bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploratory Examination of the Relationship between Acculturation and Personal Growth among Korean Immigrants
Authors: Kim Junhyoung , Malonebeach Eileen , Heo Jinmoo , Kim Jun , Kim May
Published: March 2015

Korean immigrants are motivated to accept new cultural perspectives and/or transform their own cultural values into those of their new country. During this acculturation process, they encounter cultural differences, make adaptations, and thus may experience positive changes in social relationships, coping resources, personal strength, and cultural knowledge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of acculturation and personal growth. The results indicated that two dimensions of acculturation (e.g., self-control and collectivism), age, and length of stay were predictors of personal growth that involves social relationships, personal resources, life philosophy, and coping skills. This study suggests that high scores on two acculturation dimensions indicated lower acculturation, which predicts personal growth.
Adaptive Finite-Elemente-Simulation des Mehrfrequenz-Induktionshärtens in 3-D
Authors: Petzold T. , Hömberg D. , Nadolski D. , Schulz A. , Stiele H.
Published: March 2015

Kurzfassung

Induktionshärten ist ein energieeffizientes Wärmebehandlungsverfahren, das sich optimal in Produktionslinien integrieren lässt. Die schnelle, auf oberflächennahe Bereiche beschränkte Wärmebehandlung erfordert eine präzise Prozessführung, da Energieeinbringung und Temperaturverteilung exakt auf Bauteilgeometrie und Werkstoff abgestimmt sein müssen. Numerische Modellierung des Verfahrens kann eine Vielzahl prozessspezifischer Aspekte berücksichtigen und somit eine Vorhersage des Härteergebnisses ermöglichen. Der Artikel beschreibt die 3-D-Simulation des Mehrfrequenz-Induktionshärtens von Zahnrädern. Das zugrundeliegende Modell besteht aus einem gekoppelten, nichtlinearen System partieller Differentialgleichungen zur Bestimmung der elektromagnetischen Felder, der Temperatur- und der Phasenverteilung im Bauteil. Das Problem stellt aufgrund des Skin-Effekts und des Auftretens verschiedener Zeitskalen für die verschiedenen physikalischen Prozesse ein nichtlineares Mehrskalenproblem in Ort und Zeit dar. Die resultierenden Gleichungen werden mit Hilfe adaptiver Finite-Elemente-Methoden gelöst. Die Berücksichtigung von Nichtlinearitäten in Form von temperaturabhängigen Materialparametern sowie einer vom Magnetfeld selbst abhängigen magnetischen Permeabilität ist zur Reproduktion experimenteller Ergebnisse unerlässlich. In den experimentell verifizierten Beispielrechnungen des induktiven Randschichthärtens für Zahnräder kann eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung zwischen den experimentell ermittelten und den berechneten Temperatur- und Härteprofilen erzielt werden.
Neue Anwendungsbereiche numerischer Simulation beim induktiven Randschichthärten mit Feldkonzentratoren
Authors: Schlesselmann D. , Yu Z. , Dalinger A. , Nacke B.
Published: March 2015

Kurzfassung

In diesem Artikel werden zwei Neuerungen bei der numerischen Simulation von induktiven Randschichthärteprozessen vorgestellt, welche bei schwierigen Fragestellungen als unterstützendes Werkzeug zur Prozessauslegung verwendet werden können. Zum einen wird ein 3-D-Modell für die Simulation beim Vorschubhärten komplexer Bauteile gezeigt. In diesem Fall steht das Konzept der Modellierung im Fokus. Für einen Härteinduktor mit einer sehr aufwendigen Bestückung an Feldkonzentratoren, welcher beim Härten von Großlager-innenringen zum Einsatz kommt, wird die Anwendung beispielhaft demonstriert. Es wird gezeigt, dass das Modell durch den Vergleich von Simulationsergebnissen und Experimenten verifiziert werden konnte. Zum anderen wird ein inverses, numerisches Berechnungsverfahren vorgestellt, welches sich auf die Verwendung von Optimierungsalgorithmen stützt. Ausgehend von einem Härteprofil wird dabei auf die Abmessungen und die Position des Induktors relativ zum Werkstück sowie die elektrischen Parameter zurückgeschlossen. Anhand des Beispiels einer Hohlwelle wird gezeigt, dass mithilfe dieses Ansatzes eine effektive Prozessauslegung erfolgen kann.
Structure investigation of soil aggregates treated with different organic matter using X-ray micro tomography*
Authors: Nakano Keiko , Herppich Werner B. , Kardjilov Nikolay , Manke Ingo , Hilger André , Dawson Martin , Masuda Kinya , Hara Yoshitaka , Matsushima Uzuki
Published: March 2015

Soil aggregation which is favorable for plant growth, can be modified by the presence of organic matter and farmers apply different materials to promote soil aggregation and enhance its stability. However, the relationship between the type of organic matter and the resulting properties of the aggregate structure is unclear. Using micro X-ray tomography, intra-aggregate pore formation in soils from fields in Southwestern Japan fed with different organic fertilizers was compared. Organic matter, especially manure-based matter, increased porosity of the intra-aggregate, which is considered to increase growth conditions. Pores that connected the core of the aggregates with the surface were observed in organic matter-applied fields and sponge-like pores were observed in manure-fed fields.
Cold formability of AISI 1020 steel sheets
Authors: Kulekci Mustafa Kemal , Kahraman Funda , Esme Ugur , Buldum Bariş
Published: March 2015

A forming limit diagram (FLD) illustrates the behavior of sheet metal under different levels of strain. The line describing the behavior of the metal is called forming limit curve (FLC). Forming limit diagram provides information on the maximum stress the metal can undergo before fracturing or necking. The diagrams are constructed by using forming limit test of sheet metal and measuring the deformation. In this study, formability of AISI 1020 sheet metal with different thickness were investigated using experimental data obtained from forming limit test. Forming limit diagram, strain hardening exponent (n) and height of cup values have been obtained for evaluating formability of the studied material. After each test, deformation of the grid was measured by using Mylar band and the true major and true minor strains were computed. Same formability results have been found from the FLD, strain hardening exponent and height of the cup for studied materials.
Friction weldability of a PA 6 polymer
Authors: Aydin Mustafa
Published: March 2015

In the present study, the weldability of friction welded polyamide 6 was investigated. Friction welding was conducted at a rotation speed of 2800 rpm and varying friction durations of 8, 12 and 16 seconds. It was found that the hardness of the sample did not change, but the tensile properties of the PA 6 material significantly decreased for the 8 s friction duration condition. In all samples, the tensile fracture occurred at the boundary towards the heat affected zone. The fractographic examination of the fractured PA 6 specimen showed brittle rupture of the specimen welded with 8 s friction duration. The optical microscopy, SEM and tensile test analysis suggested that the bonding line is well established in the welds. In contrast to the non-welded samples, the welded samples showed 55 % of the tensile strength.
Microstructural and mechanical characterization of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag for use as abrasive grit material
Authors: Polat Şeyda , Kahrıman Fulya
Published: March 2015

Steel slag, a by-product of the steelmaking process, may turn into a useful material with many different applications if it is properly characterized. In the present study, samples of electric arc furnace slag received from a local steel producer have been analyzed in an attempt to solve the problem of waste disposal. The slag microstructure has been evaluated by light and electron microscopes and elemental compositions of the phases are determined by microanalysis. The quantities and hardness values of the phases present in the microstructure are measured by image analysis and micro-hardness tester, respectively. Particle size distribution, particle shape and bulk chemical composition are also determined and compared with an abrasive grit material used in shipyards for paint removal. Results show that present slag has a high potential to be used as blasting abrasive in place of the expensive grit material.
Optimierung einer Probenform für den Kreuzzugversuch zur Bestimmung der Grenzformänderung
Authors: Jocham David , Baumann Martin , Volk Wolfram
Published: March 2015

Kurzfassung

Der Kreuzzugversuch stellt mit zwei senkrecht aufeinander liegenden Kraftrichtungen eine Möglichkeit zur Abbildung mehrachsiger Spannungszustände in der Materialprüfung dar. Die erreichbare Formänderung ist in Probenmitte der gängigen Kreuzzugproben sehr limitiert, so dass diese lediglich zur Bestimmung von Fließortskurven im ersten Quadranten bei niedrigen Vergleichsformänderungen Anwendung finden. Durch eine Analyse der geometrischen Merkmale gängiger Kreuzzugproben wie Schlitze, Kantenverrundungen und Vertiefungen mit Hilfe der FEM wurde eine Kreuzzugprobe zur Bestimmung der Grenzformänderung unter mehrachsiger Belastung optimiert. Durch geeignete Anordnung und Form der Schlitze sowie einer Vertiefung in Probenmitte werden Formänderungen erreicht, die im Bereich der Grenzformänderungskurve liegen. Weiterhin besteht die Möglichkeit die Probengeometrie durch Kleben einzelner Bleche zu erstellen. Hierdurch können eine spanende Bearbeitung der Probe und die einhergehende Veränderung der Werkstoffeigenschaften im Auswertebereich der Probenform vermieden werden.
Preoperative endovascular embolization of meningiomas: update on therapeutic options
Authors: Shah Aatman , Choudhri Omar , Jung Henry , Li Gordon
Published: March 2015

In this review paper the authors analyze new therapeutic options for the embolization of meningiomas, as well as the future of meningioma treatment through recent relevant cohorts and articles. They investigate various embolic materials, types of meningiomas amenable to embolization, imaging techniques, and potential imaging biomarkers that could aid in the delivery of embolic materials. They also analyze perfusion status, complications, and new technical aspects of endovascular preoperative embolization of meningiomas. A literature search was performed in PubMed using the terms “meningioma” and “embolization” to investigate recent therapeutic options involving embolization in the treatment of meningioma. The authors looked at various cohorts, complications, materials, and timings of meningioma treatment. Liquid embolic materials are preferable to particle agents because particle embolization carries a higher risk of hemorrhage. Liquid agents maximize the effect of devascularization because of deeper penetration into the trunk and distal tumor vessels. The 3 main imaging techniques, MRI, CT, and angiography, can all be used in a complementary fashion to aid in analyzing and treating meningiomas. Intraarterial perfusion MRI and a new imaging modality for identifying biomarkers, susceptibility-weighted principles of echo shifting with a train of observations (SW-PRESTO), can relay information about perfusion status and degrees of ischemia in embolized meningiomas, and they could be very useful in the realm of therapeutics with embolic material delivery. Direct puncture is yet another therapeutic technique that would allow for more accurate embolization and less blood loss during resection.
Quinoline-based antimalarial drugs: a novel class of autophagy inhibitors
Authors: Golden Encouse B. , Cho Hee-Yeon , Hofman Florence M. , Louie Stan G. , Schönthal Axel H. , Chen Thomas C.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Chloroquine (CQ) is a quinoline-based drug widely used for the prevention and treatment of malaria. More recent studies have provided evidence that this drug may also harbor antitumor properties, whereby CQ possesses the ability to accumulate in lysosomes and blocks the cellular process of autophagy. Therefore, the authors of this study set out to investigate whether CQ analogs, in particular clinically established antimalaria drugs, would also be able to exert antitumor properties, with a specific focus on glioma cells.

METHODS

Toward this goal, the authors treated different glioma cell lines with quinine (QN), quinacrine (QNX), mefloquine (MFQ), and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and investigated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress–induced cell death, autophagy, and cell death.

RESULTS

All agents blocked cellular autophagy and exerted cytotoxic effects on drug-sensitive and drug-resistant glioma cells with varying degrees of potency (QNX > MFQ > HCQ > CQ > QN). Furthermore, all quinoline-based drugs killed glioma cells that were highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ), the current standard of care for patients with glioma. The cytotoxic mechanism involved the induction of apoptosis and ER stress, as indicated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and CHOP/GADD153. The induction of ER stress and resulting apoptosis could be confirmed in the in vivo setting, in which tumor tissues from animals treated with quinoline-based drugs showed increased expression of CHOP/GADD153, along with elevated TUNEL staining, a measure of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, the antimalarial compounds investigated in this study hold promise as a novel class of autophagy inhibitors for the treatment of newly diagnosed TMZ-sensitive and recurrent TMZ-resistant gliomas.
Renaissance of laser interstitial thermal ablation
Authors: Missios Symeon , Bekelis Kimon , Barnett Gene H.
Published: March 2015

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive technique for treating intracranial tumors, originally introduced in 1983. Its use in neurosurgical procedures was historically limited by early technical difficulties related to the monitoring and control of the extent of thermal damage. The development of magnetic resonance thermography and its application to LITT have allowed for real-time thermal imaging and feedback control during laser energy delivery, allowing for precise and accurate provision of tissue hyperthermia. Improvements in laser probe design, surgical stereotactic targeting hardware, and computer monitoring software have accelerated acceptance and clinical utilization of LITT as a neurosurgical treatment alternative. Current commercially available LITT systems have been used for the treatment of neurosurgical soft-tissue lesions, including difficult to access brain tumors, malignant gliomas, and radiosurgery-resistant metastases, as well as for the ablation of such lesions as epileptogenic foci and radiation necrosis. In this review, the authors aim to critically analyze the literature to describe the advent of LITT as a neurosurgical, laser excision tool, including its development, use, indications, and efficacy as it relates to neurosurgical applications.
The effects of alternating electric fields in glioblastoma: current evidence on therapeutic mechanisms and clinical outcomes
Authors: Rehman Azeem A. , Elmore Kevin B. , Mattei Tobias A.
Published: March 2015

Glioblastoma is both the most common and most lethal primary CNS malignancy in adults, accounting for 45.6% of all malignant CNS tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of only 5.0%, despite the utilization of multimodal therapy including resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. Currently available treatment options for glioblastoma often remain limited, offering brief periods of improved survival, but with substantial side effects. As such, improvements in current treatment strategies or, more likely, the implementation of novel strategies altogether are warranted. In this topic review, the authors provide a comprehensive review on the potential of alternating electric fields (AEFs) in the treatment of glioblastoma. Alternating electric fields—also known as tumor-treating fields (TTFs)—represent an entirely original therapeutic modality with preliminary studies suggesting comparable, and at times improved, efficacy to standard chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. A recent multicenter, Phase III, randomized clinical trial comparing NovoTTF-100A monotherapy to physician's best choice chemotherapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma revealed that AEFs have similar efficacy to standard chemotherapeutic agents with a more favorable side-effects profile and improved quality of life. In particular, AEFs were shown to have limited systemic adverse effects, with the most common side effect being contact dermatitis on the scalp at the sites of transducer placement. This study prompted FDA approval of the NovoTTF-100A system in April 2011 as a standalone therapy for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma refractory to surgical and radiation treatment. In addition to discussing the available clinical evidence regarding the utilization of AEFs in glioblastoma, this article provides essential information regarding the supposed therapeutic mechanism as well as modes of potential tumor resistance to such novel therapy, delineating future perspectives regarding basic science research on the issue.
Effects of convection-enhanced delivery of bevacizumab on survival of glioma-bearing animals
Authors: Wang Weijun , Sivakumar Walavan , Torres Shering , Jhaveri Niyati , Vaikari Vijaya Pooja , Gong Alex , Howard Adam , Golden Encouse B. , Louie Stan G. , Schönthal Axel H. , Hofman Florence M. , Chen Thomas C.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Bevacizumab (Avastin), an antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), alone or in combination with irinotecan (Camptosar [CPT-11]), is a promising treatment for recurrent glioblastoma. However, the intravenous (IV) administration of bevacizumab produces a number of systemic side effects, and the increase in survival it provides for patients with recurrent glioblastoma is still only a few months. Because bevacizumab is an antibody against VEGF, which is secreted into the extracellular milieu by glioma cells, the authors hypothesized that direct chronic intratumoral delivery techniques (i.e., convection-enhanced delivery [CED]) can be more effective than IV administration. To test this hypothesis, the authors compared outcomes for these routes of bevacizumab application with respect to animal survival, microvessel density (MVD), and inflammatory cell distribution.

METHODS

Two human glioma cell lines, U87 and U251, were used as sources of intracranial tumor cells. The glioma cell lines were implanted into the brains of mice in an orthotopic xenograft mouse tumor model. After 7 days, the mice were treated with one of the following: 1) vehicle, 2) CED bevacizumab, 3) IV bevacizumab, 4) intraperitoneal (IP) irinotecan, 5) CED bevacizumab plus IP irinotecan, or 6) IV bevacizumab plus IP irinotecan. Alzet micro-osmotic pumps were used to introduce bevacizumab directly into the tumor. Survival was monitored. Excised tumor tissue samples were immunostained to measure MVD and inflammatory cell and growth factor levels.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that mice treated with CED of bevacizumab alone or in combination with irinotecan survived longer than those treated systemically; CED-treated animals survived 30% longer than IV-treated animals. In combination studies, CED bevacizumab plus CPT-11 increased survival by more than 90%, whereas IV bevacizumab plus CPT-11 increased survival by 40%. Furthermore, CED bevacizumab-treated tissues exhibited decreased MVD compared with that of IV-treated tissues. In additional studies, the infiltration of macrophages and dendritic cells into CED-treated animals were increased compared with those in IV-treated animals, suggesting a highly active inflammatory response taking place in CED-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of bevacizumab via CED increases survival over that of treatment with IV bevacizumab. Thus, CED of bevacizumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be an effective protocol for treating gliomas.
Novel delivery methods bypassing the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers
Authors: Hendricks Benjamin K. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Miller James C.
Published: March 2015

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and carries a grave prognosis. Despite years of research investigating potentially new therapies for GBM, the median survival rate of individuals with this disease has remained fairly stagnant. Delivery of drugs to the tumor site is hampered by various barriers posed by the GBM pathological process and by the complex physiology of the blood-brain and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barriers. These anatomical and physiological barriers serve as a natural protection for the brain and preserve brain homeostasis, but they also have significantly limited the reach of intraparenchymal treatments in patients with GBM.

In this article, the authors review the functional capabilities of the physical and physiological barriers that impede chemotherapy for GBM, with a specific focus on the pathological alterations of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in this disease. They also provide an overview of current and future methods for circumventing these barriers in therapeutic interventions. Although ongoing research has yielded some potential options for future GBM therapies, delivery of chemotherapy medications across the BBB remains elusive and has limited the efficacy of these medications.
A New Triterpenoid and Potential Anticancer Cytotoxic Activity of Isolated Compounds from the Roots of Eucalyptus Citriodora
Authors: He Ying , Shang Qisong , Tian Liping
Published: March 2015

Citriodora A, 3β,25-dihydroxy-5α,6α-epoxy-7-oxocucurbita-(23E)-en-19-al, a new triterpenoid, has been isolated from the roots of Eucalyptus citriodora, together with five known analogues, which were reported for the first time from this plant. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies including mass spectroscopy and extensive 2D NMR. All components were tested for anticancer cytotoxic activity against osseous tumour cell line.
Zinc(II) and Co(II) Complexes based on Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl) Aniline: Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Antioxidative Activity
Authors: Wu Huilu , Zhang Han , Wang Fei , Peng Hongping , Cui Yiming , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Yanhui
Published: March 2015

Bis(N-allylbenzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)aniline (L) and its complexes, [Zn(L)(Cl)2] and [Co(L)(Cl)2], have been synthesised and the structures of both complexes have been determined. [Zn(L)(Cl)2] can be described as distorted tetrahedron, while [Co(L)(Cl)2] has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In addition, the complexes were found to possess potent hydroxyl antioxidant activity and be better than standard antioxidants like vitamin C and mannitol. In particular, [Co(L)(Cl)2] displayed excellent activity towards the superoxide radical.
First Synthesis of 2-Ferrocenoyl-3-Methylbenzofuran Derivatives
Authors: Zhuoma Bairenqing , Li Yang , Gao Wentao
Published: March 2015

The incorporation of the 3-methylbenzofuran moiety into the ferrocene nucleus leading to a series of structurally novel hybrids 2-ferrocenoyl-3-methylbenzofuran derivatives has been achieved in good yields of 76-85% through the one-pot Rap-Stoermer reaction of 1-chloroacetylferrocene with 2′-hydroxyacetophenones in refluxing CH3CN with the presence of K2CO3 as base and PEG-400 as catalyst. These newly-synthesised compounds could be good candidates for the development of compounds for use in medicinal chemistry.
Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of Metalloporphyrazines Carrying 2-(Ethyl)-1,3-Dioxanethio-Groups
Authors: Kılıçarslan Fatma Aytan , Erdoğmuş Ali , Erden İbrahim , Avcıata Ulvi
Published: March 2015

The synthesis, photophysical and spectroscopic properties of soluble 2-(ethyl)-1,3-dioxanethio-substituted metal-free and metalloporphyrazines containing Mg(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) are reported. The aggregation behaviour of these compounds was investigated in different solvents and concentrations. The effects of the substituent and the nature of the metal ion on the photophysical parameters of the Mg(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) porphyrazines are also reported.
Synthesis of S-3-Hydroxyadamantylglycine Ester by a Pd/C Promoted Mild Leuckart-Wallach Reaction and an L-Dibenzoyltartaric Acid Resolution
Authors: Pan Xianhua , Zhao Dongxian , Shi Yao , Huang Youyou , Chen Siyu , Liu Feng
Published: March 2015

A mild Leuckart-Wallach reaction in the presence of catalytic amount Pd/C was developed. Under the optimised reaction conditions, 30% Pd/C loading, 40 °C, 6 atm N2 atmosphere, racemic 3-hydroxyadamantylglycine ester was obtained in 85% yield. The racemic amino esters were resolved chemically. The ethyl ester was resolved with L-dibenzoyltartaric acid in i-PrOH, give (S)-3-hydroxyadamantylglycine ester in 99% ee and 34% yield. The enantiomerically enriched unwanted isomer was converted to the racemic amino ester and resolved again.
A Green, Facile Approach for the Multicomponent Synthesis of Bioactive Spiro[Indoline-3,7′-Pyrrolo[1,2-c]Imidazole] Derivatives
Authors: Shen Tianhua , Zhou Yongbing , Che Fengfeng , Yu Jiangxia , Lin Yan , Song Qingbao
Published: March 2015

An efficient synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,7′-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole] is achieved through a three-component reaction of isatins, malononitrile, and hydantoin/2-thiohydantoin in water catalysed by NaHCO3. All the target compounds were screened for the Cell Division Cycle 25 Phosphatase B (CDC25B) inhibitory activities.
A Cautionary Tale: The ‘New’ Medical Tourism Industry in Argentina
Authors: Vindrola-Padros Cecilia
Published: March 2015

Argentina's universal model of healthcare and open immigration policies make it a popular destination for people from neighbouring countries requiring free medical treatments. These medical tourists come from Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay. They are often from low-income households and rural areas, and travel to Argentina seeking medical attention in public hospitals because they are unable to pay for services in their own countries. In addition to these patients, current governmental-private sector agreements are being put in place to attract patients from the US and Europe. This new initiative – called Medicina Argentina (Argentina Healthcare) – hopes to raise the number of foreign patients from 6000 per year to 100,000. In theory, this change in government policy seeks to: provide services to patients who might not be able to access them in their own countries (due to high cost, unavailability, or long waiting lists), increase Argentine tourism income, and improve the quality of the medical services available for local populations. However, in practice, it will mean that an already overburdened healthcare system will have to adapt to suit the needs of short-term, medical tourists. The flow of foreign patients will interact with local migrating patients to create a tiered system of medical tourism, posing ethical and legal challenges in the distribution of scarce resources and regulation of medical care. In this article, I explore the ethical and practical impact of this ‘new’ medical tourism industry on the care provided to the local population.
Do Transitive Preferences Always Result in Indifferent Divisions?
Authors: Makowski Marcin , Piotrowski Edward , Sładkowski Jan
Published: March 2015

The transitivity of preferences is one of the basic assumptions used in the theory of games and decisions. It is often equated with the rationality of choice and is considered useful in building rankings. Intransitive preferences are considered paradoxical and undesirable. This problem is discussed by many social and natural scientists. A simple model of a sequential game in which two players choose one of the two elements in each iteration is discussed in this paper. The players make their decisions in different contexts defined by the rules of the game. It appears that the optimal strategy of one of the players can only be intransitive (the so-called relevant intransitive strategy)! On the other hand, the optimal strategy for the second player can be either transitive or intransitive. A quantum model of the game using pure one-qubit strategies is considered. In this model, an increase in the importance of intransitive strategies is observed: there is a certain course of the game where intransitive strategies are the only optimal strategies for both players. The study of decision-making models using quantum information theory tools may shed some new light on the understanding of mechanisms that drive the formation of types of preferences.
Mining Informative Hydrologic Data by Using Support Vector Machines and Elucidating Mined Data according to Information Entropy
Authors: Chen Shien-Tsung
Published: March 2015

The support vector machine is used as a data mining technique to extract informative hydrologic data on the basis of a strong relationship between error tolerance and the number of support vectors. Hydrologic data of flash flood events in the Lan-Yang River basin in Taiwan were used for the case study. Various percentages (from 50% to 10%) of hydrologic data, including those for flood stage and rainfall data, were mined and used as informative data to characterize a flood hydrograph. Information on these mined hydrologic data sets was quantified using entropy indices, namely marginal entropy, joint entropy, transinformation, and conditional entropy. Analytical results obtained using the entropy indices proved that the mined informative data could be hydrologically interpreted and have a meaningful explanation based on information entropy. Estimates of marginal and joint entropies showed that, in view of flood forecasting, the flood stage was a more informative variable than rainfall. In addition, hydrologic models with variables containing more total information were preferable to variables containing less total information. Analysis results of transinformation explained that approximately 30% of information on the flood stage could be derived from the upstream flood stage and 10% to 20% from the rainfall. Elucidating the mined hydrologic data by applying information theory enabled using the entropy indices to interpret various hydrologic processes.
Biohydrogen Fermentation from Sucrose and Piggery Waste with High Levels of Bicarbonate Alkalinity
Authors: Choi Jeongdong , Ahn Youngho
Published: March 2015

This study examined the influence of biohydrogen fermentation under the high bicarbonate alkalinity (BA) and pH to optimize these critical parameters. When sucrose was used as a substrate, hydrogen was produced over a wide range of pH values (5–9) under no BA supplementation; however, BA affected hydrogen yield significantly under different initial pHs (5–10). The actual effect of high BA using raw piggery waste (pH 8.7 and BA 8.9 g CaCO3/L) showed no biogas production or propionate/acetate accumulation. The maximum hydrogen production rate (0.32 L H2/g volatile suspended solids (VSS)-d) was observed at pH 8.95 and 3.18 g CaCO3/L. BA greater than 4 g CaCO3/L also triggered lactate-type fermentation, leading to propionate accumulation, butyrate reduction and homoacetogenesis, potentially halting the hydrogen production rate. These results highlight that the substrate with high BA need to amend adequately to maximize hydrogen production.
Double Distribution Activation Energy Model as Suitable Tool in Explaining Biomass and Coal Pyrolysis Behavior
Authors: De Filippis Paolo , De Caprariis Benedetta , Scarsella Marco , Verdone Nicola
Published: March 2015

Understanding and modeling of coal and biomass pyrolysis assume particular importance being the first step occurring in both gasification and combustion processes. The complex chemical reaction network occurring in this step leads to a necessary effort in developing a suitable model framework capable of grasping the physics of the phenomenon and allowing a deeper comprehension of the sequence of events. The aim of this work is to show how the intrinsic flexibility of a model based on a double distribution of the activation energy is able to properly describe the two separate steps of primary and secondary pyrolysis, which characterize the thermochemical processing of most of the energetic materials. The model performance was tested by fitting the kinetic parameters from experimental data obtained by thermogravimetric analysis of two materials, which represent very different classes of energy source: a microalgae biomass and a sub-bituminous coal. The model reproduces with high accuracy the pyrolysis behavior of both the materials and adds important information about the relative occurring of the two pyrolysis steps.
Analysis on Storage Off-Gas Emissions from Woody, Herbaceous, and Torrefied Biomass
Authors: Tumuluru Jaya , Lim C. , Bi Xiaotao , Kuang Xingya , Melin Staffan , Yazdanpanah Fahimeh , Sokhansanj Shahab
Published: March 2015

Wood chips, torrefied wood chips, ground switchgrass, and wood pellets were tested for off‑gas emissions during storage. Storage canisters with gas‑collection ports were used to conduct experiments at room temperature of 20 °C and in a laboratory oven set at 40 °C. Commercially-produced wood pellets yielded the highest carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at both 20 and 40 °C (1600 and 13,000 ppmv), whereas torrefied wood chips emitted the lowest of about <200 and <2000 ppmv. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from wood pellets were 3000 ppmv and 42,000 ppmv, whereas torrefied wood chips registered at about 2000 and 25,000 ppmv, at 20 and 40 °C at the end of 11 days of storage. CO emission factors (milligrams per kilogram of biomass) calculated were lowest for ground switchgrass and torrefied wood chips (2.68 and 4.86 mg/kg) whereas wood pellets had the highest CO of about 10.60 mg/kg, respectively, at 40 °C after 11 days of storage. In the case of CO2, wood pellets recorded the lowest value of 55.46 mg/kg, whereas switchgrass recorded the highest value of 318.72 mg/kg. This study concludes that CO emission factor is highest for wood pellets, CO2 is highest for switchgrass and CH4 is negligible for all feedstocks except for wood pellets, which is about 0.374 mg/kg at the end of 11-day storage at 40 °C.
Analysis of Unmanned Aerial System-Based CIR Images in Forestry—A New Perspective to Monitor Pest Infestation Levels
Authors: Lehmann Jan , Nieberding Felix , Prinz Torsten , Knoth Christian
Published: March 2015

The detection of pest infestation is an important aspect of forest management. In the case of the oak splendour beetle (Agrilus biguttatus) infestation, the affected oaks (Quercus sp.) show high levels of defoliation and altered canopy reflection signature. These critical features can be identified in high-resolution colour infrared (CIR) images of the tree crown and branches level captured by Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). In this study, we used a small UAS equipped with a compact digital camera which has been calibrated and modified to record not only the visual but also the near infrared reflection (NIR) of possibly infested oaks. The flight campaigns were realized in August 2013, covering two study sites which are located in a rural area in western Germany. Both locations represent small-scale, privately managed commercial forests in which oaks are economically valuable species. Our workflow includes the CIR/NIR image acquisition, mosaicking, georeferencing and pixel-based image enhancement followed by object-based image classification techniques. A modified Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVImod) derived classification was used to distinguish between five vegetation health classes, i.e., infested, healthy or dead branches, other vegetation and canopy gaps. We achieved an overall Kappa Index of Agreement (KIA) of 0.81 and 0.77 for each study site, respectively. This approach offers a low-cost alternative to private forest owners who pursue a sustainable management strategy.
Participatory Design to Enhance ICT Learning and Community Attachment: A Case Study in Rural Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yi-Ting
Published: March 2015

This study used observation and interviews with participants in “PunCar Action” to understand how participatory design methods can be applied to the education of rural individuals in information and communication technology (ICT). PunCar Action is a volunteer program in which ICT educators tour the rural communities of Taiwan, offering courses on the use of digital technology. This paper makes three contributions: First, we found that participatory design is an excellent way to teach ICT and Web 2.0 skills, co-create community blogs, and sustain intrinsic motivation to use Web applications. Second, PunCar Action provides an innovative bottom-up intergenerational ICT education model with high penetrability capable of enhancing the confidence of rural residents in the use of ICT. Third, the content of basic courses was based on applications capable of making the lives of elderly individuals more convenient, and the advanced course was based on the co-creation of community blogs aimed at reviving the core functions of communities and expanding local industry. Our research was conducted with the use of a non-quantitative index to measure ICT learning performance of participants from a rural community. The results show that PunCar Action emphasizes interpersonal communication and informational applications and creates a collaborative process that encourages rural residents to take action to close the digital divide.
Validation Analysis of a Geriatric Dehydration Screening Tool in Community-Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly People
Authors: Rodrigues Susana , Silva Joana , Severo Milton , Inácio Cátia , Padrão Patrícia , Lopes Carla , Carvalho Joana , Carmo Isabel , Moreira Pedro
Published: March 2015

Dehydration is common among elderly people. The aim of this study was to perform validation analysis of a geriatric dehydration-screening tool (DST) in the assessment of hydration status in elderly people. This tool was based on the DST proposed by Vivanti et al., which is composed by 11 items (four physical signs of dehydration and seven questions about thirst sensation, pain and mobility), with four questions extra about drinking habits. The resulting questionnaire was evaluated in a convenience sample comprising institutionalized (n = 29) and community-dwelling (n = 74) elderly people. Urinary parameters were assessed (24-h urine osmolality and volume) and free water reserve (FWR) was calculated. Exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate the scale’s dimensionality and Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure the reliability of each subscale. Construct’s validity was tested using linear regression to estimate the association between scores in each dimension and urinary parameters. Two factors emerged from factor analysis, which were named “Hydration Score” and “Pain Score”, and both subscales showed acceptable reliabilities. The “Hydration Score” was negatively associated with 24-h urine osmolality in community-dwelling; and the “Pain Score” was negatively associated with 24-h urine osmolality, and positively associated with 24-h urine volume and FWR in institutionalized elderly people.
Understanding Socio-cultural Influences on Smoking among Older Greek-Australian Smokers Aged 50 and over: Facilitators or Barriers? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mohammadnezhad Masoud , Tsourtos George , Wilson Carlene , Ratcliffe Julie , Ward Paul
Published: March 2015

Smokers of all ages can benefit by quitting, but many smokers continue to smoke. Older Greek-Australian smokers, one of the largest ethnic groups in Australia, have higher rates of smoking than other groups of older Australians. This qualitative study aimed to explore older Greek-Australians’ views about socio-cultural influences on their smoking. A snowball sampling technique was used to identify twenty Greek–Australian smokers (12 males and eight females), aged ≥ 50 years. They were recruited through the Greek Orthodox Community Center of South Australia (GOCSA). Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The audio-taped interviews were translated and transcribed, and then analysed using content analysis. Results suggested that smoking was considered as the “norm” by older Greek-Australian smokers. There were four groups embedded in the participants’ social networks that were reported to be important in relation to either encouraging smoking or, smoking abstinence. These support groups included: family members, friends, the Greek community, and physicians. Smokers’ family members (brothers) and friends were identified as facilitators of smoking whereas non-smoker family members (children and spouses) were reported as providing barriers to smoking. Different approaches were used by supporter groups to assist smokers to quit smoking—both planned and unplanned. Knowledge, planning of social and cultural supports, and addressing barriers to smoking cessation are a important part of health planning for older Greek-Australians. Social norms, including those arising from social interactions, and predisposing traits can influence smoking behaviour. Addressing the specific barriers to smoking cessation of older Greek-Australians is critical to addressing the risk for chronic disease in this group.
Method Comparison for Enhanced Recovery, Isolation and Qualitative Detection of C. jejuni and C. coli from Wastewater Effluent Samples
Authors: Ugarte-Ruiz María , Florez-Cuadrado Diego , Wassenaar Trudy , Porrero María , Domínguez Lucas
Published: March 2015

Seeking a sensitive protocol, culture-dependent methods were compared to detect thermophilic Campylobacter species in untreated urban effluents. We evaluated various combinations of selective media, with and without an enrichment steps, as well as an extra filtration step. Culture-independent real-time quantitative PCR was also included and all detected isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. All tested water samples contained Campylobacter DNA, but only 64% were positive after culture. Although enrichment using Preston broth resulted in better recovery of potentially stressed Campylobacter than Bolton or Campyfood broth (CFB), there was no significant increase in efficiency compared to direct plating. The type of selective agar media used, on the other hand, had a significant effect, with CASA plates performing better than mCCDA or CFA ones. Inclusion of an enrichment step increased the ratio of C. coli vs. C. jejuni being isolated. Resistances against all antimicrobials tested were observed in C. coli, but fewer instances of resistance were found in C. jejuni isolates. Whether this difference was the result of selection during the enrichment step could not be determined. The presence of Campylobacter in urban effluents can be considered as a valuable proxy for Campylobacter populations present in urban environments.
Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Authors: Matsubara Keiichi , Higaki Takashi , Matsubara Yuko , Nawa Akihiro
Published: March 2015

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by disturbed extravillous trophoblast migration toward uterine spiral arteries leading to increased uteroplacental vascular resistance and by vascular dysfunction resulting in reduced systemic vasodilatory properties. Its pathogenesis is mediated by an altered bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and tissue damage caused by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, superoxide (O2−) rapidly inactivates NO and forms peroxynitrite (ONOO−). It is known that ONOO− accumulates in the placental tissues and injures the placental function in PE. In addition, ROS could stimulate platelet adhesion and aggregation leading to intravascular coagulopathy. ROS-induced coagulopathy causes placental infarction and impairs the uteroplacental blood flow in PE. The disorders could lead to the reduction of oxygen and nutrients required for normal fetal development resulting in fetal growth restriction. On the other hand, several antioxidants scavenge ROS and protect tissues against oxidative damage. Placental antioxidants including catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) protect the vasculature from ROS and maintain the vascular function. However, placental ischemia in PE decreases the antioxidant activity resulting in further elevated oxidative stress, which leads to the appearance of the pathological conditions of PE including hypertension and proteinuria. Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between ROS and antioxidant activity. This review provides new insights about roles of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of PE.
Methods for Biomimetic Remineralization of Human Dentine: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cao Chris , Mei May , Li Quan-Li , Lo Edward , Chu Chun
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to review the laboratory methods on biomimetic remineralization of demineralized human dentine. A systematic search of the publications in the PubMed, TRIP, and Web of Science databases was performed. Titles and abstracts of initially identified publications were screened. Clinical trials, reviews, non-English articles, resin-dentine interface studies, hybrid layer studies, hybrid scaffolds studies, and irrelevant studies were excluded. The remaining papers were retrieved with full texts. Manual screening was conducted on the bibliographies of remaining papers to identify relevant articles. A total of 716 studies were found, and 690 were excluded after initial screening. Two articles were identified from the bibliographies of the remaining papers. After retrieving the full text, 23 were included in this systematic review. Sixteen studies used analogues to mimic the functions of non-collagenous proteins in biomineralization of dentine, and four studies used bioactive materials to induce apatite formation on demineralized dentine surface. One study used zinc as a bioactive element, one study used polydopamine, and another study constructed an agarose hydrogel system for biomimetic mineralization of dentine. Many studies reported success in biomimetic mineralization of dentine, including the use of non-collagenous protein analogues, bioactive materials, or elements and agarose hydrogel system.
Nerve Demyelination Increases Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5 Expression in Peripheral Painful Mononeuropathy
Authors: Ko Miau-Hwa , Hsieh Yu-Lin , Hsieh Sung-Tsang , Tseng To-Jung
Published: March 2015

Wallerian degeneration or nerve demyelination, arising from spinal nerve compression, is thought to bring on chronic neuropathic pain. The widely distributed metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) is involved in modulating nociceptive transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of mGluR5 on peripheral hypersensitivities after chronic constriction injury (CCI). Sprague-Dawley rats were operated on with four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve to induce thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Primary afferents in dermis after CCI exhibited progressive decreases, defined as partial cutaneous denervation; importantly, mGluR5 expressions in primary afferents were statistically increased. CCI-induced neuropathic pain behaviors through the intraplantar injections of 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), a selective mGluR5 antagonist, were dose-dependently attenuated. Furthermore, the most increased mGluR5 expressions in primary afferents surrounded by reactive Schwann cells were observed at the distal CCI stumps of sciatic nerves. In conclusion, these results suggest that nerve demyelination results in the increases of mGluR5 expression in injured primary afferents after CCI; and further suggest that mGluR5 represents a main therapeutic target in developing pharmacological strategies to prevent peripheral hypersensitivities.