bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Follow-up issues in children with mild traumatic brain injuries
Authors: Kania Katarzyna , Shaikh Kashif Ajaz , White Ian Kainoa , Ackerman Laurie L.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Concerns about mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have increased in recent years, and neurosurgical consultation is often requested for patients with radiographic abnormalities or clinical findings suspicious for mTBI. However, to the authors' knowledge, no study has used the Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) tool to systematically evaluate the evolution of symptoms in patients with mTBI during neurosurgical follow-up. The goal in this study was to evaluate symptom progression in pediatric patients referred for neurosurgical consultation by using the ACE, as endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of records of consecutive pediatric patients who had presented to the emergency department, were diagnosed with possible mTBI, and were referred for neurosurgical consultation. Outpatient follow-up for these patients included serial assessment using the ACE. Data collected included the mechanisms of the patients' injuries, symptoms, follow-up duration, and premorbid conditions that might potentially contribute to protracted recovery.

RESULTS

Of 91 patients identified with mTBI, 58 met the inclusion criteria, and 33 of these had sufficient follow-up data to be included in the study. Mechanisms of injury included sports injury (15 patients), isolated falls (10), and motor vehicle collisions (8). Ages ranged from 5 to 17 years (mean age 11.6 years), and 29 of the 33 patients were male. Six patients had preinjury developmental and/or psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Seventeen had negative findings on head CT scans. The first follow-up evaluation occurred at a mean of 30 days after injury. The mean number of symptoms reported on the ACE inventory at first follow-up were 3.2; 12 patients were symptom free. Patients with positive head CT findings required longer follow-up: these patients needed 14.59 weeks, versus 7.87 weeks of follow-up in patients with negative findings on head CT scans (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that patients with mTBI, particularly those with developmental and/or psychiatric comorbidities and concurrent cerebral or extracranial injury, often report symptoms for several weeks after their initial injury. Serial ACE assessment permits systematic identification of patients who are experiencing continued symptoms, leading to appropriate patient management and referral.
Suitability of carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone cages for use as anterior struts following corpectomy
Authors: Heary Robert F. , Parvathreddy Naresh K. , Qayumi Zainab S. , Ali Naiim S. , Agarwal Nitin
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Fibular allograft remains a widely used strut for corpectomy surgeries. The amount of graft material that can be packed into an allograft strut has not been quantified. Cages are an alternative to fibular allograft for fusion surgeries. The authors of this study assessed the suitability of carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFRP) cages for anterior corpectomy surgeries. They further explored the parameters known to affect fusion rates in clinical practice.

METHODS

Six fibular allografts were tested at standard lengths. Three sets of carbon fiber cages (Bengal, DePuy Spine), each with a different footprint size but the same lengths, were tested. The allografts and cages were wrapped in adhesive, fluid-tight transparent barriers and filled with oil. The volume and weight of the oil instilled as well as the implant footprints were measured. The fibular allografts and cages were tested at 20-, 40-, and 50-mm lengths. Two investigators independently performed all measurements 5 times. Five CFRP cubes (1 × 1 × 1 cm) were tested under pure compression, and load versus displacement curves were plotted to determine the modulus of elasticity.

RESULTS

Significantly more oil fit in the CFRP cages than in the fibular allografts (p < 0.0001). The weight and volume of oil was 4–6 times greater in the cages. Interobserver (r = 0.991) and intraobserver (r = 0.993) reliability was excellent. The modulus of elasticity for CFRP was 16.44 ± 2.07 GPa.

CONCLUSIONS

Carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone cages can accommodate much more graft material than can fibular allografts. In clinical practice, the ability to deliver greater amounts of graft material following a corpectomy may improve fusion rates.
The use of lumbar drains in preventing spinal cord injury following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khan Nickalus R. , Smalley Zachary , Nesvick Cody L. , Lee Siang Liao , Michael L. Madison
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Paraplegia and paraparesis following aortic aneurysm repair occur at a substantially high rate and are often catastrophic to patients, their families, and the overall health care system. Spinal cord injury (SCI) following open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair is reported to be as high as 20% in historical controls. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of CSF drainage (CSFD) on SCI following TAAA repair.

METHODS

In August 2015 a systematic literature search was performed using clinicaltrials.gov, the Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus that identified 3478 articles. Of these articles, 10 met inclusion criteria. Random and fixed-effect meta-analyses were performed using both pooled and subset analyses based on study type.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis demonstrated that CSFD decreased SCI by nearly half (relative risk 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.70; p = 0.0009) in the pooled analysis. This effect remained in the subgroup analysis of early SCI but did not remain significant in late SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis showed that CSFD could be an effective strategy in preventing SCI following aortic aneurysm repair. Care should be taken to prevent complications related to overdrainage. No firm conclusions can be drawn about the newer endovascular procedures at the current time.
Numerical Models for the Assessment of Historical Masonry Structures and Materials, Monitored by Acoustic Emission
Authors: Invernizzi Stefano , Lacidogna Giuseppe , Carpinteri Alberto
Published: April 2016

The paper reviews some recent numerical applications for the interpretation and exploitation of acoustic emission (AE) monitoring results obtained from historical masonry structures and materials. Among possible numerical techniques, the finite element method and the distinct method are considered. The analyzed numerical models cover the entire scale range, from microstructure and meso-structure, up to full-size real structures. The micro-modeling includes heterogeneous concrete-like materials, but mainly focuses on the masonry texture meso-structure, where each brick and mortar joint is modeled singularly. The full-size models consider the different typology of historical structures such as masonry towers, cathedrals and chapels. The main difficulties and advantages of the different numerical approaches, depending on the problem typology and scale, are critically analyzed. The main insight we can achieve from micro and meso numerical modeling concerns the scaling of AE as a function of volume and time, since it is also able to simulate the b-value temporal evolution as the damage spread into the structure. The finite element modeling of the whole structure provides useful hints for the optimal placement of the AE sensors, while the combination of AE monitoring results is crucial for a reliable assessment of structural safety.
Raman Identification of Polymorphs in Pentacene Films
Authors: Girlando Alberto , Masino Matteo , Brillante Aldo , Toccoli Tullio , Iannotta Salvatore
Published: April 2016

We use Raman spectroscopy to characterize thin films of pentacene grown on Si/SiO x by Supersonic Molecular Beam Deposition (SuMBD). We find that films up to a thickness of about 781 Å (∼ 52 monolayers) all belong to the so-called thin-film (TF) phase. The appearance with strong intensity of some lattice phonons suggests that the films are characterized by good intra-layer order. A comparison of the Raman spectra in the lattice and CH bending spectral regions of the TF polymorph with the corresponding ones of the high-temperature (HT) and low-temperature (LT) bulk pentacene polymorphs provides a quick and nondestructive method to identify the different phases.
Exergy Analysis of Complex Ship Energy Systems
Authors: Marty Pierre , Hétet Jean-François , Chalet David , Corrignan Philippe
Published: April 2016

With multiple primary and secondary energy converters (diesel engines, steam turbines, waste heat recovery (WHR) and oil-fired boilers, etc.) and extensive energy networks (steam, cooling water, exhaust gases, etc.), ships may be considered as complex energy systems. Understanding and optimizing such systems requires advanced holistic energy modeling. This modeling can be done in two ways: The simpler approach focuses on energy flows, and has already been tested, approved and presented; a new, more complicated approach, focusing on energy quality, i.e., exergy, is presented in this paper. Exergy analysis has rarely been applied to ships, and, as a general rule, the shipping industry is not familiar with this tool. This paper tries to fill this gap. We start by giving a short reminder of what exergy is and describe the principles of exergy modeling to explain what kind of results should be expected from such an analysis. We then apply these principles to the analysis of a large two-stroke diesel engine with its cooling and exhaust systems. Simulation results are then presented along with the exergy analysis. Finally, we propose solutions for energy and exergy saving which could be applied to marine engines and ships in general.
Investigation of Slot-Burner Aerodynamics with Recessed-Type Nozzle Geometry
Authors: Bhuiyan Arafat , Karim Md. , Hart James , Witt Peter , Naser Jamal
Published: April 2016

The aerodynamics of fully turbulent jets supplied from rectangular slot-burners was modelled using the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) model. Three different turbulent models were considered, such as standard k-ε, RNG k-ε and Reynolds stress turbulence models. The recessed-type nozzle geometry was investigated to determine the effect of burner geometry on jet development. The slot-burner was based on physical models, which were designed to be representative of typical burner geometries found in tangentially-fired coal boilers. The study was validated against the physical models. The detailed flow field obtained from the simulations was used to explain the aerodynamic development of jets in such burners. It was found that the addition of a recess section to the nozzle geometry introduced significant changes to the flow due to complex pressure and mixing fields being set up inside the recess, which altered the jets once they exited into the open atmosphere.
Regional Variations of Public Perception on Contaminated Industrial Sites in China and Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Li Xiaonuo , Jiao Wentao , Xiao Rongbo , Chen Weiping , Bai Yanying
Published: April 2016

Public involvement is critical in sustainable contaminated site management. It is important for China to improve public knowledge and participation, foster dialogue between urban managers and laypeople, and accelerate the remediation and redevelopment processes in contaminated site management. In this study, we collected 1812 questionnaires from nine cities around China through face-to-face interviews and statistically analyzed the perception of residents concerning contaminated sites. The results show that respondents’ concern about soil pollution was lower than for other environmental issues and their knowledge of soil contamination was limited. The risks posed by contaminated industrial sites were well recognized by respondents, but they were unsatisfied with the performance of local agencies regarding information disclosure, publicity and education and public participation. Respondents believed that local governments and polluters should take the primary responsibility for contaminated site remediation. Most of them were unwilling to pay for contaminated site remediation and preferred recreational or public service redevelopment. Moreover, our research indicated that public perception varied among different cities. This variation was mainly determined by implementations of policy instruments and additionally affected by remediation technology, pollutant type, regional policy response and living distance.
Urban Park Development and Pediatric Obesity Rates: A Quasi-Experiment Using Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Goldsby TaShauna , George Brandon , Yeager Valerie , Sen Bisakha , Ferdinand Alva , Sims Devon , Manzella Bryn , Cockrell Skinner Asheley , Allison David , Menachemi Nir
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Childhood obesity affects ~20% of children in the United States. Environmental influences, such as parks, are linked with increased physical activity (PA). Objective: To examine whether changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score were associated with construction of a new park. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to determine whether living in proximity of a park was associated with a reduction in BMI z-score. Children were selected from health clinics within an 11 mile radius of the park. A repeated-measure ANOVA was employed for analysis of the relationship between exposure (new park) and BMI z-score. Results: Participants were 1443 (median age 10.3 range (2–17.9 years), BMI: z-score 0.84 ± 1.09) African American (77.4%) adolescents. Change in BMI z-score was not statistically different for children living at different distances from the park after controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, or payer type (p = 0.4482). We did observe a small 0.03 increase in BMI z-score from pre- to post-park (p = 0.0007). There was a significant positive association between child’s baseline age and BMI z-score (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study found proximity to a park was not associated with reductions in BMI z-score. Additional efforts to understand the complex relationship between park proximity, access, and PA are warranted.
RTN3 Regulates the Expression Level of Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 and is Required for Migration of Primordial Germ Cells
Authors: Li Haitao , Liang Rong , Lu Yanan , Wang Mengxia , Li Zandong
Published: April 2016

CXCR4 is a crucial chemokine receptor that plays key roles in primordial germ cell (PGC) homing. To further characterize the CXCR4-mediated migration of PGCs, we screened CXCR4-interacting proteins using yeast two-hybrid screening. We identified reticulon3 (RTN3), a member of the reticulon family, and considered an apoptotic signal transducer, as able to interact directly with CXCR4. Furthermore, we discovered that the mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCR4 could be regulated by RTN3. We also found that RTN3 altered CXCR4 translocation and localization. Moreover, increasing the signaling of either CXCR4b or RTN3 produced similar PGC mislocalization phenotypes in zebrafish. These results suggested that RTN3 modulates PGC migration through interaction with, and regulation of, CXCR4.
MicroRNA-15b Modulates Molecular Mediators of Blood Induced Arthropathy in Hemophilia Mice
Authors: Sen Dwaipayan , Jayandharan Giridhara
Published: April 2016

The development of arthropathy is a major co-morbidity in patients with hemophilia. The present study was designed to study the role of a microRNA biomarker (miR-15b) in the development of joint disease. To investigate the expression profile of miR-15b during the development of arthropathy, we first isolated and studied small RNA from the acute and chronic hemarthrosis model of hemophilia A mice. We observed that miR-15b was consistently repressed (~1- to 4-fold) from the onset of joint bleeding (1, 3, 7 and 24 h) until six bleeding episodes (up to 90 days). To test if reconstitution of miR-15b modulates biomarkers of joint damage in a chronic hemarthrosis model, we administered an adeno-associated virus (AAV) 5-miR-15b vector intra-articularly alone or in combination with systemic administration of AAV2-factor VIII. miR-15b overexpression downregulated markers of angiogenesis and hypoxia (vascular epithelial growth factor α (VEGF-α) and hypoxia inducing factor 2α (HIF-2α), ~70% and ~34%, respectively) in the affected joints. In addition, the co-administration of miR-15b and factor VIII vectors reduced the levels of the chondrodegenerative matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 3, 9 and 14 (~14% to 60%) in the injured joints. These data demonstrate for the first time the role of a miR-15b in the development of hemophilic arthropathy and has implications in development of miR based therapies for joint disease.
Bird Integumentary Melanins: Biosynthesis, Forms, Function and Evolution
Authors: Galván Ismael , Solano Francisco
Published: April 2016

Melanins are the ubiquitous pigments distributed in nature. They are one of the main pigments responsible for colors in living cells. Birds are among the most diverse animals regarding melanin-based coloration, especially in the plumage, although they also pigment bare parts of the integument. This review is devoted to the main characteristics of bird melanins, including updated views of the formation and nature of melanin granules, whose interest has been raised in the last years for inferring the color of extinct birds and non-avian theropod dinosaurs using resistant fossil feathers. The molecular structure of the two main types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, and the environmental and genetic factors that regulate avian melanogenesis are also presented, establishing the main relationship between them. Finally, the special functions of melanin in bird feathers are also discussed, emphasizing the aspects more closely related to these animals, such as honest signaling, and the factors that may drive the evolution of pheomelanin and pheomelanin-based color traits, an issue for which birds have been pioneer study models.
Bavachin from Psoralea corylifolia Improves Insulin-Dependent Glucose Uptake through Insulin Signaling and AMPK Activation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Lee Hyejin , Li Hua , Noh Minsoo , Ryu Jae-Ha
Published: April 2016

The fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) (PC), known as “Bo-Gol-Zhee” in Korea has been used as traditional medicine. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of PC have an anti-hyperglycemic effect by increasing plasma insulin levels and decreasing blood glucose and total plasma cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetic rats. In this study, we purified six compounds from PC and investigated their anti-diabetic effect. Among the purified compounds, bavachin most potently accumulated lipids during adipocyte differentiation. Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red-O (ORO) cell staining to investigate the effect of compounds on adipogenesis. Consistently, bavachin activated gene expression of adipogenic transcriptional factors, proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα). Bavachin also increased adiponectin expression and secretion in adipocytes. Moreover, bavachin increased insulin-induced glucose uptake by differentiated adipocytes and myoblasts. In differentiated adipocytes, we found that bavachin enhanced glucose uptake via glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation by activating the Akt and 5′AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in the presence or absence of insulin. These results suggest that bavachin from Psoralea corylifolia might have therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes by activating insulin signaling pathways.
Distinct Dasatinib-Induced Mechanisms of Apoptotic Response and Exosome Release in Imatinib-Resistant Human Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhang Yujing , Liu Aichun , Wang Jinghua , Li Lianqiao , Chen Xi , Gao Xinyu , Xue Yanming , Zhang Xiaomin , Liu Yao
Published: April 2016

Although dasatinib is effective in most imatinib mesylate (IMT)-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, the underlying mechanism of its effectiveness in eliminating imatinib-resistant cells is only partially understood. This study investigated the effects of dasatinib on signaling mechanisms driving-resistance in imatinib-resistant CML cell line K562 (K562RIMT). Compared with K562 control cells, exsomal release, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and autophagic activity were increased significantly in K562RIMT cells and mTOR-independent beclin-1/Vps34 signaling was shown to be involved in exosomal release in these cells. We found that Notch1 activation-mediated reduction of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was responsible for the increased Akt/mTOR activities in K562RIMT cells and treatment with Notch1 γ-secretase inhibitor prevented activation of Akt/mTOR. In addition, suppression of mTOR activity by rapamycin decreased the level of activity of p70S6K, induced upregulation of p53 and caspase 3, and led to increase of apoptosis in K562RIMT cells. Inhibition of autophagy by spautin-1 or beclin-1 knockdown decreased exosomal release, but did not affect apoptosis in K562RIMT cells. In summary, in K562RIMT cells dasatinib promoted apoptosis through downregulation of Akt/mTOR activities, while preventing exosomal release and inhibiting autophagy by downregulating expression of beclin-1 and Vps34. Our findings reveal distinct dasatinib-induced mechanisms of apoptotic response and exosomal release in imatinib-resistant CML cells.
Experimental Study of Damage Evolution in Circular Stirrup-Confined Concrete
Authors: Li Zuohua , Peng Zhihan , Teng Jun , Wang Ying
Published: April 2016

This paper presents an experimental study on circular stirrup-confined concrete specimens under uniaxial and monotonic load. The effects of stirrup volume ratio, stirrup yield strength and concrete strength on damage evolution of stirrup-confined concrete were investigated. The experimental results showed that the strength and ductility of concrete are improved by appropriate arrangement of the stirrup confinement. Firstly, the concrete damage evolution can be relatively restrained with the increase of the stirrup volume ratio. Secondly, higher stirrup yield strength usually causes larger confining pressures and slower concrete damage evolution. In contrast, higher concrete strength leads to higher brittleness, which accelerates the concrete damage evolution. A plastic strain expression is obtained through curve fitting, and a damage evolution equation for circular stirrup-confined concrete is proposed by introducing a confinement factor (C) based on the experimental data. The comparison results demonstrate that the proposed damage evolution model can accurately describe the experimental results.
In Vitro Effect of the Synthetic cal14.1a Conotoxin, Derived from Conus californicus, on the Human Parasite Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: De León-Nava Marco , Romero-Núñez Eunice , Luna-Nophal Angélica , Bernáldez-Sarabia Johanna , Sánchez-Campos Liliana , Licea-Navarro Alexei , Morales-Montor Jorge , Muñiz-Hernández Saé
Published: April 2016

Toxins that are secreted by cone snails are small peptides that are used to treat several diseases. However, their effects on parasites with human and veterinary significance are unknown. Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite that affects approximately 30% of the world’s population and can be lethal in immunologically compromised individuals. The conventional treatment for this parasitic infection has remained the same since the 1950s, and its efficacy is limited to the acute phase of infection. These findings have necessitated the search for new drugs that specifically target T. gondii. We examined the effects of the synthetic toxin cal14.1a (s-cal14.1a) from C. californicus on the tachyzoite form of T. gondii. Our results indicate that, at micromolar concentrations, s-cal14.1a lowers viability and inhibits host cell invasion (by 50% and 61%, respectively) on exposure to extracellular parasites. Further, intracellular replication decreased significantly while viability of the host cell was unaffected. Our study is the first report on the antiparasitic activity of a synthetic toxin of C. californicus.
Improved Oral Bioavailability Using a Solid Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System Containing a Multicomponent Mixture Extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Bi Xiaolin , Liu Xuan , Di Liuqing , Zu Qiang
Published: April 2016

The active ingredients of salvia (dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza) include both lipophilic (e.g., tanshinone IIA, tanshinone I, cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone I) and hydrophilic (e.g., danshensu and salvianolic acid B) constituents. The low oral bioavailability of these constituents may limit their efficacy. A solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) was developed to load the various active constituents of salvia into a single drug delivery system and improve their oral bioavailability. A prototype SMEDDS was designed using solubility studies and phase diagram construction, and characterized by self-emulsification performance, stability, morphology, droplet size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. Furthermore, the S-SMEDDS was prepared by dispersing liquid SMEDDS containing liposoluble extract into a solution containing aqueous extract and hydrophilic polymer, and then freeze-drying. In vitro release of tanshinone IIA, salvianolic acid B, cryptotanshinone and danshensu from the S-SMEDDS was examined, showing approximately 60%–80% of each active component was released from the S-SMEDDS in vitro within 20 min. In vivo bioavailability of these four constituents indicated that the S-SMEDDS showed superior in vivo oral absorption to a drug suspension after oral administration in rats. It can be concluded that the novel S-SMEDDS developed in this study increased the dissolution rate and improved the oral bioavailability of both lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents of salvia. Thus, the S-SMEDDS can be regarded as a promising new method by which to deliver salvia extract, and potentially other multicomponent drugs, by the oral route.
Carnosol and Related Substances Modulate Chemokine and Cytokine Production in Macrophages and Chondrocytes
Authors: Schwager Joseph , Richard Nathalie , Fowler Ann , Seifert Nicole , Raederstorff Daniel
Published: April 2016

Phenolic diterpenes present in Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis have anti-inflammatory and chemoprotective effects. We investigated the in vitro effects of carnosol (CL), carnosic acid (CA), carnosic acid-12-methylether (CAME), 20-deoxocarnosol and abieta-8,11,13-triene-11,12,20-triol (ABTT) in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) and human chondrocytes. The substances concentration-dependently reduced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in LPS-stimulated macrophages (i.e., acute inflammation). They significantly blunted gene expression levels of iNOS, cytokines/interleukins (IL-1α, IL-6) and chemokines including CCL5/RANTES, CXCL10/IP-10. The substances modulated the expression of catabolic and anabolic genes in chondrosarcoma cell line SW1353 and in primary human chondrocytes that were stimulated by IL-1β (i.e., chronic inflammation In SW1353, catabolic genes like MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4 that contribute to cartilage erosion were down-regulated, while expression of anabolic genes including Col2A1 and aggrecan were shifted towards pre-pathophysiological homeostasis. CL had the strongest overall effect on inflammatory mediators, as well as on macrophage and chondrocyte gene expression. Conversely, CAME mainly affected catabolic gene expression, whereas ABTT had a more selectively altered interleukin and chemokine gene exprssion. CL inhibited the IL-1β induced nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65, suggesting that it primarily regulated via the NF-κB signalling pathway. Collectively, CL had the strongest effects on inflammatory mediators and chondrocyte gene expression. The data show that the phenolic diterpenes altered activity pattern of genes that regulate acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Since the substances affected catabolic and anabolic gene expression in cartilage cells in vitro, they may beneficially act on the aetiology of osteoarthritis.
Algorithms to Improve the Prediction of Postprandial Insulinaemia in Response to Common Foods
Authors: Bell Kirstine , Petocz Peter , Colagiuri Stephen , Brand-Miller Jennie
Published: April 2016

Dietary patterns that induce excessive insulin secretion may contribute to worsening insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. Our aim was to generate mathematical algorithms to improve the prediction of postprandial glycaemia and insulinaemia for foods of known nutrient composition, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). We used an expanded database of food insulin index (FII) values generated by testing 1000 kJ portions of 147 common foods relative to a reference food in lean, young, healthy volunteers. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were applied to validate previously generated equations for predicting insulinaemia, and develop improved predictive models. Large differences in insulinaemic responses within and between food groups were evident. GL, GI and available carbohydrate content were the strongest predictors of the FII, explaining 55%, 51% and 47% of variation respectively. Fat, protein and sugar were significant but relatively weak predictors, accounting for only 31%, 7% and 13% of the variation respectively. Nutritional composition alone explained only 50% of variability. The best algorithm included a measure of glycemic response, sugar and protein content and explained 78% of variation. Knowledge of the GI or glycaemic response to 1000 kJ portions together with nutrient composition therefore provides a good approximation for ranking of foods according to their “insulin demand”.
The Impact of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on Properties of Cadmium Oxide Semiconductor Nanoparticles Manufactured by Heat Treatment Technique
Authors: Al-Hada Naif , Saion Elias , Talib Zainal , Shaari Abdul
Published: April 2016

Cadmium oxide semiconductor nanoparticles were produced using a water based mixture, incorporating cadmium nitrates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and calcination temperature. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) evaluation was conducted to determine the degree of crystallization of the semiconductor nanoparticles. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to identify the morphological features of the nanoparticles. The typical particle sizes and particle dispersal were analyzed via the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The findings provided further support for the XRD outcomes. To determine the composition phase, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was conducted, as it indicated the existence of not only metal oxide ionic band in the selection of samples, but also the efficient removal of organic compounds following calcinations. The optical characteristics were demonstrated, so as to analyze the energy band gap via the use of a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. A reduced particle size resulted in diminution of the intensity of photoluminescence, was demonstrated by PL spectra. Plus, the magnetic characteristics were examined using an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, which affirmed the existence of unpaired electrons.
Editing in Jamaica 1989–1998
Authors: Donovan Stephen
Published: April 2016

Despite changes in technology that have improved both production and the final product, small local journals still have a low profile and struggle to obtain adequate copy, in terms of both quality and quantity. My experiences as editor of two small journals in Jamaica in the 1990s provided similar problems to those that are encountered by many editors today. Endeavour to persevere, but, if you are not appreciated, be prepared to resign in order to retain your own respect. There will always be more jobs for good editors.
Performance Assessment of a New Variable Stiffness Probing System for Micro-CMMs
Authors: Alblalaihid Khalid , Kinnell Peter , Lawes Simon , Desgaches Dorian , Leach Richard
Published: April 2016

When designing micro-scale tactile probes, a design trade-off must be made between the stiffness and flexibility of the probing element. The probe must be flexible enough to ensure sensitive parts are not damaged during contact, but it must be stiff enough to overcome attractive surface forces, ensure it is not excessively fragile, easily damaged or sensitive to inertial loads. To address the need for a probing element that is both flexible and stiff, a novel micro-scale tactile probe has been designed and tested that makes use of an active suspension structure. The suspension structure is used to modulate the probe stiffness as required to ensure optimal stiffness conditions for each phase of the measurement process. In this paper, a novel control system is presented that monitors and controls stiffness, allowing two probe stiffness values (“stiff” and “flexible”) to be defined and switched between. During switching, the stylus tip undergoes a displacement of approximately 18 µm, however, the control system is able ensure a consistent flexible mode tip deflection to within 12 nm in the vertical axis. The overall uncertainty for three-dimensional displacement measurements using the probing system is estimated to be 58 nm, which demonstrates the potential of this innovative variable stiffness micro-scale probe system.
A Wireless Passive Sensing System for Displacement/Strain Measurement in Reinforced Concrete Members
Authors: Ozbey Burak , Erturk Vakur , Demir Hilmi , Altintas Ayhan , Kurc Ozgur
Published: April 2016

In this study, we show a wireless passive sensing system embedded in a reinforced concrete member successfully being employed for the measurement of relative displacement and strain in a simply supported beam experiment. The system utilizes electromagnetic coupling between the transceiver antenna located outside the beam, and the sensing probes placed on the reinforcing bar (rebar) surface inside the beam. The probes were designed in the form of a nested split-ring resonator, a metamaterial-based structure chosen for its compact size and high sensitivity/resolution, which is at µm/microstrains level. Experiments were performed in both the elastic and plastic deformation cases of steel rebars, and the sensing system was demonstrated to acquire telemetric data in both cases. The wireless measurement results from multiple probes are compared with the data obtained from the strain gages, and an excellent agreement is observed. A discrete time measurement where the system records data at different force levels is also shown. Practical issues regarding the placement of the sensors and accurate recording of data are discussed. The proposed sensing technology is demonstrated to be a good candidate for wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) of reinforced concrete members by its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range.
Cotton Fabric Coated with Conducting Polymers and its Application in Monitoring of Carnivorous Plant Response
Authors: Bajgar Václav , Penhaker Marek , Martinková Lenka , Pavlovič Andrej , Bober Patrycja , Trchová Miroslava , Stejskal Jaroslav
Published: April 2016

The paper describes the electrical plant response to mechanical stimulation monitored with the help of conducting polymers deposited on cotton fabric. Cotton fabric was coated with conducting polymers, polyaniline or polypyrrole, in situ during the oxidation of respective monomers in aqueous medium. Thus, modified fabrics were again coated with polypyrrole or polyaniline, respectively, in order to investigate any synergetic effect between both polymers with respect to conductivity and its stability during repeated dry cleaning. The coating was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The resulting fabrics have been used as electrodes to collect the electrical response to the stimulation of a Venus flytrap plant. This is a paradigm of the use of conducting polymers in monitoring of plant neurobiology.
A Comprehensive Study of Agricultural Drought Resistance and Background Drought Levels in Five Main Grain-Producing Regions of China
Authors: Kang Lei , Zhang Hongqi
Published: April 2016

Drought control and resistance affect national food security. With this in mind, we studied five main grain-producing regions of China: Sanjiang Plain, Songnen Plain, Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, the middle Yangtze River and Jianghuai region and Sichuan Basin. Using GIS technology, we evaluated the comprehensive agricultural drought situation based on major crops, the basic drought resistance by integrating multiple indicators and the comprehensive drought resistance against background agricultural drought. We chose spring wheat, winter wheat, early rice, late rice, single-season rice and maize as the research objects and calculated a crop composite drought index to determine that the agricultural drought degree was highest in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and slightly lower in the Sanjiang and Songnen Plains. The drought degree was relatively low in the middle Yangtze River and Jianghuai region and the Sichuan Basin. A remarkable difference was observed in agricultural drought resistance among the grain-producing areas. The entire Sanjiang Plain had the lowest agricultural drought resistance, and that of the Songnen Plain was slightly higher. In the Sichuan Basin, many areas had lower and intermediate values of drought resistance. In the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and middle Yangtze River and Jianghuai region, resistance was stronger. The ranking of comprehensive drought resistance from strongest to weakest was Huang-Huai-Hai Plain > middle Yangtze River and Jianghuai region > Sichuan Basin > Songnen Plain > Sanjiang Plain. Finally, the sensitivity analysis was carried out to discuss the sensitive factors significantly affecting the agricultural drought resistance.
Un dépôt sous-marin de lames polies néolithiques en jadéitite et sillimanite, et un ouvrage de stèles submergé sur la plage dite du Petit Rohu près Saint-Pierre-Quiberon (Morbihan)
Authors: Cassen Serge , Boujot Christine , Errera Michel , Menier David , Pailler Yvan , Pétrequin Pierre , Marguerie Dominique , Veyrat Elisabeth , Vigier Emmanuelle , Poirier Sandy , Dagneau Charles , Degez Denis , Lorho Thierry , Neveu-Derotrie Hervé , Obeltz Christian , Scalliet Florent , Sparfel Yohann
Published: April 2016

En août 2007, des vacanciers découvrent deux couples de lames de haches polies plantées dans une vase argileuse sur l’estran de Porh Fetan, dit du Petit Rohu, qu’ils signalent au service régional de l’Archéologie de Bretagne, ainsi qu’au musée de Carnac. La morphologie de ces lames et le matériau employé permettent d’emblée de les identifier aux spécimens en roches alpines largement documentés dans la région. Une autorisation est alors sollicitée par le SRA (Rennes) pour le Laboratoire de recherches archéologiques (UMR 6566, Nantes) auprès du DRASSM (Marseille) en vue d’une opération d’archéologie sous-marine et terrestre. Une première mission menée à l’occasion des grandes marées du 28 septembre 2007 ne permet pas de ramener une nouvelle récolte d’objets, mais provoque la découverte sur site d’un ouvrage de stèles submergé, structure formant au moins un alignement de dalles chutées (un seul bloc de chant encore en place) qui sont aussitôt relevées en plan, complétées lors d’une seconde mission aux grandes marées du 27 octobre. Une troisième mission décidée aux dernières marées de l’année, le 26 novembre, conduit à la découverte d’une nouvelle lame de hache, mais en fibrolite et au contact d’une stèle. Des sols tourbeux, visibles par intermittence depuis plusieurs années sous le sable marin, sont progressivement dégagés puis détruits par l’océan sur une plage de plus en plus amaigrie au cours du temps ; ces sols conservent des traces de labours, parfois croisés, et des empreintes d’Ongulés. Le contexte environnemental permet d’avancer que les lames de haches furent enfouies dans un milieu marécageux développé derrière un cordon dunaire, au pied d’un affleurement rocheux remarquable, le rivage devant être éloigné de quelque 500 m au milieu du Ve millénaire av. J.-C., date relative proposée pour le rassemblement de ces objets. L’ouvrage de stèles et l’emplacement du dépôt sont actuellement recouverts par plus de 5 m d’eau. Ces vestiges architecturaux rejoignent la liste récemment établie des découvertes sous-marines similaires faites en baie de Quiberon, ria d’Etel et golfe du Morbihan depuis 1998. Les analyses en spectroradiométrie confirment l’origine alpine des pierres (jadéitite) et l’identité de la rochemère pour au moins 3 individus ; l’observation des surfaces témoigne du fort investissement en termes de travail de polissage (poli «miroir » conservé par plaques) qui a entièrement transformé les lames utilitaires de départ.
La Préhistoire sous le signe de l’ambiguïté. La représentation de la Préhistoire dans l’enseignement et la fiction de la seconde moitié du XX e siècle en France
Authors: Semonsut Pascal
Published: April 2016

Au milieu du XXe siècle, la Préhistoire est une période connue et étudiée depuis près d’un siècle. L’objet de cet article est d’analyser sa représentation auprès des Français des années 1940 à nos jours dans l’enseignement et la fiction (littérature, bande dessinée, cinéma et peinture). Quelle image les Français en ont-ils ? La question est plus difficile qu’il n’y paraît, la fabrication de cette image étant un processus très ambigu. L’ambiguïté de la conception se retrouve sans surprise dans la tonalité donnée aux temps premiers, dépeints à la fois sous des jours sombres, ceux de tous les dangers, mais aussi lumineux, ceux de tous les progrès et de toutes les promesses.
Nouvelle approche du site badegoulien de la Grange Jobin à Saint-Nizier-sous-Charlieu (Loire)
Authors: Pasty Jean-François , Alix Philippe
Published: April 2016

This work presents the results of the analysis of the lithic industry from a Badegoulian open air site located in the north of the Loire département.

The artefacts were found in several test excavations, carried out at the end of the 1970s. The lithic industry presents general characteristics known in most Badegoulian sites, in particular those in south-western France. The raw materials used are mainly local and exploited according to three distinct

chaînes opératoires (knapping of blades, bladelets and flakes). Allochthonous raw materials are especially used for the production of bladelets devoted to the preparation of backed bladelets. The main characteristics of the different types of knapping are comparable to those observed on other sites with in particular the unipolar production of blades made mainly with soft stone and a standardized production of short flakes used as blanks for raclettes.
Outils de potières au Mali : chaînes opératoires et traditions techniques
Authors: Mayor Anne
Published: April 2016

Les études ethnoarchéologiques menées sur plusieurs traditions céramiques du Mali central par l’équipe MAESAO 1 de l’université de Genève ont permis de rassembler une documentation importante sur les outils de potières et leur utilisation au sein de différentes chaînes opératoires de façonnage. Cette étude de cas a pour objectif de montrer la variété de ces outils et de mettre en évidence la complexité des liens entre outils, gestes, techniques de façonnage et traditions artisanales. Les outils de potiers étant encore mal connus, la présentation de ces objets, de leur action sur la pâte argileuse et des traces laissées sur les céramiques finies devrait fournir un référentiel de comparaison utile aux archéologues. L’étude montre notamment que, dans la majeure partie des cas, les outils passifs utilisés comme supports de travail sont corrélés à une technique de façonnage précise, comme le martelage sur forme concave, le moulage sur forme convexe, le creusage de la motte ou le moulage sur forme concave. En revanche, les outils actifs liés au martelage, au raclage, au lissage, au polissage, au découpage ou à la perforation sont souvent utilisés pour de multiples fonctions et dans plusieurs techniques distinctes. Dans un second temps, le lien à l’identité, d’une grande complexité dans la région, est exploré. Précisions que ce référentiel actualiste est en cours d’application pour l’interprétation des vestiges archéologiques issus de nouvelles fouilles menées en Pays dogon.
De l’empreinte à l’outil, de la trace à la fonction : exemples d’outils de potier dans le Néolithique céramique centre-anatolien (7000-5500 BC cal.)
Authors: Godon Martin
Published: April 2016

Analyses of potter’s ribs shaped on sherds from southeastern Chassey contexts enable us to present a morphological and fonctional descriptive framework allowing them to be identified among a ceramic corpus and get to grips with their functions. A case study from the Neolithic site of TepecikÇiftlik (Central Anatolia) contributes to the discussion by describing the use of those specific potters’ ribs within a complex chaîne opératoire involving a basketry mould.
Exceptional evidence for Palaeolithic art in the Paris Basin: the engraved pebble from Étiolles (Essonne)
Authors: Fritz Carole , Tosello Gilles
Published: April 2016

eng: Art, style, symbol, naturalism, Palaeolithic art, Magdalenian, Paris Basin, Étiolles, horse, reindeer, therianthropomorphic figure, engraving, hearth, ritual, exchange network
Continuité technologique et traditions techniques au Paléolithique inférieur : un modèle d’occupation territoriale dans le Sud de la France et dans le Nord-Est de la péninsule Ibérique
Authors: Garcia Garriga Joan
Published: April 2016

Cet article présente l’étude des processus technologiques au cours du Pléistocène moyen et supérieur initial dans l’extrême Sud de la France et dans le Nord-Est de la péninsule Ibérique, ainsi que leurs implications sur le comportement paléo-écosocial des sociétés préhistoriques. Un schéma diachronique de continuité et de stase technologique des industries lithiques est proposé pour l’Odowayen final et l’Acheuléen. Le substrat technologique archaïque de l’Oldowayen aurait perduré jusqu’au Pléistocène moyen, avec l’introduction vers le milieu de cette période et dans certaines régions de nouveaux éléments tels que les bifaces, qui évolueraient vers un système Levallois à la fin du Pléistocène moyen. Les différences entre les industries et les systèmes écologiques s’expriment à travers l’existence de différentes «traditions techniques » caractérisées par la persistance de structures technologiques archaïques dans un contexte acheuléen. La thèse soutenue se fonde également sur un modèle d’occupation territoriale de communautés d’hominidés foncièrement enracinées dans les mêmes biotopes et systèmes écologiques. Leurs industries ont rendu possible l’exploitation optimale des écosystèmes durant le Paléolithique inférieur qui, à son tour, a permis aux populations de subsister et perdurer dans différents lieux. Ces communautés humaines ont évolué dans un réseau complexe de régions caractérisées par différentes technocultures.