bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Preterm Infants’ Night Sleep: and Online Community-Based Survey of Maternal Factors and Perceptions of Infants’ Nighttime Awakenings and Sleep Problems
Authors: Ali Reem , Hall Wendy , Warnock Fay , Wong Sabrina , Ratner Pam
Published: September 2014

Background: Between one-quarter and one-third of infants aged six months to five years have sleeping problems.  Infants' night sleep patterns, in particular problematic night waking with crying, are a common concern for parents.  Many factors can influence the development of infants’ night sleep patterns and sleep problems, including parental interaction. Objectives: To examine the associations between premature infants’ nighttime awakening, mothers’ reports of sleep problem severity, and maternal factors, including mothers’ styles of attachment and behaviors used to settle their infants to sleep. Method: The cross sectional survey study used a web-based questionnaire to collect data from a community-based sample of 105 mothers of singleton premature infants aged 5-6 months (corrected age) across a number of English speaking countries. The main outcome measures were mothers’ perceptions of infants’ nighttime awakenings (frequency and duration) and presence of infant sleep problems. Results: Of the 55% of mothers who reported that their infants had sleep problems, 17% described the problem as serious.  The majority of infants woke 2.1 times per night for an average of 45.7 minutes per night.     Mothers’ style of attachment and personal history of sleep problems predicted the duration of the infants’ nighttime awakening, whereas maternal active physical comforting predicted the frequency of nighttime awakenings. Conclusions: The findings can guide healthcare providers to screen mothers for an anxious style of attachment, perceptions of infant sleep problems, and use of active physical comforting strategies for bedtime settling when assessing premature infants’ sleep problems.   Keywords: Maternal Attachment, Nighttime Awakenings, Premature Infant, Settling Strategies, Sleep Problem
Investigation of jatropha seed oil as austempering quenchant for ductile cast iron
Authors: Terngu Akor , Terfa Gundu David
Published: September 2014

Austempering is a multi-step process that includes austenitizing, followed by cooling rapidly enough to avoid the formation of pearlite to a temperature above the martensite start (Ms) and then holding until the desired microstructure is formed. It is an isothermal heat treatment process that, when applied to cast iron, produces components that, in many cases, have properties superior to those process by conventional heat treatment. Salt bath has been recognized as the conventional quenching medium for austempering. This study investigates the suitability of jatropha seed oil as quenching medium for asaustempering ductile cast iron. Test samples were austenitized at 9500C; socked for 1hr; austempered for varying periods of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5hrs. The result showed significant increase in tensile strength and impact energy apart from achieving an appreciable increase in hardness. It also tally with recommended values of ductile cast iron austempered in salt bath, implying that jatropha oil can be used as hot bath for the austempering of ductile cast iron. Keywords: Ausferrite, Austempering, Austenitized, Matrix So, Cked.
PLC-controlled stepper motor drive for NC positioning system
Authors: Sarhan Hussein
Published: September 2014

In this paper, an electric drive system for precision control of numerically-controlled positioning system is designed, assembled and experimentally tested. The proposed drive system is based on PLC-controlled stepper motor. The PLC is used as an indexer to perform full stepping, half stepping and microstepping modes of operation of stepper motor. The drive system has been implemented in two-axes NC positioning system. The linear displacement for each machine axis has been evaluated and compared for the three stepping modes of stepper motor. Experimental and calculation results show that the response per pulse (resolution) for full stepping mode is , for half stepping mode is and for microstepping mode is , which means that the microstepping mode is the best one for precision control of NC positioning system. Keywords: Electric Drive, NC Positioning System, PLC, Stepper Motor, Stepping Mode.
The most appropriate mixing method of polypropylene fiber with aggregates and bitumen based on binder mix design
Authors: Zahedi Mohsen , Bayat Ramin , Nazemi Jalal Mehdi
Published: September 2014

Asphalt is used in road pavements as the binder of aggregates in a great extent all around the world. Asphalt Modifiers have used in pavement engineering in order to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. One of the most important of them is Polypropylene Fiber that causes increasing stability in the mixture. In this article usage of this fiber in civil engineering and especially in asphalt mixtures is investigated; Mixing methods of fiber with aggregates and bitumen are dry, wet and complex are investigated and the most appropriate method because of homogenous mixing and better result is introduced. Keywords: Polypropylene Fiber, Mixing, Bitumen, Aggregates, Binder.
A replacement of chromate coating for adhesive bonding of stainless steel in a corrosive environment
Authors: Alawadhi Khaled , Brown Richard , Alsarraf Jalal
Published: September 2014

For adhesive bonding of stainless steel to itself, a surface treatment involving chromates is used. However, chromates are environmentally unfriendly so a replacement is being sought. In this paper, an alternative to chromate was investigated. The standard test method, ASTM D 1002, was used to measure the failure load of adhesively bonded stainless steel samples. A general-purpose epoxy adhesive was used. To simulate marine exposure, adhesively bonded samples were placed in a 5% salt spray for extended periods of time, up to five weeks. Results indicated that the initial shear strength of adhesive joints prepared with a traditional chromate preparation was 25% greater than the new, alternative coating. However, more importantly, the rate of decrease in strength with salt spray exposure was greater for the chromate than for the alternative. After 21 days, both bonding surface treatments had the same strength. However, after this period of time, the alternative was stronger than the chromate treatment, indicating that the alternative was a more durable coating. An adhesive/adherent coated system was investigated using a finite element method in order to investigate the influence of adhesive thickness between the adhesive and the adherent, and the residual stress in the adhesive layer. Keywords: Adhesive, Alternative Coating, Crevice Corrosion, Potentio-Dynamic, Salt Spray.
Hydrocephalus treated with VP shunt surgery: a clinical audit
Authors: Gautam V K S , Singh Ravinder , Khurana Sarbjeet
Published: September 2014

Hydrocephalus is a common disease of the brain. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery is one of the procedures for its treatment. The clinical outcome following VPS should be evaluated periodically to reduce the complications associated with this procedure. Clinical audit helps to identify and develop effective methods for improvement in patient care. This paper illuminates the experience of authors in clinical audit of forty three neurosurgical patient undergone VPS surgery. Keywords: Clinical Audit, Hydrocephalus, VP Shunt.
Screening for diabetic nephropathy at diabetes clinic in Su-dan
Authors: Abdul-Azim Abdul-Azim Ali , Alawad Awad , Younis Faisal H.
Published: September 2014

Background: Diabetes mellitus and its complications are one of the major health problems in Sudan. Only few patients had been screened before their complications appeared. As a result of this, many patients have not been discovered and ended with late stages of the disease, and are now showing evidence of diabetic nephropathy. Objective: The main aim of this study is at discovering the factors in terms of patients knowledge that are leading to the defect in diabetic nephropathy screening at one of the diabetes clinics. Methods: This cross-sectional hospital-based descriptive study was conducted at University charity teaching hospital affiliated to University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) and covered 56 patients diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus during the period from August to October 2013. Information was obtained by direct interviewing of patients using a questionnaire, and filled in the form of an interview. Results: A total of 56 patients were included, their mean age group was 60-69 and of them 51.8% were males. Regarding awareness about the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy, the most known symptom was fatigue, known by 27 (48.2%). Out of all the participants 55 (98.2%) reported checking their blood pressure regularly. A total of 50 (89.2%) believed that smoking had a harmful effect on their diabetes and 12 (21.4%) participants smoke cigarettes. Regarding exercise (54, 96.4%) believed that exercise is helpful in decreasing the incidence of diabetic nephropathy, however only 16 (28.6%) participants reported exercising regularly. A total of 51 (91%) have heard about the screening for diabetic nephropathy yet only 46 (82.1%) participant had their screening done regularly. Conclusion: Majority of participants had an understanding of the factors and knowledge on the signs of diabetic nephropathy, yet not all have evaded the risk factors. Raising awareness is essential but providing facilities to ensure its compliance is required. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Nephropathy.
Incidence of complications following open mesh repair for inguinal hernia
Authors: Alawad Awad , Khalil Rashid Abd Elhalim
Published: September 2014

Background: Traditional suture repair of inguinal hernia is fast giving way to routine tension-free mesh repair. In many countries, mesh repair is now more common than suture repair. Objective: To study mesh related complications in the early postoperative period in patient with inguinal hernia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khartoum teaching hospital. One hundred and three patients who had mesh repair for inguinal hernia were the base for this study between January and December 2011 using a structured questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients is 43.203 14.41 years (STD). There were 95.1% males (n=98) and 4.9% females (n=5). Tension-free mesh repair was done for 103 patients, 12 patients (11.3%) developed wound hematoma, another 12 patients (11.3%) developed numbness at the site of operations, 11 patients (10.7%) developed scrotal swelling, nine patients (8.7%) developed seroma and four patients (3.9%) developed neuralgia at the site of operations. Conclusion: Mesh repair of inguinal hernias is not free of complications. A larger sample size and further studies are needed to compare outcome of mesh repair in our environment more objectively with traditional inguinal hernia repair. Keywords: Inguinal Hernia; Mesh Repair; Complications.
The Conductivity of Aqueous K2CO3 at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures, Measured using the AC van der Pauw Technique
Authors: Mollerup P.L. , Christiansen A.S. , Bonanos N. , Mogensen M.B.
Published: September 2014

Conductivity measurements of aqueous K2CO3 were performed using the van der Pauw method and a specially designed sample holder with Pt wires as electrodes. The resistance was measured using alternating current. The conductivity of 10-50 wt% aqueous K2CO3 was measured at room temperature and ambient pressure. The conductivity was found to increase with concentration up to 30-40 wt%, and decline at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the conductivity of 5-30 wt% aqueous K2CO3 was measured up to 180-200 °C at 30 bar. The highest conductivity measured was 1.34 S/cm at 172 °C for 30 wt% K2CO3 (aq). The conductivity was found to increase with concentration and also temperature for 5-15 wt%. For 20 and 30 wt% K2CO3 (aq) the conductivity also increased with temperature up to a certain point and then a drop was seen at 150 and 180 °C, respectively. The activation energy was also obtained by fitting the data to a modified Arrhenius equation. The activation energy was found to be in the range 0.14-0.17 eV and did not appear to be concentration dependent.
An Electrochemical Biosensor for Detection of Thrombin based on Displacement Mode
Authors: Wang XiaoYun , Cui Han Feng , Cheng Lin , Fan Hao
Published: September 2014

A sensitive electrochemical biosensor for detection of thrombin based on target protein-induced strand displacement is presented. For this proposed biosensor, dsDNA which was prepared by the hybridization reaction of the immobilized probe ssDNA (IP) containing thiol group and thrombin aptamer base sequence was initially immobilized on the Au electrode by self-assemble via Au-S bind, and a DNA labeled with PdS nanoparticles (DP-PdS) was used as a detection probe. When the so prepared dsDNA modified Au electrode was immersed into a solution containing target protein and DP-PdS, the aptamer in the dsDNA give priority to to form G-quarter structure with the present target protein and the dsDNA sequence was released one single strand and returned to IP strand which consequently hybridized with DP-PdS. After dissolving the captured PdS particles from the electrode, a mercury-film electrode was used for electrochemical detection of these Pd2+ ions which offered sensitive electrochemical signal transduction. The peak current of Pd2+ ions had a good linear relationship with the thrombin concentration in the range of 7.3×10−8–7.3×10-11 mol/L and the detection limit was 2.3×10-11 mol/L of thrombin. The detection was also specific for thrombin without being affected by the coexistence of other proteins, such as BSA and lysozyme.
Anaphoric resources in expository texts produced by children: The impact of a didactic sequence
Authors: Sánchez Verónica , Plana María Dolores , Benítez María Elena
Published: September 2014

This paper aims to explore the incidence of didactic strategies on the usage of anaphoric resources, in written expository texts, produced by Spanish speaking children, from Córdoba, Argentina. In order to identify and analyze the anaphoric resources used by children, we designed and implemented a sequence of didactic activities, based on gender textual characteristics. The genre to teach was the “encyclopedia entry”. We analyzed the children production obstacles and difficulties and compared the productions before and after the didactic intervention, in order to assess the impact of teaching in the development of the cohesion devices. Eighty Spanish speaking children, of 3rd grade who attended two schools from Córdoba, Argentina, participated in this study. The results showed consistent changes after the didactic intervention that mainly consisted in an increase of the diversity of resources and the adequacy score in final productions; a higher presence of lexical resources, a higher precision and a decrease of ambiguous ellipsis.
The componential analysis of literary meaning
Authors: Belfarhi Khadija
Published: September 2014

The present paper aims at showing the importance of understanding English literary texts via the semantic analysis. Understanding literature as being a specific and more or less decompostional language is to rely on a lexico-semantic interaction which establishes meaning from different relations between words’ components because the latter hold meaning not clearly seen in the words of the text. The semantic analysis of literary texts enables the reader to establish a network of relations between terms and settles on a meaning that other semantic theories may not reach. This research provides a semantic analysis based on the lexical decomposition of the word into major and minor components whose semantic interaction yields meaning systematically. The application of the componential analysis on English literary texts can establish a lexical interaction based on semantic interrelations between words at the deep level because the minor components are not seen at the surface level. The interrelations between components can therefore yield the meaning enclosed at the surface level. The componential analysis is a way to getting into the deep surface structure of words through establishing semantic interrelations between words. This task enables the reader to find meaning in the possible components words may have, and makes him/her checking it by logical inference that stands primarily on the utterance as source of meaning projection.
English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States
Authors: Laurence Elizabeth
Published: September 2014

The inherent versatility exhibited in the various writing genres of talented linguist, Rosina Lippi-Green, is as remarkable as her seemingly random interest in quilting. Her ability to make connections with many things, in addition to fabric, is neither coincidental nor haphazard. It is far from surprising, therefore, that this independent scholar claiming “mixed European ancestry” utilizes three authorial guises: two for penning historical fiction and a third for academic writing endeavors, the most recent being English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States.Extensive documentation and factual data are but two persuasive means of support she utilizes to focus on and convince readers that the power of language upon social structures, especially in the discrimination and subordination of others, remains more strongly embedded than most people realize.
Narratives of place, belonging and language: An intercultural perspective
Authors: Castillo María Iliana
Published: September 2014

Narratives of place, belonging and language, is a study of the experiences of individuals who have commend ably overcome the language barriers between two or more languages. The individuals are famous contemporary writers peculiar for finding themselves in a position of vagueness between two cultures at different points in their lives. This unabridged sense of isolation which can best defined as neither the identification with the host culture nor the native culture is precisely what the author refers to as being “in-between” cultures. This notion of language and cultural in-betweenness is what the author constantly recaptures throughout the volume, exposing several cases in which in-betweenness has served as a source of encouragement in order to generate ingenious forms of expression.
Writing skill enhancement when creating narrative texts through the use of collaborative writing and the Storybird Web 2.0 tool*
Authors: Herrera Yeison Edgardo
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this article is presenting how the use of Collaborative Writing (CW) through Storybird, a web 2.0 tool which promotes the creation of stories collaboratively, led two groups of learners to improve certain specific aspects of their writing skill. Both groups, the former one with fifteen students and the latter one with ten students, were about to complete a two-year general English course at Instituto de Lenguas de la Universidad Distrital (ILUD) in Bogotá, Colombia. Although their English language proficiency was expected to be at an upper-intermediate level (B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR), their writing skill was below average. Two pedagogical interventions were performed at two diferent times, the first one from October to November 2010, and the second one from March to April 2011. Pre and posttests, focus groups, surveys and reflective journals were used and data was analyzed following coding procedures. The findings revealed that the CW supported with Storybird encouraged learners to create narrative texts and their positive attitude towards the production of stories increased. Moreover, an improvement in learners’ vocabulary and increased attempts to use complex language forms to write were noticeable.
El habla como expresión de la cultura popular*
Authors: Riaño Bayona Yineth
Published: September 2014

Este artículo presenta resultados de una investigación cualitativa con jóvenes de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, cuyo objetivo fue comprender las representaciones sociales implícitas en sus expresiones cotidianas y cómo estas expresiones construyen y transforman la cultura popular con base en la aplicación de encuestas y la producción de textos escritos. El trabajo se enmarca en una perspectiva lingüística y sociológica y se realizó con cien estudiantes de un colegio de Bogotá cuyas edades oscilaban entre los 14 y 17 años de edad. Los resultados de la investigación mostraron que las representaciones sociales de los jóvenes bogotanos, presentes en sus expresiones cotidianas, tienen que ver con valores preestablecidos socialmente, con formas utilizadas para configurar su identidad como individuos y como miembros pertenecientes a algún grupo social y, con las ideas acerca de cómo comportarse o relacionarse con otros. La cultura popular, con la oposición de los jóvenes a lo establecido, manifiesta a través del uso informal del lenguaje y la creación de palabras carentes de los requisitos necesarios para ser consideradas como propias de la cultura superior. En este sentido, se constató la mediación de la cultura superior en la existencia de la cultura popular.
The use of new technologies among in-service Colombian ELT teachers *
Authors: McDougald Jermaine
Published: September 2014

This study reports on the impact of the Masters in english language Teaching with an emphasis on Autonomous learning environments from the Universidad de la Sabana. The report highlights how graduates from 12 cities from 9 departments throughout Colombia are using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for english language learning in order to promote autonomy. The data that has been gathered thus far reveals that teachers are becoming much more comfortable in evaluating ICT tools in accordance with their teaching context, the strengths and opportunities of ICT tools and their consequent improvement on language teaching, while promoting the development of autonomous learners.
An investigation into how EFL learners emotionally respond to teachers’ oral corrective feedback
Authors: Martínez Juan De Dios
Published: September 2014

This research study draws on research in SLA and language pedagogy and hopes to throw some light on the pedagogical effectiveness of the oral feedback process in L2 classrooms by focusing exclusively on the potential affective damage that teachers´ oral corrective feedback can cause among learners in classroom settings. The paper describes a study in which we investigated how EFL learners actually perceive or rather emotionally respond to the oral feedback process. This paper aims to investigate to what extent the way teachers provide oral corrective feedback is somehow associated with learners´ motivations and attitudes. For this purpose, a short questionnaire was designed and distributed among a sample of 208 EFL secondary school learners. The article first reviews the literature on the controversial role of corrective feedback in L2 classrooms. Next, the findings are reported and discussed. This research paper suggests that EFL learners emotionally respond to teachers´ oral corrective feedback in different ways. Additionally, it found evidence that anxiety can have a negative effect on the way learners benefit from the oral feedback process. Thus, the paper issues warnings about the potential affective damage oral corrective feedback can cause among learners in classroom situations.
Legal Issues in the Use of Student Test Scores and Value-added Models (VAM) to Determine Educational Quality
Authors: Pullin Diana
Published: September 2014

A growing number of states and local schools across the country have adopted educator evaluation and accountability programs based on the use of student test scores and value-added models (VAM).  A wide array of potential legal issues could arise from the implementation of these programs. This article uses legal analysis and social science evidence to discuss potential legal challenges by educators to the use of VAM that should be considered by public policy makers.  It also discusses potential ways VAM might be used as evidence in support of legal claims by students concerning access to educational opportunity.
Evaluating the recession’s impact on state school finance systems
Authors: Baker Bruce D.
Published: September 2014

The Great Recession’s effect on state school finance systems was unlike previous downturns in the early 1990s and early 2000s in that it a) involved a greater loss of taxable income in many states, thus greater loss to state general fund revenues, b) also involved a substantial collapse of housing markets and related reduction or at least leveling of growth of taxable property wealth, c) but also involved a substantive infusion of federal “fiscal stabilization” aid to be used to fill holes in state general aid formulas. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of the recession on equity of state school funding systems with respect to child poverty concentrations. Using school district level panel data from 1993 to 2011, we evaluate the interplay between local, state and federal source revenues through the course of the recent recession by comparison with the less severe economic downturn of the early 2000s. Then using state level estimates of elasticities between revenue and spending measures and district poverty rates, we estimate whether changes in the distribution of state, local or federal revenue contribute most to changes in overall equity of current spending and whether those contributions changed during the recent recession.
Sampling and interpolation on some nilpotent Lie groups
Authors: Oussa Vignon
Published: September 2014

Let N be a non-commutative, simply connected, connected, two-step nilpotent
Lie group with Lie algebra 𝔫 such that

𝔫
=
𝔞
⊕
𝔟
⊕
𝔷

${\mathfrak {n=a\oplus b\oplus z}}$

,

[
𝔞
,
𝔟
]
⊆
𝔷

${[ \mathfrak {a},\mathfrak {b}] \subseteq \mathfrak {z}}$

, the algebras

𝔞
,
𝔟
,
𝔷

${\mathfrak {a},\mathfrak {b,z}}$

are abelian,

𝔞
=
ℝ
-
span
{

X
1

,

X
2

,
...
,

X
d

}

${\mathfrak {a}=\mathbb {R}\mathrm {\hbox{-}span}\lbrace X_{1},X_{2},\ldots ,X_{d}\rbrace
}$

, and

𝔟
=
ℝ
-
span
{

Y
1

,

Y
2

,
...
,

Y
d

}

${\mathfrak {b}=\mathbb {R}\mathrm {\hbox{-}span}\lbrace Y_{1},Y_{2},\ldots ,Y_{d}\rbrace }$

. Also, we assume that

det

[

[

X
i

,

Y
j

]

]

1
≤
i
,
j
≤
d

${\det [ [ X_{i}
,Y_{j}] ] _{1\le i,j\le d}}$

is a non-vanishing homogeneous
polynomial in the unknowns

Z
1

,
...
,

Z

n
-
2
d

${Z_{1},\ldots ,Z_{n-2d}}$

where

{

Z
1

,
...
,

Z

n
-
2
d

}

${\lbrace
Z_{1},\ldots ,Z_{n-2d}\rbrace }$

is a basis for the center of the Lie algebra.
Using well-known facts from time-frequency analysis, we provide some precise
sufficient conditions for the existence of sampling spaces with the
interpolation property, with respect to some discrete subset of N. The
result obtained in this work can be seen as a direct application of
time-frequency analysis to the theory of nilpotent Lie groups. Several
explicit examples are computed. This work is a generalization of recent
results obtained for the Heisenberg group by Currey and Mayeli in
[Rocky Mountain J. Math. 42 (2012), no. 4, 1135–1151].
Role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in non-small cell lung cancer: in vitro effect of shRNA-mediated gene silencing on tumourigenicity
Authors: Sartini Davide , Seta Riccardo , Pozzi Valentina , Morganti Stefano , Rubini Corrado , Zizzi Antonio , Tomasetti Marco , Santarelli Lory , Emanuelli Monica
Published: September 2014

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed neoplasm, and represents the leading cause of tumour death worldwide. As patients are often diagnosed at a late stage, current therapeutic strategies have limited effectiveness and the prognosis remains poor. Successful treatment depends on early diagnosis and knowledge concerning molecular mechanisms underlying lung carcinogenesis. In the present study, we focused on nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), which is overexpressed in several malignancies. First, we analysed NNMT expression in a cohort of 36 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, we examined NNMT expression levels in the human lung cancer cell line A549 by Real-Time PCR, Western blot and catalytic activity assay, and evaluated the effect of NNMT knockdown on cell proliferation and anchorage-independent cell growth by MTT and soft agar colony formation assays, respectively. NSCLC displayed higher NNMT expression levels compared to both tumour-adjacent and surrounding tissue. Moreover, shRNA-mediated gene silencing of NNMT led to a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation ability on soft agar. Our results show that the downregulation of NNMT significantly reduced in vitro tumorigenicity of A549 cells and suggest that NNMT could represent an interesting molecular target for lung cancer therapy.
Prognostic factors in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer patients with pulmonary metastases
Authors: Bal Chandra Sekhar , Garg Aayushi , Chopra Saurav , Ballal Sanjana , Soundararajan Ramya
Published: September 2014

This study was aimed at identifying the prognostic factors predicting remission in pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients presenting with pulmonary metastases. Little is known about the prognostic factors in reference to pediatric DTC patients presenting with pulmonary metastases.

Fifty-three DTC patients aged ≤21 years were diagnosed with pulmonary metastases at initial presentation. The demographic and disease characteristics were compared between the patients who achieved remission and those who did not.

During the median follow-up of 72 months, 38 patients became disease free, 14 patients had biochemically and/or structurally persistent disease, and one patient died due to disease progression. Patient age >15 years, presence of macronodular pulmonary metastases, and surgical methods lesser than total/near-total thyroidectomy were identified as factors associated with reduced odds of remission.

This study describes the disease course and depicts the disease related prognostic factors in pediatric DTC patients with pulmonary metastases.
Conformational studies of 2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-oxoethyl benzoates
Authors: Kumar Chandraju Sadolalu Chidan , Chia Tze Shyang , Ooi Chin Wei , Quah Ching Kheng , Kumar Chandraju Sadolalu Chidan , Chandraju Siddegowda , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: September 2014

Phenacyl benzoates possess commercial importance due to their various applications in the fields of synthetic and photochemistry, such as photosensitive blocking groups owing to their ease of cleavage under mild conditions. In the present study, a series of ten new 2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-oxoethyl benzoates 2(a–j), with the general formula Br(C6H4)COCH2OCO(C6H5–n

X

n
), X = Cl, NO2 or NH2, and n = 1 or 2, have been synthesized by reacting 4-bromophenacyl bromide with various substituted benzoic acids using potassium carbonate in DMF medium at room temperature. These reactions proceeded with ease under mild conditions producing high purity products in good yield. Each product was characterized by mass spectra, elemental analysis and melting points, its 3D structure was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The X-ray 3D structures showed the flexibility of the C(=O)–O–C–C(=O) connecting bridge in which 7 out of 10 compounds tend to form a torsion angle in the range of 70 to 91°, whereas the rest are slightly twisted with a torsion angles of –160, 163, 176 and 178°. Their molecular conformations are in good agreement with another 22 related structures. These synthesized compounds were screened for their abilities for DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power. The results indicate that these compounds displayed mild anti-oxidant ability when compared to the standard anti-oxidant BHT.
Ozone Therapy in Dentistry
Authors: Domb William C.
Published: September 2014

The 21stcentury dental practice is quite dynamic. New treatment protocols and new materials are being developed at a rapid pace. Ozone dental therapy falls into the category of new treatment protocols in dentistry, yet ozone is not new at all. Ozone therapy is already a major treatment modality in Europe, South America and a number of other countries. What is provided here will not be an exhaustive scientific treatise so much as a brief general introduction into what dentists are now doing with ozone therapies and the numerous oral/systemic links that make this subject so important for physicians so that, ultimately, they may serve their patients more effectively and productively.
High-Resolution Specificity from DNA Sequencing Highlights Alternative Modes of Lac Repressor Binding
Authors: Zuo Zheng , Stormo Gary D
Published: September 2014

Knowing the specificity of transcription factors is critical to understanding regulatory networks in cells. The lac repressor–operator system has been studied for many years, but not with high-throughput methods capable of determining specificity comprehensively. Details of its binding interaction and its selection of an asymmetric binding site have been controversial. We employed a new method to accurately determine relative binding affinities to thousands of sequences simultaneously, requiring only sequencing of bound and unbound fractions. An analysis of 2560 different DNA sequence variants, including both base changes and variations in operator length, provides a detailed view of lac repressor sequence specificity. We find that the protein can bind with nearly equal affinities to operators of three different lengths, but the sequence preference changes depending on the length, demonstrating alternative modes of interaction between the protein and DNA. The wild-type operator has an odd length, causing the two monomers to bind in alternative modes, making the asymmetric operator the preferred binding site. We tested two other members of the LacI/GalR protein family and find that neither can bind with high affinity to sites with alternative lengths or shows evidence of alternative binding modes. A further comparison with known and predicted motifs suggests that the lac repressor may be unique in this ability and that this may contribute to its selection.
Cancer Incidence Rates and Trends Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2001–2009
Authors: Siegel David A. , King Jessica , Tai Eric , Buchanan Natasha , Ajani Umed A. , Li Jun
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVES:

Cancer continues to be the leading disease-related cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. More current information is needed to describe recent cancer trends and identify demographic and geographic variations.

METHODS:

We analyzed data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results statewide registries representing 94.2% of the US population to identify cancers diagnosed among persons aged 0 to 19 years during 2001–2009. Age-adjusted rates and annual percentage change for trends were calculated. Data were stratified by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and geography.

RESULTS:

We identified 120 137 childhood and adolescent cancer cases during 2001–2009 with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 171.01 per million. The overall rate of all cancers combined remained stable over time (annual percent change [APC], 0.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.1 to 0.7). There was an increase in the overall cancer trend among African American children and adolescents (APC, 1.3%; 95% CI, 0.2 to 2.5). An increasing trend for thyroid cancer was observed among both genders (APC, 4.9%; 95% CI, 3.2 to 6.6) and specifically among adolescents and those in the Northeast, South, and West regions of the United States. Renal carcinoma incidence was increasing significantly overall (APC, 5.4%; 95% CI, 2.8 to 8.1). Extracranial and extragonadal germ cell tumors and melanoma were both significantly decreasing.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study reports the novel finding that renal carcinoma rates are increasing among children and adolescents. This study confirms that thyroid cancer rates are increasing and further describes rising cancer rates among African Americans.
Bullying and Parasomnias: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Wolke Dieter , Lereya Suzet Tanya
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Environmental factors such as serious trauma or abuse and related stress can lead to nightmares or night terrors. Being bullied can be very distressing for children, and victims display long-term social, psychological, and health consequences. Unknown is whether being bullied by peers may increase the risk for experiencing parasomnias such as nightmares, night terrors, or sleepwalking.

METHODS:

A total of 6796 children of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort were interviewed at elementary school age (8 and 10 years) about bullying experiences with a previously validated bullying interview and at secondary school age (12.9 years) about parasomnias such as nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking by trained postgraduate psychologists.

RESULTS:

Even after adjusting for pre-existing factors related to bullying and parasomnias, being bullied predicted having nightmares (8 years odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.44; 10 years OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.35–1.94) or night terrors (8 years OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.10–1.75; 10 years OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.18–1.98) at age 12 to 13 years. Especially being a chronic victim was associated with both nightmares (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.46–2.27) and night terrors (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.48–2.74). Being a bully/victim also increased the risk for any parasomnia at ages 8 or 10 years (8 years OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.08–1.88; 10 years OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.30–2.36). In contrast, bullies had no increased risk for any parasomnias.

CONCLUSIONS:

Being bullied increases the risk for having parasomnias. Hence, parents, teachers, school counselors, and clinicians may consider asking about bullying experiences if a child is having parasomnias.
Optimization of Annealing Conditions for ZnO-based Thin Films Grown Using MOCVD
Authors: Mazady Anas , Rivera Abdiel , Anwar Mehdi
Published: September 2014

In this work, effects of thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films grown on p-Si and GaN substrates using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are investigated. Annealing at 600 °C results in optimum crystal and optical qualities of the ZnO thin films on both substrates. Smaller lattice mismatch between grown ZnO epitaxial layer on GaN substrates results in better film morphology as compared to p-Si substrates. Higher annealing temperature along with a slower thermal ramp provides better crystal quality of ZnO thin films on both substrates. Annealing ZnO thin films at 700 °C with a slower thermal ramp results in better crystal quality as is evident from a 56% reduction in the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the (002) peak compared to the as-grown films. The optical quality also enhances with a slower annealing rate. The determination of the optimum annealing conditions for different substrates has important implications in fabricating optimized and efficient ZnO based electronics.
One-Step Microwave-Assisted Aqueous Synthesis of Silver-Based Nanoparticles Functionalized by Glutathione
Authors: Blas Myrna Reyes , Ramírez-Hernandez Maricely , Rentas Danielle , Perales-Perez Oscar , Román Felix R.
Published: September 2014

The use of nano-sized silver and its alloys represents an interesting alternative to common food preservation methods, which are based on radiation, heat treatment and low temperature storage. These metal nanoparticles, embedded within a polymeric matrix for instance, would extend the shelf life of perishable foods while acting as a bactericidal agent to prevent food-borne illnesses. Common methods used in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles require toxic solvents and reagents that could be harmful to health and the food itself. In addition, several steps are required to obtain aqueous stable, i.e. dispersible, silver nanoparticles. In this work we propose the microwave-assisted aqueous synthesis of silver-based nanoparticles, (Ag Based NP) functionalized by glutathione (GSH) in a single-step using sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), as reducing agent. Ag-Based nanoparticles were synthesized at pH 6 and 1:3:1 (AgNO3/GSH/ Na2SO3) molar ratio. UV-Vis measurement clearly showed the plasmon peak attributed to silver-based nanoparticles (374 nm). Highly monodispersed water stable Ag-based nanoparticles were observed and 3.897 ± 0.167 nm particle size was determined through Transmission Electron Microscopy. FT-IR measurements suggested the actual GSH-Ag based surface interaction through –SH and –COOH groups; the functionalization by GSH explained the high stability of the nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions. These Ag-GSH nanoparticles exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity against E. Coli.
Sol-Gel Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Ni-Ferrite and Co-Ferrite Redox Materials for Thermochemical Production of Solar Fuels
Authors: Bhosale Rahul R. , Alxneit Ivo , van den Broeke Leo L. P. , Kumar Anand , Jilani Mehak , Gharbia Shahd Samir , Folady Jamila , Dardor Dareen Zuhir
Published: September 2014

In this contribution, we report the synthesis and characterization of NixFe3-xO4 and CoxFe3-xO4 redox nanomaterials using sol-gel method. These materials will be used to produce solar fuels such as H2 or syngas from H2O and/or CO2 via solar thermochemical cycles (STCs). For the sol-gel synthesis of ferrites, the Ni, Co, Fe precursor salts were dissolved in ethanol and propylene oxide (PO) was added dropwise to the well mixed solution as a gelation agent to achieve gel formation. Freshly synthesized gels were aged, dried, and calcined by heating them to 600°C in air. The calcined powders were characterized by powder x-ray diffractometer (XRD), BET surface area, as well as scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. Their suitability to be used in STCs for the production of solar fuels was assessed by performing several reduction/re-oxidation cycles using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).
Critical interfaces and waste placement in landfill design
Authors: Qian Xuede , Koerner Robert M.
Published: September 2014

The purposes of this paper are to use the previous authors’ study to investigate the effect of geometrical dimensions on the changes of the failure interfaces and to develop a design procedure for waste placement operations. Four scenarios were selected to conduct analysis so as to find various failure interface changes of the waste depth and also changes of the front and back slopes. The critical liner interface with the minimum factor of safety can vary from one to another with such changes. The curves of FS = 1·0 developed for each case can also be used to evaluate whether the waste mass filled in these landfill cells will possibly fail at a certain waste depth. In addition, a waste-filling sequence was generated so as to maintain FS above a stipulated value during filling operations. It is important to ensure that the minimum FS at the critical interface is always equal to or greater than a targeted value during waste filling, which, in turn, corresponds to different geometric dimensions of the waste.
A simplified non-linear procedure for buildings with shear walls
Authors: Tekeli Hamide , Atimtay Ergin
Published: September 2014

A simple and easily applicable analytical method is proposed to obtain the capacity curve of buildings with shear walls as the first stage of a seismic pushover analysis. The method is based on controlling the curvature distribution of shear walls. Accuracy of the method was examined based on data of three sample buildings compiled from the literature. The buildings have different floor areas, number of storeys and cross-sectional areas of shear walls. The method can be economically used with respect to both the computation time and the required equipment. The findings of this paper should be helpful for practising engineers as a quick and dependable hand calculation method for assessing the earthquake resilience of buildings.
Finite-element analysis of an alternative masonry wall system
Authors: Alwathaf Ahmed H. , Thanoon Waleed A. , Jaafar Mohd S.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents the analysis and modelling of interlocking mortarless concrete block walls subjected to concentric and eccentric compressive loading using a finite-element method. Detailed constitutive relationships concerning the mortarless dry joints and masonry materials are proposed for the finite-element model. An incremental-iterative finite-element (FE) program code is written to analyse the masonry walls up to failure. The applicability of the proposed FE model is investigated by demonstrating the non-linear structural response and failure mechanism of stiffened and unstiffened interlocking mortarless walls. Good agreement between the developed FE code and the experimental test results is achieved.
High Performance Solid Expandables for Deepwater
Authors: Bullock Mike , Ruzic Neven , Perez Marco , Fritsch Jerry
Published: September 2014

High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) wellbore designs are addressing deeper targets using more complex well paths. Solid expandable tubular (SET) systems have evolved to enable these wells to reach these deeper objectives with the planned wellbore diameter. Recent advancements in expandables have increased the mechanical ratings and maximum temperature of specific SET system sizes.

High-performance (HP) SET systems significantly increase pressure ratings in three sizes for a range of applications: 7-5/8 in. (for 9-3/8 in., 9-5/8 in., 9-7/8 in., and 10-1/8 in. base casings), 8-5/8 in. (for 10-3/4 in. base casing), and 11-3/4 in. (for 13-3/8 in., 13-5/8 in., and 14 in. base casings). Compared to standard SET systems, the collapse rating doubled for the 7-5/8-in. and 8 5/8-in. systems and tripled for the 11-3/4 in system. These HP systems increase the options available for designing HPHT wellbores. This paper will review GOM case histories for both drilling and repair applications.

A high-temperature SET system has also been developed to support drilling in deeper, higher temperature formations. Developed initially as a 7-5/8 in. SET system, it has a 450°F (230°C) rating that is 50°F (10°C) more than standard SET. The increase provides operators with a critical additional casing string deep in the wellbore.

These advances ensure that SET technology will play an increasingly prominent role in HPHT wellbore construction as operators optimize wellbore casing designs and reduce risk.