bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the writing field of L1-FePt by graded order parameter
Authors: Lu Zhihong , Guo Junbo , Gan Zhanghua , Liu Yong , Xiong Rui , Mankey G. J. , Butler W. H.
Published: February 2013

The dependence of the magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe50Pt50 films on order parameter (S) was investigated. It was demonstrated that the magnetic anisotropy could be tuned by controlling S which can be controlled by the growth temperature. Based on this result, two kinds of multilayered structures, each with a 13 nm fully ordered Fe50Pt50 layer as the bottom layer, were built: (1) 4-layered structure with S decreasing layer by layer from bottom to top; (2) graded structure with S changing more continuously along the thickness. The magnetic properties of the films were characterized using vibrating sample magnetometry. It was found that both structures have their easy axis perpendicular to the film; the anisotropy fields of the 4-layered film and the graded film are 53 kOe and 37 kOe, respectively. These values are much lower than that of the fully ordered uniform Fe50Pt50 film (about 73 kOe). The results suggest that it may be possible to reduce the writing field of Fe50Pt50 by gradually changing the order parameter.
Continuously tunable optical multidimensional Fourier-transform spectrometer
Authors: Dey P. , Paul J. , Bylsma J. , Deminico S. , Karaiskaj D.
Published: February 2013

A multidimensional optical nonlinear spectrometer (MONSTR) is a robust, ultrastable platform consisting of nested and folded Michelson interferometers that can be actively phase stabilized. The MONSTR provides output pulses for nonlinear excitation of materials and phase-stabilized reference pulses for heterodyne detection of the induced signal. This platform generates a square of identical laser pulses that can be adjusted to have arbitrary time delays between them while maintaining phase stability. This arrangement is ideal for performing coherent optical experiments, such as multidimensional Fourier-transform spectroscopy. The present work reports on overcoming some important limitations on the original design of the MONSTR apparatus. One important advantage of the MONSTR is the fact that it is a closed platform, which provides the high stability. Once the optical alignment is performed, it is desirable to maintain the alignment over long periods of time. The previous design of the MONSTR was limited to a narrow spectral range defined by the optical coating of the beam splitters. In order to achieve tunability over a broad spectral range the internal optics needed to be changed. By using broadband coated and wedged beam splitters and compensator plates, combined with modifications of the beam paths, continuous tunability can be achieved from 520 nm to 1100 nm without changing any optics or performing alignment of the internal components of the MONSTR. Furthermore, in order to achieve continuous tunability in the spectral region between 520 nm and 720 nm, crucially important for studies on numerous biological molecules, a single longitudinal mode laser at 488.5 nm was identified and used as a metrology laser. The shorter wavelength of the metrology laser as compared to the usual HeNe laser has also increased the phase stability of the system. Finally, in order to perform experiments in the reflection geometry, a simple method to achieve active phase stabilization between the signal and the reference beams has been developed.
Streptococcus sanguinis meningitis following endoscopic ligation for oesophageal variceal haemorrhage
Authors: Liu Yu-Ting , Lin Chin-Fu , Lee Ya-Ling
Published: February 2013

We report a case of acute purulent meningitis caused by Streptococcus sanguinis after endoscopic ligation for oesophageal variceal haemorrhage in a cirrhotic patient without preceding symptoms of meningitis. Initial treatment with flomoxef failed. The patient was cured after 20 days of intravenous penicillin G. This uncommon infection due to S. sanguinis adds to the long list of infectious complications among patients with oesophageal variceal haemorrhage.
Hepatocyte growth factor pathway upregulation in the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma is associated with lytic bone disease
Authors: Kristensen Ida B. , Christensen Jacob H. , Lyng Maria B. , Møller Michael B. , Pedersen Lise , Rasmussen Lars M. , Ditzel Henrik J. , Abildgaard Niels
Published: February 2013

Lytic bone disease (LBD) in multiple myeloma (MM) is caused by osteoclast hyperactivation and osteoblast inhibition. Based on in vitro studies, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) pathway is thought to be central in osteoblast inhibition. We evaluated the gene expression of the HGF pathway in vivo using bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) of patients with MM and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and healthy volunteers (HV). BMBs (N = 110) obtained at diagnosis were snap‐frozen and used to evaluate gene expression by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. LBD was evaluated using standard radiographs. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on matched bone marrow plasma and immunohistochemistry on matched formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded biopsies. Gene expression of HGF, SDC1, and MET in BMBs were significantly altered in MM versus HV and MGUS, and HGF and MET correlated with the extent of LBD. A significant correlation between gene and protein expression levels was observed for SDC1 (Syndecan‐1) and HGF. The HGF bone marrow plasma level was significantly lower in MM patients with no/limited versus advanced LBD. Our novel approach using snap‐frozen BMBs seems generally applicable because it allows evaluation of gene expression independent of the extent of MM plasma‐cell infiltration. Our study highlights the importance of the HGF pathway in MM LBD.
Burden experienced by community health volunteers in Taiwan: A qualitative study
Authors: Gau Yueh‐Mei , Usher Kim , Stewart Lee , Buettner Petra
Published: February 2013

In Taiwan, volunteers of each Community Health Promotion Development Centres help to diffuse healthy lifestyle education and complement the paid workforce, especially community nurses. An interpretive, descriptive qualitative design, using focus groups, was conducted to explore the burden experienced by community health volunteers in Taiwan. The data were analyzed inductively, and emergent themes were explored. The majority of participants were female between 50 and 59 years old with an average of 4.5 years experience as a volunteer. Thematic analysis resulted in four themes: preparation and scope of practice, lack of support for the role, work overload and expectations of the role. Volunteers in Taiwan do not always have the necessary skills to care for their clientele because of an inadequate programme of orientation, lack of continuing education and support for the role, role overload and expectations placed upon them by the clients and others.
Peri‐implant soft tissues around implants with a modified neck surface. Part 1. Clinical and histometric outcomes: a pilot study in minipigs
Authors: Liñares Antonio , Domken Olivier , Dard Michel , Blanco Juan
Published: February 2013

Aim

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of a modified transgingival implant collar surface (acid‐etched structure and hydrophilic properties) comparatively to a machined collar surface on the clinical and soft tissue integration to pure titanium implants (Ti) and titanium implants alloyed with zirconium (TiZr).

Material and Methods

Twenty‐seven implants belonging to the following groups (9 of each group): Ti modSLA with machined collar (Ti‐M), Ti modSLA with machined, acid‐etched surface collar (Ti‐modMA) and TiZr modSLA with machined, acid‐etched surface collar (TiZr‐modMA) were placed in the mandible of 6 minipigs. After 8 weeks of healing, clinical measurements were taken and the sample sites were dissected and processed for histological evaluation.

Results

Eight weeks after implantation, the mucosa was generally located above the implant shoulder for all implant types. Histomorphometric evaluation revealed that the sulcular epithelium, junctional epithelium and the connective tissue contact were similar in the three groups. Adjusted comparisons showed that the first bone‐to‐implant contact was statistically more coronal for the Ti‐modMA in comparison with the machined.

Conclusion

The soft tissue dimensions around all implant prototypes were similar and not affected by the implant surface modification.
Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take
Authors: Chandra Budi , Collicott Steven H. , Munson John H.
Published: February 2013

A tangential sump design is employed in several aero-engines mainly due to its simplicity and compactness. However various problems have prompted investigations of the sump design. An experimental program at Purdue University (Chandra, 2006, “Flows in Turbine Engine Oil Sumps,” Ph.D. thesis, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University and Radocaj, 2001, “Experimental Characterization of a Simple Gas Turbine Engine Sump Geometry,” M.S. thesis, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University) was conducted to investigate the characteristics of a tangential sump design like one used in the AE3007 aero-engine. The research employed a transparent chamber to allow unprecedented view of the flow inside the bearing chamber. It was quickly found that a persistent liquid pooling near the drain entrance of a tangential sump obstructs the outflow to the scavenge pump. The air flow near the drain entrance has been shown to have strong reverse flow, even with, or perhaps due to, substantial over-scavenging. Various modifications were tested with varying degrees of success. The work highlights limitations of a tangential sump design. Based on the lessons learned, a new sump design was proposed. Preliminary test of the new sump design has shown positive results.
Mechanism of Upward Fuel Discharge During Core Disruptive Accidents in Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors
Authors: Matsuba Ken-ichi , Isozaki Mikio , Kamiyama Kenji , Tobita Yoshiharu
Published: February 2013

The elimination of severe power excursion during core disruptive accidents is a key issue for the enhanced safety of sodium-cooled fast reactors. In order to prevent the formation of a large-scale molten fuel pool within a reactor core, which is one of the factors leading to the severe power excursion, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is considering the introduction of fuel assembly with inner duct structure (FAIDUS). In the current reference design for FAIDUS, the top end of the inner duct is open, whereas the bottom end is closed, and therefore it is expected that the molten fuel will be discharged from the reactor core towards the upper sodium plenum through the inner duct. The objective of the present study is to clarify the fundamental mechanism for upward fuel discharge through the inner duct structure, and thereby to confirm the effectiveness of FAIDUS. The possibility of upward discharge of a high-density melt driven by coolant vapor has been confirmed by the JAEA's experiment, in which molten Wood's metal simulating the molten fuel was injected into a coolant channel (equivalent inner diameter: 30 mm, total height: 2 m, fluid content: water) simulating the inner duct structure. In this paper, the mechanism of upward discharge of a high-density melt driven by coolant vapor pressure and/or flow in this experiment is discussed in terms of the application to reactor conditions. Through this discussion, the following mechanisms were clarified. (1) Coolant vapor pressure is built up within the coolant channel after the melt injection. The magnitude of the pressure buildup becomes larger with the increase of melt-enthalpy-injection rate, which is defined by the product of melt-mass-injection rate into the coolant channel and melt specific enthalpy. (2) Following the pressure buildup, the melt is discharged upward, being driven by the coolant vapor flow directing towards the top opening end of the coolant channel. The upward discharge mass rate becomes higher with the increase of the magnitude of the pressure buildup and, therefore, the melt-enthalpy-injection rate. The experimental knowledge obtained from the JAEA's experiment suggests that the coolant pressure buildup could act as one of the driving forces for the upward discharge of a high-density melt through the inner duct structure in FAIDUS under reactor conditions with higher melt-enthalpy-injection rate than the current simulant experimental condition.
Torque Mode Control of a Cable-Driven Actuating System by Sensor Fusion
Authors: Kong Kyoungchul , Bae Joonbum , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: February 2013

A cable-driven actuating system is proposed in this paper. The proposed system is attractive for rehabilitation systems because the weight of the actuator is not imposed on the human body. Since the end-effector and the actuators are connected by Bowden cables, the humans are allowed to freely move in a certain range while being assisted. However, it is a challenge to account for the variable friction of the Bowden cable and the inertia and friction of the actuator in the design of control algorithms. In this paper, a hierarchical control strategy is adopted to control the proposed cable-driven actuating system. To determine the reference trajectory of the motor in real-time, a sensor-fusion method based on a kinematic Kalman filter with MEMS accelerometers is proposed. By the proposed control methods, the cable-driven actuating system realizes a precise force-mode actuation. The system performance is evaluated by experiments.
Band offsets of metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitor with HfLaTaO/HfSiO stacked high-k dielectric
Authors: Cheng Chin-Lung , Liu Chi-Chung , Chang-Liao Kuei-Shu
Published: February 2013

Band offsets of the metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitor with HfLaTaO/HfSiO stacked dielectric were investigated and determined in this work. First, equivalent-oxide-thickness (EOT) of HfLaTaO/HfSiO stacked dielectric was demonstrated to be around 1.0 nm. Then, a typical flatband voltage (Vfb) versus EOT plot was used to extract the work function (Φm) of Ta deposited on HfLaTaO/HfSiO stacked structure. Furthermore, the Φm of the Ta gate electrode deposited on HfLaTaO/interfacial layer stacked dielectric was estimated to be 4.25 eV. Since the optical energy bandgap (Egopt) is one of the most important physical parameters, the Egopt of HfLaTaO dielectric was extracted from the HfLaTaO/quartz substrate structure by optical absorption measurements. The results suggest that the Egopt of 5.5 eV for HfLaTaO dielectric was determined by extrapolating a linear part of the curve to the intercept on the energy axis. Moreover, the Schottky barrier height (ΦB) was extracted from the analysis of the temperature dependence of the gate leakage current from 298 to 398 K. The result shows that the estimated ΦB during gate injection in Ta/HfLaTaO interface is around 1.0 eV. Through the extracted values of Φm, Egopt, and ΦB, band offsets of MOS capacitor with a Ta/HfLaTaO/HfSiO/P-Si(100) stacked structure were obtained. Finally, the related degradation mechanisms of the HfLaTaO/HfSiO stacked dielectrics under constant voltage stress are presented. The interface trap density and oxide positive charges increase with increasing the injected charges and are not constant during negative bias stress.
Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Reveal mTORC1 Activates de Novo Pyrimidine Synthesis
Authors: Robitaille Aaron M. , Christen Stefan , Shimobayashi Mitsugu , Cornu Marion , Fava Luca L. , Moes Suzette , Prescianotto-Baschong Cristina , Sauer Uwe , Jenoe Paul , Hall Michael N.
Published: February 2013

Coordinating Metabolism

Growth factors help to coordinate metabolism with growth in part by stimulating the activity of the protein kinase mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1).

Ben-Sahra
et al.

(p.
1323
, published online 21 February) and

Robitaille
et al.

(p.
1320
, published online 21 February) independently identified a key target of mTORC1—carbamolyl-phosphate synthase 2, or CAD, the rate-limiting enzyme for de novo synthesis of pyrimidines. Metabolomic profiling and phosphoproteomic analyses of normal cells and cells lacking signaling by mTORC1 converged on CAD as a key point at which growth-promoting signals also ramp up production of nucleic acids.
EVAPORATIVE DROPLETS IN ONE-COMPONENT FLUIDS DRIVEN BY THERMAL GRADIENTS ON SOLID SUBSTRATES
Authors: XU XINPENG , QIAN TIEZHENG
Published: February 2013

A continuum hydrodynamic model is presented for one-component liquid–gas flows on nonisothermal solid substrates. Numerical simulations are carried out for evaporative droplets moving on substrates with thermal gradients. For droplets in one-component fluids on heated/cooled substrates, the free liquid–gas interfaces are nearly isothermal. Consequently, a thermal singularity occurs at the contact line while the Marangoni effect due to interfacial temperature variation is suppressed. Through evaporation/condensation near the contact line, the thermal singularity makes the contact angle increase with the increasing substrate temperature. Due to this effect, droplets will move toward the cold end on substrates with thermal gradients. The droplet migration velocity is found to be proportional to the change of substrate temperature across the droplet. It follows that for two droplets of different sizes on a substrate with temperature gradient, the larger droplet moves faster and will catch up with the smaller droplet ahead. As soon as they touch, they coalesce rapidly into an even larger droplet that will move even faster.
Effect of Wordline/Bitline Scaling on the Performance, Energy Consumption, and Reliability of Cross-Point Memory Array
Authors: Liang Jiale , Yeh Stanley , Wong S. Simon , Wong H.-S. Philip
Published: February 2013

The impact of wordline/bitline metal wire scaling on the write/read performance, energy consumption, speed, and reliability of the cross-point memory array is quantitatively studied for technology nodes down to single-digit nm. The impending resistivity increase in the Cu wires is found to cause significant decrease of both write and read window margins at the regime when electron surface scattering and grain boundary scattering are substantial. At deeply-scaled device dimensions, the wire energy dissipation and wire latency become comparable to or even exceed the intrinsic values of memory cells. The large current density flowing through the wordlines/bitlines raises additional reliability concerns for the cross-point memory array. All these issues are exacerbated at smaller memory resistance values and larger memory array sizes. They thereby impose strict constraints on the memory device design and preclude the realization of large-scale cross-point memory array with minimum feature sizes beyond the 10 nm node. A rethink in the design methodology of cross-point memory to incorporate and mitigate the scaling effects of wordline/bitline is necessary. Possible solutions include the use of memory wires with better conductivity and scalability, memory arrays with smaller partition sizes, and memory elements with larger resistance values and resistance ratios.
Procedural content generation for games
Authors: Hendrikx Mark , Meijer Sebastiaan , Van Der Velden Joeri , Iosup Alexandru
Published: February 2013

Hundreds of millions of people play computer games every day. For them, game content—from 3D objects to abstract puzzles—plays a major entertainment role. Manual labor has so far ensured that the quality and quantity of game content matched the demands of the playing community, but is facing new scalability challenges due to the exponential growth over the last decade of both the gamer population and the production costs. Procedural Content Generation for Games (PCG-G) may address these challenges by automating, or aiding in, game content generation. PCG-G is difficult, since the generator has to create the content, satisfy constraints imposed by the artist, and return interesting instances for gamers. Despite a large body of research focusing on PCG-G, particularly over the past decade, ours is the first comprehensive survey of the field of PCG-G. We first introduce a comprehensive, six-layered taxonomy of game content: bits, space, systems, scenarios, design, and derived. Second, we survey the methods used across the whole field of PCG-G from a large research body. Third, we map PCG-G methods to game content layers; it turns out that many of the methods used to generate game content from one layer can be used to generate content from another. We also survey the use of methods in practice, that is, in commercial or prototype games. Fourth and last, we discuss several directions for future research in PCG-G, which we believe deserve close attention in the near future.
GPSView
Authors: Zheng Yan-Tao , Yan Shuicheng , Zha Zheng-Jun , Li Yiqun , Zhou Xiangdong , Chua Tat-Seng , Jain Ramesh
Published: February 2013

GPS devices have been widely used in automobiles to compute navigation routes to destinations. The generated driving route targets the minimal traveling distance, but neglects the sightseeing experience of the route. In this study, we propose an augmented GPS navigation system,
GPSView
, to incorporate a scenic factor into the routing. The goal of GPSView is to plan a driving route with scenery and sightseeing qualities, and therefore allow travelers to enjoy sightseeing on the drive. To do so, we first build a database of scenic roadways with vistas of landscapes and sights along the roadside. Specifically, we adapt an attention-based approach to exploit community-contributed GPS-tagged photos on the Internet to discover scenic roadways. The premise is: a multitude of photos taken along a roadway imply that this roadway is probably appealing and catches the public's attention. By analyzing the geospatial distribution of photos, the proposed approach discovers the roadside sight spots, or Points-Of-Interest (POIs), which have good scenic qualities and visibility to travelers on the roadway. Finally, we formulate scenic driving route planning as an optimization task towards the best trade-off between sightseeing experience and traveling distance. Testing in the northern California area shows that the proposed system can deliver promising results.
Spider
Authors: Khodabakhshi Naghmeh , Hefeeda Mohamed
Published: February 2013

This article presents a novel content-based copy detection system for 3D videos. The system creates compact and robust depth and visual signatures from the 3D videos. Then, signature of a query video is compared against an indexed database of reference videos' signatures. The system returns a score, using both spatial and temporal characteristics of videos, indicating whether the query video matches any video in the reference video database, and in case of matching, which portion of the reference video matches the query video. Analysis shows that the system is efficient, both computationally and storage-wise. The system can be used, for example, by video content owners, video hosting sites, and third-party companies to find illegally copied 3D videos. We implemented Spider, a complete realization of the proposed system, and conducted rigorous experiments on it. Our experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve high accuracy in terms of precision and recall even if the 3D videos are subjected to several transformations at the same time. For example, the proposed system yields 100% precision and recall when copied videos are parts of original videos, and more than 90% precision and recall when copied videos are subjected to different individual transformations.
A Unified Representation of Deep Moist Convection in Numerical Modeling of the Atmosphere. Part I
Authors: Arakawa Akio , Wu Chien-Ming
Published: February 2013

A generalized framework for cumulus parameterization applicable to any horizontal resolution between those typically used in general circulation and cloud-resolving models is presented. It is pointed out that the key parameter in the generalization is σ, which is the fractional area covered by convective updrafts in the grid cell. Practically all conventional cumulus parameterizations assume σ ≪ 1, at least implicitly, using the gridpoint values of the thermodynamic variables to define the thermal structure of the cloud environment. The proposed framework, called “unified parameterization,” eliminates this assumption from the beginning, allowing a smooth transition to an explicit simulation of cloud-scale processes as the resolution increases. If clouds and the environment are horizontally homogeneous with a top-hat profile, as is widely assumed in the conventional parameterizations, it is shown that the σ dependence of the eddy transport is through a simple quadratic function. Together with a properly chosen closure, the unified parameterization determines σ for each realization of grid-scale processes. The parameterization can also provide a framework for including stochastic parameterization. The remaining issues include parameterization of the in-cloud eddy transport because of the inhomogeneous structure of clouds.
Symptom Score for Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ologe Foluwasayo Emmanuel , Adebola Stephen Oluwatosin , Dunmade Adekunle David , Adeniji Kayode Adebamiji , Oyejola Benjamin Agboola
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in our study population and the correlation between the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) and nasal smear eosinophil count.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Ear, nose, and throat clinic, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; a 450‐bed tertiary health facility.

Subjects

Two hundred seventy‐five consecutive, consenting patients who presented with nasal symptoms.

Methods

Information on the 8‐parameter symptom score was collected using a semistructured questionnaire by interview. Nasal smear slides were air dried, fixed with 95% alcohol, stained using May‐Grünwald‐Giemsa stain, and examined under a light microscope.

Results

Of the 275 participants seen during the 1‐year study, 116 (42.2%) were males. The mean ± SD age was 38.5 ± 16.3 (range, 14‐75) years. Eighty‐one (29.5%) were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis using a nasal smear eosinophil count. The most common symptom was excessive sneezing, involving 93% of patients with allergic rhinitis (P <. 001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis using SFAR was 31.6%. The SFAR cutoff was set at >8 (P <. 001). The sensitivity and specificity for SFAR were 94.8% (confidence interval [CI], 90.5%‐97.4%) and 95.1% (CI, 87.2%‐98.4%), respectively. A high Spearman's correlation (0.88) was obtained for SFAR when correlated with nasal smear eosinophil count.

Conclusion

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis using SFAR was 31.6%. The study shows that SFAR can be used as a simple, valid diagnostic tool in allergic rhinitis. This is important in rural settings where access to laboratory investigations might not be readily available.
Psychotropic drug initiation or increased dosage and the acute risk of falls: a prospective cohort study of nursing home residents
Authors: Echt Murray A , Samelson Elizabeth J , Hannan Marian T , Dufour Alyssa B , Berry Sarah D
Published: February 2013

Background

Previous studies suggest that psychotropic drug changes may signal an acute period of time whereby a person is highly vulnerable to fall. It is unknown whether certain classes of psychotropic agents are less safe with respect to the acute risk of falls. Our purpose was to compare fall rates in the 7 days following a change of an antidepressant, antipsychotic, or benzodiazepine. We also identified specific times when residents are at high risk for falls with respect to a psychotropic drug change.

Methods

Residents in our one-year study included 851 long term care residents from two nursing home facilities in Boston, MA, U.S.A. (May 2010 - May 2011). Drug changes (i.e., new prescriptions or increased dose of a previously used drug) were ascertained using the computerized provider order entry system, whereas falls were ascertained by incident reports. Negative binomial regression was used to compare the rate of falls following a drug change between medication classes. Further, we calculated the rate of falls for each of the 7 days before and 7 days after a psychotropic drug change.

Results

Forty-eight percent of residents were prescribed a new prescription or increased dose of a psychotropic drug during the study. The rate of falls was similar in the 7 days following a change to a SSRI versus non-SSRI antidepressant (11.9 versus 14.4 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.58), a typical versus an atypical antipsychotic (25.4 versus 17.1 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.10), or a short versus long acting benzodiazepine (15.2 versus 13.9 falls/1,000 person years; p = 0.23). Fall risk was highest on day 4 before the drug change (19.0 falls/1,000 person days), on the day of the drug change through 2 days after the drug change (17.6-20.3 falls/1,000 person days), and 5-6 days after the drug change (17.6-19.0 falls/1,000 person days).

Conclusions

In the nursing home, risk of falls was similar following a psychotropic drug change of any class. We observed higher fall risk in the days before, but mostly after the drug change. We recommend that nursing home residents be closely monitored following a psychotropic drug change in an effort to reduce falls.
Why should I prepare? a mixed method study exploring the motives of medical undergraduate students to prepare for clinical skills training sessions
Authors: Aalbers Marlien W , Hommes Juliette , Rethans Jan-Joost , Imbos Tjaart , Muijtjens Arno MM , Verwijnen Maarten G M
Published: February 2013

Background

Although preparation for educational activities is considered beneficial for student learning, many students do not perform preparatory assignments. This phenomenon has received little attention in the literature although it might provide medical educators with the opportunity to enhance student learning. Therefore, we explored why students prepare or not prepare.

Methods

An explorative mixed methods study was performed. In a qualitative study, 24 short group interviews with medical undergraduate students (n=209) were conducted on why they prepared for skills training sessions. In a subsequent quantitative study the resulting themes were used to construct a questionnaire. The questionnaire was presented to all undergraduate medical students at Maastricht University and 847 students completed it. Scales were constructed by a combination of exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and content analysis. Between-class differences in the scale scores were investigated using ANOVA.

Results

The qualitative study showed that students’ opinions on preparation are influenced by both personal factors, categorized as ‘personal learning style’, ‘attitudes and beliefs’, and ‘planning and organization’, as well as external factors, including ‘preparatory advice’, ‘pressure, consequence, and checking of preparation’, ‘teacher-related motivations’, and ‘contents and schedule of the training sessions’. The quantitative study showed that ‘the objective structured clinical examination’ and ‘facilitation of both understanding and memorizing the learning material’, were the two most motivating items. The two most demotivating aspects were ‘other students saying that preparation was not useful’ and ‘indistinct preparatory advices’. Factor analyses yielded three scales: ‘urge to learn’, ‘expected difficulties’, and ‘lack of motivation‘. Between group differences were found between the three classes on the first two scales.

Conclusions

Students make an active and complex choice whether to prepare or not, based on multiple factors. Practical implications for educational practice are discussed.
Analysis of androgen receptor and anti-Müllerian hormone pathways in human granulosa cells under luteinizing hormone treatment
Authors: Lan Kuo-Chung , Chang Shiuh Young , Huang Fu-Jen , Lin Hsin-Jung , Lin Ching-Yuang , Huang Ko-En , Kang Hong-Yo
Published: February 2013

Background

The objective of this study was to determine the gene expression profiles of the androgen/androgen receptor (AR) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/ Sry-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) pathways in granulosa-luteal cells from patients undergoing standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) therapy.

Methods

Levels of reproductive hormones in the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid and the expression levels of LHR (luteinizing hormone receptor), AR, SOX9, AMH, AR-associated protein 54(ARA54)and ARA70 were determined in granulosa-luteal cells by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. The effects of androgen and rLH treatments on AR and AMH expression levels were also tested in vitro using HO23 cells.

Results

We collected 35 an 70 granulosa cell samples from patients cycled with and without rLH supplementation, respectively. The clinical outcomes were similar in patients who received rLH therapy and those who did not, though the pre-ovulatory follicular fluid levels of androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol were significantly higher and progesterone was lower in the rLH supplementation group. Moreover, granulosa-luteal cell mRNA levels of LHR, AR, AMH, and SOX9 were significantly higher in the rLH supplementation group relative to the group that did not receive rLH supplementation. In addition, we observed significant correlations between LHR and AR mRNA expression and among AR, AMH, and SOX9 mRNA expression in granulosa-luteal cells from patients undergoing standard IVF treatment.

Conclusions

Increased expression of LHR, AR, AMH, and SOX9 is characteristic of granulosa-luteal cells from IVF/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients receiving rLH supplementation.
Optical imaging correlates with magnetic resonance imaging breast density and revealscomposition changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: O'Sullivan Thomas D , Leproux Anaïs , Chen Jeon-Hor , Bahri Shadfar , Matlock Alex , Roblyer Darren , McLaren Christine E , Chen Wen-Pin , Cerussi Albert E , Su Min-Ying , Tromberg Bruce J
Published: February 2013

Introduction

In addition to being a risk factor for breast cancer, breast density has beenhypothesized to be a surrogate biomarker for predicting response toendocrine-based chemotherapies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whethera noninvasive bedside scanner based on diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging(DOSI) provides quantitative metrics to measure and track changes in breast tissuecomposition and density. To access a broad range of densities in a limited patientpopulation, we performed optical measurements on the contralateral normal breastof patients before and during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). In this work, DOSIparameters, including tissue hemoglobin, water, and lipid concentrations, wereobtained and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-measuredfibroglandular tissue density. We evaluated how DOSI could be used to assessbreast density while gaining new insight into the impact of chemotherapy on breasttissue.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 28 volunteers undergoing NAC treatment forbreast cancer. Both 3.0-T MRI and broadband DOSI (650 to 1,000 nm) were obtainedfrom the contralateral normal breast before and during NAC. Longitudinal DOSImeasurements were used to calculate breast tissue concentrations of oxygenated anddeoxygenated hemoglobin, water, and lipid. These values were compared withMRI-measured fibroglandular density before and during therapy.

Results

Water (r = 0.843; P < 0.001), deoxyhemoglobin (r =0.785; P = 0.003), and lipid (r = -0.707; P = 0.010)concentration measured with DOSI correlated strongly with MRI-measured densitybefore therapy. Mean DOSI parameters differed significantly between pre- andpostmenopausal subjects at baseline (water, P < 0.001;deoxyhemoglobin, P = 0.024; lipid, P = 0.006). During NACtreatment measured at about 90 days, significant reductions were observed inoxyhemoglobin for pre- (-20.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -32.7 to -7.4) andpostmenopausal subjects (-20.1%; 95% CI, -31.4 to -8.8), and water concentrationfor premenopausal subjects (-11.9%; 95% CI, -17.1 to -6.7) compared with baseline.Lipid increased slightly in premenopausal subjects (3.8%; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.5), andwater increased slightly in postmenopausal subjects (4.4%; 95% CI, 0.1 to 8.6).Percentage change in water at the end of therapy compared with baseline correlatedstrongly with percentage change in MRI-measured density (r = 0.864; P = 0.012).

Conclusions

DOSI functional measurements correlate with MRI fibroglandular density, bothbefore therapy and during NAC. Although from a limited patient dataset, theseresults suggest that DOSI may provide new functional indices of density based onhemoglobin and water that could be used at the bedside to assess response totherapy and evaluate disease risk.
Wet winter pore pressures in railway embankments
Authors: Briggs Kevin M. , Smethurst Joel A. , Powrie William , O'Brien Anthony S.
Published: February 2013

This paper demonstrates the influence of extreme wet winter weather on pore water pressures within clay fill railway embankments, using field-monitoring data and numerical modelling. Piezometer readings taken across the London Underground Ltd network following the wet winter of 2000–2001 were examined, and showed occurrences of hydrostatic pore water pressure within embankments, but also many readings below this. A correlation was found between the maximum pore water pressures and the permeability of the embankment foundation soil, with high-permeability foundation soils (of chalk or river terrace deposits) providing underdrainage and maintaining low pore water pressures within the overlying clay embankment fill. Numerical modelling of transient water flow in response to a climate boundary condition supports this conclusion, and has been used to demonstrate the influence of clay fill and underlying foundation permeability on transient pore water pressures during extreme (c. 1 in 100 years) and intermediate (c. 1 in 10 years) wet winter rainfall. For clay-founded embankments, extreme wet winter conditions increased pore water pressures significantly compared with an intermediate winter, whereas for embankments underlain by a permeable stratum pore water pressures were less sensitive to the extreme winter rainfall.
Association of Age and CKD with Prognosis of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Choi Joon Seok , Kim Min Jee , Kang Yong Un , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Ahn Young-Keun , Jeong Myung Ho , Kim Young Jo , Cho Myeong Chan , Kim Chong Jin , Kim Soo Wan
Published: February 2013

Background and objectives

CKD is a well known poor prognostic factor in myocardial infarction (MI). This study evaluated the prognostic significance of CKD, particularly in association with increasing age, in MI patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This study was based on a retrospective cohort, the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. Patients with a discharge diagnosis of MI were analyzed to investigate the association of CKD with mortality risk according to age. A total of 11,268 patients (mean age 63.0±12.6 years) were included and followed for 1 year.

Results

In the full cohort, 26% of patients had CKD (n=2929). The prevalence of CKD was higher with advancing age. Eight hundred sixty-one patients (7.6%) died and the interaction for 1-year mortality between age strata and estimated GFR (eGFR) strata was significant (P<0.001). Within each age category, the absolute 1-year mortality was higher in patients with a low eGFR. However, the adjusted relative mortality risk for a low eGFR was lower with increasing age (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for 1-year mortality at eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2: 4.84 [1.93−12.15], 4.53 [2.42−8.47], 3.51 [2.42−5.09], and 3.30 [2.41−4.52] for patients aged <55, 55−64, 65−74, and ≥75 years compared with those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively).

Conclusions

For all age categories, the overall mortality was significantly higher as eGFR declined. The association of a lower eGFR with mortality was weaker with increasing age, indicating that the prognostic significance of CKD in MI patients is age dependent.
Pregradual Preparation of Teachers in Slovakia / Etapy Przygotowania Nauczycieli Do Zawodu Na Słowacji
Authors: Karolčík Štefan , Čipková Elena
Published: February 2013

The contribution deals with the quality of pregradual preparation of teachers in the Slovak Republic. It analysis the causes of continuously decreasing number of secondary school graduates interested in teaching profession. The contribution evaluates present situation in pregradual preparation of teachers regarding the proportion of professional, pedagogical and psychological and didactic part. As far as the didactic part is concerned, the contribution points out the need for new approaches to be applied supporting digital technologies.
Re-Assembling the City in Ivan Vladislavić’s Novels
Authors: Caraivan Luiza
Published: February 2013

The paper analyses the various aspects of the city as described by the South African writer Ivan Vladislavić in the novel Portrait with Keys. Hunters, gatherers and urban poachers are the inhabitants of the South African city bordering the veld, a city whose economic centre has been moved to the suburbs due to high rates of crime.
Sask method for testing hydraulic conductivity of soils by flat dilatometer (dmt)
Authors: Garbulewski Kazimierz , Żakowicz Stanisław , Rabarijoely Simon , Łada Anna
Published: February 2013

DMT is one of the most popular methods of determining soil parameters needed to design a safe construction. Apart from the basic outcome parameter obtained from DMT measurements hydraulic conductivity (k) can be determined, previously proposed DMTA and DMTC methods were modified. The basic idea of the method is that the return of the deformed membrane is due to soil and water pressure. In the proposed SASK method the hydraulic conductivity of the soil is determined by measuring time-varying pressures A and C. Research has been performed at the experimental site of the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, WULS. In the paper, the assumptions of the new method for determining the hydraulic conductivity k are presented. The proposed method allows us to determine a reliable value for the hydraulic conductivity of clay soils. Using this method, the value of hydraulic conductivity (k = 5,47*10-11) is similar to the results of BAT, DMTA and laboratory measurements.
A new taxon of Malgasian Liparis salassia (Orchidaceae, Malaxidinae) from Le RÈunion
Authors: Margońska Hanna B. , Szelengowicz Michel
Published: February 2013

A new variety of Liparis salassia (Pers.) Summerh. from Le Réunion Island is proposed and illustrated.
Orobanche bohemica Čelak. (Orobanchaceae) at the eastern limit of its geographical range: new data on its distribution in Poland
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata
Published: February 2013

A new locality of Orobanche bohemica Čelak., one of the rarest representatives of the family Orobanchaceae in Central and South-Western Europe, is reported from Poland. This is the first confirmed record of the species in Poland. It is the easternmost site known for the species, so it extends its distribution range. The species was recorded in Zawiercie-Bzów in the Czȩstochowa Upland (Wyżyna Czȩstochowska) in July 2010. Its host, abundance, and habitat preferences at the new locality are described, and a supplemented map of its distribution in Europe and Poland is given. Its taxonomic position as well as some diagnostic features that distinguish O.bohemica from O.purpurea are also discussed.
Revised distribution and phytosociological data of Orobanche coerulescens Stephan in Willd. (Orobanchaceae): Poland in relation to Central Europe
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata
Published: February 2013

Orobanche coerulescens has a Eurasian distribution. The species is classified as extinct at most of its localities at the western limit of its range. Its populations are very scarce and critically endangered in Central Europe. This work presents the current distribution of O.coerulescens in Poland, based on a critical revision of herbarium and literature data as well as results of original field research, and reviews its distribution in Central Europe (partly in Eastern Europe). Habitats, plant communities, and migration routes of O.coerulescens in Central Europe are discussed. The species was initially known in Poland from now historical localities in Pomerania and the valley of the lower Vistula. In 2000-2011 it was recorded at 9 localities in Podlasie, the Małopolska Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska), and the Łódź Hills (Wzniesienia Łódzkie). Its abundance at the localities ranged from a few to over 1000 shoots. These are the largest populations of O.coerulescens at its western and north-western range limits.
Heat balance in modern automotive engines
Authors: Páv Karel , Rychtář Václav , Vorel Václav
Published: February 2013

Shrnutí

Tento příspěvek obsahuje informace o přerozdělení tepla v současných vozidlových spalovacích motorech. Vycházelo se z různých konstrukcí především zážehových motorů s rozdílnými zdvihovými objemy, vznětové motory jsou však také zmíněny. Je zde uveden postup výpočtu tepelné bilance motoru, stejně tak, jako obtíže spojené se získáním vstupních dat měřením. Byl navržen a ověřen empirický vztah pro výpočet tepelného toku do chladící kapaliny, který umožňuje snadné nalezení nekorektně změřených pracovních bodů motoru už v počáteční fázi automatického měřícího cyklu. Naměřené hodnoty byly srovnány s výpočtem pomocí programu GT-Power. Na závěr je uvedeno srovnání různých typů motorů s ohledem na velikost tepelného toku do chladící kapaliny
Optimization of a two-phase transverse flux switched reluctance motor with an outer rotor
Authors: Łukaniszyn Marian , Kowol Marcin , Kołodziej Janusz
Published: February 2013

This paper presents optimization results for a two-phase, modular transverse flux switched reluctance motor (TFSRM) with an outer rotor. In particular, the main disadvantage of the considered motor structure, that is the zero starting torque in some rotor positions, is eliminated by construction optimization. A numerical model of the motor developed in the Flux3D program is coupled with a Matlab-based evolutionary algorithm for optimization of construction parameters of the magnetic circuit. The elaborated algorithm is also connected with a database to limit the computation costs. Three objective functions are taken into account for the motor integral parameter improvement. The fundamental role of a type of an optimization criterion function is comparatively analyzed and a new effective criterion function is introduced.
Morphometric Comparative Study of the Striatum and Globus Pallidus of the Common Shrew, Bank Vole, Rabbit, and Fox
Authors: Wasilewska Barbara , Najdzion Janusz , Równiak Maciej , Bogus-Nowakowska Krystyna , Nowakowski Jacek J. , Robak Anna
Published: February 2013

The morphology of the striatum (St, caudoputamen complex) and globus pallidus (GP) was studied by stereological methods in representatives of four mammalian orders (Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Carnivora). The aim of our study was to give the first detailed morphometric characteristics of the St and GP in the animals. The paraffin-embedded brain tissue blocks were cut in the coronal plane into 50 μm sections, which were stained for Nissl substance. The morphometric analysis of the St and GP has included such parameters as the volume, numerical density, and total number of neurons. The increase in the volume of the St and GP was accompanied by an increase in the total number of neurons and a decrease in their numerical density. The percentage contribution of the GP volume in the corpus striatum shows progressive traits in the common shrew and fox.