bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endostatin Gene Therapy for Endometriosis in Rats
Authors: Zhang TT , Fang XL , Gang J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

Endostatin gene therapy for endometriosis was studied in an experimental autotransplantation model in rats.

Methods:

Endometriotic lesions were transfected by intralesional injection of the plasmid lipofectamine-endostatinpBud (group 1), lipofectamine-pBud (empty vector; group 2) or phosphatebuffered saline (group 3). Endostatin mRNA and protein levels in lesions were evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum, and microvessel density (MVD) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 protein levels in endometriotic lesions, were also determined.

Results:

Lipofectamine- endostatin-pBud injection increased endostatin mRNA and protein levels in lesions. Lesions were significantly smaller, and serum VEGF levels significantly lower, in group 1 versus controls. Serum VEGF was significantly and negatively correlated with serum endostatin. In group 1, MMP-2 levels and MVD were significantly lower versus controls. MMP-2 level was negatively correlated with endostatin.

Conclusions:

Gene therapy with endostatin appears to be an effective treatment for endometriosis. Restoration of endostatin gene expression by gene transfer in vivo might be a potential gene therapy approach for human endometriosis.
Postoperative Visual Impairment after Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Karakoç Ö , Derbent A , Anadolu Ö , Afrashí F , Yilmaz B , Gökmen N
Published: February 2013

Objective:

The aim of this prospective study was to detect risk factors for visual impairment or changes in vision following spinal fusion surgery.

Methods:

A total of 68 patients aged 18 - 65 years, scheduled for posterior spinal fusion surgery, were included. Ophthalmic examinations were performed by an ophthalmologist on the day before surgery and repeated after the second postoperative day, within the first postoperative week. Patient characteristics were compared according to two clinical outcomes following surgery: worsening of vision during the pre- and postoperative interval (group 1) and no change in pre- and postoperative examinations (group 2).

Results:

The mean age of patients with postoperative visual changes was significantly higher than that for patients without postoperative visual changes. Total number of female patients and use of intraoperative ephedrine to treat hypotensive episodes were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 patients.

Conclusion:

Older age, female gender and intraoperative hypotensive episodes are potential risk factors for postoperative visual impairment in patients who have undergone spinal fusion surgery.
Influence of Different Urination Methods on the Urinary Systems of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Shen L , Zheng X , Zhang C , Zeng B , Hou C
Published: February 2013

Objective:

This study evaluated the influence of different urination methods on the urinary systems of patients with spinal cord injury.

Methods:

Patients with spinal cord injury were grouped according to their usual voiding method: clean intermittent catheterization (CIC); Credé manoeuvre/reflex voiding; indwelling catheterization; normal voiding. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were monitored and type B-ultra -sonography (B-USG) scans, renal function tests and urodynamic studies were performed in all patients over a 2-year period.

Results:

Compared with the normal voiding group ( n = 14), incidence rates of UTIs were significantly different in the Credé manoeuvre/reflex voiding ( n = 26) and indwelling catheterization ( n = 12) groups but not in the CIC group ( n = 15). All intervention groups had a significantly higher rate of positive findings on B-USG scan and a significantly increased residual urine volume, compared with the normal voiding group. In addition, residual urine volume was significantly lower in the CIC group compared with the Credé manoeuvre/reflex voiding and indwelling catheterization groups.

Conclusion:

CIC was shown to be the optimal method for assisted bladder voiding after spinal cord injury.
Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine Device is an Efficacious Contraceptive for Women with Leiomyoma
Authors: Xie Z-W , Zhang Y-N , Wan S , Xu W-Z , Chen J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) as contraception for women with uterine leiomyoma.

Methods:

Thirty women with uterine leiomyoma requiring contraception were enrolled and had a LNG-IUD inserted. Menstrual blood volume (assessed by a pictorial blood loss assessment chart [PBAC]), haemoglobin concentration, volume of uterus and leiomyoma were determined before and after LNG-IUD insertion.

Results:

The median (range) PBAC score was 145.0 (60.0 - 232.0) before LNG-IUD insertion, which significantly decreased to 44.0 (0.0 - 99.0) and 36.0 (0.0 - 90.0) after 6 and 12 months of LNG-IUD use, respectively. Prior to LNG-IUD insertion, the median haemoglobin concentration in patients with anaemia was 100.0 (69.0 - 109.0) g/l and this increased significantly after 6 and 12 months of LNG-IUD use, to 117.5 (101.0 - 131.0) g/l and 119.5 (108.0 - 135.0) g/l, respectively. There were no significant changes in uterine or leiomyoma volumes. No patient became pregnant and there were no severe side-effects; one IUD was expulsed.

Conclusion:

The LNG-IUD may be a safe and effective contraceptive for women of reproductive age with uterine leiomyoma.
Comparison of Transcutaneous, Arterial and End-tidal Measurements of Carbon Dioxide during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Ozyuvaci E , Demircioglu O , Toprak N , Topacoglu H , Sitilci T , Akyol O
Published: February 2013

Objective:

Transcutaneous, arterial and end-tidal measurements of carbon dioxide were compared in patients (American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classes II and III) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide insufflation.

Methods:

General anaesthesia was performed in all patients. The Sentec® system was used for transcutaneous monitoring of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (TcPCO2). TcPCO2 and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were recorded preoperatively, after induction of anaesthesia, during insufflation and postoperatively; end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) was recorded after induction and during insufflation.

Results:

PaCO2 increased during insufflation and reached a maximum at extubation. It declined within 20 min postoperatively but did not return to preoperative levels during this time. TcPCO2 levels followed a similar pattern. ETCO2 was significantly lower than PaCO2 after induction and during insufflation.

Conclusion:

TcPCO2 was a valid and practical measurement compared with ETCO2. In patients with COPD undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, TcPCO2 and ET could be used instead of arterial blood gas sampling.
Isolated Syphilitic Cervical Lymphadenopathy: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Wang X , Li WQ , Liu HM , Yan HZ , Li YM , He J , Yu HY
Published: February 2013

Isolated syphilitic cervical lymphaden -opathy (SCL) is a rare presentation of syphilis. Two patients with isolated SCL are presented here with a review of the literature. The first patient was a 72-year-old man with a mass (diameter 5 cm) in the right neck region for 26 days. Serological tests, imaging studies and pathological examination of the mass after surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of isolated SCL. The second patient was a 48-year-old man with a mass (diameter 4 cm) in the right neck region for 1 month. The diagnosis of isolated SCL was made on the basis of serological tests, cervical ultrasound and pathological examination of the mass after surgical excision. Complete excision resulted in a satisfactory outcome in both patients. Isolated neck masses without associated clinical manifestations or adverse personal history are a diagnostic challenge, and SCL is easily overlooked in the differential diagnosis. Unusual masses should always remind clinicians of this infectious disease and a comprehensive diagnostic strategy is recommended. Nonroutine syphilitic serological tests should be performed in patients suspected of having SCL, and the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics may help to confirm the diagnosis.
Aortic Dissection Presenting Primarily as Acute Spinal Cord Damage: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Sui R-B , Zhang L , Liu K
Published: February 2013

Acute aortic dissection is a rare, life-threatening condition. Clinical manifestations generally include the acute onset of severe chest or back pain. Aortic dissection presenting with signs and symptoms of acute spinal cord damage is the most severe complication and is particularly rare. This paper reports a case of aortic dissection in a 50-year-old man with a 10-year history of hypertension manifesting as acute spinal cord damage (bilateral lower extremity weakness and loss of all types of sensation), acute skeletal muscle ischaemic necrosis with increased levels of creatine kinase, and acute kidney failure with increased levels of serum creatinine and decreased glomerular filtration rate. The patient refused surgical treatment. His clinical condition progressively worsened and he died 3 days later. This case indicates the importance of considering aortic dissection in patients presenting with acute spinal cord damage, acute skeletal muscle necrosis or acute kidney failure, which may allow early diagnosis and reduce the mortality rate.
Unilateral Deep Brain Stimulation of the Right Globus Pallidus Internus in Patients with Tourette's Syndrome: Two Cases with Outcomes After 1 Year and a Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Dong S , Zhuang P , Zhang X-H , Li J-Y , Li Y-J
Published: February 2013

Tourette's syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder, characterized by tics. Bilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been considered to be an effective treatment for refractory Tourette's syndrome. Postoperative outcomes are described after 12 months’ follow-up in a 41-year-old male patient and a 22-year-old male patient with Tourette's syndrome, both of whom underwent unilateral electrode implantations into the right GPi for DBS. These patients were diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome in childhood and, despite long-term therapy with a range of antipsychotic medications, continued to experience disabling tics in adulthood. Improvements in tic severity of 58.5% and 53.1% were observed at 12 months in the older and younger patient, respectively; improvements were determined by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Both patients also experienced reductions in tic frequency and reported improvements in their health-related quality of life. Improvements in tics were similar to previous reports involving patients who underwent bilateral GPi DBS. These cases suggest that unilateral DBS of the right GPi is effective and might be a viable surgical choice for some patients with Tourette's syndrome.
Prognostic Significance of PUMA in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Du Qh , Zhang Kj , Jiao Xl , Zhao J , Zhang M , Yan Bm , Xu Yb
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate retro spectively whether alterations of p53 upregulated mediator of apoptosis (PUMA) protein levels and somatic mutations of the PUMA gene are characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods:

Immunohistochemical analyses of PUMA were performed in pancreatic tumour tissue samples, and paired normal pancreatic tissue samples, from patients with PDAC. Apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling assay.

Results:

A total of 70 patients with PDAC had samples available; 49 cases (70.0%) had high PUMA protein levels. PUMA was not detected in paired normal tissue samples. Significantly higher levels of PUMA protein were detected in low-grade tumours (tumour -node-metastasis stages I and II), compared with higher grade (stage III) tumours. Of the PDAC cases, the mean apoptosis index value for PUMA-positive specimens was significantly higher than that for PUMA-negative specimens. Overall survival was significantly associated with PUMA immunoreactivity.

Conclusions:

High levels of PUMA in PDAC tumour cells suggest that PUMA expression may play a role in pancreatic tumourigenesis.
Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Protocadherin-10 (PCDH10) Promoter Methylation in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lin YL , Li ZG , He ZK , Guan TY , Ma JG
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of protocadherin-10 (PCDH10) promoter methylation in serum-derived DNA from patients with bladder cancer.

Methods:

PCDH10 promoter methylation status was determined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracted from serum of patients with bladder cancer, and age- and sex-matched controls. Clinical and pathological details of bladder cancer were recorded.

Results:

PCDH10 promoter methylation was detected in 59/117 (50.4%) of patients with bladder cancer, and none of 37 (0%) controls. Methylation was significantly associated with advanced stage (T2 - T4), high grade (G3), tumour recurrence and larger tumour size (> 3 cm). In addition, methylation was associated with significantly worse survival and was an independent predictor of overall survival.

Conclusion:

Serum-based analysis of PCDH10 promoter methylation may represent a useful noninvasive biomarker of malignant behaviour and outcome in bladder cancer.
Association of HLA-DRB1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Left Ventricular Remodelling in Elderly Patients with Essential Hypertension
Authors: Li Qm , Li B , Sun Yf , Zhang H , Yang Xl , Cai Lw , Chen H , Ding Yh , Jiang J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate the associations between human leucocyte antigen DRβ1 (HLA-DRB1) gene polymorphisms and cardiovascular remodelling (left ventricular dilatation [LVD]) in Han Chinese patients ≥ 60 years old, with essential hypertension.

Methods:

LVD was diagnosed via echocardiographic measurements. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction was used to determine the genotypes of three HLA-DRB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2308765, rs9269186 and rs3135388).

Results:

HLA-DRB1 rs2308765 wild-type (G) allele and genotype (GG) were associated with decreased risk of LVD. HLA-DRB1 rs9269186 and rs3135388 were not associated with LVD risk. Mean waist and abdominal circumferences were significantly larger in patients with, compared with those without, LVD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that rs2308765 was associated with LVD (GT + TT versus GG; odds ratio 7.958; 95% confidence interval 1.935, 32.723).

Conclusions:

Mutation in HLA-DRB1 rs2308765 was associated with increased risk of LVD in elderly patients with hypertension. Genotype analysis may allow identification of patients at high risk of cardiovascular events such LVD.
Automated Volume Scanner System Ultrasonography for Evaluation of Varicose Veins of the Lower Extremities
Authors: Diao Xh , Chen Y , Chen L , Pang Y , Zhu J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To assess the utility of automated volume scanner system (AVSS) ultrasonography in the clinical evaluation of varicose veins of the leg.

Methods:

Varicose veins of the leg were evaluated using both handheld ultrasonography and AVSS. Morphological features (tortuosity, focal ectasia, thrombosis) and saphenous vein diameter were observed.

Results:

A total of 69 legs (43 patients) were examined. The overall quality of AVSS images was excellent in all cases. AVSS allowed visualization of the entire length of the great and small saphenous veins. Significantly more cases of tortuosity, focal ectasia and thrombosis were detected using AVSS than handheld ultra -sonography. The size and mean diameter of veins were consistent between the two methodologies.

Conclusions:

Coronal plane AVSS ultrasonography images were useful for the detection of tortuosity, focal ectasia and thrombosis. AVSS and handheld ultrasonography can be combined to provide both anatomical and functional information, facilitating the planning of surgical treatment of varicose veins.
A Comparison of Serum and Sputum Inflammatory Mediator Profiles in Patients with Asthma and COPD
Authors: Cao Y , Gong W , Zhang H , Liu B , Li B , Wu X , Duan X , Dong J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate serum and sputum cytokine profiles in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Methods:

Clinical characteristics, blood and sputum samples were collected from asthma (n = 37) and COPD (n = 36) patients, and healthy subjects (n = 39). Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and inflammation antibody array; levels were analysed according to smoking status and presence of eosinophilia in the airways of COPD/asthma patients, and compared with those in healthy subjects.

Results:

ELISA revealed a significant difference in the expression of only a few cytokines in the COPD versus asthma groups, and in both patient groups compared with healthy subjects. The antibody array showed greater differentiation in inflammatory mediators. In the subphenotype analysis, the differential expression of cytokines was more significant between eosinophilic and noneosinophilic airway inflammation than between asthma and COPD, according to both the ELISA and antibody array. There was little difference in cytokine expression between smoking and nonsmoking subgroups.

Conclusions:

Differential expression of inflammatory mediators is present between patients with COPD or asthma, and eosinophilic or noneosinophilic airway inflammation, and contributes to understanding the cytokine network of airway inflammation.
Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitoring in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: Correlation between Change in Thoracic Fluid Content and Change in Patient Body Weight
Authors: Kang W-S , Lee Jh , Shin Hj , Kim S-H , Kim T-Y , Seo Dm , Yoon T-G
Published: February 2013

Objective:

Change in thoracic fluid content (TFC) derived via a bioreactance technique with a noninvasive cardiac output monitoring device (NICOM) reportedly shows a good correlation with the amount of fluid removed. The present study prospectively evaluated the utility and clinical application of TFC in the intraoperative fluid management of paediatric patients with congenital heart disease, undergoing cardiac surgery with bioreactance-based noninvasive monitoring.

Methods:

Haemodynamic parameters, patient body weight and parameters derived from the NICOM device (including cardiac output, cardiac index, TFC, percentage change in TFC compared with baseline [TFCd0%] and stroke volume variation) were recorded after anaesthesia induction but before surgical incision, and just before departure from the operating room to the intensive care unit.

Results:

In the 80 paediatric patients included in this study, linear regression analyses demonstrated good correlations between body weight gain and TFCd0%, between body weight gain % and TFCd0%, and between intra -operative fluid balance and TFCd0%.

Conclusion:

TFCd0% may be a useful indicator for intraoperative fluid management in paediatric patients with congenital heart disease, undergoing cardiac surgery.
Kyphoplasty for the Treatment of Very Severe Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture
Authors: Zhang HT , Sun ZY , Zhu XY , Chen KW , Qian ZL , Yang HL
Published: February 2013

Objective:

A retrospective evaluation of the clinical outcome and technical feasibility of kyphoplasty for the treatment of very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (vsOVCF).

Methods:

Patients with vsOVCF were treated with kyphoplasty and followed-up for 1 year. Vertebral body height variation, kyphotic angle, back pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, 1 month, 3 months and 1 year after treatment.

Results:

In total, 35 patients (49 vertebrae) were treated with kyphoplasty. There were no cases of spinal or extraspinal injury, infection, bleeding, pulmonary embolism, epidural cement leakage, stroke or cardiac arrest as a result of treatment. There were significant postoperative improvements in all outcome measures (vertebral body height variation, kyphotic angle, VAS and ODI); these improvements were maintained during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Kyphoplasty is an effective and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of vsOVCF.
Canine Lymphomas
Authors: Valli V. E. , Kass P. H. , Myint M. San , Scott F.
Published: February 2013

Canine lymphoma is the neoplasm most often treated by chemotherapy, yet there are few data to correlate response to therapy with its different subtypes. This study is based on biopsy specimens from 992 dogs for which lymphoma was the clinical diagnosis. All cases were phenotyped by immunohistochemistry for CD3 and CD79alpha. Cases with histiocytic proliferation were evaluated immunohistochemically for CD18. Clonality was verified in 12 cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Survival (event time) data and complete survival information (cause of death or time to last follow-up) were available on 456 dogs. Additional covariate information when available included size, age, sex, phenotype, stage and grade of lymphoma, mitotic index, and treatment protocol. Because of the many subtypes of B- and T-cell lymphoma, the cases were grouped into 7 diagnostic categories: (1) benign hyperplasia; (2) low-grade B-cell; (3) high-grade B- and T-cell; (4) low-grade T-cell; (5) centroblastic large B-cell of all mitotic grades (subdivided by clinical stage); (6) immunoblastic large B-cell of all mitotic grades, and (7) high-grade peripheral T-cell. Grouping was determined by histological grade (based on mitotic rate/400× field, with low-grade 0–5, intermediate 6–10, and high-grade >10) and stage for survival function estimation. No association with survival was found for size (based on breed of dog) or sex. All diagnostic categories of indolent or low-grade type had low mitotic rates, whereas those with clinically high grades had high mitotic rates. The diagnostic category with the most cases was centroblastic large B-cell lymphoma. Compared with dogs in this largest represented group of lymphomas, dogs with high-grade lymphomas had significantly higher mortality rates, and dogs with low-grade T-cell lymphomas had significantly lower mortality rates. Treatments for high-, intermediate-, and low-grade lymphomas were divided into 4 groups: absence of treatment, chemotherapy with or without hydroxydaunorubicin, and only prednisone. Dogs with low-grade T-cell (T-zone) lymphomas had the longest median survival (622 days), whereas the shortest median survival was in dogs with T-cell high-grade (peripheral T-cell) subtype (162 days). The dogs with centroblastic large B-cell lymphomas had a median survival of 127 days with low stage, 221 days with intermediate stage, and 215 days with advanced stage. Dogs with T-zone lymphoma were probably diagnosed in later stages of disease because of the lack of signs associated with progression. As with human lymphomas, a histological diagnosis with immunophenotyping is a minimal requirement for diagnosis of a specific subtype.
Citizenship, political agency and technologies of the self in Argentinean trade unions
Authors: Lazar Sian
Published: February 2013

The paper presents findings from research on political subjectivity and citizenship with two public‐sector trade unions in Buenos Aires. I outline some of the relations between trade unionism and citizenship in Argentina and then explore the concept of ‘ contención’ (‘containment’), a group‐based technology of the self which is fundamental to the construction of political agency and citizenship within the most active members of these trade unions.
In the eyes of the law, in the eyes of society: A citizenship tradition in west Mexico
Authors: Stack Trevor
Published: February 2013

Citizenship has been in the last thirty years a significant concern of anthropologists, not least because it has been in the same period a concern of people around the world. At least, the term “citizenship” has been used widely, if not always in quite the same way as anthropologists have used it, especially those anthropologists who have paid less attention to their informants’ understandings of it. During fieldwork in west Mexico in 2007–2010, I found that my informants did not reduce being a citizen to having a relationship with the state or government. Many of them said that being a citizen was ultimately about “living in society”. Their use of the term “citizen” reminds us that many different things have been called “citizenship” over the centuries, and that some things now called “citizenship”, such as claiming rights on states, have not always been referred to as such. However, I prefer to focus on the concepts that my informants sometimes labeled “citizenship” rather than on their choice of the word itself, and to be more precise I use the term civil sociality to gloss their sense of living in society, ideally in a civil way. I focus on how civil sociality stands in relation to law as well as to rights-bearing, especially in two sets of events in which people pitched their claims in terms of both civil sociality and law. Throughout, I draw out the methodological, historical, ethnographic, theoretical, and normative implications of the way in which my informants juxtapose civil sociality and law or rights-bearing. I end the article by comparing my informants’ notions with those of anthropologists, noting not just the differences but a striking similarity. Anthropologists, like my informants, treat “society” as a ground that lies beyond institutions such as law.
Between the Goat's Arse and the Face of God: Deleuze and Guattari and Marx and the Bible
Authors: Boer Roland
Published: February 2013

This article offers a critical reading of Deleuze and Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus, especially ‘587 B.C.–A.D. 70: On Several Régimes of Signs’ and ‘1227: Treatise on Nomadology—The War Machine’. These texts closely engage with biblical narratives concerning Moses and the scapegoat. This reading of Deleuze and Guattari has three lines: one is to trace how their argument that opposition is external must eventually face up to internal resistance as well. Another line is to connect the four régimes of signs—presignifying (the segmented tribe), signifying (the despotic state), counter-signifying (the numbered nomadic war-band) and post-signifying (the scapegoat wilderness-community)—with Marxist discussions of the Asiatic mode of production and tribal society. The third line relates these régimes to Marxist biblical scholarship and to the Bible itself, especially the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus 16 and Jethro's advice to Moses in Exodus 18. However, a closer look at the biblical material shows how the patterns of opposition are actually internal to one another. But then, to their credit, Deleuze and Guattari admit that these régimes are not only multiple, but also fluid and overlapping.
Lessons from the Potter's Workshop: A New Look at Jeremiah 18.1–11
Authors: Frese Daniel A.
Published: February 2013

Jeremiah 18.1–11 is a familiar passage, describing Yahweh in terms of a potter and Judah as his clay. Yet despite its familiarity, interpretations of the passage vary wildly. It is understood by various interpreters as a message of doom, a message of hope, a neutral message of neither doom nor hope, and a message of doom reworked into a message of hope by a later editor. Some commentators believe that Yahweh's sovereignty is the point of the text; others think that Yahweh has only partial control. Still others think the point is that the clay (Judah) has the capacity to thwart the potter's (Yahweh's) purposes. Scholars are united, on the other hand, in regarding Yahweh's contingent plans for ‘nations’ in vv. 7–10 as an interpretation of the potter's symbolic pot-making in vv. 1–4. In this article, this approach, which has led to the divergent and mutually exclusive views of the passage, is critiqued. Following a brief analysis of symbolic actions in Jeremiah and in the larger prophetic corpus, an alternative understanding is presented wherein vv. 7–10 are not directly related to the actions of the potter. Verses 1–6 and 7–10, rather, serve distinct but complementary roles in service of the larger purpose of vv. 1–11, which is to call the people of Judah to repentance.
Factors associated with a negative outcome of medication-overuse headache: A 3-year follow-up (the ‘CARE’ protocol)
Authors: Sances Grazia , Galli Federica , Ghiotto Natascia , Allena Marta , Guaschino Elena , Frustaci Alessandra , Nappi Giuseppe , Tassorelli Cristina
Published: February 2013

Aim

To evaluate factors associated with a negative outcome in a 3-year follow-up of subjects diagnosed with medication-overuse headache (MOH) (revised-ICHD-II criteria).

Methods

All consecutive patients entering the center’s inpatient detoxification program were analyzed in a prospective, non-randomized fashion. All participants were assessed by a neurologist using an ad hoc patient record form. Personality was assessed using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-2, Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and odds ratios (OR) were calculated as appropriate.

Results

One-hundred and fifty patients completed the follow-up (79.3% females, age 46.40 ± 11.31 years): 13 never stopped their drug overuse (A), 38 stopped their overuse, but relapsed at least once (B), and 99 stopped and never relapsed (C). The Group A patients differed from those in B + C as they were more frequently single (OR 0.134; p = 0.007) and unemployed (OR 3.273; p = 0.04), took a higher number of drug doses ( p < 0.001), and less frequently drank coffee (OR 3.273; p = 0.044). Personality profile: subjects in A scored higher than those in C on the following scales: Hypochondriasis ( p = 0.007), Depression ( p = 0.003), Paranoia ( p = 0.025), Fears ( p = 0.003), Obsessiveness ( p = 0.026), Bizarre Mentation ( p = 0.046), Social Discomfort ( p = 0.004), Negative Treatment Indicators ( p = 0.040), Repression ( p = 0.007), Overcontrolled Hostility ( p = 0.040), Addiction Admission ( p = 0.021), Social Responsibility ( p = 0.039), and Marital Distress ( p = 0.028).

Conclusion

Disease outcome in MOH patients is influenced negatively by overuse severity and by specific psychological and socio-economic variables. Other possible modifier factors were voluptuary habits.
Development and application of the decision support system for municipal solid waste management in central Taiwan
Authors: Chang Yao-Jen , Lin Min-Der
Published: February 2013

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is an important, practical and challenging environmental subject. The processes of a MSWM system include household collection, transportation, treatment, material recycling, compost and disposal. A regional program of MSWM is more complicated owing to the involvement of multi-municipality and multi-facility issues. Therefore, an effective decision support system capable of solving regional MSWM problems is necessary for decision-makers. This article employs linear programming techniques to establish a MSWM decision support system (MSWM-DSS) that is able to determine the least costs of regional MSWM strategies. The results of investigating a real-world case in central Taiwan indicate that a regional program is more economical and efficient. For the redeployment of MSW streams, the relatively least cost of operation for the MSWM system can still be achieved through the re-estimation of the MSWM-DSS. This tool and results are useful for MSWM policy-making in central Taiwan.
Assessment of municipal solid waste management scenarios in Irkutsk (Russia) using a life cycle assessment-integrated waste management model
Authors: Tulokhonova Alisa , Ulanova Olga
Published: February 2013

Continuous growth in the quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) and increasing demands for their environmentally-friendly treatment are one of the main consequences of the growing social and economic development rate in modern society. Despite ecologically sustainable trends in waste management systems around the world, open dumps are still the main waste treatment option in Russia. This study aims to help the local municipality administration in Irkutsk (Russia) identify the most appropriate direction for current waste management and its optimization. Within this study four developed MSW management scenarios were assessed and compared with respect to their ecological, economic and social aspects using a life cycle-based integrated waste management model. The evaluation results of these scenarios show that the development of environmental sustainability and the reduction of social effects lead to an increase in handling of costs of waste. The best scenario, regarding both environmental and social aspects, is scenario four, which includes the separate collection and reprocessing of recyclables in combination with an aerobic mechanical–biological pre-treatment of the residual waste before landfilling. However, this scenario is 3.6 times more expensive than the existing system. The results of all assessed scenarios were further analyzed and recommendations were made to design integrated waste management solutions that are optimal not only from the ecological and social points of view, but which are also realistic within the given economic situation.
The management of cytotoxic drug wastes in Shiraz, Iran: an overview of all government and private chemotherapy settings, and comparison with national and international guidelines
Authors: Askarian Mehrdad , Momeni Mohsen , Danaei Mina
Published: February 2013

Excessive use of cytotoxic drugs owing to a dramatic increase in malignancy incidence leads to the production of high amounts of cytotoxic wastes. In Iran, management of hazardous wastes has been neglected in recent decades. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of intravenous cytotoxic drug wastes, their collection and disposal status in chemotherapy wards, and to compare the current status with standard guidelines in Shiraz, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed using data collected during 2 consecutive months, from 22 June to 22 August 2011, in all 13 chemotherapy wards in Shiraz. The amount of prescribed drugs, drugs waste, collection and disposal status of cytotoxic drugs were recorded. We then compared the current status of waste collection and disposal in our samples with our national guideline. The prescription of cytotoxic drugs and the amount of total drugs waste reached approximately 6 and 0.2 kilograms respectively. Total vials volume was calculated to be approximately 1000 l in order to estimate the volume of containers required for the encapsulation method. The results demonstrated that the current status of cytotoxic waste collection and disposal is inappropriate, and none of the facilities under study followed our guidelines perfectly. The adherence to all recommendations and guidelines was poorer in private wards than in government-run ones. The management of cytotoxic wastes is inappropriate and our existing national guidelines are lacking. Suggestions for the best management of cytotoxic waste are revising the existing guidelines, allocating a sufficient budget, training healthcare workers, providing multiple administration options of cytotoxic drugs and accomplishing a surveillance system.
Alternatives for solid waste management in Isfahan, Iran: a case study
Authors: Abduli Mohammed A , Tavakolli Hossein , Azari Ariandokht
Published: February 2013

This articles presents the status of municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices in the city of Isfahan, Iran. It provides an overview of the generation, collection, separation, recycling and disposal of MSW. Field studies were carried out from 2009 to 2010. According to this study, the city generates about 399,000 metric tons of MSW per year, of which 72.5% is organic matter. In Isfahan more than 90% of the MSW is collected by official municipal forces and the other 10% is collected by informal collectors. About 70% of the MSW in Isfahan is composted to produce a humus material, 5% is rejected and 25% is stockpiled for future use as fuel in a waste-to-energy incineration plant. Non-compostable waste and other residues are landfilled. This investigation also includes an analysis of economic benefits that could be realized by implementing incineration and a discussion of the challenges confronted in Isfahan for implementing changes to the city’s existing MSW management system. This article concludes with recommendations for improving the city’s MSW management system.
Analysis of energetic and exergetic efficiency, and environmental benefits of biomass integrated gasification combined cycle technology
Authors: Mínguez María , Jiménez Ángel , Rodríguez Javier , González Celina , López Ignacio , Nieto Rafael
Published: February 2013

The problem of the high carbon dioxide emissions linked to power generation makes necessary active research on the use of biofuels in gas turbine systems as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Gasification of biomass waste is particularly of interest in obtaining a fuel to be run in gas turbines, as it is an efficient biomass-to-biofuel conversion process, and an integration into a combined cycle power plant leads to a high performance with regard to energetic efficiency. The goal of this study was to carry out an energetic, exergetic and environmental analysis of the behaviour of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant fuelled with different kinds of biomass waste by means of simulations. A preliminary economic study is also included. Although a technological development in gasification technology is necessary, the results of simulations indicate a high technical and environmental interest in the use of biomass integrated gasification combined cycle (BioIGCC) systems for large-scale power generation from biomass waste.
Impact of the “Holy Crash” on Trust in the Church in Slovenia
Authors: Smrke Marjan
Published: February 2013

The 2011 Slovene Public Opinion Survey and World Values Survey have determined that trust in the Roman Catholic Church in Slovenia has fallen to an all-time low in the post-independence era: only 25 percent of Slovenes expressed a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the Church. This article considers how the Church’s social power has been impacted by the so-called Holy Crash, namely, the 2010 collapse of the Archdiocese of Maribor’s financial empire and its investments and interests in various enterprises controlled through its Gospodarstvo Rast financial management company. Revealed is the fact that, in recent years, trust has been eroded most in the Podravje (Drava) and Koroška (Carinthia) regions of Slovenia, both of which lie within the Maribor archdiocese. This decline supports the central hypothesis that the scandal and secrecy surrounding the collapse have negatively impacted trust in the Roman Catholic Church.
Novel high-performance nickel/poly(ether ether ketone) nanocomposites
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Mishra TK , Pandey KN , Verma Vishal , Kumar Vijai
Published: February 2013

The present investigation deals with the preparation and characterization of nanocomposites of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) containing nanosized nickel filler up to 3 wt% loading. Characterization of the developed nanocomposites has been carried out by various advanced analytical techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis study depicts that the prepared nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal stability. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) technique has been utilized to investigate the viscoelastic deformation of nanocomposites. From DMA studies, it has been demonstrated that with the increase in nano-nickel content, the stiffness of nanocomposites decreases and a very minute change in glass transition temperature ( Tg) has been noticed. The resulting nanocomposites show the optimum improvement in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus. Scanning electron microscopy study reveals that he dispersion of nano-nickel particulates is uniform throughout the PEEK matrix.
Effect of nano-CaCO3 on the mechanical and crystallization behavior of HDPE/LDPE/nano-CaCO3 ternary blend
Authors: Zaman Haydar U , Khan Mubarak A , Khan Ruhul A , Beg Md. Dalour Hossen
Published: February 2013

High-density polyethylene–low-density polyethylene (HDPE-LDPE) blends involving HDPE-LDPE (50/50 wt%) with dialkyl peroxide (DAP; 0.05 wt%) containing different amounts (5, 10 and 15 wt%) of nanocalcium carbonate (nCC) were prepared by melt blending followed by compression molding. The effect of addition of nCC on the morphology, mechanical and crystallization behaviors of HDPE-LDPE blends with and without DAP was also evaluated. The measurements of the mechanical properties showed that the impact strength of the nanocomposites increased at first and then decreased with the addition of nanofillers, and the tensile strength was reduced at the same time. With the addition of a small amount of DAP, the mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites increased. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the addition of DAP improved the dispersion of the nanofiller in the HDPE-LDPE blends. Differential scanning calorimetric results indicated that the addition of DAP increased the crystallization temperature as a result of heterogeneous nucleation effect of nCC on HDPE-LDPE blends.
Performance study of standing wave levitation with emitting and reflecting surface of concave sphere structure
Authors: Jiao Xiaoyang , Liu Guojun , Liu Jianfang , Liu Xiaolun
Published: February 2013

In order to improve levitation capability and stability of ultrasonic standing wave, a novel levitation device was presented, which adopted concave spherical surface on the emitter and the reflector. Using ANSYS software, the acoustic field generated by the concave spherical emitting surface was analyzed and the formation of ultrasonic standing wave was simulated. Based on the simulation result, the distribution and maximum acoustic pressure under different radius of concave spherical surface on the emitter and the reflector were ascertained. Through the MATLAB simulation, the optimal structural parameter and levitation position were predicted. Based on the optimization result, the prototype of standing wave levitation device was designed and manufactured. In the laboratory, the radiation force was tested and levitation experiments were also carried out and the actual levitation position was in accordance with the simulation results. When the distance between the emitter and the reflector equaled to about 34.9 mm, three steel balls of 3 mm diameter could be levitated at the same time in three disparate nodes position, the levitation capability and stability were demonstrated to be enhanced largely.
A decomposable freight wagon frame suitable for bimodal transport systems that uses a fast locking mechanism
Authors: De Iorio Antonio , Grasso Marzio , Penta Francesco , Pucillo Giovanni Pio , Chioccola Francesco
Published: February 2013

This paper describes a novel connection system which allows fast, safe and reliable coupling and uncoupling of two sections of a freight wagon body as part of a bimodal transport system. The connection system allows the time for loading and unloading a truck trailer to be reduced to almost one-half of the current duration. The connection system is composed of a cylindrical clamping pin with three conical shoulders at one end and an axial slide. A crank mechanism in a cylindrical guide is used to lock the clamp. The crank is connected to the pin and symmetric piston rods are connected to the moving clamp, other auxiliary members constrain the clamp.
Simulations of combustion with normal and angled hydrogen injection in a cavity-based supersonic combustor
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Wang Zhenguo , Sun Mingbo , Qin Ning
Published: February 2013

Combustion characteristics in a supersonic combustor with normal and angled hydrogen injection upstream of a cavity flameholder are investigated numerically using a hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large eddy simulation method acting as a wall-modeled large eddy simulation. A turbulent incoming boundary layer with thickness of δinf = 2.5 mm is considered and a recycling/rescaling method is adopted to treat the unsteady inflow. Three injection angles, α = 30°, 60° and 90°, are considered. The results show that combustion efficiency increases with increasing injection angle since the fuel jet with larger injection angle tends to benefit more from the close coupling of flow, mixing and combustion. Moreover, it is found that the heat release distribution in the streamwise direction is more uniformly for larger injection angle than for lower injection angle, which tends to result in higher total pressure recovery in the far downstream regions for larger injection angle as uniformly-distributed heat release seems beneficial to reduce the total pressure loss for the present diffusion combustion.
Experimental-numerical investigation of a pitching airfoil in deep dynamic stall
Authors: Zanotti A , Melone S , Nilifard R , D'Andrea A
Published: February 2013

The results of a comprehensive experimental campaign are compared to computational fluid dynamics simulations results to assess the modelling capabilities for a NACA 23012 pitching airfoil in deep dynamic stall regime. The experimental campaign involved fast unsteady pressure measurements and particle image velocimetry. Two-dimensional simulations were carried out with EDGE, developed by FOI. The investigated test case consists in a sinusoidal pitching motion with a 10° amplitude and a reduced frequency of 0.1 around a mean angle of attack of 10°. The behaviour of the experimental lift and pitching moment coefficients is in close agreement with the two-dimensional simulations results, also during the downstroke motion where the flow field is characterised by severe unsteadiness conditions. A three-dimensional numerical model was built to evaluate the relevance of three-dimensional effects on the experiments. Three-dimensional simulations were carried out using the commercial code FLUENT. During upstroke motion, three-dimensional simulations results are in better agreement with the experiments, in particular in terms of the lift coefficient curve slope and of the pitching moment coefficient peak. The flow fields evaluated by particle image velocimetry surveys show strong vortical structures moving on the airfoil upper surface during the downstroke motion that are captured only by the three-dimensional model; then, the flow fields comparison demonstrates the importance of three-dimensional effects for a deep dynamic stall condition.
A direct adaptive actuator failure compensation scheme for satellite attitude control systems
Authors: Ma Yajie , Jiang Bin , Tao Gang , Cheng Yuehua
Published: February 2013

A new direct adaptive failure compensation approach is developed for satellite attitude control systems in the presence of uncertain failures of redundant actuators. The adaptive failure compensation controller is designed via a backstepping design, which can accommodate uncertainties in actuator failure time instants, values, and patterns. The failure uncertainties are estimated directly by adaptive laws and the adaptive satellite attitude control system with actuator failures is analyzed, to show its desired stability and asymptotic tracking properties. Finally, simulation results of a satellite attitude control system with redundant reaction wheels are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive failure compensation scheme.