bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in temperature and precipitation extremes over the Greater Horn of Africa region from 1961 to 2010
Authors: Omondi Philip Aming'o , Awange Joseph L. , Forootan Ehsan , Ogallo Laban Ayieko , Barakiza Ruben , Girmaw Gezahegn Bogale , Fesseha Isaac , Kululetera Venerabilis , Kilembe Caroline , Mbati Mathieu Mugunga , Kilavi Mary , King'uyu Stephen Mutua , Omeny Peter Adek , Njogu Andrew , Badr Eldin Mamoun , Musa Tibin Adam , Muchiri Peris , Bamanya Deus , Komutunga Everline
Published: June 2013

Recent special reports on climate extremes have shown evidences of changes in the patterns of climate extremes at global, regional and local scales. Understanding the characteristics of climate extremes at regional and local levels is critical not only for the development of preparedness and early warning systems, but is also fundamental in the development of any adaptation strategies. There is still very limited knowledge regarding the past, present and future patterns of climate extremes in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA). This study, which was supported by the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (WB‐GFDRR) and implemented by the World Meteorological Organization, was organized in terms of three workshops with three main objectives; (1) analysis of daily rainfall and temperature extremes for ten countries in the GHA region using observed in situ data running from 1971 to 2006, (2) assessing whether the United Kingdom Met‐office and Hadley centre Providing REgional Climates for Impact Studies (UK‐PRECIS) modelling system can provide realistic representation of the past and present climate extremes as observed by available in situ data, and (3) studying the future regional climate extremes under different scenarios to further assess the expected changes in climate extremes. This paper, therefore, uses the outputs of these workshops and also includes post‐workshop analyses to assess the changes of climate extremes within the GHA. The results showed a significant decrease in total precipitation in wet days greater than 1 mm and increasing warm extremes, particularly at night, while cold extremes are decreasing. Considering a combination of geophysical models and satellite gravimetry observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission in the frame of GRACE daily Kalman‐smoothing models, for the years 2002 to 2010, we explored a decline in total water storage variations over the GHA.
Use of selenium fertilizers for production of Se‐enriched Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus): Effect on Se concentration and plant productivity
Authors: Lavu Rama V. Srikanth , De Schepper Veerle , Steppe Kathy , Majeti Prasad N. V. , Tack Filip , Du Laing Gijs
Published: June 2013

Due to selenium (Se) deficiency, Se fortification of food and feed is applied in many countries. Therefore, potential use of Se‐enriched kenaf was investigated based on its Se accumulation, its potential to transform accumulated Se to other Se species, and effect of Se accumulation on its growth. Kenaf was grown with different levels of two Se fertilizers (selenite and selenate) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 4 mg Se (kg soil)–1. Total Se concentrations in the plants grown on selenate‐treated soil amounted to (1019 ± 136) mg Se (kg dry weight)–1 and were much higher compared to plants grown on selenite‐treated soil. Identified Se species were selenite, selenate, Se‐methionine, and Se‐cystine. Biomass yield, net photosynthesis, and chlorophyll index of the plants decreased when plants were grown on soils treated with high doses of selenate.
Concurrent increase in 15N and radiocarbon age in soil density fractions
Authors: Meyer Stefanie , Leifeld Jens
Published: June 2013

Differences in the isotopic signature of organic matter between soil fractions are indicative of transformation and ageing processes. Here we show that with increasing microbial transformation measured by δ15N, there is a concomitant increase in carbon age as measured by 14C. The age of the soil's heavy fraction further increases with microbial utilization, indicating that stabilized OM ages yet continues to be reused.
Role of the mannose receptor in phagocytosis of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC‐12 by antigen‐presenting cells
Authors: Tsuruta Takeshi , Inoue Ryo , Nagino Takayuki , Nishibayashi Ryoichiro , Makioka Yuko , Ushida Kazunari
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to clarify the phagocytic mechanisms of a heat‐killed cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC‐12 (EC‐12) by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled EC‐12 was cocultured with peritoneal macrophage and the amount of EC‐12 phagocytosed by peritoneal macrophages was measured using a microplate fluorometer. Peritoneal macrophages from toll‐like receptor (TLR)2‐, TLR7‐, and MyD88‐deficient knockout (KO) mice exhibited similar levels of EC‐12 phagocytosis to those from wild‐type mice. Similarly, dectin‐1 neutralization of peritoneal macrophages had no effect on EC‐12 phagocytosis. However, blockade of the mannose receptor (MR) significantly decreased the amount of EC‐12 phagocytosed by peritoneal macrophages; the same effect was observed in bone marrow‐derived macrophages and dendritic cells. Our findings suggest that MR plays a major role in EC‐12 phagocytosis by the APCs.
Pudendal nerve stimulation: A potential tool for neurogenic bowel dysfunction!
Authors: Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Leo Antonino , Bramanti Placido
Published: June 2013

Neurogenic bowel disease occurs after damage to the spinal cord, which affects the bowel's extrinsic innervation resulting in a lack of control of the colon with incontinence or constipation. To avoid more invasive procedures, sacral and pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) have been recently considered as emerging treatment for patients with intractable constipation. In particular, PNS effects are thought to be secondary to interactions between the somatic and autonomic pathways within both the spinal cord and higher centers. Thus, PNS may be considered a potential tool in the treatment of neurogenic bowel dysfunction, even after a complete spinal cord damage. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:358–359, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Virtual stewardship in the age of new media: have nonprofit organizations' moved beyond Web 1.0 strategies?
Authors: Waters Richard D. , Feneley Kristen LeBlanc
Published: June 2013

Stewardship has been identified as an important relationship cultivation strategy. The four dimensions of stewardship—reciprocity, responsibility, reporting, and relationship nurturing—consist of one‐way and two‐way messaging strategies that can be carried out in a variety of manners on the Internet using both Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 technologies. Through a content analysis of the Nonprofit Times 100 organizations, this study found that nonprofit organizations overwhelmingly prefer to use their website to cultivate relationships with their stakeholders with stewardship strategies. Despite the hype of social media technologies, including Facebook, there remain many significant questions and obstacles to seeing nonprofits truly embrace social media communication.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethnic differences in the effects of hepatic fat deposition on insulin resistance in nonobese middle school girls
Authors: Wolfgram Peter M. , Connor Ellen L. , Rehm Jennifer L. , Eickhoff Jens C. , Reeder Scott B. , Allen David B.
Published: June 2013

Objective

In nonobese youth, to investigate whether hepatic fat deposition and its metabolic consequences vary between ethnic groups.

Design and Methods

Thirty‐two nonobese girls (12 Hispanic White [H] and 20 non‐Hispanic White [NHW] girls), aged 11‐14 years old were recruited. Outcome measures were MRI measured hepatic proton density fat fraction (hepatic PDFF), BMI Z‐score, waist circumference, fasting insulin, glucose, adiponectin, sex hormone‐binding globulin [SHBG], ALT, AST, triglycerides, and HOMA‐IR.

Results

There were no significant differences in mean BMI Z‐scores (P = 0.546) or hepatic PDFF (P = 0.275) between H and NHW girls; however, H girls showed significant correlations between hepatic PDFF and markers of IR (fasting insulin, HOMA‐IR, adiponectin, SHBG, triglycerides; all P < 0.05), while NHW girls showed no significant correlations. Matched by hepatic PDFF or BMI Z‐score, H girls had more evidence of IR for a given hepatic PDFF (mean insulin, HOMA‐IR, and SHBG; all P < 0.05) or BMI Z‐score (mean insulin and HOMA‐IR; all P < 0.01) than NHW girls.

Conclusions

In nonobese female youth, ethnicity‐related differences in effects of hepatic fat on IR are evident, so that in H girls, a given amount of hepatic fat appears to result in a more predictable and greater degree of IR than in NHW girls.
Genetic and clinical markers of elevated liver fat content in overweight and obese hispanic children
Authors: Walker Ryan W. , Sinatra Frank , Hartiala Jaana , Weigensberg Marc , Spruijt‐Metz Donna , Alderete Tanya L. , Goran Michael I. , Allayee Hooman
Published: June 2013

Objective

Genetic variation in six genes has been associated with elevated liver fat and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adults. The influence of these genes on liver fat and whether a genetic risk score (GRS) would improve upon the ability of common clinical risk factors to predict elevated liver fat content (ELF) in Hispanic children was determined.

Design and Methods

223 obese Hispanic children were genotyped for six SNPs. MRI was used to measure liver fat. A GRS was tested for association with ELF using multivariate linear regression. Predictors were assessed via ROC curves and pair‐wise analysis was used to determine significance alone and combined with clinical markers.

Results

Only variants in PNPLA3 and APOC3 genes were associated with liver fat (P < 0.001, P = 0.01, respectively). Subjects with a GRS = 4 had ∼3‐fold higher liver fat content than subjects with GRS of 0 (15.1 ± 12.7 vs. 5.1 ± 3.7%, P = 0.03). While the addition of the GRS to a model containing BMI and liver enzymes increased ROC AUC from 0.83 to 0.85 [95% CI, 0.79‐0.89], (P = 0.01), it does not improve detection of ELF from a clinical perspective.

Conclusions

Only PNPLA3 and APOC3 were related to ELF and a GRS comprised of these susceptibility alleles did not add to the discriminatory power of traditional biomarkers for clinical assessment of liver fat.
Cross‐sectional associations of objectively measured physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry in European adults
Authors: Wientzek Angelika , Tormo Díaz María‐José , Castaño Jose Maria Huerta , Amiano Pilar , Arriola Larraitz , Overvad Kim , Østergaard Jane Nautrup , Charles Marie‐Aline , Fagherazzi Guy , Palli Domenico , Bendinelli Benedetta , Skeie Guri , Borch Kristin Benjaminsen , Wendel‐Vos Wanda , de Hollander Ellen , May Anne M. , den Ouden Marjolein EM , Trichopoulou Antonia , Valanou Elissavet , Söderberg Stefan , Franks Paul W. , Brage Soren , Vigl Matthäus , Boeing Heiner , Ekelund Ulf
Published: June 2013

Objective

To quantify the independent associations between objectively measured physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and anthropometry in European men and women.

Methods

2,056 volunteers from 12 centers across Europe were fitted with a heart rate and movement sensor at 2 visits 4 months apart for a total of 8 days. CRF (ml/kg/min) was estimated from an 8 minute ramped step test. A cross‐sectional analysis of the independent associations between objectively measured PA (m/s2/d), moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (%time/d), sedentary time (%time/d), CRF, and anthropometry using sex stratified multiple linear regression was performed.

Results

In mutually adjusted models, CRF, PA, and MVPA were inversely associated with all anthropometric markers in women. In men, CRF, PA, and MVPA were inversely associated with BMI, whereas only CRF was significantly associated with the other anthropometric markers. Sedentary time was positively associated with all anthropometric markers, however, after adjustment for CRF significant in women only.

Conclusion

CRF, PA, MVPA, and sedentary time are differently associated with anthropometric markers in men and women. CRF appears to attenuate associations between PA, MVPA, and sedentary time. These observations may have implications for prevention of obesity.
Validity of body adiposity index in predicting body fat in a sample of brazilian women
Authors: Cerqueira Matheus , Amorim Paulo , Magalhães Filipe , Castro Eliane , Franco Frederico , Franceschini Sylvia , Cerqueira Lizbeth , Marins João , Doimo Leonice
Published: June 2013

Objective

This study aimed to verify the validity of BAI in predicting %BF in a sample of Brazilian women

Design and Methods

A total of 102 women (average age 60.3 ± 9.8) were assessed. To determine percentage body fat (% BF), dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used as the “gold standard.” To evaluate the association between body adiposity index (BAI) and % BF assessed by DXA, we used Pearson's correlation coefficient. Paired sample t‐test was used to test differences in mean % BF between BAI and DXA. To evaluate the concordance between % BF measured by DXA and estimated by BAI, we used the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and the agreement analysis of Bland‐Altman.

Results

The correlation between % BF obtained by DXA and that estimated by BAI was r = 0.65, P < 0.001. Paired t‐test showed significant mean difference between methods (P < 0.0001). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was C_b = 0.73, which is classified as poor, while the Bland‐Altman plots showed BAI underestimating % BF in relation to the used criterion measure in a large portion of the sample.

Conclusions

Results of the present study show that BAI presented low agreement with % BF measured by DXA, which is not recommended for % BF prediction in this studied sample.
Achievement of public health recommendations for physical activity and prevention of gains in adiposity in adults
Authors: Grøntved Anders
Published: June 2013

Physical activity (PA) is considered a cornerstone in weight control and public health guidelines recommend regular participation to prevent gains in adiposity. It may therefore come as a surprise that the cumulative evidence from observational studies to support this is not strong. A weakness of many published observational studies on this topic has been a reliance on a single baseline assessment of PA. Using only the baseline information on PA in a prospective study cause misclassification because of participants often change activity level during follow‐up. In turn this causes regression dilution bias and decreases the precision of the estimate of an association between PA and adiposity. Furthermore, because gains in adiposity often are caused by a small average daily energy imbalance over many years, following individuals for longer periods of time is essential to characterize a relationship.
Association of ambient indoor temperature with body mass index in england
Authors: Daly Michael
Published: June 2013

Objective

Raised ambient temperatures may result in a negative energy balance characterized by decreased food intake and raised energy expenditure. This study tested whether indoor temperatures above the thermoneutral zone for clothed humans (∼23°C) were associated with a reduced body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Participants were 100,152 adults (≥16 years) drawn from 13 consecutive annual waves of the nationally representative Health Survey for England (1995‐2007).

Results

BMI levels of those residing in air temperatures above 23°C were lower than those living in an ambient temperature of under 19°C (b = −0.233, SE = 0.053, P < 0.001), in analyses that adjusted for participant age, gender, social class, health and the month/year of assessment. Robustness tests showed that high indoor temperatures were associated with reduced BMI levels in winter and non‐winter months and early (1995‐2000) and later (2001‐2007) survey waves. Including additional demographic, environmental, and health behavior variables did not diminish the link between high indoor temperatures and reduced BMI.

Conclusions

Elevated ambient indoor temperatures are associated with low BMI levels. Further research is needed to establish the potential causal nature of this relationship.
Physical activity and gestational weight gain in Hispanic women
Authors: Chasan‐Taber Lisa , Silveira Marushka , Lynch Kristine E. , Pekow Penelope , Solomon Caren G. , Markenson Glenn
Published: June 2013

Objective

Hispanic women have high rates of excessive and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. Observational studies suggest that physical activity may be associated with GWG but have been conflicting and were largely conducted in non‐Hispanic white populations.

Methods

The association between physical activity and compliance with GWG guidelines, total GWG, and rate of GWG among 1,276 Hispanic participants in Proyecto Buena Salud, a cohort study in Western Massachusetts was prospectively evaluated. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess pre, early, mid, and late pregnancy physical activity according to both intensity (i.e., sedentary, moderate, and vigorous) and type (i.e., housework/caregiving, occupational, and sports/exercise).

Results

A total of 26.9% of women gained within IOM guidelines, 21.2% had inadequate GWG, and 51.9% experienced excessive GWG. Overall, we did not observe statistically significant associations between type or intensity of physical activity during pre, early, mid, and late pregnancy and inadequate or excessive GWG, total GWG, or rate of GWG.

Conclusions

In this prospective cohort study of Hispanic women, after controlling for important risk factors, pregnancy physical activity did not appear to be associated with GWG.
Validity of diagnostic codes to identify cases of severe acute liver injury in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Mini‐Sentinel Distributed Database
Authors: Lo Re Vincent , Haynes Kevin , Goldberg David , Forde Kimberly A. , Carbonari Dena M. , Leidl Kimberly B. F. , Hennessy Sean , Reddy K. Rajender , Pawloski Pamala A. , Daniel Gregory W. , Cheetham T. Craig , Iyer Aarthi , Coughlin Kara O. , Toh Sengwee , Boudreau Denise M. , Selvam Nandini , Cooper William O. , Selvan Mano S. , VanWormer Jeffrey J. , Avigan Mark I. , Houstoun Monika , Zornberg Gwen L. , Racoosin Judith A. , Shoaibi Azadeh
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The validity of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes to identify diagnoses of severe acute liver injury (SALI) is not well known. We examined the positive predictive values (PPVs) of hospital ICD‐9‐CM diagnoses in identifying SALI among health plan members in the Mini‐Sentinel Distributed Database (MSDD) for patients without liver/biliary disease and for those with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methods

We selected random samples of members (149 without liver/biliary disease; 75 with CLD) with a principal hospital diagnosis suggestive of SALI (ICD‐9‐CM 570, 572.2, 572.4, 572.8, 573.3, 573.8, or V42.7) in the MSDD (2009–2010). Medical records were reviewed by hepatologists to confirm SALI events. PPVs of codes and code combinations for confirmed SALI were determined by CLD status.

Results

Among 105 members with available records and no liver/biliary disease, SALI was confirmed in 26 (PPV, 24.7%; 95%CI, 16.9−34.1%). Combined hospital diagnoses of acute hepatic necrosis (570) and liver disease sequelae (572.8) had high PPV (100%; 95%CI, 59.0–100%) and identified 7/26 (26.9%) events. Among 46 CLD members with available records, SALI was confirmed in 19 (PPV, 41.3%; 95%CI, 27.0–56.8%). Acute hepatic necrosis (570) or hepatorenal syndrome (572.4) plus any other SALI code had a PPV of 83.3% (95%CI, 51.6–97.9%) and identified 10/19 (52.6%) events.

Conclusions

Most individual hospital ICD‐9‐CM diagnoses had low PPV for confirmed SALI events. Select code combinations had high PPV but did not capture all events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of acetic p‐toluenesulfonic anhydride (acetyl p‐toluenesulfonate) and a comparison with acetyl halides
Authors: Kevill Dennis N. , Ryu Zoon Ha
Published: June 2013

The specific rates of solvolysis of acetyl p‐toluenesulfonate have been measured by a rapid‐response conductivity technique at temperatures in the temperature range of −10 to −55 °C. For 13 solvents at −39.6 °C, an extended Grunwald–Winstein equation correlation led to sensitivities to changes in solvent nucleophilicity of 0.56 and to changes in solvent ionizing power of 0.61. In 89.1% acetone at −20 °C, the comparison with acetyl bromide solvolysis led to a kOTs/kBr ratio of 1.4. In methanol and methanol‐d at −39.6 °C, the solvent deuterium isotope effect kMeOH/kMeOD is 0.99. These results are consistent with an SNl reaction with appreciable nucleophilic solvation or an SN2 reaction with a loose transition state. These two approaches lead to similar structures for the transition state. A solution of the acetyl p‐toluenesulfonate was conveniently prepared by the rapid reaction of acetyl chloride with silver p‐toluenesulfonate in acetonitrile. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A qualitative study of women's experiences of familial ovarian cancer screening
Authors: Lifford Kate J. , Clements Alison , Fraser Lindsay , Lancastle Deborah , Brain Kate ,   on behalf of the PsyFOCS Management Group
Published: June 2013

Objective

One risk management strategy that women at increased familial risk of ovarian cancer may use is screening. Until recently, this has been available as part of the UK Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UKFOCSS), using ultrasound scans of the ovaries and tumour marker blood tests. The present study aimed to gain an in‐depth understanding of women's experiences of participating in ovarian cancer screening.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 48 UKFOCSS participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and relevant sections analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Screening provided women with reassurance which they found beneficial. A sense of privilege, as well as feeling proactive in potentially detecting ovarian cancer at an early stage was described. The wider benefit to research and the potential impact this could have on others was also important to women. Negative experiences of screening included worry about the screening tests and results, false reassurance by test results and disappointment with ineffective screening. Aspects of the screening study, such as the logistics, organisation and communication, were described as both good and problematic. When weighed up by the women, most described an overall positive experience of screening.

Conclusions

Women reported both positive and negative experiences of screening. Overall, screening seemed to be an acceptable risk management strategy to most women who participated in this interview study. Improvements could be made particularly in helping women to understand the limitations of familial ovarian cancer screening in order to avoid false reassurance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fully automated, high‐precision instrumentation for the isotopic analysis of tropospheric N2O using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Potter Katherine E. , Ono Shuhei , Prinn Ronald G.
Published: June 2013

RATIONALE

Measurements of the isotopic composition of nitrous oxide in the troposphere have the potential to bring new information about the uncertain N2O budget, which mole fraction data alone have not been able to resolve. Characterizing the expected subtle variations in tropospheric N2O isotopic composition demands high‐precision and high‐frequency measurements. To enable useful observations of N2O isotopic composition in tropospheric air to reduce N2O source and sink uncertainty, it was necessary to develop a high‐precision measurement system with fully automated capabilities for autonomous deployment at remote research stations.

METHODS

A fully automated pre‐concentration system for high‐precision measurements of N2O isotopic composition (δ15Nβ,δ15Nα,δ18O) in tropospheric air has been developed which combines a custom liquid‐cryogen‐free cryo‐trapping system and gas chromatograph interfaced to a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) system. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was coupled in parallel to the IRMS system during development to evaluate peak interference. Multi‐port inlet and fully‐automated capabilities allow streamlined analyses betweenin situair inlet, air standards, flask air sample, or other gas source in exactly replicated analysis sequences.

RESULTS

The system has the highest precision to date for15N site‐specific composition results (δ15Nα±0.11‰,δ15Nβ±0.14‰ (1σ)), attributed mostly to uniformity of analytical cycles and particular attention to fluorocarbon interference noted for15N site‐specific measurements by IRMS. Air measurements demonstrated the fully automated capacity and performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The system makes substantial headway in measurement precision, possibly defining the limits of IRMS measurement capabilities in low concentration N2O air samples, with fully automated capabilities to enable high‐frequencyin situmeasurements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation in AB/BA crossover trials with application to bioequivalence studies with incomplete and complete data designs
Authors: Jaki Thomas , Pallmann Philip , Wolfsegger Martin J.
Published: June 2013

Crossover studies are frequently used in clinical research as they allow within‐subject comparisons instead of the between‐subject evaluation of parallel group designs. Estimation of interesting parameters from such designs is, however, not trivial. We provide three methods for estimating treatment effects and associated standard errors from an AB/BA crossover trial. Assuming at least asymptotic normality, we can obtain the confidence intervals for single parameters as well as for differences or ratios of treatment effects. The latter is particularly useful in a pharmacokinetic context to establish bioequivalence using area under the concentration versus time curves (AUCs). In this work, we will illustrate how Fieller‐type confidence intervals can be constructed for the ratio of AUCs estimated using a noncompartmental approach in a sparse sampling setting from a two‐treatment, two‐period, two‐sequence crossover trial. In particular, we will discuss a flexible batch design, which includes traditional serial sampling and complete data designs as special cases. Via simulation, we show that the proposed intervals have nominal coverage and keep the type I error even for small sample sizes. Moreover, we illustrate the methodology in a real data example. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The practical side of international trade
Authors: McVey Thomas B.
Published: June 2013

We've all heard stories about U.S. exporters who shipped goods, then were not paid—or importers who bought goods from abroad, then found them not up to quality or received them too late. These problems are often due to too much concentration on the glamorous side of international trade and too little attention to the practical.
Early Oral Feeding Versus Traditional Postoperative Care After Abdominal Emergency Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Klappenbach Roberto F. , Yazyi Federico J. , Alonso Quintas Facundo , Horna Matías E. , Alvarez Rodríguez Juan , Oría Alejandro
Published: June 2013

Background

Early oral feeding (EOF) has been demonstrated to be safe and beneficial after abdominal elective surgery. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the safety and benefits of EOF compared to traditional postoperative care (TPC) after abdominal emergency surgery.

Methods

Patients assigned to the EOF group commenced a soft diet within 24 h after surgery. In the TPC group, a liquid diet was commenced upon passage of flatus or stool and then advanced to soft food. The primary endpoint was the complication rate. Secondary endpoints were severity of complications, mortality, gastrointestinal leaks, surgical‐site infection, reoperation, diet intolerance, time to first flatus and stool, amount of food intake, postoperative discomfort, hospital stay, weight loss at the 15th postoperative day and incisional hernias.

Results

A total of 295 patients assigned to EOF (n = 148) or TPC (n = 147) were analyzed. No significant differences were seen in the complications rates (EOF 45.3 % vs. TPC 37.4 %; p = 0.1). There was a significantly higher rate of vomiting with EOF (EOF 13.5 % vs. TPC 6.1 %; p = 0.03), with no differences in nasogastric tube reinsertion. EOF patients’ food intake was proportionally lower for the first three meals than that of TPC patients (p < 0.01). Postoperative discomfort survey revealed more hunger in the TPC group (p < 0.01). There were no differences in postoperative ileus or length of hospital stay.

Conclusions

EOF was safe after abdominal emergency surgery. EOF was associated with more vomiting (treated easily and without patient discomfort) and less hunger than with TPC. No other EOF‐related benefits could be demonstrated during this trial.
Stability Analysis of an Open Cut Slope in Wardha Valley Coal Field
Authors: Verma Dhananjai , Kainthola Ashutosh , Thareja Rahul , Singh T. N.
Published: June 2013

Open cast mines are the prime source of coal production in India. Due to an increase in coal demand, deeper surface mines are being planned to ensure better productivity with enhanced safety of these mines. The safe working environment and continuous production of the coal calls for the safe and stable design of cut slopes. The stability analysis of this slope requires in depth geotechnical investigation which are aided by result orientated stability assessment using empirical methods and numerical simulation. In the present study, a slope was examined to understand the mechanism and comparisons were made with field observations. The investigation has involved a 32m high cut slope from an open cast mine in Wardha valley coal field which has been analyzed using a two dimensional numerical simulation. The bench slope consisted of a low strength sandstones, shales and clay sequence. Hoek-Brown strength parameters established and used as input parameters in the model. The results indicate that the slope is critically stable and may lead to failure without warning and needs proper attention.
Engineering Geological Evaluation of the Spillway of Dam (II-B) of Bunakha Hydroelectric Project, Chukha Dzong, Bhutan
Authors: Naithani A.K. , Nawani P.C. , Singh L.G. , Singh Devendra
Published: June 2013

The 200m long and 106.2m wide spillway of Bunakha Hydroelectric Project is proposed at the centre of the dam to pass the flood discharge. The spillway area was investigated through detailed engineering geological mapping, geophysical survey, exploratory drilling and laboratory testing. The rock mass properties, i.e. joint sets, weathering grade, RQD, RMR, permeability, P-wave velocity etc. of the rock masses to be encountered during the excavation of spillway have been analyzed in detail. Core samples from the exploratory drill hole drilled at the spillway alignment were tested for physico-mechanical properties of rocks in the laboratory. The mapping details indicated that the major rock types which are exposed to the surface and cover the entire spillway area are foliated gneisses with bands of banded gneisses. On the basis of detailed investigations and laboratory testing, inferences and recommendations have been made which will be helpful during the construction of the project.
Beyond amyloid: Getting real about nonamyloid targets in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Herrup Karl , Carrillo Maria C. , Schenk Dale , Cacace Angela , DeSanti Susan , Fremeau Robert , Bhat Ratan , Glicksman Marcie , May Patrick , Swerdlow Russell , Van Eldik Linda J. , Bain Lisa J. , Budd Samantha
Published: June 2013

For decades, researchers have focused primarily on a pathway initiated by amyloid beta aggregation, amyloid deposition, and accumulation in the brain as the key mechanism underlying the disease and the most important treatment target. However, evidence increasingly suggests that amyloid is deposited early during the course of disease, even prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Thus, targeting amyloid in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), as past failed clinical trials have done, may be insufficient to halt further disease progression. Scientists are investigating other molecular and cellular pathways and processes that contribute to AD pathogenesis. Thus, the Alzheimer's Association's Research Roundtable convened a meeting in April 2012 to move beyond amyloid and explore AD as a complex multifactorial disease, with the goal of using a more inclusive perspective to identify novel treatment strategies.
Specific chemical and mineral composition of ferromanganese nodules from the Chukchi Sea
Authors: Kolesnik O.N. , Kolesnik A.N.
Published: June 2013

The specific chemical and mineral composition of discoid, cake-shaped, and platy ferromanganese nodules (FMNs) from the Chukchi Sea are considered. The main ore components of these FMNs are Fe, Mn, and P. The contents of trace elements (except for Ba and Sr) do not exceed hundredths of percent. Maximum concentrations of most of these elements are specific for the cake-shaped nodules. In general, Mn accumulates most intensely in FMNs. Next (in order of decrease) are Ag(?), Co, and Pb; Sr, Fe, P, Y, and Ca; and Ni, La, Zn, and Cu. As for Ba, Cr, Mg, and K, they do not accumulate in the FMNs. “Dilution” is typical of Si, Al, Na, and Ti. The main ore phases are strengite and amorphous Mn hydroxides. It has been revealed for the first time for the Chukchi Sea that Cu, Zn, Sn, Ni, Pb, W, Bi, Cr, Fe, Ti, Ag, Au, Y, Zr, and La–Nd lanthanides form individual mineral microphases in FMNs: native elements, intermetallic compounds, oxides, and, much more seldom, tungstates, silicates, and phosphates. Accessory ore mineralization is the best pronounced and most diverse in the platy nodules. Though the FMNs from the Chukchi Sea are diagenetic, high-temperature fluids are, most likely, the source of microinclusions of various accessory ore minerals.
Le mahr devant les tribunaux civils canadiens
Authors: Hardy-Dussault Marianne , Helly Denise
Published: June 2013

Les minorités issues de l’immigration s’adaptent à nombre de pratiques et de valeurs de leur société d’accueil. Cette adaptation est à double sens. L’État et les tribunaux peuvent être appelés à tenir compte de l’impact que peuvent avoir certaines pratiques qui ont un fondement religieux ou culturel. Ainsi, comme nous l’a enseigné l’arrêt Bruker c. Marcovitz, une obligation de nature religieuse peut être qualifiée de civile lorsque celle-ci est intégrée dans un contrat conclu au Canada. Il en est de même lorsque qu’elle a été contractée par des parties qui, à l’époque, résidaient à l’étranger. Quoiqu’elle puisse alors être considérée justiciable, il n’est pas toujours aisé pour les tribunaux canadiens de respecter la spécificité de la norme concernée. Les juges doivent en effet comprendre la portée de normes, le fonctionnement de certaines institutions ou l’importance de pratiques avec lesquelles ils ne sont pas a priori familiers. En ce qui concerne le mahr ou la dot, l’étude de la jurisprudence montre que la spécificité de cette pratique est parfois ignorée et que, lorsqu’elle est reconnue, l’exécution de l’obligation qu’elle suppose ne peut toujours être assurée.
Depth and minimal slope for surface flows of cohesive granular materials on inclined channels
Authors: de Ryck Alain , Louisnard Olivier
Published: June 2013

We present analytical predictions of the depth and onset slope of the steady surface flow of a cohesive granular material in an inclined channel. The rheology of Jop, Forterre & Pouliquen (Nature, vol. 441, 2006, pp. 727–730) is used, assuming co-axiality between the stress and strain-rate tensors, and a coefficient of friction dependent on the strain rate through the dimensionless inertial number $I$. This rheological law is augmented by a constant stress representing cohesion. Our analysis does not rely on a precise $\mu (I)$ functional, but only on its asymptotic power law in the limit of vanishing strain rates. Assuming a unidirectional flow, the Navier–Stokes equations can be solved explicitly to yield parametric equations of the iso-velocity lines in the plane perpendicular to the flow. Two types of channel walls are considered: rough and smooth, depicting walls whose friction coefficient is respectively larger or smaller than that of the flowing material. The steady flow starts above a critical onset angle and consists of a sheared zone confined between a surface plug flow and a deep dead zone. The details of the flow are discussed, depending on dimensionless parameters relating the static friction coefficient, cohesion strength of the material, incline angle, wall friction, and channel width. The depths of the flow at the centre of the channel and at the walls are calculated by a force balance on the flowing material. The critical angle for the onset of the flow is also calculated, and is found to be strongly dependent on the channel width, in agreement with experimental results on heap stability and in rotating drums. Our results predict the important conclusion that a cohesive material always starts to flow for an incline angle lower than 90° between smooth walls, whereas in a narrow enough channel with rough walls, it may not flow, even if the channel is inclined vertically.
Effects of matrix viscoelasticity on the lateral migration of a deformable drop in a wall-bounded shear
Authors: Mukherjee Swarnajay , Sarkar Kausik
Published: June 2013

The dynamics of a drop deforming, orienting and moving in a shear flow of a viscoelastic liquid near a wall is numerically investigated using a front-tracking finite-difference method and a semi-analytic theory. The viscoelasticity is modelled using the modified FENE-CR constitutive equation. In a Newtonian system, deformation in a drop breaks the reversal symmetry of the system resulting in a migration away from the wall. This study shows that the matrix elasticity reduces the migration velocity, the reduction scaling approximately linearly with viscoelasticity (product of the Deborah numberDeand the ratio of polymer viscosity to total viscosity$\beta $). Similar to a Newtonian system, for small Deborah numbers, the dynamics quickly reaches a quasi-steady state where deformation, inclination, as well as migration and slip velocities become independent of the initial drop–wall separation. They all approximately scale inversely with the square of the instantaneous separation except for deformation which scales inversely with the cube of separation. The deformation shows a non-monotonic variation with increasing viscoelasticity similar to the case of a drop in an unbounded shear and is found to influence little the change in migration. Two competing effects due to matrix viscoelasticity on drop migration are identified. The first stems from the reduced inclination angle of the drop with increasing viscoelasticity that tries to enhance migration velocity. However, it is overcome by the second effect inhibiting migration that results from the normal stress differences from the curved streamlines around the drop; they are more curved on the side away from the wall compared with those in the gap between the wall and the drop, an effect that is also present for a rigid particle. A perturbative theory of migration is developed for small ratio of the drop size to its separation from the wall that clearly shows the migration to be caused by the image stresslet field due to the drop in presence of the wall. The theory delineates the two competing viscoelastic effects, their relative magnitudes, and predicts migration that matches well with the simulation. Using the simulation results and the stresslet theory, we develop an algebraic expression for the quasi-steady migration velocity as a function ofCa,Deand$\beta $. The transient dynamics of the migrating drop is seen to be governed by the finite time needed for development of the viscoelastic stresses. For larger capillary numbers, in both Newtonian and viscoelastic matrices, a viscous drop fails to reach a quasi-steady state independent of initial drop–wall separation. Matrix viscoelasticity tends to prevent drop breakup. Drops that break up in a Newtonian matrix are stabilized in a viscoelastic matrix if it is initially far away from the wall. Initial proximity to the wall enhances deformation and aids in drop breakup.
Washing Away the Sins of Debt: The Nineteenth-Century Eradication of the Debtors' Prison
Authors: Peebles Gustav
Published: June 2013

This article seeks to come to terms with the extraordinarily swift demise of the debtors' prison in multiple countries during the nineteenth century. While focusing primarily on the reform debate in England, I argue that the debtors' prison quickly came to be seen as a barbaric aberration within the expanding commercial life of the nineteenth century. By turning to a copious pamphletic literature from the era of its demise, I show how pamphleteers and eye-witnesses described the debtors' prison in the idiom of ritual; it was seen as a dangerous sanctuary that radically inverted all capitalistic economic practices and moral values of the world outside its walls. Reformers claimed that, inside these shrines of debt, citizens were ritually guided and transformed from active members of society into “knaves” or “idlers,” or both. As such, the debtors' prison needed to be eradicated. To do so, reformers mobilized at least three critical discourses, all of which sought to mark the debtors' prison as a zone of barbarism that threatened the civility of the state and its citizenry. By focusing on the debtors' prison as a powerful and transformative ritual zone, the article provides a counterintuitive history of this institution that was so crucial to the regulation of credit and debt relations for centuries. In so doing, the article contributes to a broader literature on the spatiality of debt.
Going in and Getting out of the Colonial Asylum: Families and Psychiatric Care in French Indochina
Authors: Edington Claire
Published: June 2013

This paper explores the movements of asylum patients in and out of psychiatric care in French Indochina as the product of everyday interactions between psychiatrists, colonial authorities, and the public, especially patients' families. Throughout the interwar years, families and communities actively participated in psychiatric decision-making in ways that disrupt our notions of the colonial asylum as a closed setting that patients rarely left, run by experts who enjoyed broad, unquestioned authority. Vietnamese families, by debating individuals' suitability for social life, engaged with professional psychiatrists to find common ground for thinking about and discussing mental illness. At the same time, they pursued their own strategies in ways that significantly limited the power of experts. Debates revolved around the mental health of patients, but also around the capacity of families to assume their care upon release, and whether the asylum itself was the most appropriate site for treatment and rehabilitation. By considering how lay people and experts came together to negotiate the confinement and release of asylum patients, this paper offers a novel perspective on the development of psychiatric knowledge and power in colonial settings. I argue that by situating the history of psychiatry within the local dynamics of colonial rule as opposed to expert discourse, the asylum emerges here less as a blunt instrument for the social control and medicalization of colonial society than as a valuable historical site for reframing narratives of colonial repression and resistance.
La théorie représentationnelle de la conscience phénoménale et le problème des apparences visuelles
Authors: BERNIER PAUL
Published: June 2013

Selon la théorie représentationnelle de la conscience phénoménale (TRCP), le caractère phénoménal d’une expérience consciente serait épuisé par son contenu représentationnel. Certaines remarques de Christopher Peacocke soulèvent un problème majeur pour la TRCP. Dans son livreConsciousness, où il défend une version de la TRCP, Christopher Hill propose une solution à ce problème, selon laquelle lesqualiavisuels seraient des «apparences visuelles» conçues comme des propriétés relationnelles d’objets externes. Je soulève deux problèmes auxquels la solution de Hill doit faire face. Pour surmonter ces problèmes, je suggère une interprétation différente de l’idée selon laquelle lesqualiavisuels sont des apparences visuelles.
Xe K-shell X-ray generation using conical nozzle and 25 TW laser
Authors: Hayashi Y. , Pirozhkov A.S. , Kando M. , Ogura K. , Kotaki H. , Kiriyama H. , Okada H. , Gotoh H. , Nishikawa T.
Published: June 2013

To increase X-ray photon number generated by laser-cluster interaction, it is important to understand the dependence of X-ray generation on cluster size. We carried out Xe K-shell X-ray generation using a conical nozzle with Xe clusters, the radius of which was controllable by adjusting the backing pressure. The experiment clarifies the result that the Xe K-shell X-ray photon number increases with increasing cluster radius from 8 to 12 nm, and saturates at the radius between 12 and 17 nm. We also investigated the Xe K-shell X-ray photon number dependence on laser intensity, and found that the threshold laser intensity of the Xe K-shell X-ray generation exists between 2 × 1017 and 5 × 1018 W/cm2.
Historique de la Presse Périodique de l'émigration Socialiste Russe 1917–1937 II
Authors: Postnikoff S.
Published: June 2013

Dès 1918, le Parti Socialiste Révolutionnaire avait délégué à l'étranger deux membres de son Comité Central: N. S. Roussanoff et V. V. Soukhomline qui devaient prendre part aux travaux de reconstitution de l'Internationale Socialiste et mettre les socialistes européens au courant des événements de Russie. La conformité des opinions politiques de ces représentants du Parti Socialiste Révolutionnaire et du représentant du Parti Social-Démocrate Russe, P. Axelrod leur fit entreprendre en 1918, l'édition en commun de deux organes d'information: Stimmen aus Russland en allemand et Échos de la Russie en français. En 1920, le Parti envoyage à l'étranger V. M. Tchernoff qui avait séjourné illégalement en Russie depuis le début de 1918. Tchernoff fut chargé de faire paraître à l'étranger un organe officiel du Parti en langue russe. Cet organe commença à paraître en décembre 1920 à Réval, sous le titre de La Russie Révolutionnaire. En 1921, le Comité Central du Parti dépêcha à l'étranger, pour aider Tchernoff, S. P. Postnikoff qui, comme Tchernoff, passa la frontière clandestinement. En octobre 1921, le Comité Central prit la décision de transformer La Russie Révolutionnaire en organe central du Parti et nomma trois rédacteurs: S. P. Postnikoff, V. V. Soukhomline, V. M. Tchernoff. La Russie Révolutionnaire parut sous cette direction jusqu'à 1927 (no. 56). A cette date, à la suite d'un conflit dans la rédaction, Postnikoff et Soukhomline se démirent de leurs fonctions et fondèrent avec deux autres membres de la Délégation Etrangère du Parti S. R., M. S. Slonime et E. A. Stalinsky un nouveau journal Le Socialiste Révolutionnaire, tout en déniant à La Bussie Révolutionnaire le droit de porter le titre d'Organe Central du Parti S.R.
External validation and updating of a prediction model for nosocomial pneumonia after coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: SANAGOU M. , WOLFE R. , LEDER K. , REID C. M.
Published: June 2013

The generalizability of a prediction model from North America for incident nosocomial pneumonia following coronary artery bypass graft surgery was assessed for 23247 patients on the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) registry. The performance of the North American model was evaluated using measures of calibration and discrimination. The model had reasonable discrimination (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, AUC = 0·69), but unsatisfactory calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, P < 0·001) in the ANZSCTS patients. An update of the model coefficients yielded a model with AUC = 0·71 and good calibration (P = 0·46).