bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Informatics and Soft Computing Paradigm: Processing of Cocos Nucifera Shell Derived Activated Carbon for Treatment of Distillery Spent Wash—A Solution to Environmental Issue
Authors: Raut N. B. , Saini Dinesh Kumar , Shinde G. B.
Published: November 2014

Soft computing techniques are very much needed to design the environmental related systems these days. Soft computing (SC) is a set of computational methods that attempt to determine satisfactory approximate solutions to find a model for real-world problems. Techniques such as artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms can be used in solving complex environmental problems. Self-organizing feature map (SOFM) model is proposed in monitoring and collecting of the data that are real time and static datasets acquired through pollution monitoring sensors and stations in the distilleries. In the environmental monitoring systems the ultimate requirement is to establish controls for the sensor based data acquisition systems and needs interactive and dynamic reporting services. SOFM techniques are used for data analysis and processing. The processed data is used for control system which even feeds to the treatment systems. Cocos nucifera activated carbon commonly known as coconut shell activated carbon (CSC) was utilized for the treatment of distillery spent wash. Batch and column studies were done to investigate the kinetics and effect of operating parameter on the rate of adsorption. Since the quantum of spent water generated from the sugar industry allied distillery units is huge, this low cost adsorbent is found to be an attractive economic option. Equilibrium adsorption date was generated to plot Langmuir and Tempkin adsorption isotherm. The investigation reveals that though with lower adsorption capacities CSC seems to be technically feasible solution for treating sugar distillery spent. Efforts are made in this paper to build informatics for derived activated carbon for solving the problem of treatment of distillery spent wash. Capsule. Coconut shell derived activated carbon was synthesized, characterized, and successfully employed as a low cost adsorbent for treatment of distillery spent wash.
A Case with Repeated Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome due to Pseudoephedrine Use: Kounis Syndrome
Authors: Çeliker Metin , Tuncer Mustafa , Şekeralmaz Ali
Published: November 2014

Allergic reaction-associated acute coronary syndrome picture is defined as Kounis syndrome. Although drug use is the most common cause of allergic reaction, foods and environmental factors may also play a role in the etiology. Herein, a case with acute coronary syndrome that developed two times at 8-month interval due to pseudoephedrine use for upper respiratory tract infection is presented.
A Study of Transmigrated Canine in an Indian Population
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Nagpal Archna
Published: November 2014

Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of transmigrated canines in a north Indian population and association with gender, side, associated pathologies, and dental anomalies. Subjects and methods. The prospective study consisted of panoramic radiographs of 3000 patients from two dental colleges in north India. The panoramic radiographs were screened for radiographically identified position of the transmigrated tooth, retained canine, and other coexisting dental anomalies. Results. The overall prevalence of transmigrated canines (15 mandibular and 5 maxillary) was 0.66%. The prevalence of mandibular transmigrated canine was 0.5% and maxillary transmigrated canine was 0.16%. All the transmigrated canines were unilateral. The age range was 15–53 years (average age 24.1 years) and there were 12 males (60%) and 8 females (40%). Type 1 mandibular canine transmigration was the commonest type found in our study (10 cases), followed by types 2 and 4 (2 cases each) and 1 case of type 5 transmigration. Conclusion. The prevalence of transmigrated canines in the north Indian population was 0.66% and no gender predilection was evident. The transmigrated canines have a low complication rate (10.0%) and no correlation with other dental anomalies was found. Type 3 canine is the rarest form of mandibular canine transmigration.
Cutaneous Metastasis of Medullary Carcinoma Thyroid Masquerading as Subcutaneous Nodules Anterior Chest and Mandibular Region
Authors: Mannan Rahul , Kaur Jasmine , Kaur Jasleen , Piplani Sanjay , Kaur Harjot , Kaur Harleen
Published: November 2014

Cutaneous metastasis of underlying primary malignancies can present to dermatologist with chief complaints of cutaneous lesions. The underlying malignancy is generally diagnosed much later after a complete assessment of the concerned case. Medullary carcinoma thyroid (MCT) is a relatively uncommon primary neoplasia of the thyroid. Very few cases presenting as cutaneous metastases of MCT have been reported in the literature. Most of the cases which have been reported are of the papillary and the follicular types. We here report a case of a patient who presented in the dermatology clinic with the primary complaint of multiple subcutaneous nodules in anterior chest wall and left side of body of mandible. By systematic application of clinical and diagnostic skills these nodules were diagnosed as cutaneous metastasis of MCT bringing to the forefront a history of previously operated thyroid neoplasm. So clinically, the investigation of a flesh coloured subcutaneous nodule, presenting with a short duration, particularly in scalp, jaw, or anterior chest wall should include possibility of metastastic deposits. A dermatologist should keep a possibility of an internal organ malignancy in patients while investigating a case of flesh coloured subcutaneous nodules, presenting with short duration. A systematic application of clinical and diagnostic skills will eventually lead to such a diagnosis even when not suspected clinically at its primary presentation. A prompt and an emphatic diagnosis and treatment will have its bearing on the eventual outcome in all these patients.
Evidence‐Based Novel Changes in Prevalence and Symptom Characteristics of Spleen Deficiency Syndrome in Persons of Varied Health Status and Different Ages: A Cross‐Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Zhang Yin , Liu Yue , Li Xian-ping , Li Jian , Li Xiao-feng , Chen Liang , Jiang Yu-yong , Yu Hao , Shi Ning , Han Mei , Ye Hui , Lin Zi-han , Chen Yue-zhou , Liu Fu-sheng , Ding Xia
Published: November 2014

Deficiency of the organs is a vital pathophysiologic characteristic in the elderly. A core TCM aging theory is known as aging caused by spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) that can be found in ancient and modern literature. The key objectives of this study were to establish a full‐scale trial to evaluate the prevalence, symptom severity, frequency, and distribution of SDS in different age groups as related to health status (healthy, subhealthy, and chronic disease) to elucidate the role of spleen deficiency in the aging process and deterioration of health status. This cross‐sectional observational study was conducted in 4 hospitals in China. 1390 participants aged 20–79 were interviewed by investigators who completed questionnaires recording prevalence, severity, and frequency of symptoms as well as other relevant information. The results revealed that prevalence and symptom characteristics of SDS showed regularities with increasing age and deteriorating health status. It supports the TCM concept that spleen deficiency is an important mechanism of aging, subhealth, and chronic diseases. Early recognition of the warning signs and symptoms of SDS may lead to intervention and even prevention strategies for subhealth and chronic diseases as well as promotion of healthy aging.
An Algebraic Derivation of Chao’s Estimator of the Number of Species in a Community Highlights the Condition Allowing Chao to Deliver Centered Estimates
Authors: Béguinot Jean
Published: November 2014

Anne Chao proposed a very popular, nonparametric estimator of the species richness of a community, on the basis of a limited size sampling of this community. This expression was originally derived on a statistical basis as a lower-bound estimate of the number of missing species in the sample and provides accordingly a minimal threshold for the estimation of the total species richness of the community. Hereafter, we propose an alternative, algebraic derivation of Chao’s estimator, demonstrating thereby that Chao’s formulation may also provide centered estimates (and not only a lower bound threshold), provided that the sampled communities satisfy a specific type of SAD (species abundance distribution). This particular SAD corresponds to the case when the number of unrecorded species in the sample tends to decrease exponentially with increasing sampling size. It turns out that the shape of this “ideal” SAD often conforms approximately to the usually recorded types in nature, such as “log-normal” or “broken-stick.”. Accordingly, this may explain why Chao’s formulation is generally recognized as a particularly satisfying nonparametric estimator.
Preparation and Characterization of UV-Curable Cyclohexanone-Formaldehyde Resin and Its Cured Film Properties
Authors: Yang Guang , Li Hongqiang , Lai Xuejun , Wang Yi , Zhang Yifu , Zeng Xingrong
Published: November 2014

UV-curable cyclohexanone-formaldehyde (UVCF) resin was prepared with cyclohexanone-formaldehyde (CF) resin, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) as base substance, bridging agent, and functional monomer, respectively. The structure of UVCF was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR),1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The viscosity and photopolymerization behavior of the UV-curable formulations were studied. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of the cured films were also investigated. The results showed that UVCF resin was successfully prepared, the number of average molecular weight was about 2010, and its molecular weight distribution index was 2.8. With the increase of UVCF resin content, the viscosity of the UV-curable formulations increased. After exposure to UV irradiation for 230 s, the photopolymerization conversion of the UV-curable formulations was above 80%. Moreover, when the UVCF content was 60%, the formulations had high photopolymerization rate, and the cured UVCF films showed good thermal stability and mechanical properties.
The Protective Effect of Beraprost Sodium on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy through the Inhibition of the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway in High-Fat-Induced SD Rats
Authors: Li Jie , Peng Li , Du Hong , Wang Yangtian , Lu Bin , Xu Yixin , Ye Xiaozhen , Shao Jiaqing
Published: November 2014

Objective. To investigate the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS) on diabetic cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanism.Methods. A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (N=10) and the model group (N=30). The model group was fed a high-fat diet followed by a one-time dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish the diabetes mellitus model. After that, rats were randomly divided into two groups with or without BPS intervention. After 8 weeks, we explored the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiac morphology, and myocardial apoptosis.Results. Compared with control, the ratio of heart-weight to body-weight and the serum levels of SOD and GSH in the BPS group significantly increased, the expression of p38 MAPK, the serum levels of MDA, TGF-β1, TNF-α, HIF-1α, MMP-9, caspase-3, BNP, ANP, and heart Bax expression significantly decreased, and heart Bcl-2 expression significantly increased. H&E staining in diabetic rats showed the cardiac muscle fibers derangement, the widening gap, the pyknotic and fragmented nuclei, and more apoptosis.Conclusions. BPS effectively showed protective effects on diabetic myocardial cells, possibly through the inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Renal Replacement Therapy in Children in the Developing World: Challenges and Outcome in a Tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria
Authors: Odetunde Odutola Israel , Okafor Henrietta Uche , Uwaezuoke Samuel Nkachukwu , Ezeonwu Bertilla Uzoma , Ukoha Oluchi Mildred
Published: November 2014

A 5-year observational, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the indications, the availability, the accessibility, the sustainability, and the outcome of children managed for acute kidney injury (AKI) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) who required renal replacement therapy RRT in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. A total of 64 patients aged 5 months to 16 years required RRT, of which only 25 underwent RRT, giving an RRT accessibility rate of 39.1%. Eleven (44%) patients required chronic dialysis program/ renal transplant, of which only 1 (9.1%) accessed and sustained chronic hemodialysis, giving a dialysis acceptance rate of 9.1%. Fifty (78%) of the patients belonged to the low socioeconomic class. Thirty-three (51.5%) could not access RRT because of financial constraints and discharge against medical advice (DAMA); 6 (9.4%) died on admission while sourcing for funds to access the therapy; 5 (7.8%) died while on RRT; 9 (14.1%) improved and were discharged for follow-up; 1 (1.6%) improved and was discharged to be on chronic dialysis program while awaiting renal transplantation outside the country/clinic follow-up, while the remaining 10 (15.6%) were unable to sustain chronic dialysis program or access renal transplantation and were lost to follow-up. We conclude that RRT remains unaffordable within the subregion.
Determination of Accuracy of Fetal Weight Using Ultrasound and Clinical Fetal Weight Estimations in Calabar South, South Nigeria
Authors: Njoku Charles , Emechebe Cajethan , Odusolu Patience , Abeshi Sylvestre , Chukwu Chinedu , Ekabua John
Published: November 2014

Information on fetal weight is of importance to obstetricians in the management of pregnancy and delivery. The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of clinical and sonographic methods of predicting fetal weights at term. This prospective comparative study of 200 parturients was conducted at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. The study participants were mothers with singleton term pregnancy admitted for delivery. The mean absolute percentage errors of both clinical and ultrasound methods were 11.16%±9.48 and 9.036%±7.61, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.205). The accuracy within 10% of actual birth weights was 69.5% and 72% for both clinical estimation of fetal weight and ultrasound, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.755). The accuracy of fetal weight estimation using Dare’s formula is comparable to ultrasound estimates for predicting birth weight at term.
An Improved Adaptive Tracking Controller of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Nguyen Tat-Bao-Thien , Liao Teh-Lu , Kuo Hang-Hong , Yan Jun-Juh
Published: November 2014

This paper proposes a new adaptive fuzzy neural control to suppress chaos and also to achieve the speed tracking control in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system with unknown parameters and uncertainties. The control scheme consists of fuzzy neural and compensatory controllers. The fuzzy neural controller with online parameter tuning is used to estimate the unknown nonlinear models and construct linearization feedback control law, while the compensatory controller is employed to attenuate the estimation error effects of the fuzzy neural network and ensure the robustness of the controlled system. Moreover, due to improvement in controller design, the singularity problem is surely avoided. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate that the proposed control scheme can successfully remove chaotic oscillations and allow the speed to follow the desired trajectory in a chaotic PMSM despite the existence of unknown models and uncertainties.
Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Leads to Transient CD8 Immune Deficiency and Accelerated Immunosenescence in CMV-Seropositive Patients
Authors: Hoffmann Jedrzej , Shmeleva Evgeniya V. , Boag Stephen E. , Fiser Karel , Bagnall Alan , Murali Santosh , Dimmick Ian , Pircher Hanspeter , Martin-Ruiz Carmen , Egred Mohaned , Keavney Bernard , von Zglinicki Thomas , Das Rajiv , Todryk Stephen , Spyridopoulos Ioakim
Published: November 2014

Rationale:

There is mounting evidence of a higher incidence of coronary heart disease in cytomegalovirus-seropositive individuals.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute myocardial infarction triggers an inflammatory T-cell response that might lead to accelerated immunosenescence in cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients.

Methods and Results:

Thirty-four patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention were longitudinally studied within 3 months after reperfusion (Cohort A). In addition, 54 patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic myocardial infarction were analyzed in a cross-sectional study (Cohort B). Cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients demonstrated a greater fall in the concentration of terminally differentiated CD8 effector memory T cells (T
EMRA
) in peripheral blood during the first 30 minutes of reperfusion compared with cytomegalovirus-seronegative patients (−192 versus −63 cells/μL;
P
=0.008), correlating with the expression of programmed cell death-1 before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (
r
=0.8;
P
=0.0002). A significant proportion of T
EMRA
cells remained depleted for ≥3 months in cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients. Using high-throughput 13-parameter flow cytometry and human leukocyte antigen class I cytomegalovirus-specific dextramers, we confirmed an acute and persistent depletion of terminally differentiated T
EMRA
and cytomegalovirus-specific CD8
+
cells in cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients. Long-term reconstitution of the T
EMRA
pool in chronic cytomegalovirus-seropositive postmyocardial infarction patients was associated with signs of terminal differentiation including an increase in killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily G member 1 and shorter telomere length in CD8
+
T cells (2225 versus 3397 bp;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention leads to acute loss of antigen-specific, terminally differentiated CD8 T cells, possibly through programmed cell death-1–dependent programmed cell death. Our results suggest that acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion accelerate immunosenescence in cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients.
Burden of Undiagnosed Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ataklte Feven , Erqou Sebhat , Kaptoge Stephen , Taye Betiglu , Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin B. , Kengne Andre P.
Published: November 2014

The burden of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa has been increasing over the past few decades. However, a large proportion of the population with hypertension remains undiagnosed, untreated, or inadequately treated, contributing to the rising burden of cardiovascular disease in the region. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the recent burden of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa, based on studies published between 2000 and 2013. We pooled data from 33 surveys involving over 110 414 participants of mean age 40 years. Hypertension prevalence varied widely across the studies (range 15%–70%), partly because of differences in participant mean ages (31–76 years). The predicted prevalence of hypertension at mean participant ages of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years were 16%, 26%, 35%, and 44%, respectively, with a pooled prevalence of 30% (95% confidence interval, 27%–34%). Of those with hypertension, only between 7% and 56% (pooled prevalence: 27%; 95% confidence interval, 23%–31%) were aware of their hypertensive status before the surveys. Overall, 18% (95% confidence interval, 14%–22%) of individuals with hypertension were receiving treatment across the studies, and only 7% (95% confidence interval, 5%–8%) had controlled blood pressure. This review found a high prevalence of hypertension, as well as low percentage of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for implementation of timely and appropriate strategies for diagnosis, control, and prevention.
Maternal Treatment of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats With Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Reduces Blood Pressure in Female Offspring
Authors: Wu Zhixiong , Siuda Daniel , Xia Ning , Reifenberg Gisela , Daiber Andreas , Münzel Thomas , Förstermann Ulrich , Li Huige
Published: November 2014

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is devoid of nitrate tolerance and shows no reproductive or developmental toxicity in animal studies. Recently, pentaerythritol tetranitrate has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and the risk of preterm birth in women with abnormal placental perfusion. This study was conducted to test the perinatal programming effect of pentaerythritol tetranitrate in spontaneously hypertensive rats, a rat model of genetic hypertension. Parental spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with pentaerythritol tetranitrate (50 mg/kg per day) during pregnancy and lactation periods; the offspring received standard chow without pentaerythritol tetranitrate after weaning. Maternal treatment with pentaerythritol tetranitrate had no effect on blood pressure in male offspring. In the female offspring, however, a persistent reduction in blood pressure was observed at 6 and 8 months. This long-lasting effect was accompanied by an upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase 1, and heme oxygenase 1 in the aorta of 8-month-old female offspring, which was likely to result from epigenetic changes (enhanced histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation) and transcriptional activation (enhanced binding of DNA-directed RNA polymerase II to the transcription start site of the genes). In organ chamber experiments, the endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation to acetylcholine was enhanced in aorta from female offspring of the pentaerythritol tetranitrate–treated parental spontaneously hypertensive rats. In conclusion, maternal pentaerythritol tetranitrate treatment leads to epigenetic modifications, gene expression changes, an improvement of endothelial function and a persistent blood pressure reduction in the female offspring.
Genome-Wide Identification of Long Noncoding RNAs in Rat Models of Cardiovascular and Renal Disease
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Kathirvel , Kumarasamy Sivarajan , Mell Blair , Joe Bina
Published: November 2014

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging class of genomic regulatory molecules reported in various species. In the rat, which is one of the major mammalian model organisms, discovery of lncRNAs on a genome-wide scale is lagging. Renal lncRNA sequencing and lncRNA transcriptome analysis were conducted in 3 rat strains that are widely used in cardiovascular and renal research: the Dahl salt-sensitive rat, the spontaneously hypertensive rat, and the Dahl salt-resistant rat. Through the RNA sequencing approach, 3273 transcripts were identified as rat lncRNAs. A majority of lncRNAs were without predicted target genes. Differential expression of 273 and 749 lncRNAs was detected between Dahl salt-sensitive versus Dahl salt-resistant and Dahl salt-sensitive versus spontaneously hypertensive rat comparisons, respectively. To couple the observed differential expression of lncRNAs with the status of mRNAs, an mRNA transcriptome analysis was conducted. Several cis mRNA genes were coregulated with lncRNAs. Of these, the protein expression status of 4 target genes,
Asb3
,
Chac2
,
Pex11b
, and
Sp5
, were differentially expressed between the relevant strain comparisons, thereby suggesting that the differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with these genes are candidate genetic determinants of blood pressure. This study serves as a first-generation catalog of rat lncRNAs and illustrates the prioritization of lncRNAs as candidates for complex polygenic traits.
Incidence of Defibrillator Shocks After Elective Generator Exchange Following Uneventful First Battery Life
Authors: Merchant Faisal M. , Jones Paul , Wehrenberg Scott , Lloyd Michael S. , Saxon Leslie A.
Published: November 2014

Background

A significant number of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (
ICD
) patients do not experience shocks after
ICD
implant. Elective generator exchange (
GE
) has been associated with increased risk of infection and
ICD
lead failure. There is a paucity of contemporary data reporting on shock incidence with replacement devices.

Methods and Results

Patients undergoing elective
GE
(n=24 203) who transmit data remotely via a remote monitoring system were analyzed to determine the incidence of
ICD
shocks after
GE
. A total of 16 230 patients (67%) did not experience a shock with the first
ICD
(group A), and 7973 (33%) received at least 1 shock (group B). Patients in group A were older (71.3 versus 68.8 years,
P
<0.001) and more often female (71% versus 77% male,
P
<0.001). Over an average follow‐up of 1.9±1.2 years after
GE
, the proportion of patients with shocks and risk of
ICD
shocks was lower for those who did not receive a shock during the first battery life (group A: 9.9% versus 27.7%, hazard ratio 0.36, 95%
CI
0.34 to 0.38,
P
<0.001). The cumulative rate of
ICD
shocks at 5 years after
GE
was 25.7% in group A and 51.1% in group B.

Conclusions

In this large cohort of
ICD
patients implanted across the United States, two thirds did not receive
ICD
shock therapy prior to
GE
. The occurrence of
ICD
shocks prior to
GE
is an important predictor of shocks after
GE
; however, even among those without shocks during first battery life, the incidence of shocks at 5 years following
GE
is >25%. These data should support informed decision making for patients and physicians at the time of
ICD
generator end of service.
Introduction
Authors: Ramirez Erica M.
Published: November 2014

This introductory article reviews defining concepts of recent theological works by James K. Carter, Willie Jennings, and Brian Bantum. The works of the “Duke School” illuminate how racist ideations have marred western theology. The three authors also engage race, though socially constructed, as a site in which Christ’s humanity can be rendered more fully visible. Christ’s ethnic materiality becomes an emancipatory embodiment. The six essays under consideration speak to the complexity of delineating the racist impulse and subsequent trajectory in western theology, to the ambivalent potentials in racializing terms such as “chosen” and “indigenous,” and to the failure of imagination attending those black academic theologies too beholden to the Civil Rights era past. Broad, divergent strokes are drawn in competing visions for what might constitute the “pentecostal” future. This essay canvasses such salient beginnings and critical intersections.
Wanted Dead or Alive
Authors: Sanders Cheryl
Published: November 2014

This essay explores the relationship between black theology and renewal theology and assesses the ongoing relevance of black theology to the mission and future of the black churches. Recent writings by Eddie Glaude, Raphael Warnock, James Cone, and Peter Paris are considered in conversation with the works of Brian Bantam, J. Kameron Carter, and Willie Jennings, whose imaginative attention to Christology, pneumatology, and ecclesiology provokes thoughtful engagement of issues of race, gender, power, and privilege in the context of renewal and the global impact of Pentecostalism more than a century after the Azusa Street Revival led by William J. Seymour.
Why Ethics is Hard
Authors: Chappell Timothy
Published: November 2014

I argue that one central resource for ethical thinking, seriously under-explored in contemporary anglophone philosophy, is moral phenomenology, the exploration of the texture and quality (the “what-it’s-like-ness”) of moral experience. Perhaps a barrier that has prevented people from using this resource is that it’s hard to talk about experience. But such knowledge can be communicated, e.g. by poetry and drama. In having such experiences, either in real life or at second-hand through art, we can gain moral knowledge, rather as Mary the colour scientist can gain knowledge of colours; such knowledge is a real cognitive gain, but it is not knowledge of the propositional kind that philosophers have usually focused on.
Moral Coherence and Principle Pluralism
Authors: Marino Patricia
Published: November 2014

This paper develops and defends a conception of moral coherence that is suitable for use in contexts of principle pluralism. I argue that, as they are traditionally understood, coherence methods stack the deck against pluralist theories, by incorporating norms such as systematicity—that the principles of a theory should be as few and as simple as possible. I develop and defend an alternative, minimal, conception of coherence that focuses instead on consistency. It has been suggested that consistency in this context should aim at the avoidance of conflict, but I argue against this: what matters is “case consistency,” or judging consistently from one case to another. This means judging in accordance with morally relevant similarities and differences. I defend my proposal of minimal coherence from objections having to do with complexity and arbitrariness.
Review of Asiatic Neurogenia Roman, 1910 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) with description of three new species
Authors: Reshchikov Alexey , Kumar Girish , van Achterberg Cees
Published: November 2014

Three species ofNeurogeniaRoman, 1910 are described as new from Asia:N. aucoReshchikov & van Achterberg sp. n. from Vietnam,N. kamapuraReshchikov sp. n. from India andN. sayamaReshchikov sp. n. from Japan. Group assignment changed forN. gorochovi(Kasparyan, 2008) comb. n. The other Asiatic species are reviewed and an illustrated, updated diagnosis of the genus and a key to the Asiatic species ofNeurogeniaare provided.
Synopsis of Cotesia species, biological agents for pest control on vegetables in Vietnam, with description of one new species
Authors: Long Khuat Dang , Dzung Dang Thi
Published: November 2014

The biology of four allied species of the genusCotesiaCameron is reviewed. All these species were reared from larvae of pest insects mainly belonging to the families Lymantriidae, Noctuidae, Pieridae and Plutellidae. They are larval endoparasitoids and considered as important agents for biological control of pest insects infesting different vegetable crops in Vietnam, such as cabbage, kohlrabi, small colza, cauliflower, peanut, soybeans, and various other legumes. Of those four species,Cotesia clethrogynaeLong sp. n., is described as new and illustrated; the biology and distribution of the other three allied species are given, they are illustrated and compared, and a key to four species is provided.

This paper resulted from the identification of a new species ofCotesiareared from limantrid larvae ofClethrogynae turbataButler and the necessity to compare related species. The host is an important pest infestant on soybean, different beans, peas and peanut in Vietnam.
Discontinuous Daily Temperatures in the WATCH Forcing Datasets
Authors: Rust Henning W. , Kruschke Tim , Dobler Andreas , Fischer Madlen , Ulbrich Uwe
Published: November 2014

The Water and Global Change (WATCH) forcing datasets have been created to support the use of hydrological and land surface models for the assessment of the water cycle within climate change studies. They are based on 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) or ECMWF interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim) with temperatures (among other variables) adjusted such that their monthly means match the monthly temperature dataset from the Climatic Research Unit. To this end, daily minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures within one calendar month have been subjected to a correction involving monthly means of the respective month. As these corrections can be largely different for adjacent months, this procedure potentially leads to implausible differences in daily temperatures across the boundaries of calendar months. We analyze day-to-day temperature fluctuations within and across months and find that across-months differences are significantly larger, mostly in the tropics and frigid zones. Average across-months differences in daily mean temperature are typically between 10% and 40% larger than their corresponding within-months average temperature differences. However, regions with differences up to 200% can be found in tropical Africa. Particularly in regions where snowmelt is a relevant player for hydrology, a few degrees Celsius difference can be decisive for triggering this process. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are affected in the same regions, but in a less severe way.
Characteristics of the Near-Surface Currents in the Indian Ocean as Deduced from Satellite-Tracked Surface Drifters. Part I: Pseudo-Eulerian Statistics
Authors: Peng Shiqiu , Qian Yu-Kun , Lumpkin Rick , Du Yan , Wang Dongxiao , Li Ping
Published: November 2014

Using the 1985–2013 record of near-surface currents from satellite-tracked drifters, the pseudo-Eulerian statistics of the near-surface circulation in the Indian Ocean (IO) are analyzed. It is found that the distributions of the current velocities and mean kinetic energy (MKE) in the IO are extremely inhomogeneous in space and nonstationary in time. The most energetic regions with climatologic mean velocity over 50 cm s−1 and MKE over 500 cm2 s−2 are found off the eastern coast of Somalia (with maxima of over 100 cm s−1 and 1500 cm2 s−2) and the equatorial IO, associated with the strong, annually reversing Somalia Current and the twice-a-year eastward equatorial jets. High eddy kinetic energy (EKE) is found in regions of the equatorial IO, western boundary currents, and Agulhas Return Current, with a maximum of over 3000 cm2 s−2 off the eastern coast of Somalia. The lowest EKE (<500 cm2 s−2) occurs in the south subtropical gyre between 30° and 40°S and the central-eastern Arabian Sea. Annual and semiannual variability is a significant fraction of the total EKE off the eastern coast of Somalia and in the central-eastern equatorial IO. In general, both the MKE and EKE estimated in the present study are qualitatively in agreement with, but quantitatively larger than, estimates from previous studies. These pseudo-Eulerian MKE and EKE fields, based on the most extensive drifter dataset to date, are the most precise in situ estimates to date and can be used to validate satellite and numerical results.
Usefulness of the Logistic Clinical Syntax Score in Prediction of Saphenous Vein Graft Failure in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Ozturk Derya , Celık Omer , Cakmak Huseyin Altug , Akın Fatih , Aslan Serkan , Enhos Asım , Tasbulak Omer , Ayca Burak , Erkanlı Korhan , Bakır İhsan
Published: November 2014

We investigated the association between the preoperative logistic clinical syntax score (log CSS), saphenous vein graft (SVG) patency, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Of 1875 patients undergoing isolated CABG between 2009 and 2011, 267 patients, who later underwent coronary angiography, were included in the study. The primary end point was at least 1 graft occlusion on the follow-up coronary angiogram. The secondary end point was a composite of MACCE. In multivariate analysis, log CSS was found as a strong predictor of SVG failure (odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.94, P = .02; and OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.02-4.75, P = .04, respectively): log CSS was also associated with MACCE ( P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). The addition of clinical parameters to the anatomical SYNTAX score, termed as “log CSS”, augmented the accuracy and reliability of the prediction of SVG failure and MACCE in patients undergoing CABG.
Otolaryngologic Surgeries Are Frequent in Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Kelly Elizabeth A. , Linn David , Keppel Kristina L. , Noel Richard J. , Chun Robert H.
Published: November 2014

Objective:

The aim was to study the prevalence of otolaryngologic surgeries in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center. The type of otolaryngologic surgeries performed in patients with diagnosis of EoE was recorded during a 5-year period.

Results:

Seventy-five percent of patients were male, with average age of EoE diagnosis at 7.5 years with an 83% incidence of atopy. Cohort analysis revealed that 33% (119/362) had a total of 275 otolaryngologic surgeries. Surgeries performed on 119 patients are as follows: 20% bilateral myringotomy with tubes, 14% tonsillectomy, 18.5% adenoidectomy, 1.4% sinus irrigation, 3.3% bronchoscopy, and 1.4% laryngotracheoplasty (LTP); 63% of patients underwent multiple procedures. Thirty percent of patients undergoing bilateral myringotomy with tube placement (BMT) needed additional tubes. Four of 5 LTP patients had successful operations. Twelve percent of patients had EoE diagnosis prior to an otolaryngologic surgery.

Conclusion:

Thirty-three percent of children with EoE required otolaryngologic surgical intervention and nearly one-third who underwent BMT required additional ear tubes. A large fraction of children with EoE will undergo an otolaryngologic surgery, only a minority with a preoperative EoE diagnosis. Until the nature of this relationship is clarified, the high coincidence with otolaryngologic surgeries dictates that otolaryngologists should be familiar with diagnosis of EoE in patients.
An Image-Based System for Measuring Workpieces
Authors: Wang Wencheng , Cui Xiaojun
Published: November 2014

Aiming at the problems in parameter measuring of small-size workpieces, a real-time detection system is developed based on machine vision. The system’s hardware composition and software design proposal are introduced, and the method of using digital image processing technology to measure geometrical size is elaborated. First, the image is acquired through industrial camera in the system. Then, the image is sent to the processing unit for processing, including the image filtration, template matching and image edge detection. Finally, the geometrical sizes are measured based on the calibration information of the system. The experiment shows that the system has a measurement error of less than ±0.05 mm and has the advantages of non-contact, rapid speed, high precision and strong anti-interference capability, which provides a new approach for the online non-defective detection of the workpieces.
Comparison Alarms for Detection of Measurement Faults
Authors: Dearden Harvey T
Published: November 2014

Comparison of measurements may be used to allow early detection of measurement system faults, with the potential to reduce production losses and enhance protection function integrity. Automatic comparison and alarming can be implemented in a simple manner using conventional function block capability as typically available within distributed control systems. An outline of the functioning of such a system is described, together with details of how credit may be taken for deployment of such an alarm when performing protection function probability of failure on demand calculations.
Joint reproductive autonomy: does Evans v Amicus Healthcare Ltd provide for a gender-neutral approach to assisted reproductive rights?
Authors: Allin Michael J
Published: November 2014

Assisted reproductive technology encompasses methods of achieving pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. Whilst these methods are more commonly used by couples suffering from problems of infertility, some forms of assistance are employed by fertile couples, for example pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. The overall regulatory framework in the UK is predominantly found in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The usual rules relating to consent and autonomy apply and were discussed in depth in Evans v Amicus Healthcare Ltd and later in Evans v United Kingdom. This paper considers whether the Evans litigation envisages the possibility of further encouraging joint autonomy in the use of zygotes and whether there is a continuing right to autonomy by the party not bearing the pregnancy.
Robust synchronization controller design of a two coupling permanent magnet synchronous motors system
Authors: Nian Xiaohong , Deng Zhenhua
Published: November 2014

Multi-motor systems have been widely applied in many fields such as industry and transportation. In this paper, a two coupling permanent magnet synchronous motors system is considered. First, the model of the system is established. Then, a novel state equation of the system is obtained by choosing suitable state variables. Based on the state equation, a robust synchronization controller is designed via a cross-coupling idea and interval matrix. In terms of bilinear matrix inequations, sufficient conditions for the existence of the robust controller are derived. Thanks to the suitable choice of state variables, the proposed controllers can deal with load uncertainty without a load observer, and have robustness for environmental and parameter disturbance. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller, simulations are carried out via Matlab/Simulink soft. Simulation results reflect that the controller has good dynamic, static, and synchronization performance.
Identification and robust controller design for an electromechanical actuator with time delay
Authors: Salloum Rafik , Moaveni Bijan , Arvan Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2014

This paper addresses the experimental identification, structured and unstructured uncertainty modelling, and robust control design of a real electromechanical actuator (EMA) harmonic drive system with time delay. Two approaches were used in the design of the robust controllers; the first is a novel method based on the complex Kharitonov theorem, which not only robustly stabilizes the uncertain EMA system with time delay, but also maintains the pre-specified margins and bandwidth constraints. The H∞ theory-based approach was applied in the second controller design. Furthermore, the discrepancies between the linear model and the actual system, due to non-linearities, were estimated as a multiplicative uncertainty. Experimental results prove the superiority of the performance of the designed robust EMA with an H∞ controller over the original EMA and robust EMA with Kharitonov’s controller; this preference pertains to its robustness to parametric uncertainties and high performance.
Soybean and Fish Oil Mixture With Different ω‐6/ω‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Ratios Modulates Dextran Sulfate Sodium–Induced Changes in Small Intestinal Intraepithelial γδT‐Lymphocyte Expression in Mice
Authors: Pai Man‐Hui , Liu Jun‐Jen , Hou Yu‐Chen , Yeh Chiu‐Li
Published: November 2014

Background: This study investigated the effect of different ω‐6/ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced changes to small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) γδT‐cell expression. Methods: Mice were assigned to 3 control and 3 DSS‐treated groups and were maintained on a low‐fat semipurified diet. One of the control (S) groups and a DSS (DS) group were provided with soybean oil; the other 2 control (Hω‐3 and Lω‐3) groups and 2 other DSS (DHω‐3 and DLω‐3) groups were fed either a soybean and fish oil mixture with a ω‐6/ω‐3 ratio of 2:1 or 4:1. After feeding the respective diets for 2 weeks, the DSS groups were given distilled water containing 2% DSS, and the control groups were given distilled water for 5 days. All groups were further provided distilled water 5 days for recovery, and the small intestinal IEL γδT‐cell subset was isolated for analysis. Results: DSS treatment resulted in a lower small intestinal IEL γδT‐cell percentage and higher messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of Reg IIIγ, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and complement 5a receptor (C5aR) by IEL γδT cells. Fish oil administration enhanced the proportion of small intestinal IEL γδT cells. Compared with the DLω‐3 group, the DHω‐3 group had lower Reg IIIγ, KGF, and C5aR mRNA expressions and higher expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)–γ gene by small intestinal IEL γδT cells. Conclusions: Fish oil diets with a ω‐6/ω‐3 PUFA ratio of 2:1 were more effective than those with a ratio of 4:1 in improving DSS‐induced small intestinal injury, and activation of PPAR‐γ in IEL γδT cells may be associated with resolution of small intestinal inflammation.
Personality Strength and Situational Influences on Behavior
Authors: Dalal Reeshad S. , Meyer Rustin D. , Bradshaw R. Patrick , Green Jennifer P. , Kelly Elnora D. , Zhu Mengmeng
Published: November 2014

Notwithstanding a recent flurry of organizational research on the construct of “situational strength,” research on the other side of the coin—“personality strength”—has rarely been conducted in organizational settings, has been scattered across multiple disciplines, has been called different things by different researchers, and has not yet been used to test theoretical propositions paralleling those in recent organizational research on situational strength. In the present review, drawing from several disparate research literatures (e.g., situational strength, personality states, traitedness, cross-situational consistency, scalability, appropriateness, self-monitoring, interpersonal dependency, hardiness, attitude strength, and self-concept clarity), we (a) define personality strength and contrast it with personality trait, personality strengths (plural), and layperson conceptualizations of the terms “strong personality” and “weak personality,” (b) briefly discuss the history of research related to personality strength, (c) identify a common prediction, emanating largely independently from several literatures, regarding the interactive effect of personality traits and personality strength on behavior, (d) articulate three novel predictions regarding the impact of personality strength on within-person situational and behavioral variability, (e) develop three broad categories of personality strength operationalizations (i.e., statistical, content-general, and content-independent) and discuss potential interrelationships among them, (f) suggest “best practices” for operationalization, thereby providing an agenda for future research, and, finally, (g) discuss the practical implications of this work for human resource management.
Automatic Arabic text categorization: A comprehensive comparative study
Authors: Hmeidi Ismail , Al-Ayyoub Mahmoud , Abdulla Nawaf A. , Almodawar Abdalrahman A. , Abooraig Raddad , Mahyoub Nizar A.
Published: November 2014

Text categorization or classification (TC) is concerned with placing text documents in their proper category according to their contents. Owing to the various applications of TC and the large volume of text documents uploaded on the Internet daily, the need for such an automated method stems from the difficulty and tedium of performing such a process manually. The usefulness of TC is manifested in different fields and needs. For instance, the ability to automatically classify an article or an email into its right class (Arts, Economics, Politics, Sports, etc.) would be appreciated by individual users as well as companies. This paper is concerned with TC of Arabic articles. It contains a comparison of the five best known algorithms for TC. It also studies the effects of utilizing different Arabic stemmers (light and root-based stemmers) on the effectiveness of these classifiers. Furthermore, a comparison between different data mining software tools (Weka and RapidMiner) is presented. The results illustrate the good accuracy provided by the SVM classifier, especially when used with the light10 stemmer. This outcome can be used in future as a baseline to compare with other unexplored classifiers and Arabic stemmers.