bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic analysis of GSB process
Authors: Stojanovic Vladica , Popovic Biljana , Popovic Predrag
Published: April 2014

We present a modification (and partly a generalization) of STOPBREAK process,
which is the stochastic model of time series with permanent, emphatic
fluctuations. The threshold regime of the process is obtained by using, so
called, noise indicator. Now, the model, named the General Split- BREAK (GSB)
process, is investigated in terms of its basic stochastic properties. We
analyze some necessary and sufficient conditions of the existence of
stationary GSB process, and we describe its correlation structure. Also, we
define the sequence of the increments of the GSB process, named Split-MA
process. Besides the standard investigation of stochastic properties of this
process, we also give the conditions of its invertibility.
On the converse theorem of approximation in various metrics for nonperiodic functions
Authors: Tomic Milos
Published: April 2014

The modulus of smoothness in the norm of space Lq of nonperiodic functions of
several variables is estimated by best approximations by entire functions of
exponential type in the metric of space Lp, 1 ? p ? q < ?.
An unexpected property of odd order derivatives of Hardy’s function
Authors: Blanc Philippe
Published: April 2014

Assuming the Riemann hypothesis, we show that the odd order derivatives of
Hardy?s function have, under some condition, an unexpected behavior for
large values of t.
On weak α-skew McCoy rings
Authors: Nikmehr Mohammad , Nejati Ali , Deldar Mansoureh
Published: April 2014

Let ? be an endomorphism of a ring R. We introduce the notion of weak ?-skew
McCoy rings which are a generalization of the ?-skew McCoy rings and the weak
McCo rings. Some properties of this generalization are established, and
connections of properties of a weak ?-skew McCoy ring R with n ? n upper
triangular Tn(R) are investigated. We study relationship between the weak
skew McCoy property of a ring R and its polynomial ring, R[x]. Among
applications, we show a number of interesting properties of a weak ?-skew
McCoy ring R such as weak skew McCoy property in a ring R.
mTORC1-Independent Reduction of Retinal Protein Synthesis in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Fort Patrice E. , Losiewicz Mandy K. , Pennathur Subramaniam , Jefferson Leonard S. , Kimball Scot R. , Abcouwer Steven F. , Gardner Thomas W.
Published: April 2014

Poorly controlled diabetes has long been known as a catabolic disorder with profound loss of muscle and fat body mass resulting from a simultaneous reduction in protein synthesis and enhanced protein degradation. By contrast, retinal structure is largely maintained during diabetes despite reduced Akt activity and increased rate of cell death. Therefore, we hypothesized that retinal protein turnover is regulated differently than in other insulin-sensitive tissues, such as skeletal muscle. Ins2Akita diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats exhibited marked reductions in retinal protein synthesis matched by a concomitant reduction in retinal protein degradation associated with preserved retinal mass and protein content. The reduction in protein synthesis depended on both hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency, but protein degradation was only reversed by normalization of hyperglycemia. The reduction in protein synthesis was associated with diminished protein translation efficiency but, surprisingly, not with reduced activity of the mTORC1/S6K1/4E-BP1 pathway. Instead, diabetes induced a specific reduction of mTORC2 complex activity. These findings reveal distinctive responses of diabetes-induced retinal protein turnover compared with muscle and liver that may provide a new means to ameliorate diabetic retinopathy.
Infectious diseases prioritisation for event-based surveillance at the European Union level for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Authors: Economopoulou A , Kinross P , Domanovic D , Coulombier D
Published: April 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Comparison of diagnostic clinical samples and environmental sampling for enterovirus and parechovirus surveillance in Scotland, 2010 to 2012
Authors: Harvala H , Calvert J , Van Nguyen D , Clasper L , Gadsby N , Molyneaux P , Templeton K , McWilliams Leitch C , Simmonds P
Published: April 2014

Human enteroviruses (EV) and parechoviruses (HPeV) within the family Picornaviridae are the most common causes of viral central nervous system (CNS)-associated infections including meningitis and neonatal sepsis-like disease. The frequencies of EV and HPeV types identified in clinical specimens collected in Scotland over an eight-year period were compared to those identified in sewage surveillance established in Edinburgh. Of the 35 different EV types belonging to four EV species (A to D) and the four HPeV types detected in this study, HPeV3 was identified as the most prevalent picornavirus in cerebrospinal fluid samples, followed by species B EV. Interestingly, over half of EV and all HPeV CNS-associated infections were observed in young infants (younger than three months). Detection of species A EV including coxsackievirus A6 and EV71 in clinical samples and sewage indicates that these viruses are already widely circulating in Scotland. Furthermore, species C EV were frequently identified EV in sewage screening but they were not present in any of 606 EV-positive clinical samples studied, indicating their likely lower pathogenicity. Picornavirus surveillance is important not only for monitoring the changing epidemiology of these infections but also for the rapid identification of spread of emerging EV and/or HPeV types.
Ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Europe 2013 to 2014: imported berry mix cake suspected to be the source of infection in Norway
Authors: Guzman-Herrador B , Jensvoll L , Einöder-Moreno M , Lange H , Myking S , Nygård K , Stene-Johansen K , Vold L
Published: April 2014

On 7 March 2014, an increase in hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections was identified in Norway. As of 12 April, 19 cases of HAV infection with a virus strain identical to an ongoing European outbreak have been identified. Six probable cases are currently under investigation. On 11 April, a frozen berry mix cake imported from another European country was found as the likely source of the outbreak; the importer has withdrawn the product in Norway.
Body height and its estimation utilizing arm span measurements in population of Birgunj Area of Nepal: An Anthropometric study
Authors: Sah RP , Kumar A , Bhaskar RK
Published: April 2014

Background Arm span is the most reliable anthropometric measurement to predict the stature of an individual. Age and sex have to be taken into account to the best to predict height from arm span. It is useful in predicting age related loss in stature and in identifying individuals with disproportionate growth abnormalities and skeletal dysplasia. Objective The present study was under taken to measure the stature as well as arm span and to determine whether there is any correlation between the stature and the arm span Method This cross sectional type of descriptive study was carried out with a total number of 400 Nepalese adult population consisting of 225 Nepalese male adults and 175 female adults aged between 25 to 45 years. Stature and arm span were measured directly from the subjects by using anthropometric technique by a measuring tape. The data taken were statistically analyzed by computation to find out its normative value. The relationship between body height and arm span were determined using simple correlation coefficients. Then a linear regression analysis was performed to examine the extent to which arm span can readily predict body height Results The results have shown male of Birgunj are 167.39± 6.170 cm tall and have arm span of 168.01±7.659 cm, while female of Birgunj are 155.61±6.894 cm and have arm span of 159.25±6..362cm. The results obtained are substantially alike in other populations, since arm span was too close to body heights in male and greater in female. Conclusion The body height and arm span correlates well in males but not in females. This confirms the necessity for developing separate height models for each population and different sex. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 9-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10231
A comparative study of efficacy of epidural versus interpleural bupivacaine for post operative analgesia after open cholecystectomy
Authors: Yadav RK , Majhi PC
Published: April 2014

Background The conventional methods of administering the prescribed doses of intramuscular or intravenous analgesics at fixed time intervals results in widely fluctuating and inadequate plasma level leads to poor post operative pain relief. Despite all advances made in the field of medicine, this symptom called “Pain” has not been combated well. Objective The present study was carried out to compare the efficacy of epidural verses interpleural administration of bupivacaine(0.5%) with adrenaline for post operative pain relieve in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy. Methods We prospectively randomized and compared the post operative pain relieve with the reference of visual analog score (VAS) in patients undergoing elective open cholecystectomy in college of medical sciences-teaching hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan. Forty adult patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were divided into two groups. Twenty patients in each group were subjected to a different technique of post-operative analgesia, namely thoracic epidural and interpleural instillation of 0.5% bupivacaine. These two groups were then compared in relation to changes produced in the pain scores, vital parameters and complication and side effects associated with the two techniques. The study was conducted for 24 hour postoperatively. Observation: Both thoracic epidural and interpleural instillation of 0.5% bupivacaine compared favorably with regard to analgesia in the present study. In general, the pain relief following thoracic epidural was more complete compared to interpleural but this was not clinically significant. Conclusion The present study shows that both the techniques are equally effective in providing analgesia following cholecystectomy. However, neither technique rendered the patients completely pain free at all times during first 24 hours. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 15-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10232
Study of factors affecting contraceptive use among married women of reproductive Age
Authors: Bhandari N , Shrestha GK , Thakuri PC
Published: April 2014

Background The use of contraception can prevent pregnancies related complication and helps in improving the women’s health and quality of their lives. Objective To explore reproductive characteristics among married women of reproductive age. To find out method of contraceptive use and side effects among married women of reproductive age. To uncover factors related to contraceptive use among married women of reproductive age. Methods This cross-sectional was carried out among (369) married couples of reproductive age group in ward number 5, 6 and 7 of Dhulikhel Municipality using purposive sampling. Those who fell in between the age group of (14-49 years) and willing to participate were included and pregnant women were excluded from the study. Questionnaire was used to obtain informations. Results Among 369(81.3%) of the respondents of reproductive age were using a modern contraceptive method. Regarding education 331(89.5%) of women’s and 352(95.1%) of husbands were literate and 275(91.6%) of women were found to be involved in decision making and had good inter-spousal communication that is 280(93.3%). Among the temporary method of family planning, Depo-Provera was the choice 150(54.5%) of contraceptive method. Conclusion The present study put more emphasis on increase in women’s literacy, women’s involvement in decision making and inter-spousal communication which helps to promote the effective use of contraceptive methods. As women play an important role in the decision making, women should be included in all aspects of reproductive health and family planning programs. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 24-29 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10233
An endodontic practice profile amongst general dental practitioners in Kathmandu: A questionnaire survey
Authors: Shrestha D , Dahal M , Karki S
Published: April 2014

Objective To investigate the endodontic practice profile of general dental practitioners. To explore the materials and methods employed by them in Kathmandu valley. To compare these findings with well acknowledged international academic standards. Methods Questionnaires with 18 closed-ended questions were distributed among randomly chosen 120 general dental practitioners of Kathmandu, working in various government or private hospital or clinics.The data were collected and descriptive statistical analysis was done. Results Out of 120 questionnaires, only 110 that were completely filled were included in the study .Most general dental practitioners (97%) regularly did multi-rooted root canal treatments and followed multivisit root canal treatment.. Radiograph with instrument in canal was used by 80% of general dental practitioners to determine the working length while only 36% used electronic apex locator which is considered to be more reliable. Half of them (57%) used nickel-titanium files for cleaning and shaping but only 23% used crown down technique. Sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide was the most popular irrigation solution and intra-canal medicament respectively. Majority of general dental practitioners (91%) used lateral compaction technique for root canal obturation. Sixty three percent used zinc oxide eugenol as root canal sealer and 46% used endomethasone. They seem to overuse antibiotics in cases requiring endodontic therapy. Only 48% used autoclave for sterilization of endodontic files while 86% never used rubber dam. Eight three percent of them felt the need of further endodontic training and 42% of them preferred post-graduate dental program. Conclusion This study shows that the standard guidelines and new technologies for endodontic treatments are not implemented by many general dental practitioners of Kathmandu and require further endodontic trainings. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 40-50 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10235
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Following Typhoid Fever: A Case Report
Authors: Adhikari R , Tayal A , Chhetri PK , Pokhrel B
Published: April 2014

The involvement of central nervous system in children with typhoid fever is common. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a rare immune mediated and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that usually affects children. We report a 7-year-old child with typhoid fever who developed acute cerebellar syndrome due to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-4, 55-58 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i4.10237
Living Treaties, Breathing Research
Authors: Craft Aimée
Published: April 2014

In this article, the author challenges the exclusive use of common law legal principles for the interpretation of historic treaties between Aboriginal people and the Queen’s representatives. It suggests that particular attention to language, culture, relationships, and Anishinaabe normative values allows us to more fully grasp the true meaning and intent of treaties. Interspersed with personal narrative, the author grapples with the role of courts in identifying, interpreting, and applying the terms of treaties. The author aims to provide a framework for retelling a more balanced account of the treaty negotiations, with particular attention to the normative values or Anishinaabe inaakonigewin (laws), which were central to the negotiations. Employing a triangulation between the written accounts of the negotiations, oral history, and Anishinaabe knowledge, norms, and customs, the author probes the complex ways in which Anishinaabe procedural and substantive norms shaped the terms contemplated by each of the parties, the fundamental conflicts between normative values, and the substantive agreement to share the land. The retelling of Treaty One from an Anishinaabe contextual perspective deepens our understandings of treaties and illustrates that the written text of the treaty provides an incomplete understanding of what was negotiated by the parties at the Stone Fort in 1871.
Race Matters: Sexism, Indigenous Sovereignty, and McIvor
Authors: Cannon Martin J.
Published: April 2014

Following Patricia Monture, I argue in this article that the law is not a transformative arbiter of justice but, rather, is actively invested in the recovery and recuperation of colonial dominance and the affirmation of settler sovereignty. I illustrate this argument through a critical reading of McIvor v The Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, a progressive case that challenged sexism in the criteria established by the federal government for recognizing “Indianness.” This case had the potential to correct the history of sex discrimination in the Indian Act and to reconcile the matter of racialized injustice as it is realized through, and inseparable from, sexism, but it ultimately failed. In fact, the case (re-)told a raceless story of sexism as well as an original Eurocentric fiction that separates “woman” from “Indian.” This case thus prevented us from seeing the inequality of treatment that indigenous women and their descendants—indeed, all status Indians—face as racialized peoples. Canadian law, I argue, continues as it has over the last four decades to mobilize “Indianness” as a strategy to dispossess and undermine the sovereignty of indigenous peoples.
“It Happened More Than Once”: Freezing Deaths in Saskatchewan
Authors: Razack Sherene
Published: April 2014

This article examines inquests and an inquiry into freezing deaths in Saskatchewan, Canada. It outlines the racial spatial economies of which these deaths are a part, and it proposes that the structural relations of settler colonialism produce and sustain ongoing, daily evictions of Aboriginal people from settler life, evictions that are inevitably violent. The colonial city belongs to the settler, and Aboriginal presence in the city inevitably contests settler occupation. Aboriginality unsettles, challenging the settler’s claim to legitimacy by calling into question the colonial state’s most enduring fiction that Aboriginal people are a dying race. The dumping of Aboriginal people to the outskirts of the city is a practice born of the settler’s need to maintain the lines of force of the colonial city. Today, when dumping comes under legal scrutiny, as it did in the inquiry into the death of Neil Stonechild and in inquests into freezing deaths, it is either transformed into a practice of a few bad cops or denied outright. What remains on legal record, however, are the racial spatial economies of the settler city and its persistent devaluation of Aboriginal life, a devaluation that law both produces and sustains. In the first part of the article, I present ideas about the racial/spatial economies of the colonial city, and in the second part I examine the death of Neil Stonechild and the Wright Inquiry, which responded to this death. In the third part, I examine inquests into the freezing deaths of Rodney Niastus and Lawrence Wegner, two young Aboriginal men who died a decade after Stonechild, exploring two movements in space and time: Naistus and Wegner as they moved through the city towards their death in the frozen fields of the northwest section of the city and the journey we are invited on through the inquest, a journey through which we come to understand the deaths of Naistus and Wegner as no one’s fault but their own. Across the landscape of Aboriginal deaths in custody in Saskatchewan, including deaths in prison, deaths due to suicide, and deaths that occur in violent confrontations with the police, the Aboriginal body is a body that cannot be murdered.
Physical and societal statistics for a century of snow-avalanche hazards on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands (1910–2010)
Authors: Podolskiy Evgeny A. , Izumi Kaoru , Suchkov Vladimir E. , Eckert Nicolas
Published: April 2014

The analysis of historical avalanche data is important when developing accurate hazard maps. The record of snow-avalanche disasters on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands is incomplete, due to the historical division into periods of Japanese and Russian rule. Here we combine and analyze data from Japanese and Russian sources to reconstruct a continuous record of avalanche catastrophes in the region from 1910 to 2010. Despite the relatively small scale of the majority of catastrophic avalanches, with a total vertical drop < 200 m, we document evidence that places the region among the most avalanche-affected areas in the world. In total, 756 fatalities and > 238 injuries have occurred in 275 incidents over a 100 year period (two-thirds of those killed were Japanese). This death toll is higher than that in Canada, New Zealand or Iceland, or non-recreational fatalities in France. A wave of avalanche disasters (1930s–60s) following intense colonization of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands is evident. Although this ‘wave’ could be considered a local issue of the past, many presently developing countries may face similar situations. The fatality rate has decreased over time, due to social factors, and differs from that of any other region, in its absence of deaths through recreational activities. Although in recent years the fatality rate is lower than that of Iceland or the USA, the per capita avalanche casualty rate on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands remains among the highest in the world.
Elementary Forms of Religious Life in Animal Rights Activism
Authors: Jacobsson Kerstin
Published: April 2014

Many scholars have noted that secular belief systems, despite lack of a spiritual base, can possess qualities and display features similar to religion. The most well-known and forceful formulation of this is, arguably, Durkheim’s claim that elementary forms of religious life pervade collective life in all societies. This article suggests that animal rights activism can fruitfully be analyzed as an instance of “secular religion”. Drawing on Durkheim and based on a study of animal rights activists in Sweden, the article identifies a number of elementary forms and experiences of religious life in animal rights activism. These include overwhelming conversion experiences, a division of the world into sacred and profane, concern about protecting the sacred, commitment to spreading the message and living out one’s faith, the feeling that suffering and guilt have meaning, and the constitutive role of common symbols and rituals. The article argues that it is in the light of the activist group as a moral community formed around a sacred ideal that these religious elements are best understood. At the same time, the animal rights activists challenge established boundaries between sacred and profane, when dismantling the symbolic boundary between humans and animals.
Go East, Old Man: The Ritual Spaces of SS Veterans’ Memory Work
Authors: Werther Steffen , Hurd Madeleine
Published: April 2014

This article uses social-movement analysis to understand the rituals, memory-work and spatialties of Waffen-SS veterans and their sympathizers. Most social-movement analysis focuses on left-wing protesters; our concern is with the marginalized counter-narratives, rituals and -spaces produced by the self-proclaimed misunderstood “heroes” of World War Two. This counter-hegemonic self-definition is essential to these former world-war soldiers who, despite an internal mythology of idealistic self-sacrifice, are vilified in West-European master narra-tives. We discuss how, during the 1990s, veterans and their sympathizers sought to replace rituals of memory-work in the newly-opened East. We look at how the Waffen-SS’s ritual memory-work is “replaced” in alternative settings, including – perhaps surprisingly – Russia itself. Here, Waffen-SS veterans use new, official, semi-sacred places to anchor both an alternative identity and an alternative definition of the central meanings of modern European history.
Klimax Working for the Climate: Through Humor, Play, and the Redefinition of Space
Authors: Hamrén Robert
Published: April 2014

This article focuses on the strategies of protest employed by the climate-change activist network Klimax (circa 2007-10). My questions are: What, in their view, was the main threat to our environment? How did they protest against it? The study is based on a close examination of twenty – four protest actions, undertaken during the years 2009-11, as described on the movement’s own KLIMAX homepage. I am interested in how the website’s narratives and visuals demonstrate the ways in which individiual actions’ specific protest strategies challenge the current social order. The analysis of these texts and visuals is based on concepts and theories derived from Cultural Studies, textual analysis and theories of representation, research on New and social resistance movements, emotion sociology and cultural–social approaches to place.
From Wasteland to Flower Bed: Ritual in the Website Communication of Urban Activist Gardeners
Authors: Graf Heike
Published: April 2014

The goal of this article is to explore the website communication of urban activist gardeners by focusing on the concept of ritual as a heuristic category. In contrast to the majority of those doing research on ritual, I use a systems-theoretical approach in applying the concept of ritual to communication processes. I explore the role played by ritual in communication in order to answer questions such as, “What is specifically unique about the ritual mode of communicating?” and, following from this, “What function do these rituals serve in communication?” My subject, urban garden activism, is thus addressed from the perspective of media- and communication research.

First, I briefly describe urban activist gardening and how communication is usually structured on their websites. Second, I present an outline of some theories and concepts of communication and ritual within media studies, and give a brief account of the systems-theoretical approach that I use. Third, I define some areas of ritual – that is, ritualized patterns of communication found in the urban activist gardeners’ empirical material – so as to provide answers regarding the means and function of ritual in communication.
Have You Switched to a Low-Carbon Diet? The Ultimate Value of Low-Carbon Consumerism
Authors: Lin Yu-Ling , Lin Hong-Wen
Published: April 2014

Since the 1990s many governments around the world have been encouraging their people to participate in green or low carbon living. With the background of rising consumer awareness in environmental protection, green consumption, and green marketing are receiving growing attention from consumers and enterprises. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the goals and values of 60 Taiwanese consumers in a low-carbon diet. This study uses the theory of Mean-end chain as basis, applying the “Soft-laddering” of “Laddering” to understand the perceived value of low carbon food in depth interviews. The results revealed that the attributes of users care for green living in the, order of, Less meat more vegetables, Seasonal food, Local food, Food with minimal artificial processing, Energy-saving preparation and Carbon footprint. After classifying by content analysis, we draw the Hierarchical value map (HVM) to explore that consumer’s pursuit of the final value and benefits by adopting a low-carbon diet relate to healthy living.
Ni-Al and NiO-Al Composite Coatings by Combustion-Assisted Flame Spraying
Authors: Xanthopoulou Galina , Marinou Amalia , Vekinis George , Lekatou Aggeliki , Vardavoulias Michalis
Published: April 2014

A new, cost-efficient and on-site-applicable thermal spraying process for depositing NiAl metallic overlay or bond-coat coatings for high temperature applications by synthesizing the desired intermetallic phases in-flight during oxy-acetylene flame spraying is presented. Base-metal powders were used for spraying and, by adjusting the spraying conditions, excellent NiAl-based coatings were achieved on various substrates, including mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium alloys. Expensive, pre-alloyed or agglomerated powders are avoided and the method is very promising for in-situ work and repairs. We call the new method “Combustion-Assisted Flame Spraying” (CAFSY) and its viability has been demonstrated at a pre-industrial level for coating metallic substrates. The NiAl-based coatings produced by CAFSY exhibit very high integrity with good adhesion, very low porosity, high surface hardness and high erosion resistance at a substantially lower cost than equivalent coatings using pre-prepared alloy powders.
An Extended Result on the Optimal Estimation Under the Minimum Error Entropy Criterion
Authors: Chen Badong , Wang Guangmin , Zheng Nanning , Principe Jose
Published: April 2014

The minimum error entropy (MEE) criterion has been successfully used in fields such as parameter estimation, system identification and the supervised machine learning. There is in general no explicit expression for the optimal MEE estimate unless some constraints on the conditional distribution are imposed. A recent paper has proved that if the conditional density is conditionally symmetric and unimodal (CSUM), then the optimal MEE estimate (with Shannon entropy) equals the conditional median. In this study, we extend this result to the generalized MEE estimation where the optimality criterion is the Renyi entropy or equivalently, the α-order information potential (IP).
Dynamic Response of a 50 kW Organic Rankine Cycle System in Association with Evaporators
Authors: Lee Yuh-Ren , Kuo Chi-Ron , Liu Chih-Hsi , Fu Ben-Ran , Hsieh Jui-Ching , Wang Chi-Chuan
Published: April 2014

The influences of various evaporators on the system responses of a 50 kW ORC system using R-245fa are investigated in this study. First the effect of the supplied hot water flowrate into the evaporator is examined and the exit superheat on the system performance between plate and shell-and-tube evaporator is also reported. Test results show that the effect of hot water flowrate on the evaporator imposes a negligible effect on the transient response of the ORC system. These results prevail even for a 3.5-fold increase of the hot water flowrate and the system shows barely any change subject to this drastic hot water flowrate change. The effect of exit superheat on the ORC system depends on the type of the evaporator. For the plate evaporator, an exit superheat less than 10 °C may cause ORC system instability due to considerable liquid entrainment. To maintain a stable operation, the corresponding Jakob number of the plate heat evaporator must be above 0.07. On the other hand, by employing a shell and tube heat evaporator connected to the ORC system, no unstable oscillation of the ORC system is observed for exit superheats ranging from 0 to 17 °C.
1H NMR Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis of Monovarietal EVOOs as a Tool for Modulating Coratina-Based Blends
Authors: Del Coco Laura , De Pascali Sandra , Fanizzi Francesco
Published: April 2014

Coratina cultivar-based olives are very common among 100% Italian extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). Often, the very spicy character of this cultivar, mostly due to the high polyphenols concentration, requires blending with other “sweetener” oils. In this work, monovarietal EVOO samples from the Coratina cultivar (Apulia, Italy) were investigated and compared with monovarietal EVOO from native or recently introduced Apulian (Italy) cultivars (Ogliarola Garganica, Ogliarola Barese, Cima di Mola, Peranzana, Picholine), from Calabria (Italy) (Carolea and Rossanese) and from other Mediterranean countries, such as Spain (Picual) and Greece (Kalamata and Koroneiki) by 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis (principal component analysis (PCA)). In this regard, NMR signals could allow a first qualitative evaluation of the chemical composition of EVOO and, in particular, of its minor component content (phenols and aldehydes), an intrinsic behavior of EVOO taste, related to the cultivar and geographical origins. Moreover, this study offers an opportunity to address blended EVOOs tastes by using oils from a specific region or country of origin.
Motor Vehicle Accident Eye Injuries in Northern Israel
Authors: Yulish Michael , Pikkel Joseph
Published: April 2014

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence and types of motor vehicle accident eye trauma in north Israel. Methods: The records between the years 2007–2011 of the Ophthalmology Emergency Room of one medical center were searched. Eye injuries due to motor vehicle accidents were classified according to type, severity of injury and demographic data of patients. Results: Nearly five percents of ER presentations were due to motor vehicle accidents. Most motor vehicle accident-related eye injuries were mild. Conclusion: Efforts should be taken to prevention and to minimize the severity of motor vehicle accident-related eye injuries.
Though not Reservoirs, Dogs might Transmit Leptospira in New Caledonia
Authors: Gay Noellie , Soupé-Gilbert Marie-Estelle , Goarant Cyrille
Published: April 2014

Leptospira has been a major public health concern in New Caledonia for decades. However, few multidisciplinary studies addressing the zoonotic pattern of this disease were conducted so far. Here, pig, deer and dog samples were collected. Analyses were performed using molecular detection and genotyping. Serological analyses were also performed for dogs. Our results suggest that deer are a reservoir of L. borgpetersenii Hardjobovis and pigs a reservoir of L. interrogans Pomona. Interestingly, 4.4% of dogs were renal carriers of Leptospira. In dog populations, MAT results confirmed the circulation of the same Leptospira serogroups involved in human cases. Even if not reservoirs, dogs might be of significance in human contamination by making an epidemiological link between wild or feral reservoirs and humans. Dogs could bring pathogens back home, shedding Leptospira via their urine and in turn increasing the risk of human contamination. We propose to consider dog as a vector, particularly in rural areas where seroprevalence is significantly higher than urban areas. Our results highlight the importance of animal health in improving leptospirosis prevention in a One Health approach.
Behavior of VOCs and Carbonyl Compounds Emission from Different Types of Wallpapers in Korea
Authors: Lim Jungyun , Kim Suejin , Kim ARong , Lee Wooseok , Han Jinseok , Cha Jun-Seok
Published: April 2014

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls from three types of commercially available wallpapers (i.e., PVC-coated, paper-backed, natural material-coated) in Korea were evaluated using a 20 L small chamber. A total of 332 products were tested for emission factors, frequencies of occurrence and composition ratios. Toluene and formaldehyde concentrations were below Korean standard values for all products; however, the total VOC (TVOC) concentrations exceeded current standards (4.0 mg/m2·h) for 30 products. The TVOC emission factor for PVC-coated wallpapers, for which polymer materials are used in the manufacturing process, was seven and 16 times higher than those of paper-backed and natural material-coated wallpapers, respectively. The detection frequencies for toluene and formaldehyde were the highest (82.5%) and fourth highest (79.5%), respectively among the 50 target chemical species. The composition ratios for BTEX ranged from 0.3% to 5.1% and unidentified VOCs, which were not qualitatively analyzed using standard gas methods, ranged from 90.2% to 94.8%. Among six carbonyl compounds (acrolein was not detected in any type of wallpaper), acetone had the highest concentrations in PVC-coated (44.6%) and paper-backed (66.6%) wallpapers. Formaldehyde emissions were highest (64.6%) for natural material-coated wallpapers, a result of the formaldehyde-based resin used in the manufacturing process for these products.
Expression of Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B10 in the Early Stages of Human Hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Tsuzura Hironori , Genda Takuya , Sato Shunsuke , Murata Ayato , Kanemitsu Yoshio , Narita Yutaka , Ishikawa Sachiko , Kikuchi Tetsu , Mori Masashi , Hirano Katsuharu , Iijima Katsuyori , Wada Ryo , Ichida Takafumi
Published: April 2014

Aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10), a cancer-related oxidoreductase, is expressed in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). However, AKR1B10 levels are minimal in normal liver tissues (NLs), similar to the 70-kilodalton heat shock protein (HSP70) and glypican-3. Moreover, the role of AKR1B10 in chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, which are considered preneoplastic conditions for HCC, has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AKR1B10, HSP70, and glypican-3 in 61 HCC tissue samples compared to corresponding non-tumorous liver tissues (NTs), comprising 42 chronic hepatitis and 19 cirrhosis cases to clarify the significance of molecular changes at the preneoplastic stages of HCC. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the median expression levels of AKR1B10 were higher in HCCs than in NTs (p < 0.001) and higher in NTs than NLs (p < 0.001) with 54.8%, 2.1%, and 0.3% expression in HCCs, NTs, and NLs, respectively. HSP70 and glypican-3 were expressed in HCCs, but minimally in NTs and NLs with no significant difference between expression in NTs and NLs. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis identified an association between hepatic steatosis and AKR1B10 expression in NTs (p = 0.020). Of the three protein expressed in well-differentiated HCCs, only AKR1B10 was upregulated in preneoplastic conditions, and a steatosis-related factor might influence its expression.
A20 Overexpression Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced NF-κB Activation, TRAF6 and CD40 Expression in Rat Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells
Authors: Zou Xun-Liang , Pei De-An , Yan Ju-Zhen , Xu Gang , Wu Ping
Published: April 2014

Zinc finger protein A20 is a key negative regulator of inflammation. However, whether A20 may affect inflammation during peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis is still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of A20 overexpression on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Isolated and cultured RPMCs in vitro. Plasmid pGEM-T easy-A20 was transfected into RPMCs by Lipofectamine™2000. The protein expression of A20, phospho-IκBα, IκBα, TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 and CD40 were analyzed by Western blot. The mRNA expression of TRAF6, CD40, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by real time-PCR. NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in cells culture supernatant were determined by ELISA. Our results revealed that RPMCs overexpression of A20 lead to significant decrease of LPS-induced IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB DNA binding activity (all p < 0.01). In addition, A20 also attenuated the expression of TRAF6, CD40, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cells culture supernatant (all p < 0.05). However, A20 only partly inhibited CD40 expression. Our study indicated that A20 overexpression may depress the inflammatory response induced by LPS in cultured RPMCs through negatively regulated the relevant function of adaptors in LPS signaling pathway.
Radiation-Induced Changes in Serum Lipidome of Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: Jelonek Karol , Pietrowska Monika , Ros Malgorzata , Zagdanski Adam , Suchwalko Agnieszka , Polanska Joanna , Marczyk Michal , Rutkowski Tomasz , Skladowski Krzysztof , Clench Malcolm , Widlak Piotr
Published: April 2014

Cancer radiotherapy (RT) induces response of the whole patient’s body that could be detected at the blood level. We aimed to identify changes induced in serum lipidome during RT and characterize their association with doses and volumes of irradiated tissue. Sixty-six patients treated with conformal RT because of head and neck cancer were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected before, during and about one month after the end of RT. Lipid extracts were analyzed using MALDI-oa-ToF mass spectrometry in positive ionization mode. The major changes were observed when pre-treatment and within-treatment samples were compared. Levels of several identified phosphatidylcholines, including (PC34), (PC36) and (PC38) variants, and lysophosphatidylcholines, including (LPC16) and (LPC18) variants, were first significantly decreased and then increased in post-treatment samples. Intensities of changes were correlated with doses of radiation received by patients. Of note, such correlations were more frequent when low-to-medium doses of radiation delivered during conformal RT to large volumes of normal tissues were analyzed. Additionally, some radiation-induced changes in serum lipidome were associated with toxicity of the treatment. Obtained results indicated the involvement of choline-related signaling and potential biological importance of exposure to clinically low/medium doses of radiation in patient’s body response to radiation.
Evaluation and Observation of Autogenous Healing Ability of Bond Cracks along Rebar
Authors: Kang Choonghyun , Kunieda Minoru
Published: April 2014

Micro cracks occurring in concrete around tensile rebar is well known latent damage phenomenon. These micro cracks develop, and can be detected after reaching the surface of the concrete. Detection of these cracks before they are fully formed is preferable, but observing the whole crack structure is difficult. Another problem is repairing micro cracks under the concrete surface. The autogenous ability of bond cracks along rebar was evaluated using the air permeability test. Air permeability coefficients were measured before and after tensile loading, and experimental air permeability coefficients became larger near cracks along rebar as a result of tensile loading. Recuring for 28 days after tensile loading made the air permeability coefficients smaller, but this restriction only occurred during water recuring. Observation of crack patterns helped the understanding of change in the air permeability coefficients. Several small cracks along rebar were observed after tensile loading, and most cracks along rebar were not found after water recuring. On the other hand, the crack pattern did not change after air recuring. These results indicate that bond cracks along rebar can be closed by autogenous healing, and cause the air permeability coefficients.
Overview on Techniques to Construct Tissue Arrays with Special Emphasis on Tissue Microarrays
Authors: Vogel Ulrich
Published: April 2014

With the advent of new histopathological staining techniques (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization) and the discovery of thousands of new genes, mRNA, and proteins by molecular biology, the need grew for a technique to compare many different cells or tissues on one slide in a cost effective manner and with the possibility to easily track the identity of each specimen: the tissue array (TA). Basically, a TA consists of at least two different specimens per slide. TAs differ in the kind of specimens, the number of specimens installed, the dimension of the specimens, the arrangement of the specimens, the embedding medium, the technique to prepare the specimens to be installed, and the technique to construct the TA itself. A TA can be constructed by arranging the tissue specimens in a mold and subsequently pouring the mold with the embedding medium of choice. In contrast, preformed so-called recipient blocks consisting of the embedding medium of choice have punched, drilled, or poured holes of different diameters and distances in which the cells or tissue biopsies will be deployed manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. The costs of constructing a TA differ from a few to thousands of Euros depending on the technique/equipment used. Remarkably high quality TAs can be also achieved by low cost techniques.
Identification of Absorbed Constituents in the Rabbit Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid after Intranasal Administration of Asari Radix et Rhizoma by HS-SPME-GC-MS and HPLC-APCI-IT-TOF-MSn
Authors: Li Chen , Xu Feng , Xie De-Mei , Jing Yu , Shang Ming-Ying , Liu Guang-Xue , Wang Xuan , Cai Shao-Qing
Published: April 2014

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nasal therapy has been utilized to treat numerous diseases for over two millennia. It has many advantages compared with other routes. In this article, headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-ion trap-time of flight-multistage mass spectrometry were applied for the first time to analyze the absorbed constituents in rabbit plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after intranasal administration of Asari Radix et Rhizoma (AR). In total, 47 absorbed AR constituents including 14 monoterpenes, 10 phenylpropanoids, four benzene derivatives, two alkanes, nine N-alkylamides and eight lignans were tentatively identified in the rabbit plasma and CSF. Thirty-three absorbed constituents are found to have different bioactivities related to the pharmacological actions of AR through bibliography data retrieval. These indicated that many types of constituents of TCM can be absorbed at the nasal cavity into both rabbit blood and CSF. This is the first study to explore the absorption of AR, and comprehensively analyze the absorbed constituents after intranasal administration of TCM. These findings extend our understanding of the effective substances of AR, and inspire us to make a hypothesis on the mechanism of additive effect of multiple constituents of TCMs, which is very worthy of further investigation.
The Synergistic Biologic Activity of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids in Complex with Hydroxypropyl-γ-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Soica Codruţa , Oprean Camelia , Borcan Florin , Danciu Corina , Trandafirescu Cristina , Coricovac Dorina , Crăiniceanu Zorin , Dehelean Cristina , Munteanu Melania
Published: April 2014

Oleanolic and ursolic acids are natural triterpenic compounds with pentacyclic cholesterol-like structures which gives them very low water solubility, a significant disadvantage in terms of bioavailability. We previously reported the synthesis of inclusion complexes between these acids and cyclodextrins, as well as their in vivo evaluation on chemically induced skin cancer experimental models. In this study the synergistic activity of the acid mixture included inside hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HPGCD) was monitored using in vitro tests and in vivo skin cancer models. The coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) was used to characterize the interactions as synergism, additivity or antagonism. Our results revealed an increased antitumor activity for the mixture of the two triterpenic acids, both single and in complex with cyclodextrin, thus proving their complementary biologic activities.