bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vapor Phase Sensing Using Metal Nanorod Thin Films Grown by Cryogenic Oblique Angle Deposition
Authors: Shah Piyush , Ju Dongquan , Niu Xiaoxu , Sarangan Andrew M.
Published: December 2013

We demonstrate the chemical sensing capability of silver nanostructured films grown by cryogenic oblique angle deposition (OAD). For comparison, the films are grown side by side at cryogenic (~100 K) and at room temperature (~300 K) by e-beam evaporation. Based on the observed structural differences, it was hypothesized that the cryogenic OAD silver films should show an increased surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity. COMSOL simulation results are presented to validate this hypothesis. Experimental SERS results of 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) Raman test probe molecules in vapor phase show good agreement with the simulation and indicate promising SERS applications for these nanostructured thin films.
Improving the Performance of Reprocessed ABS Products from the Manufacturing Perspective via the Taguchi Method
Authors: Chin Fei Ng , Mehat Nik Mizamzul , Kamaruddin Shahrul , Mohamad Ariff Zulkifli
Published: December 2013

Additives are costly and can have negative environmental effects. Thus, searching for other alternatives to improve recycling plastics without using additives is necessary. This study aims to improve the hoop tensile strength, elongation at break, and shrinkage of the ring stopper made from an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend comprising 40% recyclates through the optimization of processing parameters using the Taguchi method. By adopting the L9 Taguchi orthogonal array, four controllable factors each at three levels are tested to determine the optimal combination of factors and levels in the injection moulding process. Considering the multiple quality characteristics involved in this study, we investigate the effects of processing parameters on hoop tensile strength, elongation at break, and shrinkage of the ring stopper both separately and simultaneously because changing a parameter can result in the improvement or deterioration of each quality response and of the overall product performance. The results revealed that the performance of an injection-moulded ring stopper under the optimal process conditions is equivalent or slightly better than that of the part produced from virgin resin. The performance of recycled plastics can be effectively enhanced to levels comparable with virgin resins using the Taguchi optimization approach.
Structure of N-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-amine, a New Inhibitor of CLK1 and DYRK1A Kinases
Authors: Guillon Jean , Marchivie Mathieu , Loidreau Yvonnick , Pinaud Noël , Besson Thierry
Published: December 2013

The complete crystal structure of N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-amine, synthesized via a Dimroth rearrangement and designed as new inhibitor of CLK1 and DYRK1A kinases, was established by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal is orthorhombic, space group Pca21; a = 13.1593  (9), b = 13.9823  (10), c=8.5403  (7) Å, α=β=γ=90°, V = 1571.4  (2)  Å3, and Z=4, C17H14N4O2S. Solid-state data could be used to enlighten the biological mechanism of action.
Spontaneous Ureteral Rupture Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Pampana E. , Altobelli S. , Morini M. , Ricci A. , D'Onofrio S. , Simonetti G.
Published: December 2013

Rupture of the urinary collecting system associated with perinephric or retroperitoneal extravasation of the urine is an unusual condition and it is commonly associated with renal obstructing disease. Perforation could occur at any level from the calix to the bladder but it is usually seen at the fornices and upper ureter. It may lead to several serious consequences including urinoma, abscess formation, urosepsis, infection, and subsequent irreversible renal impairment. We report a case of a 69-year-old woman who presented at the emergency department of our institution with severe abdominal pain. Due to symptomatology worsening, complete laboratory evaluation was performed and the patient underwent abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation which showed contrast agent extravasation outside the excretory system without any evidence of renal calculi at basal acquisition. It was decided to perform a double-J stent placement which was followed by complete healing of the ureter and its removal was performed 8 weeks later. Diagnosis and therapeutic approaches are discussed.
EphB4 Tyrosine Kinase Stimulation Inhibits Growth of MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells in a Dose and Time Dependent Manner
Authors: Barneh Farnaz , Moshayedi Mona , Mirmohammadsadeghi Hamid , Haghjooy-Javanmard Shaghayegh , Sabzghabaee Ali Mohammad , Badri Shirinsadat
Published: December 2013

Background. EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase is of diagnostic and therapeutic value due to its overexpression in breast tumors. Dual functions of tumor promotion and suppression have been reported for this receptor based on presence or absence of its ligand. To elucidate such discrepancy, we aimed to determine the effect of time- and dose-dependent stimulation of EphB4 on viability and invasion of breast cancer cells via recombinant ephrinB2-Fc.Methods. Cells were seeded into multiwell plates and were stimulated by various concentrations of preclustered ephrinB2-Fc. Cell viability was measured on days 3 and 6 following treatment using alamar-blue when cells were in different states of confluence.Results. Stimulation of cells with ephrinB2 did not pose any significant effect on cell viability before reaching confluence, while inhibition of cell growth was detected after 6 days when cells were in postconfluent state following a dose-dependent manner. EphrinB2 treatment did not affect tubular formation and invasion on matrigel.Conclusion. This study showed that EphB4 can differentially inhibit cells at post confluent state and that presence of ligand manifests growth-inhibitory properties of EphB4 receptor. It is concluded that growth inhibition has occurred possibly due to long treatment with ligand, a process which leads to receptor downregulation.
Reducing Agents Decrease the Oxidative Burst and Improve Clinical Outcomes in COPD Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effects of Sulphurous Thermal Water Inhalation
Authors: Contoli Marco , Gnesini Giulia , Forini Giacomo , Marku Brunilda , Pauletti Alessia , Padovani Anna , Casolari Paolo , Taurino Liliana , Ferraro Andrea , Chicca Milva , Ciaccia Adalberto , Papi Alberto , Pinamonti Silvano
Published: December 2013

Background. Inhalation of thermal water with antioxidant properties is empirically used for COPD. Aims. To evaluate the effects of sulphurous thermal water (reducing agents) on airway oxidant stress and clinical outcomes in COPD. Methods. Forty moderate‐to‐severe COPD patients were randomly assigned to receive 12‐day inhalation with sulphurous thermal water or isotonic saline. Patients were assessed for superoxide anion () production in the exhaled breath condensate and clinical outcomes at recruitment, the day after the conclusion of the 12‐day inhalation treatment, and one month after the end of the inhalation treatment. Results. Inhalation of reducing agents resulted in a significant reduction of production in exhaled breath condensate of COPD patients at the end of the inhalatory treatment and at followup compared to baseline. A significant improvement in the COPD assessment test (CAT) questionnaire was shown one month after the end of the inhalatory treatment only in patients receiving sulphurous water. Conclusion. Thermal water inhalation produced an in vivo antioxidant effect and improvement in health status in COPD patients. Larger studies are required in order to evaluate whether inhalation of thermal water is able to modify relevant clinical outcomes of the disease (the study was registered at clinicaltrial.gov—identifier: NCT01664767).
DPYD,TYMS,TYMP,TK1, andTK2Genetic Expressions as Response Markers in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients Treated with Fluoropyrimidine-Based Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Huang Ming-Yii , Wu Chan-Han , Huang Chun-Ming , Chung Fu-Yen , Huang Ching-Wen , Tsai Hsiang-Lin , Chen Chin-Fan , Lin Shiu-Ru , Wang Jaw-Yuan
Published: December 2013

This study is to investigate multiple chemotherapeutic agent- and radiation-related genetic biomarkers in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients following fluoropyrimidine-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for response prediction. We initially selected 6 fluoropyrimidine metabolism-related genes (DPYD, ORPT, TYMS, TYMP, TK1, andTK2) and 3 radiotherapy response-related genes (GLUT1,HIF-1α, andHIF-2α) as targets for gene expression identification in 60 LARC cancer specimens. Subsequently, a high-sensitivity weighted enzymatic chip array was designed and constructed to predict responses following CCRT. After CCRT, 39 of 60 (65%) LARC patients were classified as responders (pathological tumor regression grade2~4). Using a panel of multiple genetic biomarkers (chip), includingDPYD,TYMS,TYMP,TK1, andTK2, at a cutoff value for 3 positive genes, a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 81% were obtained (AUC: 0.915; 95% CI: 0.840–0.991). Negative chip results were significantly correlated to poor CCRT responses (TRG 0-1) (P=0.014, hazard ratio: 22.704, 95% CI: 3.055–235.448 in multivariate analysis). Disease-free survival analysis showed significantly better survival rate in patients with positive chip results (P=0.0001). We suggest that a chip includingDPYD,TYMS,TYMP,TK1, andTK2genes is a potential tool to predict response in LARC following fluoropyrimidine-based CCRT.
A Multimode Adaptive Pushover Procedure for Seismic Assessment of Integral Bridges
Authors: Mohtashami Ehsan , Shooshtari Ahmad
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a new adaptive pushover procedure to account for the effect of higher modes in order to accurately estimate the seismic response of bridges. The effect of higher modes is considered by introducing a minimum value for the total effective modal mass. The proposed method employs enough number of modes to ensure that the defined total effective modal mass participates in all increments of the pushover loading. An adaptive demand curve is also developed for assessment of the seismic demand. The efficiency and robustness of the proposed method are demonstrated by conducting a parametric study. The analysis includes 18 four-span integral bridges with various heights of piers. The inelastic response history analysis is employed as reference solution in this study. Numerical results indicate excellent accuracy of the proposed method in assessment of the seismic response. For most bridges investigated in this study, the difference between the estimated response of the proposed method and the inelastic response history analysis is less than 25% for displacements and 10% for internal forces. This indicates a very good accuracy compared to available pushover procedures in the literature. The proposed method is therefore recommended to be applied to the seismic performance evaluation of integral bridges for engineering applications.
A New Source of Elemol Rich Essential Oil and Existence of Multicellular Oil Glands in Leaves of the Dioscorea Species
Authors: Odimegwu Joy I. , Odukoya Olukemi , Yadav Ritesh K. , Chanotiya C. S. , Ogbonnia Steve , Sangwan Neelam S.
Published: December 2013

Dioscorea species is a very important food and drug plant. The tubers of the plant are extensively used in food and drug purposes owing to the presence of steroidal constituent’s diosgenin in the tubers. In the present study, we report for the first time that the leaves of Dioscorea composita and Dioscorea floribunda grown under the field conditions exhibited the presence of multicellular oil glands on the epidermal layers of the plants using stereomicroscopy (SM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Essential oil was also isolated from the otherwise not useful herbage of the plant, and gas chromatographic‐mass spectroscopy analysis revealed confirmation of the essential oil constituents. Out of the 76 compounds detected in D. floribunda and 37 from D. composita essential oil, major terpenoids which are detected and reported for Dioscorea leaf essential oil are α‐terpinene, nerolidol, citronellyl acetate, farnesol, elemol, α‐farnesene, valerenyl acetate, and so forth. Elemol was detected as the major constituent of both the Dioscorea species occupying 41% and 22% of D. Floribunda and D. composita essential oils, respectively. In this paper, we report for the first time Dioscorea as a possible novel bioresource for the essential oil besides its well‐known importance for yielding diosgenin.
Protective Effects of Shen-Yuan-Dan, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion InjuryIn VivoandIn Vitro
Authors: Liu Hongxu , Shang Juju , Chu Fuyong , Li Aiyong , Wu Bao , Xie Xinran , Liu Weihong , Yang Hongzhi , Tong Tong
Published: December 2013

Objectives.The study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Shen-Yuan-Dan (SYD) pharmacological postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.Methods.In thein vivoexperiment, myocardial injury markers and histopathology staining were examined. In thein vitroexperiment, cell viability and cell apoptosis were, respectively, detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and Hoechst 33342 fluorochrome staining. The protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by immunocytochemistry assay.Results.Both low and high doses of SYD protected myocardium against I/R injury in rat model by reducing lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and attenuating histopathology injury. Meanwhile, in thein vitroexperiment, SYD promoted cell viability and inhibited the cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The level of Bcl-2 protein was restored to the normal level by SYD pharmacological postconditioning. In contrast, the Bax protein level was markedly reduced by SYD pharmacological postconditioning. These effects of SYD were inhibited by LY294002.Conclusions.The results of this study suggested that SYD pharmacological postconditioning has protective effects against myocardial I/R injury in bothin vivoandin vitromodels, which are related to activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway.
Finite-Time Anti-Disturbance Inverse Optimal Attitude Tracking Control of Flexible Spacecraft
Authors: Pukdeboon Chutiphon , Jitpattanakul Anuchit
Published: December 2013

We propose a new robust optimal control strategy for flexible spacecraft attitude tracking maneuvers in the presence of external disturbances. An inverse optimal control law is designed based on a Sontag-type formula and a control Lyapunov function. An adapted extended state observer is used to compensate for the total disturbances. The proposed controller can be expressed as the sum of an inverse optimal control and an adapted extended state observer. It is shown that the developed controller can minimize a cost functional and ensure the finite-time stability of a closed-loop system without solving the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation directly. For an adapted extended state observer, the finite-time convergence of estimation error dynamics is proven using a strict Lyapunov function. An example of multiaxial attitude tracking maneuvers is presented and simulation results are included to show the performance of the developed controller.
Closing a Window for Massive Photons
Authors: Hojman Sergio A. , Koch Benjamin
Published: December 2013

Working with the assumption of nonzero photon mass and a trajectory that is described by the nongeodesic world line of a spinning top we find, by deriving new astrophysical bounds, that this assumption is in contradiction with current experimental results. This yields the conclusion that such photons have to be exactly massless.
Carbon Dioxide Mitigation Benefit of High-Speed Railway in Terms of Carbon Tax
Authors: Yanbing Fu , Sufen Zhang , Meiquan Xie , Shuping Li , Zelin Huang
Published: December 2013

This paper calculates the carbon dioxide mitigation benefit of high-speed railway based on the carbon dioxide tax policy. We define the carbon dioxide emission system boundary for high-speed railway in its whole life cycle and estimate the life cycle carbon dioxide inventories during its construction, application, and recovery stages. And then we establish a theoretical model to calculate the life cycle carbon dioxide mitigation quantity for high-speed railway when compared with road transport and then calculate its carbon dioxide mitigation benefit. The numerical example shows that the carbon dioxide mitigation benefit of high-speed railway is better than that of road transport from the whole life cycle perspective.
The genus Colletes (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) in Central Asia
Authors: KUHLMANN MICHAEL , PROSHCHALYKIN MAXIM YU.
Published: December 2013

Available information about bees of the genus Colletes in Central Asia is summarized. Eighty species are currently known from this area. Six new species are described: Colletes transitus sp. nov., C. askhabadoides sp. nov., C. kaline sp. nov., C. muellermotzfeldi sp. nov., C. pesenkoi sp. nov., and C. mirabilis sp. nov. Five species are newly recorded from Central Asia: Colletes idoneus Cockerell 1922, C. cunicularius (Linnaeus 1761), C. ebmeri Kuhlmann 2002, C. friesei Cockerell 1918, and C. impunctatus Nylander 1852. The subspecies C. tuberculatus anatolicus Noskiewicz 1959 syn. nov. and C. t. siculus Noskiewicz 1959 syn. nov. are synonymized with C. tuberculatus Morawitz 1894. Lectotypes are designated for Colletes arenarius Morawitz 1876 and C. flavicornis Morawitz 1876. Additionally one new species from Turkey and Iran, Colletes comatoides sp. nov., is here described as new and included due to its close relationship to the Central Asian C. bernadettae Kuhlmann and C. comatus Noskiewicz.
Review of the Neotropical species of Stauropoctonus Brauns, 1889 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ophioninae)
Authors: LIMA ALESSANDRO RODRIGUES , JACOBI CLAUDIA MARIA , KUMAGAI ALICE FUMI
Published: December 2013

The taxonomy of Neotropical species of Stauropoctonus is reviewed, with redescriptions of S. bicarinatus and S. excarinatus, the description of four new Brazilian species, S. amazonensis sp. n., S. leotacilioi sp. n., S. michelle sp. n., and S. rectus sp. n., and for the first time with a detailed study of the male genitalia of the genus. Additionally, we provide a key to the world Stauropoctonus species.
Bird fossils from Ankilitelo Cave: Inference about Holocene environmental changes in Southwestern Madagasca
Authors: Goodman Steven M. , Raherilalao Marie Jeanne , Muldoon Kathleen
Published: December 2013

The identifications of non-permineralized fossil bird bones recovered from Ankilitelo Cave in southwestern Madagascar are presented. Among the more than 560 elements recovered, 29 different taxa were identified, the vast majority being species that still occur in this region of the island. Eggshell remains from the extinct elephant bird (Family Aepyornithidae) and assigned to Aepyornis sp. were found at the site. Two identified extant taxa, Scopus umbretta and Monias benschi, no longer occur in the area immediately surrounding the cave. The available radiocarbon measurements of collagen from fossil bird bones and avian eggshell carbonate of recovered from the cave range from 13,270 Cal yr BP to modern times. Hence, the presumed ecological shifts that took place resulting in the disappearance or range contractions of these three taxa is within the Holocene and are presumed to be associated with natural climatic change and in more recent centuries associated human pressures. Information is also presented on the origin of guinea fowl (Numida) and inference on the period of colonization of Corvus albus on Madagascar.
Assimilation of T-TREC-Retrieved Winds from Single-Doppler Radar with an Ensemble Kalman Filter for the Forecast of Typhoon Jangmi (2008)
Authors: Wang Mingjun , Xue Ming , Zhao Kun , Dong Jili
Published: December 2013

A tropical cyclone (TC) circulation Tracking Radar Echo by Correlation technique (T-TREC) developed recently is applied to derive horizontal winds from single Doppler radar reflectivity Z data (combined with radial velocity Vr data when available). The typically much longer maximum range of Z observations compared to Vr data allows for much larger spatial coverage of the T-TREC-retrieved winds (VTREC) when a TC first enters the maximum range of a coastal radar. Retrieved using data from more than one scan volume, the T-TREC winds also contain valuable cross-beam wind information. The VTREC or Vr data at 30-min intervals are assimilated into the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model at 3-km grid spacing using an ensemble Kalman filter, over a 2-h window shortly after Typhoon Jangmi (2008) entered the Vr coverage area of an operational weather radar of Taiwan. The assimilation of VTREC data produces analyses of the typhoon structure and intensity that more closely match observations than analyses produced using Vr data or the reference Global Forecast System (GFS) analysis. Subsequent 28-h forecasts of intensity, track, structure, and precipitation are also improved by assimilating VTREC data. Further sensitivity experiments show that assimilation of VTREC data can build up a reasonably strong vortex in 1 h, while a longer assimilation period is required to spin up the vortex when assimilating Vr. Although the difference between assimilating VTREC and Vr is smaller when the assimilation window is longer, the improvement from assimilating VTREC is still evident. Assimilating Z data in addition to Vr or VTREC results in little further improvement.
Electroencephalographic evaluation of decapitation of the anaesthetized rat
Authors: Kongara K , McIlhone AE , Kells NJ , Johnson CB
Published: December 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum in response to decapitation of anaesthetized rats, in order to assess the nociception or otherwise of this procedure. Ten young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized with halothane in oxygen and anaesthesia was maintained at a stable concentration of halothane between 1.20% and 1.25%. The rat’s head and neck were placed through the opening of a small animal guillotine so that the blade of the guillotine was positioned over the atlanto-occipial joint of the rat’s neck. The EEG was recorded in a five-electrode montage, bilaterally. After recording a 15 min baseline the rat was decapitated by swiftly pressing the guillotine blade and the EEG recording was continued until the signal was isoelectric on both channels. Changes in the median frequency (F50), 95% spectral edge frequency (F95) and total power of the EEG (Ptot) were used to investigate the effects of decapitation. During the first 15 s following decapitation, there were significant increases in the F50 and F95, and a decrease in the Ptot compared with baseline values. There was a clear window of time immediately following decapitation where changes in the EEG frequency spectrum were obvious; these changes in the EEG indices of nociception could be attributed as responses generated by the rat’s cerebral cortex following decapitation.
Development and refinement of a technique for short-term intravascular auricular vein catheter placement in mature sows
Authors: Pairis-Garcia MD , Johnson AK , Bates JL , Stock ML , Barth LA , Brommel AS , Stalder KJ , Karriker LA
Published: December 2013

Intravenous drug administration in adult swine is difficult to perform due to inaccessible superficial veins and thick subcutaneous fat layers. However, successful intravenous drug administration is critical for many biomedical applications including pharmacokinetic studies as extravascular drug administration can influence the drug’s absorption and elimination rate. The purpose of this study was to develop and refine an effective technique for indwelling auricular vein catheter placement in the conscious mature sow. We developed a protocol using a topical anesthetic cream and minimal physical restraint to place indwelling catheters in the auricular vein of six multiparous sows. This method was quick (3 min 20 s ± 8 s [mean ± SE per catheter]), effective (11/12 catheters successfully placed) and reliable, allowing a large drug volume (20–22 mL) to be administrated successfully during the trial without relying on prolonged restraint or general anesthesia of the sow.
Reducing the number of animals used for microsurgery training programs by using a task-trainer simulator
Authors: Guerreschi P , Qassemyar A , Thevenet J , Hubert T , Fontaine C , Duquennoy-Martinot V
Published: December 2013

To master the skills needed for microsurgery techniques, residents must enrol in a long and complex training program that includes manipulations on simulators, on ex vivo tissues and finally in vivo training. This final step consists of performing vascular anastomoses on murine models. We propose here a simulation program designed to decrease the number of rats used during the final in vivo training. Our study presents the materials used, the various exercises proposed and their evaluations. Two identical student groups were compared in the framework of the University Diploma of Microsurgery. Group A (seven students) followed a classic training program, all of whom achieved permeable vascular anastomoses. A total of 149 rats were needed for this group. Group B (seven students) first validated their manipulations on the task-trainer simulation program. A mean of 6 h was necessary to obtain this validation. All these students achieved the required permeable vascular anastomoses but only 77 rats were used for this group. This simulation program spared 72 rats, abiding by the Russell and Burch concept of a humane experimental technique, namely the 3R principles. This home-made, cost-efficient and easy-to-use task trainer included various exercises with increasing difficulty levels and a progressive scoring system. We believe that microsurgery training needs to include both simple and sophisticated tools in order to reduce the number of animals used to master these surgical skills.
Blended wing body lateral-directional stability investigation using 6DOF simulation
Authors: Roysdon PF
Published: December 2013

Presently at the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, a comprehensive research investigation is being performed on the lateral-directional stability characteristics of a business jet class blended wing body. This paper presents an innovative MATLAB-based methodology using a multi-disciplinary design and optimization code written by the author, which combines various flow solvers, structural solvers, and aircraft design equations, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall vehicle performance while simultaneously creating a database for six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) flight simulation. Initial validation of the design was achieved through the Monte Carlo analysis of a 6DOF flight simulator, testing the take-off and landing flight regimes where the blended wing body is prone stall and departure due to asymmetric flow over the wing. Differential control effectors on the bottom of the wing, called “belly-flaps,” are investigated for lateral-directional control. Initial test results show that optimal span is 20% b/2, chord 20% [Formula: see text], located at 62% croot, with zero separation from vehicle centerline.
Fire and forest history of central European low mountain forest sites based on soil charcoal analysis: The case of the eastern Harz
Authors: Robin Vincent , Bork Hans-Rudolf , Nadeau Marie-Josée , Nelle Oliver
Published: December 2013

Long-term environmental changes in some areas of Central Europe are still poorly documented due to the lack of archives suitable for well-established paleoecological approaches. However, paleorecords of such areas would provide important insights into the Holocene vegetation history of Central Europe. To contribute to fill this gap, we conducted soil charcoal analyses to investigate fire and forest history for the eastern Harz Mountains (Germany). Soil from 15 sequences at three investigation sites was analyzed, and charcoal assemblages were extracted. The taxonomic analysis shows Holocene woodland composition changes, from post-glacial pioneer woodland, dominated by pine, to broad-leaf closed forests, dominated by oak, and succeeded by beech. The temporal distribution of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)-14C datings of single charcoal pieces indicates that fire events occurred regionally synchronous, mainly in the late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene and late-Holocene periods. The radiocarbon dating is supported by the description of the sampled soil sequences, which permits the identification of late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene in situ formed soil horizons, as well as evidences late-Holocene erosion-sedimentation processes. Climate seems to have triggered late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene fire events. In contrast, the increase of fires, at both local and regional scales, during the late Holocene in low flammable broad-leaf forests is interpreted as related to human activities. Finally, it is highlighted that the species spectrum of the extracted charcoal assemblages and the radiocarbon ages obtained fits regional and over-regional data, also concerning the soil charcoal concentrations that appear to be included in regional and global ranges of soil charcoal pools.
Wider and deeper: The future of criminology in Europe
Authors: Smith David J.
Published: December 2013

The European Journal of Criminology was launched 10 years ago. In this article, the journal’s founding editor, David J. Smith, reflects on the journal’s contribution to European criminology. The article recalls the ambitions for the journal when the idea was first discussed, and looks back over the first nine volumes to assess the extent to which these ambitions have been fulfilled. It argues that the study of crime must draw on both humanist and scientific traditions. Because its moral and political dimensions are inescapable, criminology is bound to have a contested relationship with government. The weaknesses of the journal so far have been on the humanist and critical side, with an associated lack of deep and detailed qualitative research. Among the many strengths are lively and varied comparative studies, research using innovative methods, and articles that open up new fields and shift the emphasis away from minor offending by juveniles. Building on this base, this article discusses the role the journal should play in creating the future of European criminology.
Haptic Feedback in Teleoperation in Micro- and Nanoworlds
Authors: Bolopion Aude , Millet Guillaume , Pacoret Cécile , Régnier Stéphane
Published: December 2013

Robotic systems have been developed to handle very small objects, but their use remains complex and necessitates long-duration training. Simulators, such as molecular simulators, can provide access to large amounts of raw data, but only highly trained users can interpret the results of such systems. Haptic feedback in teleoperation, which provides force feedback to an operator, appears to be a promising solution for interaction with such systems, as it allows intuitiveness and flexibility. However, several issues arise while implementing teleoperation schemes at the micro- and nanoscale, owing to complex force fields that must be transmitted to users and scaling differences between the haptic device and the manipulated objects. Major advances in such technology have been made in recent years. In this chapter, we review the main systems in this area and highlight how some fundamental issues in teleoperation for micro- and nanoscale applications have been addressed. We consider three types of teleoperation, including (a) direct (manipulation of real objects), (b) virtual (use of simulators), and (c) augmented (combining real robotic systems and simulators). Remaining issues that must be addressed for further advances in teleoperation for micro- and nanoworlds are also discussed, including (a) comprehension of phenomena that dictate very small object (<500 micrometers) behavior and (b) design of intuitive 3-D manipulation systems. Design guidelines to realize an intuitive haptic feedback teleoperation system at the micro- and nanoscale level are proposed.
The cellular biology of tendon grafting
Authors: Alam N. , McGrouther D. A , Wong J. K. F.
Published: December 2013

We investigated the cellular biology of tendon grafting in a mouse model using green fluorescent protein mismatch grafting and quantitative immunohistochemistry of molecular markers for inflammation, proliferation, collagen synthesis, cell death, and myofibroblast/pericyte expression. We provide a detailed analysis of the healing characteristics during the phases of inflammation, synthesis, and remodelling. Our findings indicated that survival of the cells in the grafted tendon was finite. Syngenic and autologous grafts provoked a similar cellular reaction and all grafts healed. Cells in the graft contributed significantly to collagen synthesis and do have a role in healing.
Social Identity, Conflict Management, Religion and a Building: Peaks and Valleys in the Life of a Large Christian Church
Authors: Arnold R. , Anderson Cheryl R.
Published: December 2013

A large Christian church experienced organizational behaviour issues over a period of approximately 13 years. Growth issues forced the church to evaluate purchase of another property in anticipation of relocating the congregation to a new facility. Church membership plummeted from over 3,000 members to approximately 2,000 members. Strife continued after land and a temporary classroom/chapel/office building were purchased. A new congregation with no psychological or physical relationship to the initial campus developed, with few shared activities or responsibilities. The financial burden borne by the membership because of the new facility further stretched both the pocketbooks and the faith of the members at the home campus that the purchase had even been a good idea. Lack of expertise in managing cognitive conflict to create positive tension and extract differing viewpoints that might uncover innovative solutions to the problem and no conscious thought to curtailing affective conflict that demoralizes, encourages distrust and undermines the solidarity of the group caused a situation that quickly became runaway dissention.
Financial Literacy Through Service Innovation
Authors: Sinha Rajeeva , Maheshwari Bharat , Kedia Avik
Published: December 2013

Financial literacy enables financial inclusion, a key policy concern in economic development. Governments around the world are keen to promote financial literacy and fund programmes and organizations that promote financial literacy in low-income populations and youth. However, given the complex interaction of behaviour and skills in financial decisions, it is difficult to conduct an outcome-based evaluation of financial literacy programmes. In the absence of a reliable ex-post evaluation, we focus on ex-ante considerations that should guide us in the design of financial literacy programmes. This article provides a framework for financial literacy programme design drawing lessons from the service innovation literature and experiences of Sanchayan, a non-governmental organization in India that delivers financial literacy and services to low-income adults and youth. We show how Sanchayan in its financial literacy programme design takes the context and the needs of its clients into account and delivers services to its clients in their own comfortable environment. Several challenges faced by Sanchayan in imparting financial literacy and services are also identified.
Fernando Enterprises: The Marketization of a Hobby
Authors: Walsh John
Published: December 2013

Fernando Enteprises is a Sri Lankan company which paints miniature figures for use in wargames or for display. The low labour costs available in Sri Lanka means the service is popular in western countries, where the services provided are mostly consumed and the company is flourishing, with 75 full-time painters employed and new custom-built premises available. The service is part of the process of marketization of the tabletop games-playing hobby, which is not a process welcomed by everyone.
A unique in vivo experimental approach reveals metabolic adaptation of the probiotic Propionibacterium freudenreichii to the colon environment
Authors: Saraoui Taous , Parayre Sandrine , Guernec Grégory , Loux Valentin , Montfort Jérôme , Cam Aurélie Le , Boudry Gaëlle , Jan Gwenaël , Falentin Hélène
Published: December 2013

Background

Propionibacterium freudenreichiiis a food grade bacterium consumed both in cheeses and in probiotic preparations. Its promising probiotic potential, relying largely on the active release of beneficial metabolites within the gut as well as the expression of key surface proteins involved in immunomodulation, deserves to be explored more deeply. Adaptation to the colon environment is requisite for the active release of propionibacterial beneficial metabolites and constitutes a bottleneck for metabolic activityin vivo. Mechanisms allowingP. freudenreichiito adapt to digestive stresses have been only studiedin vitroso far. Our aim was therefore to studyP. freudenreichiimetabolic adaptation to intra-colonic conditionsin situ.

Results

We maintained a pure culture of the type strainP. freudenreichiiCIRM BIA 1, contained in a dialysis bag, within the colon of vigilant piglets during 24 hours. A transcriptomic analysis compared gene expression to identify the metabolic pathways induced by this environment, versus control cultures maintained in spent culture medium.

We observed drastic changes in the catabolism of sugars and amino-acids. Glycolysis, the Wood-Werkman cycle and the oxidative phosphorylation pathways were down-regulated but induction of specific carbohydrate catabolisms and alternative pathways were induced to produce NADH, NADPH, ATP and precursors (utilizing of propanediol, gluconate, lactate, purine and pyrimidine and amino-acids). Genes involved in stress response were down-regulated and genes specifically expressed during cell division were induced, suggesting thatP. freudenreichiiadapted its metabolism to the conditions encountered in the colon.

Conclusions

This study constitutes the first molecular demonstration ofP. freudenreichiiactivity and physiological adaptationin vivowithin the colon. Our data are likely specific to our pig microbiota composition but opens an avenue towards understanding probiotic action within the gut in further studies comparing bacterial adaptation to different microbiota.
Appropriate health-seeking behavior and associated factors among people who had cough for at least two weeks in northwest Ethiopia: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Senbeto Meseret , Tadesse Sebsibe , Tadesse Takele , Melesse Tesfahun
Published: December 2013

Background

Tuberculosis remains the major debilitating public health problem in Ethiopia. However, studies to understand the patients’ perspectives on the illness and their health-seeking behavior have been few in the country. In this study, we seek to investigate the magnitude of appropriate health-seeking behavior and factors associated with tuberculosis among people who had cough for at least two weeks.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2012 in Dabat, northwest Ethiopia. All people aged ≥15 years and had cough for at least two weeks were included in the study. Data collected by using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire were entered and cleaned using the Epi Info version 2002 statistical software. The statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 16.0 was also employed for descriptive and logistics regression analysis.

Results

Out of the 25,701 people aged ≥15 years surveyed, the proportion of people who had cough for at least two weeks was reported to be 843(3.3%). Appropriate health-seeking behavior towards tuberculosis was reported by 674(80.0%) of them. Factors significantly associated with health-seeking behavior for tuberculosis were being female [AOR: 0.56, 95%CI: (0.39-0.79)], high monthly real per capita income [AOR: 1.66, 95%CI: (1.15-2.38)], large family size [AOR: 0.50, 95%CI: (0.35-0.72)], and use of traditional-healing practices [AOR: 13.27, 95%CI: (9.10-25.41)].

Conclusion

This study showed that the magnitude of appropriate health-seeking behavior during the event of chronic cough was high. However, this doesn’t mean that there will be no need for further strengthening of the intervention activities as significant proportions of the study communities still demonstrate inappropriate health-seeking behavior. So tuberculosis control programs need to emphasize factors, such as sex, family size, socioeconomic inequalities, and traditional-healing practices in resource-poor settings.
A holistic high-throughput screening framework for biofuel feedstock assessment that characterises variations in soluble sugars and cell wall composition in Sorghum bicolor
Authors: Martin Antony P , Palmer William M , Byrt Caitlin S , Furbank Robert T , Grof Christopher PL
Published: December 2013

Background

A major hindrance to the development of high yielding biofuel feedstocks is the ability to rapidly assess large populations for fermentable sugar yields. Whilst recent advances have outlined methods for the rapid assessment of biomass saccharification efficiency, none take into account the total biomass, or the soluble sugar fraction of the plant. Here we present a holistic high-throughput methodology for assessing sweet Sorghum bicolor feedstocks at 10 days post-anthesis for total fermentable sugar yields including stalk biomass, soluble sugar concentrations, and cell wall saccharification efficiency.

Results

A mathematical method for assessing whole S. bicolor stalks using the fourth internode from the base of the plant proved to be an effective high-throughput strategy for assessing stalk biomass, soluble sugar concentrations, and cell wall composition and allowed calculation of total stalk fermentable sugars. A high-throughput method for measuring soluble sucrose, glucose, and fructose using partial least squares (PLS) modelling of juice Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra was developed. The PLS prediction was shown to be highly accurate with each sugar attaining a coefficient of determination (R

2
) of 0.99 with a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 11.93, 5.52, and 3.23 mM for sucrose, glucose, and fructose, respectively, which constitutes an error of <4% in each case. The sugar PLS model correlated well with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and brix measures. Similarly, a high-throughput method for predicting enzymatic cell wall digestibility using PLS modelling of FTIR spectra obtained from S. bicolor bagasse was developed. The PLS prediction was shown to be accurate with an R

2
of 0.94 and RMSEP of 0.64 μg.mgDW-1.h-1.

Conclusions

This methodology has been demonstrated as an efficient and effective way to screen large biofuel feedstock populations for biomass, soluble sugar concentrations, and cell wall digestibility simultaneously allowing a total fermentable yield calculation. It unifies and simplifies previous screening methodologies to produce a holistic assessment of biofuel feedstock potential.
Using the EU-SILC to model the impact of the economic crisis on inequality
Authors: O’Donoghue Cathal , Loughrey Jason , Morrissey Karyn
Published: December 2013

In this paper we attempted to chart the impact of the early part of Ireland’s economic crisis from 2008–2009 on the distribution of income. In order to decompose the impact of changes in different income components, we utilised a microsimulation methodology and the EU-SILC User Database. This simulation based methodology involved the disaggregation of the 6 main benefit variables in the EU-SILC into 17 variables for our tax-benefit model. Validating, our results were positive, giving us confidence in our methodology. We utilised the framework to model changes in the level of income inequality from the period just before the crisis in 2004 to the depth of the worst year of the crisis in 2009. In terms of the impact of the economic crisis, we found that income inequality fell in the early part of the crisis modelled in this paper. Much of this change was due to rising inequality of market incomes, (even when discounting unemployment). This was due to the differential effect of the downturn on different sectors where some sectors such as the construction and public sectors were significantly hit, while the international traded sectors have been relatively immune from the downturn and have seen continued growth. The impact of the tax-benefit system has been to mitigate this upward pressure, with a gradual rise in the redistributive effect of the tax-benefit system driven by an increase in demand on the benefits side and increased progressivity on the tax side.

Jel codes

H22, H55, C15
Behavioral addictions in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder: a comparison to controls
Authors: Sapir Ran , Zohar Ada H , Bersudsky Yuly , Belmaker RH , Osher Yamima
Published: December 2013

Background

Bipolar disorder may be associated with a hypersensitive behavioral approach system and therefore to increased reward sensitivity. The objective of this study is to explore the interrelationships between bipolar disorder, behavioral addictions, and personality/temperament traits in a group of euthymic outpatients with bipolar I disorder and in a group of comparison subjects.

Methods

Fifty clinically stable patients and 50 comparison subjects matched for age, sex, and educational level were administered the Temperament and Character Inventory-140 and the Behavioral Addiction Scale.

Results

The patient group scored significantly higher than comparison subjects for two benign behavioral addictions (music, shopping) as well as for smoking. Comparison subjects scored higher on two harmful behavioral addictions (drugs, alcohol). Novelty Seeking was positively correlated with harmful addictions, and Cooperativeness was negatively correlated with harmful addictions, in both groups.

Discussion

The hypersensitive behavioral approach system model of bipolar disorder would predict higher levels of various addictions in bipolar patients as compared to controls. In this study, this was true for three behavioral addictions, whereas controls showed higher levels of behavioral addiction to drugs and alcohol. This may be because the patients in this study are stable, have received considerable psychoeducation, and are relatively adherent to their medication recommendations. Temperament and character traits may play roles both as risk and protective factors regarding behavioral addictions.
Current concepts on the use and adhesive bonding of glass-fiber posts in dentistry: a review
Authors: de Moraes Aline Pinheiro , Cenci Maximiliano Sérgio , de Moraes Rafael Ratto , Pereira-Cenci Tatiana
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to review and summarize the in vitro and clinical data on the use of glass-fiber posts concerning recent changes in the philosophy, materials, and technology that have impacted significantly the art and science of endodontic post placement. Original scientific papers or reviews listed in the Medline or ISI Web of Science databases from 1981 to 2013 were searched electronically using the following key words: endodontically-treated teeth, glass-fiber post, dentistry, resin cement, silane, and adhesive. The literature supports the use of a post when the remaining coronal structure is insufficient to provide retention for the restoration. Concerning which post to select, glass-fiber posts offer two important advantages: the elastic modulus is similar to that of dentin, and these posts and the respective core build-ups are cemented by an adhesive technique. However, some issues remain unclear. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm whether the use of silane influences the bonding and whether self-adhesive resin cements constitutes a reliable clinical option. Overall, the use of fiber posts is an important clinical option in dentistry, but clinicians should be aware of the difficulties in achieving good adhesion within the root canal.