bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing relative humidity from plant δ18O and δD as deuterium deviations from the global meteoric water line
Authors: Voelker Steven L. , Brooks J. Renée , Meinzer Frederick C. , Roden John , Pazdur Anna , Pawelczyk Slawomira , Hartsough Peter , Snyder Keirith , Plavcová Lenka , Šantrůček Jiří
Published: October 2013

Cellulose δ18O and δD can provide insights on climates and hydrological cycling in the distant past and how these factors differ spatially. However, most studies of plant cellulose have used only one isotope, most commonly δ18O, resulting in difficulties partitioning variation in δ18O of precipitation vs. evaporative conditions that affect leaf water isotopic enrichment. Moreover, observations of pronounced diurnal differences from conventional steady‐state model predictions of leaf water isotopic fractionation have cast some doubt on single isotope modeling approaches for separating precipitation and evaporation drivers of cellulose δ18O or δD. We explore a dual isotope approach akin to the concept of deuterium‐excess (d), to establish deuterium deviations from the global meteoric water line in leaf water (Δdl) as driven by relative humidity (RH). To demonstrate this concept, we survey studies of leaf water δ18O and δD in hardwood vs. conifer trees. We then apply the concept to cellulose δ18O and δD using a mechanistic model of cellulose δ18O and δD to reconstruct deuterium deviations from the global meteoric water line (Δdc) in Quercus macrocarpa, Q. robur, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. For each species, Δdc showed strong correlations with RH across sites. Δdc agreed well with steady‐state predictions for Q. macrocarpa, while for Q. robur, the relationship with RH was steeper than expected. The slope of Δdc vs. RH of P. menziesii was also close to steady‐state predictions, but Δdc were more enriched than predicted. This is in agreement with our leaf water survey showing conifer Δdl was more enriched than predicted. Our data reveal that applications of this method should be appropriate for reconstructing RH from cellulose δ18O and δD after accounting for differences between hardwoods and conifers. Hence, Δdc should be useful for understanding variability in RH associated with past climatic cycles, across regional climates, or across complex terrain where climate modeling is challenging. Furthermore, Δdc and inferred RH values should help in constraining variation in source water δ18O.
Comparison of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Combined with Relaxation and Meditation Techniques on Reduction of Depression and Anxiety of Cardiovascular Patients
Authors: Delui Mahdy Hassanzadeh , Yari Maliheh , khouyinezhad Gholamreza , Amini Maral , Bayazi Mohammad Hosein
Published: October 2013

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in developed countries. Most cardiac rehabilitation programs include psychological interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques in cardiac patients including psychological-physical interventions such as Meditation and Relaxation. We enrolled 45 patients with CVD and depression. The patients were allocated to 3 groups (Relaxation, Meditation and Control). There was a significant reduction on depression, systolic blood pressure and heart rate in the Meditation group compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that meditation techniques have better outcomes in cardiac patients for improving depression, reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate than relaxation techniques.
Managing Depression During Pregnancy
Authors: Reminick Alison , Cohen Stacy , Einarson Adrienne
Published: October 2013

Depression is a common illness during pregnancy, yet it often goes undetected and/or untreated. Untreated depression during pregnancy has been associated with increased rates of adverse maternal, obstetrical and fetal outcomes; consequently, it is crucial to manage these women effectively and adequately during this vulnerable time of their lives. The barriers to treatment include the stigma surrounding mental health and the challenges of navigating the constantly growing, and apparently conflicting, evidence regarding the safety of antidepressant use during pregnancy, as well as other concerns unique to pregnant women. In this paper, we suggest the management of women with depression during pregnancy, using evidence-based information, taking into account all of the aspects of treatment, including screening, risks of untreated depression and evaluation of the safety data regarding pharmaceutical treatments. In addition, we have designed a treatment algorithm to assist clinicians in making evidence-based decisions in this highly sensitive and complex clinical field. Finally, it is important to evaluate each woman on an individual, case-by-base basis, in order to ensure the best outcome for both the mother and her baby.
Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Authors: Rapkin Andrea J , Lewis Erin I
Published: October 2013

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is comprised of a cluster of affective, behavioral and somatic symptoms recurring monthly during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The disorder affects 3–8% of menstruating women and represents the more severe and disabling end of the spectrum of premenstrual disorders, which includes premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual aggravation of underlying affective disorder. Rigorous and specific diagnostic criteria for PMDD were specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (1994) and reaffirmed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (2013) and, consequently, there has been a marked increase in well-designed, placebo-controlled studies evaluating treatment modalities. Although the exact pathogenesis of PMDD is still elusive, treatment of PMDD and severe premenstrual syndrome has centered on neuromodulation via serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, and ovulation suppression utilizing various contraceptive and hormonal preparations. Unlike the approach to the treatment of depression, serotonergic antidepressants need not be given daily, but can be effective when used cyclically, only in the luteal phase or even limited to the duration of the monthly symptoms. Less, well-substantiated alternative treatments, such as calcium supplementation, agnus castus (chasteberry), Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) and cognitive/behavioral/relaxation therapies, may be useful adjuncts in the treatment of PMDD. This review provides an overview of current information on the treatment of PMDD.
Mechanical properties of composites based on unsaturated polyester resins obtained by chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Marinkovic Aleksandar , Radoman Tijana , Dzunuzovic Enis , Dzunuzovic Jasna , Spasojevic Pavle , Isailovic Bojana , Bugarski Branko
Published: October 2013

Composites based on unsaturated polyester (UPe) resins and fumed silica
AEROSIL? RY 50, NY 50, RX 50 and NAX 50, as well as graphite, TiO2 or
organically modified clay CLOISITE 30B were prepared in order to investigate
the influence of reinforcing agents on the mechanical properties of
composites. Unsaturated polyester resins were synthesized from maleic
anhydride and products of glycolysis, obtained by depolymerization of
poly(ethylene terephthalate) with dipropylene glycol (UPe1 resin) and
triethylene glycol (UPe2 resin) in the presence of tetrabutyl titanate
catalyst. The obtained unsaturated polyesters were characterized by FTIR
spectroscopy, acid and hydroxyl values, and their mechanical properties were
also examined. Significant increase of the tensile modulus, tensile strength
and decrease of the elongation at break was observed for composites prepared
after addition of 10 wt.% of graphite or 10 wt.% of TiO2 to the UPe resins,
indicating strong interaction between matrix and filler particles. On the
other hand, nanocomposites prepared using UPe2 and hydrophobically modified
silica nanoparticles showed lower tensile strength and tensile modulus than
polymer matrix. The presence of CLOISITE 30B had no significant influence on
the mechanical properties of UPe1, while tensile strength and tensile modulus
of UPe2 increased after adding 10 wt.% of clay.
XPS and STEM study of the interface formation between ultra-thin Ru and Ir OER catalyst layers and perylene red support whiskers
Authors: Atanasoska Ljiljana , Cullen David , Atanasoski Radoslav
Published: October 2013

The interface formation between nano-structured perylene red (PR) whiskers
and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts ruthenium and iridium has been
studied systematically by XPS and STEM. The OER catalyst over-layers with
thicknesses ranging from ~0.1 to ~50 nm were vapor deposited onto PR
ex-situ. STEM images demonstrate that, with increasing thickness, Ru and Ir
transform from amorphous clusters to crystalline nanoparticles, which
agglomerate with increased over-layer thickness. XPS data show a strong
interaction between Ru and PR. Ir also interacts with PR although not to the
extent seen for Ru. At low coverages, the entire Ru deposit is in the
reacted state while a small portion of the deposited Ir remains metallic. Ru
and Ir bonding occur at the PR carbonyl sites as evidenced by the
attenuation of carbonyl photoemission and the emergence of new peak assigned
to C-O single bond. The curve fitting analysis and the derived stoichiometry
indicates the formation of metallo-organic bonds. The co-existence of oxide
bonds is also apparent.
Using duty cycle extension in time synchronization and power saving
Authors: Kosanovic Mirko , Stojcev Mile
Published: October 2013

Sensor Nodes, as constituents of Wireless Sensor Network, are battery-powered
devices and have limited amount of energy available. This limitation must be
overcome by using techniques that reduce the consumption of energy
effectively. In this article we present a technique called duty cycle
extension. It relates to modification of a guard time, and is intended to
compensate SN?s quartz frequency instability. In a case when the packet
rejection ratio is large, from 40% up to 70%, our intent is to show how duty
cycle extension affects both time synchronization, and SN?s battery energy
budget. We study how time scales affect duty cycle ratio by varying the time
interval between packet transmissions over three orders of magnitude, from 1
s to 3600 s. By implementing this method, an increase of battery capacity
from 0.01 % up to 1.406 %, per single year working period, is needed.
Auditor Style and Financial Statement Comparability
Authors: Francis Jere R. , Pinnuck Matthew L. , Watanabe Olena
Published: October 2013

The term “audit style” is used to characterize the unique set of internal working rules of each Big 4 audit firm for the implementation of auditing standards and the enforcement of GAAP within their clienteles. Audit style implies that two companies audited by the same Big 4 auditor, subject to the same audit style, are more likely to have comparable earnings than two firms audited by two different Big 4 firms with different styles. By comparable we mean that two firms in the same industry and year will have a more similar accruals and earnings structure. For a sample of U.S. companies for the period 1987 to 2011, we find evidence consistent with audit style increasing the comparability of reported earnings within a Big 4 auditor's clientele.

Data Availability: All data are publicly available from the sources identified in the text.
Mispricing of Book-Tax Differences and the Trading Behavior of Short Sellers and Insiders
Authors: Chi Sabrina S. , Pincus Morton , Teoh Siew Hong
Published: October 2013

We find evidence that investors misprice information contained in book-tax differences (BTDs), measured as the ratio of taxable income to book income, TI/BI. Low TI/BI predicts worse earnings growth and abnormal stock returns than high TI/BI. We find that short sellers and insiders arbitrage BTD mispricing, but the arbitrage is imperfect because of constraints on short selling and insider trading. Under SFAS No. 109 the predictability is stronger for TEMP/BI, the temporary component of TI/BI, which reflects greater managerial discretion. The results are incremental to a large set of known accruals-based anomaly predictors. We suggest that a sunshine policy of disclosing a reconciliation of book and taxable incomes can reduce mispricing of BTDs and improve capital market resource allocation.

Data Availability: Data are obtained from the public sources as indicated in the text.
Levels of Recovery Scale (LORS): Psychometric Properties of a New Instrument to Assess Psychotic Symptoms and Patient Awareness
Authors: Corriveau Donald P. , Sousa Sharon
Published: October 2013

This study developed norms and examined psychometric properties of the LORS, an instrument designed to assess symptoms of psychotic illness and patients' awareness of their symptoms. Participants were 90 patients with psychotic illnesses. The LORS was completed by trained clinicians (LORS-Clinician Scale) and patients themselves (LORS-Patient). To assess patients' self-awareness of psychotic symptoms, a derived scale (LORS-Discrepancy) was computed by subtracting the LORS-Patient Scale score from the LORS-Clinician Scale score. All scales showed good test-retest reliability. The LORS-Clinician Scale showed good concurrent validity. LORS-Patient Scale scores were significantly lower than LORS-Clinician Scale scores, suggesting that patients underestimated their psychotic symptoms. Patients with low awareness of their psychotic symptoms showed less appropriate functioning, more problems in complying with their medication regimens, and increased positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Implications for developing treatments using the LORS-Discrepancy Scale were discussed.
Perceived Likelihood of Experiencing a Desirable versus Undesirable Outcome
Authors: Gold Ron S.
Published: October 2013

In each of 6 studies, some participants were informed that the consumption of certain foods prevents diet-related heart disease; then, they estimated their likelihood of avoiding the disease. Others were informed that failing to consume the same foods contributes to diet-related heart disease; then, they estimated their likelihood of developing the disease. The undesirable outcome was always perceived as less likely than the desirable one. The findings are contrasted with those reported by Bilgin. The difference between the two sets of findings may point to the role event controllability plays in the generation of optimism via motivated reasoning.
Object Exploration in 3- to 7-Year-Old Children
Authors: Śniegulska Magdalena , Pisula Wojciech
Published: October 2013

The aim of the present study was to analyze free exploration of an unfamiliar, novel object in a semi-natural environment in 189 preschool children aged 3 to 7 years. The study used a purpose-built, novel, and complex stimulus object. Each child was shown the complex object lying on the floor and asked to explore it for 15 minutes. The child's behavior was video recorded. Age-dependent differences were found in the children's exploratory activity. No sex differences were found. Cluster analysis showed four main behavioral patterns that differed in their qualitative and quantitative parameters. Cluster membership was mainly age-dependent and not sex-specific. The results showed individual and developmental differences among the preschoolers with respect to their exploratory activity. This should be taken into account by school psychologists and teachers when designing the educational tasks and play situations.
Development of Coincidence-Anticipation Timing in a Catching Task
Authors: Kim Robyn , Nauhaus Genevieve , Glazek Kuba , Young Douglas , Lin Sherry
Published: October 2013

This study examined the effects of age, target location, and stimulus speed on coincidence-anticipation timing in a catching task. Males aged 11 to 18 years made simulated catching movements toward a light stimulus that rapidly approached the head or chest at various speeds. Coincidence-anticipation timing accuracy, movement onset times, and movement times did not differ by age. However, 17- to 18-year-olds exhibited significantly faster movement speeds than 14- to 16-year-olds. Target location (head or chest) did not affect coincidence-anticipation timing accuracy or movement speed. However, movements toward the head were initiated earlier and took longer than movements to the chest. Finally, stimulus speed had statistically significant effects on all measures: faster stimuli were associated with longer delays in coincidence-anticipation timing responses, earlier movement onset times, shorter movement times, and faster movement speeds. These results underscore the adaptability of coincidence-anticipation timing abilities for responding to stimuli under varying temporal and spatial constraints.
Design and experimentation of a self-tuning PID control applied to the 3DOF helicopter
Authors: Boubakir Ahsene , Labiod Salim , Boudjema Fares , Plestan Franck
Published: October 2013

The paper presents design and experimental validation of a stable self-tuning PID controller for three degrees of freedom (3-DOF) helicopter. At first, it is proposed a self-tuned proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller for a class of uncertain second order multiinput multi-output nonlinear dynamic systems to which the 3-DOF helicopter dynamic model belongs. Within this scheme, the PID controller is employed to approximate unknown ideal controller that can achieve control objectives. PID controller gains are the adjustable parameters and they are updated online with a stable adaptation mechanism designed to minimize the error between the unknown ideal controller and the used by PID controller. The stability analysis of the closed-loop system is performed using Lyapunov approach. It is proven that all signals in the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded. The proposed approach can be regarded as a simple and effective model-free control since the mathematical model of the system is assumed unknown. Experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
A structured mathematical model of PHA biopolymer production process
Authors: Finkeová Jana , Hrnčiřík Pavel , Mareš Jan , Vovsík Jaroslav , Hudeček Ondřej , Náhlík Jan
Published: October 2013

The paper describes a mathematical model of PHA biopolymer production process by Pseudomonas putida KT2442 where the octanoic acid is used as a substrate. The process is modeled using mass balances for fed-batch cultivation. Proper fitting to experimental data is obtained by identification of the model parameters. The model exhibits good agreement with experiments and its possible application for control is considered in the paper.
Coronary arteries morphometry and their vascular territories
Authors: Ispas V. , Bordei P. , Iliescu D. M. , Baz R.
Published: October 2013

Our study was performed on a total of 24 angioCT’s by each coronary artery executed on a GE LightSpeed VCT64 Slice CT Scanner. To assess the type of vascularization (coronary dominance) we used also dissection on fresh and formalin preserved hearts, injection of contrast substance followed by radiography and plastic mass injection followed by corrosion. Left coronary artery from origin I found a diameter of between 4.1 to 5.8 mm, the length of the left main coronary artery until its branching (bi or trifurcation) ranging from 3 to 11.8 mm. The diameter of the anterior interventricular artery, was between 1.8 to 3.4 mm, and when the anterior interventricular artery branched off a left marginal artery, it was less voluminous than the case when the marginal artery origin by trifurcation of coronary artery, with 1.8-2.5 mm. Anterior interventricular artery detach left anterior ventricular branches with a diameter of 1.2-2.2 mm. Circumflex artery present a diameter of 2.1 to 4.2 mm at the left aspect of the heart circumflex artery has a diameter of 2.1 to 3.4 mm. On the posterior surface of left ventricle from circumflex artery branches come off with 1.2 to 2.4 mm in diameter. Left marginal artery, when originate from the left coronary artery had a diameter of 2.1 to 2.8 mm. The right coronary artery presents at origin a diameter of 3.1 to 5.4 mm, from the coronary right for the anterior aspect of the right ventricle unhooking the branches with a diameter of 2.2 to 4.2 mm. To the posterior of the right ventricle right coronary artery gave branches with a diameter of 1.6 to 2.6 mm. Right marginal artery had a diameter of 1.6-2.2 mm, and in one case (4.17% from cases) had a diameter of 3.4 mm (when the right coronary origin was 5.4 mm ). From right the coronary atrial branches detaches with a caliber of 0.6-2 mm. Regarding the coronary dominance, we found on a number of 88 hearts that in 29.54% of cases there is predominance of right coronary artery in 25% of cases there is a predominance of the left coronary artery, and in 45.46% of cases there is a balance between the territories of the vascularity of the two coronary arteries.
The role of anatomical anomalies in anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture
Authors: Dimitriu Cr.P , Ionescu C. , Bordei P. , Bulbuc I.
Published: October 2013

Background and purpose:limited data exist to guide proper patient selection for preventive treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Cerebral aneurysms have been associated with anomalies of arterial segments that are forming the brain arterial circle of Willis but whether this association is also related to aneurysm rupture is not known. The occurrence of cerebral aneurysm rupture when a circle of Willis anomaly was present or absent was compared.

Material and methods: we have performed this study on a number of 312 cases, of which 87 were dissections, 22 dissection followed by plastic injection, 135 magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), 75 computer tomography angiography (CTA), 40 digital subtraction angiographies (DSA), 30 in vivo (intraoperatory) observation. Brain vascular imaging was reviewed for aneurysm size, morphology and presence of anterior cerebral artery anomalies.

Results: we divided the study group in 2 cohorts, one control group of 272 cases, in which we have study the anatomical variants occurrence and aneurysm occurrence in general population and another included 45 patients admitted thru emergency room for subarachnoid hemorrhage, of those 38 were ruptured aneurysm of anterior communicating artery (ACoA). Mean aneurysm size was 8.9 mm. An anterior cerebral artery anomaly was identified in 31 cases (81.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed a higher risk of aneurysm rupture when an anterior cerebral artery was present.

Conclusions: this study shows that anterior cerebral artery anomalies are more commonly found in ruptured as opposed to unruptured ACoA aneurysms. The presence of an ACA anomaly may be an important characteristic for selecting patients for preventive aneurysm treatment.
Plant community analysis and effect of environmental factors on the diversity of woody species in the moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, South Central Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Mamo , Yirdaw Eshetu , Luukkanen Olavi , Lemenih Mulugeta
Published: October 2013

Floristic diversity and the composition of vascular plants are described for the moist Afromontane forest (MAF) of Wondo Genet, south-central Ethiopia. A total of 75 (20 x 20 m) quadrats were sampled and data on species identity, abundance, elevation, slope and aspect were recorded. Different diversity indices and ordination techniques were used to analyze the data. A total of 240 plant species including seven endemic plant species were found representing 94 families and 210 genera, of which trees constitute 23.8%, shrubs 25%, herbs 35%, lianas 11.3% and ferns 5%. Cluster and indicator species analyses revealed five plant communities described as: Teclea nobilis-Calpurnia aurea, Erythrococca trichogyne-Millettia ferruginea, Croton macrostachyus-Vernonia hochstetteri, Protea gaguedi-Rhus retinorrhoea and Dodonaea angustifolia-Hypericum quartinianum. Elevation (R2=0.48, P<0.001), slope (R2=0.14, P<0.001) and aspect (R2=0.04, P<0.01) correlated significantly and negatively with species richness, whereas only elevation (R2=0.30, P<0.001) and slope (R2=0.13, P<0.001) related significantly and negatively with abundance. Sørensen’s similarity coefficient indicates that the forest of Wondo Genet is similar to moist montane forests of southwestern and southeastern Ethiopia. Given the high diversity, coupled with the existence of endemic species, ecosystem conservation and restoration strategies with further research are warranted.
Yielding and nutritional value of Japanese bunching onion in relation to the date of planting and type of flat cover
Authors: Kołota Eugeniusz , Adamczewska-Sowińska Katarzyna , Uklańska-Pusz Cecylia
Published: October 2013

During a three-year field experiment, the possibilities of cultivating the ‘Performer’ cultivar of Japanese bunching onion for early harvest bunching were assessed through the use of autumn and spring planting terms. The seedlings, produced in multi-pots, were planted in the open field on 8-10 September, 9-10 October and 6-12 April, and covered with a perforated foil and agrotextile in mid-November or directly following the spring planting. The covers were removed at the end of April, and the harvest of Japanese bunching onion was conducted at the end of May. The percentage of plants that survived the winter, how many produced flowering stems and the height of the total and marketable yield of plants with a pseudostem diameter >10 mm were determined. We evaluated the content of selected components with a nutritional value in samples of edible plant parts.

The results of the study showed that it is possible to obtain a high yield of plants harvested for bunches following an early spring term seedling planting. The majority of plants planted in the autumn froze during the winter, while those that were overwintered produced flower stems, especially if planted in September. The application of flat covers increased the percentage of plants that survived the winter, though in spite of this fact, the obtained marketable yield of Japanese bunching onion planted in the autumn was very low. Plants from the spring planting were characterised by a lower content of dry matter, chlorophyll a+b and volatile oils, while their content of K, Ca and Mg showed enhanced levels. Covering plants with a perforated foil positively influenced the content of total sugars and volatile oils, while negatively influencing the amounts of vitamin C, potassium and calcium as compared to those cultivated without covers.
Evaluation of plum cultivars grafted on ‘Wangenheim Prune’ rootstock in the northeast of Poland
Authors: Markuszewski Bogumił , Kopytowski Jan
Published: October 2013

The study was conducted in the years 2007-2012 at the Didactic and Experimental Station of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn in order to select plum cultivars suitable for growing on ‘Wangenheim Prune’ rootstock in northeastern Poland. The study encompassed the following plum cultivars: ‘Herman’, ‘Čačanska Rana’, ‘Dąbrowicka Prune’, ‘Promis’, ‘Elena’ ‘Tolar’, ‘Bluefre’, ‘Top’, ‘President’ and ‘Valor’. The measurements taken included: trunk growth, yield, weight of one fruit, size of fruit, the content of dry matter, ascorbic acid, total and simple sugars and organic acids. We found that the ‘Valor’ and ‘Herman’ trees grew the best and ‘Top’ grew the most poorly. The highest yields were gathered from the ‘President’, ‘Valor’ and ‘Bluefre’ trees. ‘Bluefre’ had the largest fruit size. The highest content of dry matter was found in the fruit of ‘Tolar’, ‘Valor’ and ‘Promis’. The fruit of ‘Bluefre’, ‘Tolar’ and ‘Top’ had the highest concentration of ascorbic acid. The highest content of total sugars and simple sugars was detected in the fruit of ‘Tolar’, while the highest concentrations of organic acids were found in the fruit of ‘Čačanska Rana’, ‘Dąbrowicka Prune’ and ‘Top’. ‘Promis’, ‘Herman’, ‘Valor’, ‘Top’ and ‘Tolar’ had the highest sugar/acid indexes.
Mothers Who abuse Alcohol and Drugs: Health and Social Harms among Substance-Abusing Mothers of Small Children in three Child Cohorts
Authors: Holmila Marja , Raitasalo Kirsimarja , Kosola Mikko
Published: October 2013

AIMS – The study looks at the prevalence and register-based indicators of substance abuse-related harms among mothers of small children. We examined the living conditions, various health and social harms and the differences between the users of different kinds of substances (alcohol only vs. drugs only vs. alcohol and other drugs). DATA & METHODS – Population-level register data was collected of all biological mothers of three Finnish birth cohorts (1991, 1997, 2002) describing the women's social problems, health and use of services during the period when the child was under seven years old. RESULTS – The substance-abusing mothers of small children had a higher rate of mortality and psychological disorders and increased risk of using hospital services than the comparison group. Their children had been taken into custody dramatically more often than the children of the comparison group. Also, mothers with substance abuse problems had lower education and income level, and their purchases of prescribed psychopharmacological medications were manifold compared to other mothers. Mixed use of both alcohol and illegal drugs coincided with the highest prevalence of health and social problems. CONCLUSIONS – Substance-abusing mothers of small children are in a serious risk of health and social problems ranging from poverty to poor mental health and high mortality. The study shows also that the social and health care professionals have a potentially important role in giving support to the mothers and their children, as the substance-abusing mothers have had several contacts with them. Prevention of harms to children of substance-abusing mothers should perhaps focus more on the possibilities offered by these contacts in different health and social services.
Communication of Support in Mutual-Aid Group Meetings for Alcoholics' Friends and Relatives
Authors: Kuuluvainen Venla , Isotalus Pekka
Published: October 2013

AIMS – This study examines the kinds of support that alcoholics' friends and relatives provide each other in Al-Anon mutual-aid groups. The study examines, first, the types of supportive communication in Al-Anon meetings and second, how contextual features affect supportive communication in these meetings. DESIGN – The research data were collected through non-participant observations of 11 group meetings and analysed by combined deductive and inductive approaches. RESULTS – Four types of support were detected: emotional, informational, esteem and social network, indicating that meetings serve as potential sources of comfort, learning, self-esteem enhancement and company. Contextual features, such as the 12-step ideology, had an effect on the content and form of supportive communication. CONCLUSION – The key to support in Al-Anon meetings lies in their discretion. That is, the way of communicating support and the contextual features of the meetings established favourable conditions for effective communication of support. The results of this study illustrate the actual communication processes exchanged by the people who have “been there”, providing information useful to anyone in contact with friends or relatives of an alcoholic.
The influence of folate pathway polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexaterelated toxicity and survival in children with non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma
Authors: Erculj Nina , Kotnik Barbara Faganel , Debeljak Marusa , Jazbec Janez , Dolzan Vita
Published: October 2013

Background. We evaluated the influence of folate pathway polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) related toxicity in paediatric patients with T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Patients and methods. In total, 30 NHL patients were genotyped for selected folate pathway polymorphisms.

Results. Carriers of at least one MTHFR 677T allele had significantly higher MTX area under the time-concentration curve levels at third MTX cycle (P = 0.003). These patients were also at higher odds of leucopoenia (P = 0.006) or thrombocytopenia (P = 0.041) and had higher number of different HD-MTX-related toxicity (P = 0.035) compared to patients with wild-type genotype.

Conclusions. Our results suggest an important role of MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism in the development of HD-MTXrelated toxicity in children with NHL.
Cation exchange capability and reactivity of low-rank coal and chars
Authors: Skodras George , Kokorotsikos Paris , Serafidou Maria
Published: October 2013

In this work the C.E.C. and its effect on the reactivity of low rank coal and chars were investigated. The C.E.C. was measured by potentiometric titration and was correlated with the solution pH, the carbonization extent and the oxygen content. Coal and chars presented permanent C.E.C. primarily derived from inorganic sites and was independent of solution pH, and variable C.E.C. derived from organic matter and was increased continuously, and reversibly, as the solution pH increased. The latter is due to the complete dissociation of the carboxylic groups of the organic matter of the coal and, thus, the C.E.C. is directly related with the oxygen content. The C.E.C. of chars decreased with the carbonization extents and its variation was described by a modified cumulative distribution function of the Weibull probability density function. A linear correlation was identified between the C.E.C. and the elemental oxygen conversion, justifying further the direct relation between the C.E.C. and the oxygen functional groups. Following the decrease of the C.E.C., the potassium chemisorption capacity of the chars also decreased. Chars of decreased C.E.C. were less reactive during CO2 gasification and reduced maximum weight loss and CO formation rates were obtained, also shifted at higher temperatures.
Enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution of N-Boc-trans-3-hydroxy-4-phenylpyrrolidine
Authors: Faigl Ferenc , Kovács Ervin , Balogh Dóra , Holczbauer Tamás , Czugler Mátyás , Simándi Béla
Published: October 2013

The first enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution of tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-4-phenylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylate is presented. Enzyme, solvent and temperature optimization resulted in a new resolution method with E = 40 enantioselectivity. The acetate derivative of the (+)-(3S,4R) enantiomer formed while the (−)-(3R,4S) isomer remained intact. Very good enantioselectivities (E > 200) were achieved in the enzyme-catalyzed alcoholysis of the racemic acetate in i-propanol and t-butanol where the (+)-(3S,4R) enantiomer was prepared in pure form (ee > 99.7%). Absolute configuration of the (−)-(3R,4S)-enantiomer was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method.
Vortex-assisted ionic liquid based liquid-liquid microextraction of selected pesticides from a manufacturing wastewater sample
Authors: Trtić-Petrović Tatjana , Dimitrijević Aleksandra
Published: October 2013

The ionic liquid based vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-VALLME) procedure was developed and validated for determination of four pesticides in a manufacturing wastewater sample: acetamiprid, imidacloprid, linuron and tebufenozide. The following ILs were tested as extractants: 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. The extraction efficiency and the enrichment factor dependencies on the type and amount of ionic liquids, extraction and centrifugation time, volume, pH and the ionic strength of the sample, were investigated. The concentration of pesticides in the aqueous and IL phases was determined by HPLC-DAD. The optimal conditions for extraction of the pesticides were determined: the aqueous sample volume of 10 mL with the addition of 0.58 g NaCl, 40 µL of the 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as extractant, 2 min extraction under vigorous mixing applying the vortex agitator, and separation of the phases by centrifugation for 2 min at 1000 rpm. The calibration curves of the pesticides showed good linear relationship (r2 ≥ 0.9996) in the concentration range from 0.005 to 1.00 mg L−1. Determined LOD values are 1.8, 2.3, 4.8 and 8.6 µg L−1 for Tebf, Linr, Acet and Imid, respectively. The optimized IL-VALLME was applied for determination of the pesticides in the pesticide manufacturing wastewater.
Current uses and trends in catalytic isomerization, alkylation and etherification processes to improve gasoline quality
Authors: Hidalgo José , Zbuzek Michal , Černý Radek , Jíša Petr
Published: October 2013

Due to the growing restrictions on the content of aromatic compounds by the European legislation in motor fuels and at the same time the need for higher quality fuels (minimizing the presence of contaminants and hazardous products to health), it has become necessary to increase processes that can maximize the number of octane in gasoline. This manuscript is aimed to provide current trends and processes related to isomerization, alkylation and etherification processes to improve gasolines as final product. Examples provided include the isomerization of light n-alkanes into iso-alkanes or the alkylation, in which the preferred olefin is the methylbutilene and i-butane to produce a high octane number gasoline. Currently, there are two main commercial processes for alkylation processes (hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid technologies). Other incoming suitable process is the etherification of iso-olefins to bio-ethers (the European Union have as a minimum target of biofuel content in fuels of 10% in 2020). The refiners are recently investing in the production of bio-ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether) and other products as additives using bio-ethanol and olefins. Commercial and new potential catalysts for all these processes are currently being used and under investigation.
Stress degradation study of two oral antidiabetics, gliclazide and glipizide, and chemical analysis by LC and LC/MS methods
Authors: Gumieniczek Anna , Berecka Anna , Pietraś Rafał , Ślebioda Marek
Published: October 2013

Kinetic study of degradation of two oral antidiabetics, gliclazide and glipizide, was performed using new HPLC method which was validated in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, precision and accuracy. The stress degradation was performed in 0.2 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH as well as in acetate and phosphate buffers over the pH range 3.8–8.3 at 30 and 70°C. In strong acidic and alkaline media gliclazide was almost fully degraded while glipizide showed much higher stability. Generally, degradation processes of gliclazide and glipizide were observed as the first order reactions while the rates of decomposition for both drugs were smallest at pH 8.3. The samples of gliclazide and glipizide stressed in strong acid and alkali at 70°C were additionally analyzed using an LC/MS method and some products of decomposition were detected and identified. It was concluded that glipizide was more resistant to very high or very low pH and would have higher stability compared to gliclazide. Such comparisons have not been performed so far for these valuable drugs. Additional LC/MS study showed that during decomposition of sulfonylureas, different degradation pathways were possible.
Effect of support on activity of palladium catalysts in nitrobenzene hydrogenation
Authors: Pikna Ľubomír , Heželová Mária , Demčáková Silvia , Smrčová Miroslava , Plešingerová Beatrice , Štefanko Michal , Turáková Mária , Králik Milan , Puliš Pavel , Lehocký Peter
Published: October 2013

The effect of two types of catalysts on the activity of the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was studied. Catalysts were prepared by the surface deposition of palladium hydroxide with a simultaneous reduction with formaldehyde in a basic environment and were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, adsorption-desorption, and catalytic tests — hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in methanol. The influence of the supports’ (activated carbon and a mixture of activated carbon and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) surface area is discussed. Despite having a size comparable (4–5 nm) to crystallites of metallic palladium, the catalyst prepared on a mixture of activated carbon and nanotubes (Pd/C/CNT) was significantly less active than the catalyst prepared on pure activated carbon (Pd/C); the rate of this reaction was approximately 30 % lower than the initial reaction rate. This feature could be attributed to the lower specific surface area of the Pd/C/CNT (531 m2 g−1) in comparison with the Pd/C (692 m2 g−1).
QSAR modeling of aromatase inhibition by flavonoids using machine learning approaches
Authors: Nantasenamat Chanin , Worachartcheewan Apilak , Mandi Prasit , Monnor Teerawat , Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya Chartchalerm , Prachayasittikul Virapong
Published: October 2013

Aromatase is a member of the cytochrome P450 family responsible for catalyzing the rate-limiting conversion of androgens to estrogens. In the pursuit of robust aromatase inhibitors, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and classification structure-activity relationship (CSAR) studies were performed on a non-redundant set of 63 flavonoids using multiple linear regression, artificial neural network, support vector machine and decision tree approaches. Easy-to-interpret descriptors providing comprehensive coverage on general characteristics of molecules (i.e., molecular size, flexibility, polarity, solubility, charge and electronic properties) were employed to describe the unique physicochemical properties of the investigated flavonoids. QSAR models provided good predictive performance as observed from their statistical parameters with Q values in the range of 0.8014 and 0.9870 for the cross-validation set and Q values in the range of 0.8966 and 0.9943 for the external test set. Furthermore, CSAR models developed with the J48 algorithm are able to accurately classify flavonoids as active and inactive as observed from the percentage of correctly classified instances in the range of 84.6 % and 100 %. The study presented herein represents the first large-scale QSAR study of aromatase inhibition on a large set of flavonoids. Such investigations provide an important insight on the origins of aromatase inhibitory properties of flavonoids as breast cancer therapeutics.
Synthesis and properties of CaAl-layered double hydroxides of hydrocalumite-type
Authors: Tóth Viktor , Sipiczki Mónika , Pallagi Attila , Kukovecz Ákos , Kónya Zoltán , Sipos Pál , Pálinkó István
Published: October 2013

CaAl-layered double hydroxides (CaAl-LDHs) with various carbonate ion contents are essentially formed in Bayer liquors during the causticisation step in alumina production. Under well-defined conditions hemicarbonate is formed, which is beneficial in the process of retrieving both Al(OH)4− and OH− ions. In the current work, Ca2Al-LDHs with various carbonate contents were prepared by the co-precipitation procedure and the products were dried in different ways. Structural information was obtained by a variety of methods, such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Elemental maps were constructed through a combination of SEM images and EDX measurements. The targeted CaAl-hydrocalumites were successfully synthesised. It was found that the method used for drying did not influence the basal spacing although it significantly altered the particle sizes.
Effective Instructional Time Use for School Leaders
Authors: Grissom Jason A. , Loeb Susanna , Master Benjamin
Published: October 2013

Scholars have long argued that principals should be instructional leaders, but few studies have empirically linked specific instructional leadership behaviors to school performance. This study examines the associations between leadership behaviors and student achievement gains using a unique data source: in-person, full-day observations of approximately 100 urban principals collected over 3 school years. We find that principals’ time spent broadly on instructional functions does not predict student achievement growth. Aggregating across leadership behaviors, however, masks that some specific instructional investments predict year-to-year gains. In particular, time spent on teacher coaching, evaluation, and developing the school’s educational program predict positive achievement gains. In contrast, time spent on informal classroom walkthroughs negatively predicts student growth, particularly in high schools. Additional survey and interview evidence suggests this negative association may arise because principals often do not use walkthroughs as part of a broader school improvement strategy.
Overview of Air Cargo Terminal Design Aspects
Authors: Ballis Athanasios
Published: October 2013

Air cargo represents an increasingly significant share of the transport market. In addition to mail, express, and emergency cargoes, air transportation is being used for the new market niches of perishable commodities and just-in-time deliveries. The transport and processing of these cargoes is performed by a specialized system that includes dedicated loading units, transport modes, equipment, airport installations, and commercial organization. An overview of this system focuses on the design of airport cargo facilities, describes an analytical method that allows the sizing of storage facilities with low computational effort, and refers to modeling approaches (mainly simulation-based) that can be used for a detailed investigation of various air cargo terminal design aspects.
Comparison between heater with incubator care in providing warmth to low birth weight newborns
Authors: Quddush R , Islam N , Hasan MJ , Rahman M , Rayen J , Sattar S
Published: October 2013

Prevention of excessive heat loss is fundamental to survival of low birth weight (LBW) newborns. Highly expensive incubator is not available in most of the health care facilities of Bangladesh. Warm cot care by heater or with light bulbs may alternatively help in maintenance of temperature of LBW newborns in health care facilities where incubator is not available. So far i know no such study was conducted before in our country, this study was carried out to show the effectiveness of warm cot care in comparison to incubator care. The present study was cross sectional descriptive type study conducted in the Department of Neonatology, Mymensingh Medical College over a period 1 year from January 2009 to December 2009. Fifty neonates weighing 1200-2000g with gestational age ? 30 weeks to 40 weeks were allocated to an incubator group and similar number with same criteria were taken as cot care group. In cot care group, those babies were selected that are not supposed to cot care due to lack of incubator. The study showed that there were no differences between infants warm cot care versus incubator care. The temperature of the study patients showed that 34(68.0%) and 36(72.0%) maintained normal temperature all the time during hospital stay prior to discharge and rest 16(32.0%) and 14(28.0%) in cot and incubator group respectively became either hypothermic or hyperthermic. Mild hypothermia/cold stress was 7(14.0%) in cot and 4(8.0%) in incubator group. Moderate hypothermia and severe hypothermia was none in both groups. Hyperthermia/fever was 9(18.0%) and 10(20.0%) in cot and incubator group respectively. Analysis reveals that no significant difference was found between two groups. The body temperature of the low birth weight babies (weighing1200-2000g) can be satisfactorily maintained in the low-cost warm cots without the help of incubators which are costly and not available in most of the health care facilities in the developing countries like Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v2i2.16691 Community Based Medical Journal 2013 July: Vol.02 No 02: 4-8