bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Massive intrathoracic haemorrhage after CT-guided lung biopsy.
Authors: Yamaura H , Inaba Y , Arai Y , Matsueda K , Hatooka S
Published: June 2014

CT-guided lung biopsy is now widely performed for tumorous lesions in the lung, and both its usefulness in this context and the associated complications have been well described in the literature. Although severe complications are rare, we describe a case in which massive intrathoracic haemorrhage developed after lung biopsy and necessitated emergency operation for control. Intraoperative findings suggested that the source of the haemorrhage was a fibrous, cord-like substance present at the site of adhesion associated with old tuberculosis. We attributed this haemorrhage to a pneumothorax, which developed after lung biopsy and caused the new vessels penetrating the centre of the fibrous, cord-like substance to stretch and rupture. Numerous cases have been reported of spontaneous haemopneumothorax precipitated by spontaneous pneumothorax and resulting from the rupture of such vessels.
Fatal lipid embolism following intraarterial angiography at an early stage of arteriosclerosis.
Authors: Kutzner D , Ritz-Timme S , Kaatsch H J , Müller-Hülsbeck S
Published: June 2014

Intraarterial angiography was performed on a patient with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (Fontaine IIb). No relevant risk factors were known, and a previous angiography had been undertaken without incident. After administration of contrast medium, the patient complained of acute pain in the lower abdomen and both legs, and a sudden rise in blood pressure was observed. The patient subsequently lost consciousness and died within 1.5 h. Postmortem examination showed that death was due to peripheral atheromatous microembolism of lipids, and not cholesterol as is usual in these cases. The differential diagnosis is discussed and a review of the literature is presented.
Fatal haemorrhagic myocarditis secondary to cyclophosphamide therapy.
Authors: Birchall I W , Lalani Z , Venner P , Hugh J
Published: June 2014

Haemorrhagic myocarditis is a rare but important complication of cyclophosphamide therapy. Echocardiographic identification of the disorder can be made. We believe that the ultrasound features of this disorder have not been previously reported.
Ultrasound features of the gall bladder in infants presenting with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
Authors: Farrant P , Meire H B , Mieli-Vergani G
Published: June 2014

An initial investigation of 313 patients suggested that the ultrasound appearances of gall bladder shape and wall structure might be abnormal in infants with biliary atresia. These observations were then tested in a prospective study. In this study, 346 infants, aged 12 weeks or less, presenting with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia underwent ultrasound scanning. The gall bladder was identified in 331, 60 of whom had biliary atresia. 11 of the 15 patients in whom the gall bladder was not seen had biliary atresia. Gall bladder shape was normal in 272 patients, 16 of whom had biliary atresia, and irregular in 59, 44 of whom had biliary atresia. The gall bladder wall was regular in 262 patients, 8 of whom had biliary atresia, and irregular in 69, 52 of whom had biliary atresia. Combining these findings gave a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 92.4%, a positive predictive value of 75.3%, a negative predictive value of 97.3% and an accuracy rate of 91.9% for ultrasound of the gall bladder in identification of biliary atresia.
Endothelin: what does the radiologist need to know?
Authors: Oldroyd S D , Morcos S K
Published: June 2014

Endothelin (ET) is a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor peptide. It has been implicated in various pathological states since its discovery in 1988. The cardiovascular system and the kidneys are important sites for the action of this peptide. Two types of ET receptor, ETA and ETB, govern the biological effects of ET. Drugs that can prevent the endogenous synthesis of ET or block its binding to receptors may offer important therapeutic impact to patients with congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and acute renal failure. Areas of particular interest to the radiologist include the role of ET in mediating some of the side effects of contrast media, particularly contrast medium nephropathy, and the involvement of ET in the pathogenesis of restenosis following angioplasty. This review outlines the basic biology of this important mediator and its role in health and disease.
Growth rate of small lung cancers detected on mass CT screening.
Authors: Hasegawa M , Sone S , Takashima S , Li F , Yang Z G , Maruyama Y , Watanabe T
Published: June 2014

CT has recently been used in mass screening for lung cancer. Small cancers have been identified but the growth characteristics of these lesions are not fully understood. We identified 82 primary cancers in our 3-year mass CT screening programme, of which 61 were examined in the present study. The volume doubling time (VDT) was calculated based on the exponential model using successive annual CT images or follow-up CT images. All cases were also examined in the hospital by high resolution CT (HRCT). Lesions were divided into three types based on HRCT characteristics: type G (n = 19), ground glass opacity (GGO); type GS (n = 19), focal GGO with a solid central component; and type S (n = 23), solid nodule. 18 (95%) lesions of type G, 18 (95%) of type GS and 7 (30%) of type S were invisible on conventional chest radiographs. The mean size of the tumour was 10 mm, 11 mm and 16 mm for type G, type GS and type S, respectively. Most tumours (80%) were adenocarcinomas; 78% of these were GGO (type G and GS). Mean VDT values were 813 days, 457 days and 149 days for type G, type GS and type S, respectively; these are significantly different from each other (p < 0.05). Our results show that annual mass screening CT for 3 successive years resulted in the identification of a large number of slowly growing adenocarcinomas that were not visible on chest radiographs.
Upper retropharyngeal node involvement in differentiated thyroid carcinoma demonstrated by 131I scintigraphy.
Authors: Leger A F , Baillet G , Dagousset F , Vincenot M I , Izembart M , Clerc J , Barritault L
Published: June 2014

We report four patients with papillary thyroid cancer who had upper retropharyngeal node involvement demonstrated by 131I scintigraphy. Three patients presented with a thyroid nodule and enlarged jugular nodes. Total thyroidectomy was performed with node dissection. Pathology demonstrated papillary carcinoma with several metastatic nodes. 131I scanning 4 weeks after surgery demonstrated increased uptake in an upper retropharyngeal node. In one patient, thyroidectomy had been performed 21 years previously. Increased thyroglobulin level led to 131I scanning, which showed focal retropharyngeal uptake. All four patients had asymmetrical uptake at mouth level with focal uptake close to the sagittal plane. A lateral projection showed focal uptake between the base of the skull and the mandibular angle, behind the region of the mouth and nose. CT in all cases and MRI in one case confirmed the presence of an enlarged node. The mass was removed surgically in two patients and pathology confirmed the papillary nature of the metastatic node. Two patients were treated by 131I. Focal uptake of 131I in the region of the mouth is ambiguous, since salivary uptake of 131I is a common finding on scintigraphy. In cases of asymmetrical uptake in the region of the mouth, a lateral projection of the head therefore allows the correct diagnosis.
Evaluation of a technique for estimation of extraocular muscle volume using 2D MRI.
Authors: Firbank M J , Coulthard A
Published: June 2014

Measurements of extraocular muscle volume may be useful as an outcome indicator in the assessment of treatment options in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. In this study, a technique for estimating extraocular muscle volume from two-dimensional T1 weighted MR images acquired in the coronal plane is described. For each image slice, the cross-sectional area of individual extraocular muscles was estimated using a combination of semi-automated outlining based on a local thresholding technique and manual outlining where thresholding was not possible. The technique was assessed using three sets of images: a computer-generated virtual image set with "extraocular muscles" of known volumes; a set of images from 19 biochemically and clinically euthyroid patients; and images from 7 patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. From the computer-generated images, the accuracy was determined as 7.6%. Intraobserver agreement was investigated using repeated MRI scans on a single subject and repeat outlining of muscles on five sets of images from different subjects. The mean difference between repeat measurements was 2% (SD 5.9%). We conclude that two-dimensional MR images can be used to determine changes in muscle volume of greater than 12% during treatment of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.
Methods of measurement of image quality in teleultrasound.
Authors: Burgul R , Gilbert F J , Undrill P E
Published: June 2014

In recent years, teleultrasound has emerged as a potentially effective method of provision of ultrasound services to remote areas of the community. Transmission of teleultrasound, however, requires a high degree of compression when utilizing the relatively low bandwidth ISDN connections available within the UK. The actual amount of compression occurring varies both with the connection and the image content, often on a frame to frame basis. For this reason, traditional measurements of image quality using test tools are ineffective. Most studies to date have assessed equipment performance by testing diagnostic performance. Although this is the most important method of assessing the results of image degradation, few studies have attempted to perform physical measurements of degradation. The aims of this study were to measure the amount of degradation within a teleultrasound system and, using a number of methods, to ascertain the most useful indicators of loss of image quality. Groups of successive abdominal ultrasound images were captured and digitized both before and after degradation via an ISDN6 teleultrasound system. Normalized mean squared error (NMSE), pixel histograms, line and surface plots, Fourier spectra and contrast measurements were carried out on regions of interest in both sets of images. The NMSE was most sensitive to degradation, with alterations in the NMSE value depending on image content and degree of degradation. Fourier analysis was also indicative, showing consistent changes in high frequency content again varying with image content.
Fiberoptic monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation (PediaSat) in small children undergoing cardiac surgery: continuous is not continuous
Authors: Iodice Francesca G. , Ricci Zaccaria , Haiberger Roberta , Favia Isabella , Cogo Paola
Published: June 2014

Background: Monitoring of superior vena cava saturation (ScvO2) has become routine in the management of pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The objective of our study was to evaluate the correlation between continuous ScvO2 by the application of a fiber-optic oximetry catheter (PediaSat) and intermittent ScvO2 by using standard blood gas measurements. These results were compared to those obtained by cerebral near infrared spectroscopy (cNIRS).

Setting: Tertiary pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU).

Methods and main results: A retrospective study was conducted in consecutive patients who were monitored with a 4.5 or 5.5 F PediaSat catheter into the right internal jugular vein. An in vivo calibration was performed once the patient was transferred to the PCICU and re-calibration took place every 24 hours thereafter. Each patient had a NIRS placed on the forehead. Saturations were collected every 4 hours until extubation. Ten patients with a median age of 2.2 (0.13-8.5) years and a weight of 12.4 (3.9-24) kg were enrolled. Median sampling time was 32 (19-44) hours: 64 pairs of PediaSat and ScVO2 saturations showed a poor correlation (r=0.62, 95% CI 44-75; p<0.0001) and Bland Altman analysis for repeated measures showed an average difference of 0.34 with a standard deviation of 7,9 and 95% limits of agreement from -15 to 16. Thirty-six pairs of cNIRS and ScVO2 saturations showed a fair correlation (r=0.79, 95% CI 0.60-0.89; p<0.0001) an average difference of -1.4 with a standard deviation of 6 and 95% limits of agreement from -13 to 10. Analysis of median percentage differences between PediaSat and ScvO2 saturation over time revealed that, although not statistically significant, the change in percentage saturation differences was clinically relevant after the 8th hour from calibration (from -100 to +100%).

Conclusion: PediaSat catheters showed unreliable performance in our cohort. It should be further investigated whether repeating calibrations every 8 hours may improve the accuracy of this system. CNIRS may provide similar results with a lower invasiveness.
Simultaneous Location of Trauma Centers and Helicopters for Emergency Medical Service Planning
Authors: Cho Soo-Haeng , Jang Hoon , Lee Taesik , Turner John
Published: June 2014

This paper studies the problem of simultaneously locating trauma centers and helicopters. The standard approach to locating helicopters involves the use of helicopter busy fractions to model the random availability of helicopters. However, busy fractions cannot be estimated a priori in our problem because the demand for each helicopter cannot be determined until the trauma center locations are selected. To overcome this challenge, we endogenize the computation of busy fractions within an optimization problem. The resulting formulation has nonconvex bilinear terms in the objective, for which we develop an integrated method that iteratively solves a sequence of problem relaxations and restrictions. Specifically, we devise a specialized algorithm, called the shifting quadratic envelopes algorithm, that (1) generates tighter outer approximations than linear McCormick envelopes and (2) outperforms a Benders-like cut generation scheme. We apply our integrated method to the design of a nationwide trauma care system in Korea. By running a trace-based simulation on a full year of patient data, we find that the solutions generated by our model outperform several benchmark heuristics by up to 20%, as measured by an industry-standard metric: the proportion of patients successfully transported to a care facility within one hour. Our results have helped the Korean government to plan its nationwide trauma care system. More generally, our method can be applied to a class of optimization problems that aim to find the locations of both fixed and mobile servers when service needs to be carried out within a certain time threshold.
Modified Echelon (r, Q) Policies with Guaranteed Performance Bounds for Stochastic Serial Inventory Systems
Authors: Hu Ming , Yang Yi
Published: June 2014

We consider the classic continuous-review Nstage serial inventory system with a homogeneous Poisson demand arrival process at the most downstream stage (Stage 1). Any shipment to each stage, regardless of its size, incurs a positive fixed setup cost and takes a positive constant lead time. The optimal policy for this system under the long-run average cost criterion is unknown. Finding a good worst-case performance guarantee remains an open problem. We tackle this problem by introducing a class of modified echelon (r, Q) policies that do not require Qi + 1/Qi to be a positive integer: Stage i + 1 ships to Stage i based on its observation of the echelon inventory position at Stage i; if it is at or below ri and Stage i + 1 has positive on-hand inventory, then a shipment is sent to Stage i to raise its echelon inventory position to ri + Qi as close as possible. We construct a heuristic policy within this class of policies, which has the following features: First, it has provably primitive-dependent performance bounds. In a two-stage system, the performance of the heuristic policy is guaranteed to be within (1 + K1/K2) times the optimal cost, where K1 is the downstream fixed cost and K2 is the upstream fixed cost. We also provide an alternative performance bound, which depends on efficiently computable optimal (r, Q) solutions to N single-stage systems but tends to be tighter. Second, the heuristic is simple, it is efficiently computable and it performs well numerically; it is even likely to outperform the optimal integer-ratio echelon (r,Q) policies when K1 is dominated by K2. Third, the heuristic is asymptotically optimal when we take some dominant relationships between the setup or holding cost primitives at an upstream stage and its immediate downstream stage to the extreme, for example, when h2/h1 → 0, where h1 is the downstream holding cost parameter and h2 is the upstream holding cost parameter.
Reoptimization and Self-Adjusting Price Control for Network Revenue Management
Authors: Jasin Stefanus
Published: June 2014

We consider a standard dynamic pricing problem with finite inventories, finite selling horizon, and stochastic demands, where the objective of the seller is to maximize total expected revenue. We introduce a simple improvement of the popular static price control known in the literature. The proposed heuristic only requires a single optimization at the beginning of the selling horizon and does not require any reoptimization at all. This provides an advantage over the potentially heavy computational burden of reoptimization, especially for very large applications with frequent price adjustments. In addition, our heuristic can be implemented in combination with a few reoptimizations to achieve a high-level revenue performance. This hybrid of real-time adjustment and reoptimization allows the seller to enjoy the benefit of reoptimization without overdoing it.
Re-engaging with vaginal breech birth: A philosophical discussion
Authors: Sanders Ruth , Steele Dianne
Published: June 2014

The philosophical debate as to whether midwives are equipped to support women requesting vaginal breech birth continues, yet midwives are deemed able to conduct a vaginal breech birth in an ‘emergency’ scenario. The International Breech Birth Conference (2012) prompted the discussion of how midwives can revisit the facilitation of vaginal breech birth as a normal birth phenomenon in the post-Term Breech Trial era. The conference delegates concluded that vaginal breech birth is indeed a safe option with strict criteria and experienced practitioners in place. However, a cultural shift is required in the midwifery community to re-skill and reinvigorate vaginal breech practice.
Acts of violence: Virginity control and hymen (re)construction
Authors: Christianson Monica , Eriksson Carola
Published: June 2014

Globally, midwives are often at the forefront of promoting and improving women's sexual and reproductive health. It is important to develop a gender perspective in midwifery education, one that addresses the fact that virginity control and hymen (re)constructions are unscientific and may cause great harm to women worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the experience and attitudes of an international group of midwives regarding virginity control and hymen (re)constructions. An online questionnaire was emailed to midwives who attended the International Confederation of Midwifery (ICM) Congress in Glasgow. The respondents (n=480) represented five continents. Ten percent of the midwives reported professional experience of requests concerning virginity examinations and hymen (re)constructions. The majority stated that these practices are unjustifiable, and amount to acts of violence against women, whereas a minority responded that these practices can be acceptable. Almost two-thirds stated that it is the responsibility of midwives to work against these practices.
Comparative quality of life of Nigerian caregivers of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Fatudimu Margaret B , Hamzat Talhatu K , Akinyinka Olusegun O
Published: June 2014

Background:

Information on how caring for children with cerebral palsy (CP) affects Nigerian caregivers' quality of life (QoL) is scarce. The QoL of Nigerian caregivers for children with cerebral palsy (CGCP) was compared with that of their age-matched counterparts with similar socioeconomic backgrounds who were caring for normally developing children, who made up the control group (CG). Motor function of the children with CP was also correlated with the QoL of their caregivers.

Methods:

Participants in this longitudinal study were 312 people comprising 107 CCP, 107 CGCP and 98 CG. The QoL was assessed at baseline and at the second, fifth and eighth month using the 26–item World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref) questionnaire. Motor function performance of the children with CP was assessed at the same intervals using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM).

Findings:

Most of the CGCP and CG (82.3% and 93.8% respectively) were mothers of the children. At every point of assessment, the CGCP recorded significantly lower WHOQoL-Bref scores. Significant improvement in the GMFM score of the children with CP was observed during the study. The WHOQoL-Bref scores in CGCP correlated significantly with the GMFM scores of children with CP (P<0.05) at the fifth and eighth month.

Conclusion:

People caring for children with CP have a lower quality of life than their counterparts caring for normally developing children.
Exploring the health benefits of singing for young people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Irons J Yoon , Kuipers Kathy , Petocz Peter
Published: June 2014

Background:

Recent evidence suggests that singing may improve health and wellbeing. The health benefits of singing for young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have not been explored. This study aims to understand the impact of a singing intervention on hospitalised young people with CF.

Method:

Participants (n=20) completed a self-report satisfaction checklist following eight individual singing sessions during hospitalisation. participants' checklist responses were qualitatively analysed using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY).

Findings:

The study has found that singing has a positive impact on health, particularly with respect to the Body Functions and Activities and Participation components of the ICF-CY. In addition, participants reported a high degree of enjoyment and satisfaction with the singing programme.

Conclusions:

The findings support the hypothesis that singing can improve physical and psychological aspects of health. The ICF-CY provides a useful framework to gain a better understanding of the singing experience and its perceived health benefits for young people with CF.
Letters
Authors: Harper Catherine , Sounes Philippa
Published: June 2014

Acupuncture's efficacy is underestimated

Know about the ED treatment options
Collaborative local governance for arts in health: Learning from an arts programme for hospital-based stroke patients
Authors: Baumann Matt , Peck Simon , Collins Carrie , Johnson Jeannine , Riches Colin , Eades Guy
Published: June 2014

The issue of training, supervision of artists and governance of arts and health practice is a major area requiring resolution for the development of arts-in-health practice. Moss and O’Neill posit that arts and health practice should be regulated and professionalized, whilst Mike White argues that arts practice should be the collective responsibility of local agencies and individuals working together to establish arts and health programmes. There has been limited discussion and debate within and between leading arts and health organizations. This article contributes to and raises the profile of this issue, by describing the development of a substantive arts programme for stroke patients, focusing on how artists were sensitized, prepared and supported to work with stroke patients in the specific setting of an arts programme for hospital-based stroke patients. It suggests that professional artists can be supported locally to deliver valued arts programmes. The article also outlines how the materials developed for the programme could be used in a number of ways to help support the development of flexible, local, professional arts practice in health contexts in other areas.
Reviews
Authors: Landis Heidi , Peacock Karen , Young Jessica , Rae Kym M.
Published: June 2014

Dramatherapy with Myth and Fairytale: The Golden Stories of Sesame, Jenny Pearson, Mary Smail and Pat Watts (2013) London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 256 pp., ISBN: 9781849050302, p/bk, £22.99/$36.95

Museums, Health, and Well-Being, Helen Chatterjee and Guy Noble (2013) England: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 146 pp., ISBN: 9781409425816, h/bk, £45.00

Soul and Spirit in Dance Movement Psychotherapy: A Transpersonal Approach, Jill Hayes (2013) London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 224 pp., ISBN: 9781849053082, p/bk, US $24.75, eISBN: 9780857006493, e-book, US $19.49

Breathing Deeply: Culture of Health and Well-being Conference, Bristol, 24–27 June 2013
‘Sound of Well-being’ revisited – Choir singing and well-being among Norwegian municipal employees
Authors: Vaag Jonas , Saksvik Per Øystein , Milch Vibeke , Theorell Töres , Bjerkeset Ottar
Published: June 2014

A recent cross-sectional study investigating an organizational choir-singing intervention called ‘Sound of Well-being’ (SOW) indicated health and organizational benefits, and a gender-specific pattern of participation and outcomes. In this study we investigate participation and effects in a short version of SOW. A total of 1100 employees of a Norwegian municipality were invited to participate in SOW. At baseline, 472 (42.9 per cent) employees filled in a questionnaire concerning demographics, personality, health, engagement, commitment and psychosocial work environment. A total of 312 (66.1 per cent) of these completed the same survey one to three weeks after SOW was finished. We found that female gender and extroversion were linked to participation in SOW. Women reported significant changes in engagement, self-perceived health and control, while men reported changes in job demands. Overall, participants reported an increase, while non-participants reported decrease on aforementioned variables. In terms of participation and effects of SOW, findings differed between professions, personality types and gender. In order to provide desirable alternatives to a wider group of employees, future interventions should include a variety of both receptive and creative activities.
Visual narratives performing and transforming people living with autoimmune illness: A pilot case study
Authors: Grushka Kathryn , Squance Marline L. , Reeves Glenn E. M.
Published: June 2014

Identity perspectives underpin an arts health intervention research project titled ‘Artmaking, visual narrative and wellbeing’. This article considers the adaptability benefits of working with art-making narratives to support the long-term emotional and physical well-being of people living with chronic autoimmune illness. The article describes the methods and background to the pilot transdisciplinary case study of twelve participants, the intervention, data sources and qualitative strategies that were intersected with quantitative, medical, physical and functionality indicators. It identified that time and memory work, using montage methods in visual narratives, supported a renewed confidence in the participants’ life journey. Notions of pain and time temporarily retreated when strong affective responses emerged from new storied possibilities. These findings demonstrate how visual narrative methods work as a sense-making experience for the collision between past narratives and present specific medical and/or sociocultural contexts. The findings are discussed in the context of their potential contribution to the wider arts and health debate.
Mapeamento de publicações científicas sobre estratégia de manufatura: uma abordagem baseada em processos
Authors: Knoff Luana Cristina , Lacerda Rogério Tadeu de Oliveira , Ensslin Leonardo , Ensslin Sandra
Published: June 2014

Ao iniciar uma pesquisa científica sobre um tema abrangente como gestão de processos de manufatura, os pesquisadores se defrontam com a incógnita que emerge pelo seu desconhecimento do que tem sido feito nessa área da ciência. Nesse contexto, o presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um processo para construir o conhecimento demandado por pesquisadores quando do início de seus trabalhos, em especial quanto à: (i) identificação dos artigos com reconhecimento científico e alinhados com o tema de gestão de processos de manufatura sob o enfoque de seus resultados publicados entre os anos de 2001 e 2011 a fim de compor o portfólio bibliográfico da pesquisa e (ii) realização de uma análise das características das publicações (12 artigos do portfólio bibliográfico selecionado, 458 artigos referenciados nesse portfólio) a fim de descrever estatisticamente os mais destacados artigos, autores, periódicos e palavras-chave utilizadas. O instrumento de intervenção adotado para atender a essa demanda é o processo ProKnow-C (Knowledge Development Process - Constructivist), que se apresenta como um método que auxilia pesquisadores a iniciarem suas pesquisas procurando artigos qualificados sobre um tema, segundo suas delimitações, bem como autores e periódicos.
James Brooke, Rajah von Sarawak. Vom „Charakter“ und der Konstruktion eines viktorianischen Kolonialhelden
Authors: Stuchtey Benedikt
Published: June 2014

James Brooke (1803–1868), Sohn eines Beamten der East India Company und Gründer der Dynastie der sogenannten „White Rajahs of Sarawak“, besuchte die Region von Sarawak auf Borneo zum ersten Mal 1838 und war zwei Jahre später daran beteiligt, hier eine Rebellion niederzuschlagen. Als Dank und Belohnung übertrug ihm der Sultan von Brunei die Kontrolle über Sarawak als „Rajah“, und nach Bestätigung durch das britische Parlament wurde diese Position durch Brookes Neffen und Erben, Charles Brooke (1829–1917), verstetigt. James Brooke modernisierte die Verwaltung, führte ein einfacheres Steuersystem ein und bekämpfte das Piratentum. Als eine Kommission auf Singapur einberufen wurde, um Vorwürfe zu prüfen, Brooke habe Einheimische misshandelt, wurde er freigesprochen und in seinem Amt als britischer Generalkonsul bestätigt. Auch die britische Öffentlichkeit, der er sich nur während eines Kurzbesuches nach England 1847 stellte, war ambivalent: zwischen Bewunderung für einen Kolonialhelden einerseits und scharfer Kritik an seiner willkürlichen Kolonialherrschaft jenseits der offiziellen britischen Interessen andererseits. Der „Charakter“, ein viktorianisches Schlüsselwort, stand zur Diskussion, ebenso die Frage, in welchen Kategorien die Expansion zu erfassen sei. So ist Brooke ein gutes Beispiel für die „Hilflosigkeit“ und das „Unvollendete“ des britischen Empires im 19. Jahrhundert.
A randomised controlled trial of the effects of Brain Wave Vibration training on mood and well-being
Authors: Bowden Deborah E. , McLennan Danielle , Gruzelier John
Published: June 2014

Background: The goal was to investigate the effects of Brain Wave Vibration (BWV), a meditation practised in a class involving rhythmic movements of the head, neck and body practised with related yoga-style exercises, and to isolate the rhythmic effects.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted with assessments pre- and post-trial and immediately before and after each session. Thirty-one healthy adults were assessed for mood, sleep, mindfulness, health and well-being, and pre- and post-class activation–deactivation. Participants were randomly assigned to either BWV in toto or a control group having similar yoga exercises without the rhythmic components. Participants completed eight to twelve 75-min classes of BWV or control training over 8–12 weeks. To control for expectation participants were told only that the aim was to compare two subtly different styles of Korean yoga.

Results: The BWV group had comparatively greater improvements in sleep duration and efficiency, although they had higher baseline inefficiency, and post-trial they had better global sleep and well-being and fewer illness symptoms, and better tiredness and energy post-class. Both groups benefitted in mood, mindfulness and vitality post-trial with improved tension and calmness post-class.

Conclusions: The participants of both interventions had better mood and well-being on the whole following the trial and were more relaxed immediately after a class. However, BWV training was unique in its benefits to sleep, health, well-being, energy and tiredness, warranting further research.
Reassessing the breeding range limits for two long-distance migratory vespertilionid bats, Pipistrellus nathusii and Nyctalus leisleri in the Italian Peninsula
Authors: Ancillotto Leonardo , Russo Danilo
Published: June 2014

Nathusius’ pipistrelle (
Crystal structure of 4-(2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazinyl)benzenesulfonamide, C13H13N3O3S
Authors: Liu Yong-De , Zhang Jie , Huang Wen-Jie , Sun Juan
Published: June 2014

C
Crystal structure of 1-(thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-yl)hydrazine, C6H6N4S
Authors: Zhang Yu
Published: June 2014

C
The effect of zeolite particle modified by PEG on rubber composite properties
Authors: Fang Qinghong , Liu Xiaochen , Wang Na , Ma Chi , Yang Feng
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the surface modification of zeolite with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the modified zeolite as a reinforcing filler partly replacing carbon black (CB) into rubber to prepare the rubber composites. The surface characteristics of zeolite modified by PEG and the unmodified zeolite were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the evaluations of the zeolite/rubber composite were carried out on characteristics such as tensile property, abrasion loss, and hysteresis heat generation with different amounts of zeolite and PEG. The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites were improved, and the abrasion and lag heat generation were reduced when 5–8 phr zeolite modified by 3 wt% PEG was filled into rubber. These results indicated that the modified zeolite has a good compatibility and dispersion in rubber.
Experimental Study and Computational Modelling of Gas-Fired Pulse Combustion
Authors: Smajevic I.
Published: June 2014

The paper presents some results of computational modelling of a gas-fired pulse combustor with aerodynamic valves. The development of the model followed experimental investigations during which the combustor geometry and operating conditions were defined. A simple 'tank and tube' approach was adopted by decomposing the combustor into several elements which were modelled separately, together with the interconnecting processes. The solution was obtained by marching integration in time over several cycles. The model reproduced reasonably well the recorded time history and averaged values of all basic parameters and is expected to complement the experiments aiming to develop a pulse combustor as a device for to cleaning the outer sides of power plants’ boiler heating surfaces during operation.
Application of Genetic Algorithms for Robust Parameter Optimization
Authors: N. Belavendram
Published: June 2014

Parameter optimization can be achieved by many methods such as Monte-Carlo, full, and fractional factorial designs. Genetic algorithms (GA) are fairly recent in this respect but afford a novel method of parameter optimization. In GA, there is an initial pool of individuals each with its own specific phenotypic trait expressed as a ‘genetic chromosome’. Different genes enable individuals with different fitness levels to reproduce according to natural reproductive gene theory. This reproduction is established in terms of selection, crossover and mutation of reproducing genes. The resulting child generation of individuals has a better fitness level akin to natural selection, namely evolution. Populations evolve towards the fittest individuals. Such a mechanism has a parallel application in parameter optimization. Factors in a parameter design can be expressed as a genetic analogue in a pool of sub-optimal random solutions. Allowing this pool of sub-optimal solutions to evolve over several generations produces fitter generations converging to a pre-defined engineering optimum. In this paper, a genetic algorithm is used to study a seven factor non-linear equation for a Wheatstone bridge as the equation to be optimized. A comparison of the full factorial design against a GA method shows that the GA method is about 1200 times faster in finding a comparable solution.
Pattern of Mutation Rates in the Germline of Drosophila melanogaster Males from a Large-Scale Mutation Screening Experiment
Authors: Gao Jian-Jun , Pan Xue-Rong , Hu Jing , Ma Li , Wu Jian-Min , Shao Ye-Lin , Ai Shi-Meng , Liu Shu-Qun , Barton Sara A , Woodruff Ronny C , Zhang Ya-Ping , Fu Yun-Xin
Published: June 2014

The sperm or eggs of sexual organisms go through a series of cell divisions from the fertilized egg; mutations can occur at each division. Mutations in the lineage of cells leading to the sperm or eggs are of particular importance because many such mutations may be shared by somatic tissues and also may be inherited, thus having a lasting consequence. For decades, little has been known about the pattern of the mutation rates along the germline development. Recently it was shown from a small portion of data that resulted from a large-scale mutation screening experiment that the rates of recessive lethal or nearly lethal mutations differ dramatically during the germline development of Drosophila melanogaster males. In this paper the full data set from the experiment and its analysis are reported by taking advantage of a recent methodologic advance. By analyzing the mutation patterns with different levels of recessive lethality, earlier published conclusions based on partial data are found to remain valid. Furthermore, it is found that for most nearly lethal mutations, the mutation rate at the first cell division is even greater than previous thought compared with those at other divisions. There is also some evidence that the mutation rate at the second division decreases rapidly but is still appreciably greater than those for the rest of the cleavage stage. The mutation rate at spermatogenesis is greater than late cleavage and stem-cell stages, but there is no evidence that rates are different among the five cell divisions of the spermatogenesis. We also found that a modestly biased sampling, leading to slightly more primordial germ cells after the eighth division than those reported in the literature, provides the best fit to the data. These findings provide conceptual and numerical basis for exploring the consequences of differential mutation rates during individual development.
Identification of a QTL in Mus musculus for Alcohol Preference, Withdrawal, and Ap3m2 Expression Using Integrative Functional Genomics and Precision Genetics
Authors: Bubier Jason A , Jay Jeremy J , Baker Christopher L , Bergeson Susan E , Ohno Hiroshi , Metten Pamela , Crabbe John C , Chesler Elissa J
Published: June 2014

Extensive genetic and genomic studies of the relationship between alcohol drinking preference and withdrawal severity have been performed using animal models. Data from multiple such publications and public data resources have been incorporated in the GeneWeaver database with >60,000 gene sets including 285 alcohol withdrawal and preference-related gene sets. Among these are evidence for positional candidates regulating these behaviors in overlapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapped in distinct mouse populations. Combinatorial integration of functional genomics experimental results revealed a single QTL positional candidate gene in one of the loci common to both preference and withdrawal. Functional validation studies in Ap3m2 knockout mice confirmed these relationships. Genetic validation involves confirming the existence of segregating polymorphisms that could account for the phenotypic effect. By exploiting recent advances in mouse genotyping, sequence, epigenetics, and phylogeny resources, we confirmed that Ap3m2 resides in an appropriately segregating genomic region. We have demonstrated genetic and alcohol-induced regulation of Ap3m2 expression. Although sequence analysis revealed no polymorphisms in the Ap3m2-coding region that could account for all phenotypic differences, there are several upstream SNPs that could. We have identified one of these to be an H3K4me3 site that exhibits strain differences in methylation. Thus, by making cross-species functional genomics readily computable we identified a common QTL candidate for two related bio-behavioral processes via functional evidence and demonstrate sufficiency of the genetic locus as a source of variation underlying two traits.
A cultural consensus regarding the king vulture?: preliminary findings and their application to Mexican conservation
Authors: Haenn Nora , Schmook Birgit , Reyes Yol Monica , Calmé Sophie
Published: June 2014

Ecosystem management regularly requires bridging diverse cultural perspectives. As a result, researchers commonly assert that including local ecological knowledge in conservation strategies is essential to crafting enduring environmental solutions. Using the case of the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), we take preliminary steps in asking how ethnoecology and field biology might be combined in conservation practice. The paper reports on a questionnaire applied to sixty-six local experts in southern Yucatán, home to Mexico’s largest expanse of tropical forest and the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Local experts included forest workers, i.e. hunters, loggers, and gum tappers, some of whom worked as guides for field biologists. The research results point to the possibility of a cultural consensus among these experts regarding the bird’s natural history. After outlining this preliminary consensus and contrasting it with academic findings, the paper considers the implications of a consensus for conservation programming.
Meso-scale Simulations of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Grafted Architectures
Authors: Deshmukh Sanket A. , Kamath Ganesh , Mancini Derrick C. , Sankaranarayanan Subramanian K.R.S. , Jiang Wei
Published: June 2014

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a thermosensitive polymer that is well-known for its behavior at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 305 K. Below the LCST, PNIPAM is soluble in water, and above this temperature, polymer chains collapse and transform into a globule state. The conformational dynamics of single chains of polymer in a solution is known to be different from those of grafted structures that comprise of an ensemble of such single chains. In this study, we have carried out MD simulations of a mesoscopic nanostructure of PNIPAM polymer chains consisting of 60 monomer units grafted onto gold nanoparticles of different diameters, to study the effect of temperature and core particle size on the polymer conformations. Additionally, we have also studied the effect of grafting density on the coil-to-globule transition exhibited by PNIPAM through the LCST. The systems investigated consisted of ∼3 and ∼6 million atoms. Simulations were carried out below and above the LCST of PNIPAM, at 275K and 325K. Simulation trajectories were analyzed for radius of gyration of PNIPAM chains.
A modernização da gestão e a governança no setor público em Moçambique
Authors: Simione Albino Alves
Published: June 2014

Este artigo apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre os modelos da nova gestão pública e da governança interativa e faz uma leitura sobre as transformações da administração pública no Estado moçambicano, implementadas a partir da reforma administrativa, ocorrida em 2001. Mostra a existência de uma tendência positiva para a criação de novas práticas voltadas à eficiência, interação e participação pública no processo de formulação e implementação de políticas públicas. Entretanto, também assinala algumas limitações estruturais e funcionais impostas pelo modelo adotado, em relação às metas de eficiência e obtenção de resultados e processos participativos. Indica que os objetivos da criação de um novo serviço público, modernizado e interativo, impõem que sejam estabelecidas ligações horizontais e verticais que ampliem e melhorem, de fato, a participação de novos atores na solução dos problemas das comunidades.
Estrutura lógica como metodologia para avaliação de políticas públicas: uma análise do Pronaf
Authors: Silva Evandro Henrique Figueiredo Moura da , Bernardes Elaine Mendonça
Published: June 2014

O Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar (Pronaf) incluiu agricultores familiares no quadro das políticas públicas, ao seguir as tendências das políticas da década de 1990 de democratizar acesso a recursos financeiros. A sustentabilidade foi inserida no programa. Neste estudo, o propósito geral foi analisar os objetivos do Pronaf, no contexto do desenvolvimento econômico. Considerou-se que o Pronaf não permitiria avaliar a relação entre atividades desenvolvidas e resultados obtidos pelo programa. Assim, seria inconsistente. Além de analisar documentos oficiais, outros objetivos específicos foram analisar a consistência do Pronaf e, em caso de inconsistência, propor uma matriz de estrutura lógica. Nenhum projeto foi encontrado, apenas a legislação. A análise desta não permitiu o preenchimento da matriz e isso indica inconsistência. Propôs-se uma matriz completa.
Estratégias intersetoriais de gestão municipal de serviços de proteção social: a experiência de Belo Horizonte
Authors: Veiga Laura da , Bronzo Carla
Published: June 2014

As perspectivas da administração pública burocrática ou da nova gestão pública estão em xeque e novas estruturas de governança são necessárias para que os governos alcancem maior efetividade no enfrentamento de problemas complexos - como é o caso da pobreza, por exemplo -, que não aceitam soluções lineares ou unissetoriais. O artigo analisa a experiência do Programa BH Cidadania, desenvolvido pela Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte desde 2002, uma estratégia de articulação intersetorial de serviços e setores na ponta para ampliar as possibilidades de ações mais efetivas de inclusão social. O artigo explicita o desenho da intervenção e explora os desafios e avanços dessa estratégia de gestão que podem se configurar como um exemplo de boa governança no âmbito das políticas locais de proteção social.
Políticas públicas de combate ao analfabetismo no Brasil: uma investigação sobre a atuação do Programa Brasil Alfabetizado em municípios do Ceará
Authors: Diniz Gleison Mendonça , Machado Diego de Queiroz , Moura Heber José de
Published: June 2014

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar as características do Programa Brasil Alfabetizado (PBA) em municípios do estado do Ceará que aderiram ao programa. Para tanto, foram selecionados, mediante critérios estatísticos de representatividade, 15 municípios do estado que aderiram ao programa. Os dados foram coletados junto aos alfabetizadores do PBA desses municípios, mediante preenchimento de questionário estruturado, e analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conglomerados. Com a separação dos municípios em grupos distintos, os achados apontaram divergências em relação a: critérios de seleção dos alfabetizadores e sua participação em cursos de formação; carga horária, material didático e instrutores dos cursos de formação dos alfabetizadores; frequência da coordenação dos cursos; duração do curso para alfabetização dos alunos; existência de programas para deficientes visuais e auditivos; e evasão e continuidade dos estudos dos alunos alfabetizados. Portanto, tais resultados possibilitaram observar as seguintes necessidades de fortalecimento quanto ao PBA: formação contínua de seus alfabetizadores; criação de programas para portadores de deficiência visual e auditiva; aprimoramento do acompanhamento das coordenações dos cursos; e combate aos altos índices de evasão por parte dos alunos matriculados.