bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualidade da água e do sedimento de fundo de alguns córregos do município de Castelo, Estado do Espírito Santo
Authors: Do Amaral Atanásio Alves , Pires Sérgio Ceotto , Ferrari Jéferson Luiz
Published: October 2015

No município de Castelo existem corpos hídricos em áreas agrossilvipastoris, utilizados para irrigação de lavouras, dessedentação animal e consumo humano. Objetivou-se, com esse estudo, avaliar a qualidade da água e do sedimento de fundo de oito córregos do município de Castelo, com base em variáveis físico-químicas. A temperatura, o oxigênio dissolvido (OD) e o pH da água foram medidos por meio de sonda. As amostras de sedimento de fundo foram coletadas com uma pá de ponta chata, com volume de 2,565 dm³ e, depois de secas, foram homogeneizadas e encaminhadas para o laboratório, onde foram determinados o pH, os teores de fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, alumínio, ferro, cobre, zinco, manganês, boro, sódio, carbono e matéria orgânica, a acidez potencial, a capacidade de troca catiônica, a soma de bases trocáveis e os índices de saturação de bases, de alumínio e de sódio. Verificou-se que o OD está abaixo do limite recomendado pelo CONAMA, na maioria dos pontos amostrados, mas o pH está dentro dos limites recomendados. No sedimento de fundo, os teores de ferro são altos, o que é uma característica dos solos da região. Com exceção do ferro e do manganês, os teores de minerais são baixos ou médios, na maioria dos pontos. A porcentagem de matéria orgânica é menor que 10% do peso seco, caracterizando o sedimento de fundo como mineral, em todos os pontos. O alto teor de areia indica pouca afinidade dos metais pelo sedimento de fundo. Essa condição, associada à acidez do sedimento de fundo, favorece a liberação dos minerais para a coluna de água, constatando-se o risco de contaminação ambiental.
Produtividade de cultivares de maxixeiro em função de doses de biofertilizante
Authors: Gomes Lucas Pereira , Oliveira Francisco De Assis de , Bezerra Francisco Mardones Servulo , Lima Luan Alves , Costa Luilson Pinheiro , Guedes Rodolfo Artur Alves
Published: October 2015

Os frutos de maxixeiro são de grande apreciação na culinária brasileira, principalmente nas regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. No entanto, é considerada uma cultura secundária e seu cultivo é realizado sem adoção de manejo tecnificado. Devido o seu cultivo ser realizado, principalmente, por pequenos produtores, as pesquisas empregando insumos produzidos na própria propriedade, como o biofertilizante, na adubação do maxixe são relevantes. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de doses de biofertilizante na produtividade de duas cultivares de maxixe. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, com quatro repetições. Os fatores consistiram de duas cultivares (Do Norte e Liso Gibão) e quatro doses de biofertilizante (0; 8; 16 e 24 m3 ha-1), aplicadas via fertirrigação. O experimento foi conduzido durante 100 dias, sendo realizadas seis colheitas, nas quais se avaliou as seguintes variáveis: número de frutos, massa de frutos, produção e produtividade. Todas as variáveis foram afetadas pela interação entre os fatores estudados. As cultivares estudadas não diferiram quanto à produção, no entanto, a cv. Do Norte apresentou maior número de frutos, enquanto a cv. Liso Gibão apresentou frutos mais pesados. A partir dos resultados obtidos, recomenda-se a dose de 14 m3 ha-1 para a cultivar Liso Gibão. Para a cultivar Do Norte, recomenda-se mais estudos com doses mais elevadas de biofertilizante.
Flutuação populacional de Anastrepha striata (Diptera: Tephritidae) em pomares comerciais de goiabeira
Authors: Trassato Luciana Baú , Lima Antonio Cesar Silva , Monteiro Neto João Luiz Lopes , Bandeira Hugo Falkyner da Silva , Da Silva Edgley Soares , Striicker Anderson
Published: October 2015

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a flutuação populacional de Anastrepha striata (Diptera: Tephritidae) em dois pomares comerciais de goiabeira das cultivares Paluma e Japonesa, em área de savana, em Boa Vista, Roraima, além de relacioná-la com a fenologia das plantas, umidade relativa do ar (%), temperatura (°C) e pluviosidade da região, no período de dezembro de 2011 a novembro de 2012. A captura das moscas-das-frutas foi realizada por meio de armadilhas McPhail, cujo atrativo alimentar foi composto por 300 mL de suco de maracujá a 30%, sendo semanalmente renovado, ocasião em que as moscas foram coletadas e conduzidas ao Laboratório de Entomologia da Universidade Federal de Roraima para triagem, contagem, separação por sexo e acondicionamento em solução de álcool 70%, para posterior identificação da espécie A. striata. Calculou-se a flutuação populacional da referida praga através do índice MAD (Mosca/Armadilha/Dia) e dos valores de temperatura (ºC), umidade relativa (%) e precipitação pluviométrica acumulada (mm). A correlação entre o número de fêmeas e as variáveis climáticas foi calculada pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Utilizando o teste “t” de Student, a contribuição dos elementos climáticos sobre a população de A. striata foi verificada por meio da análise de regressão múltipla. Os maiores índices MAD na cultivar Paluma ocorrem nos meses de abril, agosto e setembro, enquanto na cultivar Japonesa ocorrem nos meses de abril, maio e julho, coincidindo com o período de frutificação das goiabeiras. A umidade relativa interfere positivamente na flutuação populacional de A. striata.
Caracterização morfoagronômica e físico-química de pimentas em Roraima
Authors: Borges Karla Morais , Vilarinho Lucianne Braga Oliveira , Melo Filho Antônio Alves , Morais Bruna Santana , Rodrigues Raimunda Nonata Silva
Published: October 2015

O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores e consumidores de pimentas do mundo, com destaque para a região Amazônica, cujo consumo de pimentas faz parte do hábito alimentar. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar a caracterização morfoagronômica e físico-química de seis acessos de pimentas largamente comercializadas em feiras livres do estado de Roraima. Dessa forma, os frutos foram avaliados quanto ao comprimento, diâmetro, cor, teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), pH, acidez total titulável (ATT), bem como caracterização de ácidos graxos majoritários. Os resultados demonstraram que tanto as características morfoagronômicas quanto as físico-químicas apresentaram diferenças significativas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Para as análises físico-químicas, observou-se que os frutos do acesso CA apresentaram maior razão SST/ATT, indicando que esse acesso possui maior potencial para o consumo in natura. No teor de sólidos solúveis totais, os acessos diferiram estatisticamente, entretanto, os frutos do acesso OP apresentaram maior desempenho, sendo, portanto, indicados para processos de industrialização. Por fim, esse trabalho confirma a presença de substâncias bioativas nos frutos das pimentas que podem auxiliar na queima calórica e, consequentemente, no controle de massa corporal. No entanto, mais dados seriam necessários para a quantificação dessas substâncias.
The Stem Cell Hypothesis of Aging
Authors: Meiliana Anna , Wijaya Andi
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND: There is probably no single way to age. Indeed, so far there is no single accepted explanation or mechanisms of aging (although more than 300 theories have been proposed). There is an overall decline in tissue regenerative potential with age, and the question arises as to whether this is due to the intrinsic aging of stem cells or rather to the impairment of stem cell function in the aged tissue environment.CONTENT: Recent data suggest that we age, in part, because our self-renewing stem cells grow old as a result of heritable intrinsic events, such as DNA damage, as well as extrinsic forces, such as changes in their supporting niches. Mechanisms that suppress the development of cancer, such as senescence and apoptosis, which rely on telomere shortening and the activities of p53 and p16INK4a may also induce an unwanted consequence: a decline in the replicative function of certain stem cells types with advancing age. This decrease regenerative capacity appears to pointing to the stem cell hypothesis of aging.SUMMARY: Recent evidence suggested that we grow old partly because of our stem cells grow old as a result of mechanisms that suppress the development of cancer over a lifetime. We believe that a further, more precise mechanistic understanding of this process will be required before this knowledge can be translated into human anti-aging therapies.KEYWORDS: stem cells, senescence, telomere, DNA damage, epigenetic, aging
SELEÇÃO DE AMOSTRAS DE ASPERGILLUS SP ISOLADAS DA CAATINGA DE PERNAMBUCO E PRODUÇÃO DE ÁCIDO CÍTRICO POR FERMENTAÇÃO SUBMERSA
Authors: Muniz Márcia Caetano Sá , Lima Brindize Ferreira de , Takaki Galba Maria de Campos , Silva Carlos Alberto Alves da
Published: October 2015

O isolamento de novas espécies microbianas em regiões como a Caatinga nordestina tem direcionado novos estudos para a identificação de novas espécies e gêneros microbianos, realização de ensaios biotecnológicos voltados para produção de metabólitos de alto valor agregado. O ácido cítrico é um ácido orgânico comum de quase todos os seres vivos, presente naturalmente em frutas cítricas e apresenta vasta aplicabilidade comercial. Sua produção via micro-organismos é realizada por espécies capazes de converter carboidratos em ácido cítrico, cuja produção é fortemente influenciada pela natureza dos substratos presentes nos meios de fermentação, pois alguns micronutrientes são de extrema importância para a fixação biológica, transformando-se em co-fatores na incorporação de nitrogênio e ocasionando uma melhor produção do bioproduto. O gênero Aspergillus tem se destacado como um bom produtor de ácido cítrico e de outros metabólitos de interesse biotecnológico. Foram realizados estudos de seleção de três amostras de Aspergillus sp isoladas da Caatinga do Estado de Pernambuco, denominadas de SIS 09, 10 e 16 para produção de ácido cítrico em meio sólido e produção de ácido cítrico através de fermentação submersa com a melhor amostra selecionada. Foram testados três meios com diferentes composições. Os experimentos foram realizados em shaker orbital a 28°C, 150 rpm, durante 144 horas. Foram coletadas amostras a cada 24 horas para determinações da presença de AC, pH e açúcares redutores totais. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que, nos ensaios de seleção de produção de ácido cítrico em meio sólido, a amostra SIS 09 apresentou a formação do maior halo característico obtido de 3,0 cm. Nos ensaios de produção através de fermentação submersa, o meio denominado M1 apresentou uma produção de ácido cítrico de 3,05 g/L, pH final de 5,0. A seleção de novos micro-organismos produtores de moléculas potencialmente ativas induz a realização de novos estudos biotecnológicos para melhorarem as condições de produção dos bioprodutos desejados.
Cover Crops, Fertilizer Nitrogen Rates, and Economic Return of Grain Sorghum
Authors: Mahama George Y. , Prasad P. V. Vara , Roozeboom Kraig L. , Nippert Jesse B. , Rice Charles W.
Published: October 2015

Leguminous cover crop systems have been envisaged as a critical component of sustainable agriculture because of their potential to increase soil productivity by cycling C and N in agricultural systems. Our objectives were to: (i) determine the effects of including summer cover crops and N rates in the cropping system on the growth and yield of the succeeding grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] crop, (ii) calculate the N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) and evaluate economic returns, and (iii) determine the most cost‐effective cropping system. Field experiments were conducted for two seasons in Kansas. Leguminous summer cover crops and double‐cropped soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] residues improved soil N availability; N was subsequently used by the succeeding crop. Across years and cropping systems, the mean increases in grain yield as a result of including cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), double‐cropped soybean, and double‐cropped grain sorghum in the rotation compared with a fallow system with 0 kg N ha−1 were 56, 62, 43, 32, and 3%, respectively, and NFRVs across the years were 53, 64, 36, 27, and –3 kg N ha−1, respectively. Across years, grain sorghum in a double‐cropped soybean system and a fallow system with 90 kg N ha−1 gave profitable economic net returns. We conclude that including leguminous cover crops in a cropping system has the potential to reduce N requirements and improve the N availability and grain yield of the succeeding grain sorghum crop.
High Glucose–Repressed CITED2 Expression Through miR-200b Triggers the Unfolded Protein Response and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Gu Hui , Yu Jingwen , Dong Daoyin , Zhou Qun , Wang Jian-Ying , Fang Shengyun , Yang Peixin
Published: October 2015

High glucose in vivo and in vitro induces neural tube defects (NTDs). CITED2 (CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with ED-rich tail 2) is essential for neural tube closure. We explored the regulatory mechanism underlying CITED2 expression and its relationship with miRNA and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. miR-200b levels were increased by maternal diabetes or high glucose in vitro, and this increase was abrogated by transgenic overexpression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) or an SOD1 mimetic. CITED2 was the target of miR-200b and was downregulated by high glucose. Two miR-200b binding sites in the 3′-untranslated region of the CITED2 mRNA were required for inhibiting CITED2 expression. The miR-200b mimic and a CITED2 knockdown mimicked the stimulative effect of high glucose on unfolded protein response (UPR) and ER stress, whereas the miR-200b inhibitor and CITED2 overexpression abolished high glucose–induced UPR signaling, ER stress, and apoptosis. The ER stress inhibitor, 4-phenylbutyrate, blocked CITED2 knockdown–induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the miR-200b inhibitor reversed high glucose–induced CITED2 downregulation, ER stress, and NTDs in cultured embryos. Thus, we showed a novel function of miR-200b and CITED2 in high glucose–induced UPR and ER stress, suggesting that miR-200b and CITED2 are critical for ER homeostasis and NTD formation in the developing embryo.
A SNP in the Immunoregulatory Molecule CTLA-4 Controls mRNA Splicing In Vivo but Does Not Alter Diabetes Susceptibility in the NOD Mouse
Authors: Jakubczik Fabian , Jones Ken , Nichols Jennifer , Mansfield William , Cooke Anne , Holmes Nick
Published: October 2015

CTLA-4 is a critical “checkpoint” regulator in autoimmunity. Variation in CTLA-4 isoform expression has been linked to type 1 diabetes development in human and NOD mouse studies. In the NOD mouse, a causative link between increased expression of the minor isoform ligand-independent CTLA-4 and a reduction in diabetes has become widely accepted. Altered splicing of CTLA-4 has been attributed to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Ctla4 exon2 (e2_77A/G). To investigate this link, we have used NOD embryonic stem (ES) cells to generate a novel NOD transgenic line with the 77A/G SNP. This strain phenocopies the increase in splicing toward the liCTLA4 isoform seen in B10 Idd5.1 mice. Crucially, the SNP does not alter the spontaneous incidence of diabetes, the incidence of cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes, or the activation of diabetogenic T-cell receptor transgenic CD4+ T cells after adoptive transfer. Our results show that one or more of the many other linked genetic variants between the B10 and NOD genome are required for the diabetes protection conferred by Idd5.1. With the NOD mouse model closely mimicking the human disease, our data demonstrate that knock-in transgenic mice on the NOD background can test causative mutations relevant in human diabetes.
Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Five-Year Follow-up
Authors: Moretto G , Pupo YM , Bueno ALN , Araujo FO
Published: October 2015

Tooth wear is a multifactorial process that is a growing concern in dentistry. This phenomenon can be caused by mechanical (attrition, abrasion, or abfraction) or chemical (erosion) processes. Etiologic factors in dental erosion can be due to changes in behavior, an unbalanced diet, or gastrointestinal disorders such as acid regurgitation, which may influence the salivary flow rate and buffering capacity of saliva. This case report describes an esthetic rehabilitation of a patient with gastroesophageal reflux and dental erosion, with a treatment rationale that includes the use of a diagnostic template and five-year follow-up. This technique, presented here in a clinical case with moderate enamel loss, integrates an additive wax-up and a direct intraoral bis-acryl resin mock-up. Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent) laminate veneers were fabricated with the heatpress technique. They were veneered with a layering ceramic (IPS e.max Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent) to improve the appearance of the incisal edge. The case demonstrated the success of veneers as an effective, conservative, and esthetic treatment for patients with this pathology.
Resilience versus Risk
Authors: Schweikert Amy , Espinet Xavier , Goldstein Sara , Chinowsky Paul
Published: October 2015

Quantitative assessment of the vulnerability and adaptation options of road infrastructure and economic impacts of climate change is essential to building a more robust and resilient transportation network. To date, most research has focused on qualitative statements and broad findings or on location-specific case studies. This study details a quantitative, engineering-based analysis of the impacts of specific climate stressors on types of road infrastructure. The results are designed to be utilized by transportation planners to understand the vulnerability, risk, and adaptation options for creating a climate-resilient road network by providing specific design changes and fiscal cost analysis. The current study aims to build on previous work and addresses several gaps: use of all climate models approved by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to provide guidance despite uncertainty, provision of results similar to existing risk and vulnerability analyses to allow for implementation in existing planning processes, and introduction of a methodology requiring only routinely available road network information to allow for replicability across the United States. California is used as an illustrative case study that helps identify the existing vulnerabilities of the road network to climate change and the fiscal savings possible through proactive adaptation strategies. Findings show that for the higher-impact model (95th percentile), California could save $1.9 billion between 2015 and 2050 by proactive adaptation. The contribution of this research is to move beyond the identification of vulnerabilities to a quantitative assessment of specific adaptation options that reduce a community's or region's vulnerability to climate change.
Positive trends in neurosurgery enrollment and attrition: analysis of the 2000–2009 female neurosurgery resident cohort
Authors: Renfrow Jaclyn J. , Rodriguez Analiz , Liu Ann , Pilitsis Julie G. , Samadani Uzma , Ganju Aruna , Germano Isabelle M. , Benzil Deborah L. , Wolfe Stacey Quintero
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Women compose a minority of neurosurgery residents, averaging just over 10% of matched applicants per year during this decade. A recent review by Lynch et al. raises the concern that women may be at a higher risk than men for attrition, based on analysis of a cohort matched between 1990 and 1999. This manuscript aims to characterize the trends in enrollment, attrition, and postattrition careers for women who matched in neurosurgery between 2000 and 2009.

METHODS

Databases from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) were analyzed for all residents who matched into neurosurgery during the years 2000–2009. Residents were sorted by female gender, matched against graduation records, and if graduation was not reported from neurosurgery residency programs, an Internet search was used to determine the residents’ alternative path. The primary outcome was to determine the number of women residents who did not complete neurosurgery training programs during 2000–2009. Secondary outcomes included the total number of women who matched into neurosurgery per year, year in training in which attrition occurred, and alternative career paths that these women chose to pursue.

RESULTS

Women comprised 240 of 1992 (12%) matched neurosurgery residents during 2000–2009. Among female residents there was a 17% attrition rate, compared with a 5.3% male attrition rate, with an overall attrition rate of 6.7%. The majority who left the field did so within the first 3 years of neurosurgical training and stayed in medicine—pursuing anesthesia, neurology, and radiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the percentage of women entering neurosurgical residency has continued to increase, this number is still disproportionate to the overall number of women in medicine. The female attrition rate in neurosurgery in the 2000–2009 cohort is comparable to that of the other surgical specialties, but for neurosurgery, there is disparity between the male and female attrition rates. Women who left the field tended to stay within medicine and usually pursued a neuroscience-related career. Given the need for talented women to pursue neurosurgery and the increasing numbers of women matching annually, the recruitment and retention of women in neurosurgery should be benchmarked and assessed.
Retroperitoneal oblique corridor to the L2–S1 intervertebral discs: an MRI study
Authors: Molinares Diana M. , Davis Timothy T. , Fung Daniel A.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

The purpose of this study was to analyze MR images of the lumbar spine and document: 1) the oblique corridor at each lumbar disc level between the psoas muscle and the great vessels, and 2) oblique access to the L5–S1 disc space. Access to the lumbar spine without disruption of the psoas muscle could translate into decreased frequency of postoperative neurological complications observed after a transpsoas approach. The authors investigated the retroperitoneal oblique corridor of L2–S1 as a means of surgical access to the intervertebral discs. This oblique approach avoids the psoas muscle and is a safe and potentially superior alternative to the lateral transpsoas approach used by many surgeons.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-three MRI studies performed between May 4, 2012, and February 27, 2013, were randomly selected from the authors’ database. Thirty-three MR images were excluded due to technical issues or altered lumbar anatomy due to previous spine surgery. The oblique corridor was defined as the distance between the left lateral border of the aorta (or iliac artery) and the anterior medial border of the psoas. The L5–S1 oblique corridor was defined transversely from the midsagittal line of the inferior endplate of L-5 to the medial border of the left common iliac vessel (axial view) and vertically to the first vascular structure that crossed midline (sagittal view).

RESULTS

The oblique corridor measurements to the L2–5 discs have the following mean distances: L2–3 = 16.04 mm, L3–4 = 14.21 mm, and L4–5 = 10.28 mm. The L5–S1 corridor mean distance was 10 mm between midline and left common iliac vessel, and 10.13 mm from the first midline vessel to the inferior endplate of L-5. The bifurcation of the aorta and confluence of the vena cava were also analyzed in this study. The aortic bifurcation was found at the L-3 vertebral body in 2% of the MR images, at the L3–4 disc in 5%, at the L-4 vertebral body in 43%, at the L4–5 disc in 11%, and at the L-5 vertebral body in 9%. The confluence of the iliac veins was found at lower levels: 45% at the L-4 level, 19.39% at the L4–5 intervertebral disc, and 34% at the L-5 vertebral body.

CONCLUSIONS

An oblique corridor of access to the L2–5 discs was found in 90% of the MR images (99% access to L2–3, 100% access to L3–4, and 91% access to L4–5). Access to the L5–S1 disc was also established in 69% of the MR images analyzed. The lower the confluence of iliac veins, the less probable it was that access to the L5–S1 intervertebral disc space was observed. These findings support the use of lumbar MRI as a tool to predetermine the presence of an oblique corridor for access to the L2–S1 intervertebral disc spaces prior to lumbar spine surgery.
Impact of transfer status on hospitalization cost and discharge disposition for acute ischemic stroke across the US
Authors: Sonig Ashish , Lin Ning , Krishna Chandan , Natarajan Sabareesh K. , Mokin Maxim , Hopkins L. Nelson , Snyder Kenneth V. , Levy Elad I. , Siddiqui Adnan H.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

In this study, the authors used information provided in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to study the impact of transferring stroke patients from one facility to a center where they received some form of active stroke intervention (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, thrombectomy, or a combination of both therapies).

METHODS

Patient demographic characteristics and hospital factors obtained from the 2008–2010 acute stroke NIS data were analyzed. Discharge disposition, hospitalization cost, and mortality were the dependent variables studied. Univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Data analysis focused on the cohort of acute stroke patients who received some form of active intervention (55,913 of 1,311,511 patients in the NIS).

RESULTS

When overall outcome was considered, transferred patients had a significantly higher number of other-than-routine (OTR, i.e., other than discharge to home without home health care) discharge dispositions (p < 0.0001). In multivariate regression analysis including pertinent patient and hospital factors, transfer-in patients had significantly worse OTR discharge disposition (p < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] 2.575, 95% CI 2.341–2.832). Mean hospitalization cost including an intervention was $70,325.11 for direct admissions and $97,546.92 for transferred patients. Transfer from another facility (p < 0.001, OR 1.677, 95% CI 1.548–1.817) was associated with higher hospitalization cost.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that hospital cost for acute stroke intervention is significantly higher for a transferred patient than for a direct admission. Moreover, the frequency of OTR discharge was significantly higher among transferred patients than direct admissions. Future strategies should focus on ways and means of transporting patients appropriately and directly to stroke centers.
Parkinson’s disease outcomes after intraoperative CT-guided “asleep” deep brain stimulation in the globus pallidus internus
Authors: Mirzadeh Zaman , Chapple Kristina , Lambert Margaret , Evidente Virgilio G. , Mahant Padma , Ospina Maria C. , Samanta Johan , Moguel-Cobos Guillermo , Salins Naomi , Lieberman Abraham , Tröster Alexander I. , Dhall Rohit , Ponce Francisco A.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Recent studies show that deep brain stimulation can be performed safely and accurately without microelectrode recording ortest stimulation but with the patient under general anesthesia. The procedure couples techniques for direct anatomical targeting on MRI with intraoperative imaging to verify stereotactic accuracy. However, few authors have examined the clinical outcomes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients after this procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PD outcomes following “asleep” deep brain stimulation in the globus pallidus internus (GPi).

METHODS

The authors prospectively examined all consecutive patients with advanced PD who underwent bilateral GPi electrode placement while under general anesthesia. Intraoperative CT was used to assess lead placement accuracy. The primary outcome measure was the change in the off-medication Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor score 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes included effects on the 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) scores, on-medication motor scores, and levodopa equivalent daily dose. Lead locations, active contact sites, stimulation parameters, and adverse events were documented.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients (24 males, 11 females) had a mean age of 61 years at lead implantation. The mean radial error off plan was 0.8 mm. Mean coordinates for the active contact were 21.4 mm lateral, 4.7 mm anterior, and 0.4 mm superior to the midcommissural point. The mean off-medication motor score improved from 48.4 at baseline to 28.9 (40.3% improvement) at 6 months (p < 0.001). The PDQ-39 scores improved (50.3 vs 42.0; p = 0.03), and the levodopa equivalent daily dose was reduced (1207 vs 1035 mg; p = 0.004). There were no significant adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Globus pallidus internus leads placed with the patient under general anesthesia by using direct anatomical targeting resulted in significantly improved outcomes as measured by the improvement in the off-medication motor score at 6 months after surgery.
Clinical characteristics and abandonment and outcome of treatment in 67 Chinese children with medulloblastoma
Authors: Wang Chen , Yuan Xiao-Jun , Jiang Ma-Wei , Wang Li-Feng
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical features and outcome of medulloblastoma in Chinese children. The authors analyze the reasons that treatment is abandoned and attempt to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving the prognosis of medulloblastoma in this population.

METHODS

A total of 67 pediatric cases of newly diagnosed medulloblastoma were included in this study. All of the children were treated at Xinhua Hospital between January 2007 and June 2013. The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, treatment modalities, and outcome. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1, and the patients’ median age at diagnosis was 51.96 months (range 3.96–168.24 months). The median duration of follow-up was 32 months (range 3–70 months).

RESULTS

At the most recent follow-up date, 31 patients (46%) were alive, 30 (45%) had died, and 6 (9%) had been lost to follow-up. The estimated 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival, based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, were 55.1% ± 6.4% and 45.6% ± 6.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that standard-risk group (p = 0.009), postoperative radiotherapy (RT) combined with chemotherapy (p < 0.001), older age (≥ 3 years) at diagnosis (p = 0.010), gross-total resection (p = 0.012), annual family income higher than $3000 (p = 0.033), and living in urban areas (p = 0.008) were favorable prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative RT combined with chemotherapy was an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.001). The treatment abandonment rate in this cohort was 31% (21 of 67 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a large gap between the outcome of medulloblastoma in Chinese children and the outcome in Western children. Based on our data, treatment abandonment was the major cause of therapeutic failure. Parents’ misunderstanding of medulloblastoma played a major role in abandonment, followed by financial and transportation difficulties. Establishment of multidisciplinary treatment teams could improve the prognosis of medulloblastoma in Chinese children.
Lidar measurement of surface melt for a temperate Alpine glacier at the seasonal and hourly scales
Authors: Gabbud Chrystelle , Micheletti Natan , Lane Stuart N.
Published: October 2015

This study shows how a new generation of terrestrial laser scanners can be used to investigate glacier surface ablation and other elements of glacial hydrodynamics at exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution. The study area is an Alpine valley glacier, Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland. Here we use an ultra-long-range lidar RIEGL VZ-6000 scanner, having a laser specifically designed for measurement of snow- and ice-cover surfaces. We focus on two timescales: seasonal and daily. Our results show that a near-infrared scanning laser system can provide high-precision elevation change and ablation data from long ranges, and over relatively large sections of the glacier surface. We use it to quantify spatial variations in the patterns of surface melt at the seasonal scale, as controlled by both aspect and differential debris cover. At the daily scale, we quantify the effects of ogive-related differences in ice surface debris content on spatial patterns of ablation. Daily scale measurements point to possible hydraulic jacking of the glacier associated with short-term water pressure rises. This latter demonstration shows that this type of lidar may be used to address subglacial hydrologic questions, in addition to motion and ablation measurements.
Registration of Maize Inbred Line GT888
Authors: Scully B. T. , Krakowsky M. D. , Ni X. , Tapp P. J. , Knoll J. E. , Lee R. D. , Guo B. Z.
Published: October 2015

Maize (Zea mays L.) inbred line GT888 (PL‐364, PI 670116) was developed and released by the USDA‐ARS in cooperation with the University of Georgia and in participation with the USDA Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project. GT888 was derived from GEM population DK888:N11 (GEMN‐0177), which has 50% tropical and 50% temperate parentage. GT888 is a yellow dent inbred that was selected through a pedigree breeding program for improved resistance to aflatoxin contamination produced by the causal organism Aspergillus flavus (Link: Fr.). It was compared with three inbreds, Mp313E, Mp717, and Mp719, which are known standards that resist aflatoxin contamination. GT888 also exhibits heterosis when crossed to stiff stalk testers B14, B73, and LH132 and was assigned to the non‐stiff stalk group. GT888 tasseled and silked approximately 5 to 8 d later than a cohort of non‐stiff stalk standards.
The Creation of the Crofting Townships in Tiree
Authors: Cregeen Eric R.
Published: October 2015

This article was first drafted by its author, Eric R. Cregeen, in 1973; by his untimely death in 1983 it remained still untouched, and it is presented here in a re-cast form. Cregeen's object in writing this article was to ‘trace the beginnings of the crofting townships in the island of Tiree and to examine the forces which led to their creation’. Although elements of the crofting experience have been extensively written on, its origins have seen less investigation, particularly the regional and chronological variations of experience. This work is vital, therefore, in contributing to a fuller understanding of what was happening on one of the great Scottish estates in the age of improvement, and why. This article tracks the development of estate policy on Tiree, the role of the island's owners, the dukes of Argyll, and the nature of the entanglement of ideal and reality in the early nineteenth century.
Evangelicals and the Plurality of Worlds Debate in Scotland, 1810–55
Authors: Jenkins Bill
Published: October 2015

In the first half of the nineteenth century a remarkable group of Scottish evangelicals set out to address the theological questions raised by the possibility of intelligent life on other worlds. These included the popular science writer Thomas Dick, reformer and political economist Thomas Chalmers, natural philosopher David Brewster, and geologist and journalist Hugh Miller. All concluded that only a universe where life was ubiquitous would be compatible with the power and wisdom of the Deity. Each of them proceeded to formulate an answer to the problem of how the incarnation and atonement of Christ could relate to beings on other planets. The writings of these figures present a fascinating case study on how an important group of evangelical thinkers attempted to meet the challenges posed by modern science, not by rejecting its findings, but by developing a new synthesis between it and their religious beliefs.
Jewish Responses to Fascism and Antisemitism in Edinburgh, 1933–1945
Authors: Gilfillan Mark
Published: October 2015

Despite the weaknesses of domestic fascist movements, in the context of the rise of Nazi Germany and the presence of antisemitic propaganda of diverse origin Edinburgh's Jewish leaders took the threat seriously. Their response to the fascist threat was influenced by the fact that Edinburgh's Jewish community was a small, integrated, and middle-class population, without links to leftist groups or trade unions. The Edinburgh community closely followed the approach of the Board of Deputies of British Jews in relation to the development of fascism in Britain, the most significant aspect of which was a counter-propaganda initiative. Another important aspect of the response in Edinburgh was the deliberate cultivation of closer ties to the Christian churches and other elite spheres of Scottish society. Despite some unique elements, none of the responses of Edinburgh Jewry, or indeed the Board of Deputies, were particularly novel, and all borrowed heavily from established traditions of post-emancipation Jewish defensive strategies.
Automatic Classification of Protein Structure Using the Maximum Contact Map Overlap Metric
Authors: Andonov Rumen , Djidjev Hristo , Klau Gunnar , Boudic-Jamin Mathilde , Wohlers Inken
Published: October 2015

In this work, we propose a new distance measure for comparing two protein structures based on their contact map representations. We show that our novel measure, which we refer to as the maximum contact map overlap (max-CMO) metric, satisfies all properties of a metric on the space of protein representations. Having a metric in that space allows one to avoid pairwise comparisons on the entire database and, thus, to significantly accelerate exploring the protein space compared to no-metric spaces. We show on a gold standard superfamily classification benchmark set of 6759 proteins that our exact k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) scheme classifies up to 224 out of 236 queries correctly and on a larger, extended version of the benchmark with 60; 850 additional structures, up to 1361 out of 1369 queries. Our k-NN classification thus provides a promising approach for the automatic classification of protein structures based on flexible contact map overlap alignments.
Code Synchronization Algorithm Based on Segment Correlation in Spread Spectrum Communication
Authors: Li Aohan , Yang Ziheng , Qi Renji , Zhou Feng , Han Guangjie
Published: October 2015

Spread Spectrum (SPSP) Communication is the theoretical basis of Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transceiver technology. Spreading code, modulation, demodulation, carrier synchronization and code synchronization in SPSP communications are the core parts of DSSS transceivers. This paper focuses on the code synchronization problem in SPSP communications. A novel code synchronization algorithm based on segment correlation is proposed. The proposed algorithm can effectively deal with the informational misjudgment caused by the unreasonable data acquisition times. This misjudgment may lead to an inability of DSSS receivers to restore transmitted signals. Simulation results show the feasibility of a DSSS transceiver design based on the proposed code synchronization algorithm. Finally, the communication functions of the DSSS transceiver based on the proposed code synchronization algorithm are implemented on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
Characterization of Transition Metal Oxide/Silicon Heterojunctions for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Gerling Luis , Mahato Somnath , Voz Cristobal , Alcubilla Ramon , Puigdollers Joaquim
Published: October 2015

During the last decade, transition metal oxides have been actively investigated as hole- and electron-selective materials in organic electronics due to their low-cost processing. In this study, four transition metal oxides (V2O5, MoO3, WO3, and ReO3) with high work functions (>5 eV) were thermally evaporated as front p-type contacts in planar n-type crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells. The concentration of oxygen vacancies in MoO3−x was found to be dependent on film thickness and redox conditions, as determined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Transfer length method measurements of oxide films deposited on glass yielded high sheet resistances (~109 Ω/sq), although lower values (~104 Ω/sq) were measured for oxides deposited on silicon, indicating the presence of an inversion (hole rich) layer. Of the four oxide/silicon solar cells, ReO3 was found to be unstable upon air exposure, while V2O5 achieved the highest open-circuit voltage (593 mV) and conversion efficiency (12.7%), followed by MoO3 (581 mV, 12.6%) and WO3 (570 mV, 11.8%). A short-circuit current gain of ~0.5 mA/cm2 was obtained when compared to a reference amorphous silicon contact, as expected from a wider energy bandgap. Overall, these results support the viability of a simplified solar cell design, processed at low temperature and without dopants.
Particle Based Modeling of Electrical Field Flow Fractionation Systems
Authors: Tasci Tonguc , Johnson William , Fernandez Diego , Manangon Eliana , Gale Bruce
Published: October 2015

Electrical Field Flow Fractionation (ElFFF) is a sub method in the field flow fractionation (FFF) family that relies on an applied voltage on the channel walls to effect a separation. ElFFF has fallen behind some of the other FFF methods because of the optimization complexity of its experimental parameters. To enable better optimization, a particle based model of the ElFFF systems has been developed and is presented in this work that allows the optimization of the main separation parameters, such as electric field magnitude, frequency, duty cycle, offset, flow rate and channel dimensions. The developed code allows visualization of individual particles inside the separation channel, generation of realistic fractograms, and observation of the effects of the various parameters on the behavior of the particle cloud. ElFFF fractograms have been generated via simulations and compared with experiments for both normal and cyclical ElFFF. The particle visualizations have been used to verify that high duty cycle voltages are essential to achieve long retention times and high resolution separations. Furthermore, by simulating the particle motions at the channel outlet, it has been demonstrated that the top channel wall should be selected as the accumulation wall for cyclical ElFFF to reduce band broadening and achieve high efficiency separations. While the generated particle based model is a powerful tool to estimate the outcomes of the ElFFF experiments and visualize particle motions, it can also be used to design systems with new geometries which may lead to the design of higher efficiency ElFFF systems. Furthermore, this model can be extended to other FFF techniques by replacing the electrical field component of the model with the fields used in the other FFF techniques.
Dynamical Change of Signal Complexity in the Brain During Inhibitory Control Processes
Authors: Huang Shih-Lin , Tseng Philip , Liang Wei-Kuang
Published: October 2015

The ability to inhibit impulses and withdraw certain responses are essential for human’s survival in a fast-changing environment. These processes happen fast, in a complex manner, and require our brain to make a fast adaptation to inhibit the impulsive response. The present study employs multiscale entropy (MSE) to analyzing electroencephalography (EEG) signals acquired alongside a behavioral stop-signal task to theoretically quantify the complexity (indicating adaptability and efficiency) of neural systems to investigate the dynamical change of complexity in the brain during the processes of inhibitory control. We found that the complexity of EEG signals was higher for successful than unsuccessful inhibition in the stage of peri-stimulus, but not in the pre-stimulus time window. In addition, we found that the dynamical change in the brain from pre-stimulus to peri-stimulus stage for inhibitory control is a process of decreasing complexity. We demonstrated both by sensor-level and source-level MSE that the processes of losing complexity is temporally slower and spatially restricted for successful inhibition, and is temporally quicker and spatially extensive for unsuccessful inhibition.
Effects of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education on Conflict Intensity in Africa
Authors: Agbor Julius
Published: October 2015

This study investigates the impact of different schooling dimensions (primary, secondary and tertiary) on the intensity of intra-state conflicts in 25 African states during the period 1989–2008. It uses fixed-effects and Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) estimators in an annualized panel data framework. Parameter estimates suggest the following (1) primary schooling broadly mitigates conflicts in Africa. However, in environments with high natural resource rents, it could ignite conflicts; (2) there is evidence, although not overwhelming, that secondary schooling potentially drives conflicts in Africa. There is also evidence that urbanization potentially drives conflicts in Africa. However, although secondary schooling and urbanization potentially drives conflicts, in environments where secondary schooling (urbanization) is high, urbanization (secondary schooling) mitigates conflicts; (3) there is no evidence of a strong direct positive impact of tertiary education on conflicts and conditioning on tertiary schooling, income inequality potentially drives conflicts in African states. However, in contexts where income inequality (tertiary schooling) is high, tertiary schooling (inequality) mitigates conflict. Two important policy implications follow from this study. First, in contexts where income inequality is high (for instance, in South Africa), governments should strive to foster tertiary education in order to reduce conflict. Second, where urbanization rates are high, they should foster both secondary and tertiary education. This study contributes to existing knowledge by clearly demonstrating the utility of distinguishing between different educational dimensions and the contexts wherein they matter for conflict mitigation in Africa.
An Online Learning Control Strategy for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Based on Fuzzy Q-Learning
Authors: Hu Yue , Li Weimin , Xu Hui , Xu Guoqing
Published: October 2015

In order to realize the online learning of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) control strategy, a fuzzy Q-learning (FQL) method is proposed in this paper. FQL control strategies consists of two parts: The optimal action-value function Q*(x,u) estimator network (QEN) and the fuzzy parameters tuning (FPT). A back propagation (BP) neural network is applied to estimate Q*(x,u) as QEN. For the fuzzy controller, we choose a Sugeno-type fuzzy inference system (FIS) and the parameters of the FIS are tuned online based on Q*(x,u). The action exploration modifier (AEM) is introduced to guarantee all actions are tried. The main advantage of a FQL control strategy is that it does not rely on prior information related to future driving conditions and can self-tune the parameters of the fuzzy controller online. The FQL control strategy has been applied to a HEV and simulation tests have been done. Simulation results indicate that the parameters of the fuzzy controller are tuned online and that a FQL control strategy achieves good performance in fuel economy.
Isochrones as Indicators of the Influence of Traffic in Public Health: A Visual Simulation Application in Ávila, Spain
Authors: Otamendi F. , García-Heredia David
Published: October 2015

It is well known that excessive rescue times after traffic accidents negatively affect the health of those injured. There is a need to quantitatively measure the impact of unexpected events like ambulance availability, weather, floating population and congestion in those rescue times. A family of indicators based on isochrones is disguised and proposed to understand the risk of the whole population as the probability of not being assisted on time. Indicators of health risk for local towns are also defined. The indicators are calculated using a simulation model and visualized in web format. The framework of analysis is validated using Ávila (Spain) and the problem of the optimal deployment of ambulances as a test-bench.