bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat, redescription and distribution of Latrodectus geometricus in Uruguay (Araneae: Theridiidae)
Authors: Simó Miguel , Dias María de Fátima da Rocha , Jorge Carolina , Castro Manuel , Dias Marcelo Alves , Laborda Álvaro
Published: May 2013

This study provides the first accurate records of Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch, 1841 for Uruguay and extends the known distribution of this species to the Southeastern region of South America. Data and figures of the genitalic morphology for the recognition of the species and natural history in this country are indicated. In Uruguay L. geometricus was mainly restricted to urban areas at the west of this country and it is associated with locations with high human activity.
Thrips species (Insecta: Thysanoptera) associated to Cowpea in Piauí, Brazil
Authors: Lima Élison Fabrício Bezerra , Fontes Lúcia da Silva , Pinent Silvia Marisa Jesien , Reis Adriana Saraiva dos , Freire Filho Francisco Rodrigues , Lopes Angela Celis de Almeida
Published: May 2013

Thrips are still poorly known in cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., in Piauí, despite their economic importance in this crop, which stands out as one of the major cultures of North and Northeast regions from Brazil. Thus, this study aimed to identify the thrips species associated to the crop in Teresina and Bom Jesus, Piauí, Brazil. From October 2007 to August 2008, cowpea inflorescences were sampled in the municipalities by the technique of simple bagging. After screenings, thrips were preserved in AGA, mounted on permanent microscope slides and identified. The identified species were: Frankliniella brevicaulis Hood, 1937, F. insularis (Franklin, 1908), F. schultzei (Trybom, 1910), F. tritici (Fitch, 1855) and Haplothrips gowdeyi (Franklin, 1908). The slides are deposited at the entomological collection of the Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Piauí. A key to the species is provided.
Tomographic and functional findings in severe COPD: comparison between the wood smoke-related and smoking-related disease
Authors: González-García Mauricio , Gomez Dario Maldonado , Torres-Duque Carlos A. , Barrero Margarita , Villegas Claudia Jaramillo , Pérez Juan Manuel , Varon Humberto
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: Wood smoke exposure is a risk factor for COPD. For a given degree of airway obstruction, the reduction in DLCO is smaller in individuals with wood smoke-related COPD than in those with smoking-related COPD, suggesting that there is less emphysema in the former. The objective of this study was to compare HRCT findings between women with wood smoke-related COPD and women with smoking-related COPD. METHODS: Twenty-two women with severe COPD (FEV1/FVC ratio < 70% and FEV1 < 50%) were divided into two groups: those with wood smoke-related COPD (n = 12) and those with smoking-related COPD (n = 10). The two groups were compared regarding emphysema scores and airway involvement (as determined by HRCT); and functional abnormalities-spirometry results, DLCO, alveolar volume (VA), the DLCO/VA ratio, lung volumes, and specific airway resistance (sRaw). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of FEV1, sRaw, or lung hyperinflation. Decreases in DLCO and in the DLCO/VA ratio were greater in the smoking-related COPD group subjects, who also had higher emphysema scores, in comparison with the wood smoke-related COPD group subjects. In the wood smoke-related COPD group, HRCT scans showed no significant emphysema, the main findings being peribronchial thickening, bronchial dilation, and subsegmental atelectasis. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with severe wood smoke-related COPD do not appear to develop emphysema, although they do show severe airway involvement. The reduction in DLCO and VA, with a normal DLCO/VA ratio, is probably due to severe bronchial obstruction and incomplete mixing of inspired gas during the determination of single-breath DLCO.
Epidemiological aspects of respiratory symptoms treated in the emergency room of a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Silva Denise Rossato , Viana Vinícius Pellegrini , Müller Alice Mânica , Coelho Ana Cláudia , Deponti Gracieli Nadalon , Livi Fernando Pohlmann , Dalcin Paulo de Tarso Roth
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms as the motive for emergency room visits by adult and pediatric patients, describing the major clinical syndromes diagnosed and the outcomes of the patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in the emergency room of a tertiary care university hospital. Between November of 2008 and November of 2009, we reviewed the total number of emergency room visits per day. Children and adults who presented with at least one respiratory symptom were included in the study. The electronic medical records were reviewed, and the major characteristics of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 37,059 emergency room visits, of which 11,953 (32.3%) were motivated by respiratory symptoms. The prevalence of emergency room visits due to respiratory symptoms was 28.7% and 38.9% among adults and children, respectively. In adults, the rates of hospitalization and mortality were 21.2% and 2.7%, respectively, compared with 11.9% and 0.3%, respectively, in children. Among the adults, the time from symptom onset to emergency room visit correlated positively with the need for hospitalization (p < 0.0001), the length of the hospital stay (p < 0.0001), and the mortality rate (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms as the motive for emergency room visits by adult and pediatric patients. Our results could inform decisions regarding the planning of prevention measures. Further epidemiological studies are needed in order to clarify the risk factors for severe respiratory symptoms.
Effects of methylprednisolone on inflammatory activity and oxidative stress in the lungs of brain-dead rats
Authors: Pilla Eduardo Sperb , Pereira Raôni Bins , Junior Luiz Alberto Forgiarini , Forgiarini Luiz Felipe , Paludo Artur de Oliveira , Kulczynski Jane Maria Ulbrich , Cardoso Paulo Francisco Guerreiro , Andrade Cristiano Feijó
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects that early and late systemic administration of methylprednisolone have on lungs in a rat model of brain death. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were anesthetized and randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): sham-operated (sham); brain death only (BD); brain death plus methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg i.v.) after 5 min (MP5); and brain death plus methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg i.v.) after 60 min (MP60). In the BD, MP5, and MP60 group rats, we induced brain death by inflating a balloon catheter in the extradural space. All of the animals were observed and ventilated for 120 min. We determined hemodynamic and arterial blood gas variables; wet/dry weight ratio; histological score; levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; and catalase activity. In BAL fluid, we determined differential white cell counts, total protein, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, and TNF-α levels were assessed in lung tissue. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, wet/dry weight ratio, BAL fluid analysis, or histological score-nor in terms of SOD, myeloperoxidase, and catalase activity. The levels of TBARS were significantly higher in the MP5 and MP60 groups than in the sham and BD groups (p < 0.001). The levels of TNF-α were significantly lower in the MP5 and MP60 groups than in the BD group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this model of brain death, the early and late administration of methylprednisolone had similar effects on inflammatory activity and lipid peroxidation in lung tissue.
Utilización de factores de crecimiento plaquetarios autólogos en artrodesis lumbares posterolaterales
Authors: Rojas Matías Andrés , Roura Natalia , Marino Pablo
Published: May 2013

OBJETIVO: Evaluar calidad e índice de pseudoartrosis en la formación del callo óseo en artrodesis instrumentadas lumbares posteriores con injerto óseo autólogo enriquecido con factores de crecimiento plaquetarios (FCP). MÉTODOS: Estudio clínico analítico experimental simple ciego entre Junio de 2007 y Junio de 2009 comparando dos grupos, uno en el que se utilizó FCP en artrodesis lumbares posteriores y otro en el que no se aplicó el factor, evaluando las siguientes variables: índice de pseudoartrosis, formación del callo óseo y complicaciones postoperatorias. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 26 pacientes, edad promedio 61,23 años, divididos en dos grupos de 13 pacientes. El grupo en el que se utilizó FCP presentó fusiones radiográficamente sólidas en el 61,54 %, sin registro de pseudoartrosis pero con incidencia de infección y sangrado postoperatorios de 15.39%, mientras que en el grupo sin FCP el 69.23% alcanzó fusiones sólidas con 7.69% de pseudoartrosis sin otras complicaciones relacionadas con la intervención. CONCLUSIÓN: Si bien el grupo con FCP no presentó pseudoartrosis, registró mayor incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias y menor número de fusiones radiográficamente sólidas. Aunque la cantidad de pacientes no permite obtener resultados estadísticamente significativos el presente puede ser el inicio de un estudio mayor.
Stem-cell treatment in disc degeneration: What is the evidence?
Authors: Peletti-Figueiró Manuela , Silva Pedro Guarise da , Souza Olívia Egger de , Lambert Ana Paula , Machado Denise Cantarelli , Roesch-Ely Mariana , Henriques João Antonio Pêgas , Falavigna Asdrubal
Published: May 2013

To review the potential role of stem cells in treating degenerative disc disease of the intervertebral disc (IVD). A review was performed of articles from the Medline database concerning stem cells and degenerative disc disease (DDD). To discuss the data, the papers were classified as: review, in vitro, experimental, and clinical. The currently available treatments were basically for symptom reduction, not to revert the IVD degenerative process. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is being proposed as an option of treatment for DDD. In vitro studies have shown that the MSC are able to differentiate into NP cells and that the MSC also reduce the inflammatory levels of the degenerated IVD. Besides, experimental studies demonstrated that the MSC remained viable when injected into the IVD, and that they were able to regenerate partially from the degenerated IVD and its structure. The few clinical studies found in the literature presented diverging results. The use of MSC is being widely studied and shows promising results for the treatment of DDD. Although many advances are being achieved in studies in vitro and experimental, there is a lack of clinical studies to prove the role of MSC in DDD management.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the spinal cord: a review
Authors: Vedantam Aditya , Jirjis Michael , Eckhardt Gerald , Sharma Abhishiek , Schmit Brian D. , Wang Marjorie C. , Ulmer John L. , Kurpad Shekar
Published: May 2013

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance technique capable of measuring the magnitude and direction of water molecule diffusion in various tissues. The use of DTI is being expanded to evaluate a variety of spinal cord disorders both for prognostication and to guide therapy. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on spinal cord DTI in both animal models and humans in different neurosurgical conditions. DTI of the spinal cord shows promise in traumatic spinal cord injury, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and intramedullary tumors. However, scanning protocols and image processing need to be refined and standardized.
Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragment causing cauda equina syndrome
Authors: Rahimizadeh Abolfazl , Soufiani Housain , Rahimizadeh Ava
Published: May 2013

Posterior epidural migration (PEM) of a sequestered free lumbar disc fragment is rare. The rarity is due to presence of several anatomical restraints which restrict a free fragment to move to the posterior compartment. This unusual presentation of disc herniation appeared in the literature either as a single case report or in small series from two to six cases. Herein two new demonstrative cases will be presented with a brief review of the literature.
First-Line Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With HER2-Positive and Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer From registHER
Authors: Tripathy Debu , Kaufman Peter A. , Brufsky Adam M. , Mayer Musa , Yood Marianne Ulcickas , Yoo Bongin , Quah Cheng , Yardley Denise , Rugo Hope S.
Published: May 2013

Background.

Limited data are available describing the natural history of patients with HER2-positive and hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We examined first-line treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with HER2-positive, HR-positive MBC in a real-world setting.

Methods.

registHER is a prospective, observational cohort of 1,023 patients with HER2-positive MBC diagnosed within 6 months of enrollment and followed until death, disenrollment, or June 2009 (median follow-up time: 27 months). Demographics, first-line treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes were examined for 530 HER2-positive, HR-positive patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were examined. Multivariate analyses adjusted for baseline demographic and prognostic factors.

Results.

HER2-positive, HR-positive patients receiving first-line trastuzumab plus hormonal therapy had significantly longer PFS times than patients who received hormonal therapy only (13.8 vs. 4.8 months; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–0.60); a nonsignificant reduction in OS time was observed (adjusted HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.27–1.14). Compared with patients who received first-line trastuzumab plus chemotherapy, patients who received first-line trastuzumab plus chemotherapy and hormonal therapy had longer median PFS times (20.4 months vs. 9.5 months; adjusted HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.42–0.68); a statistically significant reduction in risk of death was observed (adjusted HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36–0.70). Sequential use of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy was associated with improved OS times when compared with concurrent use (adjusted PFS HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.54–1.21; adjusted OS HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26–0.89).

Conclusions.

These real-world data in patients with HER2-positive/HR-positive MBC provide evidence that, with or without chemotherapy, dual targeting of HRs and HER2 receptors is associated with significantly prolonged PFS and OS times.
Concrete behaviour in direct tension tests at high strain rates
Authors: Cadoni Ezio , Solomos George , Albertini Carlo
Published: May 2013

Direct tensile tests on cubic concrete specimens of 60 mm side were performed at strain rates from 1 s−1 to 10 s−1 by means of a modified Hopkinson bar. The results of 26 such high strain rate tests on two concrete types, with 5 and 10 mm maximum aggregate size, are presented in this paper. As reference for these dynamic tests, a series of 14 static tests with specimens of the same geometry was also carried out. The experiments show a significant increase in tensile strength, failure strain, elastic modulus and fracture energy as the strain rates increase. The dynamic results obtained are compared with data and formulations present in the literature, the validity of which is critically assessed. Deviations or knowledge gaps are identified, which confirm the need to generate new data in order to develop more accurate formulae able to predict the evolution of mechanical properties with increasing strain rate.
A mechanism that maintains alternative life histories in a loggerhead sea turtle population
Authors: Hatase Hideo , Omuta Kazuyoshi , Tsukamoto Katsumi
Published: May 2013

Intrapopulation variation in habitat use is commonly seen among mobile animals, yet the mechanisms maintaining it have rarely been researched among untrackable species. To investigate how alternative life histories are maintained in a population of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), cumulative reproductive output was evaluated and compared between small planktivores inhabiting oceanic areas (with water depths >200 m) and large benthivores inhabiting neritic areas (depths <200 m) that sympatrically nested at Yakushima Island, Japan, from 1986 to 2011. In total, 362 nesting females sampled in three different years were classified into the two foraging groups based on stable isotope ratios in egg yolks. There were significant differences between the two foraging groups in most recorded life history parameters (clutch size, clutch frequency, breeding frequency, and remigration intervals), with the exception of emergence success. We did not find evidence of life history trade‐offs, nor age‐related changes in fecundity. Over the 26‐year study period, we calculated a 2.4‐fold greater reproductive output for neritic foragers than for oceanic ones, accounting for breeding and clutch frequency. Temporal consistencies in stable isotope ratios and remigration intervals within females suggested that female Japanese loggerheads show fidelity to respective foraging habitats throughout the adult stage. The large difference in productivity between the two groups was unlikely to be offset by the difference in survival during the period from aboveground emergence to first reproduction, suggesting that oceanic foragers have a lower level of fitness than neritic ones. Together with an absence of genetic structure between foraging groups, we infer that alternative life histories in a loggerhead turtle population are maintained by a conditional strategy.
Networks of wildlife translocations in developing countries: an emerging conservation issue?
Authors: Goss Jeremy R , Cumming Graeme S
Published: May 2013

The recent expansion of the global wildlife trade, both within and between countries, has many potentially negative ecological impacts. Emerging economies, in particular, have a largely overlooked potential for rapid internal growth in this trade. An analysis of ~17 000 wildlife transportation permits – issued in South Africa primarily for commercial purposes by the Western Cape Province's local government – provides insights into this trend. During the past decade, a total of 912 amphibian, bird, mammal, and reptile species were transported to and from locations in the province; 60% of translocated vertebrate species were non‐native. Network analysis of the data indicated that the numbers of participants within local trade networks are increasing rapidly. Static and dynamic structural differences emerged between the networks for selected vertebrate Classes. Changes in density and degree were pronounced for mammal and reptile networks but were more constant for birds over the observed time period. All translocation networks exhibited “small‐world”, scale‐free properties, which would facilitate the rapid propagation of negative influences through the system.
Maxillary Sinus Augmentation With Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein‐2 and Particulate Allograft Without an Absorbable Sponge: A Case Report
Authors: Barnett Andrew S. , Soardi Carlo Maria , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: May 2013

Introduction: Recently, biologic agents have been added to bone graft materials in sinus‐augmentation surgeries to accelerate the rate of regeneration. One such agent is recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) using an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) as a carrier. Researchers have previously shown that, not only can rhBMP‐2 be successfully added to an allograft, but that the amount of ACS used is directly related to an increase in future graft shrinkage. There are limited data on adding rhBMP‐2 to an allograft mixture without any ACS. Hence, the objective of this case report is to provide the first histomorphometric analysis using rhBMP‐2 with allograft mixture without an ACS in an effort to reduce graft shrinkage.

Case Presentation: A patient presented requiring implants in the right posterior, but maxillary sinus pneumatization and ridge resorption resulted in inadequate bone height. A sinus‐augmentation procedure was completed using rhBMP‐2 with allograft mixture without an ACS in an effort to reduce graft shrinkage; bone core biopsies were trephined at implant placement 6 months later and underwent histologic analysis. The graft regenerated as viable, mature, mineralized bone, and implant placement was successful.

Conclusions: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report indicating that directly adding rhBMP‐2 to an allograft mixture without an ACS carrier is a viable supplementation to a sinus‐augmentation procedure. However, long‐term randomized controlled trials are needed for proper quantitative analysis and to determine its long‐term predictability and efficacy.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Prevalence of Resistance Genes of Obligate Anaerobes Isolated From Periodontal Abscesses
Authors: Xie Yi , Chen Jiazhen , He Junlin , Miao Xinyu , Xu Meng , Wu Xingwen , Xu Beiyun , Yu Liying , Zhang Wenhong
Published: May 2013

Background: This study attempts to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of obligate anaerobic bacteria that were isolated from a periodontal abscess and to evaluate the prevalence of resistance genes in these bacteria.

Methods: Forty‐one periodontal abscess samples were cultivated on selective and non‐selective culture media to isolate the oral anaerobes. Their antibiotic susceptibilities to clindamycin, doxycycline, amoxicillin, imipenem, cefradine, cefixime, roxithromycin, and metronidazole were determined using the agar dilution method, and polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect the presence of the ermF, tetQ, nim, and cfxA drug resistance genes.

Results: A total of 60 different bacterial colonies was isolated and identified. All of the isolates were sensitive to imipenem. Of the strains, 6.7%, 13.3%, 16.7%, and 25% were resistant to doxycycline, metronidazole, cefixime, and amoxicillin, respectively. The resistance rate for both clindamycin and roxithromycin was 31.7%. Approximately 60.7% of the strains had the ermF gene, and 53.3% of the amoxicillin‐resistant strains were found to have the cfxA gene. Two nim genes that were found in eight metronidazole‐resistant strains were identified as nimB.

Conclusions: In the present study, the Prevotella species are the most frequently isolated obligate anaerobes from periodontal abscesses. The current results show their alarmingly high resistance rate against clindamycin and roxithromycin; thus, the use of these antibiotics is unacceptable for the empirical therapy of periodontal abscesses. A brief prevalence of four resistance genes in the anaerobic bacteria that were isolated was also demonstrated.
Impact of climate change on water availability: case study of a small coastal town in India
Authors: Nair Rekha S. , Bharat Dr Alka , Nair Manu G.
Published: May 2013

Climate change is presently causing a multitude of impacts in various sectors. Studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN, and other agencies such as the Institute of Physical Geography, University College London show that there will be a significant impact on fresh water availability in the future due to climate change. The Cochin city region is an important port and commercial hub located on the south western coast of India. Average annual rainfall is 3,099 mm, yet there is an acute gap between the demand and supply of potable water. An assessment of the vulnerability of the city to various climate change parameters is important in formulating long-term strategies for sustainable development. This article examines the availability of water resources in the context of future requirements (2051), the expected impacts of climate change and its variability.

Research highlights:99% of supply depends on monsoon fed rivers100 years temperature shows an increasing trend with significant increase in later years100 years rainfall shows increasing variability with significant increase in later yearsSensitivity analysis and the environmental water requirement (EWR) approach indicate a 33% drop in reservoir water availability due to a 19% deficit in rainfallBased on climate change, vulnerability CVI for water availability computed66% of population highly vulnerable.
Participatory fuzzy cognitive mapping analysis to evaluate the future of water in the Seyhan Basin
Authors: Cakmak Erol H. , Dudu Hasan , Eruygur Ozan , Ger Metin , Onurlu Sema , Tonguç Özlem
Published: May 2013

Stress on the water resources of Turkey is expected to increase in the near future. This paper presents the results of a case study in one of the most important water basins in Turkey, the Seyhan Basin, where the future of the basin is estimated using a fuzzy cognitive mapping technique applied at a participatory meeting with the stakeholders. Participants envisioned that water supply, water demand and water use would decline in the future in response to the increasing impact of climate change. Improvements in sustainable water management, irrigation efficiency and the use of water-saving technologies will diminish the severity of scarcity that is expected to occur due to climate change.
Evaluating the effect of climate variation on the cost efficiency of a crop permit policy in Southern Sweden
Authors: Collentine Dennis , Johnsson Holger
Published: May 2013

Current international agreements call for a significant reduction of nitrogen loads to the Baltic Sea. New measures to reduce nitrogen loads from the agricultural sector and an increased focus on cost efficiency will be needed to meet reduction targets. For policy design and evaluation it is important to understand the impact of weather on the efficiency of abatement measures. One new proposed policy is the use of crop permits based on weather normalized average leaching. This paper describes the use of the Spearman method to determine the efficiency of this policy with annual weather variation. The conclusion is that the values of the Spearman correlation coefficients in the study indicate that using average leaching for the individual crops on specific soil types for calculating crop permit requirements is an efficient policy. The Spearman method is demonstrated to be a simple useful tool for evaluating the impact of weather and is recommended for use in new studies.
Removal of heavy metals from industrial effluent using Pinus roxburghii leaves as biosorbent: equilibrium modelling
Authors: Tewari Hemlata , Vivekanand
Published: May 2013

In the present study, biosorption capability of pine (Pinus roxburghii) leaves for the removal Cr6+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions, present in brass and electroplating industry effluent, were investigated with respect to different adsorbent doses, contact time and pH. Heavy metals concentrations were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Initial concentration of Cr6+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions in the effluent were found to be 2.741, 4.551, 8.820 and 5.529 mg/L respectively. Biosorption studies revealed that Cr6+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ showed maximum removal of 99.85, 94.54, 97.10 and 89% at pH 4, 4, 4 and 8, respectively, with 4 g pine leaves when shaken at 150 rpm for 60 min. The applicability of the three equilibrium isotherm models was investigated and the data obtained fitted the three investigated isothermal models in the order: Langmuir > Temkin > Freundlich for all the studied metal ions. The adsorption isotherm coefficients, Qmax, b, Kf, n, at, bt were also calculated. Very high regression correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.9) were found for Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+; Cr6+ (Temkin isotherm) when pH (2–8) was varied; Cr6+, Cu2+,Fe2+ and Zn2+ when contact time (15–60 min) was varied; Cu2+ (Langmuir isotherm) Fe2+ (Freundlich and Temkin isotherms) when adsorbent was varied from 2 to 5 g. Results also revealed that among all the studied ions Cr6+ at varied pH and Fe2+ at different adsorbent doses satisfy the Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models to describe the biosorption equilibrium by pine (Pinus roxburghii) adsorbent.
Permeability decline in nanofiltration/reverse osmosis membranes fed with municipal wastewater treated by a membrane bioreactor
Authors: Kimura Katsuki , Ogawa Naoko , Watanabe Yoshimasa
Published: May 2013

Decline in the permeability in nanofiltration (NF)/reverse osmosis (RO) membranes that filtered effluents from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating municipal wastewater was investigated in this study. Four different 2-inch spiral-wound NF/RO membrane elements were continuously operated for 40 days. The results showed that the amount of deposits on the membrane surface did not affect the degree of permeability decline. Laboratory-scale filtration tests with coupons obtained from the fouled membranes also revealed that the contribution of the gel/cake layer to total filtration resistance was minor. Rather, constituents that were strongly bound to the membranes were mainly responsible for permeability decline. Chemical cleaning of the fouled membranes carried out after removal of the cake showed that silica played an important role in the decline in permeability. A considerable amount of organic matter which was mainly composed of carbohydrates and proteins was also desorbed from the fouled membranes.
Bio-desulfurization and denitrification by anaerobic-anoxic process for the treatment of wastewater from flue gas washing
Authors: Song Ziyu , Zhou Xuemei , Li Yuguang , Yang Maohua , Xing Jianmin
Published: May 2013

For amine-based carbon dioxide capture, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides were the main pollutants that had a negative effect on the regeneration of solvent. Before carbon dioxide capture, the sulfur oxides in flue gas should be removed by the method of calcium salt, and then washed by alkaline solution to eliminate the residual nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. The washing wastewater containing sulfate and nitrate needs to be treated. In this study, a novel anaerobic-anoxic process was built up for the treatment of this washing wastewater. Nitrate was reduced to nitrogen by denitrifying bacteria. Sulfate was firstly reduced to sulfide by sulfate reducing bacteria, and then selectively oxidized to element sulfur by sulfide oxidizing bacteria. The treated liquid could be reused as absorption after the adjustment of pH value. The performances of this bioprocess were investigated under various pH values and S/N ratios. It was found that the optimal pH value of influent was 6.0, the percentages of denitrification and sulfate reducing could reach 90 and 89%, respectively. Seventy-six percent of sulfate was transformed into element sulfur. Nitrate significantly had a negative effect on sulfate reduction above 10 mM. As 20 mM nitrate, the sulfate reducing percentage would drop to 67%. These results showed that the anaerobic-anoxic process was feasible for the treatment of flue gas washing wastewater. It would be prospectively applied to other wastewater with the higher ratio of SO42−/NO3−.
The Relationship Between Neuropathic Pain, and the Function of the Upper Limbs Based on Clinical Severity According to Electrophysiological Studies in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Sonohata Motoki , Tsuruta Toshiyuki , Mine Hiroko , Morimoto Tadatsugu , Mawatari Masaaki
Published: May 2013

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve, and CTS can cause neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between neuropathic pain, function of the upper limb, and the electrophysiology in patients with CTS. The terminal latency of median nerve was measured in 34 patients diagnosed with CTS, and they were asked to fill out the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH-JSSH) as the patient’s assessment of the function of upper limbs and pain DETECT as an assessment for neuropathic pain. There was no significant correlation between the terminal latency and the pain DETECT score, or the terminal latency and the DASH-JSSH score. However, there was a significant correlation between the pain DETECT and DASH-JSSH scores. Neuropathic pain affects the function of the upper extremities in patients with CTS.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC®) to Microfracture: Analysis of 1- and 2-Year Follow-Up Data of 2 Centers
Authors: Anders Sven , Volz Martin , Frick Hubert , Gellissen Jörg
Published: May 2013

Microfracture (MFx) is currently the recommended option for the treatment of small cartilage defects but is not regarded as suitable for the treatment of defects larger than 2.5 cm2. To extent its applicability to medium-sized defects MFx has been combined with a collagen type I/III matrix (Chondro-Gide®). This technique is called Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC®) and meanwhile a clinically established treatment option for localized full-thickness small- to medium-sized cartilage defects. Despite its more spreading clinical use, clinical data published so far are limited to mainly case report series.

In this study, we report the first results of a randomized, controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of AMIC®versus MFx. Patients enrolled in 2 centers were included in this analysis. 38 patients (aged 21-50 years, mean defect size 3.4 cm2) were randomized and treated either with MFx, with sutured AMIC®or glued AMIC®. Clinical outcomes (modified Cincinnati and ICRS score) could be assessed in 30 patients at 1-year and 27 patients at 2-years post-operation. Improvements in both scores were seen at 1-and 2-years post-operation, irrespective of the technique used. MRI assessment revealed a satisfactory and homogenous defect filling in the majority of patients. No treatment-related adverse events were reported.

This interim analysis confirms the mid-term results for AMIC®reported in literature. It demonstrates clearly that clinical outcomes at 1-year post-operation are maintained at 2-years. Therefore we consider enhancing MFx with Chondro-Gide®is a valid and safe cartilage repair option for small- to medium-sized cartilage defects of the knee.
Novel Approaches for Treating Musculoskeletal Diseases: Molecular Orthopedics and Systems Medicine
Authors: Mashayekhi Kaveh , O’Brien Margaret , Zugun-Eloae Florin , Labusca Luminita
Published: May 2013

Molecular medicine uses knowledge about cell structure and function for disease, diagnostics, stage characterisation and treatment. The advent of genomic technologies is considerably leading to developments in the field of molecular medicine. The accumulation of detailed information about gene expression, epigenetic variability, protein transcription and functional modulation is contributing to a new era in medicine. Rapid and early diagnostic procedures, molecular characterisation of degenerative and proliferative diseases and personalized therapies are predicted to lead to advancements in health prevention and treatment of disease. Diagnostic tools and therapies based on local and /or general modulation of cellular processes for traumatic or degenerative musculoskeletal conditions are becoming available. A logical consequence of the information derived from extensive data gathering, systems biology and systemic medicine has lead to significant improvements in understanding biological structure and function in a simultaneous bottom top and integrative, holistic manner. The description of disease mechanism at an intimate, subcellular level has a dual benefit. A thorough understanding of the crosstalk involved in molecular pathways both in the normal and the diseased state are expanding scientific knowledge and simultaneously are enabling design cell-targeted and individualized therapies. This paper presents a brief overview of current molecular based treatments available to the orthopedic surgeon and introduces the concept of systemic medicine from the perspective of musculoskeletal pathology.
Eastern migrations vs western welfare states - (un)biased fears
Authors: Josifidis Kosta , Hall John , Berenger Valérie , Supic Novica
Published: May 2013

This inquiry considers some effects of migration on the labour markets and
the welfare systems found in the EU-15, and from the perspectives of
sustainability of the current welfare state regimes. Our inquiry aims to
determine whether and to what extent different approaches in regulation of
migration flows between the new and old member states are compatible with
related economic and demographic findings. Within this context, our research
considers regulations affecting migration flows. Our findings suggest that
some effects of migration from the EU8+2 on the labour markets and social
protection systems found in the EU-15, both with respect to level and
structure, do indeed generate effects on migration, especially considering
whether migration is based upon economic or welfare decisions. In addition,
our inquiry considers perspectives upon restrictive versus liberal migration
policies.
Family and childcare support public expenditures and short-term fertility dynamics
Authors: Enache Cosmin
Published: May 2013

In a period of very low fertility, effective family and childcare support
policy measures are needed. From a wide range of instruments available to
government intervention, we focus on public expenditures effects on
short-term fertility. Using a sample of 28 European countries in a panel
framework, we found that there is a small positive elasticity of crude birth
rate to cash benefits related to childbirth and childrearing provided through
social security system. Different public services provided to ease the burden
of parents and all other benefits in kind, means or non-means tested, are
found to be insignificant. These results are robust to alternative methods of
estimation. Controlling for country heterogeneity by religion and by culture,
some particularly interesting differences in birth rate determinants were
highlighted as well.
Changing the total allowable catch (TAC) decision-making framework: A central bank of fishes?
Authors: Astorkiza Kepa , del Valle
Published: May 2013

The difficulties that the current model of TAC regulation generates in the
current system of EU fisheries are analyzed. Although the production
structure of the TAC has been set up in collaboration with ICES, the
determination process lacks short-term contributions from the field of
biology. Once these inputs undergo the decision process of the EU, the
resulting TACs are significantly biased in relation to the initial
recommendations. To solve this problem, a different institutional model with
the addition of a Central Bank-like of Fishes is proposed.
Expression patterns of nociceptin in rats following experimental tooth movement
Authors: Liao Lina , Hua Xiaochuan , Long Hu , Ye Niansong , Zhou Yang , Wang Sheng , Lai Wenli
Published: May 2013

Objectives:

To determine the expression levels of nociceptin following experimental tooth movement.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: sham and experimental groups. For the experimental group, closed coil springs were used to mimic orthodontic force (80 g) between upper incisors and first molars, and the rats were killed at 0 hours, 4 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days. All of these procedures were similar for the sham group, except for that no force was applied. The four rats killed at 0 hours without any intervention were used as the baseline control in each group. Trigeminal nucleus caudalis from both the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of force applications were obtained for immunostaining.

Results:

Nociceptin was expressed in both the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of each group. Its expression levels started to increase on day 2, peaked on day 7, and returned to baseline on day 10 in the experimental group, while expression levels started to decrease on day 1 and returned to baseline on day 10 in the sham group. Moreover, the expression levels were similar between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides in each group.

Conclusion:

The expression levels of nociceptin were elevated following experimental tooth movement. The anesthetic agent used in this study (chloral hydrate) may have an antagonism with nociceptin. Due to bilateral innervation of anterior teeth and bilateral projection of nerve fibers, the expression levels of nociceptin were similar between ipsilateral and contralateral sides.
Estimating the Population Prevalence of Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Diabetes
Authors: Leong Aaron , Dasgupta Kaberi , Chiasson Jean-Louis , Rahme Elham
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

Health administrative data are frequently used for diabetes surveillance, but validation studies are limited, and undiagnosed diabetes has not been considered in previous studies. We compared the test properties of an administrative definition with self-reported diabetes and estimated prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes by measuring glucose levels in mailed-in capillary blood samples.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A stratified random sample of 6,247 individuals (Quebec province) was surveyed by telephone and asked to mail in fasting blood samples on filter paper to a central laboratory. An administrative definition was applied (two physician claims or one hospitalization for diabetes within a 2-year period) and compared with self-reported diabetes alone and with self-reported diabetes or elevated blood glucose level (≥7 mmol/L). Population-level prevalence was estimated with the use of the administrative definition corrected for its sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

Compared with self-reported diabetes, sensitivity and specificity were 84.3% (95% CI 79.3–88.5%) and 97.9% (97.4–98.4%), respectively. Compared with diabetes by self-report and/or glucose testing, sensitivity was lower at 58.2% (52.2–64.6%), whereas specificity was similar at 98.7% (98.0–99.3%). Adjusted for sampling weights, population-level prevalence of physician-diagnosed diabetes was 7.2% (6.3–8.0%). Prevalence of total diabetes (physician-diagnosed and undiagnosed) was 13.4% (11.7–15.0%), indicating that ∼40% of diabetes cases are undiagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of diabetes cases are missed by surveillance methods that use health administrative databases. This finding is concerning because individuals with undiagnosed diabetes are likely to have a delay in treatment and, thus, a higher risk for diabetes-related complications.
Discrete homing problems
Authors: Lefebvre Mario , Kounta Moussa
Published: May 2013

We consider the so-called homing problem for discrete-time Markov chains. The aim is to optimally control the Markov chain until it hits a given boundary. Depending on a parameter in the cost function, the optimizer either wants to maximize or minimize the time spent by the controlled process in the continuation region. Particular problems are considered and solved explicitly. Both the optimal control and the value function are obtained
Improving efficiency of pH control by balance-based adaptive control application
Authors: Stebel Krzysztof , Czeczot Jacek , Metzger Mieczysław
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the efficient control of the pH process. Considering the PI + gain scheduling (PI+GS) controller as the benchmark and its control performance as the base, we investigate experimentally the overall improvement in the control performance obtained by the application of the Balance-Based Adaptive Controller (B-BAC), which requires only the measurement data of the flow rates and pH values. The improvement of the control efficiency is investigated not only in terms of the controlled variable performance but also in terms of the manipulated variable performance considered as the considerable control cost. The application of the B-BAController can ensure lower controlled pH variability at the price of the control effort similar to the PI+GS approach and thus it can improve the overall efficiency of pH control. The second important contribution is the experimental validation of the very simple and intuitive tuning procedure for the B-BAController
Robust control system design in frequency domain
Authors: Veselý Vojtech , Osuský Jakub
Published: May 2013

In this paper two robust control methods for hybrid system are presented. Both methods are usefull for SISO and MIMO systems. Controller design procedure is developed in frequency domain. Equivalent subsystem method is used for controller design in this paper. Stability condition of proposed methods bases on small gain theory and uses additive and inverse additive model type. Two tank water system is presented in the paper and serves as a numerical example to compare effectiveness of described methods
Real-time implementation of multiple model based predictive control strategy to air/fuel ratio of a gasoline engine
Authors: Wojnar Sławomir , Polóni Tomáš , Šimončič Peter , Rohal̓-Ilkiv Boris , Honek Marek , Csambál Jozef
Published: May 2013

Growing safety, pollution and comfort requirements influence automotive industry ever more. The use of three-way catalysts in exhaust aftertreatment systems of combustion engines is essential in reducing engine emissions to levels demanded by environmental legislation. However, the key to the optimal catalytic conversion level is to keep the engine air/fuel ratio (AFR) at a desired level. Thus, for this purposes more and more sophisticated AFR control algorithms are intensively investigated and tested in the literature. The goal of this paper is to present for a case of a gasoline engine the model predictive AFR controller based on the multiple-model approach to the engine modeling. The idea is to identify the engine in particular working points and then to create a global engine's model using Sugeno fuzzy logic. Opposite to traditional control approaches which lose their quality beside steady state, it enables to work with satisfactory quality mainly in transient regimes. Presented results of the multiple-model predictive air/fuel ratio control are acquired from the first experimental real-time implementation on the VW Polo $1390 cm^3$ gasoline engine, at which the original electronic control unit (ECU) has been fully replaced by a dSpace prototyping system which execute the predictive controller. Required control performance has been proven and is presented in the paper.
‘This is England’? Sense of Place in English Narrative Ballads
Authors: Atkinson David
Published: May 2013

Rightly or wrongly, ballads and folk songs collected in England are often thought to embody a sense of Englishness, even though substantial numbers of the items contained in such collections could equally be found in, say, Scotland, or even America. Nevertheless, ballad texts do reference topology and environment, and they do reference specific localities. However, while it is not difficult to think of some songs that unequivocally identify a fairly specific location (‘Rufford Park Poachers’ and ‘The Folkestone Murder’ are discussed here), many of the classical ballads in particular establish locality in much more elliptical fashion.

Looking at a selection of ballads and their variants, both as collected songs and in broadside print, I aim to sketch out the way(s) in which ballads maintain a fragile, allusive sense of place. Albeit that it is inevitably overshadowed by the emphasis on action and emotion that characterise ballad style, what is here described as an ‘elliptical’ sense of place is nonetheless an important facet of the ‘feel’ of these ballads.
Morphological Features of Organelles during Apoptosis: An Overview
Authors: Bottone Maria , Santin Giada , Aredia Francesca , Bernocchi Graziella , Pellicciari Carlo , Scovassi Anna
Published: May 2013

An apoptotic program leading to controlled cell dismantling implies perturbations of nuclear dynamics, as well as changes affecting the organelle structure and distribution. In human cancer cells driven to apoptosis by different stimuli, we have recently investigated the morphological properties of several organelles, including mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In this review, we will discuss the body of evidence in the literature suggesting that organelles are generally relocated and/or degraded during apoptosis, irrespectively of the apoptogenic stimulus and cell type.