bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bending analysis of laminated composite plates using finite element method
Authors: Reddy B. Sidda , Reddy A. Ramanjaneya , Kumar J. Suresh , Reddy K. Vijaya Kumar
Published: December 2012

Laminated composite plate structures find numerous applications in aerospace, military and automotive industries. The role of  transverse shear is very important in  composites, as the material is weak in shear due to its low shear modulus compared to extensional rigidity. Hence, an accurate understanding of their structural behaviour is required, such as deflections and stresses. In this paper, a number of finite element analyses have been carried out for various side-to-thickness ratios, aspect ratios and modulus ratios to study the effect of transverse shear deformation on deflection and stresses of laminated composite plates  subjected to uniformly distributed load. The numerical results showed, on the deflections and stresses, that the effect of coupling is to decrease the deflections with the increase in the aspect ratio and modulus ratio and increase the stresses with the increase in the side-to-thickness ratio and modulus ratio.Keywords: Laminated composite plate, bending analysis, uniformly distributed load, finite element method.
Applications of Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Maternal Serum
Authors: Ghorbian Saeid
Published: December 2012

Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is available in the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy and can be used for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis including, determination of fetal sex, identification of specific single gene disorders, typing of fetal blood groups (RhD), paternity determination and potentially routine use for Down's syndrome (DS) testing of all pregnancies. I searched published literature on the PubMed and databases on Scopus interface systematically using keyword's cffDNA, noninvasive diagnosis, fetal DNA in the maternal serum. Reference lists from the papers were also searched. cffDNA representing only 3% of the total cell-free circulating DNA in early and rising to 12% in late pregnancy, clinical investigations has already demonstrated the potential advantage, such as improving safety, earlier diagnosis and comparative ease of testing using cffDNA technology. The discovery of cffDNA circulating in the maternal serum has opened the door to noninvasive prenatal diagnosis testing with novel clinical implications.

How to cite this article

Ghorbian S. Applications of Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Maternal Serum. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012;3(2):33-39.
A net decrease in the Earth's cloud plus aerosol reflectivity during the past 33 yr (1979–2011) and increased solar heating at the surface
Authors: Herman J. R. , DeLand M. T. , Huang L.-K. , Labow G. , Larko D. , Lloyd S. A. , Mao J. , Qin W. , Weaver C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Measured upwelling radiances from Nimbus-7 SBUV, seven NOAA SBUV/2 and the AURA-OMI instruments have been used to calculate the 340 nm Lambertian Equivalent Reflectivity (LER) of the Earth from 1979 to 2011 after applying a new common calibration. The 340 nm LER is highly correlated with cloud and aerosol cover because of the low surface reflectivity of the land and oceans (typically 2 to 6 RU, where 1 RU = 0.01 = 1.0%) relative to the much higher reflectivity of clouds plus aerosols (typically 10 to 90 RU). Because of the nearly constant seasonal and long-term 340 nm surface reflectivity, the 340 nm LER can be used to estimate changes in cloud plus aerosol amount associated with seasonal and interannual variability and decadal climate change. The annual motion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, episodic El Nino Southern Oscillation ENSO, and latitude dependent seasonal cycles are apparent in the LER time series. LER trend estimates from 5° zonal average and from 2° × 5° latitude × longitude time series show that there has been a global net decrease in cloud plus aerosol reflectivity. The decrease in global cos2 (latitude) weighted average LER from 60° S to 60° N is 0.79 ± 0.03 RU over 33 yr, corresponding to a 3.6 ± 0.2% change in LER. Based on energy balance partitioning (Trenberth et al., 2009) this corresponds to an increase of 2.7 W m−2 of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface (an increase of 1.4% or 2.3 W m−2) absorbed by the surface, which is partially offset by an increase in longwave cooling to space. Most of the decreases in cloud reflectivity occur over land, with the largest decreases occurring over the US (−0.97 RU decade−1), Brazil (−0.9 RU decade−1), and Central Europe (−1.35 RU decade−1). There are reflectivity increases near the west coast of Peru and Chile (0.8 ± 0.1 RU decade−1) over parts of India, China, and Indochina, and almost no change over Australia. The largest Pacific Ocean change is −2 ± 0.1 RU decade−1 over the central equatorial region associated with ENSO. An area in Central Greenland shows a decrease in reflectivity of −0.3 ± 0.03 RU decade−1 caused by cloud and possible surface changes.
Applying spaceborne reflectivity measurements for calculation of the solar ultraviolet radiation at ground level
Authors: den Outer P. N. , van Dijk A. , Slaper H. , Lindfors A. V. , De Backer H. , Bais A. F. , Feister U. , Koskela T. , Josefsson W.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Long-term analysis of cloud effects on ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the ground using spaceborne observations requires the use of instruments that have operated consecutively. The longest data record can be built from the reflectivity measurements produced by the instruments Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometers (TOMS) flown on Nimbus 7 from 1979 to 1992, TOMS on Earth Probe from 1996 to 2005, and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) flown on EOS Aura since 2004. The reflectivity data produced by TOMS on Earth Probe is only included until 2002. A comparison is made with cloud effects inferred from ground-based pyranometer measurements at over 83 World Radiation Data Centre stations. Modelled UV irradiances utilizing the standard reflectivity are compared with measurements of UV irradiances at eight European low-elevation stations. The reflectivity data of the two TOMS instruments shows a consistent agreement, and the required corrections are of low percentage, i.e. 2–3%. In contrast, the reflectivity product of OMI requires correction of 7–10%, and a solar angle dependency therein is more pronounced. These corrections were inferred from a comparison with pyranometer data, and tested using the UV measurements. The average reduction of UV radiation due to clouds for all sites together indicates a small trend: a diminishing cloudiness, in line with ground-based UV observations. Uncorrected implementation of the reflectivity data would have indicated the opposite. An optimal area was established for reflectivity data for the calculation of daily sums of UV radiation. It measures approximately 1.25° in latitudinal direction for square-shaped areas overhead the ground-based UV stations. Such an area can be traversed within 5 to 7 h at the average wind speeds found for the West European continent.
Contribution of dust inputs to dissolved organic carbon and water transparency in Mediterranean reservoirs
Authors: de Vicente I. , Ortega-Retuerta E. , Morales-Baquero R. , Reche I.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The Mediterranean reservoirs receive frequent atmospheric Saharan dust inputs with soil-derived organic components mostly during the stratification periods, when run-off inputs are particularly limited. Here, we quantified and optically characterized the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) of the (dry and wet) atmospheric deposition in collectors placed near three reservoirs from the western Mediterranean Basin. In addition, we determined the WSOC contribution to the pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the reservoirs and the influence of dust-derived chromophoric organic components on the water transparency during their stratification periods. We found synchronous dynamics in the WSOC atmospheric inputs among the three collectors and in the DOC concentrations among the three reservoirs. The DOC concentrations and the WSOC atmospheric inputs were positive and significantly correlated in the most oligotrophic reservoir (Quéntar) and in the reservoir with the highest ratio of surface area to mixing water depth (Cubillas). Despite these correlations, WSOC atmospheric inputs represented less than 10% of the total DOC pool, suggesting that indirect effects of dust inputs on reservoir DOC may also promote these synchronous patterns observed in the reservoirs. Chromophoric components from dust inputs can significantly reduce the water transparency to the ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The depths where UVR at λ = 320 nm was reduced to ten percent of surface intensity (Z10%) decreased 27 cm in Béznar, 49 cm in Cubillas, and 69 cm in Quéntar due to the dust inputs. Therefore, the increasing dust export to the atmosphere may have consequences for the water transparency of aquatic ecosystems located under the influence of the global dust belt.
Spatial variability of particle-attached and free-living bacterial diversity in surface waters from the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea (Canadian Arctic)
Authors: Ortega-Retuerta E. , Joux F. , Jeffrey W. H. , Ghiglione J.-F.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. We explored the patterns of total and active bacterial community structure in a gradient covering surface waters from the Mackenzie River to the coastal Beaufort Sea, Canadian Arctic Ocean, with a particular focus on free-living vs. particle-attached communities. Capillary electrophoresis-single strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) showed significant differences when comparing river, coast and open sea bacterial community structures. In contrast to the river and coastal waters, total (16S rDNA-based) and active (16S rRNA-based) communities in the open sea samples were not significantly different, suggesting that most present bacterial groups were equally active in this area. Additionally, we observed significant differences between particle-attached (PA) and free-living (FL) bacterial communities in the open sea, but similar structure in the two fractions for coastal and river samples. Direct multivariate statistical analyses showed that total community structure was mainly driven by salinity (proxy of DOC and CDOM), suspended particles, amino acids and chlorophyll a. 16S rRNA genes pyrosequencing of selected samples confirmed these significant differences from river to sea and also between PA and FL fractions only in open sea samples, and PA samples generally showed higher diversity (Shannon, Simpson and Chao indices) than FL samples. At the class level, Opitutae was most abundant in the PA fraction of the sea sample, followed by Flavobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, while the FL sea sample was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria. Finally, the coast and river samples, both PA and FL fractions, were dominated by Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria. These results highlight the coexistence of particle specialists and generalists and the role of particle quality in structuring bacterial communities in the area. These results may also serve as a~basis to predict further changes in bacterial communities should climate change lead to further increases in river discharge and related particles load.
Seasonal, daily and diel N2 effluxes in permeable carbonate sediments
Authors: Eyre B. D. , Santos I. R. , Maher D. T.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Benthic metabolism and inorganic nitrogen and N2 flux rates (denitrification) were measured in permeable carbonate sands from Heron Island (Great Barrier Reef). Some of the N2 flux rates were among the highest measured in sediments. All benthic fluxes showed a significant difference between seasons with higher rates in summer and late summer. There was no distinct response of the benthic system to mass coral spawning. Instead, changes in benthic fluxes over 12 days in summer appears to be driven by tidal changes in water depth and associated changes in phytosynthetically active radiation reaching the sediments. Dark N2 fluxes were strongly correlated to benthic oxygen consumption across all sites and seasons (r2 = 0.64; p < 0.005; slope = 0.036). However, there were seasonal differences with a steeper slope in summer than winter reflecting either more efficient coupling between respiration and nitrification-denitrification at higher temperatures or different sources of organic matter. Adding data from published studies on carbonate sands revealed two slopes in the dark N2 flux versus benthic oxygen consumption relationship. The lower slope (0.035) was most likely due to high carbon : nitrogen (C : N) organic matter from coral reefs, but competition by benthic microalgae for nitrogen, N-fixation or inefficient coupling between respiration and nitrification-denitrification can not be excluded. The steeper slope (0.089) was most likely due to respiration being driven by low C : N phyto-detritus. If the different slopes were driven by the sources of organic matter then global estimates of continental shelf denitrification are probably about right. In contrast, global estimates of continental shelf may be over-estimated if the low slope was due to inefficient coupling between respiration and nitrification-denitrification and also due to reduced N2 effluxes in the light associated with competition by benthic microalgae for nitrogen and N-fixation.
Phosphorus sorption and buffering mechanisms in suspended sediments from the Yangtze Estuary and Hangzhou Bay, China
Authors: Li M. , Whelan M. J. , Wang G. , White S. M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The adsorption isotherm and the mechanism of the buffering effect are important controls on phosphorus behaviors in estuaries and are important for estimating phosphate concentrations in aquatic environments. In this paper, we derive phosphate adsorption isotherms in order to investigate sediment adsorption and buffering capacity for phosphorus discharged from sewage outfalls in the Yangtze Estuary and Hangzhou Bay near Shanghai, China. Experiments were also carried out at different temperatures in order to explore the buffering effects for phosphate. The results show that P sorption in sediments with low fine particle fractions was best described using exponential equations. Some P interactions between water and sediment may be caused by the precipitation of CaHPO4 from Ca2+ and HPO42− when the phosphate concentration in the liquid phase is high. Results from the buffering experiments suggest that the Zero Equilibrium Phosphate Concentrations (EPC0) vary from 0.014 mg l−1 to 0.061 mg l−1, which are consistent with measured phosphate concentrations in water samples collected at the same time as sediment sampling. Values of EPC0 and linear sorption coefficients (K) in sediments with high fine particle and organic matter contents are relatively high, which implies that they have high buffering capacity. Both EPC0 and K increase with increasing temperature, indicating a higher P buffering capacity at high temperatures.
Carbon isotopic evidence for microbial control of carbon supply to Orca Basin at the brine-seawater interface
Authors: Shah S. R. , Joye S. B. , Brandes J. A. , McNichol A. P.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Orca Basin, an intraslope basin on the Texas–Louisiana continental slope, hosts a hypersaline, anoxic brine in its lowermost 200 m. This brine contains a large reservoir of reduced and aged carbon, and appears to be stable at decadal time scales: concentrations and the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic (DIC) and organic carbon (DOC) are similar to previous reports. Both DIC and DOC are more "aged" within the brine pool than in overlying water, and the isotopic contrast between brine carbon and seawater carbon is much greater for DIC than DOC. While the stable carbon isotopic composition of brine DIC points towards a combination of methane and organic carbon re-mineralization as its source, radiocarbon and box model results point to the brine interface as the major source region for DIC with oxidation of methane diffusing upwards from sediments supplying only limited DIC to the brine. This conclusion is consistent with previous studies reporting microbial activity focused at the seawater-brine interface. Isotopic similarities between DIC and DOC suggest a different relationship between these two carbon reservoirs than is typically observed in deep ocean basins. Radiocarbon values implicate the seawater-brine interface region as the likely source region for DOC as well as DIC. Further investigations of the seawater-brine interface are needed to advance our understanding of the specific microbial processes contributing to dissolved carbon storage in the Orca Basin brine.
Do probabilistic forecasts lead to better decisions?
Authors: Ramos M. H. , van Andel S. J. , Pappenberger F.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The last decade has seen growing research in producing probabilistic hydro-meteorological forecasts and increasing their reliability. This followed the promise that, supplied with information about uncertainty, people would take better risk-based decisions. In recent years, therefore, research and operational developments have also start putting attention to ways of communicating the probabilistic forecasts to decision makers. Communicating probabilistic forecasts includes preparing tools and products for visualization, but also requires understanding how decision makers perceive and use uncertainty information in real-time. At the EGU General Assembly 2012, we conducted a laboratory-style experiment in which several cases of flood forecasts and a choice of actions to take were presented as part of a game to participants, who acted as decision makers. Answers were collected and analyzed. In this paper, we present the results of this exercise and discuss if indeed we make better decisions on the basis of probabilistic forecasts.
Expected changes in future temperature extremes and their elevation dependency over the Yellow River source region
Authors: Hu Y. , Maskey S. , Uhlenbrook S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Using the Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM) and the outputs from two global climate models we investigate possible changes in mean and extreme temperature indices and their elevation dependency over the Yellow River source region for the period 2081–2100 under the IPCC SRES A2, A1B and B1 emission scenarios. Changes in interannual variability of mean and extreme temperature indices are also analyzed. The validation results show that SDSM performs better in reproducing the maximum temperature-related indices than the minimum temperature-related indices. The projections show that by the end of the 21st century all parts of the study region may experience increases in both mean and extreme temperature in all seasons, along with an increase in the frequency of hot days and warm nights and with a decrease in frost days. Interannual variability increases in all seasons for the frequency of hot days and warm nights and in spring for frost days while it decreases for frost days in summer. Autumn demonstrates pronounced elevation-dependent changes in which six out of eight indices show significant increasing changes with elevation.
Moderate-temperature operable SO2 gas sensor based on Zr4+ ion conducting solid electrolyte
Authors: Uneme Y. , Tamura S. , Imanaka N.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A solid electrolyte type sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas sensor that can operate at moderate temperatures was fabricated using Zr4+ ion conducting Zr39/40TaP2.9W0.1O12 solid electrolyte with 0.7La2O2SO4 − 0.3(0.8Li2SO4 + 0.2K2SO4) having a large surface area and Zr metal as the auxiliary sensing electrode and reference electrode, respectively. Since the present sensor showed a quantitative, reproducible and rapid response which obeys the theoretical Nernst relationship even at 400 °C, it is a potential on site SO2 gas sensing tool operable at moderate temperatures around 400 °C.
Global glacier volumes and sea level – effects of ice below the surface of the ocean and of new local lakes on land
Authors: Haeberli W. , Linsbauer A.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The potential contribution of glaciers and ice caps to sea level rise is usually calculated by comparing the estimated total ice volume with the surface area of the ocean. Part of this total ice volume, however, does not contribute to sea-level rise, because it is below the surface of the ocean or below the levels of future lakes on land. The present communication points to this so far overlooked phenomenon and provides a first order-of-magnitude estimate. It is shown that the effect is small (most likely 1 to 5 cm sea-level equivalent) but systematic, could primarily affect earlier stages of global glacier vanishing and should therefore be adequately considered. Now-available techniques of slope-related high-resolution glacier-bed modelling have the potential to provide more detailed assessments in the future.
Synthesis and Characterization of Oligo(Ethylene Glycol)s Functionalized with Desaminotyrosine or Desaminotyrosyltyrosine
Authors: Julich-Gruner Konstanze K. , Neffe Axel T. , Lendlein Andreas
Published: December 2012

Purpose

The aromatic compounds desaminotyrosine (DAT) and desaminotyrosyltyrosine (DATT) have been successfully used to functionalize gelatin in order to form physically crosslinked networks via p-p interactions and hydrogen bonds of the introduced phenol moieties. Here, it was explored whether this concept can be applied to a synthetic polymer not engaging in additional interactions such as triple helix formation in gelatin, enabling a network to form by physical interactions mainly related to the terminal functional groups. Oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) was chosen as hydrophilic synthetic polymer for the backbone structure.

Methods

Linear OEG (MP = 3 kDa) and four-arm OEG (Mn = 5 kDa) with amino functionalities as endgroups were functionalized with DAT and DATT using EDC·HCl and NHS as activating agents. The compounds were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, and MALDI. Rheological behavior of aqueous solutions of the polymers was studied. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined by a fluorescence spectroscopic analysis using the hydrophobic fluorescent dye pyrene.

Results

DATT-functionalized linear OEG, four-arm DAT-functionalized OEG and four-arm DATT-functionalized OEG were synthesized with degrees of functionalization of 60–95 mol%. All compounds were water soluble, and rheological measurements revealed a decrease in storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ compared to unfunctionalized OEG. Moreover, the CMC of linear OEG-DATT could be determined.

Conclusions

The syntheses of OEG functionalized with the aromatic compounds DAT and DATT was reported. The polymers showed the properties of a surfactant.
Design of Bioactive Electrospun Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Cirillo Valentina , Guarino Vincenzo , Ambrosio Luigi
Published: December 2012

Background

This study aimed to produce polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL/gelatin fibrous scaffolds by electrospinning to engineer functional bone by the careful reproduction of the native microenviroment of the natural tissue.

Methods

Polymer solutions were processed by electrospinning technique to fabricate 2D and 3D platforms in the form of random flat membranes and bilayered conduits, through the use of collectors – i.e., grounded metal plates and a rotating mandrel, via a 2-step electrospinning process, to produce a bilayered structure.

Results

The results showed that solvent properties and the integration of gelatin could strongly influence the scaffold features in terms of fiber size scale and homogeneity, thus potentially affecting the final biological response. Moreover, 3D bilayered devices ensured the mechanical stability required to guide the forming bone during the regeneration process.

Conclusions

Overall, bioactive 2D or 3D electrospun platforms with microstructured and nanostructured properties can be used successfully as extracellular matrix analogues in bone regeneration.
Nietzsche's Readings on Spinoza: A Contextualist Study, Particularly on the Reception of Kuno Fischer
Authors: Urs Sommer Andreas
Published: December 2012

Nietzsche's relation to Spinoza is highly puzzling. It was based mainly on secondary sources. This article explores for the first time what impact Nietzsche's reading about Spinoza—particularly of Kuno Fischer's History of Modern Philosophy—had on his conceptions. First, I consider how Nietzsche found a brother-in-arms in Spinoza upon leaving teleology behind. Second, I examine Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence in the context of Spinoza's teaching as it was presented by Fischer. Third, I investigate the relation between Nietzsche's amor fati and Spinoza's amor intellectualis dei. Finally, I discuss how the Spinozist concept of self-preservation (as it was modeled and discussed in nineteenth-century Spinoza research) became a critical point for Nietzsche in the horizon of evolutionary theory. It turns out that the knowledge of Nietzsche's sources is fundamental for an adequate understanding of the use Nietzsche made of Spinoza's philosophy. The article thus tries to find a new approach to Nietzsche's Spinoza with the help of the contemporary sources he used.
Nietzsche's Naturalism
Authors: Schacht Richard
Published: December 2012

Nietzsche, I contend, and many agree, was a fundamentally “naturalistic” thinker. But there are many ways of thinking that can be called “naturalistic”; and it would be a mistake to suppose that any particular one of them is what he advocated and pursued—especially since there are some kinds of naturalism of which he himself is disdainful. So we need to consider what kind of naturalism Nietzsche's is—particularly as it relates to the natural sciences. I argue that it is one that respects and draws on these sciences but does not limit itself to reliance on them or take all of its cues from them. It is not a scientistic naturalism. I then discuss some types of human phenomena of which Nietzsche considers it important for us to be mindful and appreciative, both in the interpretation of human reality and in our understanding of the contours of his naturalism.
Audio Streaming with Silence Detection Using 802.15.4 Radios
Authors: Rohankar A. W. , Pathak Shantanu , Naskar Mrinal K. , Mukherjee Amitava
Published: December 2012

Short-range radios with low data rate are gaining popularity due to their abundant commercial availability. It is imperative that high-speed multimedia would be an attractive application field with these radios. Audio over 802.15.4 compliant radios is a challenging task to achieve. This paper describes a real-time implementation of audio communication using 802.15.4 radios. Silence detection and soft ADPCM are the main features of our work. Our results show that silence detection improves bandwidth optimization and audio communication performance over low bit-rate radios.
Use of Response Surface Methodology in the Formulation and Optimization of Bisoprolol Fumarate Matrix Tablets for Sustained Drug Release
Authors: Malakar Jadupati , Nayak Amit Kumar , Goswami Soumita
Published: December 2012

The aim of this investigation was to develop and optimize bisoprolol fumarate matrix tablets for sustained release application by response surface methodology based on 23factorial design. The effects of the amounts of calcium alginate, HPMC K4M, and Carbopol 943 in bisoprolol fumarate matrix tablets on the properties of bisoprolol fumarate sustained release matrix tablets like drug release and hardness were analyzed and optimized. The observed responses were coincided well with the predicted values by the experimental design. The optimized bisoprolol fumarate matrix tablets showed prolonged sustained release of bisoprolol fumarate over 6 hours. These matrix tablets followed the first-order model with anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism.
Mild External Compression of the Leg Increases Skin and Muscle Microvascular Blood Flow and Muscle Oxygenation during Simulated Venous Hypertension
Authors: Neuschwander T. B. , Macias B. R. , Hargens A. R. , Zhang Q.
Published: December 2012

We studied the effect of mild external leg compression on both skin and muscle microvascular flow, and muscle oxygenation in the leg of healthy subjects during simulated venous hypertension. Skin and muscle microvascular blood flows were measured using photoplethysmography (PPG), and muscle oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Both PPG and NIRS probes were placed over the anterior compartment of the right leg in 8 healthy subjects. Measurements were taken under three experimental conditions: external leg compression (40 mmHg); simulated venous hypertension (65 mmHg thigh cuff); external leg compression during simulated venous hypertension. Muscle oxygenation was measured only under external leg compression during simulated venous hypertension. Simulated venous hypertension decreased skin and muscle microvascular blood flows from 100% (baseline) to 35.8±2.9% and 31.9±1.3% (P<0.001), respectively. External leg compression during simulated venous hypertension caused 2-fold increases in both skin and muscle microvascular blood flows compared to simulated venous hypertension (P<0.001). Similarly, external leg compression during simulated venous hypertension significantly restored muscle oxygenation by 23±7% compared to its baseline (P<0.05). Our results demonstrate that mild external leg compression counteracts the decreases in skin microvascular flow, muscle microvascular flow, and muscle oxygenation induced by simulated venous hypertension in the leg.
Environmental dimensions and features affecting organizational entrepreneurship development in Iranian public hospitals
Authors: Nasiripour Amir Ashkan , Raeissi Pouran , Hosseini-Fahraji Hossein
Published: December 2012

One of the important issue regarding the study of change in the organizations is "organization's environment"; the territory in which an organization form and change during its life cycle. Among other factors, environmental dimensions and features are the important indices being used to estimate and understand the environment surrounding an organization. The main purpose of the present study was to identify the effective environmental factors (dimensions and features) on the organizational entrepreneurship in the Iranian Public hospitals. The sample contained 500 operating managers, supervisors, head nurses, nurses and head officers various affairs offices in hospitals such as affirmative action office and so on. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to select the sample. The criteria for selection of the subjects were having at least a bachelor’s degree, and three years of working experience. The data was collected via a self-report questionnaire. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to identify the environmental factors affecting organizational entrepreneurship's development in the Iranian public hospitals. The amount of KMO of environmental features was 83%, with p-value less than 0.05. The extracted factors explained 89 percent of the variance of environmental factors affecting organizational entrepreneurship's development in the Iranian public hospitals. The amounts of CFI, NFI, RFI and IFI for the fitted model were all above 0.99, GFI was 0.99, and RMSEA was 0.05 which all verified impact of environmental factor effect on the organizational entrepreneurship. The dimensions such as dynamism, complexity, munificence, struggle and their features in were observed in the external environment of Iran public hospitals, and they had direct and significant effect on organizational entrepreneurship. Therefore, the existing circumstances in the external environment of the stated hospital are ready for persuading, and generating motivation in employees and also leading hospital toward entrepreneurial action to encounter the existing challenges.
A Meta-Ethnography of Paid Dementia Care Workers’ Perspectives on Their Jobs
Authors: Cook Cheryl , Fay Sherri , Rockwood Kenneth
Published: December 2012

BackgroundWhile much work has been to evaluate paid workers’ perspectives on the care they provide dementia patients, there is no evidence of any systematic review of this topic.MethodsWe conducted a meta-ethnography of the topic “paid dementia care workers’ perspectives on their jobs.” Multiple databases were searched for qualitative work that reported on workers’ opinions and perspectives on their jobs in dementia care, including all settings and types of jobs. A final group of 34 articles were included, and their themes and constructs synthesized using a meta-ethnographic approach developed by Noblit and Hare.ResultsFive overarching themes uncovered: approach to care, education and training, emotional impact of the work, organizational factors, and relationships on the job. We also describe how the themes are related to each other.ConclusionsInterplay of the theme areas shows the importance of dementia-specific education and training in terms of the approach to care and emotional impact of the work. Closing the gap between policy and practice is critical, but achieving this will require that attention be paid to dementia-specific education for all workers, including care leaders.
That's a Bright Idea! Using USEPA's Energy Use Assessment Tool to Control Costs
Authors: Eisenberg Mindy
Published: December 2012

Energy efficiency is an important aspect of sustainability for water systems over the long‐term while also offering the possibility of more immediate gains. Energy represents the largest controllable cost of providing water or wastewater services to the public. Because utilities have many costs that are fixed, water and wastewater utilities are considering energy management alternatives when looking at ways to reduce their bottom line.
Turning Data Into Intelligence to Improve Infrastructure Management
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: December 2012

Utility managers are continually being challenged to justify rate proposals and infrastructure capital plans. This pressure forces them to search for additional meaningful data. Asset management, as a practical solution and a program, promises a great deal of information; however, everyone seems to be on an endless path of trying to turn raw data into some form of intelligence to help in the decision‐making process.
Real Exchange Rate and Economic Growth in China
Authors: Hua Ping
Published: December 2012

Abstract: By proposing a real exchange rate augmented Cobb-Douglas production function, it is demonstrated that the real exchange rate exerts multiple effects on economic growth. If a real appreciation has negative effects on growth by deteriorating international competitiveness in the tradable sector and by causing job losses, at the same time it exercises positive effects on economic growth by favoring capital intensity, human capital and by exerting pressure for efficiency improvements. The function is estimated by using the GMM system estimation approach and a panel data for the 29 Chinese provinces over the period from 1987 to 2008. The results show that the real exchange rate appreciation had a negative effect on economic growth, which was more marked in coastal provinces than in inland provinces, contributing to a reduction in the difference in GDP per capita between the two kinds of provinces.
An Elegant Biosensor Molecular Beacon Probe: Challenges and Recent Solutions
Authors: Kolpashchikov Dmitry M.
Published: December 2012

Molecular beacon (MB) probes are fluorophore- and quencher-labeled short synthetic DNAs folded in a stem-loop shape. Since the first report by Tyagi and Kramer, it has become a widely accepted tool for nucleic acid analysis and triggered a cascade of related developments in the field of molecular sensing. The unprecedented success of MB probes stems from their ability to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences immediately after hybridization with no need to wash out the unbound probe (instantaneous format). Importantly, the hairpin structure of the probe is responsible for both the low fluorescent background and improved selectivity. Furthermore, the signal is generated in a reversible manner; thus, if the analyte is removed, the signal is reduced to the background. This paper highlights the advantages of MB probes and discusses the approaches that address the challenges in MB probe design. Variations of MB-based assays tackle the problem of stem invasion, improve SNP genotyping and signal-to-noise ratio, as well as address the challenges of detecting folded RNA and DNA.
Carotid Endarterectomy: Outcome of “Old-Fashioned” Approach
Authors: Oldham Jeff , Saha Sibu
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study is to assess the 30-day postoperative incidence of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, wound complication, and cranial nerve damage after carotid endarterectomy using induced hypertension (systolic pressure ≥160 mmHg), selective shunting, and primary closure. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 206 patients who underwent a total of 239 carotid endarterectomy surgeries between January 2002 and August 2009 to identify the impact of selective shunting and primary closure on morbidity and mortality. Two hundred thirty-nine surgeries were performed on 206 patients. The study population was 55% men and 45% women with average age of 67 years (range 33–85 years). Of these patients, 181 had hypertension (88%), 82 had diabetes (40%), 73 had peripheral vascular disease (35%), 107 had coronary artery disease (52%), 142 had tobacco abuse (69%), and 146 had dyslipidemia (71%). Twenty-six patients (13%) presented with history of stroke, 77 (37%) with transient ischemic attack (TIA), 14 (7%) with amaurosis fugax, and 108 (52%) were asymptomatic. The average internal carotid stenosis was 74% as indicated by duplex, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or angiogram. Of the 239 surgeries, 3 (1%) required patch closure, and 7 (3%) required shunt. Thirty-day postoperative complication rates are as follows: stroke, 3 (1.3%); TIA, 4 (1.7%); bleeding, 5 (2.1%); superficial wound infection, 2 (0.8%); heart attack, 1 (0.4%); cranial nerve injury, 0; and hospital death, 0. One patient (0.4%) died at home from an unknown cause. In conclusion, carotid endarterectomy with selective shunting and primary closure is a safe and effective surgical means of preventing stroke.
Skin Metastasis From Sigmoid Colon Cancer
Authors: Horiuchi Atsushi , Nozawa Keijiro , Akahane Takuya , Shimada Ryu , Shibuya Hajime , Aoyagi Yoshiko , Nakamura Keisuke , Hayama Tamuro , Yamada Hideki , Ishihara Soichiro , Matsuda Keiji , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: December 2012

Skin metastases from visceral cancers are rare and the reported incidence from all visceral cancers is 1.4% to 10%. Skin metastases from colorectal cancers account for only 5% of metastatic skin cancers, among which scalp metastases are very rare. We describe a 53-year-old man with scalp metastasis derived from sigmoid colon cancer that was diagnosed and surgically resected in 2005. Metastatic lung tumors that developed thereafter were surgically resected and then chemotherapy was administered. However, metastatic brain tumors occurred in 2008, and these were treated by γ-knife radiosurgery. Around the same time, a raised lesion that appeared on the scalp was diagnosed as skin metastasis and treated with best supportive care. Thereafter, the brain metastases continued to spread, and the patient died in October 2008.
Surgical Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hiranyakas Art , Ho Yik-Hong
Published: December 2012

The rapid in development of surgical technology has had a major effect in surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. Laparoscopic colon cancer surgery has been proven to provide better short-term clinical and oncologic outcomes. However this quickly accepted surgical approach is still performed by a minority of colorectal surgeons. The more technically challenging procedure of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery is also on its way to demonstrating perhaps similar short-term benefits. This article reviews current evidences of both short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, including the overall costs comparison between laparoscopic surgery and conventional open surgery. In addition, different surgical techniques for laparoscopic colon and rectal cancer are compared. Also the relevant future challenge of colorectal cancer robotic surgery is reviewed.
Comparison of Lichtenstein and Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Repair of Recurrent Inguinal Hernias
Authors: Demetrashvili Z. , Qerqadze V. , Kamkamidze G. , Topchishvili G. , Lagvilava L. , Chartholani T. , Archvadze V.
Published: December 2012

The aim of our study was the comparative analysis of the results of two surgical methods: tension-free repair by the Lichtenstein technique and laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. In total 52 patients with recurrent inguinal hernia were randomly assigned to the two groups: Lichtenstein (28 patients) and TAPP (24 patients). Comparisons between these groups were done by several preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors. For postoperative factors both short-term and long-term results were considered. Average operation time for Lichtenstein group was 59.6 ± 9.9 minutes, compared with 64.4 ± 8.4 minutes for TAPP patients (P  =  0.068). In TAPP patients there was less pain in the postoperative period (P  =  0.002) and fewer sick-leave days (13.4 ± 1.7 versus 17.5 ± 2.6 days; P < 0.001) and, correspondingly, faster recovery. In the Lichtenstein group a total of 4 postoperative complications (infection, hematoma, seroma, urinary retention) were observed, compared with 8 in the TAPP group (P  =  0.19). Statistically significant difference was only by urinary retention (0 for Lichtenstein, 4 for TAPP; P  =  0.039). There were no cases of hernia recurrence observed during the follow-up. Chronic pain developed in 5 patients from the Lichtenstein group (17.9%) and 2 patients from the TAPP group (8.3%; P  =  0.28) more than 1 year after the operation; 4 Lichtenstein patients (14.3%) and 1 TAPP patient (4.2%; P  =  0.23) more than 2 years after the operation; and 3 Lichtenstein patients (10.7%) and 1 TAPP patient (4.2%; P  =  0.36) more than 3 years after the operation. For the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias, which are developed after use of conventional (nonmesh) methods, the first choice should be given to the laparoscopic method, especially for young, physically active, nonobese patients, and if there are any contraindications for the laparoscopy, the Lichtenstein approach should be recommended.
A High Level of Carcinoembryonic Antigen as Initial Manifestation of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient With Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Akbulut Sami , Sogutcu Nilgun
Published: December 2012

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumor marker with a glycoprotein structure, is frequently used in follow-up gastrointestinal malignancies. CEA levels may also increase in neuroendocrine tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and in some benign diseases. Patients whose blood tests show high CEA levels should have additional tests regarding MTC. Although MTC comprises only 3%–11% of all thyroid cancers, it should be tested because it has a poor prognosis and may accompany multiple endocrine neoplasia. We present the case of a 76-year-old man with subclinical hyperthyroidism with sporadic MTC who presented with initial high serum CEA levels. He underwent total thyroidectomy and left modified neck dissection. Pathologic specimens stained strongly for CEA. The patient's blood was analyzed for mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16, but the RET proto-oncogene revealed no mutations. The patient was regularly followed by measurement of serum CEA levels and performance of positron emission tomography–computed tomography. Seventeen months after surgery, the patient has remained well and showed no signs of tumor recurrence.
Effect of Monomer Structure on Real‐Time UV‐Curing Shrinkage Studied by a Laser Scanning Approach
Authors: Jian Yu , He Yong , Zhao Liyan , Kowalczyk Agnieszka , Yang Wantai , Nie Jun
Published: December 2012

The very fast curing rate, low coating thickness (<100 µm), and a wide range of viscosity of ultraviolet (UV) systems hindered the study of UV‐curing shrinkage. A recently developed laser scanning method provided a chance to directly measure the real‐time (UV‐curing shrinkage. The effect of monomer chain lengths (degree of ethoxylation), monomer functionality, and monomer type (acrylate vs. methacrylate) on the shrinkage rates and shrinkage of UV monomers was systematically investigated. The concentration of double bonds and degree of conversion played the dominant role in the photopolymerization shrinkage and shrinkage rate. The main reason for the low shrinkage of methacrylate was that the low reactivity of methacrylate decreased the degree of conversion. The ethoxylation was an attractive way to lower the shrinkage and decrease the shrinkage rate due to significant reduction of the concentration of double bonds. The reduction of functionality was not obvious in decreasing the shrinkage or maximum shrinkage rate due to the combination effect of the concentration of double bonds and the degree of conversion. Besides, heat expansion attributed to polymerization could bring forward the maximum shrinkage rate from the shrinkage stage to the expansion stage. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 2013, 32, 21331; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21331
A thermal‐flywheel approach to distributed temperature control in microchannel reactors
Authors: Pattison Richard C. , Baldea Michael
Published: December 2012

Microchannel reactors are a promising route for monetizing distributed natural gas resources. However, intensification and miniaturization represent a significant challenge for reactor control. Focusing on autothermal methane‐steam reforming reactors, a novel microchannel reactor temperature control strategy based on confining a layer of phase‐change material (PCM) between the reactor plates is introduced. Melting‐solidification cycles, which occur with latent heat exchange at constant temperature, allow the PCM layer to act as an energy storage buffer—a “thermal flywheel”—constituting a distributed controller that mitigates temperature excursions caused by fluctuations in feedstock quality. A novel stochastic optimization algorithm for selecting the PCM layer thickness (i.e., distributed controller “tuning”) is introduced. Furthermore, a hierarchical control structure, whereby the PCM layer is complemented by a supervisory controller that addresses persistent disturbances, is proposed. The proposed concepts are illustrated in a comprehensive case study using a detailed two‐dimensional reactor model. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2051–2061, 2013
Phenolphthalein‐based cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone): Preparation and application to separation membranes
Authors: Gao Nian , Zhang Suobo
Published: December 2012

Cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone)s are an important type of high performance engineering thermoplastics. They possess unique properties, including good processability, thermal stability, and good insulating and mechanical properties as well as excellent chemical resistance. They are potential candidates for the preparation of ion exchange, water purification, and gas separation membranes. This review focuses on the synthesis of phenolphthalein‐based cardo poly(arylene ether sulfone)s, including synthesis of cardo bisphenols and their polymers, and their application to separation membranes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013