bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia During Pregnancy
Authors: Chang Abraham , Patel Samit
Published: September 2014

Objectives: Systematically review the literature assessing outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment during pregnancy. Data Sources: A Pubmed literature search (January 1969 to June 2014) for articles written about AML and pregnancy, and bibliographies/citations of previously published reviews. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles written in the English language that administered active AML chemotherapy during pregnancy were included. Data Synthesis: Eighty-five fetuses were exposed to chemotherapy from 83 mothers: 8 mothers began induction chemotherapy in the first trimester, 61 mothers in the second trimester, and 14 mothers in the third trimester. Chemotherapy resulted in more fetal deaths and spontaneous abortions during the first trimester (37.5%) compared with the second (9.7%) and third trimesters (0%). All cases included cytarabine; 47 fetuses were exposed to daunorubicin and 8 fetuses to idarubicin. The percentages of fetal defects and death for cytarabine and daunorubicin combinations were 8.5% and 6.4%, respectively. With cytarabine and idarubicin combinations, the percentages of fetal defects and death were 28.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Complete remission (CR) rates were 100%, 81%, and 67% in the first, second, and third trimesters. Conclusions: Treatment during the second and third trimesters resulted in fewer fetal complications than the first trimester. However, delaying AML treatment may adversely affect the mother’s outcomes. In the reported cases, induction during pregnancy resulted in CR rates comparable to that in nonpregnant patients. The choice of anthracycline is still unclear, but the decision should be made with careful consideration, weighing the outcomes for the mother and fetus.
Teaching about “Princess Boys” or Not
Authors: Martino Wayne J. , Cumming-Potvin Wendy
Published: September 2014

In this article, we deal with the politics of gender embodiment and the significance of queer sociological and transgender theoretical perspectives for reflecting on the pedagogical implications of employing texts such as “My princess boy” to address questions pertaining to the livability and recognizability of differently gendered identities in the elementary school context. We draw specifically on the theoretical work of Judith Butler and Deborah Britzman to examine important questions related to the pedagogical implications for one male teacher in terms of what counts as a viable, recognizable, and legitimate gendered identity. Through adopting a case study approach, our purpose is to unravel and unpack the politics of gender embodiment, especially in terms of addressing the thinkability and admissibility of gender variant and transgender personhood in the elementary school classroom and what this might entail with regard to deploying reading practices as sites of identificatory possibilities or not.
Severe demyelination but no astrocytopathy in clinically definite neuromyelitis optica with anti-myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody
Authors: Ikeda Kensuke , Kiyota Naoki , Kuroda Hiroshi , Sato Douglas Kazutoshi , Nishiyama Shuhei , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Misu Tatsuro , Nakashima Ichiro , Fujihara Kazuo , Aoki Masashi
Published: September 2014

We report a patient with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) presenting anti-myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-seropositive, in whom biomarkers of demyelination and astrocyte damage were measured during an acute attack. A 31-year-old man developed right optic neuritis followed by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, fulfilling the criteria for definite NMO. He was anti-MOG-seropositive and anti-aquaporin-4 seronegative. The myelin basic protein level was markedly elevated whereas glial fibrillary acidic protein was not detectable in cerebrospinal fluid during an acute attack. His symptoms quickly improved after high-dose methylprednisolone therapy. This case suggests that NMO patients with anti-MOG may have severe demyelination in the absence of astrocyte injury.
Ethical and sustainable healthcare tourism development: A primer
Authors: Jackson Leonard A , Barber Diana S
Published: September 2014

In recent years, healthcare tourism has emerged as a viable economic sector for several regions. Although the sector offers economic benefits, it has been suggested that pursuit of such benefits is often associated with unethical and unsustainable practices. To assuage these concerns, this article argues that destinations should adopt a collaborative stakeholder-driven approach. It also offers suggestions which can aid regions in developing this sector in a sustainable and ethical manner. The proposed framework and suggestions are not intended as panaceas for healthcare tourism development. Instead, they are offered as discussion starting points to provoke thought, discussion, and debate about how regions can leverage healthcare tourism resources in a profitable, ethical, and sustainable manner. Additionally, the framework and suggestions can be adopted by tourism policy planners and practitioners to assist in the ethical and sustainable development and management of the healthcare tourism sector.
Conflicts between accommodation establishments and travel agencies
Authors: Ivanov Stanislav , Stoilova Elena , Illum Steven F
Published: September 2014

The paper discusses sources of conflicts that arise between accommodation establishments and travel agencies in Bulgaria, their bargaining power and conflict resolution approaches. The sample includes 119 accommodation establishments and 81 travel agencies. Results reveal that agencies more often face conflicts with accommodation establishments than vice versa. From the viewpoint of the accommodation establishments, most conflicts are connected with delayed payments, level of prices, late submission of rooming lists and timing of contract negotiation. Travel agencies consider frequent conflicts as unfavourable contract terms, prices, accommodation establishment price/quality ratio, incorrect information provided by accommodation establishments. Contrary to general belief, accommodation establishments perceive their bargaining power as equal to agencies, while agencies consider accommodation establishments to have stronger bargaining power than them. Both agencies and accommodation establishments prefer cooperative conflict resolution approaches. Managerial implications, research limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Young People’s Offending Careers and Criminal Justice Contact: A Case for Social Justice
Authors: Corr Mary-Louise
Published: September 2014

This article draws on an analysis of young people’s offending careers. The research was initiated against a backdrop of changing discourse around youth justice in Ireland with a shift towards prevention of offending and diversion from the criminal justice system. Locating crime and criminal justice contact within a biographical context indicated that participants’ offending, and lives generally, was bound up in marginalized transitions to adulthood, and embedded within social and economic environments characterized by high deprivation. The findings support a further shift in focus towards addressing social injustice as a necessary prerequisite to tackle the origins of youth offending.
Functional foreign language literacy for higher education and research: The case of French in Nigerian universities
Authors: Uhuegbu Alozie R , Edung Mike TU
Published: September 2014

African nations have always considered the knowledge of each other’s official language, principally English and French, as a means for their scientists to exchange their research work and findings with their counterparts across the linguistic barriers on the continent and in the world, and thereby hasten the pace of national development. Nigerian universities thus began in the early 1970s to teach French as a foreign language to students majoring in other disciplines. This paper conceptualizes this teaching in terms of the objective of giving the students a functional literacy in the foreign language, and examines it in terms of this objective and of how much it has been attained. It goes on to propose French for specific purposes as the strategy for attaining functional literacy in foreign languages by Nigerian scientists and experts in the various fields for the purpose of exchanging research information and enhancing their research.
The Effects of Morphological Awareness Training on Reading, Spelling, and Vocabulary Skills
Authors: Good Joy E. , Lance Dee M. , Rainey Jacquie
Published: September 2014

This study was designed to examine the effects of an intervention program aimed at improving reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills through linguistically explicit instruction in morphological awareness. Sixteen children, diagnosed with language impairment, participated in this study. Instruction for the experimental group focused on increasing their knowledge of the morphological structure of words and teaching them to apply this information to reading, spelling, and vocabulary tasks. The control group was exposed to the same treatment stimuli, but no attention was given to the semantic or orthographic changes associated with the use of the affixes. Participants in the experimental group made significantly greater gains in both spelling and vocabulary skills than did the control group with large effect sizes noted on the experimental measures. The participants also demonstrated the ability to generalize this information to untaught words as well. The results suggest that linguistically explicit instruction in morphological awareness is beneficial for improving the literacy and language skills of children with language impairment.
Conflicting Discourses in Qualitative Research
Authors: Antin Tamar M. J. , Constantine Norman A. , Hunt Geoffrey
Published: September 2014

The search for disconfirming evidence, or negative cases, is often considered a valuable strategy for assessing the credibility or validity of qualitative research claims. This article draws on a multimethod qualitative research project to illustrate how a search for disconfirming evidence evolved from a check on the validity of findings to a strategy for revealing the multiple conflicting discourses within respondents’ narratives that transformed ambiguity into meaning. Reflecting on our study design and analytical process revealed multiple ways in which conflicting discourses were revealed. Field notes, research memoing, and comparison of findings across interview methods all contributed to the identification of conflicting discourses within narratives. The importance and relevance of the search for conflicting discourses for understanding meaning in qualitative research will be discussed.
Fuzzy assisted grey Taguchi approach for optimisation of multiple weld quality properties in friction stir welding process
Authors: Parida B. , Pal S.
Published: September 2014

Friction stir welding (FSW) is gaining its popularity for a wide range of high strength/weight ratio materials such as aluminium, magnesium, composites and plastics. With the projected prevalent application of FSW, it is necessary to identify the optimal welding condition with a small number of experiments for effective product quality and productivity. In this study, a fuzzy assisted grey Taguchi method is proposed for optimising the FSW process parameters with multiple weld quality characteristics. The fuzzy inference system was adapted to convert the multiresponse optimisation problem into an equivalent single objective optimisation problem, which was solved by the Taguchi approach. Eight input process parameters have been varied to observe their effects on output responses, namely, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, % elongation, weld bead thickness and nugget zone hardness. Confirmation test showed that the proposed approach can efficiently be used for the optimisation of multiple weld quality properties in FSW process.
Performance of MPPMS Cr/Cr2O3 films in protection against metal dusting
Authors: Melo-Máximo L. , Pérez M. , Lin J. , Salas O. , Melo-Máximo D. , Oseguera J. , López-Hirata V. M. , Torres R. D. , Souza R. M.
Published: September 2014

In the present work, Cr/Cr2O3 thin films were applied on 304L stainless steel substrates via modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering to investigate their protective behaviour against metal dusting for this steel. Depositions of the films were carried out at various negative values of bias voltage. The structure of the films consisted of a very dense fine columnar structure composed of textured Cr2O3. The films showed similar, very good protective behaviour during exposition to an atmosphere of CH4+H2+residual oxygen and moisture at 1073 K for 20 h. The main protection mechanism proposed was associated to the coatings acting as barriers for outward diffusion of the alloy elements and inward diffusion of C and O into the alloy, especially early in the exposure.
Effect of pre-coat solution temperature on fluidized bed urea coatings
Authors: Naz M. Y. , Sulaiman S. A. , Ariwahjoedi B. , Shaari K. Z. K.
Published: September 2014

In this study, coating properties of the native cassava starch were improved by reacting it with urea and di-sodium tetraborate. The FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the possible reaction mechanism of the coating formulation. The prepared starch dispersions were used to coat 3·45 mm urea granules in a swirling fluidised bed reactor. An in-house built fluidised bed with an intermittent top spraying facility was used to coat the urea beds fluidised above their minimum level of fluidisation. The pre-coat solution temperature was varied from 50 to 80°C and the corresponding coated urea samples were further characterised for their surface morphology, coating hardness and nitrogen release time. The SEM images revealed that the surface of the coated urea was harder, denser and smoother as compared to the uncoated urea. Significant improvements in mechanical parameters of coated urea were seen with an increase in solution temperature and mass of the di-sodium tetraborate. The overall nutrients release time of the coated urea in water was increased from 63·33 to 209 s. The surface hardness and coating thickness of coated urea was also increased with an increase in pre-coat solution temperature and di-sodium tetraborate mass in the coating composition.
Clearance of PML/RARA-bound promoters suffice to initiate APL differentiation
Authors: Vitaliano-Prunier Adeline , Halftermeyer Juliane , Ablain Julien , de Reynies Aurélien , Peres Laurent , Le Bras Morgane , Metzger Daniel , de Thé Hugues
Published: September 2014

Key Points

PML/RARA loss or detachment from target promoters suffices to differentiate APL cells. PML/RARA degradation by arsenic thus explains arsenic-induced differentiation.
Combining magnetic nanoparticle with biotinylated nanobodies for rapid and sensitive detection of influenza H3N2
Authors: Zhu Min , Hu Yonghong , Li Guirong , Ou Weijun , Mao Panyong , Xin Shaojie , Wan Yakun
Published: September 2014

Our objective is to develop a rapid and sensitive assay based on magnetic beads to detect the concentration of influenza H3N2. The possibility of using variable domain heavy-chain antibodies (nanobody) as diagnostic tools for influenza H3N2 was investigated. A healthy camel was immunized with inactivated influenza H3N2. A nanobody library of 8 × 108 clones was constructed and phage displayed. After three successive biopanning steps, H3N2-specific nanobodies were successfully isolated, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified. Sequence analysis of the nanobodies revealed that we possessed four classes of nanobodies against H3N2. Two nanobodies were further used to prepare our rapid diagnostic kit. Biotinylated nanobody was effectively immobilized onto the surface of streptavidin magnetic beads. The modified magnetic beads with nanobody capture specifically influenza H3N2 and can still be recognized by nanobodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugates. Under optimized conditions, the present immunoassay exhibited a relatively high sensitive detection with a limit of 50 ng/mL. In conclusion, by combining magnetic beads with specific nanobodies, this assay provides a promising influenza detection assay to develop a potential rapid, sensitive, and low-cost diagnostic tool to screen for influenza infections.
Early versus delayed administration of norepinephrine in patients with septic shock
Authors: Bai Xiaowu , Yu Wenkui , Ji Wu , Lin Zhiliang , Tan Shanjun , Duan Kaipeng , Dong Yi , Xu Lin , Li Ning
Published: September 2014

Introduction

This study investigated the incidence of delayed norepinephrine administration following the onset of septic shock and its effect on hospital mortality.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from 213 adult septic shock patients treated at two general surgical intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital over a two year period. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality.

Results

The 28-day mortality was 37.6% overall. Among the 213 patients, a strong relationship between delayed initial norepinephrine administration and 28-day mortality was noted. The average time to initial norepinephrine administration was 3.1 ± 2.5 hours. Every 1-hour delay in norepinephrine initiation during the first 6 hours after septic shock onset was associated with a 5.3% increase in mortality. Twenty-eight day mortality rates were significantly higher when norepinephrine administration was started more than or equal to 2 hours after septic shock onset (Late-NE) compared to less than 2 hours (Early-NE). Mean arterial pressures at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after septic shock onset were significantly higher and serum lactate levels at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours were significantly lower in the Early-NE than the Late-NE group. The duration of hypotension and norepinephrine administration was significantly shorter and the quantity of norepinephrine administered in a 24-hour period was significantly less for the Early-NE group compared to the Late-NE group. The time to initial antimicrobial treatment was not significantly different between the Early-NE and Late-NE groups.

Conclusion

Our results show that early administration of norepinephrine in septic shock patients is associated with an increased survival rate.
Intravenous angiotensin II for the treatment of high-output shock (ATHOS trial): a pilot study
Authors: Chawla Lakhmir S , Busse Laurence , Brasha-Mitchell Ermira , Davison Danielle , Honiq Jacqueline , Alotaibi Ziyad , Seneff Michael G
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Patients with distributive shock who require high dose vasopressors have a high mortality. Angiotensin II (ATII) may prove useful in patients who remain hypotensive despite catecholamine and vasopressin therapy. The appropriate dose of parenteral angiotensin II for shock is unknown.

Methods

In total, 20 patients with distributive shock and a cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 4 were randomized to either ATII infusion (N =10) or placebo (N =10) plus standard of care. ATII was started at a dose of 20 ng/kg/min, and titrated for a goal of maintaining a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mmHg. The infusion (either ATII or placebo) was continued for 6 hours then titrated off. The primary endpoint was the effect of ATII on the standing dose of norepinephrine required to maintain a MAP of 65 mmHg.

Results

ATII resulted in marked reduction in norepinephrine dosing in all patients. The mean hour 1 norepinephrine dose for the placebo cohort was 27.6 ± 29.3 mcg/min versus 7.4 ± 12.4 mcg/min for the ATII cohort (P =0.06). The most common adverse event attributable to ATII was hypertension, which occurred in 20% of patients receiving ATII. 30-day mortality for the ATII cohort and the placebo cohort was similar (50% versus 60%, P =1.00).

Conclusion

Angiotensin II is an effective rescue vasopressor agent in patients with distributive shock requiring multiple vasopressors. The initial dose range of ATII that appears to be appropriate for patients with distributive shock is 2 to 10 ng/kg/min.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01393782. Registered 12 July 2011.
Polygenic in vivovalidation of cancer mutations using transposons
Authors: Chew Su Kit , Lu Dong , Campos Lia S , Scott Kenneth L , Saci Abdel , Wang Juexuan , Collinson Adam , Raine Keiran , Hinton Jonathan , Teague Jon W , Jones David , Menzies Andrew , Butler Adam P , Gamble John , O’Meara Sarah , McLaren Stuart , Chin Lynda , Liu Pentao , Futreal P Andrew
Published: September 2014

The in vivo validation of cancer mutations and genes identified in cancer genomics is resource-intensive because of the low throughput of animal experiments. We describe a mouse model that allows multiple cancer mutations to be validated in each animal line. Animal lines are generated with multiple candidate cancer mutations using transposons. The candidate cancer genes are tagged and randomly expressed in somatic cells, allowing easy identification of the cancer genes involved in the generated tumours. This system presents a useful, generalised and efficient means for animal validation of cancer genes.
Patterns of Sport Participation in Portuguese Volleyball Players According to Expertise Level and Gender
Authors: Coutinho Patrícia , Mesquita Isabel , Fonseca António M. , De Martin-Silva Luciana
Published: September 2014

This study aimed to examine the sport participation of 229 Portuguese volleyball players through a previously validated questionnaire within different stages of their development and considering their expertise level and gender. The skilled players differed from the less skilled in having accrued more hours of training throughout all stages. Female players reported less early sport involvement (fewer number of sports practiced and less involvement in team sports and competitions) than males. The early involvement in individual sports by skilled female players seems to be important in their route to expertise, while the later involvement in individual sports by less-skilled male players possibly indicates the need for other motivational sport experiences. These particular findings provide valuable information to guide the designs of Portuguese volleyball players' development considering gender and expertise at the same time. However, additional work is needed to understand to what extent these findings may be system, culture or sport dependent.
Time-of-Day Effects on Static and Dynamic Balance in Elite Junior Athletes and Untrained Adolescents
Authors: Cagno Alessandra di , Fiorilli Giovanni , Iuliano Enzo , Aquino Giovanna , Giombini Arrigo , Battaglia Claudia , Piazza Marina , Tsopani Despina , Calcagno Giuseppe
Published: September 2014

The aim of the present study was to analyse the daily variation of balance in two groups of female adolescents: elite athletes (n=20, aged 13.2 ± 0.5 years) and untrained students (n=20, aged 12.9 ± 0.6 years). Participants underwent two testing sessions over two days at two different times each day. Morningness-Eveningness self-assessment questionnaire was administered to assess the chronotype of the participants and oral temperature was measured too. Significant group differences were found in the overall balance tests (p<0.01). Athlete group showed no significant differences in balance tests with respect to the time-of-day. Untrained adolescents attained better results in the morning in the dynamic balance tests (p<0.01). No correlations were found between chronotype, oral temperature variations and balance tests scores. The main outcome of the study was that elite athletes did not show time-of-day effects on balance, whereas the untrained adolescents achieved better results in the morning.
Temporal Analysis of Losing Possession of the Ball Leading to Conceding a Goal: A Study of the Incidence of Perturbation in Soccer
Authors: Shafizadeh Mohsen , Lago-Penas Carlos , Gridley Adam , Platt Geoffrey K
Published: September 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the temporal occurrence of losing possession of the ball in soccer and its association with conceding a goal. Thirty two senior national teams competing in the 2010 World-Cup in South Africa and twelve youth soccer clubs were selected for match analysis. The results of time distribution analysis showed a significant positive skewness (K-SZ =3, S=0.463, p=0.000) for losing possession of the ball, transition time in senior (K-SZ =1.82, S=1.57, p=0.003) and youth groups (K-SZ =2.85, S=1.29, p=0.002) and normal distribution for variability of time to losing the ball (K-SZ =1.07, S= −0.280, p=0.19). The results of an independent t test showed that there was a significant difference (t=2.71, p=0.008) in transition time between youth and senior groups. In conclusion, this study showed that the number of times that the ball was lost increased near to a goal being conceded and the duration of the most recent loss was very close to goal-conceding. Thus effective strategies that have been employed to destabilise opponents include increasing the number of perturbations through losing possession of the ball, speeding up the transition periods and the final strike after the opponents lose the ball.
New Insights Involving the Home Team Advantage
Authors: Swartz Tim B. , Arce Adriano
Published: September 2014

Although the home team advantage is known to exist in many sports, there are nuances of the advantage that are less well understood. In this paper, we investigate various aspects of the home team advantage including changes in the advantage over time, the relationship of the advantage to the overall scoring rate and differential advantages within leagues. The analysis is mainly based on descriptive statistics and is confined to the home team advantage pertaining to the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association.
Students’ Graphic Training Quality in Technical High Educational Institutions According to Current State of Design Documentation’s Uniform System
Authors: Столбова  , Stolbova I. , Шахова  , Shakhova A.
Published: September 2014

Questions related to introduction of USDD standards’

changes in educational process are considered. Interstate standards

establish uniform requirements for computer design development.

Importance of concepts related to electronic model of a product

and a detail is noted.
From the Patent to the Concept of Free Revealing – Closed and Open Model of Industrial Property
Authors: Niklewicz-Pijaczyńska Małgorzata
Published: September 2014

This article is based on literature studies, comparative analysis of two different models to stimulate innovative solutions and protect industrial property rights – particularly rights to inventions. For this purpose, the most important assumptions and the essence of traditional patent system based on institutional protection as well as concepts of free revealing (free access) and open innovation (open invention) were characterized. The paper also presents potential strengths and weaknesses of presented approaches – closed (traditional) and open inventiveness. The article gives value to the argument that, given real shortcomings, the most effective way to create and commercialize inventions would be one of a complementary nature, taking into account solutions offered by each of the presented approaches, changing current innovation policy. On the one hand, modern companies should not give up institutional protection of their developed technology solutions and carrying out R&D, on the other, they will be increasingly forced to resort to modern tools of stimulating innovations based on openness, direct market communication and flexible approach to innovation processes of products and services.
Depot medication: An introduction to the nurse's role
Authors: Gournay Kevin
Published: September 2014

This article provides a brief introduction to depot medication, its history, and the role it plays in mental healthcare today.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: History and diagnosis
Authors: Rogers Paul , Hennah Nathan J , Collingbourne Andrew , Gournay Kevin
Published: September 2014

This is the first of two articles on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), covering its history and diagnosis. Both articles should be seen as a resource to enable the reader to obtain a firm understanding of the history, diagnosis, co-morbidity and current knowledge on evidence-based care of PTSD. The articles are aimed at a wide audience to include students of the health and social care professions and others working in the voluntary sector. They may also be helpful to more experienced professionals who wish to refresh their knowledge and to those in the legal professions. After reading this, reviewing the literature and reflecting on your practice you will be able to: describe the nature of the traumatic event necessary for PTSD diagnosis and describe four symptom clusters that define PTSD.
Microsatellite variation of Quercus aquifolioides populations at varying altitudes in the Wolong Natural Reserve of China
Authors: Zhang Xuejiang , Korpelainen Helena , Li Chunyang
Published: September 2014

Genetic variation and differentiation were investigated among five natural populations of Quercus aquifolioides occurring along an altitudinal gradient that varied from 2000 to 3600Â m above sea level in the Wolong Natural Reserve of China, by analyzing variation at six microsatellite loci. The results showed that the populations were characterized by relatively high intra-population variation with the average number of alleles equaling 11.33 per locus and the average expected heterozygosity (H) being 0.779. The amount of genetic variation varied only little among populations, which suggests that the influence of altitude factors on microsatellite variation is limited. However, there is a significantly positive correlation between altitude and the number of low-frequency alleles (R =â0.97, Pâ<â0.01), which indicates that Q. aquifolioides from high altitudes has more unique variation, possibly enabling adaptation to severe conditions. F statistics showed the presence of a slight deficiency of heterozygosity (F =â0.136) and a low level of differentiation among populations (F =â0.066). The result of the cluster analysis demonstrated that the grouping of populations does not correspond to the altitude of the populations. Based on the available data, it is likely that the selective forces related to altitude are not strong enough to significantly differentiate the populations of Q. aquifolioides in terms of microsatellite variation.E2ISST
Nutrient and light availability to white spruce seedlings in partial and clearcut harvested aspen stands
Authors: Lapointe Benoit , Bradley Robert , Parsons William , Brais Suzanne
Published: September 2014

White spruce is a commercially important tree species in Canadaâs boreal forest, and studies are underway to determine the best conditions for planting nursery grown seedlings in the field. Here, we studied effects of low thinning (1/3 harvested), shelterwood (2/3 harvested), and clear-cut harvesting on soil chemical properties, on the growth and nutrition of white spruce seedlings, and on diffuse non-intercepted (DIFN) light levels at 75 cm above the soil surface. The study was conducted on a nutrient-rich clayey soil in the Abitibi region of QuÃ©bec. DIFN light was lowest in non-harvested control plots and increased curvilinearly with basal area removal. Thus, DIFN light in clear-cut plots was more than twice the amount in shelterwood plots. At three years post-planting, significant linear relationships were found between DIFN light and seedling growth parameters, which were significantly higher in clear-cut than in other treatment plots. Harvesting treatments had no significant effects on soil chemical properties or on four indices of mineral N availability. Needle mass increased with harvesting intensity. Mg and K concentrations in current-year needles were lower in clear-cut than in other treatment plots. In previous-year needles, Ca concentration was higher and Mg concentrations lower in clear-cut plots, whereas as K concentration was higher in non-harvested control plots. Nutrient concentrations were nearly all sufficient in all harvesting treatments according to diagnostic norms established for white spruce. Relative nutrient content (mg nutrient needleâ1) of current-year late-summer needles increased, whereas relative nutrient concentration (mg nutrient mgâ1 needle) varied slightly, with increasing harvesting intensity, indicating that all nutrients were sufficient in all treatments. There were significant linear relationships between seedling growth and needle Ca, Mg and K concentrations. We conclude that light availability, rather than nutrient limitations, is the main determinant of white spruce seedling growth on these fertile soils.
Effect of data acquisition accuracy on timing of stand harvests and expected net present value
Authors: Holopainen Markus , Talvitie Mervi
Published: September 2014

Modern remote sensing provides cost-efficient spatial digital data that are more accurate than before. However, the influence of increased accuracy and cost-efficiency on simulations of forest management planning has not been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of data acquisition accuracy on standwise forest inventory by comparing the accuracy and cost of traditional compartmentwise inventory methods with 2D and 3D measurements of digital aerial photographs and airborne laser scanning. Comparison was based on the expected net present value (NPV), i.e. economic losses that consisted of the inventory costs and incorrect timings of treatments. The reference data, totalling 700 ha, were measured from Central Park in the city of Helsinki, Finland. The data were simulated to final cut with a MOTTI simulator, which is a stand-level analysis tool that can be used to assess the effects of alternative forest management practices on growth and timber yield. The results showed that when inventory costs were not considered there were no significant differences between the expected NPV losses in 3D measurements of digital aerial photographs, laser scanning and the compartmentwise method. When inventory costs were taken into account, the compartmentwise method was still the most efficient inventory method in the study area. Forest inventories, however, are usually directed to larger areas when the costs per hectare of remote-sensing methods decrease. As a result of better accuracies, 3D and compartmentwise methods always produce better results than the 2D method when NPV losses are accounted. Simulations of this type are based on the accuracies and costs of the 3D data available today, assuming that the data can be used in tree-level measurements.
Field performance of hybrid aspen clones planted in summer
Authors: Luoranen Jaana , Lappi Juha , Zhang Gang , Smolander Heikki
Published: September 2014

We investigated the possibility to plant clonal hybrid aspen (Populus tremulaÂ xÂ tremuloides) during the summer of propagation when the plants are 20â25 cm tall and only a few months old. In four experiments carried out in years 1998â2001, survival of summer-planted hybrid aspens was at least as high as that of hybrid aspen planted in autumn and spring. In all experiments, compared to planting in September or the following May, height growth was greater with planting in July and early August. Root egress of hybrid aspens planted in July and August was also greater than that of aspens planted in autumn or the following spring. Summer planting was thus possible both with plants produced by micropropagation and with those produced from root cuttings.
Three mathematical models for bucking-to-order
Authors: Marshall Hamish , Murphy Glen , Boston Kevin
Published: September 2014

The aim of this paper is to investigate different mathematical approaches to buck-to-order log merchandizing. A new bucking-to-order planning model using mixed integer programming was developed to determine the optimal production from a stand given different market constraints and forest inventory data. Three different approaches: market prices, target cutting patterns and adjusted price list were tested for generating cutting instructions to fulfill the plan created by the new planning model. The three approaches were evaluated in four test stands. The market prices approach simply applied the market prices to each stand. The target cutting patterns approach applied the sample cutting patterns generated from the planning model to the stand. The adjusted price list used a dynamic programming algorithm embedded in a search heuristic to adjust both the prices and small end diameters of log products to achieve the production goals of the planning models. The results showed that developing a buck-to-order plan is important in obtaining good order fulfillment. The target cutting patterns and adjusted price list approaches certainly out performed the market prices approach. This paper shows that these two approaches are capable of achieving excellent order fulfillment. Further development and testing is needed to determine which method is the best at generating cutting instructions for buck-to-order merchandizing.
Modelling the effect of temperature on height increment of Scots pine at high latitudes
Authors: Salminen Hannu , Jalkanen Risto
Published: September 2014

The effect of temperature and precipitation on the height increment of Pinus sylvestris (L.) was modelled using data gathered from a total of 49 felled sample trees from five stands of Scots pine located along a latitudinal transect from the Arctic Circle up to the northern timberline in Finland. A multilevel mixed effects model and cross-correlation analysis of prewhitened time series was used to analyse the dependence between height increment and monthly meteorological observations. The effect of the mean July temperature of the previous year on height increment proved to be very strong at high latitudes (r > 0.7). The mean November temperature of the year before the previous affected statistically significantly on height increment in the three northernmost stands. There was no correlation between height increment and precipitation in any of the sites. The final height increment model based on all stands included tree age, long-term mean temperature sum of site, and the mean July temperature of the previous year as independent variables. According to the model, one degreeâs change in July temperature results on average in 1.8 cm change in the next yearâs height increment. There was a modest but significant polynomial age-effect. The proportion of explained variance (at the year level) was 74%. The July temperature dependence on height increment was shown to be very strong, suggesting a high value of height increment in climate modelling at the tree line.
Diagnosing Brand Performance: Accounting for the Dynamic Impact of Product Availability with Aggregate Data
Authors: Shah Denish , Kumar V. , Zhao Yi
Published: September 2014

The extent to which a brand's individual products (relative to competing products) are available to consumers for purchase in a retail store can critically affect the brand's overall performance. However, store-level product availability information is lost in aggregate market-level data sets and has been ignored by extant demand studies in general, which can create the risk of misinformed managerial decision making. In this research, the authors propose a unique methodology to enable manufacturers to infer retailers’ joint stocking probability of products from aggregate data and, thus, enable consumers’ choices to be contingent on the assortment of products available in retail stores. The application of the proposed framework in the context of an emerging market results in unbiased demand parameter estimates, a significantly better model fit, and richer managerial insights (compared with conventional approaches) pertaining to how brand performance is affected by the (1) dynamics of retailers’ stocking preferences, (2) assortment of products that retailers are more (vs. less) likely to jointly stock, and (3) cannibalization of retailers’ shelf space resulting from product line extensions.
Arithmetic in the fundamental group of ap-adic curve. On thep-adic section conjecture for curves
Authors: Pop Florian , Stix Jakob
Published: September 2014

We establish a valuative version of Grothendieck’s section conjecture for curves overp-adic local fields. The image of every section is contained in the decomposition subgroup of a valuation which prolongs thep-adic valuation to the function field of the curve.
Complex Monge–Ampère equations on quasi-projective varieties
Authors: Di Nezza Eleonora , Lu Chinh H.
Published: September 2014

We introduce generalized Monge–Ampère capacities and use these to study complex Monge–Ampère equations
whose right-hand side is smooth outside a divisor.
We prove, in many cases, that there exists a unique normalized solution which is smooth outside the divisor. Our results still hold if the divisor is replaced by any closed subset.
Developing sociotechnical systems with special focus on quality
Authors: Koschmider Agnes
Published: September 2014

To date, it is not fully understood why people make errors
in the design of business processes. Certainly, one reason is the
boundedness of human cognitive abilities. Cognitive abilities are, for
instance, restricted by the knowledge or memorability of process
modelers. Due to this boundedness people make errors particularly in
large and complex models while similar errors are not made in smaller
and less complex models. My research focus lies in the investigation
of tools and techniques that support users in the design of business
process models in a way that improves productivity and efficiency
(e. g., understanding and implementing the process model). This paper
summarizes three research projects aiming at business process modeling
support. The intention of my research is to contribute to the
understanding of sociotechnical systems, which are an interplay
between humans, information and communication technologies, and
organizations. The first project facilitates support for process
modeling with a recommendation system. Such a system has been
developed in order to assist users twofold in purpose-oriented
modeling of processes. The popularity of such a system increases when
process models are recommended that can be rapidly understood. My
second research project is the investigation of the empirical quality
(i.e. structural and textual properties) of process models. To
motivate users to reuse process model recommendations, process model
reuse must be understood as a common practice and efficient tools and
techniques must be provided, which I tackle in my third project.
Measurement of novel biomarkers of neuronal injury and cerebral oxygenation after routine vaginal delivery versus cesarean section in term infants
Authors: Morel Alexandra Almanzar , Bailey Sean M. , Shaw Gerry , Mally Pradeep , Malhotra Sunil P.
Published: September 2014

It remains unclear if mode of delivery can have any impact on the neonatal brain. Our aim was to determine in term newborns any differences based on mode of delivery in either neuronal injury biomarkers, phosphorylated axonal neurofilament heavy chain (pNF-H) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCHL1), or brain oxygenation values, regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (CrSO2) and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (CFOE).

An Institutional Review Board approved prospective observational pilot study of well newborns. Serum pNF-H and UCHL1 levels were measured on the day following delivery. CrSO2 values along with CFOE values were also measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and pulse oximetry.

There were 22 subjects, 15 born vaginally and seven born by cesarean section. No difference was found in mean pNF-H (107.9±54.3 pg/mL vs. 120.2±43.3 pg/mL, P=0.66) or mean UCHL1 (4.0±3.5 pg/mL vs. 3.0±2.2 pg/mL, P=0.68). No difference was found in mean CrSO2 (80.8±5.3% vs. 80.8±5.6%, P=0.99) or mean CFOE (0.17±0.06 vs. 0.15±0.08, P=0.51).

We found no difference in neuronal injury markers between term neonates born vaginally compared to those born by cesarean section. From a neurologic standpoint, this supports current obstetric practice guidelines that emphasize vaginal birth as the preferred delivery method whenever possible.
Metal-organophosphine complexes: structure, bonding, and applications
Authors: Raj Joe Gerald Jesu
Published: September 2014

Metal-organophosphine complexes are very important candidates in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Many of the organophosphorus derivatives find applications in nanoscale material synthesis as important precursors. Phosphine complexes containing a variety of substituents exhibit tunable optical properties, which can be successfully applied in conjugation with nanoscale materials in solar-cell applications, photovoltaics, and the development of novel nanomaterials. In view of the emerging importance and potential applications of organophosphorus compounds, this review details the fundamental structural, synthetic, and spectroscopic characterization of organophosphines and their corresponding metal complexes. A special emphasis has been given to31P{1H} and1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis.
Detektion fehlender Bonddrähte in Leistungsbauteilen mittels magnetooptischer Bildgebung
Authors: Dietachmayr Florian W. , Hölzl Patrick A. , Zagar Bernhard G. , Nelhiebel Michael
Published: September 2014

Leistungselektronikbauteile sind in der Lage, Spannungen und Ströme im
Bereich etlicher kV und kA zu steuern bzw. zu schalten. Dabei sind sie
externen Einflüssen, wie zum Beispiel starken Temperaturschwankungen
und mechanischen Erschütterungen, ausgesetzt. Infolgedessen ist die
elektrische Verbindung zwischen dem Substrat und den
Ausgangsanschlüssen von entscheidender Bedeutung. Diese Verbindung
wird üblicherweise durch Drahtbonden hergestellt, wobei der
Drahtdurchmesser von 70 μm bis über
400 μm reicht. Um die Strombelastbarkeit des
Bauteils zu gewährleisten, müssen redundante Bonddrähte verbaut
werden. Damit sind herkömmliche elektrische Tests nicht mehr in der
Lage, einzelne fehlende oder fehlerhafte Bonddrähte zu
erkennen. Allerdings erzeugt jeder stromführende Draht ein Magnetfeld,
welches analysiert werden kann. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert eine neue
Messmethode basierend auf magnetooptischer Bildgebung zur Detektion
fehlender Bonddrähte in einem Leistungs-MOSFET. Dafür wurde ein
Messaufbau auf Basis des Faraday-Effekts entworfen, der es uns
ermöglicht, magnetische Feldstärken im Bereich von
0.10 A/m mit einer hohen örtlichen Auflösung
von ca. 22 μm zu messen.
James Newlands and the origins of the municipal engineer
Authors: Sheard Sally
Published: September 2014

When James Newlands (1813–1871) arrived in Liverpool in 1847 to take up the newly created position of Borough Engineer, he formed, along with Dr William Henry Duncan (Medical Officer of Health) and Thomas Fresh (Inspector of Nuisances), Britain's first public health team. This was Liverpool's response to national and international perceptions of it as a dangerously unhealthy town. Frequent outbreaks of epidemic diseases and poor living conditions had created an ‘urban penalty’ – the price paid for its rapid uncontrolled expansion. Over the next 23 years, Newlands shaped this new role, defining its territory through Liverpool's ambitious programme of sanitary reform. He designed Britain's first purpose-built sewerage system and his holistic vision of sustainable urban living encompassed municipal baths and wash-houses, road planning, public parks and street lighting. Newlands' collaborations with other civil engineers, with Dr Duncan and Liverpool Town Council provide a fascinating and instructive case study on how expert advice is used in policy development. This paper illustrates how the relative professional status of medicine and engineering shaped the development of the discipline of public health. The challenges Newlands successfully addressed in mid-nineteenth century Liverpool – integrated urban design, adequate funding, multi-disciplinary team working – remain critical to urban health now.