bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a home‐based exercise program on metabolic risk factors and fitness in long‐term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Järvelä Liisa S. , Kemppainen Jukka , Niinikoski Harri , Hannukainen Jarna C. , Lähteenmäki Päivi M. , Kapanen Jukka , Arola Mikko , Heinonen Olli J.
Published: December 2011

Background

Long‐term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic risk factors is increased in ALL survivors, and insufficient physical activity (PA) and low cardiopulmonary fitness are common. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a simple, inexpensive home‐based exercise program on cardiometabolic risk factors and fitness in long‐term ALL survivors.

Procedure

Seventeen 16‐ to 30‐year‐old survivors of childhood ALL (age at diagnosis ≤16 years) were recruited to a 16‐week home‐based exercise program. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), muscle strength, and metabolic risk factors were studied before and after the exercise program.

Results

Fasting plasma insulin (P = 0.01), HOMA‐IR (homeostasis model assessment, insulin resistance) (P = 0.002), waist circumference (P = 0.003), waist‐to‐hip ratio (P = 0.002), fat percent (P = 0.04), and supine diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.03) decreased during the program, while weight and body mass index remained unchanged. VO2 peak and maximal work load (W/kg) improved by 5% (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) during the exercise program. The results of the Sit‐Up test, Back extensor test, and Full Squatting test improved as well (P = 0.01, P = 0.002, and P = 0.0004, respectively).

Conclusions

A simple home‐based exercise program was effective in improving cardiometabolic risk factor status and fitness in young adult survivors of childhood ALL. Simple exercise programs should be recommended to this population with increased risk of CVD to improve metabolic risk factor status and fitness. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 155–160. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitivity of fine‐needle biopsy in detecting pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Redlich Antje , Boxberger Nicole , Schmid Kurt Werner , Frühwald Michael , Rohrer Tilman , Vorwerk Peter
Published: December 2011

Background

Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) are uncommon in children. Since the frequency of malignancy is assumed to be high in pediatric symptomatic thyroid nodules, carcinomas should be ruled out reliably. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of fine‐needle biopsy (FNB) in diagnosing children with DTC.

Procedure

We retrospectively analyzed 15 years of data from the GPOH‐MET registry, a database by the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) with a focus on malignant endocrine tumors (MET). We reviewed data on pediatric patients with DTC who had undergone FNB. FNB results were classified according to well‐established guidelines.

Results

During the study period, 206 children with a histological diagnosis of DTC were entered into the GPOH‐MET database. Fifty of those patients aged 3.6–17.3 years (mean, 12.3 years) had undergone FNB preoperatively. Forty‐one were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), seven with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), and two had DTC not otherwise specified. Of the first FNB performed on each patient, the cytological specimens were diagnosed as benign in 13 cases, malignant in 14, suspicious in 9, follicular neoplasms in 6, and unsatisfactory in 8. The sensitivity of FNB in detecting DTC was 69.0%.

Conclusions

Our results reflect the current practice of pediatric thyroid FNB in Germany. In order to improve its usefulness, FNB should always be performed by experienced physicians. Furthermore, a central review of all specimens is necessary to ascertain the validity of the cytological diagnosis and to introduce immunocytological and molecular methods. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:233–237. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical features and outcomes in patients with Ewing sarcoma and regional lymph node involvement
Authors: Applebaum Mark A. , Goldsby Robert , Neuhaus John , DuBois Steven G.
Published: December 2011

Background

A minority of patients with Ewing sarcoma present with regional lymph node involvement. We investigated if patient characteristics and outcomes differ between patients with Ewing sarcoma with and without regional node involvement.

Procedure

Patients <40 years of age with Ewing sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) reported to the SEER database from 1973 to 2008 were evaluated based on the presence (n = 91) or absence (n = 1,361) of regional node involvement. Patient characteristics were analyzed using Fisher exact tests. Overall survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier methods and evaluated using log‐rank tests and Cox models.

Results

Patients with regional node involvement were more likely to have extraskeletal primary tumors (65.9% vs. 31.2%; P < 0.001) and axial tumors (71.1% vs. 59.6%; P = 0.03) compared to patients without regional node involvement. The incidence of regional node involvement was 12.4% for patients with extraskeletal primary tumors compared to 3.2% for patients with skeletal tumors. Five‐year overall survival from diagnosis was inferior for patients with regional node involvement compared to those without regional node involvement (45.9% vs. 60.3%; P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, regional node involvement was predictive of inferior overall survival independent of age, metastatic status, tumor site, and soft tissue origin (hazard ratio 1.59; 95% CI 1.16–2.19).

Conclusions

Patients with extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma should undergo evaluation for regional node involvement. If validated, our findings indicate that regional node involvement may be an independent adverse prognostic factor in Ewing sarcoma, and potentially useful in risk‐stratifying patients with otherwise localized disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:617–620. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self modeling: Expanding the theories of learning
Authors: Dowrick Peter W.
Published: December 2011

Self modeling (SM) offers a unique expansion of learning theory. For several decades, a steady trickle of empirical studies has reported consistent evidence for the efficacy of SM as a procedure for positive behavior change across physical, social, educational, and diagnostic variations. SM became accepted as an extreme case of model similarity; improved self‐efficacy became a frequent “explanation” of how it worked. Recently, however, the mounting evidence for ultra‐rapid behavior change (particularly in feedforward versions of video SM) and incomplete satisfaction with explanatory models of observational learning in general suggested a rethinking of underlying theory. The most rapid learning by humans can be achieved by mental simulations of future events, based on reconfigured preexisting component skills. These reconsiderations of learning from the future, emphasizing learning from oneself, have coincided with developments in neurocognitive theories of mirror neurons and mental time travel. A reexamination of principles not tied to any medium show SM not to be a special case but to be the most fundamental form of observational learning. In the meantime, commercial technology has advanced in ways that are putting more of this self‐determining behavior change into younger and younger hands and minds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of video self‐modeling with english language learners: Implications for success
Authors: Ortiz Jennifer , Burlingame Cheryl , Onuegbulem Cybeles , Yoshikawa Koichi , Rojas Eliana D.
Published: December 2011

The efficacy of video self‐modeling (VSM) to improve reading fluency for English language learners (ELLs) is explored. A review of the literature demonstrates the success of VSM in improving non‐ELL students' fluency. Preliminary research with culturally and linguistically diverse students implies that the intervention can be equally effective with these populations. A brief review of second‐language acquisition reveals the ways in which VSM complements the needs of ELLs at various stages of acquisition. Special considerations for educators of ELLs are also included. Continued research is necessary to establish VSM as an effective research‐based method for ELLs, but the existing evidence base demonstrates the potential success of the intervention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the utility of self‐modeling in decreasing disruptive behavior in students with intellectual disability
Authors: Bilias‐lolis Evelyn , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Kehle Thomas J. , Bray Melissa A.
Published: December 2011

Students with intellectual disabilities can exhibit a wide array of challenging behaviors in the classroom that pose disruptions to the learning milieu and management problems for those involved in their education. Self‐modeling, a behavioral intervention that involves viewing edited videotapes of oneself depicting exemplary behavior, has had documented success in evoking positive behavior change. This investigation utilized a multiple baseline design to examine the effect of self‐modeling in reducing disruptive classroom behavior among 3 high school students with intellectual deficits. Participants were shown five 2‐minute treatment tapes over 10 school days. The results of this experiment were analyzed through visual inspection of the data and calculation of effect sizes. Self‐modeling was found to have large decreases in the target behavior for all 3 participants, with treatment effects becoming more pronounced at follow‐up. Implications and future research directions are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Video self‐modeling as an intervention strategy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Gelbar Nicholas W. , Anderson Candace , McCarthy Scott , Buggey Tom
Published: December 2011

Video self‐modeling demonstrates promise as an intervention strategy to improve outcomes in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This article summarizes the empirical evidence supporting the use of video self‐modeling with individuals with autism spectrum disorders to increase language and communication, increase social skills, modify behavior, and teach functional skills. A comparison of the empirical evidence supporting the use of video self‐modeling with other video modeling interventions is also provided. The use of video self‐modeling as part of a continuum of strategies for this population is supported by the current research base. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Augmented self‐modeling as an intervention for selective mutism
Authors: Kehle Thomas J. , Bray Melissa A. , Byer‐alcorace Gabriel F. , Theodore Lea A. , Kovac Lisa M.
Published: December 2011

Selective mutism is a rare disorder that is difficult to treat. It is often associated with oppositional defiant behavior, particularly in the home setting, social phobia, and, at times, autism spectrum disorder characteristics. The augmented self‐modeling treatment has been relatively successful in promoting rapid diminishment of selective mutism and the associated features. Further, it is perhaps the least intrusive of the treatments currently used. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Large‐scale length and time‐scales for use with stochastic convective parametrization
Authors: Keane R. J. , Plant R. S.
Published: December 2011

Many numerical models for weather prediction and climate studies are run at resolutions that are too coarse to resolve convection explicitly, but too fine to justify the local equilibrium assumed by conventional convective parametrizations. The Plant–Craig (PC) stochastic convective parametrization scheme, developed in this paper, solves this problem by removing the assumption that a given grid‐scale situation must always produce the same sub‐grid‐scale convective response. Instead, for each time step and grid point, one of the many possible convective responses consistent with the large‐scale situation is randomly selected. The scheme requires as input the large‐scale state as opposed to the instantaneous grid‐scale state, but must nonetheless be able to account for genuine variations in the large‐scale situation. Here we investigate the behaviour of the PC scheme in three‐dimensional simulations of radiative–convective equilibrium, demonstrating in particular that the necessary space–time averaging required to produce a good representation of the input large‐scale state is not in conflict with the requirement to capture large‐scale variations. The resulting equilibrium profiles agree well with those obtained from established deterministic schemes, and with corresponding cloud‐resolving model simulations. Unlike the conventional schemes, the statistics for mass flux and rainfall variability from the PC scheme also agree well with relevant theory and vary appropriately with spatial scale. The scheme is further shown to adapt automatically to changes in grid length and in forcing strength. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Field electron emission from molybdenum platinum alloy tips
Authors: Nakajima Megumi , Ito Wataru , Cho Boklae , Oshima Chuhei
Published: December 2011

Through annealing at 900–1000 K under ultrahigh vacuum, a nanopyramid terminated by a single atom was spontaneously grown on a Mo–Pt alloy tip surface. We observed single‐atom termination of the pyramid by field ion microscopy and detected its characteristic features by field emission spectroscopy. Mo95%–Pt5% alloy tips were fabricated into single‐atom terminated pyramids at a higher success rate than were Mo99%–Pt1% alloy tips, strongly suggesting that Pt segregation at the tip surface was crucial for single‐atom termination. In addition, we found the Mo95%–Pt5% alloy tips to be self‐repairing and demountable, which are common properties in single‐atom termination of body‐centered cubic metal tips covered with a face‐centered cubic material. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Licensing‐in fosters rapid invention! the effect of the grant‐back clause and technological unfamiliarity
Authors: Leone Maria Isabella , Reichstein Toke
Published: December 2011

Drawing on contractual economics and innovation management, licensing‐in is hypothesized to accelerate licensees' invention process. Studying a matched dataset of licensees and non‐licensees, licensees are shown to be faster at inventing, but the effect is negated if the license includes a grant‐back clause, shifting incentives from licensee to licensor. Also, the effect is significantly reduced if the licensee is unfamiliar with the licensed technology. The effect of the grant‐back clause is offset if the licensee is unfamiliar with the licensed technology, suggesting that the licensee retains the incentives to invent under these circumstances. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imbricate Scales as a Design Construct for Microsystem Technologies
Authors: Kim Seok , Su Yewang , Mihi Agustin , Lee Seungwoo , Liu Zhuangjian , Bhandakkar Tanmay K. , Wu Jian , Geddes Joseph B. , Johnson Harley T. , Zhang Yongwei , Park Jung‐Ki , Braun Paul V. , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A.
Published: December 2011

Spatially overlapping plates in tiled configurations represent designs that are observed widely in nature (e.g., fish and snake scales) and man‐made systems (e.g., shingled roofs) alike. This imbricate architecture offers fault‐tolerant, multifunctional capabilities, in layouts that can provide mechanical flexibility even with full, 100% areal coverages of rigid plates. Here, the realization of such designs in microsystems technologies is presented, using a manufacturing approach that exploits strategies for deterministic materials assembly based on advanced forms of transfer printing. The architectures include heterogeneous combinations of silicon, photonic, and plasmonic scales, in imbricate layouts, anchored at their centers or edges to underlying substrates, ranging from elastomer sheets to silicon wafers. Analytical and computational mechanics modeling reveal distributions of stress and strain induced by deformation, and provide some useful design rules and scaling laws.
Three‐dimensional computer‐aided finite element method retrofitting modeling and non‐destructive testing techniques for the assessment of actual existing high‐rise fire‐damaged reinforced concrete building
Authors: Wasim Muhammad , Hussain Raja Rizwan
Published: December 2011

Concrete is generally fire resistant. A fire in a concrete structure rarely results in a serious damage as to require substantial demolition. But, loss of the utility of a building could result in serious financial consequences for the owner, which calls for immediate reinstatement. To work out proper and efficient repair strategy, however, would require a thorough investigation of the effect of fire on the structural properties of the concrete and steel; the significance which any permanent change in material characteristics may have on the future structural performance of the member; the feasibility of repairs to compensate of any unacceptable reduction in structural performance, durability, and so on; and the influence which fire exposure of individual member may have on the performance of the entire structure. These all said tasks are dependent on the complete analysis of the fire‐damaged building. Without it, no repair works estimation, extent of repair and kind of repair can be carried out for the fire‐damaged buildings. Therefore, the impeccable analysis and design is of utmost importance for repair of such buildings after preliminary investigation of the extent of fire damages to the concrete structural members. This forms the basis of this research study, which aims at detailed analysis and design of the actual existing high‐rise fire‐damaged buildings for fire retrofitting and assessment of fire damages by non‐destructive techniques. Fire damages in buildings due to explosion, accidents or by some other reasons cause severe structural damages. The structural integrity of existing buildings is now a burning issue. Analytical, theoretical and design‐cum‐construction techniques are constantly being reviewed by government agencies and engineering consultants. Therefore, researchers are delving into this matter to find the best retrofitting techniques for fire‐damaged buildings. This paper is an outcome of such detailed research studies. It covers the actual case study of existing buildings, review of existing knowledge for fire damages and their mitigation and protective design technologies, and analytical and computational techniques, which have limited research data. In this study, Extended 3D Analysis of Building Systems (ETABS) is used as software for fire retrofitting analysis, and UBC‐97 is used as a code for the fire analysis and design. The ETABS building model is verified by manual calculations as well. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life‐cycle cost assessment of mid‐rise and high‐rise steel and steel–reinforced concrete composite minimum cost building designs
Authors: Lagaros Nikos D. , Magoula Efrossini
Published: December 2011

The traditional trial‐and‐error design approach is inefficient to determine an economical design satisfying also the safety criteria. Structural design optimization, on the other hand, provides a numerical procedure that can replace the traditional design approach with an automated one. The objective of this work is to propose a performance‐based seismic design procedure, formulated as a structural design optimization problem, for designing steel and steel–reinforced concrete composite buildings subject to interstorey drift limitations. For this purpose, eight test examples are considered, in particular four steel and four steel–reinforced concrete composite buildings are optimally designed with minimum initial cost. Life‐cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is considered as a reliable tool for measuring the damage cost due to future earthquakes that will occur during the design life of a structure. In this study, LCCA is employed for assessing the optimum designs obtained for steel and steel–reinforced concrete composite design practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing the high speed downlink packet access operation of 3G WCDMA systems
Authors: Skoutas Dimitrios N. , Skianis Charalabos
Published: December 2011

In high‐speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), the combination of adaptive modulation and coding, hybrid automatic repeat request, and an extended multicode operation has replaced two fundamental aspects of wideband code division multiple access systems, namely, variable spreading factor and fast power control. Despite its enhanced characteristics, the HSDPA operation can be problematic when the majority of incoming traffic load consists of low data rate delay‐sensitive services such as mobile voice‐over‐Internet Protocol. To tackle this case, we propose an enhanced HSDPA operation that exploits multiple layers of the channelization code tree through a specifically designed packet scheduling and code allocation process. Enhanced HSDPA, when compared with the conventional HSDPA, provides a more flexible sharing of the available capacity and is able to increase the number of users that can be served with the required quality of service in terms of packet delay. The efficiency of the proposed scheme is confirmed by simulation results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Photoluminescence Properties of Three Bis‐acylamide Compounds
Authors: Wu Tao , Gong Yun , Qin Jianbo , Wu Xiaoxia , Cao Rong
Published: December 2011

Three bis‐acylamide compounds, N1,N4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐cyclohexane‐1, 4‐dicarboxamide (L1), 1, 1′‐(1, 3‐phenylenedicarbonyl‐)bis(1H‐1, 2, 3‐benzotriazole) (L2), and N1,N4‐bis(1H‐1, 2, 4‐triazole) phthalamide (L3) were synthesized. L1, L2, and a CuII complex based on L3 formulated as CuCl2(L3)2(en)2 (1) (en = ethylenediamine) were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction for the first time. L1, L2, and L3 exhibit different photoluminescence properties.
Synthesis, Structures, and CO Releasing Properties of two Tricarbonyl Manganese(I) Complexes
Authors: Mohr Fabian , Niesel Johanna , Schatzschneider Ulrich , Lehmann Christian W.
Published: December 2011

[MnBr(CO)5] reacts with one equivalent each of 1, 3, 5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate to afford the yellow MnI complex fac‐[Mn(S2CNEt2)(PTA)(CO)3]. Similarly, the same MnI precursor reacts with the sodium salt ofL‐histidine to give the tricarbonyl manganese(I) complex fac‐[Mn(his)(CO)3] in good yield as a yellow solid. Both compounds were spectroscopically and structurally characterised. The histidinato complex is soluble in water and its aqueous solutions are stable for more than 24 h. The CO releasing properties of the histidinato complex were studied with the myoglobin assay and establish this compound as a novel PhotoCORM, which liberates one of the three carbonyl ligands upon irradiation.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) supply significantly improves xanthan gum production mediated by Xanthomonas campestris in vitro
Authors: Cheng Rong , Lin Lin , Zhang Yongkui
Published: December 2011

To improve xanthan gum productivity, a strategy of adding hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was studied. The method could intensify oxygen supply through degradation of H2O2 to oxygen (O2). In shake flask testing, the xanthan gum yield reached 2.8% (improved by 39.4%) when adding 12.5 mM H2O2 after 24 h of fermentation. In fermentor testing, it was obvious that the oxygen conditions varied with the H2O2 addition time. Eventually, gum yield of 4.2% (w/w) was achieved (increased by 27.3%). Compared with the method of intense mixing and increasing the air flow rate, adding H2O2 to improve the dissolved oxygen concentration was more effective and much better. Moreover, addition of H2O2 improved the quality of xanthan gum; the pyruvate content of xanthan was 4.4% (w/w), higher than that of the control (3.2%).
Habitat selection of the Ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana in Poland: predictions from large‐scale habitat elements
Authors: Kosicki Jakub Z. , Chylarecki Przemysław
Published: December 2011

The Ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana was censused in Poland during the Common Breeding Birds Monitoring Project in 2003–2009. Data from 683 monitoring polygons, covering in total more than 0.23% of the country, were used in the analysis. Based on the data and environmental information gathered in GIS databases (Corine land cover “CLC2000 and 2006” database, digital elevation model “GTOPO30” dataset, “Wordclim” dataset, and NDVI dataset), we modeled a habitat‐ and spatial‐related variation of the Ortolan bunting's presence. Birds were recorded in 13.2% grid cells. The mean density was 0.5 individual/km2. We modeled the spatial presence of birds using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Then models were cross‐validated to check their consistency. The environment‐use model shows that the Ortolan bunting prefers extensively cultivated farmland dominated by non‐irrigated arable fields, small coniferous and mixed forests, complex cultivation patterns, and meadows. The preferred areas are located on lowlands in western and central parts of the country where the climate is the driest and warmest. Such a repeatable spatial pattern model of the population helped to create a predictive map of the Ortolan bunting's presence in Poland. The general rule is that the probability gradient of its presence increases from the northeastern part of the country to the central and southwestern parts of Poland. Additionally, the Ortolan bunting avoids severe continental climate and regions with dense ground‐level vegetation.
Apparent diffusion coefficient restriction in the white matter: going beyond acute brain territorial ischemia
Authors: Citton Valentina , Burlina Alberto , Baracchini Claudio , Gallucci Massimo , Catalucci Alessia , Dal Pos Sandro , Burlina Alessandro , Manara Renzo
Published: December 2011

Background

Reduction of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in white matter is not always ischaemic in nature.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed our MRI records featuring reduced ADC values in the centrum semiovale without grey matter involvement or significant vasogenic oedema.

Results

Several conditions showed the aforementioned MR findings: moose-horn lesions on coronal images in X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; small fronto-parietal lesions in Menkes disease; marked signal abnormalities in the myelinised regions in the acute neonatal form of maple syrup urine disease; strip-like involvement of the corpus callosum in glutaric aciduria type 1; persistent periventricular parieto-occipital abnormalities in phenylketonuria; diffuse signal abnormalities with necrotic evolution in global cerebral anoxia or after heroin vapour inhalation; almost completely reversible symmetric fronto-parietal lesions in methotrexate neurotoxicity; chain-like lesions in watershed ischaemia; splenium involvement that normalises in reversible splenial lesions or leads to gliosis in diffuse axonal injury.

Conclusion

Neuroradiologists must be familiar with these features, thereby preventing misdiagnosis and inappropriate management.
Authoring War
Authors: McLoughlin Kate
Published: December 2011

Kate McLoughlin's Authoring War is an ambitious and pioneering study of war writing across all literary genres from earliest times to the present day. Examining a range of cultures, she brings wide reading and close rhetorical analysis to illuminate how writers have met the challenge of representing violence, chaos and loss. War gives rise to problems of epistemology, scale, space, time, language and logic. She emphasises the importance of form to an understanding of war literature and establishes connections across periods and cultures from Homer to the 'War on Terror'. Exciting new critical groupings arise in consequence, as Byron's Don Juan is read alongside Heller's Catch-22 and English Civil War poetry alongside Second World War letters. Innovative in its approach and inventive in its encyclopedic range, Authoring War will be indispensable to any discussion of war representation.
Statistical properties of supersonic turbulence in the Lagrangian and Eulerian frameworks
Authors: Konstandin Lukas , Federrath Christoph , Klessen Ralf S. , Schmidt Wolfram
Published: December 2011

We present a systematic study of the influence of different forcing types on the statistical properties of supersonic, isothermal turbulence in both the Lagrangian and Eulerian frameworks. We analyse a series of high-resolution, hydrodynamical grid simulations with Lagrangian tracer particles and examine the effects of solenoidal (divergence-free) and compressive (curl-free) forcing on structure functions, their scaling exponents, and the probability density functions of the gas density and velocity increments. Compressively driven simulations show significantly larger density contrast, more intermittent behaviour, and larger fractal dimension of the most dissipative structures at the same root mean square Mach number. We show that the absolute values of Lagrangian and Eulerian structure functions of all orders in the integral range are only a function of the root mean square Mach number, but independent of the forcing. With the assumption of a Gaussian distribution for the probability density function of the velocity increments for large scales, we derive a model that describes this behaviour.
Effects of acoustic-streaming-induced flow in evaporating nanofluid droplets
Authors: Saha Abhishek , Basu Saptarshi , Kumar Ranganathan
Published: December 2011

We study the effect of acoustic streaming on nanoparticle motion and morphological evolution inside an acoustically levitated droplet using an analytical approach coupled with experiments. Nanoparticle migration due to internal recirculation forms a density stratification, the location of which depends on initial particle concentration. The time scale of density stratification is similar to that of perikinetic-driven agglomeration of particle flocculation. The density stratification ultimately leads to force imbalance leading to a unique bowl-shaped structure. Our analysis shows the mechanism of bowl formation and how it is affected by particle size, concentration, internal recirculation and fluid viscosity.
A review of the evidence for the effects of total dietary fat, saturated, monounsaturated and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on vascular function, endothelial progenitor cells and microparticles
Authors: Vafeiadou Katerina , Weech Michelle , Sharma Vandana , Yaqoob Parveen , Todd Susan , Williams Christine M. , Jackson Kim G. , Lovegrove Julie A.
Published: December 2011

Vascular dysfunction is recognised as an integrative marker of CVD. While dietary strategies aimed at reducing CVD risk include reductions in the intake of SFA, there are currently no clear guidelines on what should replace SFA. The purpose of this review was to assess the evidence for the effects of total dietary fat and individual fatty acids (SFA, MUFA and n-6 PUFA) on vascular function, cellular microparticles and endothelial progenitor cells. Medline was systematically searched from 1966 until November 2010. A total of fifty-nine peer-reviewed publications (covering fifty-six studies), which included five epidemiological, eighteen dietary intervention and thirty-three test meal studies, were identified. The findings from the epidemiological studies were inconclusive. The limited data available from dietary intervention studies suggested a beneficial effect of low-fat diets on vascular reactivity, which was strongest when the comparator diet was high in SFA, with a modest improvement in measures of vascular reactivity when high-fat, MUFA-rich diets were compared with SFA-rich diets. There was consistent evidence from the test meal studies that high-fat meals have a detrimental effect on postprandial vascular function. However, the evidence for the comparative effects of test meals rich in MUFA or n-6 PUFA with SFA on postprandial vascular function was limited and inconclusive. The lack of studies with comparable within-study dietary fatty acid targets, a variety of different study designs and different methods for determining vascular function all confound any clear conclusions on the impact of dietary fat and individual fatty acids on vascular function.
Antioxidative effects of the spice cardamom against non-melanoma skin cancer by modulating nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and NF-κB signalling pathways
Authors: Das Ila , Acharya Asha , Berry Deborah L. , Sen Supti , Williams Elizabeth , Permaul Eva , Sengupta Archana , Bhattacharya Sudin , Saha Tapas
Published: December 2011

The role of dietary factors in inhibiting or delaying the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been investigated for many years. Cardamom, which is a dietary phytoproduct, has been commonly used in cuisines for flavour and has numerous health benefits, such as improving digestion and stimulating metabolism and having antitumorigenic effects. We have investigated the efficacy of dietary cardamom against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin papillomatogenesis in Swiss albino mice that closely resembles human NMSC. Mice were grouped into normal wild type (untreated), vehicle-treated (acetone), carcinogen-treated (DMBA), and DMBA and cardamom-treated (DMBA+CARD) to delineate the role of cardamom against DMBA-induced papillomatogenesis. Oral administration of cardamom to DMBA-treated mice up-regulated the phase II detoxification enzymes, such as glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, probably via activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 transcription factor in ‘DMBA+CARD’ mice. Furthermore, reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were also up-regulated by cardamom in the same ‘DMBA+CARD’ group of mice compared with DMBA-treated mice. Cardamom ingestion in DMBA-treated mice blocked NF-κB activation and down-regulated cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression. As a consequence, both the size and the number of skin papillomas generated on the skin due to the DMBA treatment were reduced in the ‘DMBA+CARD’ group. Thus, the results from the present study suggest that cardamom has a potential to become a pivotal chemopreventive agent to prevent papillomagenesis on the skin.
Comparative study of orbital involvement in invasive and non-invasive fungal sinusitis
Authors: Chandrasekharan R , Thomas M , Rupa V
Published: December 2011

Objective:

To investigate differences in orbital involvement in patients with invasive versus non-invasive fungal sinusitis.

Method:

One hundred consecutive cases of fungal sinusitis were assessed clinically and by computed tomography scan to evaluate orbital involvement.

Results:

Clinical orbital involvement was more common in invasive (73.5 per cent) than non-invasive (12.1 per cent) fungal sinusitis (p = 0.000). Computed tomography scanning showed similar orbital involvement in both groups, except for erosion of the floor of the orbit, which was more common in patients with invasive fungal sinusitis (p = 0.01). Extra-ocular muscle enlargement (44.4 vs 4 per cent, p = 0.01) and optic atrophy (44.4 vs 0 per cent, p = 0.003) were more common in chronic than acute invasive fungal sinusitis. Four patients (16 per cent) with acute invasive fungal sinusitis had no evidence of orbital involvement on scanning, despite clinical evidence of optic atrophy.

Conclusion:

Orbital involvement is more common in invasive than non-invasive fungal sinusitis. The difference is more evident clinically than on computed tomography scanning. Patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis may have limited evidence of orbital involvement on scanning, despite extensive clinical disease.
Antiplatelet therapy in ENT surgery: a review
Authors: Sylvester D C , Coatesworth A P
Published: December 2011

Introduction:

Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin and clopidogrel are increasingly encountered in clinical practice. Otorhinolaryngological surgeons are involved in the peri-operative decision of whether to continue treatment and risk haemorrhage or to discontinue treatment and risk thrombosis.

Methods:

Literature relating to the risk of spontaneous or operative haemorrhage was reviewed. The morbidity and mortality associated with cessation of agents was evaluated. Published guidelines were also evaluated. A protocol for the management of antiplatelet agents in the peri-operative period, with particular reference to ENT operations, is presented.

Conclusion:

Significant morbidity and mortality is associated with the premature cessation of antiplatelet agents. Data from cardiac surgery suggest that operative blood loss only marginally increases in patients on aspirin and clopidogrel. However, the management of antiplatelet agents in the peri-operative period should be made after multidisciplinary consultation.
Polydefinites in Greek: Ellipsis, close apposition and expletive determiners
Authors: LEKAKOU MARIKA , SZENDRŐI KRISZTA
Published: December 2011

Greek polydefinites are cases of adjectival modification where the adjective features its own definite determiner. We propose an account of the phenomenon that treats it as an instance of close apposition. Like close appositives, polydefinites in Greek instantiate multiple definite determiners, display a freedom in word order, and involve a restrictive interpretation. We propose that close apposition in Greek forms a complex DP out of two DPs which are in a sisterhood relationship through identification of the Referential roles within the DPs. This operation, semantically tantamount to set intersection, is constrained to apply only when the resulting set is not co-extensive with either initial set. This ensures the restrictive interpretation of one DP over the other. The fact that in polydefinites, it is always the DP containing the adjective that obligatorily satisfies the constraint has to do with the presence of noun ellipsis within that DP: (noun) ellipsis is known to come with a disanaphora requirement. We show that noun ellipsis is also responsible for the distribution of adjectives and adjective interpretations, as well as those discourse effects of polydefinites that have been thought of as the result of a DP-internal Focus projection. Finally, we make a proposal for the encoding of definiteness in Greek, consonant both with the existence of polydefinites in the language and with the prerequisite for set intersection among DPs: the overtly realized Greek definite determiner does not itself contribute an iota operator but preserves the denotation at the DP level. Our proposal thus deals not only with the multiple occurrence of definite determiners in a construction that picks out a single discourse referent, but also with the compositionality problem that such a situation gives rise to. In the final part we tie the cross-linguistic (un)availability of expletive determiners of the Greek type to the (un)availability of morphologically realized case.
What hinders child semantic computation: children's universal quantification and the development of cognitive control
Authors: MINAI UTAKO , JINCHO NOBUYUKI , YAMANE NAOTO , MAZUKA REIKO
Published: December 2011

Recent studies on the acquisition of semantics have argued that knowledge of the universal quantifier is adult-like throughout development. However, there are domains where children still exhibit non-adult-like universal quantification, and arguments for the early mastery of relevant semantic knowledge do not explain what causes such non-adult-like interpretations. The present study investigates Japanese four- and five-year-old children's atypical universal quantification in light of the development of cognitive control. We hypothesized that children's still-developing cognitive control contributes to their atypical universal quantification. Using a combined eye-tracking and interpretation task together with a non-linguistic measure of cognitive control, we revealed a link between the achievement of adult-like universal quantification and the development of flexible perspective-switch. We argue that the development of cognitive control is one of the factors that contribute to children's processing of semantics.
Percutaneous closure of congenital aortocaval fistula with a coexisting secundum atrial septal defect
Authors: Loh Poay Huan , Jensen Tim , Søndergaard Lars
Published: December 2011

Congenital aortocaval fistula is a very rare anomaly. Clinically, it resembles conditions that cause left-to-right shunt of blood. We report a case of such anomaly in combination with a secundum atrial septal defect in a 13-month-old girl who presented with failure to thrive and exertional respiratory symptoms. The aortocaval fistula was occluded percutaneously using an Amplatzer®Duct Occluder.
A NOTE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PUBLIC DEBT STABILIZATION
Authors: Fodha Mouez , Seegmuller Thomas
Published: December 2011

This article analyzes the consequences of environmental tax policy under public debt stabilization constraint. A public sector of pollution abatement is financed by a tax on pollutant emissions and/or by public debt. At the same time, households can also invest in private pollution abatement activities. We show that the economy may be characterized by an environmental-poverty trap if debt is too large or public abatement is not sufficiently efficient with respect to the private one. However, there exists a level of public abatement and debt at which a stable steady state is optimal.
Conservation agriculture in Laos: Diffusion and determinants for adoption of direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems in smallholder agriculture
Authors: Lestrelin Guillaume , Quoc Hoa Tran , Jullien Frédéric , Rattanatray Bounmy , Khamxaykhay Chantasone , Tivet Florent
Published: December 2011

Over the past half-century, major efforts have been made worldwide to develop sustainable alternatives to agricultural tillage. In line with these efforts, two main research development initiatives have supported the experimentation and dissemination of conservation agriculture (CA) in Laos. Here we present the results of a 4-year monitoring and evaluation study conducted in 21 villages targeted for dissemination. In a context of rapid transition to intensive commercial agriculture in Laos, CA has become an important constituent of agricultural landscapes. However, there are significant variations in adoption rates across the study region. Statistical and qualitative evidence suggests that experimentation and adoption are not contingent upon farm-level variables such as capital, labor, age and education. While access to land helps shape local decision-making, the land tenure threshold under which farmers are not willing to experiment with alternative cropping systems is relatively low and highly variable in both space and time. Rather, experience and awareness of land degradation, production costs, social cohesion and leadership appear to be key factors in explaining most variations in local adoption rates. These results indicate that the practice of CA is not necessarily incompatible with smallholder farming. However, while complex crop associations and rotations are necessary for integrated weed control and reduced chemical use, their diffusion would require a broader transformation of the agricultural industry and the current market demand.
Insecticide use and crop selection in regions with high GM adoption rates
Authors: Fausti Scott W. , McDonald Tia Michelle , Lundgren Jonathan G. , Li Jing , Keating Ariel Ruth , Catangui Mike
Published: December 2011

South Dakota has been a leading adopter of genetically modified organism (GM) crops since their introduction in 1996. In 2009, South Dakota shared the top adoption rate with Iowa for the percentage of acres planted with Bt corn. However; South Dakota has also recently experienced a significant increase in the proportion of acres treated with insecticide. The empirical evidence presented suggests that corn, hay and sunflower production in South Dakota have experienced an intensification of insecticide use in 2007 relative to past US Census of Agriculture reporting years. This study links the proportion of acres planted for a specific crop to the proportion of total acres treated with insecticide at the county level. This approach provides insight on how changing cropping patterns in South Dakota have influenced insecticide use. Empirical results indicate that the upper-bound estimate for insecticide usage on non-Bt corn acreage increased from 38% in 2002 to all non-Bt corn acres planted in 2007. The implication of this result is that in 2007 South Dakota producers were likely treating a percentage of their Bt corn acres with insecticide. Changing cropping patterns in South Dakota are also compared to that in other states in the US Corn Belt region. It appears that the South Dakota experience is not unique and is part of a broader trend.
Freshwater floods drive salt into arid region aquifers
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: December 2011

For people living in arid ecosystems, groundwater replenished during seasonal flooding is typically their most important source of freshwater. Yet these same floods may also be responsible for temporarily increasing the salinity of the vital freshwater stores, a relationship shown for the austral summer flooding of the Kuiseb River in Namibia. Between 2006 and 2008, Amiaz et al. recorded the effect of 12 floods on soil water storage, groundwater electrical conductivity (a measure of salinity), and solute movement throughout various layers of the subsurface along the river. The researchers' primary concern was understanding how soluble salts residing in the vadose zone, the subsurface layer that lies between the groundwater table and the surface, make their way into the aquifer.
Revisited relationship between tropical and North Pacific sea surface temperature variations
Authors: Park Jong‐Yeon , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Kug Jong‐Seong
Published: December 2011

The relationship between the tropical and North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) variations is reexamined following the results of Deser and Blackmon (1995, DB95) based on a much longer period of data (1949–2010). As in DB95, the two leading SST modes, the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) mode and the North Pacific mode, represent the SST variations in the Pacific domain before 1992. Considering the period after 1992, however, one needs to consider a new mode of SST variation along with the two modes mentioned to understand the relationship between the tropical and North Pacific SST variations. A new SST mode, known as the Warm Pool mode, exhibits a strong variance in the warm pool region and undergoes a phase shift after the mid‐1990s, reflecting a warming in the warm pool region and a cooling in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It is found that the Warm Pool mode accompanies the North Pacific Oscillation‐like atmospheric variability over the North Pacific. Through this teleconnection, the Warm Pool mode mostly shows a relationship between the warm pool SST and the associated North Pacific SST component and which has some similarities with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation.