bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progrès de la riziculture en Asie du Sud-Est (About progress of rice production in South-East Asia)
Authors: Delvert Jean
Published: February 2015

Abstract. - Rice production has been increasing very much for 25 years in South-East Asia, for instance in Burma, Thailand and Indonesia. It results from différent technical progresses.
Le « non-recours » à la couverture maladie universelle et sa mise à l'agenda de l'Assurance maladie : un phénomène qui travaille l'institution
Authors: Revil Hélèna
Published: February 2015

Depuis quelques années, le non-recours, à savoir le fait que des personnes ne bénéficient pas des droits ou des offres publiques auxquels elles peuvent prétendre (Warin, 2010), fait l’objet d’une attention croissante en France. La lutte contre le non-recours est notamment inscrite parmi les objectifs stratégiques de la branche maladie de la Sécurité sociale. Le déploiement par l’institution d’une politique en la matière ne va toutefois pas de soi. La mise en œuvre d’actions visant à limiter et à prévenir le phénomène interroge en effet les organismes d’Assurance maladie dans leurs principes d’action les plus fondamentaux et dans leur rapport aux publics. Elle questionne en parallèle les compétences des agents et l’organisation du travail pensées pour mettre en œuvre des droits de nature initialement assurantielle. Cet article revient sur le processus de mise à l’agenda du non-recours à la couverture maladie universelle (CMU) et s’intéresse à la manière dont le phénomène « travaille » l’Assurance maladie.
Effect of orally administered soy milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum LAB12 and physical exercise on murine immune responses
Authors: Appukutty M. , Ramasamy K. , Rajan S. , Vellasamy S. , Ramasamy R. , Radhakrishnan A.K.
Published: February 2015

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits through the gastrointestinal microbiota. This nutritional supplement may benefit athletes who undergo rigorous training by maintaining their gastrointestinal functions and overall health. In this study the influence of moderate physical exercise using a graded treadmill exercise, alone or in combination with the consumption of a soy product fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum LAB12 (LAB12), on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) responses was investigated in a murine model. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups of six mice each (control, exercise alone, LAB12 and LAB12 + exercise). Mice treated with the potential probiotic LAB12 were orally gavaged for 42 days. At autopsy, blood and spleen from the animals were collected. The splenocytes were cultured in the presence of a mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A). The amount of TNF-α produced by the Con A-stimulated splenocytes was quantified using ELISA, while their proliferation was determined using the [3H]-thymidine incorporation method. This study shows that LAB12-supplemented and exercise-induced mice showed marked increase (P<0.05) in cell proliferation compared to the control animals. TNF-α production was suppressed (P<0.05) in the LAB12 group compared to the untreated mice. These results demonstrate that supplementation with LAB12 has immunomodulatory effects, under conditions of moderate physical exercise, which may have implications for human athletes. Further investigation in human trials is warranted to confirm and extrapolate these findings.
Entrepreneur Social Capital, Knowledge Acquisition, and Start-Up Firm Performance
Authors: Chen Tao , Zhu Zhiming
Published: February 2015

Entrepreneurial social capital is founded on the basis of the environmental trust. It takes advantage of a series of social network resources which are built by a network of relationships and coordinate abilities, so as to realize knowledge acquisition which will promote network capacity of firm performance. In the transition process of Chinese economy, the social capital of entrepreneurs themselves have practical significance on newly-established firms which need to break through the resource constraint and realize rapid growth. The research theory has enriched the theoretical connotation of entrepreneurs' social capital. It is divided into three dimensionalities; they are environmental trust, network relation, and network capacity, and then building a good model about entrepreneurial social capital, knowledge acquisition, and start-up firm performance. According to the empirical analysis of the newly established 564 companies in Yangtze delta area, the research results show that environmental trust has positive effect on the construction of network relationship and network capacity. While the knowledge acquisition was significantly and positively correlated with the start-up firm performance, it also indicates that the relation between the environmental trust and the start-up firm performance is an inverse U shape. However, the knowledge acquisition of enterprises will promote the relationship between entrepreneurial social capital and enterprise performance, as well as announcing that only having strong entrepreneurial social capitals can get the needed knowledge. Furthermore, one needs to translate knowledge into the internal ability of enterprise. Consequently, one can get a competitive advantage. This chapter explores all of this.
Workplace Spirituality and Transformational Leadership
Authors: Mack Celeste , Udechukwu Ike , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: February 2015

Workplace spirituality or spirituality in the workplace is about employees search for meaning, purpose, and interconnectedness in the workplace. Similarly, transformational leadership is a leadership style that encourages a higher level of moral maturity and performance standard for followers. In this chapter, through a review of literature and propositional analysis, the authors demonstrate that transformational leadership has the capacity to drive employees towards meaning, purpose, and interconnectedness with the organization's goals and values. Researchers agree that transformational leadership inspires, motivates, and also attempts to connect with followers. Thus, while workplace spirituality is a potent ingredient in the modern workplace, transformational leadership is the driving force that actually transforms the workplace. Thus, the authors conclude by proposing that transformational leadership can potentially encourage and sustain workplace spirituality. Suggestions and recommendations for future empirical research are provided.
A Study on the Effect of Intellectual Capital on the Organizational Performance of Banking Sector in Malaysia
Authors: Khalique Muhammad
Published: February 2015

In the twenty first century, intellectual capital appears as one of the most important strategic assets for the success of knowledge-intensive organizations. The aim of this chapter is to examine the effect of intellectual capital on the organizational performance of banking sector operating in Kuching Malaysia. In this study, Integrated Intellectual Capital Model (IICM) is used to test the role of intellectual capital in banking sector in Kuching. This model is based on human capital, customer capital, structural capital, social capital, technological capital, and spiritual capital. This study uses a sample of 300 participants employed in banking sector to examine the role of intellectual capital. A convenience sampling technique is used to select the respondents. To achieve the objective of this study, seven research hypotheses are constructed. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the proposed research hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that all the proposed research hypotheses are not supported. The findings of this study are contrary to the previous studies. However, this study opens a new discussion in intellectual capital field. This study demands further empirical researches to affirm the role of intellectual capital in the knowledge-intensive organization.
Preventing Burnout
Authors: Johnson Irene H.
Published: February 2015

The essential administrator in higher education must maintain a healthy work-life balance. The process of attempting to balance the demands and expectations of career, personal life, interpersonal relationships, partnerships, and family has been explored extensively over the last decade. Achieving a sense of work-life balance is both physically and psychologically necessary to promote life satisfaction, wellness, and occupational success. Many challenges and responsibilities confront administrators daily, some of which they have little or no control over and are commonly labeled as stressors. A large number of publications and media address the topics of stress and burnout-related health issues which may lead to chronic illnesses. This chapter explores stress and strategies to help individuals in administrative careers cope with the day-to-day stressful events and/or situations in their personal or work-life. The information included will dispel the idea, take two aspirins and call the doctor in the morning!
Piti, Piti, Wazo fe Nich Li (Little by Little, the Bird Builds its Nest)
Authors: Howard-Baptiste Shewanee , Baptiste Mo
Published: February 2015

After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, many people desired to help in relief efforts. Despite “good intentions,” there are a number of mistakes educators, scholars, and do-gooders make in an effort to “serve” those they determine to be “in need.” A married couple provides their individual and collective perspective about their experiences in Haiti. They discuss the histories and cultures that influence the structural barriers that exist between different communities. In order for relief efforts to be sustainable, it is imperative to create a culture that puts the Haitian community and their perspectives at the center of any change that would take place. The authors discuss personal and professional efforts to address the need of health education standards in a school in Haiti.
Comparison of Bone Mineral Density, T-Scores and Serum Zinc between Diabetic and Non Diabetic Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis
Authors: Siddapur Priyanka R , Patil Anuradha B , Borde Varsha S
Published: February 2015

Context: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a public health problem. Diabetics are at increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. Zinc (Zn) has a role in collagen metabolism, and its levels are altered in diabetes.

Aims: The aim was to compare bone mineral density (BMD), T-score and serum Zn between diabetic and nondiabetic postmenopausal women with osteoporosis to see if they influence increased fracture risk in diabetes.

Settings and Design: It is a cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum.

Materials and Methods: Thirty type 2 diabetic and 30 age-matched (aged 45-75 years) nondiabetic Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) confirmed postmenopausal osteoporotics were included from January 2011 to March 2012. Serum Zn was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Statistical Analysis Used: Mean and standard deviation of the parameters of the two groups were computed and compared by unpaired Student's t-test. Relationship between variables was measured by Karl Pearson's correlation co-efficient. A statistical significance is set at 5% level of significance (P < 0.05).

Results: T-score was significantly higher in diabetics compared with nondiabetics(−2.84 ± 0.42 vs. −3.22 ± 0.74) P < 0.05. BMD and serum Zn of diabetics showed a significant positive correlation with body mass index (BMI).

Conclusions: Type 2 diabetic postmenopausal osteoporotics have a higher T-score than the nondiabetics. High BMI in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may contribute to high BMD and may be a protective factor against zincuria. Increased fracture risk in T2DM could be due to other factors like poor bone quality due to hyperglycemia rather than BMD. Strict glycemic control is of paramount importance.
Cover Product and Betti Polynomial of Graphs
Authors: Llamas Aurora , Martínez–Bernal Josá
Published: February 2015

The cover product of disjoint graphs G and H with fixed vertex covers C(G) and C(H), is the graphwith vertex set V(G) ∪ V(H) and edge set

We describe the graded Betti numbers of GeH in terms of those of. As applications we obtain: (i) For any positive integer k there exists a connected bipartite graph G such that reg R/I(G) = μS(G) + k, where, I(G) denotes the edge ideal of G, reg R/I(G) is the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of R/I(G) and μS(G) is the induced or strong matching number of G; (ii)The graded Betti numbers of the complement of a tree depends only upon its number of vertices; (iii)The h-vector of R/I(G e H) is described in terms of the h-vectors of R/I(G) and R/I(H). Furthermore, in a diòerent direction, we give a recursive formula for the graded Betti numbers of chordal bipartite graphs.
A perturbed parameter model ensemble to investigate 1991 Mt Pinatubo's initial sulfur mass emission
Authors: Sheng J.-X. , Weisenstein D. K. , Luo B.-P. , Rozanov E. , Arfeuille F. , Peter T.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. We have performed more than 300 atmospheric simulations of the 1991 Pinatubo eruption using the AER 2-D sulfate aerosol model to optimize the initial sulfur mass injection as function of altitude, which in previous modeling studies has often been chosen in an ad hoc manner (e.g., by applying a rectangular-shaped emission profile). Our simulations are generated by varying a 4-parameter vertical mass distribution, which is determined by a total injection mass and a skew-normal distribution function. Our results suggest that (a) the initial mass loading of the Pinatubo eruption is approximately 14 Mt of SO2, (b) the injection vertical distribution is strongly skewed towards the lower stratosphere, leading to a peak mass sulfur injection at 19–22 km. The optimized distribution largely improves the previously found overestimates in modeled extinctions in comparison with SAGE II solar occultation measurements.
Retrieval of aerosol backscatter and extinction from airborne coherent Doppler wind lidar measurements
Authors: Chouza F. , Reitebuch O. , Groß S. , Rahm S. , Freudenthaler V. , Toledano C. , Weinzierl B.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. A novel method for calibration and quantitative aerosol optical properties retrieval from Doppler wind lidars (DWL) is presented in this work. Due to the strong wavelength dependence of the atmospheric molecular backscatter and the low sensitivity of the coherent detection to spectrally broad signals, calibration methods for aerosol lidars cannot be applied to a coherent DWLs usually operating at wavelengths between 1.5–2 μm. Instead, concurrent measurements of an airborne DWL at 2 μm and the POLIS ground-based aerosol lidar at 532 nm are used in this work, in combination with sun photometer measurements, for the calibration and retrieval of aerosol backscatter and extinction profiles. The proposed method was applied to measurements from the SALTRACE experiment in June–July 2013, which aimed at quantifying the aerosol transport and change in aerosol properties from the Sahara desert to the Caribbean. The retrieved backscatter and extinction coefficient profiles from the airborne DWL are within 20% of POLIS aerosol lidar and CALIPSO satellite measurements. Thus the proposed method extends the capabilities of coherent DWL to measure profiles of the horizontal and vertical wind towards aerosol backscatter and extinction profiles, which is of high benefit for aerosol transport studies.
Ice-supersaturation and the potential for contrail formation in a changing climate
Authors: Irvine E. A. , Shine K. P.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Ice-supersaturation (ISS) in the upper-troposphere and lower stratosphere is important for the formation of cirrus cloud and long-lived contrails. We analyse projected changes to 250 hPa ISS distribution and frequency over the twenty-first century using data from the RCP8.5 simulations of a selection of CMIP5 models. The models show a global-mean annual-mean decrease in ISS frequency of 4% by the end of the twenty-first century, relative to the present-day period 1979–2005. Changes are analysed in further detail for three sub-regions where air traffic is already high and increasing (Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes) or expected to increase (tropics and Northern Hemisphere polar regions). The largest change is seen in the tropics, where a reduction of around 9% in ISS frequency by the end of the century is driven by the strong warming of the upper troposphere. In the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes the multi-model mean change is an increase in ISS frequency of 1%; however the sign of the change is not only model-dependent but also has a strong latitudinal and seasonal dependence. In the Northern Hemisphere polar regions there is an increase in ISS frequency of 5% in the annual-mean. These results suggest that over the 21st century climate change may have large impacts on the potential for contrail formation; actual changes to contrail cover will also depend on changes to the volume of air traffic, aircraft technology and flight routing.
The Indian Economy in the Post-Reform Period: Growth without Structural Transformation
Authors: Sen Kunal
Published: February 2015

This paper provides an overview of the key analytical issues relating to India’s domestic economy. It first describes the pattern of growth and structural change in the Indian economy since Independence, highlighting the atypical nature of India’s structural transformation in the Asian context, with slow movement of the work-force from agriculture to manufacturing, and the rapid increase in the service sector. It then examines in turn the pattern of economic change in agriculture, manufacturing and services since the beginning of economic reforms in the 1990s, noting in particular the prevailing stagnation in agricultural growth, and an increase in the dualistic structure of manufacturing, along with the emergence of an export-oriented highly skilled segment of the services sector. It discusses the nature of urbanisation, and highlights the puzzle of slowing urbanisation in India. Finally, it revisits the debate around the causes of India’s growth acceleration, arguing that India’s growth acceleration suggest a more complex causal story than has been commonly portrayed in scholarly writings.
The Challenges of China and the International Economy
Authors: Buckley Peter J.
Published: February 2015

This paper examines the role of China in the international economy and the changing relationship between the two. China is currently undergoing a transition from investment and export-led growth to an economy more based on consumption expenditure. This involves a major readjustment of the domestic economy and its international relationships. Foreign direct investment which has been a key stimulus to growth and to exports is now being diverted to serving the domestic consumer and is also being encouraged to relocate from the coast regions to Western China. These strategies imply a shift from “made in China” to “created in China” which involves a move from cheap labour intensive production to higher value activities. This must be conducted in the face of a relative slow down in Chinese growth and the effort to correct the imbalances such as income distribution and coastal/inland inequalities. Current turbulence in the global economy notably the Eurozone exacerbates policy difficulties.
The Social Consequences of Demographic Change in China
Authors: Davin Delia
Published: February 2015

China, like India, has experienced rapid demographic change in recent decades. Combined with the dramatic economic growth which started with the introduction of market-orientated economic reforms from the late 1970s, demographic change has had enormous impacts on Chinese society, marriage, family relations and family building. This paper starts with a general overview of the ‘planks’ of this demographic change: rising life expectancy and lowered fertility, the distorted child sex ratio, and migration and urbanisation. It then moves on to a discussion of some of the consequences of these changes focusing on marriage, the shortage of brides and marriage finance; the implications of lowered fertility for women; and population aging and its challenge to the intergenerational contract. Marriage migration is discussed both in the context of the shortage of brides, and as one of the changes especially affecting women.
‘Lopsided’, ‘Failed’, or ‘Tortuous’: India’s Problematic Transition and its Implications for Labour
Authors: Corbridge Stuart , Harriss John , Jeffrey Craig
Published: February 2015

The structural transformation of the Indian economy is incomplete. While the share of agriculture in GDP has declined sharply, its share of the labour force has not. The agricultural economy is still characterised by extensive small-scale household production, and only a small minority of farming households can produce an income sufficient for family survival. Employment in agriculture has increasingly stagnated and rural non-agricultural employment not expanded as much as might have been hoped. More than 90 per cent of all jobs are ‘informal’ and the absolute numbers of protected ‘formal sector’ jobs declined between 2000 and 2005. There is evidence of the existence of an inverse relationship between output growth and employment growth, and of the effective exclusion of a large share of the labour force from the dynamic, productive sectors of the economy. In these circumstances the Government of India has been introducing major new programmes offering social protection in order to compensate for the failures of the ‘inclusive growth’ promised in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.
Environment and Development in India
Authors: Rajan S. Ravi
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to explore some of the key debates about India’s environment and development. It begins by summarising some of the country’s key sustainability indicators. It then examines the natural resource management sector, focusing on forestry and irrigation. Finally, it explores the threats posed by environmental risks of technological origin – by considering five high profile cases – the Bhopal Gas Disaster of 1984; the controversy over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); the seismicity concerns of the TEHRI dam; the handling of pollution and transportation policy in New Delhi; and the debate on nuclear safety.
On Muḥammad V, Ibn al-Khaṭīb and Sufism
Authors: Robinson Cynthia , Zomeño Amalia
Published: February 2015

This chapter is centred around a rereading of a much-studied narrative of the mawlid celebration held at the Naṣrid court in 764/1362 and preserved in Ibn al-Khaṭīb's Nufāḍat al-jirāb fī ʿulālat al-ightirāb. It seeks, first, to rehabilitate the extensive body of verse declaimed at the mawlid as a valid source of information concerning the Naṣrid dynasty's attitude toward Sufism, particularly as regards its ongoing renewed project of dynastic legitimisation, and, second, to begin the task of interpreting both compositions and celebration against the complex backdrop of Naṣrid religiosity.
Noncanonical binding of BiP ATPase domain to Ire1 and Perk is dissociated by unfolded protein CH1 to initiate ER stress signaling
Authors: Carrara Marta , Prischi Filippo , Nowak Piotr R , Kopp Megan C , Ali Maruf MU
Published: February 2015

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an essential cell signaling system that detects the accumulation of misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and initiates a cellular response in order to maintain homeostasis. How cells detect the accumulation of misfolded proteins remains unclear. In this study, we identify a noncanonical interaction between the ATPase domain of the ER chaperone BiP and the luminal domains of the UPR sensors Ire1 and Perk that dissociates when authentic ER unfolded protein CH1 binds to the canonical substrate binding domain of BiP. Unlike the interaction between chaperone and substrates, we found that the interaction between BiP and UPR sensors was unaffected by nucleotides. Thus, we discover that BiP is dual functional UPR sensor, sensing unfolded proteins by canonical binding to substrates and transducing this event to noncanonical, signaling interaction to Ire1 and Perk. Our observations implicate BiP as the key component for detecting ER stress and suggest an allosteric mechanism for UPR induction.
Kommunale næringsfond - framtida til virkemiddelet. Hva mener kommunene?
Authors: Teigen Håvard , Hermanrud Inge , Gjerdalen Inga
Published: February 2015

Denne rapporten baserer seg på en undersøkelse gjort blant over 200 norske kommuner i 1999. Problemstillingene er knyttet til hvilken finansieringsform og hvilket forvaltningsnivå som er mest hensiktsmessig for kommunale næringsfond.

Vi finner at norske kommuner ønsker at kommunale næringsfondsmidler bør øremerkes. Vi argumenterer for øremerking eller lovstyring for å sikre bedriftene i distriktene stabile rammevilkår. Vi argumenterer også for mindre regelstyring for å sikre blant annet evnen til lokal tilpasning.

Et stort flertall ønsker at næringsfondsmidlene skal gå til kommunen som i dag og ikke utelukkende til et regionalt (interkommunalt) nivå. Samtidig ser mange kommuner behovet for interkommunalt samarbeid for næringsutvikling. Det ser vi når 1/3 av kommunene kan tenke en blandet løsning, der noen midler går til kommunen og andre til et regionalt organ. Vi finner sterke argumenter mot regionnivået; fordi det har en svak tradisjon og at eksisterende regelverk kan sikre at ekstemaliteter blir ivaretatt. Vi argumenterer derimot for å skille veilednings-og innvilgningsfunksjonen. Prosjektorganisering presenteres som en mulig løsning.

English summary

This report is based upon about 200 interviews addressed to Norwegian municipalities. The research questions are linked to find the best financial structure and level of administration for the Municipal Economic Development Funds.

The majority of the municipalities desires earmarked fonds. We argue that earmarked fonds or legislation is necessary to ensure stable conditions for enterprises. We also argue that fewer rules will make the necessary local adaptation.

A vast number of the municipalities desire the fonds to be transferred to the single municipality as done today. At the same time, many municipalities regard inter-municipal co-operation to be important. One third of the municipalities regard a split solution, were fonds are transferred to the single municipality and to an inter-municipal - regional actor as a favourable option. We argue against the introduction of a regional (inter-municipal) level due to lack of tradition. We recognise that today' s rules may have been designed also considering external effects. On the other hand we argue for dividing to fonctions; advisory services and to grant enterprise projects. Project organisation is seen as on possible solution.
NOKUT = KNOCK OUT? Reakreditering av sykepleierutdanningen i Finnmark!
Authors: Blix Siw
Published: February 2015

Sykepleierutdanningene i Norge var den første bachelor utdanningen som ble reakkreditert av det nyopprettede nasjonale organet for kvalitet i utdanning (NOKUT) høsten 2005. Formålet med og oppgavene til NOKUT er å kontrollere kvaliteten på høyere utdanning i Norge, og hjelpe institusjonene med kvalitetsutviklingen. NOKUT har ansvaret for evaluering, akkreditering og godkjenning av kvalitetssystem, institusjoner og studietilbud.

Denne rapporten har til hensikt å dokumentere med lokale erfaringer en statlig styrt standardiseringsprosess i høyskole- og universitetssektoren. En slik dokumentering impliserer en ganske detaljert beskrivelse av de ulike leddene i prosessen. Prosessen reiser spørsmål om innhold og gjennomføring av selve vurderingen. Den berører direkte og indirekte spørsmål om hva innholdet i sykepleiefaget bør være og hvem som skal bestemme det. Men Reakrediteringsprosessen har betydd mye for innholdet i dagens sykepleierutdanning, og det er nødvendig å ha et analytisk blikk på selve prosessen.
HiF-Notat 2013:1 Snefjordvassdraget. Driftsplan
Authors: Aasrum Monica Berg , Lauvland Kristian
Published: February 2015

<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: NO-BOK; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Høgskolen i Finnmark og Naturtjenester i Nord har fått oppdrag fra Snefjord jeger- og fiskeforening om utarbeiding av driftsplan for Snefjordvassdraget. Det ble utført et prøvefiske med multigarn, videoovervåkning i utløpselv og et el-fiske. Resultatene viser en god bestand av røye og ørret. Det finnes også en liten bestand av laks. Hovedvandringstidspunkt for anadrom røye er i juli og anadrom ørret vandrer i september/oktober (kameraovervåkning).
Common Bile Duct Exploration in an Elderly Asian Population
Authors: Shelat Vishal G. , Chia Vincent J. M. , Low JeeKeem
Published: February 2015

Common bile duct exploration (CBDE) is an accepted treatment for choledocholithiasis. This procedure is not well studied in the elderly population. Here we evaluate the results of CBDE in elderly patients (>70 years) and compare the open (group A) with the laparoscopic group (group B). A retrospective review was performed of elderly patients with proven common bile duct (CBD) stones who underwent CBDE from January 2005 to December 2009. There were 55 patients in group A and 33 patients in group B. Mean age was 77.6 years (70–91 years). Both groups had similar demographics, liver function tests, and stone size—12 mm (range, 5–28 mm). Patients who had empyema (n = 9), acute cholecystitis (n = 15), and those who had had emergency surgery (n = 28) were more likely to be in group A (P < 0.05). The mean length of stay for group A was 11.7 ± 7.3 days; for group B, 5.2 ± 6.3 days; the complication rate was higher in group A (group A, 38.2%; group B, 8.5%; P = 0.072). The overall complication and mortality rate was 29.5% and 3.4%, respectively. CBDE can be performed safely in the elderly with accepted morbidity and mortality. The laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe in elective setting even in the elderly.
Hereditary Gingivo-Alveolar Hyperplasia: A Report of Two Siblings
Authors: Prasetyono Theddeus O.H. , Ekaputri Krista
Published: February 2015

Gingival hyperplasia is characterized by fibrotic gingival overgrowth. The lesion may bury all the crown of the teeth and lead to impairment in masticatory functions and aesthetic disfigurement. This inherited disease is considered rare. We presented two cases of gingival hyperplasia in two siblings: an 11-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, whose mother had also suffered from the disease. The two siblings presented with generalized gingival overgrowth involving the maxillary and mandibular arches and covering almost all of the teeth. We performed surgery to reduce the excessive gingivo-alveolar tissue and disclosed most of the teeth. The patients showed functional and aesthetic improvement. The last follow-up through a phone call, which was conducted 12 months after the surgery, revealed no recurrent hyperplasia.
Evaluation of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients who Attempted Suicide by Self-Inflicted Burn Using Catalyzer
Authors: Yabanoglu Hakan , Aytac Huseyin Ozgur , Turk Emin , Karagulle Erdal , Belli Sedat , Sakallioglu Ayse Ebru , Tarim Mehmet Akin , Moray Gokhan , Haberal Mehmet
Published: February 2015

Our aim was to assess demographic and clinical characteristics of patients treated at our units who attempted suicide by self-incineration, and to compare the results of burns with or without catalyzer use. Twenty patients who attempted suicide by self-incineration were examined in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics. Average age of the study population was 35 years (range 13−85 years). Average percentage of total body surface area burn was 53% (9%−100%). Six (30%) patients used gasoline and 5 (25%) used paint thinner in order to catalyze burning. Of these 11 patients who used a catalyzer, 5 (45.4%) had inhalation injury and 7 (63.6%) died. Among 9 patients who did not use any catalyzer, 1 (11.1%) had inhalation injury and 4 (44.4%) died. In general, inhalation injury was diagnosed in 6 patients (30%) while 11 (55%) patients died. A high morbidity and mortality rate was found in patients who used a catalyzer.
Renal Endometriosis Tends to Be Misdiagnosed as Renal Tumor: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Yang Jie , Song Ri-jin , Xu Chen , Zhang Shi-qing , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2015

Renal endometriosis is a rare disease for which the mechanisms of pathogenesis are still unclear. As such, early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment are often delayed because of the tendency to be misdiagnosed as a renal tumor. In October 2013 we performed a radical nephrectomy for a 37-year-old woman with renal endometriosis who was preoperatively misdiagnosed as having a right renal tumor. Avoiding the misdiagnosis of renal endometriosis requires a detailed case history, especially regarding whether the cyclicity of lumbodorsal pain and hematuria correlates with patients' menstrual cycles. Imaging examinations are commonly helpful for localization, whereas relieving symptoms with drugs to create a hypoestrogenic state is useful for clinical diagnosis. However, a final diagnosis for renal endometriosis still must depend on histopathologic examination.
Radical Resection of a Primarily Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using Gemcitabine, TS-1, and Nafamostat Mesilate; Report of a Case
Authors: Fujiwara Yuki , Shiba Hiroaki , Uwagawa Tadashi , Futagawa Yasuro , Misawa Takeyuki , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: February 2015

A 58-year-old male visited his primary physician for epigastric and back pain. Abdominal-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a hypovascular pancreatic tumor measuring 17 × 11 mm in the uncinate process of the pancreas extending into the superior mesenteric plexus for greater than 180°. With a diagnosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer, the patient received gemcitabine and TS-1 with arterial infusion of nafamostat mesilate. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, enhanced CT revealed a decrease in size of the pancreatic tumor with no lymph node and distant metastasis and improved invasion of the superior mesenteric plexus down to 120°. The patient underwent R0 pancreaticoduodenectomy. The patient made a satisfactory recovery without complications and was discharged on postoperative day 10. We herein report the first curative resected case of a primarily unresectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using gemcitabine, TS-1, and nafamostat mesilate.
A Cadaveric Study on Sacroiliac Joint Injection
Authors: Zou Yu-Cong , Li Yi-Kai , Yu Cheng-Fu , Yang Xian-Wen , Chen Run-Qi
Published: February 2015

The scope of this study was to explore the possibility as well as the feasibility of sacroiliac joint injection following simple X-ray clip location. For the cadaveric study, 10 fixed sacroiliac joint (SIJ) sectional specimens, 4 dried cadaveric pelvises and 21 embalmed adult cadaveric pelvises were dissected, followed by an injection of contrast agent into the joint. The irrigation of the agent was observed through CT scanning. For the radiologic study, 188 CT scans of ankylosing spondylitis patients (143 male, 45 female) were collected from 2010 to 2012, in Nanfang Hospital. What was measured was (1) Distance between the posterior midline and sagittal synovium; (2) Length of the sagittal synovium; (3) Distance between the midpoint of the sagittal synovium and posterior superior iliac spine; and (4) Distance between the superficial skin vertical to the sagittal synovium point were measured. For the practice-based study: 20 patients (17 males and 3 females) with early ankylosing spondylitis, from Nanfang Hospital affiliated with Southern Medical University were recruited, and sacroiliac joint unguided injections were done on the basis of the cadaveric and radiologic study. Only the inferior 1/3rd portion parallel to the posterior midline could be injected into since the superior 2/3rd portion were filled with interosseous ligaments. Thirteen of the 20 patients received successful injections as identified by CT scan using the contrast agent. Sacroiliac joint injection following simple X-ray clip location is possible and feasible if the operation is performed by trained physicians familiar with the sacroiliac joint and its surrounding anatomic structures.
Preoperative Assessment of Vascular Anatomy by Multidetector Computed Tomography Before Laparoscopic Colectomy for Transverse Colon Cancer: Report of a Case
Authors: Kawamoto Aya , Inoue Yasuhiro , Okigami Masato , Yasuda Hiromi , Okugawa Yoshinaga , Hiro Junichiro , Toiyama Yuji , Tanaka Koji , Uchida Keiichi , Mohri Yasuhiko , Kusunoki Masato
Published: February 2015

Although the safety of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer has been reported in many randomized controlled trials, concerns about the difficulty of surgery for transverse colon cancer has not been fully resolved, mainly because of the variation in the vascular anatomy of mesenteric vessels, which leads to difficulty in determining the optimal operative procedure and the extent of lymph node dissection. We present the case of a patient with transverse colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery after preoperative assessment using a combination of endoscopic clipping and three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3DCTA). A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with transverse colon cancer, and laparoscopic surgery has been planned. 3DCTA showed right-middle and left-middle colic arteries arising independently from the superior mesenteric artery. The relationship between the clip and vessels showed that the right-middle colic artery was the feeding artery of the tumor. Operative findings were consistent with 3DCTA findings, and transverse colectomy with lymph node dissection was successfully performed.
A 2‐D empirical plasma sheet pressure model for substorm growth phase using the Support Vector Regression Machine
Authors: Yue Chao , Wang Chih‐Ping , Lyons Larry , Wang Yongli , Hsu Tung‐Shin , Henderson Michael , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Lui A. T. Y. , Nagai Tsugunobu
Published: February 2015

The plasma sheet pressure and its spatial structure during the substorm growth phase are crucial to understanding the development and initiation of substorms. In this paper, we first statistically analyzed the growth phase pressures using Geotail and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms data and identified that solar wind dynamic pressure (PSW), energy loading, and sunspot number as the three primary factors controlling the growth phase pressure change. We then constructed a 2‐D equatorial empirical pressure model and an error model within r ≤ 20 RE using the Support Vector Regression Machine with the three factors as input. The model predicts the plasma sheet pressure accurately with median errors of 5%, and predicted pressure gradients agree reasonably well with observed gradients obtained from two‐probe measurements. The model shows that pressure increases linearly as PSW increases, and the PSW effect is stronger under lower energy loading. However, the pressure responses to energy loading and sunspot number are nonlinear. The pressure increases first with increasing loading or sunspot number, then remains relatively constant after reaching a peak value at ~8000 kV min loading or sunspot number of ~80. The loading effect is stronger when PSW is lower and the pressure variations are stronger near midnight than away from midnight. The sunspot number effect is clearer at smaller r. The pressure model can also be applied to understand the pressure changes observed during a substorm event by providing evaluations of the effects of energy loading and PSW, as well as the temporal and spatial effects along the spacecraft trajectory.
The aqueous stability of a Mars salt analog: Instant Mars
Authors: Nuding D. L. , Davis R. D. , Gough R. V. , Tolbert M. A.
Published: February 2015

Due to their stability in low‐temperature conditions, aqueous salt solutions are the favored explanation for potential fluid features observed on present‐day Mars. A salt analog was developed to closely match the individual cation and anion concentrations at the Phoenix landing site as reported by the Wet Chemistry Laboratory instrument. “Instant Mars” closely replicates correct relative concentrations of magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, perchlorate, chloride, and sulfate ions. A Raman microscope equipped with an environmental cellprobed liquid water uptake and loss by Instant Mars particles in a Mars relevant temperature and relative humidity (RH) environment. Our experiments reveal that Instant Mars particles can form stable, aqueous solutions starting at 56 ± 5% RH between 235 K and 243 K and persist as a metastable, aqueous solution at or above 13 ± 5% RH. Particle levitation using an optical trap examined the phase state and morphology of suspended Instant Mars particles exposed to changing water vapor conditions at room temperature. Levitation experiments indicate that water uptake began at 42 ± 8% RH for Instant Mars particles at 293 K. As RH is decreased at 293 K, the aqueous Instant Mars particles transition into a crystalline solid at 18 ± 7% RH. These combined results demonstrate that Instant Mars can take up water vapor from the surrounding environment and transition into a stable, aqueous solution. Furthermore, this aqueous Instant Mars solution can persist as a metastable, supersaturated solution in low‐RH conditions.
Toward understanding nonstationarity in climate and hydrology through tree ring proxy records
Authors: Razavi Saman , Elshorbagy Amin , Wheater Howard , Sauchyn David
Published: February 2015

Natural proxy records of hydroclimatic behavior, such as tree ring chronologies, are a rich source of information of past climate‐driven nonstationarities in hydrologic variables. In this study, we investigate tree ring chronologies that demonstrate significant correlations with streamflows, with the objective of identifying the spatiotemporal patterns and extents of nonstationarities in climate and hydrology, which are essentially representations of past “climate changes.” First and second‐order nonstationarities are of particular interest in this study. As a prerequisite, we develop a methodology to assess the consistency and credibility of a regional network of tree ring chronologies as proxies for hydrologic regime. This methodology involves a cluster analysis of available tree ring data to understand and evaluate their dependence structure, and a regional temporal‐consistency plot to assess the consistency of different chronologies over time. The major headwater tributaries of the Saskatchewan River basin (SaskRB), the main source of surface water in the Canadian Prairie Provinces, are used as the case study. Results indicate that stationarity might never have existed in the hydrology of the region, as the statistical properties of annual paleo‐hydrologic proxy records across the basin, i.e., the mean and autocorrelation structure, have consistently undergone significant changes (nonstationarities) at different points in the history of the region. The spatial pattern of the changes in the mean statistic has been variable with time, indicating a time‐varying cross‐correlation structure across the tributaries of the SaskRB. Conversely, the changes in the autocorrelation structure across the basin have been in harmony over time. The results demonstrate that the 89 year period of observational record in this region is a poor representation of the long‐term properties of the hydrologic regime, and shorter periods, e.g., 30 year periods, are by no means representative. This paper highlights the need to broaden the understanding of hydrologic characteristics in any basin beyond the limited observational records, as an improved understanding is essential for more reliable assessment and management of available water resources.
Impact of interfacial tension on residual CO2 clusters in porous sandstone
Authors: Jiang Fei , Tsuji Takeshi
Published: February 2015

We develop a numerical simulation that uses the lattice Boltzmann method to directly calculate the characteristics of residual nonwetting‐phase clusters to quantify capillary trapping mechanisms in real sandstone. For this purpose, a digital‐rock‐pore model reconstructed from micro‐CT‐scanned images of Berea sandstone is filtered and segmented into a binary file. The residual‐cluster distribution is generated following simulation of the drainage and imbibition processes. The characteristics of the residual cluster in terms of size distribution, major length, interfacial area, and sphericity are investigated under conditions of different interfacial tension (IFT). Our results indicate that high interfacial tension increases the residual saturation and leads to a large size distribution of residual clusters. However, low interfacial tension results in a larger interfacial area, which is beneficial for dissolution and reaction processes during geological carbon storage. Analysis of the force balance acting on the residual clusters demonstrates that trapping stability is higher in high interfacial tension case, and the interfacial tension should be a controlling factor for the trapping stability in addition to the pore geometry and connectivity. The proposed numerical method can handle the complex displacement of multicomponent systems in porous media. By using this method, we can obtain residual‐cluster distributions under different conditions for optimizing the storage capacity of carbon‐storage projects.
Multiscale solute transport upscaling for a three‐dimensional hierarchical porous medium
Authors: Zhang Mingkan , Zhang Ye
Published: February 2015

A laboratory‐generated hierarchical, fully heterogeneous aquifer model (FHM) provides a reference for developing and testing an upscaling approach that integrates large‐scale connectivity mapping with flow and transport modeling. Based on the FHM, three hydrostratigraphic models (HSMs) that capture lithological (static) connectivity at different resolutions are created, each corresponding to a sedimentary hierarchy. Under increasing system lnK variances (0.1, 1.0, 4.5), flow upscaling is first conducted to calculate equivalent hydraulic conductivity for individual connectivity (or unit) of the HSMs. Given the computed flow fields, an instantaneous, conservative tracer test is simulated by all models. For the HSMs, two upscaling formulations are tested based on the advection‐dispersion equation (ADE), implementing space versus time‐dependent macrodispersivity. Comparing flow and transport predictions of the HSMs against those of the reference model, HSMs capturing connectivity at increasing resolutions are more accurate, although upscaling errors increase with system variance. Results suggest: (1) by explicitly modeling connectivity, an enhanced degree of freedom in representing dispersion can improve the ADE‐based upscaled models by capturing non‐Fickian transport of the FHM; (2) when connectivity is sufficiently resolved, the type of data conditioning used to model transport becomes less critical. Data conditioning, however, is influenced by the prediction goal; (3) when aquifer is weakly‐to‐moderately heterogeneous, the upscaled models adequately capture the transport simulation of the FHM, despite the existence of hierarchical heterogeneity at smaller scales. When aquifer is strongly heterogeneous, the upscaled models become less accurate because lithological connectivity cannot adequately capture preferential flows; (4) three‐dimensional transport connectivities of the hierarchical aquifer differ quantitatively from those analyzed for two‐dimensional systems.
Structure, Connectivity, and Authenticity: The how and why of High–Impact Practices
Authors: Landy Kathleen
Published: February 2015

Kathleen Landy discusses the elements that make or break the efficacy of high–impact practices.