bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recursos sobre literatura y teatro áureo en internet
Authors: Borja Rodríguez María José
Published: October 2015

Cada vez más se va salvando el escepticismo de los que se asoman a las nuevas tecnologías aplicadas a las Humanidades. En el campo de la Filología, por ejemplo, los recursos informáticos en general, e internet en concreto, han resultado en los últimos años un verdadero filón de posibilidades para su estudio y difusión
La vivencia del tiempo en Antonio Machado
Authors: López Castro Armando
Published: October 2015

El hombre ha caído del tiempo paradisíaco y se ve diferente en la historia. Sin embargo, aunque esté alejado de él, ocupa el centro de su conciencia, pues el tiempo no está hecho para ser conocido, sino para ser vivido
Aplicaciones, funcionamiento y realizaciones del Campus Virtuel FLE - université de León
Authors: Tomé Mario
Published: October 2015

El Campus Virtual FLE (Francés Lengua Extranjera) es un espacio pedagógico que forma parte del Proyecto FLENET (Français langue étrangère et Internet), alojado en el servidor web de la Universidad de Léon
Rosario Ferre's The house on the lago on Puerto rican ethnical an national identities under (de-) construction
Authors: Díez Cobo Rosa María
Published: October 2015

En este artículo se presenta un enfoque general las nociones de nación y etnia bajo el prisma de las técnicas narrativas postmodernas y mayores preocupaciones ideológicas y estéticas. Más concretamente, y como el título de este artículo explicita, el principal foco de análisis singularizada en este contexto particular afectaría a gran novela puertorriqueña autora Rosario Ferré de La Casa en la Laguna (1995). A lo largo de una visión general de los temas clave de Ferré relacionados con la redefinición de la nación y etnicidad, tanto en la novela como en el resto de su obras, voy a tratar de esbozar las principales tendencias de la teoría posmodernista que han conferido una nueva perspectiva diversificada en las percepciones convencionales sobre tanto a nivel nacional y el origen étnico
Goldwin revises his philosophy. The insertion of the Laura episod in Caleb Williams
Authors: Pérez Eva María
Published: October 2015

De las cinco ediciones de Caleb Williams publicados en vida de Godwin: después del 1794 una, dos siguieron en 1796 y 1797. Hubo una más en 1816,y la última revisión de las novelas estándar en serie Inglés en 1831. A lo largo de esta edición persistente, no hay variaciones excepcionales en términos de la línea de la historia. Los cambios introducidos por modificaciones no alteran la trama mucho excepto, precisamente, para el llamado episodio Laura. La novedad de Laura es precisamente que ella es una mujer, y el que inflinge un daño grave en Caleb, negando él el goce de los afectos familiares que tanto desea. Es bajo su techo que piensa en casarse, y que evoca, por primera vez los placeres, desconocido para él, el amor maternal y fraternal
A Study on Purchase Intent for Value Added Services of Mobile Communication (With reference to BSNL and IDEA)
Authors: Sapna
Published: October 2015

Use of mobile communication is increasing rapidly. Understanding the behavioral adoption requirements of mobile services is important. Indian mobile communication is one of the fastest growing fields. Mobile service providers are also adding new schemes, offers and technology advancement in their services. The present study depicts what gratifications for value added services mobile users receive from mobile communication service providers. The type of research undertaken for the study was descriptive and the sampling design used is random sampling. The sample size was 200 respondents. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire.
Effects of Mobile Phone Use on Sexual behavior of Youth in Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Sundari Mrs. T. Tripura
Published: October 2015

Cell phones have gradually become an integral part of one's life. It is no astonish, which a comprehensive, research just released acknowledges mobile technology has coherently changed the style in which we truly love, live and work. Cell phones are now like mini computers and with gam consoles, high resolution still and video cameras, mailing systems, text messengers, carriers of fun and business information, helping within one's commercial and business transactions. The cell phone has made international long distance contacts easy, with ceaseless advance in technology, advanced and elaborated features added to the cell phones. In the past decade, mobile technology has altered the way youth communicate and interact with their peers. The development and modernization of this technology has made lives of youth easier and has brought about some problems and threats stemming from irresponsible use of mobile phones among teens and young adults. The whole youth population or student community is passing through chaos, disturbance and mental incapacitation. This study focuses on exploring the pattern of mobile phone usage among young adults in the State of Andhra Pradesh. It also attempts to examine the extent of sexual messaging and addictive sexual behavior through use of mobile phones. A face to face survey method was used to elicit the responses through a questionnaire. The survey was administered among 1200 students between the age group of 18-25 years. The data were analyzed with the help of statistical tools and techniques to draw meaningful inferences and conclusions.
Comparison of culture media for their effects on development of caprine IVF embryos using fresh and cryopreserved semen
Authors: Singh Ajay Pratap , Kumar Dharmendra , R Gopalakrishna , Ranjan Rakesh , Pandey Saurabh K , Sarkhel Bikash C
Published: October 2015

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two culture media on in vitro fertilized embryo produced by fresh and cryopreserved buck semen respectively. The in vitro fertilized embryos from both semen sources were cultured separately in the two media groups viz., Research Vitro Cleave-BSA (RVCL-BSA) and RVCL-Blast-BSA media. Under RVCL–BSA medium, the fresh semen produced higher rates of cleavage (68.94±1.86 vs 65.62±2.34) and significantly higher (P 0.05) morula (27.89±1.18 vs 23.84±2.23), blastocysts (15.26±0.67 vs 13.07±1.17) and blastomeric counts (232.65±14.26 vs 218.34 ± 10.26) than cryopreserved semen. The similar developmental patterns were exhibited in RVCL-Blast-BSA medium in which the fresh semen showed significantly higher (P?0.05) rates of morula (38.94 ± 2.37 vs 31.87±2.10), blastocysts (29.89 ± 2.02 vs 25.31 ± 1.78) and blastomeric count (272.45 ± 16.54 vs 248.85 ± 14.38). This study concludes that the RVCL-Blast-BSA medium produced significantly higher (P?0.05) embryonic developmental rates in comparison to RVCL– BSA medium irrespective of semen sources and the fresh semen afforded better fertilization rates than cryopreserved semen in both culture groups.
Immunomodulatory effect of levamisole on PPR vaccine in goats and change in haematological profile
Authors: Das Mousam , Isore D. P. , Joardar S. N. , Samanta I. , Mukhopadhayay S. K.
Published: October 2015

Levamisole is an anthelmintic and synthetic immunomodulator. Effect of levamisole on PPR vaccine in goat model was evaluated in this study. Healthy, sero negative for PPR infection 12 Black Bengal goats were divided into three groups. Levamisole was injected @ 2.5 mg/kg b.wt. and @ 5.0 mg/kg b.wt. in two groups respectively. After seven days all animals were vaccinated with PPR cell culture vaccine. Blood samples were collected from animals at 0 day, 7th day, 14th day, 21st day and 30th day. Serum was separated and used in indirect ELISA for qualitative and quantitative assay of antibody titer. EDTA mixed blood sample was used for determination of immunity induced blood cells number. Antibody titer and immunity induced blood cells number were more in the Levamisole and vaccine treated groups than only vaccine treated group. So, levamisole acted as an immunomodulator when it was used prior PPR vaccine in goats.
Effect of intra‐specific competition, surface chlorophyll and fishing on spatial variation of gadoid's body condition
Authors: Rueda Lucía , Massutí Enric , Alvarez-Berastegui Diego , Hidalgo Manuel
Published: October 2015

Fish condition indices can be used as biological indicators of the health of individuals and are influenced by numerous external and internal drivers. Like most essential biological traits, they are very sensitive to the spatial heterogeneity occurring in marine ecosystems, which appears at many observational scales. This brings out different ecological processes that can only be revealed either regionally or locally. The scale‐dependent spatial variability concerns not only environmental factors, but also anthropogenic activities such as fishing. Understanding these relationships is crucial for improving the spatial management of marine resources, because fish condition considerably affects the sustainability of populations. We explore the influence of density‐dependent (intra‐specific competition) and density‐independent variables (surface chlorophyll a concentration and fishing impact) on fish condition of three species of harvested gadoids (Merluccius merluccius, Phycis blennoides and Micromesistius poutassou) of the benthopelagic communities off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean). This area is characterized by high spatial heterogeneity in the environmental processes and fishing impact. Results show contrasting responses in body condition to the investigated covariates, with species‐specific and ontogenetic differences sensitive to the spatial scale of analysis. Some of these responses occur at regional level, while others are more sensitive to local variation. Intra‐specific competition shows a very clear effect, which depends on the ontogeny, identifying aggregation areas for recruits and limitation of resources for older individuals. Surface chlorophyll a has always a species‐specific regional effect, despite gadoids have a more benthic behavior. Fishing effort displays a heterogeneous impact on fish condition. While spatially contrasting effects are observed at local scale, non‐ linear regional patterns occur, with positive effects of fishing pressure at intermediate levels. Models analyzing the influence of external drivers in essential fish biological traits such as body condition should consider the spatial variation in responses, especially in highly heterogeneous areas where anthropogenic activities occur. Failing to do so may hide local ecological processes that can be crucial for the persistence of fish populations, which is of paramount relevance for the regional assessment and spatial management of marine exploited resources.
Performance Comparison of Rolling Cutter Bits with Alternate Nozzle Configurations
Authors: Moffitt S. R. , McGehee D. Y.
Published: October 2015

Controversy exists regarding the optimum nozzle con-figuration for rolling cutter bits. Frequently, this confusion is compounded by tests which compare an experimental configuration to only the standard non- directed, three nozzle design. Additionally, field data can cloud comparisons because of the lack of control and repeatability of formation and drilling conditions. The strategy of this paper is to describe the use of controlled laboratory conditions to best isolate the true benefit of various hydraulic config-urations.

Tests were conducted in a pressurized drilling envi-ronment using 9-7/8 tooth and insert bits in Mancos shale. Hydraulic configurations include combinations of standard and directed nozzle bits with center jets, long extended nozzles, and short extended nozzles.

Results indicate that directed nozzles provide sub-stantially better bit cleaning and rate of penetration (ROP) than the standard and short extended nozzle configurations and slightly faster rate of penetration than long extended nozzle configurations.
The Methods and Equipment Used for the Offshore Installation of Ocean Outfalls Diffuser Assemblies from a Semisubmersible
Authors: Arnold M. S. , Tait S. A.
Published: October 2015

The Sydney Water Board of Sydney, Australia has commissioned the design and construction of three subsea ocean outfalls to handle the sewage disposal needs of the area for the next 100 years. The outfalls consist of three underground tunnels, extending up to 3.1 miles (5 km.) offshore, which connect with 93 riser shafts capped with diffuser heads and supported by caissons, This paper will discuss the methods and equipment used to install the ocean outfalls diffuser assemblies from a semisubmersible.
The Drilling Engineering for Subsea Development Wells
Authors: King G. W.
Published: October 2015

Twelve subsea development wells have been drilled in block 9/13 in the North Sea. The early completions were of exploration or appraisal wells, later wells were planned for development. The experience has lead to a drilling engineering strategy for planning all wells to ensure that the maximum benefit from each well can be achieved. This involves: grouping the wells together to minimise surface locations and flowline routes; designing all wells to be suitable for a subsea completion; and specifying a rig that can be used for all phases of a subsea development.
Tolerance to Stalk and Ear‐Invading Worms and Yield Performance of Bt and Conventional Corn Hybrids
Authors: Chen Guihua , Hooks Cerruti R. R. , Patton Terry W. , Kratochvil Robert , Dively Galen
Published: October 2015

European corn borer (ECB, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) and corn earworm (CEW, Helicoverpa zea Boddie) are important yield‐reducing insect pests of field corn (Zea mays L. var. indentata) in the northeastern United States. Transgenic hybrids bioengineered to express insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have revolutionized methods to control these caterpillars and other insect pests in corn. However, corn producers are faced with two decision‐making challenges every year: selection of the most appropriate Bt hybrids for the targeted pest complex from a large list of commercially available hybrids, and finding competitively yielding conventional hybrids for the required refuge hectare. This study was conducted at five sites across Maryland for 3 yr to evaluate more than 100 hybrids representing six Bt trait groups (three single‐protein and three multi‐protein genes) and a conventional non‐Bt group for their relative susceptibility to lepidopteran feeding injury and yield performance. Conventional hybrid tolerance to ECB injury or CEW ear damage and their yield varied each year except Dekalb DKC61‐22, which consistently produced greater yield than other non‐Bt hybrids. Injury caused by ECB was not found among any of the Bt hybrid groups. Hybrids with multi‐protein Bt traits showed greater ear protection than those with single‐protein Bt traits, but this improvement was small. Genuity VT3 Pro and Agrisure Viptera 3111 hybrids had the best ear protection and yield performance among the six tested Bt traits.
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Potassium Use Efficiency Traits at the Seedling Stage in Wheat under Different Nitrogen and Phosphorus Treatments
Authors: Gong Xiao‐Ping , Liang Xue , Guo Ying , Wu Chun‐Hong , Zhao Yan , Li Xu‐Hua , Li Si‐Shen , Kong Fan‐Mei
Published: October 2015

Potassium is often considered one of the three most important mineral nutrient elements for plant growth, development, and fecundity. In this study, 10 traits related to K use efficiency were investigated in 10 treatments supplied with different N and P concentrations using a set of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) under hydroponic culture. A total of 127 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the ten traits were detected on 20 chromosomes, with the exception of 4D. Of these QTLs, 35, 55, and 37 were associated with the three investigated nutrient concentration traits, four nutrient content traits, and three nutrient utilization efficiency traits, respectively. Six relatively high‐frequency QTLs (RHF‐QTLs) were detected in at least three treatments. A total of 16 QTL clusters (C1‐C16) harboring QTLs for at least three traits were identified, which involved 68 out of the 127 QTLs (53.5%). Some important QTLs/QTL clusters may be the potential targets for the marker‐assisted selection (MAS) of K efficiency in wheat.
Genetic Variation of Postharvest Physiological Deterioration Susceptibility in a Cassava Germplasm
Authors: Moyib Kehinde O. , Mkumbira Jonathan , Odunola Oyeronke A. , Dixon Alfred G. , Akoroda Malachy O. , Kulakow Peter
Published: October 2015

Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) is an unresolved major stress in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), which constrains the crop suitability for commercial and industrial purposes. The present study sourced for PPD tolerance from different genetic resources available within a cassava germplasm. Six hundred and twelve cassava accessions within International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)‐Ibadan germplasm were evaluated 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after harvest (DAH) for PPD and rate of PPD per day (PPD d–1) over the evaluation dates. Sixteen cassava genotypes that had mean PPD d–1 of 0.0% d–1 were classified as non‐deteriorators (NoDs) with possible delayed‐PPD trait and nine genotypes with mean PPD d–1 ≥ 70% d–1 as extra‐super fast deteriorators (xSPDs) with possible early‐PPD trait. The PPD was more pronounced at the proximal end of a root than at the middle and distal regions. Polyploid genotypes showed higher PPD tolerance than diploids but local varieties were more susceptible to PPD than the improved varieties. The study suggests that polyploidy could be an additional genetic resource for PPD tolerance in cassava. In addition, the knowledge of PPD status of a cassava germplasm allows its proper utilization. The NoD genotypes could sustain storage and transport within 8 d for commercial and industrial purposes and xSPD genotypes could be immediately processed into fermented foods and dried chips. The results presented in this study are explanatory in nature and could be explored further for integration into improvement programs in cassava.
Challenges, Opportunities, and Applications of Grazing Research
Authors: Sollenberger Lynn E.
Published: October 2015

Grazing experiments provide fundamental information on the biology of grassland ecosystems, enable selection of persistent forage cultivars that support animal production, and develop management guidelines for end users. Challenges to proper conduct of grazing research include achieving meaningful time and spatial scales, difficulty in measurement of key variables, and scarcity of research funding. Opportunities are emerging for grazing research as a result of increasing awareness of grassland multifunctionality, ecosystem services, and environmental impacts. Capitalizing on these opportunities will require increased participation in grazing research by collaborators from a broader range of ecosystem sciences. This facilitates answering traditional production questions while concurrently discovering new knowledge regarding the larger grassland agroecosystem. Application of grazing research implies adoption by clientele and achieving real‐world impacts. Targeting technology and products to specific clientele and achieving on‐farm participation by change agents within the target audience can provide highly visible pilot studies that attract users to new technologies. The future of grazing research is not assured, but opportunities are emerging for scientists who engage collaborators representing a broader range of ecosystem sciences and who effectively develop and communicate their program outputs to clientele leading to adoption and measurable impacts.
Molecular Genotyping of Historical Barley Landraces Reveals Novel Candidate Regions for Local Adaption
Authors: Aslan Selçuk , Forsberg Nils E. G. , Hagenblad Jenny , Leino Matti W.
Published: October 2015

Barley landraces from Northern Europe form genetically distinct latitudinal groups, suggesting that adaption plays an important role in the geographical distribution of genetic diversity. Here, we investigate how Northern European barley landraces relate to landraces from other parts of Europe and whether candidate genes for climate adaption can be identified. For this purpose, 27 barley landraces, available as century‐old seed specimens, were genotyped with a 384 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. Landraces from the Nordic countries formed a genetically distinct group relative to landraces from Central and Southern Europe. Polymorphic positions in the flowering time genes HvCO1, HvFT1, Ppd‐H1, and VRN1‐H1 were genotyped. The previously known allele distribution of Ppd‐H1 with the responsive allele present in the South and the nonresponsive allele in the North was confirmed. The other three genes were more variable in Central and Southern Europe compared to the North and neither of the flowering time genes showed any geographically correlated variation within the Nordic countries. Allelic frequencies from the 384 SNP set were correlated with climatic variables. This allowed us to identify five SNPs putatively associated with length of growth season, and two SNPs putatively associated with precipitation. The results show how historical crop specimens can be used to study how genetic variation has been geographically distributed and the genetics of adaption.
Estimation in the Field of Individual Perennial Ryegrass Plant Position and Dry Matter Production Using a Custom‐Made High‐Throughput Image Analysis Tool
Authors: Hunt Chris L. , Jones Chris S. , Hickey Michael J. , Koolaard John P. , West John , Hatier Jean‐Hugues B.
Published: October 2015

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is widely used in grazing systems across the temperate world. Continued persistence of ryegrass pastures depends on our ability to further our understanding of the key traits or attributes responsible for improved plant performance. To this end, plant improvement is highly dependent on precise phenotyping capabilities. However, in‐field phenotyping is labor intensive, relies on experienced operators, and is often considered cost prohibitive. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of an image analysis tool developed to locate and estimate dry matter (DM) production of individual plants growing in the field. Fifty plants were used to develop the image analysis tool and another 1100 to determine its accuracy. Dry matter was measured by weighing oven‐dried harvested plant material and estimated both with the image analysis tool and by visual scoring. The image analysis tool was faster and estimates of plant area were more highly correlated with measured DM values, potentially capturing 25% more of the variation, than those from visual growth scores. The tool was able to effectively locate and distinguish between neighboring plants. The accuracy of the tool was greatest for production values below 15 g, and the tool would benefit from further development to improve accuracy above this threshold.
Development and Validation of Thinopyrum elongatum–Expressed Molecular Markers Specific for the Long Arm of Chromosome 7E
Authors: Gou Lulu , Hattori Jiro , Fedak George , Balcerzak Margaret , Sharpe Andrew , Visendi Paul , Edwards David , Tinker Nicholas , Wei Yu‐Ming , Chen Guo‐Yue , Ouellet Thérèse
Published: October 2015

The ditelocentric addition line CS‐7EL of the spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) contains the long arm of the chromosome 7E from Thinopyrum elongatum (CS‐7EL), which confers high resistance to Fusarium head blight. It is of great interest to breeders to integrate the resistance locus (loci) from Th. elongatum into commercial wheat varieties. The objectives of this study were to identify candidate genes expressed from the 7EL chromosome of CS‐7EL, to develop 7EL‐specific molecular markers, and to validate their usefulness for characterizing recombination between one of the group 7 chromosomes of wheat and Th. elongatum. High‐throughput sequencing of Fusarium graminearum–infected and control CS and CS‐7EL cDNA libraries was performed using RNA‐Seq. A stepwise bioinformatics strategy was applied to assemble the sequences obtained from RNA‐Seq and to create a conservative list of candidate genes expressed from the foreign chromosome 7EL. Polymerase chain reaction primer pairs were designed and tested for 135 candidate genes. A total of 48 expressed molecular markers specific for the chromosome 7EL were successfully developed. Screening of progenies from two BC1F2 families from the cross CS‐7E(7D) × 2*CSph1b showed that these markers are useful for characterizing recombination events between the chromosomes 7D from wheat and 7E from Th. elongatum.
Toward Restoration of Ecosystem Function and Livelihoods on Grazed Agroecosystems
Authors: Teague W. Richard
Published: October 2015

While modern technology, knowledge, and organization have greatly increased agricultural productivity, there has been insufficient regard for sustainability and overall efficiency. Substantial changes need to be made to current agricultural systems to decrease their negative impacts on humans and natural resources while addressing the goal of meeting global food needs into the future. This paper outlines a framework to improve understanding of how to manage natural resources sustainably by bridging the gap between single‐discipline, reductionist research and effective resource management. This framework entails combining small‐scale reductionist research with complementary whole‐systems research and working in collaboration with those farmers who excel in improving the environment and obtaining superior economic returns. Most current research does not generate knowledge that translates automatically into producing desirable and sustainable results from grazingland ecosystems, especially across managed landscapes or at watershed scales. Leading managers achieve their goals by the way they allocate resources, use different technologies and knowledge, and adaptively change these elements as circumstances warrant. To help managers achieve superior results, integrative and multidisciplinary research needs to be conducted to understand how to achieve ecological, economic, and social goals on managed landscapes. Improving sustainability entails developing and using regenerative agricultural systems to include (i) more efficient use of energy and other inputs, (ii) calculation of the full costs to society of farm practices and inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, (iii) routine life‐cycle analysis and costing, (iv) high levels of management expertise, and (v) high ecosystem biodiversity, function, and resilience.
Workforce Projections 2010–2020: Annual Supply and Demand Forecasting Models for Physical Therapists Across the United States
Authors: Landry Michel D. , Hack Laurita M. , Coulson Elizabeth , Freburger Janet , Johnson Michael P. , Katz Richard , Kerwin Joanne , Smith Megan H. , Wessman Henry C. “Bud” , Venskus Diana G. , Sinnott Patricia L. , Goldstein Marc
Published: October 2015

Background

Health human resources continue to emerge as a critical health policy issue across the United States.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy for modeling future workforce projections to serve as a basis for analyzing annual supply of and demand for physical therapists across the United States into 2020.

Design

A traditional stock-and-flow methodology or model was developed and populated with publicly available data to produce estimates of supply and demand for physical therapists by 2020.

Methods

Supply was determined by adding the estimated number of physical therapists and the approximation of new graduates to the number of physical therapists who immigrated, minus US graduates who never passed the licensure examination, and an estimated attrition rate in any given year. Demand was determined by using projected US population with health care insurance multiplied by a demand ratio in any given year. The difference between projected supply and demand represented a shortage or surplus of physical therapists.

Results

Three separate projection models were developed based on best available data in the years 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. Based on these projections, demand for physical therapists in the United States outstrips supply under most assumptions.

Limitations

Workforce projection methodology research is based on assumptions using imperfect data; therefore, the results must be interpreted in terms of overall trends rather than as precise actuarial data–generated absolute numbers from specified forecasting.

Conclusions

Outcomes of this projection study provide a foundation for discussion and debate regarding the most effective and efficient ways to influence supply-side variables so as to position physical therapists to meet current and future population demand. Attrition rates or permanent exits out of the profession can have important supply-side effects and appear to have an effect on predicting future shortage or surplus of physical therapists.
Results of delayed follow-up imaging in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Befeler Adam Ross , Gordon William , Khan Nickalus , Fernandez Julius , Muhlbauer Michael Scott , Sorenson Jeffrey Marius
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

There is a paucity of scientific evidence available about the benefits of outpatient follow-up imaging for traumatic brain injury patients. In this study, 1 year of consecutive patients at a Level 1 trauma center were analyzed to determine if there is any benefit to routinely obtaining CT of the head at the outpatient follow-up visit.

METHODS

This single-institution retrospective review was performed on all patients with a traumatic brain injury seen at a Level 1 trauma center in 2013. Demographic data, types of injuries, surgical interventions, radiographic imaging in inpatient and outpatient settings, and outcomes were assessed through a review of the institution’s trauma registry, patient charts, and imaging.

RESULTS

Five hundred twenty-five patients were seen for traumatic brain injury in 2013 at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee. One hundred eighty-five patients (35%) presented for outpatient follow-up, all with CT scans of the head. Seven of these patients (4%) showed worsening of their intracranial injuries on outpatient imaging studies; however, surgical intervention was recommended for only 3 of these patients (2%). All patients requiring an intervention had neurological deterioration prior to their follow-up appointment.

CONCLUSIONS

These experiences suggest that outpatient follow-up imaging for traumatic brain injury should be done selectively, as it was not helpful for patients who did not exhibit worsening of neurological signs or symptoms. Furthermore, routine outpatient imaging results in unnecessary resource utilization and radiation exposure.
Genetic investigation of multicentric glioblastoma multiforme: case report
Authors: Schroeder Brett , Shah Nameeta , Rostad Steve , McCullough Brendan , Aguedan Brian , Foltz Greg , Cobbs Charles
Published: October 2015

The authors report a case of multicentric glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in which all 4 tumor foci were resected and evaluated using both comparative genomic hybridization array and RNA sequencing. Genetic analysis showed that the tumors shared a common origin, although each had its own unique set of genetic aberrations. The authors note that the genetic heterogeneity of multicentric GBM likely contributes to the failures of current treatments. The case underscores the necessity of increased genetic investigation.
Somatic IDH1 mutation in a pituitary adenoma of a patient with Maffucci syndrome
Authors: Hao Shuyu , Hong Christopher S. , Feng Jie , Yang Chunzhang , Chittiboina Prashant , Zhang Junting , Zhuang Zhengping
Published: October 2015

Maffucci syndrome is a rare disease characterized by multiple enchondromas and soft-tissue hemangiomas. Additionally, neuroendocrine tumors including pituitary adenomas have been described in these patients. The underlying genetic etiology lies in somatic mosaicism of mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). This report describes a patient with Maffucci syndrome who presented with intracranial tumors of the skull base and suprasellar region. The patient underwent resection of both intracranial tumors, revealing histopathological diagnoses of chondrosarcoma and pituitary adenoma. DNA sequencing of the tumors was performed to identify common IDH1/2 mutations. Clinical, radiological, and biochemical assessments were performed. Genotypic studies used standard Sanger sequencing in conjunction with a target-specific peptide nucleic acid to detect IDH1 mutations in tumor tissues. DNA sequencing demonstrated identical IDH1 mutations (c.394C > T) in both tumors.

To the authors’ knowledge, this report provides the first genetic evidence for the inclusion of pituitary adenomas among tumors characterizing Maffucci syndrome. In patients who are newly diagnosed with Maffucci syndrome, it is appropriate to monitor for development of pituitary pathology and neuroendocrine dysfunction.
Determination of sinus pericranii resectability by external compression during angiography: technical note
Authors: Ellis Jason A. , Mejia Munne Juan C. , Feldstein Neil A. , Meyers Philip M.
Published: October 2015

Sinus pericranii is an uncommon congenital cranial venous malformation that may become symptomatic in the pediatric population. Both dominant and accessory sinus pericranii, as determined by the intracranial venous drainage pattern, have been described. The dominant variety drain a significant proportion of the intracranial venous outflow while the accessory variety have minimal or no role in this. Classic teachings hold that dominant sinus pericranii should never be treated while accessory sinus pericranii may be safely obliterated. This determination of dominance is solely based on a qualitative assessment of standard venous phase catheter cerebral angiography, leaving some doubt regarding the actual safety of obliteration. In this paper the authors describe a simple and unique method for determining whether intracranial venous outflow may be compromised by sinus pericranii treatment. This involves performing catheter angiography while the lesion is temporarily obliterated by external compression. Analysis of intracranial venous outflow in this setting allows visualization of angiographic changes that will occur once the sinus pericranii is permanently obliterated. Thus, the safety of surgical intervention can be more fully appraised using this technique.
Acute spinal cord injury associated with multilevel pediatric idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification: case report
Authors: Lam Sandi K. , Niedzwecki Christian M. , Daniels Bradley , Mayer Rory R. , Vakharia Mili M. , Jea Andrew
Published: October 2015

Pediatric idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification (PIIVDC) is a rare condition; most cases are reported to be selflimited with conservative management. In this study, we describe a case of PIIVDC presenting with acute incomplete spinal cord injury with Brown-Séquard-plus syndrome that was treated with surgery and demonstrate the subsequent rehabilitation time course.
Effective Data Acquisition Protocol for Multi-Hop Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks Using Compressive Sensing
Authors: Khedr Ahmed
Published: October 2015

In designing wireless sensor networks (WSNs), it is important to reduce energy dissipation and prolong network lifetime. Clustering of nodes is one of the most effective approaches for conserving energy in WSNs. Cluster formation protocols generally consider the heterogeneity of sensor nodes in terms of energy difference of nodes but ignore the different transmission ranges of them. In this paper, we propose an effective data acquisition clustered protocol using compressive sensing (EDACP-CS) for heterogeneous WSNs that aims to conserve the energy of sensor nodes in the presence of energy and transmission range heterogeneity. In EDACP-CS, cluster heads are selected based on the distance from the base station and sensor residual energy. Simulation results show that our protocol offers a much better performance than the existing protocols in terms of energy consumption, stability, network lifetime, and throughput.
Autophagy Protects against CYP2E1/Chronic Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Lu Yongke , Cederbaum Arthur
Published: October 2015

Autophagy is an intracellular pathway by which lysosomes degrade and recycle long-lived proteins and cellular organelles. The effects of ethanol on autophagy are complex but recent studies have shown that autophagy serves a protective function against ethanol-induced liver injury. Autophagy was found to also be protective against CYP2E1-dependent toxicity in vitro in HepG2 cells which express CYP2E1 and in vivo in an acute alcohol/CYPE1-dependent liver injury model. The goal of the current report was to extend the previous in vitro and acute in vivo experiments to a chronic ethanol model to evaluate whether autophagy is also protective against CYP2E1-dependent liver injury in a chronic ethanol-fed mouse model. Wild type (WT), CYP2E1 knockout (KO) or CYP2E1 humanized transgenic knockin (KI), mice were fed an ethanol liquid diet or control dextrose diet for four weeks. In the last week, some mice received either saline or 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an inhibitor of autophagy, or rapamycin, which stimulates autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA potentiated the ethanol-induced increases in serum transaminase and triglyceride levels in the WT and KI mice but not KO mice, while rapamycin prevented the ethanol liver injury. Treatment with 3-MA enhanced the ethanol-induced fat accumulation in WT mice and caused necrosis in the KI mice; little or no effect was found in the ethanol-fed KO mice or any of the dextrose-fed mice. 3-MA treatment further lowered the ethanol-decrease in hepatic GSH levels and further increased formation of TBARS in WT and KI mice, whereas rapamycin blunted these effects of ethanol. Neither 3-MA nor rapamycin treatment affected CYP2E1 catalytic activity or content or the induction CYP2E1 by ethanol. The 3-MA treatment decreased levels of Beclin-1 and Atg 7 but increased levels of p62 in the ethanol-fed WT and KI mice whereas rapamycin had the opposite effects, validating inhibition and stimulation of autophagy, respectively. These results suggest that autophagy is protective against CYP2E1-dependent liver injury in a chronic ethanol-fed mouse model. We speculate that autophagy-dependent processes such as mitophagy and lipophagy help to minimize ethanol-induced CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress and therefore the subsequent liver injury and steatosis. Attempts to stimulate autophagy may be helpful in lowering ethanol and CYP2E1-dependent liver toxicity.
Drought Monitoring for Rice Production in Cambodia
Authors: Chhinh Nyda , Millington Andrew
Published: October 2015

Rice production underpins the national economy and the most rural livelihoods in Cambodia, but it is negatively impacted by repeated droughts. The research reported on in this paper focuses on relationships between drought occurrences in Cambodia’s most drought-prone province (Kampong Speu) and (i) damage to the annual rice harvest between 1994 and 2011, and (ii) the Niño 3.4 index. Droughts were identified using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI). In seven of the years between 1994 and 2006 droughts damaged >1000 ha of rice in the Kampong Speu province. Furthermore, in 11 years >200 ha of rice were damaged. A critical success index of 0.66 obtained for an analysis of SPI-defined drought and area rice damage in the province indicates a strong statistical relationship. A statistically significant correlation (r = −0.455) was achieved between Niño 3.4 and 12-month SPI values lagged by three months, this indicates the importance of ENSO linkages in explaining drought in this region. Late season droughts lead to greater rice damage than early- and mid-season droughts.
The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Pulmonary Function of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients, before and after Clinical Trial
Authors: Moosavi Seyed , Shoushtari Maryam
Published: October 2015

Vitamin D has several extra calcemic effects. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients but little is known about it’s association with lung function. Objective: To investigate whether supplementation with vitamin D could improve pulmonary function in COPD patients. Design: Before and after, double center, clinical trial. Setting: Hazrat Rasoul University Hospital, Tehran, and Imam Khomaini University Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. Participants: 24 patients with mild to very severe COPD. Intervention: Loading dose of 300,000–600,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D, then 50000 IU weekly for 12 weeks. Measurements: The outcomes included forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory flow between 25%–75% of forced vital capacity (FEF 25%–75%), exercise capacity according to the six minute walk test(6MWT) and the saturation of oxygen during exercise. Results: The mean FEV1 (p-value = 0.866), FVC (p-value = 0.475) and VC (p-value = 0.425) were not significantly different before and after intervention. FEF 25%–75% did not improve with this intervention (p-value = 0.555). The vitamin D supplementation did not have any significant effect on the exercise capacity (p-value=0.175) or the saturation of oxygen (p-value = 0.635). Conclusion: Pulmonary function and exercise capacity did not improve with vitamin D supplementation in COPD patients.
Maturation in Corymbia torelliana × C. citriodora Stock Plants: Effects of Pruning Height on Shoot Production, Adventitious Rooting Capacity, Stem Anatomy, and Auxin and Abscisic Acid Concentrations
Authors: Wendling Ivar , Warburton Paul , Trueman Stephen
Published: October 2015

Repeated pruning of stock plants is a common approach to delaying maturation and maintaining the propagation ability of cuttings, but little is known about the hormonal or anatomical basis for this phenomenon. We tested the effect of two different stock-plant pruning heights (15 cm and 30 cm) on shoot production, rooting capacity and rooted cutting vigour of six clones of the eucalypt Corymbia torelliana × C. citriodora. We determined whether differences in rooting potential were related to indole-3-acetic (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations, or the degree of lignification or sclerification, of the cuttings. Maintaining stock plants at 15 cm height sometimes reduced the production of stem cuttings. However, it often increased the ensuing percentage of cuttings that formed roots, with mean rooting across all clones increasing from 30%–53%. Therefore, the number of rooted cuttings produced by short stock plants was similar to, or higher than, the number produced by tall stock plants. Cuttings from shorter stock plants had faster root elongation and occasionally greater root dry mass, shoot dry mass or shoot height than cuttings from tall stock plants. These differences in rooting potential were generally not related to differences in IAA or ABA concentrations of the cuttings or to differences in their stem anatomy. Pruning at the lower height was more effective in maintaining clonal juvenility, supporting previous findings that stock plant maturation is a limiting factor in clonal propagation of Corymbia torelliana × C. citriodora.
Core–Shell Electrospun Hollow Aluminum Oxide Ceramic Fibers
Authors: Rajala Jonathan , Shin Hyeon , Lolla Dinesh , Chase George
Published: October 2015

In this work, core–shell electrospinning was employed as a simple method for the fabrication of composite coaxial polymer fibers that became hollow ceramic tubes when calcined at high temperature. The shell polymer solution consisted of polyvinyl pyrollidone (PVP) in ethanol mixed with an aluminum acetate solution to act as a ceramic precursor. The core polymer was recycled polystyrene to act as a sacrificial polymer that burned off during calcination. The resulting fibers were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to confirm the presence of gamma-phase aluminum oxide when heated at temperatures above 700 °C. The fiber diameter decreased from 987 ± 19 nm to 382 ± 152 nm after the calcination process due to the polymer material being burned off. The wall thickness of these fibers is estimated to be 100 nm.
Biosynthesis and Characterization of Cross-Linked Fmoc Peptide-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Chronopoulou Laura , Margheritelli Silvia , Toumia Yosra , Paradossi Gaio , Bordi Federico , Sennato Simona , Palocci Cleofe
Published: October 2015

Recently, scientific and technological interest in the synthesis of novel peptide-based hydrogel materials have grown dramatically. Applications of such materials mostly concern the biomedical field with examples covering sectors such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and production of scaffolds for cell growth, thanks to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work we synthesized Fmoc-Phe3 based hydrogels of different chirality by using a biocatalytic approach. Moreover, we investigated the possibility of employing a crosslinker during the biosynthetic process and we studied and compared some chemico-physical features of both crosslinked and non-crosslinked hydrogels. In particular, we investigated the rheological properties of such materials, as well as their swelling ability, stability in aqueous medium, and their structure by SEM and AFM analysis. Crosslinked and non-crosslinked hydrogels could be formed by this procedure with comparable yields but distinct chemico-physical features. We entrapped dexamethasone within nanopolymeric particles based on PLGA coated or not with chitosan and we embedded these nanoparticles into the hydrogels. Dexamethasone release from such a nanopolymer/hydrogel system was controlled and sustained and dependent on genipin crosslinking degree. The possibility of efficiently coupling a drug delivery system to hydrogel materials seem particularly promising for tissue engineering applications, where the hydrogel could provide cells the necessary support for their growth, while nanoparticles could favor cell growth or differentiation by providing them the necessary bioactive molecules.
Going Deeper or Flatter: Connecting Deep Mapping, Flat Ontologies and the Democratizing of Knowledge
Authors: Springett Selina
Published: October 2015

The concept of “deep mapping”, as an approach to place, has been deployed as both a descriptor of a specific suite of creative works and as a set of aesthetic practices. While its definition has been amorphous and adaptive, a number of distinct, yet related, manifestations identify as, or have been identified by, the term. In recent times, it has garnered attention beyond literary discourse, particularly within the “spatial” turn of representation in the humanities and as a result of expanded platforms of data presentation. This paper takes a brief look at the practice of “deep mapping”, considering it as a consciously performative act and tracing a number of its various manifestations. It explores how deep mapping is a reflection of epistemological trends in ontological practices of connectivity and the “flattening” of knowledge systems. In particular those put forward by post structural and cultural theorists, such as Bruno Latour, Gilles Deleuze, and Felix Guattari, as well as by theorists who associate with speculative realism. The concept of deep mapping as an aesthetic, methodological, and ideological tool, enables an approach to place that democratizes knowledge by crossing temporal, spatial, and disciplinary boundaries.