bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saving Private Manning? On Erasure and the Queer in the I Am Bradley Manning Campaign
Authors: Wight Jules
Published: April 2014

This article seeks to understand erasures, instability, and queerness in the I am Bradley Manning campaign. As social media increasingly provides digital places for people to create, convene, and participate in social movements and protest, there is a corresponding need to understand how these movements work, what they mean for individuals as an exercise of citizenship, and what they mean as movements in communities, cultures, and states. This article explores the I am Bradley Manning campaign on Tumblr as an important object of study in understanding new forms of public protest and social movements. Many of these movements are not disruptive in the same sense of traditional forms of protest as we have understood them: protests in physical spaces and places that disrupt everyday life and living. Instead, these are protests that take place in virtual digital places, which at times provide little physical or material disruption of the everyday. This article is an attempt to begin understanding new ways we might frame or understand disruption and protest in light of digital movements.
Teacher Stories of Blame When Assigning a Failing Grade
Authors: Poorman Susan G. , Mastorovich Melissa L.
Published: April 2014

Nurse educators are required to routinely evaluate students. While there is a plethora of information in the educational literature about how to write exams, develop rubrics, or evaluate clinical performance, there is a paucity of research related to teachers’ experiences of evaluation. Using a Heideggerian hermeneutical approach, this study sought to answer: (1) what are the experiences of nurse educators evaluating nursing students? and (2) what do these evaluative experiences mean to the nurse educator? Thirty nurse educators from 19 undergraduate programs were interviewed for this study. Implications for nurse educators are discussed.
Testing for the Unconfoundedness Assumption Using an Instrumental Assumption
Authors: de Luna Xavier , Johansson Per
Published: April 2014

The identification of average causal effects of a treatment in observational studies is typically based either on the unconfoundedness assumption (exogeneity of the treatment) or on the availability of an instrument. When available, instruments may also be used to test for the unconfoundedness assumption. In this paper, we present a set of assumptions on an instrumental variable which allows us to test for the unconfoundedness assumption, although they do not necessarily yield nonparametric identification of an average causal effect. We propose a test for the unconfoundedness assumption based on the instrumental assumptions introduced and give conditions under which the test has power. We perform a simulation study and apply the results to a case study where the interest lies in evaluating the effect of job practice on employment.
Functional law of the iterated logarithm for backward stochastic differential equations
Authors: N'Zi Modeste , Dakaou Ibrahim
Published: April 2014

By using large deviation techniques, we prove a Strassen type law
of the iterated logarithm for a forward-backward stochastic
differential equation.
Baroreflex Failure, Sympathetic Storm, and Cerebral Vasospasm in Fibulin-4 Cutis Laxa
Authors: Rajapakse Thilinie , Mineyko Aleksandra , Chee Caroline , Subramaniam Suresh , Dicke Frank , Bernier Francois P. , Kirton Adam
Published: April 2014

Sudden, severe, and life-threatening, the crises associated with baroreflex failure are diagnostically challenging, particularly in children, a population in which it has rarely been described. The baroreflex failure syndrome results from impaired afferent baroreceptive input and manifests with autonomic stimulation–induced surges in blood pressure and heart rate accompanied by distinct signs, including thunderclap headache, diaphoresis, and emotional instability. Although the adult literature includes cases of severe headache in baroreflex failure,1,2 we present the first case of a child with recurrent thunderclap headache and cerebral vasospasm with baroreflex failure secondary to vascular complications of a rare genetic connective tissue disorder.
Rape Prevention Through Empowerment of Adolescent Girls
Authors: Sarnquist Clea , Omondi Benjamin , Sinclair Jake , Gitau Carolinah , Paiva Lee , Mulinge Munyae , Cornfield David N. , Maldonado Yvonne
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Sexual assault is a major cause of injury, unplanned pregnancy, HIV infection, and mental health problems worldwide. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, sexual assault has reached epidemic proportions. This study evaluated the efficacy of an empowerment and self-defense intervention for adolescent girls to decrease the incidence of sexual assault and harassment in Nairobi’s large informal settlements.

METHODS:

A prospective cohort of 1978 adolescents from 4 neighborhoods near Nairobi were taught empowerment, deescalation, and self-defense skills in six 2-hour sessions. The standard-of-care (SOC) group (n = 428) received a life skills class. Self-reported, anonymous survey data were collected at baseline and 10.5 months after intervention.

RESULTS:

Annual sexual assault rates decreased from 17.9/100 person-years at baseline to 11.1 at follow-up (rate ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.86; P < .001); there was no significant change in the SOC group (14.3 to 14.0, rate ratio = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.67–1.57, P = .92). Sexual assault disclosure in the intervention group increased from 56% to 75% (P = .006), compared with a constant incidence of disclosure (53%) in the SOC group. The majority (52.3%) of adolescents in the intervention group reported using skills learned to stop an assault.

CONCLUSIONS:

This intervention decreased sexual assault rates among adolescent girls in Kenya. The intervention was also associated with an increase in the disclosure of assaults, thereby enabling survivors to seek care and support and possibly leading to the identification and prosecution of perpetrators. This model should be adaptable to other settings both in Africa and globally.
Rapid Intraoperative Fabrication of an Inexpensive, Reliable Nasal Stent for use after Primary Cleft Nasal Repair
Authors: Bezuhly Michael
Published: April 2014

Nasal stents are frequently used to maintain corrected nostril shape following primary cleft lip and nasal repair. Various stents have been described, but they are often cumbersome to generate, expensive, or difficult to retain. The author describes a rapid, effective, and inexpensive alternative to previously described commercially available or molded nasal stents whereby a nasal stent is fabricated from a pediatric nasal oxygen cannula. All patients in whom this stent has been used to date tolerated it well with no complication and with good maintenance of nostril shape at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.
Heathrow airport's personal rapid transit system proves to be a viable transport solution
Authors: Kerr Tony , Lowson Martin , Smith Austin
Published: April 2014

This paper reports on the design, development and highly successful operation of the personal rapid transit system at London's Heathrow airport, UK. Over the past 3 years the 3·9 km ‘pod’ system has carried over a million passengers between Terminal 5 and its business car park. There are provisions in the structure to extend the system and plans have been developed for extension to Terminals 2 and 3. The light weight of the vehicles resulted in transport infrastructure with far lower weight, cost, visual intrusion and embodied energy than usual and required no highway or service diversions. Very high levels of operational effectiveness and reliability, together with an exceptionally positive response of passengers, suggest that personal rapid transit offers a valuable and viable new contribution to transportation.
Growth of nanomaterials in construction raises health and safety concerns
Authors: Walker Graeme , Ball Roger , Gibb Alastair
Published: April 2014

The increased use of engineered nanomaterials in the construction industry – particularly in exciting innovative materials and products – raises the spectre of another asbestosis crisis. Graeme Walker, Roger Ball and Alastair Gibb of the ICE health and safety expert panel report.
Routes to membership: understanding the ICE 3000 series
Authors: Rogers Mike
Published: April 2014

The Institution of Civil Engineers continues to update and refine its various routes to various levels of membership, otherwise known the ‘ICE 3000 series’. ICE professional development manager Mike Rogers explains.
Inactivation of infectious prions in the environment: a mini-review
Authors: Xu Shanwei , Rasmussen Jay , Ding Ning , Neumann Norman F. , El-Din Mohamed Gamal , Belosevic Miodrag , McAllister Tim
Published: April 2014

Infectious prions (PrPTSE) contribute to horizontal transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Specified risk material (SRM) wastes and wastewater generated from slaughterhouses and rendering plants represent a potential reservoir of PrPTSE. Approved disposal practices for SRM that ensure destruction of PrPTSE, including thermal or alkaline hydrolysis at 150°C–180°C under 4–12 atmospheres and incineration, gasification or combustion at 1000°C, are expensive and challenging to implement in commercial slaughter facilities. Consequently, a large portion of the SRM in Canada is rendered and buried in landfills, whereas they are incinerated at considerable cost in Europe. Alternatives for the disposal of these wastes have been proposed and include anaerobic digestion and composting. These biodegradative processes offer advantages in that they are less energy intensive, CH4 can be used in cogeneration and the end products used as fertiliser. In addition, advanced ozonation of the liquid fraction of SRM may allow its direct release into wastewater streams. For these practices to be adopted, assessment of the extent of PrPTSE inactivation during these processes is required. Moreover, multi-barrier use of these approaches (e.g., anaerobic digestion + composting or anaerobic digestion + ozone) may act synergistically to achieve an acceptable level of PrPTSE inactivation.
Inflation, Exchange Rates, and the Conceptual Framework: The FASB's Debates from 1973 to 1984
Authors: Detzen Dominic
Published: April 2014

SYNOPSIS

In this article, I explain how two economic forces of the 1970s and 1980s, volatile exchange rates and inflation, provided a constant and compelling backdrop to the FASB's debates on its conceptual framework. While it has been acknowledged that rising prices contributed to a move towards greater flexibility in measurement, the role of fluctuating exchange rates has not been addressed so far. When, in 1976, a first foreign currency translation standard became effective, it sparked considerable controversy such that the FASB reconsidered the statement, embracing an exception to the all-inclusive income concept. This seemingly ad hoc exclusion, which is now described as other comprehensive income (OCI), was to be addressed conceptually in the further course of the conceptual framework project. However, the Board was not able to agree on its recognition and measurement project, issuing a descriptive Concepts Statement No. 5. By abandoning further work on reporting income, the FASB included an insufficient ex post justification of OCI in SFAC No. 5. Without conceptual guidance on when to use the concept, the Board's subsequent OCI decisions became vulnerable to political forces.
Misstatements in Financial Statements: The Relationship between Inherent and Control Risk Factors and Audit Adjustments
Authors: Ruhnke Klaus , Schmidt Martin
Published: April 2014

This paper analyzes whether audit adjustments vary systematically with inherent and control risk factors. The analysis is based on proprietary data from a large recent sample of audit adjustments detected in the financial statement audits conducted by a Big 4 audit firm in Germany. We extend the scope of prior studies by incorporating client-specific planning materiality in our design, enabling us to analyze the relative magnitude of adjustments. Our findings show that audit adjustments vary systematically, as proposed by the audit risk model. Specifically, the integrity and competence of the client's management, economic position, entity-level control strength, and internal control system are associated with the number and relative magnitude of audit adjustments. The results also suggest that inherent and control risk factors are particularly strongly associated with income-affecting adjustments.

JEL Classifications: M40, M41, M42.
Physiotherapists Can Identify Female Football Players With High Knee Valgus Angles During Vertical Drop Jumps Using Real-Time Observational Screening
Authors: Nilstad Agnethe , Andersen Thor Einar , Kristianslund Eirik , Bahr Roald , Myklebust Grethe , Steffen Kathrin , Krosshaug Tron
Published: April 2014

Study Design

Clinical measurement, controlled laboratory study.

Objectives

To assess the relationships among real-time observational screening of frontal plane knee control and knee valgus angles and abduction moments calculated from 3-D motion analysis during a vertical drop jump. A secondary purpose was to investigate interrater agreement for 3 independent physiotherapists.

Background

Current approaches to screen for anterior cruciate ligament injury risk are based on complex biomechanical analyses or 2-dimensional video reviews. There is a need for simple and efficient, low-cost screening methods.

Methods

Sixty Norwegian elite female football (soccer) players performed a vertical drop-jump task. Using real-time observational screening, 3 physiotherapists independently scored each participant's frontal plane knee control as good, reduced, or poor, based on specific criteria. Screening test scores were correlated to frontal plane knee kinematics and kinetics using 3-D motion analysis. Interrater agreement was determined using kappa correlation coefficients.

Results

Knee valgus angles differed significantly among players rated as having poor, reduced, or good knee control (10.3° ± 3.4°, 5.4° ± 4.1°, and 1.9° ± 4.3°, respectively). The correlation between the observation test scores and valgus angles was moderate for all raters (0.54–0.60, P≤.001), but the observation scores correlated poorly with abduction moments (0.09–0.11, P>.05). The highest discriminative accuracy was found for knee valgus angles across all raters (area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve, 0.85–0.89). The interrater agreement between the physiotherapists was substantial to almost perfect, with percentage agreement and kappa coefficients ranging from 70% to 95% and 0.52 to 0.92, respectively.

Conclusion

Physiotherapists can reliably identify female athletes with high knee valgus angles in a vertical drop-jump landing using real-time observational screening. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(5):358–365. Epub 14 April 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.4969
Clinical profile, management and early outcome of gall bladder cancer
Authors: Kumar S , Kafle P , Maharjan N , Patowary BN , Belbase N , Shrestha SJ , Agrawal S
Published: April 2014

Objective To evaluate the clinical profile, management and early outcome of patients with gallbladder cancer.Methods This is a single institution based retrospective study of patients with gallbladder cancer who presented at College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal. Patients presenting during one year period from August 2012 to July 2013 were reviewed. Results Twelve cases of Gall Bladder Cancer were reviewed in this series. Out of 12 patients, 9 were females (75%) and 3 were males (25%), showing female preponderance. Most of the patients (75%) were in age group of 51-70 years. Only one patient (8%) was below 50 years of age. Main symptom was pain associated with anorexia, nausea & vomiting. Major signs were palpable mass, hepatomegaly and jaundice. All the cases had association with gall bladder stone. Of the total population, 50%(n=6) underwent extended cholecystectomy and rest of 6 cases were inoperable. Histopathological reports of all the operated cases were adenocarcinoma.Conclusion Prevalence of gall bladder cancer is higher in females in our series. Most of the patients were in fifth to seventh decade of life. Non specific symptoms like abdominal pain nausea and vomiting were the predominant symptoms. Only 50% of the cases were operable. So we have to do early screening by USG abdomen and CT scan to diagnose the disease earlier.   Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 12-16
Ritual scalp shaving-a risk factor for community acquired late onset neonatal sepsis
Authors: Sen S , Mondal KB , Roy A , Kumar N , Pant P , Chatterjee A
Published: April 2014

Background Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality at the community and hospital levels in India. There are several community practices associated with and contributing to Neonatal sepsis, especially late onset variety.Objective To analyze whether scalp shaving is an independent risk factor associated with community acquired late onset neonatal sepsis and the causative organism responsible.Methods This was a prospective, non-interventional, observational study. The study was conducted at two tertiary teaching hospitals in Eastern India from 1st May 2010 to 30th April 2011. A total of 382 babies were diagnosed as Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis and 410 , age and sex matched controls were taken from the Well Baby and Immunization clinics. The patients were clinically screened for sepsis and "septic screen" and blood, urine and CSF cultures sent, as needed.Results History of scalp shaving was present in 46(12.04%) out of 382 cases of Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis as compared to 20(4.87%) of 410 matched community controls, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.005). Positive blood cultures were obtained in 20(43.48%) out of 46 scalp shaven babies as compared to 118(35.11%) out of 336 non scalp shaven babies. The commonest organism in babies with scalp shaving was found to be methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), whereas the most common organism in non scalp shaven babies was Klebsiella pnuemoniae.Conclusion Scalp shaving appears to be an independent variable associated with community acquired Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 35-44
Symptomatic first urinary tract infection in children and underlying kidney and urinary ttract abnormalities from a tertiary care hospital in India
Authors: Dey PK , Banerjee J , Singh RP , Pan A , Chatterjee A
Published: April 2014

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and the clinical evolution of first documented symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection and to detect underlying abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract if any. Methods Prospective observational study on 102 patients (6 months to 5 yrs) with first documented symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection diagnosed by positive urine culture in the department of Paediatrics, G.S.V.M Medical College, Kanpur, India between January 2008 and June 2009. Antibiotics were given according to the sensitivity pattern. All children were evaluated with renal bladder ultrasonogram and voiding cystourethrography. Results Out of 102 patients 62 (60.78%) girls and 40 (39.21%) boys, most of the patients (62.7%) within 6 months to 2 years old. The commonest presentation was fever (84.3%).The commonest organism was E.Coli (80.37%). Overall most common underlying abnormality was VUR, found in 31(30.31%) children. Other abnormalities were urolithiasis(4.9%), ureteropelvic junction obstruction (3.92%),Mild hydronephrosis (2.9%), ureteric duplex(0.98%), posterior urethral valve(0.98%), renal duplex (0.98%). Conclusion In our study 45.09% children had underlying abnormalities which may be a potential risk factor for urinary tract infection. Better recognition of risk factors, prompt diagnosis and early intervention are sufficient enough to maintain normal renal function and healthy lifestyle.   Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 45-53 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i3.10222
Scleredema adultorum of Buschke in a child – a rare case
Authors: Pal S , Dey PK , Das S , Pandey S , Bagchi NR
Published: April 2014

Scleredema adultorum of Buschke is a rare connective tissue disorder reported usually following streptococcal infection, influenza, measles, and mumps. This is a report of scleredema adultorum developing after streptococcal infection in an 10-year-old girl. The diagnosis was established by characteristic picture on skin biopsy using special stain. The patient had a benign course and responded to local emollients only. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 60-62 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i3.10225
Association of different identity styles with sexual experience and decision-making among Canadian youth
Authors: Williams Uzma , Esmail Shaniff
Published: April 2014

Three different identity styles among youth are known to be associated with a variety of health-related issues but the association of these identity styles with sexual health has not been investigated. This study documented the identity styles of 657 Canadian students in their teens; the distribution of identity styles was: information-seeking (32.9%); normative (23%); and diffuse (44.1%). Twenty percent of the students reported that they were currently sexually active. Youth with a diffuse identity style were significantly more likely to report being sexually active than those with an information-seeking identity style. Similar associations with identity styles were investigated in relation to student's comfort communicating about sexuality, sexual assertiveness, and potential for sexual risk behaviour and self-efficacy. The findings are discussed in relation to personality characteristics known to be associated with the three identity styles. Educators and counsellors can apply the results to better address the educational needs, social skills, behaviours, and goals of youth according to their differing identity styles.
Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Capacity of Seed and Shell Essential Oils Extracted from Abrus precatorius (L)
Authors: Okoh Sunday , Asekun Olayinka , Familoni Oluwole , Afolayan Anthony
Published: April 2014

Essential oils from plants have been proven safe as natural antioxidants, and few are already marketed as digestive enhancers as well as in prevention of several degenerative diseases. This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of seed and shell essential oils of Abrus precatorius (L), a herb used for ethno-medicinal practices in Nigeria. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation. The ability of the oils to act as hydrogen/electrons donor or scavenger of radicals were determined by in-vitro antioxidant assays using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH.) scavenging; 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging; lipid peroxide and nitric oxide radicals scavenging assays. The IC50 of the seed and shell oils (2.10 mg/mL and 1.20 mg/mL respectively) showed that antioxidant activity is higher than that for the standard drugs (3.20 mg/mL and 3.40 mg/mL) for the nitric oxide scavenging assay. The lipid peroxidation radical activity of the oils were similar to vitamin C, weak DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were discovered in comparison to vitamin C and rutin. Generally, in the four antioxidant assays, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the oils and percentage inhibition of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. The composition of A. precatorius essential oils reported earlier may account for their antioxidant capacity.
Quantifying Unique Information
Authors: Bertschinger Nils , Rauh Johannes , Olbrich Eckehard , Jost Jürgen , Ay Nihat
Published: April 2014

We propose new measures of shared information, unique information and synergistic information that can be used to decompose the mutual information of a pair of random variables (Y, Z) with a third random variable X. Our measures are motivated by an operational idea of unique information, which suggests that shared information and unique information should depend only on the marginal distributions of the pairs (X, Y) and (X,Z). Although this invariance property has not been studied before, it is satisfied by other proposed measures of shared information. The invariance property does not uniquely determine our new measures, but it implies that the functions that we define are bounds to any other measures satisfying the same invariance property. We study properties of our measures and compare them to other candidate measures.
A Two-stage Method for Solving Multi-resident Activity Recognition in Smart Environments
Authors: Chen Rong , Tong Yu
Published: April 2014

To recognize individual activities in multi-resident environments with pervasive sensors, some researchers have pointed out that finding data associations can contribute to activity recognition and previous methods either need or infer data association when recognizing new multi-resident activities based on new observations from sensors. However, it is often difficult to find out data associations, and available approaches to multi-resident activity recognition degrade when the data association is not given or induced with low accuracy. This paper exploits some simple knowledge of multi-resident activities through defining Combined label and the state set, and proposes a two-stage activity recognition method for multi-resident activity recognition. We define Combined label states at the model building phase with the help of data association, and learn Combined label states at the new activity recognition phase without the help of data association. Our two stages method is embodied in the new activity recognition phase, where we figure out multi-resident activities in the second stage after learning Combined label states at first stage. The experiments using the multi-resident CASAS data demonstrate that our method can increase the recognition accuracy by approximately 10%.
Strategies for Power Line Communications Smart Metering Network Deployment
Authors: Sendin Alberto , Peña Ivan , Angueira Pablo
Published: April 2014

Smart Grids are becoming a reality all over the world. Nowadays, the research efforts for the introduction and deployment of these grids are mainly focused on the development of the field of Smart Metering. This emerging application requires the use of technologies to access the significant number of points of supply (PoS) existing in the grid, covering the Low Voltage (LV) segment with the lowest possible costs. Power Line Communications (PLC) have been extensively used in electricity grids for a variety of purposes and, of late, have been the focus of renewed interest. PLC are really well suited for quick and inexpensive pervasive deployments. However, no LV grid is the same in any electricity company (utility), and the particularities of each grid evolution, architecture, circumstances and materials, makes it a challenge to deploy Smart Metering networks with PLC technologies, with the Smart Grid as an ultimate goal. This paper covers the evolution of Smart Metering networks, together with the evolution of PLC technologies until both worlds have converged to project PLC-enabled Smart Metering networks towards Smart Grid. This paper develops guidelines over a set of strategic aspects of PLC Smart Metering network deployment based on the knowledge gathered on real field; and introduces the future challenges of these networks in their evolution towards the Smart Grid.
Understory Structure and Vascular Plant Diversity in Naturally Regenerated Deciduous Forests and Spruce Plantations on Similar Clear-Cuts: Implications for Forest Regeneration Strategy Selection
Authors: Fang ZhiQiang , Bao WeiKai , Yan XiaoLi , Liu Xin
Published: April 2014

The active effect of natural regeneration on understory vegetation and diversity on clear-cut forestlands, in contrast to conifer reforestation, is still controversial. Here we investigated differences in understory vegetation by comparing naturally regenerated deciduous forests (NR) and reforested spruce plantations (SP) aged 20–40 years on 12 similar clear-cuts of subalpine old-growth spruce-fir forests from the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We found that 283 of the 334 vascular plant species recorded were present in NR plots, while only 264 species occurred in SP plots. This was consistent with richer species, higher cover, and stem (or shoot) density of tree seedlings, shrubs, and ferns in the NR plots than in the SP plots. Moreover, understory plant diversity was limited under dense canopy cover, which occurred more frequently in the SP plots. Our findings implied that natural deciduous tree regeneration could better preserve understory vegetation and biodiversity than spruce reforestation after clear-cutting. This result further informed practices to reduce tree canopy cover for spruce plantations or to integrate natural regeneration and reforestation for clear-cuts in order to promote understory vegetation and species diversity conservation.
University-Based Teleradiology in the United States
Authors: Hunter Tim , Krupinski Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

This article reviews the University of Arizona’s more than 15 years of experience with teleradiology and provides an overview of university-based teleradiology practice in the United States (U.S.). In the U.S., teleradiology is a major economic enterprise with many private for-profit companies offering national teleradiology services (i.e., professional interpretation of radiologic studies of all types by American Board of Radiology certified radiologists). The initial thrust for teleradiology was for after-hours coverage of radiologic studies, but teleradiology has expanded its venue to include routine full-time or partial coverage for small hospitals, clinics, specialty medical practices, and urgent care centers. It also provides subspecialty radiologic coverage not available at smaller medical centers and clinics. Many U.S. university-based academic departments of radiology provide teleradiology services usually as an additional for-profit business to supplement departmental income. Since academic-based teleradiology providers have to compete in a very demanding marketplace, their success is not guaranteed. They must provide timely, high-quality professional services for a competitive price. Academic practices have the advantage of house officers and fellows who can help with the coverage, and they have excellent subspecialty expertise. The marketplace is constantly shifting, and university-based teleradiology practices have to be nimble and adjust to ever-changing situations.
Applying the Taguchi Method to River Water Pollution Remediation Strategy Optimization
Authors: Yang Tsung-Ming , Hsu Nien-Sheng , Chiu Chih-Chiang , Wang Hsin-Ju
Published: April 2014

Optimization methods usually obtain the travel direction of the solution by substituting the solutions into the objective function. However, if the solution space is too large, this search method may be time consuming. In order to address this problem, this study incorporated the Taguchi method into the solution space search process of the optimization method, and used the characteristics of the Taguchi method to sequence the effects of the variation of decision variables on the system. Based on the level of effect, this study determined the impact factor of decision variables and the optimal solution for the model. The integration of the Taguchi method and the solution optimization method successfully obtained the optimal solution of the optimization problem, while significantly reducing the solution computing time and enhancing the river water quality. The results suggested that the basin with the greatest water quality improvement effectiveness is the Dahan River. Under the optimal strategy of this study, the severe pollution length was reduced from 18 km to 5 km.
Social Cost of Leptospirosis Cases Attributed to the 2011 Disaster Striking Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Carlos , Barata Martha , Trigo Aline
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the social cost of the leptospirosis cases that were attributed to the natural disaster of January 2011 in Nova Friburgo (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) through a partial economic assessment. This study utilized secondary data supplied by the Municipal Health Foundation of Nova Friburgo. Income scenarios based on the national and state minimum wages and on average income of the local population were employed. The total social cost of leptospirosis cases attributed to the 2011 disaster may range between US$21,500 and US$66,000 for the lower income scenario and between US$23,900 and US$100,800 for that of higher income. Empirical therapy represented a total avoided cost of US$14,800, in addition to a reduction in lethality. An estimated 31 deaths were avoided among confirmed cases of the disease, and no deaths resulted from the leptospirosis cases attributed to the natural disaster. There has been a significant post-disaster rise in leptospirosis incidence in the municipality, which illustrates the potential for increased cases—and hence costs—of this illness following natural disasters, which justifies the adoption of preventive measures in environmental health.
Importance of N-Glycosylation on CD147 for Its Biological Functions
Authors: Bai Yang , Huang Wan , Ma Li-Tian , Jiang Jian-Li , Chen Zhi-Nan
Published: April 2014

Glycosylation of glycoproteins is one of many molecular changes that accompany malignant transformation. Post-translational modifications of proteins are closely associated with the adhesion, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. CD147, a tumor-associated antigen that is highly expressed on the cell surface of various tumors, is a potential target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. A significant biochemical property of CD147 is its high level of glycosylation. Studies on the structure and function of CD147 glycosylation provide valuable clues to the development of targeted therapies for cancer. Here, we review current understanding of the glycosylation characteristics of CD147 and the glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of CD147 N-glycans. Finally, we discuss proteins regulating CD147 glycosylation and the biological functions of CD147 glycosylation.
Quality Control and Stability Studies with the Monoclonal Antibody, Trastuzumab: Application of 1D- vs. 2D-Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Nebija Dashnor , Noe Christian , Urban Ernst , Lachmann Bodo
Published: April 2014

Recombinant monoclonal antibodies (rmAbs) are medicinal products obtained by rDNA technology. Consequently, like other biopharmaceuticals, they require the extensive and rigorous characterization of the quality attributes, such as identity, structural integrity, purity and stability. The aim of this work was to study the suitability of gel electrophoresis for the assessment of charge heterogeneity, post-translational modifications and the stability of the therapeutic, recombinant monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab. One-dimensional, SDS-PAGE, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were used for the determination of molecular mass (Mr), the isoelectric point (pI), charge-related isoform patterns and the stability of trastuzumab, subjected to stressed degradation and long-term conditions. For the assessment of the influence of glycosylation in the charge heterogeneity pattern of trastuzumab, an enzymatic deglycosylation study has been performed using N-glycosidase F and sialidase, whereas carboxypeptidase B was used for the lysine truncation study. Experimental data documented that 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis represent fast and easy methods to evaluate the quality of biological medicinal products. Important stability parameters, such as the protein aggregation, can be assessed, as well.
Comparative Study of Electroless Copper Film on Different Self-Assembled Monolayers Modified ABS Substrate
Authors: Xu Jiushuai , Fan Ruibin , Wang Jiaolong , Jia Mengke , Xiong Xuanrui , Wang Fang
Published: April 2014

Copper films were grown on (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and 6-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propylamino)-1,3,5- triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium (TES) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) modified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) substrate via electroless copper plating. The copper films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their individual deposition rate and contact angle were also investigated to compare the properties of SAMs and electroless copper films. The results indicated that the formation of copper nuclei on the TES-SAMs modified ABS substrate was faster than those on the MPTMS-SAMs and APTES-SAMs modified ABS substrate. SEM images revealed that the copper film on TES-SAM modified ABS substrate was smooth and uniform, and the density of copper nuclei was much higher. Compared with that of TES-SAMs modified resin, the coverage of copper nuclei on MPTMS and APTES modified ABS substrate was very limited and the copper particle size was too big. The adhesion property test demonstrated that all the SAMs enhanced the interfacial interaction between copper plating and ABS substrate. XRD analysis showed that the copper film deposited on SAM-modified ABS substrate had a structure with Cu(111) preferred orientation, and the copper film deposited on TES-SAMs modified ABS substrate is better than that deposited on MPTMS-SAMs or APTES-SAMs modified ABS resins in electromigrtion resistance.
Physical Characterization of Cementitious Materials on Casting and Placing Process
Authors: Yim Hong , Kim Jae
Published: April 2014

Coagulation of cement particles is an inevitable phenomenon of fresh cement-based materials undergoing solidification. Coagulation can be classified into two types, reversible flocculation and irreversible coagulation, wherein microstructural change affects the rheological properties, including shear thinning and thixotropy, and the hydration process. This paper attempts to measure the mechanical property and the coagulation of cement particles according to the mix proportions of cement paste. Experimental setups were proposed for two different types of coagulations using a laser backscattering instrument. Volume fraction and size distribution of coagulated particles were obtained, and their variations were discussed. From the obtained results the microstructural buildup of freshly mixed cement pastes can be divided into three categories: permanent coagulation and strong and weak flocculation.
Numerical Study of Variation of Mechanical Properties of a Binary Aluminum Alloy with Respect to Its Grain Shapes
Authors: Sharifi Hamid , Larouche Daniel
Published: April 2014

To study the variation of the mechanical behavior of binary aluminum copper alloys with respect to their microstructure, a numerical simulation of their granular structure was carried out. The microstructures are created by a repeated inclusion of some predefined basic grain shapes into a representative volume element until reaching a given volume percentage of the α-phase. Depending on the grain orientations, the coalescence of the grains can be performed. Different granular microstructures are created by using different basic grain shapes. Selecting a suitable set of basic grain shapes, the modeled microstructure exhibits a realistic aluminum alloy microstructure which can be adapted to a particular cooling condition. Our granular models are automatically converted to a finite element model. The effect of grain shapes and sizes on the variation of elastic modulus and plasticity of such a heterogeneous domain was investigated. Our results show that for a given α-phase fraction having different grain shapes and sizes, the elastic moduli and yield stresses are almost the same but the ultimate stress and elongation are more affected. Besides, we realized that the distribution of the θ phases inside the α phases is more important than the grain shape itself.
Magnetically Recoverable Ruthenium Catalysts in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Wang Dong , Astruc Didier
Published: April 2014

Magnetically recyclable catalysts with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are becoming a major trend towards sustainable catalysts. In this area, recyclable supported ruthenium complexes and ruthenium nanoparticles occupy a key place and present great advantages compared to classic catalysts. In this micro-review, attention is focused on the fabrication of MNP-supported ruthenium catalysts and their catalytic applications in various organic syntheses.
Silymarin Induces Expression of Pancreatic Nkx6.1 Transcription Factor and β-Cells Neogenesis in a Pancreatectomy Model
Authors: Soto Claudia , Raya Luis , Pérez Julia , González Imelda , Pérez Salud
Published: April 2014

A physio-pathological feature of diabetes mellitus is a significant reduction of β-pancreatic cells. The growth, differentiation and function maintenance of these cells is directed by transcription factors. Nkx6.1 is a key transcription factor for the differentiation, neogenesis and maintenance of β-pancreatic cells. We reported that silymarin restores normal morphology and endocrine function of damaged pancreatic tissue after alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of silymarin on Nkx6.1 transcription factor expression and its consequence in β cells neogenesis. Sixty male Wistar rats were partially pancreatectomized and divided into twelve groups. Six groups were treated with silymarin (200 mg/Kg p.o) for periods of 3, 7, 14, 21, 42 and 63 days. Additionally, an unpancreatectomized control group was used. Nkx6.1 and insulin gene expression were assessed by RT-PCR assay in total pancreatic RNA. β-Cell neogenesis was determined by immunoperoxidase assay. Silymarin treated group showed an increase of Nkx6.1 and insulin genic expression. In this group, there was an increment of β-cell neogenesis in comparison to pancreatectomized untreated group. Silymarin treatment produced a rise in serum insulin and serum glucose normalization. These results suggest that silymarin may improve the reduction of β pancreatic cells observed in diabetes mellitus.
Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum Supplementation Improves Exercise Performance and Protects against Physical Fatigue in Mice
Authors: Huang Chi-Chang , Chen Yi-Ming , Kan Nai-Wen , Chao Hui-Ling , Ho Chin-Shan , Hsu Mei-Chich
Published: April 2014

Cornu cervi pantotrichum (CCP) is a well-known yang-invigorating agent used in traditional Chinese medicine that can nourish the blood, tonify qi, and invigorate bones and tendons with multifunctional bioactivities. However, evidence on the effects of CCP on exercise performance and physical fatigue is limited. We evaluated the potential beneficial effects of ethanolic extract from CCP on ergogenic and antifatigue functions following a physiological challenge. Male ICR mice from four groups (n = 8 per group) were orally administered CCP for 14 days at 0, 2054, and 4108 mg/kg/day, and were respectively designated as the vehicle, CCP-1X, and CCP-2X groups. The physical performance and antifatigue function were evaluated using forelimb grip strength and exhaustive swimming time as well as serum levels of lactate, ammonia, glucose, and creatine kinase after a 15-min swimming exercise. The results indicated that CCP-1X supplementation significantly improved grip strength; reduced fatigue-associated biochemical indices, including lactate and ammonia levels; and ameliorated skeletal muscle injury induced by acute exercise challenge. A trend analysis revealed that CCP supplementation significantly increased grip strength and dose-dependently reduced serum alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, triacylglycerol, and glucose levels in healthy mice. Therefore, CCP is a potential agent with an antifatigue pharmacological effect.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activities, Free Radical Scavenging Capacity, and Tyrosinase Inhibitory of Flavonoid Compounds and Ferulic Acid from Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames
Authors: Liang Chung , Chang Chia , Liang Chien , Hung Kuei , Hsieh Chang
Published: April 2014

In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and other methods of extracting flavonoid compounds and ferulic acid (FA) from S. sinensis were investigated. Five different extraction methods, including water extraction (W), water extraction using UAE (W+U), 75% ethanol extraction (E), 75% ethanol extraction using UAE (E+U), and supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE) were applied in the extraction of bioactive compounds (flavonoids and ferulic acid) in order to compare their efficiency. The highest yield of flavonoids (4.28 mg/g) and ferulic acid (4.13 mg/g) content was detected in the E+U extract. Furthermore, S. sinensis extracts obtained by E+U show high antioxidant activity, and IC50 values of 0.47 mg/mL for DPPH radicals and 0.205 mg/mL for metal chelating activity. The total antioxidant assay shows superoxide radical scavenging capacity and in vitro mushroom tyrosinase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that E+U can be used for extraction of bioactive compounds from S. sinensis.
Orally Administrated Ascorbic Acid Suppresses Neuronal Damage and Modifies Expression of SVCT2 and GLUT1 in the Brain of Diabetic Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion
Authors: Iwata Naohiro , Okazaki Mari , Xuan Meiyan , Kamiuchi Shinya , Matsuzaki Hirokazu , Hibino Yasuhide
Published: April 2014

Diabetes mellitus is known to exacerbate cerebral ischemic injury. In the present study, we investigated antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of oral supplementation of ascorbic acid (AA) on cerebral injury caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/Re) in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. We also evaluated the effects of AA on expression of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) after MCAO/Re in the brain. The diabetic state markedly aggravated MCAO/Re-induced cerebral damage, as assessed by infarct volume and edema. Pretreatment with AA (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for two weeks significantly suppressed the exacerbation of damage in the brain of diabetic rats. AA also suppressed the production of superoxide radical, activation of caspase-3, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) in the ischemic penumbra. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that expression of SVCT2 was upregulated primarily in neurons and capillary endothelial cells after MCAO/Re in the nondiabetic cortex, accompanied by an increase in total AA (AA + dehydroascorbic acid) in the tissue, and that these responses were suppressed in the diabetic rats. AA supplementation to the diabetic rats restored these responses to the levels of the nondiabetic rats. Furthermore, AA markedly upregulated the basal expression of GLUT1 in endothelial cells of nondiabetic and diabetic cortex, which did not affect total AA levels in the cortex. These results suggest that daily intake of AA attenuates the exacerbation of cerebral ischemic injury in a diabetic state, which may be attributed to anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects via the improvement of augmented oxidative stress in the brain. AA supplementation may protect endothelial function against the exacerbated ischemic oxidative injury in the diabetic state and improve AA transport through SVCT2 in the cortex.