bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia relates to glucocorticoid treatment, adiposity and insulin resistance: United Kingdom Congenital adrenal Hyperplasia Adult Study Executive (CaHASE)
Authors: Han Thang S , Krone Nils , Willis Debbie S , Conway Gerard S , Hahner Stefanie , Rees D Aled , Stimson Roland H , Walker Brian R , Arlt Wiebke , Ross Richard J , _ _
Published: March 2013

Context

Quality of life (QoL) has been variously reported as normal or impaired in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). To explore the reasons for this discrepancy we investigated the relationship between QoL, glucocorticoid treatment and other health outcomes in CAH adults.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of 151 adults with 21-hydroxylase deficiency aged 18–69 years in whom QoL (assessed using the Short Form Health Survey), glucocorticoid regimen, anthropometric and metabolic measures were recorded. Relationships were examined between QoL, type of glucocorticoid (hydrocortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone) and dose of glucocorticoid expressed as prednisolone dose equivalent (PreDEq). QoL was expressed as z-scores calculated from matched controls (14 430 subjects from UK population). Principal components analysis (PCA) was undertaken to identify clusters of associated clinical and biochemical features and the principal component (PC) scores used in regression analysis as predictor of QoL.

Results

QoL scores were associated with type of glucocorticoid treatment for vitality (P=0.002) and mental health (P=0.011), with higher z-scores indicating better QoL in patients on hydrocortisone monotherapy (P<0.05). QoL did not relate to PreDEq or mutation severity. PCA identified three PCs (PC1, disease control; PC2, adiposity and insulin resistance and PC3, blood pressure and mutations) that explained 61% of the variance in observed variables. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that PC2, reflecting adiposity and insulin resistance (waist circumference, serum triglycerides, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and HDL-cholesterol), related to QoL scores, specifically impaired physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, Physical Component Summary Score (P<0.001) and vitality (P=0.002).

Conclusions

Increased adiposity, insulin resistance and use of prednisolone or dexamethasone are associated with impaired QoL in adults with CAH. Intervention trials are required to establish whether choice of glucocorticoid treatment and/or weight loss can improve QoL in CAH adults.
A Novel Role of the N Terminus of Budding Yeast Histone H3 Variant Cse4 in Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteolysis
Authors: Au Wei Chun , Dawson Anthony R , Rawson David W , Taylor Sara B , Baker Richard E , Basrai Munira A
Published: March 2013

Regulating levels of centromeric histone H3 (CenH3) variant is crucial for genome stability. Interaction of Psh1, an E3 ligase, with the C terminus of Cse4 has been shown to contribute to its proteolysis. Here, we demonstrate a role for ubiquitination of the N terminus of Cse4 in regulating Cse4 proteolysis for faithful chromosome segregation and a role for Doa1 in ubiquitination of Cse4.
Carbon isotope analysis in apple nectar beverages
Authors: Figueira Ricardo , Venturini Filho Waldemar Gastoni , Ducatti Carlos
Published: March 2013

The aims of this study were to use the isotope analysis method to quantify the carbon of C3 photosynthetic cycle in commercial apple nectars and to determine the legal limit to identify the beverages that do not conform to the safety standards established by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. These beverages (apple nectars) were produced in the laboratory according to the Brazilian legislation. Adulterated nectars were also produced with an amount of pulp juice below the permitted threshold limit value. The δ13C values of the apple nectars and their fractions (pulp and purified sugar) were measured to quantify the C3 source percentage. In order to demonstrate the existence of adulteration, the values found were compared to the limit values established by the Brazilian Law. All commercial apple nectars analyzed were within the legal limits, which enabled to identify the nectars that were in conformity with the Brazilian Law. The isotopic methodology developed proved efficient to quantify the carbon of C3 origin in commercial apple nectars.
Prevalência e fatores associados à pressão arterial elevada, seu conhecimento e tratamento em idosos no sul do Brasil
Authors: Zattar Luciana Carmen , Boing Antonio Fernando , Giehl Maruí Weber Corseuil , d'Orsi Eleonora
Published: March 2013

O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência e investigar os fatores associados à pressão arterial elevada, seu conhecimento e tratamento em idosos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal de base populacional e amostra complexa. A pressão arterial elevada foi definida pela medida do nível pressórico ou uso de anti-hipertensivo, ou diagnóstico prévio. A associação dos desfechos com as variáveis independentes foi verificada pela regressão de Poisson. Foram entrevistados 1.705 idosos. Desses, 84,6% apresentaram pressão arterial elevada, 77,5% estavam cientes da doença e 79,1% a tratavam. A prevalência associou-se à dependência funcional e idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevados. Idosos do sexo feminino, idade e IMC elevados, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente estavam mais cientes da doença. O tratamento associou-se a sexo masculino, dependência funcional, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente. Ainda que políticas públicas em saúde devam ser universais, é preciso considerar a desigual distribuição da pressão arterial elevada na população, direcionando-se ações de prevenção, diagnóstico e garantia de tratamento.
Load-bearing capacity of a red-yellow latosol cultivated with coffee plants subjected to different weed managements
Authors: Pais Paula Sant'Anna Moreira , Dias Junior Moacir de Souza , Dias Adriana Cristina , Iori Piero , Guimarães Paulo Tácito Gontijo , Santos Gislene Aparecida dos
Published: March 2013

It is essential to know the levels of pressure applied to the soil by different weed managements to adapt the management of coffee plantations in a sustainable manner. The objectives of this study were: a) to generate load-bearing capacity models of a Red-Yellow Latosol (Oxisol) submitted to different weed managements and b) to determine which weed management resulted in higher compression. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of EPAMIG, located near the community Farias, in Lavras-MG (latitude 21° 14' 43" S and longitude 44° 59' 59" W and altitude of 919 m). The soil is a Red-Yellow Latosol (LVA) cultivated with coffee plantation using Topazio MG 1190 coffee variety, since 2006. We evaluated five weed managements, three being through mechanical control (harrow (GD), mowing (RÇ) and brush (TC)) and two by chemical control (post-emergence herbicide (HPos) and pre emergence herbicide (HPre)). To obtain the load-bearing capacity models, 10 undisturbed soil samples were randomly collected in the 0-3, 10-13 and 25-28 cm layers between the rows. The load-bearing capacity models which indicated a higher compaction were: in the 0-3 cm layer, TC and GD; in the 10-13 cm layer, HPre, HPos and RÇ and in the 25-28 cm layer, GD. The load-bearing capacity models that indicated greater susceptibility to compaction were: in the 0-3 cm layer, HPos; in the 10-13 cm layer, GD and TC and in the 25-28 cm layer, HPre.
Ressignificando identidades: um estudo antropológico sobre experiências migratórias dos estudantes africanos no Brasil
Authors: Mungoi Dulce Maria Domingos Chale João
Published: March 2013

Partindo do pressuposto de que alteridade é um fenômeno universal e de que todos os grupos constroem categorias para classificar a si e ao outro, no presente artigo faz-se uma reflexão sobre a experiência singular de imigração estudantil no Brasil, a partir de uma perspectiva relacional que busca analisar as percepções e as configurações identitárias desses estudantes na sua relação com a população local que os classifica como africanos. Os dados analisados neste trabalho permitem refletir sobre a presença dos universitários africanos no Brasil, em geral, e em Porto Alegre, em particular, a partir de uma tríplice identidade: identidade nacional, identidade continental e identidade racial.
Intraspecific variations in colour morphs of Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta) in relation to nitrogen availability
Authors: Martins Aline P. , Yokoya Nair S.
Published: March 2013

Effects of nitrate availability in two culture media (von Stosch (VSES), and artificial ASP 12-NTA), and nitrogen sources (seawater enriched with nitrate, ammonium or urea in concentrations ranging from zero to 30 µM) were evaluated in two brown morphs (BR-1, BR-2), one light-green morph (LG) and one dark-green morph (DG) of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J.V. Lamour. Higher growth rates of the four morphs were observed in VSES medium. However, artificial ASP12-NTA medium induced tetrasporangium development in DG morph. Growth rates of the four colour morphs followed kinetic of saturation-type nutrient uptake in treatments with urea. In contrast, growth rates of BR-1, BR-2 and LG morphs were inversely proportional to ammonium concentrations, and those higher than 15 µM were lethal. Growth responses of colour morphs of H. musciformis showed intraspecific variations, and they could be used as bioindicators of nitrogen pollution in marine environment by their low tolerance to ammonium.
Carbon dioxide accounting: 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village
Authors: Sampson Jennifer , Biesta Mark , Crapper Martin , Hall Iain , Shepherd Alan
Published: March 2013

A spreadsheet-based tool for whole-life carbon dioxide accounting of soil remediation projects has been created. The tool carries out whole-life analysis of projects, including supply chain emissions. It was applied to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village remediation project, for which a calculated total ‘carbon footprint’ of 2328 t of carbon dioxide equivalent emission (tCO2e) was obtained. This is 71 tCO2e/ha of the site or 13·3 kgCO2e/t whole life of soil treated. These figures are not comparable with those reported for other projects, which have typically not included supply chain emissions. Fuel use was the main contributor to emissions, but the contribution made by staff transport and carbon dioxide embodied in construction plant was also found to be significant. A comparison was made with an excavate and disposal (E&D) approach, which required considerable use of estimation for the hypothetical E&D. However, it was determined that the carbon footprint of E&D may have been 14% higher than the soil washing actually used. It was concluded that fuel efficiency would be key to future reduction of the carbon footprint of remediation projects, that the accounting tool would be useful for ongoing project management, and its application over time could lead to a database of values for optioneering at the process design stage.
Collaborative platform to facilitate engineering decision-making
Authors: Walsh Claire L. , Glendinning Stephanie , Dawson Richard J. , England Kit , Martin Mike , Watkins Claire L. , Wilson Rob , McLoughlin Adrian , Glenis Vassilis , Parker David
Published: March 2013

Measures taken to address climate change and sustainability, more generally, imply a major reconfiguration of infrastructure systems and the built environment. Action across so many functions necessarily involves a range of organisations that may have differing priorities and motivations. This paper presents the concept of a decision theatre and describes how this approach was tested by co-designing, with a range of stakeholders, two events to identify the current vulnerabilities of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne to a storm event and to investigate the effectiveness of adaptation options to surface water flooding. The collaborative environment improved understanding of the physical and social vulnerabilities in the city, defined research questions relevant to society, improved the consideration of policy suggestions grounded in reality and improved the joint ownership of the issues and the facility itself. The lessons learned helped develop a long-term vision for a more widely applicable research and engagement facility for exploring and understanding decision-making with a range of stakeholders, including the general public.
Velocity and turbulence characteristics around a silt screen
Authors: Vu Thu-Trang , Tan Soon-Keat
Published: March 2013

Silt screens have been deployed extensively in lakes, rivers and oceans as a physical sediment control device to contain dispersion of silt and clay arisen from dredging activities. By changing the hydraulics of the flow in the vicinity of the project area, the presence of silt screens would affect the distribution of suspended sediment. This paper discusses the velocity profiles and turbulence – key hydraulic determinants to sediment transport – in the presence of a silt screen deployed in closed configuration. The magnitudes of the velocity and turbulence were obtained from the laboratory experiments using the technique of particle image velocimetry. The results also demonstrate that screen penetration depth is a controlling parameter of the flow characteristics. Such findings highlight that silt screen depth is a crucial design parameter in the design and deployment of silt screens.
Natural Gas Reciprocating Compressor Optimization
Authors: Mino Jean
Published: March 2013

The compressor is the heartbeat of the natural gas pipeline system. Regardless of natural gas price, it is imperative that compressors, irrespective of purpose, remain operating in their most optimized state. The definition of "optimized" might be different for the spectrum of owners / operators in the natural gas industry. "Optimized" can imply any arrangement of maximum throughput, fuel efficiency, reliability, constant suction pressure, or availability; depending on the priority and array of the compressor's owner, operator, operating conditions and working requirements. However, for any particular combination of suction and discharge pressures, every compressor has a specific loading profile in which every horsepower available can be utilized as efficiently as possible. Additionally, considering today's ever-tightening environmental standards, optimized compressor operation translates to lower emissions.
A Critical Literature Review of Laboratory and Field Scale Determination of Residual Oil Saturation
Authors: Teklu Tadesse Weldu , Brown Jeffrey S. , Kazemi Hossein , Graves Ramona M. , AlSumaiti Ali M.
Published: March 2013

In petroleum reservoirs only a small fraction of the original oil-in-place is economically recovered by primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery mechanisms. A considerable amount of hydrocarbon ends up unrecovered or trapped due to microscopic phase trapping in porous media which results in an oil recovery factor typically less than 50%. Waterflooding is by far the most widely used method to increase oil recovery. The oil that remains in the porous media after waterflooding is called remaining oil saturation (ROS) which is larger than the relative permeability residual oil saturation (Sorw or simply Sor). This residual oil saturation varies depending on lithology, pore size distribution, permeability, wettability, fluid characteristics, recovery method, and production scheme. Determination of the residual oil saturation of a reservoir is a key parameter for reserve assessment and recovery estimates. Further, reliable Sor data is important for investigation of possible incremental recovery under Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods.

Various residual oil saturation measurment techniques are available both at laboratory and field scale. None of the techniques can be regarded as a single best method of determining Sor. Depending on the complexity of the reservoir under study, combinations of methods are always advisable for appropriate Sor determination.

This study is an up-to-date review of techniques used in determining Sor in laboratory and field. The study further reports on the advantages and limitations of each method and provides recommendations for best practices.
Acid Treatments in High Temperature Dolomitic Carbonate Reservoirs Using Emulsified Acids: A Coreflood Study
Authors: Sayed M.A. , Nasr-El-Din H.A.
Published: March 2013

Acid treatments in deep wells drilled in carbonate reservoirs represent a challenge to the oil industry. Emulsified acid can be used in matrix acidizing and acid fracturing treatments. The delayed nature of emulsified acid is useful in creating deep wormholes and etched fracture surfaces. The high temperature of deep wells requires a special formulation of emulsified acid that is stable and effective at such high temperatures. The main objective of the present work is to study the performance of emulsified acid in stimulating high temperature deep wells drilled in dolomitic carbonate reservoirs.

A coreflood study was conducted using dolomite cores, which had dimensions of 1.5 in. diameter and 6 in. length. The initial permeability of the dolomite cores used in the current study ranged from 1.6 to 20.9 md. Emulsified acid systems were formulated at 0.7 acid volume fraction, 1.0 vol% emulsifier, and 15 wt% HCl concentration. Coreflood experiments were performed at a temperature of 300°F, at injection rates range from 0.5 to 10 cm3/min until acid breakthrough the core. Samples of the effluent fluids were collected and analyzed using ICP to measure the calcium and magnesium concentrations. All cores were CAT scanned before acid treatment to study the presence of vugs, and after acid injection to study the characteristics of the generated wormhole.

The results show that the emulsified acid created wormholes in dolomite cores, resulting in better treatment outcome. For emulsified acid injection rates in the range from 0.5 to 10 cm3/min, the volume of emulsified acid injected to achieve breakthrough increased with the increase in the emulsified acid injection rate. Also, there was no optimum injection rate for the injection rate range studied (0.5 to 10 cm3/min). The number and size of the created wormholes was function of the injection rate of emulsified acid. This paper summarizes the results obtained and recommends the use of emulsified acid systems for field applications with dolomite reservoirs.
New Generation of "Green" Defoamers for Challenging Drilling and Cementing Applications
Authors: Bava Luciana , Mahmoudkhani Amir , Wilson Robert , Levy Leanne
Published: March 2013

Increased environmental regulations in the North Sea, US and Canada offshores (OSPAR, US EPA, etc.) call for the use of less toxic and biodegradable chemicals in upstream oilfied applications. Compliance with international and domestic protocols governing use and discharge of oilfield chemicals is a crucial factor in the development of new, environmentally benign additives. To create competitive products, service companies need to re-evaluate their existing product lines and re-formulate with chemistries that must meet not only the standards for the ecotoxicity footprint but also, the technological challenges in oilfields. With increasing offshore production activities, the need to develop efficient technological solutions generates a substantial market for "green" chemical substances.

In drilling and cementing applications, the reliable administration of defoaming chemistries is a key step in preventing excessive foaming and avoiding operational difficulties due to entrained air. Traditional products that are used in common operating conditions, often pose a risk to the environment. A new generation of "greener" chemistries is needed either in liquid or solid forms. Solid defoamers represent a particularly attractive alternative, as they are characterized by long term stability and ease of handling under severe climatic conditions.

This paper presents the development of "green" technologies that show superior performance when compared to traditional defoamers. Formulated products in liquid and solid forms are evaluated using an advanced analytical approach to optimized performance during simulated field conditions. Based on widely used risk assessment models, these new alternatives offer safe and reliable solutions for slurry design and chemical control of foaming in offshore applications. Examples of severe foaming cases in slurries containing diverse additives are presented and demonstrate the advantage of this "green" technology.

The oilfield industry is presently facing several challenges both from stricter environmental restrictions and also from specific field application requirements. The focus on finding suitable replacement additives for cementing and drilling systems without compromising the properties of completion fluids is a priority for many oil service companies. The studied "green" defoamers are less toxic and easily biodegradable thus providing new environmentally responsible and cost-effective additives.
Effect of Stress Anisotropy on Well Productivity in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Bahrami Hassan , Rezaee Reza , Hossain M. Mofazzal , Asadi M. Sadegh , Minaein Vida , Jamili Ahmad
Published: March 2013

Relative magnitude of in-situ stresses and their direction can control production performance of non-fractured and hydraulically fractured horizontal wells in unconventional gas reservoirs. The in-situ stresses influence wellbore instability, hydraulic fractures propagation, reservoir permeability anisotropy, and direction of gas flow in the reservoir.

This paper presents the evaluation of the factors associated with horizontal stress anisotropy that control production performance in tight gas, shale gas, and coal bed methane reservoirs with normal faulting stress regime. Rock mechanical modeling and reservoir simulation are carried out based on the typical data from a West Australian unconventional gas reservoir, in order to understand the effect of stress anisotropy on permeability anisotropy and well productivity for difference cases of non-fractured and hydraulically fractured horizontal wells.

The study results highlight the significance of well completion system, horizontal well orientation, and direction of in-situ horizontal stresses in controlling well productivity. In non-fractured or hydraulically fractured wells, production performance may noticeably be different when horizontal wellbore orientation is parallel or perpendicular to the maximum horizontal stress direction. Understandings of these factors are vital in designing the well completion and stimulation strategy that ensures maximum well productivity.
The Realized Yield Effect of Genetically Engineered Crops: U.S. Maize and Soybean
Authors: Xu Zheng , Hennessy David A. , Sardana Kavita , Moschini GianCarlo
Published: March 2013

Yield improvements are critical to ensuring food security for a growing world population especially in view of the increasing potential for use of land in biofuel production. Efforts to sustain the impressive rate of past productivity gains, epitomized by such successes as the Green Revolution, are bound to rely on biotechnology innovations such as those responsible for the development of genetically engineered (GE) crops. Some argue that the use of biotechnology can substantially improve yields relative to the trajectory established by traditional breeding in the 20th century. Because U.S. adoption of GE varieties has been very strong since their introduction in the late 1990s, we investigated empirically whether and to what extent the GE technology has improved realized yields. We study this question for nonirrigated U.S. maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields over 1964 through 2010, having controlled for local effects, weather, fertilization, and the preexisting (non‐GE) crop improvement trend. For maize we find that GE varieties have increased realized yields, with a stronger gain in the Central Corn Belt (CCB). For soybeans, GE varieties appear to have slightly reduced yields. For both crops we find a strong trend in yield growth, which may have accelerated in recent years within the CCB. However, the combined effects of yield trend and GE adoption are predicted to fall short of the growth rate envisioned by industry projections.
Stability of Oleate Concentration in Soybean Lines Containing the High‐Oleate Transgene DP‐305423‐1
Authors: Spear Jordan D. , Fehr Walter R. , Schnebly Steve R.
Published: March 2013

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] lines with the transgene DP‐305423‐1 produce oil with a high oleate concentration that is desirable for oxidative stability. It is important for commercial production to understand the oleate concentration that can be expected when cultivars with the transgene are grown over a range of environmental conditions. The objective of our study was to evaluate the environmental stability of oleate concentration for lines with the transgene in comparison to that of lines without the transgene. Three high‐oleate, normal‐linolenate (HONL); six high‐oleate, low‐linolenate (HOLL); three mid‐oleate, low‐linolenate (MOLL); three normal‐oleate, low‐linolenate (NOLL); and three normal‐oleate, normal‐linolenate (NONL) lines were evaluated across 18 environments during 2010 and 2011. The mean oleate concentration of all the lines ranged from 529 to 643 g kg−1 among the environments. The mean oleate concentration across environments was 842 g kg−1 for HONL, 826 g kg−1 for HOLL, 536 g kg−1 for MOLL, 262 g kg−1 for NOLL, and 238 g kg−1 for NONL lines. The range in oleate concentrations among environments averaged 73 g kg−1 for HONL, 128 g kg−1 for HONL, 148 g kg−1 for MOLL, 153 g kg−1 for NOLL, and 108 g kg−1 for NONL lines. The results indicated that the consistency in oleate concentrations across a range of production environments for cultivars with the DP‐305423‐1 transgene would be equal or superior to cultivars without the transgene.
Effects of Storage Temperature and Relative Humidity on Viability and Vigor of Treated Soybean Seeds
Authors: Mbofung Gladys C. Y. , Goggi A. Susana , Leandro Leonor F. S. , Mullen Russell E.
Published: March 2013

Seed treatments are applied to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds to control early season diseases and insects. Unsold, treated soybean seed must be disposed in a different manner than untreated seed. To minimize treated seed disposal costs, it is necessary to improve seed storage. The objective was to determine the best storage environments that would minimize deterioration of treated soybean seed. Twenty‐four soybean varieties, different in lipid and protein contents and from four maturity groups, were treated either with fungicide or a mixture of fungicide plus insecticide or were untreated and were stored in three storage environments differing in temperature and relative humidity: a cold storage (CS) (10°C), a warm storage (WS) (25°C), and a warehouse (WH). Seed viability and vigor were evaluated each 4 mo for 20 mo using standard germination and accelerated aging tests. Seed viability remained high throughout the study for seeds stored in CS (>92%) and moderate in the WS (>78%) but decreased to almost 0% after 20 mo in the WH. The seed viability of treated seed was significantly higher than that of untreated seed after 16 mo in the WH while in the CS and WS the positive effects lasted for 20 mo. Seed vigor was affected by only seed lipid content for seeds stored for 12 mo, regardless of storage environment. Treated soybean seeds could be carried over for two seasons if the storage temperature is maintained at 10°C and the relative humidity is below 40%.
Switchgrass Biomass Composition Altered by Six Generations of Divergent Breeding for Digestibility
Authors: Vogel K. P. , Mitchell R. B. , Sarath G. , Jung H. G. , Dien B. S. , Casler M. D.
Published: March 2013

Biomass composition of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) can affect its utilization by ruminants and its conversion to liquid fuels in a biorefinery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of six generations of divergent breeding for forage in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) on switchgrass biomass composition, forage quality traits, and ethanol yield. Initially there was one cycle of selection for both low (C‐1) and high IVDMD (C1 = cv. Trailblazer), followed by four additional breeding cycles for high IVDMD. In cycles 4 and 5, winter survival was included as a selection criterion because of decreased winter survival of the C3 population. The experimental populations that were produced by these breeding generations and nine half‐sib families from cycle 5 were evaluated for two post‐establishment years at the research station in eastern Nebraska, where all the breeding work was conducted. The six breeding generations resulted in significant differences among the populations for all the 28 cell wall and non‐cell‐wall composition variables measured, forage quality, and ethanol yield traits measured except for total biomass C, cell wall concentration, soluble glucose, and etherified ferulates. These traits included all cell wall and nonstructural carbohydrates. Breeding for the heritable complex trait IVDMD affected a large number of plant biomass characteristics and also adversely affected plant biomass yield and winter survival.
Influence of Three Nitrogen Fertilization Schedules on Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum: I. Spring Green‐up and Fall Color Retention
Authors: Rimi Filippo , Macolino Stefano , Richardson Michael D. , Karcher Douglas E. , Leinauer Bernd
Published: March 2013

A primary concern in managing warm‐season turfgrasses within the transition zone is the lengthy dormant period, during which these swards lack green color. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of three N fertilization schedules on spring green‐up and fall color retention of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.). A field trial was performed at the agricultural experimental farm of Padova University (northeastern Italy). Bermudagrass cultivars Princess‐77, Riviera, SWI 1014, and Yukon and seashore paspalum ‘Sea Spray’ were compared under three N fertilization schedules: (i) 6.7 g N m−2 on 15 May, 15 June, and 15 August, (ii) 5 g N m−2 on 15 May, 15 June, 15 August, and 15 October, and (iii) 4 g N m−2 on 15 May, 15 June, 15 August, 15 September, and 15 October. Spring green‐up was estimated weekly as a percent green turfgrass coverage from 15 March to 15 June of 2010 and 2011. Fall color retention was visually rated from September to November of 2010 and 2011. Sea Spray seashore paspalum had later spring green‐up and better fall color than the bermudagrass cultivars, which differed widely in terms of spring green‐up and fall color retention. Fall‐applied N enhanced green‐up of all the grasses tested and extended fall color retention of bermudagrass cultivars. This study revealed that protracting applications of N fertilizer until late season may improve quality performance of warm‐season grasses without increasing annual N applied.
Anisotropic Scaling of Berea Sandstone Log Air Permeability Statistics
Authors: Riva Monica , Neuman Shlomo P. , Guadagnini Alberto , Siena Martina
Published: March 2013

We analyze directional dependence and scaling of air log permeability statistics characterizing minipermeameter measurements by Tidwell and Wilson on the faces of a 30 by 30 by 30 cm3 size unsaturated block of Berea sandstone. We find distinct differences between the statistics and scaling behaviors of data measured on faces parallel and normal to bedding, and of incremental measurements in three orthogonal directions along these faces. Whereas the distribution of data and their increments parallel to bedding are heavy tailed, those of increments normal to bedding are Gaussian. Order q sample structure functions of increments parallel to bedding scale as powers ξ(q) of directional lag, sd, over limited ranges of sd. Using moment and extended self‐similarity methods of analysis we find ξ(q) to be generally nonlinear in q, tending to be concave in q on faces normal to bedding and convex on faces parallel to bedding. Whereas the literature attributes nonlinear scaling of ξ(q) with q to multifractals or fractional Laplace motions, we find the data to be consistent with sub‐Gaussian random fields subordinated to truncated (monofractal, self‐affine) fractional Gaussian noise. The increments exhibit negative statistical dependence (antipersistence) that varies with direction parallel to bedding and is more pronounced on faces parallel than normal to bedding.
Segmentation of Individual Renal Cysts from MR Images in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Bae Kyungsoo , Park Bumwoo , Sun Hongliang , Wang Jinhong , Tao Cheng , Chapman Arlene B. , Torres Vicente E. , Grantham Jared J. , Mrug Michal , Bennett William M. , Flessner Michael F. , Landsittel Doug P. , Bae Kyongtae T.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To evaluate the performance of a semi-automated method for the segmentation of individual renal cysts from magnetic resonance (MR) images in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This semi-automated method was based on a morphologic watershed technique with shape-detection level set for segmentation of renal cysts from MR images. T2-weighted MR image sets of 40 kidneys were selected from 20 patients with mild to moderate renal cyst burden (kidney volume < 1500 ml) in the Consortium for Radiologic Imaging Studies of Polycystic Kidney Disease (CRISP). The performance of the semi-automated method was assessed in terms of two reference metrics in each kidney: the total number of cysts measured by manual counting and the total volume of cysts measured with a region-based thresholding method. The proposed and reference measurements were compared using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

Individual renal cysts were successfully segmented with the semi-automated method in all 20 cases. The total number of cysts in each kidney measured with the two methods correlated well (ICC, 0.99), with a very small relative bias (0.3% increase with the semi-automated method; limits of agreement, 15.2% reduction to 17.2% increase). The total volume of cysts measured using both methods also correlated well (ICC, 1.00), with a small relative bias of <10% (9.0% decrease in the semi-automated method; limits of agreement, 17.1% increase to 43.3% decrease).

Conclusion

This semi-automated method to segment individual renal cysts in ADPKD kidneys provides a quantitative indicator of severity in early and moderate stages of the disease.
Intraarterial schwannoma in horizontal segment of middle cerebral artery causing subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Park Jaechan , Lee Dakeun
Published: March 2013

A spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from the middle cerebral artery is most commonly caused by the rupture of saccular aneurysms and rarely by fusiform aneurysms or arterial dissections/dissecting aneurysms. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intraarterial neoplasm causing an SAH. A 44-year-old woman presented with an SAH in the basal cisterns. Subsequent internal carotid artery angiography demonstrated a small bulge on the superior wall of the horizontal (M1) segment of the middle cerebral artery. However, a pterional craniotomy revealed a well-circumscribed solitary tumor with a diameter of 15 mm involving the superior wall of the M1 segment as the cause of the SAH. Pathological examination demonstrated typical findings of a schwannoma, elongated cells with tapered, spindle-shaped nuclei and indistinct cell borders, and diffuse immunoreactivity for the S100 protein.
Sacral radiculopathy due to cement leakage from percutaneous sacroplasty, successfully treated with surgical decompression
Authors: Barber Sean M. , Livingston Andrew D. , Cech David A.
Published: March 2013

Percutaneous sacroplasty is a procedure adapted from vertebroplasty, which is designed to ameliorate the painful morbidity associated with sacral insufficiency fractures without the invasiveness of open surgery. Early estimates of efficacy, according to several case reports and small series, appear promising, but the procedure is not without risk. Several cases of radiculopathy due to nerve root compression by extravasated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) have been reported. The authors present a case of radiculopathy caused by cement leakage from sacroplasty, treated with surgical decompression of the compromised nerve root. The patient presented with left S-1 radiculopathy and was found on CT to have a left S-1 nerve root completely encased in PMMA over a portion of its length. The patient underwent sacral laminectomy with the removal of PMMA and experienced pain relief and the return of function postoperatively. Surgical removal of PMMA extravasated during sacroplasty is feasible and should be considered when nerve root compression or canal stenosis causes pain or neurological deficit refractory to conservative therapy.
Analog Encoding Voltage—A Key to Ultra-Wide Dynamic Range and Low Power CMOS Image Sensor
Authors: Spivak Arthur , Belenky Alexander , Fish Alexander , Yadid-Pecht Orly
Published: March 2013

Usually Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) sensors that autonomously adjust their integration time to fit intra-scene illumination levels use a separate digital memory unit. This memory contains the data needed for the dynamic range. Motivated by the demands for low power and chip area reduction, we propose a different implementation of the aforementioned WDR algorithm by replacing the external digital memory with an analog in-pixel memory. This memory holds the effective integration time represented by analog encoding voltage (AEV). In addition, we present a “ranging” scheme of configuring the pixel integration time in which the effective integration time is configured at the first half of the frame. This enables a substantial simplification of the pixel control during the rest of the frame and thus allows for a significantly more remarkable DR extension. Furthermore, we present the implementation of “ranging” and AEV concepts on two different designs, which are targeted to reach five and eight decades of DR, respectively. We describe in detail the operation of both systems and provide the post-layout simulation results for the second solution. The simulations show that the second design reaches DR up to 170 dBs. We also provide a comparative analysis in terms of the number of operations per pixel required by our solution and by other widespread WDR algorithms. Based on the calculated results, we conclude that the proposed two designs, using “ranging” and AEV concepts, are attractive, since they obtain a wide dynamic range at high operation speed and low power consumption.
Total Vitamin D Assay Comparison of the Roche Diagnostics “Vitamin D Total” Electrochemiluminescence Protein Binding Assay with the Chromsystems HPLC Method in a Population with both D2 and D3 forms of Vitamin D
Authors: Abdel-Wareth Laila , Haq Afrozul , Turner Andrew , Khan Shoukat , Salem Arwa , Mustafa Faten , Hussein Nafiz , Pallinalakam Fasila , Grundy Louisa , Patras Gemma , Rajah Jaishen
Published: March 2013

This study compared two methods of assaying the 25-hydroxylated metabolites of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). A fully automated electrochemiluminescence assay from Roche Diagnostics and an HPLC based method from Chromsystems were used to measure vitamin D levels in surplus sera from 96 individuals, where the majority has the D2 form of the vitamin. Deming regression, concordance rate, correlation and Altman Bland agreement were performed. Seventy two subjects (75%) had a D2 concentration >10 nmol/L while the remaining twenty four subjects had vitamin D2 concentration of less than 10 nmol/L by HPLC. Overall, the Roche Diagnostics method showed a negative bias of −2.59 ± 4.11 nmol/L on the e602 as compared to the HPLC with a concordance rate of 84%. The concordance rate was 91% in samples with D2 of less than 10 nmol/L and 82% in those with D2 concentration >10 nmol/L. The overall correlation had an r value of 0.77. The r value was higher in samples with D2 levels of less than 10 nmol/L, r = 0.96, as compared to those with D2 values of greater than 10 nmol/L, r = 0.74. The observed bias had little impact on clinical decision and therefore is clinically acceptable.
Concepts behind Serious Games and Computer-Based Trainings in Health Care
Authors: Birkenbusch Jana , Christ Oliver
Published: March 2013

In the area of health care, dynamic changes and improvements of computer-based methods of intervention are more and more observable. This tendency is, amongst other reasons, caused by the implementation of theoretical constructs and psychological phenomena, such as flow, immersion, and presence, because they are able to explain processes and effects of medical interventions and thereby provide helpful hints to the enhancement of rehabilitation technology. This chapter provides an overview of the definitions of constructs related to computer-based technology, how these constructs are related to each other, and how they can be measured. Furthermore, practical aspects of improvement, possible areas of application, and potential benefits of implementing these constructs are discussed.
Balancing Instruction and Construction in Virtual World Learning
Authors: Martens Alke , Maciuszek Dennis
Published: March 2013

In game-based learning and in teaching using virtual worlds, designers creating the products and teachers providing them to students are both faced with a dualism between instruction and construction. Open-ended virtual worlds may provide authentic settings and inspire experimentation; on the other hand a lack of guidance may result in learners losing direction. The chapter conducts a narrative review of concepts across disciplines that describe the dilemma and imply certain instructional design strategies. Many authors advocate constructivist learning, but with instructional elements added. The authors collect their recommendations and apply and refine them in their own ideas: adaptivity inspired by Cognitive Apprenticeship, guidance on the basis of Cognitive Task Analysis, and immersive, interactive quest journals. Study setups and first results from ongoing projects illustrate the theoretical considerations.
Collaborative Learning and Game Mastering in Multiplayer Games
Authors: Konert Johannes , Wendel Viktor , Richter Kristina , Göbel Stefan
Published: March 2013

The purpose of the chapter is to provide a state of the art survey addressing research and development aspects for the control of multiplayer Serious Games for collaborative learning scenarios. Hereby, several facets of multiplayer scenarios are addressed: synchronous and asynchronous gameplay and the role of an instructor as Game Master, supervisor, and provider of individual feedback as well as individual feedback among learners in the process of continuous adaptation of the on-going gameplay. Existing approaches and best-practice examples focus on digital educational games for pupils and collaborative learning environments for students. The theoretical foundations of instructional support as well as the implications and technical approaches are discussed. They include some aspects of authoring Serious Games (as already covered in chapter “Authoring Serious Games”).
Exergames for Elderly Persons
Authors: Korn Oliver , Brach Michael , Hauer Klaus , Unkauf Sven
Published: March 2013

This chapter introduces the prototype of a software developed to assist elderly persons in performing physical exercises to prevent falls. The result—a combination of sport exercises and gaming—is also called “exergame.” The software is based on research and development conducted within the “motivotion60+” research project as part of the AAL-program (Ambient Assisted Living). The authors outline the use of motion recognition and analysis to promote physical activity among elderly people: it allows Natural Interaction (NI) and takes away the conventional controller, which represented a hurdle for the acceptance of technical solutions in the target group; it allows the real-time scaling of the exergame’s difficulty to adjust to the user’s individual fitness level and thus keep motivation up. The authors’ experiences with the design of the exergame and the first results from its evaluation regarding space, interaction, design, effort, and fun, as well as human factors, are portrayed. The authors also give an outlook on what future exergames using motion recognition should look like.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games for Health Communication in Brazil
Authors: Simão de Vasconcellos Marcelo , Soares de Araújo Inesita
Published: March 2013

Video games’ potential for gathering interest from children and adults originated many serious games to communicate, inform, teach, and train. MMORPGs may have even more potential, since they create a shared communication space where players can interact with each other. In Brazil, public Health Communication is a major area of concern, since there is a large population who needs information about health. Much of the communication initiatives come from dated models and are too normative, unable to attend population adequately. This chapter presents first reflections about the main advantages of applying MMORPGs for public Health Communication, using Mediations Theory as a starting point to look into these games’ characteristics. This perspective reveals that, in addition to engagement created by their interactive nature, MMORPGs’ social characteristics are particularly useful for building Brazilian Health Communication current aspirations: creating instances for hearing population, granting them active voice and enhancing their participation in developing public health policies.
Time Factor in the Curriculum Integration of Game-Based Learning
Authors: Romero Margarida , Usart Mireia
Published: March 2013

From primary and secondary educational levels to higher education and lifelong learning, the use of games for educational purposes has become a focus of increasing interest for instructional designers, teachers, and researchers. To ensure the achievement of learning objectives and competency in the use of games for educational purposes, the use of Game-Based Learning (GBL) in the curriculum should be considered in terms of its learner-centred characteristics, game dynamics, and interactional requirements. A dimension that involves all these characteristics is the time factor. Time is considered in this chapter from three different points of view: learner’s psychological time; temporal gameplay; and the “interaction tempo” required for successfully including games in the curriculum. This chapter describes four typologies of the time factor: time-on-task; temporal perspectives of learners; temporal gameplay; and interaction tempo. Finally, the chapter proposes practical ideas for game designers and teachers when using GBL in face-to-face and online contexts.
AN 'ALTERNATIVE' MODEL TO ESTIMATE SOLAR RADIATION
Authors: PERIES T. S. G. , THATTIL R. O.
Published: March 2013

Solar radiation is extremely useful in modelling many agricultural applications, but ishardly used due to the difficulty in obtaining data, and the time consuming process inestimating it by the Angstrom (1924) formula which uses world geographical relationships.To estimate solar radiation at the Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila (7° 20' N; 71° 5 3 'E; 30.5 m ) an alternative model was developed from measured sunshine hours data only.The model had good fit (R2 = 0.90, P < 0.001) and was found to have agreement with theestimates obtained from the Angstrom model. The alternative model is more flexible anduseful in estimating crop evapotranspiration, and for crop-weather modelling. The mean dailysolar radiation at Lunuwila was estimated to be 18.3 MJ m"2d "' and .the total annual solarradiation receipts is 6680 MJ m'2 (66.8 TJ ha-1). The monthly solar radiation was highestin March (21.7 MJ m'2 d ' ) and the estimated 75% probability value was 22.5. June had thelowest (16.1 MJ m"2 d'1) value and the estimated 75% probability value was 17.8.