bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What drives MRI-measured cortical atrophy in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Popescu V , Klaver R , Voorn P , Galis-de Graaf Y , Knol DL , Twisk JWR , Versteeg A , Schenk GJ , Van der Valk P , Barkhof F , De Vries HE , Vrenken H , Geurts JJG
Published: January 2015

Background:

Cortical atrophy, assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is an important outcome measure in multiple sclerosis (MS) studies. However, the underlying histopathology of cortical volume measures is unknown.

Objective:

We investigated the histopathological substrate of MRI-measured cortical volume in MS using combined post-mortem imaging and histopathology.

Methods:

MS brain donors underwent post-mortem whole-brain in-situ MRI imaging. After MRI, tissue blocks were systematically sampled from the superior and inferior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and superior temporal gyrus. Histopathological markers included neuronal, axonal, synapse, astrocyte, dendrite, myelin, and oligodendrocyte densities. Matched cortical volumes from the aforementioned anatomical regions were measured on the MRI, and used as outcomes in a nested prediction model.

Results:

Forty-five tissue blocks were sampled from 11 MS brain donors. Mean age at death was 68±12 years, post-mortem interval 4±1 hours, and disease duration 35±15 years. MRI-measured regional cortical volumes varied depending on anatomical region. Neuronal density, neuronal size, and axonal density were significant predictors of GM volume.

Conclusions:

In patients with long-standing disease, neuronal and axonal pathology are the predominant pathological substrates of MRI-measured cortical volume in chronic MS.
Subclinical central inflammation is risk for RIS and CIS conversion to MS
Authors: Rossi S , Motta C , Studer V , Macchiarulo G , Germani G , Finardi A , Furlan R , Martino G , Centonze D
Published: January 2015

Background:

Subtle diffuse intrathecal inflammation is undetectable by conventional neuroimaging, and could influence multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course.

Objective:

To explore the role of subclinical persisting intrathecal inflammation in radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) conversion to MS, and in early MS disease reactivation.

Methods:

One-hundred ninety-three subjects with RIS, CIS, relapsing–remitting (RR), or primary progressive (PP) MS were included, along with 76 matched controls. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a major proinflammatory cytokine, were measured as a biomarker of intrathecal inflammation. Patients were followed up for 2 years. Clinical and imaging measures of disease progression were recorded.

Results:

High central contents of IL-8 were associated to clinical progression in subjects with RIS, and to the risk of conversion to MS in subjects with CIS. Asymptomatic intrathecal inflammation placed subjects at risk for MS conversion, even regardless lesion load. CSF IL-8 levels were higher in RR MS with high disease activity. Higher number of relapses in the first two years since diagnosis and shorter first inter-attack intervals were observed in patients with high levels of IL-8.

Conclusion:

IL-8 might provide utility in determining the presence of active intrathecal inflammation, and could be important in diagnostically undefined cases.
First Precepts for Democracy and Research Practices in Ethnic Studies
Authors: Takagi Dana
Published: January 2015

Recent discussions by leading scholars in interdisciplinary fields, notably cultural studies, suggest the limitations of critique for producing intelligent practices for social change and have called for thinking anew about the practices of intellectual labor. In this essay, I call attention to research methodology as a form of intellectual labor and examine the importance of explicit methodological and critical research practices in interdisciplinary fields such as ethnic studies. I suggest that method in ethnic studies, currently an admixture of conventions from disciplines adapted for interdisciplinary research, would be strengthened with a more holistic methodological framework. I explore the potential for a more holistic framework by drawing on the philosophical underpinnings, and not simply the technique, of participatory action research (PAR). I examine the pragmatist origins of PAR and explore the potential for drawing on three methodological precepts—iteration, collaboration, and reflections—which are highly resonant with ethnic studies scholars’ desired aims at transformative scholarship.
Ante-partum necrotising myometritis due to Streptococcal toxic shock
Authors: Tarvade Sanjay , Lane Andrew S
Published: January 2015

Group A streptococcus (GAS) causes severe infections in obstetric patients. A rare complication is rapidly progressive necrotising myometritis. Postpartum necrotising myometritis has been previously described; however, antenatal development of such a condition is extremely rare. We present a patient who developed antenatal necrotising myometritis and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) due to GAS during the first trimester of pregnancy, eventually requiring hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. We discuss the rare complication of ante-partum necrotising myometritis, as well as the antibiotic therapy, and treatment of TSS associated with severe Group A Streptococcal infections.
Ties Received, Support Perceived
Authors: Grace Matthew K. , VanHeuvelen Jane S.
Published: January 2015

Research on the association between social relationships and mental health tends to draw from either the social network or stress process tradition. In this study we review the central tenets of these theoretical perspectives and the key empirical work of each. Employing data from the Teamwork, Clinical Culture, and Change (T3C) in the NICU Study (N = 231), we use the case of mental health among medical staff members to test the relationships among workplace networks, social support, and mental health hypothesized by these traditions. We find that higher levels of indegree ties and reciprocity and more positive perceptions of support reduce distress while only support diminishes feelings of burnout. Contrary to our hypotheses, neither mediating nor moderating effects are in evidence. Although limited to organizational settings, results suggest the need for greater collaboration between the stress process and social network traditions as well as a reconsideration of the prevailing methodological approaches to measuring social relationships.
Variation in the Protective Effect of Higher Education against Depression
Authors: Bauldry Shawn
Published: January 2015

Numerous studies document that higher education is associated with a reduced likelihood of depression. The protective effects of higher education, however, are known to vary across population subgroups. This study tests competing theories for who is likely to obtain a greater protective benefit from a college degree against depression through an analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and recently developed methods for analyzing heterogeneous treatment effects involving the use of propensity scores. The analysis examines how the effects of two “treatments” (at least some college education and attaining at least a four-year college degree) on latent depressive symptomology vary by background disadvantage, as indicated by having a low propensity for completing some college or attaining a four-year college degree. Results indicate that people from disadvantaged backgrounds realize a greater protective effect of higher education, either completing some college or attaining a four-year degree, against depressive symptomology than people from advantaged backgrounds. This pattern is more pronounced for people who attain at least a four-year degree than for people who complete at least some college education.
A Review of Select Centralized Pain Syndromes
Authors: Spiegel David R. , Chatterjee Aparna , McCroskey Aidan L. , Ahmadi Tamana , Simmelink Drew , Oldfield Edward C. , Pryor Christopher R. , Faschan Michael , Raulli Olivia
Published: January 2015

Pain can be broadly divided into 3 classes, including nociceptive or inflammatory pain (protective), neuropathic (pathological, occurring after damage to the nervous system), or centralized (pathological, due to abnormal function but with no damage or inflammation to the nervous system). The latter has been posited to occur when descending analgesic pathways are attenuated and/or glutamatergic transmission is facilitated. Additionally, this “pain prone phenotype” can be associated with early life trauma and a suboptimal response to opiates. This article will review the relationships between centralized pain syndromes (ie, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain), childhood sexual abuse, and opiate misuse. Finally, treatment implications, potentially effecting primary care physicians, will be discussed.
Superhydrophobic carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane composite coatings
Authors: Zhang H-F. , Teo M. K. , Yang C.
Published: January 2015

This paper reports a method for fabricating carbon nanotube (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite superhydrophobic coatings. With toluene as a solvent, the coating is obtained directly by spray of CNT/PDMS/toluene suspension. The hydrophobicity and micro-/nanostructure of the coatings are studied with respect to the mass ratio (MR) of CNT to PDMS. Based on the multiscale morphology analysis, it is shown that the nanoscale roughness is essential for achieving superhydrophobicity. To form nanoscale rough surface and obtain a stable superhydrophobic coating, MR>0·3 is recommended. In addition, such coatings also show small slide angle, low adhesion strength and long term stability of the coated surface. The method reported in this study is low cost and especially suitable for engineering applications.
Safety and Survival With GVAX Pancreas Prime and Listeria Monocytogenes–Expressing Mesothelin (CRS-207) Boost Vaccines for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Le Dung T. , Wang-Gillam Andrea , Picozzi Vincent , Greten Tim F. , Crocenzi Todd , Springett Gregory , Morse Michael , Zeh Herbert , Cohen Deirdre , Fine Robert L. , Onners Beth , Uram Jennifer N. , Laheru Daniel A. , Lutz Eric R. , Solt Sara , Murphy Aimee Luck , Skoble Justin , Lemmens Ed , Grous John , Dubensky Thomas , Brockstedt Dirk G. , Jaffee Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

GVAX pancreas, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–secreting allogeneic pancreatic tumor cells, induces T-cell immunity to cancer antigens, including mesothelin. GVAX is administered with low-dose cyclophosphamide (Cy) to inhibit regulatory T cells. CRS-207, live-attenuated Listeria monocytogenes–expressing mesothelin, induces innate and adaptive immunity. On the basis of preclinical synergy, we tested prime/boost vaccination with GVAX and CRS-207 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Previously treated patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2:1 to two doses of Cy/GVAX followed by four doses of CRS-207 (arm A) or six doses of Cy/GVAX (arm B) every 3 weeks. Stable patients were offered additional courses. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) between arms. Secondary end points were safety and clinical response.

Results

A total of 90 patients were treated (arm A, n = 61; arm B, n = 29); 97% had received prior chemotherapy; 51% had received ≥ two regimens for metastatic disease. Mean number of doses (± standard deviation) administered in arms A and B were 5.5 ± 4.5 and 3.7 ± 2.2, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 to 4 related toxicities were transient fevers, lymphopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and fatigue. OS was 6.1 months in arm A versus 3.9 months in arm B (hazard ratio [HR], 0.59; P = .02). In a prespecified per-protocol analysis of patients who received at least three doses (two doses of Cy/GVAX plus one of CRS-207 or three of Cy/GVAX), OS was 9.7 versus 4.6 months (arm A v B; HR, 0.53; P = .02). Enhanced mesothelin-specific CD8 T-cell responses were associated with longer OS, regardless of treatment arm.

Conclusion

Heterologous prime/boost with Cy/GVAX and CRS-207 extended survival for patients with pancreatic cancer, with minimal toxicity.
Treatment of diabetic maculopathy
Authors: Manasseh Gemma SL , Shao Emily Han , Taylor Simon RJ
Published: January 2015

Diabetic maculopathy is an important cause of severe sight impairment. There has been a significant evolution in its treatment over the past decade and laser treatment is now largely being superseded by intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or corticosteroids.
Narrowing the gap
Authors: Frostick Helen
Published: January 2015

Successfully narrowing the gap for Pupil Premium pupils is the key priority for all schools. Headteacher Helen Frostick offers some ideas and advice by asking six key questions for school leaders
Analysing the potential of retrofitting ultra-low heat loss triple vacuum glazed windows to an existing UK solid wall dwelling
Authors: Memon Saim
Published: January 2015

Heat loss through the windows of solid wall dwellings is one of the factors contributing to high energy consumption for space heating ensuing in preventable carbon emissions. This research forms a part of novel contribution in vacuum glazing science presenting the refurbishment technology of an experimentally achievable thermal performance of triple vacuum glazing to existing UK solid wall dwelling by investigating the space-heating load, solar energy gain and window to wall area ratios. Three-dimensional dynamic thermal models, considering realistic heating and occupancy regimes, of an externally insulated solid wall dwelling with single glazed, double glazed air filled, double glazed argon gas filled, triple glazed air filled and triple vacuum glazed windows were developed. Predictions for the simulated dwelling when replacing single glazed windows with triple vacuum glazed windows indicate space-heating energy saving of 14.58% (871.1 kWh) for the winter months (Dec, Jan and Feb); predicted annual energy savings are 15.31% (1863.5 kWh). The predicted reduction in the solar energy gains for the triple vacuum glazing was 75.3 kWh in the winter months. The effects on solar energy gain are analysed and the potential to increase window-to-wall area ratios (WWR’s) examined. For a simulated room with triple vacuum glazed windows increasing the WWR’s from 5% to 59% led to a reduction in the predicted required space-heating; whilst for a room with single glazed, double air filled, double argon gas filled and triple air filled windows the predicted required space-heating increased with increasing WWR. It was shown that retrofitting existing solid wall dwelling with triple vacuum glazed windows could be a robust retrofit solution in improving building energy efficiency. This research also implicates a need of the cost-effective development of triple vacuum glazing at the manufacturing level, which would then be more beneficial to consumers in terms of energy and cost savings.
Incorporating Root Crops under Agro-Forestry as the Newly Potential Source of Food, Feed and Renewable Energy
Authors: Widodo Yudi , Rahayuningsih St. A. , Saleh Nasir , Wahyuningsih Sri
Published: January 2015

Entering the third millennium food and energy crisis is becoming more serious in line with water scarcity amid of climate change induced by global warming, that so called as FEWS (food energy and water scarcity).  In the last five decades Indonesian agricultural development of food crops had been emphasized on cereals and grains based. Conversion of forest into agricultural field in the form of upland and lowland facilitated by irrigation is prioritized for cereals such as rice, maize as well as grain legumes such as soybean, peanut etc. Unfortunately, root crops which their main yield underground are neglected. At the end of second millennium Indonesia was seriously suffered from multi-crisis economic trap, so Indonesia as part of countries under World Food Program to import the huge of food to cover domestic consumption such as rice, wheat, soybean, corn etc. On the other hand, consumption of energy was also increase significantly. These conditions triggering government to stimulate integrated agricultural enterprises for providing abundance of food as well as adequate renewable energy. Although root crops were neglected previously, however from its biological potential to produce biomass promotes root crops into an appropriate position. The variability of root crops which ecologically can be grown from upland in dry areas till swampy submergence condition. Forest conversion into agricultural land is not allowed due to forest is useful to prevent global warming. Therefore, food, feed and fuel (renewable energy) production have to be able grown under agro-forestry. Fortunately the potential of root crops has competency to meet the current need to fulfil food, feed and fuel as well as fibre under future greener environment.
Cardiovascular abnormalities in primary immunodeficiency diseases
Authors: Human Andrea , Murguia-Favela Luis , Benson Lee , Roifman Idan , Grunebaum Eyal
Published: January 2015

In recent years, increasing numbers of patients with primary immune deficiency (PID) are being recognized as also suffering from cardiovascular system (CVS) abnormalities. These CVS defects might be explained by infectious or autoimmune etiologies, as well as by the role of specific genes and the immune system in the development and function of CVS tissues. Here, we provide the first comprehensive review of the clinical, potentially pathogenic mechanisms, and the management of PID, as well as the associated immune and CVS defects. In addition to some well-known associations of PID with CVS abnormalities, such as DiGeorge syndrome and CHARGE anomaly, we describe the cardiac defects associated with Omenn syndrome, calcium channel deficiencies, DNA repair defects, common variable immunodeficiency, Roifman syndrome, various neutrophil/macrophage defects, FADD deficiency, and HOIL1 deficiency. Moreover, we detail the vascular abnormalities recognized in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic granulomatous disease, Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, Schimke immuno-osseus dysplasia, hyper-IgE syndrome, MonoMAC syndrome, and X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. In conclusion, the expanding spectrum of PID requires increased alertness to the possibility of CVS involvement as an important contributor to the diagnosis and management of these patients.
Changes in Body Mass Index Associated With Head Start Participation
Authors: Lumeng Julie C. , Kaciroti Niko , Sturza Julie , Krusky Allison M. , Miller Alison L. , Peterson Karen E. , Lipton Robert , Reischl Thomas M.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this study was to determine if Head Start participation is associated with healthy changes in BMI.

METHODS:

The sample included children participating in Head Start between 2005 and 2013 and children from 2 comparison groups drawn from a Michigan primary care health system: 5405 receiving Medicaid and 19 320 not receiving Medicaid. Change in BMI z score from the beginning to the end of each of 2 academic years and the intervening summer was compared between groups by using piecewise linear mixed models adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS:

The total sample included 43 748 children providing 83 239 anthropometric measures. The Head Start sample was 64.9% white, 10.8% black, and 14.4% Hispanic; 16.8% of the children were obese and 16.6% were overweight at the initial observation. Children who entered Head Start as obese exhibited a greater decline in the BMI z score during the first academic year versus the comparison groups (β = –0.70 [SE: 0.05] vs –0.07 [0.08] in the Medicaid group [P < .001] and –0.15 [SE: 0.05] in the Not Medicaid group [P < .001]); patterns were similar for overweight children. Head Start participants were less obese, less overweight, and less underweight at follow-up than children in the comparison groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Preschool-aged children with an unhealthy weight status who participated in Head Start had a significantly healthier BMI by kindergarten entry age than comparison children in a primary care health system (both those receiving and those not receiving Medicaid).
Influence of Laser Vibrational Excitations of Ethylene Molecules in Laser-Assisted Combustion Diamond Synthesis
Authors: Fan L.S. , Zhou Y.S. , Wang M.X. , Gao Y. , Liu L. , Silvain J.F. , Lu Y.F.
Published: January 2015

Laser-induced vibrational excitation of ethylene molecules was integrated to the CVD diamond deposition process for an in-depth understanding of the energy coupling path in chemical reactions and an alternative method to enhance the diamond deposition. On- and off-resonance excitations of ethylene molecules were achieved via tuning the incident laser wavelengths centered at 10.532 µm. With the same amount of laser power absorbed, the chemical reaction is highly accelerated with on-resonance vibrational excitation whereas energy coupling with off-resonance excitations was less efficient in influencing the combustion process. The diamond deposition rate was enhanced by a factor of 5.7 accompanied with an improvement of diamond quality index with the on-resonance excitation at 10.532 μm. The measured flame temperature demonstrated that the resonant vibrational excitation was an efficient route for coupling energy into the reactant molecules and steering the combustion process.
Prognostic Factors of Survival in a Randomized Phase III Trial (MPACT) of Weekly nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Versus Gemcitabine Alone in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Tabernero Josep , Chiorean E. Gabriela , Infante Jeffrey R. , Hingorani Sunil R. , Ganju Vinod , Weekes Colin , Scheithauer Werner , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Goldstein David , Penenberg Darryl N. , Romano Alfredo , Ferrara Stefano , Von Hoff Daniel D.
Published: January 2015

Background.

nab-Paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine has emerged as a new treatment option for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC), based on superiority over gemcitabine demonstrated in the phase III MPACT trial. Previously, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score and the presence of liver metastases were shown to be predictive of survival with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine treatment. This analysis sought to further explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and survival in the MPACT trial and to identify potential predictors of overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with MPC.

Materials and Methods.

Cox regression models adjusted for stratification factors and a stepwise multivariate analysis of prespecified baseline prognostic factors were performed.

Results.

Treatment effect was significantly associated with survival, with a similar magnitude of reduction in risk of death compared with the previously reported primary analysis. Treatment effect consistently favored nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine across the majority of the prespecified factors. In addition to KPS score and presence of liver metastases, age and number of metastatic sites were independent prognostic factors of overall and progression-free survival. Baseline carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was not found to be an independent prognostic factor of survival in this analysis.

Conclusion.

The results of this analysis confirm broad utility of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine for the treatment of MPC. In addition, these findings suggest that KPS score, presence of liver metastases, age, and number of metastatic sites are important predictors of survival that may be useful when making treatment decisions and designing future clinical trials.
Bevacizumab in Combination With Radiotherapy and Temozolomide for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Linde Myra E. , Verhoeff Joost J.C. , Richel Dirk J. , Furth Wouter R. , Reijneveld Jaap C. , Verheul Henk M.W. , Stalpers Lukas J.A.
Published: January 2015

Author Summary

Background.

Patients with a newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have a high risk of recurrent disease with a dismal outcome despite intensive treatment of sequential surgery and chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ), followed by TMZ as a single agent. Bevacizumab (BV) may increase response rates to chemotherapy in the recurrent treatment setting of GBM. We hypothesized that a neoadjuvant treatment strategy for patients with newly diagnosed GBM using chemoradiotherapy plus BV would improve resectability and thus survival. We performed a phase II trial of the treatment strategy of BV plus chemoradiation to determine the safety of this combination in patients who had already undergone primary surgery for their GBM.

Methods.

After a biopsy (6 patients) or a resection (13 patients) of a newly diagnosed GBM, 19 patients received radiotherapy (30 fractions of 2 Gy) in combination with daily TMZ 75 mg/m2 and BV 10 mg/kg on days 1, 14, and 28, followed by 6 monthly cycles of TMZ 150–200 mg/m2 on days 1–5.

Results.

The overall response rate was 26%. Three patients had a complete response after resection, and in two patients, a complete response after resection followed by chemoradiation plus BV was seen. No grade 3–4 toxicities were observed during combination treatment. The median progression-free survival was 9.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.3–14.4 months). The median overall survival was 16 months (95% CI: 8.1–26.3 months), similar to a matched control group that received standard chemoradiotherapy from our institution.

Conclusion.

Combination of bevacizumab with radiotherapy and TMZ is safe and feasible in patients with newly diagnosed GBM, but because of low response rates, this treatment strategy does not favor a neoadjuvant approach.
Environmental performance assessment using monitoring and DVS testing
Authors: Aktas Yasemin Didem , D'Ayala Dina , Erkal Aykut , Stephenson Victoria
Published: January 2015

It is now widely accepted that the adverse effects of climate change have become more visible over recent last decades, and current climatic trends suggest that more severe conditions are to follow. In relation to extreme weather events due to climate change, various material degradation phenomena and loss of structural integrity, due mostly to moisture-related deteriorating agents, have been observed on the existing building stock, especially historic buildings. The identification and quantification of such adverse effects is therefore of utmost importance, and environmental monitoring is one of the strongest tools to achieve this aim. This paper provides detailed information regarding on-site environmental monitoring work carried out on a sixteenth century timber frame cottage in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, along with hygroscopic characterisation using the dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) technique. The results obtained from monitoring and DVS testing are discussed to give detailed insight into hygrothermal damage mechanisms and the resulting loss of strength/physical integrity due to adverse environmental impacts on historic building envelopes.
Colloid and Surface Chemical Problems in Non-Conventional Heavy Oil Recovery
Authors: Gewers C.W.W.
Published: January 2015

Although emulsions have always been a problem for the petroleum industry, the producing of heavy crude oil can be further complicated by the presence of colloidal clays and asphaltenes which create a new type of emulsion. This phenomenon became apparent recently in the " Hot Water Process" for extracting bitumen from the Athabasca Tar Sands. The clays form membranous skins at the oil water interface which do not respond to conventional emulsion- breaking procedures. Caustic pH ranges, polyphosphates and other dispersing agents, rather than cationic flocculating, should be used to overcome this problem.

Asphaltenes are colloidal crude oil constituents which also have the ability to form skins at the oil-water interface. These skins stabilize water in oil emulsions which do respond to conventional emulsion-breaking procedures. The asphaltenes contain very strongly polar chemical compounds, thus emulsion treating requires relatively high concentrations of expensive chemicals. A pH adjustment can reduce these requirements. Our Alberta heavy oils contain approximately 20 per cent asphaltenes, which, therefore, constitute a potential problem.

The resinous acids in our heavy oils form another group of surface-active compounds. They stabilize water in oil emulsions, which can be broken more easily by conventional means. One other aspect of the resinous acids is their ability to form water-soluble soaps in the presence of caustic. Theoretically, these soaps could promote improved oil recovery. However, most of our heavy oil reservoirs contain clays which adsorb caustic and prevent this soap formation. The benefits observed due to caustic injection are believed to be due to the dispersion of the clays rather than the formation of soaps.
Total ionizing dose effects and radiation testing of complex multifunctional VLSI devices
Authors: Boychenko Dmitry , Kalashnikov Oleg , Nikiforov Alexander , Ulanova Anastasija , Bobrovsky Dmitry , Nekrasov Pavel
Published: January 2015

Total ionizing dose (TID) effects and radiation tests of complex
multifunctional Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) integrated circuits (ICs)
rise up some particularities as compared to conventional ?simple? ICs. The
main difficulty is to organize informative and quick functional tests
directly under irradiation. Functional tests approach specified for complex
multifunctional VLSI devices is presented and the basic radiation test
procedure is discussed in application to some typical examples.
Advantages of combined sintering compared to conventional sintering of mechanically activated magnesium titanate
Authors: Filipovic Suzana , Obradovic N. , Pavlovic V.B. , Kosanovic D. , Mitric M. , Mitrovic N. , Pouchly V. , Kachlik M. , Maca K.
Published: January 2015

In this article, the advantages of combined sintering in comparison with the
conventional one, of mechanically activated magnesium titanate ceramic were
investigated. The stoichiometric mixtures of MgO and TiO2 were
mechano-chemically activated for 0, 10, 40, 80 and 160 minutes by ball
milling and then isostatically pressed (CIP) to form green bodies.
Conventional sintering was realized by heating up to 1400 oC and hold for 30
minutes in air atmosphere. Resulting ceramic samples with closed porosity
were post-sintered by pressure assisted technique Hot Isostatic Pressing
(HIP) at 1280 oC/3h in argon atmosphere with a pressure of 200 MPa. The best
results were observed in the case of samples post-sintered by HIP, when
single-phase MgTiO3 samples with relative density of 96% were prepared.
Multiphase composites obtained by sintering reaction of boehmite and zircon part I: Development and microstructural characterization
Authors: Belhouchet H. , Makri H. , Hamidouche M. , Bouaouadja N. , Garnier V. , Fantozzi G.
Published: January 2015

In this work, different composites (zircon-mullite,
zirconia-mullite-zirconia, mullite-zirconia and alumina-zirconia-mullite)
were developed by reactive sintering of a powder mixture of boehmite (AlOOH))
and zircon (ZrSiO)4. These powder mixtures were mixed and ground by ball
milling and then pressed in cylindrical form. Finally, the green specimens
were sintered in air during 2 hours between 1400?C and 1600?C, with a heating
and cooling rate of 5?C/min. The dilatometric curves show that there are
several microstructural transformations in these mixtures. X-rays diffraction
spectra showed formation of several composites depending on the initial
conditions (% of boehmite and zircon and sintering temperature). The
micrographic observations of the samples confirmed the presence of various
phases.

 This article has been retracted. Link to the retraction 10.2298/SOS150330002E
Statistical analysis of the influence of temperature on microstructure contact surfaces on BaTiO3-ceramics doped with Ho2O3
Authors: Jankovic S. , Mitic V.V. , Kocic Lj. , Paunovic V. , Miljkovic M.
Published: January 2015

The materials based on BaTiO3 can be controlled using different technological
parameters and different additives. The influence of different temperature
levels of sintering (1320?C, 1350?C and 1380?C) on the size of contact area
for 0.1% Ho2O3 doped BaTiO3-ceramics has been investigated. Microstructural
investigations were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (JEOL-JSM
5300) equipped with EDS (QX 2000S) system. Grain size distribution was
determined by quantitative metallography method. The new correlation between
microstructure and dielectric properties of doped BaTiO3-ceramics based on
fractal geometry and contact surface probability is recently developed. The
presented results indicate that statistical model of contact surfaces is
important for the prognosis of BaTiO3-ceramics microstructure and dielectric
properties.
Osteoporosis reversibility in a patient with celiac disease and primary autoimmune hypothyroidism on gluten free diet: A case report
Authors: Kovacev-Zavisic Branka , Icin Tijana , Novakovic-Paro Jovanka , Medic-Stojanoska Milica , Bajkin Ivana
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Secondary osteoporosis occurs in many diseases. Celiac
disease-induced osteoporosis is the consequence of secondary
hyperparathyroidism. Biochemical bone markers show predominance of bone
resorption, thus making the bisphosphonates the first line therapy option.
Intestinal mucosal changes are reversible on gluten-free diet. Osteoporosis
reversibility is also possible, provided postmenopausal osteoporosis risk
factors independent from celiac disease are not present. Case report. We
presented a postmenopausal woman with at least a 10-year history of celiac
disease prior to diagnosis, which had overt secondary hyperparathyroidism
with insufficient status of vitamin D and a significant bone mass reduction.
At the time of diagnosis of celiac disease the patient was receiving 250 ??g
of levothyroxine daily without achieving optimal substitution. Three years
after the initiation of gluten-free diet the patient was without any signs
and symptoms of the disease. All laboratory findings were within normal
range. It was decided to treat the underlying disease and to supplement
calcium and vitamin D without the initiation of bisphosponate therapy.
Conclusion. Osteoporosis regression justified this therapeutic approach. The
presence of primary autoimmune hypothyroidism makes this case specific,
since the inability for optimal substitution therapy with a high daily dose
of levothyroxine provoked the suspicion of celiac disease.
Developing a hot-water drill system for the WISSARD project: 1. Basic drill system components and design
Authors: Rack Frank R. , Duling Dennis , Blythe Daren , Burnett Justin , Gibson Dar , Roberts Graham , Carpenter Chad , Lemery Jeff , Fischbein Steve
Published: January 2015

A new, clean, hot-water drill system (HWDS) was developed by the Science Management Office, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for use in the Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project to gain access to Subglacial Lake Whillans beneath ∼800 m of ice in West Antarctica. One primary borehole was drilled into the basal ice environment of Subglacial Lake Whillans during the initial field season in 2012/13. This paper describes the process of designing, fabricating, assembling, shipping, testing, commissioning and traversing the WISSARD HWDS leading up to the first scientific use of the system.
The Use of H-SAF Soil Moisture Products for Operational Hydrology: Flood Modelling over Italy
Authors: Massari Christian , Brocca Luca , Ciabatta Luca , Moramarco Tommaso , Gabellani Simone , Albergel Clement , De Rosnay Patricia , Puca Silvia , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: January 2015

The ever-increasing availability of new remote sensing and land surface model datasets opens new opportunities for hydrologists to improve flood forecasting systems. The current study investigates the performance of two operational soil moisture (SM) products provided by the “EUMETSATSatellite Application Facility in Support of Operational Hydrology and Water Management” (H-SAF, http://hsaf.meteoam.it/) within a recently-developed hydrological model called the “simplified continuous rainfall-runoff model” (SCRRM) and the possibility of using such a model at an operational level. The model uses SM datasets derived from external sources (i.e., remote sensing and land surface models) as input for calculating the initial wetness conditions of the catchment prior to the flood event. Hydro-meteorological data from 35 Italian catchments ranging from 800 to 7400 km2 were used for the analysis for a total of 593 flood events. The results show that H-SAF operational products used within SCRRM satisfactorily reproduce the selected flood events, providing a median Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index equal to 0.64 (SM-OBS-1) and 0.60 (SM-DAS-2), respectively. Given the results obtained along with the parsimony, the simplicity and independence of the model from continuously-recorded rainfall and evapotranspiration data, the study suggests that: (i) SM-OBS-1 and SM-DAS-2 contain useful information for flood modelling, which can be exploited in flood forecasting; and (ii) SCRRM is expected to be beneficial as a component of real-time flood forecasting systems in regions characterized by low data availability, where a continuous modelling approach can be problematic.
Synthesis and Degradation of Schiff Bases Containing Heterocyclic Pharmacophore
Authors: Ledeţi Ionuţ , Alexa Anda , Bercean Vasile , Vlase Gabriela , Vlase Titus , Şuta Lenuţa-Maria , Fuliaş Adriana
Published: January 2015

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of two Schiff bases bearing 1,2,4-triazolic moieties, namely 4H-4-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene-amino)-5-benzyl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 4H-4-(4-nitro-benzylidene-amino)-5-benzyl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole using thin layer chromatography, melting interval, elemental analysis, spectroscopy and thermal stability studies.
Novel Transcription Factor Variants through RNA-Sequencing: The Importance of Being “Alternative”
Authors: Scarpato Margherita , Federico Antonio , Ciccodicola Alfredo , Costa Valerio
Published: January 2015

Alternative splicing is a pervasive mechanism of RNA maturation in higher eukaryotes, which increases proteomic diversity and biological complexity. It has a key regulatory role in several physiological and pathological states. The diffusion of Next Generation Sequencing, particularly of RNA-Sequencing, has exponentially empowered the identification of novel transcripts revealing that more than 95% of human genes undergo alternative splicing. The highest rate of alternative splicing occurs in transcription factors encoding genes, mostly in Krüppel-associated box domains of zinc finger proteins. Since these molecules are responsible for gene expression, alternative splicing is a crucial mechanism to “regulate the regulators”. Indeed, different transcription factors isoforms may have different or even opposite functions. In this work, through a targeted re-analysis of our previously published RNA-Sequencing datasets, we identified nine novel transcripts in seven transcription factors genes. In silico analysis, combined with RT-PCR, cloning and Sanger sequencing, allowed us to experimentally validate these new variants. Through computational approaches we also predicted their novel structural and functional properties. Our findings indicate that alternative splicing is a major determinant of transcription factor diversity, confirming that accurate analysis of RNA-Sequencing data can reliably lead to the identification of novel transcripts, with potentially new functions.
Asperlones A and B, Dinaphthalenone Derivatives from a Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus sp. 16-5C
Authors: Xiao Ze'en , Lin Shao'e , Tan Chunbing , Lu Yongjun , He Lei , Huang Xishan , She Zhigang
Published: January 2015

Racemic dinaphthalenone derivatives, (±)-asperlone A (1) and (±)-asperlone B (2), and two new azaphilones, 6′-hydroxy-(R)-mitorubrinic acid (3) and purpurquinone D (4), along with four known compounds, (−)-mitorubrinic acid (5), (−)-mitorubrin (6), purpurquinone A (7) and orsellinic acid (8), were isolated from the cultures of Aspergillus sp. 16-5C. The structures were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR spectra and the structures of 1 further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, while the absolute configuration of 3 and 4 were determined by comparing their optical rotation and CD with those of the literature, respectively. Compounds 1, 2 and 6 exhibited potent inhibitory effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein tyrosine phosphatase B (MptpB) with IC50 values of 4.24 ± 0.41, 4.32 ± 0.60 and 3.99 ± 0.34 μM, respectively.
A GEOBIA Methodology for Fragmented Agricultural Landscapes
Authors: Garcia-Pedrero Angel , Gonzalo-Martin Consuelo , Fonseca-Luengo David , Lillo-Saavedra Mario
Published: January 2015

Very high resolution remotely sensed images are an important tool for monitoring fragmented agricultural landscapes, which allows farmers and policy makers to make better decisions regarding management practices. An object-based methodology is proposed for automatic generation of thematic maps of the available classes in the scene, which combines edge-based and superpixel processing for small agricultural parcels. The methodology employs superpixels instead of pixels as minimal processing units, and provides a link between them and meaningful objects (obtained by the edge-based method) in order to facilitate the analysis of parcels. Performance analysis on a scene dominated by agricultural small parcels indicates that the combination of both superpixel and edge-based methods achieves a classification accuracy slightly better than when those methods are performed separately and comparable to the accuracy of traditional object-based analysis, with automatic approach.
Cooperative Surveillance and Pursuit Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unattended Ground Sensors
Authors: Las Fargeas Jonathan , Kabamba Pierre , Girard Anouck
Published: January 2015

This paper considers the problem of path planning for a team of unmanned aerial vehicles performing surveillance near a friendly base. The unmanned aerial vehicles do not possess sensors with automated target recognition capability and, thus, rely on communicating with unattended ground sensors placed on roads to detect and image potential intruders. The problem is motivated by persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and base defense missions. The problem is formulated and shown to be intractable. A heuristic algorithm to coordinate the unmanned aerial vehicles during surveillance and pursuit is presented. Revisit deadlines are used to schedule the vehicles’ paths nominally. The algorithm uses detections from the sensors to predict intruders’ locations and selects the vehicles’ paths by minimizing a linear combination of missed deadlines and the probability of not intercepting intruders. An analysis of the algorithm’s completeness and complexity is then provided. The effectiveness of the heuristic is illustrated through simulations in a variety of scenarios.
Futures Analysis of Urban Land Use and Wetland Change in Saskatoon, Canada: An Application in Strategic Environmental Assessment
Authors: Sizo Anton , Noble Bram , Bell Scott
Published: January 2015

This paper presents a scenario-based approach to strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for wetland trend analysis and land use and land cover (LUC) modeling in an urban environment. The application is focused on the Saskatoon urban environment, a rapidly growing urban municipality in Canada’s prairie pothole region. Alternative future LUC was simulated using remote sensing data and city spatial planning documentation using a Markov Chain technique. Two alternatives were developed and compared for LUC change and threats to urban wetland sustainability: a zero alternative that simulated trends in urban development and wetland conservation under a business as usual scenario, in the absence of prescribed planning and zoning actions; and an alternative focused on implementation of current urban development plans, which simulated future LUC to account for prescribed wetland conservation strategies. Results show no improvement in future wetland conditions under the city’s planned growth and wetland conservation scenario versus the business as usual scenario. Results also indicate that a blanket wetland conservation strategy for the city may not be sufficient to overcome the historic trend of urban wetland loss; and that spatially distributed conservation rates, based on individual wetland water catchment LUC peculiarities, may be more effective in terms of wetland conservation. The paper also demonstrates the challenges to applied SEA in a rapidly changing urban planning context, where data are often sparse and inconsistent across the urban region, and provides potential solutions through LUC classification and prediction tools to help overcome data limitations to support land use planning decisions for wetland conservation.
Making Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) Work for Development in Tropical Countries
Authors: Aerni Philipp , Nichterlein Karin , Rudgard Stephen , Sonnino Andrea
Published: January 2015

Agricultural innovation in low-income tropical countries contributes to a more effective and sustainable use of natural resources and reduces hunger and poverty through economic development in rural areas. Yet, despite numerous recent public and private initiatives to develop capacities for agricultural innovation, such initiatives are often not well aligned with national efforts to revive existing Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). In an effort to improve coordination and responsiveness of Capacity Development (CD) initiatives, the G20 Agriculture Ministers requested the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to lead the development of a Tropical Agricultural Platform (TAP), which is designed to improve coherence and coordination of CD for agricultural innovation in the tropics. This paper presents a summary of the results obtained from three regional needs assessments undertaken by TAP and its partners. The surveyed tropical regions were Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. The findings reveal a mismatch in all three regions between the external supply of primarily individual CD and the actual demand for institutional CD. The misalignment might be addressed by strengthening south-south and triangular collaboration and by improving the institutional capacities that would render national AIS more demand-oriented and responsive to the needs of smallholders in domestic agriculture.
Methodology for Assessing Daylighting Design Strategies in Classroom with a Climate-Based Method
Authors: Piderit Moreno María , Labarca Constanza
Published: January 2015

Considering the importance of daylight in the performance and well-being of the students, an investigation has been carried out in daylit classrooms. The objective was applying a methodology that integrates the daylight variations to know the annual lighting performance in typologies that resulted from passive design strategies in order to compare their performance. The context of the study was three zones of Chile: north, center and south. The study was done through a climate-based daylight modelling method using Radiance software. The interior illuminance was evaluated in relation to a target illuminance value (goal-oriented assessment), for which five intervals are defined: low, too low, in range, high and too high. The aim of the goal-oriented approach is to set a target range of values and assess the percentage of time over the year where each range is reached and the percentage of spaces in a temporal map within in range during the year. To see a compliance or non-compliance indicator, a category is proposed that considers the average annual illuminance “in range” over the year identifying which one is the most efficient. Finally, it is concluded that the information obtained is based on target ranges, which allows guiding the design decisions, effectively recognizing the annual performance.