bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evolving new paradigm: endothelial cells – conditional innate immune cells
Authors: Mai Jietang , Virtue Anthony , Shen Jerry , Wang Hong , Yang Xiao-Feng
Published: August 2013

Endothelial cells (ECs) are a heterogeneous population that fulfills many physiological processes. ECs also actively participate in both innate and adaptive immune responses. ECs are one of the first cell types to detect foreign pathogens and endogenous metabolite-related danger signals in the bloodstream, in which ECs function as danger signal sensors. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide activates ECs, causing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which amplify the immune response by recruiting immune cells. Thus, ECs function as immune/inflammation effectors and immune cell mobilizers. ECs also induce cytokine production by immune cells, in which ECs function as immune regulators either by activating or suppressing immune cell function. In addition, under certain conditions, ECs can serve as antigen presenting cells (antigen presenters) by expressing both MHC I and II molecules and presenting endothelial antigens to T cells. These facts along with the new concept of endothelial plasticity suggest that ECs are dynamic cells that respond to extracellular environmental changes and play a meaningful role in immune system function. Based on these novel EC functions, we propose a new paradigm that ECs are conditional innate immune cells. This paradigm provides a novel insight into the functions of ECs in inflammatory/immune pathologies.
Acute myeloid leukemia in a 38-year-old hemodialyzed patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease
Authors: Labno-Kirszniok Katarzyna , Nieszporek Teresa , Wiecek Andrzej , Helbig Grzegorz , Lubinski Jan
Published: August 2013

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL disease) is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene. The gene product, pVHL, regulates the level of proteins that play a central role in protecting cells against hypoxia. Clinical hallmarks of von Hippel-Lindau disease are the development of central nervous system hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, neuroendocrine tumors and endolymphatic sac tumors.

In this article the case of a 38-year old hemodialyzed patient who became ill with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) three years after being diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau disease is presented.

After cytostatic treatment the patient went into complete hematologic remission but there was still residual disease at the genetic level. After consolidation therapy patient developed bone marrow aplasia and severe pneumonia. Despite intensive treatment the patient died from acute respiratory failure.

In this paper we present for the first time a case of von Hippel-Lindau disease associated with acute myeloid leukemia. No evidence of relationship between VHL disease and blood cancers has been demonstrated so far. Despite the fact that there is an increased risk of cancer development in hemodialyzed patients, cancer is a relatively rare cause of death in the dialysed population, and the most common malignancies are genitourinary cancers. It seems likely that development of acute myeloid leukemia in patient with VHL disease can be related to epigenetic alterations of the VHL gene, but further studies are needed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with reduced adiposity but not with unfavorable major cardiovascular risk factor profiles and enhanced carotid atherosclerosis in black Africans from a developing population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dessein Patrick H , Woodiwiss Angela J , Norton Gavin R , Solomon Ahmed
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflamed joint-derived cytokine-mediated high-grade systemic inflammation that enhances cardiovascular metabolic risk and disease in developed populations. We investigated the potential impact of RA on cardiovascular risk factors including systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis, and their relationships in black Africans from a developing population.

Methods

We evaluated demographic features, adiposity indices, major traditional cardiovascular risk factors, circulating C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 concentrations and ultrasound determined carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in 274 black Africans; 115 had established RA. Data were analyzed in confounder-adjusted mixed regression models.

Results

The body mass index and waist-height ratio were lower in RA compared to non-RA subjects (29.2 (6.6) versus 33.7 (8.0), P < 0.0001 and 0.58 (0.09) versus 0.62 (0.1), P = 0.0003, respectively). Dyslipidemia was less prevalent in patients with RA (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.54 (0.30 to1.00)); this disparity was no longer significant after further adjustment for reduced adiposity and chloroquine use. RA was also not associated with hypertension, current smoking and diabetes. The number of major traditional risk factors did not differ by RA status (1.1 (0.8) versus 1.2 (0.9), P = 0.7). Circulating C-reactive protein concentrations were similar and serum interleukin-6 concentrations reduced in RA (7.2 (3.1) versus 6.7 (3.1) mg/l, P = 0.7 and 3.9 (1.9) versus 6.3 (1.9) pg/ml, P < 0.0001, respectively). The cIMT was 0.700 (0.085) and 0.701 (0.111) mm in RA and non-RA subjects, respectively (P = 0.7). RA disease activity and severity parameters were consistently unrelated to systemic inflammation, despite the presence of clinically active disease in 82.6% of patients. In all participants, adiposity indices, smoking and converting angiotensin inhibitor non-use were associated with increased systemic inflammation, which related to more atherogenic lipid profiles, and circulating low density lipoprotein concentrations were associated with cIMT (partial R = 0.153, P = 0.032); RA did not impact on these relationships (interaction P ≥0.1).

Conclusions

Among black Africans, patients with established RA experience reduced overall and abdominal adiposity but no enhanced major traditional risk factor and atherosclerosis burden. This study further suggests that an absent interleukin-6 release by inflamed RA joints into the circulation may account for this unaltered cardiovascular disease risk.
An Experimental Investigation of the Performance of Non-Composite Steel-Concrete-Steel Protective Panels under Large Impact Loading
Authors: Kong Sih Ying , Remennikov Alex M. , Uy Brian
Published: August 2013

In conventional steel-concrete-steel (SCS) construction, the external steel plates are connected to the concrete infill by welded shear connectors. This paper describes an experimental programme in which the response of axially restrained non-composite (without shear connectors) SCS protective panels subject to impulsive loading was studied. A comprehensive parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects of different types of infill materials, amount of impact energy, and the bond between the concrete core and steel faceplates, on the performance of the protective panels. The experimental results showed that the panels developed high load-carrying capacity through the tensile membrane resistance of the steel faceplates at large deformation. The panels demonstrated a highly ductile response and were able to sustain large deformation up to 18 degrees end rotation without collapse. The high strength and high ductility characteristics of these SCS panels make them an economical alternative to the existing protective barrier structures.
Review of Benchmark Studies and Guidelines for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Zhou Linren , Yan Guirong , Wang Lei , Ou Jinping
Published: August 2013

In the past three decades, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has attracted considerable attention. The great achievements in theoretical study and the engineering applications of SHM are very encouraging and promising. Numerous approaches and techniques have been proposed and applied to different structures, making it difficult to compare and contrast the merits of the various methodologies. An SHM benchmark study provides a platform for comparing and evaluating the performance of SHM approaches and techniques on a consistent basis. This paper reviews the SHM benchmark studies. For each case, the physical structure, the numerical study, the scaled laboratorial model experiment as well as the comparisons made between results obtained from the variety of approaches are reviewed. The latest developments in guidelines on the application of SHM techniques is also be reviewed.
Yield Line Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Slabs with Openings by Dip and Strike Angles Method
Authors: Kwan A.K.H. , Lam J.Y.K. , Ng P.L.
Published: August 2013

Using the dip and strike angles method of representing the geometry of yield line pattern in terms of the dip and strike angles of the deflected slab segments, the yield line analysis of reinforced concrete slabs had been successfully computerized. In this study, the dip and strike angles method is generalized for applications to slabs with any number of arbitrary-shaped openings subjected to point, line, patch and uniformly distributed loads. As before, the external work done by applied loads and the internal energy dissipation along yield lines are evaluated as functions of the dip and strike angles, but to allow for the presence of openings, the external work done and internal energy dissipation within the openings are discounted. Based on the principle of virtual work, the load factor is evaluated in terms of the dip and strike angles and the yield line pattern is determined by minimizing the load factor with respect to the dip and strike angles. Examples of slabs with openings under various boundary conditions and loading patterns are presented to illustrate the applicability, efficiency and accuracy of the generalized method.
Experimental Study on Seismic Behavior of Concrete-Filled L-Shaped Steel Tube Columns
Authors: Shen Zu-Yan , Lei Min , Li Yuan-Qi , Lin Zhen-Yu , Luo Jin-Hui
Published: August 2013

Concrete-filled L-shaped steel tube columns can be used to save architectural space at room corners, and may have many advantages of structural behavior of common concrete-filled steel tubes as columns. In this paper, the seismic behavior of concrete-filled L-shaped steel tube columns (CFLSTs) was investigated. Six specimens subjected to a constant axial load and cyclically varying lateral loading were tested to study the effects of width to depth ratio of section, depth to thickness ratio of steel tube and axial load level on the strength, as well as stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation of CFLST columns. Experimental results showed that the displacement ductility of CFLST columns decreased significantly with the increase of axial load level, and the strength and stiffness degradations of CFLST columns were more significant with higher axial load level. With the increase of depth-thickness ratio of steel tube and depth-width ratio of section, the ductility and the lateral ultimate load-carrying capacity of CFLST columns also decreased gradually. All CFLST columns exhibited favorable energy dissipation and ductility, even for the columns subjected to high axial load, which indicates that this type of composite columns is adoptable in practical engineering, especially in seismic regions.
Failure Patterns and Ultimate Load-Carrying Capacity Evolution of a Prestressed Concrete Cable-Stayed Bridge: Case Study
Authors: Yang Ou , Li Hui , Ou Jinping , Li Q.S.
Published: August 2013

An approach to analyzing the evolution of the failure patterns and ultimate load-carrying capacity of prestressed concrete (P.C.) cable-stayed bridges based on a mixture of inspection and structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques is proposed. Firstly, a finite element model (FEM) of a bridge structure was established based on the design blueprint and was updated using periodic inspection or SHM data. The relationship between girder section axial force and bending moment bearing capacity was analysed with the consideration of damage and performance deterioration. Then, using vehicle loading patterns, which can be obtained from SHM data or bridge design codes, vehicle loads are applied to the updated FEM to determine the internal forces in bridge components. Finally, the locations where loads exceed the bearing capacity of components are set as plastic hinges to model the nonlinear behaviour of the structure. This procedure is repeated with the load increasing continuously up to the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the bridge. The corresponding FEM at this point gives the failure mode of the bridge. A P.C. cable-stayed bridge with a 260-m main span was employed to validate the proposed approach for 4 representative states (healthy, damaged, strengthened, and re-damaged states). The results presented in this paper confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach, and indicate that durability damage (such as girder cracking and steel bar corrosion), variations in the cable forces, girder shape (i.e., girder deflection) and structural configuration (i.e., boundary condition variations) have significant effects on the failure mode and ultimate load-carrying capacity of the P.C. cable-stayed bridge.
Physico-mechanical and micro-structural analysis of chicken feather particles reinforced rubber seed oil based polyurethane composites
Authors: Omorogbe O. , Yawas D. , Dagwa I. , Bakare Isiaka , Isa M.
Published: August 2013

Chicken feather particles reinforced rubber seed oil based polyurethane composites were produced and the physico-mechanical and microstructural analyses were studied. Casting method was used to produce the composites with varied weights of Chicken feather particles from 5 to 25wt% in steps of 5 wt%. The composites produced were analyzed for hardness, impact strength, tensile strength, density and water absorption properties according to ASTM standards. The density and impact strength were observed to decrease with increase in percentage weight of the chicken feather particles and this was attributed to the fact that the feathers have lower density than RSO-Polyurethane. Tensile strength and hardness of the composites were found to decrease at the intial stage (0 to 10 wt%) and later started to increase with percentage increase(15 to 25 wt%) of reinforment added. The microstructure reveals that there was a reasonable uniform distribution and bonding of chicken feather particles in the RSO-Polyurethane matrix.
On automated test system for asymmetric digital subscriber line equipment
Authors: Syed Tariq , Das Sunil , Biswas Satyendra , Assaf Mansour , Petriu Emil
Published: August 2013

The requirement for an automated test system has immensely increased due to the realization that manual testing is associated with additional resources and staffing constraints. In order to achieve a competitive edge, reduced development cost, timely product delivery, and product quality are mandatory in today's organization. Manual testing requires skilled operators that increase cost, time, and product delivery. The low cost computer-based automated system helps to get an edge by fulfilling these organizational demands. In this paper, an automated testing system has been developed to support functional testing of all phases of Nortel Networks 1-Meg modem system as its system under test (SUT). The modem is an inherently complex asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) product and its testing is far more complex than just verification of process faults. The complexity of ADSL system renders automated test system an important and imperative part of ADSL testing. The subject paper demonstrates the indispensable need of automated test system for ADSL testing and its relative advantages in providing some benefit for the organization.
Behaviour of Frame Columns in Localised Fires
Authors: Sun Ruirui , Burgess Ian , Huang Zhaohui
Published: August 2013

A static/dynamic version of the software Vulcan has recently been developed, in which the numerical singularity of a static analysis, induced by a local instability of a structure, for instance the buckling of a column, can be covered by switching to the explicit dynamic procedure. This version of Vulcan allows the post-buckling behaviour of a member to be traced, finding a re-stabilized state if it exists.

In this paper a study of the behaviour of steel columns in localised fires is presented. A simplified model is developed, taking into consideration the axial restraint of the column in fire. An axial elastic stiffness is used to represent restraint from the superstructure, and the full post-buckling behaviour is covered. Results obtained from the simplified model have been validated against previous numerical studies. A full-frame model has been created for comparison. The simplified model has been extended to investigate the effect of beam yielding on the column's restraint conditions. This is modelled by giving a bilinear force-displacement relationship to the spring element. The influence of the stiffness and strength ratios of beam to column on the behaviour of the column in a localised fire are investigated. This study indicates that, although the member interaction is complex in a frame in a localised fire, it may be possible to find a simple way to deal with this behaviour, and to determine not only the initial buckling temperature but also the possibilities of re-stabilization and progressive collapse.
Development of a Spectrofluorimetric Method for the Determination of Ofloxacin in Urine
Authors: Pulgarín José Antonio Murillo , Molina Aurelia Alañón , Boras Narjisse
Published: August 2013

A simple, accurate, rapid, and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of ofloxacin in urine was developed by means of first derivative matrix isopotential synchronous fluorescence spectrometry (MISF). The calibration curve was found to be linear in the concentration range 40–320 ng/mL. The method allows the determination of compound in samples with unknown background fluorescence without the need for tedious pre-separation. Synchronous scans are performed along a trajectory that connects points of identical intensity in a three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum. The unknown analytical signal of the urine is suppressed from the MISF spectrum by calculating its first derivative at λex = 319.2 and λem = 465 nm. In order to ensure maximum sensitivity and adequate selectivity, the experimental variables affecting fluorescence intensity were studied in the ofloxacin band centered at λex = 333 and λem = 460 nm. As result, the determination was performed in a water medium at pH 7.2, adjusted by using sodium dihydrogen phosphate as a buffer solution. Calibration graphs were subjected to a comprehensive statistical analysis. The detection limit according to Long and Winefordner was 8.4 ng/mL, and the detection limit proposed by Clayton was 13.9 ng/mL.
Thermo-Optical Characterization of Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) Quantum Dots Embedded in Biocompatible Materials
Authors: Pilla Viviane , Alves Leandro P. , Iwazaki Adalberto N. , Andrade Acácio A. , Antunes Andrea , Munin Egberto
Published: August 2013

Cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) core-shell quantum dots (QDs) embedded in biocompatible materials were thermally and optically characterized with a thermal lens (TL) technique. Transient TL measurements were performed with a mode-mismatched, dual-beam (excitation and probe) configuration. A thermo-optical study of the CdSe/ZnS QDs was performed for different core diameters (3.5, 4.0, 5.2, and 6.6 nm) in aqueous solution and synthetic saliva, and three different core diameters (2.4, 2.9, and 4.1 nm) embedded in restorative dental resin (0.025% by mass). The thermal diffusivity results are characteristic of the biocompatible matrices. The radiative quantum efficiencies for aqueous solution and biofluid materials are dependent on the core size of the CdSe/ZnS core-shell QDs. The results obtained from the fluorescence spectral measurements for the biocompatible materials support the TL results.
Phenylhydrazones of Piperidin-4-ones as AND, OR, NOR, NAND, and INH Molecular Logic Gates
Authors: Xavier Joana May Chanayil , Chandrasekaran Sowrirajan , Enoch Israel V. Muthu Vijayan , Gunasekaran Venugopal
Published: August 2013

Phenylhydrazone derivatives of 2,6-diarylpiperidin-4-ones viz., 3-methyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-one (PMP-PH) and 3-methyl-2,6-di-(9H-fluorenyl)piperidin-4-one (FMP-PH) when illuminated and protonated perform the functions of AND, OR, NOR, NAND Boolean logic gates with all optical outputs. The functions of the AND and the NAND gates rely on changes in absorption and emission of the phenylhydrazone upon isomerization of the photochromic unit. We report novel heterocyclic compounds where setting up of threshold absorption or emission can be made as a logic device.
Mid-Infrared Planar Silver Halide Waveguides with Integrated Grating Couplers
Authors: Schädle Thomas , Eifert Alexander , Kranz Christine , Raichlin Yosef , Katzir Abraham , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: August 2013

Grating couplers for planar silver halide waveguides were designed and fabricated by using focused ion beam (FIB) milling technology, facilitating coupling of mid-infrared radiation from quantum cascade lasers into thin-film waveguide structures. An optimized rectangular grating structure for an emitted wavelength of 10.4 μm, with a grating constant of 16.4 μm was integrated into a silver halide waveguide substrate via an optimized FIB fabrication procedure. Efficient uncoupling and radiation propagation through the waveguide was confirmed by analyzing droplets of acetic acid at different concentrations, deposited at the waveguide surface via evanescent field absorption spectroscopy.
Application of Visible/Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Uranium Ore Concentrates for Nuclear Forensic Analysis and Attribution
Authors: Klunder Gregory L. , Plaue Jonathan W. , Spackman Paul E. , Grant Patrick M. , Lindvall Rachel E. , Hutcheon Ian D.
Published: August 2013

Uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) are produced at mining facilities from the various types of uranium-bearing ores using several processes that can include different reagents, separation procedures, and drying conditions. The final UOC products can consist of different uranium species, which are important to identify to trace interdicted samples back to their origins. Color has been used as a simple indicator; however, visual determination is subjective and no chemical information is provided. In this work, we report the application of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a non-contact, non-destructive method to rapidly analyze UOC materials for species and/or process information. Diffuse reflectance spectra from 350 to 2500 nm were measured from a number UOC samples that were also characterized by X-ray diffraction. Combination and overtone bands were used to identify the amine and hydroxyl-containing species, such as ammonium uranates or ammonium uranyl carbonate, while other uranium oxide species (e.g., uranium trioxide [UO3] and triuranium octoxide [U3O8]) exhibit absorption bands arising from crystal field effects and electronic transitions. Principal component analysis was used to classify the different UOC materials.
Determination of Phosphate Phases in Sewage Sludge Ash-Based Fertilizers by Raman Microspectroscopy
Authors: Vogel Christian , Adam Christian , McNaughton Don
Published: August 2013

The chemical form of phosphate phases in sewage sludge ash (SSA)-based fertilizers was determined by Raman microspectroscopy. Raman mapping with a lateral resolution of 5 × 5 μm2 easily detected different compounds present in the fertilizers with the help of recorded reference spectra of pure substances. Quartz and aluminosilicates showed Raman bands in the range of 450–520 cm−1. Phosphates with apatite structure and magnesium triphosphate were determined at around 960 and 980 cm−1, respectively. Furthermore, calcium/magnesium pyrophosphates were detected in some samples.
Photothermal Lens Spectrometry Measurements in Highly Turbid Media
Authors: Marcano Aristides , Basaldua Isaac , Villette Aaron , Edziah Raymond , Liu Jinjie , Ziane Omar , Melikechi Noureddine
Published: August 2013

We measured the photothermal lens signal in samples exhibiting high turbidity using a pump-probe scheme. We show that the photothermal lens signal properties remain nearly unchanged up to values of turbidity of 6 cm−1 despite the signal reduction due to the decrease of excitation power associated to turbidity losses. The signal starts decreasing abruptly for values of turbidity larger than 6 cm−1. Multiple light scattering yields a reduction of the temperature gradients' which results in a decrease of the effective signal. However, the signal-to-noise ratio remains above 50 for turbidity values of 9 cm−1, which corresponds to a reduction of light transmission by more than four orders of magnitude. We report on the detection of the photothermal lens signal through a 2 mm layer of organic tissue with a signal-to-noise ratio of about 500. This technique appears promising for imaging applications in organic samples, which usually exhibit high turbidity for visible and near-infrared light.
Studies on the Optogalvanic Effect and Isotope-Selective Excitation of Ytterbium in a Hollow Cathode Discharge Lamp Using a Pulsed Dye Laser
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Kumar Jitendra , Prakash Om , Saini Vinod K. , Dixit Sudhir K. , Nakhe Shankar V.
Published: August 2013

This paper presents studies on the pulsed optogalvanic effect and isotope-selective excitation of Yb 555.648 nm (0 cm−1 → 17 992.007 cm−1) and 581.067 nm (17 992.007 cm−1 → 35 196.98 cm−1) transitions, in a Yb/Ne hollow cathode lamp. The Yb atoms were excited by narrow linewidth (500–1000 MHz) Rh110 and Rh6G dye based pulsed lasers. Optogalvanic signal inversion for ground state transition at 555.648 nm was observed beyond a hollow cathode discharge current of 8.5 mA, in contrast to normal optogalvanic signal at 581.067 nm up to maximum current of 14 mA. The isotope-selective excitation studies of Yb were carried out by recording Doppler limited optogalvanic signals as a function of dye laser wavelength. For the 581.067 nm transition, three even isotopes, 172Yb, 174Yb, and 176Yb, and one odd isotope, 171Yb, were clearly resolved. These data were compared with selective isotope excitation by 10 MHz linewidth continuous-wave dye laser. For 555.648 nm transition, isotopes were not clearly resolved, although isotope peaks of low modulation were observed.
Time-Resolved Surface Infrared Spectroscopy during Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Sperling Brent A. , Hoang John , Kimes William A. , Maslar James E.
Published: August 2013

This work presents a novel method for obtaining surface infrared spectra with sub-second time resolution during atomic layer deposition (ALD). Using a rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, we obtain a series of synchronized interferograms (120 ms) during multiple ALD cycles to observe the dynamics of an average ALD cycle. We use a buried metal layer (BML) substrate to enhance absorption by the surface species. The surface selection rules of the BML allow us to determine the contribution from the substrate surface as opposed to that from gas-phase molecules and species adsorbed at the windows. In addition, we use simulation to examine the origins of increased reflectivity associated with phonon absorption by the oxide layers. The simulations are also used to determine the decay in enhancement by the buried metal layer substrate as the oxide layer grows during the experiment. These calculations are used to estimate the optimal number of ALD cycles for our experimental method.
Raman Chemical Mapping of Magnesium Stearate Delivered by a Punch-Face Lubrication System on the Surface of Placebo and Active Tablets
Authors: Šašiċ Slobodan , Ojakovo Peter , Warman Martin , Sanghvi Tapan
Published: August 2013

Raman chemical mapping was used to determine the distribution of magnesium stearate, a lubricant, on the surface of tablets. The lubrication was carried out via a punch-face lubrication system with different spraying rates applied on placebo and active-containing tablets. Principal component analysis was used for decomposing the matrix of Raman mapping spectra. Some of the loadings associated with minuscule variation in the data significantly overlap with the Raman spectrum of magnesium stearate in placebo tablets and allow for imaging the domains of magnesium stearate via corresponding scores. Despite the negligible variation accounted for by respective principal components, the score images seem reliable as demonstrated through thresholding the one-dimensional representation and the spectra of the hot pixels that show a weak but perceivable magnesium stearate band at 1295 cm−1. The same approach was applied on the active formulation, but no magnesium stearate was identified, presumably due to overwhelming concentration and spectral contribution of the active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Real-Time Sensing of Soil Nitrate Concentration in the Parts per Million Range While the Soil is in Motion
Authors: Jones Roger W. , Rathke Samuel J. , Laird David A. , McClelland John F.
Published: August 2013

Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is a term used to describe non-nitrogen gas (non-N2) forms of nitrogen (N) in the biosphere. It causes major pollution problems when it occurs in excess, and it has many sources, including fertilizers used in production agriculture. Currently there is no on-the-go soil nitrate sensor that could guide the application of the optimal amount of fertilizer, which often varies significantly within a field. We report for the first time nitrate-in-soil measurements performed on moving soil samples at concentration levels relevant for fertilizer application. An infrared emission technique called transient infrared spectroscopy (TIRS) was tested on soil samples spiked with different nitrate concentrations in the parts-per-million range and moving at a velocity of 2.6 m/s (5.8 miles per hour) in the laboratory. The TIRS Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were modeled by partial least squares and produced a standard error of cross-validation (SECV) of 6.3 parts per million (ppm) N and an R 2 of 0.938 for 512-scan spectra. These results are compared to those using fewer TIRS scans and to those from photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements on stationary samples. TIRS 128-, 32-, and 8-scan spectra yielded SECVs of 11.2, 11.4, and 18.4 ppm N and R 2 values of 0.800, 0.831, and 0.583, respectively. The PAS and DRIFTS measurements produced SECVs of 12.4 and 9.0 ppm N and R 2 values of 0.766 and 0.876, respectively.
Translating Practice
Authors: Connor Katy
Published: August 2013

At Translation: Pairing Practices, London in June 2012, participants were given the following instructions:
Experiment 21: Glass bottle copy, in porcelain: Practice journal
Authors: Wilson Conor
Published: August 2013

An un-edited series of journal entries reflecting on the processes involved in making a copy. The copy was made in order to generate text. Writing about making is employed as a research method in an enquiry into relationships between body, language and material. Can making knowledge allow us to engage more directly with material in everyday life and what might the translation of embodied and material knowledge into words reveal about thought?
Re-languaging the creative: Designing as a comprehensive act of combination
Authors: Wood John
Published: August 2013

This is the first of two articles that aim to explore co-authorship in the light of ecological systems. The assumption behind each of them is that designers could make a creative contribution to the evolutionary sustainability of natural ecosystems, thus helping to reduce the ecocidal impact of human behaviour. Unfortunately, designers are trained as specialists who catalyse economic growth and their methods are therefore part of the old paradigm that needs changing. Part of the paradigm change needs to include the re-designing of design to be more relational and combinatorial, so that its primary focus is more associated with the co-creative relations between things, rather than on individual products or services. What we call ‘metadesign’ is intended to help designers, and others, to re-think the habits, assumptions and discourses that seem ‘normal’, or are invisible, to those in the existing paradigm. Its repertoire therefore includes methods for ‘re-languaging’ the familiar belief system in order to encourage beneficial change. Ultimately, metadesigners would be expected to co-create ‘synergies’ that will work together as a ‘synergies-of-synergies’. Re-languaging certain key terms will be vital to the quest for synergy. For example, in the corporate vocabulary, the term ‘creative innovation’ implies an egocentric ‘disrupting’ of the status quo. Metadesigners might wish to re-describe its purpose as a process that helps organizations to find more synergistic ways to coexist, within their habitat.
Graffittipaintouts
Authors: Beaumont Henny
Published: August 2013

This picture essay explores the idea of the traces of meaning hinted at in the painted out graffiti images. The rectangles of paint become statements in themselves, disguising and suggesting speculation about the obliterated words.
Rhythms of practice: An evaluation of writings generated from a series of drawing, speaking and writing experiments
Authors: Edwards Harriet
Published: August 2013

This article evaluates some of the ‘Rhythms of Practice’ experiment writings (activities of drawing, speaking and writing) from Ph.D. research, ‘Design leads’, 2012. The research developed from earlier Writing PAD preoccupations with the relation of studio practices to writing practices. The article, informed by my role of participant–observer, proceeds from an evaluation of writing that is absorbed into drawing to a second part that analyses the microelements of writings produced. The latter are experiential, towards the phenomenological or sometimes poetic in nature. The final part brings in the perspective of Iain McGilchrist’s research on the bi-laterality of brain hemispheres.
Cosmetic surgeries on knots in S
3
Authors: Ni Yi , Wu Zhongtao
Published: August 2013

Two Dehn surgeries on a knot are called purely cosmetic, if they yield manifolds that are homeomorphic as oriented manifolds. Suppose there exist purely cosmetic surgeries on a knot in S
3,
we show that the two surgery slopes must be the opposite of each other. One ingredient of our proof is a Dehn surgery formula for correction terms in Heegaard Floer homology.
Effects of energy restriction on activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in obese humans and rodents: implications for diet-induced changes in body composition
Authors: Seimon Radhika V. , Hostland Nikita , Silveira Stephanie L. , Gibson Alice A. , Sainsbury Amanda
Published: August 2013

Background: Obesity treatments aim to maximize fat loss, particularly abdominal or visceral fat, without compromising lean or bone mass. However, the literature contains numerous examples of obesity treatments that – in addition to fat loss – result in loss of lean mass and/or bone mass.

Materials and methods: Because of the known effects of energy restriction to increase activity of the hypothalamo-pitutiary adrenal (HPA) axis in lean humans and animals, and because increases in circulating glucocorticoid levels could potentially contribute to adverse body compositional changes with obesity treatments, we conducted a systematic PubMed search to determine whether HPA axis activation also occurs in response to energy restriction in obese humans and animals.

Results and conclusions: In most studies in obese humans, short-term severe energy restriction increased circulating cortisol levels, and this response was also seen in two longer-term human studies involving severe or moderate energy restriction. These findings parallel studies on short- or long-term energy restriction in obese rodents, with most studies showing increases in circulating corticosterone concentrations, and no change or actual increases in hypothalamic expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone, urocortin 3 or their receptors. However, a significant proportion of studies involving longer-term severe or moderate energy restriction in obese humans showed no change or decreases in HPA axis function. There was variability among human studies in the duration of energy restriction and timing of the HPA axis investigations (i.e., during energy restriction, or after a period of post-restriction weight maintenance). In order to unambiguously determine changes in HPA axis function with energy restriction in obese humans, it will be important to assess HPA axis function at multiple time points during energy restriction, given that obese individuals may spend many weeks or months in severe or moderate energy restriction in order to reduce excess weight, and given that increases in glucocorticoid function can have significant effects on body composition within weeks to months.
Smart Justice: A New Paradigm for Dealing with Offenders
Authors: Sabet Kevin , Talpins Stephen , Dunagan Matthew , Holmes Erin
Published: August 2013

Given the size and cost of the American criminal justice system, new ways of thinking about community corrections are necessary to both reduce the economic impact and public safety consequences of offenders cycling in and out of prison and jail. Several new paradigms for dealing with offenders have recently emerged and are expanding throughout the United States. All of these approaches involve utilizing swift, certain, and modest sanctions, rather than random and severe sanctions, which is the status quo. This paper outlines the aforementioned approach by highlighting three such programs currently in existence in the United States. The paper ends with general guidelines for constructing similar cost-effective programs.
Study of the OCDMA Transmission Characteristics in FSO-FTTH at Various Distances, Outdoor
Authors: Aldouri Muthana Y. , Aljunid S. A. , Fadhil Hilal A.
Published: August 2013

It is important to apply the field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and Optical Switch technology as an encoder and decoder for Spectral Amplitude Coding Optical Code Division Multiple Access (SAC-OCDMA) Free Space Optic Fiber to the Home (FSO-FTTH) transmitter and receiver system design. The encoder and decoder module will be using FPGA as a code generator, optical switch using as encode and decode of optical source. This module was tested by using the Modified Double Weight (MDW) code, which is selected as an excellent candidate because it had shown superior performance were by the total noise is reduced. It is also easy to construct and can reduce the number of filters required at a receiver by a newly proposed detection scheme known as AND Subtraction technique. MDW code is presented here to support Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) access network in Point-To-Multi-Point (P2MP) application. The conversion used a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) wavelength converter. The performances are characterized through BER and bit rate (BR), also, the received power at a variety of bit rates.
Conceptus-derived prostaglandins regulate gene expression in the endometrium prior to pregnancy recognition in ruminants
Authors: Spencer Thomas E , Forde Niamh , Dorniak Piotr , Hansen Thomas R , Romero Jared J , Lonergan Patrick
Published: August 2013

In cattle, the blastocyst hatches from the zona pellucida on days 8–9 and then forms a conceptus that grows and elongates into an ovoid and then filamentous shape between days 9 and 16. The growing conceptus synthesizes and secretes prostaglandins (PGs) and interferon τ (IFNT). Our hypothesis was that the ovoid conceptus exerts a local effect on the endometrium prior to maternal recognition of pregnancy on day 16 in cattle. In study one, synchronized cyclic heifers received no blastocysts or 20in vitro-produced blastocysts on day 7 and their uteri were collected on day 13. IFNT was not detected by RIA in the uterine flushing samples of pregnant heifers containing multiple ovoid conceptuses; however, total PG levels were higher in the uterine lumen of pregnant heifers than in that of cyclic heifers. Microarray analysis revealed that the expression of 44 genes was increased in the endometria of day 13 pregnant heifers when compared with that in the endometria of cyclic heifers, and many of these genes were classical Type I IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). In studies two and three, the effects of infusing PGs at the levels produced by the elongating day 14 conceptus into the uterine lumen of cyclic ewes on ISG expression in the endometrium were determined. Results indicated that the infusion of PGs increased the abundance of several ISGs in the endometrium. These studies support the hypothesis that the day 13 conceptus secretes PGs that act locally in a paracrine manner to alter gene expression in the endometrium prior to pregnancy recognition in cattle.
The European Medicines Agency Review of Abiraterone for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Adult Men After Docetaxel Chemotherapy and in Chemotherapy-Naïve Disease: Summary of the Scientific Assessment of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
Authors: Gravanis Iordanis , Lopez Arantxa Sancho , Hemmings Robert James , Jiménez Jorge Camarero , Garcia-Carbonero Rocio , Gallego Isabel García , Giménez Elena Valencia , O'Connor Daniel , Giuliani Rosa , Salmonson Tomas , Pignatti Francesco
Published: August 2013

Learning Objectives

Describe the EU regulatory considerations on the benefits of abiraterone in the treatment of prostate cancer. Describe the EU regulatory considerations on the risks of abiraterone in the treatment of prostate cancer and their management. Describe the EU regulatory basis for approving abiraterone for use in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Comfort Measures: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Oliveira Irene
Published: August 2013

Reference to the concept of comfort measures is growing in the nursing and medical literature; however, the concept of comfort measures is rarely defined. For the comfort work of nurses to be recognized, nurses must be able to identify and delineate the key attributes of comfort measures.

A concept analysis using Rodgers’ evolutionary method (2000) was undertaken with the goal of identifying the core attributes of comfort measures and thereby clarifying this concept. Health care literature was accessed from the CINAHL and PubMed databases. No restrictions were placed on publication dates.

Four main themes of attributes for comfort measures were identified during the analysis. Comfort measures involve an active, strategic process including elements of “stepping in” and “stepping back,” are both simple and complex, move from a physical to a holistic perspective and are a part of supportive care. The antecedents to comfort measures are comfort needs and the most common consequence of comfort measures is enhanced comfort.

Although the concept of comfort measures is often associated with end-of-life care, this analysis suggests that comfort measures are appropriate for nursing care in all settings and should be increasingly considered in the clinical management of patients who are living with multiple, chronic comorbidities.
Interaction Between Chinese Employees' Traditionality and Leader-member Exchange in Relation to Knowledge-Sharing Behaviors
Authors: Su Taoyong , Wang Zeming , Lei Xinghui , Ye Tingting
Published: August 2013

We examined the interaction of the level of Chinese employees' traditionality (CT) and the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) in their workplaces and how both CT and LMX influence the knowledge-sharing (KS) behaviors of these employees. We distributed surveys to employees working
for firms located in the Yangzi Delta area of Mainland China and performed a hierarchical regression analysis of responses from 304 individuals. Our results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between LMX and KS and, furthermore, that the relationship between LMX and
KS was moderated by the level of employees' Chinese traditionality.
The Relationship of Flow and Self-Regulated Learning to Active Procrastination
Authors: Kim Eunkyung , Seo Eun Hee
Published: August 2013

We examined the relationships between active procrastination, flow, self-regulated learning, and academic achievement in 278 Korean undergraduate students in order to extend the existing research on active procrastination. We used two hierarchical multiple regressions to identify significant
predictors of active procrastination and academic achievement. The results showed that flow and self-regulated learning were significant factors in predicting active procrastination. The findings also indicated that although active procrastination had a significant effect on academic achievement,
flow and self-regulated learning better explained academic achievement than did active procrastination. Our findings offered a more in depth understanding of active procrastination than has been achieved in previous research and explained why active procrastinators can obtain satisfactory
results.
Team Networks and Team Identification: The Role of Leader-Member Exchange
Authors: Guan KeXin , Luo ZhengXue , Peng JiaXi , Wang Zhen , Sun HaiTing , Qiu Chun
Published: August 2013

We examined the relationship among team networks, leader-member exchange (LMX), and team identification in the workplace. Social network theory, social exchange theory, and social identity theory served as references for our theoretical propositions and analyses. We collected data from
a sample of 223 teams of military personnel, serving in the artillery in West China. We found that the team networks had a significant effect on team identification. Further, the variance and the mean for LMX in teams interacted in influencing team identification (β =-.893, p <
.01). Our findings indicated that creating productive networks in teams would be useful to enhance team identification, the effect of which may be carried on through to building exchange relationships between leader and follower.
The Effect of Social Support on State Anxiety Levels During Pregnancy
Authors: Duman Nuriye Büyükkayaci , Kocak Cem
Published: August 2013

In this study our aim was to determine the effect of pregnant women's perception of level of multidimensional social support during pregnancy on their state anxiety level. The sample comprised 160 pregnant women who were attending antenatal polyclinics at Çorum State Hospital
between March 2011 and June 2011. The data were assessed using percentages, arithmetic means, standard deviations, t test, and 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found a correlation between anxiety levels and the score for social support of a significant person and total social
support score. According to our results it may be said that high social support given during pregnancy has the effect of reducing the pregnant woman's anxiety.
Numerical solution of inverse spectral problems for Sturm-Liouville operators with discontinuous potentials
Authors: Efremova Liubov , Freiling Gerhard
Published: August 2013

We consider Sturm-Liouville differential operators on a finite interval with discontinuous potentials having one jump. As the main result we obtain a procedure of recovering the location of the discontinuity and the height of the jump. Using our result, we apply a generalized Rundell-Sacks algorithm of Rafler and Böckmann for a more effective reconstruction of the potential and present some numerical examples.