bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of low‐latitude daytime large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances observed by high‐frequency multistatic backscatter sounding system during a geomagnetically quiet period
Authors: Zhou Chen , Zhao Zhengyu , Yang Guobin , Chen Gang , Hu Yaogai , Zhang Yuannong
Published: April 2012

Observations from the high‐frequency multistatic backscatter sounding radars on a geomagnetically quiet day (minimum Dst = −14 nT) captured the anti‐equatorward propagation of daytime large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (LSTID) at the low‐latitude regions. The observed LSTID was characterized approximately by a meridional propagation speed of 347 ± 78 m/s and azimuthal angle of −4.7 ± 27.6° (counterclockwise from north), with a period of 76 min and a wavelength of 1583 ± 354 km by means of maximum entropy cross‐spectral analysis. Vertical phase velocity was also evaluated to be <∼42 m/s through the Doppler measurements. These results provide evidence that the low‐latitude ionosphere can undergo large‐scale perturbations even under geomagnetically quiet conditions. We suggest that this observed LSTID could be due to the secondary gravity waves from thermospheric body forces created from the dissipation of primary gravity waves from deep tropospheric convection.
The investigation of the diffusion length of cathode materials in organic light emitting devices through impedance characteristics
Authors: Wu I-Wen , Chuang Chia-Lin , Wang Po-Sheng , Tseng Wei-Hsuan , Wu Chih-I
Published: April 2012

A non-destructive method to measure the diffusion length of the cathode materials into the organic layers in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is demonstrated. The measurement is based on a correlation between the transition voltage in the impedance-voltage (Z-V) characteristics, the density of the accumulation charges, and the thickness of the electron transport layers (ETLs). The transition voltages in Z-V characteristics deviate from the theoretical values owing to the decrease of the effective ETL thickness caused by the diffusion of the cathode materials, which can be used to measure the diffusion length of metal ions into organic layers in OLEDs.
Apparent Raman spectral shifts from nano-structured surfaces
Authors: Tishkova V. , Bacsa W. S.
Published: April 2012

We observe Raman spectral shifts when scanning the focal spot over trenches in gallium arsenide. The Raman spectral shifts induced by topography are only present when the trenches are parallel to the spectrometer grating grooves. The topography induced spectral shifts are explained by spatial modification of the emitted beam due to surface topography leading to a non uniform illumination of the focal spot. The non uniform illumination of the focal spot influences the grating angle leading to the observed spectral shift. Apparent Raman spectral shifts of nano-structured surfaces can be reduced when under focusing at the expense of recording lower signals or using objectives with a low numerical aperture. This shows that topography induced spectral shifts need to be taken into account when recording optical spectra from nano-structured surfaces.
Large two dimensional Coulomb crystals in a radio frequency surface ion trap
Authors: Szymanski B. , Dubessy R. , Dubost B. , Guibal S. , Likforman J.-P. , Guidoni L.
Published: April 2012

We designed and operated a surface ion trap with an ion-substrate distance of 500 μm, realized with standard printed-circuit-board techniques. The trap has been loaded with up to a few thousand Sr+ ions in the Coulomb-crystal regime. An analytical model of the pseudo-potential allowed us to determine the parameters that drive the trap into anisotropic regimes in which we obtain large (N>150) purely two dimensional (2D) ion Coulomb crystals. These crystals may open a simple and reliable way to experiments on quantum simulations of large 2D systems.
Existence of Hamiltonians for some singular interactions on manifolds
Authors: Doǧan Çağlar , Erman Fatih , Turgut O. Teoman
Published: April 2012

The existence of the Hamiltonians of the renormalized point interactions in two and three dimensional Riemannian manifolds and that of a relativistic extension of this model in two dimensions are proven. Although it is much more difficult, the proof of existence of the Hamiltonian for the renormalized resolvent for the non-relativistic Lee model can still be given. To accomplish these results directly from the resolvent formula, we employ some basic tools from the semigroup theory.
Strong ferromagnetism in Pt-coated ZnCoO: The role of interstitial hydrogen
Authors: Moon Shin Jong , Sik Lee Ho , Young Cha Su , Lee Seunghun , Young Kim Ji , Park Noejung , Chan Cho Yong , Jae Kim Su , Kim Sung-Kyu , Bae Jong-Seong , Park Sungkyun , Ryong Cho Chae , Koinuma Hideomi , Jeong Se-Young
Published: April 2012

We observed strong ferromagnetism in ZnCoO as a result of high concentration hydrogen absorption. Coating ZnCoO with Pt layer, and ensuing hydrogen treatment with a high isostatic pressure resulted in a highly increased carrier concentration of 1021/cm3. This hydrogen treatment induced a strong ferromagnetism at low temperature that turned to superparamagnetism at about 140 K. We performed density functional method computations and found that the interstitial H dopants promote the ferromagnetic ordering between scattered Co dopants. On the other hand, interstitial hydrogen can decrease the magnetic exchange energy of Co-H-Co complexes, leading to a reduction in the blocking temperature.
Nonequilibrium charge carriers and linear galvanomagnetic phenomena in semiconductors
Authors: Molina-Valdovinos S. , Gurevich Yu. G.
Published: April 2012

In linear approximations using small electric Ex and magnetic Hy fields, nonequilibrium carriers appear in bounded semiconductors orthogonal to the electric field. An expression for the longitudinal magnetoresistance in a finite bipolar semiconductor is obtained by taking into account the redistribution of the nonequilibrium carriers along the z axis (thickness 2b), the generation and recombination processes assisted by traps (Shockley-Read model), and the different surface recombination velocities. For the first time, it is shown that the redistribution of nonequilibrium carriers generates a change in the conductivity from the classical value. In this case, two new terms appear, which depend on the thickness b. The first contribution to the magnetoresistance exhibits a linear dependence on the magnetic field, where the conductivity of the semiconductor increases or decreases depending on the magnetic field orientation. The second contribution shows a quadratic dependence on the magnetic field. The changes in current density in the cases of strong and weak recombination, and in the cases of intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, are also studied.
Surface flashover breakdown mechanisms on liquid immersed dielectrics
Authors: Jadidian Jouya , Zahn Markus , Lavesson Nils , Widlund Ola , Borg Karl
Published: April 2012

Flashover formation and expansion mechanisms on the surfaces of different dielectrics immersed in transformer oil have been numerically analyzed. Streamers emanating from a needle electrode tend to transform to surface flashovers if the immersed dielectric permittivity is higher than the liquid permittivity and/or the dielectric interfacial surface cuts the path of the streamer. Perpendicular interface of the immersed dielectric impedes the breakdown by deflecting the streamer and slowing down the surface flashover. The parallel dielectric interface, however, assists the breakdown by regulating the surface flashover velocity to an approximately constant value (∼10 km/s).
Correlation between local structure and electrical resistivity in gallium-antimony melts
Authors: Gu Tingkun
Published: April 2012

First-principles molecular dynamics simulations on the structural and electronic properties of liquid gallium-antimony alloys (GaxSb1−x) were performed. Analysis of the calculated results revealed that changes in the local structure of liquid GaxSb1−x depend on composition. The coordination tendencies of Ga-Ga, Ga-Sb, and Sb-Sb showed different trends as a function of the concentration of Sb, and the electronic structures of liquid GaxSb1−x were consistent with this finding. Further analysis confirmed that there is an explicit correlation between the structural parameters and electrical resistivity of liquid GaxSb1−x.
High pyroelectricity in lead-free 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ceramics
Authors: Yao Shanshan , Ren Wei , Ji Hongfen , Wu Xiaoqing , Shi Peng , Xue Dezhen , Ren Xiaobing , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: April 2012

We report high pyroelectricity in lead-free 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT–50BCT) ceramics which were previously reported to exhibit high piezoelectricity. The pyroelectric coefficient measured by the Byer–Roundy method upon heating for dc-poled samples shows a high value of 5.84 × 10−4 C m−2 K−1 at 300 K, comparable to those of PZT-based ceramics and significantly higher than many other lead-free pyroelectric materials. The pyroelectric coefficient calculated from the remanent polarization versus temperature relationship obtained during a cooling process is 17.17 × 10−4 C m−2 K−1 at 300 K, which is considerably larger than the value obtained by the Byer–Roundy method. This difference is attributed to the thermal hysteresis of the rhombohedral–tetragonal phase transition between the heating and cooling processes.
Anti-CD3ϵ induces splenic B220
lo
B-cell expansion following anti-CD20 treatment in a mouse model of allosensitization
Authors: Todo Tsuyoshi , Wu Gordon , Chai Ning-ning , He Yao , Martins Gislaine , Gupta Ankur , Fair Jeffrey , Liu Nai-you , Jordan Stanley , Klein Andrew
Published: April 2012

Antibodies targeting T cells and B cells are increasingly used for immunosuppression in clinical transplantation. However, the impact of T-cell depletion by antibodies on B-cell homeostasis is poorly understood. Using a mouse model of allosensitization with skin allograft, we investigated whether targeting T cells by anti-CD3ϵ alters peripheral B-cell homeostasis and alloantibody responses following B-cell depletion by anti-CD20. We found that anti-CD3ϵ induced a discrete B220 lo , but not a conventional B220 hi subset, in the spleens of the allosensitized mice 14 days after anti-CD20 treatment. The splenic B220 lo cells were refractory to anti-CD20 depletion. Flow cytometry revealed that the splenic B220 lo cells were phenotypically similar to the B220 lo AA4.1 + CD23 − sIgM lo sIgD − developing B cells (pre-B to immature B) normally presented in the bone marrow. Despite the presence of the splenic B220 lo cells, mice treated with combined anti-CD3ϵ/CD20 produced limited alloantibodies in response to the primary skin allografts. Alloantibody production increased significantly in the mice following re-immunization by donor-specific splenocytes. We conclude that anti-CD3ϵ can induce an expansion of B220 lo B cells in the spleens after B-cell depletion by anti-CD20. These B cells are not producing alloantibodies, but re-immunization of the mice with alloantigen leads to risk of alloantibody response.
First Report of Tuber Rot Disease of Kala Zeera Caused by a Member of the Fusarium solani Species Complex in India
Authors: Gupta V. , John D. , Razdan V. K. , Gupta S. K.
Published: April 2012

Bunium persicum (Kala zeera, also black cumin) is an economically important culinary crop that is cultivated for its seed pods and its tuberlike roots. In India, high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, including the Padder valley and the Gurez area of Jammu and Kashmir, are areas of kalazeera production (3). In 2008 to 2009, tuber rot disease of kala zeera was observed during the late spring season in the Padder valley. Symptomatic plants were distributed in localized areas in the field and the symptoms included drying of foliage and rotting of tubers. White mycelia were found on the tubers at the late stages of disease development. Incidence of infection in the surveyed area was 80 to 90%. Yield losses were 50 to 60%. To isolate the causal pathogen, we cultured tissues from symptomatic tubers. Small bits of the infected tissue were surface disinfested in 0.1% mercuric chloride, followed by rinsing three times in sterile distilled water. The surface disinfested tissues were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 27°C for 4 days. Pure cultures of the mycelium from the diseased tissues were transferred to a second set of PDA for species identification. The fungus produced three types of spores: small, one-celled, oval microconidia; large, slightly curved, septate macroconidia; and rounded, thick-walled chlamydospores. Microconidia were mostly non-septate and 8.91 to 15.73 × 2.3 to 3.5 μm, whereas macroconidia were three- to five-septate and were 35.55 to 54.74 × 3.91 to 6.5 μm. On the basis of morphological characteristics (1), the fungus was identified and deposited as a member of the Fusarium solani species complex in the Indian Type Culture Collection, New Delhi (ID No. 8422.11). To confirm pathogenicity, healthy tubers were submerged for 20 min in a conidial suspension of the isolated fungus (1 × 105 cfu/ml), which was prepared in potato dextrose broth, incubated for 10 days at 27°C, and centrifuged at 140 rpm. Noninoculated controls were submerged in distilled water. Inoculated and control tubers were then planted in separate pots filled with sterilized soil and kept in a shade house. Symptoms appeared on inoculated tubers 9 to 10 days after planting. Signs of the pathogen in the form of mycelia were present. The tubers rotted and died 12 to 15 days after inoculation. Control tubers did not display any symptoms. F. solani species complex was reisolated from inoculated tubers, fulfilling Koch's postulates. F. solani has been reported to cause corm rot on gladiolus and saffron (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the F. solani species complex as pathogenic to tubers of kalazeera in India.

References: (1) C. Booth. The Genus Fusarium. 47, 1971. (2) L. Z. Chen et al. J. Shanghai Agric. College 12:240, 1994. (3) K. S. Panwar et al. Agriculture Situation in India. 48:151, 1993.
Male reproductive fitness and queen polyandry are linked to variation in the supergene
Gp-9
in the fire ant
Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Lawson Lucinda P. , Vander Meer Robert K. , Shoemaker DeWayne
Published: April 2012

Supergenes are clusters of tightly linked loci maintained in specific allelic combinations to facilitate co-segregation of genes governing adaptive phenotypes. In species where strong selection potentially operates at different levels (e.g. eusocial Hymenoptera), positive selection acting within a population to maintain specific allelic combinations in supergenes may have unexpected consequences for some individuals, including the preservation of disadvantageous traits. The nuclear gene
Gp-9
in the invasive fire ant
Solenopsis invicta
is part of a non-recombining, polymorphic supergene region associated with polymorphism in social organization as well as traits affecting physiology, fecundity and behaviour. We show that both male reproductive success and facultative polyandry in queens have a simple genetic basis and are dependent on male
Gp-9
genotype.

Gp-9
b

males are unable to maintain exclusive reproductive control over their mates such that queens mated to

Gp-9
b

males remain highly receptive to remating. Queens mated to multiple

Gp-9
B

males are rare. This difference appears to be independent of mating plug production in fertile males of each
Gp-9
genotype. However,

Gp-9
b

males have significantly lower sperm counts than

Gp-9
B

males, which could be a cue to females to seek additional mates. Despite the reduced fitness of

Gp-9
b

males, polygyne worker-induced selective mortality of sexuals lacking
b
-like alleles coupled with the overall success of the polygyne social form act to maintain the

Gp-9
b

allele within nature. Our findings highlight how strong worker-induced selection acting to maintain the

Gp-9
b

allele in the polygyne social form may simultaneously result in reduced reproductive fitness for individual sexual offspring.
Comparative Analysis of Apoptotic Resistance of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue
Authors: Ertaş Gökhan , Ural Ertan , Ural Dilek , Aksoy Ayça , Kozdağ Güliz , Gacar Gülçin , Karaöz Erdal
Published: April 2012

Aim. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human bone marrow (hBM) and adipose tissue (hAT) are perceived as attractive sources of stem cells for cell therapy. The aim of this study was to compare MSCs from hBM and hAT for their immunocytochemistry staining and resistance to in vitro apoptosis. Methods. In our study, we investigated the antiapoptotic ability of these MSCs toward oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and serum deprivation. Results were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry. All experiments were repeated a minimum of three times. Results. Flow cytometry and MTT analysis revealed that hAT-MSCs exhibited a higher resistance toward H2O2-induced apoptosis (n=3, hBM-hAT viability H2O2  58.43±1.24–73.02±1.44, P<0.02) and to serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis at days 1 and 4 than the hBM-MSCs (n=3, hAT-hBM absorbance, resp., day 1: 0.305±0.027–0.234±0.015, P=0.029, day 4: 0.355±0.003–0.318±0.007, P=0.001, and day 7: 0.400±0.017–0.356±0.008, P=0.672). hAT-MSCs showed superior tolerance to oxidative stress triggered by 2 mmol/L H2O2 and also have superior antiapoptosis capacity toward serum-free culture. Conclusion. In this study we found that hAT-MSCs are more resistant to in vitro apoptosis.
Evaluation of Six Patients with Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma with a Literature Review
Authors: Sökücü Sinem Nedime , Kocatürk Celalettin , Ürer Nur , Sönmezoğlu Yaşar , Dalar Levent , Karasulu Levent , Altın Sedat , Bedirhan Mehmet Ali
Published: April 2012

Background. Carcinosarcoma of the lung is a rare malignant neoplasm. We evaluated the diagnosis and treatment of six carcinosarcoma cases, including a synchronous tumour and a solitary pulmonary tumour, along with the clinical and histological features and survival times.Methods. From a retrospective analysis of 1076 non-small-cell lung cancer resections performed between January 1996 and January 2011, six patients (0.5%) with pulmonary carcinosarcoma (all males; mean age 58 years; range 53–66) who underwent surgical treatment were studied.Results. The mean tumour pathological T diameter was 7.2 cm (median 6 cm, range 3–14.5 cm). Only one patient was diagnosed with carcinosarcoma preoperatively. The clinical presentation and tumour localisations differed. The operations performed were a lobectomy (n=4), pneumonectomy (n=1), and bilobectomy (n=1). Histologically, the epithelial characteristics of the tumours were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma in most of the patients. A complete resection was performed in all six patients. No mortality occurred in the early postoperative period. The median survival time was 9 (3–25) months.Conclusion. The preoperative diagnosis of carcinosarcoma of the lung is difficult due to the composition of the different histopathological structures. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for pulmonary carcinosarcoma, although further studies are needed.
Effect of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Nitrogen Dynamics and Microbial Activity During Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth on a Subtropical Inceptisol in India
Authors: Rakshit R. , Patra A. K. , Pal D. , ‐Kumar M. , Singh R.
Published: April 2012

Using phytotron growth chambers, a short‐term pot experiment under non‐limiting water condition was conducted to investigate the individual and interactive effects of elevated carbon dioxide (650 ± 10 μmol mol−1 vs. ambient), temperature (3 °C above ambient vs. ambient) and different levels of urea–N (control, 100 % N and 200 % N of recommended dose) on growth and yields of wheat crop and changes in potential nitrogen mineralization (PNM), nitrification and denitrification activities, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and nitrifying and denitrifying organisms in a semiarid Inceptisol. The plant parameters (root, shoot and grain) responded positively (10–23 %) to elevated CO2 and negatively (−17 to −38 %) to higher temperature. Interactive effect of elevated CO2 and temperature caused a negligible impact on root, shoot (≈−5 %) and grain yields of wheat. Soil –N content was not affected, but –N was reduced significantly. Nitrate reductase activity was decreased by 14–20 % at elevated CO2. There was positive effect of elevated temperature on PNM (+9–16 %), whereas negative effects were observed for potential nitrification activity (PNA), MBC, MBN and DOC. Elevation of atmospheric CO2 or temperature did not affect the population of ammonia (AOB) and nitrite oxidizers (NOB), but elevation of CO2 has decreased the population of denitrifiers by 4–14 %.
Socio‐economic influence on weight status through time in schoolchildren
Authors: Au Winnie Wing Yee , Yu Ignatius Tak Sun
Published: April 2012

Aim:  This paper describes the developmental trajectory of adiposity in relation to socio‐demographic status in primary schoolchildren studying in local schools in Hong Kong.

Methods:  Body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined in a cohort of primary schoolchildren annually from 2001/2002 to 2005/2006. To study the associations between socio‐demographic status and adiposity, repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the longitudinal change in BMI, while logistic regression was used with overweight and obesity development as outcomes.

Results:  Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.1% and 4.0%, respectively, at baseline, and 16.7% and 3.3%, respectively, at the end of the study period. Boys were more likely to be overweight and obese. Parents in the ‘Professional’ occupational group were less likely to have overweight and obese children. Among 32 781 children with normal weight at baseline, 2885 (8.8%) became overweight or obese after 4 years. Among 6286 children who were initially overweight or obese, 2079 (33.1%) returned to normal weight. Boys were more likely to move up from normal weight to overweight or obesity and less likely to move down the opposite direction during the study period. Parental education at degree level and the occupational group of ‘Professionals’ were, in general, associated with more favourable changes in weight status during follow‐up.

Conclusion:  Overweight and obesity were not firmly established during early primary school years. Interventions at the school level on students and their parents might help prevent and control the future development of the obesity epidemic in the population.
POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS AND PRICE DISPERSION IN THE MARKET FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Authors: OHLER ADRIENNE , SMITH VINCENT
Published: April 2012

We examine the relationship between population characteristics and price dispersion for 75 prescription drugs in five markets. Based on models of price dispersion, we consider that search costs are likely lower for the elderly, who are repeat purchasers. Expected benefits from search are likely higher for low‐income households, who lack insurance. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that for communities with a large percentage of elderly and poor population, search effort is greater for pharmaceutical drugs, causing lower price dispersion. By understanding the characteristics of who searches for low drug prices, we begin to identify the motives of consumers that might also lead to search for the lowest cost healthcare provider or lowest cost insurance. The results suggest that the Medicare legislation that attempts to close the pharmaceutical doughnut hole may reduce search by the elderly, increase price dispersion, and potentially increase the average price of prescription drugs. (JEL D12, D83, I1, I18)
Macroregional economic integration in Southeast Asia: AFTA and the automobile industry from a Thai perspective
Authors: Hassler Markus
Published: April 2012

Cross‐border automobile production and trade is still subject to regulations and restrictions in developed as well as developing political economic spaces. Although global production networks are within this industrial sector are significantly underpinned by political economies at national scales, macro‐scale regulation increasingly influences how and where lead firms operate within the global economy. Within this changing context, this paper outlines the recent regulatory changes in the regional political economy of Southeast Asia with the introduction of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Drawing on empirical evidence from the Thai industry, and how macroregional automobile production networks are established, the paper focuses on the changes of this free trade policy for component as well as vehicle trade.
Observability and Sorting in a Market for Names
Authors: Deb Joyee
Published: April 2012

Can firm names be tradeable assets when changes in name ownership are observable? Earlier literature focuses on trading of firm names when trading is not observable to the consumer. Yet, casual empiricism suggests that shifts in name ownership are often publicly known. This paper studies how firm names can be traded even under full observability. In equilibrium, even when consumers see a reputed name being divested they continue to trust it and so, these names are tradeable. I further demonstrate an appealing “sorting” property of these equilibria. Competent firms can separate themselves by buying valuable names, and incompetent firms can give themselves away by using worthless names.
The Rise of Individual Performance Pay
Authors: Kvaløy Ola , Olsen Trond E.
Published: April 2012

Existing empirical evidence suggests that individual performance pay is more prevalent in human‐capital‐intensive industries. We introduce a model that can contribute to explain this. In a repeated game model of relational contracting, we analyze the conditions for implementing peer‐dependent incentive regimes when agents possess indispensable human capital. We show that the larger the share of values that the agents can hold up, the lower is the implementable degree of peer‐dependent incentives. In a setting with complementary tasks, we show that although team‐based incentives are optimal if agents are dispensable, it may be costly, and, in fact, suboptimal, to provide team incentives when the agents become indispensable.
Situations in Which I Was Wise: Autobiographical Wisdom Memories of Children and Adolescents
Authors: König Susanne , Glück Judith
Published: April 2012

Previous studies with adults have shown that age has an important influence on laypeople's wisdom theories. However, children's and adolescents' understanding of the concept of wisdom has hardly been investigated. In the current study, 80 children and adolescents completed a questionnaire concerning an event where they had been wise and an event where another person acted wisely. Most participants reported difficult life situations such as conflicts or accidents. In describing their wisdom, they focused on being empathic and supportive, which is likely related to their predominant developmental tasks. The persons described as wise were on average 29 years old. Contrary to expectations more females than men were described as wise. As expected, wisdom descriptions differed somewhat by gender and age group.
Results of Microbial Testing Exploring the Etiology of Deep Breast Pain During Lactation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Nonrandomized Trials
Authors: Betzold Christine M.
Published: April 2012

Introduction: Controversy over the etiology of deep or burning breast pain during lactation continues to persist, despite a long history of published studies and case reports. This article reviews the literature exploring the etiology of deep breast pain, summarizes the results, and identifies possible explanations for the controversies surrounding this disorder.

Methods: A clinical query and a librarian‐assisted search of MEDLINE were used to find articles published between 1896 and 2010. Inclusion criteria consisted of comparing microbial testing results from symptomatic and asymptomatic lactating women. Cases were restricted to those experiencing deep or burning breast pain when possible.

Results: Prospective studies consisting of 1 unmatched case‐control and 6 cohorts were found. Trials typically detected higher microbial levels in the milk or nipple(s) or both of symptomatic women, irrespective of the detection method or type and range of microbes (bacterial, yeast, or fungal) studied. Case milk samples were positively associated with finding Staphylococcus aureus (relative risk ratio [RR] 7.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.25‐16.36) or Candida (RR 8.45; 95% CI, 3.96‐18.06). Moreover, recent reports about small‐colony variants and biofilm‐producing organisms may explain the atypical symptoms unique to this disorder.

Discussion: In lactating women reporting deep breast pain, evidence consistent with infection is persistently found, and explanations exist for the disorder’s atypical characteristics. Although lactating women with deep breast pain are more likely to test positive for Candida, the risk of testing positive for S aureus is also present. Thus, these women should have cultures done. Management options include treating immediately while awaiting results or waiting until results are available to guide treatment. With either approach, providers must consider the risk of falsely negative tests.
Use of bean husk as an easily digestible fiber source for activating the fibrolytic rumen bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes and rice straw digestion
Authors: FUMA Ryosuke , OYAIZU Shinya , NUKUI Yoko , NGWE Tin , SHINKAI Takumi , KOIKE Satoshi , KOBAYASHI Yasuo
Published: April 2012

A series of in sacco and in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate bean husks for activation of fibrolytic rumen bacteria and rice straw digestion. First, lablab bean husk, chickpea husk and rice straw were suspended in the rumen of sheep to analyze the bacterial consortium developed on each fiber source. Known members of fiber‐associating bacteria were found on both lablab bean husk and rice straw, but some of these bacteria were lacking on chickpea husk. Second, a pure culture study was carried out using six strains of Fibrobacter succinogenes. Both husks stimulated the growth of all tested strains, including a strain that did not grow on rice straw. The strain OS128 that showed the highest growth on rice straw displayed even higher growth on lablab bean husk without a time lag. Finally, two‐step incubations were carried out to determine whether prior incubation of rumen fluid with husks stimulates subsequent rice straw digestion. Higher digestibility of rice straw was recorded in the second‐round incubation following the first incubation with bean husks. These results suggest that the tested bean husks improve the digestion of rice straw by activating fibrolytic F. succinogenes and other associated bacteria.
Consumption of national health insurance medical resources by hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated using radiofrequency ablation therapy
Authors: KUNG Chih‐Ming , MO Lein‐Ray , YAN Yu‐Hua
Published: April 2012

Aim:  This study analyzed the health‐care resources consumed in cancer treatment to provide important reference guidance to national governments with regard to their health‐care policy prioritization and efficient health‐care resource allocation.

Methods:  Researchers used a retrospective observational approach to study medical resources consumed by hospitalized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment in Taiwan between 2002 and 2006.

Results:  A systemic analysis of the results showed a mean patient age of 65.3 and average medical costs per patient of US$1403. Higher incidence of HCC was evident in rural areas in Taiwan, however smaller hospitals treated fewer patients diagnosed with HCC due to many patients seeking treatment at larger hospitals, usually in urban areas. Consumption of medical resources at regional hospitals was significantly higher than at medical centers in terms of costs of X‐rays and special materials as well as for the overall cost of treatment (P < 0.001). The average medical costs for hospitalized cancer patients who underwent RFA treatment were lower than for those that received other treatments such as surgical resection, TACE, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This study further found an upward trend in the number of HCC patients receiving RFA treatments.

Conclusion:  Taiwan operates a national insurance global budget payment system. Health‐care system budgetary pressures are exacerbated by increases in the costs of cancer treatment. While the cost of RFA for HCC may represent value for money, with cost savings in other treatment areas, it nonetheless places strain on Taiwan NHI global budget payment system.
Pulmonary metastasectomy for bone and soft tissue sarcoma in Australia: 114 patients from 1978 to 2008
Authors: DEAR Rachel F , KELLY Patrick J , WRIGHT Gavin M , STALLEY Paul , MCCAUGHAN Brian C , TATTERSALL Martin HN
Published: April 2012

Aims:  The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic factors for overall and relapse‐free survival that may help select patients for pulmonary metastasectomy and inform their prognosis.

Methods:  From 1978 to 2008 130 patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy for bone (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma) and soft tissue sarcomas. Outcome measures analyzed were time to death and relapse and Cox regression models analyzed the association of prognostic factors.

Results:  In total 114 patients were analyzed. The 5‐year post‐metastasectomy overall survival rate was 43%. The 5‐year relapse‐free survival rate was 19%. In the multivariate analysis, an incomplete surgical resection (P = 0.02) was associated with an increased risk of death. There was weak evidence that a diameter of the largest resected metastasis ≥ 1.8 cm (P = 0.07) and a disease‐free interval of ≤ 18 months (P = 0.08) were associated with an increased risk of death.

Conclusion:  Poor prognostic factors for overall survival after a pulmonary metastasectomy are an incomplete surgical resection, a large diameter of the biggest resected metastasis and a short disease‐free interval. The role of perioperative chemotherapy is uncertain.
Mobilizing Law in Latin America: An Evaluation of Black's Theory in Brazil
Authors: Graham Kristin Tennyson , Borg Marian J. , Miller Bryan Lee
Published: April 2012

This research addresses two separate but related questions. First, to what extent are sociological theories proposed to explain legal behavior in Western societies applicable to non-Western contexts? And second, to what degree is Black's theory of law generalizable, as he contends, “across time and space?” Our research merges these questions by exploring the applicability of Black's theory in a Latin American context. Data collected from a nationally representative survey in Brazil suggest support for Black's propositions regarding the impact of vertical, horizontal, cultural, and normative status on the likelihood of mobilizing the law, as well as the feasibility of using his framework for understanding legal behavior in non-Western settings. Our discussion considers implications and directions for future analyses in both the Brazilian and cross-cultural contexts.
Ruling by Favors: Prison Guards' Informal Exercise of Institutional Control
Authors: Ibsen Alexander Z.
Published: April 2012

This ethnographic research addresses the control strategies employed by Norwegian guards in everyday interactions with inmates under institutional conditions in which the use of official negative sanctions is restricted. The article explains how a complicated informal system of favors develops that forms a new basis for punishment through the withdrawal of rewards. By distributing favors liberally, giving an inmate only what he is entitled to serves as a substitute for negative sanctions. Inmates are not opposing the informal system, and its effect on ensuring institutional control does not challenge the intentions of formal prison rules. Still, the informal system must be monitored and protected against overuse by inmates and must also be kept hidden from the officials making up the prison administration who oppose all departures from the official rules.
Who Is a Worker? Partisanship, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Social Content of Employment
Authors: Tomassetti Julia
Published: April 2012

In opinions addressing whether graduate students, medical residents, and disabled workers in nonstandard work arrangements are employees under the National Labor Relations Act, I analyze partisan differences in how National Labor Relations Board members, under the previous two US presidents, confronted the contradictory permeation of wage-labor into relatively noncommodified relationships. I argue that Republicans mediated the contradictions by interpreting indicia of employer property rights as status authority. They constructed employment as a contractual relationship consummated through exchange relations and demarcated a nonmarket social sphere in which to locate the relationships before them. This construction suppressed the class dimension of employment and the connection between relations of production and relations in production (Burawoy 1979). Democrats mediated the contradictions by recognizing them in part and arguing that the workers were engaged in commodity production. They proposed the Act as a means for workers to negotiate “differentiated ties” (Zelizer 2005) in nonstandard employment.
Human bocavirus amongst an all‐ages population hospitalised with acute lower respiratory infections in Cambodia
Authors: Arnott Alicia , Vong Sirenda , Rith Sareth , Naughtin Monica , Ly Sowath , Guillard Bertrand , Deubel Vincent , Buchy Philippe
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as:Arnottet al.(2013) Human bocavirus amongst an all‐ages population hospitalised with acute lower respiratory infections in Cambodia. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(2) 201–210.

Background Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a novel parvovirus that is associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal tract disease.

Objectives To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of HBoV amongst hospitalized patients with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in Cambodia.

Study Design Samples were collected from 2773 patients of all ages hospitalised with symptoms of ALRI between 2007 and 2009. All samples were screened by multiplex RT‐PCR/PCR for 18 respiratory viruses. All samples positive for HBoV were sequenced and included in this study.

Results Of the samples tested, 43 (1·5%) were positive for HBoV. The incidence of HBoV did not vary between the consecutive seasons investigated, and HBoV infections were detected year‐round. The incidence of HBoV infection was highest in patients aged <2 years, with pneumonia or bronchopneumonia the most common clinical diagnosis, regardless of age. A total of 19 patients (44%) were co‐infected with HBoV and an additional respiratory pathogen. All isolates were classified as HBoV type 1 (HBoV‐1). High conservation between Cambodian NP1 and V1V2 gene sequences was observed.

Conclusions Human bocavirus infection can result in serious illness, however is frequently detected in the context of viral co‐infection. Specific studies are required to further understand the true pathogenesis of HBoV in the context of severe respiratory illness.
Financial Advice and Individual Investor Portfolio Performance
Authors: Kramer Marc M.
Published: April 2012

This paper investigates whether financial advisers add value to individual investors’ portfolio decisions by comparing portfolios of advised and self‐directed (execution‐only) Dutch individual investors. The results indicate significant differences in characteristics and portfolios between these investor groups, but no evidence of differences in risk‐adjusted performance. The findings indicate that portfolios of advised investors are better diversified and carry significantly less idiosyncratic risk. In addition, evidence from an analysis of investors who switch to advice taking indicates that these findings (at least in part) reflect the effect of advisory intervention.
Development of an Empirical Model to Characterize Fracture Behavior During Forming of Advanced High Strength Steels Under Bending Dominated Conditions
Authors: Sriram S. , Yao H. , Ramisetti N.
Published: April 2012

Higher strength advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) such as DP780 and DP980 are more susceptible to fractures at bend radii during press stampings in comparison with more ductile low carbon sheet steels used by the automotive industry. Most research work to develop predictive guidelines for preventing failures at bend radii have centered on determining critical R/t ratios to avoid failures caused by bending. In this paper, results from bending tests with and without applied tension conducted on a number of AHSS steel lots to generate different conditions for fracture are presented. For bending tests with applied tension, measures of overall formability as a function of R/t ratio of the punch are presented. Consistent with other studies reported in literature, the overall formability was found to increase with increasing R/t ratio reaching saturation for higher R/t ratios. In addition, local formability was determined for all the bending tests by measuring the thickness strains at failure using an optical microscope. It was observed that the thickness strain at failure was dependent on the R/t ratio and the loading mode. Examination of fracture surfaces from the different tests using an SEM reveals that fracture initiation occurs primarily at the ferrite/martensite interphase boundary. To analyze the local loading conditions leading to fracture, 2D finite element analyses (FEA) of the different bending tests using ABAQUS standard were conducted. Results of the FEA were analyzed, and a parameter describing bending dominance in a stamping process was isolated. An empirical fracture criterion relating the thickness strain at fracture as a function of this parameter was developed. Implications of the generated results and their applications for part design and evaluation of stamping feasibility are also discussed.
Design and Modeling of a Large-Range Modular XYZ Compliant Parallel Manipulator Using Identical Spatial Modules
Authors: Hao Guangbo , Kong Xianwen
Published: April 2012

To meet the need for large-range high-precision motion stages, a design methodology of XYZ compliant parallel manipulators (CPMs) is introduced at first. A spatial double four-beam module and a compliant P (prismatic) joint, composed of two spatial double four-beam modules, are then proposed. Starting from a 3-PPPR (R: revolute) translational parallel manipulator, a large-range modular XYZ CPM with identical spatial modules is constructed using the proposed design approach. Normalized analytical models for the large-range modular XYZ CPM are further presented. As a case study, a modular XYZ CPM with a motion range of 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm along the positive X-, Y-, and Z-axes is presented in detail, covering the geometrical parameter determination, performance characteristics analysis, buckling check, and actuation force check. The analytical models are compared with the finite element analysis (FEA) models. Finally, the dynamics consideration, manufacturability, and merits are discussed. It is shown that the proposed large-range modular XYZ CPM has the following main merits compared with existing designs: (1) large range of motion up to 20 mm × 20 mm × 20 mm and (2) reduced number of design parameters through the use of identical spatial modules, although the manufacturability is a challenging issue.
Dynamic Electromechanical Field Concentrations Near Electrodes in Piezoelectric Thick Films for the Design of MEMS Mirrors
Authors: Shindo Yasuhide , Narita Fumio , Sato Koji
Published: April 2012

This paper studies the dynamic electromechanical response of piezoelectric mirrors driven by piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thick films both numerically and experimentally. The resonant frequency and the mirror tilt angle of piezoelectric mirrors under ac electric fields were analyzed by three-dimensional finite element method. The dynamic electromechanical field concentrations due to electrodes were also simulated and the results were discussed in detail. The mirrors consisted of four partially poled PZT unimorphs. The resonant frequency was then measured, and a comparison was made between the analysis and the experiment. The finite element method is shown to be capable of estimating the electromechanical field concentrations in the PZT films, making it a useful tool for designing future microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors.
Effect of target–substrate distance on properties of flexible InZnSnO films grown by linear facing target sputtering
Authors: Shin Hyun-Su , Lee Ju-Hyun , Kim Han-Ki
Published: April 2012

The authors have investigated the effect of target-to-substrate distance (TSD) on the electrical, optical, and structural properties of flexible InZnSnO (IZTO) films grown on polyethylene terephthalate substrates using linear facing target sputtering (LFTS) at room temperature. The electrical and optical properties of IZTO film grown by LFTS were significantly influenced by TSD while the structural and surface properties of IZTO film were not affected by TSD, unlike conventional magnetron sputtering. Regardless of TSD, all IZTO film showed completely amorphous structure with very low root mean square roughness of 0.33 nm, due to the low kinetic energy of sputtered IZTO atoms and a substrate position that did not directly face the targets. Based on the figure of merit value, the optimized TSD for deposition of flexible IZTO films is 2.5 cm. At optimized conditions, the IZTO film showed a sheet resistance of 23.1 Ω/sq and an optical transmittance of 80%.
Copula-based interpretation of continuous rainfall–runoff simulations of a watershed in northern Iran
Authors: Golian Saeed , Saghafian Bahram , Farokhnia Ashkan
Published: April 2012

In the present work, the joint response of key hydrologic variables, including total precipitation depths and the corresponding simulated peak discharges, are investigated for different antecedent soil moisture conditions using the copula method. The procedure started with the calibration and validation of the soil moisture accounting (SMA) loss rate algorithm incorporated in the Hydrologic Engineering Center – hydrologic modeling system (HEC–HMS) model for the study watershed. A 1000 year long time series of hourly rainfall was then generated by the Neyman–Scott rectangular pulses (NSRP) rainfall generator, which was then transformed into the runoff rate by the HEC–HMS model. This long-term continuous hydrological simulation resulted in characterizing the response of the watershed for various input conditions such as initial soil moisture content (AMC), total rainfall depth, and rainfall duration. For each initial soil moisture class, the copula method was employed to determine the joint probability distribution of rainfall depth and peak discharge. For instance, for dry AMC condition and 1 h rainfall duration, the Joe family fitted best to the data, compared with six other one-parameter families of copulas. Results showed that the bivariate analysis of rainfall–runoff using the copula method can well characterize the watershed hydrological behavior. The derived offline curves could provide a probabilistic real-time peak discharge forecast.
QUANTUM–RELATIVISTIC DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION FOR BOSONS AND FERMIONS
Authors: MOLINARI V. , MOSTACCI D. , PIZZIO F.
Published: April 2012

In the present work, quantum–relativistic equilibrium distribution functions are derived for bosons above the critical temperature and for weakly degenerate fermions, extending to the relativistic case the Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac distributions.