bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Videography: analysing video data as a ‘focused’ ethnographic and hermeneutical exercise
Authors: Knoblauch Hubert , Schnettler Bernt
Published: June 2012

Visual research methods are becoming increasingly important for qualitative studies. Within this dynamically expanding field, methods for analysing ‘natural’ video recordings have developed considerably over the past decades. In this article we discuss methodological aspects of general importance for any analysis of this type of video data. Being a fundamentally interpretive method, our first argument is that sequential analysis is always a hermeneutic endeavour, which requires methodical understanding. The second refers to data collection. We stress that, in addition to sequential analysis, the ethnographic dimension of video analysis should be taken into account methodologically. Video analysis requires, thirdly, a systematic account of the subjectivity, both of the actors analysed as well as of the analysts. Our arguments are grounded in extensive data from several studies, including the communicative genre of powerpoint presentations, commemoration rituals and public events. Selected data fragments are presented here to support our claims. Building upon this expertise, we propose further improvement of video analysis methodology by reflecting on our own practice of analysing video in data sessions (i.e. the ‘video analysis of video analysis’).
Congressional Response to Presidential Signing Statements
Authors: Ainsworth Scott H. , Harward Brian M. , Moffett Kenneth W.
Published: June 2012

Popular and scholarly accounts argue that signing statements are important tools for presidents to shape the implementation of policy. Although signing statements might be important presidential tools, the legislative branch stands in the most immediate and direct competition with the executive for ultimate control of the bureaucracy. In this article, we assess whether congressional committees react to presidential signing statements with increased oversight. Using a data set that includes every oversight hearing held by the U.S. House between 1995 and 2007, we find evidence that congressional committees are sensitive to the number of objections raised by presidents in signing statements. As the president uses signing statements to object to a larger number of provisions in laws, the affected House committees respond with more oversight.
Human tissue biobanks: the balance between consent and the common good
Authors: Kozlakidis Zisis , Cason Robert JS , Mant Christine , Cason John
Published: June 2012

Biobanks are currently archiving human materials for medical research at a hitherto unprecedented rate. These valuable resources will be essential for developing ‘personalized’ medicines and for a better understanding of disease susceptibilities. However, for such scientific advances to benefit everyone, it is crucial that biobanks recruit donations from all sections of the community. Unfortunately, other initiatives, such as transplant programmes, have clearly demonstrated that ethnic minorities are under-represented. Here we suggest that this issue deserves serious consideration to avoid biobanks evolving into ethnically biased archives which unwittingly promote race-specific research. Specifically, this necessitates research ethics committees engaging in a re-assessment of the relative merits of individual personal sovereignty and the common good.
Ethical and safe: Research with children about domestic violence
Authors: Morris Anita , Hegarty Kelsey , Humphreys Cathy
Published: June 2012

Ethics applications to conduct research with children who have experienced domestic violence will frequently raise a red flag to ethics committees about the potential for risk and re-traumatization. On the other hand, such sensitive research can enable a hidden, marginalized population to have their voices heard. It can deliver findings about children’s lives that can inform otherwise adult-centric research, policy and practice initiatives. The authors highlight ethical concerns and practical solutions using examples from domestic violence, family law and child abuse research with children. Ethical planning is explored according to methodologies, context and whether the violence has been named. Also discussed are consent procedures, confidentiality and the development of protocols for disclosure, distress, safety and risk assessment, which support ethical and safe research with children.
Social science and ethics review: A question of practice not principle
Authors: Nicholls Stuart G. , Brehaut Jamie , Saginur Raphae
Published: June 2012

In his article ‘The case against ethics review in the social sciences’, Schrag asserts that the social sciences should not be subject to ethical review. He recounts a number of examples where ethical review has seemingly failed. He further suggests some alternative models for dealing with ethical review in the social sciences. Finally, he concludes, and we concur, that there is a lack of empirical evidence as to the benefit of research ethics review.
A Fall in Plasma Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Level Activates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Independent of Plasma Glucose: Evidence for Brain Sensing of Circulating FFA
Authors: Oh Young Taek , Oh Ki-Sook , Kang Insug , Youn Jang H.
Published: June 2012

The brain responds to a fall in blood glucose by activating neuroendocrine mechanisms for its restoration. It is unclear whether the brain also responds to a fall in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) to activate mechanisms for its restoration. We examined whether lowering plasma FFA increases plasma corticosterone or catecholamine levels and, if so, whether the brain is involved in these responses. Plasma FFA levels were lowered in rats with three independent antilipolytic agents: nicotinic acid (NA), insulin, and the A1 adenosine receptor agonist SDZ WAG 994 with plasma glucose clamped at basal levels. Lowering plasma FFA with these agents all increased plasma corticosterone, but not catecholamine, within 1 h, accompanied by increases in plasma ACTH. These increases in ACTH or corticosterone were abolished when falls in plasma FFA were prevented by Intralipid during NA or insulin infusion. In addition, the NA-induced increases in plasma ACTH were completely prevented by administration of SSR149415, an arginine vasopressin receptor antagonist, demonstrating that the hypothalamus is involved in these responses. Taken together, the present data suggest that the brain may sense a fall in plasma FFA levels and activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to increase plasma ACTH and corticosterone, which would help restore FFA levels. Thus, the brain may be involved in the sensing and control of circulating FFA levels.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Physical Function in Healthy Older Men. Time to Talk Hormones?
Authors: Giannoulis Manthos G. , Martin Finbarr C. , Nair K. Sreekumaran , Umpleby A. Margot , Sonksen Peter
Published: June 2012

Improving physical function and mobility in a continuously expanding elderly population emerges as a high priority of medicine today. Muscle mass, strength/power, and maximal exercise capacity are major determinants of physical function, and all decline with aging. This contributes to the incidence of frailty and disability observed in older men. Furthermore, it facilitates the accumulation of body fat and development of insulin resistance.

Muscle adaptation to exercise is strongly influenced by anabolic endocrine hormones and local load-sensitive autocrine/paracrine growth factors. GH, IGF-I, and testosterone (T) are directly involved in muscle adaptation to exercise because they promote muscle protein synthesis, whereas T and locally expressed IGF-I have been reported to activate muscle stem cells. Although exercise programs improve physical function, in the long-term most older men fail to comply. The GH/IGF-I axis and T levels decline markedly with aging, whereas accumulating evidence supports their indispensable role in maintaining physical function integrity.

Several studies have reported that the administration of T improves lean body mass and maximal voluntary strength in healthy older men. On the other hand, most studies have shown that administration of GH alone failed to improve muscle strength despite amelioration of the detrimental somatic changes of aging. Both GH and T are anabolic agents that promote muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy but work through separate mechanisms, and the combined administration of GH and T, albeit in only a few studies, has resulted in greater efficacy than either hormone alone. Although it is clear that this combined approach is effective, this review concludes that further studies are needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of combined hormone replacement therapy in older men before the medical rationale of prescribing hormone replacement therapy for combating the sarcopenia of aging can be established.
Direct Regulation of the Proglucagon Gene by Insulin, Leptin, and cAMP in Embryonic versus Adult Hypothalamic Neurons
Authors: Dalvi Prasad S. , Erbiceanu Frederick D. , Irwin David M. , Belsham Denise D.
Published: June 2012

The proglucagon gene is expressed not only in the pancreas and intestine but also in the hypothalamus. Proglucagon-derived peptides have emerged as potential regulators of energy homeostasis. Whether leptin, insulin, or cAMP activation controls proglucagon gene expression in the hypothalamus is not known. A key reason for this has been the inaccessibility of hypothalamic proglucagon-expressing neurons and the lack of suitable neuronal cell lines. Herein we describe the mechanisms involved in the direct regulation of the proglucagon gene by insulin, leptin, and cAMP in hypothalamic cell models. Insulin, through an Akt-dependent manner, significantly induced proglucagon mRNA expression by 70% in adult-derived mHypoA-2/10 neurons and significantly suppressed it by 45% in embryonic-derived mHypoE-39 neurons. Leptin, via the Janus kinase-2/ signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 pathway, caused an initial increase by 66 and 43% at 1 h followed by a decrease by 45 and 34% at 12 h in mHypoA-2/10 and mHypoE-39 cells, respectively. Furthermore, cAMP activation by forskolin up-regulated proglucagon expression by 87% in mHypoE-39 neurons and increased proglucagon mRNA, through Epac activation, in the mHypoE-20/2 neurons. Specific regions of the proglucagon promoter were regulated by cAMP signaling, as determined by transient transfections, whereas mRNA stability assays demonstrate that insulin and leptin increase proglucagon mRNA stability in the adult cells. These findings suggest that insulin, leptin, and cAMP act directly, but differentially, on specific hypothalamic neurons to regulate proglucagon gene expression. Because proglucagon-derived peptides are potential regulators of energy homeostasis, an understanding of hypothalamic proglucagon neurons is important to further expand our knowledge of alternative feeding circuits.
Experience-dependent modulation of antennal sensitivity and input to antennal lobes in male moths (Spodoptera littoralis) pre-exposed to sex pheromone
Authors: Guerrieri Fernando , Gemeno Cesar , Monsempes Christelle , Anton Sylvia , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle , Lucas Philippe , Devaud Jean-Marc
Published: June 2012

Sex pheromones are intraspecific olfactory signals emitted by one sex to attract a potential mating partner. Behavioural responses to sex pheromones are generally highly stereotyped. However, they can be modulated by experience, as male moths previously exposed to female sex pheromone respond with a lower threshold upon further detection, even after long delays. Here, we address the question of the neural mechanisms underlying such long-term modulation. As previous work has shown increased responses to pheromone in central olfactory neurons, we asked whether brief exposure to the pheromone increases input activity from olfactory receptor neurons. Males pre-exposed to sex pheromone exhibited increased peripheral sensitivity to the main pheromone component. Among nine antennal genes targeted as putatively involved in pheromone reception, one encoding a pheromone-binding protein showed significant upregulation upon exposure. In the primary olfactory centre (antennal lobe), the neural compartment processing the main pheromone component was enlarged after a brief pheromone exposure, thus suggesting enduring structural changes. We hypothesise that higher peripheral sensitivity following pre-exposure leads to increased input to the antennal lobe, thus contributing to the structural and functional reorganization underlying a stable change in behaviour.
Thicker host tissues moderate light stress in a cnidarian endosymbiont
Authors: Dimond James L. , Holzman Benjamin J. , Bingham Brian L.
Published: June 2012

The susceptibility of algal–cnidarian holobionts to environmental stress is dependent on attributes of both host and symbiont, but the role of the host is often unclear. We examined the influence of the host on symbiont light stress, comparing the photophysiology of the chlorophyte symbiont Elliptochloris marina in two species of sea anemones in the genus Anthopleura. After 3 months of acclimation in outdoor tanks, polyp photoprotective contraction behavior was similar between the two host species, but photochemical efficiency was 1.5 times higher in A. xanthogrammica than in A. elegantissima. Maximum relative electron transport rates, derived from rapid light curves, were 1.5 times higher in A. xanthogrammica than in A. elegantissima when symbionts were inside intact tissues, but were not significantly different between host species upon removal of outer (epidermis and mesoglea) tissue layers from symbiont-containing gastrodermal cells. Tissues of A. xanthogrammica were 1.8 times thicker than those of A. elegantissima, with outer tissue layers attenuating 1.6 times more light. We found no significant differences in light absorption properties per unit volume of tissue, confirming the direct effect of tissue thickness on light attenuation. The thicker tissues of A. xanthogrammica thus provide a favorable environment for E. marina – a relatively stress-susceptible symbiont – and may explain its higher prevalence and expanded range in A. xanthogrammica along the Pacific coast of North America. Our findings also support a photoprotective role for thicker host tissues in reef corals that has long been thought to influence variability in bleaching susceptibility among coral taxa.
Smelling, feeling, tasting and touching: behavioral and neural integration of antennular chemosensory and mechanosensory inputs in the crayfish
Authors: Mellon DeForest
Published: June 2012

Crustaceans possess two pairs of prominent, movable sense organs on the rostral aspect of their bodies termed antennae: (1) a relatively short, usually bifurcate pair, the 1st antennae, also referred to as antennules, and (2) a much longer, uniramous pair, the 2nd antennae, or just ‘antennae’. The antennules are equipped with diverse arrays of six or more types of cuticular setae, most of which are believed to have a sensory function. Axons from these structures course within the antennular nerve to the deutocerebrum, a large middle brain region that is known to receive chemoreceptor and mechanoreceptor inputs. In crayfish, axons from two kinds of single sensory-function setae, the olfactory receptor aesthetasc sensilla and as yet unidentified hydrodynamic sensilla, on the lateral antennular flagellum terminate, respectively, within the ipsilateral olfactory lobe and the lateral antennular neuropil of the deutocerebrum, where their activity generates synaptic potentials in local interneurons having dendritic fields that span both of those regions. It has been suggested that the short-latency hydrodynamic input gates or otherwise supplements the olfactory input signals. Much less is known about the functional capabilities of the other sensillar types on the antennular flagella, including the bimodal sensilla: how their inputs are distributed to the various neuropils of the deutocerebrum, whether they target common or separate brain neurons, and the nature, if any, of their functional relationships to the aesthetasc and hydrodynamic sensilla. Integrated processing of chemical and hydrodynamic signals undoubtedly plays an important role in locating odorant sources, perhaps by detecting boundaries of odorant plumes (tropotactic discrimination); other less-plausible strategies include time averaging of turbulent odorant signals and determination of concentration slopes within turbulence-generated odorant patches. These gaps in our understanding present important, but surmountable, experimental challenges for the future.
How forelimb and hindlimb function changes with incline and perch diameter in the green anole,Anolis carolinensis
Authors: Foster Kathleen L. , Higham Timothy E.
Published: June 2012

The range of inclines and perch diameters in arboreal habitats poses a number of functional challenges for locomotion. To effectively overcome these challenges, arboreal lizards execute complex locomotor behaviors involving both the forelimbs and the hindlimbs. However, few studies have examined the role of forelimbs in lizard locomotion. To characterize how the forelimbs and hindlimbs differentially respond to changes in substrate diameter and incline, we obtained three-dimensional high-speed video of green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) running on flat (9 cm wide) and narrow (1.3 cm) perches inclined at 0, 45 and 90 deg. Changes in perch diameter had a greater effect on kinematics than changes in incline, and proximal limb variables were primarily responsible for these kinematic changes. In addition, a number of joint angles exhibited greater excursions on the 45 deg incline compared with the other inclines. Anolis carolinensis adopted strategies to maintain stability similar to those of other arboreal vertebrates, increasing limb flexion, stride frequency and duty factor. However, the humerus and femur exhibited several opposite kinematic trends with changes in perch diameter. Further, the humerus exhibited a greater range of motion than the femur. A combination of anatomy and behavior resulted in differential kinematics between the forelimb and the hindlimb, and also a potential shift in the propulsive mechanism with changes in external demand. This suggests that a better understanding of single limb function comes from an assessment of both forelimbs and hindlimbs. Characterizing forelimb and hindlimb movements may reveal interesting functional differences between Anolis ecomorphs. Investigations into the physiological mechanisms underlying the functional differences between the forelimb and the hindlimb are needed to fully understand how arboreal animals move in complex habitats.
Does the patient-centred medical home work? A critical synthesis of research on patient-centred medical homes and patient-related outcomes
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey A , Bae Daniel
Published: June 2012

Health-care systems in the USA and most of western Europe face challenges in the coordination and integration of care for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions. In response to these problems, interest in the patient-centred medical home (PCMH) model has increased significantly in recent years in the USA, with PCMH implementation underway in a wide variety of pratice settings across the country. Despite this enthusiasm, there have been relatively few attempts to examine the empirical evidence on the effects of PCMH on quality and access-related outcomes for patients. This article reviews findings from empirical evaluations of the effects of PCMH on patient-related outcomes and critically examines methodological and conceptual issues in the growing body of PCMH literature. The results of this review suggest that published evaluations are predominantly weighted towards findings that indicate that PCMH is associated with a wide range of positive patient outcomes. However, methodological and measurement issues present in much of this research should be considered when evaluating these findings. The article concludes with recommendations for future PCMH evaluation.
Assessing governance theory and practice in health-care organizations: a survey of UK hospices
Authors: Chambers Naomi , Benson Lawrence , Boyd Alan , Girling Jeff
Published: June 2012

This paper sets out a theoretical framework for analyzing board governance, and describes an empirical study of corporate governance practices in a subset of non-profit organizations (hospices in the UK). It examines how practices in hospice governance compare with what is known about effective board working. We found that key strengths of hospice boards included a strong focus on the mission and the finances of the organizations, and common weaknesses included a lack of involvement in strategic matters and a lack of confidence, and some nervousness about challenging the organization on the quality of clinical care. Finally, the paper offers suggestions for theoretical development particularly in relation to board governance in non-profit organizations. It develops an engagement theory for boards which comprises a triadic proposition of high challenge, high support and strong grip.
Inexpensive, realtime tele-ultrasound using a commercial, web-based video streaming device
Authors: Paulus Yannis M , Thompson Noel P
Published: June 2012

We have devised an inexpensive, web-based tele-ultrasound system using commercially-available video streaming equipment. We examined the spatial and grey scale resolution, and the delay time of the system. The receiving PC was tested at various distances from the transmitting site, from 3.2 km to 4828 km. Standard resolution targets and echocardiography movie strips recorded on DVDs were used to assess the image quality. A qualitative assessment was made by an expert sonographer. As the distance between the transmitter and the receiver increased, the scan smoothness decreased and the delay increased. At a distance of 3.2 km the delay was 2–3 s, and at 4828 km it was 10–15 s. The delay was short enough to allow realtime guidance of the scanning technician by telephone. The system allows inexpensive, readily available, realtime tele-ultrasonography.
Near real-time echocardiography teleconsultation using low bandwidth and MPEG-4 compression: feasibility, image adequacy and clinical implications
Authors: Barbier Paolo , Vecchia Laura Dalla , Mirra Gianluca , Di Marco Silvia , Cavoretto Dario
Published: June 2012

We assessed the feasibility, image adequacy and clinical utility of a tele-echocardiography service which combined video compression with low-bandwidth store-and-forward transmission. Echocardiograms were acquired by a hospital geriatrician, compressed and transmitted using both near real-time (urgent) and delayed (pre-programmed) protocols via an Internet connection to the notebook PC of a remote cardiologist. Clinical utility was evaluated as a change in therapeutic management. During a one-year period, 101 tele-echocardiography consultations were successfully performed (feasibility = 100%) on 95 patients (age 22–95 years), admitted with cardiovascular or neurological diagnoses (24% of the consultations were urgent). In total, 4617 files (1.4 GByte of data) were transmitted, 2669 of which were short video clips. On average, 46 files (13.8 MByte) were transmitted (mean duration 10 min) at each examination. Consultations (both urgent and pre-programmed) were clinically useful in 83% of examinations. Logistic regression analysis showed that both a low left ventricular systolic function and the examination indication were determinants of clinical utility. The transmitted images were considered adequate for diagnosis in 100% of the pre-programmed teleconsultations. Tele-echocardiography using MPEG-4 video compression is a feasible, adequate and clinically useful tool for telemedicine.
Assessing children's speech intelligibility and oral structures, and functions via an Internet-based telehealth system
Authors: Waite Monique C , Theodoros Deborah G , Russell Trevor G , Cahill Louise M
Published: June 2012

We examined the validity and reliability of an Internet-based telehealth system for screening speech intelligibility and oro-motor structure, and function in children with speech disorders. Twenty children aged 4-9 years were assessed by a clinician in the conventional, face-to-face (FTF) manner; simultaneously, they were assessed by a second clinician via the videoconferencing system using a 128-kbit/s Internet connection. Speech intelligibility in conversation was rated and an informal assessment of oro-motor structure and function was conducted. There was a high level of agreement between the online and FTF speech intelligibility ratings, with 70% exact agreement and 100% close agreement (within ± point on a 5-point scale). The weighted kappa statistic revealed very good agreement between raters (kappa = 0.86). Data for online and FTF ratings of oro-motor function revealed overall exact agreement of 73%, close agreement of 96%, moderate or good strength of agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.48–0.74), and poor to fair agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.12–0.36). Intra- and inter-rater reliability measures (ICCs) were similar between the online and FTF assessments. Low levels of agreement for some oro-motor variables highlighted the subjectivity of this assessment. However, the overall results support the validity and reliability of Internet-based screening of speech intelligibility and oro-motor function in children with speech disorders.
Petroleum System and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Characteristics in the Wenchang and Enping Formations in the Huizhou Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, China
Authors: Jiang Zhenglong , Zhu Junzhang , Deng Hongwen , Hou Dujie
Published: June 2012

Conventional oil and gas reservoirs are in the Oligocene and later formations in the Huizhou Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China, and oil & gas were generated by the source rocks in the Eocene Wenchang and Eocene-Oligocene Enping Formations. However, exploration paradigm shift has been made in the Sag with the depletion of conventional reservoirs and recent oil and gas discoveries in the Wenchang and Enping Formations, and Wenchang and Enping become the new targets of exploration. With more detailed researches to evaluate the exploration potential in the two conventional source rock formations, basic factors of the petroleum system are analyzed based on seismic data, well drilling, and lab measurements. We used sequence stratigraphy and statistics to research thickness trend of source rock. Different from discontinuous distribution of lake basin during the Wenchang formation deposition suggested by predecessors, as the major source rock in the Wenchang Formation, SQ2 whose dominant facies are deep lakes and shallow lakes is present widely with thickness varies from 200 meters to 1000 meters, and the thickest source rocks locate in the Huixi, Luxi and Huidong half-grabens. Both the Wenchang and Enping formations contain multiple source rock-reservoirseal combinations. We conduct a detailed study on the petroleum system in the deeper reservoir-cap combinations in the Huizhou Sag. The study results in the hydrocarbon generation and migration timing. Reservoirs are classified based on the multi-stage structural movements and multi-stage hydrocarbon generations. We address the controlling effect of the structure evolution on hydrocarbon accumulation. Finally, we build a relationship between reservoir quality and structural units in the study area, and helps reduce the risks of the exploration and production in the Huizhou Sag.
Organic Geochemical Characteristics of Source Rocks in the Mizhi Region of Ordos Basin
Authors: Meng Zhiqiang , Ji Hongguang , Qin Shenjun , Zhao Cunliang
Published: June 2012

To study the distribution relationship between salt rocks and oil-and-gas in Mizhi region of the Ordos Basin, a detailed research was conducted to assess the organic geochemical characteristics of the source rocks. The results show that the Pr/Ph (pristane/phytane) ratios are higher than 1 and that the content of chloroform bitumen “A” is lower in the Triassic and highest in the Carboniferous strata. From the Triassic to the Ordovician, the maturity is increased but the ratio of aliphatic to aromatic hydrocarbons is decreased with the depth, which is possibly related to the high salinity levels in the region. Long-chain n-alkanes are absent in the Carboniferous, whereas they are observed in the Ordovician. The aromatic chromatograms show that the naphthalene content increases with depth and is consistant with maturity. β-carotene and dehydrovitamin E were detected, which may indicate the presence of marine and reducing environments. The Triassic, Permian and Carboniferous sediments can be classified as source rocks.
Controlling Factors of Overpressure Formation in the Yinggehai Basin
Authors: Zhifeng Wan , Bin Xia , Qiuhua Shi , Feng Guo , Song Cai
Published: June 2012

There are many previous studies on the formation mechanism of overpressure in sedimentary basins. The Yinggehai Basin is a typical strike-slip extensional basin with obvious overpressure phenomenon. Yinggehai Formation begins to appear overpressure in Central Diapir Zone with the depth of less than 2000 m. Undercompacted, hydrocarbon generation are the two main mechanisms for the formation of overpressure in Yinggehai Basin. Controlled by tectonic movements, Yinggehai Basin develops four kinds of structure-sedimentary patterns, and has a large deposition/subsidence rate formed thick mudstone layers. The thick mudstone layers not only form the undercompacted sedimentary background, also are good source rocks. Affected by Cenozoic lithospheric thinning, the Red River strike-slip fault activity and magmatic activity of local areas, Yinggehai Basin has high geo-temperature and high heat flow values which are conducive to hydrocarbon generation. This paper's study shows that tectonic movements control sedimentary facies types and distribution, deposition/subsidence rate, and geothermal field. Both of the two main mechanisms (undercompaction, hydrocarbon generation) of overpressure in Yinggehai Basin are all controlled by the tectonic movements. Therefore, the tectonic movements are the main controlling factor of overpressure formation in Yinggehai Basin.
Laboratory Study of Gas Permeability and Cleat Compressibility for CBM/ECBM in Chinese Coals
Authors: Zheng Guiqiang , Pan Zhejun , Chen Zhongwei , Tang Shuheng , Connell Luke D. , Zhang Songhang , Wang Bo
Published: June 2012

Coal permeability is regarded as one of the most critical parameters for the success of coalbed methane recovery. It is also a key parameter for enhanced coalbed methane recovery via CO2 and/or N2 injection. Coal permeability is sensitive to stress and cleat compressibility is often used to describe how sensitive the permeability change to stress change for coal reservoirs. Coalbed methane exploration and production activities and interest of enhanced coalbed methane recovery increased dramatically in China in recent years, however, how permeability and cleat compressibility change with respect to gas species, effective stress and pore pressure have not been well understood for Chinese coals, despite that they are the key parameters for primary and enhanced coalbed methane production. In this work, two dry Chinese bituminous coal samples from Qinshui Basin and Junggar Basin are studied. Four gases, including He, N2, CH4 and CO2 are used to study permeability behaviour with respect to different effective stresses, pore pressures, and temperatures. The effective stress is up to 5 MPa and pore pressure is up to 7 MPa. Permeability measurements are also carried out at highest pore pressures for each adsorbing gas, at three temperatures, 35, 40 and 45°C. The experimental results show that gas species, effective stress and pore pressure all have significant impact on permeability change for both coal samples. Moreover, the results demonstrate that cleat compressibility is strongly dependent on effective stress. More importantly, the results show that cleat compressibility is also strongly dependent on pore pressure. Cleat compressibility initially decreases with pore pressure increase then it increases slightly at higher pore pressures. However, temperature only has marginal impact on permeability and cleat compressibility change.
Recoverable Potential of Coalbed Methane in the Wangying-Liujia Depression, Fuxin Basin, China
Authors: Lin Xiaoying , Su Xianbo , Zeng Jianhui
Published: June 2012

The Wangying-Liujia depression in the Fuxin basin covers a 20 km2 area and has abundant coalbed methane resource with in-place gas resource 51.81 × 108 m3. Compared with the basins where coalbed methane (CBM) development is successful, the recoverable potential of CBM is evaluated in the investigated district. In the Lower Cretaceous Fuxin Formation, the coal seams are thick (averagely 35.21 m – 42.96 m), the coal adsorption capacity is comparatively high with about 18∼34 m3/t, and the gas content is relatively high (8 m3/t – 10 m3/t). Vertical lithological sealing, lateral fault sealing and hydrodynamics are favorable for the preservation of CBM. Thermogenic gas generated at the end of early Cretaceous and Himalayan Orogeny is the main gas source. Secondary biogenic gas generated from the end of the Cretaceous to now increases gas content. All these provide resource basis for CBM development, and the recoverable resources is 15.543 × 108 m3. Though the permeability is low (well test 0.323 md – 0.469 md), coal can be fractured to improve the reservoir permeability. The coal reservoir is saturated gas or oversaturated, and the ratio of critical pressure to reservoir pressure is high (>0.74), which indicates that a little pressure need be decreased to make CBM desorbed from coal matrix and gas production. In one word, there are preferable recoverable potential in Wangying-Liujia depression, especially in the area limited by Piangan F2 fault, Liujia F2 and β5–2 dike. At present, 17 CBM production wells with 50 000 m3 per day operate in this area.
Noise Problems in Restaurants
Authors: Rindel Jens Holger
Published: June 2012

The gathering of many people in restaurants, bars, canteens and other kinds of eating establishments is often very noisy, and for that reason verbal communication can be difficult, or even impossible for people with reduced hearing capacity. Although a complicated acoustical problem due to the feed-back influence of noise on the speech level, a simple prediction model for the ambient noise level due the speech is suggested. It is found that the noise level increases by 6 dB if the number of people is doubled. In order to achieve a sufficient quality of verbal communication a high volume and a short reverberation time is needed. A minimum of 3–4 m2 absorption area per person is needed for sufficient conditions, and 6–8 m2 for satisfactory conditions. It is suggested to label the rooms with the “Acoustical capacity”, i.e. number of people which should not be surpassed for sufficient quality of verbal communication.
Segmented Constraining Layer Damping Treatments for Bogie Wheel
Authors: Yan Bijuan , Sun Dagang , Song Yong , Zhang Xin
Published: June 2012

A new type of composite bogie wheel is introduced in this paper. To understand its mechanical characteristics, a crawler bulldozer, operated under different working conditions, was taken as an application example, and a numerical model of the new composite bogie wheel has been established and analyzed. The analysis result shows that the new composite bogie wheel can meet the strength requirement. To verify finite-element (FE) result, an electro-hydraulic servo and program-controlled testing machine were used to measure the deformation of the bogie wheel specimen. The obtained experimental result indicates a good agreement with result from FE analysis. Finally, a contrast experiment was conducted in a practical crawler bulldozer, and the result shows that reductions of the vibration level may reach 5 dB to more than 9dB by the use of the new composite bogie wheel. The result in this article is helpful to the further development of high-performance bogie wheels used in crawler construction vehicles.
Image‐Guided Abdominal Surgery and Therapy Delivery
Authors: Galloway Robert L. , Herrell S. Duke , Miga Michael I.
Published: June 2012

Image‐Guided Surgery has become the standard of care in intracranial neurosurgery providing more exact resections while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Moving that process to abdominal organs presents additional challenges in the form of image segmentation, image to physical space registration, organ motion and deformation. In this paper, we present methodologies and results for addressing these challenges in two specific organs: the liver and the kidney.
Optimization of Post-Fire Residual Compressive Strenghth of Concrete by Taguchi Method
Authors: Rahim A. , Sharma U. , Murugesan K. , Sharma A. , Arora P.
Published: June 2012

This paper presents results of an experimental study undertaken to optimize the residual compressive strength of heated concrete with respect to various mix design parameters using the Taguchi method. The design of experiments (DoE) was carried out by standard L9 (34) orthogonal array (OA) of four factors with three material parameter levels. The factors considered were water-cement ratio, cement content, super-plasticizer dosage and fine aggregate content. The specimens were heated up to 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C target temperatures and were subsequently tested under axial compressive loads in cooled condition. Based on the results, the material parameter responses of optimum performance characteristics were analyzed by statistical analysis of signal to noise ratio (S/N) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques to maximize the post-fire residual compressive strength of concrete. The results indicate that the best level of control factors paid their own contribution of compressive strength at various elevated temperatures. The confirmation tests corroborated the theoretical optimum test conditions.
Execution Risk in High-Frequency Arbitrage
Authors: Kozhan Roman , Tham Wing Wah
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we investigate the role of execution risk in high-frequency trading through arbitrage strategies. We show that if rational agents face uncertainty about completing their arbitrage portfolios, then arbitrage is limited even in markets with perfect substitutes and convertibility. Using a simple model, we demonstrate that this risk arises from the crowding effect of competing arbitrageurs entering the same trade and inflicting negative externalities on each other. Our empirical results provide evidence that support the relevance of execution risk in high-frequency arbitrage.

This paper was accepted by Wei Xiong, finance.
Effect of Sodium Nitroprusside on the Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiothoracic Surgery
Authors: Bolesta Scott , Aungst Timothy D , Kong Fanhui
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication following cardiothoracic surgery and is associated with an increase in morbidity, mortality, and cost. One small prospective study of patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery has demonstrated a decrease in the risk of POAF with the use of sodium nitroprusside.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether there is an association between intraoperative sodium nitroprusside use and the incidence of POAF.

METHODS:

A retrospective cohort of 1025 patients aged 18 years and older who underwent any cardiac surgery between April 2007 and July 2010 was evaluated at Regional Hospital of Scranton. Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation, those who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery, or those undergoing surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation were excluded. The primary outcome was the odds of developing POAF given the utilization of sodium nitroprusside during cardiothoracic surgery. POAF was defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database version 2.61 as a new onset of atrial fibrillation/flutter requiring treatment that was not present preoperatively. Data on use of intraoperative sodium nitroprusside were obtained from the pharmacy department's billing database.

RESULTS:

The final analysis included 699 patients; 473 received sodium nitroprusside. The incidence of POAF was 25.4% in the sodium nitroprusside group and 27.9% in the control group. Univariate analysis demonstrated no association of sodium nitroprusside with POAF (OR 0.880; 95% CI 0.615 to 1.257). Multivariate analysis also showed no significant difference in the odds of POAF with sodium nitroprusside (OR 0.827; 95% CI 0.565 to 1.210). Repeating the analysis in 276 propensity score–matched patients also failed to demonstrate any association (OR 0.774; 95% CI 0.454 to 1.319).

CONCLUSIONS:

There was no significant association between the use of sodium nitroprusside during cardiothoracic surgery and POAF.
Safety of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis
Authors: Baker William L , White William B
Published: June 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the literature supporting the safe use of mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) in patients with end-stage renal disease who are receiving hemodialysis.

DATA SOURCES:

A review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE (1950 through week 2 of February 2012) using the key words and MeSH terms mineralocorticoid antagonists, aldosterone antagonists, spironolactone, or eplerenone combined with dialysis, renal disease, or kidney disease.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Studies eligible for inclusion evaluated the impact of MRAs on serum potassium levels in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. Data related to the patient populations and outcomes of interest were extracted from each publication.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Ten studies were included in this review (spironolactone, 9; eplerenone, 1) and reported on the impact of MRAs on potassium levels in this population. In aggregate, the studies, with spironolactone doses ranging from 25 mg 3 times/week after dialysis to 300 mg/day and eplerenone doses of 25 mg twice daily, have shown little increases in serum potassium, particularly with the lower doses. The overall incidence of severe hyperkalemia was low. The literature base is limited by significant methodologic weaknesses of the studies, including low patient numbers, short follow-up periods, and lack of a blinded control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current literature suggests that MRAs may be used safely in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis, although additional large controlled trials are needed before definitive treatment recommendations can be made.
The victim, the wicked and the ignored: Representation of mentally ill perpetrators of violent crime in news reports in the Norwegian, Swedish and Lithuanian press
Authors: Ljuslinder Karin , Morlandstø Lisbeth , Mataityte-Dirziene Jurga
Published: June 2012

News media reporting on mental illness in western countries shows that mentally ill persons are mostly portrayed as dangerous and as perpetrators of violent crimes. A comparison with news media in a post-Soviet nation shows the same result. A Lithuanian non governmental organization
initiated a quantitative analysis on media reporting on mentally ill persons in comparison with Norway and Sweden. The most common topic in all three nations was violent crime stories. This article discusses some of the results from the quantitative study of 566 news articles in autumn 2008,
and offers a deepened discussion about the reporting on violent crime stories with a mentally ill perpetrator via an exploratory qualitative analysis of one violent crime case from each nation.
Imprisoned by Dutroux: An ethnography of guilty houses in Belgium
Authors: Snikers Maloe , Reijnders Stijn
Published: June 2012

This article focuses on the guilty houses of the Belgian kidnapper, child rapist and child murderer, Marc Dutroux. Our aim is to explore which role the houses of Dutroux fulfil in the collective memory of this traumatic, highly mediated affair. In total, sixteen in-depth interviews
have been carried out with spokespeople of the local governments, neighbouring residents and local entrepreneurs in the tourist industry. Additionally, two discussion forums have been analysed. Results show that the houses of Dutroux fulfil a problematic role within the collective memory of
the Dutroux affair. On the one hand, there is the need to retain the memory of this painful affair, often accompanied by placing tangible objects at the locations by the municipalities. On the other hand, a need to forget can be identified. We conclude that feelings of guilt and shame related
to the Dutroux case seem to spill over to its spatial surroundings with his guilty houses playing the leading role.
The making of a popular hero: Sherlock Holmes in early Danish media culture
Authors: Lauridsen Palle Schantz
Published: June 2012

Based on questions of genre and generic modulation, this article traces the making of Sherlock Holmes as a popular hero in Denmark. Its central historical claim is that a long-forgotten theatrical play made a significant contribution to this process. The play Sherlock Holmes was written
by Danish writer Walter Christmas as an – officially unacknowledged – adaptation of a likewise popular American play by William Gillette. Christmas’ play (and other Holmes plays) swept across the entire country of Denmark for a major part of 1902 following its Copenhagen
opening on 26 December 1901. From a generic point of view, the stories and the play diverge significantly. The play, its relationship with the stories, its generic modulations and the ways in which it was perceived by newspapers and audiences of the period together form the basis for the theoretical
explorations of the article, which claims that the generic modulations from the stories to the play are due to the preferences and expectations of readers and theatrical audiences, respectively. Empirically, the article is based on material – the play, the reviews, newspaper announcements
and other archival material – which has not been scrutinized before.
Crime scenes: Conceptualizing Ystad as location in the Swedish and the British Wallander TV crime series
Authors: Waade Anne Marit
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this article is to illuminate the significance of locations in TV series, in particular in crime series. The author presents different theoretical approaches on settings and landscapes in TV series and crime stories. By analysing both the Swedish and the British versions
of the Wallander series, the author examines the various types of location used, focusing especially on their dramaturgic and aesthetic roles, and on the various ways in which locations are conceptualized in the two series. The analysis also includes extra materials on the DVDs. Finally, the
author discusses some theoretical and methodological challenges of analysing the significance and impact of locations in TV productions.