bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accumulation Strategies and Human Development in India
Authors: Ghosh Jayati
Published: September 2012

India is frequently cited as one of the ‘success stories’ of globalization, with respect to its economic growth performance, during the past two and half decades. However, the very pattern of recent growth resulted in regional imbalances, greater inequalities in the control over assets and incomes, dispossession and displacement without adequate compensation and rehabilitation. Apart from this, there are clear failures of this growth process, even from a long-run perspective. An important failure is the worrying absence of structural change, in terms of the ability to shift the labour force out of low-productivity activities, especially in agriculture, to higher productivity and better remunerated activities. Furthermore, it is evident that the relatively rapid economic growth has not translated into better human development conditions for a large proportion of the population.
Sonographic Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Ryan Colleen
Published: September 2012

Appendicitis is a surgical emergency that can mimic many other abnormalities. Early diagnosis is critical to reduce the risk of perforation and potentially life-threatening complications. The use of sonography has proven to aid in accurately diagnosing an inflamed appendix without adversely affecting the rate of perforation. However, the accuracy of sonography is highly operator dependent. This case demonstrates the classic clinical presentation of appendicitis with the incorporation of sonographic findings to support the diagnosis.
The Manchester Color Wheel: validation in secondary school pupils
Authors: Carruthers Helen R , Magee Linda , Osborne Susan , Hall Linda K , Whorwell Peter J
Published: September 2012

Background

As part of our research programme into facilitating improved ways of communicating with patients, especially about more sensitive clinical issues, we have been investigating whether there are any non-verbal methods that might aid this process. One such approach is to ask patients to choose a color in response to a particular question, for instance about health or psychological status, and for this purpose we developed the Manchester Color Wheel (MCW). This instrument consists of positive, neutral and negative colors and its validation in normal adults and those with anxiety or depression showed that it is responsive to change and reproducible. It also has the capacity to identify a positive frame of mind. We concluded that it might be a particularly useful instrument in adolescents and therefore this study aimed to validate it in a secondary school.

Methods

620 pupils (aged 11–17 years, mean age 14.0 years, 298 (48.1%) males, 322 (51.9%) females) at Sale Grammar School in Greater Manchester were asked to relate their mood to a MCW color and also complete the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) questionnaire. To give these pupils an experience in science, 197 were divided into four subgroups for an ‘experiment’ to ascertain whether, compared to controls, a change in mood color choice could be induced by participation in sport, music or art activities.

Results

Although mood color and HAD depression score are unlikely to be measuring exactly the same psychological state, a negative mood color was chosen by 62.5% of HAD depressed compared to only 14.5% of HAD normal pupils (p < 0.001). In contrast, a positive mood color was chosen by 48.9% of normal and only 18.8% of depressed pupils (p < 0.001). In the ‘experiment’, compared to controls, all activities resulted in an increased choice of positive mood colors which reached significance for sport and music.

Conclusion

This study confirms the potential utility of the MCW to rapidly and easily assess a variety of health issues in large populations, including adolescents. Some of our results should also be of interest to educationalists.
Discrepancy between effects of carbapenems and flomoxef in treating nosocomial hemodialysis access-related bacteremia secondary to extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing klebsiella pneumoniaein patients on maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Yang Chih-Chao , Li Shau-Hsuan , Chuang Feng-Rong , Chen Chih-Hung , Lee Chih-Hsiung , Chen Jin-Bor , Wu Chien-Hsing , Lee Chien-Te
Published: September 2012

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are susceptible to extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacterial infections. Because the optimal treatment and clinical significance of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) HD access-related bacteremia remain unclear, we conducted this retrospective study to determine the clinical outcomes of patients treated with either flomoxef or a carbapenem.

Methods

The eligibility criterion was fistula or graft- or catheter- related ESBL-Kp bacteremia in patients on maintenance HD. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic management were analyzed. Outcome was determined by mortality resulting from bacteremia during the 14‐day period after the first positive blood culture for flomoxef-susceptible ESBL-Kp.

Results

The 57 patients studied were predominantly elderly, malnourished, with a history of severe illnesses and broad-spectrum antibiotic use before the onset of bacteremia, and with severe septicemia as determined by the Pitt bacteremia score (PBS). The study population comprised 7 fistula, 8 graft, and 42 HD catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) cases, and the mortality rate was high (36/57, 63.2%) in these 57 patients. Of 42 patients with CRB, those in the deceased group (27/42, 64.3%) had significantly lower levels of serum albumin, longer prior hospital stay and duration of catheter-dependent HD, and higher PBS than patients in the survived group. Failure to receive effective antibiotics (flomoxef or a carbapenem) within 5 days after onset of bacteremia and treatment with flomoxef both significantly contributed to higher mortality. Multivariate analyses revealed that flomoxef use, PBS, and catheter-dependent HD >30 days were independently associated with increased mortality (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.19–58.17, OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.36–6.26 and OR, 5.73; 95% CI, 1.21–63.2, respectively).

Conclusions

Considering the high mortality rate, ESBL-Kp should be recognized as a possible pathogen in patients on maintenance HD at high risk of acquiring HD access infections associated with ESBL-producing bacteria. Carbapenems rather than flomoxef should be the therapy of choice in these critically vulnerable patients.
Weak homoclinic solutions of anisotropic difference equation with variable exponents
Authors: Guiro Aboudramane , Kone Blaise , Ouaro Stanislas
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we prove the existence of homoclinic solutions for a family of anisotropic difference equations. The proof of the main result is based on a minimization method and a discrete Hölder type inequality.

MSC:47A75, 35B38, 35P30, 34L05, 34L30.
Recombinant erythropoietin for the anaemia of patients with advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) receiving imatinib: an active agent only in non progressive patients
Authors: Duffaud Florence , Even Caroline , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Bompas Emmanuelle , Khoa-Huynh Thanh , Salas Sebastien , Cassier Philippe , Dufresne Armelle , Bonvalot Sylvie , Ducimetiere Francoise , Le Cesne Axel , Blay Jean-Yves
Published: September 2012

Recombinant erythropoietin for the anaemia of patients with advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) receiving imatinib : an active agent only in non progressive patients.

Background

Imatinib is a standard treatment for advanced/metastatic GIST and in adjuvant setting. Anaemia is frequently observed in patients with advanced GIST, and is one of the most frequent side effects of imatinib with grade 3–4 anaemia in 10% of patients. Whether EPO treatment is useful in the management of GIST patients receiving imatinib treatment is unknown.

Methods

A retrospective study of EPO treatment in GIST patients receiving imatinib was undertaken in 4 centres. Thirty four patients received EPO treatment among the 319 GIST patients treated with imatinib in clinical trials or with compassionate use between 2001 and 2003. The efficacy of EPO on the anaemia of patients with GIST treated with imatinib was analyzed.

Results

There were 18 males and 16 females with a median age of 59 years. Median WHO-PS was 1. Primary tumour sites were mainly gastric (32%) and small bowel (29%). Sites of metastases were mainly liver (82%) and peritoneum (79%). The median delay between the initiation of imatinib treatment and EPO was 58 days (range 0–553). Median haemoglobin (Hb) level prior to EPO was 9 g/dL (range 6,9-11,8) and 11,7 g/dL (range 6,8-14,4) after 2 months. An increase of more than 2 g/dL was observed in 18 (53%) of patients. None of the 7 patients who progressed (PD) under imatinib treatment (400 mg/day) experienced HB response, as compared to 66% (18/27) of the remaining patients (PR + SD) (p = 0,002). Primary tumour site, liver metastases, peritoneal metastases, age, gender did not correlate with HB response to EPO. Response to EPO was observed in 2/11 patients receiving high-dose imatinib (800 mg/day) vs 16/23 of others. Using logistic regression, only PD before EPO treatment was retained as a predictive factor for EPO response.

Conclusion

EPO enables to increase Hb in most anaemic GIST patients who do not progress under imatinib, but not in patients with progressive disease.
Pioneering water-bottom gravity: Jack Weyand's amazing life and career—Part 2
Authors: Millegan Pat , Bain John
Published: September 2012

On 8 December 2011, John Bain, Guy Flanagan, and Pat Millegan sat down with Jack Weyand in ConocoPhillips' conference center. Their goal was to capture the great stories Jack has from his 60+ years in exploration and as many years with SEG. In Part 2, they document pieces of geophysical history of which some of us are aware, but what a rare opportunity it was to hear this from the guy who was there on the ground participating!
DHI support for resources evaluation: Confidence assessment examples
Authors: Pichon Pierre-Louis , Delahaye Sabine , Fabre Greg , Desegaulx Pascal
Published: September 2012

Within a field evaluation, seismic events, such as flat spots, amplitude anomalies, or other seismic-derived attributes are often used in the interpretation process. When these seismic events are demonstrated to be robust enough, consistent with well data and the geologic scenario, they can be qualified as direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI) and used as key elements to assess fluid contacts, reservoir extension, and compartmentalization.
CYP3A5 Polymorphism Effect on Cyclosporine Pharmacokinetics in Living Donor Renal Transplant Recipients: Analysis by Population Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Song Joohan , Kim Myeong Gyu , Choi Boyoon , Han Na Young , Yun Hwi-Yeol , Yoon Jeong-Hyun , Oh Jung Mi
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND:

Cyclosporine is often used to prevent allograft rejection in renal transplant recipients. However, cyclosporine has a narrow therapeutic window and large variability in its pharmacokinetics. Individual characteristics and genetic polymorphisms can cause the variation. Hence, it is important to determine the cause(s) of the variation in cyclosporine pharmacokinetics. To our knowledge, this is the first reported population pharmacokinetic study of cyclosporine in living donor renal transplant recipients that considered the genetic polymorphism as a covariate.

OBJECTIVE:

To build a population pharmacokinetic model of cyclosporine in living donor renal transplant recipients and identify covariates including CYP3A5*3, ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms that affect cyclosporine pharmacokinetic parameters.

METHODS:

Clinical characteristics and cyclosporine concentration data for 69 patients who received cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy after living donor renal transplantation were collected retrospectively for up to 400 postoperative days. CYP3A5*1/*3 and ABCB1 C1236T, G2677T/A, C3435T genotyping was performed. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using a NONMEM program. After building the final model, 1000 bootstrappings were performed to validate the final model.

RESULTS:

In total, 2034 blood samples were collected. A 1-compartment open model with first-order absorption and elimination was chosen to describe the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine. A population pharmacokinetic analysis showed that postoperative days, sex, and CYP3A5 genotype significantly affected the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine. The final estimate of mean clearance was 56 L/h, and the mean volume of distribution was 4650 L. The interindividual variability for these parameters was 22.98% and 51.48%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Using the present model to calculate the dose of cyclosporine with CYP3A5 genotyping can be possible for the patients whose cyclosporine concentration is not within the therapeutic range even with therapeutic drug monitoring.
Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Risk of Atrial Fibrillation before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Johnston Kiersten , Stephens Sarah
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To review the primary literature evaluating the effect preoperative use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has on the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

DATA SOURCES:

PubMed was searched from January 1, 2000, to May 17, 2012, using the MeSH terms coronary artery bypass, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, and atrial fibrillation. Additional articles were identified from the reference lists of the articles identified in the PubMed search.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Abstracts from the PubMed search were screened for relevance to the topic. Articles including information on the effect of ACE inhibitors or ARBs on postoperative atrial fibrillation following CABG were indentified for further review. Data extracted from these studies included patient baseline characteristics, outcome definitions, incidence of atrial fibrillation after CABG, and preoperative use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

The PubMed search resulted in 6 articles, 4 of which were applicable to the clinical question. Four other articles were identified from the reference lists of the applicable studies, resulting in a literature review of 8 studies. These studies included patients undergoing CABG with or without valve procedures. Four studies included patients undergoing isolated CABG procedures; the remaining 4 included patients undergoing CABG with a valve procedure. Information on preoperative ACE inhibitor or ARB use was included in all studies. Two studies suggested a decreased risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation following CABG with preoperative ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy, 3 suggested an increased risk, and 3 found no effect on risk.

CONCLUSIONS:

The studies reviewed here had conflicting results. Randomized placebo-controlled trials are necessary to determine the risk for atrial fibrillation after CABG associated with preoperative use of ACE inhibitors and ARBs. The decision to continue or withhold the drugs is not evidence-based and should be based on a patient's other clinical characteristics.
p-Nitrophenol Electro-Oxidation on a BTMA+-Bentonite-Modified Electrode
Authors: Rabi-Stanković A. Abu , Milutinović-Nikolić A. , Jović-Jovičić N. , Banković P. , Žunić M. , Mojović Z. , Jovanović D.
Published: September 2012

Phenol and its derivatives are regarded as ‘priority pollutants’ and p-nitrophenol (p-NP), in particular, is of great interest due to its toxicity and frequent presence in waste waters and fresh waters. Straightforward, inexpensive methods to identify p-NP in water, however, is lacking. In the present study, an electrochemical technique using clay-modified electrodes to measure p-NP was investigated as a potentially promising method to fill that gap. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of Na-enriched bentonite and a series of benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA+)-bentonites (BTMA+-B) in order to confirm these materials as p-NP electrosensitive. A series of organobentonites was synthesized using different BTMA+/bentonite ratios. The materials obtained were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and a low-temperature nitrogen adsorptiondesorption method. A monolayer arrangement of BTMA+ within the interlamellar region of beidellite-rich smectite was confirmed. Deterioration of the textural properties was observed with increase of BTMA+ loading. The electro-oxidation of p-NP in an acidic medium on BTMA+-B-modified GCE was investigated. The cyclic voltammetry method with a three-electrode cell was used. The reference electrode was Ag/AgCl in 3 M KCl and a Pt foil was the counter electrode. For each electrochemical measurement, a different BTMA+ loading in BTMA+-B was used as the material for GCE coating and applied as the working electrode. The electrochemical activity of BTMA+-B-based electrodes increased with BTMA+ loading. The results confirmed that the organophylic character of the BTMA+-B-modified surface was the main influence on the electrochemical activity of the BTMA+-B-based GCE; the influence of textural properties was almost negligible. The increased electrode activity toward p-NP was achieved by the adsorption of p-NP on the electrode surface, the process that commonly precedes the electro-oxidation. The present study showed that synthesized materials could potentially be used in an electrochemical test for the presence of p-NP in water solutions.
The Impossibility of Certain Types of Carmichael Numbers
Authors: Wright Thomas
Published: September 2012

The proof of the existence of infinitely many Carmichael numbers depends heavily upon the study of the Carmichael lambda function
Experiencing meanings in Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Authors: Caink, Andrew
Published: September 2012

This article examines different types of form in Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961) and the implied meanings they promote. The pragmatic approach adopted gives prominence to the sequential experience of reading and the textual proximity of evidence in strengthening otherwise weak implicatures. Implicatures related to three aspects of form are examined: (i) the anachronic telling, in which the structuralist account (e.g. Genette 1980) is argued to be inadequate from a reader's pragmatic perspective, (ii) lexical repetition and para-repetition (Toolan 2009), and (iii) the reader's linguistic knowledge of syntactic inversion. The salience of features in these different kinds of form may support weak implicatures regarding characters' narrative roles, relative prominence of key narrative moments, the foregrounding of narration and narrator's intention, as well as supporting inferences about the type of narrative that the novel tends towards in terms characterised by Todorov (1977).
Predicting Perceptual Decision Biases from Early Brain Activity
Authors: Bode Stefan , Sewell David K. , Lilburn Simon , Forte Jason D. , Smith Philip L. , Stahl Jutta
Published: September 2012

Perceptual decision making is believed to be driven by the accumulation of sensory evidence following stimulus encoding. More controversially, some studies report that neural activity preceding the stimulus also affects the decision process. We used a multivariate pattern classification approach for the analysis of the human electroencephalogram (EEG) to decode choice outcomes in a perceptual decision task from spatially and temporally distributed patterns of brain signals. When stimuli provided discriminative information, choice outcomes were predicted by neural activity following stimulus encoding; when stimuli provided no discriminative information, choice outcomes were predicted by neural activity preceding the stimulus. Moreover, in the absence of discriminative information, the recent choice history primed the choices on subsequent trials. A diffusion model fitted to the choice probabilities and response time distributions showed that the starting point of the evidence accumulation process was shifted toward the previous choice, consistent with the hypothesis that choice priming biases the accumulation process toward a decision boundary. This bias is reflected in prestimulus brain activity, which, in turn, becomes predictive of future decisions. Our results provide a model of how non-stimulus-driven decision making in humans could be accomplished on a neural level.
Adverse Listening Conditions and Memory Load Drive a Common Alpha Oscillatory Network
Authors: Obleser Jonas , Wöstmann Malte , Hellbernd Nele , Wilsch Anna , Maess Burkhard
Published: September 2012

How does acoustic degradation affect the neural mechanisms of working memory? Enhanced alpha oscillations (8–13 Hz) during retention of items in working memory are often interpreted to reflect increased demands on storage and inhibition. We hypothesized that auditory signal degradation poses an additional challenge to human listeners partly because it draws on the same neural mechanisms. In an adapted Sternberg paradigm, auditory memory load and acoustic degradation were parametrically varied and the magnetoencephalographic response was analyzed in the time–frequency domain. Notably, during the stimulus-free delay interval, alpha power monotonically increased at central–parietal sensors as functions of memory load (higher alpha power with more memory load) and of acoustic degradation (also higher alpha power with more severe acoustic degradation). This alpha effect was superadditive when highest load was combined with most severe degradation. Moreover, alpha oscillatory dynamics during stimulus-free delay were predictive of response times to the probe item. Source localization of alpha power during stimulus-free delay indicated that alpha generators in right parietal, cingulate, supramarginal, and superior temporal cortex were sensitive to combined memory load and acoustic degradation. In summary, both challenges of memory load and acoustic degradation increase activity in a common alpha-frequency network. The results set the stage for future studies on how chronic or acute degradations of sensory input affect mechanisms of executive control.
Radiochemical separation of76,77Br and66,67Ga from irradiated ZnSe targets using anion-exchange chromatography
Authors: Shehata M. M. , Scholten B. , Spahn I. , Coenen Heinz H. , Qaim Syed M.
Published: September 2012

The separation of no-carrier-added (n.c.a.) radiobromine and radiogallium from an irradiated ZnSe target was developed using anion-exchange chromatography. The adsorption behaviour of n.c.a. radiobromine, n.c.a. radiogallium, and macro amounts of zinc and selenium towards the anion-exchange resin Dowex 1 × 10, in Cl−and OH−form, was investigated. Radiobromide was strongly adsorbed on the resin at a low KOH concentration, while n.c.a. radiogallium, zinc and selenium were weakly adsorbed. The adsorbed n.c.a. radiobromine was recovered by 0.2 M H2SO4, followed by addition of KOH, evaporation and redissolution of residue. Finally a K∗Br solution was obtained containing about 93 ± 3% of the n.c.a. radiobromine loaded onto the column. The chloride strength in the residual solution (containing n.c.a. radiogallium and macro amounts of zinc and selenium) was increased to 4 M and then loaded onto the Dowex 1 × 10 column in Cl−form. Radiogallium (n.c.a.) was adsorbed while zinc and selenium were not. About 94 ± 2% of the n.c.a. radiogallium loaded on the column was then eluted with 0.1 M HCl. Using this method76,77Br and66,67Ga could be obtained in high purity. The radionuclidic purity of the66Ga/67Ga theragnostic pair is high enough for use in medicine. In the case of the76Br/77Br pair, however, highly enriched76Se and77Se would be needed as target materials, in order to achieve the required radionuclidic purity.
Diffusion and Cluster Growth of Binary Alloys on Surfaces
Authors: Einax Mario , Dieterich Wolfgang , Maass Philipp
Published: September 2012

Metastable nanoclusters grown on surfaces by vapour deposition or molecular beam epitaxy techniques have become an active topic in surface science because of their potential to display new physical properties useful for applications. Atomistic modelling and Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations of these processes are reviewed with emphasis on two-component adatom systems. The situation we consider is that two types of atoms are co-deposited to the substrate. In this field of binary growth, systematic theoretical investigation is only at its beginning. Surface diffusion and nucleation leads to the formation of two-dimensional islands, before two-dimensional cluster growth sets in. In distinction to well-known growth scenarios for one species of adatoms, a wealth of new aspects arises in binary systems. Already in the regime of submonolayer growth, differences in adatom diffusion coefficients and binding energies make it necessary to generalise traditional scaling relations for island densities. Surface segregation and compositional fluctuations in growing 3-D clusters are issues requiring renewed examination under the point of view that the atomic short-range order, which is frozen in the bulk, was generated through the surface kinetics during previous stages of growth. We discuss the current theoretical understanding and experimental implications of these problems, including a description of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in metastable CoPt3 nanoalloys, as detected recently.
Dual-ion Cells Based on Anion Intercalation into Graphite from Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes
Authors: Placke Tobias , Bieker Peter , Lux Simon Franz , Fromm Olga , Meyer Hinrich-Wilhelm , Passerini Stefano , Winter Martin
Published: September 2012

Electrochemical energy storage systems using graphite as both the negative and the positive electrode have been proposed as “dual-graphite cells”. In this kind of electrochemical system, the electrolyte cations intercalate into the negative electrode and the electrolyte anions intercalate into the positive electrode, both based on graphite, during the charging process. On discharge, cations and anions are released back into the electrolyte. So far, the systems proposed in literature are primarily based on Li+and PF6-intercalation/de-intercalation into/from graphite from non-aqueous organic solvent based electrolytes. As the positive electrode potential during charging always exceeds 4.2 Vvs.Li/Li+, the organic electrolyte starts to decompose at these highly oxidizing conditions resulting in insufficient discharge/charge efficiencies. The replacement of organic solvent by ionic liquids (ILs) leads an increased stability of the electrolyte towards oxidation and thus to remarkably higher efficiencies as well as an increased cycling stability. In fact, ionic liquids provide extended anodic electrochemical stability and in addition, no solvent co-intercalation occurs in parallel to anion intercalation at high potentials.

Here, we present highly promising results for “dual-ion cells” based on a graphite cathode and an ionic liquid based electrolyte, namely N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI). As the compatibility of this IL with graphite anodes is poor, alternative anodes such as metallic lithium or lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) are used. Consequently, the “dual-graphite” cell is renamed to “dual-ion” cell. In addition, the calculation of the specific energy of these systems will be in the focus of the discussion.
Li Ion Dynamics in Al-Doped Garnet-Type Li7La3Zr2O12 Crystallizing with Cubic Symmetry
Authors: Kuhn Alexander , Choi Joon-Yong , Robben Lars , Tietz Frank , Wilkening Martin , Heitjans Paul
Published: September 2012

Lithium-ion dynamics in the garnet-type solid electrolyte “Li7La3Zr2O12” (LLZ) crystallizing with cubic symmetry was probed by means of variable-temperature 7Li NMR spectroscopy and ac impedance measurements. Li jump rates of an Al-containing sample follow Arrhenius behaviour being characterized by a relatively high activation energy of 0.54(3) eV and a pre-exponential factor of 2.2(5) × 10
13
s-1. The results resemble those which were quite recently obtained for an Al-free LLZ sample crystallizing, however, with tetragonal symmetry. Hence, most likely, the significantly higher Li conductivity previously reported for a cubic LLZ sample cannot be ascribed solely to the slight structural distortions accompanying the change of the crystal symmetry. Here, even Al impurities, acting as stabilizer for the cubic polymorph at room temperature, do not lead to the high ion conductivity reported previously.
Complexation of charged colloids with polyelectrolyte stars
Authors: Jusufi Arben , Konieczny Martin , Likos Christos N.
Published: September 2012

We investigate the complexation of star-shaped polyelectroltyes (PEs) on oppositely charged colloids. Using Molecular Dynamics simulations, we study the chain adsorption on the colloidal surface at fixed size aspect ratio between star and colloid of around 0.6. Depending on the charge ratio between the colloid and the PE star, we observe a variety of star morphologies that were also observed in a recent work of stars on oppositely charged planar surfaces [M. Konieczny and C. N. Likos, Soft Matter 3, 1130 (2007)]. Another important parameter is the PE star functionality that determines the crossover areas for the various star structures. The morphologies are characterized by the degree of chain adsorption and their orientation with respect to the colloid center. An orientational parameter allows us to identify the various morphologies that range from partial chain adsorption to complete adsorption for which a “starfish” configuration is identified. We present a conformational phase diagram that summarizes the three dominant structures in the parameter space built up from the star functionality and the star-colloid charge ratio.
Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes on Colloidal Poly(butadiene) Particles
Authors: Li Gongsheng , Xu Jun , Zhao Shifang , Zhu Yuanqing , Li Li , Guo Xuhong
Published: September 2012

A novel method to prepare spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) on the surface of colloidal poly(butadiene) (PB) core without having to use initiators with C=C double bond to attach covalently on the core surface was reported. Making use of the abundant double bonds in PB, spherical poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) bushes were grown from PB core surface by direct thermo-initiated emulsion polymerization using KPS as initiator. The thickness of SPB increased significantly upon increasing pH and decreasing the ionic strength. The grafting density of SPB with PB core was estimated from the relationship between the brush thickness and ionic strength based on the modified Daoud-Cotton model. The grafting density of SPB prepared by thermo-initiated emulsion polymerization (0.122 nm-2) is higher that that of SPB by photo-emulsion polymerization (0.105 nm-2). Using SPB with PB core as nanoreactors, nickel and silver nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of Ni
2+
and Ag
+
absorbed inside SPB as counterions. Relatively high catalytic activities for the reduction of p-nitrophenol by NaBH4 were observed for SPB immobilized Ni or Ag nanoparticles.
Packing of Cylindrical Keggin-Type Polyoxometalate Hybrid Micelles as a Function of Aspect Ratio
Authors: Lunkenbein Thomas , Schieder Martin , Bojer Carina , Müller Axel H. E. , Breu Josef
Published: September 2012

The packing of cylindrical Keggin-Type polyoxometalate hybrid micelles and its influence on specific surface area was studied as function of aspect ratio. Core-crosslinked cylindrical poly(butadiene-block-2-vinylpyidine) (PB-b-P2VP) micelles were used as templates for mesostructuring phosphomolybdic acid (H3PMo12O40). Prior to hybrid formation the length of the cylindrical PB-b-P2VP micelles was adjsuted by sonication. Depending on the aspect ratio of the cylinders a remarkable and unexpected evolution of specific surface areas was observed. The changes in the specific surface area could be explained by a series of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images and were related to the packing of the 1D nanoobjects.
Tratamento químico de sementes sobre o desenvolvimento de mancha marrom em plantas de trigo
Authors: Ishikawa Mayra Suemy , Fonseca Inês Cristina de Batista , Igarashi Seiji
Published: September 2012

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito dos fungicidas difenoconazole e carboxin + thiram aplicados em sementes de trigo cultivares 'CD 104' e 'OR Mirante', inoculadas com Cochliobolus sativus. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x3 (2 cultivares e 2 fungicidas + testemunha sem controle) em sete repetições. O fungo foi isolado e reproduzido em meio de cultura BDA (batata-dextrose-ágar) e, posteriormente, multiplicado em sementes de trigo pré-cozidas, constituindo a fonte de inóculo. As avaliações foram do número de lesões na folha basal de cinco plantas por vaso aos 22, 25, 29, 31, 35 e 38 dias após a semeadura (DAS) e aos 41 dias foram avaliados o comprimento (cm), massa fresca (g) e seca (g) da parte aérea e das raízes. A partir das avaliações do número de lesões, também foi calculada a área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD), cujos dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. A cultivar 'CD 104' foi mais suscetível ao patógeno do que 'OR Mirante'; difenoconazole foi eficiente no controle da doença na parte aérea, enquanto carboxin + thiram se igualou à testemunha; os dois fungicidas interferiram negativamente no desenvolvimento das plantas, uma vez que as médias de comprimento, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e das raízes obtidas das sementes tratadas é inferior à média das sementes não tratadas.
Ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial em um gato: reconstituição com fáscia lata
Authors: Garcia Érika Fernanda Villamayor , Schossler João Eduardo Wallau , Pinheiro Maicon
Published: September 2012

Em gatos, a ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (RLCC) trata-se de diagnóstico raro e a correção cirúrgica propicia o retorno mais rápido à função do membro. Foi atendida, no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), uma gata apresentando claudicação aguda e dor à palpação do joelho direito. O diagnóstico de RLCC foi realizado através dos testes de compressão tibial e gaveta cranial positivos e confirmado na cirurgia. Optou-se por realizar a reconstituição do ligamento com fáscia lata e, após achados clínicos pós-operatórios e em longo prazo concluiu-se que a técnica apresentou resultados satisfatórios neste caso.
Molecular typing of Clostridium perfringens isolated from swine in slaughterhouses from São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Thais Sebastiana Porfida , Moreno Andrea Micke , Almeida Renata Rodrigues de , Gomes Cleise Ribeiro , Gobbi Debora Dirani Sena de , Filsner Pedro Henrique Nogueira de Lima , Moreno Marina
Published: September 2012

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium known as common pathogen for humans, for domestic and wildlife animals. Although infections caused by C. perfringens type C and A in swine are well studied, just a few reports describe the genetic relationship among strains in the epidemiological chain of swine clostridioses, as well as the presence of the microorganism in the slaughterhouses. The aim of the present study was to isolate C. perfringens from feces and carcasses from swine slaughterhouses, characterize the strains in relation to the presence of enterotoxin, alpha, beta, epsilon, iota and beta-2 toxins genes, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and comparing strains by means of Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Clostridium perfringens isolation frequencies in carcasses and finishing pig intestines were of 58.8% in both types of samples. According to the polymerase chain reaction assay, only alfa toxin was detected, being all isolates also negative to enterotoxin and beta2 toxin. Through PFGE technique, the strains were characterized in 35 pulsotypes. In only one pulsotype, the isolate from carcass sample was grouped with fecal isolate of the same animal, suggesting that the risk of cross-contamination was low. Despite the high prevalence of C. perfringens in swine carcasses from the slaughterhouses assessed, the risk of food poisoning to Brazilian pork consumers is low, since all strains were negative to cpe-gene, codifying enterotoxin.
Subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia secondary to severe vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Cabrerizo-García José Luis , Sebastián-Royo Mariano , Montes Nerea , Zalba-Etayo Begoña
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Decreased vitamin B12 concentration does not usually result in clinical or hematological abnormalities. Subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia are two serious and rarely displayed consequences that appear in severe deficits. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a patient with subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia secondary to severe and sustained vitamin B12 deficiency. Such cases are rare nowadays and have potentially fatal consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 deficiency should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis in cases of blood disorders or severe neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid irreversible consequences.
Capacidade aeróbica em crianças e adolescentes com asma intermitente e persistente leve no período intercrises
Authors: Moraes Eliane Zenir Corrêa de , Trevisan Maria Elaine , Baldisserotto Sérgio de Vasconcellos , Portela Luiz Osório Cruz
Published: September 2012

OBJETIVO: Aferir a capacidade aeróbica de crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico de asma brônquica intermitente leve ou persistente leve no período intercrises. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 33 crianças e adolescentes com diagnóstico clínico recente de asma leve intermitente e asma leve persistente, no período intercrises, e 36 crianças e adolescentes saudáveis. Foram realizadas avaliação clínica, avaliação do nível basal do nível de atividade física, espirometria antes e após o uso de broncodilatador e determinação de ventilação voluntária máxima, consumo máximo de oxigênio, quociente respiratório, ventilação minuto máxima, equivalente ventilatório, reserva ventilatória, FC máxima, SpO2 e lactato. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos asma intermitente, asma persistente e controle em relação às variáveis antropométricas e espirométricas. Não houve diferenças significativas em relação às variáveis analisadas durante o teste de esforço máximo entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico de asma intermitente ou persistente leve não influenciou a capacidade aeróbica em crianças e adolescentes no período intercrises.
A groundwater perspective on the river basin management plan for central Portugal – developing a methodology to assess the potential impact of N fertilizers on groundwater bodies
Authors: Mendes M. P. , Ribeiro L. , Nascimento J. , Condesso de Melo T. , Stigter T. Y. , Buxo A.
Published: September 2012

The Water Framework Directive establishes that the river basin management plans must have a summary of the pressures and impacts of human activities, such as agriculture, on the chemical and quantitative status of groundwater bodies. In order to identify those areas where a potential impact from agricultural activities on groundwater bodies exists, but currently lacking groundwater monitoring data, a methodology was developed that combines the use of gross nitrogen balance values with the results of a specific vulnerability assessment index. A farm management efficiency parameter is added, to identify the factors that contribute to nitrogen use efficiency and to assess the near-future scenarios. This methodology allows the identification of significant pressures that may be responsible for a groundwater body failing good status where there is no representative monitoring network.
Revealing microbial community structures in large- and small-scale activated sludge systems by barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene
Authors: Ranasinghe Purnika Damindi , Satoh Hiroyasu , Oshiki Mamoru , Oshima Kenshiro , Suda Wataru , Hattori Masahira , Mino Takashi
Published: September 2012

The diversity of bacterial groups in activated sludge from large- and small-scale wastewater treatment plants was explored by barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Activated sludge samples (three small and 17 large scale) were collected from 12 wastewater treatment plants to clarify precise taxonomy and relative abundances. DNA was extracted, and amplified by 4 base barcoded 27f/519r primer set. The 454 Titanium (Roche) pyrosequences were obtained and analyses performed by Quantitative Insight Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) with around 100,000 reads. Sequence statistics were computed, while constructing a phylogenetic tree and heatmap. Computed results explained total microbial diversity at phylum and class level and resolution was further extended to Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) based taxonomic assignment for investigating community distribution based on individual sample. Composition of sequence reads were compared and microbial community structures for large- and small-scale treatment plants were identified as major phyla (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes) and classes (Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes). Also, family level breakdowns were explained and differences in family Nitrospiraceae and phylum Actinobacteria found at their species level were also illustrated. Thus, the pyrosequencing method provides high resolution insight into microbial community structures in activated sludge that might have been unnoticed with conventional approaches.
A Call to the Field: Complicated Grief in the DSM-5
Authors: Rando Therese A. , Doka Kenneth J. , Fleming Stephen , Franco Maria Helena , Lobb Elizabeth A. , Parkes Colin Murray , Steele Rose
Published: September 2012

While complicated grief has been addressed in part through some recommendations for modifications in the upcoming fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there remain reasons for substantial concern about its scope therein and within clinical practice. The authors issue a call to the field, reiterating that complicated grief is complicated and cannot be confined to just one syndrome or disorder. Continued research is urged, and specific caveats are identified for exploring the complex dimensions of loss and grief. The authors advocate for ongoing dialogue about and investigation of various potential forms of complicated grief.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden death in young people: Literature review
Authors: Mazic Sanja , Lazovic Biljana , Djelic Marina
Published: September 2012

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia is a progressive
condition with right ventricular myocardium being replaced by fibro-fatty
tissue. It is a hereditary disorder mostly caused by desmosome gene
mutations. The prevalence of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
is about 1/1000-5000. Clinical presentation is usually related to ventricular
tachycardias, syncope or presyncopa, or ventricular fibrillation leading to
cardiac arrest, mostly in young people and athletes. It may be difficult to
make the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy due to
several problems arising from the specificity of electrocardiograph
abnormalities, different potential etiologies of ventricular arrhythmias with
a left bundle branch morphology, the assessment of the right ventricular
structure and function, and the interpretation of endomyocardial biopsy
findings. Therefore, standardized diagnostic criteria have been proposed by
the Study Group on arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy of the
European Society of Cardiology. In order to make the diagnosis of
arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a number of clinical tests
are employed, including the electrocardiogram, echocardiography, myocardial
perfusion scintigraphy, myocardial biopsy, right ventricular angiography,
cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing. The therapeutic
options include beta blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and
implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The implantable cardioverter
defibrillator is the most effective safe-guard against arrhythmic sudden
death. Preparticipation screening for sport eligibility has been proven to be
effective in detecting asymptomatic patients and sport disqualification has
been lifesaving, substantially declining sudden death in young athletes.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen Production in Nasal Inverted Papilloma
Authors: Suzuki Mikio , Deng Zeyi , Hasegawa Masahiro , Uehara Takayuki , Kiyuna Asanori , Maeda Hiroyuki
Published: September 2012

Background

The clinical importance of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and SCCA subclasses has not been established for treating inverted papilloma (IP). The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical importance of serum SCCA and its subclasses in IP, compared with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma and inflammatory disease.

Methods

Serum SCCA was measured in 22 patients with IP (IP group), 11 with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma (carcinoma group), and 22 with inflammatory disease (inflammatory group). mRNA expression of SCCA subclasses was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In the IP group, 81.8% showed elevated serum SCCA, and 90.3% with recurrent IP showed elevated SCCA. The preoperative SCCA value (mean ± SD, 3.99 ± 4.39) in the IP group was significantly higher than in the carcinoma (1.28 ± 0.88; p = 0.012) and inflammatory (0.60 ± 0.31; p < 0.001) groups. mRNA expression of SCCA1 and SCCA2 in the IP group was higher than in the carcinoma and inflammatory groups. The SCCA2/SCCA1 ratio of mRNA expression (0.11 ± 0.06) in the IP group was similar to that (0.11 ± 0.09) in the inflammatory group, although the ratio (0.20 ± 0.12) in the carcinoma group was significantly higher than in the IP and inflammatory groups The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the SCCA2/SCCA1 ratio to detect carcinoma yielded an area under the curve of 0.760 (95% confidence interval, 0.626–0.894).

Conclusion

The serum level of SCCA is effective for detecting IP, including recurrent IP. In contrast, the SCCA2/SCCA1 ratio is useful for detecting squamous cell carcinoma among other sinonasal diseases.
Diasporas without a consciousness: Japanese Americans and the lack of a Nikkei identity
Authors: Tsuda Takeyuki Gaku
Published: September 2012

Some scholars have recently suggested that the concept of diaspora should be regarded as a type of identity or consciousness instead of as a transnational ethnic community. While it is undeniable that some dispersed ethnic populations identify as diasporic peoples, older “economic diasporas“ sometimes have lost their transnational social cohesion and do not have a diasporic consciousness. I illustrate this by examining the experiences of Japanese Americans, an important part of the “Japanese diaspora“ of Japanese descendants (Nikkei) sca ered throughout the Americas. Because they have become assimilated in the United States over the generations, they no longer maintain any notable diasporic identi fication with the ethnic homeland or to other Japanese descent ethnic communities in the Americas. Even when they encounter Nikkei from other countries, national cultural diff erences make it difficult for them to develop a diasporic identity as Japanese descendants with a common cultural heritage or historical experiences.