bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adding Dietary Green Beans to Formula Resolves the Diarrhea Associated With a Bowel Resection in Neonates
Authors: Drenckpohl Douglas , Vegunta Ravindra , Knaub Lisa , Wang Huaping , Macwan Kamlesh , Pearl Richard
Published: December 2012

Background. Traditionally, dietary fiber has been empirically added to infant formulas to improve feeding intolerance for those infants diagnosed with intestinal failure (IF) or short-bowel syndrome (SBS). Clinicians have added a variety of products such as pectin, Benefiber, infant cereals, or baby foods as the dietary fiber source, without documented evidence of their efficacy. Materials and Methods. This was a retrospective cohort review of infants admitted between August 2003 and June 2011 to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois who had dietary green beans added to their formula because of feeding intolerance. Our primary hypothesis was that adding dietary fiber as green beans to an infant’s formula would correct diarrhea resulting from a bowel resection and reduce their dependence on parenteral nutrition (PN). Results. In all, 18 infants were prescribed dietary green beans added to their formula during this study period; 7 of them were diagnosed with SBS. After the addition of the dietary green beans to their formula, all infants had improvements in stool consistency: 56% of the infants had mushy/soft stools, and 44% of the infants had formed stools. Also, 61% of infants had PN discontinued because 100% of their nutritional needs were met by enteral feedings. Conclusion. Infants with IF or SBS stool patterns improved after dietary green beans were added to the formula. The addition of this type of dietary fiber may allow the clinician to advance enteral feeding volumes and decrease the infant’s dependence on PN and avoid associated PN-related morbidities.
Reflections on Communication and Sport
Authors: Gantz Walter
Published: December 2012

In this essay, Walter Gantz reflects on the importance of communication and sport and the evolution of his research on fanship and social relationships. Cutting across two overlapping dimensions—physical location and technology—this essay characterizes key ways that sports fanship may be integrally linked with meaningful relationships. Sports viewing at home is often a shared activity, one that is far more likely to maintain or enhance existing relationships than isolate or annoy family members and create significant strife. Sports viewing during holidays can create special frustrations but these, too, seem easily addressed by family members. Out-of-home attention to mediated sports—from sports bars to the workplace—also has a strong social dimension as participants are able to share and affirm their fanship, at times at a cost to productivity. Social media and other interactive technologies (e.g., talk radio, smart phones, the Internet) facilitate sports-related expression and community. Research still needs to be conducted on the social dimension of sports fanship across the span of adult life.
Reflections on Communication and Sport
Authors: Boyle Raymond
Published: December 2012

In this essay, Raymond Boyle reflects on how the study of sport within media and communication studies has evolved in the United Kingdom over the last 20 years. The first part of essay comments on the cultural importance of communication and sport. The second section traces the influences on the author’s research agenda, particularly in the area of sport journalism and the structural changes brought to it by digital media. Here, Boyle comments on the most influential scholars and works on communication and sport. The focus section of the essay considers the evolution of sport journalism and the changing role of sports journalists. In this section, the author considers the nexus of marketization, commercialization, and the internationalization of sport journalism and comments on the rise of public relations and the synergies between the sports industry and the entertainment industries. The focus section further considers the real and projected effects of digital journalism and the potential of citizen journalists to transform sport journalism. The essay closes with consideration of future research that will be needed to help us understand the cultural impacts of technological change on the role of sport journalism.
Integrated mutational and cytogenetic analysis identifies new prognostic subgroups in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Rossi Davide , Rasi Silvia , Spina Valeria , Bruscaggin Alessio , Monti Sara , Ciardullo Carmela , Deambrogi Clara , Khiabanian Hossein , Serra Roberto , Bertoni Francesco , Forconi Francesco , Laurenti Luca , Marasca Roberto , Dal-Bo Michele , Rossi Francesca Maria , Bulian Pietro , Nomdedeu Josep , Del Poeta Giovanni , Gattei Valter , Pasqualucci Laura , Rabadan Raul , Foà Robin , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Gaidano Gianluca
Published: December 2012

Key Points

The integration of mutations and cytogenetic lesions improves the accuracy of survival prediction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
A probabilistic coevolutionary biclustering algorithm for discovering coherent patterns in gene expression dataset
Authors: Joung Je-Gun , Kim Soo-Jin , Shin Soo-Yong , Zhang Byoung-Tak
Published: December 2012

Background

Biclustering has been utilized to find functionally important patterns in biological problem. Here a bicluster is a submatrix that consists of a subset of rows and a subset of columns in a matrix, and contains homogeneous patterns. The problem of finding biclusters is still challengeable due to computational complex trying to capture patterns from two-dimensional features.

Results

We propose a Probabilistic COevolutionary Biclustering Algorithm (PCOBA) that can cluster the rows and columns in a matrix simultaneously by utilizing a dynamic adaptation of multiple species and adopting probabilistic learning. In biclustering problems, a coevolutionary search is suitable since it can optimize interdependent subcomponents formed of rows and columns. Furthermore, acquiring statistical information on two populations using probabilistic learning can improve the ability of search towards the optimum value. We evaluated the performance of PCOBA on synthetic dataset and yeast expression profiles. The results demonstrated that PCOBA outperformed previous evolutionary computation methods as well as other biclustering methods.

Conclusions

Our approach for searching particular biological patterns could be valuable for systematically understanding functional relationships between genes and other biological components at a genome-wide level.
The transcriptomic fingerprint of glucoamylase over-expression in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Kwon Min Jin , Jørgensen Thomas R , Nitsche Benjamin M , Arentshorst Mark , Park Joohae , Ram Arthur FJ , Meyer Vera
Published: December 2012

Background

Filamentous fungi such asAspergillus nigerare well known for their exceptionally high capacity for secretion of proteins, organic acids, and secondary metabolites and they are therefore used in biotechnology as versatile microbial production platforms. However, system-wide insights into their metabolic and secretory capacities are sparse and rational strain improvement approaches are therefore limited. In order to gain a genome-wide view on the transcriptional regulation of the protein secretory pathway ofA. niger, we investigated the transcriptome ofA. nigerwhen it was forced to overexpression theglaAgene (encoding glucoamylase, GlaA) and secrete GlaA to high level.

Results

AnA. nigerwild-type strain and a GlaA over-expressing strain, containing multiple copies of theglaAgene, were cultivated under maltose-limited chemostat conditions (specific growth rate 0.1 h-1). ElevatedglaAmRNA and extracellular GlaA levels in the over-expressing strain were accompanied by elevated transcript levels from 772 genes and lowered transcript levels from 815 genes when compared to the wild-type strain. Using GO term enrichment analysis, four higher-order categories were identified in the up-regulated gene set: i) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane translocation, ii) protein glycosylation, iii) vesicle transport, and iv) ion homeostasis. Among these, about 130 genes had predicted functions for the passage of proteins through the ER and those genes included target genes of the HacA transcription factor that mediates the unfolded protein response (UPR), e.g.bipA, clxA, prpA, tigAandpdiA. In order to identify those genes that are important for high-level secretion of proteins byA. niger, we compared the transcriptome of the GlaA overexpression strain ofA. nigerwith six other relevant transcriptomes ofA. niger. Overall, 40 genes were found to have either elevated (from 36 genes) or lowered (from 4 genes) transcript levels under all conditions that were examined, thus defining the core set of genes important for ensuring high protein traffic through the secretory pathway.

Conclusion

We have defined theA. nigergenes that respond to elevated secretion of GlaA and, furthermore, we have defined a core set of genes that appear to be involved more generally in the intensified traffic of proteins through the secretory pathway ofA. niger. The consistent up-regulation of a gene encoding the acetyl-coenzyme A transporter suggests a possible role for transient acetylation to ensure correct folding of secreted proteins.
Comparison of Optimised MDI versus Pumps with or without Sensors in Severe Hypoglycaemia (the Hypo COMPaSS trial)
Authors: Little Stuart , Chadwick Thomas , Choudhary Pratik , Brennand Cath , Stickland Julia , Barendse Shalleen , Olateju Tolulope , Leelarathna Lalantha , Walkinshaw Emma , Tan Horng K , Marshall Sally M , Thomas Reena M , Heller Simon , Evans Mark , Kerr David , Flanagan Daniel , Speight Jane , Shaw James AM
Published: December 2012

Background

Severe hypoglycaemia (SH) is one of the most feared complications of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) with a reported prevalence of nearly 40%. In randomized trials of Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) and Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy there is a possible benefit of CSII in reducing SH. However few trials have used basal insulin analogues as the basal insulin in the MDI group and individuals with established SH have often been excluded from prospective studies. In published studies investigating the effect of Real Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT-CGM) benefit in terms of reduced SH has not yet been demonstrated. The primary objective of this study is to elucidate whether in people with T1DM complicated by impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (IAH), rigorous prevention of biochemical hypoglycaemia using optimized existing self-management technology and educational support will restore awareness and reduce risk of recurrent SH.

Methods/design

This is a multicentre prospective RCT comparing hypoglycaemia avoidance with optimized MDI and CSII with or without RT-CGM in a 2×2 factorial design in people with type 1 diabetes who have IAH. The primary outcome measure for this study is the difference in IAH (Gold score) at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include biomedical measures such as HbA1c, SH incidence, blinded CGM analysis, self monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and response to hypoglycaemia in gold standard clamp studies. Psychosocial measures including well-being and quality of life will also be assessed using several validated and novel measures. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat basis.

Discussion

Most existing RCTs using this study’s interventions have been powered for change in HbA1c rather than IAH or SH. This trial will demonstrate whether IAH can be reversed and SH prevented in people with T1DM in even those at highest risk by using optimized conventional management and existing technology.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN52164803 Eudract No: 2009-015396-27
Identification of interdependent variables that influence coreceptor switch in R5 SHIVSF162P3N-infected macaques
Authors: Zhuang Ke , Finzi Andres , Toma Jonathan , Frantzell Arne , Huang Wei , Sodroski Joseph , Cheng-Mayer Cecilia
Published: December 2012

Background

We previously reported that adoption of an “open” envelope glycoprotein (Env) to expose the CD4 binding site for efficient receptor binding and infection of cell targets such as macrophages that express low levels of the receptor represents an early event in the process of coreceptor switch in two rapidly progressing (RP) R5 SHIVSF162P3N-infected rhesus macaques, releasing or reducing Env structural constraints that have been suggested to limit the pathways available for a change in coreceptor preference. Here we extended these studies to two additional RP monkeys with coreceptor switch and three without to confirm and identify additional factors that facilitated the process of phenotypic conversion.

Results

We found that regardless of coreceptor switching, R5 viruses in SHIVSF162P3N-infected RP macaques evolved over time to infect macrophages more efficiently; this was accompanied by increased sCD4 sensitivity, with structural changes in the CD4 binding site, the V3 loop and/or the fusion domain of their Envs that are suggestive of better CD4 contact, CCR5 usage and/or virus fusion. However, sCD4-sensitive variants with improved CD4 binding were observed only in RPs with coreceptor switch. Furthermore, cumulative viral load was higher in RPs with than in those without phenotypic switch, with the latter maintaining a longer period of seroconversion.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the increased virus replication in the RPs with R5-to-X4 conversion increased the rate of virus evolution and reduction in the availability of target cells with optimal CD4 expression heightened the competition for binding to the receptor. In the absence of immunological restrictions, variants that adopt an “open” Env to expose the CD4 binding site for better CD4 use are selected, allowing structural changes that confer CXCR4-use to be manifested. Viral load, change in target cell population during the course of infection and host immune response therefore are interdependent variables that influence R5 virus evolution and coreceptor switch in SHIVSF162P3N-infected rhesus macaques. Because an "open" Env conformation also renders the virus more susceptible to antibody neutralization, our findings help to explain the infrequent and late appearance of X4 virus in HIV-1 infection when the immune system deteriorates.
Reconstruction of genome-scale metabolic models for 126 human tissues using mCADRE
Authors: Wang Yuliang , Eddy James A , Price Nathan D
Published: December 2012

Background

Human tissues perform diverse metabolic functions. Mapping out these tissue-specific functions in genome-scale models will advance our understanding of the metabolic basis of various physiological and pathological processes. The global knowledgebase of metabolic functions categorized for the human genome (Human Recon 1) coupled with abundant high-throughput data now makes possible the reconstruction of tissue-specific metabolic models. However, the number of available tissue-specific models remains incomplete compared with the large diversity of human tissues.

Results

We developed a method called metabolic Context-specificity Assessed by Deterministic Reaction Evaluation (mCADRE). mCADRE is able to infer a tissue-specific network based on gene expression data and metabolic network topology, along with evaluation of functional capabilities during model building. mCADRE produces models with similar or better functionality and achieves dramatic computational speed up over existing methods. Using our method, we reconstructed draft genome-scale metabolic models for 126 human tissue and cell types. Among these, there are models for 26 tumor tissues along with their normal counterparts, and 30 different brain tissues. We performed pathway-level analyses of this large collection of tissue-specific models and identified the eicosanoid metabolic pathway, especially reactions catalyzing the production of leukotrienes from arachidnoic acid, as potential drug targets that selectively affect tumor tissues.

Conclusions

This large collection of 126 genome-scale draft metabolic models provides a useful resource for studying the metabolic basis for a variety of human diseases across many tissues. The functionality of the resulting models and the fast computational speed of the mCADRE algorithm make it a useful tool to build and update tissue-specific metabolic models.
Analysis of benzodiazepine withdrawal program managed by primary care nurses in Spain
Authors: Lopez-Peig Cristina , Mundet Xavier , Casabella Bartomeu , del Val Jose Luis , Lacasta David , Diogene Eduard
Published: December 2012

Background

Benzodiazepine (BZD), the long-term treatment of which is harmful for cognitive function, is widely prescribed by General Practitioners in Spain. Based on studies performed in other countries we designed a nurse-led BZD withdrawal program adapted to Spanish Primary Care working conditions.

Results

A pseudo-experimental (before-after) study took place in two Primary Care Centres in Barcelona. From a sample of 1150 patients, 79 were identified. They were over 44 years old and had been daily users of BZD for a period exceeding six months. Out of the target group 51 patients agreed to participate. BZD dosage was reduced every 2-4 weeks by 25% of the initial dose with the optional support of Hydroxyzine or Valerian. The rating measurements were: reduction of BZD prescription, demographic variables, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) to measure quality of life, the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, and the Goldberg Depression and Anxiety Scale.

By the end of the six-month intervention, 80.4% of the patients had discontinued BZD and 64% maintained abstinence at one year. An improvement in all parameters of the Goldberg scale (p <0.05) and in the mental component of SF-12 at 3.3 points (p = 0.024), as well as in most components of the MOS scale, was observed in the group that had discontinued BZD. No significant differences in these scales before and after the intervention were observed in the group that had not discontinued.

Conclusions

At one year approximately 2/3 of the patients had ceased taking BZD. They showed an overall improvement in depression and anxiety scales, and in the mental component of the quality of life scale. There was no apparent reduction in the sleep quality indicators in most of the analysed components. Nurses in a Primary Care setting can successfully implement a BZD withdrawal program.
To Serve Man: A Marketing Manifesto (and an Article That Should Not Have Been Necessary)
Authors: Gaski John F.
Published: December 2012

This conceptual offering embodies what may be a long-overdue but plainspoken metaphysical assessment of the basic nature of marketing. A point of emphasis is that chronic misdefinition and misinterpretation of marketing itself have impeded proper appreciation of marketing's positive impact on society. One purpose here is to correct that lingering miscomprehension (pervading even the highest reaches of scholarship) and appropriately position the business function of marketing taxonomically within the larger domain of economic and governance philosophy and the societal perspective. Armed with that insight, it becomes possible to dismiss as invalid much specious criticism of marketing. Improved understanding of the true nature of marketing in turn illuminates its macroeconomic and societal role. Therefore, the field of marketing may deserve to be celebrated more than it has been to date—not that it has been universally. This item's message is thus submitted, in constructive and therapeutic spirit, as perhaps the transcendent good news story that the marketing field has received.
Towards a comparison of cohesive reference in English and German
Authors: Kunz Kerstin , Steiner Erich
Published: December 2012

The present study is concerned with contrasts in cohesion between English and German, with a special focus on the investigation of cohesive reference. Employing system-based as well as corpus-based methods, we are adding a contrastive to the hitherto dominating monolingual perspectives. Methodologically, we are furthermore attempting to complement the pre-existing system-based accounts with an empirical text-based approach. The paper starts with an overview of different approaches to cohesion, situating and clarifying our own concepts. We then look in more detail at the conceptualizations of cohesive reference and its subcategories before discussing the cohesive resources systemically available in the two language systems for the creation of personal and demonstrative reference. We finally present some preliminary findings from our corpus-linguistic study. These not only test some initial hypotheses derived from the systemic comparison, but also reveal some interesting tendencies with respect to textual frequency and function in the two languages, the registers investigated, and in originals compared to translations. Our study aims at conceptual clarifications, systemic comparisons and some initial textual evidence that may be valuable for basic research as well as language teaching and translator training.
Genre- and culture-specific aspects of evaluation
Authors: Pounds Gabrina
Published: December 2012

The distinction between evaluative and non evaluative meaning in discourse is problematic. Many expressions may be purely factual in some contexts and evaluative in others. As argued by Hunston (1999:199--201), the criteria for evaluation rely in part on shared assumptions that form part of the message of any texts. Evaluation is, therefore, often expressed in ways that are highly implicit and discourse-dependent. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how detailed manual contrastive linguistic analysis comparing equivalent genres (online property descriptions in this case) produced in two different contexts of culture (England and Italy) may be used to: a) explore the fine variation in the subjective force of evaluative expressions, which might escape automated larger-scale analysis and, thereby b) distinguish with some precision between genre- and culture-specific aspects of evaluation. The theoretical framework for the analysis is derived from Appraisal Theory (Martin and White, 2005) and from the author’s earlier adaptation and application of the framework to the analysis of English property descriptions (Pounds, 2011). The significance of the findings is discussed with particular reference to further research into genre- and culture-specific evaluative patterns.
An annotation scheme for dynamic modality in English and Spanish
Authors: Zamorano-Mansilla Juan Rafael , Carretero Marta
Published: December 2012

This paper describes the results of a series of annotation experiments that focused on a number of prototypical expressions of dynamic modality in English and Spanish. This kind of modality may be defined as possibility and necessity due to natural factors (Perkins, 1983) and comprises meanings such as inevitability, tendency, ability and circumstantial possibility. The work reported is part of a larger project – CONTRANOT – aimed at the creation and validation of contrastive functional descriptions through corpus analysis and annotation, and at the production of a bilingual English-Spanish corpus annotated with different layers of discourse and grammatical features (see Arús et al., this volume; Lavid, 2008; Lavid et al., 2007, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c). The results display striking similarities between inter-annotator agreement in the two languages, in terms of both the global percentages of agreement and the percentages of the individual expressions and their respective correlates in the other language. The main problem for inter-annotator agreement was the distinction between dynamic modality and the other two modalities (epistemic and deontic).
Corpus analysis and phraseology
Authors: Rica Peromingo Juan Pedro
Published: December 2012

This paper presents an analysis of the production of multi-word units present in English argumentative texts written by non-native speakers of the language. The aim of this study is to examine the potential influence of the mother tongue on learners’ production of both correct and incorrect multi-word units that are typically used in English for creating textual cohesion: lexical bundles, in particular, linking adverbials. Several corpora will be used: non-native students from the ICLE Corpus, and the CEUNF, an original corpus of Spanish non-native students of English who study English as a subject outside their curriculum. These will be contrasted with two native corpora: the American university students corpus (LOCNESS) and the corpus of the professional editorialists writing in English (SPE). The taxonomy used has been taken from Biber (2004), Biber, Conrad and Cortes (2004) and Biber et al. (1999) for the linking lexical bundles. Results suggest that transfer of L1 multi-word units occurs very often in the learners’ production and that it plays an important role for both correct and incorrect textual cohesion. Teaching effect will also be considered as an important factor correlating with transfer.
Reducing HIV-Related Stigma in Health Care Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial in China
Authors: Li Li , Wu Zunyou , Liang Li-Jung , Lin Chunqing , Guan Jihui , Jia Manhong , Rou Keming , Yan Zhihua
Published: December 2012

Objectives. The objective of the intervention was to reduce service providers’ stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors toward people living with HIV.

Methods. The randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 county-level hospitals in 2 provinces of China between October 2008 and February 2010. Forty-four service providers were randomly selected from each hospital, yielding a total of 1760 study participants. We randomized the hospitals to either an intervention condition or a control condition. In the intervention hospitals, about 15% of the popular opinion leaders were identified and trained to disseminate stigma reduction messages.

Results. We observed significant improvements for the intervention group in reducing prejudicial attitudes (P < .001), reducing avoidance intent towards people living with HIV (P < .001), and increasing institutional support in the hospitals (P = .003) at 6 months after controlling for service providers’ background factors and clinic-level characteristics. The intervention effects were sustained and strengthened at 12 months.

Conclusions. The intervention reduced stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors among service providers. It has the potential to be integrated into the health care systems in China and other countries.
Enrolling and Retaining Uninsured and Underinsured Populations in Public Health Insurance Through a Service Integration Model in New York City
Authors: Fuld Jennifer , Farag Michline , Weinstein Joyce , Gale Linda Barr
Published: December 2012

Innovative strategies to identify uninsured and underinsured populations are critical to successful enrollment and retention in public health insurance. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Health Insurance Services has partnered with the department’s Early Intervention Program to implement a Service Integration Model to enroll special needs children, aged 0 to 3 years, into public health insurance. This model uses data from program databases and staff from children’s programs to proactively identify uninsured and underinsured children and facilitate their enrollment into public health insurance. The model overcomes enrollment barriers by using consumer-friendly enrollment materials and one-on-one assistance, and shows the benefits of a comprehensive and collaborative approach to assisting families with enrollment into public health insurance.
Income Inequality, Alcohol Use, and Alcohol-Related Problems
Authors: Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J. , C. M. Roberts Sarah , Bond Jason
Published: December 2012

Objectives. We examined the relationship between state-level income inequality and alcohol outcomes and sought to determine whether associations of inequality with alcohol consumption and problems would be more evident with between-race inequality measures than with the Gini coefficient. We also sought to determine whether inequality would be most detrimental for disadvantaged individuals.

Methods. Data from 2 nationally representative samples of adults (n = 13 997) from the 2000 and 2005 National Alcohol Surveys were merged with state-level inequality and neighborhood disadvantage indicators from the 2000 US Census. We measured income inequality using the Gini coefficient and between-race poverty ratios (Black–White and Hispanic–White). Multilevel models accounted for clustering of respondents within states.

Results. Inequality measured by poverty ratios was positively associated with light and heavy drinking. Associations between poverty ratios and alcohol problems were strongest for Blacks and Hispanics compared with Whites. Household poverty did not moderate associations with income inequality.

Conclusions. Poverty ratios were associated with alcohol use and problems, whereas overall income inequality was not. Higher levels of alcohol problems in high-inequality states may be partly due to social context.
Sex, Drugs, and Race: How Behaviors Differentially Contribute to the Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Network Structure
Authors: adams jimi , Moody James , Morris Martina
Published: December 2012

Objectives. We examined how risk behaviors differentially connect a population at high risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Methods. Starting from observed networks representing the full risk network and the risk network among respondents only, we constructed a series of edge-deleted counterfactual networks that selectively remove sex ties, drug ties, and ties involving both sex and drugs and a comparison random set. With these edge-deleted networks, we have demonstrated how each tie type differentially contributes to the connectivity of the observed networks on a series of standard network connectivity measures (component and bicomponent size, distance, and transitivity ratio) and the observed network racial segregation.

Results. Sex ties are unique from the other tie types in the network, providing wider reach in the network in relatively nonredundant ways. In this population, sex ties are more likely to bridge races than are other tie types.

Conclusions. Interventions derived from only 1 mode of transmission at a time (e.g., condom promotion or needle exchange) would have different potential for curtailing sexually transmitted infection spread through the population than would attempts that simultaneously address all risk-relevant behaviors.
Jökulhlaups and sediment transport in Watson River, Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland
Authors: Mikkelsen A. B. , Hasholt B. , Knudsen N. T. , Nielsen M. H.
Published: December 2012

For 3 years, during a 4-year observation period (2007–2010), jökulhlaups were observed from a lake at the northern margin of Russells Gletscher. At a gauging station located on a bedrock sill near the outlet of Watson River into Sdr Strømfjord, discharge and sediment transport was monitored during the jökulhlaups. The stage rose up to 5.3 m and a maximum discharge of 1,430 m3 s−1 was recorded. The jökulhlaups were very different, indicating varying influences of weather and englacial drainage conditions. Although the jökulhlaups caused high discharge and sediment transport rates, their share of the annual discharge and sediment transport were less than 2%.
Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Limbs: Current Concepts and Management
Authors: Mabvuure Nigel Tapiwa , Malahias Marco , Hindocha Sandip , Khan Wasim , Juma Ali
Published: December 2012

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the limb refers to a constellation of symptoms, which occur following a rise in the pressure inside a limb muscle compartment. A failure or delay in recognising ACS almost invariably results in adverse outcomes for patients. Unrecognised ACS can leave patients with nonviable limbs requiring amputation and can also be life–threatening. Several clinical features indicate ACS. Where diagnosis is unclear there are several techniques for measuring intracompartmental pressure described in this review. As early diagnosis and fasciotomy are known to be the best determinants of good outcomes, it is important that surgeons are aware of the features that make this diagnosis likely. This clinical review discusses current knowledge on the relevant clinical anatomy, aetiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic procedures and management of an acute presentation of compartment syndrome.
Cervical Spine Immobilization in Sports Related Injuries: Review of Current Guidelines and a Case Study of an Injured Athlete
Authors: Bhamra JS , Morar Y , Khan WS , Deep K , Hammer A
Published: December 2012

Cervical spine immobilization is an essential component of the ATLS® system. Inadequate training in the management of trauma calls and failure of early recognition can have disastrous consequences. Pre-hospital personnel are routinely involved more in the assessment and stabilization of patients in comparison to other health care professionals.

This case study and review highlights the importance of early recognition, assessment and correct stabilization of cervical spine injuries both in the field and during the initial assessment in hospital.

Inadequate assessment, immobilization and lack of standard guidelines on the management of suspected cervical spine trauma can result in secondary injury. Regular assessment and training of pre-hospital and medical personnel is essential to the proper management of these potentially devastating injuries.
Tissue Engineered Strategies for Pseudoarthrosis
Authors: Longo Umile Giuseppe , Trovato Ugo , Loppini Mattia , Rizzello Giacomo , Khan Wasim Sardar , Maffulli Nicola , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: December 2012

Numerous classification systems of non-union have been proposed based on: presence or absence of infection, radiographic features, clinical findings, biologic activity, location and shape. The management of pseudarthrosis is strongly related to the type of non-union (infected versus uninfected, atrophic versus hypertrophic). Surgical management of pseudarthrosis is generally effective with a success rate ranging from 75 to 100%. Nevertheless, in a relatively high number of instances several combined treatments are required for the fracture healing. The current gold standard to stimulate the bone regeneration is represented by the revision surgery with the application of autologous bone grafts. However, several approaches have been described to promote and enhance the bone tissue regeneration, including extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound, electromagnetic, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).

The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature evaluating the current therapies to promote and enhance the bone tissue healing. The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines with a PRISMA checklist and algorithm.

Limitations of the present systematic review are mainly related to the scanty quality of the studies available in the literature. Although the therapies previously described for the management of patients with non-unions seems to be effective, the limitations of the included studies, especially the extensive clinical heterogeneity, make not possible to provide clear recommendations regarding the application of these approaches. The problems remain the need to better understand the most effective treatment options, subject to surgical stabilization as a first step.
Scientific Research Data Management for Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Data – The TR32DB
Authors: Curdt Constanze , Hoffmeister Dirk , Waldhoff Guido , Jekel Christian , Bareth Georg
Published: December 2012

The implementation of a scientific research data management system is an important task within long-term, interdisciplinary research projects. Besides sustainable storage of data, including accurate descriptions with metadata, easy and secure exchange and provision of data is necessary, as well as backup and visualisation. The design of such a system poses challenges and problems that need to be solved.This paper describes the practical experiences gained by the implementation of a scientific research data management system, established in a large, interdisciplinary research project with focus on Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Data.
Trends in Use of Scientific Workflows: Insights from a Public Repository and Recommendations for Best Practice
Authors: Littauer Richard , Ram Karthik , Ludäscher Bertram , Michener William , Koskela Rebecca
Published: December 2012

Scientific workflows are typically used to automate the processing, analysis and management of scientific data. Most scientific workflow programs provide a user-friendly graphical user interface that enables scientists to more easily create and visualize complex workflows that may be comprised of dozens of processing and analytical steps. Furthermore, many workflows provide mechanisms for tracing provenance and methodologies that foster reproducible science. Despite their potential for enabling science, few studies have examined how the process of creating, executing, and sharing workflows can be improved. In order to promote open discourse and access to scientific methods as well as data, we analyzed a wide variety of workflow systems and publicly available workflows on the public repository myExperiment. It is hoped that understanding the usage of workflows and developing a set of recommended best practices will lead to increased contribution of workflows to the public domain.
Development of a Pilot Data Management Infrastructure for Biomedical Researchers at University of Manchester – Approach, Findings, Challenges and Outlook of the MaDAM Project
Authors: Poschen Meik , Finch June , Procter Rob , Goff Mhorag , McDerby Mary , Collins Simon , Besson Jon , Beard Lorraine , Grahame Tom
Published: December 2012

Management and curation of digital data has been becoming ever more important in a higher education and research environment characterised by large and complex data, demand for more interdisciplinary and collaborative work, extended funder requirements and use of e-infrastructures to facilitate new research methods and paradigms. This paper presents the approach, technical infrastructure, findings, challenges and outlook (including future development within the successor project, MiSS) of the ‘MaDAM: Pilot data management infrastructure for biomedical researchers at University of Manchester’ project funded under the infrastructure strand of the JISC Managing Research Data (JISCMRD) programme. MaDAM developed a pilot research data management solution at the University of Manchester based on biomedical researchers’ requirements, which includes technical and governance components with the flexibility to meet future needs across multiple research groups and disciplines.
Comparison of Cystic Fibrosis–Related Diabetes With Type 1 Diabetes Based on a German/Austrian Pediatric Diabetes Registry
Authors: Konrad Katja , Thon Angelika , Fritsch Maria , Fröhlich-Reiterer Elke , Lilienthal Eggert , Wudy Stefan A. , Holl Reinhard W. ,   for the German/Austrian Diabetes Prospective Documentation Initiative
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD) has increased with improved life expectancy of patients. Clinical and care characteristics were compared with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in a multicenter analysis of pediatric data.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Auxological and treatment data from 47,227 patients aged younger than 21 years with CFRD or T1DM in the German/Austrian Diabetes Prospective Documentation Initiative registry were analyzed by multivariable mixed regression modeling.

RESULTS

Diabetes onset (mean [interquartile range]) occurred later in individuals with CFRD (14.5 [11.8–16.3] years) than in individuals with T1DM (8.5 [4.9–11.8] years), with female preponderance in CFRD (59.1% vs. 47.5%; P < 0.01). CFRD patients had lower BMI standard deviation scores (−0.85 [−1.59 to −0.12] vs. +0.52 [−0.10 to +1.16]; P < 0.01) and lower HbA1c (6.87% vs. 7.97%; P < 0.01). Self-monitoring of blood glucose was more frequent in patients with T1DM (4.5 vs. 3.5; P < 0.01); 72% of CFRD patients received insulin. In insulin-treated patients, insulin dosage adjusted for age, sex, and diabetes duration differed significantly (T1DM: 0.79 IE per kilogram of body weight; CFRD: 0.83 IE per kilogram of body weight). Use of short-acting and long-acting insulin analogs was significantly more frequent in T1DM (47% vs. 39% and 37% vs. 28%; both P < 0.05). Metabolic control in CFRD patients without insulin was better compared with CFRD on insulin (HbA1c: 6.00 vs. 7.12; P < 0.01), but duration of disease was significantly shorter (0.8 years [0.1–2.4] compared with 2.4 years [0.6–4.6]). There was no significant difference for BMI standard deviations scores between CFRD patients with or without insulin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with CFRD show clear auxological and metabolic differences from those with T1DM, with different treatment choices.
Optimizing composition for (Nd, Pr)–Nb–Fe–B hard magnetic nanocomposites
Authors: Thanh Pham Thi , Huyen Nguyen Thi Thanh , Yen Nguyen Hai , Dan Nguyen Huy
Published: December 2012

The influence of composition and annealing temperature on the magnetic properties of (Nd0.5Pr0.5)6
+

x
Nb1.5Fe88.5
–

x

–

y
B4
+

y
(x = 0–6, y = 0–10) nanocomposites prepared via melt-spinning and subsequent annealing was investigated systematically to obtain their optimal compositions and fabrication conditions. The results show that each of the rare earth concentrations has an appropriate ratio of Fe/B to reveal the best performance of the material. The optimal annealing temperature decreases from 750 to 675°C when concentration of rare earth is increased from 6 to 12 at.%. Coercivity, H
c, and maximum energy product, (BH)max, of these nanocomposites can be regulated up to 14.5 kOe and 16 MGOe, respectively, by suitably choosing their composition.
The U.S. Role and Policy in Central Asia: Energy and Beyond
Authors: Islam AKM Iftekharul
Published: December 2012

A significant geopolitical consequence of the demise of the Soviet Union1 in the international arena is the rise of intense political and commercial competition for control of the vast energy resources of the newly independent and vulnerable states of the Caucasus and Central Asia. These energy resources and, in particular, the oil and natural gas deposits have now become the apple of discord in Central Asia introducing a new chapter in the Great Game of control over Eurasia (Hill 1997: 200). The region has great energy potential and is strategically important. The United States has varied and at times competing interests in Central Asia. In the past few years, real and present dangers to the U.S. national security especially Islamist terrorism and threats to the energy supply, have affected the U.S. policy in Central Asia. The region, which includes the five post-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Afghanistan and the Caspian basin, plays an important part in the U.S. global strategy in view of its proximity to Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, and other key regional actors. No less important are its ethno-religious composition and vast deposits of oil, gas, coal, and uranium. Literally, the U.S. interests in Central Asia can be summarized in three simple words: security, energy, and democracy. Moreover, a key U.S. national security concern is the diversification of energy sources and the Caspian region is a significant alternative source of fossil fuels. In this article a critical analysis will be attempted on the U.S. policy and role in central Asia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12931 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.33-51
Leibniz on Necessary and Contingent Truths
Authors: Muhit Md Abdul
Published: December 2012

The distinction between necessary and contingent truths has so much important role in the explication of Leibnizs philosophy of logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of science that the distinction spreads throughout most of his philosophical writings. My aim in this paper is to try to provide a clear and detailed account of some of the aspects of Leibnizs distinction between necessary and contingent truths. This paper is divided into four parts. In the first part, an analysis of Leibnizs general notion of truth (the Principle of the Predicate-in-Notion) is given. This will be followed by his distinction between necessary truths and contingent truths, which he also terms as truths of reason and truths of fact respectively. Thirdly, the implication of this distinction in Leibnizs theory of human freedom will be addressed. I will end my discussion with an answer to the following questions: The distinction goes traditionally under Leibniz' name; but is it his own invention, or has he merely picked it up from one of his predecessors? And secondly, how far this distinction has an impact (if any) on the philosophies of his contemporaries, especially on Wolff, Hume and Kant? DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12936 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.117-135
The Cyprus Issue: Reflection on TRNC
Authors: Biswas Md Ataur Rahman
Published: December 2012

Cyprus is a Eurasian island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon and north of Egypt. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest known human activity on the island dates back to around the 10th millennium BC. At a strategic location in the Middle East, Cyprus has been occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Hittites, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Rashidun and Umayyad Arab caliphates, Lusignans, Venetians, and Ottomans. Settled by Mycenean Greeks in the 2nd millennium BCE, the island also experienced long periods of Greek rule under the Ptolemaic Egyptians and the Byzantines. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the island from the Persians. The Ottoman Empire conquered the island in 1571 and it remained under Ottoman control for over three centuries. It was placed under British administration in 1878 until it was granted independence in 1960, becoming a member of the Commonwealth the following year. In this paper an attempt is made to discuss the details about the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) commonly called Northern Cyprus, which is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus recognized only by Turkey and the problems associated with it. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12937 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.137-146
Islamic View of Women Leadership as Head of the State: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Elius Mohammad
Published: December 2012

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the West, women have been given certain social, political and economic rights after decades of struggle which Islam had confirmed unequivocally fourteen hundred years ago. Islam has clarified the legal rights and obligations of both men and women in such a balanced way that women cannot complain about their weakness or inferiority and men cannot claim their superiority over women. But this position of women has been the subject to repeated controversy because of the misinterpretations of issues regarding women in our society. This paper deals with a very crucial point, women as head of the state in a Muslim/Islamic state in the light of the Holy Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). An attempt has been made to find out the real position of women vis-à-vis the concept of leadership in Islam as objectively as possible to reach a balanced view. Before initiating the discussion on the main topic, that is, the leadership by women, we will give a brief description of womens position in society and their participation in public life. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12941 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.195-205