bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis Play a Role in Metabolic Health?
Authors: Porter Craig , Børsheim Elisabet , Sidossis Labros S.
Published: April 2013

The function ascribed to brown adipose tissue in humans has long been confined to thermoregulation in neonates, where this thermogenic capacity was thought lost with maturation. Recently, brown adipose tissue depots have been identified in adult humans. The significant oxidative capacity of brown adipocytes and the ability of their mitochondria to respire independently of ATP production, has led to renewed interest in the role that these adipocytes play in human energy metabolism. In our view, there is a need for robust physiological studies determining the relationship between molecular signatures of brown adipose tissue, adipose tissue mitochondrial function, and whole body energy metabolism, in order to elucidate the significance of thermogenic adipose tissue in humans. Until such information is available, the role of thermogenic adipose tissue in human metabolism and the potential that these adipocytes may prevent or treat obesity and metabolic diseases in humans will remain unknown. In this article, we summarize the recent literature pertaining to brown adipose tissue function with the aims of drawing the readers’ attention to the lack of data concerning the role of brown adipocytes in human physiology, and to the potential limitations of current research strategies.
Effects of High Altitude on Sleep and Respiratory System and Theirs Adaptations
Authors: San Turhan , Polat Senol , Cingi Cemal , Eskiizmir Gorkem , Oghan Fatih , Cakir Burak
Published: April 2013

High‐altitude (HA) environments have adverse effects on the normal functioning body of people accustomed to living at low altitudes because of the change in barometric pressure which causes decrease in the amount of oxygen leading to hypobaric hypoxia. Sustained exposure to hypoxia has adverse effects on body weight, muscle structure and exercise capacity, mental functioning, and sleep quality. The most important step of acclimatization is the hyperventilation which is achieved by hypoxic ventilatory response of the peripheral chemoreceptors. Hyperventilation results in increase in arterial carbondioxide concentration. Altitude also affects sleep and cardiac output, which is the other determinant of oxygen delivery. Upon initial exposure to HA, the resting pulse rate increases rapidly, but with acclimatization, heart rate and cardiac output tend to fall. Another important component that leads to decrease in cardiac output is the reduction in the stroke volume with acclimatization. During sleep at HA, the levels of CO2 in the blood can drop very low and this can switch off the drive to breathe. Only after the body senses a further drop in O2 levels breathing is started again. Periodic breathing is thought to result from instability in the control system through the hypoxic drive or the response to CO2.
Binary Tree Pricing to Convertible Bonds with Credit Risk under Stochastic Interest Rates
Authors: Huang Jianbo , Liu Jian , Rao Yulei
Published: April 2013

The convertible bonds usually have multiple additional provisions that make their pricing problem more difficult than straight bonds and options. This paper uses the binary tree method to model the finance market. As the underlying stock prices and the interest rates are important to the convertible bonds, we describe their dynamic processes by different binary tree. Moreover, we consider the influence of the credit risks on the convertible bonds that is described by the default rate and the recovery rate; then the two-factor binary tree model involving the credit risk is established. On the basis of the theoretical analysis, we make numerical simulation and get the pricing results when the stock prices are CRR model and the interest rates follow the constant volatility and the time-varying volatility, respectively. This model can be extended to other financial derivative instruments.
Random Numbers Generated from Audio and Video Sources
Authors: Chen I-Te
Published: April 2013

Random numbers are very useful in simulation, chaos theory, game theory, information theory, pattern recognition, probability theory, quantum mechanics, statistics, and statistical mechanics. The random numbers are especially helpful in cryptography. In this work, the proposed random number generators come from white noise of audio and video (A/V) sources which are extracted from high-resolution IPCAM, WEBCAM, and MPEG-1 video files. The proposed generator applied on video sources from IPCAM and WEBCAM with microphone would be the true random number generator and the pseudorandom number generator when applied on video sources from MPEG-1 video file. In addition, when applying NIST SP 800-22 Rev.1a 15 statistics tests on the random numbers generated from the proposed generator, around 98% random numbers can pass 15 statistical tests. Furthermore, the audio and video sources can be found easily; hence, the proposed generator is a qualified, convenient, and efficient random number generator.
The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms in Turkish Brain Cancer Patients
Authors: Toptaş Bahar , Kafadar Ali Metin , Cacina Canan , Turan Saime , Yurdum Leman Melis , Yiğitbaşı Nihal , Gökçe Muhammed Oğuz , Zeybek Ümit , Yaylım Ilhan
Published: April 2013

Objective. It has been stated that brain cancers are an increasingly serious issue in many parts of the world. The aim of our study was to determine a possible relationship between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and the risk of glioma and meningioma.Methods. We investigated the VDR Taq-I and VDR Fok-I gene polymorphisms in 100 brain cancer patients (including 44 meningioma cases and 56 glioma cases) and 122 age-matched healthy control subjects. This study was performed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RF LP).Results. VDR Fok-I ff genotype was significantly increased in meningioma patients (15.9%) compared with controls (2.5%), and carriers of Fok-I ff genotype had a 6.47-fold increased risk for meningioma cases. There was no significant difference between patients and controls for VDR Taq-I genotypes and alleles.Conclusions. We suggest that VDR Fok-I genotypes might affect the development of meningioma.
PPARγRegulates Genes Involved in Triacylglycerol Synthesis and Secretion in Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells of Dairy Goats
Authors: Shi Hengbo , Luo Jun , Zhu Jiangjiang , Li Jun , Sun Yuting , Lin Xianzi , Zhang Liping , Yao Dawei , Shi Huaiping
Published: April 2013

To explore the function of PPARγin the goat mammary gland, we cloned the whole cDNA of the PPARγgene. Homology alignments revealed that the goat PPARγgene is conserved among goat, bovine, mouse, and human. Luciferase assays revealed that rosiglitazone enhanced the activity of the PPARγresponse element (PPRE) in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). After rosiglitazone (ROSI) treatment of GMECs, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the expression of genes related to triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion:LPL, FASN, ACACA, PLIN3, FABP3, PLIN2, PNPLA2, NR1H3, SREBF1, andSCD. The decreases in expression observed after knockdown of PPARγrelative to the control group (Ad-NC) averaged 65%, 52%, 67%, 55%, 65%, 58%, 85%, 43%, 50%, and 24% forSCD, DGAT1, AGPAT6, SREBF1, ACACA, FASN, FABP3, SCAP, ATGL,andPLIN3, respectively. These results provide direct evidence that PPARγplays a crucial role in regulating the triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion in goat mammary cells and underscore the functional importance of PPARγin mammary gland tissue during lactation.
Development of an Optical Sensor Head for Current and Temperature Measurements in Power Systems
Authors: de Nazaré Fábio V. B. , Werneck Marcelo M. , de Oliveira Rodrigo P. , Santos D. M. , Allil R. C. , Ribeiro B. A.
Published: April 2013

The development of a current and temperature monitoring optical device intended to be used in high-voltage environments, particularly transmission lines, is presented. The system is intended to offer not only measurement reliability, but to be also practical and light weighted. Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are employed in the measurement of both physical parameters: the current will be acquired using a hybrid sensor head setup—an FBG fixed on a magnetostrictive rod—while a single-point temperature information is provided by a dedicated grating. An inexpensive and outdoor-suitable demodulation method, such as the fixed filter technique, should be used in order to improve the instrumentation robustness, avoiding expensive and complex auxiliary electronics. The preliminary results for laboratory tests are also discussed.
Forest Structure, Nutrients, and Pentaclethra macroloba Growth after Deforestation of Costa Rican Lowland Forests
Authors: Shebitz Daniela J. , Eaton William
Published: April 2013

Succession following deforestation in Neotropical forests has been investigated extensively, yet rarely have studies connected nutrient dynamics with vegetation. This study was conducted in lowland wet forests of Maquenque, Costa Rica. The objectives were (1) to compare carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) characteristics and understory vegetation diversity between regenerating forests and primary forests; and (2) to use these variables to evaluate P. macroloba’s successional role. Four 300 m2 plots were established in primary and secondary forests where P. macroloba was the dominant N-fixing tree. Soil and vegetation data were collected from 2008 to 2010. Values of indicators of C, N, and P cycle activity were generally greater in primary than in secondary forest soils. Efficiency of organic C use and the relative contribution of respiration and organic C to soil biomass were also greater in the primary forest. These trends corresponded with greater richness, biomass, and cover of total and leguminous plant species, greater volume of P. macroloba in primary stands, and greater density of P. macroloba in secondary stands. As cleared regions of former primary forest regenerate, P. macroloba is the important dominant N-fixing tree and a critical driver of C, N, and P recuperation and ecosystem recovery.
Pullback Attractors for Nonautonomous 2D-Navier-Stokes Models with Variable Delays
Authors: Liu Xiaoli , Wang Yejuan
Published: April 2013

Using a method based on the concept of the Kuratowski measure of the noncompactness of a bounded set as well as some new estimates of the equicontinuity of the solutions, we prove the existence of a unique pullback attractor in higher regularity space for the multivalued process associated with the nonautonomous 2D-Navier-Stokes model with delays and without the uniqueness of solutions.
Effect of Brain-to-Skull Conductivity Ratio on EEG Source Localization Accuracy
Authors: Wang Gang , Ren Doutian
Published: April 2013

The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of the brain-to-skull conductivity ratio (BSCR) on EEG source localization accuracy. In this study, we evaluated four BSCRs: 15, 20, 25, and 80, which were mainly discussed according to the literature. The scalp EEG signals were generated by BSCR-related forward computation for each cortical dipole source. Then, for each scalp EEG measurement, the source reconstruction was performed to identify the estimated dipole sources by the actual BSCR and the misspecified BSCRs. The estimated dipole sources were compared with the simulated dipole sources to evaluate EEG source localization accuracy. In the case of considering noise-free EEG measurements, the mean localization errors were approximately equal to zero when using actual BSCR. The misspecified BSCRs resulted in substantial localization errors which ranged from 2 to 16 mm. When considering noise-contaminated EEG measurements, the mean localization errors ranged from 8 to 18 mm despite the BSCRs used in the inverse calculation. The present results suggest that the localization accuracy is sensitive to the BSCR in EEG source reconstruction, and the source activity can be accurately localized when the actual BSCR and the EEG scalp signals with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are used.
Status, Distribution, and Diversity of Birds in Mining Environment of Kachchh, Gujarat
Authors: Gajera Nikunj B. , Roy Mahato Arun Kumar , Kumar V. Vijay
Published: April 2013

Opencast mining is one of the major reasons for the destruction of natural habitats for many wildlife including birds. The Kachchh region belongs to the arid part of India and is one of the rich areas of mineral resources in the country. In the recent time and after the 2001 earthquake, mining and other developmental activities are increased, and as a result, the natural habitats of birds are disturbed and fragmented. So, this study was conducted to assess the impact of mining and associated activities on the diversity and distribution of birds. Birds were studied by surveying 180 transects along 9 zones around three selected major mines, and each zone is made in every 2 km radius from the mine. Based on the record, it was found that the density and diversity of birds are highest in zone 5 and lowest in zone 1 and zone 2, respectively. The result indicates that the diversity and abundance of birds were less in zones which are located close to the mines in comparison to the zones far from the mines. In conclusion, mining and its associated activities have some impacts on the diversity and distribution of birds in Kachchh region in India.
Photocatalytic Performance of TiO2 Nanofibers as a Function of Fiber Diameter Using TiCl2 as a Precursor
Authors: Ashkarran Ali Akbar , Eshghi Sima , Nourani Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2013

We focus on the production of TiO2 nanofibers with controllable diameters using a facile electrospinning technique at room temperature. The resulting nanofibers were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The most important electrospinning parameters including potential difference (kV), flow rate (mL/h), and the separation distance between electrodes (cm) were found to have significant influence on the diameter of the produced nanofibers. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanofibers was successfully demonstrated for decolorization of Rhodamine B (Rh.B) under UV light irradiation. It was found that fiber diameter has a crucial influence on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanofibers.
Development of an Ammonium Sulfate DNA Extraction Method for Obtaining Amplifiable DNA in a Small Number of Cells and Its Application to Clinical Specimens
Authors: Oh Seo Young , Kim Wook Youn , Hwang Tae Sook , Han Hye Seung , Lim So Dug , Kim Wan Seop
Published: April 2013

DNA extraction from microdissected cells has become essential for handling clinical specimens with advances in molecular pathology. Conventional methods have limitations for extracting amplifiable DNA from specimens containing a small number of cells. We developed an ammonium sulfate DNA extraction method (A) and compared it with two other methods (B and C). DNA quality and quantity,β-globin amplification, and detectability of two cancer associated gene mutations were evaluated. Method A showed the best DNA yield, particularly when the cell number was very low. Amplification of theβ-globin gene using DNA from the SNU 790 cell line and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells extracted with Method A demonstrated the strongest band.BRAFV600Emutation analysis using ethanol-fixed PTC cells from a patient demonstrated both a “T” peak increase and an adjacent “A” peak decrease when 25 and 50 cells were extracted, whereas mutant peaks were too low to be analyzed using the other two methods.EGFRmutation analysis using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung cancer tissues demonstrated a mutant peak with Method A, whereas the mutant peak was undetectable with Methods B or C. Method A yielded the best DNA quantity and quality with outstanding efficiency, particularly when paucicellular specimens were used.
Regulation of NF-B-Induced Inflammatory Signaling by Lipid Peroxidation-Derived Aldehydes
Authors: Yadav Umesh C. S. , Ramana Kota V.
Published: April 2013

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of a wide range of diseases including cancer. This view has broadened significantly with the recent discoveries that reactive oxygen species initiated lipid peroxidation leads to the formation of potentially toxic lipid aldehyde species such as 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE), acrolein, and malondialdehyde which activate various signaling intermediates that regulate cellular activity and dysfunction via a process called redox signaling. The lipid aldehyde species formed during synchronized enzymatic pathways result in the posttranslational modification of proteins and DNA leading to cytotoxicity and genotoxicty. Among the lipid aldehyde species, HNE has been widely accepted as a most toxic and abundant lipid aldehyde generated during lipid peroxidation. HNE and its glutathione conjugates have been shown to regulate redox-sensitive transcription factors such as NF-B and AP-1 via signaling through various protein kinase cascades. Activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors and their nuclear localization leads to transcriptional induction of several genes responsible for cell survival, differentiation, and death. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which the lipid aldehydes transduce activation of NF-B signaling pathways that may help to develop therapeutic strategies for the prevention of a number of inflammatory diseases.
NRF2-ome: An Integrated Web Resource to Discover Protein Interaction and Regulatory Networks of NRF2
Authors: Türei Dénes , Papp Diána , Fazekas Dávid , Földvári-Nagy László , Módos Dezső , Lenti Katalin , Csermely Péter , Korcsmáros Tamás
Published: April 2013

NRF2 is the master transcriptional regulator of oxidative and xenobiotic stress responses. NRF2 has important roles in carcinogenesis, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. We developed an online resource, NRF2-ome, to provide an integrated and systems-level database for NRF2. The database contains manually curated and predicted interactions of NRF2 as well as data from external interaction databases. We integrated NRF2 interactome with NRF2 target genes, NRF2 regulating TFs, and miRNAs. We connected NRF2-ome to signaling pathways to allow mapping upstream NRF2 regulatory components that could directly or indirectly influence NRF2 activity totaling 35,967 protein-protein and signaling interactions. The user-friendly website allows researchers without computational background to search, browse, and download the database. The database can be downloaded in SQL, CSV, BioPAX, SBML, PSI-MI, and in a Cytoscape CYS file formats. We illustrated the applicability of the website by suggesting a posttranscriptional negative feedback of NRF2 by MAFG protein and raised the possibility of a connection between NRF2 and the JAK/STAT pathway through STAT1 and STAT3. NRF2-ome can also be used as an evaluation tool to help researchers and drug developers to understand the hidden regulatory mechanisms in the complex network of NRF2.
Experimental Evidence ofω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Modulation of Inflammatory Cytokines and Bioactive Lipid Mediators: Their Potential Role in Inflammatory, Neurodegenerative, and Neoplastic Diseases
Authors: Calviello Gabriella , Su Hui-Min , Weylandt Karsten H. , Fasano Elena , Serini Simona , Cittadini Achille
Published: April 2013

A large body of evidence has emerged over the past years to show the critical role played by inflammation in the pathogenesis of several diseases including some cardiovascular, neoplastic, and neurodegenerative diseases, previously not considered inflammation-related. The anti-inflammatory action ofω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), as well as their potential healthy effects against the development and progression of the same diseases, has been widely studied by our and others’ laboratories. As a result, a rethinking is taking place on the possible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects ofω-3 PUFAs against these disorders, and, in particular, on the influence that they may exert on the molecular pathways involved in inflammatory process, including the production of inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators active in the resolving phase of inflammation. In the present review we will summarize and discuss the current knowledge regarding the modulating effects ofω-3 PUFAs on the production of inflammatory cytokines and proresolving or protective lipid mediators in the context of inflammatory, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic diseases.
Asymptomatic Cholecystocolonic Fistula: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma
Authors: Antonacci Nicola , Taffurelli Giovanni , Casadei Riccardo , Ricci Claudio , Monari Francesco , Minni Francesco
Published: April 2013

Cholecystocolonic fistulas (CCF) are rare complications of gallstones with a variable clinical presentation. Despite modern diagnostic tools, cholecystocolonic fistulas are often asymptomatic and it is difficult to diagnose them preoperatively. Biliary-enteric fistulae have been found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. The most common site of communication of the fistula is the cholecystoduodenal (70%), followed by the cholecystocolic (10–20%), and the least common is the cholecystogastric fistula. Herein, we report a case of female patient with multiple episodes of acute recurrent cholangitis due to common bile duct and gallbladder stones in which preoperative imaging studies were negative for cholecystocolonic fistula that was incidentally discovered and treated during surgery and was appropriately treated. A review of the literature is reported too.
Trajectory-Based Optimal Area Forwarding for Infrastructure-to-Vehicle Data Delivery with Partial Deployment of Stationary Nodes
Authors: Chen Liang-Yin , Fu Song-Tao , Zhang Jing-Yu , Zou Xun , Liu Yan , Yin Feng
Published: April 2013

This paper proposes a trajectory-based optimal area forwarding (TOAF) algorithm tailored for multihop data delivery from infrastructure nodes (e.g., Internet access points) to moving vehicles (infrastructure-to-vehicle) in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) with partial deployment of stationary nodes. It focuses on reducing the delivery-delay jitter and improving the low reliability of infrastructure-to-vehicle communication. To adapt with the real world, TOAF supposes that stationary nodes are partially installed at intersections in VANETs, and nodes' trajectories can be calculated and predicted, such as using cloud services and GPS, to find the optimal area where the destination vehicle may receive a packet timely. AP selects the optimal area from the trajectory of the destination vehicle and determines the delivery sequence, which includes stationary and mobile nodes from the AP to the optimal area. During delivery, if a new node finds that the delay to the next stationary node is less than that of the current carrier, it can be added to the sequence, reducing the delivery delay. The addition of a new node continues until the packet reaches the optimal area and infrastructure-to-vehicle communication is achieved. The simulation results confirm that TOAF can improve the performance of delivery-delay jitters and reliability of infrastructure-to-vehicle communication with partial deployment of stationary nodes.
Ultrasound Estimates of Visceral and Subcutaneous-Abdominal Adipose Tissues in Infancy
Authors: De Lucia Rolfe Emanuella , Modi Neena , Uthaya Sabita , Hughes Ieuan A. , Dunger David B. , Acerini Carlo , Stolk Ronald P. , Ong Ken K.
Published: April 2013

Other imaging techniques to quantify internal-abdominal adiposity (IA-AT) and subcutaneous-abdominal adiposity (SCA-AT) are frequently impractical in infants. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to validate ultrasound (US) visceral and subcutaneous-abdominal depths in assessing IA-AT and SCA-AT from MRI as the reference method in infants and (b) to analyze the association between US abdominal adiposity and anthropometric measures at ages 3 months and 12 months. Twenty-two infants underwent MRI and US measures of abdominal adiposity. Abdominal US parameters and anthropometric variables were assessed in the Cambridge Baby Growth Study (CBGS), infants (23 girls) at age 3 months and infants (237 girls) at 12 months. US visceral and subcutaneous-abdominal depths correlated with MRI quantified IA-AT (, ) and SCA-AT (, ) volumes, respectively. In CBGS, mean US-visceral depths increased by 20 % between ages 3 and 12 months () and at both ages were lower in infants breast-fed at 3 months than in other infants. US-visceral depths at both 3 and 12 months wereinverselyrelated to skinfold thickness at birth ( and at 3 and 12 months, resp.; adjusted for current skinfold thickness). In contrast, US-subcutaneous-abdominal depth at 3 months waspositivelyrelated to skinfold thickness at birth (). US measures can rank infants with higher or lower IA-AT and SCA-AT. Contrasting patterns of association with visceral and subcutaneous-abdominal adiposities indicate that they may be differentially regulated in infancy.
DNA Methylation-Mediated Repression of miR-886-3p Predicts Poor Outcome of Human Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cao Jianzhong , Song Yongmei , Bi Nan , Shen Jie , Liu Wenyang , Fan Jing , Sun Guogui , Tong Tong , He Jie , Shi Yuankai , Zhang Xun , Lu Ning , He Yinghua , Zhang Hongyu , Ma Kelong , Luo Xiaoying , Lv Lei , Deng Hui , Cheng Jing , Zhu Jingde , Wang Luhua , Zhan Qimin
Published: April 2013

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, yet the pathologic mechanisms underlying its devastating clinical outcome remain elusive. In this report, we surveyed 924 miRNA (miR) for their expressions in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from 42 patients with SCLC, and found that the downregulated miR-886-3p is closely correlated with the shorter survival of SCLC. This correlation was validated with another 40 cases. It was further discovered that loss of miR-886-3p expression was mediated by DNA hypermethylation of its promoter in both cultured SCLC cells and tumor samples. Moreover, miR-886-3p potently repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of NCI-H446 cell in cell culture via suppression of the expression of its target genes: PLK1 and TGF-β1 at posttranscription levels. Forced upregulation of miR-886-3p greatly inhibited in vivo tumor growth, bone/muscle invasion, and lung metastasis of NCI-H446 cells. This newly identified miR-886-3p-PLK1/TGF-β1 nexus that modulates SCLC aggression suggests that both loss of miR-886-3p expression and hypermethylation of the miR-886 promoter are the promising indicators for poor outcome of as well as new therapeutic targets for SCLC. Cancer Res; 73(11); 3326–35. ©2013 AACR.
Relationships between Serum and Colon Concentrations of Carotenoids and Fatty Acids in Randomized Dietary Intervention Trial
Authors: Sen Ananda , Ren Jianwei , Ruffin Mack T. , Turgeon Danielle K. , Brenner Dean E. , Sidahmed Elkhansa , Rapai Mary E. , Cornellier Maria L. , Djuric Zora
Published: April 2013

Little is known about the effect of preventive diets on colonic nutrient concentrations. This study randomized 120 persons at increased risk of colon cancer to a Mediterranean versus a Healthy Eating diet for six months. The former targeted increases in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, monounsaturated, and n3 fats. The Healthy Eating diet was based on Healthy People 2010 recommendations. At baseline, dietary fat and carotenoid intakes were poorly associated (Spearman ρ < 0.4) with serum and colon concentrations. Strong associations were observed between serum and colon measurements of β-cryptoxanthin (ρ = 0.58; P < 0.001), α-carotene (ρ = 0.48; P < 0.001), and β-carotene (ρ = 0.45; P < 0.001). After six months, the Healthy Eating intervention increased serum lutein, β-, and α-carotene significantly (P < 0.05). In the Mediterranean arm, the significant increases were in serum lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, monounsaturated, and n3 fats. A significant group-by-time interaction (P = 0.03) was obtained for monounsaturated fats. Colonic increases in carotenoids and n3 fats were significant only in Healthy Eating arm, whereas the group-by-time interaction was significant for β-carotene (P = 0.02) and α-carotene (P = 0.03). Changes in colon concentrations were not significantly associated with reported dietary changes. Changes in colon and serum concentrations were strongly associated for β-cryptoxanthin (ρ = 0.56; P < 0.001) and α-carotene (ρ = 0.40; P < 0.001). The associations between colonic and serum concentrations suggest the potential use of using serum concentration as a target in dietary interventions aimed at reducing colon cancer risk. Cancer Prev Res; 6(6); 558–65. ©2013 AACR.
Prognostic Significance of Serum Soluble CD163 Level in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: No Jae Hong , Moon Jeong Min , Kim Kidong , Kim Yong-Beom
Published: April 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of serum sCD163 in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Preoperative serum samples from 55 patients with epithelial ovarian cancers were analyzed for sCD163 using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Median serum sCD163 levels were higher in patients with a high-grade tumor. High serum sCD163 levels (3.43 mg/l) were associated with poor prognostic factors such as advanced stage (p = 0.024) and positive peritoneal cytology (p = 0.015). Univariate survival analysis showed that elevated sCD163 levels were associated with short DFS (8.0 vs. 32.4 months, p = 0.04) and OS (19.7 vs. 40.0 months, p = 0.027). Multivariate survival analysis revealed that high serum sCD163 levels were negatively associated with DFS (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-8.1, p = 0.039). Conclusions: Our study shows that elevated serum sCD163 levels were associated with poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. Impact: The prognostic significance of serum sCD163 in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer is described.
Policy Diffusion in Public Procurement: The Role of Free Trade Agreements
Authors: Woolcock Steve
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This article assesses the factors shaping policy diffusion of effective, liberal public procurement regimes. Policy diffusion and the analysis of policy diffusion is less developed in public procurement than other policy areas such as investment. This is surprising given the potential economic (public procurement accounts for some 8% of GDP) and signaling (transparency, good governance) gains of adopting regimes that promote competition in public procurement markets. The article first provides an introduction to the issue of public procurement and discusses the nature of procurement regimes, the dependent variable. It then assesses the impact of key variables identified in the literature on policy diffusion, such as competition, coercion and norm emulation. It is argued that issue linkage in bilateral free trade agreements (FTA) appears to have brought about common laws – and in some cases – rules for procurement. But this stops short of a genuine diffusion of liberal procurement regimes due to negotiations being framed by reciprocity rather than efficiency considerations, the costs and complexity of implementation, as well as opposition from vested sector interests and politicians at all levels of government favoring the short term political utility of ‘buy local’ policies.
British Reaction to American Civil War Ironclads
Authors: Heitz Jesse A.
Published: April 2013

By the 1840’s the era of the wooden ship of the line was coming to a close. As early as the 1820’s and 1830’s, ships of war were outfitted with increasingly heavy guns. Naval guns such as the increasingly popular 68 pounder could quickly damage the best wooden hulled ships of the line. Yet, by the 1840’s, explosive shells were in use by the British, French, and Imperial Russian navies. It was the explosive shell that could with great ease, cripple a standard wooden hulled warship, this truth was exposed at the Battle of Sinope in 1853. For this reason, warships had to be armored. By 1856, Great Britain drafted a design for an armored corvette. In 1857, France began construction on the first ocean going ironclad, La Gloire, which was launched in 1859. This development quickly caused Great Britain to begin construction on HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince. By the time HMS Warrior was commissioned in 1861, the Royal Navy had decided that its entire battle fleet needed to be armored. While the British and the French naval arms race was intensifying, the United States was entering into its greatest crisis, the United States Civil War. After the outbreak of the Civil War, the majority of the United States Navy remained loyal to the Union. The Confederacy, therefore, gained inspiration from the ironclads across the Atlantic, quickly obtaining its own ironclads. CSS Manassas was the first to enter service, but was eventually brought down by a hail of Union broadside fire. The CSS Virginia, however, made an impact. Meanwhile, the Union began stockpiling City Class ironclads and in 1862, the USS Monitor was completed. After the veritable stalemate between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor, the Union utilized its superior production capabilities to mass produce ironclads and enter them into service in the Union Navy. As the Union began armoring its increasingly large navy, the world’s foremost naval power certainly took notice. Therefore, this paper will utilize British newspapers, government documents, Royal Naval Reviews, and various personal documents from the 1860’s in order to examine the British public and naval reaction to the Union buildup of ironclad warships.
The second known specimen of Monodelphis unistriata (Wagner) (Mammalia: Didelphimorphia), with redescription of the species and phylogenetic analysis
Authors: PINE RONALD H. , FLORES DAVID A.
Published: April 2013

Very little information exists relevant to the species grouping and phylogenetic relationships of the opossum genus Mono-delphis Burnett. Of the clearly distinct named species, the least information is available for M. unistriata (Wagner), one of the world’s most poorly known species of mammals. Extant specimens consist of the Brazilian holotype of a skin now without a skull and dating from almost 200 years ago, and a second specimen with skin and incomplete skull dating from over a hundred years ago and from Argentina. The most recent published notes on the holotype date from well over half a century ago and, all told, such notes, the earliest dating from 1842, add up to a highly fragmentary and contradictory picture. No observations whatsoever have ever been published for the second and more complete specimen. Also, no hy-potheses have ever been made concerning the intrageneric affinities of M. unistriata and such affinities have also been obscure throughout the genus. Herein, we provide a detailed redescription of M. unistriata, the first published images of specimens, and the first account, beyond the previous few most vague and incomplete remarks, of the morphology of the skull. In an effort to ascertain the phylogenetic affinities of M. unistriata, we performed a combined molecular (cyto-chrome b) and nonmolecular (postcranial, cranial, integument, and karyotypic characters) parsimony analysis incorporat-ing 27 species of didelphids, including 11 of Monodelphis. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Monodelphis, and place M. unistriata as sister group to M. iheringi, among the included species.
Measurement of Human Motion in Performance
Authors: Brownridge Andrew , Twigg Peter , Sigurnjak Steve
Published: April 2013

This paper describes motion capture work applied to ballet gestures. A wireless gyroscopic sensor based system is used to record the movements of ballet dancers in order to establish a suitable workflow for extreme human movements and to investigate if such equipment is capable of detecting misalignments in ankle position. Results show that subtle variations in joint rotation can be clearly measured and could be used to develop fault detection and isolation possibilities for injury prevention and improved performance. The limits of the current techniques and some improvements are discussed, for real-time performance feedback.
EPC RFID Technology for Library Applications
Authors: Hui Wing-Yan , Luk Bing L. , Liu Louis K.P.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, EPC RFID (radio-frequency identifications) technology, which was developed originally for logistics and supply chain applications, is being investigated for the use of self-service library book checkout applications. To find out the key factors and also the interaction effects among the factors affecting the performance for the aforementioned applications, design of experiment techniques, especially the factorial design method, are being used to obtain the maximum amount of reliable information and at the same time to reduce the cost by minimising the number of runs needed in the experiment.
Issues and Challenges with Wet-Gas Sampling
Authors: Graham Emmelyn , Harvey Richard , Barton Neil , Mills Chris
Published: April 2013

In general wet-gas sampling is viewed as extremely challenging to perform to obtain a representative sample. Due to the difficulties this type of sampling has been actively avoided by industry. This paper provides a general review of the sampling of wet-gas flows and includes results from an experimental evaluation programme to investigate wet gas sampling parameters. In addition the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling for sampling applications and the issues with simulating wet gas flows were investigated.
Swedish trade unions and European Union migrant workers
Authors: Bengtsson Erik
Published: April 2013

The enlargement of the European Union in 2004 increased the flows of workers across national borders within the unions, making action against social dumping an increased priority for unions. Which factors influence unions’ choices of strategies against wage dumping? Research has shown that in a cross-national perspective, unions with stronger institutional positions, defined as their influence on public policy and extent of collective bargaining coverage, have tended to be less interested in organising migrant workers than unions with weaker institutional positions. This article examines the choices made by three Swedish unions, all three with strong institutional positions, in responding to migrant workers: two have developed extensive organising responses, while the third relies on cooperation with employers and collective bargaining coverage to counteract social dumping. The article shows that intra-national variation can be explained by sectoral-based issues: that is, variation at both a country and sectoral level influences unions’ strategic choices towards migrant workers. The article further highlights the transference of the Anglo-Saxon union revitalisation model in some sectors of the Swedish trade union movement, which faces increasing pressure as a result of labour precariousness in the Swedish labour market.
The rise and fall of independent immigrant worker unionism: A case study of the Migrants Trade Union in South Korea
Authors: Lee Byoung-Hoon , Yoo Hyung-Geun
Published: April 2013

Our study examines how the Migrants Trade Union, symbolizing the unionism of independent immigrant workers, was formed and has evolved in South Korea. This case study shows that immigrant workers are organizable. Independent unionization of immigrant workers has been achieved under the very hostile environment of the Korean government’s restrictionist immigration labor policy and union suppression. The independent immigrant workers’ unionism has grown remarkably from the Equality Trade Union – Migrant Branch to the Migrants Trade Union in a short period, but its achievements through the intense struggles of immigrant workers at the bottom of the labor market remain fragile. Furthermore, its core essence – organizational subjectivity – is faltering in the face of many formidable obstacles from both inside and outside the union. The rise and fall of independent immigrant worker unionism in Korea are explained by five interacting factors: the government’s immigration labor policy; the behavioral orientations of immigrant workers; the migrant workers support movement; the indigenous labor movement; and the immigrant workers’ struggles.
Broadening and reimagining regulation: Trade unions, ‘active servicing’ and immigration in Spain since the early 1990s
Authors: Lucio Miguel Martínez , Marino Stefania , Connolly Heather
Published: April 2013

This article shows the influence of regulatory traditions and history in shaping trade union responses to temporary labour migration. The case study of Spain is presented to illustrate this. Drawing on qualitative research which is part of a three-country study of trade union, migration and social exclusion/inclusion, the article highlights the importance of understanding established regulatory practices, parallel forms of regulation and historical legacies of previous practices in framing current responses. This subsequently furthers understanding of the politics and tensions that arise in debating inclusionary versus exclusionary responses.
The internationalisation of construction capital and labour force formation: Union responses in the transnational enterprise
Authors: Rosewarne Stuart
Published: April 2013

Throughout much of the advanced industrial world the building and construction industry has been extremely reliant upon migrant workers to meet industry labour force needs. However, changes to work organisation in this sector, such as extended subcontracting chains and the increased significance of ‘phoenix’ operators, have reinforced greater recourse to migrant workers, especially temporary and undocumented workers. Considered in the broader context of the widespread embrace of labour market flexibility and state engagement with neoliberal-oriented labour market policies that include less-restrictive labour migration programs, organised labour has been confronted by new and quite different industrial challenges in responding to migrant workers. This article evaluates the significance of this shifting terrain in the construction sector for unions at the national, international and transnational level in engaging and organising migrant labour.
Could a Subaltern Manage? Identity Work and Habitus in a Colonial Workplace
Authors: Srinivas Nidhi
Published: April 2013

How did historically marginalized groups learn to become professional managers? This paper studies the identity work of a manager in a colonial work setting, focusing specifically on the aspirational quality of professional identity, and on the forms of subordination enmeshed in organizational work, through a close reading of an autobiography. Beyond Punjab describes the career of Prakash Tandon in the multinational Lever Brothers India. He eventually became its first Indian Chief Executive and a respected public figure. Studies of such colonial work settings can seem indebted to existing research within postcolonial studies in management. But I argue that the dominant attention of postcolonial studies in management has not been on identity work and practices, but the historical enduring force of representations. Therefore this paper offers a complementary engagement, developing Bourdieu’s concept of the habitus for a fuller understanding of how managerial identity was constituted in colonial work settings. Implications for contemporary organizations and professional identity in postcolonial societies such as India are discussed.
Systems thinking and absorptive capacity in high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises from South Korea
Authors: Kim Young Ah , Akbar Hammad , Tzokas Nikolaos , Al-Dajani Haya
Published: April 2013

This article develops and tests absorptive capacity’s relationship with one of its important forerunners – systems thinking – which, although postulated as an important element, has received little empirical attention in the absorptive capacity literature. Our contribution lies in the introduction of unique pathways through which systems thinking influences absorptive capacity and how it affects various interrelated dimensions of high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises’ performance, by examining evidence from South Korea’s semiconductor industry.
Increasing Preschool Student Engagement During Group Learning Activities Using a Group Contingency
Authors: Ling Stacy M. , Barnett David W.
Published: April 2013

Preschool environments can be critical to academic success and risk reduction but disruptive behaviors can have significant and lasting negative effects on students as well as teachers. These behaviors may be pervasive in some classrooms and effective interventions are needed. A combined delayed multiple baseline and withdrawal design across a teacher’s two classrooms (a.m. and p.m.) was used to monitor the effectiveness of an interdependent group contingency procedure used during circle time, a key learning activity. Results from the morning and afternoon half-day classrooms led by the lead teacher generally indicated that the intervention was effective at decreasing student disruptions. In addition, outcomes demonstrated increased student engagement and improvements in more positive teacher attention compared with negative attention. Teacher-directed instruction, on average, increased in the morning classroom during intervention conditions and remained high across conditions in the afternoon classroom.
MR features to suggest microinvasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: can it be differentiated from pure DCIS?
Authors: Hahn Soo Yeon , Han Boo-Kyung , Ko Eun Young , Shin Jung Hee , Hwang Ji-Young , Nam Meeyoung
Published: April 2013

Background

Morphologic and kinetic characteristics of breast lesions are regarded as a major criterion for their differential diagnosis in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there have not been well-reported MRI findings of microinvasive ductal carcinoma.

Purpose

To evaluate MRI characteristics of microinvasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and to compare MRI findings in patients with microinvasive ductal carcinoma and pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Material and Methods

Eighty-one patients with pathologically confirmed microinvasive ductal carcinomas ( n = 37) or pure DCIS ( n = 44) were included in this study. The MRI findings were analyzed without knowledge of the pathologic and conventional imaging findings. For all the lesions detected on MRI, morphologic and kinetic analyses were performed according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. For the non-mass lesions, the presence of clustered ring enhancement was also analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test, χ2 test, and Fisher's exact test.

Results

In total 35 cases of microinvasive ductal carcinoma and 39 cases of DCIS were detected on MRI. The most common and dominant MRI findings of microinvasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS were non-mass lesions with heterogeneous enhancement. However, the spiculated margin of the mass-type lesion ( P = 0.022), the segmental distribution ( P = 0.023), and clustered ring enhancement ( P = 0.006) of the non-mass-type lesion, and the enhancement kinetics showing strong initial enhancement ( P = 0.004) with subsequent wash-out ( P = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in microinvasive ductal carcinoma than in DCIS.

Conclusion

Non-mass lesions with segmental distribution, heterogeneous enhancement, and strong initial enhancement with a wash-out curve were the dominant MRI findings of microinvasive ductal carcinoma. Compared with DCIS, microinvasive ductal carcinoma showed more suspicious imaging characteristics. For the non-mass lesions, clustered ring enhancement was also a characteristic finding of microinvasion on MRI.