bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coalitions within the Egyptian Banking Sector: Catalysts of the Popular Revolution
Authors: Abdel-Baki Monal A.
Published: April 2012

Among the triggers of the Egyptian Revolution are the sentiments of resentment against the convoluted alliances between private businesses and policymakers that deprived the masses of their fair share of the high GDP growth. But does this indictment extend to the Egyptian banking sector? Based on a field survey and a dataset of 3218 business loans made by 33 banks during 1999–2010, this research differentiates between growth catalysts and crony coalitions within the Egyptian banking sector. The results of the Generalized Estimating Equations reveal that preferential lending to politically-connected businesses has a negative impact on employment and income distribution. Loans to small and medium enterprises and public firms help enhance income distribution and job generation, albeit that the soft-budget constraint on loans to public firms deters growth. The paper presents some policy recommendations that could help exorcise patrimonialism and clientelism and enhance growth alliances within the sector that controls most of the credit flow in the Egyptian economy. The study is not only of grave importance to the Egyptian nation whose members are actively engaged in refurbishing its institutional framework, but is of equal significance to other emerging economies that are keen to install equity, political stability and socioeconomic prosperity.
Modernity, Imitation, and Performance: Sovereign Funds in the Gulf
Authors: Clark Gordon L. , Monk Ashby
Published: April 2012

Whereas debate about sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) often focuses upon the global significance of their investment strategies, these institutions are also emblematic of the new global order of financial capitalism. SWFs are a mechanism for states to advance their interests through global financial markets and are a switch point for the translation of resource assets into financial assets in global markets. Yet, realising the promise of SWFs is not easy. The form and functions of these institutions are typically conceived in Western terms, so the necessary infrastructure for their effective performance may not exist in non-Western jurisdictions. Nonetheless, these funds have grown increasingly popular throughout the world. As such, this paper examines the process of SWF adoption in non-Western jurisdictions, and, in particular, SWFs' recent rise in popularity amongst the Gulf States. These countries are particularly interesting as they face a variety of challenges due to institutional contradictions between the norms of Western finance and the inherited traditions of the Gulf. While Gulf SWFs may be limited in their effectiveness, these funds still serve as an important symbol for the region, representing a formal gesture towards ‘modernity’ in the context of nation-states' inherited traditions.
Measuring Market Power and Welfare Losses in the Greek Food and Beverages Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Rezitis Anthony , Kalantzi Maria
Published: April 2012

This article tests for the degree of market power in the Greek food and beverages manufacturing industry over the period 1983–2007 based on the Bresnahan’s conjectural variation model of competition. It also adopts the methodology of Dickson and Yu to estimate the net and the total welfare losses due to the possible existence of market power. The bootstrap method is applied to assign measures of accuracy to the statistical estimates. The empirical results indicate the presence of some degree of market power in the Greek food and beverages manufacturing industry and the existence of welfare losses.
Clifford–Wolf translations of Finsler spaces
Authors: Deng Shaoqiang , Xu Ming
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we study Clifford–Wolf translations of Finsler
spaces. We give a characterization of those Clifford–Wolf
translations generated by Killing vector fields. In particular, we
show that there is a natural interrelation between the local one-parameter groups of Clifford–Wolf
translations and the Killing vector fields of constant length. In
the special case of homogeneous Randers spaces, we give some
explicit sufficient and necessary conditions for a Killing vector field to
have a constant length, in which case the local one-parameter group of isometries generated by the Killing field consist of Clifford–Wolf translations. Finally, we construct explicit examples to explain
some of the results of this paper.
God Bless come back
Authors: Baulch Emma
Published: April 2012

This article discusses the production of an Indonesian rock past through a case study of the 1970s rock band God Bless, which has been gradually ‘coming back’ since the middle of the 2000s. In doing so, the article documents this comeback, analyses shifts in the band’s position vis-à-vis nationality, and places these shifts in the context of the industrial and aesthetic transformation of Indonesian popular music over the past decade or so. Furthermore, it considers how the range of nostalgic productions associated with the comeback might be understood not only in light of the scholarship on nostalgia, but also the political environment it inhabits.
The success of hopelessness
Authors: Shin Hyunjoon
Published: April 2012

K-pop has been the most commercially successful music genre in South Korea since the mid-1990s, as noted by many Asian popular music scholars. By contrast, an underexplored topic is local indie popular music, which experienced a surge in popularity during the 2000s. This paper examines these indie scenes and Boongaboonga Records—a key organization that originated in the Gwanak region of Seoul, and later relocated to the Hongdae region, known as the hub for Korean indie music. It argues that the unique connection that the label and its indie bands have with these specific locations tie into their collective ability to give voice to a young generation affected by political and social change. It also considers the new business model for the record label and how this has developed from these circumstances and the cultural space it inhabits.
Defining the Role of PET–CT in Staging Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Groves Ashley M. , Shastry Manu , Ben-Haim Simona , Kayani Irfan , Malhotra Anmol , Davidson Timothy , Kelleher Tina , Whittaker Diane , Meagher Marie , Holloway Brian , Warren Ruth M. , Ell Peter J. , Keshtgar Mohammed R.
Published: April 2012

Introduction.

Currently, there is a lack of data on the role of combined positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) in the staging of early invasive primary breast cancer. We therefore evaluated the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET–CT in this patient population.

Methods.

We prospectively recruited 70 consecutive patients (69 women, one man; mean age, 61.9 ± 8.1 years) with early primary breast cancer for staging with 18F-FDG-PET–CT. All PET–CT images were interpreted by two readers (independently of each other). A third reader adjudicated any discrepancies. All readers had ≥5 years of specific experience. Ethics board approval and informed consent were obtained.

Results.

The mean clinical follow-up was 22.7 ± 12.6 months. The primary tumor was identified with PET–CT in 64 of 70 patients. Of the unidentified lesions, surgical pathology revealed two intraductal carcinomas, one invasive tubular carcinoma, and three invasive lobular carcinomas. Undiagnosed multifocal breast disease was shown in seven of 70 patients. PET–CT identified avid axillary lymph nodes in 19 of 70 patients, compared with 24 of 70 confirmed during surgery. There were four patients who were axillary node positive on PET but had no axillary disease at surgery.

Five patients were reported with avid metastases. Two of those patients were treated for metastatic disease (nodal, lung, and liver in one and bone metastases in the other) following further imaging and clinical assessment. In the other three patients, lesions (lung, n = 1; pleural, n = 1; paratrachael node, n = 1) were subsequently diagnosed as benign lesions.

Conclusion.

Integrated 18F-FDG-PET–CT may have a role in staging patients presenting with early breast cancer.
Postfire changes in forest carbon storage over a 300‐year chronosequence ofPinus contorta‐dominated forests
Authors: Kashian Daniel M. , Romme William H. , Tinker Daniel B. , Turner Monica G. , Ryan Michael G.
Published: April 2012

A warming climate may increase the frequency and severity of stand‐replacing wildfires, reducing carbon (C) storage in forest ecosystems. Understanding the variability of postfire C cycling on heterogeneous landscapes is critical for predicting changes in C storage with more frequent disturbance. We measured C pools and fluxes for 77 lodgepole pine (Pinus contortaDougl. ex Loud var.latifoliaEngelm.) stands in and around Yellowstone National Park (YNP) along a 300‐year chronosequence to examine how quickly forest C pools recover after a stand‐replacing fire, their variability through time across a complex landscape, and the role of stand structure in this variability.

Carbon accumulation after fire was rapid relative to the historical mean fire interval of 150–300 years, recovering nearly 80% of prefire C in 50 years and 90% within 100 years. Net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) declined monotonically, from 160 g C·m−2·yr−1at age 12 to 5 g C·m−2·yr−1at age 250, but was never negative after disturbance. Decomposition and accumulation of dead wood contributed little to NECB relative to live biomass in this system. Aboveground net primary productivity was correlated with leaf area for all stands, and the decline in aboveground net primary productivity with forest age was related to a decline in both leaf area and growth efficiency. Forest structure was an important driver of ecosystem C, with ecosystem C, live biomass C, and organic soil C varying with basal area or tree density in addition to forest age. Rather than identifying a single chronosequence, we found high variability in many components of ecosystem C stocks through time; a >50% random subsample of the sampled stands was necessary to reliably estimate the nonlinear equation coefficients for ecosystem C. At the spatial scale of YNP, this variability suggests that landscape C develops via many pathways over decades and centuries, with prior stand structure, regeneration, and within‐stand disturbance all important. With fire rotation projected to be <30 years by mid century in response to a changing climate, forests in YNP will store substantially less C (at least 4.8 kg C/m2or 30% less).
Seasonality of soil microbial nitrogen turnover in continental steppe soils of Inner Mongolia
Authors: Wu H. , Dannenmann M. , Wolf B. , Han X. G. , Zheng X. , Butterbach-Bahl K.
Published: April 2012

Annual estimates and seasonal patterns of gross nitrogen turnover in terrestrial soils are poorly understood due to the lack of experimental evidence. Based on year round sampling in wintergrazed and ungrazed steppe soils of Inner Mongolia, we show that measurements of net rates of ammonification (−9 to −6 kg N ha−1 year−1) or nitrification (19 to 31 kg N ha−1 year−1) do not at all reflect the pronounced dynamics of gross rates of ammonification (215–240 kg N ha−1 year−1) or nitrification (362–417 kg N ha−1 year−1).

Four different seasons with characteristic functional patterns of N turnover were identified: (1) Growing season dynamics as characterized by drying/rewetting cycles and negatively correlated temporal courses of net microbial growth and periods with intensive gross ammonification, contributing 40–52% and 29–32% to cumulative annual gross ammonification and nitrification, respectively. Net N mineralization was almost exclusively observed during the growing season. (2) Microbial N dynamics during the autumn freeze‐thaw period was characterized by a sharp decline in microbial biomass in conjunction with a peak of gross nitrification contributing 19–36% to cumulative annual fluxes. (3) During winter at constantly frozen soil, a net build‐up of microbial biomass was observed, whereas gross N turnover rates were low, contributing 7–10% and 6–11% to cumulative annual gross ammonification or gross nitrification, respectively. (4) The spring freeze‐thaw period showed extremely dynamic changes in gross N turnover and soil nitrate concentrations. This period contributed 34–44% and 21–46% to cumulative annual gross ammonification and nitrification, respectively. This study highlights that freeze‐thaw cycles are key periods for understanding patterns and magnitudes of gross N turnover in semi‐arid continental steppe ecosystems. The results further imply that the observed patterns of microbial biomass and gross N turnover dynamics are likely the consequence of a seasonal succession of microbial communities and turnover of microbial biomass. Our findings emphasize the necessity for high resolution studies on gross N turnover as a prerequisite to infer functioning and annual budgets of ecosystem N cycling.
Influence of the applied pressure of processing upon bioactive components of diets made of feathers
Authors: Kormanjos Sandor , Filipovic Slavko , Radovic Vera , Okanovic Djordje , Njezic Zvonko
Published: April 2012

The feathers gained by slaughtering fattening chickens can be processed into
protein meal for feeding certain animals, as indicated by its chemical
characteristics. However, raw feather proteins (keratin) are faintly
digestible (cca. 19%), even inert in digestive tract. Digestion of feather
proteins could be improved by hydrolysis (alkaline, enzymatic,
microbiological or hydrothermal). Practically, hydrothermal processing of raw
feathers is mostly applied. The influence of hydrothermal processing under
the pressures of 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0 bar on the nutritive value of the resulting
meal is presented in this paper. For the hydrolysis of raw feathers, semi
continuous procedure was applied. Semi continuous procedure of feathers
processing comprise hydrolysis of raw wet feathers followed by partial drying
of hydrolyzed mass that has to be done in a hydrolyser with indirect heating.
Continuous tubular dryer with recycled air was used during the final process
of drying. Protein nitrogen decreased by 3.46% and 4.80% in comparison with
total protein nitrogen content in raw feathers under the pressure of 3.0 and
3.5 bar, respectively. The highest applied hydrolysis pressure caused the
greatest loss of protein nitrogen up to 9.52%. Hydrothermal hydrolysis under
pressure has increased in vitro protein digestibility significantly. Under
pressure of 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 bar digestibility of proteins increasing from
19.01 to 76.39, 81.71 and 87.03%, respectively. Under pressure of 3.0, 3.5
and 4.0 bar cysteine content decreased from 6.44 to 4.17% (loss 35.25%), 3.94
(loss 38.825%) and to 3.75% (loss 41.77%), respectively. These decreases are
statistically significant. It can be concluded that the hydrolysis carried
out under the pressure of 3.5 bar, during the period of 25 minutes, and with
the content of water in raw feathers of cca. 61% is the optimal technological
process for converting raw feathers into diets for certain animal diets.
Estimators for Clustered Education RCTs Using the Neyman Model for Causal Inference
Authors: Schochet Peter Z.
Published: April 2012

This article examines the estimation of two-stage clustered designs for education randomized control trials (RCTs) using the nonparametric Neyman causal inference framework that underlies experiments. The key distinction between the considered causal models is whether potential treatment and control group outcomes are considered to be fixed for the study population (the finite-population model) or randomly selected from a vaguely defined universe (the super-population model). Both approaches allow for heterogeneity of treatment effects. Appropriate estimation methods and asymptotic moments are discussed for each model using simple differences-in-means estimators and those that include baseline covariates. An empirical application using a large-scale education RCT shows that the choice of the finite- or super-population approach can matter. Thus, the choice of framework and sensitivity analyses should be specified and justified in the analysis protocols.
Timing of clinical grade assessment and poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Giraldo Elias A. , Mandrekar Jay N. , Rubin Mark N. , Dupont Stefan A. , Zhang Yi , Lanzino Giuseppe , Wijdicks Eelco F. M. , Rabinstein Alejandro A.
Published: April 2012

Object

Timing of clinical grading has not been fully studied in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The primary objective of this study was to identify at which time point clinical assessment using the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grading scale and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is most predictive of poor functional outcome.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study on the association between poor outcome and clinical grading determined at presentation, nadir, and postresuscitation. Poor functional outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1–3 at 6 months after SAH.

Results

The authors identified 186 consecutive patients admitted to a teaching hospital between January 2002 and June 2008. The patients' mean age (± SD) was 56.9 ± 13.7 years, and 63% were women. Twenty-four percent had poor functional outcome (the mortality rate was 17%). On univariable logistic regression analyses, GCS score determined at presentation (OR 0.80, p < 0.0001), nadir (OR 0.73, p < 0.0001), and postresuscitation (OR 0.53, p < 0.0001); modified Fisher scale (OR 2.21, p = 0.0013); WFNS grade assessed at presentation (OR 1.92, p < 0.0001), nadir (OR 3.51, < 0.0001), and postresuscitation (OR 3.91, p < 0.0001); intracerebral hematoma on initial CT (OR 4.55, p < 0.0002); acute hydrocephalus (OR 2.29, p = 0.0375); and cerebral infarction (OR 4.84, p < 0.0001) were associated with poor outcome. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, only cerebral infarction (OR 5.80, p = 0.0013) and WFNS grade postresuscitation (OR 3.43, p < 0.0001) were associated with poor outcome. Receiver operating characteristic/area under the curve (AUC) analysis demonstrated that WFNS grade determined postresuscitation had a stronger association with poor outcome (AUC 0.90) than WFNS grade assessed upon admission or at nadir.

Conclusions

Timing of WFNS grade assessment affects its prognostic value. Outcome after aneurysmal SAH is best predicted by assessing WFNS grade after neurological resuscitation.
Is congenital bony stenosis of the cervical spine associated with lumbar spine stenosis? An anatomical study of 1072 human cadaveric specimens
Authors: Bajwa Navkirat S. , Toy Jason O. , Young Ernest Y. , Ahn Nicholas U.
Published: April 2012

Object

Congenital cervical and lumbar stenosis occurs when the bony anatomy of the spinal canal is smaller than expected, predisposing an individual to symptomatic neural compression. While tandem stenosis is known to occur in 5%–25% of individuals, it is not known whether this relationship is due to an increased risk of degenerative disease in these individuals or whether this finding is due to the tandem presence of a congenitally small cervical and lumbar canal. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the presence of congenital cervical stenosis is associated with congenital lumbar stenosis.

Methods

One thousand seventy-two adult skeletal specimens from the Hamann-Todd Collection in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History were selected. The canal area at each level was calculated using a formula that was verified by computerized measurements. Values that were 2 standard deviations below the mean were considered to represent congenitally stenotic regions. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between the sum of canal areas at all levels in the cervical and lumbar spine. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for congenital stenosis in one area if congenital stenosis was present in the other.

Results

A positive association was found between the additive area of all cervical (that is, the sum of C3–7) and lumbar (that is, the sum of L1–5) levels (p < 0.01). A positive association was also found between the number of cervical and lumbar levels affected by congenital stenosis (p < 0.01). Logistic regression also demonstrated a significant association between congenital stenosis in the cervical and lumbar spine, with an odds ratio of 0.2 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Based on the authors' findings in a large population of adult skeletal specimens, it appears that congenital stenosis of the cervical spine is associated with congenital stenosis of the lumbar spine. Thus, the presence of tandem stenosis appears to be, at least in part, related to the tandem presence of a congenitally small cervical and lumbar canal.
Sagittal spinopelvic parameters in children with achondroplasia: identification of 2 distinct groups
Authors: Karikari Isaac O. , Mehta Ankit I. , Solakoglu Can , Bagley Carlos A. , Ain Michael C. , Gottfried Oren N.
Published: April 2012

Object

Spinopelvic parameters in children with achondroplasia have not been described. Because they observed a unique sagittal spinopelvic phenotype in some achondroplastic children with very horizontal sacrums, the authors sought to quantify the spinopelvic parameters in a pediatric patient population.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed to identify all children (age range 1 month–10 years) with a diagnosis of achondroplasia between 2004 and 2009. Clinical and radiographic data were analyzed for age, sex, lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI). Differences among these variables were analyzed using a 2-tailed, unpaired Student t-test.

Results

Forty children, 23 males and 17 females, with achondroplasia were identified during the study period. The mean age was 2.6 years. Two groups of patients were identified based on PT (that is, negative or positive tilt and horizontal or not horizontal sacrum). A negative PT was identified in all children with an extremely horizontal sacrum. Seventeen children had a negative PT (mean −16.6°), and the mean parameters in this group were 65.4° for LL, 31.7° for TLK, 18.5° for TK, 43.3° for SS, and 26.4° for PI. Twenty-three children had a positive PT (mean 17.9°), and the mean parameters in this group were 53.4° for LL, 41.5° for TLK, 9.6° for TK, 30.8° for SS, and 43.8° for PI. A statistically significant difference was observed for LL (p = 0.01), TLK (p = 0.05), SS (p = 0.006), PT (p = 0.006), and PI (0.0002).

Conclusions

Spinopelvic parameters in achondroplasia are potentially dichotomous. The future implications of this observation are not known and will need to be explored in future long-term studies that follow pediatric patients with achondroplasia through adulthood.
Incidental durotomy after spinal surgery: a prospective study in an academic institution
Authors: McMahon Paul , Dididze Marina , Levi Allan D.
Published: April 2012

Object

Incidental durotomies (IDs) are an unfortunate but anticipated potential complication of spinal surgery. The authors surveyed the frequency of IDs for a single spine surgeon and analyzed the major risk factors as well as the impact on long-term patient outcomes.

Methods

The authors conducted a prospective review of elective spinal surgeries performed over a 15-year period. Any surgery involving peripheral nerve only, intradural procedures, or dural tears due to trauma were excluded from analysis. The incidence of ID was categorized by surgery type including primary surgery, revision surgery, and so forth. Incidence of ID was also examined in the context of years of physician experience and training. Furthermore, the incidence and types of sequelae were examined in patients with an ID.

Results

Among 3000 elective spinal surgery cases, 3.5% (104) had an ID. The incidence of ID during minimally invasive procedures (3.3%) was similar, but no patients experienced long-term sequelae. The incidence of ID during revision surgery (6.5%) was higher. There was a marked difference in incidence between cervical (1.3%) and thoracolumbar (5.1%) cases. The incidence was lower for cases involving instrumentation (2.4%). When physician training was examined, residents were responsible for 49% of all IDs, whereas fellows were responsible for 26% and the attending for 25%. Among all of the cases that involved an ID, 7.7% of patients went on to experience a neurological deficit as compared with 1.5% of those without an ID. The overall failure rate of dural repair was 6.9%, and failure was almost 3 times higher (13%) in revision surgery as compared with a primary procedure (5%).

Conclusions

The authors established a reliable baseline incidence for durotomy after spine surgery: 3.5%. They also identified risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a durotomy, including location of the spinal procedure, type of procedure performed, and the implementation of a new procedure. The years of physician training or resident experience did not appear to be a major risk for ID.
Hot-water extraction and characterization of spruce bark non-cellulosic polysaccharides
Authors: Le Normand Myriam , Edlund Ulrica , Holmbom Bjarne , Ek Monica
Published: April 2012

Non-cellulosic polysaccharides (NCP) from bark offer large potential as a class of natural raw materials for functional materials development and production of biochemicals. We have elaborated a process for sequential extraction of NCP from industrial Norway spruce bark using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with water at 100 to 160°C. Carbohydrates, Klason lignin and ash content as well as size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analyses were performed for all hot-water extracts. NCP were mainly composed of glucose, arabinose and galacturonic acid units which revealed the presence of starch, arabinose-rich hemicelluloses and pectins. In total, the industrial bark of Norway spruce contained up to 20% of NCP which were extracted with pressurized hot water. NCP were mainly extractable at 140°C and started to undergo degradation at higher temperature.
The development of hydrophobised ground calcium carbonate particles for the effective adsorption of dissolved and colloidal substances (DCS) from thermo mechanical pulp (TMP) filtrates
Authors: Gantenbein Daniel , Schoelkopf Joachim , Matthews G. Peter , Gane Patrick A.C.
Published: April 2012

Talc is often used to control unwanted deposition of resins and wood processing derivatives in the wet end circuit of a paper mill. It was the aim of this study to develop a calcium carbonate based mineral particle with improved pitch adsorption properties, and to compare these properties with those of talc. Partially treating the surface of the calcium carbonate with stearic acid led to improved adsorption of wood resin constituents and useful wetting properties. It was shown that the partially hydrophobised calcium carbonate had a higher capacity for the adsorption of the colloidal fraction of TMP than did the corresponding untreated calcium carbonate. Both calcium carbonates preferentially adsorb colloidal substances together with a minor amount of dissolved carbohydrates. In contrast, talc preferably adsorbs colloidal substances when the colloidal concentration is high but starts to adsorb substantial amounts of dissolved carbohydrates at lower concentration of colloidal wood resin droplets.
Online detection of moisture in heatset printing: Liquid transfer to printed image and non-image areas
Authors: Tåg Carl-Mikael , Toiviainen Maunu , Juuti Mikko , Gane Patrick
Published: April 2012

In the present study, near-infrared sensors are used to investigate moisture variations on paper in the heatset web offset printing process. The moisture content was determined from both non-image and image printed areas at multiple locations along the printing line. The amount of water based liquid (fountain solution) transferred to the two studied areas as well as the internal moisture content of the paper was investigated in terms of near-infrared absorbance response. In order to achieve absolute moisture content estimates, the sensors were calibrated for the respective measurement regions. It was found that the moisture content was higher in the areas with printing ink compared to those without. The heatset drying had a stronger moisture drying effect on the non-image areas. The tests were performed in both a laboratory and a full-scale heatset offset printing environment.
Evaluation of furnishes for tissue manufacturing; suction box dewatering and paper testing
Authors: Kullander Johan , Nilsson Lars , Barbier Christophe
Published: April 2012

Water removal on a tissue machine becomes progressively more difficult and expensive in each successive zone. A good way to reduce cost can therefore be to improve the dewatering prior to evaporative drying. This can be done by selecting proper raw materials and optimizing the treatment of the fibres in the furnish. In this work, four pulps beaten to different levels were studied in vacuum dewatering trials. Mixing of the pulps, common in tissue manufacturing, was also performed. To simulate the suction boxes on a tissue machine, benchscale laboratory equipment was used. Conditions typically used on a tissue machine regarding dwell times and vacuum levels were chosen. Paper properties relevant for tissue, like wet strength and absorption were measured on non-creped papers. To obtain information about the fibre properties, fibre characterization and microscope studies were also conducted. Vacuum dewatering in tissue manufacturing is shown to be affected by the choice of pulp which can be explained by structural differences in the networks caused by variations in fibre properties. Beating has a strong negative impact on the solids contents reached, which is believed to be an effect of both internal and external fibrillation. These results, together with additional data from mixing and paper testing, give a better understanding of how the furnish should be prepared to reduce energy use in the process and still fulfil consumer requirements on properties.
Client Briefing: Eliciting Design Preferences from Building Users with Communication Impairments
Authors: Jenkins Paul , Scott Iain , Challen Andy
Published: April 2012

This paper reports on recent experience of engaging with building users who have communication difficulties, as a potential part of client briefing. The users were residents of a specialist Scottish Housing Association (HA) providing social housing and care services; the residents having a wide range of complex needs, predominantly learning difficulties. Many of these residents have communication difficulties, ranging from mild to very severe. The challenge presented was to effectively engage with a representative sample of residents to ascertain how they value their living environment. The researchers’ involvement was based on prior research into how different participants engage in the architectural design process.
Design Considerations for a Micromachined Proportional Control Valve
Authors: Groen Maarten S. , Brouwer Dannis M. , Wiegerink Remco J. , Lötters Joost C.
Published: April 2012

Precise mass flow control is an essential requirement for novel, small-scale fluidic systems. However, a small-volume, low-leakage proportional control valve for minute fluid flows has not yet been designed or manufactured. A survey is therefore made of the primary design considerations of a micromachined, proportional control valve. Performance requirements are identified based on various applications. Valve operating principles and actuation schemes presented in the literature are evaluated with respect to functionality and technological feasibility. Proceeding from these analyses, we identify the design concepts and actuation schemes that we think are best suited for the fabrication of the intended microvalve.
Pathophysiology of GPCR Homo- and Heterodimerization: Special Emphasis on Somatostatin Receptors
Authors: Somvanshi Rishi K. , Kumar Ujendra
Published: April 2012

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface proteins responsible for translating >80% of extracellular reception to intracellular signals. The extracellular information in the form of neurotransmitters, peptides, ions, odorants etc is converted to intracellular signals via a wide variety of effector molecules activating distinct downstream signaling pathways. All GPCRs share common structural features including an extracellular N-terminal, seven-transmembrane domains (TMs) linked by extracellular/intracellular loops and the C-terminal tail. Recent studies have shown that most GPCRs function as dimers (homo- and/or heterodimers) or even higher order of oligomers. Protein-protein interaction among GPCRs and other receptor proteins play a critical role in the modulation of receptor pharmacology and functions. Although ~50% of the current drugs available in the market target GPCRs, still many GPCRs remain unexplored as potential therapeutic targets, opening immense possibility to discover the role of GPCRs in pathophysiological conditions. This review explores the existing information and future possibilities of GPCRs as tools in clinical pharmacology and is specifically focused for the role of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in pathophysiology of diseases and as the potential candidate for drug discovery.
A Long-Wavelength Fluorescent Squarylium Cyanine Dye Possessing Boronic Acid for Sensing Monosaccharides and Glycoproteins with High Enhancement in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Saito Shingo , Massie Tara L. , Maeda Takeshi , Nakazumi Hiroyuki , Colyer Christa L.
Published: April 2012

Fluorescence sensing of saccharides and glycoproteins using a boronic acid functionalized squarylium cyanine dye (“SQ-BA”) is characterized in terms of synthetic, fluorometric, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. In our previous work, this newly synthesized dye was successfully applied to the separation and quantification of Gram-positive bacteria by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF); however, the fundamental properties of the dye and its saccharide complexes still required elucidation, as presented in this paper. The dye itself forms nonemissive, soluble aggregates in aqueous solution. With the addition of a monosaccharide, the dye aggregate dissociates to form an emissive monomer accompanied by the formation of a cyclic cis-diol ester with long-wavelength emission (lex = 630 nm, lem = 660 nm). A very large fluorescence enhancement factor of 18× was observed for the sensing dye as a fructose complex at pH 10, yielding a limit of detection of 10 mM fructose. The relative order of fluorescence enhancement of SQ-BA with other monosaccharides was found to be: fructose > ribose > arabinose ≈ galactose > xylose > mannose > rhamnose > fucose ≈ glucose; and apparent affinity constants of 102.80, 102.08 and 100.86 M−1 were determined for fructose, ribose and glucose, respectively. Formation of the emissive complexes occurred within minutes, proving the kinetics of the sugar-dye interactions to be suitable for on-column labeling methods in CE-LIF. Furthermore, the sensing dye was successfully applied to glycoproteins, mucin type I–S and type III, which were detected with high sensitivity in batch aqueous solution as a result of the sugar-selective boronic acid-diol esterification as well as hydrophobic interactions.
Classifying the Topology of AHL-Driven Quorum Sensing Circuits in Proteobacterial Genomes
Authors: Gelencsér Zsolt , Choudhary Kumari Sonal , Coutinho Bruna Goncalves , Hudaiberdiev Sanjarbek , Galbáts Borisz , Venturi Vittorio , Pongor Sándor
Published: April 2012

Virulence and adaptability of many Gram-negative bacterial species are associated with an N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) gene regulation mechanism called quorum sensing (QS). The arrangement of quorum sensing genes is variable throughout bacterial genomes, although there are unifying themes that are common among the various topological arrangements. A bioinformatics survey of 1,403 complete bacterial genomes revealed characteristic gene topologies in 152 genomes that could be classified into 16 topological groups. We developed a concise notation for the patterns and show that the sequences of LuxR regulators and LuxI autoinducer synthase proteins cluster according to the topological patterns. The annotated topologies are deposited online with links to sequences and genome annotations at http://bacteria.itk.ppke.hu/QStopologies/.
Double-Ended Calibration of Fiber-Optic Raman Spectra Distributed Temperature Sensing Data
Authors: Van de Giesen Nick , Steele-Dunne Susan C. , Jansen Jop , Hoes Olivier , Hausner Mark B. , Tyler Scott , Selker John
Published: April 2012

Over the past five years, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) along fiber optic cables using Raman backscattering has become an important tool in the environmental sciences. Many environmental applications of DTS demand very accurate temperature measurements, with typical RMSE < 0.1 K. The aim of this paper is to describe and clarify the advantages and disadvantages of double-ended calibration to achieve such accuracy under field conditions. By measuring backscatter from both ends of the fiber optic cable, one can redress the effects of differential attenuation, as caused by bends, splices, and connectors. The methodological principles behind the double-ended calibration are presented, together with a set of practical considerations for field deployment. The results from a field experiment are presented, which show that with double-ended calibration good accuracies can be attained in the field.
Responses of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients to the As03-Adjuvanted Pandemic Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Siegrist Claire-Anne , Ambrosioni Juan , Bel Michael , Combescure Christophe , Hadaya Karine , Martin Pierre-Yves , Soccal Paola M , Berney Thierry , Noble Stephane , Meier Sara , Posfay-Barbe Klara , Grillet Stephane , Kaiser Laurent , van Delden Christian ,   for the H1N1 study group
Published: April 2012

Background

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are a priority group for influenza vaccination and strategies enhancing immunogenicity are needed.

Methods

We determined adverse reactions, changes in biomarkers of graft function and immune responses to two doses of the AS03-adjuvanted influenza A/09/H1N1 vaccine in 216 SOT recipients and in 138 controls after one dose. Antibody responses were measured by haemag-glutination inhibition and confirmed by microneutralization. We calculated geometric mean titres (GMT) and seroprotection rates (GMT≥40).

Results

Adverse reactions were fewer than in controls and graft function remained unaffected. Seroprotection was achieved by only 70.3% of SOT recipients, with significant differences between groups (lung 43.6%, heart 72.0%, kidney 83.3%, liver 83.3% and pancreas 85%), compared to 87% of controls ( P<0.001). The weakest responses (seroprotection 43.5%) were elicited in lung transplant recipients. GMT remained threefold lower (115 versus 340) in SOT recipients than controls. Multivariate analyses identified increasing age, type of transplant and increasing blood levels of mycophenolate as independently associated to weaker responses. In contrast, even high blood levels of calcineurin inhibitors remained without significant influence on vaccine responses.

Conclusions

The squalene-based adjuvanted A/09/H1N1 vaccine was safe in SOT recipients. However, even two doses of this adjuvanted influenza vaccine did not provide adequate protection for lung transplant recipients and those with high mycophenolate blood levels. Additional prophylactic measures should, therefore, be considered for these high-risk groups.
Gz/10. Un prototipo experimental de vivienda unifamiliar. Aplicación práctica de la última patente del arquitecto Miguel Fisac
Authors: González-Blanco F.
Published: April 2012

Investigación planteada como parte práctica de la tesis doctoral: Los “huesos” de Fisac; la búsqueda de la pieza ideal. La tesis analiza las patentes del arquitecto Miguel Fisac. Un análisis exhaustivo de estas experiencias permite descubrir la evolución de la obra y el pensamiento del arquitecto que termina por condensarse en su última patente aun vigente: “arquitectura vertida”. Fisac fallece en 2006 sin ver ejecutado su último invento y este hecho servirá de base al presente trabajo que tiene por objetivo desarrollar esta patente en el campo de la vivienda unifamiliar de bajo coste. Para ello se plantea un caso práctico real que servirá como campo de pruebas para analizar las posibilidades y limitaciones del sistema. Su metodología y conclusiones permiten ver en conjunto la evolución del pensamiento constructivo de Fisac y además establecer un recorrido por la tradición constructiva española más próxima y su relación con la realidad actual.
Sherry Turkle
Authors: Šabanovic Selma , Caporael Linnda R.
Published: April 2012

Sherry Turkle, a pioneer in the study of technology and the self, is both a scholar and a public intellectual. Using a unique voice and methodology combining ethnographic and clinical interviews, Turkle traces the rise of the computer revolution and the emergence and adoption of different technologies and their affordances—computers, the Internet, social robots. In this process, her theoretical direction also develops from a focus on the self, identity, and finally, social connections and disconnections. This article describes how Turkle’s work chronicles the changing conceptions of human (and machine) possibilities, her recent turn to sociability, and her unique methodologies as major intellectual contributions.
A Biography of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project
Authors: Rainie Lee
Published: April 2012

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project is a “fact tank” of primary research that has documented three revolutions in digital technology in the United States since 2000. First, the project has charted the rise of the Internet and broadband connections in the U.S. Second, it has explored the rise of mobile connectivity on mobile phones and laptops. Third, it has charted the growth of social media, especially social networking websites. At the same time, the project has paid particular attention to probing the impact of digital technology on six domains of the social world: 1) the impact on families, 2) communities, 3) healthcare, 4) education, both formal and informal, 5) politics and civic life, and 6) workplaces. All of the reports of the project and the survey data it has collected are available for free from its website at pewinternet.org.
The Center for Mobile Communication Studies
Authors: Chen Yi-Fan
Published: April 2012

The Center for Mobile Communication Studies at Rutgers University is the world’s first academic unit to focus solely on social aspects of mobile communication. Since 2004, it has become an international focal point for research, teaching, and service on the social, psychological, and organizational consequences of the burgeoning mobile communication revolution. The founder and director of the Center, James Katz, is one of the leading scholars in social consequences of new communication technology, especially mobile communication technology.
Flashlight as a Process Tracing Method
Authors: Schulte-Mecklenbeck Michael , Murphy Ryan O.
Published: April 2012

Flashlight is an open source process-tracing tool that records mouse movements in real time during an information search task (Schulte-Mecklenbeck, Murphy & Hutzler, 2011). Using this tool, acquisition behavior and visual attention can be recorded in an unobtrusive way with a wide variety of different stimuli. Because of the structure of the stimuli in Flashlight, information acquisition behavior can be measured similarly to how eye tracking works, but unlike eye tracking systems, Flashlight can be implemented without any special equipment. The motivation for developing a new process-tracing tool comes from experience with existing process tracing methods and their limitations. Other existing process tracing tools restrict the structure of information (often in a rigid matrix similar to an information board); require a fixed and confided laboratory setup; and need specialized hardware and software that is both expensive to purchase and operate. Flashlight solves these issues by providing a free open source adaptable software package that can work via a Web browser on any Internet connected personal computer. Moreover, the researcher has great flexibility in how stimuli are constructed and presented, and Flashlight also enables easy access to a large number of participants through Internet based experiments.
Children’s Internet Safety Websites
Authors: Moreau Ryan Alan , Hershorn Howard Richard
Published: April 2012

Children’s Internet safety websites come in many varieties, each with a focus on providing resources or education to help children learn to stay safe while using the Internet. Seven websites that have a focus on children’s online safety are reviewed: (1) WiredSafety.org (2) WebWiseKids.org, (3) Netsmartz.org, (4) KidsInTheKnow.ca, (5) KiwiCommons.com, (6) TextEd.ca, and (7) DefineTheLine.ca. While each of these websites share a common goal of helping children remain safe they do so in unique ways and focus on a variety of Internet safety topics. To date, scholarly material on the subject remains largely unwritten. Nevertheless, the need for additional websites of this type, particularly for children, is expressly supported by government bodies worldwide.
Social Networking Sites
Authors: Michikyan Minas , Subrahmanyam Kaveri
Published: April 2012

In the past few years, social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook and MySpace have become increasingly popular among Internet users. They allow individuals to present themselves, share information, establish or maintain connections, and interact and communicate with other users. As SNSs have become tremendously popular among adolescents and emerging adults, research suggests that online social media use may be connected to young people’s development. This encyclopedia entry summarizes up-to-date research on SNSs, and will focus on the relation between adolescents’ and emerging adults’ use of these sites to address traditional developmental concerns and their psychosocial well-being. Researchers have begun to explore the extent to which individuals engage in self-presentation and exploration as well as relationship formation on SNSs, and are examining the relationship between such use and psychosocial outcomes among youth. As digital youth are growing up in an ever connected world, it is important to understand online social media use and the implications of such use on their psychosocial development and psychological well-being.
Cyber Behaviors among Seniors
Authors: Lee Bob
Published: April 2012

Seniors aged 65 and over have been the fastest growing group among Internet users in the past few years. Many factors contribute to the increased use of Information Technologies among seniors, including the known benefits of adopting technologies in their later lives and the improvement of the Internet services addressing their concerns. The cyber seniors demonstrate some unique usage patterns in their engagement in information technologies. And they are more likely to be challenged by numerous barriers when learning and using new technological devices. To ensure a “useful” technology becomes “usable” for seniors, the notion of Information Technology innovation in the future must negotiate those constraints encountered by senior users.