bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of road freight transportation and its impact on the national emission inventory in China
Authors: Yang X. F. , Liu H. , Man H. Y. , He K. B.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Diesel trucks are major contributors of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and primary particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the transportation sector. However, there are more obstacles to existing estimations of diesel-truck emissions compared with those of cars. The obstacles include both inappropriate methodology and missing basic data in China. According to our research, a large number of trucks are conducting long-distance intercity or interprovincial transportation. Thus, the method used by most existing inventories, based on local registration number, is inappropriate. A road emission intensity-based (REIB) approach is introduced in this research instead of registration-population-based approach. To provide efficient data for the REIB approach, 1060 questionnaire responses and approximately 1.7 million valid seconds of onboard GPS monitoring data were collected in China. The estimated NOx and PM2.5 emissions from diesel freight trucks in China were 5.0 (4.8–7.2) million tonnes and 0.20 (0.17–0.22) million tonnes, respectively, in 2011. The province-based emission inventory is also established using the REIB approach. It was found that the driving conditions on different types of road have significant impacts on the emission levels of freight trucks. The largest differences among the emission factors (in g km−1) on different roads exceed 70 and 50% for NOx and PM2.5, respectively. A region with more intercity freeways or national roads tends to have more NOx emissions, while urban streets play a more important role in primary PM2.5 emissions from freight trucks. Compared with the inventory of the Ministry of Environment Protection, which allocates emissions according to local truck registration number and neglects interregional long-distance transport trips, the differences for NOx and PM2.5 are +28 and −57%, respectively. The REIB approach matches better with traffic statistical data on a provincial level. Furthermore, the different driving conditions on the different roads types are no longer overlooked with this approach.
Receptor modelling of fine particles in southern England using CMB including comparison with AMS-PMF factors
Authors: Yin J. , Cumberland S. A. , Harrison R. M. , Allan J. , Young D. E. , Williams P. I. , Coe H.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. PM2.5 was collected during a winter campaign at two southern England sites, urban background North Kensington (NK) and rural Harwell (HAR), in January–February 2012. Multiple organic and inorganic source tracers were analysed and used in a Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model, which apportioned seven separate primary sources, that explained on average 53% (NK) and 56% (HAR) of the organic carbon (OC), including traffic, woodsmoke, food cooking, coal combustion, vegetative detritus, natural gas and dust/soil. With the addition of source tracers for secondary biogenic aerosol at the NK site, 79% of organic carbon was accounted for. Secondary biogenic sources were represented by oxidation products of α-pinene and isoprene, but only the former made a substantial contribution to OC. Particle source contribution estimates for PM2.5 mass were obtained by the conversion of the OC estimates and combining with inorganic components ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and sea salt. Good mass closure was achieved with 81% (92% with the addition of the secondary biogenic source) and 83% of the PM2.5 mass explained at NK and HAR respectively, with the remainder being secondary organic matter. While the most important sources of OC are vehicle exhaust (21 and 16%) and woodsmoke (15 and 28%) at NK and HAR respectively, food cooking emissions are also significant, particularly at the urban NK site (11% of OC), in addition to the secondary biogenic source, only measured at NK, which represented about 26%. In comparison, the major source components for PM2.5 at NK and HAR are inorganic ammonium salts (51 and 56%), vehicle exhaust emissions (8 and 6%), secondary biogenic (10% measured at NK only), woodsmoke (4 and 7%) and sea salt (7 and 8%), whereas food cooking (4 and 1%) showed relatively smaller contributions to PM2.5. Results from the CMB model were compared with source contribution estimates derived from the AMS-PMF method. The overall mass of organic matter accounted for is rather similar for the two methods. However, appreciably different concentrations were calculated for the individual primary organic matter contributions, although for most source categories the CMB and AMS-PMF results were highly correlated (r2 = 0.69–0.91). In comparison with the CMB model, the AMS appears to overestimate the biomass burning/coal and food cooking sources by a factor of around 1.5 to 2 while estimates of the traffic source are rather similar for each model. The largest divergence is in the primary/secondary organic matter split, with the AMS estimating an appreciably smaller secondary component. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed, but despite these substantial divergences, the strong correlation of the two methods gives some confidence in their application.
The importance of interstitial particle scavenging by cloud droplets in shaping the remote aerosol size distribution and global aerosol-climate effects
Authors: Pierce J. R. , Croft B. , Kodros J. K. , D'Andrea S. D. , Martin R. V.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. In this paper, we investigate the coagulation of interstitial aerosol particles (particles too small to activate to cloud droplets) with cloud drops, a process often ignored in aerosol-climate models. We use the GEOS-Chem-TOMAS global chemical transport model with aerosol microphysics to calculate the changes in the aerosol size distribution, cloud-albedo aerosol indirect effect, and direct aerosol effect due to the interstitial coagulation process. We find that inclusion of interstitial coagulation in clouds lowers total particle number concentrations by 15–21% globally, where the range is due to varying assumptions regarding activation diameter, cloud droplet size, and ice cloud physics. The interstitial coagulation process lowers the concentration of particles with dry diameters larger than 80 nm (a proxy for larger CCN) by 10–12%. These 80 nm particles are not directly removed by the interstitial coagulation, but are reduced in concentration because fewer smaller particles grow to diameters larger than 80 nm. The global aerosol indirect effect of adding interstitial coagulation varies from +0.4 to +1.3 W m−2 where again the range depends on our cloud assumptions. Thus, the aerosol indirect effect of this process is significant, but the magnitude depends greatly on assumptions regarding activation diameter, cloud droplet size, and ice cloud physics. The aerosol direct effect of interstitial coagulation process is minor (<0.01 W m−2) due to the shift in the aerosol size distribution at sizes where scattering is most effective being small. We recommend that this interstitial scavenging process be considered in aerosol models when the size distribution and aerosol indirect effects are important.
A solar-wind-driven empirical model of Pc3 wave activity at a mid-latitude location
Authors: Lotz S. , Heilig B. , Sutcliffe P.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. In this paper we describe the development of two empirical models of Pc3 wave activity observed at a ground station. The models are tasked to predict pulsation intensity at Tihany, Hungary, from the OMNI solar wind data set at 5 min time resolution. One model is based on artificial neural networks and the other on multiple linear regression. Input parameters to the models are iteratively selected from a larger set of candidate inputs. The optimal set of inputs are solar wind speed, interplanetary magnetic field orientation (via cone angle), proton density and solar zenith angle (representing local time). Solar wind measurements are shifted in time with respect to Pc3 data to account for the propagation time of ULF perturbations from upstream of the bow shock. Both models achieve correlation of about 70% between measured and predicted Pc3 wave intensity. The timescales at which the most important solar wind parameters influence pulsation intensity are calculated for the first time. We show that solar wind speed influences pulsation intensity at much longer timescales (about 2 days) than cone angle (about 1 h).
The vertical distribution of buoyant plastics at sea: an observational study in the North Atlantic Gyre
Authors: Reisser J. , Slat B. , Noble K. , du Plessis K. , Epp M. , Proietti M. , de Sonneville J. , Becker T. , Pattiaratchi C.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Millimetre-sized plastics are numerically abundant and widespread across the world's ocean surface. These buoyant macroscopic particles can be mixed within the upper water column by turbulent transport. Models indicate that the largest decrease in their concentration occurs within the first few metres of water, where in situ observations are very scarce. In order to investigate the depth profile and physical properties of buoyant plastic debris, we used a new type of multi-level trawl at 12 sites within the North Atlantic subtropical gyre to sample from the air–seawater interface to a depth of 5 m, at 0.5 m intervals. Our results show that plastic concentrations drop exponentially with water depth, and decay rates decrease with increasing Beaufort number. Furthermore, smaller pieces presented lower rise velocities and were more susceptible to vertical transport. This resulted in higher depth decays of plastic mass concentration (milligrams m−3) than numerical concentration (pieces m−3). Further multi-level sampling of plastics will improve our ability to predict at-sea plastic load, size distribution, drifting pattern, and impact on marine species and habitats.
On the positioning error of a 2-DOF spherical parallel wrist with flexible links and joints – an FEM approach
Authors: Palmieri G.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. This paper deals with an elasto-static analysis of a 2-DOF (degrees of freedom) spherical parallel wrist where the links and the joints are considered flexible. Theoretically, the mobile platform of the wrist rotates around a fixed point which is the intersection of all the joint axes. However, if the flexibility of the limbs is taken into account, while the base platform (BP) and the mobile platform (MP) are assumed rigid, two centers can be identified: one for the BP and the other for the MP. In general such points are not coincident; as a result, the positioning of the MP is affected by inaccuracies, which can be evaluated in terms of displacement and orientation errors. A finite-element method (FEM) approach is used to analyze the problem in a series of configurations of the wrist; the results are elaborated in order to obtain continuous maps of the errors over the workspace of the machine.
Albedo reduction caused by black carbon and dust accumulation: a quantitive model applied to the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Goelles T. , Bøggild C. E.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Ice loss due to surface melt of the Greenland ice sheet has increased in recent years. Surface melt in the ablation zone is controlled by atmospheric temperature and surface albedo. Impurities such as mineral dust and black carbon darken the snow and ice surfaces and therefore reduce the surface albedo which leads to more absorbed solar energy and ultimately amplifying melt. These impurities accumulate on the ice surface both from atmospheric fallout and by melt-out of material which was enclosed in the snowpack or the ice compound. A general impurity accumulation model is developed and applied to calculate the surface albedo evolution at two locations in western Greenland. The model is forced either by regional climate model output or by a parameterisation for temperature and precipitation. Simulations identify mineral dust as the main contributor to impurity mass on ice where the dominating part originates from melt out of englacial dust. Daily reduction of impurities is in the range of one per-mille which leads to a residence time of decades on the ice surface. Therefore the impurities have a prolonged effect on surface melt once they are located on the ice surface. The currently englacially stored mineral dust and black carbon will effect future melt and sea level rise and can be studied with the presented model.
How to stimulate employment growth in the Greek hotel industry
Authors: Beneki Christina C. , Rerres Kyriakos , Chionis Dionysios P. , Hassani Hossein
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study is to estimate the intensity of employment in the Greek hotel industry in order to determine how the availability of different facilities in each hotel affects the number of employees and to examine how each firm adjusts its number of employees due to exogenous changes in demand and prices. A unique and confidential primary data set of 3324 Greek hotels, administered between 2008 and 2010, was used and a generalized linear mixed model was implemented. The empirical results indicate that the guest capacity is the strongest factor contributing to employment, but perhaps of greater importance for policymakers are the results regarding hotel quality, whether measured generally by class of hotel and price, or more specifically regarding the provision of restaurants, shops, gyms and conference facilities.
The Creation of an Enduring Legend of the National Hero: A Comparison of Tadeusz Kościuszko and George Washington
Authors: Burczak Michał
Published: February 2015

The word “legend” is of Latin origin. The verb legere means “to read, gather, or select.” Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of the English language, edited in 1802, gives, inter alia, the following definition of the word “legend”: “a chronicle of the lives of saints; any memorial or relation, an incredible unauthentick narrative.” In Samuel Linde’s six-volume dictionary of the Polish language, published in 1807, the first work of such lexicographic magnitude compiled by a Polish scholar, the word “legend” (legienda) is concisely summarized as a chronicle of the lives of saints. While modern English and Polish twenty-first-century lexicons seem to agree that a legend is a story from earlier times of people or events that may or may not be true or a story of an important person who is known for doing something extremely well, some Polish dictionaries define it in broader terms, claiming that a legend is a narrative about famous people or events that is often exaggerated.
The Image of Tadeusz Kościuszko in Postwar Polish Education
Authors: Wojdon Joanna , Tyszkiewicz Jakub
Published: February 2015

To examine changes in educational policy in Poland after World War II, reflected by the image of Tadeusz Kościuszko, we are analyzing school textbooks. We are doing this for two reasons. First, textbooks in Poland, as in many other countries, have long been the predominant “pedagogical tool,” used every day by virtually all teachers and students—hence they have a huge impact not just on the teaching process1 but also on society in general, and in the case of history textbooks, an impact on collective memory.3 This impact is even greater when there is only one textbook available for each grade, or when the choice is limited—which was the case in Poland between 1949 and 1989. Even today, textbooks are still regarded as both an interpretation of school curricula and a compendium of knowledge for students, as well as a basic pedagogical tool for teachers. Their importance is reflected in heated debates on the possibility of free e-textbooks being distributed by the Ministry of Education. The authors of this article are aware that some teachers may use textbooks critically, and even under communism some did not follow official guidance and interpretations, but most likely such an attitude was not predominant. Thus, school textbooks have a great impact on Polish society and show us what most Polish people learned about Kościuszko.
La oposición entre la Red y el Yo (1989-2009): análisis de una hipótesis sociológica de Manuel Castells
Authors: Torres Esteban
Published: February 2015

La oposición entre la Red y el Yo es la fórmula principal que proponeManuel Castells a partir de 1989 para sintetizar su visión sobre ladinámica estructural de las sociedades contemporáneas. En el presenteartículo analizamos los aspectos centrales de tal postulado, atendiendoen particular a la relación que establece con la cuestión del poder. Lainvestigación nos permitirá descubrir que dicho vínculo, zigzagueante ydesorientador en el plano explícito de su teoría social, promociona unaconcepción reduccionista y no relacional del poder, sustentada sobrecierto determinismo espacial. En el trabajo también analizamos laslógicas de articulación involucradas en la fórmula, la relación de estaúltima con las metáforas societales centrales, y fi nalmente el problemaprincipal que plantea la oposición entre la Red y el Yo: la ruptura de lospatrones de comunicación social.
Importancia de la invariancia de medida de la confianza a través del tiempo. El caso de España
Authors: Coromina Lluis
Published: February 2015

La confianza social y política son factores  del capital social. El artº se basa en la precisión de su medida y  comparación a lo largo del tiempo. Se lleva a cabo un análisis factorial  de grupos múltiples (AFCGM), teniéndose en cuenta diferentes niveles de invariancia de medida. Se usan datos españoles de la ESE entre el año 2002 y 2008. Se comparan las medias de  factores latentes de la confianza social y política en los diferentes años. Los resultados muestran una estabilidad de la confianza social y política durante el periodo estudiado, a excepción del 2004 con un mayor nivel de confianza política, y del 2006 con un nivel más elevado de confianza social. Finalmente, se compara esta medida con la media compuesta tradicional, demostrando la inexactitud de esta última para la comparación entre grupos.
La fotografía industrial y el archivo de empresa en la siderurgia del Puerto de Sagunto
Authors: Montiel Roig Gonzalo
Published: February 2015

Este artículo realiza una aportación sobre los archivos fotográfi codocumentalesen la industria siderúrgica como fuente de conocimientoy herramienta sociológica. Se aborda el caso del archivo fotográfi codocumental de Altos Hornos de Vizcaya y Altos Hornos delMediterráneo en Sagunto (Puerto) entre 1944 y 1976. Se aborda lanecesidad de analizar el papel de los fotógrafos de empresa y sufunción de «relatores» del discurso laboral y social de la empresa. Seestudia el archivo fotográfi co como «artefacto de poder» con unaestructura narrativa propia y autónoma, con una funcionalidad dentrodel proceso industrial relacionada con la generación de una estructurade discursos simbólicos e identitarios.
Consecuencias del permiso de paternidad en el reparto de tareas y cuidados en la pareja
Authors: Romero-Balsas Pedro
Published: February 2015

Uno de los grandes objetivos de las políticas parentales dirigidasexclusivamente a varones es la igualdad de géneros. El objetivo de esteestudio es de comprobar si la utilización del permiso de paternidadfomenta la implicación y el reparto de actividades dentro de la esferareproductiva. Para ello se ha utilizado la encuesta «El uso social de lospermisos parentales 2012». Se han creado modelos analíticosmultivariantes, utilizando las técnicas de regresión lineal de mínimos y laregresión logística ordinal. La submuestra empleada en el análisis secompone de 600 progenitores varones con al menos un hijo o hijadesde el año 2007. Los resultados apuntan a que la utilización delpermiso de paternidad favorece la implicación por parte de losprogenitores varones en el tiempo dedicado al cuidado de los hijos,pero este efecto es limitado ya que solo se produce en los padres quehan utilizado el permiso de paternidad para su primer hijo o hija.
Entre desiertos y serranías. Población, espacio no controlado y fronteras permeables en el Septentrión novohispano tardocolonial
Authors: Ortelli Sara
Published: February 2015

En este artículo se analiza la circulación de población en la provincia de Nueva Vizcaya a fines de la época colonial, entre los espacios controlados y aquellos que quedaban fuera del control de las autoridades. Aunque se suponía que estaban formalmente integrados en la sociedad colonial como súbditos de la corona, la vida de estos hombres y mujeres transcurría entre su incorporación como habitantes de pueblos y misiones, haciendas o reales de mina, y su dedicación a las diversas actividades productivas como trabajadores agrícolas, mineros o pastores, y su establecimiento por temporadas o su huida definitiva a los desiertos y serranías, donde continuaban su existencia vinculándose con frecuencia a actividades delictivas como el robo de ganado. Estos espacios actuaban, así, como fronteras en el interior de la propia sociedad colonial y contribuían a delimitar y definir identidades sociales y modos de vida.
Los misioneros jesuitas, traductores culturales: las fronteras culturales de la misión católica en la China del siglo XVIII
Authors: Mantecón Sardiñas Sergio
Published: February 2015

La controversia de los ritos chinos conforma un tema de investigación analizable desde ópticas tan diferentes como la historia, la sociología, la teología o las modernas teorías sobre la traducción lingüística y cultural. Este artículo se concentra no solo en la controversia en sí misma, sino también en el contexto histórico en que se conoció, así como en el conflicto y las relaciones de poder entre diferentes misioneros y modelos de misión que dieron lugar al conflicto. Asimismo, se explican las razones y los motivos que dieron lugar a la llegada a China del comisionado vaticano Carlo Ambrogio Mezzabarba en 1720. Se analiza, particularmente, la figura del misionero como un mediador entre culturas y explica estrategias de traducción lingüística y cultural adoptadas por los padres jesuitas. Dichos procesos de adaptación y mediación produjeron problemas derivados de las malas interpretaciones culturales y conceptuales, y la interpretación china del catolicismo, además del choque entre diferentes modelos de misión. Como resultado de esta controversia, la Compañía de Jesús fue suprimida en 1773, si bien sería restaurada en 1814. Este artículo analiza las estrategias de traducción cultural desarrollada en dichos contextos durante los siglos XVII-XVIII, un tema central para explicar la concreción y las consecuencias de los intercambios culturales que implicaba la acción misionera en Asia, así como su configuración como frontera cultural de la acción misionera católica.
Antón Pelayo, Javier (2013). La correspondència epistolar de la família Burguès (1750-1850)
Authors: Ferré i Gispets David
Published: February 2015

Antón Pelayo, Javier (2013)La correspondència epistolar de la família Burguès (1750-1850)Bellaterra: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 334 p.ISBN 978-84-490-4212-6 (paper) / 978-84-490-4391-8 (digital)
Burney, Charles (2014). Viaje musical por Francia e Italia en el siglo XVIII
Authors: Bonet i Parés Diana
Published: February 2015

Burney, Charles (2014)Viaje musical por Francia e Italia en el siglo XVIIIEdició i traducció de Ramón AndrésBarcelona: Editorial Acantilado, 494 p.ISBN 978-84-16011-07-0
Castillo Gómez, Antonio y Sierra Blas, Verónica (dirs.) (2014). Cinco siglos de cartas. Historia y prácticas epistolares en las épocas moderna y contemporánea
Authors: Castro Rojas Isabel
Published: February 2015

Castillo Gómez, Antonio y Sierra Blas, Verónica (dirs.) (2014)Cinco siglos de cartas. Historia y prácticas epistolares en las épocas moderna y contemporáneaHuelva: Universidad de Huelva, 472 p.ISBN 978-84-16061-13-6
Efficient Generation of Megakaryocytes From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Food and Drug Administration-Approved Pharmacological Reagents
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Wang Ying , Gao Yongxing , Forbes Jessica A. , Qayyum Rehan , Becker Lewis , Cheng Linzhao , Wang Zack Z.
Published: February 2015

Megakaryocytes (MKs) are rare hematopoietic cells in the adult bone marrow and produce platelets that are critical to vascular hemostasis and wound healing. Ex vivo generation of MKs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides a renewable cell source of platelets for treating thrombocytopenic patients and allows a better understanding of MK/platelet biology. The key requirements in this approach include developing a robust and consistent method to produce functional progeny cells, such as MKs from hiPSCs, and minimizing the risk and variation from the animal-derived products in cell cultures. In this study, we developed an efficient system to generate MKs from hiPSCs under a feeder-free and xeno-free condition, in which all animal-derived products were eliminated. Several crucial reagents were evaluated and replaced with Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacological reagents, including romiplostim (Nplate, a thrombopoietin analog), oprelvekin (recombinant interleukin-11), and Plasbumin (human albumin). We used this method to induce MK generation from hiPSCs derived from 23 individuals in two steps: generation of CD34+CD45+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) for 14 days; and generation and expansion of CD41+CD42a+ MKs from HPCs for an additional 5 days. After 19 days, we observed abundant CD41+CD42a+ MKs that also expressed the MK markers CD42b and CD61 and displayed polyploidy (≥16% of derived cells with DNA contents >4N). Transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing revealed that megakaryocytic-related genes were highly expressed. Additional maturation and investigation of hiPSC-derived MKs should provide insights into MK biology and lead to the generation of large numbers of platelets ex vivo.
Characterization and Angiogenic Potential of Human Neonatal and Infant Thymus Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Wang Shuyun , Mundada Lakshmi , Johnson Sean , Wong Joshua , Witt Russell , Ohye Richard G. , Si Ming-Sing
Published: February 2015

Resident mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are involved in angiogenesis during thymus regeneration. We have previously shown that MSCs can be isolated from enzymatically digested human neonatal and infant thymus tissue that is normally discarded during pediatric cardiac surgical procedures. In this paper, we demonstrate that thymus MSCs can also be isolated by explant culture of discarded thymus tissue and that these cells share many of the characteristics of bone marrow MSCs. Human neonatal thymus MSCs are clonogenic, demonstrate exponential growth in nearly 30 population doublings, have a characteristic surface marker profile, and express pluripotency genes. Furthermore, thymus MSCs have potent proangiogenic behavior in vitro with sprout formation and angiogenic growth factor production. Thymus MSCs promote neoangiogenesis and cooperate with endothelial cells to form functional human blood vessels in vivo. These characteristics make thymus MSCs a potential candidate for use as an angiogenic cell therapeutic agent and for vascularizing engineered tissues in vitro.
Liquid-Phase Homogeneous Catalytic Oxidation of Gas Oil: Elucidation of Complex Chemical Transformation Network
Authors: Syed Mumtaz Danish Naqvi  , Muhammad Ashraf Kamal  , Syed Mohib Raza Kazmi  , Kashif Riaz  , Fasihullah Khan
Published: February 2015

An attempt has been made to elucidate the extremely complex chemical changes that take place when gas oils (middle distillates such as high speed diesel) are subjected to liquid phase homogeneous oxidative processing in the presence of the redox couple Co(III)/Co(II). For this purpose dilute solutions of gas oil in wet acetic acid have been treated with air under carefully controlled conditions of temperature, pressure and air flow rate. Reaction products are extracted in chloroform from an ice cold aqueous solution of the reaction mixture. Both instrumental (FTIR) and kinetic analyses endorse each other and thereby prove the sequential nature of the reaction resulting in the formation of diverse products through decomposition of the intermediate hydroperoxides, which are unstable in the presence of the catalytic redox couple Co(III)/Co(II).
Thermal Transformation of Indigenous Diaspore
Authors: Muhammad Ashraf Kamal  , Syed Mumtaz Danish Naqvi  , Syed Mohib Raza Kazmi  , Kashif Riaz  , Shaikh Mohiuddin
Published: February 2015

Indigenous diaspore is a high density hard mineral. It becomes harder on heating up to 550oC. The dispore has been characterized thermally by thermal gravimetric analysis and x-ray diffraction. Results show that the indigenous mineral increases its density after heating at various temperatures for 1 hour. Increase in density points out the increase in hardness due to the formation of a more crystalline compact material corundum using as abrasive.
Interventions for Improving Young Children’s Dietary Intake through Early Childhood Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bell Lucinda K. , Golley Rebecca K.
Published: February 2015

Early childhood settings (ECS) offer a unique opportunity to intervene to improve children’s nutrition. This paper reviews the literature on early childhood setting interventions that aim to improve children’s dietary intake. Environmental and individual determinants of children’s dietary intakes were also investigated. Prospective intervention studies targeting centres, staff, parents/caregivers or children, were reviewed. Methodological quality was assessed. Twenty six studies (14 weak, 12 moderate quality) were included. Interventions were delivered primarily via training workshops and/or written materials. Study findings favoured intervention effectiveness in 23 studies. Improvements were seen in children’s intake for 8 out of 11 studies assessing dietary intake outcomes. Small increases in fruit and vegetable consumption were observed in five studies. Most studies measuring parental or centre food provision observed post-intervention improvements across a number of food groups, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains and sweetened beverages. Significant improvements in child, parent and/or staff knowledge, attitudes or behaviours were observed consistently across studies. For those studies that included a comparison group, these improvements were observed only in the intervention group. ECS interventions can achieve changes in children’s dietary intake and associated socio- environmental- determinants, although the quality of current research limits confidence in study findings. Future intervention development needs to carefully consider the behavioural targets, modifiable determinants and utilise age-appropriate and effective behaviour change theory, in addition to inclusion of dietary intake outcomes.
Susceptibility of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Newman) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), to entomopathogenic Hypocreales fungi
Authors: Giroux François , Lavallée Robert , Bauce Éric , Guertin Claude
Published: February 2015

The susceptibility of adults and larvae of the Japanese beetle to isolates of the fungi Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium longisporum and L. muscarium (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) was evaluated in laboratory bioassays. The presence of intra- and interspecific variations regarding the pathogenicity of the isolates was investigated. Results show that most of the fungal isolates caused mortality in adults and larvae. Isolates M. anisopliae INRS 705 and B. bassiana INRS 236 induced 70.3% and 65.2% of mortality in P. japonica adults, respectively, and both caused the death of about 37% of larvae. Of the 17 tested isolates, 13 caused larval mortality. However, no significant difference was found between the susceptibility of larvae to isolates from different species and those from a same species. Lecanicillium species are undoubtedly not pathogenic to adults and seem to have few effects on larvae. Based on the results obtained with the selected isolates, intra- and interspecific differences relative to the pathogenicity of the isolates appeared to be present. Overall, this study expanded the knowledge about P. japonica susceptibility towards entomopathogenic Hypocreales fungi. The implications of this study regarding the development of a biological control agent are discussed.
“First, do no harm”: legal guidelines for health programmes affecting adolescents aged 10–17 who sell sex or inject drugs
Authors: Conner Brendan
Published: February 2015

Introduction

There is a strong evidence base that the stigma, discrimination and criminalization affecting adolescent key populations (KPs) aged 10–17 is intensified due to domestic and international legal constructs that rely on law‐enforcement‐based interventions dependent upon arrest, pre‐trial detention, incarceration and compulsory “rehabilitation” in institutional placement. While there exists evidence and rights‐based technical guidelines for interventions among older cohorts, these guidelines have not yet been embraced by international public health actors for fear that international law applies different standards to adolescents aged 10–17 who engage in behaviours such as selling sex or injecting drugs.

Discussion

As a matter of international human rights, health, juvenile justice and child protection law, interventions among adolescent KPs aged 10–17 must not involve arrest, prosecution or detention of any kind. It is imperative that interventions not rely on law enforcement, but instead low‐threshold, voluntary services, shelter and support, utilizing peer‐based outreach as much as possible. These services must be mobile and accessible, and permit alternatives to parental consent for the provision of life‐saving support, including HIV testing, treatment and care, needle and syringe programmes, opioid substitution therapy, safe abortions, antiretroviral therapy and gender‐affirming care and hormone treatment for transgender adolescents. To ensure enrolment in services, international guidance indicates that informed consent and confidentiality must be ensured, including by waiver of parental consent requirements. To remove the disincentive to health practitioners and researchers to engaging with adolescent KPs aged 10–17 government agencies and ethical review boards are advised to exempt or grant waivers for mandatory reporting. In the event that, in violation of international law and guidance, authorities seek to involuntarily place adolescent KPs in institutions, they are entitled to judicial process. Legal guidelines also provide that these adolescents have influence over their placement, access to legal counsel to challenge the conditions of their detention and regular visitation from peers, friends and family, and that all facilities be subject to frequent and periodic review by independent agencies, including community‐based groups led by KPs.

Conclusions

Controlling international law specifies that protective interventions among KPs aged 10–17 must not only include low‐threshold, voluntary services but also “protect” adolescent KPs from the harms attendant to law‐enforcement‐based interventions. Going forward, health practitioners must honour the right to health by adjusting programmes according to principles of minimum intervention, due process and proportionality, and duly limit juvenile justice and child protection involvement as a measure of last resort, if any.
Response to Nodal morphogen gradient is determined by the kinetics of target gene induction
Authors: Dubrulle Julien , Jordan Benjamin M , Akhmetova Laila , Farrell Jeffrey A , Kim Seok-Hyung , Solnica-Krezel Lilianna , Schier Alexander F
Published: March 2015

Morphogen gradients expose cells to different signal concentrations and induce target genes with different ranges of expression. To determine how the Nodal morphogen gradient induces distinct gene expression patterns during zebrafish embryogenesis, we measured the activation dynamics of the signal transducer Smad2 and the expression kinetics of long- and short-range target genes. We found that threshold models based on ligand concentration are insufficient to predict the response of target genes. Instead, morphogen interpretation is shaped by the kinetics of target gene induction: the higher the rate of transcription and the earlier the onset of induction, the greater the spatial range of expression. Thus, the timing and magnitude of target gene expression can be used to modulate the range of expression and diversify the response to morphogen gradients.
A Sonographic Technique to Evaluate the Anterior Bundle of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow
Authors: Ferreira Fernando B. M. D. , Fernandes Eloy D. A. , Silva Flavio D. , Vieira Magno C. , Puchnick Andrea , Fernandes Artur R. C.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test a sonographic technique used to view the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), describe its sonographic characteristics in healthy volunteers, and verify these characteristics by determining interobserver variability and their correlations in cadavers.

Methods

Sonographic studies of the anterior bundle of the UCL were performed on 48 elbows of asymptomatic healthy volunteers. The participants were examined by 3 experts, who identified the insertion sites of the anterior bundle and subjectively evaluated its echogenicity and echo texture. A sonographic examination of the anterior bundle of the UCL in a cadaveric elbow was performed, and the same aspects were evaluated.

Results

In all cases, the anterior bundle of the UCL appeared as a triangular structure in the coronal plane and had a hyperechoic homogeneous echo texture in most of these cases. The cadaveric elbow had the same sonographic characteristics as the volunteers.

Conclusions

As shown by examining the interobserver variability and determining the correlation with cadaveric tissue, sonography proved to be a reliable tool for evaluating the normal aspects of the anterior bundle of the UCL.
Sonography of Cat Scratch Disease
Authors: Melville David M. , Jacobson Jon A. , Downie Brian , Biermann J. Sybil , Kim Sung Moon , Yablon Corrie M.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To characterize the sonographic features of cat scratch disease and to identify features that allow differentiation from other causes of medial epitrochlear masses.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, patients who underwent sonography for a medial epitrochlear mass or lymph node were identified via the radiology information system. Patients were divided into 2 groups: cat scratch disease and non–cat scratch disease, based on pathologic results and clinical information. Sonograms were retrospectively reviewed and characterized with respect to dimension, shape (round, oval, or lobular), symmetry, location (subcutaneous or intramuscular), multiplicity, echogenicity (anechoic, hypoechoic, isoechoic, hyperechoic, or mixed), hyperechoic hilum (present or absent), adjacent anechoic or hypoechoic area, hyperemia (present or absent), pattern of hyperemia if present (central, peripheral, or mixed), increased posterior through‐transmission (present or absent), and shadowing (present or absent). Sonographic findings were compared between the patients with and without cat scratch disease.

Results

The final patient group consisted of 5 cases of cat scratch disease and 16 cases of other causes of medial epitrochlear masses. The 2 sonographic findings that were significantly different between the cat scratch disease and non–cat scratch disease cases included mass asymmetry (P = .0062) and the presence of a hyperechoic hilum (P = .0075). The other sonographic findings showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions

The sonographic finding of an epitrochlear mass due to cat scratch disease most commonly is that of a hypoechoic lobular or oval mass with central hyperemia and a possible adjacent fluid collection; however, the presence of asymmetry and a hyperechoic hilum differentiate cat scratch disease from other etiologies.
Sonographic Assessment of Spleen Stiffness Before and After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement With or Without Concurrent Embolization of Portal Systemic Collateral Veins in Patients With Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension
Authors: Novelli Paula M. , Cho Kyung , Rubin Jonathan M.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of spleen stiffness measurement in the evaluation of portal hemodynamics in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement.

Methods

We prospectively correlated the spleen stiffness as measured by the shear wave velocity with the portal pressure and portosystemic gradient in patients undergoing TIPS procedures. Twenty‐three consecutive patients referred for placement of a TIPS were enrolled. Included in our study were 19 patients in whom a spleen stiffness measurement was obtained before, immediately after, and 1 to 3 days after placement. Spleen stiffness was measured by calculating the Young modulus estimated from the shear wave velocity. A 2‐tailed nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U test was used to assess statistically significant differences in spleen stiffness measurement after TIPS placement, and regression analysis was used to correlate spleen stiffness measurement with portal pressure.

Results

After TIPS placement, the spleen stiffness measurement increased, with a mean increase in the Young modulus ± SD of 6.54 ± 6.29 kPa in 42% of patients (8 of 19). In the remaining 58% (11 of 19), the spleens became softer after TIPS placement (Young modulus decreased by 9.57 ± 8.82 kPa). Eight patients, including 5 with concurrent embolization or thrombosis of competitive shunts, had increased spleen stiffness. The mean change in the median spleen stiffness before and after TIPS placement between the patients with and without competitive shunts was statistically significantly different (P < .04, nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U test). There was no measurable correlation between spleen stiffness measurement and portal pressure before and after TIPS placement.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a noninvasive spleen stiffness measurement, which could complement conventional sonography with additional functional information in patients undergoing TIPS procedures.
Shape‐Based Approach for Coronary Calcium Lesion Volume Measurement on Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging and Its Association With Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness
Authors: Araki Tadashi , Ikeda Nobutaka , Dey Nilanjan , Acharjee Suvojit , Molinari Filippo , Saba Luca , Godia Elisa Cuadrado , Nicolaides Andrew , Suri Jasjit S.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Coronary calcification plays an important role in diagnostic classification of lesion subsets. According to histopathologic studies, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque contains calcified deposits, and there can be considerable variation in the extent and degree of calcification. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has demonstrated its role in imaging coronary arteries, thereby displaying calcium lesions. The aim of this work was to develop a fully automated system for detection, area and volume measurement, and characterization of the largest calcium deposits in coronary arteries. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correlation between the coronary calcium IVUS volume and the neurologic risk biomarker B‐mode carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT).

Methods

Our system automatically detects the frames with calcium, identifies the largest calcium region, and performs shape‐based volume measurements. The carotid IMT is measured by using AtheroEdge software (AtheroPoint, LLC) on B‐mode ultrasound imaging.

Results

Our database consists of low‐contrast IVUS videos and corresponding B‐mode images from 100 patients. Our experiments showed that the correlation between calcium volumes and carotid IMT was higher for the left carotid artery compared to the right carotid artery (r = 0.066 for the left carotid artery and 0.121 for the right carotid artery). We obtained 97% accuracy for automated calcium detection compared against the scoring given by our expert radiologists. Furthermore, we benchmarked shape‐based volume measurement against the conventional method, which used integration of regions and showed a correlation of 84%.

Conclusions

Since carotid IMT is an independent prognostic factor for myocardial infarction, and calcium lesions are correlated with stroke risk, we believe that this automated system for calcium volume measurement could be useful for assessing patients' cardiovascular risk.
Scrotal Swelling in the Neonate
Authors: Basta Amaya M. , Courtier Jesse , Phelps Andrew , Copp Hillary L. , MacKenzie John D.
Published: February 2015

Discovery of scrotal swelling in a neonate can be a source of anxiety for parents, clinicians, and sonologists alike. This pictorial essay provides a focused review of commonly encountered scrotal masses and mimics specific to the neonatal setting. Although malignancy is a concern, it is very uncommon, as most neonatal scrotal masses are benign. Key discriminating features and management options are highlighted to improve the radiologist's ability to diagnose neonatal scrotal conditions and guide treatment decisions. Neonatal scrotal processes ranging from common to uncommon will be discussed.
Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis of Premature Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus After Maternal Self‐Medication With Benzydamine Hydrochloride
Authors: Krzeszowski Waldemar , Wilczyński Jan , Grzesiak Mariusz , Nowakowska Dorota
Published: February 2015

We report 3 cases of prenatal diagnosis of premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus after maternal benzydamine hydrochloride therapy (3‐mg lozenges) in third‐trimester pregnancies. In each case, fetal echocardiography revealed a dilated, hypocontractile right ventricle with severe tricuspid regurgitation and constriction of the ductus arteriosus. Although the effect of indomethacin and other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on prenatal ductal constriction is well known, readily available over‐the‐counter nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs such as benzydamine can have an equally deleterious effect and are best avoided in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of the Bowel Wall
Authors: Benacerraf Beryl R. , Groszmann Yvette , Hornstein Mark D. , Bromley Bryann
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the appearance of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the bowel wall in the cul‐de‐sac and determine the characteristic appearance of these lesions. We searched our database between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, for all patients who had sonographic findings of suspected deep infiltrating endometriosis of the bowel with obliteration of the cul‐de‐sac. The medical record of each patient was examined retrospectively for evidence of surgical confirmation of disease. The sonographic appearance, shape, and size of the bowel wall lesions were evaluated to develop criteria for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectosigmoid and cul‐de‐sac. The search of our database revealed 35 patients with sonographic findings of pelvic bowel wall endometriosis associated with obliteration of the cul‐de‐sac. Ten of these patients had surgical confirmation of bowel wall endometriosis after the scan, and another 4 patients had surgical evidence of endometriosis from prior surgery. All of the patients who underwent surgery subsequent to sonography had confirmation of their bowel wall infiltrative endometriosis. Sonographically, the bowel lesions were solid, focal, and tubular with slightly irregular margins and in most cases a thinner section or a “tail” at one end, resembling a comet. This study confirms that bowel wall implants have a very characteristic appearance, and extending the transvaginal examination to include an evaluation of the rectosigmoid seeking these bowel lesions is valuable, especially in any patient presenting with a history of pelvic pain.