bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Model for the Morphological Structure of Renal Arterial Tree: Fractal Structure
Authors: Espinoza-Valdez Aurora , Ordaz-Salazar Francisco C. , Ugalde Edgardo , Femat Ricardo
Published: July 2013

One of the fields of applied mathematics is related to model analysis. Biomedical systems are suitable candidates for this field because of their importance in life sciences including therapeutics. Here we deal with the analysis of a model recently proposed by Espinoza-Valdez et al. (2010) for the kidney vasculature developed via angiogenesis. The graph theory allows one to model quantitatively a vascular arterial tree of the kidney in sense that (1) the vertex represents a vessels bifurcation, whereas (2) each edge stands for a vessel including physiological parameters. The analytical model is based on the two processes of sprouting and splitting angiogeneses, the concentration of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the experimental data measurements of the rat kidneys. The fractal dimension depends on the probability of sprouting angiogenesis in the development of the arterial vascular tree of the kidney, that is, of the distribution of blood vessels in the morphology generated by the analytical model. The fractal dimension might determine whether a suitable renal vascular structure is capable of performing physiological functions under appropriate conditions. The analysis can describe the complex structures of the development vasculature in kidney.
Structure-Induced Dynamics of Erythrocyte Aggregates by Microscale Simulation
Authors: Wang Tong , Xing Zhongwen , Xing Dingyu
Published: July 2013

Erythrocyte aggregation and dissociation play an important role in the determination of hemodynamical properties of blood flow in microcirculation. This paper intends to investigate the adhesion and dissociation kinetics of erythrocytes through computational modeling. The technique of immersed boundary-fictitious domain method has been applied to the study of erythrocyte aggregates traversing modeled stenotic microchannels. The effects of stenosis geometry, cell membrane stiffness, and intercellular interaction strength on aggregate hemodynamics including transit velocity are studied. It is found that the width of the stenosis throat and shape of stenosis have a significant influence on the dissociation of the aggregates. Moreover, horizontally orientated erythrocyte aggregates are observed to dissociate much easier than their vertical counterparts under the same simulation conditions. Results from this study contribute to the fundamental understanding and knowledge on the biophysical characteristics of erythrocyte aggregates in microscopic blood flow, which will provide pathological insights into some human diseases, such as malaria.
Recycling versus Long-Term Storage of Nuclear Fuel: Economic Factors
Authors: Moratilla Soria B. Yolanda , Uris Mas Maria , Estadieu Mathilde , Villar Lejarreta Ainhoa , Echevarria-López David
Published: July 2013

The objective of the present study is to compare the associated costs of long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel—open cycle strategy—with the associated cost of reprocessing and recycling strategy of spent fuel—closed cycle strategy—based on the current international studies. The analysis presents cost trends for both strategies. Also, to point out the fact that the total cost of spent nuclear fuel management (open cycle) is impossible to establish at present, while the related costs of the closed cycle are stable and known, averting uncertainties.
Discriminative Random Field Segmentation of Lung Nodules in CT Studies
Authors: Liu Brian , Raj Ashish
Published: July 2013

The ability to conduct high-quality semiautomatic 3D segmentation of lung nodules in CT scans is of high value to busy radiologists. Discriminative random fields (DRFs) were used to segment 3D volumes of lung nodules in CT scan data using only one seed point per nodule. Optimal parameters for the DRF inference were first found using simulated annealing. These parameters were then used to solve the inference problem using the graph cuts algorithm. Results of the segmentation exhibited high precision and recall. The system can be adapted to facilitate the process of longitudinal studies but will still require human checking for failed cases.
An Investigation on Image Compression Using the Trigonometric Bézier Curve with a Shape Parameter
Authors: Li Juncheng , Zhao Dongbiao
Published: July 2013

A trigonometric Bézier curve analogous to the cubic polynomial Bézier curve, with a shape parameter, is presented in this work. The proposed curve inherits properties similar to those of cubic polynomial Bézier curve, and the shape of the curve can be adjusted by altering the value of the shape parameter while the control polygon is fixed. With the shape parameter, the proposed curve can be made closer to the given control polygon than the general cubic Bézier curve. Then, image compression using the trigonometric Bézier curve approximation method is investigated. Experimental results show that the trigonometric Bézier curve approximation is an effective method for dealing with image compression problems.
Reliable Control for Time-Varying Delay Switched Fuzzy Systems with Faulty Actuators Based on Observers Switching Method
Authors: Zhang Le , Wu Jinnan
Published: July 2013

This paper deals with the reliable control problem of nonlinear systems represented by switched fuzzy systems (SFS) with time-varying delay, where each subsystem of switched system is a time-varying delay fuzzy system. A switched fuzzy system with a Takagi and Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model, which differs from existing ones, is firstly employed to describe a nonlinear system. When the actuators are serious failure, the residual part of actuators cannot make original system stability, using switching technique depends on the states of observers, and the fuzzy reliable controller based on measured observers states instead of the original system states information is built. The stabilization criterion of the reliable control problem is given for the case that the state of original system is unmeasurable. The multi-Lyapunov functions method is utilized to the stability analysis and controller design for time-varying delay switched fuzzy systems with faulty actuators. Moreover, observers switching strategy achieving estimation errors decreasing uniformly asymptotically to zero of the switched fuzzy systems is considered. Finally, the stabilization criterion is transformed into the solvability of sufficient linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed stabilization criterion and controller design approaches, a designed numerical example is studied, and some simulations are provided.
Online Manifold Regularization by Dual Ascending Procedure
Authors: Sun Boliang , Li Guohui , Jia Li , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2013

We propose a novel online manifold regularization framework based on the notion of duality in constrained optimization. The Fenchel conjugate of hinge functions is a key to transfer manifold regularization from offline to online in this paper. Our algorithms are derived by gradient ascent in the dual function. For practical purpose, we propose two buffering strategies and two sparse approximations to reduce the computational complexity. Detailed experiments verify the utility of our approaches. An important conclusion is that our online MR algorithms can handle the settings where the target hypothesis is not fixed but drifts with the sequence of examples. We also recap and draw connections to earlier works. This paper paves a way to the design and analysis of online manifold regularization algorithms.
Mechanical Strength and Biocompatibility of Ultrafine-Grained Commercial Purity Titanium
Authors: Estrin Yuri , Kim Hyoun-Ee , Lapovok Rimma , Ng Hoi Pang , Jo Ji-Hoon
Published: July 2013

The effect of grain refinement of commercial purity titanium by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) on its mechanical performance and bone tissue regeneration is reported.In vivostudies conducted on New Zealand white rabbits did not show an enhancement of biocompatibility of ECAP-modified titanium found earlier byin vitrotesting. However, the observed combination of outstanding mechanical properties achieved by ECAP without a loss of biocompatibility suggests that this is a very promising processing route to bioimplant manufacturing. The study thus supports the expectation that commercial purity titanium modified by ECAP can be seen as an excellent candidate material for bone implants suitable for replacing conventional titanium alloy implants.
Numerical Investigations of Unsteady Flow in a Centrifugal Pump with a Vaned Diffuser
Authors: Petit Olivier , Nilsson Håkan
Published: July 2013

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were made to study the unsteady three-dimensional turbulence in the ERCOFTAC centrifugal pump test case. The simulations were carried out using the OpenFOAM Open Source CFD software. The test case consists of an unshrouded centrifugal impeller with seven blades and a radial vaned diffuser with 12 vanes. A large number of measurements are available in the radial gap between the impeller and the diffuse, making this case ideal for validating numerical methods. Results of steady and unsteady calculations of the flow in the pump are compared with the experimental ones, and four different turbulent models are analyzed. The steady simulation uses the frozen rotor concept, while the unsteady simulation uses a fully resolved sliding grid approach. The comparisons show that the unsteady numerical results accurately predict the unsteadiness of the flow, demonstrating the validity and applicability of that methodology for unsteady incompressible turbomachinery flow computations. The steady approach is less accurate, with an unphysical advection of the impeller wakes, but accurate enough for a crude approximation. The different turbulence models predict the flow at the same level of accuracy, with slightly different results.
A Rare Case of Type I RenalTubular Acidosis with Membranous Nephropathy Presenting as Hypokalemic Paralysis
Authors: Sunder Sham , Sathi Satyanand , Venkataramanan K. , Verma Himanshu , Bhardwaj Minakshi , Rajesh J. , Mahapatra Himanshu
Published: July 2013

Type 1 renal tubular acidosis (RTA), or distal RTA (dRTA), is a disorder of renal tubular acidification, which is generally asymptomatic but may rarely present as hypokalemic paralysis. Here, we report the case of a young male who presented with sudden onset weakness of all 4 limbs and a 2-month history of swelling of the legs. An investigation revealed hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, and nephrotic syndrome. Additional analyses revealed normal anion gap metabolic acidosis with a positive urine anion gap and dRTA. Renal biopsy showed evidence of membranous nephropathy (MN). The patient's weakness improved with potassium supplements. Normalization of the serum potassium level and disappearance of proteinuria were established with an ACE inhibitor and potassium supplementation. This case is an unusual combination of dRTA with MN coupled with the rare presenting symptoms of hypokalemic paralysis and medullary nephrocalcinosis.
Translational Examination of Changes in Baroreflex Function After Renal Denervation in Hypertensive Rats and Humans
Authors: Hart Emma C. , McBryde Fiona D. , Burchell Amy E. , Ratcliffe Laura E.K. , Stewart Lesley Q. , Baumbach Andreas , Nightingale Angus , Paton Julian F.R.
Published: July 2013

Renal denervation has shown promise in the treatment of resistant hypertension, although the mechanisms underlying the blood pressure (BP) reduction remain unclear. In a translational study of spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=7, surgical denervation) and resistant hypertensive human patients (n=8; 5 men, 33–71 years), we examined the relationship among changes in BP, sympathetic nerve activity, and cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex function after renal denervation. In humans, mean systolic BP (SBP; sphygmomanometry) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography) were unchanged at 1 and 6 months after renal denervation (
P
<0.05). Interestingly, 4 of 8 patients showed a 10% decrease in SBP at 6 months, but sympathetic activity did not necessarily change in parallel with SBP. In contrast, all rats showed significant and immediate decreases in telemetric SBP and lumbar sympathetic activity (
P
<0.05), 7 days after denervation. Despite no change in SBP, human cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex function (sequence and threshold techniques) showed improvements at 1 and 6 months after denervation, particularly through increased sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity to falling BP. This was mirrored in spontaneously hypertensive rats; cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (spontaneous sequence and the Oxford technique) improved 7 days after denervation. The more consistent results in rats may be because of a more complete (>90% reduction in renal norepinephrine content) denervation. We conclude that (1) renal denervation improves BP in some patients, but sympathetic activity does not always change in parallel, and (2) baroreflex sensitivity is consistently improved in animals and humans, even when SBP has not decreased. Determining procedural success will be crucial in advancing this treatment modality.
Gestational Hypoxia Induces Preeclampsia-Like Symptoms via Heightened Endothelin-1 Signaling in Pregnant Rats
Authors: Zhou Jianjun , Xiao Daliao , Hu Yali , Wang Zhiqun , Paradis Alexandra , Mata-Greenwood Eugenia , Zhang Lubo
Published: July 2013

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy disorder. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that gestational hypoxia induces preeclampsia-like symptoms via heightened endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling. Time-dated pregnant and nonpregnant rats were divided into normoxic and hypoxic (10.5% O
2
from the gestational day 6–21) groups. Chronic hypoxia had no significant effect on blood pressure or proteinuria in nonpregnant rats but significantly increased blood pressure on day 12 (systolic blood pressure, 111.7±6.1 versus 138.5±3.5 mm Hg;
P
=0.004) and day 20 (systolic blood pressure, 103.4±4.6 versus 125.1±6.1 mm Hg;
P
=0.02) in pregnant rats and urine protein (μg/μL)/creatinine (nmol/μL) ratio on day 20 (0.10±0.01 versus 0.20±0.04;
P
=0.04), as compared with the normoxic control group. This was accompanied with asymmetrical fetal growth restriction. Hypoxia resulted in impaired trophoblast invasion and uteroplacental vascular remodeling. In addition, plasma ET-1 levels, as well as the abundance of prepro–ET-1 mRNA, ET-1 type A receptor and angiotensin II type 1 receptor protein in the kidney and placenta were significantly increased in the chronic hypoxic group, as compared with the control animals. Treatment with the ET-1 type A receptor antagonist, BQ123, during the course of hypoxia exposure significantly attenuated the hypoxia-induced hypertension and other preeclampsia-like features. The results demonstrate that chronic hypoxia during gestation induces preeclamptic symptoms in pregnant rats via heightened ET-1 and ET-1 type A receptor–mediated signaling, providing a molecular mechanism linking gestational hypoxia and increased risk of preeclampsia.
Female-Specific Hypertension Loci on Rat Chromosome 13
Authors: Hoffman Matthew J. , Flister Michael J. , Nunez Lizbeth , Xiao Bing , Greene Andrew S. , Jacob Howard J. , Moreno Carol
Published: July 2013

A 3.7-Mb region of rat chromosome 13 (45.2–49.0 Mb) affects blood pressure (BP) in females only, indicating the presence of sex-specific BP loci in close proximity to the
Renin
locus. In the present study, we used a series of Dahl salt-sensitive/Mcwi-13 Brown Norway congenic rat strains to further resolve BP loci within this region. We identified 3 BP loci affecting female rats only, of which the 2 smaller loci (line9
BP3
and line9
BP4
) were functionally characterized by sequence and expression analysis. Compared with SS (SS/HsdMcwiCrl), the presence of a 591-kb region of BN (BN/NHsdMcwi) chromosome 13 (line9
BP3
) significantly lowered BP by 21 mm Hg on an 8% NaCl diet (153±7 versus 174±5 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Unexpectedly, the addition of 23 kb of Brown Norway chromosome 13 (line9
BP4
) completely erased the female-specific BP protection on 8% NaCl diet, suggesting that BN hypertensive allele(s) reside in this region. The congenic interval of the protective line 9F strain contains 3 genes (
Optc
,
Prelp
, and
Fmod
), and the hypertensive line 9E contains 1 additional gene (
Btg2
). Sequence analysis of the 2 BP loci revealed a total of 282 intergenic variants, with no coding variants. Analysis of gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed strain- and sex-specific differences in
Prelp
,
Fmod
, and
Btg2
expression, implicating these as novel candidate genes for female-specific hypertension.
Re-Visioning Reality: Quantum Superposition in Visual Art
Authors: Stone Lynden
Published: July 2013

The counterintuitive phenomenon of quantum superposition requires a radical review of our ideas of reality. The author suggests that translations of quantum concepts into visual art may assist in provoking such a revision. This essay first introduces the concept of quantum superposition and points out its divergence from conventional perceptions of reality. The author then discusses how visual art might provide insight into quantum superposition. Finally she discusses the visual representation of quantum superposition by contemporary artists Jonathon Keats, Julian Voss-Andreae, Antony Gormley and Daniel Crooks; the problematic and paradoxical nature of such representations; and how these works might provoke a revision of our views of physical reality.
Telling Stories within Immersive Virtual Environments
Authors: Llobera Joan , Blom Kristopher J. , Slater Mel
Published: July 2013

Portraying an unfolding story within an immersive virtual environment (IVE) is difficult: In an IVE, participants can pay attention to and interact with whatever they choose within the scene. Moreover, the decisions taken by virtual characters must appear consistent with their personalities and motivations but also take into account the human participants' actions, whenever relevant. Finally, the results of the interactions should satisfy a pre-established plot. In this article, the authors introduce a new two-part approach that addresses the dilemma regarding freedom of action and narrative.
@TransforMitt
Authors: Aycock John
Published: July 2013

TransforMitt is a Dada art project that makes a statement about political campaigning using a computerized parody of U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney's messages (tweets) on Twitter. The author describes the method used to generate the parody, issues that arose, how and why a human is still required, and whether Twitter is an effective medium.
Junkspace
Authors: Cazabon Lynn
Published: July 2013

Junkspace is a time- and location-sensitive animation and corresponding mobile application that superimposes two forms of waste, one earth-bound (electronic waste) and the other celestial (orbital debris), and three different forms of space: outer space, physical space and virtual space. Using custom software, publicly available NORAD orbital debris tracking data and the GPS coordinates of the exhibition venue, the movement of animated e-waste on screen aligns with the orbital path of actual pieces of debris in orbit above the user's location.
Global eMuseum System (GEMS): Building an International Sense of Collaborative Community History
Authors: McKay Elspeth
Published: July 2013

A virtual global eMuseum system, (GEMS) is a digital knowledge sharing system, connecting young children and community elders through a ubiquitous design. Respecting the values and requirements of the broadest community possible, GEMS follows a traditional practice where much of what we learn is handed down by previous generations in a direct familial fashion through stories, games and pictures. Now the Internet escalates opportunities to pass on our folk history and traditions. Increasing access to generational wisdom in this fashion provides a living testimony of who we are. This project is using GEMS to implement a virtual interactive community history kiosk.

Children yet, the tale to hear, Eager eye and willing ear. Lovingly shall nestle near.

—Lewis Carroll
Digital Mandala: The Post-Virtual as Meditation of Impermanence or a New Reality
Authors: Yoon Joonsung , Song Kwanho , Kim Insub
Published: July 2013

This paper proposes the post-virtual as the second phase of media art. The post-virtual is an entity in reality from the virtual, in which the output of media artworks follow the physical condition based on physical computing. Digital Mandala captures the viewer's face, processes the image, draws it in rough pixels made of black colored sand, and brushes it out soon. As an ephemeral repatriation of the virtual, the post-virtual is pronounced in the paper as a new reality in our technological scene
A new species and new records of Gripopterygidae (Plecoptera) from the Serra dos Orgãos, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Authors: AVELINO-CAPISTRANO FERNANDA , NESSIMIAN JORGE LUIZ
Published: July 2013

A new species of the stonefly family Gripopterygidae, Tupiperla barbosai sp. nov. is described from the Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Additionally, two new species records are presented from the Serra dos Órgãos, Tupiperla reichardti Froehlich and Guaranyperla guapiara Froehlich, the latter a new record for Rio de Janeiro State. A review of the species of Gripopterygidae from these mountains is presented including distributional data and taxonomic remarks.
Poleward Stationary Eddy Heat Transport by the Tibetan Plateau and Equatorward Shift of Westerlies during Northern Winter*
Authors: Park Hyo-Seok , Xie Shang-Ping , Son Seok-Woo
Published: July 2013

The orographic effect of the Tibetan Plateau on atmospheric poleward heat transport is investigated using an atmospheric general circulation model. The linear interference between the Tibetan Plateau–induced winds and the eddy temperature field associated with the land–sea thermal contrast is a key factor for enhancing the poleward stationary eddy heat transport. Specifically, Tibetan Plateau–induced stationary waves produce northerlies over the cold eastern Eurasian continent, leading to a poleward heat transport. In another hot spot of stationary eddy heat transport over the eastern North Pacific, Tibetan Plateau–induced stationary waves transport relatively warm marine air northward.

In an experiment where the Tibetan Plateau is removed, the poleward heat transport is mostly accomplished by transient eddies, similar to the Southern Hemisphere. In the presence of the Tibetan Plateau, the enhanced stationary eddy heat transport is offset by a comparable reduction in transient eddy heat transport. This compensation between stationary and transient eddy heat transport is seen in observed interannual variability. Both the model and observations indicate that an enhanced poleward heat transport by stationary waves weakens transient eddies by decreasing the meridional temperature gradient and the associated westerlies in midlatitudes.
ENSO Impact on Kelvin Waves and Associated Tropical Convection
Authors: Yang Gui-Ying , Hoskins Brian
Published: July 2013

The impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on atmospheric Kelvin waves and associated tropical convection is investigated using the ECMWF Re-Analysis, NOAA outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), and the analysis technique introduced in a previous study. It is found that the phase of ENSO has a substantial impact on Kelvin waves and associated convection over the equatorial central-eastern Pacific. El Niño (La Niña) events enhance (suppress) variability of the upper-tropospheric Kelvin wave and the associated convection there, in both extended boreal winter and summer.

The mechanism of the impact is through changes in the ENSO-related thermal conditions and the ambient flow. In El Niño years, because of SST increase in the equatorial central-eastern Pacific, variability of eastward-moving convection, which is mainly associated with Kelvin waves, intensifies in the region. In addition, owing to the weakening of the equatorial eastern Pacific westerly duct in the upper troposphere in El Niño years, Kelvin waves amplify there. In La Niña years, the opposite occurs. However, the stronger westerly duct in La Niña winters allows more NH extratropical Rossby wave activity to propagate equatorward and force Kelvin waves around 200 hPa, partially offsetting the in situ weakening effect of the stronger westerlies on the waves. In general, in El Niño years Kelvin waves are more convectively and vertically coupled and propagate more upward into the lower stratosphere over the central-eastern Pacific.

The ENSO impact in other regions is not clear, although in winter over the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans Kelvin waves and their associated convection are slightly weaker in El Niño than in La Niña years.
Model Estimates of Land-Driven Predictability in a Changing Climate from CCSM4
Authors: Dirmeyer Paul A. , Kumar Sanjiv , Fennessy Michael J. , Altshuler Eric L. , DelSole Timothy , Guo Zhichang , Cash Benjamin A. , Straus David
Published: July 2013

The climate system model of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is used to examine the predictability arising from the land surface initialization of seasonal climate ensemble forecasts in current, preindustrial, and projected future settings. Predictability is defined in terms of the model's ability to predict its own interannual variability. Predictability from the land surface in this model is relatively weak compared to estimates from other climate models but has much of the same spatial and temporal structure found in previous studies. Several factors appear to contribute to the weakness, including a low correlation between surface fluxes and subsurface soil moisture, less soil moisture memory (lagged autocorrelation) than other models or observations, and relative insensitivity of the atmospheric boundary layer to surface flux variations. Furthermore, subseasonal cyclical behavior in plant phenology for tropical grasses introduces spurious unrealistic predictability at low latitudes during dry seasons. Despite these shortcomings, intriguing changes in predictability are found. Areas of historical land use change appear to have experienced changes in predictability, particularly where agriculture expanded dramatically into the Great Plains of North America, increasing land-driven predictability there. In a warming future climate, land–atmosphere coupling strength generally increases, but added predictability does not always follow; many other factors modulate land-driven predictability.
Simulations of Nearshore Particle-Pair Dispersion in Southern California
Authors: Romero Leonel , Uchiyama Yusuke , Ohlmann J. Carter , McWilliams James C. , Siegel David A.
Published: July 2013

Knowledge of horizontal relative dispersion in nearshore oceans is important for many applications including the transport and fate of pollutants and the dynamics of nearshore ecosystems. Two-particle dispersion statistics are calculated from millions of synthetic particle trajectories from high-resolution numerical simulations of the Southern California Bight. The model horizontal resolution of 250 m allows the investigation of the two-particle dispersion, with an initial pair separation of 500 m. The relative dispersion is characterized with respect to the coastal geometry, bathymetry, eddy kinetic energy, and the relative magnitudes of strain and vorticity. Dispersion is dominated by the submesoscale, not by tides. In general, headlands are more energetic and dispersive than bays. Relative diffusivity estimates are smaller and more anisotropic close to shore. Farther from shore, the relative diffusivity increases and becomes less anisotropic, approaching isotropy ~10 km from the coast. The degree of anisotropy of the relative diffusivity is qualitatively consistent with that for eddy kinetic energy. The total relative diffusivity as a function of pair separation distance R is on average proportional to R5/4. Additional Lagrangian experiments at higher horizontal numerical resolution confirmed the robustness of these results. Structures of large vorticity are preferably elongated and aligned with the coastline nearshore, which may limit cross-shelf dispersion. The results provide useful information for the design of subgrid-scale mixing parameterizations as well as quantifying the transport and dispersal of dissolved pollutants and biological propagules.
Le providentialisme d’hier à aujourd’hui
Authors: Gareau Paul L.
Published: July 2013

The Army of Mary is a Quebec-based, conservative Roman Catholic organization that centres its religious worldview on pious devotions to the Virgin Mary, Catholic tradition and the infallibility of the Pope. In 2007, the Army of Mary was excommunicated for the heterodox doctrine of its foundress, Marie-Paule Giguère, who claims to be the incarnation of the Virgin Mary. This paper outlines how Giguère and the Army of Mary negotiate the complexities of orthodoxy and heterodoxy by basing their institutional identity on the 19th-century, clerico-conservative historiography. I argue that these religio-nationalistic constructions of French Canadian identity as morally superior offer Giguère and the Army of Mary the justification needed to forge a parallel organization to the Roman Catholic Church within a strictly eschatological paradigm.
Analytical modeling on mechanical responses and damage morphology of flexible woven composites under trapezoid tearing
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong
Published: July 2013

This paper describes an analytical model for predicting trapezoid tearing strength of flexible woven composites. The analytical model was established based on the tearing damage behavior of the flexible woven composite sample during experimental tests. It was observed during the test that the tearing force increased gradually with the increase of the tearing delta zone. The analytical model involves the formulation of the strength sustained by the fiber bundles (warp yarns and weft yarns) and coatings, respectively. Based on the analytical model, the tearing deformation at different tearing delta zones has been calculated to derive the tearing strength at different displacements. The model was validated from the good agreement between the calculated results and the experimental results. From the model, it was found that the failure strain and the elastic modulus of the yarn as well as the weaving density of the fabric are the key factors affecting the tearing strength of flexible woven composites. It is expected that the analytical model could be extended to the design of flexible woven composites with a high tearing resistance, such as flexible pipelines and architecture membranes.
Tetralogy of Fallot with pheochromocytoma: An unusual therapeutic challenge
Authors: Balakrishnan Gautam , Ravikumar Ratnagiri , Rao Suresh , Balakrishnan Komarakshi R
Published: July 2013

An adult with unoperated tetralogy of Fallot diagnosed simultaneously with pheochromocytoma is extremely rare. This poses obvious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A 29-year-old woman with these conditions was successfully operated on for both diseases in the same hospitalization. There is some interesting speculation regarding the association of pheochromocytoma with uncorrected cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Magnetic resonance angiography vs. angiography in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Rao Uppalapati Venkateswara , Vanajakshamma Velam , Rajasekhar Durgaprasad , Lakshmi Amancharla Yadagiri , Reddy Reddivari Niranjan
Published: July 2013

Aim:

To determine whether gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography can provide a noninvasive alternative to diagnostic catheterization for evaluation of pulmonary artery anatomy in tetralogy of Fallot.

Patients and methods:

Thirty-five consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot, who attended the cardiology outpatient department between January 2008 and December 2009, were included in the study. There were 21 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 9 ± 4.15 years (range, 3–21 years). Thirty-two patients had tetralogy of Fallot with varying severities of valvular and infundibular stenosis. Three patients had tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. All patients underwent both cardiac catheterization with X-ray angiography and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography within one month.

Results:

Measurements of right and left pulmonary arteries and aortopulmonary collaterals were equal by both methods. There was a good correlation between magnetic resonance angiography and catheterization measurements of branch pulmonary arteries.

Conclusion:

Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography can be used as a reliable noninvasive alternative to X-ray cineangiography for delineation of pulmonary arterial anatomy in sick infants and young children, obviating the need for catheterization.
Developing a Saudi version of the new four scales for rating the behavioral characteristics of superior students
Authors: Bakheit Salah Edin Farah Attallah
Published: July 2013

The scales for rating the behavioral characteristics of superior students (SRBCSS), which were developed by Renzulli and his colleagues, are considered the most widespread and the most important scales used in the identification of gifted and superior students. Recently, four new scales were added. The aim of this research was to examine the reliability and validity of the four new scales in the Saudi environment. The scales were administered in Riyadh city to 348 primary school children, and their validity was calculated in several ways: face validity, discriminative validity, construct validity, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and factorial validity. Reliability was calculated by Cronbach alpha and test-retest methods. Results showed that the scales have good psychometric characteristics, which render them suitable for use in the identification of the gifted in relevant scientific fields.
A Demonstration of the Universal Problem-Solving Approach to Address Children’s Inappropriate Behavior in Head Start Classrooms
Authors: Snell Martha E. , Voorhees Mary D. , Walker Virginia L. , Berlin Rebecca A. , Jamison Kristen Roorbach , Stanton-Chapman Tina L.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this demonstration was to evaluate a universal intervention during teacher-identified routines that were characterized by significant classwide problem behavior. Six Head Start classrooms (seven groups of children, with one classroom divided into two groups) received two workshops and two coaching sessions on universal Positive Behavior Support. Participating teams were taught to use an antecedent–behavior–consequence problem-solving process and to develop and implement action plans addressing prevent–teach–respond (PTR) strategies to improve targeted routines. Following intervention, children’s inappropriate behavior decreased to below baseline levels in all six classrooms. Intervention fidelity in all six classrooms averaged 82.6% for the total intervention. Social validity ratings indicated that interventions were feasible for use in their classrooms and had positive effects on students and staff. This program evaluation suggests that, with support, preschool classroom teams can apply assessment-based action plans using PTR strategies to reduce the inappropriate behavior of students during difficult classroom routines.
Comparison of lung lesion biopsies between low-dose CT-guided and conventional CT-guided techniques
Authors: Meng Xiao-xi , Kuai Xin-ping , Dong Wei-hua , Jia Ning-yang , Liu Shi-yuan , Xiao Xiang-sheng
Published: July 2013

Background

The low-dose computed tomography (CT) technique has been widely used because it decreases the potential risk of radiation exposure, as well as enabling low-dose CT-guided lung lesion biopsy. However, uncertainties remain regarding diagnostic accuracy, radiation dose, complication rate, and image quality.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic accuracy, radiation dose, complication rate, and image quality of lung lesion biopsy between conventional CT-guided and low-dose CT-guided techniques.

Material and Methods

A total of 90 patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized into two groups (group A: 120 kv; 200 mA; thickness, 2.0 mm; pitch, 16 mm/rot; n = 44; group B: 120 kv;10 mA; thickness, 2.0 mm; pitch, 23 mm/rot; n = 46). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), radiation dose, image quality, and complication rate were compared. All variables between the two groups were analyzed using chi-square and Student's t tests. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosing lung lesions were 96.88%, 100%, 97.5%, 100%, and 88.89% in group A, respectively. In group B, the values were 96.67%, 100%, 97.5%, 100%, and 90.91%, respectively ( P > 0.05). The mean weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) and dose-length product (DLP) were 29.29 ± 3.93 mGy and 211.74 ± 37.89 mGy*cm in group A and 1.55 ± 0.15 mGy and 10.98 ± 1.56 mGy*cm in group B ( P < 0.001). Image quality satisfied the need for a coaxial biopsy. Complications in group A and group B were observed in 27.28% and 23.91% of the patients, respectively ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared to conventional CT-guided biopsies, lung lesion biopsies guided by the low-dose CT biopsy protocol showed dramatically lower CTDIw and DLP levels. In contrast, the diagnostic yield of the procedures did not differ significantly, which is a recommended technique in certain populations.
Functional −141C Ins/Del polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene promoter and schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Xiao Ling , Shen Ting , Peng Dai-hui , Shu Chang , Jiang Kai-da , Wang Gao-hua
Published: July 2013

Objective

The association between a putative functional promoter polymorphism, −141C insertion/deletion (Ins/Del), in the dopamine receptor D2 gene ( DRD2) and schizophrenia was investigated in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

The polymorphism was studied in unrelated schizophrenia patients and unrelated healthy controls. Linkage relationships were explored in core families of the schizophrenic patients using the transmission disequilibrium test. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to evaluate the severity of the disorder.

Results

The Del allele was significantly less frequently found in patients (13/120; 11%) than in controls (18/100; 18%). In the 32 core families studied, 16 parents were Ins/Del heterozygotes. Parents transmitted the Ins and Del alleles to their children in 10 and six cases, respectively. Data from core families did not demonstrate linkage. Age, age at onset of schizophrenia and sex were not significantly different between carriers of the Ins and Del alleles. The group with the Ins allele had a significantly higher positive symptom score (75.3 ± 23.4 versus 53.9 ± 21.9) and excitement score (83.6 ± 16.8 versus 50.3 ± 24.6) than the Del group. Groups did not differ significantly in negative symptom and general psychopathology scores.

Conclusions

The DRD2 −141C Ins/Del polymorphism may affect susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population.
Excellence in the ordinary: the poetry of Peter Blackman
Authors: Searle Chris
Published: July 2013

Revolutionary poet Peter Blackman has never received his due in either the Caribbean or the UK, where he made his home from 1937. The author has gathered selected poems and a speech by Blackman into a new collection, Footprints (Smokestack Books). This article discusses Blackman’s life from ‘colonised’ schoolboy and missionary to Africa to railway worker in north London and sets his writing – especially his language – in the context of twentieth-century West Indian literature. Blackman, who befriended Paul Robeson in London and dedicated works to Claudia Jones, was clearly at the vortex of progressive black cultural expression, but has hitherto been overlooked.
Lines, contours and legends
Authors: Gerlach Joe
Published: July 2013

Harnessing the cartographic attributes of line, contour and legend, this paper generates a conceptual vocabulary attentive to the proliferation in everyday mapping. By developing theoretical work that questions the representational certitude of cartography, the paper argues that attention needs to be focused on the non-representational vectors of mapping. This is to establish the grounds for future empirical research into quotidian cartographies and their politics. Instead of categorizing these variegated, mapping practices as either ‘counter’ or ‘indigenous’ movements, the notion of ‘vernacular mapping’ is proposed as one way in which geographers might begin to encounter the vibrant micropolitics of contemporary cartography.
Pharmacists as an Underutilized Resource for Improving Community-Level Support of Breastfeeding
Authors: Edwards Roger A.
Published: July 2013

With their highly visible roles in the community, frequent interactions with soon-to-be and new parents, and knowledge of medication safety, pharmacists can be a key component in breastfeeding promotion and support. A review of the literature showed that pharmacists have poor knowledge but positive attitudes toward breastfeeding and that pharmacy practices are variable and mostly guided by personal experience. A review of 58 health professional organizations’ English-language infant feeding/breastfeeding policy statements showed that no US pharmacists’ association has a position statement, as exists for professional pharmacist organizations in Canada and Australia. We explored pharmacists’ interactions with mothers before and after birth and possible opportunities to expand pharmacists’ roles in the promotion and support of breastfeeding. Barriers to meeting unmet needs of breastfeeding mothers were identified in order to plan strategies for implementing programs to address these barriers. Through input obtained from pharmacy and breastfeeding experts and from information available in the published literature, good matches between unmet needs and capabilities were identified in (a) provision of health promotion resources and public awareness campaigns, (b) assistance with purchase of breastfeeding products and pumps, and (c) provision of information, support, and referral related to commonly encountered difficulties as well as medication use during lactation. Absence of adequate breastfeeding knowledge was identified as a crucial barrier. Leveraging pharmacists to address unmet preventive health needs is especially important as we strive to align resources to support healthy behaviors in our current health care delivery environment.
Mind–Body Therapies for Sleep Disturbances in Women at Midlife
Authors: Frame Kathleen O’Connor , Alexander Ivy M.
Published: July 2013

Multiple factors contribute to sleep disturbances in women at midlife. Poor sleep is a common occurrence in women transitioning through midlife and is associated with significant morbidity. Factors that are known to disturb sleep in women at midlife include vasomotor symptoms, nocturia, sleep apnea, and stress. Stress in particular has a significant impact on sleep. Various treatments, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, are available to treat sleep disturbances. One nonpharmacologic option includes mind-body medicine, which encompasses several therapies. Practices within this realm have been shown to moderate the experience of stress and help restore sleep quality. Each woman’s experience of disturbed sleep and transition through midlife is unique. By having a broad awareness of all evidence-based therapeutics, the clinician is able to present a diverse set of options for women at midlife who are affected by poor sleep.
Sweat the small stuff: A case study of small-scale change processes and consequences in acute care
Authors: Moore Cíara , Buchanan David A
Published: July 2013

Solving small, annoying problems may appear to be unimportant in a political, demographic, and economic climate that focuses attention on radical long-term changes to the organization, delivery, funding, and regulation of the healthcare system. Most contemporary commentary emphasizes the need for large-scale, major, strategic, transformational change. Deliberately designed to focus on minor issues, however, the intervention reported here, in a hospital gastroenterology department, demonstrates how small changes generate major benefits for patients, staff, and hospital performance. This approach can also strengthen clinical–managerial relationships, which are key to larger scale changes and which suffer when ‘the small stuff’ is not fixed. The success of this intervention is explained with reference to a model of change combining context, content, process, and individual dispositions. The intervention, however, is easily modified to suit different contexts and was subsequently used successfully in other service areas in the same hospital. These outcomes present a challenge to the contemporary preoccupation with transformational change. Healthcare managers are thus advised, on the basis of this experience, to be alert to what appear to be minor unresolved issues, and to address these rapidly, in addition to larger scale, longer term projects.
Mycobacterium arupense infection in HIV-infected patients from Iran
Authors: Heidarieh P , Hashemi-Shahraki A , Khosravi A D , Zaker-Boustanabad S , Shojaei H , Feizabadi M M
Published: July 2013

Summary

Here we report two cases of infection caused by Mycobacterium arupense in HIV-infected patients who had received Mycobacterium avium complex medication after primary treatment with antituberculous drugs. The causative agents were isolated from the respiratory and blood specimens of the patients. The identification was based on conventional and molecular tests. Our study provides further evidence on the role of this microorganism in clinical cases.
Serrapeptase and nattokinase intervention for relieving Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology in rat model
Authors: Fadl NN , Ahmed HH , Booles HF , Sayed AH
Published: July 2013

Serrapeptase (SP) and nattokinase (NK) are proteolytic enzymes belonging to serine proteases. In this study, we hypothesized that SP and NK could modulate certain factors that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology in the experimental model. Oral administration of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) in a dose of 17 mg/kg body weight (bw) daily for 45 days induced AD-like pathology in male rats with a significant increase in brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), Fas and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Meanwhile, AlCl3 supplementation produced significant decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) when compared with control values. Also, AlCl3 administration caused significant decline in the expression levels of disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 9 ( ADAM9) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 ( ADAM10) genes in the brain. Histological investigation of brain tissue of rat model of AD showed neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus and focal hyalinosis with cellular as well as a cellular amyloid plaques formation. Oral administration of SP or NK in a rat model of AD daily for 45 days resulted in a significant decrease in brain AchE activity, TGF-β, Fas and IL-6 levels. Also, the treatment with these enzymes produced significant increase in BDNF and IGF-1 levels when compared with the untreated AD-induced rats. Moreover, both SP and NK could markedly increase the expression levels of ADAM9 and ADAM10 genes in the brain tissue of the treated rats. These findings were well confirmed by the histological examination of the brain tissue of the treated rats. The present results support our hypothesis that the oral administration of proteolytitc enzymes, SP and/or NK, would have an effective role in modulating certain factors characterizing AD. Thus, these enzymes may have a therapeutic application in the treatment of AD.