bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perioperative morbidity and mortality after lumbar trauma in the elderly
Authors: Winkler Ethan A. , Yue John K. , Birk Harjus , Robinson Caitlin K. , Manley Geoffrey T. , Dhall Sanjay S. , Tarapore Phiroz E.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine are common injuries, accounting for approximately 90% of all spinal trauma. Lumbar spine trauma in the elderly is a growing public health problem with relatively little evidence to guide clinical management. The authors sought to characterize the complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with surgical and nonsurgical management in elderly patients with traumatic fractures of the lumbar spine.

METHODS

Using the National Sample Program of the National Trauma Data Bank, the authors performed a retrospective analysis of patients ≥ 55 years of age who had traumatic fracture to the lumbar spine. This group was divided into middle-aged (55–69 years) and elderly (≥ 70 years) cohorts. Cohorts were subdivided into nonoperative, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, noninstrumented surgery, and instrumented surgery. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to characterize and identify predictors of medical and surgical complications, mortality, hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, number of days on ventilator, and hospital discharge in each subgroup. Adjusted odds ratios, mean differences, and associated 95% CIs were reported. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05, and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied for each outcome analysis.

RESULTS

Between 2003 and 2012, 22,835 people met the inclusion criteria, which represents 94,103 incidents nationally. Analyses revealed a similar medical and surgical complication profile between age groups. The most prevalent medical complications were pneumonia (7.0%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (3.6%), and deep venous thrombosis (3%). Surgical site infections occurred in 6.3% of cases. Instrumented surgery was associated with the highest odds of each complication (p < 0.001). The inpatient mortality rate was 6.8% for all subjects. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that age ≥ 70 years was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 3.16, 95% CI 2.77–3.60), whereas instrumented surgery (multivariable OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.28–0.52) and vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.17–0.45) were associated with decreased odds of death. In surviving patients, both older age (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.30–0.34) and instrumented fusion (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.33–0.41) were associated with decreased odds of discharge to home.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirms that lumbar surgery in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity. In particular, instrumented fusion is associated with periprocedural complications, prolonged hospitalization, and a decreased likelihood of being discharged home. However, fusion surgery is also associated with reduced mortality. Age alone should not be an exclusionary factor in identifying surgical candidates for instrumented lumbar spinal fusion. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Comparison of complication rates of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Joseph Jacob R. , Smith Brandon W. , La Marca Frank , Park Paul
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) are 2 currently popular techniques for lumbar arthrodesis. The authors compare the total risk of each procedure, along with other important complication outcomes.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant studies (up to May 2015) that reported complications of either MI-TLIF or LLIF were identified from a search in the PubMed database. The primary outcome was overall risk of complication per patient. Secondary outcomes included risks of sensory deficits, temporary neurological deficit, permanent neurological deficit, intraoperative complications, medical complications, wound complications, hardware failure, subsidence, and reoperation.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies were included for analysis of MI-TLIF, and 42 studies were included for analysis of LLIF. Overall, there were 9714 patients (5454 in the MI-TLIF group and 4260 in the LLIF group) with 13,230 levels fused (6040 in the MI-TLIF group and 7190 in the LLIF group). A total of 1045 complications in the MI-TLIF group and 1339 complications in the LLIF group were reported. The total complication rate per patient was 19.2% in the MI-TLIF group and 31.4% in the LLIF group (p < 0.0001). The rate of sensory deficits and temporary neurological deficits, and permanent neurological deficits was 20.16%, 2.22%, and 1.01% for MI-TLIF versus 27.08%, 9.40%, and 2.46% for LLIF, respectively (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.002, respectively). Rates of intraoperative and wound complications were 3.57% and 1.63% for MI-TLIF compared with 1.93% and 0.80% for LLIF, respectively (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.034, respectively). No significant differences were noted for medical complications or reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

While there was a higher overall complication rate with LLIF, MI-TLIF and LLIF both have acceptable complication profiles. LLIF had higher rates of sensory as well as temporary and permanent neurological symptoms, although rates of intraoperative and wound complications were less than MI-TLIF. Larger, prospective comparative studies are needed to confirm these findings as the current literature is of relative poor quality.
Lumbar pseudarthrosis: a review of current diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Chun Danielle S. , Baker Kevin C. , Hsu Wellington K.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Failed solid bony fusion, or pseudarthrosis, is a well-known complication of lumbar arthrodesis. Recent advances in radiographic technology, biologics, instrumentation, surgical technique, and understanding of the local biology have all aided in the prevention and treatment of pseudarthrosis. Here, the current literature on the diagnosis and management of lumbar pseudarthroses is reviewed.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and Embase databases in order to search for the current radiographie diagnosis and surgical treatment methods published in the literature (1985 to present). Inclusion criteria included: 1) published in English; 2) level of evidence I–III; 3) diagnosis of degenerative lumbar spine conditions and/or history of lumbar spine fusion surgery; and 4) comparative studies of 2 different surgical techniques or comparative studies of imaging modality versus surgical exploration.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria for current radiographie imaging used to diagnose lumbar pseudarthrosis. Plain radiographs and thin-cut CT scans were the most common method for radiographie diagnosis. PET has been shown to be a valid imaging modality for monitoring in vivo active bone formation. Eight studies compared the surgical techniques for managing and preventing failed lumbar fusion. The success rates for the treatment of pseudarthrosis are enhanced with the use of rigid instrumentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal fusion rates have improved secondary to advances in biologies, instrumentation, surgical techniques, and understanding of local biology. Treatment of lumbar pseudarthrosis includes a variety of surgical options such as replacing loose instrumentation, use of more potent biologies, and interbody fusion techniques. Prevention and recognition are important tenets in the algorithm for the management of spinal pseudarthrosis.
Michael Clegg (1933–1995): from naturalist to environmental correspondent in the multi-media age
Authors: Moore P. G.
Published: October 2015

The coverage of natural history in British newspapers has evolved from a “Nature notes” format – usually a regular column submitted by a local amateur naturalist – to professional, larger-format, presentations by dedicated environmental correspondents. Not all such environmental correspondents, however, have natural-history expertise or even a scientific background. Yorkshire's Michael Clegg was a man who had a life-long love of nature wedded to a desire to communicate that passion. He moved from a secure position in the museum world (with a journalistic sideline) to become a freelance newspaper journalist and (subsequently) commentator on radio and television dealing with, and campaigning on, environmental issues full-time. As such, he exemplified the transition in how natural history coverage in the media evolved in the final decades of the twentieth century reflecting modern concerns about biodiversity, conservation, pollution and sustainable development.
Five unpublished manuscripts of Johann Reinhold Forster (1729–1798) in the archives of the Linnean Society of London
Authors: MacGregor Arthur
Published: October 2015

The texts concerned, all in the hand of Johann Reinhold Forster (1729–1798) and hitherto unremarked, have recently been transcribed and translated from the original Latin and have been made freely available on the website of the Linnean Society of London. Together they touch on many aspects of Forster's life and work, comprising a catalogue of North American animals, a fragmentary list of birds from the same area, “Description of 36 animals found during Capt. Cook's 2nd voyage … 1772–75”, a list of insects (British and North American), and a letter to Linnaeus on botanical matters which includes a description of Forstera sedifolia. Together they confirm Forster's impressive range of expertise, both as a naturalist and a linguist, and add weight to the movement that has in recent years sought to re-establish him in his rightful place as a major figure in eighteenth-century natural history.
Gilbert Dempster Fisher (1906–1985): the BBC's “Hut Man”, Scottish naturalist, children's author and radio broadcaster
Authors: Moore P. G.
Published: October 2015

As the BBC's “Hut Man”, Gilbert Dempster Fisher was a pioneer of radio broadcasting for children in Scotland in the 1940s and 1950s. Also a successful author of children's books on natural history, he based both his writings and his broadcasts on his observations of the wildlife that surrounded his isolated hut near Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. Devoted to pedagogy, he established “The Hut-Man's Club” for children in the late 1930s and was foremost in the encouragement of natural history in Scottish schools. He also wrote poetry for young children and, from 1947 to 1950, he produced The children's magazine. During the last decade of his “Hut life” he was engaged by Scottish local education authorities to speak in schools and residential camps about nature study, captivating children with his “Hut Man” tales. He also engaged with teachers to help them deliver natural history lessons, writing a comprehensive guide book on the subject. The teacher-training authorities, however, failed to capitalize on his vision of nature study within the school curriculum. Disillusioned by their intransigence and faced with local environmental degradation of the Hut Country and inappropriate housing development locally, he moved east. In 1956 he was appointed Director-Secretary of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland administering Edinburgh Zoo. This paper concentrates on his “Hut Man” career as an author and radio presenter; the communication of natural history being its central theme, at a time when radio was becoming a popular medium of mass communication.
Urban Extreme Weather: A Challenge for a Healthy Living Environment in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Daniel Olabode
Published: October 2015

The increasing rate of heat in the climate in urban areas has become one of the striking problems in many developing countries. This study examined the relationships between the monthly temperature, rainfall and incidence of heat-rash between 2003 and 2012 in order to determine the impact of climate on occurrence of heat-rash in Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. Data were obtained from Ondo State Specialist Hospital and Ondo State Meteorological Center. A line graph analysis was employed to identify the trend of the temperature, rainfall and incidence of this weather-based disease. Correlation analysis determined the relationship existing between the monthly temperature and the heat-rash. Tables and graphs were generally used for data presentation. The result shows that; the monthly temperature is low between the month of May and October when the minimum and maximum temperature is at 20.6 °C and 34.1 °C respectively; high temperature was recorded during the month of January, February, March and slightly different in April, November and December ranging from 24.6 °C to 35.1 °C.; the monthly temperature descends sharply during the month of March and remains low in April, May, June and July that characterized with high peak of rainfall; heat-rash has significant increase in 2003 (September), 2004 (September), 2007 (December), 2011 (November) and 2012 (October). The study recommends that people in this area and other related environments should engage in sensitizing the public on awareness of temperature—rash relationship and put up a measure of avoiding the heat effect during the periods of high temperature.
Fault Current Characteristics of the DFIG under Asymmetrical Fault Conditions
Authors: Xiao Fan , Zhang Zhe , Yin Xianggen
Published: October 2015

During non-severe fault conditions, crowbar protection is not activated and the rotor windings of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) are excited by the AC/DC/AC converter. Meanwhile, under asymmetrical fault conditions, the electrical variables oscillate at twice the grid frequency in synchronous dq frame. In the engineering practice, notch filters are usually used to extract the positive and negative sequence components. In these cases, the dynamic response of a rotor-side converter (RSC) and the notch filters have a large influence on the fault current characteristics of the DFIG. In this paper, the influence of the notch filters on the proportional integral (PI) parameters is discussed and the simplified calculation models of the rotor current are established. Then, the dynamic performance of the stator flux linkage under asymmetrical fault conditions is also analyzed. Based on this, the fault characteristics of the stator current under asymmetrical fault conditions are studied and the corresponding analytical expressions of the stator fault current are obtained. Finally, digital simulation results validate the analytical results. The research results are helpful to meet the requirements of a practical short-circuit calculation and the construction of a relaying protection system for the power grid with penetration of DFIGs.
Serrano, J., et al. A Novel Ground Fault Identification Method for 2 × 5 kV Railway Power Supply Systems. Energies 2015, 8, 7020-7039
Authors: Serrano Jesus , Platero Carlos , López-Toledo Maximo , Granizo Ricardo
Published: October 2015

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: [...]
Cooperate without Looking in a Non-Repeated Game
Authors: Hilbe Christian , Hoffman Moshe , Nowak Martin
Published: October 2015

We propose a simple model for why we have more trust in people who cooperate without calculating the associated costs. Intuitively, by not looking at the payoffs, people indicate that they will not be swayed by high temptations to defect, which makes them more attractive as interaction partners. We capture this intuition using a simple four-stage game. In the first stage, nature draws the costs and benefits of cooperation according to a commonly-known distribution. In the second stage, Player 1 chooses whether or not to look at the realized payoffs. In the third stage, Player 2 decides whether to exit or let Player 1 choose whether or not to cooperate in the fourth stage. Using backward induction, we provide a complete characterization for when we expect Player 1 to cooperate without looking. Moreover, we show with numerical simulations how cooperating without looking can emerge through simple evolutionary processes.
Impact of Chromatin on HIV Replication
Authors: Agosto Luis , Gagne Matthew , Henderson Andrew
Published: October 2015

Chromatin influences Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) integration and replication. This review highlights critical host factors that influence chromatin structure and organization and that also impact HIV integration, transcriptional regulation and latency. Furthermore, recent attempts to target chromatin associated factors to reduce the HIV proviral load are discussed.
Measurement Issues in Anthropometric Measures of Limb Volume Change in Persons at Risk for and Living with Lymphedema: A Reliability Study
Authors: Tidhar Dorit , Armer Jane , Deutscher Daniel , Shyu Chi-Ren , Azuri Josef , Madsen Richard
Published: October 2015

Understanding whether a true change has occurred during the process of care is of utmost importance in lymphedema management secondary to cancer treatments. Decisions about when to order a garment, start an exercise program, and begin or end therapy are based primarily on measurements of limb volume, based on circumferences taken by physiotherapists using a flexible tape. This study aimed to assess intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of measurements taken by physiotherapists of legs and arms with and without lymphedema and to evaluate whether there is a difference in reliability when measuring a healthy versus a lymphedematous limb. The intra-rater reliability of arm and leg measurements by trained physiotherapist is very high (scaled standard error of measurements (SEMs) for an arm and a leg volume were 0.82% and 0.64%, respectively) and a cut-point of 1% scaled SEM may be recommended as a threshold for acceptable reliability. Physiotherapists can rely on the same error when assessing lymphedematous or healthy limbs. For those who work in teams and share patients, practice is needed in synchronizing the measurements and regularly monitoring their inter-rater reliability.
Interaction Study of Phospholipid Membranes with an N-Glucosylated β-Turn Peptide Structure Detecting Autoantibodies Biomarkers of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Becucci Lucia , Benci Stefano , Nuti Francesca , Real-Fernandez Feliciana , Vaezi Zahra , Stella Lorenzo , Venanzi Mariano , Rovero Paolo , Papini Anna
Published: October 2015

The interaction of lipid environments with the type I’ β-turn peptide structure called CSF114 and its N-glucosylated form CSF114(Glc), previously developed as a synthetic antigenic probe recognizing specific autoantibodies in a subpopulation of multiple sclerosis patients’ serum, was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and electrochemical experiments using large unilamellar vesicles, mercury supported lipid self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs). The synthetic antigenic probe N-glucosylated peptide CSF114(Glc) and its unglucosylated form interact with the polar heads of lipid SAMs of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine at nonzero transmembrane potentials, probably establishing a dual electrostatic interaction of the trimethylammonium and phosphate groups of the phosphatidylcholine polar head with the Glu5 and His9 residues on the opposite ends of the CSF114(Glc) β-turn encompassing residues 6-9. His9 protonation at pH 7 eliminates this dual interaction. CSF114(Glc) is adsorbed on top of SAMs of mixtures of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine with sphingomyelin, an important component of myelin, whose proteins are hypothesized to undergo an aberrant N-glucosylation triggering the autoimmune response. Incorporation of the type I’ β-turn peptide structure CSF114 into lipid SAMs by potential scans of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy induces defects causing a slight permeabilization toward cadmium ions. The N-glucopeptide CSF114(Glc) does not affect tBLMs to a detectable extent.
Floating Droplet Array: An Ultrahigh-Throughput Device for Droplet Trapping, Real-time Analysisand Recovery
Authors: Labanieh Louai , Nguyen Thi , Zhao Weian , Kang Dong-Ku
Published: October 2015

We describe the design, fabrication and use of a dual-layered microfluidic device for ultrahigh-throughput droplet trapping, analysis, and recovery using droplet buoyancy. To demonstrate the utility of this device for digital quantification of analytes, we quantify the number of droplets, which contain a β-galactosidase-conjugated bead among more than 100,000 immobilized droplets. In addition, we demonstrate that this device can be used for droplet clustering and real-time analysis by clustering several droplets together into microwells and monitoring diffusion of fluorescein, a product of the enzymatic reaction of β-galactosidase and its fluorogenic substrate FDG, between droplets.
Radioactivity of Natural Nuclides (40K, 238U, 232Th, 226Ra) in Coals from Eastern Yunnan, China
Authors: Wang Xin , Feng Qiyan , Sun Ruoyu , Liu Guijian
Published: October 2015

The naturally occurring primordial radionuclides in coals might exhibit high radioactivity, and can be exported to the surrounding environment during coal combustion. In this study, nine coal samples were collected from eastern Yunnan coal deposits, China, aiming at characterizing the overall radioactivity of some typical nuclides (i.e., 40K, 238U, 232Th, 226Ra) and assessing their ecological impact. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 226Ra are 63.86 (17.70–92.30 Bq· kg-1), 23.76 (11.10–37.10 Bq· kg-1), 96.84 (30.60–229.30 Bq· kg-1) and 28.09 Bq·kg-1 (3.10–61.80 Bq·kg-1), respectively. Both 238U and 232Th have high correlations with ash yield of coals, suggesting their inorganic origins. The overall environmental effect of natural radionuclides in studied coals is considered to be negligible, as assessed by related indexes (i.e., radium equivalent activity, air-adsorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and external hazard index). However, the absorbed dose rates values are higher than the average value of global primordial radiation and the Chinese natural gamma radiation dose rate.
Cucurbitacins from the Leaves of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad
Authors: Chawech Rachid , Jarraya Raoudha , Girardi Cynthia , Vansteelandt Marieke , Marti Guillaume , Nasri Imen , Racaud-Sultan Claire , Fabre Nicolas
Published: October 2015

Two new tetracyclic cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of Citrullus colocynthis leaves together with four known cucurbitacins. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data (mainly NMR and mass spectrometry). Evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds against two human colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and Caco-2) and one normal rat intestine epithelial cell line (IEC6), revealed that one of the isolated compounds presented interesting specific cytotoxic activity towards colorectal cell lines.
Treatment Efficiency of Free and Nanoparticle-Loaded Mitoxantrone for Magnetic Drug Targeting in Multicellular Tumor Spheroids
Authors: Hornung Annkathrin , Poettler Marina , Friedrich Ralf , Zaloga Jan , Unterweger Harald , Lyer Stefan , Nowak Johannes , Odenbach Stefan , Alexiou Christoph , Janko Christina
Published: October 2015

Major problems of cancer treatment using systemic chemotherapy are severe side effects. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) employing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) loaded with chemotherapeutic agents may overcome this dilemma by increasing drug accumulation in the tumor and reducing toxic side effects in the healthy tissue. For translation of nanomedicine from bench to bedside, nanoparticle-mediated effects have to be studied carefully. In this study, we compare the effect of SPION, unloaded or loaded with the cytotoxic drug mitoxantrone (MTO) with the effect of free MTO, on the viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells within three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry showed that both free MTO, as well as SPION-loaded MTO (SPIONMTO) are able to penetrate into tumor spheroids and thereby kill tumor cells, whereas unloaded SPION did not affect cellular viability. Since SPIONMTO has herewith proven its effectivity also in complex multicellular tumor structures with its surrounding microenvironment, we conclude that it is a promising candidate for further use in magnetic drug targeting in vivo.
Metabolic Profiling of Alpine and Ecuadorian Lichens
Authors: Mittermeier Verena , Schmitt Nicola , Volk Lukas , Suárez Juan , Beck Andreas , Eisenreich Wolfgang
Published: October 2015

Non-targeted 1H-NMR methods were used to determine metabolite profiles from crude extracts of Alpine and Ecuadorian lichens collected from their natural habitats. In control experiments, the robustness of metabolite detection and quantification was estimated using replicate measurements of Stereocaulon alpinum extracts. The deviations in the overall metabolite fingerprints were low when analyzing S. alpinum collections from different locations or during different annual and seasonal periods. In contrast, metabolite profiles observed from extracts of different Alpine and Ecuadorian lichens clearly revealed genus- and species-specific profiles. The discriminating functions determining cluster formation in principle component analysis (PCA) were due to differences in the amounts of genus-specific compounds such as sticticin from the Sticta species, but also in the amounts of ubiquitous metabolites, such as sugar alcohols or trehalose. However, varying concentrations of these metabolites from the same lichen species e.g., due to different environmental conditions appeared of minor relevance for the overall cluster formation in PCA. The metabolic clusters matched phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of lichen mycobionts, as exemplified for the genus Sticta. It can be concluded that NMR-based non-targeted metabolic profiling is a useful tool in the chemo-taxonomy of lichens. The same approach could also facilitate the discovery of novel lichen metabolites on a rapid and systematical basis.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Disturbed Coherence: Gate to Cancer
Authors: Pokorný Jiří , Pokorný Jan , Foletti Alberto , Kobilková Jitka , Vrba Jan , Vrba Jan
Published: October 2015

Continuous energy supply, a necessary condition for life, excites a state far from thermodynamic equilibrium, in particular coherent electric polar vibrations depending on water ordering in the cell. Disturbances in oxidative metabolism and coherence are a central issue in cancer development. Oxidative metabolism may be impaired by decreased pyruvate transfer to the mitochondrial matrix, either by parasitic consumption and/or mitochondrial dysfunction. This can in turn lead to disturbance in water molecules’ ordering, diminished power, and coherence of the electromagnetic field. In tumors with the Warburg (reverse Warburg) effect, mitochondrial dysfunction affects cancer cells (fibroblasts associated with cancer cells), and the electromagnetic field generated by microtubules in cancer cells has low power (high power due to transport of energy-rich metabolites from fibroblasts), disturbed coherence, and a shifted frequency spectrum according to changed power. Therapeutic strategies restoring mitochondrial function may trigger apoptosis in treated cells; yet, before this step is performed, induction (inhibition) of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (phosphatases) may restore the cancer state. In tumor tissues with the reverse Warburg effect, Caveolin-1 levels should be restored and the transport of energy-rich metabolites interrupted to cancer cells. In both cancer phenotypes, achieving permanently reversed mitochondrial dysfunction with metabolic-modulating drugs may be an effective, specific anti-cancer strategy.
Ocean Wave Parameters Retrieval from TerraSAR-X Images Validated against Buoy Measurements and Model Results
Authors: Shao Weizeng , Li Xiaofeng , Sun Jian
Published: October 2015

An ocean surface wave retrieval algorithm, Parameterized First-guess Spectrum Method (PFSM), which was initially developed for C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), is modified to extract wave parameters from X-band TerraSAR-X (TS-X) images. Wave parameters, including significant wave height (SWH) and mean wave period (MWP) were extracted from nine TS-X HH-polarization images and were compared to in situ buoy measurements. The range of these wave retrievals is from 1 to 5 m of SWH and from 2 to 10 s of MWP. The retrieval accuracy could reach 80%. After that, a total of 16 collected TS-X HH-polarization images were used to invert wave parameters and then the retrieval results were compared to the operational WAVEWATCH-III wave model results. The SAR and in situ buoy wave comparison shows a 0.26 m Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE) of SWH and a 19.8% of Scatter Index (SI). The SAR and WAVEWATCH-III model comparison yields slightly worse results with an RMSE of 0.43 m of SWH and a 32.8% of SI. For MWP, the SAR and buoy comparison shows the RMSE is 0.45 s with an SI of 26%, which is better than the results from the SAR and WAVEWATCH-III model comparison. Our results show that the PFSM algorithm is suitable to estimate wave parameters from X-band TS-X data.
Water Quality and River Plume Monitoring in the Great Barrier Reef: An Overview of Methods Based on Ocean Colour Satellite Data
Authors: Devlin Michelle , Petus Caroline , Da Silva Eduardo , Tracey Dieter , Wolff Nicholas , Waterhouse Jane , Brodie Jon
Published: October 2015

A strong driver of water quality change in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the pulsed or intermittent nature of terrestrial inputs into the GBR lagoon, including delivery of increased loads of sediments, nutrients, and toxicants via flood river plumes (hereafter river plumes) during the wet season. Cumulative pressures from extreme weather with a high frequency of large scale flooding in recent years has been linked to the large scale reported decline in the health of inshore seagrass systems and coral reefs in the central areas of the GBR, with concerns for the recovery potential of these impacted ecosystems. Management authorities currently rely on remotely-sensed (RS) and in situ data for water quality monitoring to guide their assessment of water quality conditions in the GBR. The use of remotely-sensed satellite products provides a quantitative and accessible tool for scientists and managers. These products, coupled with in situ data, and more recently modelled data, are valuable for quantifying the influence of river plumes on seagrass and coral reef habitat in the GBR. This article reviews recent remote sensing techniques developed to monitor river plumes and water quality in the GBR. We also discuss emerging research that integrates hydrodynamic models with remote sensing and in situ data, enabling us to explore impacts of different catchment management strategies on GBR water quality.
A Low Noise Amplifier for Neural Spike Recording Interfaces
Authors: Ruiz-Amaya Jesus , Rodriguez-Perez Alberto , Delgado-Restituto Manuel
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) for neural spike recording applications. The proposed topology, based on a capacitive feedback network using a two-stage OTA, efficiently solves the triple trade-off between power, area and noise. Additionally, this work introduces a novel transistor-level synthesis methodology for LNAs tailored for the minimization of their noise efficiency factor under area and noise constraints. The proposed LNA has been implemented in a 130 nm CMOS technology and occupies 0.053 mm-sq. Experimental results show that the LNA offers a noise efficiency factor of 2.16 and an input referred noise of 3.8 μVrms for 1.2 V power supply. It provides a gain of 46 dB over a nominal bandwidth of 192 Hz–7.4 kHz and consumes 1.92 μW. The performance of the proposed LNA has been validated through in vivo experiments with animal models.
Blue Light Hazard and Risk Group Classification of 8 W LED Tubes, Replacing Fluorescent Tubes, through Optical Radiation Measurements
Authors: Leccese Francesco , Vandelanotte Viola , Salvadori Giacomo , Rocca Michele
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the authors discuss the results of a measurement survey of artificial optical radiation emitted by 8 W LED tubes suitable for the substitution of 18 W fluorescent lamps used for general lighting. For both types of lamps, three different color temperatures were chosen, 3000 K, 4000 K, and 6000 K. These measurements were performed to evaluate the photobiological safety of the sources. The radiance and irradiance values have been measured in a wide range of wavelengths (180–3000 nm). The measurement results obtained for the LED tubes have been compared to those of similar measurements obtained for fluorescent lamps. The analysis has been focused on the range of wavelengths 300–700 nm, the blue light range, which turned out to be defining for the risk groups of the lamps. This classification is a function of the maximum permissible exposure time as indicated in the European Standard EN 62471 on the photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems.
Symbolic and Iterative Computation of Quasi-Filiform Nilpotent Lie Algebras of Dimension Nine
Authors: Pérez Mercedes , Pérez Francisco , Jiménez Emilio
Published: October 2015

This paper addresses the problem of computing the family of two-filiform Lie algebra laws of dimension nine using three Lie algebra properties converted into matrix form properties: Jacobi identity, nilpotence and quasi-filiform property. The interest in this family is broad, both within the academic community and the industrial engineering community, since nilpotent Lie algebras are applied in traditional mechanical dynamic problems and current scientific disciplines. The conditions of being quasi-filiform and nilpotent are applied carefully and in several stages, and appropriate changes of the basis are achieved in an iterative and interactive process of simplification. This has been implemented by means of the development of more than thirty Maple modules. The process has led from the first family formulation, with 64 parameters and 215 constraints, to a family of 16 parameters and 17 constraints. This structure theorem permits the exhaustive classification of the quasi-filiform nilpotent Lie algebras of dimension nine with current computational methodologies.
Effects of Structural Transparency in System Dynamics Simulators on Performance and Understanding
Authors: Kopainsky Birgit , Alessi Stephen
Published: October 2015

Prior exploration is an instructional strategy that has improved performance and understanding in system-dynamics-based simulators, but only to a limited degree. This study investigates whether model transparency, that is, showing users the internal structure of models, can extend the prior exploration strategy and improve learning even more. In an experimental study, participants in a web-based simulation learned about and managed a small developing nation. All participants were provided the prior exploration strategy but only half received prior exploration embedded in a structure-behavior diagram intended to make the underlying model’s structure more transparent. Participants provided with the more transparent strategy demonstrated better understanding of the underlying model. Their performance, however, was the equivalent to those in the less transparent condition. Combined with previous studies, our results suggest that while prior exploration is a beneficial strategy for both performance and understanding, making the model structure transparent with structure-behavior diagrams is more limited in its effect.
Microbiological Confinement of Two Adjacent Water Wells in Lake Karla Basin, Greece
Authors: Kormas Konstantinos , Meziti Alexandra , Papadimitriou Theodoti
Published: October 2015

We analyzed the bacterial and archaeal community structure of two adjacent irrigation well waters of the Lake Karla Basin, Central Greece, in order to elucidate their connectivity or confinement by using 454 tag pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA genes. Although considerable overlap was found at the phylum/high taxonomic level, and also at the operational taxonomic units (OTU) level, the dominant, and most likely active, prokaryotes represented by these OTUs were very different between the two wells. As expected, we found higher bacterial species richness compared to that of archaeal, and this renders Bacteria better for the study of connectivity or confinement of water wells. Some of the taxonomic groups found are amongst those found typically in the terrestrial subsurface and also those that have been recently described, enhancing the importance of the subsurface for expanding our knowledge on microbial diversity. The majority of the archaeal and several of the bacterial OTUs, including the most dominant ones in each well, were related to marine or saline environments, indicating the previously suggested persistence of fertilizer residuals in the basin’s soils.
Céramiques de l'Antiquité tardive à Marseille (corne du port antique, sondages D II 11 et D II 15).
Authors: Cavailles-Llopis Maria-Teresa
Published: October 2015

A partir d'une analyse fine de la stratigraphie de deux sondages pratiqués en 1979 dans les sédiments de la corne du port antique de Marseille, l'auteur met en évidence l'évolution du mobilier exhumé (presque exclusivement céramique) durant les cinq phases individualisées au cours de l'Antiquité tardive.

L'étude, bien illustrée, est faite par grandes catégories de matériel selon un processus précis de présentation diachronique des formes, des décors et des techniques. Diagrammes et tableaux comparatifs ou récapitulatifs facilitent la compréhension de l'évolution générale.
Le dépôt de bronzes launacien de Roque-Courbe (Saint-Saturnin, Hérault)
Authors: Garcia Dominique
Published: October 2015

Des travaux agricoles ont permis la découverte en 1974 d'un très important lot d'objets en bronze qui a pu être recueilli dans sa totalité. Il s'agit d'un dépôt de 428 pièces contenu dans une situle en tôle de bronze.

L'auteur présente et analyse l'intégralité du mobilier qui comporte des pièces d'armement, d'outillage, de parure, de harnachement, des lingots et des résidus de fonderie. Les objets sont décrits, remarquablement illustrés, et comparés à ceux provenant d'autres dépôts similaires ou d'habitats d'Europe occidentale.

Cet ensemble s'intègre dans la série des dépôts de type "launacien" dont il est le plus important par le nombre des objets avec celui du site éponyme. Les recoupements chronologiques permettent de proposer une date d'enfouissement dans la seconde moitié du VIème s. av. J.-C.
Un dépôt d'objets métalliques aux Baou de Saint-Marcel à Marseille.
Authors: Rayssiguier Guy , Guichard Christiane
Published: October 2015

Le dégagement du parement externe de la fortification est de l'oppidum en 1988 a entraîné la découverte d'un petit groupement d'objets métalliques dans une butte au pied de la construction. Bien que partiellement pillé, le matériel recueilli comporte encore 123 objets en bronze, en plomb et en fer (armement, éléments de parure). L'enfouissement de ce dépôt peut être situé durant la seconde moitié du VIe s. av. J.-C.
Un habitat du Bronze final II aux Esquérades (Tresques, Gard)
Authors: Goury Dominic
Published: October 2015

La découverte récente de vestiges datables, entre autres, du Bronze final II dans la vallée de la Tave à Tresques, relance la question des modes de l'habitat à cette époque. C'est la première fois qu'une implantation en plaine est attestée avec certitude dans la partie nord du département du Gard. La superficie reconnue du gisement suggère la présence à ce moment du Bronze final de groupements d'habitations tout à fait comparables à ceux des régions lagunaires. La cartographie générale du département publiée par l'auteur souligne bien l'originalité de ce nouveau site dans son contexte régional.

Le gisement n'a malheureusement pu être fouillé d'une manière extensive. L'auteur en a pourtant déterminé les limites. Il présente le faciès et la composition morphologique du mobilier recueilli, exclusivement céramique.
Amphores importées durant le IIe s. av. J.-C. dans trois habitats de Provence occidentale : Entremont, le Baou-Roux et Saint-Blaise.
Authors: Gateau Fabienne
Published: October 2015

Entremont, le Baou-Roux and Saint-Blaise are among the earliest excavated protohistorical sites of the hinterland of Marseille. The relative vastness of the excavated areas and a common occupation during the IInd century B.C. were the reasons to choose these sites for an analytical and comparative study of the amphorae imported during this era.

Data analysis is based on the whole of the sufficiently large fragments that have been preserved and on the establishment of metric correlations between the morphological components. Containers of Italic origin are by the most numerous. Greco-Italic amphorae dominate, but the percentage of type Dressel I differs according to site. Hence the idea of integrating the results of this study with those already supplied by other categories of objects in order to give a better support to the present hypotheses about the termini ante quos of these habitats, all destroyed by enemy action between the years 130 and 90 B.C.
A propos de la répartition des linteaux et piliers du portique de Roquepertuse
Authors: Gassend Jean-Marie
Published: October 2015

A partir des éléments reconstitués des piliers et linteaux de Roquepertuse, l'auteur rassemble les indices techniques qui permettent de formaliser correctement une restitution graphique du portique monumental. En s'appuyant sur un relevé topographique précis du site et des vestiges encore discernables, également sur les données fournies par la salle hypostyle d'Entremont (à Aix-en-Provence), trois hypothèses graphiques sont avancées pour l'emplacement exact de ce portique en relation avec les terrasses existantes.
Espaces publics, espaces religieux protohistoriques en Gaule méridionale
Authors: Arcelin Patrice , Dedet Bernard , Schwaller Martine
Published: October 2015

Ce dossier constitue les actes de la table ronde de Lattes du 4 décembre 1991 sur les "Monuments et bâtiments publics protohistoriques de Gaule méridionale". Il rassemble des documents souvent méconnus et parfois inédits qui bénéficient d'une présentation analytique et forment la base d'une première synthèse sur le sujet.

Les salles monumentales et les lieux de culte recouvrent essentiellement trois formes : les salles hypostyles ou portiques (Nîmes, Saint-Blaise, Entremont, Ensérune), les fanums au plan proche de celui des temples celtiques (Nages et Roque-de-Viou) et de grandes salles de réunion comme celle de Mouriès. Une présentation synthétique des monuments publics tardo-hellénistiques de Glanon permet de les situer dans leur contexte urbain, chronologique et culturel.

Les découvertes récentes effectuées à Nîmes près de la source de la Fontaine constituent un ensemble cultuel remarquable qui bénéficie d'études diversifiées et d'un article de synthèse.

Les tours monumentales de la région nîmoise représentent un type original de l'expression monumentale qui a certainement une signification plus large que la seule fonction défensive.

La citerne collective de l'oppidum de la Cloche, avec un réservoir de 600 hl, un système de captation et d'épuration par décantation, est un document particulier en milieu indigène aux nettes influences méditerranéennes.

Ce dossier est également l'occasion de faire le point sur les stèles anépigraphes mises au jour sur plusieurs sites préromains méridionaux ; des documents, souvent inédits, provenant du Marduel, de Martigues, de Lattes, de Vié-Cioutat, des Caisses, de la Ramasse ou d' Entremont, permettent de conclure à la présence d'anciens sanctuaires indigènes ou de tombes.

Deux études synthétiques closent ce dossier : la première est une analyse des modes de constructions des bâtiments publics protohistoriques qui mêlent très tôt les emprunts au monde méditerranéen aux techniques traditionnelles ; la seconde est une nouvelle approche synthétique des espaces publics et des espaces religieux du Midi gaulois.
Les Baou de Saint-Marcel à Marseille. Etude stratigraphique du secteur III (VIe-IIe siècles avant J.-C.)
Authors: Guichard Christiane , Rayssiguier Guy
Published: October 2015

Les auteurs apportent une nouvelle contribution à la connaissance de cet habitat indigène, proche de Marseille grecque, par la présentation des résultats de leurs fouilles dans un secteur voisin de la fortification septentrionale. Plusieurs périodes chronologiques sont discernées, des années 560 à la fin du IIe s. av. J.-C. Pour chacune d'elles sont présentés les principaux aménagements architecturaux et les structures liées ainsi qu'un inventaire raisonné, quantifié et illustré du mobilier stratifié, essentiellement céramique. La fin du Ve s. et le début du IVe s. av. J.-C, périodes jusqu'alors très mal connues dans l'habitat, retiennent particulièrement l'attention.
Lampes grecques et de type grec de Béziers. Utilisation et diffusion de la lampe grecque dans le Midi entre le VIe et le IVe siècle avant J.-C
Authors: Ugolini Daniela
Published: October 2015

La présentation, commentée et illustrée, d'un lot de 46 lampes grecques ou de type grec, concerne des productions majoritairement du Ve s. av. J.-C. Les importations attiques représentent les deux tiers des exemplaires de ce siècle et plus de la moitié de ceux du IVe s. Ce lot, relativement important pour le Midi de la France, amène l'auteur à présenter un inventaire des exemplaires contemporains connus dans le Sud de la France, dans le Levant espagnol, en Italie jusqu'à la Sicile, et au-delà vers le monde punique, en Afrique du Nord. Le développement circum- méditerranéen de l'usage de la lampe à partir du début du Ve s. suppose de disposer d'huile à brûler. Mais présence des lampes et apparition de l'oléiculture ne sont pas forcément parallèles ! D'autres caractères, plus culturels qu'économiques, doivent intervenir.
Identification du Bronze moyen-récent en Provence et en Méditerranée nord-occidentale
Authors: Vital Joël
Published: October 2015

This study aims to define the chronology and the geographical affinities for middle and early late Bronze Age ceramic production, and a set of metal objects from Provence. Sedation was carried out on 20 assemblages, which grouped together 64 ceramic types and allowed us to isolate four different groups (A to D) for which radiocarbon dates permit the confirmation of this chronology. The comparisons were undertaken bearing in mind, Italic, alpine and southern characteristics, and allow us to correlate these four groups with the following phases : BM1 (end of BzBl), BM2 (BzB2/Cl), BM3 (BzC2) and BFl (BzD, probably ancient). The geographical study leads us to propose a greater link with the north of Italy away from central-Mediterranean Italy between BM1 and BM3 - two phases that are particularly well illustrated. The BFl phase witnesses an homogenisation and reinforcing of links with north-west Alps and the Rhone axis. The BM2 phase seems to be characterised by a period of retraction. The level of typological links with Italic production, as well as the analysis of other cultural characteristics, allows us to conclude that Provence was included in the Italic socio-economic sphere during the middle Bronze Age, a situation that does not seem to continue beyond the BFl phase, with new- developments not really taking place until the establishment of greco- etruscan commerce during the Iron-Age. The sequence in the Languedoc might well be reanalysed in the light of these results.