bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fasting Until Noon Triggers Increased Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Impaired Insulin Response After Lunch and Dinner in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Jakubowicz Daniela , Wainstein Julio , Ahren Bo , Landau Zohar , Bar-Dayan Yosefa , Froy Oren
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVE

Skipping breakfast has been consistently associated with high HbA1c and postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to explore the effect of skipping breakfast on glycemia after a subsequent isocaloric (700 kcal) lunch and dinner.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a crossover design, 22 patients with diabetes with a mean diabetes duration of 8.4 ± 0.7 years, age 56.9 ± 1.0 years, BMI 28.2 ± 0.6 kg/m2, and HbA1c 7.7 ± 0.1% (61 ± 0.8 mmol/mol) were randomly assigned to two test days: one day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner (YesB) and another with lunch and dinner but no breakfast (NoB). Postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, free fatty acids (FFA), glucagon, and intact glucagon-like peptide-1 (iGLP-1) were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with YesB, lunch area under the curves for 0–180 min (AUC0–180) for plasma glucose, FFA, and glucagon were 36.8, 41.1, and 14.8% higher, respectively, whereas the AUC0-180 for insulin and iGLP-1 were 17% and 19% lower, respectively, on the NoB day (P < 0.0001). Similarly, dinner AUC0-180 for glucose, FFA, and glucagon were 26.6, 29.6, and 11.5% higher, respectively, and AUC0-180 for insulin and iGLP-1 were 7.9% and 16.5% lower on the NoB day compared with the YesB day (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, insulin peak was delayed 30 min after lunch and dinner on the NoB day compared with the YesB day.

CONCLUSIONS

Skipping breakfast increases PPHG after lunch and dinner in association with lower iGLP-1 and impaired insulin response. This study shows a long-term influence of breakfast on glucose regulation that persists throughout the day. Breakfast consumption could be a successful strategy for reduction of PPHG in type 2 diabetes.
An Improved Cambridge Filter Pad Extraction Methodology to Obtain More Accurate Water and “Tar” Values: In Situ Cambridge Filter Pad Extraction Methodology
Authors: Ghosh David , Jeannet Cyril
Published: July 2015

Previous investigations by others and internal investigations at Philip Morris International (PMI) have shown that the standard trapping and extraction procedure used for conventional cigarettes, defined in the International Standard ISO 4387 (Cigarettes -- Determination of total and nicotine-free dry particulate matter using a routine analytical smoking machine), is not suitable for high-water content aerosols. Errors occur because of water losses during the opening of the Cambridge filter pad holder to remove the filter pad as well as during the manual handling of the filter pad, and because the commercially available filter pad holder, which is constructed out of plastic, may adsorb water. This results in inaccurate values for the water content, and erroneous and overestimated values for Nicotine Free Dry Particulate Matter (NFDPM). A modified 44 mm Cambridge filter pad holder and extraction equipment which supports in situ extraction methodology has been developed and tested. The principle of the in situ extraction methodology is to avoid any of the above mentioned water losses by extracting the loaded filter pad while kept in the Cambridge filter pad holder which is hermetically sealed by two caps. This is achieved by flushing the extraction solvent numerous times through the hermetically sealed Cambridge filter pad holder by means of an in situ extractor. The in situ methodology showed a significantly more complete water recovery, resulting in more accurate NFDPM values for high-water content aerosols compared to the standard ISO methodology. The work presented in this publication demonstrates that the in situ extraction methodology applies to a wider range of smoking products and smoking regimens, whereas the standard ISO methodology only applies to a limited range of smoking products and smoking regimens, e.g., conventional cigarettes smoked under ISO smoking regimen. In cases where a comparison of yields between the PMI HTP and conventional cigarettes is required the in situ extraction methodology must be used for the aerosol of the PMI HTP to obtain accurate NFDPM/”tar” values. This would be for example the case if there were a need to print “tar” yields on packs or compare yields to ceilings. Failure to use the in situ extraction methodology will result in erroneous and overestimated NFDPM/”tar” values.
A Model for the Determination of Diffusion Capacity Under Non-Standard Temperature and Pressure Conditions
Authors: Eitzinger Bernhard
Published: July 2015

The diffusion capacity of cigarette paper has been reported to be an important parameter in relation to the self-extinguishment of cigarettes and also in relation to carbon monoxide yields. Although the diffusion capacity is routinely measured and instruments for this measurement have been available for several years, differences between measured values obtained on the same paper sample but on different instruments or in different laboratories may be substantial and may make it difficult to use these values, for example, as a basis for paper specifications. Among several reasons, deviations of temperature and pressure from standard conditions, especially within the measurement chamber of the instrument, may contribute to the high variation in diffusion capacity data. Deviations of temperature and pressure will have an influence on the gas flow rates, the diffusion processes inside the measurement chamber and consequently the measured CO2 concentration. Generally, the diffusion capacity is determined from a mathematical model, which describes the diffusion processes inside the measurement chamber. Such models provide the CO2 concentration in the outflow gas for a given diffusion capacity. For practical applications the inverse model is needed, that is, the diffusion capacity shall be determined from a measured CO2 concentration. Often such an inverse model is approximated by a polynomial, which, however, is only valid for standard temperature and pressure. It is shown that relative approximation errors from such polynomials, even without temperature and pressure deviations, cannot always be neglected and it is proposed to eliminate such errors by direct inversion of the model with a comparably simple iterative method. A model which includes temperature and pressure effects is described and the effects of temperature and pressure deviations on the diffusion capacity are theoretically estimated by comparing the output of a model with and without inclusion of temperature and pressure effects. The results suggest that these effects may cause relative differences in the diffusion capacity up to 50% for pressure and temperature ranges of practical relevance
A Device to Measure a Smoker’s Puffing Topography and Real-Time Puff-By-Puff “Tar” Delivery
Authors: Slayford Sandra J. , Frost Barrie E.
Published: July 2015

A device for measuring the flow, duration and volume characteristics of human puffing behaviour when smoking cigarettes is described. Cigarettes are smoked through a holder comprising a measured pressure drop across a critical orifice. The holder also contains a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and photodetector that measures light obscuration in order to estimate nicotine-free dry particulate matter (NFDPM, “tar”) delivery. All data are recorded on a puff-by-puff basis and displayed in real time. These NFDPM estimates are known as optical “tar” (OT), and are derived from the calibration of the OT measurement versus gravimetric NFDPM yields of cigarettes under a range of smoking regimes. In a test study, puff volumes from 20-80 mL were recorded to ± 6.0% of a pre-set volume, with an absolute error of 4.7 mL for an 80 mL volume drawn on a lit cigarette, and an average error of less than 2.0 mL across the range 20-80 mL. The relationship between NFDPM and OT was linear (R2 = 0.99) and accurate to ± 1.3 mg per cigarette over the range 1-23 mg per cigarette. The device provides an alternative to the widely used part filter methodology for estimating mouth level exposure with an added benefit that no further laboratory smoking replication or analysis is required. When used in conjunction with the part filter methodology, the puffing behaviour recorded can explain anomalies in the data while providing a second independent estimate.
Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Ischemic Stroke and its Effect on Functional Outcome.
Authors: Karki Binod , Pande Prakash Raj , Sharme Arun , Deo Rajeeb Kumar
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Stroke is third most common cause of death worldwide characterized by rapidly progressiveclinical symptoms and signs of focal or global loss of cerebral functions. Among various risk factors, atrialÞ brillation is one which affects the functional outcome. The objective of this study was to Þ nd out the prevalenceof atrial Þ brillation in patients with ischemic stroke in Nepalese context and its effect on the functional outcomeusing modiÞ ed Barthel index.Methods: Cross sectional analytical study was conducted in a tertiary level hospital over a period of oneyear from July 2011 to June 2011. All the patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of ischemic strokeduring the study period were included in the study. Presence of atrial Þ brillation was conÞ rmed by 12 leadelectrocardiograms. The parameters of patients with and without atrial Þ brillation were compared.Results: Total of 75 cases of ischemic stroke was identiÞ ed, out of which nine had atrial Þ brillation in the ECGwhich makes a prevalence of 12%. Among 75 patients, 41% were female and 59% were male with the meanage of presentation was 63. Majority of patients (62.8%) were above 60 years of age. The functional severityas assessed from Barthel index (mean) was 36.11 and 55.83 respectively in those having ischemic stroke withatrial Þ brillation and without atrial Þ brillation with 88.9% of patients with AF below the score of 40 ( p<0.0001).Conclusions: In our population, the prevalence of atrial Þ brillation in patients with ischaemic stroke is 12%and Barthel index of patiens with stroke and atrial Þ brillation is signiÞ cantly lower than the patients withoutatrial Þ brillation.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v12i2.12916
Quality of Life and Treatment Outcome of Psychiatric Morbidities in Cancer Patients
Authors: Thapa Prashwas , Rawal Namrata , Bista Yadav
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Cancer is associated with signiÞ cant psychosocial morbidity and has impact on quality of life.An appropriate psychiatric management of cancer patient may improve the ultimate quality of living.Methods: The objective of this study was to see the outcome of treatment of depression and anxiety and itseffect in quality of life in cancer patients. A cross sectional study was used. A total of eighteen (18) cancerpatients with depression, anxiety; and both depression and anxiety were assessed for quality of life and providedtreatment. The tools used were General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scale.Results: The study concluded that 43.75% of depressed and 41.66% of anxiety cancer patients improved ontreatment and there also was a signiÞ cant improvement in quality of life, specially in psychological and physicaldomain.Conclusions: Oncology centres should work in close liaison with psychiatrists which can improve the qualityof life of cancer patients.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v12i2.12918
Bacteriological Analysis of Water of Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Ghimire Gyanendra , Adhikari Binita , Pradhan Manoj
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Water is indispensible for human existence. Water pollution is the most serious environmentalquality issue all over the world, yet the people are less aware and give little emphasis on the vital connectionbetween water and health. Drinking water of most communities and municipalities in Nepal is obtained fromsurface sources, rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Most of these sources of water are likely to pollute withdomestic and industrial wastes and many types of microorganisms present in water causes various types ofinfectious diseases. Therefore, we intend to Þ nd the bacteriological water quality of Kathmandu valley.Methods: A total of 200 water samples collected from different sources (over head tank, well and tube wells,taps, springs through spouts and household Þ lter) from different parts of Kathmandu Valley were subjected forbacteriological analysis by MPN (3 sets 3 tubes) method. Presence of fecal coliform was detected by Eijkmantest.Result: Out of total 200 water samples, 130 (65.0%) were unsatisfactory, 19 (9.5%) were intermediate(suspicious), 30 (15.0%) were satisfactory and remaining 21(10.5%) were excellent. Of the unsatisfactorywater samples subjected to Eijkman test, 22.0% of overhead tank, 30.0% of ground water, 30.0% of pipedtap water, 40.0% of natural tap (spout) and none of the household Þ lter water showed fecal coliforms. Watercontamination rate was higher during summer than in winter season.Conclusion: It is concluded that most of the water sources of Kathmandu valley are bacteriologicallyunsatisfactory for drinking.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v12i2.12919
Coomb’s Test Negative Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Dhakal Ajaya Kumar , Shrestha Devendra , Shah Subhash Chandra
Published: July 2015

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is uncommon type of anemia in children. High degree of clinical suspicionalong with detailed investigations is required for diagnosis. It is characterized by anemia and positive directantiglobulin test along with features of hemolysis. Infrequently direct antiglobulin test may be negative inautoimmune hemolytic anemia and may pose diagnostic difÞ culty. We report a 14 year-old female with twoacute episodes of severe anemia along with splenomegaly, reticulocytosis, unconjugated hyperbilrubinemia andnegative direct antiglobulin test. She was successfully treated with oral prednisolone. Serum Vitamin B12 levelwas low in this patient and association between autoimmune hemolytic anemia and Vitamin B12 deÞ ciencycould not be explained.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v12i2.12930
Prevalence of anaemia among children under five years in tertiary care hospital of Nepal.
Authors: Joshi Sundari , Pradhan Megha Pradhan , Joshi Ujjwal
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Anaemia is a pathologic deficiency in oxygen-carrying haemoglobin in red blood cells which may be the result of genetic diseases, infections and deficiency of several nutrients. Nepal is one of the developing countries where anaemia is one of the most serious public health problems. So, a study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of anaemia among children under five years in tertiary care hospital of Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2011 to January 2012 using a structured questionnaire interview and observation. The children were divided into three groups: group I (0-1 years), group II (>1-3 years), group III (>3-5 years). Anaemia was assessed using  haemoglobin measurement in gram in decilitre on Sysmex KX -21 (automated haematology analyzer). The severity of anaemia were grouped as follows: severe anaemia, < 7.0 g/dL; moderate anaemia, 7.0 to 8.9 g/dL; and mild anaemia, 9.0 to 10.9 g/dL as per WHO classification. Stool test was also carried out to assess worm infestation. Data were analysed using SPSS 11.5. Results: There were 208 children among which 52.9 % were male while 47.10 % were female.  The overall prevalence of anaemia was found to be 49.5% of which 43.3% had mild, 15.8% had moderate and 0.5% had severe anaemia. Out of 20 children in group I, 70 % were anaemic. Among the 94 each in group II and group III, children suffering from anaemia were 51% and 43% respectively. The stool investigations showed that 5.3 % children suffered from worm infestations.   Conclusions: prevalence of anaemia was seen in 49.5% of children below five years age group and the diet and worm infestations didn’t affect it.doi:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v13i1.12998
Bilateral Traumatic Patella Fracture
Authors: Sinha Ritesh , Joshi Amit , Kayastha Nirab , Singh Bharat Prasad
Published: July 2015

Fracture of Patella is rare and constitutes almost 1% of all skeletal injuries. Bilateral fracture of patella is even rarer accounting for 2.9% of all patella lesion. Very few cases of bilateral patella fractures have been reported in literature. We report the rare case of bilateral patella fracture in a healthy female and discuss the management challenges. doi:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v13i1.13005
The Poetics of Play
Authors: Moro Andy
Published: July 2015

Abstract:

Established multidisciplinary design artist Andy Moro explores the early consequences of his artistic curiosity while growing up in Windsor, Ontario. This blue-collar border town and a family unsupportive of creative expression but keen on hard labour sent him along a varied path on which he acquired survival skills that included each knowledge set necessary to result in his present-day career. Working the line at Chrysler led to industrial design, which in turn led to glass-blowing. Harbouring secrets, both negative and positive, led to late-night creation binges, with sleep becoming a tertiary need at best. All the while, the drive to work was rooted in an unrelenting quest for fulfillment: these circumstances created a theatre beast who began in production management and now designs, on an international scale, video, set, lighting, and sound. Finally, Moro co-founded the Indigenous arts activist creation/production company ARTICLE 11, wherein his talents and skills are vital to the creation process of new theatrical and installation works.
Charting Incommunicable Truths: The Ghosts of the Franklin Expedition
Authors: Davis Tracy C.
Published: July 2015

Abstract:

With her new book Loss and Cultural Remains in Performance: The Ghosts of the Franklin Expedition, Heather Davis-Fisch’s recalibrates aspects of the lengthy Franklin saga explored by scholars in other disciplines, offering performance scholars an opportunity to think across these specialists’ categories of epistemology, and to test a limit case on “how performance studies can intervene in the production of historical knowledge.”
Nonmechanical Roles of Dystrophin and Associated Proteins in Exercise, Neuromuscular Junctions, and Brains
Authors: Nichols Bailey , Takeda Shin'ichi , Yokota Toshifumi
Published: July 2015

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is an important structural unit in skeletal muscle that connects the cytoskeleton (f-actin) of a muscle fiber to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Several muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophies (dystroglycanopathies), and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (sarcoglycanopathies), are caused by mutations in the different DGC components. Although many early studies indicated DGC plays a crucial mechanical role in maintaining the structural integrity of skeletal muscle, recent studies identified novel roles of DGC. Beyond a mechanical role, these DGC members play important signaling roles and act as a scaffold for various signaling pathways. For example, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which is localized at the muscle membrane by DGC members (dystrophin and syntrophins), plays an important role in the regulation of the blood flow during exercise. DGC also plays important roles at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and in the brain. In this review, we will focus on recently identified roles of DGC particularly in exercise and the brain.
Long Non-Coding RNAs: The Key Players in Glioma Pathogenesis
Authors: Kiang Karrie , Zhang Xiao-Qin , Leung Gilberto
Published: July 2015

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) represent a novel class of RNAs with no functional protein-coding ability, yet it has become increasingly clear that interactions between lncRNAs with other molecules are responsible for important gene regulatory functions in various contexts. Given their relatively high expressions in the brain, lncRNAs are now thought to play important roles in normal brain development as well as diverse disease processes including gliomagenesis. Intriguingly, certain lncRNAs are closely associated with the initiation, differentiation, progression, recurrence and stem-like characteristics in glioma, and may therefore be exploited for the purposes of sub-classification, diagnosis and prognosis. LncRNAs may also serve as potential therapeutic targets as well as a novel biomarkers in the treatment of glioma. In this article, the functional aspects of lncRNAs, particularly within the central nervous system (CNS), will be briefly discussed, followed by highlights of the important roles of lncRNAs in mediating critical steps during glioma development. In addition, the key lncRNA players and their possible mechanistic pathways associated with gliomagenesis will be addressed.
Novel Insights into the Development and Function of Cilia Using the Advantages of the Paramecium Cell and Its Many Cilia
Authors: Yano Junji , Valentine Megan , Van Houten Judith
Published: July 2015

Paramecium species, especially P. tetraurelia and caudatum, are model organisms for modern research into the form and function of cilia. In this review, we focus on the ciliary ion channels and other transmembrane proteins that control the beat frequency and wave form of the cilium by controlling the signaling within the cilium. We put these discussions in the context of the advantages that Paramecium brings to the understanding of ciliary motility: mutants for genetic dissections of swimming behavior, electrophysiology, structural analysis, abundant cilia for biochemistry and modern proteomics, genomics and molecular biology. We review the connection between behavior and physiology, which allows the cells to broadcast the function of their ciliary channels in real time. We build a case for the important insights and advantages that this model organism continues to bring to the study of cilia.
Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites: (Co-)Evaporation/(Co)Sputtering Approaches and Electrical Properties
Authors: Torrisi Vanna , Ruffino Francesco
Published: July 2015

In this review, we discuss the basic concepts related to (co-)evaporation and (co)sputtering based fabrication methods and the electrical properties of polymer-metal nanocomposite films. Within the organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites research framework, the field related to metal-polymer nanocomposites is attracting much interest. In fact, it is opening pathways for engineering flexible composites that exhibit advantageous electrical, optical, or mechanical properties. The metal-polymer nanocomposites research field is, now, a wide, complex, and important part of the nanotechnology revolution. So, with this review we aim, starting from the discussion of specific cases, to focus our attention on the basic microscopic mechanisms and processes and the general concepts suitable for the interpretation of material properties and structure–property correlations. The review aims, in addition, to provide a comprehensive schematization of the main technological applications currently in development worldwide.
Mixed-Sequence Recognition of Double-Stranded DNA Using Enzymatically Stable Phosphorothioate Invader Probes
Authors: Anderson Brooke , Karmakar Saswata , Hrdlicka Patrick
Published: July 2015

Development of probes that allow for sequence-unrestricted recognition of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) continues to attract much attention due to the prospect for molecular tools that enable detection, regulation, and manipulation of genes. We have recently introduced so-called Invader probes as alternatives to more established approaches such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids and polyamides. These short DNA duplexes are activated for dsDNA recognition by installment of +1 interstrand zippers of intercalator-functionalized nucleotides such as 2′-N-(pyren-1-yl)methyl-2′-N-methyl-2′-aminouridine and 2′-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyluridine, which results in violation of the nearest neighbor exclusion principle and duplex destabilization. The individual probes strands have high affinity toward complementary DNA strands, which generates the driving force for recognition of mixed-sequence dsDNA regions. In the present article, we characterize Invader probes that are based on phosphorothioate backbones (PS-DNA Invaders). The change from the regular phosphodiester backbone furnishes Invader probes that are much more stable to nucleolytic degradation, while displaying acceptable dsDNA-recognition efficiency. PS-DNA Invader probes therefore present themselves as interesting probes for dsDNA-targeting applications in cellular environments and living organisms.
Bench to Bedside: Stability Studies of GMP Produced Trastuzumab-TCMC in Support of a Clinical Trial
Authors: Milenic Diane , Baidoo Kwamena , Brechbiel Martin
Published: July 2015

The first-in-human phase 1 clinical radioimmunotherapy (RIT) trial with 212Pb-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-1,4,7,10-tetra-(2-carbamoylmethyl)-cyclododecane-trastuzumab (212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab) was completed in October 2014 as a joint effort at the University of Alabama (UAB) and the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center. The preliminary reports indicate that after five dose-levels of intraperitoneally administered 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab, patients with carcinomatosis experienced minimal agent-related toxicity. This report presents the data accumulated to date on the stability of the clinical grade, produced according to current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), TCMC-trastuzumab conducted in support of that clinical trial. Of the eleven tests performed with the cGMP TCMC-trastuzumab all but one remained within specifications throughout the 5 year testing period. The protein concentration varied by 0.01 mg/mL at 48 months. Two other assays, ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (IEX-HPLC) and a competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) indicated that the cGMP TCMC-trastuzumab integrity may be changing, although the change thus far is within specifications. Subsequent stability testing will confirm if a trend has truly developed. The cGMP TCMC-trastuzumab was also evaluated for tolerance to higher temperatures and the potential of storage at −80 °C. The immunoconjugate proved stable when subjected to the lower temperatures and to multiple freeze-thaw cycles. The size exclusion (SE) HPLC analysis of the 203Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab was the only indicator that cGMP TCMC-trastuzumab may be sensitive to storage at 37 °C for 3 months.
Inventory of Small Forest Areas Using an Unmanned Aerial System
Authors: Puliti Stefano , Ørka Hans , Gobakken Terje , Næsset Erik
Published: July 2015

Acquiring high spatial and temporal resolution imagery from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) provides new opportunities for inventorying forests at small scales. Only a few studies have investigated the use of UASs in forest inventories, and the results are inconsistent and incomplete. The present study used three-dimensional (3D) variables derived from UAS imagery in combination with ground reference data to fit linear models for Lorey’s mean height (hL), dominant height (hdom), stem number (N), basal area (G), and stem volume (V). Plot-level cross validation revealed adjusted R2 values of 0.71, 0.97, 0.60, 0.60, and 0.85 for hL, hdom, N, G, and V, respectively, with corresponding RMSE values of 1.4 m, 0.7 m, 538.2 ha−1, 4.5 m2∙ha−1, and 38.3 m3∙ha−1. The respective relative RMSE values were 13.3%, 3.5%, 39.2%, 15.4%, and 14.5% of the mean ground reference values. The mean predicted values did not differ significantly from the reference values. The results revealed that the use of UAS imagery can provide relatively accurate and timely forest inventory information at a local scale. In addition, the present study highlights the practical advantages of UAS-assisted forest inventories, including adaptive planning, high project customization, and rapid implementation, even under challenging weather conditions.
Structured Light-Based 3D Reconstruction System for Plants
Authors: Nguyen Thuy , Slaughter David , Max Nelson , Maloof Julin , Sinha Neelima
Published: July 2015

Camera-based 3D reconstruction of physical objects is one of the most popular computer vision trends in recent years. Many systems have been built to model different real-world subjects, but there is lack of a completely robust system for plants. This paper presents a full 3D reconstruction system that incorporates both hardware structures (including the proposed structured light system to enhance textures on object surfaces) and software algorithms (including the proposed 3D point cloud registration and plant feature measurement). This paper demonstrates the ability to produce 3D models of whole plants created from multiple pairs of stereo images taken at different viewing angles, without the need to destructively cut away any parts of a plant. The ability to accurately predict phenotyping features, such as the number of leaves, plant height, leaf size and internode distances, is also demonstrated. Experimental results show that, for plants having a range of leaf sizes and a distance between leaves appropriate for the hardware design, the algorithms successfully predict phenotyping features in the target crops, with a recall of 0.97 and a precision of 0.89 for leaf detection and less than a 13-mm error for plant size, leaf size and internode distance.
The use of low doses of acepromazine as an aid for lameness diagnosis in horses: An accelerometric evaluation
Authors: Cisneros Gómez , del Arco Varela , Llorente Santiag , González Santos , López-Sanromán F. J.
Published: July 2015

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to quantify by accelerometry the trotting pattern of adult horses sedated with two different doses of acepromazine, in order to assess the use of this drug in equine lameness evaluations.

Methods: Seven mature horses were used and three treatments were administered to each horse: saline solution, acepromazine (0.01 mg/kg), and acepromazine (0.02 mg/ kg). The portable gait analyzer used consisted of three orthogonal accelerometers that measure accelerations along the dorso -ventral, longitudinal, and lateral axes. Baseline values were obtained and after treatment, accelerometric recordings were repeated every five minutes during the first 20 minutes after the injection and then every 10 minutes thereafter for two hours. Ground-tolip distance was also measured.

Results: Administration of acepromazine decreased some of the variables investigated and differences between doses were observed. Speed, stride frequency, and stride length were significantly reduced following treatments. For coordination parameters, no significant differences among values were observed. Energetic variables suffered only weak reductions whereas ground-to-lip distance values were significantly decreased up to 120 minutes after treatment.

Clinical significance: Acepromazine produces significant alterations in the gait pattern with differences between doses, but it does not affect coordination variables in normal unexcited horses, and at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg may be the tranquilizer of choice for evaluating lameness in this setting.
The equine forelimb suspensory ligament exhibits a heterogeneous strain pattern under tensile load
Authors: Lavagnino M. , Madison J. , Williams M. R. , Arnoczky S. P.
Published: July 2015

Objectives: To determine if regional variations in strain patterns occur within the suspensory ligament under tensile load. Local increases in strain may put certain regions of the suspensory ligament at risk and may explain the poor healing and high recurrence rates associated with suspensory branch injuries.

Methods: The suspensory ligament and its bone attachments were isolated from each of 10 adult equine cadaveric forelimbs and radiodense reference beads were inserted throughout the length of the ligament. Specimens were attached to a custom fixture secured to a materials testing system. Radio-graphs were acquired at 50, 445, 1112, and 2224 N of applied tensile load. Changes in distances between the beads in each region of the suspensory ligament were measured and the regional strain was calculated. Significant differences were determined using a repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results: The suspensory ligament exhibited significant differences in regional strain (p <0.001). The distal branches of the suspensory ligament had significantly greater strains than the proximal (p = 0.025) and mid-body (p = 0.002) regions. The mid-body of the suspensory ligament also exhibited local strain variation, with the distal mid-body having significantly higher strains than the proximal mid-body (p = 0.038).

Clinical significance: The equine suspensory ligament demonstrates a heterogeneous strain pattern during tensile loading, with the distal regions exhibiting significantly more strain than the proximal region. The nonhomogenous strain pattern could explain the regional difference in injury and re-injury rates.
Pediatric Oculomotor Findings during Monocular Videonystagmography: A Developmental Study
Authors: Doettl Steven M. , Plyler Patrick N. , McCaslin Devin L. , Schay Nancy L.
Published: July 2015

Background:The differential diagnosis of a dizzy patient >4 yrs old is often aided by videonystagmography (VNG) testing to provide a global assessment of peripheral and central vestibular function. Although the value of a VNG evaluation is well-established, it remains unclear
if the VNG test battery is as applicable to the pediatric population as it is for adults. Oculomotor testing specifically, as opposed to spontaneous, positional, and caloric testing, is dependent upon neurologic function. Thus, age and corresponding neuromaturation may have a significant effect
on oculomotor findings.Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to describe the effect of age on various tests of oculomotor function during a monocular VNG examination. Specifically, this study systematically characterized the impact of age on saccade tracking, smooth pursuit
tracking, and optokinetic (OPK) nystagmus.Research Design:The present study used a prospective, repeated measures design.Study Sample:A total of 62 healthy participants were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of 29 4- to 6-yr-olds. Group 2 consisted of 33 21- to 44-yr-olds. Each participant
completed a standard VNG oculomotor test battery including saccades, smooth pursuit, and OPK testing in randomized order using a commercially available system.Data Collection and Analysis:The response metrics saccade latency, accuracy, and speed, smooth pursuit gain, OPK nystagmus gain,
speed and asymmetry ratios were collected and analyzed.Results:Significant differences were noted between groups for saccade latency, smooth pursuit gain, and OPK asymmetry ratios. Saccade latency was significantly longer for the pediatric participants compared to the adult participants.
Smooth pursuit gain was significantly less for the pediatric participants compared to the adult participants. The pediatric participants also demonstrated increased OPK asymmetry ratios compared to the adult participants.Conclusions:Significant differences were noted between the pediatric
and adult participants for saccade latency, smooth pursuit gain, and OPK asymmetry. Saccade latency was significantly longer for the pediatric participants compared to the adult participants. Smooth pursuit gain was significantly less for the pediatric participants compared to the adult participants.
The pediatric participants also demonstrated increased OPK asymmetry compared to the adult participants. Caution should be exercised when comparing pediatric test results to adult normative values to avoid “false positive” diagnoses of central vestibular involvement.
Celebrando la cristalografía macromolecular: una perspectiva personal
Authors: Abad-Zapatero Celerino
Published: July 2015

El siglo XX ha sido testigo del increíble avance que ha experimentado el conocimiento de la estructura atómica de la materia que nos rodea. El descubrimiento de las primeras estructuras atómicas de sales inorgánicas por los Bragg en 1914, empleando difracción de rayos X con cristales, proporcionó los elementos clave para alcanzar tal conocimiento. Posteriores desarrollos en este campo, que condujeron a la cristalografía macromolecular, se presentan aquí desde una perspectiva personal, relacionada con el contexto cultural de la España de la década de los 50. La experiencia del descubrimiento científico, durante mi desarrollo profesional, se integra en el desarrollo de la cristalografía macromolecular, desde las primeras proteínas (míoglobina y hemoglobina), hasta su madurez en 1971 que, con los posteriores descubrimientos, culmina con la determinación del la estructura del ribosoma. Asimismo, se explora el futuro de esta disciplina y se reflexiona sobre el futuro de las próximas generaciones de científicos españoles.
Refinamiento de estructuras macromoleculares cristalográficas
Authors: Afonine Pavel V. , Urzhumtsev Alexandre , Adams Paul D.
Published: July 2015

El refinamiento es un paso clave en el proceso de determinación de una estructura cristalográfica al garantizar que la estructura atómica de la macromolécula final represente de la mejor manera posible los datos de difracción. Han hecho falta varias décadas para poder desarrollar nuevos métodos y herramientas computacionales dirigidas a dinamizar esta etapa. En este artículo ofrecemos un breve resumen de los principales hitos en la computación cristalográfica y de los nuevos métodos relevantes para el refinamiento de estructuras.
CCP4 Software Suite: historia, evolución, contenido, retos y perspectivas de futuro
Authors: Krissinel Eugene
Published: July 2015

“Collaborative Computational Project Number 4 (CCP4)” en Cristalografía de Proteínas es un recurso público líder mundial, encaminado a producir y mantener un conjunto integrado de programas que permite a los investigadores determinar estructuras macromoleculares mediante cristalografía de rayos-X, así como por otras técnicas biofísicas. CCP4 va dirigido a la más amplia comunidad científica posible, abarcando investigaciones en el ámbito académico, tanto sin ánimo de lucro como con él. Sus objetivos principales incluyen el desarrollo y soporte de metodologías punteras para la determinación y análisis de estructuras de proteínas, integradas en un conjunto bien definido para facilitar su fácil difusión mundial. Además, CCP4 juega un papel importante en la formación y entrenamiento de científicos en biología estructural experimental. En este artículo, ofreceré una visión de conjunto de la larga historia e hitos técnicos de CCP4 (35 años) y consideraré cómo ha surgido la particular estructura colaborativa de CCP4, sus características más notables, estado actual y perspectivas futuras.
Cristalización de proteínas en el diseño de fármacos en los últimos 50 años
Authors: Stura Enrico A.
Published: July 2015

Vivimos en una época en la que esperamos ir al médico y obtener una pastilla para curar cualquier dolencia que padezcamos; por desgracia, esta expectativa no es real. Aunque muchos de los remedios en uso provienen de fuentes naturales, la mayoría de los nuevos medicamentos son el resultado de la investigación científica. En el proceso de diseño y descubrimiento de fármacos, la cristalografía de proteínas juega un papel central. Los conocimientos que han hecho esto posible han venido evolucionando desde hace cincuenta años aproximadamente. Los métodos de cristalización de macromoléculas y la determinación de sus estructuras a través de la cristalografía de rayos X han sido automatizados y miniaturizados y la velocidad de la adquisición de datos de difracción ha aumentado en varios órdenes de magnitud. Si hace cincuenta años la resolución de una sola estructura podría llevar varios años, actualmente se pueden determinar las estructuras de varios complejos proteína-ligando en un solo día. La cristalografía de alto rendimiento hoy día es un gran recurso en el proceso del descubrimiento de fármacos pues proporciona una manera rápida y precisa de adaptar los fármacos candidatos a las dianas mediante el análisis de su modo de unión. La cristalización sigue siendo el principal desafío.
Perspectivas personales
Authors: Mancheño José Miguel
Published: July 2015

No disponible
The Sixth Painlevé Transcendents and the Associated Schlesinger Equation
Authors: Shimomura Shun
Published: July 2015

For the Schlesinger equation associated with the sixth Painlevé equation (PVI) near the critical point, we present families of solutions expanded into convergent series with matrix coefficients. These families yield four basic solutions of (PVI) in Guzzetti's table describing the critical behaviours of the sixth Painlevé transcendents; two of the basic solutions are of complex power type, and two are of logarithmic type. Consequently, the convergence of the logarithmic solutions is verified. Furthermore we obtain more information on these basic solutions as well as on inverse logarithmic solutions. For complex power solutions, examining related inverse oscillatory ones, we discuss sequences of zeros and poles, non-decaying exponential oscillation and the analytic continuation around the critical point, and show the spiral distribution of poles conjectured by Guzzetti.
Crepant Resolutions of a Slodowy Slice in a Nilpotent Orbit Closure in $\mathfrak {sl}_N(\mathbb C)$
Authors: Yamagishi Ryo
Published: July 2015

One of our results of this article is that every (projective) crepant resolution of a Slodowy slice in a nilpotent orbit closure in

\mathfrak {sl}_N(\mathbb C)

can be obtained as the restriction of some crepant resolution of the nilpotent orbit closure. We also show that there is a decomposition of the Slodowy slice into other Slodowy slices with good properties. From this decomposition, one can count the number of crepant resolutions.
Compact Moduli Spaces of Kähler–Einstein Fano Varieties
Authors: Odaka Yuji
Published: July 2015

We construct geometrically compactified moduli spaces of Kähler–Einstein Fano manifolds.
Study of the occurrence of agrochemicals in the waters of the Marombas River- Santa Catarina - Brazil
Authors: Stolberg Joni , Budziak Dilma , Steiner Neusa , Mendes Beatriz Garcia , Peixer Zilma Isabel , Bastos Juliana , Scharf Dilamara Riva , Simionatto Edésio Luiz , Geremias Reginaldo
Published: July 2015

The region of the sub-basin of the Marombas River is based on economic agroforestry activities. These activities use agrochemicals that can contaminate surface and groundwater and cause diseases in humans and animals. The present study aimed to detect the presence of agrochemicals in the waters of the Marombas River at 4 different points. The water samples were collected every two months over a 1-year period. The concentrations of carbamates, herbicides, fungicides and organophosphates were analyzed. The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of the fungicide Azoxystrobin (0.65 Î¼g L-1) in the water sample collected at a point in the river with a strong influence of agricultural activities. The concentration of other agrochemicals was below the detection limit of the assay methods used at all points, and in all types of sampling. The Marombas River is subject to contamination by agrochemicals, which represents a potential risk to the human population and to the aquatic biota.
X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice – comment on "A review of air–ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow" by Bartels-Rausch et al. (2014)
Authors: Obbard R. W.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. This comment addresses a statement made in "A review of air–ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow" by Bartels-Rausch et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 1587–1633, doi:10.5194/acp-14-1587-2014, 2014). Here we rebut the assertion that X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice fails to reveal liquid brine inclusions by discussing the phases present at the analysis temperature.
The impact of residential combustion emissions on atmospheric aerosol, human health and climate
Authors: Butt E. W. , Rap A. , Schmidt A. , Scott C. E. , Pringle K. J. , Reddington C. L. , Richards N. A. D. , Woodhouse M. T. , Ramirez-Villegas J. , Yang H. , Vakkari V. , Stone E. A. , Rupakheti M. , Praveen P. S. , van Zyl P. G. , Beukes J. P. , Josipovic M. , Mitchell E. J. S. , Sallu S. M. , Forster P. M. , Spracklen D. V.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Combustion of fuels in the residential sector for cooking and heating, results in the emission of aerosol and aerosol precursors impacting air quality, human health and climate. Residential emissions are dominated by the combustion of solid fuels. We use a global aerosol microphysics model to simulate the uncertainties in the impact of residential fuel combustion on atmospheric aerosol. The model underestimates black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) mass concentrations observed over Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, with better prediction when carbonaceous emissions from the residential sector are doubled. Observed seasonal variability of BC and OC concentrations are better simulated when residential emissions include a seasonal cycle. The largest contributions of residential emissions to annual surface mean particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations are simulated for East Asia, South Asia and Eastern Europe. We use a concentration response function to estimate the health impact due to long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 from residential emissions. We estimate global annual excess adult (> 30 years of age) premature mortality of 308 000 (113 300–497 000, 5th to 95th percentile uncertainty range) for monthly varying residential emissions and 517 000 (192 000–827 000) when residential carbonaceous emissions are doubled. Mortality due to residential emissions is greatest in Asia, with China and India accounting for 50 % of simulated global excess mortality. Using an offline radiative transfer model we estimate that residential emissions exert a global annual mean direct radiative effect of between −66 and +21 mW m-2, with sensitivity to the residential emission flux and the assumed ratio of BC, OC and SO2 emissions. Residential emissions exert a global annual mean first aerosol indirect effect of between −52 and −16 mW m-2, which is sensitive to the assumed size distribution of carbonaceous emissions. Overall, our results demonstrate that reducing residential combustion emissions would have substantial benefits for human health through reductions in ambient PM2.5 concentrations.