bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of One Equipment Command System Simulation Training Device Based on PC104
Authors: Lei Lei , Zhang Jian Hu , Peng Wei , Cui Xin You , Wu Yong
Published: October 2013

Using simulator for the weapon and equipment operation training is the equipment development trend, this paper introduce one equipment command system simulator design idea, function and work way, analyze the hardware composition and software design, realizing the function simulation of the equipment command system,getting successful application to the equipment training.
Research on Performance Analysis of Digital Baseband Signal Transmission
Authors: Weng Shao Lin
Published: October 2013

Nowadays, in order to improve the quality of signal transmission and reduce the signal attenuation and noise interference, the transmission digital baseband signal modulation become mainstream in today's signal transmission. For the digital baseband signal transmission performance of research helps us to understand the process of digital signal transmission. Firstly, using shift registers to produce m sequence, used to simulate the data signal and the pseudo random noise signal. Then, to design a low pass filter, used to simulate the channel. Data signal transmission in the channel was carried with additive random noise interference, we can measure signal interference by observing eye pattern at the receiving terminal. If to Manchester encoding of data signal, the receiver decoding output data signal can be extracted using the synchronous clock circuit to get the clock signal to synchronize, and display the eye pattern, which is used to evaluate the performance of the transmission system. And we put forward the optimization scheme of the digital baseband signal transmission performance through the research.
Virtual Prototyping in Engineering Education
Authors: Gradinscak Marija
Published: October 2013

Many major companies are developing complete virtual factories to enable them to simulate complete manufacturing processes with the main aim to deliver high quality products but also to achieve cost improvements. The manufacturers aim to build virtual factories which will enable them to analyze and improve their production lines in any of their plants all around the world without having to go there. Education needs to go in step with this idea and prepare students for those engineering jobs. There are a number of schools and universities that are beginning to follow and have integrated virtual environment design in their curricula but there are still many school that are not. This paper outlines the attempt to integrate virtual manufacturing into virtual design curricula and enable students to interfere with this virtual world.
Research on WPS/PDR/MM Integrated Algorithm for Pedestrian Navigation and Positioning
Authors: Deng Zhong Liang , Xie Fei Peng , Yu Yan Pei , Zhao Xiao Hong , Yuan Zhuang
Published: October 2013

In order to solve the discontinuity of navigation and positioning in indoor signal coverage blind areas, and false region judgment caused by positioning error, an integrated method combining Wireless Positioning System (WPS), Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) and Map Matching (MM) is presented in this paper. By using the combination of Kalman filtered WPS and PDR information, inertial information and geographic information, pedestrian position could be evaluated. Through experiment, this method effectively increased positioning accuracy of the system as well as greatly improved the user experience.
Establishing Brand Image through Product Color Design: Exploring Color Design Principles of Construction Machinery Products
Authors: Chen Xi , Sun Ying , Zhou Yi Qi
Published: October 2013

Product color design is a powerful tool for establishing brand image. This paper analyzed the development status of construction machinery industry, and on the basis of that presented the necessity of establishing brand image through product color design in the construction machinery industry. Then after analyzing the special environment and people-related elements to be considered when designing construction equipment, and combined with successful brand image construction cases, proposed three principles for the product color design of construction machinery products.
Research on Economic Operation Optimization of Electric System Including Wind Power Based on Interruptible Load
Authors: Wu Qian Hong , Su Yun Che , Wang Ying
Published: October 2013

Apply interruptible load to include-wind-power electric system.Firstly, analyze a practical compensation mechanism for the interruptible load.Secondly,an economic optimization model is established considering both wind power and interruptible load.Finally,take an example to compare the impact exerted by the two dimensions on electric power system,the result shows that,by optimal use of interruptible load in include-wind-power electric system,not only enhanced the utilization efficiency of wind energy,but also greatly relieved congestion and maximized social benefits.
Impact of Changing Temperature on Lamb Wave Propagation for Damage Detection
Authors: Radecki Rafal , Staszewski Wieslaw Jerzy , Uhl Tadeusz
Published: October 2013

Lamb waves are the most widely used guided ultrasonic waves for structural damage detection. One of the major problems associate with Lamb wave propagation is the effect of temperature on wave propagation parameters. It is important that these parameters are more sensitive to damage than to varying temperature. The paper demonstrates how amplitude and arrival time of Lamb waves are affected by temperature. The analysis is performed for the experimental data gathered from Lamb wave propagation in a damaged aluminium plate. A simple clustering algorithm is used to distinguish between "undamaged" and "damaged" conditions in the presence of changing temperature.
Object-Relational Model of Experimental Studies of Impact of Climatic Conditions on the Work of a Bi-Fuel Engine
Authors: Marowski Witold , Rokicki Krzysztof
Published: October 2013

The article presents the scope of works which were performed while constructing a testbed for examining a multi-fuel Diesel engine with a Common-Rail injection system. The testbed has been designed in a way which allows to carry out tests in a climatic chamber. The paper also proposes a method of using a relational database to store the information on the completed experiments and the conclusions drawn from them.
Parametric Time-Frequency Map and its Processing for Local Damage Detection in Rotating Machinery
Authors: Makowski Ryszard , Zimroz Radoslaw
Published: October 2013

The detection of local damage in rotating machinery (gears, bearings) via vibration signal analysis is one of the most powerful techniques in condition monitoring. However, in some cases, especially in heavy industrial machinery, it is difficult to detect damage because of the poor signal-to-noise ratio of the measured vibration. Therefore it is necessary to use unconventional advanced techniques to enhance the signal. In this paper, a novel approach based on parametric time-frequency analysis and further processing for: i) time-varying spectral content modelling, ii) the identification of informative frequency bands by statistical analysis, iii) local damage detection and iv) cycle identification via cepstral analysis, is presented. The proposed procedure is validated using real vibration data from bearings and gearboxes. It is worth noting that this methodology can be also successfully used in time-varying speed conditions (with limited fluctuation).
The Method for Identification of Damping Coefficient of the Trucks Suspension
Authors: Warczek Jan , Burdzik Rafał , Peruń Grzegorz
Published: October 2013

The modern commercial vehicle with a weight of more than 3,5 [Mg] is a complex design solution, which contains many of mechatronic systems. The standard equipment are the ability of the driver assistance systems such as ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation). The technical condition of the modern car's suspension determines the value of the indicators of road safety. An essential element of the suspension system, whose function is to change the mechanical vibration energy into thermal energy, is the shock absorber. Incorrect functioning of shock absorbers affects the quality of the operation of these systems improve safety. In the case of gradually wears of shock absorber even an experienced driver is able to notice this phenomenon. For this reason it becomes necessary the need for regular technical condition monitoring of dampers. Diagnostic dampers on buses and trucks are limited to the organoleptic examination and propose based on intermediate symptoms such as accelerated tire wear. The paper describes the method for estimating the suspension damping characteristics of commercial vehicle in operating conditions.
Determination of the Penetration Depth of Eddy Currents in Defectoscopic Tests
Authors: Dziczkowski Leszek , Zolkiewski Sławomir
Published: October 2013

In the defectoscopic tests by means of the eddy currents method only a certain superficial layer of the tested element is inspected. The reason of this phenomenon is connected with a very important feature of the eddy currents. The induced eddy currents generate its own magnetic field which obstructs penetration for the primary magnetic field. It is crucial to know the penetration depth of eddy currents. It allows planning successfully the diagnosis process. There are two cases worth mentioning: when the eddy current method is treated as the additional method complementary to the ultrasound method (because it does not detect superficial defects) and when the eddy current method is used as the main method for the thin elements diagnosis. The most frequently used evaluation method of eddy currents penetration depth is connected with determination of the e-folding decrease of electric current. The definition is convenient to use because it is simplified by using in the mathematical formula (allowing determination of the depth) frequency of eddy current and conductivity of the diagnosed elements. However the simplifications are not sufficient in practice. When we change the frequency of eddy currents during the survey or the probe then the depth of penetration is also changed, then we can measure the depth of the defects. While measuring the conductivity of a proper material element it is obligatory to prepare an adequate size of the sample that is free of defects. Knowing the value of penetration depth is then very helpful. On the other hand, when we have a sample of a specified size and we want to measure its conductivity then the knowledge of the depth of penetration of eddy currents helps us to select the proper frequency. In the paper there is described a proposal of a different definition of the penetration depth of eddy current, much more useful and accurate according to the authors. To obtain much more precise results, the new eddy current method was proposed. This method takes into account not only the parameters of the diagnosed sample and the eddy current frequency but the characteristic of the measuring device as well. The above mentioned method is based on the universal mathematical model of impact of conductive thin foil on the measuring coil impedance change. The procedure of calculations is easy to carry out online.
Volkswagen de México: reestructuración, flexibilidad y conflictos
Authors: Millones Espinosa Mario
Published: October 2013

El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar el proceso de reestructuración productiva y flexibilidad laboral en la empresa automotriz Volkswagen de México. El año 1992 se firma un nuevo Contrato Colectivo de Trabajadores, el cual crea un complejo encadenamiento productivo utilizando la subcontratación en toda la producción del automóvil, dejando solo el ensamblaje final a Volkswagen. Luego de estos cambios, Volkswagen se posicionó como una de las empresas líderes en el mercado mundial del automóvil. El nuevo proceso productivo incluirá una alta coordinación y competencia inter e intrafirmas, pero también fuertes sistemas de control, vigilancia y castigo a trabajadores y proveedoras que no cumplan con los requerimientos de Volkswagen. En esta atracción de más proveedores se producirán alianzas estratégicas entre firmas trasnacionales, dejando a empresas locales solo como proveedoras de baja tecnología a través de contratos de tiempo determinado. La fuerte diferenciación tecnológica dentro del encadenamiento productivo será la misma que diferenciará las condiciones de trabajo entre empresas locales y extranjeras, sin embargo, eso está cambiando. La flexibilidad laboral aplicada en el Contrato Colectivo por Volkswagen señala una creciente precarización del trabajo, tanto en esta empresa como en toda la industria automotriz.
Dispositivos de disciplinamiento en el trabajo. Relaciones laborales y subjetividad(es) en Chile
Authors: Vejar Dasten Julián
Published: October 2013

En el conjunto de lo social, hay una serie de artefactos y dispositivos que son parte integral de procesos de (re)producción de ciertas tendencias a organizar y condicionar la forma/contenido de las relaciones sociales de conjunto. El trabajo tanto como espacio, relación y ejercicio, está directamente relacionado con una acción performativa de los vínculos de sujeción y (re)(des)construcción de la(s) subjetividad(es). En este artículo se analizan una serie de elementos que configuran y modelan la forma de sujeción hegemónica instalada en el trabajo y en las relaciones laborales en Chile, con una caracterización y tipificación desde el paradigma de la precarización social, de las principales formas de disciplinamiento y control, como sus consecuencias, en el ejercicio de las prácticas sindicales y de negociación colectiva.
Educación y rendimiento del trabajo en Brasil: desafíos de un escenario de transformación
Authors: Saldanha Pereira Rosângela , Zavala Zavala Arturo
Published: October 2013

Este artículo aborda las principales contribuciones teóricas de Schultz, Becker y Mincer referentes a los efectos de la educación en los salarios y la discriminación y segmentación en el mercado del trabajo brasileño, en el período comprendido entre 1990 y 2009. Para cuantificar el retorno de la educación utilizamos la ecuación de Mincer adaptada para captar factores de la discriminación y segmentación. El método utilizado es el de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios (MQO). Las estimacionesse hicieron a partir de los datos de la Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) del Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Las evidencias obtenidas son: i) los retornos de la escolaridad aún se mantiene en niveles elevados, a pesar de su tendencia decreciente; ii) el diferencial de salarios entre hombres y mujeres, y entre empleados con vínculo formal de trabajo y aquellos sin vínculo formal, aún es elevado, no obstante el período después del año 2001 ha sido caracterizado en la literatura brasileña por una fuerte caída en la desigualdad de renta.
Lymph node dissection for gastric cancer: a critical review
Authors: Batista Thales Paulo , Martins Mário Rino
Published: October 2013

Gastric cancer is one of the most common neoplasms and an important cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Efforts to reduce its high mortality rates are currently focused on multidisciplinary management. However, surgery remains a cornerstone in the management of patients with resectable disease. There is still some controversy as to the extent of lymph node dissection for potentially curable stomach cancer. Surgeons in eastern countries favor more extensive lymph node dissection, whereas those in the West favor less extensive dissection. Thus, extent of lymph node dissection remains one of the most hotly discussed aspects of gastric surgery, particularly because most stomach cancers are now often comprehensively treated by adding some perioperative chemotherapy or chemo-radiation. We provide a critical review of lymph nodes dissection for gastric cancer with a particular focus on its benefits in a multimodal approach.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation as first-line treatment in myeloma: a global perspective of current concepts and future possibilities
Authors: Mactier Catriona Elizabeth , Islam Md Serajul
Published: October 2013

Stem cell transplantation forms an integral part of the treatment for multiple myeloma. This paper reviews the current role of transplantation and the progress that has been made in order to optimize the success of this therapy. Effective induction chemotherapy is important and a combination regimen incorporating the novel agent bortezomib is now favorable. Adequate induction is a crucial adjunct to stem cell transplantation and in some cases may potentially postpone the need for transplant. Different conditioning agents prior to transplantation have been explored: high-dose melphalan is most commonly used and bortezomib is a promising additional agent. There is no well-defined superior transplantation protocol but single or tandem autologous stem cell transplantations are those most commonly used, with allogeneic transplantation only used in clinical trials. The appropriate timing of transplantation in the treatment plan is a matter of debate. Consolidation and maintenance chemotherapies, particularly thalidomide and bortezomib, aim to improve and prolong disease response to transplantation and delay recurrence. Prognostic factors for the outcome of stem cell transplant in myeloma have been highlighted. Despite good responses to chemotherapy and transplantation, the problem of disease recurrence persists. Thus, there is still much room for improvement. Treatments which harness the graft-versus-myeloma effect may offer a potential cure for this disease. Trials of novel agents are underway, including targeted therapies for specific antigens such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
Systemic adjuvant therapies in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Buti Sebastiano , Bersanelli Melissa , Donini Maddalena , Ardizzoni Andrea
Published: October 2013

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the ten most frequent solid tumors worldwide. Recent innovations in the treatment of metastatic disease have led to new therapeutic approaches being investigated in the adjuvant setting. Observation is the only current standard of care after radical nephrectomy, although there is evidence of efficacy of adjuvant use of vaccine among all the strategies used. This article aims to collect published experiences with systemic adjuvant approaches in RCC and to describe the results of past and ongoing phase III clinical trials in this field. We explored all the systemic treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drugs while alternative approaches have also been described. Appropriate selection of patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapies remains a crucial dilemma. Although the international guidelines do not actually recommend any adjuvant treatment after radical surgery for RCC, no conclusions have yet been drawn pending the results of the promising ongoing clinical trials with the target therapies. The significant changes that these new drugs have made on advanced disease outcome could represent the key to innovation in terms of preventing recurrence, delaying relapse and prolonging survival after radical surgery for RCC.
Spontaneous regression of breast carcinoma: review of English publications from 1753 to 1897
Authors: Onuigbo Wilson I.B.
Published: October 2013

Regression is an important phenomenon in oncology. Two reviews in 2011 dealt at length with what in modern parlance may be called its permutations and combinations. Specifically, in both 1982 and 1987, when its occurrence in breast cancer was presented from two centers, the oldest accounts of it were dated back to 1900. Therefore, a search for much older English literature was undertaken in order to widen current knowledge of this important problem. Consequently, a published long case dating back to 1897 is abridged and a short 1846 case is also noted. Furthermore, general etiological concepts are exemplified as far back as 1753. It is concluded that the history of cancer regression is like fishing in an ocean of this illness. However, the findings are deemed to complement what modern historical accounts lack.
Management of neuroblastoma: a study of first- and second-line chemotherapy responses, a single institution experience
Authors: Habib Emmad E. , El-Kashef Amr T. , Fahmy Ezzat S.
Published: October 2013

Neuroblastoma is a high-grade malignancy of childhood. It is chemo- and radio-sensitive but prone to relapse after initial remission. The aim of the current study was to study the results of the first- and second-line chemotherapy on the short-term response and long-term survival of children, and to further describe the side effects of treatment. Ninety-five children with advanced neuroblastoma were included in the study, divided into two groups according to the treatment strategy: 65 were treated by first-line chemotherapy alone, and 30 children who were not responding or relapsed after first-line chemotherapy were treated by second-line chemotherapy. External beam radiotherapy was given to bone and brain secondary cancers when detected. Staging workup was performed before, during and after management. Response was documented after surgery for the primary tumor. Median follow up was 32 months (range 24-60 months). Chemothe rapy was continued until toxicity or disease progression occurred, indicating interruption of chemotherapy. Patients received a maximum of 8 cycles. Toxicity was mainly myelo-suppression, with grade II-III severity in 60% of the firstline and 70% of the second-line chemotherapy patients. Median total actuarial survival was nearly 51 months for the first-line chemotherapy group and 30 months for the second-line line group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).
An overview on the role of FLT3-tyrosine kinase receptor in acute myeloid leukemia: biology and treatment
Authors: Grafone Tiziana , Palmisano Michela , Nicci Chiara , Storti Sergio
Published: October 2013

Hematopoiesis, the process by which the hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors differentiate into blood cells of various lineages, involves complex interactions of transcription factors that modulate the expression of downstream genes and mediate proliferation and differentiation signals. Despite the many controls that regulate hematopoiesis, mutations in the regulatory genes capable of promoting leukemogenesis may occur. The FLT3 gene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a key role in controlling survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Mutations in this gene are critical in causing a deregulation of the delicate balance between cell proliferation and differentiation. In this review, we provide an update on the structure, synthesis and activation of the FLT3 receptor and the subsequent activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways. We also review activating FLT3 mutations that are frequently identified in acute myeloid leukemia, cause activation of more complex downstream signaling pathways and promote leukemogenesis. Finally, FLT3 has emerged as an important target for molecular therapy. We, therefore, report on some recent therapies directed against it.
Therapeutic strategies for synchronous and multiple liver metastases from colorectal cancer
Authors: Osada Shinji , Imai Hisashi , Sasaki Yoshiyuki , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Okumura Naoki , Nagase Michitaka , Nonaka Kenichi , Yoshida Kazuhiro
Published: October 2013

Metastasis in the liver is one of the most critical factors in the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. The incidence of synchronous liver metastasis has been found to be approximately 20-25%, but the optimal timing of surgical resection remains controversial. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has also been found to be beneficial not only for initially unresectable but also resectable synchronous metastases and traditional surgical strategies of hepatic resection with past chemotherapeutic regimens have been used less and less over the past several years. This review will discuss treatments in association with the recently developed chemotherapeutic regimens.
Can Immunohistochemistry Serve as an Alternative to Subjective Histopathological Diagnosis of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia?
Authors: AbdulMajeed Ahmad A. , Farah Camile S.
Published: October 2013

Many attempts have been made to identify objective molecular biomarkers to diagnose and prognosticate oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) because histopathological interpretation is subjective and lacks sensitivity. The majority of these efforts describe changes in gene expression at protein level in OED as determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, the literature on these putative markers of oral cancer progression is vast and varied. The main purpose of this article is to review current knowledge on biomarkers of protein expression for OED by IHC approaches. We further discuss these findings in terms of the proposed essential hallmarks of cancer cells to better understand their role in oral oncogenesis.
Paperwork Versus Patient Care: A Nationwide Survey of Residents' Perceptions of Clinical Documentation Requirements and Patient Care
Authors: Christino Melissa A. , Matson Andrew P. , Fischer Staci A. , Reinert Steven E. , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Fadale Paul D.
Published: October 2013

Background

The current health care system requires a substantial amount of documentation by physicians, potentially limiting time spent on patient care.

Objective

We sought to explore trainees' perceptions of their clinical documentation requirements and the relationship between time spent on clinical documentation versus time available for patient care.

Methods

An anonymous, online survey was sent to trainees in all postgraduate years of training and specialties in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited programs.

Results

Over a 2-month time frame, 1515 trainees in 24 specialties completed the survey. Most (92%) reported that documentation obligations are excessive, that time spent with patients has been compromised by this (90%), and that the amount of clinical documentation has had a negative effect on patient care (73%). Most residents and fellows reported feeling rushed and frustrated because of these documentation demands. They also reported that time spent on these tasks decreased their time available for teaching others and reduced the quality of their education. Respondents reported spending more time on clinical documentation than on direct patient care (P < .001).

Conclusions

Trainees' current clinical documentation workload may be a barrier to optimal patient care and to resident and fellow education. Residents and fellows report that clinical documentation duties are onerous, and there is a perceived negative effect on time spent with patients, overall quality of patient care, physician well-being, time available for teaching, and quality of resident education.
The impact of horizontal heterogeneities, cloud fraction, and liquid water path on warm cloud effective radii from CERES-like Aqua MODIS retrievals
Authors: Painemal D. , Minnis P. , Sun-Mack S.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. The impact of horizontal heterogeneities, liquid water path (LWP from AMSR-E), and cloud fraction (CF) on MODIS cloud effective radius (re), retrieved from the 2.1 μm (re2.1) and 3.8 μm (re3.8) channels, is investigated for warm clouds over the southeast Pacific. Values of re retrieved using the CERES algorithms are averaged at the CERES footprint resolution (∼20 km), while heterogeneities (Hσ) are calculated as the ratio between the standard deviation and mean 0.64 μm reflectance. The value of re2.1 strongly depends on CF, with magnitudes up to 5 μm larger than those for overcast scenes, whereas re3.8 remains insensitive to CF. For cloudy scenes, both re2.1 and re3.8 increase with Hσ for any given AMSR-E LWP, but re2.1 changes more than for re3.8. Additionally, re3.8–re2.1 differences are positive (<1 μm) for homogeneous scenes (Hσ < 0.2) and LWP > 45 gm−2, and negative (up to −4 μm) for larger Hσ. While re3.8–re2.1 differences in homogeneous scenes are qualitatively consistent with in situ microphysical observations over the region of study, negative differences – particularly evinced in mean regional maps – are more likely to reflect the dominant bias associated with cloud heterogeneities rather than information about the cloud vertical structure. The consequences for MODIS LWP are also discussed.
CLAAS: the CM SAF cloud property dataset using SEVIRI
Authors: Stengel M. , Kniffka A. , Meirink J. F. , Lockhoff M. , Tan J. , Hollmann R.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. An 8 yr record of satellite based cloud properties named CLAAS (CLoud property dAtAset using SEVIRI) is presented, which was derived within the EUMETSAT Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring. The dataset is based on SEVIRI measurements of the Meteosat Second Generation satellites, of which the visible and near-infrared channels were intercalibrated with MODIS. Including latest development components of the two applied state-of-the-art retrieval schemes ensure high accuracy in cloud detection, cloud vertical placement and microphysical cloud properties. These properties were further processed to provide daily to monthly averaged quantities, mean diurnal cycles and monthly histograms. In particular the collected histogram information enhance the insight in spatio-temporal variability of clouds and their properties. Due to the underlying intercalibrated measurement record, the stability of the derived cloud properties is ensured, which is exemplarily demonstrated for three selected cloud variables for the entire SEVIRI disk and a European subregion. All data products and processing levels are introduced and validation results indicated. The sampling uncertainty of the averaged products in CLAAS is minimized due to the high temporal resolution of SEVIRI. This is emphasized by studying the impact of reduced temporal sampling rates taken at typical overpass times of polar-orbiting instruments. In particular cloud optical thickness and cloud water path are very sensitive to the sampling rate, which in our study amounted to systematic deviations of over 10% if only sampled once a day. The CLAAS dataset facilitates many cloud related applications at small spatial scales of a few kilometres and short temporal scales of a few hours. Beyond this, the spatiotemporal characteristics of clouds on diurnal to seasonal, but also on multi-annual scales, can be studied.
Connecting Intersectionality and Nepantla to Resist Oppressions: A Feminist Fiction Approach
Authors: Ranft Erin
Published: October 2013

This essay argues that the black and Chicana feminist theories of Kimberlé Crenshaw and Gloria Anzaldúa, intersectionality and nepantla, respectively, attend to the complicated aspects of women’s identities, yet each also involves unique analyses that interrogate systemic understandings of oppression. I argue for a framework of intersectional nepantla, that is, the merger of these theories into a conjoining theoretical framework to be applied to issues related to the oppressions of US women, particularly women of color. Such merging involves the labor of women’s self-reflection and examination and the difficult task of struggling through the pain and discomfort of internal resistance and oppression to move to this work on collective levels. This individual grappling and interrogation are worthwhile because they entail examinations of white heterosexist patriarchy at the personal and societal levels. An intersectional nepantla analytical lens, connecting the works of two key US feminist theories, creates an internal/personal and external/societal system of examination that leads to the investigation of and resistance toward oppressions for women, particularly women of color. Though I apply this lens to literary productions by black feminist authors, intersectional nepantla is a method of analysis that may expand into various disciplines and areas in order to interrogate the identity-based oppressions of all, but primarily women of color due to their multifaceted identities and histories with race- and gender-based discriminations within white heteropatriarchal US society.
Efficient and Rapid Derivation of Primitive Neural Stem Cells and Generation of Brain Subtype Neurons From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Yan Yiping , Shin Soojung , Jha Balendu Shekhar , Liu Qiuyue , Sheng Jianting , Li Fuhai , Zhan Ming , Davis Janine , Bharti Kapil , Zeng Xianmin , Rao Mahendra , Malik Nasir , Vemuri Mohan C.
Published: October 2013

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, are unique cell sources for disease modeling, drug discovery screens, and cell therapy applications. The first step in producing neural lineages from hPSCs is the generation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Current methods of NSC derivation involve the time-consuming, labor-intensive steps of an embryoid body generation or coculture with stromal cell lines that result in low-efficiency derivation of NSCs. In this study, we report a highly efficient serum-free pluripotent stem cell neural induction medium that can induce hPSCs into primitive NSCs (pNSCs) in 7 days, obviating the need for time-consuming, laborious embryoid body generation or rosette picking. The pNSCs expressed the neural stem cell markers Pax6, Sox1, Sox2, and Nestin; were negative for Oct4; could be expanded for multiple passages; and could be differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, in addition to the brain region-specific neuronal subtypes GABAergic, dopaminergic, and motor neurons. Global gene expression of the transcripts of pNSCs was comparable to that of rosette-derived and human fetal-derived NSCs. This work demonstrates an efficient method to generate expandable pNSCs, which can be further differentiated into central nervous system neurons and glia with temporal, spatial, and positional cues of brain regional heterogeneity. This method of pNSC derivation sets the stage for the scalable production of clinically relevant neural cells for cell therapy applications in good manufacturing practice conditions.
Les déterminants du choix de carrière des enseignants de la formation professionnelle et leur relation aux caractéristiques sociodémographiques
Authors: D’Ascoli Yannick , Berger Jean-Louis
Published: October 2013

Constatant qu’une pénurie d’enseignants se profile dans de nombreux pays occidentaux, cette étude, menée en Suisse, se focalise sur les motivations des enseignants de ce pays et leurs perceptions du métier. Des analyses de pistes causales ont été menées à partir de données recueillies au moyen d’un questionnaire construit à partir du modèle théorique Factors Influencing Teaching Choice. Les résultats obtenus mettent en évidence l’importance des motivations intrinsèques et sociales dans le choix de devenir enseignant ainsi que certaines différences dues aux caractéristiques sociodémographiques. Finalement, des implications concernant le recrutement des enseignants sont proposées.
On the Synthesis and Adsorption Properties of Single‐Unit‐Cell Hierarchical Zeolites Made by Rotational Intergrowths
Authors: Xu Dandan , Swindlehurst Garrett R. , Wu Haohan , Olson David H. , Zhang Xueyi , Tsapatsis Michael
Published: October 2013

The preparation of hierarchical zeolites usually involves hard or soft templates and multiple synthesis steps, which often prohibit their industrial uses. One way to overcome these issues is to build hierarchical zeolites using repetitive branching, where the intrinsic growth patterns of zeolites, instead of porogenic templates, are utilized. This paper expands on an earlier report to unravel the sequence of events leading to this repetitive branching process for the framework type MFI zeolite structure using small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, adsorption and transport properties of the hierarchical zeolite are probed using 2,2‐dimethylbutane, n‐hexane, and n‐nonane.
Functional Polyamide 6.6 Fiber with N‐Allyliminodiacetic Acid: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: El Bouchti M. , Hannache H. , Cherkaoui O.
Published: October 2013

The monomer N‐allyliminodiacetic acid (ALD) has been synthesized and grafted onto polyamide 6.6 multifilament yarns to develop metal chelate–forming fiber using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. The grafting yield depends on critical parameters, such as the monomer ALD concentration, initiator BPO concentration, pH, temperature, and reaction time. Suitable conditions that give the highest graft yield are reported. The modification occurred on the polyamide 6.6 fibers by grafting is evaluated by several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21378; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21378
Bifunctional Moth‐Eye Nanopatterned Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Light‐Harvesting and Self‐Cleaning Effects
Authors: Heo Sung Yeon , Koh Jong Kwan , Kang Gumin , Ahn Sung Hoon , Chi Won Seok , Kim Kyoungsik , Kim Jong Hak
Published: October 2013

A nanopatterning technique using nanostamps that provides a facile process to create a nature‐inspired moth‐eye structure achieving high transmittance in the visible range as well as a self‐cleaning effect is reported. Commercially available perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and NOA63 as the mold resin and second replica mold material, respectively, play an important role in fabricating the structure. The structure is found to increase transmittance up to 82% at 540 nm and contact angle up to 150°, representing superhydrophobicity even without the aid of a fluorinated self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) coating. The resulting solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) with moth‐eye structures show enhancement of efficiency to 7.3% at 100 mW cm−2, which is among the highest values reported to date for N719 dye‐based ssDSSCs. This nature‐inspired nanopatterning process could be used for improving light harvesting in any type of photovoltaic cell, and it produces superhydrophobic surfaces, which in turn lead to self‐cleaning for long‐term stability.
A model for occupational safety and health intervention diffusion to small businesses
Authors: Sinclair Raymond C. , Cunningham Thomas R. , Schulte Paul A.
Published: October 2013

Background

Smaller businesses differ from their larger counterparts in having higher rates of occupational injuries and illnesses and fewer resources for preventing those losses. Intervention models developed outside the United States have addressed the resource deficiency issue by incorporating intermediary organizations such as trade associations.

Methods

This paper extends previous models by using exchange theory and by borrowing from the diffusion of innovations model. It emphasizes that occupational safety and health (OSH) organizations must understand as much about intermediary organizations as they do about small businesses. OSH organizations (“initiators”) must understand how to position interventions and information to intermediaries as added value to their relationships with small businesses. Examples from experiences in two midwestern states are used to illustrate relationships and types of analyses implied by the extended model.

Results

The study found that intermediary organizations were highly attuned to providing smaller businesses with what they want, including OSH services. The study also found that there are opinion leader organizations and individual champions within intermediaries who are key to decisions and actions about OSH programming.

Conclusions

The model places more responsibility on both initiators and intermediaries to develop and market interventions that will be valued in the competitive small business environment where the resources required to adopt each new business activity could always be used in other ways. The model is a candidate for empirical validation, and it offers some encouragement that the issue of sustainable OSH assistance to small businesses might be addressed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1442–1451, 2013. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Preparation of titanium‐containing polymeric foam for inertial confinement fusion target
Authors: Cadra Stéphane , Balland‐Longeau Alexia , Gérard Jean‐François , Moreau Louis , Thibonnet Jérôme
Published: October 2013

In the framework of the increasing need for metal‐doped polymer materials for inertial confinement fusion targets, we report the preparation of low‐density titanium‐containing materials. For this purpose, we developed a new monomer based on hydroxyl and oxime chelation: Ti3(5‐vinylsalicylaldoximato)2(Oi‐Pr)8. We report here the synthesis, characterization and first results of polymerization of this new titanium‐containing monomer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Traffic‐related air pollution and selected birth defects in the San Joaquin Valley of California
Authors: Padula Amy M. , Tager Ira B. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Hammond S. Katharine , Yang Wei , Lurmann Frederick W. , Shaw Gary M.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Birth defects are a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest associations between environmental contaminants and some structural anomalies, although evidence is limited and several anomalies have not been investigated previously.

METHODS

We used data from the California Center of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and the Children's Health and Air Pollution Study to estimate the odds of 26 congenital birth defect phenotypes with respect to quartiles of seven ambient air pollutant and traffic exposures in California during the first 2 months of pregnancy, 1997 to 2006 (874 cases and 849 controls). We calculated odds ratios (adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, education, and vitamin use; aOR) for 11 phenotypes that had at least 40 cases.

RESULTS

Few odds ratios had confidence intervals that did not include 1.0. Odds of esophageal atresia were increased for the highest versus lowest of traffic density (aOR = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–7.4) and PM10 exposure (aOR 4.9; 95% CI, 1.4–17.2). PM10 was associated with a decreased risk of hydrocephaly (aOR= 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.9) and CO with decreased risk of anotia/microtia (aOR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.8) and transverse limb deficiency (aOR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.9), again reflecting highest versus lowest quartile comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Most analyses showed no substantive association between air pollution and the selected birth defects with few exceptions of mixed results. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:730–735, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Downregulation of Pgc‐1α expression by tea leaves and their by‐products
Authors: Shibuya Erika , Murakami Masaru , Kondo Makoto , Kamei Yasutomi , Tomonaga Shozo , Matsui Tohru , Funaba Masayuki
Published: October 2013

Previous studies indicate that muscle Pgc‐1α expression governs the proportion of muscle fibre types. As a first step in using diet to manipulate the proportion of muscle fibre types by using Pgc‐1α expression, the present study investigates the modulation of Pgc‐1α expression by feedstuffs. A luciferase‐based Pgc‐1α reporter construct (Pgc‐1α(‐2553)‐luc) that contains the mouse Pgc‐1α promoter (−2553 to +78 bp) was prepared. A screen of ethanol extracts from 33 feedstuffs indicated that oolong tea and roasted green tea extracts decreased Pgc‐1α(‐2553)‐luc expression in C2C12 myoblasts. The transcriptional repression of Pgc‐1α by tea leaf extracts was reproduced in hepatic HepG2 cells. We further examined the effects of the alcohol extracts of tea waste and its silage on Pgc‐1α transcription; the tea waste silage extract inhibited Pgc‐1α transcription. Treatment with the extracts of raw tea leaves, tea waste and tea waste silage effectively decreased Pgc‐1α mRNA levels during myogenesis of myosatellite cells. The present results suggest that tea leaves and their by‐products could be used to modulate proportions of muscle fibre types. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization of Glyphosate‐Containing Herbicides on Pervious Paving Systems: Laboratory‐Based Experiments to Determine Impacts on Effluent Water Quality
Authors: Charlesworth Susanne M. , Mbanaso Fredrick U. , Coupe Stephen J. , Nnadi Ernest O.
Published: October 2013

Pervious paving (PPS) model rigs have been used in laboratory‐based experiments to determine the impact of a glyphosate‐containing herbicide (GCH) on the ability of the PPS to retain and biodegrade pollutants. Using three concentrations of GCH (7200, 720, and 72 mg L−1) and used engine oil, it was found that hydrocarbon in the effluent increased with time, and with increasing GCH concentration. Turbidity increased and pH decreased with time, with the highest application of GCH declining by a whole pH unit to become slightly acidic. For Zn, Cu, and Pb, values for the lowest concentration of GCH, whilst slightly higher than the control mirrored its temporal trend and the highest concentration of GCH decreased with time. For the medium GCH concentration, however, Zn and Pb increased toward the end of the monitoring period. Dissolution experiments appeared to confirm speculation that the surfactant in the GCH may be forming an emulsion with the oil facilitating the release of metals associated with the oil. Particulate‐associated pollutants possibly released from the aggregate may be desorbed as the pH declined in the PPS rig. This raises concerns for receiving water quality, particularly with UK legislation encouraging the use of sustainable drainage systems and therefore PPS.
Improvement in survival of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: An international collaborative study
Authors: Amit Moran , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Liao Chun‐Ta , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Agarwal Jai Prakash , Kowalski Luiz P. , Ebrahimi Ardalan , Clark Jonathan R. , Kreppel Matthias , Zöller Joachim , Fridman Eran , Bolzoni Villaret A. , Shah Jatin P. , Binenbaum Yoav , Patel Snehal G. , Gil Ziv ,   The International Consortium for Outcome Research (ICOR) in Head and Neck Cancer
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

An association between the survival of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) and advancements in diagnosis and therapy has not been established.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, longitudinal, international, population‐based study of 2738 patients who underwent resection of OCSCC during 2 different decades. Characteristics of patients from 7 international cancer centers who received treatment between 1990 and 2000 (group A; n = 735) were compared with patients who received treatment between 2001 and 2011 (group B; n = 2003).

RESULTS

Patients in group B had more advanced tumors and tended to develop distant metastases more frequently than patients in group A (P = .005). More group B patients underwent selective neck dissection and received adjuvant radiotherapy (P < .001). Outcome analysis revealed a significant improvement in 5‐year overall survival, from 59% for group A to 70% for group B (P < .001). There was also a significant improvement in disease‐specific survival associated with operations performed before and after 2000 (from 69% to 81%, respectively; P < .001). Surgery after 2000, negative margins, adjuvant treatment, and early stage disease were independent predictors of a better outcome in multivariate analysis. The decade of treatment was an independent prognostic factor for cancer‐specific mortality (hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.3‐0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The survival rate of patients with OCSCC improved significantly during the past 2 decades despite older age, more advanced disease stage, and a higher rate of distant metastases. The current results suggest that the prognosis for patients with OCSCC has improved over time, presumably because of advances in imaging and therapy. Cancer 2013;119:4242–4248. © 2013 American Cancer Society.