bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functionally Specific Changes in Resting-State Sensorimotor Networks after Motor Learning
Authors: Vahdat Shahabeddin , Darainy Mohammad , Milner Theodore E. , Ostry David J.
Published: November 2011

Motor learning changes the activity of cortical motor and subcortical areas of the brain, but does learning affect sensory systems as well? We examined in humans the effects of motor learning using fMRI measures of functional connectivity under resting conditions and found persistent changes in networks involving both motor and somatosensory areas of the brain. We developed a technique that allows us to distinguish changes in functional connectivity that can be attributed to motor learning from those that are related to perceptual changes that occur in conjunction with learning. Using this technique, we identified a new network in motor learning involving second somatosensory cortex, ventral premotor cortex, and supplementary motor cortex whose activation is specifically related to perceptual changes that occur in conjunction with motor learning. We also found changes in a network comprising cerebellar cortex, primary motor cortex, and dorsal premotor cortex that were linked to the motor aspects of learning. In each network, we observed highly reliable linear relationships between neuroplastic changes and behavioral measures of either motor learning or perceptual function. Motor learning thus results in functionally specific changes to distinct resting-state networks in the brain.
Convergent Local Identity and Topographic Projection of Sensory Neurons
Authors: Karim M. Rezaul , Moore Adrian W.
Published: November 2011

Development of sensory neural circuits requires concurrent specification of neuron modality, position, and topographic projections. However, little is understood about how controls over these distinct parameters can unify in a single developmental sequence. To address this question, we have used the nociceptive class IV dendritic arborization neurons in theDrosophilalarval body wall as an excellent model that allows precise spatiotemporal dissection of developmental-genetic control over sensory neuron positioning and wiring, and subsequent analysis of its functional significance for sensorimotor behavior. The class IV neurogenetic program is intrinsic to the anterior domain of the embryonic parasegment epithelium. Along the ventrolateral axis of this domain, nociceptive neuron induction requirements depend upon location. Near the ventral midline, both Hedgehog and Epithelial growth factor receptor signaling are required for class IV neurogenesis. In addition, close to the ventral midline, class IV neurogenesis is preceded by expression of the Iroquois factor Mirror that promotes local nociceptive neuron differentiation. Remarkably, Mirror is also required for the proper routing of class IV topographic axonal projections across the midline of the CNS. Manipulation of Mirror activity in class IV neurons retargeted axonal projections and caused concordant changes in larval nociceptive escape behavior. These findings indicate that convergent sensory neuron specification, local differentiation, and topographic wiring are mediated by Mirror, and they suggest an integrated paradigm for position-sensitive neural development.
Thalamic Burst Firing Propensity: A Comparison of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate and Pulvinar Nuclei in the Tree Shrew
Authors: Wei Haiyang , Bonjean Maxime , Petry Heywood M. , Sejnowski Terrence J. , Bickford Martha E.
Published: November 2011

Relay neurons in dorsal thalamic nuclei can fire high-frequency bursts of action potentials that ride the crest of voltage-dependent transient (T-type) calcium currents [low-threshold spike (LTS)]. To explore potential nucleus-specific burst features, we compared the membrane properties of dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) and pulvinar nucleus relay neurons usingin vitrowhole-cell recording in juvenile and adult tree shrew (Tupaia) tissue slices. We injected current ramps of variable slope into neurons that were sufficiently hyperpolarized to de-inactivate T-type calcium channels. In a small percentage of juvenile pulvinar and dLGN neurons, an LTS could not be evoked. In the remaining juvenile neurons and in all adult dLGN neurons, a single LTS could be evoked by current ramps. However, in the adult pulvinar, current ramps evoked multiple LTSs in >70% of recorded neurons. Using immunohistochemistry, Western blot techniques, unbiased stereology, and confocal and electron microscopy, we found that pulvinar neurons expressed more T-type calcium channels (Cav3.2) and more small conductance potassium channels (SK2) than dLGN neurons and that the pulvinar nucleus contained a higher glia-to-neuron ratio than the dLGN. Hodgkin–Huxley-type compartmental models revealed that the distinct firing modes could be replicated by manipulating T-type calcium and SK2 channel density, distribution, and kinetics. The intrinsic properties of pulvinar neurons that promote burst firing in the adult may be relevant to the treatment of conditions that involve the adult onset of aberrant thalamocortical interactions.
Greece: A Portrait in Seeds
Authors: Cohen Shayna
Published: November 2011

Scientists and governments worldwide have, for decades, made mammoth efforts to “bank” agricultural biodiversity as an insurance policy against natural and manmade threats to the global food supply. Meanwhile, in recent years a perfect storm has been brewing: small-scale and midscale farmers are hungry for new market opportunities; consumers in more developed countries crave foods that come with a history and from a known place; and the concepts of biodiversity and terroir as applied to food are creeping into mainstream consciousness.

Using Greece as a lens for examining these issues and using seeds as a lens for understanding Greece, this article explores the country's myriad food-plant variety preservation initiatives, from community seed saving to government gene banking, and it asks: Could banked seeds be distributed to farmers who could cultivate them, regenerating the seed collections themselves, reintroducing consumers to old varieties and creating new market opportunities for struggling small and midsize farmers? Could seed bankers, plant breeders, consumers, seed-saving farmers, and innovative food businesses collaborate in a mutually beneficial way to preserve and promote heirloom seed varieties? What would it take to bring more heirloom seeds from the freezer to the field?
Variabilidade climática sazonal e anual da chuva e veranicos no Estado do Paraná
Authors: Minuzzi Rosandro Boligon , Caramori Paulo Henrique
Published: November 2011

As mudanças climáticas na escala regional são muito divergentes e nem sempre acompanham a tendência global. Metodologias estatísticas foram utilizadas para analisar o comportamento sazonal e anual da chuva e de veranicos, em 21 estações hidrológicas localizadas no Estado do Paraná. Os resultados obtidos pelo Teste de Homogeneidade Normal Padrão não indicam pontos de mudanças estatisticamente significativos, no comportamento climático da quantidade de chuva. Entretanto, a Análise de Regressão e o teste de Kendall mostram que, nas últimas décadas, a quantidade de chuva anual tem aumentado, principalmente na primavera, entre 16 e 42 mm/década, na metade leste do Paraná. A mesma tendência foi observada na intensidade dos eventos extremos diários de chuva, mas os municípios e períodos sazonais com esta característica não seguem rigorosamente as tendências apresentadas na quantidade de chuva. O número de tendências significativas (predominantemente negativas) é menor para os veranicos, com duração de 5 a 10 dias, com quantidade acumulada inferior a 10 mm, porém, mais perceptível na primavera e na escala anual.
Efeito de biorregulador na germinação e no vigor de sementes de soja
Authors: Moterle Lia Mara , Santos Renato Frederico dos , Scapim Carlos Alberto , Braccini Alessandro de Lucca e , Bonato Carlos Moacir , Conrado Thiago
Published: November 2011

Os biorreguladores vegetais são substâncias que podem incrementar o crescimento e o desenvolvimento vegetal e estimular a divisão celular, podendo interferir na germinação das sementes. Assim, neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes sob a ação de biorregulador. Utilizaram-se sementes de nove cultivares comerciais de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) e três concentrações (400; 500 e 600 mL 100 kg-1 de sementes) do biorregulador Stimulate®, além da testemunha, constituída de tratamento com água destilada. Testes de germinação e de vigor foram realizados em sementes, observando-se a percentagem de germinação (primeira contagem e contagem final), percentagem de plântulas normais fortes, velocidade de germinação, comprimento da raiz primária e da parte aérea, bem como a biomassa da matéria seca das plântulas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro ou cinco repetições, dependendo do teste. Doses crescentes de biorregulador não influenciaram a germinação e a biomassa da matéria seca das sementes; entretanto, podem aumentar a velocidade de germinação, dependendo do cultivar.
Evaluation of laboratory markers of progression of HIV disease to death
Authors: Viana Graça Maria de Castro , Nascimento Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão , Ferreira Aila de Menezes , Rabelo Érica Milena Fernandes , Diniz Neto João Arnaud , Galvão Carolina de Souza , Santos Alessandro Carvalho dos , Santos Júnior Onildo Martins , Oliveira Rodrigo Artur Souza de , Binda Júnior José Roberto
Published: November 2011

INTRODUCTION: One of the important current problems in HIV/AIDS infection is the establishment of epidemiological and laboratorial prognostic parameters during patient follow-up. This study aimed at analyzing the evolution of laboratory tests: CD4 lymphocyte count, viral load, hemoglobin (Hb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the epidemiological variables sex and age as prognostic factors for survival in progression to death among AIDS patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using analysis of medical records, and prospective 24-month follow-up of patients with HIV/ AIDS attended at the President Vargas Hospital Outpatient Clinic, a reference center in HIV/ AIDS attendance in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The study analyzed patients aged 10 to 60 years old, who manifested AIDS and who were not using antiretroviral therapy or had used it for less than 5 years. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample included 100 patients - 57 were current outpatients, and 43 had died. The variables viral load (p=0.726), ALT (p=0.314), sex (p=0.687), and age (p=0.742) were analyzed, and no evidence of association between them and worst prognosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relation was verified between low Hb levels (p=0.000) and CD4 (p=0.000) and shorter survival.
Inibição do desenvolvimento inicial de plantas de girassol, milho e triticale por palhada de capim-colchão
Authors: Pereira M.R.R. , Teixeira R.N. , Souza G.S.F. , Silva J.I.C. , Martins D.
Published: November 2011

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os possíveis efeitos alelopáticos da massa seca de plantas de capim-colchão (Digitaria horizontalis), incorporadas ao solo em diferentes densidades, sobre a germinação e o crescimento inicial de milho, girassol e triticale. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, e as parcelas foram constituídas de uma planta, conduzida em vasos com capacidade para 2,5 L, dispostos inteiramente ao acaso. Material seco de capim-colchão nas quantidades equivalentes a 0, 2,5, 5,0 e 10 t ha-1 foi incorporado à terra. A emergência foi avaliada diariamente até 10 dias após a semeadura, quando se calculou a porcentagem final de emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE). A altura e a massa seca das plantas foram avaliadas 35 dias após a semeadura. A incorporação da palhada da planta daninha não interferiu na germinação e no IVE das espécies avaliadas. A massa seca e a altura de plantas de todas as espécies foram influenciadas pela palhada, decrescendo de acordo com o aumento da concentração da palhada incorporada ao solo, com exceção do triticale, que não teve alteração quanto à altura.
Escala de atitude frente à fofoca: evidências de validade e confiabildade
Authors: Gouveia Valdiney V. , Sousa Deliane Macedo Farias de , Albuquerque-Souza Andréa Xavier de , Sá-Serafim Roseane Christhina da Nova , Gonçalves Clênia Maria Toledo de Santana
Published: November 2011

A fofoca é um elemento comum nas conversas cotidianas tanto de adultos quanto de crianças, está presente em todas as culturas e explica diversos comportamentos sociais. Portanto, considerando a relevância desse construto e a ausência de medida específica no contexto brasileiro, decidiu-se adaptar a Escala de Atitudes frente à Fofoca (EAFF) para, especificamente, conhecer evidências de sua validade fatorial e de sua consistência interna. O instrumento é formado por 12 itens, respondidos em escala de 5 pontos, e mede dois fatores: valor moral e valor social da fofoca. Participaram da pesquisa 261 estudantes universitários de instituições públicas e privadas de João Pessoa (PB), com idade média de 26 anos, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (71,6%). Por meio de análises fatoriais confirmatórias, foram testados dois modelos: (1) unifatorial (alternativo) e (2) bifatorial (modelo original). Os resultados mostraram que o modelo bifatorial apresentou os melhores indicadores de ajuste, com índices de confiabilidade (Alfa de Cronbach) aceitáveis para fins de pesquisa.
Integrated Dynamic Modeling of Contaminant Fate and Transport within a Soil–Plant System
Authors: Goktas Recep Kaya , Aral Mustafa M.
Published: November 2011

Contaminants found in the soil and in the atmosphere frequently find their way into plants. Because plants are at the bottom of the food chain, analysis of this pathway contributes to health risk assessment studies. On the other hand, plants that exist at a contaminated site have a potential effect on contaminant transformation and migration within the soil or the atmosphere. In this study, a modeling framework was developed to integrate the plant pathway into soil contaminant transport models. A soil–plant system model was developed by coupling soil moisture distribution, contaminant transport, plant life cycle, and plant pathway models. The outcome unifies single‐medium continuous models with multimedia compartmental models in a flexible framework. The framework recognizes that plants are dynamic biologic systems that regulate their life cycle in interaction with existing conditions in the ambient environment, which significantly influence the dynamics of the overall complex system. The model developed was applied to a hypothetical contamination scenario where the effect of plants on contaminant migration within the system was investigated. Also, the outcome of the plant pathway as it responds to water flow and contaminant transport dynamics was analyzed. A mass balance analysis found that the processes of volatilization and root water uptake are very critical in determining the contaminant fate within the system. A sensitivity analysis showed that the contaminant concentration within the plant is significantly affected by the variation in the values of the retardation factor, transpiration stream concentration factor, and contaminant half‐life within the plant. The outcome of these applications reflects the effect of multiple levels of complexity associated with plant growth and root water uptake representations within the soil.
Transport and Deposition of Variably Charged Soil Colloids in Saturated Porous Media
Authors: Sharma Anu , Kawamoto Ken , Moldrup Per , de Jonge Lis Wollesen , Komatsu Toshiko
Published: November 2011

A series of column experiments was conducted to investigate the transport and deposition of variably charged colloids in saturated porous media. Soil colloids with diameters <1 μm were extracted from a volcanic‐ash soil from Nishi‐Tokyo (referred to here as VAS colloids) and a red‐yellow soil from Okinawa (RYS colloids) in Japan. The VAS colloids exhibited a negative surface charge with a high pH dependency, whereas the RYS colloids exhibited a negative surface charge with less pH dependency. The soil colloids were applied as colloidal suspensions to 10‐cm‐long saturated sand columns packed with either Narita sand (mean diameter = 0.64 mm) or Toyoura sand (mean diameter = 0.21 mm) at different flow rates, suspension concentrations, and pH conditions. Both sands exhibited a negative surface charge in the measured pH range, but the pH dependency was more pronounced for the Toyoura sand. Breakthrough curves and deposition profiles for soil colloids were strong functions of the hydrodynamics, solution pH, and surface charge of the colloids and sand grains. Greater deposition was typical for lower flow rates and lower pH. The deposition of VAS colloids in both sands under low‐pH conditions exhibited depth‐dependent retention, with high colloid deposition at the column inlet. The RYS colloids were mainly deposited uniformly along columns, and depth‐dependent retention was observed only in Toyoura sand at low pH. Results suggest that decreasing solution pH enhanced surface charge neutralization of both soil colloids and sand grains, thereby increasing colloid deposition. This study emphasizes that the pH‐dependent surface charge of both mobile colloids and receiving porous media needs more consideration in models for colloid and colloid‐facilitated transport in soil.
Tempo® most probable number technique for the enumeration yeasts and moulds in feed and food products
Authors: Lakicevic B. , Velebit B. , Borovic B. , Jankovic V. , Spiric D. , Matekalo-Sverak V. , Lilic S.
Published: November 2011

The large and diverse group of microscopic foodborne yeasts and moulds
includes several hundred species. Both yeasts and moulds cause various
degrees of deterioration and decomposition of food. They can invade and grow
on virtually any type of food at any time, e.g. they invade field crops such
as small grains, nuts, beans, tomatoes, and apples both in the field before
harvesting and during storage. They also grow on processed foods and food
mixtures. Their detectability in or on foods depends on food type, organisms
involved and degree of invasion. Thanks to the research it was possible to
evaluate how useful is automated TEMPO? system (bioM?rieux) for deterimining
the total number of yeasts and moulds in feedand foodproducts. Twenty
artificially contaminated foods were tested including dietetic products,
seafoods and dairy products. Further, spices, food additives and animal feed
were screened for natural contamination with yeasts and moulds. Statistical
analysis of the results by linear regression proves the equivalence of the
TEMPO? method and the standard colony count technique, at determination
coefficient of 0,934. TEMPO? YM method can be considered as an effective,
automated, accurate method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds in
feedand foodproducts. Traditional methods for enumeration of yeasts and
moulds in food and feed products involve time - consuming plating techniques.
Decrease of Cu and Fe concentrations from broiler droppings using dietary organometallic compounds
Authors: Untea A.E. , Olteanu M. , Maros I. , Criste R.D.
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the partial or total
replacement of the inorganic Cu and Fe salts by organic forms of these
elements on broiler performance and on the elimination of minerals through
broiler droppings. A study was conducted for 42 days on 240 broiler chicks
treated with trace elements chelates with amino acids: B-TRAXIMRTEC Cu-I30;
BTRAXIMRTEC Fe-120. The broiler chicks were housed in cages (10 chicks per
cage, 6 cages per group) and assigned to 4 groups (C, E1, E3 and E3) fed on
the same corn-soybean meal-based diet. Phased-feeding was used according to
the developmental stages of the broilers (starter, grower and finisher). Feed
intake and the amount of droppings were recorded daily. The daily records of
droppings and their chemical analysis was used to determine the trace
elements load of the droppings. The total or partial replacement of the
inorganic Cu and Fe salts by chelates of these minerals with amino acids in
broiler diets didn?t affect broiler performance. The inclusion of Cu chelates
in broiler diets at the level recommended by the manufacturer of by NRC
decreased by at least 34% the level of Cu (environmentally toxic element) in
the droppings. The corresponding decrease was of 5-21% for Fe.
Performance evaluation of high speed compressors for high speed multipliers
Authors: Nirlakalla Ravi , Subba Rao , Jayachandra-Prasad Talari
Published: November 2011

This paper describes high speed compressors for high speed parallel
multipliers like Booth Multiplier, Wallace Tree Multiplier in Digital Signal
Processing (DSP). This paper presents 4-3, 5-3, 6-3 and 7-3 compressors for
high speed multiplication. These compressors reduce vertical critical path
more rapidly than conventional compressors. A 5-3 conventional compressor can
take four steps to reduce bits from 5 to 3, but the proposed 5-3 takes only 2
steps. These compressors are simulated with H-Spice at a temperature of 25?C
at a supply voltage 2.0V using 90nm MOSIS technology. The Power, Delay, Power
Delay Product (PDP) and Energy Delay Product (EDP) of the compressors are
calculated to analyze the total propagation delay and energy consumption. All
the compressors are designed with half adder and full Adders only.
Molecular dynamics of (Z)-1-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-nitrophenyl)ethanone oxime and (E)-2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone thiosemicarbazone in solution studied by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mamedov Ibrahim , Eichhoff Uwe , Maharramov Abel , Bayramov Musa , Mamedova Yegana
Published: November 2011

The formation of hydrogen bonds and the molecular dynamics for molecules (Z)-1-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-nitrophenyl)ethanone oxime and (E)-2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone thiosemicarbazone, (E)-4-bromoacetophenone thiosemicarbazone have been investigated in solution using NMR. The results confirm the formation of different O-H…O type intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the oxime molecule. The rotational barrier energy and energy of intramolecular hydrogen bonds have been determined.
Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes with Iron Deficiency in Asian Indians
Authors: Ganesh Swaminathan , Dharmalingam Mala , Marcus Sara
Published: November 2011

Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes with Iron Deficiency in Asian Indians

A close relationship exists between iron metabolism, diabetes and oxidative stress. Both diabetes and redox active iron are individually known to enhance oxidative stress. However, the role of iron deficiency and oxidative stress in diabetes is not clear; hence, the levels of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes with and without iron deficiency have been compared. Two groups of 30 patients each with diabetes were selected (one group with iron deficiency and the other group with normal iron levels) and compared with 30 normal healthy controls. The anthropometric parameters, fasting blood sugar, iron profile and oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde levels (index of lipid peroxidation) and serum uric acid levels (antioxidant)) were measured. While the diabetes group had significantly increased serum levels of ferritin (an acute phase reactant and antioxidant) in comparison with normal controls (P=0.040), the diabetic group with iron deficiency had decreased serum levels of iron (P =0.000), ferritin (P = 0.000) and uric acid (P = 0.006) and increased levels of malondialdehyde (P = 0.000) in comparison with diabetics without iron deficiency. This study shows an increase in oxidative stress in the diabetic group with iron deficiency together with reduction in antioxidant levels could further promote prooxidant levels and inflammation and in turn result in the development of complications in this high-risk Asian Indian population.
Book reviews
Authors: Rączkiewicz Małgorzata , Pierzgalski Michał
Published: November 2011

Z. Brzezinski, B. Scowcroft, America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy, Basic Books, New York 2008

Jeff Gill, Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research, Cambridge University Press, New York 2006, pp. 448.
Women’s Power To Be Loud: The Authority of the Discourse and Authority of the Text in Mary Dorcey’s Irish Lesbian Poetic Manifesto “Come Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear”
Authors: Poloczek Katarzyna
Published: November 2011

The following article aims to examine Mary Dorcey's poem "Come Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear," included in the 1991 volume Moving into the Space Cleared by Our Mothers. Apart from being a well-known and critically acclaimed Irish poet and fiction writer, the author of the poem has been, from its beginnings, actively involved in lesbian rights movement. Dorcey's poem "Come Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear" is to be construed from a perspective of lesbian and feminist discourse, as well as a cultural, sociological and political context in which it was created. While analyzing the poem, the emphasis is being paid to the intertwining of various ideological and subversive assumptions (dominant and the implied ones), their competing for importance and asserting authority over one another, in line with, and sometimes, against the grain of the textual framework. In other words, Dorcey's poem introduces a multilayered framework that draws heavily on various sources: the popular culture idiom, religious discourse (the references to the Virgin Mary and the biblical annunciation imagery), the text even employs, in some parts, crime and legal jargon, but, above all, it relies upon sensuous lesbian experience where desire and respect for the other woman opens the emancipating space allowing for redefining of one's personal and textual location. As a result of such a multifarious interaction, unrepresented and unacknowledged Irish women's standpoints may come to the surface and become articulated, disrupting their enforced muteness that the controlling heteronormative discourse has attempted to ensure. In Dorcey's poem, the operating metaphor of women's silence (or rather—silencing women), conceived of, at first, as the need to conceal one's sexual (lesbian) identity in fear of social ostracism and contempt of the "neighbours," is further equated with the noiseless, solitary and violent death of the anonymous woman, the finding of whose body was reported on the news. In both cases, the unwanted Irish women's voices of either agony, during the unregistered by anybody misogynist bloodshed that took place inside the flat, or the forbidden sounds of lesbian sexual excitement, need to be (self) censored and stifled, not to disrupt an idealized image of the well-established family and heteronormative patterns. In the light of the aforementioned parallel, empowered by the shared bodily and emotional closeness with her female lover, and already bitterly aware that silence in discourse is synonymous with textual, or even, actual death, the speaker in "Come Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear" comes to claim her own agency and makes her voice heard by others and taken into account.
The value of intraoperative motor evoked potential monitoring during surgical intervention for thoracic idiopathic spinal cord herniation
Authors: Novak Klaus , Widhalm Georg , de Camargo Adauri Bueno , Perin Noel , Jallo George , Knosp Engelbert , Deletis Vedran
Published: November 2011

Object

Thoracic idiopathic spinal cord herniation (TISCH) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by an incarceration of the spinal cord at the site of a ventral dural defect. The disorder is associated with clinical signs of progressive thoracic myelopathy. Surgery can withhold the natural clinical course, but surgical repair of the dural defect bears a significant risk of additional postoperative motor deficits, including permanent paraplegia. Intraoperative online information about the functional integrity of the spinal cord and warning signs about acute functional impairment of motor pathways could contribute to a lower risk of permanent postoperative motor deficit. Motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring can instantly and reliably detect dysfunction of motor pathways in the spinal cord. The authors have applied MEPs during intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) for surgical repair of TISCH and have correlated the results of IOM with its influence on the surgical procedure and with the functional postoperative outcome.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the intraoperative neurophysiological data and clinical records of 4 patients who underwent surgical treatment for TISCH in 3 institutions where IOM, including somatosensory evoked potentials and MEPs, is routinely used for spinal cord surgery. In all 4 patients the spinal cord was reduced from a posterior approach and the dural defect was repaired using a dural graft.

Results

Motor evoked potential monitoring was feasible in all patients. Significant intraoperative changes of MEPs were observed in 2 patients. The changes were detected within seconds after manipulation of the spinal cord. Monitoring of MEPs led to immediate revision of the placement of the dural graft in one case and to temporary cessation of the release of the incarcerated spinal cord in the other. Changes occurred selectively in MEPs and were reversible. In both patients, transient changes in intraoperative MEPs correlated with a reversible postoperative motor deficit. Patients without significant changes in somatosensory evoked potentials and MEPs demonstrated no additional neurological deficit postoperatively and showed improvement of motor function during follow-up.

Conclusions

Surgical repair of the dural defect is effected by release and reduction of the spinal cord and insertion of dural substitute over the dural defect. Careful monitoring of the functional integrity of spinal cord long tracts during surgical manipulation of the cord can detect surgically induced impairment. The authors' documentation of acute loss of MEPs that correlated with reversible postoperative motor deficit substantiates the necessity of IOM including continuous monitoring of MEPs for the surgical treatment of TISCH.
Lumbosacral spondyloptosis treated using partial reduction and pedicular transvertebral screw fixation in an osteoporotic elderly patient
Authors: Jo Dae-Jean , Seo Eun-Min , Kim Ki-Tack , Kim Sung-Min , Lee Sang-Hun
Published: November 2011

Spondyloptosis is complete dislocation of the L-5 vertebral body on the sacrum anteriorly. Its optimal treatment is still controversial. In particular, choosing the optimal surgical technique is difficult in the osteoporotic elderly patient given the high incidence of instrumentation failure, pseudarthrosis, progressive slippage, and severe sagittal imbalance. The authors of this report used partial reduction and pedicular transvertebral screw fixation of the lumbosacral junction for the treatment of spondyloptosis in an osteoporotic elderly patient.
Sentence Comprehension as Mental Simulation: An Information-Theoretic Perspective
Authors: Frank Stefan L. , Vigliocco Gabriella
Published: November 2011

It has been argued that the mental representation resulting from sentence comprehension is not (just) an abstract symbolic structure but a “mental simulation” of the state-of-affairs described by the sentence. We present a particular formalization of this theory and show how it gives rise to quantifications of the amount of syntactic and semantic information conveyed by each word in a sentence. These information measures predict simulated word-processing times in a dynamic connectionist model of sentence comprehension as mental simulation. A quantitatively similar relation between information content and reading time is known to be present in human reading-time data.
Inhibition of Melanization by a Parasitoid Serine Protease Homolog Venom Protein Requires Both the Clip and the Non-Catalytic Protease-Like Domains
Authors: Thomas Pune , Asgari Sassan
Published: November 2011

Endoparasitoid wasps inject a variety of components into their host hemocoel at oviposition to facilitate successful development of their progeny. Among these are venom proteins which have been shown to play crucial roles in host regulation. A serine protease homolog (SPH)-like venom protein from Cotesia rubecula was previously shown to inhibit melanization in the host hemolymph by blocking activation of prophenoloxidase to phenoloxidase, a key enzyme in melanin formation. Similar to other SPHs, Vn50 consists of a clip and a protease-like (SPL) domain. Protein modeling demonstrated that Vn50 has a very similar structure to known SPHs and functional analysis of Vn50 domains expressed in insect cells indicated that neither of the domains on its own has an inhibitory effect on melanization.
Antibacterial Activity of the Flavonoids from Dalbergia odorifera on Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Zhao Xiabo , Mei Wenli , Gong Mingfu , Zuo Wenjian , Bai Hongjin , Dai Haofu
Published: November 2011

Phytohemical investigation on the heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera resulted in the isolation of nine flavonoids. Their structures were elucidated as sativanone (1), (3R)-vestitone (2), (3R)-2',3',7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavanone (3), (3R)-4'-methoxy-2',3,7-trihydroxyisoflavanone (4), carthamidin (5), liquiritigenin (6), isoliquiritigenin (7), (3R)-vestitol (8), and sulfuretin (9) based on their spectral data. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against Ralstonia solanacearum. This is the first report about anti-R. solanacearum activity of the compounds from D. odorifera.
Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Two Species of Myrtaceae — Eugenia uniflora L. and Plinia trunciflora (O. Berg) Kausel
Authors: Lago João Henrique G. , Souza Elisângela Dutra , Mariane Bruna , Pascon Renata , Vallim Marcelo A. , Martins Roberto Carlos C. , Baroli Adriana A. , Carvalho Bianca A. , Soares Marisi G. , Santos Roberta T. dos , Sartorelli Patricia
Published: November 2011

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from leaves of two Myrtaceae species–Eugenia uniflora L. and Plinia trunciflora (O. Berg) Kausel–were determined. Analysis by GC/MS as well as determination of Kovatz indexes indicated atractylone (26.78%) and curzerene (17.96%) as major constituents of E. uniflora oil and α-cadinol (19.15%), apiole (11.15%) and cubenol (5.43%) as main components in P. trunciflora oil. Both essential oils were tested for antimicrobial activity against yeasts and bacteria. E. uniflora and P. trunciflora essential oils were active towards two Gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus equi and Staphylococcus epidermis. In addition, biological activity of both essential oils was detected for pathogenic yeasts of the genus Candida and Cryptococcus. E. uniflora was active towards all yeast tested and exhibited interesting minimal inhibitory concentrations (0.11 to 3.75 mg/mL) across a broad spectrum of activity.
Activity of Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxo-hexanoic Acid) Against Human Respiratory Viruses in in Vivo Experiments
Authors: Zarubaev Vladimir V. , Garshinina Angelica V. , Kalinina Nelly A. , Shtro Anna A. , Belyaevskaya Svetlana V. , Slita Alexander V. , Nebolsin Vladimir E. , Kiselev Oleg I.
Published: November 2011

Respiratory viral infections constitute the most frequent reason for medical consultations in the World. They can be associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from self-limited upper respiratory tract infections to more devastating conditions such as pneumonia. In particular, in serious cases influenza A leads to pneumonia, which is particularly fatal in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, obesity, young children and the elderly. In the present study, we show a protective effect of the low-molecular weight compound Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxohexanoic acid) against influenza A (H1N1) virus, human parainfluenza virus and human adenovirus infections in animals. Mortality, weight loss, infectious titer of the virus in tissues and tissue morphology were monitored in the experimental groups of animals. The protective action of Ingavirin was observed as a reduction of infectious titer of the virus in the lung tissue, prolongation of the life of the infected animals, normalization of weight dynamics throughout the course of the disease, lowering of mortality of treated animals compared to a placebo control and normalization of tissue structure. In case of influenza virus infection, the protective activity of Ingavirin was similar to that of the reference compound Tamiflu. Based on the results obtained, Ingavirin should be considered as an important part of anti-viral prophylaxis and therapy.
La Belgique à la croisée des chemins. Une géohistoire des grandes infrastructures de transport du Plat Pays à l'aune de ses frontières
Authors: Beyer Antoine
Published: November 2011

La Belgique est née et a prospéré de sa vocation de pays de transit. Sa fonction de transport reste incontestée au sein de l’Union Européenne, grâce notamment à la puissance, toujours renouvelée, du hub logistique anversois. Or dans un pays réputé ouvert et au cœur d’une zone de commerce intense, la tension frontalière est une constante historique. Elle recouvre en fait deux réalités distinctes et successivement actives : les frontières étatiques internationales, négociées au XIX e siècle, qui furent la base d’une stratégie d’équipement industriel et commercial, au moment où il s’agissait pour la Belgique d’affirmer l’existence d’un pouvoir naissant face à ses voisins ; plus récemment les frontières émergentes qui tendent à séparer de manière croissante des entités fédérées, et à partir desquelles tend désormais à s’organiser la réalité des transports du pays. L’analyse de la question des frontières que l’on pensait obsolète dans une perspective européenne, garde en fait toute sa vigueur pour la compréhension de la construction et de la reconstruction des systèmes territoriaux de la Belgique, en inscrivant les infrastructures de transport dans le temps long des espaces nationaux.
Decision: The Space between the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Behaviour
Authors: Paredes Carmen Lucía Carmona
Published: November 2011

Résumé Une décision a le pouvoir suffisant de changement pour transformer un code d’éthique en un comportement éthique, car elle est l’espace dans le temps entre la réflexion et l’action. Etant donné que la prise de décision est une compétence qui s’apprend avec la pratique, les décideurs au sein d’une entreprise ont besoin d’une procédure pour que son apprentissage soit fait d’une manière systématique et flexible pour répondre aux changements continus. Cela afin de permettre de comparer des informations, des perceptions et de comprendre des points de vue différents. L’auteure propose notamment la méthodologie d’aide à la décision multicritère (MCDA) comme une alternative pratique pour aborder la complexité dans l’évaluation des projets d’investissement avec le potentiel de transformer la gestion de portefeuille de projets d’une entreprise. La méthode MCDA implique la définition de l’éthique d’une manière explicative et particulière dans chaque modèle d’affaires ce qui traduit un concept général en valeurs éthiques tangibles, concrets, réels et pertinents pour les investisseurs. Il s’agit d’un moyen de mettre sur la table les vraies motivations qui se trouvent derrière les investissements.
Les Mères ! Quel est ce mot que je ne puis entendre ? Façons d'être mère
Authors: Brun Danièle
Published: November 2011

C’est la lecture d’une lettre que Freud écrivit à Stefan Zweig en 1932 qui me mena à découvrir une autre façon d’être mère que j’appelle : Mère majuscule. Il s’agit d’une production de l’inconscient qui trouve sa source dans les relations précoces de la petite fille avec sa mère. Cela se traduit dans la vie quotidienne par un état mélancoliforme que fait surgir la prise de conscience d’un écart entre la représentation de l’enfant de chair, l’enfant réel, et celle de l’enfant fantasmé depuis la prime enfance. Une intrication anatomo-psychique caractéristique de la féminité telle qu’abordée par Freud dans les années 1930.
Comment transformer un crocodile en sac à main ?
Authors: Pommier Gérard
Published: November 2011

Notre époque est traversée par de fortes polémiques concernant le rôle des femmes, des mères, et la place qu’occupent les pères dans ces remaniements. Les psychanalystes sont perméables à ces changements et ont eux aussi des préjugés, notamment celui qui consiste à présenter le désir maternel comme un crocodile dont le père sauverait. On montrera que la plupart des enfants retournent ce désir maternel en leur propre désir, et qu’ils jouissent de leur mère autant qu’elle jouit d’eux.
Le pianiste et son désir : du désir de la mère à l'interprétation comme désir, la construction Glenn Gould
Authors: Lalvée Brigitte
Published: November 2011

En quoi interprétation analytique et interprétation musicale se rejoignent-elles, par-delà ce qui les sépare ? Si la première n’est pas étrangère à la musicalité, la seconde ne peut-elle se faire analytique ? C’est la question à laquelle on a tenté de répondre avec le pianiste Glenn Gould. Le style de son jeu, mais aussi sa conception de l’interprétation, élevée au rang d’un choix de vie et d’une philosophie, firent œuvre de séparation d’avec un désir maternel parfois apparenté au dressage. La légendaire chaise du pianiste, construite par son père, y eut son rôle déterminant : chaise indissociable du pianiste, qui donnait assiette face au corps-piano maternel et qui, toute percée qu’elle devint, du trou sans fond dont elle protégeait, finit par faire trouée symbolique. L’élection, contre le concert, du studio et de sa « sécurité matricielle », le traitement anti-pianistique du piano, détachant les sons au maximum, le choix aussi bien éthique qu’esthétique de la fugue, qui met du vide entre les voix, le nom de Bach enfin, furent les éléments de cette œuvre de restructuration plus encore que de suppléance. L’écriture contrapuntique, cette écriture métonymique d’un sujet au peu de subjectivité, fut ce S 2  qui permit à Gould de ré-ancrer autrement le trait unaire pianistique, le S 1  primordial maternel tyrannique et totalitaire.
Littératie : statut et fonctions de l'écrit
Authors: Faure Marie-France
Published: November 2011

L’article souligne le rôle de l’écrit dans les processus cognitifs et dans les transformations sociales. Sa pratique, nommée littératie , par ce qu’elle requiert de la part du lecteur et du scripteur, modifie sa façon de penser : le langage devenant seul porteur de sens oblige le lecteur à une attention extrême aux moindres indices et contraint le scripteur à prévoir les effets de son texte. La spatialisation de l’énoncé favorise l’objectivation, rendant possible l’abstraction et la réflexivité, en particulier parce qu’elle permet des dispositions différentes (listes, tableaux), des rapprochements, des comparaisons, des confrontations. L’écrit transforme le rapport au monde, par l’utilisation d’objets structurant le temps et l’espace (agendas, cartes) et par l’inscription des textes fondateurs (droit, culture, religion). Par la possibilité de diffusion, l’écrit permet l’accès de chacun à la culture et au savoir.
Basic Principles of Image Acquisition
Authors: Katsarou Ourania , Vavuranakis Manolis
Published: November 2011

Before proceeding with the clinical and research utility of Intravascular Imaging, it is important to examine in detail the principles that the acquisition of the IVUS signal is based on. This chapter provides an insight into the principles of the IVUS imaging, while describing the image quality factors. Additionally, the equipment for IVUS examination is described, and the acquisition and display techniques are detailed. Finally, a brief summary of the limitations of the IVUS signal is attempted.
OCT in the Clinical Practice and Data from Clinical Studies
Authors: Prati Francesco , Di Giorgio Alessandro , Ramazzotti Vito , Mallus Maria Teresa
Published: November 2011

This chapter provides a detailed description of the role of the OCT technique in the clinical practice. A review section on data from clinical studies is provided, underlining the extent usage of OCT during the last years. Finally, the capability of OCT to assess ambiguous lesions and deferral of interventions is discussed just before describing the role of the technique during the post procedural assessment.
Towards an Integrated Personal Software Process and Team Software Process Supporting Tool
Authors: Choi Ho-Jin , Lee Sang-Hun , Fahmi Syed Ahsan , Ibrahim Ahmad , Shin Hyun-Il , Park Young-Kyu
Published: November 2011

Personal Software Process (PSP) and Team Software Process (TSP) have been developed and used to help individual developers and teams make high-quality products through improving their personal and team software development processes. For the PSP and TSP practices, data collection and analysis of software metrics need to be done at fine-grained levels. These tasks are not trivial, requiring tool support. This chapter aims to discuss issues to building such a tool, and introduce our on-going endeavor towards an integrated PSP and TSP supporting tool. In particular, features of sensor-based automated data collection for PSP, utilization of Six Sigma techniques into PSP and TSP activities, and incorporation of electronic process guide will be paid attention.
Design and Evaluation of a Web-Based Learning Module on Computer Networking
Authors: Hashim Sulaiman
Published: November 2011

This finding has two direct implications. First, the empirically proven design principle used in the design and development of the web-based learning module in this study can be used as a reference model for those who are interested in developing a similar module. Second, the finding of this study suggests the potential of integrating the use of a web-based learning module in the IT classroom.
“The Proffer”
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: November 2011

Most tools for instructional technology research, design, and development are specific and short-term. They are non-fictional (real) or based fully in facts and realities. One tool, however, allows for a long-term visioning: the use of fictional scenarios. Scenarios purposefully are non-linear. They are not simply trend-lines that project into the future. Rather, scenarios emulate the unpredictability of the world—with unintended consequences, accidents, surprise discoveries, and punctuated equilibrium-types of leaps in progress. They use the human imagination—to play out fictional possibilities with the understanding that elements of the scenario may well be real in the future. This allows for broadbased planning, particularly for endeavors that make take many years to actualize; this type of planning also allows the complex integration of multiple technologies simultaneously and to understand the potential interplay between these—in the human realm. This chapter focuses on the use of a fictional scenario about a future e-learning space to depict how a scenario might work in the instructional technology research, design, and development realm, and particularly in application to instructional development and practice. This scenario strategy draws from other fields like disaster planning and management, policy-making, security studies, and military studies.