bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principal component analysis in the spectral analysis of the dynamic laser speckle patterns
Authors: Ribeiro K. M. , Braga R. A. , Horgan G. W. , Ferreira D. D. , Sáfadi T.
Published: February 2014

Dynamic laser speckle is a phenomenon that interprets an optical patterns formed by illuminating a surface under changes with coherent light. Therefore, the dynamic change of the speckle patterns caused by biological material is known as biospeckle. Usually, these patterns of optical interference evolving in time are analyzed by graphical or numerical methods, and the analysis in frequency domain has also been an option, however involving large computational requirements which demands new approaches to filter the images in time. Principal component analysis (PCA) works with the statistical decorrelation of data and it can be used as a data filtering. In this context, the present work evaluated the PCA technique to filter in time the data from the biospeckle images aiming the reduction of time computer consuming and improving the robustness of the filtering. It was used 64 images of biospeckle in time observed in a maize seed. The images were arranged in a data matrix and statistically uncorrelated by PCA technique, and the reconstructed signals were analyzed using the routine graphical and numerical methods to analyze the biospeckle. Results showed the potential of the PCA tool in filtering the dynamic laser speckle data, with the definition of markers of principal components related to the biological phenomena and with the advantage of fast computational processing.
Why Steal Cars? A Study of Young Offenders Involved in Auto Theft
Authors: Anderson Jeff , Linden Rick
Published: February 2014

Interviews were conducted with 43 Winnipeg youth with records for auto theft. The youths’ backgrounds were similar to those of other serious delinquents—many came from single parent families, most were not doing well in school or in employment, and most associated with gangs or other delinquent peers. Most of the respondents were involved in joyriding rather than in selling stolen vehicles. One of the strongest motivating factors reported by the youth was the excitement or “adrenalin rush” associated with auto theft. This motivation is discussed in the context of Katz’s work on the attractions of crime and Lyng’s discussion of crime as edgework.
Application of a Nitric Oxide Sensor in Biomedicine
Authors: Saldanha Carlota , De Almeida José , Silva-Herdade Ana
Published: February 2014

In the present study, we describe the biochemical properties and effects of nitric oxide (NO) in intact and dysfunctional arterial and venous endothelium. Application of the NO electrochemical sensor in vivo and in vitro in erythrocytes of healthy subjects and patients with vascular disease are reviewed. The electrochemical NO sensor device applied to human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the description of others NO types of sensors are also mentioned.
Flow Injection Analysis with Electrochemical Detection for Rapid Identification of Platinum-Based Cytostatics and Platinum Chlorides in Water
Authors: Kominkova Marketa , Heger Zbynek , Zitka Ondrej , Kynicky Jindrich , Pohanka Miroslav , Beklova Miroslava , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: February 2014

Platinum-based cytostatics, such as cisplatin, carboplatin or oxaliplatin are widely used agents in the treatment of various types of tumors. Large amounts of these drugs are excreted through the urine of patients into wastewaters in unmetabolised forms. This phenomenon leads to increased amounts of platinum ions in the water environment. The impacts of these pollutants on the water ecosystem are not sufficiently investigated as well as their content in water sources. In order to facilitate the detection of various types of platinum, we have developed a new, rapid, screening flow injection analysis method with electrochemical detection (FIA-ED). Our method, based on monitoring of the changes in electrochemical behavior of analytes, maintained by various pH buffers (Britton-Robinson and phosphate buffer) and potential changes (1,000, 1,100 and 1,200 mV) offers rapid and cheap selective determination of platinum-based cytostatics and platinum chlorides, which can also be present as contaminants in water environments.
Differences in Age-Standardized Mortality Rates for Avoidable Deaths Based on Urbanization Levels in Taiwan, 1971–2008
Authors: Chen Brian , Yang Chun-Yuh
Published: February 2014

The World is undergoing rapid urbanization, with 70% of the World population expected to live in urban areas by 2050. Nevertheless, nationally representative analysis of the health differences in the leading causes of avoidable mortality disaggregated by urbanization level is lacking. We undertake a study of temporal trends in mortality rates for deaths considered avoidable by the Concerted Action of the European Community on Avoidable Mortality for four different levels of urbanization in Taiwan between 1971 and 2008. We find that for virtually all causes of death, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were lower in more urbanized than less urbanized areas, either throughout the study period, or by the end of the period despite higher rates in urbanized areas initially. Only breast cancer had consistently higher AMSRs in more urbanized areas throughout the 38-year period. Further, only breast cancer, lung cancer, and ischemic heart disease witnessed an increase in ASMRs in one or more urbanization categories. More urbanized areas in Taiwan appear to enjoy better indicators of health outcomes in terms of mortality rates than less urbanized areas. Access to and the availability of rich healthcare resources in urban areas may have contributed to this positive result.
A Population-Based Case-Control Study of Drinking-Water Nitrate and Congenital Anomalies Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Develop Individual-Level Exposure Estimates
Authors: Holtby Caitlin , Guernsey Judith , Allen Alexander , VanLeeuwen John , Allen Victoria , Gordon Robert
Published: February 2014

Animal studies and epidemiological evidence suggest an association between prenatal exposure to drinking water with elevated nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations and incidence of congenital anomalies. This study used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to derive individual-level prenatal drinking-water nitrate exposure estimates from measured nitrate concentrations from 140 temporally monitored private wells and 6 municipal water supplies. Cases of major congenital anomalies in Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada, between 1988 and 2006 were selected from province-wide population-based perinatal surveillance databases and matched to controls from the same databases. Unconditional multivariable logistic regression was performed to test for an association between drinking-water nitrate exposure and congenital anomalies after adjusting for clinically relevant risk factors. Employing all nitrate data there was a trend toward increased risk of congenital anomalies for increased nitrate exposure levels though this was not statistically significant. After stratification of the data by conception before or after folic acid supplementation, an increased risk of congenital anomalies for nitrate exposure of 1.5–5.56 mg/L (2.44; 1.05–5.66) and a trend toward increased risk for >5.56 mg/L (2.25; 0.92–5.52) was found. Though the study is likely underpowered, these results suggest that drinking-water nitrate exposure may contribute to increased risk of congenital anomalies at levels below the current Canadian maximum allowable concentration.
Copy Number Variation in Chickens: A Review and Future Prospects
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Byers Shannon
Published: February 2014

DNA sequence variations include nucleotide substitution, deletion, insertion, translocation and inversion. Deletion or insertion of a large DNA segment in the genome, referred to as copy number variation (CNV), has caught the attention of many researchers recently. It is believed that CNVs contribute significantly to genome variability, and thus contribute to phenotypic variability. In chickens, genome-wide surveys with array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH), SNP chip detection or whole genome sequencing have revealed a large number of CNVs. A large portion of chicken CNVs involves protein coding or regulatory sequences. A few CNVs have been demonstrated to be the determinant factors for single gene traits, such as late-feathering, pea-comb and dermal hyperpigmentation. The phenotypic effects of the majority of chicken CNVs are to be delineated.
A Pair of New Antioxidant Phenolic Acid Stereoisomers Isolated from Danshen Injection (Lyophilized Powder)
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhao Jianfeng , Dai Zhong , Lin Ruichao , Wang Gangli , Ma Shuangcheng
Published: February 2014

A pair of new phenolic acid stereoisomers, (R)-norsalvianolic acid L (1) and (S)-norsalvianolic acid L (2), was isolated from the Danshen Injection (lyophilized powder). The structural elucidation and stereochemistry determination were achieved by spectroscopic and chemical methods including 1D, 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and circular dichroism experiments. Their antioxidant activities were assessed by the DPPH· and ABTS·+ scavenging methods in vitro with microplate assay. The IC50 values of 1 were 6.9 and 9.7 μM respectively, which was close to the control salvianolic acid B (7.8 and 7.1 μM respectively), while the IC50 values of isomer 2 were 27.1 and 25.3 μM, respectively.
Alleviation of Water Stress Effects on MR220 Rice by Application of Periodical Water Stress and Potassium Fertilization
Authors: Zain Nurul , Ismail Mohd , Mahmood Maziah , Puteh Adam , Ibrahim Mohd
Published: February 2014

The use of periodical water stress and potassium fertilization may enhance rice tolerance to drought stress and improve the crop’s instantaneous water use efficiency without much yield reduction. This study was conducted to assess the effects of different periodical water stress combined with potassium fertilization regimes on growth, yield, leaf gas exchanges and biochemical changes in rice grown in pots and compare them with standard local rice grower practices. Five treatments including (1) standard local grower’s practice (control, 80CF = 80 kg K2O/ha + control flooding); (2) 120PW15 = 120 kg K2O/ha + periodical water stress for 15 days; (3) 120DS15V = 120 kg K2O/ha + drought stress for 15 days during the vegetative stage; (4) 120DS25V = 120 kg K2O/ha + drought stress for 25 days and (5) 120DS15R = 120 kg K2O/ha + drought stress for 15 days during the reproductive stage, were evaluated in this experiment. Control and 120PW15 treatments were stopped at 100 DAS, and continuously saturated conditions were applied until harvest. It was found that rice under 120PW15 treatment showed tolerance to drought stress evidenced by increased water use efficiency, peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and proline levels, maximum efficiency of photosystem II (fv/fm) and lower minimal fluorescence (fo), compared to other treatments. Path coefficient analysis revealed that most of parameters contribute directly rather than indirectly to rice yield. In this experiment, there were four factors that are directly involved with rice yield: grain soluble sugar, photosynthesis, water use efficiency and total chlorophyll content. The residual factors affecting rice yield are observed to be quite low in the experiment (0.350), confirming that rice yield was mostly influenced by the parameters measured during the study.
Limits of Active Laser Triangulation as an Instrument for High Precision Plant Imaging
Authors: Paulus Stefan , Eichert Thomas , Goldbach Heiner , Kuhlmann Heiner
Published: February 2014

Laser scanning is a non-invasive method for collecting and parameterizing 3D data of well reflecting objects. These systems have been used for 3D imaging of plant growth and structure analysis. A prerequisite is that the recorded signals originate from the true plant surface. In this paper we studied the effects of species, leaf chlorophyll content and sensor settings on the suitability and accuracy of a commercial 660 nm active laser triangulation scanning device. We found that surface images of Ficus benjamina leaves were inaccurate at low chlorophyll concentrations and a long sensor exposure time. Imaging of the rough waxy leaf surface of leek (Allium porrum) was possible using very low exposure times, whereas at higher exposure times penetration and multiple refraction prevented the correct imaging of the surface. A comparison of scans with varying exposure time enabled the target-oriented analysis to identify chlorotic, necrotic and healthy leaf areas or mildew infestations. We found plant properties and sensor settings to have a strong influence on the accuracy of measurements. These interactions have to be further elucidated before laser imaging of plants is possible with the high accuracy required for e.g., the observation of plant growth or reactions to water stress.
Effects of Two Environmental Best Management Practices on Pond Water and Effluent Quality and Growth of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Frimpong Emmanuel , Ansah Yaw , Amisah Stephen , Adjei-Boateng Daniel , Agbo Nelson , Egna Hillary
Published: February 2014

The trajectory of aquaculture growth in sub-Saharan Africa has necessitated closer attention to the use of environmental best management practices (BMPs). Two BMPs in particular, water reuse and floating feeds, are being promoted for adoption by pond fish farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated: (1) the effect of water source and feed type on water quality; (2) the effect of water source and feed type on tilapia growth; and (3) the quality of potential effluents from ponds using different water source and feed types. The study was conducted in Ghana using on-farm experiments involving monitoring of water quality and growth of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus for 160 days. Although considered low-intensity production systems, nutrients and solids in the study ponds exceeded levels expected in intensive culture ponds by wide margins, whereas BOD5 was within the range for semi-intensive ponds. Floating feed was associated with higher water quality, especially dissolved oxygen, and higher growth, but water source did not significantly affect growth. Water reuse appears to be a viable BMP for sustainable aquaculture in the region, but the use of floating feed as BMP will depend on the economic profitability of floating feed use.
Outcomes of a Peritoneal Dialysis Program in Remote Communities within Colombia
Authors: Sanabria Mauricio , Devia Martha , Hernández Gilma , Astudillo Kindar , Trillos Carlos , Uribe Mauricio , Latorre Catalina , Bernal Astrid , Rivera Angela
Published: February 2014

Background and Objective

Colombia is a country of diverse geographic regions, some with mountainous terrain that can make access to urban areas difficult for individuals who live in remote areas. In 2005, a program was initiated to establish remote peritoneal dialysis (PD) centers in Colombia to improve access to PD for patients with end-stage renal disease who face geographic or financial access barriers.

Patients and Methods

The present study was a multi-center cohort observational study of prevalent home PD patients who were at least 18 years of age and were being managed by one of nine established remote PD centers in Colombia over a 2-year period. Data were collected from clinical records, databases, and patient interviews. Patient survival, incidence of peritonitis, and rate of withdrawal from PD therapy were assessed.

Results

A total of 345 patients were eligible for the study. The majority (87.8%) of patients lived on one to two times a minimum monthly salary (equivalent to US$243 – US$486). On average, patients traveled 1.2 hours and 4.3 hours from their home to their remote PD center or an urban reference renal clinic, respectively. The incidence rate of peritonitis was 2.54 episodes per 100 patient-months of therapy. A bivariate analysis showed a significantly higher risk of peritonitis in patients who were living on less than one times a monthly minimum salary ( p < 0.05) or who had a dirt, cement, or unfinished wood floor ( p < 0.05). The 1-year and 2-year patient survival rates were 92.44% and 81.55%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year technique survival rates were 97.27% and 89.78%, respectively.

Conclusions

With the support of remote PD centers that mitigate geographic and financial barriers to healthcare, home PD therapy is a safe and appropriate treatment option for patients who live in remote areas in Colombia.
Predictors and Outcomes of Transfers from Peritoneal Dialysis to Hemodialysis
Authors: Lan Patrick G. , Clayton Philip A. , Saunders John , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Snelling Paul L.
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are commonly required to transfer to hemodialysis (HD), however the literature describing the outcomes of such transfers is limited. The aim of our study was to describe the predictors of these transfers and their outcomes according to vascular access at the time of transfer.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using registry data of all adult patients commencing PD as their initial renal replacement therapy in Australia or New Zealand between 2004 – 2010 was performed. Follow-up was until 31 December 2010. Logistic regression models were constructed to determine possible predictors of transfer within both 6 and 12 months of PD commencement. Cox analysis and competing risks regression were used to determine the predictors of survival and transplantation post-transfer.

Results

The analysis included 4,781 incident PD patients, of whom 1,699 transferred to HD during the study period. Logistic models did not identify any clinically useful predictors of transfer within 6 or 12 months (c-statistics 0.54 and 0.55 respectively). 67% of patients commenced HD with a central venous catheter (CVC). CVC use at transfer was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 – 1.68, p = 0.003) and a borderline significant reduction in the incidence of transplantation (subhazard ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.58 – 1.00, p = 0.05).

Conclusions

It is difficult to predict the transfer to HD for incident PD patients. PD patients who commence HD with a CVC have a higher risk of mortality and a lower likelihood of undergoing renal transplantation.
Calcium Balance and Negative Impact of Calcium Load in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Wang Angela Yee-Moon
Published: February 2014

Like hemodialysis patients, peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are facing an excessively increased burden of vascular and valvular calcification. According to some surveys, more than 80% of prevalent PD patients are complicated with vascular calcification, and more than one third have heart valve calcification.

Dysregulated phosphate metabolism is well recognized to play an important role in inducing vascular calcification, but increasing evidence is suggesting that dysregulated calcium metabolism also promotes vascular calcification and might in fact be more potent than phosphate in inducing that calcification. Growing evidence from randomized controlled trials shows more progression of vascular calcification and higher mortality among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients receiving calcium-based phosphate binders than among those receiving non-calcium-containing phosphate binders. Those results raise important safety concern about the use of high-dose calcium-based phosphate binders in the CKD population, including both non-dialysis and dialysis patients (especially anuric dialysis patients), who have markedly reduced urinary calcium excretion. To prevent calcium overload, this review recommends restricting the dose of calcium-based phosphate binders in CKD patients, especially those who are elderly, who have increased cardiovascular risk, who already have baseline vascular or valvular calcification, or who have low intact parathyroid hormone and adynamic bone disease.
Tuning the interactions between electron spins in fullerene-based triad systems
Authors: Lebedeva Maria A , Chamberlain Thomas W , Davies E Stephen , Thomas Bradley E , Schröder Martin , Khlobystov Andrei N
Published: February 2014

A series of six fullerene–linker–fullerene triads have been prepared by the stepwise addition of the fullerene cages to bridging moieties thus allowing the systematic variation of fullerene cage (C60 or C70) and linker (oxalate, acetate or terephthalate) and enabling precise control over the inter-fullerene separation. The fullerene triads exhibit good solubility in common organic solvents, have linear geometries and are diastereomerically pure. Cyclic voltammetric measurements demonstrate the excellent electron accepting capacity of all triads, with up to 6 electrons taken up per molecule in the potential range between −2.3 and 0.2 V (vs Fc+/Fc). No significant electronic interactions between fullerene cages are observed in the ground state indicating that the individual properties of each C60 or C70 cage are retained within the triads. The electron–electron interactions in the electrochemically generated dianions of these triads, with one electron per fullerene cage were studied by EPR spectroscopy. The nature of electron–electron coupling observed at 77 K can be described as an equilibrium between doublet and triplet state biradicals which depends on the inter-fullerene spacing. The shorter oxalate-bridged triads exhibit stronger spin–spin coupling with triplet character, while in the longer terephthalate-bridged triads the intramolecular spin–spin coupling is significantly reduced.
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMETHICS FROM THE GIFFEN DEMAND
Authors: FRANCO J. Agustín
Published: February 2014

This paper raises an approach to the study of consumer behaviour and markets with a particular emphasis on agricultural commodities. It develops an analysis of demand for certain products during a recent economic recession in Spain by showing the behaviour of some of them as Giffen goods in some years. According to the theory of Giffen demand, there is a direct (positive) relationship between price and the quantity demanded. Thus, the income effect outweighs the substitution effect. The main contributions of this work can be summarized in the next three points: 1) This paper studies the consumer behaviour from a Giffen perspective, beyond a traditional and rational utility approach; 2) It also suggests a framework to analyse several socioeconomic proposals and theories related to the sustainability and Human Rights-based ethic level (intrinsic to Giffen behaviour); 3) Finally, this theory is a significant contribution to design better economic policies. The analysis of Giffen phenomenon has greater explanatory power than the classical theory of Marshall. It also helps to reveal a number of important effects that are usually ignored and that could contribute to clarify some current economic phenomena.
INCOMPLETE INTERVAL FUZZY PREFERENCE RELATIONS FOR SUPPLIER SELECTION IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Authors: XU Yejun , PATNAYAKUNI Ravi , TAO Feifei , WANG Huimin
Published: February 2014

In the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), it needs the decision maker to establish a pairwise comparison matrix requires n(n–1)/2 judgments for a level with n criteria (or alternatives). In some instances, the decision maker may have to deal with the problems in which only partial information and uncertain preference relation is available. Consequently, the decision maker may provide interval fuzzy preference relation with incomplete information. In this paper, we focus our attention on the investigation of incomplete interval fuzzy preference relation. We first extend a characterization to the interval fuzzy preference relation which is based on the additive transitivity property. Using the characterization, we propose a method to construct interval additive consistent fuzzy preference relations from a set of n–1 preference data. The study reveals that the proposed method can not only alleviate the comparisons, but also ensure interval preference relations with the additive consistent property. We also develop a novel procedure to deal with the analytic hierarchy problem for group decision making with incomplete interval fuzzy preference relations. Finally, a numerical example is illustrated and a supplier selection case in supply chain management is investigated using the proposed method.
On Cobb-Douglas Preferences in Bilateral Oligopoly
Authors: Dickson Alex
Published: February 2014

Les préférences de type Cobb-Douglas en oligopole bilatéral L’oligopole bilatéral est une structure de marché dans laquelle un nombre fini de vendeurs cherchent à échanger les biens qu’ils possèdent contre de la monnaie détenue par un nombre fini d’acheteurs. Lorsque les échanges sont organisés dans le contexte d’un jeu stratégique de marché, l’oligopole bilatéral peut être analysé comme un jeu de marché divisé en deux sous-jeux liés. Fixons d’abord la quantité des stratégies agrégées des acheteurs à B ; dans le premier jeu partiel la quantité offerte agrégée à l’équilibre est alors donnée par . Fixons ensuite la quantité offerte agrégée à X ; dans le deuxième jeu partiel, la stratégie d’achat agrégée est donc donnée par . Ces deux jeux partiels prennent en considération, dans chaque cas, les interactions au sein d’un même côté du marché. Or, le marché d’oligopole bilatéral met aussi en évidence des interactions entre les deux côtés de ce marché, et l’équilibre requiert notamment . Lorsque tous les agents ont des préférences représentées par des fonctions d’utilité de type Cobb-Douglas, ne dépend pas de B et ne dépend pas de X ; il n’y a donc pas d’interdépendance stratégique entre les agents appartenant aux deux côtés du marché. Le cas d’une économie Cobb-Douglas fournit un cadre d’analyse utile pour étudier l’échange stratégique mais ne peut rendre compte de toutes les propriétés de l’échange en oligopole bilatéral. Certaines de ces propriétés sont étudiées dans l’article. Classification JEL : C72; D43; D50.1.
Profitability of technical trading strategies in emerging Sri Lankan stock market
Authors: Fernando PND
Published: February 2014

This study examines whether the technical trading strategies can outperform the unconditional buy-and-hold strategy to forecast stock price movements and earn excess returns, after adjusting transaction costs, in emerging Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The study uses daily market closing prices of All Share Price Index (ASPI), which is a composite index to represent whole market, for twenty five years from January 1985 to December 2010. The variable length moving average method and fixed length moving average method with sixteen different rules is used as the methodology to analyze data. The empirical findings of the study confirmed that the moving average trading strategies have statistically significant predictive ability in explaining the market and capable of generating excess return to investors. However after considering transaction costs the excess return is negligible.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/kjm.v2i2.6549 Kelaniya Journal of Management Vol.2(2) 2013:32-50
Factors affecting to customer adoption of internet banking
Authors: Hettiarachchi HAH
Published: February 2014

This paper reports the findings of a study concerning the adoption of internet banking by investigating consumer adoption within the context of Sri Lankan banking services. The research framework was based on the extension to decomposed theory of planned behavior which mainly includes attitude (including innovation characteristics such as relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and risk), subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to assess internet banking adoption behavior. Online questionnaire survey was conducted to gather the data and 108 complete responses were gathered from random banking customers who were internet users from Colombo and Gampaha district. Descriptive analysis was done to provide strength to the research study which showed that even though considerable people were aware about internet banking, most of them were resistance to adopt internet banking. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine relationship of eleven hypotheses with actual internet banking usage. Results revealed that attitudinal and perceived behavioral control factors rather than social influence (subjective norms) plays a significant role in influencing adoption of internet banking. In particular relative advantage, compatibility with values, internet skills, trialability, risk, confidence of using such services (self-efficacy), and technology support found to influence the adoption of internet banking. Conclusion of the research study implied that banks have to majorly influence the internet banking adoption through ‘pull strategies’.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/kjm.v2i2.6551 Kelaniya Journal of Management Vol.2(2) 2013:68-87
Comparison of Rectal and Aural Core Body Temperature Thermometry in Hyperthermic, Exercising Individuals: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huggins Robert , Glaviano Neal , Negishi Naoki , Casa Douglas J. , Hertel Jay
Published: February 2014

Objective:

To compare mean differences in core body temperature (Tcore) as assessed via rectal thermometry (Tre) and aural thermometry (Tau) in hyperthermic exercising individuals.

Data Sources:

PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in English from the earliest entry points to August 2009 using the search terms aural, core body temperature, core temperature, exercise, rectal, temperature, thermistor, thermometer, thermometry, and tympanic.

Study Selection:

Original research articles that met these criteria were included: (1) concurrent measurement of Tre and Tau in participants during exercise, (2) minimum mean temperature that reached 38°C by at least 1 technique during or after exercise, and (3) report of means, standard deviations, and sample sizes.

Data Extraction:

Nine articles were included, and 3 independent reviewers scored these articles using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale (mean  =  5.1 ± 0.4). Data were divided into time periods pre-exercise, during exercise (30 to 180 minutes), and postexercise, as well as Tre ranges <37.99°C, 38.00°C to 38.99°C, and >39.00°C. Means and standard deviations for both measurement techniques were provided at all time intervals reported. Meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled and weighted mean differences between Tre and Tau.

Data Synthesis:

The Tre was conclusively higher than the Tau pre-exercise (mean difference [MD]  =  0.27°C, 95% confidence interval [CI]  =  0.15°C, 0.39°C), during exercise (MD  =  0.96°C, 95% CI  =  0.84°C, 1.08°C), and postexercise (MD  =  0.71°C, 95% CI  =  0.65°C, 0.78°C). As Tre measures increased, the magnitude of difference between the techniques also increased with an MD of 0.59°C (95% CI  =  0.53°C, 0.65°C) when Tre was <38°C; 0.79°C (95% CI  =  0.72°C, 0.86°C) when Tre was between 38.0°C and 38.99°C; and 1.72°C (95% CI  =  1.54°, 1.91°C) when Tre was >39.0°C.

Conclusions:

The Tre was consistently greater than Tau when Tcore was measured in hyperthermic individuals before, during, and postexercise. As Tcore increased, Tau appeared to underestimate Tcore as determined by Tre. Clinicians should be aware of this critical difference in temperature magnitude between these measurement techniques when assessing Tcore in hyperthermic individuals during or postexercise.
Ipsilateral lung dose volume parameters predict radiation pneumonitis in addition to classical dose volume parameters in locally advanced NSCLC treated with combined modality therapy
Authors: Agrawal Sushma , Kumar Sunil , Lawrence Able , Das Maria K.J. , Kumar Shaleen
Published: February 2014

Purpose: The purpose was to determine the correlation of clinical factors and lung dose volume parameters with significant radiation pneumonitis (RP) in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with combined modality therapy. Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2010, 52 patients of non-small cell lung cancer were treated with combined modality therapy with radical intent. Radiation pneumonitis was correlated with ipsilateral (V 20 ipsi, V 5 ipsi and MLD ipsi) and whole lung (V 20 , V 5 , and MLD) dose volume parameters. Clinical factors like pulmonary function tests (PFT), site of tumor, planning target volume, and type of treatment were also correlated with incidence of significant pneumonitis. Results: Out of 52 patients, 35.3% developed grade 2 or more pneumonitis. On univariate analysis, factors significantly correlating with radiation pneumonitis were V 5 (P = 0.002), V 5 ipsi (P = 0.000), V 20 (P = 0.019), V 20 ipsi (P = 0.004), MLD (P = 0.008) and MLD ipsi (P = 0.008). On multivariate analysis, V 5 ipsi was retained as the most significant factor. Concurrent chemoradiation caused significantly more RP than neoadjuvant chemoradiation (P = 0.004). A cutoff of 65% for V 5 ipsi had a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 91%. Conclusion: The correlation between pneumonitis and dosimetric constraints has been validated. Adding ipsilateral V 20 , V 5 , and MLD to the classical total lung constraints identifies patients likely to develop pulmonary toxicity in patients undergoing chemoradiation.
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A 6 year retrospective study
Authors: Shrivastava Sushruta , Kataki Amal Chandra , Barmon Debabrata , Deka Pankaj , Bhuyan Chidananda , Bhargav Saikia J.
Published: February 2014

Aims and Objectives: To study the clinical presentations of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and its response to chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 28 women of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia evaluated over a period of 6 years from January 2004 to December 2009. Patients were evaluated on the basis of their age, number of deliveries, history of abortion or molar pregnancy, and the treatment received. All patients were scored on the basis of WHO scoring system. Patients with low risk (score </=6) received single agent chemotherapy with methotrexate or actinomycin D. Patients with high risk (score >/=7) received multiple agent chemotherapy with EMACO regimen. After completion of chemotherapy patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. The response to treatment was evaluated during follow-up by clinical examination, beta hCG levels and imaging as and when required. Results: Out of 28 women only 27 could be evaluated, because 1 patient was lost to follow-up. Out of 27 patients, 18 patients (66.67%) achieved complete remission with the first-line chemotherapy and additional 25.92% (7/27) achieved complete remission with second line chemotherapy resulting in complete remission of 92.5% (25/27). Conclusion: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is curable if patient is properly evaluated and scored. It shows good response to chemotherapy.
Late effects of treatment in survivors of childhood cancer from a tertiary cancer center in South India
Authors: Rajendranath Rejiv , Veeraiah Surendran , Ramesh Anita , Sagar Tenali Gnana
Published: February 2014

Background: Improved survival after childhood cancer is attributed to intensive, aggressive therapy, adverse sequelae of which can manifest months to years after completion of treatment. There is little information about the late adverse effects of both childhood cancer and its therapy in survivors in India. Aim: To determine the long-term sequelae associated with therapy in childhood cancer survivors attending a tertiary cancer center in India. Materials and Methods: We studied 155 consecutive survivors of childhood cancer who were ≤14 years at the time of diagnosis and had completed 3 years of follow-up. The study included a complete history and clinical examination, with specific investigations to detect organ toxicity. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed from responses to a standardized questionnaire. Neurocognitive assessment was carried out in 20 survivors with an adaptation of the revised Wechsler adult intelligence scale for adults and the Malins intelligence scale for children. Results: The late effects included impaired fertility in 38 patients (24.5%), impaired growth pattern in 7 (4.5%), endocrine dysfunction in 7 (4.5%) and second malignancy in 2 (1.2%). Three of the 20 patients assessed had severe neurocognitive impairment. A high QOL was reported by 60% of survivors and an "average" QOL by 38%. Conclusion: Our study showed that most survivors had a good QOL and our results will help clinicians to better monitor childhood cancer survivors in countries with limited resources.
Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production
Authors: Cicek Harun , Entz Martin H. , Martens Joanne R. Thiessen , Bullock Paul R.
Published: February 2014

Cicek, H., Entz, M. H., Thiessen Martens, J. R. and Bullock, P. R. 2014. Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 771–783. When full-season cover crops are used in stockless organic rotations, cash crop production is compromised. Including winter cereals in rotations can widen the growing season window and create a niche for late-season cover crops. We investigated the establishment and biomass production of relay-cropped red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L. ‘Norgold’) and double-cropped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. ‘Iron and Clay’), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L. ‘Indianhead’), soybean (Glycine max L. ‘Prudence’), pea (Pisum sativum L. ‘40-10’), and oil seed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as well as wheat response to these crops under reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) at three locations in Manitoba, Canada. Red clover, sweet clover and pea produced from 737 to 4075 and 93 to 1453 and 160 to 2357 kg ha−1of biomass, respectively. All double crops, with the exception of soybean at 2 site years, established successfully under both RT and CT. The presence of cover crops increased wheat N uptake at stem elongation, maturity and yield, even when the biomass production of cover crops was modest. We conclude that late-season cover crops enhance the following wheat yield and facilitate reduced tillage in organic crop production.
Investigation of the contribution of oil biosynthetic enzymes to seed oil content in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Katavic Vesna , Shi Lin , Yu Yuanyuan , Zhao Lifang , Haughn George W. , Kunst Ljerka
Published: February 2014

Katavic, V., Shi, L., Yu, Y., Zhao, L., Haughn, G. W. and Kunst, L. 2014. Investigation of the contribution of oil biosynthetic enzymes to seed oil content in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1109–1112. One of the critical reactions in triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis is activation of fatty acyl chains to fatty acyl CoAs, catalyzed by long-chain acyl CoA synthetases (LACS). In Arabidopsis thaliana there is a family of nine genes that encode LACSs. Studies to determine whether the products of two of these genes, LACS8 and LACS9, function together to contribute acyl-CoAs for storage oil biosynthesis in A. thaliana resulted in discovery that it is not LACS8 but LACS1 that functionally overlaps with LACS9 in TAG biosynthesis (published in Plant Journal). To elucidate regulatory mechanisms of seed oil synthesis, the potential roles of phospholipase D zeta (PLDZ) and rhamnose synthase 2 (RHM2/MUM4) in transcription factor GLABRA2 (GL2)-mediated regulation of seed oil biosynthesis and deposition were investigated. Results demonstrated that PLDZ genes are not involved in GL2-mediated seed oil accumulation and that GL2 regulates seed oil production, at least in part, through its influence on expression of the gene RHM2/MUM4 required for the seed coat mucilage biosynthesis (published in Plant Journal). A novel Arabidopsis mutant with speckled seed coat and reduced seed oil phenotypes resulting from a mutation in a single unknown gene was identified, but attempts to isolate the gene by positional cloning have not been successful to date (unpublished results). Finally, seed oil content in near-isogenic double haploid Brassica napus lines was analyzed, “low oil” and “high oil” lines were identified, and developing seeds for expression profiling of target seed oil biosynthesis/bioassembly genes in selected double haploid lines were collected (unpublished results).
The bilateral influence of plant and rhizosphere characteristics in brassicas varying in seed oil productivity
Authors: Vessey J. K. , Fei H. , Burton D. L. , Bradley R. L. , Smith D. L.
Published: February 2014

Vessey, J. K., Fei, H., Burton, D. L., Bradley, R. L. and Smith, D. L. 2014. The bilateral influence of plant and rhizosphere characteristics in brassicas varying in seed oil productivity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1113–1116. It is important that increasing seed oil yield in species of Brassica to improve the crops as biodiesel feedstocks does not result in unforeseen increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Studies were conducted to determine if genotypes of Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana varying in seed oil content (SOC) potential had differences in plant and rhizospheric characteristics that could impact GHG emissions. Varying SOC productivity in B. napus resulted in changes in C and N partitioning within the plant, and in some cases had effects on N2O emission in the field. Although changes were observed in the composition of the rhizosphere of A. thaliana with modified SOC, there was also evidence that rhizospheric bacteria-to-plant signals could be used to improve growth and stress resistance in the plants. Project 4c in the Green Crop Network (GCN) investigated the possible ramifications of varying SOC on various plant growth, rhizospheric and agronomic characteristic of Brassica napus L. and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The influence of certain bacteria-to-plant signals (i.e., lipo-chitooligosaccharides) was also investigated in these species. The rationale for these investigations was based on the fact that very little is known about how changing seed oil productivity in brassicas might affect other plants processes (e.g., C and N partitioning, root exudations, rhizospheric conditions) that might affect GHG emission from biodiesel feedstock crops designed specifically for maximized SOC.
Fluxes of CH4, N2O, and kinetics of denitrification in disturbed and undisturbed forest soil in India
Authors: Raut Nani , Sitaula Bishal K. , Bakken Lars R. , Dörsch Peter
Published: February 2014

Raut, N., Sitaula, B. K., Bakken, L. R. and Dörsch, P. 2014. Fluxes of CH4, N2O, and kinetics of denitrification in disturbed and undisturbed forest soil in India. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 237–249. Soil disturbance due to grazing has been severe in Indian forests. This may alter ecosystem functions such as the cycling of nitrogen, and may hence affect the emission of greenhouse gases. We measured fluxes of CH4and N2O with a closed chamber technique throughout one year in a forest of Western Ghats, Karnataka state, southwest India and determined the product stoichiometry of denitrification under standard anoxic incubations in soil samples from disturbed and undisturbed forest. In both areas, there was a net flux of CH4from the atmosphere to the soil, and the undisturbed forest soil was a stronger sink for CH4than the disturbed (P<0.05). The accumulated CH4uptake averaged for all four seasons was 1.5 times higher in undisturbed than disturbed forest. Contrary to our expectation, the N2O emission was significantly higher for undisturbed than for disturbed forest (P<0.05). The accumulated N2O emission averaged for all four seasons was 1.6 times higher in undisturbed than disturbed forest. Together our data suggest that increase of N2O release and decrease in CH4sink in soil induced by grazing disturbance can affect the global warming potential (GWP) of forest in this region. The incubation study showed a strong correlation between oxic respiration rate (R) and subsequent denitrification rate (D) and the ratio D/R was 1:3 and 1:6 for soil from undisturbed and disturbed soils, respectively. The N2O/(N2+N2O) product ratio of denitrification tended to be higher in undisturbed than disturbed site, despite lower soil pH.
Soil properties following long-term application of stockpiled feedlot manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding under barley silage production
Authors: Miller J. J. , Beasley B. W. , Drury C. F. , Hao X. , Larney F. J.
Published: February 2014

Miller, J. J., Beasley, B. W., Drury, C. F., Hao, X. and Larney, F. J. 2014. Soil properties following long-term application of stockpiled feedlot manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding under barley silage production. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 389–402. The influence of long-term land application of stockpiled feedlot manure (SM) containing either wood-chip (SM-WD) or straw (SM-ST) bedding on soil properties during the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage growing season is unknown. The main objective of our study was determine the effect of bedding material in stockpiled manure (i.e., SM-WD vs. SM-ST) on certain soil properties. A secondary objective was to determine if organic amendments affected certain soil properties compared with unamended soil. Stockpiled feedlot manure with SM-WD or SM-ST bedding at 77 Mg (dry wt) ha−1 yr−1 was annually applied for 13 to 14 yr to a clay loam soil in a replicated field experiment in southern Alberta. There was also an unamended control. Soil properties were measured every 2 wk during the 2011 and 2012 growing season. Properties included water-filled pore space (WFPS), total organic C and total N, NH4-N and NO3-N, water-soluble non-purgeable organic C (NPOC), water-soluble total N (WSTN), denitrification (acetylene inhibition method), and CO2 flux. The most consistent and significant (P≤0.05) bedding effects on soil properties in both years occurred for total organic C, C:N ratio, and WSTN. Total organic C and C:N ratio were generally greater for SM-WD than SM-ST, and the reverse trend occurred for WSTN. Bedding effects on other soil properties (WFPS, NH4-N, NO3-N, NPOC) occurred in 2012, but not in 2011. Total N, daily denitrification, and daily CO2 flux were generally unaffected by bedding material. Mean daily denitrification fluxes ranged from 0.9 to 1078 g N2O-N ha−1 d−1 for SM-ST, 0.8 to 326 g N2O-N ha−1 d−1 for SM-WD, and 0.6 to 250 g N2O-N ha−1 d−1 for the CON. Mean daily CO2 fluxes ranged from 5.3 to 43.4 kg CO2-C ha−1 d−1 for SM-WD, 5.5 to 26.0 kg CO2-C ha−1 d−1 for SM-ST, and from 0.5 to 6.8 kg CO2-C ha−1 d−1 for the CON. The findings from our study suggest that bedding material in feedlot manure may be a possible method to manage certain soil properties.
$p$-adic path set fractals and arithmetic
Authors: Abram William C. , Lagarias Jeffrey C.
Published: February 2014

This paper considers a class of subsets of the
p
-adic integers obtained by graph-directed constructions analogous to that of Mauldin and Williams over the real numbers. These sets are characterized as collections of
p
-adic integers whose
p
-adic expansions are described by paths in the graph of a finite automaton issuing from a distinguished initial vertex. This paper shows this class of sets is closed under the arithmetic operations of addition and multiplication by
p
-integral rational numbers. In addition the Minkowski sum (under
p
-adic addition) of two sets in the class belongs to the class. These results represent purely
p
-adic phenomena in that analogous closure properties do not hold over the real numbers. The paper also derives computable formulas for the Hausdorff dimensions of such sets.