bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitous Green Computing Techniques for High Demand Applications in Smart Environments
Authors: Zapater Marina , Sanchez Cesar , Ayala Jose L. , Moya Jose M. , Risco-Martín José L.
Published: August 2012

Ubiquitous sensor network deployments, such as the ones found in Smart cities and Ambient intelligence applications, require constantly increasing high computational demands in order to process data and offer services to users. The nature of these applications imply the usage of data centers. Research has paid much attention to the energy consumption of the sensor nodes in WSNs infrastructures. However, supercomputing facilities are the ones presenting a higher economic and environmental impact due to their very high power consumption. The latter problem, however, has been disregarded in the field of smart environment services. This paper proposes an energy-minimization workload assignment technique, based on heterogeneity and application-awareness, that redistributes low-demand computational tasks from high-performance facilities to idle nodes with low and medium resources in the WSN infrastructure. These non-optimal allocation policies reduce the energy consumed by the whole infrastructure and the total execution time.
Somatic Differentiation and MR Imaging of Magnetically Labeled Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Nejadnik Hossein , Henning Tobias D. , Castaneda Rosalinda T. , Boddington Sophie , Taubert Stefan , Jha Priyanka , Tavri Sidhartha , Golovko Daniel , Ackerman Larry , Meier Reinhard , Daldrup-Link Heike E.
Published: August 2012

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled stem cells offers a non-invasive evaluation of stem cell engraftment in host organs. Excessive cellular iron load from SPIO labeling, however, impairs stem cell differentiation. The purpose of this study was to magnetically label human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) via a reduced exposure protocol that maintains a significant MR signal and no significant impairment to cellular pluripotency or differentiation potential. hESCs were labeled by simple incubation with Food and Drug Administration-approved ferumoxides, using concentrations of 50–200 μg Fe/ml and incubation times of 3–24 h. The most reduced exposure labeling protocol that still provided a significant MR signal comparable to accepted labeling protocols was selected for subsequent studies. Labeled hESCs were compared to unlabeled controls for differences in pluripotency as studied by fluorescence staining for SSEA-1, SSEA-4, TRA-60, and TRA-81 and in differentiation capacity as studied by quantitative real-time PCR for hOCT4, hACTC1, hSOX1, and hAFP after differentiation into embryoid bodies (EBs). Subsequent MR and microscopy imaging were performed to evaluate for cellular iron distribution and long-term persistence of the label. An incubation concentration of 50 μg Fe/ml and incubation time of 3 h demonstrated a significantly reduced exposure protocol that yielded an intracellular iron uptake of 4.50 ± 0.27 pg, an iron content comparable to currently accepted SPIO labeling protocols. Labeled and unlabeled hESCs showed no difference in pluripotency or differentiation capacity. Ferumoxide-labeled hESCs demonstrated persistent MR contrast effects as embryoid bodies for 21 days. Electron microscopy confirmed persistent lysosomal storage of iron oxide particles in EBs up to 9 days, while additional microscopy confirmed the iron distribution within single and multiple EBs. Labeling hESCs with ferumoxides by this tailored protocol reduces exposure of cells to the labeling agent while allowing for long-term visualization with MR imaging and the retention of cellular pluripotency and differentiation potential.
Molecular phylogenetics of Echinopsis (Cactaceae): Polyphyly at all levels and convergent evolution of pollination modes and growth forms
Authors: Schlumpberger Boris O. , Renner Susanne S.
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: In its current circumscription, Echinopsis with 100–150 species is one of the largest and morphologically most diverse genera of Cactaceae. This diversity and an absence of correlated characters have resulted in numerous attempts to subdivide Echinopsis into more homogeneous subgroups. To infer natural species groups in this alliance, we here provide a plastid phylogeny and use it to infer changes in growth form, pollination mode, and ploidy level.

• Methods: We sequenced 3800 nucleotides of chloroplast DNA from 162 plants representing 144 species and subspecies. The sample includes the type species of all genera close to, or included in, Echinopsis as well as a dense sample of other genera of the Trichocereeae and further outgroups. New and published chromosome counts were compiled and traced on the phylogeny, as were pollination modes and growth habits.

• Key results: A maximum likelihood phylogeny confirms that Echinopsis s.l. is not monophyletic nor are any of the previously recognized genera that have more than one species. Pollination mode and, to a lesser extent, growth habit are evolutionarily labile, and diploidy is the rule in Echinopsis s.l., with the few polyploids clustered in just a few clades.

• Conclusions : The use of evolutionary labile floral traits and growth habit has led to nonnatural classifications. Taxonomic realignments are required, but further study of less evolutionary labile traits suitable for circumscribing genera are needed. Surprisingly, polyploidy seems infrequent in the Echinopsis alliance and hybridization may thus be of minor relevance in the evolution of this clade.
Does inbreeding promote evolutionary reduction of flower size? Experimental evidence from Crepis tectorum (Asteraceae)
Authors: Andersson Stefan
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: Small, autogamous flowers have evolved repeatedly in the plant kingdom. While much attention has focused on the mechanisms that promote the shift to autogamy, there is still a paucity of information on the factors that underlie the reduction of flower size so prevalent in selfing lineages. In this study of Crepis tectorum, I examine the role of inbreeding, acting alone or together with selection, in promoting evolutionary reduction of flower size.

• Methods: Experimental crosses were performed to produce progeny populations that differed in inbreeding and (or) selection history. Progenies were grown in two different environments and scored for flower size and other characters.

• Key results: Inbreeding depressed flower and fruit size, but also caused changes in flowering time and the number of heads produced. Despite some inconsistencies in the results for the last progeny generation, the decline in flower size was persistent over generations, consistent across environments, and similar in magnitude to the effects of selection for small flower size and the floral reduction inferred to have taken place during the shift toward autogamy within the study species. The floral size reduction was largely independent of changes in overall vigor, and there was considerable adaptive potential in flower size (measured by sib analyses and parent‐offspring comparisons) after inbreeding.

• Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that inbreeding can promote evolutionary reduction of flower size and highlight the close, persistent association between flower and fruit size in the study species.
Low-temperature synthesis of carbon nanotubes on indium tin oxide electrodes for organic solar cells
Authors: Capasso Andrea , Salamandra Luigi , Di Carlo Aldo , Bell John Marcus , Motta Nunzio
Published: August 2012

The electrical performance of indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass was improved by including a controlled layer of carbon nanotubes directly on top of the ITO film. Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, using ultrathin Fe layers as catalyst. The process parameters (temperature, gas flow and duration) were carefully refined to obtain the appropriate size and density of MWCNTs with a minimum decrease of the light harvesting in the cell. When used as anodes for organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), the MWCNT-enhanced electrodes are found to improve the charge-carrier extraction from the photoactive blend, thanks to the additional percolation paths provided by the CNTs. The work function of as-modified ITO surfaces was measured by the Kelvin probe method to be 4.95 eV, resulting in an improved matching to the highest occupied molecular orbital level of the P3HT. This is in turn expected to increase the hole transport and collection at the anode, contributing to the significant increase of current density and open-circuit voltage observed in test cells created with such MWCNT-enhanced electrodes.
Nanolesions induced by heavy ions in human tissues: Experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Bleicher Marcus , Burigo Lucas , Durante Marco , Herrlitz Maren , Krämer Michael , Mishustin Igor , Müller Iris , Natale Francesco , Pshenichnov Igor , Schramm Stefan , Taucher-Scholz Gisela , Wälzlein Cathrin
Published: August 2012

The biological effects of energetic heavy ions are attracting increasing interest for their applications in cancer therapy and protection against space radiation. The cascade of events leading to cell death or late effects starts from stochastic energy deposition on the nanometer scale and the corresponding lesions in biological molecules, primarily DNA. We have developed experimental techniques to visualize DNA nanolesions induced by heavy ions. Nanolesions appear in cells as “streaks” which can be visualized by using different DNA repair markers. We have studied the kinetics of repair of these “streaks” also with respect to the chromatin conformation. Initial steps in the modeling of the energy deposition patterns at the micrometer and nanometer scale were made with MCHIT and TRAX models, respectively.
Synthesis and electrical characterization of intrinsic and in situ doped Si nanowires using a novel precursor
Authors: Molnar Wolfgang , Lugstein Alois , Wojcik Tomasz , Pongratz Peter , Auner Norbert , Bauch Christian , Bertagnolli Emmerich
Published: August 2012

Perchlorinated polysilanes were synthesized by polymerization of tetrachlorosilane under cold plasma conditions with hydrogen as a reducing agent. Subsequent selective cleavage of the resulting polymer yielded oligochlorosilanes SinCl2n+2 (n = 2, 3) from which the octachlorotrisilane (n = 3, Cl8Si3, OCTS) was used as a novel precursor for the synthesis of single-crystalline Si nanowires (NW) by the well-established vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism. By adding doping agents, specifically BBr3 and PCl3, we achieved highly p- and n-type doped Si-NWs by means of atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). These as grown NWs were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as electrical measurements of the NWs integrated in four-terminal and back-gated MOSFET modules. The intrinsic NWs appeared to be highly crystalline, with a preferred growth direction of [111] and a specific resistivity of ρ = 6 kΩ·cm. The doped NWs appeared to be [112] oriented with a specific resistivity of ρ = 198 mΩ·cm for p-type Si-NWs and ρ = 2.7 mΩ·cm for n-doped Si-NWs, revealing excellent dopant activation.
Similarity analysis, synthesis, and bioassay of antibacterial cyclic peptidomimetics
Authors: Berhanu Workalemahu M , Ibrahim Mohamed A , Pillai Girinath G , Oliferenko Alexander A , Khelashvili Levan , Jabeen Farukh , Mirza Bushra , Ansari Farzana Latif , ul-Haq Ihsan , El-Feky Said A , Katritzky Alan R
Published: August 2012

The chemical similarity of antibacterial cyclic peptides and peptidomimetics was studied in order to identify new promising cyclic scaffolds. A large descriptor space coupled with cluster analysis was employed to digitize known antibacterial structures and to gauge the potential of new peptidomimetic macrocycles, which were conveniently synthesized by acylbenzotriazole methodology. Some of the synthesized compounds were tested against an array of microorganisms and showed antibacterial activity against Bordetella bronchistepica, Micrococcus luteus, and Salmonella typhimurium.
La presentación social del cuerpo marroquí en contextos migratorios. Entre la afirmación identitaria y el rechazo islamófobo
Authors: Aixelà Yolanda
Published: August 2012

Este artículo analiza la presentación social del cuerpo de los hombres y mujeres marroquíes en su país y en situación migratoria con el objetivo de observar los usos e interpretaciones del vestido y el impacto que tienen en su integración social y en la visibilidad del Islam en España y otros países europeos. Algunas de las conclusiones apuntan a la afirmación identitaria personal, religiosa y nacional de quienes siguen ciertas normas vestimentarias y prácticas corporales, aunque su elección vaya a tener repercusiones islamofóbicas en contextos migratorios.
Cultivando cuerpos, modelando masculinidades
Authors: Enguix Begonya
Published: August 2012

Este artículo explora las relaciones entre cuerpo, género y sexualidad, y analiza cómo se construyen discursos sobre cuerpos particulares en situaciones cotidianas. Utilizando imágenes publicitarias y fotografías procedentes del trabajo de campo de la autora y las narrativas corporales evocadas por ambas, junto con las narrativas obtenidas mediante entrevistas en profundidad, se analizan los códigos discursivos y las convenciones mediante las que la masculinidad se vehicula. Esos códigos explicitan la estrecha vinculación entre cuerpo, género y sexualidad. El cuerpo masculino —objetivo de este trabajo— se construye mediante elementos marcadores de la alteridad sexual y marcadores de género que están fuertemente ligados a lo corporal (como el gender-crossing y la hipergenerización) y exponen los límites de los géneros y los cuerpos al mostrar cómo estos se modelan y resignifican en contextos particulares. Estos procesos dan lugar a la conformación de modelos hegemónicos y contramodelos con un fuerte componente de género que sustentan y/o resisten los cánones de belleza masculina.
Cuerpo privado, imagen pública: el autorretrato en la práctica de la fotografía digital
Authors: Ardévol Elisenda , Gómez-Cruz Edgar
Published: August 2012

El artículo propone una reflexión sobre el autorretrato como práctica cada vez más extendida en Internet, no sólo para la presentación del usuario en los contextos sociales de interacción, como las fotos que acompañan el perfil personal en las redes sociales, sino también como práctica creativa, lúdica o auto-reflexiva sobre sí, el cuerpo y la identidad personal. Para algunos autores, la práctica del autorretrato está relacionada con formas de control y empoderamiento, especialmente en el realizado por mujeres, mientras que para otros se trata de la popularización de la exploración de la identidad personal antes circunscrita prácticamente al ámbito de la experimentación y expresión artística, o bien puede entenderse desde una perspectiva psicológica, como una práctica terapéutica de transformación personal. En todo caso, esta práctica de autorretrato íntimo, vinculada generalmente a la narrativa cotidiana personal pasa a ser, a través de internet, una práctica pública que puede tener una amplia audiencia y destinada a la interacción social. En este sentido, podría entenderse también como una nueva forma cultural de presentación social de sí que conllevaría un trabajo de performación de la identidad personal de un modo relacional, ya sea como una actuación pública del yo o como resultado de una práctica performativa sobre el propio cuerpo.
Polaridades expoliadoras: La escritura sobre la colonización del cuerpo
Authors: Sá Ana Lúcia
Published: August 2012

Este texto tiene como objetivo analizar la representación del cuerpo como una construcción verbal en tres novelas del escritor Castro Soromenho (A Chaga, Terra Morta y Viragem) que relatan el sistema colonial portugués en Angola durante el Estado Nuevo, bajo los regímenes de la asimilación y del trabajo forzado. Los cuerpos de los colonizados se representan socialmente como productos para ser utilizados, transformados y negados, constituyendo estos tres elementos procesos utilitarios e imaginarios basados en el concepto de «raza». En los textos seleccionados, se presentan las estrategias de desvalorización del ser humano a través de procesos simbólicos y escritos de deformación y despersonalización bajo la maquinaria colonial, como un sistema controlador del cuerpo y de las identidades.
The impact of brief quality improvement (QI) projects by medical students in primary care in Gauteng or the North West Province, South Africa
Authors: Van Deventer Claire , Sondzaba Nontsikelelo
Published: August 2012

Background: The Integrated Primary Care (IPC) rotation is undertaken over six weeks by final year medical students at the University of Witwatersrand. Students are placed in either rural or urban primary health care centres based in Gauteng or the North West Province. As part of the IPC rotation, students undertake short quality improvement (QI) projects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the QI projects undertaken over the period stretching from 2006 to 2010. Methods: An observational study of QI reports done by students. Project reports assessed and compared to site marks, indicators of learning assessed and individual and group marks compared.Results: Of 274 projects undertaken, 223 (81.4%) were available for evaluation. Geographical placements and QI themes were categorised. Management issues were most frequently identified as being problematic followed by chronic illnesses. Understanding and applying the principles of QI was partially achieved and gaps were identified for future projects. The most common intervention was training of personnel and design and distribution of posters or pamphlets.Conclusions: Most QI projects were well thought out and relevant to the chosen setting. In the majority of cases, a great deal of effort and creativity went into the process and skills other than clinical skills were employed such as writing, presentation of data in graphs and tables. Integration of theory and practice was achieved only partially.
Parameterization of black carbon aging in the OsloCTM2 and implications for regional transport to the Arctic
Authors: Lund M. T. , Berntsen T.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. A critical parameter for the atmospheric lifetime of black carbon (BC) aerosols, and hence for the range over which the particles can be transported, is the aging time, i.e. the time before the aerosols become available for removal by wet deposition. This study compares two different parameterizations of BC aging in the chemistry transport model OsloCTM2: (i) A bulk parameterization (BULK) where aging is represented by a constant transfer to hydrophilic mode and (ii) a microphysical module (M7) where aging occurs through particle interaction and where the particle size distribution is accounted for. We investigate the effect of including microphysics on the distribution of BC globally and in the Arctic. We also focus on the impact on estimated contributions to Arctic BC from selected emission source regions. With more detailed microphysics (M7) there are regional and seasonal variations in aging. The aging is slower during high-latitude winter, when the production of sulfate is lower, than in lower latitudes and during summer. High-latitude concentrations of BC are significantly increased during winter compared to BULK. Furthermore, M7 improves the model performance at Arctic surface stations, especially the accumulation of BC during winter. A proper representation of vertical BC load is important because the climate effects of the aerosols depend on their altitude in the atmosphere. Comparisons with measured vertical profiles indicate that the model generally overestimates the BC load, particularly at higher altitudes, and this overestimation is exacerbated with M7 compared to BULK. Both parameterizations show that north of 65° N emissions in Europe contribute most to atmospheric BC concentration and to BC in snow and ice. M7 leads to a pronounced seasonal pattern in contributions and contributions from Europe and Russia increase strongly during winter relative to BULK. There is generally an increase in the amount of BC in snow and ice with M7 compared to BULK. However, in regions where the concentration of BC in snow is strongly underestimated with BULK compared to measurements, this increase with M7 is not sufficient to significantly improve the comparison.
A compilation of tropospheric measurements of gas-phase and aerosol chemistry in polar regions
Authors: Sander R. , Bottenheim J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Measurements of atmospheric chemistry in polar regions have been made for more than half a century. Probably the first Antarctic ozone data were recorded in 1958 during the International Geophysical Year. Since then, many measurement campaigns followed, and the results are now spread over many publications in several journals. Here, we have compiled measurements of tropospheric gas-phase and aerosol chemistry made in the Arctic and the Antarctic. It is hoped that this data collection is worth more than the sum of its components and serves as a basis for future analyses of spatial and temporal trends in polar atmospheric chemistry.
Coupling a new turbulence parametrization to RegCM adds realistic stratocumulus clouds
Authors: O'Brien T. A. , Chuang P. Y. , Sloan L. C. , Faloona I. C. , Rossiter D. L.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. To model stratocumulus clouds in the regional climate model, RegCM4.1, the University of Washington (UW) turbulence parametrization has been coupled to RegCM. We describe improvements in RegCM's coastal and near-coastal climatology, including improvements in the representation of stratiform clouds. By comparing output from a 27-yr (1982–2009) simulation of the climate of western North America to a wide variety of observational data (station data, satellite data, and aircraft in situ data), we show the following: (1) RegCM-UW is appropriate for use in general regional climate studies, and (2) the UW model distinctly improves the representation of the marine boundary layer in RegCM. These model–data comparisons also show that RegCM-UW has a slight cold bias, a (wet) precipitation bias, a systematic low bias in the vertically-integrated liquid water content near the coast, and a high bias in the fractional cloud coverage. The model represents well the diurnal, monthly, and interannual variability in low clouds. These results show RegCM-UW as a nascent mesoscale stratocumulus model that is appropriate for stratocumulus investigations at scales ranging from hourly to decadal. The source code for RegCM-UW is publicly available, under the GNU license, through the International Centre for Theoretical Physics.
A generic method for hydrological drought identification across different climate regions
Authors: van Huijgevoort M. H. J. , Hazenberg P. , van Lanen H. A. J. , Uijlenhoet R.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The identification of hydrological drought at global scale has received considerable attention during the last decade. However, climate-induced variation in runoff across the world makes such analyses rather complicated. This especially holds for the drier regions of the world (both cold and warm), where, for a considerable period of time, zero runoff can be observed. In the current paper, we present a method that enables to identify drought at global scale across climate regimes in a consistent manner. The method combines the characteristics of the classical variable threshold level method that is best applicable in regions with non-zero runoff most of the time, and the consecutive dry days (period) method that is better suited for areas where zero runoff occurs. The newly presented method allows a drought in periods with runoff to continue in the following period without runoff. The method is demonstrated by identifying droughts from discharge observations of four rivers situated within different climate regimes, as well as from simulated runoff data at global scale obtained from an ensemble of five different land surface models. The identified drought events obtained by the new approach are compared to those resulting from application of the variable threshold level method or the consecutive dry period method separately. Results show that, in general, for drier regions, the threshold level method overestimates drought duration, because zero runoff periods are included in a drought, according to the definition used within this method. The consecutive dry period method underestimates drought occurrence, since it cannot identify droughts for periods with runoff. The developed method especially shows its relevance in transitional areas, because, in wetter regions, results are identical to the classical threshold level method. By combining both methods, the new method is able to identify single drought events that occur during positive and zero runoff periods, leading to a more realistic global drought characterization, especially within drier environments.
Identifying a soil hydraulic parameterisation from on-ground GPR time lapse measurements of a pumping experiment
Authors: Dagenbach A. , Buchner J. , Klenk P. , Roth K.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We show the potential of on-ground Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) to identify the hydraulic parameterisation with a semi-quantitative analysis based on numerical simulations of the radar signal. A pumping experiment has been conducted at the ASSESS-GPR site to establish a fluctuating water table, while an on-ground GPR antenna recorded traces over time at a fixed location. These measurements allow to identify and track the capillary fringe in the soil. The typical dynamics of soil water content with a transient water table can be deduced from the recorded radargrams. The characteristic reflections from the capillary fringes in model soils that are described by commonly used hydraulic parameterisations are investigated by numerical simulations. The parameterisations used are: (i) full van Genuchten, (ii) simplified van Genuchten with m = 1 − 1/n and (iii) Brooks-Corey. All three yield characteristically different reflections, which allows the identification of an appropriate parameterisation by comparing to the measured signals. We show that these are not consistent with the commonly used simplified van Genuchten parameterisation with m = 1 − 1/n.
Compensation method in sensor technology: a system-based description
Authors: Schulz V. , Gerlach G. , Röbenack K.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. In measurement science and engineering, the method of compensation plays a decisive role and is widely used in practical applications, in particular for sensors and measurement systems, where high accuracy is required. However, a general theoretical system description of this method with particular respect to figures of merit in sensor technology does not exist yet. Nevertheless, this is important for a real understanding of the system's structure and its properties and would facilitate prospective sensor design. Within this work, we provide a general system-based description and comparison of both the compensation and the deflection method. Based on a general sensor model and selected transfer functions, which cover most sensor types, important sensor properties like static deviations in sensitivity, long-term drift effects, response time, output signal characteristics as well as nonlinearities and hysteresis are studied in a systematic fashion for both measurement methods. In the case of a compensation method, the core sensor element is part of a controlled closed-loop system, leading to different system properties compared to an open-loop sensor operated in deflection method. The influence of linear standard controllers, which are widely used in industrial measurement and control systems, is studied with respect to the sensor properties. In the conclusions we will summarize which controller type is appropriate for the attainment of a specifically targeted sensor behavior.
Uncertainty propagation for flood forecasting in the Alps: different views and impacts from MAP D-PHASE
Authors: Rotach M. W. , Arpagaus M. , Dorninger M. , Hegg C. , Montani A. , Ranzi R.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. D-PHASE was a Forecast Demonstration Project of the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) related to the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP). Its goal was to demonstrate the reliability and quality of operational forecasting of orographically influenced (determined) precipitation in the Alps and its consequences on the distribution of run-off characteristics. A special focus was, of course, on heavy-precipitation events. The D-PHASE Operations Period (DOP) ran from June to November~2007, during which an end-to-end forecasting system was operated covering many individual catchments in the Alps, with their water authorities, civil protection organizations or other end users. The forecasting system's core piece was a Visualization Platform where precipitation and flood warnings from some 30 atmospheric and 7 hydrological models (both deterministic and probabilistic) and corresponding model fields were displayed in uniform and comparable formats. Also, meteograms, nowcasting information and end user communication was made available to all the forecasters, users and end users. D-PHASE information was assessed and used by some 50 different groups ranging from atmospheric forecasters to civil protection authorities or water management bodies. In the present contribution, D-PHASE is briefly presented along with its outstanding scientific results and, in particular, the lessons learnt with respect to uncertainty propagation. A focus is thereby on the transfer of ensemble prediction information into the hydrological community and its use with respect to other aspects of societal impact. Objective verification of forecast quality is contrasted to subjective quality assessments during the project (end user workshops, questionnaires) and some general conclusions concerning forecast demonstration projects are drawn.
Application of k-means and Gaussian mixture model for classification of seismic activities in Istanbul
Authors: Kuyuk H. S. , Yildirim E. , Dogan E. , Horasan G.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Two unsupervised pattern recognition algorithms, k-means, and Gaussian mixture model (GMM) analyses have been applied to classify seismic events in the vicinity of Istanbul. Earthquakes, which are occurring at different seismicity rates and extensions of the Thrace-Eskisehir Fault Zone and the North Anatolian Fault (NAF), Turkey, are being contaminated by quarries operated around Istanbul. We have used two time variant parameters, complexity, the ratio of integrated powers of the velocity seismogram, and S/P amplitude ratio as classifiers by using waveforms of 179 events (1.8 < M < 3.0). We have compared two algorithms with classical multivariate linear/quadratic discriminant analyses. The total accuracies of the models for GMM, k-means, linear discriminant function (LDF), and quadratic discriminant function (QDF) are 96.1%, 95.0%, 96.1%, 96.6%, respectively. The performances of models are discussed for earthquakes and quarry blasts separately. All methods clustered the seismic events acceptably where QDF slightly gave better improvements compared to others. We have found that unsupervised clustering algorithms, for which no a-prior target information is available, display a similar discriminatory power as supervised methods of discriminant analysis.
Urinary Estrogen Metabolites and Breast Cancer: A Combined Analysis of Individual Level Data
Authors: Dallal Cher M. , Stone Roslyn A. , Cauley Jane A. , Ness Roberta B. , Vogel Victor G. , Fentiman Ian S. , Fowke Jay H. , Krogh Vittorio , Loft Steffen , Meilahn Elaine N. , Muti Paola , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Sieri Sabina , Tjønneland Anne , Ursin Giske , Wellejus Anja , Taioli Emanuela
Published: August 2012

Background

Circulating estrogens are associated with increased breast cancer risk, yet the role of estrogen metabolites in breast carcinogenesis remains unclear. This combined analysis of 5 published studies evaluates urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1), and their ratio (2:16α-OHE1) in relation to breast cancer risk.

Methods

Primary data on 726 premenopausal women (183 invasive breast cancer cases and 543 controls) and 1,108 postmenopausal women (385 invasive breast cancer cases and 723 controls) were analyzed. Urinary estrogen metabolites were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Study-specific and combined multivariable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated based on tertiles of estrogen metabolites. Multinomial logistic regression models were fit according to hormone receptor status.

Results

Higher premenopausal 2:16α-OHE1 was suggestive of reduced breast cancer risk overall (study-adjusted ORIIIvsI=0.80; 95% CI: 0.49-1.32) and for estrogen receptor negative (ER-) subtype (ORIIIvsI=0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.84). Among postmenopausal women, 2:16α-OHE1 was unrelated to breast cancer risk (study-adjusted ORIIIvsI=0.93; 95% CI: 0.65-1.33); however, the association between 2-OHE1 and risk varied by body mass index (p-interaction=0.003).

Conclusions

Premenopausal urinary 2:16α-OHE1 may play a role in breast carcinogenesis; however, larger studies are needed. Our findings do not support reduced breast cancer risk with higher postmenopausal 2:16α-OHE1 overall, although obesity may modify associations with 2-OHE1.
hMSH2 and hMLH1 Gene Expression Patterns Differ between Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Correlation with Patient Survival and Response to Adjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment
Authors: Vageli Dimitra P. , Zaravinos Apostolos , Daniil Zoe , Dahabreh Jubrail , Doukas Sotirios G. , Spandidos Demetrios A. , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I. , Koukoulis George K.
Published: August 2012

Background

We recently showed that the mRNA levels of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tissue specimens and the phenotypic translation of molecular MMR data refines the biology of the MMR system with consequent diagnostic implications in the clinical assessment of lung cancer patients.

Methods

hMLH1 and hMSH2 mRNA expression was previously evaluated by qPCR for 29 NSCLC patients (13 with squamous cell carcinoma [SQC] and 16 with adenocarcinoma [ADC]) and MMR mRNA levels were converted into clinically distinct phenotypic entities. In this study, we evaluated the correlation of the hMSH2 and hMLH1 mRNA phenotypes with patient survival and their response to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

hMSH2 and hMLH1 mRNA phenotypic distribution differed between SQC and ADC. the MMR phenotypes differed also between advanced and early stage SQC. SQC patients with an increased hMSH2 expression had a better outcome than patients with a reduced hMSH2 expression. However, ADC patients with an increased hMSH2 expression had a poor outcome compared to those with low hMSH2 levels. SQC patients with a high hMSH2 expression exhibited a better response to adjuvant chemotherapy, whereas ADC patients with high hMSH2 levels had a poor response. ADC patients with low hMSH2 levels showed good response to adjuvant chemotherapy compared to SQC patients bearing the same phenotypic profile.

Conclusions

Our findings show that MMR mRNA phenotypes may be added to the known biological differences between SQC and ADC. hMLH1 and hMSH2 phenotypes distributed differently according to the NSCLC stage. Distinct MMR mRNA phenotypes in SQC and ADC corresponded to patient response to adjuvant chemotherapy.
Outcomes of AngioJet® Thrombectomy in Hemodialysis Vascular Access Grafts and Fistulas: Pearl I Registry
Authors: Simoni Eugene , Blitz Lawrence , Lookstein Robert
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Results are reported from the PEARL I Registry for procedures where a mid-length AngioJet catheter was used for thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts and fistulae.

Methods

The PEARL I Registry was a prospective, multicenter, observational database collecting information on the AngioJet procedures for a variety of thrombotic conditions. Patient demographics, procedural information, outcome data, and safety information were collected through 3 months postprocedure on AngioJet procedures. This paper describes the data collected for subjects presenting with hemodialysis access thrombosis.

Results

A total of 72 (16%) of the 452 subjects enrolled in the PEARL 1 Registry had thrombosed hemodialysis access sites. Procedural success was reported in 66/72 subjects (92%); surgical interventions were required in 6/72 subjects (8%). There was a statistically significant improvement (p<0.0001) in vessel occlusion from baseline to final angiography. Eighty-eight percent of access sites were patent at the end of the procedure and 97% of vessels showed improved occlusion status of ≥1 grades. Among prosthetic grafts, 53% (20/38) remained patent at the 3-month follow-up, 18% (7/38) were restenosed, and 29% (11/38) rethrombosed. Among autologous fistulas, 86% (18/21) remained patent without intervention at the 3-month follow-up; 3 fistulas rethrombosed. Four subjects (5%) died; none of the deaths were considered related to the AngioJet device or procedure.

Conclusions

Outcomes from the PEARL I registry corroborate other studies of AngioJet thrombectomy and the overall literature of endovascular thrombectomy procedures. A high procedural success rates with acceptable near-term patency rates and low rates of adverse events are achieved with AngioJet thrombectomy.
Novel, High-Yield Red Blood Cell Production Methods from CD34-Positive Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem, Yolk Sac, Fetal Liver, Cord Blood, and Peripheral Blood
Authors: Olivier Emmanuel , Qiu Caihong , Bouhassira Eric E.
Published: August 2012

The current supply of red blood cells expressing rare blood groups is not sufficient to cover all the existing transfusion needs for chronically transfused patients, such as sickle cell disease homozygous carriers, because of alloimmunization. In vitro production of cultured red blood cells is slowly emerging as a possible complement to the existing collection-based red blood cell procurement system. The yield of cultured red blood cells can theoretically be maximized by amplifying the stem, progenitor, or precursor compartment. Here, we combined methods designed to expand these three compartments to optimize the yield of cultured red blood cells and found that exposing CD34+ cells to a short pulse of cytokines favorable for erythroid differentiation prior to stem cell expansion followed by progenitor expansion produced the highest yield of erythroid cells. This novel serum-free red blood cell production protocol was efficient on CD34+ cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, 6–8-week yolk sacs, 16–18-week fetal livers, cord blood, and peripheral blood. The yields of cells obtained with these new protocols were larger by an order of magnitude than the yields observed previously. Globin expression analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that these expansion protocols generally yielded red blood cells that expressed a globin profile similar to that expected for the developmental age of the CD34+ cells.
Avaliação dos níveis de cinza de cimentos ionômero de vidro em imagens digitais indiretas
Authors: Castro Ricardo Yuki de , Brasileiro Cláudia Borges , Giovannini José Flávio Batista Gabrich
Published: August 2012

Objetivo: Comparar a radiopacidade de quatro marcas comerciais de cimentos ionômero de vidro por meio da mensuração dos níveis de cinza em imagens digitais indiretas. Materiais e Métodos: Foram confeccionados cinco corpos de prova nas espessuras de 1, 2, 3 e 4mm dos seguintes materiais: Magic Glass® R, Maxxion® R, Vidrion® R e Chemflex®. As amostras foram separadas por marca e espessura e radiografadas seguindo uma técnica padronizada. Foram realizadas três radiografias por espessura para cada material avaliado. As imagens obtidas foram posteriormente digitalizadas e analisadas por meio da ferramenta histograma do software Adobe Photoshop 8.0 para a determinação dos níveis de cinza. Para isso, foram realizadas três leituras em áreas diferentes de cada uma das amostras confeccionadas para cada espessura das marcas comerciais avaliadas. Os valores obtidos foram posteriormente submetidos a uma média aritmética e os resultadosexpressos como média dos níveis de cinza por espessura para cada material. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de variância ANOVA (p<0,05) e comparação múltipla de Bonferroni (p<0,05). Resultados: Para todos os cimentos avaliados as espessuras apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando comparadas entre si para o mesmo material (p<0,001). Os valores dos níveis de cinza aumentaram conforme a espessura dos corpos de prova. As médias dos valores de níveis de cinza encontradas em cada um dos cimentos avaliados, para uma mesma espessura, foram diferentes e os resultados estatisticamente significativos (p<0,001). Conclusão: Os cimentos ionômeros de vidro apresentaram variações quanto à radiopacidade, sendo que a espessura dos corpos de prova contribuiu para tal propriedade. O Chemflex® apresentou o maior valor médio de níveis de cinza, sendo o material de maior radiopacidade dentre todos os avaliados.Descritores: Cimentos de ionômeros de vidro. Radiografia dentária digital.
Perfil epidemiológico da cárie dentária em escolares de 5 e 12 anos residentes no Município de Bayeux, Paraíba
Authors: Azevedo Amanda Camurça de , Valença Ana Maria Gondim , Neto Eufrásio de Andrade Lima
Published: August 2012

Objetivo: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico para cárie dentária de crianças com 5 e 12 anos de idade pertencentes a escolas da rede pública e privada de ensino do município de Bayeux, PB. Materiais e Métodos: A amostra constituiu-se por 411 indivíduos, sendo 277 de 5 anos 134 com 12 anos de idade, distribuídas em 10 setores censitários do município. Os exames clínicos foram realizados por uma cirurgiã-dentista calibrada (Kappa=0,82) de acordo com os critérios de diagnóstico recomendados pelo SB BRASIL 2010. Foram investigados os índices ceod e CPOD. Os dados coletados foram registrados e analisados no programa Excel, sendo realizada análise descritiva. Resultados: Verificou-se que o ceo-d/CPO-D para 5 e 12 anos foram, respectivamente, 2,86 (+3,07) e 4,19 (+2,66). Aos 5 anos, 32,1% das crianças não apresentaram experiência com a doença cárie. Para aquelas identificadas com experiência de cárie, 96,5% do ceo-d eram do componentecariado. Aos 12 anos, o percentual da amostra com todos os dentes hígidos foi de 9,0%. Em relação aqueles indivíduos com CPO-D maior ou igual a 1, o componente cariado apresentou maior percentual na composiçãodo índice (80,9%). Conclusões: A presença de cárie dentária aos 5 e aos 12 anos foi alta. Houve predominância, em ambos os índices, do componente cariado.Descritores: Cárie dentária. Epidemiologia. Estimativas de população.
Avaliação sobre o conhecimento dos cirurgiõesdentistas de Montes Claros-MG sobre técnicas radiográficas, medidas de radioproteção e de biossegurança
Authors: Oliveira Marlen Viviane , Silva Milena Bortolotto Felippe , Junqueira José Luiz Cintra , Oliveira Luciana Butini
Published: August 2012

Objetivo: avaliar o grau de conhecimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas do município de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, sobre a solicitação de exames radiográficos, medidas de radioproteção e de biossegurança.Materiais e Métodos: 203 cirurgiões-dentistas foram convidados a responder um questionário com 25 perguntas sobre os temas estudados. Dos 112 profissionais que o responderam, 41 eram clínicos gerais e 71 eram especialistas. Daquele total, 8 tinham menos de 5 anos de formado, 54, entre 5 a 15 anos e os últimos 50, mais de 15 anos. Os dados foram analisados por meio dos testes estatísticos Qui-Quadrado e Exato deFisher, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Quanto à indicação de técnicas radiográficas para o diagnóstico de alterações bucais, 80,0% dos profissionais indicaram a radiografia interproximal parao diagnóstico da doença cárie. Quanto à radiografia periapical; 86,7% dos dentistas afirmaram indicá-la para quadros de doença periodontal; 88,8%, para tratamento endodôntico; 72,6% para extração de inclusos e 81,5%,para fraturas dentárias. Para o planejamento de implantes, 16,9% dos entrevistados indicaram a tomografia computadorizada e 52,3% recomendaram a radiografia panorâmica. Quanto à radioproteção e à biossegurança, 84,0% dos profissionais relataram a adoção do tempo de exposição elevado, acima de 0,8 segundos; 58,9% manifestaram ter preferência na realização do processamento pelo método manual inspecional; 52,7% afirmaram utilizar o acionamento dos raios-X pelo botão de retardo; e 84,8%, descartar os resíduos do revelador e fixador no esgoto comum. Percebeu-se uma correlação entre o tempo de formado e as seguintes condutas adotadas pelos profissionais: tempo de exposição utilizado para expor um filme radiográfico (p=0,03); método utilizado para o processamento do filme radiográfico (p<0,01) e destino para as soluções reveladoras e fixadoras (p<0,01). Conclusão: pode-se afirmar que cirurgiões-dentistas de Montes Claros/MG precisam ser mais bemesclarecidos quanto à solicitação de exames radiográficos e normas vigentes sobre as medidas de radioproteção e de biossegurança a serem adotadas em consultórios odontológicos.Descritores: Radiografia dentária. Protetores contra radiação. Exposição a agentes biológicos.
A responsabilidade dos profissionais de saúde na notificação dos casos de violência contra crianças e adolescentes de acordo com seus códigos de ética
Authors: Almeida André Henrique do Vale de , Silva Mona Lisa Cordeiro Asselta da , Musse Jamilly de Oliveira , Marques Jeidson Antônio Morais
Published: August 2012

A violência contra as crianças e adolescentes é um grave problema de saúde pública mundial, pois demanda conscientização e participação efetiva de toda a sociedade, em especial dos profissionais de saúde, por estarem frequentemente em contato com pacientes vitimizados. O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a responsabilidade dos profissionais de saúde em notificar casos de violência contra crianças e adolescentes. Foi realizada pesquisa nos códigos de ética das profissões de medicina, odontologia, enfermagem,psicologia, nutrição, serviço social, fonoaudiologia, educação física, fisioterapia e farmácia, bem como na legislação brasileira. Concluiu-se que os códigos de ética das profissões, em sua maioria não contemplam a obrigatoriedade da notificação em casos de violência, e que os profissionais têm o dever de fazê-lo, podendo ser responsabilizados por omissão ou negligência de acordo com o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente.Descritores: Notificação. Violência. Códigos de ética. Pessoal de saúde.
Gas Diffusion, Energy Transport, and Thermal Accommodation in Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Aerogels
Authors: Schiffres Scott N. , Kim Kyu Hun , Hu Lin , McGaughey Alan J. H. , Islam Mohammad F. , Malen Jonathan A.
Published: August 2012

The thermal conductivity of gas‐permeated single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) aerogel (8 kg m−3 density, 0.0061 volume fraction) is measured experimentally and modeled using mesoscale and atomistic simulations. Despite the high thermal conductivity of isolated SWCNTs, the thermal conductivity of the evacuated aerogel is 0.025 ± 0.010 W m−1 K−1 at a temperature of 300 K. This very low value is a result of the high porosity and the low interface thermal conductance at the tube–tube junctions (estimated as 12 pW K−1). Thermal conductivity measurements and analysis of the gas‐permeated aerogel (H2, He, Ne, N2, and Ar) show that gas molecules transport energy over length scales hundreds of times larger than the diameters of the pores in the aerogel. It is hypothesized that inefficient energy exchange between gas molecules and SWCNTs gives the permeating molecules a memory of their prior collisions. Low gas‐SWCNT accommodation coefficients predicted by molecular dynamics simulations support this hypothesis. Amplified energy transport length scales resulting from low gas accommodation are a general feature of CNT‐based nanoporous materials.