bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myosin Binding Protein‐C: A Regulator of Actomyosin Interaction in Striated Muscle
Authors: Ackermann Maegen A. , Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos Aikaterini
Published: October 2011

Myosin‐Binding protein‐C (MyBP‐C) is a family of accessory proteins of striated muscles that contributes to the assembly and stabilization of thick filaments, and regulates the formation of actomyosin cross‐bridges, via direct interactions with both thick myosin and thin actin filaments. Three distinct MyBP‐C isoforms have been characterized; cardiac, slow skeletal, and fast skeletal. Numerous mutations in the gene for cardiac MyBP‐C (cMyBP‐C) have been associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) and have led to increased interest in the regulation and roles of the cardiac isoform. This review will summarize our current knowledge on MyBP‐C and its role in modulating contractility, focusing on its interactions with both myosin and actin filaments in cardiac and skeletal muscles.
Resveratrol Regulates Antioxidant Status, Inhibits Cytokine Expression and Restricts Apoptosis in Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Rat Hepatic Injury
Authors: Roy Souvik , Sannigrahi Santanu , Majumdar Subhabrota , Ghosh Balaram , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: October 2011

Recent studies indicate the chemopreventive role of resveratrol in many animal models like ischemia, rheumatoid arthritis, human cancer, and diabetes. The present study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive potential of resveratrol in rat hepatic injury model by carbon tetrachloride. Male Wistar rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride (0.4 g/kg body weight) intraperitoneally daily for 8 weeks. Resveratrol (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg body weight) was given orally from first day until the last day of experiment. The investigation assesses the effect of resveratrol on morphological, oxidative status, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and apoptotic analysis in carbon tetrachloride-challenged liver tissue. The study indicated that the inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-6 were profoundly expressed in experimental rats, whereas resveratrol decreases the immunopositivity of TNF-αand IL-6 and restored the altered architectural structure of challenged hepatic tissue. Resveratrol also protects liver cells by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Gossypiboma versus Gossip-Boma
Authors: Singh Charanjeet , Gupta Mamta
Published: October 2011

Gossypiboma, or a retained surgical sponge, is a rare condition, and it can occur after any surgical intervention that requires use of internal swabs. A case of an eight-year-old girl is presented, who had right minithoracotomy for ASD closure. She was finally diagnosed to have a retained surgical sponge in the right pleural cavity.
Obesity and the Ageing Brain: Could Leptin Play a Role in Neurodegeneration?
Authors: Doherty G. H.
Published: October 2011

Obesity and ageing are both characteristics of the human population that are on the increase across the globe. It has long been established that ageing is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, and it is becoming increasingly evident that obesity is another such factor. Leptin resistance or insensitivity has been uncovered as a cause of obesity, and in addition the leptin signalling system is less potent in the elderly. Taken together, these findings reveal that this molecule may be a link between neurodegeneration and obesity or ageing. It is now known that leptin has beneficial effects on both the survival and neurophysiology of the neurons that are lost in Alzheimer's disease suggesting that it may be an important research target in the quest for strategies to prevent, halt, or cure this condition.
Ginsenoside Rb1 Preconditioning Enhances eNOS Expression and Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Xia Rui , Zhao Bo , Wu Yang , Hou Jia-Bao , Zhang Li , Xu Jin-Jin , Xia Zhong-Yuan
Published: October 2011

Diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased NO bioavailability in the myocardium. Ginsenoside Rb1 has been shown to confer cardioprotection against ischemia reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Ginsenoside Rb1 exerts cardioprotective effects during myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion in diabetic rats and whether this effect is related to increase the production of NO via enhancing eNOS expression in the myocardium. The myocardial I/R injury were induced by occluding the left anterior descending artery for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion. An eNOS inhibitor L‐NAME or Rb1 were respectively administered 25 min or 10 min before inducing ischemia. Ginsenoside Rb1 preconditioning reduced myocardial infarct size when compared with I/R group. Ginsenoside Rb1 induced myocardial protection was accompanied with increased eNOS expression and NO concentration and reduced plasma CK and LDH (P < 0.05). Moreover, the myocardial oxidative stress and tissue histological damage was attenuated by Ginsenoside Rb1 (P < 0.05). L‐NAME abolished the protective effects of Ginsenoside Rb1. It is concluded that Ginsenoside Rb1 protects against myocardium ischemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic rat by enhancing the expression of eNOS and increasing the content of NO as well as inhibiting oxidative stress.
Existence of the Mild Solutions for Impulsive Fractional Equations with Infinite Delay
Authors: Dabas Jaydev , Chauhan Archana , Kumar Mukesh
Published: October 2011

This paper is concerned with the existence and uniqueness of a
mild solution of a semilinear fractional‐order functional evolution differential equation with the infinite delay and impulsive effects. The existence and uniqueness of a mild solution is established using a solution operator and the classical fixed‐point theorems.
Expedient Treatment of a Collodion Baby
Authors: Chung Michael , Pittenger Jaime , Tobin Stuart , Chung Andrew , Desai Nirmala
Published: October 2011

Only~270 cases of collodion babies have been reported in the literature since 1892. As the name suggests, the term “collodion baby” refers to a phenotype that can be characterized by a yellow, shiny, tight parchment-like membrane stretched over the skin. Although the collodion membrane is only an evanescent condition of the newborn, neonatal complications can occur in 45% of all collodion babies, leading to a mortality rate of~11% in the first few weeks of life. Most children born as collodion babies will spontaneously desquamate within 2 weeks, but may be as long as 3 months. Eventually, these children develop signs of one of several types of ichthyosis, which gives the skin the appearance of “fish scales.” We report a unique case of a Caucasian male that was born as a Collodion baby at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the impairment of the skin barrier function put the patient at risk for a number of complications, he improved significantly after being treated with emollients and antibiotics. In contrast to previous findings, we found that skin emollients were beneficial and did not increase the risk of infection.
An Available Transmission Time Routing Metric for Wireless Ad-Hoc Sensor Networks
Authors: Sun Yan-jing , Liu Xue , Zhang Bei-bei
Published: October 2011

Routing metric is very important for performance of wireless ad hoc sensor networks. ETX and ETT routing metrics cannot accurately estimate the average transmission time since they do not take back-off scheme of IEEE 802.11 in Mac layer into account. We present a new available transmission time (ATT) routing metric based on IEEE 802.11 DCF, which considers available link bandwidth and also takes physical transmission rates into account. A plugin for OLSR routing protocol daemon is implemented on Linux platform, and experiments are taken to compare ATT with ETX and ETT. Our results show that the ATT metric has the lowest packet loss rate and the lowest jitter rate among the analyzed metrics. ATT also outweigh other two metrics in the network performance, so it is the most appropriate for wireless ad hoc sensor networks.
Self-Expandable Metal Stents in the Treatment of Acute Esophageal Variceal Bleeding
Authors: Escorsell Àngels , Bosch Jaime
Published: October 2011

Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a life-threatening complication in patients with cirrhosis. Hemostatic therapy of AVB includes early administration of vasoactive drugs that should be combined with endoscopic therapy, preferably banding ligation. However, failure to control bleeding or early rebleed within 5 days still occurs in 15–20% of patients with AVB. In these cases, a second endoscopic therapy may be attempted (mild bleeding in a hemodynamically stable patient) or we can use a balloon tamponade as a bridge to definitive derivative treatment (i.e., a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt). Esophageal balloon tamponade provides initial control in up to 80% of AVB, but it carries a high risk of major complications, especially in cases of long duration of tamponade (>24 h) and when tubes are inserted by inexperienced staff. Preliminary reports suggest that self-expandable covered esophageal metallic stents effectively control refractory AVB (i.e., ongoing bleeding despite pharmacological and endoscopic therapy or massive bleeding precluding endoscopic therapy) with a low incidence of complications. Thus, covered self-expanding metal stents may represent an alternative to the Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon for the temporary control of bleeding in treatment failures. Further studies are required to determine the role of this new device in AVB.
Cohesive Relations for Surface Atoms in the Iron-Technetium Binary System
Authors: Taylor Christopher D.
Published: October 2011

Iron-technetium alloys are of relevance to the development of waste forms for disposition of radioactive technetium-99 obtained from spent nuclear fuel. Corrosion of candidate waste forms is a function of the local cohesive energy () of surface atoms. A theoretical model for calculating
is developed. Density functional theory was used to construct a modified embedded atom (MEAM) potential for iron-technetium. Materials properties determined for the iron-technetium system were in good agreement with the literature. To explore the relationship between local structure and corrosion, MEAM simulations were performed on representative iron-technetium alloys and intermetallics. Technetium-rich phases have lower , suggesting that these phases will be more noble than iron-rich ones. Quantitative estimates of
based on numbers of nearest neighbors alone can lead to errors up to 0.5 eV. Consequently, atomistic corrosion simulations for alloy systems should utilize physics-based models that consider not only neighbor counts, but also local compositions and atomic arrangements.
Experimental Studies on the Changes in Resistivity and Its Anisotropy Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Authors: Zhu Tao , Zhou Jian-Guo , Hao Jin-Qi
Published: October 2011

Three measuring lines were arranged on one of free planes of magnetite cuboid samples. Apparent resistivity data were acquired by MIR-2007 resistivity meter when samples were under uniaxial compression of servocontrol YAW-5000F loadingmachine in laboratory. Then we constructed the residual resistivity images using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and plotted the diagrams of apparent resistivity anisotropy coefficient (ARAC)λ∗and the included angleαbetween the major axis of apparent resistivity anisotropy ellipse and the axis of load with pressure and effective depth. Our results show that with increasing pressure, resistivity and the decreased (D region) and increased (I region) resistivity regions have complex behaviors, but when pressure is higher than a certain value, the average resistivity decrease and the area of D region expand gradually in all time with the increase of pressure, which may be significant to the monitoring and prediction of earthquake, volcanic activities, and large-scale geologic motions. The effects of pressure onλ∗andαare not very outstanding for dry magnetite samples.
Measuring Quality in Emergency Medical Services: A Review of Clinical Performance Indicators
Authors: El Sayed Mazen J.
Published: October 2011

Measuring quality in Emergency Medical Services (EMSs) systems is challenging. This paper reviews the current approaches to measuring quality in health care and EMS with a focus on currently used clinical performance indicators in EMS systems (US and international systems). The different types of performance indicators, the advantages and limitations of each type, and the evidence-based prehospital clinical bundles are discussed. This paper aims at introducing emergency physicians and health care providers to quality initiatives in EMS and serves as a reference for tools that EMS medical directors can use to launch new or modify existing quality control programs in their systems.
Hypoadiponectinemia: A Link between Visceral Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Di Chiara Tiziana , Argano Christiano , Corrao Salvatore , Scaglione Rosario , Licata Giuseppe
Published: October 2011

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a combination of cardiometabolic risk factors, including visceral obesity, glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, and hypertension. MetS is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide as a consequence of the “epidemic” obesity, with a considerable impact on the global incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. At present, there is a growing interest on the role of visceral fat accumulation in the occurrence of MetS. In this review, the effects of adipocytokines and other proinflammatory factors produced by fat accumulation on the occurrence of the MetS have been also emphasized. Accordingly, the “hypoadiponectinemia” has been proposed as the most interesting new hypothesis to explain the pathophysiology of MetS.
Tube Thoracostomy: Complications and Its Management
Authors: Kesieme Emeka B. , Dongo Andrew , Ezemba Ndubueze , Irekpita Eshiobo , Jebbin Nze , Kesieme Chinenye
Published: October 2011

Background. Tube thoracostomy is widely used throughout the medical, surgical, and critical care specialities. It is generally used to drain pleural collections either as elective or emergency. Complications resulting from tube thoracostomy can occasionally be life threatening.Aim. To present an update on the complications and management of complications of tube thoracostomy.Methods. A review of the publications obtained from Medline search, medical libraries, and Google on tube thoracostomy and its complications was done.Results. Tube thoracostomy is a common surgical procedure which can be performed by either the blunt dissection technique or the trocar technique. Complication rates are increased by the trocar technique. These complications have been broadly classified as either technical or infective. Technical causes include tube malposition, blocked drain, chest drain dislodgement, reexpansion pulmonary edema, subcutaneous emphysema, nerve injuries, cardiac and vascular injuries, oesophageal injuries, residual/postextubation pneumothorax, fistulae, tumor recurrence at insertion site, herniation through the site of thoracostomy, chylothorax, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Infective complications include empyema and surgical site infection.Conclusion. Tube thoracostomy, though commonly performed is not without risk. Blunt dissection technique has lower risk of complications and is hence recommended.
Ant Community Structure (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Two Neighborhoods with Different Urban Profiles in the City of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Piva Alcione , Campos Ana Eugênia de Carvalho
Published: October 2011

Some ant species are highly abundant in cities, may form huge unicolonial populations with thousands of individuals able to displace native fauna, and impoverish ecological relationships in urban environments. In this work, we study the ant community in two neighborhoods with different urban profiles, one recently populated and another from the 1900s in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Two hundred and ninety houses were sampled with baits for ant collections. Results show that the recent urbanized neighborhood with greater disturbance favors opportunistic and dominant species to colonize it, likeTapinoma melanocephalum. We also made a temporal analysis in the ancient neighborhood, collecting ants after ten years from a first survey.T. melanocephalumhas a broader range than ten years ago, displaced other ant species, but confronts withPheidole megacephalathat was not found in the recent urbanized neighborhood.
Hispolon Protects against Acute Liver Damage in the Rat by Inhibiting Lipid Peroxidation, Proinflammatory Cytokine, and Oxidative Stress and Downregulating the Expressions of iNOS, COX-2, and MMP-9
Authors: Huang Guan-Jhong , Deng Jeng-Shyan , Chiu Chuan-Sung , Liao Jung-Chun , Hsieh Wen-Tsong , Sheu Ming-Jyh , Wu Chieh-Hsi
Published: October 2011

The hepatoprotective potential of hispolon against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage was evaluated in preventive models in rats. Male rats were intraperitoneally treated with hispolon or silymarin once daily for 7 consecutive days. One hour after the final hispolon or silymarin treatment, the rats were injected with CCl4. Administration with hispolon or silymarin significantly decreased the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in serum and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH) content and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver compared with CCl4-treated group. Liver histopathology also showed that hispolon reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl4. In addition, hispolon decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activation in CCl4-treated rats. We also examined the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in the development of CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Hispolon inhibited the expression of MMP-9 protein, indicating that MMP-9 played an important role in the development of CCl4-induced rat liver damage. Therefore, we speculate that hispolon protects rats from liver damage through their prophylactic redox balancing ability and anti-inflammation capacity.
The Ant GenusDorymyrmexMayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) in Colombia
Authors: Cuezzo Fabiana , Guerrero Roberto J.
Published: October 2011

The aim of this paper is to actualize the taxonomy ofDorymyrmex, by addressing problems at both the genus and the species levels. We also explore the taxonomy and distribution ofDorymyrmexin Colombia. We list, diagnose, and key nine species in the country, including three new species:Dorymyrmex amazonicusn. sp. Cuezzo & Guerrero,Dorymyrmex xerophylusn. sp. Cuezzo & Guerrero, andDorymyrmex tuberosusn. sp. Cuezzo & Guerrero. We provide a detailed description of these new species based on the worker caste and, where possible, other castes. All localities whereDorymyrmexwas collected or cited in the literature were mapped to provide a graphical view of its range.
Molecular Dermatopathology in Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Reginster Marie-Annick , Pierard-Franchimont Claudine , Piérard Gérald E. , Quatresooz Pascale
Published: October 2011

At present, immunohistochemistry is taken for granted in the establishment of malignant melanoma (MM) diagnosis. In recent years, molecular diagnosis in dermatopathology has benefited from a vast array of advances in the fields of genomics and proteomics. Sensitive techniques are available for detecting specific DNA and RNA sequences by molecular hybridization. This paper intends to update methods of molecular cytogenetics available as diagnostic adjuncts in the field of MM. Cytogenetics has highlighted the pathogenesis of atypical melanocytic neoplasms with emphasis on the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway during the initiation step of the neoplasms. 20 to 40% of MM families have mutations in the tumour suppressor gene p16 or CDKN2A. In addition, somatic mutations in p16, p53, BRAF, and cKIT are present in MM. Genome-wide scan analyses on MM indicate positive associations for genes involved in melanocytic naevi, but MM is likely caused by a variety of common low-penetrance genes. Molecular dermatopathology is expanding, and its use in the assessment of melanocytic neoplasms appears to be promising in the fields of research and diagnosis. Molecular dermatopathology will probably make its way to an increased number of diagnostic laboratories. The expected benefit should improve the patient management. This evolution points to a need for evolution in the training requirements and role of dermatopathologists.
Imputation of the Date of HIV Seroconversion in a Cohort of Seroprevalent Subjects: Implications for Analysis of Late HIV Diagnosis
Authors: Sobrino-Vegas Paz , Pérez-Hoyos Santiago , Geskus Ronald , Padilla Belén , Segura Ferrán , Rubio Rafael , del Romero Jorge , Santos Jesus , Moreno Santiago , del Amo Julia
Published: October 2011

Objectives. Since subjects may have been diagnosed before cohort entry, analysis of late HIV diagnosis (LD) is usually restricted to the newly diagnosed. We estimate the magnitude and risk factors of LD in a cohort of seroprevalent individuals by imputing seroconversion dates.Methods. Multicenter cohort of HIV-positive subjects who were treatment naive at entry, in Spain, 2004–2008. Multiple-imputation techniques were used. Subjects with times to HIV diagnosis longer than 4.19 years were considered LD.Results. Median time to HIV diagnosis was 2.8 years in the whole cohort of 3,667 subjects. Factors significantly associated with LD were: male sex; Sub-Saharan African, Latin-American origin compared to Spaniards; and older age. In 2,928 newly diagnosed subjects, median time to diagnosis was 3.3 years, and LD was more common in injecting drug users.Conclusions. Estimates of the magnitude and risk factors of LD for the whole cohort differ from those obtained for new HIV diagnoses.
Genetics of Behçet's Disease
Authors: Kaya Tamer İrfan
Published: October 2011

Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized mainly by recurrent oral and genital ulcers and eye involvement. Although the pathogenesis remains poorly understood, a variety of studies have demonstrated that genetic predisposition is a major factor in disease susceptibility. Peculiar geographical distribution of BD along the ancient Silk Road has been regarded as evidence supporting genetic influence. The observed aggregation of BD in families of patients with BD is also supportive for a genetic component in its etiology. HLA-B51 (B510101 subtype) is the most strongly associated genetic marker for BD in countries on the Silk Road. In recent years, several genome-wide association studies and genetic polymorphism studies have also found new genetic associations with BD, which may have a supplementary role in disease susceptibility and/or severity. The author reviewed the HLA and non-HLA genetic association studies.
An Adaptive Coding Pass Scanning Algorithm for Optimal Rate Control in Biomedical Images
Authors: Hsin Hsi-Chin , Sung Tze-Yun , Shieh Yaw-Shih
Published: October 2011

High-efficiency, high-quality biomedical image compression is desirable especially for the telemedicine applications. This paper presents an adaptive coding pass scanning (ACPS) algorithm for optimal rate control. It can identify the significant portions of an image and discard insignificant ones as early as possible. As a result, waste of computational power and memory space can be avoided. We replace the benchmark algorithm known as postcompression rate distortion (PCRD) by ACPS. Experimental results show that ACPS is preferable to PCRD in terms of the rate distortion curve and computation time.
Transfusions, major bleeding, and prevention of venous thromboembolism with enoxaparin or fondaparinux in thoracic surgery
Authors: Demaria Joelle , Lillo-Le Louët Agnès , Caliandro Raffaele , Guillou Jean-Luc , Crespin Malvina , Sanctis Alice de , Stern Jean-Baptiste , Girard Philippe
Published: October 2011

Enoxaparin 40 mg/day (E) or fondaparinux 2.5 mg/day (F) are recommended to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical and surgical patients at risk. Over the two years after switching from E to F in our 35-bed department of pulmonology and thoracic surgery, an increase in the number of transfusions was observed. A retrospective explanatory investigation was undertaken. Hospitalised patients in the two years before and after switching from E to F were compared. The files of all transfused patients were reviewed. A blinded independent committee adjudicated major bleeding events. In the investigated time period, the overall transfusion rate increased from 1.8% of 2,989 patients to 3.1% of 3,085 patients (p=0.002). Mean ages (58.4 vs. 59.1 years), proportions of surgical patients (63.6% vs. 58.4%), cancer patients (72.1% vs. 69.5%), and treated patients (≥1 dose of E or F: 51.8% vs. 52.5%) were similar. The number of medical patients transfused while receiving E or F did not increase significantly (0.9% vs. 1.3%, RR=1.45 [0.66–3.17], p=0.35). The number of surgical patients trans-fused postoperatively while receiving E or F increased significantly (0.7% vs. 1.9% of all surgical patients, relative risk [RR]=2.75 [1.45–5.23], p=0.001), including a significant increase in transfusions for major bleeding (0.2% vs. 0.9%, RR=5.97 [1.74–20.4], p<0.001). A multivariate analysis did not find confounding factors. The incidence of symptomatic postoperative pulmonary embolism remained very low (0.05% vs. 0.17%). In conclusion, in thoracic surgery patients, switch-ing from enoxaparin to fondaparinux to prevent VTE was associated with a significant increase in the risk of postoperative major bleeding. A causal relationship appears plausible.
Pattern classification of ShearWaveTM Elastography images for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant solid breast masses
Authors: Tozaki Mitsuhiro , Fukuma Eisuke
Published: October 2011

Background

ShearWaveTM Elastography (SWE) provides a quantitative measurement of tissue stiffness and may improve characterization of breast masses. However, the significance of Young's modulus measurements and appropriate SWE evaluation criteria has not been established yet.

Purpose

To assess the usefulness of the pattern classification and Young's modulus measurements in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant solid breast masses.

Material and Methods

Ninety-six patients (age range 18–84 years, mean 54 years) with 100 solid breast masses who underwent tissue sampling after a US examination were analyzed. We tried to create a visual pattern classification based on the SWE images. After classifying the visual patterns, the Young's modulus of the lesions was measured in every case.

Results

It was possible to classify the images into four patterns by the visual evaluation: no findings (coded blue homogeneously; Pattern 1), vertical stripe pattern artifacts (Pattern 2), a localized colored area at the margin of the lesion (Pattern 3), and heterogeneously colored areas in the interior of the lesion (Pattern 4). There were 17 Pattern 1 lesions, 14 Pattern 2 lesions, 20 Pattern 3 lesions, and 49 Pattern 4 lesions. When Patterns 1 and 2 were assumed to be benign, and Patterns 3 and 4 were assumed to be malignant, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.3% (63/69) and 80.6% (25/31), respectively. The mean Young's modulus measurements of the benign and the malignant lesions were 42 kPa and 146 kPa, respectively ( P < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between benign and malignant lesions in Pattern 3. In Pattern 4, however, the Young's modulus of the benign lesions (50 kPa) was lower than the smallest Young's modulus of malignant lesions (61 kPa).

Conclusion

The visual pattern classification and adding Young's modulus measurements may improve characterization of solid breast masses.
The Genesis and Dynamics of Organizational Networks
Authors: Ahuja Gautam , Soda Giuseppe , Zaheer Akbar
Published: October 2011

An extensive body of knowledge exists on network outcomes and on how network structures may contribute to the creation of outcomes at different levels of analysis, but less attention has been paid to understanding how and why organizational networks emerge, evolve, and change. Improved understanding of network dynamics is important for several reasons, perhaps the most critical being that the understanding of network outcomes is only partial without an appreciation of the genesis of the network structures that resulted in such outcomes. To provide a context for the papers in this special issue, and with the broader goal of furthering network dynamics research, we present a framework that begins by discussing the meaning and role of network dynamics and goes on to identify the drivers and key dimensions of network change as well as the role of time in this process. We conclude with theoretical and methodological issues that researchers need to address in this domain.
"Washington is a Long Way Off": The "Round Valley War" and the Limits of Federal Power on a California Indian Reservation
Authors: Adams Kevin , Schneider Khal
Published: October 2011

In 1887 the Office of Indian Affairs requested that the Army evict the handful of white trespassers who claimed over 90 percent of the Round Valley Reservation in Northern California. The trespassers turned to local courts to block their evictions, and a county judge dispatched the Mendocino County sheriff to arrest the federal officer who persisted with his orders. The ensuing "Round Valley War" shows that, although elites associated with Indian affairs took federal supremacy on Indian Reservations for granted, and while historians have also tended to treat the West, and "Indian Country" in particular, as a domain where federal prerogatives reigned supreme, in the aftermath of the Civil War anti-statism and Democratic localism presented effective counterclaims to the coercive power of the federal state.
Ultrasound-assisted rapid synthesis of β-aminoketones with direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in aqueous media at room temperature
Authors: Ozturkcan S. , Turhan Kadir , Turgut Zuhal
Published: October 2011

An innovative, powerful, efficient and relatively rapid method was developed to synthesise various β-aminoketone derivatives from cyclohexanone, substituted aromatic amines and aromatic or hetero-aromatic aldehydes via ultrasound-assisted direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in water. Good yields of the desired β-aminoketones were obtained at room temperature by ultrasound-assisted reaction within 1–2 h. The major advantages of the proposed method are undemanding conditions, easy operation, low toxicity, shorter reaction time, anti selectivity and higher yields in comparison with conventional methods.
On the Intention to Use an Online Learning Platform Feature
Authors: Loquineau Olivier , Caplan Aurélien , Toumazeau Karine , Zanetto Christophe , Billiot Marine , Goethals Frank
Published: October 2011

On the Intention to Use an Online Learning Platform Feature

Our research project gives more insight into antecedents of students' intention to use features of an online learning platform. This paper introduces the study year in the UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) model. We also include three constructs that are mentioned in literature on student satisfaction with classic (offline) classes. Statistical tests show that new constructs are statistically significant antecedents of the intent of students to use the new feature. Two new constructs seem as important as the most important UTAUT variablesperformance expectancyandeffort expectancy. The R2of our model is significantly higher than the R2that is achieved when the classic UTAUT is applied to our dataset.
The Bioindicative Role of Enzyme Polymorphism of Seven Enzyme Systems as Reaction on High Cadmium Ions Concentration in Maize (Zea Mays L.)
Authors: Múdry Pavol , Obert Bohuš
Published: October 2011

The Bioindicative Role of Enzyme Polymorphism of Seven Enzyme Systems as Reaction on High Cadmium Ions Concentration in Maize (Zea MaysL.)

Effect of different concentrations of cadmium ions (0, 15, 60, 240 and 960 μmol dm-3in full Hoagland solutions) on enzyme polymorphism of seven enzymes - acid phosphatase (ACP), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD), phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and their fifteen polymorphic loci - in coleoptiles, leaf blades and in the central parts of primary root systems of 14 days old seedlings in two self-pollinated maize lines and their single-cross was studied. Analyses of enzyme polymorphism showed that the biological material was homogeneous, self-pollinated lines had homozygous constitution in each analysed locus and hybrid had three loci (Acp1: 2/4, Idh2: 4/6andPgd1: 2/3.8) with heterozygous constitution. Ions of cadmium negatively influenced seedling growth and development, high cadmium concentration (960 μmol dm-3) was toxic and stopped further growth and development of maize seedlings after five days of cultivation. Enzyme fingerprint analysis of these fifteen polymorphic loci from selected enzymes supported their genotypic, organ and ontogenetic stability under high doses of cadmium ions. According to our results this group of enzymes in these polymorphic loci did not express changes in polymorphism after treatment with cadmium ions and thus cannot play the bioindicative role in this respect.
The effect of thermal treatment on the structural properties of copper-containing sol-gel silica nanocomposites
Authors: Tohidi Seyed H. , Grigoryan Garnik L. , Novinrooz Abdol J.
Published: October 2011

One distinct concentration of copper was embedded into a silica matrix to form xerogel using the copper source Cu(NO3)2 · 3H2O. The xerogel samples were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate by the sol-gel method. In this investigation, the new molar ratio of H2O/TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate) was determined as 11.7. Also, the necessary amount of trihydrated copper nitrate was added to the solution in such a manner that the concentration of copper oxide in the final solution reached to 10 wt.%. After ambient drying, the xerogel samples were heated from 60 to 1 000 °C at a slow heating rate (323 K h– 1). Their structural properties were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface analysis and thermal-program reduction methods at different temperatures.
Knudsen effusion mass spectrometric studies of the B2 phase in the Al – Co system
Authors: Subramaniam Tiruppatur , Narasimhan Lakshmi , Kath Dieter , Hilpert Klaus , Markus Torsten
Published: October 2011

The vaporisation of Al – Co alloys has been investigated in the temperature range of 1 201 to 1 552 K using Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. Nine different compositions have been examined in the composition rangex(Co) = 0.62 to 0.47. Al(g) and Co(g) were the vapour species observed over all the alloy samples exceptingx(Co) = 0.47 over which only Al(g) could be identified. Partial pressure – temperature relations and thermodynamic activities of Co and Al were derived. The enthalpies and Gibbs free energies of formation of Al0.5Co0.5(s) at 298.15 K were obtained as ΔfHom=− 54.9 ± 4.8 kJ mol−1and ΔfGom=− 51.4 ± 1.4 kJ mol−1. This is the first time activities of Co have been determined experimentally across the B2-AlCo(s) single phase region.
A Process Approach for Selecting ERP Software
Authors: Verville Jacques
Published: October 2011

Omega Airlines, an international air carrier, provides air transportation services for passengers and cargo both to domestic and international arenas. Omega Airlines purchased PeopleSofts ERP solution (finance, human resources, and payroll applications) for the sum of US$86 million. The ERP acquisition process that Omega Airlines went through took approximately 9 months and was completed by the summer of 1996. The structure of the acquisition process that emerged from the data revealed six distinctive iterative, recursive and inter-related processes that, together, form a complex web of activity and tasks for the acquisition of ERP software. These activities and tasks are described and analyzed as a function of the six processes. The ERP acquisition process developed by Omega Airlines for this purchase was atypical of their normal purchasing practices and proved to be a significant learning experience for the entire organization. This case provides a useful illustration of good practice and sets forth the framework for the ERP acquisition process.
ERP Implementation in State Government
Authors: Watson Ed , Vaught Sylvia , Gutierrez Dan , Rinks Dan
Published: October 2011

In the early 1990s, enterprise resource planning (ERP) emerged as the business standard for enterprise computing. The concepts associated with ERP, i.e., integration, standardization and process-centering, are indeed powerful and profound. Private sector organizations embraced this technology for varying reasons. ERP success or failure is determined in large part by how able and willing an organization is to undertake a radical business transformation process. At the dawn of the new century, ERP concepts are beginning to pervade public sector organizations, including state government. As with the private sector, each implementation brings with it unique challenges and opportunities. This case study takes a look at some of the exciting issues associated with the implementation of integrated systems in state government.
Computer Service Support at Glenview Hospital
Authors: Garcia-Murillo Martha , Maxwell Paula , Boyce Simon , St. Denis Raymond , Bistline William
Published: October 2011

This case focuses on the challenges of managing a help desk that supports computer users. There are two main technologies that the Information Center (IC) uses to provide this service: the call distributing system and the knowledge base, which is also available on the Web. The choice of technologies affected the service provided by the help desk staff. Specifically, the call distributing system was unable to provide enough information regarding the number of calls answered, dropped, and allocated among the different staff members. The hospital knowledge base, on the other hand, is created based on peoples documentation of the problem and selection of keywords, which has led to inconsistencies in the data entry. One of the management challenges for the Information Center is to foster self-help and minimize the number of requests to the IC staff. This case presents the difficulties and some of the initiatives that the IC has considered to solve these problems.
Investing in an Energy Management System
Authors: Nelson Mark R. , Mikullitz John F. , Frank Adrienne S. , Westney John A..
Published: October 2011

This case presents the story of how a small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) makes the decision to invest in an emerging technology. Specifically, the case looks at Quality Care Nursing Home, a 125-bed elderly care facility with roughly 200 employees. Advances in information technology yielded an opportunity for Quality Care to achieve savings of both financial and natural resources through the implementation of an energy management system (EMS) integrated into organizational decision making and management processes. In the case, Quality Care is considering investment in a new IT-enabled EMS in order to improve client satisfaction while reducing costs. The case describes the problem, energy management systems (which are an emerging technology), and how the business went about evaluating the need for the technology and making its case as to whether or not to invest in the technology. The case presents an interesting investment decision in terms of balancing the qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits of the proposed IT solution.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Adoption Decision in the Presence of Perceived Opportunities - The Test Results Case
Authors: Bagri Pankaj , Murty L. S. , Madanmohan T. R. , Bandi Rajendra K.
Published: October 2011

This case discusses the adoption of a web initiative by a leading Indian integrated healthcare provider. By tracing events associated with the project over a two-year period, the case highlights how a technologically simple IT adoption ran into difficulties because of lack of a comprehensive analysis during the adoption decision process, which was largely guided by a perceived opportunity to exploit favorable stock market conditions.
Call to Action
Authors: Lightfoot William S.
Published: October 2011

This case study is about a call to action for a product management team to rapidly improve the technical support for a new product line. The CEO has expressed serious concerns about the teams ability to perform. A comprehensive review of the current situation, and the development of a new support process is described.
Implementing Software Metrics at a Telecommunications Company - A Case Study
Authors: Heimann David I.
Published: October 2011

This case study explores a metrics program to track the development of a new version of a telecommunications companys voicemail product. The study addresses the adoption of the program, its components, structure, and implementation, and its impact on product quality and timeliness. The study also discusses the aftermath of the program and its place in the larger organizational culture.
E*Trade Securities, Inc., Pioneer On-Line Trader, Struggles to Stay on Top
Authors: Elegant Adam T. , Montealegre Ramiro
Published: October 2011

E*Trade revolutionized the securities brokerage industry by creating Internet trading. E*Trades original strategy was to deliver cost savings to customers while amortizing fixed costs over a greater number of accounts. In 1997, several competitors established Internet sites and E*Trade was dethroned as the price leader. Its management team introduced a strategic initiative to transform the company into a financial, one-stop shop for investors. The initiative included expanding its information technology, improving its marketing and advertising program, and developing new strategic alliances. By early 1999, E*Trade had established a popular Web site offering the convenience and control of automated stock, options, and mutual fund order placement at low commission rates. E*Trades success pleased management but was challenged by fierce competition and emerging ethical and operational problems.
Norwel Equipment Co. Limited Partnership (L.P.) Internet Upgrade
Authors: Walsh Kenneth R.
Published: October 2011

Norwel Equipment Co. Limited Partnership (L.P.) is a Louisiana business retailer of construction equipment specializing in John Deere heavy-equipment and has secured exclusive John Deere rights for most of the State of Louisiana. Founded in 1972, Norwel is the sixth largest John Deere construction equipment dealer in the United States. This case illustrates business and technology issues facing Norwel. In mid-1999, the October 1st deadline for John Deeres requirement to communicate by e-mail was approaching and the response time of the Norwels primary computers system, an AS/400, was increasing to the point where users were not satisfied with performance. Also users were requesting new computing services such as e-mail, document sharing, and Internet access. For example, the Parts Operations Manger suggested selling parts online and the Manager of the Used Equipment Division suggest supporting the sales staff through Internet connections. Managing Partner, Richard Hevey decided an upgrade to the networks and a connection to the Internet were needed. He is faced with both short-term and long-term decisions about Norwels infrastructure.
Tasmanian Police Call Centre Project
Authors: Thomas Leonie
Published: October 2011

This case study provides some insight into the development of a Call Centre in the Australian State of Tasmania for Tasmania Police. The Call Centre replaced the existing Criminal Offence Modus Operandi paper based system. The project was reliant on two other projects: Radio Network project and Project SAMSON (providing a standard desktop throughout the organisation). The project timeframe from conception to pilot was six months. The project had an operating budget of AUS $166,000. The project was managed by a project team with the development of the system outsourced to external contractors. The management of both the contractors and the internal information technology branch is a significant part of the case study along with system development. The organisation effectively used change management and change agents to help communicate information relating to the projects to the rest of the organisation. The aim of the project was to return as many police as possible back to their core activity, that is, policing.
Learning Technology Management While Teaching Technology Management
Authors: Brennan Linda L. , Johnson Victoria E.
Published: October 2011

This case study presents an evaluation pilot of a technology-enabled service, specifically a distance learning program at a university. The primary intent of the case is to illustrate the management of a trial evaluation of an information technology and the need for explicit criteria considering multiple technical and organizational factors. The secondary purpose of the case is to share the learning specific to the administration and delivery of a distance learning program using various media. The distance learning program was conducted on a trial basis with 16 students in a 13-course, 18-month Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) program. Compressed video and Internet-based technologies were used for course delivery, in addition to limited on-site instruction. The case study describes the motivation and progression of the trial, up to the point when a decision had to be made about continuing the program beyond the trial. The experience is considered from multiple perspectives, specifically those of the school administration, faculty, and students. Positive and negative aspects are highlighted to lay the groundwork for analysis at the decision point.
An Analysis of Prospective Teachers’ Digital Citizenship Behaviour Norms
Authors: Sincar Mehmet
Published: October 2011

This study analyzes prospective teachers’ digital citizenship behaviour norms. The sample consists of the seventeen prospective teachers who studied at the University Of Gaziantep Faculty Of Education in the academic year 2009-2010. Qualitative methods were utilized in the collection and the analysis of data. The results indicated the teachers adequately demonstrated behaviour norms regarding digital communication and digital literacy, yet only few showed behaviour norms concerning digital access, digital etiquette, digital commerce, digital rights and responsibilities, digital law, digital health and wellness, and digital security categories. Therefore, these results highlight the fact that the digital citizenship behaviour norms should be included in teacher training programs in Turkey.
Improving Supervised Classification of Activities of Daily Living Using Prior Knowledge
Authors: Fleury Anthony , Noury Norbert , Vacher Michel
Published: October 2011

The increase in life expectancy is producing a bottleneck at the entry in institutions. Therefore, telemedicine becomes a timely solution, which is largely explored to care after elderly people living independently at home. It requires identifying the behaviors and activities of the person at home, with non-intrusive sensors and to process data to detect the main trends in the health status. This paper presents the results of the study of prior introduction, in Support Vector Machine, to improve the automatic recognition of Activities of Daily Living. From a set of activities, performed in the experimental smart home in Grenoble, the authors obtained models for seven activities of Daily Living and tested the performances of this classification with introduction of spatial and temporal priors. Eventually, different results are discussed.