bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-Chip Cellomics Assay Enabling Algebraic and Geometric Understanding of Epigenetic Information in Cellular Networks of Living Systems. 1. Temporal Aspects of Epigenetic Information in Bacteria
Authors: Yasuda Kenji
Published: May 2012

A series of studies aimed at developing methods and systems of analyzing epigenetic information in cells and in cell networks, as well as that of genetic information, was examined to expand our understanding of how living systems are determined. Because cells are minimum units reflecting epigenetic information, which is considered to map the history of a parallel-processing recurrent network of biochemical reactions, their behaviors cannot be explained by considering only conventional DNA information-processing events. The role of epigenetic information on cells, which complements their genetic information, was inferred by comparing predictions from genetic information with cell behaviour observed under conditions chosen to reveal adaptation processes, population effects and community effects. A system of analyzing epigenetic information was developed starting from the twin complementary viewpoints of cell regulation as an “algebraic” system (emphasis on temporal aspects) and as a “geometric” system (emphasis on spatial aspects). Exploiting the combination of latest microfabrication technology and measurement technologies, which we call on-chip cellomics assay, we can control and re-construct the environments and interaction of cells from “algebraic” and “geometric” viewpoints. In this review, temporal viewpoint of epigenetic information, a part of the series of single-cell-based “algebraic” and “geometric” studies of celluler systems in our research groups, are summerized and reported. The knowlege acquired from this study may lead to the use of cells that fully control practical applications like cell-based drug screening and the regeneration of organs.
A Hybrid LPG/CFBG for Highly Sensitive Refractive Index Measurements
Authors: Sun An , Wu Zhishen
Published: May 2012

A simple and high sensitive method employing a hybrid long period grating (LPG)/chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) for refractive index (RI) measurements is proposed and investigated experimentally. The wide wavelength range of backward cladding modes are excited through the coupling and recoupling between LPG and CFBG. Experimental results indicate that the recoupled cladding modes between LPG and CFBG and core mode are modulated by the surrounding RI and highly sensitive RI measurements can be achieved by simply measuring the reflected intensity changes of the recoupled cladding modes and core mode.
Temperature Effects on the Propagation Characteristics of Love Waves along Multi-Guide Layers of Sio2/Su-8 on St-90°X Quartz
Authors: Xu Fangqian , Wang Wen , Hou Jiaoli , Liu Minghua
Published: May 2012

Theoretical calculations have been performed on the temperature effects on the propagation characteristics of Love waves in layered structures by solving the coupled electromechanical field equations, and the optimal design parameters were extracted for temperature stability improvement. Based on the theoretical analysis, excellent temperature coefficient of frequency (Tcf) of the fabricated Love wave devices with guide layers of SU-8/SiO2 on ST-90°X quartz substrate is evaluated experimentally as only 2.16 ppm.
A Survey on the Taxonomy of Cluster-Based Routing Protocols for Homogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Naeimi Soroush , Ghafghazi Hamidreza , Chow Chee-Onn , Ishii Hiroshi
Published: May 2012

The past few years have witnessed increased interest among researchers in cluster-based protocols for homogeneous networks because of their better scalability and higher energy efficiency than other routing protocols. Given the limited capabilities of sensor nodes in terms of energy resources, processing and communication range, the cluster-based protocols should be compatible with these constraints in either the setup state or steady data transmission state. With focus on these constraints, we classify routing protocols according to their objectives and methods towards addressing the shortcomings of clustering process on each stage of cluster head selection, cluster formation, data aggregation and data communication. We summarize the techniques and methods used in these categories, while the weakness and strength of each protocol is pointed out in details. Furthermore, taxonomy of the protocols in each phase is given to provide a deeper understanding of current clustering approaches. Ultimately based on the existing research, a summary of the issues and solutions of the attributes and characteristics of clustering approaches and some open research areas in cluster-based routing protocols that can be further pursued are provided.
Virus infections in wild plant populations are both frequent and often unapparent
Authors: Prendeville Holly R. , Ye Xiaohong , Jack Morris T. , Pilson Diana
Published: May 2012

• Premise of the study: Pathogens are thought to regulate host populations. In agricultural crops, virus infection reduces yield. However, in wild plants little is known about the spatial and temporal patterns of virus prevalence. Thus, pathogen effects on plant population dynamics are unclear. Prevalence data provide necessary background for (1) evaluating the effects of virus infection on plant population size and dynamics and (2) improving risk assessment of virus‐resistant transgenic crops.

• Methods: We used ELISA and RT‐PCR to survey wild Cucurbita pepo populations over 4 years for five viruses, aphid‐transmitted viruses of the genus Potyvirus as a group and PCR to survey for virus‐resistance transgenes. In addition, we surveyed the literature for reports of virus prevalence in wild populations.

• Key results: In 21 C. pepo populations, virus prevalence (0–74%) varied greatly among populations, years, and virus species. In samples analyzed by both ELISA and RT‐PCR, RT‐PCR detected 6–44% more viruses than did ELISA. Eighty percent of these infections did not cause any visually apparent symptoms. In our samples, the virus‐resistance transgene was not present. In 30 published studies, 92 of 146 tested species were infected with virus, and infection rates ranged from 0.01–100%. Most published studies used ELISA, suggesting virus prevalence is higher than reported.

• Conclusions: In wild C. pepo, the demographic effects of virus are likely highly variable in space and time. Further, our literature survey suggests that such variation is probably common across plant species. Our results indicate that risk assessments for virus‐resistant transgenic crops should not rely on visual symptoms or ELISA and should include data from multiple populations over multiple years.
Distribution of functional groups in periodic mesoporous organosilica materials studied by small-angle neutron scattering with in situ adsorption of nitrogen
Authors: Sharifi Monir , Wallacher Dirk , Wark Michael
Published: May 2012

Periodic mesoporous materials of the type (R′O)3Si-R-Si(OR′)3 with benzene as an organic bridge and a crystal-like periodicity within the pore walls were functionalized with SO3H or SO3− groups and investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with in situ nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. If N2 is adsorbed in the pores the SANS measurements show a complete matching of all of the diffraction signals that are caused by the long-range ordering of the mesopores in the benzene-PMO, due to the fact that the benzene-PMO walls possess a neutron scattering length density (SLD) similar to that of nitrogen in the condensed state. However, signals at higher q-values (>1 1/Å) are not affected with respect to their SANS intensity, even after complete pore filling, confirming the assumption of a crystal-like periodicity within the PMO material walls due to π–π interactions between the organic bridges. The SLD of pristine benzene-PMO was altered by functionalizing the surface with different amounts of SO3H-groups, using the grafting method. For a low degree of functionalization (0.81 mmol SO3H·g−1) and/or an inhomogeneous distribution of the SO3H-groups, the SLD changes only negligibly, and thus, complete contrast matching is still found. However, for higher amounts of SO3H-groups (1.65 mmol SO3H·g−1) being present in the mesopores, complete matching of the neutron diffraction signals is no longer observed proving that homogeneously distributed SO3H-groups on the inner pore walls of the benzene-PMO alter the SLD in a way that it no longer fits to the SLD of the condensed N2.
Des barrières autistiques aux limites : des voies nouvelles d'interprétation
Authors: Suarez-Labat Hélène
Published: May 2012

Résumé La question des interprétations vectrices des processus de changement qui se déploient dans le dégagement de l’état autistique est analysée à partir des travaux de M. Klein et de F. Tustin chez l’enfant et l’adolescent bénéficiant de cures psychanalytiques au long cours. L’analyse et l’interprétation du transfert/contre-transfert s’appuient sur le relevé des mouvements qui contribuent à la construction de la synthèse du moi corporel : construction du regard, qualification de l’affect, fantasme de scène primitive, symbolisations, décorporation des corps maternel et paternel. L’effet des interprétations constitue des révélateurs et indicateurs du dégagement de l’état autistique.
Entre le divan et le piano, un « psychodrame analytique »
Authors: Walewska Katarzyna
Published: May 2012

Résumé Si le processus psychanalytique concerne l’exploration de l’espace intrapsychique et intersubjectif, la présence d’un piano dans le travail avec les enfants permet que le dialogue analytique verbal, créateur de l’espace transféro-contre-transférentiel soit élargi par le dialogue non verbal, créant un espace supplémentaire mis à la disposition du processus créatif, espace partiellement conscient et en partie inconscient où circule un dialogue libidinal, en même temps narcissique et objectal mais aussi préverbal.
El ocio de los jóvenes en la sociedad contemporánea
Authors: Roberts Ken
Published: May 2012

Este artículo examina cómo ha cambiado el ocio de los jóvenes en Europa occidental desde los años 50. Considera los efectos de la extensión de la etapa vital de la juventud, el ingreso en una era post-industrial y el notable aumento del gasto en ocio. El artículo explora las maneras en que las culturas juveniles se han convertido ahora en medios donde las relaciones y divisiones sociales son transformadas antes que reproducidas, y argumenta que esto es más plausible en relación al género, para algunas –aunque no todas– las divisiones étnicas, y totalmente implausible en relación a la clase social. Se aduce que las diferencias de clase en la socialización del ocio durante la infancia, que resultan en la adquisición de diferentes cantidades y tipos de capital cultural, junto a las relaciones sociales formadas entre pares sociales, permiten que las diferencias de clase se mantengan a lo largo de la etapa vital de la juventud, incluso aunque los jóvenes en la mayoría de trayectorias de clase compartan gran parte de su ocio.
Impacto económico del ocio en el siglo XXI
Authors: Álvarez Alday Marta , Fernández-Villarán Ara Asunción
Published: May 2012

El siglo XXI es testigo de una transformación en el concepto de ocio, con un importante aumento de sus actividades con transcendencia económica. Hasta ahora el ocio se consideraba en los períodos de no trabajo y hoy se buscan experiencias importantes a lo largo de todo la vida. El Instituto de Estudios de Ocio de la Universidad de Deusto centra su interés en la experiencia humana más allá de los productos tangibles. Asistimos a un cambio cultural importante en el mundo desarrollado donde la mayor parte de la población se ha volcado en una filosofía que se podría resumir como “tener menos, disfrutar más”. Paralelamente, las TIC’s han propiciado una revolución en el campo del ocio: el ocio digital con manifestaciones como los videojuegos o las comunidades virtuales. Todo ello se traduce en un importante impacto económico en términos de generación de producción, empleo y renta que tratamos de abordar en este artículo.
Las retóricas del público. El espacio de consumo del arte como institución política
Authors: Bayón Fernando
Published: May 2012

Este artículo pretende poner de manifiesto cómo el espacio de las prácticas de ocio cultural es una construcción política. Para ello, escoge como categoría central al público, en tanto formación comunitaria por medio de la cual cada sociedad institucionaliza de forma dinámica las prácticas de ocio asociadas a la oferta artística. En diálogo con pensadores como Adorno, Baudrillard, Warburg o Benjamin, se describen las dimensiones espaciales y temporales en que se desarrollan los vínculos comunitarios, específicos de la institución del “público” en el sector cultural. Para ello, el ensayo intenta identificar cuáles son las estrategias comunicativas que están produciendo esos espacios de presencia y esos tiempos de experiencia para las prácticas del ocio cultural en las sociedades del consumismo avanzado. Las he llamado retóricas de la convergencia y retóricas de la persuasión.
Pour une éducation au cinéma intégrée dans une pédagogie de projet multimédia : un exemple de translittératie
Authors: Velez Irma
Published: May 2012

Si la didactique du cinéma et par le cinéma éveille aujourd’hui l’attention des chercheurs, c’est pour répondre à l’urgence d’une formation des enseignants du premier degré qui intègre le langage audiovisuel dans une littératie médiatique multimodale. C’est aussi pour mieux répondre aux enjeux d’une démocratie participative qui se veut globale et multimédia dans ses stratégies de communication. À partir de l’évolution des usages du cinéma à l’école, toute considération faite aux dispositifs pédagogiques technologiques exploités et à la place accordée aux apprenants, l’article résumera une proposition de formation des enseignants mise en place à l’IUFM de Paris Sorbonne dans le cadre d’une spécialisation en « E-learning et mobilité » du nouveau Master Enseignement, Éducation, Médiation. L’article suggère que l’éducation au cinéma intégrée dans une pédagogie de projet multimédia dans un dispositif hybride de formation peut servir d’exemple de translittératie.
L’intégration du cinéma hollywoodien en classe de langue : réflexions sur quelques points de convergence disciplinaires
Authors: Maury Cristelle
Published: May 2012

À partir d’une expérience d’enseignement de l’anglais menée dans une université de lettres et sciences humaines auprès d’un public composé d’étudiants de Langues pour Spécialistes d’Autres Disciplines (LANSAD) de niveau B2, cet article propose d’utiliser les apports théoriques de la recherche sur l’enseignement d’une discipline en langue étrangère pour faciliter l’apprentissage de l’anglais. Il se fonde sur des exemples de mise en œuvre pédagogique tirés de A History of Violence (Cronenberg 2005) et de films noirs hollywoodiens pour tenter de dégager les points de convergence entre l’enseignement des études cinématographiques et l’apprentissage de l’anglais. En effet, les compétences de réception et de production nécessaires à l’acquisition de la langue ressemblent à celles qui sous-tendent l’apprentissage de l’analyse filmique. Ces points de convergence sont la condition pour arriver à une véritable intégration entre les disciplines.
How Personal Heirloom Stories Can Spark Emotion and Motivation by Using Short Films in the EFL Classroom
Authors: Beirne Kenneth , Floquet Pierre
Published: May 2012

Using film in class has been a long-standing practice with our non-specialist students in a French engineering school, in multiple formats for multiple purposes. Heirlooms, the Australian series of very short animated films, offers teachers an alternative way of having students work with and reflect upon multi-culturalism abroad, and eventually within their own scope.This paper discusses the potential and limitations of using such short animated films recounting personal heirlooms for teaching purposes in a foreign language learning classroom. The Heirlooms films were used as models on which students could base their own personal stories, which were recorded and uploaded onto a YouTube account. Although the number of students participating was low (15 out of 40), the submitted videos do suggest that such a personalised and do-able task can yield a relatively rich and varied end product which can also improve group cohesion and lead to greater levels of exchange.
Le cinéma, de la motivation à la mobilisation intellectuelle
Authors: Medioni Maria-Alice
Published: May 2012

Le cinéma est un support support de plus en plus travaillé à l’école, particulièrement intéressant dans l’apprentissage des langues étrangères mais pas forcément le plus facile d’accès pour un apprenant. Cela oblige l’enseignant à préparer sérieusement le visionnage d’un film pour en permettre la compréhension par tous, en essayant d’éviter deux écueils : la préparation trop poussée qui gâte la curiosité et la consommation passive d’images dans le cadre de la « sortie » cinéma. Il s’agit avant tout de mettre en appétit, de donner quelques clés sans révéler l’essentiel pour susciter le désir de savoir qui naît d'une situation mobilisatrice.Cette note de pédagogie a pour objet de présenter différentes didactisations de films en espagnol et en anglais dans un projet d’apprentissage visant à outiller les apprenants dans la lecture et la compréhension des œuvres cinématographiques. Il abordera également les situations de travail qui en découlent à partir du scénario, de l’œuvre littéraire dont est tiré le film, des photos, de l’image et du son, etc.
A Discovery Method of Attractive Rules from the Tabular Structured Data
Authors: Sakurai Shigeaki
Published: May 2012

This chapter introduces a discovery method of attractive rules from the tabular structured data. The data is a set of examples composed of attributes and their attribute values. The method is included in the research field discovering frequent patterns from transactions composed of items. Here, the transaction and the item are a receipt and a sales item in the case of the retail business. The method focuses on relationships between the attributes and the attribute values in order to efficiently discover patterns based on their frequencies from the tabular structured data. Also, the method needs to deal with missing values. This is because parts of attribute values are missing due to the problems of data collection and data storage. Thus, this chapter introduces a method dealing with the missing values. The method defines two evaluation criteria related to the patterns and introduces a method that discovers the patterns based on the two-stepwise evaluation method. In addition, this chapter introduces evaluation criteria of the attractive rules in order to discover the rules from the patterns.
Decay Detection in Citrus Fruits Using Hyperspectral Computer Vision
Authors: Gómez-Sanchis Juan , Soria-Olivas Emilio , Lorente-Garrido Delia , Martínez-Martínez José M. , Escandell-Montero Pablo , Guimerá-Tomás Josep , Blasco-Ivars José
Published: May 2012

The citrus industry is nowadays an important part of the Spanish agricultural sector. One of the main problems present in the citrus industry is decay caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum fungi. Early detection of decay produced by fungi in citrus is especially important for the citrus industry of distribution. This chapter presents a hyperspectral computer vision system and a set of machine learning techniques in order to detect decay caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum fungi that produce more economic losses to the sector. More specifically, the authors employ a hyperspectral system and artificial neural networks. Nowadays, inspection and removal of damaged citrus is done manually by workers using dangerous ultraviolet light. The proposed system constitutes a feasible and implementable solution for the citrus industry; this has been proven by the fact that several machinery enterprises have shown their interest in the implementation and patent of the system.
Integration of the Image and NL-text Analysis/Synthesis Systems
Authors: Khakhalin Gennady K. , Kurbatov Sergey S. , Naidenova Xenia , Lobzin Alex P.
Published: May 2012

A complex combining multimodal intelligent systems is described. The complex consists of the following systems: image analyzer, image synthesizer, linguistic analyzer of NL-text, and synthesizer of NL-text and applied ontology. The ontology describes the knowledge common for these systems. The analyzers use the applied ontology language for describing the results of their work, and this language is input for the synthesizers. The language of semantic hypergraphs has been selected for ontological knowledge representation. It is an extension of semantic networks. Plane geometry (planimetry) has been selected as an applied domain of the complex. The complex’s systems and their interaction are described.
Gaussian Process-based Manifold Learning for Human Motion Modeling
Authors: Fan Guoliang , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2012

This chapter studies the human walking motion that is unique for every individual and could be used for many medical and biometric applications. The authors’ goal is to develop a general low-dimensional (LD) model from of a set of high-dimensional (HD) motion capture (MoCap) data acquired from different individuals, where there are two main factors involved, i.e., pose (a specific posture in a walking cycle) and gait (a specific walking style). Many Gaussian process (GP)-based manifold learning methods have been proposed to explore a compact LD manifold embedding for motion representation where only one factor (i.e., pose) is normally revealed explicitly with the other factor (i.e., gait) implicitly or independently treated. The authors recently proposed a new GP-based joint gait-pose manifold (JGPM) that unifies these two variables into one manifold structure to capture the coupling effect between them. As the result, JGPM is able to capture the motion variability both across different poses and among multiple gaits (i.e., individuals) simultaneously. In order to show advantages of joint modeling of combining the two factors in one manifold, they develop a validation technique to compare JGPM with recent GP-based methods in terms of their capability of motion interpolation, extrapolation, denoising, and recognition. The experimental results further demonstrate advantages of the proposed JGPM for human motion modeling.
Probabilistic Graphical Models for Sports Video Mining
Authors: Fan Guoliang , Ding Yi
Published: May 2012

Semantic analysis is an active and interesting research topic in the field of sports video mining. In this chapter, the authors present a multi-level video semantic analysis framework that is featured by hybrid generative-discriminative probabilistic graphical models. A three-layer semantic space is proposed, by which the semantic video analysis is cast into two inter-related inference problems defined at different semantic levels. In the first stage, a multi-channel segmental hidden Markov model (MCSHMM) is developed to jointly detect multiple co-existent mid-level keywords from low-level visual features, which can serve as building blocks for high-level semantics. In the second stage, authors propose the auxiliary segmentation conditional random fields (ASCRFs) to discover the game flow from multi-channel key-words, which provides a unified semantic representation for both event and structure analysis. The use of hybrid generative-discriminative approaches in two different stages is proved to be effective and appropriate for multi-level semantic analysis in sports video. The experimental results from a set of American football video data demonstrate that the proposed framework offers superior results compared with other traditional machine learning-based video mining approaches.
Static and Dynamic Multi-Robot Coverage with Grammatical Evolution Guided by Reinforcement and Semantic Rules
Authors: Mingo Jack Mario , Aler Ricardo , Maravall Darío , de Lope Javier
Published: May 2012

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the application of robot teams to solve some kind of problems. Although there are several environments and tasks where a team of robots can deliver better results than a single robot, one of the most active attention focus is concerned with solving coverage problems, either static or dynamic, mainly in unknown environments. The authors propose a method in this work to solve these problems in simulation by means of grammatical evolution of high-level controllers. Evolutionary algorithms have been successfully applied in many applications, but better results can be achieved when evolution and learning are combined in some way. This work uses one of this hybrid algorithms called Grammatical Evolution guided by Reinforcement but the authors enhance it by adding semantic rules in the grammatical production rules. This way, they can build automatic high-level controllers in fewer generations and the solutions found are more readable as well. Additionally, a study about the influence of the number of members implied in the evolutionary process is addressed.
Semi Blind Source Separation for Application in Machine Learning
Authors: Naik Ganesh , Kumar Dinesh Kant
Published: May 2012

Unsupervised learning is a class of problems in machine learning which seeks to determine how the data are organized. Unsupervised learning encompasses many other techniques that seek to summarize and explain key features of the data. One form of unsupervised learning is blind source separation (BSS). BSS is a class of computational data analysis techniques for revealing hidden factors that underlie sets of measurements or signals. BSS assumes a statistical model whereby the observed multivariate data, typically given as a large database of samples, are assumed to be linear or nonlinear mixtures of some unknown latent variables. The mixing coefficients are also unknown. Sometimes more prior information about the sources is available or is induced into the model, such as the form of their probability densities, their spectral contents, etc. Then the term blind is often replaced by semiblind. This chapter reports the semi BSS machine learning applications on audio and bio signal processing.
Machine Learning Applications in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Zhang Hao H. , Meyer Robert R. , Shi Leyuan , D’Souza Warren D.
Published: May 2012

Cancer is one of the most complex diseases and one of the most effective treatments, radiation therapy, is also a complicated process. Informatics is becoming a critical tool for clinicians and scientists for improvements to the treatment and a better understanding of the disease. Computational techniques such as Machine Learning have been increasingly used in radiation therapy. As complex as cancer is, this book chapter shows that a machine learning technique has the ability to provide physicians information for better diagnostic, to obtain tumor location for more accurate treatment delivery, and to predict radiotherapy response so that personalized treatment can be developed.
Nature-Inspired Toolbox to Design and Optimize Systems
Authors: Singh Satvir , Khosla Arun , Saini J. S.
Published: May 2012

Nature-Inspired (NI) Toolbox is a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based toolbox which is developed in the MATLAB environment. It has been released under General Public License and hosted at SourceForge.net (http://sourceforge.net/projects/nitool/). The purpose of this toolbox is to facilitate the users/designers in design and optimization of their systems. This chapter discusses the fundamental concepts of PSO algorithms in the initial sections, followed by discussions and illustrations of benchmark optimization functions. Various modules of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of NI Toolbox are explained with necessary figures and snapshots. In the ending sections, simulations results present comparative performance of various PSO models with concluding remarks.
Idiopathic Restrictive Cardiomyopathy - Perspectives from Genetics Studies. Is It Time to Redefine These Disorders?
Authors: Bahl Ajay , Saikia Uma Nahar , Khullar Madhu
Published: May 2012

Idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy (IRC) is a rare form of heart muscle disease. Genetic studies have revealed that in about half the cases, IRC forms part of the hereditary sarcomeric contractile protein disease spectrum. Mutations in several sarcomere protein encoding genes are detected in 33-66% of cases. Among these, the mutations most commonly involve TNNI3 and MYH7. There is a disproportionately high incidence of TNNI3 mutations in patients with restrictive physiology. De novo mutations are also frequently seen in this group of patients. IRC and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with restrictive phenotype reflect the same or very similar disorders with different names due to arbitrary cut offs in the left ventricular wall thickness rather than two separate distinct diseases. HCM with restrictive physiology should be considered part of a continuous spectrum with IRC. This is because patients with HCM with restrictive phenotype bear far greater clinical and genetic resemblance to IRC than to rest of the HCM cohort.
Acute urinary retention in early pregnancy: how far should the investigation go?
Authors: Okorie Chukwudi O.
Published: May 2012

Acute urinary retention in early pregnancy is a rare but serious problem. In most cases a causative factor can be identified. In the absence of a readily identifiable causative factor following basic investigation, the further diagnostic and treatment approach can be a challenge, as there are no defined guidelines. A case of acute urinary retention in early pregnancy with no readily identifiable cause managed by patient self-intermittent catheterization on outpatient basis is hereby reported.
Development of an aerosol chemical transport model RAQM2 and predictions of Northeast Asian aerosol mass, size, chemistry, and mixing type
Authors: Kajino M. , Inomata Y. , Sato K. , Ueda H. , Han Z. , An J. , Katata G. , Deushi M. , Maki T. , Oshima N. , Kurokawa J. , Ohara T. , Takami A. , Hatakeyama S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. A new aerosol chemical transport model, Regional Air Quality Model 2 (RAQM2), was developed to simulate Asian air quality. We implemented a simple version of a modal-moment aerosol dynamics model (MADMS) and achieved a completely dynamic (non-equilibrium) solution of a gas-to-particle mass transfer over a wide range of aerosol diameters from 1 nm to super μm. To consider a variety of atmospheric aerosol properties, a category approach was utilized, in which the aerosols were distributed into 4 categories: Aitken mode (ATK), soot-free accumulation mode (ACM), soot aggregates (AGR), and coarse mode (COR). Condensation, evaporation, and Brownian coagulations for each category were solved dynamically. A regional-scale simulation (Δ x = 60 km) was performed for the entire year of 2006 covering the Northeast Asian region. Statistical analyses showed that the model reproduced the regional-scale transport and transformation of the major inorganic anthropogenic and natural air constituents within factors of 2 to 5. The modeled PM1/bulk ratios of the chemical components were consistent with the observations, indicating that the simulations of aerosol mixing types were successful. Non-sea salt SO42- mixed with ATK + ACM was the largest at Hedo in summer, whereas it mixed with AGR was substantial in cold seasons. Ninety-eight percent of the modeled NO3- was mixed with sea salt at Hedo, whereas 53.7% of the NO3- was mixed with sea salt at Gosan, located upwind toward the Asian continent. The condensation of HNO3 onto sea salt particles during transport over the ocean makes the difference in the NO3- mixing type at the two sites. Because the aerosol mixing type alters optical properties and cloud condensation nuclei activity, its accurate prediction and evaluation are indispensable for aerosol-cloud-radiation interaction studies.
Effects of dating errors on nonparametric trend analyses of speleothem time series
Authors: Mudelsee M. , Fohlmeister J. , Scholz D.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. A fundamental problem in paleoclimatology is to take fully into account the various error sources when examining proxy records with quantitative methods of statistical time series analysis. Records from dated climate archives such as speleothems add extra uncertainty from the age determination to the other sources that consist in measurement and proxy errors. This paper examines three stalagmite time series of oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O) from two caves in Western Germany, the series AH-1 from the Atta cave and the series Bu1 and Bu4 from the Bunker cave. These records carry regional information about past changes in winter precipitation and temperature. U/Th and radiocarbon dating reveals that they cover the later part of the Holocene, the past 8.6 thousand years (ka). We analyse centennial- to millennial-scale climate trends by means of nonparametric Gasser-Müller kernel regression. Error bands around fitted trend curves are determined by combining (1) block bootstrap resampling to preserve noise properties (shape, autocorrelation) of the δ18O residuals and (2) timescale simulations (models StalAge and iscam). The timescale error influences on centennial- to millennial-scale trend estimation are not excessively large. We find a "mid-Holocene climate double-swing", from warm to cold to warm winter conditions (6.5 ka to 6.0 ka to 5.1 ka), with warm–cold amplitudes of around 0.5‰ δ18O; this finding is documented by all three records with high confidence. We also quantify the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the current warmth. Our analyses cannot unequivocally support the conclusion that current regional winter climate is warmer than that during the MWP.
Subsurface arsenic removal column tests: from the laboratory to the field
Authors: Moed D. H. , van Halem D. , Verberk J. Q. J. C. , van Paassen J. A. M. , Rietveld L. C.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Previous laboratory column experiments have given evidence of competitive effects between different groundwater constituents in the process of subsurface arsenic removal, a process in which arsenic is removed from groundwater by injecting water with oxygen into the subsurface. The presence of phosphate and other anions significantly limited arsenic removal. To investigate the influence of phosphate in natural groundwater, pumping stations in Loosdrecht (the Netherlands) and Subotica (Serbia) both with low phosphate concentrations (<0.1 mg l−1) and considerable arsenic concentrations (30 and 110 μg l−1) were chosen, to perform experiments identical to the previous laboratory work. Despite of the absence of phosphate, the subsurface arsenic removal process performed poorly in Subotica, with 50% arsenic breakthrough occurring after 2 to 4 column pore volumes of abstracted water. In Loosdrecht subsurface arsenic removal showed more promising results, 50% breakthrough after 6 to 7 pore volumes, while having a lower pH than Subotica and similar silicate concentrations. The water composition of both locations gives reason to suggest that natural organic matter has a limiting effect on subsurface arsenic removal as well. The presented results have shown the complexity of factors influencing subsurface arsenic removal, making it very challenging to select appropriate sites.
The Effect of Glycemic Control on Visual and Anatomic Outcomes in Response to Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Macky Tamer A. , Mahgoub Mohamed M.
Published: May 2012

Purpose.

To evaluate the effect of glycemic control on response to therapy of diabetic clinically significant macular edema (CSME).

Methods.

Patients with CSME had their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measured at baseline and 6 months. Central foveal thickness (CFT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Therapy included laser and intravitreal bevacizumab. HbA1c was graded as G1 <7%, G23 7%–7.9%, G3 8%–8.9%, G4 >9%.

Results.

Fifty-two eyes were included with mean logMAR BCVA and CFT as follows: baseline 0.75 and 423±106 μm; 3 months 0.47 and 293±69 μm; and 6 months 0.48 and 324±76 μm. Mean HbA1c was 8.13% and 7.43% at baseline and 6 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between baseline and 6 months HbA1c groups and logMAR BCVAs and CFTs at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. However, there were positive correlations between baseline HbA1c levels and each of baseline logMAR BCVA (p=0.024), baseline CFT (p<0.001), and 6-month logMAR BCVA (p=0.007). Improved HbA1c by 6 months did not show any correlation with logMAR BCVA and CFT at 6 months.

Conclusions.

Lower HbA1c appeared to be correlated with better visual acuity and lower CFT values at baseline, and also correlated with significantly better vision and nonsignificantly thinner CFT with therapy at 6 months.
Energy potential of fruit tree pruned biomass in Croatia
Authors: Bilanzdija N. , Voca N. , Kricka T. , Matin A. , Jurisic V.
Published: May 2012

The world's most developed countries and the European Union (EU) deem that the renewable energy sources should partly substitute fossil fuels and become a “bridge” to the utilization of other energy sources of the future. This paper will present the possibility of using pruned biomass from fruit cultivars. It will also present the calculation of potential energy from the mentioned raw materials in order to determine the extent of replacement of non-renewable sources with these types of renewable energy. One of the results of the intensive fruit-growing process, in post pruning stage, is large amount of pruned biomass waste. Based on the calculated biomass (kg ha-1) from intensively grown woody fruit crops that are most grown in Croatia (apple, pear, apricots, peach and nectarine, sweet cherry, sour cherry, prune, walnut, hazelnut, almond, fig, grapevine, and olive) and the analysis of combustible (carbon 45.55-49.28%, hydrogen 5.91-6.83%, and sulphur 0.18-0.21%) and non-combustible matters (oxygen 43.34-46.6%, nitrogen 0.54-1.05%, moisture 3.65-8.83%, ashes 1.52-5.39%) with impact of lowering the biomass heating value (15.602-17.727 MJ kg-1), the energy potential of the pruned fruit biomass is calculated at 4.21 PJ.
Short communication. Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila in piglets
Authors: Queiroga M. C. , Amaral A. S. P. , Branco S. M.
Published: May 2012

The production of Alentejano breed pig started a recovery two decades ago due to increasing demand for gourmet products. These pigs are raised in rotational semi-extensive or extensive outdoor production systems in the “Montado” (green and cork oak forest), grazing and feeding acorns and other associated food resources. Bacteria of the genus Aeromonas are considered as emerging pathogens of importance for man and animals, but its involvement in swine is not well documented. In the context of a study made at the University of Évora to assess the specific diseases of Alentejano swine, diseased piglets from two farms were submitted for pathological and bacteriological examinations. Pathological examinations revealed changes characteristic of septicemia, and Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs of piglets from both farms. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the isolates from one of the farms were susceptible to gentamicin, oxitetracycline, neomycin, enrofloxacin, colistin sulfate, trimethoprim, ceftiofur, and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. In contrast, the A. hydrophila isolated in the other farm was resistant to all drugs tested but enrofloxacin. This is the first report in the world showing the relationship between septicemia and A. hydrophila infection in piglets. The importance of this finding is further reinforced by the fact that these bacteria can be highly resistant to antimicrobial agents.
Short communication. Sarcocystis infection: a major cause of carcass condemnation in adult sheep in Spain
Authors: Martínez-Navalón B. , Anastasio-Giner B. , Cano-Fructuoso M. , Sanchez-Martínez P. , Llopis-Morant A. , Perez-Castarlenas B. , Goyena E. , Berriatua Fernández de Larrea E.
Published: May 2012

The frequency, distribution and impact of small ruminant Sarcocystis infection in the European Union is largely unknown; this study reports the prevalence of macroscopic Sarcocystis sp. cysts and associated carcass condemnation, in 6065 adult, cull, small ruminants from 145 farms in Spain. Macrocysts were detected in 12% of sheep from 60% flocks, and in none of the 345 goats examined. Most affected sheep had cysts in more than one body part and as a result, 79% of sheep carcasses with cysts were totally condemned. Consequently, it is estimated that Sarcocystis spp. infection could be costing the Spanish sheep industry € 20 million yr-1. Three types of cysts were identified according to size, shape and location: narrow, filament-shaped measuring 2-10 × ≤1 mm, present striated muscles only, and two wider types measuring 2-20 × 2-6 mm, including oval-shaped oesophageal cysts and more elongated cysts in striated muscles. Narrow and wide macrocysts were found in the same sheep and are compatible with Sarcocystis gigantea and Sarcocystis medusiformis, respectively, as described in New Zealand in the 1970s. However, cyst size and morphology varies with age and location. Moreover, S. medusiformis has not been reported in Europe and species-specific diagnosis is necessary to ascertain the ethiology of macrocysts in this study.
HER2/neu Gene Amplification and Protein Overexpression in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: A Review of Histopathology, Diagnostic Testing, and Clinical Implications
Authors: Hechtman Jaclyn F. , Polydorides Alexandros D.
Published: May 2012

Amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu (HER2/neu) gene and overexpression of the HER2 protein (HER2) have been shown to occur in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in a number of studies. With a dismal survival rate, patients with these cancers stand to benefit from the identification of possible molecular targets such as HER2 for both prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Although these and other carcinomas that overexpress HER2 may have a poorer prognosis and exhibit resistance to conventional chemotherapy, they have also recently been shown to respond to targeted therapy with the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab. Here, we briefly review the molecular biology, histopathology, diagnostic techniques, and interpretation, as well as the clinical implications, of HER2 amplification/overexpression in gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.
A Histopathologic Pattern of Centrilobular Hepatocyte Injury Suggests 6-Mercaptopurine-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Masia Ricard , Pratt Daniel S. , Misdraji Joseph
Published: May 2012

Context.—Hepatotoxicity is an important side effect of thiopurine analog treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. A variety of histopathologic findings have been observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease with thiopurine-induced hepatotoxicity, including nodular regenerative hyperplasia, vascular injury, and cholestasis.

Objective.—To describe the histologic features shared by 3 cases of thiopurine-induced hepatotoxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Design.—We identified 3 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who developed hepatotoxicity due to 6-mercaptopurine from the educational files of the Department of Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston). Histology slides (stained with hematoxylin-eosin, trichrome, periodic-acid Schiff with diastase digestion, and iron stains) and patients' medical records were reviewed retrospectively.

Results.—All 3 patients were receiving 6-mercaptopurine monotherapy at therapeutic doses, had normal thiopurine metabolite levels, and presented with elevated aminotransferase levels. Biopsies from all 3 cases exhibited a pattern of centrilobular hepatocyte injury characterized by ceroid-laden macrophages, hepatocyte anisonucleosis, and increased lipofuscin pigment, as well as centrilobular steatosis. Aminotransferase levels trended downward and either normalized or remained at borderline elevated levels after 6-mercaptopurine dose was reduced (in 1 patient) or discontinued (in 2 patients).

Conclusions.—Recognition of a pattern of centrilobular injury enables pathologists to suggest thiopurine-induced liver injury as the cause of elevated aminotransferases in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Structured Electronic Template for Histopathology Reporting on Colorectal Carcinoma Resections: Five-Year Follow-up Shows Sustainable Long-Term Quality Improvement
Authors: Casati Bettina , Bjugn Roger
Published: May 2012

Context.—To improve quality, pathology organizations have published guidelines with key parameters for histopathology reporting on cancer resections. Checklists or structured templates improve upon the presence of key parameters in histopathology reports, but data are lacking on long-term sustainability of such reporting. From 2003 to 2006, the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Society of Pathology collaborated on the development of a structured electronic template for histopathology reporting on colorectal carcinoma resections.

Objective.—To investigate use and long-term effect of this structured template in one of the first laboratories implementing the template for routine diagnostic work.

Design.—All histopathology reports (n  =  123) in the 1-year period prior to implementation were evaluated with respect to presence of key parameters. Likewise, all histopathology reports (n  =  1186) in the 5-year period after implementation were evaluated with respect to template use and presence of key parameters.

Results.—The electronic template had been used in 1089 (91.8%) of the 1186 cases. Template use was stable in the entire 5-year period, and had significantly improved upon the presence of data on 7 of 11 key parameters valid for both the preimplementation and the postimplementation period. Eight hundred and twenty-two (75.5%) of the 1089 template reports contained information on all key parameters, compared to just 20 (16.3%) of the 123 free text reports in the 1-year preimplementation period.

Conclusion.—Electronic template reporting has a significant and sustainable long-term, positive effect upon the quality of histopathology reports.
Necrotizing Palisading Granuloma of the Bladder in an Otherwise Healthy Young Man
Authors: Raspollini Maria Rosaria , Franchi Alessandro , Rose Augusto delle , Balzer Bonnie , Brown Jeffrey , Amin Mahul B.
Published: May 2012

We describe a case of a vesical mass in a young patient, histologically characterized by an intramural lesion composed of spindle and epithelioid histiocytes arranged in a palisaded pattern, with central necrosis similar to a rheumatoid nodule. There was no clinical history of autoimmunity or previous bladder procedures, infections, or trauma. However, the smooth muscle actin and desmin positivities seen in residual ghost cells within necrotic areas argued against a granulomatous process. Reactive processes, such as myofibroblastic proliferations, can overlap neoplastic disorders, including true smooth muscle tumors. We did not observe atypia in the viable cells and mitotic figures. These features did not support a diagnosis of malignancy. The fascicular pattern, spindle cell morphology, lack of marked cytologic atypia, and smooth muscle actin and desmin reactivities, with a lack of other lineage marker expression, all supported a diagnosis of an infarcted leiomyoma. The intramural location in the bladder also favored the diagnosis.