bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An active vibration control system with decoupling scheme for linear periodically time-varying systems
Authors: Wang Junfang , Mak Cheuk Ming
Published: September 2014

For the active vibration control (AVC) of periodically time-varying systems, the filtered-x least mean squares (FXLMS) method is widely applied. Many AVC systems based on FXLMS employ two coupled adaptive processes – online modeling or identification and controller updating – to track the parametric change and realize the real-time updating of the control signal. Errors in one process can affect the other. When one process converges, it takes several steps for the other process to converge. After they both converge, it is difficult to tell whether the controller is optimal or not. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the influence of the coupling effect and perform a rigorous derivation. In this study, the new AVC system adopts adaptive identification and non-adaptive control to avoid the coupling effect, and the necessary condition for decoupling is obtained. This condition guarantees that the optimal controller can be obtained the moment the system identification process converges, and meanwhile boosts the convergence of the identification process. The robustness of the identification process with the self-tuning mechanism and the optimization of the controller are proved by rigorous derivation. A simple but representative numerical verification is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed AVC system.
Language Matters
Authors: Cosenza Julie
Published: September 2014

How are ways of knowing legitimized and delegitimized in higher education? Dyslexic ways of knowing stem from the process of being institutionally disciplined out of certain ways of knowing and the social interaction that accompany this process. A dyslexic methodology resembles some core characteristics of collage and performative writing: collage with its multiple meanings and non-linear structure and performative writing with its focus on the body and creative use of symbols. Informed by dyslexic ways of knowing, a dyslexic methodology resembles collage and performative writing and works to destabilize normative knowledge production in higher education.
Assessment of 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one as a Potential Endocrine Disrupting Chemical in Rats Using the Hershberger and Uterotrophic Bioassays
Authors: Quinn M. J. , Bannon D. I. , Jackovitz A. M. , Hanna T. L. , Shiflett A. A. , Johnson M. S.
Published: September 2014

The explosive 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is an insensitive formulation developed to replace high energetics that are susceptible to accidental detonation from heat, shock, and impact. Although studies have shown NTO to be nontoxic at acute exposures, recent subacute and subchronic tests have demonstrated effects on testes and subsequent sperm production in rats. This study assessed endocrine disruption as a potential mechanism for these reproductive effects via the Hershberger and uterotrophic bioassays. These assays are 2 of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s tier 1 in vivo screens for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program that measure differences in androgen- and estrogen-sensitive tissue weights in castrated and ovariectomized rats. The gonadectomized rats were orally exposed to NTO in a corn oil vehicle at doses of 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw)/d for 10 and 3 days for the Hershberger and uterotrophic assays, respectively, according to standard protocols. Male rats also received testosterone (0.2 mg/kg/d, subcutaneous) and antiandrogenic flutamide (3mg/kg/d, oral) as negative and positive controls, and females received 17 α-ethynyl estradiol (0.3 µg/d, subcutaneous) as positive controls. 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one caused neither a decrease in androgen-sensitive male reproductive selected tissue (seminal vesicles with fluid/without fluid, glans penis, Cowper gland, ventral prostrate, and levator ani–bulbocavernosus) weights nor a change in uterine weights. The results of this study provide no evidence to suggest that NTO acts like an estrogenic or antiandrogenic endocrine disruptor in rats at these doses.
Urban Phantasmagorias
Authors: Duarte Fábio , Firmino Rodrigo , Crestani Andrei
Published: September 2014

Cities experienced profound changes in the early 20th century, mainly as a result of industrialization. Along with architects and urban planners, fiction writers played a part in shedding light on some perverse or still unknown consequences of technology on society. Cinema is probably the first industrial art form and was from its beginning deeply involved in the creative portrayal of these changes. This ever-present urban imagery, rooted in concrete aspects of a changing reality and supported by existing and fictional technological systems, forms what we call urban phantasmagorias. This article develops this theoretical approach through a brief analytical review of some of the emblematic films that have anticipated shifts in our cities and lifestyle, influenced by the emerging technologies of their time, focusing on Metropolis (1927), Blade Runner (1982), Alphaville (1965), and The Matrix (1999).
Aligning in and through interaction: Children getting in and out of spontaneous activity
Authors: Rendle-Short Johanna , Cobb-Moore Charlotte , Danby Susan
Published: September 2014

Spontaneous play, important for forming the basis of friendships and peer relations, is a complex activity involving the management and production of talk-in-interaction. This article focuses on the intricacies of social interaction, emphasizing the link between alignment and affiliation, and the range and importance of verbal and nonverbal interactive devices available to children. Analysis of the way in which two girls, one of whom has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, engage in spontaneous activities demonstrates the potential for interactional difficulty due to the unscripted nature of the interaction. The article argues for further research into how improvised, unscripted interactions are initiated within moment-by-moment talk, how they unfold, and how they are brought to a close in everyday contexts in order to understand how children create their social worlds.
End of life care: The experiences of advance care planning amongst family caregivers of people with advanced dementia – A qualitative study
Authors: Ashton Susan Elizabeth , Roe Brenda , Jack Barbara , McClelland Bob
Published: September 2014

Background

End of life decisions for people with advanced dementia are reported as often being difficult for families as they attempt to make appropriate and justified decisions.

Aim

To explore the experiences of advance care planning amongst family caregivers of people with advanced dementia.

Design

Qualitative research including a series of single cases (close family relatives).

Methods

A purposive sample of 12 family caregivers within a specialist dementia unit was interviewed about their experiences of advance care planning between August 2009 and February 2010.

Results/Findings

Family caregivers need encouragement to ask the right questions during advance care planning to discuss the appropriateness of nursing and medical interventions at the end of life.

Conclusions

Advance care planning can be facilitated with the family caregiver in the context of everyday practice within the nursing home environment for older people with dementia.
The clinical burden of type 2 diabetes in patients with acute coronary syndromes: Prognosis and implications for short- and long-term management
Authors: Katz Pamela , Leiter Lawrence A , Mellbin Linda , Rydén Lars
Published: September 2014

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Cardiometabolic risk factors, including hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, increased visceral fat and inflammation, are associated with increased risk in this population and represent potential targets for treatment. In this review, management strategies for patients with T2DM post-ACS, both in the acute-care setting and in the long-term, are discussed. Although the benefits of long-term, aggressive, multifactorial risk factor modification are well established, a significant burden of recurrent events remains and the search for novel strategies continues. Several studies are assessing the potential cardiovascular (CV) benefits and safety of various classes of newer agents. Of these, AleCardio (aleglitazar), Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes With Alogliptin versus Standard of Care in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Acute Coronary Syndrome (EXAMINE; alogliptin) and Evaluation of LIXisenatide in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA; lixisenatide) specifically address patients with type 2 diabetes post-ACS. The mechanisms of action of these new therapies and aims of the CV outcome studies are briefly reviewed. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase worldwide highlighting the need for new strategies that address the complex underlying processes that drive atherosclerosis and CV events in this high-risk patient population.
Fly Like an Eagle
Authors: Frick Bernd , Scheel Friedrich
Published: September 2014

We investigate the impact of individual performance and competitive pressure on the duration of ski jumpers’ careers. We find that the degree of competition in the respective national associations has a statistically significant impact on individual career duration: Poorly performing athletes have a higher survival probability if they cannot be replaced (i.e., if the jumpers with whom they compete for the limited number of slots in their national team perform even worse). Moreover, “superstars”—(former) World Champions—can expect significantly longer careers as their nominations seem to be justified by their past success rather than by their current performance.
Urban Policy in Disguise
Authors: Ryberg-Webster Stephanie
Published: September 2014

In 1976, the federal government adopted tax incentives to engage the private sector in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings. This article examines the development and evolution of federal tax policy related to historic preservation, focusing on four major pieces of legislation: the Tax Reform Act of 1976, the Revenue Act of 1978, the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, and the Tax Reform Act of 1986. From the outset, the motivations behind federal tax incentives for preservation were as much about urban revitalization, as they were about preserving historic resources. Furthermore, the history of federal preservation tax incentives, which often benefited from bipartisan support, sheds light on current debates about amending, enhancing, or eliminating the current historic rehabilitation tax credit.
Planning and Recovery Following the Great 1976 Tangshan Earthquake
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhang Chun , Drake William , Olshansky Robert
Published: September 2014

The recovery of Tangshan following the Great 1976 Earthquake was an illustrative microcosm of the planning culture and the evolving national politics in China. The early recovery planning was driven by the central state’s ideological priorities. The national reform that started in the late 1970s catalyzed China’s shift toward a more pragmatic development approach. Within this changing national context, the Tangshan recovery plan was fundamentally adjusted in 1982. Although the earthquake recovery was a long, turbulent process, Tangshan ultimately emerged with a vastly improved built environment. This allowed the city to better capitalize on the national economic reforms after the earthquake recovery was completed.
Electroencephalographic Changes of Brain Oscillatory Activity After Upper Limb Somatic Sensation Training in a Patient With Somatosensory Deficit After Stroke
Authors: Gandolfi Marialuisa , Formaggio Emanuela , Geroin Christian , Storti Silvia Francesca , Boscolo Galazzo Ilaria , Waldner Andreas , Manganotti Paolo , Smania Nicola
Published: September 2014

The development of an innovative functional assessment procedure based on the combination of electroencephalography (EEG) and robot-assisted upper limb devices may provide new insights into the dynamics of cortical reorganization promoted by rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in event-related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD) in alpha and beta bands in a patient with pure sensory stroke who underwent a specific rehabilitation program for somatic sensation recovery. A 49-year-old, right-handed woman (time since stroke, 12 months) with severe upper limb somatic sensation deficits was tested using validated clinical scales and a standardized video-EEG system combined with the Bi-Manu-Track robot-assisted arm trainer protocol. The patient underwent a 3-month home-based rehabilitation program for promoting upper limb recovery (1 hour a day for 5 days a week). She was tested before treatment, at 1-month, and at 3-month during treatment. Results showed progressive recovery of upper limb function over time. These effects were associated with specific changes in the modulation of alpha and beta event-related synchronization/desynchronization. This unique study provides new perspectives for the assessment of functional deficits and changes in cortical activity promoted by rehabilitation in poststroke patients.
Nursing in media-saturated societies: implications for cultural safety in nursing practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Nairn Raymond , DeSouza Ruth , Barnes Angela Moewaka , Rankine Jenny , Borell Belinda , McCreanor Tim
Published: September 2014

This educational piece seeks to apprise nurses and other health professionals of mass media news practices that distort social and health policy development. It focuses on two media discourses evident in White settler societies, primarily Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, drawing out implications of these media practices for those committed to social justice and health equity. The first discourse masks the dominant culture, ensuring it is not readily recognised as a culture, naturalising the dominant values, practices and institutions, and rendering their cultural foundations invisible. The second discourse represents indigenous peoples and minority ethnic groups as ‘raced’ – portrayed in ways that marginalise their culture and disparage them as peoples. Grounded in media research from different societies, the paper focuses on the implications for New Zealand nurses and their ability to practise in a culturally safe manner as an exemplary case. It is imperative that these findings are elaborated for New Zealand and that nurses and other health professionals extend the work in relation to practice in their own society.
Spiritual wellbeing of Iranian patients with acute coronary syndromes: a cross-sectional descriptive study
Authors: Jahani Ali , Rejeh Nahid , Heravi-Karimooi Majideh , Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Jasper Melanie
Published: September 2014

Spiritual wellbeing harmonises several dimensions of human life and is essential for coping with diseases. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) cause crisis in physical, psychological aspects and spiritual dimensions of patients’ lives. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of spiritual wellbeing and its dimensions in patients with ACS. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. For data collection, Paloutzian and Ellison’s Spiritual Wellbeing Self-report Questionnaire was filled in by 364 patients with ACS. Patients referred to the cardiac wards of five teaching hospitals in Tehran between August 2011 and April 2012 were recruited using the convenience sampling method. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the majority of patients (97.9%) benefited from moderate spiritual wellbeing, although religious wellbeing was higher than existential wellbeing in the patients. It is concluded that nurses are required to improve their cultural and contextual knowledge of patients’ spiritual wellbeing to meet patients’ needs in nursing care. Spiritual beliefs can influence coping with diseases, help patients to find meaning and purpose in life to deal with problems resulting from physical and mental illnesses. These findings can be used to suggest the incorporation of religious aspects of spirituality into care programmes designed to improve the quality of life of patients with ACS.
The lost concept: The (re)emerging link between maturation and desistance from crime
Authors: Rocque Michael
Published: September 2014

Research on desistance or the process of ceasing criminal behavior has increased in recent years. This work has revealed a large number of factors that are related to desistance. To date, these explanations have been generally perceived as mutually exclusive and/or competitive. Interestingly, while research on desistance from crime has been a recent focus, certain work had examined crime over the life-course as far back as the early 20th century. In particular, the Gluecks offered one of the earliest “theories” of desistance, focusing on maturation. Their “maturation theory” was somewhat tautological and not well specified. However, the Gluecks were clear that further work was needed in order to specify what maturation means and how it relates to crime. In this article, five domains of maturation are articulated drawing on the literature in the life-course and developmental fields. It is argued that this new framework may help advance the criminological work on desistance.
Natural products as potential cancer therapy enhancers: A preclinical update
Authors: Agbarya Abed , Ruimi Nili , Epelbaum Ron , Ben-Arye Eran , Mahajna Jamal
Published: September 2014

Cancer is a multifactorial disease that arises as a consequence of alterations in many physiological processes. Recently, hallmarks of cancer were suggested that include sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis, along with two emerging hallmarks including reprogramming energy metabolism and escaping immune destruction. Treating multifactorial diseases, such as cancer with agents targeting a single target, might provide partial treatment and, in many cases, disappointing cure rates. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is strongly associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Since ancient times, plants, herbs, and other natural products have been used as healing agents. Moreover, the majority of the medicinal substances available today have their origin in natural compounds. Traditionally, pharmaceuticals are used to cure diseases, and nutrition and herbs are used to prevent disease and to provide an optimal balance of macro- and micro-nutrients needed for good health. We explored the combination of natural products, dietary nutrition, and cancer chemotherapeutics for improving the efficacy of cancer chemotherapeutics and negating side effects.
Caretakers or HR Managers
Authors: Abugre James Baba
Published: September 2014

Do human resources (HR) managers in developing countries have the clout to make strategic decisions during mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? This study aims at establishing the major roles played by HR managers in M&As of public sector companies in Ghana. The research examined the M&As of 10 Ghanaian companies where 10 HR managers gave detailed narratives of their roles and the part they played in the M&A processes. The qualitative method used to solicit the narratives of the HR managers resulted in the following findings: that HR managers in Ghana have a limited role in the planning process of the M&A; that indigenous HR managers perform several tasks in the course of the M&A to get employees stable before and after the M&A processes; nevertheless, they are not part of the policy formulators. The article makes a modest input of the significance of indigenous HR role in international M&As as a panacea to solving the global crises by advocating the empowerment of HR managers in developing context to be partners in the initial commencement of M&As.
Minimum wage levels across Southeast Asia: Trends and issues
Authors: Ra Hee-Ryang
Published: September 2014

This study examines the minimum wage system of major Southeast Asian countries and the trends and issues of minimum wages across Southeast Asian countries. In addition, a minimum wage determining model is set up with regard to macroeconomic variables, and the minimum wage determining mechanism is analyzed based on the estimation. By comparing the actual minimum wage growth and expected one in the years of 2012 and 2013, the difference is discussed in this regard. We examine the causes of minimum wage increase as well. The rapid increase in minimum wages in many Southeast Asian countries, indeed, is different from the existing change patterns. In particular, the difference between the actual minimum wage growth and expected one in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam is outstandingly higher than the previous averages. Such a rapid minimum wage increase indicates the greater effect of political and non-economic factors than that of conventional economic deciding variables.
The Runx-PU.1 pathway preserves normal and AML/ETO9a leukemic stem cells
Authors: Staber Philipp B. , Zhang Pu , Ye Min , Welner Robert S. , Levantini Elena , Di Ruscio Annalisa , Ebralidze Alexander K. , Bach Christian , Zhang Hong , Zhang Junyan , Vanura Katrina , Delwel Ruud , Yang Henry , Huang Gang , Tenen Daniel G.
Published: September 2014

Key Points

Runx factors are critical for HSC function, preventing HSC exhaustion by maintaining levels of PU.1. Runx factors are required for leukemia survival by maintaining the stemness of leukemic cells through their downstream target PU.1.
Impact of interferon-γ on hematopoiesis
Authors: de Bruin Alexander M. , Voermans Carlijn , Nolte Martijn A.
Published: September 2014

The proinflammatory cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is well known for its important role in innate and adaptive immunity against intracellular infections and for tumor control. Yet, it has become clear that IFN-γ also has a strong impact on bone marrow (BM) output during inflammation, as it affects the differentiation of most hematopoietic progenitor cells. Here, we review the impact of IFN-γ on hematopoiesis, including the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and more downstream progenitors. We discuss which hematopoietic lineages are functionally modulated by IFN-γ and through which underlying molecular mechanism(s). We propose the novel concept that IFN-γ acts through upregulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling molecules, which impairs signaling of several cytokine receptors. IFN-γ has also gained clinical interest from different angles, and we discuss how chronic IFN-γ production can lead to the development of anemia and BM failure and how it is involved in malignant hematopoiesis. Overall, this review illustrates the wide-ranging effect of IFN-γ on the (patho-)physiological processes in the BM.
Early exposure to bio-contaminants and asthma up to 10 years of age: results of the HITEA study
Authors: Tischer Christina , Casas Lidia , Wouters Inge M. , Doekes Gert , Garcia-Esteban Raquel , Gehring Ulrike , Hyvärinen Anne , Oldenwening Marieke , Kerkhof Marjan , Sunyer Jordi , Standl Marie , Thiering Elisabeth , Torrent Maties , Heinrich Joachim
Published: September 2014

Inverse associations have been found between exposure to bio-contaminants and asthma and allergies. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess whether early exposure to bio-contaminants in dust is associated with asthma and allergy later in childhood among children from (sub)-urban areas.

In subsets of three European birth cohorts (PIAMA: n=553; INMA: n=481; and LISAplus: n=395), endotoxin, (1,3,)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were measured in dust from living rooms shortly after birth. Current asthma at 6 years and 10 years of age and ever asthma up to 10 years of age were assessed by parental questionnaires. Specific IgE levels at 8 years (PIAMA) and 10 years (LISAplus) were available. Adjusted, cohort-specific logistic regression analyses were performed.

Higher endotoxin concentrations were positively associated with current asthma at 6 years of age in PIAMA (adjusted OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.07–3.58), but were inversely related with ever asthma up to 10 years of age in INMA (adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.94). No associations with asthma were found for LISAplus. No associations were observed with atopic sensitisation in all cohorts. All associations with (1,3)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were statistically nonsignificant.

The suggested immunological mechanisms of early exposure to bio-contaminants with regards to asthma and allergy might be different for children growing up in (sub)-urban environments.
Microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay for the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB in HIV-infected patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wikman-Jorgensen Philip , Llenas-García Jara , Hobbins Michael , Ehmer Jochen , Abellana Rosa , Gonçalves Alessandra Queiroga , Pérez-Porcuna Tomàs Maria , Ascaso Carlos
Published: September 2014

The objective of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in HIV-infected patients.

MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, African Index Medicus, ResearchGate, SciELO, and the abstracts of the main conferences on infectious diseases and tropical medicine were searched, and other sources investigated. Only studies including HIV-infected patients evaluating MODS for the diagnosis of TB and using culture-based diagnostic tests as a gold standard were analysed. Summary sensitivity and specificity were calculated with a bivariate model.

3259 citations were found, 29 were selected for full-text review and 10 studies including 3075 samples were finally analysed. Overall diagnostic accuracy of MODS for the diagnosis of TB was a sensitivity of 88.3% (95% CI 86.18–90.2%) and specificity 98.2% (95% CI 97.75–98.55%). For multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB, sensitivity was 89% (95% CI 66.07–97%) and specificity was 100% (95 CI 94.81–100%). For smear-negative pulmonary TB, a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% CI 86.1–89.9%) and specificity of 98.2% (95% CI 96.8–98.9%) were found. Costs varied between USD 0.72 and 7.31 per sample. Mean time to positivity was 8.24 days.

MODS was found to have a good accuracy for the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB in HIV-infected patients with low cost and fast results.
Macrophage activation, age and sex effects of immunometabolism in obese asthma
Authors: Periyalil Hashim A. , Wood Lisa G. , Scott Hayley A. , Jensen Megan E. , Gibson Peter G.
Published: September 2014

Obese asthma is characterised by infiltration of adipose tissue by activated macrophages and mast cells. The aim of this study was to examine the age and sex effects of immunometabolism in obese asthma.

Obese and non-obese asthmatic children and adults underwent spirometry, body composition assessment by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and measurement of serum soluble CD163 (sCD163), tryptase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other adipocytokines.

Plasma CRP (p<0.01) and leptin (p<0.01) were elevated in obese asthmatic adults, and sCD163 (p=0.003) was elevated in obese asthmatic children. We observed significantly higher sCD163 in obese female children compared to obese female adults and male children, and higher CRP in obese female adults compared to obese male children and adults. Serum tryptase concentrations were not significantly different across age groups. sCD163 positively correlated with the proportion of android fat in obese female children (r=0.70, p=0.003) and obese female adults (r=0.65, p=0.003). In obese female children, sCD163 was inversely associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted (r=−0.55, p=0.02) and was positively associated with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (r=0.57, p=0.02).

Obese children with asthma have sex-specific macrophage activation, which may contribute to worse asthma control and lung function. The heterogeneous systemic inflammatory profile across age and sex suggests the existence of sub-phenotypes in obese asthma at the molecular level.
Generalized inequalities on warped product submanifolds in nearly trans-Sasakian manifolds
Authors: Mustafa Abdulqader , Uddin Siraj , Wong Bernardine Renaldo
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we study warped product submanifolds of nearly trans-Sasakian manifolds. The non-existence of warped product semi-slant submanifolds of typeNθ×fNTis shown, whereas some characterization and new geometric obstructions are obtained for the warped products of typeNT×fNθ. We establish two general inequalities for the squared norm of the second fundamental form. The first inequality generalizes derived inequalities for some contact metric manifolds (Kadriet al.in J. Korean Math. Soc. 42:1101-1110, 2005; Munteanu in Publ. Math. (Debr.) 66:75-120, 2005; Mustafaet al.in Taiwan. J. Math. 17:1473-1486, 2013; Uddin and Khan in J. Inequal. Appl. 2012:304, 2012), while by a new technique, the second inequality is constructed to express the relation between extrinsic invariant (second fundamental form) and intrinsic invariant (scalar curvatures). The equality cases are also discussed.

MSC:53C40, 53C42, 53C15.
Do federal and state audits increase compliance with a grant program to improve municipal infrastructure (AUDIT study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: De La O Ana L , Martel García Fernando
Published: September 2014

Background

Poor governance and accountability compromise young democracies’ efforts to provide public services critical for human development, including water, sanitation, health, and education. Evidence shows that accountability agencies like superior audit institutions can reduce corruption and waste in federal grant programs financing service infrastructure. However, little is know about their effect on compliance with grant reporting and resource allocation requirements, or about the causal mechanisms. This study protocol for an exploratory randomized controlled trial tests the hypothesis that federal and state audits increase compliance with a federal grant program to improve municipal service infrastructure serving marginalized households.

Methods/Design

The AUDIT study is a block randomized, controlled, three-arm parallel group exploratory trial. A convenience sample of 5 municipalities in each of 17 states in Mexico (n=85) were block randomized to be audited by federal auditors (n=17), by state auditors (n=17), and a control condition outside the annual program of audits (n=51) in a 1:1:3 ratio. Replicable and verifiable randomization was performed using publicly available lottery numbers. Audited municipalities were included in the national program of audits and received standard audits on their use of federal public service infrastructure grants. Municipalities receiving moderate levels of grant transfers were recruited, as these were outside the auditing sampling frame – and hence audit program – or had negligible probabilities of ever being audited. The primary outcome measures capture compliance with the grant program and markers for the causal mechanisms, including deterrence and information effects. Secondary outcome measure include differences in audit reports across federal and state auditors, and measures like career concerns, political promotions, and political clientelism capturing synergistic effects with municipal accountability systems. The survey firm and research assistants assessing outcomes were blind to treatment status.

Discussion

This study will improve our understanding of local accountability systems for public service delivery in the 17 states under study, and may have downstream policy implications. The study design also demonstrates the use of verifiable and replicable randomization, and of sequentially partitioned hypotheses to reduce the Type I error rate in multiple hypothesis tests.

Trial registration

Controlled-trials.com Identifier ISRCTN22381841: Date registered 02/11/2012
Optimization of a Cisplatin Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice: Use of Vitamin C and Sodium Bicarbonate Pretreatments to Reduce Nephrotoxicity and Improve Animal Health Status
Authors: Guindon Josée , Deng Liting , Fan Baochang , Wager-Miller Jim , Hohmann Andrea G
Published: September 2014

Background:

Cisplatin, a platinum-derived chemotherapeutic agent, produces antineoplastic effects coupled with toxic neuropathic pain and impaired general health status. These side-effects complicate long term studies of neuropathy or analgesic interventions in animals. We recently demonstrated that pretreatment with sodium bicarbonate (4% NaHCO3) prior to cisplatin (3 mg/kg i.p. weekly up to 5 weeks) was associated with improved health status (i.e. normal weight gain, body temperature, creatinine and ketone levels, and kidney weight ratio) in rats (Neurosci Lett 544:41–46, 2013). To reduce the nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin treatment in mice, we compared effects of sodium bicarbonate (4% NaHCO3 s.c.), vitamin C (25 mg/kg s.c.), resveratrol (25 mg/kg s.c)*** and saline (0.9% NaCl) pretreatment on cisplatin-induced changes in animal health status, neuropathic pain and proinflammatory cytokine levels in spinal cord and kidney.

Results:

Cisplatin-treated mice receiving saline pretreatment exhibited elevated ketone, creatinine and kidney weight ratios, representative of nephrotoxicity. Vitamin C and sodium bicarbonate lowered creatinine/ketone levels and kidney weight ratio whereas resveratrol normalized creatinine levels and kidney weight ratios similar to saline pretreatment. All pretreatments were associated with decreased ketone levels compared to saline pretreatment. Cisplatin-induced neuropathy (i.e. mechanical and cold allodynia) developed equivalently in all pretreatment groups and was similarly reversed by either morphine (6 mg/kg i.p.) or ibuprofen (6 mg/kg i.p.) treatment. RT-PCR showed that mRNA levels for IL-1β were increased in lumbar spinal cord of cisplatin-treated groups pretreated with either saline, NaHCO3 or resveratrol/cisplatin-treated groups. However, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were elevated in the kidneys in all cisplatin-treated groups. Our studies also demonstrate that 60 days after the last cisplatin treatment, body weight, body temperature, kidney functions and mRNA levels have returned to baseline although the neuropathic pain (mechanical and cold) is maintained.

Conclusions:

Studies employing cisplatin should include NaHCO3 or vitamin C pretreatment to improve animal health status and reduce nephrotoxicity (lower creatinine and kidney weight ratio) without affecting the development of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy or analgesic efficacy.
Molecular effects of lapatinib in patients with HER2 positive ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Estévez Laura G , Suarez-Gauthier Ana , García Elena , Miró Cristina , Calvo Isabel , Fernández-Abad María , Herrero Mercedes , Marcos Manuel , Márquez Cristina , Lopez Ríos Fernando , Perea Sofía , Hidalgo Manuel
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification is frequent in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and is associated with poorly differentiated tumors and adverse prognosis features. This study aimed to determine the molecular effects of the HER2 inhibitor lapatinib in patients with HER2 positive DCIS.

Methods

Patients with HER2 positive DCIS received 1,500 mg daily of lapatinib for four consecutive weeks prior to surgical resection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine changes in tumor volume. The molecular effects of lapatinib on HER2 signaling (PI3K/AKT and RAS/MAPK pathways), cell proliferation (Ki67 and p27) and apoptosis (TUNEL) were determined in pre and post-lapatinib treatment samples.

Results

A total of 20 patients were included. Lapatinib was well tolerated with only minor and transient side effects. The agent effectively modulated HER2 signaling decreasing significantly pHER2 and pERK1 expression, together with a decrease in tumor size evaluated by MRI. There was no evidence of changes in Ki67.

Conclusions

Four weeks of neoadjuvant lapatinib in patients with HER2-positive DCIS resulted in inhibition of HER2 and RAS/MAPK signaling pathway.

Trial registration

2008-004492-21 (Registered June 25th 2008).
Coordinative interaction of microcrystalline chitosan with oxovanadium (IV) ions in aqueous solution
Authors: Lichawska Marta E , Bodek Kazimiera H , Jezierska Julia , Kufelnicki Aleksander
Published: September 2014

Background

Chitosan, a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide has attained great interest in pharmaceutical applications, as versatile drug delivery agent. Chitosan has been already shown to serve as vehicle for sustained drug release by chitosan-vanadium(IV) complex from a chitosan gel matrix. Therefore, chitosan gel proved to retain vanadium and preserve its insulin-mimetic efficacy. Nevertheless, there is a lack of reports concerning complexing equilibria in aqueous solution, in particular when using the more advantageous microcrystalline form of chitosan (MCCh). Microcrystalline chitosan shows a number of valuable features as compared with unmodified chitosan.

Results

Experimental studies on complexing interaction between a special form of biomaterial - microcrystalline chitosan as ligand, L = MCCh, of two exemplary degrees of deacetylation DD (lower 79.8%; higher 97.7%) with M = oxovanadium (IV) ions have been carried out potentiometrically at four ligand-to-metal concentration ratios (2:1, 5:1, 8:1, 10:1). Among the five hydrolysis equilibria of VO2+ reported up to now in the literature, under the conditions of the present work i.e. aqueous solutions of ionic strength I = 0.1 (KNO3) and temperature 25.0 ± 0.1°C, the predominating one was (VO)2(OH)2
2+ formation: log β
20-2 = -7.01(2). Analysis of potentiometric results permitted to note that degree of deacetylation does not essentially influence the coordination mode of the complexes formed. In the case of both the two DD values, as well as for all the ligand-to-metal ratios, formation of hydroxyl deprotonated MLH-1 and ML2H-2 moieties has been confirmed potentiometrically (log β
11-1 = -0.68(2) for DD = 79.8% and -0.68(2) for DD = 97.7%, log β
12-2 = -7.64(6) for DD = 79.8% and -5.38(7) for DD = 97.7%).

Conclusion

Microcrystalline chitosan coordinates the vanadyl ions by the hydroxyl groups. Interaction of MCCh with VO2+ ions in aqueous solution occurs within pH 5-7. Amounts of alkali excessive towards -NH2 are needed to deprotonate the OH groups. Deprotonation occurring at the chitosan hydroxyl groups permits a “pendant” or “bridge” model of coordination with VO(IV). Lack of complexation via deprotonation of amine groups, typical for simple cations and the molybdenum anion, has been indicated also by FTIR spectroscopy and EPR.
The use of nano-sized acicular material, sliding friction, and antisense DNA oligonucleotides to silence bacterial genes
Authors: Mitsudome Yuya , Takahama Mamiko , Hirose Jun , Yoshida Naoto
Published: September 2014

Viable bacterial cells impaled with a single particle of a nano-sized acicular material formed when a mixture containing the cells and the material was exposed to a sliding friction field between polystyrene and agar gel; hereafter, we refer to these impaled cells as penetrons. We have used nano-sized acicular material to establish a novel method for bacterial transformation. Here, we generated penetrons that carried antisense DNA adsorbed on nano-sized acicular material (α-sepiolite) by providing sliding friction onto the surface of agar gel; we then investigated whether penetron formation was applicable to gene silencing techniques. Antisense DNA was artificially synthesized as 15 or 90mer DNA oligonucleotides based on the sequences around the translation start codon of target mRNAs. Mixtures of bacterial cells with antisense DNA adsorbed on α-sepiolite were stimulated by sliding friction on the surface of agar gel for 60 s. Upon formation of Escherichia coli penetrons, β-lactamase and β-galactosidase expression was evaluated by counting the numbers of colonies formed on LB agar containing ampicillin and by measuring β-galactosidase activity respectively. The numbers of ampicillin resistant colonies and the β-galactosidase activity derived from penetrons bearing antisense DNA (90mer) was repressed to 15% and 25%, respectively, of that of control penetrons which lacked antisense DNA. Biphenyl metabolite, ring cleavage yellow compound produced by Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes penetron treated with antisense oligonucleotide DNA targeted to bphD increased higher than that lacking antisense DNA. This result indicated that expression of bphD in P. pseudoalcaligenes penetrons was repressed by antisense DNA that targeted bphD mRNA. Sporulation rates of Bacillus subtilis penetrons treated with antisense DNA (15mer) targeted to spo0A decreased to 24.4% relative to penetrons lacking antisense DNA. This novel method of gene silencing has substantial promise for elucidation of gene function in bacterial species that have been refractory to experimental introduction of exogenous DNA.
Coseismic electromagnetic field due to the electrokinetic effect
Authors: Gershenzon Naum I. , Bambakidis Gust , Ternovskiy Igor
Published: September 2014

In the earth’s crust, an electromagnetic (EM) field may be generated spontaneously by a seismic wave through a variety of mechanoelectromagnetic transducer mechanisms, such as the piezomagnetic effect, the piezoelectric effect, the electrokinetic effect, and the EM induction (the movement of an electrically conducting crust through a geomagnetic field). The coseismic EM field contains information about the structure and physical parameters of the crust, which complements that which can be obtained by purely seismic or purely EM methods. The magnitude, direction, and polarization of this field depend on the origin of the source, the type of seismic wave, and the geometry of the crust. Of the possible mechanisms mentioned above, the electrokinetic effect produces the largest magnitude of coseismic EM field. Detailed theoretical and computational calculations of the electric and magnetic fields, thus induced by a Rayleigh wave, were obtained. Several typical models of heterogeneity were considered, including horizontally stratified layers and fault like heterogeneities. We determined that the polarization and spatial distribution of the electric and magnetic fields arising from the electrokinetic effect are very specific and distinguishable from the fields generated by other sources. The expected magnitudes of electric and magnetic fields were large enough to be detected by conventional sensors and specific enough to be separated from the noise. The results obtained can be used for the interpretation of electric and magnetic disturbances observed during an earthquake and for prospecting the earth’s upper crust from depths of a few meters to a few kilometers.
Seismic imaging in and around salt bodies
Authors: Jones Ian F. , Davison Ian
Published: September 2014

Seismic imaging of evaporite bodies is notoriously difficult due to the complex shapes of steeply dipping flanks, adjacent overburden strata, and the usually strong acoustic impedance and velocity contrasts at the sediment-evaporite interface. We consider the geology of salt bodies and the problems and pitfalls associated with their imaging such as complex raypaths, seismic velocity anisotropy, P- and S-wave mode conversions, and reflected refractions. We also review recent developments in seismic acquisition and processing, which have led to significant improvements in image quality and in particular, reverse time migration. We tried to call attention to the form, nature, and consequences of these issues for meaningful interpretation of the resulting images.
Simultaneous extraction of stratigraphic sequences using iterative seismic DNA detection
Authors: Gramstad Oddgeir , Bakke Jan Oystein Haavig , Sonneland Lars , Abreu Carlos Eduardo
Published: September 2014

We developed a new stratigraphic interpretation methodology enabling extraction of stratigraphic sequences of surfaces. This methodology consisted of two main components. The first component was inspired by DNA search technology used in bioinformatics in which the goal was to detect base-pair sequences in DNA molecules. The base-pair sequences may be modified by mutations, so the search technology must be able to take such mutations into account. We have adapted this technology to search for seismic reflection sequences, acknowledging that seismic reflections were likely to vary laterally that were somewhat analogs to mutations in bioinformatics. One example of a seismic reflection sequence was a geologically sorted sequence of seismic reflectors. The second component of the workflow was how to connect the DNA hits into continuous surfaces. A quality metric was used to steer the connection process of the DNA hits in a sorted order. This workflow enabled the user to extract a sequence of surfaces simultaneously, which is crucial in seismic stratigraphic interpretation.
Introduction to this special section: Imaging migration
Authors: Biondi Biondo , Nichols Dave , Sava Paul
Published: September 2014

Modern imaging methods are slowly but surely trending toward the solution of an inverse problem, not only for the velocity-estimation phase but also for the migration step. The general direction is toward the conventional imaging two-step process of velocity estimation followed by migration being superseded by the single full-waveform inversion (FWI) process. However, today, advanced imaging workflows are hybrid, and FWI is complemented by more conventional imaging methods.
Enhanced imaging with high-resolution full-waveform inversion and reverse time migration: A North Sea OBC case study
Authors: Ratcliffe Andrew , Privitera Antonio , Conroy Graham , Vinje Vetle , Bertrand Alexandre , Lyngnes Bjarne
Published: September 2014

In a case study from the Tommeliten Alpha area of the Norwegian North Sea, imaging problems were caused by the presence of gas in the overburden. In particular, a large part of the reservoir is in a seismically obscured area (SOA) caused by the gas. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) and reverse time migration (RTM) dramatically improve the imaging from ocean-bottom cable (OBC) acquisition over the region. The FWI algorithm is pushed to 22 Hz to generate an extremely high-resolution velocity model, and RTM then becomes required to honor the complexity in the resultant velocity model. Consequently, migration is done with the FWI model to generate a high-frequency RTM image to 80 Hz. This image is approximately double the maximum frequency commonly used for RTM in the North Sea and matches that of equivalent Kirchhoff products, but with all the benefits in imaging that RTM brings, providing a subsequent impact on interpretation of the area.
Imaging complexity in the earth — Case studies with optimized ray tomography
Authors: Luo Zhijiang , Brittan John , Fan Dian , Mecham Brent , Farmer Paul , Martin Gary
Published: September 2014

When building velocity models for seismic depth imaging, a key tool used in the industry is ray-based tomography. In the past 10 years, the resolution of tomographic solutions has seen a continuous increase because of evolving sophistication in methodologies and technology. A vital issue in the data domain is accuracy and density of residual-moveout picks that are used to derive tomographic velocity-model updates. A new automated method allows for precise tracking of accurate residual moveout on prestack depth-migrated gathers and consequently the fast determination of dense, high-quality traveltime residuals for seismic tomography. Synthetic and real data examples from this method demonstrate the value that accurate information concerning local wave paths inherent in these picks brings to the problem of resolving small-scale velocity anomalies. The determination of such small-scale anomalies ultimately leads to flatter prestack depth-migrated gathers and consequently better-focused structural images.