bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The New Standard for Drinking Water
Authors: Goncharuk V.
Published: November 2013

The main positions of the new standard on drinking water are provided. The inconsistency of existing approaches to the assessment including methodology of drinking water quality was substantiated. The main advantage of the new standard is the inclusion of integral methods of water quality, universal for all kinds and types of toxic compounds, irrespective of their origin and nature of the action.
Uniqueness and Existence of Positive Solutions for Singular Differential Systems with Coupled Integral Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Cui Yujun , Liu Lishan , Zhang Xingqiu
Published: November 2013

This paper provides sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions to a singular differential system with integral boundary value. The emphasis here is that the boundary conditions are coupled and this is where the main novelty of this work lies. By mixed monotone method, the existence and uniqueness results of the problem are established. An example is given to demonstrate the main results.
Sign-Changing Solutions for a Fourth-Order Elliptic Equation with Hardy Singular Terms
Authors: Pei Ruichang , Zhang Jihui
Published: November 2013

The existence and multiplicity of sign-changing solutions for a class of fourth elliptic equations with Hardy singular terms are established by using the minimax methods.
The Ethanol Extract of the Inner Bark of Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Tul.) Reduces Urinary Bladder Damage during Cyclophosphamide‐Induced Cystitis in Rats
Authors: Moraes Janaína P. , Pereira Denyson S. , Matos Alexandre S. , Santana Danielle G. , Santos Cliomar A. , Estevam Charles S. , Fakhouri Ricardo , Lucca Junior Waldecy de , Camargo Enilton A.
Published: November 2013

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common side effect of cyclophosphamide therapy, which deserves new therapeutic strategies, such as those based on natural products. The ethanol extract of the inner bark of Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Tul.) (EECp) possesses anti‐inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant activities as previously showed by our group. We have investigated the effect of EECp on the cyclophosphamide‐induced HC. Cystitis was induced in male Wistar rats by the injection of cyclophosphamide. These animals were pretreated with EECp (100–400 mg/kg), vehicle, or mesna. Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde formation were measured in urinary bladder and other tissues. Bladder edema and histopathological alterations and serum nitric oxide metabolites concentration were also evaluated. Treatment with EECp (100–400 mg/kg) or mesna impaired the increase of myeloperoxidase activity in urinary bladder and the serum induced by cyclophosphamide but did not reduce edema in this tissue, as did mesna. Total histological score was reduced by EECp (100 mg/kg). Lung myeloperoxidase activity, which was increased by cyclophosphamide, was decreased significantly by EECp (400 mg/kg). EECp also diminished the malondialdehyde formation in bladder, lung, and spleen, although these parameters were not affected by cyclophosphamide. These results indicate that EECp reduced urinary bladder damage during cyclophosphamide‐induced HC in rats.
Spontaneous Supersymmetry Breaking Probed by Geometric Invariants
Authors: Capolupo Antonio , Vitiello Giuseppe
Published: November 2013

The presence of the Aharonov-Anandan invariant in phenomena in which vacuum condensates are physically relevant can help to reveal the spontaneous supersymmetry breaking induced by condensates. The analysis is presented in the case of the Wess-Zumino model. The manifestation of the Aharonov-Anandan invariant of atoms and their superpartners, generated at nonzero temperature, could reveal the signature of SUSY violation in a recently proposed experimental setup based on an optical lattice in which SUSY is broken at non-zero temperature.
Spectral Regularization Methods for an Abstract Ill-Posed Elliptic Problem
Authors: Boussetila Nadjib , Hamida Salim , Rebbani Faouzia
Published: November 2013

We study an abstract elliptic Cauchy problem associated with an unbounded self-adjoint positive operator which has a continuous spectrum. It is well-known that such a problem is severely ill-posed; that is, the solution does not depend continuously on the Cauchy data. We propose two spectral regularization methods to construct an approximate stable solution to our original problem. Finally, some other convergence results including some explicit convergence rates are also established under a priori bound assumptions on the exact solution.
Wall Shear Stress Distribution of Small Aneurysms Prone to Rupture
Authors: Pereira Vitor Mendes , Brina Olivier , Bijlenga Philippe , Bouillot Pierre , Narata Ana Paula , Schaller Karl , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Ouared Rafik
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—

Subarachnoid hemorrhage after intracranial aneurysm rupture remains a serious condition. We performed a case–control study to evaluate the use of computed hemodynamics to detect cerebral aneurysms prone to rupture.

Methods—

Four patients with incidental aneurysms that ultimately ruptured (cases) were studied after initially being included in a prospective database including their 3-dimensional imaging before rupture. Ruptures were located in different arterial segments: M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery; basilar tip; posterior inferior cerebellar artery; and anterior communicating artery. For each case, 5 controls matched by location and size were randomly selected. An empirical cumulative distribution function of aneurysm wall shear stress percentiles was evaluated for every case and used to define a critical prone-to-rupture range. Univariate logistic regression analysis was then used to assess the individual risk of rupture.

Results—

A cumulative wall shear stress distribution characterizing a hemodynamic prone-to-rupture range for small-sized aneurysms was identified and fitted independent of the location. Sensitivity and specificity of the preliminary tests were 90% and 93%, respectively.

Conclusions—

The wall shear stress cumulative probability function may be a potential predictor of small-sized aneurysm rupture.
The Making of a Gecekondulu Identity
Authors: Avci Özgür
Published: November 2013

While many studies have undertaken analyses of the socioeconomic and political problems resulting from rural–urban migration in developing nations, few have examined the symbolic challenges presented by this shift. Examining news reports on the most sensational instance of slum demolitions in Turkey that took place in 1977, this study argues that urban squatting and slum dwelling created vital problems of cultural representation. In spite of huge ideological differences among various newspapers, there was a surprising level of consistency in the portrayal of the squatters as a dubious group, devoid of ideological commitment, and a serious threat to society. Such a portrayal of the urban poor as nonideological actors has been dominant worldwide, which overlooks the powerful symbolic challenge that the very existence of this group poses to idealized projects of social change, and hence the potential that their despised (non)identity offers for the development of a more democratic political vision.
Preschool children conflate pragmatic agreement and semantic truth
Authors: Olson David R. , Astington Janet Wilde
Published: November 2013

Children’s ability to ascribe beliefs to themselves and others has been shown to develop in the late preschool and early school years. This ability to represent, that is to think about, beliefs known to be false is described as metarepresentational development. This article extends these findings to the domain of linguistic representations by exploring how children come to judge statements as true or false of a given reality. It presents two models of judgment, one based on the pragmatics of the expression, the other on the basis of the semantics of the expression. Two studies show that when preschoolers object to what someone has said, they are disagreeing with the speaker, a pragmatic judgment, rather than judging the truth or falsity of what the speaker has said, a semantic judgment. True/false judgments are metalinguistic judgments, later acquired, suggesting a new consciousness of linguistic form.
Caveolin‐1 Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters and BRAF Mutation Status
Authors: Paskaš Svetlana , Janković Jelena , Marečko Ilona , Išić Denčić Tijana , Tatić Svetislav , Cvejić Dubravka , Savin Svetlana
Published: November 2013

Objective

We aimed to investigate the role of caveolin‐1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma pathogenesis.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy.

Subjects and Methods

We evaluated the expression of caveolin‐1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by Western blot (WB) and compared the findings with immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of both epithelial and stromal caveolin‐1 on the corresponding histological specimens. The results were related to clinicopathological features and BRAF mutation status.

Results

Caveolin‐1 expression was found in malignant thyroid epithelium and more abundantly in tumor stroma but varied in both compartments within and between PTC subtypes. Caveolin‐1 expression in the epithelium was more intense in classical PTC than in the other histological types. On the contrary, stromal caveolin‐1 expression was stronger in the follicular, solid, and trabecular PTC variants than in classical PTC. Trends for down‐regulation of caveolin‐1 expression in epithelium and up‐regulation in stroma from the classical via follicular to the solid variant were observed. The relation of WB and IHC results with clinicopathological parameters showed lower caveolin‐1 tissue content in BRAF mutated tumors (P <. 05), a positive correlation of epithelial caveolin‐1 expression with lymph node metastasis (P <. 05), and a negative association of stromal caveolin‐1 expression with the degree of neoplastic infiltration and BRAF status.

Conclusion

Altered expression of caveolin‐1 in the thyroid epithelial and stromal compartments may be involved in the pathogenesis of PTC. The potential clinical significance of caveolin‐1 expression, as well as its relation to BRAF mutation status, deserves further investigation.
Incipient crack detection in a composite wind turbine rotor blade
Authors: Taylor Stuart G , Farinholt Kevin , Choi Mijin , Jeong Hyomi , Jang Jaekyeong , Park Gyuhae , Lee Jung-Ryul , Todd Michael D
Published: November 2013

This article presents a performance optimization approach to incipient crack detection in a wind turbine rotor blade that underwent fatigue loading to failure. The objective of this article is to determine an optimal demarcation date, which is required to properly normalize active-sensing data collected and processed using disparate methods for the purpose of damage detection performance comparison. We propose that maximizing average damage detection performance with respect to a demarcation date would provide both an estimate of the true incipient damage onset date and the proper normalization enabling comparison of detection performance among the otherwise disparate data sets. This work focuses on the use of ultrasonic guided waves to detect incipient damage prior to the surfacing of a visible, catastrophic crack. The blade was instrumented with piezoelectric transducers, which were used in a pitch-catch mode over a range of excitation frequencies. With respect to specific excitation frequencies and transmission paths, higher excitation frequencies provided consistent detection results for paths along the rotor blade’s carbon fiber spar cap, but performance fell off with increasing excitation frequency for paths not along the spar cap. Lower excitation frequencies provided consistent detection performance among all sensor paths.
Charpy impact response of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy and basalt fiber metal laminate composites: Experimental study
Authors: Farsani R Eslami , Khalili SMR , Daghigh V
Published: November 2013

In this article, the effect of adding micro glass powder into basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites on the Charpy impact behavior is investigated by both flatwise and edgewise specimens. Also, the effect of adding micro glass powder at two temperatures is examined on the Charpy impact behavior in order to obtain a more detailed knowledge of the role of micro glass powder in polymer composites. Moreover, the effect of adding metal layers to basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites with various combinations of metals to make basalt fiber metal laminates in Charpy impact test is studied. Finally, it was found that adding micro glass powder increased energy absorption and this effect improved by increasing temperature. Moreover, the superiority of basalt fiber metal laminates in energy absorption as compared to basalt fiber reinforced epoxy is observed. Scanning electron microscopy is used for selective specimens to analyze the nature of fracture surfaces.
Hereditary and Acquired Thrombophilia in Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Mutreja Deepti , Kotru Mrinalini , Sazawal Sudha , Ranjan Ravi , Sharma Amit , Acharya Subrat Kumar , Saxena Renu
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in the prevalence of hereditary and acquired thrombophilia in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). A total of 88 consecutive patients with SVT, including Budd Chiari Syndrome (n = 47) and portal extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (n = 41), underwent comprehensive thrombophilia testing, including testing for heritable and acquired causes. In 33 (37.5%) patients, etiology could be explained by at least 1 of the heritable etiologic factors, and 31 (35.2%) patients could be explained by at least 1 of the acquired causes studied. The combination of multiple concurrent factors was present in 9 (11.4%) patients. Among the heritable causes, the risk of SVT was found increased in the presence of thrombophilia resulting from the deficiencies of the naturally occurring anticoagulant proteins, and the acquired thrombogenic factors were significantly associated with causation of thrombosis in adult patients with SVT.
Too good to be true: Suspicion-based rejections of high offers
Authors: Steinel Wolfgang , van Beest Ilja , van Dijk Eric
Published: November 2013

It is a common belief that high offers are more readily accepted than low offers. In contrast to this general notion, the current set of studies shows that there is a limit to the beneficial effects of making high offers and that becoming too generous may backfire. This paradoxical finding is observed when offers are made in an ambiguous situation of asymmetric information. In three studies, we found that when bargaining opponents had private information over the total amount that was to be distributed, participants became suspicious about high offers (i.e., offers that were beneficial to themselves), but not about low or equal offers. Due to suspicion, participants rejected high offers more often than equal offers.
Applications of a Kullback-Leibler divergence for comparing non-nested models
Authors: Wang Chen-Pin , Jo Booil
Published: November 2013

Wang and Ghosh ( 2011 ) proposed a Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD) which is asymptotically equivalent to the KLD by Goutis and Robert ( 1998 ) when the reference model (in comparison with a competing ﬁtted model) is correctly speciﬁed and when certain regularity conditions hold true. While properties of the KLD by Wang and Ghosh ( 2011 ) have been investigated in the Bayesian framework, this paper further explores the property of this KLD in the frequentist framework using four application examples, each ﬁtted by two competing non-nested models.
Regression tree-based diagnostics for linear multilevel models
Authors: Simonoff Jeffrey S
Published: November 2013

Longitudinal and clustered data, where multiple observations for individuals are observed, require special models that reflect their hierarchical structure. The most commonly used such model is the linear multilevel model, which combines a linear model for the population-level fixed effects, a linear model for normally distributed individual-level random effects and normally distributed observation-level errors with constant variance. It has the advantage of simplicity of interpretation, but if the assumptions of the model do not hold inferences drawn can be misleading. In this paper, we discuss the use of regression trees that are designed for multilevel data to construct goodness-of-fit tests for this model that can be used to test for nonlinearity of the fixed effects or heteroscedasticity of the errors. Simulations show that the resultant tests are slightly conservative as 0.05 level tests, and have good power to identify explainable model violations (that is, ones that are related to available covariate information in the data). Application of the tests is illustrated on two real datasets.
Preliminary Results of the Influence of the In Vivo Use of a Lymphatic Dye (Patent Blue V) in the Surgical Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Tonelli Pietro , Martellucci Jacopo , Lucchese Marcello , Comin Camilla E. , Bergamini Carlo , Pedica Federica , Bargellini Tatiana , Valeri Andrea
Published: November 2013

Introduction. Recently, the lymphatic vessels has been considered to play a key role in the pathophysiology and, consequently, in the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). The aim of this study is to show that the evaluation of lymphatic anomaly might be a useful tool in the recognition of the pathological involvement of the intestinal wall in CD. Material and methods. Fourteen patients with CD who underwent surgical treatment for distal ileum critical stenosis were prospectively evaluated. During surgery, 0.05 to 0.1 mL of Patent Blue V was injected into the subserosal layer of the antimesenteric edge of ileum and colon. The intestinal section was performed just beneath the outflow of the vital dye where it seemed to be normal (≤2 minutes), as a index of healthy intestinal wall. A comparison between the lymphatic alterations and the macroscopic aspects was performed. Results. Out of 14 patients, 13 were electively operated on, whereas 1 was treated in emergency. In 8 patients (57%), laparoscopic approach was chosen in the first instance. One patient needed laparotomic conversion. When comparing the Patent Blue V outflow time with the macroscopic and microscopic evidence of CD, we found an absolute integrity of the intestinal wall with an outflow ≤2 minutes. Mean follow-up was 110 months with a recurrence rate of 14%. Conclusion. We can conclude that this method may be of utility to distinguish between normal and diseased intestine in CD. The possible consequences in postsurgical recurrences of this evidence are critical.
Infection prevention and control self-audit: just a tick box exercise?
Authors: Gorrell Michelle
Published: November 2013

The National Health Service (NHS) in England continues to experience ongoing change in order to complete the transition to the new delivery system outlined in Liberating the NHS (Department of Health, 2010a). Treating and caring for patients in a safe environment and protecting them from acquiring avoidable infections remains a high priority and a central quality improvement component within the outcome Indicator set for 2013/14 (NHS Commissioning Board, 2012a). Infection prevention and control practitioners will be required to use a range of innovative quality improvement strategies to facilitate engagement with clinicians and meet the challenges that lie ahead for the NHS. The purpose of this paper is to report on the implementation of an infection prevention and control self-audit (IPCSA) project within general practice. The aim of the project was to empower practice staff to become actively involved with an infection prevention and control (IPC) audit in order to support the development of an IPC quality improvement culture within general practice teams. The paper outlines the methodology used to implement self-audit. The findings suggest that IPCSA can be used as an effective alternative to an IPC nurse-led infection prevention and control audit.
Fixed Drug Eruption in an Epileptic Patient Previously Receiving Treatment With Phenytoin for Seven Years
Authors: Smetana Keaton S. , Suda Katie J. , Hamilton Leslie A.
Published: November 2013

A 52-year-old African American female presented with severe left thigh pain of unknown etiology. She had a past medical history of generalized seizure disorder treated with phenytoin for 7 years without incident. During admission a nurse witnessed a seizure, and consequently loading and maintenance doses of phenytoin were administered to obtain a therapeutic serum concentration. The patient had a history of noncompliance with multiple subtherapeutic phenytoin levels. Subsequently, unifocal blue discolored spots appeared, progressing to a bullous component that was positive for skin sloughing. Drug-induced fixed drug eruption was diagnosed and attributed to phenytoin. Clinicians should be cognizant of drug-induced fixed drug eruption in patients just initiated and those receiving long-term treatment with phenytoin. The administration rate of phenytoin may be associated with the development of fixed drug eruption.
Association of presence/absence and on/off patterns of Helicobacter pylori oipA gene with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer risks: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jingwei , He Caiyun , Chen Moye , Wang Zhenning , Xing Chengzhong , Yuan Yuan
Published: November 2013

Background

There are increasing studies examining the relationship between the status of H. pylori oipA gene and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC) but the results turn out to be controversial. We attempted to clarify whether oipA gene status is linked with PUD and/or GC risks.

Methods

A systematically literature search was performed through four electronic databases. According to the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were ultimately available for the meta-analysis of oipA presence/absence with PUD and GC, and eleven articles were included for the meta-analysis of oipA on/off status with PUD and GC.

Results

For the on/off functional status analysis of oipA gene, the “on” status showed significant associations with increased risks of PUD (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 2.89, 5.45; P < 0.001) and GC (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.45, 4.07; P = 0.001) compared with gastritis and functional dyspepsia controls. Results of the homogeneity test indicated different effects of oipA “on” status on PUD risk between children and adult subgroups and on GC risk between PCR-sequencing and immunoblot subgroups. For the presence/absence analysis of oipA gene, we found null association of the presence of oipA gene with the risks of PUD (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.60, 6.25; P = 0.278) and GC (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 0.51, 8.66; P = 0.308) compared with gastritis and functional dyspepsia controls.

Conclusions

To be concluded, when oipA exists, the functional “on” status of this gene showed association with increased risks for PUD and GC compared with gastritis and FD controls. However, merely investigating the presence/absence of oipA would overlook the importance of its functional on/off status and would not be reliable to predict risks of PUD and GC. Further large-scale and well-designed studies concerning on/off status of oipA are required to confirm our meta-analysis results.
Array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with micropatterned TiO2 nanoparticles for a high-voltage power source
Authors: Cho Seong-Min , Park Hea-Lim , Kim Min-Hoi , Kim Se-Um , Lee Sin-Doo
Published: November 2013

We demonstrate an array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SS-DSSCs) for a high-voltage power source based on micropatterned titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) as photoanodes connected in series. The underlying concept of patterning the TNP of a few micrometers thick lies on the combination of the lift-off process of transfer-printed patterns of a sacrificial layer and the soft-cure treatment of the TNP for fixation. This sacrificial layer approach allows for high pattern fidelity and stability, and it enables to construct stable, micrometer-thick, and contamination-free TNP patterns for developing the SS-DSSC array for miniature high-voltage applications. The array of 20 SS-DSSCs integrated in series is found to show a voltage output of around 7 V.
Merkel-like cells in the murine conjunctival stroma
Authors: Fu Ting , Xue Yunxia , Xia Chaoyong , Yang Yabing , Liu Peng , Liu Jun , Zhang Wanyu , Chen Jiansu , Li Yangqiu , Cai Dongqing , Li Zhijie
Published: November 2013

Merkel cells, discovered by Friedrich Sigmund Merkel in 1875, are found in multiple regions of the skin and some mucosa and make contact with specialized nerve fibers, participating in the perception of touch. However, Merkel cells have thus far not been described on the ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and ultrastructure of Merkel cells on the ocular surface and study changes in their number and ultrastructure after corneal epithelial wounding. Entire mouse ocular surfaces were obtained and stained by antibodies and tracking dye on fixed whole-mount specimens. The distribution and ultrastructure of specific fluorescence-positive cells were analyzed using deconvolution microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The corneal epithelial wound-healing model was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of these CK8-positive cells. We found that CK8-positive cells and FM1-43-positive cells were mainly located in the stromal layer, but not in the epithelial basal layer, of the forniceal conjunctiva. Our TEM results indicate that these cells possess the unique characteristic structures of Merkel cells, including electron-dense membrane-surrounded granules and spine-like protrusions of variable lengths, and demonstrate the formation of Merkel cell-neurite complexes. After corneal epithelial wounding, these cells exhibited rapid cell shrinkage and nuclear lobulation. Thus, Merkel-like cells were found in the conjunctival stroma of the ocular surface and may play an important role in maintaining the normal physiological function of the ocular surface.
Do You Always Adjust Test Results to 12 Percent Moisture Content? No!
Authors: Patterson David W. , Hartley Jonathan I.
Published: November 2013

After conducting mechanical tests, the moisture content (MC) of the test specimens is determined. If the MC is not 12 percent, the standard procedure is to adjust the test value to equal those at 12 percent MC. With new treatments such as high-temperature heat treating, however, 12 percent MC may not be an appropriate value for adjustment. Tests were conducted using three species (southern pine [Pinus taeda], red oak [Quercus sp.], and sweetgum [Liquidambar styraciflua]), three temperatures (100°C, 150°C, and 200°C), and three conditioning environments (conditioning chamber, outside air, and enclosed over water). The results indicated that the higher the treatment temperature, the more difficult it was to reach 12 percent MC. For example, the MC of the samples treated at 200°C in the conditioning chamber was 7 or 8 percent, whereas the MC of the controls was 13 percent. These results imply that adjusting test values to 12 percent MC would be inappropriate if all specimens were conditioned in the same environment.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Loblolly and Slash Pine Wood from Uruguayan Plantations
Authors: Moya Laura , Laguarda María F. , Cagno Matías , Cardoso Andrea , Gatto Francisco , O'Neill Hugo
Published: November 2013

The available wood supply in Uruguay comprises trees that grow so fast in intensively managed plantations that they reach saw timber size in 25 years or fewer. Trees harvested at this age contain high proportions of juvenile wood that may lead to lumber low in stiffness and strength. A project was conducted to characterize fast-growing wood, determine engineering properties, and assign visual structural grades of lumber. The present study evaluated properties of 15- and 25-year-old loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash (Pinus elliottii Eng.) pine to better understand the current available locally produced wood material. A total of 175 stump bolts from trees from two commercial plantations provided inner and outer small clear specimens for property evaluation. Specific gravity, bending, compression parallel to grain and perpendicular to grain, and shear tests were conducted. Most properties significantly increased radially away from the pith. The outer wood appears to be denser, stiffer, and stronger than the inner wood in both plantations. Wood from 15-year-old San José trees showed significantly lower properties than 25-year-old Paysandú trees, and had considerably inferior properties compared with values listed in the Wood Handbook (US Department of Agriculture 1999). Our results on 25-year-old Paysandú small clear specimens showed properties similar to those of previous studies on small clear and structural size pieces. Therefore, it can be expected that lumber from 25-year-old Paysandú trees will eventually comply with required properties for structural use. A second on-going phase of this study addressing structural size specimens will help to establish more definite conclusions.
Decay Hazard (Scheffer) Index Values in Korea for Exterior Aboveground Wood
Authors: Kim Taegyun , Ra Jong-Bum
Published: November 2013

This research was performed to evaluate the decay hazard for exterior aboveground wood in Korea. The decay hazard (Scheffer) index values were calculated for 56 locations in Korea using the 1972 to 2011 climate normal data available from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and the wood decay hazard maps were created on the basis of the determined values. Jeju Province, Korea's largest island lying in the Korea Strait, southwest of South Jeolla Province, has decay hazard ratings above 70, considered a severe decay hazard zone according to the generally accepted classifications. The index values of the other areas are in the range between 35 and 70, meaning that Korea could be considered a moderate decay zone. However, the annual Scheffer index values calculated from recent climate data tend to be higher than the average index values. The comparison of annual Scheffer index values showed that many moderate decay areas in Korea could be severe decay hazard areas due to directional or cyclical climate change. This suggests that proper wood protection is greatly needed and more critical in the future.
Biomarkers in ACS and Heart Failure: Should Men and Women Be Interpreted Differently?
Authors: Motiwala Shweta R , Sarma Amy , Januzzi James L , O'Donoghue Michelle L
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Sex-based differences exist in the circulating concentrations of certain novel and established biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and heart failure (HF). However, to date, few studies have compared the diagnostic and prognostic utility of these markers in men vs women.

CONTENT

This mini-review contains a discussion of the published reports of studies that have explored whether differences in biomarker concentrations exist between men and women with ACS or HF. It also examines those studies that have compared the utility of biomarkers for diagnosis or risk stratification in women vs men. Because biomarkers are often used to make therapeutic and triage decisions in patient care, the potential clinical implications for any observed differences in biomarker reference limits for men and women is discussed.

Although the concentration distributions may differ between men and women for certain biomarkers in clinical use, the clinical implications of these observations remain unclear. Because elements of the pathophysiology of ACS and HF may differ between the sexes, further research is needed to better evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of biomarkers in men vs women.
The role of the textile materials library: Providing access to multimodal knowledge in design research
Authors: O'Mahony Marie , Barker Tom
Published: November 2013

This article explores the role of the physical and virtual textile materials library as an effective multimodal learning and research tool in its provision of tactile, visual samples, technical data and project application information. The abundance of new materials and their increasing
complexity is causing designers to rethink the traditional 'samples in a box' approach. The research uses a case study approach that includes consultation with industry, academia, and a review of four contemporary material libraries to explore the formats that future textile libraries may
best take. In considering a future textile library, the authors also examine answers to the question: as the number of textiles available continues to expand, how can physical material, image and text-based library techniques best be combined with the web and digital information to make it
possible for colleges, public institutions and companies to keep a textile library updated.
Survival and neonatal morbidity among extremely preterm born infants in relation to gestational age based on the last menstrual period or ultrasonographic examination
Authors: Simic Marija , Amer-Wåhlin Isis , Lagercrantz Hugo , Maršál Karel , Källén Karin
Published: November 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of gestational age (GA) estimation on the basis of the last menstrual period (LMP) in comparison with GA based on ultrasound examination on rates of survival and neonatal morbidity among extremely preterm infants.

Methods: The Swedish national registry of infants born extremely preterm (Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study), including infants born before 27 weeks of gestation, was used to identify 645 infants with available information. Incidences of stillbirth, survival, small for GA (SGA), and major neonatal morbidity were calculated in relationship to the GA estimated by each of the approaches.

Results: Pregnancies, in general, appeared to be longer when GA was estimated by LMP than by ultrasound (17.2% of the pregnancies were longer than 27 weeks). The incidences of stillbirth, neonatal death, and major neonatal morbidity in relationship to GA were similar for both groups. The risks for SGA were elevated when GA according to ultrasound examination was at least 7 days shorter than GA based on the LMP.

Conclusions: In our cohort of infants born extremely preterm, estimation of GA on the basis of LMP indicated a longer pregnancy than estimated by ultrasound but did not influence the incidences of neonatal survival and morbidity.
Fabrication and magnetic testing of a poly-L-lactide biocomposite incorporating magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Shen Li-Kuo , Fan Kang-Hsin , Wu Ting-Lin , Huang Haw-Ming , Leung Ting-Kai , Chen Chi-Jen , Chang Wei-Jen
Published: November 2013

Polylactic acid (PLA)-based composite has been widely used in tissue engineering. To modify the material’s properties, inorganic substances have been used to form nanoparticle-PLA composites. The aim of this study is to develop a novel magnetic biodegradable composite. Nanoscale magnetite (Fe3O4) was incorporated into a poly-L-lactide (PLLA) matrix with proportions of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w). Injection molding was carried out to produce the nano-magnetite-PLLA composite samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), superconducting quantum device (SQUID), and three-point bending were performed to test the physical properties of the magnetite-PLLA composite. The results showed that the magnetite-PLLA composite exhibited typical ferromagnetic hysteresis loops. The addition of nanoscale magnetite significantly increased the magnetic flux density of the PLLA composite. These results suggest that the magnetite-PLLA composite has the potential to be used for future applications in tissue engineering.
Unexpected Events Induce Motor Slowing via a Brain Mechanism for Action-Stopping with Global Suppressive Effects
Authors: Wessel Jan R. , Aron Adam R.
Published: November 2013

When an unexpected event occurs in everyday life (e.g., a car honking), one experiences a slowing down of ongoing action (e.g., of walking into the street). Motor slowing following unexpected events is a ubiquitous phenomenon, both in laboratory experiments as well as such everyday situations, yet the underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that unexpected events recruit the same inhibition network in the brain as does complete cancellation of an action (i.e., action-stopping). Using electroencephalography and independent component analysis in humans, we show that a brain signature of successful outright action-stopping also exhibits activity following unexpected events, and more so in blocks with greater motor slowing. Further, using transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure corticospinal excitability, we show that an unexpected event has a global motor suppressive effect, just like outright action-stopping. Thus, unexpected events recruit a common mechanism with outright action-stopping, moreover with global suppressive effects. These findings imply that we can now leverage the considerable extant knowledge of the neural architecture and functional properties of the stopping system to better understand the processing of unexpected events, including perhaps how they induce distraction via global suppression.
Functional Cooperation of Metabotropic Adenosine and Glutamate Receptors Regulates Postsynaptic Plasticity in the Cerebellum
Authors: Kamikubo Yuji , Shimomura Takeshi , Fujita Yosuke , Tabata Toshihide , Kashiyama Taku , Sakurai Takashi , Fukurotani Kenkichi , Kano Masanobu
Published: November 2013

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may form heteromeric complexes and cooperatively mediate cellular responses. Although heteromeric GPCR complexes are suggested to occur in many neurons, their contribution to neuronal function remains unclear. We address this question using two GPCRs expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells: adenosine A1 receptor (A1R), which regulates neurotransmitter release and neuronal excitability in central neurons, and type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1), which mediates cerebellar long-term depression, a form of synaptic plasticity crucial for cerebellar motor learning. We examined interaction between these GPCRs by immunocytochemical, biochemical, and Förster resonance energy transfer analyses in cultured mouse Purkinje cells and heterologous expression cells. These analyses revealed that the GPCRs closely colocalized and formed heteromeric complexes on the cell surfaces. Furthermore, our electrophysiological analysis showed that CSF levels (40–400 nm) of adenosine or synthetic A1R agonists with comparable potencies blocked mGluR1-mediated long-term depression of the postsynaptic glutamate-responsiveness (glu-LTD) of cultured Purkinje cells. A similar dose of the A1R agonist decreased the ligand affinity of mGluR1 and did not affect depolarization-induced Ca2+influx, which is an essential factor in inducing glu-LTD. The A1R agonist did not affect glu-LTD mimicked by direct activation of protein kinase C. These results suggest that A1R blocked glu-LTD by decreasing the ligand sensitivity of mGluR1, but not the coupling efficacy from mGluR1 to the intracellular signaling cascades. These findings provide a new insight into neuronal GPCR signaling and demonstrate a novel regulatory mechanism of synaptic plasticity.
Depression, sense of coherence, self-esteem as related to unemployment: the Hungarian scene in economic recession
Authors: Szabóné Virág
Published: November 2013

Absztrakt
Capacidade funcional e a gravidade do trauma em idosos
Authors: Maeshiro Flávia Lie , Lopes Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira , Okuno Meiry Fernanda Pinto , Camapanharo Cássia Regina Vancini , Batista Ruth Ester Assayag
Published: November 2013

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a capacidade funcional do idoso com a gravidade do trauma e compará-la nos momentos antes e após a ocorrência do trauma. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo e observacional realizado no Serviço de Emergência. Foram incluídos 55 idosos com idade a partir de 60 anos, ambos os sexos, vítimas de trauma. Foram avaliados a incapacidade de pacientes com restrições funcionais de origem variada. Os instrumentos de pesquisa aplicados em três momentos foram: a Medida de Independência Funcional e o Injury Severity Score para avaliar a gravidade do trauma. RESULTADOS: A capacidade funcional em até 48 horas foi significativamente maior que a capacidade funcional na alta e após um mês. Quanto menor a gravidade do trauma maior a capacidade funcional do idoso. CONCLUSÃO: Os idosos apresentaram piora da capacidade funcional durante o período de internação e após um mês de na alta hospitalar.
Caracterização física, química e bioquímica do mesocarpo interno de frutos do pequizeiro colhidos em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento
Authors: Boas Brígida Monteiro Vilas , Alves Alessandra de Paiva , Alves Juliana Alvarenga , Rodrigues Luiz José , Alves Tatielle Custódio , Boas Eduardo Valério de Barros Vilas
Published: November 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização física, química e bioquímica do pequi, produzido no sul de Minas Gerais, ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. Frutos coletados na 8ª, 9ª, 10ª, 12ª e 13ª semanas após a antese foram selecionados quanto ao tamanho, cor da casca, ausência de injúrias e avaliados quanto à firmeza da polpa, teores de beta-caroteno, de açúcares solúveis totais e de pectinas total e solúvel, assim como quanto à atividade das enzimas pectinametilesterase (PME), poligalacturonase (PG), peroxidase (POD) e polifenoloxidase (PPO). Verificou-se que, com o avanço dos dias, após a antese nos frutos do pequizeiro, ocorre a síntese do beta-caroteno e de açúcares solúveis totais, redução da firmeza, solubilização das pectinas, ausência de PME, diminuição na atividade da PG e aumento nas atividades da POD e da PPO na polpa.
Sinterização por micro-ondas de ferrita de níquel sintetizada pelo método Pechini
Authors: Hoyos J. R. Muñoz , Zabotto F. L. , Garcia D. , Kiminami R. H. G. A.
Published: November 2013

A sinterização por micro-ondas é uma técnica que oferece enorme potencial para a fabricação de diversos materiais cerâmicos com microestruturas cerâmicas diferenciadas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo sinterizar cerâmicas de ferrita de níquel (NiFe2O4) em forno de micro-ondas, visando controle de crescimento de grão e alta densificação. Para realizar esta investigação, foi utilizado o processo de síntese por Pechini para a preparação do pó das ferritas de níquel. Amostras desse material foram sinterizadas em forno convencional e de micro-ondas. A caracterização foi feita por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, determinação de densidade aparente e obtenção das curvas de histerese magnética. A sinterização da ferrita de níquel por micro-ondas levou apenas 10% do tempo gasto da sinterização convencional. As amostras apresentaram menor tamanho de grão, e densidade e magnetização de saturação semelhantes às obtidas pela sinterização convencional, mostrando o alto potencial de aplicação da técnica de micro-ondas para o processamento desses materiais.
A satisfação com a vida e a funcionalidade em idosos atendidos em um ambulatório de geriatria
Authors: Sposito Giovana , D'Elboux Maria José , Neri Anita Liberalesso , Guariento Maria Elena
Published: November 2013

O envelhecimento pode vir acompanhado de limitações funcionais que influenciam a autoestima, rebaixando o nível de satisfação com a vida. Estudos destacam a satisfação com a vida como preditor na qualidade de vida e tem forte relação com a queda da funcionalidade. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre a satisfação com a vida e a independência funcional e o desempenho de membros inferiores (força muscular, velocidade de marcha e equilíbrio) de idosos em seguimento ambulatorial, em relação a grupos etários e de gêneros. Foram avaliados 125 idosos de ambos os sexos com idade mínima de 60 anos, atendidos em um ambulatório de geriatria. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: 1) Medida da Independência Funcional (MIF) para avaliar a dependência funcional; 2) Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) para medir o desempenho físico; 3) Satisfação com a vida. A amostra utilizada foi de conveniência, com predomínio do sexo feminino, os idosos mais velhos apresentaram maior comprometimento funcional. Na análise de regressão logística univariada e multivariada, a satisfação global com a vida autorrelatada e comparada foi mais satisfatória entre os idosos mais velhos. Os resultados sugerem que indivíduos mais velhos apresentam melhor satisfação com a vida mesmo com maior comprometimento funcional.
Generation of 10-day flow of the Brahmaputra River using a time series model
Authors: Mondal M. Shahjahan , Chowdhury Jahir Uddin
Published: November 2013

Time series models are used in hydrology for the generation of river flow data. The development of such a model, namely deseasonalized Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA), for the generation of 10-day flows of the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh is described. The model was fitted following systematic stages of identification, estimation and diagnostic checking of model building. A negative power transformation for the Brahmaputra flow was found to be necessary for model construction. The seasonality of the flow was removed by Fourier analysis using five harmonics for 10-day means and 13 harmonics for standard deviations. The fitted model was ARMA (1, 3) having one autoregressive parameter and three moving average parameters. The validation forecasts made with the model indicated that the deseasonalized ARMA model could capture the 10-day variability of the Brahmaputra flow reasonably well. To further validate and verify the model 200 synthetic flow sequences, each with a length of 50 years, were generated. The fitted ARMA model was found to be capable of preserving both short-term statistics (variance and autocorrelation) and long-term statistics (Hurst coefficient and rescaled adjusted range) of the historic Brahmaputra flow.
Racial Comparisons of Diabetes Care and Intermediate Outcomes in a Patient-Centered Medical Home
Authors: Simonetti Joseph A. , Fine Michael J. , Chen Yi-Fan , Simak Deborah , Hess Rachel
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE

To assess racial differences in diabetes processes and intermediate outcomes of care in an internal medicine, patient-centered medical home (PCMH) group practice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,457 adults with diabetes receiving care from 89 medical providers within a PCMH-designated academic practice between 1 July 2009 and 31 July 2010. We used mixed models to assess independent associations between patient race (non-Hispanic white or black) and 1) receipt of processes of care (A1C and LDL testing, foot and retinal examination, and influenza and pneumococcal vaccination) and 2) achievement of intermediate outcomes (LDL <100 mg/dL, blood pressure [BP] <140/90 mmHg, A1C <7.0% [<53 mmol/mol], and A1C >9.0% [>75 mmol/mol]), controlling for sociodemographic factors, health status, treatment intensity, and clinical continuity.

RESULTS

Compared with non-Hispanic white patients, black patients were younger, were more often single, had lower educational attainment, and were less likely to have commercial insurance. In unadjusted analyses, fewer black patients received a retinal examination and influenza vaccination during the study period or any lifetime pneumococcal vaccination (P < 0.05 [all comparisons]). Fewer black patients achieved an LDL <100 mg/dL, BP <140/90 mmHg, or A1C <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol), while more black patients had an A1C >9.0% (>75 mmol/mol) (P < 0.05 [all comparisons]). In multivariable models, black patients were less likely to receive A1C testing (odds ratio [OR] 0.57 [95% CI 0.34–0.95]) or influenza vaccination (OR 0.75 [95% CI 0.57–0.99]) or to achieve an LDL <100 mg/dL (OR 0.74 [95% CI 0.55–0.99]) or BP <140/90 mmHg (OR 0.64 [95% CI 0.49–0.84]).

CONCLUSIONS

Racial differences in processes and intermediate outcomes of diabetes care were present within this PCMH-designated practice, controlling for differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment factors.