bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New record of the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax f. virginalis from Italy
Authors: Vojkovská R. , Horká I. , Tricarico E. , Ďuriš Z.
Published: November 2014

To date, the ‘marbled crayfish’,Procambarus fallax(Hagen, 1870) f.virginalis, in Italy has been reported only from Tuscany (central Italy). Recently, specimens of this alien American crayfish were found in the Po di Maistra Channel, Porto Tolle, south of Venice (northern Italy). The identification of this species was confirmed by its external morphology and colour pattern, as well as by molecular analysis. The present report provides the second record for the marbled crayfish in Italy.
Historical Semantics of the Word ʿaḏrā
Authors: Bavani Rezvan Massah
Published: November 2014

The word ʿaḏrāʾ initially reminds Muslims or Arab Christians of the Virgin Mary, who is always referred to with great respect and reverence. The association of Mary with the term ʿaḏrāʾ itself has a long history. However, the question is why she was given this attribute and whether or not this word was used in the sense of a “maiden and virgin.” In this paper, the writer has tried to explore the historical process of semantic evolution of this word and reveal its various meanings in broader texts.
Retour sur le problème historiographique de la conquête arabe de l’Andalus
Authors: Guichard Pierre
Published: November 2014

L’article est un compte rendu commenté du récent (2013) livre d’Alejandro García Sanjuan sur la conquête arabe de l’Espagne. Cet auteur rappelle l’histoire des thèses « négationnistes », qui sous leur forme extrême avaient été développées d’abord par Ignacio Olagüe (Les Arabes n’ont jamais envahi l’Espagne, Paris, 1969). La diffusion de ces idées, qui contestent ou minimisent à l’excès la réalité historique de cet événement, et ont été plutôt répandues dans des milieux para-universitaires, est favorisée par l’Internet. García Sanjuan critique de façon particulièrement vigoureuse l’appui qui leur a été apporté par l’universitaire arabisant E. Gonzalez Ferrín dans son Historia general de al-Andalus (2006). Il consacre surtout l’essentiel de l’ouvrage à une défense fortement argumentée de la validité des sources écrites arabes et latines, ainsi que des données archéologiques, pour établir l’historicité de la conquête.
A Maqāma Collection by a Mamlūk Historian: al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya by al-Ḥasan b. Abī Muḥammad al-Ṣafadī (fl. First Quarter of the 8th/14th c.)
Authors: Pomerantz Maurice A.
Published: November 2014

This article is a description and guide to the contents of al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya by al-Ḥasan b. Abī Muḥammad al-Ṣafadī (fl. first quarter of the 8th/14th c.). The article begins with a discussion of the life of the author al-Ṣafadī and his works. It provides evidence for his biography derived from unpublished manuscript sources. The article then considers features of the authorial context of al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya, including notes found in Laleli ms 1929, and evidence for the dedication of al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya to the famed geographer, historian, and ruler of Hama, al-Malik al-Muʾayyad Abū l-Fidāʾ (672/1273-732/1332). The remainder of the article provides a description of al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya, its narrative structures, the contents of the thirty individual maqāmāt, and explores parallels between al-Maqāmāt al-Ǧalāliyya and other works of the maqāma genre. The final section includes a sample text of al-Maqāma l-Tīzīniyya and an accompanying commentary.
The Authenticity of Amerigo Vespucci’s Mundus Novus and Information Untold about His Third Journey
Authors: Omodeo Pietro T.
Published: November 2014

The published letter Mundus Novus, in which Amerigo Vespucci recounts his third journey to the New World, is carefully re-examined in this paper to establish its authenticity and veracity. Neither the translator of the letter nor the printer of its first edition can be identified with certainty, but one credible hypothesis is that friar Giovanni Giocondo da Verona was the translator. Analysis of the text shows no deliberate attempt at distortion or deception, only some innocent exaggerations. The author or his translator have been accused of vainglory and even obscenity, but in the context of the period such claims are unfounded and devoid of sense. An examination of the planisphere drawn up by Waldseemüller based on the data brought back by Vespucci reveals important details concerning the Patagonian cordillera and the coastline of central Chile. These details are not mentioned in Mundus Novus because of the policy of secrecy imposed by the rey of Portugal.
Kites
Authors: Suay Juan Miguel , Teira David
Published: November 2014

Between 1753 and 1914 kites constituted objects of scientific interest in different branches of physics. First, as instruments in experiments on the nature of electricity. Then, still in the 1750s, we find theoretical models of the flight of kites. In the late 19th century technologically sophisticated kites were used for aerological measurements. Finally, at the turn of the past century kites served early aeronautical researchers as scale models of wings. In each of these cases a rise and a fall can be seen: kites were reasonably successful in various applications, but they could not produce sufficiently interesting results to stand the competition of more efficient alternatives.
Domenico Cirillo’s Collections
Authors: Ricciardi Massimo , Castellano Maria Laura
Published: November 2014

The herbarium of the 19th-century Neapolitan botanists Vincenzo and Francesco Briganti was acquired by Orazio Comes in 1892 for the Royal Higher School of Agriculture in Naples. Based on a study of the handwriting on their labels, Comes concluded that some of the dried specimens were the sole remains of the herbarium of Domenico Cirillo, the distinguished 18th-century Neapolitan botanist, entomologist and physician. The current arrangement of the specimens not uniform and it is clear that they underwent extensive handling and rearrangement. Some of the exsiccata are preserved in two packets, fixed on sheets bearing a printed label that reads “Herbarium D. Cyrilli”. In an additional label Gaetano Nicodemi’s handwriting and not Cirillo’s as stated by Comes was identified. Other specimens, many of them mounted in a different manner from those in the first group, are arranged in another three packets.

Certain characteristics of the herbarium may be explained by the vicissitudes of its history, including a hasty salvage operation. A study of the collection was conducted, including an analysis of the handwritten labels and notes, leading to conclusions that shed light on the significance of the Cirillo collection within the historical and scientific context of 18th-century Naples.
Lectotypifications in species of Chusquea (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae) from southern South America
Authors: Guerreiro Carolina , Lizarazu Mabel , Vega Andrea
Published: November 2014

Lectotypes of Chusquea phacellophora, C. tenella, C. uruguayensis and C. valdiviensis are herein designated on the basis of specimens deposited at Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (MVM), Museúm National d´Historie Naturelle (P) and Smithsonian Institution (US) herbaria.
Integrative taxonomy and phylogeny-based species delimitation of Philippine water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator Complex) with descriptions of two new cryptic species
Authors: Welton Luke J. , TRAVERS SCOTT L. , SILER CAMERON D. , BROWN RAFE M.
Published: November 2014

We describe two new species of morphologically cryptic monitor lizards (genus Varanus) from the Philippine Archipelago:  Varanus dalubhasa sp. nov. and V. bangonorum sp. nov. These two distinct evolutionary lineages are members of the V. salvator species complex, and historically have been considered conspecific with the widespread, northern Philippine V. marmoratus. However, the new species each share closer phylogenetic affinities with V. nuchalis (and potentially V. palawanensis), than either does to one another or to V. marmoratus. Divergent from other recognized species within the V. salvator Complex of water monitors by as much as 3.5% pairwise genetic distance, these lineages are also distinguished by unique gular coloration, metrics of body size and scalation, their non-monophyly with “true” V. marmoratus, and insular allopatric distributions, suggesting biogeographically distinct and unique evolutionary histories. We compare the new species with the most geographically proximate and phenotypically relevant lineages.  Although we show that these new taxa are nearly indistinguishable morphologically from V. marmoratus, both species can be readily distinguished from their closest relatives (each’s respective sister taxon, V. palawanensis and V. nuchalis) by traditional morphological characters.  Our findings underscore the high herpetological diversity and biogeographical complexity of vertebrates in the Philippines, and further emphasize the need for detailed study of species-level diversity, mechanisms of reproductive isolation, gene flow, and biologically relevant boundaries between taxa within the V. salvator Complex.
Four new species of Cichlidogyrus (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) from Sarotherodon mvogoi and Tylochromis sudanensis (Teleostei, Cichlidae) in Cameroon
Authors: PARISELLE ANTOINE , NYOM ARNOLD R. BITJA , BILONG CHARLES F. BILONG
Published: November 2014

The four Cichlidogyrus species (Monogenea, Ancyrocephalidae) found on the gills of Sarotherodon mvogoi and Tylochromis sudanensis (Teleostei, Cichlidae) in Cameroon are considered new and are described herein. Cichlidogyrus mvogoi n. sp. from Sarotherodon mvogoi, characterised by a long (> 100 µm), thin and spirally coiled penis and a short marginal hook pair I. Cichlidogyrus sigmocirrus n. sp. from Tylochromis sudanensis, characterised by a short marginal hook pair I, a slightly spirally coiled penis with reduced heel, an accessory piece being a spirally coiled band wrapped round the penis and attached to the penis basal bulb by a very thin filament. Cichlidogyrus chrysopiformis n. sp. from Tylochromis sudanensis, characterised by an marginal hook pair I of medium size, a thin spirally coiled penis (1.5 turn) with a developed flared heel, an accessory piece being a large gutter shaped band, ending in a narrow complex extremity, and linked to the basal bulb of the penis by a very thin filament, a short, straight and slightly ringed vagina. Cichlidogyrus djietoi n. sp. from Tylochromis sudanensis, characterised by a slightly spirally coiled penis (2 turns) with developed heel, an accessory piece being a large gutter shaped band, ending in a narrow folded back extremity, a short funnel shaped vagina. The three latter species are also remarkable by the morphology of their auricles implanted on the anterior side of the dorsal transverse bar which make them (together with the other species described from Tylochromis hosts) a homogeneous and original group within Cichlidogyrus, this distinctive feature seems to be ancestral compared to other Cichlidogyrus species.
Two new troglobitic Newportia (Newportia) from Brazil (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha)
Authors: ÁZARA LUDSON NEVES DE , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES
Published: November 2014

Newportia (Newportia) spelaea n. sp. and Newportia (N.) potiguar n. sp. are here described from Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte State, respectively. These two species show highly troglomorphic traits, such as elongation of antennae, legs, ultimate legs, tergites, pronounced depigmentation and reduced sclerotization of the cuticle. Both species occur in caves located in a semi-arid biome (Caatinga) and can be considered troglobites.
The maculosus group of the genus Celaenorrhinus Hübner, 1819 from China, with discovery of female C. kuznetsovi Devyatkin, 2000 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae)
Authors: HUANG ZHEN-FU , CHIBA HIDEYUKI , FEI WEN , FAN XIAO-LING
Published: November 2014

The maculosus group of the genus Celaenorrhinus from China is reviewed, in which 7 species are treated. Taiwanese maculosus taiwanus is reinstated to full species rank. The hitherto unknown female of C. kuznetsovi, as well as the female genitalia of C. maculosus and C. major are described. Adults and genitalia are illustrated, and a brief description of each species is given. A Key to the Chinese species of the maculosus group is provided.
A new species of Euptychia Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini) from Mount Roraima, Guyana
Authors: NAKAHARA SHINICHI , FRATELLO STEVEN A. , HARVEY DONALD J.
Published: November 2014

A new nymphalid species in the subtribe Euptychiina, Euptychia roraima Nakahara, Fratello & Harvey n. sp., is described from Mount Roraima, Guyana. Both internal and external morphology of E. roraima are compared against several Euptychia species and the relationship between E. roraima and congeners  is briefly discussed. A strong case is put forth for further and extensive exploration of the Pantepui region concerning its poorly known butterfly fauna.
Called to Rebuild a Church in Ruins: The Life and Work of John Calvin
Authors: Zachman Randall C.
Published: November 2014

John Calvin understood his life to be directly disrupted by a prophetic call of God, similar to the call of God to Luther, Melanchthon, Bucer and others, leading him join their ongoing work of rebuilding and restoring the Catholic Church after it had been ruined by the tyranny of the papacy. Calvin used all his gifts to restore the teaching of Scripture to all the baptized, so that the Creator might be worshipped instead of the creature and so that Christ alone might be glorified rather than our own works. Despite the thorough reform of all aspects of the Church’s life and teaching in Geneva, the goal of all restoration efforts is found in the reform of the lives of believers, and this was the greatest challenge remaining to Calvin when he died.
Damage resistance of aluminum core honeycomb sandwich panels with carbon/epoxy face sheets
Authors: Singh Abhendra K , Davidson Barry D , Hasseldine Benjamin PJ , Zehnder Alan T
Published: November 2014

The damage resistance of composite sandwich structures with eight and 16 ply quasi-isotropic, carbon/epoxy face sheets and aluminum honeycomb core is evaluated. The external damage is induced quasi-statically, using spherical steel indentors under displacement control, to be in the vicinity of the barely visible threshold. In addition to the face sheet thickness, other parameters that are varied include the core thickness, core density, face sheet layup, and indentor diameter. The effect of these parameters on the extent of damage is evaluated using the damage metrics of dent depth, dent diameter, and planar area of delamination. When dent depth or dent diameter is considered as the damage metric, specimens containing a higher density core are always found to be the most damage resistant. When planar area of delamination is considered as the damage metric, the eight ply configuration comprised of a lower density core and face sheets containing only small ply angle changes are found to be the most damage resistant. However, this configuration is found to be the least damage resistant when this damage metric is applied to the 16 ply specimens. Rather, the best delamination resistance is provided by a 16 ply configuration with a high density core and face sheets that have ±45° ply groups at the beginning and ending of their stacking sequence.
Mirror, Mirror, who is the Fairest of Them All? Reflections on the Design of and Risk Distribution in the Mortgage Systems of Denmark and The UK
Authors: Berg Jesper , Bentzen Christian Sinding
Published: November 2014

This paper describes the Danish mortgage system by comparing it with the UK mortgage system. The Danish mortgage system has attracted attention in the literature on the design of mortgage systems. It is a type of narrow banking model where mortgage loans are financed by specialised institutions that issue bonds with cash flows that match that of the mortgage loans. Thereby, the Danish mortgage system outsources many of the risks that are usually kept on the balance sheet of banks to bond investors. Measured in terms of four criteria, the Danish mortgage system performed better during the financial crisis than the UK mortgage system. However, both in Denmark and the UK, alignment of the mortgage and the pension systems could offer significant advantages.
Prospects for the UK Economy
Authors: Kirby Simon , Meaning Jack , Warren James
Published: November 2014

The production of this forecast is supported by the Institute's Corporate Members: Bank of England, HM Treasury, Mizuho Research Institute Ltd, Santander (UK) plc and by the members of the NiGEM users group.
Where Else Could That Ever Happen? The Reproduction of Heteronormative Masculinity on a Catholic College Campus
Authors: Lafleur Sarah
Published: November 2014

This article considers how a Catholic college’s men’s beauty pageant serves as an arena where cultural ideals of heteronormative masculinity are constructed, performed, and reinforced. Since its inception in 1998, the annual “Mr. Brookfield” pageant has become a way of promoting solidarity and discouraging dissent in regard to gender and sexuality on campus. Through a qualitative analysis of materials promoting and discussing the event on campus, I argue that the performance celebrates and reinforces heteronormative masculinity, which has implications for the student culture as a whole. Located within the context of the Catholic institution, the perpetuation of heteronormative masculinity and the policies of the Church together ensure that the marginalization of women and gay people persists. As reflected in the archival documents, the pageant has become an important way of doing so, through the construction and celebration of a heteronormative masculine identity that calls attention to the boundaries between feminine and masculine and straight and gay, the degradation of women as a way of demonstrating the heterosexuality and masculinity of the contestants, and the promotion of this masculine identity as the ideal within the student culture.
Effect of part thickness variation on the mold filling time in vacuum infusion process
Authors: Akif Yalcinkaya M , Murat Sozer E
Published: November 2014

An experimental setup was used to fairly compare mold filling times in vacuum infusion and resin transfer molding, and a 9.5% shorter mold filling time in vacuum infusion was observed than in resin transfer molding. The setup was also used to conduct compaction and permeability characterization experiments, and the results were used in a simplified vacuum infusion model, which is more straightforward to solve than the conventional full and coupled models in the literature. Simulated filling time in vacuum infusion was 31% shorter than in resin transfer molding. The faster resin flow in vacuum infusion is explained by the fact that the thickness in the wetted upstream region increases with time, and thus the effective permeability in that region increases.
Evaluation of operational, economic, and environmental performance of mixed and selective collection of municipal solid waste: Porto case study
Authors: Teixeira Carlos A , Russo Mário , Matos Cristina , Bentes Isabel
Published: November 2014

This article describes an accurate methodology for an operational, economic, and environmental assessment of municipal solid waste collection. The proposed methodological tool uses key performance indicators to evaluate independent operational and economic efficiency and performance of municipal solid waste collection practices. These key performance indicators are then used in life cycle inventories and life cycle impact assessment. Finally, the life cycle assessment environmental profiles provide the environmental assessment.

We also report a successful application of this tool through a case study in the Portuguese city of Porto. Preliminary results demonstrate the applicability of the methodological tool to real cases. Some of the findings focus a significant difference between average mixed and selective collection effective distance (2.14 km t-1; 16.12 km t-1), fuel consumption (3.96 L t-1; 15.37 L t-1), crew productivity (0.98 t h-1 worker-1; 0.23 t h-1 worker-1), cost (45.90 € t-1; 241.20 € t-1), and global warming impact (19.95 kg CO2eq t-1; 57.47 kg CO2eq t-1).

Preliminary results consistently indicate: (a) higher global performance of mixed collection as compared with selective collection; (b) dependency of collection performance, even in urban areas, on the waste generation rate and density; (c) the decline of selective collection performances with decreasing source-separated material density and recycling collection rate; and (d) that the main threats to collection route efficiency are the extensive collection distances, high fuel consumption vehicles, and reduced crew productivity.
Head Injury in Children
Authors: Pal’a Andrej , Kapapa Melanie , Posovszky Carsten , Röderer Götz , König Ralph , Woischneck Dieter , Wirtz Christian Rainer , Kapapa Thomas
Published: November 2014

The number of hospitalizations for head injuries in children is rising. The exact causes remain unclear. We analyzed data of children aged between 0 and 18 years who sustained a head injury between 2010 and 2011. The analysis focused on data related to demographics, trauma mechanism, clinical course, results of imaging scans, concomitant injuries, and outcome. A total of 794 inpatient cases of head injury were treated. The leading mechanism of injury was a fall (at home) primarily at the age of 1 to 4 years (46.5%), with the majority of the children sustaining a mild brain injury (764, 96.2%). Neurosurgery was performed in 21 (2.64%) cases; average hospital stay was 2.9 days (range: 0-68 days). This study is not able to confirm that children are increasingly being brought to the hospital by their parents because of new trauma mechanisms or parents’ uncertainty, nor can we confirm that the number of nonaccidental injuries is rising.
From the Sanctity of the Family to State Sovereignty: The Irish Supreme Court’s Changing Role in Maintaining National Sovereignty
Authors: Loyal Steven
Published: November 2014

The problem that this paper seeks to address is ostensibly a simple one: why did the Irish Supreme Court dramatically reverse its long-term stance between 1990 and 2003, with regard to the sanctity of the family unit, including that of non-Irish nationals who had children in Ireland, to adopt one emphasizing the sanctity of state sovereignty? The answer, it is argued, requires looking at a complex matrix of interlocking sociological factors including a rise in asylum applications from Nigeria, a decline in the power of the Catholic church, the emergence of the Celtic Tiger economy, a shift in the meaning of Irish nationalism, and finally the interests and world-view of the Irish judicial doxa.
Performance investigation of a supersonic air intake in the presence of the boundary layer suction
Authors: Soltani MR , Sepahi Younsi J , Daliri A
Published: November 2014

The performance of a supersonic mixed compression air intake has been investigated experimentally. The intake is of axisymmetric one and has been designed for a free stream Mach number of 2.0. The present work has two main goals, first to investigate the performance of the intake without boundary layer bleed at design and at off-design conditions and second to study the effects of a bleed slot on the intake performance. The intake has been tested at free stream Mach numbers of 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2 and at zero degrees angle of attack. Total pressure recovery, mass flow ratio, and flow distortion have been selected to assess the intake performance. The bleed slot is located upstream of the intake throat perpendicular to the compression ramp surface. The suction is applied by the natural pressure difference between the entrance and the exit faces of the bleed duct. Results show that applying the boundary layer suction upstream of the intake throat can considerably improve the intake performance at its design and off-design conditions while it does not affect the intake mass flow rate.
Nehru’s Idea of Indian Security
Authors: Singh Baljit
Published: November 2014

Nehru’s vision of Indian security can be understood at three different levels: conceptual, operational and capability. First, at the conceptual level, Nehru did not only identify national security with military threats but located it in a broader perspective by taking cognisance of non-military security threats. Second, at the operational level, notwithstanding the criticism that he received on the issues of Kashmir and China, Nehru managed to handle critical security threats by integrating the princely states into the Union of India. Their independence could have proved to be a perennial security threat because of their location. Apart from this, Goa as a Portuguese colony was another threat to Indian security, which was handled successfully in 1961 under Nehru’s leadership. Third, at the capability level, Nehru’s contribution to Indian national security is tremendous. Nehru was aware that India had to develop its political, economic, technological and military capabilities to secure itself in the comity of nations.
Delamination detection and quantification on laminated composite structures with Lamb waves and wavenumber analysis
Authors: Tian Zhenhua , Yu Lingyu , Leckey Cara
Published: November 2014

Laminated composites are susceptible to delamination due to their weak transverse tensile and interlaminar shear strengths as compared to their in-plane properties. Delamination damage can occur internally, where it is not visible to the naked eye. Development of reliable, quantitative techniques for detecting delamination damage in laminated composite components will be imperative for safe and functional optimally designed next-generation composite structures. In this article, we study the potential of using Lamb waves for delamination detection and quantification, using model-assisted data acquisition. Novel wavenumber analysis approaches are developed and discussed to show how they can be used to investigate Lamb wave interactions with delaminated plies. Ultrasonic wave simulations are implemented to provide both in-plane and out-of-plane wave motion for the wavenumber studies. The out-of-plane results are verified against data obtained from experimental tests. It is found that the wavenumber methods can not only determine the delaminated region of the plate and its length, but can also identify the plies between which the delamination occurs. We envision that the wavenumber approaches can lead to a complete delamination quantification in the future.
Clinical Expert or Service Provider? Physicians’ Identity Work in the Context of Counterprofessional Patient Requests
Authors: Yagil Dana , Medler-Liraz Hana
Published: November 2014

Researchers often discuss patient-related outcomes of the shift from the paternalistic physician-to-patient model to those of patient participation, yet little is known about the impact of patient participation on physicians’ professional identity. In this study, we explored the context of counterprofessional patient requests in which patient participation conflicts with medical professionalism. We interviewed 34 physicians, of whom 14 were family physicians and pediatricians, and 20 were specialists in various fields. Data were analyzed by a grounded theory approach. Our findings indicate that physicians experienced conflicts between their identities as clinical experts, caretakers, service providers, and resource allocators. To cope with the resulting tension, physicians used the strategies of hierarchy setting, integrating, incorporating the patient, and changing the meaning of an identity or the event. All strategies were implemented by cognitive and relational tactics.
Scale effect on migration and coalescence of void in piezoelectric film subjected to gradient stress and electric fields
Authors: Li HB , Wang X , Yao Q , Lu G
Published: November 2014

In this paper, an analytical method is presented to solve the scale effect on migration motion and coalescence of void in piezoelectric solid subjected to gradient stress and electric filed. The piezoelectric solid is considered as an infinite orthotropic piezoelectric film corresponding to the scale of void. The surface diffusion of void in piezoelectric film is taken as the dominant mechanism for the migration motion of the void. Based on the non-local elastic theory considering the interact force among atoms, the influences of small-scale parameter, stress gradient, stress state, electric loading, and shape of void on the migration motion coalescence of void in piezoelectric film are described.
Safety of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the feline pancreas: a case-control study
Authors: Crain Sarah K , Sharkey Leslie C , Cordner Amy P , Knudson Christina , Armstrong P Jane
Published: November 2014

The safety of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the feline pancreas has not been reported. The incidence of complications following ultrasound-guided pancreatic FNA in 73 cats (pancreatic aspirate [PA] cats) with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatic disease was compared with complications in two groups of matched control cats also diagnosed with pancreatic disease that either had abdominal organs other than the pancreas aspirated (control FNA, n = 63) or no aspirates performed (control no FNA, n = 61). The complication rate within 48 h of the ultrasound and/or aspirate procedure did not differ among the PA cats (11%), control FNA (14%) or control no FNA (8%) cats. There was no difference in rate of survival to discharge (82%, 84% and 83%, respectively) or length of hospital stay among groups. The cytologic recovery rate for the pancreatic samples was 67%. Correlation with histopathology, available in seven cases, was 86%. Pancreatic FNA in cats is a safe procedure requiring further investigation to establish diagnostic value.
Soft micro-elastohydrodynamic lubrication and friction at rough conformal contacts
Authors: Wennehorst B , Poll GWG
Published: November 2014

Conformal surfaces in parallel sliding lack a macroscopic hydrodynamic pressure and fluid film formation mechanism. However, such a mechanism still exists on a microscopic level due to roughness. It is common to translate roughness into a variation of fluid film thickness which in turn yields a hydrodynamic pressure distribution resulting in a net hydrodynamic lift. Reynolds equation and a suitable cavitation algorithm suffice to describe this effect mathematically. In case one surface consists of a compliant material with low modulus of elasticity, the deformation of asperities due to pressures and shear stresses in the fluid cannot be neglected—in fact, besides cavitation, it significantly contributes to the net hydrodynamic lift. Therefore, a coupling between fluid dynamics and elastic solid body deformations needs to be introduced. An additional complication arises when the hydrodynamic lift and the subsequent separation of the mean lines of the contacting rough surfaces is not enough to prevent asperity contacts completely. This situation is known as mixed lubrication where part of the normal load is transmitted at asperity contacts. These contacts are commonly treated as solid body contacts with a Coulomb-like friction law or more sophisticated solid friction models. However, when considering asperities as contraformal Hertzian contacts, elastic deformation may allow for the existence of thin micro-elastohydrodynamic lubricant films preventing direct solid body contact even at speeds which otherwise would be regarded as deep within the mixed lubrication regime close to boundary lubrication. These films may not be able to prevent wear completely, but may reduce friction significantly in comparison to dry friction. In this paper, the existence of such effects is demonstrated both by simulation and by experiments with elastomeric radial lip seals.
Numerical analysis model to evaluate the agricultural solar right in rural area with a consideration of building and infrastructure constructions
Authors: Seong Yoon-Bok , Lim Jae-Han
Published: November 2014

Recent construction of building or infrastructure has included many new bridges, in an effort to create new infrastructure while disturbing the natural environment. The new bridges have created disputes over agricultural solar right in rural area. The main issues of the dispute were the reduction of crop yields and increased heating costs. To settle these solar right conflicts, it is necessary to develop an evaluation method and quantitative guidelines for determining the infringement of solar right in rural areas. The objective of this study is to develop a numerical analysis model to evaluate the infringement of agricultural solar right by the construction of infrastructure such as highway bridges. For this purpose, we have reviewed the general mediation process and proposed the numerical analysis model which is based on the WALDRAM diagram method. This model was integrated with the evaluation tool which quantitatively estimates the infringement of agricultural solar access due to the construction of building or infrastructure. And we verified the effectiveness of the proposed numerical model through the application to actual cases.
Constitutive activation of the renin-angiotensin system reduces visceral fat and improves glucose tolerance in mice
Authors: Favre Guillaume A , Lebrun Patricia , Lopez Pascal , Butori Catherine , Hofman Paul , Esnault Vincent LM , Van Obberghen Emmanuel
Published: November 2014

Introduction:

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and particularly angiotensin II, is involved in the control of energy balance, glucose homeostasis and kidney functions. The integrated impact of the RAS on glucose homeostasis is still a matter of debate.

Materials and methods:

We used a model of constitutive RAS activation in double transgenic mice (dTGM) carrying both human angiotensinogen and human renin genes. We evaluated energy balance, measured renal functions, performed glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and used ramipril to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Results:

dTGM had a lower physical activity and an increased food intake without change in body weight. Renal impairment was characterized by low-grade albuminuria. High urinary output secondary to polydipsia was associated with proximal tubule dysfunction. Compared to controls, dTGM had a lower hyperglycemia induced by an intraperitoneal glucose administration. This decrease was not due to changes in insulin sensitivity and/or secretion. dTGM had an increased creatinine production and a lower epididymal fat mass. Acute inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme with ramipril did not suppress this improved glucose tolerance profile.

Conclusion:

Chronic RAS activation is not sufficient to cause insulin resistance in mice. Moreover, adaptation to constitutive RAS activation in mice results in a better glucose tolerance.
Person-centred dementia care: a reality check in two nursing homes in Ireland
Authors: Colomer Jordi , de Vries Jan
Published: November 2014

The introduction of a person-centred care (PCC) approach to dementia care has been a major paradigmatic shift in the care provision in residential settings for older adults in Ireland. However, policy implementation in nursing homes relies very much on the preparedness of nursing staff. This study explored this through semi-structured interviews with care assistants in two nursing homes which professed to support the PCC philosophy. We addressed their knowledge and perspectives of person-centred dementia care and views on various factors affecting its delivery. Findings showed considerable disparity between policy and practice, in particular because care assistants lacked clarity on what PCC is and reported that they were not educated in it. Notwithstanding this, carers’ perspectives on ‘good care’ for people with dementia included elements of PCC which suggested its ‘implicit’ use in practice. Besides the necessity of more (and more explicit) training on PCC, the findings also suggest concerns around communication between staff and management and the need for improvement of staffing resources and available time in residential settings in order to make the delivery of person-centred dementia care a reality.
Fostering Equity Through Downstream, Midstream and Upstream Social Marketing
Authors: Lagarde François
Published: November 2014

The mission of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, Canada’s largest private foundation, is to prevent poverty by contributing to the educational success of young Quebecers. The Foundation embraces a comprehensive approach. It supports parents, community mobilization, and the emergence of a societal movement to advance early childhood development and student retention. The Foundation has also developed an innovative philanthropic partnership with the Quebec government. Social marketing principles and practices are systematically applied in some of its initiatives, such as the promotion of parenting behaviors. In light of the multiple factors associated with complex issues such as child development and equity, social marketers need to go beyond downstream behavior change programs in their quest to make a meaningful contribution. They must increasingly adapt their social marketing practice to the context of community participation (midstream) and policy (upstream) initiatives—wherever they are members of multidisciplinary and multistakeholder teams.
Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Injections into the Neck
Authors: Ralph Jeffrey W. , Malik Rabia , Layzer Robert B.
Published: November 2014

Three cases of longitudinally extensive cervical myelopathies temporally associated with neck injections are presented. The spinal cord injury was similar radiographically, despite a number of different needle approaches and substances injected. In recent years, there have been reports of an acute cervical myelopathy immediately following an injection procedure in the neck. Various explanations have been offered for this unfortunate complication, including (1) direct injection into the cord leading to traumatic injury, (2) injection of particulate matter into the arterial supply of the cord causing microvascular embolism and spinal cord infarction, and (3) intraneural injection of the chemical with centripetal spread of the injectant from the nerve trunk to the substance of the cord. The merits of each of these 3 mechanisms in explaining these cases are discussed. Albeit rare, acute cervical myelopathy should be considered a potential complication from any deep injection of chemicals into the neck.
Assessing patient reported outcome measures: A practical guide for gastroenterologists
Authors: Alrubaiy Laith , Hutchings Hayley A , Williams John G
Published: November 2014

Gastrointestinal illnesses cause physical, emotional and social impact on patients. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in clinical decision‐making, clinical research and approval of new therapies. In the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in the number of PROMs in gastroenterology and, therefore, the choice between which of these PROMs to use can be difficult. Not all PROM instruments currently used in research and clinical practice in gastroenterology have gone through a rigorous development methodology. New drugs and therapies will not have access to the market if the PROMs used in their clinical trials are not validated according to the guidelines of the international agencies. Therefore, it is important to know the required properties of PROMs when choosing or evaluating a drug or a clinical intervention. This paper reviews the current literature on how to assess the validity and reliability of PROMs. It summarises the required properties into a practical guide for gastroenterologists to use in assessing an instrument for use in clinical practice or research.
Two Methods to Measure the Level of Trust of Americans and Japanese
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiromi , Brase Gary L. , Yama Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Interpersonal trust of Japanese and Americans was investigated using two methods: a General Trust Questionnaire and a scenario judgments task, in which participants were asked to rate how strongly they trust a target person in a series of vignettes. Participants were grouped into two conditions, with the target person being either an in-group member or an out-group member. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether Americans have a higher level of trust than Japanese do, to test the in-group hypothesis which predicts that the difference in trust between the two conditions is greater for Japanese than for Americans and the dialectical thought hypothesis which predicts that the correlation between the General Trust Questionnaire score and the scenario judgments task score would only occur in the Americans’ data. The study, which was conducted with American ( n = 105) and Japanese ( n = 102) participants, found no differences in the trust level between Americans and Japanese in both methods. The results did not support the in-group hypothesis, but did support the dialectical thought hypothesis, indicating that Japanese are more dialectical in judging how they trust others.
High School Athletes’ Perceptions of Concussion
Authors: Miyashita Theresa L. , Diakogeorgiou Eleni , Hellstrom Brian , Kuchwara Nick , Tafoya Erica , Young Lori
Published: November 2014

Background:

The perception high school athletes have regarding concussions may influence their injury-reporting behavior, and if their perceptions are based on incorrect or incomplete information, they may be at risk for subsequent head injuries.

Purpose:

To determine whether the recent influx of concussion information has had a positive impact on high school athletes’ knowledge of concussions, to determine their perceptions regarding the severity of a concussion injury, and to determine whether receiving correct information will potentially alter their future reporting behavior.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 454 high school athletes (212 females, 242 males; mean age, 15.7 ± 1.15 years) from 6 different schools participated in an anonymous survey. The researchers met with teams individually at their high schools to collect data and provide an educational intervention regarding sports-related concussions. The survey questions assessed the athletes’ personal injury histories and perceptions and knowledge of the severity of concussion injuries.

Results:

There was a difference in the number of athletes who reported having their “bell rung” (n = 297) versus the number of athletes reporting at least 1 concussion (n = 172) ( t (453) = −11.60, P = .000, d = −0.54). There was also a difference in the number of athletes who reported a history of at least 1 concussion at the beginning of the study session (n = 172) versus the number of athletes who reported at least 1 concussion at the end of the session (n = 292) ( t (453) = −12.018, P = .000, d = 0.732). Fifty percent of athletes also stated that the importance of a game/event should dictate when they return to play.

Conclusion:

High school athletes continue to fail to realize when they have sustained a concussion. Additionally, athletes lack understanding regarding the severity and seriousness of a concussion. A better effort at formalized education must be made if the culture of sports is to change.

Clinical Relevance:

Allied health care professionals need to continue to put forth a great effort in educating all student athletes on what a concussion is and the dangers of a concussion injury. Preseason meetings should be used as an opportunity to provide formalized education to all student athletes.
Disruption of IKAROS activity in primitive chronic-phase CML cells mimics myeloid disease progression
Authors: Beer Philip A. , Knapp David J. H. F. , Miller Paul H. , Kannan Nagarajan , Sloma Ivan , Heel Kathy , Babovic Sonja , Bulaeva Elizabeth , Rabu Gabrielle , Terry Jefferson , Druker Brian J. , Loriaux Marc M. , Loeb Keith R. , Radich Jerald P. , Erber Wendy N. , Eaves Connie J.
Published: November 2014

Key Points

CML patients with advanced-phase myeloid disease frequently show decreased IKAROS protein in primitive cells. Expression of a dominant-negative IKAROS isoform expands primitive human CML cells and enhances their differentiation into basophils.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on the efficacy of Celastrus Orbiculatus in suppressing TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting HSP27 and TNF-α-induced NF-κB/Snail signaling pathway in human gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Yaodong , Liu Yanqing , Qian Yayun , Dai Xiaojun , Yang Ling , Chen Jue , Guo Shiyu , Hisamitsu Tadashi
Published: November 2014

Background

Celastrus orbiculatus has been used as a folk medicine in China for the treatment of many diseases. In the laboratory, the ethyl acetate extract of Celastrus orbiculatus (COE) displays a wide range of anticancer functions. However, the inhibition of the metastasis mechanism of COE in gastric cancer cells has not been investigated so far.

Methods

The present study was undertaken to determine if the anti-metastasis effect of COE was involved in inhibiting of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells. In vitro, a well-established experimental EMT model involving transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was applied. Viability, invasion and migration, protein and mRNA expression of tumor cells were analyzed by MTT assay, transwell assay, western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. The molecular targets of COE in SGC-7901 cells were investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometer. Overexpression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was performed by transfected with the recombinant retroviral expression plasmid. In vivo, the anti-metastasis mechanisms of COE in the peritoneal gastric cancer xenograft model was explored and the effect was tested.

Results

The non-cytostatic concentrations of COE effectively inhibited TGF-β1 induced EMT process in SGC-7901 cells, which is characterized by prevented morphological changes, increased E-cadherin expression and decreased Vimentin, N-cadherin expression. Moreover, COE inhibited invasion and migration induced by TGF-β1. Using a comparative proteomics approach, four proteins were identified as differently expressed, with HSP27 protein being one of the most significantly down-regulated proteins induced by COE. Moreover, the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/Snail signaling pathway induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was also attenuated under the pretreatment of COE. Interestingly, overexpression of HSP27 significantly decreases the inhibitory effect of COE on EMT and the NF-κB/Snail pathway. Furthermore, COE significantly reduced the number of peritoneal metastatic nodules in the peritoneal gastric cancer xenograft model.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that COE inhibits the EMT by suppressing the expression of HSP27, correlating with inhibition of NF-κB/Snail signal pathways in SGC-7901 cells. Based on these results, COE may be considered a novel anti-cancer agent for the treatment of metastasis in gastric cancer.