bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE HARM PRINCIPLE AS A MID‐LEVEL PRINCIPLE? THREE PROBLEMS FROM THE CONTEXT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL
Authors: KROM ANDRÉ
Published: September 2011

Effective infectious disease control may require states to restrict the liberty of individuals. Since preventing harm to others is almost universally accepted as a legitimate (prima facie) reason for restricting the liberty of individuals, it seems plausible to employ a mid‐level harm principle in infectious disease control. Moral practices like infectious disease control support – or even require – a certain level of theory‐modesty. However, employing a mid‐level harm principle in infectious disease control faces at least three problems. First, it is unclear what we gain by attaining convergence on a specific formulation of the harm principle. Likely candidates for convergence, a harm principle aimed at preventing harmful conduct, supplemented by considerations of effectiveness and always choosing the least intrusive means still leave ample room for normative disagreement. Second, while mid‐level principles are sometimes put forward in response to the problem of normative theories attaching different weight to moral principles, employing a mid‐level harm principle completely leaves open how to determine what weight to attach to it in application. Third, there appears to be a trade‐off between attaining convergence and finding a formulation of the harm principle that can justify liberty‐restrictions in all situations of contagion, including interventions that are commonly allowed. These are not reasons to abandon mid‐level theorizing altogether. But there is no reason to be too theory‐modest in applied ethics. Morally justifying e.g. if a liberty‐restriction in infectious disease control is proportional to the aim of harm‐prevention, promptly requires moving beyond the mid‐level harm principle.
Retracted: A comparison of impulsivity and sensation seeking in pathological gamblers and skydivers
Authors: MYRSETH HELGA , TVERÅ RENATE , HAGATUN SUSANNE , LINDGREN CAMILLA
Published: September 2011

The following article from Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, “A comparison of impulsivity and sensation seeking in pathological gamblers and skydivers” by Helga Myrseth, Renate Tverå, Susanne Hagatun and Camilla Lindgren, published online on 19th September 2011 in Wiley Online Library (http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Jerker Rönnberg, and Blackwell Publishing Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to the inclusion of certain data within the published work that has been used without confirming with Dr. Helge Molde that the data could be utilized in the study as it had been used in previous studies.
Terrorism as a process: A critical review of Moghaddam’s “Staircase to Terrorism”
Authors: LYGRE RAGNHILD B. , EID JARLE , LARSSON GERRY , RANSTORP MAGNUS
Published: September 2011

Lygre, R. B., Eid, J., Larsson, G. & Ranstorp, M. (2011). Terrorism as a process: A critical review of Moghaddam’s “Staircase to Terrorism”. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 609–616.

This study reviews empirical evidence for Moghaddam’s model “Staircase to Terrorism,” which portrays terrorism as a process of six consecutive steps culminating in terrorism. An extensive literature search, where 2,564 publications on terrorism were screened, resulted in 38 articles which were subject to further analysis. The results showed that while most of the theories and processes linked to Moghaddam’s model are supported by empirical evidence, the proposed transitions between the different steps are not. These results may question the validity of a linear stepwise model and may suggest that a combination of mechanisms/factors could combine in different ways to produce terrorism.
DELEGATION AND EMISSION TAX IN A DIFFERENTIATED OLIGOPOLY*
Authors: PAL RUPAYAN
Published: September 2011

This paper examines how product differentiation as well as strategic managerial delegation affects optimal emission tax rate, environmental damage and social welfare, under alternative modes of competition. It shows that, under pure profit maximization, the optimal emission tax rate is not necessarily decreasing in degree of product differentiation. Moreover, the impacts of delegation on the scope for the optimal emission tax rate to be lower for higher degree of product differentiation are very different under alternative modes of competition. Under price (quantity) competition, the equilibrium emission tax rate, environmental damage and social welfare are lower (higher) in the case of delegation.
Preoperative skin tumours thickness determination by high‐frequency ultrasound on head and neck region
Authors: Jovanovic D.L. , Pesic Z.U.
Published: September 2011

Background  High‐frequency ultrasound is non‐invasive imaging method for examination of skin tumours.

Objective  The aim of our study was to examine validity of 20‐MHz ultrasound in preoperative determination of skin tumour thickness localized on head and neck region as a potentially useful tool for planning of the surgical intervention.

Methods  Seventy‐three different skin tumours were preoperatively examined using Dermascan C (Cortex Technology, Denmark) 20‐MHz ultrasound equipment. Maximal vertical thickness of tumours was preoperatively determined by ultrasound, and after surgical excision of tumours, on pathohistological preparations using Nippon–Kogaku ocular micrometre. All patohistological specimens were controlled for presence of tumour cells on specimens’ margins.

Results  Obtained correlation was very high, r = 0.82, without significant statistical difference (P < 0.01) between dimensions determined by 20‐MHz ultrasound and histometry. There were no pathohistological specimens with tumours cells found on margins.

Conclusion  Examination of skin tumours by 20‐MHz ultrasound gives reliable additional information about tumour dimensions, sometimes important for therapeutic strategy.
Exposure to acute stress is associated with attenuated sweet taste
Authors: Al'absi Mustafa , Nakajima Motohiro , Hooker Stephanie , Wittmers Larry , Cragin Tiffany
Published: September 2011

This study examined the effects of stress on taste perception. Participants (N = 38; 21 women) completed two laboratory sessions: one stress (public speaking, math, and cold pressor) and one control rest session. The taste perception test was conducted at the end of each session and included rating the intensity and pleasantness of sweet, salty, sour, and savory solutions at suprathreshold concentrations. Cardiovascular, hormonal, and mood measures were collected throughout the sessions. Participants showed the expected changes in cardiovascular, hormonal, and mood measures in response to stress. Reported intensity of the sweet solution was significantly lower on the stress day than on the rest day. Cortisol level poststress predicted reduced intensity of salt and sour, suggesting that stress‐related changes in adrenocortical activity were related to reduced taste intensity. Results indicate that acute stress may alter taste perception, and ongoing research investigates the extent to which these changes mediate effects of stress on appetite.
Increased cerebral matrix metalloprotease‐9 activity is associated with compromised recovery in the diabetic db/db mouse following a stroke
Authors: Kumari Rashmi , Willing Lisa B , Patel Shyama D , Baskerville Karen A. , Simpson Ian A.
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1029–1040.

Diabetes is a major risk factor of stroke and is associated with increased frequency of stroke and a poorer prognosis for recovery. In earlier studies we have utilized type 2 diabetic mouse models of stroke and demonstrated that diabetic db/db and ob/ob mice experience larger infarct volumes and impaired recovery associated with greater infiltration of macrophage following hypoxic‐ischemic (H/I) insult than their heterozygous non‐diabetic db/+ and ob/+ littermates. To obtain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the impaired recovery, we have investigated the role of matrix metalloproteases and their endogenous inhibitors in the breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) following H/I. Diabetic db/db mice showed a significant and more rapid increase in matrix metalloprotease (MMP)‐9 mRNA, protein and gelatinolytic activity compared with db/+, which resulted in an increased degradation of occludin and collagen IV and subsequently, an increased BBB permeability and greater infiltration of neutrophils into the infarct area. The expression of the MMPs, especially in the db/+ mice, is preceded by an elevated expression of their endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) 1, 2, and 3, whereas in the db/db mice, a lower expression of the TIMPs is associated with greater MMP 3 and 9 expression. These results suggest that an imbalance in the MMPs/TIMPs cascade in the diabetic mouse, particularly MMP‐9, results in a greater neutrophil invasion, a compromised BBB and consequently a greater insult.
Readability of CAMHS clinical letters
Authors: Bennett Daniel M. , Drane Emma , Gilchrist Anne
Published: September 2011

Background:  Sending clinical letters to patients is common practice in CAMHS. Ease of reading and understanding is important for patients. Readability formulae are feasible and quick ways to assess this.

Method:  Clinical letters sent to patients were analysed for readability and whether they reached a preset threshold. Factors influencing readability were investigated.

Results:  Most letters were less easily readable than is appropriate. Letters written directly to patients were more readable than copied letters.

Conclusions:  Patients sometimes receive letters that are unlikely to be easily readable. Word processing packages contain readability formulae that could be used to check and improve readability of letters.
Synthesis of BaTaO2N Powders Utilizing NH3 Decomposition
Authors: Brophy Matthew R. , Pilgrim Steven M. , Schulze Walter A.
Published: September 2011

The current methodology for perovskite oxynitride synthesis is a gas–solid reaction with ammonia. However, a competing reaction exists, where ammonia dissociates to inert N2, rather than a nascent, active nitriding species. Therefore, oxynitride synthesis is controlled by the composition of the gas phase. Control of key processing variables (temperature, flow velocity, sample placement, temperature distribution, furnace configuration) determines the gas‐phase components (NH3, N2, and H2) and subsequently, the reaction rate and purity of BaTaO2N powders.
Tape Casting of ITO Green Tapes for Flexible Electroluminescent Lamps
Authors: Straue Nadja , Rauscher Martin , Dressler Martina , Roosen Andreas
Published: September 2011

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a widely applied optoelectronic material. However, conventionally, it is deposited via cost‐ and energy‐intensive physical vapor deposition processes (PVD) like sputtering, resulting in rather brittle layers. In this report, the tape casting process is presented as an alternative processing route for the manufacture of transparent, conductive ITO layers. Tape casting is a particle‐based technique, thus ITO nano‐particles are first dispersed and stabilized in organic solvents. Subsequently, slurries are prepared using polyvinyl butyral binder and benzyl phthalate plasticizer. The rheological behavior of the slurries is analyzed and adapted to the tape casting process. After tape casting, the ITO green tapes are characterized concerning their electrical and optical behavior. Optical transmission up to 75% and electrical resistances down to 2 Ω·cm are reached without any further treatment. The ITO layers which exhibit such values are already suitable for applications in certain electronic devices. In this study, the applicability of the ITO green tapes is demonstrated by the assembly of functional, fully flexible electroluminescent lamps, which are laminated using the ITO green tapes as well as other functional green tapes in the as‐deposited state.
Effects of topical application of inorganic polyphosphate on tissue remodeling in rat inflamed gingiva
Authors: Kasuyama K. , Tomofuji T. , Ekuni D. , Azuma T. , Irie K. , Endo Y. , Morita M.
Published: September 2011

Kasuyama K, Tomofuji T, Ekuni D, Azuma T, Irie K, Endo Y, Morita M. Effects of topical application of inorganic polyphosphate on tissue remodeling in rat inflamed gingiva. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 159–164. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  Inorganic polyphosphate [poly(P)] is a biopolymer found in almost all cells and tissues, and which promotes tissue remodeling. However, there is limited information on how poly(P) affects the connective tissue in inflamed gingiva. This study examined the effects of topical application of poly(P) on gingival connective tissue and its remodeling in a rat periodontitis model.

Material and Methods:  Male Wistar rats (n = 36, 8 wk of age) were used in this 6‐wk study. The rats were divided into six groups of six rats each. The control group received no treatment. In the other groups, periodontitis was ligature‐induced for 4 wk. After 4 wk, the rats with periodontitis were further divided into five groups, and were left untreated (periodontitis group) or subjected to topical application of oral rinses containing 0, 0.1, 1 or 5% poly(P) for 2 wk.

Results:  The periodontitis and 0% poly(P) groups showed a higher density of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a lower density of collagen in gingival tissue than the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, groups treated with more than 1% poly(P) exhibited a lower density of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (p < 0.05) and a higher density of collagen than the periodontitis and 0% poly(P) groups (p < 0.05). A higher expression of fibroblast growth factor‐2 was observed in the gingiva of rats treated with 1% poly(P) than in those treated with 0% poly(P) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Topical application of poly(P) may induce connective tissue remodeling, contributing to improvement of inflamed gingiva in rats.
Long‐term consequences of stunting in early life
Authors: Dewey Kathryn G. , Begum Khadija
Published: September 2011

This review summarizes the impact of stunting, highlights recent research findings, discusses policy and programme implications and identifies research priorities. There is growing evidence of the connections between slow growth in height early in life and impaired health and educational and economic performance later in life. Recent research findings, including follow‐up of an intervention trial in Guatemala, indicate that stunting can have long‐term effects on cognitive development, school achievement, economic productivity in adulthood and maternal reproductive outcomes. This evidence has contributed to the growing scientific consensus that tackling childhood stunting is a high priority for reducing the global burden of disease and for fostering economic development. Follow‐up of randomized intervention trials is needed in other regions to add to the findings of the Guatemala trial. Further research is also needed to: understand the pathways by which prevention of stunting can have long‐term effects; identify the pathways through which the non‐genetic transmission of nutritional effects is mediated in future generations; and determine the impact of interventions focused on linear growth in early life on chronic disease risk in adulthood.
Implementation of a programme to market a complementary food supplement (Ying Yang Bao) and impacts on anaemia and feeding practices in Shanxi, China
Authors: Sun Jing , Dai Yaohua , Zhang Shuaiming , Huang Jian , Yang Zhenyu , Huo Junsheng , Chen Chunming
Published: September 2011

In China, a full fat soy powder mixed with multiple micronutrient powders (Ying Yang Bao (YYB)) was developed, and the efficacy of YYB was shown in controlling anaemia and improving child growth and development. However, prior to 2008, there was no sustainable way to provide YYB to vulnerable populations, except through free distribution by the government. This study was to test the concept of public‐private partnership (PPP) to deliver YYB and to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing YYB through PPP. Programme activities included development of a complementary food supplement (CFS) national standard, product concept test, product development and marketing, behavior change communication, monitoring and evaluation. Baseline and end‐line surveys were used to evaluate product awareness, purchasing and the impacts of the project on anaemia and feeding practices. A Chinese CFS standard was approved. Caregivers and their 6‐ to‐24‐month‐old children participated in the baseline (n = 226) and the end‐line survey (n = 221). A concept test at the baseline survey showed that 78% of caregivers were willing to buy YYB at 0.1 USD. After developing the product and implementing the intervention for 8 months, 59.6% of surveyed caregivers purchased YYB. While not significant, the prevalence of anaemia was marginally lower at the end line (28.8%) than at the baseline (36.2%). For those purchasing YYB, the risk of anaemia was significantly reduced by 87% of odds (P < 0.009). The end‐line survey found that feeding practices had improved significantly following the intervention. An enabling policy and regulatory environment in which CFSs are defined and parameters for appropriate marketing are identified as a prerequisite for marketing YYB or other nutritious CFS. Public and private advocacy and marketing could successfully increase awareness of YYB and access and use through market channels. The YYB project may be effective for reducing anaemia and improving feeding practices.
Essential fats: how do they affect growth and development of infants and young children in developing countries? A literature review
Authors: Huffman Sandra L. , Harika Rajwinder K. , Eilander Ans , Osendarp Saskia J.M.
Published: September 2011

Omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to play an essential role in the development of the brain and retina. Intakes in pregnancy and early life affect growth and cognitive performance later in childhood. However, total fat intake, alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) and DHA intakes are often low among pregnant and lactating women, infants and young children in developing countries. As breast milk is one of the best sources of ALA and DHA, breastfed infants are less likely to be at risk of insufficient intakes than those not breastfed. Enhancing intake of ALA through plant food products (soy beans and oil, canola oil, and foods containing these products such as lipid‐based nutrient supplements) has been shown to be feasible. However, because of the low conversion rates of ALA to DHA, it may be more efficient to increase DHA status through increasing fish consumption or DHA fortification, but these approaches may be more costly. In addition, breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond is recommended to ensure an adequate essential fat intake in early life. Data from developing countries have shown that a higher omega‐3 fatty acid intake or supplementation during pregnancy may result in small improvements in birthweight, length and gestational age based on two randomized controlled trials and one cross‐sectional study. More rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this effect. Limited data from developing countries suggest that ALA or DHA supplementation during lactation and in infants may be beneficial for growth and development of young children 6–24 months of age in these settings. These benefits are more pronounced in undernourished children. However, there is no evidence for improvements in growth following omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation in children >2 years of age.
Bimodal targeting of cytochrome P450s to endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria: the concept of chimeric signals
Authors: Avadhani Narayan G. , Sangar Michelle C , Bansal Seema , Bajpai Prachi
Published: September 2011

Targeting signals are critical for proteins to find their specific cellular destination. Signals for protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, peroxisome and nucleus are distinct and the mechanisms of protein translocation across these membrane compartments also vary markedly. Recently, however, a number of proteins have been shown to be present in multiple cellular sites such as mitochondria and ER, cytosol and mitochondria, plasma membrane and mitochondria, and peroxisome and mitochondria suggesting the occurrence of multimodal targeting signals in some cases. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), which play crucial roles in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and toxins, are the prototype of bimodally targeted proteins. Several members of family 1, 2 and 3 CYPs have now been reported to be associated with mitochondria and plasma membrane in addition to the ER. This review highlights the mechanisms of bimodal targeting of CYP1A1, 2B1, 2E1 and 2D6 to mitochondria and ER. The bimodal targeting of these proteins is driven by their N‐terminal signals which carry essential elements of both ER targeting and mitochondria targeting signals. These multimodal signals have been termed chimeric signals appropriately to describe their dual targeting property. The cryptic mitochondrial targeting signals of CYP2B1, 2D6, 2E1 require activation by protein kinase A or protein kinase C mediated phosphorylation at sites immediately flanking the targeting signal and/or membrane anchoring regions. The cryptic mitochondria targeting signal of CYP1A1 requires activation by endoproteolytic cleavage by a cytosolic endoprotease, which exposes the mitochondrial signal. This review discusses both mechanisms of bimodal targeting and toxicological consequences of mitochondria targeted CYP proteins.
Dual localization of glutathione S‐transferase in the cytosol and mitochondria: implications in oxidative stress, toxicity and disease
Authors: Raza Haider
Published: September 2011

Glutathione (GSH) conjugating enzymes, glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), are present in different subcellular compartments including cytosol, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus and plasma membrane. The regulation and function of GSTs have implications in cell growth, oxidative stress as well as disease progression and prevention. Of the several mitochondria localized forms, GSTK (GST kappa) is mitochondria‐specific since it contains N‐terminal canonical and cleavable mitochondria targeting signals. Other forms like GST alpha, mu and pi purified from mitochondria are similar to the cytosolic molecular forms or ‘echoproteins’. Altered GST expression has been implicated in hepatic, cardiac and neurological diseases. Mitochondria‐specific GSTK has also been implicated in obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Studies have shown that silencing the GSTA4 (GST alpha) gene resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, as was also seen in GSTA4 null mice, which could contribute to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. This review highlights the significance of the mitochondrial GST pool, particularly the mechanism and significance of dual targeting of GSTA4‐4 under in vitro and in vivo conditions. GSTA4‐4 is targeted in the mitochondria by activation of the internal cryptic signal present at the C‐terminus of the protein by protein‐kinase‐dependent phosphorylation and cytosolic heat shock protein (Hsp70) chaperone. Mitochondrial GST pi, on the other hand, has been shown to have two uncleaved cryptic signals rich in positively charged amino acids at the N‐terminal region. Both physiological and pathophysiological implications of GST translocation to mitochondria are discussed in the review.
Mutated IDH1 Is a Favorable Prognostic Factor for Type 2 Gliomatosis Cerebri
Authors: Kwon Mi Jung , Kim Sung Tae , Kwon Mi Jeong , Kong Doo‐Sik , Lee Dageun , Park Sanghui , Kang So Young , Song Ji‐Young , Nam Do‐Hyun , Kato Yukinari , Choi Yoon‐La , Suh Yeon‐Lim
Published: September 2011

The prognostic significance of IDH1 mutations has been demonstrated in gliomas. It is unclear whether IDH1 mutation is also a prognostic factor in gliomatosis cerebri (GC). Primary GCs can be grouped into type 1 GCs, which have the classical diffuse growth pattern without mass formation, and type 2 GCs, which form neoplastic masses in addition to classic diffuse lesions. In this study, the prognostic relevance of IDH1/2 mutations in 74 GCs (43 type 1 and 31 type 2) was evaluated. We detected 33 (44.6%) IDH1 mutations, including R132H and R132S, by bidirectional Sanger sequencing. No mutations were detected in IDH2. The percentage of 2‐year overall survival for wild‐type IDH1 patients was 46 vs. 72% for patients with IDH1‐mutated tumors. Mutations of IDH1 were strongly correlated with both increased overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with type 2 GCs, and IDH1 mutations were also an independent prognostic factor predicting increased OS and PFS in type 2 GC patients in multivariate analysis. However, IDH1 mutations did not correlate with survival outcomes in patients with type 1 GCs. Finally, the subgroup of GC, which has IDH1 wild‐type and additional solid component showed the worst prognosis.
Shelf Life Extension of Sugarcane Juice Using Preservatives and Gamma Radiation Processing
Authors: Mishra Bibhuti B. , Gautam Satyendra , Sharma Arun
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  Preserving raw sugarcane juice is a challenging problem. Sugarcane juice turns brown soon after its extraction and gets spoiled due to fermentation within hours. A combination of gamma radiation (5 kGy) with permitted preservatives and low temperature storage (10 °C) could preserve raw sugarcane juice for more than a month. The preservatives used were citric acid (0.3%), sodium benzoate (0.015%), potassium sorbate (0.025%), and sucrose (10%). The treatment helped in extending the shelf life to 15 d at ambient temperature (26 ± 2 °C) and 35 d at 10 °C. The microbial load was found to be below detectable limit within this period. The biochemicals like phenolics and flavonoids were not found to be affected by addition of these preservatives. The antioxidant activities including free radical scavenging activity, nitrite scavenging activity, and reducing power were also not significantly affected. The sensory evaluation scores showed that the juice with this combination treatment was highly acceptable.
Miscellaneous taxonomic notes on Elatostema (Urticaceae) from China and its adjacent area
Authors: Lin Qi , Yang Zhi‐Rong , Duan Lin‐Dong , Gao Tian‐Gang
Published: September 2011

Based on examination of specimens and field observations of Elatostema J. R. Forster & G. Forster (Urticaceae) from China and its adjacent area, one new species, E. vietnamense Q. Lin & L. D. Duan from Bach Ma Natl. Park, Thua Thien‐Hue Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. Pellionia ambigua Wedd. from Khasi Hills, Churra, Assam (=Meghalaya), India and P. rhizomatosa Gagnep. from Annam, Vietnam are transferred as Elatostema ambiguum (Wedd.) Q. Lin and E. rhizomatosum (Gagnep.) Q. Lin, respectively. Elatostema glochidioides W. T. Wang from Guangxi and Guizhou and Provinces, China is regarded as a new synonym of E. ramosissimum Rein.
Juice, sugar, and bagasse response of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. M81E) to N fertilization and soil type
Authors: Holou Roland A. Y. , Stevens Gene
Published: September 2011

The objective of this research was to determine the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for producing sweet sorghum (a promising biofuel crop) juice, sugar, and bagasse on silt loam, sandy loam, and clay soils in Missouri. Seven nitrogen fertilization rates were applied, ranging from 0 to 134 kg N ha−1. Regardless of the soil and year, the juice content of sweet sorghum stalk averaged 68.8% by weight. The juice yield ranged from 15.2 to 71.1 m3 ha−1. Soil and N rate significantly impacted the juice yield (P < 0.0001). The pH and the density of the juice were not affected by the soil or N. The sugar content (Brix) of the juice varied between 10.7% and 18.9%. N fertilization improved the sugar content of the juice. A negative correlation existed between the sugar concentration and the juice yield. In general, the lowest sugar content was found in the clay soil and the impact of the N fertilization on juice sugar content was most pronounced in that soil. The juice sugar yield ranged between 2 and 9.9 Mg ha−1, with significant differences found between years, N rates, and soils. N fertilization always increased the sugar yield in the clay soil, whereas in loam soil, a significant sugar response was recorded when the sweet sorghum was planted after corn. The average juice water content was 84% by weight. The dry bagasse yield fluctuated between 3.2 and 13.8 Mg ha−1 with significant difference found with N rate, soil, and year. When sweet sorghum was grown after soybean or cotton, its N requirement was less than after a corn crop was grown the previous year. In general, a minimum of 67 kg N ha−1 was required to optimize juice, sugar, and bagasse yield in sweet sorghum.
THE EFFECT OF STRESSED ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ON SYSTEMIC RISK WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN BANKING SECTOR
Authors: ESTERHUYSEN JA'NEL , VAN VUUREN GARY , STYGER PAUL
Published: September 2011

The credit crisis resulted in increases in credit, market and operational risk, but it may also have precipitated a surge in systemic risk. Measuring systemic risk as the price of insurance against distressed losses in the South African banking sector, this article attempts to determine whether the financial crisis has in fact resulted in an increase in systemic risk. Using probabilities of default and asset return correlations as systemic risk indicators, it is found that the financial crisis has indeed increased systemic risk in South Africa. The impact was, however, less severe than that experienced in other large international banks.
Anaesthesia and analgesia of the donkey and the mule
Authors: Matthews N. , van Loon J. P. A. M.
Published: September 2011

The number of donkeys and mules throughout the world is stable, and awareness of their use and concern for welfare, pain recognition and treatment are receiving increasing veterinary interest. Therefore, accurate information about anaesthesia and analgesia in donkeys and mules is important to ever more equine practitioners. Since donkeys are physiologically and pharmacologically different from horses, knowledge on species specific aspects of anaesthesia and analgesia are very important. Mules combine elements from both donkey and horse backgrounds, leading to great diversity in size, temperament and body type. Physiologically, they seem to resemble horses more than donkeys. This review highlights the current knowledge on various anaesthetic and analgesic approaches in donkeys and mules. There is still much information that is not available about donkeys; in many circumstances, the clinician must use available equine information to treat the patient, while monitoring carefully to observe for differences in response to therapy compared to the horse.
Decision making with unreliable probabilities
Authors: Gärdenfors Peter , Sahlin Nils‐Eric
Published: September 2011

This paper presents a decision theory which allows subjects to account for the uncertainties of their probability estimates. This is accomplished by modelling beliefs about states of nature by means of a class of probability measures. In order to represent uncertainties of those beliefs a measure of epistemic reliability is introduced. The suggested decision theory is evaluated in the light of empirical evidence on ambiguity and uncertainty in decision making. The theory is also compared to Tversky & Kahneman's prospect theory.
Linear and circular unidimensional scaling for symmetric proximity matrices
Authors: Hubert Lawrence , Arabie Phipps , Meulman Jacqueline
Published: September 2011

The tasks of linear and circular unidimensional scaling can be characterized by the attempt to represent the entries in a symmetric proximity matrix through distances among a set of object locations defined either along a linear continuum or around a closed, circular continuum. These two scaling tasks are approached through a least‐squares optimization strategy based on a combination of combinatorial search and iterative projection techniques. Extensions are provided for considering multiple linear or circular unidimensional structures, and to the inclusion of several representational alternatives offered by (restricted) additive tree models. Two published data sets are used to illustrate the results obtainable from the optimization method being proposed.
Analysing multivariate repeated measures designs when covariance matrices are heterogeneous
Authors: Keselman H. J. , Lix Lisa M.
Published: September 2011

Methods for the analysis of within‐subjects effects in multivariate groups by trials repeated measures designs are considered in the presence of heteroscedasticity of the group variance‐covariance matrices and multivariate non‐normalilty. Under a doubly multivariate model approach to hypothesis testing, within‐subjects main and interaction effect procedures are largely robust to the effects of heteroscedasticity when group sizes are equal, even when the data are non‐normal. These tests are, however, highly sensitive to the effects of covariance heterogeneity when the design is unbalanced and the data are normally distributed; Type I error rates will deviate even more from the nominal significance level when the data are obtained from a skewed distribution. An approximate degrees of freedom multivariate statistic given by Johansen (1980) is shown to be robust to the combined effects of the homogeneity and normality assumption violations for unbalanced designs, provided that the smallest of the group sizes is sufficiently large.
NEUTRINO MASSES, COSMOLOGICAL BOUND AND FOUR ZERO YUKAWA TEXTURES
Authors: ADHIKARY BISWAJIT , GHOSAL AMBAR , ROY PROBIR
Published: September 2011

Four zero neutrino Yukawa textures in a specified weak basis, combined with μτ symmetry and type-I seesaw, yield a highly constrained and predictive scheme. Two alternately viable 3×3 light neutrino Majorana mass matrices mνA/mνBresult with inverted/normal mass ordering. Neutrino masses, Majorana in character and predicted within definite ranges with laboratory and cosmological inputs, will have their sum probed cosmologically. The rate for 0νββ decay, though generally below the reach of planned experiments, could approach it in some parameter region. Departure from μτ symmetry due to RG evolution from a high scale and consequent CP violation, with a Jarlskog invariant whose magnitude could almost reach 6×10-3, are explored.
MO-CCCCTA-Based Floating Positive and Negative Inductors and Their Applications
Authors: Pandey Neeta , Bazaz Rishik , Manocha Rahul
Published: September 2011

This paper introduces a floating inductance simulation using multiple output current controlled current conveyer transconductance amplifier (MO-CCCCTA). The simulated inductor retains minimum requirement of passive elements as only one-grounded capacitance is used for one inductor. PSPICE simulation has been done and included to ensure the validity of the approach. A few applications have also been included to substantiate the usability of the proposed circuit.
Effect of Cavity Configuration (C Factor) on the Marginal Adaptation of Low-Shrinking Composite: A Comparative Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Ghulman Motaz A.
Published: September 2011

Aim. To investigate the effect of C factor on marginal adaptation of low-shrinking composite (Silorane).The null hypothesis was that the marginal adaptation of “Silorane” is not affected by the cavity configuration.Materials and Methods. A Silorane based and a methacrylate based composites, with their corresponding self-etch adhesive systems “Filtek Silorane/Silorane Adhesive Bond System and Filtek Z250/Prompt L-Pop’’ respectively were used. Standardized cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 100 maxillary premolars. Teeth were grouped into 5 groups (), for the 5 C factors. Restored teeth were subjected to thermocycling. Microleakage testing was done and linear dye penetration was assessed using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was done using the Student’st-test.Results. For the methacrylate based systems’ overall leakage score was significantly higher than the Silorane-based one (). For the methacrylate-based, leakage was found in all tested teeth groups except group 1 (C factor 1/5). For the Silorane, One-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant increase in dye penetration in the 5th group ().Conclusions. The null hypothesis was rejected. The Silorane-based resin although it resulted in a statistically significant good marginal adaptation, it showed tendency toward a high leakage score with C-factor of 5.
Prolonged Intestinal Mucosal Barium Coating due to Ischemic Necrosis
Authors: Low Vincent H. S.
Published: September 2011

A case of a 63-year-old man with small bowel ischemia six weeks after transplantation surgery is presented. Plain abdominal radiograph obtained several days after ingestion of barium shows the sign of prolonged barium coating indicating severe mucosal damage. Abdominal CT scan demonstrates small bowel wall thickening as well as pockets of peritoneal fluid collections. Most critically, CT allows visualization of subtle traces of dense barium within the dependent portions of this fluid indicating bowel perforation.
Ossification of Transverse Ligament of Atlas Causing Cervical Myelopathy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sasaji Tatsuro , Kawahara Chikashi , Matsumoto Fujio
Published: September 2011

A case of ossification of transverse ligament of atlas (TLA) is reported. A 76-year-old female suffered from a transverse type myelopathy was successfully treated by posterior decompression. Dynamic lateral plain radiographs showed irreducible atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS). A computed tomogram revealed ossified mass compatible to ossification of TLA. Coalition of the atlantooccipital joints and osteoarthritis of the atlantoaxial joints with degenerated dens was also revealed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed compressed spinal cord at C1 level by the ossification of TLA and AAS. We suggest a mechanism of ossification of TLA as follows: hypertrophied dens and stress to the atlantoaxial joints caused by coalition of atlantooccipital joints could make forward shift of atlas leading to irreducible AAS, and continuous tension given to TLA from irreducible AAS would result in hypertrophied and ossification of TLA.
Discrete Wilson Lines in F-Theory
Authors: Braun Volker
Published: September 2011

F-theory models are constructed where the7-brane has a nontrivial fundamental group. The base manifolds used are a toric Fano variety and a smooth toric threefold coming from a reflexive polyhedron. The discriminant locus of the elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfold can be chosen such that one irreducible component is not simply connected (namely, an Enriques surface) and supports a non-Abelian gauge theory.
Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes between Electrodes by Utilizing Optically Induced Dielectrophoresis and Dielectrophoresis
Authors: Wu Pei-Fang , Lee Gwo-Bin
Published: September 2011

This study reports a new approach for assembling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) between electrodes combination of optically induced dielectrophoresis force and dielectrophoresis force. Metal electrodes and amorphous silicon layer were first patterned and then used to assemble CNTs. By utilizing moving light patterns, the CNTs could be collected to the central area between two metal electrodes. The CNTs with different concentrations can be collected and aligned to form CNTs lines with different widths. The immobilization of preassembled CNTs was also demonstrated by exposing them to an ultraviolet light source such that they can be fixed at the prealigned location. Then photoresist asher was used to get rid of the cured polymer. The development of the new platform can be promising to massively assemble CNTs.
Natural Fibre-Reinforced Biofoams
Authors: Bergeret Anne , Benezet Jean Charles
Published: September 2011

Starches and polylactic acids (PLAs) represent the main biobased and biodegradable polymers with potential industrial availability in the next decades for “bio” foams applications. This paper investigates the improvement of their morphology and properties through processing and materials parameters. Starch foams were obtained by melt extrusion in which water is used as blowing agent. The incorporation of natural fibres (hemp, cellulose, cotton linter, sugarcane, coconut) in the starch foam induced a density reduction up to 33%, a decrease in water absorption, and an increase in mechanical properties according to the fibre content and nature. PLA foams were obtained through single-screw extrusion using of a chemical blowing agent that decomposed at the PLA melting temperature. A void content of 48% for PLA and 25% for cellulose fibre-reinforced PLA foams and an improvement in mechanical properties were achieved. The influence of a fibre surface treatment was investigated for both foams.
Proteomic Approach to Evaluate Mechanisms That Contribute to Food Allergenicity: Comparative 2D-DIGE Analysis of Radioallergosorbent Test Positive and Negative Patients
Authors: Nair Bindukumar , Wheeler John C. , Sykes Donald E. , Brown Paula , Reynolds Jessica L. , Aalinkeel Ravikumar , Mahajan Supriya D. , Schwartz Stanley A.
Published: September 2011

Proteomic profiles of RAST+subjects with severe food allergies and RAST−subjects were compared using 2D-DIGE analysis to obtain candidate biomarkers specific to food allergies. Our analysis highlighted 52 proteins that were differentially expressed between the RAST+and RAST−groups of which 37 were successfully identified that include chondroitin sulfates, zinc finger proteins, C-type lectins, retinoic acid binding proteins, heat shock proteins, myosin, cytokines, mast cell expressed proteins, and MAP kinases. Biological network analysis tool Metacore revealed that most of these regulated proteins play a role in immune tolerance, hypersensitivity and modulate cytokine patterns inducing a Th2 response that typically results in IgE-mediated allergic response which has a direct or indirect biological link to food allergy. Identifying unique biomarkers associated with certain allergic phenotypes and potentially cross-reactive proteins through bioinformatics analyses will provide enormous insight into the mechanisms that underlie allergic response in patients with food allergies.
Effect of Nitrogen Pressure on the Structure of Cr-N, Ta-N, Mo-N, and W-N Nanocrystals Synthesized by Arc Discharge
Authors: Shen Longhai , Wang Nan
Published: September 2011

The effect of nitrogen pressure on the structure of Ta-N, Cr-N, Mo-N, and W-N nanocrystals formed in arc discharge process was investigated. At the nitrogen pressure of5~20 kPa, the pure cubic-phase TaN and CrN nanocrystals were formed, whereas pure cubic phase of Mo2N and W2N cannot be obtained. A little of metal Mo and a mass of metal W were mixed with the products of Mo2N and W2N, respectively. At the nitrogen pressure of30~50 kPa, subnitride Ta2N and Cr2N and metal Cr were gradually formed in the product; furthermore, the proportion of metal Mo and W increased in the product of Mo2N and W2N, respectively. It indicated that the low nitrogen pressure makes cubic mononitride formation favorable. We explain this experimental observation in terms of the evaporation rate of anode metal and the ionization of nitrogen.
Improvement of Capture Compound Mass Spectrometry Technology (CCMS) for the Profiling of Human Kinases by Combination with 2D LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Fischer Jenny J. , Graebner Olivia , Dreger Mathias , Glinski Mirko , Baumgart Sabine , Koester Hubert
Published: September 2011

An increasingly popular and promising field in functional proteomics is the isolation of proteome subsets based on small molecule‐protein interactions. One platform approach in this field are Capture Compounds that contain a small molecule of interest to bind target proteins, a photo‐activatable reactivity function to covalently trap bound proteins, and a sorting function to isolate captured protein conjugates from complex biological samples for direct protein identification by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (nLC‐MS/MS). In this study we used staurosporine as a selectivity group for analysis in HepG2 cells derived from human liver. In the present study, we combined the functional isolation of kinases with different separation workflows of automated split‐free nanoflow liquid chromatography prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Two different CCMS setups, CCMS technology combined with 1D LC‐MS and 2D LC‐MS, were compared regarding the total number of kinase identifications. By extending the chromatographic separation of the tryptic digested captured proteins from 1D LC linear gradients to 2D LC we were able to identify 97 kinases. This result is similar to the 1D LC setup we previously reported but this time 4 times less input material was needed. This makes CCMS of kinases an even more powerful tool for the proteomic profiling of this important protein family.
H‐Distributions: An Extension of H‐Measures to an Lp‐Lq Setting
Authors: Antonić Nenad , Mitrović Darko
Published: September 2011

We use the continuity of Fourier multiplier operators on Lp to introduce the H‐distributions—an extension of H‐measures in the Lp framework. We apply the H‐distributions to obtain an Lp version of the localisation principle and reprove the Murat Lp‐ variant of div‐curl lemma.
State‐PID Feedback for Pole Placement of LTI Systems
Authors: Sujitjorn Sarawut , Wiboonjaroen Witchupong
Published: September 2011

Pole placement problems are especially important for disturbance rejection and stabilization of dynamical systems and regarded as algebraic inverse eigenvalue problems. In this paper, we propose gain formulae of state feedback through PID‐elements to achieve desired pole placement for a delay‐free LTI system with single input. Real and complex stable poles can be assigned with the proposed compact gain formulae. Numerical examples show that our proposed gain formulae can be used effectively resulting in very satisfactory responses.
Dysfunctional Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Devaraj Sridevi , Jialal Ishwarlal
Published: September 2011

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent and confers an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A key early event in atherosclerosis is endothelial dysfunction. Numerous groups have reported endothelial dysfunction in MetS. However, the measurement of endothelial function is far from optimum. There has been much interest recently in a subtype of progenitor cells, termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), that can circulate, proliferate, and dfferentiate into mature endothelial cells. EPCs can be characterized by the assessment of surface markers, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, VEGFR-2 (KDR). The CD34+KDR+phenotype has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. MetS patients without diabetes or cardiovascular diseases have decreased EPC number and functionality as evidenced by decreased numbers of colony forming units, decreased adhesion and migration, and decreased tubule formation. Strategies that have been shown to upregulate and enhance EPC number and functionality include statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and peroxisome-proliferator-activating-receptor gamma agonists. Mechanisms by which they affect EPC number and functionality need to be studied. Thus, EPC number and/or functionality could emerge as novel cellular biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease risk in MetS.