bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of surfactants based on pentaerythritol. II. Anionic gemini surfactants
Authors: Tran Thomas , Jahan Nusrat , Marangoni D. Gerrard , Grindley T. Bruce
Published: July 2013

Efficient syntheses of three series of anionic gemini surfactants based on pentaerythritol are described. A series of disulfates was prepared by the double displacement of the two cyclic sulfates in the S4-symmetric compound pentaerythritol spirobicyclic sulfate (1) with linear alkoxides. A second series of disulfates was prepared by reaction of the dialkoxides of di-O-alkylpentaerythritols with ethylene sulfate. The di-O-alkylpentaerythritols can be prepared as previously reported by us or by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the first series of disulfates. A series of disulfonates was prepared by reaction of the dialkoxides of di-O-alkylpentaerythritols with 1,3-propanesultone. This last set of reactions was complicated by the formation of oxetanes, which probably arose from initial reversible displacement on sulfur of the sultone alkoxide by the pentaerythritol alkoxide followed by a second intramolecular displacement of the resulting sulfonate. Changing the order of addition to keep the reaction medium from containing excess base as well as lowering the reaction temperature minimized the amounts of these byproducts. All three series had excellent surfactant properties.
Parvalbumin is overexpressed in the late phase of pharmacological preconditioning in skeletal muscle
Authors: Solis Rosario , Carrillo Elba D. , Hernández Ascención , García María C. , Sánchez Jorge A.
Published: July 2013

Pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) with mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel openers such as diazoxide, provides protection against ischemia in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and other tissues. Effects on Ca2+ homeostasis during the late phase of PPC have been described in cardiomyocytes, but no information is available regarding intracellular Ca2+ changes in skeletal muscle fibers during late PPC. Intracellular Ca2+ signals were measured in single fibers of adult mouse skeletal muscle, with fluorescent probes, 48 h after the administration of diazoxide. Parvalbumin levels in the myofibers were quantitated by Western blot. Diazoxide induction of late PPC was confirmed by partial protection of muscles from peroxide-induced damage. Late PPC was associated with a significant decrease in the duration of Ca2+ signals during single twitches and tetanus with no changes in peak values. This effect was prevented by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger tiron. Late PPC was accompanied by a 30% increase in parvalbumin levels, and this effect was also blocked by tiron. Our data show, for the first time, a role of parvalbumin in late PPC in skeletal muscle.
DYNAMIC EVOLUTION MODEL BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORK SERVICES
Authors: XIONG XI , GOU ZHI-JIAN , ZHANG SHI-BIN , ZHAO WEN
Published: July 2013

Based on the analysis of evolutionary characteristics of public opinion in social networking services (SNS), in the paper we propose a dynamic evolution model, in which opinions are coupled with topology. This model shows the clustering phenomenon of opinions in dynamic network evolution. The simulation results show that the model can fit the data from a social network site. The dynamic evolution of networks accelerates the opinion, separation and aggregation. The scale and the number of clusters are influenced by confidence limit and rewiring probability. Dynamic changes of the topology reduce the number of isolated nodes, while the increased confidence limit allows nodes to communicate more sufficiently. The two effects make the distribution of opinion more neutral. The dynamic evolution of networks generates central clusters with high connectivity and high betweenness, which make it difficult to control public opinions in SNS.
SUPPLEMENTING ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE APPROACHES WITH SUPPORT FOR EXECUTING COLLABORATIVE TASKS — A CASE OF TOGAF ADM
Authors: NAKAKAWA AGNES , BOMMEL PATRICK VAN , PROPER H. A. ERIK
Published: July 2013

Effective execution of collaborative tasks during enterprise architecture creation helps to increase stakeholders' involvement and awareness in the architecture effort. However, enterprise architecture approaches lack detailed support for collaborative tasks. In an effort to address this, an exploratory survey was conducted among enterprise architects to investigate issues associated with executing collaborative tasks during enterprise architecture creation. Accordingly, this paper discusses mainly three aspects. First, it discusses how issues that were reported in the survey can be addressed by adopting the design science research methodology to guide the development of a process or method that supports the execution of collaborative tasks in architecture creation. The developed process is principally rooted in collaboration engineering and soft systems methodology (SSM). Second, the paper discusses how the developed method can be used to supplement enterprise architecture approaches that are used in practice (e.g. TOGAF) with support for executing collaborative tasks. Third, the paper discusses key findings from evaluating the developed process in two real organizations.
Growth temperature dependence of crystal symmetry in Nb-doped BaTiO3 thin films
Authors: Kim Young Heon , Lu Xubing , Diegel Marco , Mattheis Roland , Hesse Dietrich , Alexe Marin
Published: July 2013

Growth temperature effects on the microstructure of Nb -doped BaTiO 3 thin films of the composition BaTi 0.98 Nb 0.02 O 3 are studied using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Reciprocal space maps and electron diffraction patterns show that the a-axis lattice parameter increases and the c-axis parameter decreases with increasing growth temperature, indicating a decrease of tetragonality. Bright-field TEM images show low and high densities of threading defects in films grown at low and high temperatures, respectively. The observations are discussed in terms of a hindering of the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition by a high defect density and a high unit cell volume.
High dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss nanocomposites based on poly(VDF–TrFE–CTFE) and graphene nanosheets
Authors: Wen Fei , Xu Zhuo , Xia Weimin , Wei Xiaoyong , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: July 2013

In this work, nanocomposites (poly(vinylidenefluoride–trifluoroethylene–chlorotrifluoroethylene)/Graphene nanosheets) (P(VDF–TrFE–CTFE)/GNS) were fabricated via solution cast process. GNS were covalently functionalized with KH550 to improve their interfacial interactions with the terpolymer matrix P(VDF–TrFE–CTFE). Compared to neat terpolymer, significantly improved dielectric permittivity and low loss were observed for the composites. For instance, at 1 kHz the P(VDF–TrFE–CTFE)/GNS composites with 4% GNS possessed a dielectric permittivity of 144, over 14 times larger than that of neat terpolymer, while the loss was only 0.56. These findings represent an effective route to design potential dielectric polymer films for high-charge storage capacitors.
Oxygen deficiency in Lake Sihetun; formation of the Lower Cretaceous Liaoning Fossillagerstätte (China)
Authors: Hethke Manja , Fürsich Franz T. , Jiang Baoyu , Klaus Regina
Published: July 2013

The redox state of Lake Sihetun, represented by the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (western Liaoning, China), is evaluated to understand the formation of this Konservat-Lagerstätte. Lake evolution is subdivided into four phases, of which Phases 2 and 3 exhibit excellent fossil preservation. Exceptional preservation and mass mortality events within Phase 2 were previously attributed to synsedimentary volcanism and oxygen deficiency. However, the volcanic trigger for mass mortality events remains enigmatic and distinction between anoxia and dysoxia has not been put forward so far. To resolve the redox state of the lake during Phase 2, 5394 diameters of pyrite framboid pseudomorphs in 29 thin sections from three localities have been measured. Framboid size distributions reveal that Lake Sihetun was governed by dysoxic bottom waters with spells of anoxia, recording pronounced environmental stress. Hence, holomictic, eutrophic conditions were episodically replaced by meromictic interludes. Spatial variations in redox state were common and oxic conditions were detected in two of the three studied localities. Concentrated iron sulphide layers resulted from biofilms at the lake floor or the development of microenvironments around organic remains, which preserved highly reactive organic compounds. In contrast, sediments of Phase 3 record oxic conditions and an entirely holomictic lake.
Helicopter-based laser scanning: a method for quantitative analysis of large-scale sedimentary architecture
Authors: Rittersbacher Andreas , Buckley Simon J. , Howell John A. , Hampson Gary J. , Vallet Julien
Published: July 2013

Studies of large-scale sedimentary architecture are mainly based on the interpretation of two-dimensional photomosaics. This method cannot account for the natural rugosity of outcrop exposures, introducing errors in the measurement of geobody sizes and orientations. In the past, three-dimensional outcrop studies have relied on time-intensive fieldwork, with irregular sampling and low geometric accuracy. More recently, terrestrial laser scanning, or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), has been widely applied to small-scale outcrops, but range and accessibility preclude its usage on larger-scale outcrops. Oblique helicopter-based laser scanning, however, allows the collection of tens of kilometres of outcrop sections in a relatively short time frame. In this paper, a procedure for collecting and processing such virtual outcrop data is outlined, and the application of the technique for extracting dimensions of fluvial geobodies from two large and otherwise inaccessible outcrops from Utah is presented. The results are compared to interpretations from more conventional photomosaicking of the same outcrops. Results show that the use of helicopter-based laser scanning enables geoscientists to rapidly acquire georeferenced data that can then be used for sedimentological interpretation and analysis on reservoir scales. It is concluded that helicopter-based laser scanning promotes sedimentological research and is well suited to capturing quantitative geometrical data from large outcrops.
Evolutionary Perspectives on the Obesity Epidemic: Adaptive, Maladaptive, and Neutral Viewpoints
Authors: Speakman John R.
Published: July 2013

The prevalence of obesity in modern societies has two major contributory factors—an environmental change that has happened in historical times and a genetic predisposition that has its origins in our evolutionary history. Understanding both aspects is complex. From an evolutionary perspective, three different types of explanation have been proposed. The first is that obesity was once adaptive and enabled us to survive (or sustain fecundity) through periods of famine. People carrying so-called thrifty genes that enabled the efficient storage of energy as fat between famines would be at a selective advantage. In the modern world, however, people who have inherited these genes deposit fat in preparation for a famine that never comes, and the result is widespread obesity. The key problem with this, and any other adaptive scenario, is to understand why, if obesity was historically so advantageous, many people did not inherit these thrifty genes and in modern society are able to remain slim, despite the environmental change favoring fat storage. The second type of explanation is that obesity is not adaptive and may never even have existed in our evolutionary past, but it is favored today as a maladaptive by-product of positive selection on some other trait. An example of this type of explanation is the suggestion that obesity results from variation in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Finally, a third class of explanation is that most mutations in the genes that predispose us to obesity are neutral and have been drifting over evolutionary time—so-called drifty genes, leading some individuals to be obesity prone and others obesity resistant. In this article, I review the current evidence for and against these three different scenarios and conclude that the thrifty gene hypothesis is untenable but the other two ideas may provide a cogent explanation of the modern obesity phenomenon.
Hepatic gene expression in herbivores on diets with natural and novel plant secondary compounds
Authors: Magnanou Elodie , Malenke Jael R. , Dearing M. Denise
Published: July 2013

Herbivores are predicted to evolve appropriate mechanisms to process the plant secondary compounds (PSCs) in their diet, and these mechanisms are likely specific to particular suites of PSCs. Changes in diet composition over evolutionary time should select for appropriate alterations in metabolism of the more recent dietary components. We investigated differences in gene expression profiles in the liver with respect to prior ecological and evolutionary experience with PSCs in the desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida. This woodrat species has populations in the Mojave Desert that have switched from feeding on juniper to feeding on creosote at the end of the Holocene as well as populations in the Great Basin Desert that still feed on the ancestral diet of juniper and are naïve to creosote. Juniper and creosote have notable differences in secondary chemistry. Woodrats from the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts were subjected to a fully crossed feeding trial on diets of juniper and creosote after which their livers were analyzed for gene expression. Hybridization of hepatic mRNAs to laboratory rat microarrays resulted in a total of 20,031 genes that met quality control standards. We analyzed differences in large-scale patterns of liver gene expression with respect to GO term enrichment. Diet had a larger effect on gene expression than population membership. However, woodrats with no prior evolutionary experience to the diet upregulated a greater proportion of genes indicative of physiological stress compared with those on their natural diet. This pattern may be the result of a naïve animal's attempting to mitigate physiological damage caused by novel PSCs.
Traumatic Page Kidney Induced Hypertension in Critical Care: Immediately Resolved or Long-Term Resistant Problem
Authors: Brotfain E. , Koyfman L. , Frenkel A. , Smolikov A. , Zlotnik A. , Klein M.
Published: July 2013

Page kidney is a well-known phenomenon causing hypertension, due to compression of renal parenchyma by a subcapsular hematoma, of either traumatic or non-traumatic origin. The main therapeutic approach is based on surgical approach (nephrectomy or hematoma evacuation) and antihypertensive treatment. In this paper we present a post-traumatic case of Page Kidney in a Critical Care unit. We discuss different therapeutical opportunities to extremely elevated systemic blood pressure resistant to traditional drug therapy.
Abscessed Uterine and Extrauterine Adenomyomas with Uterus-Like Features in a 56-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Bulut Asiye Safak , Sipahi Tevfik Uğur
Published: July 2013

Adenomyosis, also known as endometriosis interna, is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. Its localised form is called adenomyoma and mimics a leiomyoma. Rarely, adenomyomas are located outside the uterus and some of them form uterus-like masses with a thick muscle wall and an endometrium-lined central cavity. They are generally located in the ovary or broad ligament, and, although they are closely related to endometriosis, their pathogenetic mechanisms are different from each other. Müllerian duct fusion defect and subcoelomic mesenchyme transformation theory are two possible pathogenetic mechanisms for this rare entity. Here we report abscessed uterine and extrauterine adenomyomas forming uterus-like masses in the left and right broad ligament and an ectopic adrenal tissue in the left paraovarian region in a 56-year-old woman. Although there is a reported abscessed adenomyosis in the literature, this is the first abscessed extrauterine uterus-like masses with synchronous pelvic pathologies like endometriosis, leiomyomas, adenomyosis, an endometrial polyp, an endocervical polyp, and an ectopic adrenal tissue. This benign lesion gives the impression of leiomyoma, a uterine malformation, or even malignancy preoperatively. Frozen section helps in differential diagnosis.
Nonlinear Seismic Response Analysis of Curved and Skewed Bridge System with Spherical Bearings
Authors: Seo Junwon , Linzell Daniel G. , Hu Jong Wan
Published: July 2013

A three-dimensional (3D) modeling approach to investigate nonlinear seismic response of a curved and skewed bridge system is proposed. The approach is applied to a three-span curved and skewed steel girder bridge in the United States. The superstructure is modeled using 3D frame elements for the girders, truss elements for the cross-frames, and equivalent frame elements to represent the deck. Spherical bearings are modeled with zero-length elements coupled with hysteretic material models. Nonlinear seismic responses of the bearings subjected to actual ground motions are examined in various directions. Findings indicate that the bearings experience moderate damage for most loading scenarios based on FEMA seismic performance criteria. Further, the bearing responses are different for the loading scenarios because of seismic effects caused by interactions between excitation direction and radius of curvature.
The Influence of 1‐Triacontanol on the Growth, Flowering, and Quality of Potted Bougainvillea Plants (Bougainvillea glabra var. “Elizabeth Angus”) under Natural Conditions
Authors: Khandaker Mohammad Moneruzzaman , Faruq Golam , Rahman M. Motior , Sofian-Azirun M. , Boyce Amru Nasrulhaq
Published: July 2013

Selected physiological and biochemical parameters were monitored at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages in potted Bougainvillea plants treated with five different concentrations of TRIA. Advanced flowering, flower bud number, and blooming rate increased significantly with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. Similarly, photosynthetic rate, pigment content, quantum yield, and stomatal conductance increased significantly with 2.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. Higher levels of N, P, and K, as well as increased total soluble solids (TSS) and higher sugar and protein contents, were recorded in treated plants. Furthermore, 46% more flowers, a 1.5‐fold increase in bract weight, increased longevity, and 40% less leaf abscission were recorded following 2.5 mg/L TRIA treatment. Phenol and flavonoid contents, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and antioxidant activities were also markedly increased with 2.5 and 1.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. However, ethylene production was significantly lower in the treated plants. Positive correlations were observed between leaf TSS and flowering time and flower number, between leaf sugar content and bract weight, and between net photosynthesis and bract growth and dry matter production. It can be concluded that the foliar spray of TRIA stimulates growth, enhances flowering, and improves the quality of potted Bougainvillea plants.
Approximate Cubic Lie Derivations
Authors: Fošner Ajda , Fošner Maja
Published: July 2013

We study the stability and hyperstability of cubic Lie derivations on normed algebras. At the end, we write some additional observations about our results.
New Approaches to Thyroid Hormones and Purinergic Signaling
Authors: Silveira Gabriel Fernandes , Buffon Andréia , Bruno Alessandra Nejar
Published: July 2013

It is known that thyroid hormones influence a wide variety of events at the molecular, cellular, and functional levels. Thyroid hormones (TH) play pivotal roles in growth, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, development, and metabolic homeostasis via thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) by controlling the expression of TR target genes. Most of these effects result in pathological and physiological events and are already well described in the literature. Even so, many recent studies have been devoted to bringing new information on problems in controlling the synthesis and release of these hormones and to elucidating mechanisms of the action of these hormones unconventionally. The purinergic system was recently linked to thyroid diseases, including enzymes, receptors, and enzyme products related to neurotransmitter release, nociception, behavior, and other vascular systems. Thus, throughout this text we intend to relate the relationship between the TH in physiological and pathological situations with the purinergic signaling.
Evaluation of Correlations of Flow Boiling Heat Transfer of R22 in Horizontal Channels
Authors: Zhou Zhanru , Fang Xiande , Li Dingkun
Published: July 2013

The calculation of two‐phase flow boiling heat transfer of R22 in channels is required in a variety of applications, such as chemical process cooling systems, refrigeration, and air conditioning. A number of correlations for flow boiling heat transfer in channels have been proposed. This work evaluates the existing correlations for flow boiling heat transfer coefficient with 1669 experimental data points of flow boiling heat transfer of R22 collected from 18 published papers. The top two correlations for R22 are those of Liu and Winterton (1991) and Fang (2013), with the mean absolute deviation of 32.7% and 32.8%, respectively. More studies should be carried out to develop better ones. Effects of channel dimension and vapor quality on heat transfer are analyzed, and the results provide valuable information for further research in the correlation of two‐phase flow boiling heat transfer of R22 in channels.
Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation: From Laboratory to Full-Scale Application
Authors: Ni Shou-Qing , Zhang Jian
Published: July 2013

From discovery in the early 1990s to completion of full-scale anammox reactor, it took almost two decades to uncover the secret veil of anammox bacteria. There were three milestones during the commercialization of anammox: the development of the first enrichment culture medium, the completion of the first commercial anammox reactor, and the fast start-up of full-scale anammox plant. Till now, the culture of anammox bacteria experienced a big progress through two general strategies: (a) to start up a reactor from scratch and (b) to seed the reactor with enriched anammox sludge. The first full-scale anammox reactor took 3.5 years to realize full operation using the first approach due to several reasons besides the lack of anammox sludge. On the other hand, the first Asian anammox reactor started up in two months, thanks to the availability of anammox seed. Along with the implementation of anammox plants, anammox eventually becomes the priority choice for ammonium wastewater treatment.
Chinese Medicines as an Adjuvant Therapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma during Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Cheung Fan , Wang Xuanbin , Wang Ning , Yuen Man-Fung , Ziea Tat-chi , Tong Yao , Wong Vivian Taam , Feng Yibin
Published: July 2013

Objective. To conduct a comprehensive PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicines (CMs) as an adjuvant therapy for unresectable HCC during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Methods. Main databases were searched up to October 2012 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of CMs plus TACE on unresectable HCC compared with TACE alone. References of relevant reviews and eligible studies were also assessed. Risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals and mean difference were calculated. Heterogeneity and publication bias were examined.Results. Sixty-seven trials (N= 5,211) were included in the meta-analysis. Sensitivity analysis and random-effects model were performed for assessing significant heterogeneity. CMs plus TACE showed beneficial effects on tumor response, survival at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, quality of life, and TACE toxicity reduction compared with TACE alone.Conclusion. The results show that the use of CMs may increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of TACE in treating patients with unresectable HCC. These findings suggest that CMs could be considered as an adjuvant therapy for unresectable HCC patients during TACE. Larger-scale RCTs using standard methods and long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.
AAL Middleware Infrastructure for Green Bed Activity Monitoring
Authors: Palumbo Filippo , Barsocchi Paolo , Furfari Francesco , Ferro Erina
Published: July 2013

This paper describes a service-oriented middleware platform for ambient assisted living and its use in two different bed activity services: bedsore prevention and sleeping monitoring. A detailed description of the middleware platform, its elements and interfaces, as well as a service that is able to classify some typical user's positions in the bed is presented. Wireless sensor networks are supposed to be widely deployed in indoor settings and on people's bodies in tomorrow's pervasive computing environments. The key idea of this work is to leverage their presence by collecting the received signal strength measured among fixed general-purpose wireless sensor devices, deployed in the environment, and wearable ones. The RSS measurements are used to classify a set of user's positions in the bed, monitoring the activities of the user, and thus supporting the bedsores and the sleep monitoring issues. Moreover, the proposed services are able to decrease the energy consumption by exploiting the context information coming from the proposed middleware.
Sperm Impairment by Sperm Agglutinating Factor Isolated fromEscherichia coli: Receptor Specific Interactions
Authors: Kaur Kiranjeet , Prabha Vijay
Published: July 2013

In an earlier work done in our laboratory, we have been able to isolate a sperm agglutinating strain ofEscherichia colifrom the semen sample of a male attending infertility clinic. Further, factor responsible for sperm agglutination (SAF) was isolated and purified, and, using SAF as a tool, corresponding SAF binding receptor from human spermatozoa has been purified. Characterization of SAF and SAF binding receptor using MALDI-TOF showed homology to glutamate decarboxylase and MHC class I molecule, respectively. Coincubation of SAF with spermatozoa not only resulted in spermagglutination but could also compromise other sperm parameters, namely, Mg2+dependent ATPase activity and apoptosis. Intravaginal administration of SAF could lead to infertility in Balb/c mice. SAF induced impairment of sperm parameters, and infertility was observed to be due to interaction of SAF with sperm surface receptor component as, when purified receptor was introduced, receptor completely inhibited all the detrimental effects induced by SAF. From these results, it could be concluded that interaction of SAF with spermatozoa is receptor mediated.
Robust Template Decomposition without Weight Restriction for Cellular Neural Networks Implementing Arbitrary Boolean Functions Using Support Vector Classifiers
Authors: Lin Yih-Lon , Hsieh Jer-Guang , Jeng Jyh-Horng
Published: July 2013

If the given Boolean function is linearly separable, a robust uncoupled cellular neural network can be designed as a maximal margin classifier. On the other hand, if the given Boolean function is linearly separable but has a small geometric margin or it is not linearly separable, a popular approach is to find a sequence of robust uncoupled cellular neural networks implementing the given Boolean function. In the past research works using this approach, the control template parameters and thresholds are restricted to assume only a given finite set of integers, and this is certainly unnecessary for the template design. In this study, we try to remove this restriction. Minterm- and maxterm-based decomposition algorithms utilizing the soft margin and maximal margin support vector classifiers are proposed to design a sequence of robust templates implementing an arbitrary Boolean function. Several illustrative examples are simulated to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method by comparing our results with those produced by other decomposition methods with restricted weights.
Eating Behaviors and Overweight among Adolescents: A Population-Based Survey in Japan
Authors: Ochiai Hirotaka , Shirasawa Takako , Ohtsu Tadahiro , Nishimura Rimei , Morimoto Aya , Hoshino Hiromi , Tajima Naoko , Kokaze Akatsuki
Published: July 2013

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between eating behaviors and overweight among population-based adolescents in Japan.Methods. Study subjects comprised adolescents in the seventh grade (age range, 12–13 years) from Ina, a town in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, between 1999 and 2008. The height and weight of the subjects were measured, and information concerning eating behaviors (eating speed and eating until full) was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire.Results. Among boys (n=1586), fast eating speed significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) for overweight when compared with medium eating speed, regardless of eating until full or not; moreover, a more marked increase in the OR was observed among boys eating until full (OR: 2.78, 95% confidence interval: 1.76–4.38) than among those not eating until full (2.43, 1.41–4.20). Among girls (n=1542), fast eating speed led to a significant increase in the OR in those eating until full; however, no significant increases were observed in the OR in those eating quickly and not until full.Conclusions. Among adolescents, fast eating speed was associated with overweight; furthermore, the combination of both fast eating speed and eating until full may have a significant effect on overweight.
Aspects of Spirituality in Medical Doctors and Their Relation to Specific Views of Illness and Dealing with Their Patients' Individual Situation
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Hirdes Almut Tabea , Baumann Klaus , Hvidt Niels Christian , Heusser Peter
Published: July 2013

We intended to analyse which aspects of spirituality are of relevance for medical doctors in a mostly secular society and how their spiritual/religious attitudes are related to specific views of illness, their dealing with patients' individual situation, and finally physicians' life satisfaction. Data from an anonymous survey enrolling 237 medical doctors from Germany (mean age 45.7 ± 9.6, 58% male, 42% female) indicated that secular forms of spirituality scored highest, while specific religious orientation had the lowest scores. Physicians with a specific specialization in complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) or anthroposophic medicine differed from their conventional counterparts with respect to specific aspects of spirituality; however, the specific views associated with these specialisations were only weakly to moderately correlated with physicians' view on the meaning of illness and how they assume that they would deal with their patients' individual situation. Of interest, the specific aspects of spirituality were negatively correlated with the view of “illness as a meaningless interruption” of life, indicating that physicians with a spiritual attitude would see illness also as a chance for an “individual development” and associated with a “biographical meaning” rather than just a “useless interruption” of life.
Pain Coping Strategies for Children with Arthritis
Authors: Rosenzweig Kim J. , Nabors Laura
Published: July 2013

Objective. To present information on pain management strategies for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods. The second author developed a manual to present pain management strategies to children. The use of the manual was pilot-tested with a group of children with JIA. Telephone interviews were used to gather information on implementation of pain management strategies.Results. Children were able to implement the pain management strategies. Children reported a reduction in daily pain experiences related to JIA when using the pain management strategies.Conclusions. The pain management strategies were successful as an adjunctive intervention for short-term pain management. Pain symptoms related to JIA can severely limit children's participation in daily activities. Further study on how children use pain management strategies to improve their involvement in daily activities will provide useful clinical information.
Fenton‐Like Oxidation of Malachite Green Solutions: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study
Authors: Hashemian Saeedeh
Published: July 2013

Oxidation by Fenton‐like (Fe3+/H2O2) reactions is proven to be an economically feasible process for destruction of a variety of hazardous pollutants in wastewater. In this study, the degradation and mineralization of malachite green dye are reported using Fenton‐like reaction. The effects of different parameters like pH of the solution, the initial concentrations of Fe3+, H2O2, and dye, temperature, and added electrolytes (Cl− and ) on the oxidation of the dye were investigated. Optimized condition was determined. The efficiency of 95.5% degradation of MAG after 15 minutes of reaction at pH 3 was obtained. TOC removal indicates partial and insignificant mineralization of malachite green dye. The results of experiments showed that degradation of malachite green dye in Fenton‐like oxidation process can be described with a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The thermodynamic constants of the Fenton oxidation process were evaluated. The results implied that the oxidation process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The results will be useful for designing the treatment systems of various dye‐containing wastewaters.
Liver Injury Induced by Anticancer Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Authors: Maor Y. , Malnick S.
Published: July 2013

Cytotoxic chemotherapy prolongs survival of patients with advanced and metastatic tumors. This is, however, a double-edged sword with many adverse effects. Since the liver has a rich blood supply and plays an active role in the metabolism of medications, it is not surprising that there can be hepatic injury related to chemotherapy. In addition, radioembolization may affect the parenchyma of normal and cirrhotic livers. We review chemotherapy-associated liver injury in patients with colorectal liver metastases, including downsizing chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We discuss the mechanism of the hepatic injury, secondary to reactive oxygen species, and the spectrum of hepatic injury including, steatosis, steatohepatitis, hepatic sinusoidal injury and highlight the pharmacogenomics of such liver insults. Methods for reducing and treating the hepatotoxicity are discussed for specific agents including tamxifen and the newly introduced targeted antibodies.
Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma with 2-Stage Totalen blocSpondylectomy after Marked Response to Molecular Target Drugs
Authors: Inoue Yasuhiro , Takahashi Hiroshi , Yokoyama Yuichiro , Iida Yasuaki , Fukutake Katsunori , Takamatsu Ryo , Nakamura Kazumasa , Wada Akihito
Published: July 2013

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the bone occurs at a high rate, and the prognosis is poor. In general, totalen blocspondylectomy is considered when there is only one vertebral metastasis and the primary disease is treated. However, palliative surgery is selected when the primary disease is not being treated or metastasis occurs to an important organ. We encountered a patient in whom lung and vertebra metastases were already present at the time of the first examination at our department and the prognosis was considered poor. However, molecular targeted therapy was markedly effective and enabled 2-stage totalen blocspondylectomy. As of one year after totalen blocspondylectomy, the condition has improved to cane gait, and surgery for lung metastasis is planned. Molecular target drugs might markedly change the current therapeutic strategy for renal cell carcinoma.
Utilization of and Barriers to HIV and MCH Services among Community ART Group Members and Their Families in Tete, Mozambique
Authors: Geelhoed Diederike , Decroo Tom , Dezembro Sergio , Matias Humberto , Lessitala Faustino , Muzila Fausto , Brumana Luisa , Capobianco Emanuele
Published: July 2013

Mozambique continues to face many challenges in HIV and maternal and child health care (MCH). Community-based antiretroviral treatment groups (CAG) enhance retention to care among members, but whether such benefits extend to their families and to MCH remains unclear. In 2011 we studied utilization of HIV and MCH services among CAG members and their family aggregates in Changara, Mozambique, through a mixed-method assessment. We systematically revised all patient-held health cards from CAG members and their non-CAG family aggregate members and conducted semistructured group discussions on MCH topics. Quantitative data were analysed in EPI-Info. Qualitative data were manually thematically analysed. Information was retrieved from 1,624 persons, of which 420 were CAG members (26%). Good compliance with HIV treatment among CAG members was shared with non-CAG HIV-positive family members on treatment, but many family aggregate members remained without testing, and, when HIV positive, without HIV treatment. No positive effects from the CAG model were found for MCH service utilization. Barriers for utilization mentioned centred on insufficient knowledge, limited community-health facility collaboration, and structural health system limitations. CAG members were open to include MCH in their groups, offering the possibility to extend patient involvement to other health needs. We recommend that lessons learnt from HIV-based activism, patient involvement, and community participation are applied to broader SRH services, including MCH care.
Identification of a Calcium Signalling Pathway ofS-[6]-Gingerol in HuH-7 Cells
Authors: Li Xiao-Hong , McGrath Kristine C. Y. , Tran Van H. , Li Yi-Ming , Mandadi Sravan , Duke Colin C. , Heather Alison K. , Roufogalis Basil D.
Published: July 2013

Calcium signals in hepatocytes control cell growth, proliferation, and death. Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel superfamily are candidate calcium influx channels. NFκB activation strictly depends on calcium influx and often induces antiapoptotic genes favouring cell survival. Previously, we reported thatS-[6]-gingerol is an efficacious agonist of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in neurones. In this study, we tested the effect ofS-[6]-gingerol on HuH-7 cells using the Fluo-4 calcium assay, RT-qPCR, transient cell transfection, and luciferase measurements. We found thatS-[6]-gingerol induced a transient rise in[Ca2+]iin HuH-7 cells. The increase in[Ca2+]iinduced byS-[6]-gingerol was abolished by preincubation with EGTA and was also inhibited by the TRPV1 channel antagonist capsazepine. Expression of TRPV1 in HuH-7 cells was confirmed by mRNA analysis as well as a test for increase of[Ca2+]iby TRPV1 agonist capsaicin and its inhibition by capsazepine. We found thatS-[6]-gingerol induced rapid NFκB activation through TRPV1 in HuH-7 cells. Furthermore,S-[6]-gingerol-induced NFκB activation was dependent on the calcium gradient and TRPV1. The rapid NFκB activation byS-[6]-gingerol was associated with an increase in mRNA levels of NFκB-target genes: cIAP-2, XIAP, and Bcl-2 that encode antiapoptotic proteins.
On kth‐Order Slant Weighted Toeplitz Operator
Authors: Arora S. C. , Kathuria Ritu
Published: July 2013

Let β = {βn} n∈ℤ be a sequence of positive numbers with β0 = 1, 0 < βn/βn+1 ≤ 1 when n ≥ 0 and 0 < βn/βn−1 ≤ 1 when n ≤ 0. A kth‐order slant weighted Toeplitz operator on L2(β) is given by Uϕ = WkMϕ, where Mϕ is the multiplication on L2(β) and Wk is an operator on L2(β) given by Wkenk(z) = (βn/βnk)en(z), {en(z) = zk/βk } k∈ℤ being the orthonormal basis for L2(β). In this paper, we define a kth‐order slant weighted Toeplitz matrix and characterise Uϕ in terms of this matrix. We further prove some properties of Uϕ using this characterisation.
A New Numerical Method of Particular Solutions for Inhomogeneous Burgers’ Equation
Authors: Xie Huantian , Li Dingfang , Li Feng
Published: July 2013

Based on the finite difference scheme in time, the method of particular solutions using radial basis functions is proposed to solve one-dimensional time-dependent inhomogeneous Burgers’ equations. Two numerical examples with good accuracy are given to validate the proposed method.
Gastric Cancer Staging with Radiologic Imaging Modalities and UICC Staging System
Authors: Ahn Hye Seong , Kim Se Hyung , Kodera Yasuhiro , Yang Han-Kwang
Published: July 2013

There are two major stage classification systems for gastric cancer: the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages by the International Union against Cancer (UICC) and the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma by the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA). Preoperative stage classification using either of these systems is essential for deciding on the treatment strategy in the era of various multimodal therapeutic options. Evolution of multidetector computerized tomography with isotropic volumetric imaging and various 3D images has increased the accuracy of T and N staging in patients with gastric cancer, although detection of peritoneal deposits and nodal metastasis in the absence of lymphadenopathy remain problematic with the imaging tools currently available. The TNM and JGCA classifications have undergone revisions independent of each other, and the discrepancies were not helpful when international comparisons and cooperation were needed. More recently, the JGCA and TNM classifications were merged to have identical T and N categories, in addition to the more straightforward M categories that indicate the presence of distant metastasis. The result of these efforts is that researchers in Japan and the rest of the world are now looking at a similar disease when they discuss cancer that belongs to the same stage. A nomogram that incorporates other established prognostic determinants in addition to the TNM component may be a future direction for a more sophisticated means of predicting outcome. The increasing incidence of junctional (esophagogastric junction) cancer in the Far East has spurred researchers from this region to adequately stage the disease and to consider suitable treatment modalities for this disease entity, whereas Western researchers are more inclined to treat this disease as esophageal cancer. This could be an area for future international debate. For the next more accurate staging, we suggest the collaboration between Eastern and Western high-volume centers in gastric cancer because the inconsistency of surgical approaches, especially with respect to nodal resection, remains a barrier to mutual understanding.
Study on Polymethylmethacrylate Ring in Protecting Limbal Stem Cells during Collagen Cross-Linking
Authors: Jeyalatha Vimalin , Jambulingam Malathi , Gupta Nidhi , Padmanabhan Prema , Madhavan Hajib N.
Published: July 2013

Objective: The UV rays used in the collagen cross-linking (CXL) procedure seem to cause potential damage to the limbal stem cells. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) hemiannulus as an alternative to protect corneal limbal stem cells during CXL. Methods: Ten freshly enucleated human cadaveric eyeballs were subjected to the corneal CXL procedure. The cadaveric eye ball was divided into 2 sectors: A and B. Sector A was left unprotected, while sector B was covered by a PMMA shield. Limbal biopsies from both sectors before and after the procedure were analyzed. Each limbal tissue was placed on human amniotic membrane (HAM) to check the cultivability and was subjected to marker studies using reverse transcriptase PCR. Results: Before CXL, biopsies from both sectors showed growth on HAM. After CXL, biopsies from sector A showed no growth on HAM while 2 out of the 10 from sector B covered with the PMMA ring did show growth on HAM. The putative stem-cell marker ABCG2 was negative in all the samples from sector A after CXL and was positive in 2 out of the 10 samples from sector B. Conclusion: Covering the limbal region with PMMA offers partial protection of the limbus from the UV rays during the CXL procedure.
Follicle Measurements Using Sonography-Based Automated Volume Count Accurately Predict the Yield of Mature Oocytes in In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles
Authors: Vandekerckhove Frank , Vansteelandt Stijn , Gerris Jan , De Sutter Petra
Published: July 2013

Aims: We define criteria to predict the number of mature oocytes using automated three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound follicle measurements. Methods: Fifty in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients underwent automated 3D echographic monitoring by a single researcher following the stimulation procedure. Classic criteria for triggering oocyte maturation as defined in the literature were utilized. 3D parameters, including the follicular volume and follicle diameter calculated from the volume measurement, were related to the oocyte count, mature oocyte count and the number of observed fertilized oocytes. Results: We found that when oocyte maturation was induced, 55% of the total follicles with a diameter of at least 10 mm had a volume of at least 1.5 cm3. The number of mature eggs that were retrieved was correlated with the number of follicles observed with a volume of at least 1 cm3 or a calculated follicle diameter of at least 12 mm. Conclusion: Sonography-based automated volume count measurements of follicle volume and reconstructed follicle diameter can be used to reliably predict the number of mature oocytes.
The Influence of Genetic Explanations of Type 2 Diabetes on Patients' Attitudes to Prevention, Treatment and Personal Responsibility for Health
Authors: Davies L.E. , Thirlaway K.
Published: July 2013

Background/Aims: It is widely accepted that type 2 diabetes is caused by an interaction of both lifestyle and genetic factors. However, the impact of explaining disease aetiology as primarily genetic or environmental is relatively unexplored for common chronic multi-factorial conditions. This study investigates whether perceiving the cause of type 2 diabetes as primarily genetic or environmental influences attitudes towards the controllability of the condition. Methods: Using a between-participants vignette-based experimental survey design, 200 participants aged 40 years and above from a primary care setting responded to a vignette which implied the cause of diabetes as being predominantly genetic or environmental. Attitudes towards personal responsibility, prevention and treatment were measured using an attitude questionnaire. Results: There was a significant interaction effect between perceived aetiology and family history on attitude to treatment; participants with a family history of type 2 diabetes perceived treatment as less effective if they read the genetic vignette, but those without a family history did not (p < 0.05). The findings also indicated that an individual was perceived as less responsible for the development of type 2 diabetes (p < 0.05) when participants (regardless of family history) read a vignette with an implied genetic causation. Conclusion: Awareness by health professionals of the impact of genetic attributions in disease aetiology is fundamental when encouraging positive attitudes to personal responsibility for lifestyle change and treatment for the condition. These findings may impact the way preventative health messages are tailored to people depending on their family history of diabetes.