bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erfassung und Erkennung menschlicher Aktionen durch Tracking von Bewegungsmerkmalen
Authors: Back Kristine , Puente León Fernando
Published: March 2012

Die videobasierte Analyse menschlicher Aktivitäten ist für immer mehr technische Anwendungen von großem Interesse. Es wird eine Methode vorgestellt, welche aus einem Video Informationen über eine ausgeführte Aktion durch das Verfolgen von Bewegungsmerkmalen extrahiert. Mittels örtlicher und zeitlicher Filterung werden Regionen in einer Bildfolge detektiert, an denen eine starke Bewegungsintensität vorliegt. Die so erhaltenen Merkmalspunkte werden mittels des Mean-Shift-Verfahrens bei Verwendung von Bewegungs- und Farbinformationen über der Zeit verfolgt. Aus den so gewonnenen Punktverläufen werden dynamische Modelle für verschiedene Aktionsarten gebildet, welche schließlich zur Klassifikation verwendet werden.
Vektorielles Messen und Modellieren von magnetischer Hysterese
Authors: Sutor Alexander , Kallwies Jan , Lerch Reinhard
Published: March 2012

Die Qualität numerischer Simulationen ist in entscheidender Weise von den verwendeten Materialmodellen und deren Parametern abhängig. Nur mit guten Modellbeschreibungen kann das Verhalten von Bauteilen, wie Sensoren und Aktoren, zuverlässig vorausberechnet werden. Werden magnetische Materialien sehr hoch ausgesteuert, was bei einem effizienten Einsatz des Materials im Aktorbetrieb notwendig ist, so sind Hystereseerscheinungen nicht mehr zu vernachlässigen. Man benötigt also Modelle, die diese Hystereseerscheinungen abbilden können, sowie Daten für die Modellparameter. Daher sind Messverfahren notwendig, mit denen diese Modellparameter zuverlässig bestimmt werden können. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Messplatz zur vektoriellen Erfassung von magnetischer Hysterese vorgestellt, das sogenannte Vector-Vibrating-Sample-Magnetometer (VVSM). Die Messergebnisse werden mit denen anderer Messmethoden verglichen. Dieser Messplatz dient dazu, die Parameter für ein neues, vektorielles Hysteresemodell zu ermitteln. Das von uns vorgeschlagene Modell basiert auf dem klassischen Preisach-Hysteresemodell. Dieses skalare Modell wird um einen Drehoperator erweitert, der den einzelnen Preisach-Gewichten eine Richtung zuordnet. Die Verifizierung des Modells erfolgt für unterschiedliche Materialien durch einen Vergleich mit den VVSM-Messungen.
Übertragungsverhalten von tiefenscannenden Weißlichtinterferometern
Authors: Xie Weichang , Lehmann Peter , Niehues Jan
Published: March 2012

Tiefenscannende Weißlichtinterferometer haben sich in der Mikro- und Nanotechnologie als Messgeräte zur 3D-Geometrieerfassung etabliert. Während eine axiale Auflösung im Sub-Nanometerbereich erreicht werden kann, ist die laterale Auflösung durch die Beugung auf die Größenordnung der Lichtwellenlänge begrenzt. Zudem treten bei der Messung von Kantenstrukturen Abweichungen von einer korrekten Übertragung der zu messenden Topographie auf. Die Beugung führt hier zu dem Batwing-Effekt. Ein Ansatz, das Übertragungsverhalten eines optischen Profilometers zu charakterisieren, basiert auf der ITF (Instrument Transfer Function), die sich von der für Abbildungssysteme gebräuchlichen MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) ableitet. Unsere Untersuchungen zeigen, dass die ITF nicht nur von der Periodenlänge eines gemessenen Profils, sondern auch von dessen Amplitude und Form abhängt. Der Profilverlauf bei Rechteckprofilen geeigneter Amplitude kann bis zu einer Periodenlänge, die der optischen Auflösung gemäß dem Rayleigh-Kriterium entspricht, korrekt erfasst werden. Bei Messobjekten mit inhomogenem Fresnel-Koeffizienten, z. B. ein Chromgitter auf einem Glassubstrat, kann die laterale Auflösung deutlich schlechter sein. Eine Simulation für stochastisch raue Oberflächenprofile zeigt eine Überhöhung der Rauheit bei kurzer Korrelationslänge des Oberflächenprofils.
Medical Staff Appointment and Delineation of Pediatric Privileges in Hospitals
Authors: Rauch Daniel A. ,   THE COMMITTEE ON HOSPITAL CARE,   SECTION ON HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Eichner Jerrold M. , Betts James M. , Chitkara Maribeth B. , Jewell Jennifer A. , Lye Patricia S. , Mirkinson Laura J. , Rauch Daniel A. , Daru Jennifer A. , Garber Matthew D. , Hain Paul D. , Narang Steve , Quinonez Ricardo A. , Stucky Erin R.
Published: March 2012

The review and verification of credentials and the granting of clinical privileges are required of every hospital to ensure that members of the medical staff are competent and qualified to provide specified levels of patient care. The credentialing process involves the following: (1) assessment of the professional and personal background of each practitioner seeking privileges; (2) assignment of privileges appropriate for the clinician’s training and experience; (3) ongoing monitoring of the professional activities of each staff member; and (4) periodic reappointment to the medical staff on the basis of objectively measured performance. We examine the essential elements of a credentials review for initial and renewed medical staff appointments along with suggested criteria for the delineation of clinical privileges. Sample forms for the delineation of privileges can be found in the Supplemental tab. Because of differences among individual hospitals, no 1 method for credentialing is universally applicable. The medical staff of each hospital must, therefore, establish its own process based on the general principles reviewed in this report. The issues of medical staff membership and credentialing have become very complex, and institutions and medical staffs are vulnerable to legal action. Consequently, it is advisable for hospitals and medical staffs to obtain expert legal advice when medical staff bylaws are constructed or revised.
Pediatric Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Authors:   SECTION ON CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIAC SURGERY, Campell Robert , Berger Stuart , Ackerman Michael J. , Morrow W. Robert , Jenkins Kathy , Minich L. LuAnn , Rosenthal Geoffrey L. , Snyder Christopher S. , Twedell James
Published: March 2012

Pediatric sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which can cause sudden cardiac death if not treated within minutes, has a profound effect on everyone: children, parents, family members, communities, and health care providers. Preventing the tragedy of pediatric SCA, defined as the abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function, remains a concern to all. The goal of this statement is to increase the knowledge of pediatricians (including primary care providers and specialists) of the incidence of pediatric SCA, the spectrum of causes of pediatric SCA, disease-specific presentations, the role of patient and family screening, the rapidly evolving role of genetic testing, and finally, important aspects of secondary SCA prevention. This statement is not intended to address sudden infant death syndrome or sudden unexplained death syndrome, nor will specific treatment of individual cardiac conditions be discussed. This statement has been endorsed by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society.
Combining optimal defense theory and the evolutionary dilemma model to refine predictions regarding plant invasion
Authors: Alba Christina , Bowers M. Deane , Hufbauer Ruth
Published: March 2012

Optimal defense theory posits that plants with limited resources deploy chemical defenses based on the fitness value of different tissues and their probability of attack. However, what constitutes optimal defense depends on the identity of the herbivores involved in the interaction. Generalists, which are not tightly coevolved with their many host plants, are typically deterred by chemical defenses, while coevolved specialists are often attracted to these same chemicals. This imposes an “evolutionary dilemma” in which generalists and specialists exert opposing selection on plant investment in defense, thereby stabilizing defenses at intermediate levels. We used the natural shift in herbivore community composition that typifies many plant invasions to test a novel, combined prediction of optimal defense theory and the evolutionary dilemma model: that the within‐plant distribution of defenses reflects both the value of different tissues (i.e., young vs. old leaves) and the relative importance of specialist and generalist herbivores in the community. Using populations of Verbascum thapsus exposed to ambient herbivory in its native range (where specialist and generalist chewing herbivores are prevalent) and its introduced range (where only generalist chewing herbivores are prevalent), we illustrate significant differences in the way iridoid glycosides are distributed among young and old leaves. Importantly, high‐quality young leaves are 6.5× more highly defended than old leaves in the introduced range, but only 2× more highly defended in the native range. Additionally, defense levels are tracked by patterns of chewing damage, with damage restricted mostly to low‐quality old leaves in the introduced range, but not the native range. Given that whole‐plant investment in defense does not differ between ranges, introduced mullein may achieve increased fitness simply by optimizing its within‐plant distribution of defense in the absence of certain specialist herbivores.
Pax-2 antigene expression in kidney tumours
Authors: Vjestica Jelena , Markovic-Lipkovski Jasmina , Tulic Cane , Djokic Milan , Cegar Bojan , Cirovic Sanja , Stojanovic Martina , Vuksanovic Aleksandar
Published: March 2012

Pax-2 transcriptional factor is expressed during kidney development and could
re-express in renal tumors. The aim of this study was to examine Pax-2
expression in different types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in order to see
whether it is good immunohistochemical marker. Method: We analyzed 48
different renal tumours stained with Pax-2 antibody. Pax-2 positive reaction
was noticed in nucleus or cytoplasm. Expression of this antigen in tumours
tissue was correlated with tumour stage and nuclear grade. Pax-2 expression
between different histological RCC types was analyzed by X2 test and Fishers
test for two in depended samples. Results: Pax-2 is expressed by a high
percentage of renal tumors regardless of histologic type. Significant
difference of Pax-2 expression between oncocytomas and chromofobe RCC was
found. Conclusion: Nuclear expression of Pax-2 is useful diagnostic kidney
tumour marker. Pax-2 showed stronger expression in lower malignancy kidney
tumours and in oncocytomas, than in high grade RCC like in those with
sarcomatoid differentiation.
Ultrasound diagnosis of gallbladder polyps
Authors: Tomic Dragan , Pavlovic-Markovic Aleksandra , Alempijevic Tamara , Davidovic Dragana , Prsic Daliborka , Vuckovic Maja
Published: March 2012

The most frequent benign gallbladder polyps are cholesterol polyps. Next in
frequency were adenomas, which may have malignant potential. The aim of this
study was to assess the possibility of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and
differential diagnosis of cholesterol polyps compared to adenomas. Patients
were examined during the period from October 2006. to December 2008. In
Department of Ultrasound, Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
Belgrade. The group of 54 patients analyzed consisted of 30 women (56%) and
24 men (44%). Most (59%) had solitary polyps. In 92.6% of patients the size
of polyps was below 10 mm. 74% of respondents were over 50 years.
Ultrasonography is the method of choice and gold standard in diagnosis of
gallbladder polyps. Based on echoic properties cholesterol polyps can not be
distinguished from adenomas. Malignant alteration of polyps also could not be
detected. Appropriate ultrasonographic characteristics such as size of
polyps, appearance of a broad base that sits on the wall, concomitant
lithiasis findings and patient age may be indicative for malignancy.
Shoulder hemiarthroplasty rehabilitation with fractures
Authors: Radovanovic Tatjana , Vukov Vladimir , Grajic Mirko , Manojlovic-Opacic Mirjana , Bumbasirevic Marko , Durasic Ljubomir
Published: March 2012

Fractures of the upper end of the humerus are relatively common. They are
predominant in the female population (85%), age over 50 years, where the
force that leads to fractures in 90% of cases is moderate. Multifragmentary
(three-part and four- part) fracture of the upper end of humerus, treated
nonoperatively, often leaves behind a significant disability. Materials and
Methods: Between October 2003-2010, the rehabilitation of 34 patients with
shoulder hemiarthroplasty was carried out. Results: The achieved results are
accompanied by a precise evaluation of Constant-score, after sixth month of
operation. By scoring system, it estimates the pain, the mobility of the
shoulder joint, the functional evaluation of the hand and grip strength. In
25 patients (73.5%) the Constant-score was >90 points. In 7 patients (20.6%)
was 80-89, and in 2 patients (5.9%) the value of Constsant-score was < 60
points. Conclusion: The maximum possible restitution of shoulder function in
patients with shoulder hemiarthroplasty isprovided by: - well conducted
operation - early started, adequate kinesiotherapeutic protocol, implemented
long enough - a good motivation of patients for the treatment.
Frequency and clinical characteristics of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma in women
Authors: Alempijevic Tamara , Sokic-Milutinovic Aleksandra , Pavlovic-Markovic Aleksandra , Krstic Radmilo , Popovic Dragan , Djuranovic Srdjan , Spuran Milan , Tomic Dragan , Ugljesic Milenko
Published: March 2012

Introduction: Available literature states that the incidence of colorectal
adenomas and cancer is more common in men, however, lately has been observed
increasing number of patients among women. Aim: to analyze the frequency and
clinical characteristics of colorectal adenomas and cancer in women.
Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study in which data of
695 patients with colorectal adenomas and carcinomas have been analyzed from
a total of 10,659 patients who underwent colonoscopy. Results: Colonoscopy
and colorectal neoplasms were more frequently diagnosed in man (71.88%/67.4%)
than women (28.12%/32.65%), so the results must be interpreted with caution.
Conclusion: The increase in the number of women who suffer from colorectal
adenoma and carcinoma can be explained by balancing lifestyle and increasing
the number of women who are examined, given up the initial resistance that
women had to colonoscopy, which is a potentially painful and embarrassing.
Karakteristike pacijenata sa implantiranom totalnom protezom zgloba kuka i kolena
Authors: Zivkovic Kristina , Markovic-Denic Ljiljana , Bumbasirevic Vesna , Lesic Aleksandar , Dubljanin-Raspopovic Emilija , Bumbasirevic Marko , Djurasic Ljubomir
Published: March 2012

Osteoarthrosis is the most frequent joint disorder in the world. An increased
incidence of total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) has
been noticed recently. AIM: To investigate demographic characteristics,
comorbidities, surgical factors and postoperative complications of patients
who received THR or TKR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients aged at least 30 years
hospitalized at the Clinics for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology,
Clinical Centre of Serbia, for THR or TKR between January 1, 2008 and January
1, 2010. were included in a retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Out of 529
investigated patients, 421 (79.6%) were in the THR group, and 108 were in the
TKR group. Patients in the TKR group were 68.7+7.8 year old in average and
were significantly older than patients in the THR group (p<0.01). There were
more women than men in both groups, but no statistical significance was
observed. Hypertension, which was the most frequent comorbidity, was noticed
in 96 (18.1%) patients. 40% of patients were of poor physical condition (ASA
3 and more) approximately. Regional anaesthesia was performed more frequently
in the TKR group than in the THR group (p<0.01). The operations of knee
replacement surgery lasted longer than hip replacement surgery
(139.9+30.1min; p<0.01). All patients received thromboprophylactic drugs.
Five patients (0.9%) who were in the THR group had prosthesis dislocation as
one of the observed postoperative complication. The mean duration of
hospitalization of patients in the TKR group was 29.7+24.7 days which was
longer than in the THR group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Older population,
especially women were operated on more frequently in the both groups.
Regional anaesthesia was performed more frequently in the TKR group. Although
a large percentage of patients had cardiovascular disorders and were of poor
physical condition, postoperative complications were rare.
Preliminary experience with 18f-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Odalovic Strahinja , Sobic-Saranovic Dragana , Pavlovic Smiljana , Grozdic Isidora , Saranovic Djordjije , Petrovic Milorad , Milovanovic Aleksandar , Petrasinovic Zorica , Djuric-Stefanovic Aleksandra , Obradovic Vladimir
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to present preliminary experience with FDG PET/CT
in pediatric oncology patients in National PET Center, Clinical Center of
Serbia and to asses its impact on management of malignancies in children. 33
FDG PET /CT scans were performed on 30 pediatric patients. PET/CT imaging was
performed for staging the disease, assessing therapy efficacy and diagnosing
recurrent or metastatic disease. FDG PET/CT changed the stage of the disease
in 60.6 % (20/33) of the cases. 14 patients were down-staged after PET/CT,
mostly patients with Hodgkin?s disease, were in 7/10 cases PET/CT showed no
activity in residual masses. Six scans led to upstage of the disease. In
three cases PET/CT did not change the stage of disease, but has showed new
distant metastases. In conclusion, FDG PET/CT showed important role in
managing pediatric patients with different malignancies and was useful
complementary diagnostic tool to conventional imaging methods.
Acinetobacter spp. colonization and infection risk factors in surgical patients
Authors: Mioljevic Vesna , Simic Aleksandar , Radenkovic Dejan , Galun Danijel , Palibrk Ivan , Ostojic Slavenko , Stojakov Dejan , Varagic Zorica , Pavlovic Milorad , Milicevic Miroslav
Published: March 2012

INTRODUCTION: The results of numerous studies carried out over the last two
decades have indicated that Acinetobacter spp. represents an increasingly
important cause of intrahospital infections (IHI). The aim of the study was
to determine potential differences in distribution of individual risk factors
between the group of patients in whom multiresistant Acinetobacter spp. was
isolated and the group of patients in whom it was not. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A prospective cohort study of 64 patients hospitalized with recorded IHI at
the University Hospital for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in
the period between January and July 2011. The subjects were divided into two
groups: patients with IHI in whom multiresistant Acinetobacter spp. was
isolated from the biological material samples, and those with IHI without the
presence of Acinetobacter spp. RESULTS: Univariate data analysis indicated
presence of statistically significant difference in distribution of certain
types of surgeries (esophageal, pancreatic and hepatobiliary) among the two
groups of subjects, distribution of CVC placement, application of mechanical
ventilation and nasogastric tube placement, length of stay in ICU, lethal
outcomes and administration of third generation cephalosporins. The results
of multivariate analysis indicated that length of hospitalization in ICU (> 7
days), CVC, mechanical ventilation, esophageal, pancreatic and hepatobiliary
surgeries as well as administration of third generation cephalosporins are
independent risk factors for colonization and infection of patients with
Acinetobacter spp. CONCLUSION: Colonized or infected patients with
Acinetobacter spp. play a major role in contamination of hands of the medical
staff in the course of care and treatment, while inadequate hand hygiene of
the staff leads to cross transmission of the causative organism to
infection-free patients. Selective antibiotic pressure, particularly
administration of quinolones and broad-spectrum cephalosporins, favor onset
of multiresistant species of Acinetobacter spp., and therefore appropriate
prophylaxis and treatment represent basic preventive measures against the
onset and spreading of the causative organisms.
The effect of patient age, the presence of infection and neoplastic disease on the occurrence of dehiscence laparotomy
Authors: Paunovic Milorad
Published: March 2012

Background/Aim. Dehiscence after laparotomy is one of the major complications
of laparotomy. Laparotomy is a partial or complete wound with disruption and
evisceratio abdominal organs and require urgent reintervention. The aim of
this study was to determine the impact of age, infection and neoplastic
disease on the occurrence of dehiscence laparotomy. Methods. A
retrospective-prospective study were included 826 patients operated at the
Clinic for General Surgery in Nis in the period from January 2008 to December
2009. The effect of patient age, the presence of infection and neoplastic
disease on the occurrence of dehiscence laparotomy. Results are displayed
numerically and in percentages. Results. Of the total 32 patients with
dehiscence laparotomy, 20 patients were male or 62.5% and 12 female patients,
or 37.5%. Patients with dehiscence laparotomy were significantly younger than
patients without dehiscence laparotomy (T-test t=3.237, p<0.05). The average
age of respondents with dehiscence was 57.93 years, while patients without
dehiscence 63.97 years. There is a statistically highly significant
correlation between laparotomy dehiscence and infection (X2=62.024, p<0,01).
There was a statistically significant association between dehiscence
laparotomy and neoplastic diseases (X2 =42,196; p<0,01). Conclusion. With
respect to age, dehiscence laparotomy is significantly more common in younger
patients. Infection was significantly more frequent in patients with
dehiscence laparotomy. In patients with neoplastic diseases dehiscence
laparotomy is common.
Development and treatment of cataract in myopic eye with phakic intraocular lens Fyodorov in the posterior chamber
Authors: Jovanovic Milos , Bobic-Radovanovic Anica , Glisic Selimir , Stankovic Zora
Published: March 2012

This is a case report of a female patient who, due to high myopia, had
silicone phakic intraocular lens type Fyodorov with plate-haptics implanted
in the posterior chamber (PC pIOLs). The anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC)
resulted in significant reduction of visual acuity and, therefore, the
patient, after 16 years of the first surgery, underwent another surgical
intervention. She had the pIOLs explantation, phacoemulsification and
implantation of the flexible intraocular lens (IL) in the capsular bag.
Explantation of the pIOLs, cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and IOL
implantation were carried out through the same clear corneal incision and the
intraoperative course was uneventful. The visual acuity of the operated eye
was equal to pre-cataract period.
A case of intussuscepted and incarcerated Meckel’s diverticulum in to the coecum
Authors: Dikic Srdjan , Dragojevic Svetlana , Zdravkovic Darko , Djordjevic Miroslav , Kovcin Vladimir , Milovanovic Aleksandar
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Intussusception with the Meckel?s diverticulum is rare cause of
small bowel obstruction in the adults. The Meckel diverticulum is the most
common cause of intestinal obstruction in children. METHODS (CASE REPORT): We
present a case of 18-year-old boy with developing signs of small bowel
obstruction The onset of disease was the day before the first examination.
There was no history of prior surgery. According to the clinical symptoms,
physical examinations as well as radiographic and ultrasound examination,
surgical treatment was indicated. Surgical approach was inferior medial
laparotomy. Intussusceptions of the Meckel?s diverticulum and into the coecum
with incarceration were found. De-sincarceration and simple diverticulectomy
was done. CONCLUSION: The Meckels?s diverticulum should be consider as a
possible cause of the small bowel obstruction in previously healthy patient.
Caspar Luyken’s illustrated bible among the Serbs and Bulgarians in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Authors: Stosic Ljiljana
Published: March 2012

The engraving of the Finding of Moses from Caspar Luyken?s Amsterdam (1694)
and Nuremberg (1708) bibles served as a model for Teodor Kracun?s painting
for the small iconostasis of the Orthodox cathedral in Sremski Karlovci
(1780), for the Viennese printer J. G. Mansfeld?s frontispiece of Dositej
Obradovic?s Poem of the Deliverance of Serbia (1789) and for Dimitar Zograf
?s fresco in the vault of the exonarthex of the Rila Monastery (1843). Three
different versions of the original copper engraving reveal how Luyken?s Bible
was used in support of the cause of religious revival and national liberation
of the Serbs and Bulgarians in the Habsburg and Ottoman empires respectively
in the late eighteen century and the first half of the nineteenth.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Cases Litigated in the Small Case Division of the U.S. Tax Court
Authors: Finnegan Thomas R. , Molloy Karen H. , Sternburg Thomas J.
Published: March 2012

This paper identifies a problematic area of the U.S. tax system involving the Small Case Division of the U.S. Tax Court (Small Tax Case Court) and makes policy recommendations that will help the Court operate more efficiently. In the Small Tax Case Court, a relatively small taxpayer can challenge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with minimal cost and formality. Little research has been conducted with respect to the type of issues litigated in the Small Tax Case Court and the success rate of taxpayers on these issues. In this paper, we present our analysis of the 1,660 cases which have been litigated in this court for the period 2001 through 2009.

We identified the issues in each case and found that most of the issues fall into four main categories: family, penalties, trade or business expenses, and gross income. We also found that taxpayers won on all issues in 113 of the 1,660 cases, for a success rate of approximately 7 percent. For the four main issue categories, the taxpayer success rate was 11 percent for matters that involved family issues, 13 percent for penalties, 3 percent for trade or business expenses, and 6 percent for gross income. The Court ruled in favor of the IRS on most issues because taxpayers did not provide adequate substantiation or because they blatantly underreported income.

From a policy standpoint, we believe that taxpayers should be informed that their chance of winning in the Small Tax Case Court is very low to nil if their claims are unsubstantiated or if they pursue an overly aggressive reporting strategy. Our hope is that if taxpayers know that their chance of winning in these types of situations is highly unlikely, they will stop litigating such issues in the Small Tax Case Court. A reduction in the number of cases involving spurious claims will allow the Court to be more efficient and more effective.

We make other policy recommendations that would improve the U.S. tax system, including one that would provide taxpayers with greater access to professional representation by waiving the examination requirement for CPAs and enrolled agents (EAs) who would otherwise have represented taxpayers in the Small Tax Case Court. For taxpayers, we provide a number of recommendations as to how taxpayers should substantiate their claims, which will (1) help them make better decisions regarding whether to litigate, and (2) increase their success rate in the Small Tax Case Court.

Data Availability: Data will be made available to other researchers who are interested in extending this body of knowledge.
Base Catalytic Transesterification of Vegetable Oil
Authors: Mainali Kalidas
Published: March 2012

Sustainable economic and industrial growth requires safe, sustainable resources of energy. Biofuel is becoming increasingly important as an alternative fuel for the diesel engine. The use of non-edible vegetable oils for biofuel production is significant because of the increasing demand for edible oils as food. With the recent debate of food versus fuel, some non-edible oils like soapnut and Jatropha (Jatropha curcus. L) are being investigated as possible sources of biofuel. Recent research has focused on the application of heterogeneous catalysis. This review considers catalytic transesterification and the possibility of heterogeneous base catalysts. The process of transesterification, and the effect of parameters, mechanism and kinetics are reviewed. Although chromatography (GC and HPLC) are the analytical methods most often used for biofuel characterization, other techniques and some improvements to analytical methods are discussed.
Common Nano-Materials and Their Use in Real World Applications
Authors: McIntyre Robin A.
Published: March 2012

Today engineered nano-materials have attracted a great deal of attention due to their important properties which have given birth to vast technological and economic growth in a number of industrial sectors. Nano-materials are indeed expected to become the cornerstone of a number of sectors such as microelectronics, materials, textiles, energy, healthcare and cosmetic goods. Nanotechnology applications will give rise to cleaner energy production, lighter and more durable materials, inexpensive clean water production and will benefit medical applications such as smart drugs and diagnostics.

However, one has to be mindful of the risks involved concerning potential toxicity and exposure route and the verdict is still out on a number of nano-materials as to the relative dangers to humans and the environment.

This brief review hopes to describe some of the main contenders and their real world applications but it should only be considered a snapshot of the industry and its relative potential.
John Edwards Holbrook's illustrations of fishes in the Bibliothèque centrale, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris
Authors: Anderson William D.
Published: March 2012

John Edwards Holbrook (1794–1871), zoologist and medical doctor, residing in Charleston, South Carolina, apparently sent eight colour plates of North American fishes to the museum in Paris because they were found in the Bibliothèque centrale, Muséum national d' Histoire naturelle, with known Holbrook material, most significantly a copy of his 1855 edition of the Ichthyology of South Carolina. Herein, I comment upon the illustrations of the 16 fishes rendered in those plates.
The biological exploration of Darfur, 1799–1998
Authors: Wilson R. Trevor
Published: March 2012

Darfur covers an area in excess of 400,000 square kilometres in the west of the Republic of Sudan. The Sultanate of Darfur was an independent entity for eight centuries. Three “outsiders” in the sultanate commented on its biology before its annexation by Egypt in the 1870s. A naturalist accompanied the Egyptian invasion but the area was overrun by Mahdist forces in 1883, then reverted to independence in 1898 before incorporation into the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 1916. No outsiders entered Darfur in the period 1883–1916 but information from spies and informers on wildlife and trade in products appeared in Sudan government reports. The period 1916–1955 produced considerable information from officers in the Sudan Political Service (SPS) and from travellers as a by-product of voyages of geographical discovery. After independence in 1956 biological discovery continued with data gathered, especially on the vegetation and its ecology, through rural development projects by their staff as part of their duties and for animal life through the personal interests of some staff: there were also field trips by Sudanese and foreign universities. There has been little new information since the 1980s and it seems there will be restricted future new knowledge. Darfur's biological importance derives from its range of ecosystems, from northern deserts to southern deciduous woodland, because it forms a bridge between west and east and because of the isolated massif of Jebel Marra. Biologically it has been, and is being, affected by human population expansion, spread of cultivation, civil strife and climatic vagary. The combined effects of these factors have had a mainly negative effect on larger mammals, birds and the composition and productivity of the vegetation.
The collaboration of the French naturalist Charles De Gerville with the Sowerby family and its contribution to early nineteenth-century geology
Authors: Cleevely R. J.
Published: March 2012

Letters discovered in Normandy between Charles De Gerville (1769–1853), the French archaeologist and naturalist, and members of the Sowerby family concern his investigation of the strata, their fossils and the exchange of information, specimens and publications. Together with other archives at the Natural History Museum, London, the University of Bristol and the Bibliotheque Municipale de Cherbourg, they deal with his research during the early nineteenth century on the geology of the Cotentin (Cherbourg Peninsula). A brief resumé of James Sowerby's early botanical interests is mentioned as the likely link for this relationship. Sowerby's Mineral conchology is believed to have had a major role in influencing De Gerville's research, particularly through its support of John Farey's advocacy of William Smith's methods. These letters, together with references to published accounts about geology at that time, reveal the difficulties under which this research was conducted. An account of De Gerville's early life is given to explain his links with English contemporaries, mention his characteristic qualities, or foibles, and assess the value of his contribution to geology.
Beak tax to control predatory birds in the Faroe Islands
Authors: Bloch D.
Published: March 2012

A beak tax was levied in the Faroe Islands from 1742 until 1881. Every man between the ages of 15 and 50 was obliged each year to submit to the authorities one raven's beak or two beaks of a crow, great skua or greater black-backed gull. A fine was imposed if a man failed in this obligation. The tax was repealed in 1881, after which men were paid for the beaks, and records of the beaks exist until 1934. A total of about 800 beaks submitted annually did not appear to deplete the bird populations, however the increasing human population from around 1800 increased the pressure on the bird populations which then declined rapidly from around 1850. A brief increase in the number of beaks occurred after 1881 when men were paid for the beaks and after that time the populations declined again. The population of crows declined more dramatically than the raven population while the great skua had declined to four breeding pairs when it was protected in 1897. The number of beaks submitted is correlated to the island size, the habitat index and the number of sheep. The smack fishery from the 1880s resulted in a better economy and better survival of the ewes in the lambing season which led to less interest in shooting the four bird species that predated on lambs. The bird populations have recovered even though the Faroese are still allowed to hunt them all the year round.
Subliminal and Supraliminal Processing of Facial Expression of Emotions: Brain Oscillation in the Left/Right Frontal Area
Authors: Balconi Michela , Ferrari Chiara
Published: March 2012

The unconscious effects of an emotional stimulus have been highlighted by a vast amount of research, whereover it remains questionable whether it is possible to assign a specific function to cortical brain oscillations in the unconscious perception of facial expressions of emotions. Alpha band variation was monitored within the right- and left-cortical side when subjects consciously (supraliminal stimulation) or unconsciously (subliminal stimulation) processed facial patterns. Twenty subjects looked at six facial expressions of emotions (anger, fear, surprise, disgust, happiness, sadness, and neutral) under two different conditions: supraliminal (200 ms) vs. subliminal (30 ms) stimulation (140 target-mask pairs for each condition). The results showed that conscious/unconscious processing and the significance of the stimulus can modulate the alpha power. Moreover, it was found that there was an increased right frontal activity for negative emotions vs. an increased left response for positive emotion. The significance of facial expressions was adduced to elucidate cortical different responses to emotional types.
From Environment to Man: Genome Evolution and Adaptation of Human Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Aujoulat Fabien , Roger Frédéric , Bourdier Alice , Lotthé Anne , Lamy Brigitte , Marchandin Hélène , Jumas-Bilak Estelle
Published: March 2012

Environment is recognized as a huge reservoir for bacterial species and a source of human pathogens. Some environmental bacteria have an extraordinary range of activities that include promotion of plant growth or disease, breakdown of pollutants, production of original biomolecules, but also multidrug resistance and human pathogenicity. The versatility of bacterial life-style involves adaptation to various niches. Adaptation to both open environment and human specific niches is a major challenge that involves intermediate organisms allowing pre-adaptation to humans. The aim of this review is to analyze genomic features of environmental bacteria in order to explain their adaptation to human beings. The genera Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Ochrobactrum provide valuable examples of opportunistic behavior associated to particular genomic structure and evolution. Particularly, we performed original genomic comparisons among aeromonads and between the strictly intracellular pathogens Brucella spp. and the mild opportunistic pathogens Ochrobactrum spp. We conclude that the adaptation to human could coincide with a speciation in action revealed by modifications in both genomic and population structures. This adaptation-driven speciation could be a major mechanism for the emergence of true pathogens besides the acquisition of specialized virulence factors.
Micromachined Flow Sensors in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Silvestri Sergio , Schena Emiliano
Published: March 2012

Application fields of micromachined devices are growing very rapidly due to the continuous improvement of three dimensional technologies of micro-fabrication. In particular, applications of micromachined sensors to monitor gas and liquid flows hold immense potential because of their valuable characteristics (e.g., low energy consumption, relatively good accuracy, the ability to measure very small flow, and small size). Moreover, the feedback provided by integrating microflow sensors to micro mass flow controllers is essential to deliver accurately set target small flows. This paper is a review of some application areas in the biomedical field of micromachined flow sensors, such as blood flow, respiratory monitoring, and drug delivery among others. Particular attention is dedicated to the description of the measurement principles utilized in early and current research. Finally, some observations about characteristics and issues of these devices are also reported.
Coupling of Nanoporous Chromium, Aluminium-Containing Silicates with an Ionic Liquid for the Transformation of Glucose into 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde
Authors: Antunes Margarida M. , Lima Sérgio , Pillinger Martyn , Valente Anabela A.
Published: March 2012

Micro/mesoporous chromium, aluminium-containing silicates of the type TUD-1 (Al-TUD-1, Cr-TUD-1, CrAl-TUD-1) and zeolite BEA, Cr-BEA, and related composites BEA/TUD-1 and Cr-BEA/TUD-1, were prepared, characterised, and tested as solid acids coupled with the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim]Cl) as solvent, in the transformation of d-glucose into 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde (Hmf), at 120 °C. The chromium-containing catalytic systems lead to considerably higher Hmf yields in comparison to the related systems without chromium. The IL is a favourable solvent for this target reaction (in terms of Hmf yields reached) compared to water or dimethylsulfoxide. A detailed study on the stabilities of the nanoporous solid acids in the IL medium is presented.
Analysis of Organic Volatile Flavor Compounds in Fermented Stinky Tofu Using SPME with Different Fiber Coatings
Authors: Liu Yuping , Miao Zhiwei , Guan Wei , Sun Baoguo
Published: March 2012

The organic volatile flavor compounds in fermented stinky tofu (FST) were studied using SPME-GC/MS. A total of 39 volatile compounds were identified, including nine esters, seven alcohols, five alkenes, four sulfides, three heterocycles, three carboxylic acids, three ketones, two aldehydes, one phenol, one amine and one ether. These compounds were determined by MS, and conformed by comparison of the retention times of the separated constituents with those of authentic samples and by comparison of retention indexes (RIs) of separated constituents with the RIs reported in the literature. The predominant volatile compound in FST was indole, followed by dimethyl trisulfide, phenol, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl tetrasulfide. In order to find a better extraction time, the extraction times was optimized for each type of SPME fiber; the results show that the best extraction time for Carboxen/PDMS is 60 min, for PDMS/DVB 30 min, for DVB/CAR/PDMS 60 min and for PDMS 75 min. Of the four fibers used in this work, Carboxen/PDMS is found to be the most suitable to extract the organic volatile flavor compounds in fermented stinky tofu.
Water Soluble Polymers as Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells
Authors: Ye Yun-Sheng , Rick John , Hwang Bing-Joe
Published: March 2012

The relentless increase in the demand for useable power from energy-hungry economies continues to drive energy-material related research. Fuel cells, as a future potential power source that provide clean-at-the-point-of-use power offer many advantages such as high efficiency, high energy density, quiet operation, and environmental friendliness. Critical to the operation of the fuel cell is the proton exchange membrane (polymer electrolyte membrane) responsible for internal proton transport from the anode to the cathode. PEMs have the following requirements: high protonic conductivity, low electronic conductivity, impermeability to fuel gas or liquid, good mechanical toughness in both the dry and hydrated states, and high oxidative and hydrolytic stability in the actual fuel cell environment. Water soluble polymers represent an immensely diverse class of polymers. In this comprehensive review the initial focus is on those members of this group that have attracted publication interest, principally: chitosan, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (vinylpyrrolidone), poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) and poly (styrene sulfonic acid). The paper then considers in detail the relationship of structure to functionality in the context of polymer blends and polymer based networks together with the effects of membrane crosslinking on IPN and semi IPN architectures. This is followed by a review of pore-filling and other impregnation approaches. Throughout the paper detailed numerical results are given for comparison to today’s state-of-the-art Nafion® based materials.
Improved Forest Biomass and Carbon Estimations Using Texture Measures from WorldView-2 Satellite Data
Authors: Eckert Sandra
Published: March 2012

Accurate estimation of aboveground biomass and carbon stock has gained importance in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. In order to develop improved forest stratum–specific aboveground biomass and carbon estimation models for humid rainforest in northeast Madagascar, this study analyzed texture measures derived from WorldView-2 satellite data. A forest inventory was conducted to develop stratum-specific allometric equations for dry biomass. On this basis, carbon was calculated by applying a conversion factor. After satellite data preprocessing, vegetation indices, principal components, and texture measures were calculated. The strength of their relationships with the stratum-specific plot data was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation. Biomass and carbon estimation models were developed by performing stepwise multiple linear regression. Pearson’s correlation coefficients revealed that (a) texture measures correlated more with biomass and carbon than spectral parameters, and (b) correlations were stronger for degraded forest than for non-degraded forest. For degraded forest, the texture measures of Correlation, Angular Second Moment, and Contrast, derived from the red band, contributed to the best estimation model, which explained 84% of the variability in the field data (relative RMSE = 6.8%). For non-degraded forest, the vegetation index EVI and the texture measures of Variance, Mean, and Correlation, derived from the newly introduced coastal blue band, both NIR bands, and the red band, contributed to the best model, which explained 81% of the variability in the field data (relative RMSE = 11.8%). These results indicate that estimation of tropical rainforest biomass/carbon, based on very high resolution satellite data, can be improved by (a) developing and applying forest stratum–specific models, and (b) including textural information in addition to spectral information.
Improvement of KinectTM Sensor Capabilities by Fusion with Laser Sensing Data Using Octree
Authors: Chávez Alfredo , Karstoft Henrik
Published: March 2012

To enhance sensor capabilities, sensor data readings from different modalities must be fused. The main contribution of this paper is to present a sensor data fusion approach that can reduce KinectTM sensor limitations. This approach involves combining laser with KinectTM sensors. Sensor data is modelled in a 3D environment based on octrees using a probabilistic occupancy estimation. The Bayesian method, which takes into account the uncertainty inherent in the sensor measurements, is used to fuse the sensor information and update the 3D octree map. The sensor fusion yields a significant increase of the field of view of the KinectTM sensor that can be used for robot tasks.
Dithiooxamide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Studies of Non-Aqueous Media: Electrochemical Behaviors of Quercetin on the Electrode Surface
Authors: Mülazımoğlu Ayşen Demir , Yılmaz Ecir , Mülazımoğlu İbrahim Ender
Published: March 2012

Electrochemical oxidation of quercetin, as an important biological molecule, has been studied in non-aqueous media using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To investigate the electrochemical properties of quercetin, an important flavonoid derivative, on a different surface, a new glassy carbon electrode has been developed using dithiooxamide as modifier in non-aqueous media. The surface modification of glassy carbon electrode has been performed within the 0.0 mV and +800 mV potential range with 20 cycles using 1 mM dithioxamide solution in acetonitrile. However, the modification of quercetin to both bare glassy carbon and dithiooxamide modified glassy carbon electrode surface was carried out in a wide +300 mV and +2,800 mV potential range with 10 cycles. Following the modification process, cyclic voltammetry has been used for the surface characterization in aqueous and non-aqueous media whereas electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used in aqueous media. Scanning electron microscopy has also been used to support the surface analysis. The obtained data from the characterization and modification studies of dithioxamide modified and quercetin grafted glassy carbon electrode showed that the developed electrode can be used for the quantitative determination of quercetin and antioxidant capacity determination as a chemical sensor electrode.