bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Very young neutron stars and millisecond pulsars: the role of the accretion
Authors: Kholtygin Alexander F. , Igoshev Andrei P.
Published: February 2013

We consider the evolution of the very young neutron stars (NS) with moderate and low magnetic field values around 1E8 G to know how large is the share of the these objects among the those attributed as the millisecond pulsars (MSP). To exclude the contamination of accreted NS and young NS with moderate magnetic fields we study the observational evidences of the accretion on NS in the binary systems and different methods of age determinations. It was concluded that only central compact objects are appropriate candidates for NSs with small initial magnetic fields.
WKB thresholds of standard, helical, and azimuthal magnetorotational instability
Authors: Kirillov Oleg , Stefani Frank
Published: February 2013

We consider rotating flows of an electrically conducting, viscous and resistive fluid in an external magnetic field with arbitrary combinations of axial and azimuthal components. Within the short-wavelength approximation, the local stability of the flow is studied with respect to perturbations of arbitrary azimuthal wavenumbers. In the limit of vanishing magnetic Prandtl number (Pm) we find that the maximum critical Rossby number (Ro) for the occurrence of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) is universally governed by the Liu limit ${\rm Ro}_{Liu}=2-2\sqrt{2}\approx -0.828$ which is below the value for Keplerian rotation RoKepler = −0.75.
Magnetic field evolution in magnetars and its implication to accreting system
Authors: Kojima Yasufumi
Published: February 2013

The evolution of magnetic field is numerically studied for an isolated magnetar, assuming vacuum exterior. Nonlinear coupling between poloidal and toroidal components of the magnetic field can be seen in the initial Hall-drift timescale. Consequently, the polar field at the surface is highly distorted during the phase. This result is suggestive. Fixed dipole magnetic field has been used so far in the theoretical study of the interaction between magnetosphere and accreting matter. In the accretion to magnetar, time-dependent polar magnetic field should be taken into account.
Cosmological Evolution of Supermassive Black Holes: Mass Functions and Spins
Authors: Li Yan-Rong , Wang Jian-Min , Ho Luis C.
Published: February 2013

We derive the mass function of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) over the redshift range 0 > z ≲ 2, using the latest deep luminosity and mass functions of field galaxies. Applying this mass function, combined with the bolometric luminosity function of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), into the the continuity equation of SMBH number density, we explicitly obtain the mass-dependent cosmological evolution of the radiative efficiency for accretion. We suggest that the accretion history of SMBHs and their spins evolve in two distinct regimes: an early phase of prolonged accretion, plausibly driven by major mergers, during which the black hole spins up, then switching to a period of random, episodic accretion, governed by minor mergers and internal secular processes, during which the hole spins down. The transition epoch depends on mass, mirroring other evidence for “cosmic downsizing” in the AGN population.
IX Draconis, ER UMa-type dwarf nova
Authors: Otulakowska-Hypka M. , Olech A. , de Miguel E. , Rutkowski A. , Koff R. , Bakowska K.
Published: February 2013

We present results of our world-wide observing campaign which was dedicated to one of the most active dwarf novae, IX Draconis. We investigated photometric behaviour of the system to derive its basic parameters. This study is important in the context of our understanding of the accretion process of IX Draconis, as well as other active cataclysmic variables, especially those from the still poorly studied type of ER UMa stars.
How do red giants respond to mass loss?
Authors: Pavlovskii Konstantin , Ivanova Natalia
Published: February 2013

Many interacting binaries start their mass exchange when a donor overfilling its Roche lobe has evolved to a giant branch. The response of the donor's radius to the mass loss as compared to the response of its Roche lobe determines the fate of the binary system – whether it will proceed with a stable mass transfer, or experience dramatic common envelope event. Recent studies of responses of realistic giant's stellar models to a fast mass loss showed that this response is not purely adiabatic as previously thought but depends on the behavior of giant's superadiabatic surface layer. In this contribution, we explore in further details how an interplay between superadiabatic layer's thermal timescale and the dynamic timescale of the donor affects the donor's mass loss. We also find that the initiation of the mass loss causes mass loss induced pulsations.
Microlensing evidence for super-Eddington disk accretion in quasars
Authors: Shakura Nikolai I. , Abolmasov Pavel
Published: February 2013

Gravitational microlensing by the stellar population of lensing galaxies provides an important opportunity to spatially resolve the accretion disk structure in strongly lensed quasars. Some of the objects (like Einstein's cross) are reasonably consistent with the predictions of the standard accretion disk model. In other cases, the size of the emitting region is larger than predicted by the standard thin disk theory and practically independent on wavelength. This may be interpreted as an observational manifestation of an optically-thick scattering envelope possibly related to super-Eddington accretion with outflows.
The Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Features In Neutron Star Binaries Observed By INTEGRAL
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: February 2013

Cyclotron resonance scattering features (CRSF) are the direct observational evidence for the strongly magnetized neutron stars. Since the first detection of the absorption line in the X-ray source Her X-1 thirty years ago, more than ten sources are indentified as the strongly magnetized neutron stars through detecting CRSFs. INTEGRAL is the new X-ray/gamma-ray mission with good angular resolution, high sensitivity and spectral resolution in the range of 18 C 200 keV, so that it provides us a good chance to detect the CRSFs in neutron star systems. INTEGRAL has confirmed the line features in 5 previous known sources and discovered 4 new candidates. Physical mechanism of CRSFs and accretion physics can be probed with detailed spectral analysis.
The kHz QPOs of Neutron Stars and Millisecond Pulsars and Implications
Authors: Zhang Chengmin , Wang Dehua
Published: February 2013

The kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) have been found in neutron star low mass X-ray binaries (NS-LMXBs), which present the millisecond timing phenomena close to the surface of the compact objects. We briefly summarize the following contents: (1). The correlations and distributions of twin kHz QPOs; (2). The relations of high-low frequency QPOs; (3). The QPO properties of NS Atoll and Z sources; (4). No clear direct correlations between NS spins and QPOs; (5). The mechanisms of kHz QPOs; (6). The implications of kHZ QPOs, e.g., NS mass and radius, disk thickness and magnetic field of Atoll and Z source.
The Role of Visual Representations within Working Memory for Paired-Associate and Serial Order of Spoken Words
Authors: Ueno Taiji , Saito Satoru
Published: February 2013

Caplan and colleagues have recently explained paired-associate learning and serial-order learning with a single-mechanism computational model by assuming differential degrees of isolation. Specifically, two items in a pair can be grouped together and associated to positional codes that are somewhat isolated from the rest of the items. In contrast, the degree of isolation among the studied items is lower in serial-order learning. One of the key predictions drawn from this theory is that any variables that help chunking of two adjacent items into a group should be beneficial to paired-associate learning, more than serial-order learning. To test this idea, the role of visual representations in memory for spoken verbal materials (i.e., imagery) was compared between two types of learning directly. Experiment 1 showed stronger effects of word concreteness and of concurrent presentation of irrelevant visual stimuli (dynamic visual noise: DVN) in paired-associate memory than in serial-order memory, consistent with the prediction. Experiment 2 revealed that the irrelevant visual stimuli effect was boosted when the participants had to actively maintain the information within working memory, rather than feed it to long-term memory for subsequent recall, due to cue overloading. This indicates that the sensory input from irrelevant visual stimuli can reach and affect visual representations of verbal items within working memory, and that this disruption can be attenuated when the information within working memory can be efficiently supported by long-term memory for subsequent recall.
Separation of Encoding Fluency and Item Difficulty Effects on Judgements of Learning
Authors: Undorf Monika , Erdfelder Edgar
Published: February 2013

The fluency of information encoding has frequently been discussed as a major determinant of predicted memory performance indicated by judgements of learning (JOLs). Previous studies established encoding fluency effects on JOLs. However, it is largely unknown whether fluency takes effect above and beyond the effects of item difficulty. We therefore tested whether encoding fluency still affects JOLs when numerous additional cues indicating the difficulty of an item are available as well. In three experiments, participants made JOLs for another participant while observing his or her self-paced study phase. However, study times were swapped in one experimental condition, so that items with short study times (indicating high fluency) were presented for long durations, whereas items with long study times (indicating low fluency) were presented for short durations. Results showed that both item difficulty and encoding fluency affected JOLs. Thus, encoding fluency in itself is indeed an important cue for JOLs that does not become redundant when difficulty information is available in addition. This observation lends considerable support to the ease-of-processing hypothesis.
Patient-specific fibre-based models of muscle wrapping
Authors: Kohout J. , Clapworthy G. J. , Zhao Y. , Tao Y. , Gonzalez-Garcia G. , Dong F. , Wei H. , Kohoutová E.
Published: February 2013

In many biomechanical problems, the availability of a suitable model for the wrapping of muscles when undergoing movement is essential for the estimation of forces produced on and by the body during motion. This is an important factor in the Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human project which is investigating the likelihood of fracture for osteoporotic patients undertaking a variety of movements. The weakening of their skeletons makes them particularly vulnerable to bone fracture caused by excessive loading being placed on the bones, even in simple everyday tasks. This paper provides an overview of a novel volumetric model that describes muscle wrapping around bones and other muscles during movement, and which includes a consideration of how the orientations of the muscle fibres change during the motion. The method can calculate the form of wrapping of a muscle of medium size and visualize the outcome within tenths of seconds on commodity hardware, while conserving muscle volume. This makes the method suitable not only for educational biomedical software, but also for clinical applications used to identify weak muscles that should be strengthened during rehabilitation or to identify bone stresses in order to estimate the risk of fractures.
Quantitative in vivo and in vitro characterization of co-infection by two genetically distant grass carp reoviruses
Authors: Wang Tu , Li Jiale , Lu Liqun
Published: February 2013

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is one of the most serious pathogens threatening grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) production in China. Through sequence analysis, the co-existence of two genetically distant grass carp reoviruses, named GCRV-JX01 and GCRV-JX02, was revealed in the same diseased grass carp sample collected in 2011. GCRV-JX01 and GCRV-JX02 shared high levels of homology with GCRV-873 and GCRV-GD108, respectively. In contrast to GCRV-JX01, GCRV-JX02 induced no cytopathic effect in infected cells. A quantitative real-time PCR assay was employed to monitor the replication efficiency of both virus strains in either Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney (CIK) cells or infected cell supernatant. The results demonstrated that, although GCRV-JX02 did reduce the cellular replication level of GCRV-JX01 up to 10-fold during co-infection, there was no significant impact on the productive virus progeny level in supernatant compared to that of cells infected by GCRV-JX01 alone. To validate the hypothesis that both viruses might co-infect grass carp without significant interference in the field, we collected clinical samples from two different fish farms in 2012 and monitored virus loads for each fish. The data showed that 55 % of the collected fish samples were co-infected by GCRV-JX01 and GCRV-JX02, and the single virus infection rate was 10 % for GCRV-JX01 and 20 % for GCRV-JX02. For both viruses, the in vivo viral loads under co-infection and single viral infection were similar. No serological cross-reaction or cross-protection occurred between GCRV-JX01 and JX02 in our immunization and challenge tests. This new information on co-infection by two genetically distant virus strains should be helpful for designing vaccines targeting the causative agents of grass carp haemorrhagic disease.
Increasing libraries' content findability on the web with search engine optimization
Authors: Onaifo Daniel , Rasmussen Diane
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of search engine optimization (SEO) as a mechanism for improving libraries' digital content findability on the web.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies web analytical tools, such as Alexa.com, in the collection of data about Canadian libraries' visibility performance in the ranking of search engine results. Concepts from the Integrated IS&R Research Framework are applied to analyze SEO as an element within the Framework.

Findings

The results show that certain websites' characteristics do have an effect on how well libraries' websites are ranked by search engines. Notably, the reputation of a library's website and the number of its search engine indexed webpages increase its ranking on SERPs as well as the findability of its digital content.

Originality/value

Most of the existing works on SEO have been confined to popular literature, outside of scholarly academic research in library and information science. Only few studies with a focus on libraries' application of SEO exist. No known study has applied an empirical approach to the examination of relevant libraries' website characteristics to determine their visibility performance on search engine result pages (SERPs). This study identified several website characteristics that can be optimized for higher SERP rankings. It also analyzed the impact of external links, as well as that of the number of indexed webpages by search engines on higher SERP rankings.
A multi‐layer matrix model of sustainable tourism
Authors: Padin Carmen , Svensson Göran
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to describe a multi‐layer matrix model of sustainable tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual discussion and illustration is provided.

Findings

It incorporates multiple layers of a proposed process of sustainable tourism and areas of measurement interconnected through a series of gap and reconnection analyses.

Research limitations/implications

Opportunities for further research are offered.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance of linking planning and implementation to evaluation and control, but it also stresses the importance of reconnecting back to ongoing planning and implementation, in order to make necessary revisions in the process of sustainable tourism.

Originality/value

One contribution is that sustainable tourism is not defined as a concept or construct, but as a process, since there are no achievements or progress in sustainable practices without a sequence of inter‐connected and measureable doings in the context of markets and societies. Another contribution is that the process of sustainable tourism is continuous and iterative.
A feature‐based anthropometry for garment industry
Authors: Leong Iat‐Fai , Fang Jing‐Jing , Tsai Ming‐June
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to automatically generate individualized body size measurements from cloud point of a body scanner. It aims to propose a fast, reliable, and unambiguous method to obtain human body measurements for use in the garment industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a previous study by the authors, geometric features on the scanned body are identified by computerized algorithms through mathematical definitions. Feature lines situated on the human body surface are created as polylines that pass through the body's features and three types of computer measurements (tape‐measurement, contour‐measurement, and linear‐measurement) are provided.

Findings

By dividing the body surface into rectangular patches using the feature lines as boundaries, the body can be reconstructed easily with a minimal amount of triangles while retaining the essential shape. The proposed measuring method applies to most manual measurements used in the garment industry. The authors evaluated the anthropometry variations of the same subject to explore the reliability of the proposed method. It was found that the precision of the method is well below the standard requirement of the traditional manual method.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, subjects were scanned in standing pose; this pose minimizes regions obstructed by body parts and permits maximal acquisition of as many key landmarks. Since the features are identified by geometric analysis without the need for marker attachment, measurements of the required sitting position are impossible to obtain in the current study.

Originality/value

Resolution of meshing can be changed according to application requirements. Contrary to the traditional manual method, efficiency and precision are the advantages of the present method.
Micro‐enterprise:
Authors: Lockwood Sian
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the potential of micro‐enterprises to assist local health and well‐being boards in delivering their strategies, especially in relation to tackling health inequalities, prevention and community support.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on experience gained by Community Catalysts from its work supporting social care and health micro‐enterprise across the UK. There has been little formal research into social care and health micro‐enterprise and so the paper relies heavily on data gathered by Community Catalysts in the course of its work and uses local case studies to illustrate points.

Findings

The paper explains the importance of social care and health micro‐enterprise to the work of health and well being boards, emphasising its potential to help tackle health inequalities and contribute to effective health and well‐being strategies.

Originality/value

There are no examples as yet of imaginative health and well‐being boards engaging effectively with micro‐providers, but boards can draw on learning from local authorities actively stimulating and supporting local micro‐enterprise.
Failure analysis of a copper tube in an industrial refrigeration unit: a case history
Authors: Pantazopoulos George , Zormalia Sylvia , Vazdirvanidis Athanasios
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify a failure mechanism of an industrial tube and recommend corrective actions to improve the reliability of the entire unit.

Design/methodology/approach

Metallurgical failure investigation process included mainly stereo‐, light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as the main analytical tools for material characterization and root cause analysis.

Findings

The investigation findings, obtained by fractographic and metallographic evaluation, suggest strongly that the failure was caused by the operation of low cycle fatigue (LCF) mechanism initiated from the inner side and propagated towards the outer tube surface, assisted by the superposition of applied and residual stress fields.

Originality/value

This paper deals with an industrial case history, providing the findings of failure investigation of a compact refrigeration system, presented principally from structural material/component standpoint and highlighting recommendations for improvement and failure prevention.
Negotiating community resilience in the city in a time of political change and deficit reduction
Authors: Mukkarram Munawwar Ali Fuad , Jones Keith
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a discussion of the production of community resilience to extreme weather during the first years of a new national government, one which is cognisant of the political change and uncertainty, the legislative framework and the institutional complexity that defines the adaptation scenario in the UK and London specifically.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews and group interventions were conducted amongst regional and local authority decision‐makers in London in the period from late 2010 through to early 2011.

Findings

Hazard experience and political will were found to be important, interrelated drivers of community resilience. Adaptation work was found to face a tangibility problem that challenged stakeholders to make the case for its higher prioritisation in a highly economistic decision‐making process. Citywide resilience‐building schemes were observed of increasing organisational sophistication, and remained difficult to test and largely disengaged from the general public.

Originality/value

The paper offers tools to understand movement in the administrative architecture of adaptation, probing the associated inter‐agency workings. It introduces the idea of the epistemic ecology to describe and explain the multiple kinds of knowledge employed by stakeholders in the adaptation scenario, and anticipates the impacts of localism and insurance policies currently in the pipeline.
Coal utilization in India and Japan: a narrative‐analysis
Authors: Wei Lim Tai
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct historical perceptions of coal use in India and Japan in different historical time periods through the process of analyzing the narratives and discourses in academic, media and trade literatures.

Design/methodology/approach

In terms of methodology, this paper will utilize discourse theories/analysis and interpretive history to study the subject matter. In this paper, specific literatures on energy as well as general literatures on themes like technology are utilized.

Findings

The finding of the paper is that discourses and narratives about coal energy for example are constantly negotiated, constructed and then deconstructed again to fit and adapt to new realities, including the availability of newer technologies or priorities and concerns about the environment.

Originality/value

The research implication and originality of the paper is to demonstrate empirically the idea of the existence of narrative communities debating the use of coal energy in India and Japan. It highlights the communities of stakeholders interested in coal energy resource. The practical application and value of the ideas is the intellectual process of categorizing various contemporary narratives about coal energy use specific to two of the largest consumers and importers of coal in Asia. Through historical narratives of its past and recent coal use, the role and function of coal in the overall energy mix of India and Japan are instructive. The research limitation lies in its non‐quantitative nature and reliance on a combination of academic and trade secondary sources.
Global patterns for upper ceilings on migration distance in sea turtles and comparisons with fish, birds and mammals
Authors: Hays Graeme C. , Scott Rebecca
Published: February 2013

Some animals migrate huge distances in search of resources with locomotory mode (flying/swimming/walking) thought to drive the upper ceilings on migration distance. Yet in cross‐taxa comparisons, upper ceilings on migration distance have been ignored for one important group, sea turtles.

Using migration distances recorded for 407 adult and 4715 juvenile sea turtles across five species, we show that for adult cheloniid turtles, the upper ceiling on species migration distances between breeding and foraging habitats (1050–2850 km across species) is similar to that predicted for equivalent‐sized marine mammals and fish.

In contrast, by feeding in the open ocean, adult leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and juveniles of all turtle species can travel around 12 000 km from their natal regions, travelling across the widest ocean basins. For juvenile turtles, this puts their maximum migration distances well beyond those expected for equivalent‐sized marine mammals and fish, but not those found in some similar sized birds.

Post‐hatchling turtles perform these long‐distance migrations to juvenile foraging sites only once in their lifetime, while adult turtles return to their breeding sites every few (generally ≥2) years. Our results highlight the important roles migration periodicity and foraging mode can play in driving the longest migrations, and the implications for Marine Protected Area planning are considered in terms of sea turtle conservation.
Effective treatment of uremic pruritus and acquired perforating dermatosis with amitriptyline
Authors: Yong Angeline , Chong Wei‐Sheng , Tey Hong Liang
Published: February 2013

Generalised pruritus and acquired perforating dermatosis occurring in chronic kidney disease are not uncommon and are often debilitating. However, treatment options are limited. We present two patients with uremic pruritus and acquired perforating dermatosis who were successfully treated with amitriptyline.
Postnatal development of the renal medulla; role of the renin–angiotensin system
Authors: Madsen K. , Tinning A. R. , Marcussen N. , Jensen B. L.
Published: February 2013

Adverse events during foetal development can predispose the individual for cardiovascular disease later in life, a correlation known as foetal programming of adult hypertension. The ‘programming’ events have been associated with the kidneys due to the significant role in extracellular volume control and long‐term blood pressure regulation. Previously, nephron endowment and functional consequences of a low nephron number have been extensively investigated without achieving a full explanation of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review, we will focus on mechanisms of postnatal development in the renal medulla with regard to the programming effects. The renin–angiotensin system is critically involved in mammalian kidney development and impaired signalling gives rise to developmental renal lesions that have been associated with hypertension later in life. A consistent finding in both experimental animal models and in human case reports is atrophy of the renal medulla with developmental lesions to both medullary nephron segments and vascular development with concomitant functional disturbances reaching into adulthood. A review of current knowledge of the role of the renin–angiotensin system for renal medullary development will be given.
Effect of repeated doses of netazepide, a gastrin receptor antagonist, omeprazole and placebo on 24 h gastric acidity and gastrin in healthy subjects
Authors: Boyce Malcolm , Warrington Steve
Published: February 2013

Aim

To administer repeated oral doses of netazepide to healthy subjects for the first time, to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on 24 h gastric pH and plasma gastrin.

Method

We did two randomized, double‐blind, parallel group studies. The first compared netazepide 25 and 100 mg 12 hourly, omeprazole 20 mg once daily and placebo for 7 days. On day 7 only, we measured pH and assayed plasma gastrin. The second study compared netazepide 5, 10 and 25 mg and placebo once daily for 14 days. We measured pH on days 1, 7 and 14 and assayed plasma gastrin on days 1 and 14. We compared treatments by time gastric pH ≥ 4 during 0–4, 4–9, 9–13 and 13–24 h after the morning dose, and by plasma gastrin. P < 0.05 was significant.

Results

Netazepide was well tolerated. On day 7 of the first study, netazepide increased pH significantly only during 9–13 h after the 100 mg dose, whereas omeprazole raised pH significantly during all periods. Both netazepide and omeprazole increased plasma gastrin significantly. Netazepide had linear pharmacokinetics. In the second study, netazepide caused dose‐dependent, sustained increases in pH on day 1, but as in the first study, netazepide had little effect on pH on days 7 and 14. Again, netazepide increased plasma gastrin significantly.

Conclusion

Although repeated doses of netazepide led to tolerance to its effect on pH, the accompanying increase in plasma gastrin is consistent with continued inhibition of acid secretion, via gastrin receptor antagonism and gene up‐regulation.
Exact Goodness‐of‐Fit Tests for Markov Chains
Authors: Besag J. , Mondal D.
Published: February 2013

Goodness‐of‐fit tests are useful in assessing whether a statistical model is consistent with available data. However, the usual χ2asymptotics often fail, either because of the paucity of the data or because a nonstandard test statistic is of interest. In this article, we describe exact goodness‐of‐fit tests for first‐ and higher order Markov chains, with particular attention given to time‐reversible ones. The tests are obtained by conditioning on the sufficient statistics for the transition probabilities and are implemented by simple Monte Carlo sampling or by Markov chain Monte Carlo. They apply both to single and to multiple sequences and allow a free choice of test statistic. Three examples are given. The first concerns multiple sequences of dry and wet January days for the years 1948–1983 at Snoqualmie Falls, Washington State, and suggests that standard analysis may be misleading. The second one is for a four‐state DNA sequence and lends support to the original conclusion that a second‐order Markov chain provides an adequate fit to the data. The last one is six‐state atomistic data arising in molecular conformational dynamics simulation of solvated alanine dipeptide and points to strong evidence against a first‐order reversible Markov chain at 6 picosecond time steps.
Primary peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified of the thyroid with autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Yoshida Noriaki , Nishikori Momoko , Izumi Tohru , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Sawayama Yasushi , Niino Daisuke , Tashima Masaharu , Hoshi Sayuri , Ohshima Koichi , Shimoyama Masanori , Seto Masao , Tsukasaki Kunihiro
Published: February 2013

Primary peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS) of the thyroid is an extremely rare neoplasm. Six cases of primary PTCL‐NOS of the thyroid were analysed for clinicopathological features and genomic alteration patterns using oligo‐array comparative genomic hybridization. All patients had a diffusely enlarged thyroid and three cases showed leukaemic manifestation. Five of the six cases had anti‐thyroid antibodies and the remaining case showed hypothyroidism, suggesting that all cases had autoimmune thyroiditis. Except for one early relapsed case, the remaining five patients are alive and three of these five individuals have survived for 70 months or more. Interestingly, two cases showed spontaneous regressions after partial thyroid biopsy without any therapy. Leukaemic manifestation disappeared after irradiation of the thyroid mass in another two cases. The tumour cells were positive for CD3, CD4 and CXCR3 in all cases, suggesting that the tumour cells are of a type 1 helper T‐cell origin. All six cases showed genomic alterations that were different from those previously reported for PTCL‐NOS. The loss of 6q24·2 was characteristic and was detected in four of the six cases. These results suggest that primary PTCL‐NOS of the thyroid arising from autoimmune thyroiditis is a distinct disease entity among heterogeneous PTCL‐NOS.
Phenotypic evolution in a case of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma suggests the presence of tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Al‐Ibraheemi Alyaa , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Patel Keyur P. , Konoplev Sergej N. , Mehta Pramod , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Miranda Roberto N.
Published: February 2013

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), represents a heterogeneous group of nodal and extranodal lymphomas that express a variety of T‐cell antigens indicative of mature T‐cell lineage. Most cases of PTCL express CD4 and lack CD8 expression and have a T‐helper immunophenotype. Although the immunophenotype of PTCL is usually stable over time, immunophenotypic switch or evolution from T‐helper to T‐suppressor or vice versa has been rarely reported. Herein, we report a patient who presented with nasal PTCL, NOS, that was CD8+ and negative for Epstein–Barr virus, with concurrent skin lesions that had a CD8+/TIA‐1+ T‐cell immunophenotype. Patient received multi‐agent chemotherapy and matched unrelated donor stem cell transplant, and subsequently suffered a cutaneous relapse with a CD4+/TIA‐1(−) immunophenotype. Molecular analysis of the neoplasm biopsied at presentation showed one monoclonal T‐cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement, and a second oligoclonal peak. At the time of CD4‐positive recurrence, the oligoclonal peak was rather prominent, suggesting that the emergence of this peak is related with the phenotypic evolution from CD8+ to CD4+ predominant. These results highlight the utility of sequential immunophenotypic and molecular analysis of PTCL cases at the time of relapse to better understand the mechanisms of disease.
Motivational conditions influence tongue motor performance
Authors: Kothari Mohit , Svensson Peter , Huo Xueliang , Ghovanloo Maysam , Baad‐Hansen Lene
Published: February 2013

Motivation plays an important role in the outcome of motor learning but has not received attention in tongue‐training‐induced plasticity of the corticomotor pathways. The present study investigated the influence of two different motivational conditions and gender on performance during a complex tongue‐training paradigm using the Tongue Drive System (TDS). In addition, subject‐based reports of motivation, fun, pain, and fatigue were compared between groups and genders. Sixteen subjects were randomized into three groups and were asked to use the TDS for 40 min. A motivational condition (monetary reward or self‐controlled practice) was introduced in two groups and the third group served as the control. The subjects were instructed to play a computer game using the TDS, having control of the computer cursor through a magnet attached to the tongue, and performance was compared among groups. Performance improved in all groups and in both genders. The monetary reward group tended towards higher performance scores compared with the control group, whereas the self‐controlled practice group performed significantly better compared with the control group. There was no significant difference between groups and genders in the subject‐based report for level of motivation, fun, pain, or fatigue. In conclusion, introduction of motivational conditions influenced tongue motor performance.
Mycoplasma genitalium: prevalence in men presenting with urethritis to a South Australian public sexual health clinic
Authors: Mezzini T. M. , Waddell R. G. , Douglas R. J. , Sadlon T. A.
Published: February 2013

Background/Aim

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection among male patients with dysuria and/or urethral discharge. An analysis of the clinical, demographic and microbiological factors associated with M. genitalium infection was also conducted.

Method

From May 2007 to June 2011, men presenting to the clinic with self‐reported symptoms of dysuria and/or urethral discharge were identified and underwent urethral swab, which was microscopically assessed for objective non‐gonococcal urethritis. A first‐void urine sample was tested for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the Aptima Combo‐2 assay. A portion of the urine sample was sent for polymerase chain reaction analysis for M. genitalium.

Results

One thousand, one hundred and eighty‐two men with dysuria and/or urethral discharge were tested for M. genitalium. Of those, 96 men (8.1%) were positive for M. genitalium. Men identifying as solely MSM (men who have sex with men) constituted 16.3% (n = 193) of the sample. Their infection rate was 3.1% (n = 6). The infection rate for heterosexual and bisexual men was 9.1%. For all men, the M. genitalium co‐infection rate was 14.6% (n = 14) with C. trachomatis and 3.1% (n = 3) with N. gonorrhoeae. Factors associated with M. genitalium infection were analysed by univariate analysis. We determined that five investigated predictors were significantly associated with M. genitalium infection, urethral discharge, non‐gonococcal urethritis on Gram stain of urethral smears, identification as heterosexual or bisexual, and absence of co‐infection with C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae.

Conclusion

In Adelaide, M. genitalium is an important sexually transmitted infection among men with dysuria and/or urethral discharge, and is primarily an infection of heterosexual and bisexual men.
When do we transfuse cryoprecipitate?
Authors: Anderson M. A. , Glazebrook B. , Cutts B. , Stevenson L. , Bielby L. , Borosak M.
Published: February 2013

Background

The 2001 National Health and Medical Research Council/Australasian Society of Blood Transfusion Clinical Practice Guidelines for cryoprecipitate are being updated, and cryoprecipitate has been incorporated into new Patient Blood Management modules.

Aims

This clinical audit sought to clarify current cryoprecipitate use in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory; assess adherence to guidelines; and gain insights into deviations from recommended practice. This information can be utilised in updating guidelines to make them more relevant, to identify areas for clinician education and to form a baseline of practice prior to release of the 2011 guidelines.

Methods

Participating institutions were invited to audit up to 30 consecutive episodes of cryoprecipitate transfusion over an 11‐month period in 2008. The audits were conducted using a standardised pro forma and involved review of patient records. These were collated electronically using algorithms to determine alignment versus non‐alignment with guidelines.

Results

Cryoprecipitate is used in a variety of situations with surgery accounting for the highest volume. Twenty‐six per cent (26%) of transfusions were aligned with 2001 guidelines rising to 61% with a modified fibrinogen trigger. Fibrinogen levels did not appear to dictate all clinical decisions regarding cryoprecipitate use perhaps owing to the acuity of many cases. Additional bleeding risk together with low fibrinogen levels (e.g. thrombocytopenic patients) may contribute to empiric cryoprecipitate use.

Conclusions

These results highlight discrepancies between guidelines and practice, providing rationale for the update of the guidelines that is currently underway. Cryoprecipitate has attendant risks, and it is appropriate that transfusion be restricted to situations with good evidence or sound principles to underpin use.
Does obesity affect the accuracy of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) for predicting prostate cancer among men undergoing prostate biopsy
Authors: Oh Jong J. , Jeong Seong J. , Lee Byung K. , Jeong Chang W. , Byun Seok‐Soo , Hong Sung K. , Lee Sang E.
Published: February 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

As most urologist known, obesity significantly lowers serum PSA levels. So there is some concern about delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer in obese men.

In the present study, we found that the accuracy level of PSA for detecting prostate cancer was not significantly different between different obesity levels. A well‐designed study adjusting for several factors, e.g. diet, exercise, medication and comorbidity, which may possibly compensate for the associated effects on PSA levels, is needed for confirmation of the present findings.

Objective

To investigate prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) accuracy in detecting prostate cancer according to body mass index (BMI) in Asian men with a PSA level of <30 ng/mL using contemporary multicore (≥12) prostate biopsy.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed the records of 3471 patients, whose initial PSA levels were <30 ng/mL, who underwent multicore (≥12) transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy between January 2004 and May 2011.

BMI was categorised as performed previously for the Asian population: <23, 23–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2. PSA accuracy for detecting prostate cancer in each BMI group was assessed based on the receiver operating characteristics‐derived area under the curve.

Results

The mean age and median PSA level were inversely associated with BMI; the median PSA level in each BMI category was 7.84, 7.75, 7.33 and 5.79 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001).

In all, prostate cancer was detected from biopsy in 1102 (31.7%) patients.

The PSA accuracy for predicting prostate cancer in all patients was estimated to be 0.607, and PSA accuracies in each BMI category were 0.638, 0.572, 0.613 and 0.544, respectively; there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of PSA accuracy.

Conclusions

The accuracy of PSA in predicting prostate cancer did not change regardless of BMI category in Asian men.

However, as patients with higher BMIs had lower PSA levels than those with lower BMIs, it can therefore be suggested that the PSA threshold should be lower in obese men to discriminate between prostate cancer and benign conditions in the real clinical situation.
Joint effect of insertion of spaces and word length in saccade target selection in Chinese reading
Authors: Li Xingshan , Shen Wei
Published: February 2013

The present study examined how insertion of spaces before and after a word affects saccade target selection in Chinese reading. We found that inserting spaces in Chinese text changes the eye movement behaviour of Chinese readers. They are less likely to fixate on the character near the space and will try their best to process the entire word with less fixations when a space is inserted after a word, making the final characters in a long word less likely to be fixated on. However, we did not find evidence that they target their eyes at the word centre when a space is inserted before or after a word. These results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of eye movement control in Chinese reading.
Optimizing the Noticing of Recasts via Computer‐Delivered Feedback: Evidence That Oral Input Enhancement and Working Memory Help Second Language Learning
Authors: Sagarra Nuria , Abbuhl Rebekha
Published: February 2013

This study investigates whether practice with computer‐administered feedback in the absence of meaning‐focused interaction can help second language learners notice the corrective intent of recasts and develop linguistic accuracy. A group of 218 beginning Anglophone learners of Spanish received 1 of 4 types of automated feedback (no feedback, utterance rejection, recasts, or enhanced recasts) in the written mode or the oral mode, in response to noun–adjective gender or number agreement errors. For both modalities, written and oral posttests conducted up to 2 months after treatment revealed that recasts yielded more target‐like production and learner repair than either no feedback or utterance rejection and that utterance rejection was in turn more effective than no feedback. Two factors were found to increase the effectiveness of computer‐delivered recasts: oral, but not typographical, input enhancement (orally enhanced recasts were more beneficial than orally unenhanced and typographically enhanced recasts) and working memory (higher span learners were superior to lower span learners in all recast groups). We discuss the implications of our results for the area of error treatment as an instructional focus technique and suggest avenues for future research.
The Development of Chinese Fluency During Study Abroad in China
Authors: Du Hang
Published: February 2013

This article is part of a longitudinal study of American college students studying Mandarin in China. Its main data are drawn from monthly speaking events (four sessions with each student) conducted in Chinese with each of 29 participants in a study‐abroad program in China. The study yielded these results: (a) Students made significant progress in their fluency development, especially during the first month; (b) speaking Chinese both inside and outside of class helped fluency; (c) students who consistently spoke Chinese in class and out of class made more progress than those who did not; and (d) time on task, the amount of time that students spent using Chinese, was the most important factor in determining fluency development. The quantitative analysis that is the focus of this article is supplemented by qualitative data from individual students, reflecting the position that only a combination of quantitative and qualitative data can reveal a complete picture of the nature of language acquisition during study abroad. The article concludes with implications for the design and conduct of programs in China.
S‐allyl cysteine restores erectile function through inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation in diabetic rats
Authors: Yang J. , Wang T. , Yang J. , Rao K. , Zhan Y. , Chen R.‐B. , Liu Z. , Li M.‐C. , Zhuan L. , Zang G.‐H. , Guo S.‐M. , Xu H. , Wang S.‐G. , Liu J.‐H. , Ye Z.‐Q.
Published: February 2013

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by an overactive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system in penile tissue is an important mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED). S‐allyl cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component derived from garlic, was recently reported to exert versatile antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that SAC would be able to resolve diabetes‐related ED by reducing ROS generation, and designed this study to investigate this possibility as well as to determine the related underlying mechanisms. A streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rat model was established and used for comparative analysis of 4‐week treatment regimens with insulin or SAC. The ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) to mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured to determine erectile function. Differential levels of ROS, NADPH oxidase subunits, nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling pathway, and apoptosis were evaluated in cavernous tissues. Max ICP/MAP was found to be markedly decreased in untreated diabetic rats; SAC, but not insulin, treatment restored the ratio to baseline (in non‐diabetic untreated controls). The corpus cavernosum of untreated diabetic rats showed increased p47phox and p67phox expression, ROS production and penile apoptotic index, and decreased phospho‐endothelial nitric oxide synthase (phospho‐eNOS, Ser1177) expression, cGMP concentration, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2)/Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) ratio and smooth muscle cell number. SAC treatment normalized all the diabetes‐induced effects, whereas insulin treatment partially normalized the alterations, but produced no effects on P47phox expression, penile ROS level, apoptotic index, Bcl‐2/Bax ratio and smooth muscle cell number. Collectively, these data indicate that SAC treatment can restore erectile function in diabetic rats by preventing ROS formation through modulation of NADPH oxidase subunit expression. Furthermore, the poor efficacy of conventional insulin treatment for diabetic ED may be associated with an elevated level of ROS in penile tissue.