfer-Keller Petra , Frei Anja , Fehr Thomas , Spirig Rebecca
Published: March 2014

Context

Patients' perspectives of posttransplant self-management tasks have not been explored.

Objective

To explore the concept and the presence of self-management tasks mastered by patients in the early phase after kidney transplant.

Design

Mixed-method study using semistructured interviews and a structured questionnaire.

Setting

Outpatient Division of Nephrology at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland

Patients

Twelve patients (median age, 52 years, interquartile range, 42.25–65.25 years; median time after kidney transplant, 6.5 months; interquartile range, 2.25–15.75 months) were included.

Analysis

Qualitative data were analyzed according to Corbin and Strauss' 3 self-management tasks with content analysis procedures. In the quantitative analysis, the presence of each self-management task is expressed as a frequency.

Results

The qualitative findings showed that patients were greatly challenged by the effort to manage the upcoming instability, which has a persistent broad impact on their lives. Managing emotions comprised dealing with uncertainty, disappointment, and frustration. Additionally, patients had to manage changes in self-perception. Managing life roles mainly involved an adaptation of relationships, occupational changes, and interactions with health care providers. Taking medications, managing symptoms, integrating new behaviors, and understanding one's course of disease were further tasks. Quantitatively, self-management tasks that were perceived as a challenge by at least half of the patients were primarily tasks from the questionnaire section “managing stressful emotions and self-perception.” The synthesis of qualitative and quantitative findings indicates that self-management programs for kidney transplant recipients should focus on strengthening patients' self-management of emotional tasks and on regaining stability in daily life.
Domperidone for Delayed Gastric Emptying in Lung Transplant Recipients with and without Gastroesophageal Reflux
Authors: Lidor Anne O. , Ensor Christopher R. , Sheer Amy J. , Orens Jonathan B. , Clarke John O. , McDyer John F.
Published: March 2014

Evidence demonstrates a link between gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic allograft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. Delayed gastric emptying plays an important role in the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, with limited therapeutic options available for treatment. This retrospective observational study reports the use of domperidone in the management of delayed gastric emptying in lung transplant recipients. All patients who underwent lung transplant at our institution from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed and patients who were treated with domperidone were identified. Clinical symptoms and results of gastric emptying studies before and after initiation of domperidone were documented. QTc intervals were compared from before to after domperidone treatment at 3 months and at 1 year. Weight and dose-normalized calcineurin inhibitor troughs were evaluated before and 2 weeks after domperidone treatment was started. Of 82 patients, 24% (n = 20) had documented delayed gastric emptying and 35% (n = 29) had documented gastroesophageal reflux disease. Twelve of the 20 patients with delayed gastric emptying started treatment with domperidone. All patients responded symptomatically and 6 patients with gastric emptying studies before and after domperidone had documented improvement. No adverse effects were observed in any patients treated with domperidone. Results indicate that domperidone can be used safely and may improve symptoms related to delayed gastric emptying in lung transplant recipients.
The influence of post-etch InGaAs fin profile on electrical performance
Authors: Ivanov Tsvetan , Pourghaderi Mohammad Ali , Lin Dennis , Yu Jen-Kan , Tan Samantha , Kimura Yoshie , Hellin David , Geypen Jeffrey , Bender Hugo , Vertommen Johan , Kamarthy Gowri , Collaert Nadine , Marks Jef , Vahedi Vahid , Arghavani Reza , Thean Aaron
Published: March 2014

The onset of the 22 nm node introduced three dimensional tri-gate transistors into high-volume manufacturing for improved electrostatics. The next generations of fin nMOSFETs are predicted to be InGaAs based. Due to the ternary nature of InGaAs, stoichiometric and structural modifications could affect the electronic properties of the etched fin. In this work we have created InGaAs fins down to 35 nm fin width with atomic surface structure kept nearly identical to that of the bulk. Our experimental and simulation results show the impact of surface stoichiometry and fin profile on electrical performance.
A new laterally conductive bridge random access memory by fully CMOS logic compatible process
Authors: Hsieh Min-Che , Chin Yung-Wen , Lin Yu-Cheng , Chih Yu-Der , Tsai Kan-Hsueh , Tsai Ming-Jinn , King Ya-Chin , Lin Chrong Jung
Published: March 2014

This paper proposes a novel laterally conductive bridge random access memory (L-CBRAM) module using a fully CMOS logic compatible process. A contact buffer layer between the poly-Si and contact plug enables the lateral Ti-based atomic layer to provide on/off resistance ratio via bipolar operations. The proposed device reached more than 100 pulse cycles with an on/off ratio over 10 and very stable data retention under high temperature operations. These results make this Ti-based L-CBRAM cell a promising solution for advanced embedded multi-time programmable (MTP) memory applications.
Zeta potential measurements for determining polarization of ZnO films
Authors: Furubayashi Yutaka , Hayashi Taisuke , Morito Shigekazu , Hiragino Yuto , Yeh Wenchang , Kajikawa Yasutomo , Hashimoto Hideki , Fujita Yasuhisa
Published: March 2014

We have investigated zeta potential measurements in order to estimate the polarization of zinc oxide (ZnO) and found that the sign and time dependence of zeta potential for ZnO{0001} wafers depend on their polarity, which is caused by an accumulation and a chemisorption of H+ or OH− counterions. The −c polarity of ZnO films on both Al2O3

and (0001) substrates was confirmed by zeta potential measurements. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) showed that the zeta measurements do not significantly degrade the film structure and surface morphology. These results should allow for the non-destructive determination of polarity at a lower cost and with a more understandable profile than that determined by conventional physical methods.
Evaluation of Adhesion of Films by V(z) Curve Method
Authors: Nakaso Noritaka , Tsukahara Yusuke , Kushibiki Jun-ichi , Chubachi Noriyoshi
Published: March 2014

Velocity dispersion curves of leaky surface acoustic waves (LSAW) were calculated using simple models which represented different states of adhesion: perfect bonding, detachment and intrusion of water. The phase velocities of LSAW were found to depend on the boundary conditions between a film and a substrate. Using a scanning acoustic microscope, it was confirmed that the difference of adhesion resulted in differences in the shape of V(z) curves. The phase velocities of LSAW thus obtained were examined in conjunction with theoretical calculations.
Driving Voltage Wave form for High Speed Operation of a Piezoelectric Actuator
Authors: Kusakabe Chiharu , Tomikawa Yoshiro , Narita Kenetsu
Published: March 2014

A driving voltage waveform for high speed operation of a piezoelectric actuator is dealt with herein, and its usefulness is described for prevention of the growth of residual vibration.
The driving voltage is composed of step voltage and pulse voltage with opposite phase, and the rise time of the piezoelectric actuator can be reduced even to approximately one-fourth of its mechanical resonance period. This fact is confirmed here both by theoretical response analysis of a piezoelectric actuator using its equivalent circuit and by experiment.
Properties of PLZT Shutter with Copper Plating Electrodes
Authors: Nagata Kunihiro , Honma Hideo
Published: March 2014

The interdigital pattern electrode was produced on the PLZT ceramics by the combination of the photo-lithography method and the electroless plating method. The process and the characteristics of the plating electrode, and the characteristic of the PLZT optical shutter with plating electrode were discussed. The plating electrode had strong adhesion strength, low resistance and good aging characteristic. The optical PLZT shutter with Cu plating electrode was 3.8×10-16 m2/V2 in the secondary electro-optic coefficient and 190 V in the half-wave voltage.
Effects of BaTiO3 Composites on Temperature Characteristics of Luminance of Powder Electroluminescent Cells
Authors: Tanaka Katsuhiko , Toyoda Masahiro
Published: March 2014

Temperature dependence of dielectric constant of composites which disperse ferroelectric ceramic powder in organic resin has been investigated. The composites were applied to powder electroluminescent cells in order to stabilize luminance change with temperature. Luminance change below 8% at 20–70°C was attained by using the composites having a negative temperature coefficient of dielectric constant. Luminance at temperatures down to -40°C was also improved.