bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policing Africa: The US military and visions of crafting ‘good order’
Authors: Bachmann Jan
Published: April 2014

Current Western security doctrines assert that state fragility, radicalization and humanitarian disasters in the global South feed into ‘persistent conflict’. Such a scenario consequently requires a closely coordinated and integrated response from political and military actors. In this context, Western governments have introduced the concept of stabilization in their approaches to ‘fragile’ states. This article aims to understand the expanding activities of the US military in sub-Saharan Africa, which are conducted under the label of stability operations. It will be argued that the vast spectrum of activities under this label – from health projects to drone attacks – can be made comprehensible through the concept of policing, understood as processes of regulating communities with the aim of establishing ‘good order’. Key pillars of the US military’s stability operations operations doctrine – namely, a focus on the welfare of the population (on a par with the minimum use of force) as well as an extended preventative engagement – overlap with concerns of police power. Presented by security strategists as vulnerable to instability, sub-Saharan Africa has become an experimental ground for the US military, where ideas on stability operations are tested. Empirically, the article discusses two manifestations of stability operations that warrant an analysis through the concept of policing: US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) civil affairs projects and the US military’s active involvement in ongoing conflicts.
The Politics of Irrigation
Authors: Sharmeen Shaila
Published: April 2014

This article considers Munda–Muslim negotiations in the social and power context of the advent of new irrigation technology in contemporary Barind, Bangladesh. These negotiations have been made possible since the 1990s following the installation of deep tube wells (DTWs) for irrigation which enabled agricultural intensification of triple cropping. Irrigation water, rather than land, has thus become the focal point of socio-political negotiations over natural resources. Through an empirical study, this article argues that a new irrigation technology and a democratized institutional framework have enabled tenant farmers, notably the Munda—an Adibashi community—to negotiate water usage and labour contract in the Barind. It aims to demonstrate, first, the new forms of political negotiations that have become both necessary and possible for the Munda through the widening availability of water and other new technologies (such as introduction of a prepaid card system) and institutions that promoted public accountability and fairness; and second, the new cultural politics of competing Munda–Muslim moralities and how resource management projects created an image of a community.
Taxing the Pollution
Authors: Edirisinghe Jagath C.
Published: April 2014

Most firms that process rubber in Sri Lanka do not comply with national water pollution control standards. The present command and control system fails in the face of a slow enforcement process, and also because of the nature of ‘older’ production units, many of which date back to colonial times. This study seeks to estimate a pollution tax that could motivate firms to meet these standards. I use data from 62 rubber-producing firms in Sri Lanka over three years to estimate a marginal cost function for pollution abatement. I then estimate the taxes that would bring firms into compliance. The tax rate necessary for environmental compliance is 26 Sri Lankan rupees per 100 grams (in 2005 values) of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) per year. While the burden of this pollution tax on the average firm would be equivalent to 8.6 per cent of annual turnover, it varies with the size of the firm, which may have adverse consequences for small firms through closures or layoff of workers. I suggest that the use of this economic instrument might motivate the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to monitor effluents more carefully and firms to make economic use of effluents.
Insight Development in Schizophrenia
Authors: Nordick Wendy Gale , van Heugten Kate
Published: April 2014

Mental health professionals believe that lack of insight is a major problem in schizophrenia because it significantly interferes with adherence to medical treatment. Yet few researchers have attempted to ask people with schizophrenia for their views on how insight develops and impacts on their quality of life. We explored these questions in interviews and focus groups with 19 Canadian people who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and identified as having good insight, and with New Zealand and Canadian treatment providers. We found that participants developed insight in three stages, which we labeled the period of chaos, the dynamic period, and the period of wisdom. Crises led participants to realize that their safety and their relationships with loved ones would continue to be dangerously imperiled unless they made sustained efforts to maintain wellness. We propose the Theory of Dangerousness to explain how participants developed and maintained their motivation to remain well.
No Drama
Authors: Pedrana Alisa E. , Hellard Margaret E. , Higgs Peter , Asselin Jason , Batrouney Colin , Stoovè Mark
Published: April 2014

We qualitatively examined gay men’s reactions to the national “Drama Downunder” HIV/STI social marketing campaign targeting gay men in Australia to identify key campaign elements that underpinned the demonstrated effectiveness of the campaign. We present findings from six qualitative focus groups held with 49 participants as part of the evaluation of the sexual-health-promotion campaign over 2008–2009. Participants identified attention-grabbing images, a humorous approach, positive and simple tailored messaging, and the use of mainstream media as campaign features crucial in normalizing sexual health testing, driving campaign engagement, and ensuring high message exposure. Our results suggest that designers of future campaigns should strive to balance positive and negative campaign images and messages, and find new ways to engage men with sexual health topics, particularly younger gay men. We discuss the implications of our findings about campaign effectiveness for future health-promotion campaigns and message design.
Training School Personnel to Identify Interventions Based on Functional Behavioral Assessment
Authors: Borgmeier Chris , Loman Sheldon L. , Hara Motoaki , Rodriguez Billie Jo
Published: April 2014

Over 15 years after passage of legislation requiring the use of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to inform the development of positive behavior support plans (BSPs) in special education, schools are still struggling to implement BSPs based on FBA and the function of behavior. A primary concern is that school teams regularly fail to use function of behavior to generate behavioral interventions, even after completing an FBA and receiving training. The current study evaluated outcomes of an efficient 60-min training that taught explicit strategies for using function of behavior and FBA information to identify function-based intervention through modeling, guided practice, and feedback using student vignettes for escape-maintained and attention-maintained behaviors. The training yielded significant, positive results in participants’ ability to identify function-based interventions on behavioral vignettes. Future research and next steps are suggested for expanding the training to address the challenge of extending the science of FBA to guide the implementation of effective behavioral interventions in schools.
Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Routes of Excretion of [14C]-Labeled Arruva, a High-Potency Sweetener, Following Oral Administration to Beagle Dogs
Authors: Casterton Phillip L. , Crincoli Christine M. , Brathwaite Witty A. , Rihner Marisa O. , Nikiforov Andrey I. , Thomas Jennifer A.
Published: April 2014

[14C]-Labeled arruva [sodium/potassium (2R,4R)-2-amino-4-carboxy-4-hydroxy-5-(3-indolyl) pentanoate] was administered as a single gavage dose (10 mg/kg bw) to male and female Beagle dogs and 1 bile duct-cannulated male. The mean peak arruva plasma concentration equivalent of 1.2 µg/g occurred at first sampling time point of 1 hour postdosing. The mean area under the concentration versus time curve from 0 hour postdosing to the last time point was approximately 20 µg·h/g and the mean terminal plasma elimination half-life ranged from 15 hours in females to 21 hours in males. Over 168 hours postdosing, 35% to 50% of the administered arruva was eliminated in the urine with 44% to 53% eliminated in feces; 1.3% of the administered dose was recovered in bile. Arruva and its derivatives were identified using tandem mass spectrometry, and the relative percentage of each substance was quantified via radio high-performance liquid chromatography. Over a 168-hour collection period, combined urine and feces extract data from the 6 noncannulated dogs showed that approximately 91% of the dose was excreted as unchanged parent arruva (41% in urine and 50% in feces). In the cannulated male, 95.3% was excreted as unchanged parent arruva; 50.2% in urine, 43.9% in feces, and 1.3% in bile. Lactone and lactam derivatives of arruva and 1 unidentified substance were detected in urine only during the first 24 hours postdosing with the greatest amounts detected during the first 6 hours of collection; up to 1% of lactone or lactam derivatives were detected in bile samples. Plasma pharmacokinetics data indicated rapid absorption of arruva with the majority of radioactivity located in the feces collected in the first 48 hours.
Irradiation-Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Qingbo , Ma Yinfa
Published: April 2014

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are being widely utilized in industry due to their versatile properties. The in vitro cytotoxicity findings and the potential for exposures to ZnO NP from different sources via different routes of entry into the body have raised public health concerns. Although recent studies have shown the cytotoxic effects of these NPs, including oxidative stress, apoptosis and necrosis induction, genotoxicity, and others, irradiation-induced cytotoxicity has not been systematically studied. The goal of this study was to determine whether irradiation in the forms of visible light (approximately 400-600 nm), ultraviolet (UV) A (366 nm), and UVC (254 nm) would affect ZnO NPs-induced cytotoxicity. The results of this study demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of 60 to 80 nm ZnO NPs to A549 cells is dosage, time, and wavelength dependent. Nuclear decomposition by ZnO NPs, prior to membrane deformation, was found to be enhanced when exposed to irradiation. This study suggests that this phenomenon may be attributed to the irradiation-induced formation of positively charged sites on the ZnO NPs, which enhances nuclear affinity and generation of reactive oxygen species. Finally, the data demonstrated that while ZnO NPs act preferentially toward nuclear regions, destructions of cell membrane and the cytosol have also been observed. The photocatalytic properties of ZnO NPs play a critical role during the early stages of cell death, and their effects were reduced through the use of an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. In conclusion, both visible light and UV irradiations have been found to enhance the cytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs on the A549 cell line. This finding supports the need for further in vivo exposure studies relevant to actual conditions to confirm whether combined irradiation and ZnO NP exposure could enhance the nanotoxicity of ZnO NPs.
Oral (Gavage) Combined Developmental and Perinatal/Postnatal Reproduction Toxicity Study of Ammonium Salt of Perfluorinated Hexanoic Acid in Mice
Authors: Iwai Hiroyuki , Hoberman Alan M.
Published: April 2014

The reproductive toxicity potential of Ammonium Salt of Perfluorinated Hexanoic Acid (PFHxA Ammonium Salt) in pregnant Crl: CD1(ICR) mice was investigated. Twenty females/group were administered the test substance or vehicle once daily from gestation day 6 through 18. Phase 1 doses: 0, 100, 350, and 500 mg/kg/d; phase 2: 0, 7, 35, and 175 mg/kg/d. Parameters evaluated include mortality, viability, body weights, clinical signs, abortions, premature deliveries, pregnancy and fertility, litter observations, maternal behavior, and sexual maturity in the F1 generation. The level of PFHxA Ammonium Salt was measured in the liver of F0 and F1 mice. At doses of 350 and 500 mg/kg/d maternal mortalities, excess salivation and changes in body weight gains occurred. Pup body weights were reduced on postpartum day (PPD) 0 in all the dosage groups, but persisted only in the 350 and 500 mg/kg/d groups. Additional effects at 300 and 500 mg/kg/d included stillbirths, reductions in viability indices, and delays in physical development. Levels of PFHxA Ammonium Salt in the livers of the 100 mg/kg/d dams were all below the lower limit of quantization (0.02 µg/mL); in the 350 mg/kg/d group, 3 of the 8 samples had quantifiable analytical results. In phase 2 no PFHxA Ammonium Salt was found in the liver. Adverse effects occurred only in the 175 mg/kg/d group and consisted of increased stillborn pups, pups dying on PPD 1, and reduced pup weights on PPD 1. Based on these data, the maternal and reproductive no observable adverse effect level of PFHxA Ammonium Salt is 100 mg/kg/d.
Gestural communication in children with autism spectrum disorders during mother–child interaction
Authors: Mastrogiuseppe Marilina , Capirci Olga , Cuva Simone , Venuti Paola
Published: April 2014

Children with autism spectrum disorders display atypical development of gesture production, and gesture impairment is one of the determining factors of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Despite the obvious importance of this issue for children with autism spectrum disorder, the literature on gestures in autism is scarce and contradictory. The purpose of this study was to analyze gestural communication in children with autism spectrum disorder during spontaneous mother–child interaction. Participants were children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 20), Down’s syndrome (n = 20), and typical development (n = 20) and their mothers. Children’s mean developmental age was 24.16 months (standard deviation = 1.45 months) and did not differ across the groups. Gestural communication was analyzed with a specific coding scheme allowing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of gestural production. Results showed the following: (a) differences between autism spectrum disorder, typical development, and Down’s syndrome groups in the total number of gestures produced; (b) differences between the three groups in the distribution of gesture types; and (c) specific correlations between gestural production, cognitive development, and autism severity scores. The study of gestures in autism spectrum disorder could help us to identify different phenotypes in autism and could also lead to the development of new therapies.
Paul Broca and French Brains
Authors: LaPointe Leonard L.
Published: April 2014

Pierre Paul Broca is one of the most legendary neuroscientists of the last few centuries. His name graces a region of the brain, and his work is richly associated with human communication and its disorders. This article traces the contributions of this man and the historical context of his remarkable discoveries. After approval to visit and access material in the Paris museums that house the still-preserved brains of Broca’s two most famous patients as well as cabinets of Broca’s work and records, the author interlaces this portrait of the man, the historical context of his early education and research, and the relevance of his insight into contemporary understanding of the brain and human communication.
Children and Adults Reading Interactively
Authors: Isaki Emi , Harmon Mary Towle
Published: April 2014

This exploratory Intergenerational Program (IGP) focused on reading to determine whether it affects mood and communication in older adults with mild dementia and neurocognitive deficits, and if it influences school-aged children’s perceptions of older adults over time. Six older adults with cognitive-communication deficits and 12 school-aged children, identified with language and reading concerns, participated for 45 min weekly for 8 weeks in this IGP. The Mini-Mental State Exam, an adult mood and communication questionnaire, and a questionnaire about the children’s perceptions of older adult were administered. No significant findings were obtained from measures of the older adults. Significant findings were obtained for the school-aged children’s perceptions of older adults. Changes in reading behaviors were noted by the teacher and parents. Through observation and comments, the participants indicated mutual enjoyment of this IGP. This IGP is novel because it includes two populations with communication disorders and warrants further investigation.
The Political Economy of the Internet
Authors: Bolaño César R. S. , Vieira Eloy S.
Published: April 2014

The privatization of the Internet meant not simply a passage from a state-logic organization to an economic one but something more complex. The year 1995 marked a disruption when the National Science Foundation (NSF), the public agency that controlled and exploited the network, transferred its regulatory responsibilities to the private sector. Despite the system’s provision of free access to information, the Internet’s entire economic logic was modified when advertising became the standard norm. The objective of this article is to summarize the history of the Internet and the points that are important to understanding its actual political and economic logic via an emphasis on social networking sites. Our argument also involves a Marxist critique of a theoretical element that Fuchs has contributed to this discussion.
Background Rhythm Frequency and Theta Power of Quantitative EEG Analysis
Authors: Song Yang , Zang Da-Wei , Jin Yan-Yu , Wang Zhi-Jun , Ni Hong-Yan , Yin Jian-Zhong , Ji Dong-Xu
Published: April 2014

In clinical settings, cerebral infarct is a common disease of older adults, which usually increases the risk of cognitive impairment. This study aims to assess the quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) as a predictive biomarker for the development of cognitive impairment, post–cerebral infarcts, in subjects from the Department of Neurology. They underwent biennial EEG recording. Cerebral infarct subjects, with follow-up cognitive evaluation, were analyzed for qEEG measures of background rhythm frequency (BRF) and relative δ, θ, α, and β band power. The relationship between cognitive impairment and qEEG, and other possible predictors, was assessed by Cox regression. The results showed that the risk hazard of developing cognitive impairment was 14 times higher for those with low BRF than for those with high BRF ( P < .001). Hazard ratio (HR) was also significant for more than median θ band power (HR = 5, P = .002) compared with less than median θ band power. The HRs for δ, α, and β bands were equal to the baseline demographic, and clinical characteristics were not significantly different. In conclusion, qEEG measures of BRF, and relative power in θ band, are potential predictive biomarkers for cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral infarcts. These biomarkers might be valuable in early prediction of cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral infarcts.
Rapid Changes in Scores on Principal Components of the EEG Spectrum do not Occur in the Course of “Drowsy” Sleep of Varying Length
Authors: Putilov Arcady A.
Published: April 2014

Wakefulness is separated from a well-established sleep by an onset period. This is characterized by dramatic changes in scores on the first and second principal components of the electroencephalographic (EEG) spectrum, which reflects the kinetics of sleep- and wake-promoting processes. The present analysis examined whether significant buildups and declines of the first and second scores can occur throughout stage 1 sleep, or only on its boundaries with stage 2 and wakefulness. Twenty-seven adults participated in multiple 20-minute attempts to nap in the course of 24-hour wakefulness after either deprivation, restriction or ad lib night sleep. Power spectra were calculated on 1-minute intervals of 251 EEG records. Irrespective of accumulated sleep debt and duration of stage 1 sleep (from <2 to >5 minutes), the first principal component score was permanently attenuated across this stage as well as during preceding wakefulness. It showed rapid buildup only on the boundary with stage 2. The second principal component score always started its decline earlier, on the wake–sleep boundary. It did not show further decline throughout the following intervals of stages 1 and 2. It seems that stage 1 sleep occurs due to a delay of the buildup of the sleep-promoting process relative to the decline of the wake-promoting process which coincide, with initiation of stage 2 sleep and termination of wakefulness. Therefore, “drowsy” sleep can be regarded as occupying “no man’s land”, between the opponent driving forces for wake and sleep.
The role of learning disability nurses in promoting cervical screening uptake in women with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Lloyd Jennifer L , Coulson Neil S
Published: April 2014

Research suggests that the uptake of cervical screening by women with intellectual disabilities (commonly known as learning disabilities within UK policy frameworks, practice areas and health services) is poor compared to women without intellectual disabilities. The present study explored learning disability nurses’ experiences of supporting women with intellectual disabilities to access cervical screening in order to examine their role in promoting attendance and elucidate potential barriers and facilitators to uptake. Ten participants recruited from a specialist learning disability service completed a semi-structured interview and data were analysed using experiential thematic analysis. Identified individual barriers included limited health literacy, negative attitudes and beliefs and competing demands; barriers attributed to primary care professionals included time pressures, limited exposure to people with intellectual disabilities and lack of appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills. Attendance at cervical screening was facilitated by prolonged preparation work undertaken by learning disability nurses, helpful clinical behaviours in the primary care context and effective joint working.
Early outcomes of a sequential series of 144 patients with Dupuytren’s contracture treated by collagenase injection using an increased dose, multi-cord technique
Authors: Verheyden J R
Published: April 2014

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum is the first and only United States Food and Drug Association approved nonsurgical treatment for patients with a palpable Dupuytren’s contracture cord. However, the Food and Drug Association has only approved injection of 0.58 mg of this enzyme into one palpable Dupuytren’s contracture cord at a time. This review reports on the early outcome of 144 patients treated with the entire bottle of enzyme, approximately 0.78 mg, along with use of a novel slow intracord multi-cord technique. Use of 0.78 mg of enzyme, with the slow intracord multi-cord technique is safe and allows one to inject multiple Dupuytren’s contracture cords at one setting. Correction at metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, taken individually, are comparable with the Collagenase Option for the Reduction of Dupuytren’s studies at 43° and 33°, respectively, however due to the multi-cord injection, we achieved 94° average immediate and 76° average final combined metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal contracture releases per bottle of enzyme. Implementation of the slow intracord multi-cord technique has the potential to improve current treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture with resultant significant healthcare savings.
A retrospective review of a series of interposition arthroplasties of the elbow
Authors: Laubscher Maritz , Vochteloo Anne JH , Smit Adriaan A , Vrettos Basil C , Roche Stephen JL
Published: April 2014

Background

Interposition arthroplasty (IA) is mostly performed in younger patients where total joint replacement is contraindicated and an arthrodesis is unattractive. The outcome and complications of an IA were evaluated.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 18 consecutive cases of interposition arthroplasty (IA) (one case was excluded as a result of incomplete records). Pre- and postoperative pain and function were evaluated. Complications, re-operations and revisions were recorded.

Results

The mean age was 41 years (range 19 years to 59 years) at time of surgery. The primary diagnosis was post-traumatic osteoarthritis in 12 cases and inflammatory arthritis in five cases. The median follow-up was 54 months (range 8 months to 120 months). In 15 cases, at least one re-operation was performed. Seven cases were revised, with four of these to a total elbow replacement, an arthrodesis was performed in two cases and a re-do interposition was carried out in one case. The median interval from the interposition to revision was 23 months (range 8 months to 88 months). In 10 patients with the interposition currently in situ, mean visual analogue scale score for pain improved from 7.4 to 2.4 and mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 42 to 76 points.

Conclusions

IA offered an improvement in pain and function but at a high cost. It is associated with a high complication rate the need for revision surgery.
Risk factors and predictors of mortality for proximal humeral fractures
Authors: Wilson Lyndsay A , Gooding Benjamin WT , Manning Paul A , Wallace W Angus , Geoghegan John M
Published: April 2014

Background

Risk factors for mortality after proximal humeral fracture, including socioeconomic status, are poorly defined. This retrospective review of prospectively collected data defines the epidemiology and predictors of mortality in association with proximal humeral fractures.

Methods

Patients who sustained proximal humeral fractures were identified from fragility fracture and trauma databases between May 2001 and September 2012.

Results

In total, 1880 patients with a mean age of 69 years and a male to female ratio of 2 : 3 were identified. Socioeconomic distribution is skewed towards the lowest and highest quintiles. Low-energy mechanisms caused 88% of fractures. Men sustain fractures when they are aged 10 years younger and via higher-energy mechanisms. In total, 536 patients (29%) died within the study period with a 1-year mortality of 9.8%, rising to 28.2% at 5 years. Female gender, increasing age, pathological fracture and increased number of co-morbidities were independent variables for increased mortality.

Conclusions

The present study, which was conducted over an 11-year period, is the first to combine the epidemiology and risk factors for mortality with socioeconomic rank. One-year mortality risk is twice that of the background matched population. Patient counselling with respect to increased mortality should be considered, especially in higher-risk elderly females with multiple co-morbidities.
Intraoperative nerve monitoring during total shoulder arthroplasty surgery
Authors: Malik Atif A , Aresti Nick , Plumb Karen , Cowan Joseph , Higgs Deborah , Lambert Simon , Falworth Mark
Published: April 2014

Background

Nerve injury is an acknowledged complication of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Although the incidence of postoperative neurological deficit has been reported to be between 1% and 16%, the true incidence of nerve damage is considered to be higher. The present study aimed to identify the rate of intraoperative nerve injury during total shoulder arthroplasty and to determine potential risk factors.

Methods

A prospective study of nerve conduction in 21 patients who underwent primary or revision TSA was carried out over a 12-month period. Nerve conduction was monitored by measuring intraoperative sensory evoked potentials (SEP). A significant neurophysiological signal change was defined as either a unilateral or bilateral decrease in SEP signal of ≥50%, a latency increase of ≥10% or a change in waveform morphology, not caused by operative or anaesthetic technique.

Results

Seven (33%) patients had a SEP signal change. The only significant risk factor identified for signal change was male sex (odds ratio 15.00, 95% confidence interval). The median nerve was the most affected nerve in the operated arm. All but one signal change returned to normal before completion of the operation and no patient had a persisting postoperative clinical neurological deficit.

Conclusions

The incidence of intraoperative nerve damage may be more common than previously reported. However, the loss of SEP signal is reversible and does not correlate with persisting clinical neurological deficits. The median nerve appears to be most at risk. Monitoring SEPs in the operated limb during TSA may be a valuable tool during TSA.
Revealing Relationships
Authors: Weih Timothy G.
Published: April 2014

Literature holds the potential to significantly influence the lives of readers, but what is the nature of this influence for very young readers? This study investigated the question “What are the relationships between beginning readers and their personal literature?” A first-grade class of 18 students individually assembled a collection of personal literature, that is, literature that they chose to read for their own purposes, and shared their literature during presentations to the class. Data collection included observational field notes, multiple forms of literature, audio recordings, and photographs. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The findings indicated four main outcomes: Students’ personal literature is a reflection of who they are as a child within a family structure; students’ personal literature brings them comfort; students’ personal literature is a reflection of their inner desires; and students’ personal literature is selected for their entertainment. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.
Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma
Authors: Shomaf Maha , Obeidat Nathir , Al-Fares Fatin , Najjar Saleh
Published: April 2014

Pulmonary artery sarcomas (PAS) are extremely rare sarcomas of uncertain histogenesis that often mimic pulmonary thromboemboli. This is a report of a 60-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent chest pain and cough. The patient was first diagnosed with pulmonary embolism but she did not improve on anticoagulant therapy. Follow-up imaging studies revealed a mass in the left hilar region extending into the pulmonary trunk and branches of the left pulmonary artery. The tru-cut biopsy revealed an undifferentiated sarcoma. The patient died 10 months after her initial presentation.
Interleukin-15 enhances cellular proliferation and upregulates CNS homing molecules in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Williams Mark T. S. , Yousafzai Yasar , Cox Charlotte , Blair Allison , Carmody Ruaidhrí , Sai Shuji , Chapman Karen E. , McAndrew Rachel , Thomas Angela , Spence Alison , Gibson Brenda , Graham Gerard J. , Halsey Christina
Published: April 2014

Key Points

IL-15 has been implicated in CNS disease and leukemogenesis, but the biological mechanisms are unknown. IL-15 increases pre-B ALL growth and upregulates CNS homing molecules, and MEK/ERK, PI3K, and NF-κB inhibitors block IL-15 growth effects.
Ethical considerations of research policy for personal genome analysis: the approach of the Genome Science Project in Japan
Authors: Minari Jusaku , Shirai Tetsuya , Kato Kazuto
Published: April 2014

As evidenced by high-throughput sequencers, genomic technologies have recently undergone radical advances. These technologies enable comprehensive sequencing of personal genomes considerably more efficiently and less expensively than heretofore. These developments present a challenge to the conventional framework of biomedical ethics; under these changing circumstances, each research project has to develop a pragmatic research policy. Based on the experience with a new large-scale project—the Genome Science Project—this article presents a novel approach to conducting a specific policy for personal genome research in the Japanese context. In creating an original informed-consent form template for the project, we present a two-tiered process: making the draft of the template following an analysis of national and international policies; refining the draft template in conjunction with genome project researchers for practical application. Through practical use of the template, we have gained valuable experience in addressing challenges in the ethical review process, such as the importance of sharing details of the latest developments in genomics with members of research ethics committees. We discuss certain limitations of the conventional concept of informed consent and its governance system and suggest the potential of an alternative process using information technology.
SEG survey on dual-career couples and women: Implications for the future of our Society
Authors: Sprunt Eve , House Nancy , Capello Maria Angela
Published: April 2014

The SEG membership has approximately doubled since 2000 to more than 33,000. As many older people have left the workforce and have been replaced by younger employees in the petroleum industry's “big crew change,” SEG's Women's Network Committee (WNC) wanted to understand how the membership of SEG has changed and the implications for the future of our Society. To better understand some of the important differences between the older and the emerging workforces, the WNC conducted a survey.
egr-4, a target of EGFR signaling, is required for the formation of the brain primordia and head regeneration in planarians
Authors: Fraguas Susanna , Barberán Sara , Iglesias Marta , Rodríguez-Esteban Gustavo , Cebrià Francesc
Published: April 2014

During the regeneration of freshwater planarians, polarity and patterning programs play essential roles in determining whether a head or a tail regenerates at anterior or posterior-facing wounds. This decision is made very soon after amputation. The pivotal role of the Wnt/β-catenin and Hh signaling pathways in re-establishing anterior-posterior (AP) polarity has been well documented. However, the mechanisms that control the growth and differentiation of the blastema in accordance with its AP identity are less well understood. Previous studies have described a role of Smed-egfr-3, a planarian epidermal growth factor receptor, in blastema growth and differentiation. Here, we identify Smed-egr-4, a zinc-finger transcription factor belonging to the early growth response gene family, as a putative downstream target of Smed-egfr-3. Smed-egr-4 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and its silencing inhibits anterior regeneration without affecting the regeneration of posterior regions. Single and combinatorial RNA interference to target different elements of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, together with expression analysis of brain- and anterior-specific markers, revealed that Smed-egr-4: (1) is expressed in two phases – an early Smed-egfr-3-independent phase and a late Smed-egfr-3-dependent phase; (2) is necessary for the differentiation of the brain primordia in the early stages of regeneration; and (3) that it appears to antagonize the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to allow head regeneration. These results suggest that a conserved EGFR/egr pathway plays an important role in cell differentiation during planarian regeneration and indicate an association between early brain differentiation and the proper progression of head regeneration.
A Gli silencer is required for robust repression of gremlin in the vertebrate limb bud
Authors: Li Qiang , Lewandowski Jordan P. , Powell Marian B. , Norrie Jacqueline L. , Cho Seung Hee , Vokes Steven A.
Published: April 2014

The transcriptional response to the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is mediated by Gli proteins, which function as context-dependent transcriptional activators or repressors. However, the mechanism by which Gli proteins regulate their target genes is poorly understood. Here, we have performed the first genetic characterization of a Gli-dependent cis-regulatory module (CRM), focusing on its regulation of Grem1 in the mouse limb bud. The CRM, termed GRE1 (Gli responsive element 1), can act as both an enhancer and a silencer. The enhancer activity requires sustained Hh signaling. As a Gli-dependent silencer, GRE1 prevents ectopic transcription of Grem1 driven through additional CRMs. In doing so, GRE1 works with additional GREs to robustly regulate Grem1. We suggest that multiple Gli CRMs may be a general mechanism for mediating a robust transcriptional response to the Hh pathway.
Precise control of miR-125b is required to create a regeneration-permissive environment after spinal cord injury
Authors: Diaz Quiroz Juan Felipe , Tsai Eve , Coyle Matthew , Sehm Tina , Echeverri Karen
Published: April 2014

Most spinal cord injuries lead to permanent paralysis in mammals. By contrast, the remarkable regenerative abilities of salamanders enable full functional recovery even from complete spinal cord transections. The molecular differences underlying this evolutionary divergence between mammals and amphibians are poorly understood. We focused on upstream regulators of gene expression as primary entry points into this question. We identified a group of miRNAs that are conserved between the Mexican axolotl salamander and mammals, but show marked cross-species differences in regulation patterns following spinal cord injury. We found that precise post-injury levels of one of these miRNAs (miR-125b) is essential for functional recovery, and guides correct regeneration of axons through the lesion site in a process involving the direct downstream target Sema4D in axolotls. Translating these results to a mammalian model, we increased miR-125b levels in the rat through mimic treatments following spinal cord transection. These treatments down-regulated Sema4D and other glial-scar related genes, and enhanced the animal's functional recovery. Our study identifies a key regulatory molecule conserved between salamander and mammal, and shows that the levels of miR-125b and its target gene Sema4D must be carefully controlled in the right cells at the correct level to promote regeneration. We also show that this molecular component of the salamander's regeneration-permissive environment can be experimentally harnessed to improve treatment outcomes for mammalian spinal cord injuries.
Task-specific Ionic Liquid-mediated Facile Synthesis of 1,3,5-Triaryltriazines by Cyclotrimerization of Imines and Their Biological Evaluation
Authors: Dandia Anshu , Jain Anuj K , Sharma Sonam
Published: April 2014

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of fluorinated 1,3,5-triaryltriazine derivatives is developed by the condensation reaction of aromatic amines and formaldehyde followed by spontaneous cyclotrimerization using task-specific 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine trifluoroacetate [TMG][Tfa] ionic liquid as a environmentally benign solvent in excellent yields at room temperature. The synthesized compounds were subjected for in vitro antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain using the Löwenstein–Jensen medium.
Synthesis and Properties of Liquid Crystalline Organogelators with Cholesteryl 4-(4′-Alkoxybenzoylamino)benzoates
Authors: Kubo Kanji , Tsuji Kazuki , Ujiie Seiji , Mori Akira
Published: April 2014

As a new liquid-crystalline organogelator, cholesteryl 4-(4′-alkoxybenzoylamino)benzoates were prepared. Cholesteryl 4-(4′-alkoxybenzoylamino)benzoates had enantiotropic cholesteric and chiral smectic C phases. Furthermore, cholesteryl 4-(4′-alkoxybenzoylamino)benzoate gelled organic liquid such as n-decane, n-hexadecene, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-decanol, toluene, salad oil, linalool, geraniol, nerol, citronellol, limonene, linalyl acetate, lavender oil, orange oil, and lemon oil. The terpene gels show good release of the volatile components for a long period.
Rapid Prediction of Phenolic Compounds as Chemical Markers for the Natural Durability of Teak (Tectona Grandis Linn f.) Heartwood by near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Niamké Florence Bobelé , Amusant Nadine , Kadio Adjumané Aimé , Thevenon Marie-France , Nourissier Sophie , Adima Augustin Amissa , Jay-Allemand Christian , Chaix Gilles
Published: April 2014

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provides rapid and non-destructive analysis of wood properties and composition. In this study, we aimed to use NIR measurement for the prediction of teak phenolic compounds, which are chemical markers for natural durability of wood. Twenty-seven teak trees from two geographical zones (Malaysia and Ivory Coast) were used. On ground heartwood samples, the content of total phenolics and individual quinones (tectoquinone, 2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone, 2-anthraquinone carboxylic acid, 1,4-naphthoquinone and 4′,5′-dihydroxy-epiisocatalponol) were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Partial least squares (PLS) regression with NIR spectra on the same samples and phenolic data was used to build NIR models for phenolic contents. The PLS models for the total predicted phenolics and three quinone contents (tectoquinone, 2-(hydroxymethyl) anthraquinone, and 4′,5′-dihydroxy-epiisocatalponol) showed a good ratio of performance to deviation ( RPD ⩾ 2.5), strong coefficients of determination ( r2 ⩾; 0.8) and the prediction errors were consistent with the reference method. These results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy can be reliable for the evaluation of total phenolics and individual quinones in teak heartwood wood meal. NIR spectroscopy is a promising technique for rapidly providing information on the quinone contents in teak wood and indirectly for knowing its natural durability. This finding leads to a precise, non-destructive tool for teak wood quality evaluation.
Determination of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Content of Germinated Brown Rice by near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kaewsorn K. , Sirisomboon P.
Published: April 2014

Rice rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been increasing in popularity worldwide, particularly within the commercially important health food market. The aim of this research was to develop a near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic method to evaluate the GABA content of germinated brown rice. Germinated brown rice (GBR) from two groups was used in this study. The first group contained GABA adjusted rice samples produced from germinated rough rice, which had been soaked for 24h and 48h and then incubated for 0h, 6h, 12h, 18h, 24h, 30h and 36h (GBR samples). The second group was the GBR purchased from local markets (MGBR samples). The GABA content of each sample was subsequently determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A prediction model for the GABA content was subsequently established using the NIR spectral data in conjunction with partial least square regression (PLSR), which was validated using test set validation. There were three optimal models obtained from GBR samples, MGBR-Khao Dawk Mali 105 samples and MGBR-various varieties. The first model was established using spectral data pre-treated with first derivative + multiple scatter correction and the second and third models were from first derivative + vector normalisation pre-treated spectra. The coefficient of determination ( r2), root mean squared error of prediction ( RMSEP) and a bias of 0.97–0.98 mg, 0.21–0.52 mg per 100g dry matter and −0.285–0.067 mg per 100g dry matter, respectively, were obtained. This is the first report on the application of NIR spectroscopy to evaluate the GABA content of the germinated brown rice, which could prove useful in an industrial applications and consumers.
Environmental Noise from Construction Site Power Systems and its Mitigation
Authors: Sellappan Elancheliyan , Janakiraman Krishnakumar
Published: April 2014

Generator sets for power are among the equipment used in the construction industries, used in large numbers and as clusters and also located very near to the work area. The noise levels produced by these generators are much higher than the permissible limit.

The first part of this paper assesses the potential noise emissions associated with two unclosed caterpillar power generators used in a construction site. In the second part combined noise effects of generators and other activities are studied over a 12-hour period to establish background environmental noise levels. The study shows large number of construction workers working nearby generators are exposed to 100 dB (A) or more noise. The chain of noise control at the source – along the noise path or at the receiver – and what effective steps could be taken to mitigate the noise exposure at each stage are considered.
Predicting the Sound Insulation of Lightweight Sandwich Panels
Authors: Davy John L. , Cowan Andre , Pearse John R. , Latimer Michael
Published: April 2014

The sound insulation of three sandwich panels was modelled using simple sound insulation prediction methods, but the agreement between theory and experiment was not very good. The effective Young's modulus was determined over a wide frequency from the resonant frequencies of three beams of different lengths. The effective Young's modulus was found to reduce with increasing frequency as has been predicted in the literature. This decrease is due to the core starting to shear rather than bend because its Young's modulus is much less than the Young's moduli of the skins. Unfortunately the agreement between theory and experiment was still not very good. This is because many of the prediction frequencies occur in the critical frequency dip because of the variation of the Young's modulus with frequency.
The Large Theatre of Pompeii: Acoustic Evolution
Authors: Iannace Gino , Trematerra Amelia , Masullo Massimiliano
Published: April 2014

This paper reports the acoustic evolution of the “Large Theatre” of Pompeii: during the Greek-Hellenistic and Roman period, and through to the present time. Initially the style of the theatre was Greek-Hellenistic with an elongated U shape and a cavea built into the top of a hill. During the Roman period the theatre shape was changed with a larger scene and a summa cavea added to accommodate about 5.000 spectators. After being recovered from under the Vesuvius lava it was partially reconstructed. Most recently the original grass-covered cavea has been paved with bricks and today the theatre provides a venue for a variety of types of performance. Its acoustic characteristics have been analysed using a virtual model for the Greek- Hellenistic and Roman period, and then, for the later configurations, when the cavea was grass-covered and then paved with bricks, with acoustic measurements.
Quantification of Airborne Noise Transmission in the Interior of an Ambulance
Authors: Oliveira Rafaela C. , Magalhaes Max D. C. , Casas Estevam B. Las , Santos Juliana
Published: April 2014

Although the ambulances are designed for the purpose of taking a patient to the hospital at the least amount of time, apart from initial medical response and stabilisation, it is believed that no particular investigation has been made in order to analyse the noise level inside the ambulances in Brazil. It is well known that patients are stressed by the noise generated inside the cabin during ambulance transport. The focus of this paper is on the aspects of experimental tests for airborne sound transmission through ambulance panels and data for validation of predictive models found in the literature. An average reverberation time of 0.37 s was found for the ambulance cabin. The speech intelligibility in the cabin without any external noise (e.g. siren, traffic, ambulance motor, etc.) was assessed by measuring the Speech Intelligibility Index (STI) which was equal to 0.87, which is considered good for an adequate communication between paramedics and patients. The amount of airborne noise insulation provided by the left-hand side and rear façades was measured using the standardized level difference D1 m,nt which was equal to 23 dB(A) and 13 dB(A) respectively.