bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Geology
Authors: Hall Vivian S.
Published: April 2015

As a result of the energy shortage and the environmental problems which have been thrust on us in the 70’s, geologists, engineers, government personnel, professional planners, and concerned citizens alike must learn to preserve, control and to intelligently use the resources and the environment in an environmentally accepted fashion. The probable consequences of proposed land use planning must be known before the changes actually take place. Effective measures must be found to control the pollution of water resources. In order to solve these problems researchers must have material from a multi-disciplinary environmental area. Recent substantial information concerning urban planning and man's impact on the environment is scattered in the professional journals of many fields or disciplines. Although many good monographs and handbooks have been written on one or the other of the aspects of these problems, a need exists for an environmental bibliography which pulls this information together. This selective reference list of more than 4200 citations was compiled to help meet this need.
Precambrian Geochronology of North America
Authors: Vugrinovich Raymond G.
Published: April 2015

This bibliography is an attempt to bring together as many of the studies dealing with the Precambrian geochronology of North America as possible, and to provide a short summary of each study. Journal articles, symposium and conference papers, abstracts, and those Ph.D. theses found in Dissertation Abstracts International covering the period 1951 through 1977 are included. The summaries are designed to give a review of the results of each study. They are not intended to serve as substitutes for the original papers. For this reason changes in decay constants, errors in measurements and ages, analytical techniques, and sections of papers dealing with subjects other than geochronology have been largely ignored. This bibliography was conceived as a source to which a worker could turn to find geochronological studies relevant to a particular area. Studies dealing solely with refinements in decay constants, improvements in analytical or mathematical techniques, and laboratory studies of the behavior of isotope systems under conditions approximating metamorphic environments have not been included. Abstracts reporting preliminary results have been included if the full-length paper was published at least one year later.
Appalachian Geomorphology; An Annotated Bibliography
Authors: Mills Hugh H.
Published: April 2015

During the first several decades of the twentieth century, there was much interest in the geomorphology of the Appalachians. When concern with erosion cycles and long-term drainage evolution gave way to concern with processes and mechanics in the late 1940s, however, geomorphic research in the Appalachians dropped off precipitously. With the notable exception of John Hack, relatively little work in this area was carried out in the 1950s and 1960s. In the past decade, however, interest in the geomorphology of the Appalachian region has revived considerably. This annotated bibliography of 1,200 items is published in the hopes that it will both stimulate interest as well as facilitate research in the region. The area covered most thoroughly by the bibliography is the unglaciated Appalachian Highlands (i.e., the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau provinces).
Vascular geometry of the extracranial carotid arteries: an analysis of length, diameter, and tortuosity
Authors: Choudhry Farooq A , Grantham John T , Rai Ansaar T , Hogg Jeffery P
Published: April 2015

Background

Stable access is essential for successful intracranial interventions. Quantifying variations in extracranial carotid arteries may help in the selection and development of access catheters. This study describes the vascular dimensions from the aortic arch to the skull base.

Methods

CT angiography analysis was performed on 100 patients. The lengths, diameters, and tortuosity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) were measured from the aortic arch to the skull base.

Results

The mean±SD length of the carotid artery from the aortic arch to the skull base was 22.2±2.2 cm for the right side and 20.8±1.9 cm for the left side (p<0.0001). The length of the right CCA was 13.6±1.2 cm and the length of the left CCA was 12.4±1.4 cm (p<0.0001). The length of the right ICA was 8.6±1.4 cm compared with 8.4±1.4 cm for the left ICA (p=0.3). The ICA length in men and women was 8.9±1.3 cm and 8.2±1.3 cm, respectively (p=0.0001), and the CCA length in men and women was 13.6±1.5 cm and 12.3±1.6 cm, respectively (p<0.0001). The lengths of the CCA and ICA in patients aged ≥60 years were 13.3±1.7 cm and 8.9±1.5 cm, respectively compared with 12.8±1.7 cm and 8.2±1.1 cm, respectively, for patients aged <60 years (p=0.04 for CCA, p=0.0002 for ICA). Tortuosity of the CCA and ICA was 1.2±0.2 and 1.3±0.1, respectively, in patients aged ≥60 years compared with 1.1±0.1 for both the ICA and CCA in patients aged <60 years (p<0.0001 for both). There was a consistent ratio of CCA/ICA length of 1.6±0.3 on the right and 1.5±0.3 on the left (p<0.0001). The arterial diameters did not show any significant difference.

Conclusions

The distance from the aortic arch to the skull base is longer on the right than on the left side. Both the CCA and ICA are longer in men and in patients aged ≥60 years. The tortuosity of both segments significantly increases with age.
Phytolith-occluded organic carbon in intensively managed Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) stands and implications for carbon sequestration
Authors: Huang Zhangting , Li Yongfu , Chang Scott X. , Jiang Peikun , Meng Cifu , Wu Jiasen , Zhang Yan
Published: April 2015

Phytolith-occluded organic carbon (PhytOC) is an important long-term (up to several thousand years) terrestrial carbon (C) fraction in forest ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to (i) investigate the spatial distribution of PhytOC in Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox C.D. Chu & C.S. Chao.) forests under intensive management (mulching and fertilization) and (ii) assess the role of PhytOC in C sequestration in a Lei bamboo stand and across subtropical China. Phytolith concentrations in Lei bamboo plant components were (P < 0.05) in the following order: rhizome ≈ stump > leaf ≈ branch > culm. The distribution of PhytOC in bamboo leaves, branches, culms, rhizomes, and stumps was 22.2%, 12.1%, 16.1%, 15.9%, and 33.7%, respectively. The PhytOC stock was in the following order (P < 0.05): soil (9361 kg C·ha−1) > mulching materials (197.5 kg C·ha−1) > belowground plant parts (13.0 kg C·ha−1) ≈ aboveground plant parts (12.8 kg C·ha−1) ≈ litterfall (11.3 kg C·ha−1). The PhytOC accretion rate in the vegetation in the Lei bamboo stand was 19.4 kg C·ha−1·year−1, equivalent to 71 kg CO2-eq·ha−1·year−1. The soil PhytOC stock decreased markedly with depth and had an accretion rate of 325 kg C·ha−1·year−1 for the 0–60 cm soil layer. Based on a PhytOC accretion rate of 0.795 Mg CO2-eq·ha−1·year−1, PhytOC accretion rate in the 2.62 × 106 ha of Lei bamboo stands in southern China is estimated to be 2.08 × 106 Mg CO2-eq·year−1. In conclusion, intensively managed Lei bamboo stands have a large potential in long-term C sequestration in the form of PhytOC, and the PhytOC stock belowground should not be ignored due to its contribution to the ecosystem level PhytOC stock.
A correspondence between a class of monoids and self-similar group actions II
Authors: Lawson Mark V. , Wallis Alistair R.
Published: April 2015

The first author showed in a previous paper that there is a correspondence between self-similar group actions and a class of left cancellative monoids called left Rees monoids. These monoids can be constructed either directly from the action using Zappa–Szép products, a construction that ultimately goes back to Perrot, or as left cancellative tensor monoids from the covering bimodule, utilizing a construction due to Nekrashevych. In this paper, we generalize the tensor monoid construction to arbitrary bimodules. We call the monoids that arise in this way Levi monoids and show that they are precisely the equidivisible monoids equipped with length functions. Left Rees monoids are then just the left cancellative Levi monoids. We single out the class of irreducible Levi monoids and prove that they are determined by an isomorphism between two divisors of its group of units. The irreducible Rees monoids are thereby shown to be determined by a partial automorphism of their group of units; this result turns out to be significant since it connects irreducible Rees monoids directly with HNN extensions. In fact, the universal group of an irreducible Rees monoid is an HNN extension of the group of units by a single stable letter and every such HNN extension arises in this way.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction andα-Synuclein Synaptic Pathology in Parkinson’s Disease: Who’s on First?
Authors: Zaltieri Michela , Longhena Francesca , Pizzi Marina , Missale Cristina , Spano PierFranco , Bellucci Arianna
Published: April 2015

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder. Its characteristic neuropathological features encompass the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. These are intraneuronal and intraneuritic proteinaceous insoluble aggregates whose main constituent is the synaptic proteinα-synuclein. Compelling lines of evidence indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction andα-synuclein synaptic deposition may play a primary role in the onset of this disorder. However, it is not yet clear which of these events may come first in the sequel of processes leading to neurodegeneration. Here, we reviewed data supporting either thatα-synuclein synaptic deposition precedes and indirectly triggers mitochondrial damage or that mitochondrial deficits lead to neuronal dysfunction andα-synuclein synaptic accumulation. The present overview shows that it is still difficult to establish the exact temporal sequence and contribution of these events to PD.
Effect of Aging Treatment on the Damping Capacity and Mechanical Properties of Mg‐6Al‐1Zn Alloy
Authors: El-Morsy Abdel-Wahab , Farahat Ahmed I. Z.
Published: April 2015

The damping capacity and mechanical properties of Mg‐6Al‐1Zn alloy after heat treatment were investigated. The damping characteristics of un‐heat‐treated, solution treated, and aged Mg‐6Al‐1Zn specimens were determined by measuring the damping ratio and the logarithmic decrement of free vibrations of a bending beam clamped at one side. The microstructural evaluations confirmed that the β‐Mg17Al12 phase was reprecipitated after aging and increased with an increase in aging time. The peak level of damping ratio and logarithmic decrement was obtained after 34 hr of aging time, over which the damping capacity declined according to increasing amount of strong pining points.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Leptomycin B on Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Authors: Cromie Meghan M. , Gao Weimin
Published: April 2015

Our previous studies have shown Leptomycin B (LMB) is a promising antilung cancer drug. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has antitumor properties but a debatable clinical application. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combination therapeutic effect of LMB and EGCG and its molecular mechanisms in human lung cancer A549 cells. Increased cytotoxicity was observed in LMB+EGCG-treated cells compared to LMB-treated cells. Elevated ROS was maximized 2 h after treatment, and LMB+EGCG-treated cells had higher ROS levels compared to LMB. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) studies confirmed the oxidative role of LMB and/or EGCG treatment. In comparison to the control, CYP3A4, SOD, GPX1, and p21 mRNA expression levels were increased 7.1-, 2.0-, 4.6-, and 13.1-fold in LMB-treated cells, respectively, while survivin was decreased 42.6-fold. Additionally, these increases of CYP3A4, SOD, and GPX1 were significantly reduced, while p21 was significantly increased in LMB+EGCG-treated cells compared to LMB-treated cells. The qRT-PCR results for p21 and survivin were further confirmed by Western blot. Our study first shows that LMB produces ROS and is possibly metabolized by CYP3A4, GPX1, and SOD in A549 cells, and combination treatment of LMB and EGCG augments LMB-induced cytotoxicity through enhanced ROS production and the modulation of drug metabolism and p21/survivin pathways.
Traumatic Brain Injury and NADPH Oxidase: A Deep Relationship
Authors: Angeloni Cristina , Prata Cecilia , Vieceli Dalla Sega Francesco , Piperno Roberto , Hrelia Silvana
Published: April 2015

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents one of the major causes of mortality and disability in the world. TBI is characterized by primary damage resulting from the mechanical forces applied to the head as a direct result of the trauma and by the subsequent secondary injury due to a complex cascade of biochemical events that eventually lead to neuronal cell death. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the genesis of the delayed harmful effects contributing to permanent damage. NADPH oxidases (Nox), ubiquitary membrane multisubunit enzymes whose unique function is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), have been shown to be a major source of ROS in the brain and to be involved in several neurological diseases. Emerging evidence demonstrates that Nox is upregulated after TBI, suggesting Nox critical role in the onset and development of this pathology. In this review, we summarize the current evidence about the role of Nox enzymes in the pathophysiology of TBI.
Scalable Production of Iron Oxide Nanowhiskers
Authors: Macher Thomas , Sherwood Jennifer , Xu Yaolin , Lee Min , Dennis Grayson , Qin Ying , Daly Daniel , Swatloski Richard P. , Bao Yuping
Published: April 2015

We reported the scalable production of iron oxide nanowhiskers from 250 mL laboratory scale to 10 L reactor reaction. During the scale‐up process, the reaction time was found to be a critical parameter to adjust for the production of iron oxide nanowhiskers with similar quality to that of the laboratory scale. Based on transmission electron microscopy and magnetometry analysis, the size, size distribution, and magnetic properties of the large scale products were comparable to those produced on laboratory scale. Subsequently, these nanowhiskers were transferred from organic solvents to aqueous solution using a 38‐liter stainless steel tank. These water soluble nanowhiskers were well dispersed in water and the surface chemistry was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Neuronal BDNF Signaling Is Necessary for the Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Synaptic Stripping of Axotomized Motoneurons
Authors: Krakowiak Joey , Liu Caiyue , Papudesu Chandana , Ward P. Jillian , Wilhelm Jennifer C. , English Arthur W.
Published: April 2015

The withdrawal of synaptic inputs from the somata and proximal dendrites of spinal motoneurons following peripheral nerve injury could contribute to poor functional recovery. Decreased availability of neurotrophins to afferent terminals on axotomized motoneurons has been implicated as one cause of the withdrawal. No reduction in contacts made by synaptic inputs immunoreactive to the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 is noted on axotomized motoneurons if modest treadmill exercise, which stimulates the production of neurotrophins by spinal motoneurons, is applied after nerve injury. In conditional, neuron-specific brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) knockout mice, a reduction in synaptic contacts onto motoneurons was noted in intact animals which was similar in magnitude to that observed after nerve transection in wild-type controls. No further reduction in coverage was found if nerves were cut in knockout mice. Two weeks of moderate daily treadmill exercise following nerve injury in these BDNF knockout mice did not affect synaptic inputs onto motoneurons. Treadmill exercise has a profound effect on synaptic inputs to motoneurons after peripheral nerve injury which requires BDNF production by those postsynaptic cells.
Severe Headache with Eye Involvement from Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, Trigeminal Tract, and Brainstem Nuclei
Authors: Siritho Sasitorn , Pumpradit Wadchara , Suriyajakryuththana Wiboon , Pongpirul Krit
Published: April 2015

A 43-year-old female presented with severe sharp stabbing right-sided periorbital and retroorbital area headache, dull-aching unilateral jaw pain, eyelid swelling, ptosis, and tearing of the right eye but no rash. The pain episodes lasted five minutes to one hour and occurred 10–15 times per day with unremitting milder pain between the attacks. She later developed an erythematous maculopapular rash over the right forehead and therefore was treated with antivirals. MRI performed one month after the onset revealed small hypersignal-T2 in the right dorsolateral mid-pons and from the right dorsolateral aspect of the pontomedullary region to the right dorsolateral aspect of the upper cervical cord, along the course of the principal sensory nucleus and spinal nucleus of the right trigeminal nerve. No definite contrast enhancement of the right brain stem/upper cervical cord was seen. Orbital imaging showed no abnormality of bilateral optic nerves/chiasm, extraocular muscles, and globes. Slight enhancement of the right V1, V2, and the cisterna right trigeminal nerve was detected. Our findings support the hypothesis of direct involvement by virus theory, reflecting rostral viral transmission along the gasserian ganglion to the trigeminal nuclei at brainstem and caudal spreading along the descending tract of CN V.
Source-Aware Redundant Packet Forwarding Scheme for Emergency Information Delivery in Chain-Typed Multihop Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhou Gongbo , Zhu Zhencai , Zhang Peng , Li Wei
Published: April 2015

For emergency information delivery of chain-typed multihop wireless sensor networks in closed long tunnel (CWSN-C), the scheme of sending the same packet multiple times is a good choice. In this paper, taking the application of rigid sliding guide obliquity monitoring in deep shaft as background, the source-aware redundant packet forwarding scheme for emergency information delivery in CWSN-C (SRPFEC) is proposed firstly. Secondly, more of comprehensive factors including application QoS and energy efficiency are considered for determining the number of redundant packets. Then, a method of solving for the number of redundant packets is proposed. Finally, Monte Carlo method and network simulation are employed to study the performances of proposed SRPFEC. The results show that (1) non-ACK scheme is highly suitable for the condition of large network size and hazardous wireless communication environment; (2) the non-source-aware solution is easy to use and is suitable for the occasion where the node could be replaced on demand expediently; (3) the source-aware solution has the better performance in energy efficiency and is suitable for the occasion where the network lifetime needs to be determined before deployment, and the node could not be replaced easily.
Clinical Impact of Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment for Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Insertion in Patients with Malignant Colorectal Obstruction
Authors: Kim Jong-Sun , Lee Wan-Sik , Chung Cho-Yun , Park Hyung-Chul , Myung Dae-Seong , Oak Chan-Young , Kim Mi-Young , Jang Mi-Ok , Kang Seung-Ji , Jang Hee-Chang , Cho Sung-Bum , Kim Hyun-Soo , Joo Young-Eun
Published: April 2015

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics (PA) for reducing the infectious complications and the potential risk factors responsible for the infectious complications after stent insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction.Methods. We performed a retrospective review of 224 patients who underwent self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) insertion for malignant colorectal obstruction from May 2004 to December 2012.Results. There were 145 patients in the PA group and 79 in non-PA group. The CRP level in PA group was significantly higher than that in non-PA. Abdominal tenderness and mechanical ileus were significantly more frequent in PA group than those in non-PA. The frequency of post-SEMS insertion fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and bacteremia was not significantly different between PA and non-PA groups. In multivariate analysis, the CRP level was risk factor related to post-SEMS insertion SIRS. However, in propensity score matching analysis, there was no independent risk factor related to post-SEMS insertion fever, SIRS, and bacteremia.Conclusion. The use of PA in patients with malignant colorectal obstruction may be not effective to prevent the development of infectious complications after SEMS insertion.
Application of Phase Congruency for Discriminating Some Lung Diseases Using Chest Radiograph
Authors: Rijal Omar Mohd , Ebrahimian Hossein , Noor Norliza Mohd , Hussin Amran , Yunus Ashari , Mahayiddin Aziah Ahmad
Published: April 2015

A novel procedure using phase congruency is proposed for discriminating some lung disease using chest radiograph. Phase congruency provides information about transitions between adjacent pixels. Abrupt changes of phase congruency values between pixels may suggest a possible boundary or another feature that may be used for discrimination. This property of phase congruency may have potential for deciding between disease present and disease absent where the regions of infection on the images have no obvious shape, size, or configuration. Five texture measures calculated from phase congruency and Gabor were shown to be normally distributed. This gave good indicators of discrimination errors in the form of the probability of Type I Error (δ) and the probability of Type II Error (β). However, since 1 −  δis the true positive fraction (TPF) andβis the false positive fraction (FPF), an ROC analysis was used to decide on the choice of texture measures. Given that features are normally distributed, for the discrimination between disease present and disease absent, energy, contrast, and homogeneity from phase congruency gave better results compared to those using Gabor. Similarly, for the more difficult problem of discriminating lobar pneumonia and lung cancer, entropy and homogeneity from phase congruency gave better results relative to Gabor.
Long Term Follow-Up of a Successful Lower Limb Replantation in a 3-Year-Old Child
Authors: Zubairi Akbar Jaleel , Hashmi Pervaiz Mahmood
Published: April 2015

Replantation of the lower extremity has controversial indications but nevertheless it may be considered in carefully selected patients who present early and are expected to show good functional recoveries. Here we present a successful replantation in a 3-year-old boy who has made excellent recovery with no functional deficit evident at 12 years of follow-up. He sustained a traumatic amputation at the level of distal tibia when he fell of a “Qing Qi” (motorcycle rickshaw). Replantation was attempted at 8 hours cold ischemia time with the tibia shortened 4 cm and all tendons, vessels, and nerves repaired. Patient required a second procedure during the same hospital stay for skin coverage. Patient made good recovery with ambulation without support at 6 months, less than 3 cm limb length discrepancy, plantar and dorsiflexion power 4/5, and recovery of sensation over the foot. Now at 12 years of follow-up patient has a normal gait and has integrated into society with no functional deficit. Considering the functional outcome of our case, replantation should be attempted whenever possible and feasible especially in children.
Endoscopic Retrieval Technique of Proximally Migrated Pancreatic Stents: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Centre
Authors: Lu Yi , Jin Zheng , Wu Jia-chuan , Bie Li-ke , Gong Biao
Published: April 2015

Background. There were scarce trials concerning the treatments and outcomes of proximal pancreatic stent migration. Herein, we did a retrospective study to discuss this problem from an endoscopist’s point of view.Patients and Methods. From January 2009 to June 2014, patients with proximally migrated pancreatic duct stents were identified. Their clinical information was viewed. Retrieval techniques, success rates, and adverse events were analyzed.Results. A total of 36 procedures were performed in 34 patients; the median age of the patients was 53 years, with 17 males and 17 females. Eight patients’ pancreatic duct stents could still be seen in the major or minor papilla and were pulled out with a snare forceps or a grasping forceps; in the remaining 28 procedures, the management was somewhat thorny; the retrieval called for several devices. Final success was achieved in 31 patients. No adverse event was observed in the process of ERCP procedures, 5 patients developed post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), 1 patient got infection, and 1 patient had haemorrhage.Conclusions. Endoscopic retrieval of migrated pancreatic stent is safe and less invasive; nonetheless, attention should be paid so as to reduce the incidence and degree of related adverse events, especially PEP.
Block-Based Compressed Sensing for Neutron Radiation Image Using WDFB
Authors: Jin Wei , Liu Zhen , Li Gang
Published: April 2015

An ideal compression method for neutron radiation image should have high compression ratio while keeping more details of the original image. Compressed sensing (CS), which can break through the restrictions of sampling theorem, is likely to offer an efficient compression scheme for the neutron radiation image. Combining wavelet transform with directional filter banks, a novel nonredundant multiscale geometry analysis transform named Wavelet Directional Filter Banks (WDFB) is constructed and applied to represent neutron radiation image sparsely. Then, the block-based CS technique is introduced and a high performance CS scheme for neutron radiation image is proposed. By performing two-step iterative shrinkage algorithm the problem of L1 norm minimization is solved to reconstruct neutron radiation image from random measurements. The experiment results demonstrate that the scheme not only improves the quality of reconstructed image obviously but also retains more details of original image.
Glaucomatous Visual Field Defect Severity and the Prevalence of Motor Vehicle Collisions in Japanese: A Hospital/Clinic-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ono Takeshi , Yuki Kenya , Asaoka Ryo , Kouyama Keisuke , Abe Takayuki , Tanabe Sachiko , Fukagawa Kazumi , Uchino Miki , Shimoyama Masaru , Ozawa Yoko , Ozeki Naoki , Shiba Daisuke , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: April 2015

Purpose. This study examined the association between the severity of visual field defects and the prevalence of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods. This is a cross-sectional study. Japanese patients who have had driver’s licence between 40 and 85 years of age were screened for eligibility. Participants answered a questionnaire about MVCs experienced during the previous 5 years. Subjects with POAG were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe visual field defect. We evaluated associations between the severity of POAG and the prevalence of MVCs by logistic regression models.Results. The prevalence of MVCs was significantly associated with the severity of POAG categorized by worse eye MD (control: 30/187 = 16.0%; mild POAG: 17/92 = 18.5%; moderate POAG: 14/60 = 23.3%; severe POAG: 14/47 = 29.8%;P=0.025, Cochran-Armitage trend test). Compared to the control group, the adjusted OR for MVC prevalence in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe POAG in the worse eye was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.55 to 2.10), 1.44 (95% CI: 0.68 to 3.08), and 2.28 (95% CI: 1.07 to 4.88).Conclusions. There is a significant association between the severity of glaucoma in the worse eye MD and the prevalence of MVCs.
Phosphodiesterase-1 Inhibitory Activity of Two Flavonoids Isolated fromPistacia integerrimaJ. L. Stewart Galls
Authors: Rauf Abdur , Saleem Muhammad , Uddin Ghias , Siddiqui Bina S. , Khan Haroon , Raza Muslim , Hamid Syeda Zehra , Khan Ajmal , Maione Francesco , Mascolo Nicola , De Feo Vincenzo
Published: April 2015

Pistacia integerrimais one of twenty species among the genusPistacia. Long horn-shaped galls that develop on this plant are harvested and used in Ayurveda and Indian traditional medicine to make “karkatshringi”, a herbal medicine used for the treatment of asthma and different disorders of respiratory tract. However, until now, the molecular mechanisms of action of “karkatshringi” and its chemical characterization are partially known. This study deals with the isolation and characterization of the active constituents from the methanolic extract ofP. integerrimagalls and it was also oriented to evaluatein vitroandin silicotheir potential enzymatic inhibitory activity against phosphodiesterase-1 (PDE1), a well-known enzyme involved in airway smooth muscle activity and airway inflammation. Our results showed that the methanolic extract ofP. integerrimagalls and some of its active constituents [naringenin (1) and 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-flavanone (2)] are ablein vitroto inhibit PDE1 activity (59.20 ± 4.95%, 75.90 ± 5.90%, and 65.25 ± 5.25%, resp.) and demonstratein silicoan interesting interaction with this enzymatic site. Taken together, our results add new knowledge of chemical constituents responsible for the biological activity ofP. integerrimaand contextually legitimate the use of this plant in folk medicine.
Synthesis of Metal Oxide Decorated Polycarboxyphenyl Polymer‐Grafted Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites by a Chemical Grafting Approach for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Kang Do-Yeon , Pokharel Pashupati , Kim Yeong-Seok , Choi Sunwoong , Choi Seong-Ho
Published: April 2015

We present grafting of polycarboxyphenyl polymer on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) via a free radical polymerization and subsequent anchoring of the metal oxide nanoparticles for the evaluation of their potential applicability to supercapacitor electrodes. Here, metal oxide nanoparticles, Fe3O4 and Sm2O3, were created after the oxidation of metal precursors Sm(NO3)3 and FeCl2, respectively, and attached on the surface of polycarboxyphenyl‐grafted MWCNT (P‐CNT) in aqueous medium. This approach shows a potential for enhancing the dispersion of Fe3O4 and Sm2O3 nanoparticles on the wall of P‐CNT. The structure and morphological characteristics of the purified MWCNT, P‐CNT, and metal oxide‐anchored polycarboxyphenyl‐grafted MWCNT (MP‐CNT) nanocomposites were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrochemical performance of the purified MWCNT electrode, P‐CNT electrode, and MP‐CNT electrodes was tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge discharge in a 1.0 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The results showed that the specific capacitance of the purified MWCNT was 45.3 F/g at the scan rate of 5 mV/s and increased to 54.1 F/g after the modification with polycarboxyphenyl polymer. Further modification of P‐CNT with Sm2O3 and Fe3O4 improved the specific capacitance of 65.84 F/g and 173.38 F/g, respectively, at the same scan rate.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2/Fine Char for Removal of Rhodamine B
Authors: Ma Mingjie , Guo Weijie , Yang Zhengpeng , Huang Shanxiu , Wang Guanyu
Published: April 2015

TiO2/fine char (FC) photocatalyst was prepared via sol‐gel method with tetrabutyl titanate as the precursor and FC as the carrier. The structural property of TiO2/FC photocatalyst was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/FC was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. The results showed that TiO2 was successfully coated on the surface of FC, and the TiO2/FC photocatalyst had better photocatalytic efficiency and stability for degradation of RhB under UV light illumination as compared to that of the pure TiO2 and FC. The study provided a novel way for the application of FC to the photocatalytic degradation of organic wastes.
Changes of Locoregional Skin Temperature in Neonates Undergoing Laser Needle Acupuncture at the Acupuncture Point Large Intestine 4
Authors: Kurath-Koller Stefan , Litscher Gerhard , Gross Anna , Freidl Thomas , Koestenberger Martin , Urlesberger Berndt , Raith Wolfgang
Published: April 2015

Laser acupuncture bears a potential risk for the skin surface, especially in neonates whose skin has histological and physiological peculiarities. We evaluated thermal changes of skin temperature in neonates during laser acupuncture by using a thermal camera (Flir i5, Flir Systems Inc., Portland, USA). Laserneedles (Laserneedle GmbH, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Germany) were fixed to the skin at Large Intestine 4 (LI 4,Hegu), bilaterally. Before application of laser acupuncture (685 nm, 15 mW, 500 μm), as well as after 1, 5, and 10 min, thermographic pictures of both hands were taken. The measuring was carried out on the 23rd day after birth (20 neonates, mean postmenstrual gestational age 38 + 2, mean weight 2604 g). Compared to the initial temperature of 34.2°C on the right hand, the skin temperature had increased to 35.3°C (P<0.05) after 5 min and up to 36.1°C (P<0.05) after 10 min of stimulation. Equally, on the left hand, an increase of the skin temperature from 34.5°C to 35.9°C (P<0.05) and 35.9°C (P<0.05) was measured. The highest measured skin temperature after 10 min of stimulation amounted to 38.7°C, without any clinically visible changes on the skin surface.
Preparation and Characterization of Some Nanometal Oxides Using Microwave Technique and Their Application to Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Gouda M. , Aljaafari A. , Al-Fayz Y. , Boraie W. E.
Published: April 2015

The objective of this paper is the synthesis of some nanometal oxides via microwave irradiation technique and their application to augment multifunctional properties of cotton fabric. Cotton fabrics containing nanometal oxides were prepared via a thiol‐modification of cotton fabric samples and then dipped into the metal salt solutions precursors and transferred to the microwave oven. The surface morphology and quantitative analysis of the obtained modified cotton fabrics containing nanometal oxides were studied by scanning electron microscopy coupled with high energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX). The shape and distribution of nanometal oxide inside the fabric samples were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy of cross‐section fabric samples. The iron oxide nanoparticles had a nanosphere with particle size diameter 15–20 nm, copper oxide nanoparticles had a nanosphere with particle size diameter 25–30 nm, and cobalt oxide nanoparticles had a nanotube‐like shape with a length of 100–150 nanometer and a diameter of ~58 nanometer, whereas the manganese oxide nanoparticles had a linear structure forming nanorods with a diameter of 50–55 nanometer and a length of 70–80 nanometers. Antibacterial activity was evaluated quantitatively against gram‐positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and gram‐negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, UV‐protection activity was analyzed using UV‐DRS spectroscopy, and flame retardation of prepared fabric samples was evaluated according to the limiting oxygen index (LOI). Results revealed that the prepared fabric sample containing nanometal oxide possesses improved antibacterial, LOI, and UV‐absorbing efficiency. Moreover, the metal oxide nanoparticles did not leach out the fabrics by washing even after 30 laundering washing cycles.
Pattern Nulling of Linear Antenna Arrays Using Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Guney Kerim , Durmus Ali
Published: April 2015

An evolutionary method based on backtracking search optimization algorithm (BSA) is proposed for linear antenna array pattern synthesis with prescribed nulls at interference directions. Pattern nulling is obtained by controlling only the amplitude, position, and phase of the antenna array elements. BSA is an innovative metaheuristic technique based on an iterative process. Various numerical examples of linear array patterns with the prescribed single, multiple, and wide nulls are given to illustrate the performance and flexibility of BSA. The results obtained by BSA are compared with the results of the following seventeen algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), modified touring ant colony algorithm (MTACO), quadratic programming method (QPM), bacterial foraging algorithm (BFA), bees algorithm (BA), clonal selection algorithm (CLONALG), plant growth simulation algorithm (PGSA), tabu search algorithm (TSA), memetic algorithm (MA), nondominated sorting GA-2 (NSGA-2), multiobjective differential evolution (MODE), decomposition with differential evolution (MOEA/D-DE), comprehensive learning PSO (CLPSO), harmony search algorithm (HSA), seeker optimization algorithm (SOA), and mean variance mapping optimization (MVMO). The simulation results show that the linear antenna array synthesis using BSA provides low side-lobe levels and deep null levels.
Localized Lymph Node Light Chain Amyloidosis
Authors: Dhakal Binod , Harrington Alexandra M. , Stadler Michael E. , D’Souza Anita
Published: April 2015

Immunoglobulin-derived light chain amyloidosis can occasionally be associated with localized disease. We present a patient with localized lymph node light chain amyloidosis without an underlying monoclonal protein or lymphoproliferative disorder and review the literature of lymph node amyloidosis discussing work-up and risk factors for systemic progression.
αβ TCR-Mediated Recognition: Relevance to Tumor-Antigen Discovery and Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Reinherz Ellis L.
Published: April 2015

αβ T lymphocytes sense perturbations in host cellular body components induced by infectious pathogens, oncogenic transformation, or chemical or physical damage. Millions to billions of these lymphocytes are generated through T-lineage development in the thymus, each endowed with a clonally restricted surface T-cell receptor (TCR). An individual TCR has the capacity to recognize a distinct “foreign” peptide among the myriad of antigens that the mammalian host must be capable of detecting. TCRs explicitly distinguish foreign from self-peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This is a daunting challenge, given that the MHC-linked peptidome consists of thousands of distinct peptides with a relevant nonself target antigen often embedded at low number, among orders of magnitude higher frequency self-peptides. In this Masters of Immunology article, I review how TCR structure and attendant mechanobiology involving nonlinear responses affect sensitivity as well as specificity to meet this requirement. Assessment of human tumor-cell display using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry physical detection methods that quantify epitope copy number can help to provide information about requisite T-cell functional avidity affording protection and/or therapeutic immunity. Future rational CD8 cytotoxic T-cell–based vaccines may follow, targeting virally induced cancers, other nonviral immunogenic tumors, and potentially even nonimmunogenic tumors whose peptide display can be purposely altered by MHC-binding drugs to stimulate immune attack. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(4); 305–12. ©2015 AACR.
Fast and Accurate Radiative Transfer in the Thermal Regime by Simultaneous Optimal Spectral Sampling over All Channels
Authors: Moncet Jean-Luc , Uymin Gennady , Liang Pan , Lipton Alan E.
Published: April 2015

The optimal spectral sampling (OSS) method provides a fast and accurate way to model radiometric observations and their Jacobians (required for inversion problems) as a linear combination of monochromatic quantities. The method is flexible and versatile with respect to the treatment of variable constituents, and the method’s fidelity to reference line-by-line (LBL) calculations is tunable. The focus of this paper is on the modeling of radiances from hyperspectral infrared sounders in both clear and cloudy (scattering) atmospheres for application to retrieval and data assimilation. In earlier articles, the authors presented an approach that performed spectral sampling for each channel sequentially. This approach is particularly robust in terms of preserving fidelity to LBL models and yields ratios of monochromatic calculations per channel of approximately 1:1 for such hyperspectral sensors as the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) or the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) (when tuned for nominal 0.05-K accuracy). This paper describes the generalization of the OSS concept to minimize the total number of monochromatic points required to model a set of channels across individual spectral bands or across the entire domain of the measurements. Its application to principal components of radiance measurements is addressed. It is found that the optimal solution produced by the OSS method offers computational advantages over existing models based on principal components, but, more importantly, it has superior error characteristics.
Emotional Cost of Emotional Support? The Association Between Intensive Mothering and Psychological Well-Being in Midlife
Authors: Gunderson Justine , Barrett Anne E.
Published: April 2015

Studies of intensive mothering suggest that fulfilling societal expectations of the “good mother” diminishes maternal psychological well-being; however, studies tend to focus on young mothers. We examine the association between intensive mothering and psychological well-being using a sample of mothers in midlife ( n = 1,388) drawn from the 2004-2006 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Intensive mothering is measured as provision of high levels of emotional support to children, high degree of thought and effort put into these relationships, and reduction of paid work to provide more care. Psychological well-being is measured as depressive symptoms, self-rated mental health, and positive and negative affect. Ordinary least squares regression results are mixed: While providing high levels of emotional support predicts more depressive symptoms, worse self-rated mental health, and higher negative affect, higher investments of thought and effort predict better mental health.
Increasing Melanoma Screening Among Hispanic/Latino Americans
Authors: Chung Grace Y. , Brown Gina , Gibson Desmond
Published: April 2015

Melanoma incidence is increasing among Hispanics/Latinos in California. This community-based project reached out to a rural Hispanic/Latino community in North San Diego County to provide melanoma prevention and screening education. At a local community health fair, bilingual volunteer lay health workers led 10- to 15-minute-long information sessions on melanoma disease, risk factors, and skin self-examination techniques. Pearson chi-square analyses of participants’ ( N = 34) responses to pre- and postintervention evaluation surveys indicate significant increases in knowledge, risk awareness, and self-efficacy for self-screening. The results revealed that Hispanics/Latinos in a low socioeconomic stratum might be at moderate to high risk for developing melanoma. Their low annual income, low level of education, occupational sun-exposure, and lack of access to health care are likely factors that deter at-risk Hispanics/Latinos from seeking health care.
Does Successful Weight Loss in an Internet-Based Worksite Weight Loss Program Improve Employee Presenteeism and Absenteeism?
Authors: Harden Samantha M. , You Wen , Almeida Fabio A. , Hill Jennie L. , Linnan Laura A. , Allen Kacie C. , Estabrooks Paul A.
Published: April 2015

Certain risk factors associated with overweight and obesity may lead to reduced productivity in the workforce (i.e., increased absenteeism and presenteeism). Participants in a large, Internet-based worksite weight loss intervention, who were present at follow-up ( N = 1,030), completed a self-reported productivity measure (World Health Organization’s Health and Work Performance Questionnaire) at baseline and postintervention. Twenty-two percent of the participants lost a clinically meaningful amount of weight (≥5% weight loss). There were no statistically significant ( p < .05) relationships between weight change from baseline to 12 months and change scores of absolute or relative absenteeism or for absolute or relative presenteeism. Within a modestly successful Internet-based, worksite weight loss intervention, weight loss did not improve self-reported absenteeism or presenteeism. Further studies are needed to explore the sensitivity of the World Health Organization’s Health and Work Performance Questionnaire and the long-term effects of weight loss on productivity.
Relationships Between Illicit Drug Use and Body Mass Index Among Adolescents
Authors: Blackstone Sarah R. , Herrmann Lynn K.
Published: April 2015

Prior research has established associations between body mass index (BMI) and use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. However, little research has been done investigating the relationship between other common illicit drugs and BMI trends. The present study investigated whether adolescents who reported using illicit drugs showed differences in BMI compared to peers who reported no drug use. There was a positive relationship between drug use and BMI as well as the number of drugs used and BMI. The results suggested that the positive relationship between the use of illicit drugs and BMI is largely due to smoking. Further research needs to ascertain whether smoking, illicit drug use, or both are among the first of many unhealthy behaviors that can subsequently lead to greater gains in BMI. Implications for health educators are discussed.
Defending universities: Argument and persuasion
Authors: Collini Stefan
Published: April 2015

In response to the subjection of universities in Britain and elsewhere to ‘free market’ ideology and the resulting narrow concern with claimed economic effects and benefits, this essay explores some of the processes of persuasion and justification as they are employed in debate and in resistance to this damaging orthodoxy. First, the short-term assumptions behind crude measurements of impact and economic benefit must be contested; the growth of human understanding and its contribution to human flourishing is non-linear and long term. Second, defenders of universities should beware of overstating the categories of moral and social good to which they might lay claim, and should be realistic about the complex and contested nature of frequently identified benefits, including social mobility. Third, criteria of quality and national or local context must be stressed over mere quantity and simplistic notions of competition; the rules underlying vacuous international league tables are arbitrary and impose allegedly universal criteria on a diverse and nuanced reality. Finally, arguments for the importance of universities should be pitched at the right level and never underestimate the capacity of diverse audiences to value their work and continued existence; this involves being honest about their problems and limitations while focusing on ideas and on the processes involved in their development. Taken together, these observations add up to insisting on making the case for universities in appropriate intellectual, scientific, and cultural terms; such boldness will be essential if the damaging effects of current policies are to be reversed.