bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pistas permanentes de orientação no Brasil: a parceria entre a universidade pública e o exército brasileiro em educação e esporte
Authors: Friedmann Raul Marques Pereira , Veiga Luis Augusto Köenig , Neves Eduardo Borba , Zentai László
Published: July 2012

Segundo a Federação Internacional de Orientação, a Orientação é um esporte em que o atleta realiza um percurso com pontos de controle no menor tempo possível auxiliado por uma bússola e um mapa. Ele é também uma valiosa ferramenta para o ensino de orientação em seu sentido amplo, cartografia e navegação terrestre para todos os tipos de trabalho de campo. Quando comparada com outros esportes, a orientação necessita de períodos relativamente grandes de tempo para o preparo de qualquer tipo de percurso, mesmo os de treinamento. As Pistas Permanentes de Orientação são uma opção facilitadora do ensino e da aprendizagem deste esporte e de habilidades em navegação. O presente artigo resume a história das pistas permanentes de orientação brasileiras e apresenta a parceria da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná com o Exército Brasileiro e outras instituições para o incentivo ao esporte e suas possibilidades educacionais em âmbito regional e nacional. O artigo também apresenta os critérios e soluções usadas para estas instalações e apresenta suas possibilidades em competições, treinamentos, educação e pesquisa.
Representações Sociais de RH: um estudo exploratório com alunos de graduação
Authors: Azevedo Debora , Walber Ana Luisa Schulz , Schujmann Adriana , Garay Angela Beatriz Scheffer
Published: July 2012

As atribuições da área de Recursos Humanos (RH) vêm sendo questionadas, tanto no meio acadêmico quanto no empresarial. A definição de papéis propícios a esta categoria, diante das mudanças ocorridas no mundo globalizado, é constantemente requerida, enunciando a problemática de posicionamento do RH como parceiro estratégico (ULRICH, 1998) nas organizações. Tradicionalmente definido como um executor de tarefas operacionais, este papel se contrapõe, na prática, ao discurso estratégico apregoado na teoria. O presente artigo expõe os resultados obtidos em uma pesquisa realizada com 264 alunos da graduação do curso de Administração da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), objetivando a identificação e discussão das Representações Sociais, a partir do conceito de Guareschi (2007), destes alunos em relação ao RH. A obtenção dos resultados se deu pela análise de conglomerados, e foram identificados grupos com percepções distintas sobre o papel do RH, em que a maioria dos alunos não demonstra clareza sobre as atribuições e implicações de um RH alinhado com as estratégias do negócio.
Overcoming Resistance to Antiangiogenic Therapies
Authors: Tejpar Sabine , Prenen Hans , Mazzone Massimiliano
Published: July 2012

The concept of targeting new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, in tumors is an important advancement in cancer therapy, resulting, in part, from the development of such biologic agents as bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. The rationale for antiangiogenic therapy is based on the hypothesis that if tumors are limited in their capacity to obtain a new blood supply, so too is their capacity for growth and metastasis. Additional evidence suggests that pruning and/or “normalization” of irregular tumor vasculature and reduction of hypoxia may facilitate greater access of cytotoxic chemotherapy (CT) to the tumor. Indeed, for metastatic colorectal cancer, bevacizumab in combination with established CT regimens has efficacy superior to that of CT alone. Despite ∼2-month longer progression-free and overall survival times than with CT alone, patients still progress, possibly because of alternative angiogenic “escape” pathways that emerge independent of VEGF-A, or are driven by hypoxic stress on the tumor. Other VEGF family members may contribute to resistance, and many factors that contribute to the regulation of tumor angiogenesis function as part of a complex network, existing in different concentrations and spatiotemporal gradients and producing a wide range of biologic responses. Integrating these concepts into the design and evaluation of new antiangiogenic therapies may help overcome resistance mechanisms and allow for greater efficacy over longer treatment periods.
Podocallichirus laepaensis, a new ghost shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda, Callianassidae) from the late Miocene of southwest Spain
Authors: Hyžný Matúš , Muñiz Fernando
Published: July 2012

Callianassids are among the most commonly found decapod crustacean fossils but their generic assignment is often difficult. Numerous cheliped remains have been found in the upper Miocene deposits of southwest Spain allowing description of a new species of a ghost shrimp,Podocallichirus laepaensis. The assignment of the new form to the respective genus is based mainly on the morphology of the major cheliped merus and provides useful implications for paleontological studies.Podocallichirus laepaensisis the first fossil record of the genus known to date. Several specimens preserved in association with and withinOphiomorphatraces are interpreted as in situ preservation. Thus, the new ghost shrimp is identified as the producer of trace fossils.
Adiponectin and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly People With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Singer Jessica R. , Palmas Walter , Teresi Jeanne , Weinstock Ruth , Shea Steven , Luchsinger José A.
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between serum adiponectin level and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes. Because of the insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic effects of adiponectin, we hypothesized that higher adiponectin level would be associated with lower all-cause mortality.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 609 men and women aged 72 ± 6.3 years with type 2 diabetes and information on total and high molecular weight adiponectin were followed for a median of 5 years. The longitudinal association between adiponectin and all-cause mortality was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models with time from adiponectin measurement to death as the time-to-event variable. Analyses were adjusted for demographic variables and significant diabetes parameters, significant cardiovascular parameters, and significant diabetes medications.

RESULTS

Total and high molecular weight adiponectin were highly correlated. The highest adiponectin quartile was strongly associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with the lowest quartile (hazard ratio = 4.0 [95% CI: 1.7–9.2]) in the fully adjusted model. These results did not change in analyses stratified by sex and thiazolidinedione use, after exclusion of people who died within one year of adiponectin measurement, or when change in weight before adiponectin measurement was considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to our hypothesis, higher adiponectin level was related to higher all-cause mortality. This association was not explained by confounding by other characteristics, including medications or preceding weight loss.
Antenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Genotype Determines if Maternal Hyperglycemia Due to a Glucokinase Mutation Requires Treatment
Authors: Chakera Ali J. , Carleton Victoria L. , Ellard Sian , Wong Jencia , Yue Dennis K. , Pinner Jason , Hattersley Andrew T. , Ross Glynis P.
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE

In women with hyperglycemia due to heterozygous glucokinase (GCK) mutations, the fetal genotype determines its growth. If the fetus inherits the mutation, birth weight is normal when maternal hyperglycemia is not treated, whereas intensive treatment may adversely reduce fetal growth. However, fetal genotype is not usually known antenatally, making treatment decisions difficult.

HISTORY AND EXAMINATION

We report two women with gestational diabetes mellitus resulting from GCK mutations with hyperglycemia sufficient to merit treatment.

INVESTIGATION

In both women, DNA from chorionic villus sampling, performed after high-risk aneuploidy screening, showed the fetus had inherited the GCK mutation. Therefore, maternal hyperglycemia was not treated. Both offspring had a normal birth weight and no peripartum complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In pregnancies where the mother has hyperglycemia due to a GCK mutation, knowing the fetal GCK genotype guides the management of maternal hyperglycemia. Fetal genotyping should be performed when fetal DNA is available from invasive prenatal diagnostic testing.
Textile materials for electromagnetic field shielding made with the use of nano- and micro-technology
Authors: Brzeziński Stefan , Rybicki Tomasz , Karbownik Iwona , Malinowska Grażyna , Śledzińska Katarzyna
Published: July 2012

Studies have been carried out aimed at the development of structures and technology for making special multi-layer textile-polymeric systems of shielding electromagnetic field (EMF). The use of textiles as EMF shielding materials is commonly known, however the EMF attenuation obtained practically exclusively results from the reflection of EMF, while the materials used for this purpose as a rule, show poor EMF absorption abilities. The basic assumption for a new solution is the exploitation of the multiple internal reflection of incident EMF either in textile-polymeric coating materials containing fine-particle electromagnetic materials or in special textile structures. This paper presents the results of investigating the EMF shielding effectiveness of several selected and developed textile-polymeric materials in respect of both their practical applications (protective clothing elements, technical materials, masking elements, etc.) and the structure and content of components with various EMF reflection and absorption properties. The measurement method for independent determination of reflection and transmission coefficients with a wavequide applicator was used. The results obtained with the 2.5 GHz to 18 GHz frequency range show a low value of transmission coefficient (min. −35 dB) and accepted reflection attenuation from about −4 dB to −15 dB for higher frequencies.
Phase space analysis of interacting dark energy in f(T) cosmology
Authors: Jamil Mubasher , Yesmakhanova Kuralay , Momeni Davood , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we examine the interacting dark energy model in f(T) cosmology. We assume dark energy as a perfect fluid and choose a specific cosmologically viable form f(T) = β√T. We show that there is one attractor solution to the dynamical equation of f(T) Friedmann equations. Further we investigate the stability in phase space for a general f(T) model with two interacting fluids. By studying the local stability near the critical points, we show that the critical points lie on the sheet u* = (c − 1)v* in the phase space, spanned by coordinates (u, v, Ω, T). From this critical sheet, we conclude that the coupling between the dark energy and matter c ∈ (−2, 0).
PACIAE model capability in describing net proton moments
Authors: Limphirat Ayut , Zhou Dai-Mei , Yan Yu-Liang , Dong Bao-Guo , Kobdaj Chinorat , Yan Yupeng , Csernai Laszlo , Sa Ben-Hao
Published: July 2012

PACIAE 2.0, a parton and hadron cascade model, is employed to investigate the dependence of the moments of net proton event distributions on reaction energies varying from RHIC to LHC energy in p + p collisions. It is found that net proton moments and moment products are sensitive to the collision energy except the moment product kσ
2 which is almost independent of the collision energy. The PACIAE results are in line with experimental data.
Clinico-epidemiological Profile of Rosacea at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai S , Agrawal S , Rijal A
Published: July 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njdvl.v10i1.6420 NJDVL 2012; 10(1): 27-32
The Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) Invades Hawaii: Preliminary Investigations on Trap Response and Alternate Hosts
Authors: Messing Russell H.
Published: July 2012

In August 2010 the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, was first reported to have invaded the Kona coffee growing region of Hawaii, posing a severe economic challenge to the fourth largest agricultural commodity in the State. Despite its long and widespread occurrence throughout the tropics as the most serious pest of coffee, there are still discrepancies in the literature regarding several basic aspects of berry borer biology relevant to its control. In Kona coffee plantations, we investigated the beetles’ response to several trap and lure formulations, and examined the occurrence of beetles in seeds of alternate host plants occurring adjacent to coffee farms. While traps were shown to capture significant numbers of beetles per day, and the occurrence of beetles in alternate hosts was quite rare, the unique situation of coffee culture in Hawaii will make this pest extremely challenging to manage in the Islands.
Effect of Gender, Season, and Vitamin D Status on Bone Biochemical Markers in Saudi Diabetes Patients
Authors: Al-Daghri Nasser M. , Alkharfy Khalid M. , Al-Othman Abdulaziz , Yakout Sobhy M. , Al-Saleh Yousef , Fouda Mona A. , Sulimani Riad , Sabico Shaun
Published: July 2012

Biochemical bone turnover markers (BTMs) provide important information on the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of metabolic bone diseases. They are evident before measurable changes in bone mineral density (BMD) take place. A total of 35 adult Saudi patients (23 males; 12 females) with type 2 diabetes and diagnosed to be vitamin D deficient were recruited in this prospective study. Here we investigated the effects of gender, season, and vitamin D status on bone biochemical markers of bone remodeling. Anthropometry and blood samples were collected at different intervals. Metabolic parameters and bone biomarkers were measured routinely and by ELISA. Both males and females had a significant increase in their vitamin D status over time, but no significant changes in the bone biomarkers were observed in females. In males there was a significant increase in circulating levels of corrected calcium and OPN (p = 0.004 and 0.01 respectively) and a significant decrease in crosslaps (p = 0.005). In all subjects there was a modest but significant positive relationship between vitamin D status and OC (R = 0.34; p = 0.04). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that changes in bone remodeling markers are affected by season, gender, and possibly vitamin D status. This gender difference may well reflect the physiologic pathway responsible for the higher peak bone mass achieved in males compared to females.
Antifungal Activity, Toxicity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Coriandrum sativum L. Fruits
Authors: Soares Bruna V. , Morais Selene M. , Dos Santos Fontenelle Raquel Oliveira , Queiroz Vanessa A. , Vila-Nova Nadja S. , Pereira Christiana M. C. , Brito Edy S. , Neto Manoel A. S. , Brito Erika H. S. , Cavalcante Carolina S. P. , Castelo-Branco Débora S. C. M. , Rocha Marcos F. G.
Published: July 2012

The aims of this study were to test the antifungal activity, toxicity and chemical composition of essential oil from C. sativum L. fruits. The essential oil, obtained by hydro-distillation, was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Linalool was the main constituent (58.22%). The oil was considered bioactive, showing an LC50 value of 23 µg/mL in the Artemia salina lethality test. The antifungal activity was evaluated against Microsporum canis and Candida spp. by the agar-well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were established by the broth microdilution method. The essential oil induced growth inhibition zones of 28 ± 5.42 and 9.25 ± 0.5 for M. canis and Candida spp. respectively. The MICs and MFCs for M. canis strains ranged from 78 to 620 and 150 to 1,250 µg/mL, and the MICs and MFCs for Candida spp strains ranged from 310 to 620 and 620 to 1,250 µg/mL, respectively. C. sativum essential oil is active in vitro against M. canis and Candida spp. demonstrating good antifungal activity.
Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty: Causes and High Incidence of Early Failure
Authors: Fabi David , Levine Brett , Paprosky Wayne , Della Valle Craig , Sporer Scott , Klein Gregg , Levine Harlan , Hartzband Mark
Published: July 2012

Early failures of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA) occur due to aseptic loosening, metal hypersensitivity reactions, pseudotumor formation, and component seizing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the timing, common modes of failure, clinical outcomes, and incidence of metal-on-metal THA revisions.

A review was performed of 80 patients who underwent revision of a failed metal-on-metal THA for any reason. The most common reason for metal-on-metal failure was aseptic acetabular loosening, with a rate of 56.25% (45/80 patients). Early failure of metal-on-metal THAs was noted, with 78% of these revisions being performed within 2 years of the index operation and 92.5% within 3 years. Furthermore, 13% of patients experienced significant localized soft tissue reactions. Mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 42.35±14.24 and mean postoperative Harris Hip Score was 66.5±23.2 (range, 9.55–95.4), with an average follow-up of 438±492 days (range, 40–2141), or 1.2 years.

It is imperative that clinicians be cognizant of the fact that the proposed advantages of metal-on-metal THA are not without potential detrimental sequelae. This article proposes an algorithm to aid in diagnosing the etiology of a painful metal-on-metal THA, as well as 2 classification schemes regarding metal-on-metal THA complications to help direct treatment.
A Conceptual Model of Creativity, Invention, and Innovation (MCII) for Entrepreneurial Engineers
Authors: Jakovljevic Maria
Published: July 2012

The purpose of this chapter is to develop a conceptual model for Creativity, Invention, and Innovation (MCII) from a knowledge management perspective in the technical-vocational and interdisciplinary ecologies of practice. This chapter takes the form of a literature study regarding CII multiple knowledge-sharing issues. A methodological framework has been described in the introductory section of this chapter. The background of the study focuses on the general features of CII, highlighting needs and gaps in terms of teachers-engineers’ competence in promoting CII as new learning outcomes. The framework for the MCII focuses on the following main themes: theoretical views on CII issues; institutional and international collaboration; the construct of CII intelligence; teachers-engineers’ competence; and creative knowledge-sharing climate. The structure and the flow of the conceptual model are presented, followed by discussion, future research directions, and the conclusion.
The Influence of the Application of Business Continuity Management, Knowledge Management, and Knowledge Continuity Management on the Innovation in Organizations
Authors: Urbancová Hana , Königová Martina
Published: July 2012

The aim of organizations is efficient management leading to a competitive advantage. In the current knowledge economy, employees, their knowledge, and potential are considered to be an organization’s main competitive advantage and the most important asset towards determining performance and success. By introducing modern areas of management, organizations can quickly identify and utilize knowledge, which enables an early application of knowledge in innovations and key processes. Thus, putting them ahead of their competitors and gaining a competitive advantage in the market. This chapter focuses on the impact of applying Business Continuity Management, Knowledge Management, and Knowledge Continuity Management on innovations in organizations and their productivity.
Tag Identification Protocols in RFID Systems
Authors: Lonetti Francesca , Martelli Francesca
Published: July 2012

Fast and reliable identification of multiple objects that are present at the same time is very important in many applications. A very promising technology for this purpose is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which is fast pervading many application fields, like public transportation and ticketing, access control, production control, animal identification, and localization of objects and people. The problem approached in this chapter is the tag identification in RFID systems. This problem occurs when several tags try to answer at the same time to a reader query. If more than one tag answers, their messages will collide on the RF communication channel, and the reader cannot identify these tags. There are two families of protocols for approaching the tag collision problem: a family of probabilistic protocols, and a family of deterministic ones. In this chapter, the authors give an overview of the most important approaches and trends for tag identification in RFID systems and provide the results of a deep comparison of the presented tag identification protocols in terms of complexity and performance.
Real-Time Traceability with Sensing in RFID Applications
Authors: Alejos Ana Vazquez , Cuiñas Iñigo , Fernández José Antonio Gay , Sánchez Manuel García
Published: July 2012

Traceability and embedded sensing are analyzed in this chapter by three main approaches: firstly, a Wireless Sensor Network; secondly, a Sensor Area Network; and, finally, a Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform. This chapter presents an introduction to the “RFID F2F” action, and its application to the wine sector briefly describing a wine pilot developed in Spain. The traceability system resulting of the WSN and RFID integration is sketched and concisely described. The current deployment of this pilot is commented. In a second block, this chapter introduces the accomplishment of an RFID tracking through a mesh of individual active radiofrequency (RF) barriers composed by active emitter and receiver nodes/tags that cover only small individual areas. The result is a Sensor Area Network (SAN). Finally, the authors of this chapter discuss the Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform technology. WISP chips have the capabilities of RFID tags ?compliant with EPC Class-1 Generation-2 standard? but they also support embedded sensing and computing. WISP technology is shown as the next step forward in the design of pervasive devices. The chapter discusses the main features of the emerging computational RFID technologies.
Mutation at Positively Selected Positions in the Binding Site for HLA-C Shows That KIR2DL1 Is a More Refined but Less Adaptable NK Cell Receptor Than KIR2DL3
Authors: Hilton Hugo G. , Vago Luca , Older Aguilar Anastazia M. , Moesta Achim K. , Graef Thorsten , Abi-Rached Laurent , Norman Paul J. , Guethlein Lisbeth A. , Fleischhauer Katharina , Parham Peter
Published: July 2012

Through recognition of HLA class I, killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) modulate NK cell functions in human immunity and reproduction. Although a minority of HLA-A and -B allotypes are KIR ligands, HLA-C allotypes dominate this regulation, because they all carry either the C1 epitope recognized by KIR2DL2/3 or the C2 epitope recognized by KIR2DL1. The C1 epitope and C1-specific KIR evolved first, followed several million years later by the C2 epitope and C2-specific KIR. Strong, varying selection pressure on NK cell functions drove the diversification and divergence of hominid KIR, with six positions in the HLA class I binding site of KIR being targets for positive diversifying selection. Introducing each naturally occurring residue at these positions into KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 produced 38 point mutants that were tested for binding to 95 HLA- A, -B, and -C allotypes. Modulating specificity for HLA-C is position 44, whereas positions 71 and 131 control cross-reactivity with HLA-A*11:02. Dominating avidity modulation is position 70, with lesser contributions from positions 68 and 182. KIR2DL3 has lower avidity and broader specificity than KIR2DL1. Mutation could increase the avidity and change the specificity of KIR2DL3, whereas KIR2DL1 specificity was resistant to mutation, and its avidity could only be lowered. The contrasting inflexibility of KIR2DL1 and adaptability of KIR2DL3 fit with C2-specific KIR having evolved from C1-specific KIR, and not vice versa. Substitutions restricted to activating KIR all reduced the avidity of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3, further evidence that activating KIR function often becomes subject to selective attenuation.
Identification of Hemopexin as an Anti-Inflammatory Factor That Inhibits Synergy of Hemoglobin with HMGB1 in Sterile and Infectious Inflammation
Authors: Lin Tian , Sammy Fatima , Yang Huan , Thundivalappil Sujatha , Hellman Judith , Tracey Kevin J. , Warren H. Shaw
Published: July 2012

Hemoglobin is released from lysed RBCs in numerous clinical settings. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear and cytosolic DNA-binding protein released from injured cells that has been shown to play an important role in inducing inflammation. Because both of these endogenous molecules are frequently present in sites of necrosis and inflammation, we studied their interaction on the activation of macrophages. We report in this article that hemoglobin and HMGB1 synergize to activate mouse macrophages to release significantly increased proinflammatory cytokines. Addition of microbial ligands that activate through TLR2 or TLR4 resulted in further significant increases, in a “three-way” synergy between endogenous and microbial ligands. The synergy was strongly suppressed by hemopexin (Hx), an endogenous heme-binding plasma protein. The findings suggest that hemoglobin may play an important role in sterile and infectious inflammation, and that endogenous Hx can modulate this response. Administration of Hx may be beneficial in clinical settings characterized by elevated extracellular hemoglobin and HMGB1.
Commensal Bacteria Lipoteichoic Acid Increases Skin Mast Cell Antimicrobial Activity against Vaccinia Viruses
Authors: Wang Zhenping , MacLeod Daniel T. , Di Nardo Anna
Published: July 2012

Mast cells (MCs) are considered sentinels in the skin and mucosa. Their ability to release antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin, protects against bacterial infections when the epithelial barrier is breached. We recently described that MCs defend against bacterial and viral infections through the release of cathelicidin during degranulation. In this study, we hypothesize that cathelicidin expression is induced in MCs by the activation of TLR2 from bacterial products (lipoteichoic acid) produced by commensal bacteria at the epithelial surface. Our research shows that signaling through TLR2 increases the production and expression of cathelicidin in mast cells, thereby enhancing their capacity to fight vaccinia virus. MCs deficient in cathelicidin were less efficient in killing vaccinia virus after lipoteichoic acid stimulation than wild-type cells. Moreover, the activation of TLR2 increases the MC recruitment at the skin barrier interface. Taken together, our findings reveal that the expression and control of antimicrobial peptides and TLR signaling on MCs are key in fighting viral infection. Our findings also provide new insights into the pathogenesis of skin infections and suggest potential roles for MCs and TLR2 ligands in antiviral therapy.
CD8 T Cell-Initiated Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption Is Independent of Neutrophil Support
Authors: Johnson Holly L. , Chen Yi , Jin Fang , Hanson Lisa M. , Gamez Jeffrey D. , Pirko Istvan , Johnson Aaron J.
Published: July 2012

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a common feature of numerous neurologic disorders. A fundamental question in these diseases is the extent inflammatory immune cells contribute to CNS vascular permeability. We have previously shown that CD8 T cells play a critical role in initiating BBB disruption in the peptide-induced fatal syndrome model developed by our laboratory. However, myelomonocytic cells such as neutrophils have also been implicated in promoting CNS vascular permeability and functional deficit in murine models of neuroinflammatory disease. For this reason, we evaluated neutrophil depletion in a murine model of CD8 T cell-initiated BBB disruption by employing traditionally used anti-granulocyte receptor-1 mAb RB6-8C5 and Ly-6G–specific mAb 1A8. We report that CNS-infiltrating antiviral CD8 T cells express high levels of granulocyte receptor-1 protein and are depleted by treatment with RB6-8C5. Mice treated with RB6-8C5, but not 1A8, display: 1) intact BBB tight junction proteins; 2) reduced CNS vascular permeability visible by gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging; and 3) preservation of motor function. These studies demonstrate that traditional methods of neutrophil depletion with RB6-8C5 are broadly immune ablating. Our data also provide evidence that CD8 T cells initiate disruption of BBB tight junction proteins and CNS vascular permeability in the absence of neutrophil support.
Non-Secretory Immunoglobulin E Myeloma Associated with Immunoglobulin G Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
Authors: Yasuyama Masako , Ogasawara Toshie , Otsuka Kuniaki , Aiba Motohiko , Kawauchi Kiyotaka
Published: July 2012

A 68-year old woman came to our hospital with a severe case of anemia. Serum immunoelectropheresis identified a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) G and κ protein. The serum IgE level was within the nomal range and the amounts of remaining immunogloblins were low. On bone marrow aspirate, plasma cells made up 55.5% of nucleated cells and the plasma cells showed positive readings for IgE κ and IgG by immunohistochemistry. Serum immunofixation did not reveal the IgE monoclonal band. She was diagnosed as having non-secretory IgE myeloma with IgG monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The nature of this rare myeloma will be discussed.
On Bayesian procedure for maximum earthquake magnitude estimation
Authors: Kijko Andrzej
Published: July 2012

This work is focused on the Bayesian procedure for the estimation of the regional maximum possible earthquake magnitude mmax. The paper briefly discusses the currently used Bayesian procedure for mmax, as developed by Cornell, and a statistically justifiable alternative approach is suggested. The fundamental problem in the application of the current Bayesian formalism for mmax estimation is that one of the components of the posterior distribution is the sample likelihood function, for which the range of observations (earthquake magnitudes) depends on the unknown parameter mmax. This dependence violates the property of regularity of the maximum likelihood function. The resulting likelihood function, therefore, reaches its maximum at the maximum observed earthquake magnitude mobsmax and not at the required maximum possible magnitude mmax. Since the sample likelihood function is a key component of the posterior distribution, the posterior estimate of m^max is biased. The degree of the bias and its sign depend on the applied Bayesian estimator, the quantity of information provided by the prior distribution, and the sample likelihood function. It has been shown that if the maximum posterior estimate is used, the bias is negative and the resulting underestimation of mmax can be as big as 0.5 units of magnitude. This study explores only the maximum posterior estimate of mmax, which is conceptionally close to the classic maximum likelihood estimation. However, conclusions regarding the shortfall of the current Bayesian procedure are applicable to all Bayesian estimators, e.g. posterior mean and posterior median. A simple, ad hoc solution of this non-regular maximum likelihood problem is also presented.
E-mentoring in Surgical Training
Authors: Macafee DAL
Published: July 2012

Introduction

E-mentoring uses electronic communications to build and maintain a mentoring relationship. A previous study found E-mentoring to be beneficial to surgical trainees when delivered by a single E-mentor. This study aimed to see if these benefits persisted within a larger network of surgical E-mentors.

Methods

Surgical ST1 to ST3 trainees (E-mentees) and E-mentors were recruited in 2007. The study ran over one year with five questionnaires prompting discussions of a range of issues. At study end, a feedback questionnaire was sent via an independent third party.

Results

Twenty three E-mentees were recruited, 16 (70%) were male, median age was 28 (IQR 2). Fifty four surgical E-mentors volunteered, the majority being Specialist Registrars (n = 52; 96%). E-mentees found the process to be very useful in identifying the good and bad points of their jobs. E-mentoring was not useful for improving academic knowledge, operative skills or clinical management.

Conclusions

This study shows that E-mentoring is beneficial to surgical trainees who are engaged in the process. The process encourages reflection and was a useful source of advice but there remains areas where its scope is limited.
Diffusion Phenomenon for Linear Dissipative Wave Equations
Authors: Said-Houari Belkacem
Published: July 2012

In this paper we prove the diffusion phenomenon for the linear wave equation. To derive the diffusion phenomenon, a new method is used. In fact, for initial data in some weighted spaces, prove that for

2 \leq p\leq \infty

,

\left\Vert u-v\right\Vert _{L^{p }(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

decays with the rate

t^{-\frac{N}{2}(1-\frac{1}{p})-1-\frac{\gamma}{2}}

,

\gamma \in [0,1]

faster than that of either

u

or

v

, where

u

is the solution of the linear wave equation with initial data

\left( u_{0},u_{1}\right) \in \left( H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N})\cap L^{1,\gamma }(\mathbb{R}^{N})\right) \times \left( L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{N})\cap L^{1,\gamma }(\mathbb{R}^{N})\right)

with

\gamma \in \left[ 0,1\right]

, and

v

is the solution of the related heat equation with initial data

v_{0}=u_{0}+u_{1}

. This result improves the result in H. Yang and A. Milani [Bull. Sci. Math. 124 (2000), 415–433] in the sense that, under the above restriction on the initial data, the decay rate given in that paper can be improved by

t^{-\frac{\gamma}{2}}

.
Contributions of individual reactive biogenic volatile organic compounds to organic nitrates above a mixed forest
Authors: Pratt K. A. , Mielke L. H. , Shepson P. B. , Bryan A. M. , Steiner A. L. , Ortega J. , Daly R. , Helmig D. , Vogel C. S. , Griffith S. , Dusanter S. , Stevens P. S. , Alaghmand M.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) can react in the atmosphere to form organic nitrates, which serve as NOx (NO + NO2) reservoirs, impacting ozone and secondary organic aerosol production, the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere, and nitrogen availability to ecosystems. To examine the contributions of biogenic emissions and the formation and fate of organic nitrates in a forest environment, we simulated the oxidation of 57 individual BVOCs emitted from a rural mixed forest in Northern Michigan. Of the total simulated organic nitrates, monoterpenes contributed ~70% in the early morning at ~12 m above the forest canopy when isoprene emissions were low. In the afternoon, when vertical mixing and isoprene nitrate production were highest, the simulated contribution of isoprene-derived organic nitrates was greater than 90% at all altitudes, with the concentration of secondary isoprene nitrates increasing with altitude. Key BVOC-oxidant reactions were identified for future laboratory and field investigations into reaction rate constants, yields, and speciation of oxidation products. Forest succession, wherein aspen trees are being replaced by pine and maple trees, was predicted to lead to increased afternoon concentrations of monoterpene-derived organic nitrates. This further underscores the need to understand the formation and fate of these species, which have different chemical pathways and oxidation products compared to isoprene-derived organic nitrates and can lead to secondary organic aerosol formation.
Millennial-length forward models and pseudoproxies of stalagmite δ18O: an example from NW Scotland
Authors: Baker A. , Bradley C. , Phipps S. J. , Fischer M. , Fairchild I. J. , Fuller L. , Spötl C. , Azcurra C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The stable oxygen isotope parameter δ18O remains the most widely utilised speleothem proxy for past climate reconstructions. Uncertainty can be introduced into stalagmite δ18O from a number of factors, one of which is the heterogeneity of groundwater flow in karstified aquifers. Here, we present a lumped parameter hydrological model, KarstFor, which is capable of generating monthly simulations of surface water – ground water – stalagmite δ18O for more than thousand-year time periods. Using a variety of climate input series, we use this model for the first time to compare observational with modelled (pseudoproxy) stalagmite δ18O series for a site at Assynt, NW Scotland, where our knowledge of δ18O systematics is relatively well understood. The use of forward modelling allows us to quantify the relative contributions of climate, peat and karst hydrology, and disequilibrium effects in stalagmite δ18O, from which we can identify potential stalagmite δ18O responses to climate variability. Comparison of the modelled and actual stalagmite δ18O for two stalagmites from the site demonstrates that, for the period of overlapping growth, the two series do not correlate with one another, but forward modelling demonstrates that this falls within the range explicable by differences in flow routing to the stalagmites. Pseudoproxy δ18O stalagmite series highlight the potential significance of peat hydrology in controlling stalagmite δ18O over the last 1000 yr at this site.
Filling the white space on maps of European runoff trends: estimates from a multi-model ensemble
Authors: Stahl K. , Tallaksen L. M. , Hannaford J. , van Lanen H. A. J.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. An overall appraisal of runoff changes at the European scale has been hindered by "white space" on maps of observed trends due to a paucity of readily-available streamflow data. This study tested whether this white space can be filled using estimates of trends derived from model simulations of European runoff. The simulations stem from an ensemble of eight global hydrological models that were forced with the same climate input for the period 1963–2000. The derived trends were validated for 293 grid cells across the European domain with observation-based trend estimates. The ensemble mean overall provided the best representation of trends in the observations. Maps of trends in annual runoff based on the ensemble mean demonstrated a pronounced continental dipole pattern of positive trends in western and northern Europe and negative trends in southern and parts of eastern Europe, which has not previously been demonstrated and discussed in comparable detail. Overall, positive trends in annual streamflow appear to reflect the marked wetting trends of the winter months, whereas negative annual trends result primarily from a widespread decrease in streamflow in spring and summer months, consistent with a decrease in summer low flow in large parts of Europe. High flow appears to have increased in rain-dominated hydrological regimes, whereas an inconsistent or decreasing signal was found in snow-dominated regimes. The different models agreed on the predominant continental-scale pattern of trends, but in some areas disagreed on the magnitude and even the direction of trends, particularly in transition zones between regions with increasing and decreasing runoff trends, in complex terrain with a high spatial variability, and in snow-dominated regimes. Model estimates appeared most reliable in reproducing observed trends in annual runoff, winter runoff, and 7-day high flow. Modelled trends in runoff during the summer months, spring (for snow influenced regions) and autumn, and trends in summer low flow were more variable – both among models and in the spatial patterns of agreement between models and the observations. The use of models to display changes in these hydrological characteristics should therefore be viewed with caution due to higher uncertainty.
Refreezing on the Greenland ice sheet: a comparison of parameterizations
Authors: Reijmer C. H. , van den Broeke M. R. , Fettweis X. , Ettema J. , Stap L. B.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Retention and refreezing of meltwater are acknowledged to be important processes for the mass budget of polar glaciers and ice sheets. Several parameterizations of these processes exist for use in energy and mass balance models. Due to a lack of direct observations, validation of these parameterizations is difficult. In this study we compare a set of 6 refreezing parameterizations against output of two Regional Climate Models (RCMs) coupled to an energy balance snow model, the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO2) and the Modèle Atmosphérique Régional (MAR), applied to the Greenland ice sheet. In both RCMs, refreezing is explicitly calculated in a snow model that calculates vertical profiles of temperature, density and liquid water content. Between RACMO2 and MAR, the ice sheet-integrated amount of refreezing differs by only 4.9 mm w.e yr−1 (4.5 %), and the temporal and spatial variability are very similar. For consistency, the parameterizations are forced with output (surface temperature, precipitation and melt) of the RCMs. For the ice sheet-integrated amount of refreezing and its inter-annual variations, all parameterizations give similar results, especially after some tuning. However, the spatial distributions differ significantly and the spatial correspondence between the RCMs is better than with any of the parameterizations. Results are especially sensitive to the choice of the depth of the thermally active layer, which determines the cold content of the snow in most parameterizations. These results are independent of which RCM is used to force the parameterizations.
Mesoporous Bioactive Glass as a Multifunctional System for Bone Regeneration and Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Baino Francesco , Fiorilli Sonia , Mortera Renato , Onida Barbara , Saino Enrica , Visai Livia , Verné Enrica , Vitale-Brovarone Chiara
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Coupling the potential for bone regeneration and the ability for in situ controlled drug release in a single device is a challenging field of research in bone tissue engineering; in an attempt to pursue this aim, mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) membranes belonging to the SiO2-P2O5-CaO ternary system were produced and characterized.

Methods

The glass was synthesized via a sol-gel route coupled with an evaporation-induced self-assembly process by using a non-ionic block co-polymer as a mesostructure former. MBG structure and morphology, as well as mesopores size and shape, were investigated by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements. In vitro bioactivity was investigated by soaking MBG membranes in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time frames. Ibuprofen was encapsulated into MBG pores and drug release kinetics in SBF were assessed. Biological tests by using SAOS-2 cells were performed to assess the material cytocompatibility.

Results

The material revealed significant ability to induce hydroxyapatite formation on its surface (bioactivity). Drug release kinetics in SBF are very similar to those obtained for mesoporous silica having mesopore size comparable to that of the prepared MBG (~5 nm). No evidence of cell viability depression was detected during in vitro culture, which demonstrates the good biological compatibility of the material.

Conclusions

The easiness of tailoring and shaping, the highly bioactive and biocompatible behavior, and the drug uptake/release ability of the prepared materials may suggest their use as “smart” multifunctional grafts for bone reconstructive surgery.
Two-Photon Laser Polymerization: From Fundamentals to Biomedical Application in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Raimondi Manuela T. , Eaton Shane M. , Nava Michele M. , Laganà Matteo , Cerullo Giulio , Osellame Roberto
Published: July 2012

Three-dimensional material microstructuring by femtosecond laser-induced two-photon polymerization is emerging as an important tool in biomedicine. During two-photon polymerization, a tightly focused femtosecond laser pulse induces a crosslinking photoreaction in the polymer confined within the focal volume. As a rapid-prototyping technique, two-photon polymerization enables the fabrication of truly arbitrary three-dimensional micro- and nano-structures directly from computer models, with a spatial resolution down to 100 nm. In this review, we discuss the fundamentals, experimental methods, and materials used for two-photon polymerization; in addition, we present some applications of this technology related to microfluidics and to biomaterial scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Targeting p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Restores Subventricular Zone Neural Stem Cells and Corrects Neuromotor Deficits in Atm Knockout Mouse
Authors: Kim Jeesun , Wong Paul K.Y.
Published: July 2012

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a progressive degenerative disorder that results in major neurological disability. In A-T patients, necropsy has revealed atrophy of cerebellar cortical layers along with Purkinje and granular cell loss. We have previously identified an oxidative stress-mediated increase in phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the resultant downregulation of Bmi-1 and upregulation of p21 as key components of the mechanism causing defective proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) isolated from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of Atm−/− mice. However, the in vivo aspect of alteration in SVZ tissue and the functional significance of p38MAPK activation in NSCs for neuropathogenesis of ATM deficiency remain unknown. Here we show that the NSC population was abnormally decreased in the SVZ of 3-month-old Atm−/− mice; this decrease was accompanied by p38MAPK activation. However, after a 2-month treatment with the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580, starting at 1 month old, Atm−/− mice showed restoration of normal levels of Bmi-1 and p21 with the rescue of NSC population in the SVZ. In addition, treated Atm−/− mice exhibited more Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Most importantly, motor coordination of Atm−/− mice was significantly improved in the treatment group. Our results show for the first time in vivo evidence of depleted NSCs in the SVZ of Atm−/− mice and also demonstrate that pharmacologic inhibition of p38MAPK signaling has the potential to treat neurological defects of A-T. This study provides a promising approach targeting the oxidative stress-dependent p38 signaling pathway not only for A-T but also for other neurodegenerative disorders.
Liberté ou égalité?
Authors: Duclos Jean-Yves
Published: July 2012

Qu’est-ce que la liberté ? Qu’est-ce que l’égalité ? En quoi une plus grande égalité peut-elle accroître la liberté ? Telles sont les questions principales auxquelles tente de répondre cet article. Le problème du choix entre liberté et égalité soulève en effet le problème de la définition de ces deux objets. Une fois cette définition clarifiée, il ressort que, sous certaines conceptions de la liberté et de l’égalité, il n’est pas nécessaire ou utile de choisir entre ces deux objets : ils deviennent alors complémentaires plutôt que substituts. L’égalité peut en effet renforcer à la fois la liberté réelle et la liberté morale des individus, et ainsi contribuer au bien-être de tous. L’article traite aussi des difficultés de mesure de l’égalité, et en quoi ces difficultés peuvent affecter la comparaison de l’égalité à travers le temps et l’espace.