bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the consideration of serrated polyps to the interval of colonoscopic surveillance in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Authors: Pullens B. , Dekker E. , Ellis A. J. , Guy R. , Madronal K. , Chetty R. , East J. E.
Published: March 2014

Aim

Most international post polypectomy surveillance guidelines do not recommend surveillance for serrated polyps. In the present study the additional impact of serrated polyps on surveillance intervals from international adenoma surveillance guidelines was investigated.

Method

Endoscopic and pathology records were audited of participants in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (guaiac faecal occult blood test, gFOBT) in 2011. Surveillance intervals were calculated for current guidelines and also for serrated polyps based on previously described aggressive and conservative strategies.

Results

In total, 389 patients were included of whom 141 (36.2%) were high risk (advanced adenoma: adenoma ≥ 10 mm, villous elements, high grade dysplasia, or adenoma ≥ 3 in number) needing surveillance at ≤ 3 years. Thirty‐three (8.5%) had significant serrated polyps, of whom 18 (4.6% of the total) had significant serrated lesions and simultaneous advanced adenoma or ≥ 3 adenomas. Adopting an aggressive surveillance strategy, the mean overall absolute additional proportion of all such patients in the surveillance group at 3 years or less was 4.0% (3.9% – 4.1%; 4.2% women; 3.8% men). These proportions varied according to endoscopist from 2.3% to 4.7%. For more conservative strategies the increase was only 1%.

Conclusion

The impact of including serrated polyps in current guidelines would result in a small increase in surveillance intervals for FOBT based bowel cancer screening. About half of those who might need surveillance for serrated polyps would already receive surveillance for being in a high risk adenoma group.
Latitudinal variation in resistance and tolerance to herbivory of a salt marsh shrub
Authors: Więski Kazimierz , Pennings Steven
Published: March 2014

Interactions between plants and herbivores often vary on a geographic scale. Although theory about plant defenses and tolerance is predicated on temporal or spatial variation in herbivore damage, no single study has compared the pattern of herbivory, plant defenses and tolerance to herbivory of a single species across a latitudinal gradient. In 2002–2005 we surveyed replicate salt marshes along the Atlantic coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. At each field site we scored leaves of Iva frutescens for herbivore damage. In laboratory experiments we measured constitutive resistance and induced resistance in I. frutescens from high and low latitude sites along the Atlantic Coast. In another common garden experiment we studied tolerance to herbivory of I. frutescens from various sites. Theory predicts that constitutive resistance should matter more when damage is high, and induced resistance when herbivory is high but variable. In the field, average levels of herbivore damage, and spatial and temporal variation in herbivore damage were all greater at low versus high latitudes, indicating that constitutive as well as induced resistance should be stronger at low latitudes. Consistent with this prediction, constitutive resistance to herbivory was stronger at low latitudes. Induced resistance to herbivores was also stronger at low latitudes: it was deployed faster and lasted longer. Theory also predicts that tolerance to herbivory should be greater where average herbivory damage is greater; however, tolerance to herbivory in Iva did not depend on geographic origin. Our results emphasize the value of considering multiple ways in which plants respond to herbivores when examining geographic variation in plant–herbivore interactions.
Fast demographic traits promote high diversification rates of Amazonian trees
Authors: Baker Timothy R. , Pennington R. Toby , Magallon Susana , Gloor Emanuel , Laurance William F. , Alexiades Miguel , Alvarez Esteban , Araujo Alejandro , Arets Eric J. M. M. , Aymard Gerardo , de Oliveira Atila Alves , Amaral Iêda , Arroyo Luzmila , Bonal Damien , Brienen Roel J. W. , Chave Jerome , Dexter Kyle G. , Di Fiore Anthony , Eler Eduardo , Feldpausch Ted R. , Ferreira Leandro , Lopez‐Gonzalez Gabriela , van der Heijden Geertje , Higuchi Niro , Honorio Eurídice , Huamantupa Isau , Killeen Tim J. , Laurance Susan , Leaño Claudio , Lewis Simon L. , Malhi Yadvinder , Marimon Beatriz Schwantes , Marimon Junior Ben Hur , Monteagudo Mendoza Abel , Neill David , Peñuela‐Mora Maria Cristina , Pitman Nigel , Prieto Adriana , Quesada Carlos A. , Ramírez Fredy , Ramírez Angulo Hirma , Rudas Agustin , Ruschel Ademir R. , Salomão Rafael P. , de Andrade Ana Segalin , Silva J. Natalino M. , Silveira Marcos , Simon Marcelo F. , Spironello Wilson , Steege Hans ter , Terborgh John , Toledo Marisol , Torres‐Lezama Armando , Vasquez Rodolfo , Vieira Ima Célia Guimarães , Vilanova Emilio , Vos Vincent A. , Phillips Oliver L.
Published: March 2014

The Amazon rain forest sustains the world's highest tree diversity, but it remains unclear why some clades of trees are hyperdiverse, whereas others are not. Using dated phylogenies, estimates of current species richness and trait and demographic data from a large network of forest plots, we show that fast demographic traits – short turnover times – are associated with high diversification rates across 51 clades of canopy trees. This relationship is robust to assuming that diversification rates are either constant or decline over time, and occurs in a wide range of Neotropical tree lineages. This finding reveals the crucial role of intrinsic, ecological variation among clades for understanding the origin of the remarkable diversity of Amazonian trees and forests.
Biopolitics and Adaptation: Governing Socio‐Ecological Contingency Through Climate Change and Disaster Studies
Authors: Grove Kevin
Published: March 2014

This paper brings together Foucauldian approaches to biopolitics and recent developments in climate change and disaster studies on vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience to develop a biopolitics of adaptation. I approach climate change impact assessments, vulnerability approaches, and resilience approaches as distinct systems of knowledge with biopolitical effects. This means that each renders life amenable to governmental intervention and control through specific sets of techniques and rationalities that produce “truths” about emergent life and how to secure this life. A biopolitical reading offers a critical alternative to conventional narratives of these fields' development, which suggest that the emergence of vulnerability and resilience approaches provide progressively more complex accounts of risk that shine new light on the “vulnerability puzzle.” In contrast, this review suggests that the emergence of vulnerability and resilience approaches allow researchers and practitioners to target increasingly intimate levels of socio‐ecological life, the affective relations between people and their environments. In drawing attention to the often under‐acknowledged politics of life at play in climate change and disaster studies, this review seeks to highlight possibilities for a subversive and affirmative biopolitics of adaptation that transgresses rather than sustains existing political ecological order.
Utility of PAX8 mouse monoclonal antibody in the diagnosis of thyroid, thymic, pleural and lung tumours: a comparison with polyclonal PAX8 antibody
Authors: Toriyama Akane , Mori Taisuke , Sekine Shigeki , Yoshida Akihiko , Hino Okio , Tsuta Koji
Published: March 2014

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical staining profiles of PAX8‐polyclonal, PAX8‐monoclonal, PAX5‐monoclonal and PAX6‐monoclonal antibodies in several histological types of primary thoracic and thyroid tumours. In addition, we analysed PAX8 mRNA expression by using in‐situ hybridization.

Methods and results

We compared polyclonal PAX8 and monoclonal PAX8, PAX5 and PAX6 antibodies in 962 samples (687 lung carcinomas, 40 malignant pleural mesotheliomas, 138 thymic tumours and 97 thyroid tumours) using the tissue microarray technique. Among thyroid tumours, the monoclonal and polyclonal PAX8 antibodies showed a high positive rate (98.0%). Of 167 polyclonal PAX8 antibody‐positive tumours, except for thyroid tumours, 54 cases tested positive for PAX5 and/or PAX6 (31 lung carcinomas and 23 thymic tumours). No PAX8 mRNA expression was detected using RNAscope (in‐situ hybridization technique) other than in thyroid tumours. A portion of polyclonal PAX8 antibody‐positive tumours showed cross‐reactivity for PAX5 or PAX6 protein.

Conclusions

Monoclonal PAX8 antibody showed high specificity to thyroid tumours and was superior to the polyclonal antibody.
Labor Market Institutions and Job Mobility in Asian Societies: A Comparative Study of Japan and Taiwan
Authors: Kanbayashi Hiroshi , Takenoshita Hirohisa
Published: March 2014

In this article we focus on job mobility patterns in Japan and Taiwan, exploring how local institutional settings are linked to patterns of job mobility. Previous studies have distinguished between involuntary and voluntary job mobility. However, more diverse patterns of job mobility may also exist, which are not captured by this dichotomy. In this study we used representative national survey data from Japan and Taiwan and analyzed five types of job turnover: involuntary, positive voluntary, negative voluntary, family related and other. Using event history models we found significant differences between the two societies. First, the effect of higher education on voluntary job mobility was weaker in Japan than in Taiwan. Second, the effect of organizational size on voluntary job mobility was stronger in Japan than in Taiwan. Third, these tendencies were more significant for men than for women. These results suggest that the local institutional filters affect the turnover process.
Fatal early peripheral post‐reperfusion syndrome and the role of cutaneous signs
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Ciranni Salvatore , Molinari Vincenzo , Mastroroberto Pasquale , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this report is to present the case of a 75‐year‐old male affected by right common femoral artery and abdominal aortic aneurysms. His clinical history was also characterised by post‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy, arterial hypertension, chronic respiratory disease and peripheral arterial disease. We performed two surgical procedures: right femoral aneurysmectomy and femoro‐femoral bypass and subsequently a femoro‐femoral crossover bypass plus right femoro‐popliteal bypass below the knee. The second operation became necessary in order to treat acute occlusion of the right iliac‐femoral arterial axis. The patient developed a progressive and aggressive lower limb post‐perfusion syndrome associated to frank peripheral oedema, myocardial stunning, reperfusion arrhythmias, renal failure and respiratory distress. Cutaneous alterations (oedema of the leg, mottled skin and cyanosis of the foot) were more specific compared with Doppler ultrasound that showed the presence of adequate blood flow in the early phase. On the basis of this experience and of pertinent literature, this study represents a challenge for the understanding of the exact mechanism of origin and progression of post‐reperfusion syndrome.
The Contingent Effects of Social Network Sparseness and Centrality on Managerial Innovativeness
Authors: Wong Sze‐Sze , Boh Wai Fong
Published: March 2014

Prior research has highlighted that network sparseness and network centrality enhance innovativeness through access to information and influence, respectively. We advance this perspective by exploring the extent to which individual actions are needed to mobilize information and influence accessed through social networks, and whether such information and influence would mutually reinforce to enhance managerial innovativeness. Our findings found partial support for the idea that actions are needed to actualize potential resources embedded in social networks, as centrally positioned managers enjoy higher innovativeness when they engage in ambassador activities. We also found that advice network sparseness and advice network centrality had independent, not interactive relationships with managerial innovativeness, suggesting that they offer distinct routes to achieving managerial innovativeness. Overall, our research clarifies the relationships of two important social network attributes on managerial innovativeness, and also sheds new light on how managerial action matters in realizing social network advantages for innovative ends.
Generating Trust in Congregations: Engagement, Exchange, and Social Networks
Authors: Seymour Jeffrey M. , Welch Michael R. , Gregg Karen Monique , Collett Jessica
Published: March 2014

The relationship between religion and trust is complex and there is little consensus on why, in general, religious people appear to be more trusting than their unaffiliated peers. Most research on religion and trust focuses on differences between traditions and denominations, which offers rather limited insight into the genesis of trust for religious persons. In this study, we draw on recent theoretical developments in social psychology to explore how specific patterns of social interactions within congregations enhance within‐congregation trust among members to the benefit of both churches and individuals. Using survey data from the Portraits of American Life Study, we find that the positive relationship between religiosity and trust is driven less by religious beliefs or practices and more by particular characteristics of micro‐level processes that occur in churches (e.g., closeness of relationships to religious leaders, density of congregational ties, and both giving and receiving aid from other congregation members). In light of research on social learning and trust, we also discuss the potential benefits of this particularized trust for individuals’ levels of generalized trust.
Asynchrony in Attitudes Toward Abortion and Gay Rights: The Challenge to Values Alignment
Authors: Dillon Michele
Published: March 2014

Political commentators tend to assume that Americans who share a particular religious affiliation think similarly about values issues and that values questions are aligned. Although religious affiliation is a strong predictor of attitudes toward abortion and gay rights, there is differentiation within denominational subgroups with respect to both; for example, while majorities of mainline Protestants and Catholics favor gay marriage, many of their respective co‐religionists do not. Further, aggregate survey data shows asynchrony in within‐group attitudes on abortion and gay rights; for example, whereas Hispanic Catholics are more likely to support gay marriage than legal abortion, black Protestants are more likely to support legal abortion than gay marriage. Abortion and gay equality are discrete issues and give rise to divergent attitudes based on the lived reality of different ethnoreligious groups. These findings challenge the utility of the construct of the “values voter,” and underscore that abortion and gay rights should be recognized as separate public policy domains.
The geology of the Målingen structure: A probable doublet to the Lockne marine‐target impact crater, central Sweden
Authors: Ormö J. , Sturkell E. , Nõlvak J. , Melero‐Asensio I. , Frisk Å. , Wikström T.
Published: March 2014

The Målingen structure is an approximately 700 m wide, rimmed, sediment‐filled, circular depression in Precambrian crystalline basement approximately 16.2 km from the concentric, marine‐target Lockne crater (inner, basement crater diameter approximately 7.5 km, total diameter in sedimentary strata approximately 13.5 km). We present here results from geologic mapping, a 148.8 m deep core drilling from the center of the structure, detailed biostratigraphic dating of the structure's formation and its age correlation with Lockne, chemostratigraphy of the sedimentary infill, and indication for shock metamorphism in quartz from breccias below the crater infill. The drill core reveals, from bottom to the top, approximately 33 m of basement rocks with increased fracturing upward, approximately 10 m of polymict crystalline breccia with shock features, approximately 97 m of slumped Cambrian mudstone, approximately 4.7 m of a normally graded, polymict sedimentary breccia that in its uppermost part grades into sandstone and siltstone (cf. resurge deposits), and approximately 1.6 m of secular sediments. The combined data set shows that the Målingen structure formed in conjunction with the Lockne crater in the same marine setting. The shape and depth of the basement crater and the cored sequence of crystalline breccias with shocked quartz, slumped sediments, and resurge deposits support an impact origin. The stratigraphic and geographic relationship with Lockne suggests the Lockne and Målingen craters to be the first described doublet impact structure by a binary asteroid into a marine‐target setting.
Impact of contact lens zone geometry and ocular optics on bifocal retinal image quality
Authors: Bradley Arthur , Nam Jayoung , Xu Renfeng , Harman Leslie , Thibos Larry
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To examine the separate and combined influences of zone geometry, pupil size, diffraction, apodisation and spherical aberration on the optical performance of concentric zonal bifocals.

Methods

Zonal bifocal pupil functions representing eye + ophthalmic correction were defined by interleaving wavefronts from separate optical zones of the bifocal. A two‐zone design (a central circular inner zone surrounded by an annular outer‐zone which is bounded by the pupil) and a five‐zone design (a central small circular zone surrounded by four concentric annuli) were configured with programmable zone geometry, wavefront phase and pupil transmission characteristics. Using computational methods, we examined the effects of diffraction, Stiles Crawford apodisation, pupil size and spherical aberration on optical transfer functions for different target distances.

Results

Apodisation alters the relative weighting of each zone, and thus the balance of near and distance optical quality. When spherical aberration is included, the effective distance correction, add power and image quality depend on zone‐geometry and Stiles Crawford Effect apodisation. When the outer zone width is narrow, diffraction limits the available image contrast when focused, but as pupil dilates and outer zone width increases, aberrations will limit the best achievable image quality. With two‐zone designs, balancing near and distance image quality is not achieved with equal area inner and outer zones. With significant levels of spherical aberration, multi‐zone designs effectively become multifocals.

Conclusion

Wave optics and pupil varying ocular optics significantly affect the imaging capabilities of different optical zones of concentric bifocals. With two‐zone bifocal designs, diffraction, pupil apodisation spherical aberration, and zone size influence both the effective add power and the pupil size required to balance near and distance image quality. Five‐zone bifocal designs achieve a high degree of pupil size independence, and thus will provide more consistent performance as pupil size varies with light level and convergence amplitude.
Interpreting species‐specific variation in tree‐ring oxygen isotope ratios among three temperate forest trees
Authors: SONG XIN , CLARK KENNETH S. , HELLIKER BRENT R.
Published: March 2014

Although considerable variation has been documented in tree‐ring cellulose oxygen isotope ratios (δ18Ocell) among co‐occurring species, the underlying causes are unknown. Here, we used a combination of field measurements and modelling to investigate the mechanisms behind variations in late‐wood δ18Ocell (δ18Olc) among three co‐occurring species (chestnut oak, black oak and pitch pine) in a temperate forest. For two growing seasons, we quantified among‐species variation in δ18Olc, as well as several variables that could potentially cause the δ18Olc variation. Data analysis based on the δ18Ocell model rules out leaf water enrichment (Δ18Olw) and tree‐ring formation period (Δt), but highlights source water δ18O (δ18Osw) as an important driver for the measured difference in δ18Olc between black and chestnut oak. However, the enriched δ18Olc in pitch pine relative to the oaks could not be sufficiently explained by consideration of the above three variables only, but rather, we show that differences in the proportion of oxygen exchange during cellulose synthesis (pex) is most likely a key mechanism. Our demonstration of the relevance of some species‐specific features (or lack thereof) to δ18Ocell has important implications for isotope based ecophysiological/paleoclimate studies.
Updates on the Management of Diabetes in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Rhee Connie M. , Leung Angela M. , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Lynch Katherine E. , Brent Gregory A. , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar
Published: March 2014

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in the U.S. and many countries globally. The role of improved glycemic control in ameliorating the exceedingly high mortality risk of diabetic dialysis patients is unclear. The treatment of diabetes in ESRD patients is challenging, given changes in glucose homeostasis, the unclear accuracy of glycemic control metrics, and the altered pharmacokinetics of glucose‐lowering drugs by kidney dysfunction, the uremic milieu, and dialysis therapy. Up to one‐third of diabetic dialysis patients may experience spontaneous resolution of hyperglycemia with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels <6%, a phenomenon known as “Burnt‐Out Diabetes,” which remains with unclear biologic plausibility and undetermined clinical implications. Conventional methods of glycemic control assessment are confounded by the laboratory abnormalities and comorbidities associated with ESRD. Similar to more recent approaches in the general population, there is concern that glucose normalization may be harmful in ESRD patients. There is uncertainty surrounding the optimal glycemic target in this population, although recent epidemiologic data suggest that HbA1c ranges of 6% to 8%, as well as 7% to 9%, are associated with increased survival rates among diabetic dialysis patients. Lastly, many glucose‐lowering drugs and their active metabolites are renally metabolized and excreted, and hence, require dose adjustment or avoidance in dialysis patients.
Ethnic Helping and Group Identity: A Study among Majority Group Children
Authors: Sierksma Jellie , Thijs Jochem , Verkuyten Maykel
Published: March 2014

Two vignette studies were conducted on children's evaluations of ethnic helping. In the first study, 272 nativeDutch children (mean age=10.7) evaluated a child who refused to help in an intra‐group context (Dutch–Dutch orTurkish–Turkish) or inter‐group context (Dutch–Turkish orTurkish–Dutch). Children evaluated not helping in intra‐group situations more negatively than not helping in inter‐group situations. This suggests that they applied a general moral norm of group loyalty that states that children should help peers of their own group. In the second study, 830 children (mean age=10.7) read the same vignettes after their ethnic group membership was made salient. In the inter‐group contexts, children who strongly identified with their ethnic group evaluated an out‐group member not helping an in‐group member more negatively than vice versa. Thus, when ethnic identity was salient, children tended to focus more on group identity rather than on the principle of group loyalty.
Hepatitis C Virus Genetic Variability and the Presence of NS5B Resistance-Associated Mutations as Natural Polymorphisms in Selected Genotypes Could Affect the Response to NS5B Inhibitors
Authors: Di Maio V. C. , Cento V. , Mirabelli C. , Artese A. , Costa G. , Alcaro S. , Perno C. F. , Ceccherini-Silberstein F.
Published: March 2014

Because of the extreme genetic variability of hepatitis C virus (HCV), we analyzed the NS5B polymerase genetic variability in circulating HCV genotypes/subtypes and its impact on the genetic barrier for the development of resistance to clinically relevant nucleoside inhibitors (NIs)/nonnucleoside inhibitors (NNIs). The study included 1,145 NS5B polymerase sequences retrieved from the Los Alamos HCV database and GenBank. The genetic barrier was calculated for drug resistance emergence. Prevalence and genetic barrier were calculated for 1 major NI and 32 NNI resistance variants (13 major and 19 minor) at 21 total NS5B positions. Docking calculations were used to analyze sofosbuvir affinity toward the diverse HCV genotypes. Overall, NS5B polymerase was moderately conserved among all HCV genotypes, with 313/591 amino acid residues (53.0%) showing ≤1% variability and 83/591 residues (14.0%) showing high variability (≥25.1%). Nine NNI resistance variants (2 major variants, 414L and 423I; 7 minor variants, 316N, 421V, 445F, 482L, 494A, 499A, and 556G) were found as natural polymorphisms in selected genotypes. In particular, 414L and 423I were found in HCV genotype 4 (HCV-4) (n= 14/38, 36.8%) and in all HCV-5 sequences (n= 17, 100%), respectively. Regardless of HCV genotype, the 282T major NI resistance variant and 10 major NNI resistance variants (316Y, 414L, 423I/T/V, 448H, 486V, 495L, 554D, and 559G) always required a single nucleotide substitution to be generated. Conversely, the other 3 major NNI resistance variants (414T, 419S, and 422K) were associated with a different genetic barrier score development among the six HCV genotypes. Sofosbuvir docking analysis highlighted a better ligand affinity toward HCV-2 than toward HCV-3, in agreement with the experimental observations. The genetic variability among HCV genotypes, particularly with the presence of polymorphisms at NNI resistance positions, could affect their responsiveness to NS5B inhibitors. A pretherapy HCV NS5B sequencing could help to provide patients with the full efficacy of NNI-containing regimens.
MOND — A review
Authors: Bugg D.V.
Published: March 2014

A critical appraisal is presented of developments in MOND since its introduction by Milgrom in 1983 to the present day.
Black holes within asymptotic safety
Authors: Koch Benjamin , Saueressig Frank
Published: March 2014

Black holes are probably among the most fascinating objects populating our universe. Their characteristic features found within general relativity, encompassing space–time singularities, event horizons, and black hole thermodynamics, provide a rich testing ground for quantum gravity ideas. We review the status of black holes within a particular proposal for quantum gravity, Weinberg's asymptotic safety program. Starting from a brief survey of the effective average action and scale setting procedures, an improved quantum picture of the black hole is developed. The Schwarzschild black hole and its generalizations including angular momenta, higher-derivative corrections and the implications of extra dimensions are discussed in detail. In addition, the quantum singularity emerging for the inclusion of a cosmological constant is elucidated and linked to the phenomenon of a dynamical dimensional reduction of space–time.
AN UNCOUNTABLE FAMILY OF 3-GENERATED GROUPS WITH ISOMORPHIC PROFINITE COMPLETIONS
Authors: NEKRASHEVYCH VOLODYMYR
Published: March 2014

We construct an uncountable family of 3-generated residually finite just-infinite groups with isomorphic profinite completions. We also show that word growth rate is not a profinite property.
Bounding the j-invariant of integral points on certain modular curves
Authors: Sha Min
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we obtain two effective bounds for the j-invariant of integral points on certain modular curves which have positive genus and less than three cusps.
Last millennium dispersal of air-fall tephra and ocean-rafted pumice towards the north Icelandic shelf and the Nordic seas
Authors: Larsen Gudrún , Eiríksson Jón , Gudmundsdóttir Esther R.
Published: March 2014

The paper focuses on dispersal of airborne tephra that may have reached the marine environment north of Iceland during the last millennium, particularly the shelf off north Iceland. Many of these tephra horizons may extend into the Nordic Seas and the Arctic. The tephrochronology of Iceland after the settlement in the late ninth century AD relates to volcanic events that have been dated with documentary records as well as ice cores. The relevant eruptions for long-distance transport of tephra have been explosive or partly explosive, and mostly deposited from volcanic plumes. However, other methods of transport into the area north of Iceland are also considered. These include rafting of pumice from offshore eruptions elsewhere around Iceland, leading to instantaneous flotation of tephra, and river-rafted pumice from inland areas of heavy tephra fall, as well as potential contributions from volcanogenic glacial bursts.

Airborne tephra in 25–30 explosive and partly explosive eruptions had the potential to reach the north Icelandic shelf and beyond during the time slice considered here. Four instances of ocean-rafted pumice off the north coast are known. Tephra from 15 of these eruptions has been identified in marine cores from the north Icelandic shelf and eastern Norwegian sea.
Emergent effects in multimodal feedback from virtual buttons
Authors: Faeth Adam , Harding Chris
Published: March 2014

The continued advancement in computer interfaces to support 3D tasks requires a better understanding of how users will interact with 3D user interfaces in a virtual workspace. This article presents two studies that investigated the effect of visual, auditory, and haptic sensory feedback modalities presented by a virtual button in a 3D environment on task performance (time on task and task errors) and user rating. Although we expected task performance to improve for conditions that combined two or three feedback modalities over a single modality, we instead found a significant emergent behavior that decreased performance in the trimodal condition. We found a significant increase in the number of presses when a user released the button before closing the virtual switch, suggesting that the combined visual, auditory, and haptic feedback led participants to prematurely believe they actuated a button. This suggests that in the design of virtual buttons, considering the effect of each feedback modality independently is not sufficient to predict performance, and unexpected effects may emerge when feedback modalities are combined.
Parameter and State Estimator for State Space Models
Authors: Ding Ruifeng , Zhuang Linfan
Published: March 2014

This paper proposes a parameter and state estimator for canonical state space systems from measured input-output data. The key is to solve the system state from the state equation and to substitute it into the output equation, eliminating the state variables, and the resulting equation contains only the system inputs and outputs, and to derive a least squares parameter identification algorithm. Furthermore, the system states are computed from the estimated parameters and the input-output data. Convergence analysis using the martingale convergence theorem indicates that the parameter estimates converge to their true values. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to show that the proposed algorithm is effective.
A Multihoming Clustering Algorithm for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Vodopivec Samo , Bešter Janez , Kos Andrej
Published: March 2014

Clustering in vehicular ad hoc networks is an effective approach to make dynamic wireless vehicular sensor networks more manageable and stable. To make vehicle clustering applicable everywhere regardless of the provided infrastructure, vehicles must rely only on themselves and must not take any supporting services, such as location or external communication services, for granted. In this paper, we propose a new clustering metric and a clustering algorithm with multihoming support. It relies only on the vehicle's ability to send and receive wireless packets which identify the vehicle relationship. Clusters are created with redundant connections between nodes to increase the communication reliability in case of topological changes and the cluster creation process is also inverted compared to other algorithms. The presented solution is verified and compared to MOBIC with the use of ns-3 and SUMO simulation tools. Simulation results have confirmed the expected behavior and show that our algorithm achieves better node connectivity and cluster stability than the former.
Image Denoising Using Fourth Order Wiener Filter with Wavelet Quadtree Decomposition
Authors: Dagher Issam , Taleb Catherine
Published: March 2014

Visual information transmitted in the form of digital images is becoming a major method of communication in the modern age, but the image obtained after transmission is often corrupted with noise. The received image needs processing before it can be used in applications. Image denoising involves the manipulation of the image data to produce a visually high quality image. This paper uses the fourth order nonlinear wiener filter with wavelet quadtree decomposition and median absolute deviation. It will be shown that this new algorithm is comparable to other algorithms like BM3D, LPG-PCA, and KSVD.
Study of Query Expansion Techniques and Their Application in the Biomedical Information Retrieval
Authors: Rivas A. R. , Iglesias E. L. , Borrajo L.
Published: March 2014

Information Retrieval focuses on finding documents whose content matches with a user query from a large document collection. As formulating well-designed queries is difficult for most users, it is necessary to use query expansion to retrieve relevant information. Query expansion techniques are widely applied for improving the efficiency of the textual information retrieval systems. These techniques help to overcome vocabulary mismatch issues by expanding the original query with additional relevant terms and reweighting the terms in the expanded query. In this paper, different text preprocessing and query expansion approaches are combined to improve the documents initially retrieved by a query in a scientific documental database. A corpus belonging to MEDLINE, called Cystic Fibrosis, is used as a knowledge source. Experimental results show that the proposed combinations of techniques greatly enhance the efficiency obtained by traditional queries.
Prevalence ofPlasmodium falciparumParasitaemia and Its Correlation with Haematological Parameters among HIV-Positive Individuals in Nigeria
Authors: Ojurongbe Olusola , Oyeniran Oluwatoyin Adeola , Alli Oyebode Armstrong Terry , Taiwo Sunday Samuel , Ojurongbe Taiwo Adetola , Olowe Adekunle Olugbenga , Opaleye Oluyinka Oladele , Adeyeba Oluwaseyi Adegboyega
Published: March 2014

Malaria and HIV are the two most important health challenges of our time. Haematologic abnormalities are features inPlasmodium falciparuminfection, and anaemia is a well-known outcome. The prevalence and haematological impact ofP. falciparumparasitaemia were determined among HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria. Parasite detection was carried out using microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Haemoglobin concentration was determined using an automated machine while CD4+ T-cells count was analyzed using flow cytometer. Thirty-seven (18.5%) out of the 200 HIV individuals enrolled had malaria parasites detected in their blood. All the positive cases were detected by PCR while only 20 (10%) were detected by thick blood microscopy. The mean haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) of HIV individuals with malaria parasitaemia were lower compared to those without malaria parasitaemia but the difference was not statistically significant. Also no significant difference was observed in malaria positivity in respect to sex and mean CD4+ cell count. The study highlights the effects ofP. falciparumparasitaemia on the haematologic and immune components of HIV individuals.
Complete Inverse Method Using Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Structural Parameters and Excitation Identification from Output Only Measurements
Authors: Chen Jun , Chen Xin , Liu Wei
Published: March 2014

In vibration‐based structural health monitoring of existing large civil structures, it is difficult, sometimes even impossible, to measure the actual excitation applied to structures. Therefore, an identification method using output‐only measurements is crucial for the practical application of structural health monitoring. This paper integrates the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm into the framework of the complete inverse method to simultaneously identify unknown structural parameters and input time history using output‐only measurements. The complete inverse method, which was previously suggested by the authors, converts physical or spatial information of the unknown input into the objective function of an optimization problem that can be solved by the ACO algorithm. ACO is a newly developed swarm computation method that has a very good performance in solving complex global continuous optimization problems. The principles and implementation procedure of the ACO algorithm are first introduced followed by an introduction of the framework of the complete inverse method. Construction of the objective function is then described in detail with an emphasis on the common situation wherein a limited number of actuators are installed on some key locations of the structure. Applicability and feasibility of the proposed method were validated by numerical examples and experimental results from a three‐story building model.
Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Software Fault Prediction Using CK Metric Suite: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Suresh Yeresime , Kumar Lov , Rath Santanu Ku.
Published: March 2014

Experimental validation of software metrics in fault prediction for object-oriented methods using statistical and machine learning methods is necessary. By the process of validation the quality of software product in a software organization is ensured. Object-oriented metrics play a crucial role in predicting faults. This paper examines the application of linear regression, logistic regression, and artificial neural network methods for software fault prediction using Chidamber and Kemerer (CK) metrics. Here, fault is considered as dependent variable and CK metric suite as independent variables. Statistical methods such as linear regression, logistic regression, and machine learning methods such as neural network (and its different forms) are being applied for detecting faults associated with the classes. The comparison approach was applied for a case study, that is, Apache integration framework (AIF) version 1.6. The analysis highlights the significance of weighted method per class (WMC) metric for fault classification, and also the analysis shows that the hybrid approach of radial basis function network obtained better fault prediction rate when compared with other three neural network models.
Mineral Phases and Release Behaviors of As in the Process of Sintering Residues Containing As at High Temperature
Authors: Wang Xingrun , Zhang Fengsong , Nong Zexi
Published: March 2014

To investigate the effect of sintering temperature and sintering time on arsenic volatility and arsenic leaching in the sinter, we carried out experimental works and studied the structural changes of mineral phases and microstructure observation of the sinter at different sintering temperatures. Raw materials were shaped under the pressure of 10 MPa and sintered at 1000~1350°C for 45 min with air flow rate of 2000 mL/min. The results showed that different sintering temperatures and different sintering times had little impact on the volatilization of arsenic, and the arsenic fixed rate remained above 90%; however, both factors greatly influenced the leaching concentration of arsenic. Considering the product’s environmental safety, the best sintering temperature was 1200°C and the best sintering time was 45 min. When sintering temperature was lower than 1000°C, FeAsS was oxidized into calcium, aluminum, and iron arsenide, mainly Ca3(AsO4)2and AlAsO4, and the arsenic leaching was high. When it increased to 1200°C, arsenic was surrounded by a glass matrix and became chemically bonded inside the matrix, which lead to significantly lower arsenic leaching.
Prenatal Detection of Cardiac Anomalies in Fetuses with Single Umbilical Artery: Diagnostic Accuracy Comparison of Maternal-Fetal-Medicine and Pediatric Cardiologist
Authors: Tasha Ilir , Brook Rachel , Frasure Heidi , Lazebnik Noam
Published: March 2014

Aim. To determine agreement of cardiac anomalies between maternal fetal medicine (MFM) physicians and pediatric cardiologists (PC) in fetuses with single umbilical artery (SUA).Methods. A retrospective review of all fetuses with SUA between 1999 and 2008. Subjects were studied by MFM and PC, delivered at our institution, and had confirmation of SUA and cardiac anomaly by antenatal and neonatal PC follow-up. Subjects were divided into four groups: isolated SUA, SUA and isolated cardiac anomaly, SUA and multiple anomalies without heart anomalies, and SUA and multiple malformations including cardiac anomaly.Results. 39,942 cases were studied between 1999 and 2008. In 376 of 39,942 cases (0.94%), SUA was diagnosed. Only 182 (48.4%) met inclusion criteria. Cardiac anomalies were found in 21% (38/182). Agreement between MFM physicians and PC in all groups combined was 94% (171/182) (95% CI [89.2, 96.8]). MFM physicians overdiagnosed cardiac anomalies in 4.4% (8/182). MFM physicians and PC failed to antenatally diagnose cardiac anomaly in the same two cases.Conclusions. Good agreement was noted between MFM physicians and PC in our institution. Studies performed antenatally by MFM physicians and PC are less likely to uncover the entire spectrum of cardiac abnormalities and thus neonatal follow-up is suggested.
Networked Timetable Stability Improvement Based on a Bilevel Optimization Programming Model
Authors: Meng Xuelei , Cui Bingmou , Jia Limin , Qin Yong , Xu Jie
Published: March 2014

Train timetable stability is the possibility to recover the status of the trains to serve as arranged according to the original timetable when the trains are disturbed. To improve the train timetable stability from the network perspective, the bilevel programming model is constructed, in which the upper level programming is to optimize the timetable stability on the network level and the lower is to improve the timetable stability on the dispatching railway segments. Timetable stability on the network level is defined with the variances of the utilization coefficients of the section capacity and station capacity. Weights of stations and sections are decided by the capacity index number and the degrees. The lower level programming focuses on the buffer time distribution plan of the trains operating on the sections and stations, taking the operating rules of the trains as constraints. A novel particle swarm algorithm is proposed and designed for the bilevel programming model. The computing case proves the feasibility of the model and the efficiency of the algorithm. The method outlined in this paper can be embedded in the networked train operation dispatching system.
Prognostic Value of Mandard and Dworak Tumor Regression Grading in Rectal Cancer: Study of a Single Tertiary Center
Authors: Santos Marisa D. , Silva Cristina , Rocha Anabela , Matos Eduarda , Nogueira Carlos , Lopes Carlos
Published: March 2014

Goal. To evaluate the prognostic value of Mandard and Dworak grading systems regarding neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response on rectal cancer.
Materials and Methods. We queried our center’s database for patients with colo rectal cancer with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who received neoadjuvant CRT followed by total mesorectum excision (TME) between 2003 and 2011. After excluding 18 patients from the initial query the remaining 139 were reassessed for disease recurrence and survival; the specimens’ slides were reviewed and classified according to two tumor regression grading (TRG) systems: Mandard and Dworak. Based on these TRG scores, two patient groups were created: patients with good response versus patients with bad response (Mandard TRG1+2 versus Mandard TRG3+4+5 and Dworak TRG4+3 versus Dworak TRG2+1+0). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and disease recurrence were then evaluated. Results. Mean age was 64.2 years and median follow up was 56 months. No significant survival difference was found when comparing patients with Dworak TRG 4+3 versus Dworak TRG2+1+0 (P=0.10). Mandard TRG1+2 presented with significantly better OS and DFS than Mandard TRG3+4+5 (OS P=0.013; DFS P=0.007). Conclusions. Mandard system provides higher accuracy over Dworak system in predicting rectal cancer prognosis when neoadjuvant CRT is applied for tumor regression.
The Stratified Superconductivity in Ba0.6K0.4BiO3Single Crystal: Direct Measurement of Energy Gap between Homo-, and Inhomogeneous States
Authors: Zherikhina L. N. , Tskhovrebov A. M. , Klinkova L. A. , Balaev D. A. , Popkov S. I. , Shaikhutdinov K. A. , Velikanov D. A.
Published: March 2014

The existence of space inhomogeneous superconductor insulator state (SISIS) found out earlier in polycrystalline samples of high-TCsystemBa0.6K0.4BiO3(TC≈30 K) is confirmed onBa0.6K0.4BiO3single crystal. AtT*(T*<TC,T*≈17 K) the transition from the homogeneous superconducting state into the SISIS occurs. SISIS is characterized by the appearance of two gaps on the Fermi surface, semi- and superconducting, which are modulated in space in antiphase, the electric transport between superconducting regions being carried out due to Josephson tunneling. Thus the whole sample becomes a multiple Josephson system. NonlinearI-Vcurves are observed onBa0.6K0.4BiO3single crystal at temperatures belowT*. Dependence ofI-Vcurves on temperature and magnetic field, typical to a Josephson system, was found out. Besides, a step-like peculiarity at the values of voltage of the order of one and two superconducting gaps shows up. These peculiarities are suppressed by magnetic field much earlier than critical current. The new data firstly correlate with the model of SISIS and secondly permit for the first time to determining directly the energy gap between homogeneous and stratified superconductor states.
Biosynthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Semiconductor Nanoparticles against Oral Pathogens
Authors: Malarkodi C. , Rajeshkumar S. , Paulkumar K. , Vanaja M. , Gnanajobitha G. , Annadurai G.
Published: March 2014

Dental care is an essential phenomenon in human health. Oral pathogens can cause severe break which may show the way to serious issues in human disease like blood circulation and coronary disease. In the current study, we demonstrated the synthesis and antimicrobial activity of cadmium sulphide and zinc sulphide nanoparticles against oral pathogens. The process for the synthesis of cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles is fast, novel, and ecofriendly. Formation of cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles was confirmed by surface plasmon spectra using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The morphology of crystalline phase of nanoparticles was determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The average size of cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles was in the range of 10 nm to 25 nm and 65 nm, respectively, and the observed morphology was spherical. The results indicated that the proteins, which contain amine groups, played a reducing and controlling responsibility during the formation of cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles in the colloidal solution. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against oral pathogens such asStreptococcussp.Staphylococcussp.Lactobacillussp., andCandida albicansand these results confirmed that the sulphide nanoparticles are exhibiting good bactericidal activity.