bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Respectful Relationships Early: Educating Children on Gender Variance and Sexual Diversity. A Response to Damien Riggs
Authors: Robinson Kerry H.
Published: April 2013

This article, which is a response to Damien Riggs' article, ‘Heteronormativity in Online Information about Sex: A South Australian Case Study’, focuses on three main areas relevant to children's early education in this area. Firstly, it is important to increase parents’, educators’, and children's awareness of gender variance or gender diversity in children's and young people's lives. Gender variance is becoming increasingly visible, including in schooling, with some children and young people experiencing hostile reactions to their gender transgressions from their peers and also from some adults. Secondly, it is vital that the development of children's sexual citizenship and building respectful relationships starts early in children's lives through open and comprehensive sex and sexualities education in online, schooling, and family contexts. Attempts to include the development of knowledge and skills in building and maintaining respectful relationships and exploring the factors that influence gender and sexual identities in children's early education are hindered by discourses of childhood innocence. The third main area discussed is, in order to effectively address sex and sexualities education in children's lives, there is a need to address these issues in a collaborative manner between early childhood educators and families.
Enhancing Scientific Literacy in Thailand
Authors: Yuenyong Chokchai
Published: April 2013

Globally, literacy in science has become a fundamental focus of public education. The term ‘scientific literacy’, however, attracts a diversity of views. A common theme in the literature is that it relates to being able to critique scientific discussions. The large-scale evaluation of students' scientific literacy was assessed in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Thailand participated in the PISA scheme every three years from 2000 to 2009. The results indicate that Thailand's performance decreased over the period and were below average. This has led to an increased focus on improving performance and scores and a desire to improve science education and science teaching for enhancing scientific literacy in Thailand. Science educators in universities, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), the Ministry of Education and others have organized various projects and research to improve scientific literacy. Research projects have focused on developing teachers' quality in science teaching and have gone on to consider the nature of science, contexts of science, socio-scientific issues and the relation between science, technology and society. The article will discuss the strategies that have been embarked upon to enhance scientific literacy in Thailand.
DISCUSSION OF: Knowing Versus Telling Private Information About a Rival
Authors: Nanda Dhananjay (DJ)
Published: April 2013

Bagnoli and Watts (2013) show that a firm will always disclose its private information when this information solely affects its rival's product market decisions. This result is robust to different competitive scenarios (Cournot or Bertrand competition), features (product heterogeneity or private information quantity), and levels of commitment (ex ante or ex post). I highlight how this result fits in the accounting disclosure literature, describe the intuition behind the theory, and discuss its implications for future work.
Hypoglycemia and Diabetes: A Report of a Workgroup of the American Diabetes Association and The Endocrine Society
Authors: Seaquist Elizabeth R. , Anderson John , Childs Belinda , Cryer Philip , Dagogo-Jack Samuel , Fish Lisa , Heller Simon R. , Rodriguez Henry , Rosenzweig James , Vigersky Robert
Published: April 2013

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence about the impact of hypoglycemia on patients with diabetes that has become available since the past reviews of this subject by the American Diabetes Association and The Endocrine Society and to provide guidance about how this new information should be incorporated into clinical practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Five members of the American Diabetes Association and five members of The Endocrine Society with expertise in different aspects of hypoglycemia were invited by the Chair, who is a member of both, to participate in a planning conference call and a 2-day meeting that was also attended by staff from both organizations. Subsequent communications took place via e-mail and phone calls. The writing group consisted of those invitees who participated in the writing of the manuscript. The workgroup meeting was supported by educational grants to the American Diabetes Association from Lilly USA, LLC and Novo Nordisk and sponsorship to the American Diabetes Association from Sanofi. The sponsors had no input into the development of or content of the report.

EVIDENCE

The writing group considered data from recent clinical trials and other studies to update the prior workgroup report. Unpublished data were not used. Expert opinion was used to develop some conclusions.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

Consensus was achieved by group discussion during conference calls and face-to-face meetings, as well as by iterative revisions of the written document. The document was reviewed and approved by the American Diabetes Association’s Professional Practice Committee in October 2012 and approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors in November 2012 and was reviewed and approved by The Endocrine Society’s Clinical Affairs Core Committee in October 2012 and by Council in November 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

The workgroup reconfirmed the previous definitions of hypoglycemia in diabetes, reviewed the implications of hypoglycemia on both short- and long-term outcomes, considered the implications of hypoglycemia on treatment outcomes, presented strategies to prevent hypoglycemia, and identified knowledge gaps that should be addressed by future research. In addition, tools for patients to report hypoglycemia at each visit and for clinicians to document counseling are provided.
Update on the Antimicrobial Management of Foot Infections in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Matsuura Gregory T. , Barg Neil
Published: April 2013

IN BRIEF

Foot infections are common problems in patients with diabetes and can lead to devastating complications and long-term morbidity. Although these infections invariably start in superficial soft tissues, they can involve deeper structures, including bone. Complications may include necrotizing fasciitis, soft tissue gangrene, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. This article reviews the factors involved in appropriate antibiotic selection and describes antimicrobial agents included in recently updated treatment guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Microwave-assisted oxidation of alcohols by hydrogen peroxide catalysed by tetrabutylammonium decatungstate
Authors: Galica Mateusz , Kasprzyk Wiktor , Bednarz Szczepan , Bogdał Dariusz
Published: April 2013

This work deals with catalytic activity of tetrabutylammonium decatungstate(VI) in the oxidation of selected alcohols with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant using 1,2-dichloroethane/water or acetonitrile/water as a solvent system. Different forms of heating were compared. The highest conversions of substrates were achieved in the two phase system acetonitrile/water using microwave irradiation combined with elevated pressure. Finally, optimum parameters for these reactions in a microwave pressurised reactor were established and discussed.
Stereoselective total synthesis of protected sulfamisterin and its analogues
Authors: Špaková Raschmanová Jana , Martinková Miroslava , Gonda Jozef , Uhríková Alena
Published: April 2013

The stereoselective synthesis of sulfamisterin I and its unnatural analogues II and V in their protected form was achieved through a common strategy. The Wittig reaction of aldehydes VIII and IX with the C14 hydrophobic side-chain X served as the key C-C connecting transformation. Subsequent functional group inter-conversions in the coupling products XI and XX completed the total synthesis.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Gnawali Laxman
Published: April 2013

Editorial
Importation of Ideologies from Macaulay Minutes to Wood Commission
Authors: Awasthi Lava Deo
Published: April 2013

In this article I examine Nepal’s language policy with particular reference to Nepal National Education Planning Commission (NNEPC known as Wood Commission) Report of 1956. In this essay I analyze how the Wood Commission Report was employed as a means of importing values introduced by the British India’s Macaulay Minutes of 1835. I explore how the post independence Education Commission had an overarching effect on the educational language policy discourse in the country. I investigate the effects of the NNEPC language policy on the educational practices in Nepal. First, I consider how the independent Nepal responded to the aspirations of the people for change in its educational language planning and policy.
Transfer of Training: Improving the Effectiveness of Employee Training in Nepal
Authors: Subedi Bhawani Shankar
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of transfer and to identify factors influencing it in the context of civil and corporate sector organizations of Nepal. This cross sectional descriptive research included stratified random samples of organizations from four development regions of Nepal. Data were collected from 299 cases (56 managers, 78 supervisors and 165 employees, who received training within the last twelve months) using a mail survey, on-site survey, personal interviews, focus group discussions, training evaluation models, and observations for the verification of workplace evidences of transfer or non-transfer of the training.
Autoethnography: A Method of Research and Teaching for Transformative Education
Authors: Belbase Shashidhar , Luitel Bal Chandra , Taylor Peter Charles
Published: April 2013

This paper discusses the thesis that autoethnography as tool in research provides the researcher to examine his or her pedagogical and research practices from his or lived evocative experiences. The essence of this paper is to seek the possibilities of linking autoethnography as a method of inquiry that catalyses the transformative pedagogy positively in mathematics education. It is an outcome of my dissertation of Masters of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Education. I highlights the importance of autoethnography in research in a way that permits researchers to apply flexible modes of inquiry from their life experiences with motives of change to take place in educational institutions and classroom practices.
Valuing People's Learnings and Literacies
Authors: Parajuli Mahesh Nath
Published: April 2013

Editorial
Private Schooling and Fayol's Principles of Management: A Case from Nepal
Authors: Poudyal Chandra Sharma
Published: April 2013

Henri Fayol is popularly known as the founder of administrative management for his contribution to the field of management. Although his principles of management are termed as classical management theory, the principles are still applicable in the field of management. In this paper I explore the issues of management and ownership in two private schools in Nepal using Fayol's principles of management.

The data were collected from two private schools using a case study approach. I conducted semi- structured interviews with teachers, administrators and principals of two private schools. In the case study schools, the owners were also working in the capacity of principal of the school and hence the term owner/principal has been used in this paper. The owners/principals were taken as the participants to represent the voice of the employers while the teachers were taken to represent the voice of the employees. Similarly, the administrators in this study represent the voices of both the employer and the employees of the school.

This study suggests that when management and ownership are not separated, there is a concentration of power. The power concentration in individual or group of owners gives rise to a number of management related issues such as unequal distribution of authority and responsibility, role ambiguity, negative motivation and conflict of interest. Fayol's principles of authority and responsibility, initiative, subordination of individual interest to group interest, stability of tenure of personnel and spirit of cooperation have been used in this paper to explain several issues of management and ownership that emerged from the case study.
Allowing One’s Own Bodily Experience to “Count”: Elaborating on Inter-subjectivity and Subjectivity in Phenomenological Studies
Authors: Groven Karen Synne , Engelsrud Gunn
Published: April 2013

Phenomenology, according to Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, looks at human beings in the world. Drawing on their perspective, one could argue that inter-subjectivity, like a researcher's subjectivity, should be explicitly acknowledged in phenomenological studies. In the following pages we explore how using this approach can make findings more transparent and trustworthy. This study is based on a review of five articles focused on subjectivity and inter-subjectivity in phenomenological studies. In addition, we draw on the first author's experiences as a PhD candidate studying to become a "phenomenological" researcher.

Our findings reveal that reflecting explicitly on bodily subjectivity during the research process can reveal connections between the context of the interview, how the material is created socially and textually and how the researcher utilized information from her own body in the interpretation of the material. This, in turn, is likely to make the findings more inter-subjective and transparent, and thus more trustworthy and valid. Our findings point to the value of letting one's own bodily experiences "count" in the process of determining how to explore the phenomena in question. Although the literature offers guidelines, each project and each researcher is unique. In this light, personal reflections are likely to highlight the value of critically engaging – and making explicit – the researcher's own experiences, both during and after the interview process.
Public Perception of the Quality of Academic Education Program
Authors: Shrestha Binod Krishna
Published: April 2013

There is no information on what exactly quality is as perceived by the public as the potential recipients of education programs to guide policy makers to deliver quality. This study explored the determinants of quality of education program as perceived by the public. This study is important because a quality concept starts from customers according to which the providers should develop their programs. Following the theory of customers' perceptions, this study assessed stakeholders' beliefs about quality of education program rather than objective reality that organizations offer as quality education. Through a survey on about 220 respondents and corresponding data analysis, this study found out the determinants of perceived quality of education with special reference to MBA programs in Nepal. The variables included in this study were quality of faculty, quality of infrastructure, graduate employability, curriculum and reputation as antecedents of perceived quality and perceived value. This study found out that perceived quality is determined by reputation of the program as credible and trustworthy which is influenced by graduate employability, practical curriculum and competent faculty.
“I Wish the Supreme Court Thought More Like Dianne”: A Comment on Krangle v Brisco
Authors: MacPherson Darcy L.
Published: April 2013

L'auteur commence par décrire ses expériences avec Dianne Pothier comme professeure de droit et mentore. Il analyse ensuite la décision de la Cour suprême du Canada dans l'arrêt Krangle c Brisco, qui portait sur l'obligation alléguée d'un médecin négligent de pourvoir aux besoins d'un adulte ayant, au cours de son enfance, souffert de cette négligence. Deux facteurs compliquaient les choses. D'abord, au moment de la poursuite, le gouvernement au pouvoir au moment du litige aurait couvert les coûts liés aux soins de l'enfant à l’âge adulte. Ensuite, l'enfant n'avait que dix ans au moment de l'audience devant la Cour suprême du Canada. Le gouvernement allait-il continuer d'offrir le programme à l'enfant pendant toute sa vie ? La Cour a traité de ces questions en prévoyant un fonds en fiducie. L'auteur soutient qu'il existe une meilleure solution. Même s'il accepte la position de la Cour selon laquelle le gouvernement devrait assumer les soins des adultes handicapés, il n'existe aucun impératif constitutionnel à cet égard. Quelqu'un (les parents ou le gouvernement) devra payer la somme de plus de 1,5 million de dollars qui n'est pas incluse dans les dommages-intérêts. Le recours à un fonds en fiducie éviterait que les parents s'enrichissent, tout en veillant à ce que le médecin défendeur paie le montant intégral pour les dommages causés. Les deux bénéficiaires de ce fonds seraient le gouvernement et les parents—une ou l'autre de ces parties serait remboursée par le fonds. Selon l'auteur, cette solution est compatible avec la jurisprudence de la Cour suprême du Canada en ce qui concerne les dommages-intérêts. Pothier aurait abordé d'un point de vue plus large la manière de réaliser les objectifs sociaux que la Cour considère comme importants. L'auteur espère qu’à la prochaine occasion, la Cour suprême du Canada suivra la direction de Mme Pothier.
Introducing Practical Theology to English Canada
Authors: Couture Pamela D.
Published: April 2013

Abstract:

This introduction relates The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology to a network of theologians of theology in Canada and abroad. It notes that practical theology has linkages with English- French-speaking Canadians in the “Narrativity, Identity, and Diversity Seminar,” with the program unit of the American Academy of Religion, and with similar academic societies in Ireland, England, and South Africa.
Characterization and Mineralization Rates of Low Temperature Peanut Hull and Pine Chip Biochars
Authors: Harris Keith , Gaskin Julia , Cabrera Miguel , Miller William , Das K.C.
Published: April 2013

Biochar can potentially increase soil fertility and sequester carbon by incorporating nutrients and stable black carbon into the soil; however its effect on soil nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) processes is not well understood. A defined methodology to characterize biochar is necessary to predict how specific biochars will affect C and N mineralization. We amended a Tifton soil (Fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults) with peanut hull (Arachis hypogaea; PH; 2.1% N) and pine chip (Pinus taeda; PC: 0.4% N) biochar at application rates of 1% and 2% (w/w) and performed a 136-day mineralization study. A companion 24-day mineralization study amended Tifton soil with PH and PC biochar at 2% and their respective feedstocks at equal C rates. Soil C mineralization rates were monitored periodically throughout each study and total N mineralization rates were also measured. In addition, we characterized each biochar using thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometer (TGA-MS), proximate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and total mineral analysis to identify biochar characteristics that might correlate with mineralization properties. Limited C (<2%) mineralized from both biochars, but mineralization rates of soil amended with PH biochar were higher than PC biochar. Carbon mineralization correlated well with estimated aliphatic content determined by TGA-MS but not with volatile content indicated by proximate analysis. Nitrogen was not mineralized from either biochar, indicating that plant-based biochar should not be considered a source of N for plant growth. The N in biochar may be contained in the stable aromatic structure of the biochar, as indicated by TGA-MS, and not available to soil microbes.
Ultrasonics Promoted Synthesis of 5-(Pyrazol-4-yl)-4,5-Dihydropyrazoles Derivatives
Authors: Trilleras Jorge , Polo Efraín , Quiroga Jairo , Cobo Justo , Nogueras Manuel
Published: April 2013

A series of new 1,3-diaryl-5-(1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-chloropyrazol-4-yl)-4,5-dihydropyrazole derivatives have been synthesized under sonication conditions in ethanol or methanol/glacial acetic acid mixture (5/1 ratio) with two equivalents of hydrazines and seven kinds of chalcone-like heteroanalogues obtained from 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde. The structures were established on the basis of NMR, IR, MS and element analysis. This method provides several advantages over current reaction methodologies, including a simple work-up procedure, shorter reaction times (2–20 min) and good yields (65%–80%).
Psychrophily and Catalysis
Authors: Gerday Charles
Published: April 2013

Polar and other low temperature environments are characterized by a low content in energy and this factor has a strong incidence on living organisms which populate these rather common habitats. Indeed, low temperatures have a negative effect on ectothermic populations since they can affect their growth, reaction rates of biochemical reactions, membrane permeability, diffusion rates, action potentials, protein folding, nucleic acids dynamics and other temperature-dependent biochemical processes. Since the discovery that these ecosystems, contrary to what was initially expected, sustain a rather high density and broad diversity of living organisms, increasing efforts have been dedicated to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in their successful adaptation to apparently unfavorable physical conditions. The first question that comes to mind is: How do these organisms compensate for the exponential decrease of reaction rate when temperature is lowered? As most of the chemical reactions that occur in living organisms are catalyzed by enzymes, the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of cold-adapted enzymes have been investigated. Presently, many crystallographic structures of these enzymes have been elucidated and allowed for a rather clear view of their adaptation to cold. They are characterized by a high specific activity at low and moderate temperatures and a rather low thermal stability, which induces a high flexibility that prevents the freezing effect of low temperatures on structure dynamics. These enzymes also display a low activation enthalpy that renders them less dependent on temperature fluctuations. This is accompanied by a larger negative value of the activation entropy, thus giving evidence of a more disordered ground state. Appropriate folding kinetics is apparently secured through a large expression of trigger factors and peptidyl–prolyl cis/trans-isomerases.
Design and Implement a Digital H∞ Robust Controller for a MW-Class PMSG-Based Grid-Interactive Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: Howlader Abdul , Urasaki Naomitsu , Yona Atsushi , Senjyu Tomonobu , Saber Ahmed
Published: April 2013

A digital H∞ controller for a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based wind energy conversion system (WECS) is presented. Wind energy is an uncertain fluctuating resource which requires a tight control management. So, it is still an exigent task for the control design engineers. The conventional proportional-integral (PI) control is not ideal during high turbulence wind velocities, and the nonlinear behavior of the power converters. These are raising interest towards the robust control concepts. The robust design is to find a controller, for a given system, such that the closed-loop system becomes robust that assurance high-integrity and fault tolerant control system, robust H∞ control theory has befallen a standard design method of choice over the past two decades in industrial control applications. The robust H∞ control theory is also gaining eminence in the WECS. Due to the implementation complexity for the continuous H∞ controller, and availability of the high speedy micro-controllers, the design of a sample-data or a digital H∞ controller is very important for the realistic implementation. But there isn’t a single research to evaluate the performance of the digital H∞ controller for the WECS. In this paper, the proposed digital H∞ controller schemes comprise for the both generator and grid interactive power converters, and the control performances are compared with the conventional PI controller and the fuzzy controller. Simulation results confirm the efficacy of the proposed method Energies 2013, 6 2085 which are ensured the WECS stabilities, mitigate shaft stress, and improving the DC-link voltage and output power qualities.
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Promotes the Myocardial Homing of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhang Haifeng , Xiao Junjie , Wu Jian , Ye Yong , Li Zheng , Zou Yunzeng , Li Xinli
Published: April 2013

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that leads to heart failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are under active investigation currently as a potential therapy for DCM. However, little information is available about the therapeutic potential of intravenous administration of MSCs for DCM. Moreover, how MSCs home to the myocardium in DCM is also unclear. DCM was induced by intraperitoneally administering Doxorubicin and MSCs or vehicles were infused through the internal jugular vein. Cardiac functions including the percentage of fractional shortening, left ventricular diastolic dimension, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and left ventricular maximum dp/dt were evaluated by echocardiographic and hemodynamic studies. Fibrosis was determined by Masson’s trichrome staining. The mRNA expression levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) were determined using real time polymerase chain reactions and the protein expression level of MCP-1 was detected with Western blot. The MSCs expression of C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), a MCP-1 receptor, was confirmed by Western blot and flow cytometry analysis. The chemotactic effects of MCP-1/CCR2 were checked by assessing the migration in vitro and in vivo. MSCs transplantation improved the cardiac function and decreased the myocardial fibrosis of mice with DCM. MCP-1 was up-regulated in dilated myocardial tissue both at the mRNA and protein level while SDF-1, MIP-1α and MCP-3 remain unchanged. CCR2 was present in MSCs. MCP-1 promoted MSCs migration in vitro while CCR2 inhibition decreased the migration of MCP-1 to the dilated heart. This study provides direct evidences that peripheral intravenous infusion of MSCs can support the functional recovery of DCM. In addition, novel insights into the myocardial homing factor of MSCs in DCM are presented. Modulation of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling system might be a novel therapeutic strategy for DCM.
The Importance of the PI3K/AKT/MTOR Pathway in the Progression of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Dobbin Zachary , Landen Charles
Published: April 2013

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of death due to cancer in women despite being the tenth in incidence. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate is only 45%, which has not improved much in the past 30 years. Even though the majority of women have successful initial therapy, the low rate of survival is due to the eventual recurrence and succumbing to their disease. With the recent release of the Cancer Genome Atlas for ovarian cancer, it was shown that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was one of the most frequently mutated or altered pathways in patients’ tumors. Researching how the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway affects the progression and tumorigensis of ovarian cancer will hopefully lead to new therapies that will increase survival for women. This review focuses on recent research on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its role in the progression and tumorigensis of ovarian cancer.
Loss of SUMOylation on ATF3 Inhibits Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells by Modulating CCND1/2 Activity
Authors: Wang Chiung-Min , Yang Wei-Hsiung
Published: April 2013

SUMOylation plays an important role in regulating a wide range of cellular processes. Previously, we showed that ATF3, a stress response mediator, can be SUMOylated and lysine 42 is the major SUMO site. However, the significance of ATF3 SUMOylation in biological processes is still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of ATF3 SUMOylation on CCND activity and cellular proliferation in human prostate cancer cells. First, we showed that ATF3 can be SUMOylated endogenously in the overexpression system, and lysine 42 is the major SUMO site. Unlike normal prostate tissue and androgen-responsive LNCaP cancer cells, androgen-independent PC3 and DU145 cancer cells did not express ATF3 endogenously. Overexpression of ATF3 increased CCND1/2 expression in PC3 and DU145 cancer cells. Interestingly, we observed that SUMOylation is essential for ATF3-mediated CCND1/2 activation. Finally, we observed that SUMOylation plays a functional role in ATF3-mediated cellular proliferation in PC3 and DU145 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that SUMO modification of ATF3 influences CCND1/2 activity and cellular proliferation of prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cells and explains at least in part how ATF3 functions to regulate cancer development.
Pilot Study of CYP2B6 Genetic Variation to Explore the Contribution of Nitrosamine Activation to Lung Carcinogenesis
Authors: Wassenaar Catherine , Dong Qiong , Amos Christopher , Spitz Margaret , Tyndale Rachel
Published: April 2013

We explored the contribution of nitrosamine metabolism to lung cancer in a pilot investigation of genetic variation in CYP2B6, a high-affinity enzymatic activator of tobacco-specific nitrosamines with a negligible role in nicotine metabolism. Previously we found that variation in CYP2A6 and CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 combined to increase lung cancer risk in a case-control study in European American ever-smokers (n = 860). However, these genes are involved in the pharmacology of both nicotine, through which they alter smoking behaviours, and carcinogenic nitrosamines. Herein, we separated participants by CYP2B6 genotype into a high- vs. low-risk group (*1/*1 + *1/*6 vs. *6/*6). Odds ratios estimated through logistic regression modeling were 1.25 (95% CI 0.68–2.30), 1.27 (95% CI 0.89–1.79) and 1.56 (95% CI 1.04–2.31) for CYP2B6, CYP2A6 and CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4, respectively, with negligible differences when all genes were evaluated concurrently. Modeling the combined impact of high-risk genotypes yielded odds ratios that rose from 2.05 (95% CI 0.39–10.9) to 2.43 (95% CI 0.47–12.7) to 3.94 (95% CI 0.72–21.5) for those with 1, 2 and 3 vs. 0 high-risk genotypes, respectively. Findings from this pilot point to genetic variation in CYP2B6 as a lung cancer risk factor supporting a role for nitrosamine metabolic activation in the molecular mechanism of lung carcinogenesis
Emergent Information, a Unified Theory of Information Framework Vol. 3. By Wolfgang Hofkirchner, World Scientific, 2013; 280 Pages. Price £ 58.00, ISBN 978-981-4313-48-3
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: April 2013

The following paragraphs are reproduced from the website of the publisher [1]. At the dawn of the information age, a proper understanding of information and how it relates to matter and energy is of utmost importance for the survival of civilisation. Yet, attempts to reconcile information concepts underlying science and technology with those en vogue in social science, humanities, and arts are rather rare. This book offers a new approach, departing from fragmented information concepts.
Social Contagion and Cascade Behaviors on Twitter
Authors: Fabrega Jorge , Paredes Pablo
Published: April 2013

It has been found in a variety of face-to-face networks that diffusion of information, behaviors and sentiments extend up to two to four degrees of distance from the original source. This regularity has been popularized as the three degrees of influence phenomenon. Prior works have suggested a number of possible explanations to this pattern. In this paper, we study it in the context of an online network. We find similar results in this online setting to those already found offline. However, our approach suggests that two of the previously proposed explanations (increasing instability of connections at greater distances from the source and simple information decay) should not be central to explain the pattern.
Enhancing Sensor Network Data Quality via Collaborated Circuit and Network Operations
Authors: Gao Yueran , Wang Haibo , Weng Ning , Vespa Lucas
Published: April 2013

In many applications, the quality of data gathered by sensor networks is directly related to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the sensor data being transmitted in the networks. Different from the SNR that is often used in measuring the quality of communication links, the SNR used in this work measures how accurately the data in the network packets represent the physical parameters being sensed. Hence, the signal here refers to the physical parameters that are being monitored by sensor networks; the noise is due to environmental interference and circuit noises at sensor nodes, and packet loss during network transmission. While issues affecting SNR at sensor nodes have been intensively investigated, the impact of network packet loss on data SNR has not attracted significant attention in sensor network design. This paper investigates the impact of packet loss on sensor network data SNR and shows that data SNR is dramatically affected by network packet loss. A data quality metric, based on data SNR, is developed and a cross-layer adaptive scheme is presented to minimize data quality degradation in congested sensor networks. The proposed scheme consists of adaptive downsampling and bit truncation at sensor nodes and intelligent traffic management techniques at the network level. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Enhanced Microwave Absorption Properties of α-Fe2O3-Filled Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Nanorods
Authors: Wang Yiming , Wang Liuding , Wu Hongjing
Published: April 2013

A novel kind of α-Fe2O3-filled ordered mesoporous carbon nanorods has been synthesized by a facial hydrothermal method. Compared with dendritic α-Fe2O3 micropines, both a broader effective absorption range—from 10.5 GHz to 16.5 GHz with reflection loss (RL) less than −10 dB—and a thinner matching thickness of 2.0 mm have been achieved in the frequency range 2–18 GHz. The enhanced microwave absorption properties evaluated by the RL are attributed to the enhanced dielectric loss resulting from the intrinsic physical properties and special structures.
Growth of Hexagonal Columnar Nanograin Structured SiC Thin Films on Silicon Substrates with Graphene–Graphitic Carbon Nanoflakes Templates from Solid Carbon Sources
Authors: Liu Xingfang , Sun Guosheng , Liu Bin , Yan Guoguo , Guan Min , Zhang Yang , Zhang Feng , Chen Yu , Dong Lin , Zheng Liu , Liu Shengbei , Tian Lixin , Wang Lei , Zhao Wanshun , Zeng Yiping
Published: April 2013

We report a new method for growing hexagonal columnar nanograin structured silicon carbide (SiC) thin films on silicon substrates by using graphene–graphitic carbon nanoflakes (GGNs) templates from solid carbon sources. The growth was carried out in a conventional low pressure chemical vapor deposition system (LPCVD). The GGNs are small plates with lateral sizes of around 100 nm and overlap each other, and are made up of nanosized multilayer graphene and graphitic carbon matrix (GCM). Long and straight SiC nanograins with hexagonal shapes, and with lateral sizes of around 200–400 nm are synthesized on the GGNs, which form compact SiC thin films.
Preparation, Purification and Regioselective Functionalization of Protoescigenin—The Main Aglycone of Escin Complex
Authors: Gruza Mariusz , Jatczak Kamil , Zagrodzki Bogdan , Łaszcz Marta , Koziak Katarzyna , Malińska Maura , Cmoch Piotr , Giller Tomasz , Zegrocka-Stendel Oliwia , Woźniak Krzysztof , Grynkiewicz Grzegorz
Published: April 2013

A two-step chemical process for controlled degradation of escin, affording a mixture of olean-12-ene sapogenins, was elaborated and scaled up. The main component of the mixture—protoescigenin—was isolated and purified, in the form of its corresponding monohydrate, without resource to chromatographic methods. This material was further converted into the high purity 3,24;16,22-di-O,O-isopropylidene derivative in a validated large scale laboratory process.
Phosphorus Dendrimers as Carriers of siRNA—Characterisation of Dendriplexes
Authors: Ferenc Malgorzata , Pedziwiatr-Werbicka Elzbieta , Nowak Katarzyna , Klajnert Barbara , Majoral Jean-Pierre , Bryszewska Maria
Published: April 2013

There are many types of dendrimers used as nanomolecules for gene delivery but there is still an ongoing search for ones that are able to effectively deliver drugs to cells. The possibility of gene silencing using siRNA gives hope for effective treatment of numerous diseases. The aim of this work was to investigate in vitro biophysical properties of dendriplexes formed by siRNA and cationic phosphorus dendrimers of 3rd and 4th generation. First, using the ethidium bromide intercalation method, it was examined whether dendrimers have an ability to form complexes with siRNA. Next, the characterisation of dendriplexes formed at different molar ratios was carried out using biophysical methods. The effects of zeta potential, size and changes of siRNA conformation on the complexation with dendrimers were examined. It was found that both phosphorus dendrimers interacted with siRNA. The zeta potential values of dendriplexes ranged from negative to positive and the hydrodynamic diameter depended on the number of dendrimer molecules in the complex. Furthermore, using circular dichroism spectroscopy it was found that cationic phosphorus dendrimers changed only slightly the shape of siRNA CD spectra, thus they did not induce significant changes in the nucleic acid secondary structure during complex formation.
Asian American Evangelicals in Multiracial Church Ministry
Authors: Garces-Foley Kathleen , Jeung Russell
Published: April 2013

Since the 1990s, evangelical efforts to create multiracial churches (MRCs) have grown exponentially. This article analyzes the experiences of Asian American evangelical ministers leading MRCs. Through interviews we explore how Asian American evangelicals came to be involved in MRC-ministry and how they approach issues of racial diversity in this context. We compare the racial attitudes of Asian American evangelical ministers leading MRCs with those of White and Black evangelicals delineated in Emerson and Smith’s Divide by Faith. Rather than conform to the colorblind approach of many White evangelicals, the majority of our respondents utilize structural explanations for social inequality and promote a colorconscious approach to diversity. We conclude that Asian American evangelicals utilize a unique framework for MRC-ministry, what we call a ‘racialized multiculturalism,’ that has much to offer American evangelicalism.
Application of the Electronic Nose Technique to Differentiation between Model Mixtures with COPD Markers
Authors: Dymerski Tomasz , Gębicki Jacek , Wiśniewska Paulina , Śliwińska Magdalena , Wardencki Waldemar , Namieśnik Jacek
Published: April 2013

The paper presents the potential of an electronic nose technique in the field of fast diagnostics of patients suspected of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The investigations were performed using a simple electronic nose prototype equipped with a set of six semiconductor sensors manufactured by FIGARO Co. They were aimed at verification of a possibility of differentiation between model reference mixtures with potential COPD markers (N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide). These mixtures contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, isoprene, carbon disulphide, propan-2-ol, formamide, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, acetic acid, dimethyl ether, dimethyl sulphide, acrolein, furan, propanol and pyridine, recognized as the components of exhaled air. The model reference mixtures were prepared at three concentration levels—10 ppb, 25 ppb, 50 ppb v/v—of each component, except for the COPD markers. Concentration of the COPD markers in the mixtures was from 0 ppb to 100 ppb v/v. Interpretation of the obtained data employed principal component analysis (PCA). The investigations revealed the usefulness of the electronic device only in the case when the concentration of the COPD markers was twice as high as the concentration of the remaining components of the mixture and for a limited number of basic mixture components.
3D Image Acquisition System Based on Shape from Focus Technique
Authors: Billiot Bastien , Cointault Frédéric , Journaux Ludovic , Simon Jean-Claude , Gouton Pierre
Published: April 2013

This paper describes the design of a 3D image acquisition system dedicated to natural complex scenes composed of randomly distributed objects with spatial discontinuities. In agronomic sciences, the 3D acquisition of natural scene is difficult due to the complex nature of the scenes. Our system is based on the Shape from Focus technique initially used in the microscopic domain. We propose to adapt this technique to the macroscopic domain and we detail the system as well as the image processing used to perform such technique. The Shape from Focus technique is a monocular and passive 3D acquisition method that resolves the occlusion problem affecting the multi-cameras systems. Indeed, this problem occurs frequently in natural complex scenes like agronomic scenes. The depth information is obtained by acting on optical parameters and mainly the depth of field. A focus measure is applied on a 2D image stack previously acquired by the system. When this focus measure is performed, we can create the depth map of the scene.
Negotiating Deaf Bodies and Corporeal Experiences: The Cybernetic Deaf Subject
Authors: Horejes Thomas , Heuer Christopher
Published: April 2013

Deaf people negotiate their embodiment through corporeal experiences to provide a perception of what it means to be human. Some deaf people search for a framework where being deaf is human, not a disability. Other deaf people experience their deafness as a disability and use technology as a means to negotiate their embodiment and experiences. The role of technology or cybernetics, particularly cochlear implants, for the deaf will be examined as a way to understand cultural identities and diverse ideological perspectives concerning what it means to be deaf and normal. Then, this paper focuses on social constructed ‘bodies’ for the deaf using embodied theory and action as a part of a theoretical framework to showcase theoretical ideas and actualities of some deaf people’s lives and experiences. These discussions are ways to open dialogues and collaborative inquiries on larger important issues such as what it means to be deaf and, in essence, human.
High-spin intermediates of the photolysis of 2,4,6-triazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridine
Authors: Chapyshev Sergei V , Korchagin Denis V , Neuhaus Patrik , Sander Wolfram
Published: April 2013

In contrast to theoretical expectations, the photolysis of 2,4,6-triazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridine in argon at 5 K gives rise to EPR peaks of just two triplet mononitrenes, two quintet dinitrenes, and a septet trinitrene. EPR spectral simulations in combination with DFT calculations show that observable nitrenes can be assigned to triplet 2,4-diazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-6-nitrene (DT = 1.026 cm−1, ET = 0), triplet 2,6-diazido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-4-nitrene (DT = 1.122 cm−1, ET = 0.0018 cm−1), quintet 4-azido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-2,6-dinitrene (DQ = 0.215 cm−1, EQ = 0.0545 cm−1), quintet 2-azido-3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-4,6-dinitrene (DQ = 0.209 cm−1, EQ = 0.039 cm−1) and septet 3-chloro-5-fluoropyridyl-2,4,6-trinitrene (DS = −0.1021 cm−1, ES = −0.0034 cm−1). Preferential photodissociation of the azido groups located in ortho-positions to the fluorine atom of pyridines is associated with strong π-conjugation of these groups with the pyridine ring. On photoexcitation, such azido groups are more efficiently involved in reorganization of the molecular electronic system and more easily adopt geometries of the locally excited predissociation states.
ELISA seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in a cohort of heart disease patients
Authors: Rodriguez Maria-Virginia , Hernandez Wendy Yamileth , Garcia Adriana N , Colato Claudia M , Cardoza Patricia G , Cardozo Lizza Maria
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Chagas disease is the most important parasitic disease in El Salvador and Latin America. The disease has two phases: acute and chronic, with an intermediate unspecified phase. The chronic phase develops in 30% of infected persons and its most common manifestation is cardiac disease. This study aimed to obtain reference data for the prevalence of T. cruzi seropositivity in a cohort of cardiac patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving consecutive heart disease patients consulting at the National Hospital Rosales was conducted over a six-month period. Congenital heart disease patients were excluded. A survey, file review, and ELISA serological test were conducted for each subject. Results: Out of 455 subjects, 76 were seropositive for T. cruzi, giving a seropositivity prevalence of 16.7%. The average age of the patients was 58.09 years and the female:male ratio was 2.79:1. No significant difference was found between T. cruzi seropositive and seronegative patients in terms of age and gender. No association between T. cruzi serological status and either area of residence or seeing vectors in the house was found. However, living in the Salvadoran western region during childhood was significantly associated with seropositivity (p = 0.003). Other factors associated with T. cruzi seropositivity included: clinical diagnosis of cardiac Chagas disease; electrocardiographic (ECG) findings of a permanent pacemaker, all atrioventricular (AV) blocks and right bundle branch block; and grade III-IV radiological cardiomegaly. Conclusions: T. cruzi seropositivity prevalence was found to be 16.7% among heart disease patients in a public reference hospital.
Drug resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from patients with nosocomial pneumonia at Tehran hospitals during 2009-2011
Authors: Haeili Mehri , Ghodousi Arash , Nomanpour Bijan , Omrani Maryam , Feizabadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Nosocomial pneumonia remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Surveillance programs play an important role in the identification of common etiologic agents and local patterns of antimicrobial resistance. Methodology: In this study we determined the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from patients with nosocomial pneumonia during 2009 to 2011. Results: A total of 642 bacteria were isolated from 516 suspected samples. Acinetobacter baumannii (21.1%, n = 136), was the commonest isolated pathogen followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.4%, n = 112), Staphylococcus aureus (15.8%, n = 102) and enterococci (8.4% n = 54). The most effective therapeutic agents against A. baumannii were polymyxin B (95.5% susceptible), ceftriaxone/tazobactam (72% susceptible) and levofloxacin (52.9% susceptible). Polymixin B (89.2% susceptible), ceftriaxone/tazobactam (89.2% susceptible) and piperacillin-tazobactam (80.3% susceptible) were found to be the most active agents against P. aeruginosa. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases were detected among isolates of K. pneumoniae (45.4%) and E. coli (20.3%). Overall, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci were 80.4% and 40.7% respectively. Linezolid was found to be the most active antibiotic against these pathogens. The etiology of 50% of the nosocomial infection cases was polymicrobial. Conclusions:  The combination of ceftriaxone/tazobactam seems to be beneficial agent against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli isolated form respiratory tract infections. The results of our study can be used for guiding appropriate empiric therapy in this geographic region.