bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On embedding left-ordered groups into division rings
Authors: Gräter Joachim , Sperner Robert P.
Published: November 2012

We present and discuss methods for embedding a left-ordered group G into the multiplicative group of a skew
field D. Among others, we are interested in the case in which any group automorphism of G extends
to a ring automorphism of D and we will be able to apply Dubrovin's embedding theorem to a special class
of left-ordered groups which we call locally complete.
Growth Directions of Primary Phases in Directionally Solidified Ti-45Al-7Nb Alloys
Authors: Yan Jie , Zheng Lijing , Zhang HuaRui , Xiao Zhixia , Zhang Hu
Published: November 2012

Ti-45Al-7Nb alloys are produced by liquid-metal-cooling (LMC) directional solidification (DS) furnace with different temperature gradients (G) at a range of 40–80 K/cm. The growth directions of primary β phases and the deflection angles relative to the 〈100〉β direction were investigated. The solidification pathway of alloy is: Liq. → Liq. + β → β → β + α → α + γ → lamella (α2 + γ) + B2. Primary dendrite arm spacing λ reduced from 611.4 µm to 508.7 µm when G increased from 40 K cm−1 to 80 K cm−1. Grains with lamellar orientation aligned at the angles of 12–15° and 55° to growth direction were favored for various G. The orientations of the γ lamellas in steady-state regions were identified by the electron backscattered diffraction analysis (EBSD). The results indicated that the growth directions of primary bcc-β dendrites were 〈211〉β and 〈110〉β at 40 K/cm, 〈210〉β and 〈211〉β at 50 K/cm and 〈211〉β at 80 K/cm, the deflection angle of 〈211〉β relative to 〈100〉β direction is 35.3°.
Numerical Simulation of the Strength and Plasticity Performance in Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Dai Qixun , Cheng Xiaonong
Published: November 2012

The effect of temperature and alloy content on the strength and plasticity of austenitic stainless steel was investigated in this paper. A series of expressions for quantitative calculation via computer were obtained according to the experimental data and are shown as
;
;
;
;
. The obtained results were reliable and can be applied to the design and calculation of the high-temperature strength and plasticity of austenitic stainless steel.
Effect of Aluminum on the Nucleation of Intragranular Ferrite in Ti-Added Carbon Structural Steel
Authors: Hui Kong , Shao Shuai , Shen YunFu , Zhou YaHui , Yue Qiang , Zhang JiuFeng , Cai ZhengYu
Published: November 2012

The features of inclusion and microstructure for Ti-added carbon structural steel were studied through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). From the SEM-EDS mapping images, two kinds of titanium-contained oxides are observed. The type I is the Al-Ti-O phase, in which the elements of Al and Ti coexist. The type II is the titanium-contained oxides, which precipitate on the Al2O3. Through the statistical analysis, it can be seen that the former type is dominating in number and smaller in size. After etching, the microstructure of intragranular acicular ferrites (IAF) is observed, which is totally different from that in the comparison sample without Ti addition. Furthermore, it’s found that the type I inclusion can act as nucleation sites for the IAF. However, the similar nucleation phenomenon is complex for the type II inclusion. This complexity is attributed to the diversity of precipitation of Ti and Mn.
Perfect Powers with Few Ternary Digits
Authors: Bennett Michael A.
Published: November 2012

We classify all integer squares (and, more generally,
Log-Sine Evaluations of Mahler Measures, II
Authors: Borwein David , Borwein Jonathan M. , Straub Armin , Wan James
Published: November 2012

We continue the analysis of higher and multiple Mahler measures using log-sine integrals as started in “Log-sine evaluations of Mahler measures” and “Special values of generalized log-sine integrals” by two of the authors. This motivates a detailed study of various multiple polylogarithms and worked examples are given. Our techniques enable the reduction of several multiple Mahler measures, and supply an easy proof of two conjectures by Boyd.
Euler Pseudoprimes for Half of the Bases
Authors: Di Biagio Lorenzo
Published: November 2012

We prove that an odd number

for every invertible
Numerical Solution of Time Fractional Navier-Stokes Equation by Discrete Adomian decomposition method
Authors: Birajdar Gunvant A.
Published: November 2012

In this paper we find the solution of time fractional
discrete Navier-Stokes equation using Adomian decomposition
method. Here we discretize the space domain.
The graphical representation of solution given by
using Matlab software, and it compared with exact solution
for alpha = 1.
Association of proinsulin and hepatic steatosis in a random, population-based sample
Authors: Wengert Sonja , Oeztuerk Suemeyra , Haenle Mark Martin , Koenig Wolfgang , Imhof Armin , Boehm Bernhard Otto , Wilhelm Manfred , Mao Ren , Mason Richard Andrew , Kratzer Wolfgang , _ _
Published: November 2012

Objective

Proinsulin may represent a predictive marker for assessing insulin resistance and reduced β-cell function. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hepatic steatosis, proinsulin and other parameters in a random, population-based sample.

Design

Cross-sectional study, conducted in south-western Germany.

Methods

Upper abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 343 subjects (147 females, 196 males; average age 40.0±11.5 years). Proinsulin, the proinsulin-to-insulin ratio and other laboratory parameters were determined, and the BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and other anthropometric data were documented.

Results

Hepatic steatosis was observed in 80 subjects (23.3%: 29.6%, males; 15.0%, females). Multivariate analysis showed an association with hepatic steatosis for male gender (P=0.0212), advancing age (P=0.0241), elevated BMI (P<0.0001), elevated WHR (P=0.0024), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.0046), proinsulin (P=0.0403) and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio (P=0.0116).

Conclusions

There is an association between elevated proinsulin concentrations and hepatic steatosis.
Exposure to DNA is insufficient for in vitro transgenesis of live bovine sperm and embryos
Authors: Eghbalsaied Shahin , Ghaedi Kamran , Laible Götz , Hosseini Sayed Morteza , Forouzanfar Mohsen , Hajian Mehdi , Oback Fleur , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad H , Oback Björn
Published: November 2012

Transgenic mammals have been produced using sperm as vectors for exogenous DNA (sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT)) in combination with artificial insemination. Our study evaluated whether SMGT could also be achieved in combination with IVF to efficiently produce transgenic bovine embryos. We assessed binding and uptake of fluorescently labelled plasmids into sperm in the presence of different concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide or lipofectamine. Live motile sperm displayed a characteristic punctuate fluorescence pattern across their entire surface, while uniform postacrosomal fluorescence was only apparent in dead sperm. Association with sperm or lipofection reagent protected exogenous DNA from DNase I digestion. Following IVF, presence and expression of episomal and non-episomal green fluorescent protein (GFP)-reporter plasmids was monitored in oocytes and embryos. We found no evidence of intracellular plasmid uptake and none of the resulting zygotes (n=96) and blastocysts were GFP positive by fluorescence microscopy or genomic PCR (n=751). When individual zona-free oocytes were matured, fertilised and continuously cultured in the presence of episomal reporter plasmids until the blastocyst stage, most embryos (38/68=56%) were associated with the exogenous DNA. Using anti-GFP immunocytochemistry (n=48) or GFP fluorescence (n=94), no GFP expression was detected in blastocysts. By contrast, ICSI resulted in 18% of embryos expressing the GFP reporter. In summary, exposure to DNA was an inefficient technique to produce transgenic bovine sperm or blastocysts in vitro.
Structural and Piezoresistive Characteristics of Amorphous Silicon Carbide Films Grown on AlN/Si Substrates
Authors: Fraga Mariana A. , Furlan Humber , Pessoa Rodrigo S. , Rasia Luiz A.
Published: November 2012

Amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) thin films have been grown on aluminum nitride (AlN) intermediate layers on (100) Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering technique. Profilometry, four-point probe method, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were employed to characterize the as-deposited SiC thin films. Test structures have been developed to investigate the piezoresistive properties. These structures consist of SiC thin-film resistors on AlN/Si substrates defined by reactive ion etching (RIE) with Ti/Au pads formed by lift-off process. Gauge factor (GF) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) measurements have been performed and demonstrated the potential of these resistors to be used as sensing elements in devices for high temperature application.
Effects of Ce-Based Dopants on the Hydrogen Storage Material of NaAlH4
Authors: Hu Jianjiang , Witter Raiker , Ren Shuhua , Fichtner Maximilian
Published: November 2012

Cerium in various chemical forms was introduced into NaAlH4 to study the hydrogen sorption properties of the resulted material. Although all the Ce precursors tested in this work resulted in a reversible hydrogen storage material, an immediate enhancement in the desorption kinetics could be achieved by a heating treatment, resulting in the in situ formation of cerium aluminide (CeAl4) in the material. While the use of CeAl4 instead of CeCl3 can increase the hydrogen capacity by bypassing the formation of the ineffective NaCl, the highest capacity of 4.9 wt% was obtained from NaAlH4 doped directly with commercial metallic cerium, which may provide a much simplified process for a possible up-scaling preparation of this hydrogen storage material.
Charge Injection Properties of Thermally-Prepared Iridium Oxide Films
Authors: Robblee Lois S. , Mangaudis Michael J. , Lasinsky Ellen D. , Kimball Angela G. , Brummer S. Barry
Published: November 2012

Multilayered Ir oxide films were prepared on Ti and Pt:Ir electrodes by the thermal decomposition of successive layers of alcohol solutions of IrCl3. The charge capacity of the thermally-formed Ir oxide films (TIROF) and the reversibility of surface oxide-related reactions were evaluated in a physiological saline solution using potential sweep and current pulse techniques. The TIROF-coated electrodes had electrochemical properties similar to an Ir electrode coated with an anodically-formed oxide. The charge injection limits before gassing ranged from 5–10 mC/cm2 for TIROF-Ti and 1–3 mC/cm2 for TIROF-Pt:Ir with biphasic, charge-balanced current pulses of 0.2 ms duration. No Pt dissolution was detected during >100 hr stimulation with TIROF-Pt:Ir electrodes. Small amounts of Ir dissolution were detected which might result from passive leaching of residual chloride complexes of Ir. The TIROF coatings remained firmly attached to the substrate metal during long term pulsing and abrasion tests. The properties of TIROF coatings, e.g., high charge capacity for reversible charge injection and good abrasion and corrosion resistance, are of great advantage for neural prosthesis applications.
Activation of clay in cement mortar applying mechanical, chemical and thermal techniques
Authors: Amin Noor-ul- , Alam Sultan , Gul Saeed , Muhammad Khan
Published: November 2012

Different techniques such as mechanical activation, chemical activation and thermal activation have been employed to activate clay used as a cement replacement material. The clay was activated mechanically by grinding it to 250, 360 and 420 m2/kg Blaine surface areas; chemically by mixing clay with two alkalis (potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)) with different concentrations and thermally by keeping the mortar samples at 20, 40 and 60°C. Samples were tested for compressive strength at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days. All these methods were found to enhance the reactivity of clay. It was found that an increase in the fineness of clay increased the strength development and the fineness should be greater than that of cement in order to enhance the performance.
Geomembrane containment walls for liquefaction remediation
Authors: Mitrani Helen , Madabhushi S. P. Gopal
Published: November 2012

Ground improvement techniques can be adopted to prevent existing buildings built on liquefiable soils sustaining damage in future earthquakes. Impermeable geomembrane containment walls may be an economic and successful technique but their design and performance are currently not well defined or well understood for this application. This paper describes centrifuge testing carried out to investigate the performance of such containment walls as a liquefaction remediation method for a single degree of freedom frame structure. The results were compared with those from similar centrifuge testing carried out with the same structure founded on unimproved sand, to assess the effectiveness of the remediation method. It was found that the geomembrane containment walls tested were effective at reducing structural settlement and did not significantly increase the accelerations transmitted to the structure. Structural settlements were reduced primarily by mobilising hoop stress and preventing lateral soil movement. By preventing surface drainage, a decrease in the volume change of the foundation sand was also observed. In addition, the impermeability of the walls may be important as this prevented rapid migration of pore water from the free field to the foundation region.
Biaxial flexural strength of concrete by two different methods
Authors: Kim Jihwan , Yi Chongku , Zi Goangseup
Published: November 2012

The biaxial flexural strength of a concrete panel can be evaluated by two different methods: the centrally loaded round panel test (ASTM C 1150) and the recently proposed biaxial flexure test (BFT). Twenty-six tests, with 13 specimens for each test method, were performed to verify the effect of the different test methods on the biaxial flexural strength of concrete. A finite-element analysis of the specimens of two test methods showed that the biaxial flexure test set-up allows a larger area with a uniform biaxial stress on the bottom surface around the centre of the specimen than the ASTM C 1550 set-up, indicating that the difference in the test results is attributable to the volume effects. The test results showed that the biaxial flexure test method gives a more reliable biaxial flexural strength with a 25% lower coefficient of variation than that from the ASTM C 1550.
Effect of temperature on the thixotropic behaviour of self-consolidating concrete
Authors: Vanhove Yannick , Helnan-Moussa Benjamin , Wirquin Eric
Published: November 2012

The static stability of high fluid concrete (self-consolidating concrete (SCC)) during the dormant period of cement can be improved by using rheological properties. The evolution of the thixotropy of a SCC with temperature ranging from 11°C to 31°C and during the setting time was investigated. A factorial design was carried out to mathematically model the influence of concrete temperature and viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA) dosages on the rheological properties of a SCC. A fixed initial slump flow consistency of 650 ± 10 mm was fixed to more clearly understand the rheological behaviour. A BML type 4 viscometer was employed to characterise the SCC a few minutes after mixing and 30 and 60 min after the first rheological test. It was found that temperature greatly affects the thixotropic behaviour with elapsed time. For high VMA concentrations, the area enclosed by the hysteresis loop is less affected by the temperature. The relevant mechanisms are also discussed based on the analysis of the test results of a factorial experimental plan.
MyD88 or TRAM Knockdown Regulates Interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and CXCL12 mRNA Expression in Human Gingival and Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts
Authors: Morandini Ana Carolina , Chaves Souza Pedro Paulo , Ramos‐Junior Erivan Schnaider , Souza Costa Carlos Alberto , Santos Carlos Ferreira
Published: November 2012

Background: In a previous report, it was shown that Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 knockdown modulates interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 but not the chemokine CXCL12, an important mediator with inflammatory and proangiogenic effects, in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLF). This study investigates whether knocking down two important TLR adaptor molecules, such as myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) and TRIF‐related adaptor molecule (TRAM), could affect mRNA expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, and CXCL12 in HGF and HPDLF.

Methods: After small interfering (si) RNA‐mediated silencing of MyD88 or TRAM, HGF and HPDLF were stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or two synthetic ligands of TLR2 (Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4) for 6 hours. IL‐6, IL‐8, and CXCL12 mRNAs were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Knockdown of MyD88 or TRAM partially impaired the IL‐8 mRNA upregulation in both fibroblast subpopulations. Similarly, IL‐6 upregulation was partially prevented by siMyD88 or siTRAM in HGF stimulated with Pg LPS, as well as in both fibroblast subtypes challenged with Pam2CSK4. Conversely, constitutive CXCL12 mRNA levels were upregulated by MyD88 or TRAM knockdown in non‐stimulated cells.

Conclusions: These results suggest that TLR adaptor molecules knockdown, such as MyD88 or TRAM, can decrease IL‐6 and IL‐8 mRNA and increase CXCL12 mRNA expression in HGF and HPDLF. This can be an important step for better understanding the mechanisms that control the inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression, which in turn contributes to periodontal pathogenesis.
Orally Administered Liposomal Lactoferrin Inhibits Inflammation‐Related Bone Breakdown Without Interrupting Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Authors: Kawazoe A. , Inubushi T. , Miyauchi M. , Ishikado A. , Tanaka E. , Tanne K. , Takata T.
Published: November 2012

Background: Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) modulates the production of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and inhibits alveolar bone breakdown associated with periodontitis. This study is designed to examine the effects of orally administered liposomal bLF (LbLF) on orthodontic force (OF)‐induced alveolar bone remodeling during experimental tooth movement.

Methods: Two groups of male Wistar rats were treated with either LbLF or control solution in drinking water 7 days before OF application. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the gingival sulcus in half the rats in each group. Thus, four groups: OF, OF+LbLF, OF+LPS, and OF+LPS+LbLF were established.

Results: Orally administered LbLF significantly reduced apical migration of junctional epithelium in the OF and OF+LPS groups. In OF+LPS, osteoclast number in the alveolar crestal area was increased by LPS treatment, whereas osteoclast number was significantly reduced in OF+LPS+LbLF through suppression of TNF‐α production. Osteoclastic induction in the middle part, mainly from OF application, was not affected by LbLF administration. Inhibition of tooth movement was not induced by LbLF.

Conclusions: Orally administered LbLF significantly inhibits LPS‐induced alveolar bone resorption but not OF‐induced bone remodeling. LbLF could be a potent therapeutic and preventive agent to control periodontal inflammation in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Towards a climate neutral water cycle
Authors: van der Hoek Jan Peter
Published: November 2012

Waternet, the first water cycle company in the Netherlands, is responsible for drinking water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and water system management and control in and around Amsterdam. Waternet has the ambition to become climate neutral in 2020. To realise this ambition, measures are required to compensate for the emission of 53,000 t CO2-eq/year. Energy recovery from the water cycle looks very promising. From wastewater, ground water, surface water and drinking water, all elements of the water cycle, renewable energy can be recovered. This can be thermal energy and chemical energy. First calculations reveal that energy recovery from the water cycle in and around Amsterdam can contribute to a total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions up to 74,900 t CO2-eq/year. The challenge for the coming years is to choose robust combinations of all the possibilities to fulfil the energy demand at any time. Only then can the use of fossil fuel be abandoned and the target of becoming climate neutral in 2020 be reached.
The Alps under climate change: implications for water management in Europe
Authors: Vanham D.
Published: November 2012

The Alps function as a water tower for four of the major European river basins. However, a climate change-induced shift in mountain hydrological regimes and the future predicted disappearance of Alpine glaciers at the end of this century will have consequences for water management in both the Alps and the water-dependent lowlands. In this paper the importance of mountain water in the European lowlands and the impact of climate change on the water sector in both the mountains and lowlands are shown. Different demand stakeholders of the Alpine water sector will be affected. Dependent on the particular region in the Alps, problems will be less or more severe but generally adaptation can be achieved by means of the right investments and policies. However, major impacts on the water sector in the lowlands of the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Po river basins are foreseen. Integrated water management at basin level is required to cope with these challenges.
Delayed Villous Maturation of the Placenta: Quantitative Assessment in Different Cohorts
Authors: Treacy Ann , Higgins Mary , Kearney John M. , Mcauliffe Fionnuala , Mooney Eoghan E.
Published: November 2012

Placental villous maturation is maximal in the 3rd trimester, with an abundance of terminal villi. Delayed villous maturation (DVM) of the placenta is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, and an adverse outcome. This study compares quantitative assessment of vasculo-syncytial membranes (VSM) in cases of liveborn infants, perinatal deaths, and controls. Cases were selected as follows: (1) liveborn infants with a qualitative diagnosis of DVM ( n = 15); (2) controls matched for gestational age whose placentas did not have DVM ( n = 15); (3) stillbirths (SB)/neonatal deaths (NND) showing DVM ( n = 13); and (4) SB from autopsies in which DVM was felt to be the cause of death (COD) ( n = 12). Vasculo-syncytial membranes were counted in 10 terminal villi in each of 10 consecutive high-power fields on 3 slides. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS. Liveborn cases with DVM showed statistically significantly less VSM than controls (mean 1.01 vs 2.42, P < 0.0001). The SB/NND group also showed significantly less VSM than the control group (mean 0.46 vs 2.42, P < 0.0001) and less than the liveborn DVM group (mean 0.46 vs 1.01, P = 0.001). The COD group was significantly different from the control group (mean 0.42 vs 2.42, P < 0.0001) and the liveborn DVM group (mean 0.42 vs 1.01, P < 0.0001) but not significantly different from the SB/NND group. There is a quantitative reduction in VSM in cases of DVM compared to controls.
Timing of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Piedra Mark P. , Ragel Brian T. , Dogan Aclan , Coppa Nicholas D. , Delashaw Johnny B.
Published: November 2012

Object

The optimal timing of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for stroke is not known. Case series suggest that early cranioplasty is associated with higher rates of infection while delaying cranioplasty may be associated with higher rates of bone resorption. The authors examined whether the timing of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for stroke affects postoperative complication rates.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to evaluate complication rates in patients undergoing cranioplasty at early (within 10 weeks of craniectomy) or late (≥ 10 weeks) stages. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine characteristics that would predict complications in patients undergoing cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for stroke.

Results

While the overall complication rate was higher in the early cranioplasty cohort (22% vs 16% in the late cranioplasty cohort), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5541). Patients in the early cranioplasty cohort had lower rates of postoperative hematoma but higher rates of infection. Presence of a CSF shunt was the only significant predictor of complications (OR 8.96, 95% CI 1.84–43.6).

Conclusions

Complications rates for early cranioplasty (within 10 weeks of craniectomy) are similar to those encountered when cranioplasty is delayed, although the cohort size in this study was too small to state equivalence. Patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt are at higher risk for complications after cranioplasty.
Combined proximal nerve graft and distal nerve transfer for a posterior cord brachial plexus injury
Authors: Plate Johannes F. , Ely L. Kirsten , Pulley Benjamin R. , Smith Beth P. , Li Zhongyu
Published: November 2012

The treatment of patients with prolonged denervation from a posterior cord brachial plexus injury is challenging and no management guidelines exist to follow. The authors describe the case of a 26-year-old man who presented to our clinic for treatment 11 months after suffering a high-energy injury to the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. A combined 9-cm proximal cable nerve graft procedure and a pronator branch to the posterior interosseous nerve transfer were performed. Satisfactory deltoid, triceps, wrist, and finger extensor recovery was noted 3 years after surgery. Patients with prolonged denervation from posterior cord injuries can be successfully treated with a combination of a proximal nerve graft and a distal nerve transfer.
Use of supramaximal stimulation to predict facial nerve outcomes following vestibular schwannoma microsurgery: results from a decade of experience
Authors: Schmitt William R. , Daube Jasper R. , Carlson Matthew L. , Mandrekar Jayawant N. , Beatty Charles W. , Neff Brian A. , Driscoll Colin L. , Link Michael J.
Published: November 2012

Object

The goal of vestibular schwannoma surgery is tumor removal and preservation of neural function. Intraoperative facial nerve (FN) monitoring has emerged as the standard of care, but its role in predicting long-term facial function remains a matter of debate. The present report seeks to describe and critically assess the value of applying current at supramaximal levels in an effort to identify patients destined for permanent facial paralysis.

Methods

Over more than a decade, the protocol for stimulating and assessing the FN during vestibular schwannoma surgery at the authors' institution has consisted of applying pulsed constant-current stimulation at supramaximal levels proximally and distally following tumor resection to generate an amplitude ratio, which subtracted from 100% yields the degree to which the functional integrity of the FN “dropped off” intraoperatively. These data were prospectively collected and additional variables that might impact postoperative FN function were retrospectively reviewed from the medical record. Only patients with anatomically intact FNs and > 12 months of follow-up data were analyzed.

Results

There were 267 patients available for review. The average posterior fossa tumor diameter was 24 mm and the rate of long-term good (House-Brackmann Grade I–II) FN function was 84%. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that prior treatment, neurofibromatosis Type 2 status, tumor size, cerebellopontine angle extension, subjectively thinned FN at the time of operation, minimal stimulation threshold, percent dropoff by supramaximal stimulation (SMS), and postoperative FN function all correlated statistically (p < 0.05) with long-term FN function. When evaluating patients with significant FN weakness at the time of hospital discharge, only the percent dropoff by SMS remained a significant predictor of long-term FN function. However, the positive predictive value of SMS for long-term weakness is low, at 46%.

Conclusions

In a large cohort of patients, the authors found that interrogating intraoperative FN function with SMS is safe and technically simple. It is useful for predicting which patients will ultimately have good facial function, but is very limited in identifying patients destined for long-term facial weakness. This test may prove helpful in the future in tailoring less than gross-total tumor removal to limit postoperative facial weakness.
Comparative study on the biomass yield, chemical composition and in-sacco dry matter degradability of different cultivars of triticale fodder
Authors: Zannat MK , Alam MR , Sarker NR , Huque KS , Khan MRI , Islam MA
Published: November 2012

An experiment was conducted to determine the biomass yield, chemical composition and in-sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of 10 cultivars (WRF-7, TSN-111, TYT-03, TYT-05, TYT-06, TYT-08, TYT-12, ITYN-10, ITYN-14 and ITYN-15) of triticale fodder. The fresh yield of different cultivars of triticale was ranged from 5.03 to 6.85 (t/ha). The organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents of different cultivars of triticale were found 89.62 to 91.78 %, 21.34 to 25.99 %, 23.09 to 29.99 %, 46.77 to 50.80 %, 0.42 to 0.61 % and 0.33 to 0.41 %, respectively. The yield of DM and CP of different cultivars of triticale were varied from 0.77 to 1.44 (t/ha) and 0.193 to 0.351 (t/ha), respectively. Among different triticale cultivars the highest OM and CP contents were found in TYT-12 (91.78 %) and ITYN-10 (25.99 %), respectively. The highest NDF and ADF contents were found in ITYN-14 (50.80 %) and TYT-05 (29.99 %), respectively among different cultivars. The contents of Ca and P in ITYN-10 (0.61 %) and ITYN-14 (0.41 %), respectively were found to be the highest among the cultivars. Potential DM degradability observed in different cultivars of triticale was higher in ITYN-14 and TYT-05 (84.81 and 81.88 %, respectively) compared to others and relatively poor degradability was found in TSN-111 and TYT-03 (60.74 and 61.35 %, respectively). Therefore, it may be concluded that, the cultivar ITYN-10 will be the promising one due to comparatively higher fresh yield, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content and less acid detergent fibre (ADF) fraction cultivated for fodder production in Bangladesh.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11972
Regenerative Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Contribution of Muse Cells, a Novel Pluripotent Stem Cell Type that Resides in Mesenchymal Cells
Authors: Wakao Shohei , Kuroda Yasumasa , Ogura Fumitaka , Shigemoto Taeko , Dezawa Mari
Published: November 2012

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are easily accessible and safe for regenerative medicine. MSCs exert trophic, immunomodulatory, anti-apoptotic, and tissue regeneration effects in a variety of tissues and organs, but their entity remains an enigma. Because MSCs are generally harvested from mesenchymal tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, or umbilical cord as adherent cells, MSCs comprise crude cell populations and are heterogeneous. The specific cells responsible for each effect have not been clarified. The most interesting property of MSCs is that, despite being adult stem cells that belong to the mesenchymal tissue lineage, they are able to differentiate into a broad spectrum of cells beyond the boundary of mesodermal lineage cells into ectodermal or endodermal lineages, and repair tissues. The broad spectrum of differentiation ability and tissue-repairing effects of MSCs might be mediated in part by the presence of a novel pluripotent stem cell type recently found in adult human mesenchymal tissues, termed multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells. Here we review recently updated studies of the regenerative effects of MSCs and discuss their potential in regenerative medicine.
Annual Electric Load Forecasting by a Least Squares Support Vector Machine with a Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Hongze , Guo Sen , Zhao Huiru , Su Chenbo , Wang Bao
Published: November 2012

The accuracy of annual electric load forecasting plays an important role in the economic and social benefits of electric power systems. The least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) has been proven to offer strong potential in forecasting issues, particularly by employing an appropriate meta-heuristic algorithm to determine the values of its two parameters. However, these meta-heuristic algorithms have the drawbacks of being hard to understand and reaching the global optimal solution slowly. As a novel meta-heuristic and evolutionary algorithm, the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA) has the advantages of being easy to understand and fast convergence to the global optimal solution. Therefore, to improve the forecasting performance, this paper proposes a LSSVM-based annual electric load forecasting model that uses FOA to automatically determine the appropriate values of the two parameters for the LSSVM model. By taking the annual electricity consumption of China as an instance, the computational result shows that the LSSVM combined with FOA (LSSVM-FOA) outperforms other alternative methods, namely single LSSVM, LSSVM combined with coupled simulated annealing algorithm (LSSVM-CSA), generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and regression model.
Development of New Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci for the Barley Stem Gall Midge, Mayetiola hordei (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from an Enriched Library
Authors: Mezghani-Khemakhem Maha , Bouktila Dhia , Casse Nathalie , Maaroufi Houcine , Makni Mohamed , Makni Hanem
Published: November 2012

Using an enriched library method, seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the barley stem gall midge, Mayetiola hordei. Polymorphism at loci was surveyed on 57 individual midges collected on barley in Tunisia. Across loci, polymorphism ranged from two to six alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity varied between 0.070 and 0.877. Based on the number of alleles detected and the associated levels of heterozygosity, we believe that these loci will prove useful for population genetic studies on M. hordei.
Chronic Supplementation of Paeonol Combined with Danshensu for the Improvement of Vascular Reactivity in the Cerebral Basilar Artery of Diabetic Rats
Authors: Hu Jing , Li Ya-Ling , Li Zi-Lin , Li Hua , Zhou Xuan-Xuan , Qiu Peng-Cheng , Yang Qian , Wang Si-Wang
Published: November 2012

One of the leading causes of death in the world is cerebrovascular disease. Numerous Chinese traditional medicines, such as Cortex Moutan (root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew) and Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge), protect against cerebrovascular diseases and exhibit anti-atherosclerotic effects. Traditional medicines have been routinely used for a long time in China. In addition, these two herbs are prescribed together in clinical practice. Therefore, the pharmacodynamic interactions between the active constituents of these two herbs, which are paeonol (Pae) and danshensu (DSS), should be particularly studied. The study of Pae and DSS can provide substantial foundations in understanding their mechanisms and empirical evidence to support clinical practice. This study investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of the pharmacodynamic interaction between Pae and DSS on cerebrovascular malfunctioning in diabetes. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats, which was then treated with Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS for eight weeks. Afterward, cerebral arteries from all groups were isolated and equilibrated in an organ bath with Krebs buffer and ring tension. Effects of Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS were observed on vessel relaxation with or without endothelium as well as on the basal tonus of vessels from normal and diabetic rats. Indexes about oxidative stress were also determined. We report that the cerebral arteries from diabetic rats show decreased vascular reactivity to acetylcholine (ACh) which was corrected in Pae, DSS, and Pae + DSS treated groups. Furthermore, phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction response decreased in the treated groups. Phenylephrine and CaCl2-induced vasoconstrictions are partially inhibited in the three treated groups under Ca2+-free medium. Pre-incubated with tetraethylammonium, a non-selective K+ channel blocker, the antagonized relaxation responses increased in DSS and Pae + DSS treated diabetic groups compared with those in diabetic and Pae-treated diabetic groups. In addition, superoxide dismutase activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content significantly changed in the presence of Pae + DSS. We therefore conclude that both Pae and DSS treatments prevent diabetes-induced vascular damage. Furthermore, Pae + DSS prove to be the most efficient treatment regimen. The combination of Pae and DSS produce significant protective effects through the reduction of oxidative stress and through intracellular Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms.
Biologically Based Methods for Pest Management in Agriculture under Changing Climates: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Chidawanyika Frank , Mudavanhu Pride , Nyamukondiwa Casper
Published: November 2012

The current changes in global climatic regimes present a significant societal challenge, affecting in all likelihood insect physiology, biochemistry, biogeography and population dynamics. With the increasing resistance of many insect pest species to chemical insecticides and an increasing organic food market, pest control strategies are slowly shifting towards more sustainable, ecologically sound and economically viable options. Biologically based pest management strategies present such opportunities through predation or parasitism of pests and plant direct or indirect defense mechanisms that can all be important components of sustainable integrated pest management programs. Inevitably, the efficacy of biological control systems is highly dependent on natural enemy-prey interactions, which will likely be modified by changing climates. Therefore, knowledge of how insect pests and their natural enemies respond to climate variation is of fundamental importance in understanding biological insect pest management under global climate change. Here, we discuss biological control, its challenges under climate change scenarios and how increased global temperatures will require adaptive management strategies to cope with changing status of insects and their natural enemies.
Physisorbed Polymer-Tethered Lipid Bilayer with Lipopolymer Gradient
Authors: Lin Yu-Hung , Minner Daniel , Herring Vincent , Naumann Christoph
Published: November 2012

Physisorbed polymer-tethered lipid bilayers consisting of phospholipids and lipopolymers represent an attractive planar model membrane platform, in which bilayer fluidity and membrane elastic properties can be regulated through lipopolymer molar concentration. Herein we report a method for the fabrication of such a planar model membrane system with a lateral gradient of lipopolymer density. In addition, a procedure is described, which leads to a sharp boundary between regions of low and high lipopolymer molar concentrations. Resulting gradients and sharp boundaries are visualized on the basis of membrane buckling structures at elevated lipopolymer concentrations using epifluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, results from spot photobleaching experiments are presented, which provide insight into the lipid lateral fluidity in these model membrane architectures. The presented experimental data highlight a planar, solid-supported membrane characterized by fascinating length scale-dependent dynamics and elastic properties with remarkable parallels to those observed in cellular membranes.
Validation and Analysis of Forward Osmosis CFD Model in Complex 3D Geometries
Authors: Gruber Mathias F. , Johnson Carl J. , Tang Chuyang , Jensen Mogens H. , Yde Lars , Hélix-Nielsen Claus
Published: November 2012

In forward osmosis (FO), an osmotic pressure gradient generated across a semi-permeable membrane is used to generate water transport from a dilute feed solution into a concentrated draw solution. This principle has shown great promise in the areas of water purification, wastewater treatment, seawater desalination and power generation. To ease optimization and increase understanding of membrane systems, it is desirable to have a comprehensive model that allows for easy investigation of all the major parameters in the separation process. Here we present experimental validation of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model developed to simulate FO experiments with asymmetric membranes. Simulations are compared with experimental results obtained from using two distinctly different complex three-dimensional membrane chambers. It is found that the CFD model accurately describes the solute separation process and water permeation through membranes under various flow conditions. It is furthermore demonstrated how the CFD model can be used to optimize membrane geometry in such as way as to promote the mass transfer.
Investigating Silver Coordination to Mixed Chalcogen Ligands
Authors: Knight Fergus R. , Randall Rebecca A. M. , Wakefield Lucy , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Woollins J. Derek
Published: November 2012

Six silver(I) coordination complexes have been prepared and structurally characterised. Mixed chalcogen-donor acenaphthene ligands L1–L3 [Acenap(EPh)(E'Ph)] (Acenap = acenaphthene-5,6-diyl; E/E' = S, Se, Te) were independently treated with silver(I) salts (AgBF4/AgOTf). In order to keep the number of variables to a minimum, all reactions were carried out using a 1:1 ratio of Ag/L and run in dichloromethane. The nature of the donor atoms, the coordinating ability of the respective counter-anion and the type of solvent used in recrystallisation, all affect the structural architecture of the final silver(I) complex, generating monomeric, silver(I) complexes {[AgBF4(L)2] (1 L = L1; 2 L = L2; 3 L = L3), [AgOTf(L)3] (4 L = L1; 5 L = L3), [AgBF4(L)3] (2a L = L1; 3a L = L3)} and a 1D polymeric chain {[AgOTf(L3)]n 6}. The organic acenaphthene ligands L1-L3 adopt a number of ligation modes (bis-monodentate μ2-η2-bridging, quasi-chelating combining monodentate and η6-E(phenyl)-Ag(I) and classical monodentate coordination) with the central silver atom at the centre of a tetrahedral or trigonal planar coordination geometry in each case. The importance of weak interactions in the formation of metal-organic structures is also highlighted by the number of short non-covalent contacts present within each complex.
Exploration and Implementation of a Pre-Impact Fall Recognition Method Based on an Inertial Body Sensor Network
Authors: Zhao Guoru , Mei Zhanyong , Liang Ding , Ivanov Kamen , Guo Yanwei , Wang Yongfeng , Wang Lei
Published: November 2012

The unintentional injuries due to falls in elderly people give rise to a multitude of health and economic problems due to the growing aging population. The use of early pre-impact fall alarm and self-protective control could greatly reduce fall injuries. This paper aimed to explore and implement a pre-impact fall recognition/alarm method for free-direction fall activities based on understanding of the pre-impact lead time of falls and the angle of body postural stability using an inertial body sensor network. Eight healthy Asian adult subjects were arranged to perform three kinds of daily living activities and three kinds of fall activities. Nine MTx sensor modules were used to measure the body segmental kinematic characteristics of each subject for pre-impact fall recognition/alarm. Our analysis of the kinematic features of human body segments showed that the chest was the optimal sensor placement for an early pre-impact recognition/alarm (i.e., prediction/alarm of a fall event before it happens) and post-fall detection (i.e., detection of a fall event after it already happened). Furthermore, by comparative analysis of threshold levels for acceleration and angular rate, two acceleration thresholds were determined for early pre-impact alarm (7 m/s/s) and post-fall detection (20 m/s/s) under experimental conditions. The critical angles of postural stability of torso segment in three kinds of fall activities (forward, sideway and backward fall) were determined as 23.9 ± 3.3, 49.9 ± 4.1 and 9.9 ± 2.5 degrees, respectively, and the relative average pre-impact lead times were 329 ± 21, 265 ± 35 and 257 ± 36 ms. The results implied that among the three fall activities the sideway fall was associated with the largest postural stability angle and the forward fall was associated with the longest time to adjust body angle to avoid the fall; the backward fall was the most difficult to avoid among the three kinds of fall events due to the toughest combination of shortest lead time and smallest angle of postural stability which made it difficult for the self-protective control mechanism to adjust the body in time to avoid falling down.
Meat and Fish Freshness Inspection System Based on Odor Sensing
Authors: Hasan Najam , Ejaz Naveed , Ejaz Waleed , Kim Hyung
Published: November 2012

We propose a method for building a simple electronic nose based on commercially available sensors used to sniff in the market and identify spoiled/contaminated meat stocked for sale in butcher shops. Using a metal oxide semiconductor-based electronic nose, we measured the smell signature from two of the most common meat foods (beef and fish) stored at room temperature. Food samples were divided into two groups: fresh beef with decayed fish and fresh fish with decayed beef. The prime objective was to identify the decayed item using the developed electronic nose. Additionally, we tested the electronic nose using three pattern classification algorithms (artificial neural network, support vector machine and k-nearest neighbor), and compared them based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The results demonstrate that the k-nearest neighbor algorithm has the highest accuracy.
Ecological Status of Rivers and Streams in Saxony (Germany) According to the Water Framework Directive and Prospects of Improvement
Authors: Spänhoff Bernd , Dimmer Roland , Friese Holm , Harnapp Steve , Herbst Frank , Jenemann Kerstin , Mickel Antje , Rohde Sylvia , Schönherr Michaela , Ziegler Katrin , Kuhn Karin , Müller Uwe
Published: November 2012

The Federal State of Saxony (Germany) transposed the EU Water Framework Directive into state law, identifying 617 surface water bodies (rivers and streams) for implementation of the water framework directive (WFD). Their ecological status was classified by biological quality elements (macrophytes and phytobenthos, benthic invertebrates and fish, and in large rivers, phytoplankton) and specific synthetic and non-synthetic pollutants. Hydromorphological and physico-chemical quality elements were used to identify significant anthropogenic pressures, which surface water bodies are susceptible to, and to assess the effect of these pressures on the status of surface water bodies. In 2009, the data for classification of the ecological status and the main pressures and impacts on water bodies were published in the river basin management plans (RBMP) of the Elbe and Oder rivers. To that date, only 23 (4%) streams achieved an ecological status of “good”, while the rest failed to achieve the environmental objective. The two main reasons for the failure were significant alterations to the stream morphology (81% of all streams) and nutrient enrichment (62%) caused by point (industrial and municipal waste water treatment plants) and non-point (surface run-off from arable fields, discharges from urban drainages and decentralized waste water treatment plants) sources. It was anticipated that a further 55 streams would achieve the environmental objective by 2015, but the remaining 539 need extended deadlines.