bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Frankfurters by FT-Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometric Methods
Authors: Campos Náira , Oliveira Kamila Sá , Almeida Mariana , Stephani Rodrigo , De Oliveira Luiz
Published: November 2014

Frankfurters are widely consumed all over the world, and the production requires a wide range of meat and non-meat ingredients. Due to these characteristics, frankfurters are products that can be easily adulterated with lower value meats, and the presence of undeclared species. Adulterations are often still difficult to detect, due the fact that the adulterant components are usually very similar to the authentic product. In this work, FT-Raman spectroscopy was employed as a rapid technique for assessing the quality of frankfurters. Based on information provided by the Raman spectra, a multivariate classification model was developed to identify the frankfurter type. The aim was to study three types of frankfurters (chicken, turkey and mixed meat) according to their Raman spectra, based on the fatty vibrational bands. Classification model was built using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and the performance model was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, efficiency and Matthews’s correlation coefficient. The PLS-DA models give sensitivity and specificity values on the test set in the ranges of 88%–100%, showing good performance of the classification models. The work shows the Raman spectroscopy with chemometric tools can be used as an analytical tool in quality control of frankfurters.
Study on the Cytotoxic Activity of Drimane Sesquiterpenes and Nordrimane Compounds against Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Montenegro Ivan , Tomasoni Giacomo , Bosio Claudia , Quiñones Natalia , Madrid Alejandro , Carrasco Hector , Olea Andres , Martinez Rolando , Cuellar Mauricio , Villena Joan
Published: November 2014

Twelve drimanes, including polygodial (1), isopolygodial (2), drimenol (3), confertifolin (4), and isodrimenin (5), were obtained from natural sources. Semi-synthetic derivatives 6–12 were obtained from 1 and 2, and cytotoxic activity was evaluated in vitro against cancer cell lines (HT-29, MDA-MB231, DHF, MCF-7, PC-3, DU-145, and CoN). IC50 values were determined at concentrations of 12.5–100 µM of each compound for 72 h. In addition, it was found that polygodial (1), 8, and 12 induced changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability in CoN, MCF-7, and PC-3 cells.
Essential Oil of Eucalyptus Gunnii Hook. As a Novel Source of Antioxidant, Antimutagenic and Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Bugarin Dušan , Grbović Slavenko , Orčič Dejan , Mitić-Ćulafić Dragana , Knežević-Vukčević Jelena , Mimica-Dukić Neda
Published: November 2014

The present study describes radical scavenging capacity (RSC), antimutagenic and antibacterial properties of the essential oil (EO) of the leaves of Eucalyptus gunnii Hook. (Southern Montenegro). Chemical composition was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In oil, 1,8-cineole (67.8%) and α-pinene (14.12%) were the major compounds comprising almost 82% of total EO. EO exhibited moderate DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, with IC50 value of 7.19 µL/mL. The antimutagenic properties were assayed against the spontaneous and t-BOOH-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli IC202 oxyR mutant strain, deficient in removing radical oxygen species (ROS). Reduction of the spontaneous mutagenesis in the presence of E. gunnii EO was only slight, up to 12% at the highest concentration tested. However, when the oxidative mutagen was used, EO displayed more significant reduction of mutagenesis (maximum 23%) in a concentration dependent manner. Antibacterial activity was tested against the selected strains from ATTC and NCIB collections: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus flavus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the two Escherichia coli strains from our laboratory collection (SY252 and IB112) using both the disk-diffusion and MIC assays. The greatest sensitivity was shown by M. flavus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli lpcA (MIC = 0.83 mg/mL), while the highest resistance was shown by E. coli (ATTC 25922) and S. epidermidis. This study represents the first report on chemical composition and biological activity of the Eucalyptus gunnii in the South Balkan region and beyond.
Evaluation of the Role of Enteral Nutrition in Managing Patients with Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ojo Omorogieva , Brooke Joanne
Published: November 2014

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the role of enteral nutrition in managing patients with diabetes on enteral feed. The prevalence of diabetes is on the increase in the UK and globally partly due to lack of physical activities, poor dietary regimes and genetic susceptibility. The development of diabetes often leads to complications such as stroke, which may require enteral nutritional support. The provision of enteral feeds comes with its complications including hyperglycaemia which if not managed can have profound consequences for the patients in terms of clinical outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies for managing patients with diabetes on enteral feed with respect to the type and composition of the feed. This is a systematic review of published peer reviewed articles. EBSCOhost Research, PubMed and SwetsWise databases were searched. Reference lists of identified articles were reviewed. Randomised controlled trials comparing enteral nutrition diabetes specific formulas with standard formulas were included. The studies which compared diabetes specific formulas (DSF) with standard formulas showed that DSF was more effective in controlling glucose profiles including postprandial glucose, HbA1c and insulinemic response. The use of DSF appears to be effective in managing patients with diabetes on enteral feed compared with standard feed.
Nitrate Ingestion: A Review of the Health and Physical Performance Effects
Authors: Clements William , Lee Sang-Rok , Bloomer Richard
Published: November 2014

This paper provides an overview of the current literature and scientific evidence surrounding inorganic nitrate (NO3−) supplementation and its potential for improving human health and physical performance. As indicative of the ever-expanding organic and natural food consumer market, athletes and health enthusiasts alike are constantly searching for ingredient-specific “super foods” and dietary supplements capable of eliciting health and performance benefits. Evidence suggests that NO3− is the viable active component within beetroot juice (BRJ) and other vegetables, responsible for health-promoting and ergogenic effects. Indeed, multiple studies support NO3− supplementation as an effective method to improve exercise performance. NO3− supplementation (either as BRJ or sodium nitrate [NaNO3−]) has also demonstrated modest benefits pertaining to cardiovascular health, such as reducing blood pressure (BP), enhancing blood flow, and elevating the driving pressure of O2 in the microcirculation to areas of hypoxia or exercising tissue. These findings are important to cardiovascular medicine/exercise physiology and suggest a possible role for NO3− supplementation: (1) as a low-cost prevention and treatment intervention for patients suffering from blood flow disorders; and (2) an effective, natural ergogenic aid for athletes. Benefits have been noted following a single bolus, as well as daily supplementation of NO3−. While results are promising, additional research is needed to determine the impact of NO3− supplementation on anaerobic exercise performance, to identify principle relationships between isolated nitrate and other ingredients found in nitrate-rich vegetables (e.g., vitamin C, polyphenols, fatty acids, thiocyanate), to explore the specific dose-response relationships needed to elicit health and ergogenic benefits, to prolong the supplementation period beyond a relatively short period (i.e., >15 days), to determine if more robust effects can be observed with longer-term treatment, and to fully examine the safety of chronic NO3− supplementation, as this continues to be a concern of some.
A Sub-Clustering Algorithm Based on Spatial Data Correlation for Energy Conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tsai Ming-Hui , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: November 2014

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have emerged as a promising solution for various applications due to their low cost and easy deployment. Typically, their limited power capability, i.e., battery powered, make WSNs encounter the challenge of extension of network lifetime. Many hierarchical protocols show better ability of energy efficiency in the literature. Besides, data reduction based on the correlation of sensed readings can efficiently reduce the amount of required transmissions. Therefore, we use a sub-clustering procedure based on spatial data correlation to further separate the hierarchical (clustered) architecture of a WSN. The proposed algorithm (2TC-cor) is composed of two procedures: the prediction model construction procedure and the sub-clustering procedure. The energy conservation benefits by the reduced transmissions, which are dependent on the prediction model. Also, the energy can be further conserved because of the representative mechanism of sub-clustering. As presented by simulation results, it shows that 2TC-cor can effectively conserve energy and monitor accurately the environment within an acceptable level.
Management Practices and Their Potential Influence on Johne’s Disease Transmission on Canadian Organic Dairy Farms—A Conceptual Analysis
Authors: Pieper Laura , Sorge Ulrike , Godkin Ann , DeVries Trevor , Lissemore Kerry , Kelton David
Published: November 2014

Johne’s disease (JD) is a chronic, production-limiting disease of ruminants. Control programs aiming to minimize the effects of the disease on the dairy industry have been launched in many countries, including Canada. Those programs commonly focus on strict hygiene and management improvement, often combined with various testing methods. Concurrently, organic dairy farming has been increasing in popularity. Because organic farming promotes traditional management practices, it has been proposed that organic dairy production regulations might interfere with implementation of JD control strategies. However, it is currently unclear how organic farming would change the risk for JD control. This review presents a brief introduction to organic dairy farming in Canada, JD, and the Canadian JD control programs. Subsequently, organic practices are described and hypotheses of their effects on JD transmission are developed. Empirical research is needed, not only to provide scientific evidence for organic producers, but also for smaller conventional farms employing organic-like management practices.
On the Self-Mobility of Point-Symmetric Hexapods
Authors: Nawratil Georg
Published: November 2014

In this article, we study necessary and sufficient conditions for the self-mobility of point symmetric hexapods (PSHs). Specifically, we investigate orthogonal PSHs and equiform PSHs. For the latter ones, we can show that they can have non-translational self-motions only if they are architecturally singular or congruent. In the case of congruency, we are even able to classify all types of existing self-motions. Finally, we determine a new set of PSHs, which have so-called generalized Dietmaier self-motions. We close the paper with some comments on the self-mobility of hexapods with global/local symmetries.
Molecular Markers of Influenza B Lineages and Clades
Authors: Arvia Rosaria , Corcioli Fabiana , Pierucci Federica , Azzi Alberta
Published: November 2014

Co-circulation of two influenza B virus lineages, B/Yamagata and B/Victoria, has been recognized since the late 1980s. The assessment of the prevalent lineage and the group of viruses in circulation is of importance in order to decide on the vaccine composition and evaluate its efficacy. The molecular characterization of influenza B viruses in circulation has been the aim of this study; this was approached by identifying and locating nucleotide substitutions in the influenza B virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), specific for the lineage and/or clade. By the alignment of 3456 sequences from the influenza GISAID EpiFlu database, a high number of lineage- and group-specific nucleotide positions have been observed in the HA gene, but not in the NA gene. Additionally, an RT-PCR method has been developed, applicable directly to clinical specimens, which amplifies a short HA region that includes a group of unique molecular signatures. Twenty eight influenza B virus-positive respiratory specimens, collected in Tuscany in the seasons 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, were analyzed. The results revealed two clearly distinguishable patterns: one, more frequent, was characterized by all of the nucleotide changes associated with the B/Yamagata lineage (in most cases of Group 2), whereas the other exhibited all of the changes associated with the B/Victoria lineage. It can be concluded that the analysis of this short HA sequence can permit a rapid, highly sensitive determination of influenza B virus lineages and clades.
Host Control of Insect Endogenous Retroviruses: Small RNA Silencing and Immune Response
Authors: Fablet Marie
Published: November 2014

Endogenous retroviruses are relics of ancient infections from retroviruses that managed to integrate into the genome of germline cells and remained vertically transmitted from parent to progeny. Subsequent to the endogenization process, these sequences can move and multiply in the host genome, which can have deleterious consequences and disturb genomic stability. Natural selection favored the establishment of silencing pathways that protect host genomes from the activity of endogenous retroviruses. RNA silencing mechanisms are involved, which utilize piRNAs. The response to exogenous viral infections uses siRNAs, a class of small RNAs that are generated via a distinct biogenesis pathway from piRNAs. However, interplay between both pathways has been identified, and interactions with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal immune responses are also suspected. This review focuses on Diptera (Arthropods) and intends to compile pieces of evidence showing that the RNA silencing pathway of endogenous retrovirus regulation is not independent from immunity and the response to infections. This review will consider the mechanisms that allow the lasting coexistence of viral sequences and host genomes from an evolutionary perspective.
Linear-g-hyperbranched and cyclodextrin-based amphiphilic block copolymer as a multifunctional nanocarrier
Authors: Zhao Yamei , Tian Wei , Yang Guang , Fan Xiaodong
Published: November 2014

In this paper, a novel, multifunctional polymer nanocarrier was designed to provide adequate volume for high drug loading, to afford a multiregion encapsulation ability, and to achieve controlled drug release. An amphiphilic, triblock polymer (ABC) with hyperbranched polycarbonsilane (HBPCSi) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) moieties were first synthesized by the combination of a two-step reversible addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization into a pseudo-one-step hydrosilylation and quaternization reaction. The ABC then self-assembled into stable micelles with a core–shell structure in aqueous solution. These resulting micelles are multifunctional nanocarriers which possess higher drug loading capability due to the introduction of HBPCSi segments and β-CD moieties, and exhibit controlled drug release based on the diffusion release mechanism. The novel multifunctional nanocarrier may be applicable to produce highly efficient and specialized delivery systems for drugs, genes, and diagnostic agents.
Plotin, Porphyre et l'Inde : un ré-examen
Authors: Lacrosse Joachim
Published: November 2014

Plotin et Porphyre ont-ils pu être « influencés » par la pensée indienne ? Bréhier posait la question en 1928, puis Lacombe en 1950, mais on leur a objecté que le néo-platonisme pouvait être expliqué intégralement par la tradition philosophique grecque. À partir d’extraits de Porphyre (d’après Bardesane) et de plusieurs des contemporains de Plotin (Clément d’Alexandrie, Philostrate de Tyr, Hippolyte de Rome), on voudrait rouvrir le dossier d’une possible connivence entre les premiers néo-platoniciens et la pensée indienne. De quel type d’influence parle-t-on ? Peut-on se contenter d’expliquer certaines ressemblances frappantes (description de l’Un comme source non-diminuée de tous les êtres, conception de l’identité entre l’individu et l’universel) sans envisager une possible influence « incitatrice » de la pensée indienne sur les premiers néo-platoniciens ?
La constitution critique du « cinquième pouvoir », une condition pour la démocratie aujourd'hui
Authors: Ménissier Thierry
Published: November 2014

Cet article vise à réfléchir l’apport des nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication pour la liberté démocratique. Il rappelle d’abord le rôle émancipateur dévolu à la presse selon le schéma des Lumières, puis relève les modifications socio-économiques attestant que nos sociétés n’obéissent plus à ce schéma. Si ces évolutions sont dangereuses car elles représentent un risque de mise sous tutelle du jugement des citoyens, elles sont potentiellement contrebalancées par l’émergence de nouvelles pratiques, vectrices d’autonomie, rendues possibles par les enregistreurs portatifs et par leur mise à disposition sur la Toile. Le « cinquième pouvoir » qui se dessine de la sorte est appelé à se constituer selon des modalités typiques de la démocratie contemporaine.
Clivages et addictions
Authors: Maes Jean-Claude
Published: November 2014

En répertoriant les différents clivages définis par la littérature qui leur est consacrée, on peut les répartir en quatre catégories, dont on peut déduire quatre catégories de dépendances : dépendance primordiale, addictions primaires, relations addictogènes et addictions secondaires.
Mes parents, mon cannabis et moi
Authors: Spapen Patrick
Published: November 2014

L’impact de la consommation de cannabis est envisagé à partir d’une réflexion sur le contexte culturel et les enjeux développementaux à l’adolescence. Par la suite, des pistes d’interventions sont proposées pour les adolescents présentant des consommations problématiques.
L'addiction trompe le vide, un leurre des contenants généalogiques troués. Une approche transcontenante de l'anorexie mentale
Authors: Benghozi Pierre
Published: November 2014

Dans cet article, l’auteur distingue les pathologies de contenant et les pathologies de contenu. Il illustre la clinique des addictions comme des symptômes « trompe le vide » des contenants incestuels généalogiques troués ou déchirés. La mise en jeu de l’image inconsciente du corps de l’adolescente est étayée en écho à la contenance psychique du corps familial. L’anorexie mentale est envisagée comme un symptôme d’une addiction paradoxale de l’adolescence familiale. L’auteur décrit « la crise » de l’adolescence, l’adolescence « en crise » et l’« adolescence catastrophe ». Les stratégies thérapeutiques des addictions sont structurées comme des modalités de remaillage des liens psychiques.
Les cycles de mode des drogues illicites : l'exemple de la MDMA et de la cocaïne
Authors: Spach Miléna , Wyart Aude
Published: November 2014

Les drogues illicites, à l’image d’autres biens de consommation, connaissent des cycles de mode favorisant tour à tour différentes substances. L’engouement pour l’ecstasy – comprimé de MDMA – dans les années 1990 laisse place à la cocaïne au cours de la décennie suivante, qui à son tour se voit concurrencée par le retour de la MDMA sous forme de poudre depuis 2010. Comment rendre compte de ces tendances ? L’objectif de cet article est de proposer, par le biais d’analyse d’entretiens et de données quantitatives, des explications quant au retour à la mode de la MDMA – et au déclin de la cocaïne – depuis 2010. Les éléments de réponse sont multiples : des fonctions peu ou prou équivalentes assurées par les deux produits dans un cadre festif ; un rapport pureté-prix favorable à la MDMA ; le rôle joué par le mode de consommation et enfin, l’effet de nouveauté dont bénéficie la MDMA au regard de la dégradation de l’image de la cocaïne.
Les addictions entre neurosciences et psychanalyse
Authors: Pirlot Gérard
Published: November 2014

De récentes propositions neurobiologiques sur les phénomènes d’addiction ont avancé que ceux-ci relèveraient de l’existence d’un découplage fonctionnel entre neurones sérotoninergiques et noradrénergiques (deux neuromédiateurs impliqués dans la dépression), ceci en plus de la perturbation des systèmes dopaminergiques déjà connus. Cette dérégulation serait préexistante à la toxicomanie, mais la prise répétée de substances toxicomanogènes l’entretiendrait de manière traumatophilique. Or cette appréhension de l’addiction par la dérégulation de systèmes neuronaux rejoint ce que Freud avait avancé concernant ces troubles et d’autres touchant la vie psychique, à savoir la dérégulation du principe de plaisir-déplaisir, matrice de psychisation des affects, comme cela s’observe dans la compulsion de répétition dont le refoulement fournit un modèle. Dès lors est-il possible que la dérégulation précoce de ce principe de plaisir, entraînant un brouillage entre sensation de plaisir et celle de déplaisir, soit une sorte d’analogon sur le plan psychique de cette dérégulation précoce de systèmes neuronaux que l’addiction entretiendrait et répéterait faute d’une psychisation suffisante de la vie émotionnelle du fait du maintien de clivages précoces psyché/soma ?
On the value of combining surface and cross‐borehole ERT measurements to study artificial tile drainage processes
Authors: Clément R. , Moreau S. , Henine H. , Guérin A. , Chaumont C. , Tournebize J.
Published: November 2014

Many articles have shown the usefulness of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) where characterizing spatial electrical resistivity variations over time associated with water content variations. In a case study of artificial drainage processes in comparison to isolated measurements of the temporal variation in water content, ERT could be used to obtain additional qualitative spatial information (2D or 3D). Indeed, there have been no articles relating the advantages of using ERT to study tile drainage processes. The aim of this article is to explore the effectiveness of the ERT method for delineating soil moisture spatial patterns, following their temporal variations in the context of artificial drainage. First, in the numerical description, taking into account the current knowledge on artificial drainage processes, the authors evaluate the combination of surface and cross‐borehole ERT measurements and different array types. In a field application, the surface and cross‐borehole combination helps to obtain better information on the soil structure and to optimize electrical resistivity monitoring during tile drainage processes. In the second part of the article, the comparison between the ERT data sets and ancillary data from TDR sensors provides a useful critical evaluation of ERT for studying water transfer in waterlogged soil influenced by artificial drainage. The field results showed that ERT contributes additional 2D information on resistivity as related to the water content, which complements single TDR measurements.
On the Measurement of Participation Equality
Authors: Reinig Bruce A. , Mejias Roberto J.
Published: November 2014

Participation equality is often a key process construct in research models that examine the effects of group support systems (GSS) technology and e-collaboration. GSS are generally thought to reduce the dispersion of participation among team members and thus make participation more equally distributed. However, research conclusions in the literature regarding participation equality are not always consistent with this finding. Researchers have used a variety of approaches to operationalize participation equality including unit-based measures, such as the standard deviation, and dimensionless measures such as the Gini coefficient and the coefficient of variation. Researchers have also varied in their measurement of participation units with some counting phenomena such as comments, words, or remarks. The authors report on an exploratory study that demonstrates conditions in which research conclusions regarding the participation equality construct are dependent on both the participation unit analyzed and whether a unit-based or dimensionless measure is used to compute participation equality. The authors conclude with recommendations for researchers investigating participation equality and practitioners that seek to measure and track participation equality in their collaborative work practices.
Workload Prediction on Google Cluster Trace
Authors: Rasheduzzaman Md. , Islam Md. Amirul , Rahman Rashedur M.
Published: November 2014

Workload prediction in cloud systems is an important task to ensure maximum resource utilization. So, a cloud system requires efficient resource allocation to minimize the resource cost while maximizing the profit. One optimal strategy for efficient resource utilization is to timely allocate resources according to the need of applications. The important precondition of this strategy is obtaining future workload information in advance. The main focus of this analysis is to design and compare different forecasting models to predict future workload. This paper develops model through Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Non-linear Autoregressive Network with Exogenous inputs (NARX), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Public trace data (workload trace version II) which is made available by Google were used to verify the accuracy, stability and adaptability of different models. Finally, this paper compares these prediction models to find out the model which ensures better prediction. Performance of forecasting techniques is measured by some popular statistical metric, i.e., Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Sum of Squared Error (SSE), Normalized Mean Squared Error (NMSE). The experimental result indicates that NARX model outperforms other models, e.g., ANFIS, ARIMA, and SVR.
Die Christelike hoop – ’n Bybels eskatologiese belydenis? Deel 2: Teologiese besinning: Wat beteken die Christelike hoop?
Authors: Du Rand Jan A.
Published: November 2014

Hierdie is die tweede artikel wat die vraag moet beantwoord of die Christelike eskatologiese hoop by uitnemendheid die primêre eskatologiese belydenis is van die Christelike teologie soos in die Bybel gefundeer. Is dit enigsins ook die geval in ’n verskeidenheid van teologiese en filosofiese argumentasies? In die eerste artikel is die basis gelê deur die bybelse spoor van die Christelike eskatologiese hoop te beskryf. In Deel 2 wat op Deel 1 volg, is die fokus op die teologiese bespreking rakende die Christelike eskatologiese hoop. Die verdere vraag wat beantwoord moet word is: Wat is die teologiese kern en inhoud van die Christelike eskatologiese hoop? Binne hierdie raamwerk van argumentasie, en verbandhoudend met die onderwerp, word ook van die filosofiese tendense van veral Immanuel Kant, Gabriel Marcel en Ernst Bloch kennis geneem. Die betekenisvolle teologiese sieninge van Johannes Calvyn, Karl Barth, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Jurgen Moltmann en Hendrikus Berkhof word ook aangeraak. Hierdie artikel konkludeer met ’n eie standpuntstelling oor die Christelike hoop as noodsaaklike eskatologiese raamwerk wat die Christen se uitsig, verwagtinge en etos [leefstyl] bepalend raak. Die Christelike siening van hoop, gefundeer in die opwekking van Jesus Christus uit die dood, word volmaak afgerond wanneer ‘God alles in alles sal wees’ (1 Kor 15:28) by die finale einde. The Christian hope – a Biblical eschatological confession? Part 2: Theological reflection: What is the meaning of the Christian hope? This is the second of two articles answering the question whether the Christian hope can be seen as the ultimate biblical eschatological confession. Is it by interpretative reflection also the viewpoint of a selection of topic related theologians and philosophers? In the first article the foundation was done by determining what the ultimate expression and confession describing Biblical eschatology is. The motivated finding was formulated as the eschatological concept hope. Building on the first, the second article’s focus falls on the consequential theological discussion. The further question to be answered is: What is the theological core and content of Christian eschatological hope in a wider framework than the biblical? Within such a framework of argumentation and in terms of tendencies the philosophical argumentation of Immanuel Kant, Gabriel Marcel and Ernst Bloch on hope are taken notice of. The comprehensive theological views on hope by Johannes Calvyn, Karl Barth, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Jürgen Moltmann and Hendrikus Berkhof are also briefly mentioned. This article concludes with an own viewpoint on Christian hope as eschatological framework, determining one’s views, expectations and ethos (lifestyle). The eschatological view of hope, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a confession, coming to a full circle when ‘God will be all in all’ (1 Cor 15:28) at the final end.
Lung cancer screening: Is there a future?
Authors: O′Brien Mary ER
Published: November 2014

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide with an average rate of 40-100/100,000 depending on the level of deprivation, and the rates are higher in smokers. The National Lung Screening Trial using three consecutive annual low-dose computed tomography scans is the first and largest screening study to show clear evidence of a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality in selected high-risk subjects. The many on-going European screening studies will generate information on the groups of subjects that may or may not benefit from screening (demographics, pack-years smoked, length of smoking, number of years from quitting etc.) and the required frequency and duration of the intervention. Smoking cessation remains the most important tool for general improvement in health outcomes and in particular lung cancer prevention. Early intervention for investigations of symptoms that are considered mild or common could also change the outcome. Doctors and patients must become increasingly aware that these common symptoms are also potentially symptoms of lung cancer and are not ′normal′ even in smokers.
Morphometric evaluation and clinical correlations in pediatric malignant small round cell tumors
Authors: Bansal Cherry , Gupta Archana , Kumar Archana , Srivastava Anand
Published: November 2014

Aims: Nuclear size increases in malignant tumors and reflects DNA content, ploidy and proliferation index. Present study investigated if the nuclear morphometry could differentiate histomorphologically similar paediatric malignant small round cell tumors on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections for diagnostics in a resource poor setting. Settings and Design: All the consecutive malignant pediatric tumors received in Pathology Department from other faculties of King George′s Medical University and also those referred directly to Pathology Department from other hospitals of city/other cities during 3 years period were recorded. Materials and Methods: Morphometric analysis was done in 22 confirmed (by higher ancillary techniques) but histomorphologically difficult to differentiate round cell tumors. All sections were analyzed by cell images from six different areas, using Leica Q win 500 images software. Results: Nuclear measurements were obtained for retinoblastoma (RB) (nine cases), neuroblastoma (five cases), Wilms tumor (WT) (three cases), rhabdomyosarcoma (three cases), malignant hemangiopericytoma (one case) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (one case). Among the RBs, maximum mean nuclear area percent (24.93) was seen in a case with nerve involvement and metastasis, followed by cases with only nerve involvement (21.60) and smallest area (16.57) was in non-nerve involving, nonmetastatic cases. All five cases of neuroblastoma had almost similar mean nuclear area percent (18.05-18.29). WT case with metastasis had higher nuclear area (21.25) than nonmetastatic (19.47). Amongst all the tumors, minimum value (14.93) was seen in malignant hemangiopericytoma. Conclusion: Morphometric evaluation in paediatric malignant round cell tumors have generated useful data, and needs further multicentric confirmation for implementation.
A Bayesian Framework to Improve MicroRNA Target Prediction by Incorporating External Information
Authors: Wang Zixing , Xu Wenlong , Zhu Haifeng , Liu Yin
Published: November 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that play key gene-regulatory roles in diverse biological processes, particularly in cancer development. Therefore, inferring miRNA targets is an essential step to fully understanding the functional properties of miRNA actions in regulating tumorigenesis. Bayesian linear regression modeling has been proposed for identifying the interactions between miRNAs and mRNAs on the basis of the integrated sequence information and matched miRNA and mRNA expression data; however, this approach does not use the full spectrum of available features of putative miRNA targets. In this study, we integrated four important sequence and structural features of miRNA targeting with paired miRNA and mRNA expression data to improve miRNA-target prediction in a Bayesian framework. We have applied this approach to a gene-expression study of liver cancer patients and examined the posterior probability of each miRNA-mRNA interaction being functional in the development of liver cancer. Our method achieved better performance, in terms of the number of true targets identified, than did other methods.
Physical Durability of Two Types of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) Three Years After a Mass LLIN Distribution Campaign in Mozambique, 2008–2011
Authors: Morgan Juliette , Abílio Ana Paula , do Rosario Pondja Maria , Marrenjo Dulcisária , Luciano Jacinta , Fernandes Guilhermina , Sabindy Samira , Wolkon Adam , Ponce de Leon Gabriel , Chan Adeline , Eng Jodi Vanden
Published: November 2014

We conducted a prospective evaluation to measure the physical durability of two brands of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) distributed during a campaign in 2008 in Nampula Province, Mozambique. Households with LLINs tagged during the campaign (6,000) were geo-located (34%) and a random sample was selected for each of 3 years of follow-up. The LLINs were evaluated in the field and a laboratory for presence of holes and a proportional hole index (pHI) was calculated following the World Health Organization guidelines. We performed 567 interviews (79.0%) and found 75.3% (72.1–78.4%) of households retained at least one LLIN after 3 years; the most common cause of attrition was damage beyond repair (51.0%). Hole damage was evident after 1 year, and increased by year. Olyset had a significantly greater mean number of holes and pHI compared with PermaNet 2.0 brand (all P values ≤ 0.001). Additional information about LLIN durability is recommended to improve malaria control efforts.
Epidemiology and Individual, Household and Geographical Risk Factors of Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: Results from the First Nationwide Mapping
Authors: Deribe Kebede , Brooker Simon J. , Pullan Rachel L. , Sime Heven , Gebretsadik Abeba , Assefa Ashenafi , Kebede Amha , Hailu Asrat , Rebollo Maria P. , Shafi Oumer , Bockarie Moses J. , Aseffa Abraham , Reithinger Richard , Cano Jorge , Enquselassie Fikre , Newport Melanie J. , Davey Gail
Published: November 2014

Although podoconiosis is one of the major causes of tropical lymphoedema and is endemic in Ethiopia its epidemiology and risk factors are poorly understood. Individual-level data for 129,959 individuals from 1,315 communities in 659 woreda (districts) were collected for a nationwide integrated survey of lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis. Blood samples were tested for circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigen using immunochromatographic card tests. A clinical algorithm was used to reach a diagnosis of podoconiosis by excluding other potential causes of lymphoedema of the lower limb. Bayesian multilevel models were used to identify individual and environmental risk factors. Overall, 8,110 of 129,959 (6.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.1–6.4%) surveyed individuals were identified with lymphoedema of the lower limb, of whom 5,253 (4.0%, 95% CI 3.9–4.1%) were confirmed to be podoconiosis cases. In multivariable analysis, being female, older, unmarried, washing the feet less frequently than daily, and being semiskilled or unemployed were significantly associated with increased risk of podoconiosis. Attending formal education and living in a house with a covered floor were associated with decreased risk of podoconiosis. Podoconiosis exhibits marked geographical variation across Ethiopia, with variation in risk associated with variation in rainfall, enhanced vegetation index, and altitude.
The Humanities And National Identity, Security and Social Stability in Nigeria: History and Theatre as the Way Forward
Authors: Gowon A D , Ikpanor E T
Published: November 2014

The humanities give a real sense of understanding and interpretation to the social, cultural, economic as well as the interpersonal relationships in societies both at the level of individuals and institutions. Because human beings are dynamic and complex in nature, their perceptive actions must be examined under a foundation that gives meaning to diverse composition of expressions and manifestations of those challenges that affect them. The humanities’ responsibility is to negotiate the challenges and prospects of societies with a view to evolving pragmatic ways of appropriating nature. Thus, knowledge gained from studies in the humanities has the potentials of instituting and championing cultural assimilation which ultimately, translates to national identity and or consciousness de-emphasizing in the process ethnicity in favour of social stability as a pre-requisite for security. This paper has examined the role of the humanities in creating national identity among Nigerians. In so-doing, the paper has looked at clarification of concepts like the humanities, national identity ethnicity and security. The paper also looks at the possibility of the humanities in providing a solution to the challenges of Nigeria in terms of national identity and security. The paper thus is of the opinion that more attention and researches needs to be carried out in the humanities if Nigeria is to tackle the current security challenges of the nation.
The Dramatist And Crime Management For National Stability: An Analysis of Tracie Utoh’s The Night of a Thousand Truths
Authors: Boh A
Published: November 2014

Dramatists have used their dramatic ingenuity to comment on political, social, economic and security challenges in their societies over the years. The dramatists do this in order to chart the way forward for a stable political, economic and social system. It is in this wise that, Tracie Utoh-Ezeajuh has used her knowledge of drama to comment on serious issues bedevilling the progress and stability of the nation. The security challenges bedevilling the nation are linked to the fragile family system and what happened as regards the children’s upbringing by their respective families. This paper analyses one of Utoh’s plays, The Night of a Thousand Truths with a view to educating Nigerian families on what is expected of them as far as the issue of national security and social stability is concerned. This is done with the realisation that the family is the first unit of socialisation. The proper socialisation of children by their parent is therefore a stepping stone for national security and social stability.
Dance as a Medium for Social Stability: A Case of Umuada Burial Performance
Authors: Nwafor O
Published: November 2014

Societal moral decadence has given rise to a lot of vices in various communities, and this has lead to instability in the society. Social instability is the bases for underdevelopment and economic backwardness in the society. It hampers and hinders every effort and opportunity for human and material development. The deplorable situation has given rise to the cry for an effective medium to stabilize the society. Dance has been suggested as an effective tool to actualize this true African dream. As a live art, dance has the flexibility to incorporate the current trends in the society in its package. A dance project can present the happenings of a society to a community and can suggest how the community ought to be. Most importantly, dance is an art form that is so involving that dancers and audience could get so encompassed in participatory communalism that differences can be shade or forgotten in the course of performances. The Umuada burial performance is a typical example of a dance performance that can be so involving that in the process, it may become a medium for social stability.
Imposex in Stramonita haemastoma: a preliminary comparison between waterborne and dietborne exposure
Authors: Rossato Martina , Castro Italo Braga , Pinho Grasiela Lopes Leães
Published: November 2014

400 adult individuals of the Stramonita haemastoma were collected from a pristine beach in Ceara State, Brazil. These organisms were transplanted into a marina with intense shipping activities and were fed weekly with oysters obtained from the same beach from which they were collected, being exposed only to the bioavailable organotins in the environment, without accounting for diet (waterborne exposure). 30 individuals were analyzed every 2 weeks after transplantation to investigate the development of imposex. After 15 days, 90% of the females had developed imposex (VDSI I-III, RPLI 3.22), with 100% of the females developing imposex after 30 days; at the end of the experiment, the VDSI levels ranged between I-V. These results were compared with those of a previously published study performed simultaneously in which gastropods obtained in same area were fed in the laboratory with oysters from the same marina in which the gastropods were transplanted (dietborne exposure). Despite the higher levels obtained through exposure via water at the end of 90 days, both exposure routes induced imposex in 100% of the females of the S. haemastoma. However, aqueous exposure induced higher levels, possibly due to the constant contact between the organisms and contaminants.
Field deployable diode-laser-based differential absorption lidar (DIAL) for profiling water vapor
Authors: Spuler S. M. , Repasky K. S. , Morley B. , Moen D. , Hayman M. , Nehrir A. R.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. A field deployable water vapor profiling instrument that builds on the foundation of the preceding generations of diode-laser-based differential absorption lidar (DIAL) laboratory prototypes has been constructed and tested. Significant advances are discussed, including: a unique shared telescope design that allows expansion of the outgoing beam for eye-safe operation with opto-mechanical and thermal stability, multi-stage optical filtering enabling measurement during daytime bright-cloud conditions, rapid spectral switching between the online and offline wavelengths enabling measurements during changing atmospheric conditions, and enhanced performance at lower ranges by the introduction of a new filter design and the addition of a wide field-of-view channel. Performance modeling, testing and intercomparisons have been performed and are discussed. In general, the instrument has 150 m range resolution with 10 min temporal resolution – 1 min temporal resolution in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere is demonstrated. The instrument was shown capable of autonomous long term field operation – 50 days with a >95% uptime – under a broad set of atmospheric conditions and potentially forms the basis for a ground-based network of eye-safe autonomous instruments needed for the atmospheric sciences research and forecasting communities.
MM5 v3.6.1 and WRF v3.5.1 model comparison of standard and surface energy variables in the development of the planetary boundary layer
Authors: Wilmot C.-S. M. , Rappenglück B. , Li X. , Cuchiara G.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Air quality forecasting requires atmospheric weather models to generate accurate meteorological conditions, one of which is the development of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). An important contributor to the development of the PBL is the land–air exchange captured in the energy budget as well as turbulence parameters. Standard and surface energy variables were modeled using the fifth-generation Penn State/National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model (MM5), version 3.6.1, and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, version 3.5.1, and compared to measurements for a southeastern Texas coastal region. The study period was 28 August–1 September 2006. It also included a frontal passage. The results of the study are ambiguous. Although WRF does not perform as well as MM5 in predicting PBL heights, it better simulates energy budget and most of the general variables. Both models overestimate incoming solar radiation, which implies a surplus of energy that could be redistributed in either the partitioning of the surface energy variables or in some other aspect of the meteorological modeling not examined here. The MM5 model consistently had much drier conditions than the WRF model, which could lead to more energy available to other parts of the meteorological system. On the clearest day of the study period, MM5 had increased latent heat flux, which could lead to higher evaporation rates and lower moisture in the model. However, this latent heat disparity between the two models is not visible during any other part of the study. The observed frontal passage affected the performance of most of the variables, including the radiation, flux, and turbulence variables, at times creating dramatic differences in the r2 values.
Verifications of the nonlinear numerical model and polarization relations of atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves
Authors: Gavrilov N. M. , Kshevetskii S. P.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Comparisons of amplitudes of wave variations of atmospheric characteristics simulated using direct numerical simulation models with polarization relations given by conventional theories of linear acoustic-gravity waves (AGWs) could be helpful for testing these numerical models. In this study, we performed high-resolution numerical simulations of nonlinear AGW propagation at altitudes 0–500 km from a plane wave forcing at the Earth's surface and compared them with analytical polarization relations of linear AGW theory. After some transition time te (increasing with altitude) subsequent to triggering the wave source, initial wave pulse disappear and the main spectral components of the wave source dominate. The numbers of numerically simulated and analytical pairs of AGW parameters, which are equal with confidence 95%, are largest at altitudes 30–60 km at t > te. At low and high altitudes and at t < te numbers of equal pairs are smaller, because of influence of the lower boundary conditions, strong dissipation and AGW transience making substantial inclinations from conditions, assumed in conventional theories of linear nondissipative stationary AGWs in the free atmosphere. Reasonable agreements between simulated and analytical wave parameters satisfying the scope the limitations of the AGW theory proof adequacy of the used nonlinear numerical model. Significant differences between numerical and analytical AGW parameters reveal circumstances, when analytical theories give substantial errors and numerical simulations of wave fields are required. In addition, direct numerical AGW simulations may be useful tools for testing simplified parameterizations of wave effects in the atmosphere.