bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol for promoting respectful maternity care initiative to assess, measure and design interventions to reduce disrespect and abuse during childbirth in Kenya
Authors: Warren Charlotte , Njuki Rebecca , Abuya Timothy , Ndwiga Charity , Maingi Grace , Serwanga Jane , Mbehero Faith , Muteti Louisa , Njeru Anne , Karanja Joseph , Olenja Joyce , Gitonga Lucy , Rakuom Chris , Bellows Ben
Published: January 2013

Background

Increases in the proportion of facility-based deliveries have been marginal in many low-income countries in the African region. Preliminary clinical and anthropological evidence suggests that one major factor inhibiting pregnant women from delivering at facility is disrespectful and abusive treatment by health care providers in maternity units. Despite acknowledgement of this behavior by policy makers, program staff, civil society groups and community members, the problem appears to be widespread but prevalence is not well documented. Formative research will be undertaken to test the reliability and validity of a disrespect and abuse (D&A) construct and to then measure the prevalence of disrespect and abuse suffered by clinic clients and the general population.

Methods/design

A quasi-experimental design will be followed with surveys at twelve health facilities in four districts and one large maternity hospital in Nairobi and areas before and after the introduction of disrespect and abuse (D&A) interventions. The design is aimed to control for potential time dependent confounding on observed factors.

Discussion

This study seeks to conduct implementation research aimed at designing, testing, and evaluating an approach to significantly reduce disrespectful and abusive (D&A) care of women during labor and delivery in facilities. Specifically the proposed study aims to: (i) determine the manifestations, types and prevalence of D&A in childbirth (ii) develop and validate tools for assessing D&A (iii) identify and explore the potential drivers of D&A (iv) design, implement, monitor and evaluate the impact of one or more interventions to reduce D&A and (v) document and assess the dynamics of implementing interventions to reduce D&A and generate lessons for replication at scale.
Joint predictability of health related quality of life and leisure time physical activity on mortality risk in people with diabetes
Authors: Li Chia-Lin , Chang Hsing-Yi , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Lu Jui-fen Rachel , Fang Hsin-Ling
Published: January 2013

Background

Reduced health related quality of life (HRQOL) has been associated with increased mortality in individuals with diabetes. In contrast, increased leisure time physical activity (LTPA) has been associated with reduced mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined relationship of HRQOL and LTPA on mortality and whether high levels of LTPA are associated with reduced risk of mortality in adults with diabetes and inferior HRQOL.

Methods

We analyzed data from a national sample of adults (18 years or older) with self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes, who participated in the 2001 National Health Interview Survey in Taiwan (N = 797). A total of 701 participants had complete Short Form 36 (SF-36) and LTPA data and were followed from 2002 to 2008. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on their LTPA: (1) a regularly active group who reported 150 or more min/week of moderate-intensity activity; (2) an intermediately active group who reported engaging in LTPA but did not meet the criterion for the “regular” category; and (3) an inactive group who reported no LTPA. The physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were dichotomised at the median (high vs. low) (PCS = 45.11; MCS = 47.91). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to investigate associations between baseline characteristics and mortality.

Results

After 4,570 person-years of follow-up, 121 deaths were recorded and the crude mortality rate was 26.5 per 1,000 person-years. Both PCS scores and LTPA were significant predictors of mortality, whereas no significant relationship was observed between MCS and mortality. After adjustment for other factors, participants with low PCS who reported no LTPA had a hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 4.49 (95% CI = [2.15-9.36]). However, participants with low PCS who were active (including intermediate and regular LTPA) had a HR for mortality of 1.36 (95% CI = [0.64-2.92]).

Conclusions

Our results show a significantly increased mortality risk of diabetes associated with reduced HRQOL in individuals who report no LTPA. Engaging in LTPA may be associated with improved survival in participants with diabetes with poor self-rated physical health status.
Gametocyte carriage in Plasmodium falciparum-infected travellers
Authors: Roberts Catherine H , Armstrong Margaret , Zatyka Ewa , Boadi Samuel , Warren Simon , Chiodini Peter L , Sutherland Colin J , Doherty Tom
Published: January 2013

Background

Gametocytes are the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasites. The determinants of gametocyte carriage have been studied extensively in endemic areas, but have rarely been explored in travellers with malaria. The incidence of gametocytaemia, and factors associated with gametocyte emergence in adult travellers with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was investigated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London.

Methods

Clinical, parasitological and demographic data for all patients presenting with P. falciparum malaria between January 2001 and December 2011 were extracted from a prospective database. These data were supplemented by manual searches of laboratory records and patient case notes.

Results

Seven hundred and seventy three adult patients with laboratory-confirmed P. falciparum malaria were identified. Four hundred and sixty five (60%) were born in a country where malaria is endemic. Patients presented to hospital a median of four days into their illness. The median maximum parasite count was 0.4%. One hundred and ninety six patients (25%) had gametocytes; 94 (12%) on admission, and 102 (13%) developing during treatment. Gametocytaemia on admission was associated with anaemia and a lower maximum parasitaemia. Patients with gametocytes at presentation were less likely to have thrombocytopenia or severe malaria. Patients who developed gametocytes during treatment were more likely to have had parasitaemia of long duration, a high maximum parasitaemia and to have had severe malaria. There was no apparent association between the appearance of gametocytes and treatment regimen.

Conclusions

The development of gametocytaemia in travellers with P. falciparum is associated with factors similar to those reported among populations in endemic areas. These data suggest that acquired immunity to malaria is not the only determinant of patterns of gametocyte carriage among patients with the disease.
Excellent electrical conductivity of the exfoliated and fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Xue Yafang , Liu Qian , He Guanjie , Xu Kaibing , Jiang Lin , Hu Xianghua , Hu Junqing
Published: January 2013

The insulator characteristic of hexagonal boron nitride limits its applications in microelectronics. In this paper, the fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets were prepared by doping fluorine into the boron nitride nanosheets exfoliated from the bulk boron nitride in isopropanol via a facile chemical solution method with fluoboric acid; interestingly, these boron nitride nanosheets demonstrate a typical semiconductor characteristic which were studied on a new scanning tunneling microscope-transmission electron microscope holder. Since this property changes from an insulator to a semiconductor of the boron nitride, these nanosheets will be able to extend their applications in designing and fabricating electronic nanodevices.
Wild vegetable mixes sold in the markets of Dalmatia (southern Croatia)
Authors: Łuczaj Łukasz , Zovko Končić Marijana , Miličević Tihomir , Dolina Katija , Pandža Marija
Published: January 2013

Background

Dalmatia is an interesting place to study the use of wild greens as it lies at the intersection of influence of Slavs, who do not usually use many species of wild greens, and Mediterranean culinary culture, where the use of multiple wild greens is common. The aim of the study was to document the mixtures of wild green vegetables which are sold in all the vegetable markets of Dalmatia.

Methods

All vendors (68) in all 11 major markets of the Dalmatian coast were interviewed. The piles of wild vegetables they sold were searched and herbarium specimens taken from them.

Results

The mean number of species in the mix was 5.7. The most commonly sold wild plants are:Sonchus oleraceusL.,Allium ampeloprasumL.,Foeniculum vulgareMill.,Urospermum picroidesF.W.Schmidt,Papaver rhoeasL.,Daucus carotaL.,Taraxacumsp.,Picris echioidesL.,Silene latifoliaPoir. andCrepisspp. Also the cultivated beet (Beta vulgarisL.) and a few cultivated Brassicaceae varieties are frequent components. Wild vegetables from the mix are usually boiled for 20–30 minutes and dressed with olive oil and salt. Altogether at least 37 wild taxa and 13 cultivated taxa were recorded.

Apart from the mixes,Asparagus acutifoliusL. andTamus communisL. shoots are sold in separate bunches (they are usually eaten with eggs), as well as some Asteraceae species, the latter are eaten raw or briefly boiled.

Conclusions

The rich tradition of eating many wild greens may result both from strong Venetian and Greek influences and the necessity of using all food resources available in the barren, infertile land in the past. Although the number of wild-collected green vegetables is impressive we hypothesize that it may have decreased over the years, and that further in-depth local ethnobotanical studies are needed in Dalmatia to record the disappearing knowledge of edible plants.
Unusual case of severe arrhythmia developed after acute intoxication with tosylchloramide
Authors: Lariccia Vincenzo , Moraca Alessandra , Marini Marco , Nasti Annamaria Assunta , Battistoni Ilaria , Amoroso Salvatore , Perna Gian Piero
Published: January 2013

Background

Drugs not commonly considered to be cardioactive agents may cause prolongation of the QT interval with resultant torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. This form of drug toxicity often causes cardiac arrest or sudden death.

Case presentation

After accidental ingestion of tosylchloramide a caucasian 77-year-old woman, with a family history of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, was admitted to the intensive care unit following episodes of torsades de pointes with a prolonged QT/QTc interval (640/542 ms). The patient received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, was discharged from the hospital with normal QT/QTc interval and did not experience additional ventricular arrhythmias during one year of follow-up.

Conclusion

This is the first report concerning an unusual case of torsades de pointes after accidental intoxication by ingestion of tosylchloramide. The pronounced impact of the oxidyzing agent tosylchloramide on the activity of some of the ion channels regulating the QT interval was identified as a probable cause of the arrhythmia.
Tissue-specific direct targets of Caenorhabditis elegans Rb/E2F dictate distinct somatic and germline programs
Authors: Kudron Michelle , Niu Wei , Lu Zhi , Wang Guilin , Gerstein Mark , Snyder Michael , Reinke Valerie
Published: January 2013

Background

The tumor suppressor Rb/E2F regulates gene expression to control differentiation in multiple tissues during development, although how it directs tissue-specific gene regulation in vivo is poorly understood.

Results

We determined the genome-wide binding profiles for Caenorhabditis elegans Rb/E2F-like components in the germline, in the intestine and broadly throughout the soma, and uncovered highly tissue-specific binding patterns and target genes. Chromatin association by LIN-35, the C. elegans ortholog of Rb, is impaired in the germline but robust in the soma, a characteristic that might govern differential effects on gene expression in the two cell types. In the intestine, LIN-35 and the heterochromatin protein HPL-2, the ortholog of Hp1, coordinately bind at many sites lacking E2F. Finally, selected direct target genes contribute to the soma-to-germline transformation of lin-35 mutants, including mes-4, a soma-specific target that promotes H3K36 methylation, and csr-1, a germline-specific target that functions in a 22G small RNA pathway.

Conclusions

In sum, identification of tissue-specific binding profiles and effector target genes reveals important insights into the mechanisms by which Rb/E2F controls distinct cell fates in vivo.
Notch regulates blastema proliferation and prevents differentiation during adult zebrafish fin regeneration
Authors: Münch Juliane , González-Rajal Alvaro , de la Pompa José Luis
Published: January 2013

Zebrafish have the capacity to regenerate several organs, including the heart and fins. Fin regeneration is epimorphic, involving the formation at the amputation plane of a mass of undifferentiated, proliferating mesenchymal progenitor-like cells, called blastema. This tissue provides all the cell types that form the fin, so that after damage or amputation the fin pattern and structure are fully restored. How blastema cells remain in this progenitor-like state is poorly understood. Here, we show that the Notch pathway plays an essential role during fin regeneration. Notch signalling is activated during blastema formation and remains active throughout the regeneration process. Chemical inhibition or morpholino-mediated knockdown of Notch signalling impairs fin regeneration via decreased proliferation accompanied by reduced expression of Notch target genes in the blastema. Conversely, overexpression of a constitutively active form of the Notch1 receptor (N1ICD) in the regenerating fin leads to increased proliferation and to the expansion of the blastema cell markers msxe and msxb, as well as increased expression of the proliferation regulator aldh1a2. This blastema expansion prevents regenerative fin outgrowth, as indicated by the reduction in differentiating osteoblasts and the inhibition of bone regeneration. We conclude that Notch signalling maintains blastema cells in a plastic, undifferentiated and proliferative state, an essential requirement for fin regeneration.
Pseudotyped retroviruses for infecting axolotl in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Whited Jessica L. , Tsai Stephanie L. , Beier Kevin T. , White Jourdan N. , Piekarski Nadine , Hanken James , Cepko Constance L. , Tabin Clifford J.
Published: January 2013

Axolotls are poised to become the premiere model system for studying vertebrate appendage regeneration. However, very few molecular tools exist for studying crucial cell lineage relationships over regeneration or for robust and sustained misexpression of genetic elements to test their function. Furthermore, targeting specific cell types will be necessary to understand how regeneration of the diverse tissues within the limb is accomplished. We report that pseudotyped, replication-incompetent retroviruses can be used in axolotls to permanently express markers or genetic elements for functional study. These viruses, when modified by changing their coat protein, can infect axolotl cells only when they have been experimentally manipulated to express the receptor for that coat protein, thus allowing for the possibility of targeting specific cell types. Using viral vectors, we have found that progenitor populations for many different cell types within the blastema are present at all stages of limb regeneration, although their relative proportions change with time.
Clinical and molecular characterisation of 300 patients with congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Kapoor Ritika R , Flanagan Sarah E , Arya Ved Bhushan , Shield Julian P , Ellard Sian , Hussain Khalid
Published: January 2013

Background

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a clinically heterogeneous condition. Mutations in eight genes (ABCC8,KCNJ11,GLUD1,GCK,HADH,SLC16A1,HNF4AandHNF1A) are known to cause CHI.

Aim

To characterise the clinical and molecular aspects of a large cohort of patients with CHI.

Methodology

Three hundred patients were recruited and clinical information was collected before genotyping.ABCC8andKCNJ11genes were analysed in all patients. Mutations inGLUD1,HADH,GCKandHNF4Agenes were sought in patients with diazoxide-responsive CHI with hyperammonaemia (GLUD1), raised 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine and/or consanguinity (HADH), positive family history (GCK) or when CHI was diagnosed within the first week of life (HNF4A).

Results

Mutations were identified in 136/300 patients (45.3%). Mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11were the commonest genetic cause identified (n=109, 36.3%). Among diazoxide-unresponsive patients (n=105), mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11were identified in 92 (87.6%) patients, of whom 63 patients had recessively inherited mutations while four patients had dominantly inherited mutations. A paternal mutation in theABCC8/KCNJ11genes was identified in 23 diazoxide-unresponsive patients, of whom six had diffuse disease. Among the diazoxide-responsive patients (n=183), mutations were identified in 41 patients (22.4%). These include mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11(n=15),HNF4A(n=7),GLUD1(n=16) andHADH(n=3).

Conclusions

A genetic diagnosis was made for 45.3% of patients in this large series. Mutations in theABCC8gene were the commonest identifiable cause. The vast majority of patients with diazoxide-responsive CHI (77.6%) had no identifiable mutations, suggesting other genetic and/or environmental mechanisms.
Global flows of government practices: development technologies and their effects
Authors: Silva Kelly
Published: January 2013

This article discusses certain technologies with which government practices are diffused on a global scale and some of the effects of this process. Using Foucault as a main source of inspiration, the circulation of know-how and capital are seen as the principal means by which government practices are irradiated. By analyzing social techniques such as projects, programs, conditionalities, documents, international laws and others, I argue that these are fundamental conduits for devising and reproducing the global order. In a second moment, I approach some of the outcomes of developmental practices in processes of state building and other political dynamics among recipients and donor countries. I stress some of the political, economic and social impacts of local appropriations of development actions. Of these, I emphasize those related to capacity building and what I call the misrecognition effect. The final remarks propose an articulated perspective on government practices that are shaped by diverse strategies.
β-Cell Failure in Type 2 Diabetes: A Case of Asking Too Much of Too Few?
Authors: Costes Safia , Langen Ralf , Gurlo Tatyana , Matveyenko Aleksey V. , Butler Peter C.
Published: January 2013

The islet in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by a deficit in β-cells, increased β-cell apoptosis, and extracellular amyloid deposits derived from islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). In the absence of longitudinal studies, it is unknown if the low β-cell mass in T2DM precedes diabetes onset (is a risk factor for diabetes) or develops as a consequence of the disease process. Although insulin resistance is a risk factor for T2DM, most individuals who are insulin resistant do not develop diabetes. By inference, an increased β-cell workload results in T2DM in some but not all individuals. We propose that the extent of the β-cell mass that develops during childhood may underlie subsequent successful or failed adaptation to insulin resistance in later life. We propose that a low innate β-cell mass in the face of subsequent insulin resistance may expose β-cells to a burden of insulin and IAPP biosynthetic demand that exceeds the cellular capacity for protein folding and trafficking. If this threshold is crossed, intracellular toxic IAPP membrane permeant oligomers (cylindrins) may form, compromising β-cell function and inducing β-cell apoptosis.
Image based remote sensing method for modeling black-eyed beans (Vigna unguiculata) Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Crop Height (CH) over Cyprus
Authors: Papadavid Giorgos , Fasoula Dionysia , Hadjimitsis Michael , Skevi Perdikou P. , Hadjimitsis Diofantos
Published: January 2013

In this paper, Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Crop Height (CH) are modeled to the most known spectral vegetation index — NDVI — using remotely sensed data. This approach has advantages compared to the classic approaches based on a theoretical background. A GER-1500 field spectro-radiometer was used in this study in order to retrieve the necessary spectrum data for estimating a spectral vegetation index (NDVI), for establishing a semiempirical relationship between black-eyed beans’ canopy factors and remotely sensed data. Such semi-empirical models can be used then for agricultural and environmental studies. A field campaign was undertaken with measurements of LAI and CH using the Sun-Scan canopy analyzer, acquired simultaneously with the spectroradiometric (GER1500) measurements between May and June of 2010. Field spectroscopy and remotely sensed imagery have been combined and used in order to retrieve and validate the results of this study. The results showed that there are strong statistical relationships between LAI or CH and NDVI which can be used for modeling crop canopy factors (LAI, CH) to remotely sensed data. The model for each case was verified by the factor of determination. Specifically, these models assist to avoid direct measurements of the LAI and CH for all the dates for which satellite images are available and support future users or future studies regarding crop canopy parameters.
Chemoprevention of Lung Cancer: Prospects and Disappointments in Human Clinical Trials
Authors: Greenberg Alissa , Tsay Jun-Chieh , Tchou-Wong Kam-Meng , Jorgensen Anna , Rom William
Published: January 2013

Decreasing the risk of lung cancer, or preventing its development in high-risk individuals, would have a huge impact on public health. The most effective means to decrease lung cancer incidence is to eliminate exposure to carcinogens. However, with recent advances in the understanding of pulmonary carcinogenesis and the identification of intermediate biomarkers, the prospects for the field of chemoprevention research have improved dramatically. Here we review the most recent research in lung cancer chemoprevention—focusing on those agents that have been investigated in human clinical trials. These agents fall into three major categories. First, oxidative stress plays an important role in pulmonary carcinogenesis; and therefore, antioxidants (including vitamins, selenium, green tea extracts, and isothiocyanates) may be particularly effective in preventing the development of lung cancer. Second, inflammation is increasingly accepted as a crucial factor in carcinogenesis, and many investigators have focused on anti-inflammatory agents, such as glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, statins, and PPARγ agonists. Finally, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is recognized to play a central role in tobacco-induced carcinogenesis, and inhibitors of this pathway, including myoinositol and metformin, are promising agents for lung cancer prevention. Successful chemoprevention will likely require targeting of multiple pathways to carcinogenesis—both to minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy.
Multi-Scale Analysis Based Ball Bearing Defect Diagnostics Using Mahalanobis Distance and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Wu Shuen-De , Wu Chiu-Wen , Wu Tian-Yau , Wang Chun-Chieh
Published: January 2013

The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing the multi-scale analysis and support vector machine (SVM) classification scheme to diagnose the bearing faults in rotating machinery. For complicated signals, the characteristics of dynamic systems may not be apparently observed in a scale, particularly for the fault-related features of rotating machinery. In this research, the multi-scale analysis is employed to extract the possible fault-related features in different scales, such as the multi-scale entropy (MSE), multi-scale permutation entropy (MPE), multi-scale root-mean-square (MSRMS) and multi-band spectrum entropy (MBSE). Some of the features are then selected as the inputs of the support vector machine (SVM) classifier through the Fisher score (FS) as well as the Mahalanobis distance (MD) evaluations. The vibration signals of bearing test data at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) are utilized as the illustrated examples. The analysis results demonstrate that an accurate bearing defect diagnosis can be achieved by using the extracted machine features in different scales. It can be also noted that the diagnostic results of bearing faults can be further enhanced through the feature selection procedures of FS and MD evaluations.
High-Yield Production in Escherichia coli of Fungal Immunomodulatory Protein Isolated from Flammulina velutipes and Its Bioactivity Assay in Vivo
Authors: Kong Xianghui , Zhang Jiechi , Han Xue , Zhang Piqi , Dai Xiaodong , Liu Jianing , Zhang Xinxin , Lee Imshik , Liu Shenkui
Published: January 2013

A fungal immunomodulatory protein isolated from Flammulina velutipes (FIP-fve) has structural similarity to the variable region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. In the present study, the recombinant bioactive FIP-fve protein with a His-tag in N-terminal of recombinant protein was expressed in transetta (DE3) at a high level under the optimized culturing conditions of 0.2 mM IPTG and 28 °C. The efficiency of the purification was improved with additional ultrasonication to the process of lysozyme lysis. The yield of the bioactive FIP-fve protein with 97.1% purity reached 29.1 mg/L with a large quantity for industrial applications. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a maximum increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) for the mice serum group of 5 mg/kg body mass (p < 0.01) with three doses of His-FIP-fve. However, the production of IL-4 had no apparent difference compared to the control.
Degradation Kinetics of Atorvastatin under Stress Conditions and Chemical Analysis by HPLC
Authors: Oliveira Marcelo , Yoshida Maria , Belinelo Valdenir , Valotto Romanélia
Published: January 2013

Atorvastatin is an antilipemic drug belonging to the statins class, whose reference drug is Pfizer’s Lipitor®. It is used to reduce the levels of lipoproteins rich in cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. It is well-known that calcium atorvastatin (ATV), C66H68CaF2N4O10•3H2O, presents polymorphism. The drug in question is commonly sought after by pharmaceutical industries that produce generic drugs, due to the fact that the drug has a high value price, it is consumed globally, and its patent expired in late 2010. Many questions concerning this drug’s pharmaceutical scope demonstrate its importance regarding stability studies and the identification of degradation products of drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. ATV has been found to degrade under acid and basic conditions, including a first order kinetic degradation under acid conditions, as compared to a zero order kinetic degradation under basic conditions, which tends to be less stable when studied within acid mediums. The rate constant (k) for degradation in acid medium was 1.88 × 10−2 s−1 (first order), while for basic medium k = 2.35 × 10−4 mol L−1 s−1 (zero order), demonstrating a lower stability of the drug within acid mediums.
Complete Low-Cost Implementation of a Teleoperated Control System for a Humanoid Robot
Authors: Cela Andrés , Yebes J. , Arroyo Roberto , Bergasa Luis , Barea Rafael , López Elena
Published: January 2013

Humanoid robotics is a field of a great research interest nowadays. This work implements a low-cost teleoperated system to control a humanoid robot, as a first step for further development and study of human motion and walking. A human suit is built, consisting of 8 sensors, 6 resistive linear potentiometers on the lower extremities and 2 digital accelerometers for the arms. The goal is to replicate the suit movements in a small humanoid robot. The data from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted via two ZigBee RF configurable modules installed on each device: the robot and the suit. Replicating the suit movements requires a robot stability control module to prevent falling down while executing different actions involving knees flexion. This is carried out via a feedback control system with an accelerometer placed on the robot’s back. The measurement from this sensor is filtered using Kalman. In addition, a two input fuzzy algorithm controlling five servo motors regulates the robot balance. The humanoid robot is controlled by a medium capacity processor and a low computational cost is achieved for executing the different algorithms. Both hardware and software of the system are based on open platforms. The successful experiments carried out validate the implementation of the proposed teleoperated system.
Alternaric acid: formal synthesis and related studies
Authors: Slade Michael C , Johnson Jeffrey S
Published: January 2013

A silyl glyoxylate three-component-coupling methodology has been exploited to achieve a formal synthesis, an analogue to an intermediate in a distinct formal synthetic route, and a third (unique) approach to the natural product alternaric acid. Highlighted in this study is the versatility of silyl glyoxylates to engage a variety of nucleophile and electrophile pairs to provide wide latitude in the approach to complex molecule synthesis.
Le regard de l'économiste : portée et limites de l'innovation environnementale
Authors: Galiègue Xavier
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’innovation environnementale qui dépasse le seul domaine de l’innovation des éco-industries connaît à l’heure actuelle un développement considérable. Pourtant ses effets sur la pression environnementale restent encore limités par la persistance d’« effets rebond », liés la rétroaction exercée par l’amélioration de l’efficience dans l’utilisation des ressources sur leur consommation globale. L’innovation a d’autre part tendance à augmenter la pression sur l’environnement, par le développement des pratiques d’obsolescence programmée, notamment dans les NTIC, dont l’utilisation requiert de plus une forte consommation d’énergie. Les différents canaux par lesquels l’innovation environnementale pourra aboutir à une croissance verte passent par des innovations technologiques, mais aussi par des changements de comportements et d’attitudes qui devraient s’auto-renforcer. Les outils disponibles pour promouvoir l’innovation environnementale sont nombreux : réglementations, taxes et subventions, marché des droits à polluer, mais leur combinaison contribue à brouiller les signaux prix alors qu’il faudrait parvenir à déterminer un prix du carbone évité unique pour guider les choix des technologiques environnementales.
Le risque chez Courcelle-Seneuil : une approche éclectique et libérale au milieu du XIX e siècle
Authors: Marco Luc
Published: January 2013

Résumé D’où vient l’idée schumpétérienne de destruction créatrice ? Une piste possible est l’œuvre de Courcelle-Seneuil. Cet auteur libéral a montré que le risque économique pouvait à la fois être destructeur et créateur. Ce risque spécifique s’avérait destructeur quand le libéralisme était faible, et créateur quand les idées libérales dominaient le monde des affaires. Cette communication revisite plusieurs textes oubliés de cet auteur et tente de retrouver la double filiation entre la pensée anglaise qu’aimait Courcelle-Seneuil, et la pensée française dont il était intellectuellement issu. Elle montre que si Schumpeter a repris plusieurs idées de Courcelle-Seneuil, il n’a pas tout pris. Mais ses emprunts ont conduit à la théorie de la démographie des entreprises.
The Grand Challenges in Natural Computing Research
Authors: Nunes de Castro Leandro , Xavier Rafael Silveira , Pasti Rodrigo , Maia Renato Dourado , Szabo Alexandre , Ferrari Daniel Gomes
Published: January 2013

An important premise of Natural Computing is that some form of computation goes on in Nature, and that computing capability has to be understood, modeled, abstracted, and used for different objectives and in different contexts. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new language capable of describing and allowing the comprehension of natural systems as a union of computing phenomena, bringing an information processing perspective to Nature. To develop this new language and convert Natural Computing into a new science it is imperative to overcome three specific Grand Challenges in Natural Computing Research: Transforming Natural Computing into a Transdisciplinary Discipline, Unveiling and Harnessing Information Processing in Natural Systems, Engineering Natural Computing Systems.
Ecosystems Computing
Authors: Pasti Rodrigo , Von Zuben Fernando José , Nunes de Castro Leandro
Published: January 2013

The main issue to be presented in this paper is based on the premise that Nature computes, that is, processes information. This is the fundamental of Natural Computing. Biogeographic Computation will be presented as a Natural Computing approach aimed at investigating ecosystems computing. The first step towards formalizing Biogeographic Computation will be given by defining a metamodel, a framework capable of generating models that compute through the elements of an ecosystem. It will also be discussed how this computing can be realized in current computers.
Vitronectin Inhibits Efferocytosis through Interactions with Apoptotic Cells as well as with Macrophages
Authors: Bae Hong-Beom , Tadie Jean-Marc , Jiang Shaoning , Park Dae Won , Bell Celeste P. , Thompson Lawrence C. , Peterson Cynthia B. , Thannickal Victor J. , Abraham Edward , Zmijewski Jaroslaw W.
Published: January 2013

Effective removal of apoptotic cells, particularly apoptotic neutrophils, is essential for the successful resolution of acute inflammatory conditions. In these experiments, we found that whereas interaction between vitronectin and integrins diminished the ability of macrophages to ingest apoptotic cells, interaction between vitronectin with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) on the surface of apoptotic cells also had equally important inhibitory effects on efferocytosis. Preincubation of vitronectin with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 eliminated its ability to inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Similarly, incubation of apoptotic cells with soluble uPAR or Abs to uPAR significantly diminished efferocytosis. In the setting of LPS-induced ALI, enhanced efferocytosis and decreased numbers of neutrophils were found in bronchoalveolar lavage obtained from vitronectin-deficient (vtn−/−) mice compared with wild type (vtn+/+) mice. Furthermore, there was increased clearance of apoptotic vtn−/− as compared with vtn+/+ neutrophils after introduction into the lungs of vtn−/− mice. Incubation of apoptotic vtn−/− neutrophils with purified vitronectin before intratracheal instillation decreased efferocytosis in vivo. These findings demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of vitronectin on efferocytosis involve interactions with both the engulfing phagocyte and the apoptotic target cell.
Tumor-Derived IL-35 Promotes Tumor Growth by Enhancing Myeloid Cell Accumulation and Angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Liu Jin-Qing , Liu Zhenzhen , Shen Rulong , Zhang Guoqiang , Xu Jianping , Basu Sujit , Feng Youmei , Bai Xue-Feng
Published: January 2013

IL-35 is a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines that is comprised of an IL-12 p35 subunit and an IL-12 p40-related protein subunit, EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI3). IL-35 functions through IL-35R and has a potent immune-suppressive activity. Although IL-35 was demonstrated to be produced by regulatory T cells, gene-expression analysis revealed that it is likely to have a wider distribution, including expression in cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrated that IL-35 is produced in human cancer tissues, such as large B cell lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and melanoma. To determine the roles of tumor-derived IL-35 in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity, we generated IL-35–producing plasmacytoma J558 and B16 melanoma cells and observed that the expression of IL-35 in cancer cells does not affect their growth and survival in vitro, but it stimulates tumorigenesis in both immune-competent and Rag1/2-deficient mice. Tumor-derived IL-35 increases CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cell accumulation in the tumor microenvironment and, thereby, promotes tumor angiogenesis. In immune-competent mice, spontaneous CTL responses to tumors are diminished. IL-35 does not directly inhibit tumor Ag–specific CD8+ T cell activation, differentiation, and effector functions. However, IL-35–treated cancer cells had increased expression of gp130 and reduced sensitivity to CTL destruction. Thus, our study indicates novel functions for IL-35 in promoting tumor growth via the enhancement of myeloid cell accumulation, tumor angiogenesis, and suppression of tumor immunity.
Dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity fluxes from coastal marine sediments: model estimates for different shelf environments and sensitivity to global change
Authors: Krumins V. , Gehlen M. , Arndt S. , Van Cappellen P. , Regnier P.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We present a one-dimensional reactive transport model to estimate benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and alkalinity (AT) from coastal marine sediments. The model incorporates the transport processes of sediment accumulation, molecular diffusion, bioturbation and bioirrigation, while the reactions included are the redox pathways of organic carbon oxidation, re-oxidation of reduced nitrogen, iron and sulfur compounds, pore water acid-base equilibria, and dissolution of particulate inorganic carbon (calcite, aragonite, and Mg-calcite). The coastal zone is divided into four environmental units with different particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes: reefs, banks and bays, carbonate shelves and non-carbonate shelves. Model results are analyzed separately for each environment and then scaled up to the whole coastal ocean. The model-derived estimate for the present-day global coastal benthic DIC efflux is 126 Tmol yr−1, based on a global coastal reactive POC depositional flux of 117 Tmol yr−1. The POC decomposition leads to a carbonate dissolution from shallow marine sediments of 7 Tmol yr−1 (on the order of 0.1 Pg C yr−1. Assuming complete re-oxidation of aqueous sulfide released from sediments, the effective net flux of alkalinity to the water column is 29 Teq. yr−1, primarily from PIC dissolution (46%) and ammonification (33%). Because our POC depositional flux falls in the high range of global values given in the literature, the reported DIC and alkalinity fluxes should be viewed as upper-bound estimates. Increasing coastal seawater DIC to what might be expected in year 2100 due to the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 increases PIC dissolution by 2.3 Tmol yr−1and alkalinity efflux by 4.8 Teq. yr−1. Our reactive transport modeling approach not only yields global estimates of benthic DIC, alkalinity and nutrient fluxes under variable scenarios of ocean productivity and chemistry, but also provides insights into the underlying processes.
Estudo das Tendências na Análise de Competências na Gestão de Projetos através de Técnicas de Bibliometria
Authors: Calixto Gustavo Moreira , Furlan Patricia Kuzmenko , De Carvalho Marly Monteiro
Published: January 2013

A análise de competências voltadas para a gestão de projetos é um assunto que tem sido debatido tanto nas organizações quanto no meio acadêmico. Este artigo tem por objetivo realizar um estudo sobre a literatura acerca das competências no contexto da gestão de projetos. A metodologia consistiu na abordagem híbrida com técnicas de bibliometria e redes sociais, e busca e seleção de publicações relevantes na base de ISI Web of Knowledge (Web of Science). O resultado revelou 147 artigos alinhados ao tema.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i1.57
Sustentabilidade em Grandes Usinas Hidrelétricas
Authors: Faria Roberto Censi , Kniess Cláudia Terezinha , Maccari Emerson Antonio
Published: January 2013

Nenhuma atividade empresarial nos dias atuais pode ser implementada sem que se levem em conta os aspectos de sustentabilidade. Esse conceito que nasceu do desenvolvimento sustentável dos anos 1970 e 1980 e que ficou consagrado no conceito dos três pilares de Jonh Elkington – econômico, social e ambiental, a “triple bottom line”, é um condicionante para todos os tipos de empreendimentos, especialmente para as grandes usinas hidrelétricas. As grandes usinas hidrelétricas foram por um tempo os grandes vilões do desenvolvimento, por causa da ênfase exagerada dada aos impactos que causam nas pessoas e no meio ambiente. Essa pecha que acometeu as usinas hidrelétricas, causada em grande parte por causa de alguns empreendimentos mal planejados, precisa ser revertida. Por outro lado, usinas hidrelétricas são formas de energia limpa e renovável, com mínima agressão ao meio ambiente, e menor dano às populações afetadas, se bem planejadas. Torna-se importante analisar os aspectos de sustentabilidade associados a esses empreendimentos. Existem arcabouços dedicados a fazer a análise dos aspectos de sustentabilidade de aproveitamentos hidrelétricos. Nesse trabalho é feita uma comparação entre duas ferramentas para avaliação de sustentabilidade em hidrelétricas, analisando prós e contras, facilidades e dificuldades relativas à aplicação destas.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i1.81
Information Management and Valuation
Authors: Al-Fedaghi Sabah
Published: January 2013

The aim of information lifecycle management is to develop a cost-effective strategy for maintaining information assets, balancing the cost of maintaining information against business value. This paper contributes to development of theoretical information value based on a classification scheme that does not consider operational factors (e.g., storage, access). It concentrates on valuing information in terms of its type, organizational level and the extent of its effects. An information flow model provides the foundation for such categorisation.
Neural Network Training Techniques for Enhancing the Performance of a Distributive Tactile Sensor
Authors: Tongpadungrod Pensiri
Published: January 2013

This work describes neural network training techniques for enhancing the performance of a one-dimensional beam for determining load positions. The system was a distributive system which relied on the detection of changes in the surface properties that can be seen across the surface. The demonstrated distributive system was 400 mm in length. The applied load positions within the range 60–300 mm could be determined with an average percentage error of 0.2% of the beam length which corresponded to a position error of 0.8 mm using a network trained with 10 training positions. It was found that the errors were higher for the load applied near the edges of the beam, leading to an average percentage error of 3.6% for the whole length of the beam. The normalization of the network output can be employed to reduce the average percentage error by approximately 1% for a given number of training positions. The performance was improved by introducing more training positions in the less sensitive area. The described training technique not only reduced the prediction error but also enlarged the areas where the prediction errors were satisfactorily small. Using the described technique, the overall prediction error could be decreased by 0.13–0.24% of the beam length for 30–10 training positions.

The area where the prediction errors were within 2 mm was increased by 14.5–7.3% of the beam length for a network trained with 4 training positions in the middle portion using 10–30 training positions.
Control Structure Impact on the Flying Performance of the Multi-Rotor VTOL Platform - Design, Analysis and Experimental Validation
Authors: Czyba Roman , Szafranski Grzegorz
Published: January 2013

The aim of this research is to examine the different control strategies for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The control task is formulated as an angular stabilization of the four rotor platform, and also as a tracking problem of chosen state variables. The PID algorithm has been considered in three structures in respect of the optimal control signal applied to the actuators. For better performance of the quadrotor in hover mode the cascade control system has been proposed. The simulation results of attitude control with different PID controller architectures are presented, and confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control structure and theoretical expectations. Moreover, the design and the practical realization of the control architecture on the experimental aerial vehicle are described. The fast prototyping method together with Matlab/Simulink software and DAQ hardware are used for both evolution and validation of control algorithms. The capacity of the attitude stabilization system is important in the development process of more advanced functionality of autonomous flying vehicles; therefore it needs to be highlighted and taken into careful consideration.
General Path Planning Methodology for Leader-Follower Robot Formations
Authors: Garrido Santiago , Moreno Luis , Gómez Javier V. , Lima Pedro U.
Published: January 2013

This paper describes a robust algorithm for mobile robot formations based on the Voronoi Fast Marching path planning method. This is based on the propagation of a wave throughout the model of the environment, the wave expanding faster as the wave's distance from obstacles increases. This method provides smooth and safe trajectories and its computational efficiency allows us to maintain a good response time. The proposed method is based on a local-minima-free planner; it is complete and has an O(n) complexity order where n is the number of cells of the map. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm generates good trajectories.
Autonomous Navigation, Guidance and Control of Small Electric Helicopter
Authors: Suzuki Satoshi , Ishii Takahiro , Okada Nobuya , Iizuka Kojiro , Kawamura Takashi
Published: January 2013

In this study, we design an autonomous navigation, guidance and control system for a small electric helicopter. Only small, light-weight, and inaccurate sensors can be used for the control of small helicopters because of the payload limitation. To overcome the problem of inaccurate sensors, a composite navigation system is designed. The designed navigation system enables us to precisely obtain the position and velocity of the helicopter. A guidance and control system is designed for stabilizing the helicopter at an arbitrary point in three-dimensional space. In particular, a novel and simple guidance system is designed using the combination of optimal control theory and quaternion kinematics. The designs of the study are validated experimentally, and the experimental results verify the efficiency of our navigation, guidance and control system for a small electric helicopter.
Microstructured Nematic Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Surfaces with Switchable Wetting Properties
Authors: Wu Zi Liang , Buguin Axel , Yang Hong , Taulemesse Jean‐Marie , Le Moigne Nicolas , Bergeret Anne , Wang Xiaogong , Keller Patrick
Published: January 2013

Inspired by the lotus leaf, scientists have developed many superhydrophobic surfaces, some of which show remarkable switching between hydrophobic and hydrophilic state under external stimuli. However, the switch usually relies on the change of chemical properties rather than on the modification of the topographic structure of the surface. In this paper, the roughness‐change‐related switchable wetting properties of microstructured responsive surfaces made of nematic liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) is reported. First, various carbonate LC monomers and side‐on LCEs are synthesized with low nematic‐to‐isotropic transition temperature, TNI. Then, LCEs prepared from 3″‐vinylcarbonyloxypropyl 2,5‐di(4′‐octyloxybenzoyloxy)benzoate monomer, with TNI of 76 °C and contraction of 34% are used to construct a surface covered with micropillar arrays by using a replica molding technique. The contraction of the micropillars induces a reversible roughness change of the microstructured surface. Water contact angle of this microstructured surface changed with temperature, indicating a successful approach at building a surface with switchable wetting properties.