bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
History of the process plant safety symposium: 20 years, 1992–2012
Authors: Edwards Victor H. , Early William F. , Fleming G. Jeff , Darby Ron , Cramer Joseph , Mannan M. Sam , Kaiser Hugh D. , Freeman Randy A. , Pearson Kathy , Thompson James , Myers Philip , Chosnek Jack , Champion John , Howat Colin S. , Emerson Steven D. , Willis James H. , Hoff Rainer
Published: August 2012

The first Process Plant Safety Symposium (PPSS) was a regional conference held in 1992 in Houston, TX, which has the largest concentration of chemical process plants in North America. The symposium was organized to provide perspectives, methods, and tools that could be readily practiced at the plant level. The first conference was organized by the South Texas Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and cosponsored by the AIChE Center for Chemical Process Safety and a number of other engineering and scientific organizations. The PPSS has evolved to an international symposium, part of the Global Congress on Process Safety, held annually in conjunction with the AIChE Spring Meeting. This article is a brief history of the PPSS. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance
Authors: Kliot Adi , Ghanim Murad
Published: August 2012

Insects are exposed to a variety of stress factors in their environment, and, in many cases for insect pests to agriculture, those factors include toxic chemical insecticides. Coping with the toxicity of insecticides can be costly and requires energy and resource allocation for adaptation and survival. Several behavioural, physiological and genetic mechanisms are used by insects to handle toxic insecticides, sometimes leading to resistance by constitutive overexpression of detoxification enzymes or inducing mutations in the target sites. Such actions are costly and may affect reproduction, impair dispersal ability and have several other effects on the insect's fitness. Fitness costs resulting from resistance to insecticides has been reported in many insects from different orders, and several examples are given in this mini‐review. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Spiders (Araneae) in the pesticide world: an ecotoxicological review
Authors: Pekár Stano
Published: August 2012

Being one of the most abundant and species‐rich groups of natural enemies occurring in all agroecosystems, spiders are variably affected by pesticide applications. Here, a review is given of research on spider ecotoxicology. More than 40 species of spiders and almost 130 pesticides (acaricides, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides) have been tested so far in the field or under laboratory conditions. Field studies show that the degree of population reduction following pesticide application is a function of a number of factors inherent to pesticides, crops and spider species (guilds). These studies also revealed indirect effects via habitat and prey disruption. Among laboratory studies, a number of papers have investigated only the direct lethal effect. A meta‐analysis of these data reveals that spiders are mainly affected by acaricides and insecticides, particularly neurotoxic substances. Currently, ecotoxicological research on spiders is focused more on direct sublethal effects on a variety of behavioural traits (locomotion, predation, web‐building, reproduction, development) and physiology. Yet a standardised approach to the evaluation of sublethal effects is lacking. A few studies have provided some evidence for hormesis in spiders. Future research should be more concentrated on sublethal effects and the estimation of long‐term changes in spider populations as a result of pesticide treatment. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Homoepitaxial boron‐doped diamond with very low compensation
Authors: Barjon J. , Chikoidze E. , Jomard F. , Dumont Y. , Pinault‐Thaury M.‐A. , Issaoui R. , Brinza O. , Achard J. , Silva F.
Published: August 2012

Homoepitaxial boron‐doped diamond layers grown by chemical vapor deposition on (100)‐oriented substrates are studied by Hall effect and resistivity measurements as a function of the temperature. In the range of 140–600 K, the hole concentration is well described by the neutrality equation in the regime of very low compensation, with the characteristic Ei/2 activation energy, where Ei is the ionization energy of boron acceptors. It indicates that the residual donor concentration is extremely low in the layers (<1013 cm−3).
Phase switching at low field and large sustainable strain output in domain engineered ferroic crystals
Authors: Finkel Peter , Amin Ahmed , Lofland Sam , Yao Jaojin , Viehland Dwight
Published: August 2012

Fundamental shortcomings of ferroelectrics (FEs) are low induced strain and high electric field often required for practical application in actuation, sensors, and acoustics. Although domain engineered FE single crystals deliver an order of magnitude improvement, fatigue remains another drawback in achieving reliable multiple domain switching crucial for memory storage. We demonstrate that under specially compressive stresses FE relaxors exhibit low field induced reversible and sustainable strain associated with FE–FE phase switching and unusual and unexpected lack of fatigue after several millions cycles is believed due to strain accommodation occurring in ferroics. Polarized light microscopy and X‐ray diffraction are in a very good agreement with macroscopic observation and phenomenological model confirming proposed transformational path. The phenomena presented in this work are envisioned to be universal in domain engineered ferroics enabling mechanical stress to be used for strain and polarization control of electromechanical energy conversion.
Non‐ohmic phenomena in Mn‐doped BaTiO3
Authors: Prades Marta , Beltrán Héctor , Cordoncillo Eloisa , Alonso Pablo J. , Masó Nahum , West Anthony R.
Published: August 2012

We report here a novel effect in which the resistance of a semiconducting oxide ceramic increases on application of a small dc bias. The ceramic conducts at high temperatures by an n‐type hopping mechanism. On application of a dc bias, conduction electrons are trapped at surface states and the resistance increases. On removal of the dc bias, the trapped electrons are released and the sample regains its original state. This effect is the mirror image of that seen with similar ceramics that conduct by a p‐type mechanism whose resistance decreases reversibly on application of a small dc bias. These two phenomena together offer the possibility of novel switching devices and memristive applications, especially if the switching times can be reduced.
Optical properties and carrier transport in c‐Si/conductive PEDOT:PSS(GO) composite heterojunctions
Authors: Tang Zeguo , Liu Qiming , Khatri Ishwor , Ishikawa Ryo , Ueno Keiji , Shirai Hajime
Published: August 2012

We investigated the crystalline silicon (c‐Si)/conductive poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS):graphene oxide (GO) composite heterojunction devices with optical characterization and carrier transport measurement techniques. The optical transmittance in the UV region also decreased markedly for the films with GO content above 20 wt%, whereas it increased markedly in the visible‐infrared regions. The solar cell devices consisting of spin‐coated PEDOT:PSS(GO) composite on n‐type c‐Si(100) wafer exhibited a maximum efficiency of 10.3%, a short‐circuit current Jscof 28.9 mA/cm2, a open‐circuit voltage Voc of 0.548 V, and a fill factor FF of 0.675 at a GO content of 12.5 wt%. The ideality factor deduced from current density‐voltage (J ‐V) plots in the dark increased with GO content from 1.12 for pristine PEDOT:PSS to 2.91. Temperature‐dependent dark J ‐V measurements suggest that the carrier transport in the devices is controlled by diffusion and recombination in the space‐charge region for the devices. The role of the GO addition into conductive PEDOT:PSS is demonstrated for the c‐Si(100)/PEDOT:PSS(GO) composite junction solar cells in terms of the optical and carrier transport properties. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Direct growth of periodic silicon nanostructures on imprinted glass for photovoltaic and photonic applications
Authors: Becker Christiane , Preidel Veit , Sontheimer Tobias , Klimm Carola , Rudigier‐Voigt Eveline , Bockmeyer Matthias , Rech Bernd
Published: August 2012

Large‐area (50 cm2) two‐dimensionally periodic crystalline silicon structures with lattice constants between 350 nm and 2 µm were prepared by high‐rate electron‐beam evaporation of silicon on nanoimprinted glass substrates. All processing steps have little technological intricacy, are up‐scalable to large areas, and thus hold the potential for low‐cost production of advanced nanostructured photovoltaic devices or large‐area 2D photonic crystals. The 2 µm‐periodic materials exhibit a promising absorption enhancement with light path enhancement factors larger 40 at λ=1000 nm enabling the development of highly effective light trapping architectures for polycrystalline silicon thin‐film solar cells. Photonic band structure effects at near infrared wavelengths could be identified by angular resolved reflection measurements in hexagonal 350nm‐periodically patterned silicon films inspiring the formation of large‐area two‐dimensional photonic crystals for telecommunication wavelengths. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deep level transient spectroscopy on proton‐irradiated Fe‐contaminated p‐type silicon
Authors: Tang C. K. , Vines L. , Svensson B. G. , Monakhov E. V.
Published: August 2012

Proton‐irradiation has been realized on Fe‐contaminated p‐type Czochralski silicon and investigated for interaction between Fe and irradiation‐induced defects using deep level transient spectroscopy. From isochronal thermal annealings, three distinctive Fe‐related defects are observed with energy level position of 0.17, 0.28 and 0.34 eV above the valence band edge. From the evolution of the defect concentration at different annealing temperature, it is suggested that Fe has reacted with prominent irradiation‐induced defects, such as the vacancy‐oxygen complex and the divacancy center. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Size‐dependent structural properties of quasi‐one‐dimensional silicon clusters
Authors: Umarova F. T. , Normurodov A. B. , Turaeva N. N.
Published: August 2012

The family of quasi‐one‐dimensional silicon clusters of regular hexagonal prism form with the layer number n = 2–4 is investigated by the new quantum‐chemical tight‐binding method. The structural properties of the pristine and hydrogen‐passivated clusters are studied as function of cluster sizes. The optimized geometries of clusters show that the layer sizes change with increasing the number of its. The middle layers widen in comparison to the top and bottom layers. The cluster Si18 trends to the fullerene‐like form. Analysis of the quantum‐chemical calculation results has been conducted in framework of the correlative approach of Wigner and virial theorem. Electron properties are studied separately for each layer. It has been shown that a distinction in radial compressing forces in different layers and dependence of the distinction values from the layer number (i.e. from cluster size) exist (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Random geometric subdivisions
Authors: Volkov Stanislav
Published: August 2012

We study several models of random geometric subdivisions arising from the model of Diaconis and Miclo (Combin Probab Comput 20 (2011) 213–237). In particular, we show that the limiting shape of an indefinite subdivision of a quadrilateral is a.s. a parallelogram. We also show that the geometric subdivisions of a triangle by angle bisectors converge (only weakly) to a non‐atomic distribution, and that the geometric subdivisions of a triangle by choosing random points on its sides converges to a “flat” triangle, similarly to the result of Diaconis and Miclo (Combin Probab Comput 20 (2011) 213–237). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2013
The secondary ions emission from Si under low‐energy Cs bombardment in a presence of oxygen
Authors: Merkulov A.
Published: August 2012

Secondary negative ions yields of elements in the IIIrd, IVth, Vth periodic table groups emitted under Cs+ bombardment of Si surface in presence of oxygen are reported. The ion yield variation on oxygen partial pressure in the analytical chamber obtained for different ions allows taking a step forward the development of secondary ion emission model. The ion yield enhancement under particular oxygen surface coverage offers an approach for quantitative analysis of ultra‐shallow semiconductor structures and interfaces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fast collapsed data method for estimating haplotype frequencies from pooled genotype data with applications to the study of rare variants
Authors: Kuk Anthony Y.C. , Li Xiang , Xu Jinfeng
Published: August 2012

Haplotype information could lead to more powerful tests of genetic association than single‐locus analyses but it is not easy to estimate haplotype frequencies from genotype data due to phase ambiguity. The challenge is compounded when individuals are pooled together to save costs or to increase sample size, which is crucial in the study of rare variants. Existing expectation–maximization type algorithms are slow and cannot cope with large pool size or long haplotypes. We show that by collapsing the total allele frequencies of each pool suitably, the maximum likelihood estimates of haplotype frequencies based on the collapsed data can be calculated very quickly regardless of pool size and haplotype length. We provide a running time analysis to demonstrate the considerable savings in time that the collapsed data method can bring. The method is particularly well suited to estimating certain union probabilities useful in the study of rare variants. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence to suggest that the proposed estimation method will not suffer much loss in efficiency if the variants are rare. We use the method to analyze re‐sequencing data collected from a case control study involving 148 obese persons and 150 controls. Focusing on a region containing 25 rare variants around the MGLL gene, our method selects three rare variants as potentially causal. This is more parsimonious than the 12 variants selected by a recently proposed covering method. From another set of 32 rare variants around the FAAH gene, we discover an interesting potential interaction between two of them. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FcgiOCSP: a scalable OCSP‐based certificate validation system exploiting the FastCGI interface
Authors: Berbecaru Diana , Casalino Matteo M. , Lioy Antonio
Published: August 2012

Certificate validation, one of the most important and complex tasks in Public Key Infrastructures, is still a challenging topic nowadays because of the scalability and complexity issues related to this process. Validation of an X.509 certificate requires checking its revocation status, either by consulting the so‐called Certificate Revocation Lists or by contacting a specific server via the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP). Because more and more entities extensively need to validate the certificates used for various purposes (such as digital signature, server authentication, and secure e‐mail), the OCSP servers become overloaded. Thus, an increasing effort is currently dedicated to the creation and management of scalable certificate validation architectures. In this work, we discuss scalability challenges in OCSP‐based certificate validation, and we propose a method to evaluate the OCSP server performance in stress conditions. Next, we experimentally measure the performance, expressed in terms of response time and throughput, of some open‐source OCSP implementations. Finally, we propose and evaluate our own scalable OCSP‐based certificate validation system, named FcgiOCSP, as it exploits the FastCGI interface. Experimental results demonstrate the high performance of FcgiOCSP with respect to other OCSP implementations evaluated in this work. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐Uniform Thermal Behavior and Shell Growth within Mould for Wide and Thick Slab Continuous Casting
Authors: Tang Ling , Yao Man , Wang Xudong , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: August 2012

This work mainly presented two aspects, inverse problem model technique that allowed detailed description of heat transfer behaviors in the mould from simulations of coupled measured temperature. Additionally, shell growth rate defined for discussing irregular shell growth was presented for wide and thick continuous casting slab. As a result, the inverse problem model provided good agreement on prediction of mould temperatures. Furthermore, the model's transient approach could show the non‐uniform characteristics of heat flux and shell thickness. The non‐uniformity of heat transfer was significantly prominent on outside radius face more than that of inside radius face, and the non‐uniformity of shell thickness distribution on narrow face is smaller than that of wide face. It was also able to analyze behavior of initial solidified shell within the mould through the shell growth rate. Shell growth rate reached the maximum in the region of 100–200 mm below meniscus, as well as local heat flux. Effect of casting speed on the non‐uniformity of heat transfer and shell growth rate was also discussed. Although complex in nature, these models likely became part of optimization and control of continuous casting process.
Modeling Related to Secondary Steel Making
Authors: Sichen Du
Published: August 2012

A big number of publications were collected to provide an overall picture of the modeling in secondary steelmaking. The referred papers could illustrate the general and typical approaches in modeling the process and sub‐processes of steelmaking. The flow, mass transfer, and heat transfer in the reactors were briefly discussed. While modeling of slag–metal interface was summarized, the strong need for further understanding of the interface was emphasized. Modeling approaches of inclusion generation, growth, and separation were also discussed. The requirement of in‐depth knowledge of these phenomena was addressed. The present review intends not only to provide a literature survey, but also to remind the researchers the importance of keeping balance between the experimental and modeling studies.
On the Formation of Vanadium Ferrites in CaO–SiO2–FeO–V2O5 Slags
Authors: Semykina Anna , Dzhebian Iryna , Shatokha Volodymyr
Published: August 2012

Selective extraction of valuable elements (such as V, Cr, Mn, etc.) and their compounds from metallurgical slag is in a focus of many researchers. Although vanadium may be present in slag as oxides and/or complex spinels with Fe, Mn, etc. during an alloyed steel production, the majority of vanadium in metallurgical slags typically exists as V2O5, which comprises up to 3–5 wt% of the slag in some cases. Due to the vanadium toxicity, these slags are forbidden in many civil engineering applications. As a result, hundreds of thousand tonnes of V2O5‐bearing slags are landfilled every year. In the present work, the formation of vanadium ferrites (FeV2O4 and Fe2VO4) in synthesized CaO–SiO2–FeO–V2O5 slags containing 5 wt% V2O5 was examined under different partial pressures of oxygen. For the current slag chemistry range, an XRD analysis confirmed the presence of vanadium ferrite in slag samples treated at 1773 K in an argon atmosphere (PO2 = 10−1–10−2 Pa) while no solid was noted in samples treated in air. Results were discussed based on thermodynamic consistency.
Peak Oil and the Narrative Construction of Unmarked Identities
Authors: Pruit John C.
Published: August 2012

Resource depletion is usually an ecological or economic issue, but I approach interpretations of peak oil as the interplay between local and cultural knowledge during narrative identity construction. I examine two internet resource depletion blogs finding that bloggers compete for narrative control using identity unmarkers. Identity unmarkers are taken for granted understandings of normativity. I call this process narrative unmarking. I discuss four identity unmarkers that play on everyday sentiments of normativity: doing something, doing rationality, making plausible insights, and proposing solutions.
Indoor navigation system using ID‐modulated LED tube lights
Authors: Li Chang , Sato Kosuke
Published: August 2012

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a novel camera‐based information transmission system for indoor positioning and navigation. This system, which avoids the use of any expensive equipment, is of particular benefit for infrastructure consumption and is completely portable using a handheld terminal. A high‐intensity light‐emitting diode (LED) tube, which is expected to be the main illumination source for the next generation due to its lower power cost and longer lifetime, is utilized as an optical beacon in the system. LED tubes are encoded to transmit ID information, which is received by a single normal camera. The handheld computing terminal, a mobile phone for example, can query a database after performing ID recognition and, finally, the position and orientation of the terminal can be obtained. Experimental results confirm the accuracy of the system in terms of both position and orientation, and it is suitable for many indoor navigation applications. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reproductive toxicity and histopathological changes induced by lambda‐cyhalothrin in male mice
Authors: Al‐Sarar Ali S. , Abobakr Yasser , Bayoumi Alaa E. , Hussein Hamdy I. , Al‐Ghothemi Mousa
Published: August 2012

Lambda‐cyhalothrin (LCT) is a widely used broad‐spectrum pyrethroid insecticide. Oral LCT administration to adult male mice at 3 doses (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks caused a significant reduction in the weight of the seminal vesicles. The epididymal sperm count was lower in mice that received at the highest dose than in control mice. However, the proportions of live and motile spermatozoa were reduced at both the medium and the high doses compared with control mice. All doses induced an increase in the number of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Histopathological observations of the testes, liver, kidneys, and spleen showed dose‐related degenerative damage in LCT‐treated mice. The results indicate that LCT has reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and splenotoxicity in male mice at the tested doses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 750–762, 2014.
Downregulation of nuclear respiratory factor‐1 contributes to mitochondrial events induced by benzo(a)pyrene
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Bao Yan , Liu Yimin , Li Jue
Published: August 2012

Environmental carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been shown to be a genotoxicant that affects both nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF‐1) is a transcriptional activator of nuclear genes that encode a range of mitochondrial proteins including mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA). However, the role of NRF‐1 in BaP‐induced mitochondrial event is not clear. We investigated the change of NRF‐1 and mtTFA in human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) elicited by BaP. The results indicated that BaP induced cell apoptosis, total mitochondrial enzymes activities and ATP levels decrease in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners, respectively. The transcription and protein levels of NRF‐1 and mtTFA decreased at 48 h after 16 μM BaP treatment. Our results indicated downregulation of NRF‐1 and mtTFA is involved in BaP‐induced mitochondrial events. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 780–787, 2014.
A contribution to the history of the proton channel
Authors: Meech Robert
Published: August 2012

The low numbers of hydrogen ions in physiological solutions encouraged the assumption that H+currents flowing through conductive pathways would be so small as to be unmeasurable even if theoretically possible. Evidence for an H+‐based action potential in the luminescent dinoflagellateNoctilucaand for an H+‐conducting channel created by the secretions of the bacteriumBacillus brevis, did little to alter this perception. The clear demonstration of H+conduction in molluscan neurons might have provided the breakthrough but the new pathway was without an easily demonstrable function, and escaped general attention. Indeed the extreme measures that must be taken to successfully isolate H+currents meant that it was some years before proton channels were identified in mammalian cells. However, with the general availability of patch‐clamp techniques and evidence for an important role in mammalian neutrophils, the stage was set for a series of structure/function studies with the potential to make the proton channel the best understood channel of all. In addition, widespread genomic searches have established that proton channels play important roles in processes ranging from fertilization of the human ovum to the progression of breast cancer.WIREs Membr Transp Signal2012, 1:533–557. doi: 10.1002/wmts.59

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The cellular life of pannexins
Authors: Penuela Silvia , Laird Dale W.
Published: August 2012

The mammalian pannexin family of channel‐forming proteins consisting of Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3 has received considerable attention in the last 10 years given their newly discovered physiological roles in development and disease. Pannexins exhibit diverse subcellular profiles indicating that they may serve distinct roles in cells and tissues of different origin. This complexity in cellular residencies may be rooted in the fact that pannexin genes consist of multiple exons that have led to the identification of several splice variants. Additionally, post‐translational modifications, especially N‐glycosylation, appear to be important in regulating trafficking and intermixing of pannexin family members increasing the diversity of assembled channels. These long‐lived membrane proteins are typically trafficked through the classical secretory pathway before reaching the plasma membrane although Panx2 tends to often be retained in intracellular compartments. Trafficking, stability, and function of pannexins likely enlist the services of an interactome that continues to expand. The research field has been amazed by the fact that Panx1 null mice are generally healthy with distinct phenotypes only being revealed when mutant mice encounter additional stress or have comorbidities. The emerging field of pannexin biology has also begun to explore the relationships and potential cross‐talk between pannexin channels and connexin hemichannels. It is imperative to dissect the different constituents of the channels and the molecules that pass through these distinct channel types. Finally, as witnessed in connexin biology throughout the 90s, the field awaits to see if germline mutations in the genes that encode pannexins also cause disease. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2012, 1:621–632. doi: 10.1002/wmts.63

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Cross section ratios between different CM energies at the LHC: opportunities for precision measurements and BSM sensitivity
Authors: Mangano Michelangelo L. , Rojo Juan
Published: August 2012

Abstract

The staged increase of the LHC beam energy provides a new class of interesting observables, namely ratios and double ratios of cross sections of various hard processes. The large degree of correlation of theoretical systematics in the cross section calculations at different energies leads to highly precise predictions for such ratios. We present in this letter few examples of such ratios, and discuss their possible implications, both in terms of opportunities for precision measurements and in terms of sensitivity to Beyond the Standard Model dynamics.
Management of Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hemoperitoneum Manifested as Acute Abdomen in the Emergency Room
Authors: Hsueh Kuan‐Chun , Fan Hsiu‐Lung , Chen Teng‐Wei , Chan De‐Chuan , Yu Jyh‐Cherng , Tsou Shung‐Sheng , Chang Tzu‐Ming , Hsieh Chung‐Bao
Published: August 2012

Background

Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hemoperitoneum has a poor prognosis, especially in cases of cirrhosis. Patients usually present to emergency rooms (ERs) with acute abdomen. The aim of the present study was to determine the factors affecting mortality and to compare the prognosis of conservative treatment, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), or hepatectomy in these situations.

Methods

Fifty‐four patients with spontaneously ruptured HCC diagnosed between January 2004 and August 2010 were enrolled in this retrospective review of clinical data. Grouping by survival or mortality, univariate and multivariate analyses of factors affecting 30‐day mortality, and long‐term survival were conducted. The outcomes of the various treatments were analyzed.

Results

After primary fluid resuscitation in the ER, 6 of 54 patients underwent conservative treatment. Emergency hepatectomy was performed on 19 patients; TAE was used for 29 patients, 18 of whom received staged hepatectomy thereafter. Poor liver function, prolonged international normalized ratio (INR), and conservative treatment were associated with increased 30‐day mortality. Logistic regression analysis of cumulative survival revealed that INR ≥ 1.4, multiple intrahepatic HCC, and conservative treatment were related to poorer long‐term survival. The patients who received hepatectomy, either immediate or staged after TAE, had higher survival rates of 85.2 % at 30 days and 62.2 % at 1 year.

Conclusions

The treatment of ruptured HCC should be tailored to the individual case. Prolonged survival is possible in patients with preserved liver function through curative liver resection. Emergency physicians, radiologists, and surgeons play essential roles in managing these patients.
Prevention of Intracranial In-stent Restenoses: Predilatation with a Drug Eluting Balloon, Followed by the Deployment of a Self-Expanding Stent
Authors: Vajda Zsolt , Güthe Thomas , Perez Marta Aguilar , Kurre Wiebke , Schmid Elisabeth , Bäzner Hansjörg , Henkes Hans
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Stenting in intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is increasingly debated, due to issues of procedural safety, technical efficacy, and in-stent recurrent stenoses (ISR). In the present study, feasibility, safety, and efficacy of angioplasty using a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) followed by the implantation of a self-expanding stent (Enterprise) were evaluated for the treatment of ICAD lesions.

Methods

Fifty-two patients (median age: 71 years; range: 54–86 years; male/female ratio 37:15) underwent stenting of high-grade ICAD lesions between February 2010 and November 2011 in a single center. Angioplasty using a paclitaxel coated SeQuent Please (B. Braun, Germany) or DIOR (Eurocor, Germany) coronary PTCA balloon, followed by the implantation of a self-expanding stent (Enterprise, Codman, USA) was performed in 54 lesions. Angiographic and clinical follow-up was performed at 6 and 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Technical success rate, periprocedural complications, occurrence of recurrent ischemic symptoms, and the development of an ISR were analyzed.

Results

Angioplasty using a DEB followed by stent implantation was successfully performed in 44 (81 %) cases. DEB insertion failed in 19 % of the cases and angioplasty was finally performed using a conventional PTCA balloon. The combined procedure related permanent neurologic morbidity and mortality rate (stroke, ICH, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) at 30 days and beyond was 5 %. Angiographic and clinical follow-up were obtained in 33 (61 %) lesions in 32 patients. Recurrent stenosis was seen in one (3 %) lesion.

Conclusion

Angioplasty and stenting using a DEB is safe and yields encouragingly low ISR rates. Further technical developments to improve lesion accessibility are, nevertheless, mandatory.
Battling Discrimination and Social Isolation: Psychological Distress Among Latino Day Laborers
Authors: Negi Nalini Junko
Published: August 2012

Day labor is comprised of predominately male and recent Latino immigrants, mainly from Mexico and Central America who work in an unregulated and informal market. Three‐quarters of the day labor force is undocumented and live under the federal poverty threshold as work is seasonal and highly contingent on the weather and the local economy. However, in spite of their exposure to significant health risks, little is known about the impact of Latino day laborers’ (LDLs) work and life conditions on their mental health. This mixed methods study extends the literature by using the minority stress theoretical model to examine the relationship between discrimination and social isolation as well as participant identified protective factors such as religiosity and sending remittances with psychological distress. A quantitative survey with 150 LDLs was conducted and was followed by a qualitative member checking focus group to extend upon the quantitative results as well as the minority stress model with the lived experiences of these immigrant workers. Results reveal implications for prevention efforts with this hard‐to‐reach and marginalized population.
The Citizenship Project Part II: Impact of a Citizenship Intervention on Clinical and Community Outcomes for Persons with Mental Illness and Criminal Justice Involvement
Authors: Clayton Ashley , O'Connell Maria J. , Bellamy Chyrell , Benedict Patricia , Rowe Michael
Published: August 2012

This study assessed the effectiveness of an intervention based on a theoretical framework of citizenship on reducing psychiatric symptoms, alcohol use, and drug use, and increasing quality of life for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) and criminal justice involvement. One‐hundred fourteen adults with SMI and a history of criminal justice involvement participated in a 2 × 3 longitudinal randomized controlled trial of a four‐month citizenship intervention versus usual services. Linear mixed model analyses were used to assess the intervention's impact on quality of life, symptoms, and substance use. After controlling for baseline covariates, participants in the experimental condition reported significantly increased quality of life, greater satisfaction with and amount of activity, higher satisfaction with work, and reduced alcohol and drug use over time. However, individuals in the experimental condition also reported increased anxiety/depression and agitation at 6 months (but not 12 months) and significantly increased negative symptoms at 12 months. Findings suggest that community‐oriented, citizenship interventions for persons with SMI and criminal justice histories may facilitate improved clinical and community outcomes in some domains, but some negative clinical findings suggest the need for post‐intervention support for intervention participants. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Patterns in training, knowledge, and performance of skilled birth attendants providing emergency obstetric and newborn care in Afghanistan
Authors: Partamin  , Kim Young‐Mi , Mungia Jaime , Faqir Manizha , Ansari Nasratullah , Evans Cherrie
Published: August 2012

Objective

To assess current skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in Afghanistan, looking for opportunities to improve quality and expand emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services.

Methods

The EmONC training, knowledge, and skills of 82 doctors and 142 midwives in 78 facilities were assessed using interviews, knowledge tests, observation of performance on anatomic models, and decision‐making scenarios.

Results

Three‐quarters had training in at least half of the 24 possible skills. Doctors’ and midwives’ levels of training in specific skills were generally similar. Doctors were more likely to be very confident of their skills. Midwives and doctors scored similarly in assessments of decision making and performance of technical skills. SBAs showed weaknesses in specific steps to manage common high‐risk emergencies. Decision‐making skills were good in a maternal care scenario but weak on managing a newborn not breathing. Doctors’ and midwives’ scores were similar.

Conclusion

Midwives and doctors in Afghanistan are similarly competent. Focusing on training and deploying midwives may be cost effective without diminishing quality. In‐service training and job rotation could help SBAs retain their EmONC skills. Training and practice to manage common high‐risk emergencies deserve priority.
A Plague of Sheep
Authors: Melville Elinor G. K.
Published: August 2012

This is a book about the biological conquest of the New World. Taking as a case study the sixteenth-century history of a region of highland central Mexico, it shows how the environmental and social changes brought about by the introduction of Old World species aided European expansion. The book spells out in detail the environmental changes associated with the introduction of Old World grazing animals into New World ecosystems, demonstrates how these changes enabled the Spanish takeover of land, and explains how environmental changes shaped the colonial societies.
A Government Out of Sight
Authors: Balogh Brian
Published: August 2012

While it is obvious that America's state and local governments were consistently active during the nineteenth century, a period dominated by laissez-faire, political historians of twentieth-century America have assumed that the national government did very little during this period. A Government Out of Sight challenges this premise, chronicling the ways in which the national government intervened powerfully in the lives of nineteenth-century Americans through the law, subsidies, and the use of third parties (including state and local governments), while avoiding bureaucracy. Americans have always turned to the national government - especially for economic development and expansion - and in the nineteenth century even those who argued for a small, nonintrusive central government demanded that the national government expand its authority to meet the nation's challenges. In revising our understanding of the ways in which Americans turned to the national government throughout this period, this study fundamentally alters our perspective on American political development in the twentieth century, shedding light on contemporary debates between progressives and conservatives about the proper size of government and government programs and subsidies that even today remain 'out of sight'.
The Psychology of the Internet
Authors: Wallace Patricia
Published: August 2012

This timely volume explores the psychological aspects of cyberspace, a virtual world in which people from around the globe are acting and interacting in many new, unusual, and occasionally alarming ways. Drawing on research in the social sciences, communications, business, and other fields, the book examines how the online environment can influence the way we behave, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Our own on-line behavior then becomes part of the Internet's psychological environment for others, creating opportunities for shaping the way this new territory for human interaction is unfolding. Because the Internet - and our experience within it - is still young, we have a rare window of opportunity to influence the course of its development. This new edition contains the latest coverage of ecommerce, exploring how it influences online behavior. It also covers workplace surveillance and datamining, indicating how they affect trust.
Exploring the Starry Sky
Authors: Burnham Robert , Tirion Wil
Published: August 2012

Exploring the Starry Sky is the perfect guide for anyone interested in stargazing for the first time. With large, colourful, and easy-to-use star maps, it contains simple directions for finding all of the major stars and constellations visible from the northern hemisphere. For each season, two star charts show all the major sights that can be seen from suburban or rural locations. For those who already have binoculars or a small telescope, more detailed maps spotlight special regions of interest. Additional sections show where the planets are from now until 2006, and when to look for meteor showers, plus dates and places of upcoming eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Fun and easy to use, Exploring the Starry Sky is an enjoyable introduction to sky-watching for every beginner.
What Is Intelligence?
Authors: Flynn James R.
Published: August 2012

The 'Flynn effect' refers to the massive increase in IQ test scores over the course of the twentieth century. Does it mean that each generation is more intelligent than the last? Does it suggest how each of us can enhance our own intelligence? Professor Flynn is finally ready to give his own views. He asks what intelligence really is and gives a surprising and illuminating answer. This expanded paperback edition includes three important new essays. The first contrasts the art of writing cognitive history with the science of measuring intelligence and reports data. The second outlines how we might get a complete theory of intelligence, and the third details Flynn's reservations about Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. A fascinating book that bridges the gulf separating our minds from those of our ancestors a century ago, and makes an important contribution to our understanding of human intelligence.
The Analysis of Space-Time Singularities
Authors: Clarke C. J. S.
Published: August 2012

The theorems of Hawking and Penrose show that space-times are likely to contain incomplete geodesics. Such geodesics are said to end at a singularity if it is impossible to continue the space-time and geodesic without violating the usual topological and smoothness conditions on the space-time. In this book the different possible singularities are defined, and the mathematical methods needed to extend the space-time are described in detail. The results obtained (many appearing here for the first time) show that singularities are associated with a lack of smoothness in the Riemann tensor. While the Friedmann singularity is analysed as an example, the emphasis is on general theorems and techniques rather than on the classification of particular exact solutions.
An Introduction to Science Studies
Authors: Ziman John M.
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this book is to give a coherent account of the different perspectives on science and technology that are normally studied under various disciplinary heads such as philosophy of science, sociology of science and science policy. It is intended for students embarking on courses in these subjects and assumes no special knowledge of any science. It is written in a direct and simple style, and technical language is introduced very sparingly. As various perspectives are sketched out in this book, the reader moves towards a consistent conception of contemporary science as a rapidly changing social institution that has already grown out of its traditional forms and plays a central role in society at large. It will appeal to students in a wide range of scientific disciplines and complement well Professor Ziman's earlier books.
The Ecological Implications of Body Size
Authors: Peters Robert Henry
Published: August 2012

It is generally recognized that larger animals eat more, live longer, have larger offspring, and so on; but it is unusual to see these commonplace observations as a basis for scientific biology. A large number of empirically based relationships describe biological rates as simple functions of body size; and other such relations predict the intrinsic rate of population growth, animal speed, animal density, territory size, prey size, physiology, and morphology. Such equations almost always exist for mammals and birds, often for other vertebrates and invertebrates, sometimes for protozoa, algae, and bacteria, and occasionally even for plants. There are too many organisms to measure all aspects of the biology of every species of population, so scientists must depend on generalizations. Body size relations represent our most extensive and powerful assemblage of generalizations, but they have never been organized for use in ecology. This book represents the largest single compilation of interspecific size relations, and instructs the reader on the use of these relationships; their comparison, combination, and criticism. Both strengths and weaknesses of our current knowledge are discussed in order to indicate the many possible directions for further research. This important volume will therefore provide a point of departure toward a new applied ecology, giving quantitative solutions to real questions. It will interest advanced students of ecology and comparative physiology as well as professional biologists.
Buoyancy Effects in Fluids
Authors: Turner J. S.
Published: August 2012

The phenomena treated in this book all depend on the action of gravity on small density differences in a non-rotating fluid. The author gives a connected account of the various motions which can be driven or influenced by buoyancy forces in a stratified fluid, including internal waves, turbulent shear flows and buoyant convection. This excellent introduction to a rapidly developing field, first published in 1973, can be used as the basis of graduate courses in university departments of meteorology, oceanography and various branches of engineering. This edition is reprinted with corrections, and extra references have been added to allow readers to bring themselves up to date on specific topics. Professor Turner is a physicist with a special interest in laboratory modelling of small-scale geophysical processes. An important feature is the superb illustration of the text with many fine photographs of laboratory experiments and natural phenomena.
A Distributed Pi-Calculus
Authors: Hennessy Matthew
Published: August 2012

Distributed systems are fast becoming the norm in computer science. Formal mathematical models and theories of distributed behaviour are needed in order to understand them. This book proposes a distributed pi-calculus called Dpi, for describing the behaviour of mobile agents in a distributed world. It is based on an existing formal language, the pi-calculus, to which it adds a network layer and a primitive migration construct. A mathematical theory of the behaviour of these distributed systems is developed, in which the presence of types plays a major role. It is also shown how in principle this theory can be used to develop verification techniques for guaranteeing the behavior of distributed agents. The text is accessible to computer scientists with a minimal background in discrete mathematics. It contains an elementary account of the pi-calculus, and the associated theory of bisimulations. It also develops the type theory required by Dpi from first principles.
Quantum Fields in Curved Space
Authors: Birrell N. D. , Davies P. C. W.
Published: August 2012

This book presents a comprehensive review of the subject of gravitational effects in quantum field theory. Although the treatment is general, special emphasis is given to the Hawking black hole evaporation effect, and to particle creation processes in the early universe. The last decade has witnessed a phenomenal growth in this subject. This is the first attempt to collect and unify the vast literature that has contributed to this development. All the major technical results are presented, and the theory is developed carefully from first principles. Here is everything that students or researchers will need to embark upon calculations involving quantum effects of gravity at the so-called one-loop approximation level.