bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the effects of accelerated weathering and linear drop impact exposures of an American football helmet outer shell material
Authors: Krzeminski David E , Fernando Dilhan , Gould Trenton E , Rawlins James W , Piland Scott G
Published: March 2014

American football helmets are subjected seasonally to a myriad of environmental conditions from expected use and storage and yet are reused without a relational understanding between service life degradation and changes in impact performance. Comprehensive investigations could link rates and degrees of material degradation to scientifically and clinically meaningful changes in helmet performance. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to preliminarily quantify the effects of accelerated weathering on (1) colorimetric, chemical, fluorescent, and thermal properties; (2) surface and bulk mechanical properties; and (3) impact performance of an American football helmet outer shell material. Helmet-grade plaques were exposed to 480 h of accelerated weathering. Surface-specific shifts ( p < 0.05) in colorimetric, chemical, fluorescent, thermal, and mechanical properties were observed at the plaque surface. Plaque-derived tensile specimens underwent monotonic tensile testing, and the photodegraded ∼1% of the Weathered plaque surface thickness led to 10%, 12%, and 9% increases ( p < 0.05) in Young’s modulus, yield stress, and ultimate tensile stress, respectively. Impact performance was analyzed with a protocol attempting to employ expected on-field impact conditions. Weathered and Non-weathered helmet surrogate systems managed impact energy progressively less effectively across five repetitive trials ( p < 0.05); yet the absence of significant Weathered differences demonstrated that the plaque–foam systems performed similarly. Results identified a battery of diagnostic tools to characterize the degradation of outer shell material exposed to accelerated weathering. Thus, the comprehensive approach herein may be used toward the evaluation of additional service life exposures, as well as examine on-field deterioration of full helmet outer shells.
Media Versus Individual Frames and Horizontal Knowledge Gaps
Authors: Wang Kevin Y. , Atkin David J. , Lau Tuen-Yu
Published: March 2014

This study explores the relationship between online news coverage, media use, and political knowledge in the contemporary media environment. Using the debate over health care reform legislation in 2010 as the backdrop, content analysis was performed on 1,268 stories from 10 online news outlets over a 1-month period to identify the media frames being perpetuated by more ideologically partisan versus nonpartisan media organizations. A survey was then conducted with 333 participants to investigate media audience news consumption patterns and their individual frames regarding the issue of health care reform. Results suggest that a person’s individual frames held concerning health care reform often match up with the media frames offered by his or her preferred news outlets. Consequently, a “horizontal” knowledge gap may be observed as a function of the polarization of news coverage and news consumption. Theoretical contributions and implications for later work are discussed.
Enhanced infrared emissivity of MAO coatings formed on Ti2AlNb alloy
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Ouyang J. H. , Liu Z. G. , Wang Y. M. , Zhou Y.
Published: March 2014

In order to improve infrared emissivity property, microarc oxidation (MAO) ceramic coatings have been fabricated on Ti2AlNb alloy by adding NH4VO3 and Cr2O3 into a Na2SiO3 electrolyte. Microstructure and chemical compositions of MAO ceramic coatings are investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Normal spectral emissivity values of both coated and bared Ti2AlNb samples are measured at 600°C in the infrared wavelength range of 3–20 μm. The infrared emissivity of MAO ceramic coatings has been improved by different additives of NH4VO3 and Cr2O3. Microarc oxidation coating with NH4VO3 has a high emissivity of 0·7 in short wavebands, while Cr2O3 additive increases the emissivity value up to 0·9 in the waveband of 10–20 μm. Furthermore, the S–10Cr–6V ceramic coating exhibits the best infrared emission property due to the synergistic effects of NH4VO3 and Cr2O3.
Prognostic value of deep sequencing method for minimal residual disease detection in multiple myeloma
Authors: Martinez-Lopez Joaquin , Lahuerta Juan J. , Pepin François , González Marcos , Barrio Santiago , Ayala Rosa , Puig Noemí , Montalban María A. , Paiva Bruno , Weng Li , Jiménez Cristina , Sopena María , Moorhead Martin , Cedena Teresa , Rapado Immaculada , Mateos María Victoria , Rosiñol Laura , Oriol Albert , Blanchard María J. , Martínez Rafael , Bladé Joan , San Miguel Jesús , Faham Malek , García-Sanz Ramón
Published: March 2014

Key Points

MRD assessment by sequencing is prognostic of TTP and OS in multiple myeloma patients. Among patients in complete response, MRD assessment by sequencing enables identification of 2 distinct subgroups with different TTP.
Strong convergence of three-step iteration methods for a countable family of generalized strict pseudocontractions in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Li Shi-Xiu , Ceng Lu-Chuan , Hu Hui-Ying , Wang Xiao-Jie
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we introduce a new class of generalized strict pseudocontractions in a real Hilbert space, and we consider a three-step Ishikawa-type iteration method

{

z
n

=
(
1
−

γ
n

)

x
n

+

γ
n

T
n

x
n

,

y
n

=
(
1
−

β
n

)

x
n

+

β
n

T
n

z
n

,

x

n
+
1

=
(
1
−

α
n

)

x
n

+

α
n

T
n

y
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,

for finding a common fixed point of a countable family

{

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n

}

of uniformly Lipschitz generalized

λ
n

-strict pseudocontractions. Under mild conditions imposed on the parameter sequences

{

α
n

}

,

{

β
n

}

and

{

γ
n

}

, we prove the strong convergence of

{

x
n

}

to a common fixed point of a countable family

{

T
n

}

of uniformly Lipschitz generalized strict pseudocontractions. On the other hand, we also introduce three-step hybrid viscosity approximation method for finding a common fixed point of a countable family

{

T
n

}

of uniformly Lipschitz generalized

λ
n

-strict pseudocontractions with

λ
n

=
0

, i.e., a countable family

{

T
n

}

of uniformly Lipschitz pseudocontractions. Under appropriate conditions we derive the strong convergence results for this method. The results presented in this paper improve and extend the corresponding results in the earlier and recent literature.

MSC:47H06, 47H09, 47J20, 47J30.
Common fixed point results for contractive mappings in complex valued metric spaces
Authors: Ahmad Jamshaid , Azam Akbar , Saejung Satit
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we obtain some common fixed point results for the mappings satisfying rational expressions on a closed ball in complex valued metric spaces. Our results improve several well-known conventional results.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Tutorial: Tying a well to seismic using a blocked sonic log
Authors: Herron Donald A.
Published: March 2014

Well ties to seismic data establish the fundamental link between geology as we measure it in a well bore and the seismic expression of geology that we work with as interpreters. This tutorial presents an example of tying a well to time-processed seismic data using a blocked sonic log for a case in which neither a vertical seismic profile, a synthetic seismogram, nor a check-shot survey is available. The described procedure requires only pencil and paper to quickly produce an acceptable well tie.
Quantification of signal and noise in two-way transmitted wavefields to improve well ties in Cooper Basin, Australia
Authors: Qi Chen , Hilterman Fred
Published: March 2014

Permian coal beds at 2400–2900 m depth in Cooper Basin, Australia have normal-incident reflection coefficient values as large as [Formula: see text]. If internal multiples are included in synthetic seismograms, excellent correlations exist between the synthetic seismogram and seismic, even when more than 50 coal beds are present. However, neither the synthetic seismogram nor the seismic tie the well-log lithologic boundaries because the incident wavefield that strikes a lithologic boundary and returns to the surface contains a signal wavelet followed by high-amplitude noise, which are interbed multiple reflections. Because the spectra of the signal and noise coda at a given two-way time normally do not overlap, time-varying Gaussian filters applied to the near-offset stack enhance the signal and suppress the noise coda. After filtering, the apparent time delay of reflections introduced by the coal beds is removed with variable time shifts (time compression), based on the estimated time-varying signal wavelets. The two-step process of low-pass filtering and compression yields seismic events that successfully tie the lithologic boundaries in the borehole, although with limited resolution. Our preliminary tests on a seismic line indicate that the horizon event associated with the base of a 500-m-thick coal sequence is more coherently imaged with our processing than with conventional processing.
Cosmopolitan practices in social contexts: Swedish skilled migrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Andersson Magnus
Published: March 2014

Empirical work on cosmopolitanism has, to a large extent, focused on the preconditions for and character of cosmopolitan practices. Drawing on interviews with Swedish skilled migrants in the Netherlands, this article contributes to the cosmopolitan research by focusing on the socially structured variety of cosmopolitan practices. Based on an understanding of cosmopolitanism as an active and reflexive process of sociocultural identifications, this article argues that there is a range of cosmopolitanisms, built on an elective relationship to place of residence, country of origin and transnational socialities. Hence, there is no universal cosmopolitan logic but different sets of cosmopolitan practices that are related to migrants’ biographies and lifestyles and, therefore, expressed in different fields and contexts of social space.
High Power Density Levitation-Induced Vibration Energy Harvester
Authors: Apo Daniel J. , Priya Shashank
Published: March 2014

We report a levitation-induced vibration energy harvester based on a double-repulsion configuration in the moving magnet composite. Computational modeling clearly illustrated the advantages of the double-repulsion configuration over the single-repulsion and no-repulsion configurations. Double-repulsion configuration provided the best dynamics (displacement and velocity) and output response (voltage). Based on the modeling results, an AA battery-sized harvester with the double-repulsion configuration was fabricated. The harvester exhibited high power response at low frequencies (12.9 mW at 1g and 16 Hz) and also exhibited a high normalized power density at low excitations (15.33 mW cm−3
g
−2 at 0.25g and 13 Hz). The harvester was used to charge a cellphone at 4.7 V DC.
Morphological, mechanical, and optical properties of cypress papers
Authors: Anjos Ofélia , Santos António J. A. , Simões Rogério , Pereira Helena
Published: March 2014

The pulping properties of cypress species are not known and the present paper aims to filling this gap. Namely, Cupressus lusitanica Mill.,
C. sempervirens L. and C. arizonica Greene have been submitted to kraft pulping and the pulp properties are compared with those of Pinus pinaster Aiton. and P. sylvestris Watereri as references. Schopper Riegler degree, density, Bekk’s smoothness, tensile index, tear index, burst index, stretch, dry zero-span strength, wet zero-span strength, brightness, opacity and light scattering coefficient have been tested. The pulp yields and delignification degrees of cypress woods were lower than those of the pine references. Fibre length, width and coarseness were statistically different between pines and cypress species and C. sempervirens pulps have corresponding data close to those of pine species. Cypress pulps can be refined much faster than pine pulps. The papers sheets of cypress fibres have, in general, lower mechanical performance than those of pine fibres. Papers from C. arizonica and C. lusitanica are similar and C. sempervirens has intermediate properties being between the other cypress and pine species. However, cypress fibres are relatively short, flexible and collapsible and can be refined with low energy demand, and thus could be incorporated into papers resulting in products with better light scattering and smoothness.
Assembly and function of small RNA – Argonaute protein complexes
Authors: Dueck Anne , Meister Gunter
Published: March 2014

Small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in various organisms. Small RNAs bind to a member of the Argonaute protein family and are incorporated into larger structures that mediate diverse gene silencing events. The loading of Argonaute proteins with small RNAs is aided by a number of auxiliary factors as well as ATP hydrolysis. This review will focus on the mechanisms of Argonaute loading in different organisms. Furthermore, we highlight the versatile functions of small RNA-Argonaute protein complexes in organisms from all three kingdoms of life.
Sexually dimorphic transcription of estrogen receptors in cod gonads throughout a reproductive cycle
Authors: Nagasawa Kazue , Presslauer Christopher , Kirtiklis Lech , Babiak Igor , Fernandes Jorge M O
Published: March 2014

The role of sex steroid regulation in gonadal maturation is a very complex process that is far from being fully understood. Hence, we have investigated seasonal changes in gonadal expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhuaL.), a batch spawner, throughout the annual reproductive cycle. Three nuclear ER partial cDNA sequences (esr1,esr2a, andesr2b) were cloned and allesrtranscripts were detected mainly in liver and gonads of fish of both sexes.Insituhybridization ofesrs along with germ cell (vasa) and gonadal somatic cell markers (gonadal soma-derived factor (gsdf), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βhsd), and anti-Müllerian hormone (amh) for testicular, orgsdffor ovarian somatic cells) showed that all threeesrs were preferentially localized within interstitial fibroblasts composed of immature and mature Leydig cells in testis, whereas they were differentially expressed in both follicular cells and oocytes in ovary. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a sexually dimorphic expression pattern of the threeesrparalogs in testis and ovary. A significant increase inesr2aexpression was identified in testis and ofesr2bin ovary, whereasesr1transcripts were elevated in both testis and ovary in February and March before the spawning period. The localization and sexually dimorphic expression ofesrgenes in gonads indicate a direct function of estrogen via ERs in gonadal somatic cell growth and differentiation for Leydig cell in testis and follicular cells in ovary throughout the annual reproductive cycle in Atlantic cod.
Thyroid hormones in fetal growth and prepartum maturation
Authors: Forhead A J , Fowden A L
Published: March 2014

The thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are essential for normal growth and development of the fetus. Their bioavailabilityin uterodepends on development of the fetal hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid gland axis and the abundance of thyroid hormone transporters and deiodinases that influence tissue levels of bioactive hormone. Fetal T4and T3concentrations are also affected by gestational age, nutritional and endocrine conditionsin utero, and placental permeability to maternal thyroid hormones, which varies among species with placental morphology. Thyroid hormones are required for the general accretion of fetal mass and to trigger discrete developmental events in the fetal brain and somatic tissues from early in gestation. They also promote terminal differentiation of fetal tissues closer to term and are important in mediating theprepartummaturational effects of the glucocorticoids that ensure neonatal viability. Thyroid hormones act directly through anabolic effects on fetal metabolism and the stimulation of fetal oxygen consumption. They also act indirectly by controlling the bioavailability and effectiveness of other hormones and growth factors that influence fetal development such as the catecholamines and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). By regulating tissue accretion and differentiation near term, fetal thyroid hormones ensure activation of physiological processes essential for survival at birth such as pulmonary gas exchange, thermogenesis, hepatic glucogenesis, and cardiac adaptations. This review examines the developmental control of fetal T4and T3bioavailability and discusses the role of these hormones in fetal growth and development with particular emphasis on maturation of somatic tissues critical for survival immediately at birth.
Dense Core Vesicle Release: Controlling the Where as Well as the When
Authors: Nurrish Stephen
Published: March 2014

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent Kinase II (CaMKII) is a calcium-regulated serine threonine kinase whose functions include regulation of synaptic activity (Coultrap and Bayer 2012). A postsynaptic role for CaMKII in triggering long-lasting changes in synaptic activity at some synapses has been established, although the relevant downstream targets remain to be defined (Nicoll and Roche 2013). A presynaptic role for CaMKII in regulating synaptic activity is less clear with evidence for CaMKII either increasing or decreasing release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles (SVs) (Wang 2008). In this issue Hoover et al. (2014) further expand upon the role of CaMKII in presynaptic cells by demonstrating a role in regulating another form of neuronal signaling, that of dense core vesicles (DCVs), whose contents can include neuropeptides and insulin-related peptides, as well as other neuromodulators such as serotonin and dopamine (Michael et al. 2006). Intriguingly, Hoover et al. (2014) demonstrate that active CaMKII is required cell autonomously to prevent premature release of DCVs after they bud from the Golgi in the soma and before they are trafficked to their release sites in the axon. This role of CaMKII requires it to have kinase activity as well as an activating calcium signal released from internal ER stores via the ryanodine receptor. Not only does this represent a novel function for CaMKII but also it offers new insights into how DCVs are regulated. Compared to SVs we know much less about how DCVs are trafficked, docked, and primed for release. This is despite the fact that neuropeptides are major regulators of human brain function, including mood, anxiety, and social interactions (Garrison et al. 2012; Kormos and Gaszner 2013; Walker and Mcglone 2013). This is supported by studies showing mutations in genes for DCV regulators or cargoes are associated with human mental disorders (Sadakata and Furuichi 2009; Alldredge 2010; Quinn 2013; Quinn et al. 2013). We lack even a basic understanding of DCV function, such as, are there defined DCV docking sites and, if so, how are DCVs delivered to these release sites? These results from Hoover et al. (2014) promise to be a starting point in answering some of these questions.
Electrical and Structural Properties of Ta-doped SnO2Transparent Conductive Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Nakao Shoichiro , Yamada Naoomi , Hirose Yasushi , Hasegawa Tetsuya
Published: March 2014

We investigated electrical and structural properties of Ta-doped SnO2(TTO) films on anatase TiO2seed layers with various growth parameters of pulsed laser deposition. We found that anatase TiO2seed layers induced pseudo-epitaxial (100) growth of TTO films with enhanced mobility (μ) in a wide range of growth parameters. The highestμof 83 cm2V-1s-1[resistivity (ρ) of 2.8 × 10-4Ωcm] and the lowestρof 1.8 × 10-4Ωcm (μof 60 cm2V-1s-1) were obtained at a substrate temperature of 600 °C. Amorphization and (101)-preferred growth competed with (100) growth on the TiO2seed layer at low temperatures. Introducing sufficient process oxygen suppressed such unwanted film growth, resulting in improved transport properties.
Investigation of High-Efficiency Vibration Energy Transducer with Dual-Modal ZnO Piezoelectric Thin Films
Authors: Chen Ying-Chung , Chang Wei-Tsai , Cheng Chien-Chuan , Mao Chun-Kai , Kao Kuo-Sheng
Published: March 2014

This paper reports a novel means of integrating a high-performance dual-modal ZnO piezoelectric transducer with a flexible stainless steel substrate (SUS304) to construct dual-modal vibration-power transducers. To fabricate vibration-power transducers, the off-axis RF magnetron sputtering method for the growth of ZnO piezoelectric thin films is adopted. The stainless steel substrate has a higher Young’s modulus than those of the other substrates, and behaves the long-term stability under vibration. The transducer includes a ZnO piezoelectric thin film deposited on the stainless steel substrate combined with Pt/Ti layers at room temperature, which is fabricated by an RF magnetron two-step sputtering system. In this report, the ZnO piezoelectric thin films deposited with the tilting angle of 34° are set by controlling the deposition parameters. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction of ZnO piezoelectric thin films reveal a rigid surface structure and a high dual-modal orientation. To investigate the generating characteristics of the dual-modal transducer, two basic experiments of longitudinal and shear modes are carried out. Based on cantilever vibration theory, the cantilever length of 1 cm and a vibration area of 1 cm2 are used to fabricate a transducer with a low resonant-frequency of 65 Hz for the natural vibration. A mass loading at the front-end of the cantilever is critical to increase the amplitude of vibration and the power generated by the piezoelectric transducer. The maximum open circuit voltage of the power transducer is 19.4 V.
The cost of waste of consumable materials in a surgical center
Authors: Castro Liliana Cristina de , Castilho Valeria
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVES: to identify the types, quantities and cost of the consumable materials sent, used, returned unopened and wasted in surgical operations; to classify the incidences of waste as avoidable or unavoidable losses, and to calculate the rate of waste of the consumable materials in the peri-operative period in the Surgical Center of a São Paulo university hospital. METHOD: a descriptive-exploratory case study with a quantitative approach. The convenience sample corresponded to 105 types of consumable materials sent for the 275 operations observed between February and May 2011. RESULTS: the items wasted most were surgical sutures, surgical cotton sutures, and gauze compresses. The total cost of the waste was R$ 709.84. The mean percentage of waste in the sample was 9.34%, of which 1.23% was avoidable and 8.14% unavoidable. CONCLUSION: the study evidenced that the effective management of material resources reduces the costs of the processes, and reduces waste.
The hospitalized preterm newborn: The significance of parents' participation in the Neonatal Unit
Authors: Gallegos-Martínez Josefina , Reyes-Hernández Jaime , Scochi Carmen Gracinda Silvan
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE: to identify and analyze the significance of participation for parents in a Neonatal Unit (NU) of a maternity hospital in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. METHOD: a qualitative study with 20 parents of both sexes, between 18 and 39 years of age, with a preterm hospitalized child. A content analysis using a thematic approach was used for information processing. RESULTS: the significance of: a) the NICU as a place of suffering and waiting, b) dealing with the child's admittance, c) being excluded from the hospitalized child's care and d) being aware of inadequacies in the child's care. CONCLUSION: parents deal with their suffering and experience barriers that impede their participation; they respond to the medical hierarchy that limits participation, even when it goes against their natural role as parents. The caregiving philosophy needs to be transformed so that parents are considered people with the right to participate and to be competent in caring for their child.
Workloads, strain processes and sickness absenteeism in nursing
Authors: Mininel Vivian Aline , Felli Vanda Elisa Andres , Silva Everaldo José da , Torri Zelinda , Abreu Ana Paula , Branco Maria Tereza Afonso
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the workloads, strain processes and sickness absenteeism among nursing workers from a teaching hospital in the Brazilian Central-West. METHOD: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was developed with a quantitative approach, based on the theoretical framework of the social determination of the health-disease process. Data were collected between January and December 2009, based on records of complaints related to occupational exposure among nursing professionals, filed in the software Monitoring System of Nursing Workers' Health. For the sake of statistical analysis, relative and absolute frequencies of the variables and the risk coefficient were considered. RESULTS: 144 notifications of occupational exposure were registered across the analysis period, which represented 25% of the total nursing population at the hospital. The physiological and psychic workloads were the most representative, corresponding to 37% and 36%, respectively. These notifications culminated in 1567 days of absenteeism for disease treatment. CONCLUSIONS: the findings evidence the impact of occupational illnesses on the absenteeism of nursing workers, and can be used to demonstrate the importance of institutional investments in occupational health surveillance.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C and factors associated with this in crack users
Authors: Sá Laís Carvalho de , Araújo Telma Maria Evangelista de , Griep Rosane Harter , Campelo Viriato , Monteiro Claudete Ferreira de Souza
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis C in crack users in Piauí. METHOD: seroepidemiological survey, undertaken in the Psycho-Social Care Centers for Drugs and Alcohol (CAPS AD) in Piauí in the period December 2011 to May 2012. A questionnaire was administered and blood samples were collected for serological research. Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney test were used, with a level of significance of (p<0.05). RESULTS: the prevalence of Anti-HCV was 05 (1.4%) and 04 (1.1%) for the RNA-HCV. There was a statistically significant association between hepatitis C (serological marker RNA-HCV) and age, being resident at home, length of use of crack, interruption of the use of crack, and the habit of sharing the crack pipes. CONCLUSION: the findings support the need to implement health policies aimed at crack users, due to the accelerated process of physical and psychological deterioration to which these are subject.
Job satisfaction among health care workers: the role of gender and age
Authors: Carrillo-García César , Solano-Ruíz María del Carmen , Martínez-Roche María Emilia , Gómez-García Carmen Isabel
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the influence of gender and age on the quality of the professional lives of health care professionals at a university hospital. METHOD: a total of 546 professionals completed a general questionnaire that measured sociodemographic variables and evaluated job satisfaction using a scale adopted from the NTP 394 Job Satisfaction scale and translated into Spanish. RESULTS: overall, 77.2% of the professionals surveyed were satisfied with the work they perform. With regards to gender, we found overwhelming evidence of the feminization of practically all health care professions included in the study, with higher levels of job satisfaction among women than men. Regarding age, 20-30-year-olds and professionals over 61 years old showed higher satisfaction levels than did middle-aged professionals. Higher levels of dissatisfaction were reported by professionals between 41 and 50 years old. CONCLUSIONS: we were able to detect the influence of gender and age on the level of job satisfaction, finding significant associations between job satisfaction and both of these variables. Generally, women expressed more satisfaction than men, and elderly professionals showed higher satisfaction compared to younger professionals. Management policies should focus on taking action to correct the conditions that produce dissatisfaction among certain groups of employees.
Demographic and phenotypic responses of juvenile steelhead trout to spatial predictability of food resources
Authors: Sloat Matthew R. , Reeves Gordon H.
Published: March 2014

We manipulated food inputs among patches within experimental streams to determine how variation in foraging behavior influenced demographic and phenotypic responses of juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to the spatial predictability of food resources. Demographic responses included compensatory adjustments in fish abundance, mean fish size, and size inequality. These responses paralleled shifts in individual foraging behavior, which increased the strength of exploitative competition relative to interference competition in streams with lower spatial predictability of food resources. Variation in the spatial predictability of food resources also favored different physiological phenotypes, as inferred from selection on an index of standard metabolic rate (SMR) based on fish otolith size. We observed positive directional selection on SMR in streams with spatially predictable food resources, disruptive selection for SMR at intermediate levels of spatial predictability, and negative directional selection for SMR in streams with the lowest level of spatial predictability of food resources. Thus, variation in the spatial predictability of food resources resulted in changes in individual behavior and modes of population regulation, and produced physiologically divergent cohorts of stream salmonids.
The Reality of Type 2 Diabetes Prevention
Authors: Kahn Richard , Davidson Mayer B.
Published: March 2014

Efforts to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes include attempts to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. Landmark clinical trials have shown that lifestyle modification programs focused on weight loss can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in subjects at high risk of developing the disease. Building on this knowledge, many community-based studies have attempted to replicate the trial results and, simultaneously, payers have begun to cover diabetes prevention services. This article focuses on the evidence supporting the premise that community prevention efforts will be successful. Unfortunately, no study has shown that diabetes can be delayed or prevented in a community setting, and efforts to replicate the weight loss achieved in the trials have been mostly disappointing. Furthermore, both the clinical trials and the community-based prevention studies have not shown a beneficial effect on any diabetes-related clinical outcome. While the goal of diabetes prevention is extremely important, the absence of any persuasive evidence for the effectiveness of community programs calls into question whether the use of public funds or national prevention initiatives should be supported at this time.
Ocular Anti-VEGF Therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy: Overview of Clinical Efficacy and Evolving Applications
Authors: Cheung Ning , Wong Ian Y. , Wong Tien Y.
Published: March 2014

Ocular anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy represents one of the most significant advances in modern medicine. The introduction and widespread use of ocular anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration heralded a new era in the treatment of vascular and exudative diseases of the retina. Its expanding indications now include diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, two vision-threatening forms of diabetic retinopathy. It is widely anticipated that ocular anti-VEGF therapy could spark a dramatic shift in the treatment paradigm for diabetic retinopathy. However, despite its clear efficacy shown in clinical trials, the dynamic landscape of evolving medical, ethical, and economic issues related to this new treatment suggests significant challenges ahead. In this article, we provide a discussion of this topic as part of this two-part Bench to Clinic narrative. Here, our Clinic contribution provides an overview of the current evidence from clinical trials on anti-VEGF therapy for diabetic retinopathy, and highlights the hopes and fears of this new treatment from clinical and public health standpoints. In the Bench narrative that precedes this contribution, Simó et al. provide an overview of the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
Synovial Chondromatosis of the Cervical Spine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Shaw Andrew , Zibly Zion , Prasad Vinay , Ikeda Daniel , Boue Daniel , Governale Lance S.
Published: March 2014

Synovial chondromatosis is a benign condition characterized by metaplastic changes of the synovial membrane typically affecting large joints. Cervical spine involvement is rare and has not been reported in a teenager.

The authors report a case of cervical synovial chondromatosis in a 19-year-old male presenting with left-sided weakness and numbness from spinal cord compression. After gross total resection was accomplished via laminoplasty, the patient's presenting symptoms improved and continued to do so over the follow-up period. The likely cause of the synovial chondromatosis in this patient was repetitive neck trauma as a child from a motor vehicle accident and football.

This case demonstrates that the pathophysiology of this rare entity can initiate in the pediatric population. Although rare, synovial chondromatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of calcified extradural masses in the teenage population.
“I Am Working-Class”
Authors: Rubin Mark , Denson Nida , Kilpatrick Sue , Matthews Kelly E. , Stehlik Tom , Zyngier David
Published: March 2014

This review provides a critical appraisal of the measurement of students’ social class and socioeconomic status (SES) in the context of widening higher education participation. Most assessments of social class and SES in higher education have focused on objective measurements based on the income, occupation, and education of students’ parents, and they have tended to overlook diversity among students based on factors such as age, ethnicity, indigeneity, and rurality. However, recent research in psychology and sociology has stressed the more subjective and intersectional nature of social class. The authors argue that it is important to consider subjective self-definitions of social class and SES alongside more traditional objective measures. The implications of this dual measurement approach for higher education research are discussed.
Priorities for the primary prevention of breast cancer
Authors: Colditz Graham A. , Bohlke Kari
Published: March 2014

Despite recent calls to intensify the search for new risk factors for breast cancer, acting on information that we already have could prevent thousands of cases each year. This article reviews breast cancer primary prevention strategies that are applicable to all women, discusses the underutilization of chemoprevention in high‐risk women, highlights the additional advances that could be made by including young women in prevention efforts, and comments on how the molecular heterogeneity of breast cancer affects prevention research and strategies. CA Cancer J Clin 2014;64:186–194. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Bedey Community in Bangladesh: A Socio-Legal Study
Authors: Halder Supravat
Published: March 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nujl.v3i0.18396 Northern University Journal of Law Vol.III 2012; p.76-86
Growth, yield and nutrient content of blackgram (Vigna mungo) as influenced by levels of phosphorus, sulphur and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria
Authors: Mir AH , Lal SB , Salmani M , Abid M , Khan I
Published: March 2014

A field experiment was conducted at Allahabad Agricultural Institute- Deemed University, Allahabad to study the effect of levels of phosphorus, sulphur and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on growth, yield and nutrient content of blackgram for consecutive two years 2004 and 2005. The crop growth parameters viz., plant height, number of nodules and number of leaves per plant, yield and nutrient content increased significantly with the application of high levels of phosphorus, sulphur with or without bio-fertilizer inoculation. Application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded maximum plant height (49.9 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (50.8), number of nodules plant-1 (27.8), haulm yield (28.9 q ha-1), grain yield (8 q ha-1) and phosphorus, sulphur and protein content of grain (0.356 %, 0.253% and 22.64%, respectively) as compared to lower levels. Application of Sulphur @ 40 kg ha-1 recorded maximum plant height (47.31 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (49.80), number of nodules plant-1 (25.58), haulm yield (28.80 q ha-1), grain yield (7.92 q ha-1) and phosphorus, sulphur and protein content (0.295 , 0.281 and 21.79%, respectively). Inoculation of blackgram seeds with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria recorded slightly higher grain yield (7.49 q ha-1) as compared to no inoculation (7.39 q ha-1). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v11i1.18370 SAARC J. Agri., 11(1): 1-6 (2013)
Heat-Related Deaths in Hot Cities: Estimates of Human Tolerance to High Temperature Thresholds
Authors: Harlan Sharon , Chowell Gerardo , Yang Shuo , Petitti Diana , Morales Butler Emmanuel , Ruddell Benjamin , Ruddell Darren
Published: March 2014

In this study we characterized the relationship between temperature and mortality in central Arizona desert cities that have an extremely hot climate. Relationships between daily maximum apparent temperature (ATmax) and mortality for eight condition-specific causes and all-cause deaths were modeled for all residents and separately for males and females ages <65 and ≥65 during the months May–October for years 2000–2008. The most robust relationship was between ATmax on day of death and mortality from direct exposure to high environmental heat. For this condition-specific cause of death, the heat thresholds in all gender and age groups (ATmax = 90–97 °F; 32.2‒36.1 °C) were below local median seasonal temperatures in the study period (ATmax = 99.5 °F; 37.5 °C). Heat threshold was defined as ATmax at which the mortality ratio begins an exponential upward trend. Thresholds were identified in younger and older females for cardiac disease/stroke mortality (ATmax = 106 and 108 °F; 41.1 and 42.2 °C) with a one-day lag. Thresholds were also identified for mortality from respiratory diseases in older people (ATmax = 109 °F; 42.8 °C) and for all-cause mortality in females (ATmax = 107 °F; 41.7 °C) and males <65 years (ATmax = 102 °F; 38.9 °C). Heat-related mortality in a region that has already made some adaptations to predictable periods of extremely high temperatures suggests that more extensive and targeted heat-adaptation plans for climate change are needed in cities worldwide.
Implementing Cargo Movement into Climate Based Risk Assessment of Vector-Borne Diseases
Authors: Thomas Stephanie , Tjaden Nils , Van den Bos Sanne , Beierkuhnlein Carl
Published: March 2014

During the last decades the disease vector Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) has rapidly spread around the globe. Global shipment of goods contributes to its permanent introduction. Invaded regions are facing novel and serious public health concerns, especially regarding the transmission of formerly non-endemic arboviruses such as dengue and chikungunya. The further development and potential spread to other regions depends largely on their climatic suitability. Here, we have developed a tool for identifying and prioritizing European areas at risk for the establishment of Aedes albopictus by taking into account, for the first time, the freight imports from this mosquito’s endemic countries and the climate suitability at harbors and their surrounding regions. In a second step we consider the further transport of containers by train and inland waterways because these types of transport can be well controlled. We identify European regions at risk, where a huge amount of transported goods meet climatically suitable conditions for the disease vector. The current and future suitability of the climate for Aedes albopictus was modeled by a correlative niche model approach and the Regional Climate Model COSMO-CLM. This risk assessment combines impacts of globalization and global warming to improve effective and proactive interventions in disease vector surveillance and control actions.
The Multiple Mechanisms of Cell Death Triggered by Resveratrol in Lymphoma and Leukemia
Authors: Frazzi Raffaele , Tigano Marco
Published: March 2014

Lymphoma and leukemia represent a serious threat to human health and life expectancy. Resveratrol is, among the natural-derived chemopreventive molecules, one of the most effective and better studied. In this paper the main mechanisms of cell death triggered by- or linked to- resveratrol are reviewed and discussed. The main focus is on lymphoma and leukemia experimental models where resveratrol has been tested and investigated at the cellular, molecular or physiological levels. The most relevant in vivo challenges involving resveratrol are also reported and analyzed in order to define the key features of this polyphenol and the potential for the treatment of hematologic tumors.
Atmospheric Oxidation Mechanism and Kinetic Studies for OH and NO3 Radical-Initiated Reaction of Methyl Methacrylate
Authors: Gao Rui , Zhu Ledong , Zhang Qingzhu , Wang Wenxing
Published: March 2014

The mechanism for OH and NO3 radical-initiated oxidation reactions of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) molecular orbital theory. Geometrical parameters of the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. Detailed oxidation pathways were presented and discussed. The rate constants were deduced by the canonical variational transition-state (CVT) theory with the small-curvature tunneling (SCT) correction and the multichannel Rice-Ramspergere-Kassele-Marcus (RRKM) theory, based on the potential energy surface profiles over the general atmospheric temperature range of 180–370 K. The calculated results were in reasonable agreement with experimental measurement.
Largazole Pharmacokinetics in Rats by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Yu Mingming , Salvador Lilibeth , Sy Sherwin , Tang Yufei , Singh Ravi , Chen Qi-Yin , Liu Yanxia , Hong Jiyong , Derendorf Hartmut , Luesch Hendrik
Published: March 2014

A highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of largazole thiol, the active species of the marine-derived preclinical histone deacetylase inhibitor, largazole (prodrug), was developed and validated. Largazole thiol was extracted with ethyl acetate from human or rat plasma along with the internal standard, harmine. Samples were separated on an Onyx Monolithic C18 column by a stepwise gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in methanol and 0.1% aqueous formic acid employing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 12.5–400 ng/mL with 200 µL of human plasma. The overall intra-day precision was from 3.87% to 12.6%, and the inter-day precision was from 7.12% to 9.8%. The accuracy at low, medium and high concentrations ranged from 101.55% to 105.84%. Plasma protein bindings of largazole thiol in human and rat plasma as determined by an ultrafiltration method were 90.13% and 77.14%, respectively. Plasma drug concentrations were measured by this LC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetics of largazole thiol in rats was studied following i.v. administration at 10 mg/kg and found to follow a two-compartment model. Largazole thiol was rapidly eliminated from systemic circulation within 2 h. The established LC-MS/MS method is suitable for the analysis of largazole thiol in human plasma, as well.
Authentication of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae by RAPD-Derived DNA Markers
Authors: Xin Gui-Zhong , Lam Yin-Ching , Maiwulanjiang Maitinuer , Chan Gallant , Zhu Kevin , Tang Wai-Lun , Dong Tina , Shi Zi-Qi , Li Ping , Tsim Karl
Published: March 2014

Bulbus Fritillariae is the most commonly used antitussive herb in China. Eleven species of Fritillaria are recorded as Bulbus Fritillariae in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae is a group of six Fritillaria species with higher efficiency and lower toxicity derived mainly from wild sources. Because of their higher market price, five other Fritillaria species are often sold deceptively as Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae in the herbal market. To ensure the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs, the authentication of botanical resources is the first step in quality control. Here, a DNA based identification method was developed to authenticate the commercial sources of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. A putative DNA marker (0.65 kb) specific for Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae was identified using the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. A DNA marker representing a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) was developed from a RAPD amplicon. The SCAR marker was successfully applied to differentiate Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae from different species of Fritillaria. Additionally, the SCAR marker was also useful in identifying the commercial samples of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. Our results indicated that the RAPD-SCAR method was rapid, accurate and applicable in identifying Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae at the DNA level.
Metabonomic Analysis of Water Extracts from Different Angelica Roots by 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Chan Pui , Zhang Wendy , Lau Chung-Ho , Cheung Chi , Keun Hector , Tsim Karl , Lam Henry
Published: March 2014

Angelica Radix, the roots of the genus Angelica, has been used for more than 2,000 years as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia records more than 100 herbal formulae containing Angelica roots. There are two common sources of Angelica roots, Angelica sinensis from China and A. gigas from Korea. The two species of Angelica roots differ in their chemical compositions, pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy. 1H-NMR metabolic profiling has recently emerged as a promising quality control method for food and herbal chemistry. We explored the use of 1H-NMR metabolic profiling for the quality control of Angelica Radix. Unlike previous work, we performed the metabolic profiling on hot water extracts, so as to mimic the clinically relevant preparation method. Unsupervised principle component analyses of both the full spectral profile and a selection of targeted molecules revealed a clear differentiation of three types of Angelica roots. In addition, the levels of 13 common metabolites were measured. Statistically significant differences in the levels of glucose, fructose and threonine were found between different sources of Angelica. Ferulic acid, a marker commonly used to evaluate Angelica root, was detected in our samples, but the difference in ferulic acid levels between the samples was not statistically significant. Overall, we successfully applied 1H-NMR metabolic profiling with water extraction to discriminate all three sources of Angelica roots, and obtained quantitative information of many common metabolites.