bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Analysis of Health and Lifestyle Factors in Understanding Diabetes
Authors: Nilei Akinkuade Oluwasina , Samuel Oke Abayomi , Gabriel Ariwayo Afolabi
Published: August 2024

Diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, with approximately 537 million adults living with the condition in 2021, a number expected to rise to 783 million by 2045. To enhance predictive accuracy and gain deeper insights into the factors contributing to diabetes, this study employed machine learning algorithms to predict diabetes risk factors using a dataset encompassing health and lifestyle variables. Six supervised machine learning algorithms, including Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression, and Random Forest, among others, were assessed for their effectiveness in classifying diabetes status into two categories: diabetes and no diabetes. The study found that Gradient Boosting achieved the highest overall accuracy at 85%, demonstrating the best recall for diabetic cases at 57%. Meanwhile, Logistic Regression excelled in precision for non-diabetic cases at 94%. Key risk factors identified include general health status, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol levels, and age. Notably, the study uncovered that higher income and education levels were associated with increased diabetes risk, contradicting some existing literature and indicating the potential impact of lifestyle factors.
Machine Learning-based Prediction of Cattle Body Weight Using Muzzle Morphometrics
Authors: Bara Swarnalata , Singh Mukesh , Pandey Hari Om , Chauhan Anuj , Gaur Gyanendra Kumar , Pandey Ashwni Kumar , Das Ajoy
Published: August 2024

Body weight measurement of cattle is a tedious farm operation but is essential for their health maintenance at farm. This study proposes a novel and easier approach for cattle body weight prediction using muzzle morphometrics. Vrindavani crossbred cattle of different age groups were considered for the study. The muzzle images were collected and analyzed in MATLAB for determination of muzzle dimensions followed by mapping the dimensions to the body weight of the cattle using artificial neural network with varying network parameters. The results of the showed that all muzzle parameters had good correlation with the body weight of the cattle. Further, it was also observed that the combination of Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm with logsigmoidal transfer function performed the best with model simulation accuracy of 78.07%. The study concludes that muzzle morphometrics may be used for body weight measurements, however, newer or diverse muzzle parameters may be considered in future works to further improve the model accuracy for a more practical application.
Analysis of Copy‐Number Alterations in Single Cells Using Microarray‐Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH)
Authors: Möhlendick Birte , Stoecklein Nikolas H.
Published: December 2014

In this unit, we describe a workflow that enables array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of single cells. The unit first describes the isolation and preparation of single peripheral mononuclear cells from blood (PBMC) to prepare a suitable reference DNA for aCGH experiments. An alternative procedure is described for the preparation of single cells of GM14667 and GM05423 cell lines to use as reference DNA and for sex‐mismatched control experiments. A guide is also provided for micromanipulation of single cells. Next, the unit describes whole‐genome amplification using adapter‐linker PCR (Ampli1 WGA Kit) and an alternative nonlinear WGA method (PicoPLEX WGA Kit) for single‐cell amplification. A protocol is also included for reamplification of Ampli1 WGA products, which can be used for aCGH as well. Finally, the use of 4 × 180k oligonucleotide microarrays to perform aCGH with single‐cell WGA products is described. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 65:22.19.1‐22.19.23. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Photoinduced grafting of vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride on polyester nonwoven fabric with surfactant coating and its anion‐exchange properties
Authors: Na Choon‐Ki , Park Hyun‐Ju
Published: December 2014

Vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (VBTAC) could be efficiently and stably grafted onto polyester fiber coated with a surfactant polyester (PET) by a photoirradiation‐induced graft polymerization with benzophenone as the photoinitiator without any cografting monomer required. The degree of VBTAC grafting could be controlled simply by the irradiation time and concentration of VBTAC in the monomer solution. The anion‐exchange capacity (AEC) of the PET‐g‐VBTAC fabrics increased with increasing degree of grafting up to 80 ± 5% and then leveled off. The maximum AEC of PET‐g‐VBTAC was 2.2 mequiv/g; this was similar to that of a commercial anion‐exchange resin (2.16 ± 0.04 mequiv/g) and much higher than those of nylon‐g‐VBTAC–2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate fabrics (≤1.0 mequiv/g) prepared with a conventional cografting system. The grafted fabric was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy studies, and the sorption selectivity for anions and regeneration efficiency were estimated. The results suggest that the grafting system, in which VBTAC alone was grafted onto PET fiber coated with surfactant, was more practical and effective for the preparation of the VBTAC‐containing anion exchanger, and the resulting PET‐g‐VBTAC fabrics could be used as an effective anion exchanger. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41674.
Effect of continuous oscillatory shear on isothermal crystallization of non‐nucleated and nucleating‐agent‐treated isotactic polypropylene assessed by dynamic mechanical analysis
Authors: Chen Lan , Ma Chuan‐Guo , Wang Hai‐Yan , Zhang Jin‐Xiu , Xiong Xiao‐Min
Published: December 2014

Using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), we investigated the in situ crystallization kinetics of non‐nucleated and nucleating‐agent‐treated isotactic polypropylene (iPP) under continuous oscillatory shear during the entire crystallization process, and then compared the DMA results with those measured using differential scanning calorimetry under conventional quiescent crystallization. Our analyses, based on the Avrami equation, show that continuous oscillatory shear accelerated crystallization of non‐nucleated iPP, but interfered with crystallization for nucleating‐agent‐treated iPP. Our results indicate that, for the present nucleating agent, its accelerating effect on crystallization cannot coexist with the accelerating effect of shear on crystallization. We attributed this difference to the disruptive effect of shear on growth and the different nucleation models of non‐nucleated and nucleating‐agent‐treated iPP. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41685.
Induction of Ras by SAF‐1/MAZ through a feed‐forward loop promotes angiogenesis in breast cancer
Authors: Ray Alpana , Ray Bimal K.
Published: December 2014

In the majority of breast cancers, overexpression and hyperactivation of Ras in the tumor microenvironment play significant role in promoting cancer cell growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. We have previously shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in triple negative breast cancer cells is regulated, at least in part, by SAF‐1 (serum amyloid A activating factor 1) transcription factor. In this study we show that transformation of normal MCF‐10A breast epithelial cells by constitutively active, oncogenic Ras, induces the DNA‐binding activity and transcription function of SAF‐1. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of MEK/MAPK‐signaling pathway prevents Ras‐mediated activation of SAF‐1. Interestingly, silencing of SAF‐1 expression in breast cancer cells by SAF‐1‐specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) significantly reduced H‐Ras and K‐Ras mRNA level. We show that SAF‐1 is a direct transcriptional regulator of H‐Ras and K‐Ras and overexpression of SAF‐1 increases H‐Ras and K‐Ras gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses demonstrated in vivo interaction of SAF‐1 at highly purine‐rich sequences present at the proximal promoter region, upstream of the transcription start site, in H‐Ras and K‐Ras genes. Previous studies have shown that these sequences are nuclease hypersensitive and capable of forming G4 quadruplex structure. Together, our results show the presence of a novel transactivating loop, in which, Ras and SAF‐1 are interconnected. These findings will help defining molecular mechanisms of abnormal overexpression of Ras in breast tumors, which seldom show genetic Ras mutations.
Factors affecting the stemflow of trees in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Honda Eliane A. , Mendonça Augusto H. , Durigan Giselda
Published: December 2014

Stemflow is a hydrological flux that largely influences the input of rainwater to the soil and its spatial distribution. Here, we aimed to identify the factors influencing this hydrological flux by quantifying the stemflow of 129 trees in the Brazilian savannah. The attributes of individual trees were investigated as predictor variables influencing either stemflow volume or tree efficiency in generating stemflow—proportion of rainfall over the canopy flowing down the stem. The volume of stemflow was higher in trees that were large, had perennial leaves, and exhibited monopodial growth. However, the efficiency of a tree in generating stemflow was negatively correlated to its dimensions. The most efficient trees had a smooth bark surface, monopodial growth, and straight stems. There was large variation in efficiency among individuals, which is related to the high diversity of attributes among the studied trees. The small size of Cerrado trees explains the lower stemflow volume in comparison with trees in forest ecosystems. The efficiency observed in the Cerrado trees was also lower when compared to trees from other ecosystems, even in arid environments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doha Metro Green Line – Six tunnel boring machines in the starting phase / Metro Doha Green Line – Sechs Tunnelvortriebsmaschinen in der Startphase
Authors: Köhler Hans , Rengshausen Rainer
Published: December 2014

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is being developed into a modern centre for trade and industry. One essential part of the implementation of this aim is the provision of modern mass‐transport. The “Qatar Integrated Railway Project” includes both high‐speed railway lines and a metro system in Doha. Die Doha Metro has three lines. The network will have a total line length of 216 km in the first extension stage, of which 96 km run underground. The Green Line was awarded to a Joint Venture of Porr (lead), Saudi Bin Laden Group and the local construction company HBK. The contract includes turnkey completion of the underground section of the Green Line with a tunnel length of 2 × 17 km, six stations, gauge changing equipment and switches as well as cross‐passages and emergency exit shafts. The project is being implemented as design and build. The paper reports on experience with assembly work under the difficult conditions of the Middle East as well as the first few weeks of tunnelling.

Doha, die Hauptstadt Qatars, soll zu einem modernen Zentrum für Wirtschaft und Handel ausgebaut werden. Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil zur Realisierung dieses Ziels sind moderne Massentransportmittel. Das “Qatar Integrated Railway Project” umfasst sowohl Hochgeschwindigkeits‐Bahnlinien als auch ein Metrosystem in Doha. Die Metro Doha umfasst drei Linien. Das Netz Stufe hat in der ersten Ausbaustufe eine Gesamtstreckenlänge von 216 km, davon werden 96 km unter Tage geführt. Die Green Line wurde an ein Joint Venture von Porr (Federführung), Saudi Bin Laden Group und dem lokalen Bauunternehmen HBK vergeben. Der Auftrag umfasst die schlüsselfertige Errichtung des unterirdischen Abschnitts der Green Line mit einer Tunnellänge von 2 × 17 km, sechs Stationen, Spurwechselanlagen und Weichenanlagen sowie Querschläge und Notausstiegsschächte. Das Projekt wird als “Design and Build” abgewickelt. Der Beitrag berichtet über die Erfahrungen bei den Montagearbeiten unter den schwierigen Bedingungen des Mittleren Osten berichtet sowie von den Erfahrungen der ersten Vortriebswochen.
Recording of crack width changes and temperature developments in a road tunnel / Erfassung von Rissbreitenänderungen und Temperaturentwicklungen an einem Straßentunnel
Authors: Mähner Dietmar , Müller‐Rochholz Jochen , Lange Dirk , Staubermann Christoph
Published: December 2014

The articles deals with the recording of crack width changes and temperature developments in a road tunnel constructed of waterproof concrete. As part of the planning of repair concepts, specifically the repeatedly necessary repair of cracks in the reinforced concrete lining, crack widths and temperature effects were recorded for more than one year at selected locations. This enabled the determination of the relationship between cracking behaviour and temperature changes. The article describes the significant findings of this investigation programme.

Der Beitrag behandelt die Erfassung von Rissbreitenänderungen und Temperaturentwicklungen an einem Straßentunnel, der aus einer wasserundurchlässigen Betonkonstruktion erstellt wurde. Für wiederkehrende notwendige Instandsetzungen an Rissen der Stahlbetoninnenschale wurden im Zuge einer Ausarbeitung zu möglichen Instandsetzungskonzepten über ein Jahr lang im Tunnel an ausgewählten Stellen Rissbreiten und Temperaturverläufe erfasst. Dabei konnten auch Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Rissverhalten und dem Temperatureinfluss herausgestellt werden. Nachfolgend wird über wesentliche Erkenntnisse dieses Untersuchungsprogramms berichtet.
Risk at the implementation of construction projects / Das Risiko in der Bauprojektabwicklung aus Sicht des Planers
Authors: John Max
Published: December 2014

Various risks face the implementation of construction projects, which all have an effect on construction costs. The worst risk comes from unforeseen events, which cannot be quantified. Other factors are also difficult to determine. The article deals with external and internal risks in the course of the implementation of construction projects as well as contractual risks from the point of view of the consultant.

Bei der Abwicklung von Bauprojekten bestehen unterschiedliche Risiken, die sich alle auf die Baukosten auswirken. Das größte Risiko besteht im Unvorhersehbaren, das quantitativ nicht ermittelt werden kann. Auch andere Einflussgrößen lassen sich nicht oder nur schwer erfassen. Der Beitrag behandelt die externe und interne Risiken in der Projektabwicklung sowie bauvertragliche Risiken aus Planersicht.
Supervisee Countertransference: A Holistic Supervision Approach
Authors: Ponton Richard F. , Sauerheber Jill Duba
Published: December 2014

Countertransference (CT) has been recognized as a significant variable in the process and outcome of therapy and counseling for over 100 years. A review of the literature suggests that little attention has been devoted to strategies that supervisors can use to address CT in supervision with novice counselors. Informed by models of CT proposed by Ladany, Friedlander, and Nelson () and Van Wagoner, Gelso, Hayes, and Diemer (), this article provides counselor educators and field placement supervisors with a reflective strategy for the holistic supervision of CT.
Composition of fatty acids in virgin olive oils from cross breeding segregating populations by gas chromatography separation with flame ionization detection
Authors: Sánchez de Medina Verónica , El Riachy Milad , Priego‐Capote Feliciano , Luque de Castro María Dolores
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Recent technological advances to improve the quality of virgin olive oil (VOO) have been focused on olive breeding programs by selecting outstanding cultivars and target progenies. Fatty acid (FA) composition, with special emphasis on oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitic acid (C16:0), is one of the most critical quality factors to be evaluated in VOO. For this reason, the profile of FAs is frequently used as a decision tool in olive breeding programs.

RESULTS

A method based on gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) was used to study the influence of genotype on the concentration of ten of the most important FAs in VOOs from target crosses Arbequina × Arbosana, Picual × Koroneiki and Sikitita × Arbosana and their corresponding genitors Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki, Picual and Sikitita. For this purpose, a targeted approach was selected for determination of esterified FAs (EFAs) and non‐esterified FAs (NEFAs) in a dual analysis by the same chromatographic method. A Pearson analysis revealed correlations between pairs of FAs, which allowed detecting metabolic connections through desaturation and elongation enzymes. An ANOVA test (with P < 0.01) led to identification of C16:0 EFA, C16:1 EFA and C18:1 EFA and also C16:1 NEFA and C18:0 NEFA as the FAs more influenced by cross breeding. Statistical analysis was carried out by unsupervised analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) to look for variability sources.

CONCLUSION

Crosses with a common genitor (Arbequina × Arbosana and Sikitita × Arbosana) were partially overlapped in the PCAs using the profile of FAs. The CA results revealed clear differences between Sikitita × Arbosana and Picual × Koroneiki crosses in the composition of the most significant FAs, while Arbequina × Arbosana was not properly discriminated from the other crosses. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
AmgRS‐mediated envelope stress‐inducible expression of the mexXY multidrug efflux operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lau Calvin Ho‐Fung , Krahn Thomas , Gilmour Christie , Mullen Erin , Poole Keith
Published: December 2014

AmgRS is an envelope stress‐responsive two‐component system and aminoglycoside resistance determinant in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is proposed to protect cells from membrane damage caused by aminoglycoside‐generated mistranslated polypeptides. Consistent with this, a ΔamgR strain showed increased aminoglycoside‐promoted membrane damage, damage that was largely absent in AmgRS‐activated amgS‐mutant strains. Intriguingly, one such mutation, V121G, while providing for enhanced resistance to aminoglycosides, rendered P. aeruginosa susceptible to several ribosome‐targeting nonaminoglycoside antimicrobials that are inducers and presumed substrates of the MexXY‐OprM multidrug efflux system. Surprisingly, the amgSV121G mutation increased mexXY expression threefold, suggesting that export of these nonaminoglycosides was compromised in the amgSV121G mutant. Nonetheless, a link was established between AmgRS activation and mexXY expression and this was confirmed in studies showing that aminoglycoside‐promoted mexXY expression is dependent on AmgRS. While nonaminoglycosides also induced mexXY expression, this was not AmgRS‐dependent, consistent with these agents not generating mistranslated polypeptides and not activating AmgRS. The aminoglycoside inducibility of mexXY was abrogated in a mutant lacking the AmgRS target genes htpX and PA5528, encoding a presumed cytoplasmic membrane‐associated protease and a membrane protein of unknown function, respectively. Thus, aminoglycoside induction of mexXY is a response to membrane damage and activation of the AmgRS two‐component system.
Uncertain fractional differential equations and an interest rate model
Authors: Zhu Yuanguo
Published: December 2014

The concept of uncertain fractional differential equation is introduced, and solutions of several uncertain fractional differential equations are presented. This kind of equation is a counterpart of stochastic fractional differential equation. By the proposed concept, an interest rate model is considered, and the price of a zero‐coupon bond is obtained. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FDG PET/CT: EANM procedure guidelines for tumour imaging: version 2.0
Authors: Boellaard Ronald , Delgado-Bolton Roberto , Oyen Wim J. G. , Giammarile Francesco , Tatsch Klaus , Eschner Wolfgang , Verzijlbergen Fred J. , Barrington Sally F. , Pike Lucy C. , Weber Wolfgang A. , Stroobants Sigrid , Delbeke Dominique , Donohoe Kevin J. , Holbrook Scott , Graham Michael M. , Testanera Giorgio , Hoekstra Otto S. , Zijlstra Josee , Visser Eric , Hoekstra Corneline J. , Pruim Jan , Willemsen Antoon , Arends Bertjan , Kotzerke Jörg , Bockisch Andreas , Beyer Thomas , Chiti Arturo , Krause Bernd J.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist physicians in recommending, performing, interpreting and reporting the results of FDG PET/CT for oncological imaging of adult patients. PET is a quantitative imaging technique and therefore requires a common quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) procedure to maintain the accuracy and precision of quantitation. Repeatability and reproducibility are two essential requirements for any quantitative measurement and/or imaging biomarker. Repeatability relates to the uncertainty in obtaining the same result in the same patient when he or she is examined more than once on the same system. However, imaging biomarkers should also have adequate reproducibility, i.e. the ability to yield the same result in the same patient when that patient is examined on different systems and at different imaging sites. Adequate repeatability and reproducibility are essential for the clinical management of patients and the use of FDG PET/CT within multicentre trials. A common standardised imaging procedure will help promote the appropriate use of FDG PET/CT imaging and increase the value of publications and, therefore, their contribution to evidence-based medicine. Moreover, consistency in numerical values between platforms and institutes that acquire the data will potentially enhance the role of semiquantitative and quantitative image interpretation. Precision and accuracy are additionally important as FDG PET/CT is used to evaluate tumour response as well as for diagnosis, prognosis and staging. Therefore both the previous and these new guidelines specifically aim to achieve standardised uptake value harmonisation in multicentre settings.
Plasmalogens and fatty alcohols in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata and Sjögren‐Larsson syndrome
Authors: Malheiro Ana R. , da Silva Tiago Ferreira , Brites Pedro
Published: December 2014

Plasmalogens are a special class of ether‐phospholipids, best recognized by their vinyl‐ether bond at the sn‐1 position of the glycerobackbone and by the observation that their deficiency causes rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP). The complex plasmalogen biosynthetic pathway involves multiple enzymatic steps carried‐out in peroxisomes and in the endoplasmic reticulum. The rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of plasmalogens resides in the formation of the fatty alcohol responsible for the formation of an intermediate with an alkyl‐linked moiety. The regulation in the biosynthesis of plasmalogens also takes place at this step using a feedback mechanism to stimulate or inhibit the biosynthesis. As such, fatty alcohols play a relevant role in the formation of ether‐phospholipids. These advances in our understanding of complex lipid biosynthesis brought two seemingly distinct disorders into the spotlight. Sjögren‐Larsson syndrome (SLS) is caused by defects in the microsomal fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH) leading to the accumulation of fatty alcohols and fatty aldehydes. In RCDP cells, the defect in plasmalogens is thought to generate a feedback signal to increase their biosynthesis, through the activity of fatty acid reductases to produce fatty alcohols. However, the enzymatic defects in either glyceronephosphate O‐acyltransferase (GNPAT) or alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) disrupt the biosynthesis and result in the accumulation of the fatty alcohols. A detailed characterization on the processes and enzymes that govern these intricate biosynthetic pathways, as well as, the metabolic characterization of defects along the pathway should increase our understanding of the causes and mechanisms behind these disorders.
Radionuclide monitoring in foodstuff: overview of the current implementation in the EU countries
Authors: Máté Borbála , Sobiech-Matura Katarzyna , Altzitzoglou Timotheos
Published: December 2014

The Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU) are obliged to monitor the radioactivity in the environment since the signature of the Euratom Treaty (Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community). Numerous secondary legislations derived from the Treaty can be found stating restrictions and maximum permitted levels of radionuclides in foodstuff. But to that purpose, no common integrated measurement methods are used with well-defined measurands. The present work consists of two parts. First, the current European regulations in force were collected, and then the food monitoring results, provided by the MS, were analysed.
Fitting Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equation Models with Random Effects and Unknown Initial Conditions Using the Stochastic Approximation Expectation–Maximization (SAEM) Algorithm
Authors: Chow Sy-Miin , Lu Zhaohua , Zhu Hongtu , Sherwood Andrew
Published: December 2014

The past decade has evidenced the increased prevalence of irregularly spaced longitudinal data in social sciences. Clearly lacking, however, are modeling tools that allow researchers to fit dynamic models to irregularly spaced data, particularly data that show nonlinearity and heterogeneity in dynamical structures. We consider the issue of fitting multivariate nonlinear differential equation models with random effects and unknown initial conditions to irregularly spaced data. A stochastic approximation expectation–maximization algorithm is proposed and its performance is evaluated using a benchmark nonlinear dynamical systems model, namely, the Van der Pol oscillator equations. The empirical utility of the proposed technique is illustrated using a set of 24-h ambulatory cardiovascular data from 168 men and women. Pertinent methodological challenges and unresolved issues are discussed.
Menstrual restoration in severe panhypopituitarism many years after cranial irradiation for suprasellar germinoma
Authors: Ito Masanobu , Iwamoto Ichiro , Hirano Hirofumi , Douchi Tsutomu
Published: December 2014

Purpose

We report a very rare case showing menstrual restoration in severe pan‐hypopituitarism many years after cranial irradiation for suprasellar germinoma.

Case

A 30‐year‐old, almost primarily amenorrheic woman with severe panhypopituitarism presented with cyclic genital bleeding for the previous five months. She had menstruated once, when she was 13 years old. When she was 14 years old, she was diagnosed with a suprasellar germinoma measuring 10 mm in diameter, which led to diabetes insipidus. Cranial irradiation with a total dose of 24 Gy and chemotherapy resulted in complete tumor remission. She developed severe hypopituitarism [luteinizing hormone (LH) = 0.4 mIU/mL, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) = 1.7 mIU/mL, and serum estradiol (E2) level < 10 pg/mL]. She had received multiple hormone replacement therapies for many years. When she was 29 years old, she expressed a desire to become pregnant. Serum gonadotropin and E2 levels increased (LH = 5.8 mIU/mL, FSH = 5.9 mIU/mL, and E2 = 58 pg/mL). She conceived with clomiphene therapy, and then delivered a healthy baby. Eight months after parturition, her basal body temperature and serum progesterone levels indicated recovery of ovulatory cycles. Ten months after parturition, she also spontaneously conceived.

Conclusion

Menstrual restoration is very rare in severe panhypopituitarism after cranial irradiation. A relatively low dose of irradiation and small tumor size may have contributed to the recovery of menstruation in our patient.
Geoinformation in der kommunalen Abfallentsorgungs- und strategischen räumlichen Planung
Authors: Köhler Tine
Published: December 2014

The declining growth and the resulting “perforation” of settlements cause high charges for infrastructure use and decreasing municipal tax revenue, which may be regarded as a “second rent”. Besides, property values decrease due to vacancy rate, the decay of rural settlements could be initiated. In order to both keep the costs for waste disposal constant as well as to develop a sustainable, compact settlement structure despite of shrinkage, synergies of overall and sectoral spatial planning should be improved. This paper points out a potential strategy to reduce expenses for the cost driver “collection of residual waste” as well as to use the waste disposal as a management tool of the settlement development. Throughout the entire process—from local migration analyses to vacancy rate and possibilities of inner urban development to waste disposal management—geo- and attribute-data were used, provided by different institutions. The data were managed, analysed and visualised by an open source geo-information and geo-database-software. Thus, the information of sectoral and overall spatial planning was overlaid and in result a sustainable, resource-efficient strategic planning is improved using a geo-information tool. Consequently, a centralisation of waste disposal could be improved by a GIS-assisted analysis of location and accessibility of central garbage containers. This centralisation is expected to allow a resource-efficient urban planning.
What matters in the relationship between mentoring and job-related stress? The moderating effects of protégés’ traditionality and trust in mentor
Authors: Qian Jing , Lin XiaoSong , Han Zhuo R , Chen Zhen X , Hays Jay M
Published: December 2014

Mentoring received by protégés has been shown to play an important role in relieving protégés’ job-related stress. However, literature on the relationship between mentoring and job-related stress has yielded mixed and inconclusive results. Our research seeks to reconcile the conflicting implications by examining protégés’ individual traditionality and trust in mentor as moderators on the relationship between mentoring and job-related stress. We tested the hypotheses with data from a sample of 210 protégés from a large company in China. Results of our two-way and three-way interaction effect tests revealed that: (1) traditionality moderated the negative relationship between mentoring and job-related stress in such a way that the relationship was stronger for protégés with higher rather than lower traditionality; (2) the influence that mentoring had on job-related stress was strongest for protégés with both high traditionality and a high level of trust in mentor.
Sacred activism through seva and khidmat: Contextualising management and organisations in South Asia
Authors: Pio Edwina , Syed Jawad
Published: December 2014

What if our actions were imbued with the sacred? What if activism in organisations evokes better local society and responsible global community? What if sacred activism signals the performance of a deeper understanding and mindful actions for contextualising management and organisations in South Asia? These are some of the questions we pose to scholars and practitioners as we seek to present the multiplexities and singularities that epitomise South Asia. We address the braided realities and opportunities presented by religion, culture, ethnicity, gender and governance to contextualise organisations and management among the 1.67 billion people who constitute South Asia. We calligraph our interpretations and future possibilities based on historical traditions and extant data, mindful that some parts of this vast region are grappling with religious radicalisation, East–West tensions, underdevelopment, low literacy rates, violence against women, and international debts and handouts. This heterogeneous region also has a major BRICS country (i.e., India), provides CEOs to the world, scientists to NASA, outsourcing facilities to global corporations, has a young population, a huge middle class, and is actively participating in mergers and acquisitions in the global corridors of commerce. Our poignant hope is to inform and suggest possibilities for constructing enriching engagements and research in this region.
Replacing the family? Beguinages in early modern western European cities: an analysis of the family networks of beguines living in Mechelen (1532–1591)
Authors: OVERLAET KIM
Published: December 2014

In many early modern towns of the southern Low Countries, beguinages gave adult single women of all ages the possibility to lead a religious life of contemplation in a secure setting, retaining rights to their property and not having to take permanent vows. This paper re-examines the family networks of these women by means of a micro-study of the wills left by beguines who lived in the Great Beguinage of St Catherine in sixteenth-century Mechelen, a middle-sized city in the Low Countries. By doing so, this research seeks to add nuance to a historiography that has tended to consider beguinages as artificial families, presumably during a period associated with the increasing dominance of the nuclear family and the unravelling ties of extended family.
Housing the ‘decayed members’ of the middle classes: social class and St Scholastica's Retreat, 1861–1901
Authors: MANGION CARMEN M.
Published: December 2014

This study of St Scholastica's Retreat offers an opportunity to examine a charity for the middle classes and the horizontal relationship between middle-class benefactors and recipients that did not appear to stigmatise middle-class recipients of charity. Middle-class inhabitants accessed a mix of resources, from personal resources, kinship relationships, friendship and charitable networks, as part of a ‘mixed economy of welfare’ so often discussed by welfare historians in Britain. Their ‘choices’ were limited but their personal networks enabled them to maintain their middle-class identities. This research not also demonstrates the flexibility of almshouse accommodation but also the meanings inherent in the domestic space that emphasised middle-class respectability.
Study versus Sustenance: A Rabbinic Dilemma in Its Zoroastrian and Manichaean Context
Authors: Kiel Yishai
Published: December 2014

Ascetic systems commonly exhibit some sort of conflict between spiritual pursuits and mundane needs. This article contextualizes the particular rabbinic dilemma of study versus sustenance within the broader context of the Zoroastrian tradition and its critique of the Manichaean Elect. The rabbis shared with their Zoroastrian contemporaries not only the perception of a religious tension between agriculture and the pursuit of religious studies, but also a multifaceted array of possible solutions that attempt to harmonize, mitigate, or otherwise resolve this theological and practical tension. While the basic conflict between study and sustenance is already formulated in tannaitic works, it is argued that the unique perspective offered by the Babylonian Talmud engages, and perhaps reacts to, the Iranian tradition.
Legal Strategy and Legal Culture in Medieval Jewish Courts of Southern France
Authors: Roth Pinchas
Published: December 2014

From the mid-thirteenth century onwards, the rabbinic courts of southern France (Provence and Languedoc) found themselves dealing with an increasing number of cases in which plaintiffs were using the court as leverage in a struggle that was taking place outside the court. This period also saw the first legal advocates appearing in Jewish courts. These two related phenomena point to a shift in Jewish legal culture, part of a move throughout thirteenth-century Mediterranean Europe towards what Daniel Lord Smail has called “consumption of justice.”
Morphological and Chemical Comparative Analysis of The Human and Bovine Dentin–Adhesive Layer
Authors: Silva Soares Luís Eduardo , do Espírito Santo Ana Maria
Published: December 2014

Micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µ-EDXRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate dentin treated with an etch and rinse adhesive (ER) and a self-etch adhesive (SE). Ten human molars (H) and ten bovine anterior teeth (B) were prepared (exposure of dentin and divided in the middle) and allocated into two different adhesion strategy groups per substrate (n=40).µ-EDXRF data and SEM images were obtained before and after treatment. Untreated dentin of both substrates did not differ in terms of Ca (p<0.1503), P (p<0.2986) or Ca/P ratio (p<0.1400). H-SE and B-SE specimens showed reduced P content (p<0.0001;p<0.0002), while H-ER and B-ER specimens showed reduced Ca and P content (p<0.0001;p<0.0001) when compared with untreated specimens. The Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in H-ER and B-ER specimens than in H-SE and B-SE specimens (p<0.0001;p<0.0080). Untreated dentin showed a homogeneous elemental distribution. However, after adhesive treatments, the surface of the dentin showed an irregular demineralization pattern. The resin tags and adhesive layer were shorter in bovine specimens than in human specimens due to morphological differences.
Ecosystem regime change inferred from the distribution of trace metals in Lake Erie sediments
Authors: Yuan Fasong , Depew Richard , Soltis-Muth Cheryl
Published: December 2014

Many freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems across the world may have undergone an ecosystem regime change due to a combination of rising anthropogenic disturbances and regional climate change. Such a change in aquatic ecosystems is commonly seen as shifts in algal species. But considerably less detail is known about the eutrophication history in terms of changes in algal productivity, particularly for a large lake with a great deal of spatial variability. Here we present an analysis of trace metals (Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) on a sediment core recovered from Lake Erie, off the Vermilion coast of northern Ohio, USA, to reconstruct the eutrophication history of the lake over the past 210 years. Following a slow eutrophication during European settlement, Lake Erie experienced a period of accelerated eutrophication, leading to an ecosystem regime transition into a eutrophic lake state in 1950. Our results suggested that the lake's biological productivity has ever since maintained fairly high even though a significant input reduction was realized from rigorous nutrient abatements that began as early as in 1969. This work underscored the role of in-lake biogeochemical cycling in nutrient dynamics of this already eutrophic lake.
Monodisperse Pt atoms anchored on N-doped graphene as efficient catalysts for CO oxidation: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Liu Xin , Sui Yanhui , Duan Ting , Meng Changgong , Han Yu
Published: December 2014

The Pt–N interaction tunes the energy of Pt states and makes the Pt atoms stabilized on N-doped graphene excellent for CO oxidation.
The anti-inflammatory potential of a moderately hydrolysed casein and its 5 kDa fraction in in vitro and ex vivo models of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Mukhopadhya A. , Noronha N. , Bahar B. , Ryan M. T. , Murray B. A. , Kelly P. M. , O'Loughlin I. B. , O'Doherty J. V. , Sweeney T.
Published: December 2014

Bioactive peptides from milk can impart a wide range of physiological benefits without the allergies and intolerance associated with the consumption of whole milk.
Enrichment of ACE inhibitory peptides in navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) using lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Rui Xin , Wen Delan , Li Wei , Chen Xiaohong , Jiang Mei , Dong Mingsheng
Published: December 2014

The present study was conducted to explore a novel strategy to enhance angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of navy bean by preparation of navy bean milk (NBM) which was then subjected to fermentation of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains.
The effect of a solvent on direct arylation polycondensation of substituted thiophenes
Authors: Kuwabara Junpei , Yamazaki Kohtaro , Yamagata Takuya , Tsuchida Wataru , Kanbara Takaki
Published: December 2014

A suitable solvent for direct arylation polycondensation is related to an electronic nature of thiophene derivatives.
Forest of Pt–Au–Ag tri-metallic nanodendrites as an efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Huan Tran Ngoc , Shinde Dipak V. , Kim Saetbyeol , Han Sung-Hwan , Artero Vincent , Chung Hoeil
Published: December 2014

Forests of trimetallic nanodendrites composed of Pt, Au, and Ag have been synthesized and their catalytic performances with regard to the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) were evaluated.
Synthesis and properties of a novel Cu(ii)–pyridineoxazoline containing polymeric catalyst for asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction
Authors: Wang Heng , Li Na , Yan Zijia , Zhang Jie , Wan Xinhua
Published: December 2014

Soluble and recyclable Cu(ii)–pyridineoxazoline containing polymeric catalyst shows faster reaction rate and higher enantio-selectivity than its low molecular mass counterpart in D–A reaction of 2-alkenoyl pyridine N-oxide and cyclopentadiene.
Optimal control method for wind farm to support temporary primary frequency control with minimised wind energy cost
Authors: Wang Haijiao , Chen Zhe , Jiang Quanyuan
Published: December 2014

This study proposes an optimal control method for variable speed wind turbines (VSWTs) based wind farm (WF) to support temporary primary frequency control. This control method consists of two layers: temporary frequency support control (TFSC) of the VSWT, and temporary support power optimal dispatch (TSPOD) of the WF. With TFSC, the VSWT could temporarily provide extra power to support system frequency under varying and wide‐range wind speed. In the WF control centre, TSPOD optimally dispatches the frequency support power orders to the VSWTs that operate under different wind speeds, minimises the wind energy cost of frequency support, and satisfies the support capabilities of the VSWTs. The effectiveness of the whole control method is verified in the IEEE‐RTS built in MATLAB\Simulink, and compared with a published de‐loading method.
Differenzialdiagnosen bei Nasenatmungsbehinderung
Authors: Schulz T. , Kohles N. , Eßer D.
Published: December 2014

Eine behinderte Nasenatmung kann eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Ursachen haben. Im folgenden Text werden wichtige Erkrankungen der Nase und der Nasennebenhöhlen, die im Zusammenhang mit dem Symptom Nasenatmungsbehinderung stehen, beschrieben und auf Besonderheiten der Diagnostik und Therapie eingegangen.
A wireless demodulation system for passive surface acoustic wave torque sensor
Authors: Ji Xiaojun , Fan Yanping , Qi Hongli , Chen Jing , Han Tao , Cai Ping
Published: December 2014

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators are utilized as torque sensors for their passive and wireless features. However, the response of a SAW torque sensor is difficult to detect because of the transient response duration and interruption of channel noise, which limit the application of SAW torque sensors. The sensitive mechanism and response function of a passive wireless SAW torque sensor are analyzed in this study. A novel demodulation system involving both hardware and software is developed for the SAW torque sensor. A clipping amplifier is utilized in the hardware to widen the dynamic response range and increase the length of the valid signal. Correlation extension and centroid algorithms are designed to lengthen the received signal and improve the estimation accuracy of the center frequency of the response signal, respectively. Meanwhile, a fast binary search algorithm is proposed to accelerate the scanning cycle according to the developed response function. Finally, the SAW torque sensor demodulation system is set up and SAW resonators with high sensitivity are fabricated on a quartz substrate. The presented demodulation system is tested, and a standard deviation of 0.28 kHz is achieved. This value is much smaller than that of classic and modern spectrum estimation methods. The sensitivity of resonance frequency shift versus torque on the shaft of the assembled senor is 2.03 kHz/Nm; the coefficient of determination is 0.999, and the linearity is 0.87%. Experimental results verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed SAW torque sensor demodulation system.
The impact of carbon sp2 fraction of reduced graphene oxide on the performance of reduced graphene oxide contacted organic transistors
Authors: Kang Narae , Khondaker Saiful I.
Published: December 2014

One of the major bottlenecks in fabricating high performance organic field effect transistors (OFETs) is a large interfacial contact barrier between metal electrodes and organic semiconductors (OSCs) which makes the charge injection inefficient. Recently, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) has been suggested as an alternative electrode material for OFETs. RGO has tunable electronic properties and its conductivity can be varied by several orders of magnitude by varying the carbon sp2 fraction. However, whether the sp2 fraction of RGO in the electrode affects the performance of the fabricated OFETs is yet to be investigated. In this study, we demonstrate that the performance of OFETs with pentacene as OSC and RGO as electrode can be continuously improved by increasing the carbon sp2 fraction of RGO. When compared to control palladium electrodes, the mobility of the OFETs shows an improvement of ∼200% for 61% sp2 fraction RGO, which further improves to ∼500% for 80% RGO electrode. Similar improvements were also observed in current on-off ratio, on-current, and transconductance. Our study suggests that, in addition to π-π interaction at RGO/pentacene interface, the tunable electronic properties of RGO electrode have a significant role in OFETs performance.
Computational design of solid-state interfaces using O-lattice theory: An application to mitigating helium-induced damage
Authors: Yuryev D. V. , Demkowicz M. J.
Published: December 2014

Tailoring interface structure to control interface properties promises to improve performance in a wide range of structural materials. We demonstrate an approach for designing interfaces with pre-specified internal structure and functionality using O-lattice theory. To illustrate our method, we design an interface intended to mitigate helium (He)-induced damage by promoting precipitation of He into continuous linear channels. A similar top-down design process may be used to tailor interfaces for other applications such as improved mechanical properties.
High repetition rate Q-switched radially polarized laser with a graphene-based output coupler
Authors: Li Lifei , Zheng Xinliang , Jin Chenjie , Qi Mei , Chen Xiaoming , Ren Zhaoyu , Bai Jintao , Sun Zhipei
Published: December 2014

We demonstrate a Q-switched radially polarized all-solid-state laser by transferring a graphene film directly onto an output coupler. The laser generates Q-switched radially polarized beam (QRPB) with a pulse width of 192 ns and 2.7 W average output power. The corresponding single pulse energy is up to 16.2 μJ with a high repetition rate of 167 kHz. The M2 factor and the polarization purity are ∼2.1 and 96%, respectively. Our QRPB source is a simple and low-cost source for a variety of applications, such as industrial material processing, optical trapping, and microscopy.
Local traps as nanoscale reaction-diffusion probes: B clustering in c-Si
Authors: Pawlak B. J. , Cowern N. E. B. , Ahn C. , Vandervorst W. , Gwilliam R. , van Berkum J. G. M.
Published: December 2014

A series of B implantation experiments into initially amorphized and not fully recrystallized Si, i.e., into an existing a/c-Si bi-layer material, have been conducted. We varied B dose, energy, and temperature during implantation process itself. Significant B migration has been observed within c-Si part near the a/c-interface and near the end-of-range region before any activation annealing. We propose a general concept of local trapping sites as experimental probes of nanoscale reaction-diffusion processes. Here, the a/c-Si interface acts as a trap, and the process itself is explored as the migration and clustering of mobile BI point defects in nearby c-Si during implantation at temperatures from 77 to 573 K. We find that at room temperature—even at B concentrations as high as 1.6 atomic %, the key B-B pairing step requires diffusion lengths of several nm owing to a small, ∼0.1 eV, pairing energy barrier. Thus, in nanostructures doped by ion implantation, the implant distribution can be strongly influenced by thermal migration to nearby impurities, defects, and interfaces.