bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vanillic Mannich bases: synthesis and screening of biological activity. Mechanistic insight into the reaction with 4-chloroaniline
Authors: Petrović Vladimir P. , Simijonović Dušica , Živanović Marko N. , Košarić Jelena V. , Petrović Zorica D. , Marković Svetlana , Marković Snežana D.
Published: June 2014

Vanillic Mannich bases were catalytically synthesized, and their cytotoxic and antioxidative activities examined.
Highly flexible solution processable heterostructured zinc oxide nanowires mesh for environmental clean-up applications
Authors: Ong Wei Li , Yew Ken Wee , Tan Chuan Fu , Tan Adrian Teck Keng , Hong Minghui , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: June 2014

ZnO nanowires loaded with Pt, Ag and CuO nanoparticles were synthesized on a flexible mesh for environmental clean-up applications. The heterostructured nanowires mesh is robust with stable photoresponse under bending. The mesh shows photocatalytic degradation and oil–water separation capabilities.
Metal-free synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via oxidative C–C bond cleavage of tertiary aliphatic amines
Authors: Xing Li-Juan , Wang Xi-Mei , Li Hong-Ying , Zhou Wen , Kang Ning , Wang Peng , Wang Bin
Published: June 2014

A metal-free Bu4NI mediated oxidative reaction utilizing tertiary aliphatic amines and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds for the synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed. This reaction involved an unexpected C–C bond cleavage of tertiary aliphatic amines.
Enhanced turnover rate and enantioselectivity in the asymmetric epoxidation of styrene by new T213G mutants of CYP 119
Authors: Zhang Chun , Li Jing , Yang Bo , He Fang , Yang Sheng-Yong , Yu Xiao-Qi , Wang Qin
Published: June 2014

New CYP 119 T213G mutants were constructed and characterized. Introduction of T213G mutation into the wild-type CYP 119 enhances the turnover rate for the styrene epoxidation to 346.2 min−1, and the double T213G/T214V mutant improves the ratio of the S- and R-enantiomers of the epoxide products to 5.8. The molecular docking results support our initial design and experimental data.
An efficient synthesis of highly substituted indanones and chalcones promoted by superacid
Authors: Das Amrita , Krishna Reddy Alavala Gopi , Krishna Jonnada , Satyanarayana Gedu
Published: June 2014

A superacid promoted one-pot method was developed for the efficient synthesis of indanones. This process enabled the formation of a dual C–C bond between the aryl isopropyl ketones and benzaldehydes. Interestingly, when the reaction was performed between acetophenones and benzaldehydes, it was impeded after the aldol condensation and resulted in the corresponding chalcones.
Plasmonic micro-beads for fluorescence enhanced, multiplexed protein detection with flow cytometry
Authors: Zhang Bo , Yang Jiang , Zou Yingping , Gong Ming , Chen Hui , Hong Guosong , Antaris Alexander L. , Li Xiaoyang , Liu Chien-Liang , Chen Changxin , Dai Hongjie
Published: June 2014

The fluorescence enhancement of small molecule fluorophores was achieved on micro-beads through gold nano-island coating, enabling the detection of low-abundant protein biomarkers.
Gas dissolution in antibubble dynamics
Authors: Scheid B. , Zawala J. , Dorbolo S.
Published: June 2014

Antibubbles are ephemeral objects due to slow air drainage under hydrostatic pressure. Their lifetime depends on the surfactant-populated interfaces’ rheological properties. We show that air dissolution and drainage can compete if the water for the surfactant mixture is not fully air-saturated. For completely degassed mixtures, air dissolution governs the lifetime, which is independent of the antibubble radius.
Characterising local environments in high energy density Li-ion battery cathodes: a combined NMR and first principles study of LiFexCo1−xPO4
Authors: Strobridge Fiona C. , Middlemiss Derek S. , Pell Andrew J. , Leskes Michal , Clément Raphaële J. , Pourpoint Frédérique , Lu Zhouguang , Hanna John V. , Pintacuda Guido , Emsley Lyndon , Samoson Ago , Grey Clare P.
Published: June 2014

DFT calculations are used to assign and rationalise the local environments in the31P NMR spectra of LiFexCo1−xPO4.
Influence of mono versus bis-electron-donor ancillary ligands in heteroleptic Ru(ii) bipyridyl complexes on electron injection from the first excited singlet and triplet states in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Cheema Hammad , Islam Ashraful , Han Liyuan , Gautam Bhoj , Younts Robert , Gundogdu Kenan , El-Shafei Ahmed
Published: June 2014

A novel Ru(ii) bipyridyl complex was designed for DSCs.
The Portrayal of Stuttering on YouTube
Authors: Donaher Joseph , Minkoff Christina
Published: June 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the portrayal of stuttering on YouTube and gage the popularity and tone of the user-generated comments.

Method: A search of stuttering videos on YouTube was conducted and 50 videos were analyzed. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore the following variables: (a) type of video, (b) age of presenter, (c) diagnostic reliability—behaviors, (d) diagnostic reliability—content, and (e) public perception.

Results: Videos were viewed on average 27,494 times with 95% of videos receiving positive ratings by the public. Sixty-four percent of the videos were classified as “poor” to “very poor” clinical examples of stuttering behaviors and 52% were classified as “poor” to “very poor” clinical examples of stuttering content. User-generated comments were characterized more often as negative (28%) than positive (12%) with 34% of the comments being neutral.

Conclusion: The low diagnostic reliability scores and proportion of negative user generated comments suggest that clinicians should remain cautious in using YouTube for clinical purposes related to stuttering.
Probabilistic principal component analysis for texture modelling of adaptive active appearance models and its application for head pose estimation
Authors: Mahmoudian Bidgoli Navid , Raie Abolghasem A. , Naraghi M.
Published: June 2014

This study suggests an application of human–robot interaction based on three‐dimensional real‐time monocular head pose tracker in which active appearance models (AAMs) are utilised to extract facial features. In order to improve texture model, two probabilistic approaches are proposed for principal component analysis in the presence of missing values. It is observed that using the suggested Bayesian model not only increases the fitting accuracy of the model, but also reduces model parameters which may cause an increase in the speed of model fitting. Moreover, contrary to the common assumption in AAM, the gradient matrix must not be supposed to be constant. In this investigation, a method is suggested in which the gradient matrix is adapted with new images during model fitting of video sequences as much as possible. In the next step, by means of suggested methods, operator's head pose will be estimated by POSIT algorithm and by its implementation on PeopleBot robot, enhancement of the interaction between human and robot is presented in order to control the orientation of the robot camera.
Method for evaluating the importance of power grid nodes based on PageRank algorithm
Authors: Li Canbing , Liu Wencan , Cao Yijia , Chen Hao , Fang Baling , Zhang Wei , Shi Haiqing
Published: June 2014

Cascading failures can easily occur and cause a major blackout in power grid when an important node breaks down. It is an essential problem to evaluate the importance of nodes in power system planning and operation. In this study, a method for evaluating the importance of power grid nodes based on PageRank (PR) algorithm is proposed. First, according to the comparison of the internet and power grid topology, a directed graph is established. Second, based on the directed graph, an index is proposed to estimate the importance of power grid nodes based on PR algorithm. Then, according to the characteristics of power grid, a modified algorithm, which takes the importance of nodal load, nodal load capacity and network topology into account, is proposed. Finally, case study shows the necessity of considering the factors to evaluate the importance of power grid nodes and the effective of index and algorithm to identify critical nodes in this study.
Performance improvement of fuzzy‐based algorithms for medical image retrieval
Authors: Chinnasamy Sriramakrishnan
Published: June 2014

In this paper we present an algorithm for medical image retrieval system examines in particular image processing algorithms used for image retrieval based on transformation domain, segmentation and fuzzy logic. This is to implement image retrieval algorithm to achieve better classification accuracy for retrieving medical images. It is proposed to implement image segmentation using fuzzy logic with certain improvements for feature extraction with global optimisation using fast Hartley transform (FHT) to reduce the dimensionality of feature space. A new image segmentation algorithm, fuzzy edge detection and segmentation (FEDS) and a bell fuzzy multilayer perceptron (BF‐MLP) for classifying images are used. Then BF‐MLP is optimised using genetic algorithm (GA) for improved performance.
Combining fractional‐order edge detection and chaos synchronisation classifier for fingerprint identification
Authors: Chen Jian‐Liung , Huang Cong‐Hui , Du Yi‐Chun , Lin Chia‐Hung
Published: June 2014

This study proposes the combination of fractional‐order edge detection (FOED) and a chaos synchronisation classifier for fingerprint identification. Fingerprints have various morphologies and exhibit singular points, which result in fingerprint individuality. Thumbprint images are captured from subjects using an optical fingerprint reader. The identification procedure consists of three stages: image enhancement, feature extraction and pattern identification. The adjustment of grey‐scale values is used to enhance the contrast of the image. In order to overcome the limitations of the integral‐order method, FOED is used to improve the clarity of the ridge and valley structures in fingerprint images. Using a reference point, it provides a stable sampling window for fingerprint extraction. Multiple CS‐based detectors are used to track the differences as dynamic errors between heterogeneous fingerprints, on a one‐to‐one basis. The maximum‐likelihood method performs a comparison of these different dynamic errors to identify individuals. Using 30 laboratory subjects, the proposed hybrid methods have a faster processing time and provide more accurate fingerprint identification.
Adaptive image segmentation by using mean‐shift and evolutionary optimisation
Authors: Liu Cong , Zhou Aimin , Zhang Qian , Zhang Guixu
Published: June 2014

Undersegmentation or oversegmentation is a challenge faced in image segmentation methods, and it is extreme important to determine the optimal number of regions (clusters) of an image in real‐world applications. In this study, we introduce an adaptive strategy to do so. The basic idea is to firstly oversegment an image by using the Mean‐shift (MS) method, and then segment the obtained oversegmented results by using an evolutionary algorithm. In the second stage, a feature is extracted for each region obtained by the MS method, and a new fitness function is designed to determine the optimal number of clusters. The adaptive approach is applied to a variety of images, and the experimental results show that our method is both efficient and effective for image segmentation.
Harmonic rejection in current source inverter‐based distributed generation with grid voltage distortion using multi‐synchronous reference frame
Authors: Morsy Ahmed , Ahmed Shehab , Massoud Ahmed Mohamed
Published: June 2014

The growing penetration of renewable energy resources and distributed generation (DG) has raised significant interest in power quality issues. Achieving low total harmonic distortion of exported current using low switching frequency inverters such as current source inverters (CSI) is a challenge, especially under conditions of severe utility voltage distortion. This study presents a control structure for a CSI‐based DG system, based on a multi‐synchronous reference frame (MSRF) architecture that rejects the effect of utility voltage distortion and helps attain high‐quality output current. The proposed solution is applicable for low switching frequency inverters with limited passive filter bandwidth. The MSRF architecture presented confines two stages; one for harmonics extraction and another for harmonics rejection. A state‐space‐based stationary frame equivalent model of the proposed MSRF architecture is presented; this substantially reduces the computational load while preserving system performance. Experimental results validate the proposed technique against the conventional harmonic rejection controller.
Bidirectional DC–DC soft‐switching converter for stand‐alone photovoltaic power generation systems
Authors: Chao Kuei‐Hsiang , Huang Chun‐Hao
Published: June 2014

In this study, the authors focused on developing a bidirectional power converter for a stand‐alone photovoltaic power generation system when a lithium‐ion battery is used to regulate the power supply. Also, a small‐scale air‐conditioner was provided as the load for the bidirectional power converter developed to examine the efficiency of the converter. The overall framework of the proposed system comprised a maximum power point tracking controller, bidirectional buck–boost soft‐switching converter, lithium‐ion battery and small‐scale air‐conditioner. By attaching a resonant branch to a general bidirectional buck–boost converter and applying a simple switching signal control, soft switching was achieved, thereby increasing the power conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation system. Some measurement results are made to verify the feasibility of the developed bidirectional dc–dc soft‐switching converter for stand‐alone photovoltaic power generation systems.
Advanced control laws of DC–DC converters based on piecewise affine modelling. Application to a step‐down converter
Authors: Vlad Cristina , Rodriguez‐Ayerbe Pedro , Godoy Emmanuel , Lefranc Pierre
Published: June 2014

This study proposes two control techniques for a buck converter operating in continuous conduction mode at a fixed switching frequency. The non‐linear behaviour of this switched system is represented by a discrete piecewise affine (PWA) model. The PWA representation offers a precise approximation of the converter's dynamics in the whole operating domain and also allows the investigation of system's stability and the design of different control laws. The first control approach corresponds to a piecewise linear (PWL) state‐feedback controller, designed by using a piecewise quadratic Lyapunov function and by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. This control method guarantees the stability of the closed‐loop system for a wide range of operating points. The second control strategy is a model predictive control. The constrained optimal control problem is formulated and solved using the PWA approximation as a prediction model. The explicit form of the control law is derived off‐line as an affine state‐feedback controller and stored in a look‐up table for implementation. Both PWL and PWA controllers are validated experimentally, showing better performances in comparison with a proportional–integral or constant state‐feedback controller.
Lossless passive snubber for half bridge interleaved flyback converter
Authors: Mohammadi Mehdi , Adib Ehsan
Published: June 2014

Discontinues output current of regular flyback converter will cause several problems such as large volume of output capacitor and also high output voltage noise. Interleaved structure can reduce output current ripple and process more power compared with single‐phase flyback converter. Normally, reducing the weight and size of a converter is an important goal while designing. An efficient way to reduce the size and weight of a converter and thus increasing power density is increasing switching frequency. However, in this way, switching losses increases. A half bridge interleaved flyback converter with clamp circuit is introduced and improved with a passive lossless snubber circuit. In this structure, the stored energy in parasitic elements is absorbed by passive snubber at turn off instant to provide soft switching condition for all semiconductor elements. The proposed snubber is load independent which is an important characteristic. In addition, a 500 W prototype converter is implemented which can improve the efficiency more than 6%.
Fast minimum loss space vector pulse‐width modulation algorithm for multilevel inverters
Authors: Sozer Yilmaz , Torrey David A. , Saha Aparna , Nguyen Hung , Hawes Nathaniel
Published: June 2014

This study focuses on developing fast, easily implementable minimum loss space vector pulse‐width modulation (PWM) algorithms for three‐level inverters that can work through extended region of operation into over modulation. A unique way of duty cycle limitation for the maximum dc bus utilisation and the minimum loss PWM techniques is organised in the algorithm in a way to require minimum cycle time from embedded controllers. The developed control algorithm is tested in the Matlab/Simulink environment for the grid interactive inverter. The algorithm is experimentally evaluated on a system developed for a 15 kW grid interactive inverter for a renewable energy application. The simulation and experimental results show that proposed algorithm is very efficient and represents an easily implementable minimum loss space vector PWM algorithm for multilevel inverters.
Influence of isolation transformer leakage inductance on constant current output of Class D series–parallel LCC‐type resonant converter for light‐emitting diode lighting application
Authors: Chen Keng , Kumar Nitin
Published: June 2014

This research studied the influence of isolation transformer leakage inductance on the output current of Class D series–parallel LCC‐type resonant converters for light‐emitting diode lighting applications. Through theoretical analysis and simulation of the resonant tank impedance over a wide operation frequency range, an impedance peak was discovered at light load condition, with the peak value increasing with decreases in output load. This impedance peak will cause double‐peak voltage and current gain of the resonant tank; moreover, the peak of the gain curve, which is introduced by leakage inductance of the isolation transformer, is located at the designed inductive operation region. These characteristics bring challenges to realising a wide operational range and designing short‐circuit protection. To minimise these influences, the leakage inductance value should be controlled by a winding method, and the operational frequency range should be well designed.
Modelling proton and metal binding to humic substances with the NICA–EPN model
Authors: Montenegro Andrea C. , Orsetti Silvia , Molina Fernando V.
Published: June 2014

Environmental context The toxicity of metals in the environment is greatly influenced by natural organic matter owing to its ability to bind metals to form complexes that can be immobile and non-bioavailable. Sound mathematical models are important to reliably predict the behaviour of such contaminants, and how they are affected by organic matter and other environmental colloids. Here a new model is discussed and compared with precedent ones. Abstract The mathematical modelling of metal cation–natural organic matter interactions is a fundamental tool in predicting the state and fate of pollutants in the environment. In this work, the binding of protons and metal cations to humic substances is modelled applying the Elastic Polyelectrolyte Network (EPN) electrostatic model with the Non-Ideal Competitive Adsorption (NICA) isotherm as the intrinsic part (NICA–EPN model). Literature data of proton and metal binding to humic substances at different pH and ionic strength values are analysed, discussing in depth the model predictions. The NICA–EPN model is found to describe well these phenomena. The electrostatic contribution to the Gibbs free energy of adsorbate–humic interaction in the EPN model is lower than that predicted by the Donnan phase model; the intrinsic mean binding constants for protons and metal cations are generally higher, closer to independent estimations and to the range of acid–base and complexation equilibrium values for common carboxylic acids. The results for metal cations are consistent with recent literature findings. The model predicts shrinking of the humic particles with increased metal binding, as a consequence of net charge decrease.
Religious Appropriation of National Symbols in Iran: Searching for Cyrus the Great
Authors: Merhavy Menahem
Published: June 2014

In this article I examine the debate over the character of Cyrus the Great in Iran during the last four decades, using it as a prism to view the struggle over the desired balance between religious and ethnic components of Iranian identity. Heated polemics over the historical figure of Cyrus and his legacy reveal undercurrents of Iranian identity dilemmas as well as different and conflicting views of Iranian identity. Beyond a mere historical or religious controversy, the debate over the “right” memory of Cyrus presents an interesting case of shifting emphasis on identity and sources of political inspiration in Iranian society from the late 1960s to the present. Moreover, putting the debate over the ancient king in perspective, there emerges a wider picture of religious adaptation and embrace of what once seemed pagan or secular.
Confronting Inadvertent Stigma and Pejorative Language in Addiction Scholarship: A Recognition and Response
Authors: Broyles Lauren M. , Binswanger Ingrid A. , Jenkins Jennifer A. , Finnell Deborah S. , Faseru Babalola , Cavaiola Alan , Pugatch Marianne , Gordon Adam J.
Published: June 2014

Appropriate use of language in the field of addiction is important. Inappropriate use of language can negatively impact the way society perceives substance use and the people who are affected by it. Language frames what the public thinks about substance use and recovery, and it can also affect how individuals think about themselves and their own ability to change. But most importantly, language intentionally and unintentionally propagates stigma: the mark of dishonor, disgrace, and difference that depersonalizes people, depriving them of individual or personal qualities and personal identity. Stigma is harmful, distressing, and marginalizing to the individuals, groups, and populations who bear it. For these reasons, the Editorial Team of Substance Abuse seeks to formally operationalize respect for personhood in our mission, our public relations, and our instructions to authors. We ask authors, reviewers, and readers to carefully and intentionally consider the language used to describe alcohol and other drug use and disorders, the individuals affected by these conditions, and their related behaviors, comorbidities, treatment, and recovery in our publication. Specifically, we make an appeal for the use of language that (1) respects the worth and dignity of all persons (“people-first language”); (2) focuses on the medical nature of substance use disorders and treatment; (3) promotes the recovery process; and (4) avoids perpetuating negative stereotypes and biases through the use of slang and idioms. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of each of the above principles, along with examples, as well as some of the nuances and tensions that inherently arise as we give greater attention to the issue of how we talk and write about substance use and addiction.
Synthesis of glycosides of resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol, and their anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective activities
Authors: Sato Daisuke , Shimizu Nobuyoshi , Shimizu Yoshiko , Akagi Masaaki , Eshita Yuki , Ozaki Shin-ichi , Nakajima Nobuyoshi , Ishihara Kohji , Masuoka Noriyoshi , Hamada Hiroki , Shimoda Kei , Kubota Naoji
Published: June 2014

Resveratrol was glucosylated to its 3- and 4′-β-glucosides by cultured cells of Phytolacca americana. On the other hand, cultured P. americana cells glucosylated pterostilbene to its 4′-β-glucoside. P. americana cells converted piceatannol into its 4′-β-glucoside. The 3- and 4′-β-glucosides of resveratrol were further glucosylated to 3- and 4′-β-maltosides of resveratrol, 4′-β-maltoside of which is a new compound, by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase. Resveratrol 3-β-glucoside and 3-β-maltoside showed low 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging activity, whereas other glucosides had no radical-scavenging activity. Piceatannol 4′-β-glucoside showed the strongest inhibitory activity among the stilbene glycosides towards histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Pterostilbene 4′-β-glucoside showed high phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity.
Crusade Propaganda in Word and Image in Early Modern Italy: Niccolò Guidalotto’s Panorama of Constantinople (1662)*
Authors: Ben-Aryeh Debby Nirit
Published: June 2014

The focus of this article is a vast seventeenth-century panorama of Constantinople, which is an exceptional drawing of the city, currently displayed at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The panorama is an elaborate piece of anti-Ottoman propaganda designed by the Franciscan friar Niccolò Guidalotto da Mondavio. Guidalotto also prepared a large manuscript, held in the Vatican Library, which details the panorama’s meaning and the motivation behind its creation. It depicts the city as seen from across the Golden Horn in Galata, throwing new light on both the city and the relationships between the rival Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire. It also trumpets the unalloyed Christian zeal of Niccolò Guidalotto and serves as a fascinating example of visual Crusade propaganda against the Ottomans in the early modern period.
Characterization of Resistance to Powdery Mildew in the Hop Cultivars Newport and Comet
Authors: Wolfenbarger Sierra N. , Eck Emily B. , Gent David H.
Published: June 2014

Hop powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera macularis, is an important disease in the Pacific Northwest. Resistant cultivars of hop have been developed and have provided field immunity to the disease until virulent strains of P. macularis emerged. Due to the increase of powdery mildew on formerly resistant cultivars, studies were conducted to characterize potential sources of host resistance.

Accepted for publication 5 February 2014. Published 27 March 2014.
Development of a PCR-RFLP Based Detection Method for the Oak Pathogens Diplodia corticola and D. quercivora
Authors: Dreaden Tyler J. , Davis John M. , Smith Jason A. , Wingfield Michael J.
Published: June 2014

The canker pathogens Diplodia corticola and D. quercivora were first reported affecting oaks in the United States in 2010 and 2014, respectively. A rapid and cost-effective method to identify isolates of both fungal species was needed to facilitate survey and detection efforts. This was achieved by developing selective primers that generate a PCR product followed by a restriction enzyme digestion with MseI to differentiate D. corticola from D. quercivora amplicons.

Accepted for publication 14 February 2014. Published 29 April 2014.
Japanese guidelines for the management of pemphigus
Authors:   Committee for Guidelines for the Management of Pemphigus Disease, Amagai Masayuki , Tanikawa Akiko , Shimizu Tomoko , Hashimoto Takashi , Ikeda Shigaku , Kurosawa Michiko , Niizeki Hironori , Aoyama Yumi , Iwatsuki Keiji , Kitajima Yasuo
Published: June 2014

The Committee for Guidelines for the Management of Pemphigus was organized as one element of the Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) and the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) Research Project on Measures for Research Committee for Intractable Skin Disease. Pemphigus has been defined as a group of intractable autoimmune blistering diseases caused by anti‐desmoglein 1 and/or anti‐desmoglein 3 IgG autoantibodies by the MHLW. The diagnosis of this condition and the criteria for assessing its severity are based on suggestions from the MHLW Research Group. The clinical practice guidelines presented here are those that are currently recommended in Japan. However, symptoms and complications can vary widely among individual pemphigus patients, so not all therapies will be required to be in complete agreement with these guidelines.
Study of the usefulness of patch testing and use test to predict the safety of commercial topical drugs
Authors: Horita Kotomi , Tanoue Chiaki , Yasoshima Mitsue , Ohtani Takao , Matsunaga Kayoko
Published: June 2014

Patch testing (PT) can be used to identify allergens and irritants responsible for contact allergic and irritant dermatitis, respectively. However, the reproducibility of PT and correlation between PT and use test has not been fully evaluated. The aim of the present study was to examine the reproducibility of PT and its usefulness in assessing the safety of topical drugs. A total of 55 topical drugs were applied to the backs of two groups of subjects for either 24 or 48 h, and skin irritant reactions were graded at 2 and 24 h after patch removal. For the repeat open application test, six topical drugs with different irritation scores were applied to the arms of two groups of subjects twice daily for 3 weeks, and local symptoms were recorded. The mean irritation scores were similar between the two PT groups. The percentage of subjects positive for symptoms provoked by the use tests was similar between the two groups. The mean irritation scores 24 h after patch removal correlated with the skin symptoms provoked by the use test. PT was reproducible and the results correlated with the use test results. PT is a useful method for evaluating the safety of commercial topical drugs.
Identification of the cause of severe skin infection by Fournier transform infrared spectroscopy: A case of Fournier's gangrene caused by fish bone
Authors: Shimizu Takae , Harada Kazutoshi , Akazawa Satoshi , Yamaguchi Miyuki , Inozume Takashi , Kawamura Tatsuyoshi , Shibagaki Naotaka , Momosawa Akira , Shimada Shinji
Published: June 2014

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is an infrequent but highly lethal infection. Here we report a 74‐year‐old man who presented with genital swelling and severe malaise. Based on the physical and imaging examination results, the diagnosis of FG was confirmed. Intraoperative findings showed dirty necrosis of soft tissue, and a splinter‐shaped foreign body was found in the perirectal region. The foreign body was thought to be the cause of the condition, and it was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We found that the foreign body was a mixture of calcium phosphate and protein, suggesting that the splinter was a bone. Moreover, during the medical interview, the patient mentioned about intake of fish around the time of onset of symptoms. Therefore, to confirm the results of the analysis, DNA was extracted from the foreign body, and genomic PCR with subsequent sequence analysis was performed. The DNA sequence was identical to that of Oncorhynchus kisutch, a salmon that is a very popular food in Japan. On the basis of these findings, we concluded that FG in this case was caused by the penetration into the rectum of an accidentally ingested fish bone. Although some cases of intra‐abdominal abscess due to accidental ingestion of fish bone have been reported, FG caused by fish bone is extremely rare.
The social and emotional functioning of students with an autistic spectrum disorder during the transition between primary and secondary schools
Authors: Fortuna Ron
Published: June 2014

The transition from the primary to the secondary phase in education can be a pivotal moment for many students, but for students who have autism, their difficulties with socialisation and emotional regulation can make this time period especially challenging. This article explores the experiences of key stakeholders regarding the issue of students with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) transitioning from primary to secondary school. Five students with an ASD who were about to transfer to mainstream secondary schools, their parents and members of their primary and secondary school staff were invited to participate in the study. Using mixed methods of data collection, a complex picture of student experiences was discovered. The article highlights the need for further research in the field of school transitions for the student with ASD.
Evaluation of Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis in Chinese patients with chronic back pain: results of a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Lin Zhiming , Liao Zetao , Huang Jianlin , Jin Ou , Li Qiuxia , Li Tianwang , Hu Zaiying , Xu Manlong , Pan Yunfeng , Zhang Yanli , Yang Mingcan , Gu Jieruo
Published: June 2014

Objective

To evaluate the diagnotic value of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Chinese patients with chronic back pain and without radiographic sacroiliitis in a 2‐year follow‐up study.

Methods

Patients with chronic back pain ≥ 3 months, onset age ≤ 45 years and without radiographic sacroiliitis were enrolled, and then received 2‐year follow‐up. All the clinical parameters associated with SpA were recorded. The patients were followed for 2 years and the final diagnosis of axial SpA or non‐SpA was confirmed by rheumatologists. Diagnostic concordance between the initial classification according to three classification criteria (ASAS criteria for axial SpA, European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria and Amor criteria) and final diagnosis was compared. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were compared between the two subsets of ASAS criteria (set 1: sacroiliitis plus more than one SpA feature; set 2: HLA‐B27 plus two more SpA features).

Result

One thousand and sixty‐eight patients entered the study and 867 completed the 2‐year follow‐up (455 axial SpA and 412 non‐SpA). The concordance of ASAS criteria was better than ESSG and Amor criteria. Three hundred and thirty‐three patients and 335 patients were classified as axial SpA according to the ASAS set 1 and set 2 of criteria, respectively. Further, set 1 of criteria (318/333) showed higher specificity than set 2 critera (279/335) (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

The ASAS classification criteria for axial SpA showed good concordance in diagnosing Chinese axial SpA patients in this prospective study. Set 1 criteria involving sacroiliitis plus more than one SpA feature had better diagnosing value.
Poor response to gefitinib in lung adenocarcinoma with concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement
Authors: Zhou Jianya , Zheng Jing , Zhao Jing , Sheng Yihong , Ding Wei , Zhou Jianying
Published: June 2014

A patient presenting with concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation is rare. We report a non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient with concomitant ALK rearrangement and exon 19 (E746‐A750del) EGFR mutation. The ALK rearrangement was confirmed not only in the primary tumor biopsy specimen, but also in the pleural effusion cell block by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Ventana ALK immunohistochemistry assay, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. No clinical benefit using chemotherapy or EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib was obtained in this case.
Psychological outcomes in critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy: a matched‐pairs analysis
Authors: Paddle J. J. , Sharpe K. A. , Boyd N. , Burt K.
Published: June 2014

We conducted a single‐centre observational study over five years to assess the impact of renal replacement therapy on the psychological health of survivors of critical illness. We hypothesised that the added burden of renal replacement would increase the prevalence and severity of anxiety, depression and stress reactions in these patients, compared with matched pairs (matched for age, sex and APACHE II score) who did not receive renal replacement. Participants completed postal questionnaires. A total of 342 patients with acute kidney injury received renal replacement. One hundred and seventy‐nine (52.3%) survived to hospital discharge, and 161 (47.1%) were alive at 90 days. Seventy‐seven (47.8% of survivors) completed questionnaires. We found 77 matches for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale analysis and 72 for the Impact of Events Scale analysis. Clinically relevant symptoms of psychiatric morbidity were common, with anxiety and depression affecting 49 (63.6%) patients and stress reactions affecting 24 (33.3%) patients. Mean scores (95% CI) were 11.4 (9.6–13.2) and 20.1 (15.7–24.6), respectively. On multivariate analysis, we found no significant differences between renal replacement patients and controls, in either the frequency or severity of these symptoms.
Labor and Precariousness inChina's Porcelain Capital
Authors: Gillette Maris Boyd
Published: June 2014

In recent years, scholars have turned toBourdieu's model of precariousness to understand workers' experiences under neoliberal capitalism. HereIlook atBourdieu's ideas in relation toChina's most famous porcelain production site: the city ofJingdezhen.Bourdieu directs us toward the shared structural features of job insecurity, emphasizing the political consequences of workers' alienation. Yet his universalist model cannot adequately explain how or why workers respond to precarious labor regimes as they do. InJingdezhen, porcelain workers lost their state and collective sector jobs when the government mandated privatization and marketization. How they understood and responded to this experience was shaped byJingdezhen's particular history, including the ways that decades of government policies had promoted reliance on personal networks, had made labor activism the exclusive purview of the state, and had given manyChinese a negative view of mass mobilization.
I Found Work! Forty Years of Research on Work in Rural Mexico
Authors: Rothstein Frances A.
Published: June 2014

In 1974 when I went to San Cosme Mazatecochco to do my dissertation research, I did not expect to study work, especially not the factory work of men in a rural Mexican community. Over the years, however, I have found that what I thought I would study is not what is important to the people of Mazatecochco. However, work has been the lens that has consistently led me to new and significant studies including globalization, migration and, most recently, even play.
Fair Innings
Authors: Bognar Greg
Published: June 2014

In many societies, the aging of the population is becoming a major problem. This raises difficult issues for ethics and public policy. On what is known as the fair innings view, it is not impermissible to give lower priority to policies that primarily benefit the elderly. Philosophers have tried to justify this view on various grounds. In this article, I look at a consequentialist, a fairness‐based, and a contractarian justification. I argue that all of them have implausible implications and fail to correspond to our moral intuitions. I end by outlining a different kind of consequentialist justification that avoids those implications and corresponds better to our considered moral judgments.
A randomized controlled trial of burping for the prevention of colic and regurgitation in healthy infants
Authors: Kaur R. , Bharti B. , Saini S. K.
Published: June 2014

Background

Efficacy of burping in lowering colic and regurgitation episodes in healthy term babies lacks evidence in literature.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare efficacy of burping versus no‐burping in 71 mother–baby dyads in community setting. Primary outcome was reduction in event rates of colic and regurgitation episodes over 3 months.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar in two groups. Difference in incidence rates of colic between the control and burping group was 1.57 episodes/infant/100 weeks [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.63 to 3.76]. There was statistically no significant reduction in colic episodes between burping and non‐burping study subjects during 3 months of follow‐up (adjusted relative risk 0.64; 95% CI: 0.22–1.86, P‐value 0.41). Incidence rate difference of regurgitation episodes/infant/week between burping and control group was 4.36 (95% CI: 4.04 to 4.69) and there was statistically significant increase in burping group (adjusted relative risk 2.05; 95% CI: 1.92–2.18, P‐value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Although burping is a rite of passage, our study showed that burping did not significantly lower colic events and there was significant increase in regurgitation episodes in healthy term infants up to 3 months of follow‐up.
Derivation of the freshwater fish fauna of Central America revisited: Myers's hypothesis in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Matamoros Wilfredo A. , McMahan Caleb D. , Chakrabarty Prosanta , Albert James S. , Schaefer Jacob F.
Published: June 2014

Although attempts to understand Central American freshwater fish provincialism date to the 1960s, early efforts lacked the wealth of distributional data now available. Biogeographic work on Central American freshwater fishes has been largely descriptive and regional, and lacked a broader synthesis. Here we use parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) to elucidate faunistic relationships between major drainages and to delineate areas of endemism. We then perform a Brooks parsimony analysis (BPA) on the resulting areas. The PAE recovered a primary division between four Pacific and six Atlantic slope areas of endemism. In contrast, the BPA recovered two Central American geographic clades, one sharing a history with North America and the other with South America. Fish diversity is uneven across Central America, with greater diversity in areas adjacent to the more species‐rich regions of North and South America. In northern and nuclear Central America, the paucity of ostariophysan freshwater fishes such as catfishes and characins (groups that dominate adjacent regions) contrasts with high species richness of poeciliids and cichlids. Results of this study are consistent with Myer's hypothesis that poeciliids and cichlids dispersed to Northern or Nuclear Middle America early in the Cenozoic, long before the Plio‐Pleistocene rise of the Isthmus of Panama.
Seeking Hospitable Discourse on the Sacrament of Baptism
Authors: Stjerna Kirsi
Published: June 2014

Not salvation but spirituality gives a hospitable rationale for the practice of baptism. On the basis of Luther's theology of grace and justification (Large Catechism) and the purpose of sacraments as stated in the Lutheran confessional texts (Augsburg Confession), Lutheran sacramental theology today can re‐adjust its language about the “necessity” of baptism and consider its hospitable interpretation and practice.
Serum bilirubin concentrations are positively associated with serum C‐peptide levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chung J. O. , Cho D. H. , Chung D. J. , Chung M. Y.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To investigate the relationship between physiological serum total bilirubin concentrations and serum C‐peptide levels in Korean patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 588 patients with Type 2 diabetes were investigated in this cross‐sectional study. Fasting C‐peptide level, 2‐h postprandial C‐peptide level and ΔC‐peptide (postprandial C‐peptide minus fasting C‐peptide) level were measured in all patients.

Results

Fasting C‐peptide level, postprandial C‐peptide level and ΔC‐peptide level tended to be higher in patients with higher bilirubin concentrations. Partial correlation analysis showed that serum bilirubin levels were significantly correlated with fasting C‐peptide level (r = 0.159, P < 0.001), postprandial C‐peptide level (r = 0.209, P < 0.001) and ΔC‐peptide level (r = 0.186, P < 0.001) after adjustment for other covariates. In the multivariate model, the association between serum bilirubin concentrations and serum C‐peptide levels remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors including age, gender, familial diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, BMI, HbA1c, duration of diabetes and associated liver function tests (fasting C‐peptide level: β = 0.083, P = 0.041; postprandial C‐peptide level: β = 0.106, P = 0.005; ΔC‐peptide level: β = 0.096, P = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusions

Serum bilirubin concentrations within the physiological range were positively associated with serum C‐peptide levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype as a simple predictive marker of incident diabetes in Asian‐Indian men with prediabetes
Authors: Ram J. , Snehalatha C. , Nanditha A. , Selvam S. , Shetty S. A. , Godsland I. F. , Johnston D. G. , Ramachandran A.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To determine prospectively the association of baseline hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype with incident diabetes in Asian‐Indian men with impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods

In a randomized 2‐year diabetes prevention trial in 517 men with impaired glucose tolerance, 123 (23.8%) developed diabetes. Baseline anthropometric, metabolic and clinical variables were estimated. Associations of hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype (waist circumference ≥ 90cm and a serum triglyceride level of ≥ 1.7 mmol/l) with insulin resistance and incident diabetes were assessed using multiple linear regression and Cox's proportional hazard models, respectively.

Results

Men with an isolated enlarged waistline and hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype had significantly higher BMI and percentage of total body fat compared with the group with normal waistline and triglyceride levels and the group with isolated hypertriglyceridaemia. The men with hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype had higher insulin resistance (mean ± sd homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value: 3.6 ± 1.5) compared with those in the isolated enlarged waistline, the isolated hypertriglyceridaemia or the normal waistline and triglyceride level groups (3.1 ± 1.4, 2.7 ± 1.0 and 2.5 ± 1.1, respectively, all P < 0.05 compared with hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype was significantly associated with insulin resistance after adjusting for age, BMI, family history, percentage of total body fat, smoking, alcohol intake, 2‐h plasma glucose and HDL cholesterol level. Hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype was independently associated with incident diabetes after adjusting for the above confounders and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (hazard ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.01–2.21; P = 0.047). The association of hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype with incident diabetes was abolished when insulin resistance was introduced into the model (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% CI 0.092–2.10; P=0.12).

Conclusions

Hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype is a simple clinical proxy measurement for insulin resistance and is strongly associated with incident diabetes in Asian‐Indian men with impaired glucose tolerance.