bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development Trends of Air Passenger Transport Services and Service Distribution Channels
Authors: Rebezova M. , Sulima N. , Surinov R.
Published: April 2012

Development Trends of Air Passenger Transport Services and Service Distribution Channels

Alongside their core service, i.e., passenger transportation, air carriers are nowadays providing numerous extra services, which are not directly related to transport. On the one hand, airlines are enlarging the scope of paid services provided on board an aircraft by, among other ways, splitting the air ticket fee and singling out the costs of such services as catering on board, checked-in luggage, airport check-in, etc. On the other hand, airline companies tend to provide mass services to their sales partners - ground transportation, car rental, insurance, hotel booking, etc.

Provision of both the core and the extra services is closely connected with computerized reservation systems and the corresponding agent and customer access networks. These systems and networks form the basis of IT channels of service distribution.

The present paper analyses the indicators and development trends of air transport services in combination with the development of service distribution channels and the information technologies lying at the basis of such channels. The paper also describes the structure and IT support of distribution channels. The authors have paid attention to the potential qualitative changes in the structure and possibilities of distribution of air passenger transportation services in view of the Next Generation Network (NGN) concept whose implementation has been started in the world.
Traffic Flow Simulation on Discrete Rate Approach Base
Authors: Savrasovs Mihails
Published: April 2012

Traffic Flow Simulation on Discrete Rate Approach Base

The classical scientific literature dedicated to transport modelling has emphasised three levels of detail on which traffic models could be created. These levels are: microlevel, mesolevel and macroscopic level. Microscopic and macroscopic modelling are well known and widely used. The term ‘mesoscopic modelling’ has been interpreted by different scientists in different ways. In general, mesoscopic traffic flow models are understood to be models where traffic flow is described with a high level of detail, but at the same time flow behaviour and flow interactions are presented with a low level of description. The previously proposed new simulation approach (called ‘mesoscopic simulation’) was applied to traffic flow simulation. All the described models were implemented using Microsoft Excel and VBA. However, the practical application concerns that to construct more sophisticated models Microsoft Excel and VBA could not be used, because of programming complexity.

The main goal of this paper is to present examples of the application of the discrete rate approach of ExtendSim simulation software for traffic flow simulation. A literature survey has shown that the discrete rate approach is mainly used in logistics, but not in the area of transport area. So the tasks of this paper are to present the main techniques of model implementation using a discrete rate approach and to apply this approach to traffic flow simulation.
Soil-line vegetation indices for corn nitrogen content prediction
Authors: Bagheri N. , Ahmadi H. , Alavipanah S. , Omid M.
Published: April 2012

Soil-line vegetation indices for corn nitrogen content prediction

The soil-line vegetation indices for prediction of corn canopy nitrogen content were investigated. Results indicated that the vegetation indices applied were correlated with corn canopy nitrogen content and the wavelengths between 630-860 nm are suitable for nitrogen diagnosis. The second-order polynomial equation was the best model for nitrogen content prediction among different regression types. Analyses based on both predicted and measured data were carried out to compare the performance of existing vegetation indices.
Prediction of soil physical properties by optimized support vector machines
Authors: Besalatpour A. , Hajabbasi M. , Ayoubi S. , Gharipour A. , Jazi A.
Published: April 2012

Prediction of soil physical properties by optimized support vector machines

The potential use of optimized support vector machines with simulated annealing algorithm in developing prediction functions for estimating soil aggregate stability and soil shear strength was evaluated. The predictive capabilities of support vector machines in comparison with traditional regression prediction functions were also studied. In results, the support vector machines achieved greater accuracy in predicting both soil shear strength and soil aggregate stability properties comparing to traditional multiple-linear regression. The coefficient of correlation (R) between the measured and predicted soil shear strength values using the support vector machine model was 0.98 while it was 0.52 using the multiple-linear regression model. Furthermore, a lower mean square error value of 0.06 obtained using the support vector machine model in prediction of soil shear strength as compared to the multiple-linear regression model. The ERROR% value for soil aggregate stability prediction using the multiple-linear regression model was 14.59% while a lower ERROR% value of 4.29% was observed for the support vector machine model. The mean square error values for soil aggregate stability prediction using the multiple-linear regression and support vector machine models were 0.001 and 0.012, respectively. It appears that utilization of optimized support vector machine approach with simulated annealing algorithm in developing soil property prediction functions could be a suitable alternative to commonly used regression methods.
Energy biomass characteristics of chosen plants
Authors: Szyszlak-Bargłowicz J. , Zając G. , Piekarski W.
Published: April 2012

Energy biomass characteristics of chosen plants

The chosen energy plants species: willow, mallow andMiscanthusare presented. Result of analysis of combustion heat and heating value of these species biomass indicate on possibility of their utilization as fuel for combustion and energy and heat production.
Internationalization of soil physics from an American perspective
Authors: Kirkham M.
Published: April 2012

Internationalization of soil physics from an American perspective

Upon the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Soil Science Society of America in 2011, a session was held at its annual meeting to document how the field has changed over the years. I was asked to give the long-term perspective for soil physics. I surveyed soil-physics research published by the society over the past six years (2005-2011) and compared it with a review done in 1961 upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of the society. Of the 299 papers in my survey, 186 came from outside the USA (62% of the total). Twenty-nine countries were represented with the People's Republic of China having the most papers (27 papers). In the 1961 review, only five countries outside the USA were cited. My survey showed that 48 papers (16%) dealt with water, 35 (12%) with mechanical properties, 19 (6%) with aeration, 18 (6%) with solute transport, 14 (5%) with repellency, and 10 (3%) with temperature. Of the non-USA papers in the survey, 27% gave no source of funding and the other 73% usually cited funding by the government of the corresponding author. Of the USA papers, 47% cited no source of funding. The results showed that soil-physics research has become heavily international.
Quadriceps Activation Failure After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Is Not Mediated by Knee Joint Effusion
Authors: Lynch Andrew D. , Logerstedt David S. , Axe Michael J. , Snyder-Mackler Lynn
Published: April 2012

Study Design

Descriptive prospective cohort study.

Objectives

To investigate the relationships between knee joint effusion, quadriceps activation, and quadriceps strength. These relationships may help clinicians better identify impaired quadriceps activation.

Background

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the involved quadriceps may demonstrate weakness. Experimental data have shown that quadriceps activation and strength may be directly mediated by intracapsular joint pressure created by saline injection. An inverse relationship between quadriceps activation and the amount of saline injected has been reported. This association has not been demonstrated for traumatic effusion. We hypothesized that traumatic joint effusion due to ACL rupture and postinjury quadriceps strength would correlate well with quadriceps activation, allowing clinicians to use effusion and strength measurement as a surrogate for electrophysiological assessment of quadriceps activation.

Methods

Prospective data were collected on 188 patients within 100 days of ACL injury (average, 27 days) referred from a single surgeon. A complete clinical evaluation of the knee was performed, including ligamentous assessment and assessment of range of motion and effusion. Quadriceps function was electrophysiologically assessed using maximal volitional isometric contraction and burst superimposition techniques to quantify both strength and activation.

Results

Effusion grade did not correlate with quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR) (zero effusion: mean ± SD CAR, 93.5% ± 5.8%; trace effusion: CAR, 93.8% ± 9.5%; 1+ effusion: CAR, 94.0% ± 7.5%; 2+/3+ effusion: CAR, 90.6% ± 11.1%). These values are lower than normative data from healthy subjects (CAR, 98% ± 3%).

Conclusion

Joint effusion after ACL injury does not directly mediate quadriceps activation failure seen after injury. Therefore, it should not be used as a clinical substitute for electrophysiological assessment of quadriceps activation. Patients presenting to physical therapy after ACL injury should be treated with high-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation to help normalize this activation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(6):502–10, Epub 20 April 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3793
Effect of Therapist-Based Versus Robot-Assisted Bilateral Arm Training on Motor Control, Functional Performance, and Quality of Life After Chronic Stroke: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Wu Ching-yi , Yang Chieh-ling , Chuang Li-ling , Lin Keh-chung , Chen Hsieh-ching , Chen Ming-de , Huang Wan-chien
Published: April 2012

Background

Although bilateral arm training (BAT) has been widely studied, the comparative effects of therapist-based BAT (TBAT) versus robot-assisted BAT (RBAT) remains unknown.

Objective

This study compared the efficacy of TBAT, RBAT, and a control treatment (CT) on motor control, functional performance, and quality of life after chronic stroke.

Design

A randomized, pretest-posttest, control group design was used.

Methods

Forty-two patients (mean age=54.49 years, SD=9.69; mean length of time since stroke onset=17.62 months, SD=10.50) were randomly assigned to TBAT, RBAT, and CT groups. Each group received treatment for 90 to 105 minutes per session, 5 sessions on weekdays, for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included kinematic analyses, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Motor Activity Log, and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).

Results

Large and significant effects were found in the kinematic variables, distal part of upper-limb motor impairment, and certain aspects of quality of life in favor of TBAT or RBAT. Specifically, the TBAT group demonstrated significantly better temporal efficiency and smoothness, straighter trunk motion, and less trunk compensation compared with the CT and RBAT groups. The RBAT group had increased shoulder flexion compared with the CT and TBAT groups. On the FMA, the TBAT group showed higher distal part scores than the CT group. On the SIS, the RBAT group had better strength subscale, physical function domain, and total scores than the CT group.

Limitations

This study recruited patients with mild spasticity and without cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

Compared with CT, TBAT and RBAT exhibited differential effects on outcome measures. Therapist-based BAT may improve temporal efficiency, smoothness, trunk control, and motor impairment of the distal upper limb. Robot-assisted BAT may improve shoulder flexion and quality of life.
Conservative treatment for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis to achieve bone healing using a hard brace: what type and how long?
Authors: Sairyo Koichi , Sakai Toshinori , Yasui Natsuo , Dezawa Akira
Published: April 2012

Object

Various kinds of trunk braces have been used to achieve bone healing in cases of pediatric lumbar spondylolysis. However, the optimal brace for achieving bone healing is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to determine in what types of spondylolysis bone healing can be achieved and how long it takes.

Methods

In this prospective study, 63 pars interarticularis defects (spondylolysis) among 37 patients who were younger than 18 years (mean 13.5 ± 2.7 years) were treated using a hard brace. The youngest patient was 8 years old. Based on the results of CT scanning, the lyses were classified into 3 categories: early, progressive, and terminal defects. Progressive defects were further divided into 2 types according to STIR MRI findings: those with high signal intensity at the adjacent pedicle and those with low signal intensity (that is, a normal appearance). A hard brace, such as a molded plastic thoracolumbosacral orthosis, was used to immobilize the trunk. Approximately every 3 months, CT scanning was performed to evaluate bone healing until approximately 6 months.

Results

The union rates were 94%, 64%, 27%, and 0% for the early, progressive with high signal intensity, progressive with low signal intensity, and terminal defects, respectively. It was noted that no terminal defect was healed using conservative treatment. The mean time to healing among the defects that showed bone healing was 3.2, 5.4, and 5.7 months for the early, progressive with high signal intensity, and progressive with low signal intensity groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with early-stage defects are the best candidates for conservative treatment with a hard brace because more than 90% of such cases can be healed in 3 months.
Development of a large-animal model to measure dynamic cerebrospinal fluid pressure during spinal cord injury
Authors: Jones Claire F. , Lee Jae H. T. , Kwon Brian K. , Cripton Peter A.
Published: April 2012

Object

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in considerable permanent neurological impairment, and unfortunately, the successful translation of effective treatments from laboratory models to human patients is lacking. This may be partially attributed to differences in anatomy, physiology, and scale between humans and rodent models. One potentially important difference between the rodent and human spinal cord is the presence of a significant CSF volume within the intrathecal space around the human cord. While the CSF may “cushion” the spinal cord, pressure waves within the CSF at the time of injury may contribute to the extent and severity of the primary injury. The objective of this study was to develop a model of contusion SCI in a miniature pig and establish the feasibility of measuring spinal CSF pressure during injury.

Methods

A custom weight-drop device was used to apply thoracic contusion SCI to 17 Yucatan miniature pigs. Impact load and velocity were measured. Using fiber optic pressure transducers implanted in the thecal sac, CSF pressures resulting from 2 injury severities (caused by 50-g and 100-g weights released from a 50-cm height) were measured.

Results

The median peak impact loads were 54 N and 132 N for the 50-g and 100-g injuries, respectively. At a nominal 100 mm from the injury epicenter, the authors observed a small negative pressure peak (median −4.6 mm Hg [cranial] and −5.8 mm Hg [caudal] for 50 g; −27.6 mm Hg [cranial] and −27.2 mm Hg [caudal] for 100 g) followed by a larger positive pressure peak (median 110.5 mm Hg [cranial] and 77.1 mm Hg [caudal] for 50 g; 88.4 mm Hg [cranial] and 67.2 mm Hg [caudal] for 100 g) relative to the preinjury pressure. There were no significant differences in peak pressure between the 2 injury severities or the caudal and cranial transducer locations.

Conclusions

A new model of contusion SCI was developed to measure spinal CSF pressures during the SCI event. The results suggest that the Yucatan miniature pig is an appropriate model for studying CSF, spinal cord, and dura interactions during injury. With further development and characterization it may be an appropriate in vivo largeanimal model of SCI to answer questions regarding pathological changes, therapeutic safety, or treatment efficacy, particularly where humanlike dimensions and physiology are important.
Axiomatic of Fuzzy Complex Numbers
Authors: Garrido Angel
Published: April 2012

Fuzzy numbers are fuzzy subsets of the set of real numbers satisfying some additional conditions. Fuzzy numbers allow us to model very difficult uncertainties in a very easy way. Arithmetic operations on fuzzy numbers have also been developed, and are based mainly on the crucial Extension Principle. When operating with fuzzy numbers, the results of our calculations strongly depend on the shape of the membership functions of these numbers. Logically, less regular membership functions may lead to very complicated calculi. Moreover, fuzzy numbers with a simpler shape of membership functions often have more intuitive and more natural interpretations. But not only must we apply the concept and the use of fuzzy sets, and its particular case of fuzzy number, but also the new and interesting mathematical construct designed by Fuzzy Complex Numbers, which is much more than a correlate of Complex Numbers in Mathematical Analysis. The selected perspective attempts here that of advancing through axiomatic descriptions.
Seismic Analysis of Historic Masonry Buildings: The Vicarious Palace in Pescia (Italy)
Authors: Betti Michele , Galano Luciano
Published: April 2012

Recent Italian earthquakes have underlined the need for wide monitoring and safety assessment of architectonical heritage. This has emerged also from requirements of the new Italian Technical Recommendations for buildings. Within this subject the paper investigates the seismic vulnerability of a specific monumental masonry building: the Vicarious Palace (Palazzo del Vicario) in Pescia, a small town near Florence. The structural behavior of the Palace was investigated using a finite element model in which the non-linearities of the masonry were considered by proper constitutive assumptions. The seismic behavior was evaluated by the pushover method, according to the Italian Technical Recommendations. The results were compared with the ones obtained by a simplified approach based on the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. Comparisons of the expected seismic demand vs the seismic capacity of the Palace confirm the weakness of this type of building to suffer extensive damage under earthquakes, as frequently observed in similar construction typologies. Additionally, the comprehension of the structural behavior under seismic loading allows the identification of a proper retrofitting strategy.
Electroactive Bisiminopyridine Ligands: Synthesis and Complexation Studies
Authors: Nita Gabriela , Branzea Diana , Pop Flavia , El-Ghayoury Abdelkrim , Avarvari Narcis
Published: April 2012

The condensation reaction of (4-(6,7-dimethyldithio-tetrathiafulvalene)-aniline) with 2,6-diformylpyridine afforded an electroactive Schiff base (N,N,N) pincer (3). This pincer was reacted with Zn(II) cation to yield the corresponding Zinc chloride complex (4). The crystal structure of the newly prepared electroactive zinc complex reveals that the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) is neutral and the zinc cation is pentacoordinated. The two chlorines are involved in a set of hydrogen bonds giving rise to a 2D supramolecular grid arrangement. The electronic absorption properties and the electrochemical behavior have been elucidated. These two compounds are promising for the construction of crystalline radical cation salts.
Diversity of Mat-Forming Fungi in Relation to Soil Properties, Disturbance, and Forest Ecotype at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA
Authors: Trappe Matthew J. , Cromack Kermit , Caldwell Bruce A. , Griffiths Robert P. , Trappe James M.
Published: April 2012

In forest ecosystems, fungal mats are functionally important in nutrient and water uptake in litter and wood decomposition processes, in carbon resource allocation, soil weathering and in cycling of soil resources. Fungal mats can occur abundantly in forests and are widely distributed globally. We sampled ponderosa pine/white fir and mountain hemlock/noble fir communities at Crater Lake National Park for mat-forming soil fungi. Fungus collections were identified by DNA sequencing. Thirty-eight mat-forming genotypes were identified; members of the five most common genera (Gautieria, Lepiota, Piloderma, Ramaria, and Rhizopogon) comprised 67% of all collections. The mycorrhizal genera Alpova and Lactarius are newly identified as ectomycorrhizal mat-forming taxa, as are the saprotrophic genera Flavoscypha, Gastropila, Lepiota and Xenasmatella. Twelve typical mat forms are illustrated, representing both ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi that were found. Abundance of fungal mats was correlated with higher soil carbon to nitrogen ratios, fine woody debris and needle litter mass in both forest ecotypes. Definitions of fungal mats are discussed, along with some of the challenges in defining what comprises a fungal “mat”.
Intra-/Interobserver Agreement of Enhancement Pattern for Pancreatic Head Lesions Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: According to EFSUMB Guidelines
Authors: Grossjohann Hanne Sønder , Ewertsen Caroline , Svendsen Lars Bo , Nielsen Michael Bachmann
Published: April 2012

Objective: To evaluate the intra-/interobserver agreement of the visual interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of pancreatic head lesions and its concordance with the histological test results. Material and Methods: Two observers (A + B) evaluated by simple visual interpretation 40 consecutive CEUS examinations of pancreatic head lesions and one of the observers evaluated the examinations twice (A1 + A2). The examinations were evaluated according to the criteria outlined in EFSUMB guidelines. The two experienced observers were blinded to histological evidence and clinical information of tumor type and to each other’s results. Results: The kappa value for the intraobserver evaluation between observer A1 and A2 was 0.89, equating to almost perfect agreement. The kappa value for the interobserver evaluation between observer A1 and B was 0.76 and between observer A2 and B it was 0.75, both equating to substantial agreement. Evaluation of the visual interpretation compared to the histological test result showed a positive predictive value for A1, A2 and B versus biopsy of 97%, 94% and 90% respectively and an accuracy of 83%, 88% and 73% respectively. Conclusions: Visual interpretation for assessment of contrast enhancement of pancreatic head lesions seemed to be an accurate method with reproducible results and good concordance with the histological test results.
Application of Ionic Liquids in the Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Proanthocyanidins from Larix gmelini Bark
Authors: Yang Lei , Sun Xiaowei , Yang Fengjian , Zhao Chunjian , Zhang Lin , Zu Yuangang
Published: April 2012

Ionic liquid based, microwave-assisted extraction (ILMAE) was successfully applied to the extraction of proanthocyanidins from Larix gmelini bark. In this work, in order to evaluate the performance of ionic liquids in the microwave-assisted extraction process, a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids with different cations and anions were evaluated for extraction yield, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide was selected as the optimal solvent. In addition, the ILMAE procedure for the proanthocyanidins was optimized and compared with other conventional extraction techniques. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory extraction yield of the proanthocyanidins was obtained. Relative to other methods, the proposed approach provided higher extraction yield and lower energy consumption. The Larix gmelini bark samples before and after extraction were analyzed by Thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the ILMAE method is a simple and efficient technique for sample preparation.
Marinopyrrole Derivatives as Potential Antibiotic Agents against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (I)
Authors: Liu Yan , Haste Nina M. , Thienphrapa Wdee , Nizet Victor , Hensler Mary , Li Rongshi
Published: April 2012

Infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens are on the rise. The ongoing spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains exemplifies the urgent need for new antibiotics. The marine natural product, marinopyrrole A, was previously shown to have potent antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including MRSA. However, its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA was increased by >500 fold in the presence of 20% human serum, thus greatly limiting therapeutic potential. Here we report our discovery of a novel derivative of marinopyrrole A, designated 1a, featuring a 2–4 fold improved MIC against MRSA and significantly less susceptibility to serum inhibition. Importantly, compound 1a displayed rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA. Compared to the natural product counterpart, compound 1a provides an important natural product based scaffold for further Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) and optimization.
Self-Organizing Maps of Molecular Descriptors for Sesquiterpene Lactones and Their Application to the Chemotaxonomy of the Asteraceae Family
Authors: Scotti Marcus T. , Emerenciano Vicente , Ferreira Marcelo J. P. , Scotti Luciana , Stefani Ricardo , Da Silva Marcelo S. , Junior Francisco Jaime B. Mendonça
Published: April 2012

The Asteraceae, one of the largest families among angiosperms, is chemically characterised by the production of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). A total of 1,111 SLs, which were extracted from 658 species, 161 genera, 63 subtribes and 15 tribes of Asteraceae, were represented and registered in two dimensions in the SISTEMATX, an in-house software system, and were associated with their botanical sources. The respective 11 block of descriptors: Constitutional, Functional groups, BCUT, Atom-centred, 2D autocorrelations, Topological, Geometrical, RDF, 3D-MoRSE, GETAWAY and WHIM were used as input data to separate the botanical occurrences through self-organising maps. Maps that were generated with each descriptor divided the Asteraceae tribes, with total index values between 66.7% and 83.6%. The analysis of the results shows evident similarities among the Heliantheae, Helenieae and Eupatorieae tribes as well as between the Anthemideae and Inuleae tribes. Those observations are in agreement with systematic classifications that were proposed by Bremer, which use mainly morphological and molecular data, therefore chemical markers partially corroborate with these classifications. The results demonstrate that the atom-centred and RDF descriptors can be used as a tool for taxonomic classification in low hierarchical levels, such as tribes. Descriptors obtained through fragments or by the two-dimensional representation of the SL structures were sufficient to obtain significant results, and better results were not achieved by using descriptors derived from three-dimensional representations of SLs. Such models based on physico-chemical properties can project new design SLs, similar structures from literature or even unreported structures in two-dimensional chemical space. Therefore, the generated SOMs can predict the most probable tribe where a biologically active molecule can be found according Bremer classification.
Maternal Vitamin D Status and Delivery by Cesarean
Authors: Scholl Theresa O. , Chen Xinhua , Stein Peter
Published: April 2012

We examined the association of vitamin D deficiency to risk of cesarean delivery using prospective data in a cohort of 1153 low income and minority gravidae. Circulating maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone were measured at entry to care 13.73 ± 5.6 weeks (mean ± SD). Intake of vitamin D and calcium was assessed at three time points during pregnancy. Using recent Institute of Medicine guidelines, 10.8% of the gravidae were at risk of vitamin D deficiency, and 23.8% at risk of insufficiency. Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D was related positively to vitamin D and calcium intakes and negatively to circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone. Risk for cesarean delivery was increased significantly for vitamin D deficient women; there was no increased risk for gravidae at risk of insufficiency. When specific indications were examined, vitamin D deficiency was linked to a 2-fold increased risk of cesarean for prolonged labor. Results were the similar when prior guidelines for vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 37.5nmol/L) and insufficiency (37.5–80 nmol/L) were utilized.
A Real-Time Method to Detect and Track Moving Objects (DATMO) from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Using a Single Camera
Authors: Rodríguez-Canosa Gonzalo R. , Thomas Stephen , Del Cerro Jaime , Barrientos Antonio , MacDonald Bruce
Published: April 2012

We develop a real-time method to detect and track moving objects (DATMO) from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using a single camera. To address the challenging characteristics of these vehicles, such as continuous unrestricted pose variation and low-frequency vibrations, new approaches must be developed. The main concept proposed in this work is to create an artificial optical flow field by estimating the camera motion between two subsequent video frames. The core of the methodology consists of comparing this artificial flow with the real optical flow directly calculated from the video feed. The motion of the UAV between frames is estimated with available parallel tracking and mapping techniques that identify good static features in the images and follow them between frames. By comparing the two optical flows, a list of dynamic pixels is obtained and then grouped into dynamic objects. Tracking these dynamic objects through time and space provides a filtering procedure to eliminate spurious events and misdetections. The algorithms have been tested with a quadrotor platform using a commercial camera.
Multiplicity Adjustment for Composite Binary Endpoints
Authors: Kieser M. , Rauch G.
Published: April 2012

Background: Binary composite outcome measures are increasingly used as primary endpoints in clinical trials. Composite endpoints combine several events of interest within a single variable. However, as the effect observed for the composite does not necessarily reflect the effects for the individual components, it is recommended in the literature to additionally evaluate each component separately.

Objectives: The task is to define an adequate multiple test procedure which focuses on the composite outcome measure but allows for a confirmatory interpretation of the components in case of large effects.

Methods: In this paper, we determine the correlation matrix for a multiple binary endpoint problem of a composite endpoint and its components based on the normal approximation test statistic for rates. Thereby, we assume multinomial distributed components. We use this correlation to calculate the adjusted local significance levels. We discuss how to use our approach for a more informative formulation of the test problem. Our work is illustrated by two clinical trial examples.

Results: By taking into account the special correlation structure between a binary composite outcome and its components, an adequate multiple test procedure to assess the composite and its components can be defined based on an approximate multivariate normal distribution without much loss in power compared to a test problem formulated exclusively for the composite.

Conclusions: By incorporating the correlation under the null hypotheses, the global power for the multiple test problem assessing both the composite and its components can be increased as compared to simple Bonferroni-adjustment. Thus, a confirmatory analysis of the composite and its components might be possible without a large increase in sample size as compared to a single endpoint problem formulated exclusively for the composite
Treatment of Reperfused Ischemia with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in a Preclinical Swine Model of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Mazo Manuel , Hernández Salomón , Gavira Juan José , Abizanda Gloria , Araña Miriam , López-Martínez Tania , Moreno Cristina , Merino Juana , Martino-Rodríguez Alba , Uixeira Alicia , De Jalón José A. García , Pastrana Juan , Martínez-Caro Diego , Prósper Felipe
Published: April 2012

The aim of the study was to determine the long-term effect of transplantation of adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) in a preclinical model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). I/R was induced in 28 Goettingen minipigs by 120 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Nine days later, surviving animals were allocated to receive transendocardial injection of a mean of 213.6 ± 41.78 million green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing ADSCs ( n = 7) or culture medium as control ( n = 9). Heart function, cell engraftment, and histological analysis were performed 3 months after transplantation. Transplantation of ADSCs induced a statistically significant long-lasting (3 months) improvement in cardiac function and geometry in comparison with control animals. Functional improvement was associated with an increase in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and a positive effect on heart remodeling with a decrease in fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy in animals treated with ADSCs. Despite the lack of cell engraftment after 3 months, ADSC transplantation induced changes in the ratio between MMP/TIMP. Our results indicate that transplantation of ADSCs, despite the lack of long-term significant cell engraftment, increases vessel density and prevents adverse remodeling in a clinically relevant model of myocardial infarction, strongly suggesting a paracrine-mediated effect. ADSCs thus constitute an attractive candidate for the treatment of myocardial infarction.
Acceptance of Background Noise, Working Memory Capacity, and Auditory Evoked Potentials in Subjects with Normal Hearing
Authors: Brännström K. Jonas , Zunic Edita , Borovac Aida , Ibertsson Tina
Published: April 2012

Background:The acceptable noise level (ANL) test is a method for quantifying the amount of background noise that subjects accept when listening to speech. Large variations in ANL have been seen between normal-hearing subjects and between studies of normal-hearing subjects, but
few explanatory variables have been identified.Purpose:To explore a possible relationship between a Swedish version of the ANL test, working memory capacity (WMC), and auditory evoked potentials (AEPs).Research Design:ANL, WMC, and AEP were tested in a counterbalanced order across
subjects.Study Sample:Twenty-one normal-hearing subjects participated in the study (14 females and 7 males; aged 20‐39 yr with an average of 25.7 yr).Data Collection and Analysis:Reported data consists of age, pure-tone average (PTA), most comfortable level (MCL), background
noise level (BNL), ANL (i.e., MCL − BNL), AEP latencies, AEP amplitudes, and WMC. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated between the collected variables to investigate associations. A principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation was conducted on the
collected variables to explore underlying factors and estimate interactions between the tested variables. Subjects were also pooled into two groups depending on their results on the WMC test, one group with a score lower than the average and one with a score higher than the average. Comparisons
between these two groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.Results:A negative association was found between ANL and WMC but not between AEP and ANL or WMC. Furthermore, ANL is derived from MCL and BNL, and a significant
positive association was found between BNL and WMC. However, no significant associations were seen between AEP latencies and amplitudes and the demographic variables, MCL, and BNL. The PCA identified two underlying factors: One that contained MCL, BNL, ANL, and WMC and another that contained
latency for wave Na and amplitudes for waves V and Na-Pa. Using the variables in the first factor, the findings were further explored by pooling the subjects into two groups according to their WMC (WMClow and WMChigh). It was found that the WMClow had significantly
poorer BNL than the WMChigh.Conclusions:The findings suggest that there is a strong relationship between BNL and WMC, while the association between MCL, ANL, and WMC seems less clear-cut.
Les OGM : des modifications génétiques aux modifications géographiques ?
Authors: Glon Éric
Published: April 2012

Si l’agriculture transgénique est peu développée dans l’Union européenne, celle-ci souhaite promouvoir la coexistence entre cultures OGM et conventionnelles. L’Europe communautaire s’appuie sur deux principes. Elle entend préserver la liberté de choix de l’agriculteur et du consommateur tout en prenant en compte les éventuels risques environnementaux et sanitaires liés aux OGM. Comment l’Union européenne aborde-t-elle cette coexistence et quels sont les aménagements spatiaux envisagés. En quoi cela interpelle-t-il le géographe et quel peut-être son apport sur ce sujet ?
Rêve de famille, rêve de thérapeute
Authors: Combase Catherine
Published: April 2012

Résumé La thérapie familiale met en jeu un emboîtement de soutiens : soutien de la famille à ses membres, soutien du ou des thérapeutes au groupe familial, soutien des thérapeutes par d’autres groupes, comme la supervision. L’enfant atteint de troubles psychiques n’est pas seul à souffrir : tous les membres de la famille sont pris dans un réseau de relations douloureuses et compliquées. Les thérapeutes qui les écoutent peuvent s’attendre à revisiter dans le transfert leurs propres liens familiaux, leur histoire à travers les générations. Deux exemples cliniques illustrent ici cette problématique par des rêves, l’un dans une séance et l’autre chez la thérapeute, hors séance.
La famille de l'agresseur sexuel
Authors: Ciavaldini André
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le travail clinique avec des sujets auteurs d’agressions sexuelles montre que les familles d’origine de ces sujets sont des lieux de grande perturbation de la sphère affective et, par voie de conséquence, de la constitution des liens familiaux primaires. A partir d’une description de ces familles, cet article dépeint le déploiement d’un dispositif inter-institutionnel nécessaire à l’établissement de soins psychiques. En liaison avec l’emboîtement des cadres (judiciaire, thérapeutique, social), condition nécessaire mais pas suffisante, doit venir se développer une fonction d’inter-contenance institutionnelle. Seule celle-ci permettra que les affects générateurs des liens familiaux soient réinscrits dans un continuum historique, autorisant qu’à la place des agirs vienne s’imposer la mentalisation.
Crime et famille
Authors: Savin Bernard
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le crime perpétré par un membre d’une famille provoque un traumatisme important dans son sein. D’autant que l’acte criminel vise, parfois, à tenter de remettre en travail psychique les effets d’un traumatisme familial transgénérationnel, d’un événement réel, ancien, qui n’a pu être élaboré psychiquement et intégré à l’histoire mythique familiale. La thérapie familiale psychanalytique, en prison, permettra à la famille d’intégrer l’événement criminel à son histoire et d’initier ou de poursuivre l’élaboration d’un traumatisme familial ancien d’essence transgénérationnel.
La passion de l'ancestral
Authors: Cuynet Patrice
Published: April 2012

Résumé L’étude de 20 entretiens de généalogistes amateurs, qui s’expriment sur les circonstances et les effets de leur passion pour la généalogie, indique l’existence d’un vécu addictif. Celui-ci semble prouver l’urgence narcissique d’une reconsolidation du sentiment de soi. La proximité d’une période de perte existentielle sensibiliserait l’individu aux effets du transgénérationnel.
Comment résister à la confusion des images ?
Authors: Tisseron Serge
Published: April 2012

Résumé La fréquentation des nouvelles technologies conduit aujourd’hui les jeunes à avoir une distance critique plus grande vis-à-vis des images, même si l’être humain est toujours porté à croire en elles. La famille a un rôle important à jouer dans l’apprentissage d’une attitude critique vis-à-vis des images à condition que chacun parle de ses sensations et de ses émotions face à elles, les utilise comme une source d’information sur soi et reconnaisse leurs « failles ».
Jouer sept familles aux cartes ?
Authors: de la Genardière Claude
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le jeu des sept familles, né en France à la fin du dix-neuvième siècle, présente un intérêt largement méconnu, aussi bien sur les plans historique et sociologique que sur le plan psychanalytique. Il a servi de multiples desseins, politiques, pédagogiques, publicitaires, et de promotions diverses. Mais il reste d’actualité essentiellement parce que, loin de présenter avec ses cartes des familles de la réalité, comprenant deux grands-parents, deux parents et deux enfants, il fait plutôt exister une structure symbolique de parenté par la règle de décomposition et de recomposition des familles au cours d’une partie. Ce jeu offre ainsi un cadre privilégié pour la projection des fantasmes concernant la filiation, l’alliance, la succession des générations, la bisexualité.
L'enfant face aux images animées, de l'imaginé à la symbolisation
Authors: Allard Claude
Published: April 2012

Résumé La relation entre l’enfant et les images animées de l’audiovisuel qu’il regarde sur les petits écrans dans ses loisirs ou dans ses jeux n’engage pas seulement son intersubjectivité de joueur ou de spectateur. L’investissement narcissique de l’enfant est suffisamment fort pour qu’il noue avec les personnages un véritable « transfert ». Ces images lui procurent aussi des références identificatoires les plus variées. Elles se réfèrent le plus souvent à l’image de son corps. À partir d’une connaissance minimale du monde médiatique de l’enfant, le thérapeute navigue entre de nombreux écueils, de la fuite imaginaire consentie à la mise en jeu d’une symbolisation véritable qui ne peut être que verbalisable.
Les résultats des thérapies familiales psychanalytiques
Authors: Eiguer Alberto
Published: April 2012

Résumé Cette étude évalue les résultats de 20 cas traités pendant une longue période en corrélant, d’une part, les niveaux d’amélioration et, d’autre part, le type de famille, la durée du processus, la nature du transfert développée, la sollicitation contre-transférentielle, la co-thérapie ou la mono-thérapie. Dans 70 % des cas, l’évolution a été positive. Parmi les facteurs favorisant ces évolutions on trouve la prise de conscience sur les déterminismes collectifs et l’implication transférentielle. L’étude souligne l’intérêt des interventions du thérapeute axées sur les résistances et sur les ruptures du sentiment identitaire de la famille. Il est aussi utile que le thérapeute laisse transparaître son propre cheminement d’élaboration psychique.
La rivalité, pourquoi faire ?
Authors: Tisseron Serge
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le mythe de la « complémentarité homme-femme » a alimenté toutes les ségrégations contre les femmes depuis deux siècles. La psychanalyse y a notamment contribué avec ses propres mythes nullement nécessaires ni à la théorie, ni à la pratique de la psychanalyse, comme « l’envie du pénis », la « castration » et « l’enfant comme substitut du pénis », ou encore la dénonciation sans appel de l’homosexualité.
Mythes modernes de la domination
Authors: Eiguer Alberto
Published: April 2012

Résumé Dans le couple, la question de la domination est source de malentendus et de croyances mythiques absurdes qui sont parfois plus nocifs que la domination elle-même. L’auteur propose que la domination, sous la forme d’une emprise fonctionnelle, se développe habituellement dans le couple. Elle est la conséquence du lien. Par contre, dans le couple dysfonctionnel, elle peut adopter la forme de la contrainte, du défi phallique, de la peur maladive d’être aspiré, absorbé ou écrasé par l’autre, ou encore de l’intolérance à l’épanouissement de l’autre dans le but de l’asservir à soi. Les rapports entre les sexes ont certes beaucoup évolué dans le sens d’un respect réciproque. Mais actuellement apparaissent des modalités de domination plus subtiles que par le passé, où la femme risque d’être à nouveau perdante. En présentant une vignette de thérapie de couple, l’auteur essaie de préciser l’origine inconsciente de la domination et de ses mythes.
La différenciation sexuelle à l'épreuve du couple
Authors: Dupré La Tour Monique
Published: April 2012

Résumé Les différentes étapes de la vie d’un couple, son instauration et ses crises dans leurs deux dimensions : crises de la désillusion et crises structurelles, mettent à l’épreuve l’identité narcissique et l’identité sexuelle des conjoints. Le travail de dépassement de la crise permet aux conjoints de reprendre l’évolution pré-œdipienne et œdipienne et ouvre à une meilleure intégration de la féminité et de la virilité. Le couple est dans ces conditions un nouvel organisateur du psychisme.
Du registre humaniste au registre identitaire
Authors: Jacquemart Alban
Published: April 2012

Résumé En interrogeant les variabilités de l'engagement féministe des hommes au cours des années 1970, cet article s'intéresse aux interactions entre individus et organisations pour comprendre le processus d'engagement. L'étude montre alors que la légitimité militante des hommes dans les groupes féministes au cours de la décennie est l'objet de profondes transformations. Ainsi, l'expression d'un registre humaniste, qui appréhende le féminisme comme une sous-partie d'une lutte politique plus large, est mise à mal par le renouveau féministe, notamment incarné par le MLF. Progressivement, c'est un registre identitaire, fondé sur un rejet des normes de genre, qui est imposé par les militantes féministes comme la modalité d'engagement féministe masculin légitime. Ce renouvellement des formes de militantisme féministe a alors des effets non seulement sur le nombre d'hommes engagés mais également sur le profil social des militants.
Preferential Expansion of Human Virus-Specific Multifunctional Central Memory T Cells by Partial Targeting of the IL-2 Receptor Signaling Pathway: The Key Role of CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Schmueck Michael , Fischer Annika M. , Hammoud Ben , Brestrich Gordon , Fuehrer Henrike , Luu Si-Hong , Mueller Karin , Babel Nina , Volk Hans-Dieter , Reinke Petra
Published: April 2012

Effector memory T cells are effective in controlling acute infections, but central memory T cells play a key role in long-lasting protection against viruses and tumors. In vivo/in vitro challenge by Ag commonly supports the generation of effector memory T cells with limited longevity. To our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time in the human system and under rechallenge conditions that targeting IL-2R by partial mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition or blocking IL-2Rα enriches human CD4+/CD8+ central memory T cells within the virus-specific T cell product associated with enhanced functionality (i.e., multicytokine secretors, including IL-2; enhanced CD137 and CD107a expression on CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively; and killing infected target cells). Remarkably, the effects on CD8+ T cells are mainly mediated via the enhancement of CD4+ T cell function. The data reveal new insights into the role of CD4+ T cell support for the quality of CD8+ T cell memory, even under rechallenge conditions. Moreover, our method offers a new approach to improve the long-lasting efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy in patients.