bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taper junction failure in large-diameter metal-on-metal bearings
Authors: Langton D. J. , Sidaginamale R. , Lord J. K. , Nargol A. V. F. , Joyce T. J.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

An ongoing prospective study to investigate failing metal-on-metal hip prostheses was commenced at our centre in 2008. We report on the results of the analysis of the first consecutive 126 failed mated total hip prostheses from a single manufacturer.

Methods

Analysis was carried out using highly accurate coordinate measuring to calculate volumetric and linear rates of the articular bearing surfaces and also the surfaces of the taper junctions. The relationship between taper wear rates and a number of variables, including bearing diameter and orientation of the acetabular component, was investigated.

Results

The measured rates of wear and distribution of material loss from the taper surfaces appeared to show that the primary factor leading to taper failure is the increased lever arm acting on this junction in contemporary large-diameter metal-on-metal hip replacements.

Conclusions

Our analysis suggests that varus stems, laterally engaging taper systems and larger head diameters all contribute to taper failure.
Osteoporosis in the community
Authors: Gill T. K. , Taylor A. W. , Hill C. L. , Phillips P. J.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported osteoporosis compared with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) defined osteoporosis, and to describe medication use among participants with the condition.

Methods

Data were obtained from a population-based longitudinal study and assessed for the prevalence of osteoporosis, falls, fractures and medication use. DXA scans were also undertaken.

Results

Overall 3.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2 to 4.5) of respondents and 8.8% (95% CI 7.5 to 10.3) of those aged ≥ 50 years reported that they had been diagnosed with osteoporosis by a doctor. The sensitivity (those self-reporting osteoporosis and having low bone mineral density (BMD) on DXA) was low (22.7%), although the specificity was high (94.4%). Only 16.1% of those aged ≥ 50 years and with DXA-defined osteoporosis were taking bisphosphonates.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of self-reporting to identify osteoporosis is low. Anti-osteoporotic medications are an important part of osteoporosis treatment but opportunities to use appropriate medications were missed and inappropriate medications were used.
A randomised control trial to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood injection versus local corticosteroid injection for treatment of lateral epicondylitis
Authors: Dojode C. M.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

Local corticosteroid infiltration is a common practice of treatment for lateral epicondylitis. In recent studies no statistically significant or clinically relevant results in favour of corticosteroid injections were found. The injection of autologous blood has been reported to be effective for both intermediate and long-term outcomes. It is hypothesised that blood contains growth factors, which induce the healing cascade.

Methods

A total of 60 patients were included in this prospective randomised study: 30 patients received 2 ml autologous blood drawn from contralateral upper limb vein + 1 ml 0.5% bupivacaine, and 30 patients received 2 ml local corticosteroid + 1 ml 0.5% bupivacaine at the lateral epicondyle. Outcome was measured using a pain score and Nirschl staging of lateral epicondylitis. Follow-up was continued for total of six months, with assessment at one week, four weeks, 12 weeks and six months.

Results

The corticosteroid injection group showed a statistically significant decrease in pain compared with autologous blood injection group in both visual analogue scale (VAS) and Nirschl stage at one week (both p < 0.001) and at four weeks (p = 0.002 and p = 0.018, respectively). At the 12-week and six-month follow-up, autologous blood injection group showed statistically significant decrease in pain compared with corticosteroid injection group (12 weeks: VAS p = 0.013 and Nirschl stage p = 0.018; six months: VAS p = 0.006 and Nirschl p = 0.006). At the six-month final follow-up, a total of 14 patients (47%) in the corticosteroid injection group and 27 patients (90%) in autologous blood injection group were completely relieved of pain.

Conclusions

Autologous blood injection is efficient compared with corticosteroid injection, with less side-effects and minimum recurrence rate.
MRI of articular cartilage at microscopic resolution
Authors: Xia Y.
Published: July 2013

This review briefly summarises some of the definitive studies of articular cartilage by microscopic MRI (µMRI) that were conducted with the highest spatial resolutions. The article has four major sections. The first section introduces the cartilage tissue, MRI and µMRI, and the concept of image contrast in MRI. The second section describes the characteristic profiles of three relaxation times (T1, T2and T1ρ) and self-diffusion in healthy articular cartilage. The third section discusses several factors that can influence the visualisation of articular cartilage and the detection of cartilage lesion by MRI and µMRI. These factors include image resolution, image analysis strategies, visualisation of the total tissue, topographical variations of the tissue properties, surface fibril ambiguity, deformation of the articular cartilage, and cartilage lesion. The final section justifies the values of multidisciplinary imaging that correlates MRI with other technical modalities, such as optical imaging. Rather than an exhaustive review to capture all activities in the literature, the studies cited in this review are merely illustrative.
Blood metal ion testing is an effective screening tool to identify poorly performing metal-on-metal bearing surfaces
Authors: Sidaginamale R. P. , Joyce T. J. , Lord J. K. , Jefferson R. , Blain P. G. , Nargol A. V. F. , Langton D. J.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The aims of this piece of work were to: 1) record the background concentrations of blood chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) concentrations in a large group of subjects; 2) to compare blood/serum Cr and Co concentrations with retrieved metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacings; 3) to examine the distribution of Co and Cr in the serum and whole blood of patients with MoM hip arthroplasties; and 4) to further understand the partitioning of metal ions between the serum and whole blood fractions.

Methods

A total of 3042 blood samples donated to the local transfusion centre were analysed to record Co and Cr concentrations. Also, 91 hip resurfacing devices from patients who had given pre-revision blood/serum samples for metal ion analysis underwent volumetric wear assessment using a coordinate measuring machine. Linear regression analysis was carried out and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to assess the reliability of metal ions to identify abnormally wearing implants. The relationship between serum and whole blood concentrations of Cr and Co in 1048 patients was analysed using Bland-Altman charts. This relationship was further investigated in an in vitro study during which human blood was spiked with trivalent and hexavalent Cr, the serum then separated and the fractions analysed.

Results

Only one patient in the transfusion group was found to have a blood Co > 2 µg/l. Blood/Serum Cr and Co concentrations were reliable indicators of abnormal wear. Blood Co appeared to be the most useful clinical test, with a concentration of 4.5 µg/l showing sensitivity and specificity for the detection of abnormal wear of 94% and 95%, respectively. Generated metal ions tended to fill the serum compartment preferentially in vivo and this was replicated in the in vitro study when blood was spiked with trivalent Cr and bivalent Co.

Conclusions

Blood/serum metal ion concentrations are reliable indicators of abnormal wear processes. Important differences exist however between elements and the blood fraction under study. Future guidelines must take these differences into account.
No evidence of long-term benefits of arthroscopic acromioplasty in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome
Authors: Ketola S. , Lehtinen J. , Rousi T. , Nissinen M. , Huhtala H. , Konttinen Y. T. , Arnala I.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To report the five-year results of a randomised controlled trial examining the effectiveness of arthroscopic acromioplasty in the treatment of stage II shoulder impingement syndrome.

Methods

A total of 140 patients were randomly divided into two groups: 1) supervised exercise programme (n = 70, exercise group); and 2) arthroscopic acromioplasty followed by a similar exercise programme (n = 70, combined treatment group).

Results

The main outcome measure was self-reported pain as measured on a visual analogue scale. At the five-year assessment a total of 109 patients were examined (52 in the exercise group and 57 in the combined treatment group). There was a significant decrease in mean self-reported pain on the VAS between baseline and the five-year follow-up in both the exercise group (from 6.5 (1 to 10) to 2.2 (0 to 8); p < 0.001) and the combined treatment group (from 6.4 (2 to 10) to 1.9 (0 to 8); p < 0.001). The same trend was seen in the secondary outcome measures (disability, working ability, pain at night, Shoulder Disability Questionnaire and reported painful days). An intention-to-treat analysis showed statistically significant improvements in both groups at five years compared with baseline. Further, improvement continued between the two- and five-year timepoints. No statistically significant differences were found in the patient-centred primary and secondary parameters between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions

Differences in the patient-centred primary and secondary parameters between the two treatment groups were not statistically significant, suggesting that acromioplasty is not cost-effective. Structured exercise treatment seems to be the treatment of choice for shoulder impingement syndrome.
Beating the Market: The Allure of Unintended Value
Authors: Sela Aner , Simonson Itamar , Kivetz Ran
Published: July 2013

Consumers face many options that are presented to them as bargains, but in reality, they only subjectively construe a fraction of them as valuable. The authors propose that consumers are particularly attracted to offers they perceive as more valuable than the marketer presumably intended. Consistent with this analysis, six experiments indicate that consumers may perceive customized offers that are presented as tailored to their individual preferences or circumstances as less valuable than offers that seem to fit their preferences and provide value without the marketer's explicit intent. The experiments also suggest that the urge to exploit unintended value reflects a competitive desire to outsmart the market. The findings have theoretical implications for understanding consumers’ subjective perceptions of value as well as important practical implications for designing customized offers and targeted promotions.
The Nous Doctrine in Plato’s Thought
Authors: Mason Andrew
Published: July 2013

The article argues that the doctrine that nous rules the world plays a decisive role in the development of Plato’s thought, despite the strong critique of Anaxagoras in the Phaedo and the absence of the doctrine in other middle dialogues such as the Republic. It addresses the Timaeus as a transformative rehabilitation of the nous doctrine, through the ‘world-soul,’ the demiurge, and the class of other gods. It then considers the ways this schema is modified in later dialogues (Statesman, Philebus, Laws) in light of the suppression of the problem of natural disaster in the Timaeus.
The economic potential of beach-cast seagrass – Cymodocea nodosa: a promising renewable source of chicoric acid
Authors: Grignon-Dubois Micheline , Rezzonico Bernadette
Published: July 2013

Detrital and fresh specimens of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Cymodoceaceae) from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea were screened for their phenolic content. For the first time, the major polyphenol was identified as chicoric acid (CA) by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet spectra, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and comparison with standards. The CA content of the crude extracts was determined by quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography. The values found in the leaves ranged from 8.13 to 27.44 mg g-1 dw. The concentration was smaller in the rhizomes, with 0.31–3.70 mg g-1 dw. The phenolic profile was found to be similar whatever the geographical location in the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea. Considering the demonstrated therapeutic applications of CA, its high value on the nutraceutical market, and its rare occurrence in the plant kingdom, the high content found in C. nodosa detrital leaves makes this abundant biomass of interest for dietary and pharmaceutical applications.
Interaction between Occupational Stress and GR Gene Polymorphisms on Essential Hypertension among Railway Workers
Authors: Lin Sihao , Liu Baoying , Wu Chuancheng , Zhou Hui , Courtice Midori N. , Zhu Dandan
Published: July 2013

Interaction between Occupational Stress and GR Gene Polymorphisms on Essential Hypertension among Railway Workers: Sihao LIN, et al. JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China—

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the interactions of occupational stress and glucocorticoid receptor gene (GR) polymorphisms on essential hypertension (EH) among Chinese railway workers.

Methods

A case‐control study was conducted with 196 EH cases and matched controls from male railway employees. Occupational stress was scaled by a validated Chinese version of the Occupational Stress Inventory. Information on risk factors for hypertension, including smoking, alcohol consumption, family hypertension history and body mass index, was collected by face to face interviews. Genotypes of GR BCL1 and G678S genes were determined with PCR‐RFLP. Conditional logistic regression was applied to examine the interactions of occupational stress and GR gene polymorphisms with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

A positive relationship was observed in the CG/GG genotype compared with the CC genotype in the GRBCL1 gene. The interaction between the GRBCL1 gene and occupational stress was statistically significant on EH. The odds ratio (OR) was 1.56 (95% CI: 0.93, 2.63) when comparing the CG/GG genotype of the GRBCL1 gene with low/medium personal strain with the CC genotype with low/medium strain, whereas the OR was 3.43 (95% CI: 1.45, 8.12) when comparing the same genotype with high strain with the same reference. A similar pattern of association was observed for the CG/GG genotype of the GRBCL1 gene with low/medium occupational stress (OR=1.32, 95% CI: 0.76, 2.30) and with high occupational stress (OR=3.58, 95% CI: 1.60, 8.02).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the CG/GG genotype in GRBCL1 possibly interacts with occupational stress in increasing the risk for essential hypertension in the railway workers, but more studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the finding.
Long Work Hours and Obesity in Korean Adult Workers
Authors: Jang Tae‐Won , Kim Hyoung‐Ryoul , Lee Hye‐Eun , Myong Jun‐Pyo , Koo Jung‐Wan
Published: July 2013

Long Work Hours and Obesity in Korean Adult Workers: Tae‐Won JANG,et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea—

Objectives

The present study was designed to identify the association between work hours and obesity in Korean adult manual and nonmanual workers, and to determine whether there is a gender difference in this association.

Methods

The study was conducted using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected between 2007 and 2010. Individuals aged below 25 or over 64 years, pregnant women, part‐time workers, soldiers, housewives and students were excluded. The total number of individuals included in the analysis was 8,889 (5,241 male and 3,648 female subjects). The outcome variable was obesity, defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Variables considered in the model were age, education, income, marital status, alcohol drinking, smoking, daily energy intake, physical activity, sleep hours per day, the type of job, work hours, and work schedule. Work hours were categorized as <40, 40−48 (reference), 49−60, and >60 hours per week.

Results

In the multiple SURVEYLOGISTIC regression analyses, the adjusted odds ratio of obesity for long work hours (>60 hours per week) in male manual workers was 1.647 (95% confidence interval 1.262−2.151). Long work hours did not significantly increase the odds ratio for obesity in male nonmanual workers and female manual and nonmanual workers.

Conclusions

More than 60 work hours per week increased the risk of obesity in Korean male manual workers. This result might be helpful in preventing obesity in Korean adult workers, especially male manual workers.
Kinetics of chronic inflammation in Nile tilapia fed n‑3 and n‑6 essential fatty acids
Authors: Sakabe Róberson , Moraes Flávio Ruas de , Belo Marco Antonio de Andrade , Pilarski Fabiana , Moraes Julieta Rodini Engrácia de
Published: July 2013

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with essential fatty acids on the kinetics of macrophage accumulation and giant cell formation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The supplementation sources were soybean oil (SO, source of omega 6, n‑6) and linseed oil (LO, source of omega 3, n‑3), in the following proportions: 100% SO; 75% SO + 25% LO; 50% SO + 50% LO; 25% SO + 75% LO; and 100% LO (four replicates per treatment). After a feeding period of three months, growth performance was evaluated, and glass coverslips were implanted into the subcutaneous connective tissue of fish, being removed for examination at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after implantation. Growth performance did not differ between treatments. Fish fed 100% linseed oil diet had the greatest macrophage accumulation and the fastest Langhans cell formation on the sixth day. On the eighth day, Langhans cells were predominant on the coverslips implanted in the fish feed 75 and 100% linseed oil. n‑3 fatty acids may contribute to macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in fish chronic inflammatory response to foreign body.
Quality of Life of Severe Sepsis Survivors After Hospital Discharge
Authors: Contrin Ligia Marcia , Paschoal Vania Del'Arco , Beccaria Lucia Marinilza , Cesarino Claudia Bernardi , Lobo Suzana Margareth Ajeje
Published: July 2013

AIMS: to evaluate the quality of life in severe sepsis survivors, using specific QoL questionnaires: the EuroQol-5 Dimensions and the Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). METHOD: This case-control study was performed in patients discharged from a teaching hospital after being admitted to the ICU with severe sepsis. Medical records from 349 patients were retrieved from the hospital sepsis registry. Each patient with sepsis was considered as a case. Patients who were admitted immediately after the sepsis episode were considered as controls, provided that they did not have sepsis and survived the ICU admission. This specific study population included 100 patients. RESULTS: The sepsis group showed higher mortality at 1 year compared with critically ill patients. However, the control group showed no sepsis. Older patients (>60 years) in the sepsis group had a significantly higher prevalence of problems. There were no differences in EQ-VAS between respondents from both groups. CONCLUSIONS: After discharge from ICU, sepsis survivors of sepsis had a higher mortality rate than critically ill patients without sepsis. Older patients with sepsis had more moderate and severe problems in all five quality of life dimensions evaluated.
Facial Growth and Development in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Comparison between Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting and Primary Periosteoplasty
Authors: Cagáňová Veronika , Borský Jiří , Šmahel ZbyněK , Velemínská Jana
Published: July 2013

Objective

To describe the effect of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate by comparison with a sample of patients who have undergone primary periosteoplasty.

Design

Cephalometric analysis of lateral x-ray films in a retrospective semilongitudinal study.

Patients

Lateral x-ray films of 18 secondary alveolar bone grafting patients and 48 primary periosteoplasty patients at 10 years of age and again at 15 years of age.

Settings

The treatment of secondary alveolar bone grafting patients included lip repair according to Tennison, palatoplasty including retropositioning, pharyngeal flap surgery, and secondary alveolar bone grafting. The lips of primary periosteoplasty patient were repaired using the methods of Tennison and Veau, followed by primary periosteoplasty, palatoplasty including retropositioning, and pharyngeal flap surgery.

Methods

Lateral radiographs were assessed using classical morphometry.

Results

There were few significant differences at 10 years of age between the secondary alveolar bone grafting and primary periosteoplasty patients. At 15 years of age, there were several significant differences. Compared with primary periosteoplasty patients, subsequent development in patients who had undergone secondary alveolar bone grafting was characterized by a significantly better position of the upper and lower dentoalveolar components in relation to the facial plane, a higher increase in the global convexity of the soft profile, a significantly better maxillary inclination, and a more favorable development of vertical intermaxillary relationships.

Conclusion

Craniofacial development in secondary alveolar bone grafting patients was better than that in primary periosteoplasty patients due to the more marked facial convexity, the increased prominence of the nose, and better vertical intermaxillary relationships.
Multi-functional nano-materials for timber in construction
Authors: Ansell Martin P
Published: July 2013

The role of nano-materials in extending the life and maintaining the appearance of timber in construction is reviewed. Nano-materials in timber coatings may be biocidal, ultraviolet-resistant, self-cleaning, anti-wetting, fire-resistant, scratch-proof and deacidifying. There is also scope for impregnating timber with nano-materials to increase thermal conductivity and hardness. The recent literature on nano-materials for timber is reviewed including nano-silver (biocide), nano-titania (photocatalytic, self-cleaning), nano-metal oxides, for example silica (SiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), alumina (Al2O3) (ultraviolet stability, gloss retention, durability), clays (mechanical properties, hardness) and nano-limes (deacidification and hardness). There is a wide choice of nano-materials for timber and their high surface area to mass ratio ensures that a loading of only a few percent by weight in coatings is able to significantly enhance chemical, thermal and physical properties. Although there are already commercial timber coatings that contain nano-materials, there is considerable scope for improving their performance and chemically binding nano-materials directly to the wood cell wall.
Effects of polypropylene fiber inclusion on the strength and volume change characteristics of cement-fly ash stabilized clay soil
Authors: Olgun M.
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of polypropylene fiber inclusions on the geotechnical characteristics of a clayey soil that was chemically stabilized with cement and fly ash. For all stabilized soils, cement and fly ash were added at 8% and 30%, respectively. Reinforced stabilized soil specimens were prepared at four different percentages of fiber content (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.0%) and three different fiber lengths (6 mm, 12 mm, 20 mm). Unconfined compressive and split tensile strength tests were carried out after 7- and 28-day curing periods. The volume change characteristics of the reinforced stabilized soil were determined using shrinkage limit and crack reduction values. The interactions between the fiber surface and the stabilized soil were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy. According to the results, the compressive and especially the tensile strength values increased to a great extent following the addition of fiber into the stabilized soil. The highest strength values were obtained with 0.5–0.75% content for the 12 mm-long fibers. The shrinkage limit and crack reduction values increased with increased fiber content and greater fiber length, whereas volume changes decreased.
Small-strain properties of soft clay treated with fibre and cement
Authors: Fatahi B. , Fatahi B. , Le T.M. , Khabbaz H.
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: To improve the dynamic properties of soft soil, the cement treatment technique combined with fibre reinforcement can be employed. In this study, the effects of two types of fibres (polypropylene and recycled carpet) on the hardening process and small-strain properties of cement-treated kaolinite and bentonite clays are investigated. Cement-treated clay specimens were prepared using cement contents of 5%, 10% and 15% by weight of dry soil for the kaolinite samples, and 30%, 40% and 50% for the bentonite samples. To investigate and understand the influence of different fibre types and contents, three different percentages of fibre content were adopted: 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5% polypropylene fibres, and 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% carpet fibres. The results of bender element tests on 126 cylindrical samples of cement-treated clay with various cement and fibre contents were analysed to discern the relationships between fibre and cement content and the small-strain mechanical properties, including the shear wave velocity and maximum small-strain shear modulus of the treated soil. The influence of fibres and cement contents on the hardening time of treated soil has also been investigated.
Experimental and numerical assessment of a cubical sample produced by pluviation
Authors: Camenen J. F. , Cavarretta I. , Hamlin S. , Ibraim E.
Published: July 2013

A pluviation device for the fabrication of cubical samples of granular materials has been recently developed. The granular material is pluviated under gravitational loading through a rectangular Perspex tube. The pluviator is also designed to allow the control of the height of fall. Using a high-speed camera, observations of sample construction of uniformly graded spherical coarse glass ballotini have been made from one side of the apparatus and macro-scale properties of the created granular assembly (such as void ratio and density) have been assessed. This work focuses on the development of a three-dimensional discrete numerical model, based on the contact dynamics method, which simulates the whole fabrication process and provides detailed investigation of the micro-scale properties (energetic layer) and material inherent fabric (formation of ordered structure and wall effects, distribution of the orientations of the normal particle contacts).
Micro-mechanical properties of crushable pumice sands
Authors: Orense R. P. , Pender M. J. , Hyodo M. , Nakata Y.
Published: July 2013

Pumice materials are problematic from engineering and construction viewpoints because of their lightweight, highly crushable and compressible nature. The mechanical properties of pumice sands at particle-size level were investigated to better understand their behaviour. X-ray computed tomography images showed internal and surface voids within the pumice particles. The surface characteristics of pumice were then compared with those of other hard-grained soils. Detailed investigation showed that pumice samples consist of different types of particles. Next, single-particle crushing tests were conducted and the results indicated that, under the same condition, the crushing strength of pumice increased with decreasing particle size, consistent with that observed in hard-grained soils; however, the crushing strength of pumice is one order of magnitude lower, highlighting its crushability. Finally, geotechnical laboratory tests such as cyclic undrained triaxial tests and bender element tests were performed on pumice sand specimens and the results were compared with those obtained from hard-grained silica sands. The results confirmed that the micro-level characteristics of the sand particles have a significant effect on their macro-level response.
Combining ability and heritability estimates of main agronomic characters in rapeseed breeding lines using line × tester analysis
Authors: Rameeh Valiollah
Published: July 2013

To estimate the general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) effects
of plant height, yield components, seed yield and oil content, three testers
and six lines of spring type of rapeseed varieties were crossed using line ?
tester fashion. Significant mean squares of parents and crosses for all the
traits indicated significant genetic variation among the parents and their F1
crosses. Significant mean squares of parents vs crosses revealed significant
average heterosis for all the traits except seeds per pod, 1000-seed weight
and oil content. High narrow-sense heritability estimates for all the traits
except seeds per pod, indicating the importance of additive genetic effects
for these traits. Due to more importance of additive genetic effects for most
of the traits, only a few of the crosses exhibited significant SCA effects. A
significant positive correlation between seed yield and some of yield
components including pods on main axis, pods per plant and 1000-seed weight
indicates that these traits can be used as suitable selection criteria for
improving of seed yield. The crosses including Opt ? R01, RG06 ? R01, RG06 ?
R08 and RGS3 ? R08 with 3241.91, 3213.68, 3334.28 and 3237.45 kg ha-1 of seed
yield detected as prior combinations for improving of this trait and all of
these combinations had also positive SCA effect for this trait.
Impact of pollination and fertilization on sesame production in the reclaimed lands, Ismailia governorate, Egypt
Authors: Blal Abd , Kamel Soliman , Mahfouz Hatem , El-Wahed Maysa
Published: July 2013

The research was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm, Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Suez Canal during the sesame growing seasons of
2011 and 2012. For the purpose of studying the impact of insect pollination
and nitrogen fertilization on sesame production, the experiment was divided
into 13 treatments of open pollination and non open pollination with three
different levels of ammonium nitrate (N) and one level of seryalin as
bio-fertilizer. Non open pollination treatments were covered before the start
of flowering period with a perforated net bag to allow the air to pass
through and to prevent insects from approaching the plants. Quantitative and
qualitative parameters were measured as follows: number of capsules per
plant, capsule weight, number of seeds per capsule, weight of 1000 seeds,
germination rate, seedling vigour and oil content. Results clearly
demonstrate that qualitative and quantitative parameters of sesame crop
significantly increased with open pollination and with the increase of
nitrogen fertilizer level up to 95 kg N/ha plus or minus seryalin in
reclaimed sandy soils in Ismailia, Egypt.
Chronic Pain Effect on Body Schema and Neuropsychological Performance in Athletes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Thurm Bianca E. , Matoso Amanda , Diaz Ana C. , Paschoalini Carolina , Neves Elayne , Tuunelis Raquel , Kiyomoto Henry Dan , Gama Eliane F.
Published: July 2013

The ability to recognize the body parts blindfolded is called body schema. Chronic pain disrupts cognitive function and could lead to an altered body schema. Commonly competitive athletes have chronic pain, but still train and compete. The goal of this study was to assess the body schema of competitive athletes with chronic pain. Pain was measured with the McGill Pain Questionnaire. To assess the body schema, the Image Marking Procedure was used to assess the capacity of the participants to project their bodies in space. Neuropsychological performance was assessed with the Grooved Pegboard Test. There was no difference in body schema between groups; neuropsychological performance indicated better scores in the athlete group. This study showed that despite chronic pain, the athlete group presented unaltered body schema and better neuropsychological performance, perhaps explained by self-selection.
Age and Gestural Differences in the Ease of Rotating a Virtual 3D Image on a Large, Multi-Touch Screen
Authors: Ku Chao-Jen , Chen Li-Chieh
Published: July 2013

Providing a natural mapping between multi-touch gestures and manipulations of digital content is important for user-friendly interfaces. Although there are some guidelines for 2D digital content available in the literature, a guideline for manipulation of 3D content has yet to be developed. In this research, two sets of gestures were developed for experiments in the ease of manipulating 3D content on a touchscreen. As there typically are large differences between age groups in the ease of learning new interfaces, we compared a group of adults with a group of children. Each person carried out three tasks linked to rotating the digital model of a green turtle to inspect major characteristics of its body. Task completion time, subjective evaluations, and gesture changing frequency were measured. Results showed that using the conventional gestures for 2D object rotation was not appropriate in the 3D environment. Gestures that required multiple touch points hampered the real-time visibility of rotational effects on a large screen. While the cumulative effects of 3D rotations became complicated after intensive operations, simpler gestures facilitated the mapping between 2D control movements and 3D content displays. For rotation in Cartesian coordinates, moving one fingertip horizontally or vertically on a 2D touchscreen corresponded to the rotation angles of two axes for 3D content, while the relative movement between two fingertips was used to control the rotation angle of the third axis. Based on behavior analysis, adults and children differed in the diversity of gesture types and in the touch points with respect to the object's contours. Offering a robust mechanism for gestural inputs is necessary for universal control of such a system.
Second Language Listening Difficulties Perceived by Low-Level Learners
Authors: Chang Anna C-S. , Wu Bill Wen-Pin , Pang Jerry C-L.
Published: July 2013

The purpose was the develop a questionnaire to identify the specific listening difficulties of second language (L2) learners. Based on previous research, a questionnaire containing 31 items was developed and administered to 1,056 college freshmen. The whole sample was split randomly into two subsamples, each containing 528 cases. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to analyse the first subsample, and six factors were extracted, explaining a total of 57.1% of variance. To test the factor model, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with the second subsample. Various fit indices were examined. The best fitting model for the data was a 23-item, six-factor model representing text, input channel and surroundings, relevance, listener, speaker, and task. Apart from the listener factor, all components are external ones and deemed to be uncontrollable by listeners. L2 learners must take an active role in listening practice to overcome L2 listening difficulties.
Effects of Position and Task Demands on Endogenous Eyeblink
Authors: Sugiyama Toshiko , Watanabe Ikue , Tada Hideoki
Published: July 2013

The present study investigated the effects of the supine position and task demands on blink activities. 24 participants ( M age = 21.7 yr., SD = 0.5) performed the Japanese version of the Reading Span Test to investigate the effects of task difficulty. Eyeblink activities were detected by electrooculogram, via a wireless system, and were analyzed using newly developed software. Results showed that the supine position did not affect blink rate itself, but some wave characteristics of blinks, such as blink amplitude and closing and re-opening duration, were influenced; specifically, amplitude was reduced and durations increased. Further analyses suggested that task demands affected eyeblink rates but did not affect waveform attributes. Eyeblink rates increased during task performance and decreased during rest periods but it was not confirmed that this task demand effect was larger in the supine position than in the sitting position.
An Implicit Assessment of the Effect of Artificial Cheek Raising: When Your Face Smiles, the World Looks Nicer
Authors: Mori Hideko , Mori Kazuo
Published: July 2013

Experiments were conducted with 80 undergraduate participants (52 men and 28 women) to examine whether the sensation of having the cheeks lifted or pulled down would elicit different responses in an implicit association test. Implicit emotional responses were measured for two facial feedback conditions by utilizing a modified Affect Misattribution Procedure. The participants wore one of two types of simple devices designed to either raise or lower the cheeks, and rated neutral targets preceded by three types (positive, neutral, or negative) of prime photos. The results showed that the participants whose cheeks were raised tended to rate the targets statistically more positively than did those whose cheeks were lowered.
The Effect of Interior Aircraft Noise on Pilot Performance
Authors: Lindvall Johan , Västfjäll Daniel
Published: July 2013

This study examined the effect of the interior sounds of an aircraft cockpit on ratings of affect and expected performance decrement. While exposed to 12 interior aircraft sounds, of which half were modified to correspond to what is experienced with an active noise reduction (ANR) headset, 23 participants rated their affective reactions and how they believed their performance on various tasks would be affected. The results suggest that implementation of ANR-technique has a positive effect on ratings of expected performance. In addition, affective reactions to the noise are related to ratings of expected performance. The implications of these findings for both research and pilot performance are discussed.
Study on Microbiological Organisms Responsible For Chronic Osteomyelitis Of the Jaw in Bangladesh
Authors: Moral AKM Sobhan , Begum Taslima , Rahman AFM Shahidur , Hasan MD Mokerrom , Islam Md. Mahfuzul
Published: July 2013

Bangladesh Journal of Dental Research & Education, Vol. 01, No. 01, January 2011, Page 5-7 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjdre.v1i1.15793
Tooth-size Discrepancy - An important diagnosis tool to measure the outcome of Orthodontic Treatment Completion: A Review
Authors: Hasan Md. Nazmul , Chowdhury Shirin Sultana , Khan Md. Ali Afzal , Taleb Asma , Abid Mohammad Mainul Hasan
Published: July 2013

Bangladesh Journal of Dental Research & Education, Vol. 01, No. 01, January 2011, Page 27-29 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjdre.v1i1.15799
Altered Sphingolipid Metabolism in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Jiang Yixing , DiVittore Nicole , Young Megan , Jia Zhiliang , Xie Keping , Ritty Timothy , Kester Mark , Fox Todd
Published: July 2013

Although numerous genetic mutations and amplifications have been identified in pancreatic cancer, much of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease remains undefined. While proteomic and transcriptomic analyses have been utilized to probe and characterize pancreatic tumors, lipidomic analyses have not been applied to identify perturbations in pancreatic cancer patient samples. Thus, we utilized a mass spectrometry-based lipidomic approach, focused towards the sphingolipid class of lipids, to quantify changes in human pancreatic cancer tumor and plasma specimens. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with positive lymph node metastasis have a markedly higher level of ceramide species (C16:0 and C24:1) in their tumor specimens compared to pancreatic cancer patients without nodal disease or to patients with pancreatitis. Also of interest, ceramide metabolites, including phosphorylated (sphingosine- and sphinganine-1-phosphate) and glycosylated (cerebroside) species were elevated in the plasma, but not the pancreas, of pancreatic cancer patients with nodal disease. Analysis of plasma level of cytokine and growth factors revealed that IL-6, IL-8, CCL11 (eotaxin), EGF and IP10 (interferon inducible protein 10, CXCL10) were elevated in patients with positive lymph nodes metastasis, but that only IP10 and EGF directly correlated with several sphingolipid changes. Taken together, these data indicate that sphingolipid metabolism is altered in human pancreatic cancer and associated with advanced disease. Assessing plasma and/or tissue sphingolipids could potentially risk stratify patients in the clinical setting.
Contribution of Small Wind Turbine Structural Vibration to Noise Emission
Authors: Mollasalehi Ehsan , Sun Qiao , Wood David
Published: July 2013

A major barrier to the acceptance of small wind turbines is that they are perceived to be noisy. This paper investigates an aspect of noise emission that has not been considered; vibration and noise generation from the tower. First, vibration measurements were made using accelerometers placed on the 10.2 m monopole tower of a Skystream 2.4 kW wind turbine, and natural frequencies and corresponding deflection shapes were calculated. Second, the results from the survey were used to verify the predictions of a finite element model of the tower structure. Lastly, the tower’s acoustic emission was simulated computationally, as it was not possible to measure it accurately. Most vibration energy occurred in the very low frequency band (≤10 Hz). It was found that wind itself can only excite the first two bending modes. On the other hand, emitted noise from the tower at large distances can be neglected, as close to the tower, the noise can reach 30 dB.
Developing a Semi-Quantitative Occupational Risk Prediction Model for Chemical Exposures and Its Application to a National Chemical Exposure Databank
Authors: Wang Shih-Min , Wu Trong-Neng , Juang Yow-Jer , Dai Yu-Tung , Tsai Perng-Jy , Chen Chiu-Ying
Published: July 2013

In this study, a semi-quantitative occupational chemical exposure risk prediction model, based on the calculation of exposure hazard indexes, was proposed, corrected, and applied to a national chemical exposure databank. The model comprises one factor used to describe toxicity (i.e., the toxicity index), and two factors used to reflect the exposure potential (i.e., the exposure index and protection deficiency index) of workers exposed to chemicals. An expert system was used to correct the above proposed model. By applying the corrected model to data obtained from a national occupational chemical hazard survey program, chemical exposure risks of various manufacturing industries were determined and a national control strategy for the abatement of occupational chemical exposures was proposed. The results of the present study would provide useful information for governmental agencies to allocate their limited resources effectively for reducing chemical exposures of workers.
Regulation of Vitamin C Homeostasis during Deficiency
Authors: Lindblad Maiken , Tveden-Nyborg Pernille , Lykkesfeldt Jens
Published: July 2013

Large cross-sectional population studies confirm that vitamin C deficiency is common in humans, affecting 5%–10% of adults in the industrialized world. Moreover, significant associations between poor vitamin C status and increased morbidity and mortality have consistently been observed. However, the absorption, distribution and elimination kinetics of vitamin C in vivo are highly complex, due to dose-dependent non-linearity, and the specific regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Particularly, little is known about how adaptive mechanisms during states of deficiency affect the overall regulation of vitamin C transport in the body. This review discusses mechanisms of vitamin C transport and potential means of regulation with special emphasis on capacity and functional properties, such as differences in the Km of vitamin C transporters in different target tissues, in some instances demonstrating a tissue-specific distribution.
Low-Power Analog Processing for Sensing Applications: Low-Frequency Harmonic Signal Classification
Authors: White Daniel , William Peter , Hoffman Michael , Balkir Sina
Published: July 2013

A low-power analog sensor front-end is described that reduces the energy required to extract environmental sensing spectral features without using Fast Fouri´er Transform (FFT) or wavelet transforms. An Analog Harmonic Transform (AHT) allows selection of only the features needed by the back-end, in contrast to the FFT, where all coefficients must be calculated simultaneously. We also show that the FFT coefficients can be easily calculated from the AHT results by a simple back-substitution. The scheme is tailored for low-power, parallel analog implementation in an integrated circuit (IC). Two different applications are tested with an ideal front-end model and compared to existing studies with the same data sets. Results from the military vehicle classification and identification of machine-bearing fault applications shows that the front-end suits a wide range of harmonic signal sources. Analog-related errors are modeled to evaluate the feasibility of and to set design parameters for an IC implementation to maintain good system-level performance. Design of a preliminary transistor-level integrator circuit in a 0:µm complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) integrated circuit process showed the ability to use online self-calibration to reduce fabrication errors to a sufficiently low level. Estimated power dissipation is about three orders of magnitude less than similar vehicle classification systems that use commercially available FFT spectral extraction.
Pour une extension du domaine de la performance (XVII e -XXI e siècle)
Authors: Biet Christian
Published: July 2013

Partant d’une pratique d’historien du théâtre, l’auteur de cet article souhaite montrer comment la notion de performance , au sens le plus large du terme, peut être un moyen pour étendre et approfondir l’analyse des événements théâtraux et spectaculaires, présents et passés, en les considérant à partir de l’unité de la séance. Ce premier pas permettra de mieux comprendre l’hétérogénéité des événements à travers celle des spectateurs, sans perdre de vue que la performance théâtrale est aussi une proposition artistique faite aux spectateurs et qu’elle vient d’une décision esthétique endossée par des artistes . Le second pas sera de savoir comment le phénomène théâtral peut être à la fois un jeu d’oppositions et de contradictions, un lieu de performance sociale et esthétique, mais aussi un espace dynamique de comparution de tous devant tous, où tous les individus présents jugent et se jugent.
Installations-Happenings, liaisons dangereuses ?
Authors: Goldberg Itzhak
Published: July 2013

Les « installations » et les « happenings », ces deux formes esthétiques qui émergent à la fin des années 1950, sont souvent pratiqués par les mêmes artistes, influencés par l’enseignement de John Cage. Comme lui, ils accordent une importance aux modes d’expression qui s’adressent simultanément à tous les sens et réalisent des œuvres où le cadre et les attitudes des créateurs, devenus performers , semblent improvisés et modifiables. Même si l’installation est liée surtout au site et la « performance » au mouvement, les deux ont souvent un terrain commun.
La fascination de la peau
Authors: Roques Sylvie , Vigarello Georges
Published: July 2013

C’est à une catégorie de performances spécifiques s’approchant du Body Art et de l’art corporel, prenant pour médium le corps et investissant de manière spécifique ses frontières – comme la peau –, que nous nous intéresserons. Notre point de vue sera davantage celui de l’historien s’appuyant sur les traces de performances passées, telles les photographies et les archives, et mettant en perspective les questionnements qui n’ont cessé de les traverser.